BUSINESS | Page 1 QATAR | Page 20 Local banking sector benefi ts from Qatar’s economic growth: UDC signs QR1.2bn deals QIIB chief for 3 projects at Pearl-Qatar published in QATAR since 1978

SUNDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11251 July 21, 2019 Dhul-Qa’da 18, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Korean PM visits National Museum In brief

QATAR | Offi cial UK wants to de-escalate Amir congratulates Colombian president His Highness the Amir Sheikh tensions with Iran: Hunt Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and British-flagged Stena Impero was seized after the tanker HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin was involved in an accident; the ship must go through a Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani sent yesterday cables of congratulations legal process before it could be released: Tehran to Colombian President Ivan Duque on the anniversary of his country’s AFP “Our priority continues to be to disappointment” by phone to his Independent Day. London fi nd a way to de-escalate the situa- Iranian counterpart Zarif. Britain tion,” he said. also summoned the Iranian charge QATAR | Health Hunt said the Stena Impero must d’aff aires in London. HMC’s newest hospital ondon wants to de-escalate be released, and Britain was “very A spokesman for Iran’s Revolution- starts surgical services South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon and his accompanying delegation tensions with Tehran, Foreign concerned” about the safety of the 23 ary Guards, Brigadier-General Rame- visited the National Museum of Qatar yesterday. The visitors were given detailed LSecretary Jeremy Hunt said crew. zan Sharif, said Tehran had seized the Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) explanations of the museum’s treasures. The prime minister visited the various yesterday following a meeting of the Sources said 18 Indians, three Rus- ship in the Strait of Hormuz despite newest hospital - Hazm Mebaireek exhibition halls, including the one for the geological development of the Qatar UK’s emergencies committee over sians, a Latvian and a Filipino were the “resistance and interference” of General Hospital (HMGH) - has Peninsula, its natural surroundings, the archaeological sites and monuments, the Iran’s seizure of a British-fl agged ship aboard the Swedish-owned ship. a British warship which had been es- completed the first phase of its life of the people of Qatar on land and coasts, and the digital exhibition. He was in the Gulf. Britain denounced the seizure as a corting it. No British warship was vis- surgical services implementation also briefed about the most important pieces and collections related to pearls The meeting “reaffi rmed UK de- “hostile act”, rejecting Tehran’s ex- ible in the video posted by the Guards. programme, it has been announced. and jewellery designs, as well as the galleries of the modern Qatari history since sire to de-escalate,” Hunt said, add- planation that it had seized the vessel Iran’s Fars news agency said the Two operating theatres for elective the discovery of oil and gas. At the end of his tour, the Korean prime minister ing that the Stena Impero oil tanker because it had been involved in an ac- Guards had taken control of the Stena general surgery and urology signed the Gold Register of the National Museum of Qatar. Page 2 was seized in Omani waters “in clear cident. Impero on Friday after it collided with procedures are now open, and contravention of international law” Iran’s Revolutionary Guards posted an Iranian fi shing boat whose distress upwards of 15 surgeries are expected in “utterly unacceptable” circum- a video online showing speedboats call it ignored. to be performed each week. Page 2 stances. pulling up alongside the Stena Impero The vessel, carrying no cargo, was The seizure came hours after a tanker, its name clearly visible. taken to the Iranian port of Bandar PAKISTAN | Vote court in the British overseas territory Troops wearing ski masks and car- Abbas. It would remain there with its Tribal regions hold ‘Tawteen’ receives big of Gibraltar said it would extend by 30 rying machine guns rappelled to its 23 crew – 18 of them Indians – while days the detention of Grace 1, an Ira- deck from a helicopter, the same tac- the accident was investigated, Ira- fi rst provincial polls nian tanker seized two weeks ago in an tics used by British Royal Marines to nian news agencies quoted the head Pakistan’s tribal areas held their first response from investors operation aided by British Royal Ma- seize an Iranian tanker off the coast of of Ports and Maritime Organisation ever provincial elections yesterday. rines on allegations of breaching EU Gibraltar two weeks ago. in southern Hormozgan province, Al- The seven remote districts along the sanctions against Syria. Friday’s action in the global oil lahmorad Afi fi pour, as saying. border with Afghanistan were once atar Petroleum’s (QP) locali- applicants to proceed with the next Hunt said that having spoken to his trade’s most important waterway has Zarif told Britain’s Hunt that the a focal point in the global war on sation initiative, Tawteen, stage of the pre-tendering process in Iranian counterpart Mohamed Javad been viewed in the West as a major ship must go through a legal proc- terror but were brought under the Qwhich was launched this Feb- the fourth quarter 2019. Zarif, Tehran saw the situation as a escalation after three months of con- ess before it could be released, Iran’s control of Pakistani authorities after ruary, had a large participation of of- The success of Tawteen’s earlier “tit for tat”. frontation. ISNA news agency reported. the passage of legislation last year. fi cial bodies and entities, energy sec- phases is a crucial step in actualising “Nothing could be further from the British Defence Secretary Penny The strait, between Iran and the More than 2.8mn people lined up to tor companies and a wide spectrum the vision of QP towards a resilient lo- truth,” he said. Mordaunt called the incident a “hos- Arabian peninsula, is the sole outlet vote for 16 representatives for the of service providers and supporting calised supply chain, economic diver- “Grace 1 was detained legally in Gi- tile act”. Foreign Secretary Jeremy for exports of most Middle Eastern provincial assembly. Page 17 industries. sifi cation, and self-reliance. braltarian waters because it was carry- Hunt said he had expressed “extreme oil. Tawteen received a signifi cant The evaluation of the submission ing oil, against EU sanctions, to Syria, EUROPE | Politics turnout of around 1,500 applications and award of opportunities to selected and that’s why the Gibraltarian au- Huge rally in Moscow as through its investor portal from local investors is undertaken based on a ro- thorities acted totally with respect to investors and leading global suppli- bust governance process that is de- due process and totally within the law. polls anger boils over ers for about 100 new investment op- signed to ensure fair competition be- “Stena Impero was seized in Omani More than 22,000 people packed portunities it off ers in various fi elds, tween all interested investors. waters in clear contravention of inter- a Moscow square yesterday to including engineering services, main- The award of such opportunities is national law. It was then forced to sail demand free and fair local polls, tenance, repair & overhaul (MRO), planned to commence in the fi rst quar- into Iran. incensed by the authorities’ refusal digital technologies, subsurface opera- ter of 2020. “This is totally and utterly unac- to put popular opposition candidates tions, chemicals and metals, as well as The investment opportunities are ceptable. It raises very serious ques- on the ballot. Staging their largest light equipment, business services and only one aspect of Tawteen’s eff orts tions about the security of British protest rally in years, opposition other services across the energy sector intended to increase the local capabili- shipping, and indeed international leaders such as President Vladimir supply chain. ties in services and light manufactur- shipping, in the Strait of Hormuz.” Putin’s top opponent Alexei Navalny Applications are currently under ing supporting the energy sector. Hunt said parliament would be up- and ordinary Muscovites gathered review by Tawteen’s dedicated evalu- For more information, one can visit dated tomorrow about what further This image grab taken from a video provided by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards after authorities refused to register ation team. the Tawteen website on www.tawteen. measures the British government off icial website shows the Guard Corps boarding the British-flagged tanker independent candidates. Page 13 Tawteen will respond to accepted com.qa or e-mail [email protected] would take. Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz.

Blast-off on Moon landing anniversary BA suspends fl ights to Cairo for 7 days Heightened risk of terrorism against aviation, travel advice says

Reuters “Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks “Terrorists in Egypt likely main- Cairo tain the intent and capability to target in Egypt. Although most attacks occur in North Sinai, aviation. there is a risk of terrorist attacks across the country,” “The greatest threat is on the Sinai ritish Airways abruptly sus- peninsula where Daesh operate with pended fl ights to Cairo for a Britons are warned. “Terrorists in Egypt likely greater freedom, but terrorists are Bweek from yesterday over secu- active in mainland Egypt, including rity concerns, giving no details about maintain the intent and capability to target aviation” Cairo.” what had prompted the move. The Foreign Offi ce warns that it “We constantly review our secu- airport on Wednesday and Thursday. rorism against aviation. Additional “can’t off er advice on the safety of in- rity arrangements at all our airports They provided no further details. security measures are in place for dividual airlines”. around the world, and have suspend- Egypt’s civil aviation ministry fl ights departing from Egypt to the An estimated 415,000 British na- ed fl ights to Cairo for seven days as could not immediately be reached for UK. You should co-operate fully with tionals visited Egypt in 2018. a precaution to allow for further as- comment. security offi cials at airports,” the Brit- Tourism, a key source of foreign sessment,” it said in a statement. The British Foreign Offi ce updated ish advice says. revenue for Egypt, has been recover- The airline added that it would its travel advice yesterday to add a Some aff ected passengers posted ing after tourist numbers dropped in never operate an aircraft unless it reference to the British Airways sus- pictures on social media appearing to the wake of a 2011 uprising and the was safe to do so. When asked for pension, advising travellers aff ected show a letter handed out by BA with a 2015 bombing of the Russian passen- Fifty years ago, American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the more details about why flights had to contact the airline. similar message. ger jet, which killed all 224 people on first humans in history to set foot on the Moon, an epoch-defining event watched been suspended and what security It has long advised against all but A spokeswoman for the airline said board shortly after takeoff . on television by half a billion people. Their lunar module, named “Eagle,” touched arrangements the airline was re- essential travel by air to and from the it could not immediately off er more That attack, which was claimed down at 2018 GMT (4:18pm ET) on July 20, 1969. Nasa has been in overdrive for viewing, a spokeswoman respond- Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh, information about the suspensions. by Islamic State, prompted Russia several weeks to mark the anniversary. Meanwhile, a Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft ed: “We never discuss matters of where a Russian passenger jet was “Terrorists are very likely to try to to halt all flights to Egypt for sev- (above) carrying the crew formed of Andrew Morgan of Nasa, Alexander security.” bombed in 2015, but has not issued carry out attacks in Egypt. Although eral years and a number of countries Skvortsov of the Russian space agency Roscosmos and Luca Parmitano of Three Egyptian airport security similar warnings against air travel to most attacks occur in North Sinai, including Britain to cease flights to European Space Agency blasts off to the International Space Station (ISS) from sources told Reuters that British staff and from Cairo. there is a risk of terrorist attacks across Sharm El Sheikh, which have yet to the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, yesterday. Pages 10, 13 had been checking security at Cairo “There’s a heightened risk of ter- the country,” Britons are warned. resume. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, July 21, 2019 QATAR

Qatar has made great HMC’s newest hospital strides in food security atar has boosted its fered to investors to grow vari- agriculture, poultry ous types of vegetables. Qand livestock produc- In addition, the MME will tion over the past few years, in study 24 new strategic projects particular compared to the pe- to produce vegetables through riod before the unjust blockade greenhouses with a space of starts surgical services was imposed on the country by 100,000sqm allocated to each Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain project. The maximum produc- amad Medical Corpo- and Egypt on June 5, 2017. tion capacity is expected to be ration’s (HMC) newest A report published in local more than 50,000 tonnes a year. Hhospital - Hazm Mebai- Arabic daily Arrayah stressed Besides, the MME has given reek General Hospital (HMGH) - that the country has made due support to dates-pro- has completed the fi rst phase of great strides in achieving food ducing farms to enhance self- its surgical services implemen- security and self-suffi ciency in suffi ciency from 86% to 90% tation programme, it has been local food production. within a year. announced. The national food security The ministry has also of- Two operating theatres for strategy adopted by the country fered to investors four projects elective general surgery and for 2019-2023 is mainly based to produce green livestock fod- urology procedures are now on four elements. These include der using treated recycled sew- open, and upwards of 15 surger- local production using the least age water over a space of 8.5mn ies are expected to be performed possible amount of water and sq m to produce around 14,000 each week as part of the initial electricity and by utilising so- tonnes of green fodder. There phase of the implementation of phisticated technology such as will be six other projects to the new service, HMC has said in greenhouses, in order to achieve produce around 16,000 tonnes a statement. around 70% self-suffi ciency in of green fodder annually to Dr Hani Kilani, medical director vegetable production and hav- increase the level of self-suffi - of Hazm Mebaireek General Hos- ing to import only 30% of the ciency from 55% to 63%. pital, called the launch of the new vegetables required. This takes Signifi cant support has been service a noteworthy accomplish- into consideration the possibil- provided to livestock produc- ment. He said those living and ity of raising the quality of local ers through a number of pro- working in the Doha Industrial products by making them com- grammes, such as the MME’s Area will now benefi t from an even petitive vis-a-vis the imported initiative to buy sheep from local wider range of services. ones. farms in co-operation with the Also, the start of surgical The second and third ele- Ministry of Commerce & In- services at Hazm Mebaireek ments of the strategy entail dustry and Ministry of Finance, General Hospital is expected to strategic storage, international aiming to raise self-suffi ciency free up operating theatre ca- trade and logistics services to in this regard from 15% to 30%. pacity across HMC’s network of secure the diversifi cation of In poultry production, too, hospitals, he added. food supply sources. Accord- major strides have been made “With the opening of our ingly, each food item would be by the MME - boosting pro- new operating theatres, we can imported from 3-5 diff erent duction from 11,000 tonnes now off er an even wider range of countries around the world. in 2017 to 22,000 tonnes an- services at our state-of-the-art The fourth element involves nually, achieving 100% self- facility. By off ering both clinics Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital ‘OR’ staff and leadership. managing the local market by suffi ciency in this area. As for and surgery from within a sin- off ering customers high-quality table eggs, the ministry has gle dedicated location, patients theatres, increasing capacity for and helped relieve pressure across Area of Doha, patients who used Hospital provides care for adult food items at fair and reasonable announced eight projects to can access high-quality surgi- elective surgical procedures and HMC’s hospitals and clinics, and to have to travel further afi eld to male patients and particularly prices, the report states. produce eggs in local farms in cal treatment and follow-up providing emergency surgery particularly emergency services at access clinical, emergency and those living and working in that In the agricultural fi eld, the co-operation with Qatar De- care without needing to travel to and other specialities, including the Hamad General and Al Wakra surgical care within a hospital part of the country. Ministry Municipality & Envi- velopment Bank, in order to diff erent locations for pre- and orthopaedics and hand surgery, hospitals. setting, can now access the care The hospital, which was offi - ronment (MME) has taken the increase self-suffi ciency from post-surgery care and appoint- the statement notes. “Since opening last year, they need on their doorstep. This cially opened in December 2018, necessary steps to achieve the 28% to 70%. ments,” said Dr Kilani. Hussein Ishaq, executive direc- Hazm Mebaireek has had a posi- is not only far more convenient off ers a range of outpatient, desired self-suffi ciency in veg- For fi sheries, the MME’s Phase 2 of the surgical serv- tor of Hazm Mebaireek General tive impact on the growth in for them but also helps lessen inpatient and emergency care etable production. The current strategy is focused on the ex- ices implementation, which is Hospital, said last year’s opening healthcare capacity across HMC. the load on our busy hospitals in service. To view a location map percentage of self-suffi ciency pansion at fi sh farming projects expected to commence in the of the community-based hospital By off ering community-based Doha,” said Ishaq. for Hazm Mebaireek General in this regard is around 24%, by off ering a number of key coming months, will include the has brought care closer to where quality healthcare to those liv- Located in the Doha Industrial Hospital, one can visit https:// and this would be increased to projects to investors to further opening of additional operating it is needed in the community ing and working in the Industrial Area, Hazm Mebaireek General bit.ly/31JkMJe 70% through 10 projects of- enhance local fi sh production.

Korean PM visits National Museum of Qatar

South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon and his accompanying delegation being briefed on the collections at the National Museum of Qatar yesterday.

QBRI collaborates with University of Warwick researchers

atar Biomedical Prof Thornalley said, “It lenge. We believe that great tified a likely key step, Research Institute is an honour to have con- strides can be made in our increased hexokinase-2 Q(QBRI), part of Ha- tributed to this pioneering endeavours through strate- (HK2) in the initiation of mad Bin Khalifa University research, which is making gic collaborations, and the development of damage to (HBKU), recently collabo- vital contributions to the ongoing diabetes research the blood vessels in hyper- rated on a study initiated by study of diabetes and our with the University of War- glycemia linked to vascular researchers at the Univer- evolving understanding of wick will help us uncover complications of diabetes, sity of Warwick, UK, to ex- the illness. The research important insights with such as kidney disease, amine the impact of normal team has also gained advan- global relevance.” damage to the retina in and high concentrations of tages from bringing QBRI Researchers examined the eyes and nerves in the arms glucose on blood vessels. on board – our Diabetes impact of normal and high and legs, and increased risk The fi ndings of the initial Research Centre is mak- concentrations of glucose of heart disease - the major study, led by Dr Naila Rab- ing great strides towards on human endothelial cells, cause of premature death bani from Warwick Medical a deeper understanding of which form the lining of our in diabetes. Importantly, School, have been published diabetes through our in- blood vessels. By increas- we showed how a new type in ‘Scientifi c Reports’ jour- novative research, which is ing the concentration of of treatment, Glo1 inducer, nal and could help identify also proving integral to the glucose in the culture me- can correct this and de- new ways to prevent organ study.” dium, researchers modelled serves consideration in the damage from complications According to research- the eff ects on the human search for improved treat- related to diabetes, accord- ers from the University endothelial cells of hyper- ments for diabetic compli- ing to a press statement. of Warwick and QBRI, a glycemia - a condition in cations.” The research was con- mechanism in the cells that which an individual’s blood The initial study con- ducted in collaboration with line blood vessels and help glucose is abnormally high fi rmed that glucose me- Prof Paul Thornalley, direc- process the sugar glucose, and is commonly caused by tabolism in endothelial tor of the Diabetes Research becomes uncontrolled in diabetes. cells is increased in high Centre at QBRI, whose in- diabetes patients and could Dr Rabbani said, “Mech- concentrations of glucose. volvement in the study be- be linked to the formation anisms of organ sensitivity They showed for the fi rst gan when he was professor of blood clots and infl am- to damage by high glucose time that this occurs be- of Systems Biology at the mation. concentrations in diabetes cause HK2 degrades more University of Warwick. The Dr Omar El-Agnaf, ex- are still poorly understood slowly in high glucose con- research team is now work- ecutive director of QBRI, and urgent improvement centration and thereby me- ing to further develop this said: “With the growing in treatment of diabetic tabolises more glucose than research, including its ap- prevalence of diabetes in complication is needed. normal. Increased glucose plication to cell types found Qatar and the region, QBRI Our study provides a step metabolism is the driver of in the kidney, eye and nerves is committed to seeking out advance in understanding metabolic dysfunction of of arms and legs that be- novel approaches to tackle these mechanisms. endothelial cells in model come damaged in diabetes. this key healthcare chal- “Our research has iden- hyperglycemia. Gulf Times Sunday, July 21, 2019 3 QATAR

QRCS medical convoy a boon for Syrian refugees in Turkey

atar Red Crescent So- constant support to QRCS’s ciety’s (QRCS) medical medical convoys with medical Qconvoy to Turkey has staff , equipment and supplies. completed its work there, per- “This is not something unu- forming major surgeries for Syr- sual for the government and ian refugees at SEVG Hospital in people of Qatar, who are known Reyhanli, a town on the Syria- for their generosity and sense of Turkey border. humanity” he noted. Funded by charity from do- Ammar al-Bashtani, father nors in Qatar, the convoy was of a child, said: “I was injured conducted in partnership with in Eastern Ghouta due to air Hamad Medical Corporation strikes. My injury was too bad to (HMC). be treated in that besieged area, The medical team comprised six Dr Abdullah R al-Naimi which lacked specialist physi- surgeons of urology, ENT and pae- cians and facilities. Then, I was Off icials at the opening of the community centre in Kogali. diatric surgery. They performed 40 and desperate for surgical inter- relocated to Turkey, where I surgeries as well as examinations vention, but they cannot aff ord found that the costs of surgery for 140 patients. In addition, they the costs due to their fi nancial are too expensive. I had to suff er provided pre- and post-procedure restrictions. It is our duty to re- my non-stop pain until QRCS’s medical care and medications free lieve their pain and present as medical convoy came to the of charge, QRCS said. much as we can. country. I would like to thank Qatar Charity opens community In a statement, Dr Abdullah R “As physicians and specialists, them for putting an end to my al-Naimi, head of the delegation, we use the knowledge and expe- suff ering. May God bless those QRCS board member and super- rience we have to help those poor who donated for this act of be- visor of the medical convoy pro- people. We are usually members nevolence.” centre for Syrian refugees in Turkey gramme, said: “Throughout the of all QRCS’s medical convoys. Another medical convoy has mission, we performed signifi - Our sole aim is to treat patients already been deployed to Bang- cant and sophisticated surgeries and help them regain their nor- ladesh to perform cardiac cath- atar Charity (QC) recent- ment and Qatar Charity, and ance to Syrian refugees in Tur- malnutrition and awareness for complicated cases of war in- mal lives.” eterisations for children with con- ly launched a community through a special partnership key, praising the co-operation among mothers of nutritional juries. Thank God, all the proce- Dr al-Naimi thanked HE the genital heart defects. This is part Qcentre in Kogali, Turkey, with the Turkish Red Crescent,” between Qatar Charity and the care in children. dures were successful. Minister of Public Health Dr of QRCS’s annual medical convoy to provide protection services said Nasser al-Mogaiseeb, Relief Turkish Red Crescent in im- In addition, the centre off ers “QRCS pays increasing atten- Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari and programme, which covers several to Syrian refugees and Turkish and International Partnerships plementing many charitable voluntary activities to encourage tion to those who are suff ering the HMC leadership for their needy countries this year. citizens at an estimated cost of manager at Qatar Charity. projects. the participation of Syrian com- $750,000 He noted that the centre pro- He added that the centre pro- munities and host communities The centre is expected to ben- vides “great services for the ben- vides good services to refugees in the activities of the commu- efi t some 14,000 people, QC has efi t of Syrian refugees, including in the fi elds of education, health, nity centre, and to provide com- said in a statement. child care services, psychosocial handicrafts and economic em- munity awareness and cultural This comes as part of the support and education services, powerment projects to preserve and social activities. The courses QUEST initiative launched by as well as economic empower- human dignity. will include Arabic and Turkish Qatar to alleviate the suff ering ment and enhancement of the The centre provides a number language classes, basic computer of Syrian refugees, implement- chances of living in Turkey”, of services for the benefi t of Syr- skills, Turkish cooking, handi- ed with support from the Qatar pointing to the special relations ian refugees, such as psycho- crafts such as embroidery, sew- Fund for Development and in with the Turkish Red Crescent social support and protection ing, pottery, ceramic works and partnership with the Turkish through the implementation of services to prevent abuse, ne- others. Red Crescent. many projects inside Turkey and glect and violence against vul- It is noted that the QUEST The inaugural ceremony was on both sides of the Turkish- nerable groups. It also off ers initiative aims mainly to ensure attended by a number of offi - Syrian border. Al-Mogaiseeb activities for young people and that children and young people, cials from QC, the governor of added that many projects will children aged four to 18 years, who have suff ered the outcome Kogali, the mayor and the gen- be implemented in the coming delivers legal, medical and edu- of the Syrian crisis, are able to eral manager of the Turkish Red period. cational referral services, as well get the necessary education and Crescent. Bayram Salawi, director of as support to livelihoods through skills that will enable them to “The community centre in Immigration and Refugee Serv- vocational training, job search, move to formal education and Kogali is one of the results of the ices of the Turkish Red Crescent, joint courses, health services fi nd good jobs in the future in or- QUEST initiative with support thanked Qatari donors and QC such as the physical examination der to become active members of The medical team performed 40 surgeries and examinations for 140 patients. In addition, it provided from Qatar Fund for Develop- for their support and assist- of children, assessment of child their community. pre- and post-procedure medical care and medications free of charge. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, July 21, 2019 QATAR

Auto Class Cars launches special off er on 2020 MG ZS crossover

uto Class Cars, the tomers thanks to its design, fa- headroom capacities in its segment, Apple CarPlay, will become a authorised distribu- cilities and modern technology.” ensuring a premium travelling ex- signature of MG going forward Ator of MG in Qatar, has The MG ZS crossover marks perience for driver and passengers as it looks to target a younger launched a special off er on the an “exciting new era of design alike”. A massive 448 litres of boot generation. A remote smart ap- 2020 MG ZS crossover. for the famous British car brand capacity plus a split-level boot pro- plication will allow the driver to The model is available at the with the introduction of a to- vide plenty of room for all manner operate vehicle functions such MG showroom on Salwa Road. tally modern design philosophy”. of luggage. It also off ers a classic as remote start and stop, manage Valid until August 15, the of- Based on ‘Emotional Dynamism’, dual colour leather interior and an air-conditioning, vehicle track- fer allows customers to buy the this “more expressive design optional panoramic sunroof (avail- ing and aftersales appointments. car at “low monthly instalments” language” showcased by the MG able soon). It even reminds owners of the starting from QR1,327, in addition ZS is set to feature across all up- The MG ZS has received a services needed for the car. to providing a “lot of benefi ts”, in- coming models and “emphasises 5-star rating in the C-NCAP Standard features on all mod- cluding six years or 200,000km the premium experience and crash tests, off ering customers els include one-button start, manufacturer’s warranty, one year commitment to quality of the additional peace of mind. All power adjustable wing mir- or 20,000km full service, one year ambitious brand”. models benefi t from a strength- rors, manual air conditioning, a free insurance and one year free “A distinctive grille, increased ened high-duty steel passenger 60/40 rear seat, height-adjust- registration, subject to terms and MG branding and a delicate front safety cage, ESP, ABS, EBD and a able steering column and a front conditions, according to a press end give the car a refi ned look that tyre pressure monitoring system, armrest. statement. carries through its sweeping cor- while rear cameras and parking Moving up to the COM mod- Hesham al-Sahn, general ners to the robust rear end. A com- sensors are also available. el, buyers can look forward to manager of Auto Class Cars, bination of quality and a premium With a new-generation NSE Ma- adding cruise control, parking said: “We are pleased to launch fi nish have been at the heart of MG’s jor 1.5L engine it can travel 17.3km sensor, InkaLink system, side this special off er during the design philosophy for the MG ZS, on a litre, giving it “unrivalled fuel airbags, LED Daytime Running summer to give car enthusiasts with every surface, material and fi t- effi ciency for its class”. The effi cient Lights, a premium multifunction an ideal choice to drive the 2020 ting selected for its visual impact, as petrol unit also delivers a maxi- steering wheel and a roof rail to car and leverage from a distin- well as durability and longevity,” the The MG ZS crossover. mum power of 119hp and 150Nm the specifi cation list. The top- guished package of benefi ts with statement explains. of torque. It is equipped with a of-the-range LUX model swaps various fi nancing options. We The interior of the MG ZS has driver, while being accessible exposed surfaces are covered base creates a layered effect. 4-speed automatic gearbox. 16” alloy wheels for 17” dual col- are confi dent this crossover will touches “that nod to a dynamic and user-friendly for any pas- with soft materials, and a col- The MG ZS provides some of the MG’s inkaLink system, with our alloys and adds automatic air meet the expectations of cus- and exclusive space for the sengers”. More than 80% of the our contrast from the dark grey “most generous shoulder, leg and an 8” infotainment screen and conditioning and a rear camera.

A celestial treat

People enjoying the ‘Dawn of the Space Age’ 3D show at Al Thuraya Planetarium, Katara.

Daayen Municipality conducts over 1,400 inspection tours at food establishments

l Daayen Municipal- relevant rules and a total ity’s health control sum of QR263,840 was col- Asection conducted lected as fines, the Ministry 1,483 inspection tours at of Municipality and Envi- various food establishments ronment (MME) said in a within its jurisdiction in the statement. fi rst half of the year. In addition, the section Informing this, the issued 90 clean site certifi - Ministry of Municipality cates for new buildings and and Environment (MME) companies. said in a statement that The MME statement also the campaigns resulted in informed that Al Daayen the issuance of 32 viola- Municipality’s general con- tion reports - in accord- trol section conducted a ance with Law No 8 of number of inspection cam- 1990 on the regulation of paigns in the fi rst half of the human food control. year, targeting abandoned In addition, 92 food sam- vehicles. ples were collected and sent During this period, 360 for lab examination, and 12 warnings were issued to of them were found unfi t for remove such vehicles, the human consumption. statement noted. Fines collected dur- In addition, the section ing this period reached carried out 1,119 other in- QR210,000 for violations spection tours, wherein that were resolved through 370 violation reports were reconciliation, the state- issued regarding the en- ment added. forcement of Law No 18 of The technical control sec- 2017 on public hygiene and tion also conducted 1,088 Law No 1 of 2012 on the inspection tours at building regulations and control of sites, state properties and advertisements, the MME workers’ accommodation in said. the fi rst half of 2019. The total fi nes collected Consequently, 244 viola- for these off ences amounted tion reports were issued for to QR266,200, the state- non-compliance with the ment added.

Al Rayyan Municipality takes action on violators of building norms

l Rayyan Municipal- building completion certifi - ity’s technical control cates (pertaining to cleanli- Asection has issued 135 ness). warnings and referred 33 vi- Meanwhile, the state olations pertaining to build- property unit issued fi ve vio- ings to the security depart- lation reports as well, which ment concerned. were referred to the security Informing this, the Minis- department concerned to try of Municipality and En- take the necessary legal pro- vironment (MME) said in a cedures. statement that the section Al Rayyan Municipality also resolved eight other vio- has also addressed 2,214 re- lations through reconciliation quests for pest and rodent with the off enders on pay- control - 1,607 for pest con- ment of the stipulated fi nes. trol and 607 for rodent con- In addition, it issued 36 trol. Gulf Times Sunday, July 21, 2019 5 QATAR

Humid conditions likely to continue today ‘Al Thumama Stadium is looking great!’ Humid conditions are again expected in some places by tonight, the Qatar Met department has said in its forecast for today. Parts of the country experienced relatively high humid- ity yesterday evening, and the trend seems set to continue today. The detailed forecast for today also says it will be relatively hot during the daytime and slight dust is expected in some places at times. Some clouds are also likely. Offshore, misty conditions are expected at times along with some clouds. The maximum temperature is expected to be 38C today in Doha, Wakrah, Mesaieed and Abu Samra, 37C in Al Khor, 36C in Ruwais and 35C in Dukhan. Yester- day, a maximum of 43C was recorded in Karana and Jumayliyah, 42C in Batna and Ghuwairi- yah, 41C in Sheehaniya and Turayna, 40C in Abu Hamour and 38C in Doha (airport area), the Qatar University area and Mesaieed.

The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) has tweeted some images of the under-construction Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. “Al Thumama Stadium is looking great! Bleacher installation is nearing completion and installation of the columns that will support the façade is under way. After the successful completion of the roof big lift, installation of the roof structural steel has also begun,” the SC said. Nespresso invites you to Subway is revamping its menu and interiors with a new Fresh Forward concept taste the Australian Summer Transport your taste buds to Australia with these Limited Edition iced coffees The new edition is available at Blue Salon, Nespresso, Doha Festival City, Pearl and Mall of Qatar. zure blue waters, endless sunny skies and days that go on long after the baking sun has gone down – the AAustralian summer is the inspiration behind the latest iced coffee offering from Nespresso. And it’s not difficult to see why. The Nespresso coffee experts have created two new coffee blends that match perfectly with ice and transport you to the Australian coast for a refreshingly tasty travel experience, minus the jet lag. There are two delicious Limited Edition coffees to choose from, each with a super simple three-step recipe that means you can be chilling with your iced coffee quicker than you can find your passport. For a relaxing lunch break or a post-work chill, try the Long Black Over Ice – a combination of south American and east African coffees known for their fresh, fruity and floral aromatics which have been lightly roasted to keep the vibrant aromas intact. Start with ice and sparkling water and extract your coffee over the top for a full-bodied iced coffee with refreshing bright acidity. ave you ever had a moment when you’re absolutely where a four-meter sub will be distributed to the attendees at Or, for a more indulgent iced coffee for kicking back at the unsure of what to eat and then you suddenly realize the event for free. weekend, how about the Flat White Over Ice – a blend of darker Ha delicious Subway sandwich is almost always the The Fresh Forward design concept includes digital menu roasted coffees with bold spice notes. Pour milk over ice and solution? Well, we have (far too many times to admit without boards and new displays for vegetables, bread and cookies (yes, finish with the coffee for a smooth, creamy texture with rich being embarrassed). And we really hope you resonate with us the same cookies we just can’t get enough of). aromatics and an intense, full-bodied finish. because we have amazing news. Subway Fresh Forward restaurants will include fresh veggie To add a surprising finish to your iced coffees, Nespresso The world’s largest restaurant chain and our top dining pick displays with tomatoes, green peppers, onions and cucumbers, has partnered with gourmet flavoured syrup brand Monin and several times a month, Subway, is introducing its new Subway all of which will be sliced daily. In addition to that, new bread is offering a limited edition set of mini (50ml) syrups in Vanilla, Fresh Forward design across Qatar starting with the Al Mana and cookie displays will be at the front of the line. Caramel and Coconut flavours. Try a dash of coconut syrup Petrol Station branch. The new menu items also include a selection of sauces. with the Long Black Over Ice or savour the taste of caramel with It aims to reimagine the guest experience as part of the The menu isn’t the only thing that is being revamped. We’re the Flat White Over Ice. company’s next phase of evolution. looking at brand-new interiors, too. The design is set to be more Subway Qatar’s buy one get one free offer happened on July bright and playful with comfortable seating and complimentary 16 in all the Subway Al Mana Petrol Station. WIFI available to all those who dine in at Subway. And that’s not all. There’s a grand re-opening event taking Looks like this will be an exciting month for foodies. Go place tonight at 8pm in the Abu Hamour Petrol Station branch grab your free Subway sandwiches right now.

NOVO Cinemas Opens a New Multiplex at Tawar Mall awar Mall, one of the largest shopping malls in position as the market leader in providing an unparalleled Qatar, celebrated the ground-breaking ceremony entertainment experience. With this opening; Novo Tof NOVO Cinemas recently in the presence of Cinemas will now have 48 screens in Qatar which Mr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa, CEO of Qatar are equipped with the latest technology to provide Development Bank and Chairman of Novo Cinemas and exceptional cinematic experiences for our guests.” Mr. Jassim bin Jabr Sultan Tawar Al-Kuwari, Chairman Novo Cinemas at Tawar Mall features 9 Premium of Tawar Mall. Theatres that include a luxury 7 Star theatre with personal Tawar Mall has partnered with Novo Cinemas, the butler service, fine dining menu selection and fully Middle East’s most innovative cinema and a subsidiary reclining automated seats. The cinema is also equipped of ELAN Group to open a new state-of-the-art cinema in with the latest Dolby Atmos Surround sound technology. Tawar Mall. Mr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa and Mr. The multiplex is located in Tawar Mall, a retail Jassim bin Jabr Sultan Tawar Al- Kuwari did the honor destination with never-before-seen attractions. This of ribbon-cutting in the presence of their distinguished unique shopping mall located at one of the prime locations guests and media members, where the invitees were of Qatar & is easily accessible from driving routes. taken on a special tour of the cinema. Tawar Mall presents the unique opportunity to Tawar Mall, Mr. Jassim bin Jabr Sultan Tawar Al- enjoy purely entertaining shows that further enrich their Kuwari commented: “It is a pleasure and an honor to experience at our unique shopping mall. This year marks launch Tawar Mall NOVO Cinemas”. the first time that Tawar Mall launches its cinemas for On this occasion, Mr. Khalid Al Muraikhi, ELAN families and children to indulge themselves to enjoy the Group Chief Support Officer said, “We are delighted to pleasure of relaxing on this luxurious ambiance. We are open Novo Cinemas in Tawar Mall, which will further truly confident that visiting our Mall will be one of the expand our business in Qatar and strengthen our most rewarding experiences ever. Gulf Times Sunday, July 21, 2019 7 REGION/ARAB WORLD West Bank protest Saudi-led alliance hits Yemen’s rebel capital

By Amal al-Yarisi, DPA Flames were seen rising from the “These operations precisely hit their Sanaa struck facilities, they added. targets,” he added in a press statement, It was not clear if there had been any without giving any further details. casualties. The attack was in response to what owerful explosions yesterday The alliance’s strikes targeted fi ve he called “crimes” of the Saudi-led al- rocked Yemen’s rebel-held capi- rebel air defence sites and a ballis- liance in Yemen. Ptal Sanaa as a result of a string of tic missile depot in Sanaa, coalition There was no immediate Saudi re- air strikes by a Saudi-led alliance fi ght- spokesman Colonel Turki al-Maliki sponse. ing the country’s Iran-linked Houthi said. The reported violence comes as the rebels. The Houthis said they hit an airbase United Nations’ special envoy to Yem- The bombing followed the alliance’s yesterday in Saudi Arabia, the latest in en, Martin Griffi ths, is trying to break a start of a military operation aimed at a series of attacks there. stalemate in the peace process for the what it called “legitimate” rebel targets Yahya Sarie, a military spokesman for impoverished country. in Sanaa. The alliance jets unleashed the rebels, said they carried out several Yemen has been in the grip of a dev- air strikes against rebel military camps drone attacks on the King Khaled Air- astating power struggle between the in diff erent parts of the city, local resi- base in the region of Khamis Mushait in Saudi-backed government and the dents said. south-western Saudi Arabia. Houthis since late 2014.

Journalists and Palestinian demonstrators run away yesterday from teargas canisters fired by Israeli forces during a protest against Israeli plans to demolish Palestinian homes, in the Palestinian village of Sur Baher which sits on either side of the barrier in East Jerusalem and the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Right: A demonstrator holds a Palestinian flag during the protest. Gulf Times 8 Sunday, July 21, 2019 ARAB WORLD Govt fears Haftar push on Tripoli

AFP 100,000 people to flee their homes. Tripoli Meanwhile, Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi, Lib- ya’s last prime minister under ousted dictator Muammar Gaddafi , has been released from ibya’s UN-recognised government said jail for health reasons four years after being yesterday it feared forces led by strong- sentenced to death, Tripoli’s justice ministry Lman Khalifa Haftar were prepping a new said yesterday. “military escalation” in their months-long Mahmoudi, in his 70s, was premier when push to take Tripoli. a Nato-backed uprising in 2011 toppled and Deadly fi ghting has rocked the capital’s killed Gaddafi . outskirts since Haftar’s self-styled Libyan He was handed the death sentence in July National Army launched an off ensive on April 2014 along with eight other Gaddafi -era of- 4 to take the city from the Government of Na- fi cials including the leader’s son Seif al-Islam, tional Accord. over their alleged role in a bloody crackdown The GNA said on its Facebook page it was on protesters. “concerned over reports, confi rmed by the The justice ministry said Mahmoudi was UN and the media, on preparations for a new released “for health reasons” at the recom- military escalation”. mendation of a medical commission “so that The United Nations mission in Libya said he could be treated at specialised medical in a tweet yesterday that it was “doing its ut- centres”. most with all local and foreign actors to avoid It gave no further details on the nature of military escalation and to ensure protection of his illness or when he was liberated. civilians”. Mahmoudi was arrested in September 2011 Videos circulated on social media in recent as he tried to fl ee across the border to Tunisia, days, some by a pro-Haftar television chan- and was extradited to Libya the following year. nel, show columns of LNA military vehicles During his detention in Tunisia, he claimed trucking towards the south of the capital. that Libya had fi nanced the 2007 election A July 8, 2019, file photo of Sudanese women activists rallying in Khartoum. The footage could not be independently campaign of former French president Nicolas verifi ed. Sarkozy, according to his lawyers. Haftar’s campaign to wrestle Tripoli from The French ex-president vehemently de- pro-GNA forces has left nearly 1,093 people nied the allegations, initially made by Seif al- dead, including 106 civilians, and over 5,750 Islam. wounded, according to the UN’s World Health But Sarkozy was charged in March 2018 Battle for change far from over Organization. over accusations he accepted millions of eu- The fighting has also forced more than ros from Gaddafi . for women in new Sudan Archaeologists concerned over By Claire Doyen, AFP centre run by the all-powerful Na- movement after a picture of her The accord stipulates that a new Khartoum tional Intelligence and Security Serv- in a white robe leading chanting transitional ruling body be estab- ice (NISS) in a building on the Blue crowds from atop a car went viral lished, comprised of six civilians transfer of Tut’s broken mummy Nile that runs through Khartoum. on social media. and fi ve military representatives. he may have spent 40 days in Dozens of activists and political Portraits of Salah — dubbed A general will head the ruling jail for demonstrating against opponents of Bashir’s regime have “Kandaka”, or Nubian queen, on- body during the fi rst 21 months of DPA British archaeologist Haward Carter dis- Spresident Omar al-Bashir passed through what NISS agents line — have sprouted on murals a transition, followed by a civilian Luxor covered the tomb of the 18th dynasty king in who has since been toppled but ac- cynically refer to as “the hotel”. across Khartoum, paying tribute to for the remaining 18 months, ac- the Valley of the Kings in Luxor in 1922. The tivist Amani Osmane says the bat- Osmane, who spent 40 days be- the prominent role played by wom- cording to the framework agree- tomb was intact and included about 5,000 ar- tle for women’s rights in Sudan is hind bars after a frigid seven hours en in the revolt. ment. rchaeologists have expressed fears over tefacts. far from over. of questioning, said she was ar- Unrest which has gripped Sudan “We will no longer wait for plans to transport the mummy of boy Last week, Egypt’s Antiquities Ministry Women have been at the fore- rested “contrary to all laws...be- since bread riots in December that our rights, we will fi ght to obtain APharaoh King Tutankhamun from his transported the golden-plated coffi n of King front of the revolt which led to Ba- cause I stand up for women in a led to the anti-Bashir uprising left them,” said Osmane, stressing that tomb in the Valley of the Kings in southern Tut from Luxor to the GEM “in order to be re- shir’s overthrow by the military on country where they have no rights”. scores dead. women wanted 40% of seats in Egypt to Cairo, where it will be put on display stored for the fi rst time since the tomb’s dis- April 11 after three decades of iron- Another activist, Salwa Moham- Doctors linked to the protest parliament. in a new museum. covery.” fi sted rule. ed, 21, took part each day in pro- movement say that 246 people Amira Altijani, a professor of Archaeological sources told DPA that the Tharwat Agamy, the head of Luxor’s Tourism Osmane, who is also a lawyer, tests at a camp outside the army have been killed since the nation- English at the all-female Ahfad 3,000-year-old mummy’s condition does Chamber, warned of emptying Luxor of its im- was detained on the evening of headquarters in central Khartoum wide uprising erupted, including University in Omdurman, Khar- not allow it to be transported from the city of portant artefacts, with 122 artefacts from King January 12 and escorted to “the that became the epicentre of the 127 people on June 3 when armed toum’s twin city, said: “This move- Luxor where it is displayed in a climate-con- Tut’s collection having been transported to the fridge”, a grim room where inter- anti-Bashir revolt. men raided the protest camp in ment is an opportunity for women trolled glass box inside the tomb. GEM. Only the stone sarcophagus and mummy rogations are paired with extreme Her aim was “to have the voice of Khartoum. to have their voice heard.” They worry the mummy, which is already of King Tut remain in Luxor, archaeologists cold. women heard” in a Muslim country Last week, protesters and the For Osmane, Bashir “hijacked” broken in several pieces, will be furthered said. In January, conservators completed a dec- “There are no windows, noth- where she “cannot go out alone, generals who took over from Bashir Shariah laws for three decades to damaged. ade-long restoration of the pharaoh’s tomb. ing, just air conditioning at full study abroad or dress the way I fi nally inked a deal that aims to in- oppress women. A collection of treasures of the Golden King Tut was nine years old when he be- blast and the lights on 24/7,” she want”. stall a civilian administration, a key “But a new Sudan is rising, with Pharaoh are expected to be the centrepiece of came an Egyptian pharaoh. He ruled between told AFP. Student Alaa Salah emerged as demand of demonstrators since his a civilian government that will al- the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) that 1333 and 1323BC as one of the last kings of the The fridge is part of a detention a singing symbol of the protest fall three months ago. low equality,” she said. will open next year near the Pyramids of Giza. 18th Dynasty.

Bats hang where Israeli soldiers once stood in Jordan Valley

By Jonah Mandel, AFP tailed bats living in one complex AFP Hemdat, Palestinian Territories visited halfway between the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee. Hundreds of trident bats roost he whoosh of wings disturbs in another outpost further to the the quiet of an abandoned, south, while an abandoned civil- Tpitch-black maze of corridors ian structure near the border is now next to the Jordan River in the occu- home to an estimated 5,000 greater pied Palestinian territories. mouse-tailed bats. It is the hallmark of what this Most of the outposts that have former Israeli military outpost on become bat lairs are in fenced-off a dusty, yellow marlstone hill in property controlled by the Israeli the West Bank has become: a man- military and barred to civilians, made bat cave. leaving the creatures largely undis- The outpost is one of a dozen or turbed. so mini-fortresses that were built Gaining access to the outposts is among the hills above the Israel- rare, as even the mere presence of Jordan border after the 1967 Six-Day Horseshoe bats rest inside an abandoned Israeli army outpost next to the humans can disrupt the bats and War and abandoned by Israel fol- Jordan River in the occupied West Bank. their routine, according to Yedvab. lowing a 1994 peace accord between The environmentalists’ co-op- the countries. ley, including through the use of wa- The SPNI worked with the Israel eration with the army includes ad- It wasn’t long before they became ter resources. Nature and Parks Authority and vising forces on when, and how, to full-time bat sanctuaries, helped Anton Khalilieh, executive direc- the army — still the landlord of approach the structures, still used along by Israeli rangers and ecolo- tor of Nature Palestine Society, said the vacant structures — to provide from time to time for training. gists in an eff ort to help the species while any individual project to pro- footholds for the bats using plastic “We try to disturb them as little as whose habitats had been reduced. tect animals was to be welcomed, netting, construction foam, thin possible,” he added. Israel and the Palestinian territo- this was taking place in the occupied ropes and plaster scraped with a While bat populations grow slow- ries are home to some 33 bat species, Palestinian territories and could not fork. ly and the six years of close monitor- all but one insectivores, which are be divorced from politics. The winged mammals now hide ing are “a footnote” in the relatively at global extinction risk — in many “If the Israelis are doing any con- from the day’s harsh sun in the cor- long life-cycle of the species, the cases due to human activity, said servation activities to protect ani- ridors and cavernous rooms of the area has “a stable population with a Amos Sabah, an ecologist for the Is- mals, in my opinion as a conserva- former outpost, coming out at night small increase”, Yedvab said. rael Nature and Parks Authority. tionist this is fi ne,” he said. to feast on the area’s rich variety of As “bio-indicators” bats provide In the area dotted with outposts, “But this is the Jordan Valley, insects. valuable information to scientists roadworks and other development has which is a part of the West Bank — At least a dozen types of insec- on the local ecosystem as a whole, damaged natural caves, said Shmulik an area that should be under com- tivore bats can be found in the op- said Sabah. Yedvab, director of the mammal de- plete Palestinian control. pressively hot Jordan Valley from “They are essentially our indica- partment at the Society for the Pro- “So it should be the Palestinians spring to autumn. tion to the condition of the bugs, tection of Nature in Israel (SPNI). doing the conservation activities in “They like the heat,” said Sabah, which are one of the important The thinking was to “create alter- this area. How can Palestinians do during the visit to the fi rst of the foundations of the ecological sys- native spaces” by repurposing the conservation here? We can’t, it is three former military positions he tem,” he added. outposts, Yedvab said. impossible.” showed AFP. “If the bats aren’t in the territory, Palestinians see these kinds of With walls and ceilings of sheet Some outposts are now home to or the population is diminishing, the projects very diff erently. metal or smooth concrete, the con- populations in the dozens to hun- meaning is that the ecological sys- They accuse Israel of harming ditions in the outposts were not dreds during peak bat season, with tem is not healthy, something here their environment in the Jordan Val- ideal for bats. approximately 30 lesser mouse- is wrong.” Gulf Times Sunday, July 21, 2019 9 AFRICA

Head for business 17 killed in Ethiopia unrest: local offi cial Reuters that four protesters had died of overseen by the federal govern- ered near the roads they thought where the shooting happened Addis Ababa gunshot wounds in the city itself. ment in Addis Ababa but have they were there to create a prob- and counted the bodies. Emboldened by political re- autonomy over revenues and se- lem, and that is how the killings Shubale said the town was forms introduced by Prime Min- curity forces. happened,” he told Reuters via “relatively calm” yesterday. t least 17 people have been ister Abiy Ahmed since he took The Sidama threat to declare a telephone. The Sidama demanded a refer- killed in clashes between power in 2018, Sidama activists new region posed a direct chal- A Malga resident told Reuters endum a year ago on the question AEthiopian security forces wanted to unilaterally declare a lenge to the authority of the fed- late on Friday that he had seen 14 of a new regional state – a right and activists seeking a new au- new regional state on Thursday. eral government in the Horn of bodies after a shooting. enshrined by the constitution – tonomous region for their Sida- While the threat of large-scale Africa country of 105mn people. “My house is near to a fi eld and said they would declare their ma ethnic group, according to violence in Hawassa was largely Confi rming the 13 civilian where the people were gathered,” own region if the ballot was not a local offi cial and hospital au- averted after a Sidama opposi- deaths in Wotera Rassa, located he said. held within the stipulated time. thorities. tion party agreed to delay the about 27km from Hawassa, Shu- “I was told by people who were The federal system in Africa’s A local district offi cial told declaration and accept a govern- bale Buta, head of the town’s there that the military came to second most populous nation is Reuters yesterday that at least 13 ment off er to hold a referendum Malga district, said that soldiers the town (on Thursday) and ran- designed to allow larger ethnic people were killed in a town near in fi ve months, not all Sidama were travelling to calm the vio- domly opened fi re on people who groups a measure of autonomy Hawassa city, 275km from the people accepted the delay. lence in a nearby town on Thurs- were gathered and discussing the but smaller communities such capital Addis Ababa, while hos- Ethiopia has nine ethnic- day. referendum,” he added, saying as the Sidama say they have been pital authorities said on Friday based regional states, which are “When they saw people gath- that he later went to the place sidelined.

Army pulls out of One dead, 14 injured in clashes between park Cape Town areas A woman carries traditional chairs for sale on her head, as she South African soldiers pulled out walks on a street in Nairobi. of gang-ridden suburbs of Cape guards and pygmies near gorilla sanctuary Town on Friday after a show of force, leaving residents uncertain about what to expect next. Lake Chad group launches $100mn AFP “A conservation patrol which was shot dead during the con- entered the sanctuary between Streets were quiet on Friday Goma was pursuing two poachers was frontation “and died immedi- August and October last year, morning after a convoy of fund against religious extremists ambushed on Wednesday by ately”. and have been carrying out acts armoured vehicles and hundreds pygmies armed with machetes One pygmy was hurt, he said. of “deforestation” since then. of soldiers deployed the previous The four countries bordering Lake Chad have launched a fund ne person was killed and and bows and arrows,” park Mulongoy said there had been The park wardens are chiefl y day in Manenberg and Hanover aimed at collecting $100mn to help counter climate change and a 14 were injured in clash- spokesman Hubert Mulongoy a “resurgence of tension in the recruited among former sol- Park to help police end a surge devastating religious extremist insurgency. Oes near a gorilla sanctu- said. past few days between indig- diers, and include pygmies. of gang violence that has killed West Africa’s largest lake – whose shoreline is shared by Cameroon, ary in the Democratic Republic “Thirteen park wardens were enous people and the park”. Kahuzi Biega, named after hundreds of people. Chad, Niger, and Nigeria – has shrunk by 90% since the 1960s, a fall of the Congo (DR Congo), where wounded in the clash, three of In April, a warden was killed two extinct volcanoes, is the Police and army spokesmen blamed on global warming and poor water management. there has been mounting fric- them seriously,” he said. “One in a clash, the park said, denying only place in the world where did not immediately respond to The area is a stronghold for Nigerian-based Boko Haram militants, tion between park guards and of the seriously injured had his that this episode was associated visitors can see eastern lowland requests for comment on the whose decade-old revolt has left thousands of dead and displaced local pygmies, sources said. fi ngers severed by a machete.” with the death of a pygmy the gorillas in the wild. operation. more than 2mn. The violence occurred near Separately, Ntavuna Cizun- previous day. The 6,000sq km haven, cre- “The army is a good thing for The Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) said the “stabilisation the Kahuzi Biega National Park, gu, a representative of a pygmy The pygmies are angry about ated in 1970, is a magnet for now, but when they are gone, the funds” would initially have a proposed budget of around $100mn a Unesco heritage site in eastern community that lives on the being denied access to Kahuzi well-heeled tourists, providing gang fights will start again,” said (around €90mn). DR Congo that is a haven for the edge of the park, told AFP that Biega. an important source of revenue Nizaam Sharmar, a 32-year-old world’s largest gorilla species. a pygmy named lwaboshi Simba The park says they illegally for the DR Congo. construction worker. UN predicts food insecurity for 5.5mn people in Zimbabwe by early 2020 The number of people in Zimbabwe who lack adequate food Cameroon conservationists heal endangered grey parrots supplies is expected to reach a new record – above 5.5mn – by the start of next year, the World Food Programme (WFP) said. The southern African country of 14.5mn people has not only Reuters most traffi cked animals because fetching thousands of US dollars “The parrots, some of them A 2016 study revealed that the suff ered from increasingly frequent droughts and pests, but was Limbe, Cameroon of its skill at mimicking human on the international market. come here in a very bad shape. bird – which scientists say is as also hit by cyclone Idai in March. speech. Deforestation, poor regulation When parrots are rescued from intelligent as a young human Currently, 38% of rural households suff er from food insecurity Despite trade of the parrot be- of trade and increased traffi ck- the poachers, they come in tiny child – had declined by more during the current post-harvest season that lasts until September. onservationists in Cam- ing outlawed at the UN’s Con- ing have led to the decline of the boxes and they have been in those than 90% in Ghana since 1992. The WFP forecasts that the rate will rise to 59%, or more than 5.5mn eroon are trying to save vention on International Trade African Grey Parrot, once wide- boxes for days,” John Anyam, In Cameroon, some consume people, during the peak hunger period that lasts from January to Cthe endangered African in Endangered Species (CITES) spread across its natural habitat head veterinary at Limbe Wildlife the parrots for their meat while March. grey parrot, one of the world’s in 2016, it remains a popular pet, in central and western Africa. Centre, told Reuters. others keep them as pets. Gulf Times 10 Sunday, July 21, 2019 AMERICA

Torch, radio...house deeds? US readies for hurricane season

By Carey L Biron, Reuters “Rather than being reactive, Owning documents and en- gency supplies of food and water, Reuters Foundation, as they are That is in part because getting to get a court to rule that he was Washington this is something that can be suring they are in order should get precious photos or keepsakes most at risk of title problems. documents in shape involves com- indeed the legal owner — allow- controlled prior” to a storm, said be just as basic as getting storm- together, but many don’t realise From fl oods to storms, south- plex, emotional issues of family ing him to “get all funds released Nancy Lugo, attorney co-ordi- ready, said Lugo. they need to go through their fi l- ern Louisiana has seen the same and death, and can cost a lot, too, to bring my home back whole,” orch, radio, whistle — all nator with Bay Area Legal Serv- “Have you checked the title to ing cabinet, too. paperwork problem play out re- she said, with a disproportionate Servick said in a video made standard fare in a storm ices in Tampa, Florida. your home? This is the same as Clear titles are typically re- peatedly. need in poor communities. available by Flood Proof, the Tsurvival kit. Now Ameri- Lugo’s offi ce oversees a Florida getting together water and non- quired to access all federal, state Some 20,000 people could not Tuggle said a title-clearing non-profi t initiative. cans at risk of hurricane damage programme that connects pro perishable goods,” she said. and insurance assistance after get help after hurricanes in 2005, ac- programme in which her non- Tuggle has seen an “uptick” are being urged to grab their house bono attorneys with home own- The hurricane season in the a disaster, and problems can hit cording to statistics cited in a federal profi t offi ce took part had helped in requests for pre-storm help deeds and check they are valid, too. ers in 16 counties, helping locals United States typically runs from devastated residents hard, say report, and a crisis similarly followed win clients about $9mn in post- in recent weeks, a trend Jennifer Clear proof of ownership, legal get their paperwork in order be- June until November, with about lawyers, especially if land or a the 2016 fl oods, said Tuggle, rob- disaster assistance, tied to what Shuler, a government attorney in experts say, is the key to unlock- fore it is too late. 11 major storms a year, according home passes through a family bing more than 1,000 people of help, is usually a family’s largest asset: Florida, said was playing out in ing vital government aid after a Statistics on confl icted titles to government data, and insured without a clear will. according to one estimate. its home. her state, too. hurricane sweeps through — fell- are not available but experts say losses of more than $500bn in the “We are going out in the com- Since the problem fi rst came Paul Servick of Baton Rouge, Shuler works in Panama City, ing homes, stealing cars and ran- disputes are common in hurri- past three decades. munity more as hurricane sea- to light in 2005, offi cials, banks Louisiana, is one such client. hit by a major hurricane in Oc- sacking whole communities. cane-prone areas. Even before this season’s fi rst son approaches” to discuss title and legal aid groups have begun He inherited his father’s home tober. With the fi rst hurricane of the In 2017, scholars from the Uni- Atlantic hurricane hit fl ood- issues, said Laura Tuggle, ex- to recognise the importance of but had no will or paperwork to Ever since, she has been season already logged, they said versity of Georgia estimated the prone southern Louisiana last ecutive director of Southeast title clearing, she said. “But I still prove it, so lacked all government “bombarded” with requests from people should act now and dig problem affl icted 10% to 15% of Monday, legal aid workers had Louisiana Legal Services in New don’t think the community has help for more than a year after his residents for documents that can out their deeds to ensure they land in the US southeast, typi- spent the last few weeks going Orleans, a legal aid group. had this ‘Aha’ moment that they house was heavily damaged in help prove home ownership. carry the right name and there cally in farming areas or “declin- door to door to urge action. The focus is on older widowed should add this to their hurricane the 2016 fl oods. “People have learned the hard are no confl icts looming. ing or distressed” cities. Locals know to pack emer- people, she told the Thomson preparation list.” Eventually, his lawyer was able way,” Shuler said. Massive heatwave bakes Nasa marks exact moment central, eastern US of Moon landing By Barbara Goldberg, Reuters New York 50 years ago gargantuan heatwave yesterday hunkered down over the central Aand eastern United States, send- AFP Cape Canaveral yesterday, from ing residents to cooling centres and in- Houston where Armstrong, Aldrin and fl icting on Washington a heat index of Michael Collins, the third crew 106F (41C) with even steamier condi- member, took off . tions in the forecast. asa yesterday marked the All three men were born in 1930, “It’s pretty hot right now from the exact moment astronauts and Armstrong died in 2012. Plains states all the way through the Ntouched down on the Moon “Today our nation pays tribute Mississippi Valley to the East Coast,” for the fi rst time 50 years ago, re- to three brave astronauts who sat said Alex Lamers, a meteorologist with playing online the live broadcast atop a 360-ft rocket that lifted the National Weather Service’s Weather that was watched by half a billion off from Pad 39A 50 years ago this Prediction Center. people around the world. week,” he said, joined by Aldrin. Heat is the deadliest of all weather “Houston, Tranquility Base “Apollo 11 is the only event in the phenomena, according to the weather here. The Eagle has landed,” Apollo 20th century that stands a chance service, and cities from Chicago to 11 Commander Neil Armstrong of being widely remembered in the New York urged residents to seek ref- said. 30th century,” he added. uge at cooling centres set up in loca- “Roger, Tranquility,” replied The anniversary has also revived tions ranging from libraries to shop- Charlie Duke, the capsule com- a discussion about the future of ping malls. municator, from mission control in space fl ight. Tourists visiting the monuments and Houston. Nasa has declared its intention museums on the National Mall in Wash- “We copy you on the ground. to return to the Moon by 2024 un- ington endured temperatures approach- You got a bunch of guys about to der the Artemis programme — the ing 100F (37.8C). turn blue. We’re breathing again.” twin sister of Apollo — and this About 250 senior citizens returned At 4:18pm ET (2018 GMT) on time place the fi rst woman on its home yesterday a day after having to July 20, 1969, the lunar module surface. leave a retirement community in Phila- carrying astronauts Neil Arm- It plans to establish a lunar or- delphia when a power failure disabled strong and Buzz Aldrin touched biting platform, called a “Gate- the air conditioners, forcing many of down on the Sea of Tranquility, way,” studying how living organ- them into a shelter at West Philadelphia following a four-day journey. isms react to the radiation and High School, said city spokeswoman A little over six hours later, at microgravity of a deep space envi- Deana Gamble. 10:56pm ET (0256 GMT), Arm- ronment over a long period. Nighttime temperatures have re- strong placed his left foot on the Experts doubt that the space mained so high in the heatwave, which Moon’s surface, and said: “That’s agency can meet its current goals started midweek in the Midwest, that one small step for man, one giant on time. Rockford, Illinois, for the fi rst time since leap for mankind.” None of the key elements — the 1918 matched its all-time record by fail- “Looking back, landing on the rocket, crew capsule, lander, or or- ing to fall below 80F (27C) on Friday. moon wasn’t just our job, it was bital station, are yet ready. High temperatures combined with a historic opportunity to prove Pence used the occasion to an- high humidity make it feel even hotter, to the world America’s can-do nounce that the Orion crew cap- called the heat index. spirit,” Aldrin, 89, tweeted yes- sule had been assembled, “a criti- “Heat stress tends to have a cumula- terday. cal milestone.” tive eff ect so if you’re not recovering at “I’m proud to serve the country According to a release by maker night, especially if you don’t have an that gave me this historic oppor- Lockheed Martin, it needs several air conditioning unit, you’ll accumulate tunity. Today belongs to you. We months more of testing before it is more heat stress,” Lamers said. must hold the memory of #Apol- delivered for launch processing in “When it stays warm overnight, it A dog is led through a fire hydrant spraying water in Philadelphia yesterday. lo11 close.” early 2020. provides a higher launch for tempera- Nasa has been in overdrive for In an interview with Fox News tures the next day,” he added. to climb to 111F (44C), Lamers said. Stadium, which allowed fans to bring “A cold front north of us will start several weeks to mark the anni- on Friday night, Aldrin lamented By midday yesterday, Boston’s heat Some outdoor activities, including their own bottled water and shading shifting south and by Sunday evening, it versary, with exhibits and events the lack of progress in human space index was 102F (39C) and forecast to rise the New York City Triathlon and a run- umbrellas and off ered hydration stations will make progress toward Boston, Pitts- around the country, including pro- exploration since the Apollo pro- to 105F (40C) by late afternoon. ning race outside Washington, were can- on all levels of the ballpark. burgh, St Louis. By Monday morning, it jecting the giant Saturn V rocket gramme, which ended in 1972. New York’s heat index was 100F (38C) celled. Sizzling temperatures were expected might be reaching Washington, Cincin- and clips from the mission on the He also called for global coop- and forecast to rise to 110F (43C), and Others bent their rules to keep at- to persist through today, but relief is in nati with some rain and thunderstorms,” Washington Monument. eration to achieve humanity’s next Washington’s was 106F (41C), expected tendees cool and safe, including Yankee sight, Lamers said. he said. Pence delivered a speech from steps on the Moon and Mars.

Wary swimmers share waves with deadly sharks off Cape Cod

AFP White Shark Conservation Soci- residents on ways to stop severe ways to manage the seal popula- Wellfleet, Massachusetts ety reported. bleeding in case of a shark at- tion, which in turn would help The deadly sharks are a great tack. manage the shark population, tourist attraction, and their pic- “We have new ‘Stop the Bleed’ she said. t the entrance to New- tures are splashed on T-shirts, kits in our medical bags. We also For the moment, all that comb Hollow Beach, at coff ee mugs and caps for sale in have ‘Stop the Bleed’ kits up in swimmers and surfers can do is Athe tip of the Cape Cod the area. the parking lots, so in case we are be cautious. peninsula, the picture of a great Yet despite their fearsome rep- not here... “I don’t think there will be an- white shark reminds swimmers utation shark attacks on humans anyone on the beach can access ything that is a 100% deterrent,” that the US shores of the Atlantic are rare. that,” said Adriana Picariello, the said surfer Christa von der Luft. must be shared with the ocean’s One victim was Arthur Medici, head lifeguard at Newcomb Hol- “I would like to see what an ex- most feared predator. a 26-year-old belly board surfer low Beach. amination of all the options look The great whites swim to this killed by a great white just a few “We have all been trained in like to see if there is something region in the northeastern United yards into the ocean at Newcomb ‘Stop the Bleed,’” she said, add- that can be done,” she said. States to hunt for one of their Hollow Beach in September 2018. ing that the town is also off ering Other beaches along the east- preferred foods — seals. A stone plaque was placed at the training for residents. ern US seaboard are also dealing Since the Marine Mammal beach in his memory. But for now, apart from a with the dangerous sharks. Protection Act was passed in 1972 But prior to Medici the last warning system that announces About 1,500km to the south, the number of seals in Cape Cod deadly Cape Cod shark attack the presence of sharks that have off the beaches of North Caroli- has grown to more than 50,000. dates back to the 1930s, accord- been tagged with special chips, na, three people were attacked by In 2005 the great whites were ing to local news media. there is no long-term solution. sharks between April and June. declared a protected species in Local authorities, however, are “We are seeing more danger Researchers at the University the state of Massachusetts — taking no chances. to the human population while of Florida recorded 66 shark at- where Cape Cod is located — and This year the state has granted swimming,” said Melyssa Millett, tacks last year around the world, have since become regular visi- funds to Cape Cod peninsula a seal and shark environmental including four that were deadly. tors to the region. towns to help them deal with guide on Monomoy Island, just In the United States 32 shark On July 13 and July 14, fi ve great sharks, even though there is no south of the peninsula. attacks were recorded in 2018 whites were spotted off Cape clear plan on what to do. “This is a natural course in na- with one fatality — meaning that Cod, forcing three beaches to be One tactic some towns are ture’s cycle,” she said. the chances of dying from a shark An Atlantic White Shark Conservancy boat and crew work to tag a Great White Shark in the waters off the briefl y evacuated, the Atlantic using is to train lifeguards and Scientist are trying to fi nd attack are one in 3.7mn. shore in Cape Cod, Massachusetts on July 13, 2019. Gulf Times Sunday, July 21, 2019 11 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Hong Kong Tens of thousands rally in actor stabbed in mainland Hong Kong police support China AFP AFP “I really dislike people using Beijing Hong Kong violence on others... it was so extreme,” Leung said. Police estimated a turnout of ong Kong actor Simon ens of thousands of peo- 103,000 people at the peak of the Yam was stabbed in ple rallied in support of rally, while local media cited organ- Hthe stomach while ap- THong Kong’s police and isers as saying 316,000 attended. pearing on stage for a promo- pro-Beijing leadership yester- Hong Kong’s police are in the tional event in southern China day, a vivid illustration of the midst of a major reputational yesterday. polarisation coursing through crisis. A man ran onto the stage and the city after weeks of anti- With no political solution on stabbed and slashed the veteran government demonstrations. the table from the city’s pro- actor, video broadcast on local Hong Kong has been rocked by Beijing leaders, the police have media showed. more than a month of huge and become enmeshed in a seem- “We are extremely shocked by largely peaceful protests - as well ingly intractable cycle of clashes this incident,” Yam’s manage- as a series of separate violent con- with protesters who have con- ment company said yesterday frontations with police - sparked tinued to hit the streets in huge evening in a statement released by a proposed law that would have numbers for six weeks. on the Twitter-like Weibo allowed extraditions to mainland Demonstrators and rights platform. China and other countries. groups have accused riot police The 64-year-old Yam was at The bill has since been sus- of using excessive force, includ- a promotional event in south- pended, but that has done little ing tear gas and rubber bullets, ern Guangdong province’s to quell public anger which has and public anger against the Zhongshan city when he was evolved into a wider movement force is boiling over. stabbed in the stomach and calling for democratic reforms, Police insist their crowd con- slashed on his right hand, the universal suff rage and a halt to trol responses have been pro- company said. sliding freedoms in the semi- portionate and point to injured Yam was receiving treat- autonomous fi nancial hub. offi cers as proof that a hardcore ment at a local hospital and his Yesterday’s rally was a mo- minority of protesters mean wounds are not life-threat- ment for the establishment to them harm. ening, the local Huoju Devel- muster their own supporters. Some of the most violent opment Zone police said in a A predominantly older crowd clashes occurred last Sunday People wave a large banner that reads “safeguard Hong Kong” during a pro-government rally outside the government headquarters in Hong statement. was joined by families and when riot police battled protest- Kong yesterday. A suspect was subdued at younger residents, waving Chi- ers hurling projectiles inside a the scene, the police said, nese fl ags and holding banners luxury mall. Some 28 people were Kong’s staunchly pro-Beijing news- supporters saw ugly scenes, with are planning another large march to allow Hong Kong to keep key with video showing the crowd supporting the police. injured, including 10 offi cers. paper Ta Kung Pao ran a front page many participants hurling in- this afternoon and say they have liberties such as its independent pinning down the attacker. “Friends who used violence There is growing frustration encouraging readers to join with the sults and scuffl ing with younger no plan to back down until key judiciary and freedom of speech. Yam’s management company say they love Hong Kong too, but among the police force’s ex- headline: “Kick away the violence.” democracy protesters as well as demands are met. But many say that 50-year deal said the actor had undergone a we absolutely cannot approve of hausted rank and fi le that nei- It featured a drawing of a media covering the gathering. Tensions were also raised after is already being curtailed, citing successful surgery and had his their way of expressing them- ther the city’s leaders, nor Bei- large foot kicking over a pro- While the pro-government police yesterday said they had the disappearance into mainland stomach and internal organs selves,” said Sunny Wong, 42, jing, seem to have any idea how democracy demonstrator. protests have mustered de- discovered a homemade labora- custody of dissident booksellers, stitched up. who works in insurance. to end the crisis. Many of those at the rally cent crowds, they have paled in tory making high-powered ex- the disqualifi cation of promi- The actor has 234 fi lm and A 60-year-old woman sur- Chinese state media and pow- held aloft large slogans printed comparison with the huge pro- plosives. A 27-year-old man was nent politicians and the jailing of TV credits, according to IMDB, named Leung said protesters who erful pro-Beijing groups threw on the spread of Wen Wei Po, democracy marches that have arrested and pro-independence pro-democracy protest leaders. including an appearance as a stormed and vandalised the leg- their weight behind the pro- another stridently pro-Beijing regularly drawn hundreds of materials were also discovered. Authorities have also resisted crime lord in the 2003 adven- islature earlier this month must police rally. newspaper in the city. thousands of people. Under the 1997 handover deal calls for the city’s leader to be ture movie, Lara Croft: Tomb be held responsible for their acts. Yesterday’s edition of Hong A rally last month by police Anti-government protesters with Britain, China promised directly elected by the people. Raider - The Cradle of Life.

Death toll Balloon festival Australians protest plight of in China refugees held on Pacifi c islands

DPA Yesterday rallies were or- university student, said at the plant blast Canberra ganised by Refugees Action rally. Coalition (RAC) in the capi- RAC says more than 100 tals of all eight states and serious self-harm or suicide rises to 12 housands of Australians territories, including Syd- attempts have occurred on have taken to the streets ney and Melbourne, as well Manus alone in 2019, especially AFP Tin a nationwide protest as more than a dozen other after the May vote when the Beijing against the government’s strict cities. conservative coalition retained policy that has seen refugees The protesters asked the power in Australia. and asylum seekers languish in government to bring all asylum “Punishing people who are he death toll from a huge off shore immigration deten- seekers to Australia and close seeking a better, safer life for explosion that rocked a tion on the Pacifi c islands for down the detention centres. themselves is wrong. The gov- Tgas plant in central China more than six years. Some 250 people protested ernment’s policy to incarcerate rose to 12, state media said yes- The Australian government in Canberra, with many hold- refugees arriving by boat does terday, with three people still introduced the widely criti- ing placards that said “bring not represent the Australian missing. cized policy of incarcerating them here,” and chanting slo- public’s views,” Dove said. Friday’s blast at the Henan asylum seekers trying to reach gans such as “Say it loud, say The protests come as Pa- Coal Gas Group factory left an- the country by boat in camps it clear, refugees are welcome pua New Guinea’s new Prime other 13 people seriously wound- on Nauru and Papua New here.” Minister, James Marape, who ed and more with light injuries, Guinea’s Manus Island on July “Over the years, we have is arriving today in Canberra, said offi cial news agency Xinhua. Hot air balloons fly over Qicai Danxia scenic area during a hot air balloon festival in Zhangye, 19, 2013. seen the situation get from bad has asked Australia to set a The blast shattered windows Gansu province of China, yesterday. About 900 people are still in to worse,” deadline to end Manus refugee and doors of buildings in a 3km the camps. John Dove, a 21-year-old camps. (1.9-mile) radius. It occurred in the air separa- tion unit of Henan Coal’s factory, state broadcaster CCTV said, with Xinhua saying a device in the factory exploded at 5:45 pm Philippine senator fi les on Friday. Pompeo rejects N Korean All production at the plant has been stopped. More than 270 single-use plastic bill rescuers are on the scene search- ing for the missing people, Xin- By Bernadette E Tamayo A 2015 report on plastic pol- hua said, citing the emergency Manila Times lution conducted by the inter- charges on military drills management ministry. national group Ocean Con- “Many windows and doors servancy and McKinsey Center Reuters in an interview conducted on N Korea slams Japan over trade spat with Seoul within a three-kilometre radius enator Cynthia Villar has for Business and Environment Washington Wednesday with the EWTN were shattered, and some inte- fi led Senate Bill (SB) 333 ranked the Philippines as the Catholic television network, a rior doors were also blown out Sor the “Single-Use Plastic third biggest source of plastic transcript of which the State North Korea’s state media Japan is “trying to destroy the by the blast,” CCTV said on its Product Regulation Act of 2019,” leaking into the oceans after S Secretary of State Mike Department released on Friday. has slammed Japan for its trend of peace on the Korean Twitter-like Weibo social media which seeks to regulate the man- China and Indonesia. Pompeo has rejected “I saw those comments,” recent trade restrictions Peninsula by putting pressure account. ufacture, importation and use of The United Nations Food Ucharges from North Pompeo said. “I think we’re against Seoul over wartime upon South Korea through Local media showed amateur single-use plastic products. and Agriculture Organization Korea’s Foreign Ministry that doing exactly what President slavery disputes, accusing the restrictions”, reported the videos of a massive column of Diff erent kinds of plastic has also warned that if plastic US plans for military exercises Trump promised Chairman Tokyo of “destroying the North’s off icial Korean Central black smoke billowing from the waste are seen along the shore pollution continues by 2050, with South Korea are in breach Kim we would do with respect trend of peace” on the Korean News Agency (KCNA) on factory and debris littering the of Manila Bay on July 17, 2019 there would be more plastic of agreements between North to those exercises. I think we’re peninsula. Friday night, describing Japan roads. after tropical storm Falcon. than fi sh in the ocean. Korean leader Kim Jong Un and going to - we’ll get that right. After South Korea’s high as its “sworn enemy”. Other images showed the The senator said the bill was Villar said the practice of President Donald Trump. I’m confi dent that these con- court ordered Japanese firms It added: “The human, physical doors and windows of homes urgent amid a study showing the buying products in sachets North Korea’s Foreign Min- versations are going to con- that used forced labour to and emotional damage Japan blown out and shuttered shops Philippines as the world’s third had worsened the plastic istry spokesman said on Tues- tinue.” compensate Korean victims, has caused to the Korean with dented metal fronts. largest producer of plastic waste waste problem. day Trump had reaffi rmed in a Asked if the talks with North Tokyo earlier this month people (during its colonial A bloodied man was seen be- that ends up in the oceans. “We must put pressure on meeting with Kim last month Korea, stalled since a failed Feb- restricted the export of several rule) cannot be compensated ing helped out of a van in a video “With our dependence on the corporations that pro- that joint exercises would be ruary summit between Trump chemicals to South Korea even if the entire nation of posted on social media. agriculture, plastic pollution duce these products to come halted and the US decision to and Kim in Hanoi, would restart that are crucial to its world- Japan sacrifices itself.” AFP could not immediately also poses a grave threat to up with a program to recycle forge ahead with them was soon, Pompeo said: “I hope so.” leading chip and smartphone Pyongyang’s remarks came verify the authenticity of the our food security,” said Villar, these wastes and minimize “clearly a breach” of the two “Chairman Kim made a companies. as a top South Korean footage. who is expected to stay on as their impact on the environ- leaders’ agreements at a sum- commitment that they would,” South Korea’s left-leaning off icial said “all options” Deadly industrial accidents are chairman of the Committee on ment,” she added. mit in Singapore last year. Pompeo added. “He said that President Moon Jae-in, who were open on the fate of a common in China, where safety Environment and Natural Re- Under SB 333, the use of sin- The spokesman said this was in several weeks he would put favours engagement with military intelligence-sharing regulations are often poorly en- sources in the 18th Congress. gle-use plastics by food estab- putting a resumption of nuclear his working-level team back to- Pyongyang, has said Tokyo’s agreement known as GSOMIA forced. Disaster risks and hazards lishments, stores, markets and talks with the United States at gether; we’re ready to go.” actions are “politically - a pact that enables Seoul and In March, a blast at a chemical arising from plastic pollu- retailers will be prohibited. risk and the ministry said Wash- Trump had appeared to revi- motivated” and have Tokyo to share intelligence plant in eastern Jiangsu prov- tion “may put farms at risk of Consumers will also be asked ington’s pattern of “unilater- talize eff orts to persuade North caused an “unprecedented regarding North Korea - if ince killed 78 people and injured fl ooding resulting in wastage to use reusable materials, while ally reneging on its commit- Korea to give up its nuclear emergency” for Seoul’s Japan does not withdraw its hundreds. of agricultural products along manufacturers will be man- ments” was leading Pyongyang weapons when he met Kim on export-driven economy. trade restrictions. (AFP) The powerful explosion in the with its threats to a balanced dated to collect, recycle and to reconsider its commitment the border between the Koreas eastern city of Yancheng toppled ecology,” she said. dispose of single-use plastics to discontinue tests of nuclear last month and said they had several buildings in the industrial “Micro plastics leaked in our produced and/or in circulation weapons and intercontinental agreed to resume working-level the talks would likely happen nounced and the North Korean park, blew out windows of near- bodies of water may also put in the general market. Importa- ballistic missiles. talks stalled since the Hanoi “sometime in July,... probably statements have raised doubts by homes and even dented metal public health at risk, as it gets tion of single-use plastics will Pompeo was asked about summit collapsed. in the next two or three weeks,” about when - and whether - garage doors. into our food chain,” Villar said. no longer be allowed. the North Korean statements Pompeo said at the time but dates have yet to be an- they will go ahead. Gulf Times 12 Sunday, July 21, 2019 BRITAIN/IRELAND

Scotland Yard Twitter and e-mails hacked London’s Metropolitan Police apologised yesterday after its Twitter, e-mails and news pages New PM likely to avoid were targeted by hackers and began pumping out a series of bizarre messages. After a series of messages late on Friday that read simply “test” or seemingly random letters, the police sites began using foul language with anti-police immediate no-trust vote sentiment and calling for a jailed rapper to be released. Labour fears tactic could will be announced on Tuesday. unlikely because there was little they thought of him as prime “Free Digga D,” said one such backfire while Tory rebels Theresa May will formally re- chance of success and it could minister. message. favour giving new prime sign to the Queen on Wednesday end up bolstering Johnson’s po- One cabinet minister said: The Met Police’s Twitter account minister a chance to prove after her last prime minister’s sition. “We will give him a chance, but has 1.22mn followers. his mettle questions, and Johnson is ex- They were also cool on the it is a time-limited chance.” Scotland Yard police pected to enter Downing Street idea of tabling a confi dence mo- Sir Roger Gale, a backbench headquarters said its internal By Rowena Mason later that day. tion to be voted on after recess, Tory, predicted earlier this IT infrastructure had not been Guardian News & Media There is an opportunity for because of fears that Johnson month to The House magazine hacked, explaining the issue was his majority to be tested in the could make parliament stay an- that if Corbyn held off lodging limited to its press off ice’s online House of Commons on Thurs- other day to vote on it in order a vote of no confi dence until af- provider, MyNewsDesk, which oris Johnson is expected to day, but it is thought more likely to stop it hanging over them for ter the recess, enough Tory MPs put news releases online to the escape a confi dence vote that he will simply make a state- weeks. would support it for it to pass. public. Bbrought by Labour on his ment setting out his plans for One senior MP on Johnson’s The North Thanet MP refused “Unauthorised messages fi rst full day as prime minister, proceeding with Brexit over the campaign said it had no fear of to rule out voting against John- appeared on the news section of with senior Conservatives say- summer while parliament takes an immediate confi dence vote son in such a motion, arguing our website,” it said, as well as on ing that he should be given a a break until September. and that the attitude was “bring that it would depend “entirely its Twitter feed and e-mails. “time-limited chance” until the John McDonnell, the shadow it on”. on the circumstances”. “We apologise to our subscribers autumn to show that he has a chancellor, suggested in May Tories fi ghting against a no- In an interview with Le Monde and followers for the messages plan to avoid a no-deal Brexit. that a confi dence vote could deal Brexit, including Philip and Süddeutsche Zeitung on Fri- they have received. Labour has been having happen as soon as a new prime Hammond and Dominic Grieve, day, Hammond suggested again “We are confident the only doubts for some time about minister entered No 10. are considering whether they that he would be prepared to Johnson: the runaway favourite to be picked by Tory members as security issue relates to access to bringing a vote of no confi dence Valerie Vaz, shadow leader would vote to bring down a vote to bring down a Johnson the new prime minister. our MyNewsDesk account. in Johnson immediately before of the Commons, said early Johnson-led government if he government. “We have begun making changes MPs go on their summer holiday, last month that it was “vital” tried to pursue no deal, even if it Hammond was among four others to vote to ensure that par- rule out proroguing parliament to our access arrangements to because would-be Tory rebels for MPs to test the new leader triggered an election that could cabinet ministers who broke liament continues to sit through to push it through was a “bridge MyNewsDesk,” it said. have indicated that they want to in parliament immediately and put Jeremy Corbyn in Downing ranks with the government to September and October. too far”. “There has been no ‘hack’ of the let the new prime minister at- suggested that the Commons Street. abstain on a vote on Thursday, In her resignation letter on Leaving the EU without a deal Met Police’s own IT infrastructure. tempt to strike a deal with Brus- would still be sitting in early Au- However, sources close to the result of which prevents Friday, Margot James, a business was “reckless in the extreme”, We are assessing to establish sels fi rst. gust. that rebel alliance said Johnson Johnson from proroguing, or minister who voted against the she said. “Turning our backs what criminal off ences have been Johnson is the runaway fa- But several Labour party needed to be given until at least suspending, parliament in order government, said it was “con- on our biggest trading partner committed.” vourite to be picked by Tory sources said that although hold- the autumn to show whether he to push through an exit from the cerning enough” that Johnson would leave us dangerously de- Drill music artist Digga D, real members as the new prime min- ing a confi dence vote on Thurs- had a plan to avoid no deal, and EU without a deal. was prepared to leave the EU pendent on the US at the worst name Rhys Herbert, was jailed ister; the result of the contest day was still an option, it was to allow the public to see what He reportedly encouraged without a deal, but refusing to possible time.” last year aged 17 along with four other members of his gang, after they were caught with baseball bats and machetes on their way to attack rivals. Pro-Europe protest Ryanair Irish pilot union to decide on strike ballot ahead of Tory vote Members of Ryanair’s Irish pilot union are to decide next week whether to join British colleagues Reuters/DPA a bit of lighthearted fun but it Prime Minister Theresa May in holding a ballot on strike London carries a serious message,” said announced her resignation two action, according to a memo Tom Brufatto, one of the protest months ago after failing to ob- distributed to members. organisers. tain parliamentary approval for Ryanair pilots in Britain, the pponents of Britain’s Inspired by the orange blimp the exit deal that she had ne- Irish airline’s largest market, last exit from the EU hoisted of a baby Donald Trump that gotiated with Brussels and her week announced a ballot that Oa “Boris blimp” por- mocked the US president during successor will be announced could lead to strike action in late traying the UK’s likely next his visit to London last month, next week. August, citing disagreements prime minister as a crying child the balloon featured Johnson in Johnson, who is widely ex- over pay and conditions. as they demonstrated outside a T-shirt emblazoned with a red pected to replace her, has Ryanair pilots who are members parliament yesterday. bus and the fi gure £350mn, re- pledged to leave the EU with or of the Irish Airline Pilots Boris Johnson, a former Lon- ferring to his promise ahead of without a transition deal on Oc- Association (IALPA) will meet don mayor, has been one of the the Brexit referendum of claw- tober 31. in Dublin on Tuesday to decide fi gureheads of the movement to ing back cash from Brussels. Brexit without a divorce deal whether to hold a ballot for take Britain out of the EU and At the time, he claimed would abruptly wrench the “industrial action up to and has pledged to complete the the UK would save €350mn world’s fi fth largest economy including strike action”, with schism by the end of October. ($437mn) per week in payments away from the bloc. voting to begin on or before The anti-Brexit protest took to the EU if voters chose to leave Critics say this would un- Thursday (July 25), the memo place under the theme “No to – money which could then be dermine global growth, buff et said. Boris, Yes to Europe”, organised invested in the National Health fi nancial markets and weaken It did not say when possible strike The giant blimp depicting Boris Johnson is flown near a statue of former British prime minister Winston by the pro-EU alliance March Service. London’s position as the pre- action would take place. Churchill opposite the Houses of Parliament, ahead of anti-Brexit ‘No to Boris, Yes to Europe’ protest in for Change. After the referendum, John- eminent international fi nancial Ryanair is Europe’s largest low- London. “The Boris Blimp might seem son backtracked on this claim. centre. cost carrier.

Extinction Coalition’s voluntary salt limits Rebellion have been ‘public health disaster’ boats By Sarah Boseley cases of stomach cancer and 610 deprived, many of which could Guardian News & Media associated deaths. have been prevented. If this continued, the re- “This reinforces the urgent banned searchers said, there would be an need for a robust system where early 10,000 cases of estimated 26,000 extra cases of we generate worthwhile reduc- heart disease and stroke heart disease or stroke and 3,800 tions in salt intake which make a from Nand 1,500 cases of cancer additional stomach cancer cases positive and lasting impact. could have been avoided in Eng- by 2025, aff ecting the least affl u- “It is now up to the health land if the coalition government ent people in society the most, minister, Public Health England rallies had not switched to a voluntary and adding up to more than £1bn and the government to set up a deal with the food industry to cut in healthcare and lost productiv- coherent strategy where the food salt in food, say researchers. ity costs. industry is instructed what to Met police imposes The Responsibility Deal was Anthony Laverty, of Impe- do, rather than the food industry restriction to limit disruption introduced in 2011 by Andrew rial College’s public health policy telling the government what to on final day of summer Lansley, then health secretary. evaluation unit, said their pa- do, which currently seems to be demonstrations The deal asked food and drink per fi tted into the debate over the case. manufacturers and supermarkets whether industry could, by itself, “The UK currently has no By Amy Walker Extinction Rebellion activists raise a mast on their boat during a protest outside the royal courts of to volunteer their own pledges be depended upon to make prod- active salt reduction strategy, Guardian News & Media justice in London. to make their popular products ucts healthier. which is appalling. In fact, the healthier, such as by reducing “I would say, not really. If they last set of salt reduction targets nore this condition and/or break super-sewer project as part of a the company managing the salt and sugar content. haven’t got an incentive to do it, expired at the end of 2017. olice banned Extinction the law.” fi fth day of protests. construction of the tunnel, said: Until that time, the Food why would they reformulate?” “It goes without saying we Rebellion activists from Non-violent disruption by About 50 activists – includ- “The super sewer is a vital piece Standards Agency (FSA) had he said. “I would say the lesson now need to get our salt reduc- Pusing boats, vehicles or the movement resumed in the ing mothers and children from of infrastructure, under con- pushed companies hard to meet both in salt and other nutritional tion strategy back on track for “other structures” during the capital, Leeds, Cardiff , Glasgow the nearby Riverside primary struction to clean up the River specifi c targets on salt reduction. matters is that we need an inde- the benefi t of public health, our fi nal day of its summer protests and Bristol on Monday to urge school – began a blockade to Thames from sewage pollution. A paper in the Journal of Epi- pendent and robust system to say overburdened National Health in London. the government to take immedi- halt concrete pouring at Cham- “We are aware of a protest demiology & Community Health to industry you need to hit these Service (NHS) and the economy.” A condition was imposed ate action to address the climate bers Wharf in Bermondsey, outside our Chambers Wharf says that under the FSA, from ambitious targets.” The authors say their study upon the civil disobedience emergency. southeast London, at 7.30am on site. The police are in attend- 2003 to 2010, salt intake levels The paper, he said, was “an- had some limitations. It was an movement by the Metropoli- The protest actions fi nished Friday. ance and we are monitoring the fell by 0.2g each year for men and other piece of evidence that says observational modelling study tan police on Friday morning in on Friday afternoon. The movement argues that situation to ensure the safety by 0.12g for women – from an av- relying on these voluntary, loose which could not establish cause, order to prevent disruption to Repurposed and repainted the continuous traffi c and park- of our team and the community erage of 10.5g for men and 8g for arrangements with industry re- and the researchers did not col- communities. boats, which are towed by vehi- ing of mixing concrete lorries at to minimise the impact on our women per day in England. ally isn’t the way to improve lect long-term data on salt intake Commander Jane Connors cles, have become synonymous one of the main sites for build- vital work to clean up the River However, between 2011 and public health”. in the same people. said: “The condition imposed with the demonstrations. ing the Thames Tideway tunnel Thames.” 2014, annual reductions in di- Graham MacGregor, chair of Alun Hughes, professor of today is limited and absolutely On Thursday, Tim Whitting- will cause considerable air pol- Police have accused Extinc- etary salt intake slowed to 0.11g the campaigning group Action cardiovascular physiology and allows lawful protests to con- ham, from Somerset, said his lution. tion Rebellion of causing “high- for men and to 0.07g for women. on Salt, and a professor of car- pharmacology at UCL, agreed tinue. “jaw dropped” when he saw a Heather Mulkerrins, 31, who level” disruption and called for The authors, from Imperial diovascular medicine, said the there were limitations but said “My offi cers continue to en- boat he had sold on eBay being is protesting at the site with her courts to hand out tougher sen- College London, estimate that paper showed that the Responsi- the study was overall of good gage with those exercising their used by Extinction Rebellion four children – three of whom tences to deter activists from the slowdown may have led to bility Deal was a disaster for pub- quality. right to protest. outside the Royal Courts of Jus- have asthma – said that she was causing further disruption. about 9,900 extra cases of heart lic health. “Despite acknowledged limi- “However, we need to balance tice. there for the demonstration to During 11 days of protests by disease and stroke, plus 710 as- He said: “It slowed down salt tations, this study casts doubt this with the rights of those On Friday morning, Extinc- “protect our children … I am the movement in the spring, sociated deaths, between 2011 reduction in the UK, resulting in on the eff ectiveness of the pub- wishing to go about their daily tion Rebellion protesters block- worried about all the dust and 1,100 people were arrested – and 2018. thousands of strokes, heart fail- lic health Responsibility Deal in lives, and action will be taken aded the entrance to the con- pollution from the lorries”. most of whom are expected to It could also have been re- ure and heart attacks every year, terms of reducing dietary salt against those who choose to ig- struction of London’s £4.2bn A spokesperson for Tideway, be taken to court. sponsible for 1,500 additional particularly in the more socially intake.” Gulf Times Sunday, July 21, 2019 13 EUROPE American, Italian, Russian blast off for space station

AFP date that Nasa’s Neil Armstrong at my planet ... it’s time to climb “lucky and privileged” to have mos’ Soyuz programme. Baikonur, Kazakhstan and Buzz Aldrin landed on the aboard our rocket. Next stop their launch coincide with the But in recent times private Moon in 1969, marking a defi ning @space_Station,” the Italian Apollo 11 date, and indicated that companies like SpaceX and Boe- moment in the so-called “space tweeted. they were wearing badges hon- ing have bid to end the Russian S, Italian and Russian race” with the Soviet Union. Skvortsov, Morgan and Par- ouring the anniversary. monopoly on manned launches astronauts blasted into Of the trio launching from the mitano all come from military Morgan paid tribute to the to the ISS, winning multi-billion Uspace yesterday, headed Kazakh steppe, only 53-year-old backgrounds and posed together Apollo 11 landing as a “victory contracts with Nasa. for the International Space Sta- Skvortsov had been born at the in uniform in the build up to the for all of mankind” but ducked US President Donald Trump, tion (ISS), in a launch coinciding time of the Moon landing. launch. a question on whether Russian meanwhile, has set an ambitious with the 50th anniversary of the A veteran of two ISS missions, Speaking during a pre-launch cosmonauts would ever reach the deadline to return astronauts to Apollo 11 Moon landing. Skvortsov is the fl ight com- press-conference on Friday Moon – the Soviet Union only the Moon by 2024. Alexander Skvortsov of the mander for the six-hour journey Skvortsov joked that “two colo- ever sent unmanned missions The project – named Artemis Russian space agency Roscos- from Baikonur to the ISS. nels will be taking orders from there. – would be the fi rst attempt to mos, Nasa’s Andrew Morgan and Morgan, 43, is fl ying for the a colonel” when Parmitano be- Nasa was “even more capable” send humans to the lunar surface Luca Parmitano of the European fi rst time. comes commander of the space of accomplishing great things since the last Apollo landing in Space Agency set off on a six- “The absolute hardest part: station mid-way through his when it did so “as part of an in- 1972. hour journey to the orbiting sci- International Space Station (ISS) crew members Andrew Morgan of saying good-bye and watch- mission – a reference to the mili- ternational co-operation”, Mor- Some experts doubt if the ence lab from the Baikonur Cos- Nasa (left), Alexander Skvortsov of the Russian space agency ing them walk away,” wrote the tary rank the three share. gan said. deadline is realistic, given budg- modrome in Kazakhstan at 1628 Roscosmos, and Luca Parmitano of European Space Agency (right), father-of-four in a tweet yes- The trio will be welcomed into Five decades after the 1969 etary constraints and delays in GMT. are seen before leaving for the launchpad at the Baikonur terday, featuring a picture of his the ISS by Nick Hague and Chris- moon landing, Russia and the developing the next-generation A statement published on the Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. wife and children. tina Koch of Nasa and Alexey Ov- West are still competing in space, rockets and equipment needed Roscosmos website after the Parmitano’s only previous chinin of Roscosmos after dock- even if the emphasis is on co-op- for the journey. Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft entered A National Aeronautics and weather at Baikonur, where day- stint at the ISS lasted 166 days ing which is expected at around eration at the ISS. The International Space Sta- space stated that “all stages of Space Administration (Nasa) time temperatures reached 43° and saw him become the fi rst 2250 GMT. Nasa no longer operates tion has been orbiting Earth at the fl ight proceeded according to TV commentator hailed a “text- Celsius yesterday. Italian to carry out a spacewalk. Ahead of the launch, 42-year- manned fl ights to the ISS, leaving about 28,000kph (17,000mph) plan”. book launch” amid “sweltering” The blast coincides with the “L-2 h 30 min: One more look old Parmitano said the crew were it wholly dependent on Roscos- since 1998.

10,000 gather Thousands at Moscow against far-right

DPA protest over local polls Kassel, Germany AFP saying people’s patience was Russian authorities, Putin’s fall- testers waved their passports Moscow running thin. ing approval ratings, and anger in the air, chanting “We have round 10,000 people “We are angry at the lawless- over declining living standards come!” gathered yesterday in the ness,” Alexander Polovinkin, a and unchecked corruption. Greg Yudin, a lecturer at the AGerman city of Kassel ore than 22,000 peo- 21-year-old student, told AFP. They were made to jump Higher School of Economics, to protest against far-right ex- ple packed a Mos- “I want us to live in a free through countless hoops, and who supported an independent tremism, seven weeks after the Mcow square yesterday country,” said another protest- each had to collect 5,000 signa- candidate but whose signature killing of local politician Walter to demand free and fair local er, Elena Vaulina, a 51-year-old tures to be eligible. was not recognised, said he was Luebcke. elections, incensed by the au- driver. Electoral authorities this week surprised to discover – along The protesters gathered to thorities’ refusal to put popular Many protesters took direct still refused to register the oppo- with thousands of other Mus- demonstrate against a planned opposition candidates on the aim at the 66-year-old Putin, sition candidates, accusing them covites – that he apparently did far-right rally, police said yes- ballot. who has brooked no dissent dur- of faking some of the signatures. not exist. terday, which was initially ex- Staging their largest protest ing his two decades in power. Critics said that some of the “All of us are ghosts. We are pected to draw 500 people. rally in years, opposition lead- “Putin lies,” said one placard offi cials’ reasoning bordered on the nobodies,” he said on Face- However, by afternoon, only ers such as President Vladimir at the rally. the absurd. book this week. 120 far-right protesters had ar- Putin’s top opponent Alexei “Stop lying to us,” read an- The Kremlin dismissed the Political observer Kirill Rogov rived in the city centre. Navalny and ordinary Musco- other one. opposition’s complaints, but said the independent candi- More than 8,000 counter- vites gathered after authorities Popular opposition candidate many Russians are furious at dates’ exclusion was “one of the protesters had already gathered refused to register independent Ilya Yashin, who is a local coun- what they perceive as electoral largest frauds in Russia’s elec- in Kassel before the start of the candidates seeking to contest cillor, said that Putin must go. interference. toral history”. far-right demonstration, which the September vote for the capi- “I’ve lived half my life un- The opposition candidates “We are witnessing a major had been scheduled to start at tal’s parliament. der Putin. I’ve had enough,” the staged smaller daily rallies large-scale crime,” he wrote on noon. “This is my city!” the crowd 36-year-old said. throughout the week. his blog. The counter-protesters were chanted during the two-hour- Fellow opposition contender Many have also taken to so- Some 7.2mn Muscovites are wearing T-shirts and carrying long sanctioned rally. Dmitry Gudkov, who was also cial media in recent days to post eligible to elect 45 lawmakers to signs reading “Human rights “We will show them this is a disqualifi ed, accused the au- messages or videos to prove they the local parliament, currently instead of right-wing humans” dangerous game,” Navalny bel- thorities of stealing not only were not “dead souls”. dominated by the United Russia and “Nazis are even more an- lowed from a stage. people’s money and votes but At yesterday’s rally, some pro- ruling party. noying than wasps”. “We should fi ght for our can- their very future. Some held pictures of Walter didates,” he said as the huge “We’ve been living in an oc- Luebcke, who was killed by a crowd cheered and waved Rus- cupied country for the past 20 suspected right-wing extremist sian fl ags. years,” he said. in June. The 43-year-old threatened White Counter, an NGO that The far-right protesters were an even bigger rally next week, tracks participation in protest rallying against what they say near the mayor’s offi ce, unless rallies, said about 22,500 people is an attempt to use Luebcke’s Moscow’s electoral authorities took part in yesterday’s rally. killing to unfairly paint them as register within seven days a new Navalny said on Twitter that violent. crop of popular politicians in- it was the largest protest rally he The demonstration took place cluding Ilya Yashin and Lyubov attended since 2012, when tens after a court denied attempts to Sobol. of thousands protested elec- ban it earlier this week. “We will not give up!” added tion fraud during parliamentary After calls for violence began Navalny ally Sobol, who has polls. circulating online, police pre- been on a hunger strike for a Police said 12,000 turned up. pared for a major operation, and week to protest the authorities’ Observers said that never be- completely cordoned off the area refusal to allow her to run. fore have Russians turned up in around the far-right protesters. “I am sure that we will win,” such great numbers to demand Walter Luebcke, a local politi- said a visibly fatigued 31-year- access for their candidates in lo- cian in Kassel, was shot dead at old lawyer, propped up by an ally cal elections. his home on June 2. on stage. Opposition politicians fought He had become the target of Many ordinary Russians have tooth and nail to get on the ballot Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, his wife Yulia, and threats for supporting Chancel- slammed what they called the paper as they seek to capitalise opposition politician Ilya Yashin attend the rally in support of People take part in the rally in support of independent candidates lor Angela Merkel’s refugee poli- blatant impunity of offi cials, on popular discontent with the independent candidates for elections to the Moscow City Duma. for elections to the Moscow City Duma, the capital’s parliament. cies.

Vatican opens burial chambers in hunt for missing bodies German ministry

AFP about who could have taken her each set of remains for DNA remembers failed Vatican City and where her body might lie. analysis. The family had received a pic- “We didn’t expect there to be ture of an angel-topped grave so many bones,” said geneticist Hitler assassins he Vatican opened yester- in the Teutonic cemetery, and appointed by the family, Giorgio day two burial chambers a message which simply read: Portera. “Thousands of bones Tdiscovered under a trap- “Look where the angel is point- have been found so we imagine DPA memorated those involved in door as it attempts to get to the ing.” they correspond to dozens of Berlin the attempted assassination of bottom of a riddle involving two But in a surprise twist, not only people.” Adolf Hitler, including Claus 19th-century princesses and a was there no trace of Orlandi, the Given the diff erent sizes of the von Stauff enberg. teenager who went missing 36 remains of the princesses were bones, they could just as well ermany’s new defence She called him and the of- years ago. gone too. belong to children as adults, he minister Annegret fi cers under his orders role The ossuaries were found The Vatican said the bones added. GKramp-Karrenbauer models, in whose footsteps the last week under the fl oor of the were likely moved during work Federica Orlandi, the sister of called on troops to follow in German military should strive Pontifi cal Teutonic College af- on the cemetery and college dur- the missing girl, said the discov- the footsteps of members of to follow today. ter the shock discovery earlier ing the 1960s and 1970s. ery of the bones had been a very This handout photo made available by the Vatican Media shows the the German resistance dur- “They stood up against in- this month that the bones of the Yesterday, bones were un- powerful experience “...because opening of the ossuary at the Teutonic Cemetery in the Vatican. ing the Nazi regime, during an justice, dictatorship, barba- princesses had disappeared from earthed from under the Pontifi cal it could be that the bones of my event marking 75 years since a rism, misanthropy and saw tombs in the Teutonic Cemetery. Teutonic College and analysed sister are there”. circulated in Italian media, the ten by a cardinal and pointing to failed assassination attempt on it as their duty as soldiers to The graves of Princesses So- at the site by Professor Giovanni “But we don’t want to think teen was snatched by mobsters a Vatican cover-up. Adolf Hitler. put the law above wrongful phie von Hohenlohe and Char- Arcudi – a specialist in forensic too much about that until we to put pressure on the Vatican to Five years earlier, experts ex- “As citizens, we are all asked orders,” she said, adding that lotte Federica of Mecklenburg, medicine appointed by the Holy have the results,” she said. recover a loan. huming the tomb of a notorious to stand up and live by the val- while she expected obedience who died in 1836 and 1840, were See – in the presence of an expert The missing teenager’s broth- Another claim often repeated crime boss at a Vatican-owned ues of our constitution in our from the new soldiers, she did exhumed after an anonymous appointed by the Orlandi family, er, Pietro Orlandi, 60, whose in the press was that she was church uncovered some 400 everyday lives. And as citizens not want blind obedience. tip-off that they may hold the re- the Vatican said in a statement. 88-year-old mother still lives taken to force the release from boxes of bones. in uniform, you are today giv- On July 20, 1944, Stauff en- mains of a missing Italian young- Morphological analysis of the within the Vatican walls, told prison of Mehmet Ali Agca, the Enrico De Pedis, head of the ing an oath that you will work berg and his offi cers attempted ster. bones “will continue on Satur- AFP that he hoped his sister was Turk who attempted to assassi- Magliana gang, was suspected of to serve this goal,” Kramp- to end the war by killing Hitler Emanuela Orlandi, the daugh- day, July 27”, it added. still alive. nate Pope John Paul II in 1981. involvement in her kidnapping Karrenbauer told new 400 new with a bomb. ter of a Vatican employee, was Earlier, the Vatican said it was “I will have to carry on. Until In 2017, conspiracy special- and some speculated the young- recruits yesterday. However, the attack failed, last seen leaving a music class in “not possible, for the moment, to I fi nd Emanuela, it is my duty to ists were driven into a frenzy by a ster may be buried alongside him During the event at the Ger- and Stauff enberg and three of Rome in 1983 aged 15, and theo- predict how long it will take”. seek out the truth,” he said. leaked – but apparently falsifi ed – but DNA tests failed to fi nd a man defence ministry in Ber- his accomplices were executed ries have circulated for decades A sample would be taken from According to theories widely – document, purportedly writ- match. lin, Kramp-Karrenbauer com- the same day. Gulf Times 14 Sunday, July 21, 2019 INDIA

POLL PLOY DIFFERENT STROKES CRACKDOWN RUMOUR IN THE DOCK Rape case convict’s photo Kerala Catholic priests call 4 Maoist cops-killers No formalin traces in fish Ponzi scam accused put on Punjab campaign off protest after talks arrested in Jharkhand sold in Goa: minister sent to ED custody

In a shocking goof-up, the Punjab Election The protest by a section of the priests attached Four Maoist guerrillas involved in the killing Amid reports of the use of formaldehyde to The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has got transit Commission has put the face of a Nirbhya rape to the Ernakulam and Angamaly archdioceses of of five security personnel were arrested preserve fish imported into Goa from other states, remand of IMA Jewellers and ponzi scam prime convict on its posters and banners as part of its the Syro Malabar Catholic Church was called off yesterday by the Seraikela-Kharsawa district Goa Health Minister Vishwaji Rane in a written accused Mansoor Khan. Khan was produced election awareness drive in Hoshiarpur district. yesterday following talks with a group of bishops. police. Kuldeep Dwivedi, Kolhan range Deputy reply tabled in the state Assembly has reiterated before Duty Magistrate Harjit Singh Jaspal at Among the celebrity faces in the posters, there A majority of the 461 priests attached to these Inspector General of Police, told IANS over that the fish being sold in the state’s markets is his residence during late on Friday. He will now is the photograph Mukesh Singh, who has been dioceses was on protest against Cardinal George phone: “Four Maoist guerrillas involved in the safe for human consumption. Rane also said that be produced before a Prevention of Money convicted and sentenced to death in the 2012 Alencherry. They had launched an indefinite fast killing of five security personnel have been 523 vehicles ferrying fish into Goa, from states Laundering Act (PMLA) court. Khan was arrested Nirbhaya rape case. The posters were reportedly on Thursday at the bishop house near Kochi. On arrested by a police team. Sunil Tudu was including Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha by Delhi Police from New Delhi Airport on his put up by the Hoshiarpur District Election Off icer. Friday, at six-hour talks between eight bishops arrested from Ichagarh area by the team and and Karnataka, were checked since June 1, for the arrival from Dubai. Khan, who is accused of Punjab Industries and Commerce Minister Sunder and nine priests from the protesting faction, most based on the information from Sunil other presence of formalin content. “From July 2018 perpetrating financial fraud worth millions, was Sham Arora said the government would find out issues were resolved. “We have been told the Maoists were arrested.” According to police, till date, 6,003 samples have been analysed, out absconding for a month and was traced in Dubai who was behind the act. “It isn’t written that he is Church Synod next month will discuss threadbare five security personnel were killed by the of which 118 have been checked by the FSSAI- and told to return to India. The arrest is expected the Nirbhaya rape convict, so it could be a case of the issues raised by us,” a representative of the Maharaj Parmanik Maoist group at Kukru Haat in approved laboratories. No adverse findings were to ease the ongoing investigation and the eff ort mistaken identity. We will find out soon,” he said. priests said yesterday. Seraikela-Kharsawa district on June 14. reported,” he said in his written reply. to return the money of thousands of investors.

Two governors transferred and Ex-Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit four appointed

IANS New Delhi

ewarding Chhattisgarh passes away, tributes pour in BJP leader Ramesh Bais for Rhis work during the Lok IANS Kochi Metro only possible Sabha elections, the Modi gov- New Delhi due to Dikshit: Chandy ernment yesterday appointed him as the Governor of Tripura. Former Kerala chief minister Oommen Bais had worked relentlessly eteran Congress leader and Chandy said yesterday that had it not for the party, even though he former Delhi Chief Minister been for his then-Delhi counterpart himself was not given a ticket to VSheila Dikshit, whose contri- Sheila Dikshit, Kerala’s landmark Kochi contest the Lok Sabha polls. bution to transforming Delhi was ac- Metro would not have become a reality. Anandiben Patel got trans- knowledged by party colleagues and Mourning the death of the three- ferred from Madhya Pradesh to political adversaries alike, passed away time chief minister, Chandy told IANS crucial Uttar Pradesh, and re- on yesterday following cardiac arrest. that after Delhi Metro came up and places Ram Naik as governor She was 81. expanded during Dikshit’s tenure there. As tributes from across the political (1998-2013), ‘Metro Man’ E Sreedharan, Lalji Tandon, who was the spectrum poured in, the Delhi govern- who was then heading the Delhi Metro, governor of Bihar so far, will re- ment announced two-day mourning and was flooded with requests from various place her in Madhya Pradesh. a state funeral for Dikshit, who was chief states that he should take the lead BJP MLA from Ghosi Fagu minister for three consecutive terms to construct similar metros, but the Chauhan has been appointed as (1998-2013) and remembered as a ‘moth- Delhi government came out with an the new governor of Bihar. His er fi gure’, ‘banyan tree’ and ‘iron lady’. order that it would not be possible to exit from the Uttar Pradesh As- Credited for Delhi’s growing infra- dispense with his services. sembly will mean another by- structure, including roads and fl yovers, “But, then I, as the chief minister poll. better public transport system — espe- (2011-16), took up the case with Dikshit Jagdeep Dhankar, a senior BJP cially the Delhi Metro, as well as devel- and after realising the need that with- leader from Rajasthan, goes to opment on the health and educational out Sreedharan, Kochi Metro would not West Bengal as governor. He will fronts, during her tenure — she had also become a reality, she readily agreed... take over the state at a time when been Kerala Governor briefl y in 2014. Sreedharan’s services were obtained its Trinamool Congress-led gov- Dikshit, who was currently the Con- for the Kochi Metro and it became a ernment is at loggerheads with gress’ Delhi unit president, suff ered a reality in 2017. Kerala owes a great deal the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) cardiac arrest and was brought to the to her for this,” he said. government at the Centre. Fortis Escorts Heart Institute around “The Congress party has lost a R N Ravi, who was the Centre’s 10.30am in a critical condition. stalwart in all respects...she will be points person in the Naga peace A multi-disciplinary team of doc- certainly missed,” Chandy added. talks and even signed the peace tors carried out advanced resuscitative The mortal remains of veteran Congress leader Sheila Dikshit being brought to her residence in New Delhi yesterday. accord on the government’s be- measures. “Her condition stabilised half, has been appointed as the temporarily. But she had another cardiac ited her residence along with Lok Sabha Senior leaders, including former rights. She worked aggressively for became a “family” loyalist after she governor of Nagaland. arrest and despite all the eff orts, she died Speaker Om Birla to pay his homage. home minister Shivraj Patil, Jyotira- women’s rights and security. I have lost worked closely with Rajiv Gandhi. at 3.55pm,” a hospital statement said. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal ditya Scindia, Sharad Yadav, Sitaram my mother,” said a weeping Razia Sul- Born in Punjab, raised in Delhi and Hospital sources said Dikshit had yesterday mourned her death, saying Yechury, Brinda Karat, Yashwant Sinha tana, a former councillor of the trans- honing her politics skills in Uttar visited the facility in the past for check- Dikshit’s contribution to the city will and Shashi Tharoor, among others, Yamuna area. Pradesh, the national capital became ups. “She was suff ering from a heart always be remembered and she will be reached Dikshit’s residence to off er Jagdish Sharma, another Congress her work space. Dump EVMs, problem for which she had undergone much missed. their tributes. worker and Dikshit supporter, said that It has been six years since she was surgeries. Around 10-12 days back, she The calm in Nizamuddin (East) was Gandhi, who spent around fi ve min- she was like a banyan tree which pro- voted out of power but there is broad bring back ballot had visited the hospital for a check-up. suddenly broken by a stream of visitors utes at Sheila Dikshit’s residence, met tected the Congress over the years. consensus — even her political oppo- She was also admitted for a day then,” headed towards her house there. her sister Rama Dikshit and expressed A chirpy Miranda House girl who nents will not disagree — that she was papers: Mamata said the source. As people with moist eyes gathered her condolences. loved car rides married into a political the force behind the transformation of President Ram Nath Kovind condoled outside her residence, former presi- Mukherjee yesterday expressed shock family and her fortunes changed for- Delhi, bringing an infrastructural revo- her passing, saying she had transformed dent Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister over her demise, saying “I have lost a ever. lution in the city. eiterating her demand for the national capital in her tenure. Modi, former prime minister Manmo- long-time friend”, while veteran BJP Daughter-in-law of Congress’ Ut- Her death will also impact the Con- use of the ballot paper Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who han Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia leader V K Malhotra said that he had lost tar Pradesh stalwart Uma Shankar gress’ aim of staging a comeback in Rinstead of the electronic also credited her with noteworthy con- Gandhi, Kejriwal among others, drove his sister. Dikshit, she was fi rst noticed by then- Delhi, where Assembly elections are due voting machines (EVMs), West tribution to Delhi’s development, vis- in to pay their tributes. “She made sure that women got their prime minister Indira Gandhi, and later next year. Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said yesterday electoral reforms were must for ensur- ing transparency and preventing black money in polls. Pilgrim’s progress Stating that she has been root- CPI-M leader fl ays Antony ing for electoral reforms since 1995, Banerjee said: “For prevent- ing black money (in polls), restor- IANS Rajeev went on to point out that Antony, ing democracy, ensuring trans- Kochi a seasoned parliamentarian in the Upper parency on the part of political House, sits in a chair that will allow him to parties, the reforms are must. It speak the moment he gets up, considering should include state funding. Why senior CPI-M leader, who is also the chief his stature and seniority. should a party collect funds? Why editor of Malayalam daily and party or- “Despite holding him in high regards, I should black money be there?” Agan Deshabhimani, yesterday slammed am forced to ask a question, has Antony ever Stating that EVMs have been former defence minister and Congress veteran stood up to speak against the BJP? Data avail- discarded by many countries, A K Antony for being silent against the BJP, but able in the Upper House show that Antony like England, France and Ger- taking time to attack the left party. has taken part in just 11 debates, while the many, the chief minister said: Former Rajya Sabha member and senior average number is 125 for a Rajya Sabha (RS) “Those who introduced EVMs CPI-M leader P Rajeev took to his Facebook member from Kerala. “Moreover, Antony has are not using it. When there are account to vent his anger against Antony, not asked even a single question, while the so many complaints, ballot pa- who earlier this week had taken up the cudg- average for a Kerala RS member is 690. Inci- pers should be revived. We are els against the Students’ Federation of India dentally, this performance by Antony comes saying no to EVM, and asking for (SFI), the student wing of the CPI-M, after at a time when he has one of the highest at- return of ballot papers.” two of its leaders were arrested for stabbing tendance in the House,” Rajeev said. She was talking to media- their fellow student at the famed University “All this shows that Antony, who was one persons at the venue of annual College in Thiruvananthapuram. of the founding members of the student wing Martyrs’ Day rally. It is organised “Antony held a press conference to attack of the Congress party, continues to harbour in memory of the 13 Congress the SFI, which I will not question as it’s his a very strong anti-CPI-M feeling and that’s workers killed in the fi ring in 1993 right. But what really upset us is that Antony what showed up when he held the press meet during a Writers’ Buildings (state has not held a single press meet to attack the against the SFI,” added Rajeev, who unsuc- secretariat) blockade agitation. BJP who are playing havoc in Karnataka and cessfully contested the Lok Sabha polls from Muslims prepare to board a flight for the Haj pilgrimage to Makkah at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Inter- Banerjee reminded reporters the Goa, nor has he uttered a word about the kill- Ernakulam, losing to sitting Congress legis- national Airport in Ahmedabad yesterday. rally on July 21, 1993, was held on ings in the name of cows,” said Rajeev. lator Hibi Eden by over 169,000 votes. the slogan “no I-card, no vote”.

Constitution being fl outed by not respecting Karnataka governor’s message: expert

IANS R Ramesh Kumar was bound to respect respect his message and conduct a fl oor As per the constitution, the governor Article 175 also says the members of The parties contended that this order New Delhi the message of the governor as per the test, rather than delaying it,” Kashyap cannot allow a minority government to the House have to show respect to the curtailed the rights of political party constitution. told IANS yesterday. function. Article 175 of the constitution governor. “The governor may address guaranteed under the constitution. Governor Vajubhai Vala had sent Explaining the governor’s role, extensively deals with rights of the gov- the Legislative Assembly or, in the case Though, the parties referred to it as he Karnataka Assembly Speaker three messages to the Speaker, asking Kashyap says the governor administers ernor to address and send messages to of a state having a Legislative Coun- an urgent matter, but they did not press “fl outed the constitution” by him to complete the confi dence mo- the oath to the Council of Ministers. the House. cil, either House of the Legislature of for an early hearing on Friday. Tdisregarding the message from tion moved by the Chief Minister H D “If his message is not respected, then “The governor may send messages to the state, or both Houses assembled Kashyap opined the Supreme Court the governor to conduct the fl oor test Kumaraswamy by 6pm on Friday, but it the Constitution is blatantly fl outed,” the House or Houses of the Legislature together, and may for that purpose re- did not curtail the rights of a political on Friday, a constitution expert said did not happen. he said. of the state, whether with respect to a quire the attendance of members”, says party in issuing the whip. amid the ongoing political drama in the The debate on the motion, which be- If voting on the trust vote is not con- Bill pending in the Legislature or oth- the constitution. “If you compel somebody, then it is in- southern state in the wake of a series gan on Thursday, remained incomplete ducted as per the governor’s message, erwise, and a House to which any mes- The Congress and JD (S), in identical fringement of his/her fundamental right. of resignations by MLAs of the ruling on Friday and is slated to continue to- then he is authorised to communicate sage is so sent shall with all convenient pleas, moved the Supreme Court chal- The Supreme Court has safeguarded the Congress and JD (S). morrow. his opinion to the Centre, for example, dispatch consider any matter required lenging its July 17 order, which ruled the rights of the MLAs guaranteed by the Former secretary-general of the Lok “The governor has performed his if he believes the current government is by the message to be taken into consid- 15 rebel MLAs cannot be compelled to constitution. In fact, the parties have al- Sabha Subhash Kashyap said Speaker K duty under Article 175. The House must in a minority. eration,” says the constitution. participate in the House proceedings. ready issued the whip”, said Kashyap. Gulf Times Sunday, July 21, 2019 15 INDIA

INVESTIGATION AVIATION CRIME TENSION EVE-TEASING NIA conducts searches Pilot grounded for hijack Killers go to police station Iran asked to free 18 Indians Operation Romeo: 248 across Tamil Nadu alert sent by mistake with victim’s severed head on seized UK-flagged tanker detained in Gurugram

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) India has suspended a pilot for accidentally In a macabre act, two youths murdered a man India said yesterday it was in touch with Tehran As many as 248 youths were detained in a joint yesterday searched several premises in Madurai, sending a hijack alert to air traff ic control and brought along his severed head to the to secure the release of 18 of its nationals operation by the Gurugram Police and the Theni, Tirunelveli, Ramanathapuram and during a domestic flight last month, the aviation police station where they surrendered. The serving on a British-flagged tanker seized by Durga Shakti rapid action force for eve-teasing Chennai following arrest of 16 terror suspects, authority has said. The AirAsia India plane, flying horrific incident occurred yesterday evening in Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. Raveesh Kumar, and hooliganism on the Mall Mile (MG Road) including 14 deported from the United Arab from New Delhi to Srinagar, suff ered a stalled Nampally ‘mandal’ (block) of Nalgonda district spokesman for India’s foreign ministry, told AFP here. It was fifth such operation by the joint Emirates (UAE). The search operations were engine and the captain told first off icer Ravi Raj of Telangana. The personnel at Nampally that 18 of its nationals were on the ship and said force in the past six months. Under Operation carried out after a Special NIA court granted to send an emergency code to alert authorities. police station were shocked to see two youths New Delhi was “in touch with the government Romeo, 125 youths were detained on March those 16 suspects’ custody to the NIA for eight Instead of the appropriate code 7700, Raj entering the building with one of them holding of Iran to secure (their) early release and 3, and 52 on March 24, taking the total over days. The anti-terror probe agency off icial transmitted 7500 — the code for a hijacking — a severed head in one hand and a sickle repatriation”. The tanker was impounded off 800. The joint operation, by over 100 male and said raids were conducted at five places in India’s Director General of Civil Aviation said in in the other. The two then confessed and Bandar Abbas port for breaking “international female police personnel, started at 8.30pm on the Ramanthapuram district, two in the Theni a statement. Such a transmission is considered surrendered. According to police, the severed maritime rules” after colliding with a fishing Friday and concluded at 1am yesterday. Of the district and one each in Chennai, Tirunelveli, a major security alert across the world. Raj head is that of autorickshaw driver Saddam, boat, Iranian authorities said. Iranian authorities 248 detained youths, 62 failed to give actual Madurai cities and the Tanjavur, Perambalur, was found guilty of “negligent conduct” and 28. He was beheaded by the duo with a sickle said the tanker has anchored off Bandar Abbas reasons for their presence in the area and Nagapattinam and Thiruvarur districts. suspended for three months. used to cut coconuts. with all its 23 crew aboard. proper identity documents. Priyanka meets grieving kin of Sonebhadra carnage victims

IANS the victims who had come to the guest house in Chunar to Mirzapur, UP meet her after she was prevented from going to meet them in Sonebhadra where 10 people were killed in clashes over a land dispute on Wednesday. am now leaving because my purpose of meeting the fami- She said that Congress will provide a compensation of lies of the victims has been fulfi lled. But I will return very Rs1mn each to the deceased person’s families. Isoon. I had come here on the instructions of my brother She also put fi ve demands before the Uttar Pradesh govern- Rahul Gandhi.” ment: Rs 2.5mn compensation for each of the victims’ fami- This is what Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi lies; fast-track trial in the Sonebhadra case; land titles for the told people and party workers before ending her 24-hour tribals; security for the aff ected families; withdrawal of land dharna here yesterday. dispute cases against the villagers. Mirzapur District Magistrate (DM) Anurag Patel took a U- Several senior Congress leaders who were on their way to turn yesterday and said that the Congress leader was free to go Sonebhadra were detained by the police at Varanasi airport. A since she had neither been detained, nor arrested. three-member delegation of the Trinamool Congress was also The DM on Friday night had asked her to furnish a personal detained at the airport. A vendor sits under cover at his flooded fruit shop during heavy monsoon rain in Amritsar yesterday. bond of Rs 50,000 so that she could be allowed to go. The detention of the political leaders came a day after Priya- Earlier yesterday, Priyanka met the family members of nka was detained and stopped in Mirzapaur district from going to Sonebhadra to meet the injured and the victims’ families. The Congress termed the entire episode as a ‘major victory for the party’ and slammed the Yogi Adityanath-led govern- 3 fi shermen missing at sea in Kerala ment in Uttar Pradesh for resorting to fascism and preventing their leaders from visiting Sonebhadra. Priyanka had been prevented from going to the Murtiya vil- IANS reported missing at sea since Thurs- by huge waves hitting the coast. lage in Sonebhadra by the district administration and was de- Thiruvananthapuram day morning. However, the residents living near tained on Friday at the Chunar Guest House. According to offi cials, seven the sea shore were unwilling to move Priyanka told the media that she was trying to meet the kin fi shermen — including three from to the rescue camps. “We won’t move of the victims since Friday but was not allowed to. “And now ith the monsoon getting Tamil Nadu — had gone fi shing from to any rescue camp. We demand a sea that they are here to meet me, they are also being stopped. stronger in Kerala, the Me- Neendakara in Kerala’s Kollam dis- wall of rocks and stones, not plastic Even I am being prevented from speaking to them,” she said. Wteorological Department trict when their boat capsized at sea. bags, which is of no use, as the waves The meeting between Priyanka and the victims’ families has issued red and orange alerts for a While four of them swam 12km and have started going above it,” said the was highly emotional as the women sobbed bitterly while nar- few districts until tomorrow. saved themselves, there was no word angry residents. rating the sequence of events. Priyanka could not hold back While a red alert has been issued in from three others. The monsoon, which arrived a her tears as she hugged them and assured them of all support Kasargode district today, Kozhikode Two rescue camps have been set up week late in June, was inactive and and help. and Wayanad are expected to get in Kannur district, after rains fl ooded 40% less than previous years so far. The Sonebhadra incident saw 10 people killed in a shootout more rains tomorrow. certain low lying areas. At Chellanam It is expected to improve in the sec- over a land dispute in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday. Already, three fi shermen have been near Kochi, 80 homes were damaged ond half of the season. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra meets families of the Sonebhadra While the main accused and 29 others have been arrested, a massacre victims at the Chunar Guest House in Mirzapur Sub-Divisional Magistrate and four other offi cials have been yesterday. suspended. New technology allows dog squad to Amarinder accepts Sidhu’s resignation live stream from risky areas

IANS letter this morning and sent it to Bad- part of a reshuffl e after the Lok Sabha IANS The project has reportedly cleared will help in guiding the dog and keep Chandigarh nore for formal acceptance. elections. New Delhi initial test runs and is expected to be a watch on the surroundings of area,” The chief minister had earlier, in He fi nally sent his resignation to Am- completed by the year end. Rajat, who has displayed his equip- Delhi, said he would see the resignation arinder Singh’s offi cial residence while It aims to bring down the risk to ment at the International Police Expo unjab Chief Minister Amarinder letter, which was received at his Chan- the latter was in Delhi. wo IIT-Mumbai students have human life during the routine sur- being held in New Delhi, told IANS. Singh yesterday accepted the res- digarh residence in his absence, and Amarinder Singh had said that if Sid- developed a technology — Dog veillance drives in remote areas with The project will be go through an Pignation of Navjot Singh Sidhu as take a decision. hu did not want to do his job, there was TMounted Camera — that al- high security risks. induction process after which the the state power minister. The letter, however, was just a single nothing that he could do about it. lows dogs to live stream from higher The fully functional Dog Mount- armed forces will be able to use these The chief minister forwarded the sentence tendering Sidhu’s resignation, The minister should have accepted risk areas while their handlers moni- ed Camera will have a set of articles equipments on their already trained one-line resignation to Governor V P with no explanation or elaboration, said his new portfolio instead of shunning tor the situation from a safe distance. which include a special jacket that can dog squad. Singh Badnore for formal acceptance, the spokesperson. work in the middle of the crucial paddy The brainchild of M Tech students host the device set, including a trans- “Currently, the project is in proto- who too accepted it, an offi cial spokes- Sidhu had reportedly sent his resig- season, said the chief minister, reiterat- Rajat Chiddarwal and Punit Jain, mitter and receiver, a camera and a type stage but as of the various test person told IANS. nation on June 10 to Congress president ing that Sidhu was given a job, which he the technology allows a camera and speaker which will help the dog to get runs and experiments, we are sure The power portfolio will, for the time Rahul Gandhi and tweeted the same should have accepted and done. a speaker to be mounted on a dog’s instructions from it’s instructor. that the project will be completed by being, remain with the chief minister, more than a month later. Sidhu, who had been at loggerheads back which could live stream feed “The transmitter will help live the year end and will then be ready to said the spokesperson. Thereafter, he had tweeted that he with the chief minister ever since his from the site to the handler main- streaming the video while the receiver face induction phase to clear criteria Amarinder Singh, who had been in- would formally send his papers to the wife Navjot Kaur was denied a ticket taining a kilometre distance. will catch voice commands of the in- of Indian Armed Forces,” said Rajat, disposed for the last two days since his chief minister, in whose cabinet he had for the Lok Sabha polls, refused to take The streaming can also be recorded structor which will later be given out an M Tech second year student of IIT arrival from Delhi, saw the resignation been allocated the Power Ministry as charge of his new portfolios. by the operator. through the speaker. The entire set up Mumbai. India-built cryostat base ready for installation in France

By Vishal Gulati, IANS complete through fi rst plasma in specifi cations,” ITER Director- The cryostat chamber houses hand-in-hand with ITER team French safety regulations, on an tal fusion facility. Fusion is the New Delhi 2025 — the fi rst stage of operation General Bernard Bigot said in a the vacuum vessel and magnets and fulfi lled all the commit- international site owned and op- process that powers the sun and for ITER as a functional machine. statement. in an ultra-cool, vacuum envi- ments in delivering equipment erated by all seven ITER members the stars: when light atomic nu- The ITER Organisation, to- What is fusion? It is the same ronment. of the project to maintain overall — China, Europe, India, Japan, clei fuse together to form heavier n India-built cryostat gether with its Indian domestic process producing the sun’s en- Manufactured by India, the schedule of ITER programme,” Korea, Russia and the US. ones, a large amount of energy is base and lower cylinder agency, will complete a major ergy that gives earth its light and ITER cryostat is 16,000 cubic L&T Heavy Engineering execu- The July 23 event will mark the released. Aare ready for installation project milestone on July 23 in warmth. metres. tive vice president Anil Parab told completion of two of the four Fusion research is aimed at in the $25bn International Ther- completing fabrication of the ITER will use hydrogen fusion, Its diameter and height are IANS. main sections: the cryostat base developing a safe, abundant and monuclear Experimental Reactor cryostat base and lower cylinder controlled by superconduct- both almost 30m and it weighs He said the company has al- and lower cylinder, essentially environmentally-responsible (ITER) that is under construction — a key component of the world’s ing magnets, to produce massive 3,850 tonnes. ready handed over two sections completing more than 60% of energy source. in France, it was announced yes- most complex machine coming heat energy without emitting Because of its bulk, it is being ahead of their requirement in pit this massive component. ITER is also a fi rst-of-a-kind terday. up in Saint-Paul-les-Durance, carbon dioxide, meaning it is en- fabricated in four main sections: and is also planning to deliver the Among the guests, former global collaboration. ITER — a project proving that some 35km north of Aix-en-Pro- vironment friendly compared to the base, lower cylinder, upper remaining two sections ahead of chairman of the Atomic Energy Europe will contribute almost fusion power can be produced vence in southern France. the fossil fuels. cylinder and top lid. their scheduled delivery. Commission of India, Anil Ka- half of the costs of its construc- sustainably on a commercial “The fabrication of this com- The magnets, the largest in the More than 50 pieces are being At ITER, cryostat assembly kodkar, will attend the event. tion, while the other six members scale — is now 65% ready. ponent has been an unprec- world, control and shape the hy- manufactured by Larsen & Tou- demonstrates multinationalism Designed to demonstrate the of this joint international venture The biggest fusion machine edented engineering challenge drogen plasma where the hydro- bro at their industrial facilities in at work, featuring expert welders scientifi c and technological fea- (China, India, Japan, Korea, Rus- in history, counting at least 1mn and achievement in terms of both gen nuclei are heated and fused at Hazira, north of Mumbai. from MAN, a German contractor, sibility of fusion power, ITER will sia and the US), will contribute pieces of equipment, aims to its massive size and its intricate 150mn degrees. “We have always worked supervised by ITER-India, under be the world’s largest experimen- equally to the rest. Gulf Times 16 Sunday, July 21, 2019 LATIN AMERICA

‘Murder’ goalkeeper Claims of hunger in Brazil to fi nish sentence under house arrest

AFP The 34-year-old was Rio de Janeiro originally incarcerated ‘a big lie’, says Bolsonaro in 2010 for his role in the kidnapping, AFP the tropics,” Bolsonaro slammed “With all the devastation that Brazilian goalkeeper imprisonment and killing Brasília the reporting as “fake news.” you are accusing us of doing ... convicted of the mur- of Samudio, who had sued Latest fi gures from the UN’s the Amazon region would al- A der of his ex-girlfriend him for child support for Food and Agriculture Organiza- ready have been extinguished,” left prison yesterday to fi nish their son razil’s President Jair tion show 5.1mn Brazilians are he told the reporters. the rest of his 22-year sentence Bolsonaro said there “undernourished.” However according to Bra- under house arrest. benefi t from the semi-open re- Bwas no hunger in the But the proportion of the zil’s National Institute for Space Former Flamengo stopper gime”, which allows convicts to country, citing the lack of population suff ering had fallen Research (INPE), satellite data Bruno Fernandes, jailed in 2013 work or to follow a training pro- rail-thin poor people in the to less than 2.5% between 2008 shows Amazon rainforest de- for his role in the slaying of gramme outside prison if he re- streets as proof. and 2010, compared with 11.9% forestation has increased 88 model Eliza Samudio, could be turns to his cell at night to sleep. Speaking to foreign journal- in the 1999-2001 period. percent in June compared to the seen on television being rushed As Varginha Prison does not ists, Bolsonaro blamed “popu- The FAO attributed the de- same period one year earlier. into a vehicle following his re- have adequate facilities for the lists” for propagating “a big lie” cline to social welfare pro- Bolsonaro said he has called lease from Varginha prison in coming and going of detainees, that some of Brazil’s 209 million grammes introduced by the on the head of INPE “to come to Minas Gerais state. Fernandes has been allowed to people did not have enough to leftwing government of former Brasilia to explain the data that The 34-year-old was origi- sleep at his home, where he will eat. President Luiz Inacio Lula da was released to the press.” nally incarcerated in 2010 for have to remain between 8pm to “There is no hunger,” the far- Silva, including the Zero Hunger Furthermore, Bolsonaro his role in the kidnapping, 6am every night, including on right leader said, noting Brazil campaign. slammed as “disinformation” imprisonment and killing of Sundays and holidays. “was rich in practically every In a recent interview with O news that Brazilian farmers are Samudio, who had sued him Bruno was freed in February type of crop”. Globo, Rodrigo Maia, the power- heavy users of toxic pesticides – for child support for their son. 2017 by a top court pending an “You don’t see poor people in ful head of the lower chamber of an issue that could create prob- Bruno, as he is universally appeal against his sentence, the street with bone-thin bodies Congress, accused Bolsonaro of lems for a free trade agreement known in Brazil, admitted in only to be reimprisoned two like in other countries. Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro looks on during a National Soccer showing no concern for the poor. between the South American court he had conspired with months later. “To say that there is hunger Day Ceremony in Brasilia. Bolsonaro also told the foreign Mercosur trade bloc and the friends to kill her and that her In March that year he was in Brazil is a populist discourse journalists that he was sceptical European Union. body had been fed in pieces to signed up by second divi- to try to win popular sympathy, eat poorly. And some people are But “we have diet problems of reports of increased deforest- “Brazil is the country that dogs, but never admitted to sion team Boa Esporte in the nothing more than that.” hungry. here in Brazil. We have them, ation of the Amazon rainforest. least uses toxic pesticides be- taking direct part in the mur- southeastern city of Varginha, But after widespread coverage “And that is unacceptable in a it’s not my fault, and that was The president is suspicious of cause if we were selling poi- der and disposal of the body. sparking outrage at his quick of his remarks and social me- country as rich as ours, with as here before I was,” Bolsonaro foreign interest in the rainforest, son, you wouldn’t be buy- He has been allowed to leave reentry into the sport and dia criticism, Bolsonaro back- much arable land as we have and stressed. seeing control of the region as an ing. I’m surprised by this prison due to a court ruling leading to the club losing three tracked, saying that “Brazilians more than enough water.” Often dubbed the “Trump of issue of national sovereignty. disinformation,” he said. that he “satisfi ed conditions to of its sponsors.

US puts Venezuelan military Colombia’s independence anniversary Architect offi cials on sanctions blacklist Cesar Pelli is dead AFP cal abuse, according to the whom the opposition has Washington Treasury. branded a “usurper” over his AFP “The DGCIM, including re-election last year in a poll Buenos Aires these offi cials, has been ac- widely believed to have been he US Treasury placed cused of systemic human rights rigged. esar Pelli, the Argentine four senior Venezuelan abuses and repressing dissent,” Representatives of the gov- architect and creator of Tmilitary intelligence of- the Treasury said. ernment and opposition were CMalaysia’s Petronas Tow- fi cials on its sanctions black- The sanctions block any meeting this week in Barbados ers and New York’s One World list on Friday, tying them to property controlled by the in- in ongoing talks, mediated by Financial Center, died on Friday the death in custody of a navy dividuals under US jurisdic- Norway, aimed at resolving the at the age of 92, his family said. captain who was allegedly tion, and forbid any Americans country’s political crisis. After graduating from the tortured. or companies with US pres- Speaking from Argentina, as University of Tucuman, Pelli Division General Rafael Ra- ence from doing business with part of a four-nation tour of left for the US in 1952, where he mon Blanco Marrero, Colo- them. Latin America, US Secretary studied on a scholarship. nel Hannover Esteban Guer- The Treasury said the sanc- of State Mike Pompeo said that He was dean of Yale’s architec- rero Mijares, Major Alexander tions were not necessarily per- Maduro would “never govern ture faculty from 1977 to 1984, Enrique Granko Arteaga and manent and could be lifted on that country again.” and counted the American In- Colonel Rafael Antonio Franco people “who take concrete and “It will not happen. He may stitute of Architects Gold Medal Quintero are offi cials of the meaningful actions to restore rule, he may for a moment con- among his many accolades. General Directorate of Military democratic order, refuse to trol its military at some level, His most high-profi le achieve- Counterintelligence (DGCIM), take part in human rights abus- but he will never govern those ment was the Petronas Towers in the which was sanctioned as an es, speak out against abuses people and he has destroyed Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur – a entity on July 11. committed by the government their way of life,” he said. 452-metre high structure that was “This action follows the ar- and combat corruption in Guaido has repeatedly in- the world’s tallest building when it rest, physical abuse, and death Venezuela.” sisted that Maduro must make was completed in 1998. of Venezuelan Navy Captain The US is one of the main way for new presidential elec- Pelli’s legacy also includes doz- Rafael Acosta Arevalo,” the backers of Venezuelan opposi- tions, a demand the socialist ens of theatres and cultural cen- Treasury said. tion leader Juan Guaido, who leader has fl at-out rejected. tres across the world, and he over- Acosta was arrested in June on launched a challenge to Madu- Pompeo insisted that “the saw the expansion of New York’s charges of plotting to assassinate ro’s authority in January by de- Maduro regime is fi nished. It is Museum of Modern Art in 1984. President Nicolas Maduro. claring himself acting president. only a matter of time before we Members of the Naval Non-Commissioned Off icers School ARC Barranquilla march during a He also designed the Interna- He died in custody eight days Despite the support of more can all begin to help the Vene- military parade to commemorate the 209th anniversary of Colombia’s independence in Bogota, tional Financial Centre that towers later, after having appeared in than 50 countries, he has been zuelans restore their democracy yesterday. over Hong Kong’s waterfront and court showing signs of physi- unable to dislodge Maduro, and restore their economy.” the Gran Torre Santiago in Chile. Peru’s ex-president Panama bans single-use plastic bags Toledo to remain in Reuters The isthmus nation of roughly until 2020 to conform to the ure because you avoid continu- especially near populated areas. Panama City 4mn people joined more than 60 policy approved in 2018. Fines ing to pollute the streets and Given projected growth in other countries that have totally can be applied for non-com- the community,” said Victoria consumption, without new anti- custody in US or partially banned single-use pliance but there are exceptions Gomez, a 42-year-old secretary pollution policies oceans are ex- anama yesterday became plastic bags, or introduced taxes for the use of plastic bags for in downtown Panama City. pected by 2050 to contain more the fi rst Central American to dissuade their use, includ- sanitary reasons, such as with Birds, turtles, seals, whales plastics than fi sh by weight, DPA Pnation to ban single-use ing Chile and Colombia in the raw food. and fi sh often become entan- according to the New Plastics Bogota plastic bags to try to curb pol- region. On the streets of Panama City, gled or ingest the remnants of Economy report published by lution on its beaches and help Supermarkets, pharmacies signs with the phrase “less bags, plastic bags in Latin America, Ellen MacArthur Foundation in tackle what the United Na- and retailers in Panama must more life” reminded passersby one of the most biodiverse re- 2016. The report also found that ormer Peruvian presi- tions has identifi ed as one of the stop using traditional polyeth- that the measure had gone into gions in the world. Along Pan- the entire plastics industry will dent Alejandro To- world’s biggest environmental ylene plastic bags immediately, eff ect. ama’s coast, it is common to see consume 20% of total oil pro- Fledo, pictured, will challenges. while wholesale stores will have “This seems like a good meas- plastic waste littering beaches, duction by then. remain in custody in the United States while Lima seeks his extradition, the na- tional news agency Andina and the daily El Comercio reported. Demand for governor’s resignation A court in San Francisco has declined to grant bail Reuters the FBI as part of a federal cor- testers chanted on the street af- to the 73-year-old, whom San Juan, Puerto Rico ruption probe in the bankrupt ter word spread that Pérez had Peru wants to extradite on US territory. resigned, according to reports on corruption charges. The protests are the latest Twitter. Judge Thomas Hixson ac- cally motivated. housands of Puerto Ri- troubles to rock Puerto Rico, A protest on Wednesday in cepted the argument of the Three other Peruvian ex- cans, led by protesters which has been pummelled by which singer and actor Ricky prosecution that there was a presidents are also suspected Ton horseback with some bankruptcy and whipped by a Martin and reggaeton artist Bad considerable risk of Toledo of corrupt deals with Ode- banging drums and singing, devastating hurricane in 2017 Bunny took part ended in dem- fl eeing, after the FBI found a brecht, which has admitted marched on the governor’s resi- that took a toll on the Caribbean onstrators’ overturning barri- suitcase containing $40,000 to paying nearly 800 mil- dence demanding that he resign island’s already fragile economy. cades and police fi ring tear gas. in his house. lion dollars in kickbacks in 12 over hundreds of vulgar and of- Hundreds of protesters on Fri- Puerto Rico’s nonvoting rep- Toledo was arrested on countries. fensive leaked chat messages. day gathered in streets near the resentative in the US Congress, Demonstrators chant slogans as they wave Puerto Rican flags during Tuesday in connection with President Martin Vizcarra’s The march on Governor Ricardo governor’s residence chanting, Jenniff er Gonzalez, called for the the seventh day of protest calling for the resignation of Governor an order in Peru for him to predecessor, Pedro Pablo Kuc- Rossello’s offi cial San Juan resi- waving fl ags and banging pots resignation of Rossello, who is Ricardo Rossello in San Juan. be jailed preventively for 18 zynski (2016-2018), is in pre- dence was the latest in a week of and pans. Some carried placards head of Puerto Rico’s New Pro- months. trial detention on corruption sometimes violent protests over reading “They Rob Us,” accord- gressive Party and affi liated with The political turmoil comes at messages, saying they were “in- He is suspected of accepting charges. the messages attacking political ing to videos posted on Twitter. the US Democratic Party. a critical stage in the US territory’s appropriate” but not “illegal.” On bribes worth at least 20 mil- Alan Garcia (1985-1990 and adversaries, some of which were On Friday night, Rossello’s With a string of US Demo- bankruptcy. It has also raised con- Friday he sent tweets showing him lion dollars from the Brazilian 2006-2011) committed sui- misogynistic and homophobic. press secretary, Dennise Pérez, cratic presidential candidates cerns with US lawmakers who are carrying on with business as usual. construction giant Odebrecht cide in April when police came The chats on a Telegram mes- resigned, saying in statement and lawmakers also calling on weighing the island’s requests for Puerto Rico’s infl uential bar during his time in offi ce be- to arrest him in connection sage group were published yes- that she could no longer hold the Rossello to quit, the governor billions of federal dollars for health- association cited clear grounds tween 2001 and 2006. with a graft probe. terday, adding to Rossello’s woes position after she was called cor- convened an emergency meet- care and for recovery eff orts follow- to impeach the 40-year-old Toledo denies the allega- Ollanta Humala (2011-2016) the same week that two of his rupt in front of her son. ing with party leaders. No time ing devastating hurricanes in 2017. former scientist, based on the tions and says they are politi- is awaiting trial. former offi cials were arrested by “It’s your turn, Ricky,” pro- or date was set for the gathering. Rossello has apologised for the “depravity” of the messages. Gulf Times Sunday, July 21, 2019 17 PAKISTAN Imran, Trump to have two meetings next week

Internews Qamar Bajwa are accompanying prosperity along with plans to an impression of civil-military tions. We are here with honour, realised that Pakistan is not an ment has taken. What the US de- Islamabad the prime minister, while Foreign strengthen the bilateral relation- disconnect portrayed in the past, dignity and will not compromise obstacle to bring peace in Af- mands from us, we already agree Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi ship. today there is no disconnect, and on the country’s sovereignty or ghanistan but an ally. on that, and that’s the conver- is already in Washington as part “We are very clear that we are all stakeholders have the coun- interest,” he said. For stability in the region, Pa- gence and that’s why we are pro- rime Minister Imran Khan of the entourage. not stuck in talking points of the try’s interests in mind. The Trump administration kistan wishes to have good rela- gressing,” he said. departed yesterday for the Trump will hold two meetings past. This is a new government, “This is a big change in ap- and the government of Pakistan tions with India as well, Qureshi He also said that Pakistan is PUS on a commercial fl ight with the Pakistani delegation this is a new mandate, a new proach. Now there’s better un- have found convergence on poli- said. open to US investment in CPEC from Islamabad via Doha. at the White House – one with thinking and there would be a derstanding, there’s co-ordina- cies for peace in Afghanistan, the He added that Pakistan aligns and its economic zones, while This is his fi rst visit to the US Prime Minister Khan alone, and new approach. tion, synchronisation, discussion foreign minister said, adding that and agrees with recommenda- requesting that the US should since assuming offi ce. one with General Bajwa in at- “Pakistan’s interests will be and trust level, and there’s no Islamabad will move forward tions forwarded by the Financial revise its travel advisory towards During his three-day visit, tendance. given priority,” Foreign Minis- trust defi cit between the two,” with honesty. Action Task Force (FATF), and the country. Khan is scheduled to meet US The one-on-one meeting will ter Qureshi said while unveiling Qureshi said. “If there’s no convergence on has taken serious and signifi cant Commenting on the US ag- President Donald Trump tomor- be in the Oval Offi ce, while the Prime Minister Khan’s offi cial He insisted that Pakistan is not certain areas, we will try to un- steps accordingly. gressive policies towards Iran, row (July 22). larger meeting will take place schedule. seeking loans or aid money, but derstand each other’s point of “We want the Trump admin- the foreign minister said that Adviser to Prime Minister on at the Cabinet Room, where the The minister announced that honest dialogue. view,” Qureshi said. istration to recognise our eff orts. Pakistan wants to keep its Iran Commerce Razzaq Dawood, Spe- Pakistan delegation intends to Pakistan’s civil and military “We are not here to borrow or “Pakistan’s peace in linked to What we are saying is, that no border peaceful, and thinks that cial Assistant on Overseas Zulfi express its agenda of regional leadership are on the same page, ask for any aid. We have realistic Afghanistan’s peace,” the minis- political government has taken there should be a diplomatic so- Bukhari, and Army Chief General peace, stability and economic saying that while there had been approaches towards expecta- ter said, adding that the US has such bold steps that this govern- lution to the issue.

10-year-old scales Historic provincial polls 7,000m mountain

Internews held in the tribal regions Gilgit AFP/DPA/Reuters/Internews Peshawar/Islamabad en-year-old Selena Kha- waja has become the Tyoungest climber any- akistan’s tribal areas held where in the world to scale a their fi rst ever provincial 7,000m mountain. Pelections yesterday amid She broke the record after high security, a key step bringing summiting the 7,027m Spantik the northwestern region into the peak, the youngest to do so. political mainstream after years Spantik – or Golden Peak – of turmoil fuelled by militancy. is a mountain in the Karakoram The seven remote districts subrange of Gilgit Baltistan’s along the border with Afghani- Nagar Valley, in northern Paki- stan were once a focal point in stan. the global war on terror but were According to her father Yousaf brought under the control of Pa- Khawaja, Selena started climb- kistani authorities after the pas- ing when she was only eight. sage of legislation last year. “In less than one year, she was Instead of the Taliban’s white able to do Miranjani (3,000m) and black fl ags, the colourful Tribesmen go through a security check outside the polling station round trip in half the time,” the fl ags of political parties were in Jamrud. father told reporters in March seen fl uttering atop houses, last year. shops and other buildings in the Selena was just nine years old region. when she became the youngest “We will choose our repre- to scale the 5,765m Quz Sar Peak, sentatives today and hope they and then successfully summit- will address the problems peo- ed Mingli Sar (6,050m) in June ple face in the region,” a voter Tribesmen line up outside a polling station in Jamrud, a town of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 2018, before heading towards told Geo TV in front of a polling Spantik this year. station. didates are lavishly spending polls opened yesterday morning, khtunkhwa (KP) Assembly. The sky is the limit for young “It is a historic day,” said Aj- money on their political cam- Suhail Khan, a spokesman for “I know I can’t win in a male- Selena, who aims to go higher mal Wazir, the government’s paigns and buying votes,” said the election commission, told dominated, deeply conserva- than 7,000m later this year. adviser on the tribal areas. “The one tribesman, Bilal Rahman AFP. tive area. But I wanted to make The little climber has set polling process is continuing Afridi, in Jamrud subdivision No violence was reported and a point that women can step out her eyes on scaling Broad Peak smoothly.” of Khyber tribal district. “How polls closed at 5pm without any of home and take on anything if (8,051m), the world’s 12th high- Not everyone is happy, how- can they serve us when they disturbances, offi cials said. they are brave enough,” Afridi, est mountain, before she heads ever. are elected on the basis of their The previously semi-auton- 41, who is contesting a constitu- on to the 8,848m Mount Everest, “It’s the fi rst time we are wealth?” omous region operated under a ency in Khyber district, told DPA the world’s tallest. electing our representatives for More than 2.8mn people lined colonial-era arrangement that a day before the elections. the provincial assembly, but up to vote for 16 representatives endorsed collective punishment “It is extremely diffi cult to unfortunately most of the can- for the provincial assembly after and created a fertile environ- go out and convince people to Supreme Court to ment for militancy. vote for a woman but I decided The seven tribal districts – to challenge the taboo. Even if hear video leak Bajaur, Khyber, Kurram, Moh- I don’t win, my campaigning An election off icial verifies the identity of a voter at the polling case on Tuesday mand, North Waziristan, Orak- will give girls from the region to station in Jamrud. zai, and South Waziristan – are stand up to anything in future,” The Supreme Court of Pakistan home to some 5mn residents, she said. courts to the area, with hopes For analysts like Mian Asif, is due to hold a hearing into the mainly ethnic Pashtuns. Around 35,000 security per- that it would bring development the lack of political franchise leaked judge’s video scandal They were previously only al- sonnel, including paramilitary assistance to the region which was the main factor that helped case on Tuesday (July 23), having lowed to elect representatives forces, were dispatched across Washington has long insisted Islamist militants linked to Al asked the attorney-general for for the National Assembly in Is- the region. provides safe havens to mili- Qaeda establish their bases in advice regarding the constitution lamabad. Army troops were deployed tants including the Taliban and the rugged region after crossing of an inquiry into the controversy. Some 285 candidates from at all 1,897 polling stations, said Al Qaeda – an allegation that Is- into Pakistan from neighbouring On July 16, a three-judge apex all political parties, including election commission spokesman lamabad denies. Afghanistan in the aftermath of court bench headed by Chief the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e- Altaf Khan. Security has improved in the the September 11, 2001 attacks Justice Asif Saeed Khosa took up Insaaf (PTI), are contesting the According to the provincial region in recent years, with the on the US. the case involving accountability elections. election commissioner, results Pakistani military carrying out “There was a political vacuum judge Arshad Malik. Two women – Naheed Afridi in elections would be released on multiple operations there. and people were highly reli- During the hearing, the chief from the Awami National Par- WhatsApp due to a network is- However, lower-level attacks gious. Al Qaeda has exploited justice asserted that the ty (ANP) and Malasa from the sue in the area. still occur and the area remains religious sentiments to fi ll in to case would not focus on the Jamat-e-Islami (JI) – are also Legislation passed last year notorious for the availability of that space,” explained the ana- authenticity of leaked video, but A tribesman casts his vote at the polling station in Jamrud. seeking seats in the Khyber Pa- extended the writ of Pakistani guns and drugs. lyst based in Peshawar. on the misconduct of judge Malik. Nearly half of Islamabad’s ‘Safe City’ EU diplomat hails Pakistan’s cameras out of order, say sources rich culture and hospitality

Internews Police sources said that these least 1,000 cases so far. ed dozens of expensive double Internews Talking about the celebra- boost its exports to the EU at a Islamabad cameras were installed across However, the system gradu- cabin SUVs to Islamabad police Islamabad tion of Europe Day, he said that time when exports to the rest of the city for the Safe City project ally became dysfunctional in a for swift response on the direc- it was during his tenure that he the world are decreasing. three years ago. few years, sources said. tion of the police control room. took these celebrations to open Pakistan’s usage of GSP+ he dream to make Islama- According to the project, the Instead of smart surveillance However, police sources said he outgoing European places, such as the Lok Virsa and concession has been above 95% bad safer by having an in- invisible security monitoring from a police control room, the that these mobile police offi cers Union (EU) ambassador the Pakistan National Council of since 2014, but the only limita- Tternational security sys- system in Islamabad would be use of barricades has been in- rarely follow standard operating Tto Pakistan, Jean Francois Arts (PNCA). tion is that this increase has not tem remains unfulfi lled despite eff ective, and the old system of creased four-fold. procedures, and skip entering Cautain, has said that his posting “Despite the fact that that it refl ected in the diversifi cation the investment of Rs13bn in the police pickets and barricades These barricades and the arrival and departure details at was a great experience, adding involved some security issues, I in Pakistan’s export base, which “Safe City” project, involving abolished like in other modern regular stops for searches and police stations concerned. that he would miss the country’s was able to bring all the EU mis- remains highly concentrated in the installation of nearly 1,900 capitals. frisking have become trademark The said that the matter of rich cultural heritage and the sions around such events. These textiles (and garments i.e. over surveillance cameras, three The project executed by the of the capital city in the eyes of ownership was also an im- hospitality of its people. events should be held in public 70%). years ago. National Database and Reg- tourists. portant issue in the Safe City He expressed these views while places in order to provide more During his stay in Pakistan, Police sources said that at istration Authority (NADRA) Instead of phasing out pickets project, which was launched by speaking at a reception he hosted and more people with a chance Cautain has visited various plac- least 850 out of 1,896 cameras of had a number of features and with the advent of modern tech- the previous government. to say goodbye to his friends. to be a part of such festivities and es. the Safe City Project have gone technologies simultaneously nology, police have put these up In December, Senior Super- Cautain further said that dur- get fi rsthand information about He recently visited the shrine out of order. introduced, such as the smart in streets and markets, whereas intendent of Police (SSP) for ing his tenure he tried to bring cultures and traditions of various of Lal Shahbaz Qalander and the A report published in De- identity cards, electronic radio earlier, checkpoints used to be Operations Waqaruddin had re- both EU and Pakistan closer. European countries,” Cautain 5,000-year-old Mohenjo-Daro cember stated that 300 cameras frequency identifi cation (RFID) set up only at the exit and entry portedly said that the Safe City He noted with satisfaction said. civilisation with his wife. were dysfunctional. tags, smart vehicle registration points of the city. project was being headed by a that Pakistan benefi ted from the Talking about “GSP+” status, He also watched the Dhamal of The sources said that over a cards, centralised databases, The federal government, with Nadra offi cial. “GSP (Generalised Scheme of the ambassador said that statis- Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, a spiritual period of almost seven months and intelligent video surveil- launch of Safe City project, had Repeated attempts have been Preferences) plus” arrangement tics show Pakistani exports to the dance by groups of devotees and since, another 550 security lance. deployed mobile forces like the made but spokesman for the with the hope that Islamabad EU have considerably increased individually before the shrine. cameras have gone out of order According to the authorities, Eagle Squad, the Charlie Squad Islamabad Inspector General of would continue to reap the ben- in the four years that GSP+ has Following that visit, the envoy for want of repair and mainte- the Safe City cameras have as- and the Rescue 15. Police (IGP), Ghyas Gul, was not efi ts of this arrangement even in been in eff ect. said it was a place of spirituality nance. sisted in the investigation of at The interior ministry provid- available for comment. the coming days. The GSP+ has helped Pakistan and tolerance. Gulf Times 18 Sunday, July 21, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Ebola crisis a ‘public health emergency of international concern’ The World Health Organisation (WHO) has sounded the highest alarm over Ebola, a highly contagious disease, which has already killed more than 1,600 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a Central African country. Recently, WHO declared the Ebola crisis in the DRC a “public health emergency of international concern”, a move that may encourage wealthy donor countries to provide more cash, which is badly needed to fi ght the killer epidemic. By calling the current situation a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), WHO has placed it in a rare category that includes the 2009 fl u Key development challenges pandemic, the Zika epidemic of 2016, and the two-year Ebola epidemic that killed more than 11,000 people in West Africa before it ended in 2016. Even as they declared the emergency, WHO offi cials attempted to tamp down reactions they said could harm facing the Arab World both the DRC’s economy and eff orts to stop the outbreak. The World Health Organisation stopped short of saying borders should be closed, saying the risk of the disease spreading outside the region was not high. “It is time for the world to take notice,” WHO chief  Public sector and the dilemma of merit Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. He accepted recommendations there should be no restrictions on travel Missing from the mix on the or trade, and no entry screening of passengers at ports or By Dr Darim As a result, we find now both salary increases and additional al-Bassam overwhelmingly low value- socially motivated hiring. More conventional civil service policy airports outside the immediate region. added employment. Government seriously, a large part of the rising reviews that Arab governments The outbreak, the employment numbers also seem wage bill comes as a result of the use usually do, is the Ministry of Finance. second largest in history, xamining to have grown drastically, in many of public payroll to pay for militias, in In most countries budgeting is Tackling the started in August 2018 the public areas faster than required to deliver a context of multi-factional conflict. strictly annual, and a medium term and is aff ecting two sector services in line with population As the alarming bells start ringing, approach is seldom taken. Additional disease has been situation growth. Much of this has been the most urgent task of concerned staffing requests are decided by provinces in DR Congo - E in the Arab region politically driven, as leaders have governments in the region is thus the civil service agency on a needs complicated by North Kivu and Ituri. yields a complex sought to reward supporters, head preventing the public wage bill from basis, without taking into account Health offi cials are picture. off popular discontent, reinstate further growing, to avoid destabilising funding availabilities, or forming confl ict in the also worried about the Serious malfunctioning patterns staff dismissed by previous budgets, adding to fiscal deficits and a strategic view on staffing levels safety of those battling emerge, and analysing them regimes, or use the public sector as public debt, and undermining public or priorities. Too often, the role of region collectively can contribute to our a social protection mechanism by sector performance. In the short run, the Ministry of Finance is that of the outbreak. More than understanding of what are the major creating jobs regardless of need, this means freezing new recruitment denier of funding. Typically, the way 2,500 people have been infected and two-thirds of them challenges that the sector faces and affordability or whether expanding (or limiting it to replacements this impasse is resolved is either by have already died. what are the ways out. low productivity public sector only) and restraining pay awards, reducing the resources allocated to It took 224 days for the number of cases to reach 1,000, The reform agenda for the public employment crowds out private even if public sector pay for critical either capital or non-wage operating but just a further 71 days to reach 2,000, BBC reported. sector remains large and its full sector job creation. categories of staff remains below the expenses to make room for salaries, coverage goes beyond the limit space Other causes for the low value private sector. or by postponing pay adjustments, About 12 new cases are being reported every day, it said. assigned to this article. In order to be added employment have been in turn making it more difficult for According to health experts, vaccines are available for more specific and limit the scope, I weak staff control systems, the Survey results the government to recruit critical Ebola and has been found eff ective. More than 161,000 will focus on the dimensions of civil authorisation of new recruitment staff in key managerial, technical and people have been given it. service reforms dynamics and the outside budget frameworks, and laxly show that citizens professional areas. However, everybody is not vaccinated - only those who challenges they face. applied staff performance assessment In fact, an effective revision of Back into history and following systems, in addition to absenteeism, view government existing civil service legislation may come into direct contact with an Ebola patient, and people independence, and in order to rectify and the difficulty under civil service require amendments facilitating who come into contact with them. social inequity, a welfare-oriented rules of disciplining and ultimately employees as better Human Resource Management. The vaccine was developed during the epidemic in West social contract between governments terminating poorly performing staff. unresponsive and This includes reforms which allow Africa and has been available throughout the latest outbreak. and the public emerged in countries Such highly incentivised public government to retrench staff, Tackling the disease has been complicated by confl ict in throughout the Arab region. This sector employment became lately with equitable compensation, in social contract was characterised by an impediment to economic growth. unproductive, poorly circumstances where organisational the region. a paternalistic view with a leading Many experts argue that the costs trained, prone to restructuring requires downsizing Since January, there have been 198 attacks against role for the state which included associated with a high concentration and existing staff cannot be healthcare workers leading to seven deaths and 58 injuries, state planning, protection of local of public sector jobs will cause lower absenteeism and redeployed elsewhere in the public a BBC dispatch showed. markets versus outside competition total factor productivity growth. sector. Facilitating greater mobility Another major problem has been distrust of healthcare and a view of the state in providing Therefore, traditional strategies of with too many of public officials will help match welfare, social services, and even utilising public sector employment as competencies and skills with actual workers leading to about a third of deaths being in the employment. Economies became a means to soak up excessive labour offi cials soliciting demands across the civil service, community rather than at a specialist Ebola treatment heavily protected and labour markets demands have reached their tipping improving government utilisation of centre. became highly regulated, with a point. Virtually all countries in the bribes in return for human resources. In turn, this should It means those people are not seeking treatment and risk strong emphasis on employment Arab region have civil service laws services enable the government to manage spreading the disease to neighbours and relatives. protection and access to public sector on their statute books, many of them its payroll better. Early retirement jobs. Businesses developed under the originating decades ago. In Egypt and voluntary retirement schemes While the WHO declaration does not legally compel patronage of governments, basically for example, the employment law But this should go hand in hand should be considered, with suitable member states to do anything, it certainly sounds a global living off the State and benefiting that was introduced in the ’60s and with governments adopting income incentives and safeguards against the alert. from government contracts and confirms the rights of Egyptians to generating development policies and loss of key staff. The declaration raises the outbreak’s visibility and public preferential public procurement employment in the public sector was enabling investment environment In a broader perspective, a proper health offi cials hope it will galvanise the international rules. until recently in place. capable of ensuring jobs for market country-specific civil service Within most of the non-oil Statistically speaking, one can newcomers in the private sector. In reform program requires a systems community to fi ght the spread of the frequently fatal Arab countries, the public sector notice that the public sector in the the medium term, governments may approach and an operationally- disease. dominated the structure of Arab countries employ anywhere find it useful to target the wage bill useful conceptual framework capable Unless the international community steps up and funds economic production ever since. between 14% and 4% of all workers. share of GDP or of total revenues/ of analysing the country context, the response now, we may end up paying for this outbreak Most countries have accumulated Survey results show that citizens spending, and aim to bring these power structure, institutions (formal for a long time to come. over the last decades an overly view government employees as ratios down to more sustainable and informal), actors, and processes. large civil service stock, especially unresponsive and unproductive, levels. Development of a Medium System wide reform involves compared to developing countries poorly trained, prone to absenteeism Term Expenditure Framework would activities seeking to improve the in other regions, and the state also and with too many officials soliciting allow a more strategic approach to public administration of the State, To Advertise participated directly in industrial bribes in return for services. staffing to be adopted. its roles and functions as well as the activities through state owned Government wage bills are Unfortunately, the piece meal effectiveness and efficiency of its [email protected] enterprises. exceptionally high in the Arab ineffective civil service reforms core public service institutions in a Display The importance of these two region relative to countries’ state initiatives taking place in Arab systemic and sustainable manner. branches of the public sector has of development, whether measured countries did not go that way. They The emphasis on systemic and 44466621 44418811 direct fiscal implications in terms as a share of GDP, or of government typically begin with an effort to sustainable is to underline that the of a large wage bill. Indirect effects revenue and spending. On average, review and revise the civil service desired socially inclusive reforms Classified include efficiency costs arising they amount to 9.8% of GDP, but law, hopefully with the engagement bring about enduring changes in the 44466609 44418811 from bloated and unproductive in countries that witnessed the and support of the public service behaviour of public sector actors in public enterprises subsidised 2011 uprisings like Tunisia for agency. This results in periodic new the interests of better outcomes for Subscription through soft budget constraints, the example, the wage bill shot up to 14.1 laws, but by and large the consensus citizens. When planned changes do resulting crowding out of private percentage of GDP. More seriously way in which drafts are produced and not institutionalise new or modified [email protected] sector activity, and public-private is the case of Libya. The inexorable the power of vested interests results behaviours and practices that lead to segmentation of the labour force increase in the wage bill, has hit 48% in incremental change rather than a these better outcomes for citizens, which is reinforced by distorted wage of GDP, the highest rate worldwide. major shift in the way in which the the reforms do not qualify as © 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved and non-wage policies. The rising wage bill in Libya reflects civil service is managed. systemic and sustainable. Gulf Times Sunday, July 21, 2019 19 COMMENT Does Germany risk running out of power?

Reuters periods, green power supply can be prices and a stable power grid at all green expansion plans. Frankfurt negligible, while storage is still largely times.” Most industry experts agree the non-existent. Aluminium maker Hydro Aluminium transition is needed to combat climate Capacity aside, the network to Rolled Products in Grevenbroich, in change, and that within 10 or 15 years ermany, a poster child transport renewable power from north the same western German state, said there will be substantial renewable for responsible energy, is to south is also years and thousands of that plants should only be closed once generation to provide reliable cover for renouncing nuclear and coal. kilometres behind schedule, they add. alternatives were in place. the continent, on the road to carbon G The problem is, say many Stefan Kapferer, head of Germany’s “As an energy-intensive industry, neutrality by 2050. power producers and grid operators, it energy industry group BDEW, said we can only go without conventional However, they say, a big question may struggle to keep the lights on. it would be risky to rely on imports. energy once renewables are in a remains: how will Europe struggle The country, the biggest electricity “Conventional power capacity is position to off er reliable supply,” through until this happens, keeping market in the European Union, is falling nearly everywhere in Europe managing director Volker Backs told the lights on and its businesses abandoning nuclear power by 2022 due and more volatile capacity is being Reuters. competitive? Countries in similar to safety concerns compounded by the built up,” he told Reuters. North Rhine-Westphalia, also positions can’t all import from each Fukushima disaster and phasing out The government rejected such home to other big corporates like other. coal plants over the next 19 years to concerns, saying the likelihood of plant E.ON, RWE, Thyssenkrupp and Bayer, Germany’s rapid and radical shift combat climate change. crashes or identical weather conditions accounts for a third of German gross makes the scenario more precarious. In the next three years alone across Europe was remote. domestic product. German output accounts for conventional energy capacity is Regardless of reliability, however, FILE PHOTO: Water vapour rises from the cooling towers of the Jaenschwalde Grid operator Amprion, which around 20% of the European Union’s expected to fall by a fi fth, leaving it Germany becoming a net power lignite-fired power plant of Lausitz Energie Bergbau AG (LEAG) in Jaenschwalde, operates high voltage lines mainly in electricity, with France another 17%, short of the country’s peak power importer would have major Germany, January 24, 2019. that state, says the region will have to according to fi gures from Eurostat, the demand. consequences for the whole continent, rely on power imports from the early EU statistics offi ce. There is disagreement over whether whose power markets are interlinked rising green capacity and the option Oliver Krischer. “They want to build 2020s at the latest. Germany is a net exporter to Austria, there will be suffi cient reliable capacity under EU single market rules — and are of imports providing a comfortable up pressure to receive payments for “Secure capacity goes down Switzerland and Poland and also the to preclude the possibility of outages, dominated by exports from Germany. cushion, economy minister Peter capacities which otherwise would continuously until 2020 and there Netherlands, which sends some of the which could hammer the operations of The shift comes at a time when Altmaier said this month. have no chance to come to play in the could be a defi cit even before all power onwards to Britain and Belgium. industrial companies. nuclear plants in France, another He was speaking upon the release market.” nuclear reactors leave the grid,” CEO Thus, if Germany alone was to stop The Berlin government, in a report major exporter to the rest of Europe, of a separate government safety Some utilities have asked for Klaus Kleinekorte told Reuters. reliably producing surpluses, several issued this month, said the situation are ageing fast — meaning it is also monitoring report which said a one- compensation for the coal exit Steelmaker and chemicals industry parts of the continent could see was secure, and shortfalls could be increasingly likely to rely on imports. for-one match of supply and demand plan, with RWE, Germany’s largest lobbies also voiced concerns. power shortfalls — and outages — as a off set by better energy effi ciency, a Searing summer temperatures is unnecessary because overcapacities electricity producer, wanting up to Wacker Chemie’s CEO has signalled consequence. steadily rising supply of solar and wind rising to record levels in parts of of 80 to 90GW in the wider European 1.5bn euros ($1.7bn) per GW to soften the company could shift some There have already been warning power as well as electricity imports. Europe highlight a quandary facing the region provided some leeway for the fi nancial hit of plant closures. operations overseas, saying he saw signs this year as Germany’s net Others are not as confi dent, continent: how to phase out the fossil imports into Germany. Regardless of who may be right or more favourable conditions in the exports in the fi rst half of 2019 fell including many utilities, network fuels driving global warming, while However Germany’s four wrong, German manufacturers say United States. by 14%. The situation has been operators, manufacturing companies avoiding power shortfalls in an era transmission system operators (TSO) they are worried about the prospect of The problem takes on a European exacerbated by a European heatwave and analysts. when there could be increasing spikes estimate there could be a shortfall black-outs or even short outages. dimension as much of the bloc is that drove demand in France to near Katharina Reiche, chief executive of in demand from cooling systems and of 5.5 gigawatts between peak power They say they can’t aff ord to lose following a trend of reducing reliance record levels in June, curbing its export the VKU association of local utilities, expanding data centres. demand and reliable capacity in secure fl ows of electricity, nor can they on thermal plants and switching to availability. many of which face falling profi tability Germany, Europe’s economic 2021, which equates to the supply of survive higher network handling costs renewables. Fabian Joas, energy expert at Berlin as plants close, said the government’s powerhouse, should lose 12.5 gigawatts electricity to 13-14mn people, and that could accompany more unreliable Over the next 10 years, coal-fi red think-tank Agora, said it would be strategy was risky because it had not (GW) of coal capacity by 2022 and its that’s before factoring in the bulk of renewables. and nuclear power plants with a total a diffi cult road for most of Europe stress-tested all scenarios. fi nal 10GW of nuclear power, leaving coal plant closures. “The early exit from coal-to-power capacity of around 100GW will be to meet its goal of abandoning She said if the coal exit plan was not below 80GW of conventional capacity, Altmaier’s position is supported by generation fi lls us with great concern,” shut down in Europe, equivalent to conventional energy in coming accompanied by a mandatory, risk- according to recommendations from environmental campaigners who say Philipp Schlueter, chairman of Trimet, Germany’s thermal power capacity decades. oriented monitoring of supply security, a government-commissioned panel in some energy producers were playing operator of three aluminium plants in alone, according to grid operator data. “But we will be able in the long it would be like “walking a tightrope January. up the threat of blackouts to protect North Rhine-Westphalia state, told To counter this, hundreds of run to operate a power system based without a safety net”. There will still be nearly enough their own interests. Reuters. gigawatts of off shore wind are planned nearly fully on renewables,” he added. Utilities and grid fi rms say if the reliable capacity to meet the country’s “Their motive is obvious,” said “Our aluminium plants need non- to line European coastlines by the end “Everyone who understands the matter weather is unfavourable for lengthy peak demand of around 82GW, with Green lawmaker and energy expert stop supply of power at competitive of next decade, according to the EU’s agrees on that.”

One-stop clinics, a rare lifesaver for Zimbabwe’s sick Three-day forecast people to check their status. TODAY AFP Maximum Temperature : 380c Harare The clinic also off ers voluntary HIV counselling and antiretroviral Minimum Temperature : 320c treatment. MONDAY lessing Chingwaru could barely Sithabiso Dube, a doctor with the Maximum Temperature : 380c walk without support when medical charity International Union Minimum Temperature : 320c he arrived at the specialist Against TB who heads the TB and HIV TUESDAY Rutsanana clinic in Harare programme, said people with diabetes Maximum Temperature : 380c B Minimum Temperature : 320c complaining of chest pains and fatigue. also have a higher risk of developing TB, so patients are tested for both Weighing a skeletal 37 kilos, the Fisherman's forecast HIV-positive motor mechanic knew diseases. something was wrong. “Instead of going to seek diabetic care WARNING He was immediately given a number at one clinic and TB care at another, Inshore : Nil of tests and told the bad news: He was they are able to get these services in one Offshore : Nil also suff ering from advanced-stage place,” Dube said. tuberculosis. Two patients arrive at Rutsanana Polyclinic in Glen Norah township, Harare, on Because services are free “they WEATHER Inshore : Relatively hot daytime Dual infection by HIV and TB is a June 24. The health clinic is a one stop testing and treatment centre for HIV, are able to cut down on what we call with slight dust at notorious killer. Tuberculosis and diabetes in Zimbabwe. catastrophic costs to the TB patients,” places at times and “My health was deteriorating and I she said. some clouds, humid at places by night. kept wondering why,” Chingwaru, 29, with HIV in Zimbabwe, TB is the most catastrophic economic and fi nancial Largely funded by a US Agency for recalled at the clinic. common cause of death, according to crisis for decades and its doctors are International Development (USAID) Offshore : Misty at times with Within hours of the diagnosis, the World Health Organisation (WHO). underpaid and under-equipped. programme, the pilot clinics have some clouds WIND Chingwaru was given free treatment and HIV-positive people, and others Although TB treatment is free, the become lifesavers for the poor – but only Inshore : Northwesterly-North- nursing care. with weakened immune systems, are annual number of TB infections in if they happen to live near them. easterly 05-15 KT In a country where more than a dozen particularly vulnerable to contracting Zimbabwe remains among the highest The vast majority of the population Offshrore : Northwesterly-North- people die each day from TB-related the infection. in the world. have no access to the one-stop clinics. easterly 03-12 KT sicknesses, it was a rare example of After Chingwaru’s initial visit in The contagious infection is usually As a result there are plans to scale Visibility : 4-8 KM effi cient public healthcare. February, doctors had feared for his life. found in the lungs and is caught by up the programme, with another 46 The Rutsanana Polyclinic in Harare’s But following fi ve months of careful breathing in the bacteria from tiny similar centres to be rolled out across Offshore : 1-3 FT Zimbabwe. poor suburb of Glen Norah, which treatment Chingwaru has gained 15 kilos. droplets sneezed or coughed out. Around the region Chingwaru visited, is one of 10 pilot “Everything I need, I get here,” said As HIV-positive people are so Rutsanana clinic matron Angela Weather clinics in the country off ering free Chingwaru, forming fi sts with both vulnerable to TB, the clinics have Chikondo said the programme was Weather tomorrow Max/min diagnosis and treatment for TB, diabetes hands to show off his regained strength. followed the advice of WHO offi cials to crucial to minimising complications today Max/min Sunny 46/29 and HIV. In a country where public health link TB testing and treatment with HIV among TB and diabetes patients. Baghdad Sunny 45/29 Sunny 46/34 The clinic, which opened in 2016, is services have practically collapsed, prevention programmes. “If one is on TB treatment and also Kuwait City Sunny 46/33 Sunny 39/31 staff ed by 24 nurses and currently treats containing the spread of TB has been a Close to the main gate of the has diabetes, and the diabetes is well Manama Sunny 39/31 Sunny 33/29 120 TB patients. persistent struggle. Rutsanana clinic, a green self-testing controlled, chances of recovering are Muscat Sunny 33/28 M Sunny 38/28 Among the million-plus people living Zimbabwe has been stuck in a HIV tent has been erected to encourage very high,” she said. Tehran M Sunny 39/27

Live issues Smokers have more complications after skin cancer surgery

bleeding or dead skin tissue. Ex- bleeding. Some patients had more that chemicals in smoke impact the By Lisa Rapaport Around the world Reuters Health smokers were more than three than one complication. integrity of the skin over the long- times as likely to have these acute Smoking status didn’t appear term, especially if the patient is a Weather Weather complications. to impact long-term outcomes, high pack-year smoker, and some of today Max/min tomorrow Max/min omplications after skin “Smoking having an adverse eff ect researchers report in JAMA Facial the physiological changes may not be Athens Sunny 33/24 Sunny 34/23 cancer surgery may be more on healing and outcomes ... has been Plastic Surgery. reversible.” Beirut M Sunny 29/26 Sunny 30/26 common in smokers and documented for other procedures, One limitation of the study is that Quitting is still better than Bangkok S T Storms 33/27 S T Storms 33/27 Cformer smokers, a US study but not previously for the repair of researchers lacked data on how much continuing to smoke, and some Berlin P Cloudy 27/14 Cloudy 26/18 suggests. wounds with fl aps and grafts after people smoked or for how long, and patients may be able to delay surgery Cairo Sunny 36/25 P Cloudy 38/24 Researchers examined outcomes skin cancer removal,” said Dr Ian how recently any former smokers to work on smoking cessation fi rst, Cape Town Sunny 18/11 S Showers 16/12 after “Mohs reconstruction,” a Maher, a professor of dermatology might have quit. Dinulos said. Colombo T Storm 29/27 T Storm 29/26 procedure to remove a skin cancer at the University of Minnesota in Even so, current and former “It is very well known that Dhaka S T Storms 34/27 S T Storms 34/27 lesion. Once the cancer is removed, Minneapolis and senior author of the smokers should be aware that quitting smoking can reverse Hong Kong S T Storms 30/27 I T Storms 30/26 often from the head or neck, surgeons study. they have a greater risk for acute the adverse physiologic effects Istanbul Sunny 29/21 Sunny 29/21 may close the site using a fl ap made “Good circulation is necessary for complications and do what they of smoking including improved Jakarta P Cloudy 33/25 P Cloudy 33/23 from surrounding tissue or a graft of good healing,” Maher said by e-mail. can to minimise their risk, said Dr respiration, improved cardiovascular Karachi Sunny 35/29 P Cloudy 35/29 skin taken from another area of the “Smoking damages small blood James Dinulos, founder of Seacoast function, decreased risk of stroke, London P Cloudy 24/16 P Cloudy 29/17 body. vessels in many organs including Dermatology in Portsmouth, New and decreased risk of cancer,” said Manila T Storm 32/26 T Storm 32/26 For the study, researchers examined the skin. Having worse circulation Hampshire, and a clinical associate Dr Graham Warren of the Hollings Moscow Showers 22/14 P Cloudy 24/14 outcomes for 1,008 patients who had slows healing and sets patients up for professor of surgery at the Geisel Cancer Center at the Medical New Delhi S T Storms 34/28 S T Storms 34/28 Mohs reconstruction with fl aps or complications such as infection.” School of Medicine at Dartmouth in University of South Carolina in New York M Sunny 37/25 S T Storms 29/21 grafts, including 128 current smokers Overall, 41 people in the study, or Hanover. Charleston, who also wasn’t involved Paris P Cloudy 29/17 P Cloudy 34/21 and 385 former smokers. 4.1%, had acute complications. “Smoking adversely impacts in the study. Sao Paulo P Cloudy 24/14 P Cloudy 26/14 Compared to people who never This included 19 cases of infection; the early phases of wound healing, “As related to skin cancer, patients Seoul Showers 28/22 S Showers 29/23 smoked, current smokers were more 10 instances of necrosis, or dead leading to increased complications who report former smoking are Singapore P Cloudy 31/27 S T Storms 30/26 than nine times as likely to have tissue, at the site of the fl ap or graft; that were outlined in the study,” probably realising the benefi ts of Sydney Sunny 22/09 M Sunny 21/09 complications like infections, clots 10 cases of wound separation; and Dinulos, who wasn’t involved in the quitting on vascular and immune Tokyo Cloudy 26/23 Cloudy 30/22 known as haematomas, uncontrolled 6 instances of clots or uncontrolled study, said by e-mail. “It is likely function,” Warren said by e-mail. Gulf Times 20 Sunday, July 21, 2019 QATAR UDC signs contracts for 3 projects worth QR1.2bn at The Pearl-Qatar nited Development tional needs of The Pearl-Qatar, Company (UDC) has as well as neighbourhoods.” Usigned three agreements Bakour added, “We are proud for major projects worth around to implement this signifi cant QR1.2bn at The Pearl-Qatar. educational project and hope The fi rst agreement has been that the co-operation will con- signed with Orbital Education, tinue between us in the interest a leading British educational of our beloved country, Qatar.” group, to operate United School Al Darwish Engineering Com- International in the Giardino pany has, since its establishment Village Precinct at The Pearl- in 1950, been a leading contract- Qatar, while the second agree- ing company and a key contribu- ment has been inked to award Al tor to the construction sector. Darwish Engineering Company Al-Othman and Fahad Yaqoub the contract for the construction al-Jaidah, chairman of Ramaco works of United School Interna- Trading & Contracting Com- tional. pany, co-signed the agreement The third agreement has been for the design and construction signed to award Ramaco Trad- works of three gated compounds ing & Contracting Company the in the Floresta Gardens Precinct. contract to undertake the design The agreement was during a cer- and construction works of three emony at the Oyster Building. gated compounds in the Floresta Ibrahim Jassim al-Othman and Fahad Yaqoub al-Jaidah after signing Ramaco Trading & Contract- Gardens Precinct. the agreement for the design and construction works of three gated ing Company, which was estab- Ibrahim Jassim al-Othman, compounds in the Floresta Gardens Precinct. lished in 2001, is operating as a UDC president and CEO and ‘Grade A’ construction company member of the Board, high- in Qatar and specialises in the lighted that the total investment design, engineering, construc- value in these projects amounted tion and property management to approximately QR1.2bn. sectors. The agreement to operate Ibrahim Jassim al-Othman and Kevin McNeany after signing the agreement to operate United School Al-Othman said, “Awarding United School International International, in the presence of Ajay Sharma. Ramaco Trading & Contracting was co-signed by al-Othman Company the contract for the and Orbital Education chair- ering the British curriculum to National Vision 2030 concen- to serve the educational needs design and construction works man Kevin McNeany during a meet the needs of an internation- trates on building a world-class of The Pearl-Qatar’s community of three gated compounds in ceremony held at the Oyster ally diverse student population, education system and this is what and neighbourhoods, we aim to Floresta Gardens Precinct falls Building, The Pearl-Qatar, in the UDC has said in a statement. we are committed to deliver. cement the Island’s position in line with UDC’s ongoing plans presence of British ambassador Founded in 2005 and head- “This is a sector, which I fi rmly as an attractive destination for to expand its real estate off erings Ajay Sharma. quartered in the UK, Orbital Ed- believe off ers the UK and Qatar families and business profes- across The Pearl-Qatar.” United School International ucation is the recipient of several many exciting opportunities. sionals alike.” Al Jaidah added: “We will in- will be the second school in international awards, including Education co-operation will McNeany added, “Orbital Ed- vest our long experience in the Qatar to be managed by Orbital the 2019 Queen’s Award for En- strengthen the important rela- ucation is proud to partner with design, engineering and con- Education, currently the own- terprise. tionship between our two coun- UDC in the foundation of this struction fi elds to fi nalise this er and operator of a growing Ambassador Sharma said, “I tries for generations to come.” world-class school and to ex- prestigious project according group of international schools am delighted to congratulate Al-Othman noted, “The des- pand its successful presence in Ibrahim Jassim al-Othman and Dr Fahd Bakour after signing the to the contract requirements, in countries across the globe, UDC and Orbital Education on ignation of Orbital Education as the State of Qatar with the addi- agreement for the construction works of United School International. and will strive to fulfi l UDC’s including Hungary, Slov- this great education collabora- the operator of United School tion of this stunning new school expectations pertaining to this enia, Spain, Russia, China and tion. I am pleased that the British International refl ects UDC’s to its global portfolio.” ment for the construction works Al Darwish Engineering Com- project.” Ecuador. embassy and the Department of commitment to off ering the very Meanwhile, al-Othman and of United School International pany the construction works of UDC is a leading Qatari public These schools cater to stu- International Trade in Qatar have best educational services and Dr Fahd Bakour, executive direc- during a ceremony held at the United School International falls shareholding company and mas- dents between the ages of two supported the school to achieve internationally recognised cer- tor of Al Darwish Engineering Oyster Building. in line with UDC’s commitment ter developer of The Pearl-Qatar and 18 and specialise in deliv- this excellent outcome. Qatar tifi cates. Through our off erings Company, co-signed the agree- Al-Othman said, “Awarding to meeting the various educa- and Gewan islands. New school to house 2,500 students

nited School Interna- halls, playgrounds, 3,000sq m works of the three gated com- sisting of a built-up area of tional, for which United open courtyards and parking pounds to Ramaco Trading & 420sq m, in addition to a 500sq UDevelopment Company spaces. Contracting Company. m clubhouse. (UDC) has named Orbital Edu- UDC has also signed an agree- Located in the south of The third and last compound, cation as the operator, will adopt ment with Al Darwish Engineer- Floresta Gardens, the fi rst located north of the second the British educational curricu- ing Company for the construc- compound will comprise eight compound, will be home to six lum and accommodate 2,500 tion works of the school. standalone villas, each con- 500sq m standalone villas fea- students with 102 classrooms, As for the Floresta Gardens sisting of a swimming pool turing swimming pools and 25 Informing this, UDC has said project, each of the three com- and built-up area of 500sq m, row villas each consisting of a in a statement that 11 classrooms pounds will consist of stan- along with 40 semi-attached built-up area of 380sq m, in ad- will accommodate early years dalone and semi-attached vil- villas, each with a built-up dition to a 500sq m clubhouse. while 91 classrooms will cater to las with access to facilities that area of 420sq m and a swim- “The development of Unit- primary and secondary school include a clubhouse, swimming ming pool, in addition to a ed School International and students. pools and green spaces, among 500sq m clubhouse. the three gated compounds in The three-fl oor school will be other amenities. Residents of Situated to the north of the Floresta Gardens Precinct is part located in the Giardino Village the gated compounds will also fi rst compound, the second of UDC’s plans to expand its of- Precinct at The Pearl-Qatar. It enjoy access to a retail centre compound will consist of 11 ferings across The Pearl-Qatar, will span an area of 44,000sq m serving the Floresta Gardens standalone villas featuring a which is home to around 32,000 and feature a 500sq m library, Precinct. swimming pool and a 500sq residents, a community that is a dining room, an auditorium, UDC has awarded the contract m built-up area along with 24 growing rapidly,” the statement A design of United School International at The Pearl-Qatar. a swimming pool area, sports for the design and construction semi-attached villas, each con- adds. All-new Maserati Quattroporte ‘blends sensational Italian beauty with sporty and aggressive touches’

he all-new 2019 Maser- cally adjustable Air Shutter. It ati Quattroporte “brings optimises control of fl uid tem- Tcutting-edge technolo- perature and reduces drag by up gies and Italian beauty to the to 10%. luxury sports sedan arena”. Inside the cabin, the all-new “For the model year 2019, the Quattroporte displays a handful all-new Quattroporte gained a of styling changes, including an handful of exterior and interior elegant dashboard. It’s dominat- refi nements - all making it look ed by a new 8.4-inch infotain- The interior of the 2019 Maserati Quattroporte GranSport GTS. more luxurious, athletic and ap- ment touchscreen display com- pealing than ever. Undoubtedly, patible with both Apple CarPlay produces 350hp and 500Nm of performance variant produces it is the world’s only super-se- and Android Auto. torque. Hooked to the ZF eight- 530hp and 710Nm of torque. dan,” a statement notes. Aside from easy-to-spot speed automatic transmission, The powertrain allows the Billed as the “world’s fi rst high-quality materials, the re- the six-cylinder unit enables the super-sedan to go from zero to luxury sports sedan”, Maserati designed centre console now has sports sedan to go from zero to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds, before unveiled the fi rst-generation a clean design. The new layout 100km/h in 5.5 seconds before hitting a top speed of 310km/h. Quattroporte in 1963. Fast for- reduces the number of physical hitting a top speed of 270km/h. This makes Quattroporte GTS ward fi fty-six years later, and the buttons to a minimum. The same 3.0-litre V-6 engine “one of the fastest sedans on the luxury sports sedan “still blends As far as the technology goes, can be found in the Quattroporte market”, the statement points sensational Italian styling and the latest Quattroporte gained S, but it is chugging out 430hp out. handcrafted fi nishes with thrill- a unique feature: an Air Quality and 580Nm of torque. Similarly, On the safety front, the fl ag- ing handling and supreme per- Sensor. This feature combines the engine is mated with the ZF ship sedan off ers a range of driv- formance”. The 2019 Maserati Quattroporte GranSport GTS. an intelligent sensor and a sig- eight-speed automatic gearbox. ing assistance features such as The current, sixth-generation nal analysis system to calculate This unit allows the luxury car Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Quattroporte arrived in 2013 turbocharged, 3.8-litre unit. The fi nally, the top-of-the-line Among the key exterior fea- the external pollution levels and to go from zero to 100km/h in 5 Cruise Control, Traffi c Sign Rec- - marking “a signifi cant im- luxury Italian brand also added a GranSport GTS. tures of the sportier GranSport prevent unwanted gases from seconds, before maxing out at ognition, Highway Assist Sys- provement” over the previous 3.0-litre V-6 engine to the Quat- In all variants, customers can and GranSport GTS trims are a sneaking into the cabin. 288km/h. tem, Blind Spot Alert, Forward generations. The current Quat- troporte line-up models. expect to fi nd a new front bump- restyled rear bumper with black Depending on the grade, driv- The only diff erence between Collision Warning Plus, and Sur- troporte’s styling closely echoes Visually, the latest Quattro- er, a revised grille, larger side accents above the quad exhausts, ers of the luxury sports sedan the Quattroporte S and Quat- round View Camera, to name a that of the GranTurismo’s, and porte “blends sensational Italian vents and stylish chrome strips. Piano Black spoiler, 21-inch can also enjoy extra premium troporte S Q4 models lies in the few. the sporty interior has received beauty with sporty and aggres- The GranLusso trim level adds wheels with red brake calipers, features. all-wheel-drive system installed Drivers preferring increased updated materials and innova- sive touches”. The 2019 Quattro- chrome-trimmed bumper in- and blue detailing on the front The latest Quattroporte on the latter. effi ciency can choose the I.C.E tive technologies. porte is available in four trim lev- serts, body-coloured lower front ‘Trident’ badge. comes with two engine options. One can also opt for a top- Mode. This setup produces Better yet, Maserati dropped els: the standard’Quattroporte, bumper elements, a body-col- Aside from the full-LED adap- Maserati equips its basic Quat- of-the-range Quattroporte smoother throttle and gearshifts the naturally-aspirated, 4.7-li- the more luxurious GranLusso, oured rear spoiler and 20-inch tive headlights, the front grille in troporte model with a twin- GTS powered by a twin-turbo, while keeping engine speeds low tre V-8 engine in favour of a the sportier GranSport and, wheels. all trim levels features an electri- turbo, 3.0-litre V-6 engine. It 3.8-litre V-8 engine. This high- to reduce fuel consumption.