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TUESDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10553 August 22, 2017 Dhul-Qa’da 30, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals PM visits ‘Artist in Residence’

In brief

ARAB WORLD | Confl ict Iraqi forces close in Senegalese President Macky Sall His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim on IS-held Tal Afar bin Hamad al-Thani Iraqi forces closed in yesterday on Tal Afar on the second day of an off ensive against the last major bastion of the Islamic State group in the country’s north, seizing several villages around the city. In the desert Senegal sends its plains around Tal Afar, convoys of tanks and armoured vehicles could be seen heading for the militant-held city, raising huge clouds of dust. HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani yesterday visited the Fire Station envoy back to Doha The off ensive launched at dawn on building hosting ‘Artist in Residence’, which is one of the most important initiatives to support artistic talents in Qatar. The Sunday comes only weeks after Iraqi prime minister was welcomed upon his arrival at the Fire Station by HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, enegal has decided to send its ing states. “Senegal is ready to con- forces retook Mosul from IS. Page 7 the Chairperson of the Qatar Museums Board of Trustees. He toured the existing studios and exhibitions where he listened ambassador back to Doha, after tribute to all eff orts in this direction,” to a brief about the ‘Artists in Residence’ programme. The nine-month programme allows resident artists to benefit from Sbeing previously summoned for it added. REGION | Tweet weekly mentoring sessions and meet arts professionals from all over the world, representing Qatar in the international cultural consultation, it was announced yes- Senegal’s foreign ministry had an- community. ‘Artist in Residence’ hosts 20 artists, including 10 Qataris. terday. nounced on June 7 that it would recall Julian Assange blasts His Highness the Emir Sheikh its ambassador in Qatar for consulta- UAE media lies Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held yes- tions after Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the The Al Arabiya network, terday evening a telephone conversa- United Arab Emirates and Egypt cut headquartered in the United Arab tion with Macky Sall, the President of diplomatic relations with Qatar on Emirates, has been publishing Senegal, the offi cial Qatar News Agen- June 5. increasingly absurd fabrications as cy (QNA) said. The Saudi-led bloc also imposed a the ‘UAE vs Qatar’ dispute continues, During the phone call, the two sides blockade on Qatar, accusing Doha of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange discussed bilateral relations and means supporting militant organisations. Qa- yesterday said. In a tweet, he said the Saudi travel curbs of boosting them in various fi elds. tar has denied the charges and the siege latest lie was quoting a purported The latest developments in the Mid- countries have not been able to pro- report in the Daily Telegraph that dle East, especially the Gulf crisis, were duce even a single piece of evidence to said Qatar paid money to influence also reviewed, QNA added. prove their allegations. the website’s administration. An offi cial statement from Dakar The Republic of Senegal is a country said Senegal is encouraging the con- in West Africa bordered by Mauritania AMERICA | Astronomy on Qatari Haj tinuation of the ongoing initiatives to in the north, Mali to the east, Guinea reach a peaceful settlement of the cri- to the southeast, and Guinea-Bissau to Rare total solar eclipse sis between Qatar and its neighbour- the southwest. mesmerises America Emotional sky-gazers stood transfixed across North America yesterday as the Sun vanished behind the Moon in a rare total pilgrims ‘illogical’ eclipse that swept the continent Thumama reservoir to be coast-to-coast for the first time in O Foreign ministry surprised ganisations in that country, in addition formance of Haj would be through an nearly a century. Eclipse chasers at restrictions placed on to other foreign means of transporta- unconditional lifting of the siege on and amateur star watchers alike tion, with the latter taking place as Qatar which would go in line with the opened partially by year-end converged in cities along the path of Qatari pilgrims’ transport part of the national Haj mission. nature of this rite and comply with the totality, a 70-mile (113-km) wide swath QNA He pointed out that in previous teachings of Islam and international By Joseph Varghese tamp Oman for the supply of trans- cutting through 14 US states, where Doha cases of severing of diplomatic ties conventions; enabling the Qatari Min- Staff reporter formers. the Moon briefly blocked out all light between Saudi Arabia and other coun- istry of Endowments and Islamic Af- The offi cial also revealed that Kah- from the Sun. Page 8 tries, this demand for transferring pil- fairs to steer the Qatari Haj mission; and ramaa has started the work on a new atar’s Foreign Ministry has ex- grims of those countries on Saudi Ara- transporting Qatari pilgrims through he Al Thumama water reservoir power generation facility. “It is under EUROPE | Barcelona attack pressed its surprise at the an- bian Airlines has not been ma de. the airline of their choice - whether project (Package-C), part of the the planning stage now. We have al- Qnouncement by Saudi Arabia As for allowing Saudi Arabian Air- Qatar Airways or other airlines. TWater Mega Reservoir Project, ready identifi ed the consultants for the Spanish police shoot that Qatari pilgrims can travel only by lines to transfer Qatari pilgrims, the The offi cial stressed the need to will partially start operating by the end project. We have applied to the munici- dead terror suspect Saudi Arabian Airlines to perform Haj. Information Offi ce director reiterated separate Haj from political diff erences of this year, a top offi cial of Qatar Gen- pality to allocate the land for the new Spanish police shot dead yesterday Ambassador Ahmed bin Saeed al- the content of the Civil Aviation Au- between states and not to hinder its eral Electricity and Water Corp (Kah- facility.” Barcelona terror suspect Younes Rumaihi, Foreign Ministry’s Informa- thority’s statement on August 20 that performance by placing conditions ramaa) has disclosed. “We expect to start the work by next Abouyaaqoub, in a dramatic end to a tion Offi ce Director, yesterday said in co-ordination be held in this regard that aff ect the sovereignty of states or “We will start pumping water from year. The location is not yet decided. massive manhunt for the Moroccan a statement that limiting the transport through the Haj mission according to the rights and dignity of their citizens. the project by the end of this year. It We have identifi ed three to four loca- national who was wearing a fake of Qatari pilgrims to Saudi Arabian previous regulations so as to ensure It is also important to stay away from will be a partial opening. Later, we will tions. Most probably, it could be in the suicide belt when he was killed. Airlines only is unprecedented, illogi- the safety and security of Qatari pil- exploiting it as a tool for political ma- lay the pipeline and open all the other north,” he noted. “We confirm the death of Younes cal, surprising and contravenes the grims. nipulation, he added. facilities gradually. We hope to com- Al-Nasr said that Kahramaa has Abouyaaqoub shot in Subirats,” teachings of Islam, which urge the fa- He stressed that Qatar and Qatari Earlier, Doha had denied a claim mission the whole project by the end completed a study on the use of police in Catalonia tweeted. The cilitation of performing this duty to all pilgrims did not need aid for covering from Saudi Arabian Airlines accusing of next year,” Ahmed Nasser al-Nasr, ground water in the country. “We Moroccan was the last remaining Muslims. the cost of Haj and portraying it as a Qatari authorities of refusing to allow director, technical aff airs, Kahramaa, have identified all wells which are member of a 12-man cell suspected Ambassador al-Rumaihi noted that charity, because there are others who one of its fl ights to land at Hamad In- said yesterday. suitable for drinking water. We have of plotting last week’s deadly it is usual and customary for pilgrims need charity more than Qatari pil- ternational Airport. An offi cial source Al-Nasr was speaking to the me- also selected the ones that needed vehicle rampages in Barcelona and from any country to be transported by grims. in the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority dia on the sidelines of a contract some treatment to be made suitable,” Cambrils. Page 12 the national air, land and sea travel or- He added that facilitating the per- said the claim was “baseless”. signing between Kahramaa and Vol- explained al-Nasr. Qatar launches plan to boost public transport O Transport minister ment of an integrated transport resil- the MoTC’s eff orts for developing the unveils Qatar Transport ience framework for Qatar, including performance of all transport mediums management and monitoring of key across the country, particularly with Resilience Programme threats and risks and the establishment the operation of railroad networks and of a national Transport Co-ordination the upgrading of public transport serv- he Ministry of Transport and Com- Centre (TCC) to support the country’s ices that support sustainable social and munications (MoTC) launched intermodal operations. economic progress. Tyesterday the Qatar Transport Re- In a statement, the MoTC said one of The plan of action being executed by silience Programme (QTRP), which aims the key benefi ts of the framework is to the ministry was inspired from the Qa- to deliver a resilient, sustainable, and ef- facilitate co-operation and co-ordina- tar National Vision 2030, he said. fi cient intermodal transport network for tion across the transport sector’s rel- “That plan provides the requirements a higher level of quality that encourages evant entities. for all the new transport infrastruc- public transport ridership. Speaking at the launch event, Sheikh ture investments and its key priority is The launching ceremony was led by Mohamed bin Khalid al-Thani, director to ensure such investments deliver the HE the Minister of Transport and Com- of Technical Aff airs Department at the expected transport benefi ts in a safe, munications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Su- MoTC, said Qatar’s economy “has been consistent, and reliable manner, and the laiti in the presence of HE the Minister witnessing a growing boom” under the programme launched today is a central of Municipality and Environment Mo- wise leadership of His Highness the Emir element of that plan,” Sheikh Mohamed hamed bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. said, adding that “resilience is no longer The programme was developed as Sheikh Mohamed added that trans- an option but is continually becoming a part of the MoTC’s ongoing eff orts to port system in Qatar “was witnessing necessity that drives all economies.” respond to key strategic transport re- a rapid growth and continuing changes For the successful deployment and quirements for the nation in alignment concurrently with huge investments HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti is joined by HE the Minister of Municipality and execution of the programme, Sheikh with the Qatar National Vision 2030. into transport network infrastructure.” Environment Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi during yesterday’s launching of the Qatar Transport Resilience Programme. Mohamed said the transport minis- The QTRP will be completed across He noted that “the few coming years With them are Qatar Rail CEO Engineer Abdulla al- Subaie, Traff ic Department director Brigadier Mohamed Saad al-Kharji, and ter had issued directives to establish a fi ve phases, supporting the develop- would be the best demonstration” of other dignitaries. working group. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, August 22, 2017 QATAR

PM meets Oman Chamber of Commerce delegation PM receives Omani ambassador

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani met HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani met the Chairman of Oman Chamber of the ambassador of Oman to Qatar Najib bin Yahya al-Balushi on the occasion of assuming his Commerce and Industry Said bin Saleh al-Kiyumi and the accompanying delegation on the occasion of their visit to the country. duties in the country. During the meeting, the Prime Minister welcomed the Omani ambassador During the meeting, they reviewed relations of co-operation between the two countries and ways of developing and strengthening and wished him success in his duties and relations between Qatar and Oman further progress and them, especially in the field of economy and investment. prosperity. Kahramaa signs QR350mn deal with Omani fi rm for transformers

By Joseph Varghese presence of a large number of earlier tender fl oated to four pany has a lot to off er for the Kahramaa has fl oated tenders Staff Reporter offi cials from Oman Chamber of companies and at the end, the Qatari market and signing the worth nearly QR5bn over the Commerce and Voltamp Oman two contracts were awarded to contract with Kahramaa, was a past fi ve years. as well as other senior offi cials the best company in terms of the historic milestone for the com- Talking to Gulf Times, Ahmed atar General Electricity from Kahramaa. technical specifi cations of con- pany. Nasser al-Nasr, director, techni- and Water Corporation Al-Kuwari explained that tracts. “The present contract is one cal aff airs, Kahramaa, said that Q(Kahramaa) has entered Voltap Oman will supply about The Kahramaa president of the goals of Voltamp Oman, the Omani company was select- into a QR350mn contract with 4,900 transformers to Kah- noted that the signing the two and we look to expand our pres- ed after a thorough evaluation of Voltamp Oman for the supply of ramaa over the next two years. contracts comes at a time when ence in the Qatari market and the quality of the products. 4,900 transformers for the elec- The total cost of the generators commercial and economic ties benefi t from the available in- “The selection of Voltamp tric distribution grid in Qatar. is QR350mn. They will be used between the two countries are vestment opportunities. Vol- Oman was done after a techni- Kahramaa signed two agree- for the power distribution net- growing. tamp Oman is ready to expand cal evaluation. The contract will ments in this regard with the work of Kahramaa, in order to Al-Kuwari also expressed the the cooperation whenever op- cover the Kahramaa requirement Omani fi rm yesterday. supply electricity to infrastruc- hope that the economic ties with portunities arise.” for the next two years. Major part The agreements were signed ture projects, industrial projects Oman would continue to devel- The Kahramaa president said of them will go for the distribu- by Essa bin Hilal al-Kuwari, as well as for residential units op, with progress being refl ected the corporation will continue to tion of the private and residen- president, Kahramaa and Qais across the country. in more contracts with Omani fl oat the tenders as part of the tial purposes. It will also support Essa bin Hilal al-Kuwari, president, Kahramaa and Qais bin Mohamed bin Mohamed al-Yousef, chair- Al-Kuwari said that the Om- fi rms. ongoing infrastructure projects commercial projects and for the al-Yousef, chairman, Voltamp Oman, at the agreement signing cer- man, Voltamp Oman, in the ani fi rm was picked through an Al-Yousef said that his com- in the country. He recalled that 2022 projects and facilities.” emony. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil

OFFICIAL HEC Paris to off er 3 Executive Short Programmes in fall

NHRC chief holds xecutive education equipped to tackle some talks in Morocco leader HEC Paris of the challenges associ- Ehas announced ated with managing oth- three Executive Short ers. National Human Rights Programmes for the fall ‘Demystifying Fi- Committee (NHRC) Chairman Dr of 2017. The programmes nance’, scheduled for Ali bin Samikh al-Marri, met the aim at providing short, October 22 to 23, is a cur- Minister of Justice of Morocco, two-day courses on man- riculum on fi nance in- Mohamed Aujjar, and Chairman agement and fi nance. tended for non-fi nancial of the National Human Rights ‘Managing People to managers. It is aimed at Council Driss el-Yazami in Rabat Create Impact’, ‘Decision helping them read, un- yesterday. Making in an Uncertain derstand, and interpret The two meetings reviewed World’, and ‘Demystify- companies’ key fi nancial means of co-operation in issues ing Finance’ are courses Nils Plambeck, dean indicators to develop fi - of mutual interest and activating designed to help business and CEO at HEC Paris in nancial reporting in a us- the mechanisms for exchange of executives and managers Qatar. er-friendly and intuitive expertise and experiences in the keep with the challenges manner. The teaching fo- field of human rights. that confront them. fully planned with this cuses on training partici- The courses will be purpose in mind,” said pants to comprehend and delivered in interactive Dr Nils Plambeck, dean analyse historical and Qatar’s envoy workshop formats to help and CEO at HEC Paris in projected fi gures for de- create an active learning Qatar. cision-making purposes meets Bangladesh environment for attend- Plambeck added: “Our and to hedge against po- foreign secretary ees. programmes equip par- tential risks. The courses in man- ticipants with a series of ‘Decision Making in Bangladesh Foreign Secretary agement will involve in- tools and approaches to An Uncertain World’, Shahidul Haque met Qatar’s teractive discussions, help them in their role. slated for November 28 ambassador Ahmed bin case analysis, group work, For instance, many man- and 29, is designed for Mohamed al-Duhaimi in Dhaka and simulations, while agers underperform right executives and manag- yesterday. the learning experience after a promotion. ers, who are often faced The meeting reviewed bilateral of participants opting for “The skills used to se- with decision-making relations and means of boosting fi nance will be enhanced cure promotion are not moments at the work- and developing them in addition through real and recent the same as those re- place that are weighed to issues of mutual interest. case study analyses, indi- quired to successfully down with responsibility vidual exercises or group fulfi l the tasks of the new and risk. Qatar-Mongolia work. role. Through our pro- The course revolves “We have always gramme in ‘Managing around challenging situa- ties reviewed sought to off er courses People to Create Impact’, tions that make it stressful that are relevant to our participants will learn ef- for people to make calcu- Minister of Foreign Aff airs of regional market. Suc- fective communication, lated decisions in a vola- Mongolia, Tsendam Munkh cessful people often fi nd as well as persuasion and tile, uncertain, complex, Orjil, and Minister of Defence of themselves confronted by confl ict management.” and ambiguous (Vuca) Mongolia, Dashdemberailin Bat- new challenges, as they The course on ‘Man- world. Participants will Erdene, held separate meetings seek out diff erent respon- aging People to Create be trained on how to deal with Qatar’s non-resident sibilities or tasks. Impact’, which has been with diffi cult situations ambassador, Sultan bin Salmeen “Further developing slated for September 27 tactfully by using proven al-Mansouri in Ulan Battor and learning new profi - and 28, will also train at- business models and stra- yesterday. ciencies will help them tendees to confront un- tegic reasoning. Discussions during the two stay informed in the face certainty with accurate All programmes will be meetings dealt with bilateral of the changing envi- forecasting while discov- held at the Tornado Tower relations and ways of enhancing ronment. Our Executive ering tools for adaptive in West Bay – HEC Paris’ and developing them, in addition Short Programmes for leadership. The idea is to campus in Doha, and are to issues of mutual interest. the fall have been care- help attendees get better open for registration.

Ashghal to develop Corniches in Doha, Khor, Wakrah Beach

ublic Works Authority Ashghal said this is the Corniche in Doha in- Public Works Authority said. (Ashghal) has started part of its integrated plan cludes pedestrian paths, car It will also start develop- Pdevelopment and to develop and main- parks and restrooms, Ash- ing Al Wakrah Beach in the maintenance works on Doha tain Corniches in Doha ghal said. fi rst quarter of 2018; car Corniche, stretching from and Al Khor, in addition Works to develop and parks, restrooms, and caf- West Bay to the Museum of to developing Al Wakrah maintain the Corniche in eterias will be built as part Islamic Art area, it was an- Beach. Al Khor will start in the of the project to serve beach nounced. Development works on last quarter of 2017, the goers, it added. Gulf Times Tuesday, August 22, 2017 3 QATAR

Stadium design shows Qatar keen to promote Arab culture: architect

unday’s design launch of ous Qatar Foundation building, Al Thumama Stadium – which is printed on the QR100 Sthe sixth proposed 2022 notes. FIFA World Cup Qatar venue – “The fact that I grew up in was a proud moment for Doha- Aljasra area in the heart of Doha born architect Ibrahim M Jaidah, has deeply infl uenced my works one which he hopes can spread and designs,” he said. understanding of Arab culture “After my higher education around the world. journey in the UK and the US my The design of the stadium is curiosity brought me to explor- inspired by the gahfi ya – a rec- ing the depths of Qatari archi- ognisable headpiece worn by tecture and its details. QA Group chief executive Akbar al-Baker (centre), Qatar’s ambassador to Germany Sheikh Saod bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and other dignitaries and off icials at the reception Arab men across the region, an “As a result of that I felt re- ceremony in Prague. aspect which Jaidah says was sponsible for adopting the Qa- very important to him through- tari design style in my works. out the process. I also worked on documenting In an interview with www. Qatar’s architecture through my sc.qa, the website of the Su- book History of Architecture in preme Committee for Delivery Qatar.” and Legacy (SC), Jaidah also Jaidah also said the Al Thu- expressed his delight at being a mama Stadium project was one part of a historic moment in lo- of his greatest undertakings, but Qatar Airways launches cal and regional history. also likely to become the source “I am very proud and delight- of his greatest joy – taking him ed to contribute in designing one on a journey to his childhood. of the stadia which is going to “The biggest challenge in the host the fi rst World Cup in the design was how to merge the Arab region,” he said. details of the traditional gah- “The fact that the stadium’s fi ya with the modern design and non-stop fl ights to Prague design is inspired from the Arab construction style,” he said. culture shows how much Qatar “We worked hard together atar Airways’ (QA) fi rst Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, trade market in Eastern Europe, is keen to promote the Arab cul- with 13 partners to come up with non-stop fl ight from Kuwait, Hong Kong, Delhi and in March 2016. ture through staging this univer- the current design. During the QDoha to the Czech Re- Sydney,” he noted. The airline’s cargo division sal event.” design and conception phase, a public landed yesterday at Vá- Czech passengers can look currently operates three times Jaidah designed the stadium lot of childhood memories came clav Havel Airport Prague, in- forward to a wider selection weekly Airbus A330 freighters on behalf of the Arab Engineer- alive, remembering walking augurating the award-winning of available fl ights to Asia and from Doha to Prague via Buda- ing Bureau, the oldest architec- around the Aljasra area wearing airline’s fi rst-ever passenger Australia and also to comfort- pest, providing 180 tonnes of tural and engineering consulting our traditional cloths including service to the central European able connections to a number cargo capacity. fi rm in Qatar. thawb and gahfi ya.” country. of other destinations, such as Prague is a major gateway Already renowned throughout “I am very grateful for giving The airline’s fl ight QR 291, Windhoek (Namibia), Kiliman- into Eastern Europe from Asia the region, the pioneering Qatari me, the Arab and Qatari youth operated by an Airbus A320, jaro (Tanzania), Zanzibar (Tan- for electronics and automotive architect has made his mark on the opportunity to be part of Qa- departed Hamad International zania) and Salalah (Oman), ac- parts, as well as textiles, phar- the landscape of Qatar through tar’s journey to host the World Airport yesterday at 8am and cording to Rehor. maceuticals and biotech prod- projects such as the Ministry of Cup. It’s a unique platform to arrived at Václav Havel Airport As part of its rapid expan- ucts. Interior building, the Fire Sta- introduce Qatari and Arab skills Prague ahead of schedule at QA’s first non-stop flight to Czech Republic receives a water cannon sion strategy in Eastern Europe, The introduction of daily tion Museum and the previ- to the world.” 12:50pm. The aircraft features salute at the Václav Havel Airport Prague. the award-winning airline re- passenger fl ights to and from 12 seats in Business and 120 cently launched direct service Prague will inject additional seats in Economy Class. and leisure travellers, providing city off ers visitors a wealth of to Skopje, with service to Kyiv, bellyhold freight capacity on QA Group chief executive Ak- our passengers the opportunity choice of activities, from walk- Ukraine, also to commence this the route, connecting local bar al-Baker travelled on board to experience the unique beauty ing the cobbled streets of the month. businesses to the carrier’s ex- the inaugural fl ight with the of the city,” al-Baker said. old city to enjoying Prague’s QA commenced freighter op- tensive cargo network via its Czech Republic’s ambassador “The launch of this new serv- rich tradition of café culture. erations to Prague, a growing state-of-the-art Doha hub. Martin Vítek, and was greeted ice comes at a time when we Rehor said the proposed by Vaclav Rehor, chairman of are expanding our presence in schedule, at two diff erent times Doha-Prague flight schedule the Board of Directors of Prague Eastern Europe, as part of our of operations, will support con- Airport; Pavel Klucky, director eff orts to extend our reach glo- nections within the carrier’s Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday Monday, Wednesday, Friday, of the Department of Near East bally,” he added. network via Doha to Asian and Doha to Prague (QR289) Sunday Area, Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Prague, widely recognised as Australian routes. – departs: 2.30am, arrives: Doha to Prague (QR291) – and Monika Palatkova, general one of the world’s most beauti- “We expect that passengers 7.40am departs: 8am, arrives: 1.10pm manager of Czech Tourism. ful cities, is known for its strik- coming from Prague will be Prague to Doha (QR290) Prague to Doha (QR292) “This exquisite European city ing medieval architecture and most interested in the connect- – departs: 9.25am, arrives: – departs: 5.10pm, arrives: will be an extremely popular old-world ambiance. ing fl ights to Bali, Bangkok, Co- 4.25pm 12.10am +1 destination for both business This picturesque Bohemian lombo, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Ibrahim M Jaidah: delighted

QNRF, QNL All set for ‘Arms and Armour’ exhibition to collaborate on research

Discoveries and data produced by Qatar’s research community will be managed in a more streamlined and accessible way through a new collaboration between Qatar Foundation Research and Development (QF R&D) and Qatar National Library (QNL). The QF R&D-QNL Research Data Project will establish a framework for ensuring the outcomes of projects supported by Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) are stored, preserved, and communicated eff ectively. The aim is to increase their visibility, maximise their potential for impact, and sharpen Qatar’s research focus on the nation’s Qatar’s Museum of Islamic Art is only a few days away from opening an exceptional and beautifully curated exhibition titled ‘Powder and Damask: Islamic Arms and Armour from the Collection of Fadel highest priorities. al-Mansoori.’ The Qatari collector will be the first local collector to display his notable Islamic arms and armour collection at the museum. The exhibition, to run from August 27 to May 12, 2018, will QNRF – which is part of QF showcase a selection of edged weapons and firearms crafted primarily in Turkey, Iran and India from the 17th to the mid-19th century. R&D – and QNL, a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), will work together to build capacity for research data management through the development of policies, skills, and infrastructure, WCM-Q scientists create blood in lab while joint workshops with the research community will enhance esearchers at Weill Cornell rine factors that lead to the devel- ample, we would retrieve your en- function to secrete substances so, data management skills. Medicine – Qatar (WCM-Q) opment and function of the organ.” dothelial cells and we could trans- for example pancreatic cells would “The rapid acceleration in the Rhave made a breakthrough To test the theory, Dr Tabrizi and form that into blood. It would be an have to be sensitive to blood sugar level of Qatar’s research output which could lead to personalised his team isolated endothelial cells unlimited personal source of blood levels and secrete insulin. But for in the decade since QNRF’s blood and heart tissue being cre- and forced the expression of tran- for each individual. However, it is cardiac cells we want them to in- establishment has created ated in a laboratory. scription factors using DNA vectors. too early at this stage to make these tegrate and beat in synchrony with the need for frameworks and Working with colleagues from After 20 days, the cells began assumptions in the absence of con- each other. The problem is, if you processes that ensure the the Ansary Stem Cell Institute at to multiply and were essentially crete human data,” Dr Tabrizi said. transplant cardiac cells into your products of the nation’s vibrant Weill Cornell Medicine in New transformed into haematopoietic Importantly the power of the en- heart and then they beat at a dif- R&D enterprise have the York, researchers in the laboratory stem cells, which are the basis for dothelium to support cellular dif- ferent rate from the other cells, this greatest, and most enduring, of Dr Arash Rafi i Tabrizi at WCM-Q all types of blood cells, including ferentiation for blood cells is also would be the catastrophic for the value and impact,” said Dr in Doha postulated that endothelial red blood cells, platelets, and white successful with cardiac cell regen- individual.” Abdul Sattar al-Taie, executive cells – the cells that line the walls of blood cells, which are a vital part of eration. By combining endothe- However, the research team be- director, QNRF. blood vessels – are responsible for the immune system. lial cells with cardiomyocytes – the lieves that the endothelial cells are “By harnessing QNRF’s organ development. Dr Tabrizi, who is associate pro- heart’s muscle cells – the research- creating a ‘bridge’ between the car- capacity to facilitate mission- Dr Tabrizi, whose work has been fessor of genetic medicine in ob- ers were able to create muscle cells diac cells, ensuring they act as one driven research, to the data funded by Qatar National Research stetrics and gynaecology at WCM- in a petri dish that beat together in and as they would in the human management and curation Fund, said: “We hypothesised that Q, said that the next step would be a regular rhythm, similar to endog- heart. If true, the technique could expertise of QNL, this partnership the endothelial cells are the mas- to translate the research to a human enous cardiomyocytes. one day be used to help heal cardiac will support the cultivation of a terminds of organ development and model, to test whether the fi ndings Dr Jennifer Pasquier, research infractions or support people with research culture in Qatar, and add diff erent organs have diff erent en- can be translated to tackle diff erent associate in genetic medicine at a heartbeat too weak due to de- a valuable new element to the dothelial cells that express diff erent human diseases. WCM-Q who performed these generative heart disease such as in support and guidance that QNRF and specifi c factors called angioc- “If you have leukaemia, for ex- experiments said: “Some organs ischemic disease or diabetes. Dr Rafii Tabrizi and Dr Jennifer Pasquier provides to its awardees”. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, August 22, 2017 QATAR

FM receives message from Swaziland QFFD launches several projects

HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani has received a written message from the Minister of Foreign Aff airs and International Co-operation of the Kingdom of Swaziland, Mgwagwa Gamedze, pertaining to bilateral relations and ways of enhancing them. The message was handed over by the ambassador of Swaziland to Qatar Felizwe Percival Dlamini in Sudan during a meeting with the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi in Doha yesterday. QNA Khartoum

atar Fund for Develop- ment (QFFD) yesterday Qheld a ceremony to an- Qatar ranks 1st in Mena and 7th nounce the signing of a number of Qatari development projects in Sudan. worldwide for broadband speeds The projects aim to continue the eff orts of Qatar in pushing forward the development proc- atar has ranked fi rst in tions and technologies.” ess in Sudan, through backing the Middle East and Ooredoo Qatar has installed joint projects that refl ect the QNorth Africa (Mena) and fi bre broadband to 96% of strong ties between both coun- seventh worldwide in broadband homes in Qatar, enabling nearly tries. connection, said Ooredoo, cit- everyone who wants the service The ceremony was attended ing a report by Content Delivery to access “life changing speeds by Director-General of QFFD Network (CDN) services, Aka- and educational benefi ts the In- Khalifa bin Jassim al-Kuwari, mai. ternet can bring.” Qatar’s ambassador to Sudan Akamai’s ‘State of the Inter- Alongside its investment in Abdulrahman al-Nuaimi, a net’ report, which analysed the the latest networks, such as the number of Qatari offi cials and fi rst quarter results of global company’s recent announce- representatives of various chari- broadband speeds, said Qatar ment that 10 base stations hav- ty and development institutions, led the Mena region in average ing been equipped with 5G- in addition to Carter Centre’s broadband connection speeds ready technology, Ooredoo is Steven Blount. in Q1 2017, and had the larg- Ooredoo Qatar CEO Waleed working to fulfi l the growing de- In his speech, al-Kuwari said est yearly connection speed in- al-Sayed. mand for connectivity in Qatar. that the new joint projects are QFFD general manager Khalifa Jassim al-Kuwari and QRCS secretary general Ali Hassan al-Hammadi at creases of some 64%. “This demand has seen higher the second phase of establish- the event. With a 108Mbps average with speeds up to 800Mbps for levels of customers adopting ing developmental programmes peak connection speed, Qatar customers in Doha. higher fi bre speed plans, such as in Darfur states that encourages is also ranked seventh world- Ooredoo Qatar CEO Waleed al- Ooredoo’s 25Mbps plan, which the return of citizens to their wide in providing broadband Sayed said: “We are delighted to has had a 20% adoption in Q1 homelands. speeds, beating countries in be fulfi lling our vision of making against the worldwide adoption Projects in social housing and QRCS, QFFD sign pact to implement Europe and the US, according Qatar one of the best-connected rates at that level of just 12%,” economic empowerment will to the recent sampling of over countries in the world and con- according to the report. benefi t a total of 150,000 people. multi-sectoral programme in Darfur 146 countries. gratulate Qatar’s leadership and To celebrate this result, Oore- He added that Qatar Fund for The report also acknowledged people for this amazing result. doo will launch a new Ooredoo Development, in co-operation Ooredoo’s network enhance- Ooredoo plans to continue to in- fi bre plan for Qatar “in the com- with Qatari charitable organisa- atar Red Crescent generating business enterprises “As peace was regained in the ments and investments as key vest in our network to provide the ing days” to cater to the “ever- tions, has pledged to complete (QRCS) and Qatar that ensure them a dignifi ed territory, it is important to help factors in ranking, including the latest speeds for Qatar so that it growing digital lifestyles of our phase two of Darfur’s recon- QFund for Development life,” al-Kuwari said. those returnees to restore their launch of its 4.5G Pro service can lead in next-generation solu- customers,” al-Sayed said. struction programme. (QFFD) have signed a memo- “It is part of the State of Qa- normal lives, secure their ba- Al-Kuwari added that the randum of understanding tar’s humanitarian strategy to sic needs, improve their living projects are part of Qatar’s ini- (MoU) to launch a multi-sec- mitigate the suff ering of human- standards, establish solidarity tiative for the development of toral development programme ity and falls under the humani- and harmony, and eradicate the MoI advisory on e-gate Darfur and are worth $70mn. in Sudan. tarian response plan adopted by very roots of confl ict and vio- The projects are being imple- The agreement, signed by QFFD for 2016. To that eff ect, lence,” he stressed. mented in villages in fi ve Darfur QFFD general manager Kha- several agreements were signed Under the fi ve-year MoU, states, two projects in each state. lifa Jassim al-Kuwari and over the year, including relief each complex will comprise They include programmes to QRCS secretary general Ali interventions for Fallujah, Syria two elementary schools, two help those returning home earn a Hassan al-Hammadi, involves and Aleppo,” he noted. secondary schools, health cen- living and become economically the construction of two full- Al-Kuwari added that QFFD tre, police station, mosque, 15 empowered. The projects will service complexes in three appreciates the strong relations houses for complex staff , water also help establish peace and so- towns of East and West Darfur with QRCS and bilateral co- plant, streets, and green areas. cial cohesion. They will provide at a total cost of nearly $13mn operation for the relief of the All complex facilities will be suitable aid to those returning as (QR47.3mn). Sudanese people. provided with solar power. well. “This grant from QFFD will Meanwhile, al-Hammadi QRCS will manage the The projects will take five help develop the areas aff ected thanked QFFD for what he de- projects for three years before years to implement and will by armed confl ict in Darfur, en- scribed as a “fruitful co-op- handing it over to the local benefit 300,000 people ac- couraging the displaced people eration” to preserve the secu- community and public authori- cording to the director-general to return to their home and al- rity and dignity of the people ties such as the ministries of of QFFD. The service centre lowing an opportunity for them of Darfur, who had to fl ee their health, education, water, and established will include two to settle and initiate income- homes, shops and schools. environment. primary schools for boys and for girls. It will also include two secondary schools. In addition peace and health. It will focus on Ahmed area. food needs such as oils, corn, to educational facilities, there developing health programmes QFFD will co-operate with and animal feed. will be a health centre, a police for women and children by sup- Hassad company, Kahramaa, QFFD also provided a pres- station, a mosque, and 15 hous- porting the educational part of Sudan’s Ministry of Water Re- entation on its co-operation es for the employees. It will the health sector. It will also look sources and Electricity, Setco with UN organisations, such as also have a water station, green to develop the skills of nurses and Sudan, China’s HEI, and a Ger- the United Nations Develop- areas, as well as a solar energy other workers in the fi eld. The man consultancy. The project ment Programme to develop 12 plant. The fund will manage agreement also involves estab- involves establishing an elec- projects worth $88.5mn. Work the centre for three years be- lishing training material and plac- tricity transmission line that is on those projects began in Feb- fore transferring the responsi- ing regulatory systems for the sec- 387km long, as well as fi ve trans- ruary and is scheduled to con- bility to local committees after tor. The fi rst stage of this support mission stations. clude by the end of the year. they are trained in co-opera- will be worth $2mn. The project is considered one A total of 8.7mn people in tion with official authorities. The ceremony also gave a of Qatar fund’s biggest invest- 47 local villages could benefi t One of the agreements signed presentation about a project for ment projects in the region. It from these projects. Some of the The Ministry of Interior yesterday issued an advisory through its Facebook page on how to use the during the ceremony was one to transferring electricity in the covers large agricultural spaces projects undertaken are road in- e-gate facility at the entry and exit points at the Hamad International Airport for quick completion develop the capabilities of the River Nile state. Qatar Fund for suitable for producing grains, frastructure, construction, sus- of passport control procedures. All Qatar residents above 18 years old with normal ID cards can public health sector in Sudan, in Development is financing the animal feed, and livestock tainable water use, educational take advantage of this facility. An off ice to update the biometric data is available near the e-gates. co-operation with Carter Centre. project with more than $218mn among other products. These and health programmes, SMEs, The agreement aims to promote to provide electricity to the Abo areas will help secure important and agricultural schemes. Gulf Times Tuesday, August 22, 2017 5 QATAR

For the love of Qatar

Members of the artistic com- nity simply answering the ques- veys is that love is the source munity gathered around the tion ‘What does Qatar mean to of our strength, and while we completed collage, ‘For the love you?’” said Radi al-Hajiri, one of may be doves of peace we are of Qatar,’ which was made up of the artists who led the compila- also falcons protecting our individual pieces of art drawn tion of the piece. country and the roots that our by nationals and residents of He noted that the common nation is founded on,” al Hajiri Qatar, at the Doha Festival City. thread through all of the draw- added. “This is a work of art primarily ings submitted was love. The collage will be on display expressing the participants “So we compiled this collage, at the Doha Festival City, as who contributed to the initia- which showcases our founder’s well as other locations around tive, whether they are artists or home and the symbolic falcon. Qatar, including various mu- members of the Qatari commu- The message this piece con- seums.

University of Aberdeen Qatar launches admission open days

FG College with the Uni- university along with AFG Col- erdeen faculty who will be teach- September and are off ered over versity of Aberdeen has lege staff, provided insights ing on the programmes”. four years, with opportunities for Alaunched second series of into the degree programmes Dominic Milne, the deputy qualifi ed candidates to enter year student admissions open days as and offered advice on prospec- head, International Offi ce at the three of their chosen course with the academic year 2017/2018 be- tive students suitability for ad- University of Aberdeen, delivered evidence of previous study such gins next month. missions. presentations on the background as the higher diploma from the The events were held at the Brian Buckley, principal, AFG and history of the university and College of North Atlantic Qatar AFG College Campus in the Al College with the University of information on study options (CNAQ) or relevant qualifi ca- Mamoura district, recently. Aberdeen, said: “I have been available at the Doha campus. tions from Community College Qatari and non-Qatari pro- impressed by the enthusiasm AFG College with the Univer- Qatar (CCQ). spective students, attended the shown by the prospective stu- sity of Aberdeen is a newly es- There are limited spaces for the events, many of whom signed up dents who wish to study with tablished university partnership September intake and the college to the University of Aberdeen’s us from September 2017. We are off ering undergraduate degrees principal and the University of bachelor degrees in business proud to off er the fi rst UK uni- from the university, specialising Aberdeen senior academics are management and accountancy versity on a dedicated campus in business management and ac- encouraging prospective appli- and fi nance. in Doha. We also look forward to countancy and fi nance. cants to apply before September Senior staff members of the welcoming the University of Ab- The courses will commence in 10 to ensure admission. A session at one of the admission open days.

Eid holidaymakers get more choices

By Joey Aguilar Meanwhile, Rustom said Tbilisi, Thailand, one the other hand, is also Staff Reporter Georgia, continues to attract an in- attracting many Qataris because of its creasing number of expatriates from high class medical core industry, cul- Qatar because it off ers a visa-free en- tural festivals, Thai spa, and adventur- he UK, France, Switzerland, try for residents. ous activities, among others. Thailand and Malaysia remain He pointed out that such privilege, A leading travel agency noted that Tthe most popular destinations which gives diff erent nationalities easy UK tops its list of Qatari holiday seek- for Qataris in the coming Eid al-Adha access to a particular destination, is a ers with nearly all fl ights to its capital holidays, a number of travel agents big factor in attracting tourists. fully booked. have said. In Asia, Rustom said Malaysia is A travel agent told Gulf Times that Speaking to Gulf Times, Alpha Travel becoming a preferred destination for many Qataris travel to various destina- general manager Khaled Rustom noted Qatari families due to its “Muslim- tions in the UK, particularly London, that many Qatari families book holiday friendly” environment, where halal during the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha packages to various parts of Switzer- food is widely available. holidays. land during this period. He added that the Malaysian Min- She said they also have many fl ight “Switzerland has many green moun- istry of Tourism and Culture has also bookings to Paris and Nice in France, tainous areas, scenic places, and good been very active is promoting the as well as Italy and Germany, for Eid weather,” he pointed out. South East Asian nation in Doha, en- next month. Being one of the safest countries in ticing many locals to visit its tourist Her agency also recorded an increase the world makes the European country spots. in the number of Qataris travelling to very much appealing to almost every “They come here and do trade Malaysia and Thailand. traveller. shows, they advertise,” Rustom Echoing the statement of Rustom, Istanbul off ers many promotions stressed. “They have a very good cam- the travel agent noted that Armenia and special holiday packages, he said. paign promotion of Malaysia.” and Georgia are becoming popular hol- It is considered as one of the most A Muslim country, Malaysia has al- iday destinations for many expatriates popular tourist destinations around most a similar culture with Qatar and in Qatar. The two destinations off er the world for its history and archaeol- features modern tourism infrastruc- reasonable rates for accommodations, ogy, nature and scenic attractions. tures as well. food, and other services, she added.

Municipal inspections continue l Sheehaniyah Munici- not to repeat the violations. pality’s Municipal Aff airs In addition, the department ADepartment conducted issued 11 building completion 1,589 inspection tours in July, it certifi cates, eight excavation was announced yesterday. permits and three certifi cates for These included 313 inspec- completed digging. tion tours on food facilities, 450 In the meantime, the Ministry general inspection tours, and 796 of Municipality and Environ- technical inspection tours. ment’s Agriculture Research De- These inspection campaigns partment is set to conduct a fi eld resulted in spotting 46 aban- training programme on August doned vehicles, issuing nine 28 to introduce the best ways to violation reports, 11 reports for dry dates at Rawdat Al Faras Ag- encroachment on state property, riculture Research Station. 82 warning to the violators to A good number of farm owners remove their various violations, and employees are expected to and seven pledges were signed take part in the programme.

A field training programme is scheduled to introduce the best ways to dry dates at Rawdat Al Faras Agriculture Research Station. An inspector at work during the campaign. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, August 22, 2017 QATAR QSE delegation

gets insight into Astad and QSE off icials at the meeting. vision of a knowledge-based Sanad, launched in April 2017, courses and the establishment economy. includes a suite of four contract of an engineering magazine spe- ”Sanad aims to act as a sup- templates and standardised cialised in QSE’s activities. portive tool within the construc- forms covering construction, The QSE is a non-profi t organ- tion industry, refi ning contrac- design and build, design services isation established in 2007, un- tual procedures within Qatar, and professional services. der the patronage of the Ministry Astad’s Sanad while simultaneously utilised as It complies with local laws, re- of Administrative Development, an educational reference.” gional realities, and global best Labour and Social Aff airs. Astad showcases how Sanad The meeting was attended by Sanad and emphasised how it between parties and inevitably Al-Jolo stated: “We have a practices while holding equity, It is a member of the Gulf En- can benefit construction Astad chief executive Ali al-Kha- can be used to bring all parties delayed projects. common goal with Astad to suc- flexibility, balance, and eff ective- gineering Union, Arab Engineers projects in Qatar lifa, QSE chairman Ahmad Jassim involved in construction projects “This presented an opportu- cessfully contribute towards the ness at its core. Union, and the World Federation al-Jolo, Federation of Arab Engi- together, ultimately promoting nity for us to develop Sanad while urban and industrial develop- In addition, Astad and QSE of Engineering Organisations, stad invited the Qatar So- neers president and board mem- the effi cient delivery of projects. maintaining fair and appropri- ment of Qatar through enhanced discussed the prospect of hav- that strives to enhance profes- ciety of Engineers (QSE) ber Abdullah Mohamed al-Baker, Al-Khalifa said: “Over the ate risk for all parties by off ering engineering practices.” ing a Memorandum of Under- sional engineering development Ato their headquarters and the Architectural Chapter years, we grew to fully under- more balanced contract terms He observed that Sanad is a standing and discussed ways to throughout Qatar by promotion, recently to discuss its fl agship president Yacoub Youssef al- stand the unique contractual and conditions.” product that has been developed support QSE with local initia- raising standards, regulations, product Sanad and how it can Mulla. challenges faced within Qatar’s Al-Khalifa discussed how as a result of the common con- tives including engineering spe- protecting rights and represent- support Qatar’s construction Al-Khalifa led a presentation construction industry which Sanad reiterates Astad’s com- tractual challenges found in Qa- cialised conferences, awareness ing engineers on local, regional, projects. that showcased the benefi ts of often led to disputes and claims mitment to supporting Qatar’s tar. seminars, activities, training Arab and international levels. Nakilat hosts bowling event for the blind

akilat recently organised a bowling session with the visually-impaired in co-operation with the NQatar Social and Cultural Centre for the Blind. Volunteers from Nakilat acted as guides and some were even blindfolded during the session to better appreciate the challenge of bowling without the sense of sight. Bowling is one of the few sports that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities, and blind bowling has proven to be very popular with the use of a sighted guide or guide rails. Nakilat administration director Rashid Hamad al- Marri said: “We are indeed very fortunate to be able to learn and experience albeit a small portion, of the chal- Some of the bowlers at the Nakilat event. lenges the visually-impaired face and how impressively they overcome these in their daily lives. “This gathering of Nakilat employees and those from the Qatar Social and Cultural Centre for the Blind has been a wonderful opportunity to promote inclusivity amongst people of all abilities and give back to our soci- ety.” He added: “Nakilat is also committed to giving back to the community through its various outreach programmes outlined within its Corporate Social Responsibility pillars of community, health, education and environment.” The Qatar Social and Cultural Centre for the Blind chairman Faisal Mohamed al-Kooheji appreciated the Nakilat initiative. “This event allows those of us whom are visually-im- paired to socialise outside our regular circle and is signifi - cant to our growth. It is a form of encouragement for us to soar high even without the gift of sight, and that we are not forgotten by the society,” he said.

Some of the students who participated in QBG’s 2017 Ghars Campaign summer programme of activities. Qur’anic Botanic Garden organises workshops for girls

he Qur’anic Botanic Garden (QBG), an initiative of Qatar Foundation, in collaboration with the wom- Ten’s branch of Eid Charity, recently hosted stu- dents from the Girls Summer Club – under Eid Charity – as part of its ongoing 2017 Ghars Campaign activities, which encourage students to preserve and nurture the environment in Qatar. QBG organised a range of activities over two days in Oxygen Park, Education City, including interactive edu- cational games, mazes, puzzles, and cultural activities highlighting plant life and the environment. As part of QBG’s focus on agriculture and planting, the students were given tips on planting seeds and caring for plants, and planted tree seeds by hand. QNG project manager Fatma Saleh al-Khulaifi said: “We are delighted to be working with Eid Charity for the second consecutive year. The workshops and activities provided by QBG proved a huge success for the students, who all enjoyed their time at Oxygen Park.” Ameena Ma’arfya, general manager of Eid Charity’s women’s branch, expressed her delight with the visit, which she said helped children learn about the health benefi ts of the plants, fruits, and trees mentioned in the Qur’an, through technical workshops and various inter- active games. She added that the women’s branch intends to strengthen community partnerships that support the upbringing of current generations. Since it was initiated in 2011, the Ghars Campaign has targeted multiple segments of society in Qatar, promot- ing the “greening” of cities and the protection of the en- vironment. The campaign aims to enhance the local environ- ment by planting 2022 trees through various activities throughout the year in support of Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Gulf Times Tuesday, August 22, 2017 7 ARAB WORLD

Syrian opposition seeks Iraqi forces close in a unifi ed front at talks AFP “The goal of the meeting is to ar- Riyadh rive at an agreement on the political programme that forms the basis of the negotiations. At the forefront hree Syrian opposition camps is the position on Bashar al-Assad,” met in Riyadh yesterday to try to Syrian opposition leader Ahmed Ra- Tforge a unifi ed front for what the madan told AFP. on IS-held Tal Afar UN hopes will be a substantive round of There was no immediate com- peace negotiations in October. ment on the conclusion of yester- AFP The Saudi-backed opposition day’s meeting. Tal Al-Hessan, Iraq High Negotiations Committee De Mistura said last week that he (HNC) held an hours-long meet- hopes for “real, substantive” peace ing in a Riyadh compound with talks between the government and raqi forces yesterday closed in on Tal delegations from two other moder- a still-to-be-formed unifi ed Syrian Afar on the second day of an off en- ate camps, the so-called Cairo and opposition in October. Isive against the last major bastion of Moscow groupings. Rebels have suff ered heavy ter- the Islamic State group in the country’s UN Syria envoy Staff an de Mistu- ritorial losses since peace talks to north, seizing several villages around ra has sought to unify the opposition end the war began, including the re- the city. to develop a more pragmatic nego- gime’s recapture of Aleppo, a former In the desert plains around Tal Afar, tiating strategy after hosting seven opposition stronghold. convoys of tanks and armoured vehicles rounds of largely unsuccessful talks. With the rebel fi ghting position could be seen heading for the militant- The main obstacle has been the weakened, experts say the regime held city, raising huge clouds of dust. fate of President Bashar al-Assad, faces no pressure to make conces- The off ensive launched at dawn Sun- with the HNC insisting on his ouster sions at the negotiating table, and day comes only weeks after Iraqi forces but the other two camps adopting a especially not over the question of retook second city Mosul from IS and as softer stance on the issue. Assad’s future. the militants also face assaults on their positions in neighbouring Syria. Tal Afar was once a major supply hub between Mosul and the Syrian border and capturing it would be another major blow to IS’s self-declared “caliphate” Sudan warns of fl oods as that once controlled large areas strad- dling Syria and Iraq. The Iraqi army, federal police and Nile water level surges counter-terrorism forces backed by 20,000 fi ghters from the Hashed al- Shaabi paramilitary group launched the AFP Nile are rising, and today the level of off ensive on Tal Afar. Khartoum the Nile reached its highest in 100 They are battling IS on three fronts years in Khartoum,” the irrigation — the west, south and southeast — and ministry said in a statement. commanders have told AFP they expect udan yesterday warned Khar- “The water level touched 17.14m to tighten the noose on the militants by Smoke billows as Iraqi government forces advance towards the city of Tal Afar, the main remaining stronghold of the Islamic toum residents along the Nile in Khartoum, and is expected to rise edging closer to the gates of the city. State group. Sof likely “massive fl oods” as more.” The federal police said its forces had water levels of the river rose to a Residents living along the Nile retaken fi ve villages on the western IS with mortar fi re after weeks of air The battle for Tal Afar, the last major “Families are trekking for 10 to 20 record high following heavy rains in have to exercise caution in Khar- front, with its chief Raed Shakir Jaw- strikes to weaken the fi ghters who over- population centre in northern Iraq under hours in extreme heat to reach mustering neighbouring Ethiopia. toum and other states as “massive dat saying they were only “a few hun- ran Tal Afar in 2014. extremist control, has sparked fears for points. They are arriving exhausted and The Blue Nile fl owing to Sudan fl oods” are expected in the next two dred metres from Al-Kifah”, the nearest In an indication of their next target, thousands of civilians trapped inside. dehydrated,” Grande said in a statement. from Ethiopia converges with the days, the ministry said. western neighbourhood of the city. Iraqi planes on Sunday and yesterday The US-led coalition fi ghting IS in “We don’t know how many civilians White Nile in Khartoum, and from Every year, Sudan battles heavy The Iran-backed Hashed said its dropped leafl ets on the town of Hawijah Iraq and Syria says between 10,000 and are still in the areas where fi ghting is oc- there they become the Nile which fl oods, and a downpour in August fi ghters had advanced to the edges of Tal to the south, urging residents to prepare 50,000 civilians are estimated to be in curring, but we are preparing for thou- runs through the country into 2013 was the worst to hit Khartoum Afar’s western suburbs and Iraq’s Joint as “retaking your city is the next goal of and around Tal Afar. sands more to fl ee in coming days and Egypt. in 25 years, killing about 50 people in Operations Command said counter- the armed forces”. UN Humanitarian Coordinator for weeks.” Almost 75 % of the water in the the capital. terrorism units had taken fi ve villages The militants also still hold areas of Iraq Lisa Grande said Sunday that The US-led coalition welcomed the Nile is brought by the Blue Nile, About 100 people were killed last from the southwest and “raised the the vast western desert province of An- “more than 30,000 people have already start of the assault and pledged its con- which swells every year during the year across the country as torrential Iraqi fl ag”. bar, including the Al-Qaim area on the fl ed” the Tal Afar region and that thou- tinued support for Iraqi forces battling rainy season in Ethiopia. rains destroyed thousands of houses Iraqi forces have been pounding border with war-ravaged Syria. sands more were expected to follow. the extremists. “Water levels of Blue Nile and the and submerged several villages.

A Palestinian protester dressed as late leader Yasser Arafat waves his country’s national flag during a protest in Gaza City yesterday calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Israel extends arrest of fi rebrand cleric

AFP Fisherman nets message in a bottle in isolated Gaza Jerusalem For Palestinian fisherman Jihad al- bottle. As a reward here are some magic Soltan, it was a surprise summer catch flowers,” the couple wrote in their letter. n Israeli court yesterday ex- — a message in a bottle that he netted By the time the bottle reached Gaza’s tended the remand of a fi re- off a Gaza beach. shores last week, the flowers had wilted. Abrand Islamic cleric accused of It had bobbed its way in the Mediter- But Soltan said yesterday he was bu- inciting violence in connection with ranean for nearly 800km from the Greek oyed by the thought that currents could last month’s deadly tensions over a Je- island of Rhodes, placed in the water by carry a carefree message into troubled rusalem holy site, his lawyer said. a vacationing British couple in July. waters under Israeli naval blockade and Raed Salah, arrested on August 15, “We are currently on holiday on fishing zone restrictions — measures had his remand extended until Thurs- Rhodes and we would love to know how Israel says are necessary to prevent day, Khaled Zabarka told AFP. far this bottle got, even if it’s just the arms smuggling by Gaza’s hostile Hamas The 58-year-old Arab Israeli is ac- next beach,” said the letter inside, signed rulers. cused of inciting violence and terror- “Faithfully, Zac and Beth”. “As a fisherman I felt this letter trav- ism as well as support for an illegal By replying to the e-mail address elled through borders and international organisation. they enclosed, Soltan discovered the waters without restrictions while we as Prosecutors told the court yesterday two were Bethany Wright, a university fishermen are unable to go beyond six that they intend to fi le charges against student, and her boyfriend, Zac Marriner. miles,” he said. “I hope one day we would Salah, Zabarka said. “Hello, Thank you for picking up this become as free as this bottle was.” Salah and his supporters call the ac- cusations “political intimidation” in- tended to silent dissent. site after three Arab Israelis shot dead Israelis were stabbed to death in a West His group, the northern branch of the two policemen before being killed Bank settlement by a Palestinian as- the Islamic Movement in Israel, was by security forces. sailant. outlawed in 2015 for incitement linked Israel responded to the July 14 deadly The crisis abated when Israel re- to the Haram al-Sharif mosque com- shootings by installing metal detectors moved the detectors. pound. at the entrance to the holy site, used as Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest Police say the allegations against a staging point for the attack. site in Islam. Salah include a sermon he gave after a For nearly two weeks, worshippers It is central to the Israeli-Palestinian July 14 attack that killed two policemen refused to submit to the checks and confl ict. near Haram al-Sharif, which includes staged mass prayers in surrounding Salah’s latest arrest follows his re- the revered Al-Aqsa Mosque and the streets. lease from prison in January after serv- golden-topped Dome of the Rock. Ensuing protests and clashes left ing a nine-month sentence on similar Violence erupted in and around the seven Palestinians dead, while three allegations. Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, August 22, 2017 AMERICAS

Texas university quietly removes ‘white supremacy’ statues overnight

Reuters when white nationalists protest- ple” on both sides, prompting of the statues shortly before mid- statues in place contend they are Johnston and of Confederate Several cities have targeted Austin ing against the planned removal several chief executives to quit night on Sunday. a reminder of Southern heritage Postmaster General John Reagan. Confederate symbols in response of a statue of Confederate mili- his business councils in protest. By about 3am local time yes- and the country’s history. Those three will be moved to to the violence in Charlottesville. tary leader Robert E Lee clashed “Last week, the horrifi c dis- terday, they had all been taken The statues of three Confeder- the school’s Briscoe Centre for They include Baltimore, he University of Texas at with anti-racism demonstrators. plays of hatred at the University down, said Cindy Posey, director ate fi gures and a former governor American History, where they Maryland, which removed four Austin removed the stat- One woman was killed when of Virginia and in Charlottesville of campus safety communica- removed from the university’s will be accessible for scholarly monuments to the Confederacy Tues of three Confederate- a suspected white nationalist shocked and saddened the na- tions. main mall were “erected during study, Fenves said. in a pre-dawn operation last era fi gures from a main area on drove his car into a crowd. tion,” University of Texas at Aus- It was done at night as a safety the period of Jim Crow laws and Workers also removed a stat- week, and Birmingham, Ala- campus yesterday, saying that President Donald Trump’s re- tin president Greg Fenves said in measure to avoid confrontations. segregation” and “represent the ue of former Governor James bama, where the mayor vowed to they had become symbols of action to the events has drawn a statement. “These events make A growing number of US po- subjugation of African Ameri- Stephen Hogg, who led Texas seek the removal of a Confederate white supremacy and that they widespread anger from across it clear, now more than ever, that litical leaders are calling for the cans”, Fenves said. from 1891 to 1895, years after the monument in his city. were taken down overnight to the political spectrum. Confederate monuments have removal of statues honouring the The statues include depictions Civil War ended in 1865. On Saturday, Duke University avoid confrontations. Trump did not immediately become symbols of modern white Confederacy, saying they pro- of Lee, who led the pro-slavery It will be considered for re- removed a statue of Lee from the Violence broke out in Char- condemn white nationalists and supremacy and neo-Nazism.” mote racism. Confederacy’s army, of Con- installation at another university entrance of a chapel on the Dur- lottesville, Virginia, on August 12 said there were “very fi ne peo- Fenves announced the removal Supporters of keeping the federate General Albert Sidney site, Fenves said. ham, North Carolina, campus.

Venezuela prepares Rare total solar eclipse world summit ‘marches’ across the US to defend Reuters new body Sheridan, Oregon/Charleston, South Carolina Reuters Caracas he moon blacked out the sun yesterday as the fi rst Ttotal solar eclipse in a enezuela is preparing an century marched from the US international summit Pacifi c Northwest to the Atlantic Vto rally support for an Coast, while millions of Ameri- all-powerful lawmaking body, cans looked skyward in wonder whose recent creation drew through protective glasses, tel- widespread foreign condemna- escopes and cameras. tion as a power grab by leftist After weeks of anticipation, President Nicolas Maduro. onlookers experienced an as- Late last month, and in the tronomical phenomenon – two face of anti-government street minutes in which the moon protests, Venezuela elected the moved in front of the sun to cre- 545-member constituent as- ate near darkness and cause a sembly at the behest of the pres- precipitous drop in temperature. ident. The eclipse drew whoops and On Friday the assembly grant- cheers from onlookers in Depoe ed itself lawmaking powers. Bay, Oregon, near where “total- It was the latest blow to an ity” – the shadow created by the opposition-controlled congress sun’s disappearance – started. whose decisions have been nul- “It just kind of tickled you all lifi ed by Maduro’s loyalist Su- over – it was wonderful – and Guests reacts to the total preme Court. I wish I could do it again,” said eclipse in the football stadium Secret Service crunched by Trump and Co’s travel The United States slapped Stormy Shreves, 57, a fi sh gut- at Southern Illinois University in Maduro and a number of Ven- ter who lives in Depoe Bay. “But Carbondale, Illinois. The US Secret Service said yesterday that it is facing a crunch in meeting ezuela leaders with sanctions, I won’t see something like that overtime payments for agents, as it struggles with the cost of protecting and US President Donald Trump ever again, so I’m really glad I Left: The diamond ring eff ect is President Donald Trump, his many homes and large family. said military action was among took the day off work so I could visible as the moon passes in Randolph “Tex” Ailes, the service’s chief, said 1,100 agents will exceed the options he was considering experience it.” front of the sun during a total caps for the fiscal year on salary and overtime pay because of the crush- for Venezuela. The last time such a spectacle solar eclipse at Big Summit ing workload. “We have drawn up a plan to unfolded from one US coast to Prairie ranch in Oregon’s With 150 foreign heads of state due to converge on New York next call a worldwide solidarity with the other was in 1918. Ochoco National Forest, near month for the UN General Assembly, demands on the service are only the people of Venezuela, against The last total eclipse seen an- the city of Mitchell. intensifying. Donald Trump’s threat and in ywhere in the United States took “This issue is not one that can be attributed to the current administra- defence of the constituent as- place in 1979. ementary school principal, said tion’s protection requirements alone, but rather has been an ongoing is- sembly,” Maduro said in a televi- The rare cosmic event was ex- she and her family made the sue for nearly a decade due to an overall increase in operational tempo,” sion interview on Sunday. pected to draw one of the largest drive to Charleston from Lynn, Ailes said in a statement. “This world summit will audiences in human history, in- Massachusetts. Trump has travelled nearly every weekend to his properties in Florida, have a combination of prepara- cluding those watching through “Twenty hours, three drivers, New Jersey and Virginia. tory events in various countries broadcast and social media. four adults, two sic-year-old And the Secret Service also provides protection for the president’s adult around the world, and it will Some 12mn people live in the twins,” Conway said as she sat in children on their business trips and vacations. start this week,” Maduro said. 70-mile-wide (113km-wide), a lawn chair facing the harbour. In all, 42 people in his administration have Secret Service protection, The constituent assembly 2,500-mile-long (4,000km “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime expe- including 18 members of his family. was elected on July 30 to rewrite long) zone where the total eclipse rience.” “The president has a large family, and our responsibility is required by the constitution, which Ma- was to appear, while hordes of A number of towns within the law,” Ailes told USA Today. “I can’t change that, I have no flexibility.” duro billed as the only solution others travelled to spots along total eclipse’s path set up view- Ailes, who is seeking more funding from Congress, told the newspaper to bring about peace after more the route. ing parties. that he is in negotiations with key lawmakers to raise caps on pay and than four months of deadly op- “It was incredible,” said Cher- At the Southern Illinois Uni- overtime from $160,000 a year to $187,000 for at least the remainder of position protests. yl Laroche, 57, who with her versity campus in Carbondale, US President Donald Trump watches the solar eclipse with First Trump’s term. The opposition boycotted the husband, Rob, joined other ob- Illinois, the 15,000-seat football Lady Melania from the Truman Balcony at the White House. election, calling it an aff ront to servers at Roshambo ArtFarm in stadium was sold out. democracy. Sheridan, Oregon. “It was liter- “I woke up at 4am so I’m ex- and Space Museum, which was who marked his ninth time see- nessee, were able to simply walk The heavens dim to a quasi- It wants an early presidential ally cold and dark. The light was cited,” said Madeline Rubin, distributing more than 20,000 ing “totality” yesterday. out their homes and look up. twilight and some stars and election, which it is sure Ma- blue.” 17, who drove two hours to the pairs of free viewing glasses. Zeiler estimated up to 7.4mn For those outside the shad- planets become visible. duro will lose as his popular- The eclipse fi rst reached to- stadium with others wearing T- Residents of the nation’s people travelled to the zone to ow’s path or trapped indoors, a The last glimmer of light gives ity falls along with an economy tality in Oregon at 10.15am PDT shirts that said “I totally blacked capital will see 81% of the sun observe the total eclipse, which Nasa-linked website, eclipse. way to a momentary sparkle blighted by triple-digit infl ation (1715 GMT) and began moving out”. obscured at the eclipse’s peak is taking place in the peak vaca- stream.live, and a compan- known as the “diamond ring” and acute shortages of food and eastward across the country. For millions of others outside around 2.24pm. tion month of August. ion mobile app provided a live eff ect just before the sun slips medicine. The phenomenon took its fi - the zone of totality, a partial Perhaps never before have so Many people trekked to re- stream fi lmed from the vantage completely behind the moon, A bloc of countries called the nal bow at 2.49pm EDT (1849 eclipse will appear throughout many people had the opportuni- mote national forests and parks point of 50 helium-fi lled bal- leaving only the aura of its outer Lima Group, including Peru, GMT) near Charleston, South North America, a spectacle that ty to see a total eclipse, said car- of Oregon, Idaho and Wyoming. loons at a height of 80,000’ atmosphere, or corona, visible. Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Co- Carolina, where eclipse gazers attracted its own crowds. tographer Michael Zeiler, who Those who live along the path, (24,384m). The corona marks the peak lombia and seven other nations gathered atop the harbour’s sea In Washington, DC, hun- maintains the www.greatameri- which cuts through a few popu- During a total eclipse, the phase of totality and the only in the hemisphere, late on Friday wall. dreds of people waited in long caneclipse.com website and is a lation centres like Kansas City, sun’s disappearing act is just stage of the eclipse safe to view joined the United States in criti- Nancy Conway, 57, an el- lines outside the National Air self-described “eclipse chaser” Missouri, and Nashville, Ten- part of the show. with the naked eye. cising the assembly for “usurp- ing” congress’s powers. Anti-government marches have stalled since the assembly was inaugurated on August 5. In its fi rst working session, the Brazilian army, police stage third raid on violent Rio favelas assembly fi red Venezuela’s chief prosecutor Luisa Ortega, who had accused Maduro of human AFP fi nancial diffi culty and the de- According to Globo news or- The military is often cited as right abuses. Rio de Janeiro moralised police are struggling ganisation, police were looking the national institution most Ortega fl ed to neighbouring to contain well-armed drugs for 14 people, all of them drug respected by Brazilians. Colombia last week. gangs based in the favelas. traffi cking suspects with street Memories of the 1964-1985 Colombian President Juan razil’s army went into Targets of yesterday’s raids names including “Bamba”, military dictatorship are fading Manuel Santos said yesterday action again yesterday included the notorious Com- “PH” and “Indio do Mandela”, and the armed forces is seen as that she was under the pro- Bto support police in raids plexo do Alemao – a dense or “Mandela’s Indian”. largely having kept out of the tection of his government and on some of Rio de Janeiro’s maze of warrens where police President Michel Temer’s corruption riddling Brazil’s would be granted asylum if she most violent favelas – but re- rarely venture – and Jacarez- decision in July to send in the government at every level. requested it. portedly not before a rogue inho, where seven people have military to Rio acknowledged However, despite that clean soldier managed to tip off the been shot dead just in the last that state police have lost the image, Globo reported that a drug gangs. 10 days. ability to cope with the often 19-year-old soldier had been Jerry Lewis dead In the third such operation The state security service bloody struggle against the arrested yesterday on suspi- in just over two weeks, ma- said in a statement that the drug traffi ckers. cion of having tipped off gangs Hollywood comedian Jerry rines, army soldiers, air force principal goal was to serve ar- Nearly 100 police offi cers several hours before the opera- Lewis, one of the most popular personnel, police and agents rest warrants. have died this year alone. tion took place. American entertainers of the from the elite federal intelli- “Teams from the armed Corruption has also ham- Globo quoted police saying 1950s and ’60s, died on Sunday gence service launched raids forces are responsible for pered police operations. that traffi ckers had been heard aged 91. at dawn in seven neighbour- guarding perimeters in some In June, arrest warrants were warning each other by radio “I can sadly confirm that today Soldiers stand guard during a pre-dawn crackdown on drug gangs at the hoods, the Rio state security of these regions and basing issued for 185 police offi cers during the night “to disperse”. the world lost one of the most Jacarezinho favela in Rio de Janeiro. In the third such operation in just offi ce said. themselves at strategic points after a lengthy probe accused In the fi rst half of this year significant human beings,” said over two weeks, marines, army soldiers, air force personnel, police and A year after the world ap- to guarantee order,” the state- them of collaborating closely Rio tallied 3,457 homicides – his publicist Nancy Kane. “Jerry agents from the elite federal intelligence service launched raids at dawn in plauded Rio’s successful stag- ment said. “Some roads are with drug gangs, even renting the highest level of violence died peacefully at home of natu- seven of Rio de Janeiro’s most violent favelas, the Rio state security off ice ing of the Olympics, Brazil’s closed and the airspace is re- out automatic weapons to the since 2009 and 15% more than ral causes surrounded by family said. second biggest city is in deep stricted for civil aviation.” gunmen. during the same period in 2016. and friends.” Gulf Times Tuesday, August 22, 2017 9 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

DRILL LEGAL WEATHER CYBER CRIME SECURITY Trial of Vietnamese human Taiwan braces for Hackers hit Malaysian sites Thailand to deploy 4,000 rights activist postponed Typhoon Hato over Indonesia flag gaff e police for Yingluck verdict

The trial of human rights activist Nguyen Van Oai, Taiwan is bracing for the arrival of Typhoon Hato, Indonesian hackers yesterday claimed responsi- More than 4,000 police will guard Thailand’s scheduled to begin yesterday in central Vietnam, expected to bring heavy rains to the southern bility for attacking more than 30 Malaysian web- Supreme Court on Friday when judges announce has been postponed, his lawyer said. “The court part of the island. Taiwan’s Central Weather sites following a gaff e that saw Indonesia’s flag a verdict in the case of ousted prime minister informed me about the postponement of the Bureau issued a land warning for Hato yesterday printed upside-down in a Southeast Asian Games Yingluck Shinawatra, accused of negligence over trial yesterday,” defence lawyer Ha Huy Son said. afternoon. A sea warning was issued late Sunday, commemorative magazine. Malaysia’s SEA Games a costly rice subsidy policy. Thailand’s first female It was unclear who requested the delay or when for what is reported to be the 13th storm in this organisers sparked outrage in Indonesia when prime minister, toppled by a military coup in 2014, the trial, set to take place in a court in Nghe An year’s Pacific typhoon season. According to the news of the misprint came to light at Saturday’s faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted and province, would begin. Oai, 36, has been charged bureau, the storm was packing sustained winds of opening ceremony in Kuala Lumpur. Indonesia’s a life ban from politics under the new military- with “resisting persons in the performance of their 65km per hour (kph), with gusts of up to 90kph. flag has a red stripe above a white stripe, but it drafted constitution. Thousands of supporters are off icial duties” and “failing to execute judgement,” The bureau predicts that the passage of Hato will was printed with the white stripe on top, making it expected to turn up outside the court in Bangkok after allegedly tearing a notice asking him to bring strong winds and torrential rain to eastern look like the flag of Poland. Malaysia’s foreign min- for the ruling in defiance of the junta’s calls for Emergency service members and volunteers take comply with the terms of a house arrest order. He and southern parts of the island of Taiwan. “On istry and event organisers apologised profusely people to stay at home. Some 3,000 protesters are part in a mock hostage situation during an faces up to three years in jail for each charge if Tuesday, residents in the south should stay alert for the blunder but it was not enough to quell a expected, deputy Bangkok police commissioner anti-terror drill in Goyang, South Korea, yesterday. convicted. to heavy rain,” forecaster Hsieh Ming-chang said. wave of complaints online. Major General Panurat Lakboon said. How a warship US warship collision could have exposes sea dispute collided with a tanker? Reuters Kuala Lumpur

AFP erned by a system that separates collision between a US Singapore shipping into two lanes. Initial warship and an oil tanker indications suggest the tanker, Anear the Straits of Malac- the Alnic MC, was following the ca yesterday has shone a light on he US destroyer John S rules but the USS John S McCain a territorial dispute that has sim- McCain collided with a may not have been in a proper mered between neighbours Sin- Ttanker early yesterday as position as it entered the water- gapore and Malaysia for nearly the warship prepared to make way, he said. 40 years. a routine port call in Singa- He said it might be a sign of The guided-missile destroyer pore, leaving a gaping hole in crew fatigue among the US Navy USS John S McCain collided with its hull and 10 sailors missing. in the Pacifi c and there could be merchant vessel Alnic MC to the It was the second recent ac- “a rethink on the kind of opera- east of Singapore, while head- cident involving an American tions that the US Navy will be ing to the city-state for a routine warship after a collision off Ja- conducting moving forward, port call. pan in June, raising questions especially the freedom of navi- Ten US sailors are missing and about the US Pacifi c fl eet and gation operations in the South fi ve were injured in the collision, whether it is taking on too much China Sea”. which resulted in signifi cant as it tackles multiple challenges. The McCain earlier this damage to the hull of the US ves- Here are some questions and month had carried out such a sel and the fl ooding of some of its answers about collision avoid- operation, which is designed to compartments. ance procedures and what may assert international navigation- Singapore and Malaysia both have caused the latest accident: al rights in the face of Chinese said the incident took place in claims to most of the Sea. their territorial waters, as the What is the procedure for warship and oil tanker collided ships passing? Aren’t there any safe- near the rocky outcrop of Pe- Commercial vessels use guards? dra Branca, an area that has long standard marine radar and must There are well-established been contested by both coun- also have an Automatic Iden- rules for vessels navigating tries. Both countries said they tifi cation System (AIS), which waterways around Singapore, were leading the search and res- connects to satellites for vessel such as a mandatory reporting cue operation for the missing tracking and displays the loca- system for vessels over a cer- sailors. Singapore was once part tion of other ships. However tain size, said Jayendu Krishna, of Malaysia but they separated The guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (right), with a hole on its portside after a collision with an oil tanker, is escorted by Singapore Navy navy vessels often fail to turn director of Drewry Maritime acrimoniously in 1965, clouding RSS Intrepid to Changi naval base in Singapore yesterday. on these AIS systems, which can Advisors. All ships are equipped diplomatic and economic deal- create problems for commer- with navigational safety equip- ings for years. of Johor. Malaysia’s navy chief, neighbour about the incident. Trump sends ‘thoughts and prayers’ to sailors cial shipping when their mili- ment, and naval ships are likely The International Court of Admiral Ahmad Kamarulzaman “What is important is, we do not tary counterparts use busy wa- to have even better and more Justice ruled in 2008 that Pe- Ahmad Badaruddin, told Reuters want to have another collision US President Donald Trump He had just landed at the White terways, according to Claudia high-tech systems, he added. dra Branca, which means “white the KD Handalan was the fi rst to between assets on the ground,” tweeted his “thoughts and House in Marine One, returning Norrgren, an associate director rock” in Portuguese, belonged to respond to the distress call from Zulkifi li said. “For the time be- prayers” to the sailors aboard a to Washington from a 17-day of VesselsValue which provides How often does this kind Singapore and a nearby feature the US ship. ing, we shouldn’t be arguing US destroyer that collided with “working vacation” at one of his data about shipping. of thing happen? called Middle Rocks belonged “KD Handalan was just three about whose waters it is, the a tanker near Singapore, leaving golf resorts. The guided-missile The growth of maritime traf- to Malaysia. Malaysia sought a miles from the USS McCain most important thing is to focus 10 missing and five injured. destroyer collided with the What might have hap- fi c in the busy trade routes review of the ruling this year, when it fi rst received the distress on search and rescue.” “Thoughts & prayers are w/ our merchant vessel Alnic MC east pened this time? around Singapore, particularly reopening the dispute. The Mar- call,” he said. The Malaysian navy assigned @USNavy sailors aboard the of Singapore and near the Strait Analysts say an investiga- the Strait of Malacca and adja- itime and Port Authority of Sin- Malaysia’s Maritime Enforce- four vessels and a Super Lynx #USSJohnSMcCain where search of Malacca in the early hours of tion must be carried out before cent Strait of Singapore, has in- gapore (MPA) said it was notifi ed ment Agency Director General helicopter for the search and res- & rescue eff orts are underway”, Monday local time, the US Navy fi rm conclusions can be drawn creased the risk of accidents and just before dawn of the collision Zulkifi li Abu Bakar told report- cue, while the Malaysian armed he said in a post which con- said a statement. “There are but some suggested that the US minor collisions are frequent, in “Singapore territorial waters” ers Malaysia disputed Singa- forces and maritime authorities tained a link to the US military’s currently 10 sailors missing and Navy ship may not have stuck to analysts say. There are currently in the Singapore Strait, and Sin- pore’s assertion that the acci- also deployed more assets. The announcement about the crash. five injured ... Search and rescue the rules for ships in the Strait of 268 cargo vessels in the Singa- gapore was leading the search dent happened in its waters. He Indonesian navy said it had de- Earlier Sunday night, Trump had eff orts are underway in coordina- Singapore. Ridzwan Rahmat, a pore Strait of the same type and and rescue operations. said the Malaysian search and ployed two warships. said “that’s too bad” in response tion with local authorities.” naval expert from Jane’s by IHS size of the Alnic MC, said Nor- Malaysia insisted that the in- rescue operation was independ- The US Navy said Singapore to reporters’ shouted questions The ship was sailing under its Markit, said the accident hap- rgren of VesselsValue. But such cident happened in its waters, ent of Singapore’s and Malaysia and US assets were involved in about the USS John S McCain. own power and heading to port. pened on the eastern approach a major collision is unusual, she just miles off its southern state had not communicated with its search and rescue. to the busy strait, in an area gov- added.

New Zealand opposition leader embroiled in second sexism row Jailed activists not political prisoners: Hong Kong leader New Zealand’s new opposition of misogyny. Some New Zealand leader Jacinda Ardern is at the women, led by a television pre- centre of a second sexism row senter, posted photos of them- Reuters of appeal due to their dissatisfac- not even a month after taking selves wielding tubes of lipgloss Hong Kong tion to the court’s sentence or to the reins of the Labour Party and accompanied by the hashtagged their diff erent opinions,” Lam almost single-handedly reigniting phrase ‘#lipstickona####’. said. its chances at a national election Morgan said in a statement on ong Kong leader Car- “What they damage is not just in September. A minority party his party’s website yesterday rie Lam said yesterday individual judges, but they also leader posted on Twitter that that his choice of words was not Hthree student activists aff ect Hong Kong’s judicial in- Ardern needs to prove she is not a personal attack and simply a jailed for their roles in 2014 pro- dependence, and the spirit of the “lipstick on a ####”, prompting euphemism for a “meaningless democracy protests were not rule of law that we greatly treas- another outcry following furore face-lift or makeover.” political prisoners and unreason- ure.” when the 37-year-old was asked Prime Minister Bill English, whose able criticism of the city’s judici- In Beijing, Chinese Foreign less than 24 hours after she took centre-right National Party has ary could damage the rule of law. Ministry spokeswoman Hua up the leadership role if she spent almost a decade in power, Joshua Wong, 20, Nathan Law, 24 Chunying, asked about foreign planned to have children. weighed in, describing Morgan’s and Alex Chow, 27, were jailed for criticism of the jailing of the ac- Gareth Morgan, a prominent New description of his opponent six to eight months last week for tivists, said they had “crossed the Zealand businessman who found- as “deliberately appalling” and unlawful assembly. They plan to line of the law”. Countries should ed the progressive Opportunities suggested politicians would now fi le appeals. not have double standards on the Party last year, drew ire on Sun- avoid working with Morgan. In the largest rally in Hong issue of respecting the law, she day after making the comments Ardern’s response was more Kong since the months-long said. during a Twitter conversation relaxed, telling reporters in Auck- “Umbrella Movement” street “We hope that all sides can re- bemoaning Ardern as an exam- land she was “not particularly protests demanding full de- spect the handling of the case in ple of the rise of politics driven by bothered by it.” mocracy three years ago, tens of Hong Kong student leader Joshua Wong in custody. accordance with the law by the popular personalities, which he With Labour facing a crushing thousands marched on Sunday to Hong Kong court and respect said distracted voters from policy. defeat at the September 23 condemn what many called po- broke the law would have to face it wide-ranging autonomy, in- ticularly concerned about the Hong Kong’s judicial independ- On the same day, Ardern off icially election, Ardern took over in the litically motivated jailings. the consequences. cluding an independent judici- decidedly political wording of ence,” she said. launched Labour’s campaign as hope she could breathe new life Hong Kong chief Executive In response to a Reuters re- ary and freedom of speech, for the judgment that gives rise to Lam, who was selected by a she rides a surge in the polls just into the party. Analysts saw it as Lam defended the decision of port that said Secretary of Justice at least 50 years. But many resi- doubts about judicial independ- 1,200-strong committee stacked three weeks after her appoint- a potential game-changer in a city prosecutors to appeal against Rimsky Yuen had overruled other dents fear increasing interference ence”. with Beijing loyalists in the city ment, drawing comparisons to contest that until now had been earlier non-jail sentences and legal offi cials when they advised by the mainland government is Britain’s Foreign and Com- of 7.3mn, took the helm on July 1, gamechanging international seen as a slam-dunk for the rul- she denounced accusations of it against pursuing prison terms for eroding freedoms. monwealth Offi ce said it hoped when Chinese President Xi Jin- leaders such as Canada’s Justin ing National Party. was politically motivated. “Some the three activists, Lam said she The jailing of the young activ- the sentences would not discour- gping witnessed her swearing in Trudeau and France’s Emmanuel Labour surged 13 points to 37% say the people involved are be- had no information about that. ists has attracted international age “legitimate protest”, while upon the 20th anniversary of the Macron. in a poll released last week, while ing politically persecuted or they But she said it was normal for attention. the European Union said it would city’s handover from British to But Ardern’s tenure has already the National Party dropped three are so-called political prisoners. offi cials to have diff erent opin- A spokeswoman for the US follow developments closely. Chinese rule. roused debate over sexism in points to 44%, setting the stage What they say is entirely incor- ions and some criticism of Yuen Consulate General Hong Kong Lam said any assertion that the She has vowed to heal social the Pacific nation, which was the for the nationalistic NZ First party rect,” Lam said. had been “very unfair”. and Macau, Kristin Haworth, court was politically biased was divisions, a quest critics say will first in the world to give women to play kingmaker. Morgan’s Op- She said the case was handled Hong Kong became a British expressed “concern” over the “irresponsible”. be diffi cult after a series of con- the right to vote in 1893 and has portunities Party held steady at according to the law, and while colony in the 19th century and government’s decision to seek “I express great regret over troversies, including govern- had two female prime ministers. 2%, well below the 5% threshold the government would do its returned to Chinese rule in 1997 tougher sentences. German Hu- how certain people unreasonably ment-led court cases that ended Many took to social media over needed to gain any seats in best to defend people’s freedom under a “one country, two sys- man Rights Commissioner Bär- attacked the courts, the entire ju- up expelling a total of six demo- the weekend to accuse Morgan Parliament. of demonstration, anyone who tems” formula which guarantees bel Kofl er said they were “par- diciary, or the judges of the court cratically elected city lawmakers. Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, August 22, 2017 AFRICA

Angola’s Dos Santos Nigeria president slams ends 38-year reign

AFP businesswoman under his rule Luanda — was forced to deny rumours he had died in Spain. Dos Santos’s long rule has ngola goes to the polls seen the end of Angola’s bloody divisions after absence tomorrow in a historic civil war that lasted from 1975 to Aelection marking the end 2002, and he has presided over AFP of President Jose Eduardo Dos a post-war investment boom as Abuja Santos’s 38-year reign, with his the country exploited its oil re- party set to retain power despite serves. the country’s economic crisis. But the fl ood of money igerian President Muhammadu The MPLA (People’s Move- brought little benefi t to Angola’s Buhari yesterday took to state TV ment for the Liberation of Ango- poor, and the crash in oil prices in Nin his fi rst speech since returning la), which has ruled the country 2014 triggered a full-scale eco- from a long medical absence in Britain, in since its 1975 independence from nomic crisis. a bid to dampen mounting separatist ten- Portugal, is expected to defeat The government failed to di- sions in the country. opposition parties that struggle versify away from oil and is now The 74-year-old, who received treat- under an authoritarian regime. battling to “keep the economy ment for an undisclosed condition in Dos Santos’s retirement — re- afl oat,” according to the EXX Af- London, appeared thinner than usual as portedly prompted by ill health rica analysis consultancy. he read slowly from a prepared statement — has triggered the biggest po- It described the all-important in which he also vowed to redouble the litical transition in decades for state oil company Sonangol, fi ght against Boko Haram militants. Angola, a leading oil-exporter in which is headed by Isabel Dos He did not mention his more than Africa. Santos, as “eff ectively bankrupt three-month absence or the illness that However, his chosen suc- since 2015.” caused him to seek treatment abroad. cessor, Defence Minister Joao Opposition parties, who have “I was distressed to notice that some of Lourenco, is a loyalist who is a low profi le due to restrictions the comments (in my absence), especially predicted to avoid immediate on their activities and lack of fi - in the social media, have crossed national change in a government often nance, have sought to tap into red lines by daring to question our collec- criticised for corruption and fail- public anger at the government. tive existence as a nation. This is a step ure to tackle dire poverty. “You who are suff ering, you too far,” he said. “Dos Santos brought for- who are in poverty, without elec- “The national consensus is that it is ward his departure to after these tricity, without jobs or nothing to better to live together than to live apart,” elections due to his deteriorat- eat — change is now,” Isaias Sa- said Buhari, who returned to Nigeria on ing health,” Alex Vines, of the makuva, candidate for the main Saturday after more than 100 days away Chatham House think-tank, told opposition UNITA party told from the west African nation of 190mn AFP. supporters on the campaign trail. people. “Lourenco is an ideal transi- Samakuva, 71, took over UNI- Nigeria is facing a number of breaka- tional successor to Dos Santos. TA after longtime rebel leader Jo- way movements, including the Indig- He is respected by the military nas Savimbi was killed in 2002, a enous People of Biafra led by fi erce Bu- and has not lived a fl amboyant death that marked the beginning hari critic Nnamdi Kanu in the country’s lifestyle of many others.” of the end of a 27-year civil war. southeast, which is dominated by the Vines said Lourenco was likely Lourenco, 63, like the cur- Igbo ethnic group. to “tread carefully” on radical rent president, has proved a dour The group has become increasingly Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari writes a note to the National Assembly, notifying the legislature of his return to off ice, after reform but seek to boost foreign presence during the campaign. vocal in its bid to win independence in returning to Abuja from a medical vacation. investment in the oil industry on He has focused in his speech- recent weeks, with Kanu appearing in which the country relies. es on vowing to “fi ght against images meeting a private army of young situation has deteriorated since the be- Buhari, who said he was “pleased to When Buhari returned in March there At a weekend rally in front of corruption,” “create jobs” and men. ginning of the year: Boko Haram is wors- be back on home soil”, also called for re- was confusion about who was in charge thousands of MPLA party sup- “make Angola better”. Arewa, a radical youth group in the ening, kidnappings are increasing,” he newed eff orts to transform the country’s in the days after he landed in the country. porters, Dos Santos, a frail-look- Dissent has often been dan- country’s north, has issued an October 1 added. sclerotic economy, which is in the grip Since August 7, there had been a series ing 74, made a brief appearance to gerous under Dos Santos, a se- deadline for all Igbo people to leave the “We really hope that all the security of its worst recession for more than two of protests in Abuja demanding that Bu- endorse the likely new president. cretive but inescapable presence region. agencies...will not be overzealous (after decades. hari return or quit if he was unable to go “We have no doubt about the in Angolan life for decades. Boko Haram militants, meanwhile, the speech) just to impress their master.” Buhari, a retired general who headed on. victory of the MPLA, and our Political activist Luaty Bei- have been fi ghting a bloody insurgency in But Bismarck Rewane of the Lagos- a military regime in the 1980s, has been The rallies turned violent last week candidate will be the future presi- rao was jailed in 2016 for several the country’s northeast since 2009. based Financial Derivatives Company dogged by speculation about his health when mainly ethnic Hausa traders pelted dent, which is why I ask you: Au- months along with 16 others for Buhari vowed renewed energy for the said Buhari’s return was good news for since June last year, when he fi rst went to protesters with stones, prompting them gust 23, vote MPLA...and Joao “acts of rebellion” for attending fi ght against “terrorists and criminals”, the security situation and the economy. London for treatment. to abandon their daily vigils. Lourenco,” he said in a weak voice. a book club discussing a work singling out Boko Haram, kidnappers and “His return will strengthen security, He then spent nearly two months in Robert Besseling, an analyst at the Dos Santos has been dogged by about non-violent resistance to those responsible for ethnic violence. and if that is resolved, investors will start London in January and February, saying consulting fi rm EXX Africa, said that Bu- reports of illness and his regular repressive regimes. Don Okereke, a security analyst, ac- coming back. There’s been no investment upon his return in early March that he had hari’s return had fi red the starting pistol visits to Spain for “private” rea- Human Rights Watch says se- cused Buhari of lacking a concrete plan. lately because of political insecurity,” he “never been so ill”. on the 2019 election campaign. sons fuelled criticism that his curity forces “frequently crack “After more than 100 days we were ex- said. In an offi cial letter to parliament yes- “In the immediate future, President health status was being hidden down on pro-democracy and pecting more details on how he’s intend- The president left for London on May terday relieving Vice President Yemi Osi- Buhari’s return will put to rest rumours from ordinary Angolans. human rights activists,” peace- ing to lead the country. I am not alone to 7, and his prolonged absence fuelled ten- nbajo of his duties as acting head of state, that he will not run for re-election in Earlier this year, his daugh- ful anti-government protests are say that it isn’t inspiring,” he told AFP. sions back home, where calls grew for Buhari described his trip as a “medical 2019,” he said in a note issued ahead of ter Isabel — who has become a met with excessive force and the “There is no doubt that the security him to either return or resign. follow-up”. yesterday’s speech. billionaire and Africa’s richest state-run media is highly biased. Gulf Times Tuesday, August 22, 2017 11 BRITAIN UK wants to stop leaks of sensitive Bell tolls for Big Ben info after Brexit

Demand for continued protection on departure highlights growing mistrust as long silence starts between London and Brussels By Robin Millard, AFP The bells are being stopped due the European Union. London to fears that prolonged exposure “It’s absolutely essential that By Dan Roberts to the 118-decibel bongs from the the bell rings to celebrate the re- Guardian News & Media 13.7-tonne Big Ben could damage turn of power to Westminster,” ondon landmark Big Ben the hearing of renovation work- he added. fell silent yesterday in front ers. The 96m (315’) tower is the he UK has called on the Davis: expected to suggest an Lof a reverential crowd amid But the decision has silenced most photographed building in European Union to pre- alternative to the European an outcry over the temporary loss an emblem of continuity as Brit- Britain. Tvent sensitive govern- Court of Justice. of a cherished symbol of stability ain grapples with Brexit negotia- The renovation is estimated to ment information leaking out at a time of national uncertainty. tions. cost £29mn ($37mn, €32mn). after Brexit, in a tit-for-tat ‘”The UK considers that ar- At midday, 12 bongs from the Politicians have claimed that Steve Jaggs, the Keeper of the proposal that underlines the rangements agreed with re- famous bell rang out in front of when they agreed to the work, Great Clock at parliament, said increasing distrust between spect to confi dentiality and around 1,000 local residents, they did not know the chimes the conservation work was es- London and Brussels. the handling of information tourists and MPs who came out would be silenced for four years. sential. In the latest in a series of produced while it was a mem- to mark Big Ben’s longest silence Prime Minister Theresa May “We are talking about an inter- position papers outlining the ber state should be reciprocal,” – four years – in its 157-year his- is among those unhappy at the national symbol of democracy,” two sides’ legal obligations it said. tory for extensive repair work. shutdown and the House of he said. “We have to preserve this upon separation, British offi - “Individuals (of any nation- The atmosphere was sombre Commons has now said it will for future generations to enjoy.” cials have demanded that any ality) who are bound … prior as the hour chimes heralded the reconsider how long the bells will Tom Brake MP, spokesman information marked classifi ed to the UK’s withdrawal, should fi nal bongs. stay silent. for the Commons commission before Britain leaves the EU continue, after the UK’s with- The 12th and fi nal bong was MP Stephen Pound led some responsible for maintaining the should continue to enjoy simi- drawal, to respect their obliga- followed by sustained applause 300 people who came out of Houses of Parliament, said the lar protection after Brexit. tions in respect of information and cheering. parliament to mourn the midday works were probably the most Such protection might cover obtained through this work,” “I can see it from where I live. chimes. substantial ever carried out on sensitive economic data shared said the paper, which is the I do live my life by it,” said Den- “It was like it was saying good- the tower. during previous EU trade dis- second in a fl urry of policy ise Wiand, one of the specta- bye to us,” he said. “It was melan- “This is a world heritage build- cussions, which could prove statements expected this week. tors, who lives across the River choly in the key of E” – the note ing that has to be maintained to more sensitive now Britain is DExEU also made further Thames. “I’m 72 and I’m worried which Big Ben makes. “The world certain standards,” he said. seeking to strike rival bilateral demands in response to Barni- it might be the last time I actually is a dreadful dangerous, worry- A YouGov poll published on deals. er’s proposal on the rules gov- hear them!” ing, scary place at the moment. Saturday found that 41% of Brit- The new UK paper on con- erning commerce during the Thomas Moser, a 54-year- “The sound of this bell repre- ons believe Big Ben should con- fi dentiality and access to separation period. old German tourist, said: “The sents stability, solidity and con- tinue operating as normal, while documents mirrors a similar The EU had called for “goods crowd were really listening. We tinuity. 44% agreed that it should be si- document produced by the EU on the market” to be subject to are here, we want to hear every “These are the chimes of free- lenced during the renovations. negotiator, Michel Barnier, in existing consumer protection, single sound.” dom and they’ve got to be re- Some tourists sat on pic- June and, in itself, is unlikely to but the UK has suggested that The bongs are a venerated spected. nic blankets to witness the fi - be as contentious as the many lucrative service sector con- marker of British life, used at We’ve got to keep them bong- nal bongs, while others fi lmed areas of policy divergence. tracts enjoy the same protec- the start of radio and television ing.” them on their phones or stood However, it follows tensions tion. newscasts, and a focus for na- Under current plans, the bell in silence by the statue of World over confi dentiality in Brus- The UK is seeking to demon- tional occasions and the mid- would still ring on Remembrance War II prime minister Winston People photograph Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) in Parliament Square at sels, where some British na- strate that the EU has more to night countdown to New Year’s Sunday in November, which Churchill. the Houses of Parliament in London ahead of the final chimes of the tionals working for the Euro- lose by not agreeing compre- Day. commemorates Britain’s war The bells of Westminster Ab- famous bell before renovation works begin. Big Ben fell silent pean commission complain of hensive free trade agreements, The sound is also familiar be- dead, and New Year’s Eve. bey pealed afterwards to say fare- yesterday for four years of renovation work, with its final 12 bongs being frozen out of work where and that talks must run in par- yond Britain, as it is broadcast on “It was rather like a minute’s well to their neighbour. ringing for midday in front of a crowd of more than a thousand their loyalty to the EU is sus- allel with separation discus- the BBC World Service. silence,” Peter Bone MP said after “It’s sad to us because that is people. pected as potentially compro- sions. The bell is housed in the Eliza- Monday’s farewell. our history. That belongs to this mised by Brexit. “These papers will help give beth Tower, which looms over the He is among the MPs demand- great city,” said George Major, 80, class London, pearly kings wear “Why do they keep knock- The proposed reciprocal na- businesses and consumers cer- Houses of Parliament and is one ing that the clock swings back in the Pearly King of Peckham in suits covered in pearl buttons ing London and taking our his- ture of the deal to extend con- tainty and confi dence in the of Britain’s most popular tourist action on the eve of March 29, south London. and represent their area of the tory away? It’s not right,” he re- fi dentiality has also attracted UK’s status as an economic attractions. 2019, when Britain is due to leave Icons of traditional working capital. marked. criticism from transparency powerhouse after we have left campaigners in Britain, who the EU,” said the Brexit secre- say it may give the government tary, David Davis. “They also more excuses to hide embar- show that as we enter the third rassing information from the round of negotiations, it is public. clear that our separation from Serious farm pollution breaches rise in the UK David Lowry, an expert on the EU and future relationship the nuclear industry, claimed are inextricably linked.” the “current regime of sharing Last week the UK issued pa- Environment Agency figures ture Development Board (AHDB) documents confi dentially with pers on customs and North- show severe incidents are fi gures show. the European commission cov- ern Ireland, having previously weekly occurrence as farms Last year it said nearly one in ers up government duplicity”. been criticised for dragging its struggle with cost of pollution 10 dairy farmers in England and “[This] denies citizens the heels during early negotiation prevention despite subsidies Wales stopped producing milk as opportunity to assess the in- rounds. some were still being paid 10p a tegrity of documents provided Three more papers are ex- By Andrew Wasley, Fiona litre less than the cost of produc- in secret to the commission pected this week, including Harvey and Madlen Davies tion. that directly impacts on public one on the vital issue of how Guardian News & Media Milk is still often cheaper than policy and spending of taxpay- future dealings between the UK bottled water. ers’ money,” he said. “The gov- and EU can be subject to court Yet the cost of farming in an ernment wants to maintain this oversight. erious pollution incidents environmentally responsible exclusion of British citizens Barnier has called for an in the UK from farms are fashion remains high. from what they are doing.” ongoing role for the European Snow a weekly occurrence, Removing slurry that is not The Department for Exiting Court of justice, but Davis is leading to damage to wildlife, needed costs about £12.50 a the European Union (DExEU) expected to suggest an alterna- fi sh, farm livestock and air and tonne for a contractor to put it argues that it is important that tive modelled on a similar arbi- water pollution. into bags, which cost £600 each. both sides have equal trust in tration court used by members The Environment Agency in A new slurry store for 100 cows the ongoing security of shared of the European Free Trade As- England and its devolved coun- could cost between £7,500 and information. sociation. terparts in Wales and Scotland more than £100,000. recorded 536 of the most severe An eff icient slurry pit in North Yorkshire. Many pollution breaches are the result of under-investment in Nicola Dunn, water quality incidents between 2010 and slurry stores and leaks into waterways. adviser for the National Farmers 2016, the worst instances among Union, said that falling profi ts more than 5,300 cases of agricul- prison for six months. discharges, and two remediation obtained as part of the investiga- might explain why some farmers tural pollution in the period. „ Farmers hampering inspec- orders imposed. tion shows that more than 1,000 have not invested in improve- Man seriously hurt in An investigation by the Bureau tion by exhibiting hostile behav- The largest fi ne was £45,000, instances of non-compliance ments which would prevent pol- of Investigative Journalism and iour towards government offi - and the smallest £300. with regulations at large inten- lution. the Guardian, uncovering the cials. This is noted in agency logs Only 23 of the fi nes were of sive farms were identifi ed in each “Farms with insecure futures London acid attack unpublished fi gures, also reveals and deters future inspections. £10,000 or above, though mag- of the last three years: 1,201 in cannot justify such expenditure,” that even serious pollution inci- „ Farm businesses continuing istrates are empowered to levy 2014, 1,330 in 2015 and 1,265 in she said. dents may not be prosecuted, and to receive taxpayer subsidies de- £50,000. 2016. While most farmers comply By Mattha Busby The man was taken to an east farms that have caused pollution spite being found responsible for Of the total, 68 cases related to Large intensive farms, many with the law, and most are open Guardian News & Media London hospital after fi rst aid continue to receive subsidies. pollution. water, 45 to waste, 19 to permits of which fi t the US defi nition of a to inspections, the logs from the was administered. There is no offi cial estimate of „ Some of the serious inci- for “integrated pollution preven- megafarm, which is not offi cially Welsh environment agency ob- No arrests have been made the cost of the damage caused, dents have been linked to mega- tion and control”, and two were in used in the UK, are on the rise. tained as part of the investigation n 18-year-old male has and enquiries continue. or the cost of clean-ups, but farms, which can house hun- regard to the monitoring of emis- The Environment Agency show there are farms marked as sustained possibly life- The acid attack follows a many farmers appear to be strug- dreds of thousands of chickens sions. said: “Agriculture uses 70% of “hostile” which are too risky for Achanging injuries in an spate of similar incidents in- gling with the price of prevent- or thousands of pigs and which Dairy farms account for the the land in England and farmers inspectors to visit unless there acid attack in east London. volving gangs in east London. ing pollution, a situation that are on the rise in the UK. The great majority of the recorded in- have a major impact on the en- are two of them. Police were called to Langth- A similar attack was perpe- may deteriorate as farm incomes number of breaches at large in- stances of agricultural pollution: vironment. Most farmers act re- On one occasion when a minor orn Road in Leyton, near trated in Stratford on Sunday are threatened by the turmoil of tensive farms has risen in the last of the 3,700 recorded in England sponsibly and we work with the incident of slurry draining on to Downsell primary school, when a man had acid thrown in Brexit. three years. and Wales from 2010 to 2016, just industry to respond to incidents, a road was reported, offi cers did shortly before 10pm on Sun- his face after he refused to buy In many cases the breaches are „ Polluting farms have sup- over 2,000 involved dairy farms, tackle the root causes of pollu- not attend at all as the farm was day after witnesses raised the cannabis from two men. likely to be the result of underin- plied produce to large supermar- while 664 were linked to poultry tion and promote good practice. fl agged up as hostile. alarm. He suff ered serious burn in- vestment in equipment such as kets. farms and 444 to pig farms. “But where farmers are re- “No attendance due to uncer- The man was cycling when juries and permanent scarring. slurry stores. Data obtained by freedom of Pollution incidents in the two sponsible for serious pollution tainty regarding the farmer,” the he was reportedly approached No arrests have been made; There is also evidence that information requests shows that most serious categories, which incidents, we will not hesitate to inspector said. by a moped gang. police released an e-fi t of the some farmers may be ignoring in total more than 3,000 cases are deemed to have had a major take enforcement action, includ- In another entry, a farmer re- He suff ered serious facial suspect. pollution risks and regard the of agricultural pollution were or signifi cant impact on the en- ing prosecution. Agriculture is fused to be interviewed by of- injuries when he was sprayed The rise in acid attacks has fi nes incurred if caught as a cost recorded by the Environment vironment, were also more fre- the single biggest source of seri- fi cers and complained they were with a corrosive substance. led to calls for restrictions of doing business. Agency between 2010 and 2016. quent on dairy farms, which ac- ous pollution incidents and all harassing him. “We heard a man shouting on the sale of sulphuric acid, The investigation found: Magistrates can force farmers counted for 351 of the total of 424 farmers have a duty to prevent it.” In another case inspectors indistinguishably and it went which is easily available over „ The pollution of waterways to pay up to £50,000 or sentence from 2010 to 2016, with 38 on pig However, many farmers are warned the farmer “has got a very on for about fi fteen minutes. the counter and is not illegal to and land by slurry, the inappro- them to six months’ imprison- and 35 on poultry farms. struggling to comply with regu- quick temper and can change Then I realised the man was carry. priate burial of carcasses, and the ment for a serious off ence. The highest number of the lations because of the fi nancial from being calm and amenable wailing as if he was in great The Acid Survivors Trust emission of noxious fumes. However, most cases never most serious incidents, at 125 re- pressures they are under. to quite fi ery in a short space of pain,” said Yana Bey, an Indian has called for potentially lethal „ The majority of cases involve reach court. ported events, were on farms in These are likely to worsen un- time. He has instructed offi cers journalist staying at a friend’s substances to be reclassifi ed so dairy farms, chiefl y for leaks and The Environment Agency is the southwest, followed by the der Brexit, with little indication to get off the farm at least twice”. near where the attack took that a licence would be needed spills of slurry that can kill fi sh known to have brought 134 pros- Midlands, which had 55. on what subsidies will operate One inspector wrote: “Where place. to buy them. and pollute land. ecutions in total in England relat- The Scottish Environment after 2022 and the unknown ef- we have ongoing non-compli- “My friend who went down There were 455 crimes in „ The biggest number of seri- ing to agriculture in the six years Protection Agency was not able fects of future trade deals. ance and penalties imposed are and saw him said they wrapped London last year where a cor- ous incidents (125) were recorded between 2010 and 2016, though to provide a breakdown of inci- Farmers, particularly in dairy, seen as a running cost, the tra- him in an emergency blanket rosive substance was used or in the southwest, followed by the the real fi gure could be higher as dents by farm type. are already hard pressed by ris- ditional enforcement solutions and put him in the ambulance. threatened to be used. Midlands (55). the agency does not publish full Intensive farms are also a par- ing input prices and the squeeze have to be challenged [...] It “One of the neighbours said The majority – 60% of cases „ The number of prosecutions details of every prosecution. ticular cause of concern. from supermarkets. seems that there are three farms he heard the man shouting – were assaults, and a quar- lags well behind the number of Of the cases brought, the vast In the Environment Agency The average price of milk in in Carmarthenshire where the ‘I can’t see, I can’t see’. They ter involved acid or another serious incidents, despite legal majority – 128 over the period – data for England, the farms are England, Wales and Scotland enforcement history could meet threw the acid on him and stole chemical being used in street provisions for magistrates to fi ne resulted in guilty verdicts, with not identifi ed by size. has fallen by 14% in the past fi ve the defi nition of criminal life- his bike.” robbery. farmers £50,000 or send them to 119 fi nes levied, three conditional However, internal agency data years, Agriculture and Horticul- style.” Gulf Times 12 Tuesday, August 22, 2017 EUROPE

Brigitte Macron to Spanish police work on charities as kill Barcelona unoffi cial fi rst lady

AFP attack suspect Paris rigitte Macron, the wife Reuters fi rst cousins of Moroccan-born of French President Em- Barcelona Abouyaaqoub. Bmanuel Macron, will rep- “The suspect wore what ap- resent the country and carry out peared to be an explosive belt. charity work but not have the panish police have killed He has been shot down,” police offi cial status of First Lady, fol- a man they suspect was said in an offi cial tweet. lowing opposition to giving her Sthe religious militant who Local media said the man was such a title, the presidency an- drove a van into a Barcelona spotted by a woman in the early nounced yesterday. crowd last week, killing 13 peo- afternoon and then fl ed through A proposal by Macron during ple. vineyards but police managed campaigning earlier this year to Ending a fi ve-day manhunt, to fi nd and shoot him on a road create a new First Lady status police tracked 22-year-old near a sewage treatment plant. has been shelved, but the presi- Younes Abouyaaqoub yesterday The scene unfolded about dency had promised to clarify to a rural area not far from Bar- 40km (25 miles) from the spot, Police off icers gather at the site where Abouyaaqoub was shot, near her position and the resources at celona. close to the FC Barcelona soc- Sant Sadurni d’Anoia, south of Barcelona, four days after the her disposal. They said they shot him after cer stadium on the outskirts Barcelona and Cambrils attacks that killed 15 people. The former school teacher will he held up what appeared to be of the city, where police said Left: Members of the Muslim community demonstrate against have two presidential advisers an explosives belt. Abouyaaqoub had abandoned a terrorism at Barcelona’s Placa de Catalunya. and her own cabinet, paid for Police gave few immediate car he had commandeered dur- from Macron’s budget, and will details of the incident in Subi- ing his escape. ters, including an imam thought prompted the other militants to focus on working with chari- rats, saying that they had called Police said Abouyaaqoub fi rst attacks: three Moroccans and a passersby and its occupants got by police to have helped radical- adopt a new, less elaborate plan. ties helping children and handi- in a bomb squad to approach the fl ed Las Ramblas on foot amid citizen of Spain’s North African out and tried to stab people. ise his young conspirators, were Abouyaaqoub began showing capped people. man’s body after gunning him the chaos of the attack, then enclave of Melilla. Five suspects were shot dead killed late on Wednesday night, more religiously conservative Brigitte Macron will also rep- down. hijacked the car, stabbing the They are currently being tak- by police, while a Spanish wom- hours before the attacks began, behaviour within the past year, resent France at her husband’s Abouyaaqoub had been on driver, 34-year-old Pau Perez, to en to the high court in Madrid, an died in the attack. in what is believed to have been according to family members in side during international sum- the run since Thursday evening, death before crashing through a which has jurisdiction over ter- In the roughly seven hours of an accidental explosion. his native Morocco. mits and meetings and work after he drove at high speed police checkpoint. rorism matters. violence that followed the van’s Police said that there was He refused to shake hands with the partners of other glo- into throngs of people strolling Abouyaaqoub had been the Abouyaaqoub lived in Ripoll, a entry into the pedestrian boul- solid evidence to believe that with women during a visit to his bal leaders to highlight work to along Barcelona’s most famous only one of 12 accomplices still town north of Barcelona close to evard of Las Ramblas on Thurs- the imam, Abdelbaki Es Satty, birthplace in March, they said. combat climate change or do- avenue, Las Ramblas, in Spain’s at large. French border. day afternoon, attackers killed was killed in the blast at a house Abouyaaqoub’s brother El mestic violence. worst militant attack in over a His mother, Hannou Ghanimi, Islamic State also claimed re- 15 people: 13 on Las Ramblas, the in the town of Alcanar, south of Houssaine and fi rst cousins Mo- An online petition against cre- decade. had appealed for him to surren- sponsibility for a separate deadly Cambrils victim, and the man in Barcelona. hamed and Omar Hychami were ating an offi cial First Lady role The Islamic State (IS) group der, saying that she would rather assault which erupted hours af- the hijacked car. About 120 butane gas cylin- among those killed by police in – which would have required a claimed responsibility and see him in prison than end up ter the van attack in the coastal Of the 120 injured on Las ders were found there. Cambrils. change in the law or constitution police believe the attack was dead. resort town of Cambrils, south Ramblas, nine remain in a criti- Police believe the pair was They were all originally from – garnered more than 300,000 planned by a dozen accomplic- Four people have been arrest- of Barcelona. cal condition in hospital. preparing a much larger attack the small Moroccan town of Mr- signatures in August. es, including a brother and two ed so far in connection with the In Cambrils, a car crashed into Another two suspected plot- with explosives, but the blast irt. An opinion poll in early Au- gust showed a majority of French people were also opposed, even though Brigitte Macron is a pop- ular fi gure. The 64-year-old, who has One dead after man drives taken to public life with aplomb, said in an interview with Elle magazine last week that she would be an unoffi cial First Lady van into people at bus stops in the mould of previous presi- dential spouses. “Like all of those before me, I AFP was mentally unstable. cluding London, Berlin and will take on my public role, but Marseille “He was found with a letter Stockholm, have been targeted the French people will know the from a psychiatric clinic and we in a wave of attacks by religious resources at my disposal,” she are leaning towards treating it as radicals using vehicles as killing said. ne person was killed and a mental health case,” Tarabeux machines. She accompanied the presi- another seriously injured told AFP. Many have been claimed by dent to a G7 summit in Italy and Oin the southern French The man fi rst drove at speed at the Islamic State (IS) group. was also by his side when he city of Marseille yesterday after a bus stop in the city’s northern Terrorism experts have welcomed US President Donald a convicted criminal with psy- 13th district around 9am (0700 warned that the intense media Trump to Paris in July. chiatric problems drove a van GMT), hitting a woman who was coverage of the violence could Macron’s offi ce had promised into people waiting at two bus rushed to hospital with serious spur copycat attacks by people a “transparency charter” which stops, police said. pelvis injuries. with mental health problems would make clear how much her The incident comes with Eu- The driver of the stolen van and a propensity for violence. role would cost. rope on high alert following last then continued to the eastern Marseille’s mayor Jean- Yesterday’s statement con- week’s car ramming attacks in 11th district, where he slammed Claude Gaudin said the driver of fi rmed that she would not be northeastern Spain. into another bus stop, killing a the van, who is in his mid-30s, paid but did not reveal the overall However, Marseille’s pros- 42-year-old woman. had been in and out of psychiat- bill or the number of staff at her ecutor Xavier Tarabeux said that The police caught up with him ric clinics. disposal. there was no evidence of a terror shortly afterwards in the city’s The suspect was undergoing “In legal terms, the fi rst lady connection and that the driver Old Port district, where he was psychiatric tests yesterday. still does not have any status,” A white sheet is erected around the body of a victim as it is moved into a waiting ambulance while a – who had several convictions arrested. He had yet to be questioned by Jean-Joel Governatori, a consti- French forensic police off icer searches the site in the southern Mediterranean city of Marseille. for off ences including robbery – Several European cities, in- investigators about his motives. tutional lawyer, told AFP. “In the end, it doesn’t change anything, other than giving the illusion of Boy finds anti-tank grenade transparency.” President Macron has made a Austrian police reminded the public to be careful mixed start to his fi ve-year term, yesterday after a 12-year-old boy brought to his local Refugees in Rome protest against eviction which has seen his approval rat- police station a suspected World War II anti-tank grenade ings topple to the mid-30 per- that he found in a bin. cent range after 100 days in of- The boy came across the grenade in the communal bin Reuters fi ce, according to recent opinion of his block of flats in Knittelfeld in southern Austria on Rome polls. Sunday evening. In her interview with Elle, It was neutralised by police explosives experts. Brigitte Macron also spoke about “Even rusty war relics and weapons can still be ozens of refugees protested her marriage with Macron, who dangerous,” a police statement said. their eviction yesterday is 25 years younger than her Dfrom a central Rome of- and was a former student in her fi ce building where they had been drama classes at a Catholic high squatting for years in the latest school in the northern city of example of tension as authorities Amiens. deal with an infl ux of migrants. “When I read about us, I al- Some 800 people lived in the ways have the impression I’m six-storey building a block from reading someone else’s story,” the capital’s main train station for she said. “Our story is so sim- fi ve years until they were booted ple.” out by police early on Saturday. Despite the diffi culties their They have since camped outside relationship caused – the moth- hoping the city will fi nd them a er-of-three divorced her fi rst new home. husband in 2006 – she said she More than 600,000 boat mi- A child is seen on a balcony after being forcibly removed from a building where they had been living, in Rome. had no regrets. grants have arrived in Italy from “If I hadn’t made this choice, North Africa since 2014. A banner outside read: “We are Only those in the process of Saturday night, police allowed I would have missed out on my Since the European Union refugees, not terrorists.” seeking asylum are given food and women and children onto the fi rst life,” she said. struck a deal with Turkey last year “The other day police arrived lodging, forcing hundreds of mi- fl oor. to curb the Balkan route, Italy has by helicopter, the stairs and in the grants to sleep outside near the Ti- Yesterday a half dozen young again become the main route for road and they forcefully chucked burtina train station because they children shouted out the win- migrants headed to Europe. us all out and took us to the police have no money to pay rent and dow to police below: “We want a Some 200,000 asylum-seekers station,” said Simon Tesfamichael, there is nowhere for them to go. home!” now stay in state-run shelters. a 40-year-old Eritrean with a Now several hundred more peo- A delegation of the evicted refu- With no place to go after Satur- prosthetic leg. ple, including some 150 women gees met city offi cials yesterday. day’s evictions, hundreds slept on Tesfamichael was evicted with and children and many disabled In a statement, the city govern- the ground in the square in front of his wife and two children. people, have no place to go, said ment said that it would “give ab- the building with their belongings After checking their paper work, Sonia Manzi, a Rome resident and solute priority” to trying to help packed in trash bags and suitcases. police released them and they re- a volunteer who hands out meals out families, the elderly and the Yesterday police accompanied turned to the square in front of the to migrants sleeping at the Tibur- disabled. some of the former inhabitants building tina station. The statement made no promise – most of whom are Eritrean and “We have political asylum, we “The city has no place to send about lodging but said the city will have been granted asylum – to are refugees,” he said. them,” Manzi said as she stood seek to count all those who lived in This file photo taken on May 14 collect things left behind, includ- Rome has no state-run shelters alongside the protesters. the building and to keep in contact shows the Macrons at the Elysee ing TVs and clothes. for refugees. After hundreds slept outside with them. presidential palace in Paris. Gulf Times Tuesday, August 22, 2017 13 INDIA Army offi cer gets bail in blast case after nine years in jail

IANS required to be tested at the time as a liaison unit offi cer when he rules, under suspension, he will the fi nal verdict in the case, the ever, said he was there to spy on hit was an intelligence offi cer New Delhi of trial and this court cannot was arrested. be treated as “under open arrest”, sources said. the group members and had kept with the army and had denied pick or choose one version over The sources said he contin- wherein usually a soldier is sup- During suspension, a sol- his seniors in the loop on all de- the claim of conspiracy on the the other.” ues to be under suspension, but posed to wear only his uniform. dier gets 25% of his salary. velopments. ground that he was apprising his he Supreme Court yes- The Malegaon bomb blast case since he has now been ordered to Purohit, under suspension, can However, Purohit had ap- According to the sources, the superior offi cers of the intelli- terday granted bail to was initially investigated by the be released on bail, he has wear civilian clothes as well. proached the Armed Force report of a Court of Inquiry con- gence inputs and the alleged role Tsuspended Lt Col Prasad Anti-Terrorism Squad, Mumbai, to be attached to an army His stay in his army unit Tribunal, which had ordered stituted by the army in the case of ATS offi cials in the planting of Shrikant Purohit, the main ac- before it was handed over to the unit. The order for his will come along with re- that he should be given 75% of supported his claim. RDX at the residence of another cused in the 2008 Malegaon National Investigation Agency posting will come after strictions like limited area his salary. The Defence Ministry, after accused. blast, after he had spent nine (NIA). his bail orders reach the of movement, not leave the Purohit was accused of pro- orders from the then defence Purohit had told the court that years in prison. Purohit will be attached to an Army Headquarters. station without permission viding RDX for the bomb that minister Manohar Parrikar, had charges had not been framed Granting bail, a bench of Jus- army unit but remain under sus- He is likely to report and reporting daily. killed seven people in Mahar- provided documents related to against him while those under tices R K Agrawal and Abhay pension from service for now, back to the unit from He would also not be al- ashtra’s Muslim-majority town him for investigation. the MCOCA (Maharashtra Con- Manohar Sapre said: “In our sources said. where he was arrested. lowed to attend any public of Malegaon on September 29, In its judgment, the court trol of Organised Crime Act) had considered opinion, there are He was suspended on January His suspension would event or gathering. 2008. referred to “variations” in the been dropped. material contradictions in the 20, 2009, after his arrest. He was be reviewed later, Purohit’s return He was accused of being part charge-sheets fi led by the ATS He told the court that he had charge-sheets fi led by the ATS posted at the Deolali Canton- the sources said. to active duty of the Hindu rightwing group and the NIA. been in jail for nine years and was Mumbai and the NIA which are ment of the army in Maharashtra According to will depend on Abhinav Bharat. Purohit, how- The court noted that Puro- entitled to bail. McDonald’s to shut down 169 outlets in India’s north and east

Agencies India news agency that CPRL New Delhi was considering what legal re- course was available. “This is a completely con- cDonald’s said yes- temptuous, malafi de and yet terday it is shutting another oppressive act in- M169 restaurants in In- dulged in by the McDonald’s,” dia after a legal row with a local Bakshi was quoted as saying. franchise operator. Bakshi has been locked in a The fast food chain’s Indian legal battle with McDonald’s subsidiary said it was termi- global management since he nating its agreement with was ousted as the managing Connaught Plaza Restaurant director of the joint venture in Ltd (CPRL), alleging breach 2013. of contract and payment de- Last month an Indian tri- faults. bunal restored Bakshi as the The move means all Mc- managing director and ordered Donald’s outlets in north and the American food chain to pay east India including the capital him Rs1mn ($15,590). New Delhi will close, although Madhurima Bakshi, a mem- the company said it would look ber of CPRL’s board, said Mc- for a new partner. Donald’s outlets in the region McDonald’s outlets will re- employed 6,500 people direct- main open in south and west ly and many more indirectly. Home Affairs minister Rajnath Singh greets newly-promoted officials of the Indo-Tibetan Border Pratrol (ITBP) during an event in New Delhi yesterday. India, where it uses a diff erent All of the restaurants will franchise operator. have to stop using McDonald’s “We have been compelled name, trademarks, designs, to take this step because CPRL branding, and recipes within has materially breached the 15 days of the termination no- terms of the respective fran- tice, McDonald’s said, add- chise agreements relating to ing it remained committed to the aff ected restaurants,” the northern and eastern India and company said in a statement. had started looking for a new Stand-off with China McDonald’s shut over 40 of partner. its restaurants in Delhi in June “It will take time to bring after they failed to renew their the current situation to a fi nal eating house licences, a police resolution,” McDonald’s said. registration to operate a place It added it would try to miti- of public entertainment. gate the impact on employees, The fast food restaurant mar- suppliers and landlords aff ect- will end soon: Rajnath ket in India is worth some $1.5bn ed by the move. and growing at around 15% a Students, professionals and Agencies Yesterday Singh said India equipped to handle any situation actions, colliding with the Chi- mid-June after Chinese troops year, according to Delhi-based even the retired patrons of New Delhi wanted peaceful relations with (on the border),” he added. nese personnel with their bod- started building a road on the re- consulting fi rm Technopak. McDonald’s expressed sadness its neighbours as he addressed a The ITBP guards India’s ies and injuring the Chinese mote Doklam plateau. With a population of 1.25bn, and disappointment over the unit of border guards in the capi- 3,488km border with China border personnel,” said Hua India has an army base near- more and more of whom have developments. ome Minister Rajnath tal Delhi. along the northern Himalayan Chunying. by and moved soldiers into the money to eat out, India is “They are saying that within Singh said yesterday “A deadlock is going on be- mountain range. “This violated the consensus the flashpoint zone to halt the an attractive market for for- a fortnight these existing out- Hhe believed a border tween India and China in Dok- His comments came days after between India and China in rela- work, prompting Beijing to ac- eign fast-food fi rms. lets will disappear. Will Mc- standoff with China would end lam. But I think a solution will video emerged of soldiers from tion to border issues. China has cuse it of trespassing on Chi- But foreign operators must Donald’s be able to fi nd a new soon, after new footage emerged come out soon. China will also both sides appearing to kick and expressed great dissatisfaction” nese soil. have a local partner to operate partner in a span of 15 days? I showing border guards from take a positive step from its side,” punch each other as rocks rained and had lodged solemn repre- China has repeatedly said In- and the process can be highly don’t think so. both countries fi ghting on a dis- Singh said as he addressed the down on them in a disputed part sentations, she added. dia must withdraw its troops bureaucratic, with restaurants It’s sad that they are closing puted patch of land in the Hima- paramilitary Indo-Tibetan Bor- of Ladakh last week. India’s government had pre- before any proper negotiation needing an average of 50 li- down,” a student from Indrap- layan region of Ladakh. der Police (ITBP). Army sources confi rmed viously confi rmed the scuffl e takes place. cences to operate. rastha University said. Indian and Chinese soldiers “We want to maintain good yesterday that the video of the but said no weapons were used, India said both sides should Major multinationals such Ankita Vazirani from Jana- have for more than two months relations with our neighbours. fi ghting on August 15 - India’s without giving further details. withdraw their forces together. as Coca-Cola and McDonalds kpuri said: “Shutting down been facing off over a separate We don’t want confl ict, we want Independence Day - was au- It happened on the shores of India has historically been were eff ectively locked out of of Mcdonald’s outlets due to territorial dispute in the Doklam peace.” thentic. Pangong Lake, which lies over closely allied to Bhutan, but in India until as late as the mid- licence issue was shocking for plateau, which India says is Bhu- Singh said India had never at- Asked to comment on the 4,000m high on the Tibetan recent years China has sought 1990s before the government all the burger lovers.” tanese territory and which China tacked any country and had no scuffl e at a regular briefi ng yes- plateau and is a popular tourist to increase its own engagement began to open up the economy. She found it peculiar that claims for itself. ambition to expand its borders. terday, China’s Foreign Ministry attraction. with the tiny mountainous king- Executives at CPRL could the global food chain was Some analysts have said the “India is the only country spokeswoman said its border India and China share a long dom. not immediately be reached for closing down its outlets due dispute amounts to the worst which has never attacked any troops were carrying out “nor- history of mistrust and went to That has fed into a broader comment. to non-renewal of mandatory crisis in relations between the country nor does it have an am- mal” patrols on the Chinese side. war in 1962 over the Indian state competition for regional infl u- Company chief Vikram health regulatory licence and a nuclear-armed neighbours for bition to expand its borders. “During this process, the of Arunachal Pradesh. ence between the two Asian Bakshi told the Press Trust of legal battle. decades. “Our security forces are Indian side took some violent The latest standoff began in powers. BJP sweeps crucial civic Cloud seeding experiment SC verdict on of triple polls, Sena suff ers big jolt talaq likely today IANS The hearing, spread over New Delhi fi ve days from May 12 to 18, IANS and contested separately, re- “MBMC election... disaster of was rooted in the court’s Oc- Mumbai turned with an increased tally Shiv Sena. Hope now Bandra su- tober 16, 2015 order directing of 22 seats, but came a distant premo (Uddhav Thackeray) will he Supreme Court is a separate listing of a petition second. accept reality and respect PM likely to deliver its ver- addressing the question of the he Bharatiya Janata Party Even before the offi cial results Modi and CM Fadnavis.” Tdict today on the consti- rights of Muslim women. continued its winning were announced, BJP leaders The opposition also suff ered a tutional validity of triple talaq At the outset of the hear- Tspree in local bodies polls grabbed the opportunity to take major setback with the Congress - a practice already described ing, the court had made it yesterday when it swept elec- potshots at the Shiv Sena. getting only 10 seats, down from by All India Muslim Personal clear that it would not exam- tions to the Mira-Bhayander “For the fi fth time in Mum- 18 in the last elections, while Law Board (AIMPLB) as “hor- ine the validity of anything Municipal Corporation in Ma- bai Metropolitan Region area, only two Independent candi- rendous”, “sinful” and “unde- that formed an intrinsic part harashtra. Mumbai, Palghar, Kalyan-Dom- dates managed to score wins - sirable” which had no sanction of Islamic religious practices However its ruling partner bivali and Panvel, some people’s down from the earlier four. of Qur’an and Shariah. - thereby ousting any submis- Shiv Sena suff ered a huge set- strength has been exposed,” said All other major state and na- A fi ve-judge bench of Chief sions on polygamy. back despite improving its tally. Mumbai BJP president Ashish tional parties in the fray, includ- Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar, The court had framed three The BJP secured nearly two- Shelar. ing Nationalist Congress Party, A BQ-100 Beechcraft aircraft fitted with canisters containing Justices Kurian Joseph, Rohin- questions to be addressed by thirds majority by winning 61 “The people of Mira-Bha- Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, silver iodide, sodium chloride and potassium chloride on its ton Fali Nariman, Uday Umesh all the parties that included of the total 95 seats and almost yander have rejected the in- Janata Dal-U, Janata Dal-S, wings takes off during the cloud seeding experiment Project Lalit and S Abdul Nazeer will whether triple talaq was fun- doubled its tally compared to 32 vitation to disaster and rallied CPM, CPI, IUML, AIMIM, BSP, Varshadhari at Jakkur Airport in Bengaluru yesterday. The pronounce verdict on the va- damental to Islam, whether corporators in the previous elec- behind CM’s transparent devel- AIADMK and others were com- cloud seeding operation aims to condense small water lidity of the contentious cus- it was sacrosanct to Islam tion. opmental agenda,” he tweeted. pletely wiped out in the elec- particles by clouds (size less than 10 microns) to droplets of tom which is in practice for the and whether the practice was The Shiv Sena, which held In a more direct reaction, tions in which 509 candidates 50 microns, which can constitute rains. last 1,400 years but is illegal in an enforceable fundamental 15 seats in the outgoing house party MP Kirit Somaiya said: contested for 95 seats. many Islamic countries. right. Gulf Times 14 Tuesday, August 22, 2017 INDIA

SERVICE PROTEST ENTERTAINMENT POLITICS EDUCATION SBI waives processing fee Minister resigns after New film has American Vande Mataram opponents Make India a world leader, on car and gold loans students denied seats soccer as backdrop are anti-social: Shiv Sena says Super 30 founder

The State Bank of India (SBI) yesterday A Mizoram minister yesterday resigned in Award-winning filmmaker Rajeevnath says The Shiv Sena yesterday demanded that Muslims Anand Kumar, the founder of Super 30, yesterday announced a waiver of up to 100% processing protest after Chakma tribal students were his next Malayalam film has American soccer who oppose the singing of Vande Mataram urged Indians to come together to make the fee on car loans, personal gold loans and denied medical education seats from the as the backdrop. The director said the shoot should be treated as “anti-nationals” and country a world leader. Speaking at the India Day personal loans in view of the festive season. state quota, an off icial said. “Minister of State begins next month in Washington, DC. Another “disenfranchised”. Protesting against a ruckus parade at Madison Square in New York, Kumar The waivers are eff ective immediately. “This is of Sericulture and Fisheries Buddha Dhan highlight of the film is that it will feature five of inside the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation said: “India always has had a rich legacy in the in addition to the existing waiver on processing Chakma submitted his resignation to Chief yesteryear actresses - Geetha, Mathu, Suchithra, (AMC) on Saturday on the issue of Vande field of education and we must contribute to see fee on takeover of home loans,” the country’s Minister Lal Thanhawla after the four Chakma Suvarana and Srilatha, who are all living in the Mataram, the party said Prime Minister Narendra our country world a leader in this knowledge era.” largest public lender said in a statement. While tribal students were denied seats for MBBS US. “The story line is all these five actresses Modi had expressed his ire against cow vigilantes The Federation of Indian Association (FIA), an the bank has announced a 100% waiver on course from the state quota,” the off icial said. are sisters and settled in the US, while their indulging in violence. Even Shiv Sena founder the organisation of about 500,000 Indians, has been the processing fee of car loans till December In his resignation letter, Chakma said: “I firmly only brother lives in Kerala. In Kerala, he runs late Bal Thackeray was punished for campaigning organising the parade since 1981 to represent 31, customers can avail themselves of 50% believe that it is my bounden duty as a minister into trouble and the five sisters decide to bring in the name of Hindutva, it said in an editorial in India’s progress and unity. Kumar was invited to waiver on processing fee of personal gold of the state to serve the people with equality him to the US,” said Rajeevnath. He added that the party mouthpieces Saamana and Dopahar the parade in recognition of his extraordinary loans till October 31, it said. “Till September 30, irrespective of caste, creed and religion.” He the young man, played by a new face, knows Ka Saamana. “We feel that opposing or insulting work through his ‘Super 30’ initiative. The customers can avail 50% waiver on processing requested the chief minister to accept his a bit of Kerala’s traditional medicine, which Vande Mataram is an equally serious crime and programme selects 30 candidates each year fee on Xpress Credit - a personal loan off ering resignation immediately but Lal Thanhawla is he learned after observing his uncle, a hugely those indulging in it must be ‘disenfranchised’. Do from poor families and trains them free of cost for by the bank,” it added. yet to take a decision. popular proponent of traditional medicine. you have the guts to do this?” the Sena asked. admission to the prestigious IITs. OPS named deputy CM as AIADMK factions merge

Sasikala to be sacked as nouncement about Sasikala’s re- We are all children of Jayalalith- general secretary; Dinakaran moval. She is now in a Bengaluru aa. And what we are doing is in issues warning jail for corruption. keeping with the interest of peo- AIADMK sources said the ple of Tamil Nadu and 1.5 crore Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam shake hands in the presence of Governor Vidyasagar Rao at the IANS Bharatiya Janata Party played cadre of the AIADMK,” he said, swearing-in ceremony of Panneerselvam as the deputy chief minister, in Chennai yesterday. Chennai a role in the merger of the two calling it a historic merger. factions though offi cially Prime He thanked Palaniswami for Minister Narendra Modi’s party the merger. “I feel unburdened.” ix months after a bitter has denied this. The merged AI- Welcoming the rival group, parting of ways following ADMK is poised to join the BJP- the chief minister thanked “elder Sthe death of chief minister led National Democratic Alliance brother” Paneerselvam for the J Jayalalithaa, the two factions and could become a part of the unity which he said would realise AIADMK expected to join of the All India Anna Dravida Modi government. the dreams of MGR and Jayala- Munnetra Kazhagam merged The much-awaited com- lithaa. yesterday with rebel leader O ing together of the two factions The newly-appointed deputy Panneerselvam becoming the was announced at a function co-ordinator Munuswami said Tamil Nadu deputy chief minis- at the AIADMK headquarters the party should work without NDA, cabinet revamp soon ter and party co-ordinator. where Palaniswami disclosed the prejudices against leaders and The party also decided to sack changes within the party. cadres belonging to both former IANS The charge of Naidu’s port- of parliament that ended on Au- to the DNA of the NDA govern- the now jailed V K Sasikala as The chief minister will be the factions. New Delhi folio of Urban Development and gust 11. ment - may get you temporary general secretary. joint co-ordinator while Pan- Meanwhile, the smaller fac- Housing and Poverty Alleviation The reshuffl e, which will alliance partners. Panneerselvam, who was neerselvam faction leader K P tion headed by T T V Dinakaran, was given to Rural Development be third since Prime Minister “But there is a huge disconnect twice chief minister when Jay- Munuswami and Palaniswami Sasikala’s nephew, and the AI- n early reshuffl e of the fed- Minister Narendra Singh Tomar. Narendra Modi assumed offi ce in between the so-called media alalithaa was jailed and again faction leader and MP Vaithy- ADMK deputy general secretary, eral cabinet appears immi- Naidu’s other portfolio of Infor- 2014, could take place later this narratives and the growing dis- after she died in December, also alingam will be the deputy co- has warned the party against Anent with a united All India mation and Broadcasting was week. quiet on the ground.” got back his Finance portfolio ordinators. An 11-member Guid- sacking them. Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhag- given to Textiles Minister Smriti The sources said that as minis- In other developments, BJP besides Housing. He quit as chief ance Committee will steer the Dinakaran is said to enjoy the am expected to join the National Irani. ters from JD-U will be from Bihar, president Amit Shah’s planned minister the last time in February merged AIADMK, he said. support of a dozen MLAs. Lead- Democratic Alliance in the next Apart from Tomar and Irani, a minister hailing from the state visit to Tamil Nadu from today after diff erences with Sasikala, a Vaithyalingam, who spoke ers of the faction attacked both few days and the Janata Dal-Unit- Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and could be dropped in the reshuffl e. has been deferred amid the po- long-time Jayalalithaa aide. against family rule at the event, Panneerselvam and Palaniswa- ed having already having decided Science and Technology Minister Meanwhile, the Congress yes- litical developments in the state. Immediately after the merger, announced that the AIADMK mi. Pugazhendi, president of the to join the central coalition. Harsh Vardhan have also been terday criticised the AIADMK A BJP leader said yesterday Pannerselvam was sworn in as General Council will meet soon AIADMK’s Karnataka unit, said The two factions of AIADMK - given additional portfolios. for its reported decision to join that Shah’s visit had been “post- deputy chief minister along with to remove Sasikala, who was ap- the Dinakaran faction would not one led by Tamil Nadu Chief Min- Jaitley was given charge of the Modi’s government. poned due to some reasons” and his supporter K Pandiarajan, who pointed general secretary by the allow the government to con- ister K Palaniswami and the other weighty Defence portfolio after “As far as joining the (NDA) new dates would be announced. was made minister for Archaeol- same body after Jayalalithaa died tinue. by former chief minister O Pan- Manohar Parrikar moved to Goa coalition is concerned, I can only BJP sources said the impend- ogy, Tamil Language and Tamil on December 5 last year. After the merger ceremony, all neerselvam - merged yesterday. as chief minister earlier this year say that they (AIADMK) are soon ing reshuffl e of the union cabinet Culture at a brief ceremony for Veteran leader C Ponnaiyan top leaders, including Panneer- Sources said the AIADMK is following assembly polls in the going to be on the wrong side of was one reason Shah would not which Governor Vidyasagar Rao said that the appointment was selvam and Palaniswami, drove likely to join the Bharatiya Janata state. Harsh Vardhan was given history,” Congress spokesman go to Tamil Nadu today. He was fl ew in from Mumbai. Pandiara- illegal as the general secretary to the memorials of Jayalalithaa, Party-led NDA and could be of- charge of environment ministry Manish Tewari said here. scheduled to be in Tamil Nadu jan was earlier the minister for can only be elected by the party’s MGR and C N Annadurai, the fered three berths in the union after the death of Anil Madhav He made no specifi c comment from August 22 to 24. Higher Education. primary members. fi rst chief minister of the then cabinet including one of cabinet Dave. on the merger of the two factions Also yesterday Tamil actor With the foe-turned-friend Speaking at the party head- undivided Dravida Munnetra rank. The JD-U, which decided to Some election-bound states of the AIADMK. But he hinted Kamal Hassan took a jibe at the Chief Minister K Palaniswami quarters, Panneerselvam said Kazhagam, on the Marina beach. join the NDA on Saturday, is ex- including the Congress-ruled that the AIADMK was being merger of the AIADMK factions, by his side, Pannerselvam signed diff erences between the two Earlier, Panneerselvam was pected to be off ered two berths. Karnataka could get greater rep- forced to join the NDA. saying it amounts to fooling the the fi les at the Raj Bhavan. groups had been sorted out and received enthusiastically at the The talk of a cabinet reshuf- resentation in the council of “Coercion, intimidation, use people. The merger of the two factions the leaders had come together to party headquarters by AIADMK fl e had gained currency last ministers. Karnataka will hold of investigative agencies and “Gandhi cap, Kashmiri cap came after weeks of hectic par- protect the government and the cadres who presented him stoles month after M Venkaiah Naidu assembly polls next year. ideology called the Enforcement and now buff oon’s cap. Have leys, overcoming the acrimony legacy of the party’s founder late and bouquets. It was his fi rst visit resigned as a minister to become BJP sources said last month Directorate, Central Bureau of you had enough or do you want and last-minute tough condi- M G Ramachandran and Jayala- to the offi ce in six months. Hun- the NDA’s candidate in the vice- that the reshuffl e would take Investigation and Income Tax more? Tamils, please answer,” tions set by the Panneerselvam lithaa. dreds celebrated the occasion by presidential elections. place after the monsoon session Department - which is intrinsic Hassan tweeted. group which insisted on an an- “We cannot remain divided. bursting fi recrackers. UDF demands minister’s 152 dead, Rs140bn loss in fl oods: Mamata resignation after court jolt of water rather than by rains,” she IANS Malda, West Bengal alleged. By Ashraf Padanna series of setbacks in the court dered how a minister whom the “Bengal has become like a boat. Thiruvananthapuram for her inept handling of medi- court had found misusing power Neither the Farakka Barrage nor cal school admissions in viola- and indulging in nepotism could loods has claimed 152 lives the reservoirs under the DVC are tion of Supreme Court guidelines continue. and caused losses of Rs- dredged.” embers of the Con- for strictly following merit and a “It’s one of the biggest exam- F140bn in 11 districts of West Banerjee said 4.5mn people gress Party-led opposi- uniform fee structure, instead of ples of nepotism by a minister,” Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata have been aff ected in the three Mtion United Democratic off ering scholarships to merito- said Congress leader Ramesh Banerjee said yesterday after north Bengal districts of Malda, Front (UDF) have begun an indef- rious but fi nancially weaker stu- Chennithala said, adding her visiting three northern districts North Dinajpur and South Dina- inite sit-in before the Kerala leg- dents. continuation was a disgrace to the where large areas continued to be jpur. islature demanding the resigna- The opposition said the min- democratic principles. submerged. She said about 400,000 tents tion of Health and Social Justice ister misused her power to ap- “Many Congress ministers had “The fl oods have caused losses have been distributed and more Minister K K Shylaja for alleged point a CPM member with crimi- resigned after adverse court re- totalling almost Rs14,000 crore are being provisioned for distri- nepotism. nal records on the panel and marks in the past. The minister in 11 districts of the state. So far, bution. The Kerala High Court had last demanded her resignation. had tried to induct on the panel a there are reports of 152 deaths due “There is enough aid material. week slammed the Communist However, Chief Minister Pi- person involved in over 12 crimi- to various causes like drowning, We are not stingy about distrib- Party of India (Marxist) leader for narayi Vijayan rejected the charg- nal cases. The court has made it snake bites, etc in the state in the uting them. Many speed boats are misusing her offi ce to appoint a es and defended her. clear that the appointment made ongoing fl oods. Over 1.5 crore peo- also operating in the fl ooded areas member to the state Commission Some of the opposition mem- was not in good faith.” ple have been aff ected,” she said. for distributing relief,” she said. for Protection of Child Rights. bers soon trooped into the well of Congress member Shafi Para- Hitting out at the central gov- The chief minister went to vari- The UDF, which disrupted the the house and raised slogans ask- mbil said it was the fi rst time that ernment, she said it should ensure ous inundated areas, heard griev- assembly and forced its adjourn- ing Vijayan to sack the minister, such serious allegations have that dredging of barrages is done ances of the aff ected people and ment, also announced a “torch- who was already under attack as a been made against a minister by properly. instructed the administration to light demonstration” in all the fever epidemic had claimed hun- a court. “The fl oods have taken place be prompt in relief, rehabilitation 140 constituencies in the state dreds of lives since January. “He was in judicial custody for due to the release of water by the and reconstruction work. today evening in solidarity with Vijayan said the government 60 days for abducting a member DVC (Damodar Valley Corpora- “I have written to Prime Minis- fi ve protesting legislators and would take legal measures to ex- of panchayat (village council),” he tion) and Farakka Barrage. The ter Narendra Modi a few times re- pressing for the resignation of the punge the court remarks against said. “This is not an observation state of the reservoirs and river garding the erosion of the Ganga’s minister. the minister. by the court, but a fi nding that has A man looks on at a flooded area along national highway 34 at beds has become such that people banks but no actions have been The minister had suff ered a The opposition members won- come in the fi nal judgment.” Malda in West Bengal yesterday. are getting hit more by the release taken,” she alleged. Gulf Times Tuesday, August 22, 2017 15 PAKISTAN

DIPLOMACY SECURITY POLITICS TOURISM WILDLIFE Pakistan reaff irms its Seven abducted policemen Zardari: No possibility of Sindh’s Nagarparkar African cheetah, white lion support for China rescued in Pakistan reconciliation with PML-N opens for public set to join Lahore Zoo

Pakistan said yesterday that it firmly supports Pakistani police yesterday rescued seven Pakistan People’s Party Co-chairman Asif Ali The Sindh culture and tourism ministry has The Lahore Zoo is set to welcome cheetah China on issues concerning its core interests. policemen kidnapped on Sunday in the country’s Zardari has reiterated there was no possibility opened the Rooplo Kolhi Reson at Nagarparkar, and white lion for the first time. Punjab wildlife Pakistani Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua Punjab province, the media reported. Deputy of reconciliation with the PML-N. Rejecting which it described as the first of its many off icials claimed that it was for the first time made the comment after meeting Chinese State Superintendent of Police Ramiz Bokhari said that rumours of reconciliation, he said that the door projects aimed at promoting tourism in the that a pair of African cheetahs would be Councillor Yang Jiechi. At their meeting, Yang the policemen conducted a search operation in of understanding with the PML-N had already province, off icials said yesterday. “This resort brought to any zoo in Pakistan. Punjab Wildlife said it was especially important for China and the area in Punjab to find the abductees in the closed since long. During a meeting with senior has been built at the foothills of the Karoonjhar Headquarters Director Naeem Bhatti said Pakistan to enhance strategic communication in wee hours of the day, Dunya News reported. The party leader Faisal Saleh Hayat, Zardari, who had Mountains in Thar Desert, which will serve a that there was no cheetah at any other zoo in the present “global and regional circumstances”, off icer said that the policemen were kidnapped earlier strongly opposed keeping contact with great deal to tourism, especially people from Pakistan. African cheetah is the fastest land a Pakistan Foreign Off ice statement said. He by bandits during a boat patrol in the Indus river Nawaz Sharif, said that the PPP would follow its other pans of Sindh and the rest of the country,” mammal and runs at 90km per hour. It would be called on both sides to maintain close high- on Sunday, adding that the kidnappers took the ideology under a political strategy. The PPP would said a senior off icial in the ministry. The resort a unique addition to the zoo, he added. level contacts, promote the construction of the policemen to their hideouts located on a small actively contest the Lahore’s by-poll on NA-120, has been named after the famous Sindhi Zoo Deputy Director Tanveer Janjua said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), forge island in the river. Local police cordoned off a he added. On Wednesday, Pakistan People’s Party freedom fighter who fought against the British in yesterday that a pair of cheetahs would be co-operation in diff erent areas and intensify co- section of the river yesterday and rescued the supremo Asif Zardari had said the PPP would not the Karoonjhar Mountains and was later hanged introduced for the first time at Lahore zoo as well ordination in multilateral bodies. abductees who were tied to trees. participate in any ‘grand national dialogue’. by the colonial regime in 1858. as a pair of white lions. Shahbaz likely Lawyers turn violent to be appointed as PML-N chief

Internews ply with ECP’s order, Begum after leader arrested Kulsoom Nawaz, the former Islamabad prime minister’s wife, would Internews in their control”. The protesting not have been able to con- Islamabad lawyers said that would stage a unjab Chief Minister test the upcoming NA-120 by protest sit-in outside the court Shahbaz Sharif will be polls. overnight and remain there until Pappointed as the presi- Nasir was appointed to hold olice yesterday fi red tear the LHC chief justice is replaced. dent of the ruling PML-N next the post until the party decid- gas and water cannon on In an incident that took place month, according to sources ed upon a permanent replace- Pprotesting lawyers who on July 24 last, lawyers Qureshi close to the party’s high-ups. ment. had gathered at the Lahore High and Kazmi along with others had A meeting was held be- PML-N leaders have sug- Court (LHC) where contempt of initially misbehaved with Justice tween Nawaz Sharif — who gested the appointment of court proceedings were under- Mohamed Qasim Khan and ob- was disqualifi ed after the Pan- Shahbaz as party leader in re- way against the president of the structed judicial proceedings of amagate verdict last month cent days. Lahore High Court Bar Associa- his court in Multan bench and from continuing as prime Shahbaz had previously also tion’s (LHCBA) Multan chapter. afterwards vandalised and ran- minister of Pakistan and con- been touted as the next prime A large number of lawyers re- sacked the court premises and sequently, the head of PML-N minister, while incumbent PM sorted to violence and protest ripped off the name plate of the — and Shahbaz on Monday at Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was to after the court issued non- bail- judge. the former’s Model Town resi- serve as a stopgap arrange- able arrest warrants for LHCBA Subsequently, the LHC chief dence in Lahore. ment till the Punjab CM could Multan president Sher Zaman justice withdrew judges from During the meeting, Nawaz be elected to the National As- Qureshi. the Multan bench in an exercise took Shahbaz into confi dence sembly. The court also issued direc- of his constitutional powers, but regarding his appointment as The plan changed, however, tions for the suspension of li- made available the principal seat PML-N president, said party after some party leaders op- cences of Qureshi and Syed of the LHC, ie Lahore, and the insiders. posed the “unnecessary” dis- Qaiser Abbas Kazmi. Bahawalpur bench for the dis- An announcement to this turbance in the existing politi- Qureshi along with some law- pensation of justice. eff ect is expected on Septem- cal setting. yers had allegedly misbehaved Though the Multan bench was ber 7. During Monday’s meeting, with Justice Mohamed Qasim Police fire water cannon at protesting lawyers in Lahore. restored after a few days, lawyers Last week, Senator Sardar the Sharif brothers also dis- Khan in Multan during court are still on strike. Yaqoob Khan Nasir was ap- cussed the recently held press proceedings last month. Their attempt to storm the CJ Nearby shops were closed and They were shifted to Lahore’s During one of the hearings this pointed as the party’s interim conference of former interior LHC Chief Justice Syed Man- block was thwarted as anti-riot the State Bank of Pakistan build- Mayo Hospital. month, a group of lawyers had president following an order minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali soor Ali Shah had taken a strong police used tear gas and water ing was temporarily sealed. ‘Protest to continue until CJ is barged into LHC Chief Justice from the Election Commission Khan. notice of the lawyers’ misbehav- cannon to force them out of the Police stopped using tear gas removed’ Mansoor Ali Shah’s courtroom of Pakistan to PML-N to elect In Monday’s press confer- iour and constituted a commit- court premises. and water cannon after the law- LHCBA President Zulfi qar and created a hostile situation a new leader by Aug 25. ence, Nisar admitted to “dif- tee to probe the matter. The lawyers then continued yers gave the assurance that they Chaudhry meanwhile announced for the bench holding contempt The ECP notifi cation had ference in opinion” with the The lawyers yesterday threw their protest at the Mall Road, would continue their protest that lawyers would observe a of court proceedings. stated that election laws do PML-N leadership and his stones at law enforcement which was subsequently blocked peacefully. strike across Punjab today. While Kazmi had joined the not allow a person who does former cabinet colleagues but personnel, dislodged an iron- for traffi c. According to rescue sources, He warned that by acting contempt proceedings before not qualify to become a mem- — in a show of loyalty to his grill gate inside the court and The lawyers’ clash with law 10 people including seven law- against lawyers, the authorities the larger bench at initial stage, ber of the parliament to serve party — refused to elaborate, chanted slogans inside the court enforcement also disrupted yers sustained injuries during are taking the situation to a point Qureshi did not comply with the as an offi ce-bearer of a politi- saying it would not be appro- premises. business activities in the area. the clash. where “things will no longer be contempt notice. cal entity. priate to do so given the crisis Had the party failed to com- facing the party.

Action against people Pakistan brushes off fears over Islamabad cabbies protest suspected of money Trump’s Afghan strategy against ridesharing apps laundering delayed AFP itary spokesman said no group work had not been exempted Internews Mohamed Mushtaq said no taxi Rawalpindi had been spared in ongoing of- during recent off ensives tar- Islamabad drivers have been arrested. Internews criminal proceedings were only fensives against militants, telling geting insurgent strongholds in Mushtaq said the assistant Islamabad initiated in two Karachi- based a press conference in the garrison the country’s restive tribal belt commissioner has also been cases. akistan’s military city of Rawalpindi hours before along the Afghan border. axi drivers yesterday directed to hold a dialogue In one case, the FBR recovered brushed off speculation Trump’s announcement “there “We carried out indiscrimi- protested services pro- with the protesters, to prevent he Federal Board of Reve- an amount of Rs6.204bn in a Pyesterday that a new US is no organised infrastructure of nate operation, across the Tvided by ridesharing situations such as blocked nue (FBR) of Pakistan has court of law. strategy for neighbouring Af- any terrorist organisation in Pa- board and did not ask anyone apps and damaged a vehicle roads or inconvenienced citi- Tdelayed action for over a Interestingly, out of the 330 ghanistan could include taking kistan”. that what kind of terrorist you used by such a service at Rawal zens in the future. year against infl uential people individuals more than 105 are a stronger line against Islama- “Let it come,” army spokes- are,” Ghafoor said. Dam Chowk in Pakistani capi- “I have fi led a writ petition who were accused by the State not even national tax number bad, insisting the country has man Major General Asif Gha- The Pakistani military has tal of Islamabad. in the Islamabad High Court Bank’s Financial Monitoring (NTN) holders. done all it can to tackle mili- foor told reporters, referring “cleared all the areas”, he said, Murree Road was blocked (IHC) so I decided not to par- Unit (FMU) of laundering money Despite this, the source says, tancy. to Trump’s decision. “Even if adding that the country had for almost an hour, bring- ticipate in the protest. The abroad. the FBR is reluctant to initiate US President Donald Trump it comes... Pakistan shall do gone beyond its capacity to ing hundreds of vehicles to a next hearing date is Sept 14, The number of accused is probe into these potential cases is set to announce his long- whatever is best in the national tackle militancy. standstill while the protests so a large number of cabbies more than 330 — 80% of them of tax evasion. awaited decision on America’s interest.” Pakistan frequently fi res argued with police. will be at the IHC and after the are business tycoons and 20% The breakdown showed that way forward in Afghanistan, Led by Sirajuddin Haqqani, back at US criticism of its tac- Taxi drivers also protested in hearing I will resign from the infl uential politicians. 57 individuals were based in Ka- nearly 16 years after the US who is also the Taliban’s deputy tics, saying the country has yet Bani Gala and outside the Na- post of president,” Aftab said. The FMU generates monthly rachi. invasion, and reports claim leader, the Haqqani network to receive appropriate credit for tional Press Club throughout Aftab said app-based taxi reports about suspicious trans- Of them, 22 were top busi- it could include changes in has carried out numerous op- the tens of thousands of lives the day, and warned that they services had become a prob- actions which are shared with nessmen while 12 belonged to Washington’s policy towards erations deep in the heart of lost and billions spent battling would take further steps if their lem for the earnings of almost the Federal Investigation Agency political families. Pakistan. Kabul, and have been blamed extremists. issues are not addressed. 40,000 families running li- (FIA), National Accountability “These infl uential people are Some in Washington be- by Afghanistan for a devastat- Trump will “provide an update The president of the Taxi censed taxis in Rawalpindi and Bureau (NAB), Anti-Narcotics using their power to stop pro- lieve Islamabad has not done ing truck bombing that killed on the path forward for America’s Drivers Welfare Association, Islamabad. Force (ANF), and Customs Intel- ceedings in these cases,” the enough to persuade the Afghan more than 150 people in the engagement in Afghanistan and Malik Aftab, who did not par- He added that competition ligence. source said. Taliban to renounce violence, capital in May. South Asia” in an address to be ticipate in the protest, said between app-based services In June last year, the govern- The FMU reports gained im- and doubt its willingness to Last month, the US Defence delivered at 9pm from the military that things were slipping out and licensed taxis was impos- ment extended the scope of the portance recently because of the tackle the Taliban-affi liated Department withheld $50mn base at Fort Myer southwest of the of control because the district sible, as four taxes have been Anti-Money Laundering (AML) fact that I&I directorate has all Haqqani network, based in the in Pakistan military payments capital, the White House said in a administration was not ready imposed on licensed cabs Act, 2010, to the Intelligence and details, including assets and in- border areas between the two after Pentagon chief Jim Mattis statement. to consider the problem. while app-based car services Investigation (I&I) Directorate of vestments of individuals. “It is countries and long thought to determined Islamabad was not Trump’s options ranged from Aftab also alleged that 35 run without paying any taxes. Inland Revenue. because of this fact that the elit- have ties to Pakistan’s shadowy doing enough to counter the backing away from Afghanistan taxi drivers had been arrested. Moreover, the cab’s token fee As a result, the directorate re- es are blocking probe into these military establishment. Haqqanis. to stepping up US eff orts to de- However, Islamabad Deputy is more than double that of a ceived more than 210 suspicious cases,” an FBR offi cial said. But yesterday a Pakistani mil- But Ghafoor said the net- feat the Taliban. Commissioner retired Capt private car. transactions reports (STRs) be- Besides, around 25 cases in- tween July 2016 and June 2017 volve individuals from Lahore, related to tax and various duties. 18 from Islamabad and the rest Other cases were sent to the from Hyderabad, Peshawar, FIA, NAB and ANF for investi- Faisalabad and Multan. gation. Contrary to the lowest com- “We received on average 18 pliance level at the I&I direc- Life-saving drugs disappear from market STRs every month from the torate, a letter was sent to FBR FMU,” a well-placed source in Chairman Tariq Pasha about a the FBR said. number of businessmen having Internews of various genetic disorders, fl udrocortisone tablets) had al- it remains unresolved, Dr Raza to produce certain hormones The I&I directorate can initiate received notices from respec- Islamabad the most common among ways been a problem, they had said, adding that the specifi c responsible for managing the proceedings under the AML Act. tive banks, seeking details of them is Congenital Adrenal almost disappeared from the drugs were part of the WHO list balance of potassium and so- If a person admits to having their and their families’ banking Hyperplasia (CAH), a family of market this time. of essential medicines. dium in body, regulating its me- evaded tax, he or she will have to transactions. ome life-saving medi- inherited disorders aff ecting the “We have repeatedly in- Children born with CAH, Dr tabolism, sugar level and blood deposit the due taxes in the re- Staff shortage An I&I depart- cines have almost disap- adrenal glands. formed concerned government Raza said, faced high mortal- pressure. spective regional tax offi ce (RTO). ment offi cial acknowledged the Speared from the market Dr Jamal Raza, a senior pae- offi cials, including those rep- ity risk in the country due to an “They instead overproduce However, in case the person is not slow disposal of the cases. in Pakistan, putting the lives of diatric endocrinologist and the resenting the provincial health acute shortage of relevant drugs androgens (male hormones). willing to pay the tax, criminal He, however, listed several lo- thousands of children at risk, it director of National Institute department, federal health and lack of awareness about the The disease can result in seri- proceedings can be started against gistic and material hindrances emerged yesterday. of Child Health (NICH), said ministry and the Drug Regu- disease. ous illness, growth problem and him/her under the law. which had marred the perform- According to doctors, the that though availability of these latory Authority of Pakistan He explained the CAH re- gender identity disorders. If left So far, according to the source, ance of his department. drugs are used for the treatment drugs (hydrocortisone and (DRAP), about this issue. But sulted in adrenal glands’ failure untreated, it can lead to death.” Gulf Times 16 Tuesday, August 22, 2017 PHILIPPINES Filipino boy among dead in Barcelona attack

By Jeff erson Antiporda the victim who informed the Philippine Australian boy, Julian Cadman, seven, hearts,” his family said. The attack in Cayetano has directed Foreign Aff airs tack and will be provided assistance Manila Times Embassy in Madrid about the death. also died in the vehicle rampage in Bar- Barcelona was carried out using a vehi- Undersecretary for Migrant Workers by the Philippine Consulate General in People display fl owers, candles, bal- celona. His family said he was on holi- cle that ploughed through pedestrians Aff airs Sarah Lou Arriola to make sure Milan. Also injured in the attack were loons and many objects to pay tribute to day for a family wedding and had been in Las Ramblas tourist district killing 14 that all possible assistance is extended four Irish citizens of Filipino descent he Department of Foreign Aff airs the victims of the Barcelona and Cam- separated from his mother who is in individuals and injuring more than 100 to the family of the deceased and other identifi ed as Norman Potot, 45, wife (DFA) yesterday confi rmed that brils attacks on the Rambla boulevard hospital in a serious but stable condi- others. Filipino victims of the incident. “We Pederlita, 39, daughter Nailah Pearl, Tthe seven-year-old Filipino boy in Barcelona. tion. “It pains us to break the sad news to join the loved ones of our little brother 9, and son Nathaniel Paul, 5, have also earlier reported missing in the bloody Fernandez also said the boy’s “He was so energetic, funny and our kababayans that we lost one of our in mourning his passing and in pray- been assisted by the Embassy and the Barcelona terror attack on Thursday 43-year-old mother is still in the in- cheeky, always bringing a smile to our own in the recent violence unleashed ing for the eternal repose of his soul,” Honorary Consulate in Barcelona. was among the 14 fatalities in incident. tensive care unit of a local hospital af- faces. We are so blessed to have had by extremists against the innocent in Cayetano added. Norman and Nathaniel remain con- According to Chargé d’Aff aires Em- ter undergoing surgery for fractures in him in our lives and will remember his Barcelona,” said Foreign Aff airs Secre- Two other Filipinos based in Italy fi ned at the Hospital Del Mar in Barce- manuel Fernandez, it was the family of both of her legs and one arm. A British- smiles and hold his memory dear to our tary Alan Peter Cayetano. were among those injured in the at- lona.

Protesters wearing masks depicting victims of extra judicial killings take part in a demonstration in Manila. Protesters hold lighted candles at the wake of Kian Loyd Delos Santos in Manila. Drug war: Duterte vows justice in teen’s death

DPA ties by (the police), there will be According to the police report, edly vowed to protect the po- out at corrupt and abusive po- Manila a prosecution and they have to go the teenager ran when he saw lice against any legal suits fi led lice offi cers, saying, “You sons of to jail if convicted,” he said in a the offi cers approaching him. He against them for doing their %%$$$$% you are far worse than hilippine President Rod- televised press conference. then pulled out a gun and opened duties, said he was not inclined drugs because you are destroying rigo Duterte yesterday as- “I assure you that there will fi re at the policemen, who shot to pardon the police offi cers if the credibility of government.” Psured the public that police be no whitewash in the investi- back, it said. found guilty in the case of Delos “When the government is not offi cers involved in the death of a gation,” he added. Hours earlier, But a CCTV footage from the Santos’ killing. credible anymore, nobody will 17-year-old boy during an anti- hundreds of people braved heavy neighbourhood of Delos Santos’ “No, I saw the evidence, that’s obey government and govern- drug operation would go to jail if rains in Manila to join a protest house in the Manila suburb of why I called (the national police ment will collapse,” he added. found guilty of framing him. rally to condemn the killing of Caloocan showed three police of- chief) and told him to arrest them Delos Santos was among more The Justice Department has Delos Santos, whose family and fi cers in civilian clothes dragging and put them in jail,” Duterte than 80 people killed in anti- already ordered the National Bu- friends have denied he was in- the boy to the area where he was said, when asked if he would par- drug operations by the police last reau of Investigation to fi nd out volved in illegal drugs. Witnesses later killed. The three police of- don the police offi cers. “If it was week. Duterte’s anti-drug cam- if the police were liable for the have told local media that police fi cers and their commander have really a rub out, they (police of- paign, which has left thousands killing of Kian Loyd Delos Santos allegedly forced Delos Santos to been relieved of their duties for fi cers) have to answer for it. dead in one year, has been se- last week, Duterte said. “Should hold a gun and told him to run the investigation. They have to go to jail. I’m verely criticised by rights groups the investigation point to liabili- before they shot him last week. Duterte, who has repeat- sorry,” he added. Duterte lashed and foreign governments. President Rodrigo Duterte. Turf battle Nine dead in attack by Abu Sayyaf militants in Basilan DPA been dispatched to hunt down vember near Basilan. Two of the Manila the attackers, said Colonel Juvy- hostages were found beheaded In max Uy, a commander of a mili- July, while another was rescued tary anti-terrorism task forces in in June. ine people were killed the province. Four Vietnamese hostages yesterday when suspect- Uy said the attack must have — two crew members from MV Ned Abu Sayyaf militants been in retaliation for the killing Royale and two from another attacked a village in the southern of three Abu Sayyaf militants in cargo vessel — are among 19 hos- Philippines, burning houses and a military off ensive during the tages still being held captive by a day-care centre, police said. weekend, which led to the cap- the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan and Sixteen people were also ture of two encampments of the nearby Jolo island. Abu Sayyaf wounded in the pre-dawn attack terrorists. is one of the most notorious and in a village in Basilan province, Troops also rescued on Sunday violent militant group in the 900km south of Manila, said a Vietnamese cargo vessel crew southern Philippines. It has been Chief Inspector Tara Leah Cuyco, member held captive for nine blamed for some of the worst a regional police spokeswoman. months by the Abu Sayyaf on an Vietnamese sailor Do Trung terrorist attacks in the country, About 100 gunmen believed to island town of Basilan, said En- Hieu at a military hospital in beheading of hostages and high- be Abu Sayyaf terrorists swooped sign Jesca May Viduya, a regional Zamboanga City on the southern profi le kidnappings. down on the village of Tubigan, military spokeswoman. island of Mindanao, after his One of its leaders, Isnilon Ha- indiscriminately fi ring their The hostage, identifi ed as Do rescue by Philippine troops. pilon, has been identifi ed as the Members of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) patrolling a road in Maguindanao, on the guns, Cuyco said. Trung Huige, was unharmed in head of IS-allied militants fi ght- southern Philippine island of Mindanao. The Philippines’ largest militant group has launched a They also set fi re to at least the rescue operation and was im- was among six Vietnamese crew ing government troops in Marawi deadly off ensive against a splinter faction that has pledged allegiance to the IS group, police said. four houses and a day-care cen- mediately brought to hospital for members of the cargo vessel MV City since May 23. That fi ghting tre, she added. Soldiers have a check-up, Viduya said. Huige Royale who were seized in No- has left nearly 800 people dead. Public asked to refrain from fanning bird fl u scare

By Catherine S Valente fi rmation of poultry death with the Ecija, about 32 kilometres away. Abella health offi cers have trained personnel meanwhile, instructed the Municipal Army by Saturday. A state of calamity is Manila Times culling yesterday by the Department of told the public not to worry as concerned of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Health Offi ce to place 25 poultry work- also expected to be declared by the local Agriculture,” Palace spokesman Ernesto government offi cials have been quick in and have provided Personal Protective ers under observation in a provincial government in light of the outbreak. Abella said in a statement. “We ask our their response. “They have established Equipment and Prophylaxis Medicines hospital in Cabanatuan City to prevent Poultry owner Marilyn Ortiz-Luis of alacanang advised the public people to remain calm yet vigilant and heightened surveillance and community (Tamifl u), good for 10 days, to soldiers the possible spread of the disease. MMJAY Farm in Barangay San Roque to refrain from spreading “un- to refrain from spreading unverifi ed in- action teams for detection of other fowl tasked to perform the culling. Some 9,000 quails and 200 fowls complained about the closure of her busi- Mverifi ed information” that may formation that may cause undue alarm deaths and possible fl u cases in humans,” “As of this time, there has been no were reported to have died this week in ness, as the veterinary offi ce of the town cause undue alarm after the fi rst bird fl u and panic,” he added. the Palace offi cial said. report of bird to human contamina- Jaen and San Isidro, respectively. As- suspected that 80,000 chickens have outbreak in the country was confi rmed On Friday, Agriculture Secretary Em- “They have likewise established ad- tion in the Philippines,” Abella said. sistant Secretary Enrico Garzon of the been infected. Police and health person- to have spread in two towns in Nueva manuel Pinol said tests confi rmed that vance command posts in San Nico- “We reiterate that bird fl u is transferred Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of nel were posted at the poultry farm to Ecija. the avian fl u virus strain found in San las, Pampanga and San Isidro Nueva via respiratory route. Properly cooked Animal Industry earlier reported that ensure compliance of the closure order “We are closely monitoring the situ- Luis, Pampanga has also been found in Ecija with capacity to response 24/7,” chicken, meat and egg remain safe to some 80,000 fowls would have been and monitor movements of fowls and the ation in Nueva Ecija following the con- the towns of Jaen and San Isidro in Nueva he added. Abella also said government eat.” Mayor Cesario Lopez of San Isidro, culled by 50 soldiers of the Philippine health condition of its workers. Gulf Times Tuesday, August 22, 2017 17 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL Nepal rejects Fish tale! controversial constitution amendment

Agencies draw federal boundaries to give assemblies will also be held on Kathmandu them greater representation in the same day. parliament. The fi nal round of local elec- They have also demanded tions — the fi rst in 20 years — are epal’s parliament yester- Hindi be recognised as a national due to take place in September. day failed to pass a con- language and changes to the citi- The Madhesi political parties Ntroversial amendment zenship laws which are seen as had refused to take part in the to the constitution after it was unfairly penalising dual-national polls unless an amendment to the blocked by the main opposition families, a particular issue in the charter was tabled in parliament. party, amid deep political divi- lowlands where there are many The polls are the fi nal step in sions ahead of key polls later this cross-border marriages. the country’s drawn-out peace year. Since the constitution was process and observers hope they Sri Lankan fishermen fish in a lake in Tissamaharama, in Hambantota district. The government failed to get passed nearly two years ago, two will bring political stability to the the two-thirds majority to pass subsequent governments have impoverished Himalayan nation. the bill that has been the centre sought to temper the simmer- Law Minister Yagya Bahadur of contentious political debate ing Madhesi protest movement Thapa, confi rming the cabinet’s and party horsetrading for nearly by promising to push through an decision on the election date, two years. amendment bill. said Nepalis would celebrate “The proposal to endorse the The nationalistic opposition their democratic rights. constitution amendment bill has repeatedly prevented the “This is going to be a big fes- Top Bangladesh court okays has been rejected by the house,” government from bringing the tival. There is no doubt about House Speaker Onsari Gharti bill to a parliamentary vote, while that,” he told Reuters. told parliament after the vote, stoking anti-India sentiment. Elections to seven state as- to cheers from the opposition In the process, the text of the semblies, set up under the new benches. amendment has been repeatedly constitution to establish more of Khaleda trial in graft case The constitution was passed in watered down in an attempt by a federal system, would be held at 2015 nearly a decade after the end the government to gain enough the same time, he said. of the brutal Maoist insurgency, support to pass the bill. The parliamentary election By Mizan Rahman an appeal with the Supreme Court against the Chittagong port and the Dhaka’s Inland cementing the impoverished “This is a way to make the is- will mark a personal triumph for Dhaka the High Court order that rejected her two Container Depot to Gatco. Himalayan nation’s transforma- sues politically sellable for all Prime Minister Sher Bahadur petitions challenging the legality of the Khaleda on September 27, 2007 fi led a pe- tion from a Hindu monarchy to a the parties and move ahead,” Deuba, who was fi red by Nepal’s Gatco graft case and its inclusion under the tition with the HC challenging the legality democratic federal republic. Akhilesh Upadhyay, editor at last monarch, King Gyanendra, he Supreme Court yesterday cleared Emergency Powers Act. of the inclusion of the case under the Emer- But it sparked deadly protests The Kathmandu Post newspaper, in 2002. the way for a lower court to continue On August 5, 2015, the High Court reject- gency Powers Act and seeking a stay order by ethnic minority groups from said of yesterday’s amendment The king had called Deuba “in- Ttrial proceedings of the Gatco graft ed the two writ petitions. on the trial proceedings. the southern lowlands, who say vote which was widely expected competent” for failing to contain case against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia. On September 2, 2007, the ACC fi led In 2008, a HC bench issued a rule and the charter leaves them politi- to fail. a Maoist insurgency and hold The three-member bench of the SC led the Gatco graft case against Khaleda, her stayed the trial proceedings after hearing cally marginalised. The government yesterday elections. by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha dis- younger son Arafat Rahman Koko, Jamaat- the petition of the BNP chief. The Madhesi ethnic minority also announced that general Nepal is also in the middle of missed a leave to appeal fi led by Khaleda Zia. e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami and In the same year, the proceedings of the — who share close cultural links elections will be held on Novem- phased local elections — the fi rst The Supreme Court concluded the hear- 10 others for causing a loss of 1.45bn taka to graft case were stayed again as Khaleda fi led to India — have been calling for ber 26. in two decades — with a fi nal ing of the appeal on Sunday. the national exchequer by allegedly award- another petition challenging the legality of an amendment that would re- Elections to seven provincial round set for September 18. Earlier, on May 10, 2016, Khaleda had fi led ing the contract of container handling at the case.

Sombre rite Hasina slams top judge for Pakistan comparison

By Mizan Rahman Prime Minister (Nawaz Sharif) by the Su- Dhaka preme Court, the chief justice said: “Paki- stan Supreme Court has...the prime min- ister. We have been patient, we are having oming down heavily on Chief Jus- patience. We’re only saying we need to be tice SK Sinha for the fi rst time more mature.” Cpublicly for comparing Bangladesh The prime minister said this cannot be with Pakistan, Prime Minister Sheikh accepted that a court of Pakistan removed Hasina said yesterday she is not scared at their prime minister through a verdict and all with such a threat and this is not toler- that will be used as a threat in Bangladesh. able either. She said people are the strongest power “This is very much disgraceful that in Bangladesh and people’s power has Bangladesh has been compared with Pa- been established in the sacred Constitu- kistan (in the judgment). This is not toler- tion saying ‘People are the source of all able at all,” she said. power’. The Prime Minister was speaking at a “People’s court is the biggest court; no rally after placing wreaths at a makeshift one can ignore people’s court...I’m lodg- memorial of the martyrs of the gruesome ing my complaint with this court...I want grenade attack on August 21, 2004 on justice from the court of people,” Sheikh Bangabandhu Avenue at Krishibid Insti- Hasina said. tution, Bangladesh (KIB). Senior SC lawyers said yesterday Justice She said, “We can tolerate anything, but Sinha’s remarks have been misquoted. not comparing (Bangladesh) with Paki- The chief justice told Attorney General stan? This is not tolerable at all.” Mahbubey Alam that Pakistan Supreme “Why will Bangladesh be compared Court had disqualifi ed the prime minister with Pakistan? Why comparison will be but there was no fuss and there should not done with Pakistani Prime Minister. And be such commotion over the 16th amend- there’ll be no use by giving me such a ment verdict in Bangladesh. threat,” she said without mentioning the “We are only saying that we need to be chief justice’s name. more mature,” Justice SK Sinha said. While hearing the Masdar Hossain The chief justice meant that the high- Hindus perform religious rituals yesterday to celebrate Kuse Aunsi, or Father’s Day, on the bank of Bagmati River in Kathmandu. Kuse Aunsi is a festival case, the chief justice on Sunday said the est court’s verdict has been honoured by in which fathers, living or past, are honoured. judiciary is having enough patience. political parties in Pakistan, the lawyers Referring to the removal of Pakistan’s pointed out. Bangladesh mourns legendary movie star Razzak

By Mizan Rahman president said the contribution She also recalled his contribu- Razzak was brought to the where his struggle continued. Dhaka and huge popularity of Abdur tions to moving the Bengali fi lm in- hospital after he suff ered a cardi- But after his stint in televi- Razzak in Bangladesh fi lm arena dustry forward after the War of Lib- ac arrest, said Ujjwal, a customer sion, he gained success on the big will be remembered forever. eration. The prime minister prayed care representative at United screen. egendary Bangla movie star “Razzak’s role in spreading for eternal peace of the departed soul Hospital. In his career of fi ve decades as Abdur Razzak popularly Bengali culture to the globe will and conveyed her deep sympathy to “We couldn’t get a pulse. The an artist, Razzak starred in more Lknown as ‘Nayak Raj Raz- be recalled with due respect from the bereaved family members. duty doctor tried to revive him. than 500 fi lms and directed 16. zak’ (doyen of acting) died yes- generation to generation,” Presi- Razzak was the paramount He was declared dead at 6:15pm.” Neel Akasher Niche, Shwar- terday of cardiac arrest at Dha- dent Hamid said. fi gure in the Dhallywood fi lm Razzak was born on January 23 alipi, Jibon Theke Neya, Etotuku ka’s United Hospital. He was 75. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina industry. He had been suff ering of 1942 in Kolkata of undivided Asha, Rongbaz, Baadi Theke Be- “Razzak was taken to the hos- expressed profound shock at the from pneumonia and old-age India. gum, Ananta Prem, Alor Michhil, pital at around 5.20pm while the death of the legendary actor. complications. He had lost his parents at a Obujh Mon, Anarkali, Chhutir on-duty doctors declared him In a message of condolence, The matinee idol of yesteryear young age, and studied in Tul- Ghanta, Oshikkhito and Dui dead around 6.13pm,” Dr Shagufa Sheikh Hasina recalled the con- had started his career in televi- leyganj’s Khanpur High School. Poishar Alta are some of the fi lms Anwar, communication director tributions of Razzak to the coun- sion before making it to the silver After struggling to make a that helped him emerge as the of United Hospital, told newsmen. try’s fi lm industry, saying: “With screen in the 1960s. break in Kolkata, he decided to iconic hero of his industry. President M Abdul Hamid has his death, the country’s fi lm in- He received Bangladesh’s work for the growing fi lm indus- Razzak left behind wife Khai- expressed profound shock at the dustry and the cultural arena as a highest civilian honour, the In- try of the erstwhile East Pakistan runnesa Lokkhi, three sons Bap- death of legendary actor. whole have lost a legend and the dependence Award, in 2015 for instead. paraj, Bappi and Samrat and two In a condolence message, the loss is not easily reparable.” his role in the cultural arena. In 1964, he travelled to Dhaka daughters Shampa and Moyna. Razzak ... mourned Gulf Times 18 Tuesday, August 22, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief: Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Spotlight on ‘out of this Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] world’ property claims Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) In order to avoid confl icts Fax 44350474 between competing companies and countries over outer space resources, more work GULF TIMES needs to be done on Earth to determine who owns commodities taken from Something needs celestial bodies By Chris Arsenault to be done to save Toronto an anyone claim the Red Planet or natural resources West Indies cricket on asteroids? Business Cleaders and legal experts say the question has become more than Will the West Indies ever regain their lost glory and pride philosophical as a growing number in cricket or are they simply beyond redemption? of fi rms, often backed by capital and This question will be asked in every corner of the cricket- technology from Silicon Valley, have playing world after the former giants crashed to an innings set their sights on the resources of outer space asteroids and Mars. and 209-run defeat inside three days in the fi rst Test against In order to avoid confl icts between England at Edgbaston on Saturday. competing companies and countries The latest generation of cricket fans brought up on a diet over outer space resources, more of slap-dash T20 cricket cannot fathom in their wildest work needs to be done on Earth to of dreams the aura that West Indies cricket enjoyed in the determine who owns commodities taken from celestial bodies, analysts 1970s through to the early 90s when they dominated the said. This file handout picture released by the European Space Agency (ESA) shows planet Mars as seen by the webcam on ESA’s world. “There is a huge debate on whether Mars Express orbiter. Mars is buff eted by turbulent snowstorms that occur only at night, according to a study released Naturally talented, fearless and putting their honour and companies can simply travel to space yesterday, that revises our understanding of Red Planet weather. Up to now, it was thought that snow falling from low-lying pride before everything else, the Calypso Kings put a group and extract its resources,” said Barry Martian clouds settled slowly and sparsely to the ground in a environment bereft of violent winds. of scattered Caribbean islands on the world sporting map by Kellman, a law professor who studies space governance at DePaul University having energy accessible to ships will SpaceX declined to comment. and planes from other nations can dominating the game like no team did before. in Chicago. make voyaging easier. While the 1967 treaty is considered freely pass through the waters. Old television clips of their feared fast bowlers such as “There is no way to answer the One modest sized asteroid, about the global standard for sharing space, This could serve as a template Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshal, Joel Garner and Curtley question until someone does it,” as big as a football fi eld, “has enough individual countries have recently for space resource rights, where Ambrose, to name a few, steaming in from long run-ups still Kellman told the Thomson Reuters oxygen and hydrogen to fuel every passed laws allowing for property companies have exclusive economic give fans goose bumps; one can, therefore, only wonder how Foundation. launch in the history of space (travel),” rights in the great beyond. rights in a given area around their US-based Planetary Resources, a Lewicki said. Luxembourg this month brought landing point, but not ownership over batsmen coped at the other end. fi rm backed by Google founder Larry “We are seeing a boom – that might into force laws allowing private fi rms an entire asteroid or planet, lawyers Contrast this to the images from last week when England Page and Virgin Group’s Richard be a bad choice of words – in access to to own resources extracted from outer said. piled up 514 for eight declared and shot out the West Indies Branson, expects to be mining space.” space in a move hailed by the nascent “It’s advantageous to work out for 168 and 137 after following-on and the picture is clear: asteroids for water in the next 10 to 15 Other analysts are not sure if space mining industry. a system where people can acquire their decline is complete and only a major upheaval can bring years. companies can just fl y up and start Planetary Resources, for example, property rights enforceable through The company will launch its harvesting cosmic water, legally maintains an offi ce in the small a legal process,” Andrew Brehm, an a change in their fortunes. fi rst robotic probe mission to scout speaking. European country better known attorney with Scopelitis, Garvin, Light At one point in the Edgbaston Test, Stuart Law, the West asteroids for resource deposits in The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 is the for its fi nance industry than space Hanson & Feary in Milwaukee. Indies’ coach, had his head in his hands and it was easy to 2020, said Planetary Resources’ Chief main international standard for what exploration. “That being said, outer space sympathise with the Australian’s despair as his side made Executive Chris Lewicki. companies and countries are allowed to The US in 2015 introduced similar is viewed in society as something several ‘schoolboy errors’. They last won a Test in England 17 “If you obtain a resource and bring do when they aren’t on earth, said Jacob legislation for private space resource similar to the ocean, where there is a it with you, it becomes your property,” Haqq-Misra, director of the Blue Marble ownership but it only applies to fi rms collective interest,” Brehm said. years ago. Lewicki said, citing recently passed Space Institute of Science, a Seattle- majority owned by Americans. “A fi rst come, fi rst serve system And since 1997, excluding matches against perennial space laws in the US and Luxembourg based research group. Nasa, the US government’s space does not necessarily work well when strugglers Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, they have won just that off er a legal framework to ensure The treaty says that space is agency, maintains a “neutral position only certain countries or private three out of 87 away Tests in total. that private operators can be confi dent the “provenance of all mankind”. with regard to mining of minerals on entities can (currently) reach outer “Every time they have about their rights over resources they Countries cannot claim “national Mars”, a spokesman said. space.” arrived in England, extract in space. appropriation” or sovereignty over “If companies request assistance or Even if countries can agree on a The Calypso “You can sell, keep or deliver (space the Moon or other celestial bodies “by want partnerships related to mining universal property rights regime they seem to have got resources) peacefully,” Lewicki said. occupation or by other means”, the on Mars, we help to the best of our for space, there are still plenty of Kings put a group worse,” Vaughan told The fi rm plans to extract oxygen and treaty says. ability,” Nasa spokesman Guy Webster earthly grievances for countries and the BBC’s Test Match hydrogen – the components of water – This clause could prove tricky for told the Thomson Reuters Foundation companies to address, said Kellman, of scattered Special. from asteroids to sell. private fi rms who want to mine on in an e-mail without providing the law professor. West Indies’ plight Lewicki is not planning on bringing asteroids or Mars, said Haqq-Misra, specifi cs on space resource ownership. Specifi cally, analysts and legal Caribbean islands those water resources back to Earth; including Planetary Resources and Along with national legislation and experts do not know whether has not been helped by he wants market them in space, SpaceX, the private rocketship the 1967 treaty, there are other earthly companies would have to pay taxes on the world players being barred creating a “gas station” for other company run by tech billionaire Elon regulations which could provide or royalties to anyone on earth for from Test selection exploration missions. Musk. guidance for managing extraterrestrial extracting space resources. sporting map by unless they appeared Hydrogen and oxygen, kept at “If SpaceX, a US corporation, was to resources, legal experts said. It is an issue space exploration fi rms in the entire domestic a docking station orbiting around claim asteroid profi ts as its own, there Under the United Nations’ Law of have yet to deal with. dominating the Earth, will be used to fuel other is some ambiguity as to whether that the Sea Convention countries have “For the moment, the company four-day competition. space ships. constitutes national appropriation,” exclusive rights to exploit natural exists on earth, where all of the laws game But star names faced Moving those fuels from Earth into Haqq-Misra told the Thomson Reuters resources within around 200 miles and regulations apply,” Planetary with a choice between outer space is expensive, he said, and Foundation. (322km) of their coast line, but ships Resources’ Lewicki said. a lowly-paid tournament — the economics of many West Indies territories mean offi cials cannot match the wages on off er elsewhere in the world — or a clashing but lucrative Twenty20 league, simply took the better deal. Add in a bitter dispute between several leading players China’s renewable-energy revolution and Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Whycliff e ‘Dave’ Cameron and you have a situation where Jason Holder’s Test By Jiang Kejun and According to Beyond the Hoping to become a world leader in But China will also face challenges squad are without the likes of Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo Supercycle: How Technology Is the fi eld, China is already investing as it moves from fossil fuels to and Darren Sammy. Jonathan Woetzel Beijing Reshaping Resources, a new report more than $100bn in domestic renewables within a changing global Meanwhile, the privately run Caribbean Premier League from the McKinsey Global Institute renewables every year. That is twice resource sector. Its economy is still Twenty20 tournament is continuing at home while a three- (MGI), these trends are slowing the the level of US investment in domestic highly dependent on coal, implying Test tour of England is in progress. t the start of 2017, China growth of primary energy demand. If renewable energy and more than the sizeable costs as it shifts capacity to announced that it would rapid adoption of new technologies combined annual investment of the other resources such as natural gas In the absence of ‘Test windows’, where there are no invest $360bn in renewable continues, that demand could peak in US and the European Union. and renewables. competing formats running at the same time, top West Aenergy by 2020 and scrap 2025. And with less intensive energy In addition, China is investing Moreover, the construction of solar Indies cricketers will most likely continue to sign contracts plans to build 85 coal-fi red power use and increased effi ciency, energy $32bn – more than any other panels and wind farms in China has that off er them the greatest chance of financial security. plants. In March, Chinese authorities productivity in the global economy country – in renewables overseas, outpaced upgrades to its electrical The West Indies have problems in the 50-over format too. reported that the country was already could increase by 40-70% over the with top-tier Chinese companies grid, creating a great deal of waste. exceeding offi cial targets for energy next two decades. increasingly taking the lead in global And Chinese producers, like most They failed to make this year’s Champions Trophy and the effi ciency, carbon intensity, and the While global growth in energy renewable-energy value chains. others, are feeling increasing pressure twice former champions will also have to qualify for the 2019 share of clean energy sources. And just demand is slowing, China’s share of China’s State Grid Corp has plans to to reduce costs and improve effi ciency World Cup in England after sliding too far down the rankings last month, China’s energy regulator, that demand is increasing. By 2035, develop an energy grid that draws on to make up for slower demand growth for direct entry. the National Energy Administration, China may account for 28% of the wind turbines and solar panels from worldwide. Cricket administrators therefore have a huge task on hand. rolled out new measures to reduce the world’s primary energy demand, up around the world. Chinese solar- Despite these hurdles, technological country’s dependence on coal. from 23% today, whereas the United panel manufacturers are estimated innovation should help Chinese Putting aside petty diff erences and egos, they should chalk These are just the latest indicators States could account for just 12% by to have a 20% cost advantage over producers realize productivity gains out a plan in co-operation with their greats of the game that China is at the centre of a global 2035, down from 16% today. their US peers, owing to economies and deliver savings to consumers. to chalk out a long-term plan to inject new life into the energy transformation, which is China has already made signifi cant of scale and more advanced supply- According to MGI, by 2035, changes Caribbean game. being driven by technological change progress in reducing its resource chain development. And Chinese in the supply and demand for major and the falling cost of renewables. intensity: between 1980 and 2010, its wind-turbine manufacturers, having commodities could result in total But China is not just investing in economy grew 18-fold, but its energy gradually closed technology gaps, now cost savings of $900bn to $1.6tn renewables and phasing out coal. It consumption grew only fi vefold. account for more than 90% of the worldwide. To Advertise also accounts for a growing share of According to World Bank data, that Chinese domestic market, up from The scale of these savings will global energy demand, meaning that refl ects a 70% decline in energy just 25% in 2002. depend not only on how quickly new [email protected] its economy’s continuing shift toward intensity per unit of GDP. These trends suggest that China technology is adopted, but also on Display service- and consumption-led growth In its 13th Five-Year Plan, the will be a major source of both how policymakers and companies Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 will reshape the resource sector Chinese government aims to reduce energy demand and cutting-edge adapt to their new environment. But, worldwide. energy intensity by a total of 15% technology, implying that it will above all, it will depend on China. – Classified At the same time, various other between 2016 and 2020. It is already have a unique opportunity to provide Project Syndicate Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 factors are reducing global resource well on its way toward achieving that global leadership. Its experience consumption, including increased goal. At the Chinese Communist in reducing energy intensity can zJiang Kejun is senior researcher Subscription energy effi ciency in residential, Party’s National People’s Congress serve as a roadmap for developing at the Energy Research Institute [email protected] industrial, and commercial buildings, earlier this year, Chinese Premier Li countries. And its investments in of China’s National Development and lower demand for energy Keqiang reported that China’s energy renewables at home and abroad and Reform Commission. Jonathan in transportation, owing to the intensity fell by 5% last year alone. can lead to additional technological Woetzel is a McKinsey senior partner 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved proliferation of autonomous vehicles Renewables are one reason for breakthroughs that drive down costs and a director of the McKinsey Global and ride sharing. China’s declining resource intensity. for consumers everywhere. Institute. Gulf Times Tuesday, August 22, 2017 19 COMMENT How to bring dangerous nations to heel

By John Yoo Los Angeles Times

ith threats, bribes, diplomacy and sanctions, American Wpresidents of both parties have sought for 25 years to try to halt, or at least slow, North Korea’s quest for a nuclear arsenal – to no avail. Though the brinksmanship of the last few weeks has subsided, President Donald Trump still faces the prospect of a madman – Kim Jong-un – in control of a nuclear arsenal. What the US and its allies must now do is fi nd options between conventional war, or even nuclear holocaust, on the one Drones have been used for pinpoint strikes on terrorist leaders and insurgent hand, and appeasement on the other. forces. The answer could be robotic, cyber and space weapons – if we have the to limit our ability to bring dangerous of US government and commercial will to deploy them. nations to heel, not least because new systems. Our rivals are unlikely to obey Three types of technology hold technologies give the US and its allies a treaty limiting such weapons, except promise for facing down North Korea an opportunity to preempt looming as a ruse. (They see cyberweapons, and similar threats. Space weapons will someday be able to target intercontinental ballistic missiles. threats or respond quickly with for example, as a counterbalance to First, drones and robots. They proportional force in a crisis. our superiority in conventional and already have been used for pinpoint and disrupting Chinese companies “Fire and fury” and “America fi rst” campaign because it made war too easy The UN charter and modern warfare strategic weapons.) Treaty inspectors strikes on terrorist leaders and that continue to trade with mesh poorly, unless technology is to wage. Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX, conventions frown on preemption; are unlikely to detect secret cyber insurgent forces in the Mideast. More Pyongyang. employed to resolve the paradox. recently called artifi cial intelligence “the nations can use force only for self- or robotics programmes, as we have advanced drones could potentially Third, with launch costs falling The potential is clear. In the greatest risk we face as a civilisation” defence or when authorised by the learned from trying to monitor nuclear locate and destroy Pyongyang’s (thank you SpaceX), and the Kosovo air war, the US Air Force and predicted that it could trigger wars. Security Council. But violations have R&D programmes. nuclear arsenals, research centres and capabilities of precision-guided dropped graphite bombs to disable These critics fear a new technology been tolerated: President Reagan High-tech weaponry challenges missile sites. Robotic naval vessels munitions improving, the United the Serbian electrical grid; in the Iraq arms race that will encourage the bombed Libya in retaliation for a terror long-cherished arms control norms, could blockade North Korea, and States could rush the development of invasion, allied air power crippled promiscuous use of these weapons. attack on US soldiers, Israel destroyed but it is already too late to prevent manned and unmanned forces could a space-based anti-missile system. Saddam Hussain’s military and Every advance in warfare has met Iraqi and Syrian nuclear reactors, and our rivals from developing and using form a layered anti-missile shield. Though still on the drawing board, civilian transportation network. with such arguments. The Catholic President Clinton launched cruise these technologies. Should sanctions, The United States should also space weapons will someday be able New technologies can create those Church and European aristocrats missiles against Iraq for barring threats and diplomacy fail, the US unleash cyber capabilities it has to target intercontinental ballistic pressures – and more – with far tried to ban the crossbow. During inspections of nuclear sites. Neither may need to strike fi rst, but with the steadily built over the last decade. missiles during their initial boost greater eff ect, less permanent damage World War I, it was argued that the Bush nor Obama administrations caution and precision aff orded by new Computer viruses alone can’t prevent phase, when the large plume of their and less risk to troops. They can be long-range artillery, aerial bombing consulted the UN before launching technology. – Tribune News Service North Korea from launching nuclear engines makes them easiest to detect deployed quickly and precisely in and submarine attacks violated the the Stuxnet virus to disrupt Iran’s missiles, but they could degrade and their slow upward ascent makes a crisis, and they provide strategic laws of war by removing the face- uranium processing facilities. zJohn Yoo is a law professor at the the Kim regime’s ability to conduct them most vulnerable. deterrence as well. to-face element of combat. This Developing and deploying more University of California at Berkeley research and development, test Using advanced technology should The main obstacle to deploying such summer, 122 nations joined a treaty sophisticated robotic, cyber and and a former offi cial in the George W. and control weapons and gather appeal to a commander in chief who weapons will be hearts and minds in the banning nuclear weapons, and the space weaponry may amplify an arms Bush Justice Department and the co- intelligence. Cyberwarfare could also rails against the “waste” of American West. There are already calls to ban new International Court of Justice has race, but the key word is “amplify.” author of Striking Power: How Cyber, complement economic sanctions by blood and treasure expended abroad weapons because they are destabilising. come close to declaring them a Our adversaries are already off and Robots, and Space Weapons Change freezing North Korean off shore bank and at the same time deplores “the United Nations offi cials, for example, violation of international law. running – witness the Russian, the Rules of War, to be published in accounts, paralysing communications very sad depletion of our military.” attacked President Obama’s drone And yet there is every reason not Chinese and North Korean hacking September. Weather report Trump stokes white nationalist fan base Three-day forecast

TODAY High: 41 C By Melissa Ryan Trump’s constituents took his wholly to the Charlottesville ralliers’ words as they were meant to be heard. defence, saying, “Not all of those Low : 34 C Tribune News Service Inshore: Hazy to misty at places Andrew Anglin, founder of the Daily people were neo-Nazis, believe me. at first becomes hot daytime with some clouds and chance of raine at Stormer website, was pleased, writing, Not all of those people were white places, humid by night. eo-Nazis are a constituency “When asked to condemn, he just supremacists by any stretch.” of President Donald Trump. walked out of the room. Really, really I’ve followed Trump’s supporters WEDNESDAY So are white nationalists. good. God bless him.” online for the past year, eavesdropped High: 41 C NAnd the so-called alt-right Anglin’s feelings were echoed online on their digital conversations, and Low: 33 C you keep hearing about? They’re a in communities where the so-called observed how they’re organised. For M Sunny constituency as well. alt-right are known to congregate. the most part, they aren’t engaged in All politicians have constituencies Commenters on the website Reddit’s any policy or political issue unless that who can be counted on to organise message board “/r/The _ Donald” issue involves race baiting. Trump’s THURSDAY volunteers, raise or make donations, were largely satisfi ed that Trump election brought them out of the High: 39 C and mobilise voters come Election didn’t call out hate groups explicitly. shadows and they have no intention of Low: 33 C Day. Elected offi cials are constantly President Trump eventually did returning there anytime soon. Sunny reaching out to those groups: condemn hate groups, after being What happened in Charlottesville labour, evangelicals, community called on to do so by Republicans might have shocked most Americans organisations and business owners, to Donald Trump and Democrats. He followed this by but it emboldened white nationalists Fishermen’s forecast name a few. signalling to his constituency group and their allies. The hate groups are OFFSHORE DOHA Good politicians know that this and injuring many more, because that he was still with them. First, he taking an online victory lap. They’re Wind: NE-SE 03-10/15 KT relationship is ongoing. Their political they’re a constituency. He needs them, told a reporter that he was strongly planning their next rallies and actions. Waves: 1-3/4 Feet operations are constantly talking more than ever, as his approval ratings considering pardoning Arizona They’ll continue to have President INSHORE DOHA Wind: SE-NE 05-15/18 KT to these groups, both directly and sink lower with each new poll. Sheriff Joe Arpaio, a far-right hero Trump’s back because he’s shown Waves: 1-2 Feet indirectly, knowing it’s important Refusing to condemn hate groups convicted of contempt of court. Then them time and time again that he has to keep them engaged and, more for the fi rst 48 hours after the he retweeted alt-right media celebrity theirs. Around the region important, not to alienate them. deadly white nationalist rally in Jack Posobiec – known for pushing Weather Weather President Trump didn’t want to Charlottesville last weekend, and debunked #pizzagate and Seth Rich zMelissa Ryan is the author of the Ctrl today Max/min tomorrow Max/min condemn hate groups, even after a choosing to call for an end to “violence conspiracy theories. Alt Right Delete newsletter and the Abu Dhabi M Sunny 43/33 M Sunny 42/32 white supremacist drove his car into a on many sides,” were Trump’s way of Finally, at a press event meant to founder of Factual Democracy Project. Baghdad Sunny 47/29 Sunny 43/27 Dubai group of protesters, killing one person signalling to his base. be about infrastructure, Trump came Follow her on Twitter @melissaryan. M Sunny 43/32 M Sunny 41/32 Kuwait City Sunny 44/32 Sunny 43/32 Manama M Sunny 40/33 Sunny 41/33 Muscat P Cloudy 31/28 P Cloudy 31/27 Riyadh P Cloudy 44/29 M Sunny 43/29 Live issues Tehran Sunny 36/23 Sunny 36/24 Couples-focused sleep apnoea therapy

By Carolyn Crist common treatment for OSA but an appointment to seek help, however. other while starting the long-term Reuters Health are often seen as bothersome and Partners said they were concerned treatment and adjusting to a new unattractive. about their own sleep, as well as the routine were key pieces of advice. About 6 in 10 adults sleep with a patient’s health. “I found it particularly interesting ositive, supportive partner, according to the National “Love is blind at first; then, over that some patients reported using interactions between sleep Sleep Foundation, and more than time, you get tired, and you have CPAP for their partners’ benefi t, partners could help people one-fourth of married or cohabitating kids,” one partner said. “So every and on the fl ip side, partners were Pwith sleep apnoea adhere to couples say their relationships are moment I can sleep is extremely uncomfortable with this,” said Faith continuous positive airway pressure adversely aff ected by sleep problems. important.” Luyster of the University of Pittsburgh (CPAP) therapy, suggests a small Ye and colleagues interviewed Although couples expressed anxiety in Pennsylvania, who wasn’t involved study. 20 couples to understand how about using the cumbersome machine in the study. Couples who focused on the obstructive sleep apnoea aff ects their at fi rst, those who focused on a sense “Communication is really the key Around the world benefi ts for both the patient and the relationships and CPAP use. of “we” when it came to CPAP use to making a smooth transition into Weather Weather sleep partner were more likely to use The interviews focused on the were the most successful. using CPAP,” she told Reuters Health today Max/min tomorrow Max/min the CPAP machines, the study authors consequences, challenges, questions They learned about sleep apnoea by e-mail. “Couples need to talk Athens Sunny 31/21 Sunny 31/22 report in the journal Sleep Health, and advice that couples had about and CPAP treatment together. about their concerns about the patient Beirut M Sunny 29/26 Sunny 30/26 S T Storms 33/26 online July 25. using CPAP. They were better able to have deep starting CPAP, strategise together, and Bangkok 32/26 S T Storms Berlin P Cloudy 18/10 M Sunny 23/12 “Poor adherence to CPAP remains About two-thirds of the couples sleep, less worry, less irritability be respectful and supportive of each Cairo Sunny 36/24 Sunny 37/24 the major impediment to eff ective said they slept in the same bed and more energy, as well as greater other.” Cape Town P Cloudy 17/13 S Showers 17/13 treatment for obstructive sleep consistently, and one-quarter said intimacy and better communication. Future studies should also Colombo T Storms 29/26 T Storms 29/26 apnoea,” lead study author Lichuan Ye they seldom shared a bed since CPAP Several patients said they wouldn’t investigate how much spouse Dhaka T Storms 33/27 T Storms 32/27 Hong Kong T Storms 34/28 T Storms 31/28 of Northeastern University in Boston use started. use a CPAP unless their partner involvement and which aspects play Istanbul S T Storms 24/20 Sunny 27/19 told Reuters Health. On average, the machine was used expressed a concern, and partners a vital role in CPAP adherence, said Jakarta P Cloudy 34/26 M Sunny 34/26 “Spouses can make a signifi cant fi ve hours per night. often off ered help by setting up the Dr Salma Batool-Anwar of Harvard Karachi S T Storms 34/27 S T Storms 31/27 diff erence in their partners’ health The research team found that machine, adjusting the mask and Medical School in Boston, who wasn’t London Cloudy 26/18 P Cloudy 23/14 Manila T Storms T Storms 30/26 behaviours,” she said by e-mail. partners often helped their spouses helping with maintenance. involved in the research. 31/26 Moscow M Cloudy 29/19 Cloudy 25/16 Obstructive sleep apnoea, which identify sleep problems and go Verbal encouragement, such “Sleeping seven to eight hours on a New Delhi M Cloudy 32/26 S T Storms 32/26 causes breathing to stop and start through diagnosis and treatment. as reminders, compliments and nightly basis is vital for overall health,” New York M Cloudy 33/23 P Cloudy 29/19 during sleep — often accompanied by The patients said that if not for open acceptance of their partner’s Batool-Anwar told Reuters Health by Paris P Cloudy 28/17 M Sunny 28/14 loud gasping or snoring — aff ects more their partner, they “would have never appearance while using the machine, e-mail. “Patients should listen to their Sao Paulo Cloudy 18/11 P Cloudy 23/12 Seoul P Cloudy 29/23 T Storms 28/25 than 20mn Americans, according known” they had a problem or would helped as well. bed partners’ complaints about their Singapore P Cloudy 31/27 S T Storms 31/27 to the American Sleep Apnea have thought it wasn’t “that bad.” The couples said they wish they sleep as early screening, diagnosis, and Sydney Sunny 17/07 M Sunny 19/09 Association. It often took repeated discussions had started CPAP treatment sooner treatment of sleep apnoea can improve Tokyo Clear 32/26 Cloudy 33/25 CPAP machines are the most and several years before patients made and that being patient with each sleep-related quality-of-life.” Gulf Times 20 Tuesday, August 22, 2017 QATAR

Qataris’ rights denied in blockade countries

number of Qataris have released and the case was re- expressed their de- jected on instructions by the au- Anouncement of the Saudi thorities there,” he said. and Emirati authorities’ biased He explained that his lawyer treatment against them, which in Saudi Arabia told him that the encouraged their citizens to case was rejected at the court usurp the rights of Qataris there. because it involved a Qatari man. Local Arabic daily Arrayah re- “This means as if the authori- ported yesterday the case of two ties there are encouraging their Qatari men, one in Saudi Arabia citizens to seize the rights of Qa- and the other in the UAE, who taris,” al-Hadifi pointed out. approached the Compensa- Similarly, Shafi al-Hajri tried tion Claims Committee to help to fi le a case at an Emirati court get their rights after the Saudi through a local lawyer against and Emirati authorities rejected a UAE man who owes him court cases fi led by them against QR370,000. However, he was QFSW CEO Amaal bint Abdullatif al-Mannai (third left) addressing a press conference in Doha yesterday to announce that the organisation has been granted a consultative some of their citizens. informed later by the lawyer status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) as other senior off icials look on. Saleh al-Hadifi said that he that the case was rejected by the has approached the commit- court because it was fi led by a tee to document his loss due to Qatari national. the Saudi Authorities’ refusal to “If things go on like this, peo- implement a ruling by a Saudi ple in the UAE would be encour- court against one of its citizens aged to usurp the rights of others because the other party is a Qa- knowing that their government tari man. would not take any action “I sold a plot of land in Saudi against them,” he stressed. Arabia for SR25mn to a Saudi Both men said that they could QFSW granted UN man before the blockade and not fi nd any way out of their received only SR2mn as down situations but to approach the payment and for the remaining Compensation Claims Com- sum I got bank cheques. When mittee to get their rights. I discovered that the cheques Meanwhile, the committee has were not honoured, I fi led a case continued to receive more ap- against the man at the Saudi plications for claims and related courts through a lawyer and the inquiries from various persons consultative status man got a prison term. However, seeking help to get their dues after the blockade, the man was and access to their property. QNA pointing offi cial representa- eff ective partnerships, consoli- Doha tives of the foundation at UN dating prospects of co-opera- headquarters in New York and tion, and extending bridges of its offi ces in Geneva and Vienna co-operation with other min- atar Foundation for So- besides submitting written and istries and relevant government cial Work (QFSW) has verbal statements of relation entities. ‘Blockaders reported fake Qbeen granted a con- to the work of the council. The QFSW entered into bilateral sultative status at the United consultative status also allows agreements and active memo- Nations Economic and Social the foundation to use the UN randa of understanding in this news to mislead people’ Council (ECOSOC), allowing it facilities in holding conferences area in order to exchange ex- to enhance its standing among and meetings of relation to the pertise and information. This atar Urdu Radio’s eff orts infl uential international organ- work of the council and access- contributes positively to the to reach out to the South isations in the issues of sustain- ing the UN services for media development of centres oper- QAsian community and able economic, social and hu- documentation and using UN ating under QFSW’s jurisdic- relaying reliable information man development. and high-profi le platform under privileges and benefi ts, espe- libraries. tion, enhances their capacities, about the Gulf crisis are com- The international status will the comprehensive authority of cially consultation with mem- Al-Mannai said the consulta- develop their role in the soci- mendable, Chaudry Tahir Mah- give QFSW an opportunity to the UN General Assembly, and ber states and the UN as well as tive status is another achieve- ety, and plans the strategies and mood said yesterday. eff ectively participate in the di- to function among the second- requesting information and ad- ment for the State of Qatar at policies that help in promot- Mahmood, who is the general alogue leading to improving and ary entities under the council’s vice from specialist sides in in- the international level and re- ing civil society groups under secretary of the Pakistan Welfare just false propaganda,” he said. empowering the most needy jurisdiction, in addition to the ternational organisations. This affi rms QFSW’s excellence in the foundation and integrating Forum, was a guest on the live Haqeeqat, which aims to en- groups who have missed out on UN secretariat, programmes, is in addition to enlisting issues achieving its vision to be a lead- their services. radio show Haqeeqat that airs on gage and interact with the large development or have been ex- funds and specialised agencies. of concern to the foundation on er in social work not only at the QFSW aims to spread the Qatar Urdu Radio. Yesterday’s South Asian expatriate com- cluded from the human right to Al-Mannai said that receiving ECOSOC’s agenda. local level but also regionally culture of excellence and in- topic of discussion was about munity in Qatar, is a joint ven- development. the consultative status provides Also, the consultative sta- and internationally. novation in social work in the the blockading countries’ news ture of the Gulf Times and Qatar Speaking on the occasion QFSW opportunities to meet tus allows participation in UN QFSW was granted the con- country by following the best coverage of the Gulf crisis. Media Corporation Urdu Radio. yesterday, QFSW Chief Ex- and co-operate with counter- conferences and activities, sultative status thanks to its international practices and “Qatar Urdu Radio is our It is broadcast from Sunday to ecutive Offi cer Amaal bint part groups who are partners in and attending as observers in contribution to planning the spreading awareness of the source of authentic and reliable Thursday on FM107. Abdullatif al-Mannai said the development and the fi elds of public meetings of the coun- policies and strategies of social concepts of quality improve- information. The blockaders Log on to Qatar Urdu Radio on consultative status allows the social work and human rights cil, the general assembly, Hu- work in the State of Qatar, pro- ment and performance devel- reported fake news in their cov- Facebook and ‘@QatarUrduRa- foundation to actively interact on the local and international man Rights Council and other moting the previous achieve- opment in line with the global erage of the fi rst few days of the dio’ on Twitter for feedback and with ECOSOC as an important fronts. It also gives the QFSW UN agencies in addition to ap- ments, working to establish standards in this regard. siege on Qatar. However, it was comments.

QU faculty awarded for legal analysis of maritime blockade

atar University College qi’s research provides a legal of Law (QU-LAWC) analysis of the measures that QAssistant Professor have been undertaken by the of Law Dr Muna al-Marzouqi blockade countries to suspend won the QU Fellowship Award Qatar’s maritime navigation for the 2017-2018 Cycle. The during the Gulf crisis. It also one-year award is presented compares between the current by the Center for International Gulf crisis and similar occa- and Regional Studies (CIRS) at sions to highlight the impact Georgetown University’s (GU- of such maritime suspensions Q) School of Foreign Service on the international trade and (SFS) in Qatar. maritime navigation. By receiving the QU Fellow- Commenting on her ship Award, Dr al-Marzouqi achievement, Dr al-Marzouqi obtained membership in the said: “The main objective of Georgetown intellectual com- the paper is to reveal the legal munity. She was granted aspect of the measures taken Abu Dhabi will weigh on the headline UAE figure with a fairly tepid expansion rate of 1.8%. $5,000 to pursue her research by the blockade countries project, as well as an offi ce against the State of Qatar and space and access to GU-Q li- to provide a reference for enti- brary resources. During her ties in Qatar in charge of fi ling tenure of the fellowship, she a complaint before the Inter- will meet SFS professors and national Maritime Organisa- UAE economy set to slow down as students in an open forum of tion.” discussion related to her dis- The fellowship awards are cipline and research interests. made to QU faculty members Themed “The right of ac- who propose to use the time cess to ports: a legal analysis granted to pursue high-quality Abu Dhabi cuts oil production: BMI of suspending maritime trans- research projects with prom- port by Saudi Arabia, UAE, ising prospects for publication Bahrain, and Egypt against the in leading journals or univer- AE’s real GDP growth will slow in have a negative bearing on economic ac- downgrade. While the oil production curb State of Qatar”, Dr al-Marzou- sity publications. 2017, owing to oil production cuts tivity over the remainder of the year. “We will slow growth in 2017, BMI said it is Uweighing down Abu Dhabi’s econ- forecast that production will fall by 0.1% “more positive” with regards the non-oil omy, BMI Research has said in a recent re- in 2017, compared to a 2.2% expansion in economy and a relatively strong perform- port. The slowdown belies a more positive 2016. An easing of the production curb in ance here will off set some of the oil sec- story in the non-oil sector, and growth 2018 will see production return to growth tor’s drag. will strengthen in 2018, it said. at 2.1% in 2018, contributing to the pick- BMI said oil prices have not rebounded “We have downgraded our 2017 real up in the economy,” BMI said. as strongly as it has anticipated – and will GDP growth forecast for the UAE since The global agreement on curbing oil be lower-for-longer, not hitting $60/b our last quarterly report, in line with production was reached in a bid to boost until 2019 now — but are nevertheless most of the GCC member states. This prices through reducing global stock- stronger than they were in 2016, when was primarily owing to weaker-than-ex- piles, but this has taken longer to take ef- they averaged just $45.1/bbl. pected oil prices and production cuts. We fect than we BMI previously anticipated, These higher prices are leading to now forecast headline growth of 2.2% in owing to weak global demand in H1 and stronger sentiment in the emirates, which 2017, down from a previous projection of weigh on the headline UAE fi gure with a growth in volumes from Libya, Nigeria will further improve in the months ahead. 2.8%, and slower than the 3% expansion fairly tepid expansion rate of 1.8%. and North America. This is underscored by the latest data, seen in 2016,” the Fitch Group company As oil production returns to growth, As a result, in July BMI downgraded its namely the Emirates NBD purchasing said. so will real GDP growth pick up, and BMI Brent crude forecasts from $57/b in 2017 managers’ index (PMI) fi gures which av- That said, growth rates will be uneven forecasts a stronger 2.9% expansion in and $60 in 2018, to $54 and $55 respec- eraged 55.7 over the fi rst seven months of across the emirates, given the greater im- 2018. The UAE has curbed its oil produc- tively. While, prices do not have a direct the year – signifi cantly higher than the 50 portance of the oil sector in Abu Dhabi’s tion as part of an agreement reached by bearing on real GDP, they have a major ef- level, which marks the division between economy than Dubai’s, BMI Research Opec and non-Opec oil producing coun- fect on government and private consump- contraction and expansion, and higher said. More-diversifi ed Dubai’s economy tries in late 2016 and extended for a fur- tion, and on investor sentiment, further also than the 53.7 averaged between Janu- Dr Muna al-Marzouqi will expand by 3.2%, while Abu Dhabi will ther nine months in May 2017, which will underpinning BMI’s real GDP growth ary and July 2016.