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MONDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10188 August 22, 2016 Dhul-Qa’da 19, 1437 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Qatar and Norwegian FMs confer Qatar’s In brief

SYRIA | Fighting hospitality Rebels preparing to free IS town Syrian rebels are preparing to launch an attack to seize a town from Islamic State (IS) on the border with Turkey, a senior rebel said yesterday. The rebel sector set groups, fighting under the banner of the Free Syrian Army (FSA), are expected to assault Jarablus in the next few days, said the rebel off icial. Jarablus, on the western bank of the Euphrates river, is the last significant town held by the militant group on Syria’s border with to expand Turkey. It is 54km east of al-Rai, a border town FSA rebel groups recently took Doha saw an influx of 538 hotel The increase in leisure tourism will from Islamic State. keys in the second quarter of this be gradual over time, and will result in year a more diversifi ed demand base, reduc- AFRICA | Off er ing the risk of being reliant on one ma- Nigerian militants By Santhosh V Perumal jor segment, it said. Business Reporter Specifi cally on West Bay hotels, ‘ready for talks’ which currently has 4,178 hotel keys, Nigerian militants attacking oil predominantly 4- and 5-star hotels, installations in the Niger Delta have atar’s hospitality sector is set serving mostly corporate and govern- called a ceasefire and expressed a to witness strong supply ex- mental clientele; Colliers International willingness to negotiate with the Qpansion but slowing economic said the announced future hospitality government. “We are going to continue activity is expected to shift demand supply is overwhelmingly 5-star with the observation of our unannounced towards hotels off ering more aff ordable an expected average growth of 14% un- cessation of hostilities in the Niger room rates, according to a report. til 2018, with only one 4-star hotel an- Delta,” the Niger Delta Avengers HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani met with Norway’s Minister of Foreign Aff airs Borge Brende Moreover, with the current trough nounced. group said on its website. “We will give in Oslo yesterday. They discussed bilateral relations, especially on energy, education and economy, and ways to advance them. in revenue available per room, hotels The high land cost makes it more our Niger Delta elders and genuine Sheikh Mohamed expressed Qatar’s commitment to enhancing co-operation with Norway. Brende highlighted Qatar’s regional in West Bay should focus more on food challenging for investors to consider stakeholders that tacit support to and international status, in addition to its role in promoting peace and enhancing stability. and beverages (F&B), which can ac- midscale hotels; hence no such projects go to the dialogue table with (the) count for as much as room revenue, or are announced in West Bay, according government and the multinational oil even more in some cases, Colliers In- to it. corporations whenever the enabling ternational said in a report. Finding that second quarter of this environment prevails,” a spokesman “Supply is expected to grow at a year saw a “substantial” drop in both said. Page 6 strong pace, with a large pipeline over occupancy and ADR (average daily the next few years. However, more than rate) resulting in a 19% decline in EAST ASIA | Tension 20% of the announced forthcoming RevPAR (revenue per available room), Gold and silver labels for supply has already been delayed by one it said that with the current decline in South Korea fears or more years, which leaves more time RevPAR, hotels should focus on other revenge attacks for the market to absorb the new sup- sources of income such as F&B. South Korea yesterday warned of ply,” the report said. “If successfully implemented, F&B possible North Korean assassinations energy-saving ACs fi nalised Doha saw an infl ux of 538 hotel keys revenue can account for as much as and kidnappings in revenge for recent in the second quarter of this year. The room revenue, or even more in some high-profile defections to the South. most recent openings included proper- cases. Having a more attractive F&B With tensions also high before a large- he designs of the optional gold- pan to implement such a system. cooling capacity, and annual consump- ties such as the Movenpick Al Aziziyah off ering will also lead to a more appeal- scale South Korea-US military exercise en and silver labels for energy- The new two labels (the golden eight tion of electricity in kilowatt/hours. and the Centro Capital Doha. ing property, thus having the potential starting today, the unification ministry Tsaving air conditioners (split and stars and silver seven stars) will be The golden labels of eight stars are Although due to a drop in oil prices, to improve the hotel’s Rev PAR as well,” in Seoul said Pyongyang was bent on window) have been fi nalised by Qatar distributed to suppliers and distribu- considered the highest in the world in slowing economic activity and Ramadan, it said. provocation. A ministry off icial told General Authority for Standardisation tors of ACs in order to be pasted on the energy saving, with up to 51% saving in hotels experienced a decline in demand Reasoning for the decline in RevPAR; reporters the defection to Seoul of and Metrology (QGASM). energy-saving ACs imported into the the energy consumption of these ACs, during the second quarter of 2016, the the report said it was due to falling cor- North Korea’s deputy ambassador to “The labels are to be offi cially country. while the silver labels of seven stars report said the hotel market occupancy is porate demand as a result of falling oil Britain and his family had put the North launched on October 14 to observe the Besides, QGASM will issue the facto- have up to 46.8% saving rate. Energy- expected to close 2016 at 64%, which is prices. In addition to the market slow- in “a very diff icult situation”. Page 9 World Standards Day,” QGASM an- ries and suppliers of the energy-saving effi ciency experts point out these ACs still relatively higher than the occupancy down, Ramadan contributed to the de- nounced yesterday in a statement issued ACs of seven and eight stars a certifi - consume energy equivalent to wash- rate in some Gulf Co-operation Council cline in occupancy as well. CHINA | Research by the Ministry of Municipality and En- cate of appreciation indicating the re- ing machines and microwaves but their (GCC) cities which are also heavily reli- Highlighting that West Bay is ex- vironment (MME). lated number of stars, as an incentive for production is relatively limited. ant on the corporate segment. pected to maintain its segment mix ‘Breakthrough’ in Dr Mohamed bin Saif al-Kuwari, them to supply more such units. QGASM also revealed that the new “Slowing economic activity is ex- with the corporate market accounting regenerative medicine MME assistant undersecretary for The new system of energy-saving labels would also include a table indi- pected to shift demand for hospitality for more than 75%, it said the online Chinese scientists have discovered a specifications and metrology af- stars for ACs was fi rst introduced in cating the numbers of stars and the cor- accommodation towards hotels off er- booking channels are expected to gain small molecule that can regenerate fairs, said that Qatar, represented by July 1 and three to six stars became responding energy saving percentage to ing more aff ordable room rates,” it said, momentum as a result of the slowed tissue which, in future, could make QGASM, was working to make the mandatory for all distributors and sup- help consumers take the proper decision adding on the other hand, the upcom- growth in corporate demand. tissue regeneration much easier. The new golden and silver labels manda- pliers. QGASM said that the basic in- when buying. So far, QGASM has regis- ing demand generators such as Lusail “The announced future supply is ex- scientists said a new drug, called tory as part of its energy-efficiency formation on the new silver and gold tered eight types of ACs with eight stars City and Msheireb Downtown are ex- pected to increase the number of fi ne XMU-MP-1, could promote repair and project and become the third country labels would include: the percentage (golden label) and 29 types of those with pected to increase the appeal of Doha dining and specialty restaurants within regeneration in liver, intestines and skin. worldwide after South Korea and Ja- of energy effi ciency, trademark, type, seven stars (silver label). as a leisure destination. the district,” it said.

Doha to host its fi rst Qatar condemns bomb European leaders to beauty show in Oct attack in Turkish city discuss Brexit response

Doha Beauty Show will be held presenting a networking opportunity QNA, Reuters Turkish government and the people” Reuters union - on whether to also leave the bloc. from October 20 to 22 at the for international brands to be intro- Doha, Istanbul and wished for a the injured a speedy Naples The meeting “aims to show the unity ADoha Exhibition and Convention duced to Qatar’s beauty industry and recovery. of Europe’s three biggest countries, but Centre. connect with local retailers and regula- The United States also condemned not to create a specifi c club”, a French It will be the “fi rst-of-its-kind event tory authorities. atar has strongly condemned the bombing in Turkey, with National he leaders of Germany, France diplomatic source said, noting that the in Qatar”, dedicated to local and interna- The show will be open to the public the bombing which targeted a Security Council spokesman Ned Price and Italy will meet today to dis- aim was to prepare for the groundwork tional trade and beauty professionals as in the afternoon of October 20 and con- Qwedding ceremony in the Turk- saying “the perpetrators of this barbaric Tcuss how to keep the European for the forthcoming Bratislava summit. well as local consumers, the organisers tinue to 21 and 22, allowing consumers ish city of Gaziantep, resulting in several act cynically and cowardly targeted a project together in the second set of Faced with existential risks, Merkel said in a press statement. to learn about the latest trends and of- deaths and injuries. wedding, killing dozens and leaving talks between the premiers of the euro wants to cement “a better Europe” rath- The three-day show will focus on ferings in the global beauty industry. In a statement, the Ministry of For- scores wounded.” zone’s three largest economies since er than forge ahead with “more Europe”. “four pillars” of the beauty industry - Ahmed al-Mulla, COO of entertain- eign Aff airs said Qatar “condemns this “We stand with the people of Turkey Britain’s shock vote to leave the bloc. Renzi wants Italy to have a strong voice cosmetics & fragrance, spa & aesthetics, ment at Elan Group Qatar, said: “We are criminal act which contravenes all hu- as they defend their democracy in the Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi in how the bloc’s future is shaped after natural products and hair care & nails. pleased to announce the fi rst edition of man values and principles and religions, face of all forms of terrorism,” Price said hosts German Chancellor Angela Mer- Brexit and, according to the French dip- The trade event is expected to gather the Doha Beauty Show that is set to boost by targeting the innocent civilians”. in a statement, calling Turkey “our val- kel and French President Francois Hol- lomatic source, Hollande wants an EU- local and international beauty brands, the growth of the local beauty industry. The ministry’s statement expressed ued Nato ally and partner.” lande on an island off the coast of Na- wide investment plan to be doubled. industry experts, international beauty It is the ideal platform to connect local Qatar’s “full solidarity with the Turkish US Vice President Biden is scheduled ples ahead of September’s EU summit The three leaders diff er over how to associations, local retailers and devel- consumers, retailers and experts with Republic and its people and its support to visit Ankara on August 24. called to discuss reverberations from boost economic growth - which slowed opers, hotels and health and wellness international brands that are looking to for all eff orts to maintain security and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Er- the Brexit vote. across the 28-nation bloc in the second institutions, and local institutions and depute their off erings in Qatar.” stability in the country”. dogan said that the perpetrator of the “They will be coming to discuss how quarter and stagnated in France and Ita- regulatory bodies under one roof. The programme of the Doha Beauty The statement reiterated Qatar’s suicide bombing was aged between 12- to relaunch Europe from the bottom up, ly - and cut unemployment. The show is being co-organised by Show “will include a mix of sessions “fi rm stance that rejects violence and 14. there’s a big need,” Renzi said yesterday. France supports Renzi’s push for ex- Elan Events Management and Fira Bar- with regulatory authorities, local beauty terrorism in all their forms and mani- He said that the child either blew “Relaunching Europe is a totally open pansionary measures and against aus- celona, which look to build on Qatar’s infl uencers and industry experts, which festations, and whatever their source or himself up or was detonated. game but it needs to be played,” he said. terity, Germany is likely to oppose any burgeoning beauty industry. will shed light on beauty practice, and motives”. The attack killed 51 people and Officials in Brussels and Berlin fear the undermining of Europe’s defi cit and the The fi rst day of the exhibition will beauty and healthcare preferences in It expressed “sincere condolences wounded 69, including 17 in critical June 23 vote could lead to a referendum in debt constraints that Italy and France be dedicated to businesses and traders, Qatar”. to the families of the victims and to the condition. Page 11 the Netherlands - a founding member of the have struggled to comply with. Gulf Times 2 Monday, August 22, 2016 QATAR

Emir receives messages from presidents of Chile and Guinea-Bissau Mercedes models recalled

he Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC), in collab- Toration with Nasser Bin Kha- led Automobiles, has announced the recall of Mercedes-Benz S Class 2015 models as the software calibra- tion number coding in the camera cover does not correspond to fac- tory specifications. The MEC said the recall cam- paign comes within the frame- work of its ongoing eff orts to protect consumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on ve- hicles’ defects and repair them. The MEC will co-ordinate HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has received a message from President of Chile Michelle Bachelet. The message was related to bilateral relations and ways of enhancing them. HE the Minister of with the dealer to follow up on State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi received the message during a meeting with the non-resident ambassador of Chile to Qatar Jean-Paul Tarud in Doha yesterday. HH the Emir has also received the maintenance and repair a written message from Guinea-Bissau President, Jose Mario Vaz, pertaining to bilateral relations and means of enhancing them. The message was received by HE Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi, during his meeting works and communicate with in Doha with Minister of Foreign Aff airs, International Co-operation and Overseas Aff airs of Guinea-Bissau, Soares Sambu. customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out.

QIB launches Ooredoo, MBC Group sign mobile app for pact for exclusive content training nationals

oredoo and MBC Group that Ooredoo tv provides atar Islamic Bank (QIB) supporting tool, which helps have signed a seven-year the best viewing quality has launched an inno- QIB’s Human Capital Group to Opartnership granting and most dynamic features, Qvative mobile applica- evaluate all programme can- Ooredoo the exclusive rights in powered by our Supernet. tion aimed to identify and train didates based on their skills, Qatar to some of the most popu- The addition of HD channels national talents, adopting the knowledge, and personal- lar high-defi nition (HD) chan- and exclusive content from world’s latest application tech- ity traits in order to provide a nels, off ering customers an in- MBC adds another essential nologies in the fi eld of human fi rst holistic feedback to the credible range of entertainment. element to Ooredoo tv’s en- capital management. individuals, as well as assess The agreement was signed tertainment offering,” add- The bank’s ‘Management where they can fi t better with- by CEO Ooredoo Qatar Waleed ed al-Sayed. Associate Fast Track Pro- in a banking organisation. Mohamed Ebrahim al-Sayed and The first stage of the Oore- gramme’ is a comprehensive MBC Group CEO Sam Barnett at doo-MBC partnership will training programme sup- “The introduction of the a ceremony yesterday. launch on September 1, with ported by a highly-interactive supporting application Following the partnership Ooredoo gaining exclusive ac- mobile application. off ers an exciting and agreement, Ooredoo tv custom- cess to all MBC HD content QIB is Qatar’s fi rst fi nancial innovative education ers in Qatar will be able to enjoy in Qatar. Mozaic TV custom- institution to launch a simi- method’’ unparalleled coverage of a huge ers or people using other en- lar initiative with the support range of award-winning MBC tertainment services in Qatar of interactive technology, the Upon commencement of premium content such as Bab Al will still be able to watch MBC bank said. the training programme, the Hara, Omar, Arab Idol, the Voice, Bollywood, MBC Masr, MBC This initiative was launched application is a 24x7 compan- Arabs Got Talent, and others. Masr 2, and Wanasah channels based on the bank’s executive ion to the participants and a Al-Sayed said: “This agree- on Standard Definition (SD). management directives to use very useful tool throughout ment will provide Ooredoo tv Existing Mozaic TV customers the latest technologies to at- their fast track learning expe- with exclusive HD coverage who want to upgrade to Oore- tract, train, and motivate local rience helping them towards in Qatar of some of the most doo tv can simply visit any talents to work in the private an accelerated career path. popular TV programmes across Ooredoo retail shop to register banking sector in line with Upon completion of the Mena. This is a milestone for and collect a free Ooredoo tv Qatar National Vision 2030. Management Associates pro- our entertainment portfolio, as play device. The Management Associate gramme and subject to a suc- we continue to strive to provide Ooredoo Qatar CEO Waleed al-Sayed and MBC Group CEO Sam Barnett shake hands after signing the Ooredoo tv off ers features programme is specifi cally de- cessful fi nal assessment, the the content our customers want, agreement. such as 4K resolution, time shift, signed to enhance the profes- participants will be confi rmed with the highest quality picture Android apps, parental control, sional skills of fresh graduates in a permanent role at QIB. and widest choice of channels. partnership brings together Ooredoo tv customers will also in a series of announcements thousands of hours of on-de- and prepare them for super- Khalefa al-Mesalam, head But this is just the beginning and MBC’s content with Ooredoo’s have exclusive access to MBC+ for Ooredoo tv, as the company mand content and much more at visory roles in the domain of of QIB Human Capital Group, more exciting off erings will be platform in Qatar to provide an channels such as MBC+ Drama continues to invest in providing no extra cost. banking operations. said: “The introduction of the revealed soon.” even better service for the target and MBC+ Variety. world-class entertainment for Ooredoo tv is available from The programme features in- supporting application of- Barnett added: “MBC is proud audience.” MBC Group channels are cur- its diverse customer base. Ooredoo Shops, Starlink, Tech- tensive learning programmes, fers an exciting and innovative of its leading position in pro- Ooredoo tv will now hold ex- rently in the “most-watched” “Since its launch in Feb- noBlue, and Jumbo outlets. rotation between diff erent education method and delivers ducing the Mena region’s best clusive rights to all MBC HD list on Ooredoo services, and ruary, Ooredoo tv has seen The service has no upfront departments and units in QIB, great information and banking available content and in off ering channels, including MBC1, with this partnership, Ooredoo a huge uptake with more charges, no equipment costs, recognised professional certi- knowledge through practical fl agship shows enjoyed by mil- MBC2, MBC3, MBC4, MBC Dra- will become the sole distributor than 40,000 subscribers in and no ongoing contracts. For fi cations, as well as mentoring applications and simulation lions of viewers and browsers ma, MBC MAX, MBC Action, as for MBC HD in the country. six months. One of the rea- more information, visit www. and coaching sessions. models that help trainees to across the Middle-East. Today’s well as any future HD additions. This agreement is the latest sons for this popularity is Ooredoo.qa The mobile application is a easily understand the content.”

Careem signs MoU with Alfardan Automobiles in after-sales promo for BMW customers

Ministry of Transport lfardan Automobiles, the downs during the hot summer The Recharge package offers the refrigerant and lubricant, we’re always looking for ways in offi cial importer of BMW months, Alfardan Automobiles cleaning and disinfecting the leak checks, operating system which to exceed their expecta- AGroup vehicles in Qatar, has launched three exclusive evaporator and air duct system, pressure check in addition to tions. eading regional car book- panding transportation industry has launched new after-sales AC repair packages – Recharge, treating air vents and the dash- exclusive packages on spare The host of new off ers is our ing app Careem has an- and Careem is currently the fi rst promotions. Refresh and Recharge & Re- board as well as a complimen- parts and air vents. way of showing our loyal BMW Lnounced signing a memo- and only car booking platform This has been done to give ex- fresh. tary air freshener start pack. The fi nal package - Refresh & customers our support. randum of understanding with to have completed this step re- isting customers “further peace Customers can pick the one Recharge – includes both pack- “During the hot summer the Ministry of Transport and quired by the Qatari authorities,” of mind throughout the lifecycle that suits them the best, with “We also ensure that we are ages in one, giving customers months, we also ensure that we Communications for the pur- the company said in a statement. of their vehicles, including AC each off er including a set of making our customers fully “complete peace of mind”. are making our customers fully pose of regulating and licensing “We have been proactively checks during the summer heat”, check-ups and tests to ensure equipped for the heat Ihab Allam, general manager equipped for the heat, as it is the ride-hailing service technol- working with the Ministry of the company has said in a press that they are fully covered and of Alfardan Automobiles, said: essential to check all elements ogy in Qatar. Transport and Communication statement. protected this summer, the The Refresh package in- “Our customers are the foun- of the car to give them peace of Sheikh Hamad bin Ghanim to understand the regulations Helping avoid any AC break- statement notes. cludes draining and refilling of dation of our business; as such, mind and safety.” al-Thani, director of the Qual- set forth and to ensure that we ity Performance Department for are fully compliant” Manna said. Land Transportation Services “With 3mn registered users to division and Ibrahim Manna, date from more than 28 cities in general manager of emerging the Mena region and Pakistan, Florida University students visit Health Ministry markets at Careem signed an along with an increasing fl eet agreement allowing the app to of more than 50,000 Captains, connect Careem Captains (driv- Careem is re-inventing the cur- ers) to customers. rent state of transportation. In “The MoU follows recent Qatar alone, Careem has seen moves by the authorities in Qa- strong 30% growth month on tar to regulate the rapidly ex- month,” the company said.

Islamic Dawah Organisation supports orphans in Yemen Islamic Dawah Organisation has distributed QR1.6mn among 2,465 orphans in Yemen sponsored by Qatari philanthropists as part of its “Orphan Sponsorship” project in Arab and African countries. Director General of the Islamic Dawah Organisation Off ice in Qatar, Hammad Abdul-Qader al-Sheikh, said that in collaboration with Yemeni Al Ferdaws Foundation and its branch “House of Qatar for the Orphans,” the Islamic Dawah Organisation distributed the donation to the orphans every four months, pointing out that the sponsorships range from partial to comprehensive, which cover all the orphans’ needs with an annual cost exceeding QR12mn. The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) recently received a group of 40 healthcare MBA students from Florida International University, US, as part of the co-operation between This donation is provided by a group of generous people of Qatar, who MoPH and the University. Dr Saleh bin Ali al-Marri, MoPH assistant secretary general for medical aff airs, welcomed the visiting delegation stressing the importance of the believe in the right of these orphans to live in dignity as granted by visit in exchanging related experiences and expertise. The group also visited the main departments of MoPH and were given detailed information on the eff orts of MoPH in Islam, he explained. He also praised the philanthropists who sponsored developing the health sector of the country. Sheikha Dr al-Anoud bint Mohamed al-Thani, MoPH director of Health Protection and Non-communicable diseases, also these orphans and spared no eff ort to support them in various Arab answered the queries of the students and explained the eff orts of the country in providing free healthcare for the residents. and African countries. Gulf Times Monday, August 22, 2016 3 QATAR Minister holds talks with Greek envoy Alaska governor meets Qatari ambassador

QNA Washington

overnor of Alaska, Bill Walker, met Qa- Gtar’s ambassador to the United States, Moham- ed Jaham al-Kuwari, dur- ing his visit to the US State yesterday. Talks during the meet- ing dealt with means of en- hancing bilateral relations HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi holding talks with the outgoing ambassador between the US and Qatar, of Greece to Qatar, Ioannis Metaxas, in Doha yesterday. HE al-Muraikhi thanked the Greek ambassador for his eff orts especially on the economic in supporting and enhancing bilateral relations between Qatar and Greece, wishing him success in future and cultural levels. assignments. Talks during the meeting dealt with relations between the two countries. During the visit, which came at the invitation of Mayor of the City of An- chorage, Ethan Berkow- itz, al-Kuwari took part along with members of the Anchorage Chamber and the Alaska World Affairs Council in a Panel Discus- sion which focused on two Qatar’s ambassador to the United States Mohamed Jaham al-Kuwari with Governor of 14 companies join major themes: Internal Alaska Bill Walker in Washington. Politics of The State of Qa- tar; Large Projects Imple- State of Qatar, Initiatives in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. The embassy of Qatar mented by the State of Qa- Undertaken to Resolve Re- HE al-Kuwari has also has donated a grant to the tar in Education, Economy gional Conflicts and Reach visited Rasmuson Founda- Foundation to develop a and Sports, as well as Qa- Political Solutions; Efforts tion, which aims to promote special programme aimed tar’s Preparations to Host for the Release Hostages in a better life for Alaskans and at establishing a Domestic Hospitality Qatar the 2022 FIFA World Cup addition to regional cri- focuses on Arts & culture, Violence Shelter for Women and Foreign Policy of the ses, particularly the crisis health and social services. and Children.

expo as sponsors Qatar’s role in Alliance of Civilisations praised ourteen companies vention Centre from Octo- ity Qatar 2016 exposition. Maggi, Sadia and US Meat have extended sup- ber 18 to 20. Companies involved in the Export Federation (live QNA and ‘prominent’ role being opment of relevant pro- Dr Bibars highlighted Qa- Fport to Hospitality Latest reports from BMI franchising, build-out, cooking sponsors) – are all Cairo played by the State of Qatar grammes and activities, tar’s keenness to participate Qatar 2016 as sponsors with Research indicate that the equipment supply, infra- seeking to claim their share on the Alliance of Civilisa- she told Qatar News Agency in all meetings dealing with an eye on tapping market value of the hotel, res- structure, safety, or main- of rising Horeca demand in tions at the level of formu- (QNA) on the sidelines of drafting the strategy, prais- opportunities, the organis- taurant and café indus- tenance of hotels, restau- Qatar and the region. irector of Inter-Civ- lating the Arab Strategic the First Meeting of the ing the eff orts being exerted ers have said. try (Horeca) is more than rants and cafés are riding The Qatar Hospital- ilisations Dialogue Plan. Working Group on Moni- by HE Nasser bin Abdulaziz Qatar’s growth path is $1.6bn (up 5.4% versus a the wave of opportunity,” ity exhibition has shown a DDepartment in the Qatar has a signifi cant toring The Implementation al-Nasr, the High Repre- evident in its hotel, res- year ago). The research an- the statement noted. track record of success with League of Arab States, Sa- role in the formulation of of The Unifi ed Arab Strat- sentative for the United Na- taurant and café sectors, as ticipates this value will rise Key sponsors of Hos- a 100% renewal rate of key mia Bibars, yesterday highly the strategy and a clear egy for the Alliance of Civi- tions Alliance of Civilisa- the market readies itself as another 38% to $2.2bn by pitality Qatar 2016 – Al sponsors as well as a high- appreciated the ‘signifi cant’ contribution in the devel- lisations Plan. tions in this regard. a tourism hub. Many sup- 2020. The growth is fuelled Sraiya Hotels & Hospitality er-than-expected exhibi- pliers, consultants and in- by increased investment Group (diamond sponsor), tor turnout, the statement ternational investors have as well as Qatar’s rising Askar Industrial Co (offi cial points out. taken notice and are now popularity as a destination, kitchen sponsor), Boeker Speaking on the grow- capitalising on the oppor- especially among GCC resi- Qatar (associate and hy- ing success of Hospital- tunities available in Qatar, dents. giene sponsor), Inox Kitch- ity Qatar, project manager according to a press state- “The growth in the ho- en Equipment (associate Rawad Sleem was quoted ment. tel, restaurant and café partner), Americana (silver as saying: “This edition of The trend is driving new sectors is happening si- sponsor), Falcon Technical Hospitality Qatar 2016 is levels of importance and multaneously, staging a & Trading Company (reg- already exceeding our lofty record demand for Qatar’s vibrant business environ- istration sponsor), Haidari expectations and appears largest hospitality trade ex- ment for companies in Trading (fruit & vegetables to be fuelled by the strong hibition, Hospitality Qatar the supply chain. This has sponsor), Felchlin, Schap- growth in the building of 2016, taking place at the fuelled the response for the fen and Master Baker (cat- hotels plus Horeca expan- Doha Exhibition and Con- oversubscribed Hospital- egory sponsors) and Nestle, sion in the country.”

Nearly 100,000 Qataris ‘economically active’

oreigners make up ap- Among the active nation- the non-Qatari population riod of the fi rst half of the proximately 90% of als, nearly 100,000 (99,923) male and 65% of the non- year itself. The report at- Fthe Qatar population, were considered economi- Qatari female population tributes the expected fall to according to a report in a Qa- cally active whereas 91,742 was economically active. such factors as budget cuts tar based publication based were referred to as econom- The total number of unem- and reduced revenues from on the fi gures of the Minis- ically inactive. ployed Qataris, ie, those look- oil and gas among other rea- try of Development Planning The MDPS studies have ing for employment was 780. sons. It also makes reference and Statistics (MDPS). found 68% of the Qatari The 2015 studies also in- to the prioritisation taking A report on the country’s males and 36% females dicated that in the fi ve years place in the infrastructural labour force released by the above 15 years as economi- between 2010 and 2015 there projects and slowing down in MDPS in the third quar- cally active. was a growth of approxi- the construction activities. ter of 2015 said 78% of the Of the economically in- mately 700,000 in the coun- According to a MDPS re- country’s population was active Qatari males, major- try’s population. Of them, port, the country’s popu- active. (which includes only ity were either classifi ed as nearly 530,000 were males. lation stood at 2.587mn at those above 15 years). In the students or retired, it said, It is also expected that the the end of May 2016. There active population, there while among women the country’s population is ex- was a rise of 9% compared were 191,665 Qatari peo- group included students pected to peak at the start of to the population fi gures of ple (which included 93,886 and home makers. next year (2017) but is likely the corresponding month males and 97,779 females). The report said 98% of to decline from the later pe- last year, it said.

THE One unveils Autumn/Winter collection

ome fashion brand THE One is off ering its new Autumn/ HWinter 2016 collection. As the nature trend is big in décor this season, THE One has picked up on it with “sublime delicacy” in the new home fashion collection, the company has said in a press statement. “Leafy ‘Sunshade’ wallpaper in soothing pastel mint green creates the unique backdrop for the elegantly fem- inine Opulent style. Whispery whites, comforting creams and tranquil taupe, with suggestions of old gold and subtle silver highlights, round out the colour palette,” the statement explained. The mood is “cool, calm and col- lected, yet distinctly luxurious, exud- ing an air of understated opulence”. Glamorous mirror fi nishes can be seen Opulent living room, Autumn 2016. in modern classic furniture pieces like the dining and coff ee tables, side table, creamy tone-on-tone aff air with a ceramic-based table lamps and a styl- console and chest of drawers, while fl uff y, fl okati-inspired throw stealing ish shaded chandelier create cosiness, suede-like microfi bre adds sumptu- the show. In contrast, the sleek-lined while accessories in clear glass, moth- ousness to the upholstered bed, stool fabric sofa, in the palest shade of mint, er of pearl and silver add personality. A and bedside tables. is conservatively dressed up with a few few bunches of “forever fresh” Mag- “With the exception of satiny mint strategically placed off -white cush- nolias and a couple of blossom trees green scatter cushions, the lushly ions, to keep the look clean,” it added. “complete the look, giving a fi nal nod layered bedding is very much a rich, Lighting in the form of graceful to nature”. Gulf Times 4 Monday, August 22, 2016 REGION/ARAB WORLD Iraq hangs 36 convicted in massacre of recruits

AFP than 300 people in the worst Saddam Hussain’s palace com- A handout picture provided by the off ice of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani yesterday shows him and Iranian Defence Minister Hossein Nasiriyah, Iraq ever single bomb attack to strike plex in Tikrit. Dehghan (second left) standing next to the new Bavar 373 missile defence system in Tehran. Baghdad last month, Prime Min- Video footage subsequently ister Haider al-Abadi had said he released by IS showed an as- raq yesterday hanged 36 men wanted to expedite the execution sembly-line massacre in which convicted over the 2014 mas- of inmates sentenced to death in gunmen herded their victims Isacre by Sunni militants and terrorism cases. towards the quay, shot them in allied militants of up to 1,700 The Dhiqar governor con- the back of the head and pushed Iran releases images of its military recruits, offi cials said. fi rmed to AFP that the execu- them in the water one after the They had been found guilty of tions were carried out by hang- other. involvement in the “Speicher” ing. The trials that have led to massacre, named after a base His spokesman said that Iraq’s latest batches of death near Tikrit where the recruits around 400 of the Speicher sentences have been severely new missile defence system were kidnapped before being ex- massacre victims were from the criticised by rights groups as ecuted in a massacre claimed by Dhiqar province, which is pre- failing to meet basic standards. the Islamic State group. dominantly Shia and located in Amnesty International had AFP ballistic missiles, according to speech yesterday that Iran’s now looking to develop sea- “The executions of 36 con- Iraq’s south. slammed Iraq’s systematic resort Tehran earlier statements by Dehghan. military budget had more than borne cruise missiles capable of victed over the Speicher crime “Tens of relatives attended the to the death penalty following The project was launched as doubled compared with last supersonic speed. were carried out this morning executions,” said Dawood. “They the execution of 22 other people an alternative to the Russian year. In 2015, shortly before the in Nasiriyah prison,” a spokes- shouted Allahu Akbar (God is in May this year. ran released images of its S-300 system, the delivery of “If we are able to discuss with conclusion of an international man for the governor’s offi ce in Greatest), they were happy to see “The use of the death pen- fi rst domestically built which was suspended in 2010 world powers around the nego- agreement on Iran’s nuclear Dhiqar, the province of which those people dead.” alty is deplorable in all circum- Ilong-range missile defence due to sanctions imposed over tiating table, it is because of our programme, Moscow re-au- Nasiriyah is the capital, said. Among them was Najla Shaab, stances, and it is particularly system yesterday, a project Iran’s nuclear programme. national strength, because of thorised the delivery of the “The governor of Dhiqar, a 30-year-old woman whose horrendous when applied after started when the country was “We did not intend to make our national unity,” he said. S-300 system in a move criti- Yahya al-Nasseri and Jus- husband was killed in the mas- grossly unfair trials marred by under international sanctions. an Iranian version of the S-300 Rouhani also unveiled the cised by the United States and tice Minister Haidar al-Zamili sacre, leaving her to raise their allegations of confessions ex- Images on multiple state – we wanted to build an Iranian first Iranian-made turbo-jet Israel. were present to oversee the ex- children alone. tracted under torture as is fre- news agencies showed Presi- system, and we built it,” Deh- engine yesterday, saying it Iran’s army said in May that ecutions,” Abdelhassan Dawood “Thank you God, it’s a fair quently the case in Iraq,” the dent Hassan Rouhani and Min- ghan told the Irna news agency was capable of flight at 50,000 it was now equipped with the said. punishment for the worst crime, group’s Iraq researcher Diana ister of Defence Hossein De- over the weekend. feet. S-300 system, though further “They were transferred to a triple crime of killing, throw- Eltahawy said. hghan standing in front of the In an earlier speech at Friday “The Islamic republic is one parts are due over the coming Nasiriyah last week after the ing bodies in the river and bury- The United Nations had crit- new Bavar 373 missile defence prayers, he said: “Our missile of eight countries in the world months. president approved the execu- ing people alive,” she told AFP by icised Abadi’s call to speed up system. power is at such a level that we who have mastered the tech- The new Bavar 373 has Iran’s tions,” he said, referring to the phone. executions, which according The system was designed are able to destroy all our tar- nology to build these engines,” fi rst vertical launcher, using necessary green light from Fuad One of the sites of the mas- to Amnesty already topped 100 to intercept cruise missiles, gets at any operational range.” the president said. Sayad 3 missiles that were fi rst Masum. sacre was the former river police for 2016 before Sunday’s hang- drones, combat aircraft and Rouhani said in a televised Dehghan added that Iran was tested in September 2014. Following the death of more building inside former president ings. Gulf Times Monday, August 22, 2016 5 ARAB WORLD Israel strikes Hamas targets in Gaza after ‘rocket attack’

AFP/QNA Palestinian health and secu- ian militants in the territory in Jerusalem rity sources said two people were 2014. lightly wounded by the Israeli On July 2, Israeli air raids hit fi re. four sites in Gaza after a rocket Palestinians attend an anti-Israel military parade of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, to mark the second anniversary of the srael targeted Hamas posi- “One of them is a 20-year- struck a building in Sderot. killing of Hamas’s military commanders Mohamed Abu Shamala and Raed al-Attar yesterday in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Abu tions in the Gaza Strip by air old (young man) who was hit There were no casualties in ei- Shammala and al-Attar were killed by an Israeli air strike during the 50-day war between Israel and Hamas fighters in the summer of 2014. Iand with tank fi re yesterday by shrapnel in the face,” said ther incident. after a rocket claimed to be fi red Ashraf al-Qudra, spokes- Meanwhile, a senior United from the Palestinian enclave man for the Palestinian health Nations offi cial on Saturday ex- crashed into the Israeli city of ministry in Hamas-controlled pressed a deep concern about the Sderot. Gaza. deteriorating health of a Palestin- Police said the rocket hit “be- Security sources in the ter- ian detainee on hunger strike for tween two buildings on a road” ritory said several targets in more than two months in protest Syria regime, Kurds agree on in Sderot, which is less than 4km northen Gaza were struck by Is- of his detention after completing (2.5 miles) from Gaza, causing no raeli fi re, and that a reservoir in a 14.5-year prison sentence. casualties. Army spokesman Pe- Beit Hanun was destroyed. “I am deeply concerned about ter Lerner said Israeli forces hit Witnesses said a base of Ha- the deteriorating health of Bilal Hamas targets in northern Gaza. mas’s military wing the Ezzedine Kayed,” said Robert Piper, UN truce after Russia mediation “In response to the rocket at- Al-Qassam Brigades, in nearby Co-ordinator for Humanitarian tack from the Gaza Strip, the Beit Lahya, was also hit. Assistance and Development Aid IAF (Israeli air force) and tanks Israeli media said it was the in the occupied Palestinian ter- AFP In a bid to calm tensions, a Wednesday, the source said. checkpoints that had been targeted two Hamas posts in the fi rst time downtown Sderot had ritory, in a statement on Israel’s Hasakeh, Syria delegation of Russian offi cials Casualties would also be seized by Kurdish fi ghters and northern Gaza Strip,” Lerner been hit by a rocket from Gaza continued practice of adminis- from the coastal Hmeimim transferred north to Qamishli, confi rmed that regime forces said in a statement. since the last war with Palestin- trative detention. military airport arrived in the and additional negotiations were back in control. egime forces and Kurdish nearby city of Qamishli on Sat- would take place today. But Kurdish fi ghters still 17 Palestinians detained in Jerusalem and West Bank fi ghters agreed to a truce urday for talks with the two “A delegation of Russian held three positions previously Rin the fl ashpoint Syrian sides. offi cials and members of the controlled by the NDF in Al- Israeli occupation forces Jerusalem, and three others in detained three Palestinians and city of Hasakeh yesterday after By yesterday, the Russian- (pro-regime militia) National Nashwa, a southern district of detained yesterday 17 Issawiya town after storming seized their motorcycles after two days of Russian mediation mediated negotiations reached Defence Forces (NDF) have ar- Hasakeh, the journalist said. Palestinians in occupied the city amidst heavy firing of beating them. eff orts, a military source said. an agreement, a Syrian military rived at Qamishli airport for a The regime and Kurdish Jerusalem and diff erent parts of stun grenades and tear gas, The soldiers also detained The northeastern city has been source said. meeting tomorrow (Monday),” forces share a common en- the West Bank. and rubber bullets. Seven more a young Palestinian in Aida rocked by deadly clashes between It included a “halt to all hos- a source from the Hasakeh gov- emy in the Islamic State (IS) The Israeli forces detained two Palestinians were also detained Camp, north of Bethlehem, and US-backed Kurdish forces and tilities and the return to regime ernorate said. militant group, but there have Palestinians after raiding their west of Jerusalem. another one in al-Far’a Camp, fi ghters loyal to President Bashar forces of any positions seized A local journalist working been growing tensions between homes in Hazma, northeast of In Jenin, the Israeli forces south of Tubas. al-Assad since Wednesday. by Kurdish fi ghters” since with AFP toured seven army them in Hasakeh.

Sudan’s Vice President Bakri Hassan Saleh (centre right) and his South Sudan counterpart, Taban Deng Gai (centre left) review the honour guard upon his arrival at Khartoum airport yesterday for an off icial two-day visit. South Sudan’s new VP holds talks in fi rst Khartoum visit

AFP is a member, has yet to formally ac- following a referendum six months Khartoum knowledge his appointment. earlier. Deng headed straight into meetings Armed revolts on both sides of the with senior Sudanese offi cials, and he border have soured relations between outh Sudan’s new Vice President is due to meet President Omar al-Ba- Khartoum and Juba, however. Taban Deng Gai and Sudanese shir today. Key issues include the status of the Soffi cials yesterday discussed Several meetings were held between Sudanese-occupied border district outstanding issues since Sudan’s a South Sudanese delegation headed of Abyei and Juba’s payments for the north-south split in 2011 as he began by Deng and top Sudanese offi cials use of an oil export pipeline through his two-day visit to Khartoum. yesterday. Sudan. Deng’s fi rst visit to Sudan as vice Deng is accompanied by South Su- In June, the South Sudanese foreign, president comes weeks after he re- dan’s defence and energy ministers oil and interior ministers also held placed former rebel leader Riek Ma- as well as senior intelligence offi cials talks in Khartoum to discuss energy char following July clashes in Juba that from Juba. and border issues. killed hundreds of people. Senior security and intelligence of- South Sudan’s oil production has “We have received Taban Deng as fi cials from both countries met hours virtually ground to a halt since a civil the fi rst vice president of South Su- after Deng arrived, Sudan’s defence war erupted in December 2013, when dan,” Sudan’s Minister of State for ministry said in a statement. President Salva Kiir accused Machar Foreign Aff airs Kamal Ismail told re- Earlier yesterday, Ismail said that of plotting a coup. porters at Khartoum airport. Deng was to hold talks on several bi- Machar was later dismissed and re- While Khartoum has recognised lateral and regional issues. placed by Deng on July 25. Deng as South Sudan’s vice president, After a 1983-2005 civil war, the On Thursday, an aide to Machar said east Africa’s eight-nation trading and mainly Christian south of Sudan split he had escaped to the Democratic Re- security bloc IGAD, of which Sudan from the Muslim north on July 9, 2011, public of Congo.

Two Egyptian policemen killed in checkpoint attack

Two Egyptian policemen were killed checkpoint in Sadat City, an industrial have mounted a string of deadly and five other people wounded as zone 100km (60 miles) from the operations against security forces gunmen opened fire on a police capital. since the military ousted Egypt’s checkpoint north of Cairo yesterday, Two civilians were among the five Islamist president Mohamed Mursi in off icials said. wounded, the health ministry said. July 2013. The interior ministry, on its Facebook It was not immediately clear if the Hundreds of police and soldiers have page, said three gunmen in a car attack was carried out for criminal been killed in the attacks, mostly in the without license plates fired at the motives or by militants, who restive Sinai Peninsula. Gulf Times 6 Monday, August 22, 2016 AFRICA Nigeria oil rebels declare ceasefi re, agree to talks

AFP acknowledged that it was en- emerged group calling itself the Warri gaged in negotiations, or that it Niger Delta Greenland Justice would support eff orts by com- Mandate (NDGJM) claimed re- munity fi gures from the area. sponsibility for an attack on the Nigerian rebel group has The NDA said it would honour same day. announced a conditional its ceasefi re pledge “unless the Earlier this month, the NDA Aceasefi re and agreed to ruling political APC (All Pro- threatened to pull the oil region Kibaki: rushed to hospital on hold talks with the government gressives Congress party) con- out of Nigeria, accusing the Saturday night. following months of attacks on tinues ... to arrest, intimidate, president of fuelling divisions in key oil and gas facilities that invade and harass innocent citi- the country. Kenya’s Kibaki have hammered the economy. zens and invade especially Ijaw Oil majors including Shell, In a message posted on the communities”. Exxon, Chevron, Eni and the flown to S Africa Niger Delta Avengers’ (NDA) Otherwise it warned: “We state-run oil group NNPC have for treatment website late on Saturday, the promise to fi ght more for the all been targeted this year. group said it would “observe a Niger Delta, if this opportunity The assaults have reduced Former Kenyan president Mwai cessation of hostilities” so long fails.” Nigeria’s output by 21.5% since Kibaki was flown yesterday as the country’s ruling party The Ijaw ethnic people of Del- January, according to the Organ- to South Africa for medical stops what it called harassment ta, Rivers and Bayelsa states have isation of Petroleum Exporting treatment, Standard newspaper of innocent civilians. long dominated oil rebel groups Countries (OPEC), hammering and other local media reported. It said it would support ef- operating in the area, although government revenue at a time of The 84-year-old was rushed to forts to negotiate with “the experts say militants from other low global oil prices. hospital on Saturday night after federal government of Nigeria, communities have also set up Before the attacks, the oil sec- he developed complications representatives from the home new branches. This file photo taken on June 10 shows an advertising board in the city of Warri. tor accounted for 90% of the reportedly linked to an accident countries of all multinational oil When he took offi ce last year, nation’s foreign exchange earn- more than a decade back. corporations and neutral inter- Buhari announced that he want- of Buhari’s predecessor Good- the government, distanced it- destabilise the country. ings and 70% of government In a 2002 car accident, Kibaki national mediators”. ed to progressively wind down luck Jonathan. self from the NDA in a statement The NDA has carried out a revenue. suff ered neck injuries and There have been unconfi rmed a scheme which had off ered Since 2009 large sums of yesterday. string of devastating attacks on Nigeria’s economy has been a fractured ankle during a reports for several weeks of talks amnesty to former members money have been paid in allow- “MEND reiterates its full sup- Nigeria’s oil pipelines and facili- hit badly by the global fall in oil campaign rally. underway with Abuja, and the of armed groups in the Delta, ances to some 30,000 former port for the ongoing military ties since the start of the year. prices since mid-2014, which He was sworn in as president government of President Mu- notably the Movement for the fi ghters, while training pro- presence in the Niger Delta re- Two state-owned pipelines has hit government revenues in January 2003 while still in a hammadu Buhari has invited Emancipation of the Niger Delta grammes were off ered to those gion,” said the statement by its were blown up in the delta re- hard and forced up infl ation to wheelchair, and served until 2013. rebels to discussions several (MEND). who pledged to lay down their spokesman Jomo Gbomo, accus- gion on Friday, in attacks blamed an 11-year high. Kibaki’s doctor Dan Gikonyo did times. The scheme was inherited arms. ing the NDA of being supported on the NDA. not disclose the medical reasons But the NDA never publicly from the previous government MEND, which is in talks with by former president Jonathan to Also on Friday, a newly „ See also Business Page 12 for flying him to South Africa.

Nigeria wrestles with ‘suddenly poor’ status

By Sophie Bouillon, AFP its position anytime soon,” Manji exposing its structural issues. with a focus on agriculture to avoid Lagos Cheto, Sub-Saharan Africa analyst Now the country is literally costly imports. at London-based Teneo Holdings, sinking into darkness. Another solution is looking to told AFP. Electricity production, which private business. irst it was falling oil prices That’s because Nigeria’s prob- already was faltering before the Aliko Dangote, the richest man that plagued Nigeria, then lems, a result of decades of mis- crisis, barely reached 2500mW for in Africa, is building a gigantic re- Fcame infl ation, power short- management, have no easy fi x. its 170mn inhabitants, according fi nery project that could inject the ages, and a humanitarian crisis in Just a few months ago, Nigeria to local reports, thanks to oil mili- economy with much-needed en- the north. was the number one oil exporter on tants sabotaging the lines that fuel ergy, according to BMI Research. “Suddenly, we’re a poor coun- the continent. the gas-powered stations. “We expect that the develop- try,” Nigerian President Muham- Not anymore. Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, ment of a massive refi nery by the madu Buhari said on Thursday in According to fi gures released on tried to reassure the representa- Dangote Group will lead to a sharp Buhari: Before we came to off ice, Abuja, the nation’s capital. “Before Friday by OPEC, Nigeria is now tives of the Lagos Chamber of improvement in the current ac- petroleum sold for about $100 per we came to offi ce, petroleum sold producing just 1.5mn barrels per Commerce and Industry on Thurs- count defi cit from 2018 onwards,” barrel. Then it crashed to $37, and for about $100 per barrel. Then it day, compared with Angola which day, promising that “great” eff ort the consultancy said in an August now oscillates between $40 and crashed to $37, and now oscillates is pumping out 1.7mn. is being put into improving non-oil note. $45 per barrel. between $40 and $45 per barrel.” Militant attacks on oil infra- revenues. Still, Dangote has to convince By the end of the month it is structure in the increasingly vola- In the streets of Lagos, posters wary investors to back his project. economic policies with some more likely Nigeria will offi cially enter a tile southern swamplands are to on the street remind people that Last week, the Transnational urgency. “When it takes one year recession. blame. not paying taxes is a crime. Corporation of Nigeria, a giant to implement what you said, don’t Adding insult to injury, last week The Niger Delta Avengers, a Nigeria loses too much to cor- company whose interests range expect confi dence from the inves- the International Monetary Fund new armed group fi ghting for po- ruption, with Oxfam, an organisa- from agriculture to energy, said it tors.” said that South Africa overtook litical autonomy and a bigger cut tion focused on ending global pov- hadn’t attracted enough funding While Nigeria will still be an Nigeria as Africa’s biggest econo- of oil revenues, have been bomb- erty, reporting that Nigeria loses and was consequently suspend- economic powerhouse for years to my in dollar terms – a result of the ing pipelines since the beginning the equivalent of 12% of its GDP in ing plans to build one of the larg- come, in the foreseeable future its anaemic naira. of 2016. illicit channels – the largest share est power plants in the country once-skyrocketing growth will be “Both countries are experienc- Today Nigeria is an economic of any African country. (1,000MW). subdued. ing diffi culties, but Nigeria is tak- heavyweight on the back foot, with In his speech, Osinbajo reiterat- “The priority now is to restore As one IMF analyst put it in July: ing a more slower pace to recover. its economy not fi t enough to sur- ed his commitment to diversifying credibility,” Cheto said, explaining “Nigeria is in a particularly diffi - I don’t think Nigeria can regain vive this round of blows that are Nigeria’s crude-addicted economy that Buhari needs to implement his cult situation.”

Suicide bomber kills three in north Cameroon

AFP An offi cial from a local vigilante There are currently more than Yaoundé group confi rmed a toll of “four dead 8,000 Cameroonian soldiers de- and many wounded”, saying the at- ployed in the far north to counter tack took place around 7am (0600 Boko Haram, and there is a large mili- hree civilians were killed and GMT). tary base for the motorised infantry around 20 others wounded Midjiyawa Bakari, governor of the brigades in the Mora area. Tyesterday in a suicide attack in Far North region, confi rmed a “pro- A similar suicide attack in the same northern Cameroon, offi cials and a visional toll” of three civilians plus area killed at least 10 people in Dja- vigilante group said. the suicide bomber. kana at the end of June. Speaking on condition of anonym- He identifi ed the victims as a Boko Haram’s seven-year insur- ity, a security offi cial told AFP the teacher, a high school student and a gency has killed at least 20,000 peo- attack took place in Mora, a town in person from a neighbouring town, ple in Nigeria and border areas of Cameroon’s far north near the Ni- and said fi ve of the wounded were in neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cam- gerian border – an area which has “serious condition”. eroon. suff ered repeatedly from attacks by He said a helicopter was on hand to It has also left more than 2.8mn Nigeria’s Boko Haram Islamist mili- take them to hospital in Maroua, the homeless, fl eeing attacks by militants tants. regional capital. who have ransacked villages across “A man riding a motorbike blew Mora is home to the headquarters the poverty-stricken region. This low-resolution photo taken himself up on a bridge near the mar- of a multi-national force fi ghting Last month, Amnesty Internation- with a mobile phone yesterday ket in Mora,” he said. Boko Haram, which groups troops al accused Cameroon of rights abuse shows the aftermath of a suicide He said the blast had killed three from Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad and during its battle to clear the far north bombing attack in Mora. civilians and the bomber. Niger. of Boko Haram Islamists.

Twin suicide bombs kill 20 in Somalia Ping wins support in bid to oust Bongo

More than 20 people were killed yesterday when suicide bombers from A cousin of Gabon’s President Ali Bongo has withdrawn his candidacy in the Shebaab group detonated two car bombs at a local government next week’s presidential race, saying that he had decided instead to throw headquarters in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region. his support behind rival challenger Jean Ping. Residents of the town of Galkayo in north central Somalia said they heard two Leon-Paul Ngoulakia – Bongo’s first cousin – announced his decision late on loud blasts in quick succession followed by heavy gunfire. Saturday at a rally in the eastern city of Franceville. “There were two huge bombs. The first one was a truck bomb, followed a Although Ngoulakia only represents a modest number of votes, his rallying minute or so (later) by another car bomb. My brother was injured at the behind Ping, a former top African Union off icial, has a symbolic resonance scene,” Halima Ismail, a local resident, told Reuters. because he is a member of Bongo’s family and of the Teke, the country’s The Shebaab, which has carried out a series of deadly attacks in the Horn of main ethnic group which has ruled for nearly half a century. Africa country as it seeks to topple the Western-backed government, claimed “I am here because you decided that we needed a single candidate to responsibility for the bombings. end this dictatorship that we’ve been living through,” said the former “There were two suicide car bombs,” Abdiasis Abu Musab, the group’s intelligence chief, who until 2015 was a close aide of Bongo. spokesman for military operations, told Reuters. He said that he would throw his support behind Ping, 73, who is hoping to Police initially put the death toll at 10, including civilians and security forces oust Bongo in the August 27 presidential race. personnel, but a medical off icial said that number had doubled. Last week, two opposition heavyweights also pulled out of the race saying “Death toll is over 20 and it may rise further,” said Ahmed Sugule, a doctor at they would back Ping. Galkayo hospital. He said another 30 people were wounded in the attack. Guy Nzouba Ndama, 70, who served as parliamentary speaker for two The Shebaab has become more active in Puntland, a large part of northern decades, and former prime minister Casimir Oye Mba, 74, both withdrew Somalia, since moving more forces there after being pushed out of their candidacies on August 16. strongholds farther south by an African Union force and the Somali National Along with Ping, they had been seen as the main contenders to beat Army, experts and off icials say. 57-year-old Bongo. Gulf Times Monday, August 22, 2016 7 AMERICAS Trump pitches softer line on immigration: ‘fair, humane’

AFP Trump acknowledged “that terday in that meeting diff ered Washington there is a big problem with the very little from what he’s said 11mn people who are here, and publicly, including in his conven- that deporting them is neither tion speech last month in Cleve- onald Trump’s vow to de- possible nor humane,” Univision land,” Conway told CNN. port 11mn undocumented quoted Jacob Monty, a Texas im- “It’s that we need a, quote, fair Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaking at a campaign rally in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dimmigrants if elected pres- migration lawyer who attended and humane way of dealing with ident appeared to be undergoing the meeting, as saying. what is estimated to be about 11mn a shift yesterday as the struggling The billionaire candidate, who illegal immigrants in this country,” Republican candidate reaches has slid precipitously in polls since said Conway, who also took part in out to minorities alienated by his last month’s Republican conven- the meeting. harsh rhetoric. tion, told the group of Hispanic “Nothing was said yesterday Long before Trump, US The New York real estate mag- conservatives that his plan would that diff ers from what Mr Trump nate intends to lay out specifi cs of grant undocumented immigrants said previously,” she added. his immigration plan over the next legal status “that wouldn’t be citi- “He supports making sure that few weeks, Trump’s new campaign zenship but would allow them to we enforce the law, that we are re- manager Kellyanne Conway said. be here without fear of deporta- spectful of those Americans who presidential campaigns Asked on CNN’s State of the tion,” Monty added. are looking for well-paying jobs Union whether they will include If true, it would mark a sharp and that we are fair and humane a “deportation force” that Trump reversal for a candidate who for those who live among us in this has previously called for, Conway launched his campaign for the country.” said, “To be determined.” presidency with a vow to build Senator Jeff Sessions, a Trump resorted to nasty rhetoric Trump met with Hispanic sup- a giant wall on Mexico’s border, adviser, also said the candidate porters at his Trump Tower head- while disparaging illegal immi- made no fi rm commitments dur- quarters in New York on Saturday, grants from Mexico as criminals ing his session with Hispanic sup- By Alexia Fernandez 1828: Round 2 of Jackson vs After Cleveland won the elec- 1968: Violence and Fear when several participants told and rapists. porters, “but he did listen and was Tribune News Service Adams tion, Democrats had the last Leading up to 1968, the Spanish-language network Uni- He has repeatedly called for talking about it.” Andrew Jackson, a decorated word with this rebuttal to their number of American troops in vision that he said his plan will mass deportations of people in the According to Sessions, Trump is Tennessee war hero, lost the opponents’ jingle: “Ma, Ma, Vietnam had risen, and opposi- include fi nding a way to legalise country illegally, a stance critics “wrestling with” what to do about his year’s presidential presidential election of 1824 to where’s my Pa? Gone to the tion to the war was mounting. millions of undocumented immi- say is inhumane and unrealistic. the country’s undocumented im- campaign has been de- John Quincy Adams. So there White House, ha, ha, ha!” Johnson shocked the public by grants. “What Donald Trump said yes- migrants. Tscribed as outrageous, was bad blood between the two announcing he would not seek coarse, unfi tting of a civilised when Jackson challenged Adams 1964: The ‘Daisy’ ad re-election. country. But there might be an- four years later, in 1828. The race Midway through the 20th The subsequent months other way to describe it: thor- turned into one of the ugliest in century, one of the most noto- seemed to bring one unimagi- oughly American. the country’s history. rious ads ever shown during a nable shock after another. The The US is no stranger to scan- Jackson and his wife, Rachel, political campaign ran on Sept Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was Canadian train derails, Henderson, dalous and strange presiden- were vilifi ed by Adams’ cam- 7, 1964. assassinated, triggering riots in tial elections. In fact, they were paign. They were called “adul- President Lyndon B Johnson’s many major cities. Then Sen. the norm in the country’s early terers,” after Jackson’s oppo- “Peace Little Girl (Daisy)” cam- Robert F Kennedy, who was run- causing diesel to leak doctor who years, when candidates resorted nents discovered Rachel was paign ad aired only once, during ning for the Democratic nomi- to invective that not even Donald still married to her fi rst husband an NBC broadcast of “Monday nation for president, was also Trump has equalled. when she married Jackson. Night at the Movies.” killed. Antiwar demonstrations Reuters were carrying. “The incident eradicated Presidential campaigns have Jackson’s enemies called his In the ad, a little girl in a field grew in size and intensity, and Toronto was a result of human error, evolved with developments in wife a bigamist and his mother a plucks the petals off a flower. A a hyper-aggressive police re- so there were no track issues, technology as well. “common prostitute.” voiceover begins a countdown sponse to protests at the Demo- no signalling issues, no me- smallpox, Throughout the evolution, Mudslinging also came from while zooming in on the girl’s cratic National Convention in Canadian Pacifi c Rail- chanical issues,” he said. however, words – sometimes hy- Jackson’s supporters, who re- face. Once the countdown is Chicago led to scenes of horri- way Ltd train has de- Cej said it was a mistake perbolic, insulting, even blatant- ferred to Adams as a “corrupt complete, the video quickly fying violence and chaos, with Arailed, causing diesel made by the crew, but did not dies at 87 ly false – have always mattered. bargainer” and an “unscrupu- cuts to a nuclear bomb deto- demonstrators chanting, “The fuel to leak in the densely elaborate. lous aristocrat” who had mis- nating. whole world is watching!” populated city of Toronto, The transportation board 1800: Early days and a vi- used tax dollars. Then Johnson’s voice is heard: Vice President Hubert Hum- but there were no injuries, the said diesel had leaked from AFP cious campaign After Jackson won the elec- “These are the stakes. To make a phrey became the Democratic Transportation Safety Board the train with two locomo- Washington The presidential campaign of tion, Rachel said she “would world in which all of God’s chil- presidential nominee. Former of Canada said yesterday. tives, which did not carry 1800 gave the American public rather be a door-keeper in the dren can live or to go into the Vice President Richard Nixon The were no public safety cargo, and “one or two” cars its fi rst taste of how outrageous house of God than to live in that dark. We must either love each was nominated his Republican concerns, but the tracks had from the cargo-carrying train onald Henderson, an and fi erce candidates could be in palace in Washington.” other or we must die.” opponent. been closed for investigation, had derailed. American doctor and pursuit of the highest offi ce. On Dec 22, 1828, just three Johnson had been vice presi- Nixon’s campaign focused on said Canadian Pacifi c spokes- It was not immediately Dpublic health offi cial who Thomas Jeff erson, who lost months before her husband’s dent under John F Kennedy, a “law and order” theme, and man Martin Cej. clear when the track will reo- led the successful global drive to the 1796 election against John inauguration, she died of a heart and ascended to the presidency its TV commercials focused on He said a freight train with pen. wipe out smallpox in the 1960s Adams, campaigned formidably attack. in 1963 when Kennedy was as- images of a country raging out two locomotives struck the The board said its investi- and ‘70s, credited with sav- against the incumbent. sassinated. He ran for presi- of control. His ads showcased tail end of another early Sun- gators are on site. ing tens of millions of lives, has He paid the editor of The 1884: ‘Ma, ma, where’s my dent against Arizona Sen. Barry rising crime, street violence and day morning, and neither was Toronto police said there died. Richmond Examiner to print Pa?’ Goldwater, whose ads were old- the unpopular war raging in Vi- carrying “dangerous goods”. were no charges involved in He was 87. anti-Federalist and anti-Adams Cleveland admitted to an af- fashioned compared to John- etnam. He did not say what the trains the incident. Known as D.A., Henderson articles and praise his own cam- fair with a woman named Maria son’s. In Nixon’s “Failure” ad, sin- was a “giant” in public health, paign. Halpin 10 years earlier. The Johnson wanted voters to fo- ister music plays as images of said Michael Klag, dean of Written attacks by Jeff erson entanglement produced a son cus on Goldwater’s right-wing destruction and warfare sweep Zika could spread across US Gulf the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg supporters claimed Adams was a who was given the surname views, and zeroed in on com- across the screen. One of the top US public States such as Louisiana School of Public Health, a posi- “hideous hermaphrodital char- Cleveland. The baby was placed ments Goldwater had made “How can a party that can’t health off icials yesterday and Texas will likely fuel tion Henderson previously held. acter, which has neither the force for adoption and Halpin was about the possibility of using unite itself unite the nation? warned that the mosquito- concerns that the virus, Henderson “led the World and fi rmness of a man, nor the promptly sent to an asylum. low-yield nuclear weapons in How can a party that can’t keep borne Zika virus could which has been shown Health Organisation’s success- gentleness and sensibility of a The scandal didn’t pre- the Vietnam War. order in its own backyard hope extend its reach across the to cause the severe ful 10-year eff ort to eradicate woman.” vent Democrats from creating Johnson’s campaign released to keep order in our 50 states? ... US Gulf Coast after off icials birth defect known as smallpox, one of the greatest Adams’ campaign retaliated, their own jingles. They began another ad, “Merely Another How, in the light of all this, can last week confirmed it as microcephaly, could spread public health achievements in calling Jefferson a “mean-spir- spreading rumours of Blaine’s Weapon,” displaying the detona- the American people fail to see active in the popular tourist across the continental history,” Klag said in a state- ited, low-lived fellow, the son crookedness with, “Blaine, tion of a nuclear bomb and quot- that the US urgently needs new destination of Miami Beach. United States, even though ment announcing his death on of a half-breed Indian squaw, Blaine, James G Blaine, The ing Goldwater as saying atomic leadership? By now it’s clear. The possibility of off icials have played down Friday.” Smallpox is the only hu- sired by a Virginia mulatto fa- Continental Liar from the State weapons were “merely another The American people do see the transmission in Gulf such an outcome. man disease ever to have been ther.” of Maine!” weapon.” need.” eradicated.” Henderson died on Friday in Baltimore of complications from a broken hip, the Univer- sity of Pittsburgh Medical Cent- er –where he was serving as a scholar – said in a statement. Firefi ghters make steady progress against Calif. blaze An offi cial at the Commu- nicable Disease Center, which later became the Centers for Reuters rary closure of a segment of Inter- airplanes and helicopters, ac- Disease Control and Prevention, Los Angeles state 15, which connects Las Vegas cording to tracking website In- he was selected in 1966 to lead to the Los Angeles area, where it ciWeb.gov. Less than 500km to the then seemingly futile eff ort traverses the Cajon Pass. the northwest, a week-old blaze to eradicate smallpox. irefi ghters had a Southern But with the fi re 68% con- called the Chimney Fire threat- First known as the “pox,” the California wildfi re mostly tained, many residents were al- ened the historic Hearst Castle in disease was one of the deadliest Fsurrounded on Saturday, lowed to return home, Lopez said. San Simeon, the former mansion in history, killing an estimated allowing thousands of evacuated Overnight, fi refi ghters built of the late newspaper tycoon Wil- 300mn to 500mn people in the residents to return to their hous- strong containment lines near liam Randolph Hearst. 20th century alone. es as another fi re further north Wrightwood, which allowed resi- But no evacuations had been Heading an army of field moved perilously close to the his- dents of that ski resort town to ordered at the site, according to a workers around the world un- toric Hearst Castle, offi cials said. repopulate the area on Saturday, California state government fi re der an initiative of the World The Blue Cut fi re, named after he said. information website. Health Organisation, Hender- a narrow gorge where it ignited Residents of 7,000 other homes The Chimney Fire had burned son oversaw the implementa- about 120km northeast of Los An- in the Cajon Pass area were still 17,000 acres (6,880 hectares) and tion of a systematic vaccina- geles on Tuesday in an area called potentially in the path of the fi re, fi refi ghters have built contain- tion programme that focused the Cajon Pass, has burned more which is burning in heavy brush, ment lines around a third of it, of- on isolating outbreaks instead than 37,000 acres (15,000 hec- and they remained under evacua- fi cials said. of attempting mass vaccina- tares) and destroyed 105 homes tion orders, Lopez said. Nearly 30 major blazes have tions. and 213 outbuildings, said fi re in- “We feel confi dent we can keep burned some 530sq miles (1,373sq Throughout the relentless ef- formation offi cer Mike Lopez. continuing this aggressive attack,” km) in eight Western states this fort, he often relied on his per- At its height, the blaze forced he said in a telephone interview. week, as prolonged drought and sonal charm to urge leading of- authorities to order more than Nearly 2,700 fi refi ghters and unusually hot weather have inten- fi cials to ensure their countries 80,000 residents to evacuate their crew were battling the wildfi re, sifi ed wildfi re season, the National kept the drive going. homes. their eff orts amplifi ed by more Interagency Fire Center in Boise, The campaign was declared a They also ordered the tempo- than two dozen water-dropping Idaho, said. A burning tree in the San Bernardino National Forest in San Bernardino County, California. success in 1980. Gulf Times 8 Monday, August 22, 2016 ASEAN Scare as Singapore Bangkok bomb trial looms without premier faints in masterminds in dock

AFP Throughout the investigation Thai police and Bangkok military officials sent out conflicting and at times contradictory messages. Junta officials initially pointed the finger at televised speech wo Chinese nationals will go on trial this domestic critics of their rule. week for their alleged roles in a deadly Then after investigators arrested the two Ui- AFP Tbombing at a Bangkok shrine one year ghur suspects, they refused to confirm their Chi- Singapore ago, an attack whose motive remains clouded in nese nationality for more than a week. mystery following a murky and at times surreal Thai authorities have also refused to call the investigation. assault a terrorist attack despite the mass civilian ingapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien The trial, which starts tomorrow, is being held casualties. Loong caused a scare when he fainted at a military court in Bangkok and is expected to Police eventually outlined a group of around 15 Sbriefl y while delivering a long tel- last more than a year. suspects, including Chinese Uighur, Turkish and evised speech yesterday, but he resumed The bombing was the worst assault of its kind Thai nationals, some of whom had either fled or speaking after resting. in Thailand’s recent history. allegedly organised the attack out of Turkey. The 64-year-old cancer survivor, son But one year later more than a dozen key sus- But none of those people is in the dock and of the city-state’s late founding leader Lee pects named during the investigation remain at there has been no publicly announced attempt to Kuan Yew, suddenly stopped speaking more large, while analysts say Thai authorities have yet seek any extraditions from Turkey. than two hours into his speech and had to be to offer a convincing motive. Thai police drew further attention when the helped off the stage. The small but powerful bomb packed with ball force’s then-chief — who has since gone on to When he returned about an hour and 20 bearings killed 20 people and wounded more become head of Thailand’s football federation minutes later, the crowd in the packed au- than 100 when it ripped through Erawan shrine — handed his officers a $80,000 reward that had ditorium gave him a standing ovation and in the heart of Bangkok’s shopping district on been open to the public. thousands of well-wishers expressed relief August 17, 2015. The investigation wound down shortly after- on social media. The Hindu shrine is popular among ethnic wards. Aides blamed fatigue and dehydration Chinese visitors, who made up a majority of the Thai national Kanya Mayoon, 36, lost her sister and ruled out a stroke. “Thank you for wait- dead with five from Malaysia, five from China Prani Srisuwa in the bombing. ing for me. I gave everybody a scare,” said and two from Hong Kong. “It seemed like they just wanted to close the Lee, who has been in power since 2004. Two members of China’s Muslim minority Ui- case quickly,” she said, adding that the attack had He said he fainted during the speech, part ghur population — Yusufu Mieraili and Bilal Mo- robbed her family of their main breadwinner. of celebrations linked to Singapore’s 51st hamed — have been charged with involvement. “I just want the real masterminds to be arrest- anniversary as a republic on August 9. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong Analysts have largely coalesced around the ed and punished,” she said. “I think that’s what happened. I’ve never theory that the bombing was in revenge for the Prosecutors accuse Mohamed of placing the had so many doctors look at me all at once, hydration. “His heart is fi ne and he did not which has governed Singapore since it be- Thai junta’s forcible return of 109 Uighurs to bomb inside a backpack at the shrine and say Mi- they think I’m all right. But anyway I’m go- have a stroke,” the statement added. came independent from Malaysia in 1965, to China weeks earlier. eraili was involved in transporting the device. ing to have a full check-up after this.” Lee underwent surgery for prostate can- a new-fi ve year term last year and has indi- But Thai authorities have said the two inci- Both deny the charges. In a statement released Neighbouring Malaysia’s Prime Minis- cer last year and has received the all-clear cated he would hand over power by the time dents are unrelated and insist the bombing was through his lawyer, Mohamed — also known as ter Najib Razak posted on Twitter: “Heard from doctors. he reaches 70. carried out by a people smuggling gang angered Adem Karadag — said he was an illegal migrant that you’re not feeling well. I hope you’re all He survived a bout of lymphoma, a form “Most of the core team are in place,” he by recent policing successes against human traf- trying to make his way to Malaysia to find work right. Get well soon.” of cancer, in 1992. said. “Heng Swee Keat gave us a bad scare, ficking. when police raided the Bangkok flat he was stay- Lee had been on his feet for more than Yesterday’s incident was the second worse than what I gave you just now. The Uighur minority say they face cultural and ing in. two hours when he stunned the audience as health scare to hit the government since Fi- Much worse,” he said. religious repression in their homeland of Xin- The pair are being held at a prison in a military he slouched over the lectern before cameras nance Minister Heng Swee Keat collapsed Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, a medical jiang in northwest China, and many are believed barracks in Bangkok which has been criticised by cut away to his listeners during a live broad- from a stroke during a cabinet meeting in doctor who was among those who helped to have fled the restive region in recent years. rights groups. Two people died in custody there cast. May. Lee off the stage, said on Facebook that the The junta’s deportations sparked international last year. The audience sat in shock but broke into After resuming his speech, Lee under- prime minister had a “fainting spell”. condemnation and violent protests outside Thai- In preliminary hearings a sobbing Mohamed applause when Lee was being helped off the scored the importance of an orderly leader- “Not serious, similar to what soldiers land’s diplomatic missions in Turkey, which has accused his Thai captors of beating him and de- stage. An offi cial statement said Lee was af- ship succession. get from standing on the parade square too given refuge to many of the Turkic-speaking nying him halal food in prison. fected by prolonged standing, heat and de- He led the ruling People’s Action Party, long,” he said. group. Thai authorities have denied those allegations. Indonesia investigates suspected militant plot

Reuters saw a number of attacks by homegrown having links with extremist group Is- Jakarta militants in the early 2000s, the dead- lamic State and of being involved in liest being a nightclub bombing that planning a suicide bombing at a police killed 202 people, mostly Australians. station in the central Javanese city of ndonesian authorities are investi- Police found a bomb and “high Solo last month. gating whether a suspected mili- (impact) explosive materials” during The Solo attack only killed the bomb- Itant arrested last week was plot- a raid on the suspect’s house on the er himself and wounded one police offi - ting an attack on the resort island of western island of Sumatra, media said. cial. Edy Hartono, chief of the counter- Bali, police said. The man, whom police have yet to terrorism police unit, said police were Bali, a popular tourist destination, identify, was arrested on suspicion of looking into the suspected Bali plot.

Ten dead and fi ve missing in boat accident

AFP Jakarta

en people died yes- terday when a boat Tsank in rough seas off western Indonesia, a navy offi cial said, with a search underway for fi ve others still missing. The small boat was car- rying 17 passengers from the port city of Tanjung Pinang in Riau Islands province east of Sumatra when it encoun- tered bad weather, navy spokesman Edi Sucipto said. “Twelve people have been found, but ten had al- ready passed away,” he said, adding the two injured were in critical condition. A navy speedboat was still searching for the fi ve still missing, Sucipto added. The stricken vessel was only a small craft equipped with an outboard motor, he said. The journey was supposed to take around an hour. The Indonesian archi- pelago of more than 17,000 islands is heavily dependent on boat transport, but fatal accidents are common. Gulf Times Monday, August 22, 2016 9 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA

Chinese ships sail near disputed isles Seoul says N Korea AFP Tokyo has lodged at least 32 Tokyo protests through diplomatic channels since August 5 over what it says have been about 30 okyo protested to Beijing intrusions by Chinese vessels yesterday after Chinese in the territorial waters. Tcoast guard ships sailed The director general of the into territorial waters sur- Japanese foreign ministry’s may send hit squads rounding disputed islands in Asian and Oceanian aff airs bu- the East China Sea, Japan said. reau, Kenji Kanasugi, issued a AFP The offi cial cited assassina- tem and concerns for his family’s pleted investigations into their begin their annual joint Ulchi Four Chinese vessels entered protest yesterday to the Chi- Seoul tion attempts and terror attacks future. case and allowed them to leave Freedom Guardian (UFG) exer- the waters surrounding islets, nese embassy in Tokyo, saying against defectors in the South as North Korea, in a vitriolic re- custody. cise involving tens of thousands called the Senkaku in Japan and that the ships’ “incursion” vi- well as the abduction of South sponse on Saturday, claimed that A spokesman for the North’s of troops. the Diaoyu in China, around olated Japan’s sovereignty, the outh Korea has warned of Koreans abroad as possible prov- the “human scum” had embez- emergency committee set up for “With the start of the UFG 10am local time, according to ministry said in a statement. possible North Korean as- ocations. zled state funds, raped a minor “rescuing” abductees described drills tomorrow, we ask all citi- the Japanese coast guard. “Despite Japan’s repeated Ssassinations and kidnap- He noted attempts to assas- and spied for the South and had that announcement as a “mean zens to be on guard for North They left the territorial wa- strong protests, the Chinese pings in revenge for recent high- sinate Hwang Jang-yop, the fl ed “for fear of legal punishment plot” aimed at “covering up the Korean terror threats and co- ters within an hour, the coast side has continued to take uni- profi le defections to the South. North’s chief ideologue and for his crimes”. truth behind the group abduc- operate with the government’s guard said. lateral actions that raise ten- With tensions also high before former tutor to previous leader The 12 waitresses and their tion”. eff orts,” said the unifi cation min- The two countries are locked sions on the ground, and that is a large-scale South Korea-US Kim Jong-il, who defected to the manager had been working at a “Keeping them hidden from istry offi cial. in a long-running dispute over absolutely unacceptable,” the military exercise starting today, South in 1997 and died of natural North Korea-themed restaurant the public ... citing ‘safety rea- The two-week drill is one of a the uninhabited islets. statement added. the unifi cation ministry in Seoul causes in 2010. in China. sons’ shows that the puppet number of annual joint exercises said that Pyongyang was bent on The offi cial also said that Kim They made headlines when government’s announcement is viewed as provocative rehearsals provocation. Jong-un had dispatched squads they arrived in the South in April a complete fabrication,” he said. for invasion by Pyongyang. Typhoon lashes northern Japan A ministry offi cial told report- to the Chinese border “to harm as the largest group defection for “We will continue fi ghting until Yesterday a spokesman for ers that the defection to Seoul of South Koreans” following the years. we can rescue and bring back our North Korea’s Committee for the Typhoon Kompasu was set to make landfall yesterday on the North Korea’s deputy ambassa- defection in April of a group of While Seoul said they fl ed vol- female citizens.” Peaceful Reunifi cation of Korea northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, bringing torrential rains and dor to Britain and his family had North Korean overseas restau- untarily, Pyongyang claimed that Nearly 30,000 North Koreans said that Pyongyang’s deter- strong winds to the region. put the North in “a very diffi cult rant workers. they were kidnapped by South have fl ed poverty and repression mination to retaliate “will only The heavy rains caused flooding in the city of Kitami and some situation”. Deputy ambassador Thae Korea’s National Intelligence at home to settle in the capitalist grow stronger” if such exercises other areas on the island, prompting local authorities to issue “Considering (North Korean Yong-ho was believed to have Service and waged a vocal cam- South. continue. evacuation orders to about 6,000 residents, according to the Kyodo leader) Kim Jong-un’s character, worked at the embassy in London paign through its state media – But group defections are rare, “It is our fi rm position that we News agency. No injuries were reported. it is very dangerous,” the offi cial for 10 years before his defection including interviews with family especially by staff who work in will mercilessly attack the threats The Japan Meteorological Agency was warning of thunderstorms, said on condition of anonym- announced last week. members – for their return. the North Korea-themed res- of invasion and provocation from mudslides, high waves and swollen rivers on the island. ity. “It’s highly likely that North The South said he was driven Seoul said last week that the taurants overseas and are hand- the enemies with our nuclear de- The 11th typhoon of this season was 70km southwest of Kushiro city Korea will make various attempts by disgust for the Pyongyang 13-strong group was now free to picked from families considered terrence,” the spokesman said in as of 9pm, travelling north-northeast at 35kph, carrying maximum to prevent further defections and regime, admiration for South settle in South Korean society af- “loyal” to the regime. a statement on the North’s offi - sustained winds of 64.8kph and gusts of 90kph, the agency said. unrest among its people.” Korea’s free and democratic sys- ter the intelligence service com- Today Seoul and Washington cial KCNA news agency.

Hundreds swelter in HK protests at election meddling No date set for same

Reuters troversial decision to invalidate sex marriage vote, Hong Kong six candidates’ nominations on the grounds that they could be advocating for Hong Kong inde- says Turnbull’s aide undreds of protesters pendence, an idea anathema to rallied yesterday against Beijing. HHong Kong’s disquali- But only three of the six Reuters ruary, but a spokesman for the fi cation of six candidates from showed up yesterday. Sydney prime minister said no date had legislative elections, the latest One of the barred candidates, been set. outpouring of anger at a per- Edward Leung, a fi gurehead of “Late last week the AEC ceived tightening grip on the the “localist” movement putting he Australian Electoral provided advice to the Special city’s freedoms by China. the fi nancial hub’s interests be- Commission (AEC) has Minister of State that strongly The former British colony was fore those of Beijing, said that he Trecommended that a recommended against the con- handed back to China in 1997 did not join because he was not vote on whether to allow same duct of a plebiscite this calen- under an agreement that gave invited, illustrating a growing sex marriage be delayed, but a dar year,” the spokeswoman ultimate control to Commu- split in the opposition camp. spokesman for Prime Minister told Reuters. nist Party rulers in Beijing while Leung was barred from run- Malcolm Turnbull said yester- “The government has always promising Hong Kong a high de- ning despite declaring to the day that no decision had been said that a decision on same- gree of autonomy. Electoral Aff airs Commission made. sex marriage will be made by a But Beijing’s refusal to grant that he did not promote Hong Australia has been criticised vote of all Australians in a na- full democracy, which prompted Kong independence. by international human rights tional plebiscite to be held as widespread street protests in “This split has been around groups over its slowness to act soon as practicable. That com- 2014, has triggered tension with for a long time,” said Benny Tai, on same-sex marriage. mitment has not changed. growing calls for Hong Kong to an associate professor of law Several countries, including “The mechanics of the pleb- split from China. at the University of Hong Kong Canada, the United Kingdom, iscite, including the specifi c “Against the political fi lter- who joined yesterday’s protest US, France, New Zealand, Ire- question and also the timing, ing (of candidates), give us a fair and helped lead the 2014 protests land and South Africa, have al- are subject to the usual cabinet election,” chanted the demon- that paralysed the main streets The British colonial-era Hong Kong flag is seen as pedestrians walk past a holding area for demonstrating ready amended their marriage processes. No decisions have strators in sweltering heat of 32° of Hong Kong for more than two activists ahead of a rally against the banning of pro-independence candidates in the upcoming legislative laws to recognise same-sex as yet been made.” Celsius (90° Fahrenheit). months. council elections. unions. The Daily Telegraph reported Police estimates put the “There is an actual diff erence The Daily Telegraph re- that Turnbull would reveal his number of demonstrators at 760, between the ideals of the localists issue cannot be solved within a sentees might have had their own show up for one event,” he re- ported on Saturday that the timeline for the plebiscite at a while organisers said 1,300 took and the democrats. Personally short time,” Tai said. reasons for staying away. marked. plebiscite, which Turnbull had party room meeting of the rul- part. I think this is unnecessary and The organiser of yesterday’s “You can’t say this shows there The Legislative Council elec- promised to hold this year, had ing coalition due to take place The government took the con- harmful to everybody, but this march, Jimmy Sham, said the ab- is a split just because they did not tion is on September 4. been delayed until at least Feb- on September 13.

China over-reliant on hospitals: WHO

Reuters Shanghai

hina’s healthcare system is overly reliant on large, over-burdened hospitals, which will struggle to Ccope with a spike in diseases linked to the fast- ageing population, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said yesterday. Even for minor ailments, Chinese patients often shun family doctors or general practitioners in favour of big city general hospitals, a trend that creates often snarling queues and fi erce competition for treatment. “As China’s health challenges ... continue to mount, with an ageing population, so too will the demands on the country’s health system, along with the costs,” WHO Chi- na representative Bernhard Schwartlander said in a com- mentary, pointing to rising rates of cancer and cardiovas- cular disease. “It is simply not sustainable to meet these challenges in a health system that relies on hospitals.” China has been trying to overhaul its healthcare system, including promoting local, grassroots medical facilities and pledging to raise the number – and quality – of local GPs. However, low doctor salaries and a lack of trust by pa- tients in local health centres has slowed progress.

China puts five on trial for killing and selling rare snow leopards

Five people stood trial in a northern China court for the illegal poaching, killing and sale of four rare snow leopards, state media reported on Saturday. A zoo in Qinghai province off ered 30,000 yuan ($4,500) for three cubs allegedly captured by the suspects in neighboring Gansu province in July 2014, the Xinhua news agency reported. The cubs died of suff ocation en route to the zoo in December, Xinhua said. The court would announce its ruling at a later date. The Qinghai zoo was not named in the report and there was no indication if the buyer was also being prosecuted. Gulf Times 10 Monday, August 22, 2016 BRITAIN Khan Tourism boom likely ‘owes his mayoral win to Corbyn’

Evening Standard at prime minister’s questions London when David Cameron accused him of having links with ex- tremists. Tourists posing for a photograph in central London. The true economic impact of Brexit remains uncertain but British tourism experts are rubbing their hands together eremy Corbyn supporters “Sadiq Khan is entitled to gleefully: they are convinced that the plunge of the pound will attract foreign tourists. have slammed Sadiq Khan his opinion,” the spokesman Jfor his intervention in the said. Labour leadership race, saying “But he won the London he owes his mayoral victory to mayoralty, as others have the embattled leader. pointed out, by standing on Khan yesterday urged La- a Labour platform under the bour Party members to ditch leadership of Jeremy Corbyn Corbyn and back his rival backed by the huge numbers Owen Smith instead. who have joined our party to In a scathing attack, the support Jeremy and now cam- mayor of London said Corbyn paign for Labour.” Scale of domestic abuse had failed to win the trust of Matt Wrack, the left wing voters and that Labour was general secretary of the Fire “extremely unlikely” to secure Brigades Union and a strong a return to power as long as he supporter of Corbyn, said remained leader. Khan’s comments were “a lit- But a spokesman for Cor- tle bit disappointing but pos- byn’s campaign said Khan sibly no great surprise”. in London revealed won the mayoralty standing “Sadiq comes from that on a Labour platform un- part of the Labour Party that The report says that violence against not deemed to be in the public interest. ample through the possibility of using re- Amy Macartney added: “I can’t stop der Corbyn’s leadership and was in government under women is a massive issue Of the 72,487 victims, almost a quarter mote video technology to assist the most thinking about this. Today it’s really hit with the backing of a large Blair and Brown,” Wrack told were men, while more than 2,000 were vulnerable victims to give evidence, and home that life is way too short. number of the new members BBC News. Evening Standard under 18. the piloting of two specialist DV courts to “I can’t imagine what Andre’s family who he had inspired to join “It is disappointing never- London The data, released under the Freedom of speed up the process for victims.” must be going through my heart goes out the party. theless. Information Act, did not include child vic- David Bartlett, CEO of domestic violence to them.” A key trade union ally of Jeremy Corbyn gave full tims unless they were also an informant or charity, the White Ribbon Campaign said: Police have launched a murder probe the Labour leader described support for Sadiq in his cam- he shocking scale of domestic abuse witness, as off ences against children are “These statistics show that violence against after a man was shot dead in north London Khan’s intervention as “disap- paign for mayor, as did a in London has been revealed, with recorded separately by Scotland Yard. women and girls is still a massive issue in on Saturday night. pointing” and warned that the number of unions including T76,385 incidents reported to police In a statement, a Met Police spokes- our society, and the vast majority of this Residents called police after hearing Labour members in the capital my own. in a year — more than 200 every day. woman said cases of domestic abuse were abuse and violence is carried out by men.” gunshots in Sunnyside Road near High- would feel “let down” by his “Sadiq hasn’t consulted The data, recorded between May 2015 dealt with in Community Safety Units, Police have arrested a fourth man gate at around 9pm. Police and paramed- actions. us or Labour Party members and April 2016, the latest time period for which operate in every London borough. after a teenager was stabbed to death on a ics rushed to the scene where they found a And a spokesman for the across London about this lat- which fi gures are available, showed that She said: “Specialist training for offi c- south London housing estate. man, aged 25, with a gunshot wound. Jeremy for Labour campaign est statement. more than 61,500 of these off ences related ers is at the heart of our approach, and we Andre Aderemi, 19, was found with knife He was taken to hospital but, despite the said Corbyn had even de- I think a lot of people will be to violence against the person, while 2,311 have increased the numbers of offi cers and injuries in Heather Way in Selsdon, South eff orts of doctors, was pronounced dead at fended Khan in the Commons quite let down by that.” were sexual off ences. staff working across our dedicated bor- Croydon, at around 7.40pm last Tuesday, 12.10am. Victims also reported a range of other ough based Community Safety Units to but died in hospital despite the eff orts of A spokesman for the Met Police said the crimes including robbery and criminal bring the total up to just over 900. paramedics and an air ambulance crew. man’s next of kin had been informed, but damage. “All frontline offi cers working in bor- Yesterday, police said offi cers had ar- he has not yet been formally identifi ed. Of the incidents reported to police, ough policing now get additional special- rested a 19-year-old man. Neighbours reported a large police pres- 14,631 have so far resulted in a charge or ist training in domestic abuse, incorpo- Three men, also aged 19, have already ence in the road overnight as detectives court summons, although several thou- rating updates on the latest legislation, been charged with murder. and forensics probed the shooting. sand off enders have been dealt with by investigative techniques, victim care and Jamall Longergan, of Woodcroft Road, Greg Foxsmith said he saw large num- way of a caution or community resolu- how to best target off enders. Thornton Heath, Fabio Cela, of Fryston bers of police on the road this morning and tion, and more than 8,600 cases were still “We are looking at all the ways in which Avenue, Croydon and Rodney Mukasa, of a large white tent set up in the middle of awaiting an outcome. new technology can be used to increase Greenview Avenue, Croydon, are due to the street. However, tens of thousands of cases our eff ectiveness in bringing domestic appear at the Old Bailey tomorrow. He said: “Police offi cers were going up were dropped due to lack of evidence, or abuse off enders to justice, from giving of- Friends on social media have paid trib- and down Hornsey Laner looking in the because police or the Crown Prosecution fi cers fast time access to digital copies of ute to Aderemi. hedges. I thought they might be looking Service decided it was not in the public in- 999 calls, to the use of body worn video Suzie Voce wrote: “I’m so sorry this for weapons. terest to proceed. to capture best evidence and electronic happened. No one deserves this. My “I wondered if there might have been a In total, more than 40% of cases were handheld devices to record statements and thoughts are with his family. stabbing, or possibly a shooting. dropped, despite a suspect being identi- photographs at the scene. RIP Andre. “Forensics guys were out in their white fi ed, due to what police described as “evi- “We are also working with criminal jus- “I always liked him through primary and suits.” dential diffi culties”, while a further 7,054 tice organisations to explore how we can secondary. I can’t believe this happened. Detectives from the Met’s homicide and Jeremy Corbyn outside his home in London yesterday. were discontinued because the case was make the system more responsive, for ex- It’s so so sad.” major crime command are investigating.

Boy fi rst to Former Beckham guard Wheels up be arrested ‘living in Airport’ on Night Evening Standard Jones claimed he had only in- London tended to stay for a couple of nights, but has carried on liv- Tube ing at Heathrow because no one destitute former body- seemed to mind. guard to David Beckham He said: “I slept on the Evening Standard A has been living in Heath- benches at a Caffe Nero. I London row Airport for three weeks after ate there too, though I never watching Tom Hanks fi lm The bought anything because I lit- Terminal. erally don’t have a penny. But 17-year-old boy was yes- The army veteran moved in there’s always enough food left terday the fi rst to be ar- after falling on hard times, it has over on tables.” Arested on the Night Tube as been claimed. “It’s open 24 hours, but the the 24-hour service passed its fi rst According to the Sunday Ex- staff didn’t question me. I sup- weekend in the capital. press, the 46-year-old eats pose at fi rst they assumed I was Police arrested the youth on a leftovers from customers at the a passenger waiting for a fl ight. Victoria line platform at Oxford airport, washes himself in the But after two nights, I got the Circus at around 2am yesterday on toilets and is using Heathrow’s impression they weren’t really suspicion of drugs possession and Wi-Fi to fi nd work after his busi- bothered.” carrying a blade. ness collapsed. Alongside serving in the Para- The boy was the only arrest over The man, who calls himself Si- chute Regiment, Jones also spent Night Tube’s debut weekend as mon Jones, told the paper: “I was several years protecting the police hailed a “safe and trouble- mulling over what to do. Beckham family, the paper re- free” start to the service. “I don’t want to be a burden on ported. British transport police chief in- anybody, so felt I couldn’t stay A spokesman for Heathrow spector Dominique Ioannou said: on friends’ fl oors for more than Airport said: “It is very sad when “This was a historic event for Lon- a night or two, especially since I people fall on hard times and they don and we are not only honoured can’t pay my way. occasionally come to the airport to have served as part of it, we are “Then I remembered the Tom specifi cally because it is a warm also delighted it went so well. Hanks fi lm about the bloke living and safe place. “There was a great atmosphere at an airport.” “Heathrow employs a team of throughout and I would like to Hanks’ 2004 blockbuster saw social workers to give assistance thank the travelling public for their him portray Viktor Navorski, an to those who need it. A rider competes on his motorbike at the Motorcycle Wheelie World Championship in an attempt to set a personal fastest support and cooperation, which Eastern European man who fi nds “We take very seriously the straightline speed or to set a record for the fastest motorbike wheelie held over one kilometre, at Elvington Airfield, near York, guaranteed the launch weekend himself stuck at JFK airport after safety of passengers and col- northern England, yesterday. passed off peacefully.” war breaks out in his home country. leagues at Heathrow.” Gulf Times Monday, August 22, 2016 11 EUROPE

Germany German minister pushes facial recognition software in public to instruct DPA ability to take a photograph of tician from Chancellor Angela to the country’s security tech- ed that de Maiziere’s plan was ready used to leaving his bag or Berlin someone and use facial recog- Merkel’s Christian Democrats nology, not just “small high-tech “half-baked”. rucksack at the entrance,” he ex- nition software online to see (CDU) told the German newspa- islands”, he said. He told DPA that the technol- plained. “We need to get used to people to whether they’ve just spotted a per Bild am Sonntag. “Selectively using this soft- ogy would entail enormous costs heightened security measures, ermany should imple- celebrity or politician. I’d like to Other political parties voiced ware right now – which will like- and, in his view, should only be which include longer lines, more ment facial recognition use that kind of software in video scepticism of de Maiziere’s plan. ly only be mature in few years – used in certain events. “For ex- security checks or personalised stockpile Gtechnology in train sta- cameras at train stations and air- “I wouldn’t be against such even as many offi cials must make ample, if one had a concrete in- admissions tickets.” tions and airports in order to ports,” he said. measures,” Burkhard Lischka, the do with 15-year-old PCs, is like dication of a planned attack at an “It’s inconvenient, uncom- catch terrorism suspects, The system would give an alert domestic political aff airs expert putting frosting on a cake that airport.” fortable and takes up time, but to essentials Interior Minister Thomas de when a terror suspect appeared. for the centre-left Social Demo- hasn’t been baked,” he said. In the interview, de Maiziere me, it’s not a limitation on free- Maiziere said in an interview “The authorities need this crats, told DPA. Konstantin von Notz, a said he also supported rucksack dom,” he added. “If we were to yesterday. technological capability, which is But the focus should be on spokesman for the Green Party bans at public events. cancel Oktoberfest, that would Reuters “Private individuals have the also legally permitted,” the poli- making comprehensive updates on digital issues, also suggest- “Every museum visitor is al- be a limitation on freedom.” Berlin

or the fi rst time since the end of the Cold War, the FGerman government plans to tell citizens to stockpile food and water in case of an attack or catastrophe, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung newspaper reported yesterday. Turkish wedding attack Germany is currently on high alert after two Islamist attacks and a shooting rampage by a mentally unstable teenager last month. Berlin announced measures earlier this month to spend con- siderably more on its police and was carried out by child security forces and to create a special unit to counter cyber Reuters The groom was among those crime and terrorism. Gaziantep, Turkey injured, but the bride was not “The population will be hurt. obliged to hold an individual The bomb went off as guests supply of food for ten days,” the suicide bomber aged be- spilled out into the streets of the newspaper quoted the govern- tween 12 and 14 carried city close to the Syrian border ment’s Concept for Civil Defence Aout the attack on a wed- after the traditional henna night – which has been prepared by ding party in the Turkish city party, when guests have their the interior ministry – as saying. of Gaziantep late on Saturday hands and feet painted. The paper said a parliamen- that killed at least 51 people, the Women and children, includ- tary committee had originally president said. ing a three-month-old baby, commissioned the civil defence The attack was the deadliest were among the dead, witnesses strategy in 2012. in a series of bombings in Tur- said. A spokesman for the interior key this year, and President Re- Blood and burn marks stained ministry said the plan would cep Tayyip Erdogan said Islamic the walls of the narrow lane be discussed by the cabinet on State (IS) was likely behind it. where the blast hit. Wednesday and presented by the “Initial evidence suggests it Women in white and cheq- minister that afternoon. was a Daesh attack,” he said in uered scarves wept outside the He declined to give any details Istanbul on Sunday, using an morgue waiting for word on on the content. Arabic name for the Islamist missing relatives. People will be required to militant group. “The celebrations were com- stockpile enough drinking water Erdogan said 69 people were ing to an end and there was a big to last for fi ve days, according to in hospital and 17 were “heavily explosion among people danc- the plan, the paper said. injured”. ing,” said 25-year-old Veli Can. The 69-page report does not A destroyed suicide vest was “There was blood and body parts see an attack on Germany’s ter- found at the blast site, offi cials everywhere.” ritory, which would require a said. “We want to end these massa- conventional style of national Islamic State has been blamed cres,” witness Ibrahim Ozdemir defence, as likely. for other similar attacks in Tur- said. “We are in pain, especially People wait close to empty However, the precautionary key, often targeting Kurdish the women and children.” graves at a cemetery during the measures demand that people gatherings in an eff ort to infl ame Hundreds gathered for fu- funeral for the suicide bombing “prepare appropriately for a de- ethnic tensions. nerals yesterday, with coffi ns victims. velopment that could threaten The deadliest was last Octo- draped in the green of Islam. our existence and cannot be ber, when suicide bombers killed But some ceremonies would ident Joe Biden would discuss categorically ruled out in the fu- more than 100 people at a rally have to wait because many vic- the fi ght against terrorism dur- ture”, the paper cited the report of pro-Kurdish and labour ac- tims were blown to pieces and ing a visit to Ankara this coming as saying. tivists in Ankara. DNA tests would be needed to week. It also mentions the necessity Saturday’s attack comes identify them, security sources “The perpetrators of this bar- of a reliable alarm system, better with Turkey still in shock just said. baric act cynically and cowardly structural protection of build- a month after Erdogan and the “Every type of death is pain- targeted a wedding, killing doz- ings and more capacity in the government survived an at- ful. But it is even more painful ens and leaving scores wound- health system, the newspaper tempted coup by rogue military when it comes with religious ed,” said Ned Price, a spokesman said. offi cers, which Ankara blames slogans. It is even more pain- for the White House National A further priority should be on US-based Islamist preacher ful when they mix religion with Security Council, in a statement. more support of the armed forc- Fethullah Gulen. politics,” said Omer Emlik, who Anti-government protests es by civilians, it added. Gulen has denied the charge. said he was an uncle of two of erupted at at least one funeral, Germany’s defence minister The pro-Kurdish Peoples’ the victims. “All the people here where threw plastic bottles and said earlier this month the coun- Democratic Party (HDP) said the are suff ering.” chanted “Murderer Erdogan!” try lay in the “crosshairs of ter- wedding party was for one of its The United States condemned Some in Turkey feel the gov- rorism” and pressed for plans for members. the attack and said Vice-Pres- ernment has not done enough to the military to train more closely protect its citizens from Islamic with police in preparing for po- State. tential large-scale militant at- Nato member Turkey is a tacks. partner in the Western coali- tion against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, allowing US jets to fl y Flight crew stops missions against the group from People carry a coff in during a funeral for victims of the attack on a wedding party its air bases. drunk pilot It has also supported some encourage Kurdish militants in suicide bombers killed 44 peo- geting PKK targets in northern rebel groups in Syria. Turkey. ple at Istanbul’s main airport in Iraq. A drunk pilot who wanted to take Syrian rebels backed by Tur- “ISIS has been trying to agi- June. Just a half an hour away from off on a flight from Frankfurt key were preparing to launch an tate or exploit already tense Violence also fl ared again Gaziantep is the border town of to Colombo with more than operation to capture a town held ethnic and sectarian faultlines this week in the largely Kurdish Kilis which has been repeatedly 270 passengers on board was by Islamic State near the Turkish to retaliate for the advancement southeast. hit by rockets and shells fi red stopped by the cabin crew, border, a senior Syrian rebel said of Syrian Kurds in the north of Ten people were killed in from Islamic State territory, according to a report from news yesterday. Syria and by Turkey’s attack on bomb attacks, mostly police and sometimes killing civilians. site hessenschau.de yesterday. Islamic State is also fi ght- ISIS targets in Syria,” said Metin soldiers, in an escalation that of- Yesterday Erdogan and ruling The SriLankan Airlines pilot ing US-backed Syrian Kurdish Gurcan, an independent secu- fi cials blamed on PKK Kurdish AK Party lawmakers empha- arrived at work on Friday already rebels, who have taken ground rity analyst and retired Turkish militants. sised that they see Islamic State drunk, according to the news from the hardline group. military offi cer who writes a col- Turkey began air strikes as no diff erent to the Kurdish outlet, and wanted to fly 274 Ankara considers the Syr- umn for Al-Monitor. “For ISIS against Islamic State in July separatist PKK and the group people to the Sri Lankan capital. A woman cries at the morgue as she waits for the coff in of her ian Kurdish fi ghters a terrorist it is hitting two birds with one 2015. led by Gulen, all three classifi ed SriLankan Airlines apologised to relative who was killed during on Saturday night’s attack on a group and worries their ad- stone.” A peace process with the PKK by Turkey as terrorist organisa- customers for the incident in a wedding party in Gaziantep. vance against Islamic State will Three suspected Islamic State collapsed and it also began tar- tions. statement on its website. “Due to unavailability of a flight crew member, the aircraft was unable to leave Frankfurt as Concert venue scheduled last afternoon,” ceiling collapses SriLankan said in the statement Maverick Montebourg enters French presidential race on Saturday. during show The pilot has been suspended in the meantime, hessenschau said. AFP beef up national security in the times, has said he will an- Fifteen people suff ered minor All passengers were forced to Frangy-en-Bresse, France wake of Islamist militant at- nounce before the end of the injuries on Sunday when the stay in Frankfurt overnight before tacks that have killed more than year whether he will run again. ceiling of an Oslo concert venue the flight could continue on to 200 people in the last two years. Polls show he could still win collapsed during a show, police Colombo the following day. ormer French economy He called on Hollande to the Socialist primary in Janu- said. minister Arnaud Monte- “think long and hard” about ary, which appears to be tailor- “15 injured. They’re being Fbourg has joined the race whether to stand for re-elec- made for the unpopular presi- attended to by medics,” Oslo Pythons caught to become French president in tion. dent to re-assert his authority. police wrote on Twitter, adding: next May’s election, eff ectively Montebourg, who left the Dufl ot launched her bid on “No reports of serious injuries.” Within five days two pythons signalling the start of the cam- government in 2014 as his criti- Saturday in a letter to left- Around 1,800 students from the have been caught in the northern paign season. cism of Hollande grew louder, wing newspaper Liberation in Norwegian Business School were German town of Reinfeld. Maverick left-winger Mon- proposed re-introducing na- which she conceded that the attending a show by American On Saturday, passers-by saw a tebourg is the third former tional service as France con- ecologists had “little space” in house DJ Steve Aoki at the reptile of about 2.5m in length minister from President Fran- tends with the constant threat a race expected to be a three- Sentrum Scene venue when the in a grassy area near a street, a cois Hollande’s Socialist gov- of attack. way between the candidate of accident happened. police spokesman said. ernment to declare his inten- A supporter of protection- the right-wing Republicans, “The ceiling fell in and it was total An expert from the area, which is tion to stand as a candidate ism to safeguard the French the Socialist candidate and the chaos. The fire alarm sounded about 100km south of the Danish after former ecology minister Montebourg: I am a candidate because it is impossible for me to economy, Montebourg also said far-right National Front leader right away,” a student attending border, caught the snake. Cecile Dufl ot and Benoit Ha- support Francois Hollande. that as president he would pull Marine Le Pen. the concert, Charlotte Nilsen, told Another Australian python of the mon, who once headed the ed- France out of EU treaties that Former president Nicolas news agency NTB. same length had already been ucation ministry. bourg told supporters in Bur- Montebourg added, highlight- did not serve its interests. Sarkozy is expected to throw Police evacuated the building caught in the area on Tuesday. “I am a candidate because it gundy. ing a still fragile economy and Hollande, whose approval his hat into the ring as the Re- immediately and cordoned Police assume that someone is impossible for me to support “The results of his fi ve-year a rebellion by some lawmakers ratings are the lowest of any publicans’ candidate in the next off the area while fire off icials intentionally let out the reptiles. Francois Hollande,” Monte- term are simply indefensible,” against Hollande’s eff orts to French president in modern few days. secured the site. Gulf Times 12 Monday, August 22, 2016 INDIA

Presidential intervention sought over ‘rising atrocities’ on Gujarat Dalits

IANS rule, the total number of atrocities Solanki said: “He (Prime New Delhi against Dalits stands at 14,613. Minister) spoke eloquently over “These are merely the number rogue cow vigilantes but did not of reported cases. The actual tell us how as chief minister he ujarat Congress lead- number is much higher as many encouraged the very business of ers yesterday submit- cases go unreported,” it added. such vigilantes. Gted a memorandum to The delegation included Gu- “For a party whose ideology President Pranab Mukherjee jarat Pradesh Congress Com- is based on dividing society, we highlighting “atrocities” against mittee (PCC) chief Bharatsinh have no hope that they will take Dalits in the state, and criticised Solanki, Congress president’s any serious action to erase the Prime Minister Narendra Modi political secretary Ahmed Patel, deep fault lines in Gujarat.” for “having the time to think Congress legislature party leader Congress leaders also request- about people of Balochistan” but Shankar Sinh Vaghela, and AICC ed Mukherjee to intervene in the turning a “blind eye towards the general secretary Madhusudan matter through the Governor of suff ering of Dalits” in his home Mistry. the state. state. “The Prime Minister has time “We have come to seek the Demanding a time-bound ac- to acknowledge the suff ering protection of the President and tion against the perpetrators, the of people in Balochistan but it have urged him to use his good Gujarat Congress leaders also is unfortunate that he and his offi ces and issue relevant direc- sought the President’s interven- party have turned a blind eye to tions to the administration,” said tion in the matter. the suff ering of the marginalised Solanki. The Congress leaders said they and underprivileged in his home “We, the members of Gujarat had apprised the President of the state,” Gujarat PCC chief Bhar- Pradesh Congress Committee “rise in social terror in Gujarat, a atsinh Solanki said. wish to bring to your kind atten- phenomenon that has manifest- “The atrocities in Una is not tion the rising atrocities being ed over the past 18 years of BJP an exception but the norm. And committed against men, women rule” in the state. the fact that even after the Una and children belonging to the According to a memorandum incident shook the nation’s con- Dalit community in the state of they submitted to Mukherjee, science, atrocities against Dal- Gujarat and the BJP led State more than 1,000 atrocities are its still continue with impunity government’s refusal to take any committed against Dalits every shows the extreme insensitivity action against those perpetrating year in Gujarat. embedded in the Gujarat admin- these horrendous acts of barbar- A Gujarat Congress delegation led by Bharatsinh Solanki called on President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi yesterday. Over the last 13 years of BJP istration,” he added. ity,” read the memorandum.

Pilgrim’s trail Brics women MPs back sustainable development goals

IANS achieve sustainable development goals “This makes them more able guardians of Jaipur (SDGs) and exhorted them to learn and ben- processes that lead to improving the quality efi t from the best practices in Brics coun- of life of our citizens.” tries. The Jaipur Declaration expresses com- he best way to predict future is to She hoped the event would encourage mitment to intensify mutual co-operation create it, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra women parliamentarians to meet regularly based on the framework and associated ac- TMahajan observed yesterday while to discuss issues and exchange views in or- tion plan agreed upon and reaffi rmed at addressing the fi rst meeting of the Brics der to acquire deeper insight and develop a the First Brics Parliamentary Forum held in Women Parliamentarians’ Forum here. perspective on the problems and challenges Moscow in 2015. Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mohamed Mahmood Ali flags off first flight of Haj pilgrims from the The two-day event was inaugurated by faced by them as lawmakers. It exhorts international fi nancial institu- Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad yesterday. Mahajan at Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha Cham- The meeting deliberated upon three top- tions to “support and facilitate fi nancing for ber on Saturday. ics: ‘Perspectives on implementation of development on favourable terms” for the The meeting ended with the adoption of SDGs’, ‘Role of Women Parliamentarians in developing and the least developed coun- the Jaipur Declaration, which calls for ‘eq- involving citizens’ and ‘Containing climate tries, and to help them gain easier access to uity’, ‘inclusivity’ and ‘sustainability’ to be change: Imperatives of global cooperation’. new and aff ordable technologies for capaci- factored into all development plans and asks Delivering the valedictory address, Ra- ty-building. to institutionalise the Brics Women Parlia- jasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said It also underscores the need to address mentarians’ Forum as an annual aff air. that women lawmakers who are also daugh- climate change “in all its manifestations”, Cash-strapped Addressing the delegates at the valedic- ters, mothers and sisters, not only represent and work out “integrated solutions” to pre- tory function, Mahajan said that dialogue people and guide administration but also serve and protect ecological systems and among parliamentarians is important to bring to the table compassion and caring. forests and ensure food security. Kerala govt faces Rs70bn Onam bill

IANS This time Onam, celebrated est would be paid by the state Thiruvananthapuram according to the Hindu lunar al- government. The rest would manac, falls in the second week come by way of the state’s own of September. resources,” said the offi cial. he cash-strapped Kerala is The ministry offi cial told IANS He pointed out one of the rea- heading for a tough time that salaries, bonus, pensions sons behind the fi gure to be so Tas it needs to pay out more and pension arrears will have to high is that there are pension than Rs70bn around the festival be paid out and hence it is a tough arrears from social schemes like season, a top Finance Ministry task for the state government. agriculture, old age, widows and offi cial said here. “We have already issued many others to be paid out to The Onam festival is celebrat- bonds worth Rs20bn, which is about 37 lakh former employees ed across the communities here a routine aff air when there is and other persons. and employees of the state gov- a cash crunch and the Reserve “The previous Congress-led ernment and private sector get Bank of India has given the nod,” UDF government had left behind either a bonus or a festival ad- said the offi cial. a few months in arrears in pen- vance for celebrations. He said the rest would be made sions, besides from June the new However, this time the state up when various welfare fund Pinarayi Vijayan government government employees have not boards take loans. raised all pensions to a minimum (From left) Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje light a received any advance payment of “This is also a common prac- of Rs1,000 per month,” added lamp during a cultural programme in Jaipur. salary or festival bonus. tice and the loans and the inter- the offi cial.

Troops kill three militants Tripura power plant hit by gas shortages he Army said yesterday it shot dead three militants Tfollowing an attack by the By Sujit Chakraborty, IANS ring a loss of Rs132mn every month. location in 2008, forcing Neepco to “Electricity is being supplied to The Neepco general manager said gunmen two days earlier on a bor- Agartala “ONGC’s repeated dilly-dallying on scale down the installed capacity of the seven of the eight northeastern states the 5MW plant, set up at a cost of Rs43 der post in Kashmir. supplying gas has delayed the com- project to 101MW,” said Biswas, who from the Palatana power project. Also, crore, is the biggest solar power project The militants were killed in mercial generation of electricity from heads the project. 100MW of power is being supplied to in Northeast India which started gen- the Tanghdar sector of north state-owned company’s third this power project and resulted in huge “The commercial generation of elec- Bangladesh since March,” Soni said, eration in February last year. Kashmir, Lieut Col Manish Ku- largest gas-based power plant losses,” Biswas told IANS. tricity of this combined cycle power plant adding that supplying of gas to Palatana “Neepco has signed an agreement mar told Reuters, adding that Anear here, mandated to provide Another senior Neepco offi cial said (65.42MW gas turbine and 36.25MW is a priority to ONGC as the project is with the Solar Energy Corp of India three rifl es and military supplies 100MW of electricity to Bangladesh, that with Bangladesh keen to source steam turbine) would start as and when providing power to Bangladesh as per for the development of 1,000MW solar had been recovered from the has been incurring losses due to delays more power from India, and the Tripura the ONGC starts supplying gas,” he said. India’s commitment. power projects in India in the next few scene. in supply of gas by another public sector and central governments being will- Assigning no reasons for the delay, Designed by the US-based General years,” he added. Indian troops say they have undertaking. ing, the company is prepared to supply ONGC executive director S C Soni said Electric, the turbines are being sup- ONGC and Neepco power projects killed 103 militants in the restive The Rs1tn power project has been 100MW of power to the neighbouring they would be able to supply 0.50mn plied by Bharat Heavy Electric for the in Tripura would ease the electricity Kashmir Valley so far this year, commissioned by the state-run North country. standard cubic metres per day of gas to Neepco power plant which would gen- shortages of seven of the eight North- the highest toll in recent years. Eastern Electric Power Corp (Neepco) “Conceived in 2000 with an installed the Neepco project by December this erate 65.42MW electricity through gas eastern states — Tripura, Nagaland, India and Pakistan have been at Monarchak, 70km south of Tripura’s capacity of 500MW, the power plant’s year or January next year. turbines and 36.25MW through steam Mizoram, Meghalaya, Manipur, Assam engaged in a diplomatic back- capital Agartala, with gas supplies linked capacity was reduced to 280MW in The ONGC has also commissioned turbines. and Arunachal Pradesh. and-forth to try to arrange talks to the Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC). 2003-04 after ONGC reduced its gas its fi rst commercial power project in Headquartered in Meghalaya’s capi- The Bangladesh government helped between their foreign secretaries According to Neepco General Man- allocation by half. India — 726MW gas-based combined tal Shillong, Neepco — a ‘mini ratna’ to carry over-dimensional and large- but they have yet to agree a date ager Samar Ranjan Biswas, in view of By May 2004, Neepco had estab- cycle power project — located in south- company — has also set up a 5MW solar sized turbines and machines from or specify the agenda. the delayed commercial generation of lished all infrastructure for the 280MW ern Tripura’s Palatana (60km south of power plant on 25 acres of land within various parts of India to mountainous India is not willing to discuss power from the environment-friendly plant,” Biswas said. Agartala) and run by the ONGC Tripura the 101MW Monarchak power plant Tripura using its waterways and roads, the status of the part of Kashmir project, the corporation has been incur- “The ONGC further cut the gas al- Power Company (OTPC). complex. thus saving time and cost. that it controls. Gulf Times Monday, August 22, 2016 13 INDIA

2 girls from northeast seek to be India’s Next Top Model

IANS Guwahati

ollowing in the footsteps of several others from the region, Ftwo girls from the Northeast are competing to make a mark in the world of glamour and fashion. Jantee Hazarika from Assam and Rajashree Singha from Manipur have not only beaten several of the com- petitors in the ongoing second season of India’s Next Top Model on MTV, but have also caught the attention of the organisers as well as industry ex- perts. The Indian version of America’s Next Top Model, the show created by Tyra Banks, was launched here last year by license holder and producer Bulldog Media & Entertainment. Following the success of season one, the fashion franchise has already A view of a flood-hit village near Patna. returned to Indian TV screens with MTV attracting feisty young models from diff erent parts of the country to take part in the event this year. “It’s been exciting here in India’s Next Top Model. I have done my di- ploma in Fashion Designing from the Vogue Institute of Designing in Bangalore. Then I followed my in- ‘Remove Farakka barrage stincts and came to Mumbai and here I am participating in the event,” said 22-year-old Jantee, who hails from Guwahati. Jantee, who did her schooling from Gurukul Grammar School in Guwa- hati, has been taking part in local to save Bihar from fl oods’ fashion shows. She participated in a fashion com- IANS Ganga river,” Nitish Kumar told the me- rage on the Ganga river in West Bengal agement policy is a must now for en- (NDRF) have been deployed in fl ood petition when in Guwahati called Patna dia here before going for an aerial sur- has brought big disadvantage for Bihar. suring uninterrupted fl ow of water not aff ected districts for relief and rescue North East Diva and that seemed to be vey of the fl ood-aff ected six districts “It is for the central government to only in Ganga, but all the other rivers.” operations. the turning point of her life. — including Patna, where the situation make a fresh study or research on dam- Meanwhile, Bihar Disaster Manage- According to offi cials of the water “I’m in Mumbai for last six months ihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has worsened due to rising water level in age by the Farakka barrage to Bihar.” ment Department principal secretary resources development department, and I am really working hard to make it yesterday demanded removal of the Ganga and its tributaries. He said silt deposited in the Ganga in Vayasji told media here that there is no the Ganga has been fl owing above to the fash- Bthe Farakka barrage on the Ganga Nitish Kumar made the demand a Bihar due to the barrage is something threat of fl ood to Patna. the danger mark and the situation is ion world. “I want young river and formulation of a national silt day after the overfl owing waters of the the central government should take “I would like to appeal to people not alarming. From my girls to learn that management policy to protect the state Ganga river entered Patna city. care of to save the state from devasting to go by rumours or reports in some All the drains, which lead into the childhood modelling is more from devastating fl oods. “I have been raising this demand for fl oods every year. media; there is no threat of fl ood in river, have been sealed in view of the I wanted to than just being “It is not possible to protect Bihar some time but the central government Nitish Kumar said silt management Patna, it is safe,” he said. rising river water level. An alert has do some- beautiful and from devastating fl oods without re- has so far ignored it,” he said. is the right answer to the problem. The chief minister said fi ve teams been issued and the administration has thing re- posing. It’s all about moval of the Farakka barrage on the Nitish Kumar said the Farakka bar- “Formulation of a national silt man- of the National Disaster Relief Force appealed to people to keep calm. lated with being creative, glamour original, determined and I hope and fi nding that one I’m right aspect of yourself on track that makes you Back to the city now. I re- stand out” Mamata ‘federalism’ ally wanted to be a model,” she said. Living in Mumbai at present, Jantee hypocrisy under fi re also misses her parents — her father an employee of a PSU and mother a homemaker. She also misses her elder sister. IANS Congress state unit president An emotional person, Jantee said Kolkata Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that losing her pet and parents is her there was “little diff erence” be- biggest fear. She feels she can handle tween Modi and ‘Didi’ (Baner- big situations with ease, given how day after West Bengal jee). confi dence. Chief Minister Mamata While the Congress opposed She has faced a lot of problems be- ABanerjee attacked the the “deprivation of Bengal”, it’s cause of her colour and looks as peo- Narendra Modi government for clear the ruling Trinamool was ple used to call her dark and ugly. “bulldozing federalism,” the behaving like the central govern- Jantee believes every person has CPI-M and the Congress said ment in trying to wrest control two sides — professional and per- yesterday the Trinamool Con- of the civic bodies held by the sonal. gress supremo is being “hypo- opposition parties in Bengal, In her personal life, she is fun lov- critical” in the matter. Chowdhury said. ing and crazy, but professionally, she “I share the chief minister’s ire “Didi is complaining against is very confi dent and serious. at the centre’s authoritarianism the Centre depriving Bengal. Rajashree, 21, was born in Manipur but for her hypocrisy,” Commu- Let there be protests against this but raised in Mumbai. nist Party of India-Marxist state deprivation that we too want “Although I originally hail from secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra to fi ght. But why are they (Tri- Manipur, my whole family is in Mum- posted on Twitter. namool) trying to take control bai since I was very young and I am “For long she had been part of of opposition-held panchayats raised in Mumbai. Modelling is a pas- the central government. Where and municipalities by resorting sion for me and I have been dream- were the concerns then for fed- to fi nancial blockade and terror ing about the glamour of the fashion eralism?” asked Mishra. tactics,” Chowdhury said on Fa- world,” said Rajashree. He said the Left Front legisla- cebook. “I did my graduation from Mith- ture party was the fi rst to meet “It is diffi cult to diff erenti- ibai College in Mumbai in 2014 and then Prime Minister Manmohan ate between Modi and Didi. got the opportunity to participate in Singh in August 2011, voicing the Both walk the same path,” added the India’s Next Top Model. Its been demands of the state. Chowdhury. a dream come true for me,” Rajashree “Why were you (Banerjee) si- Taking strong exception at the told IANS. lent in spite of being in the cen- recent rationalisation of cen- “I am preparing my body at present tral government,” said Mishra, trally sponsored schemes, Ban- and avoiding junk food as I don’t want harking back to the time when erjee on Saturday dubbed Modi to miss out on anything that will get Trinamool Congress was part of and his government “dictato- me out of the competition. I have also Preparations for the Dasara festival begin after the Dasara elephants – Balarama, Arjuna, Abhimanyu, Vijaya and the then United Progressive Al- rial” and wondered if there was a been watching America’s Next Top Kaveri – arrived yesterday in Mysuru from their respective forest camps. liance (UPA) government at the presidential form of government Model for tips so that I can be suc- Centre. in India. cessful here,” she said. Describing herself, she said she is bold, positive, fun-loving and she keeps challenging herself. “As a kid, I was very shy and silent but now I am fully opposite to that. I am more closer to guys than to girls,” she said, and added that she hates Arunachal tribal jewellery sparkles when someone calls her Chinese. Model-actress Lisa Haydon, who By Natalia Ningthoujam, IANS held in the capital of Arunachal the three-day fashion week, which be- ers of Karbi Anglong from Assam and brought the beauty of Khadi on the is a judge on India’s Next Top Model, Itanagar Pradesh. gan on Friday at the newly-construct- West Kameng from Arunachal Pradesh stage through her collection, which is says modelling is more than just being Logum, who believes in preserving ed multipurpose cultural centre, she on its second day. inspired by nature. beautiful and posing. her tradition, showcased a collection said: “Not many people have turned “A Helping Hand is a year-old NGO. “I wanted to do Khadi so I came up “I am thrilled to see our brilliant ndian coins in various denomina- that consisted of neck pieces made up. I believe it’s because of the venue. We have been helping underprivileged with this collection. I extensively used eri young girls who are a part of this sea- tions got a chic twist when a de- of coins and colourful beads, long ear Not many people know about it.” children and those in need. We ap- silk. The colours are also inspired by na- son of India’s Next Top Model. It’s Isigner from Arunachal Pradesh pieces, a headgear and bracelets. Hosted by designer Yana Ngoba proached Yana to collaborate with the ture like blue denoting the sky and brown great to see their determination to presented them as fashion accessories Though she used beads in colours Chakpu, NEIFW is being held in the weavers of West Kameng,” the NGO’s the earth. Then I used creepers, jute and succeed. at the ongoing North East India Fash- like red, white, black, orange and yel- Arunachal Pradesh capital for its sec- founder Rinchin told IANS. The collec- water hyacinth to complete the collec- “I want young girls to learn that ion Week (NEIFW). low, it was blue that dominated the ond edition after a successful opening tion had maxis, belts made of colourful tion,” Kashyap said. Her range had skirts modelling is more than just being Coins form an integral part of tribal range for men and women. stint here. threads and coats for men. Inspired by and dresses of diff erent lengths. Some beautiful and posing. It’s all about jewellery, but not everyone gets to see “Blue is our main colour. That’s why The event is an attempt to promote Chakpu, Rinchin is planning to do an had a slit on the side and others in front. being creative, original, determined them on fashion runways — Jewellery my collection has so many pieces in the weavers and designers of northeast event in Arunachal Pradesh just for the Soon after the showcasing of and fi nding that one aspect of your- designer Renu Logum, however, made blue,” the designer told IANS. India. And in line with its mission, the weavers by the end of this year. Kashyap’s collection, weavers of Mish- self that makes you stand out — your it happen on Saturday at the NEIFW, Asked about sale of her products at fashion week also had shows by weav- Assamese designer Arita Kashyap ing tribe from Assam presented theirs. USP,” she said. Gulf Times 14 Monday, August 22, 2016 LATIN AMERICA ‘El Chapo’ son freed, says kin AFP helicopter with a rocket launcher, killing Culiacan, Mexico seven soldiers. The governors of western Jalisco and Sinaloa states, where the two crime syn- he son of jailed Mexican drug lord dicates are based, have warned of possible Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman has reprisals or even a full scale warfare be- Tbeen released following his abduc- tween the drug cartels if Guzman Salazar tion last week, a member of the Sinaloa was not released. cartel leader’s family said on Saturday. There was still no word as to who is Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, 29, re- responsible for the kidnapping, but gov- portedly was freed late Friday along with ernment offi cials said earlier this week the fi ve other men with whom he was that they were investigating the possible kidnapped from a bar, a relative who re- involvement of municipal police in the re- quested anonymity for security reasons sort of Puerto Vallarta. told AFP. Security camera footage of the abduc- “They were negotiating all this time, tion showed armed men bursting in and but now are free and well,” the source said, making their victims kneel down with adding that some of the captured men their hands on their heads before taking were already back in Sinaloa state. them away. Guzman Salazar — one of Guzman’s “It was violent but cleanly done,” the sons from his fi rst marriage — was at- restaurant’s owner Ignacio Cadena Beraud tending a celebration last Monday at an told reporters earlier this week, describing upscale restaurant and bar in the resort the brutal precision of the abductions. city of Puerto Vallarta when gunmen in ‘El Chapo’ Guzman was head of the pick-up trucks swooped in and kidnapped powerful Sinaloa cartel and one of the him and fi ve of his six companions. world’s most notorious criminals until he Several women who were also at the fete was recaptured and imprisoned in January. were allowed to leave unharmed. Guzman was arrested in 2014 but The younger Guzman — himself a key staged a spectacular jailbreak one year operator in the Sinaloa cartel who is want- later, becoming for a period the world’s ed for arrest under a 2009 warrant — was most-wanted man. identifi ed by the Jalisco state prosecutor’s He is now being held in a maximum se- offi ce based on security camera footage. curity federal prison in the northern city Notifi ed by AFP about the reported re- of Ciudad Juarez and fi ghting extradition lease, the Mexico Attorney General’s of- to the United States. fi ce said simply that it is “still working on The Mexican government gave the the investigation.” green light to extradite Guzman after US Authorities had said they suspected the offi cials promised that he would not face gunmen who seized the men were from the death penalty, a punishment outlawed Thick smoke billows after an explosion at a fuel storage tank belonging to the Puma Energy company in Puerto Sandino, Leon, Nicaragua. the Jalisco New Generation cartel, an up- in Mexico. Legal manoeuvres however start rival of the Sinaloa cartel. continue to try to avoid his extradition. Jalisco New Generation has grown into Nevertheless the United States expects a powerful force in recent years, spreading Guzman to be extradited by the end of the into Asia and Europe and defying the au- year, a US offi cial told AFP, which would thorities with attacks and ambushes. be a relatively short period for this type of Nicaragua oil refi nery blast Last year it brought down an army procedure. has ‘contaminated’ habitat

Brazil judges’ pay AFP Saturday they hope to soon have ed area includes ecologically sensi- out a fuel shortage following the fi re. Managua the fi re contained at the facility, this tive habitat. The Nicaragua and Puma energy Central American nation’s sole oil Surrounding beaches are home to said Saturday that they hope to ex- refi nery. important nesting grounds for several tinguish the fi re within hours, and massive refi nery fi re in Nica- The fi re, which has been burning turtle species, while the Puerto Sand- said that the company would be ragua caused an oil spill that since Wednesday, began when one of ino coast and nearby Miramar beach strengthening its water contamina- hikes put on hold Ahas contaminated sensitive four huge fuel tanks exploded at the produce 12% of Nicaragua’s salt. tion monitoring and surveying the nearby coastal habitat, a nonprofi t site in the port of Puerto Sandino, The area has “a number of natural environmental impact. Reuters All state employees in the judiciary, in- group here said. some 70km northwest of the capital resources as well as people, agricul- A huge plume of acrid smoke at Sao Paulo cluding judges, court offi cials and pros- In the aftermath of the refi nery Managua. ture, livestock, local fauna, coastal one point billowed up to 3,000m at ecutors, were earmarked for pay hikes. fi re at the Puma Energy facility on A second tank ignited on Thurs- marine life and birds,” said resource the disaster scene, but has largely By deferring them during Brazil’s Nicaragua’s Pacifi c coast, oil has day. specialist Ruth Herrera. dissipated, local media said. razil’s interim President Michel Te- harshest recession in eight decades, Te- slickened nearly one-half of a square Oil from the spill could be seen on She added that environmentalists Puma Energy, a majority Dutch- mer and congressional allies will mer could win much-needed support mile of the nearby water and soil, the coast and in surrounding vegeta- also expect that some wells in the and Angolan-owned company with Bpostpone planned pay raises for ju- for an ambitious streamlining of govern- said Victor Campos, director of the tion in photos provided by Campos, area will also be contaminated. headquarters in Switzerland, bought diciary employees that could cost taxpay- ment spending that includes revamping a Humboldt Center, an environmental who said that the damage done to the Each of the damaged fuel tanks the refi nery in 2011. ers 68bn reais ($21bn) by the end of 2018, pension system that is losing money, la- group. area would take years to reverse. is capable of holding some 144,000 It had previously been run by the O Estado de S Paulo newspaper reported bour and tax reforms and a cap on budget Meanwhile, authorities said on Environmentalists said the aff ect- barrels, although the company ruled US group Exxon. over the weekend. spending growth. Citing people who met on Friday with In an interview in Veja magazine on Temer and some cabinet ministers in Saturday, Finance Minister Henrique Band cancels Paraguay concert after fans stampede São Paulo, Estado reported the decision Meirelles said that growing confi dence on stemmed from the need to show commit- the outlook for the economy in the wake merican thrash metal dy concert at the Sport Co- through the security barri- three barricades broke and “Barricade held by a string ment to tighter spending policies ahead of of Rousseff ’s impeachment could boost band Megadeth can- lombia stadium in Asuncion, cade, crushing several peo- hundreds of fans crushed at Asuncion. Two crew hit the impeachment trial of President Dilma tax collection by 45bn reais this year. Acelled a show in Asun- where vendors were selling ple and leaving them injured, three security guards, al- by broken glass thrown by Rousseff , which could happen as early as That could help the government close cion, Paraguay on Saturday alcoholic beverages in glass according to police. most killing one female fan, persons in audience. Disap- this week. an expected defi cit for this year without after swarms of fans crashed bottles — which some fans Megadeth frontman Dave we regretfully had to cancel pointed.” One ally told Estado that Temer could not raising taxes, Meirelles told Veja. through the security gates hurled onto the stage, ac- Mustaine announced on the show,” he wrote. He promised the band be seen “giving away pay hikes to the head The press offi ces of Temer and Meirelles protecting the stage, in a stam- cording to witnesses. Twitter that the band had He also posted a picture of would return to Paraguay justice of the Federal Supreme Court just as had no immediate comment on the Estado pede that left several injured. It came to an abrupt end called off the show. what he described as the in- someday and use a diff erent he presides over the impeachment trial.” and Veja reports. It had already been a row- when hundreds of fans broke “Dear Paraguay, after all adequate security barrier. venue, security and promoter. Munduruku chief seeks backing for tribe’s land

By Matthew Ponsford, Reuters headpiece of blue and orange feathers, “But the Brazilian government is not area made it enviable, prompting regu- London told the Thomson Reuters Foundation taking care of our sacred places, of our lator Ibama to suspended the dam’s en- in an interview in London. sacred objects, so our fi ght is because vironmental license.. The Sao Luiz de Tapajos dam is just of that.” But the government has not yet ap- he leader of Brazil’s Munduruku one of several dams planned on the Ta- The Munduruku live across the proved Munduruku’s application for indigenous people has appealed pajos River where the 12,000-strong northern part of the Tapajos Basin in full federal recognition of the Sawre Tfor international support to pro- Munduruku people traditionally fi sh two regions already recognised by Bra- Muybu lands as an indigenous terri- tect his people’s ancestral forest land in and bathe, and which plays a central zil’s government as protected territories tory, which would provide stronger le- the remote Amazon following the defeat role in their mythology and culture. — the Munduruku and Sai Cinza Indig- gal protections against development in of a mega-dam project that attracted The dam would have been one of enous lands — as well as an area down future. celebrities including Paul McCartney. Brazil’s largest hydroelectric dams with river around the village of Sawre Muybu, Brazil gets around three quarters of After a lengthy struggle, the Brazil- a capacity of about 8,000 megawatts. near the Sao Luiz de Tapajos site. its power from hydro-electric dams, ian government announced earlier this Munduruku, in London for the fi rst All along the Tapajos River are places which the government has called a month that it would suspend plans for time, said gaining formal recognition of sacred to the Munduruku. clean source of energy. the $9bn Sao Luiz de Tapajos hydroe- lands will be a crucial factor in preserving The “Crossing of the Pigs” is at the But Sara Ayech, Greenpeace UK for- lectric dam in the Amazon, citing likely the river basin for his people, the largest centre of the Munduruku creation ests campaigner, said a goal of Mun- impacts on indigenous people and the indigenous group living along the river. story, the place where they believe the duruku’s trip is to argue that no dam environment. Between meeting supporters and the river was created by Karosakaybu, an which fl oods traditional lands can be The project would have fl ooded Arnaldo Kaba Munduruku, general chief of the Munduruku people of Para State, media in the British capital, Mundu- ancestor with supernatural powers. “clean”.Munduruku is also concerned nearly 400sq km of forest that is home Brazil, talks to Reuters in London. ruku visited the British Museum, where The Munduruku are facing a two- that amid Brazil’s political turmoil to the 12,000-strong Munduruku peo- curators sought out Munduruku arte- pronged struggle — to halt further dam there is no guarantee the suspension ple, according to Greenpeace. the dam site are legally recognised as Anish Kapoor, Scottish singer Annie facts stored in its vaults to show him projects and gain recognition for the will hold. Munduruku chief, Arnaldo Kaba belonging to his people. Lennox, and British fashion designer before he makes the journey back to the Sawre Muybu territory. “How are our grand-children going Munduruku, made a 5-day journey The chief is seeking to build inter- Vivienne Westwood. remote inner Amazon. The decision to suspend the fi rst dam to live?” he said.”If the dams are built, from the Tapajos basin of northern Para national pressure on Brazil’s govern- “When we look to the future, what “I have realised how careful you are came after a study by Brazil’s indig- they will not know how the Munduruku State to London this week to win back- ment and has so far won the support of we want is no construction of dams in with the objects displayed there,” said enous aff airs department Funai in April used to live because everything will be ing to fi ght on until the lands around dozens of celebrities including sculptor our territory,” Munduruku, wearing a Munduruku, 57. said the presence of local tribes in the destroyed.”

Gulf Times 16 Monday, August 22, 2016 PHILIPPINES

COUNTER-INSURGENCY Three jihadists killed in Sarangani clash

Government forces killed three ji- Duterte threatens to pull hadists allied with the Islamic State in Maasim, Sarangani province, late Saturday afternoon, belated reports reaching Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City said yesterday. Major General Rafael Valencia, commander of the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said Philippines out of UN the clash happened at about 5pm in Sitio Lebe, Barangay Daliao in AFP terte’s promise of immunity and comments are merely hyperbole Maasim. Manila bounties to security forces who and not meant to be taken liter- According to Valencia, residents killed drug suspects violated in- ally. in the area reported the presence ternational law. However nearly 900 people of the armed members of the An- resident Rodrigo Duterte UN Secretary-General Ban have been murdered by un- sarul Khilafah (Supporters of the threatened yesterday to Ki-moon in June also strongly known people during Duterte’s Caliphate) Philippines (AKP) under Pwithdraw the Philippines criticised Duterte, who during time in power, with police killing one “Tokboy.” from the United Nations, as he the election campaign promised another 665 alleged drug sus- “They were sighted so the AFP launched another tirade against to kill 100,000 people and dump pects, according to the national [Armed Forces of the Philippines] the organisation for criticising so many bodies in Manila Bay police chief. and the PNP [Philippine National his bloody war on crime. that the fi sh would grow fat from The killings represent a mas- Police] units launched the opera- More than 1,500 people have feeding on them. sive increase on crime deaths tion,” he said. been killed since Duterte took “I unequivocally condemn his since Duterte took offi ce. offi ce and immediately began his apparent endorsement of extra- Duterte has repeatedly in- WEATHER law-and-order crackdown, ac- judicial killings, which is illegal sisted police have only killed cording to police statistics, trig- and a breach of fundamental in self defence, while main- Monsoon rains gering fi erce criticism from the rights and freedoms,” Ban said. taining the other deaths are threaten western UN and rights groups. Duterte frequently peppers due to drug syndicates killing Duterte, a lawyer famous for his public comments with swear each other. Visayas region an acid tongue who has repeat- words and days after his elec- Duterte and his aides have edly told the UN not to interfere, tion win used typical language to given confl icting positions on The southwest monsoon may yesterday stepped up his rheto- criticise the UN. whether they would allow UN again spawn heavy rains that will ric against the organisation. “...UN, you can’t even solve experts to come to the Philip- aff ect western Visayas this time, “Maybe we’ll just have to de- the Middle East carnage... pines to investigate allegations according to the weather bureau. cide to separate from the United couldn’t even lift a fi nger in Af- government security forces are Weather forecaster Gladys Saludes Nations. If you are that disre- rica,” he said then. carrying out extrajudicial kill- said a low pressure area can form spectful, then I will just leave Duterte lashed out in a similar ings. in the Pacific near the Philippine you,” Duterte said in a press con- fashion yesterday, accusing the President Rodrigo R Duterte gesturing as he speaks during a press conference at the presidential guest On Sunday, he contradicted Area of Responsibility (PAR) by ference in his home city of Davao “stupid” UN of not doing any- house in Davao City. his spokesman’s comments from today and enhance the southwest that started about 1am. thing in Middle East hotspots the previous day and challenged monsoon. Duterte said he may even try Syria and Iraq. plaining about the stench there criticism as the Philippines. mous help following typhoons them to come. “That can bring moderate to occa- to set up a rival international or- Duterte referenced a haunting of death. Look at the iconic boy “What do you think the and other natural disasters. “You law experts of the United sionally heavy rain to the Visayas’ ganisation. photo taken last week of a little taken out of the rubble. When Americans did to the black peo- On the day he was sworn into Nations, come here and face me western areas, so communities “I would invite everybody. I Syrian boy, who was pictured he was made to sit in the ambu- ple there? Is that not rubbing off office, Duterte called for peo- and make the accusations,” he there must prepare for this pos- would invite maybe China, the sitting in an ambulance dazed lance, and we saw it. So what’s also? And (critics) say what?” ple in slums to kill neighbours said. sibility,” she said. African (nations),” he said. and covered in blood after an air the diff erence?” Duterte also accused the UN whom they believed were drug On Wednesday last week he She said winds will likely fan mod- The UN’s special rapporteur strike, as evidence of the UN’s And Duterte asked why police of doing nothing for the Philip- addicts, repeating a campaign said if an investigator came to erate to rough seas in the area. on summary executions, Agnes ineff ectiveness. killings in the United States were pines – ignoring its poverty re- line. the Philippines, “I’d like to box Saludes said three tropical cy- Callamard, last week said Du- “Is that stupid body com- not attracting the same kind of duction programmes and enor- His aides have since said such him in the head”. clones are outside the PAR. “However, those tropical cyclones have a low chance of entering and are too far to enhance the south- west monsoon’,” she said. Saludes said one of the tropical Troops kill four rebels De Lima admits close ties with driver cyclones may move northward, creating in the Pacific conditions that can lead to the formation of in clash ahead of truce Manila Times “We got close, but just how maintained that she had noth- the Commission on Human an LPA. Manila close I will no longer touch on ing to do with the drug trade Rights, led probes on the al- that because it’s too personal,” and vowed to resign if the leged links of then Mayor Du- AGRICULTURE DPA ernment’s ceasefi re took eff ect she told reporters. president will be able to present terte to the Davao Death Squad. Damage to farms Manila yesterday and last “for as long as dmitting that she and Dayan, she said, no longer evidence that she has been pro- She admitted that the CHR necessary to bring peace in the her former driver- works for her because he re- tecting drug dealers. failed to fi le cases against Du- from rains hits land,” Dureza said. Abodyguard were close, signed in 2015. “If you persist in your accusa- terte or his aides for lack of evi- P256mn hilippine troops killed four “The enabling environment Senator Leila De Lima has ap- However, she admitted that tions that I profi ted from drugs dence. communist rebels in a fi re- brought about by this silenc- pealed that he be spared from she had constant communica- because I am a coddler or pro- “[Because] we don’t have Pfi ght on Saturday, hours ing of the guns will hopefully go attacks and that he should not tion with him. tector (of drug dealers), or that I enough evidence against them. The recent monsoon rains that before the government and the a long way in bringing about an be included in her quarrel with “I haven’t talked to him for received drug money in the form There [was] no one to execute a lashed Metro Manila and Luzon guerrillas announced a ceasefi re expeditious and early resolution President Rodrigo Duterte. a while now although someone of campaign funds or whatever, sworn affi davit to prove the ex- damaged crops and fishing facili- ahead of the resumption of peace to our diff erences and aspira- She said that Ronnie Palisoc told me last night that he is in you will be embarrassed and I istence of the death squad,” De ties in Central Luzon worth at least talks in Norway. tions that have long divided us as Dayan is now hiding for his life. danger,” she added. don’t want that to happen to Lima said. P256.91mn. The soldiers were on patrol a people,” he said. “Do not touch him,” the sena- She said Dayan went into you,” the senator told Duterte. Meanwhile, Gabriela party- The Regional Disaster Risk Reduc- when they were fi red upon by Duterte fi rst declared a uni- tor pleaded to authorities af- hiding after being warned that De Lima bared attempts of list denounced the president’s tion and Management Council guerrillas in the town of San lateral ceasefi re with the com- ter receiving reports that some some civilians and police per- some people to convince per- sexist remarks against de Lima. (RDRRMC) said the agriculture Luis, 846km south of Manila, munist rebels on July 25 but people are tracking down Dayan. sonnel are hunting him down, sonnel at the New Bilibid Prison “Resorting to sexist attack sector took P256.89mn in losses, army spokesman Colonel Ben- withdrew it six days later after The lawmaker made the plea threatening to kill or kidnap to testify against her. is wrong and unacceptable. while damage to facilities used jamin Hao said. the rebels killed a government in the wake of President Rod- him to serve as state witness “There are some who are go- Personal attacks muddle the for fishing was initially reported at No one was hurt on the mili- militiaman during the truce. rigo Duterte’s recent accusation against De Lima. ing around Bilibid [to] access investigation and steer people P11,000. tary’s side, and troops recovered Meanwhile, yesterday the that she has been maintaining Dayan has been seeking refuge certain convicts to point [to] me further away from truth and Agricultural losses covered rice, fi ve high-powered rifl es and Philippine Army said it was pur- an illicit relationship with her in the homes of some relatives as coddler of illegal drug syndi- justice,” Gabriela, an ally of Du- corn, high-value crops, fish and radios after the encounter, he suing New People’s Army (NPA) former employee. and friends, the senator said. cates. But there are no takers,” terte, said in a statement. livestock in the provinces of Au- added. rebels who allegedly ambushed “His life is in danger. He sent Duterte had slammed De she said. De Lima has two sons from an rora, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Hours later, presidential ad- a group of municipal employees me an S.O.S. He is extremely Lima for her alleged immoral Offi cials at the Department annulled marriage. Tarlac and Zambales. viser on the peace process Jesus and military personnel who were fearful for his life,” De Lima said relationship with Dayan, who is of Justice who are perceived to “We urge President Rod- The rice sector took the big- Dureza announced that Presi- on their way to a gift-giving ac- in a news forum in Quezon City. married and has children. be close to her are also being rigo Duterte and Senator Leila gest hit with losses running dent Rodrigo Duterte has or- tivity in Sitio Sinagawan, Baran- The senator said she and The president said the sena- persuaded to talk against her, De Lima to both stick to facts into P135.85mn, followed by the dered the restoration of a cease- gay Umiray, Dingalan, Aurora on Dayan became close when he tor built a house for her former the senator claimed. in both the investigations on fishery sector with P100.28mn; fi re with communist rebels who Friday that resulted in the killing entered her employ while she driver who reportedly reaped The senator speculated that extrajudicial killings and the corn, P12.15mn; high-value crops, also declared a truce. of a soldier and wounding of two was the Secretary of the De- from drug profi ts. she drew Duterte’s ire when probe on drug traffi cking and P8.05mn; and livestock, P500,875. The restoration of the gov- others. partment of Justice. But de Lima on Saturday she, as former chairperson of coddling,” Gabriela said. Pampanga was the hardest hit. Banks bullish about Philippine economic growth

Manila Times upward from 6.3% to 6.6%; the he intends to run a looser fi scal which could further lower exter- Manila Swiss baking giant Credit Suisse policy than his predecessor,” it nal balances,” it stated. raised its forecast from 6.2% to added. Among those which kept their 6.5%; and the global fi nancial DBS noted that the economy forecast unchanged, HSBC was ost private banks and services fi rm JP Morgan revised “fi ring on all cylinders” was ob- of the view that the election im- think tanks have re- upward to 6.4 %. vious enough. pact that helped growth in the Mvised upward their full- Three others — HSBC, It also said: “The one fi gure fi rst half of the year would fade year growth estimates for the Metrobank Research, and the that may continue to grab the out in the second-half, and base Philippine economy; sharing the Bank of the Philippine Islands — headlines is the pace of invest- eff ects will turn less supportive. government’s view that growth stayed with their previous pro- ment growth in the economy.” However, it added, the fun- rate this year will hit the target jections. Credit Suisse, explaining the damental drivers of growth will of 6-7%. HSBC and Metrobank kept substance of its forecast does remain intact. Following the release late last their forecasts at 6.3% and BPI not change, said: “We continue Metrobank Research too felt week of data showing the 7% ex- at 6.2%. to see some slowdown in sec- that as the impact of election pansion in gross domestic prod- BMI Research said it expects ond-half 2016, refl ecting fading spending fades, the growth in uct (GDP) in the second quarter, the “outperformance to continue out of election boost, with the the second half could be lower. the country’s chief economic over the coming quarters on the moderation likely manageable.” However, it said: “Consump- planner, the Socioeconomic back of a solid government policy Nevertheless, support to tion spending will remain robust Planning Secretary Ernesto Per- agenda, and ongoing booms in the growth, it noted, is likely to be amid the still soft commod- nia, said that the second-quarter construction and services sec- driven by resilience in private ity prices, low interest rates, and result supports the probability tors,” while Nomura said its revi- consumption, boosted by an in- solid remittance infl ows,” it said. of attaining the revised growth sion is “supported by the solid crease in government salaries, BPI, which noted that house- projection for the year. fi rst-half growth average of 6.9%, a tighter labour market, and hold consumption and con- The second quarter result has an impact from the Brexit vote lagged impact of low oil and rice sumption-related investment led seven fi nancial institutions that was more contained than our prices. are seen to carry the load, said, to review their 2016 outlook and initial expectations and, more im- JP Morgan expects fi scal and the “wild card will be the ability adjust their projections upward. portantly, by the Duterte admin- Dominador Canoy, 42, who earns an average of six US dollars per day collecting plastic bottles floating on infrastructure spending to step of government to enact its very For example, Fitch-owned istration’s commitment to policy the river, prepares his makeshift raft made of styrofoam in his house erected at the banks of Pasig River in up materially as President Ro- aggressive spending programme think tank BMI Research up- continuity in implementing eco- Manila. The Philippine economy expanded 7.0% in the second quarter, off icial data showed August 18, but drigo Duterte has voiced the as government under-spend has graded its forecast to 6.9% from nomic reforms and building infra- President Rodrigo Duterte’s new government said major changes were needed to fix one of Asia’s biggest administration’s desire to ac- been the missing link to our re- 6%; the Japanese investment structure.” rich-poor divides. celerate infrastructure spending cent growth spurt.” bank Nomura and the London- These factors, it added, which likely will lift domestic But it noted that the recent based consultancy fi rm, Capital “should keep GDP growth ro- nomics, the economy in the support investment,” it stated. buoyant, supported by rapid investment. struggles of exports, given tepid Economics raised their fore- bust in the second-half, averag- short-term, looks well placed Besides, the recent improve- wage growth and healthy housh- “Our growth narrative of the external demand, may soon re- casts to 6.7% (Nomura revising ing 6.5% even as the election- to continue growing at a strong ments in the country’s business old fi nances. A strong fi scal po- Philippine economy remains verse as six straight months of upward from 6.3% and Capi- related boost to growth in the pace. “With infl ation benign, environment, it added, should sition means there is scope for broadly unchanged; that is, do- inventory build-up suggests an tal Economics from 6.5%); the fi rst half fades.” the central bank looks set to keep help too. the government to boost spend- mestic demand will likely remain eventual improvement in the Singaporean bank DBS revised According to Capital Eco- interest rates low which should “Consumption should remain ing. Duterte has already said robust due to investment growth trade defi cit. Gulf Times Monday, August 22, 2016 17 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL/MALDIVES Lanka minister denies hiring US fi rm without Cabinet nod

Agencies gage Sandler, Travis and Rosen- Colombo berg as the government’s lobby- ist for a specifi c period at a fee of US$ 30,000 per month. ri Lanka’s Minister of De- Since the Minister of For- velopment Strategies and eign Aff airs is a member of the SInternational Trade, Malik Cabinet and his Secretary is also Samarawickrema has rejected privy to the decision to the Cabi- a media report which said that net, the Foreign Ministry would an agreement has been reached have been aware of the issue, the without Cabinet approval or the minister has pointed out. knowledge of the Foreign Aff airs The Sunday Times report ministry to hire a United States quoting a foreign ministry offi - lobbying fi rm. cial said the ministry was una- Minister Samarawickrema is- ware of minister Samarawick- suing a statement has said that rema’s arrangement. the article under Sunday Times “We were not informed of an headline, ‘Malik hires another agreement with ST&Rs. We have US fi rm to lobby for Sri Lanka’ not been told. At least as a mat- is inaccurate, full of falsehoods ter of courtesy, we should have and misleading, according to the been informed,” the offi cial was state-owned Independent Tel- quoted as saying. evision Network. According to Samarawick- The Sunday Times article rema’s statement the Sri Lanka Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday placed a floral wreath at a memorial built in front of the central off ice of the ruling Awami League at Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka, the said the minister has engaged embassy in Washington received site of the August 21 grenade attack in 2004. the US lobbying fi rm Sandler, the proposals and after evalu- Travis and Rosenberg (ST&R) to ating it, the ambassador had educate offi cials on a non-exist- recommended the engagement ent peace process, increase eco- with the company, ST&R. nomic ties and market access, The Cabinet Committee on ColomboPage online newspaper Economic Matters (CCEM) is re- reported. ported to have given the nod for Contradicting the newspaper hiring ST&R. report, the minister has said that “Sunday Times newspaper a Cabinet paper disclosing the should have had the courtesy to PM blames BNP complete details of the proposals fi nd the facts from the ministry received from two US fi rms were before publishing an incorrect submitted to the Cabinet. article under the banner head- He says that the approval was line,” the minister has said in the received from the Cabinet to en- statement. for grenade attack By Mizan Rahman components of the BNP-led To get rid of the current situ- before the grisly grenade attack. responsible for destroying the Prachanda to begin Dhaka 20-party alliance, arranged the ation, he said there is no alter- “Begum Zia had said that I evidence of the grenade attack, programme at Dhaka Report- native to restoring democracy. would never be the prime min- Sheikh Hasina said the attack- ers’ Unity (DRU), marking the The BNP leader said now the ister or even the leader of the ers left the scene under the visit to India on Sept 15 lthough Prime Minister seventh death anniversary of its government is suddenly talk- opposition in future, while her cover of the law enforcement Sheikh Hasina yesterday ex-chairman Shawfi kul Ghaani ing about a mid-term election elder son stayed at his father- agencies and they destroyed Adirectly implicated the Swapan. as part of its plot to weaken in-law’s residence in Dhan- the unexploded grenades and IANS anda has conveyed his desire to Bangladesh Nationalist Party Bangladesh observed the the nationalist and democratic mondi for 8-10 months con- helped the grenade suppliers to Kathmandu speed up development works (BNP) for the August 21 grenade 12th anniversary of the savage forces. secutively,” she said, posing a leave Bangladesh. rather than focusing on political attack aiming at killing her, August 21 grenade attack on an Meanwhile, Prime Minis- question if Tarique Zia lived in “There were no activities and diplomatic matters. the major opposition party on Awami League rally in the capi- ter Sheikh Hasina yesterday Dhanmondi to hatch conspiracy of the policemen on that day, epal Prime Minister He has sought help from India the same day described the at- tal with a heavy heart yesterday accused again the then BNP- against her. even our volunteers were barred Pushpa Kamal Dahal in giving impetus to the devel- tack on an Awami League rally amid various programmes. Jamaat government of perpe- “It seemed from the com- from going to the rooftops of N“Prachanda” will leave opment eff orts in the Himalayan during their party-led alliance On this day in 2004, the gris- trating the barbaric grenade at- ments of the BNP leader and any surrounding buildings and here on September 15 for a three- nation, the offi cials said. government 12 years back as the ly attack was carried out on an tack on the Awami League rally her party men that they wanted none were allowed to create a day visit to India during which It is expected that a major most stigmatised and ‘worst anti-terrorism rally arranged by in 2004, saying that though this to remove me from this world,” security blanket,” the prime an agreement on a major project project would be signed between barbaric’ incident in Bangla- Awami League at Bangabandhu grisly attack jolted world con- she said. minister said and asked why the is likely to be signed. Nepal and India during Prach- desh’s political history. Avenue here, reportedly to kill science, the conscience of the The prime minister was BNP-Jamaat government didn’t Nepal’s Deputy Prime Min- anda’s visit. “The August 21 attack is the then leader of the opposition BNP leader or her party was not speaking at a rally after placing give such a permission. ister Bimalendra Nidhi, who is The Nepal prime minister has worst barbaric incident of kill- Sheikh Hasina. stirred in this incident. wreaths at a makeshift memo- Sheikh Hasina said any ef- currently on a visit to India as also sent a long list of agree- ing in which 22 leaders and ac- At least 24 leaders and ac- “We were not allowed to ut- rial of martyrs of the gruesome forts were not seen to rescue Prachanda’s special envoy, as ments he wanted to sign during tivists of a political party were tivists, including AL’s women ter a single word or discuss the grenade attack on August 21, the injured on Bangabandhu well as Indian offi cials confi rmed his visit, the report said. killed. aff airs secretary and late Presi- matter in parliament. Even we 2004 at Bangabandhu Avenue Avenue. the date yesterday, Kathmandu According to a source, Prach- It is also the most tainted in- dent Zillur Rahman’s wife Ivy were barred from bringing any in Dhaka. Instead, the policemen Post reported. anda, in his letter, suggested cident in Bangladesh’s political Rahman, were killed and 300 motion in the parliament to The memorial was set up by lobbed teargas and resorted to Prachanda will return to Nepal taking ahead the works on the history,” BNP secretary general others injured in the grenade condemn the attack. Bangladesh Awami League in baton charge to disperse Awami on September 17. long-delayed Pancheshwor Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attack. So it’s clear who were in- front of its Bangabandhu Av- League leaders and workers who Nidhi, in a meeting with multi-purpose project on the told a discussion in Dhaka yes- However, Sheikh Hasina, the volved in this incident and there enue central offi ce where the came forward to the help of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi Mahakali river along the India- terday. current prime minister, nar- is no need to prove it by showing militants lobbed 13 grenades on injured, she said, adding the law on Saturday, handed over a let- Nepal border. Fakhrul paid homage to the rowly escaped the attack unhurt a fi nger,” she said. a peaceful rally of the party on enforcers also didn’t allow any ter from Prachanda to his Indian Modi, during his Nepal visit victims of the gruesome inci- but her hearing was aff ected In this connection, Sheikh this day in 2004. vehicles near the scene. counterpart. in 2014, had pledged to accord dent, badly. Hasina referred to some re- The premier fi rst placed a fl o- “Why did the policemen re- According to Indian External priority to the Pancheshwor including former President Fakhrul alleged that a con- marks of Khaleda Zia and her ral wreath at the memorial and sort to baton-charge and tear Aff airs Ministry offi cials, Prach- project. Zillur Rahman’s wife Ivy Rah- spiracy is on to turn Bangladesh party leaders and her son Tar- then another, fl anked by leaders gas in this way? The aim of this man. into a militant and failed state ique Zia staying in his father- of Awami League, as president was to allow the attackers to Bangladesh National Awa- by destroying democracy and in-law’s residence on Dhan- of the party. fl ee without any hindrance,” mi Party (NAP), one of the snatching all the people’s rights. mondi road No 5 in the capital Holding the BNP government she said.

Five killed, 50 hurt as storm lashes Bangladesh

By Mizan Rahman others injured as the tin roof of a workers’ Besides, two people were killed as a injured and 100 houses damaged as a Dhaka shed collapsed during the storm at Bak- tree collapsed on them during the storm tornado lashed Gaundia village in Lou- hunda in Sadar sub-district at around in Faridpur. The deceased were identifi ed hajang sub-district of Munshiganj dis- 1pm. as Biren Biswas, 35, of Kehsabpur area trict yesterday morning. ive people, including three work- The deceased were identifi ed as Hazrat and Abul Hossain, 40, of Daranipara of The storm swept through the vil- ers of a jute mill,were killed and 50 Ali, 40, Akash, 22 and Maloti, 25. the sub-district. lage around 9.25am and lasted for one Fothers injured in separate incidents The tin roof of a workers’ shed of Around 500 trees and an electric pole minute. Local sources said 40 people as storm lashed diff erent parts of Sadar Zobaida-Karim Jute Mill crashed around were uprooted during the storm, dis- were injured as houses and trees col- sub-district of Faridpur district yester- 1pm during the storm, leaving three peo- rupting power supply in the sub-district. lapsed on them. day. ple dead on the spot and 50 others in- The local administration has provided Mohamed Saiful Islam, deputy com- Matiur Rahman, general manager jured. 20,000 taka each to the family members missioner of Munshiganj district, said Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” will begin a of Zobaida-Karim Jute Mill, said three The injured were taken to Faridpur of the fi ve deceased. the aff ected people have been provided three-day visit to India on September 15. workers of a jute mill were killed and 50 Medical College Hospital. Meanwhile, at least 40 people were with emergency aid. Diabetes on the rise in Maldives ‘due to changing lifestyle’

By Ashraf Padanna Experts attribute this to presentation at the two-day Smoking also brings the HDL 1,192 small islands,” he said. All these islands have small Jothydev’s Professional Edu- Thiruvananthapuram “globalisation” that has made annual international diabetes levels down off setting the ben- “We had built a curriculum health centres, but there are only cation Forum. Lawmaker Dr changes in their dietary pref- convention hosted by P Kesava efi ts of eating a lot of fi sh and with experts from the IDA to two tertiary care hospitals in this Shashi Tharoor inaugurated erences and lifestyle at a rapid Dev Trust that concluded here they increasingly go for sugary train them. The results were very top tourist destination, forcing the event, presided over by Dr revalence of type-2 dia- pace. yesterday. carbonated drinks. It worsens positive. They have already met people to outsource complicated Jothydev Kesavadev. Inter- betes is on the increase in Now 22.7% of its 344,023 “They used to go out physi- diabetes, blood pressure, cho- 227,124 (of the 344,023) people surgical procedures to hospitals national Diabetes Federation Pthe Maldives whose main population are smokers, and cally to the sea and were exposed lesterol and heart diseases. so far.” in the Kerala capital. (IDF) president Dr Shaukat M “meal” is fi sh containing a lot women rarely get into the sun- to a lot of sunlight, sweating out “With the help of Interna- Though the nation has 188 Some 1,000 delegates at- Sadikot, Thiruvananthapuram of omega-3 fatty acids provid- light to absorb Vitamin D. on a daily basis. And then the tional Diabetes Association, inhabited islands, the capital tended the convention where Medical College principal Dr ing protection against many of “The difference in lifestyle changes hit them. Not only the we trained diabetes educators of Male is crammed with some 200 experts from India and Thomas Mathew and Kerala the non-communicable diseases came very suddenly,” said Dr pace of their life changed, but since 2013 and deployed them 200,000 people. Reaching out abroad shared their experi- Institute of Medical Sciences (NCDs), says a leading diabetes Ali Siyan of Maldivian Dia- their food has turned instant and in all the 188 inhabited islands to the remote islands is the real ences and findings, at different head Dr MI Sahadulla spoke at educator of the island nation. betes Association, making a urban.” of the archipelago consisting challenge for them. venues at a time, organised by the inaugural function. Gulf Times 18 Monday, August 22, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Production Editor: C P Ravindran Counting Africa’s

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] invisible workers Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) African governments, economy, where they enter into eff ectively and unlock the potential of of eff orts to provide those skills Fax 44350474 with the help of private- ad hoc arrangements that lie Africa’s youth. and opportunities, not to mention beyond the purview of government To be sure, some high-potential ensuring that those who remain in sector actors, must develop regulation and taxation. They may approaches are already apparent. the informal sector are not invisible, methods for understanding be doing productive work, but The Alliance for a Green Revolution initiatives aimed directly at improving in economies where informality in Africa reports that, though the data collection are also needed. how the informal economy is effectively institutionalised, continent boasts 60% of the world’s One such initiative is the works and how it can be owing to a lack of data-collection uncultivated land, it spends $60bn per Africa Programme on Accelerated GULF TIMES mechanisms. year on food imports. Investing in the Improvement of Civil Registration and improved development of Africa’s agricultural Vital Statistics, which was formally Reducing resources is thus a no-brainer. launched in 2011. While it may not By Carl Manlan Young people could play a central provide instant results, it begins to lay Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast unemployment role in that eff ort. By identifying and the groundwork for the development investing in those parts of agricultural and implementation of programmes Scientists seek and poverty are not value chains where young people can based on hard data about African he billions of dollars in aid contribute, African leaders can create populations. delivered to Africa annually the responsibility of decent formal job opportunities in, Reducing unemployment and may do the continent much governments alone say, light manufacturing for relatively poverty are not the responsibility of clues to save Tgood, but it cannot deliver low-skill workers. Only a small governments alone. Private-sector a solution to poverty. Only creating amount of skills training would be actors and ordinary citizens can also more high-quality jobs can do that. Without an accurate picture required to lift workers – such as the help. For example, we can support The question is how. of the state of the labour market, 120 now employed at a tomato paste informal activities, such as waste reef ecosystems Africa boasts a large and creative governments are hamstrung in their factory in Nigeria – from the bottom recycling, that give low-skill young labour pool, buttressed by a youth ability to respond to the challenges of the value chain. people a chance to earn money. population that is expected to afflicting it. Initiatives aimed at Another promising approach And we can encourage and facilitate The fi rst-ever video of coral bleaching, released double, to over 830mn, by 2050. reducing youth unemployment, is exemplifi ed by Johannesburg’s apprenticeships that provide technical last week by researchers from Australia’s Queensland That should be a boon for economies while numerous, can only be so Vulindlel’ eJozi programme, which skills and opportunities for civic University of Technology, has shocked environmentalists across the continent. But African effective if we don’t know which aims to eliminate barriers to entry- education. policymakers confront a serious types of jobs already exist and which level employment for young people by Africa has addressed complex and across the world. Though scientists have long warned of problem: they do not know how are needed. With an estimated providing skills like digital literacy. far-reaching problems before. For coral bleaching events, precipitated by global warming, many people they are dealing with, 122mn people expected to join Such skills enable young people example, the HIV/Aids epidemic, which few knew the phenomenon could be so violent. where they live, or how they earn a the African workforce by 2022, to move not only out of the informal once seemed insurmountable, has now The Australian researchers found that under simulated living. Simply put, they don’t have keeping up with labour trends – and sector, but also out of undesirable largely been brought under control. enough data. delivering enough good jobs – will formal jobs, such as in South Africa’s The key to tackling that challenge was warming conditions, solitary mushroom coral called In 46 of 54 African countries, only become more difficult. private-security industry, which co-operation among governments, Heliofungia actiniformis will swell and squeeze, offi cial tracking of vital statistics such Bringing the picture into sharper employs more than 412,000 people. development partners, and local dramatically expelling their algal tenants. The eight- as birth, marriage and death is limited. focus through improved data The industry has faced criticism for communities in collecting, processing, day time-lapse video, which has gone viral on the As the Mo Ibrahim Foundation collection does not mean simply poor working conditions; even where and using data to adjust strategies. reports, only “a third of all Africans imitating the labour-tracking methods that is not the case, it does not develop We should be doing the same to Internet, brings coral to life for viewers who may be more live in a country where a census has used in OECD countries, where the the types of skills that can support address the job shortage. If Africa’s accustomed to thinking about reefs as habitats rather been conducted since 2010”, and the informal economy does not account stable and sustainable economic economies are to absorb the 122mn than animals and bleaching as a passive event. census programmes that do exist are for such a high share of employment. growth. young people expected to enter the Andrea Grottoli, a professor of earth sciences at Ohio often underfunded and unreliable. Instead, African governments, with As more people gain the skills labour force in the next few years, More than half of all Africans live in the help of private-sector actors, must and access the opportunities to we must get the accounting right – State University, told The Christian Science Monitor countries that have not conducted develop methods for understanding fi ll productive jobs in the formal starting now. - Project Syndicate (CSM) that the video is a much more vivid way of a labour-force survey in at least a how the informal economy works and sector, where they are registered and conveying the science to the public and adds emotional decade. how it can be improved. recognised, governments will get a zCarl Manlan is COO of the Ecobank content to something we know. Meanwhile, young Africans are Only then will it be possible to better sense of the labour market. Foundation and a 2016 Aspen New As pointed out by the CSM, the relationship between largely working in the informal address unemployment and poverty But to maximise the eff ectiveness Voices Fellow. coral and algae is a prime example of symbiosis in the animal world. “Coral polyps provide a perfect protective home for tiny zooxanthellae algae. In exchange, the photosynthetic algae provide nutrients and colour to their (naturally colourless) coral landlords. But if sea temperatures rise even a few degrees over the normal thermal maximum, corals will begin to expel algae from their bodies and turn white. The whole bleaching process can take as few as 10 days.” The relationship Algae will return to their hosts if between coral temperatures cool. If and algae is a the heat does not let up, bleached coral may prime example die. And as climate warming shows no sign of symbiosis of slowing, researchers in the animal fear the worst for coral ecosystems. world Temperature is the single largest stressor facing modern coral reefs, and currently the world is witnessing annual bleaching events, despite predictions that the phenomenon would not occur for several decades. Climate change presents a distinctly long-term challenge for conservationists. But marine scientists are already working toward short-term solutions for Neymar celebrates scoring the winning goal during the penalty shoot-out of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games men’s football gold medal match between Brazil and maintaining coral health. And by better understanding Germany at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday. the mechanics behind bleaching, researchers could target conservation eff orts where they count the most. According to Grottoli, there are things that can buy time for coral reefs. Reefs that are protected or isolated Neymar is Brazil’s golden boy from human impact tend to recover more quickly from bleaching. And even on bleached reefs, there are some By Dr Cesar Chelala It was one of the saddest days for “explosive” being able to score equally score during the second half, placing colonies that do not bleach. So scientists are trying to New York all Brazilians, who had placed on him well with both feet. extraordinary psychological pressure their greatest hopes for winning the He is an accurate free-kick and on the young Brazilian players. identify what makes those individual corals resilient tournament. penalty taker, as he showed in the fi nal Although some among the Brazilian when other individuals are bleaching. ith two remarkable He was, however, named in the Olympic match against Germany. layers were physically exhausted, In a previous study led by Grottoli, researchers found goals against Germany, World Cup All Star XI, and received When Neymar shot a free kick in the Neymar seemed tireless. that coral with higher fat reserves were better able to Neymar or, more the Bronze Boot as the tournament’s match against Germany, all Brazilians The end of the game in a draw survive and bounce back from bleaching events. In a Wproperly, Neymar da third top goalscorer. practically stopped breathing. meant the winner of the game had to Silva a Santos Jr, proved not only that In 2012 and 2013, SportsPro There practically wasn’t enough be decided on penalty kicks. diff erent paper, Australian researchers theorised that he is one of the best players of the Magazine named him the most room for the ball to go through. When the Brazilian goalkeeper coral microbiomes could hold clues to saving reef world but also that Brazil has the best remarkable athlete in the world and in Neymar thought for a couple of Weverton Pererira da Silva, simply ecosystems. Olympic team. December 2015 he was ranked by The seconds, used his eyes as a ruler, and known as Weverton, stopped the fi fth The next step is to look through that kind of microbial Although the Brazilian goalkeeper Guardian as the third best player in the sent the ball to the only place that the fi nal German shot all the eyes – and Weverton was able to stop Nils world. Timo Horn, the German goalkeeper, the prayers – in the Maracaná stadium soup and fi nd which bacteria may be the benefi cial ones, Petersen’s fi fth shot, the crowning couldn’t reach. were on Neymar. If he failed, the fi rst understand how they are responding under temperature moment of the game was when Neymar still has a The Maracana stadium was a feast. team to score on additional shots changes, and what contributions they are making to the Neymar when, with an unstoppable People’s chanting for Neymar and for would decide the winner. The stadium coral, as suggested to the CSM by Tracy Ainsworth, a shot, assured the golden medal for long way of success Brazil never seemed to end. was calm as a cemetery. Brazil. It was the greatest achievement Although Brazil has won the World Neymar didn’t disappoint the molecular biologist at Australia’s James Cook University. in Neymar’s remarkable career. ahead of him Cup fi ve times, it had never before Brazilian fans. With a strong shot he When he was 19-years-old, Neymar won the Olympic Games, where only made Brazil the winner. had won the 2011 South American Neymar still has a long way of players age 23 and under can play, The best team had won. To Advertise Footballer of the year award, a feat he success ahead of him. with only three exceptions (Neymar David Konzevik, a noted Argentine repeated in 2012. Brazilian legend Romario said in is 24-years-old). Neymar scored the economist and a former soccer player, [email protected] In 2011, Neymar won the FIFA 2014: “I think because of his age, fastest goal in the Olympic Games’ said: “At times, Brazilian players seem Display Puskas Award for Goal of the Year, thought he still has others to topple, history, just 15 seconds since the start to be ballet dancers”. For Brazilians, Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 and in 2015, he came third for the FIFA Neymar will become top goalscorer of the game against Honduras, which it was a revenge for the crushing Ballon d’Or behind Lionel Messi and in Brazil’s history, surpassing Pele. It Brazil won 6-0. 7-1 defeat they had suff ered against Classified Cristiano Ronaldo. wouldn’t hurt if he leapfrogged me in His feat prompted Brazil’s Olympic Germany in the last World Cup. Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 While Pele has called Neymar “an the list. I left my mark on history and coach Rogerio Micale to call him, Now Brazilians, albeit for a short excellent player”, both Ronaldo and now it’s his turn.” admiringly, as a “monster”. time, could forget the critical political Subscription Messi predicted that he will be the When assessing Neymar’s dribbling “He is the diff erence maker in our and economic problems besieging [email protected] best in the world. skills and playmaking creativity, group in the good sense. Neymar their country and enjoy a victory with At the 2014 FIFA World Cup, many people compare him with his deserves our gratitude because he the fl avour of glory. Neymar scored four goals before he legendary compatriot Ronaldinho. pushes Brazil to a higher level,” said 2016 Gulf Times. All rights reserved suff ered a serious back injury and His playing style has been Micale. zDr Cesar Chelala is a New York writer missed the rest of the tournament. characterised as both “electric” and Germany, however, was able to and sports fan. Gulf Times Monday, August 22, 2016 19 COMMENT Sharif to take a call on Sharif

Nawaz Sharif will be taking political relevance as the country’s dozen followers that he accuses the a fi fth call on appointing premier opposition party as well PM’s brother – Punjab chief minister as attempt to force Sharif to give it Shahbaz Sharif – of getting killed by an army chief in what is his political concessions in its home his trigger-happy police two years third term as PM province. ago? The PPP has lost its mojo as a Until such time a denial comes political force thanks to nagging forth, the Khan and Qadri charge By Kamran Rehmat charges of corruption and misrule in will be likely seen from the same Islamabad Sindh compounded by the political prism although whether the two loss of face in seeing Rangers reap will gain any meaningful traction popular endorsement of its operation this time with just one-and-a- he question uppermost in to restore peace in the once most half year of the Sharif term left is everyone’s mind in Pakistan troubled hotspot of the country. anybody’s guess. these days is about the The Ranger’s sweep has seen the But the political rigmarole aside, Tappointment of the next party’s stalwarts nabbed and tried the decision the PM is going to take army chief. for corruption and a few of them, next month on a possible successor to But that is a loaded question including a serving minister, fl eeing General Sharif will have a tremendous because nothing is a given even abroad. bearing in the overall context - though the odd report about potential It has just recently replaced its particularly, if he decides not to give candidates has already seen a round in octogenarian chief minister, but an extension. the media. despite eff orts to regain space, the PPP Why it has assumed such Perhaps, it makes more sense to has been unable to keep the Rangers signifi cance is because General Sharif read the pitch report – as they say in away from the action. has led a considerably successful cricket – to decode the mystery. Therefore, it expects to see Sharif fi ghtback against terrorism during Apparently, Prime Minister Nawaz come to his aid in Sindh for holding off his tenure and for obvious reasons, Sharif is sitting pretty after surviving the Imran Khan threat. stakeholders worry about the future the initial frenzy around the so-called But it is debatable if the prime course of the anti-terror war that Panama Papers. minister can deliver on that front carries a critical existential mien for It helped that he had a surgery and given the popular sentiment in favour the country. long recuperation in London; he was of keeping the Rangers in charge. For much less, army chiefs in the also aided by the quiet of Ramadan In all probability, that’s where the past have either been given – or and the accompanying sizzling matter will rest for the foreseeable themselves granted – extensions to summer when people’s patience wears future. overstay their welcome. thin. However, despite the The incumbent’s predecessor, But what really helped him stave off disappointment at PML-N’s inability DECISION TIME: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with Army Chief General Raheel Sharif. General Asif Kayani, who does not a potentially, threatening campaign to deliver, the PPP is highly unlikely enjoy much of a reputation, benefi ted was the secular Pakistan People’s to rock the boat for the Centre from his family disqualifi ed for breach precise – is desperate to make a meal that General Raheel Sharif was seeking from two successive terms; and before Party (PPP)’s deft political move to ruling party in consort with the PTI of oath with regard to the Panama of the situation because he realises if an extension in his three-year term him, General Parvez Musharraf gave lure fi rebrand opposition Pakistan out of the fear of any third party Papers. Sharif sees out his fi ve-year term, he that ends in November this year, it has himself two more after overthrowing Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran intervention. The PML-N knows this But while the PTI seems intent on would be hard-pressed to challenge a so far chosen to stay mum over the Nawaz Sharif, who, as PM, gave him Khan into forming a united opposition and hence, the relative calm in the pushing this through, the general government that will have much on its latest speculation. his fi rst. front to challenge Sharif’s eligibility to House of Sharifs. notion about the PPP is that it is plate to benefi t from. Is it a coincidence that the civilian With Sharif in the saddle a third stay on as PM following the damaging However, this does not mean Prime merely going through the motions Small wonder he even accused the Sharif is once again facing the brunt time, it should be interesting to see Panama leaks where his children were Minister Sharif is out of the woods yet. with plenty of photo-ops provided by PM of trying to “bribe” the army chief of pressure from the PTI’s Imran Khan his fi fth such attempt at appointing an named as benefi ciaries of unexplained To be sure, a clutch of political its parliamentary leaders, including when reports appeared in the media and Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT)’s army chief. He has never granted an off shore wealth. parties, including both the PTI and the leader of opposition Khurshid of a proposal under consideration to Tahirul Qadri – the Canada-based extension before. However, as was widely suspected, PPP, have variously fi led references Shah, apparently, taking negotiations elevate General Raheel Sharif to the cleric with a substantial religious With two aborted previous terms, the PPP appears to have hoodwinked with the Election Commission of over terms of reference for Panama title of a fi eld marshal. following in Pakistan, who has will civilian Sharif be third time Khan to merely contain him for the Pakistan and the National Assembly investigation with the Sharif Interestingly, while the ISPR – the mounted two previous campaigns lucky? PML-N’s benefi t in order to draw speaker to have the prime minister government forward. publicity relations wing of the army – for “change”, but this particular time two-fold mileage of its own: win back and elected members of parliament The PTI – Imran Khan to be more had categorically denied early this year is seeking justice for the over two zThe writer is Community Editor Letters Weather report Three-day forecast

TODAY A dismal talented in sports to concentrate and The image highlights the powers who are not doing enough to High: 40 C continue their training. plight of children in conflict-hit stop the atrocities. Low : 33 C Hazy to misty at places at first performance I am sure there are many other countries. The image of Omran, covered in becomes hot during day with some local clouds and relatively humid factors that contribute to India’s poor The siege city of Aleppo has been dust and blood, represents every child by night Dear Sir, performance in sports. But if at least reeling under intense, ferocious living in a war zone. the above listed issues are taken care bombardment by regime forces for How long can the world remain as a TUESDAY The performance of India, the of, a vast improvement can be made. long. mute witness to their suff ering? High: 39 C world’s biggest democracy and the I would also like to use this The strongest criticism for the Low: 33 C second most populous country, at the opportunity to congratulate Qatar continuing suff ering of people in the Ramachandran Nair Sunny Rio Olympics is dismal. In terms of for winning a silver medal at the Rio city should be directed against world (e-mail address supplied) population size and medals won, there Olympics. Qatari high-jump hero can be no worse Olympic performer Mutaz Barshim has made history. WEDNESDAY than India. Qatar, under the great leadership High: 41 C What is the reason for this? I feel of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Please send us Low: 33 C many factors contribute to this. Hamad al-Thani, is exerting great Sunny zThe government has no serious eff orts to boost sports. your letters programme to encourage sports in As an expatriate living in Qatar for India the last 10 years with my family, I am Fishermen’s forecast z Lack of good sports facilities in proud of the state’s achievement and OFFSHORE DOHA the country. The government spends congratulate all nationals on their By e-mail Wind: NE 05-15 KT Rs120mn yearly for sports whereas achievement. [email protected] Waves: 1-3/4 Feet billions are spent on many other INSHORE DOHA Fax 44350474 Wind: NW-NE 05-15/18 KT institutions in other sectors. Syed Aslam Ali Waves: 1-2 Feet zGirls are not being encouraged aslamqs_jtc@rediff mail.com Or Post to participate in sports. Despite Letters to the Editor Around the region that, we should note that India’s Weather Weather two medals in Rio were won by A telling Gulf Times today Max/min tomorrow Max/min women. image P O Box 2888 Abu Dhabi Sunny 45/32 Sunny 46/31 zParents pile pressure on students Baghdad Sunny 48/28 Sunny 48/29 Dubai to get good grades but seldom to do Doha, Qatar Sunny 42/32 Sunny 43/32 Kuwait City Sunny 43/29 Sunny 43/29 well in sports. Dear Sir, Manama Sunny 43/31 Sunny 42/32 zCricket is India’s national sport. It All letters, which are subject to editing, should have the Muscat Sunny 36/28 Sunny 35/28 puts other sports activities in shade. The picture of a young boy, Omran Riyadh P Cloudy 44/30 P Cloudy 43/29 And cricket is not even among the from Syria’s Aleppo city, released by name of the writer, address and phone number. The Tehran Sunny 32/22 Sunny 32/21 Olympic items. medics working in the country, has writer’s name and address may be withheld by request. z Indians lack a sports culture. caught the attention of the world, z Poverty prevents many children pricking its conscience. Live issues Improve your thoughts to improve your confi dence

By Judi Light Hopson, about inherited money can certainly fi nally got a job. It’s amazing how your my lifestyle. I live near the mountains Emma H Hopson, and Ted Hagen help. But, it pays off to keep your confi dence rises when you don’t pay a and streams, so I do a lot of hunting Tribune News Service thinking upbeat and joyful, especially bit of attention to rejection.” and fi shing.” when the world looks bleak and She continues, “I made it a game Gary’s cousin wants to build a miserable. to see how many times I could get retirement cabin near Gary. “I began ave you ever stopped to Thinking well, so to speak, rubs off rejected in a week. Some people call to realise that I’m rich in my own way,” Around the world refl ect on your moods? It’s on others and it gives us an internal it failing forward. You’re failing, but says Gary. Weather Weather a fact that each of us feels confi dence. you’re not standing still!” To stop doubting yourself, give today Max/min tomorrow Max/min emotional highs and lows Jane did okay for herself. She got yourself credit. Refl ect upon the Athens Sunny 36/24 Sunny 34/23 H Beirut Sunny 31/26 Sunny 32/27 based largely on what we’re thinking. a job as a waitress in the summer. As challenging roads you’ve come down Healthy thoughts P Cloudy S T Storms 36/27 Thoughts create a certain chemistry of two weeks ago, she became the in life. Pat yourself on the back for not Bangkok 37/27 Berlin P Cloudy 24/15 M Cloudy 25/16 in the brain and in our bodies. give us a platform to restaurant manager. quitting. Cairo Sunny 37/26 P Cloudy 37/25 Stressful thoughts can literally make “This has been the weirdest year of Healthy thoughts give us a platform Cape Town Rain 16/09 P Cloudy 18/10 us sick, while happy thoughts can put stand on my life,” laughs Jane. “I’ve learned that to stand on. When you build this kind Colombo T Storms 29/26 T Storms 29/26 us in a party mood. thinking better gives you confi dence of internal dialogue, your confi dence Dhaka P Cloudy 32/25 P Cloudy 33/27 Hong Kong M Sunny 31/27 P Cloudy 31/27 For example, a friend of ours we’ll “I can remember watching the news that no one can take away. I focus on will rise to help you reach your goals. Istanbul Sunny 32/23 Sunny 30/23 call Angie just found out she inherited and feeling awful last December,” what I do well. I focus on using my “One of my new goals,” says Gary, “is to Jakarta Showers 32/24 S Showers 31/24 a signifi cant amount of money from says a woman we’ll call Jane. Jane is a talents and skills. I’ve been so down enjoy my life right where I am. My cousin Karachi P Cloudy 33/27 M Sunny 33/27 an aunt. member of our local business group. emotionally, but I refuse to let anyone wanting to move here to retire has opened London P Cloudy 26/13 Sunny 29/18 T Storms Showers 30/26 “I’ve been worrying about how I “I lost all my confi dence, and I judge me. I’m proud of how tough I am!” up a new perspective for me.” Manila 30/26 Moscow S Showers 27/17 P Cloudy 30/18 was going to send my son to college,” wouldn’t look for a job,” Jane told us. Moving into this kind of self New Delhi M Sunny 34/27 P Cloudy 33/27 says Angie. “I was beating myself up “The more the newscasters told me confi dence requires that you trust zJudi Light Hopson is the executive New York Sunny 28/18 Sunny 28/19 for not putting money away over the things were terrible, the less confi dent yourself. You think about your life in director of the stress management Paris Sunny 28/16 Sunny 32/18 years. Now, I feel a whole lot calmer. I became!” ways that work for you. website USA Wellness Cafe at Sao Paulo S Showers 13/07 P Cloudy 19/09 Seoul P Cloudy 33/23 M Sunny 34/23 The knot is gone from my stomach Jane fi nally decided to turn away “I was judging myself because my www.usawellnesscafe.com. Emma Singapore P Cloudy 32/26 S T Storms 32/26 over this college issue.” from her bleak mood. “I started telling cousin is rich and I’m not,” says a man Hopson is an author and a nurse Sydney Rain 17/08 M Cloudy 17/11 We all contribute to our internal myself that I would try and fail until we’ll call Gary. “My cousin told me in educator. Ted Hagen is a family Tokyo Rain 29/25 Clear 32/25 weather, so to speak. Feeling good I found a job. This past summer, I an e-mail recently that he’s envious of psychologist. Gulf Times 20 Monday, August 22, 2016 QATAR

Qatar Airways ‘offi cial airline sponsor’ of UCI Road World Championships

atar Airways has been named ers from 75 countries compete for the Airways Cargo will transport hun- ships Doha 2016 is the latest in a series World Championships taking place in country hosting the annual cycling the official airline sponsor of title, cheered on by 30,000 fans and dreds of high-performance road of high-profi le sporting events to be Doha from October 9.” race.” Qatar Airways sponsors sev- Qthe UCI Road World Champi- millions of spectators from all over bikes to Doha. held in Qatar and supported by Qatar Ehab Amin, Qatar Airways sen- eral sports events and teams around onships - Doha 2016. the world. The competition began in Qatar Airways has an extensive route Airways. ior vice-president (commercial) for the globe, including football club FC The event organised by the Un- 1921 and Qatar will be the first Mid- network with fl ights to more than 150 Sheikh Khalid bin Ali al-Thani, GCC, Levant, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Af- Barcelona, Saudi Professional League ion Cycliste Internationale (UCI) dle East country to host it. key business and leisure destinations chairman of the Organising Commit- rica and the Indian subcontinent, winners Al Ahli Saudi Football Club, will take place against the backdrop As the official airline sponsor of across six continents, through the air- tee of the UCI Road World Champi- added: “ We are proud to be the offi- International Premier Tennis League of the Arabian Gulf and The Pearl- the race, Qatar Airways will fly com- line’s home at Hamad International Air- onships-Doha 2016, said: “We are cial airline partner, bringing the UCI and Qatar Total Open, part of the Qatar from October 9-16. The an- petitors from all corners of the globe port. delighted to introduce Qatar Airways Road World Championships to Qatar Women’s Tennis Association Cham- nual cycling race will see 1,000 rac- to take part in the event, while Qatar The UCI Road World Champion- as our official airline partner for the and to become the first Middle East pionships. KidzMondo in pact with Boecker Moon rover tested in Qatari desert he Audi Lunar quattro moon rover has recently Tbeen tested in the Qatari desert as part of the prepara- tions for its mission to travel to the moon and to compete for the Google Lunar XPRIZE competi- tion in 2017. KidzMondo Doha, Qatar’s one-of-a-kind miniature edutainment city, has partnered with The team of German engineers Boecker, the largest Public Health Company in the Middle East. Boecker will be the exclusive and Part-Time scientists lead- public health provider of the upcoming indoor theme park at the Mall of Qatar, safeguard it ing the challenge are supported from all kind of pests and micro-organism hazards and make it a protected environment for by Audi with expert knowledge children to play safely. Boecker will also provide food safety training to staff of all food in innovation and technology outlets at KidzMondo to ensure they follow the local and international standards and – from quattro all-wheel drive conduct periodical audits through its QPA platinum award certificate assured by the and lightweight construction CIEH- UK. Nabil R Barakat, general manager of KidzMondo Doha, Carla Ghaleb, country to electric mobility and piloted manager at Boecker Qatar and other off icials are seen at the partnership announcement. driving. The Part-Time scientists team chose Qatar as the terrain in the surrounding desert which has a common resemblance to the environment on the moon. Golden moment This is the fi rst time that the moon rover has had its capabili- ties practically tested in extreme hot climate conditions after conducting strict lab-based tests in its development phase. To win the competition, a team – which must be at least 90% privately fi nanced – needs to transport an automated ve- hicle to the moon. Competition rules state that this rover must drive at least 500m on the moon and transmit high-resolution images and video footage back to Earth. The Part-Time scientists team with the Audi Lunar quattro moon rover during the recent testing in the The lunar vehicle with the Qatari desert. Audi lunar quattro must launch into space by the end of 2017 target landing zone is north of to the lack of an atmosphere. tion. These prizes, which carry aboard a launching rocket that the moon’s equator, close to the The Part-Time Scientists — a monetary value of $750,000, will travel over 380,000km to 1972 landing site of Nasa’s last whose headquarters is in Berlin were awarded by the competi- Anwar Sadath, who won 250gm gold in Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ ‘Win up to 10 kilos of the moon. manned mission to the moon, and whom Audi is assisting —are tion jury for development of the gold’ campaign, receives his prize from regional head Santhosh T V, in the presence of LuLu The trip takes five days and Apollo 17. In this region, tem- the only German participants. rover and its optical systems. Hypermarket D Ring Road branch general manager Krishnakumar, Malabar Gold & Diamonds — according to estimates by the peratures fluctuate an enor- So far, their rover prototype has The Google Lunar XPRIZE start- zonal head Noufal Thadathil and other off icials at the LuLu D Ring Road branch outlet. Part-Time Scientists — it will mous 300C; when the sun is already won two prizes known as ed with 34 teams, and 16 groups cost around 24mn euros. The shining, it gets up to 120C due Milestone Prizes in the competi- remain today.

Commercial Bank names winners of ATM cashback campaign

ommercial Bank has an- ient locations, including malls The winners won back all the nounced the winners of and petrol stations. cash they withdrew during the Cits ATM campaign held Commercial Bank ATMs were campaign period, up to a maxi- during June and July this year. also rated as the bank’s “best” mum amount of QR2,000. The campaign encouraged service channel in a recent cus- Commercial Bank constantly customers to use Commercial tomer satisfaction survey. strives to make the banking ex- Bank ATMs as a secure and fast Customers who only used the perience for customers conven- way to withdraw cash and per- Commercial Bank ATMs during ient and rewarding, including form many other essential bank- the promotion period from June everyday banking tasks such as ing tasks such as cash deposits, 23 to July 23 were automatically using an ATM. Commercial Bank bill payments and money trans- entered into a raffl e draw and 10 ATMs do much more than sim- fers. lucky customers were selected as ply dispense cash, they make the Commercial Bank has a stra- the winners in the presence of a lives of customers easier by pro- tegic network of 174 ATMs Ministry of Economy and Com- viding a range of banking services across Qatar found in conven- merce offi cial. without having to visit a branch. Winners of Commercial Bank’s ATM cashback campaign receive their prizes from the bank’s off icials.

Clean-up drive

The Beaches and Islands section at the Public Cleaning Department of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment conducted a number of cleaning campaigns last week at the port and beaches of the country. These included Al Safliya Island and the navigation port, in addition to Doha Corniche by the Museum of Islamic Art. All the refuse materials were removed. The abandoned boats at Al Wakrah Port were removed in co-operation with the department concerned.