BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 8 Qatar Racing’s Roaring Lion Qatari banks have triumphs in ‘suffi cient cushion’ for further realty credit: QCB Juddmonte published in QATAR since 1978

THURSDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 10919 August 23, 2018 Dhul-Hijja 12, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

FM meets Pompeo Micro-businesses In brief seen as drivers of ARAB WORLD | Confl ict UN warns of new war in Gaza The United Nations (UN) warned yesterday of threats of a new Qatar’s economy war in the Gaza Strip. UN Under- Secretary-General for Political By Peter Alagos dren’s apparel, food items, and other tracted throngs of visitors and cus- Aff airs Rosemary DiCarlo said in Business Reporter novelty merchandise. tomers because of the event’s “unique her briefing to the members of the Some Qatari entrepreneurs, on the concept”. Security Council in his monthly other hand, try to raise the bar a notch He pointed out that the travel re- session on the situation in the amadan and the two Eids have higher by opening food trucks, mini strictions to neighbouring Gulf des- Middle East, that there are threats been timely occasions to do restaurants, and even high-end, ex- tinations wrought by the economic of a new war in Gaza. She added Rbrisk business for micro enter- clusive apparel stores such as the busi- blockade had put local products in the that the humanitarian situation is prises, which are also seen as drivers of ness of Mohamed al-Naimi and Omar spotlight, thus benefi ting many Qatari increasingly exacerbated by Israeli Qatar’s economic growth by entrepre- al-Mannai, who are partners at Code entrepreneurs and other businesses. restrictions on the Gaza Strip, which neurial organisations in the country. Boutique. The huge potential of micro, small has been besieged by Israel since In the absence of brick-and-mortar Code Boutique sells high-end fash- and medium-sized enterprises (MS- 2007. shops, most home-based businesses ion brands and hard-to-fi nd apparel MEs) to drive economic development in Qatar thrive in “virtual stores,” uti- and accessories. But while this business lies at the core of Qatar Development AMERICA | Politics lising social media Apps such as Insta- model is also common in Europe and Bank’s (QDB) Home-based Business gram and Facebook, among others, to Asia, al-Mannai told Gulf Times that National Programme (HBBNP), which denies market and sell their products. the concept is fairly new in Qatar, mak- was launched in 2015. wrongdoing During Ramadan and Eid, however, ing it “a fresh off ering in the market”. QDB executive director of Advisory The White House pushed back these shops step out of the virtual This was reiterated by Nasser al-Am- Services and Incubation Ibrahim al- forcefully yesterday against world to interact personally with their ri, the marketing manager of Cloud e, Mannai earlier said QDB’s support for suggestions that a plea deal struck respective customers at the diff erent which organised a night market in Du- home-based businesses aims “to im- by President ’s former night markets or bazaars organised hail during Ramadan. He said since the prove their economic and social stabil- implicated HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin across Qatar. June 2017 Gulf crisis “people are look- ity”. This, he added, would “contribute Trump in a crime. “As the president Abdulrahman al-Thani met the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington Whether in the malls or open spac- ing for new and unique experiences”. to the sustainability and diversifi ca- has said, we’ve stated many times, yesterday during an off icial visit to the United States of America. The meeting es, these bazaars serve as transitory Al-Amri said the more than 60 tion of the national economy, which he did nothing wrong. There are focused on bilateral relations and the means to enhance them, in addition to the venues to shop for various homemade promising business establishments is in line with Qatar’s National Vision no charges against him,” press latest regional developments. products such as women’s and chil- that participated in the market at- 2030”. To Page 2 secretary Sarah Sanders said at a White House briefing. “Just because Michael Cohen made a plea deal doesn’t mean that that implicates the president on anything.” Page 5 REGION | Punishment Aramco halts listing plan Kochi airport to Death penalty sought for Saudi woman activist drive aimed at restructuring the coun- is that the IPO has been called off for try’s economy and reducing its de- the foreseeable future,” said one of the reopen on Aug 29 ’s public prosecutor is London/Riyadh seeking the death penalty against pendence on oil revenue. sources, a senior fi nancial adviser. five human rights activists from The prince announced the plan to “Even the local fl oat on the Tadawul he resumption of flight opera- stake-holders including airlines and the kingdom’s Eastern Province audi Arabia has called off both sell about 5% of Aramco in 2016 via a Stock Exchange has been shelved,” the tions to Kochi airport has been ground handling agencies expressed currently on in a secretive the domestic and international local and an international listing, pre- source added. Tpostponed to August 29, the their concerns over mobilising man- terrorism court, groups including Sstock listing of state oil giant dicting the sale would value the whole Saudi energy minister and Aramco airport owner CIAL (Cochin Interna- power. It was informed that 90% of Human Rights Watch (HRW) said. Aramco, billed as the biggest such deal company at $2tn or more. Several in- chairman Khalid al-Falih said in the tional Airport Limited) said yester- their staff ers got aff ected with the fl ood Among the detainees is Israa al- in history, four senior industry sources dustry experts however questioned company’s 2017 annual report, re- day. and are out of station. Nearby hotels, Ghomgham, whom Saudi activists said yesterday. whether a valuation that high was re- leased in August, that Aramco “con- Kerala’s largest airport at Nedum- restaurants and eateries still remain said was the first woman to possibly The fi nancial advisers working on alistic, which hindered the process of tinued to prepare itself for the listing bassery near Kochi was shut down on closed. face the death penalty for rights- the proposed listing have been dis- preparing the IPO for the advisers. of its shares, a landmark event the August 15 due to heavy rain and fl oods, “As central Kerala is yet to recover related work. Charges against her banded, as Saudi Arabia shifts its at- Stock exchanges in fi nancial cen- company and its board anticipate with which caused the runway, taxiway and from post fl ood trauma, it is a daunt- include incitement to protest and tention to a proposed acquisition of a tres including London, New York and excitement”. apron to be submerged. ing task to arrange local commutation, providing moral support to rioters. “strategic stake” in local petrochemi- Hong Kong had been vying to host the Aramco had a budget which it used It was initially slated to resume op- logistics of catering items, which will - Page 3 cals maker Saudi Basic Industries Cor- international tranche of the share sale. to pay advisers until the end of June. erations at 2pm on August 18, but ow- cause a cascading eff ect on the pas- poration, two of the sources said. International banks JPMorgan, This has not been renewed, one of the ing to the severity of the fl oods, it was sengers. In view of these apprehen- ASIA | Reconciliation “The decision to call off the IPO was Morgan Stanley and HSBC, were sources said. “The advisors have been later deferred to August 26. sions, CIAL decides to extend the date taken some time ago, but no-one can working as global co-ordinators, bou- put on standby,” a third source, a sen- After two days of cleaning opera- of resuming operations for three more Seoul may stop referring disclose this, so statements are gradu- tique investment banks Moelis & Co ior oil industry offi cial said. tions, the CIAL management held a days. We will be starting all operations to N Korea as ‘enemy’ ally going that way - fi rst delay then and Evercore were chosen as inde- “The IPO has not been offi cially meeting with stakeholders including at 2pm on August 29.” South Korea is considering deleting calling off ,” a Saudi source familiar pendent advisers and law fi rm White called off , but the likelihood of it not airlines and ground handling agencies, Qatar Airways and Indian carriers its reference to North Korea’s with the IPO plans said. & Case as legal adviser, sources had happening at all is greater than it being to review the damage. Subsequently, it – Air India Express, Jet Airways and military as “our enemy” in its Saudi Aramco did not immediately previously told Reuters. on.” Sources have previously told Reu- was decided to extend the reopening IndiGo operate direct fl ights between defence white paper to be published respond to an e-mailed request for , bankers and auditors are ters that in addition to the valuations, date by three more days. Doha and Kochi. later this year. The move is in line comment. The Saudi Royal Court had all essential in drafting the prospectus, disagreements among Saudi offi cials In a communique CIAL said, “A Qatar Airways has already rerouted its with the April inter-Korean summit no immediate comment. The proposed a formal document that provides es- and their advisers over which interna- meeting was held at CIAL today to fl ights - QR516 and QR517 between Doha agreement to halt “all hostile acts” listing was a central part of Crown sential details on the company. tional listing venue to be chosen had review the damage control activities and Kochi (Nedumbassery) to Thiru- against each other. Page 7 Prince Mohamed bin Salman’s reform “The message we have been given slowed down the IPO preparations. at Kochi airport, wherein most of the vananthapuram International Airport. Qatar see off Saudi Arabia in handball, India in volleyball

By Anil John exchanges early in the game, though. gain a 11-9 advantage. A minute later Ali Yousef contributed fi ve apiece. Jakarta They took a 7-4 lead with the match 11 Zuoaoui made it 12-9 with a goal from Abdulla al-Hamad with six and Mo- minutes old and continued to hold the the left fl ank. hamed al-Abbas with four excelled for upper hand, leading 9-7 after 15 min- It was Qatar all the way after that the losers. atar overcame a strong chal- utes. as they scored four successive goals In another Group 1 match, Japan beat lenge from Saudi Arabia to But a fi ne six-metre goal from Mous- to edge the fi rst half 16-10 and carried Iraq 27-24. Qassure themselves of a semi- tafa Heiba and a fast-break eff ort by Ali their momentum into the second half, Meanwhile, in volleyball, Qatar fi nal berth in the Asian Games hand- Yousef levelled the scores in the 18th leading 19-14 by the time the match thrashed India 25-15, 25-20, 25-20 in ball tournament with a 28-23 victory minute. Another six-metre goal by was 40 minutes old. their Pool F match. in their main round Pool 1 clash at the Yousef saw Qatar go ahead narrowly for There were spells of inactivity be- Mubarak Hammad, Henan Ribeiro Popki Stadium here yesterday. the fi rst time in the match. tween goals with both teams struggling and Ndikh Sadikh excelled for Qatar The defending champions’ superior- The match witnessed a strange spell to break free but by the 55th minute with their effi cient spiking, bagging 31 ity was never in doubt but a somewhat of play afterwards with both teams Qatar were sitting pretty with a 28-23 points between themselves. defensive approach in the fi nal stages lapsing into a defensive mode that last- advantage. Vineet Charles and Prabagaran did allowed the Saudis some leeway be- ed almost eight minutes during which That remained as the fi nal score as their best for India with 25 successful fore Valero Rivera’s boys closed out the not a single goal was scored. none of the teams managed a goal in the spikes between them but none of the match much to the joy of the Qatari fans In the 25th minute, however, a fast- remaining fi ve minutes. Qatar’s Rafael Capote (left) tries to score a goal during the men’s handball main other players made a signifi cant contri- at the venue. break goal by Anis Zuoaoui to the bot- Rafael Capote was the top scorer for round Group 1 match between Qatar and Saudi Arabia at the 2018 Asian Games in bution as Qatar wrapped up proceed- It was the Saudis who dominated the tom-left corner of the net saw Qatar Qatar with six goals while Zuoaoui and Jakarta yesterday. ings in 77 minutes. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, August 23, 2018 QATAR

BPS Trust donates to Kerala relief fund Festivities help spread awareness among expats he importance of car- use of fi re extinguishers. On its rying the Qatar ID at all part, the MADLSA also deliv- Ttimes and the need to re- ered a lecture on the Labour Law spect local customs and tradi- and the rights and obligations of BPS Educational Trust (India) donated Rs25 lakh (approximately QR130,360) to Pinarayi Vijayan, tions, among other issues, were workers. Chief Minister of the Indian state of Kerala, towards the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund highlighted during Eid al-Adha Overall, the attendees were yesterday morning. The donation is for providing immediate relief to victims of the floods that celebrations attended by a large introduced to the role of the have caused unprecedented devastation in the state. Trustees of BPS Educational Trust are the number of Asian expatriates in Community Police Department directors of Birla Public School, Doha. The contribution was handed over by Dr Mohan Thomas, the country. and the importance of enhanc- founder chairman and director of Birla Public School, Doha, at the Kerala chief minister’s off ice. The awareness tips were im- ing co-operation between the parted by the Ministry of In- people and the police to further terior (MoI) along with the enhance safety and security in Ministry of Administrative De- the country and ease the deliv- velopment, Labour and Social An awareness lecture being delivered as part of the Eid celebrations. ery of the related services to the Aff airs (MADLSA) at the celebra- public. tions hosted in diff erent parts of Accordingly, officials from Qatar. various departments of the MoI Al Mana Malls plans Members of the Asian com- and MADLSA took part in the munities took part in the fes- events. tivities at Asian City, held in co- The celebrations also featured operation with NAAAS Group for a number of artistic and heritage Real Estate Project Management performances refl ecting the cul- to launch a slew of and Development; Barwa Al Ba- tures of diff erent Asian countries raha near the Industrial Area, such as India, Bangladesh, Ne- held in co-operation with Barwa pal, Pakistan and others. Besides, Real Estate Company; and the some recreational and sports ac- Barwa workers’ recreation com- tivities were held for workers at innovative campaigns plex in Al Khor in co-ordination the workers’ recreation complex with Barwa Real Estate in the in Al Khor as part of the celebra- New Industrial Area. tions. Participants of the festivi- By Joey Aguilar On the occasion, various ties expressed their appreciation Staff Reporter awareness lectures were deliv- for the authorities’ eff orts to ered by both the MoI and MADL- share with them the joy of Eid. SA on the services provided by Cultural and (below) sports activities were held on the occasion. More Eid reports, Page 16 l Mana Malls is planning to launch several them and a host of safety and se- innovative campaigns amid the growing curity tips. Major Mohamed Fahd Aimportance of shopping and entertain- al-Dosari, offi cer of the external ment centres in the family-oriented lifestyle of branches-Community Police Qatar, a senior offi cial of the company has said. Department, talked about the “One of these is along the lines of a fashion importance of carrying the Qatar campaign that focuses on personal styling and the ID all the time as well as the need latest trends with a technological edge,” said Rony to respect local customs and tra- Mourani, general manager of Al Mana Malls, the ditions. company that operates Mirqab Mall, Al Nasr. Lieutenant Saleh Jassim al- It is also the operator for the upcoming Doha Mohammadi from the exit permit Mall in Abu Hamour. Mourani was speaking on grievances committee explained the sidelines of the Eid al-Adha celebrations tak- the panel’s work and mechanism, ing place at malls in Qatar, including Mirqab Mall, based on the relevant law, and which have been attracting a large number of resi- how to access its public services. dents and visitors since Tuesday. Meanwhile, a number of safety Mourani told Gulf Times that one of Mirqab lectures were given by the Civil Asian expatriates attending the festivities at one Mall’s strongest elements is the variety of dining Al Mana Malls general manager Rony Mourani. Defence, especially on the proper of the venues. and cuisine off erings – a reason to come up with “a campaign that celebrates this diversity”. grow and diversify the country’s tourism off ering, “Today, shopping centres are in the out-of- particularly in the area of family and urban enter- Micro-businesses home entertainment and dining business as much tainment. Its fi rst edition contributed QR1.06bn as they are in the retail goods business, and this to the local economy and recorded a 70.5% hotel Eid show at Souq Waqif seen as drivers of is especially true during the festive seasons,” he occupancy rate during the festival. Qatar’s economy stressed. Citing Doha Mall’s opening next year, “The Shop Qatar campaign highlights QTA’s Mourani added: “Our expansion into the market focus in its ongoing message of welcoming the From Page 1 marks a new frontier for Al Mana Group as we world to easily discover Qatar’s myriad activities, He noted that QDB is also com- continue to grow, and we could not do so without cultural heritage and natural wonders, in which mitted to transform MSMEs into incredible partners such as Qatar Tourism Au- Mirqab Mall certainly plays a part,” Mourani larger enterprises by supporting thority (QTA).” pointed out. and empowering them, enhanc- Delighted to be part of the Qatar Summer Fes- He said the mall and its wide range of off erings ing entrepreneurs’ skills, improv- tival 2018, he also disclosed that they benefi ted have received positive response from the public, ing levels of production, and by from the sales and promotions as refl ected among witnessing “steady and double-digit month-on- providing them with opportuni- Mirqab’s retailers during the Shop Qatar period. month growth in footfall” since its opening in Oc- ties to access a wider market. Shop Qatar, dubbed as the country’s biggest tober 2017, with a majority of customers making This coming October, QDB, in shopping festival, forms part of QTA’s strategy to repeat visits. collaboration with Qatar Cham- ber, Nama Centre, and the Min- istry of Administrative Develop- ment, Labour and Social Aff airs will launch the second edition of the “Made at Home” Exhibition. Four-hour closure for signage work The event, slated from Octo- ber 14 to 20 at the Doha Exhibi- tion and Convention Centre, is on northbound lanes of Shamal Rd part of QDB’s HBBNP, and of- fers home-based entrepreneurs the opportunity to display their he Public Works Au- Directorate of Traffi c, will be signposted ‘Al Ruwais’, Ash- products to a wider audience, thority (Ashghal) has implemented tomorrow for four ghal has said in a statement. “by creating new marketing Tannounced that it will hours – from 4am to 8am. Then, motorists should fol- windows, which will contribute temporarily close 3.5km of the As shown on the attached low the road for 500m and take to the diversifi cation of the na- northbound lanes on Al Shamal map, road users travelling the right exit loop at Umm Es- tional economy”. Road between Al Khor Inter- northbound along Al Shamal maira Interchange back onto Al Development of a competitive change and Umm Esmaira In- Road heading to Al Ruwais will Shamal Road and continue their and diversifi ed economy capable terchange in order to complete be required to exit at Al Khor journey to Al Ruwais. Ashghal of meeting the needs of, and se- the installation of the last re- Interchange and take the sec- will install the new guiding sig- curing a high standard of living maining signage gantry of Or- ond exit towards Al Mazrouah nage, requesting all road users Souq Waqif is presenting colourful performances as part of the Eid al-Adha celebrations in Doha. for, all its people is one of the bital Road. Road, then go straight through to abide by the reduced speed PICTURE: Jayaram pillars of Qatar National Vision The diversion, designed in Al Mazrouah Roundabout, keep limit of 80kmph and follow the 2030. co-ordination with the General right and take the slip road new signs for their safety.

IATA survey sees jobs growth over next 2 years

Qatar Airways Group sitions, IATA said. The global portunities (49%) and develop- the new touchpoints are that we contributed insights survey of human resources pro- ment and training (33%) as high can bring in customer service to into the report fessionals in the aviation indus- priorities in job satisfaction and support and complement tech- try highlighting key challenges retention. nology to make the overall cus- majority of respondents to in talent acquisition, training Only 28% of respondents re- tomer experience quicker and an IATA global survey ex- and retention. More than 73% of ported that current training is ef- more enjoyable. There is an ex- Apected an increase in cus- respondents expect the major ar- fective, with many organisations pectation from customers and we tomer service, ground operations eas of job growth to be in ground seeking to complement their have to meet that.” and cabin crew jobs over the next operations, customer service and in-house training with external IATA’s director (Training and two years. cabin crew. partners to improve the eff ective- Consulting) Guy Brazeau said, According to the report, to 48% report that fi nding new ness of the training. “It is an exciting time to be in this which Qatar Airways Group talent is a challenge, both because Safety and customer serv- business. contributed insights, 75% of re- of the lack of availability of can- ice skills are priorities for hir- “We were really looking for- spondents expected an increase didates with the right skill levels ing managers across the indus- ward to receiving the results of in customer service, ground op- and qualifi cations as well as, in try. While technology is indeed this industry survey and we hope erations and cabin crew jobs over some cases, salary demands of changing the customer service it can be helpful to guide HR pro- the next two years. new applicants. role, it is not replacing it. fessionals in their decisions re- That is higher than the 65% of In addition to the salary and Qatar Airways Group vice garding staffi ng planning, train- respondents that expect growth benefi ts package of each em- president (Talent Development) ing opportunities and areas to in security jobs and 63% that ployee, the HR professionals Brendan Noonan said, “As an air- focus on as our industry grows to expect growth in regulatory po- identifi ed career progression op- line, we need to fi nd out where unprecedented levels. Gulf Times Thursday, August 23, 2018 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD Saudi plans to execute fi rst female political activist

uman rights activists are Activists are now for the gham’s immediate release, noting diately respond to The Independent’s armed terrorist forces from the area. At least 58 people are currently be- campaigning to save the life of decision to be reversed at an appeal that she has been incarcerated for al- request for comment. Several residents reported civilian lieved to be on death row in the coun- Hthe fi rst woman in Saudi Ara- scheduled for October. If the recom- most three years and has not been al- Ghomgham’s case has gained trac- crossfi re deaths and harsh siege-like try, which Amnesty International bia to be sentenced to death over her mendation is upheld, the ruling will lowed access to a lawyer. tion in recent weeks after several false conditions. says ranks among the most “prolifi c political activism. be passed to King Salman, who usu- reports of her execution circulated in Since the appointment of young executioners in the world”. Israa al-Ghomgham, 29, was ar- ally ratifi es all capital punishment in Public prosecutor’s decision Arabic language media and social me- crown prince Mohamed bin Salman A recent UN report has also criti- rested along with her husband Mous- the kingdom. sets a dangerous dia networks. last year, Saudi Arabia has ushered cised the kingdom’s crackdown on sa al-Hashem in December 2015 for Ghomgham is a “well known hu- precedent for women Qatif has been hit by periodic bouts in dozens of social and economic re- women’s rights activists since May their roles in organising anti-gov- man rights defender”, according to activists in the country, of unrest – including car bombs forms designed to wean the kingdom this year, during which time dozens ernment protests in eastern Qatif the Germany based European Saudi human rights watchdog says and attacks on the security serv- off dependence on oil revenue. of people have been detained, so far province in the aftermath of the Arab Organisation for Human Rights (ES- ices – since the Arab Spring sparked While some moves – such as allow- without charge. Spring. OHR). She was arrested for off ences in- calls,which began in 2011, for an end ing women to drive and curbing the Analysts say the arrests are intended In a hearing at Riyadh’s specialised The decision sets a “dangerous cluding calling for the release of po- to discrimination. powers of the religious police – have as a signal from the authorities that the criminal court earlier this month, precedent” for female activists in the litical prisoners and an end to anti- Last summer The Independent re- been welcomed as overdue change, royal family, rather than the tiny Saudi the public prosecutor recommended deeply conservative country, ESOHR Shia government discrimination, a ported on the dire situation in the Qa- critics point out that the reforms do activist community, will determine the Ghomgham and fi ve other defendants director Ali Adubisi said in a state- common allegation in Shia majority tif town of Awamiyah after the Saudi not stretch as far as freedom of speech pace of change in the kingdom. face beheading under anti-terrorism ment. Qatif. government launched a militarised or address the kingdom’s use of the (Courtesy: The Independent, legislation. The group is calling for Ghom- Saudi authorities did not imme- eff ort to remove what it said were death penalty. UK) Palestinians Eid festivities reject Trump proposal

AFP US administration. The move has greatly compli- Ramallah Palestinians see the eastern cated eff orts by Trump’s admin- part of the disputed city as the istration to broker what he has capital of their future state. called the “ultimate deal,” as the alestinian leaders rejected The opening of the US embas- Palestinians will no longer ac- overtures by US President sy on May 14 saw mass protests cept US mediation. PDonald Trump yester- and clashes on the Gaza border Speaking in Jerusalem yester- day after he said they would get in which at least 63 Palestinians day morning, Trump’s national something “very good” in ex- were killed by Israeli fi re. security adviser John Bolton said change for his country recognis- Speaking to supporters in he hoped the Palestinian lead- ing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. the United States on Tues- ership would move on from the Senior Palestinian offi cial day, Trump again defended the embassy issue. Ahmad al-Tamimi said the US move, saying he had eased future “As a dealmaker, as a bargain- president’s assertion that he had negotiations.“If there’s ever go- er, he would expect, you would removed Jerusalem from future ing to be peace — remember I expect, I would expect that negotiations was “a continua- said it — with the Palestinians, the Palestinians would say ‘ok, tion of the US policies in favour it was a good thing to have done great, so we didn’t get that one, of Israel”. because we took it off the table, now we want something else, Speaking to offi cial Palestini- because every time there were and we’ll see how it goes’,” Bolton an news agency WAFA, he added peace talks they never got past told journalists as he wrapped up that Trump’s push for a Israeli- Jerusalem,” Trump said at a rally a three-day visit to Israel. Palestinian peace deal was im- in the US state of West Virginia. Saeb Erekat, secretary-gen- Iranians carry puppets as they gather at a park in the capital Tehran to celebrate Eid al-Adha, yesterday. possible without “recognising “And you know what, in the eral of the Palestine Liberation east Jerusalem as the capital of (future) negotiations Israel will Organisation, rejected Bolton’s the Palestinian state”. have to pay a higher price be- comments and said east Jerusa- The December decision to cause they won a very big thing.” lem must be the capital of a Pal- recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s “Now (Jerusalem’s) off the estinian state. capital and move the US embas- table, there is nothing to negoti- “The words of Bolton are sy to the city sparked fury among ate. But they (the Palestinians) nonsense and don’t corre- Palestinians, with the political will get something very good be- spond to reality,” Erekat said in a statement. India rejects UAE govt’s leadership cutting off ties to the cause it’s their turn next.” off er for Kerala oodfl aid Approval for more settler homes AFP tion through domestic eff orts,” India did not specifi cally ter Pinarayi Vijayan called for Thiruvananthapuram said a foreign ministry state- mention the UAE off er made “high level” talks with the na- AFP by a Palestinian in July, one fatally, said Peace Now, ment. Tuesday, saying only that it tional government so the UAE Jerusalem which closely monitors Israeli settlement building. The ministry added that for- “deeply appreciates off ers money could be accepted. Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman had ndia yesterday rejected an eign money could only be do- from several countries, includ- The UAE off er is more than pledged to build 400 new homes in the settlement off er by the United Arab nated through Indian-origin ing from foreign governments, the $97mn so far promised by sraeli authorities yesterday approved plans for in response to the stabbings. IEmirates government to individuals or foundations. to assist in relief and rehabili- India’s central government. more than 1,000 settlement homes in the oc- According to Peace Now, 96% of those approved give $100mn to a special fund India has a record of refus- tation eff orts after the tragic Vijayan asked for a $375mn Icupied West Bank, the Peace Now NGO said, “are in isolated settlements that Israel will likely for Kerala state after its fl oods ing foreign aid after disasters, fl oods”. package from the government, the latest in a raft of approvals since US President need to evacuate within the framework of a two- which killed more than 400 turning down foreign help after The Maldives government saying the state must confront Donald Trump took offi ce. state agreement.” people. the 2004 tsunami. had also promised money for more than $3bn in devastation. The plans for 1,004 homes approved by a de- Israeli settlements are considered a violation of “In line with the existing Experts said Indian gov- the fl oods. The monsoon fl oods have fence ministry committee are at various stages in international law and major stumbling blocks to policy, the government is com- ernments want to prove they The refusal is likely to spark a left more than 400 dead with the process. They include 370 housing units in the peace eff orts as they are built on land the Palestin- mitted to meeting the require- can handle any emergency by political controversy however. some 1.2mn people now in re- Adam settlement, where three Israelis were stabbed ians want for their future state. ments for relief and rehabilita- themselves. Kerala state chief minis- lief camps.

CONFLICT Militant leader warns rebels against talks Iran warns of strikes on US and Israel The head of Syria’s leading militant alliance yesterday warned opposi- Reuters US National Security Adviser will see, as businesses all over in Tehran: “The price of a war Iran and cripple its economy has ing. Trump has said Iran must tion factions in Idlib against taking London/Jerusalem John Bolton told Reuters the re- Europe are seeing, that the with Iran is very high for Amer- put the old adversaries back on stop meddling in wars in Syria part in any talks with the regime turn of US sanctions was having choice between doing business ica. a collision course that European and Yemen, part of a foreign towards a government takeover of a strong eff ect on Iran’s econo- with Iran or doing business with “They know if they harm this signatories to the nuclear ac- policy supporting regional allies the province. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ran warned yesterday it my and popular opinion. the United States is very clear to country and this state in the cord fear will raise the risk of a in confl ict with proxies of (HTS) chief Abu Mohamed al-Jolani would hit US and Israeli tar- “There should not be any them,” Bolton said. slightest way the United States broader Middle East war. US-backed nations in the re- spoke after President Bashar Igets if it were attacked by doubt that the United States “So we will see what plays out and its main ally in the region, Under the 2015 deal, Iran gion, al-Assad warned that he aimed to the United States after Presi- wants this resolved peacefully, in November. But (Trump) has the Zionist regime (Israel), curbed its contested uranium Tehran has not given an inch retake control of the northwestern dent Donald Trump’s security but we are fully prepared for any made it very clear — his words would be targeted,” Ahmad enrichment programme under to Trump’s pressure despite an province on the Turkish border. The adviser said Washington would contingency that Iran creates,” — he wants maximum pressure Khatami said. UN monitoring and won an end economy beset by high unem- head of HTS, a former Al Qaeda exert maximum pressure on Bolton said during a visit to Is- on Iran, maximum pressure, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to global sanctions in return. ployment and infl ation and a aff iliate, warned fellow militants and Tehran going beyond economic rael, Iran’s enemy in the Middle and that is what is going on.” have said it could strike Israeli Trump has condemned the rial currency that has lost half other opposition fighters in Idlib, sanctions. East. Asked at a news conference cities with missiles if it were deal as too soft on Tehran and its value since April. against handing over their arms in A US-Iranian war of words US sanctions dusted off this later whether the United States threatened. Iran also has prox- would not stop it developing a Thousands of Iranians have deals with the regime. has escalated since Trump month targeted Iran’s car in- had discussed any plans with ies in the region including Leb- nuclear bomb, though UN nu- protested against price rises of withdrew Washington from the dustry, trade in gold and other ally Israel on how to capitalise anon’s Hezbollah. The Revolu- clear non-proliferation inspec- some food items, a lack of jobs world powers’ nuclear deal with precious metals, and purchases on economic protests in Iran tionary Guards said yesterday tors have repeatedly certifi ed and state corruption. PEOPLE Iran in May, blasting it as fl awed of US dollars crucial to interna- and if these posed any tangible they would continue increas- Iranian compliance with its The protests over the cost of IS chief tells followers and reimposing sanctions to tional fi nancing and investment threat to the Tehran govern- ing Iran’s defensive capabilities terms. living have often turned into choke Iran’s economy and force and trade relations. ment, Bolton said: not surrender to US pressure to Khatami, the prominent Ira- anti-government rallies. to persevere it to renegotiate or change di- Farther-reaching sanctions “Just to be clear, regime scrap its ballistic missile pro- nian cleric, also said Trump’s “I think the eff ects, the eco- Islamic State leader Abu Bakr rection. are to follow in November on change in Iran is not Ameri- gramme. off er of talks was unacceptable nomic eff ects certainly, are even al-Baghdadi, in his first purported The US turnaround, which Iran’s banking sector and oil ex- can policy. But what we want is Last week, Khamenei — who as he was demanding Tehran stronger than we anticipated,” speech in nearly a year, has called scrapped a wary detente be- ports. massive change in the regime’s has the ultimate say on Iranian give up its ballistic missile pro- Bolton said. on followers to persevere, accord- tween Iran and the United European powers have been behaviour...We are going to do policy — said the United States gramme and scale back regional “But Iranian activity in the ing to a statement posted on the States after decades of hostil- scrambling to ensure Iran se- other things to put pressure on would avoid outright confl ict infl uence. region has continued to be bel- group’s media outlet. “For the ity, has drawn defi ance from cures enough economic benefi ts Iran as well, beyond economic because of Iranian military Neither issue was covered by ligerent: what they are doing Mujahideen the scale of victory or Tehran despite renewed unrest to persuade it to stay in the deal. sanctions.” He did not elabo- might. the 2015 agreement. in Iraq, what they are doing in defeat is not dependent on a city or over economic privations, and This has proven diffi cult, rate. “There will be no war...We “Americans say you should Syria, what they are doing with town being stolen or subject to that has unnerved other big pow- with many European fi rms keen A senior Iranian cleric seen as have never started a war and accept what we say in the talks. Hezbollah in , what who has aerial superiority, intercon- ers where businesses have been to avoid fi nancial penalties by close to Supreme Leader Aya- they will not confront Iran mili- So this is not negotiation, but they are doing in Yemen, what tinental missiles or smart bombs,” debating whether to divest from the Trump administration. tollah Ali Khamenei told wor- tarily,” he said. dictatorship,” Mizan news they have threatened to do in Baghdadi said. Iran. “We expect that Europeans shippers at Eid holiday prayers Trump’s campaign to isolate agency quoted Khatami as say- the Strait of Hormuz.” Gulf Times 4 Thursday, August 23, 2018 AFRICA Zimbabwe top court hears appeal against vote result

AFP Harare

imbabwe’s opposition ar- gued in the country’s top Zcourt yesterday that the presidential election results must be thrown out, alleging that only “massive doctoring” of the vote had kept Emmerson Mnangagwa in offi ce. Lawyers for the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) launched a blistering attack on the ruling ZANU-PF party and the election commission over the July 30 ballot - Zimbabwe’s fi rst elec- tion since the ousting of Robert Mugabe last year. “There is a massive cover-up. There has been a massive doctoring of evidence,” Thabani Mpofu, rep- resenting the MDC, told the court. Mnangagwa, Mugabe’s former ally, won the election with 50.8% of the vote - just enough to meet the 50% threshold needed to avoid a run-off against MDC leader Nelson Chamisa, who scored 44.3%. “There were at least 16 poll- ing stations with identical results - identical result for Lawyer Dali Mpofu (centre), representing the MDC Alliance, arrives at Harare courthouse yesterday, ahead of the sitting of the Zimbabwe Chamisa, identical results for Constitutional Court to hear a petition by the main opposition seeking to overturn the results of the July 30 presidential elections. Mnangagwa. It is like a kid who was playing with the figures,” Mnangagwa, who has vowed why would I ever think that I will counted than there were regis- lodged hours before the deadline on said Mpofu. to revive Zimbabwe’s ruined lose?” tered voters. August 10, has already forced Mnan- He argued that irregularities economy, had hoped the elections Senior ZANU-PF legal repre- Derek Matyszak, a legal expert gagwa’s inauguration - planned for wiped out the narrow margin by would draw a line under Mugabe’s sentative Patrick Chinamasa ridi- at the University of Zimbabwe, August 12 - to be postponed. which Mnangagwa had avoided a repressive 37-year rule and open culed the MDC’s legal bid. said the opposition faced an uphill The court is expected to issue second-round vote. up a stream of foreign investment “Just as you cannot give life to a struggle given the courts’ historic its ruling tomorrow. “A run-off is unavoidable. For and aid. dead horse, even the best lawyers tilt towards ZANU-PF, which has International monitors largely now, the election must be set Campaigning was more open in the world cannot give life to a ruled since independence from praised the conduct of the elec- aside,” Mpofu said, adding that than previous votes, but the elec- hopeless case,” he said in a state- British colonial rule in 1980. tion itself, although EU observers “we have a false ZEC (Zimbabwe tion was marred by the army ment before the court opened. “The outcome is pretty pre- said that Mnangagwa, a former Electoral Commission). We have a opening fi re on protesters, killing “To those who voted for dictable,” Matyszak told AFP. long-time Mugabe ally, benefi ted lying ZEC.” six, allegations of vote-rigging Chamisa, I ask you to gracefully “There is absolutely no chance of from an “un-level playing fi eld”. Nine judges, led by Chief Jus- and a crackdown on opposition accept defeat so that the country the election results being overturned. The court could declare a win- tice Luke Malaba, are hearing the activists. can move on.” “The judiciary (is) perceived ner, call another election, or order case in Harare, where the court “I won the court case before it The MDC has cited a catalogue to be partisan. Once the ruling is a run-off or recount. premises were given high security. began,” Mnangagwa said on the of discrepancies including incor- made, Chamisa will accuse it of The inauguration should take In a fi rst for the country, the sidelines of a regional summit in rect counting, fake “ghost” poll- bias and try to make political cap- place within 48 hours of the proceedings were broadcast live Namibia at the weekend. ing stations, and at some poll- ital out of it.” court’s ruling, according to the on state television. “It’s declared free and fair... ing stations more ballots being The MDC’s appeal, which was constitution. S African man using racial slur sparks backlash

AFP glasses on a pristine beach in an nomic Freedom Fighters party Local media reported that Cat- all forms of racism,” said the bank Johannesburg undisclosed seaside location. was preparing to report Catzav- zavelos had been fi red from his in a statement. A government minister called elos to police. job at Johannesburg-based St In 2016, South African estate for the video to be reported to The main opposition Demo- George Fine Foods following the agent Penny Sparrow likened South African man who police. cratic Alliance party said in a racism fi restorm. black beach-goers to monkeys in used a racial slur in a holi- “The racist video is absolutely statement that “those who es- Nedbank, one of South Af- a social media outburst and was Aday video he posted online unacceptable,” tweeted Culture pouse his views have no place in rica’s largest banks, distanced fi ned 150,000 rand ($10,500). faced a backlash from across the Minister Nathi Mthethwa. a united South Africa”. itself from Catzavelos after it South Africa remains deeply political spectrum yesterday. “We must all work together to “The likes of Catzavelos un- emerged that he had partici- divided along racial lines 24 years The man was identifi ed on isolate racists and report these dermine the project of nation- pated in a business develop- after Nelson Mandela came to social media as Adam Catzav- incidences to law enforcement.” building and reconciliation,” ment programme sponsored by power vowing national reconcili- elos who fi lmed himself wearing The Eyewitness News site re- added Luyolo Mphithi, the par- the bank in 2014. ation following the end of white- a straw hat and mirrored sun- ported that the opposition Eco- ty’s youth leader. “Nedbank... strongly condemn minority apartheid rule.

Aid prize winner spotlights water crisis in slums

Reuters Bank predicts the continent’s urban Nairobi population will double to 1bn people by 2040. “The poor in the slum are paying for housands of lives are at risk in Ken- the water yet they don’t get clean water,” ya’s slums as dirty water and poor Odede said, describing plastic bags fi lled Tsanitation fuel the spread of deadly with human faeces that “are fl ung into diseases, said the winner of the world’s the streets”. largest humanitarian prize yesterday. “It (the water) passes through sewage Kenyan charity Shining Hope For pipes and can cause illnesses like cholera,” Communities (SHOFCO) - which pro- he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. vides clean water, sanitation and health About two-fi fths of Kenya’s 46mn services to more than 200,000 slum people rely on unclean water sources, dwellers - is the fi rst organisation focus- such as ponds, shallow wells and riv- ing on slums to be awarded the prestig- ers, particularly in rural areas and slums, ious $2mn Conrad N Hilton Humanitar- says charity Water.org. ian Prize. Odede called for more community-led Charity head and former slum dweller solutions such as aerial piping systems Kennedy Odede said “dirty water and to distribute clean water to kiosks in fl ying toilets” threaten the lives of thou- Kibera. sands in slums such as Kibera - home “We are going to have bigger (slums) to about 400,000 people - through the and a bigger (water) crisis. So, we better spread of water-borne diseases includ- start now,” he added. ing cholera. Ben Ooko, head of community organi- About half of Africa’s 470mn city resi- sation Amani Kibera, said health aware- dents live in informal settlements, a fi g- ness trainings could help tackle a “dan- ure that is expected to rise as the World gerous and inhuman lack of safe water”.

Protesters, police clash in Uganda

Thousands of demonstrators yesterday were arrested when campaigning for clashed with police in Uganda’s second a by-election and allegedly tortured in largest city of Jinja, during a protest detention. The opposition lawmakers against the arrest and alleged torture are facing charges of treason and of several opposition politicians. Police weapons possession. “We will not rest dispersed the angry crowds who were until government releases Bobi Wine. burning tyres, throwing bricks and We will not sit down until this country is setting up barricades with tear gas and liberated,” a protester from Jinja told the live bullets, state-owned broadcaster broadcaster. The latest protest comes Bukedde TV reported. Anxiety has after police and demonstrators clashed gripped the East African country since in the capital, Kampala, on Monday, a day last week when opposition lawmakers after one man was shot dead in protests - including local pop-star Bobi Wine - in the town of Mityana. Gulf Times Thursday, August 23, 2018 5 AMERICA

Hurricane Trump slams Cohen, lauds threatens

Reuters Manafort after legal blows Miami powerful hurricane packing heavy Reuters rains and potentially devastating Washington Awinds was headed toward Hawaii yesterday and US forecasters warned the storm could be the most powerful to hit the S President Donald Trump, in tweets Big Island in recorded history. about the stunning legal setbacks involv- Hurricane Lane bears 258kph winds and Uing two of his former lieutenants, yester- threatens to drop as much as 50cm of rain day attacked the one who has turned on him and over parts of the islands, the US National defended the one who has remained loyal. Hurricane Center said. Trump lashed out at former longtime law- It posed a new threat to the island chain yer Michael Cohen in a post by saying of 1.4mn people, which is already coping the campaign fi nance violations Cohen pleaded with the three-month eruption of Kilauea guilty to in federal court in New York on Tues- volcano on the Big Island. day were “not a crime” — even though prosecu- Lane was rated a Category 5 storm, the tors and Cohen agreed that they were. most powerful on the fi ve-step Saffi r- Trump made the claim without off ering any Simpson scale of hurricane strength. evidence. The most powerful storm on record hit- In a separate tweet, Trump said: “If anyone ting Hawaii was the Category 4 Hurricane is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly Iniki, which made landfall on Kauai island suggest that you don’t retain the services of on September 11, 1992, according to the Na- Michael Cohen.” tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis- Cohen pleaded guilty to eight criminal charg- tration. es of tax evasion, bank fraud and campaign fi - It killed six people and damaged or de- nance violations, and said he acted at the direc- stroyed more than 14,000 homes. tion of Trump. On Tuesday, Hawaii residents scrambled In television interviews, Cohen attorney to prepare for the storm’s arrival. Lanny Davis said that Cohen would not accept Cars waited in long lines outside gasoline a presidential if Trump off ered him one stations in Honolulu and members of canoe because he wanted no part in what he saw as clubs pulled their boats from the water. Trump’s abuse of his clemency power. Hurricane Lane was about 540km south- “He does not want anything from Donald southeast of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, with Trump,” Davis told MSNBC. maximum sustained winds of 257kph at Davis said Cohen also had information that 2am Hawaii time, the NHC said. would be of interest to Robert It was expected to begin a turn toward the Mueller, who is investigating the 2016 cam- northwest of the island, followed by a turn paign, and that a website had been set up to col- to the north-northwest today. lect donations for Cohen’s legal expenses. President Donald Trump speaks to the press upon arrival at Yeager Airport in Charleston, West Virginia on Tuesday. “The centre of Lane will track danger- Cohen, who once said he was so loyal that he ously close to the islands Thursday through would “take a bullet” for Trump, told a federal Trump’s presidency for more than a year. The legal developments also increase pressure about whether Donald Trump knew ahead of Saturday,” the NHC said in an advisory yes- court in that Trump directed him to In a morning tweet, Trump said, “I feel very on Trump personally. time about the hacking of e-mails.” terday. arrange payments ahead of the 2016 presiden- badly for Paul Manafort and his wonderful fam- While Cohen did not name Trump in court Russia has denied US intelligence community “Regardless of the exact track of the cen- tial election to silence two women who said they ily. ‘Justice’ took a 12 year old tax case, among on Tuesday, Davis yesterday in television inter- fi ndings that it interfered with the 2016 election tre, life threatening impacts are likely in had aff airs with Trump. other things, applied tremendous pressure on views accused the president of being directly with the aim of boosting Trump and hampering some areas as the hurricane makes it’s clos- His plea came as former Trump campaign him and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to involved. his Democratic challenger . est approach.” chairman Paul Manafort was found guilty on ‘break’ — make up stories in order to get a ‘deal.’ Cohen had “information...regarding both Trump has denied any collusion by his cam- The islands of Maui, Lanai and Moloka’i eight charges in a separate fi nancial fraud trial Such respect for a brave man!” knowledge of a to corrupt Ameri- paign with Moscow and repeatedly called Muel- were all under hurricane and fl ash fl ood in Alexandria, Virginia, stemming from a federal The two fi ndings of guilt against Cohen can democracy by the Russians and the failure ler’s investigation a witch hunt. watches yesterday. investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 and Manafort ratchet up political pressure on to report that knowledge to the FBI,” Davis told A US grand jury has indicted 12 Russian intel- Hurricane warnings were in eff ect for US election and possible coordination with the Trump and fellow Republicans ahead of No- MSNBC. ligence offi cers on charges of hacking the com- Big Island Interior, Big Island North and Trump campaign. vember elections, in which Democrats are seek- He also told CNN that “Cohen has knowledge puter networks of Clinton’s campaign and the East, Big Island Summits, Kohala, Kona and The Mueller investigation has clouded ing to regain control of Congress. that would be of interest to the special counsel Democratic Party. South Big Island. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, August 23, 2018 ASIA Crazy Rich Asians author wanted in Singapore over national service

AFP said yesterday. Kevin Kwan, who United States last week and has Times newspaper reported. And American author had committed tary, the police or the civil defence tells the tale of an Asian-Amer- Singapore has lived in the US since he was been hailed as a watershed for in a twist worthy of a Hollywood off ences under the enlistment act force. The defence ministry said ican woman who is plunged into 11 but is still a Singapore citizen, Hollywood diversity due to its thriller, Singapore’s defence and faces a fi ne of up to S$10,000 Kwan sought to renounce his Sin- the world of Singapore’s wealthy faces up to three years in jail and mostly Asian cast. ministry revealed in a statement ($7,300) and a prison term of up gapore citizenship in 1994, but his elite after travelling to the city The author of Crazy Rich a hefty fi ne if convicted, the city- The fi lm had its Singapore pre- that Kwan “failed to register for to three years if convicted, the application and a subsequent ap- with her boyfriend. While it has Asians, which has been adapted state’s defence ministry said. miere Tuesday, with some of its National Service in 1990, de- ministry said. peal were rejected due to his failure been widely praised in the US, the into a hit Hollywood movie, is The movie adaption of his stars gracing the red carpet and spite notices and letters sent to Male Singapore citizens are to complete national service. movie has drawn fl ak in Singa- wanted in his native Singapore bestseller, which focuses on the hundreds of fans turning out – his overseas address. “He also required to undergo two years of Crazy Rich Asians’ the fi rst pore for focusing on the wealthy for allegedly dodging manda- glamorous world of Singapore’s but Kwan was conspicuous by stayed overseas without a valid national service upon turning 18. Hollywood fi lm for a generation ethnic Chinese and ignoring the tory national service, authorities super-rich, was released in the his absence, Singapore’s Straits exit permit.” The Singapore- They can either serve in the mili- to have a majority-Asian cast, country’s substantial minorities. Thailand seizes huge $45mn Vietnam convicts haul of methamphetamines

Reuters lice said. The drugs came from region. Record seizures of the Bangkok Shan State in northeast Myan- stimulant have recently been mar, in an area under the control made in Malaysia and Indonesia. of an ethnic Wa militia force, po- The production and traffi cking 12 ‘terrorists’ for hai police have seized lice said. The Narcotics Suppres- of methamphetamine in South- more than 14mn meth- sion Bureau displayed the haul, east Asia has reached “alarming Tamphetamine pills worth neatly packed into large con- levels”, the UN Offi ce on Drugs 1.48bn baht ($45mn) that were tainer bags, at their headquar- and Crime (UNODC) warned in a bound for neighbouring Malay- ters. Bureau commander Police May report. sia and beyond, authorities said Lieutenant General Sommai Much of the methampheta- on Tuesday, in one of its biggest Kongvisaisuk said the drugs were mine produced in the region subversion plot ever drug busts. destined for Malaysia and then comes from lawless parts of My- Police said that the orange pills on to markets around the world. anmar, in particular Shan State, AFP of methamphetamine, known “It gets distributed to Europe, which has long been known for Hanoi as “yaba” or “crazy drug”, were America, Australia, Japan, Sin- the production of opium and its seized in Ayutthaya province, gapore and Korea and will make a refi ned form, heroin. In recent north of Bangkok, on August 18. lot of money,” he said. years, the drug syndicates have ietnam yesterday jailed Three Thais were arrested in The seizure is the latest big branched out into the production two American citizens connection with the seizure, po- methamphetamine bust in the of methamphetamine. Vand 10 others from an outlawed US-based “terrorist” group for attempting to over- throw the state after they spread anti-government leafl ets and tried to incite protests last year. Critics of the communist re- Rohingya mark Eid, one gime are routinely jailed in the one-party state. Most are loose- ly-linked bloggers, activists and rights lawyers, with few groups year after Myanmar crisis designated as “terrorist organi- sations”. One of those groups is the AFP California-based Provisional Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh National Government of Viet- nam (PNGV), an anti-commu- nist organisation with its own early 1mn Rohingya Mus- self-appointed prime minister lims marked Eid al-Adha that pledges allegiance to the US citizen Phan Angel is escorted by police to a court before her trial in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam. Nyesterday in the world’s former South Vietnam regime. largest refugee camp, almost a Twelve of their members year to the day since a brutal mil- were jailed for between fi ve and itary crackdown drove the perse- 14 years after a two-day trial in cuted minority from Myanmar in Ho Chi Minh City for “attempt- huge numbers. ing to overthrow the state”, ac- Prayers were off ered in make- cording to Phap Luat newspa- shift mosques across southern per, the mouthpiece of the city’s Bangladesh to celebrate the fes- justice department. tival of sacrifi ce as goats were They were accused of print- slaughtered in muddy fi elds ing 4,000 leafl ets, plotting to across the sprawling camps. Rohingya refugees off er Eid al-Adha prayers at the Jamtoli refugee take over national radio and In Kutupalong, a gigantic hill camp in Ukhia district near Cox’s Bazar yesterday. calling for demonstrations on settlement crammed with hun- April 30 last year – celebrated as dreds of thousands of refugees, ful his relatives in Myanmar had mouth on charity, this Eid has for “reunifi cation day” to mark the a muezzin called the faithful escaped the violence last year many been overshadowed by the end of the in 1975. to pray as children played on a to join his family in Bangladesh. misery in Bangladesh. The group included two wooden carousel and ran about “This year’s Eid is much better The sight of animals being fat- American citizens, Phan Angel in dirt alleyways in new clothes than previous years. All my rela- tened for slaughter taunted Mo- and Nguyen James Han, who for the special day. tives are here, so we’re having a hammad Amin, a teenager who allegedly travelled to Vietnam For many refugees, this Eid al- good time.” remembered the home-cooked from the United States to help Adha is the fi rst since their vio- Those able to make the sac- meat delicacies and special gifts the failed plot, state media re- lent expulsion from western My- rifi ce known as qurbani will reserved for the festivity back ported. anmar a year ago in a campaign consume some of the meat and home. “But here, we don’t have They were the only two to of orchestrated violence likened give the rest to the poor unable any money to slaughter cows or receive the harshest sentences by US and UN offi cials to ethnic to buy food. In Cox’s Bazar near buy new clothes,” the downcast of 14 years in prison and will cleansing. Myanmar’s military, the Bangladesh-Myanmar bor- 15-year-old told AFP at Jamtoli be deported after serving their US citizen Nguyen James is escorted by police to a court before his trial in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam. backed by armed Buddhist mi- der, where squalid camps host camp, a new settlement for re- sentences. litias, began sweeping through generations of Rohingya refugees cently arrived refugees. “The defendants’ behaviour cate for him and provide con- people. number of incidents involving Rohingya villages in August 2017 expelled from western Myanmar, The infl ux of refugees deliv- was extremely serious, violating sular services until his release,” The PNGV was established in US citizens in Vietnam this year just days before Eid celebrations there is much need, and little to ered a bumper year for Bang- national security, undermin- Thrower said in a statement. 1990 in California, where large have created a diplomatic head- got underway. Sayed Hussain go around. ladeshi livestock trader Aktar ing the country’s stability and The embassy was not author- numbers of Vietnamese refu- ache between the former foes. spent last year’s Eid hiding in the Cows, goats and sheep fl ooded Hussain and others like him, who development (and) causing po- ised to speak about Phan. gees settled after the end of the Michael Nguyen, a Cali- hills of Rakhine state after fl eeing local markets catering to the dis- counted wads of cash at a busy litical and social disorder,” the The foiled plan was allegedly war. fornia-based father of four an attack on his village. placed Muslims in the lead up cattle market market adjacent to offi cial Vietnam News Agency set to coincide with a failed at- Its members, many who wear is in custody for “attempting “We couldn’t sacrifi ce there. to Eid. Some better-off families the camps. quoted the court decision as tack on Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan the yellow-and-red-striped to overthrow the state”, while We didn’t have anything to eat. pooled whatever cash they could “This has been my best year saying. US embassy spokesman Son Nhat international airport southern fl ag of the former Sai- American student Will Nguyen In Bangladesh... we can slaugh- muster to make the sacrifi ce, yet,” he told AFP, as prospec- Pope Thrower said the safety last year, for which 15 PNGV gon regime, say their aim is to was convicted and deported last ter cows. Praise and thanks be to buying shares in a cow or goat. tive Rohingya buyers examined of American citizens was a top members were convicted. The “liberate Vietnam from com- month for disturbing public or- Allah,” the 19-year-old told AFP. But for most refugees, such a sturdy brown cow in a muddy priority. group was also accused of munism”. der after joining protests in Ho Mohammed Jasim, a 16-year- luxuries are wildly beyond their clearing. “Last year, I sold 15 “We will continue to moni- bombing a police station in the Hanoi and Washington now Chi Minh City. old refugee born and raised in means. Barred from legally cows at Eid. This year, I’ve al- tor Mr Nguyen’s welfare, advo- city in June and injuring three enjoy close ties, although a Kutupalong camp, was grate- working, and surviving hand to ready sold 50.”

Sri Lanka’s loss-making On Thai island, hotel guests check out of plastic waste airline in hunt for buyer Sri Lanka’s national carrier will airline was profitable before launch a new search for an Mahinda Rajapakse, when he Thomson Reuters get worse and worse,” he told the Thai subtitles for staff training. other Southeast Asian resorts forts to control their own waste equity partner after the IMF was president, cancelled a Kuala Lumpur Thomson Reuters Foundation. Meanwhile hotel employees and — must contend with traffi c and helping their guests do the warned the loss-making airline management agreement with Established in 2016 and with local school children take part in congestion, poor water manage- same,” Ruff o said. was dragging the country’s Emirates in 2008 following a about 70 members —including regular beach clean-ups. ment and patchy waste collection “We are seeing more and more economy down, off icials said personal dispute. The carrier or the millions of sun seek- all Phuket’s fi ve-star hotels — “The association is involved in services. resorts and chains start to take yesterday. The government had refused to bump fare- ers who head to Thailand’s the association has put tackling good and inclusive community- Despite these persistent prob- action, but there is a lot more to will call for fresh expressions paying passengers and give Fresort island of Phuket environmental issues high on its based action, rather than just lems, hotels in the region need to be done, particularly in the area of interest next month to inject their seats to Rajapakse’s each year in search of stunning to-do list. hotel general managers getting follow Phuket’s lead and step up of ensuring that hotel waste is new capital into and manage Sri family. Rajapakse removed the beaches and clear waters, cutting Last year the group surveyed together for a drink,” Lark said. action to cut their dependence properly collected and recycled,” Lankan, back in the doldrums Emirates-appointed CEO of Sri down on waste may not be a top members’ plastics use and then Phuket, like Bali in Indonesia and on plastics, said Susan Ruff o, a she added. after a potential US investor Lankan and made his brother-in- priority. began looking at ways to shrink Boracay in the , has managing director at the US- Data on how much plastic is pulled out in May last year. law Nishantha Wickremasinghe But the island’s hotel as- their plastics footprint. As part become a top holiday destination based non-profi t group Ocean used by hotels and the hospital- “We hope a deal can be head of the company. sociation is hoping to change of this, three months ago the as- in Southeast Asia — and faces Conservancy. ity industry is hard to fi nd. But concluded in the first quarter Wickremesinghe is now under that with a series of initiatives sociation’s hotels committed to similar challenges. Worldwide, between 8mn packaging accounts for up to of next year,” a treasury off icial investigation for corruption and aimed at reducing the use of phase out, or put plans in place Of a similar size to Singapore and 15mn tonnes of plastic are 40% of an establishment’s waste said. Attempts to privatise mismanagement. In 2016, Sri plastic, tackling the garbage to stop using plastic water bot- and at the geographical heart of dumped in the ocean every year, stream, according to a 2011 study the carrier failed when San Lankan cancelled an order made that washes up on its shores, tles and plastic drinking straws Southeast Asia, Phuket is easily killing marine life and enter- by The Travel Foundation, a UK- Francisco-based private equity under the previous government and educating staff, local com- by 2019. accessible to tourists from China, ing the human food chain, UN based charity. firm TPG withdrew its bid for to lease four new Airbus A350- munities and tourists alike. About fi ve years ago, Lark’s India, Malaysia and Australia. Environment says. Five Asian Water bottles, shampoo bot- a 49% stake in Sri Lankan. The 900 long-haul jets after paying “Hotels unchecked are huge own resort with about 40 villas With its white sandy beaches countries — China, Indonesia, tles, toothbrushes and even food International Monetary Fund a penalty of $115mn to leasing consumers and users of single- used to dump into landfi ll about and infamous nightlife, Phuket the Philippines, Vietnam and delivered by room service all tend (IMF), which bailed out the giant AerCap. A separate order use plastics,” said Anthony Lark, 250,000 plastic water bottles an- attracts about 10mn visitors each Thailand — account for up to to use throw-away plastics. government with a $1.5-bn for four Airbus A350-900 planes president of the Phuket Ho- nually. It has now switched to re- year, media reports say, helping 60% of plastic waste leaking into In the past, the hospitality in- loan in June 2016, warned two is to be renegotiated, off icials tels Association and managing usable glass bottles. make the Thai tourism industry the seas, an Ocean Conservancy dustry has looked at how to use months ago that restructuring said. Rajapakse ordered all director of the Trisara resort. The hotel association also one of the few bright spots in an study found. less water and energy, said Von Sri Lankan airlines was essential eight planes as part of a $2.3-bn “Every resort in Southeast Asia teamed up with the documentary otherwise lacklustre economy. “As both creators and ‘vic- Hernandez, global co-ordinator to sustain economic growth. programme for the airline, which has a plastic problem. Until we makers of “A Plastic Ocean”, and Popular with holiday makers tims’ of waste, the hotel industry at the ‘Break Free From Plastic’ The flag carrier has debts is now the subject of a criminal all make a change, it’s going to now show an edited version with and retirees, Phuket — like many has a lot to gain by making ef- movement in Manila. and losses of over $2bn. The investigation. Gulf Times Thursday, August 23, 2018 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA PM Turnbull faces second leadership vote in parliament

Reuters big risk is that he might be shaft- Canberra ed even before he got to the end of the driveway,” it said. The opposition Labor Party ustralian Prime Minister has gleefully watched the Liber- Malcolm Turnbull clung als internal confl ict deepen, with Ato power yesterday as the growing prospect of an early rebel Liberal party lawmakers election. Labor used Question pressed for a second leadership Time in parliament yesterday contest just a day after he nar- to ask seven of the nine Cabinet rowly survived a challenge from ministers who voted for Dut- former home minister Peter Dut- ton whether they still supported ton. Turnbull. Turnbull, whose Liberal Party All seven had tendered their is the senior partner in the coa- resignations to Turnbull, who re- lition government, had won a fused them in an attempt to show party-room vote by 48 to 35 on unity and later said he had been Tuesday, but the unconvincing given “unequivocal assurances of victory had left him vulnerable to Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (left) stands beside Treasurer continuing loyalty”. Dutton and another challenge. Scott Morrison at a press conference in Parliament House in Canberra one other opponent were allowed Australian lawmakers told re- yesterday. to leave the ministry. porters that party rebels were Keen to bring rebel politicians petitioning for another vote as support me then I will consider Elizabeth’s representative in back into the fold, Turnbull yes- early as yesterday, though it ap- my position,” he said. Australia and would need to be terday also dumped his unpopu- peared unlikely that the move Jane Prentice, a Liberal law- on hand to swear in a new prime lar plan to cut corporate tax rates would get enough support before maker, said she saw a copy of the minister if Turnbull was ousted, to 25% from 30%. His plan ech- Australia’s former Home Aff airs Minister Peter Dutton (back left) sits on the back benches in the House of today. The move needs a majority letter calling for a second vote or to accept Turnbull’s request to oed that of US President Donald Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra yesterday. of 43 signatories to force a fresh late on Wednesday and it so far dissolve parliament if he decides Trump but, with record corpo- contest. If Dutton’s supporters had nine signatories. Should to call an early election. The next rate profi ts and stagnant wage and Turnbull said soon after he Turnbull came to power in a sive supporters have also been succeed, Turnbull is likely to be Dutton’s supporters manage to election is due by May. growth, the policy has proved would no longer pursue it. “We party-room coup in September disappointed as they watched ousted without completing three muster enough signatures by Australian newspapers ech- widely unpopular with voters. “It will not be taking the tax cuts 2015 over former premier Tony government policies shift to the years in power, and whoever Thursday, the vote could be held oed the frustration many voters is clear that the policy was never for larger companies to the next Abbott, who also survived an in- right as Turnbull tried to appease replaces him will become Aus- before parliament breaks for a feel over the constant leadership going to be an election-winning election,” he told reporters in ternal leadership contest before a powerful right-leaning back- tralia’s seventh prime minister two week holiday. Amid mount- changes. one. There has been some con- Canberra. his eventual defeat. bench. in a decade. Dutton said he was ing uncertainty over Turnbull’s “It would be kinder to voters cern within the backbench about Despite Turnbull off ering an A social liberal and multi-mil- Dutton, a hardline conserva- canvassing for support to take premiership, Governor-General and more in the national inter- policy, it will show them that olive branch, further political lionaire former merchant bank- tive who carved out his reputa- another tilt at Turnbull, possibly Peter Cosgrove cancelled travel est if Mr Turnbull drove to Yar- he is listening,” said Rod Tiff en, instability is all but guaranteed. er, Turnbull rode an early wave tion overseeing Australia’s harsh as early as this week. plans and will remain in Can- ralumla (Cosgrove’s offi cial resi- emeritus professor of political The turmoil has upset Australia’s of popular support but he has immigration policy, is unpopular “I’m speaking to colleagues,” berra this week, a source familiar dence) and called an election a science at Sydney University. fi nancial markets, with the main struggled to appeal to conserva- with moderate voters, raising the Dutton told 3AW Radio. “If I be- with his schedule told Reuters. year early,” The Sydney Morning The upper house Senate re- stock market down nearly 0.5% tive voters and only narrowly possibility that a third, centrist lieve the majority of colleagues Cosgrove is British Queen Herald wrote in an editorial. “The jected the policy on Wednesday yesterday to a nine-day low. won an election in 2016. Progres- candidate might still emerge.

Hard truths from one Korean family reunion China expects to wean away

AFP His brother Pak Sam-dong, Sokcho, South Korea 14 years his junior, showed him Taiwan’s last Africa ally soon dozens of family photos, pointing and telling him: “This is you.” hat South Korean Park The older man stared at Reuters sistant Foreign Minister Chen man Lu Kang said nobody had Ki-dong wanted most the pictures silently, deep in Beijing Xiaodong that eSwatini did not the right to criticise the move, Wof all to learn from his thought, while his North Ko- have relations with China “for pointing out Washington had Northern siblings was: when did rean sister quietly wiped tears reasons that everyone knows”. done the same four decades his parents die and where were from her eyes. hina expects self-ruled “We look forward to and earlier. they buried? He fi nally found out “They were two and six years Taiwan’s last diplomatic hope that all African nations, Taiwan President Tsai Ing- this week after decades of igno- old when we were separated but Cally in Africa, the King- with none left behind, can take wen has vowed not to bow to rance – but was disappointed by now they are old,” Park told AFP dom of eSwatini, will switch to part in positive China-Africa Chinese pressure, Taipei has what he heard when he met his after returning to the South. Beijing soon, a senior Chinese co-operation, and become a accused Beijing of off ering gen- brother and sister for the fi rst “They are grandpa and grand- diplomat said yesterday, a day member of the largest family erous aid and loan packages to time in nearly 70 years at a reun- ma and they looked even older after China won over a third get together,” Chen said. lure its allies across, charges ion this week. than me,” he added, sighing Taipei ally this year. “I believe that this is not China denies. Lines on a map condemned deeply. Taiwan, which China claims just the pursuit of China, it The island’s biggest opposi- them to a lifetime apart. “I thought they would be well as a wayward province with is also a widespread shared tion group, the China-friendly When the peninsula was orig- off but when I met them, they no right to state-to-state re- expectation of African na- Kuomintang (KMT), urged a inally divided by the US and So- were just like one of those dark, lations, now has formal ties tions. I believe that this tar- “better alternative” following viet Union along the 38th parallel skinny People’s Army (North Ko- with only 17 countries, almost get can in the not too distant what it described as “enormous in the aftermath of World War rean) soldiers.” all small, less developed na- future be realised,” he added, mistakes” in Tsai’s policy to- II, the family lived in Hwanghae The family were dependent on tions in Central America and without elaborating. Speak- wards China. province, then part of the South. North Korea’s public ration sys- the Pacific, including Belize ing on Monday, eSwatini gov- “The ruling party has the They farmed an unusually large tem, he added, which aid agen- and Nauru. ernment spokesman Percy responsibility to think of a bet- holding of around nine hectares cies say is often unreliable. Taiwan President Tsai Ing- Simelane said he was unaware ter cross-strait policy...Rela- and Park, the eldest of fi ve, went “The Red Cross told us that we wen, who has vowed not to of any plans about China. “Up tions with China have turned to school in Seoul, returning at can’t give them more than $300, bow to Chinese pressure, came until or otherwise told we re- stagnant and are frozen,” KMT weekends. so I gave them $300 each because under opposition criticism main with Taiwan,” he said. spokesman Mong-kai Hung But North invaded South in we can’t break the regulation,” yesterday amid calls for a more Foreign Aff airs Minister Mg- told Reuters. 1950, and when hostilities ceased Park said. friendlier policy towards Bei- wagwa Gamedze told Reuters Yu-fang Lin, a KMT lawmak- three years and millions of lives “I also gave them my gold ring jing. he will have a clearer picture er who leads the diplomacy and later, their home — along with his that I was wearing and watches Taiwan vowed on Tuesday on the country’s position next defence committee in Taiwan’s parents and two of his younger that I bought,” along with four to fi ght China’s “increasingly Monday, adding that he still has parliament, urged Tsai to rec- siblings — was on the other side suitcases of clothes. out of control” behaviour after to meet the king on the issue. ognise the “one China” princi- of the Demilitarised Zone that They had had “plenty of time Taipei lost another ally to Bei- He did not elaborate. ple, an agreement reached be- has divided the peninsula ever to talk”, he said, and “all my jing when El Salvador became Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry tween Beijing and then-ruling since. questions have been answered”. the third country to switch al- referred Reuters to a comment KMT government in 1992, un- Now 82, Park said happily be- His parents’ graves, it turned A North Korean woman bids farewell to her South Korean family legiances to China this year. from Foreign Minister Joseph der which both agreed there is fore heading to the reunion at the out, were unmarked, dashing his members as they leave after a reunion at Mount Kumgang resort, North Ahead of next month’s sum- Wu on Tuesday, where he said only one China, with each hav- North’s Mount Kumgang resort: fi lial hopes of erecting a tomb- Korea. mit between China and African ties with eSwatini were “ex- ing their own interpretation of “My heart is fi lled with a thou- stone for them. leaders in Beijing, China has tremely fi rm”. what that means. sand emotions. I’ve waited so And, he went on, “because we “For example, they were say- “But all our farmland had been upping the pressure on In Washington, a State De- China’s hostility to Taiwan long.” spent decades apart, their ideol- ing that our meeting was due to been confi scated and they were Taiwan’s last remaining ally on partment spokesman said they has grown since Tsai’s elec- But the actual event was un- ogy and way of thinking was too the benevolence of the dear lead- expelled and living poorly in an- the continent, eSwatini, for- were “deeply disappointed” by tion as Beijing fears she wishes derwhelming. diff erent”. er,” he explained. other part of the country.” merly known as Swaziland, to El Salvador’s decision to break to push for the island’s formal come over to China’s side, dip- ties with Taiwan and it was re- independence, a red line for lomatic sources say. viewing its relationship with China. She says she wants to Briefi ng reporters in Beijing San Salvador as a result. Chi- maintain the status quo but will Japanese nuclear power fi rms in talks over alliance: source about the summit, Chinese As- nese Foreign Ministry spokes- defend Taiwan’s democracy.

Four of Japan’s biggest nuclear operators better than one when it comes to nuclear alternative fuel supplies to produce electricity and plant builders have started talks on a risks,” said Tom O’Sullivan, the founder of in the world’s third-biggest economy. New Zealand’s pedal-powered politician has baby boy potential partnership in atomic energy, as energy consultancy Mathyos Japan. When That has led to calls for the government to the sector struggles to reboot in the wake of contacted by Reuters, all four companies take over nuclear operations and reorganise the Fukushima disaster seven years ago, a said they had regular discussions with each an industry that has 10 atomic power opera- A New Zealand government “WHAT A BABE,” tweeted Hol- was short and sharp.” source said yesterday. Tokyo Electric Power other as well as with other nuclear opera- tors. Japan’s powerful Ministry of Economy, minister who made global head- lywood star Kristin Bell, while Genter plans to take three Company Holdings Inc (Tepco), Hitachi Ltd, tors and builders. Hitachi denied the details Trade and Industry (METI) supports the lines when she cycled to hospi- others described her as “one months’ maternity leave. Toshiba and Chubu Electric Power Co Inc included in the Nikkei report on plans for partnership plans, the Nikkei report said, tal for the birth of her first child tough lady”. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, have signed an initial agreement that will be decommissioning and the building of new quoting an unidentified off icial saying: “it is has delivered a healthy baby Genter, who was 42 weeks who returned from six weeks’ fleshed out in discussions, the source told reactors. Japan’s nuclear sector provided now impossible for a private company to be boy, her office said yesterday. pregnant, said the car was too maternity leave this month after Reuters. He declined to be identified as he about 30% of the country’s electricity supply in the business by itself.” An off icial at METI Minister for Women Julie Anne small to accommodate her “sup- the birth of daughter Neve, was not authorised to speak with media. before a tsunami and earthquake caused declined to comment on talks between Genter, a Green MP and keen port crew” and the bike ride “put congratulated her colleague. The Nikkei newspaper earlier reported the reactor fuel meltdowns at Tepco’s Fukushima private companies and denied it was leading cyclist, chose pedal power for me in the best possible mood”. “So pleased to hear of the safe companies had begun talks on an alliance Daiichi station in March 2011. the moves, when contacted by Reuters, Sunday’s 1km journey from her After being induced, she gave arrival of the newest addition to that would initially focus on decommission- The disaster highlighted regulator and indus- declining to be identified. The shakeup in Ja- home to Auckland City Hospital birth late Tuesday. the parliamentary play group. ing old reactors. That could be extended to try failings and turned swathes of the public pan’s energy industry sparked by Fukushima for the delivery. “We’re overjoyed to announce Hope you enjoy those very spe- building and maintaining nuclear plants, with against nuclear power, with all reactors need- has already led to Tepco and Chubu to merg- Her action, dubbed “the most the safe arrival of our son at cial first few days,” she tweeted. the moves likely to spur a broad realign- ing to be relicensed by a new regulator to ing their fossil fuel power businesses under a onbrand thing ever” by col- 18.03 this evening, weighing Ardern, who was elected last ment in Japan’s nuclear industry, the Nikkei meet tougher safety standards. While nine re- venture called JERA that is due to complete leagues, was featured in media almost 4.3kg (9lb 8oz),” she year, became only the second reported. “It makes sense in the domestic actors have been restarted, utilities have had the takeover of their coal, gas and oil genera- outlets across the world and posted on social media. “We world leader to give birth while arena to co-operate. Four balance sheets is to spend billions of dollars on upgrades and tion assets in April next year. drew an enthusiastic online waited a very long time for in office after Pakistan’s Benazir response. labour to start, but when it did it Bhutto in 1990. Gulf Times 8 Thursday, August 23, 2018 BRITAIN

SAFETY ENVIRONMENT AVIATION EXERCISE INVESTIGATION Nuclear regulator to City of London to test ban Ryanair apologises over British Royal Navy monitors Hospital closed after man prosecute EDF, Doosan on most non-electric cars compensation cheques Russian warship in Channel hurt in targeted attack

Britain’s Off ice for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has The central financial district of London, Europe’s biggest low-cost airline Ryanair The Royal Navy said one of its vessels was Hospital in Huddersfield has been closed after notified EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Ltd and called the City of London, is planning to test apologised yesterday after it sent unsigned monitoring a Russian warship in the English a man sustained injuries in a “targeted attack” Doosan Babcock of its intention to prosecute a ban on most non-electric cars, the district’s cheques to some passengers who were owed Channel, the fourth UK ship required to observe outside the clinic. Huddersfield BMI private both companies over a conventional health administration said yesterday. The pilot scheme compensation for disrupted travel. Thousands Russian movements around Britain in the last hospital asked patients to stay away yesterday and safety matter, the ONR said yesterday. will apply to the southern part of Moor Lane, of Ryanair passengers have had their flights two months. HMS Hurworth, a Portsmouth-based following the incident in the early hours. Police The charge relates to an incident in April at a small street in the northern section of the cancelled across Europe this summer due to minehunter, is keeping watch over Russian frigate were called just after midnight after reports that the Hinkley Point B nuclear plant owned by district, and will only allow electric and plug- air traff ic control problems and pilot strikes. Admiral Makarov as it passes through the Channel a man had been assaulted. The man was neither France’s EDF, which resulted in injury to a in hybrid models to use the road, the City of The airline carried 130mn passengers in the 12 today, in a monitoring exercise that usually lasts a patient nor a doctor, a spokeswoman for West Doosan Babcock employee. There was no London Corporation said. “We will carefully months ended March 31, 2018. Ryanair said that about 48 hours. The Ministry of Defence declined Yorkshire police said. A hospital spokesman said: radiological risk to workers or the public, the consider the results of the pilot scheme and use it sent out 20,000 cheques to pay compensation to comment on the exact number of Russian “Due to a major incident, the Huddersfield BMI ONR said, giving no further details as the case the outcomes to inform any future proposals for in July and of those less than 190 had been ships passing the UK but said that over the past hospital will be closed until 7am on Thursday is now the subject of active court proceedings. other areas of the Square Mile,” the governing posted without being signed in an administrative two months patrol ship HMS Mersey, destroyer 23 August. If you have an urgent clinical query, “We are reviewing the charges against us and body said, using an alternative reference for the error, meaning that when customers tried to HMS Diamond and frigate Montrose had all been please call our switchboard on 07824 450 975.” considering our response. district. cash them, they failed. involved in observation activities.

Superdrug says it’s Govt to ban victim of extortion attempt unethical

Reuters London

ritish health and beauty puppy and retailer Superdrug has Btold its online customers to change their passwords after it was the victim of an extor- tion attempt from an individual claiming to have obtained shop- pers’ personal information. kitten farms The fi rm, part of the A S Watson Group, said it was con- By Jessica Elgot and Fiona breed several times a year and making it the first major step tacted by an individual claiming Harvey/ Guardian News & her puppies were taken away in tackling puppy farm cruelty,” to have information on about Media after just four weeks – half the he said. 20,000 online customers and London recommended time. David Bowles, assistant di- was seeking a ransom of 2 bitcoin Gove said the plans would rector of public affairs at the – worth about $13,337 at current tackle the early separation of RSPCA, said: “We believe it’s rates. he government is to ban puppies and kittens from their vital to crack down on this “We believe they obtained unethical puppy and kit- mothers, an act that could lead underground trade to provide customers’ e-mail addresses and Tten farms in England, to serious health problems and much needed protection to passwords from other websites pledging to end the trade of un- lack of socialisation by the ani- dogs and people, and welcome and then used those credentials scrupulous breeders who keep mals. an end to the third-party sales to access accounts on our web- animals in filthy and cramped “A ban on third-party sales of puppies. site,” Superdrug said. conditions and force some to be will ensure ’s much “Coupled with the new licens- However, it said Superdrug’s pregnant many times over. loved pets get the right start in ing regime and proper enforce- independent security advisers Environment Secretary life,” he said. “People who have ment, we believe the new system confi rmed there were no signs Michael Gove announced yes- a complete disregard for pet will help ensure better health and of a hack of its systems and also terday that a ban on third- welfare will no longer be able welfare for dogs, and will better confi rmed that the 386 accounts party puppy and kitten sales in to profit from this miserable protect people from being duped shared by the individual as proof England would be introduced. trade.” by unscrupulous sellers.” of the attack were accounts that The regulation will mean any- Some called on the govern- had been obtained in previous one wanting to buy or home “By banning third-party ment to go further. Animal sanc- hacks unrelated to the retailer. a puppy or kitten will have to sellers, Lucy’s Law will tuaries are not included in the “There is no evidence from deal directly with the breeder ensure all breeders are new regulations, and currently our perspective that Superdrug. or rehoming centre. The pro- accountable, making it the sanctuaries, rescue and rehom- com’s servers have been com- posed rule would also effec- fi rst major step in tackling ing centres can be set up without promised,” a spokeswoman for tively prevent the sale of pup- puppy farm cruelty” oversight. Paula Boyden, veteri- the retailer said. pies and kittens in traditional nary director at Dogs Trust, said: Superdrug said no payment pet shops. The government will consult “To be eff ective, a ban needs to card information had been com- Breeders will only be able to this autumn on the proposed be supported by some key ad- promised but said customers’ sell puppies they have personally ban on third-party puppy and ditional measures, such as regu- names, addresses and, in some bred; and online sellers will have kitten sales in England. May lating rehoming organisations, instances, date of birth, phone to publish their licence number previously said she had a per- which there is still time to intro- number and loyalty points bal- and the pet’s country of origin sonal stake in the new law, hav- duce. This would close off other ances might have been accessed. and country of residence. ing owned puppies as a child loopholes.” It has directly notifi ed cus- The scandal of puppy farms – a poodle called Tassle and a Jo Platt, a Labour MP who has tomers it believes may have had has come to light in recent mongrel named Lucky. campaigned on the issue, point- their accounts accessed. years, with examples of un- The government is also ed to her own research showing “In line with good security scrupulous dealers rear- bringing in harsher sentences that only 18% of rescue centres practice, we are advising all our ing hundreds of animals in of up to five years imprison- were regulated through existing customers to change their pass- cramped conditions with poor ment for anyone convicted of voluntary guidelines. words now and on a frequent ba- care, taking advantage of the animal abuse. Breeders will “Figures released to me un- sis,” it said. high prices available from need a licence to sell three or der the Freedom of Information Superdrug has also contacted pet-owners, especially for more litters a year and anyone Act clearly show an extremely the police and Action Fraud – sought-after breeds. selling online will have to dis- worrying picture across the Britain’s national fraud and cy- Prime Minister Theresa play a licence number. country with the vast majority ber crime arm. May first spoke of an intended Marc Abraham, of PupAid, of animal rescue homes facing Cyber attacks are becoming crackdown on “battery dogs” said irresponsible breeders in no regulation at all. From my increasingly common in Britain. in December, in the wake of the the UK and abroad used third encounters with many animal Mobile phone and electricals Lucy’s Law campaign by a coa- parties to hide from buy- sanctuaries I know that nearly retailer Dixons Carphone said lition of animal rights charities. ers, who often bought dogs in all of them hold high standards in June it had become the victim Lucy’s Law campaign was good faith, having no idea of and only have the best interests of a major attack for the second named after a severely mal- the conditions of the puppy’s of the animals they care for. time in three years after discov- nourished King Charles spaniel birth. “By banning third-party However, these high standards ering unauthorised access to its who was rescued from a breed- sellers, Lucy’s Law will ensure should be imposed across the payment card data. A woman walks past a branch of Superdrug in Loughborough, Britain yesterday. ing site. She had been forced to all breeders are accountable, rescue sector.”

Student designs controller to Rail works, strikes to boost disabled sister’s dexterity disrupt holiday travel

Agencies gaming more accessible as well buttons to create a fun and inter- Guardian News & Media reduced services ending at London as help develop muscles and active experience, while also im- London Milton Keynes. movements. proving the user’s motor skills, Track replacement will also “The idea is that Mylo can be the speed in which they process cause disruption in the Midlands, ess Searle has a type of cere- an occupational therapy system information and also their hand- ngineering works, in- with buses replacing some trains bral palsy that means she has whilst being a fun, engaging eye co-ordination. cluding the three-day to Birmingham international Jalways struggled with hand- exercise, something someone The product connects to an Eclosure of one of Brit- airport, and around Derby, with held devices or game consoles. wants to engage with.” app that has a series of games, ain’s busiest stations, are set continuing engineering work. “It made me not really bother The 3D-printed prototype helping users to replicate real- to disrupt rail travel and add to Network Rail said it would about technology, because I connects to a smartphone or world situations such as turning road congestion over the Au- be investing more than £84mn struggled so much,” the 25-year- tablet via Bluetooth, and has a tap on or opening a jar to im- gust bank holiday weekend. in upgrade works over the bank old said. multiple sensors. prove their muscle memory. Network Rail urged passen- holiday, when the service is “I found other ways of com- Billy has created several game This diff ers from other games gers to check their route be- usually less busy, and said it municating because that was concepts designed to help disabled controllers which encourage the fore travelling, while motoring would be business as usual for just easier for me,” she said at her people strengthen certain muscles. user to focus on the screen, rath- organisations said that road most services. home in Bromley, South London. For example, Mylo features a er than the physical interaction. traffi c would peak tomorrow Passengers on Northern Rail With his sister Jess in mind, twistable section that mimics The concept has been de- before the busiest weekend of will see additional disrup- Billy Searle, in his fi nal year of the action of unscrewing a jar lid signed to be all-inclusive, so the summer. tion as the RMT union stages Loughborough Design School, or turning a door handle. both able-bodied users and peo- London Euston, the termi- another 24-hour strike, in an created a controller, shaped like “There’s also a mechanism ple with disabilities can enjoy nus for most services to the ongoing row about the future an orb, to help people with dis- inside that means the more the the games, making it suitable for capital from cities such as of guards on trains. abilities improve their dexterity. user plays with the controller families and groups of friends to Manchester and Birmingham, Industrial action is also He named the device ‘Mylo’ – it becomes harder for them to enjoy playing together. will be closed for three days as set to take place at John Len- a reference to the mile-long dis- twist. So it’s also enhancing their After handling and playing a result of engineering works non airport in Liverpool, with tance that Jess walked for charity muscle strength,” he said. with Mylo for about half-an- around a junction at Wembley. members of the GMB union in 2016. Other features include a spin- hour, Jess said the controller Designer Billy Searle shows his sister Jess how to use ‘Mylo’, Most direct Virgin trains be- who work in fi refi ghting and Billy hopes the controller ning dial, a microphone, speak- opened up more possibilities for a spherical games controller he has built to help people with tween London and the north- engineering services due to could one day make gadgets and ers, light sensors and illuminated her. disabilities to improve their mental fitness and dexterity, in London. west will be cancelled, with walk out in a dispute over pay. Gulf Times Thursday, August 23, 2018 9 EUROPE

GROUNDED CRACKDOWN ‘ILLEGAL’ PLANE HAZARD STEED CREED Plane with burning engine Europe’s ‘biggest’ illegal Paris home owners face Safety of Baltic military Austrian man tries to makes emergency landing turtle farm dismantled fines over holiday rentals flights discussed board train with horse

A Russian airliner carrying more than 200 Spanish police said yesterday they had dismantled The city of Paris has sharply stepped up fines Russian President and Finnish Photos of a man aboard a train went viral passengers to the southern resort city of Sochi was Europe’s biggest illegal turtle and tortoise farm, on homeowners for illegally renting out their President Sauli Niniisto yesterday discussed yesterday due to his unusual travelling forced to make an emergency landing shortly after seizing over 1,100 of the animals, including several apartments on websites such as Airbnb, a ways to reduce the risk of hazardous military companion: a horse. The man reportedly tried take-off because an engine was on fire, authorities highly endangered species. Off icers arrested two city official said yesterday. “Between January encounters between Nato and Russian jets over to board two trains in the state of Styer with said yesterday. The twin-engine Tu-204, operated German men suspected of operating the farm on 1 and August 15, 2018 we registered 1.38mn the Baltics. Russia is open to conducting talks with his horse named Frieda. But train conductors by Red Wings Airlines, landed in the central Russian the holiday island of Mallorca, as well as a Spanish euros ($1.60mn) in fines for illegal rentals to Nato on the subject, Putin said after his meeting refused to continue the journey with Frieda city of Ufa and was quickly evacuated with no owner of an exotic pet store in Barcelona who sold tourists” compared to 1.3mn euros for all of with Niniisto in the resort city of Sochi. The Baltic aboard. Photos of the young man holding Frieda one injured, according to a statement by aviation the animals raised on the farm, police said in a 2017, said Ian Bressat, responsible for housing nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have surrounded by laughing passengers were shared authorities. “The air traff ic controller informed the statement. Another two Germans and a Spaniards in the mayor’s office. That works out to an no fighter jets of their own, which is why the Nato on Twitter and retweeted by state rail company crew that from the ground the left engine could be are under investigation. “Off icers searched the increase of nearly 60% over the rate at which military alliance has secured Baltic airspace at regular OeBB. “We hope this will stay a one-off ,” OeBB seen burning,” the Federal Air Transport Agency farm and found that it was much bigger than fines were issued last year. He said 111 fines intervals, especially since Russia’s annexation of spokeswoman Julianne Pamme was quoted by said in the statement. The aircraft’s system to expected and its aim was to breed at an industrial had been issued for an average of around Crimea in 2014. Finland, which is not part of the Nato Austrian news agency APA as saying, adding that identify and automatically extinguish the fire failed level diff erent species of sea and land turtles,” the 12,000 against people improperly renting out alliance, but co-operates with it, lies on the Baltic horses could be dangerous, for example if the to function, the statement said. police statement said. a secondary residence. Sea and is seen as militarily neutral. train had to brake suddenly. Crop damage mounts for EU farmers after torrid summer

Reuters launch a special aid programme for could cap its wheat exports outside Paris farmers worth up to 340mn euros fol- the EU at around last season’s disap- lowing the drought damage. pointing level, Agritel said. The DBV had called for around 1bn The lower EU supply comes as A woman looks on a shoal under the Margaret Bridge during the period of low water level in Budapest yesterday. uropean farmers are counting euros ($1.1bn) in aid. weather-hit output in Russia is ex- the cost of a summer heatwave In Denmark, drought is expected pected to push its exports down to Ethat has shrunk cereal harvests to lead to losses of around 6bn Dan- 31.5mn tonnes from a record 42mn and shrivelled pastures, leaving some ish crowns ($920mn), research insti- last season, it forecast. farms struggling to survive and shut- tute SEGES, part of the Danish Agri- “If Russia exports 10mn tonnes Water levels in Danube recede to record ting the EU out of lucrative export culture & Food Council lobby group less this season, who is going to sup- markets. said, adding that low pork prices ply the world market?” asked Alex- The severe weather in Europe has could bring farm losses to almost 8bn andre Boy of Agritel in a presentation lows, hindering shipping in Hungary coincided with adverse growing con- crowns this year. to journalists. “It’s not the EU that is ditions in other major grain produc- Danish farm bankruptcies in 2018 going to make up for the drop in Rus- ing zones such as Russia and Aus- have almost reached the level for all sian supply.” Reuters coming days in Austria and Germany, overnight between 8pm and 5am for tralia, raising the risk that supplies in of last year. , another major grain sup- Budapest which they hope could help raise water large passenger ships and barges, in or- exporting countries will be eroded to At the EU level, the European plier via the Black Sea, is meanwhile levels in Hungary as well. der to limit the risks of vessels running their smallest in years. Commission has off ered earlier than facing lower crop quality this year, Ferenc Kruppa, operations director of aground. The latest harvest estimates have usual payments of annual subsidies traders said, which could limit its ex- ater levels on the Danube yes- freight shipping company Fluvius, said “We hope that...in four to fi ve days underlined the impact of drought and will allow fallow land to be used ports of milling wheat. terday dropped to record lows they expected revenue to be 1mn eu- there will be rains in Austria and Ger- and heatwaves in northern Europe. to feed livestock. Analysts see the onus on the United Won three sections of the river ros to 1.5mn euros less in the fi rst eight many...and this could raise water levels Germany’s farmers’ association A sharp drop in the EU’s wheat States to make up for reduced avail- in Hungary due to a recent drought, months this year compared to last year, by 0.5m to 0.6m in Budapest and the DBV yesterday forecast a 22% plunge harvest will also limit exports from abilities in other exporting coun- hindering passenger cruise ships and largely due to the shipping diffi culties. Hungarian section of the river,” Spanyik in grain production this year in the the bloc, adding to nervousness tries, given relatively high US stocks, causing losses to freight shipping com- Fluvius operates seven barges, ship- said. ’s second-largest about global supply given weather and to a lesser extent Argentina after panies. ping mainly agricultural produce like He also said MAHART Passnave had cereal grower. issues elsewhere, including in top a successful sowing campaign there. In Budapest the Danube receded to wheat, and steel products, coal, and fer- lost close to 100mn forints ($355,000) in Germany endured its highest sum- wheat exporter Russia. The weather woes in northern Eu- 0.61m, just above the record low of tiliser on the Danube and the Rhine. profi ts due to the shipping diffi culties, mer temperatures in over a century Consultancy Agritel said yester- rope and speculation about possible 0.51m recorded in 2003, the National Kruppa said their freight vessels can as sailing limitations aff ected 50 to 60 of as extreme weather gripped north- day it projected EU wheat exports, Russian government restrictions on Water Authority said in a statement. only be loaded up to 25% of their capac- its vessels. ern Europe from Britain to the Baltic including durum, to fall to a seven- grain exports have contributed to Tourists and locals fl ocked to the bot- ity due to the low water levels. Spanyik also said some large interna- states. year low of around 21mn tonnes in renewed price volatility on interna- tom of the pillars of the historic Mar- Gabor Spanyik, chief executive of tional passenger cruise ships had been The combination of poor harvest 2018/19 as the bloc was set to see all- tional markets. garet bridge to capture a unique view MAHART Passnave, a majority state- stranded in Budapest for two weeks. yields and shrivelled grassland has wheat production drop by some 15mn Euronext wheat futures struck of the Hungarian capital city from the owned Hungarian shipping company, The Rhine is an important shipping led to spiralling costs for animal feed, tonnes from last year. fi ve-year highs earlier this month, riverbed, with Parliament and the Royal said vessels that have sinkage over 1.6m route for commodities including grains, putting pressure on livestock farms. France should fare better than oth- although prices have fallen sharply Castle facing each other on the two riv- had to stop at the city of Komarom in the minerals, coal and oil products includ- German Agriculture Minister Julia er EU exporting countries, but yield this week after Russia cooled talk erbanks. northeast, as they could not sail to Bu- ing heating oil. Kloeckner said the government would losses related to heavy spring rain about curbs on its exports. But waterways shippers were desper- dapest. The Danube is a major route for east ately waiting for rainfall, forecast for the He said authorities banned shipping European grain exports to west Europe.

Rescue mission Poland moves to name new judges

AFP (KRS), a body overseeing judicial impar- But the KRS is ploughing ahead with Warsaw tiality whose composition was changed its task of vetting new candidates to re- as part of the reforms. place the retiring judges. Once the body The PiS insists the judicial changes names their successors, it will be up to olish offi cials yesterday moved to tackle corruption and overhaul a judicial President Andrzej Duda to approve them. speed up the appointment of new system still haunted by Poland’s com- The retirement law came into eff ect Pjudges to the Supreme Court de- munist era. But the opposition, democ- last month and lowers the pension age spite objections at home and from the racy watchdogs and the European Union of judges from 70 to 65. It aff ects 27 of European Union. have warned they undermine judicial the Supreme Court’s sitting 73 judg- The governing conservative Law and independence, the rule of law and de- es including chief justice Malgorzata Justice (PiS) party had introduced the mocracy. Gersdorf, who has refused to step down, forced early retirement of judges over Earlier this month, Poland’s Supreme slamming the measure as a “purge” that the age of 65 as part of a raft of contro- Court said it was suspending the forced breaches her constitutionally guaran- Rescuers search for possible survivors of deadly flash flooding in the Raganello river, a popular hiking spot versial judicial reforms that have drawn early retirement until the European teed six-year term ending in 2020. in Civita, in the Calabria region’s Pollino national park, Italy. The deadly flash flood was described by hikers as concern from Brussels. Court of Justice could weigh in on the In December Brussels triggered un- an “avalanche of water” and several hiking groups were caught a day earlier by the torrential deluge in the “We’re speeding things up as much matter. The EU then stepped up its legal precedented Article 7 proceedings against Raganello river gorge in southern Cosenza province. The death toll has been revised down to 10, as opposed to as we can,” judge Leszek Mazur told re- threats to Poland over the reforms, giv- Poland over “systemic threats” to the rule 11 as previously reported. porters yesterday. Mazur is the new head ing Warsaw one month to comply or risk of law, which could eventually see War- of the National Council of the Judiciary being hauled before the bloc’s top court. saw’s EU voting rights suspended. Migrants in Bosnia complain of beatings by Croatian police

By Fedja Grulovic, Reuters It dismisses reports of police his back, arms and knees. “Rac- The migrants, most of them from The bulk of them are con- Many migrants showed a Reu- and spent one day in detention Bihac, Bosnia brutality and says the Croatian ist, racist Croats,” said Mohamed Afghanistan, Iran, Syria and Paki- centrated in two northwestern ters cameraman bruises they say before he was deported to Bosnia. border force is acting in line with whose goal is to reach Italy, where stan, arrive from Serbia and Greece towns, Bihac and Velika Kladusa, were sustained when Croatian While in Croatia, he asked to international standards. his wife and daughter live. via Albania and Montenegro, ac- close to the border with Croatia. police offi cers beat them up. apply for asylum but they would any refugees and mi- Many of the estimated 5,000 Bosnia, which itself went cording to the Bosnian authorities. They live in poor conditions, They say their belongings were not let him fi ll in papers, he said. grants, some showing migrants camped near the border through a devastating war in the Although offi cials say 60% of squeezed into abandoned build- often damaged or taken away. Instead, the police beat him. Mtheir cuts and bruises, tell a diff erent story, though. 1990s, is coping with a sudden those who have arrived have al- ings and tent settlements scat- In a statement to regional N1 Several other people, after accuse Croatian police of beating “Croatia is a big problem,” infl ux of refugees and migrants. ready left the country, volunteers tered in the woods. television, Croatia’s interior praying together in the small them before turning them back shouted a group of Pakistanis About 11,000 people from Asia and aid workers who help mi- Most days they lie in makeshift ministry said it once again fully courtyard of a ruined student as they try to cross from Bosnia, interviewed in the woods where and North Africa are registered as grants say at least 5,000 people camps, communing with their dismissed allegations of police dormitory in Bihac to celebrate an increasingly popular Balkan they live in tents near the town of arriving so far this year. are stranded in Bosnia. mobile phones or queuing for brutality. the Eid al-Adha holiday, told transit point as other borders Bihac, each showing the cracked The impoverished country “Each day about 50 to 60 new meals distributed by aid groups, “The Croatian police act, re- similar stories. into the European Union close. screens of their mobile phones was spared the refugee infl ux of people arrive, and I really don’t waiting for their chance to con- specting national jurisdiction and “I plan to cross (the border) with Croatia, the EU’s newest which they say were damaged by 2015 and 2016, when more than know whether they will also leave tinue their journey. international standards,” it said, someone, (while) some people go by member, denies accusations its Croatian police. 1mn refugees passed through the the country,” said Amira Hadz- But neighbouring Croatia, and also implied that bruises and themselves,” said Samir from Islam- border police are rough handling “The Croatian police, they see Balkans on their way to the Euro- imehmedovic, a refugee camp which has a 1,000km long border abrasions were infl icted in fi ghts abad, who says that he had worked would-be refugees fl eeing war someone who is Arabic, a Muslim, pean Union. manager for the International with Bosnia, has sealed its bor- between migrants themselves. as an IT technician in Pakistan and and poverty in Asia and North and look what happened,” said But as borders have closed Organisation for Migrations in ders and is sending back to Bos- Behir from Iran, 35, says he was wants to go to Italy or Spain. Africa to fi nd a new life in main- Mohamed, 40, from Gaza speak- elsewhere, Bosnia has become a Bihac. “It’s very, very diffi cult to nia anyone they fi nd with illegal caught with his friends in Croatia “It depends on luck. If we are stream Europe. ing in Italian, showing bruises on new transit route. give the correct numbers.” status. near the border with Slovenia, lucky, we’ll cross.” Gulf Times 10 Thursday, August 23, 2018 INDIA Senior Congress leader Gurudas Kamat dead IANS harookh and son Sunil. chief minister Farooq Information Technology. was president of Mumbai Con- being appointed party treasurer to Kamat’s son, expressing his New Delhi Congress president Rahul Abdullah. Kamat resigned from the gress from 2003 to 2008. He was again. condolences. Gandhi, former prime minister In 2010, Kamat was nominated Congress in 2016 over his president of the party’s student Rahul Gandhi, who is in Ger- “I am extremely saddened to Manmohan Singh and National- to represent former prime min- reported unhappiness wing National Students Un- many, said Kamat’s death was a learn about the demise of your ormer federal minister and ist Congress Party (NCP) presi- ister Manmohan Singh at the with the functioning of ion of India (1976-80), Indian massive blow to the party. beloved father... He was a dedi- senior Congress leader dent Sharad Pawar, among other UN International Conference the local party unit in Youth Congress chief (198-88) “Gurudasji helped build the cated public servant and a mass Ffrom Maharashtra Gurudas leaders, expressed shock. on Federalism in Addis Ababa, Mumbai but later with- and later served the party as a Congress in Mumbai and was leader of Maharashtra. He will Kamat died in New Delhi yester- Sonia Gandhi, chairperson of Ethiopia. drew his resignation as general secretary. greatly respected and admired by be missed by the country and day following a heart attack. He the Congress-led United Pro- Kamat, the youthful and secu- the leadership per- In his last tweet all. My condolences to his fam- Congress party in Maharashtra,” was 63. gressive Alliance visited the hos- lar face of the party and a fi ve- suaded him against hours before the ily,” he tweeted. Kharge said. According to a close family pital and placed a wreath on Ka- time Lok Sabha member from it. He quit all posts end, Kamat had Manmohan Singh said: “I am NCP chief Sharad Pawar said friend, Kamat complained of se- mat’s body. Mumbai, served as Minister of last year, though extended his shocked and saddened to learn he was “saddened” as he has vere chest pain while having his Respected across party lines, State for Home in 2009. But he he remained a greetings on Eid about the sudden and untimely “lost a leader who knew the pulse morning tea at his home here. late prime minister Atal Bihari resigned in 2011, citing “personal staunch Con- al-Adha. On demise of Gurudas Kamat. My of Mumbaikars and would always He called out his driver who Vajpayee had picked Kamat as reasons” after his appointment gressman till Tuesday, he had deepest condolences to all mem- voice their concern in parlia- rushed him to the Primus Hos- part of a four-member offi cial as Minister of State for Drinking the end. greeted party leader bers of his family. I pray to God ment”. pital in Chanakyapuri where he is delegation to the UN in 2003, Water and Sanitation. Considered an Ahmed Patel on his for the departed soul.” Maharashtra Congress presi- said to have died within minutes. along with former prime minister He also served as Minister of able organiser and birthday and con- Leader of Congress in Lok dent Ashok Chavan said he “lost Kamat is survived by wife Ma- I K Gujral and former Jammu and State for Communications and a good orator, Kamat gratulated him on Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge wrote a great colleague”. Deluge of false news adds to fl ood woes

AFP in military fatigues is seen talk- Kochi ing about the relief operations and slamming the Kerala chief minister. ristiano Ronaldo has not “Imposter wearing army donated $11mn to the combat uniform in video CKerala fl ood disaster fund spreading disinformation about and there are no cracks in a key rescue and relief eff orts,” the dam, but India’s fake news ma- army tweeted. chine has been working overtime “Every eff ort (being made) by to fuel confusion and fear. all and Indian army to overcome The Kerala government and this terrifying human tragedy,” it India’s military have issued rare said, urging people to inform au- Fishermen sort their catch after they return to the shores from the Arabian Sea at Kollam beach in Kerala yesterday. warnings about viral social me- thorities about suspicious news. dia messages as they confront Joke news peddled by parody the aftermath of fl oods which accounts on Twitter have also have killed at lweast 400 people. caused distress. The deluge of false news, vid- “Man refuses to accept a saf- eos and claims also comes as fron life jacket, dies as a result,” the Indian government steps up read a headline on a story by pressure on Facebook, What- Fault News which describes itself sApp and other platforms to act as a satirical portal. Kerala faces ‘humongous’ against fake news, blamed for in- Saff ron is associated with Mo- citing more than 20 lynchings in di’s Bharatiya Janata Party. the past two months. In yet another instance, an im- Some postings have been rela- age of a fl ooded car park at a Re- tively harmless. nault dealership in the main city Portuguese football superstar of Kochi turned out to be an old task amid survivor search Ronaldo is often linked to big do- photo. nations after a catastrophe that Fake news is often deadly in Agencies task,” Kurian said. could step on his back to board a and fi bre boats left Kollam after paired. An operational boat is makes international headlines. India. Kochi About 1.2mn people are living rescue boat. appeals for help were made on our only source of livelihood,” he But Indian fact-checking Hoax messages about child in the temporary relief camps set Others had to suff er abuse Wednesday last week, Richard added. websites like Boomlive.in have kidnappers being seen in villages up across the state. from people angry because the said. Manoj Francis, 40, who works highlighted how many people are spread like wildfi re on platforms overnment offi cials and Amid receding fl ood waters, offi cial rescuers took so long. They were pressed into service with Solomon at Kollam beach, using Ronaldo’s supposed dona- such as WhatsApp, which boasts police in the fl ood-hit people have started to return India’s Tourism Minister K J in some of the worst-fl ood zones said he had been shocked when tion to criticise the federal gov- more than 200mn users in India. Gstate of Kerala were carry- home to fi nd their furniture, Alphons has called the fi shermen of Kerala. he fi rst saw the fl ooded houses. ernment’s response to the crisis. Mobs quickly gather to target ing out house-to-house searches equipment and documents de- the “biggest heroes” of Kerala’s “At least 150 fi shing crews “There was extensive damage. The central government has the alleged intruders. yesterday for people who may be stroyed. disaster and the chief minister were working non-stop here at People were at the top of their pledged almost $100mn in aid More than 20 innocent peo- stranded in isolated areas. “Birth certifi cates, passports, has announced a cash reward for the peak of rescue operations,” an houses and at many places entire so far. ple have been killed across India “There may be people lying everything is spoiled,” said Su- each of them and a ceremony to offi cial in Alappuzha district, one buildings were under water,” he Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi since June. unconscious in their homes, we shama Kumar of Aluva, adding pay tribute. of the worst-hit, said. said. Vijaran issued a Twitter warning Facebook is investigating in- are making sure each person in that she had found her home Robin Richard and other fi sh- Michael Solomon, 56, a Kollam The fl ooded villages and towns after a viral fake video said there tensively to counter fake news in (the) fi ve districts worst hit by submerged in inches of mud. ermen from ports like Kollam are fi sherman for almost four dec- became a vast maze and the fi sh- were cracks in the Mullaperiyar India and other countries, hiring fl oods is accounted for,” disaster “The people of Kerala are in suspicious. ades, told how he and colleagues ermen often operated alone for dam in Idukki district. teams to track content and link- management offi cial P H Kurian a great struggle to rebuild their Their community is dispar- lifted their 6m-long boats up hours on end. In the clip an unidentifi ed ing with fact-checking groups, said. lives after the fl ood. May this Eid aged by many in Kerala. onto a road to be loaded on trucks Many rescued families have man, quoting a supposed friend its offi cials say. The death toll in fl oods and be an inspiration for all of them,” Now they just hope the au- and taken to fl ood zones. told how the fi shing fl otilla in the offi ce of Prime Minister The Indian government de- rain-related incidents during Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan thorities keep their promise to “We have been going into the reached them before any offi cial Narendra Modi, says that within manded that Facebook-owned the current monsoon season said in a Twitter post. pay for damage to boats and the real sea since we were children, help. “They arrived like saviours. three hours the surrounding area WhatsApp clamp down on fake in the south-western state has Meanwhile, fi shermen who fuel they used to rescue several so these waters were nothing,” he No local government offi cials will be inundated. news in talks this week with its surpassed 400, with at least 231 carried their boats onto trucks thousand people. said. came to us or gave us any warn- “I wish to inform all that the chief executive Chris Daniels. deaths reported since August 8. to get there and braved the fi lthy, “When we suff ered in a cy- But many boats suff ered dam- ings before that,” said Ravindran state government will now take Information Technology Min- “The rescue operations are swirling waters before most other clone last year no one took notice age after hitting cars and other Achary, the 62-year-old head of very strict action against such ister Ravi Shankar Prasad said he almost over, we are focusing on rescuers arrived are being hailed of our plight but now everyone’s obstacles on fl ooded roads. a nine-member family, now liv- people,” Vijayan said. was assured that WhatsApp “will relief and then will move to re- as the heroes of the fl oods crisis. attitude has suddenly changed,” Some crashed into houses. ing with other fl ood refugees at The Indian army in turn de- soon take steps” to comply with habilitation of people and recon- One man got on all fours with Richard, 42, said. “I hope the government keeps the Union Christian College in bunked a fake video where a man the demands. struction... we face a humongous his face in the water so women Hundreds of traditional wood its word and gets the boats re- Kochi.

Citizens demand a say as 4 killed, 16 hurt construction chokes cities in Mumbai fi re

Reuters ban infrastructure,” said Kanchi plemented in a rush to lure in- Agencies The fl ames quickly spread to Mumbai Kohli at New Delhi think tank vestors. Mumbai the 13th fl oor and adjacent fl ats, Centre for Policy Research. But it is not all one way. trapping many of the 100-plus “Cities are already dealing Chirayu Bhatt, an urban residents in the building. arge real-estate develop- with severe air pollution, wa- planner at CEPT University in fi re in Mumbai killed four Though the exact cause of the ments in India should be ter shortages and traffic con- Ahmedabad, said large devel- people and injured 16 yes- fi re is being investigated, offi cials Lsubject to the same scru- gestion. Residents deserve a opments - be they residential Aterday, authorities said, as tentatively surmise it could be tiny as industrial projects given say in these projects,” she told or commercial - can be good the blaze spread quickly through due to a short-circuit. their environmental impact, the Thomson Reuters Founda- for future generations even if a tall, residential building. Some residents told reporters according to city planners and tion. today’s city dwellers often pay The fi re started on the 12th that there was allegedly no fi re- campaigners. Worldwide, cities occupy 2% the price. fl oor of a 17-storey Crystal Tower fi ghting equipment in the build- A proposal to redevelop parts of the land mass, but account “While the costs of a residential apartment building in ing as well as escape routes. of New Delhi that required the for more than 70% of carbon di- project are borne by current the Parel suburb in Mumbai. Two of the people who died felling of thousands of trees re- oxide emissions. residents, the benefits ac- “Criminal off ence will be de- were stuck in a lift. cently provoked fi erce protests, India is forecast to overtake crue to future residents - mi- clared. The building will be la- But in all the chaos, a 10-year- court petitions and night pa- China by 2024 as the world’s grants, our children and grand belled as unsafe and it will be old girl who lived in Crystal Tow- trols to guard the trees. most populous country, with children. We must recognise evacuated. The fi re sprinklers er saved not just her life but that While projects measuring tens of millions of citizens that,” he said. were not working at all,” said of her family and neighbours too. more than 20,000 sq m require cramming into already crowded In New Delhi, the National Mumbai’s chief fi re offi cer Prab- She paid heed to the fi re safety impact assessments, exemp- cities. Green Tribunal - which decides hat Rahangdale. drill taught at school and put that tions are often made and public As developers rush to cash in, on environmental matters - last A fi re department offi cial said into practice when the fi re broke hearings are never held, analysts unplanned urban sprawl is lead- week ordered that no trees be eff orts to douse the blaze were out. It was third deadly fi re in said. ing to congestion, fl ooding and felled while the redevelopment still going on, but the situation Mumbai in seven months. “Large construction projects more slums, analysts say. case is examined. was under control. Last December, fi re swept have a huge environmental and Authorities have introduced Developers say subjecting The 16 injured people were through a rooftop restaurant social footprint, and deserve stricter environmental laws for real estate projects to the same taken to hospital and were in sta- in Mumbai, killing more than scrutiny for their impact on businesses in recent years, but scrutiny as large industrial de- Residents wait to be rescued as firefighters try to extinguish a fire at ble condition, a hospital offi cial a dozen people, most of them energy and water use, and ur- analysts say they are poorly im- velopments is “not justifi ed”. a residential building in Mumbai yesterday. said. women. Gulf Times Thursday, August 23, 2018 11 PAKISTAN

Seraiki hope new CM will work for Imran raises hopes of separate province

Internews Islamabad common man sky high eraiki nationalists and intelligent- sia welcomed the election of Us- Reuters of ousting prime ministers and clashing Yet the mood in the country is one premier Nawaz Sharif and the Paki- to ask for more fi scal discipline, re- Sman Khan Buzdar as chief minister Islamabad with civilian governments over control of of unbridled optimism, especially stan Peoples Party (PPP) of the Bhutto quiring drastic spending cuts. of Punjab in terms of benefi ts the region foreign policy. among Khan’s young supporters, who family. Shafqat Mahmood, Khan’s new could reap from the China-Pakistan Khan denies all accusations that the believe he can build a corruption-free “We have great expectations from education minister, said the economic Economic Corridor (CPEC). rom creating 10mn jobs to build- military covertly helped him win the and prosperous “New Pakistan” for Imran Khan,” said Shah Sultan, 38, a woes pose a major problem but the They also hoped that the Pakistan ing an Islamic welfare state and election. the country’s 208mn people. roadside fl ag seller. party is determined to deliver a wel- Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) succeeded in Frestoring Pakistan’s tattered im- And in his victory speech, Khan “His biggest challenge is managing “We are lower class people and I fare system and enact badly-needed mustering support from its allies as well age abroad, new premier Imran Khan off ered an olive branch to India and expectations among his followers and voted for Khan because what the poli- reforms. as opposition parliamentarians to gain is facing a problem of his own making: called for mutually benefi cial ties with voters because he’s almost promised ticians have done to our country. They “Everyone in the party realises we the two-thirds majority in national and runaway expectations raised by his the United States. them the moon,” said Raza Ahmad have left it with nothing.” will have to work overtime to meet provincial assemblies required to estab- lofty rhetoric. Whether Khan can become the fi rst Rumi, the editor of Pakistan’s Daily But Khan’s campaign pledges are these huge expectations,” Mahmood lish a separate Seraiki or south Punjab A cricket legend and fi rebrand na- Pakistani prime minister to complete a Times newspaper. likely to be checked by a worsening said. province. tionalist who is hero-worshipped by full fi ve-year term in offi ce will depend During Independence Day celebra- economic outlook, analysts say, espe- Mahmood said Khan’s image as a Seraiki nationalist, author of the supporters, Khan swept to power in on his relationship with infl uential tions this week, when fl ag-waving cially his vow to build a welfare state. politician untainted by corruption banned Asaan Qaidi Takht Lahore De last month’s election on a populist generals, analysts say. Pakistanis fl ooded the streets of Is- The central bank has devalued the could boost faith in the government book, Ashiq Khan Buzdar of Mehray platform vowing to root out corrup- If his ideas on foreign policy diff er lamabad, many voiced confi dence rupee four times since December, but and convince more people to fi le taxes wala, Rajanpur said that Usman Buzdar tion among a venal elite and lift people from theirs, analysts say Khan would that Khan would deliver on promises the current account defi cit is still car- in a nation where less than 1% of the had a deep understanding of problems of out of poverty. suff er a similar fate to other civilian to build world class hospitals and im- rying the currency towards a crisis, population pays income tax. the Seraiki and tribal areas. But he inherits control of a volatile leaders who have failed to see out their prove education in a nation where the while the fi scal defi cit has ballooned Khan has touted his “100 Day Plan” Being a native, he understood local nation facing mounting problems at term. illiteracy rate hovers above 40%. to 6.8% of GDP. but many of the reforms PTI is pro- issues, including demand of a Seraiki home and abroad, including a looming “Then his future will be the same as “I have moved my daughter (from a Economic growth is running at posing, from turning around loss- province. economic crisis and a fracture with anybody else’s,” political commenta- private) to a government school, be- nearly 6%, but given the unsustain- making state-run enterprises to re- Ashiq claimed that Punjab Assembly historic ally the United States over Pa- tor Aamer Ahmed Khan said. cause we are confi dent that Pakistan ability of these defi cits it is easy to forming the tax collection bureau, will Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi had kistan’s alleged links to militants. Forced to rely on smaller parties for is going to change,” said Sheikh Farhaj, predict Pakistan’s growth is heading take far longer to accomplish. been tasked with gathering the majority Ties are also fraught with neigh- a razor-thin majority in parliament, 40, who volunteered for Khan’s Paki- for a fall. Ending government corruption required in the assembly for establish- bours Afghanistan and nuclear-armed and with the opposition controlling stan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party dur- Khan’s government must urgently outright, or repatriating plundered ment of a new province. rival India. the Senate, Khan’s coalition govern- ing the elections. decide whether to request more loans wealth, is also unlikely. A forward bloc would soon emerge Opponents in parliament talk of form- ment could struggle to push through Others were delighted Khan has from China, deepening Islamabad’s “(Khan’s supporters) have a sim- within the PML-N and enable establish- ing a grand coalition against Khan, dub- legislation without major compro- broken the decades-long dominance economic reliance on its neighbour, or plistic idea that if there is a clean man ment of a Seraiki province, he claimed. bing him a “puppet” and accusing him mises. of the two dynastic powerhouses, the ask the International Monetary Fund on top, the entire machinery becomes Mehmood Nizami of Pakistan Seraiki of entering into a Faustian Pact with the An increasingly assertive judiciary outgoing Pakistan Muslim League- (IMF) for what would be its 15th bail- clean. That’s never the case anywhere Party said Usman’s selection was based powerful military, which has a history could also hold it back. Nawaz (PML-N) party of jailed former out since 1980. Both lenders are likely in the world,” said Rumi. on the merit that he belonged to the backward tribal area of Tuman Buzdar where leprosy still prevailed and night blindness was common among women. He said the previous provincial as- Eid selfie! sembly had already passed resolution to create two new provinces out of Punjab. He claimed the PPP would support the PTI in creation of south Punjab province and the PML-N also back the cause to dispel the anti-PML-N senti- ments in the region. Dr Naveed, general secretary of the PPP’s culture wing in the district, said Usman Buzdar was made chief minis- ter to make his region signifi cant to the CPEC projects. His tribe falls on both sides of the provincial boundary of Punjab and Ba- lochistan, a factor that featured promi- nently in his selection for the top slot. Usman was also in the good books of international and national establish- ment, he claimed. When a Balochi-Seraiki-speaking chief minister of Punjab would address a public meeting in Balochistan, it would create trust and confi dence among the masses of the province as well as people of the Seraiki region. Senior journalist and Seraiki nation- alist Ashraf Khan Buzdar said the estab- lishment of a Seraiki province would be a priority for the new chief minister and his party, but to achieve a two-thirds majority the PTI would have to muster support of the PPP and PML- N. Vice chairman of the district council, Javed Iqbal Qaisrani, said they had a lot of expectations from Usman in terms of solution to problems faced by the locals. Responding to a query, he said that establishment of a Seraiki province was a tough task without winning two- thirds majority in both national and pro- vincial assemblies, but he claimed with confi dence that Taunsa Sharif would soon emerge as a district. Mushtaq Gadi of Seraiki Lok Sanjh said that creation of a new province in Punjab was imperative for state build- ing. It would positively contribute to solv- ing crucial structural problems. The main benefi ts included a balanced federation, economic growth, better governance and redressal of regional grievances. The Seraiki belt has recently acquired new signifi cance following changing geo- economic and geo-political situ- ation in the wake of CPEC, and Usman Buzdar’s election as the chief minister fi t perfectly in that scenario. Any denial or delay in according the region its rightful provincial status A family take a selfie at the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore yesterday. would merely complicate the problem, he maintained. Hospitals in eight KP province districts get fi nancial powers

Internews come the fi rst one in the country cal health facilities dwindled for facilitate budget preparation and The health department has al- fi nancial aff airs of all the facili- The department had been re- Peshawar to give powers to districts in the want of funds and staff . conduct research to bring about ready issued revised delegation ties in the districts, would focus ceiving complaints since long fulfi lment of 18th Amendment, Peshawar, Mardan, Battagram, improvement in fi nancial man- of powers schedule 2018 wherein on the strategic policy and plan- that small health facilities had which calls for investing more Buner, Kohat, Swabi, Tank and agement, accounting, reporting it has given fi nancial authority to ning, decision- making and im- to deny health services to people he health department has powers in the offi cials working at Torghar are the districts where and expenditure analysis. the offi cers to ensure that the in- plementation of the programme due to small repair of machines, delegated fi nancial pow- the local level,” offi cials said. medical superintendents of the FMC is also working to es- stitutions work smoothly. as they are free from looking into purchase of essential drugs and Ters to hospitals in eight They said that the system category D hospitals would act as tablish separate cost centres for The last schedule issued in fi nancial matters of the health fa- getting the required staff because districts of northwest Khyber would be in place in the whole drawing and disbursing offi cers every health facility by making 2001 has been outdated as the cilities. they had to contact DHOs, who Pakhtunkhwa province in the province by September 2018 in for the health facilities located in separate budgetary and staff al- level of prices and costs has gone Offi cials said that the depart- had many other important issues fi rst phase of its plan to facilitate two phases covering nine dis- the same tehsil. location to the civil dispensaries, up steeply since then. ment had been facing delay in to deal with and couldn’t tackle precise budget-making and en- tricts each. They would also keep the track basic health units, mother and The initiative is aimed at seg- preparation of budget documents those issues timely. sure timely utilisation of fi nan- Previously, all powers were of the budgetary and human re- child health centre, etc at the dis- regation of powers, budget track- every year prior to approval by “The establishment of FMC cial resources besides putting in held by the district health offi c- sources. trict level. ing and performance appraisal of fi nance department because of has helped the health depart- place a mechanism for tracking ers (DHOs), who often remained The modus operandi has been In the past there was one staff for accurate budget-making the fl aws as the DHOs concerned ment to have clear picture of the of staff ers and their performance preoccupied with host of other adopted on the recommenda- budget for 49 basic health units for the local health facilities to be didn’t have the desired experience. staff and fi nancial resources in for bringing improvement in the assignments, regarding policy tion of Financial Management in Mardan but now each of them able to translate government’s “We want to pursue fi nancial every health facility based on health delivery system at the matters and implementation of Cell (FMC), established in Feb- would be issued separate budget policies into actions. regulations and divert resources which it would send proposals grassroots level. the government’s directives and ruary 2016 on the directives of and staff based on the patients Now, the DHOs, who were re- for the welfare of the patients in a to the fi nance department,” they “KP health department has be- as result performance of the lo- Health Secretary Abid Majeed to load. sponsible for administrative and timely manner,” said offi cials. said. Gulf Times 12 Thursday, August 23, 2018 LATIN AMERICA Auto giant in dispute with Mexican farmers

AFP ing “hail cannons” – sonic de- whether hail cannons actually ing it was taking the cannons off respecting their neighbours’ re- farmers who have been protest- did not immediately answer re- Puebla, Mexico vices that purport to disrupt the work. automatic mode and would only quest to defi nitively stop using ing against Volkswagen, said the quests for comment. formation of hail in the atmos- But local farmers say the can- fi re them when potential hail hail cannons. They are acting hail cannons are “aff ecting the The company has responded phere – to disperse storm clouds nons work so well they have storms approached. arbitrarily,” said Rafael Ramirez, Earth’s cycles.” in the past that it has all neces- exican farming com- menacing the thousands of new dispersed not only hail storms It also pledged to invest in the top local environmental of- When they emit their sonic sary permits from Puebla state munities accused cars parked on its lots. but all precipitation since May protective mesh to serve as its fi cial. booms, “the sky literally clears offi cials to operate the devices. MGerman auto giant But farmers in Cuautlancingo, – what was supposed to be the fi rst line of defence against hail. “The company can take other and it simply doesn’t rain,” he Volkswagen launched op- Volkswagen on Tuesday of “ar- the rural municipality where the start of the rainy season. But that only added to the fury measures to protect its cars, but said. erations in Mexico in 1965. The bitrarily” provoking a drought plant is located, say the contro- The farmers are reportedly of local farmers and offi cials who people here can’t live off any- It is not the fi rst environmen- Puebla plant is its largest in the in the central state of Puebla to versial technique is causing a seeking more than 70mn pesos have been protesting against the thing but their land,” he said. tal controversy for the car maker, world outside Germany. protect its newly manufactured drought that has made them lose (nearly $4mn) in compensation auto maker. “Volkswagen claims to be an which is still dealing with the It produces more than cars from hail. 2,000 hectares (nearly 5,000 from the automaker. “It is unacceptable that they environmentally friendly com- fallout of an emissions cheating 450,000 vehicles a year and op- Volkswagen, which has a ma- acres) of crops. Volkswagen tried to defuse the continue using this device, even pany, but they’re not showing scandal that erupted in 2015. erates around the clock, employ- jor plant in Puebla, has been us- Scientists are sceptical over confl ict this week by announc- in manual mode. They are not it.” Gerardo Perez, a leader of the Volkswagen Mexico offi cials ing some 15,000 people.

Ecuador to Bolsonaro gains ground organise migrant crisis in Brazil presidential poll meeting Reuters Brasilia AFP Quito ight-wing frontrunner Jair Bolsonaro’s sup- Rport has grown ahead of cuador will organise a Brazil’s presidential election in meeting of 13 Latin Ameri- October, while second-place Ecan countries to discuss environmentalist Marina Silva the Venezuelan migrant crisis, edged up in a new Datafolha poll Quito’s top diplomat said. released yesterday. More than 2mn people have Excluding jailed former pres- fl ed economic collapse in Ven- ident Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, ezuela during a four-year reces- Bolsonaro continued to lead sion, according to the United with 22% of voter intentions, up Nations, piling pressure on from 19% in the previous Data- neighbouring countries as well folha poll in June. as others further afi eld. Silva’s support edged up to Ecuador and Peru have an- 16% from 15% in June, failing to nounced tighter entry measures narrow the gap with Bolsonaro. to control the infl ux of Venezue- Business favourite Geraldo lans, leaving many stranded on Alckmin remained stuck in sin- those countries’ northern bor- gle digits with 9%, up from 7% ders with Colombia. in June. The latter’s migration director, Lula was registered as a Christian Kruger, on Tuesday presidential candidate by his called on Colombia’s southern Workers Party last week but neighbours to agree on a com- will likely be barred from run- mon strategy to address the ning by the electoral court due problem. to his corruption conviction Last week, both Ecuador and that led to a 12-year jail sen- Peru announced they would re- tence. quire Venezuelans to show pass- Bolsonaro, a former army ports to enter their countries, captain who favours easing but Kruger said he was “wor- gun control to fight crime, has ried about the consequences” stirred controversy with com- as around half of Venezuelans ments denigrating women, heading south through Colombia gays, blacks and indigenous File photo shows presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro of the Party for the Social Liberal Party (PSL) speaking next to candidate Marina Silva of the Brazilian Sustainability are carrying only ID cards. people. Network Party (REDE) during a television debate at the Rede TV studio in Osasco, Brazil. Kruger told W Radio that Despite this, Bolsonaro has while the migrant crisis “isn’t led the field from the outset in Lula’s stead, has risen to 4% the massive support enjoyed the poll, his support surged to 28 % from 33 % in June. That 10%. Gomes has failed to draw Peru, Ecuador and Colombia’s when Lula is excluded, by tap- since June, when he polled just by Lula. 39% from 30% in the previ- makes the Oct 7 election the the support of Lula voters he responsibility” he wants the ping into voter anger over po- 1%. The former president was ous Datafolha survey. If Lula’s most open and uncertain in would need to become the new three to “work together in a co- litical corruption. Haddad’s chances of mak- convicted of taking bribes and name is not on the ballot, the decades. standard bearer of Brazil’s left. ordinated manner, employing Support for Lula’s running ing the second-round runoff a half dozen other corruption number of voters who say they Centre-left candidate Ciro Datafolha surveyed 8,433 vot- similar policies to address this mate, Fernando Haddad, the between the two candidates accusations are still under in- will intentionally invalidate Gomes, a former governor of ers across Brazil Aug 20-21. The phenomenon.” former Sao Paulo mayor who who get the most votes will vestigation. their ballot, not vote for any- Ceara state in Brazil’s poorer poll has a margin of error of two Regional giants Brazil, Ar- is expected to head the ticket hinge on his ability to tap into When Lula is included in one or are undecided falls to Northeast, has held steady at percentage points. gentina and Mexico were among the invitees to the Ec- uador meeting, as well as Ven- ezuela itself. Others include impacted countries such as Colombia, Former Argentine leader Fernandez Panic but no injuries Peru and Chile. Ecuador’s deputy migration minister, Santiago Chavez said as Venezuela hit by it was important to establish to allow searches of her properties policies to “confront in the best manner and most responsible 7.3 magnitude quake way, the unusual flux of Ven- Reuters ezuelan citizens.” Buenos Aires Colombia has been flooded AFP but that “for now, there are no by more than a million Vene- Caracas reports of victims.” zuelans over the last 16 months ormer Argentine presi- Some buildings suff ered and Kruger was critical of the dent Cristina Fernandez structural damage, he told state Peruvian and Ecuadoran moves Fhas agreed to allow in- enezuela was rocked TV. last week. vestigators to search proper- by a 7.3-magnitude Dorothy Villalobos said she “Asking for a passport isn’t ties belonging to her as part of Vearthquake near its was in a bank when the quake going to stop migration because a corruption case in which con- northeastern coast Tuesday, struck. “The windows started they’re leaving their country struction company executives the US Geological Survey said, to move, and the tables and not out of choice but out of ne- have said they paid bribes for causing buildings to sway and chairs,” she said. cessity,” he said. government contracts. people to run into the street She said bank employees told But Chavez insisted that “the The scandal is of importance in panic but there were no re- everyone to get out but some worst thing that can happen to to next year’s presidential elec- ports of fatalities or injuries. queueing at a cash dispenser — the country is migratory chaos tion, in which leftist Fernandez The tremor was an added desperate to withdraw the lim- in which no one knows what may try to unseat Argentina’s headache for a country whose ited notes they’re authorised happens to the foreign citizens current leader, Mauricio Macri, economy is unravelling amid to claim in the cash-strapped that enter.” whose popularity has fallen as hyperinfl ation and wide- country — “didn’t want to The UN’s Refugee Agency the economy slips into reces- spread grassroots anger with leave.” “The pictures wobbled says almost 550,000 Venezue- sion and infl ation soars. the leftist government. and the window panes creaked. lans have entered Ecuador since The scandal exploded this Jose Nevada, 35, from the I went down the stairs and the the start of the year but claims month when a local newspa- eastern Delta Amacuro state, doors of every apartment on the that only 20% of those remain, per revealed that a chauff eur said the tremor was very strong 10 fl oors of my building were with the rest continuing on to employed by the Fernandez there. “People ran out into the open,” Jose Oviedo, who lives Peru and Chile. administration said he kept streets, many stayed there and just to the east of Caracas, said. Kruger, though, said the records of cash deliveries from in some places the lights went “We gathered downstairs. I saw “worst thing that can happen to construction executives to gov- out,” he said by telephone. a redheaded lady, white from a country is having an undocu- ernment offi cials from 2005 to The tremor was felt for sev- fright, crying.” mented foreign population. 2015. Thousands of protesters gather in front of the National Congress in Buenos Aires, to demand senators eral seconds some 400 kilome- The USGS said the tremor We want this migration to take Fernandez denies wrong- to strip former Argentine president Cristina Kirchner of her parliamentary immunity and approve a tres away in the capital Caracas, occurred just after 5:30pm place in an orderly and secure doing and has immunity as a search order to investigate her as part of a massive anti-corruption case. notably in tall buildings. (2130 GMT), with the epicentre fashion and the way to do this is senator. Many were evacuated for close to the coast of the state of to identify this population.” “I have no problem with ecutorial crusade against me,” More than a dozen executives whether to allow Fernandez’s fears of aftershocks or lasting Sucre, at a depth of 123 kilome- More than 800,000 Ven- the Senate authorising what she tweeted. and offi cials from Fernandez’s properties to be searched. structural damage. tres. ezuelans have been given tem- has been asked for by (judge Critics of Fernandez on administration have been ar- Credit ratings agencies People gathered in streets, Venezuela’s Seismology In- porary residency in Colombia Claudio) Bonadio,” Fernandez Tuesday called on the Senate to rested. Moody’s and Fitch have warned plazas and parks — any place to vestigations Foundation meas- since the migrant crisis began, tweeted, referring to the judge remove her immunity and for Fernandez says she is being that the scandal could prove get away from buildings — and ured the quake at magnitude which Kruger blames on Ven- in charge of the case, who has her to be prosecuted. persecuted by Macri, and ac- damaging to Argentina’s cred- hugged each other. 6.3 and said it hit the town of ezuela President Nicolas Ma- requested her three homes be Her second term ended in cuses him of using the scan- itworthiness and economy. They tried desperately to Yaguaraparo in Sucre at a depth duro practising a deliberate searched for evidence. 2015 when she was succeeded dal to distract media attention Weighed down in part by a make calls with cell phones of just 100 metres (330 feet). “policy of expulsion” towards “But I want to make clear that by Macri, whose orthodox poli- from an economy hobbled by sell-off in emerging markets but service was disrupted for a It later revised the magnitude his own people in order to re- my decision should in no way cies are at odds with her eff orts infl ation running at more than world-wide, Argentina’s peso while. Interior Minister Nes- to 6.9. The quake was also felt duce the country’s population validate the irrational measures at increasing government con- 31% annually. currency has weakened 8.6% tor Reverol said the prolonged in Trinidad and Tobago off the and “improve the distribution taken by Bonadio in his pros- trol of the economy. The Senate is set to vote on this month to 30 per US dollar. quake was felt in several states coast of Venezuela. of resources.” Gulf Times Thursday, August 23, 2018 13 PHILIPPINES

Two soldiers killed in Palace eyes probe into attack by rebels

DPA Robredo kin’s drug links Manila Manila Times the illegal drug trade in the city. president so the law in her own as he earlier said while he con- to all available information that “There has been a lot of accusa- Manila In an interview aired over city and her own relatives are templated on resigning from only a president has access to,” tions against the vice president, wo soldiers were killed radio station dzMM, Palace followed,” he said. Roque added his post. The Naga City council he added. The Robredo camp has but no proof is being presented. in an attack by sus- spokesman Harry Roque Jr said that it is not the practice of Du- on Friday, through a resolution, dismissed the allegations linking The vice president is used to peo- Tpected communist he supposed connection the development should be terte to spread lies. denied the claim, saying the late Butch Robredo to the illegal drug ple trying to besmirch her and rebels while on the way back of the brother-in-law of looked into by the government. “That is the brother-in-law of former Naga City mayor “dedi- trade in Naga City. her family’s name, even appalling to their camp in the east of TVice President Maria Le- “First of all, what they slung Robredo, the president did not cated his life to the fi ght against “It is very clear that this is black comments about her daughters,” the Philippines, the military onor “Leni” Robredo with the back to the president is his state- do ways to say these. And, he illegal drugs.” propaganda. No less than the Naga he added. said yesterday. alleged proliferation of illegal ment is nonsense, but now a knows he will be held liable for Roque on Monday said an ex- City council issued a unanimous Robredo has already con- The victims had just par- drugs in Naga City, Camarines relative of the vice president is perjury or false testimony if he is planation of Duterte’s statement resolution expressing indignation demned Duterte’s remarks. ticipated in a basketball game Sur, should be looked into, Ma- being tagged to verify the infor- lying and he might even be liable was not necessary, since the pres- at the president’s claims. The local “Nobody can besmirch the with residents of a village in lacanang said yesterday mation of the president,” Roque for libel,” the Palace spokesman ident has proof and data that are offi cials of the city worked hard to name of Naga City that way be- the town of Camalig in Albay On Tuesday, former Naga City added. said. Duterte called Naga City exclusively for him. keep their city well governed, and cause that is not the truth. Com- province, south of Manila, as councillor Luis Ortega backed “So, what is important is for a “hotbed of shabu” during the “The president does not have even the Philippine Drug Enforce- ments like these cannot be made part of the military’s commu- the claim of President Rodrigo us to really know the truth be- recent launching of Go Nego- to present any proof. He already ment Agency (PDEA] of Southern just because I have to be insulted nist support programme. Duterte that the home city of hind this because the vice presi- syo’s Pilipinas Angat Lahat pro- has access to information, he said Luzon has said that those claims and so you drag the whole city Captain Joash Pramis, an Robredo is a “hotbed” of shabu. dent is serving the country and gramme. it, let it be. If he is wrong, he will by the president were not true,” to make a point,” the vice presi- army spokesman said the Ortega even linked Butch Ro- if there are really developments This is in connection with apologise. Until he does, he stands Ibarra Gutierrez, spokesman for dent, a lawyer like Duterte, said soldiers were not able to fi ght bredo, a brother of the late inte- like these, we should know the Duterte underlining again the by it,” Roque said. the vice president, said in a radio in her weekly radio show Biser- back because they were un- rior secretary Jesse Robredo, to steps being taken by the vice “incompetence” of Robredo, “I can only say he has access interview yesterday. bisyong Leni. armed when attacked. Communist rebels have been fi ghting the Philippine government since the late 1960s, making the movement Accolade for officers one of the longest-running Duterte confi dent leftist insurgencies in Asia. A scheduled resump- tion of peace talks with the about health despite Netherlands-based leaders of the insurgency has been suspended due to concerns ‘perpetual pain’ over continued attacks by the rebels, despite a proposed ceasefi re. Manila Times a motorcycle accident several The postponement Manila years ago. prompted the founding Since the incident, the presi- chairman of the rebel Com- dent said he could no longer munist Party of the Philip- resident Rodrigo Duterte take long-haul fl ights because pines to announce that they admitted that he was bat- he becomes dizzy. “Because of “can no longer negotiate” a Ptling “perpetual pain” a motorcycle accident. I have a peace agreement with the from a past motorcycle accident C4 and C7 (nerve roots) that are administration of President but was certain that he is going impinged. That’s why I am in Rodrigo Duterte. to have a “long life.”. perpetual pain. On any day, it’s , who is The president made the ad- seven in a scale of 10,” he said. in self-imposed exile in the mission as he blasted anew com- Duterte recalled that he did Netherlands, said it was munist leader Jose Maria “Joma” not take operations to cure his “relatively easier and more Sison for spreading an unveri- severe spinal injuries because productive” for the rebels fi ed report that he had fallen into procedures may have gone “to participate in the oust- coma. “awry.” Duterte movement” and pre- In his fi rst public appearance He also said that his doctors pare for talks with the next in Cebu City since the rumours advised him not to regularly take administration. about his health circulated on- pain killers, as he was told to Duterte has shrugged off line over the weekend, Duterte “better come to terms with (his) Sison’s statement, saying he assured the public that he would body.” has no problem continuing live longer, contrary to Sison’s “That is how doctors threaten the war with the communist claim that his health is failing. me. ‘Go ahead,’ he said, ‘if you rebels. “I don’t know what he (Sison) encounter trouble, there are so On the weekend, Sison means by ‘comatose ako (I’m many nerves there, if it’s dam- posted on Facebook that he comatose).’ I was only in bed. aged, goodbye to you’,” Duterte had unverifi ed information Comatose? I still have a long life said. Duterte was comatose, which ahead of me,” Duterte said. “But the doctor doesn’t want the 73-year-old leader later But Duterte admitted that he me to frequently use painkill- At least 826 newly-promoted commissioned and non-commissioned off icers gather at , during the donning and dispelled by appearing in was in constant pain because of ers. He said, ‘You better come to pinning of rank insignia witnessed by their families. public and lashing out at the a spinal injury he suff ered from terms with your body.’” communist rebel leader. Anti-poverty agency chief quits Customs seizes fake cigarettes worth millions By Mary Gleefer F Jalea enced her decision to quit, she Makabayan lawmakers Teodoro Manila Times said. Casino and Satur Ocampo were “Genuine change cannot earlier ordered arrested by the By William Depasupil tured inside it,” Lapena said in happen when old forces of fas- Regional Trial Court Branch Manila Times a press briefing at the site. ational Anti-Poverty cism and corruption, as well as 40 in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija The suspects – 16 males and Commission chief Liza the defenders of elite and for- over the abduction and death a female – were reportedly NMaza announced her eign interests are consolidating of Jimmy Peralta and Carlito eventeen Chinese alleg- from Hu Bei, Fu Jian, An Hui resignation from the Cabinet position in the government,” Bayudang of the rival Akbayan edly engaged in the man- and Xi An in China. of President Rodrigo Duterte, a Maza said. party-list in 2003 and 2004, re- Sufacture of fake cigarettes They are now in the custody week after murder cases against She said she would continue spectively. were arrested during a raid in of the Gapan City police pend- her and fellow militant leaders, working with the masses to On August 13, the court dis- a warehouse in Gapan City, ing charges for violation of Re- pursued by government law- push for “genuine participation missed the charges, which Maza Nueva Ecija by joint operatives public Act 8293 or the Intellec- yers, were dropped. in bringing change to the soci- and her colleagues had said of the Bureau of Customs- tual Property Code. “Upon deeper refl ection on ety.” were trumped-up cases. Enforcement Security (BoC- Lapena said follow-up in- the events of the past few weeks, “I hope the president fi nds In a news briefi ng, Palace ESS) and the Philippine Na- vestigations are ongoing to as well as the direction in which it in his heart to listen to the spokesman Harry Roque Jr said tional Police (PNP) and seized confirm the identities of the this administration appears to people’s clamour for genuine Maza’s departure was a wasted P200mn worth of cigarettes. suspects and determine the be heading, I am announcing change. I hope he is still open opportunity for the leftists. Customs Commissioner origin of the raw materials and that I have tendered this morn- to resuming the negotiations,” “No one asked her to leave Isidro Lapeña said that six- cigarette-making machines. ing my irrevocable resignation Maza said. and in her letter, she said the cigarette-making machines, “The owner still has 15 days as secretary and lead convenor Maza’s resignation completes decision was prompted by de- raw materials and fake Bureau from the date of inspection to of the National Anti-Poverty the departure of leftists from velopments leading to the can- of Internal Revenue (BIR) tax produce evidence of payment Commission,” Maza said. the Duterte Cabinet, with their cellation of the peace talks,” stamps valued at more than on the imported items, oth- She said the most important once cozy ties with the presi- Roque said. P200mn, were found at the erwise, the bureau will issue a reason for her exit was Duterte’s dent fraying because of the gov- Liza Maza: protest over cancellation of peace talks with rebels “I do not know really why she warehouse in Barangay Pam- warrant of seizure and deten- cancellation of peace talks with ernment’s decision to back out had to connect the peace talks buan, site of the illegal opera- tion,” the Customs chief said. the communist rebels. of peace talks with communist Duterte wanted a nominee rep- Taguiwalo failed to get congres- with her work as NAPC chair. It tion. Finance Secretary Carlos The election of Gloria Maca- rebels. resenting the leftist National sional confi rmation, while ur- would have been a perfect op- “Our customs police did a Dominguez has ordered the pagal-Arroyo as speaker of the Maza was a representative of Democratic Front (NDF). ban poor commission chairman portunity for the left to show three-week surveillance of the BoC and BIR to intensify the House of Representatives and the Gabriela party-list before Former agrarian reform Terry Ridon was sacked for ex- that they can lead and of course, warehouse after a tip from a anti-smuggling campaign the impending return of the she was appointed lead con- secretary Rafael Mariano and cessive travel. the NAPC is a very important reliable source that counterfeit against fake cigarettes and cig- Marcoses to power also infl u- vener of the NAPC in 2016, as former social welfare chief Judy Maza, Mariano and former offi ce,” he added. cigarettes were being manufac- arette-making machines. Martial law excesses ‘will not be forgotten’

Manila Times til justice has been served. other anti-Marcos organisa- tions were involved in making seems like Marcos is coming The SPARK reaction Manila There is also no moving on, in tions in protesting the burial of people remember the many back to haunt us.” stemmed from Gov. Marcos’ that we will never forget the her father, the former president atrocities that happened dur- “We now live in a time statement in a press confer- damage martial law has done. , at the Lib- ing martial rule and how it is where there is blatant disre- ence in Cebu City where she youth group criticised She has no right to claim what ingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig still affecting our lives,” it said. gard of human rights that is said: “The millennials have Ilocos Norte Governor our stand is on the issue,” the City in November 2016. The group said that the Ro- directly enabled by the presi- moved on, and I think people AImee Marcos over her Samahan ng Progresibong “ seems to have drigo Duterte administration dent, critics are tagged as en- at my age should also move on claim that the “millenials have Kabataan (SPARK) said in a forgotten how the youth mo- was a reminder of Marcos be- emies of the state and we are as well.” moved on” from Martial Law statement yesterday. bilised against the late dictator cause like the late president, incurring large amounts of Marcos attended the Visayan and other issues surrounding The group reminded Marcos Ferdinand Marcos’ burial at the the incumbent Rodrigo Duterte foreign debt under the infa- Island Cluster Conference of her family. on how the millenials joined Libingan ng mga Bayani, and refuses to listen to people’s mous Build Build Build pro- the League of Municipalities of Imee Marcos: facing criticism “There is no moving on un- victims of Martial Law and how different youth organisa- demands. Under Duterte, “it gramme,” the group said. the Philippines. Gulf Times 14 Thursday, August 23, 2018 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Manafort convictions show Mueller’s probe is no ‘witch hunt’

In fi nding former Trump campaign Chairman Paul Manafort guilty of serious fi nancial crimes, a federal jury on Tuesday not only ratifi ed much of the case off ered by prosecutors in a complicated trial; it also made it harder for US President Donald Trump to discredit the larger investigation being conducted by Special Counsel Robert S Mueller III. This was no “witch hunt.” After being presented with voluminous evidence and testimony about the tens of millions of dollars Manafort made working for a pro-Russian political Rohingya lives play party in Ukraine and his eff orts to conceal his income from the US government, the jury convicted the veteran political consultant of fi ve counts of fi ling false tax returns, two counts of bank fraud and one count of failure to disclose a foreign bank account. That the jury failed to reach a verdict on 10 other out as refugees counts, causing the judge to declare a mistrial on those charges, is undeniably a disappointment for AFP But contraception remains taboo two tuk-tuks crammed into a narrow region cut deep by ethnic and religious the prosecution. But it doesn’t alter the seriousness Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh among Rohingya men. alleyway. enmity. of the crimes of which Manafort was found guilty. If “They really don’t want to use it as Nur’s face is covered throughout “He was a good man,” Mabia says, it’s a cultural and a religious issue,” as per custom, while relatives of her mopping tears with the corner of her anything, it shows that the jurors approached their newborn yet to be named says family planning expert Shapta husband’s family try to draw her out headscarf as her husband’s body lies responsibility with care and deliberation. squirms in a mother’s arms; Aktar. from her home in a ritual that descends under a grey blanket below, his lips and The charges on which Manafort was convicted didn’t a marriage party lights up a But Rohingya women are increasingly into a water fi ght. nose pressing through the cloth. involve allegations of illegal collusion between Trump’s Afetid lane; a dead man’s face taking charge of their bodies. “I’m happy,” says Wahidur as he The family fl ed last year from Tula campaign and Russia, Mueller’s primary focus. Mueller makes a soft impression on the blanket Contraceptive injections — sneaks a cigarette away from his family. Toli, the site of an alleged massacre of covering him — with no route home discreet and short-term — have “The marriage was arranged by our Rohingya villagers by Myanmar security was able to pursue them Rohingya lives are playing out in the surged from five a month to 250, parents...the last time I saw her (Nur) forces. anyway because the judge refugee camps of Bangladesh. Aktar adds. she was young, she has been inside Before he joined them in Bangladesh, The jurors ruled that allegations Chased from Myanmar in waves “WELL COME TO HAPPY since,” he says of a tradition that sees Najmul was held for a month by that Manafort received reaching back to the late 1970s, a MARRIAGE DAY 10.08.2018” reads unmarried young Rohingya women kept soldiers. approached funds from pro-Russian million of the stateless Rohingya are the pink banner inside a rattan- housebound. “They kept asking ‘why did you cornered in one of the most densely walled shack, the decorations of Refugees like Wahidur who were convert and live with these people their Ukrainians fell under populated areas on Earth. bright tissue paper incongruent with born in the camps fear they have (Rohingya)?’”, his wife says. the special counsel’s Most are unable to work legally, the mud and sewage that glistens been relegated in the eyes of the aid He left behind four young children responsibility mandate from the Justice move freely or access full education — outside. community by the massive needs of in a Rohingya refugee camp and fi ve Department. existences pared back to the basics of The nuptials are for groom Wahidur the 700,000 Rohingya who arrived last Burmese off spring from a previous with care and survival. Rahman, a 21-year-old born in the year. marriage. Even so, Manafort’s The camps of Cox’s Bazar district camp, and his bride Nur Kaida. “I don’t know what will happen,” the An elder with a beard and a prayer deliberation conviction is a setback for buzz with children, typically curious Her husband insists his wife is 18. newlywed Wahidur says. “It depends on cap carefully measures the body with a Trump’s unceasing eff ort and mischievous, but many also Neighbours say she is younger, yet the will of Allah.” bamboo stick. to discredit the special counsel. underfed, with few clothes, less hesitate to give an age. Najmul Islam died in a roadside shack The burial will be on a neat hillside Minutes before the Manafort verdict was returned, schooling and nothing but homemade Rohingya marry young and concerns aged 72 after months suff ering from cemetery nearby, where in death, the toys for entertainment. are mounting that a rising number of tuberculosis and jaundice. order that was missing from the chaotic Michael Cohen, Trump’s longtime lawyer, pleaded Expectations of marrying early, adolescent girls are being married off to A Buddhist — and a former Myanmar last year of Najmul’s life is once again guilty in a Manhattan courtroom to eight counts of having a family and dying a refugee men they barely know. soldier — he converted to Islam in his re-established. violating federal campaign fi nance, bank and tax are realities, with faith and tradition Women and girls in bright sequined mid-fi fties and married Mabia Khatun, “I took him home from hospital. I laws. The Cohen investigation started with a referral providing rare constants for a minority saris, make-up and henna tattoos lead a Rohingya who was 15 at the time. wanted him to breathe his last breath without a state. the party, while music blares from It was a rare union in Rakhine, a here,” says Mabia. from Mueller’s team, but was conducted by federal “One day I want my daughter to see prosecutors in New York. Myanmar,” says 20-year-old Setara Among other things, Cohen admitted to violating of a tiny eight-day-old child born in federal campaign fi nance law by secretly arranging to a bamboo shack in the Thangkhali buy the silence of two women – actress Stormy Daniels refugee camp where the family arrived last year. (whose real name is Stephanie Cliff ord) and former “But I won’t go back unless everyone model Karen. else does.” Cohen’s plea could prove more damaging to the Throughout her pregnancy, Setara president than the Manafort verdict, if evidence backs did not seek help from the NGO-run up Cohen’s assertion that Trump knew about and health centres. Instead like most Rohingya women, directed the payoff s. Cohen has hardly been a pillar of she relied on a traditional midwife — veracity, and his deep legal jeopardy further challenges known to Rohingya as “diama” — for his credibility. Yet on Tuesday he sought to rope Trump the delivery. into an alleged conspiracy to violate federal campaign Five thousand babies will be born over the next few months across the fi nance law. new refugee camps, according to the Now the question is whether the president might be United Nations Population Fund, which tempted to use his pardon power to overturn the jury’s delivers 300 babies each month in its verdict and preempt the second trial Manafort is facing facilities alone. next month in Washington, DC, on charges of money The birth rate has kept the diama busy. laundering, failing to register as a foreign agent and “Sometimes I have gloves, but if attempted obstruction of justice. there are none available I will do the Trump needs to realise that a pardon for Manafort, delivery with my bare hands,” says Cohen or any other potential witness in Mueller’s 60-year-old Majuna Begum. She has delivered 22 babies in nine investigation would be seen as just as corrupt as any months at the camp without charge. other attempt to interfere in the special counsel’s Pregnant women are expected to investigation. - Tribune News Service provide the diama with a basic delivery kit — fresh cloths, scissors, a needle and a tub with clean water. To Advertise But there is no pain relief or antibiotics. [email protected] She insists that she will not assist Display with births “if there are complications”. But plenty of others do, say health 44466621 44418811 workers. Almost 10% of births involve Classified complications and without full medical 44466609 44418811 care the risks of infection and injury to the mother or asphyxiation of the Subscription newborn are high. The birth rate among the new refugee [email protected] community is potentially dangerous for women and unsustainable for the camps, given the extreme resource squeeze on an Rohingya refugee Setara (right) sits behind her 8-day-old baby, and her mother-in-law Sokhina Khatun at the Thangkhali © 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved already poor wedge of Bangladesh. refugee camp near Cox’s Bazar on August 11, 2018. Gulf Times Thursday, August 23, 2018 15 COMMENT Hard lessons from Genoa bridge collapse

By Paola Subacchi growth. Genoa was a major industrial alternative to the overused Morandi Genoa city, with steelworks and shipbuilding, Bridge involves the construction of a and one of Europe’s main ports. new road link around Genoa’s north Then, when demand-management edge. For years, local residents and s our infrastructure safe? In the policies went out of fashion, so politicians – including members of aftermath of the collapse of the did government’s role in long- the ruling Five Star Movement – have Morandi Bridge in Genoa, this term infrastructure planning and opposed this plan. Iis the question on everybody’s market coordination. Given the The Morandi Bridge was mind. Of course, we could argue fi scal excesses of the 1970s and the inaugurated in 1967 with great that disasters like this are one-off s, need to control public spending, the pomp by Italy’s president. Back and even believe that they may be alleged neutrality of the market was then, political capital was built peculiar to Italy – a country where preferred to government intervention around such projects – and not only infrastructure projects are often fertile as a mechanism to allocate taxpayers’ because of patronage and corruption. ground for corruption. But we would money. With the growing public Nowadays, modern democracies only be fooling ourselves. debt (at approximately 132% of GDP, seem stuck around the trade-off In Western Europe and the United Italy’s sovereign debt is one of the between collective benefits from States, bridges, roads, and railways world’s largest) leading to an embrace infrastructure and individual rights, built in the 1950s and 1960s during of neoliberalism, the result was the and large projects are often the kiss of the post-war reconstruction and privatisation of many infrastructure death for a politician’s career. economic boom are now old, obsolete, projects. “Not in my backyard” epitomises and overused. Does any developed While the allocation mechanisms local residents’ demand not to be economy have a long-term strategy to have improved, putting most subjected to the disruptions such manage its essential infrastructure? infrastructure in private hands has projects inevitably entail. But these Are risks being correctly assessed and made it more diffi cult to plan for demands have resulted in many mitigated? What are the trade-off s the very long term – a half-century infrastructure projects – such as the between maintaining and replacing and longer – and to assume the risks third runway at Heathrow or the high- infrastructure approaching the end of intrinsic to large projects. Private speed railway between Turin and Lyon its life? And how can citizens infl uence investors’ shorter time horizon relative – being postponed for years. Thus, for the public debate about who should to the public sector has given rise the public sector, too, the default mode pay for infrastructure and where it to the “curse of good enough,” with has been to maintain old infrastructure should be built? incentives skewed toward maintaining as long as possible. Italy and other advanced economies rather than replacing and upgrading High-quality infrastructure is need policies that strategically and infrastructure. essential to economic sustainability sustainably connect infrastructure A modern infrastructure policy and prosperity. Without healthy plans that local and central will have to address two critical public debate that focuses on projects’ governments have produced over questions. The fi rst is who will pay for costs and benefi ts, on collective the years. They need to assess the infrastructure construction. Financing responsibilities and individual rights, resources and assets that will be by the central government through and on the trade-off s that the diff erent required in the years ahead. And they tax revenues might be unfair to those choices imply, infrastructure hits the should highlight the social value, who never use such infrastructure, or headline only when disasters strike, rather than only the immediate do not directly benefi t from it because triggering a cascade of accusations, fi nancial returns, of essential they live in other areas. In that case, recrimination, and political infrastructure. The collapsed Morandi Bridge in the Italian port city of Genoa. Picture taken on August 16, 2018. should the local authority pick up the opportunism. With the can continuing Upgrading trains and railway cost, or should projects be fi nanced to be kicked down the road while networks, for example, creates individual to collective value. building and maintenance, while the motorway network and the company through public-private partnerships, existing infrastructure approaches its effi ciencies in terms of both When construction of the private sector was involved at some now implicated in the collapse of the with tolls charged to users? Each expiration date, we can expect many commuting time and environmental Morandi Bridge began in 1963, point in the construction phase. Morandi Bridge. In those years, the solution requires a careful assessment more such headlines in the not-too- impact, with positive eff ects on many governments were actively involved There was even scope for financial Italian economy was expanding, in real of trade-off s and public-policy distant future. - Project Syndicate communities. For this, the public in infrastructure investment and innovation. terms, at an annual rate of 5.3%, on priorities. debate should be shifted: from short- in managing – and owning – key The fi rst-ever Eurobond was average, and infrastructure investment The second question concerns zPaola Subacchi is a senior fellow at term to long-term impact and from public utilities. Tax revenues funded issued in 1963 by Autostrade, Italy’s made a signifi cant contribution to GDP where to build new infrastructure. The Chatham House.

A man for all diplomatic seasons Three-day forecast TODAY disputed presidential election and Maximum Temperature : 410c By Gordon Brown Minimum Temperature : 320c Edinburgh post-election ethnic violence. Annan’s mediation undoubtedly prevented the FRIDAY loss of more lives. Maximum Temperature : 400c ofi Annan will be mourned In the last few months, I talked Minimum Temperature : 320c on every continent. Under with Annan about Myanmar and the SATURDAY his leadership of the United pathbreaking proposals put forth by Maximum Temperature : 430c KNations, internationally his Advisory Commission on Rakhine Minimum Temperature : 310c State, which, even now, off er the best shared goals for development (the Fisherman's forecast Millennium Development Goals) chance of reconciliation and an end were agreed for the fi rst time. But to the crisis that has been destroying WARNING lives in that strife-torn country. He Inshore : Expected poor vis- there were other important fi rsts ibility at places by early that occurred on Annan’s watch: loyally supported the international morning The Global Fund to Fight Aids, work to fi ll a gap in the global Offshore : Nil Tuberculosis, and Malaria was created; architecture for development, by WEATHER Inshore : Misty to foggy at places $100bn of African debt was forgiven; backing the Education Commission’s by early morning, aid to the poorest countries rose fast; plan – along the lines of The Global becomes hot daytime the Responsibility to Protect principle Fund – to create a $10bn International with slight dust at times and humid by night. moved from one man’s aspiration Finance Facility for Education to Offshore : Slight dust. to unanimous endorsement by the achieve the Sustainable Development United Nations General Assembly; and Kofi Annan Goal on universal education. WIND Inshore : Northwesterly-North- the fi rst steps toward the Paris climate Even in the last few months of his easterly 05-15/19 KT agreement were taken. in the future. And it is a tribute to the the genocide in Rwanda before he life, Annan was, as ever, active and These were just a few of the moral force of his vision that he made became secretary-general, as well available to help – advising on the Offshrore : Mainly Northwesterly- Northeasterly 05-15/20 causes that Annan championed. His progress at a time when the Security as the wars in Bosnia, Iraq, and, elections in Zimbabwe, championing KT achievements confound those who write Council was split on almost every more recently, Syria, where for a youth leadership with his programme Visibility : 4-8/2 KM off the UN as a mere talking shop. major issue – as on Iraq – and the UN’s time he was a peace envoy. But even to inspire a new generation of Offshore : 2-4/6 FT at western I remember attending, at his major fi nancier, the United States, did when it came to peacemaking, he internationalists, and calling for areas daytime. more attention to human rights and invitation, a meeting of the Kofi Annan not view him with aff ection. was more than a witness to history. Around the region Foundation in Geneva and discovering Soft spoken, personally His charisma made him friends democracy through the recent reports Weather how in his retirement he was advising, modest, gentle, and almost self- everywhere, and his patience rivalled and conferences run by his foundation. Weather tomorrow Max/min in one way or another, a half-dozen eff acing, Annan was both a UN that of a saint. Despite setbacks and Annan’s journey is over. But the today Max/min Sunny 45/29 countries in Asia, one or two in Latin insider, promoted from within the disappointments, he persevered, and legacy of this leader of leaders will live Baghdad Sunny 43/27 Sunny 45/32 America, and the majority of countries organisation’s ranks to be the fi rst ultimately changed our view of what on in the impact his work continues Kuwait City Cloudy 45/32 Sunny 41/32 of Africa on human rights, elections, African to hold the offi ce of secretary- international co-operation could make to have on the lives of people on every Manama Sunny 39/33 M Sunny 33/28 or poverty alleviation. For that reason, general, and an anti-establishment possible. continent. - Project Syndicate Muscat M Sunny 33/28 Sunny 35/22 no single assessment can do justice to campaigner who galvanised and Supported in his Foundation’s Tehran Sunny 36/23 the breadth and depth of the successes mobilised the international NGO work by his wonderful wife Nane, zGordon Brown, former prime minister of a leader who brought the UN’s community to force change on often- Annan continued to champion, in and chancellor of the exchequer of the decision-making out of smoke-fi lled reluctant states. his retirement, the environmental, United Kingdom, is United Nations rooms and into the 21st century. Of course, the new global order democratic, and anti-poverty causes he Special Envoy for Global Education and Each advance made during Annan’s he sought has been long delayed by had made his life’s work – and he never Chair of the International Commission ten years as secretary-general great-power rivalries, nationalism, gave up. I recall working with him ten on Financing Global Education owed everything to his personal and protectionism. Despite his good years ago as he laboured night and day to Opportunity. He chairs the Advisory commitment, determination, and faith intentions, the UN failed to prevent bring together both sides after Kenya’s Board of the Catalyst Foundation. Live issues Around the world Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Substance in toad skin could help scarless healing Athens Sunny 33/24 M Sunny 33/22 Beirut Sunny 31/26 Sunny 31/26 Bangkok T Storm 33/27 S T Storms 33/26 QNA Zhang Yun, the lead researcher, Berlin M Sunny 33/18 S Showers 24/13 Beijing said he got inspiration from the Cairo Sunny 37/25 P Cloudy 37/24 characteristics of amphibian skin. Cape Town P Cloudy 17/07 Sunny 19/08 “The skin of amphibians bears the Colombo S T Storms 28/25 M Cloudy 28/25 hinese scientists have functions of breathing and water- Dhaka T Storm 32/27 T Storm 32/27 discovered a substance salt balance, and wound repairs must Hong Kong T Storm 32/24 S T Storms 32/28 in toad skin which could be scar-free so as not to damage the Istanbul Sunny 31/23 P Cloudy 30/23 Chelp promote skin tissue physiological functions and cause Jakarta P Cloudy 33/25 P Cloudy 34/24 regeneration and repair, thus helping fatal consequences,” Zhang said. Karachi Cloudy 29/27 Cloudy 29/26 wounds heal without scars. Zhang said the substance can not London Showers 23/12 M Sunny 18/11 The formation of scar tissue is a only promote wound healing, but Manila T Storm 31/26 T Storm 29/26 common by-product of wound repair, also help reduce traumatic edema, Moscow Sunny 21/09 Sunny 23/10 leading to serious clinical dysfunction avoid scar formation, and protect New Delhi T Storm 32/27 S Showers 33/26 and aesthetic problems. skin wounds against antibiotic- New York S Showers 27/18 Sunny 28/19 How to promote tissue regeneration resistant bacterial infection. Paris P Cloudy 29/15 P Cloudy 21/13 while avoiding and reducing scar This research further explained the Sao Paulo P Cloudy 28/16 Sunny 31/19 formation is of great concern. mechanism of tissue regeneration and Seoul T Storm 29/26 Rain 28/23 Scientists from Kunming Institute scar formation. Singapore P Cloudy 32/26 S T Storms 31/26 of Zoology under Chinese Academy It also provided a reference for the Sydney S Showers 16/08 Showers 16/12 of Sciences have found that the Bombina maxima, a species of toad in inducing tissue repair and promoting development of scar-free therapeutic Tokyo Clear 34/26 Cloudy 31/27 pore-forming proteins in the skin of southwest China, have the function of scar-free healing of wounds. drugs. Gulf Times 16 Thursday, August 23, 2018 QATAR

Dar Al Salam Mall showcases Qatari heritage through a traditional dance. PICTURE: Joey Aguilar Mall-goers enjoying the Minions Live Show at Mirqab Mall. Eid revellers throng malls for festivities

By Joey Aguilar Staff Reporter

ntertainment and rotating shows at various locations, Eparticularly the Eid al-Ad- ha celebrations at malls across Qatar, continue to draw and en- thral huge crowds. The 30-minute roving perform- ance, the ‘Qatar Traditional Dance’, at Dar Al Salam Mall delighted sev- eral holiday-goers, followed by The Princess and the Beast between 7pm and 7.45pm and another show be- tween 9pm and 9.45pm. “We have been benefi ting from the increasing footfall due to these Eid al-Adha shows and activities organised by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA),” Dar Al Salam Mall operations man- ager Zahid Iqbal told Gulf Times yesterday. The mall has been hosting vari- ous QTA-organised performances regularly, providing families and children with an array of enter- Eid al-Adha activities at Mirqab Mall was a big draw for children. The Roaming Robots at Lagoona Mall. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil tainment off erings, he added. Holiday-goers will have the response” from residents and general manager of Al Mana Malls Other participating malls such as Mall-goers also enjoy the vari- participants “to transform into B Square Mall, Gulf Mall, Land- chance to witness Peter Pan’s visitors in the country, featuring (which operates Mirqab Mall), Doha Festival City (DHFC) are also ous Ben 10 activities, featuring one of the four signature aliens”. mark Mall, Al Khor Mall and Mall Adventure today between 3.30pm an interactive Minions Live Show told Gulf Times. “We are striving attracting a large number of people “a full experience with all the The Roaming Robots will also of Qatar, as well as Katara – the and 4pm and between 5.30pm at 4pm, 6pm and 8pm. to be the prime destination for with their entertainment off erings aliens from Heathblast to Four be seen in action at DHFC at Cultural Village, Summer Enter- and 6pm at the mall followed by “Eid al-Adha at Mirqab Mall is families in the heart of Doha.” and activities for families. Armswith”, an allocated space for 2.30pm and 5pm today besides tainment City at Doha Exhibi- The Princess and the Beast in two focusing on the family. We have Mirqab Mall will be hosting DHFC’s staging of three Ben 10 children’s arts and crafts sessions, the three Ben 10 shows in the Ac- tion and Convention Centre, and instalments. also set up an activation area for Levitation Man tomorrow at 3pm Live shows, in partnership with and an augmented reality plat- tivity Area. Souq Waqif, to watch Eid shows Shows at Al Mirqab Mall have young children and teens at the and 5.30pm besides the Minions Cartoon Network, continues to be form called the ‘Ben 10 Hero Ex- Residents have also been vis- and take part in a number of fun- also got “an extremely positive centre of the mall,” Rony Mourani, Live Show. a big hit among visitors of all ages. perience AR Pod’, which will allow iting Lagoona Mall, Hyatt Plaza, fi lled activities.

Beach visitors lament poor etiquette

any young revellers are such long distances outside Doha tivities with their friends. looks to visit Khor Al Udeid choosing to enjoy the to enjoy places like Sealine and He also said the relatively bet- whenever possible to practise his MEid al-Adha holidays at Khor Al Udeid (Inland Sea). ter weather conditions during hobby, fi shing, and prefers to go the country’s beaches, including However, they also pointed out the Eid holidays have encouraged to Sealine with his family. those in the Sealine and Khor Al that some visitors spoil the fun a large number of people to visit The Qatari citizen also under- Udeid areas. through practices such as dump- Sealine and Khor Al Udeid. lined the need to maintain cleanli- There is high demand for ac- ing rubbish in undesignated ar- Salim al-Muhannadi, anoth- ness in the area and avoid practices tivities such as swimming, camel eas, especially the burying of er Qatari, said Sealine enjoys a — such as the disposal of barbecue and horse riding and quad biking, barbecue remains in the sand, as number of services and outlets remains in the sand — that spoil among others, local Arabic daily well as reckless driving. that provide visitors with their the natural beauty of Khor Al The police band’s performances are among the activities drawing large crowds to the Cultural Village. Arrayah has reported. Fahad al-Emadi, a Qatari, said requirements easily. However, he Udeid and make the sand dirty. A number of young Qataris and the majority of visitors at Khor Al stressed the need for more eff orts As the weather improves over expatriates say the vast expanse Udeid are young people who go to maintain public hygiene there the coming few months, more of sand and open space, coupled there anytime between the after- due to the “unacceptable con- people are expected to visit these Fireworks, police band draw Katara patrons with the beaches and refreshing noon and midnight to swim, fi sh duct of some visitors”. places for a variety of recreational waters, encourage them to travel and enjoy a variety of sports ac- Nasser al-Buainain said he activities as well as for relaxation. id al-Adha celebrations at Katara — the Cultural Vil- Elage continued to be a huge draw on the second day of the holidays, drawing a large number of visitors yesterday. Katara’s array of entertain- ment shows includes a gift-dis- tribution activity, a musical band and a dazzling fi reworks display. All the elements of the fes- tivities at Katara have received a great response from visitors who spend their evenings at the Cul- tural Village during the holidays. The Eid celebrations are tak- ing place at the Katara Esplanade from 8.15pm to 10pm. Visitors say they are particu- larly thrilled to see the fi reworks display, which takes place at 9.45pm and marks the fi nal act in the day’s proceedings. Another major attraction is the distribution of Eid gifts among children, an activity that gives immense joy to the little ones as The fireworks display is a major attraction at Katara. is evident from the excitement and smiles on their faces. presentations take place twice outdoor activities. This activity takes place from every evening — from 8.15pm Besides the performances 8.40pm to 9.15pm. to 8.40pm, and from 9.15pm to at the esplanade, the Eid cel- Besides, daily performances 9.45pm. ebrations at Katara also feature a by a music band from the Po- Meanwhile, the Katara beach number of art exhibitions taking lice Training Institute have also continues to receive visitors from place in diff erent buildings. turned out to be highly popular 10am until sunset daily, giving Katara also provides its visitors among visitors. people an opportunity to enjoy with a wide variety of food and Many people are spending their Eid holidays at outdoor favourites such as Sealine and Khor Al Udeid. The police band’s musical various water sports and other beverage outlets.