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FRIDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10472 June 2, 2017 Ramadan 7, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals And the winner is...

In brief US pulls

QATAR | Diplomacy FM sends message to Sudanese counterpart out of HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani has sent a written message to his Sudanese counterpart Prof Ibrahim Ghandour pertaining to the relations between the two countries. Qatar’s ambassador to Sudan Rashid bin climate Abdulrahman al-Nuaimi handed the message during a meeting with the Sudanese foreign minister in Khartoum yesterday. During the meeting, the two sides discussed bilateral relations and means to promote them in addition to topics of mutual interest. Babies take part in a Baby Race to mark international Children Day in Vilnius, Lithuania yesterday. Ten-month-old Mykolas accord Pociunas crawled to victory to be crowned Lithuania’s fastest toddler, lured across the finish line by a box of Lego plastic bricks. QATAR | Offi cial Parents and grandparents waved colourful toys, mobile phones, balloons, TV remote controls, plastic bottles and even bagels Ready to negotiate new deal, says tion and its leadership role on the world to get their tots across the finish line. Trump stage are also at stake, as is the envi- Population touches ronment. 2.7mn for fi rst time AFP Nicaragua and Syria are the only Qatar’s population has touched a Washington countries not party to the Paris accord, new high of 2.7mn, according to the the former seeing it as not ambitious Ministry of Development Planning enough and the latter being racked by a and Statistics (MDPS). According resident Donald Trump yester- brutal civil war. to figures released by the ministry day announced America’s with- Trump’s long wind-up prompted yesterday, the population went Trump delays moving Pdrawal from the Paris climate fi erce lobbying, with his environmental up by 0.9%, compared to the April deal, signalling a policy shift with protection chief Scott Pruitt and chief figure of 2,675,522. At the end of May wide-ranging repercussions for the strategist Steve Bannon urging the 31, 2016, the figure was 2,587,000, climate and Washington’s ties with the president to leave. which was 28,000 more than world. A dozen large companies including the previous month’s 2,559,000. embassy to Jerusalem In a highly anticipated statement oil major BP, agrochemical giant Du- Usually from the end of June, the from the White House Rose Garden, Pont, Google, Intel and Microsoft, have population sees a gradual fall until AFP But since coming to offi ce in Janu- sion to maximise the chances of suc- Trump said the United States would also urged Trump to remain part of the the end of September as a number of Washington ary, Trump has met with Israeli and cessfully negotiating a deal between abandon the current deal – but was deal. expatriates go on vacation. Last year, Palestinian leaders both in Wash- Israel and the Palestinians, fulfi lling open to negotiating a new one. Tesla and SpaceX boss Elon Musk almost 110,000 residents travelled ington and in a visit to the region last his solemn obligation to defend Amer- “As of today, the United States will said he would have “no choice” but to out of the country during June on resident Donald Trump yesterday week and has committed himself to ica’s national security interests,” it ex- cease all implementation of the non- leave White House-backed business vacation, according to the MDPS postponed moving the US embas- seeking a long-elusive fi nal peace deal plained. binding Paris accord and the draconian councils if Trump pulls out. statistics. Psy in Israel to Jerusalem, avoiding between them. “But, as he has repeatedly stated his fi nancial and economic burdens the On the diplomatic front, German a provocative step as he tries to revive Congress passed a law in 1995 mak- intention to move the embassy, the agreement imposes on our country,” Chancellor Angela Merkel led the “re- WORLD | Aviation the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. ing it US policy to move the embassy question is not if that move happens, Trump said. main” camp, publicly describing the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin to Jerusalem, symbolically endorsing but only when.” “We’re getting out but we’ll start to deal as “essential,” and suggesting other Laptop ban ‘impacting Netanyahu, who welcomed Trump to Israel’s claim on the city as its capital. Netanyahu’s offi ce expressed disap- negotiate and we will see if we can make countries would press ahead regardless. Middle East-US traffi c’ the city last week, expressed disap- But the law also allowed each presi- pointment, but not anger. a deal that’s fair. And if we can, that’s Trump raised alarm bells when he Restrictions on bringing large pointment at the delay but made it dent to issue and renew a six-month “Maintaining embassies outside great. And if we can’t, that’s fi ne.” refused to sign up to a pledge on the electronic devices into the cabins clear he still values Trump’s support. waiver on carrying out the move. the capital drives peace further away Although details and the timeframe deal at last week’s G7 meeting in Italy. on planes on certain routes to the Palestinian leaders were relieved by Yesterday, the stay came up for re- by helping keep alive the Palestinian are still unclear, Trump argued that the Merkel on Saturday labelled the re- United States are having an eff ect a decision that they said “gives peace a newal for the fi rst time on Trump’s fantasy that the Jewish people and the agreement was a bad deal for Ameri- sult of the “six against one” discussion on traff ic between Middle East and chance,” and a spokesman for UN Sec- watch, and he followed the example Jewish state have no connection to Je- cans and that he was keeping a cam- “very diffi cult, not to say very unsatis- the United States, a global airlines retary General Antonio Guterres said of Bill Clinton, George W Bush and rusalem,” a statement said. paign promise to put American workers factory.” association said yesterday. Overall he hoped the “wise decision” would Barack Obama in instructing his sec- “Though Israel is disappointed that fi rst. European Commission President demand for air travel rose 10.7% in help revive the peace process. retary of state to hold off on the move. the embassy will not move at this time, “I cannot, in good conscience, sup- Jean-Claude Juncker was less diplo- April, but the growth rate for the On the campaign trail, Trump re- “No one should consider this step to we appreciate today’s expression of port a deal that punishes the United matic, all but accusing the US presi- Middle East airlines was slower than peatedly pledged that he would shift be in any way a retreat from the presi- President Trump’s friendship to Israel States, which is what it does,” Trump dent of being ill-informed. its five-year average growth pace, the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusa- dent’s strong support for Israel and for and his commitment to moving the said. “I am a transatlanticist. But if the US a trend not seen in other regions, lem claimed as capital by both Israel the United States-Israel alliance,” the embassy in the future.” The White House has told allies president in the next hours and days the International Air Transport and its Palestinian neighbours, and White House said in a written state- Hussam Zomlot, Palestinian am- the 2015 deal was signed by President says that he will get out of the Paris ac- Association said. In March, traff ic he appointed a US ambassador who ment. bassador to the United States, also is- Barack Obama out of “desperation.” cord, then it’s the responsibility of Eu- measured in revenue passenger shares this goal. “President Trump made this deci- sued a statement. Trump faced last-minute pressure rope to say: that’s not acceptable.” kilometres between the Middle from business tycoons, foreign allies He noted that it would likely take East and the United States fell by and from inside his own White House three or four years to exit from the Paris 2.8% year-on-year, the first drop in not to pull out of the 196-party accord. deal, and revealed that world leaders at least seven years. “It’s too early Ever the showman, the 70-year-old had sought to explain that to Trump at to be absolutely sure, but we think gave his decision a reality TV-style the G7 summit. these numbers are indicative of Temperature expected to fall marginally tease, refusing to indicate his prefer- “As it appears, that attempt failed,” some impact on travel,” IATA chief ence either way until his announce- said Juncker. economist Brian Pearce said. he Qatar Met department has visibility yesterday. by the beginning of Monday. ment. Hours ahead of Trump’s announce- said the maximum tempera- In a report yesterday, the Met de- As the wind activity continues, the His decision could seriously hamper ment, China’s Premier Li Keqiang also ARAB WORLD | Confl ict Tture is expected to come down partment said the northwesterly report states, the temperature will eff orts to cut emissions and limit global pledged to stay the course on imple- to the early 40C levels over the com- winds will continue to be strong in decrease as compared to the past few temperature increases. menting the climate accord, and urged US hikes ‘combat ing days even as the windy spell is most areas during the weekend while days. It will reach the early 40C levels The United States is the world’s sec- other countries to do likewise. power’ in Syria likely to continue during the week- the wave height will range from 8-12ft in Doha during the day, which is nor- ond largest emitter of greenhouse gas- “China will continue to implement The US military said yesterday it end. off shore. mal for this time of the year. es, after China. promises made in the Paris Agreement, had bolstered its “combat power” The forecast came as the country The wind speed will gradually Today, meanwhile, strong winds Opponents of withdrawal – said to to move towards the 2030 goal step by in southern Syria, warning that it experienced another day of strong start decreasing from tomorrow and are again expected in most areas along include Trump’s own daughter Ivanka step steadfastly,” Li said in a Berlin joint viewed Iran-backed fighters in the winds, dusty conditions and poor marine warnings will be cancelled with poor visibility due to dust. – have warned that America’s reputa- press conference with Merkel. area as a threat to nearby coalition troops fighting Islamic State. The remarks by a Baghdad-based spokesman for the US-led coalition battling Islamic State was the latest sign of tension in the region, where the United States has forces at the Explosions, gunshots rock resort near Manila airport base around the Syrian town of At Tanf supporting local fighters. AFP with the Philippine National Police to “Guests were screaming. We went Manila ensure that all guests and employees to the basement locker room and hid RAMADAN THOUGHT are safe.” there. People were screaming, guests IS said “lonewolf soldiers” from its and employees were in panic,” Navaro And be afraid of the Day when xplosions and gunfi re were heard group carried out the attack, accord- said. you shall be brought back to Al- at a hotel and a casino resort in ing to the SITE Intelligence Group that “When we smelled smoke, we de- lah. Then every person shall be Ethe Philippine capital yesterday, monitors terrorist organisations. cided to go for the exit in the carpark. paid what he earned, and they and the Islamic State group (IS) quickly There were no immediate reports of That’s where we got out. Before we ex- shall not be dealt with unjustly. claimed responsibility. fatalities or injuries. ited, we heard two gunshots and there (Qur’an 2: 281) People ran screaming out of Resorts Police surrounded the complex fol- was thick smoke on the ground fl oor.” World Manila, which is across a road lowing the reports of the gunfi re, which Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Prayer times from one of the main terminals of the occurred just after midnight. imposed martial law last week across Fajr....3.15 Zuhr....11.32 Asr....2.56 Philippines’ international airport, ac- “I was about to return to the second the southern region of Mindanao to Maghrib.....6.23 Isha.....7.53 cording to television footage. fl oor from my break when I saw people crush what he said was a rising threat “Resorts World Manila is currently running. Some hotel guests said someone of Islamic State there. Fasting times on lockdown following reports of gun- yelled ‘ISIS’,” Maricel Navaro, an employ- He declared martial law shortly after Iftar today ...... 6.23pm fi re from unidentifi ed men,” the com- ee of Resorts World, told DZMM radio. militants went on a rampage through Imsak tomorrow...... 3.05am pany said on its Twitter account. ISIS is another acronym for the Is- the southern city of Marawi, which is “The company is working closely lamic State group. about 800km south of Manila. Smoke billows from the Resorts World building in Pasay City, Metro Manila, yesterday. Gulf Times 2 Friday, June 2, 2017 QATAR

QBIC and QNL receive Ex-Indian ambassador books from HEC Paris EC Paris has gifted “In addition to the HEC over 50 Business Paris core activity of con- HManagement books sistently delivering high- to Qatar Business Incubation quality executive education, Centre (QBIC) and Qatar Na- we are committed to helping tional Library (QNL). shape the future of Qatar and George Joseph is dead The books are a selection society and this is one of the from the media centre col- many ways we hope to con- By Ramesh Mathew of the group. Dr Joseph’s role in lection of HEC Paris in Qatar, tribute.” Staff Reporter saving the lives of two Indian covering a range of disciplines The publications were nationals who were accused of — from fi nance to human re- handed over to QBIC and QNL the murder of an Indonesian sources, leadership, strategy, as a contribution to a collec- r George Joseph, former housemaid and sentenced to marketing and economics. tion that will soon open to the Indian ambassador to death by a Doha court is still re- The initiative “refl ects the public. DQatar, passed away yes- membered by community mem- commitment to actively sup- Aysha al-Mudakha, CEO terday in a hospital in Kochi, bers. Following his eff orts, their port and participate in activi- of QBIC, said: “As an alumna Kerala, after a brief illness. He sentence was commuted to life ties that promote education of HEC Paris in Qatar, I have was 66. imprisonment in March 2011. and enhance the general well- personal experience of the The burial will take place to- “It was Dr George Joseph’s being of Qatar’s communi- exceptional level of teach- morrow at St John The Baptist considerable interest that ties,” according to a press ing and executive education Catholic Church, Nedumkun- helped me take the case to the statement from HEC Paris in programmes this reputable nam, Changanassery. Supreme Court,” remembered Qatar. institute provides, so I accept Dr Joseph leaves behind his Nizar Kochery, who led the legal The books fall within the these books with gratitude wife Rani, and daughter Renu battle for the condemned duo. recommended framework in the hope they can provide and her family. Kochery said he remained in of the Executive MBA pro- more knowledge and educa- The ex-envoy had been ailing contact with Dr Joseph until he gramme and Specialised tion to our clients and other from renal disorders for some- was hospitalised last month. Master’s Degree in Strategic business professionals based time, family sources told Gulf Dr Joseph also was able to Business Unit Management in Qatar.” Times. Dr Joseph, a widely re- “pull out” a six-member fam- curriculum, two of the execu- Abeer al-Kuwari, director spected career diplomat, was ily from Goa, which was mired tive education programmes of Research and Learning at well-known for his humility, in various problems following off ered by the institute. QNL, added: “We are grateful and compassion for the needy the collapse of their small time Some of the publications to HEC Paris for this gener- and distressed sections in the business and the illness of the were written by renowned ous donation that will provide Indian expatriate community. mother. There had been several HEC Paris professors such valuable sources for business He served in Doha from October Dr George Joseph ... fondly remembered by the country’s Indian community. cases where his mediation and as Dr Wolfgang Amann, Dr students and aspiring entre- 2005 to January 2009. ceaseless eff orts brought suc- Pierre Dussauge and Dr Herve preneurs. After Qatar, Dr Joseph was the monthly Open House that numerous interventions led to a “Despite his poor health , Joseph cour and comfort to distressed Stolowy. As a national library, we appointed ambassador to Bah- turned out to be very popular number of stranded expatriates Sir travelled long distances to people. “We are honoured to be able always aim to make available rain and he retired from there within the community. During returning home as he eff ectively reach Dukhan, Shamal and Al In one such case, an Indian to share knowledge with two and give the people of Qatar two years later. During his stint these sessions, a number of is- took up seemingly unending is- Khor to meet with our members worker who was seriously in- organisations that are as pas- access to the best collections in Qatar, Dr Joseph was instru- sues concerning the Indian na- sues with the sponsors. and help us by bringing the mat- jured at work was awarded a sionate and dedicated to edu- that tackle a variety of topics mental in introducing an array tionals in Qatar were taken up The envoy always came for- ter concerned to the attention of compensation of more than cation and learning as we are,” and interests and this dona- of people-friendly reforms at and redressed with the active ward to help the large number of the authorities,” recalled Tho- QR300,000 and an all-expenses said Dr Nils Plambeck, dean tion will only enrich our col- the Indian embassy, including support of the ambassador. His Indian fi shermen in the country. mas Francis, a senior member paid repatriation. and CEO, HEC Paris in Qatar. lection further.

Qatar, Kyrgyzstan cultural ties The Ministry of Foreign Aff airs of the Kyrgyz Republic hosted QRCS backs Al Thawrah Health Complex in Yemen for six months the signing ceremony for cultural co-operation between the governments of Qatar and Kyrgyzstan. The minutes of document exchange was signed by Qatar’s ambassador to the Kyrgyz atar Red Crescent’s nally displaced persons (IDPs) the United Nations Children’s Republic Mohammed bin Arar al-Nuaimi and for the government of (QRCS) mission in Yemen from various governorates. The Fund (Unicef), World Health the Kyrgyz Republic by Deputy Foreign Minister Emil Kaikiev. Qhas commenced the op- project involves remunerations Organisation (WHO) and Inter- eration of Al-Thawrah Health for the technical and adminis- national Committee of the Red Complex in Al Thawrah District, trative staff and hiring of new Cross (ICRC); training of staff DICID signs co-operation deal with Amanat Al Asemah, in co-op- specialists; supply of the re- to be able to use the latest tech- Serbian Faculty of Islamic Studies eration with Yemen’s Ministry quired medical equipment, basi- niques of patient management; of Public Health & Population cally a complete blood count, an and awareness-raising activities Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID) has (MoPHP). The six-month project electrocardiogram and clinical such as fi eld visits, posters and signed a co-operation agreement with Serbian Faculty of Islamic will cost $126,200, or nearly microscopes, as well as main- preventive health campaigns. Studies. The agreement comes within the framework of the QR460,000, and is funded by tenance of existing equipment; As the complex is limited to centre’s main role in spreading the culture of dialogue, the peaceful Qatar Fund for Development provision of medicines, medical primary healthcare with no sur- co-existence of humanity and the acceptance of others. (QFFD), QRCS has said in a press consumables, fuel and station- gical capacity, QRCS has said it Signed by DICID Chairman Dr Ibrahim al-Nuaimi and Dean statement. ery in co-ordination with local will review the referral process of Serbian Faculty of Islamic Studies, the agreement aims at With this support, the com- medical authorities and inter- with competent authorities and promoting dialogue and allowing each party to take advantage plex will continue to serve inter- national organisations such as contract some nearby hospitals of the other network of relations along with supporting research and studies in the field of dialogue and exchange of experiences and advancing co-operation between the two parties to organise scientific and cultural conferences and seminars in the region of Sanjak, the Balkans and Eastern Europe. Dr al-Nuaimi added that the agreement would strengthen the centre’s network of relations in Eastern Europe and the Balkans and enhance co-operation in support of the values of tolerance and dialogue in the world.

that have ambulances. Also, fuel the war-torn country have put and rented ambulances may be thousands of lives at risk. This, secured. in turn, puts additional pressure In a statement, Dr Abdul-Rah- on health facilities in the host man Jahaf, director of the Sanaa destinations, which lack the ca- Health Bureau, praised the hu- pacity to deal with the increasing manitarian role of QRCS in Yem- number of IDPs, the statement en, particularly the contributions notes. to the health sector. “Our broth- “The health conditions in IDP ers in QRCS are always there to shelters are alarming,” explained off er help. My heartfelt thanks Dr Ahmed Shadoul, WHO repre- for contributing to the medi- sentative in Yemen. “The situa- cal services provided for IDPs in tion is exacerbated by the break- Yemen.” down in the disease screening Dr Abdul-Fattah al-Mahdi, system as a result of insecurity. medical offi cer at QRCS mis- This is added to the lack of quali- sion in Sanaa, said: “At QRCS, we fi ed health workers and fi nancial Dr Ahmed al-Emadi have a humanitarian mandate of resources.” making available and improving In Aden, Abyan, Al Hudaydah, ambulatory and life-saving serv- Amran, Sanaa, Hajjah, and Saa- ices. We will maintain the IDP da, the living conditions at shel- medical centre for six months. It ters weighed negatively on the QU-CED celebrates is our pleasure to join hands with health conditions of many IDPs, the MoPHP in providing IDPs particularly those with chronic with eff ective services.” diseases such as diabetes, asth- achievements of The six-month project will cost $126,200, or nearly QR460,000, and allow the complex to continue The mass displacement wave ma, kidney failure, cancer and serving IDPs from various governorates. and scarce health services in hypertension. academic year atar University College of Education (QU-CED) celebrat- ed its achievements for the academic year 2016-2017 in Qa ceremony attended by CED dean Dr Ahmed al-Emadi, CED associate dean for research and graduate studies, Dr Yahya Kalyan launches Ziah range of al-Nakeeb, and CED acting associate dean for academic aff airs, Dr Aisha Fakhro, as well as CED faculty, students and staff . The event included the acknowledgement of departing and promoted faculty members, and those who won awards in re- search competitions, as well as the students who represented signature diamond jewellery the College in QU Student Representative Board and who won the best poster award in the Open Day for Student Research. Dr Ahmed al-Emadi said, “During the 2016-2017 academic year, alyan Jewellers, one of the for ear-rings, QR1,750 for rings tion has been designed to elevate Arabic wedding jewellery, Mud- CED continued its eff orts towards success, as part of its commit- region’s leading jewellery and QR34,000 for necklaces. The daily wear as well as for celebra- hra — handcrafted antique jew- ment to positioning QU as a model national university in Qatar. Kbrands, has launched Ziah precious setting and cluster set- tions.’’ ellery, Nimah — authentic her- The college achieved many accomplishments on the academic — Infi nite sparkles, an exqui- ting collection comes in round, Diamonds set in cluster and itage Jewellery, Anokhi – uncut and research levels on top of which was the visit of HH the Emir site range of diamond jewellery, heart, oval, pear, marquise and precious setting gives an illu- diamonds, Apoorva – diamonds Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to CED Women Building and which recreates the perfect look cushion shapes. sion of a classic solitaire. Ziah for special occasions, Antara – the Early Childhood Centre.” of Solitaires. T S Kalyanaraman, chairman off ers a huge variety of designs wedding diamonds, Hera – daily “CED was also awarded in 2016 seven year accreditation The signature collection fea- and managing director of Kalyan and styles. Kalyan has been ag- wear diamonds, Glo-Dancing (2016-2023) for its BA in Primary Education, Diploma in Pri- tures rings, necklaces, ear-rings Jewellers, said: ‘’Solitaires have gressively expanding its product diamonds and Rang – precious mary Education, Diploma in Special Education, Diploma in Early and bangles and pendants intri- a timeless appeal but often per- portfolio as well as distribu- stones jewellery. Bespoke collec- Childhood Education, Master in Educational Leadership, and cately set with pure diamonds ceived as exclusive and premi- tion network in the region. The tions such as Turkish and antique Master in Special Education by the council for the accreditation refl ecting the regal and unique um. The Ziah – Infi nite sparkles brand’s merchandising strategy are also available across all our of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The college also improved its elegance of solitaires. The col- diamond jewellery collection is to fulfi l distinct customer pref- showrooms. strategic plan in line with QU’s new policies and strategic plan,” lection will be available across has been created to change this erences based on cultural sensi- Since its foray into the UAE in he added. all Kalyan showrooms in Qatar, perception and provide contem- bilities as well as to off er Kalyan’s 2013, Kalyan Jewellers has built a Dr Ahmed al-Emadi also noted that CED relaunched the ad- the UAE and Kuwait. In Qatar, porary women with a beauti- popular collections from around signifi cant presence in the GCC Kalyan’s Ziah – Infinite sparkles mission to its BA in Physical Education programme. He highlight- the price range for the products ful range of diamond jewellery the world. region with seven showrooms in range of diamond jewellery, ed that the college has also signed around four MoUs with local starts from QR950 for pendants, that has the visual and sensory Kalyan’s most popular house Qatar, 12 in the UAE and four in which recreates the perfect look and international institutions to promote its relationship with QR1,200 for bracelets, QR2,300 appeal of solitaires. The collec- brands are Ameera — exclusive Kuwait. of solitaires. local and regional partners and to enhance its educational plan. Gulf Times Friday, June 2, 2017 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD

WANTED MEN TARGETTED RESISTANCE ATTACK LEANING TOWER Two killed in car blast in 4 injured as armed gunmen Palestinian woman stabs Saudi-led coalition says oil Apartment block tilts eastern Saudi Arabia ambush Algerian patrol Israeli soldier, shot: army tanker fired on off Yemen across Alexandria street

A car exploded yesterday in Saudi Arabia’s Gunmen attacked an Algerian military patrol in A Palestinian woman yesterday stabbed an An oil tanker has come under fire off Yemen A 13-storey building restive eastern province of Qatif, killing two an area south of the capital, slightly wounding Israeli soldier outside a Jewish settlement in while passing through the strategic Bab al- in Egypt’s second individuals allegedly wanted by authorities inside four gendarmes, the ministry of defence said, in the northern West Bank before being shot and Mandab strait into the Red Sea, a Saudi-led city Alexandria tilted it. Broadcaster Al-Arabiya TV initially reported a an attack later claimed by Islamic State. Attacks critically wounded, the army and medics said. coalition supporting the Yemeni government yesterday across a street car bomb had detonated in the Mayas district, are rare in Algeria since the end of the country’s The attack came just days before the 50th said yesterday. The shipping lane connecting into another apartment but the Saudi-owned network later said the 1990s civil war with Islamist militants. Gunmen anniversary of the Six-Day War in which Israel the Indian Ocean with the Suez Canal and the block, forcing police to car was carrying ammunition to be transferred opened fire on the gendarmerie patrol late occupied the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, Mediterranean beyond is a key transit route for evacuate it and nearby A high-rise residential somewhere else. Videos posted on Twitter on Wednesday in Larbaa area in Blida region, including east Jerusalem. The soldier was taken oil and gas from the Gulf, and Washington has structures. There were building leans on showed a car on fire in the middle of a street with around 30km south of Algiers, the ministry to hospital with a stab wound to his upper expressed growing concern about its security. no reports of any another tall building black smoke rising out of it. Al-Watan newspaper said in a statement carried on APS state news body, medics from Israel’s Magen David Adom Three rocket-propelled grenades were fired at the injuries. The municipality in Alexandria. reported that terrorists were transferring the agency. “A patrol of gendarmerie were targetted emergency service said. The assailant was in Marshall Islands-flagged tanker from a boat on cut electricity and gas explosives to al-Awamiya village, adding that two by gunfire on Wednesday at 2200 by a group critical condition, the medics added. The attack Wednesday morning, the Saudi-led coalition said. supplies to the residential building that was suspects wanted by authorities had died in the of terrorists,” the statement said without giving took place at the entrance to Mevo Dotan, a “None of the crew was hurt,” said the coalition being propped by its neighbour. The military has explosion and that three others fled the scene. details on any militant group. Jewish settlement southwest of Jenin. statement carried by off icial Saudi Press Agency. now been called in to demolish it.

6th night of protests in northern Morocco

AFP spired protests in 2011. Al-Hoceima, Morocco Cilia Hirani, a member of the Popular Movement, told AFP that everyone in the Rif “believes housands of people have in freedom, in humanity and in demonstrated in north- social justice”. Tern Morocco for the sixth “If you imprison our leaders, straight night as protesters de- we will resist and we will resist mand the release of the leader of until our demands, which are a popular movement in the ne- rights in democratic countries, glected Rif region. are granted,” she said. The Rif has been shaken by Najib Ahamjik, often referred social unrest since the death in to as the movement’s number October of fi shmonger Mouh- two, remains at large but contin- cine Fikri, 31, who was crushed ues to use social media to call for in a rubbish truck as he protested “mobilisation”. against the seizure of swordfi sh Nawal Benaissa, one of the caught out of season. public faces of the Popular Initial protests in the fi shing Movement, was among three port of Al-Hoceima triggered young women on Wednesday a wider movement demanding who urged protesters to demand more development and railing “freedom for prisoners”. against corruption, repression Yesterday morning, she said and unemployment. she was called in to the police Nasser Zefzafi , who emerged station in Al-Hoceima, and was as the head of the grassroots Al- seen leaving the building again a Hirak al-Shaabi, or “Popular short time later. Movement”, was arrested on Mon- Anti-riot police were present day after three days on the run. at Wednesday’s protest, follow- Late on Wednesday, between ing clashes between demonstra- 2,000 and 3,000 protesters once tors and security forces over the again took to the streets of Al- weekend, but the crowd dis- Hoceima, shouting slogans such persed at around midnight with- as “We are all Nasser Zefzafi ” and out incident. Displaced Iraqis evacuate their home in western Mosul’s Zanjili neighbourhood yesterday. “Corrupt state”. Zefzafi was detained along “Arrest us, we are all activists,” with others on Monday for “at- read one banner. tacking internal security”, after Although fewer demonstra- a warrant for his arrest issued tors turned out than the previ- last Friday sparked turmoil in ous night, the protest appeared Al-Hoceima, a city of 56,000 in- better organised, with volunteers habitants. in fl uorescent jackets including A new video of Zefzafi has women marshalling the crowd. been posted on social networks, Fleeing Mosul civilians The mainly ethnically Berber apparently recorded shortly be- Rif region has long had a tense fore his arrest, in which he says: relationship with Morocco’s “My brothers, the moment is central authorities, and was at very sensitive...Stay peaceful, killed by IS mortar fi re the heart of Arab Spring-in- above all.”

Reuters are trapped, regularly dropping leafl ets Iraqi forces advanced on them, two resi- The fall of the city would, in eff ect, Baghdad telling families to fl ee. dents speaking by phone said, asking not mark the end of the Iraqi half of the The wounded from Zanjili were taken to be identifi ed. “caliphate’’ declared in 2014 over parts to a fi eld clinic, a police offi cer told Reu- Islamic State used basements in the of Iraq and Syria by Islamic State leader t least seven civilians were killed ters, adding that more people could have Medical City as jails for former army and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in speech from a and 23 wounded by Islamic State been killed while trying to fl ee. police offi cers and also people violating a historic mosque in Mosul’s old city. Amortar shells as they tried to fl ee They were part of the fi rst group of ci- code of conduct which forbids such ac- In Syria, Kurdish forces backed by US- Mosul’s militant-controlled Zanjili dis- vilians who have managed to escape. tivities as selling cigarettes and smoking. air strikes are besieging Islamic State trict yesterday, Iraqi police said. Several dozen other civilians managed The militants ordered dozens of fami- forces in the city of Raqqa, the militants’ Zanjili is part of the enclave that re- to reach government-held lines unhurt, lies living in Zanjili district to move into de facto capital in that country. mains in the hands of Islamic State in using the same exit route, the offi cer said. the Old City to prevent them escaping The militants have been countering the the northern Iraqi city, alongside the Old The population in the Islamic State- towards the Iraqi forces, a resident told off ensive with suicide car and motorbike City centre and the Medical City hospi- held enclave live in harrowing conditions, Reuters on Wednesday. bombs, snipers, booby-traps and mortar tals complex. running low on food, water and medicine, The Mosul off ensive, now in its eighth fi re. US-backed Iraqi government forces and with limited access to hospitals, the month, has taken much longer than ex- About 700,000 people, about a third retook eastern Mosul in January and be- United Nations said on Sunday. pected, with Iraqi government advances of the pre-war city’s population, have Protestors march on Wednesday night in Al-Hoceima during a gan a new push last Saturday to capture The militants began moving their pris- slowed by the need to avoid civilian casu- already fl ed, seeking refuge either with demonstration demanding the release of Nasser Zefzafi, head of the the enclave where about 200,000 people oners out of the Medical City district as alties. friends and relatives or in camps. grassroots Al-Hirak al-Shaabi movement. Ramadan prayer Saudi-owned TV drama combats IS propaganda

Reuters support and even join terrorist moving to territory held by the big audience of Muslim view- Dubai organisations,” MBC spokesman group to become a “jihadi bride”. ers as they break their fast in the Mazen Hayek told Reuters in an Since Islamic State launched evening for the holy month of interview. its lightning off ensive across Ramadan — a prime season for Saudi-owned television “Media is part of their (IS) of- Iraq and Syria staging behead- TV dramas. channel has launched a fensive strategy. Thus media ings and releasing carefully MBC together with its sister Adrama series portraying organisations have the right, crafted fi lms to draw in new re- entertainment and movie chan- the brutality of life under the actually the duty, to face such cruits, Arab and Western gov- nels are the most watched net- Islamic State to counter sleek an off ensive — which is well- ernments have sought to coun- work in the Arab world. propaganda from the militant funded and on the Internet and ter their message. The subject matter strays group which has won it recruits social media — with this series,” During Trump’s Riyadh visit, widely from traditional pro- worldwide. he said. Saudi King Salman unveiled a grammes: Middle East period Beamed across the Arab world Actors and MBC staff have told Global Center for Combating drama or romantic soaps. by satellite channel MBC, the local media they received death Extremism to monitor and rebut However, Syrian actress Dima $10mn project refl ects the king- threats online from IS supporters extremist material online, and al-Jundi who plays the morality dom’s role at the forefront of a because of the show. now maintains a new Ideologi- enforcer says only art can con- Muslim bulwark against extrem- Filmed in Lebanon, the more- cal War Center within its defence vey the depth of human suff ering ism which was underlined in a than-20-part series that started ministry. the group has wrought in a way May 20-21 visit by US President last Saturday follows the widow “The media alone is not viewers need to see. Donald Trump. of an Islamic State commander enough, we need religious in- “If you open YouTube, you’ll ‘Black Crows’ shows women turned leader of a women’s mo- stitutes, clerics and mosques to fi nd videos of murder or suicide and children living under the ex- rality police force. work with the media in combat- bombings. But the details of their tremists and is the fi rst television There are scenes of gutted ing radicalism,” said Najat Al- daily life, how they recruit kids, drama to tackle subjects such as homes, mass graves, big explo- Saeed, a Saudi analyst who has how they abuse women — this mass murder and rape, contrast- sions and gunmen waving black written a book on Arab satellite you wouldn’t know.” ing sharply with the idyll of hero- fl ags. TV. Saudi security police closely ism and holy war projected by IS Plot-lines include women “There is progress, but it’s monitor Saudis with suspected on social media. from the Yazidi religion be- slow and is not enough for the connections to militants and “The main audience we target, ing captured and forced into reformists or the global commu- have detained more than 15,000 Egyptians take part in Tarawih evening prayers at Amr Ibn El-Aas mosque in Cairo. the most important and danger- sex slavery, child-soldiers and a nity.” suspects in the years since Al ous, are those who are prone to woman with a forlorn love-life The show will aim to reach a Qaeda’s campaign. Gulf Times 4 Friday, June 2, 2017 AFRICA

AMBUSH ACCIDENT MILITANCY JUSTICE FREEDOM OF SPEECH 6 troopers killed in attack More than 100 injured in French soldiers wounded Zanzibar detains suspect Rwanda poll body cannot on Niger military post South Africa train collision in Mali mortar attack after tourist stabbings ‘curb social media use’

Six members of the Niger security forces were killed At least one person was killed and more Several French soldiers were wounded, A 25-year-old man has been arrested for Rwanda’s media regulator has said the election when heavily-armed attackers ambushed a military than 100 injured when a South African train including one seriously, after a mortar attack allegedly stabbing six people, including four body does not have the mandate to regulate position near the border with Mali, a security source slammed into the back of another at a station near on a United Nations’ peacekeeping camp in tourists, on the Zanzibar archipelago off the social media use by presidential candidates, told AFP yesterday. “There are six dead in this terror Johannesburg, the state-owned train operator said northern Mali, France’s armed forces said coast of Tanzania, police said yesterday. The a measure seen as an assault on free speech. attack,” he said, indicating that the assault in the yesterday. The collision, which left several train yesterday, highlighting the ongoing insecurity attack took place last Sunday in Zanzibar’s The National Electoral Commission (NEC) southwestern town of Abala was carried out on carriages lying on their sides, occurred after the in the West African country. In a statement, main city Stone Town, when a man armed ruled last month that once campaigning Wednesday evening by “heavily-armed men” who two trains were manually authorised to be on the the army said the attack took place yesterday with a knife entered a popular restaurant starts on July 14, any social media updates by arrived in 14 all-terrain vehicles. Four of the dead same track after signalling power cables were morning targeting the MINUSMA peacekeeping and stabbed the tourists and two Tanzanians presidential candidates must be submitted to were national guards and two of them military stolen overnight, Metrorail said. “Paramedics force in Timbuktu near a French unit operating who tried to stop him. “We arrested him while them for pre-approval. However, the Rwanda police, he added, saying the attack happened at discovered that one of the drivers of the trains had as part of a separate counter-terrorism force. hiding in a house in the Stone Town last night. Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) which 7pm. The source said the security forces were still sustained fatal injuries,” emergency medical service “In this attack several French soldiers were He looks healthy, but it is alleged that he has a oversees the media, said in a statement late on engaged in a gunbattle with the attackers, with firm ER24 said. Train collisions and derailments wounded, including one in a serious condition,” record of using drugs. He will undergo mental Wednesday that the NEC had “no mandate to “military aircraft” engaged in “a search and sweep are often caused by the theft of power cables, the statement said. France intervened in 2013 to tests before charged in court,” said police regulate or interrupt the use of social media operation to hunt down” any further gunmen. which are made out of highly sought-after copper. drive out Al Qaeda-linked militants. spokesman Hassan Nassir Ali. by citizens.”

Waterworld! People walk on a flooded 44 die of ‘thirst’ road at Okokomaiko in Ojo district of Lagos. Torrential rainfall has left many homes, shops and roads flooded in Lagos, in Niger desert Nigeria’s commercial capital.

AFP cover up from head to toe, most Niamey wearing hoods, sunglasses, jack- ets and gloves. Temperatures in Agadez cur- t least 44 Libya-bound rently hover around 40 degrees migrants, including Celsius but have hit almost 50 Awomen and babies, died degrees in the past. of thirst after their vehicle broke The Red Cross, which said down in the scorching Sahara “at least 44 migrants have died”, desert of northern Niger, local dispatched a team to the site “to offi cials said yesterday. gather information” on the cir- “The number of migrants who cumstances. died in the desert is 44 for now,” The 750km trip from Agadez to said Rhissa Feltou, the mayor of the Libyan border takes between Agadez, a remote town on the two and three days with only edge of the Sahara that has be- very short petrol and toilet stops come the smuggling capital of on the way. Africa. In early May, eight migrants A security source who asked from Niger, fi ve of them children, not to be named said “the sub- were found dead in the desert Saharan migrants, including ba- while heading to Algeria. bies and women, died of thirst Also in May, soldiers on pa- because their vehicle broke trol in northern Niger rescued down”. around 40 migrants from various The arid dusty town in central west African countries who had Niger is a major transit point for been abandoned in the Sahara by migrants seeking work in Libya smugglers they had paid to get to or Algeria or trying to reach the Libya. sea to sail to Europe. The group included peo- Last year, the Internation- ple from The Gambia, Nigeria, Leaked e-mails heap al Organization for Migration Guinea, Senegal and Niger, all of (IOM) recorded 335,000 mi- them hoping to reach the Libyan grants heading northwards out coast and from there cross the of Niger. Mediterranean to Europe. Many perish while trying to Many migrants are kidnapped cross the desert in crammed by traffi ckers or bandits and of- pick-up trucks with often mea- ten subjected to sexual and other gre provisions of water as jerry- abuse. pressure on Zuma cans carrying fuel take priority. Hunger, fever, fractured limbs To protect themselves from and dehydration are also com- Reuters respond to questions by phone and said er faction will support Deputy President “Zuma is running a criminal state and the sand and sun, the migrants mon problems. Johannesburg he may reply to e-mailed inquiries from Cyril Ramaphosa. is using state institutions to enrich him- Reuters later. The contents of the leaked confi den- self and his friends,” Mmusi Maimane, The Gupta family and Zuma have de- tial government documents will likely leader of the opposition Democratic Alli- Ethiopia blocks net aft er high school exam leaks eaked documents released yester- nied wrongdoing when similar allega- embolden Zuma’s opponents in the ANC ance, told Reuters. day by the South African media al- tions have been made in the past. who want to oust him or prevent his cho- “But do not think that getting rid of Ethiopia has cut off Internet Ethiopia’s Off ice for Government Lleging improper dealings in govern- Spokesmen for Zuma and the ANC did sen successor from becoming party pres- Zuma will be the answer. These problems access nationwide until at least Communications Aff airs, told ment contracts opened President Jacob not respond. Reuters was not independ- ident in December, analysts say. run to the core of the ANC. It is an ANC June 8 to try to stop cheats from Reuters. Zuma up to renewed scrutiny and may ently able to verify the allegations. “The leaks will play into the factional project that can only be stopped with its posting high school exam papers “We are being proactive. We deepen divisions within the ruling Afri- Zuma spoke in parliament yesterday battle over succession which is getting removal.” on social media, a government want our students to concentrate can National Congress. and used the opportunity to take a swipe intense. The stakes are very high,” said A constitutionally mandated anti- off icial said yesterday. and be free of the psychological Zuma has survived calls to resign from at the media and opposition parties, who Daryl Glaser, politics professor at Johan- graft watchdog said in a report last year Hundreds of thousands of pressure and distractions that this within the usually united ANC in recent boycotted the session in protest against nesburg’s University of Witswatersrand. that the Guptas had undue infl uence over students will take the tests brings.” weeks due to disputes over political ap- his leadership. “I don’t think that what comes out will government offi cials and former deputy throughout the Horn of Africa Mohamed did not give a pointments and his friendship with the “(Opposition parties) pile allegations be enough to result in Zuma resigning be- fi nance minister Mcebisi Jonas said he country with Grade 10 exams tak- precise date regarding when the Indian-born Gupta family, wealthy busi- after allegations when they don’t have no fore December.” was off ered a promotion by the family. ing place from May 31 until June shutdown would be lifted, but nessmen whose companies have con- facts just because they have been reading Political turmoil is hobbling Africa’s Jonas and fi nance minister Pravin 2, and Grade 12 tests from June 5 added it would last throughout tracts with state-owned fi rms. newspapers,” Zuma told ANC lawmakers. most developed economy, with data Gordhan were removed by Zuma in a re- until June 8. the exam period. Investigative journalists at AmaBhun- “Parties even use the newspaper arti- showing yesterday that unemploy- shuffl e in March. Last year, exam papers were He said only access to social gane, a non-profi t group that has a strong cles to go to court and they say you need ment had reached a 14-year high, while On Wednesday, government ministers widely posted online, prompting media outlets was cut off and that track record of exposing what it says are to have a case on hearsay.” spooked local investors are offl oading bowed to mounting pressure and told Es- the government to reschedule the services such as airline bookings government corruption scandals, re- The latest allegations of infl uence- government debt. kom to remove its chief executive Brian tests, which are the main public and banking requiring internet leased some of more than 100,000 leaked peddling may deepen a divide in the ANC Fitch yesterday retained its BB+ junk rating Molefe, a Zuma ally, after senior politi- exams for 16- and 18-year-olds to access remained intact. e-mails and documents. as factions battle for control ahead of a on South Africa and warned that infi ghting cians and the public reacted with anger at secure places at university and on A Reuters witness confirmed It says they prove Gupta-owned com- conference in December where Zuma’s within the ANC would “remain particularly his re-appointment two weeks ago. vocational courses. that Wi-Fi and cellular Internet panies unduly infl uence the awarding of successor as party leader will be chosen. strong” ahead of December’s conference. Molefe resigned in November last year “The shutdown is aimed at access has been cut off . government contracts worth hundreds of Zuma can remain as head of state until Opposition parties hope ANC infi ght- following allegations he had links to the preventing a repeat of leaks that Access at embassies and inter- millions of dollars — including the build- a 2019 election. ing and public anger at government cor- Gupta family. occurred last year,” Mohamed national organisations remained ing of locomotives and pre-payments for Zuma’s camp is expected to back his ruption, high unemployment and slow- Molefe denied wrongdoing and said he Seid, public relations director of intact. coal deliveries before a deal was signed. ex-wife and former African Union chair ing growth will help them unseat the resigned in the interest of good govern- A Gupta family spokesman did not Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, while anoth- ruling party at an 2019 election. ance. Cape Town cuts back to survive worst drought in 100 years

By Kristen Van Schie, AFP dam this low,” club secretary Lise er, and have been accused of ig- ter, those dam levels are only go- Cape Town Wheeler told AFP. noring warnings by experts in the ing to go up by about 40 to 50%,” For Cape Town residents, the years before the drought. Johnston said. drought has let to a gradual escala- Some Capetonians have taken “If we get regular good rain- s Cape Town suff ers its tion of restrictions, from the limits to collecting their own water at a fall, we’re still going to be pretty worst drought in a cen- on splashing at public pools earlier natural spring outside a brewery much in the same position this Atury, residents have been this year to the current complete in the city. time next year. That’s the scary told to restrict showers to two ban on topping-up swimming Many are convinced that with bit.” minutes and fl ush toilets only pools or watering gardens. dam levels so low, the quality of Many climate models point when “absolutely necessary”. The newest restrictions limit tap water has declined — a ru- to a hotter and drier Western The city — South Africa’s big- residents to 100 litres per per- mour that the city has been bat- Cape, with high pressure systems gest tourist hotspot — and the son per day and rule out its use tling for months. blocking rain-carrying fronts surrounding Western Cape prov- for anything other than cooking, “This is the only drinkable water more frequently. ince have been declared a disas- drinking and essential cleaning. I can get,” one resident told AFP. “This means that even if the ter area by the local government, Last week Virgin Active, a University of Cape Town cli- situation stays the same in terms with just 10% of usable water left health club operator, said it mate scientist Peter Johnston of population size and water us- in the dams supplying the area. would close saunas and steam said offi cials faced a long-term age, the long-term future is for Two hours from the city, rooms at its gyms across the problem. less water falling out the sky,” Theewaterskloof Dam, the main province. “What we’ve had now is three Johnston said. source of water for Cape Town, “The best strategy to manage a seasons in a row where the rain- Meaning that Cape Town will has been reduced to a fl at and drought eff ectively is to manage fall has been low, and that’s a have to fi nd its water elsewhere. sandy desert, with the petri- demand, which is what we are one-in-a-hundred-year occur- In the short term, that involves fi ed remains of orchards fl ooded doing,” city councillor for water rence,” Johnston told AFP. recycling waste water and drill- when the dam was built in the Xanthea Limberg told AFP. Strong summer rains have seen ing into aquifers under the near- 1970s standing starkly under the Earlier this year, the city pub- much of southern Africa recover by Table Mountain landmark. sun. lished a name-and-shame list from a drought induced by El Nino. The city is also looking at ac- At the local watersports club, of the worst water off enders in But Mediterranean-like Cape celerating plans to build two de- exposed moorings reveal where Cape Town, and it says it is issu- Town receives most of its rain in salination plants, a move already sailboats once fl oated. ing fi nes and notices to appear in the southern hemisphere’s win- adopted by some of the driest The long slipway now ends court. ter — and scientists warn there towns in the region. about 30m from the water’s edge. But offi cials themselves have is no guarantee of a good rainy “Restrictions are going to be “I’ve worked here for about 20 faced criticism for failing to im- season. a reality for the foreseeable fu- People queue up to collect drinking water from taps that are fed by a spring in Newlands in Cape Town. years and I’ve never ever seen the plement usage restrictions soon- “Even if we get a real wet win- ture,” Limberg said. Gulf Times Friday, June 2, 2017 5 AMERICAS

Trump backs probe into Obama govt Comey facing Senate Reuters Washington

S President Donald Trump has backed the UUS House Intelligence Committee chairman’s eff orts committee next week to investigate actions by US security and other offi cials un- AFP the Russian envoy to set up a tacts with Russian offi cials dur- der previous president Barack Washington secret, bug-proof link with the ing the campaign, he needs to Obama, inserting himself into Kremlin to discuss bilateral re- resign,” they said. a political feud amid the panel’s lations and other issues like the Yesterday Russian President Russia probe. ormer FBI director James Syria confl ict. Vladimir Putin again denied state “The big story is the ‘un- Comey will testify on June Besides Kushner, other Trump involvement in any US elec- masking and surveillance’ of Trump: The big story is the F8 before a congressional aides and advisers are also in the tion cyber attacks, but admitted people that took place during ‘unmasking and surveillance’ panel probing allegations of Rus- spotlight. “patriotically minded” hackers the Obama Administration,” of people that took place sian interference in last year’s US On Wednesday, the House might have been involved. Trump said in a tweet, one day during the Obama election, the Senate Intelligence Intelligence Committee issued Putin, speaking to interna- after the committee’s Republi- Administration. Committee said yesterday. subpoenas for Trump’s personal tional media at an economic can chairman subpoenaed the Comey was fi red by President lawyer Michael Cohen and his forum in Saint Petersburg, was CIA, FBI and National Security Democrat on the House Intelli- Donald Trump early last month former national security adviser answering a question about al- Agency. gence panel, replied to Trump’s as the Federal Bureau of Investi- Michael Flynn – who was also legations Moscow might try to Democrats shot back, ac- tweet, calling it a “pathetic gation (FBI)’s own Russia probe allegedly part of the discussions interfere in this year’s German cusing Trump, a Republican, distraction”. increasingly focused on possible between Kushner and Kislyak. elections. of diverting attention from the Ed Markey, a Democrat on collusion between Trump’s cam- The Senate panel hearing is ex- “If they (hackers) are patrioti- ongoing scandal that has now the Senate Foreign Relations paign and a Russian bid to tilt the pected to quiz Comey on memo- cally-minded, they start to make hangs over his young presiden- Committee, told CNN: “Nunes election in his favour. randums he allegedly wrote on their own contribution to what cy and criticising committee is too close to the Trump White Comey is expected to be ques- three conversations he had with they believe is the good fi ght chairman Devin Nunes’ sub- House.” tioned about the circumstances Trump in January and February. against those who speak badly poenas. Republican Representa- of his fi ring and allegations that The memorandums – the con- about Russia. Is that possible? On Wednesday, Nunes asked tive Adam Kinzinger, a House Trump has tried to stifl e the tents of which have been leaked This file photo taken on May 3 shows Comey testifying before the Theoretically it is possible,” said the agencies for details of any Foreign Relations Commit- agency’s investigation and divert to the media and have not been Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. He will Putin. requests made by two top tee member, also questioned attention to intelligence leaks denied by Comey – reportedly testify on June 8 before a Congressional panel probing allegations of Likening hackers to free-spir- Obama administration aides Nunes’ actions in a separate that have hurt his administra- document the president’s eff orts Russian interference in last year’s US election, the Senate Intelligence ited artists acting according to and the former Central Intel- CNN interview. tion. to get the FBI to ease the investi- Committee said. their moods, he said cyber at- ligence Agency (CIA) director Americans’ names picked His hotly awaited appearance gation’s focus on Flynn. tacks could be made to look like to “unmask” Trump campaign up in foreign communications on Capitol Hill comes as probes Comey’s testimony will come ing over the investigations. Meanwhile yesterday, Demo- they had come from Russia when advisers inadvertently picked intercepts must be concealed by the Justice Department and after a new independent spe- He reportedly has met with cratic senators Patrick Leahy and they had not. up in top-secret foreign com- unless senior offi cials request several Congressional commit- cial counsel, former FBI director Comey to discuss the probe, and Al Franken issued a statement Putin also said he was person- munications intercepts, ac- them to be disclosed for intel- tees have moved toward Trump’s Robert Mueller, was appointed to Comey reportedly sought his ap- calling the FBI to provide infor- ally convinced that hackers could cording to congressional ligence or law enforcement inner circle, with investigators take over the Justice Department proval to testify. mation on alleged meetings that not materially alter election sources. purposes. said to be examining contacts and FBI Russia investigations. Besides Kushner, Cohen and Attorney General Jeff Sessions campaigns in Europe, America or Another congressional Any such requests undergo between top White House advis- Mueller was chosen to lead the Flynn, the Justice and Congres- had with Russian offi cials last elsewhere. source, who also requested rigorous legal reviews, and US er and Trump son-in-law Jared department’s investigation on sional investigations are also year and that were not reported “On a state level we haven’t anonymity, said Democrats offi cials have said all such re- Kushner and Russian ambassa- May 17 amid concern of political looking into the Russia ties of by Sessions. been involved in this (hacking), were “informed and consult- quests under Obama, a Demo- dor Sergey Kislyak. interference. former Trump campaign chief “If it is determined that the at- we aren’t planning to be involved ed” about the subpoenas ahead crat, were conducted properly. Last week, the Washington Mueller, respected for his in- Paul Manafort, political consult- torney general still has not been in it. Quite the opposite, we are of time, but some committee In a separate statement on Post reported that Kushner made dependence and thoroughness, ant Roger Stone, and foreign af- truthful with Congress and the trying to combat it inside our aides said they were not. Wednesday, Republican Rep- a pre-inauguration proposal to has so far been silent about tak- fairs adviser Carter Page. American people about his con- country,” said Putin. In April, Nunes recused resentative Mike Conaway and himself from leading the pan- Democratic Representative el’s investigation into sus- Adam Schiff , who are leading pected Russian meddling in the committee’s Russia probe, the 2016 presidential election announced subpoenas for following a secret visit he paid Trump’s former national se- Judge shot dead at Caracas barricade amid unrest to White House offi cials, but curity adviser, Michael Flynn, retains subpoena power. and personal lawyer, Michael A senior committee aide said Cohen, as well as their fi rms. Reuters offi ce has noted 61 deaths in Wednesday’s subpoenas were Trump has denied any col- Caracas protests and lootings that began not part of the Russia probe. lusion between Russia and his in early April, Venezuela’s state Representative Jim Himes, a campaign. ombudsman Tarek Saab put the unmen shot dead a Ven- fi gure at 65. Trump and Hillary trade jabs in Twitter skirmish ezuelan judge at a street At a news conference, he noted Gbarricade in the latest fa- there had been arrests or war- President Donald Trump has taken a swing on Twitter at one of his tality of two months of anti-gov- rants issued for 35 members of favourite punching bags, Democrat Hillary Clinton – and his former ernment unrest that has seen at the security forces over the fa- presidential rival has hit back with her own zinger. least 61 people killed, authorities talities. The trouble started on Wednesday when Clinton raised questions over said yesterday. Rights campaigners say 3,000 whether Trump’s campaign was linked to the alleged Russian meddling Nelson Moncada, 37, was killed people have also been arrested, in the 2016 US presidential election. and stripped of his belongings of whom nearly half remain be- Speaking at a technology conference in California, Clinton said that as he tried to get away from the hind bars. Russia’s government “could not have known how best to weaponise roadblock on Wednesday night in Venezuela’s pro-government that information unless they had been guided” by Americans with Caracas’ El Paraiso district, the Supreme Court ordered opposi- polling data. scene of regular clashes, the state tion leader Henrique Capriles on Clinton was referring to the hacking of her campaign’s e-mails, which prosecutor’s offi ce said. Wednesday to avoid roadblocks she has argued was partly to blame for her losing to the real estate It was unclear why Moncada in the Miranda state that he gov- mogul. had been targeted. erns, or face jail. “I’m leaning Trump,” she said on Wednesday of the connections. “I There was violence around the Miranda includes part of the think it’s pretty hard not to.” capital on Wednesday after secu- capital Caracas, and the volatile Trump was not buying it. rity forces forcibly broke up tens towns of San Antonio de Los Al- “Crooked Hillary Clinton now blames everybody but herself, refuses to of thousands of opposition sup- tos and Los Teques, where anti- say she was a terrible candidate. Hits Facebook & even Dems & DNC,” porters marching on government government street barricades he wrote on Twitter. offi ces downtown, and skirmish- have been common. Clinton has also placed partial blame on fake news about her being es continued into the night. The 44-year-old lawyer nar- widely spread on Facebook and then Federal Bureau of Investigation Protesters frequently block rowly lost a 2013 vote to Maduro (FBI) director James Comey’s re-opening his probe into her misuse of roads with trash and burning after Chavez’s death from cancer, government e-mail. tyres, sometimes asking passers- A firework thrown by opposition activists explodes amid a group of National Guard riot police and has been at the forefront of She took to Twitter to fire back at Trump. by for contributions toward a motorcyclists during a protest in Caracas against President Nicolas Maduro’s government. this year’s protests, calling for “People in covfefe houses shouldn’t throw covfefe,” she wrote in a brief self-styled “Resistance” move- civil disobedience. message. ment against President Nicolas during another wave of anti-Ma- clashes between demonstrators, of becoming a dictator. Authorities have already Trump used the non-existent word in an incomplete sentence tweeted Maduro. duro demonstrations in 2014. pro-government gangs and Na- Maduro, 54, calls them coup- barred Capriles from running for just after midnight on Tuesday. Some local news sites said the Victims from the violence then tional Guard soldiers. mongers seeking his violent new political posts for 15 years, The tweet remained online for some 5.5 hours, sparking worldwide incident in which Moncada was and this year have included sup- Venezuela’s opposition is de- overthrow with US support akin on allegations of “administrative ridicule. killed appeared to be a robbery porters on both sides, bystand- manding new elections to replace to the short-lived toppling of irregularities” that he denies, The message was finally deleted early on Wednesday, and Trump joked while others noted he had pre- ers and members of the security the unpopular socialist president his predecessor Hugo Chavez in potentially hobbling another about it in a subsequent tweet. sided in the controversial case of forces. whom foes accuse of wrecking 2002. bid to run in 2018 when the next Bassil Da Costa, a protester shot El Paraiso has seen nightly the Opec nation’s economy and While the state prosecutor’s presidential vote is due.

Cuban parliament approves Canadian nurse pleads guilty to Communist Party roadmap serial murders of senior citizens Castro: steps down next year. AFP “yes” when a judge asked if she Canada legalised doctor-as- Reuters usually the case after some dis- The documents resulted from to improve relations fails to off - Ottawa had committed the premeditated sisted suicide four months before Havana cussion. last year’s Communist Party set declining shipments of bar- murders. Wettlaufer’s arrest in October The meeting was called as Congress and include a theo- tered fuel from key socialist ally She also admitted to four other 2016. US President Donald Trump retical justifi cation for ongoing Venezuela and a drop in exports. former nurse pleaded attempted murders and two as- The short, stout and bespec- ith less than a year considers rolling back the US- eff orts to loosen up the Soviet- Critics say the government guilty yesterday to the saults. tacled 49-year-old now faces life until Raul Castro Cuban detente launched under style command economy and a should bolster growth by car- Akilling of eight elderly res- The court heard that Wet- in prison. Wsteps down as presi- his predecessor, Barack Obama, “national plan for economic and rying out more reforms, while idents under her care at Canadi- tlaufer had been angry about her The killings of the eight men dent, Cuba’s parliament ap- due to what he charges is a lack social development until 2030”. hardliners who distrust market an retirement homes, closing one job and life. and women aged 75 to 96 oc- proved documents yesterday of democracy and respect for The theory document cites as economics and any change that of the worst serial murder cases She put to rest speculation curred between 2007 and 2014 confi rming the Communist human rights in Cuba. guiding lights Cuban independ- would lessen their hold on pow- in the nation’s history. that she had acted on behalf of at two care facilities in Ontario Party as the country’s guiding While the documents were ence leader Jose Marti; com- er balk at that. Elizabeth Wettlaufer, shackled the patients, saying that her vic- province where Wettlaufer force and banning the concen- drafted before Trump’s elec- munists Karl Marx and Vladimir Castro, who took over the in a prisoner box inside a packed tims did not consent to being ad- worked, often in charge of night tration of private property and tion last November, their ap- Lenin; and Fidel Castro, the late presidency in 2008 from his courtroom, answered simply ministered insulin overdoses. shifts. wealth. proval sent a clear message that president who led Cuba’s 1959 ailing brother Fidel Castro, has The national assembly was Cuba will not make the political revolution. vowed to step down as president summoned for an extraordinary and economic concessions that The documents make some next February and as head of the Brazil looks into graft in 2012 Sao Paulo mayoral race session to approve Communist Trump has demanded. reference to the incipient pri- Communist Party by 2021. Party documents reaffi rming “These documents reaffi rm vate sector, such as family fi rms, First Vice-President Miguel Brazilian federal police carried out raids yesterday in 2.6mn-real ($806,501) debt that the campaign of the the one-party political system the socialist character of the but also stress the means of pro- Diaz-Canel, 57, is seen as the a probe of suspected corruption in the 2012 mayoral PT’s candidate, Fernando Haddad, had with a graphic and state domination of the Revolution ... and role of the duction and most farm land as heir apparent. race in Sao Paulo, South America’s largest city. design firm. socialist economy, even as the Party as the highest leading “property of the whole people” Castro, 85, said last year that Police said in a statement that they were searching Haddad, who won the 2012 election but lost his Caribbean island allows some force of the society and state,” through the state. those who fought in the revo- for evidence related to plea-bargain testimony given re-election campaign last year, has denied any private business and foreign in- the state-run Cuban News Cuba’s economy is currently lution and who remain in Par- by the Ricardo Pessoa, the former chief executive wrongdoing. vestment. Agency quoted Castro as saying. staving off a crisis as a tourism ty and government positions off icer of engineering firm UTC Engenharia SA. UTC Engenharia SA has said in an e-mailed response The ratifi cation by assembly The meeting was closed to boom that followed the 2014 would all leave offi ce over a ve- fi Pessoa testified in 2015 that he was approached that it would continue to co-operate with the deputies was unanimous, as is foreign journalists. deal between Castro and Obama year period. by the treasurer of the Workers Party (PT) to pay a authorities. Gulf Times 6 Friday, June 2, 2017 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

WORLD OF TOYS DIPLOMACY NARCOTICS CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGY China hails first fugitive Methamphetamine market Rare wild cats spotted in Japan launches satellite for extradition under Trump booming in SE Asia: UN Cambodia since 2015 super accurate GPS system

China yesterday hailed the first extradition The methamphetamine market in East and A Cambodian wildlife group said yesterday Japan successfully launched a satellite of a fugitive suspect from the United Southeast Asia has boomed over the past it has captured the first images since 2015 yesterday as part of a broader eff ort to build a States under the Trump administration decade, the United Nations Off ice on Drugs and of a fishing cat, a rare wild feline found homegrown geolocation system that boosts as a “major achievement” resulting from Crime (UNODC) said yesterday. The UNODC in Southeast Asia. Two fishing cats were the accuracy of car navigation systems and talks between the two countries’ leaders said the market has grown substantially photographed by camera traps set up in smartphone maps to mere centimetres. An H-IIA in April. The suspect, only identified since 2006, when just over 10 tonnes of the Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary, said rocket blasted off yesterday morning from the by his surname Zhu, was shown on live methamphetamine tablets and crystalline Claire Baker-Munton, communications Tanegashima space centre in southern Japan national television stepping off a United methamphetamine were seized. That figure off icer at the Cambodian Fishing Cat carrying the “Michibiki” No.2 satellite, which Airlines flight at Beijing airport flanked grew to 60 tonnes in 2015. The figures for 2016, Project. “Our survey has provided the first was later released into orbit. “The launch was a by two Chinese police officers, his head which are yet to be disclosed, are expected to photographs or photographic evidence success,” a Cabinet Off ice spokeswoman said. covered with a black hood. The Ministry reach “another historic level,” the UNODC said. In of the fishing cat in the sanctuary since Satellite geolocation systems, initially designed An employee of MagaHouse Corporation of Public Security said in a statement Zhu comparison to the rapidly growing popularity of the [last] survey in 2015,” she told DPA. for the US military, now power countless civilian displays a toy to change hair colour with ice was suspected of crimes involving the methamphetamine in the region, the amount of Local fisherman and boat drivers have also applications, from car navigation to Internet water at the International Tokyo Toy Show. “violation of personal rights”. heroin seized in the past decade grew minimally. reported first-hand sightings, she said. browsing on mobile phones. Malaysia Airlines bomb threat man had history

A man who was arrested for trying to enter the cockpit of Malaysia Airlines flight MH128 is driven into the Melbourne Magistrates of mental health issues Court in Melbourne, Australia.

DPA the Sri Lankan man tried to en- out for help. “In that one second, been moved to a secure location Sydney ter the cockpit, claiming to have there were four of us out of our for further checking, while the a bomb. He was overpowered seats and we pounced on him, passengers were allowed to leave by crew and passengers and the he just didn’t expect it at all,” he after eight hours of being kept in he 25-year-old man who plane returned to Melbourne for said. an isolated room in the terminal. threatened to blow up a an emergency landing. “All of a sudden, someone has Some of the passengers criti- TMalaysia Airlines plane The man, who is on a student him in a chokehold and got his cised police handling of the inci- on its way from Melbourne to visa in Australia, was arrested arm behind his back, and the dent, saying they were inside the Kuala Lumpur had a history of and charged with endangering other guy eventually choked him plane on tarmac for more than mental health problems, Aus- the safety of an aircraft and mak- and he passed out.” 80 minutes, unsure if there was a tralian Prime Minister Malcolm ing false threats. According to former Austral- bomb on their plane. Turnbull said yesterday. “I can The Australian Associated ian football league player Andrew “If there was a bomb on that confi rm that the matter is not Press said he refused to face court Leoncelli, who was on board, the plane we should have been evac- currently being treated as terror- yesterday, with his lawyer con- man screamed: “I’ve got a bomb uated from it. Instead we sat ism-related,” Turnbull told par- veying fears for his safety in cus- and I’m going to ******* blow the there,” Stan Young, a passenger, liament. tody. plane up,” before fl ight attend- said. Victoria Police Chief Com- “I am informed the man has a “He does have concerns for his ants and other passengers tack- missioner Graham Ashton said criminal history and has previ- safety in custody,” defence law- led and restrained him. Leoncelli the police needed to take “all ously been treated for mental yer Tess Dunsford told the mag- told Fairfax media that he was possibilities into account,” since health issues.” istrate, adding her client suff ers holding a “giant black object” on they thought the off ender may Police also said the man, iden- from a psychiatric illness and his hand, which police later said have had accomplices or other tifi ed as Manodh Marks, had been would not be applying for bail. was a bluetooth speaker or some- explosive devices. released from psychiatric care on “Malaysia Airlines would like thing similar. “If we had an incident where the same day he purchased his to stress that at no point was the Local media reported that there were further explosives ticket and boarded the fl ight. The aircraft ‘hijacked’,” the airline Melbourne airport was in lock- that were triggered, we could mid-air drama on Flight MH128, said. Passenger Scott Lodge told down when the plane landed and have had a mass casualty inci- with 337 passengers on board, Australian Associated Press that other fl ights were diverted away dent. There were 337 passengers occurred late Wednesday about the man grabbed a fl ight attend- to nearby airports. on that plane, plus crew,” Ashton Heavily-armed police walking through Malaysia Airlines Flight MH128 to arrest a Sri Lankan man after 20 minutes after take-off , when ant by the arm and she screamed Police said the aircraft has told reporters. the flight made an emergency landing in Melbourne.

Moon sends aide to US to quell fears over anti-missile system

South Korean President Moon made by Moon’s conservative to do with our alliance,” Japan, US conduct naval Jae-in’s top security aide left predecessor Park Geun- Chung told reporters before for Washington yesterday hye, who was impeached his departure. Chung said he as the new leader tries to and thrown from off ice in would meet Trump’s national reassure Seoul’s main ally he a corruption scandal that security adviser, H R McMaster, won’t scrap a deal to host a engulfed South Korea’s and finalise the agenda for the drill off Korean peninsula missile defence system that business and political elite. summit. has angered China. “My order for a probe on The presidential Blue Moon ordered an investigation THAAD is purely a domestic House said on Wednesday AFP this week into why his off ice measure and I want to be clear the Defence Ministry had Tokyo had not been informed about that it is not about trying to intentionally omitted details the deployment of four more change the existing decision about the THAAD battery in launchers for the US Terminal or sending a message to a report made to Chung last pair of US aircraft carriers High Altitude Area Defense the United States,” Moon week, when the government and Japanese naval vessels (THAAD) system, which told visiting US Senator Dick was preparing for the summit. Aconducted a joint drill in are being deployed amid Durbin late on Wednesday. Moon took off ice on May 10 waters off the Korean peninsula a growing threat of missile The remarks were Moon’s without a transition period yesterday, in an apparent show of launches by North Korea. first clear indication that he because a snap presidential force days after the latest North The new liberal leader had does not intend to stop the election was held just two Korean ballistic missile test. pledged during the recent deployment, which has drawn months after Park was ousted. The strike groups of USS Carl election campaign that he angry protests from China, He inherited her defence Vinson and USS Ronald Reagan would review the decision South Korea’s biggest trading minister, along with the rest joined Japanese destroyers Hyu- to deploy THAAD, and said partner. of the cabinet, and has yet to ga and Ashigara for the exercise it was “very shocking” his Chung Eui-yong, Moon’s name his own. in the Sea of Japan (East Sea), off ice had not been told of the national security adviser, also The THAAD battery was where Monday’s missile landed. latest deployment while he is denied that the controversy initially deployed in March The drills came as Washington preparing for a summit with over the THAAD deployment in the southeastern region and Tokyo step up their rhetoric US President Donald Trump in would have a negative impact of Seongju with just two with an eye to stopping North Washington this month. on the summit between Moon of its maximum load of six Korea’s missile and nuclear pro- The decision to deploy the and Trump. “We’ve suff iciently launchers to counter the North grammes. Pyongyang has now system in South Korea was explained that this has nothing Korean missile threat. conducted a dozen ballistic mis- sile tests this year, in defi ance of UN sanctions warnings and amid fears that it may be preparing for another nuclear test. The Carl Vinson strike group, including the USS Carl Vinson (foreground), during a joint navel drill with the The US-Japan drill comes USS Ronald Reagan and Japanese ships in the Sea of Japan (also known as the East Sea), off the Korean Close encounter shortly after the Pentagon tested peninsula where a North Korean missile landed during a test fire on May 29. an interceptor system to strike down a dummy ballistic mis- by the Japan Maritime Self-De- tions to punish the North and “North Korean problem is the sile. Last month, naval exercises fense Forces (JMSDF) for routine is urging China, Pyongyang’s international community’s top were conducted in the same wa- training to improve interoper- main sponsor, to play a greater priority”. ters with the USS Carl Vinson ability and readiness in the In- role in applying pressure on the Along with South Korea, Japan and South Korean and Japanese do-Asia Pacifi c,” the US Seventh unpredictable regime of Kim is the most directly threatened aircraft taking part. Washing- Fleet said on its Facebook page. Jong-un. US President Donald by Pyongyang’s provocations – ton described yesterday’s drill as Japanese military offi cials de- Trump has said Monday’s mis- Monday’s test was the second “routine training”. clined to comment on the drill. sile test showed “disrespect” for time this year that a North Ko- “The Ronald Reagan and Carl The United States has led the China, while Japan’s prime min- rean missile has fallen close to its Vinson Strike Groups were joined eff orts to bring further sanc- ister Shinzo Abe vowed that the shores.

East Timor reporters cleared of PM defamation charge

Two East Timor journalists an article in the Timor Post. “You journalists to not be afraid but front page clarification a few days accused of defaming the prime are free, you can return to your still careful in writing a sensitive later accompanied by an apology. minister were found not guilty by normal activities and please be article,” he said. Prosecutors But De Araujo, who became a Dili court yesterday, in a case careful in reporting news,” judge had sought a one-year jail Prime Minister in 2015, opted that had sparked alarm among Ivan Goncalves told the district term for Oki and a two-year to sue Oki and Martins for press freedom campaigners. court. After the verdict, Oki said suspended sentence for Martins defamation, claiming the article Dozens of local journalists he was relieved to be cleared and for publishing the November hurt his reputation. The case crowded the courtroom to said the case would be seen as 2015 article, which mentioned de drew criticism from rights groups, support reporter Raimundos Oki a bellwether for press freedom Araujo’s role in a computer tender including the International and his former editor Lourenco in Asia’s youngest nation. “I am during his previous role as adviser Federation of Journalists, which Vicente Martins as the court happy to hear the court’s ruling to the minister for finance. De last month said it was a “brutal A child looks at dinosaur models at an exhibition at the Zhejiang Natural Museum in Hangzhou ruled on a suit launched by Prime that cleared me, I hope this can Araujo objected to details in the attack on press freedom and an in China’s eastern Zhejiang province on International Children’s Day on June 1. Minister Rui Aria de Araujo over serve as a lesson for me and other piece and the Timor Post ran a attempt to silence critical voices”. Gulf Times Friday, June 2, 2017 7 BRITAIN

LITERATURE LAW AND ORDER ENTERTAINMENT INQUIRY CONTROVERSY J R R Tolkien’s book Escaped prisoner Tickets to Ariana Grande’s Woman held over alleged Victims of ‘monster’ published after 100 years recaptured by police benefit concert sell out torture during Liberia war surgeon demand truth

A new novel by Lord of the Rings author J R R A prisoner who went on the run has been Tickets for an all-star benefit concert in aid of The police yesterday said they had arrested a Victims of a surgeon branded a “monster” for Tolkien was published yesterday a century after it recaptured after he was spotted by a member of the victims of the Manchester bomb attack sold woman in London on suspicion of torture during carrying out unnecessary operations are calling was first written, prompted in part by the horrors the public. Michal Kisiel, 30, was being treated for out within minutes of going on sale yesterday. the civil war in Liberia more than 25 years ago. for a full inquiry into how he was allowed to he witnessed in World War I. Beren and Luthien, a head wound at Salisbury District Hospital on The “One Love Manchester” concert will be The 51-year-old was arrested in the east of the operate, after he was sentenced to 15 years in edited by Tolkien’s son Christopher Tolkien, Tuesday when he managed to flee from prison headlined by Ariana Grande, the US singer capital and searches were being carried out at prison. Five hundred ex-patients of Ian Paterson presents two characters – a man and an elf – guards. He was arrested after he was seen in whose concert in the city on May 22 was hit by two addresses in east London and central London, are also seeking compensation from a private taken from Tolkien’s fictional world, Middle Earth. Nunton, Wiltshire, about 8km away from the site a suicide bombing that killed 22 people and police said in a statement. Off icers were liaising healthcare provider after he was convicted The story centres on a series of daunting quests of his escape. Wiltshire Police said he would be wounded 116. Coldplay, Justin Bieber, Miley with the foreign ministry and the prosecution of “wounding with intent” and “unlawful and forbidden love, according to HarperCollins returned to prison “in due course”. The force said Cyrus, Pharrell Williams, Take That and the Black service, it added. “The allegations relate to wounding” of 10 women. Charlie Massey, head Publishing. Written after the author came back it had received “a large number” of calls reporting Eyed Peas will also perform at the concert at the atrocities that occurred during the civil war in of the General Medical Council, said: “It is from France in 1916, the book served as an possible sightings of Kisiel, which initially led them Emirates Old Traff ord Cricket Ground on Sunday. Liberia between 1989 and 1993,” police said. From absolutely right that questions are asked about “exorcism” of the appalling experiences he had on to believe he had fled the county. It received a call Proceeds from tickets sold will go to the We 1989 to 2003, up to a quarter of a million people how this happened and more crucially how the the battlefields of World War One, Tolkien scholar at 20.40BST from a witness who recognised Kisiel Love Manchester Emergency Fund set up to aid in the West African nation were killed in a civil war, health system can prevent it from happening John Garth said in a BBC interview. when they saw him near a nursery, police said. grieving families and victims of the attack. while thousands more were mutilated and raped. again”.

Poll blow puts May Farage ‘person under pressure of interest’ in Reuters London

rime Minister Theresa May’s gamble on a snap election Pwas under question yester- FBI probe into day after a YouGov opinion poll showed her Conservative Party’s lead had fallen to a fresh low of three percentage points just a week before voting begins. A failure to win the June 8 elec- tion with a large majority would Trump, Russia weaken May just as formal Brexit talks are due to begin while the Guardian News and Media fl uence the US election. Farage has said he only met As- loss of her majority in parliament London “One of the things the intel- sange once but declined to say would pitch British politics into ligence investigators have been how long the two have known turmoil. looking at is points of contact and each other. In the strongest signal yet that igel Farage is a “person persons involved,” one source The FBI’s national press of- the election is much closer than of interest” in the US said. “If you triangulate Russia, fi ce said it had no comment on previously thought, May’s lead has Ncounter-intelligence in- WikiLeaks, Assange and Trump Farage. collapsed from 24 points since she vestigation that is looking into associates the person who comes The former Ukip leader has surprised both rivals and fi nancial possible collusion between the up with the most hits is Nigel voiced his support for the Rus- markets on April 18 by calling the Kremlin and Donald Trump’s Farage. sian president, calling Vladimir election, YouGov data showed. presidential campaign, the “He’s right in the middle of Putin the leader he most ad- The opposition Labour party Guardian has been told. these relationships. He turns up mired, in a 2014 interview. Ukip polled 39% against the Conserva- Sources with knowledge of over and over again. There’s a lot also has history with Assange: tives’ 42%. the investigation said the former of attention being paid to him.” Gerard Batten, a Ukip member of A YouGov model based on dif- Ukip leader had raised the inter- The source mentioned Farage’s the European parliament (MEP), ferent data estimated May’s Con- est of FBI investigators because of links with Roger Stone, Trump’s defended the Wikileaks founder servatives would win 317 seats, his relationships with individu- long-time political adviser who in a speech in the European par- nine short of an overall majority of als connected to both the Trump has admitted being in contact liament in 2011. 326 seats. After a hectic campaign campaign and Julian Assange, the with Guccifer 2.0, a hacker whom One source familiar with the which was suspended by a suicide WikiLeaks founder whom Farage US intelligence agencies believe US investigation told the Guard- bombing last week, pollsters have visited in March. to be a Kremlin agent. ian that the examination of off ered a vast range for the result WikiLeaks published troves Farage’s spokesman said he Farage’s activities was considered of the election: From May losing of hacked e-mails last year that had never worked with Rus- especially delicate given his role her majority to a landslide victory damaged Hillary Clinton’s cam- sian offi cials, and described the as an MEP. for her Conservatives of more than paign and is suspected of having Guardian’s questions about Neither Farage nor Trump have 100 seats. co-operated with Russia through Farage’s activities as “verging on made a secret of their admiration Betting that she would win a third parties, according to recent the hysterical”. for one another. They emerged strong majority, May called the congressional testimony by the “Nigel has never been to Rus- as unlikely winners last year in snap election to strengthen her former CIA director John Bren- sia, let alone worked with their contests that have reshaped the position at home as she embarked nan, who also said the adamant authorities,” the spokesman said. world order: Britain’s vote to on complicated Brexit negotia- denials of collusion by Assange But he did not respond to ques- leave the EU and Trump’s sur- tions with 27 other members of the and Russia were disingenuous. tions about whether Farage was prise ascendency to the White European Union. Farage has not been accused of aware of the FBI inquiry; had House. But if she fails to beat the 12-seat wrongdoing and is not a suspect hired a lawyer in connection to Both men credited their abil- majority her predecessor David or a target of the US investiga- the matter; or when Farage fi rst ity to tap into the worries of Cameron won in 2015, her elec- tion. But being a ‘person of inter- met Trump. struggling and neglected toral gamble will have failed and est’ means investigators believe The spokesman also declined citizens for their vic- her authority will be seriously un- he may have information about to comment on whether Farage tories. But at the heart dermined. the acts that are under investiga- had received compensation of the US investigation If May failed to win an overall tion and he may therefore be sub- from the Russian state-backed lies a deeper question: majority, she would be forced to ject to their scrutiny. media group RT for his me- whether Trump campaign strike a deal with another party to Sources who spoke to the dia appearances. RT, offi cials and people close continue governing either as a co- Guardian said it was Farage’s which has featured to the former reality alition or a minority government. proximity to people at the heart Farage about three TV star sought to That would have uncertain of the investigation that was be- times over the last work with state consequences for Britain’s $2.5tn ing examined as an element in 18 months, also players in Rus- economy, and future government their broader inquiry into how declined to com- sia to try to in- policy on everything from gov- Russia may have worked with ment, citing con- fl uence the US ernment spending and corporate Prime Minister Theresa May attends an election campaign event at Ultima Furniture in Pontefract Trump campaign offi cials to in- fi dentiality. election result. taxation to bond issuance. yesterday. Campaign rally Royal family ‘needs House prices fall for vision to survive’

London Evening Standard and that movement through the third month in a row London generations allows the monarchy to stay relevant and keep up with modern times. You are only as Guardian News and Media market is losing momentum. minds while buying or selling their rince William has revealed good as your last gig and it is really London Moreover, this may be indicative home.” he believes the monarchy important you look forward, plan, of a wider slowdown in the house- Samuel Tombs, chief UK econo- Pmust “have a vision” to stay have a vision.” hold sector, though data continues mist at Pantheon Macroeconom- relevant and survive. The future The prince, second in line to the ouse prices in Britain have to send mixed signals in this re- ics, agreed. “Prices have been un- king said he believes the institu- throne, spoke of what it was like fallen for the third month gard.” He noted real incomes were aff ected by previous elections and, tion “is in a good place” but sug- to learn to be head of state. “You Hin a row, for the fi rst time under pressure as infl ation had unlike in 2015, none of the major gested the royals must not be learn on the job,” he said. “There is since the height of the fi nancial overtaken wage growth, although parties plans to increase property complacent as it is “important you no rulebook.” crisis in 2009. the number in work continued to taxation.” Gardner said it was too look forward” and have a “plan”. He also revealed he believes The fall further dragged down rise at a healthy pace and the un- early to say whether the slow- The Duke of Cambridge, 34, media fi gures took advantage of the annual growth rate in May, employment rate hit a 42-year low down was a blip, a refl ection of the spoke out about the future of the his mother as his parents’ mar- to 2.1%, the lowest in nearly four in the three months to March. squeeze on household budgets or monarchy in a frank interview riage collapsed in the Nineties. years, providing further evidence The UK’s other main house due to mounting aff ordability pres- with Tony Blair’s former spin doc- The prince slammed the press for that the housing market is losing price index, from mortgage lender sures in key areas of the country. tor and journalist Alastair Camp- their treatment of his mother and steam, according to Nationwide, Halifax, is also on a downward However, Nationwide believes bell for British GQ Magazine’s July revealed he considered giving evi- the UK’s biggest building society. trend. It showed a 0.1% fall in house prices will slow further issue. dence to the Leveson inquiry. Its closely watched monthly April, taking the average property and household spending is likely When Campbell, who describes William said: “There is a certain house price index showed that price to £219,649 – nearly £3,000 to weaken along with the wider himself as a “Leftie republican”, element of Fleet Street getting fed the average price of a home fell below the peak in December 2016. economy, as rising infl ation fur- asked how the monarchy had up with nice stories about us. They by 0.2% between April and May, Gardner dismissed suggestions ther squeezes household budgets. bucked the trend in a “non-def- want the past back again, soap, to £208,711. This compares with the slowdown was linked to the Jonathan Hopper, managing erential, anti-establishment” age, drama. monthly declines of 0.4% in April general election on June 8. “If his- director of Garrington Property William said: “I do feel the mon- “I couldn’t do my job without and 0.3% in March. The annual tory is any guide, the slowdown is Finders, said: “The slowdown is archy is in a good place and my the stability of the family. Stabil- growth rate of 2.1% is the low- unlikely to be linked to election- anything but uniform. Proper- grandmother has done a remark- ity at home is so important to me. est since June 2013, and compares related uncertainty. Housing mar- ties in some regions are seeing able job leading the country — her I want to bring up my children in a with 2.6% in April. ket trends have not traditionally double-digit price reductions, yet Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron speaks during a vision, her sense of duty, her loy- happy, stable, secure world.” Ad- Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s been impacted around the time at certain price points in the most campaign rally with activists and supporters in Kingston alty, her steadfastness, it has been mitting he and his family lead an chief economist, said: “It is still of general elections. Rightly or in-demand areas, gazumping and upon Thames, southwest London yesterday ahead of the unwavering. “abnormal life”, he added: “Total- early days, but this provides fur- wrongly, for most homebuyers, intense competition between buy- June 8 general election. “We now have three generations ly, but I can still try to protect them ther evidence that the housing elections are not foremost in their ers are the order of the day.” of working royals, four altogether, as children.” Gulf Times 8 Friday, June 2, 2017 EUROPE

Probe into minister detracts from China, Europe take Macron ethics bill

AFP Paris the lead on climate rench prosecutors have announced a prelimi- AFP “China will continue to imple- Trump raised alarm bells when if the US president in the next more violent weather events. Fnary investigation into a Berlin ment promises made in the Paris he refused to sign up to a pledge hours and days says that he will They vowed steps to keep the property deal involving one of Agreement, to move towards the on the deal at last week’s G7 get out of the Paris accord, then worldwide rise in temperatures President Emmanuel Macron’s 2030 goal step by step steadfast- meeting in Italy. it’s the responsibility of Europe “well below” 2° Celsius (3.6° ministers, on the same day the hina and Europe took the ly,” Li said in a Berlin joint press Merkel on Saturday labelled to say: that’s not acceptable. Fahrenheit) from pre-industrial new government unveiled pro- lead yesterday on forging conference with German Chan- the result of the “six against one” “It’s not about the future of times and to “pursue eff orts” to posals to clean up politics. Con with the Paris climate cellor Angela Merkel. discussion “very diffi cult, not to the European people, it’s above hold the increase under 1.5°C. The probe adds to the pres- accord, as fears grew US Presi- “But of course, we also hope to say very unsatisfactory”. all about the future of people Since taking offi ce on January sure on territorial cohesion Ferrand: I am an honest man. dent Donald Trump would pull do this in co-operation with oth- With media reports swirling elsewhere,” warned Juncker on 20, Trump, who has called cli- minister Richard Ferrand, who Washington out of the landmark ers,” added Li, as Merkel hailed that Trump had decided to pull Wednesday. mate change a “hoax”, has sent has for days rebuff ed calls to implicate” the former Socialist deal. China’s pledge. Washington out of the accord, He noted that it would take contradictory signals on the Paris resign over allegations of fa- politician. After a day of rumours about China has been investing bil- America’s international allies three or four years to exit from deal. vouritism towards his com- Ferrand was also revealed the Republican leader’s plans, lions in clean energy infrastruc- and Trump’s domestic oppo- the Paris deal, and revealed that When asked on Tuesday mon-law wife in a deal with a last week to have hired his son with some aides reportedly say- ture, as its leaders battle to clear nents have lashed out at the bil- world leaders had sought to ex- whether Trump believes human health insurance fund. to act as his parliamentary as- ing that a withdrawal was likely up the notorious choking pollu- lionaire. plain that to Trump at the G7 activity is contributing to climate The aff air is an embarrass- sistant in 2014 – a practice and others saying no decision tion enveloping its biggest cities, The White House did not con- summit. change, White House spokes- ment for 39-year-old Macron, that, while legal, has created had been taken, Trump said he including Beijing. fi rm those reports, and it was un- “As it appears, that attempt man Sean Spicer told reporters: who swept to power on May resentment among French vot- was ready to make his stance Li, who was due to travel to clear whether Trump would fully failed,” said Juncker. “But a rule “Honestly, I haven’t asked him 7 on a pledge to rejuvenate ers. known. Brussels for a summit with the scrap US participation, merely is a rule. that. I can get back to you.” France’s tainted political class. “For years, and particularly “I will be announcing my deci- European Union later, was ex- water down US emissions objec- And everyone must respect it. Trump’s new head of the En- The announcement of the in recent months, we have sion on Paris Accord, Thursday pected to stress the same mes- tives – or surprise everyone with Not everything that is a rule, and vironmental Protection Agency, investigation overshadowed seen practices that have dam- at 3:00 P.M. The White House sage there. a decision to follow the status not everything that stands in an climate sceptic Scott Pruitt, has the government’s presentation aged the trust the citizens have Rose Garden. MAKE AMERICA China and the US are respon- quo. international agreement, is fake said he wants Washington to quit of its fi rst bill, which aims to in their representatives and GREAT AGAIN!” the US leader sible for some 40% of the world’s A US withdrawal would come news.” the Paris deal. boost ethics in public offi ce. caused deep exasperation,” said in a tweet, punctuating the emissions and experts have less than 18 months after the European Union President But other top Trump advisers, The draft law includes a ban Justice Minister Francois Bay- post with his campaign slogan. warned that it is vital for both to historic 196-nation pact was Donald Tusk also issued a plea including his daughter Ivanka on ministers and parliamen- rou said yesterday as he pre- Hours ahead of his 1900 GMT remain in the Paris agreement if adopted in the French capital, the to Trump on Twitter, saying: and Gary Cohn, the head of the tarians hiring family members sented the ethics bill. announcement, the world’s it is to have any chance of suc- fruit of a hard-fought agreement “please don’t change the (politi- president’s National Economic – a move aimed at avoiding Apart from fi ghting nepo- biggest carbon emitter China ceeding. between Beijing and Washington cal) climate for the worse.” Council, are said to favour stay- a repeat of the scandal that tism, the legislation proposes pledged to stay the course on im- The leader of Asia’s other under Barack Obama’s leader- The Paris agreement commits ing in the treaty. tripped up conservative presi- the creation of a “democracy plementing the 2015 accord. behemoth, Indian Prime Min- ship. signatories to eff orts to reduce A dozen large companies in- dential candidate Francois Fil- bank” to help parties fund their Premier Li Keqiang said it was ister Narendra Modi, had said European Commission Presi- greenhouse gas emissions that cluding oil major BP, agrochemi- lon on the campaign trail. election campaigns and to in- in China’s own interest to do so, on Tuesday, also in Berlin, that dent Jean-Claude Juncker hit out cause global warming, which is cal giant DuPont, Google, Intel Fillon had been leading the troduce bans on offi cials con- and urged other countries to do failing to act on climate change at Trump’s purported decision. blamed for melting ice caps and and Microsoft, have also urged race until it emerged that his victed of corruption or fraud likewise. would be “morally criminal”. “I am a transatlanticist. But glaciers, rising sea levels and Trump to remain part of the deal. wife and two of his children from holding offi ce for up to 10 earned nearly a million euros years. for suspected fake jobs as par- The Ferrand aff air, as it has liamentary assistants. been dubbed, has been the lone The aff air cost Fillon crucial snag in an otherwise smooth Massive iceberg support and boosted Macron, start to Macron’s tenure, in a relative newcomer to politics which he has drawn praise for who campaigned as a clean pair forming a balanced, cross- of hands. party government, standing up poised to snap off Now Macron is fi ghting ac- to US President Donald Trump cusations of being soft on pos- and taking a fi rm line with sible wrongdoing in his own Russia’s Vladimir Putin. camp, less than two weeks Macron’s rivals on the left from Antarctica before crucial parliamentary and right have seized on the elections in which he is aiming controversy to try to win back for a majority. ground lost to the centrist AFP iceberg about 350m thick, ex- The Canard Enchaine news- ahead of the June 11-18 parlia- Paris panded by 17km (11 miles) in six paper reported last week that mentary elections. days, leaving just a 13km thread a public insurance fund pre- The conservative Republi- attaching it to the main ice sheet. viously headed by Ferrand in cans party, still smarting from n expanse of ice roughly “The timing of calving is prob- his native Brittany agreed in Fillon’s elimination in the fi rst the size of Delaware is ably very close,” a university 2011 to rent a building from his round of the presidential elec- Aclose to breaking off from statement said. “There appears partner and pay for renova- tion, has accused Macron of the warming Antarctic ice shelf to be very little to prevent the tions that signifi cantly boosted ethical double-standards – as to form one of the world’s larg- iceberg from breaking away com- its value. has Marine Le Pen’s far-right est-ever icebergs, scientists said pletely.” The 54-year-old minister, National Front (FN) and the yesterday. An ice shelf is a fl oating exten- who was one of Macron’s fi rst Socialist Party. On the day President Donald sion of a land-covering ice sheet. This handout picture received yesterday from Nasa via Swansea University shows an aerial view of the prominent backers, says his Le Pen, who was runner-up Trump is to announce whether or Larsen C is the most northerly Larsen C ice rift in Antarctica. partner made the fund the best to Macron in the presidential not the United States will with- of the Antarctic ice shelves, as off er and that he had no say in vote, said yesterday that the draw from the Paris Agreement well as the largest. ocean, the global water mark The Larsen B event had no development of the rift”. the matter. Ferrand aff air “looks terribly to limit climate change, satellite The calving of the iceberg would increase by about 10cm precedent since the end of the Ice shelves break up naturally, “I am an honest man,” Fer- like the Fillon aff air”. data showed that the West Ant- would see it lose about a tenth of (4”), the researchers said. last Ice Age some 12,000 years but global warming is thought rand told France Inter radio on But political analyst Jerome arctic Larsen C shelf is poised its total area, shrinking it to its The West Antarctic ice sheet ago, according to glaciologists. to have accelerated the process, Wednesday, adding: “Every- Sainte-Marie of the PollingVox to shed an ice block measur- smallest size on record. holds enough frozen water to “It is widely accepted that though this has not been scien- thing I have done in my profes- survey company said he did ing about 5,000sq km (1,900sq On its own, the huge ice cube raise the average sea level by warming ocean and atmospheric tifi cally proven. sional life is legal, public and not expect the allegations to miles). would not add to sea level rise. about 6m (20’). temperatures have been a factor Scores of countries commit- transparent.” severely damage Macron. “The rift in Larsen C is likely to But its detachment may render Two smaller shelves on the in earlier disintegrations of ice ted to the 2015 Paris Agreement, Further revelations in recent “It is not great but it is very lead to one of the largest icebergs the remainder of the Larsen C eastern side of the Antarctic pe- shelves elsewhere on the Antarc- which calls for eff orts to cap glo- days about Ferrand’s twin ac- manageable because it is not ever recorded,” said Swansea shelf unstable and vulnerable to ninsula have already collapsed. tic Peninsula,” the Swansea team bal warming at “well under” 2° tivities as fund manager and about campaign fi nancing and University in Wales, whose sci- collapse, which would release The fi rst, Larsen A, was lost in said. Celsius (3.6° Fahrenheit) over MP have fuelled suspicion of therefore does not aff ect the entists are monitoring the creep- vast amounts of water, scientists 1995. Antarctica is one of the fastest pre-industrial era levels. confl ict of interest, overshad- heart of the machine,” he said, ing crack. say. Seven years later, the Larsen B warming places on the planet, Temperatures have already in- owing Macron’s highly antici- predicting Macron would ob- The rift, which is threaten- If all the glaciers held back by shelf followed – at 3,250sq km, it they added, “a feature which will creased by 1.1°C from those lev- pated draft law on “confi dence tain a “strong majority” in the ing to carve off a fi nger-shaped Larsen C were to run into the was the size of Rhode Island. certainly not have hindered the els. in public action”. parliamentary election. Prosecutors initially said A Kantar Sofres poll on there were no grounds for an Tuesday showed Macron’s investigation into Ferrand party on course to win the fi rst but said yesterday that they round with 31%. All-electric, emission-free ferry to navigate Norway fj ords changed their minds in light No projections are available of “extra elements that could for the second round.

AFP hailed the initiative. is also at the forefront of electri- zero by 2100, it said. the all-electric solution like the Oslo The 42m (138’) catamaran will fying its transport. The Scandinavian country, ‘Future of the Fjords’”, the head be able to transport 400 passen- It is a world leader in terms of with strong shipping traditions, of Bellona, Frederic Hauge, told gers at a speed of 16 knots, pow- electric cars sold per capita, and launched a fi rst electric ferry in AFP. n all-electric, emission- ered by two 300kW electric mo- is expected to launch the world’s early 2015, the Ampere, which “It’s clear that the cost of bat- Spanish anti-graft free ferry will navigate tors, its future owner The Fjords fi rst 100% electric coaster next can carry 350 passengers and 120 teries is decreasing. It’s expen- Athrough Norway’s fa- said at the Nor-Shipping trade year. cars. sive today, but it’s going down,” mously stunning fj ords from show near Oslo. Yesterday the Norwegian But the Ampere has a tradi- he stressed. prosecutor resigns April 2018, the shipowner an- Already in the process of be- Shipowners Association unveiled tional fuel motor that can be used The Fjords already runs a nounced yesterday. ing built in a Norwegian ship- new targets to help reach the if necessary, unlike the “Future of similar vessel, the “Vision of the The “Future of the Fjords” will yard, the ship will be launched goals of the Paris accord on con- the Fjords”, noted Bellona. Fjords”, but it is an electric-diesel Reuters though Spain’s public prosecu- be the world’s fi rst wholly elec- between two fj ords, including taining global warming. Shipping “is a sector where we hybrid. Madrid tor Jose Manuel Maza, who an- tric vessel without a combus- Naeroyfj ord which is a Unesco The Norwegian fl eet’s carbon can make a lot of savings on fuel It was elected ship of the year nounced the anti-corruption tion engine, the environmental World Heritage site. dioxide (CO2) emissions are to thanks to electrifi cation, with in 2016 at the international ship- chief’s resignation, defended organisation Bellona said as it A major oil producer, Norway be halved by 2050 and reduced to hybrid solutions but also with ping fair in Hamburg. pain’s anti-corruption Moix’s track record. prosecutor, who was in “I’m satisfi ed that there is Scharge of graft investi- absolutely nothing in the way gations involving members of he behaved that has been ir- the ruling People’s Party (PP), regular or illegal,” Maza said. stepped down yesterday after Several Spanish newspapers Group calls for quicker action after ex-Auschwitz guard dies coming under fi re for holding reported in April that Moix had a stake in an off shore company tried to hinder a probe, still at in Panama. the pre-trial stage, which in- DPA head of the Wiesenthal Centre in Auschwitz concentration camp ian Jews to Auschwitz over a pe- the murder of more than 28,000 Manuel Moix’s appointment volved the PP’s Madrid branch. Berlin Jerusalem. in occupied Poland. riod of three months in 1944. Jews while he was a guard at the in February had already led to a Moix denied any wrongdo- “We urge the German judicial The four-month trial included The majority of them were Sobibor camp, also in occupied row between the minority PP ing, but opposition parties authorities to fi nd a way to expe- 57 Auschwitz survivors and their gassed to death on arrival. Poland. government, which approved called for his resignation. erman authorities should dite these cases,” he added in the family members who joined the For decades after the war, Ger- Seven decades after World War his nomination, and opposi- Moix’s appointment had be- expedite the cases of Nazi statement released yesterday. proceedings as co-plaintiff s, as is man courts argued that the top II, there have been 103 convic- tion parties which criticised come increasingly embarrass- Gwar criminals, an inter- Reinhold Hanning, who vol- permitted under German law. Nazi leadership was principally tions of Nazi war criminals, ac- the way he handled some cases ing for Spanish Prime Minister national group that campaigns to unteered to join Adolf Hitler’s The court heard witness ac- to blame for the mass murder of cording to an annual report from involving the governing party. Mariano Rajoy, whose party is bring them to justice said yester- SS when he was aged 18, died on counts of atrocities committed Jews and that lower-ranking in- the Simon Wiesenthal Centre re- Moix confi rmed on Wednes- embroiled in a series of cor- day, amid news of the death of a Tuesday in the town of Lage in at the camp, including the hang- dividuals in the Holocaust ma- leased in January. day that he had a 25% stake in ruption scandals, as opposition former Auschwitz guard. northwestern Germany, his law- ing of a 16-year-old boy who had chinery were bound by a chain Italy and the US top the list. an off shore company which he parties questioned his creden- “The fact that none of the yer Andreas Scharmer confi rmed stolen a piece of bread and the of command and, therefore, less Changes in Germany’s pros- shared with his siblings and tials. three death camp guards and op- yesterday. beating to death of a man who culpable. ecution policy since 2011 have had inherited from his father. Rajoy, who is not himself ac- eratives convicted in recent years Hanning was found guilty by lost his glasses in the shower. That approach changed radi- resulted in more investigations, He denied any wrongdoing cused of any wrongdoing, has in German courts have served a court in nearby Detmold last Hanning was present at the cally after a legal precedent set by and “there is potential for ad- and said in a Spanish radio in- been trying to distance himself their sentences weakens the im- June of participating in the sys- camp during the so-called Hun- the 2011 conviction of John Dem- ditional achievements in the terview that the arrangement from corruption scandals that pact of these important judicial tematic killing of 170,000 people gary Operation, which saw the janjuk, who was found guilty by a immediate future,” the report was legal. have come at a cost in the bal- decisions,” said Efraim Zuroff , between 1943 and 1944 at the deportation of 425,000 Hungar- Munich court as an accessory to added. He stepped down yesterday, lot box. Gulf Times Friday, June 2, 2017 9 INDIA

POLITICS INQUIRY MYSTERY CRIME PEOPLE Aam Aadmi Party to Delhi minister grilled for Sailor found dead Man who accused Kejriwal Close call for actress as hold ‘EVM challenge’ eight hours in graft probe aboard navy ship kin of scam link attacked plane ‘nearly crashes’

The Aam Aadmi Party said it will hold a parallel The Central Bureau of Investigation yesterday A 21-year-old sailor was found dead of a bullet An attempt was made on the life of Rahul Sharma, Actress Sunny Leone said her private plane EVM challenge tomorrow alongside the election questioned Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain injury aboard INS Rana yesterday, the navy who had accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind nearly crashed in Maharashtra yesterday as commission’s to prove that the poll panel’s for over eight hours in connection with a money said. Vikash Yadav sustained a bullet injury Kejriwal’s late brother-in-law of involvement in a it faced a bout of bad weather but everyone challenge was “pointless”. The AAP had earlier laundering probe against him. Jain allegedly while he was on duty as sentry early in the scam worth Rs100mn, the police said yesterday. was safe. The actress uploaded a video of decided not to take part in the commission’s laundered the money in 2010-12 and 2015-16 morning. “He was immediately shifted to the Sharma escaped unhurt in the Greater Noida the incident on her off icial Twitter account. challenge after its request for change in terms using his companies and Kolkata-based data local naval hospital where he was declared attack. The attack came late on Wednesday night, “Everybody was freaking out in the plane and and conditions was shot down by the panel. AAP entry operators. Jain was questioned at the CBI dead by doctors,” a navy official said. It was as Sharma’s car was overtaken by bike-borne now we are heading home,” she tweeted. In the legislator Saurabh Bharadwaj, who had earlier headquarters in south Delhi’s Lodhi Road area. not clear if the sailor shot himself, or if his gun assailants near the Gaur City society roundabout video, Sunny said: “Hey guys, thankfully we are demonstrated how an electronic voting machine The questioning which started at 11am went went off accidentally. “His family and local under the Bisrikh police station in Greater Noida, all alive! Our private plane almost crashed due can be hacked using a prototype in the Delhi on till 7.30pm, according to CBI off icials. The police have been informed of this unfortunate Uttar Pradesh. The attackers tried to fire at to bad weather.” She also thanked the pilot for a assembly, said the party’s challenge will have the CBI in April initiated a probe against Jain and incident. A board of inquiry is being ordered to Sharma’s car but the pistol apparently jammed. doing a great job in keeping them safe. “Have to same prototype. “We accept that our machines are registered a preliminary enquiry against the investigate the incident,” the official said. The Sharma hit the bike and fled the spot, the police thank the pilots for doing such an amazing job tampered. But you’ve to prove they’re tampered Aam Aadmi Party leader, who is known to be 21 year old sailor was unmarried and hailed said. The entire episode was caught on a CCTV. A getting us through and alive. You know it’s bad without opening it under four hours,” he said. close to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. from Madhya Pradesh’s Bhind district. police complaint has been filed. when the pilot starts praying mid-air!” Violence mars Gandhi meets party workers Maharashtra farmers’ strike

IANS porting fruits, vegetables, milk, Mumbai etc. before permitting passage. A group of farmers in Nanded bathed a picture of Fadnavis in everal incidents of violence milk to highlight their demands marred the start of an un- and in Pune, activists beat, with Sprecedented, indefi nite slippers, a poster bearing the pic- “strike” by over half a million ture of BJP spokesperson Mad- farmers in Maharashtra yesterday hav Bhandari for his comments in support of various demands, against the farmers strike. including the long-pending loan In another incident near Satara, waiver package. the driver of a milk tanker was In several parts of the state, manhandled by some farmers and transport vehicles and some po- prevented from proceeding to his lice vehicles were pelted with destination to transport the com- stones and at least one tempo sus- modity, while stones were pelted pected of carrying farm produce at some vegetable and police vehi- was set ablaze. cles near Nashik. Perceived as docile, the farm- If the strike continues beyond ers’ belied their image with their a couple of days, major cities like Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi interacts with party workers in Hyderabad yesterday. aggression visible as they took Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, out processions, stopped trucks Pune, Nashik, Nagpur and others and other goods vehicles carrying may experience severe shortage farm produce to cities, and emp- of milk, fresh fruits, vegetables, tied the content of half a dozen foodgrains and other items of milk tankers on to the roads. daily requirements, Swabhimani Maharashtra Chief Minister Shetkari Sanghatana leader and Devendra Fadnavis – without MP Raju Shetti warned. taking names – indirectly ac- Striking farmers, who had de- cused the opposition parties like clared they would not indulge in the Congress and the National- any farming activity, including Opposition tears into ist Congress Party of allegedly sowing for the upcoming kharif fomenting violence among the season, resorted to the agitation striking farmers to pursue their after talks with the Maharashtra political agenda. government failed on Tuesday. The strike got a boost with sup- The organisers said the strike port extended by the Congress, elicited “huge response” from the NCP, and the Maharashtra farmers all over the state, except govt over falling GDP Trade Unions Joint Action Com- from agriculturists in the coastal mittee with 35 diff erent unions Konkan, who are not part of the IANS ocratic Alliance) government of Chidambaram, who had pre- etisation was announced, I torn apart, and the government across industries which will also agitation since there is not much New Delhi using diversionary ploys. dicted demonetisation to aff ect had voiced my concern that is celebrating all this as three take out a solidarity procession in farming activity in the region. “Falling GDP, rising unem- growth by 1%-1.5%, further the country would have to face years of great governance,” said Mumbai tomorrow. Movement of agricultural ployment. Every other issue said: “How long can the gov- severe loss of jobs and drastic the Marxist veteran. Ruling ally Shiv Sena asked the goods has been restricted since he opposition yesterday is manufactured to distract us ernment fool itself and fool the decline in productivity. My ap- The Aam Aadmi Party held Bharatiya Janata Party to heed the midnight and eff ects of shortages attacked the Modi gov- from this fundamental failure,” people of India by saying all is prehension is now proven to be demonetisation to be the big- farmers demands and take ur- were felt yesterday evening in ur- Ternment over the decline Gandhi said on Twitter. well. Investments are declin- true,” she said on Facebook. gest contributor for the decline gent steps, but Fadnavis retorted ban centres. in GDP growth during the last Former fi nance minister and ing, credit growth is negative “What the people, who in GDP growth and demanded a by saying the government was Most APMC (Agricultural quarter of 2016-17, saying their Congress leader P Chidama- to most sectors and there are no pushed the country to this cri- white paper. “aware of its responsibility” and Produce Market Committees) fear of demonetisation impact- baram warned of the economy jobs. sis, have to say,” asked Banerjee. “Like the truth about eco- expected the same from its ally. markets wore a desolate look as ing the economy had come true. going down even further if cor- “The economy is going down Communist Party of India- nomic development has come In Osmanabad, Satara, Nashik, farmers, traders, head-loaders, Even as Union Finance Min- rective steps were not taken im- very rapidly and unless cor- Marxist general secretary Sita- out now, the truth about demon- Latur, Ahmednagar, Pune and transporters and other offi cials ister Arun Jaitley sought to de- mediately. rective measures are taken, the ram Yechury ridiculed the gov- etisation will also come out,” parts of Vidarbha, farmers vowed virtually kept off . bunk demonetisation impact- “What the Congress and the economy will go down even fur- ernment for its celebrations of AAP leader Dilip Pandey said. not to sell their produce till the Farmer leader Jayaji Suryawan- ing the economy, the Congress, opposition have been saying has ther. We have warned the gov- three years of its completion. “Many economists around government conceded their de- shi, who is also a member of the Trinamool Congress, CPI-M been proved true. The economy ernment. We are forewarning “We were told that the de- the world have concluded that mands and dumped huge quanti- state-level umbrella organisation and AAP unanimously blamed was slowing down in the mid- the people of India,” he added. monetisation will help India the biggest contributor for the ties of tomatoes, onions and other Kisan Kranti Morcha that is spear- the noteban for the GDP growth dle of 2016. Instead of taking One of the most vocal critics grow faster. This is the faster fall in GDP has been demoneti- vegetables being taken to markets heading the strike, was alleg- plummeting to 6.1% in the last corrective measures, the gov- of demonetisation, West Bengal growth they promised,” Yechury sation,” he said, demanding that on roads and highways. edly roughed up by some traders quarter. ernment came up with this ex- Chief Minister and Trinamool said on social networks. the central government release On the outskirts of Nashik and near Aurangabad here yesterday Leading the attack over “fall- traordinarily foolish measure of Congress chairperson Mamata “Internal security is in a a white paper and apologise for Ahmednagar, small groups of morning when he was on a market ing GDP”, Congress vice presi- demonetisation and that has set Banerjee too slammed the Cen- mess, economy is slowing “cheating” people in the name farmers set up ‘check-posts’ to round to drum up support for the dent Rahul Gandhi accused the back the economy even further,” tre. down, farmers committing of demonetisation of November verify if goods carriers were trans- strike. Modi-led NDA (National Dem- he said. “Right at the time demon- suicide, social fabric is being 2016. Putin hosts Modi at Dinakaran, aide get Russia economic forum bail in bribery case IANS Dinakaran was arrested on New Delhi April 25 by the Delhi Police’s AFP sanctions, had ended up having matic ally and main arms sup- Crime Branch on allegations Saint Petersburg “zero eff ect”. plier, providing everything from of attempting to bribe election Putin said he hoped “Russo- tanks to aircraft. court in the national commission offi cials to obtain a phobia” in the West would “not But the relationship became capital yesterday granted favourable verdict so that the now ussian President Vladimir last for too long, not forever, if unmoored following the collapse Abail to AIADMK (All In- frozen ‘two leaves’ party symbol Putin yesterday hosted only because the understanding of the USSR, as India underwent dia Anna Dravida Munnetra Ka- could be restored to Sasikala’s RPrime Minister Naren- has to come that it is counter- an economic transformation zhagam) leader and party general faction of the AIADMK. dra Modi on the sidelines of the productive and harms everyone.” and increasingly sought to build secretary V K Sasikala’s nephew The poll panel had frozen the Kremlin’s annual economic fo- For the Kremlin, India repre- trade ties with Western nations. T T V Dinakaran and his close AIADMK’s symbol after the two rum, as Moscow looks to burnish sents the sort of major emerging That process has accelerated aide Mallikarjun in the cash for factions of the party – one led by a fragile recovery despite ten- market it wants to do more busi- in recent years as New Delhi has election symbol case. Sasikala and the other by former sions with the West. ness with as it looks to insulate orbited closer to Washington, Special judge Poonam Chaud- Tamil Nadu chief minister O Pan- Modi and Putin met on the third itself against geopolitical shocks and Russia has fostered relation- hry granted bail to both accused neerselvam – staked claim to it. leg of the Indian leader’s four-na- with the unpredictable Donald ships with India’s chief regional and asked them to furnish a per- Dinakaran had sought bail on tion tour of Europe with the pair Trump in the White House. rivals Pakistan and China. sonal bond of Rs5 lakh each and the grounds that there was no looking to bolster declining trade “It is very clear that there will Modi and Putin are expected two sureties of the like amount. reason to keep him in custody between the once key partners. be a very strong statement that to oversee a number of deals and Granting relief to the duo, the and no public servant was made Modi is the guest of honour Russia is looking to diversify its discuss a framework agreement court said they were “no longer an accused in the case, though at this year’s three-day Saint political relations, is not looking for Moscow to supply more reac- required for custodial interroga- he was booked on graft charges. Petersburg Economic Forum — to have one best friend,” analyst tors to a nuclear plant in south- tion”. The two were however asked Police had opposed his bail plea. Russia’s answer to Davos — that Chris Weafer from Macro Advi- ern India as the country seeks to not to leave the country without Dinakaran has been accused Putin wants to use to push the sory said. reduce its reliance on highly pol- the court’s prior permission, to of allegedly arranging the money idea that Russia has turned the “Rather than praising China or luting coal. surrender their passports and join from undisclosed sources and page on a brutal recession caused being critical of Europe, they will A revival of two-way trade, the investigation as and when re- getting it transferred from Chen- by low oil prices and sanctions try to say ‘We are going to be di- which slumped to below $8bn quired by the investigating agency. nai to Delhi through illegal chan- over Ukraine. versifi ed, we are going to be open’.” in 2015 despite an ambitious bi- They were also directed not to nels, while Mallikarjuna was ar- Speaking to journalists as the Russia and India enjoyed a lateral target of $30bn by 2030, try to infl uence the witnesses or rested for allegedly facilitating a showcase kicked off , the com- decades-long alliance forged will be a key priority during Mo- Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Prime tamper with evidence. The court Rs500mn deal between Dinaka- bative Kremlin strongman in- during the Cold War, when the di’s visit, after he made visits to Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting on the sidelines of also observed that the public ran and alleged middleman Suke- sisted that measures against Soviet Union was New Delhi’s Spain and Germany and ahead of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in servants, who were to be allegedly sh Chandrashekar to get a favour- Moscow, including economic largest trading partner, diplo- a trip to France. Saint Petersburg yesterday. lured, have not been identifi ed. able order from the poll panel. Gulf Times 10 Friday, June 2, 2017 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

Opposition holds ‘public assembly’ outside Pakistani Parliament

Internews Islamabad

he opposition parties in the National As- sembly of Pakistan yesterday grilled the Tgovernment over budget proposals at an ‘Awami Assembly’ outside the Parliament House building after government’s refusal to allow live telecast speeches of Syed Khursheed Shah and other opposition members. The opposition parties, including Pakistan Peo- ple’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf (PTI), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Muttahida Qaumi Move- ment (MQM), boycotted proceedings of the Na- tional Assembly and organised their own Awami Assembly at the space allocated for press talk at the entrance to the building. The opposition members did not get live cover- age on PTV News but they managed to have their speeches at the Awami Assembly aired live on pri- vate television channels. The opposition leader, Syed Khursheed Shah, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Asad Umar and Ayesha Gulalai of PTI, MQM member Dr Farooq Sattar, Sahibzada Tariqullah of Jamaat-e-Islami and other members participated in the unoffi cial debate. The participants continued raising slogans ‘Go Nawaz Go’ and clapping during speeches. The Awami Assembly of the opposition parties also condemned threatening language used by the PML-N Senator Nihal Hashmi against members of the JI. The PTI member, Dr Arif Alvi, chaired proceed- ings initially and later hand over the charge to Kishwar Zehra of MQM. The proceedings of the Awami Assembly con- tinued an hour after the adjournment of the Na- tional Assembly session. A government’s delegation led by Mehmood Khan Achakzai also arrived at the scene to con- People perform prayers for one of the victims of Wednesday’s blast during a burial ceremony in Kabul yesterday. vince opposition parties to return to the National Assembly but they stuck to their demand. The opposition leader Khursheed Shah said the fi nance minister tried to deceive the whole nation particularly the common man whereas there is nothing in the budget for poor masses. He said the federal government also failed to meet GDP growth whereas the fi nance minister also presented wrong fi gures relating to tax recovery. He said tax recovery fi gure of Rs2,520bn also Taliban warns against includes Rs300bn which are to be refunded to tax fi lers mainly the traders community. Khursheed Shah said the government had in- stalled second hand machinery at Sahiwal Power Plant. He pointed out that the PPP’s last government gave 125% raise in salaries of government employ- ees whereas the present government allowed just retaliation after attack 47.5% increase in salaries. Shah Mehmood Qureshi of PTI came harsh on Reuters since the US-led campaign to oust and said it had acted with the help of incidents and any kind of losses.” the months over bureaucratic wran- the government for its failure to meet electricity Kabul the Taliban in 2001, it was only Pakistan’s intelligence service. movement’s spokesman Zabihullah gling. crisis. the latest in a grim series that has A spokesman for Pakistan’s for- Mujahid said in a statement. With two dozen entry points into He said that health and education are not pri- killed thousands of civilians over eign ministry rejected the allega- Wednesday’s explosion occurred Kabul and thousands of vehicles orities of the government. he Taliban yesterday warned the years. tions as baseless, saying the accusa- near the German embassy at one of entering and leaving each day, total Dr Shireen Mazari said the opposition parties the Afghan government Salim Rasouli, head of hospi- tions would be “unhelpful towards the entry points to Kabul’s unoffi cial control is impossible but there have were forced to stage their Awami Assembly after Tagainst harming any of their tals in Kabul, said 80 dead and 461 eff orts for peace”. Green Zone, a haphazard warren of been increasing questions over how they were refused live telecast of their speeches prisoners after reports that Presi- wounded had been brought to the With growing public anger over concrete blast walls and sandbagged trucks loaded with explosives man- saying the government was trying to suppress dent Ashraf Ghani would order the city’s hospitals but at least 10 other the chronic lack of security, Afghan check points that has grown up age to drive through the city. their voices. execution of 11 militants on death people were known to be missing television station Tolo News report- around the diplomatic quarter as the A huge crater ripped into the Asad Umar while challenging budget fi gure said row in revenge for the devastating and believed dead, with relatives ed that Ghani had signed execution insurgency has intensifi ed. ground at the site of the blast and that exports of the country never experienced truck bomb attack in Kabul. still searching morgues and hos- orders in a repeat of last year’s hang- While the sewage tanker carry- shattered windows in houses more such low in the history. Ghani’s fragile and divided gov- pitals more than 24 hours after the ing of six Taliban prisoners after an ing the bomb was stopped from en- than a kilometre away were testa- Sahibzada Tariqullah of JI said the opposition ernment has come under increasing blast. earlier suicide attack. tering the zone, it was unclear how ment to the power of the explosion, parties were united against dictatorial acts of pressure over its failure to provide “For God’s sake, what is happen- Two senior Afghan offi cials con- such a large quantity of explosives which was set off by a bomb con- the government and would not back out of their security following a series of high- ing to this country?,” said Ghulam fi rmed that a list had been drawn up could get through the ring of check- cealed in the tanker. stance. profi le attacks that have killed hun- Sakhi, a shoemaker whose shop is of prisoners, all convicted members points set up around Kabul to pro- Several embassies were damaged The JI parliamentarian said the budget propos- dreds of soldiers and civilians so far close to the site of the blast. of the Taliban or the Haqqani net- tect the capital. and a number of foreigners wound- als carried no relief for the poor masses adding as this year. “People leave home to fetch a loaf work, but said no order had been A high-tech set of security gates ed, but the majority of victims were, to how a poor worker could make both ends meet Wednesday’s blast, at the start of of bread for their children and later signed. and associated scanners, fi nanced as ever in such attacks, Afghan civil- in wage of Rs15,000 per month. the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, that evening, their dead body is sent In a statement, the Taliban, who by China and intended to protect the ians. Dr Farooq Sattar criticised the government for ripped through a traffi c-clogged back to the family.” repeated their denial of involve- capital from large bomb attacks, still “Right now, thousands of our not controlling the K-Electric to end miseries of street, packed with people on their The Taliban have denied respon- ment, responded to the reports by lies unused in a warehouse, almost a people are in mourning. Why and people of Karachi due to long hours of unsched- way to school or work during the sibility. threatening retaliation against the year after it was delivered. for how long do we have to suff er uled load-shedding. morning rush hour, causing hun- But the National Directorate for Kabul government and the justice An offi cial from the interior min- this situation?” said shopkeeper Meanwhile, the opposition leader Khursheed dreds of casualties in an instant and Security, Afghanistan’s main in- system in particular if any prisoners istry confi rmed that the gates were Enayatullah Mohammadi. Shah said yesterday he did not think it was the sending a tower of black smoke into telligence agency, has blamed the were harmed. still in the warehouse and said there “We want our leaders to ensure views of senator Nihal Hashmi but of the whole the sky. Haqqani network, an affi liate group “The administration of Kabul will were technical problems but instal- security in the country and if they PML (N). One of the worst such attacks directly integrated into the Taliban, be responsible for the outcome of lation had already been held up for can’t, they should resign.” “Nihal Hashmi has threatened army and judges. The threatening of the JIT members is beyond rea- son and this kind of hooliganism would not be al- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa inventories lowed,” he said. Intangible Cultural Heritage The opposition leader said the combined oppo- sition will hold its meeting prior to the joint ses- The culture department of Pakistan’s Khyber Army revives plans to shift GHQ to Islamabad sion to formulate its strategy on Fata reforms and Pakhtunkhwa province is preparing an inventory of threats of Nihal Hashmi to judges and JIT. Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of the province for He said the institutions have been threatened listing of all festivals, traditions, games, languages, Internews sponse CDA Member Estate Khushal Khan and settled the audit para accordingly. and if it continued, they will not allow the presi- literatures, folklores, food and local norms. Islamabad said: “They have revived the plan and are The subcommittee yesterday directed dent to speak a word tomorrow in the house. “The inventory will be completed in first week of about to kick off construction activities.” the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) He said the PML-N leaders were hiding in their June, 2017 and the list will be displayed at the website Committee member Mian Abdul Manan to revive its inquiry into the private fi rm house after 1999 but only Begum Kulsum Nawaz of Culture Department,” said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa he military has revived plans to shift asked why the CDA allotted subsidised Diplomatic Shuttle Service, which was was on the roads. culture department deputy director Shahbaz Khan. the General Headquarters (GHQ) land to GHQ and why the authority did not given the award to run buses in the Diplo- “Now after coming into power, all PML-N lead- He said that it was for the first time that inventory Tfrom Rawalpindi to Islamabad, and charge the full amount. matic Enclave to facilitate visa applicants. ers are claiming themselves to be tigers,” he added. of ICH of KP was being prepared in accordance with is ready to kick off construction on the Acting CDA chairman Sheikh Ansar According to Audit (Works) Director international law and as per requirement of Unesco. project. Aziz responded that the prime minister General Maqbool Gondal, the fi rm was The off icial said that in the initial stage, 10 lan- The plan was shelved around October at the time had approved the subsidy, but awarded the contract at a rate of Rs4,444 2 civilians killed in shelling guages of the province were being listed besides 2008 to 2009, at the instructions of then if the PAC issues directives to charge the in annual ground rent. mentioning five literary personalities of the province chief of army staff (COAS) Ashfaq Pervez full amount, the authority could write to However, the auditors said after the akistan said yesterday two of its civilians including Khushal Khan Khattak and Rehman Baba. Kayani, due to fi nancial constraints. the federal government to pay the CDA the expiry of the contract, the authority auc- were killed and seven injured in Indian Shahbaz Khan said the department was also The decision was disclosed by the Capi- entire sum. tioned the same service for Rs90mn. Pcross-border shelling in the disputed Kash- contemplating over constitution of a committee for tal Development Authority’s (CDA) mem- The committee subsequently issued di- Gondal said the entire bus service case mir region. inscription of literary book ‘Baz Nama’ of Khushal ber estate during a meeting of the Public rections for the CDA to receive the actual was handled by a single director, adding Senior government offi cial Raja Tahir Mumtaz Khan Khattak in ‘Memory of the World Register.’ Accounts Committee (PAC) subcommit- cost of the land and write to the federal that when the inquiry into the matter be- said the incident occurred in the Poonch sector He added literary figures, media persons, civil tee. government in this regard. gan the original fi le related to the contract along the Line of Control (LoC), the de-facto bor- society and government off icials would be the mem- An audit report raised two objections The committee was also informed that went missing. der that divides the Himalayan territory. bers of the committee. with regards to the plan which, according the 1960 CDA Ordinance and 1960 Islam- “The CDA reconstructed the fi le, but “These civilians were sleeping in their houses, The off icial disclosed that for the first time in the to the audit claim, will cost the CDA over abad Land Displaced Person Rehabilitation it went missing again,” he said, adding: one of the dead was a 65-year old,” Mumtaz said, history of South Asia the department was preparing an Rs4bn. Policy did not allow for package deals with “Even the inquiry report on this scam dis- adding that four women were among those in- android app of Langarey, a traditional game of Khyber The audit report said the CDA had ac- aff ected people to acquire land and built up appeared.” jured. Pakhtunkhwa, which is on verge of disappearance. quired 870 acres in D-11 and E-10 for GHQ property. He recalled that a PAC subcommittee Mohamed Ashfaq, a police offi cial in the area, He said the objective behind preparation of the at a rate of Rs1,159 per square yard, but al- The audit pointed out that the CDA Di- headed by Shafqat Mehmood had ordered added that several houses were also damaged due android app of an old game was to introduce it to lotted the land to GHQ at a subsidised rate rectorate of Land went into a package deal for an inquiry to be registered, but after to the mortar fi re. our new generation that mostly preferred playing of Rs200 per sq yd. to acquire land for GHQ, Islamic Univer- several months the authority did not lodge Nafees Zakariya, Pakistan’s foreign ministry games on cellphones and computers. The report said the subsidised allot- sity in H-10 and for a residential sector in any complaint with law enforcement au- spokesman, confi rmed the deaths in a press brief- The off icial said the Culture Department wanted to ment “resulted into loss to the authority D-12, and allotted the aff ected villagers thorities. ing in Islamabad and accused India of carrying out promote the real face of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the amounting to Rs4,034mn”. double plots. The committee then asked the CDA unprovoked ceasefi re violations. department participated in an exhibition about cultural A PAC subcommittee headed by Sena- However, when the authority told the chairman and NAB to complete the inquiry There have since been repeated outbreaks of arts of Peshawar at the British Council in London. tor Mushahid Hussain Syed asked whether committee the land was procured mainly for in a month and submit the report to the fi ring across the LoC, with both sides reporting work on the site had begun, and in re- GHQ, the committee took a lenient stance committee. deaths and injuries including of civilians. Gulf Times Friday, June 2, 2017 11 PHILIPPINES

Smoke billowing from a burning building is seen as government troops continue their assault on insurgents from the Maute group. Right: Tanks on a village street in Marawi. Mindanao rebellion not Maute but purely ISIS, says Duterte Eleven government troops have The deaths of the soldiers takes the occupation of Marawi was the work of been killed in a friendly fire incident number of security force members Islamic State, and planned a long time killed to 38, with 19 civilians and 120 ago. Reuters rebel fi ghters killed in the battles in “You know, the rebellion in Mind- Manila Marawi over the nine days. anao, it’s not Maute, it’s purely ISIS,” Lorenzana said militants who were he said. Saudi, Malaysian, Indonesian, Yem- The military was carrying out air hilippine President Rodrigo Du- eni and Chechen were among eight strikes on locations it believes are shel- terte yesterday said a rebellion foreigners killed in the fi ghting, in what tering Isnilon Hapilon, the so-called Pon the southern Mindanao island experts say is a sign the Philippines may emir of Islamic State and point man in was not the work of rebels from the have a major problem on its hands. the Philippines. Maute group but was “purely ISIS”, and An exodus of residents from mainly The capture or killing of Hapilon he had long warned of Islamic State’s Muslim Marawi started on May 23, would be a much-needed public rela- imminent arrival in his country. when the Maute rebels ran amok, tions boost for the military as the Mau- Duterte said Islamist militants being torching and seizing buildings, steal- te fi ghters capitalise on the publicity driven out of Iraq and Syria were look- ing police weapons and vehicles, tak- from their defi ant stand. ing for a new base and the siege of Ma- ing hostages, and freeing jailed rebels to Islamic State fl ags around Marawi rawi City was planned a long time ago. rejoin their fi ght. The military added 21 have been spotted by media. He also reiterated that the radicals in armoured vehicles and a third battalion Images have been circulated widely the southern Philippines were getting of troops to the operation yesterday to on social media of smiling fi ghters funding from the illicit drugs trade, put an end to the occupation. dressed in black attire typical of the and said the Maute brothers, who the Lorenzana said the military might group, posing with trophies that in- militant group is named after, were in- suspend air strikes, describing the clude stolen government weapons and volved in narcotics. rebels as a small force that “cannot hold armoured vehicles hit by rocket-pro- Duterte, who has declared war on that long”. pelled grenades. drugs, has long maintained that nar- Bombardments by OV-10 light at- A video posted on the website of Is- cotics are at the heart of the country’s tack aircraft were carried for over an lamic State’s Amaq news agency shows crime and security problems. hour early yesterday. fi ghters alongside bodies of dead sol- An air strike on Islamist rebel holed Troops engaged rebel snipers, as hel- diers inside a vehicle. up in a southern Philippine city has icopters circled identifying targets. A The authenticity of the video and the killed 11 government troops, the armed fi re blazed in one building moments af- images on social media could not be in- forces said yesterday. ter a plane dropped its payload. Smoke dependently verifi ed. The bombing accident happened on rose into the sky. Military spokesman Restituto Padilla Wednesday when one of two planes A government soldier looks at a man holding a white flag who fled his home in Marawi City. President Rodrigo Duterte is con- said an investigation would be held to bombing rebel positions missed its tar- cerned radical ideology is spreading in establish how the air force plane killed get in the heart of Marawi City, where tion, aimed at fl ushing out the Islamist Lorenzana told a news conference. power and greater troop strength. the southern Philippines and it could ground troops. ground troops have been battling pro- gunmen who have defi ed expectations “It’s very sad to be hitting our own The government is concerned that become a haven for militants forced out “The risk involved in being a soldier, Islamic State militants holed-up in by clinging on through days of ground troops,” he added. “There must be a the group’s brazen attack and its re- of Iraq and Syria. being an airman, being a sailor, being buildings for nine days. assaults and helicopter rocket attacks. mistake somewhere, either someone silience could strike a chord with the He made no mention of the killing of a marine is very much in the heart of The incident came during what was “Sometimes in the fog of war a lot of directing from the ground, or the pilot.” Islamic State leadership in the Mid- soldiers by air force planes in a speech. every soldier,” he said. the fi rst off ensive deployment of fi xed- things could happen. Accidents hap- The Maute group has been a fi erce dle East and win its endorsement as its He said the Maute group was be- “He knows where we are entering wing aircraft in the nine-day opera- pen, like this,” Defence Secretary Delfi n enemy of a military with superior fi re- Southeast Asian affi liate. ing given too much credit, and that the into. But the mission continues.” Volunteers brave fi re and rockets to rescue children

Guardian News and Media threat from the government side. Lomondot studies interna- rockets and fi red machine-guns Manila On Wednesday 10 Philippine tional relations at university. “I at central districts, as tropical troops were killed in a “friendly have no medical training but I storm clouds gathered overhead. fi re” incident as the military bat- want to help,” he said. “We risk Black smoke rose throughout hey go by the name “Sui- tered rebel positions. our lives. We didn’t expect this the day from Marawi’s skyline, cide Squad”, and the rea- “The militants know the area invasion — Marawi was a peace- which was dotted with corru- Tson why becomes abun- well,” said Ross Alonto, who co- ful place before. Now it’s under gated roofs turned red with rust. dantly clear amid the smoke and ordinates the squad’s two rescue siege.” Thirty security forces, 19 civil- carnage of the besieged Philip- teams from an army-run com- The squad, largely students ians and 89 gunmen have been pine city of Marawi. plex on hill that overlooks the and civil servants, escaped the killed, according to army fi gures. This was once a busy urban city. “They can set up good van- chaos as the insurgents ram- The number could be much landscape with a population tage points for sniping.” paged through the lakeside city higher as soldiers pushing into A government soldier secures an area where residents are said to be trapped in their homes. of nearly 200,000, but in just a Over the past seven days, last Tuesday, burning a cathe- new areas say there are corpses week it has been torn apart by squad members have been shot dral, breaking out prisoners and in the streets. The Suicide Squad thing.” He said there had been On Tuesday Lomondot found passed through. Houses nearby Islamic State-linked rebels, who at numerous times and dodged taking hostages. Ninety per cent received a call from three people a dramatic escalation in the in- three children who had been hid- were burning.” now occupy large areas. artillery shells. of civilians in the majority-Mus- on Wednesday morning. tensity of the fi ghting in the last ing on the bottom fl oor of their The family lived off canned tuna The Philippine army has ar- They have little protective lim city have fl ed. Fearful of encountering Isis three days. house for a week with no tap wa- and sardines for several days until rived en masse with helicopter equipment: some wear white Some of the volunteers re- fi ghters in the streets, the trio “We have seen a lot of heavy ter or electricity. Unlike most, they saw army soldiers taking up gunships and tanks to try to dis- plastic climbing helmets, which turned to retrieve relatives and decided to swim across the river fi re, artillery and aerial bom- their family had managed to stay positions in their neighbourhood. lodge the rebels. Trapped in the might defl ect falling rocks but friends left behind. They met to escape. They have yet to be bardment. And obviously with fed as they owned a grocery shop Jamielah had become dehy- middle are about 2,000 civilians would be useless against bullets. at a camp for the displaced and found. this type of weaponry, we are attached to their home. drated and was vomiting so they with no certainty of a safe route Before heading out they strap agreed to co-ordinate to save The International Committee much more concerned about the Sixteen-year-old Amar Us- pleaded with the soldiers to al- out. That’s where the ragtag on white armbands and attach a others. of the Red Cross has called for a collateral damage to the civilians man Jamail and his two sisters low the rescuers in. The Suicide bunch of 30 volunteers comes in. white fl ag to their cars to signal A couple of days later, when temporary ceasefi re to allow peo- who are trapped in their houses. Amaliah, 10, and Jamielah, 18, Squad got the call and rushed The Suicide Squad has become that they are noncombatants. the government set up a hotline ple to leave, but rebel-held areas And how the [military] targets had remained with their par- through the empty streets to pick a vital lifeline, driving towards “We’re like the White Helmets,” for trapped civilians to call for remain inaccessible. are chosen,” he said. ents who had hoped the fi ghting them up. The children’s father the frontlines, dodging sniper said Abdul Azis Lomondot, a help, the squad formed. “As long as the bullets are fi r- “I spoke with the generals in would end and so stayed at home refused to leave but sent Amar fi re and rocket strikes, to rescue 25-year-old squad member, re- “You could say it was spon- ing, we cannot [rescue people],” Marawi. They assured us that to prevent looting. and Amaliah to accompany their civilians hiding in their homes. ferring to the humanitarians in taneous,” said Alonto. “We were said Martin Thalmann, deputy they are very careful in selecting Amar said that when he peeked sick sister. In the government- The confl ict lines in this urban Syria famed for pulling people receiving calls from civilians and head of the ICRC Philippines the targets but you know when out of the window at night he had run medical centre on the edge battle are blurred and dynamic, from the rubble. plotting their locations on a map delegation. you see the number of bombs seen men in the streets wearing of the city, the two sat beside with rebel gunmen sneaking But unlike the White Helmets, so we could go and get them.” “Because we would just com- falling … the number of artillery black face masks and carrying Jamielah, who lay asleep with from house to house. many in the Suicide Squad have On Wednesday this week, pletely put at risk the lives of our shooting, you are very worried assault rifl es. a saline drip in her arm. “We’ll Added to that is the very real no medical experience. military helicopters launched staff . We cannot do this kind of for the civilians in the city.” “We were afraid but they look after each other,” Amar said. Gulf Times 12 Friday, June 2, 2017 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL/BHUTAN Maoist poll Whales stranded workers tear ballots in Nepal

Agencies release Madhu Neupane and Kathmandu Drone Shivakoti. The bench has sought Rs100,000 from each as the bail amount. he election authorities Vote counting was stalled in Nepal and political after the representatives of Tparty representatives Maoist Centre allegedly tore yesterday confi rmed that 90 the ballot papers while the ballot papers were torn by counting for Bharatpur Metro- CPN (Maoist Centre) repre- politan City-19 was underway. sentatives at counting venue National Human Rights of Bharatpur Metropolitan City Commission has said its atten- (BMC) on Sunday night. This tion has been drawn towards was according to a report in the the situation in Chitwan’s Kathmandu Post. Bharatpur Metropolis that re- Representatives of CPN sulted after ballot papers of (Maoist Centre) tore the ballot local level election were torn Members of the Sri Lankan Navy and local residents rescue a pod of about 20 stranded pilot whales off the island’s northeastern coast, near the port of Trincomalee. Navy papers while the counting for during the counting of votes on spokesman Chaminda Walakuluge said sailors with the help of residents pushed the whales back to deeper waters after they washed up on the Sampur coast. Bharatpur Metropolitan City Sunday. Ward-19 was underway on In a statement yesterday, Sunday night. the NHRC has said that all A total of 2,897 votes were sides should respect the vot- cast in the ward, and 1,809 ers’ rights to cast their bal- votes had already been count- lot for their desired candidate ed. while the right of candidates Of the votes left to be count- to become elected with maxi- ed, 998 ballot papers were fi ne mum votes should be safe- and only 90 ballot papers were guarded. found torn. “It is the duty of all political Dhaka welcomes UN The venue was opened af- parties, candidates and their ter Election Commission in- representatives to allow the structed the chief election election process to take place commissioner of Chitwan to in a fair and impartial manner send a new report mentioning as per the spirit of constitu- the exact number of ballot pa- tion of the country and inter- pers that were torn on Sunday national declaration on human mission on Rohingyas night. rights, citizen and political Two cadres of the CPN rights,” read the statement. Myanmar has already President of the UN Human ment and unlawful destruction agenda and work for the months teams into the country, they said. (Maoist Centre), who were ar- The constitutional rights rejected working with the UN Rights Council, ambassador of property, said the release. ahead, the release said. The offi cials hinted that even- rested on charge of tearing bal- body has sent a letter to Elec- Joaquin Alexander Maza Martel- The mission members, who Any offi cial reaction from the tually if Myanmar does not allow lot papers at the vote counting tion Commission underlining By Mizan Rahman li, announced the appointment will serve in their personal ca- Myanmar side is not yet avail- the fact- fi nding mission, then centre in Bharatpur Metropoli- the need to become more vigi- Dhaka of Indira Jaising (India), Radhi- pacities, are also mandated to able, said the offi cials of the for- the mission may be dispatched tan City on Sunday night, were lant to ensure that such inci- ka Coomaraswamy (Sri Lanka) carry out their work with a view eign ministry in Dhaka. to Bangladesh to fi nd the truth released on bail yesterday. dents are not repeated in the and Christopher Dominic Si- to ensuring full accountability of But, they said that right af- by interviewing those Rohingyas A single bench of district future. angladesh has welcomed doti (Australia) to serve as three the perpetrators of these acts and ter the passage of the resolution who had to fl ee to Cox’s Bazaar to judge Basudev Paudel this af- The NHRC has sought an in- the formation of a three- members of the fact-fi nding justice for the victims. moved by the European Union to escape the brutality of the My- ternoon issued the order to vestigation into the matter. Bmember fact-fi nding mis- mission on Myanmar. India and China had disassoci- constitute such a mission, Aung anmar security forces and local sion by the United Nations Hu- Jaising will serve as the chair of ated from the resolution when it San Suu Kyi, state councillor and Buddhist population in the Ra- man Rights Commission to look the three-member mission, said was passed. de-facto leader of Myanmar, re- khine state. into allegations of atrocities re- a press release issued by the glo- The council also encouraged jected such a mission. Bangladesh will be happy to cently committed by the Myan- bal human rights body. the government of Myanmar to On May 2, at a joint press con- facilitate such a trip as it did in mar security forces against the On March 24, 2017, at its 34th fully co-operate with the fact- ference in Brussels with Suu Kyi, case of UN special rapporteur on EU delegates press Rohingya populace in Rakhine session, the council decided to fi nding mission by making avail- a Nobel laureate, EU high repre- Myanmar Yanghee Lee, the for- state. urgently dispatch an independ- able the fi ndings of their domes- sentative for foreign aff airs and eign ministry offi cials said. Foreign ministry offi cials ent international fact-fi nding tic investigations and by granting security policy Federica Mogh- The UN team that visited Lanka govt over said in Dhaka, “There is doubt mission, to be appointed by the full, unrestricted and unmoni- erini said the fact-fi nding mis- Bangladesh after being refused whether the mission will be al- president of the council, to “es- tored access to all areas and in- sion is focusing on establishing entry into Myanmar in its report lowed into Myanmar to carry out tablish facts and circumstances terlocutors, said the release. the truth about the past and that prepared based on interviewing anti-Muslim crimes its activities as per its mandate of the alleged recent human The council also stressed the she believes this can contribute Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar said because the government of My- rights violations by military and need for the mission to be pro- to establishing the facts. that Myanmar’s security forces anmar has already all but rejected security forces, and abuses, in vided with all necessary resourc- Asked about the move, Suu committed mass killings, gang AFP way, South Africa and Switzer- it”. Myanmar, in particular in Ra- es and expertise necessary to Kyi, said: “We are disassociating rapes and other atrocities against Colombo land. “Despite this, we welcome the khine State”, it said. carry out its mandate. ourselves from the resolution be- Rohingyas that might amount Rights groups have ac- move. We hope that good sense Through human rights council The fact-fi nding mission is cause we don’t think the resolu- to crimes against humanity and cused Sri Lankan police of will prevail and Myanmar will co- resolution 34/22, the 47-mem- scheduled to present an oral up- tion is in keeping with what is ac- ethnic cleansing. Special rappor- ri Lanka-based West- failing to stop a series of hate operate with the mission formed ber body mandated the members date to the Human Rights Coun- tually happening on the ground.” teur Lee also voiced similar views ern diplomats yesterday crimes and not prosecut- by the global body,” he said. of the mission to look into, al- cil at its thirty-sixth session in The remarks of the state coun- after her visit to Myanmar and Surged Colombo to inves- ing a controversial Buddhist Echoing the sentiment of his legations of arbitrary detention, September this year and a full re- cillor clearly indicate reluctance Bangladesh. tigate a wave of anti-Muslim monk who went into hiding superior, another offi cial said, torture and inhuman treatment, port at its 37th session in March, on the part of Myanmar to allow Since October, 2016, more than violence in the Buddhist-ma- last week. “It’s a positive step. Let’s hope rape and other forms of sexual 2018, it said. the fact-fi nding mission into 70,000 Rohingyas have crossed jority island following repeated Police have yet to make any Myanmar will co-operate with violence, extrajudicial, summary The members of the mission Myanmar, said the offi cials. into Bangladesh adding to the arson attacks targeting shops, arrests in connection with the the UN mission to fi nd out the or arbitrary killings, enforced are expected to meet in Geneva In the past, the Myanmar gov- 3,00,000 Rohingyas already liv- mosques and a cemetery in the arson attacks targeting Mus- truth.” disappearances, forced displace- in the coming weeks to plan their ernment has refused to allow UN ing in the country for decades. past month. lims. The European Union del- Activists have warned that egation chief Tung-Lai Margue police inaction could spur urged the government to en- communal unrest similar to the sure perpetrators were pros- anti-Muslim riots in 2014 that Japan princess in Bhutan ecuted swiftly as the envoys left four dead. visited a mosque in Sri Lanka’s The riots in mid 2014 — led capital to express solidarity by a hardline Buddhist group — with Muslims in the wake of were widely seen as the cata- the attacks. lyst that led to then president “It is important that the Mahinda Rajapakse’s downfall government and the police en- in January 2015. sure that there is no impunity Muslims account for just for hate crimes,” Margue said 10% of Sri Lanka’s 21mn pop- in a statement after yester- ulation and have emerged as day’s visit to the Dewatagaha king makers in a country where mosque in Colombo. the majority Sinhala-Buddhist Margue was accompanied by community is split down the top diplomats from Australia, middle between two national Canada, the Netherlands, Nor- parties.

Bangladesh to buy urea from Qatar

By Mizan Rahman cal, said a press release. Dhaka Bangladesh has been im- porting urea fertiliser from Qa- tar, Saudi Arabia and the Unit- n industries ministry ed Arab Emirates (UAE) from delegation is set to visit 2006-07 fi scal year in order to AQatar next week to pur- meet its nitrogen fertiliser de- chase urea. mand. The six-member delegation, In 2016-17 fi scal, Bangla- led by Industries Minister Amir desh signed a deal to import Hossain Amu, is going to Qatar some 3.25 lakh metric tonnes tomorrow aiming to fi nalise a of Urea from Muntajat (Qatar deal to purchase urea under a Chemical and Petrochemi- Government-to-Government cal Marketing and Distribu- (G-2-G) agreement. tion Company) and has already The delegation will visit purchased 2,46,000 tonnes. several Urea fertiliser factories The minister will go to Saudi Japanese Princess Mako is welcomed by Bhutan’s Princess Euphelma at Paro International Airport at the start of her nine-day off icial visit to Bhutan. Japanese Princess Mako, and fi x the amount of urea to be Arabia on June 6 from Qatar to the oldest of Emperor Akihito’s grandchildren is expected to meet with Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema. purchased for the 2017-18 fi s- perform Umrah and Haj. Gulf Times Friday, June 2, 2017 13 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH Advising others if they err

eaching others if they are ignorant changes or an increased adherence to complain stop attending the night prayer of certain Ramadan-related Islamic rulings and practices, including the and lose the rewards and benefi ts of this matters, and advising them if they Hijaab. Women go out adorned, perfumed, nightly congregation. They should also Terr: walking seductively and being in seclusion consider and make allowances in the case First, the woman’s prayer at home earns with their drivers. Any husband who of people who are obliged to carry on with her more reward than her prayer in the approves of this evil to be practiced by his their work, such as businessmen who have mosque. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa family will be held responsible for it in front to attend to their businesses, doctors who sallam, said to Umm Hameed, may Allah of Allah The Almighty, and remember that have to return to their workplaces, police be pleased with her, when she expressed [the punishment for] sins are multiplied personnel and security offi cers, etc. her desire to pray behind him: “I know during the month of Ramadan. Such people However, this does not mean that that you like to pray with me (i.e., in the seem to have forgotten the saying of the worship should cease after Taraweeh (i.e., congregational prayer)…” and continued Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam: the night prayer) because there will remain until he said: “…Your prayer in your local “Any woman who wears perfume, leaves reciting the Qur’an, sleeping early in order mosque is more rewarding than praying her home and passes by people (i.e., men) to wake up for the dawn prayer and eating in my mosque” and then continued until who can smell her (aroma) is considered as Suhoor. Allah The Almighty Says (what he reached the topic of praying at home having committed adultery.” means): {And in the hours before dawn saying: “…Your prayer at home is more One might respond that this is entirely they would ask forgiveness.} [Quran 51: 18] rewarding than that in the mosques.” the women’s business, but, as mentioned Allah The Almighty did not say ‘they would However, if women desire to pray in the above, Allah The Almighty Says (what sing and dance’ as some people do during mosque they should not be prevented means): {O you who have believed! Protect this great period of the night about which from doing so, as per the instructions of yourselves and your families from a Fire the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, whose fuel is people and stones.} [Quran said: “Allah descends every night in the last when he said: “Do not deprive women from 66: 6] third of the night (in a way that befi ts His praying in the mosque, but their prayer at Furthermore, the Muslims should advise Majesty) and says: “Is there anyone who home is more rewarding for them.” their wives and children not to be busy is asking of Me so that I may grant him? Secondly, the woman should be told with idle talk and conversation during the Is there any person who is repenting so to adhere to Hijaab (Islamic dress that a prayer, thereby distracting the Imaam, and that I may forgive him?”” This takes place woman must adhere to); her guardians, not to raise their voices after the prayer while some people who are engaged in their the Muslim men, will be held responsible has fi nished to the extent that the men can amusement, dancing and music are busy before Allah The Almighty if their hear. Both men and women should keep and heedless of worship. wives and female relatives come out in their rows compact during the prayer and O Performing ‘Umrah (minor pilgrimage) inappropriate and immodest attires. The fi ll the gaps between them. Performing ‘Umrah during Ramadan is Muslim woman should not wear anything One may also advise their wife and equal in reward to performing Haj, as the that is of light or transparent “see-thru” female relatives not to spend the month of Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, has cloth, she should not come out uncovered, Ramadan in the kitchen so that they may informed us. This is a great reward and a perfumed and wearing something tight spare time for worship, because worship wonderful opportunity. There are many “fi gure-hugging” or eye-catching. The should be the main practice during this ways to earn rewards but you have to take Muslim male guardians will have to answer blessed month. Also, do not request them the initiative. to Allah The Almighty if those under their to cook too much, and prevent them from This reward for ‘Umrah is earned if guardianship and protection are indulging being extravagant by cooking too many performed during any of the days of the in the sin of Tabarruj (display). The one diff erent dishes and wasting time in the month, and there is no extra virtue in who remains silent and does not utter kitchen. performing it during the last ten days. the truth is like a mute devil, as is one O Avoiding evil company and wasting Many people wish they could perform this who accepts and approves of immorality time during Ramadan ‘Umrah but are unable to, so the ones who being practiced by his family. The man One should be especially careful in can do so should not miss the chance. who sees his wife, daughter, sisters or avoiding turning the nights of Ramadan Those brothers and sisters who will go to other female relatives outside the home into nights of entertainment and gatherings Makkah during Ramadan are advised to do improperly dressed and uncovered feels of sin, amusement, dancing, watching the following: no protectiveness or jealousy (Gheerah), movies, listening to music and festivals First: Utilise your time in attaining the that Gheerah that the Prophet, sallallaahu during which excessive food is served, a largest amount of reward possible, and ‘alaihi wa sallam, praised in Muslim men, little portion of which is eaten and the rest avoid busying yourselves in trivial matters, should repent and do his duty by his thrown away; this is a grave matter. such as looking for restaurants to eat in or female relatives. He should also remember Be serious about achieving this goal, shopping around in the diff erent market the Saying of Allah The Almighty (which because many people are not serious which places and malls. means): {O you who have believed! Protect is why they fail to make the most of this Second: Stay for as long as possible yourselves and your families from a Fire month. Ponder over the great virtue of inside the Haram and reside in it whose fuel is people and stones.} [66: 6] those who control their tongues and also because that grants you a huge reward. It is especially wrong for women to go out ponder over the many stories in the Qur’an Circumambulate the Ka’bah and wait to the Masjid, which is a place of worship and the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition) inside the mosque from one prayer to and remembrance of Allah The Almighty, about the people that got thrown into Hell the next because by doing so, you will be without dressing modestly. because of their mouths. Controlling the deemed to be praying. During the time of the Prophet, tongue is one of the most diffi cult things Third: Do not waste time talking sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, nobody to do, so we need to approach it on a daily with friends and watching others, and could recognise women when they left basis. Engage in Thikr (remembrance and concentrate on your own worship. their homes due to their covering, every mention) of Allaah The Almighty, say good Fourth: Do not sleep too much because part of their bodies would be covered; but things (e.g. enjoin good) and understand this is a short period of time which you nowadays, our wives, daughters, sisters and what “controlling the tongue” really should utilise in worship. even mothers are living a strange lifestyle means. Remember that your tongue is a Fifth: Always arrive early, before the which consists of shortcomings on top window into your brain, so when we talk prayer starts, because there is a great of shortcomings. The amazing thing is about things that are on our minds, our reward for being present when the Imaam that during this month, which is a golden tongues expose our thoughts utters the initial ‘Allaahu Akbar.’ opportunity to repent and return to Allah The Imaams should shorten the length of Article source: http://www.islamweb. The Almighty, there are not many major the prayer, lest lazy people and those who net/emainpage/ How to improve your relationship with Qur’an

t is recommended for every (Allah willing), you will notice that those “Do not listen to this Qur’an and speak believing man and woman to recite fi ve minutes will become ten, then half noisily during [the recitation of] it that the Book of Allah, the Noble Qur’an, an hour, then an hour, and maybe even perhaps you will overcome.” [Qur’an Ioften, with due contemplation and more! 41:26] understanding. This may be done by 4. Make sure that you understand 5. Remember that the Noble Qur’an is using a copy of the Qur’an or from one’s what you have read far more interactive than a CD memory. Allah - the Most High – Says In an age of “interactive” CD-ROMs (what means): “[This is] a blessed Book The key to really benefi ting and computer programs, a number (the Qur’an) which We have revealed from the Qur’an is to check of people think books are passive and to you, [O Muhammad, sallallaahu your heart fi rst, before you boring. But the Qur’an is not like that. ‘alaihi wa sallam], that they might even touch Allah’s Book. Remember that when you read the refl ect upon its verses and that those Ask yourself, honestly, why Glorious Qur’an, you are interacting with of understanding would be reminded.” you are reading it. Is it to Almighty Allaah. He Almighty is talking [Qur’an 38:29] just get some information to you, so pay attention. Are you one of those people who rarely and to let it drift away from 6. Do not just read, you have to listen touch the Qur’an? Or do you read it daily, you later? Remember that too but don’t fi nd it is having the impact on the Prophet Muhammad, There are now many audio cassettes you that it should? Whatever the case sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa and CDs of the Qur’an, a number of may be, these are some simple tips that sallam, was described by them with translations as well. This is can help you connect with the Qur’an. his noble wife, ‘Aa’ishah as great to put on your car’s CD or stereo 1. Before you touch it, check your heart a “walking Qur’an”: in other as you drive to and from work. Use this The key to really benefi ting from words, he didn’t just read in addition to your daily Qur’an reading, the Qur’an is to check your heart and recite the Qur’an, he not as a replacement for it. fi rst, before you even touch Allah’s lived it 7. Make Du’aa (supplication). Book. Ask yourself, honestly, why you Ask Allah, the Most Exalted, to are reading it. Is it to just get some Five minutes of reading the Qur’an guide you when you read the Qur’an. information and to let it drift away in Arabic is good, but you need to Your aim is to sincerely, for the love of from you later? Remember that the understand what you are reading. If you Allah, interact with Him by reading, Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi are not Arabic, or you don’t understand understanding and applying His blessed wa sallam, was described by his noble the Arabic language, then make sure you words. Making Du’aa to Allah for help wife, ‘Aa’ishah as a “walking Qur’an”: have a good translation of the Qur’an and guidance will be your best tool for in other words, he didn’t just read and in the language you understand best. doing this. recite the Qur’an, he lived it. Always try to read the translation of When you are making du’aa, you 2. Before you touch it, do your what you have read that day. have a direct connection with Allaah Wudhoo’ (ablution) Regarding those who neglect the Almighty. So when you are saying your Doing your Wudhoo’ is good Glorious Qur’an by not reading or not du’aa, you shouldn’t be distracted, physical and mental preparation to understanding it, Allah Almighty Says but instead you should be fully remind you that you are not reading (what means):”And the Messenger has concentrated. The Prophet, sallallaahu just another book. You are about to said, “O my Lord, indeed my people ‘alaihi wa sallam, said:”Make Du’aa interact with Allah, the Most Exalted, have taken this Qur’an as [a thing] and be assured of it being answered, so being clean should be a priority when abandoned.” [Qur’an: 25: 30] and know that Allah, the Exalted, does communicating with Him. Allah Almighty informs us about His not answer a Du’aa from a careless 3. Start with reading only fi ve minutes Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad, heart which is not concentrating.” [At- everyday sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, that Tirmithi] Too often, we think that we should he said: “My Lord my people have Article source: htt[p://www. read the Noble Qur’an for at least one abandoned - acting or listening - to the islamweb.net/emainpage/ whole hour. If you are not in the habit Qur’an” and that is because the idol- of reading regularly, this is too much. worshippers did not pay attention nor Start off with just fi ve minutes daily. If listen to the Qur’an, as Allah Says (what you took care of step one, Insha Allah means): “And those who disbelieve say, Gulf Times 14 Friday, June 2, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko Ethical hackers rewarded Production Editor: Amjad Khan

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar abroad, ignored at home [email protected] Telephone 44350478 (news), India produces more researchers in the fi rst half of 2016 are you doing hacking into our site?’” founder of cyber security website 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) ethical hackers – those than any other researchers. Sajnani, who has hacked around a HackRead, told AFP by e-mail. Fax 44350474 Indians outnumbered all other dozen Indian companies, said he was The incident was especially galling who break into computer bug hunters on HackerOne, another once off ered a reward by a company for Prakash. registry of around 100,000 hackers. that dropped off the radar once the He had hacked Zomato’s database networks to expose, rather One anonymous Indian hacker – bugs were fi xed. just two years earlier, and said if they than exploit, weaknesses “Geekboy” – has found more than “Not getting properly listened to him then “they would never 700 vulnerabilities for companies like acknowledged, or companies not have been breached in 2017.” – than anywhere else in Yahoo, Uber and Rockstar Games. showing any gratitude after you In a mea culpa rare for an Indian GULF TIMES the world Most are young “techies” – software tried to help them, that is very tech company, Zomato agreed to engineers swelling the ranks of India’s annoying,” the 21-year-old told AFP launch a “healthy” bounty programme $154bn IT outsourcing sector whose from Ahmedabad, where he hunts and encourage other fi rms to work By Nick Perry/ AFP skill set makes them uniquely gifted at for software glitches in between his with ethical hackers. Why deadly Kabul New Delhi cracking cyber systems. computer engineering studies. “We should have taken this “People who build software in many An unwillingness to engage its more seriously earlier,” a Zomato cases also understand how it can homegrown hackers has backfi red spokeswoman said in a statement to anishk Sajnani did not be broken,” HackerOne co-founder spectacularly for a number of Indian AFP. bombing is crisis for receive so much as a thank Michiel Prins told AFP by e-mail. startups, forcing a long-overdue The Zomato hack, and panic you from a major Indian But while technology behemoths rethink of attitudes towards cyber surrounding last month’s global Kairline when he contacted and multinationals are increasingly security. WannaCry cyber attack, comes as them with alarming news – he had reliant on this world-class hacking In 2015, Uber rival Ola launched the Indian government aggressively all of Afghanistan hacked their website and could book talent, just a handful of Indian fi rms what it called a “fi rst of its kind” denies suggestions its massive fl ights anywhere in the world for free. run bug bounty programmes. bounty programme in India biometric identifi cation programme is It was a familiar tale for India’s army Information volunteered by these after hackers repeatedly exposed susceptible to leaks. For years the Afghan capital was an island of relative of “ethical hackers”, who earn millions cyber samaritans is often treated with vulnerabilities in the hugely-popular The government has staunchly security in a country battered by a rising tide of violence. protecting foreign corporations and indiff erence or suspicion, hackers and app. defended its “Aadhaar” programme, The devastating bombing this Wednesday morning was global tech giants from cyber attacks tech industry observers told AFP. Last month Zomato, a food and which stores the fi ngerprints and iris confi rmation that it has now become one of the most but are largely ignored at home, their Anand Prakash, a 23-year-old restaurant guide operating in 23 scans of more than 1bn Indians on a skills and altruism misunderstood or security engineer who has earned countries, suff ered an embarrassing national database, and has accused dangerous places in Afghanistan, and is another heavy blow to distrusted. $350,000 in bug bounties, said breach when a hacker stole 17mn user those who have raised concerns of a weak and fractured government. India produces more ethical hackers Facebook replied almost immediately records from its supposedly secure illegal hacking. The rising tempo of attacks in Kabul poses an outsize threat – those who break into computer when he notifi ed them of a glitch database. Prakash said it was vital the to the government, the fragile economy, to the foreign support networks to expose, rather than allowing him to post from anyone’s The hacker “nclay” threatened to government embrace its own through that keeps Afghanistan running, to education, media and civil exploit, weaknesses – than anywhere account. sell the information unless Zomato, a programme like the “Hack the society, that all cluster in the capital. else in the world. “But here in India, the e-mail is valued at hundreds of millions of Pentagon” initiative, which last year The latest data from BugCrowd, ignored most of the time,” Prakash dollars, off ered bug hunters more than saw 1,400 security engineers invited The attacks are also disproportionately deadly to civilians, a global hacking network, showed told AFP from Bengaluru where he just certifi cates of appreciation for to poke holes in the US Department of because most military and government targets in the city are Indians raked in the most “bug runs his own cyber security fi rm their honesty. Defence’s cyber fortifi cations. heavily protected. bounties” – rewards for red-fl agging AppSecure India. “If they were paying money to the “The Indian government defi nitely Crises like this also sow confusion in the Western countries security loopholes. “I have experienced situations good guys, maybe ‘nclay’ would have needs a bounty programme to make which provide funds and troops to prop up the government of Facebook, which has long tapped many times where I have a threatening reported the vulnerability and made their system more secure,” Prakash hacker talent, paid more to Indian e-mail from a legal team saying ‘What the money the right way,” Waqas Amir, said. President Ashraf Ghani. Three years after then British prime minister David Cameron declared “mission accomplished” and former president Barack Obama said the American war in Afghanistan was over, carnage in the heart of Kabul makes it clear that for Afghans there has been no pause in the violence. There is little appetite in any Western country for escalating the war again, even if generals on the ground are calling for more troops, and no recent experience provides evidence that foreign troops can bring real or lasting security. But few offi cials with any knowledge of history could advise their leaders to leave the government to its fate either. Last time foreign powers turned their backs on Afghanistan, after the departure of Russian troops in 1989 prompted US disengagement, the country slid into the violent chaos and warlord feuding that bred the Taliban. In a world that has since seen the rise of Islamic State, and where the Internet accelerates the There is little dissemination of both ideology and violence, it appetite in any would seem reckless to Western country experiment with letting Afghanistan disintegrate for escalating again. Even before the latest the war again atrocity in which at least 90 people died and hundreds were injured, the UN had warned that this year was proving deadlier for civilians in Kabul than anywhere else in the country. Casualties in the capital were outpacing the restive eastern and southern provinces – Helmand, Kandahar or Nangahar – that were the cradle of the insurgency and had been the bloody focus of the war in recent years. It is not yet clear if the rising toll inside the capital is because “Ethical hackers” Anand Prakash (centre), Shashank (right) and Rohit Raj (left), who run the Appsecure India Private Limited company, use their computers in insurgents are getting better at penetrating the city, because Bengaluru. they are targeting civilians where they once aimed at more highly protected targets, or simply because the city’s defenders are failing more often. Whatever the cause, the deaths are particularly disturbing for a country as impoverished and vulnerable as Afghanistan, which has endured 40 years of violence between factions that have often mutated but rarely laid down arms, and which now Disappointment looms for May seems on the brink of all-out war once again. For years after the ousting of the Taliban, as the insurgency May has presented a binary choice polls and political analysis point even moderate Muslim groups for the gathered momentum elsewhere, Kabul seemed to exist in a By Bill Smith/ DPA London between her leadership and the therefore to every party losing out: government to rethink its “Prevent” relative bubble, protected by Afghan and Western intelligence economic “chaos” and weak Brexit Labour would lose some seats to the counter-extremism programme, which services and a serviceable, if much-mocked, police “ring of negotiation of a possible coalition Conservatives, while support is falling some experts claim has actually fuelled steel”. heresa May told voters in government run by left-wing Labour for Ukip, the Liberal Democrats and radicalisation. next week’s elections that she leader Jeremy Corbyn. the Greens. May’s call for the country to unite No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but needs them to endorse her The Conservatives are running “a Meanwhile May appears on course behind her leadership of post-Brexit the IS, which has a growing operation in Afghanistan and TConservative Party’s plan to narrow campaign focused on Brexit and to win the relatively minor victory of Britain also looks to be failing, with the little compunction about slaughtering civilians, are obvious push ahead with Brexit: Britain would leadership – the ‘strong and stable’ a few dozen extra seats that don’t give election polarising between the right- suspects. The attack would represent a worrying escalation in come out of the EU single market, leadership to get a ‘deep and special’ her the thumping majority she seeks. shifting Conservatives and Corbyn’s their capacities. immigration would be limited, and deal with the EU,” said Colin Talbot, One closely-watched poll on Labour, which has been pushing the country would “take control of the a political analyst at Manchester Wednesday even saw her losing her traditional left-wing policies such as The Taliban quickly denied any involvement, but they things that matter most to us.” University. majority, which would be a disastrous social justice. are a nationalist group trying to build support for eventual May already had a small majority Talbot said the Brexit and leadership outcome for the incumbent. Voter turnout is expected to be low government and do not have a reliable track record when it in parliament, but it would not be focus is “supplemented by a few Early opinion polls gave May a as the population is asked to participate comes to claiming responsibility for violence. In the past they suffi cient to guarantee the passage of symbolic policies” aimed at drawing parliamentary majority of about 100, in a second general election in just over have denied responsibility for attacks – that, like this one have key Brexit legislation. voters away from the ailing UK though not the 100-plus landslide two years, with the Brexit referendum caused widespread public revulsion – even when there was If more than a dozen or so lawmakers Independence Party (Ukip) – on majorities enjoyed by Conservative and local elections in between. in her own party were to rebel and vote issues like immigration and grammar Margaret Thatcher in 1983 or Labour’s Furthermore, divisions based credible evidence linking the group to the events. with the opposition, her bargaining schools – or wooing Labour voters Tony Blair in 1997, Curtice said. on age and race are arguably more power would be lost. with promises such as a cap on energy Several polls since mid-May put pronounced than they were during So she wanted to increase her prices. the Conservatives 6 to 12 points ahead Brexit referendum campaigning early To Advertise parliamentary majority by at least Despite running a short and strictly of Labour, but the public mood is last year. several dozen to give her a clear buff er controlled campaign, May faces several diffi cult to predict especially since May All of which leaves the May’s stated [email protected] against opposition inside and outside obstacles in achieving her hoped-for 22, when Britain was hit by its worst intention of a vote on Brexit far from Display the party. landslide. terrorist attack since 2005. many voters’ minds. Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 “The crucial question is whether Under the constituency-based The shocking bombing of After several weeks of campaigning or not Theresa May acquires a system, the election is ultimately about Manchester Arena, at a pop concert across Britain, Keir Starmer, Labour’s Classified suffi ciently large majority in the House a fi ght by the Conservatives to seize attended mostly by young fans, might shadow Brexit minister, told The Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 of Commons that she is now relatively some 100 marginal seats, largely from be expected to favour May, a former Guardian that Brexit “comes up very, immune from backbench rebellion on Labour. home secretary with a reputation for very rarely” in conversations on voters’ Subscription her side of the Commons – which is In most of the other 500-plus toughness on crime. doorsteps. [email protected] what, basically, this election is about,” constituencies voters are almost Yet amid the mourning and security “It was billed as a Brexit election,” John Curtice, a political scientist at the certain to endorse the same candidates questions, May has faced criticism Starmer said. University of Strathclyde, told DPA. they had already elected for a fi ve-year of her party’s cuts to policing; “In the end, it’s an election that’s 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved “That (large majority) cannot be term in May 2015. concerns over how the attacker turned into: What sort of Britain do you guaranteed,” Curtice warned. The recent signs from opinion escaped detection; and calls from want to live in?” Gulf Times Friday, June 2, 2017 15 COMMENT Make EU attractive again

If the EU carries on terms to debtor countries that couldn’t comprehensive migration policy. Each unrelenting propaganda campaign. meet their obligations. By dictating country pursues what it perceives to He casts himself as the defender of with business as usual, austerity, the creditors made it be its national interest, often working Hungarian sovereignty and me as there is little hope for practically impossible for the debtors to against the interests of other member a currency speculator who uses his grow their way out of their liabilities. states as a result. German Chancellor money to fl ood Europe with illegal improvement If the EU carries on with business Angela Merkel was right: the refugee immigrants as part of some vague but as usual, there is little hope for crisis could destroy the EU. But we nefarious plot. By George Soros improvement. That is why the Union must not give up. If Europe could make But the truth is that I am the Brussels needs to be radically reinvented. The meaningful progress on alleviating the proud founder of Central European top-down approach that Jean Monnet refugee crisis, the momentum would University, which, after 26 years, has used to launch European integration change to a positive direction. come to rank among the world’s top oday’s European Union needs in the 1950s carried the process a long I am a great believer in momentum. 50 universities in many of the social both salvation and radical way, before losing momentum. Now Even before Macron’s election, sciences. By endowing CEU, I have reinvention. Saving the Europe needs a collaborative eff ort beginning with the convincing defeat enabled it to defend its academic TEU must take precedence, that combines the EU institutions’ of the Dutch nationalist Geert Wilders freedom from outside interference, because Europe is in existential danger. top-down approach with the bottom- in the Netherlands’ general elections whether by the Hungarian government But, as French President Emmanuel up initiatives needed to engage the in March, one could see momentum or anyone else (including its founder). Macron emphasised during his election electorate. developing that could change the EU’s I have learned two lessons from campaign, reviving the support that the Consider Brexit, which is certain to top-down political process for the this experience. First, it is not enough EU used to enjoy is no less essential. be immensely damaging to both sides. better. And with Macron, the only pro- to rely on the rule of law to defend The existential danger the EU Negotiating the separation with Britain European candidate, winning in France, open societies; you must also stand faces is partly external. The Union is will divert the EU’s attention from its hope for a better future. a broader defect: the assumption that I am much more confi dent about the up for what you believe. The CEU and surrounded by powers that are hostile own existential crisis, and the talks Such a Europe would diff er from various member states may be moving outcome of Germany’s election in my foundations’ grantees are doing to what it stands for – Vladimir Putin’s are bound to last longer than the two the current arrangement in two at diff erent speeds but are all headed September. There, many combinations so. Their fate is in the balance. But I Russia and the America that Donald years allotted to them. Five years seem key respects. First, it would clearly towards the same destination. In fact, could lead to a pro-European coalition, am confi dent that their determined Trump would create if he could. more likely – an eternity in politics, distinguish between the EU and the a rising proportion of member states especially if support for the anti- defence of academic freedom and But the threat also comes from especially in revolutionary times like eurozone. Second, it would recognise have explicitly rejected the claim of European and xenophobic Alternative freedom of association will eventually within. The EU is governed by treaties the present. that the eurozone is governed “ever closer union.” für Deutschland continues to collapse. set in motion Europe’s slow-moving that, following the fi nancial crisis of The EU should therefore by outdated treaties, and that its Replacing a “multi-speed” Europe This growing pro-Europe momentum wheels of justice. 2008, became largely irrelevant to approach the Brexit negotiations in governance cannot be altered because with a “multi-track” Europe that may then be strong enough to Second, I have learned that conditions prevailing in the eurozone. a constructive spirit, recognising the treaty change is impossible. allows member states a wider variety of overcome the biggest threat: a banking democracy can’t be imposed from Even the simplest innovations unpredictability of the future. During The treaties assert that all member democratic choices would have a far- and migration crisis in Italy. the outside; it needs to be achieved necessary to make the single currency the prolonged “divorce” process, countries are expected to join the reaching benefi cial eff ect. As it stands, I am also encouraged by the and defended by the people sustainable could be introduced only the British public could decide that euro if and when they qualify. This member states want to reassert their spontaneous, grassroots initiatives themselves. I admire the courageous by intergovernmental arrangements being part of the EU is more attractive has created an absurd situation where sovereignty, rather than surrendering – most supported mainly by young way Hungarians have resisted the outside the existing treaties. And, than leaving it. But this scenario countries like Sweden, Poland, and the more of it. But if co-operation people – that we see nowadays. I deception and corruption of the as the functioning of European presupposes that the EU transforms Czech Republic have made it clear that produced positive results, attitudes have in mind the “Pulse of Europe” mafi a state Orbán has established, institutions became increasingly itself into an organisation that other they have no intention of joining the might improve and objectives pursued movement, which started in Frankfurt and I am encouraged by the European complicated, the EU itself gradually countries such as Britain want to join, euro, yet they are still described and by coalitions of the willing might in November and spread to some 120 institutions’ energetic response to the became dysfunctional in some ways. and that people on both sides of the treated as “pre-ins.” attract universal participation. cities across the continent; the “Best challenges emanating from Poland The eurozone in particular became English Channel have a change of The eff ect is not purely cosmetic. Meaningful progress is indispensable for Britain” movement in the UK; and and Hungary. While the path ahead the exact opposite of what was heart. The EU has become an organisation in three areas: territorial disintegration, the resistance to the ruling Law and is perilous, I can clearly see in such originally intended. The EU was The chances that both conditions in which the eurozone constitutes exemplifi ed by Brexit; the refugee Justice Party in Poland, and to Prime struggles the prospect of the EU’s meant to be a voluntary association of will be met are slim, but not zero. It the inner core and the other members crisis; and the lack of adequate Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party in revival. – Project Syndicate like-minded states that were willing would require EU-wide recognition are relegated to an inferior position. economic growth. On all three issues, Hungary. to surrender part of their sovereignty that Brexit is a step towards European This must change. The euro’s many Europe starts from a very low base of The resistance in Hungary must be zGeorge Soros, Chairman of Soros for the common good. After the 2008 disintegration – and thus a lose-lose unresolved problems must not be co-operation. as surprising to Orbán as it is to me. Fund Management and of the Open fi nancial crisis, the eurozone was proposition. By contrast, making the allowed to destroy the EU. That base is particularly low when Orbán has sought to frame his policies Society Foundations, is the author of transformed into an arrangement EU attractive again would give people, The failure to clarify the relationship it comes to the refugee crisis, and the as a personal confl ict with me, making The Tragedy of the European Union: whereby creditor countries dictated particularly the younger generations, between the euro and the EU refl ects trend is downward. Europe still lacks a me the target of his government’s Disintegration or Revival? Weather report America’s broken democracy Three-day forecast TODAY High: 43 C By Jeff rey D Sachs destruction of the environment in the Today, companies like ExxonMobil, accord. Almost all receive signifi cant name of “deregulation.” Koch Industries, Continental Energy, campaign funding from the oil and Low : 33 C New York Inshore: Hot daytime with blowing And, indeed, from Trump’s and other mega-polluting companies gas industry. Most of them probably dust to dusty over most areas perspective, the highlights of his recent no longer need to lobby; Trump has depend directly on donations from daytime and slight dust by night. S President Donald Trump’s trip abroad were signing a $110bn arms handed them the keys to the State the Koch brothers and the lobbying ravings against the 2015 deal with Saudi Arabia, berating other Department, the Environmental organisations that they secretly SATURDAY Paris climate agreement Nato members for their supposedly Protection Agency, and the Energy fi nance. As the Center for Responsive High: 39 C Uare partly a product of his insuffi cient military spending, and Department. They also hold senior Politics, a public-interest group, Low: 30 C ignorance and narcissism. Yet they rejecting the pleas of US allies to congressional staff positions. has shown, spending by oil and gas Cloudy represent something more. They are continue in the fi ght against global Much of the corporate money can companies on federal candidates in a refl ection of the deep corruption warming. Congressional Republicans be traced; the rest fl ows anonymously, the 2016 election totalled $103mn, of the US political system, which, broadly cheer these frightening policies. as “dark money” that avoids public with 88% going to Republicans. This SUNDAY according to one recent assessment, is Meanwhile, Trump and the scrutiny. Supreme Court justices who of course includes only the funds that High: 39 C no longer a “full democracy.” American Republican-controlled Congress are themselves were frequently invited to can be tracked to particular donors. Low: 29 C politics has become a game of powerful trying to rush through legislation that parties by corporate donors gave the The rest of the world urgently needs Cloudy corporate interests: tax cuts for the rich, would deprive more than 20mn people green light to keep these corrupt fl ows to understand America for what it deregulation for mega-polluters, and of healthcare, in order to cut taxes for secret in their infamous Citizens United has now become. Behind the formal war and global warming for the rest of the richest Americans. Trump’s newly decision. structures of a once-functioning Fishermen’s forecast As investigative journalist Jane Mayer democracy is a political system run by the world. proposed budget would slash Medicaid OFFSHORE DOHA Six of the G7 countries worked (health insurance for the poor), the has documented, the largest source of corporate interests with the cynical Wind: NW 20-30/37 KT overtime last week to bring Trump Supplemental Nutrition Assistance dark money is the tandem of David and aims of cutting taxes on the rich, selling Waves: 6-10/12 Feet around on climate change, but Trump Programme (food for the poor), foreign Charles Koch, who inherited the highly weapons, and polluting with impunity. INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW 15-25/35 KT resisted. European and Japanese assistance (aid for the world’s poorest), polluting Koch Industries from their In Trump, they have found a shameless Waves: 2-4/5 Feet leaders are accustomed to treating funding for the UN, and spending on father, a man whose business history frontman and TV personality who will the US as an ally on key issues. With science and technology. Trump would, included building a major oil refi nery do their bidding. Around the region Trump in power, it is a habit they are in short, gut the federal programmes for for Germany’s Nazi regime. The Koch It is now the job of the rest of the Weather Weather rethinking. education, training, the environment, brothers, with a combined net worth world to say no to America’s reckless today Max/min tomorrow Max/min But the problem goes beyond civilian science, diplomacy, housing, of some $100bn, have spent freely for corporate greed, and of Americans Abu Dhabi Sunny 37/29 Sunny 37/30 Trump. Those of us living in the nutrition, and other urgent civilian decades to take over the US political themselves to reclaim their democratic Baghdad Sunny 36/23 Sunny 38/24 Dubai US know fi rst-hand that America’s priorities. system, mobilising other right-wing institutions by pushing dark money P Cloudy 42/29 Sunny 41/29 Kuwait City Sunny 40/28 Sunny 39/28 democratic institutions have These are not the priorities shared corporate interests as well. and corporate malevolence from Manama Cloudy 36/30 Cloudy 36/30 deteriorated markedly over the last by most Americans – not even close. A When it comes to tax policy and their midst. Given the small (52-48) Muscat Cloudy 39/30 M Sunny 35/29 several decades, beginning perhaps as majority wants to tax the rich, maintain climate change, the Republican Party Republican majority in the Senate, Riyadh Sunny 42/26 Sunny 39/24 far back as the 1960s, when Americans health coverage, stop America’s wars, is almost completely in the hands of the Democrats and just three honest Tehran Sunny 31/18 Sunny 30/19 began to lose confi dence in their and fi ght global warming. According the Koch brothers. Their immoral aim Republicans would be in a position to political institutions. US politics have to recent polling data, Americans is simple: to cut corporate taxes and block most or all of the Trump-Koch become increasingly corrupt, cynical, overwhelmingly want to stay in the deregulate oil and gas, regardless of the agenda. The situation is therefore and detached from public opinion. Paris Climate Agreement. Trump and consequences for the planet. To achieve salvageable, though it remains highly Trump is but a symptom, albeit a his cronies are fi ghting public opinion, these goals, they are prepared to try to dangerous. Americans – and the shocking and dangerous one, of this not representing it. remove millions of poor people from world – deserve much better. – Project deeper political malaise. They are doing this for one reason, healthcare coverage, and even more Syndicate Trump’s policies embody mean- and one reason only: money. More shockingly, to put the entire planet at spirited priorities that are widely precisely, Trump’s policies serve dire risk of global warming. Their evil zJeff rey D Sachs, Professor of backed by the Republican Party in the corporate interests that pay the is chilling, but it is real. And Trump is Sustainable Development and Professor the US Congress: slash taxes for the campaign bills and eff ectively run the their factotum. of Health Policy and Management at rich at the expense of programmes US government. What Trump signifi es Before Trump’s recent foreign Columbia University, is Director of to help the poor and working class; is the culmination of a long-term trip, 22 Republican senators sent Columbia’s Center for Sustainable increase military spending at the process whereby powerful corporate him a letter calling for the US to Development and the UN Sustainable expense of diplomacy; and allow for the lobbies have bought their way to power. withdraw from the Paris climate Development Solutions Network.

Live issues Around the world Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Reading books to kids gives their brain a boost Athens Sunny 32/19 P Cloudy 30/18 Beirut Sunny 24/21 Sunny 25/22 S T Storms 33/27 Hospital Medical Centre in the US. activation and connectivity during a Bangkok 33/27 S T Storms IANS Berlin Sunny 24/12 Sunny 27/16 New York Functional magnetic resonance story listening task. Cairo Sunny 35/20 Sunny 36/22 imaging (fMRI) found signifi cantly Children exhibiting greater interest Cape Town Sunny 22/14 Rain 19/13 greater brain activation in four-year-old in the narrative showed increased Colombo T Storms 28/26 T Storms 29/27 arents, please take some time children who were more highly engaged activation in right-sided cerebellar Dhaka T Storms 32/27 S T Storms 34/28 Hong Kong T Storms 29/27 T Storms 29/26 out from your busy schedule to during story listening, suggesting a areas of the brain, thought to support Istanbul P Cloudy 27/19 P Cloudy 29/18 read books to your kids and also novel improvement mechanism of cognitive skill acquisition and Jakarta Cloudy 32/25 I T Storms 32/25 engage them in the process. engagement and understanding. refi nement via connection to language, Karachi P Cloudy 33/28 Sunny 34/28 P London Showers 24/14 P Cloudy 20/09 Researchers have found that engaging PLOS ONE, reinforce the value of “In turn, this could fuel brain association and executive function Manila S T Storms S T Storms 32/27 “dialogic reading,” where the child is activation – or ‘turbocharge’ the areas. 32/27 with children while reading books to Moscow S Showers 11/04 S Showers 12/05 them gives their brain a cognitive boost. encouraged to actively participate. development of literacy skills, “Our fi ndings underscore the New Delhi Sunny 42/29 Sunny 44/31 An important point to note is that “The takeaway for parents in this particularly comprehension, in importance of interventions explicitly New York S T Storms 26/13 M Sunny 24/14 while reading to children has many study is that they should engage more preschool-aged children,” Hutton said. addressing both parent and child Paris Rain 28/14 S Showers 21/10 benefi ts, simply speaking the words when reading with their child, ask The study involved functional MRI reading engagement, including Sao Paulo M Sunny 20/12 M Sunny 22/13 Seoul M Sunny 27/15 Sunny 27/13 aloud may not be enough to improve questions, have them turn the page, scans of 22 girls, age 4, to explore the awareness and reduction of distractions Singapore P Cloudy 31/27 P Cloudy 31/27 cognitive development in preschoolers, and interact with each other,” said lead relationship between engagement and such as cellphones, which were the Sydney M Sunny 17/11 P Cloudy 17/09 according to the study. author of the study John Hutton, a verbal interactivity during a mother- most common preventable barrier that Tokyo Clear 28/20 Clear 27/16 The fi ndings, published in the journal paediatrician at Cincinnati Children’s child reading observation and neural we observed,” Hutton said. Gulf Times 16 Friday, June 2, 2017 QATAR Ministry drive to check Corniche street vendors he Ministry of Economy and Com- merce (MEC), in co-operation with Tthe Ministry of Interior, carried out a surprise inspection campaign of street vendors in the Corniche area in Doha and A participant in outreach activities receives a certificate. registered 12 violations. The objective of the exercise was to monitor compliance with the Ministe- rial Decree No. 243 of 2016 on conditions and regulations governing the practice of street-vending activities. Research The street vendors were issued notices for carrying out their activity without a commercial license and referred to the security authorities to take legal action against them. Day held at These campaigns are part of a series of initiatives launched by the MEC on the oc- casion of the holy month of Ramadan. The ministry had announced a plan of inten- sive and extensive inspection campaigns varsity before, during and after the holy month of Ramadan to cover all regions of the coun- try and various sectors and activities in he Department of tion of awards to the winners order to monitor compliance with laws and Chemical Engineer- in the Best Video category, Best regulations governing the conduct of com- Ting at Qatar University Post-doctorate Researcher mercial activities, and control irregulari- College of Engineering (QU- category, Best Postgraduate ties and to detect abuses. CENG) recently organised its Researcher category, Best Un- The MEC had issued, in November last 3rd annual Student Research dergraduate Researcher cat- year, guidelines to regulate the work of Day ‘Abhathi – My Gateway to egory, Best Oral Presentation street vendors and peddlers in the country, MEC inspectors during the surprise campaign on street vendors. Research’. category and Best Plant Design specifying the permissible activities, re- The event aimed to provide category. quirements, and the standards and condi- quires a shop or an offi ce to obtain a license. sageways, public roads, or various areas. Ministry of Public Health, and a certifi cate undergraduate and graduate CENG Chemical Engineer- tions for issuing a license. Street vendors are classifi ed into two cat- This covers selling vegetables and fruits, of good conduct (clean criminal record), in students from CENG Depart- ing Department head Dr Ma- The objective is to upgrade the services egories. In the fi rst are individual peddlers packed foods, drinks, and hot and cold addition to the necessary approvals from ment of Chemical Engineering jeda Khraisheh said: “The off ered to the public by street vendors and who go around to sell items such as fl owers, meals. Each street vendor could obtain a li- the department concerned with the re- with a platform to showcase work presented underlines the peddlers and guarantee adherence to the newspapers, gifts, books, and others, or of- cense for a single activity or service. quired activity. their research activities. strong commitment of our fac- laws and regulations governing the various fer services and trades such as a plumber, To obtain a license, the applicant should The annual fees for issuing license for The event programme in- ulty and students to scholar- commercial activities in the country. electrician, watch repairer and similar jobs. be not less than 18 years, obtain a written such jobs is set by the MEC at QR500 for cluded oral presentations by ship and is an opportunity for Street vendor is defi ned as a person who The other category comprise those using approval from the employer in case of ex- peddlers and QR1,000 for those using the department post-doctor- Chemical Engineering faculty engages in a commercial activity and re- push carts or bicycles to sell goods at pas- patriates, have a health certifi cate from the small push carts. ate research fellows covering a and undergraduate and gradu- wide range of exploration from ate students to present and basic science to chemical proc- share posters of their current esses. research, industrial collabora- Two videos created by the tion, and new achievements.” department undergraduate “The event contributes students and showcasing the to supporting the research Ashghal opens new underpass importance of chemical engi- progress at the department neering in daily life and indus- and to opening new channels try were screened. of collaborations with indus- he Public Works Authority Exhibited on the occasion try and academia. It also helps (Ashghal) yesterday opened were over 60 posters related students to develop their re- Ta new underpass as part of to the categories of gradua- search skills under the super- the East Street 33 Interchange on tion projects, capstone design vision of the department’s fac- its Rawdat Al Khail Street Exten- course outputs and design ulty and industry experts.” sion project. The underpass, along innovation in chemical engi- Dr Khraisheh said the ma- with the recently opened fl yover neering, student individual jor part of showcased works on Industrial Road, would facili- research projects, and Under- is in collaboration with local tate free-fl owing traffi c between graduate Research Experience industry, which refl ects the Doha and the Industrial Area, the Programme as well as the draw close relationship between authority said on Twitter. of the next year plant design the Department of Chemical The 1km underpass is located at groups. Engineering and industry in the intersection of East Industrial It also included the distribu- Qatar. Street and Industrial Area Road and has three lanes in each direc- tion, as reported in Gulf Times recently. The new underpass will enable “free-fl owing traffi c on East Industrial Street” and pro- vide “direct, non-stop access from Salwa Road to the Industrial Area”. The opening of the underpass represents the completion of a key component of the three-level East Street 33 Interchange, one of fi ve multi-level interchanges of the Rawdat Al Khail project, accord- ing to Ashghal, which also stressed that the interchange with its new fl yover and underpass “would sig- nifi cantly relieve traffi c congestion in the area, with a large number of motorists accessing commercial and residential properties”. The new underpass More than 60 posters were exhibited on the occasion. QC distributes Ramadan food baskets in Syria

atar Charity (QC) has begun distributing food Qbaskets among hundreds of aff ected families in Syria in order to cover their food needs during Ramadan. This is in conjunction with the launch of the Iftar project, QC has said in a press state- ment. Ramadan baskets have been distributed to 500 Syrian fami- lies with a total of some 3,000 members. In addition, the Iftar projects will cater to nearly 280,000 people at a cost of QR1.5mn. Mohamed al-Kaabi, QC’s Re- lief Department director, said Qatar Charity has begun dis- tributing food baskets and im- plementing the Iftar projects in Syria as a large number of Syrians face diffi cult condi- tions resulting from population displacement. The poverty and unemployment rates have also madan, and off ering them some The Iftar project is the largest Jordan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Ni- increased. relief. Ramadan project amounting to geria, Iraq, Togo, the UK, Leba- He noted that Ramadan kitch- QC has said it implements QR10mn and targeting 950,000 non, Morocco, the Philippines, ens were established to distrib- Ramadan projects in 37 coun- benefi ciaries outside Qatar. Tunisia, Kosovo, Albania and ute free ready-made meals to tries, including Iftar tables, Eid The targeted countries in- Turkey. 280 needy and displaced fami- clothing and Al-fi tr Zakat, at a clude Syria, Bangladesh, Niger, Food aid to be distributed to lies within and outside camps. cost of around QR15mn, bene- India, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Mau- aff ected people in Syria and So- Al-Kaabi extended his thanks fi ting around 1.1mn people. The ritania, Indonesia, Yemen, Ethi- malia will cost nearly QR3.2mn to philanthropists for donating focus is on countries experienc- opia, Nepal, Palestine, Sudan, and benefi t about 100,000 peo- to Syrians, especially during Ra- ing crises and disasters. Djibouti, Ghana, Benin, Chad, ple. Ramadan baskets have been distributed to 500 Syrian families with a total of some 3,000 members. GGOLFOLF | Page 4 CRICKET | Page 7 Tiger’s image Pakistan’s Azhar takes hit but Ali says India sponsors likely clash ‘just to stay: experts another game’

Friday, June 2, 2017 TENNIS Ramadan 7, 1438 AH Murray battles past GULF TIMES Klizan to set up Del Potro blockbuster SPORT Page 3 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE REAL STRIKE FORCE FACES ULTIMATE TEST Madrid have pumped in 32 goals in 12 games in the competition, but face the unbeaten Italians for the coveted trophy

Reuters Cristiano Ronaldo, whose lust for goals side, Serie A title winners Juventus are pushes me on.” Cardiff has taken Los Blancos to within touch- LAST 10 CHAMPIONS MULTIPLE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE/ unbeaten in Europe this season and are While Buff on bleeds black and white ing distance of a 12th European title LEAGUE FINALS CUP WINNERS going to their second fi nal in three years stripes, teammates Sami Khedira and after they took their 11th a year ago by 2007 AC Milan 2 Liverpool 1 11 Real Madrid (1956, 57, 58, 59, 60, having conceded only three goals. Gonzalo Higuain once played for Real. eal Madrid’s irresistible attack beating Atletico Madrid. 2008 Manchester Utd 1 Chelsea 1 66, 98, 00, 02, 14, 16) Only Arsenal, in 2005-06, reached Khedira conquered Europe with Real in slams into Juventus’s seem- Arrigo Sacchi’s great Milan side were (Manchester win 6-5 on penalties) 7 AC Milan (1963, 69, 89, 90, 94, 03, 07) the fi nal in more miserly fashion, con- 2014 but never really cut it at the Berna- ingly immovable defence to- the last to be crowned European cham- 2009 Barcelona 2 Manchester Utd 0 5 Bayern Munich (1974, 75, 76, 01, 13) ceding two goals before falling at the beu, while Higuain, despite scoring more morrow when the free-scoring pions for a second year running in 1990, 2010 Inter Milan 2 Bayern Munich 0 5 Barcelona (92, 06, 09, 11, 15) fi nal hurdle against Barcelona. than 100 goals for the club, is still looking RSpanish aristocrats hope to become the but since the competition morphed No wonder Buff on, aged 39, looks for a Champions League medal. 2011 Barcelona 3 Manchester Utd 1 5 Liverpool (1977, 78, 81, 84, 05) fi rst club to win the Champions League into the Champions League that feat 2012 Chelsea 1 Bayern Munich 1 4 Ajax (1971, 72, 73, 95) like he could play forever, such is the They will be spurred on by facing in successive seasons. has proved beyond even the most ex- (Chelsea win 4-3 on penalties) 3 Inter Milan (1964, 65, 10) strength of the defence Juve manager their old club while former Barca full Cardiff ’s iconic Millennium Stadium pensively assembled teams. 2013 Bayern Munich 2 B Dortmund 1 3 Manchester United (1968, 99, 08) Massimiliano Allegri has erected and back Dani Alves, will not want for moti- provides a fi tting venue for a mouthwa- Real, crowned La Liga champions for 2014 Real Madrid 4 Atletico Madrid 1 2 Juventus (1985, 96) which Barcelona’s Gerard Pique de- vation as they seek to end Juve’s 21-year tering fi nal full of delicious sub-plots, the fi rst time since 2012 last week, are the 2015 Barcelona 3 Juventus 1 2 Benfica (1961, 62) scribed as a “mountain” after their wait for the title. one of which could see Welsh wizard favourites after banging in 32 goals in 12 2016 Real Madrid 1 Atletico Madrid 1 2 Nottingham Forest (1979, 80) quarter-fi nal loss. Sadly for Bale, his role in this fairy- Gareth Bale make a triumphant return games in the competition this season. (Real win 5-3 on penalties) 2 Porto (1987, 04) A 2006 World Cup winner with Italy, tale fi nal looks like being of the cameo to the valleys of his birth. Ronaldo has scored 10 of them, and for whom he remains fi rst-choice keep- variety as he has yet to fully recover Others include Juve keeper Gianluigi two more in the fi nal would see him er, Juve’s grand old man Buff on craves a from the ankle ligament injury he in- Buff on potentially becoming the oldest move above Barcelona’s Lionel Messi have to prove our character and who a great game and we are going to win.” Champions League medal to add to his curred in November. player to lift the trophy or Real coach to top this season’s Champions League is the best,” Ronaldo said this week as He is not wrong about the goals: No glittering array of silverware after twice Livewire Isco is likely to get the nod Zinedine Zidane, twice a Champions scoring chart. The irrepressible Portu- he eyed a third Champions League tri- Champions League fi nal has ended suff ering heartache in the fi nal. in Zidane’s starting line-up, but if the League runner-up with Juve, contriv- guese is the only player to have scored umph with Real to add to the one he se- goalless since Milan beat Juve on pen- “If I’d already won the Champions scriptwriters get their way, the local ing to break the hearts of those who more than 100 goals in the competition. cured with Manchester United in 2008. alties in 2003. League I’d be drained,” he said in a re- boy will come off the bench to spark once idolised him. But he still appears to want more. “The fi nal is won by scoring goals. I Yet while Ronaldo’s infectious con- cent interview. a fi esta the likes of which Cardiff has Centre stage, as he so often is, will be “Too much humility isn’t good. We have the feeling that we are going to play fi dence will sweep through Zidane’s “The fact that I’m still to win it never seen before.

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Buff on deserves CL title, says Xavi Ronaldo bears down on wo years ago, Xavi Hernandez was pressed by the passion for football in the Messi as Ballon d’Or in play the captain as his beloved Barcelona country and across the region. side lifted the Champions League “I was taken by surprise by how much pas- trophy in Berlin against Juventus. sion for football there is in the region. I knew AFP haven’t broken so many records by accident. AheadT of this year’s fi nal, and after lifting two that they love football, but I didn’t realise to That’s not an obsession for me, but I do like Madrid trophies with Al Sadd in Qatar this year, the what extent. I have been to Jordan for exam- breaking them.” Catalan has made it clear that he would like ple, with Generation Amazing, and they re- Ronaldo has already added his name to more to see the Italians emerging winners to crown ceived me like a national hero. What I experi- ristiano Ronaldo heads to tomorrow’s record books during this season’s Champions the remarkable career of goal-keeping legend enced there I have never seen in any country Champions League fi nal against Ju- League. His hat-trick against Bayern Munich Gianluigi Buff on in Cardiff . in Europe. The passion and the excitement ventus on the brink of realising a burn- in the quarter-fi nals made him the fi rst man to “Winning the Champions League would they have for football is incredible,” he said. ing ambition of matching Lionel Mes- score more than 100 Champions League goals. be a crowning moment in Buff on’s career,” The Catalan midfi elder concluded by Csi’s record of winning the Ballon d’Or fi ve times. And he duly added another hat-trick in the Xavi said. “I would like to see Buff on winning highlighting how much the 2022 FIFA World “I want to catch Messi,” Ronaldo confessed semi-fi nals against Atletico Madrid to carry the Champions League. As a Barcelona fan Cup Qatar means to the people of the region. when collecting his third World Player of the Real to the fi nal in Cardiff this weekend. it is logical and natural that I want Juventus “The people in Qatar and the region are Year crown back in 2015. “He has a good opportunity with the sea- to win. But also for Buff on, for Dani Alves, pions League for many years now. Real Madrid hugely excited about this World Cup, the Now the Portuguese has four to his name, but son that he has had, above all in the Champi- who deserves it, he is an impressive player is also very strong, they have signed good play- fi rst in the Arab world, and it means a lot to Messi still remains one step ahead with fi ve. ons League this year,” Predrag Mijatovic, who who has made a diff erence in the lead-up to ers, I think we’re going to see a great fi nal. the people here. I have been to Iran playing The two have dominated the award for the past scored the winning goal when Real last met Ju- the fi nal. I also have a very good relationship “Juventus has players like Dybala and Hi- the AFC Champions League, and it is incred- decade in the battle to not just be considered the ventus in the Champions League fi nal in 1998, with Dani, so for diff erent reasons I’d like to guain who can make a diff erence in attack, ible how they received us, and me personally. best of their generation, but among the best of all told AFP. see Juventus winning the trophy.” Dani Alves is also contributing a lot in attack I’ve seen a total passion for football, and the time. However, the Montenegrin believes Juventus After recently winning the Emir Cup at and making some great assists, he is impor- willingness to do things well, above all here Yet, whilst Juventus’s stubborn defence forced goalkeeper Gianluigi Buff on could fi nally end Khalifa International Stadium, the fi rst ven- tant in defence and in attack. For Real Ma- in Qatar. I have to thank them for the oppor- Messi to fi re blanks in a 3-0 quarter-fi nal aggre- Messi and Ronaldo’s reign if he lifts the Cham- ue to be completed for the 2022 FIFA World drid, Benzema can be decisive, as can Isco, tunity to work on this project. What I want to gate win for the Italians over Barcelona, Ronaldo pions League for the fi rst time at 39 to complete Cup Qatar, the Al Sadd captain said he is Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo, there are a lot of do is to help and through Generation Amaz- can complete another stellar season by ensuring the treble for the Italian giants. looking forward to a great content tomorrow. players who can make a diff erence. We will ing I have a fantastic way of giving back, to Madrid become the fi rst side to retain the Cham- “I think the next Ballon d’Or will come from “I see the fi nal at 50-50, a fi nal is always dif- see a fantastic fi nal.” the workers here in Qatar, but also to other pions League. the team that wins the Champions League,” fi cult to predict and there is no clear favourite. The World Cup-winning midfi elder re- Arab countries who need help. The project “I am aware of the fact that what I’ve done added Mijatovic. “Cristiano is there, as is Buf- Juventus have been doing things well for years, cently completed his second season in Qa- in general is incredible and I’m proud to be a in football has already left and will continue fon and other great players at Real Madrid like and it is a big club that has not won the Cham- tar in style, and added that he has been im- part of it.” (SC.qa) to leave a mark,” Ronaldo told UEFA.com. “I Sergio Ramos that could aspire to it.” Gulf Times 2 Friday, June 2, 2017 FOOTBALL

FOCUS Qatar national team preps for CAS upholds Atletico Madrid transfer ban 2018 World Cup qualifiers

AFP internationally for two complete and April, were reported to be hoping to with which we have won direct pas- Madrid consecutive transfer periods”, CAS said. sell striker Antoine Griezmann to sage to the Champions League for the Both Atletico and Real saw initial Manchester United and replace him fi fth year in a row and have reached the appeals rejected by FIFA last Septem- with another Frenchman, Lyon’s Al- semi-fi nals of the Champions League tletico Madrid will not be ber. But CAS reduced Real’s sanction exandre Lacazette. and the King’s Cup”. able to sign new players until in December, allowing the European The pair are currently in the France “The club has the commitment of January 2018 after the Court champions to recruit new players as of squad preparing for a key World Cup the players and coaching staff to con- of Arbitration for Sport this summer. qualifi er and their national coach said tinue competing at the same level next (CAS)A yesterday upheld their transfer Atletico responded immediately, say- none of his players would be involved season, despite this decision that is ban, a move the club said caused “ir- ing: “This ruling is unfair and causes an in any deals in the next two weeks. evidently detrimental to us. Together, reparable damage”. irreparable damage to our club. “I don’t know if this is a good or a team, club and supporters, we will Atletico and city rivals Real Ma- “We consider that the decision to bad thing for Antoine (Griezmann) but continue to fi ght for our goals.” drid were barred from registering new support the prohibition of register- no transfer dealings will be done con- Atletico added: “Our sports planning players for two transfer windows in ing players in a second period, cor- cerning anyone here before June 13,” for next season has contemplated at all January 2016 for irregularities in the responding to the summer of 2017, Deschamps said. times the two scenarios that could arise signing of foreign players under 18. supposes a comparative disadvantage The Spanish league president Javier once CAS announced their decision. CAS said its appeal panel had upheld and discriminatory treatment to our Tebas said he was shocked by the de- “From this moment on, the club will the Atletico ban, but reduced the fi ne entity, since recently and in a similar cision. “I fi nd the sanction unfair, it’s move forward in the negotiations nec- from 900,000 Swiss francs (827,000 case, the penalty was partially lifted, clearly too heavy,” he said. essary to formalise the operations to euros, $927,000) to 550,000 francs. allowing to register players starting on With no new players now coming in, register players from the 1st of Janu- Atletico “remains banned from reg- July 1st,” the club said. Atletico stressed, however, they had ary, when we will be authorised by istering players both nationally and Atletico, who appealed the ban in “full confi dence in our current squad, FIFA to register new licenses.”

ACTION PLAN Valverde vows to ‘revisit’ tiki-taka New Barca coach has big shoes to fill, with Enrique having won 9 trophies

AFP “I have my idea about what can be Barcelona done, not better but in a diff erent way.” Qatar’s Hassan al-Haydos (left) takes part in a training session with teammates Turning to his motivation in joining in Doha yesterday. Coach Jorge Fossati’s men will play a friendly against Barca, Valverde said: “I said I wanted the UAE on June 6, before hosting South Korea in a 2018 FIFA World Cup ewly-installed Barcelona a tough challenge and it’s one the qualifying match on June 13. PICTURE: Fadi al-Assaad coach Ernesto Valverde toughest. vowed yesterday to “deep- “When a team like FC Barcelona en” and “revisit” the re- calls you, you don’t have to think Nnowned slick passing game of the about it too much.” Catalan giants in a bid to lead the club Valverde also dismissed any worries Jaber extends Umm Salal stay to success in all possible competitions about managing a squad packed with next season. some of the world’s best-paid and rec- “I know the style because I played ognised players. here” between 1998-2000, Valverde “I expect to fi nd a squad of young said at his fi rst press conference after players who want to win and will give being named successor to Luis En- the best of themselves,” he said. rique on a two-year contract with the “We idealise too much all this, mil- option of a further year. lionaire players and all that. I don’t “I must adapt myself, or rather rea- know many players who were born dapt, in a certain way. My goal is al- millionaires.” ways to deepen the style, to revisit it Working with Argentina’s Leo Messi once again.” would be a “unique experience”, the Valverde, 53, has some big shoes to based on midfi elders,” he said, adding “We’ll see over time,” he said. “In coach added. fi ll, Enrique having won nine of 13 pos- that he wanted to win “all competi- football, you always have to keep go- “He’s the best player I’ve ever seen sible trophies in his time at the helm. tions that we can” next season. ing forward. If you don’t, you go back- on a pitch. Sometimes you could say “I must absolutely adapt to the “What I’ve always liked is that Barca wards. But it’s a progressive issue and Leo Messi has reached the summit, style of the gameplan employed by the manages to achieve its ends through we’ll see little by little. To say what can but he surprises you even more the team, which has had so much success,” its gameplan, without speculating, by be improved is a dangerous thing and I following day. said the coach, who signed from Ath- going forward.” can only tip my hat to what my pred- “I hope to enjoy seeing him play and letic Bilbao. Valverde did not say what exactly he ecessor Luis Enrique, who is a great do everything possible to help him. And “To have a very collective gameplan, wanted to improve. coach, achieved here. I hope he’ll continue to surprise us.” Qatar Stars League (QSL) side Umm Salal has renewed their faith in head coach Mahmoud Jaber (left) announcing a one-year contract extension for the Egyptian tactician. The club confirmed the news during a Wednesday BOTTOMLINE SAFETY evening press conference in which Jaber signed the deal in the presence of Umm Salal off icials. Jaber has performed well since taking the reins of the Orange Fortress since Turkish coach Bülent Uygun left the club in December. The Egyptian coach improved the fortunes of the side, pushing them to a Cardiff on sixth place finish in the QSL standings. Jaber also picked up the QSL manager of the month award for February and March. “We have to work collectively Juve seek what Zidane and all eff orts have to be combined. What we achieved last season was be- alert aft er cause of co-operation between everyone – management, players and techni- Manchester cal staff – we are capable of achieving more in the new season,” Jaber said. failed to deliver for them Man City sign goalkeeper Ederson: Benfi ca horror Pep Guardiola’s summer recruitment drive continued apace yesterday as Reuters Manchester City signed the up-and-coming Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson Manchester AFP Moraes from Benfica, the Portuguese champions announced. The 40-million- London euro (£34.85mn, $44.87mn) deal makes the 23-year-old the most expensive goalkeeper since Juventus paid Parma 52mn euros for Gianluigi Buff on t is hard to view Real Madrid back in 2001. City had made it clear that goalkeeper Willy Caballero would coach Zinedine Zidane’s play- omorrow’s Champions be moved on this summer while Claudio Bravo suff ered a torrid first season ing career as anything other than League fi nal between Cris- which raised doubts over the wisdom of allowing Joe Hart to leave the club outstanding. Arguably the fi nest tiano Ronaldo’s Real Ma- on loan. Manchester City began their recruitment campaign to wrest the Imidfi elder of his generation, he would drid and Gianluigi Buff on’s Premier League title from Chelsea next season when they signed Portuguese feature in many all-time best elevens. JuventusT will take place amid taut playmaker Bernardo Silva from French champions Monaco in a deal reported But tomorrow’s Champions League security following last week’s fatal to be worth almost 50mn euros last Friday. Guardiola recently cleared out fi nal against his former club Juven- terror attack in Manchester. four senior players including winger Jesus Navas and defender Gael Clichy. tus is a reminder that the Frenchman The suicide attack at Manches- hasn’t quite had it all his own way. ter Arena, which left 22 dead and Germany boss warns of ‘dangerous game’ When Juve signed Zidane from 116 injured, means vigilance will French club Bordeaux in 1996 they be heightened, but unprecedented Joachim Loew, who has rested all of his Germany stars for this month’s had just been crowned champions of security measures were already in Confederations Cup, says football’s governing bodies are risking over- Europe. The midfi elder was the man place for the game. loading the sport’s top players with too many games. “It’s a dangerous game they hoped would help ensure more “The security operation for the — we mustn’t pull too hard on the rope,” Germany’s head coach warned in Champions League success. four-day period covering June 1-4 yesterday’s interview with SID, an AFP subsidiary. “One has the impression Italian rivals AC Milan had just won will be the biggest ever seen for a that the things are already bloated and the fixture list looks anything but Europe’s top trophy three times in Madrid. All careers leave you with Nedved achieved a rapport with sporting event in the UK,” says the happy.” Loew has left out stars like Thomas Mueller, Mats Hummels, Toni close succession and, in an era when both good and bad memories,” Zidane the Juve fans that Zidane never quite Football Association of Wales. Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Jerome Boateng, Manuel Neuer and Sami Khedira for the Serie A was Europe’s undisputed top said recently. managed to reach — although his Most noticeably, the retract- Confederations Cup, June 17-July 2, and included seven uncapped players. league, Juventus wanted, perhaps The pain was soon eased for Zidane, teammates from that era never fail able roof of the Principality Sta- To prepare for next year’s World Cup, Loew has said his main goal in Russia needed, to follow suit and dominate who that summer won the World Cup to speak with fondness of his time in dium will be closed, making it the is to blood his next generation of stars — and has said nothing about winning the continent. in his homeland with France, but his Turin. fi rst Champions League fi nal to be the eight-team tournament. Germany face Chile, Australia and Cameroon in But it never happened — Juve lost fi nal three years at Juve were a let- “He was always in sync with eve- played in indoor conditions. Group B with Portugal, hosts Russia, Mexico and New Zealand in Group A. two fi nals during the Zidane era, and down in terms of trophies. rybody because he wanted to help Fans will not be allowed to bring his solitary Champions League suc- Zidane had been part of two title- each one of his teammates despite his bags into the stadium, which will Zenit appoint Italian coach Mancini cess would come with Real in 2002. winning teams in his opening two stunning technique,” says former Juve have a reduced capacity of 66,000 In 1997, Juve lost 3-1 to Borus- years at the club, but his last three forward Alessandro Del Piero. for the match, and have been en- Russian Premier League side Zenit St Petersburg yesterday appointed Ital- sia Dortmund in the fi nal, with the years brought only the obscure UEFA “I didn’t expect him to become a couraged to use left-luggage facili- ian Roberto Mancini as manager in their quest to claw their way back after Frenchman largely ineff ective, marked Intertoto Cup. manager but it could have been pre- ties in the city centre. They have a third place league finish. “Zenit football club welcomes Roberto Mancini out of the game by Scottish midfi elder When he made his then world dicted given that he was always able to been urged to arrive no later than to Saint Petersburg and wishes him success as manager of the white-and- Paul Lambert. record 75mn euro transfer to Real in read the game. That’s why he always two hours before kick-off to allow blues,” the club wrote on its website. Zenit have signed a three-year deal The following year Juve were back 2001, Juve fans were saddened but takes the best decisions as a manager time for security checks. with the 52-year-old coach, who won three consecutive Italian Serie A titles in the fi nal for the third season in a there was no outrage. and that’s why he has won everything The city of Cardiff has also with Inter Milan in 2006-08 and led Manchester City to the English Premier row, only to lose 1-0 to Real, Predrag Indeed, the transfer fee helped so far,” he said. launched a smartphone app, ‘EVAC League title in 2012. The club said the agreement includes the option of an Mijatovic’s goal providing the Spanish the club bring in three players who Zidane, who lived quietly in the Cardiff ’, which alerts people to major extension for two more years. No financial details of the deal were disclosed club’s fi rst European title in 32 years. would deliver a renewed period of countryside during his time in Italy, incidents such as acts of terrorism. but rumours have swirled in the Russian press that Mancini will pocket “Moments like that are tough and domestic dominance — goalkeeper remains liked and respected among Around 1,500 police offi cers are around five mn euros a year as Zenit manager. The Saint Petersburg outfit, sad, but they’re part and parcel of any Gianluigi Buff on, French defender the Juve faithful. But on Saturday they due to be on duty in the Welsh capi- backed by state-owned gas giant Gazprom, sacked Romanian coach Mircea footballer’s career and you’ve got to Lilian Thuram from Parma and, most will be hoping Massimo Allegri’s team tal over the weekend, with local units Lucescu last week after a disappointing third place league finish saw them accept them. I’m just happy I got to importantly, Czech midfi elder Pavel can deliver the very same trophy the supported by specialist offi cers from miss out on Champions League football next season. win the competition later with Real Nedved from Lazio. Frenchman failed to secure. other areas of the United Kingdom. Gulf Times Friday, June 2, 2017 3 TENNIS

FRENCH OPEN SPOTLIGHT No nostalgia at fi nal Roland Garros, Murray battles past says uncle Toni

AFP Paris

oni Nadal, the uncle Klizan to set up Del and long-time coach of record nine-time French Open cham- Tpion Rafael Nadal, says he spotlight and underlined his doesn’t feel a sense of nostalgia billing as the favourite for an- at his fi nal Roland Garros. other French Open crown. The 56-year-old is working But Toni put his own im- in tandem with former world pending departure into per- Potro blockbuster number one Carlos Moya as spective, insisting Rafael part of Nadal’s coaching team would have achieved his recent ‘It will be very tough. Juan Martin is playing a lot better than his ranking’ in Paris where the Spaniard success with or without his is hunting an incredible 10th uncle in his camp. title. But the elder Nadal will “Rafael would have done just AFP step down from his role at the as well this year had he told me Paris end of the season after more that we were fi nished,” said than 25 years of coaching his Toni. “Things are never defi ni- nephew. tive and nor do they change life orld number one “Zero, I do not feel anything completely.” Andy Murray set at all, I’ll feel it next year when Moya, who will take over as up a French Open I see the tournament from Nadal’s main coach for 2018 blockbuster against home, so maybe I’ll think ‘I having joined his team back in WJuan Martin del Potro yesterday, was in Paris last year,’” Toni December, spoke of his desire the latest chapter in what has told AFP yesterday. to keep expectations in Paris developed into an epic rivalry. “I’m not going to think about in check. And Toni echoed the Murray, the 2016 runner-up, it anymore. I was fortunate 1998 French Open winner’s reached the third round with a to live incredible experiences sentiments, stressing his goal bruising 6-7 (3/7), 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 here, but I’m not a person who was to simply leave Nadal with (7/3) win over Martin Klizan of dwells on things.” the best chance of success. Slovakia. Toni cited the demands of “Never once have I thought Del Potro, playing in Paris for travelling on tour as the reason here if we’re going to win the the fi rst time in fi ve years, went for the change and will oversee eighth title, the ninth or the through to the last 32 after Nico- coaching at Rafael’s tennis acad- tenth Roland Garros,” said las Almagro retired in tears with emy on his home island of Mal- Toni. a knee injury. lorca. The Nadals have enjoyed “I focus on the tournament The giant Argentine was im- one of the longest and most suc- and on hoping we can make mediately hailed for his sports- cessful coaching relationships in Nadal be able to win again.” manship when he embraced the the history of tennis. However Toni didn’t com- sobbing, stricken Spaniard. Nadal has won 14 Grand pletely rule out a return to Ro- Out on Suzanne Lenglen Slams under the tutelage of his land Garros one day with an- court, world number 50 Klizan uncle, tying Pete Sampras for other player. smashed 57 winners but 67 un- the second most in history be- “Hopefully I will be able to forced errors as his all-or-noth- hind Roger Federer’s 18. come back in the future with ing game proved in vain against His last major triumph came my son, but I don’t think it will top seed Murray. at Roland Garros in 2014, but happen, or with someone from “I expected a tough match. the fourth seed, who turns 31 the academy. Martin goes for his shots, he can on Saturday, is near his un- “I would like to help a player hit winners with that forehand beatable best on clay this sea- from there reach the top, but from anywhere on the court,” Britain’s Andy Murray celebrates after winning his match against Slovakia’s Martin Klizan at the Roland Garros in Paris yesterday. (AFP) son. Titles in Monte Carlo, I’m also excited about daily said Murray. Barcelona and Madrid cata- work and many other things in The Scot beat Del Potro in a the 2015 champion, reached the pulted Nadal back into the life.” marathon Olympic fi nal in 2016 last 32 for the 10th time with a before Del Potro, now 30 in the 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 win over Al- world, gained his revenge with exandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine. a come-from-behind win in fi ve Wawrinka will face Italy’s Serena still in the dark about sets in the Davis Cup semi-fi nal. Fabio Fognini for a place in the “It will be very tough. Juan fourth round. unborn baby’s sex Martin is playing a lot better Japanese eighth seed Kei Serena Williams has denied that she already knows the sex of than his ranking,” said Murray as Nishikori routed France’s Jeremy her unborn baby, a day after big sister Venus appeared to hint he looked ahead to tomorrow’s Chardy 6-3, 6-0, 7-6 (7/5) and that the former world number one was expecting a girl. clash. set up a rare all-Asian clash with Serena, the winner of 23 grand slam singles titles, announced Del Potro, no stranger to inju- South Korean Hyeon Chung. her pregnancy in April and is on maternity leave for the rest ry after a career-long battle with Chung, the 21-year-old world of the year. The 35-year-old is engaged to Reddit co-founder wrist problems, made the third number 67, followed up his fi rst Alexis Ohanian. Venus referred to the baby as “she” and listed round after Spanish opponent round win over US 27th seed a series of girl names during an interview after her second- Almagro quit in tears during the Sam Querrey with a 6-1, 7-5, 6-1 round win over Japan’s Kurumi Nara at Roland Garros on third set with a left knee injury. victory against Denis Istomin of Wednesday. “She is going to call me favourite aunt,” she told In a moving conclusion on Uzbekistan. Eurosport, while joking that her other siblings — Lyndrea and Court Two, Del Potro sat next to Nick Kyrgios’s Australian Isha — were involved in a light-hearted rivalry with her, with a sobbing Almagro, off ering him Open ended in a 5-7, 6-4, 6-1, each sister trying to get Serena to name the baby after them. water while trying to to console 6-2 loss to big-serving Kevin “We’re all like, baby V, baby Isha, baby Lyn... We all want the heartbroken 31-year-old. Anderson of South Africa. the baby to be named after us,” she added. Serena, who is Del Potro had also gone to the Anderson, ranked at 56 in the expected to give birth this fall, tweeted yesterday that she was Spaniard’s aid when he had col- world, made the most of the using that rivalry to trick her siblings into doing favours for lapsed at the back of the court, 18th-seeded Australian’s 42 un- her, but added that she was waiting for the birth to discover if weeping, just moments earlier. forced errors to progress to the her child was a boy or a girl. “I think the surprise of knowing third round where he will face what you are going to have on that very special day you give ‘Heart first’ Spain’s Nicolas Almagro (left) is comforted by Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro as he has to give up due Britain’s Kyle Edmund. birth is probably the best surprise possible,” Serena tweeted. “I tried to fi nd good words to an injury during their match yesterday. (AFP) Unseeded 21-year-old Karen “To clarify what Venus said, I am always joking with my sisters for him at that moment. I say to Khachanov of Russia continued to see what favours I can get them do for me next. If I want him, try to be calm. Try to think more than the tennis match.” score. injury scare himself when he his impressive debut, beating something from one of my sisters, I say baby Venus, baby Lyn about his family, his baby,” said Del Potro, 28, had taken the They were locked at 1-1 in the pulled up, holding his left groin Czech 13th seed Tomas Berdych, or baby Isha needs it. I did not grow up with any brothers, only Del Potro. fi rst set 6-3 before Almagro third when Almagro quit. in the second set. a semi-fi nalist seven years ago, sisters and we all say “she” more than “he”. “Sometimes the heart is fi rst claimed the next by the same Del Potro also suff ered an Third seed Stan Wawrinka, 7-5, 6-4, 6-4.

FOCUS Radwanska digs deep to oust qualifi er Van Uytvanck

Agencies gressive Belgian, ranked 103 when her opponent dumped a Paris spots below her, went 3-1 up and backhand into the net after two squandered four break points to hours and 23 minutes. “Clay is go 4-1 up. not my favourite surface. I am inth seed Agnieszka Despite fi ghting back, the Pole not expecting miracles here but I Radwanska lived up to could not handle her opponent’s will try my best,” she said. her nickname as the big kicking serve and stream of Crowd favourite Eugenie Bou- ‘Professor’ when she drop shots and Van Uytvanck chard’s struggles continued with Ndug deep into her toolbox of tac- bagged the tiebreak with a smash. a 6-3, 6-0 loss to Latvian 17th tics to repel tenacious qualifi er “She started very well and on seed Anastasija Sevastova. Alison Van Uytvanck 6-7(3) 6-2 clay she can do a lot of things,” Czech second seed Karolina 6-3 in the French Open second Radwanska said. “She was mix- Pliskova and third-seeded Si- round yesterday. ing up a lot of shots. She can hit mona Halep of Romania, both The world number 10, in her the ball really well. fi rm women’s title favourites fi rst tournament in fi ve weeks “In the second set I had to play after the fi rst round exit of world following a foot injury, will now my game and not wait for her number one Angelique Kerber, face local favourite Alize Cornet. mistakes.” look for places in the last 32. The Pole said she had a point Radwanska, whose best grand Pliskova has never got beyond to prove at Roland Garros after slam performance was reach- the second round in six previous her 2016 meltdown – when she ing the 2012 Wimbledon fi nal, attempts. squandered a 6-2 3-0 lead in decided to change tactics and The 25-year-old Czech faces soggy conditions – in a shock mixed it up as well, rushing to Russian world 86 Ekaterian Al- fourth defeat against Tsvetana the net more often and attack- exandrova who has never beaten Pironkova. ing the Belgian’s high-bouncing a top fi ve rival. “Unfi nished business, you serve early to race through the Halep, the 2014 runner-up, said it well,” Radwanska told second set 6-2. faces German world number 102 reporters when asked about The 23-year-old Van Uytvanck, Tatjana Maria who is bidding to her 2016 exit. “I am hoping the who underwent wrist surgery in make the third round for the fi rst weather stays like that this time. December and has made only one time. Fifth seed Elina Svitolina, I feel good in this heat.” WTA main draw appearance this a quarter-fi nalist in 2015 and Yesterday, Radwanska was year prior to Roland Garros, was recent Rome champion, made taken by surprise in the fi rst broken in the third game and the the third round by beating Bul- set on a sun-drenched Court Pole never looked back. garia’s Tsvetana Pironkova 3-6, Suzanne Lenglen when the ag- Radwanska won her match 6-3, 6-2. Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska in action during her second round match against Belgium’s Alison Van Uytvanck yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times 4 Friday, June 2, 2017 SPORT

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT LA say ‘focused’ on 2024 Games aft er Tiger’s image takes reported 2028 deal

AFP to be decided at the IOC’s Lima Los Angeles meeting in September. A Sum- mer Olympics in Paris in 2024 would come on the 100th anni- os Angeles Olympic versary of the 1924 Paris Games. hit but sponsors bid offi cials insisted on Los Angeles last hosted the Wednesday they re- sporting extravaganza in 1984. main focused on 2024, According to the Wall Street Ldespite a Wall Street Journal Journal, IOC president Thomas report of a deal that would see Bach backs the idea of selecting them host the 2028 Games both hosts simultaneously. with Paris given 2024. “According to the people in- “While the IOC is review- volved, the tide toward a 24/28 staying put: experts ing its bid process, we remain deal — as it has become known focused on the 2024 Games,” to Olympic insiders — gained LA 2024 said in a statement. momentum in recent months ‘They have to be very measured in terms of their response to their relation with him’ “We’re honoured that Los after Mr. Bach held separate Angeles is a 2024 Candidate private conversations with Los City at this important time for Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Reuters the Olympic and Paralympic USOC chairman Larry Probst, Miami Police video shows unsteady, slurring Woods Movements, and we look for- who has become an infl uential ward to collaborating with the IOC member over the past four IOC in the months ahead.” years,” the newspaper said. he marketability of Ti- The Wall Street Journal re- A deal giving Paris the 2024 ger Woods will suff er ported that the International Ol- Games and Los Angeles the following his arrest for ympic Committee “is progress- 2028 event would be contin- driving under the in- ing toward an agreement that gent on “Los Angeles and the Tfl uence, but the former world would give Paris the Summer US Olympic Committee se- number one golfer’s current Olympics in 2024 and Los Ange- curing enough incentives that sponsors will likely stay by his les the event four years later”. waiting an additional four side, according to experts. The newspaper, citing “peo- years for the Games remains fi - Woods, who had surgery ple familiar with the mat- nancially viable and benefi cial in April to relieve back pain, ter”, said details still had to be to the city,” sources told the blamed the incident on pre- worked out but wrote that top newspaper. scription drugs, but that was not offi cials with each bid “are During an IOC Evaluation enough to keep his droopy-eyed conceptually lining up behind Commission tour of Los Ange- mug shot from being etched in the plan”. les last month, mayor Garcetti the minds of many who were The IOC executive board is played down any suggestion once captivated by his domi- scheduled to meet in Lausanne, that the city would be willing nance on the course. Switzerland, in June to discuss to step aside in 2024. Still, despite his struggles on whether it would be feasible to “We believe LA off ers the and off the course, Woods is the award both the 2024 and 2028 greatest benefi t to the Olympic greatest golfer of his generation Summer Olympics when it movement in 2024 — why wait and sponsors like Nike, Bridge- meets in Lima in September. until 2028 to experience that?” stone Golf, Monster Energy and Paris and Los Angeles have Garcetti told reporters. TaylorMade are not likely to rush emerged as the fi nalists in the “I’d love to go to Paris in and cut ties with him, marketing race to host the 2024 Games, 2028 to see my friends there — experts told Reuters. with the venue long scheduled it will be a great Olympics.” “They have to be very meas- ured in terms of their response to their relation with him,” said GOLF David Carter, professor of sports business at the University of Tiger Woods is seen handcuff ed and arrested by police off icers in this still image from police dashcam video in Jupiter, Florida on Monday. (Reuters) Southern California’s Marshal School of Business. Golf superstar Tiger Woods and “confused” when found by asleep in his car in the right lane medications had aff ected me so Matsuyama hopes “He may not be delivering looks disoriented and unsteady police, with “extremely slow and of a road, his right turn indicator strongly.” Woods’s arraignment value but you could also be doing in police video of his Monday ar- slurred speech.” blinking and the motor running. in Palm Beach County court is harm to your own brand if you rest on a charge of driving under The video seen Wednesday Both tires on the driver’s side of scheduled for July 5. Memorial magic puts cut and run on a guy with such the influence, according to foot- backs up that report. Woods Woods’s Mercedes were flat at Woods announced last week he global notoriety.” age obtained and broadcast by is unable to follow a light with the time of his arrest, and there had undergone a fourth back Woods is second on the all- US media on Wednesday. his eyes when asked to do so. was damage to the front and surgery in April that will keep him back on track time list with 14 major titles but The video, from a dashboard When off icers ask if he under- rear bumpers. Woods told police him off the course for the rest a player whose famous fi st pump camera in the vehicle of Jupiter, stands instructions to recite the he was taking several prescrip- of the 2017 season, and he is Reuters the last couple of months.” and beaming smile were once a Florida, police off icers, shows alphabet, he says he was asked tions, including two painkillers. unlikely to engage in strenuous New York Matsuyama won the WGC- regular site on the PGA Tour has Woods unable to tie his shoe “not to sing the national anthem His breathalyser test showed no physical activity for months. HSBC in Shanghai at the start lost his form and barely played in and wobbling as he tries to walk backwards.” sign of alcohol. “I understand He attempted a comeback after of the wrap-around PGA Tour recent years. along a straight line in a field At one point in the sobriety the severity of what I did, and more than a year away from the orld number four season, captured the Hero Most of his sponsors, when sobriety test. tests Woods asks, “What are we I take full responsibility for my game late in 2016 but played in Hideki Mat- Challenge, Tiger Woods’ unof- asked by Reuters if they would re- Woods has blamed the DUI doing?” actions,” Woods said in his state- just three tournaments. After suyama lost his fi cial charity event in the Ba- view their agreements with Woods arrest near his home on an The 14-time major cham- ment on the incident. coming back at an unoff icial red-hot form from hamas, and claimed his fourth in light of Monday’s DUI arrest, Wearly this season but hopes a career Tour win at February’s adverse reaction to prescription pion was taken into custody at “I want the public to know that event in December, he missed either did not respond to requests medication. 2:49am Monday, booked into jail alcohol was not involved. What the cut in January at the Farmers return to Muirfi eld Village will Phoenix Open. for comment or said it was inap- The police report on the inci- at 7:18am and released on his happened was an unexpected Insurance Open and withdrew revitalise him at the Memorial Since then, his best result propriate to do so at this time. dent, made public on Tuesday, own recognizance at 10:50am. reaction to prescribed medica- after one round of a tournament Tournament. was a tie for 11th at the US Bridgestone Golf, however, said Woods was “cooperative” He was discovered by police tions. I didn’t realise the mix of in Dubai in February. Japan’s Matsuyama, who Masters and his general play said they “will continue to moni- won his fi rst PGA Tour event at slumped as the talented Japa- tor this situation and gather in- the 2014 event hosted by Jack nese broke 70 in just eight of 22 formation from the appropriate are a big enough star and you keep unblemished life and career up- University. “But you are still Woods should the results show Nicklaus at the challenging rounds since his Phoenix win. sources investigating the matter.” winning,” said Bob Dorfman, cre- side down. It also cost Woods a talking about an extremely high he was lying. “The main issue is course he designed, has strug- This invitational, contested But details of the arrest re- ative director of Baker Street Ad- number of endorsement deals, profi le athlete here who tran- whether Tiger’s story is accu- gled recently after a superb by an elite fi eld of 120, is a key port which stated, among other vertising in San Francisco. while other sponsors shifted scended sports in many ways rate. If indeed he is taking multi- start to the season. “It has been test with the US Open looming things, that Woods was asleep “But you can’t overcome not away from using him in market- even if his baggage has clearly ple medicines and they interact- an up-and-down year,” Mat- two weeks later at Erin Hills in at the wheel of a parked car with being on the course for months, ing but did not end their con- gotten bigger through the years.” ed with each other and knocked suyama, 25, told reporters on a Wisconsin. Frustrated by un- the engine running and was not winning championships and tracts with him. While the arrest report him out and he didn’t anticipate practice day at the Ohio layout. reliable putting, Matsuyama disoriented when woken up by being pretty much a non en- Woods could see a similar re- showed Woods had no alcohol it then I think he fully recovers,” “Hopefully I’m on the upswing, tried a switch to a center shaft a police offi cer, cannot be sitting tity in the golf world. And that’s action this time around. in his system, results of a urine said Zimbalist. but to be honest, my swing isn’t putter but has gone back to well with sponsors. what Tiger has become and the “He’s not playing, he’s not test that have not been released “Another part of his ability to where I’d like it to be and I’m his old fl at stick. “I’ve been And with Woods expected to prospects don’t look very prom- winning and so he has less chips will go a long way in determining rebound and what happens to his not putting very well. practising a lot with the center miss the rest of the 2016-17 PGA ising for him.” to play with, if you will, in the Woods’ marketability. legacy is going to be determined “Coming back to Muirfi eld shaft putter, hoping to fi nd Tour season after back surgery, This is not the fi rst time endorsement game so that clear- Andrew Zimbalist, an eco- by how he comes back as a golfer Village, there are some special something, to fi nd a good feel- his level of appeal to companies Woods has made headlines away ly makes it even more diffi cult for nomics professor at Smith Col- and nobody knows the answer vibes here and hopefully that ing, to fi nd something that may be at an all-time low. from the course. In 2009, a sex him,” said George Belch, market- lege in Massachusetts, said to that, probably not even Tiger will encourage my game to play suits me. But unfortunately I “You can overcome a DUI if you scandal turned his previously ing professor at San Diego State sponsors will likely cut ties with himself.” much better than I have been haven’t,” he said.

ATHLETICS Robles rediscovers mojo, targets London worlds

AFP time striving to avoid his “main er wanted to quit, unlike Portu- in place for four years. In the Havana enemy”, injury. gal-based triple jumper Pedro same year, he raced to Olympic Now 30, Robles missed the Rio Pichardo and Olympic hurdles gold in Beijing. Olympics injured, and famously silver medallist Orlando Ortega, The seasons since then have ayron Robles insists pulled up with a thigh injury in who competes for Spain. been more chaotic, the hurdler he has refound his the fi nal of the London Games in Robles said “these changes having picked up a string of in- mojo after two injury- 2012, which he describes as the should not exist (but) everyone juries and experienced the harsh hit seasons, the 2008 “worst memory” of his career. makes their own choices”. side of his federation. OlympicD high hurdles gold med- Working alongside a younger The Cuban state pays Robles There was also the memorable allist now aiming to bag a trip to generation of hurdlers, Yordan a stipend but the hurdler has Daegu world championships in August’s world championships O’Farrill and Roger Valentin invested in the hotel business 2011, when he crossed the line in London. Iribarne, Robles maintains he on the back of the opening up of fi rst but was then disqualifi ed for Robles was back in action has refound his mojo. the country, launching with his having made contact with the in Havana last week, clocking “I’m motivated. The new gen- family lodgings where tourists hand of Chinese rival Liu Xiang. 13.66sec over the 110m hurdles, eration are pushing me to work, stay with a Cuban family. “Lots of people still talk to me some way off the 13.48sec mini- in the gym, on the grass, on the “We aim to make people feel about that,” he said. mum required for selection for track,” he said. like Cubans, live like Cubans,” “But I joke about it, it’s his- the Cuban team that will travel Robles was suspended be- he said. tory.” to the British capital in the sum- tween 2013-15 by the Cuban World junior silver medal- Robles now aims to emu- mer. federation after confl ict started list at the age of 18 in 2004, the late American Allen Johnson, “I’m savouring each step, each over what he says was his side- Guantanamo native came to the “giant” alongside whom movement, each training session lining by offi cials, leading him further prominence two years he started his career and who and this pleasure can help me get into a short-lived retirement and later when he equalled the na- maintained his world-class form into good shape and realise many a refused request to run again for tional record of 13sec dead set by through until the age of 37. things,” said Robles, with a June Monaco athletics club. Anier Garcia, the 2004 Olympic The Cuban said he would be 3 outing in Marseille next in his champion in Sydney. “only” 33 when the 2020 Tokyo crosshairs. Faithful to Cuba Then in 2008, Robles clocked Olympic come around. But fi rst But the bespectacled athlete But he remains faithful to his a world record of 12.87sec in Os- the qualifying time for the Lon- said he remains realistic, all the native island, a place he has nev- trava, a mark that would remain don worlds. Gulf Times Friday, June 2, 2017 5 SPORT

MLB Springer hits two home runs as Astros thrash Twins 17-6 The Astros scored a franchise-record 40 runs in the three-game series to make it a complete sweep

Reuters lasted long. Royals right-hander Ian Kennedy Minneapolis (0-5) was removed after three innings and 74 pitches. Tigers left-hander Matthew Boyd was yanked with two outs in the fourth after 63 eorge Springer hit two homers among pitches. four hits and the Houston Astros ham- mered a season-high six home runs to ANGELS 2, BRAVES 1 complete a series sweep against the Eric Young Jr homered in the eighth inning to GMinnesota Twins with a 17-6 victory in the Ma- lift Los Angeles past Atlanta. Young, playing in jor League Baseball on Wednesday. only his third major league game this season, Evan Gattis had four hits, including a solo hit his fi rst home run since 2014 while with the homer, and three RBIs. Carlos Correa had three New York Mets. He was called up Monday from hits, including a two-run homer in the fi rst in- Triple-A Salt Lake to replace the injured Mike ning, and drove in three runs. Alex Bregman Trout. homered for the third straight day and Marwin Gonzalez also homered as Houston won its sev- DIAMONDBACKS 6, PIRATES 5 enth straight game. (14 INNINGS) The Astros scored a franchise-record 40 runs Chris Owings’ single in the 14th inning drove in in the three-game series. Minnesota relievers the winning run for Arizona in a game that was allowed 28 runs (27 earned) in nine innings in interrupted for one hour and 33 minutes by rain. the three games. The Twins got a solo homer by With two on in the 14th, Owings singled off Pi- Eddie Rosario and a two-run shot by former As- rates right-hander Jhan Marinez (0-1) to score tro Jason Castro. David Peralta.

PADRES 2, CUBS 1 BLUE JAYS 5, REDS 4 Rookie Franchy Cordero tripled with one out Devon Travis hit a two-run, go-ahead homer in the eighth and scored on a fi elder’s choice to in the seventh inning to help Toronto complete break a 1-1 tie and help San Diego sweep Chicago a three-game sweep of Cincinnati. Luke Maile for its fourth straight victory. The loss capped an also hit a two-run homer for the Blue Jays, who 0-6 West Coast road trip for the Cubs. The Pa- have won fi ve of the fi rst six games of a 10-game dres won a fourth straight game for the fi rst time homestand. since August 2015. MARLINS 10, PHILLIES 2 ORIOLES 10, YANKEES 4 Justin Bour homered twice and Marcell Ozuna Adam Jones, back after missing four games, hit a went deep once to power Miami past Philadel- three-run homer and fi nished with fi ve RBIs as phia. Dan Straily (4-3) struck out 10 while al- Baltimore defeated New York. The Orioles won lowing two runs (one earned) in 6 2/3 innings as two of three against the fi rst-place Yankees af- the Marlins extended their win streak to a sea- ter losing 12-of-15 coming into the series. Jones, son-high four games, earning their fi rst sweep who had been sidelined due to ankle issues, had of the year. an RBI double in the third inning before homer- ing in the fourth. ATHLETICS 3, INDIANS 1 Chad Pinder had three hits, including two home NATIONALS 3, GIANTS 1 runs, and Sean Manaea combined with two re- Ryan Zimmerman hit a three-run homer in the lievers on a three-hitter as Oakland halted its fi rst inning and Max Scherzer made it stand four-game slide and Cleveland’s three-game up with his seventh career complete game as Houston Astros George Springer (right) celebrates with his teammate after scoring a home run in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at winning streak. Pinder hit a solo home run in the Washington swept San Francisco. The Nationals the Target Field in Minneapolis on Wednesday. (USA TODAY Sports) third inning and a two-run homer in the fi fth to played without Bryce Harper, who earlier in the account for all of the Athletics’ runs. day accepted his suspension after it was lowered White Sox to one run and seven hits in seven in- MARINERS 5, ROCKIES 0 ter Carlos Martinez checked Los Angeles on from four games to three on appeal. Harper was nings while striking out eight. James Paxton, making his fi rst appearance since four hits in eight innings. Martinez (4-4) walked RAYS 7, RANGERS 5 (10 INNINGS) penalized for charging the mound on Monday May 2, pitched 5 1/3 innings as Seattle won its three and struck out nine as he ended the Dodg- Logan Morrison and Derek Norris each hit 10th- against the Giants. BREWERS 7, METS 1 fourth straight. Paxton (4-0), who has allowed ers’ six-game winning streak and lifted the inning homers as Tampa Bay, which was one out Eric Thames continued snapping out of one earned run or none in six of his seven starts Cardinals to only their fourth win in 14 games. from defeat, rallied to victory. RED SOX 4, WHITE SOX 1 his slump when he reached base four times in this season, lowered his ERA to 1.26. He gave up Fowler pounded a 2-1 slider from reliever Ross The Rays, who hit four homers, forced extra Drew Pomeranz pitched seven quality innings fi ve plate appearances and hit a two-run homer three hits and struck out six without issuing a Stripling 429 feet for his seventh homer of the innings when Kevin Kiermaier homered off Tex- and Pablo Sandoval went 3-for-4 with an RBI in the fi rst inning that launched Milwaukee to walk. Paxton had been sidelined because of a left year. as closer Matt Bush with two outs in the ninth in his fi rst start since April 23 as Boston pulled victory. forearm strain. inning to tie the game at 4-4. away from Chicago. Christian Vazquez added Thames, who broke an 0-for-19 skid on TIGERS 6, ROYALS 5 Morrison led off the 10th with a homer off a double and two RBIs as the Red Sox took the Tuesday, fi nished 2-for-3 with two walks and CARDINALS 2, DODGERS 1 Victor Martinez and Alex Avila homered as Sam Dyson (1-6) and then Norris added a two- rubber match of the series. Pomeranz (5-3) two runs. He has reached base eight times in 11 Dexter Fowler broke a tie in the eighth inning Detroit rallied from an early three-run defi cit run blast to left with two outs to push the lead picked up his second win in a row, limiting the plate appearances in the past two games. with a two-out solo homer to lead St Louis af- to defeat Kansas City. Neither starting pitcher to 7-4.

NHL SPOTLIGHT Penguins take 2-0 lead aft er Racism ‘part of America,’ James says aft er vandalism Guentzel shines again AFP open at his funeral so the brutality of his death Los Angeles could be seen. James said he hoped Wednesday’s Reuters incident “can keep the conversation going and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania can shed light on us trying to fi gure out a way to BA superstar LeBron James took aim at keep progressing and not regressing.” racism in America on Wednesday after The 32-year-old James has spoken out before ed-hot rookie Jake Guentzel scored police said a racial slur was painted on a on social and political issues. He denounced fatal twice and the Pittsburgh Penguins gate of the home he owns in Los Angeles. police shootings of unarmed black men and en- erupted for three goals early in the NThe incident came on the eve of Game One of the dorsed Hillary Clinton for president. But he said it third period to ease to a 4-1 win over NBA Finals, which pits James’s reigning cham- was “killing me inside” that he would not be able theR Nashville Predators in Game Two of the pion Cleveland Cavaliers against the Golden State to discuss the vandalism with his two young sons, Stanley Cup Finals at PPG Paints Arena on Warriors. “No matter how much money you have, who were with the rest of the family at their Ohio Wednesday. no matter how famous you are, no matter how home. The defending NHL champion Penguins many people admire you, being black in America “My little girl’s too young to actually under- moved into a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven — it’s tough,” James told reporters in Oakland, stand it right now,” he said. “But I can’t sit in front series, which now shifts to Nashville for California, where Game One will took place last of my boys right now and I won’t be home until Game Three tomorrow. The game was tied night. “It just goes to show that racism will always next week, so this is kind of killing me inside right at 1-1 through two tight periods on goals by be a part of the world, a part of America.” now. But my wife is unbelievable... she said eve- Pontus Aberg and Guentzel, but it took just Los Angeles Police Department spokesman rything’s fi ne, so that helps me out a lot.” 10 seconds of the third for Guentzel — who Aareon Jeff erson said the off ensive graffi ti was James admitted the incident had left him feeling scored the winner in Game One — to get his painted on an outer gate of the $20mn home less than his “normal energetic self.” He vowed he second of the night and 12th of the playoff s. James purchased in 2015 in the city’s upscale wouldn’t let it throw him off as the Cavaliers try He got a long rebound of a shot by Bryan Brentwood neighbourhood. Police were notifi ed to defend their crown in the best-of-seven fi nal Rust and took advantage of an open quarter around 6:45am, and the graffi ti was quickly cov- — but it was a reminder of where basketball fi ts in of the net to make it 2-1 and establish a Pitts- ered by property management staff , Aareon said. the broader scheme of life. burgh record for their fastest playoff goal at Hours later, an emotional James addressed the “I’ll be focused tomorrow on our game plan and the start of a period. “We talked a lot about matter. “Hate in America, especially for African- focused on these games,” James vowed. “I will be elevating our play,” center Matt Cullen said of Americans, is living every day,” added James, as focused as I can be on the job at hand tomor- Pittsburgh’s second intermission team talk. who said that when he was told of the incident, row, but this is a situation where it just puts me “We didn’t think we had reached our best he thought of the mother of Emmett Till, a black back in place of what’s actually more important play yet and we were in a good spot at 1-1, and American who was lynched in 1995 at the age of — and basketball’s not the most important thing it’s an opportunity to go out and throw up 14. Till’s mother insisted her son’s casket be left in my life.” your best period and put yourself in a good spot, and I thought we had a really good pe- riod.” That was not the end of the Penguins’ LeBron James of the quick start in the period, however. Pittsburgh Penguins’ Jake Guentzel (top right) scores past Nashville Predators’ Pekka Rinne Cleveland Cavaliers. (AFP) Phil Kessel sent a shot towards the net from during the Game Two of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (AFP) the right wing, and it glanced off team mate Scott Wilson, then hit Nashville’s Vern Fid- Matt Murray stopped 37-of-38 Nashville at a rebound of a Conor Sheary shot. He lifted dler’s skate and went under goaltender Pekka shots and Chris Kunitz had two assists for the the second one, and it found a tiny sliver of Rinne’s pads at 3:13 to make it 3-1. Penguins for a second game in a row. space between Rinne’s left arm and his side. Just 15 seconds later, Evgeni Malkin scored The game started well for the visitors when “It’s crazy,” Guentzel said of his two big off of a two-on-one, fi ring a perfect shot over a strong individual eff ort by Aberg gave Nash- games this series after an eight-game goal Rinne’s glove for a 4-1 lead. That gave Pitts- ville a 1-0 lead at 12:57 of the fi rst. drought. “You can’t even put into words what burgh three goals in the fi rst 3:28 of the third. Aberg, cutting in from the left wall, got it feels like. But we know the ultimate goal is It was enough for Nashville coach Peter La- past Pittsburgh defenseman Olli Maatta, two more wins, and they’re going to be tough violette to send in backup goalie Juuse Saros who fumbled the puck, and swept across just to get.” Nashville, a fi rst-time participant in to replace Rinne, who had stopped 21-of-25 above the crease, patiently holding the puck the Stanley Cup Finals, heads home with a shots. Rinne allowed four goals on 11 shots in and roofi ng it past Murray. sizeable task. Game One and has allowed 20 goals over his Guentzel tied it 1-1 at 16:36 of the fi rst, four “We’re concerned about where the series is past six games after conceding just 16 over his seconds after a Penguins power-play expired. at,” Predators captain Mike Fisher said.”We’re fi rst 11 playoff games. Pittsburgh goaltender Guentzel, at the right post, took two whacks not where we want to be.” Gulf Times 6 Friday, June 2, 2017 SPORT

RUGBY FIT ROSSI NEEDS ‘CRUCIAL’ MUGELLO RESULT Luco di Mugello, Italy: Home (six left, nine right), and a long- favourite Valentino Rossi has est straight measuring 1.14km. won his fitness race to compete “With the championship be- Warburton keen at Mugello where his younger ing as competitive as it is, the teammate Maverick Vinales next rounds will be all-decisive believes the Yamaha season and it will be crucial to take could hinge on Sunday’s action. the victory in Mugello,” said Seven-time world MotoGP a determined Vinales who champion Rossi is struggling will target a third pole of the with chest pains after a moto- season Saturday. for action as Lions cross training accident that saw Movistar-Yamaha team him hospitalised last week. director Massimo Meregalli But the MotoGP Medical said fans at what is their home Director, Dr Angel Charte, on GP would provide the impulse Thursday found Rossi to be in a but chose his words carefully suitable condition to take part when talking about his charges. on home tarmac. “My condi- “It is an important weekend for begin tough quest tion is improving day by day Valentino,” he said ominously and this allows me to think a while insisting that “Vinales is bit more positively about Mug- on a high”. ello,” said the 38-year-old, who Second-placed Dani Pedrosa 'I will need a good few games before I start hitting my straps' is third in the championship won the Spainsh GP and was standings, 23 points behind third at Le Mans and the Span- pace setter Vinales. iard is on a surprise run two Rossi made an uncharacter- places ahead of his teammate istic error to allow Vinales to and world champion Marc snatch a stunning victory after Marquez, who many feel will a breathless battle at Le Mans want to make a statement this two weeks ago as the younger weekend. Both riders voted in man clinched his third GP win favour of bringing in the harder from five so far this season. The front tyre this weekend to bet- 22-year-old feels the two up- ter perform on the fast track. coming back-to-back MotoGPs “I think the front compound in Italy and Catalunya suit his we will use from Italy will allow bike and his style and may me to find more where the allow him to take control of the limit is and regain confidence campaign. with the front,” said the world “We have a really good bike champion. for a circuit like Mugello, with a “My riding style has always really good grip, and we have been focused on taking advan- to make the most of that,” said tage of braking,” said Marquez, Vinales in regard to the flowing known for spectacular risk Tuscany track with a mixture taking that the kind of crowd of uphill and downhill sections, expected at Mugello Sunday a variety of fast and slow turns would welcome.

Valentino Rossi.

The British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland oversees a training session at the QBE Stadium in Auckland yesterday.

Reuters He did not appear until the third game land said he had chosen his side last week law; 8-Taulupe Faletau, 7-Sam Warburton Auckland against the Queensland Reds and by that and they had spent much of it training (captain), 6-Ross Moriarty, 5-Iain Henderson, stage was itching to get his hands on his together. “It’s a great opportunity for the 4-Alun Wyn Jones, 3-Kyle Sinckler, 2-Rory fi rst Lions jersey. “It really felt I was chas- players selected for the fi rst match is to Best, 1-Joe Marler he British and Irish Lions open- ing it four years ago. I was the last guy on go out and lay down a marker,” New Zea- Replacements: 16-Jamie George, 17-Mako ROUND-UP ing match of their tour of New the tour to play a fi xture so it’s nice to get lander Gatland said. Vunipola, 18-Tadhg Furlong, 19-George Kruis, Zealand against the Provincial a jersey in the kit bag,” he said. “Last time “I think everyone wants to be involved 20-Justin Tipuric, 21-Rhys Webb, 22-Owen Barbarians tomorrow will be I was constantly panicking about when I in the test matches so it’s a chance for this Farrell, 23-Jared Payne Tkeenly watched for many reasons, but for was going to get a game and whether I was 23 to go out there and do that and get the Coach : Warren Gatland captain Sam Warburton it will be more going to pull through. You are always a bit tour off to a good start.” Gatland, how- Barbarians: 15-Luteru Laulala, 14-Sam Vaka, Sato soaking about shaking out the cobwebs. nervous of that... so I’m really pleased to ever, was reminded how serious the tour 13-Inga Finau, 12-Dwayne Sweeney, 11-Sevu The 28-year-old Welshman came into be involved in the fi rst one.” was being taken with the selection of the Reece, 10-Bryn Gatland, 9-Jack Stratton, the tour under a cloud, having sustained a Warburton’s side have arrived in New team to face the Barbarians already de- 8-Mitchell Dunshea, 7-Lachlan Boshier, knee injury while playing for Cardiff a lit- Zealand with huge expectations but only scribed as “a shambles”. 6-James Tucker, 5-Keepa Mewett, 4-Josh up post-Indy tle less than two months ago and given a one other Lions team, Carwyn James’s “The opening selections of the tour is a Goodhue, 3-Oliver Jager, 2-Sam Anderson- six-week recovery time. Warburton beat 1971 side, have clinched a series against shambles,” British rugby columnist Mark Heather (captain), 1-Aidan Ross. the clock and was able to train with the the All Blacks. Consequently the open- Reason, who now lives in New Zealand, Replacements: 16-Andrew Makalio, 17-Tolu squad in their pre-tour camps before the ing match against players from New Zea- wrote for Fairfax Media.”It is paramount Fahamokoia, 18-Marcel Renata, 19-Matt win accolades side left for New Zealand but he still felt land’s semi-professional provincial com- that he fi nds his combinations as quickly Matich, 20-Peter Rowe, 21-Richard Judd, that he would need to run himself back petition will be eagerly watched as a sign as possible. “Gatland only has two more 22-Jonah Lowe, 23-Junior Ngaluafe. AFP just exciting and incomparable,” into match fi tness over the next couple of of what to expect from the touring party. Saturdays after this one before the fi rst Coach: Clayton McMillan Los Angeles he said. “Anyone here is a super- weeks. “It’s really nice to get the ball roll- Can they send a message to the rugby- test. He needs to start fi nding his combi- star, so I’m very, very thrilled and ing,” Warburton told reporters in Auck- mad New Zealand public with a perform- nations or the All Blacks will take his team LIONS’ REMAINING FIXTURES very excited.” land on Thursday. “I will need a good few ance that shows they mean business? apart.” June 7 v Auckland Blues, Auckland akuma Sato says a lit- Sato reiterated his respect for games before I start hitting my straps but Do they have the depth required to get June 10 v Canterbury Crusaders, Christch- tle sleep deprivation is Brazil’s Castroneves. “Having a we all know that every game is a massive through an arduous tour that includes FACTBOX urch a small price to pay for battle back and forth with him audition for the test matches.” matches against all fi ve Super Rugby When: June 3, 7:35 p.m. local (0735 GMT) June 13 v Otago Highlanders, Dunedin the thrill of becoming the last six laps was a great mo- Coincidentally, his knee injury could teams? Will they have enough time to Where TJapan’s fi rst winner of the Indi- ment,” he said.”I hope we put a : Okara Park, Whangarei (Capacity June 17 v Maori All Blacks, Rotorua have prompted a sense of deja vu for the gel combinations before the fi rst test in 30,000) June 20 v Waikato Chiefs, Hamilton anapolis 500. The one-time For- great show on for the fans.” loose forward. Named to lead the Lions Auckland on June 24? Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia) June 24 v All Blacks, Auckland mula One misfi t etched his name on their previous tour to Australia in 2013, Despite the limited buildup as play- Lions: 15-Stuart Hogg, 14-Anthony Watson, June 27 v Wellington Hurricanes, Wellington in history on Sunday, when he WEHRLEIN CLEARED FOR the then 24-year-old had to sit out the ers fi ltered into the training camps due to 13-Jonathan Joseph, 12-Ben Te’o, 11-Tommy July 1 v All Blacks, Wellington passed Helio Castroneves with CANADA GRAND PRIX opening two fi xtures due to a knee injury. club commitments, coach Warren Gat- Seymour, 10-Johnny Sexton, 9-Greig Laid- July 8 v All Blacks, Auckland fi ve laps to go the held off the Sauber Formula One driver Pas- three-time winner to capture cal Wehrlein has been cleared America’s fabled race. for next week’s Canadian Grand TABLE TENNIS “It’s been crazy,” he said of Prix after medical tests follow- his life since then as he vis- ing a crash in Monaco on Sun- ited the Dallas Cowboys at the day. “Checks all done, see you in NFL team’s practice facility on Montreal,” the 22-year-old Ger- Wednesday. His appearance in man said on Twitter yesterday. Al-Mohannadi re-elected as ITTF vice president Texas followed a whirlwind trip Wehrlein’s car was pitched to New York, where he took in into the fence and tyre wall at By Sports Reporter the Empire State Building, Wall the entrance to the tunnel in Doha Street and Times Square. Monaco after McLaren’s Jenson “My life has changed the last Button made a highly optimis- 72 hours,” Sato said. “I’ve gotten tic attempt to pass on the inside atar Table Tennis Association President only three hours of sleep every of the corner. The Sauber ended Khaleel al-Mohannadi has retained his post single night. It’s been an absolute up on its side with Wehrlein, who as vice president of the International Table privilege to go through all the missed the fi rst two races of the Tennis Federation (ITTF) until 2021 after media tour and meet people. It’s season due to fractured thoracic theQ ITTF board elections held in Dusseldorf city of just a great experience.” vertebrae, trapped inside. The Germany recently. Sato met with Cowboys play- incident raised concern that he Thomas Weikert was elected as the president of the ers and coaches on Wednesday, could have hurt his back again. ITTF at its Annual General Meeting by 118 votes to 90 as well as chatting with report- Wehrlein has scored Sauber’s after campaigning on a Manifesto focused on deliver- ers. “This is my fi rst time to visit only points of the season so far, ing value and growth for the whole sport in every part Qatar Table Tennis an NFL team in practice, so it’s fi nishing eighth in Spain. of the world. Belgium’s Jean-Michel Saive polled 90 Association President votes. The term of offi ce is for a period of four years. Khaleel al-Mohannadi (left) Weikert is the incumbent ITTF president and he in- with ITTF President herited the position in 2014. This presidential elec- Thomas Weikert. tion is the fi rst he contested against a challenger. Speaking after the result was announced, ITTF President Weikert, said: “It is a huge honour to have been elected President of ITTF by our global family of Table Tennis National Federations. They are my peers and I would like to thank them for the trust they have placed in me today. It has been an intense campaign but I will invest all my energy to grow our sport and make it even more successful.” ITTF Executive Committee consists of: Shi Zhi- hao (China), Petra Sörling (Sweden), Masahiro Mae- hara (Japan), Nestor Tenca (Argentina), Bruce Burton (Canada), James Morris (New Zealand), Alaa Meshref Indianapolis 500 champion Takuma Sato of Japan poses as he visits (Egypt) and Khalil al-Mohannadi (Qatar). the Empire State Building in New York on Wednesday. (AFP) Gulf Times Friday, June 2, 2017 7 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT REACTION Afghanistan cancels Pakistan games Kohli, Kumble ‘rift ’ aft er Kabul attack

AFP agency has blamed the Taliban- Kabul allied Haqqani Network for the attack, which has been linked to Pakistan’s military in the past. fghanistan has can- The Pakistan Cricket Board shakes up India celled proposed home later issued its own statement re- and away cricket fi x- jecting what it termed “baseless tures with Pakistan af- allegations” about Islamabad ‘These are merely speculations. I see no smoke which you seem to see. The cricket terA a deadly bomb attack blamed backing terrorism and claiming by the country’s intelligence Pakistan had cancelled the series advisory committee is seized with the matter and will deal with it’ agency on militants allegedly on the basis of ongoing insecu- backed by Islamabad. rity in Afghanistan. AFP “This is a process which is Pakistan were set to play their The development leaves Paki- New Delhi well defi ned. The cricket ad- fi rst Twenty20 match in Kabul stan’s cricketers even more iso- visory committee (compris- later this year in what was seen lated in the region. ing Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav as an opportunity for the neigh- India has refused to play a full igns of a rift between Ganguly and VVS Laxman) bours to ease tensions over bor- series since the 2008 Mumbai India’s skipper Vi- is seized with the matter and der skirmishes and alleged proxy attacks, while ties with fellow rat Kohli and coach will deal with it,” Choudhary warfare. Test team Bangladesh have also Anil Kumble have added. The Kabul match, set for July soured after Pakistan pulled out shakenS the country ahead of or August, would have been fol- of a planned series in July. the team’s campaign to win a KUMBLE HAS DONE lowed by a fi xture in Pakistan Only minnows Zimbabwe have second straight Champions NOTHING WRONG and a full series at an unspecifi ed been willing to tour the insecuri- Trophy. Indian newspapers have date. ty-wracked country since a 2009 As India prepare to launch speculated that cracks in the But the Afghanistan Cricket militant attack on the visiting Sri their tournament against Kohli-Kumble relationship Board issued a strongly worded Lanka team. Pakistan in Birmingham on prompted the BCCI to hunt for statement late on Wednesday, Cricketing relations between Sunday, Indian media is abuzz a new coach. cancelling the matches in light Afghanistan and Pakistan were with reports of diff erences be- The Times of India reported of a truck bombing in the city’s not always so frosty. tween Kohli and Kumble over that players were not happy diplomatic quarter that killed at Afghans learned to play crick- tactics and training. with Kumble’s hard task- least 90 people. et in refugee camps in Pakistan With Kumble’s one-year master approach, and that the No group has claimed respon- after they were forced to leave contract ending this month, captain and coach had sev- sibility for Wednesday’s attack, their homes in the wake of the the Indian board’s move to eral run-ins during this year’s although the Taliban has denied Soviet invasion in 1979. advertise the job ahead of home series against Australia. involvement. While Pakistan has supported the 50-over showpiece event “The ACB hereby cancel all the Afghan team by supplying raised eyebrows. “You will never have kinds of cricket matches and ini- equipment and arranging fi x- The deadline for applica- a situation when the tial mutual relationship agree- tures with the fl edgling side, tions ended on Wednesday. captain and coach of any ment with the Pakistan Cricket rival India has also been keen to However, batting legend country is on the same Board,” the Afghan board said on lend its support. Sunil Gavaskar believes the page,” Gavaskar said its Facebook page. Last year, Afghanistan’s na- Board of Control for Cricket in “No agreement of friendly tional team shifted its base from India (BCCI) was just “follow- A headline in The Hindu matches and mutual relation- Sharjah in the United Arab Emir- ing procedure”. read “Kohli, Kumble at log- ship agreement is possible with ates to Noida, Delhi, while In- Gavaskar, attempting to re- gerheads?” with the report a country where terrorists are dia’s former batsman Lalchand assure fans, said an invitation adding that Kumble’s proposal housed and provided safe ha- Rajput replaced Pakistan’s In- for applications did not refl ect to fi eld left-arm wrist spinner vens.” zamam-ul-Haq as their national tensions in the Kohli-Kumble Kuldeep Yadav in the third Afghanistan’s intelligence team coach. relationship. Australia Test in Ranchi set off “You will never have a situ- trouble between the two. ation when the captain and Yadav was fi nally included FELICITATION coach of any country is on in the playing XI in the fourth the same page,” Gavaskar said and fi nal Test, with Ajinkya at the Aaj Tak Salaam cricket Rahane leading the side in convention in London on place of an injured Kohli. Gala prize distribution Wednesday. Despite the apparent ten- “It is impossible for that to sions, Kumble has had a bril- happen because the coach had liant run as coach, helping the for Qatar Airways played in the earlier generation Kohli-led side win all fi ve Test and that’s why the approach series since his appointment may be slightly diff erent from in June last year. cricket tournament the current generation.” “Kumble has done a very “It might not be something good job as coach. I am sim- actually happening on the ply going by the results and fi eld — it could be something when you go by the results of to do with practice sessions last year, you can say he has or team combinations,” the done nothing wrong,” said former captain added. Gavaskar, the fi rst batsman to “I don’t think that should breach the 10,000-run mark be taken too seriously because in Tests. these discussions are healthy It was also reported that for the team.” the advertisement of the India Acting BCCI secretary Am- coaching job has met with a itabh Choudhary said he was lukewarm response, with few unaware of any tensions and big names coming forward. the board was merely follow- While Kumble is an au- By Sports Reporter extremely happy that we’re per- ing procedure. tomatic candidate for a new Doha forming our social duties with “These are merely specula- contract, the Times of India good results,” added Farabi. tions. I see no smoke which said Australia’s Tom Moody QCA president al-Kuwari, you seem to see,” Choudhary and New Zealand’s Daniel grand ceremony also commented after the cer- told reporters in Birmingham Vettori were also being dis- This file photo shows India’s cricket coach Anil Kumble (R) talking with captain Virat Kohli during a training marked the prize dis- emony: “The Qatar Cricket As- yesterday. cussed. session on the eve of a Test match between India and Australia in Dharamsala. tribution of the popular sociation is always striving hard Qatar Airways Cricket to take sport to new levels. We’re TournamentA 2017 at the Doha certainly moving rapidly and re- BOTTOMLINE Marriott Hotel. cording appreciable progress. Qatar Airways, a long-time “The healthy competition is partner of the Qatar Cricket As- must for strong development of sociation in developing the sport sport anywhere. We want to thank in Qatar, were again the sponsors Qatar Airways for supporting us of this year’s edition. to off er competitive opportuni- Ali Akbar Farabi, Manager of ties and exposure to our players Pakistan batsman Azhar says Qatar Airways Ticketing Opera- at various levels. We also feel that tions (Qatar) was the chief guest at we still need to go a long way and the ceremony. Also present on the we can’t go alone. We’ll be looking occasion were QCA Board Mem- forward to strong supporters like bers: Yousuf Jeham A al-Kuwari Qatar Airways next year again,” al- India clash ‘just another game’ (President), Abdulla Aman al- Kuwari added. AFP Pakistan, who upset the odds “I think when the game Khater (Secretary General), Eisa “I also wish to thank the QCA Birmingham to draw a Test series in England starts it looks quite normal. Ali A Ghanem (Assistant Secre- offi cials who work hard round the last year, have already been in The players play as per tary-General) and Mohammad year and push players to bring lau- Birmingham for two weeks in the situation and profes- Ahmed Othman (Board Member) rels for the country. I think they akistan batsman Azhar preparation for their bid to win sional players are like that Among the QCA offi cials, Man- also deserve a big applause for Ali has insisted his side the Champions Trophy, a tour- without worrying about zoor Ahmad (operations man- their effi cient role,” he said. will treat their Cham- nament featuring the world’s anything else,” he added ager), Gul Khan Jadoon (head of QCA operations manager pions Trophy opener top eight one-day international domestic cricket), Syed Hassan Ahmad also thanked Qatar Air- Pagainst title-holders India in teams. gone quite a long way and we Raza (head of technical commit- ways and QCA Board Members Birmingham on Sunday as “just Birmingham boasts one of have had some good results in tee), Amjad Baig (U19 national for their eff orts and involve- another game”. the largest Asian populations in the recent past, so we will do our coach), Amin Ul Islam (member of ment. “We’re extremely grateful Politics in both countries Britain and a vibrant, sell-out best to match that. Obviously we school boys cricket), Mohammad to Qatar Airways for helping us means the Asian giants, argu- crowd is expected on Sunday. have to go a long way. We would Asif (accountant) and Jamshaid to put up a good show this sea- ably cricket’s fi ercest rivals, now “A game between Pakistan love to play at the same pace.” Ahmad (offi ce administrator) at- son. Without the backing of the rarely meet outside of Interna- and India is always good and Bir- Swing bowling could play a tended the ceremony. sponsors, it’d be virtually impos- tional Cricket Council events. mingham has always had a very key role in deciding the destiny Farabi congratulated the win- sible for us to get the results we Such is the global and com- good atmosphere,” said Azhar. of the Champions Trophy, par- ners and fi nalists of all the four managed to secure. mercial appeal of the fi xture, A former captain of the Pa- ticularly if conditions are over- divisions. He also expressed “This season was very signifi - the ICC has eff ectively admit- kistan ODI side, Azhar’s tally of cast. proud at long-standing associa- cant for us in terms of interna- ted to ‘doctoring’ the draw to 1,605 runs in 45 matches at an One concern for Pakistan is tion between Qatar Airways and tional achievements. It is a matter make sure the teams are paired average of over 38 would once that Wahab Riaz, one of their the Qatar Cricket Association of great pride for us that we won together in the group phase of have been respectable enough. most experienced pacemen, has through the sport. the ICC World Cricket League major tournaments rather than been struggling with a left knee “On behalf of Qatar Airways, we Qualifi er – Asia for the fi rst time run the risk of them not meeting STEPPING UP injury. congratulate all the winners and and advanced to the ICC World later on. But in age of ever more aggres- The left-arm quick did bowl fi nalists for their outstanding per- Cricket League Division Five. For all the anticipation sur- sive batting and ever higher during training on Wednesday, formances in the season. There is “In Chiang Mai, Thailand ear- rounding their latest clash, strike rates, his fi gures look old- but not at full tilt. always a second time and we hope lier this year, we came up with Azhar told reporters at Edgbas- fashioned — a criticism that has Nevertheless, Azhar said: that the fi nalists and other teams thrilling performances and ful- ton on Wednesday: “It’s just an- been made of Pakistan’s overall “Wahab has recovered well so we would prepare hard and try to ex- fi lled the dream of winning the other game. approach to white-ball cricket have no doubt that he will be fi t cel in the new season.” event. In the last and crucial “I think when the game starts as it’s now played. to play. It’s international cricket “It gives us a proud feeling match, we beat favourites Saudi it looks quite normal. The play- “We have worked on that,” and you have to be 100 percent when we look at our long part- Arabia by fi ve wickets. Then we ers play as per the situation and said the 32-year-old Azhar, re- fi t. He has practised today so we nership with the QCA in shaping beat Saudi Arabia on net run rate professional players are like that called for the Champions Tro- are hoping that by the time the the sport in the country. We have as well to clinch the lone quali- without worrying about any- Pakistan’s coach Mickey Arthur (R) talks with Pakistan’s Sarfraz phy. fi rst match comes he will be able certain responsibilities towards fying spot, which was really a thing else,” he added. Ahmed during a practice session at Edgbaston cricket ground. “We know that the game has to play.” the communities here and we’re thrilling experience for all of us.” Friday, June 2, 2017 GULF TIMES CRICKET

CHAMPIONS TROPHY CHARGED UP Afghanistan up for Hobbling Root fi res Windies battle England to easy win over Bangladesh File picture of Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan. AFP luxuries this time around and Saint Kitts captain Carlos Brathwaite, the Root’s unbeaten 133 along with Hales’ 95 and captain Morgan’s unbeaten 75 helped hero on that memorable night in Kolkata, needs to recapture his hosts England overhaul their target of 306 with 16 balls to spare est Indies and Af- most devastating batting form ghanistan get a while expecting his senior play- three-match T20 ers to also step up to the chal- International se- lenge and show that the surprise Wries underway at Warner Park in loss to the Afghans a year earlier St Kitts today with the visitors was just a one-off setback. desperate to make an impression A strong squad including such against the reigning kings of the celebrated names as Kieron Pol- game’s most abbreviated format. lard, Lendl Simmons, Marlon Yet despite their status as World Samuels, Sunil Narine and Sam- T20 title-holders, the fact that the uel Badree should have too much hosts are available at all to take on experience and expertise for their the fast-improving Afghans in the opponents, although Afghani- T20 matches in St Kitts followed stan underscored the strength by three One-Day Internationals of their bowling resources with in St Lucia is an embarrassing re- a 12-run win in a low-scoring fl ection of their continuing decline warm-up match against a West in the 50-over version of the inter- Indies Cricket Board President’s national game. XI at Warner Park on Wednesday. This two-week campaign in Defending a total of 115 for the Caribbean is overshadowed nine, the tourists’ eff ective com- by the Champions Trophy in bination of pace and spin kept England, featuring the top eight the home side in a stranglehold nations in ODI’s. to the extent that they were lim- Afghanistan’s historic fi rst se- ited to 103 for nine in reply. ries against the West Indies is only Leg-spinner Rashid Khan, possible because the 2004 Cham- who with Mohammad Nabi pions Trophy winners and twice- made history this year as the fi rst beaten fi nalists failed for the fi rst Afghan players to appear in the Scoreboard time to qualify for a global Inter- Indian Premier League, was the national Cricket Council event star of the bowling. BANGLADESH and are also in danger of having Following on the impact he Tamim Iqbal c Buttler b Plunkett 128 to go through a qualifying tourna- made as a member of the Sun- S Sarkar c sub (Bairstow) b Stokes 28 ment next year in Bangladesh to risers of Hyderabad in the IPL Imrul Kayes c Wood b Plunkett 19 get to the 2019 World Cup, also to just a couple weeks earlier, Khan M. Rahim c Hales b Plunkett 79 be played in England. produced the outstanding fi g- Shakib Al Hasan c Stokes b Ball 10 Since the dramatic victory ures of three for 11 off four overs Sabbir Rahman c Roy b Plunkett 24 over England in the World T20 to deservedly earn the man of the Mahmuduallah not out 6 fi nal 14 months ago in Kolkata, match award. Mosaddek Hossain not out 2 West Indies have won just two of But the reliability of their bat- Extras (b1, lb1, w7) 9 nine T20 Internationals. ting is a genuine concern, espe- Total (6 wkts, 50 overs) 305 In sharp contrast, Afghani- cially in the absence of attacking Did not bat: Mashrafe Mortaza, Rubel stan are on an 11-match winning wicketkeeper-batsman Moham- Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman streak although the signifi cance mad Shahzad, who is serving a Fall of wickets: 1-56 (Sarkar), 2-95 of that achievement is temper- suspension following a positive (Kayes), 3-261 (Tamim), 4-261 (Mush- ed by the fact that 10 of those test for a banned substance ear- fiqur), 5-277 (Shakib), 6-300 (Sabbir) wins were also against Associate lier this year. Bowling: Woakes 2-1-4-0; Wood Member nations, the lower rank Whatever their chances England’s Joe Root celebrates after hitting the winning runs in the ICC Champions trophy match between England and Bangladesh. 10-1-58-0 (1w); Ball 10-1-82-1; Stokes of competing countries under though, it is the Afghans who 7-0-42-1 (1w); Plunkett 10-0-59-4 (2w); the banner of the ICC. have nothing to lose coming Reuters a competitive total of 305 for six. the latter was caught on the cover point Ali 8-1-40-0 (1w); Root 3-0-18-0 (2w) Ironically, the run of success into this series while the Carib- London Jason Roy’s wretched run contin- boundary for 28. was started against the West bean audience, although not to- ued when he was brilliantly caught at Imrul Kayes, on 19, was brilliantly ENGLAND Indies at the World T20 in India tally enthused by the upcoming short fi ne leg for one but Root and Hales caught by a diving Mark Wood at mid J. Roy c Mustafizur Rahman b where Afghanistan, in their fi rst matches, will have more than oe Root shrugged off an ankle in- calmed England’s nerves with a second- on but Mushfi qur and Tamim gradually Mashrafe Mortaza 1 and so far only meeting at sen- a passing eye on the unfolding jury to hit a superb unbeaten 133 wicket partnership of 159. accelerated the scoring rate with crisp A. Hales c sub (Sunzamul Islam) b ior international level with the events in St Kitts and the fol- and lead England to a comfortable Hales was the chief aggressor but strokes around the ground to wild cheers Sabbir Rehman 95 Caribbean team, sneaked a six- lowing week in St Lucia as they eight-wicket victory over Bangla- straight after hitting a four and a six off from the pockets of fl ag-waving Bangla- J. Root not out 133 run run win against a sloppy and search for signs of signifi cant deshJ in the opening Champions Trophy consecutive balls from Sabbir Rahman he desh fans in a lively crowd. clearly complacent foe who had improvement in an assignment E. Morgan not out 75 game at The Oval yesterday. fell fi ve runs short of his century, caught Ben Stokes and Tamim were involved Extras (lb2, w2) 4 already qualifi ed for the knock- that has all the potential to be Alex Hales made 95 and captain Eoin at deep mid-wicket. in a verbal altercation as tempers frayed Total (2 wkts, 47.2 overs) 308 out stage of the competition. trickier than the hosts might Morgan 75 not out as hosts England over- Root, hobbling between the wickets, but the left-hander reached his century Did not bat: B Stokes, J Buttler, M Ali, West Indies can aff ord no such otherwise expect. hauled their target of 306 with 16 balls to manoeuvred the ball around calmly and he off 124 balls, including two sixes and 11 C Woakes, L Plunkett, M Wood, J Ball spare, the highest successful run-chase and Morgan were always in control of the fours. Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Roy), 2-165 (Hales) in the tournament’s history. chase in an unbroken partnership of 143. Tamim skied Liam Plunkett to wick- Bowling: Mortaza 10-0-56-1; Hasan OPINION The day had started badly for England, Root posted his 10th one-day interna- etkeeper Jos Buttler and Mushfi qur was 8-0-62-0 (1w); M Rahman 9-0-51-0; bidding to win their fi rst global 50-over tional century, off 115 deliveries, and hit caught in the deep for 79 off the next ball, Sarkar 2-0-13-0; M Hossain 7.2-0-47-0 trophy, when all-rounder Chris Woakes one six and 11 fours in his highest score in allowing England to restrict the bound- (1w); R Hossain 10-0-64-0; S Rahman limped off due to a side strain after bowl- this format of the game. ary fl ow in the closing overs and keep the 1-0-13-1 Smith criticises CA ing two overs. Morgan had won the toss in sunny Bangladesh total down. Tamim Iqbal struck a fl uent 128 and conditions and asked Bangladesh to bat, Australia and New Zealand are the Result: England won by eight wickets shared a 166-run partnership with but Tamim and Soumya Sarkar care- other teams in Group A with the top two Man-of-the-match: Joe Root (ENG) over pay dispute Mushfi qur Rahim to push Bangladesh to fully added 56 for the fi rst wicket before advancing to the semi-fi nals. IANS Birmingham PREVIEW ustralia captain Steve Smith has criticised Cricket Australia’s (CA) arguments in the on- No fearsome foursome for Aussies goingA pay dispute between the players and the board on the eve AFP The 24-year-old made his in- “I don’t think we’ll end up of their fi rst match in the Cham- London ternational debut in 2011, yet the going with the four big pions Trophy. fact he’s played just three Tests quicks. We’ve got a couple The CA has argued that it can- and 28 one-day internationals of options there as not increase the players’ current teve Smith said Aus- since then is testament to how all-rounders,” said Smith salaries as more money is needed tralia were unlikely to much time Cummins has spent to fund the game at the grassroots. Australia captain Steve Smith. fi eld all their ‘fearsome on the treatment table. earlier this year with a sensa- Smith, however, challenged foursome’ of fast bowl- But he now believes his body tional Indian Premier League the CA’s statement, asserting importance of focusing on the job ersS against New Zealand in their can withstand the rigours of in- campaign, averaging nearly 50 that the players have chipped in at hand and not giving too much Champions Trophy opener ternational cricket. for the Kolkata Knight Riders. with signifi cant contributions to thought to the off -fi eld issues. against New Zealand today. “I now feel that because I’m New Zealand beat Australia in the grassroots programmes. “We are focusing on this tour- Injuries have meant the quar- a couple of years older, and be- a thrilling pool match in Auck- “I’m not sure I completely nament. These are the big tour- tet of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cum- cause I had a full off -season at land at the 2015 World Cup only agree with that. If we look back naments and the ones you really mins, Mitchell Starc and James pretty low intensity, my body to lose to their trans-Tasman ri- at the last MoU, I think players want to win,” he said. Pattinson have rarely all been fi t was a bit more hardened than vals in the fi nal in Melbourne. gave back $10 million to grass- “So my focus is on that and I’ll at the same time. it used to be when I did come Friday’s encounter at Bir- roots cricket, which is quite sig- let the CA handle everything else. It appears Australia have de- back,” Cummins explained. mingham’s Edgbaston ground is nifi cant,” Smith told the media “Every game is crucial and we cided it’s too much of a risk Left-arm fast bowler Starc, set to feature several survivors, here yesterday. have got to be at our best from fi elding all four in the same arguably the world’s leading with New Zealand captain Kane “We’re right behind (the CA) ball one,” he added. team, with John Hastings — who ‘yorker’ bowler, has recovered Williamson the star turn in atop and what they are trying to do for The Australian players will be has plenty of English county ex- from a foot injury that cut short order that also includes Martin the players and as partners of the playing ODIs after a signifi cant perience — also in the squad. his tour of India, while Pattinson Guptill. game as well. We fully support gap, having played four Test “I don’t think we’ll end up has returned from shin and back Blackcaps pacemen Tim them in everything they are do- matches in India before tak- going with the four big quicks,” problems. Southee and Trent Boult are ing,” he added. ing part in the Indian Premier Australia captain Smith told re- Australia boast one of the proven performers in England, Australia had a poor start to League (IPL). porters at Edgbaston yesterday. Australia head coach Darren Lehmann during nets. most powerful top orders in ODI but Southee said: “We know the their campaign in the last edition Smith asserted that his team- “We’ve got a couple of options cricket, with captain Smith and conditions, but you can’t rely on of the Champions Trophy in 2013 mates will have to adjust fast. “It there as all-rounders. conditions. For Cummins, whose career opener David Warner outstand- that. when they had lost to England in takes a little bit of time. You just “(Marcus) Stoinis did very “He’s a little bit slower than has been blighted by several ing batsmen in all formats. “The wickets over here are their fi rst match before crashing have to realise 50 overs are a lot well in New Zealand in the last the others and hits the seam and back stress fractures, just being They could add extra fi repow- pretty good, and the bowlers are out in the group stages. more than 20 and you can reign series, and Hastings has done has some good skills throughout in contention again is something er by including Chris Lynn, who going to have to be at the very Smith is keen to avoid a repeat things back,” he said of the ad- very well for us over in these the middle as well.” of a relief. shot to worldwide prominence top of their game as a result.” this time round and reiterated the justment to ODI cricket.