BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Mourinho signs

INDEX United DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2, 20 COMMENT 18, 19 ARAB WORLD 3, 4 BUSINESS 1-12 Shale oil ‘stifl ing’ Opec’s contract 17,828.91 9,716.48 49.57 INTERNATIONAL 5-16 CLASSIFIED 8 -22.60 +10.74 +0.01 ISLAM 17 SPORT 1-8 -0.13% +0.11% +0.02% market balancing role Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

FRIDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10101 May 27, 2016 Sha’baan 20, 1437 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief Oil above

REGION | Co-operation $50 for fi rst time GCC water grid HE Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani took part in the Fourth Joint Ministerial Meeting on Strategic Dialogue between the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) and Russia held in Moscow yesterday. The meeting dealt with means scope explored of enhancing co-operation between the GCC countries and Russia in various areas of mutual concern as well as the overall Senior off icials of the Gulf region’s developments at the regional and international levels. power and water sectors have explored the possibility and scope this year of establishing a water grid between the member states. The deliberations AFP lar caused by rising expectations of a US were held yesterday during 29th London rate hike next month curtailed gains. Ministerial Committee Meeting for A fi rmer greenback makes the dol- co-operation in electricity and water GCC, Russia agree to lar-priced commodity more expensive, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Qatari il prices jumped yesterday above hampering demand. side at the meeting was led by HE $50 for the fi rst time this year as The tip fi nally above the psychologi- the Minister of Energy and Industry Oa long-lasting global supply glut cal level came thanks to offi cial data on Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada showed increased signs of easing. Wednesday that showed US commercial (pictured). Discussions were also strengthen friendship In a boost for countries exporting crude inventories fell by 4.2mn barrels held on a electricity linkage project, crude, including the likes of crisis-hit last week, indicating strong demand in unified water strategy and some of QNA and suppress terrorist acts through urged all Yemeni parties to abide by Venezuela, prices are once more on the the world’s top oil consumer. the other new projects involving the Moscow increased international co-operation. it, expressing their continued strong rise having nosedived from above $100 The Bank of Canada meanwhile said GCC States. The ministerial meeting The ministers welcomed the estab- support for the UN envoy, Ismail Ould a barrel two years ago to around $27 in that the destruction by fi re of homes where final drafts were prepared was lishment of the Islamic Military Alli- Sheikh Ahmed. early 2016. and businesses and the halt to oil pro- chaired by Qatar General Electricity oreign ministers of GCC and ance to Fight Terrorism and supported Regarding ties with Iran, the min- Futures had slumped owing largely duction would shave about 1.25 per- and Water Corporation president Russia have agreed to continue co-operation between Russia and isters emphasised the importance to a global supply glut, fed by rising centage points off the country’s gross and senior engineer Essa bin Hilal Fco-operation on the regional the US-led International Coalition that relations between GCC member production of oil extracted from North domestic product in the second quarter. al-Kuwari. and international issues of mutual in- against ISIS. states and Iran be based on the prin- American shale rock that competed in “News about the US inventory, cou- terest. As for Syria, the two sides reaf- ciples of good neighbourhood, non- the marketplace with crude from key pled with Canada’s announcement, In a joint statement issued after the fi rmed the need to preserve the unity, interference in internal aff airs, respect producers including the Opec organisa- gave prices the boost it needed to push QATAR | Offi cial fourth round of the ministerial strate- sovereignty, territorial integrity and of independency, sovereignty, territo- tion, Russia and Norway. past the $50 mark,” CMC Markets trader Working hours gic dialogue between GCC and Russia, stability of Syria, and the importance rial integrity, resolutions of disputes But in recent weeks, oil prices have Alex Wijaya said. the two sides reaffi rmed their shared of reaching a political solution to the through peaceful means, according to rebounded on lower output caused by After reaching multi-month highs, during Ramadan intention to strengthen and develop crisis that preserves the lives of Syr- the UN wildfi res in Canada, as well as unrest in prices retreated as investors banked HE the Deputy Prime Minister friendship and collaboration in vari- ians and leads to cessation of hostili- Meanwhile, the ministers agreed Nigeria, Africa’s biggest oil producer. their profi ts. and Minister of State for Cabinet ous fi elds. ties on the basis of the UN. that despite ongoing instability in the Outages in Venezuela have also lent Around 1600 GMT, Brent crude for Aff airs Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid The ministers reaffi rmed that they On the Yemeni front, the ministers region, the task of settling the Arab- support. delivery in July stood at $49.85, up 11 al-Mahmoud has issued a circular will remain united in combatting ter- welcomed the cessation of hostilities Israeli confl ict should remain one of Yesterday, benchmark oil contract cents from yesterday’s close. on the working hours during the rorism and to work together to prevent in Yemen, pledged to support it, and top priorities. Brent North Sea crude struck $50.51 WTI for July won 10 cents to $49.66 holy month of Ramadan for the a barrel - the fi rst time above $50 and a barrel. ministries, government bodies and highest level since early November. Shailaja Nair at global energy infor- public institutions. On the occasion US contract West Texas Intermediate mation provider Platts said that it re- of the advent of Ramadan for the (WTI) hit $50.21 a barrel - a peak since mained to be seen whether oil producers Hijri year 1437, it was decided that the start of October. would fi nd respite after prices breached working hours for civil employees “Oil has broken through the $50 per the $50 mark. will be five hours a day from 9am till barrel level...supported by government “There’s a little bit of demand but not 2pm, the circular said. Qatar stuns debt market data that illustrated steeper than ex- like suddenly we’ve found a huge pocket pected drawdown in US crude oil stock- of demand, we are not seeing that. piles last week,” said analyst Dorian Lu- Whether it will stay above $50 or not, REGION | Diplomacy cas at energy consultancy Inenco. that is going to tell us whether the pro- UN envoy for Yemen Crude had been edging close to $50 ducers can breathe a sigh of relief,” she with record $9bn bond for the last fortnight but a strong dol- said. hails Qatar’s role UN envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Bloomberg into the market and to some extent hosting the 2022 soccer World Cup. Cheikh Ahmed, has commended Dubai it is going to reprice the region,” said The Qatar Interbank Off ered Rate, the eff orts of Qatar, Kuwait Abdul K Hussain, who helps oversee which is used to price local-currency and the United Nations, which $1.5bn as the chief executive offi cer of debt, rose to the highest level since led to the return of the Yemeni atar’s unprecedented $9bn Eu- Mashreq Capital DIFC Ltd in Dubai. January 2011 this week. More Qatar-Saudi fl ights government’s delegation to the robond sale has pressed the re- “For countries like Saudi and Kuwait, The average yield on Middle East peace consultations in Kuwait. Qset button for the Gulf region’s and everybody else who has announced bonds dropped 25 basis points this atar and Saudi Arabia have de- the two countries would reach 91. In a press conference yesterday, debt market. potential deals, it defi nitely means year to 4.8% on Wednesday, according cided to increase the number of The agreement signed yesterday will Ould Cheikh Ahmed said he visited The country sold $9bn of bonds in it’s very doubtful they would do any- to JPMorgan Chase & Co indexes. The Qfl ights between the two coun- help Qatar Airways operate 14 weekly Doha on Sunday to participate in three maturities on Wednesday, al- thing for at least the next three or four yield on the Abu Dhabi government’s tries. An agreement to this eff ect was fl ights to such airports as: Tabuk, Gi- the 16th edition of Doha Forum most double the amount expected by months.” 10- year bond sold last month was little reached yesterday during the 3rd Mid- zan, Abha, Yanbu, Al Ahsa, Ela and Hail, and attended a series of meetings analysts. The issue helped push 2016 Energy-exporting nations are in- changed at 3.38pm local time yesterday. dle East Aviation Safety Summit, the in addition to increasing the number of of concern to the Yemeni issue. off erings from the Middle East and creasingly turning to international Qatar’s bonds comprised $3.5bn Qatar News Agency reported. cargo fl ights for up to 14 weekly. He added that the United Nations North Africa, which includes Saudi capital markets following a halving in fi ve-year notes priced to yield 120 The number of fl ights between Doha Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) didn’t and wouldn’t disappoint the Arabia and the UAE, to $29.3bn, al- of oil prices since 2014, which has basis points more than US Treasuries, and destinations in Saudi Arabia such chairman Abdulla bin Nasser Turki Yemenis and will continue its eff orts ready a record for the fi rst half of a forced some governments to raid the same amount in 10-year bonds at as Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam will al-Subaei, and Saudi Arabia’s Civil to urge the parties involved in peace year, according to data compiled by their foreign cash reserves. Qatar is 150 basis points over Treasuries and go up. With the launch of fl ights to new Aviation Authority for Safety and Air consultations in Kuwait to reach a Bloomberg. also in the second year of a $200bn $2bn of 30-year paper at a 210 basis- destinations such as Medina and Taif Transport deputy general Abdulhakim peaceful solution to the crisis. Page 3 “Nine billion is a lot of bonds to put infrastructure upgrade ahead of point spread. the number of weekly fl ights between al-Badr were the signatories. Doha to host Ladies European Tour event in November

By Sports Reporter Masters, which is held in January. from the golf competition, there will be ers,” he was quoted as saying in the re- Doha “It’s important for us to help foster, a number of activities leading up to the lease. promote and develop golf in the Middle event that will help in creating a last- Mohamed Faisal al-Naimi, Executive East,” said Ladies European Tour CEO ing legacy for women’s golf in Qatar,” Director of the Qatar Golf Association, he Ladies European Tour is set Ivan Khodabakhsh. “We want to show Khodabakhsh added. added: “I’m extremely proud to an- to break new ground this winter what a fresh and inspiring game golf is Fahad Nasser al-Naimi, General Sec- nounce the hosting of the Qatar Ladies Twhen it stages an event in Qatar and encourage women in the region to retary of the Qatar Golf Association, Open which will play a big role in de- for the fi rst time. consider it as part of a healthy, active hailed the tournament as a huge boost veloping the game of golf in the region. The Qatar Ladies Open will be held and enjoyable lifestyle.” for women’s sports in the country. Most importantly, it would be in line from November 23-26 at the Doha Golf “Golf is becoming a sport that is well “The Qatar Golf Association is very with our Qatar National Vision 2030.” Club, according to a release posted on known in the region and we have seen proud to host the Ladies European Tour Doha Golf Club expects to see a surge the Tour’s website (ladieseuropeantour. lots of juniors on the fairways. We also with the inaugural Qatar Ladies Open in interest from Emirati women, ac- com). It will be the third such event to want to increase the number of women in Doha. This will be one of the most cording to the DGC’s General Manager be held in the Middle East, after the and girls who play and the new Qatar important international women’s golf Gary McGlinchey. “Doha Golf Club is Omega Dubai Ladies Masters and the Ladies Open will be very important in tournaments, watched by more than extremely excited to welcome the La- recently-announced Fatima Bint Mu- terms of driving interest. 300 million viewers worldwide in 127 dies European Tour to Doha. We be- barak Ladies Open in Abu Dhabi. “Qatar has hosted some amazing countries. This will cement Qatar’s lieve this event will inspire more female Doha Golf Club already hosts a sport events. Hosting a Lades European position as a leading golf destination participation and provide inspiration tournament on the men’s European Tour event will add to the diversity of whilst also fostering participation and to the juniors to pursue this game as a Tour, the Commercial Bank Qatar the country’s sporting portfolio. Apart growing the success of our own play- career,” McGlinchey said. The Qatar Ladies Open will be held from November 23-26 at the Doha Golf Club. Gulf Times 2 Friday, May 27, 2016 QATAR Qatar keen to increase trade with Luxembourg: Minister

QNA East and North Africa and the resentatives of the Public Works Luxembourg 14th in the world. Authority (Ashghal) Qatar Rail, On the current conditions in the Supreme Committee for De- the global economy, given the livery & Legacy, the Ministry of E the Minister of Econ- volatility of oil prices and decline Energy and Industry, Qatar Foun- omy and Commerce of growth rates, he called for dation For Education, Science HSheikh Ahmed bin Jas- joint eff orts to achieve invest- and Community Development sim bin Mohamed al-Thani pre- ment partnerships to enhance (QF), Nebras Power QSC, Qatar sided over the Qatari delegation the immunity of both countries’ Financial Centre (QFC), Katara participating in the Qatar-Lux- economies. Hospitality, Manateq and Qatar embourg Business Forum held in HE the Minister of Economy Airways. Luxembourg City. and Commerce expressed hope The event was also attended Addressing the Forum, HE that this forum would contrib- by Sheikh Ali bin Jassim al- Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin ute to increasing the volume of Thani, Qatar’s ambassador to Mohamed al-Thani stressed the trade exchange between the two Belgium and Head of Mission of close ties between Qatar and countries and establishing ef- Qatar to the European Union and Luxembourg which witnessed a fective partnerships and new the North Atlantic Treaty Or- steady growth, thanks to the ex- HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin investments opportunities be- Chairman of Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) HE Sheikh Faisal ganisation (Nato). change of offi cial visits between Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani addressing the Qatar-Luxembourg tween Qatari businessmen and bin Qassim al-Thani addressing the Qatar-Luxembourg Business Meanwhile, Luxembourg’s the two countries and the sign- Business Forum in Luxembourg City. their Luxembourg counterparts. Forum in Luxembourg City. Minister of Finance Pierre ing of bilateral agreements in Meanwhile, Chairman of Qa- Gramegna welcomed HE the various areas, especially in the attract leading specialists from to around $25mn. tari Businessmen Association tinue to implement a long-term the two countries and encourag- Minister of Economy and economic, tourist, fi nancial, sci- international companies in order HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim (QBA) HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qas- investment strategy, in which ing businessmen from both sides Commerce and the accompa- entifi c and cultural sectors. to achieve Qatar National Vision bin Mohamed al-Thani reviewed sim al-Thani, addressing the the State constitutes a newly to discuss joint investment op- nying delegation, praising the He stressed the importance of (QNV) 2030 to build a diverse the growth rates achieved by the forum, pointed out that Lux- open-minded partner to inves- portunities. developments taking place in enhancing bonds of co-opera- and competitive knowledge- Qatari economy in 2015, praising embourg has taken advantage of tors, he added. Besides the Chairman of Qatari Qatar in all fields and wish- tion in various fi elds, especially based economy. Qatar’s advanced rank in vari- its geographical location to play The main objective of the fo- Businessmen Association (QBA) ing relations between the two economic, trade and investment, He also stressed the need to ous global indices, including the an infl uential and vital role in rum is to contribute to the sus- HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al- countries further development innovation and technology, not- develop the volume of trade ex- Global Competitiveness Index, economic, political and cultural tainable development of Qa- Thani, the Qatari delegation for and growth. He also stressed his ing that Qatar considers innova- change between the two coun- in which Qatar is fi rst among fi elds. tar and Luxembourg through the Qatar-Luxembourg Business country’s keenness to enhance tion as a top priority and seeks to tries, which amounted in 2015 Arab countries in the Middle Qatar has been able to con- strengthening relations between Forum included a number of rep- relations with Qatar.

Qatar-Georgia ties reviewed Strong winds WISH hosts off shore, hot & dusty inshore

trong winds and high seas are expected in off shore Sareas today, the Qatar Met webinar on department has said. Inshore areas are likely to see a hot day along with slight dust and some clouds, according to today’s weather forecast. Windy and dusty conditions, along with low visibility in some mental health places, were reported from dif- ferent parts of the country yes- he World Innova- too often overlooked by health terday. tion Summit for Health systems despite a marked in- Today, the wind speed in off - T(WISH) has hosted a crease in mental health condi- shore areas may reach 25 knots webinar to discuss eff ective tions worldwide. It is, therefore, before decreasing by night. The strategies to reduce the use of especially noteworthy that we sea level, meanwhile, may go up restraints and seclusions in are able to avail of the expertise to 8ft and off shore areas are also treating mental illness. off ered by Dr Waqar in address- likely to see slightly dusty con- The webinar formed part of ing patient safety and mental ditions. the Safer Care Accelerator series health.” On Wednesday, the Met de- organised by the Leading Health Established in 2009, LHSN partment had said in its fore- Systems Network (LHSN), a has worked with 25 health sys- Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili met HE the Minister of State for Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid cast that the wind speed was WISH initiative that shares best tems in more than a dozen coun- bin Mohamed al-Attiyah in Tbilisi yesterday. They reviewed bilateral relations and ways of expected to weaken gradually in practice and inspires health sys- tries to help them overcome enhancing them. They also exchanged views on issues of common interest, especially in the inshore areas by last night after tems worldwide to provide safer challenges in providing high- military sector, and the overall international situation. HE Dr al-Attiyah also met with Minister of a spell of strong winds across care for patients. value care to the populations Defence of Georgia Tinatin Khidasheli. the country. However, off shore Hosted by Dr Mohamed they serve. warnings would continue until Waqar Azeem, inaugural chair LHSN is based at Impe- early today, it had observed. of the Department of Psychiatry rial College in London and has The maximum temperature at Sidra Medical and Research partnered with WISH to im- today is expected to be 41C in Center and Weill Cornell Medi- Dr Mohamed Waqar Azeem prove healthcare policy around Doha, 39C in Messaied, Wakrah cine - Qatar, the WISH webinar the world. So far, 18 organisa- and Al Khor, 35C in Abu Samra highlighted how physical and ported,” Dr Waqar said. “Hence, tions spanning six continents and Dukhan and 33C in Al Ru- mechanical restraints and se- it’s important to develop pro- have joined the eff ort, including Vodafone recognises top wais. clusions are used in child and grammes leading to prevention Hamad Medical Corporation adolescent psychiatric treat- of these interventions. This we- and Sidra Medical and Research ment venues as a means of binar refl ects on core strategies Center in Qatar. managing aggressive and self- used to prevent and reduce re- WISH launched the LHSN retail staff performers Emir receives harming behaviour. Dr Waqar straints and seclusions, leading Safer Care Accelerator pro- spoke about how these meas- to improved safety and provision gramme to share best prac- message from ures can bring about unintend- of trauma-informed care.” tice and inspire health systems ore than 50 of Voda- evaluated based on a variety of brating this important milestone Nigerian leader ed harm. Egbert Schillings, CEO of worldwide to provide safer care fone’s top retail staff criteria that meet the company’s with our retail colleagues and “These procedures can be WISH, a global initiative of Qa- for patients. Mperformers were rec- commercial targets and “The we’d like to congratulate not only HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin aversive and traumatising for tar Foundation for Education, The 2016 WISH Summit will ognised at a ceremony in Doha Vodafone Way” of doing busi- the top performers, but every Hamad al-Thani has received a patients, and in the worst case Science and Community Devel- take place on November 29 and recently. ness - at the essence of which single person in our front line for written message from Nigerian scenarios, deaths have been re- opment, said: “Mental health is 30 in Doha. Present on the occasion were lie “customer obsession, speed, their outstanding and relentless President Muhammadu Buhari, Vodafone Qatar CEO Ian Gray trust and simplicity”, the com- eff orts to ensure Vodafone’s suc- pertaining to relations between and COO Mohamed al-Sadah, pany has said in a statement. cess and exceed our customers’ Qatar and Nigeria and ways of along with a number of staff The “Imtiaz” criteria include expectations,” said Gray. enhancing them. members representing the com- customer experience, revenue “We’ve crafted the ‘Imtiaz’ The message was handed to HE Qatar calls for pany’s leadership team. and effi ciency. programme in line with our the Assistant Foreign Minister for Ooredoo hosting “Imtiaz”, which stands for The event was marked by a commitment to honour our Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad steps to protect “excellence”, has been running host of shows and entertain- people, who are a key pillar that al-Meraikhi during a meeting in at Vodafone Qatar since 2013. ment, with Vodafone employees drives us forward. Vodafone’s Doha yesterday with personal weekly free screenings children The bi-annual event includes a celebrating amid “much cheer, employees are also our ambassa- envoy of the Nigerian president two-phase competition during excitement and surprises”, the dors and, therefore, recognising Abba Kyari. which all of Vodafone’s sales and statement adds. and awarding them is our prior- at Novo Cinema QNA retail stores staff members are “We’re very happy to be cele- ity,” he added. Education Vienna Minister oredoo has said it is tomers who love cinema. visits schools hosting regular movie The promotion, available eve- he United Nations Offi ce Oscreenings at Novo Cin- ry Wednesday, aims to encour- on Drugs and Crime (UN- HE the Minister of Education emas in The Pearl-Qatar, of- age Ooredoo customers to spend TODC) held a meeting on and Higher Education Mohamed fering Ooredoo customers free time with family and friends. children and violent extremism Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi tickets to the latest blockbust- To avail of the off er, customers and terrorism under the auspic- visited Nasser bin Abdullah ers along with a drink and pop- need to send the SMS ‘2DCOOL’ es of the embassy of the State of al-Attiyah and Jassim Bin corn. to 92070, to be sent a code to Qatar in Austria along with em- Hamad Secondary Schools, in The next major screening will claim their free second ticket at bassies of Switzerland, Norway order to check the conduct of be the Warcraft fantasy adven- the Novo box offi ce. and Canada. General Secondary Certificate ture, with two free tickets pro- Only Ooredoo customers The meeting discussed securi- Examinations. vided to Ooredoo customers who can apply for the offer and the ty and legal challenges associated The Minister ordered provision of go to the Novo kiosk before the registered Ooredoo phone will with the exploitation of children all facilities to the students so as screening today. need to be present at the time by terrorist groups, especially in to enable them to perform well in Ooredoo has been provid- of collecting the second free the north, west and central Af- the exams. ing free movie screenings with ticket. rica and the Middle East. Novo for the past few months, Novo Cinemas, which is lo- In his keynote speech, Qatar’s Qatar-Jordan including Bollywood hit Airlift, cated at The Pearl-Qatar, Me- ambassador to Austria Ali Kha- children’s fi lm The Angry Birds dina Centrale, off ers a VIP cin- lfan al-Mansouri stressed the ties reviewed Movie and the superhero epic, ema experience for viewers with need to adopt a comprehensive Batman v Superman: Dawn of a wide range from regular, 3D, approach to prevent spread of HE the Minister of Development Justice. IMAX and 7-star theatres. violent extremism which is not Planning and Statistics Dr Saleh This giveaway is part of Oore- To provide convenience for linked to a particular religion, Mohamed Salem al-Nabit met doo’s ongoing commitment to its customers Novo off ers valet nationality, civilisation or ethnic Jordan’s Minister of Planning and off ering entertainment content parking, e-line, self-ticket ma- group. International Co-operation Imad to customers across Qatar, the chines, online booking without Al-Mansouri said that vio- Najib Fakhoury on the sidelines company has said in a state- additional charges, and a range lent extremism and terrorism of the 2nd meeting of the Board ment. of snacks and drinks. do not arise from a vacuum, of Trustees of the Arab Planning In addition to the free For more information about but exploit loopholes in the in- Institute currently under way in screenings, Ooredoo is also of- Ooredoo’s entertainment off er- ternational political, economic Amman. They discussed areas of fering a special buy-one, get- ings, including Ooredoo tv, one and social system to gain sup- co-operation between Qatar and one free promotion for its cus- can www.ooredoo.qa porters. Off icials with one of the retail staff members recognised on the occasion. Jordan. Gulf Times Friday, May 27, 2016 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Khamenei for vigilance Yemen’s UN envoy seeks on West’s ‘soft war’

Reuters economic rescue plan Ankara AFP Kuwait City ran’s Supreme Leader Aya- tollah Ali Khamenei called Ifor vigilance against what he he UN special envoy to Yemen called a “soft war” mounted by the yesterday called for an economic West and aimed at weakening the Trescue plan for the war-battered clerical establishment, state tel- and impoverished Arab nation. evision reported yesterday. “I propose the establishment of an Hardline allies of Khamenei, economic rescue authority as soon as worried about losing their grip on possible to save the Yemeni economy power, have accused pragmatist from further deterioration,” Ismail President Hassan Rouhani of be- Ould Cheikh Ahmed told a press con- traying the anti-Western values ference. of the revolution that toppled the He said the body would comprise US-backed Shah. experts proposed by Yemen’s warring “Our offi cials and all parts of parties which are locked in fi ve-week- the establishment should be vigi- old peace talks in Kuwait. lant about the West’s continued It would be consultative in nature soft war against Iran...the enemies and have the full backing of the United want to weaken the system from Nations and its agencies as well as the inside,” Khamenei said. World Bank among others, Ould Cheikh In a meeting with members of the Ahmed said. Assembly of Experts, with authority “The Yemeni economy requires an to appoint and dismiss the supreme urgent intervention...economic dete- Leader, Khamenei told Iranian offi - rioration is expected to boost infl ation cials: “By impairing centres of pow- and price rises,” he said. ers in Iran, it will be easy to harm the Even before the war escalated in 2015, establishment from inside.” Yemen was one of the poorest nations The 88-member assembly, con- on earth with unemployment of more sisting mostly of elderly clerics, is than 40% and over half its 25mn popu- expected to choose any successor lation living under the poverty line. to Khamenei, who has the fi nal say Ould Cheikh Ahmed said the peace on all state matters. talks had started discussing “security “The only way to materialise the arrangements and specifi c details” re- (1979 Islamic) revolution’s goals is garding withdrawals and the surrender national unity and not to obey the of weapons. enemy,” he said. On Wednesday, he said the two sides Khamenei said the Islamic re- were moving “toward a general under- public’s “enemies” were trying to standing that encompasses the expec- manipulate offi cial policy. tations and visions of the parties”. “Iran’s enemies try to infl uence The main sticking point has been decision-making centres, alter reaching agreement on a transitional Iranian offi cials’ positions and government. change people’s beliefs,” Khame- Shia Houthi rebels and their allies are nei said. “We should be strong and demanding a unity government, while empowered.” the government delegation insists that Hardliners control the judiciary, President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s the security forces, the Guard- legitimacy be respected. ian Council which vets laws and A Western diplomat told AFP in Ku- election candidates, public broad- wait that the UN envoy had proposed a casters and foundations that own “national salvation government” that much of the economy. would be “consensual and inclusive”. United Nations special envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed addresses a press conference in Kuwait City yesterday. Rouhani championed ending over a decade-old nuclear stand- off with the United states and fi ve other major powers by reaching a landmark nuclear deal in 2015. Under the deal, international Qaeda still reaping oil profi ts in Yemen economic sanctions on Tehran were lifted in January in exchange for curbing the country’s nuclear work. Reuters “There are fi ve checkpoints in emergence is a striking unintended abandoned US embassy in Sanaa, and “The vessels make deviations from Rouhani’s eff orts to boost Iran’s Dubai Shabwa between Bir Ali and Ataq lead- consequence of the Saudi-led interven- claimed responsibility for the shoot- their normal navigational courses and sanction-hit economy and to end ing to the (Houthi-controlled) inte- tion in Yemen in March 2015, prompted ings at French satirical magazine Char- switch off their transponders close to the country’s international isolation rior...one by the army, one by a tribal by gains made against the government lie Hebdo in January 2015. the shorelines of these areas.” have bolstered his position within l Qaeda may have been pushed militia and one by the acting governor. by Houthi rebels allied to Saudi’s arch- Tribal sources say Al Qaeda militants Two separate trade sources familiar Iran’s complex power structure. out of the enclave it carved out Al Qaeda maintains two at Azzan,” a lo- enemy, Iran. have agreed not to obstruct the lucrative with trading movements in Yemen also Ain Yemen as the country de- cal tribal leader said. Before the military’s April 24-25 of- smuggling trade and instead inserted pointed to smuggling activity around scended into civil war, but the militants General Faraj al-Buhsani, command- fensive, the group enjoyed relative themselves into the illicit networks. those areas, Kuwait opposition are still entrenched in other parts of the er of the Yemeni forces which routed prosperity along 600km (373 miles) of “Al Qaeda takes its share of oil smug- involving ships carrying small loads country’s south, reaping profi ts from AQAP in Mukalla, concurred. “In Azzan Yemen’s southern coastline, raking in gling at the ports in Shabwa through of around 1,000 tonnes of fuel oil or ends polls boycott smuggled fuel. (Al Qaeda) has a hub for the trade in oil around $2mn every day mostly by tax- intermediaries and there is an agree- diesel. Scores of militants were killed in a products coming from Belhaf and that ing goods entering Mukalla by ship, as ment between them and the tribes that Yemeni military and coalition of- Kuwait’s largest opposition Gulf Arab-backed off ensive on Al Qae- area in the direction of Shabwa which documented in a Reuters investigation the one won’t stand in the way of the fi cials say that despite an apparent group yesterday announced an end da’s de facto capital of Mukalla, Yem- is ongoing. We are hearing about this in early April. other,” one tribal source said. pause, they are continuing to fi ght to to its four-year boycott of elec- en’s third largest seaport, but hundreds continuously.” The group also extorted $1.4mn from Local offi cials and international destroy AQAP. tions ahead of next year’s polls. fl ed to neighbouring Shabwa province Aid groups say Yemen in an average the national oil company. shipping sources say the smuggling is “Al Qaeda is taking losses in Yemen The Muslim Brotherhood- and beyond. recent month brings in less than 10% of In its year of control, the militants conducted through small craft, includ- and will continue to do so,” Saudi For- linked Islamic Constitutional A month later, Al Qaeda in the Ara- the more than 500,000 tonnes of fuel gained the grudging acceptance of ing wooden dhows, alighting at fi shing eign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told a press Movement (ICM) was among a bian Peninsula (AQAP) is thriving by it needs, partly because many Yemeni many locals in the long-marginalised villages and hamlets. conference in Berlin on Wednesday. broad alliance of Islamist, nation- joining diverse armed groups in taxing ports are subject to a Gulf Arab quasi- south by putting its economic resourc- One shipping source pointed to at “There is no magic wand that one alist and liberal opposition groups fuel delivered illicitly to remote beaches blockade to prevent arms reaching the es to work in development projects. least three small ships, which includ- can wave that leads to the defeat of Al which boycotted two general polls along the Arabian Sea coast, security, Houthis. Some residents told Reuters they ed tankers, that were involved in fuel Qaeda. in 2012 and 2013 in protest against tribal and shipping sources say. Director of the Shabwa governor’s preferred the stability of Al Qaeda’s smuggling activity around Bir Ali and It takes time...we are determined to a change in electoral law. Home to Yemen’s largest industrial offi ce, Muhsin al-Haj, defended the rule to living in a war zone contested by surrounding areas since the govern- wage this battle until we defeat them.” The opposition alliance said at project, a now-shut liquefi ed natural province’s role in the illegal trade when armed groups. ment took over Mukalla. Elisabeth Kendall, a Yemen scholar at the time that the change, brought gas export facility at Belhaf, Shabwa is it is struggling to maintain security For their part, the militants appeared “There are a number of small har- Oxford University, said the group’s new unilaterally by authorities but lat- divided among Al Qaeda, government with limited outside help. to want to avoid dragging a potentially bours around that area that have be- tactics could make it harder to root out, er endorsed by Kuwait’s top court, troops loyal to President Abd-Rab- “Shabwa is running on the most ba- sympathetic civilian population into come possible conduits for illicit however. would allow the government to bu Mansour Hadi, Houthi forces and sic resources,” he told Reuters. “In a a confl ict when the military attacked, smuggling activity,” said one shipping “They’re always going to keep melt- control parliament. armed tribes. province of 42,000sq km, we have just and simply withdrew. source.”It usually involves very small ing away and now that they have a lot of Earlier this month, a smaller Is- Tribal sources say all sides are ben- two security cars, and they’re not even It was a change in tack for the group, ships that can discharge their cargoes money, they can buy their way into the lamic group, the Principles of the efi ting at a time of extreme fuel short- armed.” which conducted a series of attacks more easily given the smaller quantities population and reach places the gov- Nation, also ended its boycott. ages around the country. Founded in the 1990s, AQAP’s re- in Yemen, including on the now- involved. ernment can’t and gain traction.” The alliance will now fi eld can- didates for polls in 2017. ICM said that the opposition’s absence from parliament had “con- tributed to an increase in corrup- tion, a setback in development... Bonfi res spark Israel wildfi res and the passing of several laws that breached the constitution.” The opposition held massive street protests in 2011 and 2012 Guardian News Service The fi res, which threatened residents in demanding democratic reforms Jerusalem Ramot, Mevaseret Zion, Romema and else- and an elected government. where, sent clouds of smoke towering over But over the past two years, the parts of the city, as yellow fi re-fi ghting planes strength of the opposition alli- srael’s fi re service yesterday deployed 11 swooped low over burning areas of forest to ance, which last controlled par- planes and a large number of fi refi ghters drop fi re retardant over the blazes. liament in 2012, weakened con- Ito residential areas on the outskirts of Je- In Ramot, border police went door to door siderably as the groups became rusalem as a series of forest fi res - reportedly on the edge of the forest to encourage people fragmented. sparked by holiday bonfi res - forced the evac- to evacuate as fi res burned close to outlying Opec member Kuwait was uation of homes and two government offi ces. streets. rocked by political disputes be- The fi res followed the festival of Lag Gad Hasson, aged 18, was one of those leav- tween 2006 and 2012, during Ba’Omer, when bonfi res are lit all over the ing by car for a nearby community centre. which a dozen governments were country. “The fi res started at about 10 in the morn- formed and parliament was dis- A recent heatwave and brisk winds yester- ing,” he said.”They have been going on all day solved six times. day fanned fi res apparently triggered - ac- the police just told us to leave immediately.” But the oil-rich emirate, which cording to the Israel parks service - by those In a neighbouring house, however, Irit has amassed over $600bn in as- bonfi res. Chernobatsky, aged 69, was spraying trees sets, has seen relative calm since Surrounded on several sides by wooded and bushes in her garden with a house and July 2013 parliamentary polls. hills, Jerusalem is at risk during the dry sum- said she did not plan to leave yet. Although Kuwait has the Gulf’s mer months of forest fi res, although these “I have my suitcase packed,” she added, most vibrant elected parliament, a were the worst in recent memory. “but I feel safe for now.” majority of key government posts The fi res closed roads as well as offi ces of Later in the afternoon, as fi re crews got the are still held by members of the the welfare ministry as fi refi ghters struggled upper hand, residents were permitted to re- ruling al-Sabah family, in power A water bomber works to put out a fire in the woods around Jerusalem yesterday morning. to get the blazes under control. turn to their homes. for the past 250 years. Gulf Times 4 Friday, May 27, 2016 ARAB WORLD

No Syria US-backed forces battle IS talks for 2-3 weeks, in Syria and key Iraqi city UN says Reuters AFP announced on Tuesday with much Geneva Beirut fanfare, just one day after a major of- fensive began across the border for IS- held Fallujah. here will be no new round of urdish-Arab fi ghters aided by Iraqi troops backed by pro-govern- Syria talks for at least two or American soldiers battled the ment militias have been advancing to- Tthree weeks, the offi ce of UN KIslamic State group north of its wards the city from surrounding areas. special envoy for Syria Staff an de Syrian stronghold of Raqa yesterday As they close in on the city, the UN’s Mistura said in a statement yester- as Iraqi forces edged towards the mil- humanitarian coordinator in Iraq said day, after he consulted the UN Secu- itant-held city of Fallujah. she was receiving “distressing re- rity Council for about two and a half The twin off ensives are two of the ports” of trapped civilians unable to hours. most signifi cant ground assaults fl ee. “He briefed on his intention to against the extremists since they de- The UN said that only 800 people start the next round of talks as soon clared a self-styled “caliphate” in Iraq of an estimated 50,000 had been able as feasible but certainly not within and Syria in 2014. to fl ee Fallujah since May 22, “mostly the next two/three weeks,” said the The assaults came as Syria’s UN en- from outlying areas”. statement. voy said trapped civilians risk starva- The UN’s Syria envoy Staff an de It said de Mistura wanted to see tion unless Damascus and rebel groups Mistura said “plenty of civilians” progress on the ground, particularly allow greater access to humanitarian would starve across Syria unless aid relating to the cessation of hostilities aid convoys. deliveries are sped up. and humanitarian access. Near the front line north of Raqa The United States and its allies have “Meanwhile, the special envoy city, an AFP photographer saw US sol- set their sights on Raqa, Fallujah, and will maintain close and continu- diers on Wednesday assisting a Kurd- eventually Mosul in their bid to defeat ous contact with the Syrian parties ish-dominated alliance known as the IS. as well as the members of the ISSG Syrian Democratic Forces. But experts said ground eff orts are before determining the ‘appropri- The SDF is working its way through likely to be drawn out and compli- ate time’ to reconvene the parties to villages and farmland south of the cated. Geneva.” town of Ain Issa, less than 60km from “The challenges involved in weak- The ISSG, or International Syr- Raqa city. ening and dislodging the Islamic State ia Support Group, is the group of It said its fi ghters had “advanced from long-held fortifi ed positions are countries led by the United States seven kilometres from Ain Issa and enormous,” wrote the New York-based and Russia that is backing de Mis- liberated fi ve villages and four fi elds.” Soufan Group. tura’s peace eff orts. “We liberated the villages of Fatisah, Iraqi government forces advance near Al Sejar village, north-east of Fallujah, during a major assault against the Islamic To defi nitively defeat IS, Iraqi and It also includes regional powers Namroudiya, and Wastah as well as State militant group. Syrian fi ghters would have to address such as Saudi Arabia and Iran, who several fi elds. The coming battle will local concerns, sectarian politics, and are expected to press the warring hold a lot of big surprises,” SDF fi eld A fragile truce agreed between the tank) TOW missiles to fi re on the as preparing car bombs and hiding ethnic divisions. parties to respect the statements commander Baraa al-Ghanem told US and Russia in February had cur- explosives-rigged cars that (IS) is us- in buildings among civilians,” Abdel The Soufan Group said recapturing made by the Security Council. AFP. tailed the bloodshed despite consist- ing to attack the SDF,” said Hawkar Rahman added. Fallujah “poses the biggest military But Syria’s cessation of hostili- The Syrian Observatory for Human ent allegations of violations, but the Kobane. The SDF has insisted its current challenge Iraqi forces have faced in the ties, a partial truce brokered by the Rights said SDF fi ghters were yester- international fi ght against IS was ex- Asked about the men seen on the campaign is only for the rural area two years” since IS seized Mosul, their United States and Russia in February, day shelling IS positions near Ain Issa cluded from the ceasefi re deal. front line, US defence offi cials did not north of Raqa city - but IS’s de facto main Iraqi city. has been unravelling for weeks, and as warplanes from the US-led coali- The fi rst of 250 members of the US dispute that they were American spe- Syrian capital is expected to be the end In Syria, it wrote, IS fi ghters’ “de- the Syrian government has largely tion carried out nearly non-stop air special operations forces were due to cial operations forces. goal. termination” to defend Raqa will make blocked humanitarian aid access de- raids. arrive this week in northeast Syria to Observatory head Rami Abdel Rah- “The ultimate purpose is Raqa city. the fi ght to retake it “one of the fi erc- spite repeated UN The Britain-based monitor, which support the campaign, joining dozens man said IS is “concentrating 2,000 It may not be short-term or mid-term, est yet.” appeals to prevent civilians starv- relies on a network of sources on the of advisers already on the ground. fi ghters along the front lines north of but besieging the city and blocking IS And ethnic considerations are also ing in besieged towns. ground inside Syria, updated its death An SDF fi eld commander told AFP Raqa” to repel the SDF off ensive. movements is also very important,” complicating the eff ort, as much of Earlier yesterday de Mistura had toll for the fi ve-year war, which it says that US ground forces were “taking “IS has prepared for this fi ght in re- said Washington-based analyst Mutlu Raqa province is populated by Sunni said he expected to announce a date has now killed more than 280,000 part” in operations north of Raqa. cent months by digging tunnels and Civiroglu. Arabs while the SDF is a Kurdish-ma- for a new round of talks after con- people. “There are US forces using (anti- lining them with explosives, as well The battle for Raqa province was jority force. sulting the Security Council.

Travel ban on Egyptian activist Traditional designs Israeli hits

Reuters I was on a travel ban list at the orders of an Gaza after Cairo investigative magistrate,” Zaree told Reuters. He said the reason was his involvement in the NGO foreign funding case from 2011. rocket attack n Egyptian human rights activist said The case was revived in recent months with yesterday that airport security offi - many rights defenders being summoned for Acials prevented him fl ying to Tunisia questioning, banned from travel or having AFP and told him he was banned from travel. their assets frozen. Jerusalem Mohamed Zaree, the Egypt offi ce direc- An investigative magistrate had in March tor of the Cairo Institute for Human Rights banned Egyptian Initiative for Personal Studies, told Reuters he was banned from Rights founder Hossam Bahgat and Arab he Israeli air force yesterday car- travel due to his involvement in a high profi le Network for Human Rights Information ried out strikes on Hamas sites case where authorities accuse NGOs of re- founder Gamal Eid from travel and froze Tin Gaza in response to a rocket ceiving foreign funds to sow chaos. their assets, a decision that could extend to attack targeting the Jewish state, the “I went to the airport this morning at 6am their respective NGOs if upheld. Four NGO army and Palestinian offi cials said. Cairo time and went through passport con- workers from three other organisations were The rocket, which hit an open area trol. They made a phone call then told me added to the asset freeze order in April. in southern Israel, caused no damage or casualties. In response, the Israeli air force “targeted two Hamas sites in the southern Gaza Strip,” the military said in a statement. A statement from Ajnad Beit al- Maqdis, a small Salafi st militant group, claimed the rocket attack, which came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Ben- jamin Netanyahu sealed a deal to bring hardline nationalist Avigdor Lieberman into his coalition as defence minister. A woman takes a picture of textiles during an exhibit of Palestinian embroidery in the Lebanese capital “We announce our responsibility for Beirut. targeting the Nahal Oz military base with a missile,” it said. According to the army, nine projec- tiles fi red from the Gaza Strip – which is run by Islamist movement Hamas – have hit Israel since the start of 2016. Smaller, more radical Islamist French vessel set to join search for groups have often been blamed, with Hamas forces either unwilling or un- able to prevent the rocket fi re. crashed Egypt plane’s black box The statement from the Salafi sts accused Hamas of carrying out a cam- paign against the “mujahideen”. Reuters qadem, Egypt’s head of air acci- ranean waters where the EgyptAir In its statement the Israeli army re- Cairo dent investigations, said. wreckage crashed. peated its policy of holding “Hamas Negotiations were also under- The black boxes are believed to accountable for all attacks emanating way to contract a second fi rm to be lying in up to 3,000m of water, from the Gaza Strip.” gypt’s air accidents chief search more than one area at once. on the edge of the range for hear- Hamas’s military wing confi rmed the said yesterday that a vessel ALSEAMAR, a subsidiary of ing and locating signals emitted strikes targeted one of its bases near Ra- Eprovided by French compa- French industrial group Alcen, by the boxes. fah in southern Gaza and in the Nuseirat ny ALSEAMAR, which specialises was not immediately available to Maritime search experts say refugee camp, causing no casualties. in marine wreckage searches, will comment. this means acoustic hydrophones The United Nations envoy for the join within hours the hunt for the The company has worked with must be towed in the water at Middle East warned the Security black boxes from crashed Egyp- Egyptian investigators before. depths of up to 2,000m in order to Council on Wednesday of a “highly tAir fl ight MS804. In 2004, it joined the search have the best chance of picking up volatile” situation in Gaza. A week after the Airbus A320 for black boxes after a Boeing 737 the signals. “Palestinians in Gaza are grow- crashed into the Mediterranean belonging to Egypt’s Flash Air Until recently, aviation sources ing ever more desperate, seeing their with 66 people on board, includ- crashed in the Red Sea near Sharm say, the US Navy or its private con- prospects for living a normal life and ing 30 Egyptians and 15 from al-Sheikh. tractor Phoenix International were recovering their economy blocked by France, investigators have no clear The French BEA investigation considered among the only sources Hamas’s military build-up, by Israel’s picture of its fi nal moments. agency was involved due to the for equipment needed to search on security measures and closures, by the Search teams are working large number of French tourists the correct frequency for black box lack of Palestinian unity, and the in- against the clock to recover the on board. pingers at such depths. suffi cient fulfi lment of aid pledges by two black box fl ight recorders that ALSEAMAR used a specially Two French diplomatic sourc- donors,” Nickolay Mladenov said. will off er vital clues to investiga- adapted system of “intelligent es said on Wednesday Egyptian “Recent events clearly demonstrate tors, because the signals that help buoys” connected to underwater authorities and France’s BEA air that the spectre of violence looms omi- locate them in deep water cease acoustic listening devices in the accident investigation agency nously over the territory,” Mladenov said. transmitting after about 30 days. search for the Flash Air jet, which were fi nalising contracts with “Unless radically more is done to “A ship from the French com- was in 1,000m of water. ALSEAMAR as well as Mauritius- address the chronic realities in Gaza, pany ALSEAMAR moved from It was not immediately clear based Deep Ocean Search. it is not a question of ‘if’, but rather the French island of Corsica to whether the same system could be There was no immediate com- of ‘when’ another escalation will take the search area,” Ayman al-Mo- used in the much deeper Mediter- ment from Deep Ocean. place.” Gulf Times Friday, May 27, 2016 5 AFRICA

Liberia indicts Sable 2010 Uganda bombing Mining, offi cials mastermind convicted Reuters AFP Of the 13 men tried, seven the attacks but left Uganda the rorism as charged,” said Owiny- Edris Nsubuga, who admitted ing out the 2013 assault on the Moronvia Kampala were convicted and found guilty day before the blasts to evade Dollo. terrorism charges, was spared Westgate Mall in Nairobi that of terrorism, murder and at- arrest,” Owiny-Dollo told the The 13 men – from Uganda, the death penalty because he ex- killed at least 67 people, and the tempted murder, and are ex- court as he read a lengthy verdict Kenya and Tanzania – were tried pressed contrition over the car- attack on Kenya’s Garissa Uni- grand jury in Liberia has he Ugandan ringleader of pected to be sentenced today. lasting most of the day. on a range of charges including nage and was jailed for 25 years. versity in April 2015, killing at indicted government of- a 2010 bombing by the Al Five others were acquitted of He added that he then “threw terrorism, murder and member- Co-accused Muhamoud Mu- least 148 people. Afi cials, including the TQaeda-linked Shebaab those charges, another was ac- the phone used to co-ordinate ship of a terrorist organisation. gisha received fi ve years for con- Although the main Shebaab speaker of parliament and the that killed 76 people in Kampala quitted of lesser crimes. the attacks in a pit latrine to The men, all of whom pleaded spiracy to commit terrorism. force is Somali-led and oper- head of the ruling party, along was found guilty along with six “I fi nd the seven accused each evade arrest” but it was later re- not guilty, were brought to the The Kampala trial was delayed ates inside Somalia, it has since with London AIM-listed Sable accomplices yesterday of mas- guilty of terrorism, murder and covered. High Court in Kampala under after the lead prosecutor was branched out with franchises Mining on charges including terminding one of the region’s attempted murder,” Judge Al- Prosecutors said Luyima heavy security, with roads and murdered in March 2015. operating in regional nations. bribery. worst attacks in decades. fonse Owiny-Dollo said. had gone to Somalia where he shops around the court closed. Joan Kagezi, acting assistant Thousands of Ugandan troops In a statement released yes- Twin suicide blasts claimed Issa Luyima, a Ugandan, had trained with Shebaab. Judge Owiny-Dollo, who be- director of public prosecution, form the backbone of the African terday, Sable Mining said that by Somalia’s Shebaab targeted been shown during the trial to “The prosecution has proved gan to read the verdicts mid- was shot dead by men on a mo- Union Mission in Somalia (AMI- it had noted “the recent media football fans watching the World have played a key part in plan- beyond reasonable doubt that morning, could apply the death torbike as she drove home with SOM), the UN-backed force es- comment and speculation re- Cup fi nal between the Nether- ning the attacks. Issa Ahmed Luyima master- sentence to those found guilty. three of her children. tablished to fi ght the Shebaab garding allegations of bribery lands and Spain at a restaurant “Issa Ahmed Luyima, accord- minded the 2010 bombing and Two men were already found Shebaab continues to target and protect the internationally and corruption” made against and a rugby club in Kampala. ing to the prosecution, planned is hereby found guilty of the ter- in guilty in 2011 for their role. countries in the region, carry- recognised government. the company in Liberia. “The company is investigating these matters and taking appro- priate legal advice,” it said. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf ordered an inquiry into S Africa’s Sable’s attempt to acquire an At least two iron ore concession in northern Liberia after the watchdog group parliament Global Witness made accusa- tions of wrong-doing in a report earlier this month. die in Congo approves A grand jury in the capital Monrovia accused the defend- ants on Wednesday of bribery land bill among other crimes, according to the indictment seen by Reu- violence ters. Reuters The indictment, which cov- Johannesburg ers a period including 2010 and AFP said, without elaborating. 2011, alleged that the defendants Kinshasa Police fi red tear gas against conspired to use their positions stone-throwing protesters and outh Africa’s parliament to amend Liberia’s public pro- then charged them to break up has approved a bill allow- curement and concessions law. t least two people were the demonstration, AFP jour- Sing state expropriations of It asserted that they succeed- reported killed yester- nalists said. land to redress racial disparities ed in changing the law to give the Aday as rallies across the The protesters in Kinshasa, in land ownership, an emotive minister of lands, mines and en- Democratic Republic of the home to about 10mn people, issue two decades after the end ergy the power to declare a con- Congo against President Joseph shouted slogans such as “No to of apartheid. cession area as a non-bidding Kabila turned violent, with po- a third mandate”, “People rise Most of South Africa’s land area. lice fi ring tear gas in the capital up” and “Kabila buzz off ”. remains in white hands and The indictment did not spec- Kinshasa and the eastern city of As well as fearing that Kabila many commercial and small- ify how Sable Mining allegedly Goma. will seek to extend his rule, op- scale farmers are currently fac- benefi ted from the change to the Large numbers of riot police position groups are also angry ing tough times because of the law and Reuters was unable to were deployed across the coun- that his powerful rival, foot- worst drought in at least a cen- independently determine if Sa- try for the rallies called by three ball magnate Moise Katumbi, tury. ble actually did. opposition groups in defi ance was all but pushed into exile in The bill, in the works since In its report Global Wit- of government bans. South Africa last Friday. 2008, will enable the state to pay ness claimed that the amend- Tensions have been soaring In the second city and min- for land at a value determined by ment was intended to allow the in the country where Kabila, ing hub of Lubumbashi, doz- a government adjudicator and company to win the concession in power since his father’s as- ens of riot police stood guard then expropriate it for the “pub- without a tender. sassination in 2001, is widely in the city centre where many lic interest”, ending the willing- In the end however, Sable thought to be preparing to re- shops remained shuttered and buyer, willing-seller approach to Mining was not awarded the main in offi ce beyond the two the number of vehicles on the land reform. property, known as Wologizi. terms allowed under the con- roads was far lower than usual, Experts say that it will not Previously Sable said the Glo- stitution. according to an AFP team. signal the kind of often violent bal Witness report appeared to “A policewoman was killed The opposition called for land grabs that took place in be based on “unreliable” testi- by the crowd and a protester demonstrations after the Con- neighbouring Zimbabwe, where mony from three former busi- was also killed,” in the east- stitutional Court ruled ear- white-owned farms were seized ness partners. ern city of Goma, Jose Maria lier this month that Kabila, 44, by the government for redistri- The indictment named as Aranaz, who heads the United could remain in a caretaker ca- bution to landless blacks. defendants Sable Mining, par- Nations Joint Human Rights pacity beyond the expiry of his The ruling African National liament speaker Alex Tyler, Offi ce (UNJHRO) in the deeply second term, sparking wide- Congress (ANC) said that the Varney Sherman, a senator and restive nation, told AFP. spread outrage. bill, criticised by some opposi- chairman of President Johnson But Goma’s police chief Katumbi – who announced tion parties and farming groups, Sirleaf’s Unity Party, and Deputy denied there were any po- this month his plans to run for would tackle injustices imposed Minister of Lands, Mines and lice deaths, saying that only a the presidency – has been ac- during white-minority rule. Energy Ernest CB Jones, as well “looter” had been killed. cused of hiring foreign merce- “The passing of the bill by as Christopher Onanuga, a Libe- Locals said that Goma police naries as part of an alleged plot parliament is historic and her- rian businessman. fi red tear gas to disperse youths to overthrow Kabila. alds a new era of intensifi ed land All four men were arrested in who had set up barricades and UN chief Ban Ki-moon called distribution programme to bring Liberia’s capital Monrovia on blocked roads. on Wednesday for restraint by long-awaited justice to the dis- Wednesday and were later re- Clashes also broke out in the all sides and said the United possessed majority of South Af- leased on bail. north of Kinshasa, where about Nations was ready to help fos- ricans,” the ANC said in a state- Tyler has rejected the Global 5,000 demonstrators were on ter political dialogue in the re- ment. Witness report, which, like the the streets to oppose moves to source rich but long troubled Some economists and farm- indictment, alleged that bribery keep Kabila in power beyond central African country. ing groups have said the reform had been used to facilitate Sa- the expiry of his second term in Ban is “profoundly con- A police off icer walks past a political poster depicting Kabila in Lubumbashi. Protesters planned a could hit investment and pro- ble’s attempted acquisition of December. cerned by reports of increas- demonstration in the city against the ruling that Kabila could remain in a caretaker capacity beyond duction at a time when South the concession. Police said that while the ing political tensions in the the expiry of his second term. Africa is emerging from drought He was not immediately Kinshasa demonstration had Democratic Republic of the – pointing to the serious eco- reachable for comment. the go-ahead from authorities, Congo linked to the continuing The strongman’s supporters ment at a South African hos- man has denied the allegations nomic damage arising from farm His offi ce said he was not the crowds had deviated from uncertainty surrounding the want elections due later this pital. as “grotesque lies” and says the seizures in Zimbabwe. planning to comment on the an agreed route. country’s electoral process”, his year to be delayed for two to Katumbi’s departure came a case is politically motivated. Around 8mn hectares (20mn indictment, which alleges he “In these cases we don’t ne- spokesman said. four years because of logistical day after the opposition leader Katumbi was an ally of Kabi- acres) of land have been trans- requested and received $75,000 gotiate, we disperse,” national Political unrest has plagued and fi nancial diffi culties. was charged with “threatening la’s but broke with him in Sep- ferred to black owners since to help amend Liberia’s procure- police spokesman Colonel the Congo for months over Despite opposition support the internal and external secu- tember after the president an- apartheid, equal to 8% to 10% of ment and concession law. Pierre Rombaut Mwanamputu concerns that Kabila intends for Katumbi, many rank-and- rity of the state” for allegedly nounced that he would carve up the land in white hands in 1994. As he left court on Wednesday, told AFP. to extend his rule despite be- fi le dissidents are disappointed hiring foreign mercenaries, in- the Congo’s provinces, includ- The total is only about one- Sherman told reporters he would “There have been some inci- ing legally barred from seeking he left the country on May 20, cluding an American. ing Katumbi’s stronghold of third of the 30% targeted by the not comment on the indictment. dents” and “some arrests”, he a third term. ostensibly to undergo treat- The 51-year-old business- Katanga, into smaller entities. ANC.

Mugabe grants amnesty to empty Local leaders warn against crackdown in Niger Delta food-starved female prisons President Robert Mugabe has granted amnesty to all female prisoners except those on death row or serving life sentences, as prisons struggle Reuters A company source told Reu- against policy to comment on A committee set up by Delta Other attacks have forced to feed inmates due to lack of funding from the government. Yenagoa. Nigeria/London ters that “all activities in Chev- the safety and security of per- state leaders warned yesterday Shell and ENI to declare force Five prisoners died in March 2015 after being shot by police in a protest ron are grounded” onshore sonnel and operations. that a military approach would majeure on exports of Bonny over food shortages, which turned violent as some of them attempted while oil industry sources said The Avengers and other mili- not work and saw “an apparent Light, Forcados and Brass River to break out of jail. hevron’s onshore opera- roughly 90,000 barrels per day tants, who have declared that consensus” that the federal gov- crude, while an accident at an Mugabe announced the pardon through a government notice on tions in Nigeria’s Niger (bpd) of Escravos were gone due they are fi ghting for a greater ernment and oil companies have ExxonMobil terminal put Qua Monday, without stating a reason for the move, and the release of CDelta have been shut by to the latest attack and another share of oil profi ts, an end to pol- neglected the grievances of local Iboe under force majeure. prisoners started on Wednesday. a militant attack at its Escravos on Chevron’s off shore facilities lution and independence for the communities. Fears of loading delays and Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services spokeswoman Priscilla terminal, sources said yesterday, earlier this month. region, have intensifi ed attacks “There is total willingness cancellations have made inter- Mthembo said yesterday that there were 580 female inmates across the and local leaders said military Planned Escravos exports in in recent months, pushing oil by the communities to help the national buyers reluctant to seek country’s 46 prisons, and those eligible would be set free. confrontation would not end the the fi rst half of 2016 averaged output to its lowest in more than federal government end oil fa- Nigerian crude. At the country’s top security jail in Harare, two female prisoners serving violence. 167,000 bpd. two decades and compounding cility vandalism provided there Nigeria is now pumping un- life sentences remained after the amnesty, while vetting was ongoing at A militant group called the A Twitter account with the problems of Africa’s largest is a recognised platform to do der 1.5mn bpd – less than An- other prisons. Niger Delta Avengers, which has the group’s name said late economy. so,” the committee said after gola – and well below the 2.2mn In all, Mthembo said more than 2,000 prisoners would benefit from told oil fi rms to leave the Delta on Wednesday: “We Warned Abuja has responded by mov- meeting local communities. bpd assumed in the 2016 state Mugabe’s pardon. before the end of May, said late #Chevron ... but they didn’t ing in army reinforcements but Delta residents, some of budget. These included all juveniles, irrespective of their crimes, as well as some on Wednesday that it had blown Listen. @NDAvengers just blow British Foreign Minister Philip whom sympathise with the mil- The Delta committee has re- men not serving time for serious crimes like murder, armed robbery, up the facility’s mains electric- up the Escravos tank farm Main Hammond said this month that itants, have long complained of marked that, given the attacks, treason, rape or carjacking. ity feed. Electricity Feed PipeLine.” President Muhammadu Buhari poverty in an area producing oil “it is doubtful if the expecta- Zimbabwe’s prisons hold 20,000 inmates, more than their capacity of Its attacks have hobbled oil A Chevron spokeswoman in needed to deal with the root accounting for 70% of national tions of the budget can be ful- 17,000, causing congestion and shortages of everything from food to output over the past month. the United States said it was causes. income. fi lled”. uniforms. Gulf Times 6 Friday, May 27, 2016 AMERICAS Trump ‘has’ needed

number of delegates Trump: has secured between 1,237 and 1,239 delegates. AFP publican delegates, including ABC News reported that Trump speech on energy later in the day sumptive nominee’s tone and his ing reporters that world leaders members of his own party. Bismarck, US Oklahoma party chairwoman has now secured 1,239 delegates, in Bismarck, North Dakota, be- lack of policy specifi cs. are “rattled” by some of Trump’s On Tuesday he assailed popu- Pam Pollard, said that they would based on its own analysis, while sted 16 Republican rivals in the Ryan, the nation’s top elected policies and blasting his “igno- lar New Mexico Governor Susana support him at the convention. CNN lifted its Trump delegate race, the fi nal two dropping out Republican, has declined to en- rance” of how the world works. Martinez – someone who could onald Trump has secured The Republican Party will not estimate to 1,237 yesterday, citing this month after he won Indiana. dorse Trump yet. The former reality TV star help him win over both Hispanics the support of enough make the results offi cial until its unbound delegates who said they But turmoil continues to dog They met two weeks ago to has dominated headlines since and women – saying that she was Ddelegates to clinch the national convention in July, when would back the billionaire. his campaign, while Republicans discuss ways to unify the party launching his presidential cam- not doing a good job as governor. Republican presidential nomi- delegates actually cast their votes Trump was already the Repub- grapple with the political priori- behind his remarkable White paign last year with a mix of And the business mogul has nation, after unbound delegates for the nominee. lican presumptive nominee, cap- ties of their party. House run. incendiary comments and pol- shown his national political di- pledged to back the billionaire, The party does not provide an ping a spectacular and unlikely Trump’s likely Democratic ri- But yesterday Ryan again icy stances seen as insulting rector Rick Wiley the door just according to US media counts. offi cial delegate count through- campaign for the White House val in the general election, former stressed that he wanted to see Mexicans, Muslims and women six weeks after hiring him. Trump now has the backing of out the primary race, leading that has thoroughly upended secretary of state Hillary Clinton, more unity behind the candidate. among others. Wiley, who ran Wisconsin 1,238 delegates, one more than several US news organisations to American politics. is set to lock in the nomination “What I’m most concerned He has proposed building a Governor Scott Walkers’s ill-fat- the 1,237 needed, according to compile their own estimates. He was assured of reaching following the June 7 primaries. about is making sure that we ac- giant wall along the US border ed presidential campaign, “was the US news agency the Associ- There are slight discrepancies the magic number of 1,237 at the The provocative Republican tually have real party unity, not with Mexico to keep out illegal hired on a short-term basis as a ated Press which fi rst reported between diff erent counts because latest on June 7, when California has struggled to win the sup- ‘pretend’ party unity,” Ryan told immigrants, and called for a ban consultant until the campaign Trump crossing the threshold. in some states delegates are free and four other states vote on the port of key fi gures in his party reporters in Washington. on Muslims entering the United was running full steam”, Trump’s It said that the real estate ty- to vote for the candidate of their fi nal day of the Republican pri- establishment, including House Speaking in Japan, US Presi- States. campaign said in a statement on coon’s delegate count rose when choice, unbound by the primary mary race. Speaker Paul Ryan, who have dent Barack Obama launched a Trump has also raised eye- Wednesday. a small number of unbound Re- results. Trump, who was to deliver a voiced concern about the pre- broadside against Trump, tell- brows by continuing to attack Clinton: Trump, Sanders consider presidential debate

E-mail Reuters scheduled to appear on the show. Washington Sanders, who has made eco- nomic equality a keystone of his row won’t campaign, has criticised Clinton epublican Donald Trump for backing out of an agreement and second-placed Demo- to debate him before the Califor- aff ect bid Rcrat Bernie Sanders could nia primary. Clinton speaking at the United Food & Commercial Workers be heading to an unconventional The Clinton campaign did not convention in Las Vegas. US presidential debate in Cali- immediately respond to a re- AFP fornia, in the latest twist to an quest for comment on a possible Washington The issue has dogged Clinton congressional investigations into unusual campaign. Trump-Sanders debate. for months, and has been used by her handling of a militant attack The two candidates expressed Clinton has tried to woo Sand- her political enemies, including on the US mission in Benghazi, an interest in squaring off in ers supporters if, as looks likely, illary Clinton defended her presumed Republican op- Libya. a one-on-one encounter that she wins the party’s nomination her use of a private e- ponent in the White House race, The assault in 2012 left the would leave Democratic front- for the November 8 election. Hmail server for offi cial Donald Trump, to question her US ambassador and three other runner Hillary Clinton on the But some worry that his sup- correspondence while she was trustworthiness and honesty – Americans dead. sidelines. porters – who are largely young, US secretary of state, insist- character traits that many vot- The Federal Bureau of Inves- Sanders, a US senator from working-class and disillusioned ing her actions were no diff erent ers already had expressed doubts tigation has since launched a Vermont, is running behind with the Democratic Party es- than that of her predecessors. about in opinion polls. criminal investigation amid Re- Clinton in the race for the Demo- tablishment – will turn instead to One day after the release of Sounding slightly exasperated, publican charges that use of the cratic presidential nomination, political neophyte Trump, who a critical State Department in- Clinton insisted in the television unsecured system endangered while Trump secured yesterday Sanders: A debate with Trump? Game on. has a populist agenda. vestigation faulting her use of interview that she has done eve- national security. the delegates needed to clinch Sanders has said that he will do personal e-mail for government rything possible to help put the Clinton has maintained that the Republican nomination. former reality TV star said. “I Trump spokeswoman Hope everything he can to ensure that business, Clinton vowed that she controversy behind her. none of her e-mails had been Republican and Democratic think I should ... take that money Hicks said in an e-mail yesterday Trump does not win the White would not allow the issue to dog “I have turned over all of my marked “classifi ed” when she presidential candidates tradi- and give it to some worthy char- that there were no formal plans House. her campaign. e-mails. No one else can say that. sent them and, after her own tionally do not debate each other ity.” yet for such an event. Dale Ranney, 62, a Trump vol- “There may be reports that I’ve been incredibly open about lawyers had removed mails they until the parties have selected Sanders appeared to agree in a But Sanders spokesman unteer who has been to 21 of his come out, but nothing has doing that. I will continue to be deemed purely personal, she their respective nominees. post on Twitter yesterday. Michael Briggs said the cam- rallies, said that she would be de- changed,” the Democratic White open. And it’s not an issue that submitted 52,000 pages of her In an appearance on ABC’s “Game on,” he tweeted. “I paign plans to reach out to the lighted to see Trump and Sanders House frontrunner said in an in- is going to aff ect either the cam- e-mails to the State Department, Jimmy Kimmel Live late on look forward to debating Donald Trump camp to discuss the idea. debate. terview broadcast by CNN yes- paign or my presidency,” she de- which has reviewed all the docu- Wednesday, billionaire Trump Trump in California before the “We look forward to following “I think it’s a great idea, any terday. “It’s the same story. Just clared. ments. said he was willing to participate June 7 primary.” up and making sure it happens,” time you can get more informa- like previous secretaries of state, Clinton’s use of a private server Over several months, the State in a debate with Sanders, a dem- The hashtag #BernieTrump- Briggs said. tion to the people, absolutely,” I used a personal e-mail. Many for both offi cial and private cor- Department made the offi cial e- ocratic socialist. Debate began trending in the Kimmel said that he asked Ranney said. “Having Trump people did. It was not at all un- respondence fi rst came to light mails public in batches, releasing “If I debated him, we would United States with news of the Trump about the debate at the debate a socialist? Absolutely. Go precedented.” in 2015 during Republican-led the fi nal tranche in late February. have such high ratings,” the possible debate. suggestion of Sanders, who is for it.”

One killed in New York rap concert shooting Firefi ghters from US,

AFP Thousands of Americans are S Africa help Canada New York killed each year in gun violence but shootings are comparatively rare at music clubs, which gen- AFP helicopters, 256 pieces of heavy ne person was killed and erally assign security guards to Ottawa equipment and 25 air tankers. three others injured at frisk guests for weapons. Some 100,000 residents of Oa prominent New York The shooting indicates that Fort McMurray and nearby music venue late on Wednesday patrons were allowed to carry anadian fi refi ghters bat- towns and oil camps, are mean- during a show to be headlined by guns when entering the VIP tling an out of control while planning their return home rapper T.I., police said. section of Irving Plaza, whose Cwildfi re near the oil city starting June 1, almost a month Concert-goers at Irving Plaza management declined comment of Fort McMurray, Alberta were after being ordered to evacuate. raced out in panic as shots rang pending the police investiga- reinforced yesterday with the “You are returning to a com- out about 10.15pm (0200 GMT tion. arrival of nearly 500 Americans munity that was profoundly af- yesterday) during the opening Two hip-hop news sites said and South Africans. fected by a wildfi re. Services that act just before T.I., an Atlanta that one of the injured victims The fi re has spread to more you are used to or rely on may rapper with a history of legal was Troy Ave, a New York rap- than 566,200 hectares (1.4mn be limited for some,” authorities run-ins. per. acres), including 4,600 hectares warned in a statement. “If you’re Police said a 33-year-old man The 1,025-capacity club, in neighbouring Saskatchewan driving back, consider arriv- was shot in the stomach and which is owned by entertain- province, although it has started ing with basic necessities to last pronounced dead at a hospital ment giant Live Nation, is a to retreat from populated areas. for up to 14 days including food, near Irving Plaza, which is near major venue for rising artists as A total of 2,054 fi refi ghters drinking water and prescrip- Manhattan’s bustling Union well as intimate shows by estab- have been dispatched to the re- tions.” Square and the upscale Gramer- lished acts. mote northern oil sands region Oil workers also are starting to cy Park district. T.I., whose real name is Clif- – an area that holds the world’s return to facilities north of the Three others – men ages 30 ford Harris, is one of the lead- third largest oil reserve – to keep city this week to restart oil pro- and 34 and a 26-year-old wom- ing forces in trap music, a style the fl ames at bay. duction. an – were hospitalised with bul- of hip-hop from the US south They include 200 US and 280 Offi cials also said the Fort Mc- let wounds, a police statement that emphasises aggressive lyri- South African fi refi ghters who Murray airport has been sched- said. cism and 1980s-style drum ma- A New York Police Department crime scene unit is seen outside Irving Plaza yesterday in New York. went at Ottawa’s request. uled to reopen for commercial The shooting took place in- chines. One person was killed and three others injured at the prominent New York music venue late on They have been assisted by 88 fl ights on June 10. side the third-fl oor VIP area of He served seven months in Wednesday during a show. the club with police investiga- prison in 2009 for attempting to tors still looking for suspects buy unregistered machine guns in prison two years later for bums between 2006 and 2008 He has won three Grammy Toronto police raid marijuana stores and a motive, William Aubrey, from dealers who turned out to violating terms of probation on – King, T.I. vs.T.I.P. and Paper Awards including for the song chief of Manhattan detectives, be undercover agents. drug charges. Trail – opened at number one on My Love, a collaboration with Toronto police have started raiding and shutting down some marijuana told reporters. He spent another 10 months Three of his successive al- the US Billboard chart. pop star Justin Timberlake. dispensaries in Canada’s largest city, a spokesman said yesterday, the latest crackdown by local authorities as the federal government moves to legalise the drug. Heard files for divorce from Depp over ‘irreconcilable diff erences’ The police spokesman said off icers are executing search warrants and seizing products from stores they believe are selling to recreational Actress Amber Heard has filed for return calls or e-mails seeking comment. of the Caribbean movie, breaching the users. divorce from husband Johnny Depp The couple got married in February country’s tight biosecurity laws. Canadians are allowed to use medical marijuana with a prescription, after just 15 months of marriage, several of last year after meeting when they Heard was charged with two counts but recreational use is illegal. media outlets reported on Wednesday. appeared together in the 2011 film The of illegally importing the pets and one Even so, unlicensed dispensaries have multiplied in Toronto, Vancouver Heard, 30, filed the divorce petition in Rum Diary. count of producing a false document and other Canadian cities since the country’s Liberal government came a Los Angeles court on Monday, citing The pair began dating after Depp split last July. to power last year pledging to legalise recreational marijuana. “irreconcilable diff erences” with the from his long-time partner, French A magistrate judge in April filed no Some of these stores have been accused of selling to people without 52-year-old Depp, the A-list actor who actress Vanessa Paradis. conviction for Heard but issued a formal proper prescriptions. starred in Pirates of the Caribbean, Depp and Paradis are the parents of two order to stay out of trouble for a month The government has said it will introduce a law in spring 2017 to fulfil its according to a copy of the court teenage children, a boy and a girl. or face a A$1,000 ($767) fine. pledge, but in the meantime, former Toronto police chief Bill Blair, the documents uploaded online by celebrity Depp and Heard made global headlines A videoed deadpan apology by Depp government’s point man on legalisation, has emphasised the current news website TMZ. last year when they ran into legal and Heard for the off ence, gleefully laws remain in eff ect. This file photo taken on April 17 shows Depp and Reuters could not independently verify trouble for bringing their Yorkshire dubbed the “war on terrier” and Toronto’s move comes within a month of a similar operation by his wife Amber Heard as they arrive at a court in the report. terriers, Pistol and Boo, into Australia “terriergate” by the Australian media, Vancouver, which handed out tickets to unlicensed medical marijuana the Gold Coast. Representatives for the two did not as Depp was filming the latest Pirates later went viral. dispensaries. Gulf Times Friday, May 27, 2016 7 ASEAN Indonesians back death for child abusers

AFP vent repeat sexual off ences,” said violence,” added the campaign- Jakarta lawmaker Abdul Malik Hara- er, who like many Indonesians main, from the Islamic party goes by one name. the National Awakening Party, Nur Kholis, of the National ndonesia’s introduction of which is part of the ruling coali- Commission on Human Rights, the death penalty and chem- tion. said his group was generally Iical castration for child sex He insisted that castration against the death penalty and off enders won applause from the would not violate human rights, did not believe that castration public yesterday, but activists as off enders would go through a would have a deterrent eff ect. warned the punishments would legal process before the punish- The presidential decree brings not serve as a deterrent. ment was handed down. the new punishments immedi- President Joko Widodo ately into eff ect, although par- Buddhist monks gather outside Khlongluang provincial police station to show support for Phra Dhammachayo, the influential Buddhist signed a decree on Wednes- “Castration is intended liament could later overturn abbot charged with money-laundering and receiving illegal donations, in Pathum Thani province, north of Bangkok. day introducing the tougher to have a deterrent eff ect them. measures, which also included and prevent repeat sexual The death penalty can be fitting monitoring devices to off ences” handed down to child rapists offenders after their release where the victim has died or suf- from jail, in response to public Twitter user Boenga Indah fered serious mental or physical anger at the fatal gang-rape of also defended the new laws: injury, while chemical castration Thai Buddhist monk ‘too a schoolgirl. “Those who disagree with cas- can be used in cases of repeat The 14-year-old was snatched tration and the death penalty, child sex off enders. by a group of drunken men and who said that it’s a human rights Under previous laws, the boys on western Sumatra island violation – do you think rape and maximum sentence for rape – in April and was found days later murder are not human rights vi- including of a minor – was 14 ill to face graft charges’ in woods, tied up and naked. olations?” years in jail. The case sparked a national Nevertheless, activists were Indonesia has already faced debate about sexual violence and unhappy, suggesting the pun- much criticism for its use of cap- tigations (DSI) to turn himself ruption, which it has steadfast- stupa shaped like a UFO. as more reports of sex attacks ishments were a knee-jerk reac- ital punishment, sparking out- Reuters in to face charges of money- ly denied. The temple has said it would emerged, pressure mounted on tion. rage last year when it put seven Bangkok laundering and receiving illegal The temple said in a state- not obstruct security offi cers if the government to take action. Hartoyo, a prominent gay foreign drug convicts to death by donations. ment on Sunday that Phra they came to arrest the abbot The new punishments mostly rights activist who has cam- fi ring squad. “If he was to come now, it Dhammachayo had not left but could not prevent his fol- won praise in Indonesia, where paigned against the new pun- The government did not give stand-off in Thailand would risk his life,” Ongart the complex for eight years lowers from doing so. there is strong backing for the ishments, said the regulation any further details on the elec- between investigators Thammanita, a spokesman for because of ill health and the “Any intervention by a third death penalty, with members of amounted to an “act of venge- tronic monitoring devices. A and a powerful Bud- Dhammakaya followers, told DSI could read the charges to party would result in a less than the public and lawmakers voic- ance”. Local media previously re- dhist sect intensified yester- reporters. “Doctors will need to the abbot on his sick bed on desirable outcome,” it said in ing support. “It only shows that the gov- ported that a microchip could be day after its influential abbot treat him fi rst.” Wednesday. the statement. “Castration is intended to ernment is panicking and has no implanted in child sex off enders’ failed to appear at a police sta- Earlier, hundreds of orange- The ruling junta will want to have a deterrent eff ect and pre- real understanding about sexual legs on their release from jail. tion to answer graft charges robed monks and other Dham- “Any intervention by a avoid a repeat of a confronta- because followers said he had makaya followers walked from third party would result tion in February, when soldiers fainted. the temple complex north of in a less than desirable scuffl ed with monks protesting Temples and monasteries in Bangkok to gather outside a outcome” against what they called state mainly Buddhist Thailand have nearby police station where the interference in religious aff airs. been rocked by sex and money abbot was due to report. The DSI off ered to release the The leading candidate for the Vietnam jails four asylum scandals, prompting wide- Citing ill health, Phra Dham- abbot on bail, if he reported to role of the supreme patriarch, spread calls for reform. machayo has failed to show up the station on Thursday, where the spiritual head of Thailand’s The country’s political divi- for questioning several times, an ambulance and doctors 300,000 monks, has ties to the seekers returned by Australia sions have also created fi ssures leading authorities to issue an waited to take him to a hospital. Dhammakaya sect. within the religion. arrest warrant last week. The DSI told reporters it had The selection process has Phra Dhammachayo, abbot of The wealthy Dhammakaya yet to decide its next step but become a proxy for the colour- Reuters lacks humanity,” Don said by tel- condition of anonymity, in line Wat Phra Dhammakaya, missed sect, which claims millions of would need a search warrant to coded politics that the junta has Hanoi ephone, adding that the defend- with departmental protocol. yesterday’s deadline from the adherents worldwide, has been enter Dhammakaya’s complex, quashed since seizing power in ants were likely to appeal against New York-based Human Rights Department of Special Inves- dogged by allegations of cor- which is dominated by a giant 2014. it.”They are too poor and just Watch said the action violated de- court in Vietnam yes- want a better life. fendants’ fundamental right un- terday jailed four Viet- They didn’t arrange it for der international law to leave their Thailand closes Anamese for terms rang- money.” own country, however. dive sites over ing from two to 2-1/2 years each Vietnam’s foreign ministry “Vietnam has blatantly bro- coral crisis for “organising others to fl ee did not immediately respond to ken its promise to the Austral- MH370 probe: Australia to study abroad illegally” after Australia Reuters’ request for comment. ian government not to prosecute Thailand has shut down 10 sent back their group of asylum A spokesman for Australia’s boat returnees,” said the group’s popular diving sites in a bid seekers, their lawyer said. department of Immigration and Australia director, Elaine Pear- to slow a coral bleaching three new pieces of debris The 46 asylum seekers were Border Protection said it was son. crisis, an off icial said yester- aboard a small vessel intercepted confi dent the Vietnamese gov- Some of the returnees said day, in a rare move to shun off Australia’s remote west coast ernment was upholding its as- that on their arrival in Vietnam, tourism profits to protect Reuters by experts,” he said. A fi rst piece of the Boe- last year and were returned to surance not to prosecute any of a Vietnamese offi cial assured the environment. Sydney Flight MH370 disappeared in ing 777, a wing part known as Vietnam as a result of negotia- the returned people for their il- the group in front of the Aus- The tropical country’s March 2014 with 239 passengers a fl aperon, washed up on the tions between the two countries. legal departure. tralian consulate’s representa- southern coastline and and crew on board shortly after French island of Reunion in The defendants, two men and “It is our understanding these tives that they would not be ar- string of islands are home hree new pieces of debris taking off from Kuala Lumpur July 2015. two women, were crossing the prosecutions do not relate to the rested or detained, according to to some of the world’s most thought to be from miss- bound for Beijing, in what has Malaysia and French author- border illegally for the fi rst time illegal departure of those re- lawyer Don and HRW. prized white sand beaches Ting Malaysia Airlines become one of the world’s great- ities confi rmed it was from the in July 2015 and their 42 Viet- turned, but relate only to a small Vietnam has been rebuked for and scuba sites, and the Flight MH370 have been found est aviation mysteries. aircraft. namese companions were rela- number of individuals who au- its poor record on human rights, booming tourism industry washed up on Indian Ocean Two pieces of debris discov- tives and acquaintances, lawyer thorities allege are responsible with dissidents, bloggers and props up Thailand’s lagging beaches and will be examined Malaysia was arranging ered later in South Africa and Vo An Don told Reuters. for organisation of the venture,” religious fi gures being jailed in economy. in Australia, the transport min- to collect the three new the Mauritian island of Rod- “The verdict is too heavy and the spokesman told Reuters on recent years. ister said yesterday. pieces and would send rigues were almost certainly Two of the pieces were found them to Australia, which from the jetliner, Malaysia’s in Mauritius while the third has been leading the transport ministry said this was found in Mozambique. search for the aircraft month. The minister, Darren Ches- Chester said Malaysia was Active volcano ter, said in a statement all three Investigators believe some- arranging to collect the three items would be investigated one may have deliberately new pieces and would send in connection with the disap- switched off the plane’s trans- them to Australia, which pearance of MH370. ponder before diverting it has been leading the search “These items of debris are of thousands of miles off course for the aircraft in the Indian interest and will be examined over the Indian Ocean. Ocean.

Indonesia arrests three men accused Singapore ex-BSI wealth of poaching tigers Three men accused of poaching rare Sumatran tigers in Indone- manager stays in remand sia have been arrested, an of- ficial said yesterday, with police seizing animal hides, bones and Reuters ing forgery, money laundering teeth during raids. Singapore and has already served 40 days The alleged wildlife poachers in remand, stays in detention. were believed to have hunted Yeo was present in the State the tigers within the protected former Singapore Court yesterday, but did not forests of Mount Leuser Na- wealth manager of make any remarks. tional Park on Indonesia’s vast, A troubled Swiss private The court said Yeo will stay main western island of Sumatra. bank BSI Bank will remain in in remand until June 1 to allow Sumatran tigers are considered remand of white-collar police the higher court to hear the a critically endangered species after the state prosecutor said prosecution’s challenge. by the International Union for it is challenging a court’s de- In an unprecedented move Conservation of Nature, with cision yesterday to grant him this week, Singapore’s central fewer than 400 remaining in bail of S$600,000 ($435,761). bank ordered the closure of the wild. The case is part of Singa- BSI’s operations in the city- “I hope with this arrest, people pore’s money laundering in- state, while Switzerland began will understand that protected vestigation related to scandal- criminal proceedings against wildlife is very important not hit 1Malaysia Development the private bank, in the biggest only for Indonesia but the Berhad (1MDB), which is being international crackdown on world,” Bambang Dahono Adji, probed by at least six jurisdic- fi nancial entities dealing with a senior off icial at Indonesia’s tions. 1MDB. environment and forestry minis- The prosecution’s move to Yeo was one of fi ve former try, said. Mount Sinabung volcano spews volcanic ash into the air as seen from the Karo district in North Sumatra province, on Wednesday. challenge the bail in the High employees of BSI whom Sin- Tiger skins, bones and teeth Indonesian rescuers searched for survivors in scorched villages and devastated farmlands on Monday after the volcano erupted in Court means Yeo Jiawei, a gapore’s central bank has re- were found at the homes of the clouds of searing ash and gas, killing seven and leaving others fighting life-threatening burns. 33-year-old Singaporean who ferred to the public prosecutor alleged poachers during raids. is facing nine charges includ- for possible criminal charges. Gulf Times 8 Friday, May 27, 2016 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA

UN chief urges dialogue with G7 and China spar over North Korea

AFP Seoul

South China Sea status N Secretary General Ban Ki-moon yesterday urged a return to talks with Reuters Ise-Shima, it fi led for Chapter 11 protection on UNorth Korea, during a visit to South Japan September 15, 2008, making its bank- Korea that has fuelled speculation of his ruptcy by far the biggest in US history. presidential ambitions in his home country. Its failure triggered the global fi - “We must fi nd the path back to dialogue,” roup of Seven (G7) leaders nancial crisis. Ban said at a peace and security forum on agreed yesterday on the need Abe hopes, some political insiders the southern island of Jeju. Gto send a strong message on say, to use a G7 statement on the glo- Tensions between North and South Korea maritime claims in the western Pa- bal economy as cover for a domestic have been running high since Pyongyang cifi c, where an increasingly assertive fi scal package including the possible conducted a fourth nuclear test in January. China is locked in territorial disputes delay of a rise in the nation’s sales In recent weeks, the North has made re- with Japan and several Southeast tax to 10% from 8% planned for next peated proposals for military talks aimed at Asian nations. April. de-escalating the situation – but the South The agreement prompted a sharp Obama ripped into Republi- has dismissed the off er as an “insincere” rejoinder from China, which is not in can presidential candidate Donald propaganda ploy. the G7 club but whose rise as a power Trump, saying the billionaire had The current administration of South Ko- has put it at the heart of some discus- rattled other G7 leaders and that his rean President Park Geun-Hye is adamant sions at the advanced nations’ sum- statements were aimed at getting that substantive inter-Korean talks can mit in Ise-Shima, central Japan. headlines, not what was needed to only begin once the North makes a tangible “Prime Minister (Shinzo) Abe led keep America safe and the world on commitment to denuclearisation. discussion on the current situation in an even keel. “The rise in tensions on the Korean pe- the South China Sea and East China Trump has been accused of racism, ninsula could cast a shadow across North- Sea. misogyny and bigotry for saying he east Asia and beyond,” Ban warned. Other G7 leaders said it is neces- would build a giant wall to keep out “I welcome all eff orts to move forward. sary for G7 to issue a clear signal,” Ja- illegal Mexican immigrants, would And I stand ready to personally contribute pan’s deputy chief cabinet secretary temporarily ban Muslims from the in any way that might be helpful”, he added. Hiroshige Seko told reporters after a United States and after he made a Ban has actively pursued an invitation to session on foreign policy aff airs. series of comments considered de- North Korea, and such a trip had been ar- At a news conference late on meaning to women. ranged to coincide with a visit to the South Wednesday, Abe said Japan welcomed Summit pageantry began when last November – but the plan fell through. China’s peaceful rise while repeat- Abe escorted G7 leaders to the Shinto Speaking to journalists in Jeju on Wednes- ing Tokyo’s opposition to acts that religion’s holiest site, the Ise Grand day, Ban said the “window for a high-level try to change the status quo by force A protester holds a poster during a demonstration next to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial park yesterday. Shrine in central Japan, dedicated to dialogue” had been left open. “I am the only and urging respect of the rule of law - sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami, one that has been maintaining a dialogue principles expected to be mentioned maritime disputes peacefully and he the centre of discussions and nego- countries saw no need for such mythical ancestress of the emperor. channel with Pyongyang,” he added. in a statement after the summit. reiterated that the United States was tiations with China,” Obama told re- spending. On Wednesday night, Abe met A North Korea visit would off er Ban a The United States is also increas- simply concerned about freedom of porters. Britain and Germany have been re- Obama for talks dominated by the high-profi le platform should he consider ingly concerned about China’s action navigation and overfl ight in the re- The global economy topped the sisting calls for fi scal stimulus. arrest of a US military base civilian throwing his hat into South Korea’s 2017 in the region. gion. agenda earlier in the day, when G7 “G7 leaders voiced the view that worker in connection with the killing presidential race after stepping down as UN Chinese Foreign Ministry spokes- Obama yesterday pointed to the leaders voiced concern about emerg- emerging economies are in a severe of a young woman on Japan’s south- chief at the end of this year. woman Hua Chunying retorted in risks from North Korea’s nuclear and ing economies and Abe made a point- situation, although there were views ern Okinawa island, reluctant host to Ban has declined to confi rm a run at the Beijing that the South China Sea issue missile programmes, saying the iso- ed comparison to the 2008 global fi - that the current economic situation is the bulk of the US military in Japan. Blue House, although on Wednesday he of- had “nothing to do” with the G7 or lated state was “hell bent” on getting nancial crisis. not a crisis,” Seko said. The attack has marred Obama’s fered what was seen as a broad hint in that any of its members. atomic weapons. Not all his G7 partners appeared to Abe presented data showing glo- hopes of keeping his Japan trip strict- direction, saying he would “contemplate... “China is resolutely opposed to But he said there had been im- agree. bal commodities prices fell 55% from ly focused on his visit on Friday to what I should do as a South Korean citizen” individual countries hyping up the proved responses from countries in The G7 leaders did agree on the June 2014 to January 2016, the same Hiroshima, site of the world’s fi rst after leaving the UN. South China Sea for personal gain,” the region like China that could re- need for fl exible spending to spur margin as from July 2008 to February atomic bombing, to highlight rec- she said. duce the risk of North Korea selling world growth but the timing and 2009, after the Lehman collapse. onciliation between the two former US President Barack Obama called weapons or nuclear material. amount depended on each country, Lehman had been Wall Street’s World War Two foes and his nuclear NZ parliament locked down on China on Wednesday to resolve “It’s something that we’ve put at Seko told reporters, adding some fourth-largest investment bank when anti-proliferation agenda. New Zealand parliament buildings were locked down for more than two hours yes- terday after a man drove a smoking truck on to the forecourt. Korean atomic bomb victims angered by Obama’s Hiroshima visit Television New Zealand posted a video showing people running from the scene after the small truck carrying what looked to group representing Korean vic- conscripted by the Japanese military sitting US president to visit Hiro- the atomic bomb,” said Shim, who Shim said Obama should visit be fluid canisters parked directly in front of tims of the US atomic bomb- or forced into hard labour. shima and, while he has made it clear was two years old and in Hiroshima that memorial if he truly intended to the parliament buildings. Aings of Japan protested yes- Consequently, the association argues there will be no apology, there is con- when the fi rst bomb fell. commemorate all the victims of the The action appeared to be a lone protest terday that their suff ering was being that Koreans were multiple victims, de- cern in South Korea that his trip will Shim’s parents had been moved to bombings. by a man with a complaint against the ANZ neglected ahead of President Barack serving not only of an apology from the play into a narrative that focuses on Japan as forced labourers. Shim’s group is also angry with bank, with the light truck bearing several Obama’s historic visit to Hiroshima. United States, but also from Japan. Japan’s suff ering, rather than the pain “The United States has never apol- their own government, saying Ko- banners including one saying: “Find out who The Association of Korean Atomic Around two dozen members of its colonial ambitions and wartime ogised for the atomic bomb and Ja- rean victims were ignored when they is stopping NZ’s largest bank from being Bomb Victims estimates that any- the group – including survivors and aggression infl icted on others. pan, as a country that started the war, returned home because their plight investigated.” where between 40,000 and 70,000 relatives of those who died – gath- “The world thinks Japan is the has never apologised,” he said. didn’t fi t the offi cial line that the The man was restrained by security staff Koreans died in Hiroshima and Naga- ered outside the US embassy in Seoul atomic bomb victim. That is wrong,” After the embassy protest, a atomic bombs were necessary to end and arrested. saki when atomic bombs laid waste to with placards reading: “Apologise to said 73-year-old Shim Jin-Tae, one of 10-member delegation from the as- Japan’s colonial rule of the Korean The security lock down was lifted just the two cities in August 1945. Korean victims of the Atomic Bomb” two-dozen protesters gathered out- sociation was scheduled to fl y to Ja- peninsula. before the country’s annual budget was to The Korean peninsula was under and “Acknowledge the 2nd genera- side the embassy. pan to hold a separate ceremony in “Korea has never looked after its be delivered by Finance Minister Bill English Japanese colonial rule at the time, tion victims”. “Japan is the country that began Hiroshima on Friday at a small me- people for the past 71 years,” Shim at 0200 GMT. and most of those who died had been Obama will today become the fi rst the war. Koreans are the victims of morial erected for Korean victims. said. Vivid Sydney Hong Kong activist guilty of ‘assaulting the police’

AFP Hong Kong

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist who was allegedly beaten by police Ain an attack captured by television cameras and beamed around the world was The Museum of Contemporary Art building is lit up during the media preview of Vivid Sydney in found guilty yesterday of assaulting and re- Sydney yesterday. Vivid Sydney, an annual festival of light, music and ideas runs from today to June 18. sisting police offi cers. Political activist Ken Tsang was accused of splashing liquid on police offi cers during mass street rallies in 2014 - the same night as he was brutally beaten in the corner of a park. Protesters outside the courthouse said the verdict amounted to “political persecution,” Australian held over ‘terror’ plot while Tsang’s lawyer Robert Pang said the attack his client had been subjected to was much more serious than the one he had been charged for. AFP year saying the Garden Island been charged under Appleby Tsang, 40, a member of the pro-democ- Political activist Ken Tsang addresses the media outside the Kowloon city court in Hong Sydney naval base close to the Sydney since September 2014. racy Civic Party, denied the charges but was Kong yesterday. Opera House and other govern- Last week, an 18-year-old man found guilty of one count of assault and two ment buildings were among lo- was arrested over an alleged “im- counts of resisting police offi cers, which months and was dubbed the “Umbrella Seven policemen will stand trial for the Sydney-based man was cations mentioned. minent” terror plot, with police could carry up to two years in jail. Revolution”, with protesters calling for a free assault on the activist later this year. They arrested yesterday on “It will be alleged in court claiming he was scouting possible “The evidence showed that the defendant vote on the city’s leader. have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Acharges of planning a ter- the man was one of a number sites in Sydney while at the same did indeed pour liquid, and that liquid fell Nearly 1,000 people were arrested in con- Tsang said he was “disappointed” about rorist attack in Australia, which of people – who have been pre- time trying to acquire a fi rearm. on police offi cers,” magistrate Peter Law told nection to the rallies including student pro- the court’s decision and thanked support- reportedly involved targeting a viously charged regarding this In April a 16-year-old boy was the Kowloon City courthouse. democracy leader Joshua Wong, who faces ers, adding that he was mulling over an ap- naval base close to the capital’s matter – involved in formulat- charged with preparing an at- “Although he did not have a specifi c target, two verdicts in June for protests in 2014. peal. He earlier said that police brought as- famous opera house, police said. ing documents connected with tack linked to Anzac Day services he clearly knew there were many offi cers be- Speaking after the verdict, Tsang’s lawyer sault charges against him to distract from The 24-year-old, named in preparations to facilitate, assist honouring Australian soldiers in low,” he said, adding that it showed “hostility.” Pang described the “disproportionate vio- the case against them. local media as Farhad Said, was or engage a person to undertake a Sydney, while other arrests in- Tsang, wearing a dark suit, sat calmly in lence” police allegedly used in the attack on the The two incidents took place at the height charged with “conspiracy to terrorist act,” the Australian Fed- clude a 17-year-old youth caught the courtroom – which was packed with activist. “His body was covered in wounds...he of mass protests seeking free leadership conduct an act in preparation for eral Police said. in a raid in Melbourne a year ago, both journalists and his supporters – as the was tortured. He was punched and kicked in a elections in Hong Kong, and rocked the rep- a terrorist act” after being seized The latest arrest is part of Ap- allegedly with “improvised ex- verdict was delivered. He was given bail un- dark corner as a punishment,” Pang said. utation of the city’s police force. by counter-terrorism police out- pleby, a rolling operation investi- plosive devices”. At least six at- til his sentencing on May 30. Video footage aired by local television It took a year for charges to be brought side his home in the suburb of gating people suspected of being tacks have been foiled on home The police who allegedly beat him, who network TVB at the time showed a group of against both Tsang and the offi cers accused Bankstown. involved in domestic acts of ter- soil over the past 18 months, are not the same offi cers Tsang is accused of men hauling a handcuff ed Tsang to a dark of beating him, a delay that further in- Several other men are already rorism, Australians fi ghting in authorities have said, but several assaulting, are to stand trial separately. corner in a public park in the early hours of creased controversy surrounding the cases. facing charges over the same al- Syria and Iraq and the funding of have taken place, including the It is the fi rst conviction for a high profi le October 15, 2014. One man stood over him Thousands of protesters blocked major thor- leged plot, which was uncovered terrorist organisations. terror-linked murder of a Sydney case surrounding the rallies which blocked and punched him, as three others were seen oughfares in 2014 but failed to win any conces- in late 2014, with reports last Police said 15 people have now police employee in October. major highways in the city for over two repeatedly kicking him. sions from Beijing or the city authorities. Gulf Times Friday, May 27, 2016 9 BRITAIN

DECISION LITERATURE PEOPLE TRAGEDY OFFBEAT Government bans Winnie-the-Pooh turns 90, Mum who went on run Cyclist dies after collision MI6 targets Mumsnet to sale of ‘legal highs’ meets queen in new book with daughters apologises with car near home find new ‘Jane Bonds’

The government yesterday banned the sale Winnie-the-Pooh turns 90 this year and the A mother arrested after three weeks on the run A second cyclist has died in London, police Middle-age women are being targeted by MI6 of a range of mainly chemically-produced much-loved children’s character returns for a with her two young children yesterday said she revealed yesterday as they launched an appeal for recruitment chiefs to become a new generation recreational drugs known as “legal highs,” new adventure in which he meets someone regretted it, adding: “I just wanted to rescue my witnesses. Christopher Holt, 58, died in hospital of “Jane Bonds”. Despite the image portrayed which legal loopholes had allowed to be sold else celebrating the same significant birthday babies.” Angela Kelly, 46, was found in Brighton four days after being critically injured in a collision in Bond films of female spies nearly always openly online and in shops. “Too many lives - Queen Elizabeth. ‘Winnie-the-Pooh and the last week after snatching her daughters, aged with a car near his home in Hornchurch. The being glamorous young women, intelligence have been lost or ruined by the dangerous Royal Birthday’ sees the popular bear from A 12 and five, from emergency foster care on April woman who was driving the Toyota Rav4 stopped chiefs are particularly seeking to attract drugs formerly referred to as legal highs,” A Milne’s children’s stories travel to London 29. Kelly, who also has two grown-up children, at the scene and is assisting police with their more “mid-career” women to their ranks. The said Karen Bradley, the government’s drugs with friends where they take in the famous said she regretted her “snap decision” to go inquiries. The crash happened at about 7.10am Government said that MI6, MI5 and GCHQ were minister. “That is why we have taken action to sites and arrive at Buckingham Palace. The into hiding after an emergency care order by on May 11 at the junction of Rainham Road and targeting “middle-age and mid-career women” stamp out this brazen trade.” “The Psychoactive short illustrated and audio story, which can social services following a series of missed court Sowrey Avenue. Holt, who had been married for for recruitment — more like actress Dame Judi Substances Act sends a clear message: These be downloaded for free, has been released to hearings. Kelly, from Roehampton, said: “I guess 33 years, was taken by ambulance to hospital but Dench than Bond girls such as Gemma Arterton drugs are not legal, they are not safe and we celebrate both birthdays. Elizabeth turned 90 I was in fight or flight, my maternal instincts died on May 15. News of Holt’s death comes after — and were even advertising on Mumsnet. will not allow them to be sold in this country,” last month while Milne’s first Winnie-the-Pooh overrode my reason. I just wanted to rescue my a 25-year-old woman cyclist was killed in Croydon Women make up just over 38% of all MI6 staff she said. book came out in October 1926. babies. I didn’t realise how high-risk that was.” after a collision with a HGV on Monday. and 41.6% at MI5> Cameron is pro-Brexit by ‘instinct,’ says ex-aide

Agencies Stanford University and found- London ed a technology company, to promote his new book. Cameron had publicly left rime Minister David open the possibility that he Cameron is by “instinct” might back a “Leave” campaign Pin favour of Britain leav- pending the outcome of nego- ing the European Union, one of tiations on reforms to Britain’s his former top aides said in an membership with other EU interview published yesterday. leaders. Steve Hilton, a close friend He announced he would back who helped Cameron get elect- “Remain” after securing a deal ed in 2010 and worked with him in February that he said gave in government, said the Con- Britain “special status”. But servative leader was only back- critics, including Hilton, said it ing a “Remain” vote in the June fell far short of what the prime 23 referendum because of his minister had originally said was office. needed. “If he was a member of the Meanwhile, Prime Minis- public, or a backbench MP or a ter David Cameron said those Neighbours Tony (left) and Frank pose for cameras after hanging rival EU referendum banners from their balconies in north London. junior minister or even a cabi- fighting for Britain to remain net minister, I’m certain that in the European Union are he would be for ‘Leave’,” Hilton making good progress but get- told The Times newspaper in an ting young people to register interview. and turn out to vote is the ‘In’ The 46-year-old, who camp’s greatest concern. worked with Cameron for two Surveys show young people decades, said the premier’s po- are far more likely to be in fa- Leave camp warns as litical mission used to be about vour of remaining in the EU, but leaving the EU, adding: “That’s also far less likely to vote. his whole instinct. That’s who An estimated 43% of 18 to he is. 24-year-olds took part in last “As prime minister he sees year’s national election, far it from a different perspec- below the overall turnout of tive, and that’s perfectly rea- 66 % and consistent with pre- sonable... but I think that if he vious elections, where turnout immigration at near peak didn’t have that perspective he in that age bracket has been would be for ‘Leave’.” below average since at least AFP set in June last year. A total of terms on which people come and the government cannot stop eron in February, would also Cameron has been cam- 1964. London 270,000 EU citizens came to how we remove those who abuse them. have an impact, he said. paigning hard for a “Remain” Cameron, the de facto head Britain in 2015, up 6,000, and our hospitality. This puts huge Brexit supporters have put New mayor of London Sadiq vote in the referendum, criss- of the ‘In’ campaign, said elec- net EU migration was up 10,000 pressure on schools, hospitals ending this freedom of move- Khan, the son of Pakistani im- crossing the country with tion turnout was “definitely ampaigners for Britain to at 184,000. and housing.” ment at the heart of their cam- migrants, said EU citizens work- warnings that leaving the EU something that is concerning”. leave the European Un- New data from the Labour He said Britain had benefi ted paign for a “Leave” vote. ing in Britain brought in billions would put Britain’s national “I feel we are making good Cion in next month’s ref- Force Survey found 2.1mn EU from immigration but it had to Immigration Minister James of pounds in taxes. “We as a city and economic security at risk. progress with this argument, erendum yesterday warned that nationals were working in Brit- be limited, and said that staying Brokenshire said the number of can see the huge cultural, social Hilton was chief strategist particularly about Britain being immigration from the bloc had ain between January and March in the EU meant “kissing good- people moving to Britain “re- and economic benefi ts for our for Cameron while he was lead- better off if we stay in,” he said. “spun out of control” as new fi g- 2016, up 224,000 on the same bye permanently to control of mains too high” but said that nation,” he told reporters. er of the opposition and then “Probably my greatest concern ures showed net migration at its period last year. immigration”. leaving the EU was “no panacea Non-EU immigration fell by one his top advisors in govern- is doing everything we can in second highest ever level. “We must face the fact that UK Independence Party (Ukip) or silver bullet”. 10,000 to 277,000 in the year to ment, before moving to the US the next week in order to get Exactly four weeks before the the system has spun out of con- leader Nigel Farage tweeted: He said the government had December, while emigration – in 2012. He was also godfather people to register to vote, par- June 23 vote, the Offi ce for Na- trol,” said Brexit campaigner “Mass immigration still hope- cut abuse of the student and Britons leaving the UK – fell by to the prime minister’s son ticularly young people because tional Statistics (ONS) published Boris Johnson, the former Lon- lessly out of control and set to family visa schemes for non-EU 22,000 to 297,000. Ivan, who died aged six in 2009. this is absolutely a vote about data putting net migration – the don mayor and a possible suc- get worse if we Remain in EU.” migrants, and would soon intro- The ONS yesterday projected This week Hilton declared his their future.” diff erence between those arriv- cessor to Prime Minister David Many Europeans are drawn to duce new laws on tackling illegal that under current trends, the support for a so-called Brexit The deadline to register to ing and leaving – at 333,000 in Cameron, in a statement. Britain because of its relatively employment. population of England would while visiting Britain from Cal- vote in the June 23 referendum the year to December 2015. “We cannot control the num- strong economy, and under EU Reforms to welfare payments grow by 4.1mn – 7.5% – in the ifornia, where he has worked at is June 7. The record of 336,000 was bers. We cannot control the rules of freedom of movement, to EU citizens, secured by Cam- next 10 years. Bannatyne gym’s ‘dirty Facing deportation Pension exit charges to be capped at 1% towels’ video raises a stink Reuters have pensions that include an exit London charge and could therefore poten- tially benefi t from the cap between London Evening Standard Dragons’ Den star, is also used towels as they like. People have 2017 and 2020, it added. London to wash linen for its sister club noticed. When I take towels up harges on Britons cashing Separately, the government is in Millbank, which is popular I get comments from members in their pension early will consulting on capping early exit with politicians including Boris like, ‘Here comes the towel man, Cbe capped at 1% of the pot’s charges in occupational pension worker at Duncan Ban- Johnson and Nigel Farage. what’s going to be on them today value from March 2017, the Finan- schemes. natyne’s fl agship gym has The Bannatyne group runs fi ve — skid marks?” cial Conduct Authority proposed “Over 230,000 people took ad- A been caught on camera other gyms in London, which Edo, who has been signed yesterday. vantage of our pensions freedoms refolding used towels — which have independent washing fa- off sick since last month, when The Financial Conduct Au- in the fi rst year by accessing are allegedly handed back to cilities. A spokesman told the he says he lodged a complaint thority also said that insurers will £4.3bn fl exibly from their pension customers unwashed. Standard the fi rm had invested against management, added: “I not be able to apply any early exit pots,” Harriett Baldwin, a junior The staff member is shown £50,000 in washing facilities at feel it is in the well-being of the charge for personal pension con- fi nance minister, said. rummaging through piles of Tower 42 in the past 12 months general public to know.” tracts entered into after the pro- Funds supermarket Hargreaves towels in the basement laundry. and action would be taken “if On its website, the chain posed new rules come into force. Lansdown said the 1% cap was a He appears to select the least staff have acted incorrectly”. says it prides itself on off ering The government has introduced “victory for corporate vested in- dirty before refolding them and Cletus Edo, 33, who has a “clean environment in which so-called “pension freedom” re- terests”, and should have been set giving them to a colleague who worked as a laundry assistant you can complete your workout forms in a bid to give people aged at zero percent to benefi t a further takes them away. and delivery driver at Bannatyne or class”. 55 years or over more choice in 150,000 investors. The footage, fi lmed on a hid- for a year, said laundry piles up A spokesman for Bannatyne providing for their retirement, but “Those wishing to transfer old, den camera in April, also shows at peak times and the two wash- said: “The company has invest- high exit fees have put off some expensive private pensions to im- piles of towels strewn around the ing machines and dryers are ed over £50,000 in new laundry people. prove their value for money, while basement. Some are caked in a unable to cope. “The staff are equipment at Tower 42 to ensure “This is an important step so they are still building their sav- brown sludge, which is thought scared of the members, some of the highest standards and will people feel able to access their ings, will not benefi t from the cap,” to be clay used in treatments. whom are CEOs,” he said. take immediate action if staff pension savings should they wish Hargreaves Lansdown’s head of The video was given to the “If they demand towels they have acted incorrectly. to,” FCA director of strategy and retirement policy, Tom McPhail, Standard by a disgruntled em- don’t say, ‘I’m sorry we don’t “We have not seen the full competition Christopher Woolard said. The ban will not start un- ployee who said: “It’s disgust- have towels today’, instead this video, which was given to the said in a statement. til next year and Hargreaves ing. I’ve got close friendships is what they resort to. A full media, not to the management. Scotland’s First MinIster Nicola Sturgeon hugs Lachlan If the exit charge in a pension Lansdown said it will ask the Fi- with members of the club and I crate of towels can go within 20 In the last 24 hours we have Brain as his mother Kathryn looks on at Scotland’s contract is already set at below 1%, nancial Conduct Authority if any- feel sorry for them.” minutes in the afternoon rush, it tested the laundry procedures devolved Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland, it cannot be raised, the Financial one cashing in a pension from now The laundry, below the spa in gets very hectic and gym mem- and we are confi dent of their yesterday. The Brains face deportation after the Conduct Authority said. can have a guarantee that they can Tower 42 owned by the former bers are allowed to take as many quality.” government tightened its immigration laws in 2012. Just under 750,000 people reclaim any charges. Gulf Times 10 Friday, May 27, 2016 EUROPE EU needs Russia to stay on global stage: Putin

AFP secured by combining capaci- out providing further details. on loan from the Tretyakov Gal- fi cials have publicly denied any about 1mn Russians are ex- Athens ties of all European countries, EU-Russia relations are at low lery to the Byzantine and Chris- approach. pected to visit Greece this year – including Russia,” Putin said in ebb over the confl ict in Ukraine tian Museum. Russian companies have also with Greece accounting for the the article in the Kathimerini that broke out in 2014, with Eu- Tomorrow he will join cel- been repeatedly linked to Greek largest number of booked pack- ussian President Vladimir daily. “We believe our relations ropean sanctions still in force ebrations for the 1,000th an- energy and transport privatisa- age tours from Russia so far – as Putin has claimed in an with the EU do not face any against Moscow. niversary of the Russian pres- tion deals that were never com- Athens seeks to benefi t from a Rarticle published yester- problems that we cannot solve. The sanctions on Russia’s ence at the ancient monastic pleted. Moscow boycott of Turkey and day that the EU would not be a “To get back to a multifaceted banking, defence and energy community of Mount Athos in However, Putin indicated in Egypt. global player without his coun- partnership, the defi cient ap- sectors expire in July. northern Greece, one of Ortho- yesterday’s article that Russia Putin was last in Europe for a try’s help as he prepared for his proach of one-sided relation- Extending them will require a dox Christianity’s holiest sites. remains interested in tenders bilateral visit in June, when he fi rst visit to the bloc this year. ships should be abandoned. unanimous vote, and EU leaders Greece has repeatedly sought involving Greek rail assets and held talks in Rome with Italian Putin, who starts a two-day “There should be true respect are expected to discuss the issue the help of Russia, a fellow Or- the port of Thessaloniki. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi visit to Greece today, also called for each other’s opinions and in- next month. thodox country, as it descended Kathimerini said a deal be- and Pope Francis. for an energy alliance with Eu- terests.” Putin is due to meet Greek into economic crisis over the tween Russian oil giant Rosneft He also made a trip to Paris rope and the relaxation of visa Trade and economy will top President Prokopis Pavlopou- past six years. and Greek refi ner Hellenic Pe- for the global climate talks at the Putin: A rightful position of the Old rules for Russians travelling to the agenda of the visit, Moscow los and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is believed to have troleum could be signed during end of 2015. Continent in the new international the EU. said. Tsipras in Athens today. requested Russian fi nancial as- the visit. Tsipras visited Moscow for realities can only be secured by “A rightful position of the Greece and Russia will sign Putin and Tsipras will also sistance last year as the country Citing estimates from Rus- talks with Putin twice last year, combining capacities of all European Old Continent in the new in- a “number of bilateral agree- unveil the famous icon by Andrei teetered on the verge of bank- sia’s state tourism agency Ros- in April and June, ahead of his countries, including Russia. ternational realities can only be ments”, the Kremlin said with- Rublev, the Ascension, which is ruptcy, although Russian of- tourism, the Kremlin said that re-election in September.

Rail services halted Fresh wave of union in southern Belgium AFP response to plans by manage- Brussels ment to reduce compensation for overtime for the country’s 34,000 rail workers. rain services virtually The strike that began at ground to halt across 10pm (2000 GMT) on Wednes- Tsouthern Belgium yes- day has been extended until strikes hits France terday as rail workers launched today, after union talks with a strike to protest against a management broke up with- AFP labour laws by making it easier reduction in overtime pay, of- out agreement, the Belga news Paris for companies to hire and fi re fi cials said. agency reported. workers. The strike also caused minor New talks are scheduled to- Under intense pressure, Prime delays on international train day at 11.30am. asked youths clashed Minister Manuel Valls insisted lines from Brussels to Paris, Growing worker discon- with police in Paris and that the law would not be with- Amsterdam and Cologne. tent in Belgium comes amid Mstriking workers block- drawn, but said it might still be “In Wallonia, movement has mounting labour unrest in aded refi neries and nuclear pow- possible to make “changes” or almost stopped, apart from neighbouring France where er stations yesterday as an esca- “improvements”. a few trains,” said Nathalie striking workers disrupted oil lating wave of industrial action But there were signs that some Pierard, spokeswoman for the refi neries and nuclear power against labour reforms rocked in the ruling Socialist Party were state-run railways SNCB, re- stations and halted planes and France. buckling, with Finance Minister ferring to the southern French- trains. Police fi red tear gas at some Michel Sapin suggesting that the speaking region of Belgium. On Tuesday, Belgian police 100 protesters who broke away most contested part of the legis- Thalys trains from Brussels fi red water cannon at protest- from a march through the capital lation should be rewritten. to Paris, Amsterdam and the ers on the margins of a dem- to smash windows of shops and Valls slapped Sapin down and German hub of Cologne were onstration in Brussels against parked cars, an AFP reporter said, ruled out revamping the clause, running but with a 15-minute the government’s labour re- in the latest outburst of anger at which gives individual compa- delay, according to the fi rm’s form plans, leaving 10 people the controversial legislation. nies more of a free hand in setting website. injured. With just two weeks to go be- working conditions. The Eurostar train to Lon- Some 60,000 people took fore France hosts the Euro 2016 “You cannot blockade a coun- don was running normally and part in the rally, which was football championship, un- try, you cannot attack the eco- trains in the northern Dutch- supposed to kick off months of ion activists blocked roads and nomic interests of France in this speaking region of Flan- planned demonstrations and bridges, and train drivers and air way,” a defi ant Valls told parlia- ders were broadly running to national strikes led by trade traffi c controllers staged walk- ment, after earlier branding the schedule. unions against the centre- outs. CGT union that is driving the The CGSP rail union said right government’s austerity Unions called for rolling protests as “irresponsible”. the strike had been called in policies. strikes on the Paris Metro to start The mounting problems for on the day of the opening match the government come 12 months A protester holding a CGT union flag faces riot police during a demonstration yesterday against the on June 10. ahead of an election in which government’s planned labour law reforms, in Tours, central France. The writing reads ‘join us’. Ukraine bans Gorbachev for 5 years Although some blockades on President Francois Hollande is fuel depots and refi neries in the considering standing again but their strike, but fi ve of the coun- Meanwhile, strikes forced Orly down high unemployment. Ukraine has banned former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev north of the country were called he is languishing in opinion polls. try’s eight refi neries were still airport in Paris to ground 15% The government forced the from entering the country for five years because of remarks he off , many motorists were still The CGT said all but three of either halted or operating at re- of fl ights and the commuter and controversial legislation through reportedly made in support of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, a stuck in long queues at petrol France’s 19 nuclear power sta- duced capacity. national train networks were hit, parliament earlier this month spokeswoman for the Security Service of Ukraine said yesterday. stations around France. tions – which provide three- Pierre Jata, a 40-year-old ca- with one in fi ve high-speed trains without a vote, further infuriat- The ban was made “in the interests of national security, particularly A man in his 50s had to be air- quarters of its electricity – have ble TV technician was rushing to cancelled. ing opponents. for public support of the military annexation of Crimea”, lifted to hospital after a motorist voted to stop work. fi ll up at a petrol station on the The CGT has called for another Unions say that they have pop- spokeswoman Olena Hitlyanska said on her Facebook page. rammed a roadblock set up by RTE, the body overseeing the edge of the capital, minutes be- day of action on June 14, raising ular support for the protests and Earlier this week, Gorbachev was cited by Britain’s The Sunday activists outside a petrol refi nery national power network, said fore supplies ran out. concerns for fans travelling to they were cheered by a poll car- Times magazine as suggesting that he would have annexed Crimea at Fos-sur-Mer on the Mediter- that the stoppages were not hav- He laid the blame for the dis- Euro 2016 matches being held at ried out yesterday that showed if put in the same situation. ranean coast. ing an immediate eff ect on the ruption on the government. 10 venues around France. nearly two-thirds of people be- “The only true reason I wouldn’t have is because, had I still been At the Tricastin nuclear plant electricity supply, but “if it wors- “I’m with the unions. I’m with Many organisations, includ- lieve the action is “justifi ed”. in power, the Soviet Union would still exist and Crimea would be a in southern France, workers set ens, it will have an impact on the them but I’m still annoyed,” he ing the International Monetary German Finance Minister part of it,” Gorbachev was quoted as telling The Sunday Times in an fi re to piles of tyres, sending out management of the network”. said. Fund, have said that the labour Wolfgang Schaeuble backed the interview. clouds of black smoke. A third of petrol stations were The government has been legislation is necessary to create French government’s attempts to Russia occupied and annexed the southern Ukrainian peninsula Unions are furious about the dry or dangerously low on fuel forced to tap into its strategic re- jobs. reform. – the site of a Russian naval base on the Black Sea – in early 2014 legislation forced through par- after several days of blockades at serves and Hollande has vowed But unions are demanding the “France is obviously not unre- after Kiev ousted its pro-Russian president amid street protests liament by the deeply unpopular refi neries by union activists. to do “everything ... to ensure the reforms be scrapped altogether, formable,” Schaeuble told jour- calling for closer ties with the West. Socialist government which aims One refi nery returned to op- French people and the economy arguing that they are too pro- nalists. “France can live with Russia attests that it annexed Crimea upon the approval of the to reform France’s famously rigid eration after the activists ended is supplied”. business and unlikely to bring such disputes.” territory’s residents in a popular vote.

Second capsize reported Makeshift migrant

Reuters people were on board,” the coast- camp at Greek border Rome guard spokesman said. Separately, the non-profi t or- ganisation Sea-Watch, which now fully evacuated migrant boat capsized in has a rescue ship in the area, said the Mediterranean yes- it was about to recover one body AFP feared dead following a ship- Aterday and about 100 of from the sea following a ship- Athens wreck off in the Mediterranean its passengers have been rescued wreck and that it had picked up off Libya. while the number of dead is un- 115 migrants from a rubber boat. Photographs posted on social known, offi cials said. “Aboard the boats are many he squalid Idomeni refu- media showed migrants waving It was the second shipwreck in Syrian and Iraqi people,” Sea- gee camp in northern their arms for help as they bal- two days as sea crossings accel- Watch said on Facebook, adding TGreece which became a ance perilously on the deck of erate amid good weather. that the EU deal to send migrants symbol of Europe’s migrant crisis the boat, already underwater but Five people were confi rmed to back to Turkey from Greece is has been fully evacuated, police clearly visible. have died when a large fi shing forcing refugees to travel from said yesterday, as another 30 died “A Luxembourg reconnais- boat fl ipped over in the sea on North Africa to Europe. crossing the Mediterranean. sance plane spotted a capsized Wednesday. Most migrants who come to In the space of three days, boat around 35 nautical miles off Europe’s worst immigration Italy by boat hail from Africa. police transferred about 4,000 the Libyan coast with about 100 crisis since World War II has The coastguard has co-ordi- migrants by bus from Idomeni migrants in the water or clinging led to more than 8,000 deaths nated the rescue of around 900 to newly created camps in the to the sinking vessel,” Antonello in 2-1/2 years, the Internation- migrants in seven diff erent op- industrial outskirts of Greece’s de Renzis Sonnino, spokesman al Organisation for Migration erations yesterday. second city Thessaloniki. for the EU’s military operation to (IOM) estimates. That brings the total of mi- “We’re done. No more people combat people smugglers in the Baby strollers are left on a field after a police operation to evacuate a migrant camp at the Boat arrivals in Italy have risen grants who have been rescued remain, just tents with supplies Mediterranean, told AFP. Greek-Macedonian border, near the Greek village of Idomeni. sharply this week amid warm since Monday to over 7,000. belonging to aid groups,” a police The shipwreck followed a sim- weather and calm seas, and Through Tuesday, total sea ar- source told AFP. ilar disaster on Wednesday when Though authorities cleared more than 12,000 people, who authorities over petty crime and about 20 rescue operations are rivals in Italy had fallen by 9% Idomeni camp had become a a migrant boat overturned leav- out the camp at Idomeni it may spent a brutal winter in freezing the fear of infectious diseases. currently under way, a coast- this year to 37,743, according to potent symbol of human suff er- ing fi ve people dead, and another not have solved the problem of rain and mud after Macedonia But on Wednesday, the Save guard spokesman said. the interior ministry. ing and chaos as Europe strug- sinking on Tuesday which left a what will become of its former and other Balkan states closed the Children charity was already Based on initial pictures from The country’s migrant shel- gles with its worst migrant crisis baby girl orphaned after both her residents. their borders in mid-February to reporting major problems at the the aircraft that spotted the ters are under pressure to house since World War II. parents died. Most of the 8,400 people at stem the infl ux to northern Eu- new sites. overturned boat, between 20 and 115,507 migrants, about twice as The camp exploded in size af- A bout of good weather as the camp when the police opera- rope. “When families arrived in 30 people are feared to have died many as two years ago. ter Balkan states began closing summer arrives has kicked off a tion began on Tuesday refused to Many tried to force their way the new camps yesterday, many in the shipwreck, a spokesman Some 650 migrants and the their borders in February to stem fresh stream of boats attempting co-operate, police said. across the border, sometimes with babies and young children, for European Union’s Sophia na- fi ve dead bodies picked up by the the human tide seeking new lives to cross from Libya to Italy. “Most of them have gone out- resulting in violent encounters they were faced with deplorable val mission said. Italian navy docked at the Si- in northern Europe. The survivors will be added side gas stations and hotels near- with Macedonian police. conditions,” the group’s mission Italy’s coastguard declined to cilian city of Porto Empedocle, The last migrants from the to the list of nearly 40,000 mi- by, or have walked to camps on Aid agencies initially wel- leader Amy Frost said in a state- estimate the number of dead. where they will receive food and crammed, muddy site were evac- grants to arrive in the country’s their own,” the offi cer said. comed the operation to clear Ido- ment, describing conditions as “We don’t know how many clothing. uated as up to 30 people were southern ports so far this year. At its height, the camp housed meni after complaints from local “inhumane”. Gulf Times Friday, May 27, 2016 11 INDIA Land means hope for Odisha’s vulnerable single women

Reuters of land complete with a brick women are often abandoned or should be registered as a sepa- transfer back to the male head of also shows that just 3.3% of farm those eligible for state assistance Baripada, Odisha house of her own. widowed early, left single with rate household and are eligible the household. land is owned by women com- is the role of the Revenue (Land Single women like Majhi are small children to care for,” Rajesh for a plot of government-owned In Mayurbhanj, access to land pared to the national average of Administration) Department. among the most vulnerable Prabhakar Patil, administrative land up to 4,350sq ft, similar to for single women has been fur- 13%. Housing census data from However the Mayurbhanj hen her husband died and invisible of India’s landless chief of Mayurbhanj told the the size of a tennis court. ther complicated by the fact that 2012 also showed there are more district is trying to speed up the seven years ago, leav- class, often from lower caste Thomson Reuters Foundation. Women can receive the land 92% of the 2.5mn-strong popu- households headed by women in identifi cation process by pio- Wing her to fend for indigenous communities. But “They bear a life of exploita- grant on the proviso that they are lation live in rural areas, Odisha Odisha than the national aver- neering a new, informal, com- herself, 37-year-old Kuni Majhi one district, Mayurbhanj in the tion and indignity and even be- living alone and independently. District Government data shows. age, at more than 12%. munity based network of local survived hunger, illness, drunk eastern state of Odisha, is chal- come targets of human traffi ck- Traditionally, most widows, Of these, 66% are classifi ed as India’s 2012 Socio-Economic health workers. Known as ‘an- men hammering at the fl imsy tin lenging gender inequality in the ing and witch-hunting. Their abandoned wives and unmarried indigenous and Dalit and nearly Caste Census data reveals that ganwadi’, they help look after vil- door of her thatched hut - and country’s land laws by off ering suff ering stems from lack of ac- women older than 30, including half lack any schooling or formal 40% of single-women house- lage mothers with children and very nearly lost all hope. land and shelter to women living cess to a land title,” he said. those with disabilities, stay with education. Half are women. hold heads do not own land and now work closely with Depart- Recently however, Majhi was alone. Odisha’s 2014 policy states their extended family. This often Despite introducing more are forced to eke out an existence ment of Women and Child De- off ered a chance of a secure fu- “The indigenous communities that landless single women with means that they forfeit their land progressive inheritance and land through manual labour. velopment to help identify and ture - in the form of a small block here have a fragile family fabric: an annual income below $615 rights because by custom, these rights laws, Odisha district data In India, identifi cation of register landless single women. Swamy again urges Modi to remove RBI governor

IANS “As governor of RBI, Dr Rajan New Delhi sent confi dential and sensitive fi nancial information to various persons around the world on his haratiya Janata Party MP University of Chicago’s unsecure Subramanian Swamy yes- personal e-mail address. This is Bterday again urged Prime a reckless disregard of the secu- Minister Narendra Modi to re- rity interests of India,” the Rajya move central bank chief Ra- Sabha member wrote. ghuram Rajan for, among other Meanwhile, Finance Minister things, “reckless disregard of Arun Jaitley said he disapproved national security interests.” of personal attacks on the RBI Youth Congress activists, some wearing the masks of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley stage a protest in New Delhi against the government In a letter to the prime minis- governor. which marked its second anniversary yesterday. ter, the Rajya Sabha MP raised six “I do not approve of any per- objections against the Reserve sonal comments on anyone, let Bank of India governor’s conduct alone the RBI governor. The RBI as a “government offi cial.” is an important institution; it Swamy accused Rajan of rais- makes its judgment. One can ing interest rates which, ac- agree or disagree with their cording to him, led to reces- judgment, but that is a matter of sion; sending ‘confi dential and debate,” Jaitley told NDTV. sensitive’ fi nancial information Asked about a second term for PM: I have undertaken to various persons around the Rajan, Jaitley was non-commit- world; and being ‘publicly dis- tal on whether he had made up paraging of the BJP government,’ his mind. In response to a ques- among other things. tion whether a decision had been “Dr Rajan’s insistence on rais- taken, the fi nance minister just ing the interest rates led to a re- shrugged his shoulders. He was cession in the domestic small responding to a group of jour- the maximum reforms and medium industries and nalists on Wednesday. thereby caused not only a sharp Asked whether a decision on After two years, Modi says “I have actually undertaken the ment, I used to sit down with all but the mindset of a few people ments but short on delivery. decline in output but also a mas- an RBI governor would need huge task ahead maximum reforms,” Modi said. the experts and ask them to de- hasn’t changed yet,” Modi said In the past two years, the sive unemployment of semi- detailed discussions within the But, he added, “I have an enor- fi ne for me what is the ‘big bang’ at a rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Sa- BJP-led National Democratic skilled labour,” Swamy wrote. government, Jaitley said it did. Agencies mous task ahead for myself.” for them,” Modi said.”Nobody haranpur town. Alliance (NDA) government The other objections raised by He refused to put a date by which New Delhi The Bharatiya Janata Party could tell me.” He said he has come to Uttar has announced around 40 ma- Swamy were that Rajan has a US the government would come out leader swept to power at elec- Modi, who has formed a close Pradesh to represent the report jor schemes, but nothing has green card despite the fact that with its stand. tions in May 2014 with the big- relationship with US President card of his government’s work. happened thereafter, the Shiv he was holding a sensitive and After his nomination to the Ra- rime Minister Narendra gest mandate in 30 years, prom- Barack Obama, is set to address The state will hold assembly Sedna said in an editorial in the very high government of India jya Sabha last month, Swamy has Modi has defended his ising to reform and revive the a joint meeting of the US Con- elections next year. party mouthpiece Saamana. post; his insistence on setting been repeatedly attacking Rajan. Precord of reforming In- struggling economy. gress next month during a trip “As I have said from the ram- The Shiv Sena is not only a up Shariah-compliant fi nancial On May 16, Swamy had writ- dia’s stuttering economy after Growth has since risen to 7.60 to Washington. parts of Red Fort that I am not constituent of the NDA but also institutions; and Rajan being a ten to Modi demanding Rajan’s two years in power, but conced- % in the year ending March, Modi said the invitation “is a prime minister, but a prad- shares power with the BJP in member of the ‘US-dominated’ removal, saying “he is mentally ed that his government faced sky-high infl ation has dropped, a matter of pride for me” add- han sewak (chief helper) of the Maharashtra. Group of 30. not fully Indian.” “an enormous task ahead.” the budget defi cit has narrowed ing that it was an “opportunity 1.25bn people of India, so I work “Despite making a shower In an interview with The Wall and foreign direct investment for me to address the American non-stop to fulfi l the aspira- of various schemes, barely half Street Journal published yes- has soared. people.” tions of the poor and margin- a dozen, like ‘Swachh Bharat Two militants killed in Kupwara gunfight terday, his second anniversary But some investors are dis- Although ties between New alised people of society,” the Abhiyan’, ‘Jan Dhan Yojana’ in offi ce, Modi said he had set a appointed with a lack of “big Delhi and Washington have prime minister said. or ‘PM Gramin Sadak Yojana’ Two militants were killed in Toot Maar Ghali (TMG) area path for faster growth, includ- bang” fundamental reforms strengthened, Modi played “In the last two years I have have reached the people... This yesterday in gunfight with near the LoC in Nowgam sector ing opening up the economy to to overhaul the economy that down any friction with China, tried my best to make the states means the country cannot be security forces in Nowgam of Kupwara district. Troops of foreign investment and curbing would further help pull millions pointing to increasing trade and more powerful so that it can run merely on schemes,” the sector of the Line of Control Rashtriya Rifles (RR) spotted a corruption. of people out of poverty. diplomatic exchanges between work for the upliftof the poor Sena said. (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s group of militants in the TMG But Modi also said he needed Investors were left defl ated Beijing and India. and marginalised,” he added. Taking another swipe at the Kupwara district. A senior police area near the LoC on our side in India’s 29 states to take up the after Modi’s government failed Meanwhile, the prime min- However, the BJP’s ally Shiv Modi government, the Sena off icer said in the summer the morning. When challenged, challenge of reforming land to push a bill through India’s ister took a jibe at the Con- Sena presented its own report said the previous government capital Srinagar that “two the militants resorted to purchasing and rigid labour gridlocked parliament to make it gress and said the country was card yesterday on the second had run the same schemes un- militants have been killed so far indiscriminate firing at the laws, which businesses have easier to buy land for infrastruc- changing but the mindset of anniversary of Modi’s govern- der diff erent names, but due in an encounter between the security forces after which an long complained hamper man- ture and other development. some people hasn’t changed. ment, terming him a “high-fl i- to large-scale corruption, the security forces and militants encounter started there.” ufacturing and development. “When I came to the govern- “The country is changing, er” who is strong on announce- country’s economy got derailed. Mutual trust is vital for For world records, man India-China ties: Pranab performs bizarre acts Reuters ketchup in less than four min- New Delhi utes. IANS global economic uncertainty. “Travel can also be a very im- He even got his family in- Beijing “The joint contribution of the portant binding factor between volved - his wife Bimla holds two countries to world economy the two countries. Indians would man obsessed with a 1991 record for writing the as well as regional and global sta- like to have more opportuni- setting Guinness world’s shortest will: “All to resident Pranab Mukher- bility cannot be underestimated. ties to travel to their holy sites A world records got 366 Son.” jee yesterday said “po- India and China are poised to in China and, in turn, welcome flags tattooed on his body While it is the tattoos on Plitical understanding” be- join the ranks of leading global more Chinese visits to Buddhist and had all his teeth removed his body, more than 500 in all, tween India and China was vital powers,” Mukherjee said. pilgrimage centres in India.” so he could put nearly 500 that brought him fame, Rishi, for closer developmental part- “The two countries are Mukherjee called upon en- drinking straws and more an auto parts manufacturer by nership. emerging economic powers and trepreneurs in India and China than 50 burning candles in profession, says the toughest “One of the ways it could be should remain equally focused to jointly innovate new models his mouth. one was stuffi ng the straws in developed is through enhanced on nurturing global regional and for business and said trade and Har Parkash Rishi, who his mouth. political communication. To global prosperity.” commerce can be the most pow- claims to have set more than “I am the world record build a people-centric part- Underlining the steps for erful agents in boosting ties. 20 records, now calls himself holder of 496 straws in my nership, there must be mutual people-centric India-China re- Meanwhile, NIIT has entered Guinness Rishi. mouth...For that record, I trust predicated on mutual re- lations, the president said that into two strategic agreements in Born in 1942 in a cinema needed space, I had to remove spect and a better appreciation both countries were young socie- China to develop a pool of next hall in New Delhi, Rishi fi rst every tooth so that I could of respective political and social ties and the youth share common generation IT professionals in got into the Guinness Book of put maximum straws in my systems. This can be achieved aspirations and perceptions. big data and analytics, the com- World Records in 1990 when, mouth,” Rishi said. by closer contacts at all levels,” “The annual exchanges be- pany said in statement. with two friends, he rode a He is now getting images Mukherjee said in a lecture on tween India and China have The two strategic agree- scooter for 1,001 hours. of global leaders tattooed India-China relations at Peking been fruitful but both sides need ments in China are with Guiya- The passion to get his name on his body to add to images University in Beijing. to synergise their potential. In ng Municipal Government and in the record book led him to of Prime Minister Narendra Mukherjee, on a four-day offi - a digital age, joint fi lm produc- Guizhou Professional College of perform some bizarre acts, in- Modi, US cial visit to China, said both coun- tions could be useful instruments Electronics in Gui’An New Dis- Guinness Rishi, 74, multiple world record holder including most flags cluding delivering a pizza from President Barack Obama, tries have managed to maintain for creating positive perceptions trict. NIIT fi rst established its tattooed on his body, poses for a photograph outside his apartment New Delhi to San Francisco Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and unity and growth during times of among our people,” he said. presence in China in 1997. in New Delhi. and gulping a bottle of tomato Mahatma Gandhi. Gulf Times 12 Friday, May 27, 2016 INDIA

CONTROVERSY WILDLIFE DIPLOMACY RECRUITMENT ANGER Bajrang Dal leader sent ‘Terrified’ Nilgai rescued Vice president to Japan seeks 15,000 Manjhi’s convoy to judicial custody near parliament visit Morocco, Tunisia nurses from Manipur attacked in Bihar

A Bajrang Dal leader was sent to 14-day A “hyperactive and terrified” Nilgai that caught Vice President Hamid Ansari will embark on a The Japanese government has sought the Former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi’s judicial custody by a Lucknow court yesterday, everyone’s attention while running frenzied five-day foreign tour on May 30 that will take services of at least 15,000 nurses from convoy was attacked yesterday near Dumariah police said. Mahesh Mishra was arrested on near Parliament House was rescued without him to the north African nations of Morocco Manipur, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh in Bihar. A police off icial said villagers were angry Wednesday for calling members of the Muslim using tranquilisers in a four-hour long operation and Tunisia. On May 30, he will reach Morocco’s said. “The Japanese embassy in Delhi has over the delay by Manjhi, the local legislator, in community terrorists. Mishra was also accused yesterday. The Asiatic antelope, identified as an capital Rabat at the invitation of Prime Minister written a formal letter in this regard,” the meeting the family members of two brothers of exhorting at a rally at Karsewakpuram a few adult female, was trapped using rescue nets and Abdelilah Benkirane. “This visit intends to further chief minister said earlier this week. He - Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) member Sudesh days back the Hindu community members to was found to be in good health after undergoing strengthen the cordial relations between the two was of the view that this demand from an Paswan and his brother Sunil Paswan - killed by stockpile weapons and arms to take on the checkups in a special animal ambulance of the countries, further develop and diversify profile advanced country like Japan was due to the Maoists. According to police off icials in Gaya, a “terrorist” community. Soon after Mishra’s wildlife conservation organisation Wildlife SOS. of bilateral economic co-operation and explore good reputation Manipuri nurses enjoy as vehicle of Manjhi’s convoy was also set ablaze by arrest, hundreds of his supporters had gathered “It seems that this Nilgai might have come from new avenues of co-operation and partnership professionals. According to sources, some of the angry people. However, Manjhi’s Hindustani and raised anti-police slogans. The Bajrang Dal the central Ridge area of Delhi, located between on a wide range of issues of shared common the unemployed nurses are likely to apply for Awam Morcha (HAM) party and the LJP, both and its aff iliate Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Sadar Bazaar and Dhaula Kuan,” Suvidha interest,” an external aff airs ministry statement jobs once they learn basic Japanese language. allies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led slammed the Akhilesh Yadav-led government Bhatnagar, Wildlife SOS spokesperson, said. The said. During the course of visit, Ansari will Manipuri nurses are sought in hospitals across National Democratic Alliance (NDA), blamed in Uttar Pradesh for cracking down on their Ridge, spread over 864 hectares, is home to hold discussions with King Mohamed VI and the country for their discipline, eff iciency, supporters of the ruling Grand Alliance of Janata leaders to appease the Muslim community for many Nilgais (Blue Bull). The Nilgai got separated Benkirane. From Morocco, Ansari will reach Tunis hard work, and uncomplaining and friendly Dal-United (JD-U), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) votes. from its herd. on June 2 for a two-day visit. disposition. and Congress for the attack.

Three die, 60 injured Court allows in factory blast near Mumbai second Italian

Agencies Mumbai

n explosion tore through a marine too chemical plant yesterday, Akilling three workers and injuring up to 60 others in Mum- bai, offi cials said. The cylinder blast occurred around 11am, sparking a major to go home fi re at the manufacturing unit of Herbert Brown Pharmaceutical & Research Laboratories in Thane SC agrees to alter Girone’s bail The detention of the marines, district, just north of Mumbai. conditions the murder charges and the long “Three people have been wait for the case to be resolved are declared dead and 30 to 35 Agencies sore subjects in Italy, with Renzi were injured in the factory ex- New Delhi regularly fl ayed by opposition plosion,” Sukhada Narkar, a leaders for failing to get both men spokesperson for Thane police, home. said of the accident in Thane’s he Supreme Court yester- Italy insists the oil tanker, the Dombivli area. day allowed an Italian ma- MV Enrica Lexie, was in inter- “Saddened to know about the Trine accused of killing two national waters at the time of the unfortunate & tragic incident fi shermen to return home pend- incident. that took place at Dombivli,” ing a ruling on where he should be India argues the case is not a tweeted Maharashtra Chief Min- tried in a long-running case that maritime dispute but “a double ister Devendra Fadnavis. has soured ties between the two murder at sea,” in which one fi sh- The impact of the blast was felt countries. erman was shot in the head and up to a radius of 5km and glass Salvatore Girone and fellow the other in the stomach. panes on several buildings had marine Massimiliano Latorre are In December 2014, Rome shattered, Zee news channel re- accused of shooting the fi sher- threatened to withdraw its am- ported. men while protecting an Italian bassador from India after a court Water tankers and fi re engines oil tanker as part of an anti-piracy rejected Latorre’s original request had been sent to the spot, and the mission off the Kerala coast in for medical leave. area had been cordoned off . 2012. Girone: to go home Meanwhile Kerala Chief Minis- State Minister Eknath Shinde Latorre was allowed to travel ter Pinarayi Vijayan expressed the visited the site and promised the back to Italy in 2014 for treatment conditions, the Italian marine state government’s displeasure government would extend fi nan- after suff ering a stroke. Salvatore Girone’s bail condi- over the decision and blamed the cial help to the injured and rela- But Girone has been barred tions are modifi ed,” Justices P C central government. tives of the dead. from leaving India pending the Pant and D Y Chandrachud said Addressing reporters in Thiru- He also said the guilty would be resolution of a dispute between in a written judgment read out in vananthapuram, Vijayan who as- prosecuted. New Delhi and Rome over who court. sumed offi ce on Wednesday, said Dombivli’s Bharatiya Ja- has jurisdiction in the case. Italy initiated international ar- the state was “always unhappy” nata Party legislator Ravindra Girone, who has been living in bitration proceedings in the case with the way the case was handled Chavhan blamed the industries Italy’s embassy in New Delhi, will last year, referring the row to the by the central government. for not following the safety norms be home next Thursday, Italy’s Permanent Court of Arbitration “We have made our position and said he had complained many Republic Day, Prime Minister (PCA) in The Hague and asking it clear right from the time this in- times about it. Matteo Renzi said in a tweet. to rule on where the men should cident occurred; things never He added that such chemical “We confi rm our friendship be tried. went the way it should have. The factories should be kept outside with India, its people and its gov- Under his new bail conditions, Centre never pursued the case in the city. He also said he would ex- ernment,” said Renzi, who has Girone must return to Delhi with- the way it should have been taken tend fi nancial help to the victims’ been under pressure domestically in one month if the PCA rules that up, and hence this has happened,” relatives. to secure the provisional liberty of he face trial in India. said Vijayan. Pooja Pasad, a 23-year-old both marines. Girone also has to surrender his When the incident occurred woman who lives in a colony a “And we see welcome back to passport to the Italian govern- the Oommen Chandy govern- few kilometres away, said she felt seaman Girone who will be with ment when he arrives and regu- ment was in offi ce in Kerala, and the shock waves at home. us on June 2.” larly report to police in Italy, his the United Progressive Alliance Mahavir Nagar colony, which The Supreme Court yesterday lawyer said. (UPA) government led by Man- is within 1km radius too felt the agreed to alter Girone’s bail con- The Indian government’s law- mohan Singh was at the helm of impact and residents vacated the ditions allowing him to return, af- yers did not object to the marine’s aff airs in Delhi. 12 building colony. ter a tribunal in The Hague ruled request to go home and the Italian The then Left opposition in India has a history of fi res this month he should be free to foreign ministry issued a state- Kerala had used the case politi- and other accidents at factories, go, pending the fi nal outcome of ment “confi rming our commit- cally, and frequently mentioned sometimes because of a lack of arbitration. ment to the conditions and for- about the Italian connection in safety measures and inspec- Rescue personnel work at the site of an explosion at a chemical factory in an industrial area in “Having considered submis- malities established by the Indian the case and the “soft corner” the tions. Dombivli on the outskirts of Mumbai yesterday. sions of the parties, subject to Supreme Court.” then central government had. Neighbour arrested over Bread makers not to use ‘harmful’ additives rape of disabled girl IANS “Potassium iodate never had New Delhi any use for us. We were using it since the government had man- Agencies The perpetrator raped the girl The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) dated its use for breads,” he said, New Delhi before attacking her with a sharp chief also said he had sought an eading bread makers adding that the AIBMA has de- object, causing grievous injuries appointment with federal Home yesterday said that they cided to give up use of both addi- all over her body, he said. Minister Rajnath Singh. Lwould stop using chemi- tives because “there is confusion olice have arrested the “She had injuries and cuts on “Today I have sought an ap- cals like potassium bromate and among the consumers regarding neighbour of a mentally her torso, neck, private parts and pointment with Rajnath Singh, to iodate in their products after a its use.” Pdisabled girl who allegedly limbs. He had left her to die by the discuss full statehood,” Kejriwal study warned these may cause He also said both additives are raped her and left her for dead in railway tracks,” Kumar said. said. cancer. in use in other countries includ- New Delhi, offi cials said yesters- A spokesman for Delhi’s All In- “But as it (full statehood) will “We will not use potassium ing the US. day, the latest incident of sexual dia Institute of Medical Sciences, take some time, so till then, we have bromate and iodate if people “In Europe these additives are violence to spark public outrage. where the victim was treated, said to deal with local issues democrati- don’t like it. We were using not used as there are other en- Locals found the 13-year-old she was stable and under obser- cally by taking the public and law them as their use was allowed zymes available,” Hassan said, orphan unconscious and with vation. “She will need more time enforcement agencies together.” by our government and scien- adding the Centre for Science multiple injuries, lying near a se- to recover completely,” Rajeev Earlier, Delhi Commission for tists. We can use other enzymes and Environment never shared cluded railway track on May 18, Maikhuri said. Women (DCW) chief Swati Mali- and emulsifi ers,” Aadil Hassan, its reports with the bread manu- after she went missing from her Opposition parties seized on wal said she would send a notice heading a delegation of the All facturers and they came to know relatives’ home the day before. the attack to criticise Prime Min- to the police as they failed to in- India Bread Manufacturers’ As- about its claims only from the She is now recovering in hos- ister Narendra Modi’s govern- form her and the commission sociation, said at a press confer- media. pital after undergoing life-saving ment, which controls the Delhi even a week after the incident. ence here. After a CSE report suggested surgery, following the attack in a city police force. “It is very shocking that Delhi Hasan, who is the managing the use of potassium bromate southern district of the capital. “Such incidents remind us that police did not inform DCW despite director of Harvest Gold Breads, as an additive in food products “We have arrested the girl’s the Delhi government should have their responsibility to share such said potassium was used as an may lead to cancer, the country’s neighbour for rape and on attempt- control over law and order,” Delhi information with us. I will send a oxidising agent. Admitting its food regulator, the Food Safety ed murder charges. The girl is men- Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal notice to the police on why they overuse was harmful, he said “if and Standards Authority of India tally disabled,” Rajesh Kumar, an said, after visiting the victim in did not inform the commission Harvest Gold Breads managing director Aadil Hassan speaks at a used with sophistication, it only (FSSAI), on Monday banned use investigator in the case said. hospital. about the incident,” Maliwal said. press conference in New Delhi yesterday. adds to the product.” of both additives. Gulf Times Friday, May 27, 2016 13

LATIN AMERICA Colombia peace could reveal jungle species’ secrets: scientists

AFP have long avoided for fear of be- zones controlled by rebels or researching in swamps in the guerrillas marched him hundreds entists would like to know more entists based in those areas be- Bogota ing kidnapped or killed. criminal gangs. north of the country. “Some- of miles, giving him the chance to about the movement of fauna cause of the lack of security,” she “When you look at the map She recalls having to fl ee when times researchers are a bit too observe unfamiliar bird species. between Central America and the says. “There are some very dan- of Colombia in terms of biodi- she came under fi re while carry- daring,” Baptiste said. He secretly made notes about tip of South America, says Maria gerous areas that we know too ountless rare insects and versity, you see incredible gaps,” ing out fi eldwork near the Inirida “They fail to judge the risk and them on cigarette papers. Angela Echeverry, head of a con- little about.” fl owers are said to inhabit says the biologist Brigitte Bap- river in the Amazon. She had un- don’t take account of the fact “He never stopped doing his servation programme at Javeri- The Colombian government Cthe jungles of Colombia, tiste, director of the Humboldt wittingly drawn near a clandes- that the country is in a serious job as a biologist,” said Lina Tono, ana University in Bogota. and the Farc say they are close but decades of war have stopped Institute, a Colombian research tine cocaine factory in a remote armed confl ict.” author of a study on nature re- Between those two points lies to sealing a peace agreement to naturalists from discovering group. area. In 2004 the Revolutionary search in the confl ict, which re- the Darien jungle spanning the end their half-century confl ict. them – until now. “That clearly refl ects the diffi - Other naturalists have been Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) counts the story of Alarcon. border with Panama - one of the “That off ers a lot of opportuni- The promise of a peace deal has culties researchers have in mov- less lucky. In 2011 a gang killed kidnapped the ornithologist Di- Colombia’s jungles are consid- hotspots of the Colombian con- ties for science,” says Alejandro scientists hoping they may soon ing around” the country, where two students, Margarita Gomez ego Alarcon in the northeastern ered one of the most biologically fl ict. “As a university, we cannot Olaya, vice-president of the state explore tropical forests that they parts of the jungle are no-go and Mateo Matamala, who were Sierra del Perija. The communist diverse regions in the world. Sci- take students there or have sci- science institute Colciencias. Thousands of job seekers line up in Rio street

AFP of an online recruitment tool Rio de Janeiro company assisting the event, which was organised by a trade union group. housands of Brazilians But unlike a typical jobs fair lined up at a Rio jobs where people apply for spe- Tfair yesterday, many of cifi c careers, many here were them so desperate to escape blindly off ering their resumes the country’s economic nose- so that they could enter the dive that they said they’d take pool and hope to be picked for anything on off er. anything at all. In a symbol of Brazil’s pre- Diego Pouco, a 19-year-old cipitous slide into economic information technology stu- hardship, the almost station- dent, said he would prefer to ary queue stretched right work in administration, but had across a large central square. joined the line without even They were young, old, knowing what was available. women, men, and their anx- “All we know is they have ious faces told the story of a a lot of openings in various country where unemploy- areas,” he said. Pouco, stand- ment in the fi rst trimester was ing with his friend Felipe Val, 10.9%, the economy is fore- also 19, had waited for three cast to shrink by 3.88% this hours and was about halfway A protester holds a sign reading “Venezuela humanitarian crisis SOS” as police stand guard while public university students in Venezuela protest the policies of the government year and an impeachment trial to the tent. “My feet are kind of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas yesterday. against the president has trig- of tired, but that’s OK, I’m a gered political upheaval. young guy,” he said. Rubens Antonio, 44, said Val said that leaving school he had worked at the BNDES when Brazil is in such dire national development bank straits is a challenge, but that just up the road until he was he is determined to fi nd work. laid off in 2014. “That’s when “We’re always looking,” he the economic crisis started. said, estimating that out of his Opposition demos draw I haven’t had steady work friends just three had the jobs since,” he said. they’d hoped for and that he, At the end of the line was a like most others, got nothing small tent where a half dozen more than badly paid intern- union representatives col- ships. lected resumes and took inter- “Fighting for an opportu- scant crowds in Venezuela views. On off er was something nity is what motivates me,” he increasingly precious in Brazil: said. that nearly seven in 10 Venezue- to the threat of government re- dum on removing Maduro from power to his allies. 6,000 jobs. Brazil’s interim President AFP Caracas lans say they want the leftist pression. “If it were not for the offi ce focuses too heavily on The opposition is trying to The jobs, off ered by a vari- Michel Temer, who took over president to go. strength of arms, they would politics and not enough on the resort to the power of the street ety of companies taking part after Dilma Rousseff was sus- The rally’s leader, former have nothing.” daily problems facing ordinary after the Supreme Court blocked in the collective recruitment pended on May 12 to face an rotesters seeking to oust presidential candidate Henrique But experts also pointed to Venezuelans. its eff orts to pressure Maduro event, “range from managers impeachment trial, says that Venezuela’s President Capriles, said many Venezuelans problems and mistakes in the op- “People don’t feel like these through the legislature, where it to cooks and painters,” said he will institute new business PNicolas Maduro staged could not protest because “most position’s court. protests represent them,” he said. won control in a landslide elec- Fabiano Guedes, an organiser. friendly policies in a bid to re- street rallies but drew scant of them are right now queuing for The low turnout partly re- “They want solutions to social tion victory in December. Guedes said the line had suscitate Brazil’s economy. turnout, a setback the divided food and medicine.” fl ected divisions between Capriles problems, not political ones.” The president is said to control been just as long all day and However, those reforms opposition blamed on repressive Other protesters blamed fears and other, more radical leaders in The opposition has presented the high court and other key state that by mid-afternoon he es- could involve painful cuts to tactics and a spiralling economic of government repression a week the Democratic Unity Roundta- the electoral authorities with the institutions, and so far maintains timated 4,000 people had social programmes and al- crisis. after demonstrators braved tear ble (MUD), a shaky centre-right fi rst of two petitions it must fi le the public support of the army’s turned up, with many more to ready Temer’s government is Some 500 Maduro opponents gas during a march against Ma- coalition held together mainly by to trigger a recall referendum. top brass – despite Capriles’s call come by the evening. Thou- facing questions over its links gathered in eastern Caracas, duro and the state of emergency shared hatred of Maduro, political It is now waiting for the signa- for the military to back a recall sands more people would be to a massive corruption scan- waving the red, yellow and blue he has imposed. analyst Benigno Alarcon of Andres tures to be counted. The National vote. fi ling applications online. dal centered on state oil com- Venezuelan fl ag and banners de- Those disturbances raised Bello Catholic University said. Electoral Board (CNE) has said it In a gesture of defi ance to his “I knew there’d be a lot of pany Petrobras. nouncing the daily woes a crip- fears of deeper unrest in Ven- “Capriles kind of did this on will do so by June 2, but the MUD opponents and the US, Maduro people, but not this many,” he Antonio said the impeach- pling recession has wrought on ezuela, where anti-government his own, to the chagrin of other accuses it of dragging its feet. fl exed his muscles last weekend said. “We’re in crisis. Brazil is ment of Rousseff and switch to the country: shortages of food rallies in 2014 led to riots that parties,” he said. Although Maduro is deeply with a series of military exer- broken.” Temer did not give him hope. and medicine, power cuts and killed 43 people. Fellow analyst Nicmer Evans unpopular, time is on his side. If cises. He blames the crisis on an In the tent, interviewers “It’s not going to change violent crime. “I am marching in fear, but I said the opposition’s game plan the recall referendum is delayed “economic war” against him by wore shirts emblazoned with anything,” he said. “They’re But the numbers remained am marching,” said one demon- of pressuring the electoral au- until next year, he could forestall Venezuelan elites with Washing- “Be Work Happy,” the slogan all the same thieves.” relatively small, especially given strator, Daniela Huizi, referring thorities to organise a referen- new elections by simply handing ton’s backing. Brazil limits on foreign Illegal mining crackdown Honduran duo seeks dismissal of US case ownership of land to go millions of dollars of their assets. Reuters New York They pointed to a March deci- Reuters Rules overseeing deals were Eletrobras plans to sell some sion from the US Supreme Court Brasilia changed to limit the amount assets such as its power distri- declaring it unconstitutional for of land foreign investors could bution subsidiaries. wo members of a promi- the government to restrain as- buy. Formalities with docu- “We will have to fi nd a solu- nent Honduran family ac- sets belonging to defendants razil’s government plans mentation were increased, tion for Eletrobras,” he said. Tcused by US authorities of that are not linked to the criminal to lift current limits on making deals much more com- The company has not posted engaging in a decade-long mon- conduct, and are needed to hire Bforeign ownership of plex. an annual profi t since 2012 and ey laundering scheme are seek- counsel of their choice. agricultural land, Secretary of But without foreign lenders is asking for at least 32bn reais ing the dismissal of the charges Lawyers for Yankel Rosenthal Investment Moreira Franco, able to receive land as collateral from the government as com- after the government froze their said as a result, the govern- the person behind privatisa- if local borrowers defaulted, pensation for the early renewal assets and made paying their ment was violating his “right to tion for the new administra- the restrictions began to limit of operating licences in 2013 lawyers impossible. counsel of his choice by block- tion, said. international credit, especially that sharply reduced its rev- Yankel Rosenthal, a former ing funds he otherwise could use to pay counsel to defend against Franco called the restriction in the agricultural sector. enues. minister of investment under current Honduran President that same government’s pros- on sales of agricultural land to Companies in Brazil’s com- Moreira Franco did not Juan Orlando Hernandez, and ecution of him.” foreign individuals and compa- modities sector have long de- want to defi ne possible rates Yani Rosenthal, a former Cabi- A spokesman for Manhattan nies “nonsense” and said inter- fended a review of the rules, to of return over investment in net member in Honduras, fi led US attorney Preet Bharara de- im President Michel Temer will allow for more investment to projects Brazil intends to auc- papers in a federal court in Man- clined comment. reconsider the issue. fl ow into the country, especial- tion off to private investors. hattan to dismiss their indict- The two men were charged The restriction was adopted ly in the timber industry. But he said the government ment. in October along with Jaime in 2010 by former president Pulp and sugar industries are has no intention of continuing Prosecutors said the Rosenthal, a former vice presi- Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. among those defending the end to subsidise credit lines pro- Rosenthals used their businesses dent, and Andres Acosta Garcia, “The government will dis- of restrictions. vided by development bank to engineer a scheme to launder a lawyer with the family’s Grupo cuss the issue, see how it can Moreira Franco also spoke BNDES, thus reversing policies drug traffi cking and foreign brib- Continental conglomerate. solve this. It is something com- about the fi nancially dis- of the previous administration ery proceeds through US bank The treasury department’s pletely unreasonable,” said tressed, federal power holding of suspended President Dilma accounts. Offi ce of Foreign Assets Con- Franco. company Centrais Eletricas Rousseff . The motions came after trol classifi ed the Rosenthals Lula’s administration was Brasileiras SA, or Eletrobras. “The government has no Colombia’s president Juan Manuel Santos (centre) answers months of wrangling over their and seven businesses, includ- concerned at that time that He said the government is conditions to do that. It is not questions from journalists as he verifies the results of a inability to pay their lawyers due ing Grupo Continental and countries such as China could still evaluating what actions to a question of my or the govern- Colombian army’s crackdown against illegal mining in the Choco to the US treasury department in its Banco Continental unit, as take control of large segments take regarding the company’s ment’s desire, it’s just the real- department, western Colombia. October taking steps that result- “specially designated narcotics of arable land in Brazil. fi nancial woes, but confi rmed ity,” he said. ed in the freezing of hundreds of traffi ckers.” Gulf Times 14 Friday, May 27, 2016 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

Pakistan may Taliban still bent on violence double tax on transfer despite new leader: Obama of properties Internews AFP consensus from his supreme Islamabad Ise-Shima, Japan council. Mansour’s killing marked a signifi cant shift for Washington, he government of Paki- opes of negotiating highlighting a new willingness stan may double the tax peace with the Afghan to target Taliban leaders in Paki- Tburden of sellers and pur- HTaliban’s new leader stan and risk retaliatory attacks chasers on transfer of properties were swiftly fading from all against struggling Afghan secu- in addition to fi xing a fl at 10% sides yesterday, as US President rity forces. tax rate on gains made on sale Barack Obama warned the ex- It sent shockwaves through of properties within fi ve years of tremist movement will continue the insurgent movement, which holding period. killing in Afghanistan. had seen a resurgence under Sources said Finance Minister Obama told reporters in Japan, Mansour. Ishaq Dar has cleared a budget where he is meeting with other He was killed just nine months proposal to increase the tax bur- leaders of the Group of Seven after being formally appointed den of both fi lers and non-fi lers nations, that he doubted the in- leader following a bitter power of tax returns on transfer of the surgents would come to the table struggle upon confi rmation of properties to generate Rs13bn in “anytime soon”. founder Mullah Omar’s death. revenue. “We anticipate the Taliban Omar died in 2013, but his If approved by Prime Minis- will continue an agenda of vio- death was kept secret for two ter Nawaz Sharif, the govern- lence,” he said. years, with Mansour issuing ment may double withholding Obama was speaking the statements in his name - a rev- tax rate to 1% for those sellers day after the militants named elation that helped fuel internal who are filers of income tax re- Haibatullah Akhundzada as opposition and splintered the turns. their new leader, elevating a group into rival factions, shat- For sellers who are non-fi lers, low-profi le religious fi gure in a tering the nascent peace process the proposed withholding tax on swift power transition after the that had begun last summer. transfer of properties is 2%, ac- death of Mullah Akhtar Mansour Before his killing, Mansour cording to sources. in a US drone strike. had written a will handpicking Similarly, the government Analysts have said it is unclear Akhundzada to be his successor, may also double withholding tax if Akhundzada, who faces the Taliban sources said, in an ap- rates for purchasers on transfer enormous challenge of unify- parent bid to lend legitimacy to of properties. Currently, pur- ing the increasingly fragmented his appointment. chasers who fi le income tax re- militant movement, will emu- Pakistan said that attempts to turns pay 1 per cent of the value late his former boss in shunning restart talks had been “scuttled” of the property in withholding peace talks with the Afghan gov- by Mansour’s killing, with the tax. ernment. Pakistani Sunni supporters of pro-Taliban party Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Nazaryati (JUI-N) march as they shout slogans during a protest in Quetta country’s top foreign aff airs of- According to the budget But the US killing of Mansour on May 25, 2016, against a US drone strike in Pakistan’s southwestern province Balochistan in which killed Afghan Taliban leader Mullah fi cial lashing out at a briefi ng in proposal, this rate will be in- showed that Washington has at Akhtar Mansour. Islamabad yesterday. creased to 2%. Withholding least for now abandoned hopes The strike has “undermined tax on non-filing purchasers of reviving the direct peace talks a point where the Taliban realise source speaking to AFP in Paki- US is not sincere in bringing dent Ashraf Ghani was more the Afghan peace process”, Sar- will be increased to 4% from between Kabul and the Taliban, what they need to be doing” and stan, where Mansour was killed peace in Afghanistan, so peace hawkish, tweeting Thursday: taj Aziz said. the current 2%, sources add- which broke down for the fi rst start getting into a dialogue with in the strike Saturday, who said talks at any level will remain “Taliban groups have yet an- The US, China, Afghanistan ed. time last summer. the government, he said. there would be no shift in the suspended till the new decision other chance to end violence/lay and Pakistan had agreed at talks However, any decision to in- Obama acknowledged that he “I am doubtful that it will be militants’ stance. by the leadership council.” their arms & start normal life. about the peace process in Is- crease taxes for fi lers of income was never going to fi nd a willing happening anytime soon.” “We consider Nato and the US In Afghanistan, an offi cial Or they’ll face the same fate as lamabad earlier this month that tax returns in the new budget negotiating partner at the helm The Taliban has made no of- troops as invaders and our re- with the High Peace Council was their leadership.” a “politically negotiated settle- goes against Finance Minister of the extremist group. fi cial statement on the future sistance movement will contin- cautious on the future of talks, - Peace ‘scuttled’ - Analysts ment was the most viable op- Ishaq Dar’s commitment. “I was not expecting a liberal of peace negotiations since an- ue,” the source said Wednesday, saying Akhundzada “may not be have said that even if he favours tion”, he said. While addressing a pre- democrat to be appointed,” he nouncing Akhundzada’s leader- after Akhundzada’s leadership interested in political dialogue at peace talks, Akhundzada - seen “This understanding has not budget seminar, Dar assured the told reporters. ship. was announced. least in the short term” but vow- by some as a symbolic rather been respected...In less than a government would not put extra “My hope, although not my But Obama’s comments were “The drone strike against ing the council will continue its than functional leader - would year, the peace process has been burden on existing taxpayers in expectation, is that there comes reinforced by a senior Taliban (Mansour) has proved that the “endeavours for peace”. Presi- be unlikely to proceed without scuttled twice.” the new budget.

Speculation abounds over new CII proposes husbands be Taliban chief’s leaked photo allowed to beat defying wives Internews Hijab; interacts with stran- says if any non-Muslim wom- AFP US drone strike in Pakistan? And rather than the group. Islamabad gers; speaks loud enough an is forced to convert, then Kabul who was behind it? “The new Taliban chief is an that she can easily be heard the oppressor will be awarded Those questions have prompt- Islamic scholar and he too will by strangers; and provides three-year imprisonment ed an international avalanche of not like a picture of his in the he Council of Islamic monetary support to people while the woman will not be n ordinary, albeit strik- social media speculation. media,” he said. Ideology (CII) in Paki- without taking consent of murdered if she reverts to her ingly clear, headshot of “If u were the Taliban wld u “But now that it has been Tstan has proposed its her spouse. previous faith. Athe secretive Afghan Tali- want (pictures) of your leader published they have no way to own women protection bill, A copy of the 163-page Sources in the CII said that ban’s newly appointed chieftain splashed around so he can be take it back.” recommending ‘a light beat- bill proposes several bans on the proposed bill is under has triggered a fl urry of specula- droned easily?” one Twitter user The clarity of the image has ing’ for the wife if she defi es women. It says there should consideration by the body tion over the motive behind its said. led some to speculate that intel- the husband. be a ban on co-education af- and further deliberation will release. “Oh hey look the Taliban have ligence agencies were behind its The 20-member CII is a ter primary education, ban continue and CII Chairman A picture of Haibatullah Ak- released a picture of their lat- circulation. constitutional body which on women from taking part in Mohamed Khan Sheerani will hundzada was unoffi cially circu- est hellfi re-missile-bait leader,” “The clear portrait shot... gives recommendations to military combat, ban on wel- give fi nal recommendations lated on social media soon after said another. looks like something from the parliament regarding Islamic coming foreign delegations, with the consent of other he was declared the new Taliban A member of the Taliban’s This handout photograph archives of a security agency,” laws. However, parliament is interacting with males and members. leader on Wednesday, taking ji- media commission sought to released by the Afghan Taliban one Western offi cial in Kabul not bound to consider its rec- making recreational visits with They said during the de- hadi watchers by surprise. downplay the speculation, say- on May 25 shows, according said. ommendations. ‘Na-Mehram’. liberation yesterday three Only a grainy image of Mul- ing the picture was taken more to the Afghan Taliban, the new When the Taliban ruled Af- The bill was drafted after the It says female nurses should members, Justice (retd) Man- lah Omar, the insurgent group’s than 12 years ago when Akhun- Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada. ghanistan between 1996 and CII rejected Punjab’s contro- not be allowed to take care zoor Hussain Gilani, Dr Noor secretive one-eyed founder who dzada went on Haj pilgrimage to 2001, almost all electronic versial Protection of Women of male patients and recom- Ahmed Shahtaz and Mohamed died two years ago, was pub- Saudi Arabia. lease his picture but was forced products were outlawed as un- against Violence Act (PPWA) mends that women should be Abdullah, raised objections on lished and the Taliban released a “Now Akhundzada is an old to confi rm its authenticity after Islamic. 2015 terming it un-Islamic. banned from working in ad- many clauses of the proposed coarse handout photo of his suc- man with a white beard but we it made a splash online. Photographs of living things The CII will now forward its vertisements. bill and urged the chairman to cessor Mullah Akhtar Mansour. cannot release his latest picture “We don’t know who did it,” were illegal and ownership of proposed bill to the Punjab As- It recommends that an moderate the bill. So why was a high-resolution for security reasons,” he said. he told AFP. a video player could lead to a sembly. abortion after 120 days of They said the bill was draft- portrait photo, showing Akhun- Taliban spokesman Zabi- Taliban expert Rahimullah public lashing. But the Taliban The council has proposed conceiving should be declared ed by Mufti Imdadullah, a dzada with a salt-and-pepper hullah Mujahid added another Yousafzai suggested the pic- have avidly embraced electronic that a husband should be al- ‘murder’. member who belongs to JUI-F, beard, circulated just days after layer of intrigue, telling AFP the ture may have been released communication and social me- lowed to ‘lightly’ beat his wife However, it says a woman adding that above three mem- Mansour was incinerated in a group had not intended to re- by insurgent sympathisers dia in recent years. if she defi es his commands and can join politics and contract bers have insisted the chair- refuses to dress up as per his a Nikah without permission of man and Imdad follow the desires; turns down demand parents. current circumstances while of intercourse without any re- The bill suggests that any- drafting the law. ligious excuse or does not take one who tries to force women They said the bill was dis- bath after intercourse or men- to marry with the Holy Qur’an cussed by a panel comprising PSO seeks govt advice on oil import from UAE strual periods. or facilitate this should be men as the only female CII It has suggested that a awarded 10-year imprison- member, Dr Sameeha Raheel beating is also permissible if ment. Qazi, was not present yester- Internews troleum itself was not in a posi- question in the instant case was to Gulf Petrochem and one to a woman does not observe Similarly, the proposed bill day. Islamabad tion to take responsibility for a not the origin of the product be- BB Energy through sport tender decision that may have political cause it would be sourced from at a premium ranging between repercussions. or blended in Fujairah, UAE, by $14.98 per tonne freight on akistan State Oil (PSO) Therefore, it has asked the a company based there but its board to $20 per tonne FOB. has sought advice from PSO to refer the case to the sponsors being of Indian origin. Pakistan is defi cient in fur- Pthe government if it could ministry of commerce which it He explained that oil imports nace oil, premier motore gaso- Slight drop in terror attacks observed award a contract for import of considered was the right forum from India were not allowed previ- line (PMG) and HSD. Pakistan 325,000 tonnes of petroleum to deal with issues of imports ously but some products, excluding has been procuring HSD from products from a lowest bidder of and exports. A senior petrole- High Speed Diesel, were included in Kuwait through a long term con- Internews The number of improvised cidents have been reported in Indian origin based in the United um ministry offi cial declined to the import list 4-5 year ago. tract whereas PMG and Fuel Oil Peshawar explosive device (IED) blasts Peshawar during the current Arab Emirates. comment on the issue, saying a He said the bidder had fulfi lled are imported on spot tender ba- have reduced to eight against year while nine were reported In a letter to the ministry question had been asked by PSO all requirements mentioned in sis to meet the shortfall. How- 15 last year. last year. of petroleum and natural re- which needed to be deliberated the tender and submitted bid ever, due to oil industry strike slight decrease has been Also, no suicide attack has As per statistics, 821 pro- sources, the state-run company upon at the appropriate level. bond. He said the PSO manage- in Kuwait last month a force reported in terrorist at- been reported as compared to claimed off enders were ar- reported that Gulf Petrochem “Since we have not given a ment should have taken a deci- majeure was declared by Kuwait Atacks in the provincial one during the same period in rested till May 18 against 468 Group had emerged as success- proper answer to the PSO, it sion at its own, but it unneces- Petroleum Company and PSO capital from January 1 to May 2015. last year. ful bidder for fi ve cargoes of would be premature to comment sarily shifted its responsibility to fl oated tender to meet the de- 18 as compared to the same No rocket attack has The statistics revealed that furnace oil, diesel and jet fuel of on the issue in public,” he said. the ministry. mand of harvesting season and period last year, offi cial statis- been reported in the city so overall crime incidents have about 65,000 tonnes each. Secretary of Petroleum Ar- PSO has fi nalised about 20 electricity generation. tics said. far while one attack hap- decreased from 522 to 376, The company has sought the shad Mirza was not available for cargoes of High Sulphur Furnace In a recently opened tender, a According to the offi cial pened last year. However, the with signifi cant cut in kidnap- government’s advice and the comments. Oil (HSFO) of 65,000 tonnes new company Gulf Petrochemi- fi gures, 46 terrorist incidents number of target killings has ping, car-lifting, assault on permission to go ahead with Another offi cial, when asked each for May 25 to June 30 pe- cal participated and won fi ve were reported in Peshawar till almost doubled if compared police, robberies, burglaries, award of the contract. Informed if oil imports from India were riod, including nine to Bakri, fi ve cargoes of fuel oil, HSD and jet May 18 against 49 in the same with the last year. theft, child kidnapping and sources said the ministry of pe- allowed in Pakistan, said the cargoes to Swiss Singapore, fi ve fuel. period in 2015. A total of 18 target killing in- others. Gulf Times Friday, May 27, 2016 15 PHILIPPINES New government to face early test over food security

Reuters ing mounting drought damage, potentially vital imports may In 2008, lower Asian rice paign spokesman Peter Lavina Duterte’s choice for agricul- ceived, but no deals have hap- Manila just as the country’s big Asian be delayed as the incoming ad- output also due to an El Nino said an April plan to allow the ture minister, Emmanuel Pinol, pened, and this is really adding rice suppliers also suff er from an ministration of Rodrigo Duterte, prompted India to ban exports, state buyer to import an addi- has said the administration will some intrigue to the market,” El Nino weather pattern. who campaigned on making food sparking panic measures in the tional 500,000 tonnes this year bar private traders from import- said James Fell, an economist at hile Philippine elec- In a country where rice ac- available and aff ordable, looks to Philippines - including ordering would be reviewed and the ad- ing rice and put the task entirely the International Grains Council tions this month were counts for about a quarter of overhaul policies and review ex- troops to supervise subsidised ministration would immediately in the hands of the state grains in London. Wdominated by talk the expenditure of the poor, isting state purchase plans. rice sales and asking fast food talk to Vietnam, Thailand and agency, the National Food Au- NFA spokesman Angel Impe- about crushing crime, the next any supply disruptions are ex- “Now is the right time to im- chains to serve half-portions. Cambodia on new deals. thority (NFA), a move that some rial said there was no urgent need president faces another criti- tremely sensitive. Big purchases port as prices are starting to Manila also had to scramble Lavina said the aim was to traders say could stall imports. to import given ample stocks. cal early test: ensuring there is by the world’s third-biggest im- trend up,” said Bruce Tolentino, to import more rice in 2014 after make the country self-suffi cient “Many traders were expect- April stocks can meet 99 days of enough rice for the country’s porter can also send shockwaves deputy director general for com- prices shot up due to typhoon in rice within one to two years, ing the Philippines to make the consumption, up from March’s more than 100mn people. through markets. munication at the International crop damage. but would still allow imports large 500,000 tonnes purchase 87 days, after the delayed arrival The Philippine crop is suff er- There are now concerns that Rice Research Institute (IRRI). On May 13, Duterte’s cam- until this was achieved. shortly after approval was re- of some rice imported last year. Duterte to Tough life meet MNLF chief in bid to broker peace

By Manila Times of president Fidel Ramos was Manila set aside by President Benigno Aquino 3rd when he forged a peace agreement with the Moro resident-elect Rodrigo Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Duterte yesterday showed The MILF is a breakaway Preadiness to broker peace group of the MNLF. with rebel groups as he declared The fi nal peace pact signed by he is willing to go to Jolo in Sulu the MNLF paved the way for the to meet Moro National Lib- establishment of the Autono- eration Front (MNLF) chairman mous Region in Muslim Mind- Nur Misuari. anao (ARMM). Misuari was the Duterte issued the state- fi rst ARMM governor. ment apparently to appease the Had the peace agreement rebel group after its spokesman signed by the Aquino admin- claimed that MNLF members istration and the MILF been were snubbed by the mayor passed by Congress, the ARMM when they sought him out in would be replaced by the Bang- A housewife whose family lives in a shanty cooks beside a road in Manila. Davao City after the elections. samoro region. “The MNLF said they were Johny Siao, chief of the MN- snubbed. We did not really do LF’s National Border Command that,” Duterte told reporters in a based in General Santos City, news conference in Davao City. said majority of their members “Just to prove a point that I’m support Duterte’s move to push really interested… I will fl y to federalism. Jolo and talk to Nur,” he said. Siao claimed his group will MNLF spokesman Rev. Absa- choose federalism over imple- lom Cerveza earlier complained mentation of the 1996 peace that they went to Davao on May agreement because the latter only China ‘breaking deal 16 to talk to Duterte but they were benefi ts some parts of Mindanao. not given the opportunity. “To be He said whatever agreement ignored is a great insult,” Cerveza will be reached by Duterte and said in a previous interview. Misuari will be relayed to MNLF Duterte, however, insisted members during consultations that there was no deliberate ef- before making it fi nal. fort to snub the rebel group. “Be- With Duterte bent on chang- on Scarborough Shoal’ lieve me, I don’t do that,” he said. ing the form of government When asked about his planned from presidential to federal, the Reuters which about $5tn in ship-borne ence is something that we have not authorised to speak to the said, allaying the fears that Bei- meeting with Misuari, Duterte chance for passage of the pro- Manila goods pass every year. continuously objected to,” media. jing might reclaim the shoal, replied, “I’ll fi nd time. Misuari posed Bangsamoro Basic Law in Beijing seized control of Aquino told reporters in his China has reclaimed seven just outside the former US naval does not want to travel. He is Congress is nil, Siao claimed. Scarborough Shoal, near the hometown in Tarlac, north of reefs in the Spratlys islands, base in Subic. facing charges. He is a fugitive.” He said MNLF and MILF of- hilippine President Be- main Philippine island of Lu- the Philippine capital. building two airfi elds, ports, There have been many “red Misuari has been in hid- fi cials will meet on Saturday in nigno Aquino yesterday zon, in June 2012, following a “There was a deal, which we lighthouses radars, and other lines” in China’s assertive be- ing since his followers attacked Davao City. Siao, however, did Paccused China of break- three-month standoff after a observed religiously. We hope military structures, which the haviour in the South China Sea, Zamboanga City in 2013. Al- not say what the two groups ing a US-brokered deal be- Philippine navy vessel tried to the other side will do what we US has called a clear move to Aquino added, such as harass- though Duterte did not say what will discuss in the rare meeting. tween the two nations on the arrest Chinese fi shermen found have done.” militarise the disputed area. ing a survey ship hired by an issues will be tackled during his He said Jimmy Labawan, MNLF Scarborough Shoal, an unin- illegally hauling giant clams China’s embassy in Manila In March, Washington Anglo-Philippine fi rm seeking meeting with Misuari, a com- central committee vice chair- habited rocky outcrop in the there. did not respond to Reuters’ re- warned that China might next oil and gas in the Reed Bank. mander of the MNLF said the man, will be among the offi cials South China Sea. Yesterday, Aquino said the quest for comment on Aquino’s reclaim the Scarborough Shoal, Both Reed Bank and Scar- two will possibly discuss fed- present at the meeting. China claims almost the en- US moved in quickly to re- remarks. after Beijing sent survey ships to borough Shoal lie in the Phil- eralism and a peace agreement Duterte, the incumbent mayor tire South China Sea, believed solve the standoff, brokering Beijing has denied ever mak- the area, although a Philippine ippines’ 200-mile exclusive signed by the Philippine govern- of Davao City, said he and the to have rich deposits of oil and a “face-saving” deal by asking ing a deal with Manila and military aircraft despatched to economic zone, Aquino said, ment and the group in 1996 that National Democratic Front have gas. both nations to pull out their Washington, a Philippine dip- check the reports did not fi nd a calling China’s actions a viola- has not been fully implemented. reached an agreement on a frame- Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vi- ships, but only the Philippines lomat who was involved in the survey ship there. tion of a 2002 pact on the South The peace pact signed by work for peace talks between the etnam and the Philippines also withdrew. negotiations said on condition “China is not reclaiming China Sea between China and Misuari and the administration government and the NDF. claim the waterway, through “Now, their continued pres- of anonymity, because he was Scarborough Shoal,” Aquino ten Southeast Asian nations.

Duterte apologises for Jose hailed for Cannes win Canadian’s beheading Economic growth outside Philippine President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has apologised to the Canadian prime minister for the beheading of a Canadian of ‘dead’ Manila pledged by a militant group, saying he would try to make sure “nothing like this” happens again. AFP Duterte, who won a landslide is on vivid display in Manila, Duterte, 71, has yet to be Davao election victory just over two where the slums are just a few declared winner of the May 9 weeks ago, said repeatedly while kilometres from gated villages election, but an off icial vote campaigning one of his top pri- with luxury homes for the rich, count shows him 6mn votes ncoming Philippine presi- orities would be improving the as well as glittering skyscrapers ahead of his closest rival, in part dent Rodrigo Duterte yes- lives of about 26mn Filipinos, and billion-dollar casino com- because of his campaign of Iterday pledged to spread more than a fourth of the popu- plexes. crushing crime, corruption and economic activity beyond the lation, who live on $1.30 a day or Duterte expressed dismay at drug abuse. “Please accept my overpopulated capital of Manila, less. the sight of Manila’s polluted apologies for the incident that calling it a “dead” city overrun canals, which are surrounded by resulted to the killing of your by shantytowns. “If there are any investors shantytowns. national,” Duterte yesterday Duterte said he would cre- coming in, I will tell them Duterte, who will begin a six- said he told Prime Minister ate new jobs by setting up eco- I will not allow factories year term on June 30, said he Justin Trudeau who called him nomic zones outside of Manila anymore in Manila” wanted to create opportunities up to congratulate him on his to spread the wealth beyond the elsewhere so people would not election win. “We will try to see sprawling metropolis of about Popular frustrations over have to live in such squalid con- to it that nothing like this will 15mn people, and that he would the sharp rich-poor divide that ditions. happen again.” Canadian John not allow any more factories to largely remain despite years of “I will ask the engineers to Ridsdel, a former mining execu- be built in the capital. continuous strong economic fi nd land because we will build tive, was beheaded by the Abu “I have to create more jobs but growth under incumbent leader economic zones there,” Duterte Sayyaf on the southern island Manila is already saturated,” Du- Benigno Aquino helped to bring said, adding people living in the of Jolo on April 25. Trudeau terte told reporters in the south- Duterte to power, analysts have Manila slums would be moved at the time called it “an act of ern city of Davao, which he has said. there. cold-blooded murder”. Another ruled as mayor for most of the Lack of opportunities around “I have to relocate them but Canadian, a Norwegian and a past two decades. the rest of the Philippines have before I relocate them, I have to Filipino woman are still being “If there are any investors for decades made Manila a establish economic activity.” held captive by the Al Qaeda- coming in, I will tell them I will magnet for people seeking a Manila accounts for more linked militants eight months not allow factories anymore in better life, but millions have than a third of the economic Filipina actress Jaclyn Jose poses with film director Brillante Mendoza during a press after they were abducted in an Manila, not only because it is a instead been forced to live output of the country, with two conference in Manila. The Philippines’ entertainment industry celebrated Jose’s surprise upscale resort near Davao City, dead city but because I have to miserable existences in mega- surrounding regions contribut- win at the Cannes film festival, hailing her as one of the nation’s hardest working and most where Duterte was mayor for build a new environment for the slums. ing another quarter, according to versatile actresses who deserves global acclaim. two decades. people.” The nation’s rich-poor divide offi cial data. Gulf Times 16 Friday, May 27, 2016 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL Police suspect JMB’s hand in shop-owner’s murder

AFP Wednesday’s killing of 60-year- ilar circumstances in Bangladesh had been hacked by his killers, by suspected Islamist militants fessor, a Hindu tailor and a Sufi IS later claimed responsibility Dhaka old Debesh Chandra Pramanik since early April. without saying how many peo- in Bangladesh. leader have also been murdered for the murder through its Amaq appeared to be part of a long- District police chief Ashrfaul ple were involved in the attack Police say around 40 people since last month Although IS news agency, according to the running dispute between him Islam said the fatal stabbing which took place as he opened have been killed by homegrown and Al Qaeda’s local affi liate SITE monitoring group. angladesh police said and another Hindu who was bore similarities to previous at- his store at daybreak. Islamists in the past three years, have claimed responsibility for Bangladesh’s secular govern- yesterday they suspect later arrested. tacks by Jamayetul Mujahidden Although no one from JMB has and there has been a spike in at- most of the murders, authorities ment has repeatedly insisted Blocal Islamists may have But a top offi cer said the fo- Bangladesh (JMB) which is also so far been arrested, police said tacks in recent weeks. have consistently poured cold that international Islamist murdered a one-legged Hindu cus was now on local militants, suspected of murdering another an operation had been launched A homoeopathic doctor was water on their claims. groups have no presence in the shop-owner who was hacked rejecting a claim by the Islamic Hindu businessman in Gaiband- to detain local followers. hacked to death with machetes Police and Pramanik’s fam- country and instead blames its to death outside his store, the State (IS) group that it was be- ha in February. “We’ve launched raids in the on Friday, less than a week after a ily had initially blamed a heroin domestic opponents. latest in a wave of killings of hind the attack in the northern “We suspect that members of area,” Islam said. Buddhist monk was slaughtered addict for Wednesday’s murder, Hindus, the country’s larg- liberals and religious minori- Gaibandha district. JMB may have killed him,” Islam The attack comes amid a wave in a similar manner. saying the attack was sparked by est religious minority, make ties. Pramanik was the ninth per- said. of murders of liberals, secular An atheist student, two gay the victim’s refusal to pay extor- up nearly 10% of Bangladesh’s Police had initially said son to be hacked to death in sim- Islam said Pramanik’s neck activists and religious minorities rights activists, a liberal pro- tion money. 160mn people.

Nepal bus drivers Dhaka probes strike over traffi c fi ne hike 2013 hack for

Agencies Kathmandu links to heist us drivers were on strike across Nepal yesterday in Bprotest at a hike in traffi c fi nes. Many people were walking to work as the seven main trans- at central bank port associations kept buses, public minivans and taxis off The unsolved theft of bank funds, said a senior bank The two other cases that have the roads. $250,000 at Sonali Bank offi cial. come to light are a $12mn theft At least 60 people were arrest- involved fraudulent transfer Authorities are now review- from Banco del Austro in Ecua- ed in Kathmandu after reported requests sent over the SWIFT ing the case to see if there are any dor in January and an attack on vandalism by strike supporters international payments links that can help them track Vietnam’s Tien Phong Bank in on taxis attempting to work. network down the criminals behind the December that was not success- The basic fi ne for simple of- Bangladesh Bank heist. ful. fences like parking in the wrong Reuters At Sonali Bank, hackers in- The Sonali Bank theft was place or malfunctioning indica- Dhaka stalled key-logger software on reported by Bangladesh media tor lights was hiked on May 15 a computer to gain passwords at the time, but has faded from from Rs200 ($2) to Rs500. to other systems, then sent public memory. In case of accidental death, angladesh police are re- fraudulent transfer requests over Police said they only recently compensation to be paid to fam- viewing a nearly forgotten SWIFT, said the senior bank of- became aware of similarities ilies of the deceased has been B2013 cyber heist at the na- fi cial who is part of its IT opera- with the central bank heist. increased to Rs4,000 from the tion’s largest commercial bank tions. “This is an interesting issue previous Rs900. In case of in- for connections to February’s that we’ve come to know,” said jury, immediate treatment ex- $81mn heist at the country’s “We are actively looking the senior police official, who penses to be paid to the victim central bank, a senior law en- into other possible declined to be identified fur- has been increased to Rs2,300 forcement offi cial said. instances of such fraud, ther. “We’ll have to look into from Rs1,800. The unsolved theft of but we will not comment it.” Hundreds of people, including $250,000 at Sonali Bank in- on individual entities” News of these attacks has transport entrepreneurs, driv- volved fraudulent transfer re- tested faith in the security of ers and their assistants, were quests sent over the SWIFT in- Police arrested two employ- SWIFT, a key conduit for glo- seen on the streets protesting ternational payments network. ees who had responsibility for bal fi nancial transactions that is against the hike. Normal vehicu- It is not widely known outside initiating and approving money used by more than 11,000 banks lar movement across the country of Bangladesh, and in fact was transfer instructions, but they and other institutions. was also hit hard by the protest. treated as a cold case until Bang- were later freed without being Regulators and banks have Around 4,000 security per- ladesh police revived the inves- charged. already implemented reviews sonnel have been deployed in tigation after thieves in February Sonali Bank managing direc- of SWIFT security measures to Kathmandu to prevent unto- also used the SWIFT network to tor Pradip Kumar Dutta said determine whether other banks ward incidents. Home min- steal $81mn from Bangladesh that the attackers remain at could be vulnerable to similar istry spokesman Yadav Koi- Bank. large and no money has been re- attacks. rala said stern action will be Sonali Bank said it had in- covered. SWIFT spokeswoman Nata- taken against those who try to formed SWIFT about the 2013 “We could not fi nd out what sha de Teran declined to com- obstruct movement of private heist at the time and also un- happened,” the offi cial said. ment on the Sonali case. vehicles and disrupt the mobil- successfully tried to recover the The Sonali Bank cyber heist is “We are actively looking ity of passengers. money from the recipients in the fourth documented case in- into other possible instances Vehicles also remained off Turkey, said one bank source. volving fraudulent SWIFT mes- of such fraud, but we will not the roads in other major cities Thieves in the 2013 robbery sages and the earliest known comment on individual enti- including Birgunj, Biratnagar, used tactics similar to those case to surface. ties,” she said. Pokhara and Nepalgunj. used by the yet-to-be-identi- It is not known whether any of Bangladesh’s Anti Corruption Police also provided free bus fi ed criminals in the Bangladesh the robberies, including the two Commission, which investigated service on two routes within Bank heist - using the SWIFT attacks on Bangladesh banks, are the Sonali case, did not have an Kathmandu Valley yesterday. Commuters pass by the Bangladesh Bank building in Dhaka. money-transfer system to divert related. immediate comment.

Bangladeshi tycoon charged Red Cross to help after meeting Israeli offi cial fl ood-hit in Lanka

Agencies told reporters that police had in fi rebomb attacks on vehi- IANS At least 102 people were killed Dhaka “found evidence” that “Chow- cles last year when Zia called Colombo and more than 200,000 peo- dhury conspired with an Israeli a transport blockade as part of ple were displaced by the fl oods politician to overthrow (Hasi- her eff orts to force the govern- and landslides last week and al- angladesh police yes- na’s) Awami League-led gov- ment to hold fresh elections. he International Federa- though the fl oodwaters in most terday charged a senior ernment.” Hasina’s secular government tion of Red Cross and Red places were now subsiding, some Bopposition offi cial with Chowdhury, a tycoon from arrested and prosecuted thou- TCrescent Societies (IFRC) parts of Gampaha and Colom- sedition for allegedly plotting the southern city of Chit- sands of opposition supporters yesterday launched an emer- bo districts remain submerged against the state when he met tagong, has denied plotting in response to the violence. gency appeal to deliver relief and amid landslide warnings. an Israeli government adviser, against the government and Bangladesh has also been recovery assistance to fl ood- The appeal will ensure that an offi cial said. told reporters he met the Is- hit by a series of gruesome stricken Sri Lanka. people staying in temporary The move comes as Prime raeli adviser during a “personal murders of secular and liberal The appeal worth about $3mn camps have access to safe water Minister Sheikh Hasina’s gov- business trip” to India. activists and members of reli- was launched in collaboration and sanitation and 1,000 com- ernment is stepping up a crack- Bangladesh has no dip- gious minorities. with the Sri Lanka Red Cross munity wells are to be de-con- down on political opponents in lomatic ties with Israel and The BNP yesterday Society (SLRCS), Xinhua News taminated. the country, which is reeling Bangladeshis are banned from warned that there will be seri- Agency reported. from a wave of killings blamed travelling to the country. ous consequences if the gov- In a statement, the SLRCS “So far our services have on Islamists. Critics say the arrest was ernment arrests Zia as per its said that since the onset of the reached 140,000 people. Aslam Chowdhury, a joint part of a crackdown Hasina’s ‘plot’ to weaken the party. fl ooding, up to 400 Sri Lanka Our volunteers have secretary of the main opposi- government has launched “I’ve seen in newspapers that Red Cross volunteers had been played a critical role as fi rst tion Bangladesh Nationalist against the country’s main op- a process is on to send our lead- actively working in the fi ve responders” Party (BNP), was arrested last position parties, which include er Khaleda Zia to jail. Though worst-aff ected districts of the week after local media reported the BNP and its Islamist ally, it’s not an easy task to detain country, helping in search and This will be complimented by he had met an Israeli govern- Jamaat-e-islami. her, nothing is impossible for rescue eff orts as well as deliver- health and hygiene awareness to ment adviser in India in March. BNP supremo and former pre- the Awami League-led govern- ing aid and administering fi rst prevent the spread of diseases. Dhaka Metropolitan Po- mier Khaleda Zia was this month ment as it lacks the sense of aid and psychological support to The appeal will also channel lice spokesman Masudur Rah- charged with masterminding ar- humanity,” BNP member Mirza the victims. funds to community resilience man said Chowdhury was now son attacks during anti-govern- Abbas said. “So far our services have projects whereby cash grants charged with sedition and could ment protests last year, the latest “I want to equivocally state reached 140,000 people. Our will be allocated to rural com- face up to three years if convicted. in a string of charges she says are that the consequences will not volunteers have played a critical mittees and schools to set up “We have fi led a sedition politically motivated. be good if our leader is arrested role as fi rst responders, warn- small projects including repair case against Aslam Chowdhury Bangladesh has been hit by as the country’s people won’t ing communities to get to safety, of damaged irrigation canals and after we received a green light a political crisis since the BNP accept it in any way.” helping to evacuate them and renovation of infrastructure. from the home ministry,” Rah- and other opposition parties On Wednesday, a Dhaka continuing to look after their The IFRC appeal will en- man said. boycotted the general election court issued warrants for the welfare in temporary evacuation able the SLRCS to reach 40,000 The case was fi led hours af- in 2014. arrest of 38 BNP leaders, in- Sri Lankan Civil Security Department personnel clean up a street hit centres,” said Jagath Abeysing- people with aid over the next 18 ter the national police chief Scores of people were killed cluding Zia. by floods in the Colombo suburb of Kaduwela yesterday. he, president of the SLRCS. months. Gulf Times Friday, May 27, 2016 17 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH How to improve your relationship with the Qur’an

t is recommended for every believing man and woman to recite the Book of Allah, the Noble Qur’an, often, with Idue contemplation and understand- ing. This may be done by using a copy of the Qur’an or from one’s memory. Allah - the Most High – Says (what means): “[This is] a blessed Book (the Qur’an) which We have revealed to you, [O Mu- hammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam], that they might refl ect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.” [Qur’an 38:29] Are you one of those people who rarely touch the Qur’an? Or do you read it daily, but don’t fi nd it is having the impact on you that it should? Whatever the case may be, these are some simple tips that can help you connect with the Qur’an. 1. Before you touch it, check your heart The key to really benefi ting from the Qur’an is to check your heart fi rst, before you even touch Allah’s book. Ask yourself, honestly, why you are reading it. Is it to just get some information and to let it drift away from you later? Remember that the Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, was described by his noble wife, ‘Aa’ishah as a “walking Qur’an”: in other words, he didn’t just read and recite the Anticipating the blessed month of Ramadan Qur’an, he lived it. 2. Before you touch it, do your Wudhoo’ (ablution) amadan is just around the corner. It will promised increase or acceptance descend, so he The modern secular society has played havoc is easy: seeking Allah’s refuge. But it is being Doing your Wudhoo’ is good physical be a great blessing for those of us who or she keeps an eye on the unknown prize and with this sense of sacredness, leaving us without aware and ready perpetually to seek Allah’s refuge and mental preparation to remind you that live to see it and pick its invaluable fruits. keeps going. It is hidden in some moments of the symbols and their spirituality and mystery. that makes the toughest challenge. The times and you are not reading just another book. You RIt is a time of Taqwa (piety), of Eeman night, some morsels of food, some days of the Surrounded by man-made buildings, cars, places of blessing help us do just that. are about to interact with Allah, the Most (faith), and of Ihsaan (excellence). Its time for week, some months of the year, and some cities computers, highways and gadgets, we forget Don’t be too busy for Ramadan. Small things Exalted, so being clean should be a priority renovation of faith, for renewal of our pledge to or places in the world. No one knows but The All- The Creator of the makers of these trivialities. like Masjid announcements about Ramadan when communicating with Him. Allah Almighty, for refuelling our soul for the Knower- Allah, The Most Exalted. E-mails preempt prayers, cheap fi ction strikes off and other sacred days and nights, discussions 3. Start with reading only fi ve onslaughts the next year holds for us. Yet, it will Even a cursory look at the history of various the Qur’an, fashion magazines replace benefi cial with friends and relatives about your plans to minutes everyday pass by many of us without touching them. How human cultures shows that humans have a books; TV sports take care of any refl ective read Qur’an and mutual encouragement to excel Too often, we think that we should read deprived are those who will remain untouched by timeless instinct to separate the special from moments you might have otherwise had. in piety can work wonders. Seek blessings by the Noble Qur’an for at least one whole it! And how lucky are those whom its nights will the mundane and to distinguish the sacred from So much so that the month of Ramadan keeping track of the Islamic calendar and of the hour. If you are not in the habit of reading bless with tears of love and fear, and its days with the profane. This very distinction has formed takes many of us by surprise when our favourite months and days, fasting on the recommended regularly, this is too much. Start off with the sweet hunger and thirst of fasting! the essence of worship in all human societies, news service announces that the `Muslims are days, and visiting outdoors to refl ect upon just fi ve minutes daily. If you took care of Allah breaks the monotony of human life by primitive or modern. In the true religion of Allah, celebrating Ramadan tomorrow’. Ramadan comes the creation of Allah. Learn the sayings of the step one, Insha Allah (Allah willing), you appointing times and places that He, by His all sanctity and devotion goes fi nally to Allah, to many of us without arousing any ecstasy in the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, about such will notice that those fi ve minutes will infi nite Wisdom and Knowledge, made special, and Allah alone. Yet to break our routine, to heart or anticipation in the mind. All the joys of blessed moments like Ramadan, and intensify become ten, then half an hour, then an ones that have the special touch of Allah’s grab our attention, to challenge our intellect, to its anticipation and memories of its presence are your worship, devotions and supplications hour, and maybe even more! Benediction and Blessing. This concept of satiate our spiritual yearning, and fi nally to fi ll sidelined by the clutter of this busy life. during these times. Keep your tongue wet by 4. Make sure that you understand blessing is extremely important for it appears our instinctive need of worship, devotion and If you are busy, but not necessarily getting remembering Allah and asking for His mercy what you have read quite frequently in the Qur’an and the Prophetic love, Allah has chosen, by His Wisdom, tangible much done in terms of real responsibilities of and blessings. Meet the blessed Ramadan fully Five minutes of reading the Qur’an in narrations. symbols for us. These symbols of time and space, your life, that is, there is no blessing in your time prepared to reap its gifts. Pray that Ramadan Arabic is good, but you need to understand The concept of blessing has a kind of mystery of sacred moments and blessed places, are an aid and eff orts, nor have you any `spare’ time for touches you with its incalculable blessings. what you are reading. If you are not in it. The devoted slave of Allah does not know to our worship. Ramadan is perhaps the richest, pondering Allah’s Message, then be sure, the one Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/ Arabic, or you don’t understand the Arabic exactly how, when and in what form will the the largest and the most loaded of these symbols. keeping you busy is none but Satan. The solution emainpage/ language, then make sure you have a good translation of the Qur’an in the language you understand best. Always try to read the translation of what you have read that day. Regarding those who neglect the Glorious Qur’an by not reading or not understanding it, Allah Almighty Says Virtues of the Noble Qur’an (what means):”And the Messenger has said, “O my Lord, indeed my people have taken this Qur’an as [a thing] abandoned.” llah The Almighty Says is mentioned in Saheeh Al-Bukhari “Whoever recites the last two verses of [Qur’an: 25: 30] (what means): {And We have and Saheeh Muslim from the Hadith Surat Al-Baqarah at night, they will be Allah Almighty informs us about His revealed to you, [O Muham- of Usayd ibn Hudhayr, radhiallah protection for him.” Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad, Amad], the Book in truth, ‘anhu, in which he said: “While he As for the virtue of Soorat Al- sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, that he said: confi rming that which preceded it of was reciting Surat Al-Baqarah at Kahf, Abu Ad-Dardaa’, radhiallah “My Lord my people have abandoned - the Scripture and as a criterion over it.} night, and his horse was tied beside ‘anhu, narrated that the Prophet, acting or listening - to the Qur’an” and [Qur’an 5: 48] him, the horse was suddenly became sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: that is because the idol-worshippers Al-Bukhari narrated that Ibn startled and troubled. When he “Whoever memorises ten verses did not pay attention nor listen to the ‘Abbaas said, “’Al-Muhaymin’ (a stopped reciting, the horse became from the beginning of Soorat Al- Qur’an, as Allah Says (what means): “And description given to the Qur’an in quiet, and when he started again, the Kahf will be protected from the those who disbelieve say, “Do not listen the abovementioned verse) means horse was startled again. Then he Antichrist.”[Muslim] to this Qur’an and speak noisily during Al-Ameen (the criterion, watcher stopped reciting and his son, Yahya, As for the virtues of reciting Qul [the recitation of] it that perhaps you will or attesting to the soundness of was beside the horse and he was huwa Allahu ahad (Soorat Al-Ikhlaas), overcome.” [Qur’an 41:26] something) i.e. the Qur’an is the afraid that the horse might trample it was narrated that Abu Sa‘eed 5. Remember that the Noble Qur’an criterion over every Divine Book that on him. When he took the boy away Al-Khudri, radhiallah ‘anhu, that a is far more interactive than a CD preceded it.” and looked towards the sky, he saw Qur’an).’I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, Al-Baqarah and Soorat Aal ‘Imraan man heard another man reciting Qul In an age of “interactive” CD-ROMs and It was narrated in Saheeh Al- a cloud radiating with light that should I recite to you when it has been that Abu Umaamah Al-Baahili said huwa Allahu ahad (Say, “He is Allah , computer programs, a number of people Bukhari that Abu Hurairah, radhiallah looked like lamps.” The Prophet, revealed to you?’ He said,‘I like to hear that he heard the Messenger of Allah [who is] One) [Surat Al-Ikhlaas] and think books are passive and boring. But ‘anhu, said that the Messenger of sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said to it from others.’So I recited Soorat An- say: “Recite the Qur’an, because it will he was repeating it over and over. So the Qur’an is not like that. Remember Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, him: “Do you know what that was?” Nisaa’ until I reached the verse (which intercede on behalf of its people on when morning came, the man went that when you read the Glorious Qur’an, said: “There can be no (lawful) envy I (Usayd) replied, “No.” The Prophet, means): {So how [will it be] when We the Day of Judgment. Recite the two to the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa you are interacting with Almighty Allah. except in two (matters): A man whom sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: bring from every nation a witness and lights, Al-Baqarah and Aal-‘Imraan, sallam, and mentioned that to him, He Almighty is talking to you, so pay Allah has taught the Qur’an and “Those were angels who came near We bring you, [O Muhammad] against because they will come in the shape and it was as though he felt it was not attention. he recites it night and day, and his you because of your voice and if these [people] as a witness?} [Qur’an of two clouds, two shades or two lines suffi cient as it is so short. The Prophet, 6. Do not just read, you have to neighbor listens to him and says, ‘I you had kept on reciting till dawn, 4: 41] I lifted my head or a man beside of birds on the Day of Judgment and sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said:“By listen too wish I had been given what has been it would have remained there till me signaled to me, and so I lifted my will argue on behalf of those who The One in whose Hand my soul is, There are now many audio cassettes and given to so-and-so, so that I might morning when people would have head and saw his (the Prophet’s) tears used to recite them. Recite Soorat indeed it is equivalent to a third of the CDs of the Qur’an, a number of them with do what he does’; and a man whom seen them without them (the angels) falling.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] Al-Baqarah, because reciting it brings Qur’an.” [Al-Bukhari] translations as well. This is great to put on Allah has given wealth and he spends concealing themselves from people.” There are some chapters of the blessings, and ignoring it brings regret Furthermore, Abu Ad-Dardaa’ your Walkman or your car’s CD or stereo it on what is just and right, whereupon It was also narrated on the authority Noble Qur’an that have a special and the sorceresses cannot overcome narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu as you drive to and from work. Use this in another man might say, ‘I wish I had of Abu Moosa that the Prophet, virtue such as Soorat Al-Faatihah. it.”[Muslim] ‘alaihi wa sallam, said (to his addition to your daily Qur’an reading, not been given what so-and-so has been sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: It was narrated that Abu Sa‘eed ibn Aayat Al-Kursi is the greatest Companions): “Is one of you not as a replacement for it. given, for then I would do what he “The example of the believer who Al-Mu‘alla, radhiallah ‘anhu, said: verse in the Book of Allah The able to recite third of the Qur’an in a 7. Make Du’aa’ (supplication). does.’” recites the Qur’an and acts upon it is “I was praying in the mosque when Almighty. This can be proved by single night?” They said: “How can Ask Allah, the Most Exalted, to guide It was also narrated in the same like that of a citron which tastes good the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa the Hadith narrated by Ubayy ibn we do that, O Messenger of Allah.”So you when you read the Qur’an. Your aim is book on the authority of ‘Uthmaan and smells good. And the believer who sallam, called me, so I did not answer Ka‘b, radhiallah ‘anhu, where the he replied: “Qul huwa Allahu ahad is to sincerely, for the love of Allah, interact that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa does not recite the Qur’an and act him and then I said, ‘O Messenger of Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, equivalent to one third of the Qur’an.” with Him by reading, understanding sallam, said: “The best among you are upon it is like a date which is good in Allah, I was praying.’ He said: ‘Did said: “O Abu Al-Munthir (Ubayy’s [Muslim] and applying His blessed words. Making those who learn the Qur’an and teach taste but has no smell. The example of Allah The Almighty not say (what nickname), which is the greatest As for the virtue of Al- Du’aa’ to Allah for help and guidance will it.” In another narration, the Prophet, the hypocrite who recites the Qur’an means):{Respond to Allah and to the verse in the Book of Allah?”Ubayy Mu‘awwithatayn (the two Soorahs be your best tool for doing this. sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “The is like that of sweet basil which smells Messenger when he calls you.} [Qur’an said, ‘Allahu la ilaaha illa Huwal- of Refuge (Al-Falaq and An-Naas)), When you are making du’aa’, you most superior among you are those good but tastes bitter. The example 8: 24]?’ Then he said to me:‘I will teach Hayyul-Qayyoom. (Allah - there is no ‘Aa’ishah, radhiallah ‘anha, narrated have a direct connection with Allah who learn the Qur’an and teach it.” of the hypocrite who does not recite you the greatest chapter in the Qur’an deity except Him, The Ever-Living, that when the Prophet, sallallaahu Almighty. So when you are saying your It was narrated in Saheeh Muslim the Qur’an is like the colocynth which before you leave the mosque.’ He held The Sustainer of [all] existence). ‘alaihi wa sallam, went to bed every du’aa’, you shouldn’t be distracted, but that ‘Aa’ishah, radhiallah ‘anha, tastes bitter and smells bad.” [Al- my hand and when he was about to Thereupon the Prophet, sallallaahu night, he would hold his hands instead you should be fully concentrated. said that the Messenger of Allah, Bukhari and Muslim] leave the mosque, I said, `O Messenger ‘alaihi wa sallam, struck me on his together and blow into them, and TheProphet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: It is recommended to listen to the of Allah, you said you would teach me breast and said: “Congratulations recite into them Qul huwa Allahu said: “Make Du’aa’ and be assured of it “The one who is skilled in the Qur’an Qur’an from those who learned it the greatest chapter in the Qur’an.’ for having knowledge, O Abu Al- ahad, Qul a’oothu bi rabb il-falaq and being answered, and know that Allah, the will be with the noble and obedient by heart. It is also recommended to He said: ‘(Yes. It is) Al-Hamdu lillahi Munthir!”[Muslim] Qul a’oothu bi rabb in-naas. Then he Exalted, does not answer a Du’aa’ from a scribes (i.e., the angels) and the one weep on reciting and contemplating Rabbil-‘Aalameen (All praise is due to It was also narrated in relation to the would wipe them over every part of his careless heart which is not concentrating.” who recites the Qur’an and with great it. This can be proved by the Hadith Allah, Lord of the worlds) (i.e. Surat virtue of the last two verses of Soorat body that he could, starting with his [At-Tirmithi] eff ort because it is diffi cult for him will narrated on the authority of Ibn Al-Faatihah). It is the seven repeated Al-Baqarah what Al-Bukhari and head and face and the front of his body, Article source: http://www.islamweb. have two rewards.” Mas‘ood, radhiallah ‘anhu, in which (verses) and the Glorious Qur’an that I Muslim narrated from the Hadith of and he would do that three times. [Al- net/emainpage/ Furthermore, the angels descend to he said, “The Messenger of Allah, was given.’” Abu Mas‘ood Al-Ansaari, radhiallah Bukhari] listen to the one who recites the Noble sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, once It was narrated concerning the ‘anhu, that the Messenger of Allah, Article source: http://www. Qur’an. This can be proved by what said to me:‘Recite to me (some of the virtues of the Noble Qur’an, Soorat sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: islamweb.net/emainpage/ Gulf Times 18 Friday, May 27, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief : Darwish S Ahmed Production Editor: Amjad Khan The trade costs

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] of leaving the EU Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) During the two-year So what would happen next? During and it would allow some fl exibility competitors in Europe. Indeed, it is Fax 44350474 the two-year period before Britain’s in protecting UK companies from possible that the EU would adopt a period before Britain’s withdrawal takes fi nal eff ect, there imports. The potential pitfall is that tough mercantilist stance: If you want withdrawal takes fi nal would be UK-EU negotiations on any British tariff increase above the EU privileged access, you should stay in many points – sovereignty, the legal level would expose the UK to claims the club. eff ect, there would be order, immigration, fi nances, and for compensation from third countries The fi nal consequence of Brexit is UK-EU negotiations on economic matters. The assumption in the WTO. that the UK would lose its free-trade is that a crucial goal for Britain would The bigger question that the arrangements with third countries GULF TIMES many points – be to negotiate a trading relationship Brexiteers need to answer is how to under the many trade agreements sovereignty, the legal as close as possible to the free-trade secure a high level of access to the that the EU has signed since 2000. relationships that exist today. EU’s internal market. This is vitally Replacing these agreements with order, immigration, That is easier said than done. The important for Britain’s service bilateral deals would take time. There fi nances, and economic best result would be if all players industries, particularly for the City is no guarantee that the EU would Germany and France agreed to maintain the free trade of London’s exports of financial agree to an interim continuation matters already achieved, with the UK setting services. of free trade, and it seems certain a new external tariff on a duty-free There is only one precedent for that UK exports would face higher basis, applicable to all comers. This non-EU members being able to tariff s than its former EU partners hold back Nato, EU is what happened in the 1970s after negotiate access to the internal in those third countries (placing By Roderick Abbott Brussels Britain and Denmark left the European market equivalent to that enjoyed by British exporters at a competitive Free Trade Association: Free-trade EU members. This is the European disadvantage). agreements were negotiated among Economic Area agreement concluded It’s a big stretch for the Brexiteers ambitions in Libya he “Brexiteers” – those who EFTA members and between them with the EU by Norway, Iceland, and to ask us to believe that the world’s want Britain to leave the and the EU (or the EEC as it was then Liechtenstein in 1992. most prominent leaders, European or European Union – argue that known). In the view of many observers, not, have all got the impact of Brexit Europe’s bold intentions to support Libya’s new Ttheir goal would be virtually But Brexiteers should realise including me, access to the Single wrong. In the trade debate, we have UN-backed government are faltering as France and cost-free and have no eff ect on the that there is no guarantee that this Market through the EEA is no longer had the International Monetary Fund, Germany resist a bigger role to rebuild the failed state, United Kingdom’s global trade. They would happen again – and, in any available. But what if we’re wrong? US President Barack Obama, and are wrong. On June 23, when voters case, there would be complications. The point is that such a deal would the OECD – quite apart from the UK scarred by the West’s 2011 air campaign to help topple in Britain cast their ballots in the While this solution would be good for go against all the instincts (and Treasury – telling Britons that a vote dictator Muammar Gaddafi . referendum on the question, they need the 45% of British exports that are rhetoric) of the Brexiteers, because to leave would be bad for the economy. The European Union and Nato have said they stand to consider what is actually involved sold in EU markets, it would reduce it would mean accepting the EU’s It is not much of a reply to argue that ready to help the unity government in Tripoli, if in leaving the EU – and how the free- protection for British industries to “four freedoms”: not just the free the OECD is “in the pay of the EU” or requested, to combat smugglers sending migrants into trade benefi ts they now enjoy (and zero. Under the rules of the World movement of goods, services, and that Obama is anti-British because he take for granted) could be maintained Trade Organisation, the same import capital – but of people, too. That had a Kenyan father in British colonial the Mediterranean towards Europe. after Brexit. duties must be applied to all WTO would be hard to square with the days. Tripoli, for its part, faces a threat from Islamic State Start with the basics. Leaving the participants – which means that if Brexit objective of “controlling our Economic forecasting is an fi ghters who exploited past confl ict between rival EU means that the UK would exit Britain’s imports from the EU are borders.” The Brexiteers would also uncertain science. But when almost governments to extend their power. the EU’s Customs Union, which is duty-free, its imports from the rest of blanch at Britain’s obligation under all projections point in the same In a letter, Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Seraj sent a the basis for cross-border free trade the world must be, too. an EEA-type agreement to continue direction – that Brexit would be among the EU’s 28 members (and The alternative would be for UK contributing to the EU budget. hugely damaging to the UK – it is time broad request for security training, but now Germany establishes a common external tariff exporters to accept the EU’s common Of course, there could be specifi c to decide what is credible and what is and France want the United Nations to move fi rst, vis-à-vis third countries). It also external tariff , and for the UK to arrangements for particular sectors. not. – Project Syndicate something Russia is unlikely to support because it feels means exit from the Single Market create its own import tariff , applied But it seems unlikely that such the West went too far in 2011. – the basis for the free movement to all imports, including from the arrangements would be possible Roderick Abbott is a former deputy Germany has suggested that the Nato alliance may of goods and services among EU EU. Because the common tariff is at a in fi nancial services and the major director-general at the WTO and a need an invitation from the European Union to help in members. By defi nition, non- relatively low level on industrial and professional services (including former deputy director-general at the members of the EU cannot belong to fi shery products, this might not be an doctors, architects, and lawyers), European Commission Directorate- Libya. the Single Market. insuperable barrier for UK exports, which are important for Britain’s General for Trade. “Europeans now have what they asked for, namely a unity government ruling from the capital,” said Mattia Toaldo, a Libya expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations. “They should take care not to burden it with unrealistic demands, from ending the migrant crisis to defeating Islamic State.” Germany is wary of a long-term commitment, scaling back the language in a statement by European Union foreign ministers this week by insisting the bloc seeks UN Security Council approval to stop arms traffi cking even on the high seas, diplomats said. France sent special forces and intelligence “Europeans commandos to conduct covert operations now have what against Islamic State in they asked for, Libya. But French diplomats namely a unity in Brussels are more cautious about a big government” Nato role, despite a warning last month from EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini that some 450,000 refugees in Libya could fl ee to Europe. Deployment of Nato combat troops appears out of A healthy coral reef can reduce wave force by 97%, lessening the impact of storms and preventing erosion. the question. “We are looking at a support role, one that is low profi le,” said a senior French offi cial involved in Libya policy.”The risks are very real and our resources modest.” Nature’s answer to climate risk The remarks contrast with gathering momentum a month ago at EU and Nato headquarters in Brussels duction. Doing so will require national will allow the country to redirect coral restoration project in Grenada By Maria Damanaki governments, industry, aid organisa- $21.6mn of its debt toward invest- – a joint eff ort of the Red Cross, the and a special dinner of EU foreign and defence London ministers in Luxembourg in which Libyan maritime tions, and other NGOs to make the ment in a comprehensive approach to Nature Conservancy, and the fi shers of most of their investments. And some ocean conservation that will bolster its Grenada’s Grenville community – has and security missions were on the table. early half the world’s popu- of the most eff ective and cost-eff ec- resilience to climate change. also shown great potential to increase “The situation is apparently not grave enough for lation – some 3.5bn people tive solutions are already available in Private-sector leaders, too, are resilience. Just 30m of reef and coral us to act,” said a senior Nato diplomat.”We need a real – lives near coasts. As nature. starting to look toward natural tools. have been shown to increase substan- crisis.” climate change exacerbates Coastal and marine ecosystems Engineering fi rms like CH2M are tially the population of lobster, conch, N have considerable potential to mitigate working with coastal communities in octopus, and urchins. Just 480km from Europe’s coast, Libya’s slide into the eff ects of storms, flooding, and anarchy over the past fi ve years has made it an outpost erosion, the lives and livelihoods of the eff ects of storms and other risks, the Gulf of Mexico and beyond to fi nd Climate and disaster resilience is a hundreds of millions of those people especially when combined with tra- hybrid solutions that combine tradi- challenge that spans across sectors. So for Islamic State militants and a staging post for sub- will be at risk. In fact, the latest edi- ditional built infrastructure. A 100-m tional and nature-based approaches. too must our solutions. Such collabo- Saharan African migrants aided by traffi ckers. tion of the World Economic Forum’s belt of mangroves, for example, can Even the insurance industry – com- rative eff orts are vital to the develop- But the failure of the West’s 2011 intervention still World Risk Assessment Report names reduce wave height by up to 66% and prising what may be the most risk- ment and implementation of more weighs on Western offi cials, even as the United States failure to adapt to the eff ects of cli- lower peak water levels during fl oods. averse companies in the world – sees eff ective preventive strategies. The urges the Europeans to take a bigger role in securing its mate change as the single greatest risk, A healthy coral reef can reduce wave the potential in natural solutions. Over World Bank, the Nature Conservancy, neighbourhood. in terms of impact, to societies and force by 97%, lessening the impact the last decade, insurers have paid and partner researchers (including economies around the world. of storms and preventing erosion. out some $300bn for climate-related ecologists, economists, and engineers) “Washington tells us Europe’s southern border ends Beyond endangering lives, more These and other coastal ecosystems damage, often to rebuild the same vul- have recently published a report off er- in the Sahara, not in the Mediterranean,” said an EU frequent and stronger storms could are the fi rst line of defence for many nerable structures. It is not surprising, ing guidelines for such co-operation. defence offi cial. cost many billions of dollars, owing cities around the world, from Miami then, that the reinsurer Swiss Re has Specifi cally, the report recommends Britain and the United States want a much bigger role to infrastructure damage and lost to Manila. conducted studies on mitigating the calculating the value of coastal for both Nato and the European Union. revenues from farming, fi sheries, and Until recently, such nature-based costly risks of hurricanes to coastal ecosystems in terms of protected US Secretary of State John Kerry has urged Nato to tourism. And, as the Harvard Business solutions were too often overlooked. communities. capital and infrastructure, based on Review recently noted, the projected But leaders increasingly recognise According to one Swiss Re study, approaches commonly used by the link up with the EU’s naval mission “Sophia” in the cost rises with each new study. Yet the their importance, and are begin- Barbados loses the equivalent of 4% insurance and engineering industries. Mediterranean to tackle smugglers. international community currently ning to take action, including on the of its GDP every year to hurricane- In the face of rising climate and spends on risk mitigation less than international level. The Paris climate related costs. But every dollar spent disaster risk, investments in nature- one-fi fth of what it spends on natural- agreement, reached last December to protect mangroves and coral reefs based solutions can protect lives and disaster response. and signed last month, not only saved $20 in future hurricane losses. safeguard prosperity in a cost-eff ec- To Advertise When it comes to climate risk, an established a consensus on the Given such fi ndings, it is no longer tive manner – all while preserving [email protected] ounce of prevention is worth a pound importance of addressing climate inconceivable that insurance compa- imperilled natural ecosystems around Display of cure. As Rebecca Scheurer, Director change, but also explicitly affi rmed nies might one day write coverage for the world. It is time for governments, of the Red Cross Global Disaster Pre- that ecosystems play a role in captur- wetlands and other natural infrastruc- business, and NGOs alike to recognise Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 paredness Center, put it, “We spend ing greenhouse gases and helping ture that off ers protection for coastal that when it comes to fi ghting the ef- Classified millions of dollars on the response communities adapt to the eff ects of communities and economies. fects of climate change and protecting side, and were we to invest more of climate change. Nature can also help to protect coastal communities, preserving and Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 those resources on the front end we’d At the national level, some of the livelihoods. A Red Cross-led man- restoring nature may be the smartest Subscription save more people. It’s as simple as most at-risk island countries are grove restoration project in Vietnam investment we can make. – Project [email protected] that.” taking important steps. For example, not only reduced damage to dykes Syndicate With the human and the fi nancial last year, the Seychelles announced and other built infrastructure, but costs of climate change attracting a fi rst-of-its-kind “debt for nature” also resulted in higher aquaculture Maria Damanaki is Global Man- 2016 Gulf Times. All rights reserved more attention than ever, now is the swap with its Paris Club creditors and yields and thus more income for the aging Director for Oceans at the Nature time to shift resources toward risk re- The Nature Conservancy. The swap local communities. A mangrove and Conservancy. Gulf Times Friday, May 27, 2016 19 COMMENT Closing Middle East’s education defi cit

According to the UN, relatively stable countries such as for “We understand”). In an eff ort Egypt and Jordan. to reduce the country’s dependence ongoing confl icts in the Inadequate education goes hand in on private tutoring, the web-based Middle East and North hand with the region’s unemployment startup provides crowd-sourced crisis. According to the International educational videos. The service now Africa are depriving more Labor Organisation, the Middle has 500,000 users and off ers a Syrian than 13mn children of an East had the world’s highest youth curriculum to service the 50% of that unemployment rates in 2014, with country’s refugee youth who are out education 46% of women and 24% of men out of school. of work. But Alfi says it’s been challenging By Anne-Marie Slaughter This toxic combination of to fi nd outside funding, and he is and Lauren Bohn poor education and high youth not alone. Last April, Abdul Aziz Nile Delta unemployment leaves millions of al-Ghurair, a billionaire businessman young people lingering in a purgatory from the United Arab Emirates, that American University professor launched the Arab world’s largest bout 60 miles north of Diane Singerman calls “waithood.” education fund, allocating $1.14bn in Cairo’s Tahrir Square – the The term describes the prolonged grants for underserved youth from the epicentre of the Egyptian adolescence that young people must region. Auprising in 2011 – there is a endure until they can aff ord marriage, According to Maysa Jalbout, CEO secondary school students call “the the region’s institutional and cultural of the Abdulla al-Ghurair Foundation prison.” A deformed box of concrete gateway to societal recognition, not to for Education, the fund hopes to packed with dilapidated classrooms, mention sexual activity. provide scholarships for 15,000 the school is pockmarked with age and Unfortunately, governments and Middle Eastern students over the next neglect. One teacher in the sleepy Nile international institutions regard 10 years. Beginning in September, Delta village morbidly quips that it education and unemployment as students will receive fi nancial doubles as a morgue. development issues, not political or assistance to attend the region’s top “We never saw a revolution here,” security issues. The US gives Egypt four universities; eventually, study he said a few months ago, withholding $1.3bn in annual military aid (second at international universities will be his name for fear of losing his job. “A only to Israel), but just $250mn for funded as well. lot of the hope we had is now dead…it civilian projects and programmes. But individual initiatives are was killed.” Supporters of military assistance not enough. “Efforts need to be The plight of Egypt’s public schools argue that weapons systems are systematic and institutionalised,” is a critical indicator of how Egypt’s needed to fi ght affi liates of Al Qaeda Jalbout explains. “No one fund can revolution has failed its people. and the so-called Islamic State in fix these problems….[We] need all Outside observers saw the popular the Sinai and to maintain American hands on deck.” For that to happen, rebellion against Hosni Mubarak’s infl uence with Egypt’s generals. Yet, A classroom in an Egyptian school. The plight of public schools is a critical indicator of how Egypt’s revolution has failed its people. the education of Middle Eastern regime as a struggle for democracy unless Egyptian youth have hope youth must be regarded as a strategic over dictatorship; the generals who and opportunity, security assistance 139th out of 140 countries for quality class citizenry in a country with private lessons. According to some issue, worthy of just as much global once again rule Egypt portray it as a is only a Band-Aid. Long-term of primary education. almost no social mobility. estimates, Egyptian families spend foreign-policy attention as the fight fi ght for secularism that was hijacked security depends on a government’s Other changes, such as reducing “Things are actually worse since more than $1bn on private tutoring to against extremist groups. The region by radicals. In fact, it was a revolt for willingness to provide adequate public the need for and the cost of private the revolution,” Khalil said while compensate for poor education – a should be armed with pens, not human dignity, for a better life for goods and services. tutoring, would make a material hopping on a minibus to a nearby cost that often amounts to almost a just swords. – Project Syndicate/ ordinary citizens. Suppose the US and the diff erence in the lives of ordinary wealthy residential compound where quarter of household income. Mohamed Bin Rashid Global Without education, that hope is International Monetary Fund Egyptians. In Manshiyat Naser, one he gardens. He’s trying to make The US and European governments, Initiatives, 2016 stillborn, not only in Egypt but across conditioned military and fi nancial of Cairo’s poorest neighbourhoods, enough money to hire a private tutor which have a vital interest in the the Middle East. According to the UN, assistance to Egypt on straightforward young people like 18-year-old for the exam. Indeed, private tutoring stability and prosperity of countries zAnne-Marie Slaughter, a former ongoing confl icts in the Middle East measures of educational progress. Ashraf Khalil have been studying has become the de facto Egyptian throughout the Middle East and North Director of Policy Planning at the US and North Africa are depriving more At the aggregate level, Egypt could for Thanaweya Amma, the education system. Africa, could also marshal and support State Department and former Dean of than 13mn children of an education. improve its performance in global infamous national secondary school Some teachers have admitted off consortia of private investors. the Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton But it’s not just in war-torn Syria and rankings. In the World Economic examination. Their results will mean the record that they teach the bare A few years ago, the Egyptian University, is President of New Yemen where youth are systematically Forum’s latest report on global the diff erence between a coveted minimum in class, so that they can investor Ahmed Alfi started a virtual America. Lauren Bohn is Editor-at- neglected; shortcomings abound in competitiveness, Egypt was ranked university spot and a life of second- profi t from the same students in classroom called Nafham (Arabic Large at the Ground Truth Project. Weather report How the West was lost Three-day forecast TODAY High: 35 C By Carl Bildt its constituency. DNA (and would hardly exist without rescuing the West’s trade agenda will Low : 25 C Hot during the day and partly cloudy Meanwhile, Trump’s likely oppo- it), vocal campaigners are threaten- require exceptional leadership and to cloudy at times with chance of Brussels nent in the general election, Hillary ing to hold a referendum to reject any perseverance. This will be a decisive scattered rain at places at times Clinton, seems to have folded the trans-Atlantic trade deal. year. The trade agreements involving ecent political discourse on fl ag and adopted at least part of the Given the history of the West, the US, Asia, and Europe are impor- SATURDAY both sides of the Atlan- anti-trade tirades of Trump and her these are perplexing developments. tant not just in terms of traditional High: 36 C tic has raised a disturbing left-wing primary opponent, Bernie Europe’s rise began when its ships goods, but also in terms of the free Low: 27 C Rquestion that is becoming Sanders. Suddenly, she has turned started to explore the world for new fl ow of data. While trade in physical P Cloudy increasingly difficult to dismiss: against the TPP agreement, despite markets and opportunities. This un- goods is showing signs of stagnation, Are the US and Europe turning away having supported it previously. She derpinned not only rising wealth, but data fl ows have increased by a factor from the policies of openness that is opposing US President Barack also innovation. To open up markets, of 45 during the last decade. SUNDAY have historically driven their eco- Obama’s tentative plan to have it rati- after all, is also to open up minds. If Obama can ensure the ratifi ca- High: 36 C nomic success? fi ed by Congress immediately after Similarly, in the decades since the tion of the TPP and bring the TTIP Low: 27 C In the US, Donald Trump, the the November election. end of World War II, the security negotiations to a conclusion, he will Sunny presumptive Republican nominee This behaviour is without prec- of the West has been built fi rst and have laid the groundwork for future for president, is waging verbal war edent. Never before have the leading foremost on the economic success of progress. If he falls short on either against virtually every trade agree- contenders for the US presidency the US, Western Europe, and Japan – task – or, catastrophically, fails on Fishermen’s forecast ment his country has ever struck. fuelled fears that free trade will success that was driven by integra- both – the world will face a far more OFFSHORE DOHA He has threatened to tear up the undermine America’s prosperity. tion, trade, and innovation. Accord- uncertain future. Wind: SE-NE 03-13 KT highly successful North American Whichever candidate prevails in No- ing to nearly every indicator one can Political leaders who still believe in Waves: 1-3 Feet Free Trade Agreement and pledged to vember, the consequences are likely think of, the remarkable growth in the West must dedicate themselves to INSHORE DOHA Wind: NE-SE 05-15 KT block any attempt to move forward to be serious. trade during the past quarter-century the defence of free trade and the con- Waves: 1-2 Feet with the recently concluded Trans- In Europe, the situation is only has given mankind some of its best struction of an ever more open world. Pacifi c Partnership (TPP). marginally better. Austria’s entire po- decades ever. They must do everything they can to Around the region Should Trump’s views become part litical spectrum has come out fi rmly That is why it’s impossible to prevent the introduction of protec- Weather Weather of the Republican Party’s platform, against the proposed Transatlantic imagine achieving ambitious global tionist measures and the erection of today Max/min tomorrow Max/min the shift will redraw the political Trade and Investment Partner- development goals without placing barriers to globalisation. – Project Abu Dhabi M Sunny 41/27 P Cloudy 39/26 landscape regarding free trade. After ship (TTIP) between the US and the free trade and globalisation at the Syndicate Baghdad P Cloudy 33/19 Sunny 35/21 all, the Republicans have tradition- European Union. And public opinion centre of the strategy. If the West, Dubai P Cloudy 37/27 P Cloudy 36/26 Kuwait City P Cloudy ally been the standard-bearers of free seems to be undergoing a similar losing faith in itself, turns away from zCarl Bildt was Sweden’s foreign P Cloudy 37/25 36/24 Manama Sunny 35/27 Cloudy 32/26 trade in the US – in contrast to the shift in Germany, a country that owes the very practices that made it suc- minister from 2006 to October 2014 Muscat M Sunny 38/29 M Sunny 38/29 Democratic Party, which has had to its affl uence to its success in global cessful, where does that leave poor and Prime Minister from 1991 to Riyadh P Cloudy 35/23 P Cloudy 33/21 contend with sceptical voices from markets. Even in the Netherlands, and developing countries? 1994, when he negotiated Sweden’s Tehran P Cloudy 31/19 P Cloudy 28/16 the trade unions that make up part of which used to have free trade in its Fortunately, all is not yet lost. But EU accession. Live issues A diet to help prevent serious eye illness

By Alison Bowen Tribune News Service

ant a diet that might help your eyes? Think green. Around the world W Chicago Weather Weather ophthalmologist Dr Jonathan Rosin today Max/min tomorrow Max/min recommends a diet rich in green, leafy Athens P Cloudy 24/16 M Sunny 26/17 vegetables, plus adding in two servings Beirut Sunny 23/17 Sunny 25/19 of fi sh a week. Bangkok M Sunny 37/29 S T Storms 35/29 Berlin M Sunny 16/06 P Cloudy 19/06 “It’s all the things that mom told Cairo Sunny 32/17 Sunny 36/23 you to do,” Rosin said. Cape Town Rain 17/11 Sunny 19/11 The federal National Eye Institute’s Colombo S T Storms 33/25 S T Storms 33/26 Age-Related Eye Disease Study Dhaka P Cloudy 38/28 S T Storms 38/28 M Sunny M Cloudy 23/21 found that taking in high levels of Hong Kong 23/20 Istanbul M Cloudy 20/11 Sunny 19/11 antioxidants and zinc can reduce the Jakarta S T Storms 33/25 S T Storms 32/26 risk of macular degeneration by about Karachi Sunny 34/25 Sunny 37/26 25%. London P Cloudy 12/02 S Showers 14/03 So think spinach, kale, broccoli, Manila S T Storms 34/26 P Cloudy 36/26 Moscow M Cloudy 17/09 P Cloudy 17/06 lettuce. New Delhi Sunny 41/22 Sunny 42/24 “Those are diets that really tend to New York P Cloudy 14/09 P Cloudy 16/10 provoke less eye diseases than other Paris Rain 15/06 Showers 11/03 diets,” he said. fat and rich in fruits, veggies and to the AAO. Other greens that support one of your fi sh servings because it Sao Paulo S Showers 18/14 P Cloudy 22/14 Seoul M Sunny 22/09 M Cloudy 21/11 The American Academy of grains. eye health are collards and romaine contains omega-3 fatty acids, which Singapore T Storms 32/27 T Storms 33/27 Ophthalmology, too, suggests a For example, kale has nutrients lettuce because they contain lutein are good for your eyes and heart. It Sydney M Sunny 24/17 S Showers 24/17 few foods to keep eyes healthy. It that might lower the risk for macular and zeaxanthin, important nutrients. says kidney beans are a good source Tokyo Clear 20/15 Clear 19/10 recommends a diet of foods low in degeneration and cataracts, according The AAO suggests making salmon of zinc. Gulf Times 20 Friday, May 27, 2016 QATAR Minister stresses need to strengthen aviation safety at

HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti addressing the third regional summit Middle East Aviation Safety Summit in Doha yesterday. PICTURES: Najeer Feroke

By Ramesh Mathew ty and security, notwithstanding the Staff Reporter major strides made in the region. “Most member states have invested heavily in improving safety standards viation safety and security and they cannot aff ord any compro- have to be strengthened across mise in the future either with regard to Athe Middle East in view of the passenger safety,” he stressed. continued growth in the number of HE the Minister said the meeting passengers within the region and out- witnessed meaningful discussions on a side, HE the Minister of Transport and host of issues concerning the aviation Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed sector and also explored ways to fur- al-Sulaiti said yesterday. ther improve safety aspects. He was addressing a high-level “Such deliberations assume para- meeting of senior offi cials from the mount importance as there has been a re- civil aviation departments of the 12 markable increase in the number of daily member states at the third Middle East fl ights over the last decade within the Aviation Safety Summit. Middle East and also towards other areas. Directors-general and CEOs of civil “These interactions would help pro- aviation authorities of the region and fessionals exchange their ideas, innova- senior technical professionals were tions and on top of all experiences for among the participants of the three-day bettering the safety of air passengers.” meeting, which concluded yesterday. The delegates also reviewed the pos- The summit was organised by the sibility of putting in place a strategy region’s civil aviation authorities in to attain the highest levels of global tandem with the regional offi ce of the standards for aviation safety. International Civil Aviation Organisa- The meeting stressed the impor- tion (ICAO). tance of implementing the Doha Dec- Representatives of civil aviation au- laration, which was approved during thorities from about 15 countries and a the third meeting of the directors of number of regional and international civil aviation authorities in the Middle organisations and stakeholders in the East last year. aviation industry were present. Later, ICAO regional director Mo- While hailing the initiatives of the hamed Khalifa Rahma explained some member states, HE al-Sulaiti noted of the laudable strides made by mem- that the industry was facing a number ber states over the last few years to of challenges at diff erent levels of safe- strengthen aviation safety. Senior off icials from civil aviation authorities of the region at the meeting. QLA honours Class of 2016 at graduation ceremony

atar Leadership Acad- emy (QLA) honoured its QClass of 2016 at a gradu- ation ceremony held at Qatar National Convention Centre on Wednesday. Brigadier Ali Ahmed al- Kuwari, director of QLA, ad- dressed the 18 students during the ceremony, which was held under the patronage of HE Ma- jor General Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanem, Chief of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces, and at- tended by Major General Mu- barak bin Saeed al-Khayarin, Assistant Chief of Staff for Edu- cation. Brigadier al-Kuwari said the ceremony represents the cul- mination of a long academic journey, which is marked by out- standing eff orts that have helped the students fulfi l the require- ments of QLA. “The best gift you can ever off er us is to distinguish yourselves and acknowledge the academy’s role in making you proud of your achieve- ments. We will continue to serve you and guide you beyond this QLA’s Class of 2016 graduates with dignitaries. graduation ceremony,” he added. A number of graduates were formance”, while Abdulla Ibra- ship Academy, we have gained to make valuable contributions to them. The event came to a close under the leadership of chair- growth in young men, the acad- recognised during the ceremony him A A al-Sada was presented the most valued knowledge of our country for the benefi t of fu- after the diplomas were awarded. person HE Sheikh Joaan bin Ha- emy takes a holistic approach to for their accomplishments over with the “Leadership Award”. our lives, which is that learning ture generations,” he said. QLA, a member of Qatar mad al-Thani, as the result of an youth development, providing the last few years. Tamim Ab- Al-Hoori, also this year’s val- doesn’t end here. We have to con- During the ceremony, a drill was Foundation for Education, Sci- innovative partnership between the highest standards of educa- dulrahman SM al-Hoori was edictorian, addressed his fellow tinue to strive to achieve our tar- performed by the students, which ence and Community Develop- QF and the Qatar Armed Forces. tion to develop young men into awarded “Best Academic Per- graduates. “At Qatar Leader- gets and use what we have gained was followed by the national an- ment (QF), was formed in 2005 Designed to promote personal future leaders.

Civil Defence holds awareness programme for companies

As part of its eff orts to make expatriates aware of the safety rules and regulations of the country, the General Directorate of Civil Defence has held a briefing session for representatives of companies at the Off icers’ Club. Civil Defence assistant director Brigadier Aman Saad al-Sulaiti inaugurated the event. He said the programme is aimed at introducing the safety rules and regulations of the Civil Defence to prominent companies in Qatar and help them improve safety procedures. Civil Defence preventive education and information off icer Lt Abdul Hadi Ali al-Marri presented a short film on safety measures in workplaces. He explained about the diff erent types of fires, causes and extinguishing methods.