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SATURDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10452 May 13, 2017 Sha’baan 17, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Massive In brief cyberattack QATAR | Visit President of Mali arrives in Doha President of the Republic of Mali hits dozens Ibrahim Boubacar Keita arrived in Doha last night to attend Doha Forum 2017, which will start tomorrow. He was welcomed upon arrival at Hamad International Airport by HE Minister of Culture of countries and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali, Qatar’s ambassador AFP several hospitals each, reported being in Mali Abdulrahman bin Ali al-Ajaj London targeted. al-Kubaisi, and Mali’s ambassador in “We are aware that a number of NHS Qatar Ahmed Tidiany Diakite. In this posed picture photograph, a woman points to the website of the NHS: East and North Hertfordshire notifying users of a organisations have reported that they problem in its network, in London yesterday. Several British hospitals were hit by cyber attacks yesterday, the country’s health fast-moving wave of cyberat- have suff ered from a ransomware at- QATAR | Offi cial service said, forcing some to divert ambulances to other clinics and urge people not to try to contact their doctors. tacks swept the globe yesterday, tack. Aapparently exploiting a fl aw ex- This is not targeted at the NHS, it’s Baluchistan bomb posed in documents leaked from the US an international attack and a number of attack condemned National Security Agency. countries and organisations have been The State of Qatar has strongly The attacks came in the form of ran- aff ected,” said Prime Minister Theresa condemned the suicide bombing somware, a technique used by hackers May. that took place in Pakistan’s Qatar faced 93,570 phishing that locks users’ fi les unless they pay Britain’s National Cyber Security southwestern Baluchistan province the attackers a designated sum in the Centre and its National Crime Agency yesterday, killing and injuring virtual currency Bitcoin. were looking into the UK incidents. dozens of people. In a statement The scope of the attacks was not Pictures posted on social media yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign attacks in 2017 fi rst quarter immediately clear, but some analysts showed screens of NHS computers with Aff airs reiterated Qatar’s firm reported that dozens of countries had images demanding payment of $300 position rejecting violence and been aff ected, with the malware linked (275 euros) in Bitcoin, saying: “Ooops, terrorism in all its forms and By Joseph Varghese have any protection on their mobiles to attacks on hospitals in Britain as well your fi les have been encrypted!” manifestations regardless of the Staff Reporter and they are prone to more such at- as the Spanish telecom giant Telefonica It demands payment in three days motives or reasons. It expressed tacks. Above all, people make use of the and the US delivery fi rm FedEx. or the price is doubled, and if none is Qatar’s condolences to the Pakistani Wi-Fi connections around them with- The US Department of Homeland received in seven days, the fi les will be government and people and to the atar had faced a total of 93,570 out knowing whether they are secure or Security’s computer emergency re- deleted, according to the screen mes- families of the victims. Page 11 phishing attacks in the fi rst not. This allows opportunities to cyber sponse team said it was aware of ran- sage. Qquarter of 2017, a cyber security criminals to access the user’s personal somware infections “in several coun- A hacking group called Shadow QATAR | Weather expert has revealed. details and plan their attacks accord- tries around the world.” Brokers released the malware in April These fi gures were disclosed by Fa- ingly,” explained Assolini. “We are now seeing more than claiming to have discovered the fl aw Light rain forecast bio Assolini, senior security researcher, According to the expert, cyber crimi- 75,000 detections in 99 countries,” Ja- from the NSA, Kaspersky said. across the country Kaspersky Lab at a cyber security event nals are now using a new form of phish- kub Kroustek of the security fi rm Avast Although Microsoft released a secu- Light rain along with a weak chance organised by Kaspersky Lab in Vienna, Fabio Assolini speaking at the event. ing attack called Smishing, using SMS said in a blog post around 2000 GMT. rity patch for the fl aw earlier this year, for the formation of thunderclouds Austria. service. They send SMS announcing Earlier, Kaspersky researcher Costin many systems have yet to be updated, have been forecast today also across Speaking to Gulf Times at the event, internet portals,” the cyber security ex- some promotions or other news using a Raiu cited 45,000 attacks in 74 coun- researchers said. Qatar, the Met department said. Light Assolini said: “In 2016 Kaspersky Lab pert explained. hyperlink to access the particular site. If tries, saying that the malware, a self- “Unlike most other attacks, this mal- rain was reported yesterday from products blocked more than 268,000 The orange group refers to the sec- the person clicks on the link, the cyber replicating “worm,” was spreading ware is spreading primarily by direct the central and southern parts of the phishing attacks targeting users in Qa- ond category of countries where phish- criminals can easily access all the infor- quickly. infection from machine to machine on country, according to a tweet from tar. In the fi rst quarter of this year, we ing attack is widely prevalent while the mation on the phone,” he highlighted. Forcepoint Security Labs said that local networks, rather than purely by e- the Qatar Meteorology Department. have observed that such attacks were red one refers to the fi rst category of The network devices such as the rout- “a major malicious e-mail campaign” mail,” Lance Cottrell, chief scientist at The maximum temperature is on the increase in the country and the countries that suff er most from such ers and modems are also used by the consisting of nearly 5mn e-mails per the US technology group Ntrepid. expected to be 41C today in Doha number as of March 31 is 93,570. Qatar attacks. hackers to access the data from a compu- hour was spreading the new ran- “The ransomware can spread with- and at Mesaieed, Wakrah and Al also had about 13,000 banking trojans Phishing is the fraudulent practice ter. “Such attacks take place on devices somware. out anyone opening an e-mail or click- Khor, followed by 39C at Abu Samra, (malware to attack banking transac- of sending e-mails pretending to be that are not confi gured properly. These The malware’s name is WCry, but ing on a link.” 38C at Dukhan and 34C at Ruwais. tions) infections per month of the fi rst from reputable companies to induce attacks are silent and remote exploiting analysts were also using variants such NHS Incident Director Anne Rains- The minimum temperature of 25C quarter of this year.” individuals to reveal personal informa- the vulnerabilities to change the DNS as WannaCry. berry urged the British public to “use is forecast at Dukhan, followed by “Qatar along with three other Gulf tion, such as passwords and credit card (Domain Name Servers) in the system Forcepoint said in a statement that the NHS wisely while we deal with this 26C at Al Khor and Ruwais, 27C at countries is in the orange category of numbers. which is enough for the attacker to con- the attack had “global scope”, aff ecting major incident which is still ongoing”. Abu Samra, Mesaieed and Wakrah, countries in phishing attacks in the “The phishing attack is also on the trol the whole system,” noted Assolini. organisations in Australia, Belgium, The sort of ransom demands seen on and 29C in Doha. Yesterday, the world. In 2016, about 47.48% of the increase over the smart phones as mo- He has cautioned everyone to keep France, Germany, Italy and Mexico. the NHS screens are not without prec- maximum temperature in Qatar was phishing attacks targeted fi nancial bile phones are a key target of the cy- their Internet-connected devices well- In the United States, FedEx acknowl- edent at medical facilities. 41C and the minimum, 24C. sector while over 24% targeted global ber hackers of late. Most people do not protected against all such attacks. edged it had been hit by malware and In February 2016, a Los Angeles was “implementing remediation steps hospital, the Hollywood Presbyterian AFRICA | Health as quickly as possible.” Medical Center, paid $17,000 in Bitcoin Man gets 15-year jail, QR500,000 fi ne for bid to smuggle drugs The UK’s state-run National Health to hackers who took control of its com- One dead in new Ebola Service declared a “major incident” af- puters for more than a week. outbreak in Congo A Doha Criminal Court has sentenced an carton as part of his luggage, with foodstuff contents of the carton. He claimed that one ter the attack, which forced some hos- “Ransomware becomes particularly At least one person has died from Indian traveller to 15 years in jail, a fi ne of and around 6kg of hashish. According to the of his compatriots, who helped him obtain pitals to divert ambulances and scrap nasty when it infects institutions like the Ebola virus in Democratic QR500,000 and subsequent deportation fi le of the case, the customs offi cer in charge the visa and promised him to fi nd a job, operations. hospitals, where it can put people’s Republic of Congo, the Health for an attempt to smuggle illicit drugs into suspected the contents of the carton and gave it to him at the airport and asked him In Spain, major fi rms including Tele- lives in danger,” said Kroustek, the Ministry and the World Health the country. Local Arabic daily Arrayah decided to refer it to a full search, during to deliver it to somebody who would meet fonica were hit, with employees told to Avast analyst. Organisation (WHO) said yesterday, has reported that the man was coming to which the illicit drugs were found hidden in him at HIA. In addition to the smuggling shut down workstations immediately A spokesman for Barts Health NHS signalling a new outbreak of the Doha from his home country on a work three bags among the foodstuff . conviction, the court convicted him of illicit through megaphone announcements. Trust in London said it was experienc- disease which killed thousands in visa when he was arrested at Hamad However, the defendant denied any drugs consumption, based on a lab test of a At least 16 organisations within the ing “major IT disruption” and delays at West Africa. Page 5 International Airport (HIA) carrying a knowledge about the drugs or the real sample of his blood. NHS, some of them responsible for all four of its hospitals. Tenants expect a new round of demolition in Asmakh

ome commercial tenants in the demolished in the latest phase includes pensation he received for vacating his Shara Al Asmakh area of Doha a complex that houses a well-known premises in Asmakh was “fairly good”, Shave said they are anticipating a restaurant, hotels and groceries, it is he had to part with “more than that fresh round of demolition in the neigh- learnt. amount” to provide a security deposit bourhood. It could be recalled that a number of to the owners of the property where he They say the decision of landlords buildings had earlier been earmarked had relocated. and agencies to stop collecting rents is for demolition in Asmakh. Eviction no- Meanwhile, tenants in some other a “clear indication” that some build- tices were also served, prompting some parts of Asmakh said they were not ings in the area will be razed soon. of the occupants to seek an extension. considering shifting yet. If it happens, the latest round of Some shops selling electrical and One of them said representatives of demolition will take place after a long electronic goods in the area had his landlord had assured the tenants interval, the tenants say. It is under- stopped operating months ago in an- repeatedly that they would be able to stood that the demolition drive is part ticipation of a demolition drive, and stay put in their present location at of a major urban development project, relocated to other city areas. A promi- least until the end of this year. This area as reported by Gulf Times earlier. nent Asian sweet shop was one of the includes a number of old buildings. According to some of them, the establishments that shifted to a city For many residents, particularly old- agency that collected their monthly suburb last year. timers, visiting Shara Al Asmakh was a rents had stopped doing so and also Enquiries made with some of the regular aff air to buy diff erent kinds of indicated that the business operators shops’ operators revealed that many goods despite the arrival of swanky and there should consider relocating with- of them had taken possession of new large shopping centres in the city. out waiting for further orders from the rooms in other areas, some of which Traffi c congestion is common but relevant authorities. were outside Doha Municipality limits. that doesn’t deter residents from Establishments that are likely to be One of them said though the com- thronging the place in large numbers. A section of the Asmakh area. PICTURE: Jayaram Gulf Times 2 Saturday, May 13, 2017 QATAR HMC marks World Qatari inventor wins gold medal for ‘Oxy Hand Hygiene Day water tank cooler’ amad Medical Corpo- ration (HMC) marked atari inventor Mohsen al- HWorld Hand Hygiene Shaikh, who is taking part in Day (WHHD) by holding a Qthe 28th International Inven- number of activities across its tion, Innovation and Technology Ex- hospitals to emphasise the im- hibition (ITEX) being held in Malaysia, portance of hand hygiene. won a gold medal in the ITEX Malay- World Hand Hygiene Day, ob- sia Innovative Product Award Com- served on May 5, is a global cam- petition for his invention “Oxy water paign by the WHO to promote tank cooler”. good hand hygiene practices In remarks to Qatar News Agency among individuals working in (QNA), Mohsen al-Shaikh expressed healthcare. The theme for this pleasure at this achievement. “My in- year’s WHHD is ‘Fight Anti- vention “Oxy water cooler” works to biotic Resistance – It’s in Your cool the tanks water at high speed, ex- Hands.’ plaining that the idea is based on using Each year, the WHHD cam- the Nano technology in circulating and paign aims to enhance the glo- cooling the air inside the tank”. bal profi le of good hand hygiene He said that his invention is the in healthcare and bring people fastest water cooling system, point- together in support of hand ing out that it can reduce the tem- hygiene improvements. The perature of the entire content of a tank WHHD campaign at HMC was with 800 gallons of water from 40 de- organised by the Corporate In- Dr Yousuf al-Maslamani, medical director of Hamad General Hospital, opens World Hand Hygiene Day activities. grees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius in fection and Prevention Control three hours. Programme (CIPC). The CIPC is touching a patient, and after Quality and Patient Safety and larly those caused by resistant ITEX is one of the largest annual a strategic programme that aims touching a patient’s senior consultant in infectious microorganisms. For this rea- exhibitions on inventions. This year to develop eff ective infection surroundings. diseases, HMC. son, hand hygiene improvement more than 850 inventors from 25 coun- control practices to drive con- “All healthcare workers should Dr al-Ajmi noted that the provides a gateway to wider im- tries participated in the exhibition’s tinuous quality improvement be aware of and follow these hand burden of clinical diseases at- provements in safety and quality, various scientifi c and technical fi elds. Mohsen al-Shaikh holding the gold medal. within the organisation. washing practices. While the tributable to healthcare-associ- and is a cost-eff ective During this year’s campaign, compliance rate at HMC is above ated infections (HCAIs) in most intervention,” she said. HMC staff were encouraged to international standards, there is healthcare settings range from “Hand washing with soap and Man sentenced to one year in jail for stealing vehicle rims revisit the fi ve key moments of always room for improvement. fi ve to 15% and can aff ect up to water has been proven to be one hand washing defi ned by WHO Improving hand hygiene will save 40% of patients admitted to of the most eff ective and in- A Doha Criminal Court has his friend when he saw the four Later, he managed to sell them for healthcare workers. These lives, unnecessary suff ering, and intensive care units. expensive measures to prevent sentenced a man to one year in rims in the yard. So, he asked for QR2,500. Police managed include: before touching a pa- is cost eff ective. The support of “HCAIs are clearly a major the transmission of infections jail for stealing four vehicle rims his friend to get the rims into his to arrest the defendant and his tient, before cleaning and asep- all staff is vital to achieving these patient safety problem and the among healthcare professionals, and selling them for QR2,500. vehicle but the friend refused. friend a short while later. tic procedures (insertion of de- goals,” said Dr Jameela al-Ajmi, simple action of hand hygiene patients, and their families, as The local daily Arrayah has Then, the defendant went inside However, the court acquitted vices such as catheters), after executive director, Corporate In- has been shown to dramatically well as visitors to a hospital,” she reported that the defendant the house and carried the rims the friend and convicted the contact with bodily fl uids, after fection Prevention and Control, reduce these infections, particu- added. was passing by a house with into his vehicle and went away. defendant. PHCC launches hand hygiene campaign

he Primary Health Care ness and health education to of hand cleaning, organisation Corporation (PHCC) has reduce the transmission rates of events and distribution of Tlaunched its 8th hand of resistance objects at homes, brochures and publications to hygiene campaign to mark communities, healthcare sites, encourage good practice and Hand Hygiene Day, observed food chains and water supply, ensure patient safety is at the QC will hold the initiative in collaboration with Qatar Cyclists. by the World Health Organisa- improving the level of personal forefront of the services they tion on May 5 and continuing hygiene is the key element in it. deliver. throughout the month. Health-related infections Hands are the major means This year, the campaign fo- are a leading cause of the of transporting many infec- cuses on highlighting the im- death and adverse events dur- tious diseases, either directly, QC gearing up for ‘Cyclists for Education’ drive portance of hand hygiene on ing healthcare delivery around such as direct contact between antibiotics resistance. PHCC the world, which explains why individuals such as shaking of has been raising awareness infection prevention is consid- hands, or indirectly through atar Charity (QC), in col- the quality of education and the phase of the global cycling event ropean countries,” said Dr Ab- through staff lectures, and dis- ered the cornerstone of patient contact with surrounding ob- laboration with Qatar learning environment, providing is based on the belief that sports dul Aziz al-Kuwari, team leader tribution of educational ma- safety. Healthcare providers jects contaminated with bacte- QCyclists, is preparing to secondary education services to can deliver a valuable message of Qatar Cyclists, adding that terial to the patients and the have a responsibility towards ria or viruses from the hands of launch the third phase of the ‘Cy- 1,920 girls in Beit Lahia and the related to charitable and human- more than 50 young Qatari riders public. patients seeking medical care, other people in public places, clists for Education’ initiative. Bedouin village in the northern itarian work, adding that sports have registered for participation The campaign aims to en- to prevent the risk of them such as door handles, escala- Over the past two phases, the Gaza strip and providing scientifi c stars can help others and serve until now. courage good hand hygiene contracting an infection while tors, shopping carts, elevator participating cyclists have raised laboratories, the statement notes. as role models for the entire He also informed that mem- practices that will reduce the receiving medical care. buttons, cash and others. half of the money required as “I would like to extend my sin- society, especially young people. bers of the Qatar Cyclists team risk of spreading healthcare as- PHCC also works to avoid Through this campaign, part of an initiative that aims cere thanks to Qatar Cyclists for “Starting after Eid al-Fitr, would hold a press conference sociated infections by reducing various risks that may oc- PHCC seeks to improve and to raise QR5mn for rebuilding a co-operating with us and for cyclists will ride 800kms from before launching the third phase the spread of germs. cur in health centres, includ- consolidate hand hygiene prac- girls’ school in Gaza, QC has said spending both their time and eff ort Britain to Germany to support in order to market the project PHCC explained that it has ing preventing the transmis- tices, and motivates commu- in a statement. on humanitarian work,” said Ali the construction phases of the and support charitable work and established the strategies to sion of germs by ensuring the nity and workers in the health The initiative comes within Atiq al-Abdullah, executive direc- project. The Qatar Cyclists team sports simultaneously through address the risk of antimicro- provision of disinfectants and centres to reduce the infection the framework of QC’s belief in tor for Local Development, QC. is fully prepared to start the glo- organising various events bial resistance, through aware- awareness of the importance associated with healthcare. the importance of improving He pointed out that the third bal biking challenge in fi ve Eu- sponsored by corporate houses. QC conducts horse-riding training for Gaza orphans

atar Charity (QC) has Tomooh Association, noted that also extended to Qatar Char- A shield was also presented concluded a horse-rid- the project enhances orphans’ ity for implementing important to Qatar Charity for supporting Qing training project for confi dence and helps them in development projects,” he added. the orphans and poor families in Dignitaries during the visit. orphans in the Gaza Strip, ben- a manner consistent with their On the occasion, the people the Gaza Strip. efi ting some 100 children aged aspirations and the horse- of Qatar in general – and donors The initiative is part of a large between 12 and 15 years. riding hobby. in particular – were thanked number of projects implement- The orphans were given the “Thanks to the generous phi- for their generosity and sup- ed by QC to help the orphans two-month training in co- lanthropists of Qatar for sup- port. At the end of the ceremo- of Gaza live decently. The or- operation with Tomooh As- porting the Palestinian peo- ny, QC honoured the trainees phans sponsored by QC in Gaza Governor of Grande sociation. They attended 20 ple, especially the orphans’ and gave them certifi cates of numbers more than 8,000, the classes of 90 minutes each group, and our appreciation is appreciation. statement adds. under the supervision of the implementing association. QC’s project aims to con- Comore visits QRCS duct recreational activities for orphans, inculcating the spirit he Governor of Grande of Communication; Dr Fawzi further co-operation to improve and values of equestrianism Comore, Hassani Hamadi Oussedik, head of International living standards in the country, in them as well as encouraging TMgomri, has visited Qatar Relations and International Hu- with a promise to remove any dif- and preparing them to partici- Red Crescent (QRCS) with a dip- manitarian Law; and offi cials fi culties that future humanitarian pate in horse-riding, according lomatic delegation on the side- from the Relief and International undertakings may face. to a statement. lines of his offi cial trip to Doha. Development Division. Al-Hammadi hailed the pro- Mohamed Abu Haloub, di- The delegation was accom- Al-Hammadi welcomed the posed co-operation in light of rector of the QC offi ce in Gaza, panied by Sheikh Dr Faleh bin guests and held talks about the hu- QRCS’s goals and scope of work, in expressed contentment over Nasser al-Thani, assistant un- manitarian and social conditions in the form of well-designed projects conclusion of the project, dersecretary at the Ministry Grande Comore, which faces chal- with formalised objectives, budgets, which promotes the orphans’ of Municipality and Environ- lenges of poverty, economic crisis timeframes and mechanisms. leadership skills as well as their ment for Agricultural Aff airs, and inadequate services. “We look forward to your sup- physical, psychological and Livestock and Fisheries. Mgomri thanked QRCS for its port in facilitating our work in social health. He stressed that They were received by Ali eff ective humanitarian interven- Grande Comore to continue to horse-riding helps build chil- Hassan al-Hammadi, secretary- tions in the Comoros, particularly serve the needy local communi- dren’s personality in order to general of QRCS; Yousef Ahmed in medical and food assistance. ties there. Empowerment and serve their country and society. al-Hammadi, executive director; Highlighting the important role sustainability are top priorities Mohamed Kayali, head of Participants of the initiative with off icials. Issa Mohamed al-Ishaq, director of QRCS in Africa, he called for of QRCS’s projects,” he added. Gulf Times Saturday, May 13, 2017 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD Way forward for Libya uncertain despite ‘crucial’ meeting last week

Reuters Haftar is said to want a Tunis three-member ruling coun- cil that includes himself and Aguila Saleh, head of the ibyan military com- eastern parliament, alongside mander Khalifa Haftar, a Seraj. Lfi gurehead in the east of But that would leave out key the country, and Fayez Seraj, constituencies represented the head of a UN-backed gov- in Seraj’s current leadership ernment in Tripoli, appeared council, including southern at ease as they broke more than Libya and the city of Mis- a year of deadlock between rata, whose powerful military them at talks in Abu Dhabi last brigades have been broadly Members of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), walk down a street in the town of Tabqa, as they advance in their battle for the IS stronghold in nearby Raqqa. week. aligned with the GNA and The meeting may have been against Haftar. amicable but it is unclear if ei- Some more radical Mis- ther man will sway a complex rata militias that still back an array of factions on both sides ousted, conservative-leaning of Libya’s divide towards com- government, and have recently promise. lost ground in Tripoli, are ve- Also unclear is whether for- hemently anti-Haftar. US-backed forces prepare eign states with divergent strat- But even more moderate egies in Libya will help them do armed factions aligned with so — especially as US President the GNA in the capital re- Donald Trump has yet to spell acted with unease after the out a policy on Libya. Abu Dhabi meeting they saw At stake are the prospects as unfairly bolstering Haftar’s for fi nal push on Raqqa for stabilising and unifying strongman position. Libya, which splintered into “We have said numerous AFP the looming assault at a news a fi nal assault. At their closest in the main marketplace, where coming from,” the mother of fi ve competing fi efdoms after the times no to military rule and Tabqa conference in Tabqa, which the point, the US-backed forces are militants had scrawled many of said. “We really wanted to be Nato-backed uprising that Tripoli is a red line, whether for alliance of Kurdish and Arab just eight kilometres from the their slogans. done with (IS). We hated them, toppled Muammar Gaddafi in Haftar or anyone else,” Hashem fi ghters captured from IS on city. Signs sticking from a street but we’re afraid they’ll come 2011. Bisher, a prominent command- S-backed fi ghters said Wednesday along with the near- They are backed by coalition post read “Know that paradise is back to Tabqa,” she added. Western powers had hoped er, wrote on his Facebook page. yesterday they were pre- by dam in one of their most im- air strikes, American special achieved through combat,” and The SDF is dominated by the Seraj’s Government of Na- The reaction became wider Uparing for a fi nal assault portant victories yet. forces advisers and even a US “Prepare to fi ght with all your Kurdish People’s Protection tional Accord (GNA) would and angrier when Seraj’s For- on the Islamic State group’s Syr- Yesterday, an AFP team en- Marines artillery battery. strength”. Units (YPG), seen by the US as play that role. eign Minister Mohamed Siyala ian bastion Raqqa, likely next tered Tabqa and the adjacent SDF deputy head Qahraman Tabqa residents began return- an indispensable ally in the fi ght But though oil production made comments on Monday month, with new weapons and dam — Syria’s largest — and saw Hassan said: “In the beginning ing to their homes yesterday, but against IS but considered a “ter- has risen and Islamic State that suggested acceptance of armoured vehicles promised by rows of sandbags, mangled cars of the summer, we will storm Shahhour Zuair, 46, said the sit- rorist group” by Turkey. was defeated in its stronghold Haftar as the head of a national Washington. and craters from heavy bom- and liberate (Raqqa) city.” uation remained diffi cult. The US change in policy has of Sirte under its watch, the army. The Syrian Democratic Forces bardment dotting the structure. His forces would receive As the fi ght around Tabqa in- reignited a dispute with Ankara, GNA has been unable to ex- One brigade said it had shut (SDF) earlier this week captured The battle for Tabqa was “special weapons and armoured tensifi ed around two months with Turkish President Recep tend its authority or resolve the foreign ministry, where the city of Tabqa and an adja- marked by fears that the dam vehicles” to enter the city, Has- ago, he fl ed with his six children Tayyip Erdogan calling for an acute security and economic pictures of Haftar were post- cent dam, a major prize in the would be severely damaged and san said, after President Donald and elderly parents. “immediate” reversal. crises since arriving in Tripoli ed captioned: “No to the war off ensive for Raqqa, the Syr- collapse, leading to massive Trump changed US policy to al- He made his way back two More than 320,000 people in March last year. criminal Khalifa Haftar”. ian heart of IS’ self-proclaimed fl ooding downstream. low arms deliveries to the SDF’s days ago when he heard the SDF have been killed and millions Haftar, meanwhile, built his The Benghazi Defence Bri- “caliphate”. The body of an alleged IS Kurdish component. had recaptured the city. more displaced since the confl ict power base in the east, spurn- gades (BDB), which includes “The attack on Raqqa will fi ghter was seen yesterday fl oat- No newly authorised aid had “The civilians are coming in Syria broke out in March 2011. ing the GNA as his self-styled fi ghters who have been bat- take place in the beginning of ing in the reservoir created by been delivered yet, Hassan said, back but there is a lack of water, It began with protests against Libyan National Army (LNA) tling LNA forces as they push the summer,” SDF commander the dam. but he added that “I believe this electricity, bread and food,” he Syrian President Bashar al-As- took control of most of Beng- west and south, condemned Rojda Felat said in Tabqa, which The SDF fi ght for Raqqa — support will arrive soon.” said, sitting in front of a pile of sad but has since widened into hazi and oil facilities to the Siyala’s comments and ques- lies on the banks of the Euphra- dubbed Operation Wrath of the A US defence official said sandbags. a multi-front confl ict that has southwest. tioned the GNA holding “sus- tes River about 55 kilometres Euphrates — has already seen the earlier this week that the Mutia, 41, said she was glad drawn in world powers. As the international com- picious conferences and meet- west of Raqqa. alliance capture large swathes of equipment would include small to be back in Tabqa after fl eeing Yesterday, more than 1,200 munity pressed to reset the ings”. Seraj did not travel to She later specifi ed that it the surrounding province with arms, ammunition, machine- during the ferocious off ensive. people were bused out of rebel- UN-mediated deal that cre- Egypt for a follow-up meeting would probably start in June help from the US-led coalition guns, armoured vehicles and “The fi ghting was really tough controlled districts of Damascus ated the GNA, Haftar shunned with Haftar originally expect- based on “military and tactical bombing IS in Iraq and Syria. bulldozers. — there was artillery, warplanes, as part of a settlement bring- dialogue, refusing at the last ed on Thursday. considerations”. The SDF is working to tighten Inside Tabqa, AFP’s corre- snipers...We wouldn’t even ing Syria’s government closer to minute to meet Seraj in Cairo Western diplomats say for- SDF commanders announced the noose around Raqqa before spondent saw destroyed shops know where the shelling was controlling the whole capital. in February. eign mediation has to be syn- “The fact that they met chronised for a political deal to this time was important,” said be reached. a senior Western diplomat. The Abu Dhabi meeting was “Haftar has moved...he is now brokered by Haftar’s two most sounding more amenable to prominent foreign backers, Yemen govt rejects UN says attack on port would compromise.” the United Arab Emirates and Last month there was also Egypt. a meeting in Rome between Both share the Haftar southern council the heads of two parliaments camp’s distaste for the Broth- displace at least 400,000 based in Tripoli and the east, erhood and back his military one aligned with the GNA and campaign against militants. AFP the southern province of Aden. the other with Haftar. Algeria, which hosted a Riyadh “Such acts remain baseless Reuters Both are naming delega- round of talks this week, and and will never be accepted,” the Geneva tions to negotiate the details Tunisia, are pushing a more presidency statement said, add- of a deal. inclusive approach. he government of war- ing that the move only served But there are few obvious But diplomacy has been dis- ravaged Yemen yesterday the Houthi rebels who have been n attack on Yemen’s Ho- signs of convergence. jointed, in part because of un- Trejected a self-proclaimed fi ghting Hadi’s internationally deidah port would dis- A statement from the Haftar certainty over US policy under autonomous body in the formerly recognised government for more Aplace more than 400,000 camp in Abu Dhabi stressed the Trump administration and independent south whose forma- than two years. people, the UN International support for the military, bat- a delayed leadership change tion is seen as an open challenge It urged those listed as council Organisation for Migration said tling terrorism, and “address- at the United Nations’ Libya to the president’s authority. members “to declare a clear po- yesterday, doubling its previous ing the proliferation of armed mission. An offi cial statement issued sition” towards the new body. minimum estimate. formations” — mirroring the That has left a vacuum that after President Abd-Rabbu Hadi, a southerner, has been “A minimum of 400,000 image Haftar projects as a medium-sized players with Mansour Hadi met his advisors based in Riyadh since March people will fl ee the city east- strongman who can crush ex- diff erent approaches have in the Saudi capital “categori- 2015, when the Houthis closed in wards, once Al Hudaydah is tremism and curb militias. been battling to fi ll, said Jalel cally rejected” the South Transi- on his refuge in Aden after seizing under attack,” IOM’s Director Seraj’s statement refl ected Harchaoui, a geopolitics re- tion Council whose 26 members the capital Sanaa and other areas. of Operations and Emergen- conditions that could contain searcher at Paris 8 University include the governors of fi ve Although government forces cies Mohamed Abdiker said in Yemeni men suspected of being infected with cholera receive Haftar — placing the mili- specialising on Libya. southern provinces and two gov- backed by a coalition have re- a statement, using a diff erent treatment at a hospital in Sanaa yesterday. tary under civilian authority, “If the US takes a keen in- ernment ministers. captured fi ve southern prov- English spelling for the port’s building a democratic state, terest in Libya again, they The body was announced on inces, including Aden, Hadi has name. coalition forces on the Houthi- ate need of food, saying that and preserving “the principles would be the only player that Thursday by Aidarous al-Zoubei- only returned to the port city for The UN has previously held port, the aid lifeline for 200,000-500,000 people of the 17 February (2011) revo- could unify these eff orts,” he di, the recently fi red governor of short visits. warned against any attack by millions of people in desper- could be displaced. lution”. said. Rouhani pledges to end remaining sanctions

AFP venting foreign money from entering four years will not yield anything posi- stagnation and high unemployment Tehran Iran. “I will engage myself in lifting all tive in the future,” said Ghalibaf. have given plenty of ammunition to his the non-nuclear sanctions during the Much of the fi nal debate consisted of conservative opponents. coming four years and bring back the tit-for-tat corruption allegations. Cleric and jurist Ebrahim Raisi is seen ran’s President Hassan Rouhani grandeur of Iran and the Iranian peo- The conservatives accused Rouhani, as the leading conservative, though still vowed yesterday to continue re- ple,” he said. his family and his associates of fi nancial a distant second to Rouhani in unoffi cial Ibuilding ties with the world and Removing more sanctions will be a and property-related graft. polls. get rid of remaining sanctions during tall order given the current stance of The president hit back with his own He kept up his eff orts to reach out to a fi ery fi nal debate a week ahead of the US President Donald Trump, who has allegations against the Tehran mayor poor and religiously conservative vot- election. harshly criticised the nuclear deal and from a time when he was head of secu- ers. Rouhani, who is seeking a second vowed to take a tougher line on Iran. rity. “The people expect government four-year term next Friday, said Te- Rouhani faced bruising attacks “In 2005, I had a dossier on you in my members to fear God,” said Raisi, who hran’s nuclear deal with world powers throughout the debate from his con- hands and I blocked its publication. If I runs the Imam Reza shrine in the holy had ended many sanctions and brought servative opponents, who say his poli- had let it be published at the time, you city of Mashhad. a windfall from renewed oil sales over cies have done little to help the poor. would not be sitting here today,” said “Poverty has increased with this gov- the past year that could now be invest- “The country is facing an economic Rouhani. ernment from 23% to 33%. We must in- ed. crisis, with unemployment, recession A politically moderate cleric who is crease direct aid to the poor,” he added, “We want to allocate $15bn for in- and infl ation,” said hardline Tehran seen as the best option for liberalising accusing Rouhani’s government of only vestments...and $3-5bn for supporting mayor Mohamed Bagher Ghalibaf, who reformists, Rouhani has been on the of- boosting subsidies at the last minute to the poor and needy,” said Rouhani. repeatedly returned to his theme that fensive all week, framing the vote as a grab votes. But he went further in his closing Rouhani’s administration had benefi ted choice between greater social freedoms “Why did you wait for the election statement, vowing for the fi rst time to only the “four percenters” at the top of and repression. campaign to increase aid? Why didn’t target the remaining US sanctions that society. But the fi nal debate was themed you do it four years ago? The people are Rouhani: vowing to end remaining sanctions are still hampering trade deals and pre- “A tree that has not born any fruit in around the economy, where continued intelligent and they will decide.” Gulf Times 4 Saturday, May 13, 2017 ARAB WORLD Paramilitaries Troops kill Palestinian drive IS towards border after in West Bank clashes Mosul battle Reuters Jerusalem Reuters hundreds of thousands of ci- Erbil, Iraq vilians as human shields. sraeli soldiers shot dead a The paramilitaries have Palestinian during stone- been kept on the sidelines of Ithrowing clashes in the oc- raq’s paramilitaries the battle for the city of Mo- cupied West Bank yesterday, launched an off ensive sul itself, but have captured a residents and the Palestinian Iyesterday to drive Islamic vast, thinly populated area to Health Ministry said. State from a desert region near the southwest, cutting Islamic An Israeli military spokes- the border with Syria as secu- State supply routes to Syria. woman said about 100 Palestin- rity forces fought the militants Islamic State is losing terri- ians were involved in what she in the city of Mosul. tory and on the retreat in both described as a riot during which Spokesman Karim al-Nouri Iraq and Syria. they threw stones at Israeli sol- said the target of the operation The Iraqi military said in diers. “In response to the threat was the Qairawan and Baaj ar- a statement its air force was the soldiers fi red riot dispersal eas about 100km west of Mo- supporting the operation by means,” she said. sul, where US-backed Iraqi the paramilitary groups known The Palestinian Health Minis- forces are advancing in their collectively as Hashid Shaabi try said the man killed had been campaign to rout the militants or Popular Mobilisation Forces shot in the chest. from city. (PMF). Unlike regular Iraqi Residents of the West Bank Seven months into the Mo- security forces, the PMF does village Nabi Saleh, near the city sul campaign, Islamic State not receive support from the of Ramallah, said he was shot has been driven from all but US-led coalition, which is during stone-throwing clashes A Palestinian protester hurls stones towards Israeli troops during clashes in the West Bank village of Beita, near Nablus, yesterday. a handful of districts in the wary of Iran’s infl uence over that erupted after prayers yes- city’s western half including the most powerful factions terday. the Old City, where it is using within the body. At least 244 Palestinians have died during a wave of sporadic violence in Israel and the Pales- APPOINTMENT tinian Territories, that began in Sudan’s PM names new cabinet October 2015. At least 164 of them had Sudan’s first prime minister years of conflict with rebels launched stabbing, shooting or since 1989 has named a new in the vast western region of car ramming attacks, Israel says. government and vowed to Darfur and the southern Blue Others died during clashes resolve insurgencies in border Nile and South Kordofan states. and protests. regions and heal the country’s Opposition figures, including In the same period of violence, crisis-wracked economy. The Sadiq al-Mahdi — who was 37 Israelis, two American tour- new cabinet was unveiled late prime minister at the time of the ists and a British student have Thursday by Bakri Hassan coup — will play no role in the been killed. Saleh, appointed in March as new 31-minister cabinet. The frequency of the attacks Sudan’s first prime minister The foreign and defence minis- has slowed but has not stopped. since the post was scrapped ters in the previous government, The Palestinian Authority, after President Omar al-Bashir Ibrahim Ghandour and Mo- which exercises limited self-rule came to power. Saleh said the hamed Ahmed bin Awaf, kept in the West Bank, denies incite- government would prioritise “in- their posts, while the interior, ment and says that, in many cas- creasing production, improving finance and petroleum ministers es, Israel has used excessive force people’s living standards and were replaced. in thwarting attackers armed Palestinian groom Ali Ghait and his bride Raneen arrive at a sit-in tent to show solidarity with Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike in jails, in the achieving peace.” Four women will serve in the with rudimentary weapons. West Bank city of Hebron yesterday. Sudan has been rocked by new government. Norwegian union angers Israel TV series shines spotlight AFP LO, which also called for Norway to rec- Oslo ognise a Palestinian state according to the 1967 borders, was criticised by the govern- ment. on human faces in confl ict orway’s biggest trade union voted “Norwegian government strongly op- yesterday in favour of a boycott poses Norw Labour Union’s decision: Nagainst Israel, a decision immedi- #boycott of #Israel. We need more co-op- AFP sides of the story.” “We wanted to awarded by the Israeli Academy of She brings a bomb in an Israeli bar ately condemned by Israeli diplomats who eration and dialogue, not boycott,” Foreign Jerusalem show that even the bad guys are very Film and Television, including best where the girlfriend of one of the judged it “immoral”. Minister Borge Brende wrote on Twitter. diff erent from what the average Is- dramatic series. Israeli agents works. Inside the bar, The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Israel’s embassy in Oslo said it “con- raeli thinks.” It has also gained fans globally while holding the bag with the bomb Unions (LO) went against a recommenda- demns in the strongest terms” the boycott. isham Suleiman now hears The series follows Doron, a retired both due to its availability on Netfl ix inside, Amal hesitates, her eyes tion from its leadership and voted 197 to “This immoral resolution refl ects deeply calls of “Abu Ahmad” when member of the undercover Israeli and its appearance at international darting, seemingly staggered by the 117 in favour of an international economic, rooted attitudes of bias, discrimination and Hwalking down the street — a unit who breaks with the peaceful festivals. kindness of the waitress, the agent’s cultural and academic boycott against Is- double standard towards the Jewish state,” sign of the popularity of a television family life he had transitioned into American writer Stephen King girlfriend, who asks if something is rael because of the current impasse over the ambassador Raphael Schutz wrote in an drama that dares to present a com- and rejoins the fi ght at the request of has been among the fans praising it. wrong. Palestine issue. e-mail to AFP. plex view of the Israeli-Palestinian his former chief. Issacharoff said it was diffi cult at A harrowing scene then follows. confl ict. Suleiman’s character — the mem- fi rst to garner interest in the show. Suleiman, who comes from the The show Fauda, or chaos in Ara- ber of the Palestinian movement — “At fi rst, everyone said ‘no’ be- northern Israeli city of Nazareth bic, sees Arab Israeli actor Suleiman is behind a series of suicide attacks cause it was too expensive due to and, like many Arab Israelis, sees portray Abu Ahmad, a Hamas mem- that killed more than 100 Israelis. numerous action scenes and be- himself as a Palestinian, said he ap- ber being pursued by an Israeli un- Doron thought he had killed him, cause everybody here is tired of the preciated that the show’s creators dercover unit. but it turns out he is still alive, so the subject,” he said, referring to the allowed him to play a Hamas mem- Its fi rst season captivated view- former agent returns to fi nish the Israeli-Palestinian confl ict. ber. ers by showing the more human as- job. The power of the series comes He says he has been inundated pects of characters often portrayed The 12 episodes of the fi rst season across in its realism. with messages from fans from a in black and white, while at the same depict the pursuit that follows, with While Fauda was written for an range of backgrounds. time keeping them on edge with the story portrayed in meticulously Israeli audience, all characters are Suleiman says that the show’s tense storylines. constructed scenes refl ective of the portrayed with a rare complexity. blurring of lines is another sign that It is the fi rst Israeli television daily lives of Israelis and Palestin- “The way in which the screen- the confl ict may not be as intracta- show in both Hebrew and Arabic. ians. writers have illustrated the confl ict ble as it seems. A second season is now in prepa- That includes pervasive security is very fair, honest and nuanced,” Issacharoff called it “a kind of ca- ration, and Netfl ix has also picked constraints, attacks and nighttime said Einav Schiff , television critic for tharsis for all post-traumatic Israe- it up, with the fi rst season available raids by the Israeli army in Palestin- Israeli paper Yediot Aharonot. lis and Palestinians”. with English subtitles and dubbing. ian territory. In one episode, Amal, a young “It gives them the possibility to Avi Issacharoff , co-creator of the Two-thirds of the show is in Ara- Palestinian woman whose fi ance be both inside, since it is their story, show and who for years covered the bic, with the characters played by was killed at their wedding ceremo- and outside at the same time, since Palestinian territories as a journal- Jewish and Arab Israelis. ny by a member of the Israeli under- it is only a series — to look at reality ist, said: “We tried to show both In 2016, it won six Ophir prizes cover unit, decides to take revenge. in a detached way,” he said.

Avi Issacharoff , one of the co-authors of the TV drama Fauda, poses for a photograph in Tel Aviv-Yaff o. Gulf Times Saturday, May 13, 2017 5 AFRICA Ivory Coast troops revolt over bonus

Ivorian soldiers and gendarmes patrol in their vehicle by Ivory Coast’s army headquarters, the Gallieni military camp, in Abidjan, yesterday as they fired shots in the air just hours after a spokesman for the protesters publicly apologised for an earlier mutiny. Disgruntled Ivorian soldiers took to pay dispute the streets of Abidjan and two other cities yesterday, firing angrily into the air a day after publicly apologising for a string of recent uprisings. Mutineers leave barracks ary but which it has struggled to a better show of force this time. across country; gunfire pay after a collapse in the price They’re defi nitely stronger (than in erupts in centre of Abidjan; of Cocoa, Ivory Coast’s main ex- January),” one Abidjan-based dip- government holds port, hurt national revenues. lomat said, referring to the gov- emergency security meeting On Thursday, a spokesman for ernment’s response to the unrest. 8,400 soldiers who took part in President Ouattara, the de- Congo death signals new Reuters the January rebellion said they fence and interior ministers and Abidjan would forego demands for more the security forces’ leadership money after meeting with au- convened an emergency meeting thorities in Abidjan. to discuss the uprising. oldiers left their barracks “That’s not what they were Neither the defence minister Ebola outbreak: ministry and blocked streets in sev- meant to say,” said one leader of nor the government’s spokesman Seral towns and cities across the January mutiny who had re- were available for comment. Ivory Coast yesterday, includ- mained in Bouake and asked not Mirroring the rapid spread of Reuters that constitutes a public health as it swept through Guinea, Sier- stood ready to support the Congo ing the commercial capital, fi r- to be named, explaining the sol- the January mutinies, troops in Kinshasa crisis of international signifi - ra Leone and Liberia and caused government’s eff orts to bring the ing gunshots into the air as their diers’ actions. the towns of Odienne, Man and cance,” the ministry said. alarm around the world. epidemic under control. protest over a pay dispute gath- He said the mutineers would Korhogo also took to the streets The WHO’s Congo spokes- In June last year, WHO de- Under an agreement between ered momentum. seal off access to Bouake in the in protest, residents and military person in Democratic Re- man, Eugene Kabambi, said: “It clared Liberia free of active Eb- GAVI and Merck, the developer of The uprising began overnight evening if the authorities failed sources said. public of Congo who died is in a very remote zone, very for- ola virus transmission. an Ebola vaccine known as rVSV- in Bouake, the second largest to respond. In Abidjan, offi ce “We’re still hearing gunfi re. Aof a haemorrhagic fever ested, so we are a little lucky. We Liberia was the last country ZEBOV, it said up to 300,000 city, before spreading quickly. workers fl ed through the streets They are fi ring in the air. To be has tested positive for the Ebola always take this very seriously.” still fi ghting the world’s worst doses of the shot would be avail- The soldiers, most of them ex- in the city’s administrative quar- safe we are starting to send the virus, signalling the start of a This latest Ebola outbreak is outbreak of the disease. able in case of an outbreak. rebel fi ghters who helped bring ter as gunfi re rang out. children home from school,” said new outbreak, the Health Minis- Congo’s eighth, the most of any “Our country is full of people “The WHO and others will President Alassane Ouattara to “This isn’t normal. If there’s a Sarah Toure, a teacher in Bouake, try and the World Health Organ- country. well-trained in this matter and determine if and when deploy- power, erected improvised bar- demand to be made, I think it has in the late morning. isation (WHO) said yesterday. The deadly haemorrhagic our health professionals also ment of vaccine into this out- ricades around the national mili- to be done peacefully,” said Lacine The gunfi re in Bouake later The case was confi rmed from fever was fi rst detected in its helped contain similar epidem- break is warranted,” it said in a tary headquarters and the de- Tia, who works in the city centre. eased, residents said, but revolt- tests on nine people who came dense tropical forests in 1976 ics in other countries,” the health statement. fence ministry, sealing off part of A Reuters witness saw three ing soldiers remained through- down with a haemorrhagic fe- and named after the nearby river ministry said in its statement, “There are 300,000 doses of downtown Abidjan. pickup trucks carrying elite Re- out the city and on the main ver in Bas-Uele province in the Ebola. adding that a response team Ebola vaccine available if needed The National Security Coun- publican Guard troops, who fi red road leading south towards the northeast of the country on or That experience helped Con- would arrive in the area today. to stop this outbreak becoming cil held an emergency meeting, a warning shots that pushed the administrative capital Yamous- after April 22, a ministry state- golese authorities respond ef- The GAVI global vaccine al- a pandemic,” said GAVI’s chief defence ministry source said. mutineers back inside the mili- soukro and Abidjan. ment said. fectively to an outbreak in 2014 liance said on Friday some executive Seth Berkley. “The The soldiers were revolting tary headquarters compound. Ivory Coast emerged from a Three people have died of fe- that killed 42 people. 300,000 emergency doses of an vaccine has shown high effi cacy over delayed bonus payments, A standoff in the heart of the 2002-2011 confl ict as one of the ver. At the same time, a separate Ebola vaccine developed by Mer- in clinical trials and could play a promised by the government af- city ensued. world’s fastest-growing econo- “Our country must confront outbreak killed more than 11,300 ck could be available in case of a vital role in protecting the most ter a nationwide mutiny in Janu- “They’re defi nitely putting on mies. an outbreak of the Ebola virus people and infected some 28,600 large-scale outbreak and that it vulnerable.”

Over 1,000 die of meningitis in Nigeria A meningitis outbreak has left is the hardest hit. 1,069 people dead in Nigeria Of the 448 laboratory-confirmed Congo poll risks since late 2016, the Nigeria cases, most suff ered from the C Centre of Disease Control said strain of the acute inflammation yesterday. of the protective membranes delay due to The outbreak is regarded as covering the brain and the the worst in the West African spinal cord. country in nine years. There has been concern militia violence About 13,420 suspected cases about a global shortage of had been reported as of Mon- the meningitis C vaccine, day, according to the situation which has contributed to a Reuters report. delayed medical response in Kinshasa The north-west of the country Nigeria.

emocratic Republic of Congo’s presi- dential election, slated for late this Dyear to choose a successor to President Joseph Kabila, could be delayed because of persistent militia violence in central Congo, Zuma ally returns to the election commission president said yes- terday. The elections were originally supposed to head power utility have been held by November 2016 but were postponed when the government said it need- ed more time to register voters. AFP Many analysts say further delays could re- Johannesburg kindle violent anti-Kabila protests that re- sulted in dozens of deaths last year. Under a deal struck in December, a presi- he former chief executive dential election to replace Kabila, in power of South Africa’s state- since 2001, must take place by the end of this Towned power utility is to year. return to the post, offi cials said Kabila refused to step down at the end of his yesterday, less than fi ve months constitutional mandate on Dec. 19 to avoid a after he resigned over a corrup- power vacuum in the absence of the vote. tion scandal that rocked the gov- In an interview in the capital Kinshasa, the ernment. president of Congo’s electoral commission Brian Molefe, a close ally of (CENI), Corneille Nangaa, said the violence President Jacob Zuma, resigned in the central Kasai region and other logistical from Eskom and was sworn in constraints risked undermining the integrity as a member of parliament, of the vote. with many observers expect- “If we organise the election hastily without ing him to be promoted into the preparing what is necessary because we must cabinet. stick to the date, we risk having non-credible But yesterday he stepped elections and that will probably lead to vio- down as a lawmaker and was re- lence,” he said. appointed to Eskom, in the lat- Kabila’s opponents say he intends to re- est surprise political move after peatedly delay elections until he can organise Zuma sacked his respected fi - Brian Molefe, former chief a referendum to let himself stand for a third nance minister in a cabinet purge executive of South Africa’s term, as his counterparts in neighbouring in March. state-owned power utility, is to Congo Republic and Rwanda have done. “Defi nitely’ he is coming return to the post. Kabila denies that charge. back on Monday,” Eskom board The December deal helped tamp down spokesman Khulani Qoma told March in a reshuffl e announced street protests but militia violence has surged local media. at midnight. in recent months, as armed groups exploit Qoma said Molefe was re-ap- The sacking caused the rand to Kabila’s perceived lack of legitimacy, most pointed because the corruption plummet and the country’s sover- notably in the Kasai region. report that forced his resigna- eign credit rating was downgraded An insurrection there that fi rst began last tion was “not conclusive” and to “junk status” by global agencies July has caused hundreds of deaths and dis- also due to a dispute over his Standard & Poor’s and Fitch. placed more than 1mn people, with thousands proposed 30mn rand ($2.2mn) It also triggered unprec- fl eeing into neighbouring Angola. pay-off . edented criticism from within Militiamen have ransacked six of the elec- “The board decided to rescind the ruling African National tion commission’s headquarters in that region its initial decision to grant him Congress and spawned pub- and beheaded three election workers, Nangaa early retirement,” he said. lic protests calling for Zuma to said. Molefe was implicated in a leave office. As a result, enrolment operations have not public ombudsman report de- The ombudsman report re- yet begun in two provinces and parts of a tailing corruption involving the vealed Molefe’s extensive con- third. wealthy Gupta business family, tact with the Guptas when they Nangaa said that while the elections slated who are alleged to have infl uence were in the process of acquiring for this year could technically be held without over Zuma. a mine that supplies Eskom with voting in those areas, “I don’t think we have Respected fi nance minister coal. much of a choice. The most important thing Pravin Gordhan, seen as bulwark Molefe denied any wrongdo- is to pacify that area and enrol as we’ve done against corruption, was sacked in ing but resigned as Eskom chief. elsewhere.” Gulf Times 6 Saturday, May 13, 2017 AMERICAS

PEOPLE LAW AND ORDER APPOINTMENT CRITICISM ENTERTAINMENT Crime campaigner Search for fugitive female Canada names Vigneault Mayor’s flayed for limits Shakira plans new shot dead in Mexico assassin boss in Guatemala as head of spy agency on legal aid to immigrants album this month

A woman who campaigned for victims of crime in Guatemalan security forces have launched a David Vigneault, an adviser on security New York City public defenders have criticised Shakira has announced that she will release a Mexico after helping put her own daughter’s killers search for the female leader of a hit squad for matters to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s a proposal by mayor Bill de Blasio to deny free new album later this month after the superstar in jail has been shot dead, the authorities said. hire after she escaped the prison where she was Cabinet, will take over as head of Canada’s legal counsel to immigrants in deportation sported a reggaeton sound on her first single. Attackers shot Miriam Rodriguez Martinez several serving a 94-year sentence. The head of the spy agency next month following the current hearings if they had been convicted of serious Shakira, one of the top-selling Latin artists of times in the northern town of San Fernando, the national police force, Nery Ramos, said police director’s previously announced retirement, the crimes in the past, saying the plan would deny all time, told her nearly 45mn Twitter followers campaign group she worked for said. Rodriguez stations across the country were on alert looking government said. Vigneault is currently assistant them due process. In his proposed annual that her 11th studio album, El Dorado, will come campaigned for criminals to be brought to out for Marixa Lemus, 45, following her jail break secretary to Cabinet advising on security and budget, De Blasio allocated $16.4mn to legal out on May 26. The album’s title refers to the justice in the crime-stricken northeastern state from a military penitentiary north of Guatemala intelligence. He came to the position in 2013 services for immigrant New Yorkers. Lawyers, mythical city of riches which Spanish explorers of Tamaulipas after her own daughter was killed City. “An alert has gone out nationally and under the previous Conservative government. local lawmakers and civil rights activists sought in her native Colombia. The cover art in 2012. She died on the way to hospital after the operations are underway to locate her,” he said. Trudeau’s Liberals took power in 2015. He has welcomed the funding proposal, which sharply of El Dorado, however, is sombre with Shakira’s attack, the Citizen Community for the Search for Nicknamed “The Boss” (“La Patrona” in Spanish), also worked at the Canada Border Services increases legal aid for immigrants. But they face peeking out of an off -white background. To Disappeared People in Tamaulipas said. State Lemus started her lengthy sentence in March 2015 Agency and was previously assistant director gathered on the steps of City Hall to criticise a preview the album, Shakira last year released the public prosecutor Irving Barrios confirmed the after being convicted of heading up the gang that of intelligence at the Canadian Security provision they said would unfairly deprive some single Chantaje, which means “Blackmail,” a duet death, and said the authorities are investigating. carried out contract killings and kidnappings. Intelligence Service (CSIS). people of the right to due process under the law. with Colombian reggaeton singer Maluma.

Glitch Quebec floods shortens Trump warns 200th spacewalk ousted FBI Agencies Cape Canaveral, Fla.

wo US astronauts fl oated outside the International TSpace Station yesterday chief over on a four-hour spacewalk with an abbreviated task list after a cable supplying power, oxygen, cooling water and communica- tions to a spacesuit developed a leak, Nasa said. Station commander Peggy leaks to media Whitson, a veteran with eight previous spacewalks, and fl ight Reuters dency since he took offi ce on he may be obstructing justice in engineer Jack Fischer, who was Washington January 20, threatening to over- terms of the investigation...and making his fi rst outing, left the whelm his policy priorities. secondly his credibility has been station’s airlock around 9.15am Democrats have accused destroyed.” EDT (1315GMT). resident Donald Trump Trump of trying to dent the FBI Trump also hit back yesterday The start of the spacewalk, yesterday warned ousted probe by fi ring Comey, and have at media reports questioning the originally slated to last 6.5 hours, PFBI director James Comey called for a special counsel to in- credibility of White House ac- was delayed more than an hour against talking to the media, vestigate the Russia issue. counts of why Comey was fi red, while the US National Aeronau- suggesting there might be tapes The New York Times said which have changed over the tics and Space Administration of conversations between the Comey has told associates he de- course of the week and threat- revamped plans due to the leak, two men that could contradict clined to make a pledge of loyalty ened an end to regular White which developed as Fischer’s his account. to Trump when the president re- House press briefi ngs. suit was being prepared. “Comey better hope that quested it as the pair had dinner “As a very active president “Lot of curveballs this morn- there are no ‘tapes’ of our con- at the White House just seven with lots of things happening, it ing,” Nasa astronaut Kjell Lind- versations before he starts leak- days after his inauguration. is not possible for my surrogates gren radioed to the crew from ing to the press!” Trump said in a Comey instead told the Repub- to stand at podium with perfect Mission Control in Houston. string of Twitter posts. lican president he could count on accuracy!” Trump said. “Maybe The spacewalk is the 200th in In a report that added to crit- his honesty, the Times said. the best thing to do would be to support of station assembly and ics’ charges that Trump has “It’s shocking to the con- cancel all future ‘press briefi ngs’ maintenance since construction overstepped the norms of his science. We’ve got to address and hand out written responses began in 1998 on the $100bn offi ce, the New York Times re- that,” said Democratic Repre- for the sake of accuracy???” laboratory that fl ies about ported that the president asked sentative Elijah Cummings, re- The White House initially said 400km above Earth. Comey in January to pledge loy- ferring to Trump’s behaviour Trump fi red Comey on the rec- Whitson and Fischer shared a alty to him, a request that would with Comey, including the re- ommendation of the two top of- second good cable, known as an undermine the standing of the port that the president asked for fi cials at the Justice department, umbilical, as they prepared to FBI chief as an independent law the FBI director’s loyalty. attorney general Jeff Sessions leave the station’s airlock, which enforcer. Trump says Comey had told and deputy attorney general Rod burned through some of their On Twitter, Trump appeared him three times he was not under Rosenstein. spacesuits’ battery power. to suggest that if Comey gave investigation in the Russia probe. In the NBC interview on As a result, Nasa decided to his version of contacts between He said in an interview on Thursday, Trump said he would trim the spacewalk down to four them, the administration might Thursday with NBC News that have fi red Comey regardless of hours, which left time for just one produce tapes of conversations, Comey gave him this assurance any such recommendations. task, said mission commentator although it was not clear if such during a dinner and in two phone The White House has said Rob Navias. Whitson and Fischer tapes exist. conversations. Comey’s fi ring was unrelated to replaced a faulty 200-pound The veiled threat added to the Comey has not publicly dis- the Russia probe. electronics box that routes com- storm over Trump’s abrupt fi ring cussed any conversations he has On Thursday, Trump told mands and data to experiments. of Comey on Tuesday. had with Trump. NBC he knew he ran the risk that Other work that will be re- Critics have assailed Trump Acting FBI director Andrew by fi ring Comey he would “con- scheduled for a future spacewalk for dismissing the FBI chief at a McCabe sidestepped a ques- fuse people” and “lengthen out includes installing equipment time when the agency is investi- tion during a Senate hearing on the investigation” into ties to to troubleshoot a cooling sys- gating alleged Russian meddling Thursday on whether he ever Russia. tem problem with the station’s in the 2016 US election, and heard Comey tell Trump that the “In fact when I decided to just $2bn dark matter detector and possible collusion between Mos- president was not the subject of do it, I said to myself, I said, ‘You attaching a debris shield onto cow and the Trump presidential investigation. know, this Russia thing with an exposed docking port that is campaign. The No 2 Democrat in the sen- Trump and Russia is a made-up being prepared for commercial Streets remain flooded in the Montreal suburb of Pierrefonds, Quebec, Canada, yesterday. The Federal Bureau of Inves- ate, Richard Durbin, slammed story, it’s an excuse by the Dem- space taxis under development Some Pierrefonds residents who had to fled their homes earlier this week have returned tigation probe and parallel con- the president after yesterday’s ocrats for having lost an election by Space Exploration Technolo- home to assess the damage. gressional investigations have tweets, telling MSNBC that the that they should have won,” he gies, or SpaceX, and Boeing Co cast a cloud over Trump’s presi- president is “dangerous because said. Venezuela fi res health Armed standoff ends as suspect surrenders chief in deadly crisis AFP as he exited the house with his New Jersey hands up. The suspect opened fi re on Wednesday on offi cers AFP sisting pressure for an early vote, Coalition of Organisations for approaching his home to serve a Caracas calling the crisis a US-backed the Right to Health and Life, n armed suspect was ar- warrant, according to WPVI. conspiracy. wrote on Twitter. rested following a 35- The warrant was related to His opponents have branded “Replacing the health min- Ahour standoff in Trenton, an off ence under Megan’s Law, enezuela’s President him a dictator. ister has become like changing New Jersey, that left a bystander which is New Jersey legislation Nicolas Maduro fi red The ministry’s data said 11,466 your socks.” dead when the man opened fi re imposing registration obligations Vhis health minister after babies died in 2016, up from 8,812 The opposition blames Ma- on offi cers, according to police on sex off enders, according to a statistics showed infant deaths the year before. The report gave duro for the crisis. Deadly unrest and media reports. report from NJ.com. The offi cers surging, as elderly protesters no comparative rate in relation to broke out on April 1 as his oppo- Three Mercer County sheriff ’s backed away while under fi re and angry over medicine shortages the number of births. nents protested to demand elec- deputies were lightly injured dur- a bystander was struck by gunfi re staged rallies yesterday demand- Cases of malaria also rose by tions. Security forces have fi red ing the standoff , WPVI reported. and died, according to local me- ing the socialist leader quit. 76% to more than 240,000, even tear gas and water cannon at pro- Police with rifl es and ar- dia reports that cited police. The health ministry on though the disease was said to testers who have hurled stones, moured trucks had swarmed a It was not clear if the bystand- Wednesday released data show- have been eradicated in Ven- petrol bombs and excrement. neighbourhood on Wednesday er was killed by the suspect or if ing deaths of infants under the ezuela. The government and opposi- and stayed through the night, offi cers had returned fi re and ac- age of one soared by 30% in 2016 A collapse in prices for Vene- tion have accused each other of talking through a bullhorn to ne- cidentally hit the bystander. and deaths of women linked to zuela’s crucial oil exports has left sending armed groups to stir up gotiate with the barricaded sus- In an attempt to negotiate childbirth by 65%. the country short of cash to im- violence in the protests. pect, according to footage from with the suspect, police at one The government replaced port medicine and basic goods. The death toll from the unrest Philadelphia TV station WPVI. point sent a robot on wheels to minister Antonieta Caporale Protesters interviewed over hit 38 on Wednesday, when a People living near the stand- deliver a cell phone to him. with Luis Lopez Chejade, the of- recent weeks have said relatives 27-year-old man was shot dead off in Trenton, which is 48km Neighbours were rattled by fi cial journal said. Wednesday’s are suff ering and dying due to in a protest in Caracas, the gov- northeast of Philadelphia, were the gunfi re and the standoff . data referred to 2016, but Capo- the lack of medicine. ernment said. forced to evacuate. “The kids can’t go to school, rale took over as health minister The Venezuelan Medical Fed- In the latest demonstration The suspect, Tyleeb Reese, people can’t go to work, can’t only in January this year. eration says hospitals have only yesterday, retired representa- who had been sought by the US move your cars — it’s just too Hospitals and protesters are 3% of the medicines and supplies tives of the opposition Demo- Marshals Service, surrendered much drama for me,” resident complaining of severe shortages they need to operate normally. cratic Unity Roundtable coali- after a standoff lasting about 35 Carmella Newson told WPVI. of medical supplies from an eco- “Yet another new health min- tion, calling themselves “the hours, New Jersey State Police It was not immediately clear if nomic crisis that has fuelled op- ister. What a disaster this gov- grandparents,” marched in Ca- spokesman Lawrence Peele said. Reese, who according to media position calls for early elections. ernment is!” Francisco Valencia, racas, despite brief scuffl es with Elderly opposition supporters rally against President Nicolas Footage on CBS 3 Philadelphia reports is 35 years old, has an at- Elected in 2013, Maduro is re- director of the non-government riot police. Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, yesterday. showed the suspect shirtless torney. Gulf Times Saturday, May 13, 2017 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Pyongyang protests new US sanctions North Korea sent a rare letter of protest to the US House of Representa- Japanese tives yesterday, warning that a new package of tougher sanctions would only spur its development of nuclear weapons, North Korea’s state media reported. protest The protest was lodged by the recently revived Foreign Aff airs Com- mittee of North Korea’s Supreme People’s Assembly, which said the US N Korea seeks House of Representatives was “obsessed” with a sense of disapproval new US and warned it of dire consequences. “The US House of Representatives should think twice,” the committee said in its letter, a copy of which was published by the KCNA state news base in agency. Tension has been high for weeks over North Korea’s nuclear and missile development and fears it will conduct a sixth nuclear test or test-launch Okinawa another ballistic missile in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions. extradition of The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved legislation this month to tighten sanctions by targeting North Korea’s shipping industry DPA and companies that do business it. Tokyo The US legislation was intended to cut off supplies of cash that help fund North Korea’s nuclear programme, and increase pressure to stop human rights abuses such as the use of slave labour, the bill’s sponsor said. undreds of Okinawans The North’s committee said it would fail. took to the streets yes- “As the US House of Representatives enacts more and more of these Hterday, urging Tokyo and South spy chief reckless hostile laws, the DPRK’s eff orts to strengthen nuclear deterrents Washington to stop the contro- will gather greater pace, beyond anyone’s imagination,” the commit- versial construction of a new US Reuters The accusation came after rean agents, and a Chinese man. has appointed a successor but tee said, referring to North Korea by the initials of its off icial name, the military base on the subtropical Seoul weeks of tension over North “We urge the relevant au- Lee stays in offi ce until parlia- Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. island, local media reported. Korea’s nuclear and missile thorities to immediately detect ment approves the nomination. Last month, North Korea reconvened the Foreign Aff airs Committee, About 800 participants pro- development and fears it will and arrest and hand over to the The NIS said earlier that which was abolished in the late 1990s, in what analysts saw as an at- tested in Naha, the capital of orth Korea has demand- conduct a sixth nuclear test or DPRK the masterminds of the the North’s accusation of its tempt to improve relations with the outside world amid its deepening Okinawa prefecture, ahead of ed the extradition of test-launch another ballistic hideous state-sponsored crime, involvement in a plot was isolation. Monday’s 45th anniversary of its NSouth Korea’s spy chief, missile in defi ance of UN Secu- accomplices and their follow- “groundless”. The committee is chaired by Ri Su-yong, a close aide to leader Kim Jong- reversion to Japanese sovereign- accusing him of being a master- rity Council resolutions. ers,” the offi ce said, referring to It said yesterday that it had no un and a career diplomat. ty from US occupation, Kyodo mind of a plot to assassinate its North Korea on Thursday de- the country by the initials of its information about the North’s News agency reported. leader, Kim Jong-un, with a bio- manded the handover of “terror offi cial name, the Democratic accusations and Lee had no sep- The group will then split in chemical weapon. suspects” involved in the plot People’s Republic of Korea. arate comment to make. ing April 15 celebrations in the North Korea’s UN mission two for a pair of protest marches, The North’s KCNA state news but it did not identify anyone. The suspects faced heavy The CIA and the US White North’s capital of the anniver- said on Thursday that the plot one towards the US bases, one agency last week accused the Yesterday its Central Pros- punishment under North Ko- House declined to comment on sary of the birth of state founder was a “declaration of war”. towards World War II-era bat- US Central Intelligence Agency ecutor’s Offi ce said in a state- rea’s criminal law, the offi ce said. the statement from the North’s Kim-il Sung. “A Korean-style, anti-terror- tlefi elds. (CIA) and South Korea’s Nation- ment carried by the North’s Lee was head of the NIS, ministry of state security. North Korea said US and ist off ensive will be commenced Despite massive local opposi- al Intelligence Service (NIS) of a state KCNA news agency that South Korea’s main intelligence North Korea accused the US South Korean agents bribed and to mop up the intelligence and tion, Japan and the United States plot to assassinate its “supreme the masterminds included South service, under South Korea’s and South Korean security agen- coerced a North Korean man into plot-breeding organisations of agreed to build new facilities for leadership” with a biochemical Korean intelligence service chief previous administration. cies of planning a biochemi- joining the plot which was foiled the US and South Korea,” mis- US forces in an environmen- weapon. Lee Byung-ho, two South Ko- New President Moon Jae-in cal attack on leader Kim dur- by its state security ministry. sion said in a statement. tally sensitive area of northern Okinawa, known for dugongs and coral reefs. Okinawa reverted to Japan in Middle, far, east 1972, 20 years after the US oc- cupation ended in most parts of Malaysia deports the country. However, the island prefec- ture has continued to shoulder a disproportionate concentration three suspected of the US military presence in the country. “I feel strong anger about the fact that incidents and accidents of Gulenist ties related to the military bases happen one after another,” Naha Mayor Mikiko Shiroma said at Reuters the Turkish government also the rally. Kuala Lumpur calls the “Gulenist Terrorist The 1995 rape of a 12-year- Organisation”. old girl by three US service- The Malaysian police inves- men prompted massive protests alaysia said yesterday tigation found that the three against the US military presence that it had deported men had been involved in on the island, some 1,600km Mthree Turkish men to FETO activities and were listed southwest of Tokyo. Ankara over suspected links to as individuals wanted by Turk- To ease the anger, Japan and a group blamed by Turkey for a ish authorities, Khalid said. the United States agreed to close failed coup last year. The Turkish government US Marine Corps Air Station Human rights groups con- had also cancelled their travel Futenma, located in a densely demned the deportations and documents, he said. populated area of Okinawa. the United Nations said that “As such, their presence in But Washington demanded Malaysia’s action raised seri- Malaysia is invalid and their facilities on the island, which ous concern for the safety of status declared as illegal im- would take over the functions of Turkish nationals in the re- migrants,” Khalid said. Futenma. gion. The UN Human Rights Of- In April, Japan began land Authorities detained school fi ce in Southeast Asia (OH- reclamation works to build run- principal Turgay Karaman, 43, CHR) said in a statement that ways at the proposed site despite businessman Ihsan Aslan, 39, it had serious concerns regard- strong opposition from islanders A woman opens a door of a house in Seoul featuring a mural of the Middle East. and academic Ismet Ozcelik, ing the safety of the men upon and environmental groups. 58, last week, saying that they their return to Turkey and that posed a threat to national se- other Turks in Malaysia could curity. be targeted for alleged links to Rights groups said they were Gulen. concerned the action had been Laurent Meillan, acting re- taken against the men because gional representative of the Thailand gives Facebook until Tuesday to remove content of pressure from Turkey. UN Human Rights Offi ce in At the time the men were Bangkok, told Reuters that detained, authorities did not there was also concern that Reuters sorship, particularly perceived 6,900 Web addresses which Thai volved (in removing content), but Reuters’ request for comment. say whether they were sus- Turkey’s crackdown on the Bangkok insults to monarchy, since seiz- courts have ordered to be re- Facebook Thailand is still oper- Facebook has said its gen- pected of having ties to US- Gulen movement could spread ing power in a 2014 coup. moved or shut down since 2015. ating here.” eral guideline when it receives based cleric Fethullah Gulen. beyond Malaysia to other The National Broadcasting Takorn Tantasith, secretary He said the ministry of digital requests from governments to Turkish President Recep Southeast Asian countries. acebook Thailand could and Telecommunications Com- general of the commission, said economy would fi le a complaint remove content is to fi rst deter- Tayyip Erdogan has accused “Our concern is that other face legal action next week mission said that Facebook had yesterday that he had given Face- with police next week to press mine whether the content vio- Gulen of orchestrating last Turkish nationals with alleged Fafter Thai authorities failed to remove 131 of 309 Web book until Tuesday to remove the charges against Facebook Thai- lates local laws before it proceeds July’s failed coup, a claim that links to the Gulen movement warned Facebook Incorporated addresses on its platform which 131 addresses. land under the Computer Crime to restrict access in the relevant Gulen and his followers deny. from across the region may be to take down content deemed were threatened security or vio- “If Facebook still shows con- Act and commerce ministry reg- country. Malaysian Inspector-Gen- similarly detained and deport- threatening to national security lated the lese majeste law, which tent declared illegal by court ulations. Facebook said it blocked 50 eral of Police Khalid Abu Bakar ed,” Meillan said. or violating lese majeste laws, the makes it a crime to defame, insult orders in Thailand, action must He also said obtaining a search pieces of content which were said the three were deported Human Rights Watch and telecoms regulator said. or threaten the king, queen, heir be taken against Facebook Thai- warrant for Facebook Thailand found to have violated the lese on Thursday on suspicion Amnesty International also is- Thailand’s military govern- to the throne or regent. land,” Takorn told Reuters. “They would be a possible step. majeste law in 2016, following of being involved in FETO, a sued statements condemning ment has ramped up online cen- They formed part of some could argue that they are not in- Facebook has not responded to government requests. group of Gulen supporters that the deportations.

China staging extensive espionage Inquiry announced on 2014 death against Australia: defence offi cial of patient at NSW mental hospital Reuters nese fi rm said to have close ties to not make irresponsible com- Sydney China’s military. ments,” Geng said. DPA mental hospital in Lismore, a Corina, believed she had died in Another six-month long in- The deal sparked a backlash Last month, Australia and Sydney town in northern New South the hospital after slipping in a dependent review will also be over the security implications China agreed that neither coun- Wales, eventually collapsing in shower and hitting her head. conducted by the state’s chief hina is conducting ex- and drew a rebuke from US gov- try would conduct or support a corner. But a coronial inquest in Sep- psychiatrist assisted by interna- tensive espionage against ernment offi cials. cyber-enabled theft of intel- ustralia’s New South She died the next day. tember found the mentally ill tional experts, the government CAustralia, Australia’s Australia has blocked several lectual property, trade secrets Wales government has The state’s health minis- woman had fallen at least 25 announced. most senior defence depart- notable infrastructure bids made or confi dential business infor- Aannounced an independ- ter, Brad Hazzard, announced times in seven hours. Chief psychiatrist Murray ment offi cial said yesterday, in a by Chinese companies since mation following talks between ent review and parliamentary parliamentary inquiry into “all It said she died of “traumatic Wright said that he was shocked rare public accusation against its then. their leaders. inquiry into the death of a men- aspects” of the state’s mental and hypoxic brain injury caused by the footage, despite 25 years largest trading partner. While authorities do not re- Australia recently appointed tally ill woman after footage health system. by numerous falls and the self- as a practising psychiatrist. Chinese spying on Australia lease details of their reasons for David Irvine, former director emerged of her, naked and cov- “We believe this should be beating of her head on various “Absolute dismay and distress has been the subject of much rejecting bids, Richardson said of its domestic spy agency, as ered in faeces, stumbling around open and transparent, and we surfaces, the latter not done that the system that is set up to speculation by analysts but sen- Chinese spying was a major fac- chairman of its foreign invest- a hospital corridor. need to know on behalf of the with the intention of taking her try and help people in moments ior government offi cials have tor in government decision- ment advisory committee, which The incident took place in people of NSW that the health own life”. of great vulnerability so clearly largely steered clear of making making. advises on the government on 2014 but the footage was only offi cials are doing everything Coroner Jeff Linden said failed this person,” he said. public complaints. Chinese foreign ministry off shore transactions. made public yesterday when the they can to improve this sys- a senior nurse at the facility The nurses failed “at almost “It is no secret that China is spokesman Geng Shuang said he Irvine’s appointment came a Daily Telegraph published it on tem,” he said yesterday. was aware that the patient had every level” but there was no very active in intelligence activi- was not aware of Richardson’s few months after Australia cre- their website, provoking con- Tania Davies, the state’s men- been sedated with psychotropic evidence to suggest “this kind ties directed against us. It is more comments, but said China would ated an infrastructure body that demnation on social media. tal health minister, said that the drugs and fallen on at least one of abhorrent behaviour is sys- than cyber,” Dennis Richardson, prefer to see Australian offi cials will, among other functions, It shows how mother-of-two footage of Merten’s distress was occasion, but failed to take ap- temic”. secretary of the Defence Depart- working to improve co-opera- check whether foreign-led bids Miriam Merten, aged 46, was “incredibly disturbing”. propriate action. New South Wales Premier ment, said in a speech in Can- tion. for key assets, including power shut naked in an isolation room “There were times where I “The lack of care and com- Gladys Berejiklian said yester- berra. “We hope that relevant people grids and ports, could pose any for more than fi ve hours before a was sick to the stomach, and passion showed to the deceased day: “We’ll do everything we Questions about China’s in- on the Australian side can say national security risks. nurse unlocked her room in the there was a moment where I ac- was monumentally disgrace- can to make sure this never hap- volvement in Australia arose in more things that can benefi t the Richardson said China’s cov- morning. tually closed my eyes because ful,” Linden said in the fi ndings. pens again.” 2015, with the lease of a com- development of China-Australia ert activity in Australia extended She was then left to stumble I felt I couldn’t actually take in “While this appears not to be a The two nurses involved in mercial and military port in the relations, do more to benefi t the into the ethnic Chinese commu- around the hallway where she anymore,” she told reporters. system failure it is clearly a seri- the incident were both sacked. northern city of Darwin to a Chi- deepening of cooperation, and nity and media. fell over two dozen times at the Until recently her daughter, ous human failure.” One has since died. Gulf Times 8 Saturday, May 13, 2017 BRITAIN/IRELAND

LITERATURE CRIME OFFBEAT CLOSE CALL LEGAL Rare Harry Potter Passers-by rush in to stop Lawyer turns ‘vigilante’ Reckless cyclist Woman awarded £453mn prequel stolen attack by moped thugs to get back stolen bike nearly hit by train in divorce settlement

A rare Harry Potter prequel handwritten by author Brave passers-by intervened to prevent four A lawyer said he was forced to turn “vigilante” A cyclist escaped death by inches after A court has ordered a Russian billionaire to pay J K Rowling on a postcard has been stolen during thugs on mopeds trying to steal a motorbike. The to recover his girlfriend’s stolen bike after police barging through gates at a level crossing and his wife £453mn in a divorce settlement. The a burglary, police said yesterday as they appealed motorbike’s owner was punched by one of the failed to respond to nine requests for help. almost walking into the path of a train. Video judge, Justice Haddon-Cave, said the couple for help from fans across the world. The 800- would-be thieves before the man and woman Charlie Jacobs, 31, spotted the bicycle being footage shows the “stupid and reckless” man met and married in Moscow before moving to word story, set three years before Harry Potter intervened. The woman was shoved away by advertised on Gumtree and posed as a buyer to lifting his mountain bike over the railings a home in Surrey in southern England, Xinhua is born and which sold for £25,000 at a charity another member of the gang before the man get it back. Jacobs claims after he reported the outside North Sheen station, before prising news agency reported. According to a Sky News auction in 2008, was stolen from a property in came to help and forced the attacker to the theft he was told a lack of CCTV meant the Met open the gates to squeeze himself through in report, the award - which amounts to 41.5% of the Birmingham between April 13-24. “Please don’t ground. The two thugs then ran off to escape could not investigate. After an off icer told him front of a crowd of schoolchildren. Shocked couple’s “marital assets” - could be the biggest buy this if you’re off ered it,” Rowling wrote on while two accomplices got away on another to check online sites, he spotted it being sold bystanders pleaded with the cyclist to wait, ever ordered in Britain. Nearly five years ago the Twitter. “Originally auctioned for @englishpen, the moped. The dramatic footage of the incident for £500 on Gumtree two days later by “John”, but he screamed back “I don’t care mate,” a man had sold shares in a Russian company for owner supported writers’ freedoms by bidding in Sutton comes amid a surge in moped crime a teen, from Leytonstone. Jacobs said he set off split- second before the train rushed past. As $1.3bn. The judge also made a ruling preventing for it.” The proceeds of the auction were donated in London with the number of off ences rising with friends to John’s home. He said the bike the Waterloo-bound South West Trains service the 61-year-old man from the Caucasus, and the to English PEN, an organisation which champions by 600% in the past two years. Scotland Yard recovery was “vigilante justice”, adding: “The blared its horn, the man threw up his arm in woman who is in her 40s and was born in eastern freedom of expression, and to Dyslexia Action. yesterday said they were looking into the footage. police don’t have enough bobbies on the beat.” apparent fury. Europe, from being identified. May attacked Johnson campaigns in Wales by angry NHS workers during radio show

Guardian News and Media for £10bn by 2010 in real terms, London although this fi gure is disputed, and that more money would be going to A&E departments be- heresa May was put on the cause more people are going to spot by a doctor consid- be treated there. Tering resigning over un- May was hit with tough ques- derstaffi ng in the NHS and low tions from members of the morale caused by the Health Sec- public over the state of public retary, Jeremy Hunt, as she took services, her record on failing to questions from members of the meet the Conservative target on public on an LBC radio phone-in. immigration, low morale in the The prime minister was told armed forces and insuffi cient by Romeena from Leeds that help with childcare. healthcare professionals were A listener called Sophia, who fi nding it “near impossible” to also worked in the NHS, said she provide safe care for their pa- was thinking of voting Labour Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson poses with two women at a campaign event in Newport Market, Wales, yesterday. tients. The paediatrician said because she was not yet con- she was considering resignation vinced that May was helping the after 12 years “because things “just-about-managing” people have got so bad on the shop with childcare costs of around fl oor” and questioned why Hunt £700 a month. was still in his job following the “I think it’s great you’ve in- doctors’ strikes. creased it to 30 hours for three- “I’ve witnessed organ trans- and four-year-olds but there is plants being cancelled because a great gap there for two-year- there haven’t been enough nurs- olds,” the listener said. es to provide post-operative May cited cutting the per- care,” the doctor said. “What- sonal allowance and free hours I am not a pacifi st, ever the government is doing, it of childcare for three and four is clearly not enough – and you years, but acknowledged there have reappointed as health sec- was “more work to do” when it retary somebody who has de- came to helping just managing moralised the whole workforce. families with their costs. “It seems like you stand up Nick Ferrari, the LBC inter- and support somebody who al- viewer, interjected many times lowed junior doctors to go on with follow-up questions, insists Labour chief strike, who seems to be allowing pressing the prime minister par- nurses to go on strike and that ticularly on whether she would Reuters “I will do everything to pro- “Britain deserves better than eign policy made in Britain,” he ran over a BBC cameraman’s doesn’t fall in line with what be raising taxes, as the party London tect the security and safety of simply outsourcing our coun- said, in a dig at May for hold- foot. the frontline of the NHS want looks set to abandon its promise our people and our country... try’s security and prosperity to ing hands with Trump during a In a visit to the northeast of to see.” not to raise VAT, income tax or The best defence for Britain is the whims of the Trump White visit to Washington earlier this England later yesterday, May, May dodged a question about national insurance for the next abour Party leader Jeremy a government actively engaged House,” he said, adding that year. whose party has a big lead in whether she knew how unpopu- fi ve years. Corbyn yesterday said in seeking political solutions to Corbyn said Labour would opinion polls, sought the back- lar Hunt was and maintained She declined at least three Lhe was not a pacifi st and the world’s problems,” he said in “Britain deserves better support the renewal of Britain’s ing of working class communi- he had sorted out the row with times to say she would make accepted that military action a speech in London. than simply outsourcing Trident nuclear weapons but ties, saying traditional Labour junior doctors over their pay and that promise for the full parlia- was sometimes necessary, as “It doesn’t make me a paci- our country’s security and if circumstances were reached voters are increasingly “ap- conditions satisfactorily. ment, saying: “We are a party he sought to bolster his foreign fi st. I accept that military ac- prosperity to the whims of where ordering the use of such palled” by what Corbyn believes “What I would say is Hunt has that believes in actually trying policy credentials ahead of next tion, under international law, as the Trump White House” weapons was an option it would in. done a very good job in saying to to ensure we have low taxes ... month’s election. a genuine last resort, is in some “represent complete and cata- “So far during this campaign, everyone what we need to focus we have no plans to increase the Corbyn, a veteran anti-war circumstances necessary.” while he wanted a strong rela- clysmic failure”. we have learned one thing about on is the quality of care,” she level of tax but what I’m saying campaigner who is opposed to He criticised the “unilateral tionship with the US, he would A leak on Thursday of La- Jeremy Corbyn: proud and pa- said, adding that she had expe- is that’s because we are party nuclear weapons, has faced ac- wars and interventions” of re- also speak his mind. bour’s draft manifesto featured triotic working class people in rienced care as a type 1 diabetic. that believes in a low tax ... as a cusations from Prime Minister cent years, saying the “bomb “So no more hand-holding on many newspaper front pages towns and cities across Britain The prime minister claimed government, we would go into Theresa May’s Conservatives fi rst, talk later” approach had with Donald Trump — a La- yesterday, with the Sun describ- have not deserted the Labour the Conservatives had respond- government with no plans to that he would put Britain’s se- failed and that Britain should not bour government will conduct ing it as “Labour’s day of disas- Party — Jeremy Corbyn has de- ed to a request from the NHS raise the level of tax.” curity at risk if he won power. just follow Washington’s lead. a robust and independent for- ters” after a car carrying Corbyn serted them,” she said. UK tourists warned not Brexit means ‘recast of N Ireland peace deal’ to make false food claims AFP conflict that claimed more than Newtownmountkennedy, Ireland 3,500 lives. He said it was important that Guardian News and Media Morning Britain that claims from hicles parked outside some ho- both Britain and the EU formed London British holidaymakers for gastric tels, but the most common form ormer prime minister a consensus on avoiding a “hard” illnesses increased from seven in of attracting claimants is through Tony Blair yesterday said border but that “some disrup- 2015 to 350 in 2016. social media and cold calling, ac- Fthe landmark 1998 peace tion is inevitable and indeed is ritish holidaymakers in Abta blamed unscrupulous cording to Edwards. These com- agreement for Northern Ireland already happening”. Portugal have been warned claims management touts for panies persuade Britons who have — which he helped to negotiate “If the UK and the Republic Bthey face prosecution if they encouraging holidaymakers on returned from a holiday to make — would have to be changed be- were able to agree a way forward lodge bogus food poisoning claims all-inclusive packages to submit sickness claims on a no-win, no- cause of Brexit. on the border, then we would against hotels. dishonest or exaggerated claims fee basis. “The Good Friday or Bel- have the best chance of limiting The Foreign and Common- worth thousands of pounds. In Last month, the Madrid-based fast Agreement was formu- the damage. wealth Offi ce (FCO) has updated addition to Portugal and Spain, law fi rm, Rogers & Co, warned that lated on the assumption that It is in the interests of us all, its travel advice to urge visitors to destinations aff ected include Bul- Spanish hoteliers might scrap all- both countries were part of including our European partners, only pursue genuine complaints garia, Cyprus, Turkey and the Do- inclusive packages or ban British the EU,” he said at a meeting for this to happen,” he said. and said fake cases could lead to minican Republic. holidaymakers. of the European People’s Party But Manfred Weber, a Ger- legal action in the UK or Portugal. Abta spokeswoman Gillian Ed- Jet2holidays is hiring private in County Wicklow, south of man MEP who leads the Euro- The move follows a similar wards said claims management detectives in resorts to stop touts Dublin. pean People’s Party, warned at change to guidance last month for companies were using aggressive coaxing holidaymakers into mak- “This was not only for eco- the conference that despite the travellers going to Spain and comes tactics to persuade travellers to ing false claims. The detectives nomic but also for political rea- rhetoric from London “this can- as trade organisation Abta revealed make fake demands for payouts will act on customer tip-off s and sons, to take account particu- not be a win-win situation”. there had been a 434% increase and were “coaching people on report activity to the tour operator larly of nationalist aspirations,” “From our point of view we see in the number of gastric illness what to say”. or police. he said. no chance for a win-win situa- claims made by Britons since 2013, Edwards warned that hotels Abta is calling on the govern- “Some of the language will tion — this will create damage. I despite sickness levels reported in were considering not working ment to introduce a cap on the le- therefore require amendment hate to say this but this is the re- resorts remaining stable. with British tour operators in fu- gal fees that UK lawyers can charge because of Brexit,” he added. ality,” he said. Hoteliers in Mallorca said ture because they were not having for overseas personal injury claims Blair said this should be “We have tried to do this with £42mn in fake claims were made this problem with other nationali- for up to £25,000. It said this achievable with a “minimum of a constructive approach but in in the fi rst nine months of last ties. “It could have a really serious would give legitimate claimants difficulty” if there was a will- the end this is a mistake, it is a year, according to Spanish media impact on holidaymakers. It could “access to justice” while making ingness to do so on all sides. mistake to go out of the European reports. result in higher prices and us hav- the sector “considerably less at- Blair was one of the archi- Union and that is what the Brit- One hotelier on the island, Se- ing less choice,” she said. tractive” to fi rms encouraging fake Former prime minister Tony Blair speaks at a meeting of the tects of the agreement, which ish people will experience in the bastian Darder, told ITV’s Good Touts have been spotted in ve- claims. European People’s Party in Wicklow, Ireland, yesterday. ended three decades of bloody next years,” he added. Gulf Times Saturday, May 13, 2017 9 EUROPE

Small explosive goes off in Rome

A small bomb went off in the car park of a post off ice in central Rome yesterday, prompting a security alert in a country on the edge as it is hosting Group of 7 Macron angers key ally (G7) international meetings. However, there were no injuries. The explosion in Via Marmorata, a few minutes walk away from the busy Piramide metro stop and Ostiense train station, was caused by a “makeshift” device planted between two cars, Italian with parliament picks police said in a statement. Police off icial Massimo Improta, AFP push through his planned re- Angela Merkel to start discus- speaking after bomb disposal Paris forms of the labour market, pen- sions about his ambitious plans experts, sniff er dogs and forensic sions, unemployment benefi ts for reforming the European Un- off icers scoured the scene, told and education. ion. journalists that the bomb was ensions over French pres- Macron, a former economy Macron wants to deepen in- likely a “symbolic act” as it “could ident-elect Emmanuel minister in Hollande’s govern- tegration in the 19-country eu- not make a lot of damage.” TMacron’s bid to redraw ment, has so far failed to attract rozone, giving the zone its own Off icials found remains of two France’s political map burst into centrist members of the right- budget, and wants to toughen small plastic water bottles the open yesterday as a key ally wing Republicans party, but still the EU’s response to “unfair” presumed to have contained an was left furious ahead of crucial believes some will cross over be- industrial competition from explosive liquid, which caused parliamentary elections next fore next Wednesday. countries such as China. a fire that was quickly put out month. Before then, he faces other Once in offi ce, the new presi- by post off ice staff with an Macron angered fellow cen- crucial decisions on his staff at dent will have to decide how to extinguisher, and caused light trist Francois Bayrou and faced the Elysee Palace and his fi rst press ahead with his controver- damage to a parked car, the mockery from his opponents af- government. sial plans to loosen labour laws off icial said. ter his La Republique En Marche The most important will be in France – the centrepiece of his Investigators found no other (REM, Republic on the Move) his choice for prime minister, eff ort to fight unemployment. explosive devices, and are party unveiled more than 400 Bayrou: threw his support who will head the government The country’s powerful trade studying footage from security candidates for crucial parlia- behind Macron at the end of until at least the parliamentary unions and other left-wing op- cameras, Improta said, refusing mentary elections in June. February at a crucial time when elections on June 11 and 18 and ponents are expected to contest to comment on media reports “It’s a big recycling operation the president-elect’s campaign perhaps beyond. the move with mass demon- suggesting the possible for the Socialist party,” Bayrou needed new momentum. Macron: has promised to refresh France’s parliament. Amid feverish speculation in strations of the kind seen when involvement of anarchist groups. told L’Obs magazine, adding the French media – will he pick a President Hollande tried to alter that candidates from his Mo- rated tomorrow, has promised to of Emmanuel Macron is having he was fl attered about being ap- loyal supporter or someone from labour laws last year. Dem party had been off ered only refresh France’s parliament and motivated so many people who proached, “it is not my ambi- the right-wing Republicans? “The problem with promis- 35 constituencies instead of the his party unveiled 428 out of 577 were outside of politics to have tion” to enter politics. – nothing has leaked from his ing change is that people al- Militants receive 120 he expected. candidates on Thursday. committed themselves to try to The vice-president of the far- small group of aides. ways support it in general, but 15-year jail terms Bayrou, a veteran centrist and Half of them have never held renew things,” his spokesman right National Front (FN), Flo- The choice will send a strong unfortunately then frequently presidential candidate, threw elected offi ce, including a retired Benjamin Griveaux said. rian Philippot, accused Macron signal about Macron’s inten- disagree with it in particular,” A Greek court has handed 15- his support behind Macron at female bullfi ghter and a star But as well as angering Bay- of “amateurism”. tions, and he has promised to former British prime minister year prison sentences to two the end of February at a cru- mathematician, and half of them rou, REM was forced to correct The parliamentary selection pick someone with past experi- Tony Blair wrote in Le Monde suspected Islamist militants with cial time when the 39-year-old are women. its list after around 10 people process is seen as a tricky and ence of parliament and capable newspaper. Swedish passports trying to enter president-elect’s campaign The initial reaction from three said they had not agreed to stand risky balancing act for Macron, of managing a majority. Blair, to whom Macron is fre- Turkey carrying combat items, a needed new momentum. out of four voters was positive, for the party or had never ap- who will take over from unpopu- His declared preference is for quently compared, gave the new local justice source said. “When I off ered him my sup- a survey published yesterday by plied to be a candidate. lar Socialist Francois Hollande. a woman. French president advice, includ- The suspects’ lawyer said the port, he was at 18%,” Bayrou the Harris Interactive polling One was Mourad Boudjellal, Without his own parliamen- Immediately after his swear- ing picking his battles in the ear- men, who have refugee status in added bitterly. group suggested. the wealthy president of Toulon tary majority, the former invest- ing-in, Macron will head to Ber- ly part of his term and spending Sweden, would appeal against Macron, who will be inaugu- “Probably the biggest success rugby club, who said that while ment banker will fi nd it hard to lin to meet German Chancellor his political capital wisely. the sentence. They will remain incarcerated until their next trial, a date for which was not given. The pair – a 29-year-old of Bosnian descent and a 19-year- old of Yemeni origin – were Concordia shipwreck captain caught in January 2016 near the border with Turkey. Inside their luggage police found two machetes, army uniforms and other combat paraphernalia. goes to prison as appeal fails The suspects insist the items had been legally purchased in Athens as souvenirs. AFP served. I hope this brings a bit of The 29-year-old had been Rome serenity to those who lost their arrested in Bosnia in 2005 after loved ones,” said Alessandra a police raid at his house found Guarini, a lawyer for relatives of a suicide belt, explosives and he captain of the doomed the victims. a video showing a man with a Costa Concordia cruise Prosecutors argued that covered face threatening terrorist Tliner turned himself in Schettino’s recklessness was to acts against the US Capitol and yesterday after Italy’s highest blame for the fate of the giant Left: This file photo taken on the White House. court upheld his 16-year prison ship, which struck rocks off the January 16, 2012 shows the He was sentenced to up to 14 sentence for the tragedy that Tuscan island of Giglio on the wrecked cruise liner Costa years in Bosnian prison, but was killed 32 people. night of January 13, 2012, and Concordia in the harbour of released in 2011. Francesco Schettino, dubbed toppled over. the Tuscan island of Giglio after “Captain Coward” by the press The violation of the ancient it ran aground on January 13. for abandoning the stricken code of the sea which states a Francesco Schettino (above), Payout over faulty ship during the disaster, passed captain must be the last man off the captain of the doomed through the gates of the Rebib- a sinking ship only accounted for cruise liner, has turned himself breast implants bia jail in Rome as soon as the one year of the sentence handed in after Italy’s highest court judges ruled. down by a three-judge panel in upheld his jail sentence. A French appeals court has Schettino, 56, was convicted the Tuscan town of Grosseto. ordered German certification in 2015 – three years after the During the fi rst 19-month tight doors on board the massive agency TÜV Rheinland to pay incident – of multiple counts of trial, Schettino was accused of cruiser which they insist played €60mn ($65.50mn) immediately manslaughter, causing a mari- showing off when he steered the a part in the tragedy, but the to 20,000 victims of faulty breast time accident and abandoning ship too close to the island while judges ruled against him. implants produced by the French ship before all passengers and entertaining a female friend. Costa Crociere avoided po- company PIP prior to its closure. crew had been evacuated. The doomed cruise ship had tential criminal charges by ac- Poly Implant Prothèse (PIP), the “He said ‘I trust in the justice been carrying 4,229 people, in- Crociere, its Indonesian helms- team would now consider an ap- the direct cause of the deaths. cepting partial responsibil- French company at the centre system, the verdict must be re- cluding 3,200 tourists. man and the Italian coastguard peal to the European Court of Schettino could not be blamed ity and agreeing to pay a €1mn of the scandal, sold implants spected. I’m handing myself in Schettino’s lawyers insisted should have shared the blame. Human Rights. for the mechanical failures, it ($1.2mn) fi ne. globally for over two decades right now’,” his lawyer Saverio the accident and its deadly con- “Schettino is the only one to The defence had also argued said. Five of its employees received until investigators discovered Senese said after speaking to sequences were primarily due have paid a price. He was made that it was not the collision, but Senese had asked yesterday non-custodial sentences after it was passing off low-grade Schettino by telephone. to organisational failings for the scapegoat,” lawyer Senese rather the chaos that ensued due for permission to show the court concluding plea bargains early in industrial silicone as a much “Justice has fi nally been which the ship’s owner, Costa said, adding that the defence to the ship losing power that was a DVD on faults to the water- the investigation. pricier medical product. The ruling confirmed a previous decision by the administrative court in the southern French city of Toulon, which ordered TÜV in January to pay €3,000 ($3,200) Pope Francis greeted by thousands on Fatima pilgrimage to each plaintiff in a giant class action case concerning 20,000 victims across 14 countries. AFP Jacinta, aged seven, Francisco, was one of joy, emotions ran TÜV Rheinland said in a Fatima, Portugal nine, and their cousin Lucia, 10. high and diffi cult memories statement that it would make She apparently shared three bubbled to the surface. provisional payments given major prophecies with them at Dung Lu, a refugee from Vi- today’s decision. ope Francis called for har- a time marked by the ravages of etnam living in Denmark, said mony “among all people” World War I and persecution of she and her mother fl ed their Pyesterday after arriving the church in a relatively new country in the late 1980s, part- at Portugal’s holy site of Fatima Portuguese republic. ly because they were unable to Serbia demolishes where he was greeted by thou- These reportedly included a practise their religion under the migrant squat sands of pilgrims gathered to warning of a second war. communist regime. mark 100 years since child shep- Today – the 100th anniver- With tears in her eyes, she Serbian authorities has begun herds had visions of the Virgin sary of the fi rst reported ap- remembered praying when she tearing down derelict railroad Mary. parition – Francis will canonise was still in Vietnam and her fa- warehouses which had been the The Argentine Pontiff fl ew Jacinta and Francisco, who have ther was jailed after the war and home for thousands of stranded into the central Portuguese town offi cially been credited with two then fl ed the country, leaving migrants since late last year. on board a helicopter, circling miracles. them behind. There were no migrants on the twice over a giant, 400,000-ca- Many pilgrims trekked to Fa- They were later reunited. grounds. pacity, packed esplanade that tima for days on foot – some Standing nearby, her young Most of the people who had faces the Sanctuary of Our Lady fi nishing the last few metres on daughter interrupted her, asking been squatting there, waiting of Fatima to enthusiastic cheer- their knees. why she was crying. for an opportunity to sneak ing. Others staked out a prime “It’s diffi cult to tell them how across sealed Balkan borders and Disembarking in a nearby spot next to the railings marking hard it was. They (were) born in continue toward wealthy parts of stadium, he set off in his “Pope- Pope Francis waves to faithful from the Popemobile during his visit to Fatima shrine. off the route where Francis rode freedom,” she said. Europe, had previously agreed to mobile” for a journey through his “Popemobile”. Francis is the fourth pontiff to relocate to regular camps. town followed closely by hover- tober 1917 to three impover- just moments before standing Jose Ornelas, a 59-year-old li- Carolina Palacios, a 48-year- make a pilgrimage to Fatima in “By Thursday, 836 people ing helicopters, ending up at the ished, barely-literate children. motionless. brarian who came all the way old civil servant from Paraguay, half a century. voluntarily moved to organised sanctuary where pilgrims from “I implore for concord among Unity and peace were the from Caracas, which along with said she and her fellow group Arguably the most devoted facilities, including 163 all over the world had been wait- all people,” he then said in com- day’s themes in Fatima, where other cities has been wracked members had taken turns sitting was the late pope John Paul II, unaccompanied children who are ing eagerly for hours. ments broadcast across the holy some Catholic faithful sought by deadly anti-regime protests. on fold-up chairs through the who attributed his escape from sheltered in Krnjaca [Belgrade] The giant esplanade fell silent site. solace from the stress or vio- “We are living in a violent spiral night before to make sure no one an assassination attempt at because of social services at when he prayed privately in the Pilgrims from countries as lence of their daily lives. with so much hate and so much took their spot. Saint Peter’s Square on May 13, hand,” spokeswoman Mirjana Chapel of the Apparitions, built varied as China, Venezuela and “We are going to pray to Fa- helplessness.” “We came and went. We stood 1981 – the anniversary of the Ivanovic-Milenkovski told DPA. on the very spot where the Vir- East Timor listened intently, tima and Pope Francis so that Fatima has become a ma- guard just like soldiers,” she fi rst reported apparition – to Some 200 migrants remain gin Mary reportedly appeared some crying, the fl ags they had they can intervene for a peace- jor holy site since the Virgin is joked. the intervention of the Virgin unaccounted for. six times between May and Oc- been waving enthusiastically ful solution for Venezuela,” said said to have appeared in 1917 to And while the atmosphere Mary. Gulf Times 10 Saturday, May 13, 2017 INDIA

LEGAL SETBACK POLITICS LAW AND ORDER CRIME Ansals to face trial for Justice Karnan’s plea for Shah to lay foundation RSS leader hacked ‘Love struck’ man attempts evidence tampering early hearing declined stone for Kerala BJP off ice to death in Kannur to kill woman’s husband

The Delhi High Court yesterday said Sushil and The Supreme Court yesterday declined to consider Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah will A Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) off ice A 37-year-old man was arrested for attempting to Gopal Ansal, the owners of Uphaar theatre, and two the plea for an immediate hearing on Calcutta High lay the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art bearer accused in the murder of a CPI-M worker kill the husband of a newly-married woman who others have to face trial for tampering of evidence Court Justice C S Karnan’s review petition seeking Rs100mn building housing the party’s state unit last year was hacked to death near Kannur, was his love interest. Vivek Aggarwal, a resident in the Uphaar cinema fire case. Justice Siddharth stay of the top court’s order sentencing him to headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram on June 4, Kerala, yesterday. The state BJP leadership has of Budh Vihar in Rohini area, was arrested from Mridul dismissed the pleas of the Ansal brothers undergo six months jail for its contempt. Chief a BJP leader said yesterday. State BJP president accused CPI-M activists of the crime. The RSS his residence on a tip-off . “On April 20, Aggarwal and two other accused, Dharamveer Malhotra justice Jagdish Singh Khehar told Justice Karnan’s Kummanem Rajasekheran told reporters the worker, Biju, in his early 30s, is the 12th accused fired at 28-year-old Piyush Malik while he was and Anoop Singh, against framing of charges by counsel, Mathew J Nadumpara, that they had 46,000 sq.ft. building would come up on the in the murder of CPI-M worker Dhanaraj, that travelling with his newly-wedded wife. Initially the trial court. Upholding the trial court’s order, permitted him to file whatever he wanted in the party’s land in the heart of the state capital. “We took place near Payyanur in July last year. Biju it appeared to be a blind case as no motive was Justice Mridul said there is adequate material registry. However, Khehar did not say anything on expect to finish construction of the building at the was out on bail. The police have cordoned off the found,” a police off icer said. Malik suff ered a before the trial court which justifies framing of Nadumpara’s plea seeking an immediate hearing earliest and would tap funds from public as well. area and probe has begun. The BJP has called for gunshot wound to his shoulder. “Aggarwal was charges against them. At least 59 people died of the plea. Justice Karnan had taken on the top Apart from housing the state headquarters, there a shutdown in Kannur district today. According identified after questioning probable suspects,” he after a fire in the basement of Uphaar cinema hall judiciary after he wrote a letter to Prime Minister would also be space for a research centre,” said to reports, the police have tightened security in added. Aggarwal confessed he was in love with the engulfed the theatre in south Delhi on June 13, Narendra Modi accusing various judges and Rajasekheran. Subsequently, the present building the area to prevent clashes between the workers woman and wanted to kill her husband. He claimed 1997 during the screening of the film Border. off icers of the Madras High Court of corruption. housing the state headquarters will be demolished. of the two political parties. he was inspired by the Bollywood film Darr.

Shimla downpour India cool on Beijing summit as ‘Silk Road’ stirs unease

Reuters Indian government delegation New Delhi would attend the meeting. “The matter is under con- sideration,” he said, a position ndia is likely to be repre- the government has maintained sented by local embassy staff since March when China ex- Ior academics this weekend tended an invitation. Since then at a major gathering of leaders it has stepped up eff orts to get and ministers on China’s “Silk India to attend. Road” initiative, refl ecting deep Baglay said India supported unease in New Delhi about the connectivity across the region, far-reaching project. but there was a problem with the India’s main objection to Chi- Pakistan end of “One Belt, One na’s plan to build ports, railways Road” (OBOR) — a term widely and power links across Asia and used to describe the project. on to Europe is that the $57bn “As far as OBOR is concerned, China-Pakistan Economic Corri- you know that our position is that dor (CPEC), a key part of the plan, since the so-called CPEC forms runs through disputed Kashmir. a part of OBOR, that is where our The broader worry for India is diffi culty is. It passes or proposes A couple make a dash for cover as heavy rains lash Shimla yesterday. that the “Belt and Road” initia- to pass through what is sovereign tive involving hundreds of bil- Indian territory and we have made lions of dollars over the coming our views in this regard very, very decades will cement China’s clear to the Chinese side.” dominance over Asia, including For Asia’s third largest econ- India’s neighbourhood. omy behind China and Japan, Leaders of 29 countries plus which sits near one of the world’s senior delegates from other na- busiest shipping lanes in the In- tions gather in Beijing for a two- dian Ocean, not to be part of the day summit starting tomorrow continent-wide project presents to map out a project that is seen a headache for China and India. Govt ‘making fake claims as broad on ambition but short China’s ambassador to India, on specifi cs. Luo Zhaohui, told an Indian mili- Even Vietnam, which has had tary think-tank in Delhi last week rocky ties with China, will be that the Belt and Road initiative represented by its president, was good for both countries and while Japan, driving its own in- fi tted into India’s “Look East” over Herald case order’ frastructure push across Asia, is policy of strengthening ties with sending a deputy trade minister southeast and northeast Asia. IANS which said that the court had matter of Young Indian Pvt. the decks for an I-T depart- Unsigned note circulated by and the secretary-general of the Luo also said that while India New Delhi directed the income tax depart- Ltd. It’s a sorry state of aff airs ment probe. The Congress government proxies is using all ruling party. had reservations about the Chi- ment to initiate a probe into the that government agencies, by leader said the court observed adjectives. Some are even saying India, meanwhile, is expected na-Pakistan corridor, Beijing had matter which, the party said, proxy, are engaging in incom- that all the points raised in the there’s direction by the court to to send representatives from its no wish to get involved in territo- he Congress yesterday was not the case. plete and distorted information, writ petition can be raised in the tax department to investi- embassy in Beijing, two Indian rial disputes between India and accused the central gov- “The amount of misinfor- possibly bordering on contempt front of the income tax de- gate the matter.” offi cials said, speaking on condi- Pakistan, according to remarks Ternment of spreading mation going on with regard to of court,” Singhvi said. “This partment. Singhvi said the Congress was tion of anonymity because of the released by the Chinese embassy. what it claimed was “misinfor- Young Indian-National Herald shows the government’s fear, “The court asked why did proud to be associated with the sensitivity of the matter. India’s indecision over Chi- mation” on a Delhi High Court case makes me wonder whether insecurity, and vindictive ap- they come to the high court; National Herald which, he said, Chinese foreign ministry na’s biggest summit of the year order in the National Herald the government has anything proach,” he added. raise all the points in front of stood for free speech during the spokesman Geng Shuang said comes at a time of a sharp down- case, saying it showed the re- better to do than to circulate The Delhi High Court yes- the department’. The court re- colonial period. that, as far as he knew, Indian turn in ties. gime’s “fear, insecurity, and unsigned notes that are actually terday declined to entertain corded my statement and gave Another Congress spokesper- academics would be participat- New Delhi is smarting over vindictive approach”. campaigns of misinformation a plea by Young Indian Pvt. me liberty that all points raised son, Randeep Singh Surjewala ing in “relevant activities” at the China’s refusal to allow it entry The party also accused and distortion,” said Congress Ltd. (YIL), in which Congress by me can be raised before the said that Young Indian Private Belt and Road Forum. into the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Bharatiya Janata Party of spokesperson Abhishek Manu president Sonia Gandhi and department, including the ju- Ltd had raised some jurisdic- He gave no other details and a global cartel that controls nu- launching a “witch-hunt” in the Singhvi. vice president Rahul Gandhi risdictional point,” said Sing- tional issues concerning the in- off ered no further comment. clear trade, and over Beijing case. “We have one such note. It is are the main stakeholders, hvi. come tax department in the high Foreign ministry spokesman blocking a request at the UN to The opposition party alleged a government’s version of what challenging the income tax “Because of that, I withdrew court, but withdrew its petition Gopal Baglay said no decision sanction a Pakistan-based mili- that the government was cir- happened regarding the judi- department notices served on the writ. This is the order. Is after being “satisfi ed” with the had been taken on whether an tant blamed for attacks on India. culating unsigned press notes cial challenge in the income tax the company, thereby clearing this what you have been told? court direction.

Exam topper EVMs with paper trail to High court reprieve be used in all future polls for abattoirs in UP Reuters Many of the closed meat New Delhi shops were unlicensed after DPA al elections have been conducted Zaidi did not give details of the their permits had lapsed under New Delhi using the machines since 2004. nature of the challenge but said the previous government. In the 2014 elections an esti- all concerns and apprehensions he Uttar Pradesh gov- Meanwhile, the police yes- mated 554mn cast their ballots expressed by the parties would be ernment must immedi- terday arrested fi ve men for he Election Commission on the machines. Voters record considered and addressed. Tately re-issue licences “animal cruelty” after they yesterday said it would ballots by pressing a button on “We have been demanding a to abattoirs closed in a recent were caught skinning a buff alo Thold a “challenge” in the box-like gadget which has hackathon but the election com- crackdown led by Hindu hard- and beaten on suspicion of kill- which political parties would get the symbol of their chosen can- mission has said it will be a chal- liners, a court ruled yesterday. ing a cow. The mob bashing in the opportunity to test electronic didate alongside. lenge where we have to show ma- Chief Minister Yogi Adi- Uttar Pradesh is just the latest voting machines (EVMs) used in This creates an electronic chines used in recent elections tyanath ordered the closure of such attack by Hindu vigilantes recent elections. record that is stored and counted can be tampered with,” Manish unlicensed slaughter houses where there has been a spate of Chief Election Commissioner later with results announced in a Sisodia, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) after he was appointed by assaults and murders in recent Nasim Zaidi also said that a VVPAT few hours. leader said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi months of accused cow killers. (Voter Verifi able Paper Audit Trail) The box is sealed and kept in a On Tuesday, a legislator from in March. Police said a mob raided a machine would be attached to the heavily guarded safe-house until AAP demonstrated in the Delhi The crackdown was welcomed dairy farm in Aligrah where EVMs for greater transparency in counting day. state assembly how balloting by right-wing Hindu groups they found fi ve low-caste men all future elections. “The commission will hold could be rigged using a “dummy” who want to end the slaughter of skinning a buff alo, an animal The commission’s announce- a challenge and off er opportu- machine. cows. The decision hit the Mus- whose slaughter is legal at per- ments come after day-long dis- nity to political parties to dem- The election commission had lim community, which domi- mitted abattoirs. cussions with 42 political par- onstrate that electronic voting said a “look-alike machine” was nates the meat industry, hard. The men claimed the animal ties to address concerns on the machines used in the recently a diff erent gadget and such dem- The Allahabad High Court had died of natural causes and technical soundness and secu- concluded assembly elections onstrations were “not relevant.” ruled the state should start re- the dairy owner had requested rity levels after results for recent were tampered or that the...ma- “Many of the parties had issuing licences to the abat- they remove the hide, but the elections to fi ve state assemblies chines can be tampered,” Zaidi doubts. We all just want a fool- toirs in Uttar Pradesh, allowing mob alleged it was a cow they were questioned. told reporters after yesterday’s proof electoral system,” Sisodia them to re-open. had slaughtered and set upon Manufactured by state-run meeting. said yesterday. “The court has instructed them. Bharat Electronics and Electron- Zaidi said the commission pre- “The Election Commission the government to renew the Local police chief Rajesh ics Corp of India, the EVMs have sented to the political parties se- needs to settle all doubts once licence of all the slaughter Kumar Pandey said an inves- been designed to meet the huge cure design features, stakeholder and for all and reassure all po- Sumanth Hegde is congratulated by his mother after houses and also allow butchers tigation would determine how logistical challenges of elections participation and administrative litical parties,” Sitaram Yechuri securing the first rank in the Karnataka SSLC Exam 2017 in to start business,” B K the buff alo died, and the skin- in India with its electorate of more processes that made the ma- of the Communist Party of India Bengaluru yesterday. Singh, a lawyer representing ners would be held for ques- than 850mn people. Three gener- chines “non-tamperable.” (Marxist) said. 800 meat shop owners, said. tioning. Gulf Times Saturday, May 13, 2017 11 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

Deals signed Bomb hits convoy of Pak to boost defence Senate deputy; 25 killed relations Reuters proved since a crackdown on Internews Quetta militancy began in 2014, but a Islamabad fresh wave of attacks that left more than 100 people dead in bomb exploded next to February has increased pressure ffi cials of Pakistan a convoy of the deputy on Nawaz Sharif’s government. and Turkey signed Achairman of the Paki- Mastung police offi cial Ghaz- Othree agreements on stan Senate yesterday in the anfar Ali Shah said the convoy Wednesday to transform exist- violence-plagued province of appeared to have been hit by a ing collaboration in the fi eld of Baluchistan, killing at least 25 suicide bomber, adding Haid- defence industry into a strate- people, offi cials said. eri’s driver was among those gic partnership, Radio Pakistan Islamic State claimed respon- killed. reported. sibility for the bombing. The The senator, who is be- The agreements were signed group’s Amaq news agency said ing treated in hospital, was on in Istanbul on the sidelines of a bomber wearing an explosive his way back to Quetta after the 13th International Defence vest carried out the attack. distributing graduation cer- Industry Fair 2017. At least 35 people were tifi cates to students from a ma- Of the three agreements wounded in the blast near the drassa, or religious academy. signed in the presence of De- town of Mastung, 50km (30 Separatist militants in Balu- fence Production Minister Rana miles) from the provincial capi- chistan have waged a campaign Tanveer Hussain and Turkish tal of Quetta. Television footage against the central govern- Minister for National Defence showed a vehicle mangled by ment for decades, demanding Fikri Isik, one called for in- the blast. a greater share of the gas-rich creased collaboration between Senator Abdul Ghafoor Haid- province’s resources. the two countries in the fi eld of eri, the deputy chairman of the Taliban and other Islam- aviation. upper house of parliament, said ist militants also operate in the In November 2016, Tur- minutes after the explosion he province, which shares borders key decided to buy 52 Super believed he was the target and with Afghanistan and Iran. A Mushshak, costing more than he had sustained minor injuries. US drone strike killed Taliban $50mn, over the next three “There are many casualties as leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour years. Offi cials of Turkey and there were many people in the last year in Baluchistan. Pakistan signed the agreement convoy,” he said by telephone. The province was rocked by on the sidelines of the ongoing Haideri is a member of Jamiat- a series of attacks late last year IDEAS 2016. e-Ulema Islam, a right-wing that claimed over 180 lives and Promising that the aircraft Sunni Islamist political party raised concerns about a growing would be delivered on time, he that is part of Prime Minis- militant presence. said: “This is the most signifi - ter Nawaz Sharif’s coalition A judicial report released cant agreement with Turkey in government. after an attack on the prov- the fi eld of defence.” District health offi cial Sher ince’s lawyers left more than 70 The aircraft are scheduled to Ahmed Satakzai said the death dead criticised security provi- be delivered in three batches - toll had risen to 25 and 10 were sions in the region and called the fi rst one in 2017, the second in critical condition in hospital. for increased clampdowns on in 2018 while the last batch will Security in Pakistan has im- extremists. Security off icials examine the site of a suicide bomb attack in Mastung district, some 50km south of provincial capital Quetta, yesterday be delivered in 2019. Action against Afghan general sought Security in Afghanistan likely to ‘deteriorate’ Reuters the province was allegedly re- been directly involved, yes.” stan’s intelligence services and aware of any attempt to bring Geneva sponsible for incommunicado Raziq rejected any allegation the Haqqani network, a militant Raziq to justice. detention, enforced disappear- that he had been involved in group linked to the Taliban, of “I think it’s a matter for the AFP US-led alliance risked losing ances, mass arbitrary detention torturing prisoners. being behind the explosion. prosecution authorities in Af- Washington the fragile gains it had made he police chief of Af- and extrajudicial killings during “First of all I don’t have private Last year Raziq, a feared com- ghanistan fi rst and foremost during the protracted confl ict. ghanistan’s Kandahar counter-insurgency operations. jails and secondly the govern- mander known as a ruthless and of course it could end up “Unless we change some- Tprovince, General Abdul “The committee is particu- ment-run prisons are inspected enemy of the Taliban, led rein- in other places. But we would he head of US intelli- thing... the situation will con- Raziq, should be prosecuted over larly concerned at the numer- by the International Commit- forcements, supported by US air expect that the local prosecu- gence agencies off ered a tinue to deteriorate and we’ll allegations of torture and en- ous and credible allegations in- tee of the Red Cross and other strikes, to help repel an attack by tion authorities, the attorney Tpessimistic assessment lose all the gains that we’ve in- forced disappearances, the UN dicating General Abdul Raziq, human rights organizations on Taliban militants in neighbour- general, would react to such on Thursday of the security vested in over the last several Committee against Torture said ANP Commander in Kandahar, regular bases,” Raziq said. ing Uruzgan province. reports, provided they are situation in Afghanistan, years,” he said. yesterday. as being widely suspected of “I strongly reject such claims A UN report last month said handed in to him.” where the US government is That new beefi ng-up of The committee said it was complicity, if not of personal and they are made to defame torture and mistreatment of de- The committee called on Af- planning to send more troops eff orts would include send- deeply concerned at numerous implication, in severe human me. If anyone or any entity has tainees by Afghan security forces ghanistan to make sure all al- to combat resurgent Islamic ing US and Nato advisers at reports brought to its attention rights abuses, including extra- any proof, they should present was as widespread as ever, de- legations were investigated extremists. brigade and battalion level to about the situation in Kanda- judicial killings and settlement it but I am sure there is none,” he spite promises by Afghan Presi- promptly, thoroughly and im- “The political and security help Afghan commanders co- har, including the use of torture of secret detention centers,” the added. dent Ashraf Ghani and new laws partially, and that Raziq and situation in Afghanistan will ordinate troop movements methods such as suff ocation, committee’s report said. In January this year Raziq enacted by the government. other alleged perpetrators were also almost certainly deterio- with artillery, intelligence or crushing the testicles, pump- Asked if Raziq, whose name narrowly escaped injury when a The International Criminal prosecuted. rate through 2018, even with close air support, he said. ing water into the stomach and is also anglicised as Razeq, bomb hidden under sofas in the Court in The Hague is conduct- Nobody at the Afghan diplo- a modest increase in the mili- “The Taliban are likely to administering electric shocks. had conducted interrogations Kandahar governor’s residence ing a separate review of torture matic mission in Geneva was im- tary assistance by the US and continue to make gains, espe- Raziq denied all the allegations. personally, the committee’s went off while offi cials were in Afghanistan. mediately available to comment its partners,” Director of Na- cially in rural areas,” said the US The UN body said the Af- chairman Jens Modvig said: having dinner, killing 13 people. Modvig told a news confer- on the committee’s report. tional Intelligence Dan Coats spy chief, adding that eff orts to ghan National Police (ANP) in “There are reports that he has At the time he accused Paki- ence in Geneva that he was not said at a hearing of the Senate bolster local military have been Intelligence Committee. less fruitful than hoped. “Afghanistan will struggle “Afghan security forces’ to curb its dependence on ex- performance will probably ternal support until it contains worsen due to a combination the insurgency or reaches a of Taliban operations, combat peace agreement with the Tal- casualties, desertions, poor Thousands of iban,” Coats told lawmakers in logistics support, weak lead- presenting an annual assess- ership,” he said. ment of threats to US national “Afghanistan will struggle security. to curb its dependence on ex- US-led forces have been ternal support until it contains child workers fi ghting in Afghanistan for the insurgency or reaches a almost 16 years, making it peace agreement with the America’s longest war, yet Taliban.” the situation there remains a America has about 8,400 stalemate. troops in Afghanistan. Most benefi t from General Vincent Stewart, belong to a 13,300-strong head of the Defence Intelli- Nato mission to train and ad- gence Agency, said if the situ- vise Afghan partner forces ation was not addressed, the fi ghting the Taliban.

cash incentive PhD programme for faculty launched

The Punjab Higher Education According to the MoU, initially Commission (PHEC) has the PHEC would off er six scheme launched a ‘split PhD scholarships to the faculty scholarship programme’ for the members of the Punjab faculty members of universities University Institute of Social AFP hind India and China, according and colleges of the province. and Cultural Studies. Lahore to the Global Slavery Index. The PHEC yesterday signed an The varsities and colleges in the Under the terms of the Pun- Former child labourers make their way home past a brick kiln after attending their classes at a school on MoU with the Punjab University province are facing a shortage jab provincial government the outskirts of Lahore yesterday. in this regard. of PhD faculty. According to government cash- scheme, which began in Janu- “The split PhD scholarship an off icial, the varsities and incentive scheme has ary 2016, nearly 88,000 child ernment aid agency, to other life, but soon overcame them. hard to come by for people in programme is indigenous-cum- colleges in Punjab need at least Ahelped place almost brick kiln workers were se- areas where underage labour is “They are brilliant students, some rural areas, and here you’re foreign initiative providing the 4,000 PhD faculty memebers. 90,000 underage Pakistani lected for a stipend compris- prevalent. and now they are gaining knowl- incentivising the parents.” PhD scholars an opportunity Speaking at the MoU ceremony brick kiln workers into school, ing an initial $20 per child, fol- Teachers at a government edge and along with that they are Shumaila Bibi, a 11-year-old to study here and abroad to here, PHEC chairman offi cials said yesterday, an lowed by a recurring monthly school on the outskirts of Pun- gaining social skills,” she said. student at the Lahore school, complete their degree,” PHEC Prof Nizamuddin said the initiative aimed at easing the payment of $10. jab provincial capital Lahore said Critics have questioned the began working at a brick kiln spokesman Shahid Soraya said. programme would provide long-standing problem of The initiative “lowered the the recently freed child workers viability of an open-ended cash with her brothers and sisters four He said the pilot programme opportunities of higher indentured labour. opportunity cost of not send- - previously exposed to noxious transfer scheme, however, and years ago after their father was had been launched with the PU learning and research to the Campaigners estimate there ing children to school... and smoke, brick dust, and fi erce sun say not enough is being done to injured in an accident. and later other varsities and faculty of public universities are more than 2mn Pakista- families were able to mobi- that pushes summer tempera- implement existing laws against “Nobody wants to work in the colleges would be included in it. and colleges. nis trapped in a vicious cycle of lise this stipend to pay their tures up to 50 degrees Celsius - bonded labour, such as arrest- kiln, we do it out of necessity,” “The best institutions off ering He said the PHEC was taking debt bondage to factory owners debts,” a spokesman for Pun- made for the most eager learners. ing kiln owners who employ her mother Shamim Bibi said. PhD will be selected for the steps for capacity building of that continues for generations, jab’s education minister Rana Fauzia Elahi, the school’s indentured workers. “But I’m really happy with this students and foreign faculty teachers serving in institutions a practice often referred to as Mashhood said. headteacher, said many of the But Fasi Zaka, a development help that we’re getting and that also be hired to teach them. of higher learning. modern slavery. Offi cials now hope to extend 40 ex-brick kiln workers at her consultant, said: “Those things Shumaila is back in school. She On the last year of their PhD PU Vice-Chancellor Zaff ar Pakistan has the third highest the $9mn scheme, with moni- school initially had teething weren’t solving the problem over will fi nish her education and go the students will be sent to top Mueen Nasir and Zakria Zakir population of such labourers, be- toring assisted by Britain’s gov- problems adjusting to their new 20 years. Legal protections are on to become a teacher.” varsity abroad,” Soraya said. also spoke. Gulf Times 12 Saturday, May 13, 2017 PHILIPPINES

Security in Palawan tightened amid travel alert

Agencies Puerto Princesa City

ecurity around the Puerto Princesa Underground SRiver (PPUR) National Park has been tightened, following a US warning that terrorist groups might be planning to kidnap for- eigners in one of the Philippines’ most popular tourist spots. The US Embassy on Tuesday said it had received “credible in- formation” that terrorists may be targeting areas in Palawan prov- ince, including Puerto Princesa City and the PPUR, Philippine Daily Inquirer reported. The military foiled a kidnap- ping raid by the Abu Sayyaf in Bohol following a US Embassy warning in early April of such a plan by the bandits in the prov- ince and nearby Cebu. President Rodrigo Duterte did not confi rm or deny the terrorist threat when asked to comment on the US travel advisory before he fl ew to Cambodia on Wednesday. A US soldier (left) looks at a Filipino soldier lifting up a mock victim, as a part of an earthquake scenario during the Philippines and United States annual Balikatan (shoulder to shoulder) exercises inside the Fort Magsaysay Instead, he said he had or- military headquarters in Nueva Ecija province, north of Manila, yesterday. dered security forces battling Abu Sayyaf bandits to “shoot them on sight.” “Do not waste your bullets (then) you take care of them in hospital,” he said. “Expend your bullets to fi nish the problem because it is really a problem. It is a problem of secu- US and Philippine troops hold rity, law and order.” The Armed Forces spokesper- son, Col. Edgard Arevalo, said the military had not monitored any “specifi c threat” to Palawan. “Whether there indeed is a disaster preparedness drills threat or not, our position is we take all reports seriously. We keep Reuters obstacle to his rapprochement saw China’s assertiveness in the “These are skills that are per- our monitoring and vigilance, Fort Magsaysay with China, and has tamed Ba- South China Sea as a threat to its tinent to any type of military and are taking all precautions,” likatan to avoid provoking Bei- sovereignty. operation,” he said. Arevalo said. The British Embassy jing, and to hammer home his Duterte has denounced Many experts say that geo- in Manila cited the travel warning hilippine soldiers crawl message that the Philippines is Washington for “hypocrisy” political realities mean ties are and like the US Embassy advised through narrow pipes to no US lackey. and for treating the Philip- unlikely to take a permanent hit its citizens to “carefully consider Psave civilians and haul The 2016 exercises, which pines “like a dog”. He has from Duterte’s hostility and say travel plans and exercise height- casualties by ropes from atop Duterte had said would be “the shunned all US activities in the the Philippine military’s mis- ened vigilance” in Palawan. a derelict building, coached by last”, featured live-fi re drills, Philippines, but made a point trust of China means it will not The management of World US army teams in a simulation amphibious landings and a com- of touring visiting warships risk losing its US support. Heritage-listed PPUR said in a of a rescue after a ferocious ty- bat simulation of the re-taking from China and Russia in re- Richard Heydarian, an expert statement that it had “co-ordi- phoon. of a South China Sea island from cent weeks. on politics and international nated with the authorities, both Soldiers practice putting on an unspecifi ed enemy. What’s Defence Secretary Delfi n aff airs at Manila’s De La Salle the (Armed Forces of the Phil- protective overalls and drill- left this year is largely Humani- Lorenzana said the training University, said the bare-bones ippines) and the police, to be on ing through collapsed rubble, tarian Assistance and Disaster exercises were valuable but Balikatan indicated a “mitigated heightened alert.” in exercises part and parcel of Response (HADR) training, seen Duterte wanted no more “war downgrade” in the US relation- The Philippine Military Acad- “Balikatan” (shoulder to shoul- yesterday at a military base in games”. ship, but that was easily revers- emy has cancelled plans by ca- der), the conventional warfare Nueva Ecija province, where “We are concentrating on ible and contingent on China’s dets to visit the underground exercises that for decades have forces practised for the scenario HADR, counter-terrorism, and actions and the foreign policy river and Honda Bay. The cadets bolstered a treaty alliance and of a typhoon striking the capital many things related to that,” he approach of the Trump admin- were in the provincial capital for helped preserve a US strategic Manila. Filipino soldiers, members of a decontamination unit, check mock said last week. istration. a silent drill exhibition. foothold in Asia. “It’s instruction-based, rescuers, as a part of a chemical scenario during the Philippines “The president doesn’t want “Duterte clearly respects his Security around most of Pala- But this year’s edition is a hands-on and practical and and United States annual Balikatan (shoulder to shoulder) exercises to antagonise some people in military, which is clear about its wan’s tourist destinations has shadow of what it was a year they’re doing pretty good,” said inside the Fort Magsaysay military headquarters in Nueva Ecija the neighbourhood.” suspicions of China but unclear been tightened since late April ago, involving only half the Sergeant First-class Jay Bal, province, north of Manila, yesterday. Like many US offi cials, Ma- about America,” he said, refer- after the military clashed with 11,000 troops, and stripped of a Filipino-American who is rine Lieutenant-General Law- ring to the uncertainty about US the Abu Sayyaf in Bohol. all combat-related exercises at among 30 members of the Ha- under the old allies’ 1951 Mu- target for Chinese aggression. rence Nicholson, the com- priorities in the region. The military’s Western Com- the behest of Philippine Presi- waii National Guard training tual Defence Treaty, one of Duterte, who holds talks in mander leading Balikatan, “China is consolidating with mand (Wescom) based in Puerto dent Rodrigo Duterte. Philippine army engineers and several agreements Duterte Beijing with Chinese President insists the alliance remains its strategic objectives, but I Princesa City had announced Duterte makes no secret of his rescue teams. has threatened to abrogate, Xi Jinping on Monday, has re- strong, and the removal of com- don’t think China will forget the formation of inter-agency disdain for an alliance with the The idea of Balikatan was to arguing the US troop presence versed a Philippine foreign pol- bat training did not devalue the those plans just because Duterte task groups to conduct random United States that he sees as an rehearse a joint defence plan could make the Philippines a icy that prized close US ties and exercises. talks nice to them.” checks and mobile patrols.

Russia eyed as new destination Call for action against plastic waste for deploying Filipino workers

Manila Times eral working group to craft the tination for the past two years, Manila partnership where the rights with 39% contribution to the and protection of both Filipino total OFW jobs. workers and Russian employers Other Middle East countries he Philippines is eyeing will be guaranteed. that dominated the list are Qa- Russia as a new destina- “We hope to meet with our tar, the United Arab Emirates, Ttion for overseas Filipino counterparts in Russia for us Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman fol- workers (OFWs) as bilateral rela- to discuss the specifi cs of this lowed by the United States, New tions between the two countries agreement. A working group Zealand, Brunei Darussalam and continue to get stronger since should defi ne the terms and Australia. Russian President Vladimir Putin guidelines for this,” he added. The study is based on overseas and President Rodrigo Duterte’s According to Bello, opening of jobs posted by agencies licensed meeting at the Asia-Pacifi c labour relations between Manila by the Philippine Overseas Em- Economic Co-operation (Apec) and Moscow will also be discussed ployment Administration at Summit in Lima, Peru, last year. by Duterte with Putin in his WorkAbroad.ph from January to A boy plays near a whale-shaped art installation that is made of plastic and trash by environmental activist group Greenpeace Labour and Employment Sec- planned visit to Russia this year. September 2016. Philippines, lying along the shore in Naic, Cavite yesterday. retary Silvestre Bello yesterday “I already sent a memo to the Engineering is still the top disclosed that he and Russian president requesting him to in- specialisation with most jobs for Ambassador to Manila Igor Ana- clude the possible deployment of professional workers, contribut- RECOGNITION tolyyevich Khovaev have agreed skilled and professional workers ing 26% to the total OFW jobs. to establish “a solid legal basis to Russia,” he said. Other specialisations that for co-operation” for the benefi t Bello added that there is a made it to the list are Gen- Bacolod adjudged as ‘top model city’ at forum of Filipino migrant workers. demand for construction and eral Work, Hospitality, Nurse/ “We are glad we had prelimi- household service workers in Medical Support and Assistant, The City of Bacolod was named the country’s most liveable urban cen- City, with city administrator Mauel Alipon receiving the trophy from nary discussion on various la- Russia. Manufacturing/Production Op- tre during the Manila Times Philippine Model Cities Forum and Awards presenter South Forbes Golf Club. bour issues and concerns of mu- In 2014, there were about erations, Maintenance/Repair, held on Thursday at the New World Manila Bay Hotel in Manila, besting The Environment Friendly Award was handed to Batangas City and tual interest to both countries,” 4,000 OFWs in Russia who were Personal Care, Sales, Clerical/ 12 other cities. The event was held in co-operation with P&A Grant was received by Mayor Beverly Rose Dimacuha-Mariño from Wilcon Bello said. working in construction, hotels Administrative and Arts/Crea- Thornton, the professional services firm, Manila Times reported. Depot. The Business Friendly Award (for ease of doing business) was According to him, the Russian and households. tive/Graphics Design. Bacolod City was chosen as the Top Model City across all criteria by given to San Fernando City, Pampanga and was received by Mayor ambassador gave his assurance According to a recent study, As for the highest paying OFW a panel of judges composed of Architect Felino Palafox, Convergys Edwin Santiago from P&A Grant Thornton. to give ample protection to the Middle East countries are still jobs, doctors remain to be on Philippines Services Corp chairman Marife Zamora, Wilcon Depot direc- The Retirement Haven Award was presented by the Philippine Retire- rights and legitimate interest the top destinations for OFWs. top of the list having an average tor Rosemarie Bosch-Ong, and P&A Grant Thornton Tax Advisory and ment Authority to Tagaytay City, represented by planning off icer Carlos of overseas Filipino workers in The 2016 Overseas Land- monthly income of P111,620.00 Compliance Division Head Eleanor Roque. Zuniga. The Education Hub Award (public scholarships, city-funded Russia. Based Jobs and Salary Report and with paediatricians and gy- Bacolod came with the most complete set off icials, led by Mayor Evelio schools) went to Paranaque City, with Mayor Edwin Olivarez and wife In response, Bello said he showed that Saudi Arabia re- naecologists getting the highest Leonardia, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, and Rep. Greg Gasataya. Janet together with key city government personnel accepting suggested forming a bilat- mains to be the top OFW des- salaries. The Safe Haven Award for peace and order was given to Sta. Rosa the trophy. Gulf Times Saturday, May 13, 2017 13 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL China ministry India calls for deeper defends ties with Lanka relations with Lanka after submarine AFP Colombo visit blocked

ndian Prime Minister Naren- Reuters The timing of the incident dra Modi declared yesterday Beijing/Colombo is awkward as Sri Lankan Ihis desire for a “quantum Prime Minister Ranil Wick- jump” in relations with Sri Lan- remesinghe is expected in Be- ka, as New Delhi jostles with re- hina defended its mili- ijing this weekend to attend a gional rival Beijing for infl uence tary relationship with summit on China’s new Silk in the island nation. CSri Lanka as good for Road plan. India had always considered regional peace and stability A senior Sri Lankan gov- its smaller neighbour to be after Sri Lanka rejected a re- ernment offi cial said China’s within its sphere of infl uence quest from China to dock one request to dock one of its but watched Sri Lanka drift of its submarines in Colombo submarines in Colombo this closer to China under former this month. month had been rejected. He strongman president Mahinda Sri Lanka last allowed a Chi- said Sri Lanka was “unlikely” Rajapakse. nese submarine to dock in the to agree to China’s request Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka - his capital of Colombo in October to dock the submarine at any second since coming to power 2014, a move that triggered fi erce time, given India’s concerns. in 2014 - is being seen as New opposition from its northern Delhi’s attempt to win back sup- neighbour India, which worries “The stopping to resupply port and counter Beijing’s push about growing Chinese activity of our submarines that are for closer ties with the Indian in a country it has long viewed as on their way to the Gulf of Ocean nation. part of its area of infl uence. Aden and Somali waters “I believe we are at a moment Indian Prime Minister for protection missions of great opportunity in our ties Narendra Modi arrived in Sri is an internationally with Sri Lanka. An opportunity Lanka on Thursday for a two- accepted practice” to achieve a quantum jump in day offi cial visit. our partnership across diff er- China’s defence ministry, A second offi cial, at the ent fi elds,” Modi told a Buddhist in a statement sent to Reu- defence ministry, also said conference in Colombo. ters, did not directly mention China’s request to dock this Chinese-backed projects the rejected request for the month had been rejected but soared under Rajapakse, who submarine visit, but said its that a decision on a further relied heavily on Beijing for eco- submarines needed a place to docking had been postponed. nomic and diplomatic support resupply on their way to anti- China has invested heavily as Western nations threatened India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, centre, joins hands with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, left, and Prime Minister Ranil Wick- piracy missions. in Sri Lanka in recent years, his administration with sanc- remesinghe after addressing a public rally in the tea-growing town of Norwood, some 80km east of Colombo, yesterday. “The stopping to resupply funding airports, roads, rail- tions over atrocities committed of our military’s submarines ways and ports, unsettling during the decades-long civil Colombo harbour in 2014 had economic growth to deepen our tral district of Nuwara Eliya to familiar with the famous Ceylon that are on their way to the India, traditionally the closest war which ended in 2009. reportedly angered India, which development co-operation,” he open an India-gifted hospital tea that originates in this fertile Gulf of Aden and Somali wa- economic partner of the island Sri Lankan President Maithri- considered it to be undermining said. and address tens of thousands land. ters for protection missions nation of 21mn people. pala Sirisena came to power in their security. Rajapakse’s political allies of plantation workers of Indian “What is less known is that it is an internationally accepted More than 70% of the January 2015 promising to re- In Beijing, China’s foreign among the majority-Sinhalese origin. is your sweat and toil that make practice,” the ministry said. trans-shipment in Colombo view Chinese-funded projects ministry spokesman Geng Sh- community had called for a The nearly 1mn ethnic Tamils the Ceylon tea the brew of choice In recent years, the Chinese port comes from India. signed by his predecessor and uan said they were aware of the black fl ag protest during Modi’s in central Sri Lanka are de- for millions around the globe.” and Sri Lankan militaries had Sri Lanka is fi nalising a plan rebuild ties with India. reports, but stressed both sides visit, accusing India of trying scendants of indentured labour He promised another 10,000 had fruitful and eff ective co- to lease 80% of its loss-mak- As Modi touched down in Co- maintained “good co-operation.” to grab land in a strategic port brought to work in coff ee, rubber houses in addition to the 4,000 operation in areas like mutual ing Hambantota port to China lombo for a two-day visit Thurs- “China and Sri Lanka enjoy district. and tea plantations by British co- that India is currently funding for visits and training, it added. for 99 years, but the deal has day, a top Sri Lankan defence of- good friendship,” he said. But the former president lonial rulers in the 19th century. ethnic Tamil plantation workers “The co-operation between been delayed because of op- fi cial confi rmed Beijing had been Modi pledged India’s commit- sought a meeting with Modi on “It is a tremendous honour to who are among the poorest in the the Chinese and Sri Lankan position from trade unions. denied permission for a port call ment to their “Sri Lankan broth- Thursday night and the two had a be the fi rst Indian prime minister country of 21mn. militaries is benefi cial to re- A 1987 accord between In- by a Chinese submarine. ers and sisters” and the “indi- “cordial” discussion, confi rmed ever to visit this beautiful region Before returning home yester- gional peace and stability, is dia and Sri Lanka provides that The offi cial, who did not wish visible” ties between the two Indian diplomats who provided of Sri Lanka,” he said. day Modi also sought blessings not aimed at any third party their territories not be used for to be named, would not com- neighbours. no further details. “It is a greater honour to have at the temple of the Tooth, Sri and should not be interfered in activities deemed prejudicial ment on the timing of the deci- “We will continue to invest From Colombo, Modi fl ew to the opportunity to speak with Lanka’s holiest Buddhist temple, by a third party,” the ministry to each other’s unity, integrity sion. Two submarine calls at the in driving positive change and the island’s tea growing cen- you. People the world over are in the town of Kandy. said, without elaborating. and security.

local-level elected government bodies has delayed develop- ment work, boosted corrup- tion and undermined eff orts Nepal to vote to rebuild areas devastated by Nepal signs up to China’s two earthquakes in 2015, which killed nearly 9,000 people and displaced 3mn. Survivors of the country’s in local polls worst disaster on record still new Silk Road initiative languish in temporary shel- ters made from tarpaulin sheets and bamboo. The government AFP said that political motivations has been criticised for failing Kathmandu might trump “genuine infrastruc- for fi rst time in to spend $4.1bn pledged for re- ture needs and commercial logic”, building. leading to “a heightened risk of “Politicians are coming to us epal yesterday signed up projects proving unprofi table”. asking for votes. But we’ll only to China’s new Silk Road Struggling countries could be vote for those who give us a per- Ndrive, a massive infra- saddled with Chinese loans requir- two decades manent house,” Bikram Prajapa- structure project spanning some ing payment regardless of project ti, 40, said from his zinc-roofed 65 countries at the centre of the performance, Fitch Ratings said. hut in a suburb of the capital city, Asian giant’s push to expand its In Kathmandu, China’s am- Reuters emerging from a decade-long Kathmandu. global infl uence. bassador to Nepal Yu Hong Kathmandu Maoist insurgency that ended The fi nal phase of the local The long discussed deal be- appeared aware of such criti- in 2006 and the abolition of the polls is set for June 14, when the tween impoverished Nepal and cism and described the plan as monarchy two years later. restive southern plains, home its much bigger neighbour comes a “symphony performed by an epal votes in local to ethnic minority groups de- just days before China hosts a orchestra” not China’s “solo elections tomor- Nearly 20,000 women manding greater representation, summit for 28 leaders near Bei- show” in a short speech at the Nrow for the fi rst time are standing for election will head to the ballot box. jing, showcasing the ambitious signing ceremony. in 20 years, a major step in in the fi rst phase. Fourteen million Nepalis are plan. “The Initiative is not going to the young republic’s diffi cult Women must fi ll certain eligible to vote. The One Belt, One Road Ini- be China’s solo show. A better transition to democracy more positions in the local Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal tiative (OBOR) spearheaded by analogy would be that of a sym- than a decade after the end of administrations and this Dahal, a former Maoist rebel President Xi Jinping would see phony performed by an orches- its civil war. has driven strong female commander, is expected to 60% of the global population Nepal’s Foreign Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi and China’s ambas- tra composed of all participating The government hopes the engagement across Nepal, stand down after the vote un- and around a third of global GDP sador to Nepal Yu Hong, left, exchange documents during a signing countries,” Yu said. elections, staggered over two especially among women der a power-sharing deal with linked through a network of Chi- ceremony relating to the One Belt One Road initiative in Kathmandu “The One Belt, One Road phases, will lead to a general under 30. Sher Bahadur Deuba, chief of the nese-bankrolled ports, railways, yesterday. Initiative will bring new oppor- election later in the year. A Nepali Congress party. roads and industrial parks. tunities for China-Nepal co- recent dispute between the Its democratic journey took a Nearly 20,000 women are The deal will see China plough more investment to Nepal, help- cern over the Asian giant’s at- operation and South Asia devel- poor Himalayan nation’s hit in 2015 when some regional standing for election in the fi rst money into Nepal for a series of ing the country overcome its tempt to take a lead in global opment,” she added. Maoist-led government and groups rejected a constitution phase. Women must fi ll certain projects including boosting its status as a landlocked and least commerce, cautioning that an The newly inked deal will be the head of the Supreme approved by bigger political par- positions in the local admin- road network, power grid and developed nation,” said Nepal integrated world trade system closely watched by Nepal’s other Court had threatened to ties, saying it concentrated pow- istrations and this has driven a new railway connecting the Foreign Minister Prakash Saran where China’s Communist party large neighbour, India, which derail voting. er among the hill elite that has strong female engagement capital Kathmandu with Lhasa Mahat at the signing of the deal sets the rules could come with has traditionally played the Nepal has suff ered from years long dominated politics. across Nepal, especially among in Tibet. yesterday. serious risks and hidden costs. role of big brother to the much of political instability since Analysts say the absence of women under 30. “We believe China will bring Analysts have expressed con- New York-based Fitch Ratings smaller country. BNP against use of EVM in next national election

By Mizan Rahman “The prime minister’s son commission’s move to bring the holders this year and seek their troduced the EVM, they later essential commodities have al- The BNP leader urged the Dhaka and one of her advisers a cou- EVM issue in the limelight now is opinions over the EVM use in abandoned it as the system can ready doubled within a week government to take eff ective ple of days ago said the EVM politically motivated.” the next general election, to be easily be tampered. ahead of Ramadan, though the measures for keeping the prices will be used in the next parlia- Earlier on Thursday, Chief held late December 2018 or ear- The BNP leader voiced grave Commerce Minister is saying of essentials within the reach of he Bangladesh Nation- mentary elections. The chief Election Commissioner Huda ly January 2019, before taking concern over the soaring prices they will keep the market under commoners. alist Party (BNP) yes- election commissioner (CEC) at a programme said the EVM any decision. of daily essentials. their control during the fasting Rizvi slammed the govern- Tterday opposed Chief echoed the same on Thursday. will be used in the next parlia- Mentioning that EVM is a He alleged that a syndicate month. ment for what he said growing Election Commissioner K M The CEC’s comment is the re- mentary poll if all the political faulty election system, Rizvi said belonging to the ruling party is He accused the government incidents of rape and alleged that Nurul Huda’s proposal for fl ection of fulfi lling the gov- parties reach a consensus in the ruling party is interested in it controlling the market and hik- of giving the pro-ruling party ruling party men and the sons of using electronic voting ma- ernment’s desire,” BNP senior this regard. to rig votes as the party has lost ing the prices of rice, pulses and business syndicate a scope to some infl uential persons are un- chines (EVMs) in the next leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told He also said the Election popularity. other essential commodities due make money ahead of Ramadan leashing violence against wom- polls in 2019 saying it is an reporters. Commission will sit with po- He claimed that though some to the government’s inaction. by losing the market control en for the prevailing culture of ill-motivated plan. He further said, “We think the litical parties and other stake- countries, including India, in- Rizvi said the prices of all the mechanism. impunity. Gulf Times 14 Saturday, May 13, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko Hacks, leaks, fake news:

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar German fears before vote [email protected] Telephone 44350478 (news), Foundations tied to The origin of the hack of Macron’s no idea who was behind APT 28: “We sources familiar with the report. 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) leading parties hit by e-mails last week is still under do not know who these people are and There is no ban on USB sticks, Fax 44350474 investigation. have no relation to them.” which could be infected with cyber attack; Berlin In particular, German authorities But US and German offi cials say the malicious software, they quoted the worry that e-mails obtained by connections are clear. report as saying. worried about e-mail hackers in a 2015 cyber attack on the The head of Germany’s BfV “We don’t have suffi cient leaks from 2015 Bundestag German parliament will be leaked domestic intelligence agency, Hans- protections for the Bundestag servers before the Sept 24 election. Georg Maassen, last week said Russia where confi dential documents are hack Two sources familiar with is orchestrating cyber attacks and stored,” said August Hanning, former GULF TIMES the matter said one of the dozen infl uence operations to destabilise head of the BND foreign intelligence By Andrea Shalal/Reuters or so accounts hit was Merkel’s German society. agency. Berlin parliamentary account, though And while Germany has The BSI now provides cyber training her primary work account was not strengthened its defences, gaps were to state and federal lawmakers, touched. inevitable, he said. political parties and their think tanks. Five major nuclear fter election hacks in the One of the sources said Peter “I’m reminded of Sisyphus But Germany’s strict separation United States and France, Tauber, the CDU secretary general, continually rolling a boulder to the of powers mean it can only advise Germany is worried it will be was later hit by a ransomware attack, mountaintop only to be overtaken by his parliament and not force it to act.”It’s Anext. Four months before an in which viruses are used to lock up a inevitable fate,” he said, referring to the like teaching traffi c safety. We say, threats discussed at election in which Chancellor Angela computer’s data, forcing users to pay Greek myth symbolising a futile act. ‘Please don’t cross the street when Merkel hopes to win another term, off attackers in order to regain use of At a meeting with Merkel in Russia the light is red.’ But it’s up to people Germany’s national cyber security their machines. this week, President Vladimir Putin themselves if they actually listen,” agency BSI warned political parties to “Digitisation has overwhelmed us. described allegations of Russian BSI president Arne Schoenbohm told Vienna conference shore up their computer defences. Let’s not fool ourselves. Despite all the attacks related to the US presidential Reuters. The head of Germany’s domestic assurances about bolstering security, election as rumours. Berlin is also taking steps to crack Some 120 countries have just spent two weeks discussing intelligence agency last week accused Germany is not really prepared for But US and European offi cials say down on so-called fake news. nuclear weapons in Vienna, asking how countries with Moscow of gathering a large amount of what is coming,” said Dirk Arendt, a Moscow wants to erode confi dence in It is targeting the 3mn or so weapons can get rid of them and how countries without them political data in cyber attacks, and said German-based employee at Israeli Western democracies and undermine Germans with roots in Russia whom it would be up to the Kremlin whether cyber security fi rm Check Point European unity. offi cials fear may be vulnerable to pro- can be prevented from getting them. to meddle in the Sept. 24 elections. Software Technologies. “Putin’s short-term goal is to Russian propaganda. What emerged was a sense that the global Nuclear Non- The German government has Government and party offi cials weaken the European consensus on Those concerns were triggered by Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which has served to stop the boosted funding to the BSI and will declined to comment on whose sanctions against Russia,” said Hans- spontaneous protests in January 2016 spread of nuclear weapons, is under threat from several sides. add 180 jobs to the agency this year. accounts were hit in 2015. Peter Uhl, legal adviser for Merkel’s after a bogus report about the alleged It is also expanding a cyber defence The BSI believes Merkel and her conservative bloc in parliament. rape of a 13-year Russian-German girl Here are fi ve of the risks discussed in Vienna. centre and has stepped up data sharing conservative Christian Democrats “The long-term objective is to by a migrant. North Korea: formally the People’s Democratic Republic of with private sector fi rms. (CDU) are being particularly targeted divide the EU and secure the victory of Thomas Krueger, who heads Korea (DPRK), it is currently the only country that is actively The government is even studying by APT 28, a Russian group US Russian values in the battle against the Germany’s BpB agency for civic legislative changes to allow it to strike offi cials have blamed for the hacking West,” he wrote in the group’s latest education, hosted a meeting in March trying to become a nuclear power. back - by destroying an enemy’s of Clinton’s emails. magazine. for 250 leaders in the community to “The DPRK’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile servers, say - in the event of a major The BSI said APT 28, also known as The Kremlin representative called encourage better awareness. programme, which is getting closer to an operational nuclear cyber attack. “Pawn Storm” or “Fancy Bear”, was the accusations “a bald-faced lie.” “We just have to be open about capability, poses a grave and increasing threat to regional and Despite the extra vigilance, over behind the 2015 attack on Germany’s Germany’s parliament bolstered this problem and ensure that as many a dozen cyber experts, German parliament as well as two attacks on security after 2015, bringing in people as possible develop critical international peace and security,” a group of 62 countries lawmakers and government offi cials the CDU last year. Deutsche Telekom to rework its thinking skills,” he said. stated in a declaration in Vienna. interviewed by Reuters say the leaders Security fi rm Trend Micro say the software systems and providing Russia is known for holding onto However, it is unclear if the isolated Asian country can be of Europe’s most powerful nation face group struck the think tanks of both cyber security training for its 3,000 damaging material until a critical brought to the negotiating table without a tough stance being a huge challenge if they come under the CDU and the Social Democrats, administrative staff , said Bundestag moment, says Jim Lewis, senior vice attacks like those on US presidential junior partners in Merkel’s coalition spokesman Ernst Hebeker. president at the Washington-based taken by everyone. candidate Hillary Clinton and France’s government, in March and April. But private fi rm secunet told Center for Strategic and International UN Security Council veto powers Russia and China did not incoming president, Emmanuel Trend Micro said the group also lawmakers in an independent Studies. back the Vienna statement on North Korea. Macron, whose emails were hacked. targeted Macron. confi dential assessment in February “The wild card is: ‘did the Russians Security researchers and US offi cials Russia denies involvement in the that numerous weaknesses remained, get something in 2015 that they can Israel: Arab countries have tried for years to defi ne the believe Russian hackers were behind attacks, saying it never interferes in including “uncontrolled use” detonate when the election gets Middle East as a zone without nuclear weapons. the US attack, and have warned Berlin the internal political aff airs of other by lawmakers of mobile phones closer?’” he said. The obstacle is Israel, which is believed to have a nuclear that Moscow now has its sights on countries. and tablets that are not centrally “I would get really nervous in arsenal. Germany. A Kremlin spokesman said he had monitored, according to several August.” Lack of progress on talks with Israel over the past years has enraged Arab countries and led to them obstructing a past NPT conference. In Vienna, Arab countries did not put up much of a fi ght because they are currently divided over how to achieve a nuclear-free zone, but they might regroup in time for the 2020 NPT Review Conference that will mark The obstacle the 50th anniversary of the treaty, diplomats warned. is Israel, which Lack of disarmament: is believed to Many countries are frustrated that nuclear have a nuclear countries are doing little arsenal to reduce their number of warheads. Countries that have such weapons are the fi ve UN veto powers - United States, Britain, France, Russia and China - as well as India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea. Yet instead of getting rid of nuclear weapons, several are working on technical updates. A car dealer’s dream, automakers’ nightmare A total nuclear weapons ban: In March, more than 100 countries began negotiating a treaty that demands an outright aim to benefi t from selling late-model “residual value” - an estimate of the rental car companies and consumer ban on nuclear weapons. By Nick Carey/Reuters Orwell, Ohio vehicles at a discount versus brand vehicle’s worth after its lease ends. leases. Franchise dealerships get fi rst The NPT only obliges weapons states from disarming at new cars. If that value is lower than expected dibs on inventory. some undefi ned point in the future. Chief Executive Mike Jackson said when the vehicle is resold, profi ts The leftovers are available to hree years ago if a customer rising off -lease car numbers means “a suff er. independent dealers through online However, some countries like the United States warn that walked onto Dan Reel’s used higher supply of pre-owned vehicles That risk was highlighted last and live auctions. the current volatile state of the world does not allow for car lot seeking a late-model at a more attractive price.” November when Ford lowered its KAR’s Hallett says the company outright nuclear disarmament. Toff -lease Ford Escape, his Consumers seeking great deals are fi nancial service arm’s pretax profi t makes money on the volume of cars Trump and Putin: The presence of two idiosyncratic leaders answer was short: tough luck. in luck. forecast by $300mn, citing falling sold, so rising supply boosts business. The supply of lightly-used cars and Used-vehicle prices at auction resale values for off -lease vehicles. Manufacturers are also using more in the United States and Russia who value power politics trucks was tight because automakers fell about 3% last year, according to Still, carmakers show no sign of of KAR’s ancillary repair and fi nishing alarms diplomats and non-proliferation experts. had drastically cut back on bargain Carmel, Indiana-based KAR Auction abandoning leasing. services to make vehicles look as good “The worry about having leaders that are psychologically leases during and after the Great Services Inc, which facilitated the sale In the fi rst quarter, leases made up as possible for sale, he said. Recession. of 5.1mn used and salvaged vehicles 31.06 % of sales to consumers, just Supply is currently so swollen Adesa unstable, who have their fi ngers on the trigger, is Recently, though, a computer search in 2016. below the record set in the second now off ers used dealers a guarantee: concentrating people’s minds,” said Rebecca Johnson, a for available used vehicles within 150 Used prices should drop around 3% quarter of 2016 of 31.44 %, according they can return any car they buy veteran British arms control expert. miles of Reel revealed an eye-popping annually for the next couple of years, to data from Experian. online within 30 days if it doesn’t sell US President Donald Trump’s administration has started fi gure: 668 Escapes. according to KAR’s chief economist Wall Street is worried carmakers are and only end up $50 out of pocket. That’s enough to put more than Tom Kontos. repeating past mistakes. Used-car dealers are also tweaking reviewing the narrow nuclear strategy of Trump’s predecessor 40% of the inhabitants of this small General Motors Co and Ford Motor Shares of GM and Ford barely their strategies for a glutted market. Barack Obama, which allowed their use only to deter nuclear northeastern Ohio town, population Co say prices for its used vehicles, budged last month after their earnings Reel, the Ohio dealer, hunts for attacks. 1,600, into the popular crossover. which consist largely of nearly-new both beat analyst expectations. unique vehicles that can command a Russia’s annexation of a part of Ukraine, on the other hand, A search for the Chevrolet Equinox, ones coming off lease to consumers, But when the companies reported slight premium. a comparable crossover, showed 461 fell 7% in the fi rst quarter versus the disappointing April sales last week, Joe Mok, general manager of has strengthened the view in Eastern Europe that the US-led available. same period in 2016. GM’s shares fell 3% and Ford’s 4%. Gmotorcars in Chicago, doesn’t care Nato alliance must keep its nuclear forces. “The automakers have fl ooded the GM says it expects a 7% decline for Automakers contend there is little about unicorns. “Progress in disarmament is not possible without creation market,” said Reel, owner of Reel’s 2017 compared to last year. cause for alarm. His strategy is to sell cheap. Auto in Orwell, Ohio, about 40 miles While many used-car dealers and In late April, GM chief fi nancial He recently bought 15 virtually of appropriate security conditions,” a Polish envoy said in east of Cleveland. their customers are spoiled for choice, offi cer Chuck Stevens said off -lease identical 2015 Ford Fiestas for $6,900 Vienna. That deluge is good news for used- the glut bodes ill for GM, Ford and Fiat vehicles were “an issue,” but insisted and sold them for $7,600. car dealers, auto auction houses and Chrysler Automobiles NV and is one that “overall the used-car market is “What’s going to make somebody car buyers, who stand to benefi t from reason the Detroit Three’s share prices absorbing that supply.” come to my store if we all have the To Advertise a bountiful supply of high quality, are stuck in neutral. Others see it diff erently. same color Toyota Camry with the off -lease vehicles rolling into the US Demand for new vehicles is slowing KAR CEO Jim Hallett said there’s same miles?” said Mok, who owns [email protected] market. after seven consecutive years of rising now an oversupply of off -lease two dealerships. “They’ll come to me Display By the end of 2019, an estimated sales. vehicles. because of the price.” Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 12mn low-mileage vehicles are Meanwhile, carmakers’ discounts “The fl ood of lease cars puts a lot With used-car prices falling, the coming off leases inked during a on new vehicles have surpassed record of pressure on automakers and their pressure is on dealers to sell vehicles Classified 2014-2016 spurt in new auto sales, levels set during the Great Recession. dealers to get new cars sold,” he said. fast before they lose value. Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 according to estimates by Atlanta- Those discounts have been In a market teeming with product, Rather than keep too much based auto auction fi rm Manheim and averaging over 10% of a new vehicle’s attention is now on auction sites, inventory on his lot, Reel entices Subscription Reuters. average selling price, according to a critical link in the used-car food customers with the prospect of almost [email protected] That’s helping independent dealers industry consultants J.D. Power and chain. unlimited choice on the auction sites. such as Reel, who can turn a quick LMC Automotive. The US trade is dominated by “I can get almost any off -lease car profi t on vehicles bought cheaply from Slumping prices also hurt Manheim and Adesa, a unit of KAR. a customer wants within 48 hours,” 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved auction companies. automakers’ in-house lenders. These companies re-sell cars and he said. “The only question is: ‘What Big players like AutoNation also They price leases using a car’s trucks returned to automakers from colour do you want?’” Gulf Times Saturday, May 13, 2017 15 COMMENT Macron and a Sixth Republic?

By Giles Merritt So far, La République En Marche! post-World War II Fourth Republic, Brussels has mobilised anti-Le Pen votes just as which over 12 years produced 24 much as it has won pro-Macron ones. governments and 16 prime ministers. Yet the notion has taken root that The Fifth Republic has, however, he writing is on the wall: Macron’s win shows a fundamental since come to be seen by many After six decades, France’s shift in French politics. as enshrining an unsatisfactory Fifth Republic looks set to The compelling legend is that concentration of powers. Tgive way to a sixth. within the space of a year, La Politicians on the left have long Sooner or later, such an upheaval République En Marche!, headed urged moving to a Sixth Republic, could become the chief outcome of by a virtually unknown fi gure, has a goal that topped the manifestos Emmanuel Macron’s election victory. humiliated established leaders and of both Hamon and the far-left The arrival of a centrist, pro-Europe swept to power on a wave of popular presidential candidate Jean-Luc technocrat in France’s powerful enthusiasm for a political outsider. Mélenchon. presidency is being widely hailed There is some truth in this, but not Ten years ago, the unsuccessful as auguring a turnaround in the much. Socialist presidential candidate European Union’s fortunes. While it is true that presidential Ségolène Royal backed the idea, and In fact, it may turn out to be anything elections in an age of social media so, too, had François Mitterrand in the but, with serious consequences for and infotainment are as much about early 1980s, though he dropped it on France itself and for hopes of a revival personalities as they are about becoming president, and ruled in as of the EU’s popularity. party loyalties, perhaps more so, haughty a manner as de Gaulle. Even while the votes were being parliamentary elections are much less Institutional reform is still very counted and the scale of Macron’s win likely to follow this template. much in the air. was becoming clear, the noisy election The presidential candidates of the Both Macron and Le Pen pledged night debates between France’s traditional centre-left Socialist Party themselves to a radical streamlining of warring politicians pointed to an and the centre-right Republicans the bloated National Assembly. increasingly uncertain future. were indeed trounced by Macron, but Le Pen said she wanted to pare the Macron’s presidency will rely on that doesn’t necessarily mean the parliament to 300 seats and reduce the degree of consensus within the grassroots appeal of either party has the number of Senate seats from 348 National Assembly, and that has been suddenly evaporated. to 200. in short supply in recent years. The Socialists are certain to lose Macron has committed to a similar Macron has no clearly defi ned their substantial parliamentary culling. political constituency of his own, and majority – 280 of the National France’s new president has lost unless he can create one in the space Assembly’s 577 seats – next month, no time in acknowledging voters’ of a single month, his fi ve years in and the Republicans may well lose dissatisfaction and the continuing lure the Élysée Palace will be hostage to some of their 194 seats. of populism. struggles among the left, right, and But both parties have the muscular But now, as Macron attempts to extreme right. local political machinery needed to translate his victory into a viable Macron’s resounding defeat of the win parliamentary seats. government, the fates of the National National Front’s Marine Le Pen has led They may be down following their Assembly, the Senate, and the Fifth to many an epitaph for France’s major presidential candidates’ defeat in the French President-elect Emmanuel Macron attends a ceremony at the Luxembourg Gardens to mark the abolition of slavery and Republic itself may well be at stake. political parties. fi rst round of the presidential election, to pay tribute to the victims of the slave trade, in Paris, France, on May 10. And unless he consolidates power But next month’s parliamentary but they most defi nitely are not out. quickly and durably, Europe, which is election will put this to the test, and How many seats either will have one point the frontrunner before being That, of course, is because all were and Republicans could be coaxed into running out of time, will have to wait. the institution of the presidency itself after the mid-June parliamentary brought down by scandal, did better, candidates of the left or the right. joining forces, and if Macron has to – Project Syndicate may well be the main loser. elections is anyone’s guess. with about 20%. The message being It remains to be seen whether rely on a left-wing coalition of some Macron’s movement, La République Benoît Hamon, the Socialists’ emphasised by Macron’s supporters is Macron can cobble together a cross- sort, the outlook for the Fifth Republic zGiles Merritt, Editor of Europe’s En Marche!, is so new that it has hapless presidential candidate, that, historically, incoming presidents party parliamentary coalition and as an institution will be in doubt. World and Secretary-General of the no parliamentary seats at all, and it crashed out of the fi rst round with just have been able to convert their avoid “cohabitation” with a cabinet The Fifth Republic was introduced think tank Friends of Europe, is the probably lacks the political machinery over 6% of the vote. electoral support into parliamentary that answers to a hostile majority. by Charles de Gaulle in 1958 to end author of Slippery Slope: Europe’s needed to win many. The Republicans’ François Fillon, at seats. It seems unlikely that the Socialists the fragmentation and chaos of the Troubled Future.

LEGAL HELPLINE Weather report Three-day forecast

TODAY High: 41 C Low : 29 C Provision of medical care for workers Inshore: Hazy at places at first becomes Hot daytime with slight dust and partly cloudy with light rain, weak chance of thundery By Nizar Kochery shall not be invalid if the agreement off ence. What is this case. Please offence? On what grounds it can SUNDAY Doha or circumstances indicate that the explain. be reopened? contracting parties intended to apply TY, Doha DE, Doha High: 39 C either the trading price between Low: 28 C uestion: Our them or the market price. Where the A: As per Article 373 of the Penal Law A: The Public Prosecutor may repeal Sunny company, mainly in parties agree that the price shall be of Qatar, any person who intentionally the order of insuffi cient evidence construction work, is the market price, such price shall accesses, directly or indirectly, within three months of its issuance. currently reviewing be the market price at the time and another person’s processing system or As per Article 148 of the Criminal MONDAY Q High: 39 C the safety handbook. In order place of delivery of the sale item to destroys or modifi es the data or means procedure, the order of insuffi cient to be cautious with regard to the purchaser. Where no market is of processing and transfer of data shall evidence to proceed with the Low: 28 C on-site injuries, the company available, the market price shall be be punished with imprisonment for a criminal action issued by the Public Sunny has decided many action plans that prevailing in the place whose term of not less than one year and not Prosecution shall not preclude the for safety. What is stipulated prices are applicable in accordance exceeding three years and a fi ne of not reinvestigation whenever there is in the labour law with regard with practice, unless otherwise less than QR10,000 and not more than new evidence strengthening the Fishermen’s forecast to minimum requirement for agreed. QR50,000. charge before the end of the period OFFSHORE DOHA providing first-aid services to of descend of the case. Such new Wind: SW-SE 03-12 KT employees? Is it a requirement Grounds for evidence includes testimony of Waves: 1-3 Feet for all the employers to appoint Article 373 of witnesses as well as minutes and other INSHORE DOHA reopening a case Wind: SW-SE 03-13 KT a physician for the safety and Penal Law documentation that had not been Waves: 1-2 Feet healthcare of employees at site? Q: If a person was released previously presented to the Public WEE, Doha Q: My friend, who is working in a on the ground of insufficient Prosecution and strengthens the Around the region small computer shop has received evidence by the public evidence that was found insuffi cient Weather Weather Answer: According to Article 104, a notice from court and on enquiry prosecution after primary or may serve to clarify and determine today Max/min tomorrow Max/min the employer employing a number we came to know that there is investigation, there is a chance the truth. Abu Dhabi P Cloudy 39/30 Sunny 39/28 of workers ranging from fi ve to 25 a criminal case against him. In of reopening the case. How Baghdad M Sunny 37/22 Sunny 39/24 Dubai shall prepare for them a fi rst-aid box the paper we received from the much time does it take for final zPlease send your questions by Sunny 38/29 Sunny 38/28 Kuwait City Sunny 41/28 Sunny 41/27 furnished with the medicines, tools court, item 373 is mentioned as the discharge from the alleged e-mail to: [email protected] Manama Sunny 38/28 Sunny 37/28 and equipments to be specifi ed by the Muscat M Sunny 37/31 M Sunny 37/31 competent medical authority. The Riyadh P Cloudy 37/27 M Sunny 39/27 box shall be kept in a conspicuous LEGAL SYSTEM IN QATAR Tehran M Sunny 28/18 Sunny 31/19 place in the establishment and shall be available to the workers. The use of As per Article 102 of the Penal that they aff ect the security of the the box shall be entrusted to a worker Code, death penalty shall be awarded State or any public interest, thus trained in providing fi rst-aid medical to anyone who facilitates the entry of resulting in military, political or services. the enemy to the country, facilitates economic damage and harm to the If the number of the workers their control of part of its territory, State. exceeds 25, a box shall be specifi ed its ports, a fortress or a military As per Article 109, the following for every group of workers ranging site, a ship, an aircraft, weapons, shall be considered as defence secrets from fi ve to 25 workers. When the ammunition,apparatus, supplies, of the State: (1) Military, political number of the workers exceeds food, military missions, a means of and economic information known 100, the employer shall appoint a transport, a factory, a plant or any by the persons who have the right to full-time medical nurse and when other item or utility meant for self- know and who in the interest of the the establishment employs more defence or used for such purpose. defence of the country are required to than 500 workers, the employer shall Capital punishment shall be keep the information secret and away designate to them a clinic employing imposed to anyone who helps the from others; (2) Correspondence, at least a physician and a nurse. enemy by providing information written documents, deeds, drawings, or instructions to him. Life maps, plans, pictures and other imprisonment shall apply to anyone items, the disclosure of which may Determining who renders any service to an lead to divulging above mentioned sale price enemy to obtain a benefi t or a profi t, information, which in the interest or promises to do so by himself death penalty shall be awarded if the of the defence of the country is Q: Will the contract be invalid, or through an intermediary of crime is committed during war time. required to be kept secret and not Around the world if in a sale contract the parties another person, whether directly or If the off ences mentioned above known to anyone other than those Weather Weather fail to specifi cally agree on the indirectly, and whether the benefi t or are committed due to negligence who are assigned to preserve or use today Max/min tomorrow Max/min sale price? The contract states interest is material or non-material. or default, the penalty shall be them; (3) News and information Athens P Cloudy 34/20 M Sunny 34/19 “market price”. In fact, we were As per Article 105, life imprisonment for a term not concerning the armed forces, their Beirut Sunny 28/22 Sunny 29/24 S T Storms 33/27 in trading relationship for many imprisonment shall be imposed upon exceeding fi ve years. The penalty formations, movements, apparatus, Bangkok 32/27 S T Storms Berlin Showers 19/11 P Cloudy 21/11 years and many payment details any person who destroys, damages shall be imprisonment for a term not provisions, staff and other issues Cairo Sunny 36/21 Sunny 40/22 and sale transactions are available or ruins intentionally weapons, exceeding fi fteen years if the off ence involving military matters and Cape Town Sunny 21/11 Sunny 24/12 to establish the prevailing price. ship, aircraft, missions, plants, is perpetrated in time of war. warfare plans, provided that no Colombo P Cloudy 33/26 T Storms 31/26 We take three prices and average means of transport, public utilities, According to Article 107, capital written authorisation was issued Dhaka S T Storms 33/26 S T Storms 33/27 Hong Kong T Storms 28/25 S T Storms 28/25 it normally. Unfortunately, some ammunition, supplies, medicines, punishment or life imprisonment by the military authorities for their Istanbul M Sunny 28/16 P Cloudy 26/14 diff erences arose and now the or others meant for defence of shall apply to any person who seeks publication or diff usion; and (4) Jakarta P Cloudy 32/25 P Cloudy 32/25 buyer argues that the contract is the country or used in connection to collaborate with a foreign country information concerning to measures Karachi Sunny 34/28 Sunny 34/28 invalid due to no agreement on therewith. or any of its agents, or contacts any and procedures which are adopted London P Cloudy 18/12 P Cloudy 18/10 Manila P Cloudy P Cloudy 37/27 the price in the contract. Please The same penalty shall apply of them in a way that causes damage to investigate the off ences against 37/27 Moscow M Cloudy 11/01 Sunny 13/03 advise. to anyone who manufactures or to the military, political or economic state, to arrest the criminals, as New Delhi Sunny 43/29 Sunny 44/28 GP, Doha repairs any of the aforementioned well-being of the State. well as information concerning the New York Rain 11/09 S Showers 19/12 objects intentionally, or intentionally An imprisonment for a term not progress of an investigation and trial Paris S Showers 20/10 S Showers 20/10 A: The sale price shall be determined commits an act in a manner that exceeding 20 years shall be infl icted proceedings, when the investigative Sao Paulo Sunny 28/20 P Cloudy 24/17 Seoul S T Storms 26/11 Sunny 22/11 only on the basis of appropriate makes them unfi t even temporarily upon any person who willfully authority or the relevant court has Singapore P Cloudy 32/26 S T Storms 32/26 means used to assess such price. As for their intended purpose, or is the destroys, conceals, embezzles, or prohibited their publication or Sydney P Cloudy 20/13 Showers 18/13 per Article 426, if the sale price is not cause of any consequent damage. The forges papers or documents, knowing diff usion. Tokyo Rain 19/18 Cloudy 23/16 expressed in the contract, the sale Gulf Times 16 Saturday, May 13, 2017 QATAR Qatari home-based businesses ‘shine’

The product designs at Distinctive Touch incorporate traditional Qatari themes with modern concepts. at Meerat Ramadan By Peter Alagos Established four years ago, the nity “to go beyond social media” gains inspiration from her fam- Business Reporter owner of Marwad Qatar said it and meet customers and would- ily and especially from HH the is the fi rst time for the company be clients in person. Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad to get exposure outside its In- “We want to market our al-Thani, HH the Father Emir he recently-launched stagram account (marwad_qa- products and our Instagram ac- Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al- Meerat Ramadan at Ka- tar22). count and this event serves as Thani, and HH Sheikha Moza Ttara – the Cultural Village “We have been in the market an opportunity to do that. And bint Nasser, whom she described is not only a practical initiative for some time now but the busi- through this event, people will as her role models. to help families prepare for the ness is mostly online, so we have also get to know us outside Aside from clothing, souve- Holy Month but also an eff ective decided to expand our network WhatsApp and Instagram (@ nirs, and other homemade prod- platform for home-based busi- by going beyond social media distinctive_touch). We hope to ucts, Meerat Ramadan also off ers nesses to expand their network and meet more customers out- get more recommendations from popular food items like dates, and promote the “Made in Qa- side the Internet,” the owner other people who will visit us in sweets, dried fruit and nuts. tar” brand. said. Katara,” al-Mushaifri said. In a statement, Katara said Meerat Ramadan, which runs This was echoed by Nawal al- Self-taught photographer that the market is aimed at fur- until June 29 at Katara’s southern Mushaifri, who runs Distinctive Reem al-Bader of Baby Mania ther helping families complete sector, showcases various items Touch, a social media-based Studio stressed on the impor- the bulk of their shopping at a at low cost and boasts partici- home business specialising in tance and advantages of partici- single venue. pation by many Qatar food and unique clothing line and other pating in events like Meerat Ra- During the inauguration cer- beverage suppliers including Al personal accessories. madan: “This is an opportunity emony, Katara general manager Meera, Baladna Livestock pro- She said many home-based for home businesses to promote Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti duction, and Widam Food. Qatari businesses are maximis- their products and reach a wider described the venture as “a one- Among the participating ing the power of the Internet and audience. This is a good market- stop place where visitors are home-based businesses is Mar- many social media sites to reach ing campaign for them.” welcome to enjoy a distinctive wad Qatar, which specialises in out to customers. Despite the challenges of ambience that combines the ex- oud incense and a range of oud Al-Mushaifri noted that running a home-based busi- perience of shopping with spir- Some of the homemade oud fragrances. PICTURE: Nasar TK fragrances. Meerat Ramadan is an opportu- ness, al-Bader said that she ituality”. Conference discusses rehabilitation services

By Joseph Varghese optimum outcome cannot be Staff Reporter achieved. This conference will focus on people who have such Some of the participants at the problems and how such issues can event. PICTURES: Jayan Orma hysicians and experts dis- be overcome,” he explained. cussed topics related to According to the physician, Right: Gateway Technology’s Pmusculoskeletal medicine Al Ahli Hospital provides several al-Saeed and business and rehabilitation services at the modern facilities for these pa- development manager Amin 3rd Qatar International Muscu- tients. Ahmed with the Stairlift. loskeletal Medicine & Rehabilita- “The hospital provides many tion Congress which opened yes- services for patients suff ering Dr Stanley Jones (left): terday at City Centre Rotana. from such problems. It has a di- Without proper rehabilitation Supported by Al Ahli Hospital agnostic centre as well as an or- care, optimum outcome cannot and several other sponsors, the thopaedic clinic. There are also be achieved. two-day conference is a leading rehabilitation and physiotherapy platform for musculoskeletal and services,” he added. be due to neurological issues as is Stairlift, which is for helping physical medicine in the GCC. Dr Fahim Anwar from Cam- well as other problems and we patients to take steps in the ab- Speaking to Gulf Times, Al Ahli bridge University, a speaker at the have to consult several physi- sence of lifts. Hospital consultant orthopaedic event, said that the congress will cians. One specialist cannot treat “It is designed according to the surgeon Dr Stanley Jones said that look into new methodologies in the patient alone as we need to problem of the patient and remote the conference will highlight sev- treating these problems. have an overview from diff erent controlled. It suits to any type of eral new areas of treatment in the “We focus at detecting the specialties.” stair and can go up for any number specialty. problems early and treating them An exhibition featuring equip- of stairs. There are two types: one “These are important aspects at the earliest possible. We need ment for those with musculoskel- carries up to 125kg and the other of care for many patients but an interdisciplinary approach in etal disorders is also part of the one takes up to 350kg,” said Gate- neglected in many cases. With- treating such patients,” he said. congress. way Technology managing direc- out proper rehabilitation care, “Musculoskeletal problems could One such equipment on display tor Mohamed Husni al-Saeed. Businesses at Barwa Village ‘hard hit’ by infrastructure works

By Ramesh Mathew bers – years after it was commis- gestion in and around Al Wakrah, Staff Reporter sioned. particularly at the entry and exit The retailers also said they point, leading to long delays. were concerned that some of the According to some reports, the ngoing infrastructure operators might face diffi culties “sudden” closure of the Barwa development works in for a relatively long period. Village signal aggravated matters Othe immediate vicinity of “With access to the Village in an area where people have had Barwa Village have adversely af- hindered, vehicles need to take a to cope with diversions and clo- fected businesses in the mixed- longer route to reach the place. sures necessitated by infrastruc- development neighbourhood. Who will take the pain to come to ture development projects. Sources said that the ongo- this place in such circumstanc- A long-time Qatar resident ing second phase of the Village’s es?” a restaurateur pointed out. said that the Village’s operators expansion also pose challenges Large-scale infrastructure should fi nd a way out to help the for retailers operating there, es- development works – including “aff ected shopkeepers”. pecially those with outlets in rail and road – are also being im- “Along with bringing new A view of Barwa Village yesterday. PICTURE: Jayaram the row facing the Doha-Wakrah plemented around Barwa Village customers to the place, suitable road. and Al Wakrah, and a diversion conditions should be provided single-lane passage at the earli- trepreneurs were showing inter- provisions for their parking, oth- “The complex owners can also Airing their grievances, some put in place last month for one to protect the interest of existing est” for those arriving from Wak- est in setting up at Barwa Village. ers think the absence of any “af- launch a shopping festival, in- retailers told Gulf Times that the of these projects triggered traffi c clients,” he said. rah to access the location. While some retailers feel busi- fordable entertainment facility, volving a number of establish- expansion was being carried out chaos in the area. Businessmen at Barwa Village A retailer said rents were “by ness can get a boost if groups of such as a cinema” will discourage ments and off ering attractive at a time when people had begun A large number of commuters want management to explore the and large aff ordable” and this workers are brought to the Village this demographic from visiting promotions and prizes for visi- visiting the place in large num- complained of severe traffi c con- possibility of opening “at least a was one of the reasons why en- by bus – and there are suffi cient the complex in large numbers. tors,” said a shopkeeper.