BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Kumble-Kohli row clouds India- INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-7, 24 COMMENT 22, 23 REGION 8 BUSINESS 1-5, 12-16 Pakistan UK fi rms keen on 21,203.00 9,901.38 47.66 ARAB WORLD 8, 9 CLASSIFIED 6-12 +71.00 -162.26 -0.70 INTERNATIONAL 10 – 21 SPORTS 1 – 8 Qatar opportunities opener +0.34% -1.61% -1.45% Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

SUNDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10474 June 4, 2017 Ramadan 9, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Qatari soldiers injured in the line of duty Qatar’s top In brief ranking in

QATAR | Reaction Kabul bombing condemned Mena due to Qatar has strongly condemned the bombing in the Afghan capital of Kabul, which resulted in the death and injury of a number of people. In a statement yesterday the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs reiterated Qatar’s its security firm position rejecting violence and terrorism regardless of motives or atar’s high ranking in the 2017 ing the internal and external aff airs of reasons. The statement expressed Global Peace Index (GPI) re- countries such as political stability, ex- Qatar’s condolences to the families Qfl ects the country’s security tent of crime in society, level of respect of the victims, the government and status, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) for human rights, terrorist crimes on the Afghan people, and wished the has stressed. the territory of the State, the extent injured speedy recovery. Page 19 For the ninth year in a row, Qatar has of participation in support of peace- been ranked as the most peaceful coun- keeping forces, military capabilities of QATAR | Weather Six Qatari soldiers were injured in the course of their duty as part of the Qatari contingent defending the southern border of try in the Middle East and North Africa the State, spread of corruption and the the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Directorate of Moral Guidance at the Ministry of Defence announced. The six were (Mena) region in the Global Peace In- available space for freedom of infor- Stro ng winds injured as the Qatari armed forces stationed at the southern border of Saudi Arabia were performing their heroic duty along dex. Also, with a GPI score of 1.664, mation and participation of women in expected today with their brethren to defeat enemy forces from the kingdom. The Directorate of Moral Guidance prays to the Almighty Allah the country is placed 30th globally out public life and political life, the extent The Qatar Met department has for quick recovery of the injured. of 163 countries, an improvement over of healthcare provided to the people, said strong winds are once again last year. and education opportunities, etc. expected today in some places According to the report, Qatar has Countries are ranked on a scale during the daytime along with poor maintained its high score owing to fac- of 1-5 degrees, with the most stable visibility due to dust, while windy tors such as a low crime rate, low mur- country being 1 and the least stable 5. conditions and high seas are likely der rate, low prison numbers, stable The Global Peace Index is an attempt off shore. The wind speed may go political conditions and a society free to measure the relative peace status up to 28 knots in both inshore and of terrorism, good international rela- of countries and regions. It is pro- off shore areas before decreasing MEC dishes up some tions and nonappearance of internal or duced by the Institute for Econom- by night, according to the weather external threats or confl icts. ics and Peace in consultation with an report. The detailed forecast also international team of peace experts, says it will be hot during the day and Qatar’s high ranking in institutes and research centres in col- slight to blowing dust is expected the report for the last nine laboration with the Centre for Peace in some places at times, with the advice on fresh fi sh years further “confirms its and Conflict Studies at the University visibility dropping to 3km or less. superiority” that has already of Sydney. Dusty conditions are likely off shore, he Ministry of Economy and The freshness of fi sh can be en- mercial fraud and buy safe products. been highlighted by different Qatar’s high ranking in the report too, occasionally and the sea level Commerce (MEC) has off ered sured by checking its gills, which The ministry advised sellers to abide international reports and for the last nine years further “con- may rise to 10ft in the early hours. Tconsumers some practical ad- should be of a natural rosy colour and by rules and regulations such as the indicators during this period firms its superiority” that has al- A maximum temperature of 41C vice to ensure they are buying fresh free of any mucus, the MEC note said. use of digital weighing scales, issuing ready been highlighted by different is expected in Doha, Mesaieed fi sh that is fi t for human consumption. In addition, the eyes of the fi sh should of proper invoices in Arabic and dis- The report, issued by the Institute international reports and indicators and Wakrah today. Yesterday, the In a release, the MEC pointed out look bright and clear, and the overall plays explaining the advantages and for Economics and Peace in collabo- during this period. Most notable of maximum was 42C was in the Qatar that consumers should take extra care surface of the fi sh should be glossy qualities of the product. Fresh fi sh ration with the Centre for Peace and these are the index of the safest and University area and Turayna, while in when buying fi sh as it is among the and free from layers of mucus. The should be kept at temperatures near Confl ict Studies at the University of most peaceful countries in the world Doha it was 39C. foods that could go bad quickly and fl esh of fresh fi sh will go back to its zero degree centigrade, ice should be Sydney, lists Qatar as the only country – which placed Qatar second globally accordingly lead to food poisoning. normal shape when pressure over it is crushed into small grains and used in the Mena region among the 50 most and first among Arab countries, the BRITAIN | Incident “It is preferable to consume the fi sh released. A swollen or burst belly may in needed quantities to keep the fi sh secure countries in the world. “This Global Competitiveness Index - 18th on the same day of the purchase. Oth- point to stale fi sh. fresh, and clean tools and containers refl ects Qatar’s global security status, globally and second among Arab Van hits pedestrians erwise, it should be cleaned and cov- For fi sh with scales, these should be should be used for displaying or trans- which is consistent with Qatar Na- countries, and the Arab Economic on London Bridge ered by a piece of cloth soaked in wa- fi rm on the skin and should do not fall porting fi sh. tional Vision 2030 and the Ministry of Competitiveness Index - first among British police rushed to an incident ter and salt to maintain its moisture. off easily, and the skin of those with- The MEC also stressed the health Interior’s strategy to enhance security Arab countries. on London Bridge yesterday after Then, it could be kept in the coolest out scales should be smooth without and nutritional benefi ts of eating fi sh at the State level,” the MoI has said in In 2017, Qatar has scored 99.1% in ap- witnesses said a van ploughed into place in the fridge in a plate covered any wrinkles. The colour of the fl esh of and advised the public to consume it a statement. plying the guidelines of annex 17 on Safe- pedestrians. Police said they were by a piece of plastic. The maximum the fi sh should be natural and translu- at least once a week. Besides, it gave a Qatar has maintained its “top rank- guarding International Civil Aviation dealing with an incident but gave no period fi sh kept this way should not cent. The MEC said consumers should number of tips on cooking fi sh to ben- ing in the Mena region since 2009 and against Acts of Unlawful Interference. It further details. A Reuters reporter exceed three days.” observe these guidelines to avoid com- efi t the most from it. been ranked best internationally in the has also scored 96.76% in implementing near the scene said she saw 10 same period by achieving high rates safety management and a 100% in annex police cars rushing towards London across during the evaluation, outshin- nine on facilitation. In addition, Qatar Bridge. ing many developed countries”, the has been ranked fi rst in the Arab world statement points out. and 33rd globally in the Human Develop- The GPI is based on a set of criteria ment Report 2016 of the United Nations RAMADAN THOUGHT Real triumph as Ronaldo double sinks Juventus that comprise several aspects, includ- Development Programme.

Verily, Allah forgives not that But determined Italian champions Reuters World becomes more peaceful partners should be set up with Cardiff Juve drew level seven minutes later, Him (in worship), but He for- with one of the fi nest goals seen in a gives except that (anything Champions League fi nal, as Croatian The latest Global Peace Index report refugee fl ows and terrorism in Europe,” else) to whom He wills; and ristiano Ronaldo struck twice forward Mario Mandzukic beat Real shows that the world has become said Steve Killelea, founder and executive whoever sets up partners with as Real Madrid became the fi rst keeper Keylor Navas with a perfectly more peaceful, with 93 countries chairman of the Institute for Economic Allah in worship, he has indeed Cteam to successfully defend executed overhead kick. recording higher levels of peace while and Peace think-tank, which produced invented a tremendous sin. their European title in the Champions The Spanish champions took charge 68 deteriorated compared to last year, the index. “When combined with the (Qur’an 4: 48) League era with a 4-1 win over Juven- after the break, however, restoring their according to the offi cial Qatar News increasing level of peace inequality, tus in yesterday’s fi nal for their third lead through a defl ected long-range Agency. Iceland remains the most whereby the least peaceful countries Prayer times triumph in four years. shot from Brazilian Casemiro in the peaceful country in the world and has are moving further apart from the most Real, who now have a record 12 Eu- 61st minute before Portugal forward been topping the chart since 2008. peaceful, the resulting scenario is one in Fajr....3.15 Zuhr....11.32 Asr....2.56 The Mena region continues to be the which further improvements in peace are Maghrib.....6.24 Isha.....7.54 ropean Cup wins, grabbed the lead Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos Ronaldo struck again, from close- in the 20th minute through Ronaldo, and Real Madrid’s Welsh striker Gareth range, after fi ne work by Luka Modric, least peaceful region, the report shows. not guaranteed.” The global economic Fasting times who slotted the ball low into the cor- Bale (right) pose for a selfie with the to score his 600th goal for club and “Although this year’s uptick is reassuring, impact of violence is estimated to be the world is still mired with confl ict in the about $14.3tn, equivalent to more than Iftar today ...... 6.24pm ner after a clever cut-back from Dani trophy after Real Madrid won the UEFA country. Juve fi nished with 10 men af- Middle East, political turmoil in the US, $1,900 for every person in the world. Imsak tomorrow...... 3.05am Carvajal following a classic counter Champions League final football match ter Juan Cuadrado was sent off in the attack. between Juventus and Real Madrid. 84th for a second yellow card. Hacked e-mails of UAE envoy to ‘expose’ plots

computer hacking group that [the] reputation of American allies and of George Bush and Barack Obama. News Agency (QNA)”. newspapers and TV channels in the re- ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin calls itself “GlobalLeaks” has cause policy changes”. Al-Otaiba is a well-known fi gure in The news of the potential leak comes gion have refused to accept the expla- Netanyahu. Areportedly said it plans to release The leakers said they plan to publish US national security circles - he has as the US Federal Bureau of Investiga- nation and continued to broadcast the Daily Sabah said: “In one of the e- e-mails taken from the inbox of Yousef the material themselves (on Saturday), been called “the most charming man in tion (FBI) is believed to be helping Qa- fake news. mails obtained by the Intercept, FDD al-Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to the the report said. Washington” - and has participated in tar investigate the source of a cyberat- According to Turkish news por- senior counsellor John Hannah, a former United States. According to the Daily Beast website, Pentagon strategy meetings at the invi- tack that has led to diplomatic tension tal Daily Sabah, the e-mails allegedly deputy national security adviser to Vice Al Jazeera quoted The Daily Beast as the hackers said the documents had tation of the defence offi cials. among Arab Gulf countries. stolen from the inbox of al-Otaiba re- President Dick Cheney, sent Otaiba an saying on Friday that it had been ap- been provided to them by a paid whis- Khalil Jahshan, executive direc- An FBI team has been in Doha for the vealed the close relationship between article claiming that both the UAE and proached by the hackers, who off ered tle-blower in a Washington, DC lobby- tor of the Arab Center in Washington, past week after the Qatari government the UAE envoy and a pro-Israel, neo- FDD were responsible for the July 15 mili- a sample of the e-mails they said dem- ing group and contained e-mails from DC, said depending on the substance asked the US for help following a secu- conservative think tank - the Founda- tary coup attempt in Turkey, saying he is onstrated “how a small rich country/ Otaiba’s Hotmail account. of the e-mails, the leak could prove to rity breach by hackers last month who tion for Defense of Democracies (FDD). ‘honored to be in the UAE’s company.’” company used lobbyists to hurt Ameri- It also said the sample provided in- be “very embarrassing” for the UAE, posted fake remarks on its QNA offi cial The hacked e-mails show that al- In another e-mail, Daily Sabah said can interests and those of it allies”. cluded several e-mails between al- “particularly if it … reveals any new media platform. Otaiba has been in frequent contact Hannah tells al-Otaiba that Qatar is The group said the leaks “reveal how Otaiba and Robert Gates, former US de- information pertaining to the source Though Qatar repeatedly claimed with the FDD, which is funded by pro- hosting the Palestinian movement Ha- millions of dollars were used to hurt fence secretary in the administrations of the hacking that took place at Qatar the website of QNA was hacked, some Israel billionaire Sheldon Adelson, an mas at an Emirati-owned hotel. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, June 4, 2017 QATAR

OFFICIAL QRCS provides healthcare Mowasalat urged to allow multiple Emir sends cable for Malian refugees in Niger of congratulations Smatrcard users to Kuwaiti leader atar Red Crescent’s (QRCS) mission in Niger HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim Qhas initiated a healthcare By Ramesh Mathew frequently if two or more peo- bin Hamad al-Thani has sent a project for Malian refugees in Staff Reporter ple were allowed to travel to- cable of congratulations to the the Tillabéri region and Niamey gether using a single card. Emir of Kuwait on the occasion (capital district) refugee camps. For example, if a passenger of Kuwait being elected as a The initiative costs $288,725 ome regular Mowasalat who holds a QR100 Smartcard non-permanent member of the and is co-funded by QRCS and bus commuters have takes along with him two or United Nations Security Council the Offi ce of the United Nations Ssuggested that allow- more persons without cards on for the years 2018 and 2019, in High Commissioner for Refugees. ing two or more passengers to a journey, the system should the elections held by the United The project provides treat- travel together using the same have a provision to pay from Nations General Assembly. ment and medication free of Smartcard can help increase the holder’s card for the jour- charge for 7,603 Malian families occupancy levels. ney of those without cards who Qatar launches (37,848 people), whose breakup At present, only one passen- are accompanying him. is as follows: 1,522 families in the ger can use a card at a time. The expatriate also noted Ramadan food aid Tibareybarey refugee camp, 674 As has been reported earlier, that he had come across work- project in Aden families in Niamey and 5,407 some of the existing bus routes ers’ groups skipping bus jour- families in the Abala and Man- do not get too many passen- neys as some of them did not gaize refugee camps as indirect gers - particularly on weekdays. have Smartcards for travel. Funded by Qatar Fund for Devel- benefi ciaries, according to a An ‘innovative, fl exible’ option “In such situations, we usually opment (QFFD), a programme press statement from QRCS. such as ‘multiple Smartcard us- take taxis or ‘limousines’ on a of food assistance and Ramadan Recently, the achievements of The project provides treatment and medication free of charge for 7,603 Malian families (37,848 people). ers’ may help attract more pas- sharing basis and undertake Iftar has been launched at the QRCS medical personnel in the sengers, especially those who do journeys to far-fl ung places Al-Sadagah Hospital in the refugee camp included 15,212 con- planning activities for women, 72 1,357 prescriptions, 182 medical pregnant/breastfeeding women, not travel regularly, it is felt. such as Dukhan and Al Khor, southern Yemeni province of sultations, 176 recoveries, 94 criti- deliveries, malnutrition treatment examinations, 18 follow-ups, vaccination for under-5 children “Under the existing ar- among others” he added. Aden, as part of Qatar’s eff orts cal referrals to the regional hospital, for 827 under-5 children, malnu- 294 treatment refunds, medical and women, reproductive health rangement, no journey is pos- “The idea is certainly worth to alleviate the suff ering of the 200 referrals to national hospitals, trition treatment for 976 pregnant care for 15 chronic patients, 153 services for women in the 18-59 sible for a passenger without considering as it may help at- Yemeni people. 48 vaccination campaigns in co- and breastfeeding women, 48 home visits and 15 informative age group, medical consultations a card unless he or she is pre- tract new customers, which Executive Director of Develop- ordination with the medical cen- awareness sessions and medical sessions for refugees. and medication for children and pared to pay QR10 when they will eventually enhance pas- ment Projects at QFFD Mesfer tre and 1,644 reproductive health supplies for the medical centre. The main goals of the project adults, and purchase and distri- board a bus,” said an Asian ex- senger numbers and make the al-Shahwani said that the project follow-ups for women. In Niamey, the services of- are to treat malnutrition cases bution of medicines for Malian patriate, stressing that people services more viable,” said an- came within the framework of Also, there were 173 family fered were 1,670 consultations, among under-5 children and refugees. like him would use buses more other expatriate. Qatar’s continuous eff orts to support the Yemeni people in al- leviating the impact of the crisis raging in the country. Aden is one of the most impor- tant provinces for which Qatar QU to hold graduation ceremony of 40th batch of students in October has allocated a number of relief and development projects, he added. nder the patronage of HH women) will be graduating. This work during which QU has ac- labs and management systems. versity’s commitment to gradu- education in areas of national General Supervisor of the Food the Emir Sheikh Tamim is the 40th batch of students to complished many achievements ate highly-qualifi ed students priority. With 79 specialisations Aid Programme and Emer- Ubin Hamad al-Thani, Qa- graduate from QU, the university in regional and international “The graduation of the who meet the labour market’s at the undergraduate and gradu- gency Health Projects at Qatar tar University (QU) will hold the has said in a press statement. university rankings. The uni- 40th batch of students expectations.” ate levels, QU off ers the widest Charity Al Soqatri told Qatar men’s graduation ceremony of Commenting on the upcom- versity has also been successful comes aft er years of Since its inception in 1973, QU range of academic programs in News Agency (QNA) that the Class of 2017 on October 10. The ing event, QU V-P for Student in its accreditation initiatives, dedication and hard has served as Qatar’s primary Qatar tailoring them to meet the emergency relief project which women’s ceremony will be held Aff airs Dr Khalid al-Khanji ex- earning the endorsement of nu- work during which QU institution of higher education. needs of Qatari society.” was launched on Friday in Aden on October 11 under the patron- pressed his appreciation for HH merous leading international ac- has accomplished many With more than 17,000 students QU hosts nine colleges - Arts will cover various governorates age of HH Sheikha Jawaher bint the Emir’s visionary leadership crediting bodies for its colleges achievements” in its ranks, it is “today a beacon and Sciences, Business and Eco- in Yemen and will includes the Hamad bin Suhaim al-Thani, and support for QU students, and academic programmes. of higher education and academ- nomics, Education, Engineer- provision of emergency food wife of HH the Emir. saying: “The graduation of the “Additionally, QU has This had a positive impact on ic and research excellence”, the ing, Health Sciences, Law, Med- aid through the distribution of This year, around 4,000 stu- 40th batch of students comes af- notched up a number of ISO the level of competency of QU statement notes. “QU is com- icine, Pharmacy, and Sharia and thousands of ready meals and dents (1,000 men and 3,000 ter years of dedication and hard certifi cations for its research graduates and refl ects the uni- mitted to providing high-quality Islamic Studies. food baskets. Gulf Times Sunday, June 4, 2017 3 QATAR/RAMADAN RAF ‘Small Hearts’ project How to attain brings cheer to Kazakh kids sincere repentance QNA Doha he reason behind repentance should be the love of Allah The heikh Thani bin Ab- TAlmighty, glorifying Him, hop- dullah Foundation for ing for His reward and forgiveness SHumanitarian Serv- and for fear of His punishment. Re- ices (RAF) said that a medi- pentance should not be for the sake of cal team has conducted 32 coming close to a person and seeking open-heart surgeries and a worldly gain behind it. Allah The Al- cardiac catheterisation in mighty Says (what means): {“Except Kazakhstan as part of its those who repent (from hypocrisy), do “Small Hearts” project, righteous good deeds, hold fast to Al- which started in 2013 and lah, and purify their religion for Allah has covered several coun- (by worshipping none but Allah, and tries so far. do good for Allah’s sake only, not to RAF said that it had re- show off ), then they will be with the cently sent a medical con- believers”}[Qur’an, 4: 146] voy to Kazakhstan, which 1. Refrain from sinning: Repent- conducted 32 open heart ance is not considered genuine or ac- surgery and catheterisation cepted if a person continues to commit at the Heart Surgery Hos- sins while in the process of repent- pital for children at the sci- Doctors pose with a young heart patient in a Kazakh hospital. ance. On the other hand, committing entifi c medical centre in the the same sin after sincere repentance Kazakh capital, Astana at a Director of Al-Baraka Director of the Paediatric the spread of heart dis- would not void the fi rst repentance, cost of nearly half a million Foundation, a partner of Cardiac Surgery Hospi- eases in Kazakhstan, es- but he will need to repent again. Qatari riyals with the sup- RAF in Kazakhstan, which tal at the National Medical pecially open heart sur- 2. Admitting to the sin: No one port of Qatari philanthro- oversaw the implementa- Science Centre, said: “For gery for children under can repent from something he does pists. tion of the project praised the fi rst time in the hospi- 10kilos as a precise and not consider as a sin. Thirty-two of these, in- the charitable eff orts of tal, such a project to be at- rare specialty. 3. Regretting the sins: Repentance cluding 12 open-heart sur- Qatar which he said had tended by a high-level in- The small hearts project is sincere when a person regrets it and gery and 20 cardiac cathe- spread throughout the tegrated team that includes was launched in co-op- feels sad and grieved because of it; and terisation, were performed world, citing RAF Founda- specialists for all stages of eration with the London- it would not be accepted from the one in the presence of the RAF tion projects for meeting paediatric heart treatment based Islamic Forum which who boasts about his sins. medical team and some 40 the needs of the poor as a in Kazakhstan.” has conducted more than 4. Determination not to repeat doctors in Kazakhstan. mercy for human being. He stressed the impor- 270 heart operations in a the sin again: Repentance would not Sulaimanov Baghdash, Dr Shahrat Marasulov, tance of the project for number of countries. be accepted from someone who in- tends to return to the same sin after his repentance; rather he should in- tend never to commit the sin again in the future. 5. According the people’s rights to them: If the sin is related to other people’s rights, then one must restore to the same sin, because no one should gretting and repenting; continuously these rights to those from whom he feel safe while he does not know what mentioning Allah The Almighty. usurped them, if he wants his repent- Allah The Almighty has decreed for Being aware of the actions of the ance to be correct and accepted. him; fear should accompany you until limbs; you should guard your tongue 6. Repenting during the time you hear the angels say, as Allah The from lying, backbiting, and tale-bear- when it is accepted: Repentance Almighty Says (what means): {“Fear ing, you should keep yourself busy is accepted before the moment not, nor grieve! But receive the glad with remembering and mentioning of death and before the sun rises tidings of Paradise which you have Allah The Almighty and reciting the from the west. The Prophet, salla- been promised”}[Qur’an, 41: 30] only Qur’an. You should guard your stom- llaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Al- then fear and worry would disappear. ach from eating ill-gotten provision. lah spreads His Hand during the night Feeling the magnitude of the sin You should guard your sight and not to (in a way which befi ts His Majesty) so or act of disobedience that he com- look at prohibited things. You should that the sinners of the day would re- mitted, even if you have repented for guard your hearing and not to listen pent, and spreads His Hand during it. Ibn Mas’ood said: “As a result of his to music, lying or backbiting. You he the day, so that the sinners of the night sin, a believer feels as though he is sit- should guard your hands and legs and would repent, until the sun rises from ting under a mountain which he fears not to use them in anything prohib- the west.” [Muslim] and he, sallallaahu will fall on his head; but a sinner feels ited. You should guard your heart and ‘alaihi wa sallam, also said: “No re- that his sins are just like a fl y which not envy or hate anyone. You should pentance is accepted at the moment of landed on his nose and that he can guard your obedience and make it sin- death.”[Ahmad, At-Tirmithi]. simply drive it away by a simple move cere and stay away from showing off of his hand”. and pride. Signs of acceptance of Feeling humbleness and humility Article source: http://www.is- repentance in your heart with your Lord; there is lamweb.net/emainpage/ Becoming better than the condi- nothing dearer to Allah The Almighty tion you were in before repentance. than seeing His slave humbling and Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, HE Ambassador Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani, and the Continuously fearing returning humiliating himself before Him; re- Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to United Nations Ambassador Cho Tae-yul at the event yesterday. Qatar, S Korea launch initiative to form Group of Friends of Education

QNA as part of Qatar’s eff orts to education and the fi ght states to conduct consul- New York implement the goals of the against terrorism and ex- tations and discussions on 2030 Sustainable Develop- tremism”, she added. education issues within the ment Plan. HE Sheikha Alia pointed framework of global citi- atar and South Ko- She explained that edu- out that the State of Qatar zenship and to focus their rea have launched cation for global citizenship had called for supporting dialogue on the purpose of Qan initiative to form could help to learn to live education for global citi- reaching policy-making a group of Friends of Edu- in peace and would pro- zenship by making educa- measures for education in cation for Global Citizen- mote respect for all as well tion a fertile ground for order to achieve the goals ship in a meeting held in as a sense of belonging to a cultural exchange and con- and objectives of the 2030 New York. common humanity based structive dialogue. Sustainable Development Qatar’s Permanent Rep- on integration and respect The Group aims to work Plan. resentative to the United for human rights. with member-states, aca- The initiative was wel- Nations, HE Ambassador “The initiative of form- demic community, civil comed by majority of mem- Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin ing a group of Friends of society and private organi- ber-states. Saif al-Thani, and the Per- Education for Global Citi- sations that may bring in- The day of the initia- manent Representative of zenship aims to establish a novative and creative ap- tive was attended by a large the Republic of Korea to mechanism to address the proaches that will improve number of delegates from United Nations Ambassa- threats facing our world the quality of education and the permanent members of dor Cho Tae-yul launched today through the recogni- uphold the principles of the the United Nations as well the initiative. tion of cultural diversity, United Nations. as those concerned with Addressing the meet- intercultural dialogue, the One of the objectives of strengthening the mecha- ing, Sheikha Alia said that promotion of tolerance, the Group is to create an in- nisms of education for glo- the initiative was launched the promotion of inclusive formal space for member- bal citizenship.

QIB hosts annual Ramadan Ghabga event

atar Islamic Bank strong sense of community (QIB) has held a Ra- that comes with it with our Qmadan Ghabga din- employees.” ner for its employees. Sheikh Sulaiman stressed The Ghabga was attended the importance of respect- by Bassel Gamal, QIB Group ing Islamic values that call CEO, QIB’s executive man- for amity and love and el- agement team as well as the evate humanity, off ering guest of honour, Sheikh real-life examples from his Suliaman al-Jubailan. personal experience. The event, a regular fea- The evening saw a ques- ture on QIB’s calendar, tion-and-answer session, celebrates Ramadan tradi- The QIB Ramadan Ghabga dinner. followed by raffl e draws tions, strengthens rela- and prizes for the attend- tions between employees casion, Gamal said: “At allows us to connect with ees. “The event was a good and brings to life the spirit QIB, we understand that them and continue enhanc- opportunity for QIB em- of the holy month, QIB has our employees are the beat- ing the communication be- ployees to network and so- stressed in a press state- ing heart of our bank and tween us. cialise while enjoying the ment. the annual Ghabga gather- “We are pleased to share Ramadan atmosphere,” the Commenting on the oc- ing is a QIB tradition that the joy of Ramadan and the statement added. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, June 4, 2017 QATAR Forums to pay homage to ex-envoy Ooredoo offi cial sponsor of orums affi liated to George Joseph, who passed attend the meeting, which the Indian Cultural away in Kerala, India, in will be held at 7:30pm, FCentre (ICC) will the early hours of June 1. Ashoka Hall, the organis- hold a meeting tomorrow Besides representatives of ers said. Dr Joseph served Aspire’s Ramadan sports fest to pay homage to former the forums, embassy of- in Qatar between October Indian ambassador Dr fi cials are also expected to 2005 and January 2009. oredoo has an- maintaining fi tness levels partners as we always work nounced that it is during summer on its social together for the benefi t Othe offi cial spon- media channels. of community in Qatar in sor of Aspire’s Ramadan Manar Khalifa al-Mu- terms of promoting healthy Sports Festival 2017, raikhi, director, commu- active lifestyle. which runs until June 14 nity and public relations “Year after year, our Ra- at the Aspire Dome, Ladies at Ooredoo Qatar, said: madan Sports Festival has Sports Hall. “Ooredoo is proud to once grown to demonstrate As- Some of the other festival again work with Aspire pire Zone Foundation’s events will be held in other Zone Foundation to provide ability to cater to the vary- outdoor facilities at Aspire a truly family friendly event. ing interests of sports en- Zone, “to ensure every- “It’s great to know that thusiasts in Qatar all year one can enjoy the sporting along with the many festiv- long and especially in the festivities and avoid the ities that Ramadan brings, holy month, and we are summer heat.” you and your family can still confi dent that our part- Manar Khalifa al-Muraikhi, Nasser Abdulla al-Hajri, The festival will include stay fi t and active whilst nership with Ooredoo will director, community and director, PR and a number of competitions having fun and spend- make it even a more remark- public relations, Ooredoo. communication, AZF. for all ages and genders to ing time with loved ones in able event on the country’s promote a healthy lifestyle a temperature controlled Ramadan agenda.” tennis, and many more. brella of Aspire’s ‘step into during the holy month of environment.” The Aspire Ramadan In addition, to ensure health’ programme in Aspire Ramadan. As offi cial spon- Nasser Abdulla al-Hajri, Sports Festival will include there are activities for every Dome for all ages and gen- sor, Ooredoo will be raising director, PR and Communi- a host of activities such as fi tness level, a Ramadan- ders. The venue will be open awareness of the festival, cation at AZF, said: “Oore- football, volleyball, basket- long walking competition daily from 3pm to 5:30pm as well as the importance of doo is one of our strategic ball, cricket, hockey, table will be held under the um- and 8:30pm to 11:30pm. Commercial Bank off ers ‘60 seconds’ remittances to India

ommercial Bank is can now transfer money to fer funds within 60 seconds gest and fastest growing Amit Sah, Commercial the fi rst bank in Qa- India in less than ‘60 sec- and is rolling this service countries for remittances Bank EGM, head of retail Ctar to introduce ‘60 onds’ with market leading out on mobile and Internet and we seek to provide the and consumer banking, seconds’ online remittances exchange rates and com- banking services. best client experience for said: “With this service, to bank accounts in India, petitively priced fees. Using Joseph Abraham, CEO, Qatar’s large Indian expatri- customers will be able to the bank announced in a the bank’s simple, secure, Commercial Bank Group, ate population, as they are transfer funds to India, statement. and convenient mobile and said: “Commercial Bank now able to conveniently almost instantly, ena- The bank said ‘60 sec- Internet banking services, is pioneering the digital send funds in less than one bling them to have funds onds’ is a “unique online customers can transact at transformation taking place minute through Commer- in place to cover their fi - remittance” available 24 their convenience. within Qatar’s banking in- cial Bank’s innovative dig- nancial commitments and hours, seven days a week, Working in co-ordina- dustry and our 60 second ital banking platforms. This goals in India. Customers anywhere, and anytime tion with HDFC Bank India transfer pilot for interna- secure and convenient serv- can access the 60 seconds off ering “world-class and supported by 30 other tional remittances to India ice has the potential to reach money transfer service via service.” banks in India, Commer- represents another ‘fi rst to all corners of the commu- Commercial Bank’s on- More than 12,000 Com- cial Bank has successfully market digital innovation’. nity, supporting the Bank’s line and mobile banking mercial Bank customers’ completed a pilot to trans- “India is one of the big- ambitions and goals.” channels.”

Gulf Times 6 Sunday, June 4, 2017 QATAR NBK Auto launches special off ers asser Bin Khaled (NBK) prices. These offers reflect NBK Benz with no further payments The Mercedes-Benz CLA Automobiles, the au- Automobiles’ full commitment due until January 2018. is distinguished with its Nthorised general distrib- to the Qatar society and to offer Additionally, customers can sporty proportions and pow- utor of Mercedes-Benz in Qatar, valued support during the holy benefi t from Mercedes-Benz erful, dynamic design idiom has launched special offers on month.” Service Solutions off ered by NBK characterised by sensuously many Mercedes-Benz models to Available during Ramadan Automobiles and can choose rounded contours. The GLA celebrate the holy month of Ra- and June 2017, the offers pro- from two customised packages. is characterised by its sportily madan. vide an “excellent opportuni- The fi rst package is Mercedes- dynamic design idiom, light- The “great value deals” are ty” for Mercedes-Benz fans to Benz Service Select, which cov- footed handling and exten- valid on the CLA, GLA, GLE, drive the CLA from QR159,000, ers all scheduled maintenance sive individualisation range, E 400 and V-Class Mercedes- GLA from QR139,000, GLE costs specifi ed by the manufac- while the GLE blends tradi- Benz cars, providing customers from QR269,000, E 400 from turer, including fi lters, opera- tion and modernity with a with “attractive savings to al- QR269,000 and V-Class from tional liquids, and labour. The luxurious interior ambience low them drive their dream car QR249,000. In addition, cus- second package is Mercedes- and a sportier exterior design. home with the best specifica- tomers can benefit from free Benz Service Select Plus, which The E 400 is the core of the tions and highest standards of registration, three years’ war- covers a range of wear-and-tear Mercedes-Benz brand and has, safety”, NBK Automobiles has ranty with unlimited mileage parts in addition to the items in the past, repeatedly redefi ned said in a statement. and flexible internal and bank included in Mercedes-Benz the standards in the executive- Khalid Shaaban, general financing options, the state- Service Select. class segment. As the youngest manager of NBK Automobiles, ment notes. Mercedes-Benz Service Solu- and largest member of the pas- said: “We are proudly provid- As part of this special fi nance tions cover all scheduled main- senger car family, the V-Class is ing customers with special of- off er, customers have to pay only tenance procedures at a fi xed redefi ning the MPV and setting fers and benefits on Mercedes- 20% down-payment at the time cost. Customers can purchase new benchmarks in its segment Benz models to drive away one of delivery of the vehicle and the package that suits their with its design and a host of of our cars at more affordable they can drive their Mercedes- needs and for varying periods. innovations. The “great value deals” are valid on the CLA, GLA, GLE, E 400 and V-Class Mercedes-Benz cars. Centrepoint creates Ramadan collection

eading fashion retailer from a range of scents, in- The men’s collection for pearls embellish the sea- Centrepoint has cre- cluding the traditionally the season is “classic with son’s range of stilettoes, Lated a special Ram- popular Oud and Amber modern tailoring touches sneakers and sandals as well adan collection keeping in fragrances, in a range of for a perfect sharp and as handbags and feminine mind the needs of the re- products - from essential dressed up look”. backpacks. gion’s customers. oils to electric and reed dif- In terms of “junior style The men’s footwear col- This year, the brand has fusers to gift sets. for the season”, people can lection focuses on casual put together a selection of Centrepoint is also off er- dress their little princess summer style options in fashion, kidswear, footwear, ing “Ramadan-ready mod- in Babyshop’s collection sporty sneakers, strapped accessories, cosmetics and est fashion” for women of party dresses in sum- sandals, casual loafers and home décor as part of this and men. One can “dress to mer whites and soft pastel canvas trainers. initiative, it has said in a impress” with Splash’s fes- shades of peach, melon, Also, handbags in natu- statement. tive collection for the holy pink and pale gold off set by ral leather in a range of tan For the home, there is month and Eid celebra- brighter fuschia and green. tones are the pick of this Lifestyle’s collection of tions. “Modesty and grace The collection for boys season. Ramadan-inspired décor, play a key role in inspiring this season sees a “more re- As the humidity and tem- furnishing and home fra- the women’s fashion col- laxed and comfortable vibe perature soar, City Life- grances. Customised Arabic lection that features long keeping in mind the sum- style’s range of colour cos- calligraphy has been inter- silhouettes with a mod- mer heat”. metics “promotes glowing woven into the design of the ern aura and fresh colours In the Shoe Mart selec- skin, vibrant glossy lips and Some of the items included in the special collection, on collection. and prints,” the statement tion of footwear styles for a soft nude colour palette display. One can also choose notes. women, bows, sequins and for the face and eyes”.

Joyalukkas unveils Shop & Win promotion

eading jeweller Joy- opportunity to give our loyal jewellery worth QR500 and alukkas has an- customers more reasons to above. They also get two Lnounced that is smile. That’s why we re- raffl e coupons on the pur- “gearing up for a sizzling serve our biggest promo- chase of diamond and polki summer” with a 60kg gold tions at this time. It’s our jewellery. giveaway. way of giving back to the “Adding to this exciting This year’s promotion patrons whose support for opportunity are generous will see lucky shoppers go the past three decades has off ers and 0% instalment home with up to 1kg of gold made Joyalukkas a global plans from leading banks each in daily and weekly name in high-quality jewel- in participating countries,” draws, Joyalukkas has said lery and service,” said John the statement notes. “Joy- in a press statement. Paul Alukkas, executive alukkas has consistently The Joyalukkas summer director, Joyalukkas Group. launched massive pro- 60kg gold giveaway runs Shoppers get one raffl e motions during summer until July 31. coupon to enter the raf- since it opened its doors “At Joyalukkas, we con- fl e draw for 60kg of gold 30 years ago and 2017 is no sider this season the perfect upon the purchase of gold exception.” Gulf Times Sunday, June 4, 2017 7 QATAR

QIC unveils Ramadan app

atar Insurance, the leading insur- ance Group in the Mena region, has Qlaunched a free Islamic app as an off ering to the community during the holy month of Ramadan. The QIC Islamic app can be downloaded free of cost on both the Android and iOS platforms. Off ering access to verses from the Holy Qur’an and Islamic literature, the QIC Islamic app provides guidance and re- ligious tips to promote Islamic culture in a modern and accessible manner, QIC has said in a press statement. The app, which is bundled with many features, allows its users to read the Holy Qur’an, listen to the recitals of renowned Is- lamic readers, read the Tafsir (interpretation of the holy verses) and perform a search by the verse number Ayah. In addition, the app off ers free live stream- ing of the Quran 24 radio broadcast from Doha, invocations from Hisn Al Muslim, a renowned Islamic book, prayer time remind- ers and assists the user to determine the di- rection of the Qibla from his/her location. QU-CHS students and officials pose for a family photo at the ceremony. “Moreover, the app empowers the user Communications manager at QIC Group with locating the nearest mosque and fol- said: “Being a Qatari company, we strive to low the Ramadan time-table, making it ex- ensure that we uphold the tradition of Qa- tremely valuable during the holy month of tar at all times. In view of this proposition, Ramadan. It also allows users to locate QIC’s the launch of the app especially before Ra- branches in Qatar,” the statement explains. madan aligns well with the company’s com- Speaking about the features of the re- mitment and is a modern and innovative QU-CHS celebrates cently-launched app, the PR & Corporate way of giving back to the society.” ZHAAB initiative kicks off Thokhor campaign he ZHAAB initiative has kicked off its rollout consists of separate visits for men Thokhor campaign, a monthly dona- and women, with at least two visits occur- Ttion plan that will commence its ac- ring each day. tivities during the holy month of Ramadan. The campaign intends to spread aware- its achievements The campaign is taking place under the ness on how people can give back to their theme, “To be the best you can be, give all community through ZHAAB while facilitat- atar University College of ical Sciences, Human Nutrition and Sciences graduates who passed the of its kind in the Middle East and year round with our monthly donation plan”. ing their participation through its Thokhor Health Sciences (QU-CHS) Public Health programmes from American Society for Clinical Pa- designed to spread awareness and The ZHAAB initiative was launched in programme. Qrecently held CHS Day to Aspetar, Hamad Medical Corp, thology Board of Certifi cation exam modify the obsolete nutritional be- February by Qatar Charity under the patron- “We are proud to kick off the Thokhor celebrate its achievements and the Ministry of Public Health, Qatar were also celebrated. lieves employing trusted scientifi c age of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani campaign during Ramadan, as charitable eff orts of its partners, students and Diabetes Association, Qatar Foun- Two CHS students presented resources. to provide support to local communities. giving and zakat are at the very heart of the faculty during the 2016-2017 aca- dation and Primary of Health Care their community service volunteer- Dr Asma said: “We celebrate Thokhor, which means generosity on the Islamic culture and especially signifi cant demic year. Corp ing achievements. and appreciate all the endeavours part of the donor, has been launched as part during this holy month. Therefore, we en- The ceremony was attended by During the ceremony, 137 stu- Fourth-year Biomedical Sci- achieved by our faculty, clinical or of ZHAAB to help raise funds and help peo- courage everyone to participate in this cam- CHS dean and QU Biomedical Re- dents were honoured for earning a ences student and ‘Undergraduate fi eld practice supervisors and pre- ple in Qatar, according to a press statement. paign, which will be extended throughout search Centre director Dr Asma al- position on the Dean’s List. Ambassador’ for Qatar University ceptors, and our students during The monthly donation plan could be set up the year, in order to reach out to the maxi- Thani, CHS faculty and students, as Additionally, 104 students from on behalf of the Undergraduate the 2016-2017 academic year. It by sending an SMS or via account transfer mum number of people and provide sup- well as representatives of the col- the Biomedical Sciences, Human Awards, Hajera Thakur encour- was a year full with incredible ac- through local banks to facilitate the dona- port to those in need inside Qatar,” said Talal lege’s partners. Nutrition and Public Health pro- aged her colleagues to apply to the complishments. These include the tion process, and make it more convenient Mohamed al-Kuwari, executive director of The event included the distribu- grammes donned the white coat awards programme. approval of the Board of Regents to for the donor. ZHAAB. tion of certifi cates of appreciation and were appraised for entering While Human Nutrition student introduce the Physiotherapy Pro- The Thokhor campaign includes a do- For further information on how to partic- to 195 clinical preceptors and fi eld their clinical practice fi nal phase of Maha Ghassan presented the ‘Nu- gramme, and we hope to start ac- nation drive that will be rolled out across ipate in and support this campaign, one can practice supervisors of the Biomed- their degrees, and nine Biomedical tripedia’ Arabic channel, the fi rst cepting students in Fall 2017.” multiple majlis locations across Qatar. The visit the ZHAAB website at www.zhaab.qa Gulf Times 8 Sunday, June 4, 2017 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Ramadan fare 27 dead as Yemen army closes in on Taiz palace

AFP diers loyal to ousted president Ali Abdullah Aden Saleh. A coalition has fought in Yemen for the past two years on the side of Hadi’s gov- emeni government forces fought ernment. yesterday to capture a rebel-held A statement on Saudi Arabia’s offi cial Ypresidential palace in the south- SPA news agency yesterday said pro-gov- western province of Taiz after clashes ernment Yemeni forces had captured the that killed 27 people, medics and military palace in Taiz. sources said. But military sources on the ground de- Most of Taiz province is controlled by nied this, telling AFP that while govern- Houthi rebels, who are battling forces al- ment forces were closing in on the palace, lied with UN-backed President Abd-Rab- they had not yet seized it. bu Mansour Hadi holed up in the provin- Yemen’s confl ict has killed more than cial capital of the same name. 8,000 people and wounded tens of thou- Medics at the rebel-controlled Thamar sands, according to the UN’s World Health Government Hospital in Taiz, Yemen’s Organisation. third city, said 19 Houthis had been killed More than 500 people have died of in clashes over the past 24 hours. cholera and another 55,200 left ill in re- Military sources, speaking on condition cent weeks in the second outbreak of the of anonymity, reported eight soldiers dead deadly infection in less than a year in during the same period as the army closed Yemen. in on the presidential palace. The UN has warned that 17mn people, or The palace is under the control of the two-thirds of the population, face a seri- Houthis who are allied with former sol- ous threat of famine this year.

Minister’s account briefl y hacked A Kuwaiti vendor displays dates at a market in downtown Kuwait City yesterday, during the holy month of Ramadan.

AFP tweeted he had recovered his account four Dubai hours after images of bloodied bodies, de- molished mosques and what appeared to be a child’s illustration of war rolled down ackers temporarily took over the his offi cial Twitter page. The foreign min- Twitter account of the Bahraini istry confi rmed the account had been re- Hforeign minister yesterday, just 10 covered yesterday and blamed the attack Battle for IS bastion to days after an alleged cyber attack on the on a “terrorist group”, vowing to “hold ac- offi cial news agency of a neighbouring Gulf countable the individuals behind this des- state. picable act.” The hack was carried out in the name of Yesterday’s hackers tagged their posts a fringe militant group. with the name and logo of Saraya al- Foreign Minister Khaled bin Ahmad al- Mukhtar, a group with a strong online Khalifah, a member of the royal family, presence. begin ‘in days’: militia

AFP River, around 20 kilometres west of Beirut Raqqa, yesterday. Next round of Astana talks set for mid-June: Syria envoy “This advance will allow the SDF to expand its control on the south- A fresh round of Syrian peace talks backers Moscow and Tehran and he battle to capture the Is- ern banks of the Euphrates River and is scheduled for mid-June in the rebel supporter Ankara agreed to lamic State group’s Syrian stabilise the western front of Raqqa Kazakh capital, Syria’s envoy to Mos- establish four “de-escalation zones” Tbastion Raqqa will begin “in before launching the fi nal battle to cow said yesterday, with sponsors to ease fighting in opposition areas. days”, a militia spokeswoman said expel IS from the city,” Observatory Russia, Iran and Turkey aiming to The zones — where aerial bombard- yesterday after fresh advances by a director Rami Abdel Rahman said. bolster safe zones in the country. ments were supposed to stop — Kurdish-Arab alliance battling the “We’re nearing the major battle,” Ambassador Riyad Haddad told have ushered in a marked decrease militant. he added. Russia’s state-run RIA Novosti in fighting on the ground, but there The US-backed Syrian Demo- Abdel Rahman said combing op- agency that Damascus had “re- remain key outstanding issues to cratic Forces (SDF) began an op- erations were ongoing in Mansura ceived an invitation to participate in negotiate. eration to capture Raqqa last No- and at the dam to “dismantle mines talks in Astana, to take place on 12-13 The three powers have until today vember and has gradually closed in and search for remaining militants”. of this month”. to come up with proposals for on the city, seizing a town and dam SDF spokesman Talal Sello told Two rebel sources said they had not definitive boundaries and are still to the west overnight and yester- AFP the advances on the western yet received an invitation. wrangling over which countries day. front were part of the fi nal stage of Moscow, a key backer of the talks, should send in forces to police the Their fi ghters are now within operations before the assault on had earlier said it wanted a fresh safe zones. Moscow has spear- a few kilometres of the militant Raqqa begins. round mid-June but has not given headed the talks in Astana since the stronghold to the north, east and He said the SDF had received firm dates. Host Kazakhstan said it start of the year as it tries to turn its west, and are expected to launch “weapons and advanced equip- could not “confirm or deny” the talks game-changing military interven- their fi nal assault soon. ment from the international coali- were scheduled. At the last round tion on the ground into a negotiated “We will begin in a few days,” tion...as part of preparations for the of negotiations in May, regime settlement. said Jihan Sheikh Ahmed, spokes- launch of the battle for Raqa, which woman for the SDF’s “Wrath of the is close”. Euphrates” operation to capture An AFP correspondent in Ain pleted the siege from the northern out of the city to the south, how- Raqqa. Issa, a key staging ground for SDF and eastern sides and is working to ever, crossing the Euphrates by boat SDF fi ghters have already sealed operations, yesterday saw a convoy complete the siege from the west,” before continuing on through the off the approaches to Raqqa from of armoured vehicles driven by for- he added. desert. the north and east, and are close to eign advisers from the US-led coali- The SDF is fi ghting with broad The SDF is not expected to try to doing the same with the western tion against the militant group. support from the US-led coalition, seal the southern route before start- approach after new advances. Trucks carrying bulldozers and which has provided air cover, as- ing its fi nal assault. The Britain-based Syrian Ob- other machinery were also in the sistance from special forces on the “The SDF doesn’t need to isolate servatory for Human Rights moni- convoy. Sello said the SDF would ground and weaponry. Raqqa from the south, because the tor said the SDF captured the town launch the attack from the north, All major routes into the city have international coalition’s planes can of Mansura late Friday and the ad- west and east of Raqa. now been severed. target any militants as they cross the jacent Baath Dam on the Euphrates “The SDF has already com- IS fi ghters are still able to move river,” Abdel Rahman said.

Supermarket blast in Iran injures 37

An explosion in a supermarket in the southern city of Shiraz injured 37 people and may have been caused by a gas leak, Iranian state media reported yesterday. The blast occurred at 12.45am (2115 GMT) in the city’s Hypermarket centre, the reports said. The head of fire department in Shiraz, Mohamed Farokhzadeh, told state television that a gas leak or an explosion of flammable items stored in the supermarket could be the cause. He said an investigation was underway. None of those injured was in critical condition, the head of the medical emergency centre of Fars Province was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA. Gulf Times Sunday, June 4, 2017 9 ARAB WORLD

East Libyan forces take desert air base as they push west

Reuters producing hopes of a politi- Benghazi cal deal that could stabilise the country. But two weeks later violence ibyan forces loyal to east- escalated in Jufra and Sabha af- ern-based commander ter dozens of fi ghters loyal to the LKhalifa Haftar said they LNA were killed last month in a had taken the strategic military raid on Brak Al-Shati air base base of Jufra yesterday after rival near Sabha city. factions withdrew. Brigades aligned with the The move consolidates con- GNA and the Benghazi Defence trol for Haftar’s self-styled Lib- Brigades (BDB), a force that yan National Army (LNA) over includes hardliners and oth- the central desert regions of Ju- er fighters who have fled the fra and Sabha, where they have LNA’s advances since last year recently taken a string of towns in the eastern city of Benghazi, and bases. have since retreated from the It could also be a key step in area. the LNA’s stated goal of moving Mohamed al-Afi rs, spokes- towards the capital, Tripoli. man for the LNA’s 12th Brigade, On Friday, after the LNA en- said his men had found Jufra tered towns just south of Jufra base deserted when they entered military base, its spokesman late in the morning. said its forces would gradually Local forces aligned with the move towards the town of Bani LNA had clashed with the BDB Displaced Iraqi people who fled from clashes head to safer territory while riding in a cart, in western Mosul, yesterday. Walid, nearly 350km northwest on Friday, but the BDB then of Jufra. withdrew towards Misrata, LNA Jufra is just over 500km offi cials said. southwest of Benghazi, and The latest LNA advances came about the same distance south- after heavy LNA air strikes on east of Tripoli. Jufra. The LNA is aligned with a par- Egypt has also carried out air liament and government based strikes in Jufra, as well as in the in eastern Libya that have reject- far eastern city of Derna, which Civilians killed while ed a UN-backed administration it said targeted militants linked in Tripoli. to an attack on Coptic Christians Haftar met the head of the in the southern Egyptian prov- UN-backed Government of Na- ince of Minya. tional Accord (GNA) a month However, analysts say the ago in Abu Dhabi, pledging to strikes appear partly designed to calm tensions in the south and help Haftar, a close ally of Egypt. fl eeing IS in Mosul

Reuters us, we were all hurt but he (the Mosul militant) escaped,” he said. Iraqi government forces re- took eastern Mosul in Janu- Tunisia militants he bodies of dozens of ci- ary and began a new push on vilians killed in the past May 27 to capture the remain- Ttwo days while fl eeing an ing Islamic State-held enclave behead shepherd Islamic State-held neighbour- in the western side of the city, hood in Mosul lay yesterday in a where about 200,000 people street close to the frontline with are trapped in harrowing condi- near Algeria border Iraqi armed forces, a Reuters TV tions. crew reported. The Mosul off ensive started The dead included men, in October with air and ground Reuters mountain range bordering Alge- women and children. support from a U.S.-led inter- Tunis ria to fl ush out Okba Ibn Nafaa, Bags in which they had car- national coalition. an Al Qaeda-affi liated group, as ried their belongings were It has taken much longer than well as a small number of rival strewn around the road leading expected. ilitants kidnapped fi ghters allied to Islamic State. out of the Zanjili district, one The fall of Mosul would, in and beheaded a young In November 2015, Soltani’s of three still in the hands of Is- eff ect, mark the end of the Iraqi Mshepherd in Tunisian brother Mabrouk was also kid- lamic State in Mosul. half of the “caliphate” declared mountains near the border with napped by militants who ac- “Over the past two days ISIS in 2014 over parts of Iraq and Algeria, less than two years af- cused him of spying for the army has been shooting people es- Syria by Islamic State leader ter his brother was killed in the in the region. caping this area,” said Dave Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. same way, security sources and He was killed and his head Eubank from the Free Burma About 700,000 people, residents told TAP state news was sent back to the family as a Rangers relief association, re- A wounded displaced Iraqi man who fled from clashes, carries his child in western Mosul, yesterday. about a third of the pre-war agency yesterday. warning, security sources said at ferring to Islamic State, speak- population of Mosul, have al- Troops found the body of the time. More than 3,000 Tuni- ing from a building overlooking told Reuters.”But there are still scious child. From a building wounded in the hand a few days ready fl ed, seeking refuge either Khelifa Soltani near Sidi Bouzid sians have left to fi ght for Islamic the frontline in Zanjili. more.” close to the spot where the ci- ago when an aistrike hit a group with friends and relatives or in after he had been snatched by State and other militant groups “I saw over 50 dead bod- Hundreds of others managed vilians were killed, a man could of civilians collecting water be- camps. militants on Friday, sources told in Syria, Iraq and Libya over the ies yesterday, we worked with to reach the government lines, be seen hiding behind a wall, cause an Islamic State fi ghter In Syria, Kurdish forces Reuters. They gave no reason last four years. the Americans to get smoke some wounded and some car- trying to fi nd a way out with was hiding among them. backed by US-air strikes are why he was abducted. Authorities are preparing for and an Iraqi tank, and followed rying apparently dead bodies in the help of an Iraqi soldier who “We were a group of 200- besieging Islamic State forces in Tunisian forces are carrying many of them to return as mili- behind them and we rescued blankets, crying and shouting. came to the rescue. 250 civilians, a Daesh came in the city of Raqqa, the militants’ out operations in Sidi Bouzid, tant groups face defeat in Iraq one little girl and one man,” he A man carried an uncon- A young man said he was amongst us and the aviator hit de facto capital in that country. Kasserine and the Chaambi and Syria. Jordanian forces kill gunmen at border

Reuters danian state news agency Beirut Petra reported. The Petra report did not say how many militants ordanian border guards had been killed in the attack clashed with militants near the Rukban camp for Jwho tried to attack displaced Syrians, where their positions at the bor- Islamic State claimed a der with Syria yesterday, car bomb attack in May killing the gunmen and de- and has also clashed with stroying three motorbikes Syrian rebel groups that they were riding, the Jor- operate in the area. Gulf Times 10 Sunday, June 4, 2017 AFRICA Kabila insists he never ‘promised’ to hold elections

AFP tions at the end of 2017, after he re- “I am very clear on this. All this Berlin fused to step down at the end of his blah blah over a constitutional change fi nal two-term mandate last Decem- is total nonsense,” he said. ber. “Up to this point, we have not at all ongolese President Joseph But the issue has sparked tensions broached the debate” over pursuing Kabila said yesterday he had across the vast mineral-rich nation of a public referendum on changing the Cnever “promised anything” 71mn people, where social and eco- constitution. about whether to hold elections in nomic crises have all but rendered But Kabila would not defi nitively the Democratic Republic of Congo, election deadlines little more than say whether the idea of a third man- seeming to back away from a deal to hypothetical. date was off the table. hold a vote this year. In a speech in April, Kabila pledged “That depends on what we really “I have not promised anything at that “the elections will take place”. mean by third mandate,” the 45-year- all,” Kabila told the German weekly However, two months earlier, his old leader said. A Basotho woman casts her ballot at a polling station in Maseru during Lesotho’s general election yesterday. Der Spiegel in a rare media interview. budget minister Pierre Kangudia had “In any case, we don’t have any “I wish to organise elections as soon said it would cost the country $1.8bn intention of undermining the consti- as possible”. to hold elections this year, according tution. And how would I get a third “We want perfect elections, not to the BBC. mandate if we don’t undermine the just elections,” he said, adding that The opposition has repeatedly ac- constitution?” Fractious coalition looms in Lesotho the government was in the process of cused Kabila of delaying elections in Kabila has run one of the world’s registering voters and that it was “go- order to remain in power. least developed countries since the ing well”. In his interview with reporters in 2001 assassination of his father Lau- AFP Protests could break out if Mosisili Thabane of fl eeing Lesotho to seek for- Under a power-sharing agreement Kinshasa yesterday, Kabila dismissed rent. Maseru, Lesotho is defeated and he refuses to concede eign protection after “chowing through brokered by the infl uential Catholic the idea of changing the constitution The postponement of the presi- power “as his attitude and actions sug- the public’s money.” Church on New Year’s Eve, Kabila, 45, to allow him to run for a possible third dential election led to protests in Sep- gest he might,” said analyst Peter Fabri- Augustine Mahiga, the Tanzanian is due to remain in offi ce until elec- fi ve-year term. tember that left some 50 people dead. oters in the small southern Af- cius of the Pretoria-based Institute for foreign minister heading SADC’s ob- rican kingdom of Lesotho cast Security Studies. server mission, said voting had been Vballots yesterday in an election Fabricius said SADC, the southern orderly but that the country needed to expected to lead to another fractious African regional body, had made it clear break its “cycle of elections.” coalition government and the risk of to Mosisili that “it will not tolerate any Lesotho is a constitutional monar- deepening instability. theft of the election.” chy ruled by King Letsie III, who has no West Africa seeks $56mn for anti-Islamist force It is the third general election since In the capital Maseru, Thabane’s All formal power, and it has a mixed parlia- 2012 in Lesotho, where years of political Basotho Congress (ABC) and Mosisili’s mentary system. in-fi ghting have undermined attempts to Democratic Congress (DC) party have Eighty lawmakers are voted in by Reuters lagged, partly due to funding obstacles. forts of regular armed forces, United tackle dire poverty and unemployment. competed for votes via giant billboards constituents, while another 40 seats Bamako “The council of ministers of the G5 Nations peacekeepers in Mali and Long queues formed outside poll- and posters. are distributed proportionally. Sahel countries is making a request Operation Barkhane, which has ing stations, with many voters wearing “It is not likely that a single party will “Our country is poor and a lot of to the European Union to fi nancially around 4,000 French troops deployed traditional Basotho blankets to ward off garner a majority of votes,” political an- money has been spent holding these he countries of West Africa’s support the deployment and func- across the fi ve Sahel countries. the winter chill. alyst Mafa Sejanamane, of the National elections. I’m here to vote for a party to Sahel region are requesting tioning of the G5 Sahel Joint Force,” France spearheaded a 2013 military The snap election was announced in University of Lesotho, told AFP. put us fi rst — not politics,” said Naledi T50mn euros ($56mn) from the Malian General Didier Dacko said. intervention that successfully drove March when Prime Minister Pakalitha “The urban vote is largely set to go to Metsing, as she voted outside the capi- European Union to help set up a mul- He was speaking at a meeting in back militants who had seized Mali’s Mosisili, 72, lost a no-confi dence vote the ABC. tal. tinational force to take on Islamist Mali’s capital Bamako between G5 Sa- desert north a year earlier. after his seven-party coalition govern- The vote in rural areas is now likely to “We just voted two years ago and that militant groups, Mali’s military chief hel military chiefs, EU diplomats and However, militants continue to at- ment broke up less than two years after be shared between the DC and its splin- government did not do much for the said yesterday. offi cers from France’s regional anti- tack local security forces, UN peace- it was formed. ter, the Alliance of Democrats.” people.” The vast, arid zone has in recent militant force, Operation Barkhane, keepers and civilian targets across the The vote is seen as a two-horse race The mountainous country suff ers Mosisili’s DC party is forecast to join years become a breeding ground for that aimed to map out what areas re- region. between old rivals Mosisili and Tho- high unemployment and a 22.7% HIV- forces with the Lesotho Congress of extremist groups — some linked to Al quired assistance. New French President Emmanuel mas Thabane, who ruled from 2012 to Aids rate in adults, with an economy Democracy and the Popular Front for Qaeda and Islamic State — that Eu- Sahel foreign ministers are due to Macron, who visited Mali on his fi rst 2015, with the victor set to emerge from dependent on South Africa, which sur- Democracy. Thabane’s ABC party and ropean nations, particularly France, meet today. trip outside of Europe last month, has post-vote negotiations with coalition rounds it completely. the Alliance Democrats of Monyane fear could menace Europe if left un- Last year, the group proposed es- reaffi rmed Paris’s commitment to the partners. Thabane, who was forced to fl ee to Moleleki, a former police minister, are checked. tablishing special units, each com- region and called on Germany and Critics accuse the national army of South Africa in 2014 after an attempted also in talks to form a possible coalition Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali posed of around 100 well-trained sol- other European nations to ramp up favouring Mosisili, and small numbers coup by the army, said that he would government. and Mauritania — the so-called G5 diers, capable of responding quickly military and development aid. of soldiers were seen by AFP near many accept the result if he lost. Refl ecting frustration at the coun- Sahel countries — have proposed a to shifting threats, which would be French soldiers killed about 20 Is- ballot stations. “Lesotho can only survive if it fol- try’s politics, voter turnout declined to regional task force designed to tackle deployed in areas where jihadist lamist militants in Mali this week, Thabane, 77, drew large crowds to his lows the true democratic system,” he 46 % in 2015 from 66 % in 2002. the cross-border threat. groups are known to operate. France’s defence ministry said on Fri- campaign rallies and is seen as the nar- told journalists after voting. The election result is expected next But implementation of the plan has They would complement the ef- day. row favourite. At his fi nal rally, Mosisili accused week. Africans never hung up on Nokia’s old ‘brick’

By Ed Cropley, Reuters But Africans also like the legen- basic talk and text phone, was However, against the competi- Lagos dary durability of the ‘brick’ and the world’s most popular device tion on the streets in Africa, the its weeks-long battery — impor- in 2000 and the fi rst handset new 3310’s $52 price tag is raising tant considerations in countries owned by many of today’s smart- eyebrows. or Europeans, Nokia’s re- where insurance and electricity phone users. “People love Nokias because vamped ‘brick’ is a throw- cannot be taken for granted. Once the world’s dominant they’re durable and the battery Fback to a simpler, more Even in the fl ashiest parts of phonemaker, Nokia Oyj sold its lasts for a very long time,” said innocent age, when phones were Lagos, Nigeria’s brash commer- handset operations to Microsoft Colins Nwosu, the head of retail for speaking and reading on the cial capital, bankers barking or- in 2014, leaving it to focus on tel- at Nigerian mobile phone dis- train meant buying a newspaper. ders into the latest model iPhone ecoms network equipment. tributor Finet. “But to be honest, For Africans, however, the will often have an ancient Nokia But its brand has gone back on it’s a bit expensive.” jazzed-up 3310, which re- in their back pocket as a fail-safe the mobile market across much As well as its battery and dura- launched in Nokia’s home market for when their battery gives up of Europe and India thanks to a bility, the old Nokia has another of Finland last Wednesday, is an “In Nigeria, people like to use licensing deal with HMD Global, advantage — its lack of high-tech expensive imitation of the simple big phones but the small ones a new company led by former wizardry means it is untraceable handset that remains the back- are also selling because not eve- Nokia executives and backed by and unhackable, another factor bone of communication across rybody can aff ord Android, and Chinese electronics giant Fox- for those living under repressive the continent. the battery is really strong,” said conn. African governments. Although mobiles are now as Clara Paul, a phone saleswoman HMD has sole use of the Nokia During a recent meeting with common in Africa as they are in Ikeja, a tech market in the brand on all phones and tablets Reuters in Johannesburg, a senior in the United States or Europe, heart of Lagos. for the next decade, and it will Zimbabwean intelligence agent smart-phones are rarer, making In front of her on a street-side pay royalties to Nokia Oyj. laid out on the table his three up only one in three handsets in stall sat an array of Chinese- The makers of the new phone battered old Nokia handsets — South Africa and one in four in branded smart-phones alongside hope that its 22 hours of talk time the price he pays to ensure his Nigeria, according to a 2016 study small Nokia handsets that in Eu- and up to one month of standby movements and messages go un- by the Pew Research Centre. rope would belong to a telephony time will heighten its appeal for detected. In many cases, the cost of both museum. customers looking for a break “Smart-phone?” he said, with handsets and data is the main On a good day, Paul says she from smartphone overload or a a chuckle. Women vendors display Nokia phone models for sale along with smartphones at the ‘Computer Village’ factor constraining smart-phone shifts as many as 10 for $10 each. reliable device for lively nights “No way, my brother. Way too in Ikeja district in Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos. sales. The original Nokia 3310, a out. risky.” Gulf Times Sunday, June 4, 2017 11 AMERICAS

ENVIRONMENT CELEBRITY CRIME LEGAL OBITUARY Two giant, rare ‘corpse’ Soundgarden singer had Man held for stealing Gorsuch says does not Californian who invented flowers bloom in Chicago drugs, sedatives in system attack victim’s ring share ‘cynicism’ wetsuit dies aged 94

It is unusual enough to see one of nature’s Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell had A homeless man was arrested on Friday on President Trump’s Supreme Court appointee Neil Jack O’Neill, the eye patch-wearing surfing biggest, rarest — not to mention smelliest — several prescription drugs in his system when he suspicion of stealing the wedding ring and Gorsuch said on Friday that he does not share pioneer who helped invent the wetsuit and flowers bloom. But it is extraordinary to see two committed suicide last month in a Detroit hotel, backpack of one of two men fatally stabbed on what he acknowledged was currently “a lot of created one of the world’s best-known surf bloom at once. That is why two seven-foot-tall according to the results of an autopsy released a commuter train in Oregon last week. George cynicism about government and the rule of law”. brands, has died at the age of 94. O’Neill — corpse flowers at the Chicago Botanic Garden on Friday. Cornell, 52, had anti-anxiety drugs, Tschaggeny, 51, was wearing the wedding Gorsuch spoke about an independent judiciary who went on in later life to champion marine have attracted thousands of visitors this week, sedatives, barbiturates and sinus congestion band of army veteran Ricky Best when he during at Harvard University that also featured environmental causes — died of natural causes despite the smell of rotting flesh that the flowers medication in his system, a toxicology report was arrested under an overpass in Portland. fellow Justice Stephen Breyer. Gorsuch reflected on Friday at his oceanfront home in Santa Cruz, emit to attract pollinating beetles and flies. from the Wayne County Medical Examiner Detectives had also recovered Best’s backpack, on how the “government can lose in its own California, his family said in a statement. The rare flowers, off icially called titan arum, showed. The medical examiner last month which had also been stolen, but his wallet was courts and accept the judgement of those courts He was 94. The ocean lover — who lost an eye are naturally occurring in just one place on determined that the grunge singer died by missing. Police on Thursday had appealed to without an army to back it up”. He said 95% of all in a surfing accident in the 1970s — wanted to Earth — the Indonesian island of Sumatra. They hanging himself on May 17 with an exercise the public for help in finding a man who was US cases are resolved at the trial court, with few be able to surf longer in the frigid northern are threatened by deforestation, and botanic resistance band in his hotel bathroom. He was captured on surveillance video walking away reaching the appellate level or Supreme Court, California ocean and experimented with various gardens around the world are cultivating and found dead hours after playing a concert in from the train after the stabbings with Best’s a fact that he said indicated that litigants were materials to create a lining that made the first preserving them. Detroit with the band. backpack in one hand. satisfied that justice had been done. neoprene wetsuit wearable. US fl ays Trump supporters rally climate critics

AFP domestic backlash, with state Washington governors, city mayors and pow- erful companies already drawing up plans to meet the Paris pact’s he White House hit back greenhouse gas emission targets. Friday at criticism of At least two Republican gover- TDonald Trump’s decision nors announced Friday they were to scrap a major global climate partnering with Democratic-run deal, accusing Europe of trying states to combat climate change. to “shackle” the US economy and US billionaire, philanthropist refusing to acknowledge climate and UN envoy for climate change change is real. Michael Bloomberg pledged With the United States virtu- $15mn to support the Paris agree- ally isolated on the world stage, a ment’s co-ordinating agency if string of administration offi cials necessary — the sum it stands went on the off ensive Friday to to lose should the United States justify the Republican president’s refuse to pay its share. decision to abandon the 195-na- “Americans will honour and tion Paris deal curbing global fulfi l the Paris agreement by lead- emissions. ing from the bottom up,” he said, Trump’s top climate adviser fl ying to the French capital to Scott Pruitt was indignant: “The meet President Emmanuel Ma- world applauded when we joined cron in an expression of solidar- Paris. ity. And you know why? I think German Chancellor Angela they applauded because they Merkel, the EU’s most powerful knew it would put this country at leader, pledged “more decisive a disadvantage.” action than ever” to protect the “The European leaders, why climate after Trump’s “highly re- Supporters of President Trump demonstrate in Lafayette Square next to the White House in Washington. do they want us to stay in? They grettable” decision. know it will continue to shackle In Brussels, European Council our economy,” said Pruitt, who President Donald Tusk said the serves as Trump’s Environment EU was “stepping up” co-opera- Protection Agency administrator. tion on climate change with Bei- That combative tone came jing following a summit with Chi- amid a wave of bitter condemna- nese Premier Li Keqiang, while tion from around the world and India said it was committed to the as Trump and his aides refused to Paris accord “irrespective” of the say whether he believes climate position of other nations. change is real, in line with the In a nationalistic “America California planning to global scientifi c consensus. First” announcement from the Trump ignored the question White House Rose Garden on when asked by journalists during Thursday, Trump said he was an unrelated event with law en- withdrawing from a UN-backed forcement offi cers, although he deal that imposes “draconian fi - did joke that Thursday’s decision nancial and economic burdens” had proven “controversial”. on the United States while going fi ght ‘AWOL’ Trump Along with Trump, Pruitt and too easy on economic rivals Chi- White House press secretary Sean na, India and Europe. California has set much on the science,” said Brown be- vironment at UCLA. country as well as other na- ward a cleaner future,” he said. “I Spicer were among those who “We don’t want other leaders higher standards for itself on fore embarking on his weeklong “So it has served as a beacon of tions, including China, puts the think the cost (of turning back) is refused to answer repeated ques- and other countries laughing at the environment China trip. sanity in some way for the United western state in a prime position too high not only from a climate tions on the subject. us anymore. And they won’t be.” “California will resist this States and through the world on to continue leading the charge perspective but from an econom- Instead, Pruitt lashed out, say- Trump off ered no details about AFP misguided and insane course of climate policy,” she added. against climate change. ic perspective.” ing “we have nothing to be apol- how, or when, a formal withdraw- Los Angeles action,” added the 79-year-old The state — which has some “In some ways, California has Experts also noted that despite ogetic about as a country”, de- al would happen. politician who has long cham- of the worst air pollution in the been leading all along... and the all the theatrics surrounding spite the United States being the At one point he suggested a re- pioned environmental causes. country — in the last decade has governor, by sheer force of will Trump’s decision to withdraw world’s second-largest emitter of negotiation could take place, an alifornia stands poised to “Trump is AWOL but California dramatically slashed its climate- and passion, will continue to ac- from the Paris climate agreement greenhouse gases after China. idea that was unceremoniously fi ll the US leadership vac- is on the fi eld, ready for battle.” warming emissions. celerate that work,” said Evan and eff orts by his administration “We have taken signifi cant slapped down by partners. Cuum in the battle against Experts said the Golden State, It has pledged to cut green- Gillespie, deputy director at the to undermine clean energy poli- steps to reduce our CO2 foot- “There is nothing to renegoti- climate change, analysts say, as which has the sixth largest econ- house gas emissions to 1990 lev- Sierra Club, where he oversees cies, individual states and cities print,” he said. ate here,” EU climate commis- the state’s governor Jerry Brown omy in the world, was well placed els by 2020 and to 40% below California’s clean energy pro- still make their own decisions That message is likely to play sioner Miguel Arias Canete told headed to China on Friday for a to pick up the mantle of leader- 1990 levels by 2030. gramme. on a host of issues, including cli- well with Trump’s Republican reporters in Brussels. high-profi le visit largely centred ship on the international stage California also has its own “I think the administration in mate, and California is a prime base, which revelled in defeating Nicaragua and war-torn on environmental issues. given its aggressive policies on vehicle-emissions standards (Washington) DC has only em- example. what Pruitt called the “environ- Syria are the only countries not No sooner had President Don- climate issues. — exceeding federal standards boldened both the public and “The world will now be look- mental left” and “climate exag- party to the Paris accord, the ald Trump made his announce- “California has had a remark- — which have been adopted by elected offi cials in the state to ing at California, China, the gerators.” former seeing it as not ambitious ment on Thursday to pull out of able history already of leading more than a dozen other states. step up and go bigger.” European Union and others Expressions of shock and regret enough. the landmark Paris climate deal, the way on climate change, es- In addition, it has led the way He added that California’s who are willing to take up the poured in from around the world, White House offi cials ac- that Brown fi red off a statement pecially on climate change regu- in promoting solar energy and long struggle with air quality mantle of leadership,” Horow- including from Pacifi c islands at knowledged that under the deal, a decrying the decision and vow- lation, and it has the most am- electric cars and has the largest and its reputation as the nation’s itz noted. risk of being swallowed by rising formal withdrawal might not take ing to push ahead with ambitious bitious economy-wide climate fl eet of zero-emissions vehicles green trailblazer meant there was “California is certainly at the seas, who accused Washington of place until after the 2020 elec- climate policies. target in the United States,” said in the country. no turning back for the state. forefront now of US climate “abandoning” them. tion, and leaders will certainly “Donald Trump has absolutely Cara Horowitz, co-executive di- Experts say such aggres- “There’s a lot of momentum policy and there is tremendous As well as world outcry, push Trump to reconsider his de- chosen the wrong course.He’s rector of the Emmett Institute sive action, which has served that is already built into our political will to continue to serve Trump’s decision prompted a cision in the meantime. wrong on the facts...he’s wrong on Climate Change and the En- as a blueprint for the rest of the economy that is propelling us to- that role.”

US asks visa applicants for social media handles

AFP cates, who fear travellers who pose tional security vetting”. book or “followed” an extremist ac- backs in the lower courts. Washington no terrorist threat may be stigma- “Such visa applicants will be count on Twitter or Instagram they It called on the court to rule on tised for their political or religious asked to provide additional infor- may face additional questions. the legal standing of Trump’s or- views. mation, including their social me- The tougher visa rules also come der, appealing a ruling by the fed- he United States has be- It also comes at a time of contro- dia handles, prior passport num- after the US administration banned eral Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals gun asking some would-be versy over another new measure, bers, additional information about travellers from several airports in that blocked the ban. Tvisitors applying for visas to President Donald Trump’s attempt family members, and a longer his- the Muslim world from using lap- It also asked the Supreme Court provide their identities on social to ban all travellers from six main- tory of past travel, employment, tops on passenger fl ights. to lift another US-wide injunction media, among other more vigorous ly-Muslim countries. and contact information,” she said. This came after intelligence issued by a federal judge based in screening methods. But in a March 6 memorandum, Nevertheless, she added, these agencies reportedly found evidence Hawaii. A State Department offi cial, Trump vowed to tighten controls changes will “aff ect only a fraction that Islamic extremists have per- Justice Department spokeswom- speaking on condition of anonym- on who can enter the United States, of 1% of the more than 13mn annual fected the technology to hide a vi- an Sarah Isgur Flores said the White ity, told AFP new security proce- including by studying their online visa applicants worldwide.” able bomb in a working computer. House believes the order is lawful, dures had gone into eff ect on May behaviour. There is no suggestion that trav- The White House, meanwhile, despite charges that it targets Mus- 25 for travellers deemed to present According to the US offi cial, con- ellers will have to surrender pass- asked the US Supreme Court on lims in breach of US freedoms. “The a risk. sular offi cers can now demand extra words to their accounts. Thursday to reinstate its tem- president is not required to admit The plan has already raised the information from applicants they But if they have, for example, porary ban on travellers from people from countries that sponsor concerns of civil liberties advo- deem to require “more rigorous na- posted suspect material on Face- six nations despite repeated set- or shelter terrorism,” she insisted. Gulf Times 12 Sunday, June 4, 2017 ASIA/AUSTRALIA US seeks to reassure allies on N Korea Peter Gash, owner and manager of the Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, snorkels with Oliver Lanyon and Lewis Marshall, senior rangers in the Great Barrier AFP regional stability,” Mattis said, calling Chi- Reef region for the Queenlsand Parks and Wildlife Service, during an inspection of the reef’s condition in an area called the ‘Coral Gardens’ located at Singapore na out over its “disregard for international Lady Elliot Island, 80km north-east from the town of Bundaberg in Queensland. law” and “contempt for other nations’ in- terests”. entagon chief Jim Mattis yesterday The US Navy on May 25 conducted a moved to reassure Asian allies that “freedom of navigation” operation in the Pthe United States can work with South China Sea, when the USS Dewey China on reining in North Korea’s nuclear guided-missile destroyer sailed within weapons programme without compromis- 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef in the Unesco says Australia must do ing its opposition to Beijing’s continued Spratly Islands. “militarisation” of the South China Sea. China claims nearly all of the South Chi- President Donald Trump — who fre- na Sea, despite partial counter-claims from quently denounced China on the campaign Taiwan and several southeast Asian nations trail — has turned to Beijing to help pres- including the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia more to protect Barrier Reef sure Pyongyang, prompting broad con- and Vietnam. cerns that America will go easy on China’s It has rapidly built reefs into artifi cial Reuters IUCN consider that the implemen- threats, including poor water quali- Josh Frydenberg welcomed the draft maritime activities. islands capable of hosting military planes Sydney tation of the Plan will need to accel- ty due to agricultural runoff , climate decision in a joint statement. Longstanding partners are also mortifi ed and other equipment. erate to ensure that the intermediate change, illegal fi shing and coastal “The government acknowledges in that Trump has seemed indiff erent to tra- Summit delegates were clearly anguished and long-term targets of 2050 LTSP development. its draft decision the Committee’s de- ditional alliances, and have interpreted his by the South China Sea issue and Trump’s he United Nations cultural (Long-Term Sustainability Plan) are Back to back coral bleaching sire for accelerating actions towards pulling out of a trans-Pacifi c trade deal and intentions. heritage body Unesco yester- being met, in particular regarding events driven by climate change and water quality targets and will work the Paris climate accords as signs of broad- One questioner asked if the US president Tday urged Australia to accel- water quality,” the report said. El Nino over the past two years have with the Queensland government and er American disengagement. was an “unbeliever” in the rules-based re- erate eff orts to save the Great Bar- Australia’s Reef 2050 Plan was devastated large parts of the reef. the Independent Expert Panel on this Mattis, arguably Trump’s most impor- gional order. rier Reef, saying long term targets to released in 2015 and is a key part of Unesco praised the inception matter,” the statement said. tant statesman as the new president hopes Another wondered if he could be trusted improve its health were unlikely to the government’s bid to prevent the and initial implementation of the Environmental groups have said to slash the State Department, tried to allay given his “America First” pronouncements. be met. World Heritage Site being placed on government’s plan, as well as the the report showed Australia need- the fears. “Bear with us,” Mattis said. “We will still Progress towards achieving water the United Nation’s “in danger” list. $1.28bn investment strategy for the ed to lift its game “Two years ago “In the security arena, we have a deep and be there, and we will be there with you.” quality targets has been slow, and A negative rating for the Great next fi ve years. Unesco put Australia on probation abiding commitment to reinforcing the rules- Mattis was repeatedly asked about Australia was at risk of falling short Barrier Reef — located off the coun- But it noted important legislation until the health of the reef improves. based international order, a product of so Trump’s decision to pull out of the Paris of its 2050 goals, Unesco warned in try’s northeast coast — would be regulating land clearing had not yet Clearly that probation is not going many nations’ eff orts to create stability,” Mat- climate pact. a draft assessment of world heritage embarrassing for the Australian been passed, and climate change re- well. Since then there has been an tis said in Singapore at the Shangri-La Dia- He did not address the issue directly sites prepared ahead of a meeting in government and damage its lucra- mained the most signifi cant threat. unprecedented loss of coral,” said logue, a major defence summit for countries but the Pentagon generally views climate Krakow, Poland, in July. tive tourism industry. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Richard Leck, WWF-Australia Head from the Asia-Pacifi c region and beyond. change as a security threat, especially given “The World Heritage Centre and The reef is facing a number of Bishop and Environment Minister of Oceans. Calling North Korea’s nuclear ambitions its role in famines and mass relocations. a “threat to us all,” Mattis asked the inter- Japanese Defence Minister Tomomi In- national community to come together on ada later said she placed “full trust” in the the issue. United States, a sentiment echoed by Aus- It is “imperative that we do our part each tralian Defence Minister Marise Payne. of us to fulfi l our obligations and work to- “I think actions speak as loud if not oc- Court frees daughter of South Korea ‘Rasputin’ gether to support our shared goal of de- casionally louder than words,” Payne said, nuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula,” pointing out that Mattis’s fi rst internation- Mattis said. al visit was to Japan and South Korea. AFP Chung was arrested on a Korean The court noted basic evidence Chung has said she had no knowl- “The Trump administration is encour- Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen Seoul Air fl ight from Amsterdam early had already been secured by prose- edge of the “special treatment” she aged by China’s renewed commitment to said delegates were generally reassured. Wednesday and was escorted off the cutors and she was not an active part allegedly received, adding she knew work with the international community to- “There’s a consensus that the US mes- plane at Incheon by a team of pros- in the case. nothing of what transpired between ward denuclearisation,” he added. sage is very clear, not only from the point of he daughter of South Korea’s ecutors to face a handful of journal- Following the decision, Chung, her mother and Park. Pyongyang on Monday test-fi red anoth- view of the messaging, but the messenger,” “Rasputin”, whose lavish ists and television cameras. who had been in custody since being The disgraced former president er rocket, the latest in a series of launches he said. Tlifestyle in Europe saw her Prosecutors say cash for Chung’s extradited from Denmark Wednes- was kicked out of offi ce in March and atomic tests that have ratcheted up Lieutenant General He Lei, the head of caught up in the country’s snow- equestrian training came from elec- day, said: “I’m truly sorry for having amid public disgust at the infl uence tensions over its quest to develop weap- China’s delegation to the summit, said the balling infl uence-peddling scandal, tronics giant Samsung, which had caused so much concern to many....I of money on South Korean politics. ons capable of hitting the United States — “Asia-Pacifi c situation is generally safe and was freed yesterday after being ex- handed over the money as part of will sincerely reply in questioning by Park and Choi are currently in jail something Trump has said “won’t happen”. positive” but warned of “hotspot issues” tradited from Denmark. an attempt to curry favour with her prosecutors.” and on trial for allegedly accept- The defence chief spoke directly to con- fl aring up from time to time. Chung Yoo-ra is the equestrian powerful mother. She is accused of receiving bribes ing or seeking millions of dollars in cerns America might grant concessions to “The nuclear issue on the Korean Penin- daughter of Choi Soon-sil, the close However, a Seoul court ordered from Samsung, illegally moving mon- bribes from the country’s huge con- China to ensure cooperation on North Ko- sula keeps fermenting and remains compli- confi dante of impeached ex-presi- her released yesterday. ey abroad and violating South Korean glomerates, including Samsung. rea, saying the issue was not “binary” and cated and unresolved,” he said. dent Park Geun-hye and the woman “It is diffi cult to accept the rea- laws on the handling of foreign cur- Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong is that the United States would continue to “Individual countries maintain their se- at the heart of the scandal which son and the need for her arrest”, the rency during her stay in Europe. being tried separately while Shin pressure Beijing elsewhere. curity through exclusive military alliances, toppled Park. Choi — dubbed “the Seoul Central District Court said, It is also alleged Chung received Dong-bin — the chairman of retail “Artifi cial island construction and in- base their security on other countries’ in- female Rasputin” for her strong in- turning down the prosecution’s re- undue admission and grading fa- giant Lotte, the South’s fi fth-big- disputable militarisation of facilities on security and do not hesitate to stir up con- fl uence over Park — is on trial along quest to formally arrest the 21-year- vours from Seoul-based Ewha gest conglomerate — also stands ac- features in international waters undermine fl ict and provoke trouble.” with the ex-president. old. Woman’s University. cused.

8 drown in separate Vietnam accidents

ight people, including seven children, died in two sepa- rate drowning incidents in central Vietnam, state me- Bangkok urged Edia reported yesterday. Mobile cinema keeps old fi lm Van Tan Lanh, 68, took his two granddaughters and one of their friends to help wash the family’s cattle in the Kut river in to probe asylum Binh Dinh province’s Tay Son district on Friday morning, the Tuoi Tre newspaper reported. When the cattle returned home unaccompanied, neigh- format alive in the digital age seeker’s death bours rushed to the river and found Lanh fl oating dead in the water along with his grandchildren Nguyen Thi Phuong Thanh, 14, and Nguyen Thi Tuyet Bang, 12, as well as 8-year- By Beawiharta, Reuters DPA old Tran Anh Tuan. Jakarta Bangkok Later that day in Gia Lai province, grade school students Nguyen Le Hai Yen, Do Ngoc Thuan, Nguyen Thi Hao, and Tong Thi Quynh Huong were found dead at a lake near their ndonesian entrepreneur Kamalud- he Thai government must investigate the homes in Ia Grai district. It wasn’t immediately clear if there din loves the gritty look of old 35mm death of a Pakistani man in an immigration were witnesses to either incident. Ifi lm so much that he spends most of Tdetention centre and put an end to the indefi - his nights screening vintage movies at nite incarceration of refugees, Human Rights Watch weddings and parties around Jakarta, (HRW) said yesterday. the capital. Ijaz Masih, a 36-year-old Pakistani Christian, Filmmakers and cinemas have almost had a heart attack a week ago at a detention centre completely phased out the 35-mm for- in Bangkok, where he had been detained for more mat in the past decade as they switch to than a year on an illegal entry charge, the rights cheaper, better quality digital formats. group said. The Police Hospital in Bangkok con- But for Kamaluddin, running a ‘mo- fi rmed to DPA that Masih was already dead when he bile cinema’ means bringing nostalgia arrived at the hospital. and entertainment to the city’s poorer According to HRW, the United Nations High residents. Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) had rejected “It’s more artistic and the sound is his refugee claim the day before. much better than digital,” he said. Thailand has not ratifi ed the 1951 Refugee Con- “If you watch three movies in a row, vention and does not recognize the status of refu- you won’t feel tired, just relaxed.” gees and asylum seekers, who are treated as illegal He transports a 35mm projector and immigrants without rights. sound system, fi lms, a screen and large “Thai authorities are putting people who seek tent in his truck. refugee protection at grave risk by keeping them in At the venue, usually an open fi eld or People watch a film during a wedding party in Bogor, Indonesia. awful conditions in immigration detention centres,” outside the home of a customer holding said Brad Adams, HRW’s Asia director. a party or celebration, people gather to Bollywood movies are hugely popular middle class fl ocks to air-conditioned “Ijaz Masih’s death should be a wake-up call to watch as Kamaluddin sets up his equip- in Indonesia, especially on its islands of movie theatres that off er reclining end this abusive policy of incarcerating asylum ment. Bali and Java, where music and dance are chairs, or even beds, alongside fast food seekers awaiting application results and refugees.” The movies usually run into the early heavily infl uenced by Indian tradition and soft drinks. Masih was one of hundreds of Pakistani Christian hours of the morning, with street ven- and performing arts. “In 1997, in one night I could set asylum seekers who claim to have faced discrimi- dors selling food, clothes and toys often “This theatre is free of charge and we up four screens in four diff erent loca- nation and persecution as a religious minority in setting up nearby, to sell their wares to can watch old movies which we hardly tions,” said Kamaluddin, who estimates Muslim-majority Pakistan and have ended up in the cinema-goers. fi nd out there,” said one viewer, Nurul a night’s work could bring in up to $300 immigration detention in Thailand, HRW said. Viewers get a chance to reacquaint Fitriyah, as she watched an old fi lm on a in the old days. Last week, Thailand deported a Turkish national themselves with fi lms from Hollywood’s huge fabric screen. “Now, if I’m lucky, I can set up projec- wanted in Turkey for his alleged connection to a golden era and movies from India’s Bol- But earnings have fallen steadily in the tors twice a month and earn around $100 group deemed by Ankara to be responsible for last lywood, long out of circulation. mobile cinema business as the younger per night.” year’s failed coup. Gulf Times Sunday, June 4, 2017 13 BRITAIN

BA told to pay Scots march for independence compensation ‘automatically’

London Evening Standard ised will undoubtedly cause London further stress, inconvenience and fi nancial hardship for pas- sengers, and of course further ritish Airways has been damage to BA’s reputation. urged to automatically “As you will know, the rules Bcompensate passengers around compensation in this caught up in its Bank Holiday sector are out of step with other computer meltdown rather markets, like energy and water, than wait for them to submit where compensation is auto- claims. matically awarded to custom- Consumer group Which? ers for severe disruption to, or claimed the airline is in “grave complete absence of, service. danger” of failing its customers “Given the scale of the prob- again unless it goes beyond the lem BA has experienced we legal requirements in response strongly believe it is only right to fl ight cancellations and de- that you do more than the legal lays. Some 75,000 passengers minimum. were stranded after an IT shut- “By simplifying the com- down following a power surge pensation process, you have an on May 27. opportunity to minimise the Under EU law passengers additional stress and incon- can claim compensation from venience you cause your cus- BA for travel disruption, worth tomers and ensure they are not up to £524. They can also claim pushed into the arms of claims expenses for items such as ho- management companies, who tels, meals and phone calls. will take a large part of the Which? believes the car- money they are owed. rier should automatically issue “British Airways can, and statutory compensation to all should, seek to automatically Demonstrators at a march in support of Scottish independence, in Glasgow, Scotland. aff ected passengers, to “reduce issue statutory compensation the burden on passengers” and to all aff ected passengers.” enable the airline to focus on The letter follows a claim dealing with the individual ad- by the Association of British ditional items. Insurers that passengers seek- In a letter to BA’s chief exec- ing compensation are being utive Alex Cruz, Which? man- “passed from pillar to post” aging director of home product because a form entitled ‘Make and services Alex Neill wrote: a claim for disruption expens- “Opting to do the bare mini- es’ on BA’s website orders cus- mum when compensating your tomers with travel insurance to May refuses to rule out customers for your failure to claim through their insurer in deliver the service you prom- the fi rst instance.

Boris blows kisses at rise in tax if she returns Fiscal conservatism are negotiations but to underpin the the Conservatives were ahead of hitting the Tories poll strong economy we’ve created.” Labour by fi ve percentage points, Labour’s Ian Lavery numbers The Defence Secretary said down sharply from 15 a little Labour had announced a further more than two weeks earlier. London Evening Standard £9.5bn of unfunded spending Another poll this week said the London Evening Standard stituency. You do not under- London on top of the £48.6bn of policy lead was down to three points. London stand ordinary people.” pledges contained in its mani- The decline in support for the The politicians and the festo. Conservatives coincided with a broadcaster all talked over each heresa May has refused to The extra plans include £6bn surprise announcement by May oris Johnson blew kisses other at once before McCoy said: rule out a rise in income for writing off student debt, last month that she would make at Labour’s Ian Lav- “Sorry Boris just a second,” and Ttax if she is returned to £3.3bn on unfreezing benefi ts elderly people pay more for their Bery after they became addressed Lavery: “You helped power in the General Election. and £134mn on capping regu- social care, despite concerns embroiled in a heated de- co-ordinate this Labour cam- Campaigning in West York- lated rail fares, he said. that it could undermine support bate following Theresa May paign… Boris just a second…” shire, the prime minister stopped For Labour, shadow chan- among ageing, wealthy home- and Jeremy Corbyn’s fi nal TV Johnson replied: “He’s [Mr short of repeating a promise by cellor John McDonnell said Sir owners — a core source of Con- showdown before the election. Lavery] just been shouting in Defence Secretary Sir Michael Michael’s comments showed the servative vote. The foreign secretary and my ear.” Fallon that there would be no rise Tories were the party for “the May later softened the propos- the Labour politician were McCoy went on: “Just a mo- in income tax for high earners. few, not the many”. al by saying there would be a limit discussing the Trident nuclear ment of peace, you’ve helped May said it was her “fi rm in- “The mask has fi nally slipped,” on the amount that people would deterrent on live TV after the co-ordinate this campaign, tention” to reduce taxes for or- he said. have to pay. BBC’s Question Time Special had Jeremy Corbyn rehearsed dinary working families and re- Prime Minister Theresa May and former foreign secretary William “The only guarantee the To- The latest confusion over in- which saw their party leaders that particular issue coming up iterated her assurance that the Hague during an election campaign visit to Horsfields Nursery in ries are prepared to give at this come tax underscores the chal- being quizzed by the public. because it looked as though he Conservatives remained a “low- Silkstone, South Yorkshire. election is to big business and lenge facing the next govern- But the interview with hadn’t?” tax party”. high earners while low and mid- ment to meet the growing costs broadcaster Simon McCoy de- Johnson then stepped in But when asked by a journal- would be no increase in VAT but their taxes won’t rise is to vote dle income earners have seen of public services at a time when scended into a shouting match front of Lavery’s face as he be- ist if she would rule out rais- dropped David Cameron’s pledge Conservative. We already know no guarantee from Theresa May Britain’s budget defi cit remains with Lavery repeatedly saying gan to respond who then retali- ing income tax altogether, she in the 2015 general election not to your tax will go up if you vote La- that their taxes won’t be raised large, and with Brexit-related Johnson did not understand ated by saying: “Do you mind? said: “Our position on tax hasn’t raise income tax or national in- bour on Thursday.” and pensioners are left to worry uncertainty likely to weigh on the ordinary people. Stop being so rude.” changed. We have set it out in the surance contributions. The manifesto commits the about whether they will be able economy. It came after McCoy had The discussion eventually manifesto. However, in an interview with Tories to increasing the personal to heat their homes or even keep When May unveiled her elec- pointed out Labour leader turned to food banks and the “What people will know when The Daily Telegraph, Sir Michael allowance to £12,500 and the their homes, with no clarity on tion policies last month, she left Corbyn’s shaky response to Labour politician accused the they go to vote on Thursday is said voting Conservative was threshold for the 40p higher rate cuts to winter fuel payments or open the possibility of higher questions from the audience foreign secretary of having that it is the Conservative Party “the only way” people could be to £50,000 by 2020. the dementia tax.” income taxes by only promising on whether he would launch a never been to one. that always has been, is and al- sure income tax would not be Labour’s plans would see the May called the snap election no rises in value-added tax and retaliatory nuclear strike. Johnson replied: “Actually, ways will be a low-tax party. hiked. 45p rate of income tax kick in for in April when opinion polls were dropping a Conservative pledge In a clip of the heated ex- I started some of them when “It is our fi rm intention to re- Asked if high earners could people earning £80,000 instead showing she had a lead of more under predecessor David Cam- change on BBC News, Johnson I was Mayor of London, take duce taxes for ordinary working confi dently vote Conservative of the current £150,000, with a than 20 points over Labour under eron — made in the 2015 election said: “I don’t think you under- that back old boy, take it back, families.” next week, safe in the knowledge new 50p rate for people earning the leadership of left-winger Jer- campaign — not to raise income stand the logic of the nuclear take it back. I started some May was visiting key battle- that their income tax would not more than £123,000. emy Corbyn. tax, national insurance contribu- deterrent.” when I was Mayor of London, ground constituencies in York- go up, Sir Michael said: “Yes. Sir Michael said: “You can be But since then May’s lead tions or VAT. Interrupting the foreign sec- why don’t you take it back?” shire yesterday and paid a visit “You’ve seen our record. We’re sure your tax will go up if you’re has been eaten away, meaning The constraints of that pledge retary, Lavery, Labour’s joint As the presenter started to to Horsfi eld Nursery in Penistone not in the business of punish- a higher-rate taxpayer if you stay she might no longer score the became clear earlier this year election campaign chief, said: cut away to a new segment and Thornhill Cricket Club in ing people for getting on, on the at home on Thursday. thumping victory she had hoped when May’s government tried “I don’t think you understand Johnson could be seen and Dewswbury. contrary we want people to keep “We need every single vote, for ahead of this month’s launch to increase national insurance ordinary people Boris. You’ve heard blowing kisses towards The Conservative manifesto, more of their earnings. not simply to show Brussels of Brexit negotiations. contributions on self-employed never been in an ordinary con- the Labour politician. published last month, said there “The only way they can be sure we’re serious about the Brexit A poll showed on Friday that workers. Labour plotting tax raid on London: Dugdale

London Evening Standard the South-East get “far too much” in- It is not the fi rst time Labour has stood Labour win was, he told ITV’s Good ers featuring the face of London grime London vestment for transport projects. accused of targeting London. Morning Britain: “I’m 10 on 10 we are star Stormzy have appeared in Croydon Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Before the 2015 general election, going to win.” as the Tories fi ght to hold their mar- former Mayor of London, said: “Kezia Jim Murphy, who had led the party in Two thirds of youngsters who are cer- ginal seat. abour will hit London and the Dugdale has let the cat out of the bag, Scotland, suggested a thousand nurses tain to vote in the General Election plan The leafl ets sprung up in Croydon South-East with wealth taxes to Jeremy Corbyn is planning extraordi- north of the border could be funded to back Labour, according to a new poll. Central where Conservative minister Lpour funding into other regions, nary tax hikes on London families and by a “mansion tax” that would over- The ICM survey found 68% of aged Gavin Barwell currently has the capi- one of the party’s leaders said Friday. wants to create brand new punitive whelmingly hit properties in London 18 to 24 year-olds who are registered tal’s smallest majority and next week’s Kezia Dugdale, the party’s chief in taxes to pay for his hard-Left agenda.” and the South-East. and say they are “certain” to vote plan election result could be too close to call. Scotland, defended the United King- A spokesman said: “It’s absolute Shadow chancellor John McDonnell to support Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour. Accompanying a picture of Croy- dom, stressing she saw it as the “means nonsense and irresponsible to suggest declared he was “10/10” convinced Sixteen per cent said they would vote don-born rapper Stormzy, the leafl ets by which we redistribute wealth”. Jeremy Corbyn poses for a selfie in Kezia was talking about anything other that Labour would win the election — for the Conservatives, while 8% said read: “The Tories hold Croydon by 165 She added: “We want to be able to tax Manchester. than refusing to join an alliance with and revealed he had already spoken to they would go for the Lib Dems. votes (that’s literally it). wealth in London and the South-East the SNP because the SNP is not a pro- civil servants about his fi rst Budget. Half of those surveyed said Corbyn “Even your dad’s got more Facebook and redistribute it across the United option to fund a new National Care gressive party. Asked if he was ready to move into has the right qualities to be Prime Min- friends. Stormzy says VOTE LABOUR”. Kingdom according to need.” Service to look after people in their old “Kezia pointed out the SNP is refus- the Treasury, he told BBC radio: “Yes ister versus 28% for Theresa May. But the posters have not been en- Her comments will fuel fears that if age, which would require an extra £3bn ing to match Labour’s plans to tax the we are. We have been preparing for Poll tracker shows Labour at highest dorsed by the Shut Up singer or the La- Jeremy Corbyn gains the keys to No 10 a year at the start. rich and big businesses and guarantee some time and we have gone through level in almost three years Manifesto bour Party. The signs have been put up he will seek to milk the capital and sur- Ditching Tory fi scal reforms that 95% of taxpayers in the UK will all those traditional mechanisms where pledges by Labour which could ap- around Croydon Central. rounding counties for cash to spend which some experts have warned would not pay any more in tax, and she very you meet the civil service in advance of peal to the 18-24 age group include the The woman behind the campaign, on projects in the North, Scotland and mean 50,000 more London pensioners clearly made the point that keeping the a general election. promise to scrap university tuition fees who wished to remain anonymous, said other regions. facing hefty inheritance tax raids on the UK together was in the interests of eve- “They have a look at your manifesto and lower the voting age to 16. she and a group of friends from Hack- Labour’s manifesto has proposed: value of their homes. ryone in the UK.” and we have talked to them about our The NHS, Brexit, education and tui- ney came up with the idea in a bid “to People earning more than £80,000 Reversing a “tax giveaway” on The row exploded as an exclusive fi rst Queen’s Speech, our fi rst Budget, tion fees were among their highest con- try and get the Conservatives out”. She would pay a 45p rate of income tax, capital gains tax. Ipsos MORI poll for today’s Evening our fi rst fi nance Bill, and we have gone cerns, according to the survey. told the Standard: “We’re all for unit- with a 50p rate brought back for those An “excessive pay” levy on sala- Standard showed the Tories being through in some details.” The poll was co-commissioned by ing the left, and we fi gured the best way on more than £123,000. The changes ries of more than £330,000, to raise a squeezed to a fi ve-point lead. He insisted he was not taking any- civil rights group Hope Not Hate and to target our eff orts would be marginal aim to raise £6.4bn a year total of £1.3 billion. It shows Conservative on 45%, La- thing for granted in the election, but the National Union of Teachers. seats where there’s a real chance that a Possible “wealth taxes” as one Corbyn himself has said London and bour on 40, and the Lib Dems on seven. pressed on how likely he thought a Hundreds of bootleg pro-Labour fl y- progressive candidate could get in. Gulf Times 14 Sunday, June 4, 2017 BRITAIN/IRELAND

Police are failing to solve nine out of 10 burglaries in capital

London Evening Standard Yvette Cooper, a Labour MP London and chair of the Home Aff airs Select Committee prior to the election being called, said: ine out of 10 burgla- “These fi gures show too many ries in London — of criminals who violate people’s Nboth private homes and homes are getting away with it. businesses — go unsolved, ac- “Crime is changing and cording to fi gures revealed yes- there are increasing demands terday. on police time and resource, Analysis of police statistics which is why forces need more show 45% of London burglary investment — and why we need cases were closed last year with- the 10,000 extra offi cers La- out even identifying a suspect. bour is promising rather than A further 49% of break-ins Tory capital gains tax cuts for in 2016 remain “under investi- the very richest.” gation” a year on. The Met claims the number The fi gures emerged as Met of household break-ins has Police Commissioner Cressida fallen to an all-time low in the Dick said police will not “go in capital. for meaningless activity” and Dick said her offi cers would continue to investigate crimes always attend burglaries but including burglary that have in future “choices” had to be “no investigative opportuni- made when it came to allocat- ties”. A police watchdog has ing investigative resources. warned of a shortage of detec- She said: “Where there are tives and excessive workloads no investigative opportunities in CID units across the UK. after our fi rst contact with the The fi gures, compiled by public, I think the public would Locksmithservice.co.uk, show actually prefer us to get on with that Hammersmith & Fulham dealing with something where was the worst borough for un- we can have a criminal justice solved burglary, with 61% of its outcome...We are not going to 1,542 burglaries closed with no go in for meaningless activity.” suspect ever being identifi ed. Victor Baron, managing di- In Westminster, which had rector of Locksmithservice. Supporters of Fine Gael celebrate Leo Varadkar’s victory at the National Count Centre in Mansion House, Dublin. the second highest number of co.uk, said: “Many of the vic- burglaries last year behind Bar- tims of burglary that we deal net, investigations into just over with are left feeling vulnerable half of all its 3,288 break-ins and frustrated by the crime, were shut down with no sus- with little faith that their per- pect found, and 1,296 further petrators will be brought to burglaries in the borough were justice.” still “under investigation”. Since A spokeswoman for the Met 2011, there have been 493,257 said: “We accept there is more recorded burglaries in London, work to be done — and are al- Varadkar to replace with just 8% of them solved. ways seeking ways to increase Londoners lost £928mn in raids the number of these crimes we with just £35.4mn recovered. solve.

No FBI contact Kenny as Irish PM Varadkar is the first from an Under internal Fine Gael rules, party and the media in Ireland ethnic minority background the parliamentary party con- focused on his policies, rather after report of link stitutes 65% of the vote, party than him simply being a gay man Guardian News and Media members 25%, and city and who wants to lead the country,” London country councillors 10%. Cov- said Brian Finnegan, the editor of to probe: Farage eney captured majority support Gay Community News in Dublin. among grassroots members, but “It is a sign of how much Ire- he son of an Indian im- Varadkar won over the crucial land has changed and moved on Reuters The Guardian said Farage migrant who came out as parliamentarian college. that no one really cares if he is London had “raised the interest” of Tgay in 2015 will be the next Varadkar’s father Ashok, who gay here. Irish politicians were FBI investigators due to his Irish prime minister, after he comes from Mumbai, met his among the last sectors of our connections with Trump and was voted leader of the country’s Irish mother Miriam while they society to come out of the closet exit campaigner Nigel Julian Assange’s WikiLeaks, main governing party. both worked at an English hospi- but now at least we’ve got one Farage said he had not which published leaked e- Leo Varadkar’s victory in the tal in Slough in the 1960s. gay man and a lesbian, Cather- Bbeen contacted by the US mails from the US Democratic Fine Gael leadership contest on While the international media ine Zappone, both in the cabinet. Federal Bureau of Investigation National Committee during Friday, which took place after out- gathered in Dublin have focused That would have been unthink- and dismissed a report that he the campaign. going PM Enda Kenny announced on Varadkar’s sexuality and im- able perhaps even 10 years ago.” was a “person of interest” in an Farage told the BBC that there his resignation last month, marks migrant family background, Ire- Varadkar, a doctor educated at FBI inquiry into possible collu- was no evidence that the Guard- another signifi cant step forward land’s news organisations zeroed Trinity College Dublin, entered sion between Russia and Don- ian’s source for its story was for equality in the country, after in on his economic policies. Irish politics in 2004, when he ald Trump’s 2016 presidential from within the FBI, and said he 2015’s marriage referendum. Some commentators dubbed polled almost 5,000 votes in a campaign. had met Assange only once. Varadkar, 38, will also become Leo Varadkar listens to a speech after his victory in the party Varadkar “the Thatcherite” can- local government election in the “No, of course they haven’t,” He also said he suspected the country’s youngest leader, leadership election. didate after his comments during Dublin West constituency. Farage, the former leader of the leaked e-mails came from and the fi rst from an ethnic mi- the two-week leadership contest Three years later, he was elect- Britain’s UK Independence a source among the Democrats nority background. Coveney joked that at least his two governments for more than that he wanted to be the cham- ed to represent the area in parlia- Party, told BBC radio yesterday rather than Russia. His position will be confi rmed children would be pleased that he six years, delayed his resignation pion “of those who get up early ment. when he was asked if the FBI Farage, asked whether he later this month when parlia- had lost. on a number of occasions this in the morning”. Although Var- In 2014, he became Ireland’s had been in touch with him. “I would talk to the FBI if re- ment resumes after a break. Kenny said Varadkar had his year. adkar’s centre-right politics are minister for health and, after Fine mean this is just hysteria.” quested, said: “What do you Varadkar faced a stiff er-than- full support. “This is a tremen- First he asked colleagues for clearly conservative, he portrays Gael suff ered losses in last year’s The Guardian, a British think I would do? Go and hide expected challenge in the centre- dous honour for him and I know time to visit the US for the an- the image of a new, progressive general election, he entered a mi- newspaper, said on Thursday in an embassy for fi ve years? right Fine Gael election from his he will devote his life to improv- nual St Patrick’s day celebra- Ireland, symbolised best in May nority coalition as minister for Farage had not been accused Can I just say, it is not going to rival, Simon Coveney. ing the lives of people across our tions and to meet US president 2015 when the Republic voted social protection. of wrongdoing and was not a happen. It is complete fabrica- The Cork-born Irish hous- country,” he said. “I want to also Donald Trump, continuing the overwhelmingly in favour of gay In the 2015 interview with RTE suspect or a target of the US tion, there is nothing in it, it is ing minister is popular with the thank and pay tribute to Simon unique tradition Ireland has of marriage. radio when he came out, Vradkar investigation. hysterical nonsense.” party’s grassroots, particularly Coveney for making the leader- access to the White House every It came just a few months after said: “It’s not something that de- But it said he was “right in Former FBI Director James in Fine Gael’s more conservative, ship election a real contest. This 17 March. Varadkar came out publicly in a fi nes me. I’m not a half-Indian the middle” of the relation- Comey is due to testify to Con- rural redoubts. has been a wonderful exercise He stayed on to attend the Eu- radio interview. politician, or a doctor politician, ships being looked at. gress next week. Comey was Speaking after the fi nal votes in democracy for the Fine Gael ropean council summit in Brus- LGBT groups in Ireland wel- or a gay politician, for that mat- US offi cials have previously leading the FBI investigation were tallied in Dublin, Varadkar party.” sels at the end of April, where the comed the domestic focus on ter. It’s just part of who I am. It said they were unaware of any when Trump fi red him last said he was delighted, humbled Kenny, who led the party for 15 priorities for the Brexit negotia- Varadkar’s ideology. “I think it’s doesn’t defi ne me. It is part of my serious FBI interest in Farage. month. and honoured to win. years and has been at the head of tions were agreed. really signifi cant that both his character, I suppose.” Tories accused of racism towards Abbott

London Evening Standard She also referenced the Labour poli- Raising his voice, Dale said: “Here somebody called out the dog whistle London tician’s car crash live radio interview we go, here we go, playing the race sexism behind Paul Mason’s insults to in which she was unable to say how card, playing the race card.” Theresa May and I just decided to do much a pledge to increase police offi c- The pair had already clashed earlier it.” row has erupted after former ers would cost. in the segment hosted by BBC News- During the BBC Question Time Spe- Newsnight journalist and Jere- Mason later tweeted: “You know night presenter Emily Maitlis when cial, the Shadow Home Secretary re- Amy Corbyn supporter Paul Ma- what. It’s time somebody called out Dale called out Mason for questioning sponded to May’s criticism by writing: son suggested the Tories’ jibes at Diane the dog whistle racism behind Tory in- the Prime Minister’s health. “Desperate stuff by May. Claims I want Abbott are racist. sults to Diane Abbott and I just decided He said: “You said earlier on the to wipe DNA database clean. Never Mason, who also had a stint with to do it.” Daily Politics that you thought she was said that. Curious that she is singling Channel 4 News, accused the Con- He later became embroiled in a heat- unwell, which I thought was an abso- me out for attack.#BBCQT.” servatives of “dog whistle racism” for ed exchange with LBC presenter and lutely disgraceful thing to say. I think The Prime Minister came under fi re their criticism of the home secretary. former Conservative parliamentary you should apologise.” over public sector pay, social care and His comments came after Theresa candidate Iain Dale on BBC Newsnight Mason responded: “I won’t be apol- mental health, as one member of the May raised concerns over Abbott’s about his remarks. ogising for anything. Your side is call- BBC Question Time audience berated record on security during the BBC’s Mason said: “Labour supports the ing my leader a terrorist,” before Dale her for “a known track record of broken Question Time Special which saw the rule of law, anti-terror and the nation- said: “We haven’t called him a terror- promises and backtracking”. prime minister and Labour leader Jer- al security of this country.” ist, we have questioned his terrorist But she denied she regretted call- emy Corbyn being quizzed by the pub- Dale hit back: “Talk to Diane Abbott sympathies.” ing a snap election which has seen her lic. about that, talk to Diane Abbott about Former BBC and Channel 4 News opinion poll lead slip from 25 points to After giving an account of her time that.” journalist Mason added: “She’s terri- fi ve or less . Her Labour rival Mr Cor- as home secretary, May said: “And I Interrupting, Mason went on: “Why fi ed of debating and it’s legitimate to byn was heckled as he refused to say made sure that we kept the records of is everybody picking on Diane Abbott? ask where is she.” whether he would launch a retaliatory criminals and terrorists on the DNA What’s this racism about Diane Ab- His racism accusations were ridi- nuclear strike and denied supporting database, whereas Diane Abbott wants bott?” culed by senior Conservative James terrorism. to wipe them clean. Dale said: “She’s unfi t to be home Cleverly, who is defending his seat in The Standard has contacted the I don’t think that’s a good idea be- secretary,” before Mason added: “Why the Braintree constituency. He wrote Labour and Conservative parties for cause they help us catch criminals.” do you hate a black Home Secretary?” on Twitter: “You know what. It’s time comment. Diane Abbott Gulf Times Sunday, June 4, 2017 15 EUROPE

Edward Snowden Malta decides on future Snowden is not a in bitter election battle traitor, AFP individuals all over the world. he said earlier in the campaign. and being found guilty or in- Valletta Simon Busuttil, leader of the “However, in those few months nocent is the fi nal verdict. I’m opposition Nationalist Party the economy would have been 100% convinced he (Muscat) says Putin (PN), has framed the vote as a damaged and jobs would have is clean. Regarding the other altese voters fl ocked choice between change and al- been lost.” people, we will fi nd out in due to the polls yesterday lowing Malta’s international Ballot stations closed at 10pm course.” Reuters Min an election seen as a reputation, and its prosperity, to (2000 GMT). Charlene Zammit said she had Moscow confi dence vote in Joseph Mus- be shredded by a series of scan- An antiquated manual vote- voted for Muscat because “Malta cat’s government, which has dals. counting system, being used for has one of the lowest unemploy- presided over a thriving econ- “We were promised the best in the last time, means no reliable ment rates in Europe and I want ussian President Vladimir omy but been rocked by serious the EU, instead we got Panama indicator of the result will be to keep it on the right track in the Putin has said he believes corruption allegations. in the EU,” Busuttil supporter available before midday today. next fi ve years”. Rformer US National Se- Voting was brisk even by the Angele Pulis said after voting Many Maltese have lifelong But pensioner Louis Attard curity Agency (NSA) contractor standards of an island nation yesterday. allegiances to one of the two said Malta’s economic success Edward Snowden was wrong where more than 90% of the Muscat went to the polls a main parties, which experts say – it is growing three times faster to leak US spy secrets, but is no electorate generally turns out to year early after his wife Michelle partly explains why Muscat ap- than the eurozone as a whole – traitor. vote. Muscat was accused of being pears to have been unscathed predated Muscat. Snowden, 33, was given asy- Pre-election polls pointed to the benefi cial owner of a secret by the deluge of charges against “He is doing well with what he lum in Russia in 2013 after leak- 43-year-old Muscat’s Labour Panamanian shell company used people close to him. found. It’s not on his merit,” At- ing classifi ed information about Party (PL) retaining power but to bank unexplained payments Muscat casts his vote at a polling station in his hometown of “I have been Labour since I tard said. US spy operations. a high number of undecideds from Azerbaijan’s ruling family. Burmarrad. On the right is his wife Michelle. was born, and I will be Labour Postgrad student Marie Claire His lawyer said in January that meant a surprise could not be The premier’s chief of staff till I die,” said Muscat supporter Finger said the premier should Snowden had the right to remain ruled out. and a government minister have include more detailed claims of look into the allegations against Frank Abela, who is about to re- have sidelined any offi cials with in Russia until 2020 and to apply A result is expected around separately admitted having their kickbacks linked to an invest- her and vowed to quit if any evi- tire after a career in the oil in- the shadow of corruption hang- for Russian citizenship next year. midday today in an election bat- own, previously undeclared, off - ment-based citizenship scheme, dence of wrongdoing emerged. dustry. ing over them. Putin, a former KGB offi cer tled dominated by the fallout shore companies after being ex- a gas supply deal with China and “It would have been the easi- But he said Labour loyalists “Personally I think that it is and ex-head of Russia’s FSB se- from the so-called Panama Pa- posed by the Panama Papers. the granting of bank licences. est thing in the world for me to were not indiff erent to the cor- embarrassing ... to say I come curity service, made his com- pers, data leaked from Panama- Muscat came under fi re for Muscat and his wife appeared weather the storm on the seat ruption claims – they just want from a country going through ments about Snowden in an nian law fi rm Mossack Fonseca not fi ring the two men and the relaxed as they cast their votes. of power, while waiting for the to see proof. these things at the moment,” she interview with US fi lm director about off shore companies and allegations against his inner Before announcing the elec- magisterial inquiry to clear my “An allegation is one thing, an told AFP. “I hope there will be a Oliver Stone, excerpts of which bank accounts set up by wealthy circle have since broadened to tion, he asked a magistrate to name before calling an election,” investigation is another thing change.” were released ahead of its broad- cast by US TV network Show- time from June 12. Turkey detains “Snowden is not a traitor,” said Putin. “He did not betray PM’s adviser over the interests of his country, nor Gulen links did he transfer any information to any other country that would Turkish Prime Minister Binali damage his own people.” Yildirim’s chief adviser was However, the Russian leader detained yesterday over said Snowden should have re- suspected links to the movement signed from his job in the same of US-based Muslim cleric way he once resigned from the Fethullah Gulen blamed for last KGB rather than leak secrets if he year’s failed coup, state media didn’t like what he was doing. reported. “He shouldn’t have done it Birol Erdem, a former senior (leaked secrets). My view is that justice ministry off icial, was taken what he did was wrong,” Putin into custody in Ankara along told Stone. with his wife Gulumser Erdem, Snowden had the right to act Anadolu news agency said. in the way he did however, said He was accused of being a Putin, who said he agreed that A festival goer holds up a sign for his mum at the open-air member of the movement led US surveillance had become too weekend ‘Rock am Ring’ concert. by Gulen, the agency reported, intrusive, while praising his own quoting sources from the off ice country’s intelligence services Left: Heavily-armed police off icers guard the main entrance of the Ankara chief public for operating within the law. to the open-air weekend ‘Rock am Ring’ concert at Germany’s prosecutor. Putin also criticised US eaves- Formula One race track Nuerburgring. The Turkish government claims dropping on its own allies like Gulen ordered the July 15 attempt Germany, saying such activity to oust President Recep Tayyip inevitably backfi red. Erdogan from power. “Trying to spy on your allies, Gulen, who has lived in self- if you really consider them allies German rock concert resumes after terror alert imposed exile in Pennsylvania and not vassals, is just indecent,” since 1999, denies the charges. said Putin. “It undermines trust, Erdem is one of the most senior and in the end damages your Reuters organisers and police said. Semmelrogge, said no suspi- the concert on Friday as they Islamist terrorism. bureaucrats to be suspected of own national security.” Berlin “After intensive searches of cious objects were found at the suspected three people from The names on the backstage Gulen links. Snowden has used social the whole festival area, the sus- venue. the western state of Hesse were passes did not match the sus- Others who have been detained media to criticise the Russian picions have not hardened into A suicide bombing at a pop planning to set off an explosion. pects’ names. come from the military including authorities over a law obliging n open-air weekend an acute threat situation,” the concert in Manchester, England The three, who had back- “In our view, that made the Erdogan’s aide-de-camp Colonel communications companies to “Rock am Ring” concert organisers said on their Face- on May 22 led to changes in the stage passes, were detained and abstract threat far more con- Ali Yazici. store phone calls and Internet Anear Germany’s Nuer- book page, adding that police security planning for the Ger- subsequently released, police crete,” said Koblenz police chief Erdem was called to testify activity for six months. burgring race track resumed had given a green light for the man concert and the number of said. Wolfgang Fromm. as a witness last year in an The Russian authorities have yesterday after being suspend- concert to go ahead. security offi cials was increased Police found on Friday morn- Police continued their inves- investigation into followers of not commented on those re- ed on Friday due to a possible The deputy police chief of substantially. ing that at least one of the three tigation after seizing items be- Gulen’s movement after several marks. threat of a terrorist attack, the nearby Koblenz, Christoph Police temporarily stopped was known to them for links to longing to the suspects. suspected members named him in their testimonies, Hurriyet daily reported.

Winning teacher Greece clears out France ‘corrects’ US spends night at claims on Paris pact the museum migrant camp Amsterdam’s famous Rijksmuseum this week AFP will “undermine” US jobs, and welcomed its 10-millionth visitor, Paris quotes the Massachusetts In- handing the winner a one- at former airport stitute of Technology on the time dream prize: spending a need to fi ght carbon emissions. night alone in the company of n an unusual move, France’s The tweet includes a now- Rembrandt’s masterpiece the Reuters most have been moved to other foreign ministry issued a popular hashtag “make our Night Watch. Athens sites. Ipointed fact-check of Don- planet great again” – a cheeky “I’ve slept 2m from the Night At its peak occupancy last ald Trump’s claims about the adaptation of the nationalist Watch. It’s magic, I still can’t summer, hundreds slept UN’s Paris climate agreement. slogan used by Trump on his believe it,” said Stefan Kasper, a reek police have cleared crammed in tents in the old ar- The ministry issued a tweet election campaign trail. Dutch school teacher and artist out a makeshift migrant rivals terminal, in scorching A girl holds up a teddy bear during a police operation on Friday on Friday with an embedded The video is also notable for who bought the lucky ticket. Gcamp in the former Ath- temperatures with little food to clear out a makeshift migrant camp at the disused Hellenikon link to a video that amounted being in English. Museum director Taco Dibbits ens airport that has long been and bouts of crime and violence. airport in Athens. to a wry but very public rebut- France is famous for cham- said on Friday that he was criticised by rights’ groups as Migrants were fi rst taken to tal of Trump’s assertions. pioning the use of the French delighted at the high visitor unfi t for human habitation. Hellenikon in November 2015 private investors under its eco- moving away from Athens On Thursday, the White language, and its leaders are numbers, following a decade- About 400 people were liv- when police began transferring nomic bailout programme, but would make it harder to leave House had tweeted “The Paris always under pressure to speak long renovation that saw its ing in tents in Hellenikon, the hundreds from the Greek-Mac- struggled to convince the mi- Greece. Accord is a bad deal for Ameri- only in French, even if they are doors reopened in 2013. former airport complex that also edonian border where they were grants to move to other camps More than 62,000 migrants cans” and linked to a video fl uent in English, when they But it was the first time anyone houses abandoned venues used trying to move on to northern around the country. and refugees heading to north- which said the agreement “un- are in the public arena. was allowed to spend the in the 2004 Olympic Games, a Europe. Many migrants, mostly Af- ern Europe have been stranded dermines” US competitiveness But newly-elected president night guarded only by the police offi cial said on Friday. The government had long ghans not eligible for an Eu- in Greece since countries in the and jobs, was “badly negotiat- Emmanuel Macron, a 39-year- company of 17th century Dutch That total was down from promised to empty the site, ropean relocation programme Balkans shut their borders to ed” by former president Barack old former banker, has made a militia watchmen depicted about 3,000 last year because which it has agreed to lease to to other member states, feared those seeking passage. Obama and “accomplishes lit- point of speaking in English, in Rembrandt’s best-known tle”. apparently seeking to make di- painting. In its response, the French rect contact with a wider audi- Kasper won his golden ticket on foreign ministry tweeted: ence. Thursday while on an outing with “We’ve seen the @WhiteHouse On Thursday, he released students from the Montessori video about the #ParisAc- a video in English as well as College in Aerdenhout just Centuries-old Danish blasphemy law revoked cord. We disagree – so we’ve French in which he criticised outside the Dutch capital. changed it.” Trump for pulling out of the The star-struck Kaspers told Its own video uses the same Paris accord and coined the AFP that he was completely left AFP Only a handful of blasphemy but also fi ercely secular, Den- should be special rules protect- format – background, font, “Make our planet great again” alone for the night and that the Stockholm trials have taken place in the mark was the only Scandina- ing religions against expres- images and music – as the slogan. museum rolled out the red carpet past 80 years, and several high- vian nation with a blasphemy sions”, the parliament said on its White House version but adds He also invited American for him. profi le cases have been dropped, law, which called for up to four website. facts to debunk the White scientists, businesspeople and “There were no guards, or they anish lawmakers have including the caricature of the months in jail upon conviction, But remarks and acts that House claims. citizens who are frustrated by were very well hidden,” he added. repealed a centuries-old Prophet Muhammad published but also just fi nes in many cases. threaten or demean certain It refers, for example, to the White House’s stance to Kasper said he used the Dblasphemy law which in the Jyllands-Posten newspa- Lawmakers who wanted to groups of people because of major companies such as Exx- “come and work here with us” opportunity to “take some selfies forbid public insults of a reli- per in 2005. repeal the law introduced in their religious beliefs will still be onmobil and Microsoft which on fi nding a solution to the cli- and walk around in pants and gion. Predominantly Lutheran 1683 “do not believe that there punishable. “disagree” that the accord mate crisis. socks in empty rooms.” Gulf Times 16 Sunday, June 4, 2017 INDIA

MILITANCY POLITICS CRISIS PUNISHMENT INVESTIGATION 3 troopers hurt in blast Rahul to address public Prisons are ‘grossly CPM legislator to face CBI registers FIR in JNU near Myanmar border meeting in Andhra today overcrowded’ in UP disciplinary action missing student case

Three troopers of 11 Assam Rifles were seriously Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will visit Uttar Pradesh prisons are massively overcrowded, First-time Communist Party of India The Central Bureau of Investigation has injured while on patrol when militants exploded Andhra Pradesh today to address a public meeting holding 60% more than the permissible capacity (Marxist) legislator K U Arunan will face registered a first information report to a powerful bomb near H Bongyang village, in Guntur on the demand for a special category of inmates. In a reply to a Right to Information party disciplinary action for taking part in investigate the case of missing Jawaharlal 6km from the Manipur-Myanmar border status to the state. Gandhi will promise the special (RTI) application filed by social activist Nutan a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh function Nehru University (JNU) student Najeeb Ahmad, yesterday, police said. They were airlifted to a category status to Andhra Pradesh if the party is Thakur, prison off icials have said there were in Kerala last month, a senior party leader who disappeared seven months ago following military hospital in Leimakhong near Imphal. voted to power in the 2019 assembly elections. At around 93,301 inmates in Uttar Pradesh jails, while said. Arunan, who represents Irinjalkuda, an alleged altercation with Akhil Bharatiya All three are battling for their lives, according the public meeting, the Congress leader will also the off icial capacity is 58,111. Overcrowding is a came under fire from his party. CPM leader Vidyarthi Parishad members. Najeeb, 27, a first to the police. They were on patrol after coming likely come down heavily on the Telugu Desam major problem in Indian jails with the Supreme K Radhakrishnan said the party rules are the year MSc student, has not been traced since out of their camp at Khudengthabi when the Party-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition in the state Court last year terming the situation “not only same for every member. “It has been decided he went missing from his JNU hostel on the roadside bomb was detonated by a remote for going back on their poll promise to accord the tragic but also pathetic”. There are a total of 70 to initiate action against Arunan and it will be night of October 14, allegedly after a row with control device. The militants are believed to special status to the state. Janata Dal-United leader jails in Uttar Pradesh of which five are central jails a public censure. He has violated the party’s members of the ABVP. The ABVP has denied have escaped to their camps across the border Sharad Yadav, Communist Party of India national at Naini (Allahabad), Varanasi, Fatehabad, Bareilly accepted code of conduct, and hence the involvement in his disappearance. The Delhi before the arrival of reinforcements. Although secretary S Sudhakar Reddy, and Samajwadi Party and Agra, and three are special jails at Lucknow disciplinary action,” said Radhakrishnan, a High Court transferred the case to the CBI other troopers opened fire, it is not known if the leader and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Bareilly. These jails can accommodate 58,111 former Kerala Assembly speaker. Arunan took after the police said they had carried out the militants suff ered any casualties. No firearms Akhilesh Yadav will also address the rally, state inmates, which includes capacity for 51,839 men, part in a function organised by the local RSS investigation in a fair manner searching for were snatched, the police said. Congress chief Raghuveera Reddy said. 2,956 women and 3,316 juvenile prisoners. unit in his home district Thrissur. Ahmad across India, but without success. CPM, NCP do not take part in EVM ‘hackathon’ Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi with Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanaswamy, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, JD(U) leader K C Tyagi, CPI leader D Raja, DMK working president M K Stalin, CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and National Conference leader IANS and suggested that the poll challenge along with their tech- Omar Abdullah during DMK chief Karunanidhi’s birthday celebrations in Chennai yesterday. New Delhi panel hold such demonstrations nical expert teams. and awareness sessions pro- The party is inviting hackers actively. to test the EVM which Bhardwaj he Communist Party of The NCP members conveyed had used in the Delhi Assem- India (Marxist) and the that they were keen to treat the bly to “prove” his allegations of TNationalist Congress challenge as an “academic exer- tampering. Opposition calls for joint fi ght Party, the only two parties that cise”, he said. The AAP has said its paral- agreed to accept the Election He said that NCP members lel EVM challenge will prove the Commission’s electronic voting conveyed that the main reason one held by the poll panel was machines challenge, yesterday for their apprehension was over “pointless”. did not take part in the test to the voting machines used in the The AAP decided not to take against communal forces prove the reliability of the EVMs. municipal polls in Maharashtra. part in the Election Commis- The CPM expressed satisfac- Zaidi said the NCP members sion’s challenge after its request tion after a demo and the NCP were told that the machines used for a change in the terms and IANS their pockets will be worthless, for organising the meeting. the Sethusamudaram Canal said it was treating it as an aca- in the municipal polls did not conditions was shot down by the Chennai Gandhi said: “He didn’t ask “One day we will speak about project. demic exercise. belong to the Election Commis- panel. anybody and decided unilater- Stalin as we speak about Karu- Raja hoped Stalin would fi ght Briefi ng reporters after the sion. Bharadwaj, who had earlier ally.” nanidhi today,” he said. to free the country from com- EVM challenge, Chief Election The Aam Aadmi Party AAP demonstrated how an electronic eaders of various oppo- The Congress leader said Speaking in Hindi which was munal forces. Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said termed the Election Commis- voting machine can be hacked sition parties yesterday while the entire world was say- translated to Tamil, Bihar Chief Nationalist Congress Party’s the issue of “tamperability of sion’s EVM challenge a “farce”, using a prototype in the Delhi Lcame down heavily on the ing the decline in Indian econo- Minister Nitish Kumar said Majeed Memon said Karuna- machines” should be closed with and yesterday opened registra- Assembly, said the party’s chal- Bharatiya Janata Party-led cen- my was due to demonetisation, Karunanidhi was a tall leader nidhi’s presence was needed to the end of the challenge. tion for its parallel challenge and lenge will have the same proto- tral government, and called for Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who fought for social justice for fi ght the undeclared emergency “The machines are not invited people to hack the voting type. a united fi ght against commu- was of a diff erent opinion. the downtrodden and backward in the country, when the winds tamperable. The issue tamper- machines under the poll panel’s The legislator called the Elec- nalism and fascism that is try- “What Jaitley does not telling classes. of fascism and communalism ability of machines should be guidelines. tion Commission’s exercise “a ing to divide the country. you is that Modi did not tell him He noted it was Karunani- were trying to divide it. closed with this and with VVPAT AAP legislator Saurabh Bhard- farce”. They also paid encomiums to about demonetisation,” Gandhi dhi who was instrumental in Communism Party of In- (Voter verifi ed paper audit trail),” waj said the participants can get “There are over a dozen meth- Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam said. the implementation of Mandal dia (Marxist) general secre- Zaidi said. themselves registered at a link ods available to hack EVMs but president M Karunanidhi. “None of us have the arro- Commission recommendations tary Sitaram Yechury said the He said the challenge should given on the party’s website. It one cannot hack an EVM under The opposition leaders were gance to tell you what is good providing reservation for back- challenges posed by the Modi not be seen in terms of victory or said the registration process will the EC’s guidelines. One has to in Chennai to participate in for you,” he told the gather- ward castes during the National government have to be met by defeat. “It was a mutually learn- remain open for a week and then be given access to the EVM to a public meeting to celebrate ing. Front government led by V P coming together. ing exercise,” he said. a hackathon will be organised. hack it. Why is the EC so afraid Karunanidhi’s 94th birthday Pointing to the opposition Singh. He said by going to the peo- Zaidi said the CPM mem- “We are launching our EVM of giving us EVM access?” asked and also his diamond jubilee leaders on the dais and the peo- Communist Party of India ple, political parties can change bers were given a detailed dem- challenge today and people can Bhardwaj. year in the Tamil Nadu Assem- ple off the dais, Gandhi said national secretary D Raja said the discourse of the polity. onstration by the commission register themselves through a The poll panel had released bly. none of them would allow the if Karunanidhi were present on Karunanidhi did not make a about EVMs and they were “sat- link on our website. Any hacker the challenge framework on May Congress vice president Ra- Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh the dais, he would have spoken public appearance owing to his isfi ed”. can participate in this challenge 20 following allegations by some hul Gandhi said there was one to impose its ideology on the against the communal politics health conditions as per doc- “The CPM said they do not and hack our machine under opposition parties of large-scale ideology in the country that country. in the country. tor’s advice. want to participate in the chal- the conditions set up by the EC. rigging of EVMS over the results thinks it had all the answers and “We will not allow wrong He noted that it was only Stalin went to his father’s lenge but want to understand the Each participant will be given a of assembly polls to fi ve states did not talk to others on various ideas,” he added. Karunanidhi who had the guts Gopalapuram residence here to EVM process. A detailed dem- four-hour slot to tamper with held in February-March and the issues facing the people. Gandhi said Karunanidhi re- to ask whether Lord Rama greet him. onstration was given to them. our machine,” Bhardwaj said. Delhi civic polls. Recalling how on November fl ected the views of the people was a qualifi ed engineer to DMK leaders, former min- Technical doubts were clarifi ed,” The AAP also invited the poll The EC’s challenge began at 8, 2016, Prime Minister Naren- in his writings and speeches build the Ram Sethu con- isters - state and central – also he said. panel and Bharat Electron- 10am yesterday. Fourteen vot- dra Modi told the country’s and thanked his son and DMK necting India and Sri Lanka visited Karunanidhi’s resi- Zaidi said CPM members ex- ics Limited - the company that ing machines were brought from 1.3bn people that the money in working president M K Stalin when there was opposition for dence. pressed “complete satisfaction” makes EVMs - to take part in the three states for the challenge.

Protests erupt as Kerala CM Amarinder pays takes ride on Kochi Metro tributes to Gill IANS and determined to give a befi tting By Ashraf Padanna KMRL offi cials said the chief The fare starts at Rs10, and New Delhi/Chandigarh reply to the Chinese army’s in- Kochi minister was carrying out an in- goes up to Rs30 initially. The cursion into the sector. “The man spection before the inauguration KMRL also has made a series of knew how to lead from the front, by the prime minister. initiatives for generating non- ich tributes were paid yes- whatever the threat....” erala Chief Minister Pi- He learnt from its woman traffi c revenue to make it eco- terday to former police The chief minister said the na- narayi Vijayan yesterday driver about the train’s operating nomically viable. Rchief K P S Gill at a memo- tion had lost a great man, who Ktook a ride on the fi rst system which can also run driv- The chief minister’s ride rial service in Delhi, with Punjab contributed to peace in Punjab reach of the Kochi Metro ahead erless, also a fi rst in India. sparked controversy as he ig- Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and in the country, thus enabling of its formal inauguration by “We are ready for commercial nored K V Thomas, a former saying the “supercop was a brave their progress and development in Prime Minister Narendra Modi operations. It’ll take 24 hours federal minister and the MP rep- offi cer who knew how to lead an environment free from terror. on June 17. to commence regular passenger resenting the region who was in- from the front”. Recalling Gill’s contribution Along with Elias George, the services once the PM fl ags it off ,” strumental in getting the project “In his death, I have lost a as an IPS offi cer to fi ghting Sikh managing director of the Kochi said Reshmi C R, joint general through, the local legislators and friend. It happens in several gen- militancy in Punjab, the chief Metro Rail Corp (KMRL), Vijay- manager. the city mayor - all belonging to erations that you come across a minister said those who had not an boarded the train from Pal- The second reach - from Pal- the Congress-led opposition. man who leaves a mark the way lived through those darks days, arivattom to Aluva, covering 11 arivattom to Maharajah’s Col- Vijayan instead took along Gill did,” the senior Congress when more than 35,000 people stations along the 14km stretch. lege - will be ready later this with him P Rajeev, the district leader said at the memorial serv- were killed, could not really un- However, there were protests year, while the work on the track secretary of his Communist ice for the retired Punjab Direc- derstand his contribution to the by local Congress workers say- up to Pettah is in progress. In the Party of India (Marxist) whom tor General of Police (DGP). border state. ing their representatives had not next phase, it would provide a they accuse of having put hur- Gill, who played a leading role “When he took over Punjab been invited for the metro run. link to the SmartCity Kochi from dles by inciting labour unrest in ending terrorism in Punjab as police reins, it was a force of The unique mass transit sys- Palarivattom. and organising protests on silly the state’s DGP, died on May 26 shattered men, who would shut tem claims many fi rsts in India Initially, seven units built by grounds. at the age of 82 in New Delhi. down police stations after sunset like a crew of women and trans- the French company Alstom in Vijayan had to skip the Amarinder Singh recalled his for fear of terrorists,” the Con- genders, multimodal transport India with advanced commu- switch-on of its solar power sys- fi rst meeting with Gill over the gress leader said. system including a ‘water metro’ nication-based train control tem as protesters led by legisla- former’s book on the 1962 India- He said Gill launched night providing last-mile connectivity, (CBTC) system will run on this tor Anwar Sadat gathered at the China war. dominance operations to restore smartcard-based ticketing sys- stretch, with each one having a venue near Aluva station raising Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh pays tributes to Gill at Gill was then the Superintend- public confi dence and things start- tem and solar powered stations. carrying capacity of 975. slogans. a memorial service in New Delhi yesterday. ent of Police of Tejpur in Assam, ed changing in the early 1990s. Gulf Times Sunday, June 4, 2017 17 INDIA

Maharashtra farmers strike for third day in row over loan waivers

Agencies announced in April by Uttar conceded 70% of our demands, the strike until the government morrow, lockout of government tivists alleged that the govern- and trucks transporting fruits/ Mumbai Pradesh state. we have decided to call off the waived debt of all Maharashtra offi ces on Tuesday and siege of ment was trying to divide and vegetables on the roads intended Prices of vegetables and milk strike,” said Kisan Kranti mem- farmers and not just marginal, offi ces of legislators and minis- break the farmers’ agitation for for diff erent markets. have jumped more than 50% in ber Dhananjay Jadhav after the or poorer, farmers who default- ters in the state programmes also political interests. Such outbursts of rural dis- armers in Maharashtra major cities such as Mumbai and meeting. ed. remain unchanged. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut content in Maharashtra and held back farm produce the information and technology The government would waive “The strike is not over. We will Another important farm- said the strike has not ended, other states pose a challenge to Ffor a third day yesterday, hub of Pune after farmers cut the debt of marginal farmers continue the strike until govern- ers leader Raghunath Patil said: while Congress’s former chief Prime Minister Narendra Modi, despite the state’s assurance supplies from Thursday. who defaulted in the last few ment announces debt waiver for “There’s no question of calling minister Prithviraj Chavan and who has promised to double that it would waive loans held Maharashtra, India’s sec- years, Fadnavis said, adding a all farmers,” said Ajit Nawale, off the agitation. It continues. Nationalist Congress Party farm incomes over the next fi ve by defaulting farmers with small ond most populous state, is the panel would be set up to fi nd who walked out from the meet- This is time for action, not as- called upon the Bharatiya Jana- years. tracts of land and low incomes. country’s second-biggest pro- ways to implement the waiver. ing. surances.” ta Party to fulfil its poll prom- Two-thirds of India’s 1.3bn Maharashtra farmers want ducer of sugar, cotton and soy- Maharashtra needs to spend Farmer leaders Panjabrao Pa- He rejected contentions that ises and write off farm debts people depend directly or indi- Chief Minister Devendra Fad- bean. Rs305bn ($4.7bn) to write off til and Sachin Nalavade said the the farmers’ agitation had split without any delay. rectly on farming for their liveli- navis’ government to take steps A small fraction of farmers debt owed by about 3.2mn farm- strike “continues as usual” as and said a majority of the or- As the allegations and coun- hood but farm incomes only ac- to boost farm incomes and union called off the strike yes- ers who had defaulted on bank the government has not given ganisations are in the dark about ter-allegations continued, farm- count for 14% of gross domestic output including waiving all terday following a four-hour loans, he said on Thursday. anything in writing. what transpired at the meeting ers agitation was in full swing in product, refl ecting a growing agricultural loans, similar to long meeting with Fadnavis. But a larger faction of farm- They added that the proposed yesterday. several districts with activists divide between the countryside the $5.6bn in debt forgiveness “Since the government has ers said they would continue Maharashtra shutdown call to- Several other leaders and ac- emptying tankers carrying milk and wealthier cities. NIA raids homes of separatists over Kashmir terror funding

Agencies aides of the separatist leaders. Srinagar The raids in Delhi were carried out after the separatist leaders were seen confessing in a sting ndia’s anti-terrorism agen- operation video that they re- cy yesterday searched the ceived funds from Pakistan via Ihomes of separatist lead- middlemen based in Ballimaran ers in Jammu and Kashmir as and Chandni Chowk. part of an investigation of their Khan had allegedly con- fi nances and alleged anti-gov- fessed to receiving money to ernment activities. incite trouble in Kashmir. The National Investigation The video clipping was re- Agency (NIA) agency is prob- leased by India Today TV ing if the separatists received channel on May 16. funds illegally from Pakistan- On May 20, the NIA collect- based extremists to carry out ed details of 13 suspects and “subversive activities” includ- charge-sheeted those involved ing stone-pelting and arson. in arson attacks on schools and Prime Minister Narendra Modi says goodbye to French President Emmanuel Macron after a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe on the last leg of his four-nation visit, in Paris yesterday. In an early morning crack- public property in Kashmir down in the main city of Srina- during last year’s prolonged gar, NIA sleuths targeted several unrest in Kashmir Valley. separatist leaders and business- The NIA offi cials said the men, as well as the son-in-law agency was probing all aspects of hardline leader Syed Ali Shah of funding of separatist leaders Geelani, police sources said. by Lashkar-e-Taiba and other Eight locations in New Delhi Pakistan sources, and use of were also raided. this money in fuelling unrest India will ‘go beyond’ The NIA last month in the valley after the killing of launched a preliminary inquiry Hizbul Mujahideen command- into the sources of funding of er Burhan Wani in a gunfi ght on separatist leaders including July 8, 2016. Geelani, Naeem Khan and Fa- Meanwhile, federal Home rooq Ahmed Dar. Minister Rajnath Singh said The agency is investigating the government was ready for Paris accord, says PM if the leaders received funds talks with whichever section of from Hafi z Mohamed Saeed, a Kashmiris was prepared to en- Agencies cron at the presidential Elysee Modi said protecting “mother times, would stand by India in its could be the ways to tackle radi- fi rebrand cleric who heads the gage, including the youths. Paris Palace. Earth” was part of Indian cul- fi ght against terrorism. calisation, how to be alert to use Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) group, He said the central govern- Macron said his discussions ture. Modi said that at the time of technology (by terror groups), and other Pakistan-based mil- ment wants a permanent so- with the leader of the world’s “For Indians, environmental of the Paris accord an Interna- how to strengthen the move- itant outfi ts. lution to the Kashmir problem rime Minister Narendra fastest-growing major economy protection is a profession of faith tional Solar Alliance (ISA) was ment towards deradicalisation The US and India consider by taking its people into con- Modi vowed yesterday to had focused mainly on the envi- because we learn it in the Vedas launched. “I see a bright future and how the world can move JuD, listed as a terror outfi t fi dence and is moving ahead in Pgo “above and beyond” ronment. (ancient Hindu scriptures),” he for ISA as it was born out of joint forward in peace and amity,” he by the United Nations, to be a that direction. the Paris Agreement on climate “I want to restate here France’s said, in remarks translated from eff orts of India and France. I am said. front for Lashkar-e-Taiba, the “In democracy all the prob- change, as he met French Presi- full commitment to the fi ght Hindi into French. happy that President Macron is Arriving at the presidential militant group blamed for the lems can be solved through dent Emmanuel Macron follow- against climate warming,” said India, which accounts for fully committed to it and we will palace the 66-year-old Modi 2008 attack on Mumbai which talks. We want to evolve a so- ing the controversial US decision the French president. 4.1% of global emissions, has achieve success.” hugged 39-year-old Macron, killed more than 160 people. lution through talks. Whoever to quit the deal. Macron has led Europe’s de- not agreed to cap or cut its Referring to climate change in scenes contrasting with Ma- During yesterday’s raids, wants to talk to us, we are com- Two days after US President fence of the Paris accord, en- emissions outright like other and terrorism as two major cron’s clenched-jawed, white- the NIA seized over Rs10mn pletely ready for it. If some or- Donald Trump sensationally dearing himself to opponents of countries but has said it will challenges before the world, knuckle handshake with Trump in cash, letterheads of banned ganisations of youth would like announced plans to withdraw Trump’s stance. massively increase its use of Modi said: “We cannot see the in Brussels last week. organisations like the LeT, and to hold talks we are ready for from the pact on curbing carbon Reacting to Trump’s an- green energy. danger of climate change but An enthusiastic Modi said the incriminating documents. that. Kashmiri youths are the emissions Modi said India would nouncement on Thursday, Ma- Modi said that he and Macron we can see the horrific effects French centrist’s election had The agency also registered future of the nation,” he said. “continue working above and cron issued an appeal in English discussed terrorism extensively, of terrorism, we can feel it. In- “encouraged the whole world”. a case against Saeed under In other developments, beyond the Paris accord”, call- to “make the planet great again” on how to save the world from nocent people, women, chil- Macron said he would visit the provisions of waging war the Enforcement Directorate ing it “part of the world’s shared - a play on Trump’s pledge to terror and radicalisation, and dren lose their lives to terror. India, the world’s third-largest against the country and crimi- (ED) said it has issued fresh a heritage”. “make America great again” that how to “go forward in deradi- Every child in France under- polluter, by the end of the year nal conspiracy. summons to separatist leader The agreement signed by 195 has been retweeted a quarter of a calisation and how to strengthen stands the danger of terrorism for a summit on solar power - An NIA official said the Shabbir Shah for June 6 in a countries in the French capital in million times. the fi ght against terror.” as it has experienced it.” an area where the two planned agency would conduct raids 2005 case of laundering money 2015 “can protect future genera- Trump has accused China Earlier, Macron said France, “Today a large part of the greater co-operation and on at fresh locations revealed used to fund terror activities in tions and give new hope”, he said and India of getting an easy ride which has seen some of the world is facing this problem. which they hoped to rope in during questioning of the the Kashmir Valley. after two hours of talks with Ma- compared to the US. worst terror attacks in recent We discussed in detail that what “many other countries”.

Bihar students protest CBI busts army after exam result ‘shock’ postings racket IANS them to four-day custody. IANS chairman,” a protesting student produced in a court yesterday, New Delhi The CBI said both were arrest- Patna said. told media he confessed that he ed when Kohli visited the Lt Col’s The police resorted to baton- had fudged his age to appear in house to give him Rs200,000, charge to disperse the protesters the examination. he Central Bureau of In- a part of the Rs500,000 bribe, undreds of Class 12 stu- but failed as the slogan shouting The chief minister has prom- vestigation yesterday said for the transfer of army offi cer S dents in Bihar who failed students returned outside the ised that the failed students can Tit has busted a racket at Subhas. Hin their exams continued Council offi ce and continued apply online for re-evaluation the Army Headquarters here “With their arrest, the CBI has their protest for the fourth day in their protest despite the scorch- or verifi cation of their answer with the arrest of an offi cer and busted a transfer racket in the Patna yesterday demanding re- ing heat. sheets and these results will a middleman who took a bribe Army Headquarters here that checking of their answer sheets “Hundreds of students pro- be out within a month. He also for the transfer of a Bengaluru- involved manipulation of army and action against top offi cials, tested for the fourth day and promised the BSEB will hold based offi cer to a choice posting. postings in lieu of illegal gratifi - police said. raised slogans against Bihar compartmental exams soon. Lt Co. Ranganathan Suvrama- cation,” the CBI offi cial said. More than 800,000 of the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, The pass percentage of stu- ni Moni, posted in the Personnel Besides Moni and Kohli, the over 1.2mn students who ap- Education Minister Ashok dents of Science, Arts and Department at the Army Head- CBI has registered an FIR against peared for the Class 12 exams Choudhary and BSEB chairman Commerce streams was 35.24% quarters, was arrested along a Secunderabad-based army of- conducted by the Bihar School Anand Kishore over the poor re- this year as only 4,47,115 stu- with middlemen Gaurav Kohli fi cer Purushottam, S Subhas Examination Board (BSEB), sults,” a police offi cial said. dents passed of the total from his residence in the nation- and other unnamed persons for failed this year. The results were Similar protests also took 12,40,168, after the authorities al capital on Friday following a criminal conspiracy under the declared on Tuesday. place in Vaishali district. implemented strict measures tip-off , an offi cial said. Indian Penal Code and the Pre- The angry students, led by In a repeat of last year’s against cheating. Separate CBI teams conducted vention of Corruption Act. the left-wing student organisa- events, the BSEB on Friday Last year, the total pass per- raids on the premises of the ac- Moni was commissioned in tion AISA, staged a protest out- cancelled the result of Class centage was 62.19%. It stood at cused and others at over 10 plac- the army in August 1994 and was side the Bihar Inter Council of- 12 topper in the Arts stream 87.45% in 2015, 88.04% in 2013 es in Delhi, Bengaluru, Hydera- posted at the Army Headquar- fi ce and reportedly damaged the Ganesh Kumar and arrested and 90.74% in 2012. bad, and Thiruvananthapuram ters since August 2015. He be- windows of a bus besides block- him for committing forgery A senior BSEB offi cial said the and seized Rs1mn and several longs to Thiruvananthapuram. ing roads and throwing stones at among other charges. drastic fall in pass percentage incriminating documents. “The Army Headquarters will the police, offi cials said. Patna Senior Superintendent vindicated their strict eff orts to The arrested persons were wait for the full investigation “We want re-examination for of Police Manu Maharaj, who in- conduct cheating-free examina- Bihar ‘topper’ Ganesh Kumar speaks to reporters. He was presented in a Special CBI and co-operate in the probe,” all and action against the BSEB terrogated Ganesh after he was tions. arrested on Friday and charged with committing forgery. court yesterday, which sent sources said. Gulf Times 18 Sunday, June 4, 2017 LATIN AMERICA

Colombia police Close adviser to Temer closing in on top arrested in graft probe drug boss Reuters/AFP AFP Brasilia Apartado, Colombia

ormer Brazilian lawmaker olice are using Black Hawk Rodrigo Rocha Loures, a helicopters to scour the Fclose aide and friend of Pgreen banana fi elds of President Michel Temer, was ar- northern Colombia in a newly rested at his home yesterday in intensifi ed search for the coun- a corruption investigation that try’s most-wanted drug boss. also targets the president, a fed- With peace initiatives under eral police spokesman said. way between the government In a police video released on and rebel groups, authorities are May 19, Loures was seen run- fi ghting on another front to sta- ning out of a Sao Paulo restau- bilise the country after decades rant carrying a bag with 500,000 of violence: the gangs that make reais ($154,000) in cash that Colombia the world’s biggest prosecutors say was a bribe from source of cocaine. the owners of the world’s largest Their top target is Dairo Anto- meatpacker, JBS SA. Temer: has describing Loures as ‘a very intelligent person, very nio Usuga, alias Otoniel, leader Plea-bargain testimony by capable, of a very prestigious family ... who doesn’t need money. He of the country’s biggest drug two executives of JBS’s holding truly was a trusted adviser’. gang, the Gulf Clan. company J&F Investimentos SA “We have him within striking implicated Temer and other pol- down Temer, who is fi ghting dio recording to prosecutors, distance,” says Jose Angel Men- iticians in graft and led prosecu- calls for his impeachment as and said Temer had designated doza, head of the anti-narcotics tors to accuse Loures of being a prosecutors build a case of cor- Loures to receive bribes in return police division. “He has had to middleman for Temer, which the ruption and obstruction of jus- for favours to the company. run for it at the last second, more president has denied. Masks, one for each of the 594 congressmen and one more for Brazilian President Temer, put by the tice against him. Shortly after the Temer- than once.” Temer’s offi ce had no imme- Brazilian NGO Rio de Paz as a protest against the political corruption scandals, are seen at Sao Paulo’s The president was drawn into Batista meeting, police fi lmed The general spoke to AFP fol- diate comment on the arrest of Museum of Art (MASP) this week. the scandal last month with the Loures with the bag full of mon- lowing search operations in the his former aide. release of an audio recording ey. town of Apartado, where the The Supreme Court author- faced calls for his resignation or Loures’ lawyer, however, told was seen carrying in the leaked secretly made by an owner of The scene has been played re- force formally launched a major ised the investigation of Temer impeachment. Reuters yesterday that his client video. the world’s largest meatpacking peatedly on Brazilian television. search operation on Thursday. and Rocha Loures for corrup- An electoral court investiga- will not seek a plea deal. He has been investigated for company, Joesley Batista, at a Temer has staunchly defended He gave out leafl ets this week tion, criminal organisation and tion of possible illegal campaign “My orientation is against it, allegedly negotiating 15mn reais late night March 7 meeting with Loures and did so again in an in- off ering rewards for information obstruction of justice, trigger- funding in Temer’s 2014 elec- and his family supports that,” in bribes from JBS. Temer at his residence. terview published yesterday in about Usuga and his gang, and ing the worst political crisis tion as vice-president could also the lawyer, Cezar Bitencourt, The judge who ordered In the recording, which Temer the Veja news magazine. dropped stacks of them from a since Temer took over from im- oust him from offi ce. said. Loures’ incarceration is leading says has been tampered with, Loures may have been “the helicopter over the town. peached leftist Dilma Rousseff Loures, a businessman- He called the arrest “unnec- the Supreme Court’s investiga- the president allegedly gives the victim of a trap”, Temer said, The US State Department last year. turned-politician, could seek essary” and said it was part of a tion into a sprawling pay-for- okay for payments to buy the si- describing the former congress- has off ered a $5mn reward for Since the leaking of a record- a plea bargain, sources in the strategy by prosecutors to pres- play corruption case at state oil lence of a politician imprisoned man as “a very intelligent per- Usuga’s capture on a 2009 in- ing of a late-night conversation prosecution team told Reuters sure Loures into opting for the giant Petrobras that already has in the Petrobras scandal, Edu- son, very capable, of a very pres- dictment by a New York court. with a JBS executive in which this week. That could damage plea bargain. swept up many in Brazil’s politi- ardo Cunha, the former speaker tigious family ... who doesn’t In its profi le of Usuga it calls Temer appeared to condone cor- the president’s case that he did Last week, Loures turned over cal and business elite. of the lower house. need money. He truly was a his gang “a heavily armed, ex- rupt practices, the president has nothing illegal. to police the cash-fi lled bag he It now threatens to bring Batista turned over the au- trusted adviser”. tremely violent criminal or- ganisation comprised of former members of terrorist organisa- tions”. It says “the organisation uses violence and intimidation to Brazil’s Workers Party looks to Lula to rise from ashes control the narcotics traffi cking routes, cocaine processing labo- ratories, speedboat departure By Anthony Boadle, Reuters aimed at rebuilding the party unite against him in a run-off . represents 23mn workers. points and clandestine landing Brasilia as an eff ective opposition to the The real question is whether He said the renewal of the strips” Temer government, members he will make it to the start line. PT will require self-criticism Usuga, 45, commands a force waving red fl ags and chanting A conviction for corruption of mistaken economic policies born from the remnants of an razil’s once all-mighty “Lula for President” clamoured followed by the loss of a fi rst ap- of Rousseff that helped plunge outlawed right-wing paramili- Workers Party, driven into for him to run again next year, peal would disqualify him from Brazil into recession and caused tary group which fought rebels Bthe political wilderness by or earlier if the embattled Temer running. widespread unemployment. during the country’s half-cen- its fall from power in the midst of is ousted by one of Brazil’s top A ruling in the fi rst graft case Analysts say the fall of the PT tury civil confl ict. a massive graft scandal, is strug- courts. against him is expected by July. was so great that the party will The paramilitaries were of- gling to fi nd its footing ahead of “His popularity is unique in Lula has already said publicly take a long time to recover and fi cially disbanded in 2006, but next year’s general election. Brazil. No one else has the ability that he wants to run in 2018, will be in no shape to win an authorities say their members Some analysts say the party to mobilise the people like him. but has not yet made it offi cial election any time soon. are still making money from is many years away from ever His candidacy will pull up the to avoid compounding his legal In the 2016 municipal elec- drugs and violence. winning back the power it once party and the left-wing social problems, aides said. tions, which usually serve as a Fighting between the govern- fi rmly held. movement as a whole,” Carlos Rallying supporters at the PT good indicator of the support in ment and Colombia’s biggest But party members are opti- Zarattini, the party’s leader in convention on Thursday, the the next presidential race, the rebel group, the left-wing Farc, mistic, saying that their single the lower chamber of Congress, 71-year-old leftist leader made PT lost 60% of the mayor’s of- has ended and the force is dis- biggest asset, the charisma of told Reuters. no mention of a presidential bid. fi ces it held, including Brazil’s arming under a peace deal. its founder and former Brazil- A former union leader who led Instead, he portrayed the Lula delivering a speech at the Workers Party National Congress on largest city, Sao Paulo. But an accord still has not ian president Luiz Inacio Lula da strikes in the early 1980s that cases against him as political Thursday. “It is a very weakened party. been struck with the last re- Silva, remains a potent political helped dismantle a two-decade persecution by Brazil’s elites The only thing it has left is Lula,” maining rebel group, the leftist force, despite Lula’s facing fi ve military dictatorship, Lula rose who he said are undoing the so- That platform will be radical media, which the party says has said Claudio Couto, political ELN. corruption trials. from poverty to the presidency cial welfare policies that helped to recover support in the party’s hounded Lula because it is con- science professor at the FGV It is fi ghting the former para- A return of the PT, the Por- on the back of his ability to elec- lift millions out of poverty dur- traditional base among workers trolled by a small group of rich think tank in Sao Paulo. militaries for control of drug tuguese acronym by which the trify crowds at campaign rallies. ing his time in offi ce and that of and peasants, leaders said. families. “It still has a capacity to mo- routes, offi cials say. party is known, worries inves- Opinion polls show that his impeached successor Dilma It will include land reform op- “In this crisis, the PT is re- bilise people with Lula, who is The Gulf Clan accounts for tors who fear it would reverse Lula is ahead for the 2018 race, Rousseff . posed by the country’s powerful covering its identity as the party perhaps the greatest mass leader some 70% of Colombia’s cocaine the unpopular fi scal reforms though he is burdened by hav- Lula called on the PT to join farm lobby and a tax on wealthy of the working classes,” said Ju- Brazil has had,” Couto said. “But production, police say. proposed in President Michel ing the highest rejection rates ranks around a new program that Brazilians. lio Turra, a party founder and a if they launch his candidacy now The country produced 646 Temer’s austerity drive. among all potential hopefuls will reconnect the party with its The PT is also calling for leg- leader of Brazil’s largest labour and he gets banned, that would tonnes of the drug in 2015, ac- At a convention this week whose supporters would likely roots in the working classes. islation to “democratise” the confederation, the CUT, which be worse for the party.” cording to the latest UN fi gures.

Mexico ruling party risks nasty upset in governor’s race Three detained over

By Jean Luis Arce, AFP AMLO, as he is known, has be- paign, say many observers. journalist’s murder Mexico City come “the candidate to beat in Lopez Obrador, 63, also ran 2018”, said Daniel Kerner of the for the presidency in 2012 and in Eurasia Group consultancy. 2006. AFP have been murdered in Mexi- exico’s ruling party risks The campaign in the state of The fi rebrand populist now Mexico City co, and another 23 have gone losing the governorship 16mn people has been a mini- hopes the Mexico state vote will missing. Mof the country’s larg- portrait of everything that has be his trampoline to power – Rodriguez’s suspected kill- est state today in elections that Mexicans fed up with Pena Nieto even if Gomez loses. hree men have been ar- ers were arrested on Tuesday observers say are fuelling a fi ery and the PRI. “There is only upside for rested in Mexico for as part of an ongoing investi- left-wing populist’s prospects of The ruling party’s candidate is Morena in this election,” Kerner Tthe killing of journalist gation by state authorities and becoming president next year. Alfredo del Mazo, heir to the dy- wrote in a note. “A Gomez vic- Maximino Rodriguez, authori- a special federal unit set up to Losing the bellwether election nasty that has ruled the central tory, or even narrow loss, would ties said, after criticism over a probe journalists’ murders, in the state of Mexico – President state for nearly 90 years. prove and solidify Lopez Obra- lack of action following a wave said a statement released on Enrique Pena Nieto’s home state His father and grandfather dor’s competitiveness ahead of of reporters’ murders. Thursday. – would spell disaster for the were governors, and the presi- the 2018 presidential elections. Rodriguez, a 71-year-old The investigation indicates once-mighty Institutional Revo- dent – also a former governor – is In this scenario, the PRI would veteran crime reporter, was the killing was “directly relat- lutionary Party, or PRI, as its own his cousin. fall into a very deep crisis.” gunned down in the street on ed to (Rodriguez’s) profession”, candidate has admitted. To many Mexicans, that Del Mazo has acknowledged as April 14 in La Paz, the capital of the state prosecutor’s offi ce Even if the party ekes out a win, smacks of the nepotism and Pena Nieto: ushered the PRI back to power in 2012 with promises to much. the northern state of Baja Cali- said. the damage may already be done, back-room deals that critics say do things diff erently: end cronyism, crack down on corruption and “Everything we are, everything fornia Sur. Mexican media reports said simply because the PRI’s rivals plague the PRI, a broadly centrist rein in the horrific violence fuelled by the country’s war on drugs. we’ve worked for, everything He was the fourth journalist that the men arrested were in the National Regeneration party that ruled Mexico as a one- Instead, his presidency has been marred by corruption scandals and we’ve built in all these years is at to be murdered in Mexico this suspected to be drug cartel hit- Movement, or Morena – an up- party state from 1929 to 2000. a surging murder rate. stake in this election: the future year – a death toll that rose to men. start leftist party that has never Pena Nieto ushered the PRI of PRI-ism and this country,” he fi ve on May 15 with the killing Watchdog group Report- held a governorship – were never back to power in 2012 with prom- second-largest economy. ground as a construction work- said. of noted drug traffi cking re- ers Without Borders ranks supposed to come this close in ises to do things diff erently: end The PRI already lost fi ve gov- er’s daughter. “Within the PRI, they’re al- porter Javier Valdez in the state Mexico the third-most dan- the ruling party’s bastion. cronyism, crack down on cor- ernorships in 2016, including in “They think a little school- ready warning that if they lose of Sinaloa. gerous country in the world Political analysts say the tight ruption and rein in the horrifi c Veracruz, the country’s third- teacher can’t do it,” Gomez, 54, this time, it could be the end,” After Valdez’s killing, Presi- for journalists, after Syria and race has given a huge boost violence fuelled by the country’s largest state. has said. “These politicians think noted political columnist Martha dent Enrique Pena Nieto vowed Afghanistan. to Morena’s founder, Andres war on drugs. Facing off against Del Mazo, they should have all the money, Anaya told AFP. to go after those responsible Rights activists blame not Manuel Lopez Obrador, a sharp Instead, his presidency has 41, is a radically diff erent can- that they’re the only ones with A win would still not put an for the epidemic of journalists’ only the country’s violent drug critic of US President Donald been marred by corruption scan- didate: schoolteacher Delfi na the pedigree to govern.” end to the PRI’s worries. murders – 90% of which go cartels, but also corrupt gov- Trump who wants to be Mexico’s dals and a surging murder rate Gomez, a Lopez Obrador protégé Lopez Obrador’s own presi- But it would signal the party unpunished in Mexico. ernment offi cials who alleg- fi rst leftist president in recent – not to mention the lacklustre and former congresswoman who dential prospects have blos- remains a major player heading Activists say that since edly collude in drug traffi cking memory. performance of Latin America’s has played up her humble back- somed along with Gomez’s cam- into the 2018 elections. 2000, a total of 105 journalists and enlist hired hitmen. Gulf Times Sunday, June 4, 2017 19 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

RETALIATION STATISTICS LITERACY CAMPAIGN POLITICS Pakistan claims killing Pakistan ranks 9th in 17.5% of Punjab’s budget #Fruitboycott receives Senate approves bill five Indian soldiers infrastructure development allocated for education mixed response against land grabbers

The Pakistani military said yesterday its troops Pakistan has been ranked 9th in the Belt and Pakistan’s northeastern Punjab province has Owing to a hike in fruit and vegetable prices in The Senate Committee on Interior in had killed five Indian soldiers in retaliation to Road Infrastructure Development Index, allocated Rs345bn for the education sector for Pakistan with the advent of Ramadan, a campaign Pakistan has approved Illegal Dispossession Indian firing along the Line of Control in disputed according to a report issued at the 8th new fiscal year 2017-18, which begins on July 1, which began on social media translated into (Amendment) Bill 2017 under which 10 years’ Kashmir. Pakistan on Friday accused Indian International Infrastructure Investment and which is 17.5% of the total budget. The allocation a lack of customers for some fruit vendors on imprisonment for land grabbers and their troops of shooting without provocation in Nezapir Construction Forum in China’s Macao. is Rs33bn more than the budget for the sector their stalls over the weekend. The #fruitboycott connivers is proposed. sector, wounding two civilians. The Pakistani army Indonesia tops the index. Iran, India, Brazil, for the previous year. An amount of Rs53.3bn has trend began on social media networks such as The meeting of the Senate committee was held spokesman said yesterday that its troops had Vietnam, Singapore, Russia, Portugal and been allocated for the development programme Facebook and on microblogging site Twitter as this week with chair of its Chairman Senator retaliated, killing five soldiers, wounding many, Bulgaria also ranked in the top 10 in the index. of school education and Rs18bn for higher a mark of protest over prices of fruit which have Rehman Malik. The committee passed the bill and destroying bunkers. India denied that any of The report was made by China International education. The government has established skyrocketed ever since Ramadan began. The with the directions to the Ministry to bring its soldiers had been killed or wounded. “A woman Contractors Association and Dagong Global the district education authorities (DEAs) and campaign, launched by a consumer rights group, necessary amendments on the bill within 15 was injured as Pakistani troops violated ceasefire Credit Rating, and is based on infrastructure allocated Rs230bn for the purpose. This is 66.6% urged people to desist from buying fruit for three days. twice in two sectors of Poonch district by firing development environment, development of the total education budget. The authorities days from Friday to Sunday. The boycott hopes to Minister of State Balighur Rehman assured the mortar shells on forward posts and civilian areas,” potential and development trend of the are aimed at improving the service delivery and compel suppliers not to fleece the people during committee necessary amendments shall be an Indian spokesman said. countries and regions along the Belt and Road. taking decision-making to the local level. Ramadan. introduced within fifteen days. Afghan govt Deadly explosions pledges inquiry into violence

Reuters It would be up to the inves- hit funeral in Kabul Kabul tigation to determine whether any mistakes had been made At least 19 killed after repeat by security forces. blasts hit Kabul mourners; fghan authorities will Murad updated the death Ghani calls for unity, says investigate violent toll from the demonstration to country under attack; Aclashes that left at least fi ve and said 23 were wounded, Chief Executive Abdullah fi ve people dead during an mostly members of the secu- unharmed after funeral anti-government protest over rity forces. bombing this week’s devastating truck Intelligence offi cials blamed bomb attack in Kabul, the the Taliban-affi liated Haqqani Reuters deputy interior minister said network, an Islamist militant Kabul yesterday. group that has been linked to The rally on Friday saw several similar attacks in the hours of angry confronta- past. series of blasts in Kabul tion between stone-throwing The violence further com- yesterday killed at least protesters and police, who plicated the situation con- A19 people at a funeral for fi red into the air to drive back fronting US and coalition of- one of the victims of clashes be- crowds trying to cross security fi cials as they work on plans tween police and protesters a day cordons and reach the presi- expected to see an increase of before. dential palace. between 3,000 and 5,000 in The latest explosions con- Streets in the centre of the the number of foreign troops tinued a wave of violence in the Afghan capital were closed in Afghanistan. capital since a devastating truck yesterday as authorities tried As well as stoking an- bomb on Wednesday. to prevent a repeat of the ger against the government, Yesterday’s blasts shattered an violence, which has heaped the protests also sharpened uneasy calm which had descend- pressure on President Ashraf long-running tensions be- ed after authorities blocked the Ghani’s government over its tween rival political and eth- streets of Kabul in a bid to pre- inability to ensure security in nic groups and drew accusa- vent a repeat of the bloody con- Kabul. tions that armed infiltrators frontation between protesters The demonstration fol- had joined the protest to stir and police on Friday. lowed the explosion of up trouble. The violence, fuelled by pub- a huge truck bomb on “While peaceful demonstra- lic anger over the inability of Wednesday that killed tions are welcome in a democ- President Ashraf Ghani’s divided more than 80 people and racy, some narrow political el- government to ensure security in wounded 460 — one of ements used this opportunity Kabul, has exacerbated political the deadliest attacks seen to spark violence, resulting in tensions between rival factions, in Kabul since the US-led more death and suff ering,” the and Ghani issued a call for unity. campaign that toppled the US Embassy in Kabul said in a “The country is under at- Islamist Taliban in 2001. statement. tack,” Ghani said in a message on Deputy Interior Minister With much of the capi- Twitter. “We must be strong and Afghan men stand over the belongings of blast victims at the site of a series of explosions that targeted a funeral of a politician’s son, who was Murad Ali Murad said the at- tal locked down by security united.” killed during an anti-government protest a day earlier, at Badam Bagh in Kabul yesterday. torney general would investi- forces, a group of around 200 Kabul’s Italian-run Emergen- gate allegations of violence by protesters remained near the cy Hospital, which has treated a everywhere.” factional rivalries in the govern- increase of between 3,000 and 200 protesters remained near police as well as by demonstra- blast site in the centre of town, stream of wounded over the past One of the most bloody weeks ment’s own camp, the group’s 5,000 in the number of foreign the blast site in the centre of tors, some of whom appeared sheltering from the sun in open few days, said 19 people had been in Kabul for months began with spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid troops in Afghanistan. town, sheltering from the sun to be armed. tents. reported killed and 16 wounded the devastating truck bomb at- said. As anger against the govern- in open tents. had been brought to the hospital. tack in the city’s diplomatic zone Yesterday’s blasts occurred at ment has grown, Ghani’s inter- Otherwise, security authori- The interior ministry said on Wednesday morning which the funeral of the son of the dep- national partners have become ties in Kabul told people not to there were six dead and 87 killed more than 80 people and uty Senate speaker, Mohamed increasingly alarmed, with the attend protests and demonstra- German aid group withdraws staff wounded. wounded more than 460. Alam Izadyar, an ethnic Tajik ally United Nations calling for re- tions, citing the risk of attacks Government Chief Executive That was followed by fi ve of Abdullah. straint and the US embassy in on large gatherings of people. Nearly all German and Within Afghanistan, the Abdullah Abdullah was at the more deaths on Friday during He died after being seriously Kabul warning against letting While unusually large, international personnel organisation employs around funeral but was unharmed, while clashes which broke out between injured in clashes during Friday’s protests be taken over. Wednesday’s truck bomb working for the German 100 German and international survivors said a series of explo- protesters and police at a rally protest. “While peaceful demonstra- scarcely differed from a long international aid organisation staff members and around sions had ripped through the demanding the resignations of Rahmatullah Begana, who was tions are welcome in a democ- series of previous high-pro- GIZ have been flown out 1,400 Afghan nationals. crowd, most of whom appeared Ghani and Abdullah over repeat- at the funeral, said the fi rst ex- racy, some narrow political ele- file militant attacks that have of Afghanistan following According to the sources, all to be linked to Abdullah’s mainly ed security failures. plosion occurred as the mullah ments used this opportunity to killed hundreds of civilians in Wednesday’s attack in Kabul’s GIZ employees in Kabul had Tajik Jamiat-e-Islami party. As the violence has continued, made the fi rst call to prayer and spark violence, resulting in more Afghanistan since most inter- diplomatic zone that left 90 been removed from six off ice “There were sounds of it has become increasingly po- as people scattered, it was fol- death and suff ering,” the em- national forces left the country people dead and more than and residential complexes two explosions everywhere and liticised, exacerbating tensions lowed by another. bassy said. in 2014. 460 injured. days before the attack, after I saw my hands and face between rival ethnically based “I saw a lot of people lying on The statement was released In the fi rst three months of the Fewer than 10 GIZ staff “concrete threats” had been were on fire,” said Mohamed political groups. the ground,” he said. after Friday’s clashes but before year at least 715 civilians were members remain, among them made. They had moved into a Azim, who was being treat- The Taliban, which has often The violence further compli- the latest attacks yesterday. killed across the country, after country administrators and heavily secured hotel and were ed for burns at the Emer- carried out bomb attacks in the cates the situation confronting With much of the capi- almost 3,500 in 2016, the dead- security advisers, DPA learned then taken to the airport on gency Hospital. “There past, issued a swift denial that it US and coalition offi cials as they tal locked down by security liest year on record for Afghan yesterday from GIZ sources. Thursday. were parts of human bodies had any role and instead blamed work on plans expected to see an forces, a group of around civilians.

Cool headed Nearly 1,000 new fi rms start business in one month

Internews of Company Registration Of- 136 companies, trading sector Islamabad fi ces (CROs), the elimination of 129, construction 114, IT with purchase of third-party digital 89, tourism with 57, engineer- signatures and introduction of ing 30, food and beverages, he Securities and Ex- simple and hassle-free CNIC- healthcare, and real estate de- change Commission of based user ID and PIN system velopment with 27 each, com- TPakistan (SECP) regis- for incorporation and post in- munication with 24, education tered the highest number of corporation activities. and fuel and energy with 20 new companies in May with each, transport with 17, cor- 926 new enterprises, witness- The massive increase porate agricultural farming 16, ing an increase of 44%, as com- in the number of new lodging, pharmaceutical, pow- pared to same month of the companies is the direct er generation and textile with 15 preceding year. result of various reform each, cable and electric goods During the fi rst eleven measures introduced by with 14, auto allied with 13, and months of the current fi scal SECP 106 companies were registered year (2016-17) 7,688 new com- in other sectors. panies were registered. Around 86% of companies Moreover, 13 foreign com- As compared to the corre- were registered as private lim- panies were also registered by sponding period last year, it ited companies, while 11% of the CROs in Islamabad, Karachi represents a growth of 35%. companies were registered as and Faisalabad. The massive increase in the single-member companies. Foreign investment has been number of new companies is Some 3% of the companies reported in 75 new companies. the direct result of various re- were registered as public un- During the month of May, the form measures introduced by listed, association’s not-for- highest numbers of companies, SECP, the introduction of swift profi t, trade organisations and 338, were registered at the Is- incorporation process, the re- foreign companies. lamabad CRO, followed by 268 Pakistani drivers cool off with water from a tanker as temperatures soar past 43C in Islamabad yesterday. duction of fees, assistance of The service sector took the at Lahore and 165 companies incorporation by aiding wings lead with the incorporation of registered at Karachi CROs. Gulf Times 20 Sunday, June 4, 2017 PHILIPPINES

Joint patrols off Mindanao to Duterte says IS not fi ght militants

AFP Marawi in southern Philip- Singapore pines was allowed to esca- late or entrench, it would behind casino attack pose decades of problems for alaysia, the Philip- Asean,” he said. Reuters pines and Indonesia “We are fully on board on Manila Mwill launch joint pa- this threat.” trols in waters off the Mind- Analysts have said the po- anao region this month to rous maritime borders be- hilippine President Ro- counter threats from Islamic tween the three countries drigo Duterte said yes- State group militants, Ma- make it hard to detect the Pterday that Islamic State laysia’s defence minister said movement of militants. militants were not behind the yesterday. Mindanao is “the primary attack on a casino in the capi- Hishammuddin Hussein area in the region where mili- tal that killed at least 36 people, made the comments at a secu- tant groups are still able to supporting a police assessment rity conference in Singapore as operate with some freedom of that it was merely a botched Philippine troops continued to operation, run training camps, robbery. battle self-styled Islamic State and conduct frequent attacks,” The gunman who burst into group gunmen who attacked said Otso Iho, senior analyst at the Resorts World Manila en- the city of Marawi on Mind- IHS Jane’s Terrorism and In- tertainment complex early on anao island nearly two weeks surgency Centre (JTIC). Friday, fi ring shots, setting ago. “This level of lawlessness gaming tables alight and killing Hishammuddin said joint and the fact that the space is dozens, all suff ocating in thick sea patrols in the waters bor- diffi cult for government forces smoke, had been labelled by a dering the three nations would and institutions to eff ectively top lawmaker as a “lone wolf” kick off on June 19, with air pa- govern makes it the most likely terrorist. trols starting at a later date. place for a declaration,” he “That is not the work of ISIS,” Philippine President Ro- said. Duterte, using an acronym for drigo Duterte has declared “It’s also the location where Islamic State, told reporters in martial law in Mindanao in the vast majority of South- Cagayan de Oro city where he response to the crisis, describ- east Asian groups that have was visiting troops.”The work ing the attack on Marawi as the pledged allegiance to the Is- of ISIS is more cruel and brutal, start of a major campaign by IS lamic State are based.” they would simply kill people to establish a foothold in the Hishammuddin and other for nothing.” Philippines. defence ministers who spoke Clips from the casino CCTV, Security analysts say IS is at the conference warned of which police and offi cials at Re- planning to establish a “prov- the threat posed by returning sorts World released yesterday, ince” in the southern island of Southeast Asian militants who showed the gunman was fi ring Mindanao as part of its eff orts are fi ghting with the IS in Iraq shots at the ceiling and setting to set up a caliphate in South- and Syria where the group is gaming tables and slot ma- east Asia. losing territory. chines ablaze. “If you talk about Sulu “This however then gives The gunman, whose identity Police and Bureau of Fire officials, and Resorts World representatives watch surveillance video footage showing the gunman who on June 2 Straits (it)...would involve rise to the disturbing prospect remains unknown, was caught stormed into the casino and hotel complex, during a press conference in Manila yesterday. Malaysia, Indonesia and the that the Asia-Pacifi c is now in on camera purportedly steal- Philippines,” Hishammuddin Daesh’s crosshairs,” he said, ing casino chips worth 113mn urban battle between govern- at the casino on Friday ex- told delegates to Shangri-La using an alternative acronym pesos ($2.27mn) from a storage ment troops and militants in the pressed alarm at the apparent Dialogue, an annual security for the group. room before he was later found country’s south. ease with which a lone gunman summit. The threat is “real and mul- by security offi cers, who shot His security adviser, Hermo- was able to enter the building, “So within Asean, we decid- tidimensional, whether from and wounded him during an ex- genes Esperon, said all the evi- open fi re and start a fi re whose ed at least these three coun- returning fi ghters, regional change of fi re. dence pointed to an attempt to smoke killed more than 30 peo- tries, to avoid being accused of franchises or more disturbing- “Why would you steal plastic steal casino chips. ple. doing nothing, the three of us ly, from self-radicalised lone you won’t be able to use?” Du- “We must draw up a clear Firefi ghters discovered the took the initiative to have the wolves,” he added. terte said. “That guy is crazy.” and better plan to secure Metro bodies in the main gaming area, joint patrol... US Defence Secretary Jim But Pantaleon Alvarez, Manila and other urban centres hours after the country’s police initiatives in the Sulu Mattis said Washington stood speaker of the lower house of from IS-linked groups that we chief had said the situation was Straits,” he added, referring to by the Philippines, its defence Congress and a close ally Du- already know will attempt to under control. the Association of Southeast treaty ally in fi ghting terror- terte, said he was not convinced kill and maim in pursuit of their “Our authorities should get Asian Nations. ism, but did not refer to moves the incident was a criminal case militant ideology,” Alvarez said. their act together and put in Hishammuddin said Malay- by Duterte to shift his coun- of armed robbery and arson. The stolen chips have been place the highest level of secu- sia, Indonesia and Singapore try’s foreign policy away from “This is a clear example of a recovered. rity measures to prevent this have carried out successful the United States and closer to ‘lone wolf’ terrorist attack tar- Police said yesterday there from happening again, here or joint patrols in the Malacca China and Russia. geting civilians to infl ict maxi- were two “persons of interest” elsewhere in the country,” Alva- Strait bordering their coun- “During this challenging mum loss of life and damage to who have connections with the rez said. tries to fi ght maritime piracy. fi ght against terrorists, we property, as what has happened gunman and are co-operating “This incident should be Singapore Defence Minister will stand by the people of the in other countries,” Alvarez said with the investigation. a wake-up call for the police Ng Eng Hen said the city-state Philippines and we will con- in a statement. The attack at the casino hotel and the military to co-operate stood ready to help Manila deal tinue to uphold our commit- Duterte’s spokesman, Er- complex, which is close to an closely in making the seat of with the militant threat. ments to the Philippines under nesto Abella, said on Friday airport terminal and Air Force government and our fi nancial “There was clear realisa- the mutual defence treaty,” there was no proof linking the base, lasted more than six hours. and business centre safe from A woman weeps after learning about her loved one’s death in a casino tion...that if the situation in Mattis told the conference. casino attack to a protracted Security experts and patrons any terrorist attack.” fire caused by a gunman at Resorts World in Pasay City, Metro Manila. Scores fl ee gunmen in war-torn Marawi Smoking banned AFP Marawi near cores of people ran to free- dom through a terrifying schools Sgauntlet of military air strikes and gunmen yesterday, nearly two weeks after being By Neil Alcober trapped in a deadly battle for a Manila Times Philippine city. They included one of Marawi city’s most respected politi- he Department of Educa- cians, who hid 71 Christians tion (DepEd) reminded all in his home and led 144 people Tpublic schools nationwide through downtown streets held to make every day a ‘No Tobacco by self-styled Islamic State Day.’ fi ghters and strewn with rotting Undersecretary Alberto Muyot corpses. said schools and DepEd offi ces Norodin Alonto Lucman, the should observe DepEd Order No. former vice governor of a self- 48, series of 2016, or the Policy ruled area that includes the now and Guidelines on Comprehensive embattled city, said he twice Tobacco Control, all year round. turned away gunmen, some of The Department Order man- them neighbours and distant dates all schools, through the relatives, at his Marawi home Child Protection Committee asking for food and weapons. (CPC), to monitor compliance But supplies eventually with and report violations, not ran out and they fl ed through Philippine marines patrol near a deserted street on their way to raid a militants’ hideout Residents carry their belongings as they walk along a deserted street as they flee from only of the smoking ban in school bombed out downtown streets in Marawi on the southern island of Mindanao yesterday. their homes in Marawi on the southern island of Mindanao. premises, but also of tobacco con- at the mercy of snipers. trol measures for stores outside “It’s strewn with debris, dead Sedrome, 27. But after two at- Apao, 23. “We knew they were military operation would fi nish kidnapped last week, the mili- ventional bombs, as ground the schools, such as the ban on bodies of chickens, rats, dogs, tempts, the militants forced ISIS because they wore black as fears over civilian casualties tary has said. forces in armoured vehicles bat- the sale and advertising of tobacco even the smell of rotting fl esh,” their way in and the teachers hid clothing and black head masks.” mounted. As many as 2,000 people also tle with the heavily armed mili- products near school premises. he said of their two-kilometre in a tunnel beneath the house, Marawi has been transformed “We believe this is ISIS be- remained trapped in desperate tants in the streets. The order complements Ex- route. she added. into a warzone since hundreds cause normally in this kind of conditions in these areas, ac- Arnold Balo, 28, an ice cream ecutive Order No 26 which pro- “As we walked many people The rescued teachers re- of gunmen rampaged through confl ict the local fi ghters will cording to offi cials, likely with- factory worker, said he cradled vides for the establishment of saw us on the street and they counted between tears and gulps the city on May 23. just scamper away and maybe out food and water and with a boy in one hand and carried smoke-free environments in joined us,” said Lucman. of coff ee and bottled water how The onslaught was part of a hide in the mountains,” he said, some injured or ailing. a half-metre long machete in public and enclosed places, and Twenty-three Christian they survived on steamed rice grand plan to establish a South- using an alternative name for IS. Lucman, the local politician, the other, their only protection enjoins local governments to teachers and 15 other compan- and rainwater over nearly two east Asian caliphate, Defence “But surprisingly this group said he heard the militants had from the gunmen as he escaped. form a local Smoke-Free Task ions also ran to safety yesterday weeks of air strikes, fi res, and Secretary Delfi n Lorenzana said has just holed up there and are executed many Christians in the At one point, a gunman Force. The EO obligates school from another area of Marawi, a gunfi re that destroyed many of yesterday during a brief visit just waiting to fi ght it out maybe early days of the siege, and fears perched near the top of a build- principals to report to the near- city of 200,000 and a key Islam- the surrounding houses. with troops. to the last.” up to a thousand combatants ing aimed a rifl e at him and or- est task force any selling, ad- ic town in the mainly Catholic “If it didn’t rain we had no He added that up to 250 gun- Of the 120 militants killed, and civilians are already dead. dered him to put his weapon on vertising and/or promotion of Philippines. water and we didn’t eat,” said men held strategic buildings in eight were from Chechnya, In- An additional 38 soldiers the ground, Balo said. tobacco products within 100 “We laid on the fl oor in the Sedrome’s younger sister and downtown Marawi nearly two dia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi and police have also been killed “I will do as you order sir. metres from the school. dark each night whenever we fellow teacher, Jane Rose Se- weeks later — nearly fi ve times Arabia and Yemen, Lorenzana along with 19 civilians, said of- Please don’t kill us,” he said he The Metro Manila Develop- heard gunshots or explosions. drome, 25. the military’s original estimate. said. fi cials. told the gunman. ment Authority (MMDA) has We barricaded the doors with “We passed through three He said there was no indica- The holdouts have human The military has said it is fi r- Balo said he dropped the ma- expressed support to the depart- furniture and a refrigerator,” corpses being eaten by mag- tion they would surrender or shields, thought to include a ing artillery and rockets from chete, and the militant allowed ment’s campaign against tobac- said high school teacher Jerona gots,” said fellow teacher Regene fl ee, and could not say when the Catholic priest and 14 others the air, as well as dropping con- the group to pass. co products. Gulf Times Sunday, June 4, 2017 21 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Nepal to elect Lanka plans to prosecute new PM today

Agencies unauthorised builders Kathmandu Agencies stores, including marshland. Colombo The offi cial Disaster Man- epal’s parliament is set to agement Centre (DMC) said the elect a new prime min- death toll from last week’s rains Nister today after former ri Lanka announced plans that triggered landslides and premier Pushpa Kamal Dahal re- yesterday to prosecute a fl ooding rose to 211 after more signed after a brief stint of nine Sslew of companies and bodies were discovered under months. individuals behind illegal con- tonnes of mud. The secretariat of the parlia- struction projects blamed for Among those killed were 45 ment has published the election landslides and fl ooding that schoolchildren. Over 90 peo- schedule for the post of prime have killed at least 211 people ple were still listed as missing minister. following heavy monsoon rains while another 72 remained in As per the schedule, any le- last week. hospital. gitimate member of the par- The urban development Nearly 2,000 homes were liament willing to contest the ministry said they will press destroyed and over 10,000 suf- elections can register his or her criminal charges against fered structural damage report- candidacy for the post of prime those illegally occupying ed the DMC. minister from 11am to 4pm yes- marshlands earmarked to ab- The centre said the situa- terday at the Parliament Secre- sorb fl ood waters and struc- tion across the country had tariat. tures blocking canals and improved but thousands of se- The Parliament Secretariat storm drains. curity personnel were still as- was to publish the list of prime “Much of the destruction sisting in relief and recovery ministerial candidates yesterday was due to people building on operations. by afternoon. The election for mountain slopes after cutting The fl ooding is the worst the post of prime minister will down trees and blocking wa- since May 2003 when 250 begin today at 11am. terways,” a ministry spokesman people were killed and 10,000 As the political parties have said. homes destroyed after a simi- failed to come up with a consen- Prosecutors will kick off pro- larly powerful monsoon, offi - sus name for the post of prime ceedings on Monday in Colom- cials said. minister, President Bidya Devi bo against 18 individuals and Monsoon rains last year also Bhandari has called the parties companies, he said, as authori- caused fl ooding and landslides, Residents walk past damaged homes following flooding in Yatagampitiya village in Bulathsinhala yesterday. to elect a new prime minister ties prepare to launch a nation- killing more than 100 people. through majority voting. The wide campaign to remove illegal President Maithripala Sirise- tion plans are the ones who cry handed over to Sri Lanka’s Dis- from China. These relief items ment and people, said China had post of prime minister remained structures. na has blamed lack of preven- hoarse when the fl oods occur,” aster Management Minister which were received today will responded spontaneously when vacant after Dahal resigned from There are some 10,000 un- tion measures for the recent Sirisena said. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and be distributed to the aff ected Sri Lanka called for help. the post last week. authorised structures in the fl oods. Yesterday, a Chinese cargo Foreign Minister Ravi Karunan- families in fi ve districts which “We requested the interna- Nepali Congress chief Sher capital alone, according to the Speaking in the southern plane carrying emergency hu- ayake by Chinese ambassador Yi were the worst hit,” Minister tional community and China Bahadur Deuba is likely to suc- spokesman. town of Galle recently, Sirise- manitarian relief arrived in Sri Xianliang. Yapa said. was there as a ready friend. ceed Dahal as the new prime Decades of illegal construc- na lamented that fl ood pre- Lanka. “China has been ready to Foreign Minister Karunanay- They have been with us right minister as per an understand- tion have worsened the fl ood- vention plans had not been The relief items, including help us during our hour of ake, while thanking the Chinese throughout and have been as- ing reached between Dahal’s ing by blocking drains and implemented in the country. tents, bedsheets, life jackets, need and we have received a government and its people on sisting us at this hour of need,” CPN-Maoist Centre and Nepali eliminating natural rainwater “People who oppose preven- blankets and rain boots, were lot of aid and fi nancial support behalf of the Sri Lankan govern- Karunanayake said. Congress. UN to check rights Everest Marathon record for Lankan peacekeepers

IANS tends to deploy,” he explained. The deputy spokesperson United Nations The period of scrutiny in- was responding to reporters’ cludes the fi nal four years of questions about sexual assaults the civil war that ended in and abuses allegedly carried he UN will require 2009 with the rout of the Tamil out by Sri Lankan peacekeep- Sri Lankan troops to Tigers when thousands of ci- ers in Haiti, putting the focus Tundergo “enhanced vilians were killed amid reports on two areas that the UN has screening” for human rights of widespread human rights faced severe criticisms. violations going back to the violations. Several instances of sexual fi nal years of the civil war be- A panel appointed by former assault and exploitation, es- fore they can be deployed as UN secretary-general Ban Ki- pecially of children, by peace- peacekeepers. moon reported that both the keepers of various nationali- “We need to have an en- Sri Lankan army and the Tamil ties have marred its reputation hanced screening process for Tiger rebels had committed se- prompting stronger measures Sri Lankan peacekeepers,” rious human rights violations to enforce a zero tolerance pol- Farhan Haq, deputy spokes- and some of the actions could icy. Moreover, Haiti was hit by person for Secretary-Gen- amount to war crimes. a cholera epidemic that killed eral Antonio Guterres, said Haq said that the Sri Lankan about 10,000 people and it was recently. government will have to “to blamed on peacekeepers from “That’s diff erent from other certify in writing that it’s Nepal. screening processes that we not aware of any allegations Asked about the appropri- have.” against any unit member hav- ateness of having him investi- “For any future deploy- ing been involved by act or gate abuse allegations against ment, the government of Sri omission in the commission of a Sri Lankan peacekeeper, Haq Lanka will have to share with any acts that amount to viola- said: “When it comes to in- In this photograph released by the organisers of the Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon, runners participate in the world’s highest marathon the secretariat the personal tions of international human vestigations, we hope that all in the foothills of Mount Everest in the Solukhumbu district of Nepal. Gasping for breath and clad in trekking boots, more than 200 local history information and mili- rights law or international hu- investigations are conducted in and foreign runners took part in the world’s highest marathon on May 29, meant to mark the anniversary of the first summit of the peak by tary service records since 2005 manitarian law,” as a condition a credible manner. If not, that Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary. for all personnel Sri Lanka in- for deployment. would be a matter of concern.” Bangladesh cargo fl ights face Hundreds charged tough EU security checks for arson attacks

By Mizan Rahman fi cial letter from them that our fi cial warning from them either,” house in collaboration with By Mizan Rahman More than 100 houses were cal Buddhist temples did not Dhaka airport security status has been he added. the Civil Aviation Authority of Dhaka destroyed in the attacks. return home till yesterday put in the ‘red’ category,” he said. Hossain said that at the meet- Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Besides, Section 144 im- afternoon. A diplomat from the EU offi ce ing, some of the airline opera- Machine Tools Factory. posed by the local administra- The victims said they will re- ircraft carrying cargo to in Dhaka, however, confi rmed tors had informed him about the However, having the air cargo olice in Bangladesh tion to avert any trouble was turn home only when the situ- EU countries directly that the EU issued a warning possible action of putting Bang- security system in the ‘red’ list have fi led a case against withdrawn yesterday after- ation gets normal. Afrom Dhaka’s Hazrat and put cargo from Bangladesh ladesh’s air cargo in the ‘red’ list. means that the airport authority Pmore than 400 people noon as the overall situation On Thursday, Nurul Islam Shahjalal International Airport in the ‘red’ category. The ‘red’- “After the direct air cargo ban of Bangladesh needs to do more. on charge of arson attacks on in the area returned to nor- Nayan, organising secretary of (HSIA) will be put through an listed countries are subjected to by the UK and Germany, we had All the cargo originating in houses of indigenous people in mal, said Rangamati deputy the local unit of Jubo League enhanced screening process enhanced security regulations. taken several measures to im- Bangladesh would now have Langadu area of southeastern commissioner (DC) Manjarul who used to carry passengers and security check, according Sources at HSIA said on June 1, prove our cargo security,” he said. to go through two additional hill district of Rangamati fol- Mannan yesterday. on his bike in exchange for to a Bangladesh minister. the director of the airport held a The HSIA has now installed a modes of screening. lowing the killing of a leader of However, additional police money, was found dead along- The HSIA authority issued meeting with representatives of multi-featured fully web-based First, it has to pass the X- Jubo League, youth front of the will remain deployed at some side a road in Dighinala sub- the instruction after it received several airlines. They discussed cargo spot system, introduced ray screening with a dual-view ruling Awami League. important points of the area to district. a warning from the EU that the the situation in that meeting. an automated cash-receiving monitor. After that, it has to be Police arrested seven people avoid any possible tension, he Following the incident, Ban- security status of Bangladesh’s Some of the airlines have re- system, set up rapid scanners for screened by the explosive detec- in connection with the arson said. gali settlers went on a rampage airports is going to be put in the portedly asked the airport au- cargo goods, and regularised the tion dog (EDD) or the explosive attacks. The administration will pro- while heading towards a grave- ‘red’ category. thority to bring new security training of cargo personnel. detection system (EDS) at the or- Dulal, a sub-inspector at Lan- vide compensation to the af- yard along with Nayan’s body Civil Aviation and Tourism devices and screening machines. Besides, it has set up a cargo igin or the last point of departure gadu police station, fi led the case fected people after assessing for burial on Friday. Minister Rashed Khan Menon Zakir Hossain, director of archway and placed security before entering EU countries. against 15 named and around 400 the losses from the fi re, the DC They set fi re to over 100 admitted that the government HSIA, said they have not got an scanners at every entry point. On March 9 last year, after the unnamed people on Friday night, added. houses in the area, he said, has got the warning from EU. offi cial letter from the EU yet. The department will also set UK clamped ban on direct air said Mominul Islam, in-charge of The victims of the arson at- adding that four people were “But we haven’t received any of- “We have not received any unof- up a semi-automated ware- cargo from Bangladesh. the police station. tacks who took shelter at lo- injured in the arson attacks. Gulf Times 22 Sunday, June 4, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko The eurozone’s economy

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar is still alive and kicking [email protected] Telephone 44350478 (news), The eurozone recovery has In principle, declining labour- eurozone countries may have been the stands at 107% in the US and more 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) been sustained, somewhat force participation should be a right choice after all. than 200% in Japan, compared to 90% Fax 44350474 problem in the eurozone, too, given To be sure, one should not in the eurozone. unexpectedly, even in the the prolonged period of very high overestimate the eurozone’s long- There is evidence that in the wake unemployment that many European term economic strength. While the of a fi nancial crisis, when monetary absence of continuous workers have faced. But, in the average growth rate might remain policy becomes ineff ective – for fi scal stimulus last five years, 2.5mn people in above 2% for the next few years, as the example, because nominal interest the eurozone have actually joined remaining unemployed are absorbed rates are at the zero bound – defi cit the labour force, as 5mn jobs were and the long-term trend of older spending can have an unusually strong GULF TIMES created, reducing the overall decline workers rejoining the labour market stabilising impact. But there remains By Daniel Gros Brussels in unemployment by half. continues, the pool of unused labour a key unresolved issue: once fi nancial Moreover, the eurozone recovery will eventually be exhausted. markets have normalised, will has been sustained, somewhat Once the eurozone has reached maintaining a defi cit for a long time or years, the eurozone has unexpectedly, even in the absence of the so-called “Lewis turning point” provide continuous stimulus? Fed faces challenges been perceived as a disaster continuous fi scal stimulus. The heated – when surplus labour is depleted The fact that the eurozone’s area, with discussions of discussions about austerity of recent and wages start to rise – growth recovery is now catching up with Fthe monetary union’s future years have been misplaced, with rates will fall to a level that better that of the US, despite its lack of often centred on a possible breakup. both critics and offi cial cheerleaders refl ects demographic dynamics. And any continuing stimulus, suggests to eff ect two-rate When the British voted to leave the overestimating the amount of those dynamics aren’t particular that the answer is no. Indeed, the European Union last year, they were austerity applied. The average desirable: the eurozone’s working-age experience of the eurozone suggests driven partly by the perception of the cyclically adjusted fi scal defi cit has population is set to decline by about that while concerted fiscal stimulus eurozone as a dysfunctional – and been roughly constant since 2014, at half a percentage point per year over can make a difference during an hikes this year perhaps unsalvageable – project. Yet, around 1% of GDP. the next decade at least. acute recession, withdrawing that lately, the eurozone has become the Of course, large diff erences in the Yet, even then, the eurozone’s stimulus when it is no longer vital darling of fi nancial markets – and for fi scal position of individual member per capita growth rate is unlikely is preferable to maintaining it The prospects for two more Fed rate increases this good reason. states remain. But this is to be to be much lower than that of the indefinitely. With austerity – that year remain doubtful as the US job market data have The discovery of the eurozone’s expected in such a diverse monetary US, because the diff erence in their is, reducing the deficit, once the showed some signs of weakness in May, contrary to the latent strength was long overdue. union. The truth is that even France, productivity growth rates is now recession has ended – recovery Indeed, the eurozone has been often considered a weak performer, minor. In this sense, the eurozone’s might take longer to become expectations of the country’s central bank. recovering from the crisis of 2011-2012 has defi cit and debt levels comparable future may look more like Japan’s consolidated; but once it is, May’s job growth in the world’s largest economy for several years. On a per capita basis, to those of the US. present, characterised by headline economic performance is even more amounted to just 138,000, in place of the expected its economic growth now outpaces A comparison with the US, as annual growth of a little over 1% and stable, because the government’s 185,000. that of the United States. The well as with Japan, also undercuts stubbornly low infl ation, but per accounts are in a sustainable unemployment rate is also declining – the common perception that the capita income growth similar to that position. According to analysts, the weak jobs number raises more slowly than in the US, to be sure, eurozone’s fi scal rules, including the of the US or Europe. John Maynard Keynes famously the question of whether soft job growth is a sign of an but that partly refl ects a divergence in (in)famous Stability and Growth Pact Fortunately for the eurozone, it will said: “In the long run, we are all dead.” economic slowdown or labour market tightness. labour-force participation trends. and the 2012 “fi scal compact,” have enter this period of high employment That may be true, on a long enough That said, many analysts believe the US Federal Whereas labour-force participation been irrelevant. True, no country and slow growth on sound footing – timeline. But it is no excuse to dismiss Reserve would indeed increase rates at its meeting in in the eurozone is on the rise, it has has been offi cially reprimanded for thanks, in part, to that controversial longer-term considerations. In fact, been declining in the US since around excessive defi cits or debts. But the austerity. By contrast, both the US for the eurozone, the long run seems the second week of June. 2000. The departure of Americans clamour over rule breaches at the and Japan are facing full employment to have arrived – and the economy The economy is regaining speed after struggling from the job market refl ects what margin has overshadowed the broad with fi scal defi cits higher than 3% of is still alive and kicking. – Project at the start of the year and is moving forward at an economists call the “discouraged underlying trend toward sound public GDP – about 2-3 percentage points Syndicate acceptable pace, they say. worker” phenomenon. And, indeed, fi nances that the fi scal rules have higher than those of the eurozone. the trend has accelerated since the fostered. All of this suggests that the The US and Japan also have heavier zDaniel Gros is Director of the Center The unemployment rate, now at its lowest level in 16 recession of 2009. “soft austerity” pursued in many debt burdens: the debt-to-GDP ratio for European Policy Studies. years, is expected to remain unchanged at 4.4%. Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of the US economic activity, is likely to remain on solid ground in the wake of some reports in late May that showed confi dence among households still at lofty levels despite some slippage this month and strong gains in house prices in March. The US central bank hiked rates by 25 basis points in March. It is expected to do so again at its June 13-14 policy meeting. A June hike would be the second this year and third since December. The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) said its index of national factory activity ticked up to a reading of 54.9 last month from 54.8 in April. The index had hit a 2-1/2-year high of 57.7 in February amid optimism over President Donald Trump’s pro-business policy proposals. But, the index had declined for two consecutive months as concerns mounted in the The Fed has business community kept rates at low that political scandals could derail the Trump levels since the administration’s economic agenda, global fi nancial including its push to cut crisis corporate and individual taxes. The Fed has kept rates at low levels since the global fi nancial crisis to stimulate economic activity by encouraging borrowing and risk-taking. It is gradually raising rates toward historically normal levels as the economy improves. While the Fed has forecast two more rate hikes this year, various reports indicate the market doubts the central bank’s ability to initiate a rate increase beyond June this year. The best investments we can make This is because infl ation still remains a problem in the US. The Fed aims to maintain moderate infl ation, By Muna al-Gurg driven a vast number of refugees a long-term approach, and makes Moreover, this creates a virtuous rather than price stability, because that lets the Fed Dubai into camps that have evolved from investments in individuals who one circle, because today’s entrepreneurs cut interest rates more sharply during an economic temporary dwellings into makeshift day could benefi t larger communities. can identify the entrepreneurs of downturn. cities. A prime example is the Za’atari After all, it is better to teach people to tomorrow, and furnish them with the he desire to make a diff erence Camp in Jordan, which now hosts fi sh than simply to feed them. capital they need to change lives in the Infl ation also eases downward economic is born of a fundamental 80,000 residents; but similar camps Similarly, after someone has been future. adjustments. Employers, for example, can cut costs by belief in something greater can be found in Lebanon and other empowered with the knowledge and I have always believed that with raising wages more slowly than infl ation, which may be Tthan ourselves, and by the countries around the region. Mass fi nancing to start their own company, success comes a responsibility to think easier for workers to accept than an outright pay cut. concern that we all have for the well- forced migration is not just a challenge they can start thinking about the about the wider world. In July 2015, I being of our fellow humans. for Syria’s immediate neighbours. As greater good – at which point the true returned to my alma mater, the London The Fed also wants to avoid defl ation, or price As an Arab woman, I fi nd it refugee fl ows have turned a local crisis value of entrepreneurship becomes Business School, to launch a scholarship declines, because as things become cheaper each impossible to sit back and watch – or into a global issue, Europe’s political, apparent. Entrepreneurship is that will support students in the MBA day, consumers and businesses postpone buying and worse, turn away – as parts of the economic, and social fabric has been powered by dreams and aspirations, and Executive MBA programmes. In the economic activity shrinks more. Middle East suff er through such a tested, too. vision and ideas. And although same way that a Palestinian or Syrian Increased consumer spending and a rebound in diffi cult time in the region’s already When refugees are torn away from fi nancial support is important, it is refugee might complete their studies troubled history. Millions of innocent their daily lives, they lose the chance not the only ingredient in the recipe through the ULYP, or a young innovator monthly infl ation certainly point to fi rming domestic people have been displaced from their to pursue an education. To address for success. Entrepreneurs also might receive guidance through demand in the US that could allow the Federal Reserve homes, and millions more are being this problem, organisations such need access to talented mentors and Endeavor, I hope that LBS students will to raise interest rates next month. driven across national borders into an as the Unite Lebanon Youth Project support networks. be empowered to build a better future uncertain and unstable future. Their (ULYP) are now identifying children It was with this idea in mind that for us all. need for help is clear. from refugee camps who have the I joined the board of Endeavor UAE, We live in an ever more To be sure, we can only do so potential to complete their formal a global nonprofi t from the United interconnected global economy, To Advertise much as individuals. But by uniting education and infl uence those around States that empowers entrepreneurs and on an increasingly unequal around common goals, we have the them. With an education, these young around the world. Endeavor’s and unstable planet. Our goal [email protected] power to create eff ective initiatives, people will be better equipped to eff ect benefi ciaries are not run-of-the-mill should not be just to make money, Display and improve lives. And I have always positive change in their communities, businesspeople, but rather those with but also to make a diff erence. – Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 believed that education and social now and in the future. the potential to become role models. Project Syndicate/How to Do Good entrepreneurship are two areas where The ULYP has close ties to We support individuals who can (Philanthropy Age), 2017 Classified we can have the greatest sustainable, prestigious institutions such as the inspire their colleagues and peers, and Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 long-term impact. Together, these American University of Beirut, which improve their communities. zMuna al-Gurg, a businesswoman sectors create opportunities at every has long been regarded as an incubator Not every entrepreneur will be and philanthropist, is the chairwoman Subscription level of society, from refugees who for successful entrepreneurs in the successful. But by giving the brightest of Young Arab Leaders UAE, a member [email protected] are unable to complete their studies, region. The ULYP, which I support young business leaders fi nancial of the board of the Al Gurg Foundation to professionals seeking to further by funding annual scholarships, support and access to a global and the Emirates Foundation, and their career prospects or pursue an acknowledges that education is network of mentors, we can help them a founding board member of the 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved innovative vision. neither the only solution nor a quick realise their potential to transform nonprofi t initiatives Hub Dubai and The ongoing confl ict in Syria has fi x. Accordingly, the project takes the economies of entire countries. Endeavor UAE. Gulf Times Sunday, June 4, 2017 23 COMMENT China’s monetary conundrum

As the money supply and economy. Indeed, the proliferation term profi ts simply do not justify the of interbank loans and non-standard valuations they are receiving. Enabled fi nancial sector expanded, assets left a lot of money spinning by China’s shadow banks, these so did the shadow banking within the fi nancial system, instead of companies seem to be burning cash, being put to use in the real economy. say, by subsidising customers in the system, which operates Making matters worse, such funding hope of outlasting their competitors. beyond the reach of risk- accumulated interest with every The risks generated by these transfer, adding to the costs of activities are not lost on the Chinese mitigating regulation shadow-bank borrowing. authorities. The newly appointed Of course, banks enjoyed the easy chair of the China Banking Regulatory By Zhang Jun profi ts from their off -balance-sheet Commission (CBRC), Guo Shuqing, Shanghai business. Indeed, those profi ts have has pledged to look more closely at encouraged them and their shadow- banks’ off -balance-sheet activities bank counterparts to channel deposits and conduct a rigorous audit of their eak demand is dragging into high-risk, high-return fi nancial risk assets. In the meantime, China’s down China’s economic and real-estate investments. This can securities and insurance regulators growth. The real fuel huge asset bubbles and market have cracked down on activities like Wproblem isn’t a shortage volatility. hostile takeovers. of money: the broad money supply The stock-market crash of 2005 Such a crackdown will lead to short- (M2) now exceeds CN¥155tn ($25tn), underscores these risks. At that time, term challenges. Already, regulatory or 200% of GDP, and continues to the large amounts of capital that tightening, combined with the PBOC’s grow by 12-13% annually. Rather, the were suddenly pulled out of the stock macroprudential tools, has caused current slowdown refl ects fi nancial market poured into real estate, with stock prices to slide. It has also rocked constraints on the real economy – a the increased leverage triggering a the bond market, causing interest problem that will be diffi cult to reverse surge in urban housing prices. rates to soar, with the default rate in the near future. The massive infl ux of money into hitting unprecedented levels. Ironically, these fi nancial the Chinese economy has also been Yet I believe that the Chinese constraints have tightened against a used to invest in technology start-ups. authorities will plough ahead with background of strong fi nancial-sector But, while China undoubtedly has their eff orts to strengthen financial growth. Indeed, it is the fi nancial an interest in supporting innovative regulation. They know all too well that sector’s prosperity, driven partly enterprises, the risk of a tech bubble a bank-dominated fi nancial system by the success of market-oriented is grave. cannot weather a new and chaotic innovations, that has fuelled growth in Last year, data from China’s crisis. China’s M2 and credit assets. Science and Technology Ministry But the truth is that a regulatory This trend can be traced back showed that the number of Chinese crackdown, while necessary to at least to 2004, when a fast- People’s Bank of China in Beijing: resorting to monetary expansion as a hedge against the resultant risks. “unicorns” (companies that are mitigate fi nancial risk, will not resolve growing trade surplus and massive less than ten years old, yet have a China’s monetary conundrum, much capital infl ows, as well as relentless As the money supply and fi nancial within the offi cial fi nancial sector the end of 2013, banking institutions’ valuation of over $1bn) has soared less protect China’s economy from exchange-rate appreciation, forced sector expanded, so did the shadow as well, largely owing to the use of interbank assets surged from above 130 –at least 30 more than in the consequences of a fi nancial crisis the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) banking system, which operates innovative and weakly regulated CN¥6.21tn to CN¥21.47tn. That 246% the US. Given the rather low share in the long run. For that, China will to resort to monetary expansion as a beyond the reach of risk-mitigating wealth-management products that growth rate was 1.8 times that of of Chinese unicorns that fulfil their need to identify and encourage those hedge against the resultant risks. Since regulation. According to data from enable commercial banks to bypass total assets and 1.7 times that of total promise, there is little doubt that fi nancial innovations that can support then, China’s unremitting investment Moody’s Investors Service, by the regulation. loans over the same period. Interbank China has a valuation problem. real economic activity. Unfortunately, in infrastructure and real estate has end of last year, credit from China’s Even interbank loans, traditionally liabilities, meanwhile, grew by 236% The bike-sharing start-ups that on that front, not nearly enough fuelled domestic demand, absorbing shadow banking system had nearly included on balance sheets, have been – 1.7 times faster than total liabilities have penetrated major cities over progress has been made. – Project and reinforcing this credit growth. In tripled relative to 2011, to CN¥65tn. turned into “interbank investment and 1.9 times faster than deposit the last year, thanks to hundreds of Syndicate 2009, China took things a step further, Since 2006, shadow banks’ share of businesses,” which can exist off liabilities. millions of dollars in venture capital with a massive three-year stimulus total credit soared from 10% to 33%. balance sheets. The PBOC’s 2014 All of this fuelled rising risk funds, amount to another example zZhang Jun is Professor of Economics plan that expanded bank credit to But the trend toward riskier Financial Stability Report showed across China’s fi nancial sector, while of China’s monetary conundrum. and Director of the China Center for more than CN¥20tn. off -balance-sheet lending is visible that from the beginning of 2009 to intensifying pressure on the real Such companies’ potential long- Economic Studies at Fudan University.

Letters Weather report Three-day forecast

TODAY Ensure quality of of plastic has to be used for making place three days prior to the election High: 41 C food containers. I hereby request the in Spain. Jose Maria Aznar, who was Low : 31 C Please send us Inshore: Strong wind at places day- food containers authorities to ensure that shops sell only the incumbent prime minister and the time with expected poor visibility. approved grade plastic containers for ruling party candidate and who was your letters Dear Sir, carrying food. expected to win the election, lost and the loss had been attributed to the MONDAY Parents are happy when they fi nd Pradeep Kumar blasts. By e-mail High: 40 C their children have eaten the meals Doha In the present case, one respite is [email protected] Low: 28 C that they had taken with them to that the UK elections will be held on Sunny school. But a vast majority of the June 8 only and the Manchester attack Fax 44350474 lunchboxes used to carry food are Manchester attack to took place on May 22. This long gap Or Post made of poor quality plastic and people aff ect polls outcome may dent the infl uence of the attack Letters to the Editor TUESDAY are seldom aware of the health hazards on the voters as the incident is not so High: 39 C they pose. Several such products close to the polling day. Gulf Times Low: 30 C available in the local market do not Dear Sir, Prime Minister Theresa May, who P O Box 2888 Sunny carry vital information like the grade of heads the Conservative Party and is Doha, Qatar the plastic used to make them. Some of This is in response to Gulf Times’s expected to retain the post, has to them have labelling on the lids only. viewpoint ‘Manchester attack may prevent the repeat of any such incident Fishermen’s forecast All letters, which are sub- Normally grades 1,2, 4 and 5 are safe have limited infl uence on UK polls’ as her popularity has suff ered a setback OFFSHORE DOHA for food containers. However 1,2 and (May 25). I believe that the attack after the blast. She is expected to ject to editing, should have Wind: NW 10-20 KT 4 are not recommended for children’s will have a direct impact on the win the June elections. However, the the name of the writer, ad- Waves: 3-6 Feet use. The plastic should be BPA free and a forthcoming elections in the UK. It Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has INSHORE DOHA dress and phone number. Wind: NW 05-15 KT majority of the plastic containers do not goes without saying that whenever presented his views on the war against Waves: 2-4 Feet have these labels. When the temperature such a thing happens in the run-up terrorism, making the campaigning The writer’s name and increases the plastic leaches hazardous to a general election, it hurts the tough for the Tory leader. address may be withheld Around the region chemicals into the stored food. prospects of the ruling party. Weather Weather In a country like Qatar where day The Madrid train blasts (March C Robinson by request. today Max/min tomorrow Max/min temperatures are high, the best grade 2004) that claimed several lives took (e-mail supplied) Abu Dhabi Sunny 35/29 Sunny 35/29 Baghdad Sunny 41/26 Sunny 42/26 Dubai Sunny 37/26 Sunny 37/28 Kuwait City Sunny 41/29 Sunny 42/29 Manama Cloudy 36/29 Cloudy 36/29 Muscat Sunny 35/31 Sunny 35/31 Riyadh Sunny 39/25 M Sunny 41/26 Live issues Tehran Sunny 31/21 Sunny 33/22 Anxiety and eating issues in children

Tribune News Service her mental health. Studies have shown eating issues must be clearly and Washington that, even if weight loss or restrictive comprehensively addressed, before eating starts for another reason other treating anxiety or depression – even than body image concerns, any person if they don’t seem to be the primary UESTION: My nine- can develop an eating disorder if he or problem. year-old daughter always she loses enough weight. Some psychological providers who has been small for her age A large clinical research study don’t specialise in eating issues might Qand never has much of an conducted in the 1940s at the University miss this component of anxiety in appetite. She’s also an anxious child. of Minnesota, called the Minnesota an evaluation. When eating habits During her last doctor’s appointment, Starvation Study, demonstrated this and anxiety seem to be intertwined, the paediatrician suggested we see with physically and psychologically working with a mental health a therapist about her eating habits. healthy adult men. The study professional who specialises in eating Could her anxiety be why she won’t participants dramatically cut their disorders is the best place to start to eat much? Does this mean she has an calorie intake and, once they hit a receive a comprehensive assessment. Around the world eating disorder? certain weight, they all began dealing As you look for a mental health Weather Weather Answer: The situation you describe with psychological issues as a result provider to work with, keep in mind, today Max/min tomorrow Max/min is, unfortunately, a common one. of the weight loss. They hoarded their too, that research supports using Athens S T Storms 28/18 Sunny 30/18 Anxiety and eating issues often go reduced rations, thought about food a type of outpatient therapy called Beirut Sunny 27/22 Sunny 27/23 T Storms 32/26 hand in hand, and the symptoms have incessantly, exercised compulsively, Family-Based Treatment – also called Bangkok 32/27 T Storms Berlin Rain 21/10 P Cloudy 22/13 a tendency to reinforce one another. and became depressed and anxious. In FBT or the Maudsley approach – Cairo Sunny 37/22 Sunny 39/26 It’s not possible to say if your daughter other words, despite not having body for children with eating disorders, Cape Town P Cloudy 16/10 Sunny 21/12 has an eating disorder, based on your concerns, and despite the fact that especially younger kids like your Colombo T Storms 29/27 T Storms 29/26 description alone. But it sounds like Anxiety and eating issues often go their low food intake wasn’t for the daughter. Look for a provider who is Dhaka T Storms 32/27 S T Storms 32/27 Hong Kong S T Storms 32/28 S T Storms 31/28 she may be at high risk for one, and an hand in hand. purpose of weight loss, these previously certifi ed in that treatment approach. Istanbul P Cloudy 26/18 P Cloudy 25/17 assessment of her condition would be healthy men began to have symptoms The good news is that early Jakarta P Cloudy 32/25 M Sunny 32/24 strongly recommended. to low body weight or failure to gain identical to people with anorexia intervention for childhood eating Karachi Sunny 34/29 P Cloudy 33/29 A big part of anxiety is excessive the weight a child needs for healthy nervosa. Basically, what this showed disorders is linked to positive London M Cloudy 19/11 S Showers 18/11 Manila T Storms T Storms 32/26 worry and fear. That worry and fear growth and development, that can is that anyone can back into an eating outcomes, and younger children tend 32/27 Moscow Cloudy 15/06 Rain 14/10 can trigger physical symptoms, become dangerous. In addition, low disorder – even if he or she doesn’t have to do well in treatment. At her age, New Delhi Sunny 46/33 Sunny 45/33 such as fatigue, irritability and sleep body weight and insuffi cient food problems with body image. assuming your daughter is otherwise New York M Cloudy 22/18 T Storms 24/14 problems. In children, feelings of intake can make anxiety symptoms Another factor to be aware of is healthy, if she is diagnosed with an Paris M Cloudy 21/12 P Cloudy 23/12 anxiety also frequently cause stomach worse. If an anxious child always has that, when a child isn’t eating well eating disorder or anxiety, there is Sao Paulo M Sunny 28/18 S T Storms 25/19 Seoul Sunny 28/13 P Cloudy 30/17 upset. That can lead to a lack of been low in weight, like your daughter, or is underweight, interventions for a good chance the condition can be Singapore P Cloudy 32/27 S T Storms 31/27 appetite and a decrease in the amount that means she is even more at risk for anxiety and other mood disorders, resolved successfully with thorough, Sydney S Showers 17/08 M Sunny 18/08 of food a child eats. falling below the developmental curve including therapy and medication, are evidence-based treatment. – Mayo Tokyo Clear 25/17 Cloudy 23/16 If, over time, low food intake leads and for her eating to become a factor in less eff ective than usual. Therefore, Clinic News Network Gulf Times 24 Sunday, June 4, 2017 QATAR Aberdeen University in Qatar starting classes in September

By Joseph Varghese Staff Reporter

he University of Aberdeen in Qatar (UA-Q), the only Tbranch campus of the uni- versity outside the UK, will start its undergraduate programmes from this September, an offi cial of the university has told Gulf Times. “We will start the college on September 10, the same day the University of Aberdeen resumes the academic year in the UK. We will start this year two under- graduate programmes, namely Accountancy & Finance and Business Management,” said Sheikha Dr Aisha bint Faleh bin Nasser al-Thani, chairperson of Sheikha Aisha with Sir Ian at the opening ceremony of the college. the board of directors of Al Faleh Group for Educational Services Doha Academy at school level. lots of teaching experience in the (AFG) that will be running the We know that our students have UK. Already, in a very short time, University of Aberdeen campus limited options in the higher we have given admission to about in Qatar. education sector,” she added. “So 10 students and the admission The present premises of the we did a fi eld study with a private process is going on very well as college, located in Al Mamoura, organisation and identifi ed that there is a high demand for these was recently inaugurated by Uni- these are the subjects that the programmes,” Sheikha Aisha versity of Aberdeen vice-chan- students and the country need.” said. cellor Prof Sir Ian Diamond and “There is great demand for According to her, students Sheikha Aisha. these programmes and we are from the Qatar campus will be The college is expected to move getting good response from the able to use all the resources of to its permanent facility within a students,” Sheikha Aisha said. University of Aberdeen main couple of years. The duration of the UA-Q pro- campus. “We plan to start with around grammes is four years and the “All the resources of the main 300 students this year. The fi rst year will be a preparatory campus are available online. present facility can accommo- one. Students in Qatar can access all date about 1,500 students but we The requirements for admis- these resources,” Sheikha Aisha want to start with a small group. sion will be the same as the one added. The programmes are very unique in Aberdeen main campus and The University of Aberdeen is and there are no other private the students will be admitted on one of the oldest universities in universities in Qatar that off er merit. the UK and has been ranked 137 these programmes. We will add “We want to cater to the local on the world’s universities list more programmes in the coming people and make it indigenous and fi fth in the UK. years,” Sheikha Aisha said. and customise the facilities with It has a total student strength “AFG started some 15 years ago a local Arabic touch. The entire of 14,500 from more than 120 off ering quality education with faculty will be PhD holders with countries. A view of the college building in Al Mamoura.

HE Sheikh Dr Hassan bin Mohamed bin Ali al-Thani with Ashraf Abu Issa and Ahmed al-Bahrani. Art and charity go together Dignitaries at the opening ceremony.

Right: The exhibition of the this week works is open to the public until the evening of June 6.

charity auction and ex- “Following the success of sim- to respond to this project in the hibition will be held this ilar events in Mexico, the US, the most exciting and creative way. Aweek to benefi t the Rofaqa UK, Spain, Brussels, Kazakhstan All funds raised will be used initiative, which provides care to and more recently Hong Kong to support QC’s Rofaqa initia- orphans worldwide. and Beirut, Qatar has now put its tive, which aims to develop an On the occasion of Ramadan own spin on the project,” a press advanced integrated care pro- and under the patronage of HE statement said. gramme for orphans around the Sheikh Dr Hassan bin Moham- Roche Bobois has invited world, including social, educa- ed bin Ali al-Thani, premium 12 Qatar-based artists to cre- tional, health and psychological French furniture design brand ate artworks using the square care of orphans worldwide. Roche Bobois has teamed up with cushioned components of Roche Designed by Hans Hopfer in AlBahie Auction House and Qa- Bobois’ Mah Jong modular sofa 1971, the Mah Jong has become tar Charity (QC) for the charity system. the most recognised of Roche auction and exhibition – “Qatari These artists – Ahmed al-Bah- Bobois’ innovative designs with Art Meets the Mah Jong”. rani, Ahmed al-Musaifri, Amal versions produced by fashion As part of this, 12 Qatar-based al-Aathem, Hasa Kala, Ismail icons Jean Paul Gaultier and Mis- artists have re-imagined one Azzam, Mohamed Abouelnaga, soni, among others. of the most iconic pieces of the Monera al-Meer, Nadia al-Meer, Its low modular structure, that French house, the Mah Jong sofa. Nour Abuissa, Sabah Arbi- harks back to the North African A special press preview was lli, Salman al-Malik, and Yousef and Middle Eastern majlis, in- held recently followed by the Ahmed – have “freely and totally vites users to relax and lounge VIP opening at AlBahie Auction re-imagined” the Mah Jong sofa. with friends and family in a way House, located in Katara – the “Twelve surprising works, that was entirely new at the be- Cultural Village, building 22C. each with their own character ginning of the 1970s for Western The exhibition of the works and personality, are all unique cultures. Following the exhibition, the and hope that collectors, Roche “We’re delighted to be support- Holding and co-founder of Al- is open to the public until the pieces that were born with a Roche Bobois, AlBahie Auction works will be auctioned at AlBa- Bobois’ clients and friends and ing Rofaqa. There is no better Bahie Auction House, noted: evening of June 6, while the auc- spirit of solidarity: that of raising House, Qatar Charity and Ka- hie Auction House on June 7 at all those who support contempo- time than the holy month of Ra- “We look forward to welcoming tion event will take place at 9pm funds for the Rofaqa initiative,” tara’s clients, associates, patrons, 9pm, with the aim of raising as rary art, creativity, invention and madan to support philanthropic guests during the holy month of on June 7. the statement notes. art collectors and the general much money as possible for the design will support the auction.” causes, off ering orphan children Ramadan in support of this ini- Inquiries of interest and placed The artists invited to reinter- public have been invited to at- Rofaqa initiative. Rami El Natsha, deputy man- around the world the hope of a tiative that brings together con- bids can be made online or in pret the Mah Jong were selected tend the exhibition of the com- Nicolas Roche, creative di- aging director of Tivoli Group brighter future.” temporary art and design for the person at the AlBahie location for the quality and ambition of pleted works at AlBahie Auction rector of Roche Bobois, said: of Companies, business partner Ashraf Abu Issa, chairman benefi t of Qatar Charity.” until the start of the auction. their work and for their ability House until June 6. “We’re delighted with the results of Roche Bobois in Qatar, said: & chief executive of Abu Issa