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FRIDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11186 May 17, 2019 Ramadan 12, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Al Janoub Stadium in Wakrah opens to fanfare

atar inaugurated its fi rst pur- pose-built stadium for the 2022 QWorld Cup yesterday, staging the prestigious Amir Cup fi nal in the 40,000-capacity Al Janoub (South) Stadium at Al Wakrah. The stadium, designed by late Brit- ish-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid and located south of Doha, erupted into cheers as Amir Cup fi nalists Al Sadd and Al Duhail ran onto the pitch. There were some traffi c jams and tight security checks as the ground, which was nearly full for the prestig- ious fi xture, began to fi ll ahead of kick- off . His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani tweeted on his verifi ed account ahead of kick- off that the ground’s name would be changed to ‘Al Janoub Stadium’ mean- ing ‘stadium of the south’. “I’ve travelled the world and I’ve been to stadiums in diff erent cities in- cluding the UK,” said Yousef al-Jaber, a His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani greets 35-year-old oil company research di- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani is seen with FIFA President Gianni Infantino as they watch the match. spectators at the stadium. Page 3 rector in Doha. “Finally I was able to go to one in Qatar that is world-class,” added the Chelsea fan who watched the game with his wife and two sons. “It’s a one of a kind, it’s a futuristic design. Al Wakrah is a coastal city and the architecture is inspired by that.” The venue’s distinctive retractable Edmilson star of the show as roof – meant to resemble the sails of a traditional dhow fi shing boat – is made of 1,400 pieces. It was plunged into darkness for the pre-match show and performers as- sembled around a giant illuminated infl atable pearl on the centre of the Duhail lift Amir Cup again manicured pitch. A video describing Qatar’s history By Sahan Bidappa Belgian-born Brazilian shooting wide as a pearling station played on the Doha from a promising position. However, ground’s two big screens. Duhail found the equaliser in the 16th The pearl then slowly transformed minute through Ali Afi f, the elder into a representation of the Amir Cup l Duhail staged a remarkable brother of Sadd forward, Akram. trophy before a 150-strong march- fi ghtback to record a stunning Ali slipped the ball past the Duhail ing band serenaded the stadium. A4-1 win over Al Sadd to defend players before it hit Bounedjah and To Page 16 their Amir Cup title last night. The star landed in front of Almoez, who passed of the show was Edmilson, the Duhail into Ali as the latter fi nished expertly winger lighting up the newly-built Al to fi nish a move he had started. MIA architect Janoub Stadium with two superb goals Duhail had the momentum then but and setting up another, to announce Almoez’s red card put Al Sadd in the Pei dies at 102 his arrival on the big stage. driving seat. But they couldn’t capi- After a 15-minute short, but dazzling talise on the half-chances with their I M Pei, whose opening ceremony, which depicted Al top-scorer Bounedjah off -colour on modern designs and Wakrah’s heritage, the 2022 World Cup the night. high-profile projects venue was renamed as Al Janoub by His Miguel Pedro came closest before made him one of the Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin half time but the Al Sadd defender’s best-known and most Hamad al-Thani. The 38,678 crowd shot fl ew past Amin Lecomte as teams prolific architects of that packed the stadium then wit- went into break locked at 1-1. the 20th century, has died, the New nessed one of the feisty encounters in At resumption, Faria brought in his York Times reported yesterday. the history of Amir Cup. main weapon Youssef El Arabi for As- He was 102. Pei, whose portfolio Al Sadd, gunning for a domestic sim Madibo after the Moroccan striker included Qatar’s Museum of Islamic double after winning the QNB Stars started from the bench with a ham- Art, a controversial renovation of League last month, lost the plot com- string niggle. And El Arabi played a Paris’ Louvre Museum and the Rock pletely after having taken the lead in crucial role along with Edmilson to and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, just the sixth minute. By the end of lead Duhail to the title. died overnight, his son Chien Chung the 90 minutes, three Al Sadd play- The match’s turning point came in Pei told the newspaper. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani presents the trophy to Al Duhail players following the Amir Cup final ers – Tarik Salman, Hamad Ismail and the 55th minute when El Arabi played HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad football match between Al Sadd and Al Duhail yesterday. Baghdad Bounedjah – were sent off on a through ball to Edmilson, who was bin Khalifa al-Thani, Chairperson of a forgettable night for Jesualdo Fer- goal bound before being brought down Qatar Museums, tweeted: “Sad to reira’s men. by Tarik Salman at the edge of the box. hear that I M Pei has passed away Duhail had to deal with their own Referee Abdulrahman al-Jassim today. 10 years ago he designed the disciplinary issues after some sloppy showed a straight red to Salman, as Museum of Islamic Art in Doha and defending saw them trailing by a goal, Duhail players went in for the kill. many other extraordinary buildings before Qatar’s Asian Cup hero Almoez Three minutes later, Duhail took lead around the world.” She expressed her Ali was given the marching orders after the after Edmilson received a pass condolences to his family. two clumsy fouls led to red card in the from Ali Afif and beat goalkeeper 26th minute. Losing Almoez so early Saad al-Dosari. In the 62nd minute, RAMADAN THOUGHT in the match could have easily led Du- El Arabi increased the lead with a hail to defensive tactics, but Rui Faria’s neat finish before Edmilson piled on Surely! Allah wrongs not even men seemed rejuvenated without their the misery for Al Sadd with another of the weight of an atom (or a key player. clinical goal. small ant), but if there is any It was Al Sadd, the pre-match fa- Al Sadd went all out for a comeback good (done), He doubles it, and vourites, who started the match on but were thwarted by Duhail’s solid gives from Him a great reward. front foot, pushing the Duhail defence defence. In the end frustration got the (Qur’an 4: 40) deep. And the opening goal didn’t take better of Sadd players. While substi- long to come. Spanish legend mid- tute Hamid Ismail received two yellow fi eld Xavi Hernandez, playing his last cards in a short span, Bounedjah was Prayer times game of his glittering career, found shown a straight card after pushing Hassan al-Haydous on the right wing Ahmed Yasser. Fajr....3.23 Zuhr....11.30 Asr....2.57 who then crossed the ball to Gabi. The While Ismail and Bounedjah went Maghrib.....6.15 Isha.....7.45 Spaniard then just tapped the ball into for the exit, Al Duhail players celebrat- Akram Afi f, who had all the time in the ed a famous triumph in the fi rst match Fasting times world to shoot the ball into the net. ever held at the Al Janoub Stadium. Iftar today ...... 6.15pm Duhail did not take long time to re- It was their fi rst trophy under Faria, Imsak tomorrow...... 3.13am spond. Edmilson proved a handful who took over in January from Nabil His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani arrives at the Al Wakrah Metro station. for the Al Sadd defenders, with the Maaloul. To Page 16 Gulf Times 2 Friday, May 17, 2019 QATAR

Amir issues decrees PM holds talks with WEF president Sheikha Hind meets WEF president ratifying MoUs and agreements

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani issued the following decrees yesterday: 1. Decree No 22 of 2019 ratifying a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to co-operate in the energy field between the Ministry of Energy and Industry in Qatar and Ministry of Energy of Bulgaria signed in Sofia on March 8, 2018. 2. Decree No 23 of 2019 to ratify an MoU to co-operate in the education field between the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Qatar and the Ministry of Education in Singapore signed in Doha on March 6, 2016. HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, Vice-Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, yesterday 3. Decree No 24 of 2019 met the President of World Economic Forum (WEF) Borge Brende at the Education City. As part of to ratify an agreement on the visit, Brende was given an overview of QF’s mission through a presentation and was briefed on encouraging and protecting HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani the Education City and its educational, research and community facilities. “Without quality mutual investments between yesterday met the visiting President of World Economic Forum (WEF), Borge Brende. During the education, you will not do well in the 4th industrial revolution,” said Brende. “There’s a clear the governments of Qatar and meeting, they reviewed aspects of bilateral co-operation aspects between Qatar and the forum, in correlation between the amount of resources you use on quality education and the future Paraguay signed in Doha on addition to a number of topics of common interest. competitiveness of your country. So the work of Qatar Foundation is very important,” he added. February 11, 2018. 4. Decree No 25 of 2019 to ratify an agreement on encouraging and protecting mutual investments between the governments of Qatar and Togo Ministry statement signed in Doha on April 30, 2018. 5. Decree No 26 of 2019 to ratify an MoU between Qatar Media New Qatar Airways TV on Qatar’s Exclusive Corporation and Turkish Radio and Television Corporation signed in Doha on November 15, 2017. Economic Zones All decrees shall have the powers of law in line with Article 68 of ecretary-General of the Qatar also has full sover- the constitution. commercial celebrates eignty over the zone for con- Ministry of Foreign Af- The decrees are eff ective starting Sfairs Dr Ahmed bin Has- ducting scientifi c research, from their date of issue and are san al-Hammadi, who is also establishing marine facilities, to be published in the off icial Chair of the ministry’s Com- man-made islands, and taking gazette. mittee on the Law of the Sea, the necessary measures to pro- has issued a statement on Qa- tect the marine environment. Amir issues law FIFA Women’s Cup 2019 tar’s assigning of its economic Foreign ships are not al- zones on its shores and the lowed to fi sh in the exclusive on maritime areas atar Airways, the Of- the opening match of the tourna- a fi ve-year partnership agree- shores of islands in the Arabi- economic zone mentioned in fi cial Partner and Of- ment on June 7 in Paris. We are ment with leading German foot- an Gulf under its sovereignty, the declaration unless they His Highness the Amir Sheikh Qfi cial Airline of FIFA, tremendously proud to be the Of- ball team FC Bayern München which included an exclusive obtain a license from the des- Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has announced the launch of its fi cial Partner and Offi cial Airline AG, making the award-winning economic zone on its shores ignated Qatari authorities. issued Law No 12 of 2019 on the stunning new TVC campaign of FIFA, and we look forward to airline an FC Bayern München and the shores in the Arabian Foreign ships that want to con- maritime zones of Qatar. celebrating the FIFA Women’s celebrating the spirit of the game platinum partner until June 2023. Gulf under its sovereignty. duct scientifi c research or hy- The law is eff ective starting from World Cup France 2019, taking this summer in France.” The airline also recently revealed Exclusive economic zones drographic surveys in the area its date of publication in the place from June 7 – July 7 in cit- A total of 24 qualifying teams multi-year sponsorship agree- of Qatar are measured from must inform the designated off icial gazette. ies throughout France. will compete in nine cities ments with Italian football club the baseline of its regional sea Qatari authorities before car- The innovative new fi lm throughout France this summer, AS Roma, for which it will be- in the main shores of Qatar rying out those activities. Instruments of features a mother telling her A scene from the Qatar Airways’ including Paris, which will host come the Offi cial Jersey Sponsor and the shores of islands that The rights practised by Qa- daughter a wonderful bedtime new TVC campaign celebrating the opening match, as well as through the 2020-21 season; and belong to it, and extends 200 tar in its exclusive economic ratification story. It is a fl ight of imagina- the FIFA Women’s World Cup Reims, Valenciennes, Le Havre, with Argentinian football club nautical miles or to the borders zone will not have any impli- tion, in which she describes France 2019. Rennes, Grenoble, Montpellier, Boca Juniors, for which it will be- of the territorial waters of the cations on the freedom of nav- His Highness the Amir Sheikh an amazing new land where Nice and Lyon, which will host come the Offi cial Jersey Sponsor neighbouring countries in ac- igation in international waters Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani women’s football reigns, where ebration of the women’s game. the semi-fi nals and fi nal match. through the 2021-22 season. cordance with bilateral agree- that are carried out by other yesterday issued the following players rule and fans from many Our new campaign expresses the In May 2017, the award- A multiple-award-winning ments signed between those countries, in line with interna- instruments of ratification: nations gather to cheer. The fi lm excitement of the many fans all winning airline announced its airline, Qatar Airways was countries. tional law. 1. An instruments of ratification features one of the most famous over the world who will be watch- ground-breaking sponsorship named ‘World’s Best Business Qatar exercises full sover- The declaration was made in approving a draft air services faces from the world of foot- ing the tournament as well as the deal with FIFA, which saw it Class’ by the 2018 World Airline eign rights over the natural the context of Qatar’s commit- agreement between the ball, Brazilian football superstar tens of thousands who will travel become the Offi cial Partner and Awards, managed by interna- resources found in its exclusive ment to the implementation of governments of Qatar and Neymar, celebrating with fellow to France to cheer for their nation- Offi cial Airline of FIFA until tional air transport rating or- economic zones in terms of ex- the United Nations Conven- Rwanda signed in Doha on football fans. al team in person. As an airline, 2022. The agreement also sees ganisation Skytrax. It was also ploration, use, management, tion on the Law of the Sea of 15/11/2018. By the film’s end, the viewers we believe in the power of sports Qatar Airways become the Of- named ‘Best Business Class and development of these re- 1982, particularly articles 74 2. An instrument of ratification realise that mother and daughter to unite people, and we look for- fi cial Airline Partner of the 2019, Seat’, ‘Best Airline in the Mid- sources and maintaining them. and 75. – QNA approving a draft memorandum are in fact onboard a Qatar Air- ward to bringing fans together in 2020, 2021 and 2022 editions of dle East’, and ‘World’s Best First of understanding for co- ways aircraft fl ying to the very France this summer to take part the FIFA Club World Cup, the Class Airline Lounge’. operation in the field of destination she has been de- in the most exciting event yet in FIFA U-20 World Cup, the FIFA Qatar Airways currently op- education, higher education and scribing: a magical land, where women’s sports.” U-17 World Cup, FIFA U-20 erates a modern fl eet of more scientific research between the the story of women’s football Qatar Airways senior vice Women’s World Cup, the FIFA than 250 aircraft via its hub, Government of the State of Qatar comes alive, the airline said in a president Marketing and Corpo- U-17 Women’s World Cup, the Hamad International Airport and the Republic of Moldova statement yesterday. rate Communications, Salam al- FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, to more than 160 destinations signed in Doha on 17/12/2018. Qatar Airways Group chief ex- Shawa, said: “The FIFA Women’s the FIFA Futsal World Cup, the worldwide. The airline will add 3. An instrument of ratification ecutive, HE Akbar al-Baker, said: World Cup France 2019 is set FIFA eWorld Cup, and the FIFA a number of new destinations approving a draft memorandum “Women’s football is bigger than to be one of the most thrilling Women’s World Cup. to its extensive route network in of understanding for co- ever before, and the FIFA Wom- events on the global sports cal- The airline’s partnership with 2019, including Izmir, Turkey; operation in the fields of en’s World Cup France 2019 is the endar this summer, and this new FIFA builds on its existing spon- Rabat, Morocco; Malta; Davao, youth and sports between the place where the hopes and dreams campaign eloquently conveys the sorship strategy with premier Philippines; Lisbon, Portugal; governments of Qatar and of many fans and supporters come anticipation so many fans around sporting clubs around the world. Mogadishu, Somalia and Lang- Paraguay signed in Asuncion on true. It is truly a wonderful cel- the world feel as we prepare for In 2018 Qatar Airways signed kawi, Malaysia. 3/10/2018. 4. An instrument of ratification approving the ratification of an agreement on economic, trade and technical co-operation between the governments of Civic ministry fi eld tours give tips on safe shopping Qatar and Zimbabwe signed in Doha on 7/5/2018. 5. An instrument of ratification he Ministry of Munici- with the Municipality of Al Rayy- Communication at the Ministry, and storage methods to maintain approving a draft memorandum pality and Environment an and Al Aziziyah Youth Centre, stressed that the ‘safe shopping’ their quality and safety. Temporary closure on F Ring Road of understanding for bilateral T(MME) has organised a witnessed a huge turnout. It aims campaign, which is implement- She pointed out that the cam- co-operation to establish the fi eld tour as part of its awareness to promote awareness of food ed in co-operation with various paign targets all segments of joint ministerial committee for campaign entitled “safe shop- safety by informing the public youth centres and schools, helps the society, adding that several The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced a temporary economic, commercial and ping” to train participants on the about the important rules and train participants in the best events have been organised in co- closure for two weeks from tomorrow (Saturday) of one lane towards technical co-operation between correct behaviour while shop- bases to be acquired when pur- ways to shop, ensure the safety operation with Qatari Centre of Hamad International Airport on Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor (F Ring the governments of Qatar and ping and on food safety. chasing any food product. of food items and their conform- Social Cultural for the Deaf, and Road) for a distance of 500m after Mesaimeer Bridge. The closure is to Ecuador, signed in Quito on The campaign, which was or- Nouf Bakhamis, head of the ity to health specifi cations before Doha Youth Centre to achieve enable gantry installation works. Ashghal will install road signs advising 1/10/2018. ganised by the Department of Awareness Division of the De- purchasing them, in addition community partnership for all motorists of the traff ic shift. It has requested all road users to abide by Public Relations in co-operation partment of Public Relations and to the best food transportation segments of society. – QNA the directed speed limit and follow road signs to ensure safety. Amir greets king of Norway

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and ‘Qatar has taken steps to tackle natural or man-made disasters’ His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday sent cables of QNA which the Ministry of Foreign to all aff ected countries due to and roles and developing working He referred to Qatar’s at- the maximum positive results in congratulations to King Harald Geneva Aff airs participated in Japan in natural or man-made disasters, mechanisms at all levels for the tention to science and tech- terms of rescue and reduce the V of Norway on his country’s 2015 with seven commonly rec- and has also invested in qualifi ed purpose of achieving governance nology, and its support for impact of disasters, with the Constitution Day. ognised objectives. personnel to work in the areas of and transparency. co-ordination among the Arab participation of international HE the Prime Minister and E the Minister of State Al-Muraikhi, who heads the rescue, development and relief. Al-Muraikhi also stressed the parties concerned with disas- actors in this area. Minister of Interior Sheikh for Foreign Aff airs Sul- delegation of Qatar participating Al-Muraikhi pointed out that importance of the availability ters, to contribute to the output He stressed the keenness of Abdullah bin Nasser bin Htan bin Saad al-Muraikhi in the Forum and the fi rst minis- Qatar hosted the 3rd Arab Con- of a database and updated in- of decisions based on scientifi c Qatar to participate actively in Khalifa al-Thani sent a cable of stressed yesterday that Qatar terial roundtable, underlined that ference on Disaster Risk Reduc- formation on risks and losses of grounds. all relevant conferences such as congratulations to Norway’s attaches special importance to Qatar has enacted the necessary tion under the title “Implemen- disasters and the development Al-Muraikhi added that Qa- the 2017 Global Platform, the Prime Minister Erna Solberg on the issues of sustainable devel- legislation and laws, both at leg- tation of Sendai Framework for of regional and national indica- tar organised a workshop on Arab-African Regional Forum the occasion of her country’s opment as one of the pillars of islative and institutional level to Disaster Risk Reduction in the tors, in order to support risk re- April 24 on responding to natu- held in Tunis in October 2018 Constitution Day. its National Vision 2030, add- adopt the framework. At the na- Arab Region”, in co-ordination duction eff orts, in line with the ral and man-made disasters, the and other regional and interna- ing that it considers preparing tional level, Qatar has established with the United Nations Of- requirements of the implemen- role and challenges of relief and tional events such as the region- FM holds talks with and responding to natural and the Permanent Emergency Com- fi ce for Disaster Risk Reduction tation of the Sendai Framework development work. The work- al conferences in Mongolia 2018 man-made hazards and disas- mittee, and at the regional and (UNISDR) and the League of and the realisation of the 2030 shop’s participants presented and India 2016 among others. president of WEF ters as one of the most important global level, the Standing Com- Arab States, noting that the con- Sustainable Development Plan. a number of challenges facing He pointed to the uneven po- means of preserving national mittee for Rescue, Relief and Hu- ference discussed the regional He added that the Doha Dec- relief work and the diffi culty of tential of countries and their HE the Deputy Prime Minister and development eff orts. manitarian Assistance has been dimension in the Arab countries’ laration called for a preventive immediate response to disasters, ability to deal with the disaster Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh In his address to the Global established in the aff ected areas response to disasters especially response to disasters including: due to the absence of proactive challenges they face. Al-Mu- Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al- Platform for Disaster Risk Re- of friendly countries. since the Arab region has faced strengthening infrastructure, plans and co-ordination be- raikhi added that strengthen- Thani met the visiting President duction, which is being hosted He added that Qatar has also many disasters in recent years. combating poverty, empowering tween the intervening parties. ing partnerships within the of World Economic Forum (WEF) in Geneva from May 13 to 17, al- enacted laws on humanitarian He pointed out that the confer- communities, benefi ting from He pointed out that the work- framework of international co- Borge Brende, yesterday. They Muraikhi said that Qatar sup- and non-governmental organi- ence resulted in the “Doha Decla- the role of youth and women shop called for the need to co- operation should be one of the discussed means of enhancing ports the Sendai Framework sations and donor institutions ration”, which stressed the impor- centres, and investing in scien- ordinate and unify the reference foundations of the sustainable co-operation between Qatar and for Disaster Risk Reduction, in that direct support and relief tance of defi ning responsibilities tifi c research. in the event of disasters, to reach development agenda 2030. WEF, and other issues. Gulf Times Friday, May 17, 2019 3 QATAR

Glimpses from the Amir Cup final Inaugural ceremony moments

PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil

PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil

NMoQ welcomes football legends Special security procedures Rush hour

The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) yesterday received international football legends, sharing stories of the country’s heritage and traditions. The visit coincides with their participation in the opening of the Al Janoub Stadium, which hosted the final of the Amir Cup between Al Sadd and Al Duhail last night. During the tour, they complimented the “unparalleled immersive experience” housed in NMoQ, Jean Nouvel’s architectural masterpiece, QNA reported. Among the visitors were Cafu, Fernando Hierro, Youri Djorkaeff , Sabri Lamouchi, Nasser Hamdan as well as former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon. Giving voice to the nation’s A festive atmosphere prevailed in the country last evening as all rich heritage and culture and expressing Various security departments facilitated the smooth entry of roads led to Al Wakrah, with thousands of people travelling to the the aspirations of its people, NMoQ spectators into Al Janoub Stadium to attend the Amir Cup final last new Al Janoub Stadium to watch the final of the Amir Cup between serves as a hub for discovery, creativity night and a safe event overall, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) said. Al Sadd and Al Duhail. Doha Metro, in particular, saw big crowds as and community engagement, providing Special security procedures were carried out at the entrance and many people preferred to take a train ride to reach the match venue. diverse educational opportunities for MoI personnel were also present inside the venue to ensure a safe On its part, Mowasalat transported spectators between the Al Wakra Qatar and advancing the nation’s cultural environment for those attending the match, the ministry tweeted. station and the stadium in large numbers with a dedicated shuttle vision on the global stage. The MoI had earlier advised spectators attending the final not to service. Pictured are passengers at the Al Wakra Metro station, by carry certain banned items as well as not to involve in prohibited Ibrahim al-Muftah, and people waiting to board a bus to go to the activities inside the stadium. stadium, courtesy of the Mowasalat Twitter page.

Fans add colour to celebration

It was a colourful celebration of sports as fans of various nationalities and ages turned up at the new Al Janoub Stadium in large numbers last night to watch the inauguration of the stadium and the Amir Cup final between Al Duhail and Al Sadd. Pictures by Noushad Thekkayil and courtesy of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy Gulf Times 4 Friday, May 17, 2019 QATAR/REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

Scattered Palestinian PM rain likely praises Qatar’s this week support to Gazans

here is a chance of scat- QNA tered light rain in the Ramallah Tcountry from tomorrow until May 21, the Qatar Met de- partment has said. alestinian Prime Minister Mohamed Shtayyeh has In a report yesterday, the praised the eff orts of Qatar in supporting citizens in weather offi ce such a possibil- Pthe Gaza Strip. ity of rain is “usually rare during The Palestinian prime minister reiterated his gratitude this time of the year, according for the Qatari support provided to the Palestinian govern- to the country’s climate records”. ment in the form of grants and loans. The maximum temperature During a meeting on Wednesday evening in his offi ce during this period is expected in Ramallah with Qatari Committee for the Reconstruc- to range between 33C and 40C tion of Gaza chairman Ambassador Mohamed al-Emadi, during the daytime across Qatar Shtayyeh expressed appreciation for Qatar’s eff orts to and the minimum between 25C support people in the Gaza Strip which is witnessing dire and 30C. humanitarian conditions and needs all possible assist- The report states that the ance. cloud cover is likely to increase Sudanese protesters hold a sit-in outside the military headquarters in Khartoum late on Wednesday. The government is trying to provide everything possi- in the above-mentioned period ble help to alleviate the suff ering of the people there, along and there is a chance of scattered with the reconciliation’s eff orts, he added. rain, which will be mostly light Shtayyeh thanked Qatar for the recent support to the in intensity. Palestinian government in the form of grants and loans, The prevailing winds will be stressing that this support contributed to alleviate the fi - northeasterly to southeasterly, Anger grows in Sudan as nancial crisis caused by the Israeli occupation’s piracy of ranging in speed from 5-15 knots the Palestinian Authority’s funds. and reaching a high of 25 knots in some inshore areas. This, in turn, will result in ris- Mada Center celebrates Global ing dust and a drop in visibility army suspends govt talks Accessibility Awareness Day to 3km or less at times. Also, the wave height is ex- pected to rise to 7ft at times By Nadine Awadalla, Reuters eral Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said a result of the bloodshed and the 27-year-old Yousef, a doctor, who ada Assistive Technology Center of the Minis- during thundery rain, the report Khartoum the council had decided to sus- souls that we lost,” the alliance gave only his fi rst name. try of Transport and Communications yesterday adds. pend talks for 72 hours “until a said in a statement. “But some of the guys feel that Mlaunched an awareness campaign to mark the The Met department has suitable atmosphere is created to It promised to maintain sit- if we break them down that means Global Accessibility Awareness Day to raise awareness of urged people to be cautious, udan’s opposition alliance complete an agreement”. in protests outside the Defence we are retreating which means... the community and strategic partners of the Center and check weather forecasts before said yesterday the ruling Burhan said protesters were dis- Ministry and across the country. the old regime, or the “shadow enhance accessibility in various sectors. going to sea and follow latest up- Smilitary council’s 72-hour rupting life in the capital by block- The sit-in, the culmination regiments” or whatever, will ex- The week-long campaign includes a number of activi- dates through its offi cial social suspension of talks with protest- ing roads outside a protest zone of months of demonstrations pand into our areas and put pres- ties and events, and several training workshops for ICT- media accounts. ers was a “regrettable” setback to agreed upon with the military. against Bashir’s three-decade sure on us.” related stakeholders, and a specialised workshop on digital Meanwhile, today’s forecast eff orts to forge a new democratic Protesters in recent days have rule, was not halted after the army Another protester, Rayan al- access tools and features according to the global standards says hot daytime conditions are era following the overthrow of sought to expand their presence removed him from power on April Hadi, 25, said she would follow adopted by Mada’s staff . expected along with slight dust veteran leader Omar al-Bashir. beyond a sit-in outside the defence 11 as the opposition demands that the instructions of protest lead- The campaign launched a social awareness campaign on and scattered clouds. Describing protesters as “in- ministry that remains the centre of the military hand over power to ers if they decided that barriers “not to use the mouse for one hour” when surfi ng the In- The maximum temperature creasingly angry”, the alliance is- opposition demonstrations. civilians. should be taken down. ternet or using a computer to recognise the importance of today will be 39C in Dukhan, sued its condemnation after some Reuters yesterday witnessed The violence has cast a shadow But she was personally in fa- digital access to people with functional limitations. 38C in Doha and Abu Samra, and of the worst violence in weeks in protesters near Khartoum Uni- on talks that had appeared on vour of keeping up the barriers on The campaign also presented various instructions on 36C in Wakrah and Mesaieed. central Khartoum. versity manning a road block on course to reach a deal on forming Nile Street. using the keyboard instead of the mouse as a mean of dig- The minimum, on the other On Wednesday at least nine Nile Street, a major avenue run- a joint military-civilian body to “When we closed the street, we ital access. hand, will be 23C in Al Khor, people were wounded by troops ning south of the Blue Nile that is run the country for a three-year had a certain vision for escalation This awareness campaign comes within the framework Dukhan and Abu Samra, and 29C fi ring live ammunition to clear outside of the zone. transition period until presiden- and we don’t want to relinquish of the implementation of the Center’s 2019-2021 strategy in Doha. demonstrators. The opposition alliance, known tial elections. it,” Hadi said. “The people are di- to make education and culture accessible to all through Yesterday, the maximum was On Monday, at least four peo- as the Declaration of Freedom and In Nile Street, some protesters vided, for and against removing ICT access. 43C in Turayna, Batna and Kara- ple were killed when security Change Forces (DFCF), said that said they thought they should go the barriers.” The Center is working to improve the ICT ecosystem to na, followed by 42C in Abu Sam- forces tried to clear some protest the military council’s suspension back to blocking a smaller area, Instability in Sudan, one of the integrate persons with disabilities and older persons into ra, Sheehaniya and Jaumayliyah, sites — the fi rst deaths linked to of talks ignored demonstrators’ which includes the space outside largest countries in Africa, would the digital community. 41C in Ghuwairiyah, 40C in Abu the Khartoum upheaval in several feelings. of the defence ministry com- threaten the security and stability Mada Center is one of the world’s leading organisations Hamour, Dukhan and Mesaieed, weeks. “The suspension of negotia- pound, where the sit-in started of a volatile region that includes that organise eff ective awareness campaigns and activities and 38C in Doha. In a televised speech, the head tions is regrettable...and ignores on April 6. the Horn of Africa, Libya and to commemorate this international event. The minimum was 22C in Abu of Sudan’s Transitional Military the reality of the revolutionar- “In my opinion the barriers on Egypt, the most populous coun- The Center’s website and campaign links are posted on Samra and 27C in Doha. Council (TMC), Lieutenant Gen- ies who are increasingly angry as Nile Street are unnecessary,” said try in the Arab world. the Global Accessibility Awareness Day website. – QNA

The world still has not done anything, says Khashoggi’s fiancee

By Patricia Zengerle, Reuters First black South African Washington Saudi-led warplanes Hatice Cengiz, the fiancee of Jamal Khashog- woman scales Everest gi, the journalist murdered at a Saudi Arabian pound Yemen rebels consulate in Turkey last year, said yesterday she could not believe that no one has yet By Gopal Sharma, Reuters Seven Summit Treks hiking agen- faced serious consequences for the crime. AFP and wounded 10, Dr Mokhtar Mo- Kathmandu cy, which provided local support to “I cannot understand that the world still Sanaa hamed of the capital’s Republic Khumalo, told the Thomson Reu- has not done anything about this,” Cengiz Hospital told AFP. ters Foundation that the record feat told a US House of Representatives Foreign Hatice Cengiz testifies before the US The coalition carried out 11 South African mountaineer was one “hundred percent” true. Aff airs subcommittee, speaking in Turkish House Foreign Aff airs Committee in audi-led coalition war- strikes on the capital in all, among yesterday reached the top “Congratulations to iMbokodo through an interpreter. the Rayburn House Off ice Building on planes yesterday bombed 19 across rebel-held territory, the Aof Mount Everest, becoming (strong woman) Saray Khumalo for “I still cannot make human sense of it. Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. SYemeni rebel targets in- rebels’ Al-Masirah television re- the fi rst black African woman to being the fi rst Black African Woman I still cannot understand. I still feel that I’ll cluding in the capital following ported. conquer the world’s highest moun- to reach the top of the world by con- wake up,” she said in emotional testimony to ment. Riyadh denies the crown prince was insurgent drone strikes on a key “There were many strikes,” he tain, her expedition organiser and quering Mount Everest,” South Af- a hearing on international press freedom and involved. oil pipeline. added. her government said. rica’s government said on Twitter. the dangers of reporting on human rights. Cengiz said she came to Washington hop- The new bombardment came The rebels said their attack on Saray N’kusi Khumalo, a “Bosso ke wena!”, it added, Cengiz was the last person to see ing to help provoke a stronger reaction to after the UN envoy, who has been the Saudi pipeline was a response 47-year-old e-commerce execu- which means “you are the boss” in Khashoggi, a US resident and columnist for her fiance’s death. spearheading eff orts to end more to “crimes” committed by Riyadh tive, scaled the 8,850m mountain the local Sesotho language. the Washington Post, before he went into the She said President Donald Trump invited than four years of confl ict in the during its bloody air war in Yemen, after three failed attempts that Khumalo, who has conquered Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to her to the White House months earlier, but Arab world’s poorest country, that has been criticised repeatedly were foiled by bad weather and a fi ve mountains, including Mount obtain papers for their upcoming marriage. that she had not come then because she was warned it still faced the threat of by the United Nations and human deadly earthquake in 2015. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Aconca- He never left the building. not confident about his response. plunging into all-out war. rights groups. “With her birth in Zambia, gua in Argentina and Mount Elbrus The Saudi journalist, a royal insider who “I think we choose between two things...,” The Saudi-led coalition, which More than four years of Rwandan bloodline and now a in Russia, uses her expeditions to became a critic of Crown Prince Mohamed Cengiz told the subcommittee. has been battling the Houthi rebels confl ict has triggered what the South African, this sister of Africa raise funds for children’s education bin Salman, was killed and dismembered “We can either go on as if nothing has hap- since March 2015, confi rmed that UN describes as the world’s has achieved her goal of becoming and libraries in Africa. inside the consulate by a team of Saudi op- pened...or we can act, we can leave aside all its warplanes were carrying out worst humanitarian crisis, the fi rst black woman from Africa She also dedicates her quests to eratives, provoking international revulsion. interests, international interests and politics, multiple strikes across rebel-held with 24.1mn — more than two- to summit Mount Everest,” her ex- “women and girls, daughters of the “We still don’t know why he was killed. We and focus on the values for a better life.” territory. thirds of the population — in need pedition organiser, Summits with a African soil who dare to dream”, don’t know where his corpse is,” Cengiz said. The White House did not immediately “We have begun to launch air of aid. Purpose, said on Facebook. Khumalo says on her website. She called for sanctions to punish Saudi respond to a request for comment. strikes targeting sites operated by “We are at a tipping point,” Mira Acharya, a Nepal tourism In 2003, Sibusiso Emmanuel Vi- Arabia and for Washington to push for the free- Calling the United States “a fortress” the Houthi militia, including in warned the head of UN children’s department offi cial, confi rmed lane, a South African park ranger, dom of political prisoners held in the kingdom. protecting freedom of thought and human Sanaa,” a coalition official, who agency Unicef. Khuwalo’s ascent, but did not say became the fi rst black person to US authorities have concluded that rights, Cengiz appealed for justice. “I think it declined to be identified, told “If the war continues any long- if she was the fi rst black African summit Mount Everest, according responsibility for Khashoggi’s death went is a test for the United States and I believe it AFP. er, the country may move past the woman to do so. to Himalayan archives that record to the highest levels of the Saudi govern- is a test that it can and should pass,” she said. A strike on one Sanaa neigh- point of no return,” Henrietta Fore However, Mingma Sherpa of the major climbs. bourhood killed at least six people said.

Tehran accuses Washington of ‘unacceptable’ escalation in regional tensions

AFP “The escalation by the United to reduce spiralling tensions, de- Iran, saying “there is no infi ght- been pointing to increasing Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatol- heightened threat posed by Iran”. Tokyo States is unacceptable,” Iranian scribing US pressure as an “act of ing whatsoever. Diff erent opin- threats from Iran, a long-time lah Ali Khamenei, on Tuesday “As always we work closely Foreign Minister Mohammad suicide”. ions are expressed and I make a enemy and also a rival of US allies had insisted the showdown with with the US,” he tweeted. Javad Zarif said in Tokyo, where Zarif’s comments came after fi nal and decisive decision.” Israel and Saudi Arabia. the United States was a mere test Some observers speculate ran yesterday accused the he is holding talks with Japanese the US on Wednesday ordered Zarif yesterday dismissed Senior State Department of- of resolve. Tehran is seeking to retaliate United States of an “unac- offi cials. non-emergency staff evacuated Trump’s prediction of talks, tell- fi cials, speaking on condition of “This face-off is not military over Washington’s decision in Iceptable” escalation of ten- “We exercise maximum re- from its Baghdad embassy due ing reporters: “I don’t know why anonymity, said the threat came because there is not going to be April to put Iran’s Revolution- sions and said Tehran was show- straint...in spite of the fact that to an alleged “imminent” threat President Trump is confi dent.” from Iraqi militia “command- any war. Neither we nor them ary Guards on a terrorism black- ing “maximum restraint” despite the United States withdrew from from Iranian-linked Iraqi mili- Opponents of Trump say ed and controlled” by Tehran’s (the US) seek war,” he said. list — a move designed to stymie Washington’s withdrawal from a JCPOA last May,” Zarif said ear- tias. hardliners led by national se- Islamic Revolutionary Guard US Secretary of State Mike their activities across the Middle nuclear deal with world powers. lier, referring to the agreement on The move added to growing curity advisor John Bolton, who Corps. Pompeo echoed that sentiment, East. Tensions were already high Tehran’s nuclear program, which fears that the long-time rivals has long advocated toppling the “It is directly linked to Iran, saying in Sochi, Russia: “We But since the fi rst US warning after President Donald Trump is known as the Joint Compre- could be on course for confl ict Iranian government, are pushing multiple threat streams directly fundamentally do not seek a war on May 5, the only incident has walked away a year ago from the hensive Plan of Action. despite both sides stressing they the country into war. linked to Iran,” said one offi cial. with Iran.” been a still-mysterious “attack” accord, which eased internation- He added that Tehran remains have no desire for war. According to Iranian state me- “This is an imminent threat to World powers have rushed on Monday on tankers anchored al sanctions in return for curbs on “committed” to the deal, and Trump, however, predicted dia, Zarif is set to visit China to- our personnel,” said a second of- to urge calm and US allies con- off Fujairah, an Emirati port lo- Iran’s nuclear program. said continuing assessments Iran would “soon” want to nego- day for discussions on “regional fi cial. tinued to show scepticism over cated at the strategically crucial But tensions have ratcheted showed Iran was in compliance tiate. and international issues” includ- Washington says it has re- Washington’s alarm bells. entrance to the Gulf. up, with the US deploying an with the multilateral agreement. “I’m sure that Iran will want to ing the 2015 nuclear deal with ceived intelligence on possible But UK Foreign Secretary Jer- One or more vessels incurred aircraft carrier group and B-52 Later, Zarif told reporters there talk soon,” the president tweeted. global powers. attacks by Iranian or Iranian- emy Hunt said he had recently light hull damage, but what bombers to the Gulf over alleged was “no possibility” of nego- He also blasted media reports Despite international scepti- backed forces, possibly targeting met with Pompeo and shared caused the damage and who was threats from Iran. tiations with the United States of White House turmoil over cism, the US government has US bases in Iraq or Syria. “the same assessment of the behind it remains unknown. Gulf Times Friday, May 17, 2019 5 AMERICAS

DIPLOMACY WIND WOES ‘FAKE NEWS’ POLITICS LITTLE SHELTER Trudeau slams China SpaceX postpones first WH urges Internet users to New York Mayor de Blasio Migrants sleep on ground at arrest of Canadians launch of Starlink satellites denounce ‘censorship’ joins White House race Texas Border Patrol station

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday Billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX postponed a President Donald Trump’s administration has renewed New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio yesterday Reuters photos taken on Wednesday show called the arrest of two Canadians in China planned Wednesday night blastoff of a Falcon 9 its claims of political favouritism among search engines entered the crowded 2020 presidential adults and children outside the US Border “unacceptable” and vowed to stand up to Beijing rocket carrying the first 60 satellites for his new and social media platforms by launching a survey race, arguing that his record of progressive Patrol station for migrants in McAllen, Texas, over the detentions. “We will consistently and Starlink Internet service, citing excessive winds that encourages people to report online censorship. accomplishments positioned him as the perfect sleeping on the ground and rigging up always stand up for Canadians, particularly these over the Florida launch site. Launch of the mission, “SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS should advance foil to President Donald Trump. De Blasio, makeshift awnings with reflective blankets to Canadians who have been arbitrarily detained,” aimed at placing the initial stage of Musk’s space- FREEDOM OF SPEECH. Yet too many Americans 58, launched his candidacy with the central shelter from the sun. The photos, taken from he said in Paris after China said it had arrested the based global internet network into low-Earth orbit, have seen their accounts suspended, banned, or campaign message, “Working People First,” a helicopter, also show people sleeping in a pair on national security grounds. “What we are was rescheduled for 10.30pm yesterday from the fraudulently reported for unclear ‘violations’,” read the becoming the 24th Democrat seeking to take on shaded area of a parking lot and crowded always focused on is doing things that will help Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, SpaceX said. In a online survey. It asks for respondents’ contact details Trump in next year’s election. In a video released around a military tent. The ground temperature Canadians being detained,” Trudeau said. Former call with reporters before Wednesday’s countdown along with information about instances in which yesterday, de Blasio returned to the theme of was about 32 Celsius when the pictures were diplomat Michael Kovrig is “suspected of collecting was halted, the high-tech entrepreneur praised they believe they were censored online. “No matter income inequality that had animated his first taken around midday. US Customs and Border state secrets and intelligence” while businessman the “fundamental goodness” of his ambitions your views, if you suspect political bias caused such mayoral campaign in 2013, when he emerged as Protection (CBP) spokesman Richard Pauza Michael Spavor is suspected of “stealing and to expand Internet connectivity globally but an action to be taken against you, share your story a leading voice for the burgeoning left wing that referred to testimony by US Border Patrol chief illegally off ering state secrets” abroad. cautioned that success was far from guaranteed. with President Trump,” the survey continues. has since reshaped his party. Carla Provost when asked for comment. Democrats read Passing on the torch aloud Mueller report in Capitol hearing room

By Amanda Becker, Reuters 2016 campaign and various Russians but Washington did not fi nd suffi cient evidence to estab- lish there was a criminal conspiracy with Moscow. emocrats in the US House of Repre- The report also described numerous at- sentatives yesterday began a mara- tempts by Trump to impede Mueller’s in- Dthon reading of the redacted ver- vestigation but stopped short of declaring sion of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s the president had committed a crime. 448-page assessment of Russian interfer- Democrats, who control the House, are ence in the 2016 presidential election. sparring with the White House over nu- The reading began at noon and is ex- merous investigations into Trump and his pected to take 12 to 14 hours. campaign’s ties to Russia, the president’s For those who could not make it to the business dealings and administration pol- Capitol hearing room to listen, it was being icies. broadcast on C-SPAN and lawmakers plan Democrats have requested an unredact- to release a podcast version. ed version of Muller’s report, six years of Representative Mary Gay Scanlon, one Trump’s individual and business tax re- The original torch of the Statue of Liberty being displayed at the Statue of Liberty Museum on Liberty Island in New York. of the top Democrats on the House Judi- turns and background on decisions made ciary Committee, started the reading and by the administration on security clear- nearly two dozen of her colleagues were to ances and the separation of migrant fami- take part. lies along the US-Mexico border. “There a lot of average people who have The deadline for the administration to not seen the Mueller report,” Representa- respond to a subpoena for the unredacted tive Sylvia Garcia, another Democrat on report passed without being met. the Judiciary Committee, said ahead of Trump has sued to block a congression- Scanlon kicking off the reading. al subpoena for fi nancial records from his “So this is an attempt to make sure that accounting fi rm. The White House has di- person who is curious, who doesn’t have rected key staff not to cooperate with vari- the full time to dive through all this, to be ous House probes. Cyber attacks may able to listen to it and to understand what Democrats are now considering con- this is really all about.” tempt resolutions against top administra- Mueller’s report described numerous tion offi cials, with votes expected as early links between President Donald Trump’s as June. hit Canada election

By David Ljunggren, Reuters services used by parties’ local asso- the 338 parliamentary districts who but does not have a mandate to check Ottawa ciations across the country exposes will be using their own e-mail, Fa- what they are actually doing, said the them to cyber attacks like the one cebook, Twitter and WhatsApp ac- source, adding that “I’m not aware that hit Hillary Clinton’s campaign counts. of any breach of any major political anadian security services are in 2016. “We’ve been beating along saying party”. sounding the alarm about Russians allegedly hacked into her ‘For God’s sakes, the CSE is telling One challenge is that parties can Cwhat they see as a potential campaign chairman John Podesta’s you, Microsoft tells you, the number be leery of paying the money needed weakness in political parties’ cyber e-mails. They were later published one thing you can do to stop 90% of to boost security and identify weak- networks just months ahead of a fed- by WikiLeaks during the run-up to attacks, every one of your volunteers nesses. eral election in October, four sources the election. — and this is a huge challenge — has “This is all donor money and every with direct knowledge of the matter The candid emails are widely con- to be using two-factor authentica- time you spend C$200,000 on a fi - say. sidered to have hurt Clinton’s presi- tion,’” the second source said. nancial audit...you’re not out help- Government offi cials are con- dential bid. “It is your weakest link to getting ing speak to voters,” said the second vinced Russian actors will try to in- “That’s the problem and the exposed, the email conversations source. terfere in the vote in the same way nightmare scenario,” said a second about your campaign that will show The main parties have not asked they did in the 2016 US presidential source. up,” continued the second source, for fi nancial aid and there has been election and the Brexit referendum. The Communications Security who declined to be identifi ed given no talk of government funding to One source said foreign hackers Establishment (CSE) spy agency says the sensitivity of the matter. help boost the security of the par- had already begun to ramp up eff orts it is concerned about the potential The source, complaining about ties’ computer systems, said Amy to send so-called phishing e-mails to for wrongdoing and is briefi ng the “ding dongs who won’t set up their Butcher, chief spokeswoman for Canadian legislators, seeking to gain major parties on the importance of accounts right”, said CSE had made Gould. access to their accounts. keeping data secure and is drawing clear privately it would not be able The concern among security serv- Democratic Institutions Minister up a special handbook for them. to deal with a fl ood of concerned ices is not so much that the result of Karina Gould last month said she It is also arranging for security messages from volunteers during an the election could be altered through anticipated increasingly sophis- clearances to be given to some senior election campaign worried their ac- a hacking attack — Canadians vote ticated “nefarious cyber activity” party staff members in order to share counts had been hacked. with paper ballots — but that leaks targeting the election, and Foreign intelligence about risks to Canada A third source said the security could be used to undermine faith in Minister Chrystia Freeland has said gleaned from counterparts in Aus- challenge for CSE was to avoid a the political system. she is very worried about Russian in- tralian and Britain. “situation where either people are “The Russians will say ‘All those terference. While the parties’ main databases petrifi ed of doing anything or they security safeguards you talk about Neither minister has provided are deemed to be relatively secure, just start ignoring it because we are are not going to stop us from doing Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Jerry Nadler takes part in a marathon details, but sources say the prolif- the main security challenge comes making it too hard.” what we want,’” said a fourth source reading of the redacted Mueller report in the US Capitol in Washington yesterday. eration of free email and messaging from the thousands of volunteers in CSE is giving the parties advice with direct knowledge of the matter.

Under Trump, EPA did not await court ruling to loosen biofuel rules for refi ners

By Jarrett Renshaw, Reuters gram was made at the EPA’s dis- hurt ethanol demand has been a signifi cantly impaired” by com- terview when pressed about the “When I saw the Sinclar de- This helped refi ners like Valero New York cretion. topic of fi erce debate. pliance, according to the docu- expansion. cision come down, I saw it as a Energy Corp and PBF Energy Inc “EPA repeatedly told Congress The US Renewable Fuel Stand- ments fi led by the Advanced Bio- Mandy Gunasekara, who re- vindication of our changes,” she that had been purchasing them, its hands were tied and blamed ard requires refi ners to blend bio- fuels Association in a challenge tired as principal deputy assistant said. along with CVR Energy Inc, he Trump administration the courts. That appears to have fuels like ethanol into their fuel of the expanded waiver program. administrator at the EPA’s Offi ce EPA spokesman Michael Ab- owned by Icahn. made it easier for oil refi n- been a lie. EPA also said it was or buy credits generated by those That puts the policy shift at of Air and Radiation this year, boud did not respond to ques- Icahn came under federal in- Teries to get waivers from following Department of Energy who do, but smaller refi neries least four months ahead of an said the EPA under then-admin- tions about whether the agency vestigation after CVR was seen the nation’s biofuel law at least recommendations. We also know can be exempted if they prove August 2017 US Court of Appeals istrator Scott Pruitt had decided still believes the small refi nery shorting the credit market in four months before a 2017 court that’s bunk. I’m going to get to compliance would cause them ruling that found the agency was to “reinstate” the small refi nery program should be used to help 2017 while he advocated for fi - decision it often cites to justify the bottom of this,” US Senator fi nancial harm. using too strict a standard when waiver program to help an indus- manage RIN prices. nancial relief from the biofuel the move to the corn lobby, and Chuck Grassley, a Republican Trump’s EPA granted 35 such it denied Utah-based Sinclair Oil try that felt ignored by Obama. He maintained that EPA has programme. the move was motivated by a de- from the farm state of Iowa, said waivers for 2017, up sharply from an exemption. She said Pruitt also believed been consistent in its justifi ca- Icahn and other merchant re- sire to save the oil industry mon- in a statement yesterday. seven in the fi nal year of the The EPA subsequently with- loosening the standards could tion for the expansion of the fi ners had long complained that ey, Reuters has learned. The waivers, granted to small Obama administration. drew its defence on a similar help lower the cost of compliance waiver program. their profi t margins were being The timing and motivation for refi neries including those run by Court documents fi led by a court case, and lost a third. credits, known as RINS, which “The premise of this story is squeezed by the law, which is the Environmental Protection oil majors Exxon Mobil, Chev- biofuels advocacy group show Those cases are often cited by could help the entire industry as wrong,” he said, adding that the nearly 15 years old. Agency’s policy change, revealed ron Corp and billionaire investor that the EPA changed the policy EPA offi cials and refi ning indus- opposed to just smaller refi ners. waiver program has “been sub- It was intended to help farmers through court documents and Carl Icahn, saved the oil industry before May 4, 2017. try representatives defending the “Certainly, one of the goals ject to appropriations language and reduce US reliance on energy an interview with a former top hundreds of millions of dollars. On that date, the EPA told a expanded waiver program. was to put downward pressure on and court opinions prior to and imports. agency offi cial, have not been The waivers angered the corn refi ning company in a letter that “The courts have clearly told the price of RINs,” she told Reu- during the Trump Administra- The waiver provision was in- previously reported. lobby which argued they hurt “we are changing our approach” us we have to follow the law, ters in an interview. tion.” tended to temporarily exempt This reinforces the concerns of farmers by threatening demand to the waiver program by al- and that’s what we are going to She said the Sinclair case did Expansion of waivers drove smaller refi neries so they could the corn industry that the deci- for ethanol. lowing exemptions to refi neries do,” EPA administrator Andrew not infl uence the changes to the down RIN prices to multi-year invest in biofuel blending equip- sion to expand the waiver pro- Whether the EPA’s moves have even if their operations “are not Wheeler said in April media in- waiver program. lows last year. ment. Gulf Times 6 Friday, May 17, 2019 ASIA Philippines says envoy recalled over Canada trash row

AFP ers that included rotting rubbish to Canada have been sent and erwise our relations are over,” cancelled the Philippine mili- the comments, Canada off ered Environmental group Ecow- Manila wrongly labelled as recyclables the diplomats would be in Ma- Salvador Panelo told reporters. tary’s $235mn contract to buy to repatriate the waste and the aste Coalition off ered support to Philippine ports in 2013 and nila “in a day or so”. Canada’s foreign ministry did 16 military helicopters from a Philippines said Ottawa would for the diplomatic action, but 2014. “Canada missed the May 15 not immediately respond to a Canada-based manufacturer af- shoulder the expense of dis- said the government could do he Philippines has re- Manila set a May 15 deadline deadline. And we shall maintain request for comment. ter Ottawa put the deal under re- posal. more to combat dumping. “If called its ambassador to for Canada to take the rotting a diminished diplomatic pres- The garbage has strained ties, view because of the president’s Manila’s Bureau of Customs the Philippine government real- TCanada, Manila’s foreign trash back, after President Rod- ence in Canada until its garbage which were already tested af- human rights record. said last week the Philippines ly wants to send an unequivocal minister said yesterday, in an rigo Duterte berated Ottawa over is ship-bound there,” Locsin ter Canadian Prime Minister During a speech in April, Du- was ready to send back the trash message ... it must move swiftly escalation of a festering diplo- the issue last month. Canada wrote on Twitter. Justin Trudeau questioned Du- terte threatened to unilaterally but Canada needed several more to ratify the Basel Ban Amend- matic row over tonnes of trash has since said it is working to ar- Duterte’s spokesman said the terte’s deadly drug crackdown. ship the garbage back to Canada, weeks to prepare documenta- ment,” the group’s national co- dumped in the Southeast Asian range for the containers’ return, move was a warning to Canada Duterte bristles at any interna- saying “let’s fi ght Canada. I will tion. Some 69 shipping contain- ordinator Aileen Lucero said. nation. but has not given a timeframe. that the Philippines was ready to tional criticism of his signature declare war against them.” Du- ers of trash remain after 34 oth- The amendment is intended Ties have been deteriorating Philippine Foreign Secretary Te- sever ties over the issue. policy, which has seen police kill terte frequently uses coarse lan- ers have already been disposed to protect developing coun- since a Canadian company sent odoro Locsin said letters recall- “The president’s position is thousands of alleged addicts and guage and hyperbole in speeches of in the Philippines, the fi nance tries from becoming dumping around 100 shipping contain- ing the ambassador and consuls very clear: take that back oth- pushers since 2016. Last year he about opponents. Following ministry said. grounds for wealthy nations.

Alarm over Sri Lanka reinstating spy accused of journalist murder

An international rights group yesterday expressed alarm over the Sri Lanka army’s decision to reinstate an intelligence off icer accused of high-profile attacks against journalists, including the Sri Lanka army denies assassination of a senior editor. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said reinstating major Prabath Bulathwatte created new threats for the media in Sri Lanka, which is currently under a state of emergency following the Easter terror attacks. Bulathwatte was arrested in 2017 in connection with a string of attacks against journalists during the former regime of colluding with rioters strongman president Mahinda Rajapakse and is currently on bail. One of the attacks was against editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, AFP who was stabbed to death by members of a military intelligence Colombo unit in January 2009. Court records have named Bulathwatte as the key suspect. But army chief Mahesh Senanayake last week told a local television network that Bulathwatte had been ri Lanka’s army yesterday reinstated to boost the battle against local militants following the denied allegations that its April 21 bombings in which 258 people died. Stroops colluded with anti- The CPJ’s Asia Programme Co-ordinator Steven Butler said Muslim mobs and failed to con- reinstating Bulathwatte within the intelligence setup would tain widespread riots that killed create “new threats to journalists in Sri Lanka, who are not one man in a backlash against the safe to do their jobs”. “Promoting to active duty an intelligence Easter terror attacks. off icer who has been implicated in the killing of one journalist Army chief Mahesh Senanay- and the torture of two others severely undermines Sri Lanka’s ake said CCTV footage of troops claim that it is fighting impunity for crimes against journalists,” allegedly signalling a mob to at- he said. Senanayake told reporters in Colombo yesterday that tack a home in the latest wave of Bulathwatte had been taken back “for a specific task,” and would rioting did not show his soldiers not work with the military intelligence unit. committing any wrongdoing. He added that Bulathwatte would not have the ability “We looked at footage from to influence witnesses in the ongoing investigation into three cameras and found that Wickrematunge’s murder. “I give the assurance now as army there was no conniving of troops commander that Major Bulathwatte or any other off icer with the rioters,” Senanayake ...will not have those powers or any extra powers against told reporters in Colombo. “If anyone,” Senanayake said. At the same time, the army chief there was any, I would not hesi- sought to downplay Bulathwatte’s personal responsibility for tate to take action.” Wickrematunge’s killing. “If a soldier has done something wrong, He said the mobs included it is the people who have given the orders (who should be held a lot of young men who were responsible),” Senanayake said. drunk. However, he did not say “So I request kindly all of you to go and find out who gave the where the controversial CCTV Sri Lankans hold placards as they demonstrate against the anti-Muslim mob attacks in Colombo. order to him.” footage came from. Wickrematunge had accused defence secretary Gotabhaya He added that soldiers had in- ernment decided not to impose concern over the communal vio- towns just north of Colombo, tels claimed 258 lives and were Rajapakse, brother of the former president, of taking kickbacks itially been outnumbered against further night curfews yester- lence and urged the authorities to said roads were reopened yes- blamed on local militants who in arms purchases, including a deal to buy used MiG jet fighters, hundreds of men armed with day because there had been no ensure that all communities were terday amid a heavy military and pledged allegiance to the Is- and was due to testify against him in court when he was killed. sticks and petrol bombs who reports of violence around the protected. police presence. “I normally have lamic State group. Muslims in Sri Lanka’s war-time military commander Sarath Fonseka has attacked Muslim-owned busi- country in the past 24 hours. “We “We welcome the arrests made about 30 customers in the morn- Sri Lanka have been bracing for also accused Gotabhaya of running a secret unit used to target nesses, homes and mosques. The are continuing search operations in connection with the violence, ing, but today there were just reprisals since the Easter bomb- journalists and dissidents, including Wickrematunge. Gotabhaya, military has stepped up its pres- to arrest those responsible for the and call on the government to three,” the electronic goods seller ings. A state of emergency has who is a US citizen, has denied involvement, but faces civil ence in the worst aff ected North- riots,” he added. Police said they ensure that the rule of law is up- told AFP by telephone. “Banks been in place since the attacks action in the United States, where a case has been filed by the Western Province to prevent a re- had detained at least 112 suspects held and that the law is applied have opened, but it will take a few and security forces have been slain editor’s daughter Ahimsa. Mahinda Rajapakse, president peat of the violence, Senanayake by Wednesday evening and more equally to all instigators and per- weeks before we get back to our given sweeping powers to detain from 2005-15, and several members of his family are under said. arrests were being carried out to petrators of communal violence,” normal routine.” suspects. investigation for alleged large-scale fraud and murder during his Some 5,500 additional po- ensure there was no repetition of a joint statement by the diplo- There were similar reports Sri Lanka has also blocked ac- presidency. lice have also been deployed in the riots. mats said. from other riot-scarred towns. cess to social media platforms to All deny any wrongdoing and in turn accuse the current the province. Police spokesman Colombo-based ambassadors A shopkeeper in Minuwan- The Easter Sunday attacks prevent what it called the spread government of a political vendetta. Ruwan Gunasekera said the gov- of European nations expressed goda, one of the worst aff ected on churches and upscale ho- of rumours that incited violence.

Bangladesh launches Thai PM meets residents Thailand traffi cker crackdown on dengue after Mediterranean alert as drowning deaths number of cases rises AFP on the back of trucks ordered Dhaka jail terms for nine suspect- ed traffickers and another DPA 29 were fined, said Sylhet Bangkok angladesh authorities government administrator have launched a crack- Kazi Emdadul Islam. Mag- Bdown on suspected istrate Nasirullah Khan said hailand’s Public Health people-smugglers masquer- the crackdown will continue Ministry put out a den- ading as “travel agents” af- against the “greedy and il- Tgue fever alert yester- ter dozens of Bangladeshis legal travel agents” who prey day as the country registered drowned while trying to cross on unemployed young men. at least 25 deaths from the the Mediterranean into Eu- “We want to ensure no moth- mosquito-borne virus so far rope, officials said yesterday. er would ever lose her child this year. At least 15,000 are About 60 people died again,” he said. believed to have contracted last week when a boat full of Tens of thousands of the virus this year so far, an would-be migrants capsized young Bangladeshi men have increase compared to the while trying to cross from attempted the perilous Medi- same period over the past fi ve Libya to Italy, in a case that terranean crossing in recent years, said Public Health Min- has put the spotlight on the years, and the number of ister Suwanchai Wattanay- desperate struggle of young traffickers catering to them Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha speaking to residents during a visit in Klong Toey district, Bangkok. ingcharoenchai. unemployed Bangladeshis to has mushroomed. While the As Thailand approaches the find work abroad. Bangladesh economy has rainy season, which provides Fourteen Bangladeshis grown at an annual clip of more water for mosquitoes to were among 16 people res- 6-7% through the decade, lay eggs and grow, the cases cued by Tunisian fishermen, there are still not enough of dengue fever are expected while Foreign Minister A K jobs and many young men try to rise further, with a total of Abdul Momen said 39 Bang- to reach Europe and North Thai party leader faces disqualifi cation as MP 100,000 people expected to ladeshis were unaccounted America on death-defying il- contract the illness by the end for. Families of those who legal routes. Growing unem- of 2019, Suwanchai said. In died said the so-called “trav- ployment is fuelling despera- DPA law over his holding of shares in crime under harsh laws, and has the charges are politically moti- 2018 more than 87,000 peo- el agents” took money from tion to escape, said Professor Bangkok a media company, among many put many civilians in military de- vated, and that the election was ple were infected by the virus, youths in exchange for a pas- Jalal Uddin Sikder, a migra- other cases against him and his tention. neither free nor fair. which caused 114 deaths, the sage to Libya and the promise tion expert at the University party. The regime postponed the He also said he will not give up minister added. of a sea crossing to Europe. of Liberal Arts in Dhaka. he leader of Thailand’s The former auto-parts ty- election date at least fi ve times on forming a new government, The public have been urged Authorities sealed off 23 “Low paid jobs are availa- progressive anti-junta Fu- coon once hailed as Thailand’s before settling for March 24, expected to take shape next to cover water containers, travel agencies in northeast- ble but these young men want Tture Forward Party is fac- Emmanuel Macron, has been which will only lead to a semi- month, and will only work in the wells and water tanks tightly ern Sylhet district after it was better paid jobs in the West,” ing disqualifi cation as an elected charged with sedition for alleg- democratic rule thanks to the non-profi t industry should his and remove stagnant water found many were working he told AFP. “But many do member of parliament, as the edly aiding anti-junta protesters rubber-stamp Senate, which is political career come to an end. to prevent mosquitoes from for international trafficking not survive the long, tiring election body submitted his case in 2015, and computer crime for expected to vote for junta leader “If we are afraid, we wouldn’t breeding. Dengue fever is a networks, Momen said. “We journey through the desert to the Constitutional Court yes- criticising the regime on Face- Prayut Chan-o-cha to remain in be here today. We concern our- mosquito-born disease found will take stern action against and across the seas, while terday. book last year. Since coming to power as prime minister. Speak- selves with what we can con- throughout Southeast Asia these agents,” he told report- some get sold as slaves even Rising political star Thanath- power in a 2014 coup, the mili- ing at a forum at the Foreign Cor- trol,” said the lawmaker, whose which in mild cases causes fe- ers. before they reach the Libyan orn Juangroongruangkit, 40, was tary has charged many dissidents respondents’ Club of Thailand party gained 80 seats in the lower ver, aching bones and usually Five mobile courts set up coast.” accused of violating the election with sedition and computer on Wednesday, Thanathorn said house. clears up within 10 days. Gulf Times Friday, May 17, 2019 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA UN chief Guterres concerned nuclear ‘coffi n’ leaking in Pacifi c

AFP on Enewetak atoll in the Marshall exposed to radioactive fallout. South Pacifi c to raise awareness because there is a risk of leaking However, it was only envisaged as nuclear history still needed to be Suva, Fiji Islands as “a kind of coffi n” and The island nation was ground of climate change issues, said of radioactive materials that are a temporary fi x and the bottom of addressed. said it was a legacy of Cold War- zero for 67 American nuclear Pacifi c islanders still needed help contained in a kind of coffi n in the crater was never lined leading “A lot needs to be done in re- era nuclear tests in the Pacifi c. weapons tests from 1946-58 at to deal with the fallout of the nu- the area.” to fears the waste is leaching into lation to the explosions that took N Secretary-General “The Pacifi c was victimised in Bikini and Enewetak atolls, when clear testing. The “coffi n” is a concrete the Pacifi c. place in French Polynesia and the Antonio Guterres raised the past as we all know,” he said, it was under US administration. “The consequences of these dome, built in the late 1970s on Cracks have also developed in Marshall Islands,” he said. Uconcerns yesterday that a referring to nuclear explosions The tests included the 1954 have been quite dramatic, in re- Runit island, part of Enewetak the concrete after decades of ex- “This is in relation to the concrete dome built last century carried out by the United States “Bravo” hydrogen bomb, the lation to health, in relation to the atoll, as a dumping ground for posure and there are concerns it health consequences, the im- to contain waste from atomic and France in the region. most powerful ever detonated by poisoning of waters in some ar- waste from the nuclear tests. could break apart if hit by a tropi- pact on communities and other bomb tests is leaking radioactive In the Marshalls, numerous is- the United States, about 1,000 eas,” he said. Radioactive soil and ash from cal cyclone. aspects. “Of course there are material into the Pacifi c. landers were forcibly evacuated times bigger than the atomic “I’ve just been with the Presi- the explosions was tipped into a Guterres did not directly ad- questions of compensation and Speaking to students in Fiji, from ancestral lands and reset- bomb dropped on Hiroshima. dent of the Marshall Islands (Hil- crater and capped with a concrete dress what should be done with mechanisms to allow these im- Guterres described the structure tled, while thousands more were Guterres, who is touring the da Heine), who is very worried dome 45cm (18 inches) thick. the dome but said the Pacifi c’s pacts to be minimised.” Hong Kong student leader Joshua Wong sent back to prison

AFP — which took its name from the the off ence was a mitigating “We will never forget the spirit Hong Kong umbrellas protesters used to de- factor, as well as his guilty plea of Umbrella Movement and we fend themselves against police and apology. But he dismissed will continue to fi ght for free — failed to win any concessions Wong’s argument that he had elections,” he said. Wong’s jailing rominent Hong Kong stu- from the city’s pro-Beijing au- been excessively punished by comes against a backdrop of roil- dent leader Joshua Wong thorities, and its leaders faced a authorities because of his promi- ing turmoil in Hong Kong over Pwas sent back to prison slew of prosecutions. nent status as “entirely baseless the government’s plans to ap- yesterday after he lost an attempt Wong, who was 17 when the and misconceived”. prove extraditions to the Chinese to quash a jail sentence over his protests began, was jailed for Wong turned to supporters mainland for the fi rst time. Hong Kong’s pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong speaks to members of the media at the High Court in leadership of huge democracy three months in January 2018 on after the verdict and told them The issue has sparked the larg- Hong Kong, China, yesterday. protests fi ve years ago. a contempt charge after pleading to “add oil” — a commonly used est protests in the city since the Wong, 22, became one of the guilty to obstructing the clear- Cantonese phrase of encourage- 2014 demonstrations and even his comments Wong warned the storming of a government fore- there are fears those liberties are most recognisable faces of the ance of a major protest camp. ment. sparked scuffl es in the legisla- proposed law might see activists court during the 2014 protests. being eroded as Beijing fl exes its “Umbrella Movement” in 2014 He served only six days of that He was then led away to a ture. pursued by the mainland, some- He spent some time behind muscles and stamps down on which paralysed key intersec- sentence before being released prison van. Speaking to report- Hong Kong’s leadership has thing the Hong Kong government bars for that case, but in the end dissent. tions of the fi nancial hub for on bail pending an appeal. Yes- ers before the verdict, Wong said faced a chorus of criticism from has denied. the city’s top court ruled that Authorities in Hong Kong more than two months. terday, however, a senior judge he was facing the prospect of jail business, legal fi gures and west- “Today the High Court, to- community service was suffi - and the mainland have defended Protesters were demand- said Wong must return to jail – “with a calm mind”, noting that ern governments who fear the morrow the People’s Court,” he cient punishment. the prosecutions as a necessary ing a greater say in how the city albeit for a reduced sentence of other leaders had received much law could tangle people up in said, referring to the mainland’s While Hong Kong enjoys rights measure to punish the leaders of is run, including the right for two months. longer sentences. Last month China’s opaque court system. But judicial system. unseen on the Chinese mainland a direct action movement that Hong Kongers to directly elect Justice of Appeal Jeremy Poon two key leaders of the protests the city’s pro-Beijing leader Car- Wong was also convicted in a under a 50-year handover agree- took over the heart of the city for the city’s leader. The movement said Wong’s age at the time of were jailed for 16 months. rie Lam has vowed to press on. In second prosecution related to the ment between Britain and China, many weeks.

Five die in Shanghai When Trump met Kim Malaysia building collapse arrests

AFP suspected Shanghai militants ive people were killed yesterday when the roof of a Shang- hai commercial building caved in upon construction workers Fwho were renovating it, the city government said. The acci- over IS dent occurred at around 11:30am in a central Shanghai neighbour- hood, trapping around 20 people, according to fi re rescue offi cials. Offi cial sources provided diff ering tallies of the numbers of people plots pulled out of the rubble throughout the day, but both the city gov- ernment and the national emergency ministry now quote a death toll of fi ve. AFP A verifi ed social media account run by China’s emergency min- Kuala Lumpur istry showed pictures of rescue personnel digging bloodied and dust-coated workers out from amid piles of rubble, toppled con- crete pillars and shattered wooden beams. Authorities did not give hree militants inspired by details on the severity of the injuries suff ered by survivors. Police the Islamic State group quickly sealed off the area with a huge security presence, prevent- Thave been arrested in ing journalists from getting close. Malaysia, accused of planning The building had previously been used as a dealership for Mer- attacks on non-Muslim places cedes-Benz cars, the fi re rescue bureau said. It was being redevel- of worship in the country and oped as a mixed-use arts and innovation site, according to Chinese neighbouring Indonesia, police media reports. A local resident told AFP she was taking a nap when said yesterday. The suspects are her bed suddenly began shaking, as if in an earthquake had struck. thought to have links to a wider She then heard a loud bang. “I thought it was an explosion at fi rst,” IS-inspired cell, some of whose said the woman, who declined to give her name or to comment fur- Caricatures depicting US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are displayed outside a shop on a street in members were detained last ther. Chinese media reports said the structure was around 3,000sq Seoul yesterday. President Donald Trump will visit South Korea in June to meet with his counterpart Moon Jae-in over their efforts week in Malaysia. m (32,000 sq ft) in area. Aerial pictures on social media appeared to to persuade North Korea to scrap its nuclear weapons arsenal, the White House said. Malaysia and Indonesia, indicate that the roof of about half of the building collapsed. both Muslim-majority coun- tries, are on high alert amid fears that followers of the mili- tants are plotting attacks after the group’s defeat in the Middle East. An Indonesian, Nuruddin Australian former PM Bob Hawke dead at 89 Alele, was detained Tuesday outside Kuala Lumpur follow- ing a tip-off , Malaysian na- AFP which forgave him his faults, he the younger of two sons. After his him a world record for drinking tional police chief Abdul Hamid Sydney won four elections on the run be- brother Neil died from meningi- a yard-glass of beer, about three Bador said. ginning in 1983, and only left of- tis in his teens, the family moved pints, in the fastest time – he The 34-year-old man had fi ce following a party room coup. to Perth in Western Australia. gave up the booze. been exposed to IS ideology ustralia’s longest-serving To many he was a quintessential The grief-stricken parents de- Except, that is, for his tradi- while serving a fi ve-year jail Labor prime minister Australian “larrikin” – a beloved voted themselves to their young- tion in his fi nal years of chug- term in Indonesia. He was in- ABob Hawke died yester- rogue. er son, who went on to become a ging a beer on camera at sporting volved in a plot to kill high- day aged 89. “Today we lost Bob His death comes days be- Rhodes scholar at Oxford. events to raucous cheers. profi le individuals and attack Hawke, a great Australian – many fore Australians go to the polls. Recounting a terrible motor- “I knew that if I was going to Christian, Hindu and Buddhist would say the greatest Australian The Labor party posted a tribute cycle accident as a 17-year-old, go into parliament I could never places of worship and enter- of the post-war era,” his second on Twitter to one of their most which resulted in a ruptured aff ord to be in a position where tainment outlets around Kuala wife Blanche d’Alpuget said in a fondly-remembered characters. spleen and nearly killed him, I could do something stupid as Lumpur, the police chief added. statement. “He died peacefully “Vale Bob. We will remember Hawke said he felt he had been a result of having too much to Authorities announced Mon- at home.” him. In solidarity, forever. May given a second chance at life drink which would bring disgrace day they had foiled that plot The son of a preacher, Hawke he rest in peace.” and drove himself even harder upon me and on my country,” he after making the fi rst series of led his country during the 1980s, “When you would go out cam- to achieve. On his return from told broadcaster ABC in 2014. arrests, and seizing explosives. a period during which he seduced paigning with Bob you were... ab- Oxford he married Hazel Mas- Less than three years after en- They have not identifi ed the the nation with his everyman ap- solutely mobbed,” recalled Hawke Former Australian PM Bob Hawke at the launch of the Labor Party’s terson, and devoted himself to tering parliament he was Labor’s high-profi le individuals target- peal while beginning deregula- cabinet member Susan Ryan. election campaign in Sydney in a file picture. the Australian Council of Trade opposition leader and a month ed. The planned attacks were tion of the economy, including “He was extremely popular Unions. later was elected prime minister aimed at avenging the death of fl oating the dollar. with the women voters. They re- When Australia won the ions and business, and used his Hawke’s fi rst attempt to enter in the party’s greatest victory in a Muslim fi refi ghter in riots at From negotiating with Frank ally, really liked to get near him America’s Cup yacht race in 1983, appeal to win broad support for parliament in 1963 failed and he 40 years. He went on to win elec- an Indian temple last year. Sinatra to ensure the crooner’s and to touch him and to get him a jubilant Hawke sporting a white economic reforms which some- did not try again for 17 years. By tions in 1984, 1987 and 1990. The two other suspects – 1974 Sydney concerts went ahead to sign the autographs and so blazer printed with the words times saw critics accuse him of the time he won the seat of Wills Cultivating a mindset of con- Muhammad Syazani Mahzan to shedding tears over bloodshed forth. “And the men liked him too ‘Australia’, memorably said: moving the Labor Party to the in Melbourne, he was a sen- sensus rather than confron- and Muhamad Nuurul Amin in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, because he was a sportsman and “Any boss who sacks a worker for right. ior fi gure in the Australian La- tation, Hawke’s government Azizan from Malaysia – were Hawke was a huge presence on he had been a very eff ective trade not turning up today is a #@#.” Robert James Lee Hawke was bor Party. Because of questions opened the nation’s economy to arrested Tuesday in the north- Australia’s political landscape. union leader. So he was certainly Nonetheless, he helped forge a born on December 9, 1929 in about his reported womanising global competition and ‘fl oated’ ern Malaysian state of Kedah, Never voted out by the public, Mr. Popularity.” consensus between labour un- Bordertown in South Australia, and drinking – which earned the Australian dollar. police said. Gulf Times 8 Friday, May 17, 2019 BRITAIN

Neglect by mental health trust led to Bristol student’s suicide

Guardian News and Media for not putting in place a man- did not comment on the univer- Academic staff in the phys- coroner said Natasha’s death tingham, said they had endured But they accused the univer- London agement plan that would have sity’s care in her conclusions but ics department had known since was suicide and that neglect had a year of hell. “Individual and sity of still being in denial. They given Natasha Abrahart hope Abrahart’s parents claimed the October 2017 that Abrahart suf- contributed to it. She said: “At systemic failings have been ex- said: “Throughout this inquest and managed her risk. university was in denial over the fered from anxiety and panic at- the time of her death she was un- posed. There are absolutely vital process it has attempted to shut eglect by a mental health After the inquest, Abrahart’s deaths and said they intended to tacks when she had to take part der the care of the mental health lessons for everybody – lessons down, block and narrow any trust contributed to the parents also blamed the uni- pursue legal action against it. in one-to-one oral assessments. team, who had not provided a that if they’d been learned ear- meaningful examination of its Nsuicide of a Bristol Uni- versity, claiming it failed to put Abrahart, who was studying The inquest was told that no timely and detailed management lier may have saved our daugh- actions.” They said they had un- versity student with severe so- in place measures to help their physics, was found dead in her measures were in place to help plan following a number of as- ter’s life.” covered a “deeply troubled pic- cial anxiety who was found dead daughter even though staff knew student fl at at 2.30pm on April her through the ordeal of the sessments by them. That man- The parents, who raised money ture” at the university. “Infor- on the day she was due to take for six months that she was 30, 2018, half an hour after she laboratory conference. agement plan should have been in to help investigate their daugh- mation wasn’t shared, referrals part in a “terrifying” oral test, a struggling. had been due to take part in a The inquest heard that Abra- place by the end of March 2018 … ter’s death through a crowdfund- to student support services were coroner has ruled. Abrahart, 20, was the 10th “laboratory conference” that hart had three suicidal episodes which would have instilled hope ing appeal, receiving donations not followed up, there was con- The senior Avon coroner, of 12 students at Bristol Uni- would have involved her giving before she died and she had also and managed her risk.” from more than 500 people, said fusion over who was involved in Maria Voisin, criticised the Avon versity known or suspected to an assessed presentation to al- been cutting herself. She was re- In a statement given outside they were grateful that AWP had Natasha’s case and no one took and Wiltshire Mental Health have killed themselves since most 50 fellow students and staff ferred by a university GP to AWP. court, Natasha’s parents, Mar- set out what it intended to do im- the lead in addressing her obvi- Partnership NHS trust (AWP) September 2016. The coroner in a 329-seat lecture theatre. In a narrative conclusion, the garet and Robert, from Not- prove its services. ous diffi culties.” Huawei poses security threat to UK, says ex-MI6 chief

Guardian News and Media very much hope there is time for London the UK government ... to recon- sider the Huawei decision. “No part of the Communist uawei should be com- Chinese state is ultimately able pletely banned from to operate free of the control ex- Hsupplying 5G mobile ercised by its Communist Party networks in the UK because its leadership,” Dearlove added. operations are “subject to infl u- “Therefore, we must conclude ence by the Chinese state”, ac- the engagement of Huawei cording to a report by a Conserv- presents a potential security risk Boris Johnson attends the 2019 British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) conference in Manchester yesterday. ative MP and two academics. to the UK.” They argue that a decision Huawei says it has never en- announced by Theresa May gaged in espionage or allowed last month, following a fraught its technology to be knowingly meeting of the National Secu- hacked by the Chinese state. rity Council (NSC), to allow the Earlier this week, its chairman, company to supply “non-core” Liang Hua, said the company equipment should be overturned would be prepared to sign a “no- because using the company’s spy agreement” during a visit to May to set timetable for exit technology presents “risks”. the UK. Its founder, Ren Zheng- In a report from the Henry fei, has said he would rather Jackson Society (HJS), the au- shut the company down than be thors go on to claim Huawei “has ordered to conduct any surveil- long been accused of espionage” lance on behalf of the Chinese – a claim denied repeatedly by state. in June after Brexit deal bid the fi rm – and notes that “while The HJS report notes coun- there are no defi nitely proven tries such as the US and Aus- Reuters others are demanding her im- lowed the 2016 referendum With Labour and Brexit-sup- causing appalling damage to the cases”, a precautionary principle tralia have categorised Hua- London mediate departure. when Britons voted 52% to 48% porting rebels in the Conserva- Conservative Party.” should be adopted. wei as a “high-risk vendor”. “The prime minister is de- to leave the EU, survived a no- tives planning to vote against Another, Andrew Bridgen, said The document is co-authored Malcolm Turnbull, the former termined to secure our depar- confi dence vote of her Conserv- her deal, it is unlikely to be ap- May was “an increasingly belea- by the Tory MP Bob Seely, who prime minister of Australia, rime Minister Theresa ture from the European Union,” ative lawmakers in December. proved as things stand. guered and isolated prime min- has already raised concerns also endorsing the report, said May will set out a time- Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 Under current party rules, she Pro-Brexit Conservative law- ister who is desperate to salvage about Huawei, and the expert he had ordered a ban on Hua- Ptable for her departure in Committee that can make or cannot be challenged again for a makers were unimpressed with something from her premiership academics Peter Varnish and wei in 5G networks because the early June after the latest at- break party leaders, said follow- year, but some on Brady’s com- May’s failure to set a fi rm date and is prepared to drive through John Hemmings. It adds to pres- risks of using its kit “cannot be tempt to get her Brexit deal ap- ing a meeting between his com- mittee had pushed for those rules to quit. One, who declined to an agreement that would fatally sure heaped on the government eff ectively mitigated, you can’t proved by parliament, the chair- mittee’s executive and May in to be changed in order to try to be named, described it as “yet hamstring any future prime min- to reconsider letting Huawei design a way around it”. man of a powerful Conservative parliament which he described force her out earlier if she refused further procrastination which is ister in negotiations with the EU.” participate in the UK’s 5G net- British intelligence agencies Committee said yesterday. as a “very frank exchange”. to set out a clear departure date. work from the US and Austral- have broadly argued the risks Three years after Britain vot- The government has said May’s Brexit deal has been re- Johnson to stand as next Conservative leader ia, whose intelligence agencies from using Huawei technology ed to leave the European Union, lawmakers will be able to debate jected three times by parliament share information with the UK. can be contained and an arm of there is little clarity over when, and vote on the Withdrawal and weeks of talks with the op- Boris Johnson, the face of the take place during the summer. Last month May provision- the UK’s GCHQ has been moni- how and even whether Brexit Agreement Bill, the legislation position Labour Party, the idea campaign for Britain to leave “I am going for it, of course, ally approved the use of Huawei toring and examining the com- will happen, prompting some required to enact May’s Brexit of which were deeply unpopular the European Union, yesterday I am going for it,” Johnson technology for parts of the UK’s pany’s software and technology in her party to call for a new ap- deal, in the week starting June 3. with many Conservatives, have said he will be standing as a told the BBC. “I don’t think future 5G telecoms networks for back doors and vulnerabili- proach to the country’s biggest “We have agreed that she and failed to fi nd a consensus on the candidate to replace Prime that is any particular secret after a meeting of the NSC. A ties since the middle of the last policy shift in more than 40 I will meet following the sec- way forward. Minister Theresa May as to anybody.” The winner of leaked account of the meeting decade. years. ond reading of the Bill to agree Mired in Brexit deadlock and Conservative leader. May the leadership contest will said fi ve Cabinet ministers raised No evidence of hacking has May has promised to step a timetable for the election of forced to delay Britain’s March will set out a timetable for automatically become prime concerns about the company. been made public, and the agen- down after her Brexit deal is ap- a new leader,” Brady said, add- 29 exit from the EU, May’s Con- her departure in early June minister and will take control The HJS report has a foreword cies are understood to have ad- proved by lawmakers. ing that the conversation would servatives suff ered major losses after the latest attempt to of the Brexit process, which by Sir Richard Dearlove, who led vised Theresa May and the NSA But many in her party want take place whether the bill was in local elections this month get her Brexit deal approved has plunged Britain into its MI6 between 1999 and 2004. that any risks in using Huawei her to set out clearly when she passed or not. and are trailing in opinion polls by parliament, meaning a worst political crisis since Using blunter language than the kit can be contained through a will quit if the agreement is re- May, who became prime before May 23 European Parlia- leadership contest is likely to World War II. report’s authors, he wrote: “I limited deployment. jected for a fourth time, and minister in the chaos that fol- ment elections. Harry wins payout over Queen’s Garden Party National Grid chief attacks Labour’s plan aerial pictures of home Reuters ported a 2% dip in underlying London operating profi t of £3.43bn for the year ended March 31. Reuters erty,” the lawyer said in a court take the photographs was an Labour’s nationalisation London statement. “error of judgement” and that he head of the National plan has prompted infrastruc- “The property had been steps have been taken to ensure Grid criticised the op- ture owners to warn of damage chosen by the Duke for him- it will not happen again. Tposition Labour Party’s to investment, high taxpayer rince Harry, the Duke self and his wife given the high Harry and his older brother plans to renationalise energy costs and a slower transition to of Sussex, has accepted level of privacy it afforded, William have never made a se- networks, saying it would in- green energy. P substantial damages given its position in a seclud- cret of their dislike of the media crease costs for consumers and The proposals have also and an apology from a news ed area surrounded by private after their mother Princess Di- could prompt legal challenges, rekindled lingering worries agency which took photo- farmland away from any areas ana was killed in a crash in 1997 as the fi rm’s profi t fell slightly. among investors about poten- graphs of his home from the to which photographers have as her car sped away from chas- “The proposals that Labour tial radical changes to public air, Buckingham Palace said access.” ing photographers. have set are very complex and policy if Labour, Britain’s main yesterday. Harry, Queen Elizabeth’s Earlier this month, Harry and from our perspective would opposition party, won a gen- Harry’s lawyer said Splash grandson, and Meghan attract Meghan avoided posing for the be a massive distraction for eral election. News and Picture Agency had a huge media interest and are traditional photo outside the the industry and would cer- Prime Minister Theresa May chartered a helicopter in January treated like Hollywood super- hospital after the birth of their tainly slow down the progress is facing intense scrutiny over to take photos and fi lm the pri- stars. fi rst child. in terms of things like infra- her leadership, with many vate home of Harry and his wife But they have a strained rela- This did not go down well with structure investments,” chief calling for her departure, as Meghan, a former American ac- tionship with the press and have some of the British media, which executive John Pettigrew said she struggles to sort out how tress, in Oxfordshire, central in the past asked for respect for lamented the decision as a de- yesterday. Brexit would pan out after her England. their right to privacy. parture from more than 40 years “It (the proposals) would EU exit deal has been defeated The couple had chosen the The pictures taken by Splash, of tradition. ultimately increase the cost thrice. property because of its high lev- one of the world’s largest ce- Last year, Harry and Meg- for customers... we’ve set out Mounting concern over the els of privacy and were forced to lebrity-focused photo agen- han allowed only one reporter quite clearly that actually we nationalisation plan took the move out after the pictures were cies, showed the inside of the inside St George’s Chapel at don’t think their proposals focus off National Grid’s large- taken, his lawyer said. couple’s home, including their Windsor Castle for their wed- will be good for customers or ly in-line results. “The syndication and publi- dining room, bedroom and liv- ding. good for the decarbonisation Shares in National Grid cation of the photographs very ing room. William and his wife Kate, the agenda.” and peer SSE fell for a second seriously undermined the safety They were later published by Duchess of Cambridge, success- The company, which has straight session yesterday as and security of the Duke and the The Times newspaper and online fully sued a French magazine af- Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, greets guests at the Queen’s been beefi ng up investments worries that nationalisation home to the extent that they are by other publications. ter it published photos of her in Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in central London. into its cross-border electric could be below market valua- no longer able to live at the prop- Splash said the decision to 2012. and gas lines, yesterday re- tion unnerved investors. Gulf Times Friday, May 17, 2019 9 EUROPE

Teenaged activist features on Time Global cyber-crime magazine cover

DPA Stockholm network dismantled wedish teenage activist Reuters/AFP access to their most sensitive in- Russian TV cancels kids’ talent show result over vote-rigging Greta Thunberg will be The Hague formation,” he added. Sfeatured on an upcoming Brady said the collaboration Russian television has cancelled the results of a commentators and suggestions that her mother’s cover of Time magazine in rec- between American, Georgian, popular children’s talent show after an investigation social media posts influenced the result. ognition of the global impact olice in six countries have Ukrainian, German, Bulgarian, confirmed rigging of phone votes. Channel One said preliminary results of the probe by she has had in holding strikes dismantled a complex and Moldovan law enforcement Channel One announced that “there was outside influ- Group-IB, an international company specialising in hi- for climate action outside Swe- Pcyber-crime network that that was required to dismantle ence on the voting that aff ected the result” of its show tech crimes and online fraud, were suff icient to “annul den’s parliament since August. operated from Eastern Europe the group would prove a “blue- The Voice Kids, after the probe found thousands of the results of the final of the sixth season of the show”. “Now I Am Speaking to the and fl eeced victims – including print” for future operations. calls and text messages from phones that have since It stressed it was not accusing any child but said it Whole World,” she wrote yes- small businesses and charities – GozNym featured the Geor- been disconnected. would tighten up voting procedures and hold a rerun terday on Twitter, referencing a of some $100mn, Europe’s police gian ringleader, a Russian soft- The finding is an embarrassment for a state-controlled of the final this month. quote from the article featured agency said yesterday. ware developer, encryption national channel that airs numerous franchised shows The Voice Kids is a format developed by Dutch com- in the magazine. The GozNym network, led by experts in Moldova and Kaza- and regularly broadcasts the Eurovision Song Contest. pany Talpa Media as the children’s version of The Voice The tweet included a photo The Time cover featuring a man from Tbilisi, Georgia, used khstan, “account takeover spe- The final of the Russian show prompted controversy talent contest. of the magazine’s cover. Thunberg, taken from the phishing e-mails to infect the cialists” in Bulgaria and Ukraine, last month after the daughter of a pop star won a land- Group-IB said it found a large number of SMS votes Thunberg’s weekly protest magazine’s website. computers of more than 41,000 as well as assorted spammers, slide victory with a performance many commentators cast for one candidate, without saying which one. outside parliament in Stock- victims with malware. money launderers and “mules” called weaker than that of the other two finalists. More than 8,000 text messages were sent from some holm has snowballed since The 16-year-old has also re- Specialised members of the (money carriers). The winner, Mikella Abramova is the 11-year-old daugh- 300 numbers, with the same operator and in the same August 2018 and inspired stu- cently addressed members of group in Bulgaria and Ukraine The defendants allegedly ad- ter of former Eurovision Song Contest entrant Alsou. region. dents around the world to hold parliament in London, world then seized control of victims’ vertised their skills and serv- She won 56.5% of a final vote via phone and text mes- All the phones have since been disconnected. demonstrations calling for leaders at the World Economic online bank accounts and trans- ices on underground, Russian- sages. Bots were apparently used to make over 30,000 calls climate action under the #Fri- Forum in Davos, Switzerland, ferred their funds to laundering speaking online forums. Abramova’s victory prompted resentment from some from consecutive numbers. daysForFuture slogan. and those attending the UN accounts. The operation against the In remarks to Time, Thun- climate conference held last Ten of the network’s members group began in 2016 with a Ger- berg said her protest became a year in Katowice, Poland. have been charged with conspir- man-led action in Ukraine that the malware, remain at large, ac- Lanka at the request of US au- “Avalanche” network that pro- means to tackle severe depres- “Before, I never really spoke acy to steal online banking cre- shut down the network’s servers. cording to Europol. thorities in 2017 but “through the vided services to more than 200 sion that she experienced af- when I was in my lessons or dentials and deposits under a US Its alleged leader, Alexander The fi ve included the alleged intervention of the Russian gov- cyber-criminals including the ter studying climate change at with my classmates,” Thun- grand jury indictment. Konovolov, 35, who goes by the developer of the malware, iden- ernment” was freed on bail, after Georgians. school. berg told Time. “But now I am “The victims included ‘mom online name “NoNe”, is being tifi ed as Vladimir Gorin, but they which he fl ed to Russia. He allegedly fi red an assault ri- “I felt everything was mean- speaking to the whole world.” and pop’ businesses ... law fi rms, prosecuted in Georgia. cannot be extradited because Bulgarian Krasimir Nikolov fl e through the door of his apart- ingless and there was no point Thunberg shrugged off criti- international corporations ... His alleged technical assist- Russia does not send suspects was arrested and extradited to ment at police, the DOJ said. going to school if there was no cism she has faced online for non-profi t organisations that ant Marat Kazandjian, 31, aka abroad. the US in 2016 and has already Europol announced the future,” Thunberg said. her activism: “It’s quite hilari- worked with disabled children,” “phant0m”, was also arrested in Gorin “oversaw its creation, pleaded guilty to the charges in smashing of the Avalanche net- A month ago, the teen- ous when the only thing peo- US attorney Scott Brady told a Georgia. development, management and the indictment, the US Justice work in a major operation in ager met Pope Francis on the ple can do is mock you, or talk news conference in The Hague. Other prosecutions are un- leasing to other cyber criminals” Department (DOJ) said. 2016, saying that it had infected sidelines of a Vatican event in about your appearance or per- “Unsuspecting European and derway in Moldova, Ukraine and including the Georgian alleged Ukrainian police meanwhile half a million computers in 188 Saint Peter’s Square, where the sonality, as it means they have American victims thought they the US. Five Russians charged in leader of the group, Europol said. arrested Gennady Kapkanov, 36, countries. Catholic leader encouraged her no argument, or nothing else were clicking on a simple invoice, the US indictment, including the One of the Russians, Viktor also known as “fi restarter”, on The latest operation was a fol- to continue her activism. to say.” but were instead giving hackers man accused of having developed Eremenko, was arrested in Sri suspicion of hosting a so-called low-up from that, Europol said.

Cathedral project suspended after Lights, camera ... crèche! Cannes gets red carpet nursery Putin comments Plans for a new cathedral in By Hazel Ward, AFP Russia have been suspended Cannes after several days of clashes between police and protesters, the local mayor said yesterday, n a sunny corner overlook- just hours after President ing the yacht-fi lled harbour, Vladimir Putin said opponents of Ia handful of Cannes’ young- the project should be heard. est visitors are bouncing around Thousands of people in the Urals a vibrant-coloured carpet in the city of Yekaterinburg protested fi rst-ever crèche at the world’s this week against Orthodox biggest fi lm festival. Church plans to recreate a pre- The brainchild of three fi lm Soviet cathedral in a popular industry mothers struggling to central park. juggle being a parent with the “Today, we have suspended gruelling annual run of festi- work,” Alexandre Vyssokinski vals, Le Ballon Rouge (The Red said, according to the Tass news Balloon), is a light, airy room agency. “where children are the new The authorities will canvass local VIPs”. People wearing virtual reality opinion so as to determine the Kids had previously been a (VR) headsets watch films project’s future, he added. very rare sight at the annual yesterday at the Film Market Earlier yesterday, Putin said that celebrity-fi lled festival, which business area of the 72nd “if people are against it, that thrives on glitz and glamour Cannes Film Festival. opinion must be respected”. but has done little to meet the He also suggested – as promised practical needs of movers and running for 12 days, going pri- by Vyssokinski – that there shakers with babies or toddlers vate can quickly get expensive. should be “a survey, and the in tow. “You can’t really do much minority should concede to the However, for the fi rst time this when they’re crying,” she said. “I majority”. year, the festival has opened the was going to bring a nanny or get special daycare centre to lend a one locally but you’re looking at hand to parents in the fi lm in- €20 to €30 ($22-34) an hour.” Belgium’s former dustry. But searching online, she It follows a similar nursery, found Le Ballon Rouge and Indian actress Deepika Padukone poses as she arrives yesterday king faces hefty “playhouse and nap room” set quickly booked a place. for the screening of the film Rocketman at the 72nd edition of the paternity fines up at the Sundance fi lm festi- Accredited festival-goers can Cannes Film Festival. val last year by the US-based obtain special passes for their A Belgian court has ordered Moms-in-Film group, which children to use the daycare serv- room some 20 minutes away just turning to work after giving the country’s former king to had railed at the lack of child- ice which is open from 10am to to feed her infant son, which was birth,” Carey said. pay €5,000 ($5,600) a day until friendly facilities at Cannes. 6pm, and costs €50 per day. both diffi cult and impractical. But Cannes’s big gesture has he takes a DNA paternity test It’s the morning of the open- “This is amazing! They have And she wasn’t alone. not been without its teething to resolve a long-running case ing of the Cannes crèche and a all of this – and other kids to play “In January, we started talk- problems, with a British direc- brought by a woman who says handful of youngsters are play- with,” Greaves smiled. “It takes ing with other friends in the in- tor saying she had been refused she is his daughter. ing with soft toys, while others women coming together to make dustry, just sharing tips, then at entry to the festival site with A judicial source said the 84-year- try to nap in a space which also something happen.” the Berlin fi lm festival we met her four-month-old son on old Albert II must pay the sum to has fenced-off outdoor areas Three fi lm industry profes- several festival representatives,” Wednesday. Belgian artist Delphine Boel, 50, shaded by parasols. sionals with young children she told AFP as her two-year- She revealed that she was for every day he now fails to heed Three young nannies and came up with the idea a few old son raced around the room asked for €300 for a delegate’s a court order made last year to a nurse from the Paris-based months ago while sharing tips giggling. pass for him and when she ac- provide a sample. service “Nanny Please” are on about how to handle the work- Coming up with a plan, the cepted, was told it would take Children and a nanny are seen at Le Ballon Rouge Kids Pavilion, Albert, who abdicated six years hand to sing, colour, draw and life balance. three approached the festival 48 hours to process, she told the located at the Village International Pantiero. ago in favour of his son Philippe, make lunch, helped by two lo- Together they founded organisers and Cannes’ sprawl- Guardian. is challenging the ruling that he cal volunteers, with the children “Parenting at Film Festivals”. ing fi lm market and by April, the So far, 50 parents have signed the childcare costs were raised gender equality pledge. submit to testing. housed in a pavilion by the har- “We were just compar- initiative was in place. up to Le Ballon Rouge, which is through a crowdfunding ini- However, Carey said the ini- The retired monarch has been bour. ing notes on how hard it was to They have also set up a baby named after an Oscar-winning tiative with contributions from tiative to off er parent-friendly fighting Boel’s claim for over a Coming from Los Angeles for be a parent at a festival,” said room inside the Palais des Fes- French children’s fi lm, with 17 more than 12 companies and in- services was entirely led by her decade. her fi rst visit to the Cannes fes- Michelle Carey, an Australian tivals, where the red carpet pre- children booked in, Carey said. stitutions. and her fellow mothers. Court-ordered DNA tests have tival, Gail Greaves said she had fi lm programmer and one of the mieres take place, off ering a pri- One of the parents is a mem- Supported by the 5050/2020 “We went to them and of- already proved that she is not been planning on hiring some- three women who founded the vate space for mums to feed and ber of one of the festival prize collective, which is pushing for fered a solution,” she told AFP. the off spring of her legal father, one to watch her two-year-old group. change their babies. juries. an equal place for women in the “If we hadn’t gone to them, they Jacques Boel, scion of one of daughter Arabella. During last year’s festival, she “It’s particularly good for The infrastructure was fund- fi lm industry, the move comes a wouldn’t have been able to do it Belgium’s richest industrial However, with the festival had to dash back to her hotel young mothers who may be re- ed by the fi lm market while year after Cannes signed up to a themselves.” dynasties. Catalan separatists block Spanish premier’s pick for Senate speaker

AFP Sanchez, whose Socialists against Iceta’s designation as Since the Socialists do not have block Iceta’s nomination “im- tempt to break away in 2017. pendence declaration. Barcelona won an early general election a senator, thwarting Sanchez’s an absolute majority in Congress, mensely clumsy”. He has even suggested that They have also accused Iceta last month but have yet to form a plans to have him then appointed they need to negotiate an alliance Iceta, a lawmaker in the Cata- Catalan leaders currently on trial of not showing enough sensitiv- new government, had nominated as speaker of the upper house. with smaller parties in order to be lan regional parliament, has long in Madrid over the secession bid ity to the Catalan leaders who are atalan separatist par- Miquel Iceta, a veteran leader of It was the fi rst setback for sworn in for another term. called for a federal system of could be given a pardon. facing long prison sentences. ties have blocked Prime the Catalan Socialist Party with a Sanchez since the April 28 gen- No agreements are expected government in Spain in order to However, the separatists op- This is the fi rst time in Spain’s CMinister Pedro Sanchez’s conciliatory position towards the eral election which saw his So- before local, regional and Euro- meet Catalonia’s calls for greater posed Iceta’s nomination be- modern history that Catalonia’s move to appoint a Catalan for the separatists, to the post in what cialists win the most seats in pean Parliament elections are autonomy, and he has repeat- cause he and his party backed the regional parliament has not sim- fi rst time in Spain’s modern his- was seen as a goodwill gesture. Congress, the lower house, and held in Spain on May 26. edly called for dialogue to resolve temporary suspension of Cata- ply ratifi ed the choice for senator tory to the post of speaker of the However, the regional Cata- obtain an absolute majority in Deputy Prime Minister Car- a crisis that was sparked by the lonia’s regional powers after the proposed by the top party in the Senate. lan parliament voted yesterday the Senate. men Calvo called the move to northeastern region’s failed at- secession referendum and inde- upper house. Gulf Times 10 Friday, May 17, 2019 INDIA

LAW AND ORDER JUSTICE ANGER CLARIFICATION TRAGEDY Three militants, soldier Seven get life for murder Congress flays IT raid on Oxford Dictionary denies Woman dies after killed in Kashmir clash of Kerala CPI-M worker leader ahead of Panaji vote Rahul’s ‘Modilie’ claim explosion in mouth

Three suspected militants and a soldier were Twelve years after the brutal murder of a CPI(M) With three days to go for the Panaji Assembly A day after Congress president Rahul Gandhi, In a bizarre incident, a woman died in Aligarh, killed yesterday in a counter-insurgency activist, a court near Kannur, Kerala, sentenced by-election, income tax department officials mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh, after an explosion in her mouth operation in Pulwama district of Jammu and seven BJP/RSS workers for life. P Pavithran, a CPI-M yesterday searched residence and offices posted a snapshot that a new word “Modilie” during treatment. The woman was brought Kashmir, police said. A civilian was also killed in activist, who worked as a labourer, was attacked on of Goa Congress leader and former Panaji has been added to English dictionaries, the to the J N Medical college after she allegedly the crossfire between the rebels and security November 6, 2007, when he was going out to buy mayor Yatin Parekh. Describing the raids as authoritative Oxford English Dictionary consumed poison. As soon as the doctors forces, a local police off icial said. The army’s milk early in the morning. The incident occurred an act of “vengeance” by the ruling Bharatiya yesterday said that no such word not exist began treatment and put the suction pipe in northern command said in a Twitter post that near his house at Ponniam and his son Vipin was a Janata Party, the Congress said the BJP was in any of its dictionaries. However, Rahul her mouth, an explosion took place which three “terrorists” had been killed and weapons witness to the crime. While trying to escape from desperate to win at “any cost”. Parekh’s continued to target the Prime Minister and was recorded in the CCTV cameras. A team of has been confiscated. The incident kicked off the attackers, the gang stabbed Pavithran. He died residence and offices were raided by the team tweeted yesterday that “Modilie” is the new doctors said that the woman, in all probability, when a team made up of army, police and four days after he was admitted to a hospital. The of IT officials from the Karnataka-Goa income word that has become popular worldwide. had consumed sulphuric acid which after paramilitary forces cordoned off the Dalipora Thalassery additional district Sessions court judge tax directorate. While officials didn’t disclose “Now there’s even a website that catalogues coming in contact with oxygen through the area after receiving information on the presence P N Vinod, besides handing over a life term for the details of raid, Parekh refused to comment. the best Modilies,” he said, sharing the address suction pipe exploded. A deeper research into of militants. As the joint team intensified its seven accused, also slapped a fine of Rs100,000 But the Goa Congress described the raid as a of the website listing alleged lies of Modi since the incident will reveal the exact cause, said search, the militants opened fire. each on all the accused. “desperate” act of the BJP. he came to office in 2014. the hospital spokesman. BJP demands Thakur apology after Godse comment row

IANS Mahatma Gandhi can’t be a pa- Bhopal/New Delhi triot.” Slamming the BJP for Thakur’s comment, Congress spokesper- JP’s Lok Sabha candi- son Randeep Singh Surjewala date from Bhopal, Sadhvi called it an “insult to the coun- BPragya Singh Thakur, yes- try” and said “India’s soul is un- terday kicked up a major row by der attack from the successors of describing Mahatma Gandhi’s Nathuram Godse, the BJP ruling assassin Nathuram Godse as a dispensation.” He said the “BJP ‘patriot’, a comment which her leaders are describing the mur- party immediately condemned derer of the Father of the Nation and asked her to apologise. as a true nationalist. This is an In response, Thakur only said: insult to the country and an at- “ I have faith in my organisation tack on Gandhi’s ideology.” (BJP), am its worker and the par- Congress general secretary ty’s line is my line.” Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took a The comment by Thakur, an swipe at the BJP for distancing Congress president Rahul Gandhi and party’s Lok Sabha candidate from Patna Sahib, Shatrughan Sinha and Samajwadi Party’s Lok Sabha candidate from Lucknow, Poonam accused in the Malegaon blast itself from Thakur’s remark and Sinha take part in a rally ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, in Patna yesterday. case, provided fodder to the oppo- dared the BJP to “have the guts” sition Congress to target the BJP. to spell out its stand. “Nathuram Godse was a ‘pa- “Distancing yourself from triot’, is a ‘ patriot’ and will remain your candidate is not enough. a ‘ patriot ‘. People calling him Nationalistic luminaries of the a terrorist should instead look BJP, have the guts to spell out within. Such people will be given a your stand,” the Congress leader befi tting reply in these elections,” tweeted. Sonia to meet top politicians Thakur told reporters in Bhopal. Her remarks came after the She was commenting on the BJP distanced itself from the re- recent remarks of actor and marks of Thakur. Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) Senior Congress leader Digvi- president Kamal Haasan who jaya Singh, who is pitted against called Godse the fi rst Hindu Thakur in Bhopal, termed with eye on forming govt terrorist of independent India. Thakur’s comment as “sedition” “The fi rst terrorist post-inde- and demanded an apology from pendence was Nathuram Godse, Prime Minister Narendra Modi IANS shot off to key allies, Dravida Janata Dal (BJD) and K Chan- and Akhilesh while launching est regard for Sonia and our a Hindu. It started from there. and BJP president Amit Shah. New Delhi Munnetra Kazhagam and Na- drashekhar Rao of the Telanga- an open attack on the BJP and party will certainly play an im- He killed Mahatma Gandhi,” Former Jammu and Kashmir tionalist Congress Party (NCP) na Rashtra Samiti (TRS), Sonia Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. portant role in government for- Kamal Haasan said. chief minister Omar Abdullah, for working out instant strate- is eyeing the support of Maya- In several seats in the state, mation after May 23,” said Singh. Unhappy over Thakur’s con- in a tweet, asked: “If the killer of lliance partners Maya- gies to stake claim for forming wati and Akhilesh Yadav who the Congress fi elded candidates In its latest internal poll sur- troversial comment, the BJP im- the father of the nation is a pa- wati and Akhilesh Ya- the government at the Centre, are expected to secure big num- from the upper castes to cut into vey, SP has been expecting mediately condemned it. triot does that make Gandhi an Adav could be the most in case the National Democrat- bers if the caste chemistry of the vote bank of the saff ron par- around 26 seats (out of 37 being “We completely disagree with anti-national?” prominent faces of Sonia Gan- ic Alliance, led by incumbent votes succeeds in the cow belt. ty. In return, the alliance did not contested), though it appears the statement she has made with It is not the fi rst controversy dhi’s much talked-about May Prime Minister Narendra Modi Party sources said that Sonia contest Rae Bareli and Amethi, to be an elevated number in the regard to Mahatma Gandhi and that Thakur has been embroiled 23 meeting. Neutral players falls short of the majority mark. has stepped into alliance build- the traditional seats held by the wake of Prime Minister Modi’s we strongly condemn it. The BJP in. She had earlier said that Ma- Naveen Patnaik and K Chan- Among those who have con- ing eff orts even before the re- Gandhi family. marathon rallies in the state af- will ask her why she made such a harashtra ATS offi cer Hemant drashekhar Rao are also being fi rmed their participation at the sults are out. She has reportedly Now Sonia’s latest commu- ter the second phase. statement. It would be proper for Karkare, who had interrogated approached. meeting are NCP’s Sharad Pa- been in touch with both Maya- nique to Mayawati and Akhilesh Sources said in the proposed her to tender a public apology for her in the Malegaon case and In a bid to muster the support war and M K Stalin of the DMK. wati and Akhilesh Yadav and Yadav makes it evident that the meeting Akhilesh and Mayawati this objectionable statement,” was later killed during the 26/11 of old friends and lead the op- Sonia had almost taken the also West Bengal Chief Minister alliance leaders are also keen to would be the prominent faces BJP spokesperson G V L Narsim- Mumbai attacks, had died due to position front, United Progres- back seat after Rahul Gandhi Mamata Banerjee. join the UPA to consolidate op- besides Sharad Pawar, N Chan- ha Rao told reporters at the party her “curse.” sive Alliance chairperson Sonia was elected president of the Despite remaining out of position fraternity. drababu Naidu and M K Stalin headquarters in Delhi. Her comments had earned Gandhi has sent letters to all key Congress. However, as the elec- the pre-poll alliance in Ut- The national spokesperson of who are certain to be present. BJP media cell in-charge for her a 72-hour-long ban on players, including former Uttar tion results draw closer, she has tar Pradesh, Congress leaders Samajwadi Party, I P Singh said Sources said Congress lead- Madhya Pradesh, Lokendra Par- campaigning ahead of polling Pradesh chief ministers, Maya- returned to take the leadership have been in constant touch the alliance would be the ulti- ers, particularly Ahmed Patel, ashar, said: “The BJP does not for the Bhopal Lok Sabha seat wati and Akhilesh Yadav, for the role to forge a grand opposition with the Bahujan Samaj Party mate winner in Uttar Pradesh are also reaching out to Naveen agree with her statement. The on May 12. Following this, the May 23 meeting, the day results alliance which had unfortu- and Samajwadi Party leader- and would secure at least 60 Patnaik and K Chandrashekhar party will fi nd out about the cir- BJP had to keep restraining her of the Lok Sabha elections are to nately failed last year. ship. During the poll campaign seats making the SP-BSP alli- Rao. Eff orts are also being made cumstances in which she made and insulate her from direct be announced. Besides neutral players such in Uttar Pradesh, Rahul chose ance the biggest challenger to to approach YSRCP’s Jaganmo- this statement. One who killed media interactions. Letters have also been as Naveen Patnaik of the Biju to remain silent on Mayawati the BJP. “Akhilesh has the high- han Reddy. Farm loans and ports Mamata roadshow Man dies in suspected on opposition agenda ‘cow lynching’ case AFP shooting was carried out by Srinagar Hindu vigilantes, protested and Reuters observers say has been an unu- As well as waiving loans tak- threw stones at police and dam- Amaravthi sually hostile campaign devoid en by farmers, they would also aged several vehicles, demand- of real policy debate. look at raising the so-called he police yesterday said ing the attackers be handed over “We have to move very fast minimum support prices that they are probing a sus- to them. loan waiver programme and I am confi dent it will hap- provide a fl oor for farm pro- Tpected fresh case of a Police fi red tear gas before au- for farmers and pri- pen and we opposition parties duce. Muslim man being killed by so- thorities imposed a curfew in the Avatisation of air and will work together,” Naidu said He said he was in regular called Hindu cow vigilantes. area and deployed hundreds of sea ports will be among the at his offi cial residence in Ama- touch with most of the opposi- According to Human Rights government forces personnel to post-election priorities if the ravthi next to the Krishna river. tion leaders who failed to join Watch some 44 people died in prevent religious clashes and the opposition parties pull off an “We will win a suffi cient forces under a single platform cow-related violence by Hindu violence from spreading. unexpected victory in the na- number of seats to form the during an election that began vigilantes between May 2015 and Cows slaughter is banned tional vote, a regional party next government. I am 100% on April 11 but are now trying to December last year. across much of India, including leader said. confi dent of that, I have seen cobble together an alliance. Police said that a group of in Jammu and Kashmir. Most political analysts ex- the mood of the nation.” He said the main opposition Muslim men transporting horses But beef is openly sold across pect Prime Minister Narendra Naidu said that allowing Congress party was the “an- became involved in an alterca- many parts of the state where Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party private companies to build chor” of the group and would tion in a remote mountainous resentment against Indian rule is (BJP) to retain power when re- and operate ports, while the have a big say in selection of area of Kashmir before dawn. widespread. sults of the staggered 39-day government plays the role of the next prime minister should Nayeem Ahmed Shah, thought Critics say that extremists general election are announced “catalyst and facilitator”, would they win. to be 50, was shot in the head and have been emboldened by the on May 23. not only help to generate rev- He declined to name his pre- died on the spot, police said, while Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Ja- But N Chandrababu Naidu, enue for the state but also cre- ferred choice for prime minis- another man Yasin Hussain ac- nata Party (BJP) coming to power chief minister of Andhra ate jobs. ter but said that Mayawati, a companying him was injured. nationally in 2014 under Prime Pradesh and head of the re- Modi’s inability to create em- former chief minister of India’s The attackers fl ed the scene Minister Narendra Modi. gional Telugu Desam Party, is ployment opportunities for mil- most populous state of Uttar after the fi ring, Hussain told re- In 2017 his government taking a lead in bringing to- lions of youth entering the work- Pradesh in the north, is among porters. tried to ban the cattle trade for gether all opposition parties as force has been one of the biggest the candidates. “We are investigating the slaughter nationwide, only for they sense an opportunity to criticisms of his time in offi ce, He said that her being from a angle of cow vigilantism,” in- it to be rejected by the Supreme oust his former ally. along with low farm prices. lower Hindu caste could work West Bengal chief minister and chief of Trinamool Congress, spector general of police for the Court. The world’s largest democ- Naidu said the farm econo- in her favour. “We are all to- Mamata Banerjee, waves towards her supporters during a region, M K Sinha said, adding Modi, 68, is running for a sec- racy, with about 900mn eligi- my and job creation would be gether in good faith and will roadshow ahead of the last phase of the general election in seven suspects were taken into ond term in elections that end ble voters, concludes polling the top post-election priorities select amicably who will be the Kolkata yesterday. custody for questioning. on Sunday with results due four on Sunday after what election if the opposition take power. best PM choice,” he said. Angry locals, who say the days later. Gulf Times Friday, May 17, 2019 11 LATIN AMERICA US improving ties with Ecuador after Assange expelled

DPA sponse to natural disasters, embassy to the delight of US of- Correa sided with other leftist Eric Farnsworth, a former state David Lewis, vice president the t’s. But even before the culmi- Washington economic development, envi- fi cials long frustrated with Ec- governments that painted the US department offi cial who is now a of Manchester Trade, which has nation of the Assange debacle, they ronmental co-ordination and uador for granting asylum to As- as an imperialist bully bent on vice president of the Council of been working with Ecuadorian had already made the moves.” strengthening democratic insti- sange. punishing Latin American gov- the Americas in Washington, said exporters in food and beverage, Pence, who brought up As- ow that Ecuador has ex- tutions. Ecuador President Lenin ernments that didn’t do its bid- there is “a lot of underbrush that agriculture and other indus- sange in meetings with the Ecua- pelled Julian Assange “This MoU is the next step in Moreno, who took offi ce two ding. has to be worked out before they try groups to take advantage of dorian government, cited the im- Nfrom its embassy in Lon- this partnership,” Tom Babing- years ago, has sought to improve The signing of the MoU on can seriously talk about a trade new relations with the US, said proved relations during a visit to don, the Trump administration ton, a spokesman for USAID, relations with the country’s top Wednesday represented big step agreement,” but emphasised that Moreno has helped turn around Quito last year where he thanked is opening a “new chapter of co- said. “It demonstrates USAID’s trading partner after ties with the toward co-operation from 2014 Moreno has helped reorient his 10 years of stagnation. Moreno for his leadership. operation” with the South Amer- commitment to helping Ecuador US became strained during the when USAID and Ecuador were government’s perspective so that He cited Vice President “Prior to your election, our na- ican government. on its journey to self-reliance, decade when former president unable to reach agreement on this kind of discussion is even Mike Pence’s visit to Ecuador, tions had experienced 10 diffi cult USAID administrator Mark capitalising on Ecuador’s com- Rafael Correa was in power. a revised bilateral assistance possible. Moreno’s visit to the US and in- years where our people always Green joined minister of foreign mitment to its own democratic The left-wing leader, in 2007, agreement, after which USAID “Does this translate yet to con- creased discussions between the felt close but our governments aff airs Jose Valencia in Ecuador strengthening and develop- wouldn’t renew a US lease of a closed its Mission in Ecuador. crete shifts, trade agreements, in- two governments’ top offi cials on drifted apart,” Pence said. “But on Wednesday in signing a mem- ment.” military base in Ecuador. In 2011, Since then, USAID said it’s creased trade, investments in cer- trade and investment. over the past year, Mr orandum of understanding to The agreement refl ects a new he kicked out the US ambassador, been focused on helping the tain sectors, I don’t know that we Assange, Lewis said, was just the President, thanks to your work together on a series of eco- level of co-ordination since the and a year later gave political asy- people of Ecuador through pro- can say the answer to that is yes,” fi nal step. “That was the coup de leadership and the actions that nomic and democracy initiatives. Ecuadorian government kicked lum to Assange. grammes that support civil soci- Farnsworth said. “But the body grace,” Lewis said. “The move on you’ve taken have brought us They include emergency re- the WikiLeaks founder out of its Throughout his leadership, ety and independent media. language has clearly shifted.” Assange was the fi nal dot the i, cross closer together once again.”

US orders suspension Talks on with of fl ights to Venezuela opposition in

Reuters Washington/Caracas Norway, claims he US department of transportation has or- Tdered the suspension of all commercial passenger and cargo fl ights between the US and Venezuela, citing reports Caracas envoy of unrest and violence around airports in the south American Reuters/DPA encourage the parties to fi nd a It is the second time that country. Caracas political and peaceful solution such talks have been held in Many international airlines in order to avoid further escala- Oslo between Maduro’s regime had stopped fl ying to Venezuela tion,” a ministry spokeswoman and Guaido’s representatives, anyway because of security con- alks are underway in Nor- said. Norway’s NRK radio and televi- cerns and disputes over money way between Venezuela’s Many Venezuelan opposition sion network, adding that nego- they say the government owes Tgovernment and “demo- supporters are sceptical about tiations had also taken place in them. cratic” opponents, an envoy said mediation talks, given that past Cuba. But domestic airlines, includ- yesterday, in a possible search for rounds have failed, divided the At the end of January, Norwe- ing Laser Airlines and Avior Air- a mediated solution following a opposition and, in their view, gian Foreign Minister Ine Erik- lines, had been off ering services failed uprising against President merely bought time for Maduro sen Soreide said her country was to Miami. Nicolas Maduro. to consolidate power and quash “ready to contribute if and when Some Venezuelans also ex- “Yes, there are talks between street protests. the parties so wish”. Reports of pressed concern about the im- the Bolivarian government and Valero gave no more specifi c this week’s talks were hailed, al- pact of the ban on people receiv- the democratic sectors of the op- details about the Norway talks. beit cautiously, by Norwegian ing food and other provisions position,” Venezuela’s ambassa- Information Minister Jorge South America experts. via cargo planes from relatives dor to the United Nations in Ge- Rodriguez and Miranda state “It’s dangerous to read to abroad to help them weather a neva, Jorge Valero, told reporters, governor Hector Rodriguez of much into it,” University of Oslo humanitarian crisis. denouncing US interference. the ruling Socialist Party both professor Benedicte Bull said. In a letter to the transporta- Calling Maduro a dictator, US travelled to Oslo, according to “It’s very positive that the tion department requesting the President Donald Trump has opposition sources. two parties are holding talks but halt, the department of home- tightened sanctions against his Opposition legislator Stalin it’s very important to not hold land security said “conditions government and spearheaded Gonzalez, along with political out too much hope: there have in Venezuela threaten the safety international recognition of op- advisers Gerardo Blyde and Fern- been formal talks three times in and security of passengers, air- position leader Juan Guaido who ando Martinez have also gone, the past, and they all collapsed craft, and crew travelling to or in January invoked the constitu- they said. Norway has a tradition quickly.” from that country.” tion to assume the interim presi- of confl ict mediation, including “That said, the situation is Venezuela’s information min- dency. assistance with Colombia’s 2016 very critical today, and it’s im- istry did not immediately re- “The Venezuelan govern- peace deal between the govern- portant that something be done,” spond to a request for comment. ment is a dialogue-loving gov- ment and Farc rebels. she said. Laser Airlines said it would ernment,” Valero added, calling maintain service to the US Trump a war criminal. “Unfortu- EU condemns ‘fl awed’ case against lawmakers through a layover in the Domini- nately, there’s also an opposition can Republic. that is warmongering, terrorist The European Union condemned of the situation in the country,” In a tweet, Laser said it would and fascist ... simply puppets of what it called Venezuela’s “flawed it added. On Tuesday Amnesty continue off ering two flights be- the US empire.” judicial decisions” against four International had asked the tween Miami and Caracas each Guaido, who calls Maduro’s opposition lawmakers, saying it International Criminal Court day with layovers in Santo Do- 2018 re-election fraudulent, would lead to an escalation of to investigate alleged “crimes mingo. called for Venezuela’s military to the political crisis in the country. against humanity” committed An Avior representative did rise up on April 30, but his push Accusations of treason against by the government, especially not immediately respond to re- quickly petered out and the mili- Carlos Paparoni, Miguel Pizarro, after a wave of violent protests in quests for comment. tary’s top brass has since then Franco Casella and Winston January. In a report presented in Copa Airlines, which oper- sworn allegiance to Maduro. Flores “are part of a pattern of Mexico City, the group said it had ates fl ights between Caracas and Norway’s foreign ministry said blatant violations of due process found evidence of extrajudicial its international hub in Panama its norm was not to comment on and unfair legal proceedings,” executions, arbitrary detentions City that allow passengers to possible roles in ongoing or po- the EU’s foreign service said in a and deaths and injuries due to ex- continue on to the US, said in an tential peace talks. “Norway fol- statement. “Such measures only cessive use of force by Maduro’s e-mail that its operations would Venezuelan soldiers and policemen who deserted to Colombia protest after being evicted from the hotel lows the situation in Venezuela contribute to further polarisation government. not be aff ected by the measure. where they were staying in Cucuta. with great concern. We strongly Duque fumes as ex-Farc Brazil unrest Former prosecutor’s rebel’s extradition halted election hopes dashed Reuters oretically off er her a way back to Guatemala City the contest. DPA Seuxis Hernandez, known as moted the state of law in Colom- However, time constraints make Bogota Jesus Santrich, was arrested in bia and advocated our vibrant such an outcome highly unlikely April 2018 on charges of drug and productive judicial bilateral uatemala’s top court has and Aldana herself said she had traffi cking. The JEP on Wednes- co-operation.” rejected an appeal to clear been blocked from competing af- olombian President Ivan day ordered his release, saying Duque said he backed the deci- Gthe way for a former at- ter the court announced its ruling. Duque has announced he it did not have evidence on the sion of inspector general Fernando torney general to seek the coun- “It’s become clear that the fi ght Cwould seek a political pact timing of his alleged crimes. Carrillo to appeal the JEP ruling. try’s presidency next month, all against corruption and criminal to make it easier to extradite al- The US had previously de- The Santrich case has been at but ending her chances of com- structures in our country have a leged drug traffi ckers, after the clined to provide such evidence. the centre of the government’s peting. very high cost for anyone, as I did, country’s post-confl ict justice The decision of the JEP disagreements with the JEP, By a vote of six to one, judges who attempts to carry it out,” she system blocked the extradition prompted attorney general Nes- which handles crimes related to on the Constitutional Court said in a statement posted on her of a former Farc guerrilla com- tor Humberto Martinez to an- Colombia’s 52-year armed con- threw out an appeal by the party Twitter account. mander to the US. nounce his resignation. fl ict with Farc, and which Duque of Thelma Aldana to overturn a “The Constitutional Court has In a video sent to media out- Martinez accused the transi- regards as being too lenient on decision last month by Guate- decided that I will not take part lets, Duque said he felt “indigna- tional justice system of ignor- the ex-rebels. mala’s electoral tribunal to re- in this electoral process, and our tion” about the decision of the ing conclusive evidence against The post-confl ict justice system voke her candidacy for the presi- country has been pushed to a Special Jurisdiction for Peace Santrich and said its decision was created after Duque’s predeces- dential election. precipice,” Aldana added. (JEP), sparking concern that in- “exposes our society to crime” sor, Juan Manuel Santos, signed a A court spokesman announced A pugnacious prosecutor, creasing tensions could under- and destroys judicial co-opera- peace deal with Farc in 2016. the decision. Aldana helped to bring down the mine the country’s peace process tion with other countries. About 7,000 fi ghters subse- The electoral tribunal based its previous administration of ex- with Farc. Martinez’ deputy, Maria quently handed over their weap- decision to block Aldana on the president Otto Perez in 2015. The president said he was call- Paulina Riveros, also stepped ons and Farc was turned into a grounds she is facing accusations Aldana successfully brought ing political parties together to down. political party. A man carrying a flag with the face of Brazil’s former of fi nancial wrongdoing during corruption charges against Pe- launch “the necessary reforms Prosecutor Fabio Espitia was Santrich was one of the fi ve President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva walks past a bus set her time as attorney general. rez, who is now in prison being that allow us to close the doors to expected to be appointed care- legislators that the peace agree- on fire during a protest against cuts to federal spending Aldana has rejected the allega- tried for various crimes. drug traffi cking, impunity and to taker attorney general. ment allowed Farc to have in the on higher education planned by Brazil’s President Jair tions and says they are politically Her departure from the race strengthen (the possibilities of) The US embassy in Bogota Chamber of Representatives, and Bolsonaro’s right-wing government, in Rio de Janeiro, motivated. would put a former fi rst lady in extradition.” tweeted that Martinez and Riv- his expected release would allow Brazil. Other pending appeals relat- pole-position ahead of the fi rst Former Farc commander eros “are great patriots who pro- him to now take his seat. ing to her electoral bid could the- round of voting on June 16. Gulf Times 12 Friday, May 17, 2019 PAKISTAN

Pakistan ranked No political consensus 3rd best in hydel seen on new provinces power Internews that there are diff erences of Punjab that it would work for the they found no mention of Baha- a two-thirds majority in the as- by Foreign Minister Shah Meh- growth Islamabad opinion on the issue, even within creation of a new province. walpur province. sembly, did not make any eff ort mood Qureshi earlier in the day, the political parties themselves. As a fi rst step, he added, the Opposing his party’s parlia- to get this bill passed from par- in which he had presented sali- The diff erences were exposed PTI-led government had decid- mentary leader, PTI member of liament even though the party ent features of a constitutional Internews fter putting the issue of during a debate after PML-N’s ed to set up a civil secretariat for the National Assembly (MNA) had promised before coming amendment bill moved by legis- Lahore new provinces in cold Rana Sanaullah introduced a bill the new province. Farooq Azam Malik also spoke to power that it would work for lators belonging to the PTI in the Astorage for years and not seeking creation of South Punjab The PTI’s parliamentary lead- in support of Bahawalpur prov- creating new provinces in Pun- National Assembly last week, discussing the matter through- and Bahawalpur provinces in the er, however, faced opposition ince, and even fi nished his emo- jab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. seeking creation of a new South akistan has been ranked out the fi ve-year tenure of the National Assembly last month. not only from coalition partners, tional speech with a slogan, Ba- The Pakistan Peoples Party Punjab province. third in the world among Pakistan Muslim League – Na- Some legislators did not like but also from within his party. hawalpur Sooba Zindabad (long (PPP) had managed to get passed Ahsan Iqbal, the PML-N’s Ptop 20 countries for waz (PML-N) government, the the idea of the two provinces, First, the Federal Minister for live Bahawalpur province). a constitutional amendment bill secretary general, alleged that newly-installed hydroelectric debate has resurfaced as politi- whereas others came out in full Housing and Pakistan Muslim The PML-N’s bill was on the seeking the creation of South when PML-N members moved (hydel) power capacity in 2018. cal parties are coming up with support of the bill. League – Quaid-e-Azam (PML- agenda of the National Assem- Punjab province from the Senate the bill, PTI legislators opposed The country was placed at bills and claiming that they were Malik Amir Dogar, parliamen- Q) member Tariq Bashir Chee- bly committee on law and jus- in 2013, but only days before the it. third position by the United the fi rst to raise the issue. tary leader of the ruling Pakistan ma declared that the people of tice, but members did not get an National Assembly was about to PTI MNA from Bahawalpur Kingdom-based International Besides claiming credit, the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and law- Bahawalpur did not want to live opportunity to debate it as they complete its fi ve-year term. Makhdoom Syed Samiul Has- Hydropower Association (IHA) parties are also blaming each maker from Multan, had said with the people of the proposed consumed most of the time in The PML-N said that it had san Gillani introduced a consti- in its recently issued report titled other for playing politics on the the PTI supported the bill, but South Punjab province, recall- discussing some other legisla- already submitted bills in the tutional amendment bill during 2019: Hydropower Status Report issue, but none has made any se- believed that only South Punjab ing that the two members of the tion related to the changes in National Assembly for the crea- the National Assembly session Sector Trends and Insights. rious attempt to forge consensus province should be created. National Assembly from Baha- family laws. tion of the new provinces. last week, seeking the creation Formed under the auspices of on the sensitive matter. He said that his party had walpur had not signed the 1973 The PML-N, which ruled the The party made the statement of a separate province out of the United Nations Educational, The ongoing debate shows promised the people of South Constitution in protest when country from 2013 to 2018 with in reaction to a news conference southern Punjab. Scientifi c and Cultural Organi- sation (Unesco) in 1995 as a fo- rum to promote and disseminate good practice about hydropower, the IHA champions continuous improvement and sustainable practices across the sector. Outbreak of HIV According to the IHA report while listing the top 20 countries by newly-installed capacity, Pa- kistan managed to add 2,487MW of hydel electricity in 2018, fol- sparks panic in lowing China and Brazil at the fi rst and second rung, that added 8,540MW and 3,866MW to their systems respectively. Turkey with an addition of southern Pakistan 1085MW, and Angola with an addition of 668MW, remained at 4th and 5th positions respec- By Ashraf Khan, AFP be linked to the outbreak. rates across Asia, according to tively as far as newly-installed Rato Dero, Pakistan For some others, their worst the United Nations. hydel capacity is concerned. fears have already become a re- Pakistan’s surging population The report places Tajikistan ality. also suff ers the additional bur- at sixth for adding 605MW, fol- arents nervously watch Nisar Ahmed arrived at the den of having insuffi cient access lowed by Ecuador (556MW), In- as their children wait to clinic in a furious search for to quality healthcare following dia (535MW), Norway (419MW), Pbe tested for HIV in a vil- medicine after his one-year-old decades of under-investment by Canada (401MW), Austria lage in southern Pakistan, where daughter tested positive three the state, leaving impoverished, (385MW), Combodia (300MW), hundreds of people have been days earlier. rural communities especially Laos (254MW), Zimbabwe allegedly infected by a doctor “I curse [the doctor] who has vulnerable to unqualifi ed medi- (150MW), the US (141MW), Iran using a contaminated syringe. caused all these children to be cal practitioners. (140MW), the Congo (121MW), Dispatched to keep order, po- infected,” he says angrily. “According to some govern- In this image taken on May 9, a Colombia (111MW), Peru lice scan the anxious crowd as Nearby, Imam Zadi accom- ment reports, around 600,000 Pakistani local paediatrician (111MW), and Chile (110MW). families hustle into one of fi ve panies fi ve of her children to be quack doctors are operating alleged to have been As far as recent addition of diff erent screening rooms set up examined after her grandson across the country and around responsible for the HIV hydropower in Pakistan is con- in the last month in the village of tested positive. 270,000 are practicing in the outbreak, is seen behind the cerned, the country registered Wasayo, on the outskirts of Lar- “The entire family is so up- province of Sindh,” said the Joint bars at a local police station in an increase of 36% in its total kana in Sindh province. set,” she tells AFP. United Nations Programme on Rato Dero, in the Sindh district hydel generation capacity in Health offi cials say that more Others worry that their chil- HIV/Aids (Unaids) in a state- of Larkana. just one year, as prior to this, the than 400 people, many of them dren’s futures have been irrepa- ment. Water and Power Development children, have tested HIV posi- rably harmed after contract- Provincial health offi cials Karachi’s Aga Khan University. Authority (Wapda) could only tive in recent weeks as experts ing HIV, especially in a country have also noted that patients are “Rampant medical mal- manage to take its hydro electric warn of a surge in infection rates whose masses of rural poor have at particular risk of contracting practices without any eff ective generation to 6,902 MW in the across Pakistan, due to the use of little understanding of the dis- diseases or viruses at these clin- checks and balances are causing 59 years of its inception, from unsanitary equipment and ram- ease or access to treatment. ics, where injections are often repeated outbreaks in Pakistan,” 1958 to 2017. pant malpractice – often at the “Who is she going to play pushed as a primary treatment said Jamil. hands of quack doctors. with? And when she’s grown option. Authorities investigating the Anger and fear continue to up, who would want to marry “For the sake of saving money, outbreak in Sindh say the ac- At least 20 hurt in swell in the desperately-poor her?” asks a tearful mother from these quacks will inject multiple cused doctor has also tested village hit hard by the epidemic, a nearby village, who asked not patients with a single syringe. positive for HIV. explosion at bank which authorities say could be to named, of her four-year-old This could be the main cause From a ramshackle jail cell in linked to either gross negligence daughter who just tested posi- of the spread of HIV cases,” the nearby city of Rato Dero, he At least 20 people were injured or malicious intent by a local tive. said Sikandar Memon, provin- denied the charges and accusa- when an explosion occurred at a pediatrician. Pakistan was long considered cial programme manager of the tions that he knowingly injected bank in Sadiqabad in Punjab. “They are coming by the doz- a low prevalence country for Sindh Aids Control Programme. his patients with the virus, while In this image taken on May 8, a woman holds her HIV-infected According to off icial sources, the ens,” says a doctor at the make- HIV, but the disease is expand- The large number of unquali- complaining of being incarcer- child as they gather at a house at Wasayo village of Rato Dero, in bank building was completely shift clinic, beset by a lack of ing at an alarming rate, particu- fi ed doctors along with the “re- ated with common criminals. the Sindh district of Larkana. destroyed in the explosion. equipment and personnel to larly among intravenous drug use of syringes, unsafe blood However, for the parents of Police are yet to ascertain the treat the surging number of pa- users and sex workers. transfusions, and other unsafe the newly-diagnosed, the ongo- stave off the deadly Aids virus. recently tested positive for HIV. nature of the explosion. tients. With about 20,000 new HIV medical practices” led to the ing investigation means little if “We are helpless. I have other “[Please] send some medicine Initial reports suggest that the Mukhtar Pervez waits anx- infections reported in 2017 spike in HIV cases in recent they are unable to secure access children and I am afraid they for our children so that they can blast occurred due to a gas iously to have her daughter test- alone, Pakistan currently has years, explains Bushra Jamil, an to better information and the might catch the disease,” says be cured. If not, all of our chil- cylinder explosion, the district ed, worrying a recent fever may the second fastest growing HIV expert on infectious diseases at necessary drugs that can help another mother whose daughter dren will die, right?” police off icer of Sadiqabad said. Fare arrangement Guru Nanak anniversary coins, stamps approved

Internews Evacuee Trust Property Board They also showed the designs that the postage stamp would The makeshift residences will Lahore (EPTB). to the EPTB offi cials. cost Rs13. be set up in Nankana Sahib and PSGPC president Sardar Tara Sources explained that one However, after they were in- could accommodate 25,000 pil- Singh presided over the meet- side of the coin will bear the im- formed that Rs8 is the common grims. he Pakistan Sikh Gurd- ing which was attended by EPTB age of Janam Asthan Nankana price for a postage stamp, they EPTB chairman Ahmed as- wara Prabandhak Com- chairman Dr Amir Ahmed and Sahib, while the other side will reviewed the price. sured PSGPC offi cials that all Tmittee (PSGPC) has other offi cials. have the words Islamic Republic In addition, accommodation arrangements will be completed approved the design for the During the meeting, a loca- of Pakistan and the number 550. arrangements for pilgrims who in time for Guru Nanak Devji’s commemorative coins and post- tion to accommodate two make- The postage stamps, which will come to the country on the 550th birthday. age stamps which will mark the shift tent cities was also selected will be worth Rs8 and could be occasion were also discussed. Sikh pilgrims from all over 550th birthday of Guru Nanak at Nankana Sahib. used commonly, will have the Sources said that during the the world will be welcomed and Devji. The offi cials said that com- image of Janam Asthan Nankana meeting, it was decided that provided accommodation and This was revealed during a memorative coins and postage Sahid and the number 550. makeshift tent cities will be security, he said. meeting when the PSGPC ex- stamps to mark Guru Nanak Addressing the meeting, established for Sikh pilgrims He added that special trains pressed their satisfaction over Devji’s 550th birthday have been Sardar Bashan Singh said that who will come to Pakistan from will also be made operational for the preparations made by the approved. earlier, the PSGPC had decided across the world. the pilgrims.

One in three see inflation as the most pressing issue Airspace restrictions extended to May 30

One in three Pakistanis (33%) believe that Eight per cent did not know or declined to Pakistan has extended airspace restrictions until the end of May, a civil aviation inflation is the most pressing issue facing respond. off icial said yesterday, forcing foreign carriers to take costly detours since the the country at the moment, according to In urban areas, 34% of respondents said country’s stand-off with rival India. a survey carried out by Gallup and Gilani inflation, 17% said unemployment, 12% said Pakistan closed its airspace in February after a suicide bomber from Pakistan- Pakistan. corruption, 6% said poverty, 5% said energy based militant group Jaish-e-Mohamed (JeM) attacked a convoy in Indian- A nationally-representative sample of men crisis (electricity and gas), 13% said others, controlled Kashmir. and women from across the four provinces and 2% said none. Following the attack, both countries carried out aerial bombing missions on each was asked: “What, in your opinion, is the Eleven per cent did not know or declined to other’s soil and their warplanes also fought a dogfight over Kashmir. most pressing issue Pakistan is facing right respond. Partial operations at Pakistani airports resumed after the crisis eased, but foreign now?” In rural areas, 33% said inflation, 20% said carriers using Indian airspace could not fly over Pakistan. In response, 33% said inflation, 19% said unemployment, 15% said corruption, 5% said The restrictions mainly aff ected flights from Europe to Southeast Asia. unemployment, 14% said corruption, poverty, 5% said energy crisis (electricity “The airspace will be restricted until May 30 and then we will reassess,” Mustafa A man prepares plates of food for distribution among people 6% said poverty, 5% said energy crisis and gas), 9% said none, and 7% said others. Baig, a spokesman for Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority, told Reuters. breaking fast in Lahore. (electricity and gas), 7% said none, and 8% Six per cent did not know or declined to He did not give a reason for the extension. said others. respond. Pakistan lies in the middle of a vital aviation corridor. Gulf Times Friday, May 17, 2019 13 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH The night prayer of our Salaf

aabir, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu J‘alaihi wa sallam, say: “There is an hour during the night in which no Muslim individual will ask Allah for good in this world and the next without His giving it to him - and this applies to every night.” [Muslim] A servant of Abu Rayhaan, may Al- lah be pleased with him, who was one of the companions of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Once Abu Rayhaan, may Allah be pleased with him, returned from a battle and had dinner with his family and then requested water so that he could perform ablution. He then entered his praying area and started praying the optional night prayer (Qiyaam) and continued to pray until the call for the Fajr prayer was made. His wife then came to him and said: ‘You were exhausted fi ghting and immediately after that you spent the entire night praying. Do I not have any rights over you?’ He, may Allah be pleased with him, replied: ‘Indeed you do, but I was so overwhelmed that I did not realise that the night had fi nished.’ She asked: ‘What was it that preoccupied your mind all night long?’ He, may Allah be pleased with him, replied: ‘I was thinking about the pleasures of Paradise and its de- scription until I heard the call for the Fajr prayer.’” Is’haaq ibn Ibraheem At-Tabari, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “I never saw anyone fearing for himself the punishment (of the Hereafter) or having the hope of being amongst those who would be rewarded more than Al-Fudhayl, may Allah have mercy upon him. His recitation during the prayer was slow and he sounded gloomy - as if he was conversing with someone by his reci- tation. Whenever he read a verse that mentioned Paradise, he would repeat it and supplicate to Allah to admit him into it. His night prayer was very long and he had a mat in the mosque to sleep on whenever he felt sleepy. Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab Mosque in Doha. He would begin praying and when- ever he felt sleepy he would lie down so I ask You to make me among those also I swear by Allah that I will not Al-Hasan Al-Karaabeesi, may Allah Daawood At-Taa’i’s, and I used to hear divide the night into three parts be- for a while, then wake up and resume who rush towards You in obedience sleep on you tonight!’ Having prayed have mercy upon him, said: “I spent a constant droning all night long. At tween him and his two sons. He would praying. If he again felt drained, he and to make my rank (in the Hereafter) all night long, he would pray the Fajr many nights at the house of Imaam times he would sit to recite parts of pray the fi rst third of the night and would lie down again. This continued among those who are near to You, and prayer with the same ablution as that Ash-Shaafi ’i, may Allah have mercy the Qur’an just before the time of the then wake his fi rst son up to pray, and all night long until it was time for the to make me among your righteous of his ‘Ishaa’ Prayer.” upon him, and he would pray one Fajr prayer, and I felt as if he enjoyed if his son was sluggish or sleepy and Fajr prayer.” slaves. Indeed, You are the Greatest, Ibn Sa’d, may Allah have mercy third of the night. However, he never all the pleasures of the world by his could not wake up, he would pray his Rajaa’ ibn Muslim Al-‘Abdi, may the Most Merciful, and You are indeed upon him, said describing Sulaymaan recited more than 50 verses dur- recitation.” share. When it was time for his second Allah have mercy upon him, said: “We the Most Generous.’ She would then At-Taymi, may Allah have mercy upon ing his prayer, because whenever he Sa’eed ibn ‘Aamir, may Allah have son to pray, he would wake him up, used to spend the night in the house prostrate and cry and supplicate until him: “He was one of the most devout would recite a verse that mentions the mercy upon him, said: “Ayyoob As- and if he was sluggish or sleepy and of ‘Ajradah Al-‘Amiyyah, may Allah it was time to pray the Fajr prayer. She worshippers. He was a scholar in the Mercy of Allah, he would ask Allah to Sikhtiyaani, may Allah have mercy could not wake up, he would pray his have mercy upon her, and she would did this for thirty consecutive years.” science of Hadith and was a trustwor- be merciful with him, and whenever upon him, used to pray all night long share as well.” pray all night long. In the last part Moosa ibn Tareef, may Allah have thy and honest man. He would pray he would recite a verse that mentions and would conceal this from people. of the night, we would hear her say mercy upon him, said: “The servant all night long with the same ablu- the punishment of Allah, he would When it was close to the time of the Article source: http://www.islamweb. (aloud) in an extremely heartrending of ‘Ali ibn Bakkaar, may Allah have tion of the ‘Ishaa’ prayer. He and his ask Allah to protect him from such Fajr prayer, he would raise his voice as net/emainpage/ tone: ‘O Allah! The devout worship- mercy upon him, would lay down a son would go around to the diff er- punishment.” if he had just woken up.” pers have spent all night praying to mat for him to sleep on, touch it with ent mosques praying in each one of Umm Sa’eed, may Allah have mercy Ibn Shubrumah, may Allah have please You in the hope of being wor- his hand, and say: ‘I swear by Allah them until it was time to pray the Fajr upon her, said: “We had a short fence mercy upon him, said: “Zubayd, may thy of Your Mercy and Forgiveness, that you are soft and comfortable, but prayer.” separating our house from that of Allah have mercy upon him, used to

The supplications of               email:[email protected]( SN.11)       our pious predecessors                  baadah ibn As-Saamit, we saw this man running after young Munkadir who forced this righteous        may Allah be pleased with girls in the streets, harassing them. He man to leave our house.’” him, reported that he heard would say: ‘Indeed the supplication of ‘Abbaas Ad-Doori, may Allah be             Uthe Messenger of Allah, Sa’d against me has been realised.’” pleased with him, reported that ‘Ali ibn sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, say: Ibn al-Munkadir, may Allah be Abu Fazaarah, may Allah be pleased       “Whenever a Muslim supplicates to pleased with him, said: “Once, I was with him, said: “My mother was hand- Allah, He accepts his supplication, sitting in the mosque next to the pulpit icapped for twenty years. One day she   or averts any affliction from him, supplicating in the middle of the night. said to me: ‘Go to Ahmad ibn Hanbal        or saves its equivalent in reward for There was a man standing next to one and request him to supplicate for me him until the Day of Account – as of the pillars of the mosque covering to be cured.’ I went to him, may Allah    long as he does not supplicate for his face with a mask. I overheard him have mercy upon him, and knocked something that is sinful or something saying whilst supplicating: ‘O my Lord! on his door, so he asked me what my                  that may break the ties of kinship.” Drought has severely aff ected Your need was. I told him that my mother [At-Tirmithi] slaves, and I adjure You to bring down was requesting that he supplicates for  Jaabir, may Allah be pleased with rain upon us!’ It was not but a short her to be cured. He replied in an angry         him, said: “Some of the residents of while that a cloud came with rain.” tone: ‘I am in greater need for someone Koofah complained to (the Caliph) Ibn al-Munkadir was keen to to supplicate for me.’ As I was about to            ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with know all the righteous people and head back home, an old lady came out him, about (his governor of ‘Iraq) thus decided to try to find out who and said: ‘He started supplicating for          Sa’d, may Allah be pleased with him, this man was. He said: “I said to your mother after you had left.’ When            claiming that he did not know how myself: ‘There is a pious man in the I reached home, my mother was at my to lead his people in prayer properly. city who I do not know’, so when he reception (i.e., Allah had cured her).”               In response to this, Sa’d, may Allah concluded his prayer, I followed him Sulaym ibn ‘Aamir, may Allah be pleased with him, said: ‘I pray in until he reached the house of Anas, be pleased with him, stated: “I                the exact manner I saw the Prophet, and entered it. I went back, and after entered upon Al-Jarraah (before a sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, pray. I prayed the Fajr prayer I went to his battle) and he raised his hands up I make the fi rst two Rak’ahs longer house and knocked his door. When and started supplicating, and the             than the last two in the ‘Ishaa’ prayer’. he opened the door, I asked him: ‘I leaders of the army did likewise, Upon hearing this, ‘Umar, may Allah overheard you last night supplicating so I did the same. He supplicated            be pleased with him, said: ‘This is and I saw what resulted from your for a long time, and then said to what I thought your practice would supplication. Would you allow me to me: ‘Do you know what we were             be.’ After that ‘Umar, may Allah be provide your sustenance so that you doing?’ I said: ‘No, but I saw you             pleased with him, sent some peo- can concentrate on your worship?’ supplicating earnestly, so I raised ple to Koofah to inquire about the He replied: ‘No, but I have a favor to my hands with you.’ He then said:                         situation. Whenever they entered a ask of you. Please do not mention ‘We were supplicating to Allah to mosque and asked the congregation what you saw to anyone until I die, grant us martyrdom.’” Sulaym ibn                                       there, they would praise Sa’d, may and do not come back again, because ‘Aamir, may Allah be pleased with Allah be pleased with him. When they people would notice and my matter him, then said: “I swear by Allah               reached a mosque where the tribe of would become publicly known’ I said that every single one of them was Banu ‘Abs lived, one man said: ‘As to him: ‘But where can I meet you?’ martyred during this battle.” you have asked us about Sa’d, we will He replied: ‘In the mosque’” Ibn al- Bilaal ibn Ka’b, may Allah be             tell you the truth: he is unfair when Munkadir, may Allah be pleased with pleased with him, reported that some judging between people and does not him, never mentioned what he saw to young men said to Abu Muslim al-    .      . justly distribute (war booty) and never anyone until the man died. Khawlaani, may Allah be pleased with participates in battles.’ Upon hearing Ibn Wahb, may Allah be pleased him: “Supplicate to Allah to enable us             this, Sa’d, may Allah be pleased with with him, said: “I was told that the to catch this antelope.” He, may Allah   .          him, supplicated to Allah saying: ‘O man moved out of the house he was be pleased with him, supplicated to Allah! If this man is lying, make him living in to another location which no Allah and they were able to catch it     go blind, make him live to an old age one knew about, so the owners of the immediately. and expose him to temptations.’ Some house from whom he was renting the Article source: http://www.is-            Muslims later narrated that: ‘Indeed house said: ‘May Allah forgive Ibn al- lamweb.net/emainpage/ Gulf Times 14 Friday, May 17, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka 17 - 05 -2019 Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Malawi elections: fake news, albino killings in focus

Fake news, albino murders, and a rapping would-be fi rst lady are just some of the topics taking centre stage in the run-up to Malawi’s general elections on Tuesday. Corruption has also been a key theme in campaigning in the small southern African country, which is one of the most impoverished in the world. There are two main contenders vying for the presidency: incumbent Peter Mutharika of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and former Christian pastor Lazarus Chakwera of the opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP). Of the seven candidates competing for the Architectural wonder...Al Rayyan top position, a third, Mutharika’s estranged deputy Saulos Chilima, is expected to take the youth vote with his United Transformation Movement (UTM) and could be a surprise challenger. Stadium tells the story of Qatar “There is no obvious favourite candidate. Any of the two top contenders can win. Either Mutharika or Chakwera will QNA will enable Al Rayyan to maintain the occupied this site will be used it a little easier, ideal for warm days on carry the day. Doha intimate, neighbourly character it is throughout the stadium complex, and the fringes of the desert. Beautifully Even Chilima can make it,” political commentator famous for. some will even fi nd a place in public art landscaped parks, cafes, fountains, Al-Fehani pointed out that the design installations. walkways, and spas will take their place Humphrey Mvula told DPA. l Rayyan Stadium, one of of Al Rayyan Stadium tells the story “Over 80% of the construction alongside the stadium. Former Malawian president Joyce Banda had been the key venues that will host of Qatar. Its most striking feature is a materials are being reused or recycled. Al Rayyan Stadium is scheduled planning to run again, but withdrew and has backed matches of 2022 FIFA World glowing facade, made from patterns Trees that once surrounded the old to be completed by the end of 2019. Chakwera instead. ACup, is named after one of the that characterise diff erent aspects of the venue have been retained for future Although this project is an international old Qatari cities. country: the importance of family, the replanting, minimising damage to the endeavour, one crucial element of the Banda’s time in offi ce, between 2012 and 2014, was Built on the site of Ahmed Bin Ali beauty of the desert, the native fl ora and natural environment.” stadium – its 40,000 seats – will be marred by a corruption scandal dubbed “Cashgate” Stadium, the new Al Rayyan Stadium fauna, as well as local and international He said that energy and water produced by local company Coastal whereby the state was defrauded of $32mn. incorporates symbols of Qatari culture trade. effi ciency measures are put into place Qatar. This boost to Qatar’s economy Banda denied any involvement into its spectacular undulating facade. A seventh shape, a shield, brings in the 450,000m2 stadium, and further is just one small part of the long-term The facilities surrounding the venue, together all the others, representing the reductions in the stadium’s carbon legacy being created here. “There is no in the diversion of funds. which will host up to 40,000 fans strength and unity that is particularly footprint will come especially that the According to the Al Rayyan project President Mutharika has during 2022 FIFA World Cup matches, relevant to the proud desert town of Al surrounding area will have walking and manager, work is under way on the obvious promised a leaner cabinet and will also mirror Qatar, with sand Rayyan. biking trails. Al Rayyan precinct will project and it is going according to the better infrastructure, but his dune-shaped structures recalling the He added these patterns are like the have conveniently located bike lanes schedule. Its design phase began in favourite wonderful desert nature of an important geometric shapes often found in Islamic and walking paths, as well as 150,000m2 2014, followed by the destruction of fi rst term in offi ce saw failures in part of the country. architecture and their impressive of new green space featuring native, the old stadium in 2015, and the main candidate” curbing corruption, as well as a Al Rayyan Project Manager at intricacy refl ects the exquisite low water consumption plants for the excavation of the stadium and then spate of albino murders that have Supreme Committee for Delivery & handicrafts produced in Qatar. community to enjoy. construction work in 2016. made headlines internationally. Legacy (SC) Abdulla al-Fehani said that “If fans can take their eyes off the With capacity being reduced to At the end of 2017, construction at Al Rayyan Stadium refl ects symbols spectacular sight of Al Rayyan Stadium 20,000 in legacy mode and those Al Rayyan Stadium reached a major Some Malawians, like others in the region, believe of Qatari culture into its spectacular itself, they will see that other parts additional seats being sent to nations in milestone following the completion of people with the condition — which causes a lack of skin undulating facade. of the district echo the desert motif, need of sporting infrastructure, he said more than 5mn manhours without a pigmentation — have magical qualities and use their body The facilities surrounding the venue including dune-shaped hospitality the precinct surrounding the stadium ‘Lost Time Accident’. parts in “witchcraft.” The belief has led to murders and will also mirror the country, with sand areas and merchandise stalls. Nightfall will also include a range of facilities Al-Fehani added that the work hours dune-shaped structures recalling the will bring another dimension to the which will cater to the needs of the in Al Rayyan Stadium project reached kidnappings of albino people, including many children. beautifully wild lands to the west. scene as several nearby buildings light people of Al Rayyan. about 25mn manhours, considering The number of reported crimes against people with In an exclusive interview with Qatar up with a soft glow, welcoming visitors The Al Rayyan project manager added the diff erent numbers of workers in the albinism in Malawi has risen to over 163 cases, including 22 News Agency (QNA), al-Fehani said that from far and wide.” locals will also be keen to experience project, as 4,700 people currently work murders since November 2014, according to offi cial fi gures Al Rayyan’s location on the edge of the Al Rayyan project manager said the the many other sporting facilities at Al Rayyan Stadium. This number is desert has shaped a resourceful city that stadium will off er a special opportunity that are springing up as part of this expected to exceed 5,000 during the cited by Amnesty. does not tolerate waste. Therefore, from for the fans who want to tour its stadium complex. Cricket pitches, coming period when the fi nal stage of Another issue in the lead-up to the polls has been one its very conception, Al Rayyan Stadium facilities during the game or between football training pitches, an aquatics the construction is reached. faced by many democracies in recent years — the spread of project has had sustainability at its core, the two rounds of the matches or even centre, tennis courts, a skate park, and Al-Fehani stressed that the project’s fake news. backed by the commitment of the SC to before the match, without the need to an athletics track are just some of the work plan considers the preservation green building. buy a new ticket as these facilities will facilities that the community can look of workers’ rights and security and Fake opinion polls have been shared on Facebook He added that the seating capacity be located within the building and in the forward to using in coming years. safety standards according to the local alongside forged press releases on the number of of the stadium, which will be up area surrounding the stadium, to which Al Rayyan Stadium will play a leading standards of the Ministry of Labour parliamentary candidates and a fake template of the to 40,000 fans, will be reduced to much importance was given during the role in fulfi lling the key Qatar National as well as international standards. presidential candidate ballot. 20,000 in the post-tournament as the design phase so that it forms the real Vision 2030 objective of promoting The most important of these is that it other 20,000 seats will be donated to legacy after the end of the World Cup. healthy lifestyles in Qatar, al-Fehani required contractors to provide workers’ The spread of such material has resulted in the Malawi football development projects abroad Al-Fehani pointed out that many of pointed out. accommodation close to the playground Electoral Commission (MEC) releasing a statement telling “all in co-ordination with the FIFA, adding the materials from the deconstructed He added that Al Rayyan will also to ensure safety and easy movement of individuals involved in the development and sharing of fake the smaller post-tournament arena Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium that once off er places for those who want to take workers to the project. documents or information to desist from the malpractice.” Meanwhile, Chilima’s wife Mary has been stumping for her husband — even releasing a rap video to support his campaign. Dressed in an elegant red suit and hat, the colours of her husband’s UTM party, the would-be Malawian fi rst lady jives and sings some of the song in English, including the phrase “Malawi fi rst.” Malawi, a former British colony where the International Monetary Fund says about 70% of the population live on under $2 a day, relies heavily on donor aid. The county has some 6.8mn registered voters. Malawi was recently hit by fl oods from Cyclone Idai — which devastated neighbouring Mozambique and also aff ected Zimbabwe — with dozens killed and thousands displaced.

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© 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved A rendered look at Al Rayyan stadium. Al Rayyan Stadium reflects symbols of Qatari culture into its spectacular undulating facade. Gulf Times Friday, May 17, 2019 15 COMMENT Protection of human rights tops Qatar’s priorities: Al-Muraikhi

QNA of promoting and protecting human up methodology and the reporting Geneva rights is at the top of the priorities of process. Qatar and constitutes the cornerstone Al-Muraikhi pointed out that of its comprehensive reform policy. the third part of the report, which atar has reiterated its con- He pointed out that this was represents the main part, dealt with tinued co-operation with underlined in the Qatar National the eff orts undertaken by Qatar to all United Nations human Vision 2030, the fi rst national implement the recommendations Qrights mechanisms, in par- development strategy (2011-2016) and it accepted, which were classifi ed ticular the Human Rights Council, to the second strategy (2018-2022). according to thematic topics achieve the objectives of the promo- He also pointed to the keenness of including adherence to international tion and protection of human rights. Qatar to implement the commitments treaties, enactment of legislation, This came in a speech delivered by from the discussion of its fi rst report, strengthening international co- HE the Minister of State for Foreign stressing that the Council of Ministers operation, measures, strategies Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi issued at its ordinary meeting No. (33) and policies for the promotion and before the Human Rights Council in held on 24/11/2010 its decision on the protection of human rights, training Geneva on the “Third Periodic Report continuity of the Committee which and capacity-building and awareness- of the State of Qatar”, on Wednesday. prepared the fi rst report of the country raising, and the report concludes with “In the State of Qatar, we greatly to prepare the following reports and a section on challenges and future value the important role played by as a mechanism to follow up the visions. the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations. He said that since the adoption of the and the Working Group to help Al-Muraikhi added that the report second report, Qatar’s eff orts to promote countries to improve and enhance presented is the result of a broad and protect human rights, which have their commitments on the basis of consultative process, co-ordination, been discussed in detail in the third part the international human rights law,” co-operation and expanded of the report, have continued, stressing HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi delivering his speech before the Human Rights he said, stressing Qatar’s support partnership between governmental and that the most important developments Council in Geneva on Wednesday. for and full co-operation with the non-governmental bodies and with following the adoption of the second UPR as well as other international all groups and segments of society, report, including Qatar’s accession to system; Law No 15 of 2017 on domestic international labour standards and the joined the Advisory Council, which and regional mechanisms towards and in accordance with the guiding the International Covenants on Human workers in a manner that is in line establishment of “Aman House” for refl ects the Qatari leadership’s keenness the strengthening and protection of principles, and the report included an Rights (International Covenant on Civil with the terms of International Labor workers who have sustained injuries, on strengthening the contribution of human rights. introduction in the fi rst part, while and Political Rights by Decree No 40 of organisation’s (ILO) convention 189 have been handicapped or have women in the all spheres, especially the Al-Muraikhi affi rmed that the issue the second part included the follow- 2018, and the International Covenant on decent work for domestic workers; incurable diseases. legislative, and on promoting women’s on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights the establishment of the National Al-Muraikhi added that a number participation politically according to (ICESCR) by Decree No 41 of 2018. Qatar Committee to Combat Traffi cking of human rights-related legislation article 34 of the Qatari constitution, is, therefore, part of seven of the nine in Persons, according to the Qatari have been enacted, such as Law No 10 which provides for equality between core human rights treaties. Cabinet decision No 15 of 2017; Law of 2018 on permanent residency, Law all citizens in rights and in duties. He He added that in recent years, Qatar No 13 of 2017 on the labour dispute No 11 of 2018 or regulating asylum and further noted the appointment of has carried out signifi cant legislative settlement committee and Law No 17 Law No 16 of 2018 on non-Qataris the fi rst female spokesperson for the reforms, the most important of which of 2018 on the establishment of a fund ownership of properties. Ministry of Foreign Aff airs. is the legal framework regulating the to support and provide welfare for Concerning the empowerment of “The State has also continued its rights of migrant workers, who play a expatriates. women, al-Muraikhi stressed that eff orts to strengthen and protect the pivotal role in the development of the HE al-Muraikhi also pointed to Qatar has continued formulating plans rights of the child and persons with country, and Qatar appreciates the Law No 13 of 2018 on the abolishing and strategies to strengthen and to disability in addition to the protection contributions of expatriate workers. of the exit permit; Minister of support the role of women in all fi elds, of the right to health and the right to Al-Muraikhi further stressed that Administrative development, Labour pointing out that four women have education,” he said. the strengthening and protection and Social Aff airs’ decision No 21 of of the rights of the expatriate work 2019 on the measure of election of force is a strategic choice for Qatar, the representatives of the workers pointing to a number of legislation in the committees that are set up in that have been enacted in this respect, various enterprises; signing 38 bilateral such as law No 1 of 2015 amending agreements with countries sending Three-day forecast some of the provisions of the Labour workers; signing, in October 2017, a Law No 14 of 2004 on the wages technical co-operation agreement with TODAY protection system (WPS); Law No the ILO covering the period 2018-2020 Maximum Temperature : 380c 21 of 2015 regulating the entry and and including advise and counselling Minimum Temperature : 290c HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi visiting the the exit of expatriates, which has by the ILO on the implementation SATURDAY exhibition in Geneva yesterday. abolished the “Kafala” (sponsorship) of labour laws according to Maximum Temperature : 370c Minimum Temperature : 290c

SUNDAY Maximum Temperature : 350c Expo highlights Qatar’s human rights achievements Minimum Temperature : 290c HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs publications highlighting the recent steps taken The exhibition also highlighted the country’s Fisherman's forecast Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi visited an exhibition, by the State in the field of human rights such as achievements in the field of international co- organised on the sidelines of the review of the strategies and policies for the promotion and operation and initiatives to protect education third national report of the Qatar, by the team protection of human rights, including the rights of in conflict areas, and humanitarian and WARNING working on Universal Periodic Review of the migrant workers and technical co-operation with development assistance provided by the country Inshore : Nil human rights (UPR) at its 33rd session in Geneva. the International Labour Organisation (ILO), as to a number of countries around the world. Offshore : Nil The exhibition, organised in co-ordination and well as the accession of Qatar to the international The exhibition also highlighted the role of the WEATHER co-operation with the Human Rights Department treaties and the national human rights action plan National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) in Inshore : Hot daytime with slight and the media off ice, includes images that reflect currently under development by the country, and promoting human rights and its reports on human dust and scattered the human rights achievements of Qatar in various gender equality and women’s participation in the rights violations committed by the blockade clouds Offshore : Scattered clouds at fields such as education and health as well as Advisory Council. countries. times

WIND Inshore : Northeasterly-South- easterly 08-18 KT Offshrore : Northeasterly-South- easterly 05-15 KT Visibility : 4 -8 KM Letters Offshore : 2-4 FT

Construct (Belgian Company). real commitment to the planet. pleasure to have it seen built! Around the region The joint venture was represented As ambassador I closely followed Congratulations to Qatar and to Congratulations Weather on site by Bjorn Walgraeve, Marwan the construction of this stadium Supreme Committee! Weather tomorrow Max/min Daou and Andrea Nassi. Together together with my Austrian colleague today Max/min to Qatar and to Cloudy 42/27 with their team they achieved the Willy Kempel during our regular Bart De Groof Baghdad P Cloudy 42/26 P Cloudy 34/25 completion of this state-of-the- visits to the stadium. It was a Belgian Ambassador to Qatar Kuwait CitySunny 37/26 Supreme Committee M Cloudy 36/28 art 40,000 seat FIFA-compliant Manama M Cloudy 36/29 Sunny P Cloudy 33/30 Dear Sir, stadium in an astonishing 40 Muscat 33/28 Sunny 31/19 months period. Tehran M Sunny 30/17 May 16, 2019 is an important day May this be a beautiful example Please send us your letters for Qatar, but also for Belgium. On of what the World Cup is about By e-mail this day we took a signifi cant step according to FIFA: Living football [email protected] towards the FIFA World Cup 2022 in is… A commitment to the game; Fax 44350474 Qatar with the offi cial inauguration A commitment to the people; Or Post of Al Wakrah Stadium, the fi rst newly A commitment to the planet; A Letters to the Editor Commitment to the future. built FIFA World Cup stadium, during Gulf Times the Emir Cup tonight. Indeed, the construction by an P O Box 2888 As Belgian Ambassador I am very integrated and successful joint Doha, Qatar proud that this achievement is the venture brought people and nations result of a successful joint venture together. The project obtained All letters, which are subject to editing, should have the name of the writer, between MIDMAC Contracting the fi ve-star Global Sustainability address and phone number. The writer’s name and address may be withheld (Qatari company), PORR Qatar Assessment System (GSAS) for Sports by request. (Austrian Company) and Six and Construction Management – a Around the world Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Athens S T Storms 23/13 M Sunny 25/16 Beirut Sunny 29/20 Sunny 24/18 Bangkok Cloudy 35/27 P Cloudy 36/27 Berlin P Cloudy 21/11 M Sunny 24/13 Live issues Cairo Sunny 34/20 Sunny 37/18 Cape Town P Cloudy 19/14 M Cloudy 18/12 Colombo S T Storms 30/27 S T Storms 30/27 Dhaka P Cloudy 36/28 M Sunny 37/28 Hong Kong T Storm 29/27 S T Storms 29/27 Glucosamine supplements may cut heart risk Istanbul Showers 21/14 Rain 18/16 Jakarta P Cloudy 32/25 P Cloudy 32/24 Karachi Sunny 32/27 Sunny 33/27 QNA Almost one in fi ve of the 466,039 supplement may have an anti- in four people in the UK still die from London Showers 15/10 Showers 18/10 London participants said they took infl ammatory eff ect, which could heart and circulatory disease. We Manila S T Storms 34/28 S T Storms 34/28 glucosamine. explain the suggested benefi t, but urgently need to fund research that Moscow Sunny 19/08 M Sunny 22/10 Users were less likely to develop more investigations are needed. could result in improved prevention, New Delhi P Cloudy 38/26 M Sunny 36/27 lucosamine supplements, heart and artery diseases or stroke, or Prof Naveed Sattar, from the diagnosis and treatment.” New York Cloudy 25/13 P Cloudy 23/14 better known as a remedy die from these conditions. University of Glasgow, said: “Only a “If a well-known and widely Paris M Cloudy 19/11 Showers 20/11 for joint pain, may lower a Glucosamine was associated with trial can determine whether there is available supplement like glucosamine Sao Paulo Showers 20/16 S T Storms 23/16 Gperson’s risk of cardiovascular a 9%-22% lower risk of CVD death, any truth to the lower observed risk. could help prevent heart and Seoul Cloudy 30/18 P Cloudy 27/17 disease (CVD), research suggests. coronary heart disease and stroke, Observational studies can only ever circulatory diseases, including heart Singapore S T Storms 31/27 S T Storms 31/27 The fi ndings in the British Medical compared to non-use over the 10 years generate new ideas to test. attack and stroke, it is an avenue of Sydney Sunny 22/12 Sunny 22/13 Journal (BMJ) come from nearly half a of the study. Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, from the research worth exploring,” Dr Sonya Tokyo Clear 24/16 Clear 23/16 million people in the UK. The researchers believe the British Heart Foundation, said: “One Babu-Narayan added. Gulf Times 16 Friday, May 17, 2019 QATAR

Amir takes the Metro to the final Al Duhail celebrate their Cup

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, along with a large number of citizens and residents, travelled on the Doha Metro to reach Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah to attend the Amir Cup final between Al Duhail and Al Sadd last night.

Edmilson the star The victorious Al Duhail team with the trophy. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday crowned Al Duhail club, winners of the Amir Cup, after they beat Al Sadd 4-1 in the final match held at Al Janoub Stadium. The Amir honoured the players of Al From Page 1 was thrilled with the victory. performance of the event in the Duhail Sports Club with the Cup and presented them with gold medals. He also presented Al Sadd players with silver medals. The match “It was great to score against fi nal. The match was great. They was attended by HE Sheikh Abdul-Aziz bin Khalifa al-Thani; His Highness Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, Personal Representative of They also banished their dis- Al Sadd in the fi nal. It was an also played well but we stuck to our the Amir; His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani; His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani; HE Sheikh Jassim bin appointment of fi nishing sec- amazing experience playing in a guns and dominated the match. Khalifa al-Thani; HE the Advisory Council Speaker Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud and a number of sheikhs and ministers. It was ond behind Al Sadd in the league new stadium. I thank all my col- We were united on the pitch. We also attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino; President of the World Economic Forum Borge Brende; President of the African Football and had also lost to Al Rayyan on leagues and coach for the vic- hope we can play even better when Confederation (CAF) and Member of FIFA Council Ahmad Ahmad; President of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) penalties in the season-opening tory,” the 24-year-old said. the next season starts. I applaud and FIFA Vice President Alejandro Dominguez and President of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Sheikh Jassim Cup last August. Ali Afi f, who also had a terrifi c our team management for taking Football (CONCACAF) and FIFA Vice President Vittorio Montagliani in addition to a number of heads of diplomatic missions, heads of sports The star of the day, Edmilson, game, said: “We put out our best care of all the needs of the players.” federations, members of the Arab and international Olympic committees; guests and a large number of spectators. Inauguration a tribute to designer

Children taking part in the inaugural ceremony. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil

A tribute to Zaha Hadid, who designed the stadium. Al Janoub Stadium in Wakrah opens to fanfare From Page 1 spectator Sunil Moorkanat, 52, Of the eight stadiums Qatar Gianni Infantino, president of said “it is worth it”. is building or refurbishing for world governing body FIFA, was Former Dutch international “It’s the whole infrastructure 2022, Khalifa International is among the dignitaries present Ruud Gullit, who attended the you have to look at. The am- already open and will host this on the occasion. ground’s maiden game, called it bience is fantastic and all the year’s World Athletics Champi- All eight stadiums to be used “a beautiful stadium”. amenities,” added the engineer onships. in the tournament will have air “You go on the pitch and you from India who has been living Al Janoub, 15km south of conditioning to regulate the want to play,” said the former in Qatar for six years. Doha, will be used in the World temperature on the pitch and captain of the Netherlands side Offi cials had promised that Cup for fi xtures up to and in- in the stands, even though the that won the European Champi- the stadium would be “one of the cluding quarter-fi nals. World Cup has been moved to onship in 1988. loudest stadiums” in the world be- The stadium was one of Had- the cooler months of November “The design is fantastic, and cause of its design. Groups of fans, id’s last major designs before her and December. of course there’s the air condi- many of whom wore pristine white death in March 2016, aged 65. The temperature inside Al tioning.” Qatari thobes, drummed and sang “Hadid would have loved to be Janoub yesterday was 10 degrees Asked about the stadium’s as Al Sadd held Al Duhail to a tense here – but her spirit is,” added lower than the 29 Celsius out- multi-million dollar price tag, 1-1 stalemate at half-time. al-Jaber, the spectator. side.

Fireworks light up the sky above Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah after the final of the Amir Cup football tournament. PICTURE: Jayan Orma An Al Duhail player celebrates the victory with children. PICTURE: Ram Chand