QATAR | Page 2 SPORT | Page 1 Pakistan celebrate cricket return INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2, 16 COMMENT 14, 15 REGION 3 BUSINESS 1-6, 8-12 with series Longboarding in Doha: 22,268.34 8,409.48 49.86 ARAB WORLD 3 CLASSIFIED 7, 8 +64.86 -18.29 -0.03 INTERNATIONAL 4-13 SPORTS 1-8 ‘Ride like the wind’ triumph +0.29% -0.22% -0.06% Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

SATURDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10578 September 16, 2017 Dhul-Hijja 25, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief

QATAR | Reaction London subway station explosion condemned Qatar has strongly condemned the explosion which took place at a subway station in south-west London, wounding a number of people. In a statement yesterday, the Foreign Ministry reiterated Qatar’s firm stance rejecting violence and terrorism regardless of motives and reasons. It stressed Qatar’s full solidarity with the British government and its support for all measures taken to maintain security. It also expressed Qatar’s wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured. Page 7

QATAR | Military His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani shakes hands with French President Emmanuel His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani is being greeted by German Chancellor Angela Qatari, French forces Macron on his arrival at Elysee Palace in Paris yesterday. Merkel in Berlin yesterday. conclude joint exercise Qatari Emiri Naval Forces have concluded the marine exercise, which was conducted in partnership with their French counterparts in Qatar’s territorial waters, The Directorate of Moral Guidance Emir says Qatar at the Ministry of Defence has announced. In a press statement, Macron calls for the Directorate said that the two-day exercise was conducted alongside the Qatari Emiri Naval Forces, by ready for talks both the Qatari Emiri Air Force and the Special Naval Force of the Joint Special Forces and used a number of rocket-laden boats, along with the lifting of siege French frigate Jean Bart. to end Gulf crisis

QATAR | Offi cial O Emir, French president Palace in Paris yesterday evening, the The Emir met earlier yesterday in QNA ferences with some Arab countries in discuss eff orts to resolve Emir and the French president dis- Berlin with German Chancellor Angela Berlin identifying the roots of terrorism. Citizens warned against cussed the latest developments of the Merkel, who said the crisis would be With regard to the position towards travelling to Egypt Gulf crisis Gulf crisis, and its repercussions, as resolved only through quiet diplomacy. some German companies in which Qatar The Department of Consular Aff airs well as eff orts to resolve it through dia- “We spoke about the need for all the atar is ready to engage in dia- has invested and currently facing eco- at the Foreign Ministry has warned QNA/AFP logue and diplomatic means through parties to sit at one table again as soon logue to resolve the Gulf crisis, nomic diffi culties, the Emir said that Qa- Qatari citizens against travelling the mediation by Kuwait, which is sup- as possible,” she said at a joint news QHis Highness the Emir Sheikh tar has great confi dence in the German Paris to Egypt. In a statement today, the ported by the two countries. conference with the Emir. Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani said in economy and it is a strategic partnership. Department explained that this The two sides also discussed a Both Paris and Berlin back diplomat- Berlin yesterday, where he was on a “What these companies are going warning is because of the security rench President Emmanuel Ma- number of regional and internation- ic eff orts led by Kuwait, a key media- working visit. through is normal and will not change measures imposed by the Egyptian cron yesterday urged the lifting of al issues of mutual interest and ex- tor in the crisis along with the United “The distinct and frank talks with Qatar’s position on these investments,” authorities against the Qataris when Fa Saudi-led siege on Qatar in ef- changed views on them. States. German Chancellor Angela Merkel dealt he added. entering Egypt. fect since June. They also discussed means of en- Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and with the more than 100 days of siege on The German Chancellor expressed Macron is calling for “the embargo hancing co-operation in combating the the United Arab Emirates cut diplo- Qatar by its neighbours,” he explained. concern that more than 100 days had AMERICA | Space measures aff ecting the people of Qa- fi nancing of terrorism and working to- matic ties with Qatar on June 5, ac- His Highness the Emir thanked Mer- passed since the beginning of the cri- tar, in particular families and students, gether to address its causes. cusing Doha of supporting extremism kel for the eff orts made by Germany and sis between Qatar and its neighbours Cassini makes death to be lifted as quickly as possible,” the The meeting was attended by mem- – charges Doha has denied. its role in resolving diff erences through without fi nding a solution. plunge into Saturn president’s offi ce said in a statement bers of the offi cial delegation accompa- Riyadh and its supporters severed air dialogue as well as its support for the “Germany does not stand by one side After 20 years in space, Nasa’s after he met with Qatar’s Emir, His nying His Highness the Emir, as well as and sea links with Qatar and closed its Kuwaiti initiative, which Qatar has been in this crisis, but would like to contrib- famed Cassini spacecraft made Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- a number of ministers and senior offi - only land border, cutting off vital routes supporting from the beginning and will ute to a solution based on German val- an intentional death plunge Thani. cials from the French side. for imports including food. Page 16 continue to support until a solution that ues and it sees the need that all parties into Saturn yesterday, ending a Macron “expressed his concern over satisfi es all parties is reached. sit at the dialogue table,” she stressed. storied mission that scientists the tensions that threaten regional sta- Speaking at the joint press confer- Germany will continue its contacts say taught us nearly everything bility, undermining the political reso- Emir to take part in UN General Assembly meetings ence with the German Chancellor, fol- through diplomatic channels to seek we know about Saturn today and lution of crises and our collective fi ght lowing a meeting at the headquarters of a solution to the crisis, she said, add- transformed the way we think against terrorism,” the statement said. His Highness the Emir Sheikh speech at the opening session of the Federal Chancellery, the Emir said ing that it was agreed during the talks about life elsewhere in the solar His Highness the Emir discussed Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani will the General Assembly on Tuesday, that the talks dealt with the crisis in to encourage Kuwait to continue its system. Cassini, an international with the French president the strong take part in the meetings of the September 19. US President Donald Libya and Qatar’s support for the inter- eff orts to resolve it. She expressed ap- project that cost $3.9bn and bilateral relations and means of en- 72nd Session of the United Nations Trump will meets His Highness the nationally recognised Libyan Govern- preciation for the US eff orts to reach a included scientists from 27 nations, hancing and developing them in all General Assembly, to be held at Emir on the sidelines of the General ment of National Accord. solution in this crisis. disintegrated as it dove into fi elds to serve the common interests of the Organisation’s headquarters in Assembly session on Tuesday, the As for the Syrian crisis, which repre- Merkel explained that the talks dealt Saturn’s atmosphere at a speed of the two countries. New York. The Emir will deliver a White House said yesterday. sents a great danger to the region and with the need to combat terrorism and 75,000mph (120,700kph). Page 5 During the meeting held at the Elysee the world, Sheikh Tamim pointed out its international fi nancing, hoping that that there must be a political solution the positive will from all sides will be acceptable to all parties in Syria. available as there are enormous chal- The Emir pointed out that the talks lenges in the region. On the situation also dealt with the distinguished re- in Yemen, she hoped that there will be lations between Qatar and Germany, positive development to resolve the such as economic and cultural ties and crisis within the GCC. how to develop them. On bilateral relations, the German NY set to host US-Islamic World Forum “We are all fi ghting terrorism to en- Chancellor described German-Qatari sure security but we must focus on the relations as strong despite the crisis, QNA political, economic and scientifi c top- contribute to correcting the course of Qatar’s interest in organising this fo- roots and causes of terrorism,” he said expressing the desire to develop them. Doha ics of common interest to reach scien- relations between the two parties is the rum are based on the principles of its while observing that there may be dif- Page 16 tifi c and practical results and solutions issue of Palestine as a matter of concern foreign policy and preserving sover- that serve the Islamic world. to all the Arab and Islamic peoples who eignty and independence, defending the ew York will host tomorrow Among the topics are the current cri- aspire to see a fairer attitude by the US Arab and Islamic identity, respecting in- NHRC urges probe into siege nations’ violations the activities of the US-Islamic ses, Arab opinion and identity, how de- towards it. The continued Israeli occu- ternational covenants and conventions, NWorld Forum, which is organ- mocracy and development are compat- pation of the Arab territories remains consolidating international peace and The Chairman of Qatar’s National Coercive Punishment, the Special ised by Qatar’s Permanent Committee ible, issues of religious freedom, social the heart of the problem and the US can security, and defending public and pri- Human Rights Committee, HE Ali Rapporteur on Education and the for Organising Conferences. change and economic growth and those contribute to achieving a just and last- vate freedoms and human rights. bin Smaikh al-Marri, has called on Special Rapporteur on Freedom of The two-day event will bring togeth- related to culture, arts and women’s ing peace in the Middle East. Qatar’s foreign policy is built on the the UN High Commissioner for Religion and Belief in the UN Human er leaders from the political, bureau- rights. The previous 12 editions of the US- principle of the consolidation of interna- Human Rights to send a technical Rights Council to investigate the cratic, academic, religious, business The forum will serve as an opportuni- Islamic World Forum were all in Doha, tional peace and security by promoting committee to Qatar and visit the violations committed against Qatari and media domains, from the US and ty to strengthen co-operation between with the exception of one held in Wash- the peaceful resolution of international siege countries to investigate the citizens and residents in Qatar and four corners of the Islamic world, rang- the Islamic world and the US by correct- ington in April 2011. The Forum has been disputes, supporting the right of peoples violations and to meet the separated citizens of the siege countries. ing from Senegal to Indonesia. ing misconceptions about the Islamic working to build bridges of understand- to self-determination and non-interfer- families and students expelled from The NHRC chairman demanded the The forum is to touch upon several world and discussing its current issues, ing between the US and Islamic world ence in the internal aff airs of States and their universities, and Qatari citizens Saudi, UAE and Bahraini authorities issues pertaining to the relations be- especially that the vision of Qatar, in- and create a strong network of relations co-operation with peace-loving nations. who lost their properties in the siege to release the citizens who expressed tween the US and the Islamic world, spired by the directives of His Highness at all levels of government and civil soci- Qatar has mediated in regional and countries. their views on rejection of the the Middle East peace process, econo- the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- ety, including the fi elds of art, business, international issues and has made and In a press conference held yesterday siege and to allow the international my, security, human development, sci- Thani, aims at highlighting the bright science and technology, and education continues to exert strong diplomatic in Geneva on the sidelines of the organisations to meet with them. ence and technology, and the role of the face of Islam and Muslims and redress in order to promote the building of posi- and political eff orts in mediating be- 36th session of the Human Rights He urged those countries to lift press and media. the stereotypical or false concepts that tive relations and opportunities for dia- tween factions, entities and states at the Council, Dr al-Marri also called on the their illegal siege and address its The event is an opportunity to ex- have spread in recent years. logue and exchange of ideas and views request of the parties concerned with- UN Special Rapporteur on Unilateral humanitarian consequences. change views between the two sides on One of the important points that can on common issues and their solutions. out interfering in their internal aff airs. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, September 16, 2017 QATAR

Official

Qatar’s partnership Emir sends cable of congratulations to El Salvador president

His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday sent a cable of congratulations to the President of the Republic with US ‘very strong’, of El Salvador, Salvador Sanchez Ceren, on the anniversary of his country’s Independence Day. His Highness the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani also sent cables of congratulations to the President of El Salvador on the HE the Foreign Minister occasion. says Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani Emir sends cable of congratulations QNA telephone conversation that said adding “We are a sover- we chose the people,” he said. ance to the people of Gaza is Geneva took place between His High- eign country. We have the same The peoples of these coun- welcomed because the people to Nicaragua president ness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin rights as Saudi Arabia, regard- tries are the ones who ig- desperately need it. Hamad al-Thani and the Crown less of the size or strength of our nited the revolutions of the He said that Qatar, along with His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday E the Foreign Minister Prince of Saudi Arabia. And that country.” Arab Spring and not Qatar, he several countries, has a joint sent a cable of congratulations to the President of the Republic of Sheikh Mohamed bin is unacceptable,” he said, ex- stressed, adding, “these peo- operation room working for Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega Saavedra, on the anniversary of his country’s HAbdulrahman al-Thani plaining that the Gulf crisis was Both countries co-operate ples deserve appreciation for moderate groups in Syria. “We Independence Day. His Highness the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah has described the partnership not expected and there were no in the fi elds of security, this achievement.” still believe in the realism of the bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior between Qatar and the United indications of its occurrence. counter-terrorism, defence The FM also pointed out that hopes placed in the Free Syrian Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani also sent cables of States as “very strong”. The FM pointed out that a and economy the peoples of the Arab Spring Army or the reorganisation of congratulations to the President of Nicaragua on the occasion. In an interview with Swiss few days before the beginning countries believed in the pos- moderate forces,” he said. The newspaper Le Temps, the FM of the crisis, Saudi Arabia was a Responding to a question on sibility of reaching peaceful minister also pointed out that said that Qatar hosts the big- very strong ally of Qatar, add- relations with Iran, the FM said solutions, and there was no there is an international com- Qatar envoy meets Moroccan minister gest US military base outside ing that everything that had that from the beginning, Qatar terrorism at that time, explain- mitment in this regard, but part America as well as the head- happened was orchestrated has been defending the idea of ing that violence started when of the international community Qatar ambassador to Morocco Abdullah bin Falah bin Abdullah quarters of the International to justify the siege, and that it overcoming diff erences with these peoples were subject to now focuses on the fi ght against al-Dosari met with Minister of Foreign Aff airs and International Co- Coalition against ISIS, adding concerned a group of countries Iran through dialogue rather the brutality of the regimes. ISIS, and no longer speaks operation of the Kingdom of Morocco Nasser Bourita. The meeting that the two countries also co- whose actions could not be than confrontation. On the oth- He pointed out that the terror- about the regime of Bashar al- discussed bilateral relations and ways of supporting and developing operate in the fi elds of security, predicted. er hand, he said that the Arab ist organisations benefi ted from Assad, which killed more than them, in addition to issues of common concern. counter-terrorism, defence and The FM said that the GCC peoples revolted against dicta- this situation in strengthening 500,000 people. economy. countries’ consensus is nec- torships, “We had to move when their forces. The FM said the solution to He stressed that the lesson essary to ensure that regional these dictatorships started kill- On Qatar’s relations with the Idlib issue lies in re-estab- learned by the unjust siege is security is not jeopardised, de- ing their own people.” Islamic Resistance Movement lishing the moderate opposition Qatar envoy meets Tunisia top off icial to reduce its dependence on its spite the diff erences of views on He explained that Qatar has (Hamas), the FM said, “the and providing it with more aid, immediate neighbours, point- a number of issues. He also ex- tried to assist these regimes to countries that accuse us of sup- adding that it was the lack of Qatar ambassador to Tunisia Saad bin Nasser al-Humaidi met with ing out to Qatar’s commercial plained that the siege countries make some reforms, “But when porting what they call a ter- support for the moderate op- Secretary of State for Foreign Aff airs of the Republic of Tunisia openness to many countries. do not want a rational exchange these attempts failed and the rorist movement are the same position that allowed the Nusra Sabri Bachtobji. The meeting discussed bilateral relations and ways “The siege countries accuse of arguments. “They want to dictators began to kill their own countries that support Hamas.” Front to strengthen its infl u- of supporting them and developing them, in addition to issues of us of spreading lies about the put us under guardianship,” he people, we had to take a side, and He pointed out that any assist- ence. common concern. Dialogue key to resolving Gulf crisis: African Union

QNA reiterated the position of the Af- Addis Ababa rican Union, announced by Al- pha Conde, President of the Re- public of Guinea and President E the Deputy Prime of the African Union, towards Minister and Minister of the crisis, calling for resolving it The Duke of Seville Francisco de Borbon y Escasany (right) and members of his delegation are seen with HState for Cabinet Aff airs through dialogue and diplomatic Katara general manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti and other off icials during the luncheon at Katara. Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al- eff orts, and supporting Kuwaiti Mahmoud met with Chairperson mediation as a way to resolve the of the African Union Commis- crisis, which is the same position sion Moussa Faki Mohamed yes- advocated by Qatar since the be- terday in Addis Ababa. During ginning of the crisis. Duke of Seville visits Katara the meeting, the Deputy Prime Al-Mahmoud arrived in the Minister briefed Chairperson of Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa the AU Commission on the latest yesterday. He and the accom- he Duke of Seville Fran- VIP delegates continuously, services that serves innovative developments in the Gulf crisis. panying delegation were greeted cisco de Borbon y Es- which ideally approves its po- artists, locally and internation- He also expressed Qatar’s ap- upon arrival at Addis Ababa In- Tcasany visited Katara – sition as a cultural hub that re- ally. preciation of the African Union’s ternational Airport by Ethiopian the Cultural Village Foundation fl ects Qatar’s heritage. The visiting dignitary also position to resolve the crisis Minister of State for Foreign Af- on Thursday. “Katara is keen to build com- praised the eff orts accom- through constructive dialogue fairs Dr Akililu Hailemichael, The dignitary was received munication bridges between plished to host various activi- among all parties as well as the Ethiopian ambassador to Qa- by Katara general manager Dr people from all walks of life,” ties and festivals throughout AU’s support for the mediation tar Mesganu Arga Moach, and Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti he said. the year, which acts as a win- led by the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh members of the Qatar embassy who hosted a VIP luncheon Post the tour at Katara, the dow to all cultures. At the end HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Aff airs Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al- in Ethiopia. The Deputy Prime on the occasion. Speaking on Duke of Seville expressed his of the visit, Dr al-Sulaiti pre- Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud with Chairperson of the Sabah. Minister left Addis Ababa yes- the occasion, Dr al-Sulaiti ex- utmost admiration of the facili- sented a souvenir to Francisco African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mohamed in Addis Ababa. For his part, the Chairperson terday for Doha. plained that Katara receives ties as it entails a wide range of de Borbon. Longboarding in Doha: ‘Ride like the wind’

By Peter Alagos Business Reporter

ongboarding has been gaining steady momentum in Doha among many ex- Lpatriates and even with some Qataris. Considered as both a sport and a hobby, longboarding is simply riding a long skate- board for a variety of purposes whether for transportation or as a fun hobby, or for ex- treme sports like downhill longboarding. In 2015, a handful of expatriates formed the Doha Longboard Crew (DLC). Its found- ing members include Filipino chef Alon Ar- cena Avilla and extreme sports advocates Gustav Brandt from South Africa and Olan Santos from the Philippines. According to Avilla, DLC’s Facebook group lists some 120 members from India, Syria, Serbia, Italy, Qatar, South Africa, and the Philippines but only around 40 of them reg- ularly ride outdoors. Initially, Avilla said the group’s hangout was in Aspire Park or at the Museum of Is- lamic Art Park. But today, Brandt noted that the crew has moved on to other areas around Doha to ride and have fun. people to know that longboarding is for eve- “Today, we are quite a large group; and ryone; but the main objective of this activity every time we head out, we spread the word Most parks in Doha have become regular that longboarding is alive in Doha. There are venues for longboarding, which is a plenty of parks in Doha and new ones are be- growing sport and hobby among ing built. expatriates and Qataris. “We have our very own hill where you can learn to slide and pick up some good speed is to encourage children and other people to called ‘Hill 2’ and a ‘fun run’, which consists sport an active and healthy lifestyle,” Avilla of a mellow slope with a few corners situated stressed. in Al Markhiya,” Brandt pointed out. Brandt added: “Well if the ‘bug bites’, kids To further promote longboarding in Qatar, will be wanting to be more on the board and Avilla organises a ‘freestyle session’ infor- out in the open carving the sidewalks rather mally called ‘Longboard Skate Clinic’ every than being stuck on their gadgets and online Friday at the Hotel Park where people can games. Members of the Doha Longboard Crew and several hobbyists converged at the Hotel Park yesterday for weekly ‘freestyle sessions’. PICTURES: Peter Alagos meet new friends while learning how to ride “Unfortunately it does get hot and humid the longboard. in Doha, so outdoor activities are limited, Aside from physical activity, Brandt said surroundings, especially when on the board. ing their wheels and bearings clean for the next “These ‘sessions’ are open to everyone but from my experience, you tend to go on- longboarding will also help kids meet new Longboarding will also teach children the value of session,” Brandt said. and the longboarding lessons are free. Aside line and search tutorials and inspiration from friends and experience different cultures. commitment, dedication, and responsibility from from meeting new friends, we would like longboarding videos.” “They will also learn how to be vigilant of their basic things like looking after their board or keep- Gulf Times Saturday, September 16, 2017 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD

US-backed fighters set red line for Assad Three nations set to deploy in Syria’s east US-backed Syrian militias will not let government forces cross the Euphrates River in their bid to recover eastern Syria, setting a red line for President Bashar al-Assad as both sides converge observers around Idlib on Islamic State in Deir Ezzor, their commander said. Militia Reuters cations of de-escalation con- commander Abu Khawla said Ankara/Astana trol forces in Idlib had yet to be a civilian administration would determined along with other be set up to run areas of Deir matters. Ezzor province being captured ussia, Iran and Turkey Yezid Sayigh, a senior fellow from Islamic State by his fighters, will post observers on at the Carnegie Middle East including its oil fields. The Syrian Rthe edge of a de-esca- Centre, said the agreement government was “not fit to lead lation zone in northern Syria’s could pave way for an offensive and rule the people”, he said. Idlib region largely controlled against Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham The Deir Ezzor military council, by militants, the three nations (HTS). fighting as part of the US-backed said yesterday. “The calls to form a ‘unified Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), The move is part of a broad- opposition army’ in the north- has advanced towards Deir Ezzor er plan under which Moscow, west under the aegis of groups from the eastern side of the Tehran and Ankara will set close to the Muslim Broth- Euphrates River since launching up four such zones in differ- erhood suggest that Turkey an off ensive into the province a ent parts of Syria, an idea de- is preparing a proxy force to week ago. Government forces, scribed by critics as de facto move against HTS in western supported by the Russian air partitioning of the war-torn Aleppo and Idlib: as in al-Bab force and other militias, have nation. and Jarablus, Turkish units simultaneously advanced into While they hailed the agree- would support opposition Deir Ezzor from the west. Last ment as a breakthrough af- forces from behind,” he said. week, they broke an Islamic State ter months of talks, Moscow, Ahmed Beri (centre), chief of staff of the Free Syrian Army, adjusts his headphones during the round of Syria peace talks in Astana, yesterday. A Western diplomat said it siege of the provincial capital, Tehran and Ankara provided was “still unclear what the fi- Deir Ezzor city, which sits on the very few details and said some de-escalation area. is going to get implemented on nal outcome will be, notwith- Western bank of the river. Deir issues were still to be worked The Turkish ministry said the ground,” said Aron Lund, a standing there was just a clos- Ezzor province is Islamic State’s out. in a statement the observ- Syria specialist and fellow at ing ceremony”. last major foothold in Syria and They denied charges of aim- ers’ mission will be to prevent The Century Foundation. “How much devil will be in Iraq. Rich in oil, it is bisected by ing to partition the country, clashes between “the (Syr- “The obvious stumbling the detail remains to be seen,” the Euphrates River and abuts however, saying the zones ian) regime and the opposition block is the fact that much the diplomat said. Iraq. The Russian and US-backed where they plan to deploy forces, and any violations of of Idlib is under the control Meanwhile, the Astana trio campaigns against Islamic State forces would be temporary, al- the truce”. of Tahrir al-Sham, which is have started discussing set- in Syria have mostly stayed out though they could be extended Russian negotiator Alex- viewed internationally as a ting up national reconciliation of each other’s way as the sides beyond an initial six-month ander Lavrentyev has said the terrorist group.” committees in Syria and will seek to avoid conflict, with the term. trio will each send about 500 The details of the plan how- continue those discussions in Euphrates often acting as a divid- Turkey’s foreign ministry observers to Idlib, and the ever remained unclear as the late October, Lavrentyev said. ing line between the sides. and Russian and Iranian dip- Russians will be military po- UN special envoy for Syria Staff an de Mistura attends the round of three countries did not make The United Nations, which Talks have been underway to lomats who attended trilateral licemen. peace talks in Astana, Kazakhstan. public any of the documents hosts separate Syria peace extend a formal demarcation talks in Kazakhstan said yes- Idlib province, in northwest agreed yesterday apart from talks in Geneva, has previously line that has separated the cam- terday their observers would Syria on the border with Tur- the former Al Qaeda offshoot effective the deal would be. their joint statement. urged Astana to focus on con- paigns, off icials have said. be stationed in “safe zones” key, is largely controlled by a Nusra Front. “I’m not sure what this deal Russia’s Lavrentyev said solidating the ceasefire and Abu Khawla warned government along the border of the Idlib rebel alliance spearheaded by One analyst was unsure how means in practice or how or if it that the exact deployment lo- avoid political matters. forces and their militia allies against firing across the river as his fighters close in — some- thing he said had happened in Protest over eviction of Palestinians recent days. “Now we have 3km between us and the eastern river- Three suspected militants bank, once our forces reach the area, any shot fired into that area we will consider an attack on the killed in Yemen strike military council,” he said.

position in the country. The Reuters SECURITY Aden, Yemen United States has repeatedly attacked AQAP with aircraft Lebanon foils attacks and unmanned drones in what after warnings hree suspected Al Qaeda US offi cials say is a campaign militants were killed in a to wear down the group’s Lebanon’s army said yesterday it Tdrone strike in southern ability to co-ordinate attacks had arrested militants who were Yemen late on Thursday, a lo- abroad. planning attacks in the country cal security offi cial and resi- The Saudi-led coalition after foreign embassies warned dents said. supporting Hadi has also their citizens to avoid public The strike in Mudiyah dis- launched thousands of air places. Army intelligence “carried trict in Abyan province on the strikes against the Houthis out several raids arresting 19 Arabian Sea coast had targeted which control Yemen’s capi- people linked to a cell” belonging a motorcycle which the sus- tal and much of the country’s to Islamic State, the army said in pected militants were riding, north. The Houthis have in a statement. Security forces were the offi cial said. Abyan is one turn fi red rockets towards Sau- taking extra precautions, it added. of several provinces in central di cities and villages. They say The cell which had “planned and and southern Yemen where Al their attacks are in response to prepared to carry out terrorist Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsu- Saudi strikes on Yemeni cit- action” was led by Egyptian Fadi la (AQAP) and its local affi liate ies and villages. The coalition Ibrahim Ahmed, who was based in Ansar al-Sharia operate. spokesman said on Thursday the Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian refu- AQAP has taken advantage that a Saudi pilot had died gee camp in southern Lebanon, Palestinian, Israeli and foreign activists from the Peace Now movement demonstrate yesterday, outside a house, which originally of a more than two-year civil a day earlier when his plane the army said. Lebanon’s Interior belonged to the Palestinian Shamasneh family and was seized by new Israeli owners, in the neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah in war between the Houthi group crashed in the southern prov- Ministry said earlier it was looking east Jerusalem. The Shamasnehs, including 84-year-old grandfather Ayoub, were forcibly evicted on September 5 from their home and President Abd-Rabbu ince of Abyan due to “technical into warnings issued by foreign of more than 50 years, after a court ruled in favour of the Israelis. Mansour Hadi’s Saudi-backed failure”, the Saudi news agency embassies over potential attacks government to strengthen its SPA said. in the country.

UNREST Iraq attack death toll rises to 84 Gunmen and suicide bombers killed northern and central Iraq. “Another US ‘seeking excuses’ to destroy nuclear deal at least 84 people in southern Iraq 93 people were wounded, many of in the deadliest attack by the Islamic them seriously,” Khalidi said. The State group since it lost second assailants struck at midday, opening AFP cal location in the country,” ance with the 2015 nucle- shifted to military or other ligation beyond that,” he said. city Mosul, according to a new toll fire on a restaurant before getting Tehran the secretary of the Supreme ar deal, which restricted sites. He echoed Foreign Min- released yesterday. into a car and blowing themselves National Security Council, Iran’s atomic programme Shamkhani accused the ister Mohamed Javad Zarif, Many of the dead in Thursday’s up at a nearby security checkpoint, Ali Shamkhani, said on state in exchange for an easing administration of President who tweeted on Thursday attack near the city of Nasiriyah off icials said. he United States is television. “The issues being of sanctions. The UN has Donald Trump of “uncon- that the idea of reworking the were pilgrims, some of them Iranian, They left a trail of destruction, with “seeking excuses” to raised are media hype by the stated there is no obligation structive and excuse-seeking nuclear deal was “pure fan- off icials said. charred bodies scattered on the Ttear up the nuclear deal Americans so that they can re- to carry out military site in- behaviour... which is an active tasy”. Zarif is due to meet US “The death toll has risen to 84 after ground near the burnt-out wrecks of with Iran by demanding mili- frain from fulfi lling their obli- spections unless there are attempt to damage this in- Secretary of State Rex Tiller- the discovery of 10 more bodies at cars, buses and trucks, an AFP cor- tary site inspections, one of the gations.” suspicions of illicit activity. ternational agreement”. “Iran son and the foreign ministers the scene of the attack,” said Jassem respondent reported. Islamic republic’s top security Washington has report- It says it has doubled in- has merely acted within the of other signatories of the al-Khalidi, health director for Dhiqar The attack was quickly claimed by offi cials said yesterday. edly demanded inspections spections in Iran since the framework of agreements un- nuclear deal on the sidelines province, which has largely been IS, which appears to be switching to “Iran has no undisclosed nu- of Iranian military sites as deal and has no evidence that der the JCPOA (nuclear deal) of the UN General Assembly spared the violence that has plagued insurgent attacks. clear activity in any geographi- part of verifying compli- nuclear material has been and shall not accept any ob- next Wednesday. Kurdish parliament backs independence referendum

Reuters yesterday in Erbil, the seat of the Barzani said in a speech at a Kurdish peshmerga fighters Erbil, Iraq Kurdistan Regional Government rally in the Kurdish region, re- seized Kirkuk and other dis- (KRG) in northern Iraq. ferring to talks held with US puted territories when the Iraqi The central government in and Western envoys this week army collapsed in the face of he parliament of Iraq’s Baghdad opposes the plan, as do in Erbil. Gorran, the main op- Islamic State in 2014. autonomous Kurdistan Iraq’s neighbours Iran and Tur- position movement to Barzani’s The Kurdish move prevented Tregion approved a plan to key. KRG President Massoud Kurdistan Democratic Party Kirkuk’s oilfields from falling hold a referendum on independ- Barzani said earlier yesterday (KDP), boycotted the parlia- in the hands of the militants. ence on Sept 25, ignoring Iraqi, the vote would not be delayed, ment session in Erbil. “We’ve been waiting for more Iranian and Turkish opposition despite pressing requests from A dispute between Gorran than 100 years” to have a state, as well as US and Western con- the United States and other and the KDP caused the as- KDP MP Omed Khoshnaw told cern that the vote could cause Western powers worried that sembly to suspend its sessions Reuters after the vote. new confl icts in the region. the tension between Baghdad in 2015. “There is no other way to An overwhelming majority of and Erbil would distract from MPs from the Patriotic Un- guarantee that genocide will Kurdish MPs raised their hands the war on Islamic State mili- ion of Kurdistan (PUK) attend- never be repeated,’’ he told the to approve the plan during the tants who occupy parts of Iraq ed the session, ensuring the re- assembly earlier, referring to fi rst session held by the parlia- and Syria. quired quorum. the persecution of the Kurds ment since it was suspended two “We still haven’t heard a pro- The PUK is historic rival of and their expulsion from areas years ago. posal that can be an alternative the KDP but is supporting the including Kirkuk under former The parliament reconvened to the Kurdistan referendum,” referendum plan. president Saddam Hussein. General view of the Kurdistan Parliament meeting in Erbil, Iraq yesterday.

Gulf Times Saturday, September 16, 2017 5 AMERICAS

‘Sonic attacks’ hit White House gets a trim Canadian diplomats

AFP In some cases, hospitalisa- Ottawa tion was required, the public broadcaster said, adding that all of the Canadians have re- ysterious “sonic at- covered from the initial symp- tacks” in Cuba in re- toms. Mcent months targeted The US State Department at least fi ve Canadian diplo- has said 16 Americans were mats and their families, public affected in the “incidents,” broadcaster CBC reported yes- which appear to have begun terday. in 2016. The incidents were fi rst re- “We are aware of unusual vealed at the beginning of Au- symptoms aff ecting Canadian gust when Canadian and US of- and US diplomatic personnel fi cials said they had launched an and their families in Havana,” investigation into the cause of Canadian foreign ministry diplomats’ sudden hearing loss, spokeswoman Brianne Max- migraines and nausea in Ha- well said last month. vana. At the time, Ottawa con- The diplomats reported fi rmed that one of its envoys had hearing loud grinding or ring- been treated for the symptoms. ing noises, or feeling vibrations “More than fi ve, but fewer in their bodies. than 10 Canadian families were Canadian authorities said aff ected by the attacks,” CBC Cuban offi cials are not sus- said yesterday, citing an un- pected and have been co-oper- named source. ating in the investigation.

Hotel staff told not to report illegals President Donald Trump welcomes 11-years-old Frank Giaccio as he cuts the Rose Garden grass at the White House in Washington. Frank, who wrote a letter to Trump AFP aware of it, it was discontin- offering to mow the White House lawn, was invited to work for a day at the White House alongside National Park Service staff. Los Angeles ued,” the statement read. The hotel management said it will be issuing directives “mak- he Motel 6 hotel chain ing clear” that employees “are has banned its workers prohibited from voluntarily Tfrom reporting suspect- providing daily guest lists to ed undocumented migrants to ICE.” authorities after some employ- While the Motel 6 statement ees were found to have sent did not say how long this had regular reports to ICE agents. been going on for, the Phoe- In a statement Thursday, the nix New Times newspaper re- Police get warrant in popular budget chain said that ported that between February “certain local Motel 6 proper- and August, ICE agents made ties in the Phoenix (Arizona) at least 20 arrests at Motel 6 area were voluntarily providing hotels. ICE spokesperson Yas- daily guest lists to Immigration meen Pitts O’Keefe told AFP and Customs Enforcement that the agency “does not typi- (ICE)”. cally disclose...information nursing home deaths This took place “without related to the source of its en- the knowledge of senior man- forcement leads” due to “op- Eight elderly patients died in whose 87-year-old mother was among personnel may have been factors in the Coast Florida communities recovering agement. When we became erational security”. sweltering heat as cooling facilities dozens of patients safely removed from crisis. from the hurricane on Thursday, praising failed the centre, told reporters on Thursday. Attempts by Reuters to reach represent- fi rst-responders for their role in limiting “I don’t know what happened inside. I atives of the for-profi t nursing home by the loss of life. Reuters wasn’t there. I hope the truth comes out. phone and email went unanswered. “When you think of the incredible Fort Myers It is just senseless,” she said. The center, which police sealed off as a power of that storm, and while people Confederate statue The facility is one of nearly 700 nursing crime scene on Wednesday, was offi cially unfortunately passed, it was such a small homes across the state, about 150 of which ordered closed to new admissions by the number,” Trump said. “People thought olice have obtained a search war- still lacked power on Wednesday morning state’s Agency for Health Care Adminis- thousands and thousands of people may rant in their criminal investigation when the Hollywood Hills crisis occurred, tration. have their lives ended and the number is a Pof the deaths of eight elderly pa- according to the Florida Health Care As- On Thursday, the agency suspended the very small number, which is a great tribute tients exposed to sweltering heat inside sociation. facility from participation in the state- to you.” a Miami-area nursing home left with lit- Police, assisted in their investigation by federal Medicaid programme. Florida offi cials, including Governor tle or no air conditioning after Hurricane state and federal regulators, have said little The facility has had a spotty inspection Rick Scott and US Senator Marco Rubio, Irma struck. about circumstances leading to the deaths record, earning a “below average” grade greeted Trump and Vice President Mike The loss of life in Hollywood, Florida, of the patients, who ranged in age from 71 Medicare’s nursing home rating system. Pence in Fort Myers, Florida. brought the overall death toll from Irma to 99. The state health care agency listed the The president, wearing a white baseball to 82, with several hard-hit Caribbean is- At Thursday’s news conference, medical centre as among the lowest-ranked 20% cap with USA written on it, later visited lands, including Puerto Rico and the US workers from an adjacent hospital who as- of all nursing homes in Broward County. Naples, where he handed out sandwiches Virgin Islands, accounting for more than sisted in evacuating the centre recounted A state inspection report in February to residents under a blue shade pavilion. half the fatalities. a scene of chaos and stifl ing conditions as 2016 cited the facility for failing to comply About 1.9mn homes and businesses in Irma, which had ranked as one of the panicky staff scrambled to move overheat- with regulations for emergency genera- Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas re- most powerful Atlantic storms on record ed patients into a room where fans were tors. mained without power from Hurricane before striking the US mainland as a Cat- blowing. There was no indication from state Irma yesterday. egory 4 hurricane on Sunday, has been Facing an untenable situation, doc- records of follow-up action on the is- About 1.8mn customers were without blamed for at least 32 deaths in Florida, tors and fi re offi cials ultimately decided sue, and no such defi ciency was cited in a electricity in Florida, including 281,400 plus seven more combined in Georgia and to transfer all the patients to the hospital, fi re-life safety inspection conducted a few homes and businesses served by munici- South Carolina. where dozens were treated for respiratory months ago. pal power companies and electric coop- On Thursday, one of the latest deaths distress, dehydration and heat exhaustion, The physician listed in state records eratives. reported involved cleanup crews in Co- offi cials said. as the nursing home’s manager, Dr Jack Among the state’s public utilities, Flor- conut Grove, Florida, fi nding the body of Of the 141 patients who were evacuated, Michel, was accused by state and federal ida Power & Light, owned by NextEra En- a man under a pile of seaweed in a boat, a 70 were discharged from the hospital by regulators in 2004 of defrauding Medicare ergy Inc (NEE.N) and the state’s biggest local ABC affi liate reported. Thursday, city offi cials said. and Medicaid. electric company, reported about 1.1mn The eight deaths at the Rehabilitation Craig said nursing home staff had as- He and three co-defendants, including customers had no power. Duke Energy Center at Hollywood Hills, days after Irma sured her before the storm that they Larkin Community Hospital, paid $15.4mn Corp (DUK.N) said 375,400 customers struck, stirred outrage at what many saw were prepared to shelter residents safely to settle those civil claims in 2006 without were in the dark and Tampa Electric, a unit as a preventable tragedy, and heightened through the hurricane and were equipped admitting wrongdoing. Michel is also ma- of Emera Inc (EMA.TO), said about 36,600 concerns about the vulnerability of the with generators, food and other necessary jority owner of Larkin, which acquired the were without electricity. Workers remove the statue of Confederate general Robert state’s large elderly population amid wide- supplies. Hollywood Hills nursing home in bank- Another 116,900 customers in Georgia, E Lee in Dallas, Texas, yesterday. spread, lingering power outages. She questioned whether short staff - ruptcy proceedings in 2015. South Carolina and North Carolina also “It was unnecessary,” Bendetta Craig, ing and fatigue on the part of overworked US President Donald Trump visited Gulf remained in the dark. Cassini spacecraft makes death plunge into Saturn

AFP the furthest planet visible from Earth with the of where life may have developed beyond our Tampa naked eye — came after the spacecraft ran out of Earth,” said Andrew Coates, head of the Plan- rocket fuel after a journey of some 7.9bn km. etary Science Group at Mullard Space Science Its well-planned demise was a way to prevent Laboratory at University College London. fter 20 years in space, Nasa’s famed any damage to Saturn’s ocean-bearing moons “As well as Mars, outer planet moons like Cassini spacecraft made its fi nal death Titan and Enceladus, which scientists want to Enceladus, Europa and even Titan are now top Aplunge into Saturn yesterday, ending a keep pristine for future exploration because contenders for life elsewhere,” he added. “We’ve storied mission that scientists say taught us they may contain some form of life. completely rewritten the textbooks about Sat- nearly everything we know about Saturn today “There are international treaties that require urn.” and transformed the way we think about life that we can’t just leave a derelict spacecraft in Linda Spilker, Cassini project scientist, lik- elsewhere in the solar system. orbit around a planet like Saturn, which has ened Cassini’s mission to a marathon. Cassini, an international project that cost prebiotic moons,” said Maize. “For 13 years we have been running a mara- $3.9bn and included scientists from 27 nations, Three other spacecraft have fl own by Saturn Cassini science team members await the final thon of scientifi c discovery, and we are on the disintegrated as it dove into Saturn’s atmos- — Pioneer 11 in 1979, followed by Voyager 1 and loss of signal from the Cassini spacecraft, last lap,” she said early yesterday. Eight of the phere at a speed of 120,700kph. 2 in the 1980s. indicating Cassini’s destruction in Saturn’s spacecraft 12 scientifi c instruments were on, “The signal from the spacecraft is gone,” But none have studied Saturn in such detail as atmosphere and the end of Cassini’s 20-year capturing data, in Cassini’s last moments, be- said Cassini programme manager Earl Maize of Cassini, named after the French-Italian astron- mission. fore it disintegrates like a meteor, she said. Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. omer Giovanni Domenico Cassini, who discov- “We are fl ying more deeply into Saturn than “I hope you are all as deeply proud of this ered in the 17th century that Saturn had several ida in 1997, then spent seven years in transit fol- A model of the Cassini spacecraft at Nasa’s Jet we have ever fl own before,” she said. amazing accomplishment,” he told colleagues moons and a gap between its rings. lowed by 13 years orbiting Saturn. Propulsion Laboratory. “Who knows how many PhD theses might be at mission control. “This has been an incredible “This is the fi nal chapter of an amazing mis- In that time, it discovered six more moons in just those fi nal seconds of data?” mission, an incredible spacecraft and you are all sion, but it’s also a new beginning,” said Thomas around Saturn, three-dimensional structures In 2005, the Cassini orbiter released a lander Already, some 4,000 scientifi c papers have an incredible team.” Zurbuchen, associate administrator for Nasa’s towering above Saturn’s rings, and a giant storm called Huygens on Titan, marking the fi rst and been based on data from the mission, said Cassini’s fi nal contact with Earth came at Science Mission Directorate. that raged across the planet for nearly a year. only such landing in the outer solar system, on a Mathew Owens, professor of space physics at 7.55am EDT (1155 GMT). Its descent into Sat- “Cassini’s discovery of ocean worlds at Ti- The 22 by 13 foot spacecraft is also credited celestial body beyond the asteroid belt. the University of Reading. urn’s atmosphere began about an hour and a tan and Enceladus changed everything, shaking with discovering icy geysers erupting from En- Huygens was a joint project of the Euro- “No doubt scientists will be analyzing the half earlier, but the signal took that long to reach our views to the core about surprising places to celadus, and eerie hydrocarbon lakes made of pean Space Agency, Italian Space Agency and information from its fi nal, one-way trip into Earth because of the vast distance. search for potential life beyond Earth.” ethane and methane on Saturn’s largest moon, NASA. Saturn’s atmosphere for years to come,” Owens Cassini’s plunge into the ringed gas giant — Cassini launched from Cape Canaveral, Flor- Titan. “The mission has changed the way we think said.

Gulf Times Saturday, September 16, 2017 7 BRITAIN/IRELAND First dogs trained to help fi nd paedophiles, terrorists and fraudsters

Tweed, a springer spaniel, Tweed, a 19-month-old Nye, commander for the alli- by the southwest forces come tional police dogs.” Attwood, added: “Our digital offi cer and discovered that it and Rob, a black labrador, springer spaniel, and Rob, a ance operations department that from their own puppy breeding Mike Real, a recently retired dogs have already proven to be was actually a money box that learning to help UK police 20-month-old black labrador, works across the two forces, said: scheme, are given as gifts or are Connecticut state police dog in- a success and have been used in had a number of SD cards hidden detect hidden data devices are said to the fi rst digital detec- “These dogs will give the police a rescue dogs. structor and co-founder of the over 50 warrants executed across within it.” tion dogs outside the US. new way to fi ght the threat of ter- However, Tweed and Rob were American programme, along the UK, including Hampshire, “Rob has also indicated a By Steven Morris The dogs have been trained by rorism, paedophiles and fraud- bought especially for this job with special agent Jeff rey Ca- Essex, south Wales, and North small device hidden carefully in Guardian News & Media Devon & Cornwall and Dorset sters.” when they were about 15 months landra, who is the only digital Yorkshire.” a drawer which would have likely police but have already been used In 2015, dog instructor PC (po- old. detection dog handler in the US “We have already seen some to have been missed by the hu- at crime scenes across the United lice constable) Graham Attwood Attwood said: “Myself and Federal Bureau of Investigation really fantastic results from these man eye,” he added. niff er dogs trained to help Kingdom. began to research whether dogs members of the alliance dog (FBI), were invited to Devon for two dogs,” he said. If the dogs continue to do well, police catch paedophiles, They have been used to sniff could be used eff ectively in this school initially handled and a week to train and assess Tweed “Tweed on one warrant indi- others may be trained. Sterrorists and fraudsters by out hidden data devices such as way and worked with his coun- trained Tweed and Rob mainly and Rob. cated that something may have The dogs live at home with detecting hidden digital storage USB sticks, SD cards and hard terparts in Connecticut, who use in our own time as we were com- They passed their assessment been within what looked like a their new full-time police dog devices have been unveiled in the drives. digital detection dogs. mitted to our usual daily duties of with fl ying colours and were set Coke can,” Attwood said. “This handlers, PC Martin King and PC UK. Chief Superintendent Jim Most of the dogs that are used training the forces’ other opera- to work. was then inspected by a search Jill Curnow.

Black dot on 3rd At least 29 hurt in bomb century document explosion on Tube train is the fi rst AFP/Reuters The bombing is the fi fth terror ‘zero’, say London attack in Britain since March, when a man mowed down pe- destrians and stabbed a police scholars ritish police have launched offi cer outside the British par- a manhunt after a bomb liament. Bdetonated on a packed Passengers described chaotic AFP London Underground train, scenes at the station in the nor- London unleashing a “wall of fi re” that mally quiet part of west London. injured at least 29 people in the Louis Hather, 21, was travel- country’s fi fth terror attack in ling to work and was three car- black dot on a third-cen- six months. riages down from where the ex- tury Indian manuscript Witnesses saw passengers plosion took place. Ahas been identifi ed by with facial burns and hair stum- “I could smell the burning. Oxford University as the fi rst re- ble out at Parsons Green station Like when you burn plastic,” he corded use of the mathematical in west London after the ex- told AFP. symbol for zero, 500 years earlier plosion on the train during the He was trampled on as pas- than previously thought. morning rush hour. sengers stampeded out of the “Scientists from the Universi- “At 8.20 this morning at Par- station and his leg was badly cut ty of Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries, sons Green station there was an and bruised. have used carbon dating to trace explosion on a Tube train. We Sally Faulding, a 51-year-old the fi gure’s origins to the famous now assess that this was a deto- teacher, said: “People were fall- ancient Indian scroll,” the uni- nation of an improvised explo- ing over each other.” versity said in a statement. sive device,” police counter-ter- Richard Aylmer-Hall, 52, told The birch bark scroll is known rorism chief Mark Rowley said. the Press Association: “There as the Bakhshali manuscript af- He said most of the injuries was panic, lots of people shout- ter the village, which is now in were due to “fl ash burns”, while ing, screaming, lots of scream- Pakistan, where it was found others were wounded by the An injured woman is comforted ing.” buried in 1881. stampede as passengers ran out outside the Parsons Green an ongoing investigation,” she Thirty-fi ve people have been It has been held at the Bod- of the station in panic. station. said, speaking after an emergen- killed in four previous attacks leian Libraries since 1902. London Mayor Sadiq Khan cy cabinet meeting. in London and Manchester this “The creation of zero as a said a “manhunt” was under- Left: A handout picture obtained May also said the device was year. number in its own right, which way. from the twitter user “clearly intended to cause sig- Three of those involved a ve- evolved from the placeholder A local resident, Charlie Cra- @sylvainpennec shows a white nifi cant harm”, condemning it as hicle ploughing into pedestri- dot symbol found in the Ba- ven, who was on his way to the container burning inside a a “cowardly attack”. ans. khshali manuscript, was one of station, said he heard a “massive London Underground carriage Others were more directly The other attack was a bomb- the greatest breakthroughs in bang”. at Parsons Green station. critical of Trump. ing in May at a pop concert by the history of mathematics,” said “I saw an orange sort of fi re- “True or not – and I’m sure US star Ariana Grande in Man- Marcus du Sautoy, a mathemat- ball encompassing the whole he doesn’t know – this is so un- chester which killed 22 people, ics professor at Oxford. Tube coming towards you,” he helpful from leader of our ally including several children. “We now know that it was as told AFP. and intelligence partner,” May’s Otso Iho, a senior analyst at early as the third century that “Literally within three sec- former chief-of-staff Nick Tim- Jane’s Terrorism and Insurgency mathematicians in India planted onds of putting your bag down, othy said on Twitter. Centre, said that the latest at- the seed of the idea that would the doors just closing, we hear a The National Health Service tack showed a “continued high later become so fundamental to loud explosion,” he told Reuters. (NHS) said 29 people were in- intent but low capability” in the the modern world,” he said. “I looked around and saw this jured. terrorism threat in Britain. The Bakhshali scroll was al- massive fi reball ... coming down Nineteen were taken by am- A US law enforcement offi cial ready recognised as the oldest the carriage.” bulance to hospital, while 10 and a US intelligence source, Indian mathematical text but its Craven said that terrifi ed pas- others made their own way to speaking on condition of ano- exact age was widely contested, sengers fl ed, fearing a second hospitals. nymity, said that the attack and researchers used carbon explosion or a gunman, with The London Ambulance Serv- might well have been carried dating to trace it back to the third people being knocked to the ice said none of the victims “are out in response to recent Islamic or fourth century. ground and crushed in the stam- thought to be in a serious or life- State (IS) video messages urg- The text was in fact found to pede to escape. threatening condition”. ing would-be militants to attack contain hundreds of zeroes, rep- Witness Lauren Hubbard de- Eight have since been re- trains and other public trans- resenting orders of magnitude scribed it as “a wall of fi re”. leased. port. in the ancient Indian numbers “I was on second carriage The MI5 domestic intelligence One of the offi cials said the system. from the back. I just heard a kind service is assisting investiga- device “doesn’t look very pro- The earliest recorded example of whoosh. I looked up and saw tors, and police said Londoners fessionally built” and said its ru- of the use of zero was previously the whole carriage engulfed in should expect additional secu- dimentary design suggested the believed to be a 9th century in- fl ames making its way towards rity measures over the weekend. attack was carried out by some- scription on a wall in a temple at me,” Ola Fayankinnu, who was Armed police and sniff er dogs one inspired by IS propaganda Gwalior in India. on the train, told Reuters. “There could be seen on the train and rather than by a well-trained Several ancient cultures, in- were phones, hats, bags all over around the station, which is in a cell. cluding the Mayans and the the place and when I looked back leafy area of west London popu- Hans Michels, a professor of Babylonians, used the zero I saw a bag with fl ames.” lar with well-off commuters, chemical engineering at Impe- placeholder but the dot used in Outside the station, a woman and fi lled with chic cafes. rial College, said that the fl ash ancient Indian mathematics is was carried off on a stretcher The area around the station fl ame “suggests that the explo- the one that ultimately evolved with her legs covered in a foil was later evacuated as bomb sion was only partly successful”. into the symbol that is used to- blanket while others were led Police forensics off icers work alongside an underground tube train at a platform at Parsons Green Un- disposal experts secured what “I must speculate that either day. away swathed in bandages. derground station in west London. was left. the mixture was not of the right Librarian Richard Ovenden Twitter user @Rrigs, who Local residents and business- composition or that the igni- said the discovery was of “vi- posted pictures of a white bucket side a frozen food bag from the timer but had failed to detonate London’s Metropolitan Police es rallied with businesses off er- tion system was inadequate or tal importance to the history of smouldering on the train, said: budget supermarket chain Lidl, fully. dismissed the tweet as “unhelp- ing tea and the use of their toilets not properly placed,” the expert mathematics and the study of “Explosion on Parsons Green looked like the type used by US President Donald Trump ful speculation”, and Trump was to people unable to get home. said. early South Asian culture”. District Line train. Fireball builders and there appeared to said that “loser terrorists” were also rebuked by Prime Minister The local council of Ham- “Much of the bucket still “These surprising research fl ew down carriage and we just be cables coming out of it. behind the attack, adding that Theresa May. mersmith and Fulham opened a seems to be intact and there ap- results testify to the subconti- jumped out open door.” Police sources cited by Brit- they were already “in the sights” “I never think it’s helpful for rest centre in the area for those pear to be no victims with lethal nent’s rich and longstanding sci- The bucket, which was in- ish media said the device had a of British police. anybody to speculate on what is aff ected. impact wounds.” entifi c tradition,” he said.

Ryanair cancels 2,000 fl ights for punctuality Ryanair announced yesterday that it was cancelling between 1,680 Brexit looms over catwalk as London fashion week opens and 2,100 flights over six weeks in a bid to “improve punctuality”. The Irish low-cost airline said it would scrap 40 to 50 flights daily. Throughout the day yesterday the Ryanair Twitter feed was filled By Mark Hanrahan, Reuters designer Tommy Hilfi ger. creative industries, told Reuters. companied by patterned thigh- The event will also see the la- with complaints from passengers who had their flights cancelled. London “Our industry, our businesses, “We have a Brexit task force and high cut-away boots. bels increasingly adopt the “see “We apologise sincerely to the small number of customers aff ected our creatives and our talent are we’re talking with the govern- British talent on show dur- now, buy now” model, where by these cancellations, and will be doing our utmost to arrange international – literally in citi- ment about how we get the best ing the event includes Ralph & clothes seen on the catwalk are alternative flights and/or full refunds for them,” the airline’s head of ondon kicked off fashion zenship, but also in outlook,” said deal for the creative industries.” Russo, Amanda Wakeley, Chris- available to consumers online communications, Robin Kiely, said in a statement. week yesterday to pleas Caroline Rush, chief executive of London’s fashion event will topher Kane, and Julien Macdon- immediately after the show. He explained: “We have operated a record schedule and traff ic num- Lfrom the local fashion in- the local industry body, the Brit- feature around 90 shows and ald while British fashion house Brands including TopShop, bers during the peak summer months of July and August but must dustry to protect the city’s inter- ish Fashion Council. presentations, as well as a de- Burberry will also attract signifi - Tommy Hilfi ger and Burberry now allocate annual leave to pilots and cabin crew in September and national outlook as uncertainty The fashion industry want- signer showcase for domestic cant interest. will be doing “see now, buy now” October while still running the bulk of our summer schedule. about Britain’s impending de- ed tariff -free access to the EU, and international trade buyers Hilfi ger’s event – dubbed shows in London. “This increased leave at a time of ATC capacity delays and strikes (in parture from the EU hung in the “friction-less” borders and gov- and media. Tommynow – closes the festival Online retail giant Amazon France), has severely reduced our on-time performance over the past air for the second year in a row. ernment support for bringing in- Richard Malone, a young Irish on Tuesday and comes on the is seeking to go a step further, two weeks to under 80%. Five days of catwalk shows ternational talent to Britain. designer, kicked off the festivi- back of high-concept shows in teaming up with former Diesel “By cancelling less than 2% of our flying programme over the next include a wide array of British “Our plan really is to champion ties, showing a spring/summer New York and Los Angeles during creative director Nicola Formi- six weeks, until our winter schedule starts in early November, we talent with star turns by high- the creative industries in Lon- 2018 collection including asym- which the label eff ectively built chetti’s Nicopanda label to off er can improve the operational resilience of our schedules and restore profi le international brands Em- don,” Justine Simons, London’s metric dresses and pant suits amusement parks, complete with delivery of items to some cus- punctuality to our annualised target of 90%.” porio Armani from Italy and US deputy mayor for culture and the featuring lined patterns and ac- a Ferris wheel in New York. tomers in London within an hour. Gulf Times 8 Saturday, September 16, 2017 EUROPE

More than a third of Iceland’s govt collapses German AFP father had signed a letter sup- Gudni Johannesson could ask public debate that has intensi- Reykjavik porting a convicted paedophile’s another party to form a coali- fi ed in recent weeks over another bid to have his honour restored. tion, or new elections could be convicted paedophile who was voters Benediktsson’s father, an held. granted an expunged record. celand’s prime minister has entrepreneur named Benedikt After serving his sentence, More and more Icelanders see called for a second snap elec- Sveinsson, backed a man who the convicted child molester had this procedure as a blow for vic- undecided Ition in less than a year after a was convicted in 2004 of having applied for “restored honour” to tims. party quit the coalition govern- raped his stepdaughter almost enable him to expunge his crim- The Icelandic Women’s Rights ment because he hid his father’s every day for 12 years so he could inal record, which is permitted Association said the govern- Reuters involvement in seeking a clean erase his criminal record. under Icelandic law and is sub- ment collapsed because women Berlin record for a convicted paedo- The Panama Papers scandal ject to the support of persons of were willing to make their voices phile. that embroiled several minis- good character. heard. Prime Minister Bjarni Ben- ters and forced former prime According to media reports, “People spoke out about vio- upport for Chancellor An- ediktsson said he preferred the minister Sigmundur David the prime minister’s father is lence which women and children gela Merkel’s conserva- election to be held in Novem- Gunnlaugsson to resign. an old friend of the man, who were subjected to. People spoke Stives has slipped and more ber, just over a year after the last The ruling centre-right coa- served a fi ve-and-a-half year out when convicted abusers than one-third of Germans are snap vote which was triggered lition of the conservative In- jail term. knocked on their friends’ doors still unsure how they will vote, by the Panama Papers scandal. dependence Party, led by Ben- Smari McCarthy, a lawmaker to ask for favours,” it said in a a poll showed yesterday, fuel- The government collapsed ediktsson, the centre-right for the anti-establishment Pi- statement. ling uncertainty about what kind yesterday after Bright Future left Reform Party and the centrist rates Party, said: “Iceland’s Jim- Benediktsson: There is nothing else to do in Iceland but to let the A spokeswoman of the Pirate of coalition will emerge from an the three-party, centre-right Bright Future, was formed only my Savile case: our PM, who was voters (decide). Party called yesterday for an election on September 24. coalition, stripping it of its one- nine months ago after the Octo- in the Panama Papers, has hid for urgent vote for constitutional The weekly survey, conducted seat parliamentary majority. ber vote. two months his father’s support he had kept it hidden until a par- scandal that revealed off shore reforms, without specifying the by pollster Forschungsgruppe “This situation was uncalled Bright Future said its execu- for a paedophile’s clemency. liamentary committee brought tax havens, has delayed the re- changes it sought. Wahlen for ZDF television, for but we will have an election,” tive committee “has decided to He was referring to British DJ the case forward. lease of a report on tax evasion “The Pirates Party calls on all showed support for Merkel’s Benediktsson told a news con- terminate the co-operation with and television presenter Jimmy “This was the last straw,” during the legislative campaign. other parliamentary parties to conservative bloc falling two ference in Reykjavik. “There is the government” because of a Savile who abused scores of girls Bright Future chairwoman Gud- His coalition partners now comply with this call and invites points to 36% – a result that nothing else to do in Iceland but “serious breach of trust”. and young women. laug Kristjansdottir was quoted feel the trust has been broken. the president of Iceland ... to ap- would still make it the largest to let the voters (decide).” Icelandic media had speculat- Iceland’s justice minister re- as saying by the Iceland Monitor The Icelandic procedure for prove a new constitution before group in parliament. Bright Future accused the ed that the minority government portedly informed the prime daily. rehabilitating convicts, which the parliamentary assembly is Support for its nearest rivals, prime minister of failing to in- could stay if it gains the support minister about his father’s sup- Benediktsson, who was im- does not change or reverse a suspended,” Birgitta Jonsdottir the left-leaning Social Demo- form the government that his of another party, or President port for the molester in July and plicated in the Panama Papers verdict, is at the heart of a fi erce wrote on Facebook. crats (SPD), rose by one point to 23%. The business-friendly Free Democrats (FDP) and the anti- immigration, euro-hostile Al- ternative for Germany (AfD) Catalonia asks for dialogue as independence fi ght intensifi es were both on 10%. The poll of 1,383 voters, con- ducted from September 12 to Reuters but the independence cause September 14, also showed that Madrid has lost support in recent years 39% of those surveyed were still and surveys now indicate less unsure how they would vote. than half the population would “More than ever, all these polls atalonian leaders have choose full self-rule. should be taken with a grain of appealed to the Spanish The referendum would pose salt now. There surely could Cgovernment for dialogue the question “Do you want be some surprises on election to avert an impending political Catalonia to be an independent night,” said Gero Neugebauer of crisis over a planned referendum republic?” to all Spanish citizens Berlin’s Free University. on independence as Madrid took living in Catalonia. He doubted the SPD could measures to stop state cash be- Leaders have said the assem- overtake Merkel’s conservatives, ing used to fund the vote. bly would declare independence who he expected to be the larg- Police also intervened to stop within 48 hours of a “yes” vote. est parliamentary party with the a meeting organised by a pro- Puigdemont has said no mini- Social Democrats the second independence Catalan party, the mum turnout will be required to biggest. fi rst public police crackdown on make the result binding. “But in the fi ght among the the process. Rajoy, who is due to attend smaller parties for third place The government of the an event for his ruling People’s and possible power in a coali- wealthy northeastern region has Party (PP) in Barcelona, Spain’s tion, everything is still up in the pledged to hold a referendum second-biggest city, later in the air,” Neugebauer added. on breaking away from Spain on day, has said that the govern- With the election likely to in- October 1 in defi ance of Prime ment would come down with all stall six parties in parliament, up Minister Mariano Rajoy, who has the force of the law to ensure no from four now, Germany will be declared the event illegal and is referendum goes ahead. marked by a more fractured po- bringing the weight of the state Two new laws passed by the litical landscape after the vote. to bear to prevent it. Catalan assembly paving the This could make coalition- In a letter released yesterday, way for the vote have been sus- building diffi cult. regional president Carles Pu- pended while state judges con- Yesterday’s poll showed sup- igdemont and Barcelona mayor sider whether holding it would port for the far-left Linke stood Ada Colau wrote to Rajoy and breach Spain’s constitution, at 9%, with the environmental- Spain’s King Felipe saying that which says the country is indi- ist Greens on 8%. the state had mounted “an un- visible. Foreign Minister Sigmar precedented repression off en- King Felipe was widely quoted Gabriel, a senior Social Demo- sive”. as praising Spain’s democracy crat, told broadcaster SWR that The letter called for “political and social harmony at an awards he favoured a so-called “traffi c dialogue, based on the legitima- ceremony on Wednesday, saying light” coalition with the FDP and cy we all have, to make possible Demonstrators shout and wave Esteladas (Catalan separatist flags) as Civil Guard personnel leave a printing facility in Sant Feliu de that “the constitution will pre- Greens. something that in a democracy Llobregat, outside Barcelona, that was raided in search of ballot papers. vail over any rupture in that”. However, the poll put support is never a problem and even less Mayor Colau gave a boost to for such an alliance at just 41%. a crime: listening to the voice of Shortly after Puigdemont gional administration spends lic services if Puigdemont failed Basque Country, which also has the referendum campaign on The survey showed there the people”. and Colau’s appeal, the budget its money in a bid to stop it from to guarantee, within 48 hours of a separatist movement, fi nished Thursday with a message that would be suffi cient support for The government said it had ministry said the uncertainty using state cash to pay for the the measures coming into force, early after the police arrived. the referendum would go ahead both a repeat of the incumbent not received the letter. created by the stand-off could ballot. that public cash was not being Participants waved ballot pa- in Barcelona, without civil serv- “grand coalition” of Merkel’s “To talk about dialogue when damage the economy and push Budget Minister Cristobal used to fund the referendum. pers and fl ags as they left. ants involved risking their jobs. conservatives and the SPD, and the only thing the Catalan gov- up sovereign borrowing costs. Montoro said the Catalan au- In Vitoria-Gasteiz in north- The planned referendum Courts have already suspend- for a so-called “Jamaica” coali- ernment has wanted for months, Some investors sold Spanish thorities could not be trusted to ern Spain, police interrupted a would be the culmination of ed from offi ce and levelled mil- tion of the conservatives, FDP, years, is a referendum come government bonds and switched spend the money on public serv- meeting held by the small pro- many years of campaigning by lions of euros in fi nes at Catalan and Greens. what may, seems like a threat,” to Italian debt earlier this week. ices rather than the vote. Catalan independence CUP the independence movement. politicians who organised a non- However, Greens co-leader government spokesman Inigo Also yesterday, the govern- The central government made party. Most of Catalonia’s 5.5mn binding referendum in 2014, Cem Ozdemir sounded a scepti- Mendez de Vigo told a news con- ment passed measures to gain arrangements to take over the The CUP meeting in a civic voters want to have a say on the which returned a “yes” vote on a cal note about a possible three- ference. more control over how the re- funding of most essential pub- building in the capital of the region’s relationship with Spain low turnout. way Jamaica tie-up – a reference to the parties’ colours: black (conservatives), yellow (FDP) and green (Greens). Vatican recalls diplomat from US on “I don’t see how we should get child pornography investigation together with the FDP,” he told Man detained after knife attack against the daily Berliner Zeitung. The Vatican has recalled one of its diplomats from Washington and FDP leader Christian Lindner opened an investigation into allegations that he viewed images of also played down the likelihood child pornography, the Holy See’s press service said yesterday. of such an alliance. soldier on patrol at Paris metro station The Vatican said US authorities had informed it on August 21, via “The Greens have long since diplomatic channels, “of a possible violation of laws relating to child bid farewell to Jamaica by raising pornography images by a member of the diplomatic corps of the their demands to the max,” he AFP Two women injured by hammer-wielding attacker museum in Paris, shouting “Al- Holy See accredited to Washington”. told Der Spiegel magazine. Paris lahu akbar”. “The Holy See, following the practice of sovereign states, recalled Lindner, a potential fi nance Two women were injured yesterday by an attacker wielding a hammer in In March, a man was shot the priest in question, who is currently in Vatican City,” a statement minister if the FDP joins a ruling the eastern French town of Chalon-sur-Saone in Burgundy, local off icials dead at the capital’s Orly airport read. coalition, also set out red lines knife-wielding man at- said. after attacking troops. The Vatican, which did not name the “priest” in question, added on eurozone policy ahead of po- tacked a soldier in Paris The local prosecutor’s off ice said witnesses of the attack in a public park Yesterday’s attack came a a judicial investigation was under way and that eff orts had been tential coalition negotiations. Ayesterday, the latest as- of the town centre heard the attacker shout “Allahu akbar” while hitting day after Interior Minister Ger- made through “international collaboration to obtain elements “I fear that Chancellor Merkel sault to raise questions over the women, who were taken to hospital but whose life is not in danger. ard Collomb said the Sentinelle relative to the case”. and French President Macron are whether France’s anti-terror Prosecutors said they were treating the incident as a possible terror at- operation would “evolve” but Given the investigation remained at a preliminary stage, the case agreed on new pots of money in patrols are a target for extrem- tack, but also did not rule out the possibility the attacker was deranged. ruled out cuts to troop numbers. was subject to confidentiality, the Vatican said. the eurozone to create a gigan- ists. The attacker was still on the run as of afternoon yesterday, police said. “We want to redeploy it to tic fi nancial transfer system,” he The soldier, who was part do better against the threat we said. of an anti-terrorism operation are facing today,” Collomb said, Swiss ministry foils cyber attack Neugebauer said the FDP was known as Sentinelle, tackled the 2015 when religious extremists truck attack in Nice, the re- adding that there would be fi shing in the AfD’s waters. man and was uninjured. stormed the offi ces of satirical peated assaults on soldiers have changes to the way the force is Switzerland’s defence ministry has foiled a cyber attack by malware “FDP leader Lindner has The attacker was taken into weekly Charlie Hebdo, killing 12. sparked criticism that their pa- organised. similar to that used in other global hacking campaigns, the turned a former pro-European custody. The government launched trols have become a target. The military has already government said in a statement yesterday. party into some kind of AfD- The man had lunged at the Operation Sentinelle after that But Defence Minister Flor- shifted towards mobile patrols The attack was detected in July by software that operated much lite,” he added. soldier at the central Chatelet attack, deploying some 7,000 ence Parly said the fact that the and away from posting troops like the Turla malware family, it said. The poll’s margin of error was metro station around 6.30am troops across the country to attacker was swiftly brought outside buildings on permanent The government has declined to give information about the some three percentage points. (0430 GMT), making reference guard high-risk areas such as under control yesterday was watch. origin of the attack or say if any damage including data theft had With support for Merkel’s to Allah, a police source said. tourist sites and religious build- “proof of the professionalism Critics argue that the patrols occurred. conservatives and the FDP – The attacker was not previ- ings. and effi ciency of the Sentinelle have done little to increase se- It cited security considerations. natural allies who have ruled to- ously known to police. Since then the troops have soldiers in their mission to pro- curity and that troops are placed Government specialists took counter measures and an gether in the past – at 46%, the Investigators have opened an been attacked seven times, in- tect”. at unnecessary risk for an oper- investigation is underway, while criminal charges have been lodged margin of error suggests they anti-terror probe, government cluding last month when a man “We do not know the inten- ation largely aimed at reassuring with federal prosecutors against persons unknown to them. could yet squeak into power. spokesman Christophe Cas- rammed a car into a group of tions of the attacker,” she told the public. The Turla spyware was detected in 2014 and suspected of infecting A separate poll released on taner said. soldiers in the Paris suburbs, in- Europe 1 radio. They also point to the strain it hundreds of government computers and military targets across Thursday showed support for The incident came with juring six. In February, a 29-year-old puts on an army that has 10,000 Europe and the Middle East. the SPD had slumped to its France still on high alert fol- Though much smaller in scale Egyptian brandishing machetes troops active abroad, includ- Several security researchers and Western intelligence off icers lowest level this year – at 20% lowing a string of terror at- than the 2015 Islamic State (IS) in each hand attacked four sol- ing 4,000 fi ghting religious ex- say they believe the malware in those attacks was the work of the – with Merkel’s conservatives tacks which began in January attacks in Paris and last year’s diers patrolling near the Louvre tremism in west Africa. Russian government. steady at 37%.

Gulf Times 10 Saturday, September 16, 2017 LATIN AMERICA

DECISION LEGAL DATA TRADE STUDY Uruguay govt setting up Bachelet signs bill to Argentina jobless Brazil beef exports up as Amazonian locals key to cannabis dispensaries allow some abortions rate falls to 8.7% food safety scandal wanes saving ‘lungs of the planet’

Uruguay has announced it is changing its retail Chile’s socialist President Michelle Bachelet Argentina’s unemployment rate fell to 8.7% in the Brazil’s total beef exports in August rose by 34% Locals are more eff ective than governments system for legalised marijuana because banks are signed into law landmark legislation to second quarter, the government’s Indec statistics year-on-year both by volume and in revenue in protecting the world’s largest rainforest, a making it diff icult for pharmacies to sell cannabis decriminalise abortion in certain cases, ending agency said, down from 9.3% in the second quarter terms, industry group Abiec said indicating study said amid eff orts to crackdown on soaring as planned. Banks are refusing to deal with a strict ban in eff ect for decades. The parliament of last year and 9.2% in the first quarter of this the worst of a food safety scandal that rocked illegal deforestation. Ranching and logging are companies linked to cannabis in order to follow passed the bill last month after more than two year. The drop was the latest piece of positive Brazil’s protein industry may be over. Abiec rapidly destroying forests that have been home international financial laws that ban receiving years of wrangling and a constitutional court economic news for President Mauricio Macri’s said Brazil shipped 145,822 tonnes of fresh for centuries to indigenous communities in the money tied to the drug, pharmacists and off icials challenge brought by conservatives opposed market-friendly “Let’s Change” coalition as it heads and processed beef in the period, generating Amazon, often dubbed the “lungs of the planet” said. To avoid the problems faced by pharmacies, to the reform. “We, the women of Chile, have into legislative elections in October. An improving revenues of $607mn, the highest amount for for its role in sucking up climate-changing Uruguay will set up shops to sell marijuana conquered or regained a basic right, that of economy could give his candidate a boost over any month in 2017 and nearly a 13% rise from carbon dioxide. “Our analysis shows that local for cash, said government off icial Juan Andres being able to decide for ourselves when faced former populist President Cristina Fernandez in a July. The numbers signal the resilience of one stewardship of the forest can be very eff ective Roballo. In July, marijuana went on sale at 16 with extreme cases” Bachelet, a paediatrician by key senate race. The fall in unemployment comes of the world’s largest beef exporters in the in curtailing forest degradation in the Peruvian pharmacies under a 2013 law that made Uruguay training, told an audience of about 1,500, most of after data last month showed the economy grew a wake of a food safety probe that led to stricter Amazon,” the study’s lead author, Judith the first nation to legalise a cannabis market them women, at the signing event at La Moneda cumulative 1.6% in the first half of 2017, continuing sanitary controls in Brazil and its main export Schleicher, a researcher at the University of covering the entire chain from plants to purchase. presidential palace. its recovery from a 2.2% contraction last year. destinations. Cambridge, said in a statement. Long road to recovery for Irma-ravaged Cuba, says UN

AFP the scenes of devastation circu- Havana lating on social media. The country’s long history of dealing with hurricanes and its it harder than expected ability to organise itself meant it by Hurricane Irma, Cuba was spared an even bigger beating. Hfaces months of diffi cult “Cuba was hit harder than recovery and will need interna- initially expected, but the pre- tional aid to get back on its feet, vention mechanisms work very UN agencies and experts say. well,” said Melo. “There were Irma was the most powerful 10 deaths, but in relation to the hurricane to hit Cuba since 1992, impact of the hurricane, this is slashing its way through 13 of minimal. The capacity for mobi- the country’s 15 provinces, ac- lisation is extraordinary.” cording to the National Defence “Cuba has one of the most ef- Council. fective prevention and response Though the damage is still be- systems in the region,” Faure ing evaluated, Cuban authorities said, adding that preventive and foreign observers agree that measures like removing Wi-Fi agriculture, tourism and hous- and TV antennas, crop-protec- ing are the three worst-hit sec- tion and food storage meant the (Left to right) Rio de Janeiro’s governor Luiz Fernando Pezao, Brazil’s President Michel Temer and Brazil’s lower house President Rodrigo Maia attend the opening ceremony tors. worst was avoided. of the Paulo Niemeyer Brain’s Institute (Centro de Radiocirurgia do Instituto Estadual do Cerebro Paulo Niemeyer), in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, yesterday. “The central provinces of Ca- The Cuba director of the NGO maguey, Ciego de Avila and Villa CARE, Richard Paterson, praised Clara were the most aff ected,” the country’s “very strong focus said Jerome Faure, director for at protecting human life, target- Cuba for British NGO Oxfam. ing vulnerable people” to ensure “We’ve seen a lot of agricul- they went to evacuation centres tural infrastructure, fi elds and or the homes of family or friends. stores aff ected,” said Laura Melo, Melo warned that “the hurri- director of the World Food Pro- cane period isn’t over and there Brazilian president gramme (WFP) in Cuba. is a big risk that this situation The WFP said sugar cane is will be repeated. among the most devastated crops. “It’s important to respond to “In some drought-aff ected the urgency, but also to think provinces in the east of the about preparing for another country like Ciego de Avila, the hurricane.” hurricane brought a lot of wa- “For now it’s important to re- faces new graft charges ter, which is very good news,” store food, water and electricity said Melo. “But it caused a lot supplies,” said Paterson. Reuters ing bribes in return for politi- His term ends on January 1, also arrested for alleged insider tained in the 263-227 vote last of destruction, with foreseeable Faure said Cuba will need in- Brasilia cal favours and of conspiring to 2019. trading to avoid hefty losses re- month blocking a trial. consequences for production, ternational help because it re- buy the silence of a witness who Brazil’s top public prosecu- lated to the May plea deal. Fachin heeded a request from market supplies, and the situa- mained under-developed. By could implicate the leader. tor Rodrigo Janot has also fi led The Supreme Court Justice Temer’s defence not to deliver tion of families which live from comparison, the French islands of razilian President Michel In a statement Temer strong- charges against Joesley Batista, Edson Fachin has now convert- the accusation to the lower agriculture.” the Caribbean were starting their Temer has been charged ly rejected all allegations of the billionaire former chairman ed Joesley and executive Ricar- house until after a Supreme The booming tourism industry clear-up from a stronger position. Bwith obstruction of jus- wrongdoing. of JBS who implicated Temer. do Saud’s temporary detentions Court plenary vote on the mat- “will probably suff er an impact,” “So one hopes that the soli- tice and racketeering, accord- Temer’s earlier corruption Batista was arrested on Sun- into preventative detention and ter. due to the number of hotels and darity expressed is realised in ing to a statement posted on the charge, that he took bribes from day for concealing other crimes given them 10 days to respond The allegations are part of houses damaged, said Faure, amid a massive way, since the island prosecutor general’s offi ce web- JBS offi cials, was blocked in in his plea bargain deal. before ruling on Janot’s request Brazil’s sprawling corruption concern for a sector which showed is already facing a diffi cult time site, threatening to delay the August by Temer’s allies in the Batista’s lawyer Antonio Car- to withdraw their plea deal. probes that have resulted in steady growth since 2015. from the economic point of government’s economic reform lower house of Congress, which los Kakay rejected the charges The arrests of the Batista ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula Tourism Minister Manuel view, with growth of just 1.1% in agenda in Congress. has the power to decide whether brought by Janot, arguing in a brothers have improved Temer’s da Silva’s conviction and four Marrero said hotels on the islands the fi rst half of the year,” said the It is the second set of criminal a president should stand trial by statement that the prosecutor prospects of surviving the new pending trials; investigations of the north coast, which bore the Oxfam offi cial. charges fi led against the presi- the Supreme Court. had violated the rules of plea charges and serving out his term and charges implicating three brunt of the hurricane, would be “Public and private compa- dent based on the plea-bargain Despite the lower house’s bargains by using his client’s through 2018. former presidents and dozens ready for the start of the high sea- nies were impacted, and a sig- testimony of the owners of the move to block the charges, they testimony to incriminate him. Temer and his allies expect of members of Congress; and son in mid-December. nifi cant investment is required,” world’s largest meatpacker, JBS remain valid and can be pur- On Wednesday, Batista’s the new charges to be voted in guilty verdicts against well over However, that claim has been he said. “The island did not de- SA. sued by prosecutors once Temer brother Wesley, the chief ex- the lower house next month 100 powerful business and po- greeted by scepticism because of serve this.” They accused Temer of tak- leaves offi ce. ecutive offi cer of JBS SA, was with wider support than he ob- litical fi gures. ‘Diffi culties’ not to impact Venezuela rivals make debt payments: Caracas progress on crisis talks AFP Delegates from Maduro’s Santo Domingo government and the opposing Reuters financial blockade so as to put cure debt service payments for Democratic Unity Roundtable Caracas us in a situation of insolvency, certain bonds. coalition will meet again on Sep- which is completely out of the Asked about media reports he Venezuelan govern- tember 27 for a “third explora- question.” that PDVSA is selling oil in euros ment and opposition del- tory meeting” in the Dominican enezuela will make all He did not off er details. rather than dollars in response to Tegates have agreed to a capital Santo Domingo. pending debt payments sanctions, Lobo said the com- “friendly countries” commission International powers accuse Vdespite “a series of dif- “We are going to meet our pany “has been working on that tasked with assisting crisis ne- President Nicolas Maduro of fi culties” that have arisen as a commitments. We have for some time.” gotiations, Dominican Republic dismantling democracy by tak- result of fi nancial sanctions by come across a series of PDVSA has asked some part- President Danilo Medina said. ing over state institutions in a the US, Economy Vice President diffi culties, but that will not ners in joint ventures to change Offi cials have begun explora- bid to counter opposition pres- Ramon Lobo said. stop us” the preferred currency for rou- tory talks, led by President Me- sure for him to quit, as the coun- The US in August prohibited tine transactions to euros in- dina and former Spanish prime try suff ers an economic crisis dealings in new debt from Vene- Financial institutions have in stead of dollars, two traders from minister Jose Luis Rodriguez that has caused dire shortages of zuela and state oil company PD- recent years grown wary of doing companies operating in Ven- Zapatero, seeking a way out of food and medicine. VSA in response to the creation business with Venezuela even ezuela said. Venezuela’s deep economic and They accused him of a blatant of a new legislative superbody before recent sanctions, due to The talks have not yet led to political crisis following months power grab in July with the for- that critics call the consolidation concern that Venezuelan funds modifi cations in the contracts. of deadly protests. mation of a Constituent Assem- of a dictatorship. might be associated with money In 2008 PDVSA said it had “We made progress in defi n- bly packed with his allies, wrest- The sanctions did not block laundering and drug traffi cking, started using the euro for some ing an agenda of Venezuela’s ing legislative power from the banks from serving as interme- and a growing risk of debt de- sales. But its impact was very problems. A commission of opposition-dominated national diaries in debt payments, but fault. limited as most long-term con- friendly countries that will serve assembly. Maduro, elected to the government of President PDVSA and its US unit Citgo tracts signed by the company as a monitoring commission was lead the oil-rich country in 2013, Nicolas Maduro has said they are Petroleum are facing diffi culties use the dollar, even in the price agreed on, and includes Mexico, weathered months of street pro- interfering with the country’s fi - in obtaining the letters of credit formulas. Chile, Bolivia and Nicaragua,” tests from April to July that killed nances and threatening to lead it needed to export and import oil The country’s deep econom- the president said in a brief 125 people amid mounting oppo- toward default. cargoes on the spot market. ic crisis and fl ailing socialist statement to journalists. sition demands that he step down. “We are going to meet our Even though banks have economy have spurred concerns Mexico and Chile are critical Borges last week won the sup- commitments. We have come maintained some existing con- about default, leaving its bonds Mayor of Caracas Jorge Rodriguez and his sister president of of President Nicolas Maduro’s port of Britain, France, Germany across a series of difficul- tracts to provide paying agent heavily discounted. Venezuela’s National Constituent Assembly Delcy Rodriguez government, while Bolivia and and Spain during a tour of Euro- ties, but that will not stop us,” services on Venezuela and PD- Maduro said that Venezuela talk to the media, after participating in a meeting to resume Nicaragua are allies. Two other pean capitals, upping the pres- Lobo said in a news conference. VSA bonds, the company has has never missed a debt payment brokered talks between the Venezuelan government and nations are likely to join in next sure on Maduro to reach a com- There is an order to impose a switched to other banks to se- under the ruling party. opposition in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. few days, Medina added. promise. Gulf Times Saturday, September 16, 2017 11 PAKISTAN PTI, MQM SC rejects ex-PM’s join hands plea against ousting to name new Reuters without specifying reasons. ty, called the verdict a “victory Islamabad “All the review petitions stand of good governance in Pakistan”. leader of dismissed,” said Asif Saeed Kho- Sharif’s disqualifi cation stems sa, who headed the bench, which from the Panama Papers leaks akistan’s Supreme Court is expected to provide the rea- in 2016 which appeared to show yesterday rejected petitions sons for its decision next week. that his daughter and two sons Pseeking a review of its July It remains unclear, however, owned off shore holding compa- opposition 28 ruling that disqualifi ed prime whether the Sharifs will be dis- nies registered in the British Vir- minister Nawaz Sharif from of- qualifi ed for a fi xed time, per- gin Islands and used them to buy fi ce, upholding a verdict likely haps several years, or be barred properties in London. Internews stan Muslim League-Nawaz to infl uence the next general from offi ce forever. In April, the Supreme Court Islamabad has 188 seats in the lower election, due in mid-2018. That could have major im- ruled there was insuffi cient evi- house of parliament, fol- After an investigation into the plications for Nawaz and his dence to remove Sharif from of- lowed by the PPP with 47, Sharif family’s wealth, the Su- daughter Maryam. She is being fi ce - by a split 2-3 verdict - over move is under way PTI 32, MQM 24, Jamiat preme Court employed a little- touted as a future leader of the the Panama revelations but it or- to replace the leader Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) 13, used constitutional provision ruling Pakistan Muslim League- dered further investigations into Aof the opposition in PML-Functional fi ve and to rule Sharif unfi t to hold of- Nawaz party, and is likely to run his family’s wealth. the National Assembly, Syed Jamaat-i-Islami with four fi ce because he did not declare a for parliament in the 2018 polls. The judges in July said Sharif Khursheed Shah, with Paki- seats. small source of income, which he The ruling party has portrayed did not declare a monthly sal- stan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) The graph of party-wise has disputed receiving. the Supreme Court decision as ary, equivalent to $2,722, from a vice chairman Shah Mehmood seats shows that Qureshi can The country’s top court also a slap for the electorate in the company owned by his son when Qureshi. win the election for the offi ce disqualifi ed three of Sharif’s nuclear-armed nation. the veteran leader, who had held The move has been spear- of opposition leader if only the children, including heir-appar- “The right to fair trial, which power twice in the 1990s, become headed by the Muttahida Qau- MQM supports him. ent Maryam and her husband, is the right of 210mn people of prime minister for the third time. mi Movement (MQM) which If this happens, the PTI will besides ordering a criminal in- Pakistan, was not exercised in Sharif has kept a grip on the is said to be quite “annoyed” have a signifi cant role in the vestigation into the Sharifs and regard to Nawaz Sharif and his ruling PML-N party, which has with the Pakistan Peoples’ appointment of a new Na- Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, who family,” said Anusha Rahman, a a solid majority in parliament, Party (PPP) over diff erent is- tional Accountability Bureau has stayed in his post. government minister. and elected one of his loyalists, sues in Karachi – a stronghold chairman as incumbent NAB Yesterday, a fi ve-judge But Fawad Chaudhry, a senior Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, as his of the MQM. chief Qamar Zaman Chaudhry bench dismissed the petitions offi cial of the opposition Paki- replacement within days of the It has been learnt that there will complete his four-year fi led by the Sharifs and Dar, stan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) par- court decision. Nawaz Sharif ... ruling a setback is a provision in the rules and term on October 10. procedures of business of the The new chairman is ap- National Assembly which per- pointed by the prime minister Remittance inflow mits such a change and it has in mandatory consultation nothing to do with the with the opposition leader. increases by 13% constitution. Answering a question, Remittances sent by overseas When contacted, Qureshi Qureshi said that besides the Pakistani workers increased 13.2% US drone kills 3 militants confi rmed the move and appointment of new NAB in the first two months of 2017-18, said the MQM wanted him chief, the PTI would also the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to be new opposition leader. have an important role in the reported yesterday. AFP been killed and two wounded,” dered at least two other drone based in the border areas between He said the Muttahida lead- formation of new caretaker Inflows from all major sources Peshawar a senior government offi cial in attacks this year. Afghanistan and Pakistan, which ers had called on him and set-up (for conducting 2018 rose in July-August, indicating Kurram said. The fi rst US strike under the the Pentagon has long accused of forwarded the proposal to elections) which was formed that the trend of negative growth The identities of those killed Trump administration killed having ties to Pakistan’s military replace Shah of the PPP in consultation with the witnessed in 2016-17 has reversed. US drone killed three and wounded remained unclear two men riding a motorbike establishment. through ballot. opposition leader. The country received $3.49bn suspected militants in an but an intelligence offi cial in in Kurram in March, while the Led by Sirajuddin Haqqani, “In fact the MQM, which PPP secretary general in the period under review Aattack on a compound Kurram said one of the dead be- second suspected attack hap- who is also the Taliban’s dep- had supported the PPP for Farhatullah Babar said Khur- compared to $3.09bn in the same in Pakistan’s tribal region yes- longed to the Haqqani network. pened in late April in North uty leader, they have orches- making Shah the leader of the sheed Shah was well aware of two months a year ago. terday, offi cials said, in the fi rst Two other mid-level govern- Waziristan, one of seven tribal trated numerous operations opposition in the house, is un- the move against him and was Remittances from the United strike since President Donald ment offi cials confi rmed the districts stretching along the deep in the heart of Kabul, happy and wants to get him confi dent that the PTI would Kingdom increased 33.3%, the Trump vowed to crack down on strike and casualties and said Afghan border. and have been blamed by Af- replaced,” he said. not succeed in replacing him. largest jump from any major the country. that the compound was com- In a major speech outlining ghan offi cials for a devastat- In reply to a question about ‘‘The PTI and MQM will not source of inflows. The UK was Pakistani offi cials said the pletely destroyed in the attack. US policy on Afghanistan last ing truck bombing that killed the number of PTI seats, succeed in the number game.” the fourth largest source of strike took place in remote The use of US drones has month, Trump lambasted Pa- more than 150 people in the Qureshi said: “Although we However, Senator Babar remittances during the two Ghuz Ghari village in Kurram dwindled dramatically in re- kistan for sheltering “agents of capital in May. do not have adequate number said there was a provision in months as expatriates sent home agency, close to the Afghan cent years in Pakistan, where chaos” and suggested ties with Islamabad has repeatedly of seats in the National As- the rules and procedure of $448mn. border where at least fi ve fi ght- the strikes have proven ex- Islamabad would be adjusted denied claims of being soft on sembly, with the support of business of the lower house The highest remittances were ers from the Afghan Taliban had tremely controversial with the immediately. He off ered few militancy, accusing the United the MQM and other opposi- that such a change could be recorded from Saudi Arabia. Inflows gathered. public and rights groups over details. States of ignoring the thou- tion parties and independent made. “But If any such change from the kingdom grew 3.86% year- “The US drone fi red two human rights and sovereignty Much of the Washington’s an- sands who have been killed in members we can make the is made it will expose fault on-year to $920.12mn. The increase missiles, at least three fi ghters concerns. ger has been directed at the Tal- Pakistan and the billions spent change.” lines in the opposition,” he was in contrast with the negative from the Afghan Taliban have The US is believed to have or- iban-affi liated Haqqani network, fi ghting extremists. At present the ruling Paki- said. growth rate of 7.5% recorded over the same period a year ago. Remittances from the United States grew 15.4% to $454mn as opposed to negative growth of 13.5% in the corresponding period a year ago. Tribal areas to get regular police force The second-highest inflows were from Dubai. They amounted to $578.29mn after registering an Internews Offi cial notifi cations told de- be a fusion of existing security more about how to continue that its force should be kept as and Khasadar force along with increase of 31%. Inflows from Dubai Peshawar partments concerned, such as apparatus in Fata – such as per- practically,” he said. police force in Fata because the K-P police, but the plan had not recorded negative annual growth police and other security estab- sonnel of Khasadars, Levies and According to offi cial statis- FC is meant to act as a force been approved. of 7.8% in the same two months of lishments, to chalk out plans for Frontier Constabulary – and the tics, there are 11,789 Levies per- guarding the buff er zone. Meanwhile, the DIG of FC, the preceding fiscal year. ell-trained personnel policing in tribal areas. new police force. sonnel and 18,600 Khasadars in However, he said if the fi nal the DIG police, the SSP Pesha- Remittances from the entire of regular police force A notifi cation titled ‘Raise and An offi cial, privy to the long-term tribal areas. The reforms com- plan was to merge Fata with K-P, war and the additional chief United Arab Emirates grew 11.5% Wwill be deployed in Train Project - Fata Police’ ex- security plan, said that the reforms mittee, headed by Sartaj Aziz, the FC would be redundant. secretary of Fata met to devise to $775mn against the growth seven tribal agencies of the Fed- plained that well-trained and committee’s initial plan called for had maintained that 20,000 ad- Hence, it had been decided to a plan for maintaining the law rate of only 1.2% registered in the erally-Administered Tribal Ar- aptly-confi gured civilian law en- deploying police and it had identi- ditional security men would be deploy FC along with personnel and order situation in Fata after similar period a year ago. eas (Fata), streamlining the se- forcement apparatus was “key en- fi ed 75 police stations in Fata. deployed in Fata. of K-P police in tribal areas. its merger with the K-P. Remittances from the European curity mechanism in the region abler for mainstreaming of Fata”. “But those (projections) were According to a provincial A former IG of K-P had ear- A meeting is scheduled to be Union registered the highest under the Fata reforms process, According to offi cial docu- based on (theoretical) analysis. government offi cial, the Fron- lier chalked out a mechanism to held in Peshawar today to take annual growth from any region. it was learnt yesterday. ments, the new set-up would The latest meeting discussed tier Constabulary (FC) believes train 500-strong paramilitary decisions in the context. Pakistan’s fatal attraction to celebratory gunfi re

By Sajjad Tarakzai, AFP “One can ruin the house of another After his son’s death Shah decided with newly elected Prime Minis- Nowshera unknowingly,” says Shah. to act. In the deeply religious area, he ter Shahid Abbasi vowing to crack In the tribal northwest Pakistan’s canvassed mosques and called on reli- down on the possession of automatic obsession with guns is particularly gious leaders to instruct their commu- weapons as he was sworn in last month s Pakistan erupted in ecstasy visible, with fi rearms cheaper than nities at Friday prayers to abandon the As is stands, people caught fi ring over a breathtaking cricket smartphones and most men travelling tradition. guns into the air are fi ned up to Rs1,000 Awin against India this summer, armed. Weapons are so ubiquitous they “In the past, people use to celebrate for the off ence, according to the mayor fi ve-year-old Noeen lay dying in the are almost seen as jewellery. with aerial fi ring because we had open of Peshawar’s Nothia Qadeem neigh- country’s northwest, the tiny victim of Pakistan’s deeply rooted gun culture fi elds,” explains Shah. bourhood Safdar Khan Baghi - but the an often deadly tradition: celebratory was exacerbated further in the 1980s “Now every bullet fi red in the air will rule remains loosely enforced. gunfi re. after the Soviet invasion of Afghani- hit someone and no one is certain it In an eff ort to combat the spread Unloading a few rounds into the air stan, when the US and Saudi Arabia will land in an open place.” of the country’s gun culture, provin- is a well-established custom to cel- began funnelling weapons to Muja- Local authorities have also taken up cial authorities across Pakistan have ebrate weddings, religious ceremonies hideen fi ghters battling communist the mantle, with police in Nowshera passed a raft of measures over the years and sporting victories in turbulent Pa- forces across the border. and other districts distributing pam- banning the sale of toys resembling kistan, where fi rearms stuff black mar- The deluge of arms into the region phlets and posters along with pushing weapons to children. kets along the Afghan border and gun gave rise to what was later labelled community engagement initiatives to However a recent visit to Peshawar crime is rife in its major cities. “Kalashnikov culture”, with automatic combat the scourge. found the city’s largest bazaar full of Following Pakistan’s trouncing of weapons readily available in gun ba- “We cannot control this curse with- toy replicas resembling pistols and arch-rival India during the Champi- zaars across the country fuelling mili- out public support,” Sajjad Khan, a Kalashnikovs. ons Trophy in June at least two people tancy in Pakistan long after the Soviet senior police offi cial, said. “The government has banned the were killed and hundreds wounded in war ended. Peshawar police chief Tahir Khan selling of toy guns, they say it dis- the ensuing celebrations as cricket fans Kalashnikovs and military-grade called on would-be revellers to con- torts the minds of kids, so better to fi red gunshots into the air nationwide. weapons soon replaced the bolt-action sider donating the money they would give them pens or any other toys,” said In Nowshera, in rural Khyber Pa- and fl intlock rifl es of old at social func- spend on ammunition to charity rather shopkeeper Sharif Khan. Warisha, right, and Zofisha, sisters of Noeen – who was killed by a stray bullet khtunkhwa province near the coun- tions, with revellers spraying bursts of than fi ring volleys into the sky. “But the kids have no other alterna- during celebratory gunfire when Pakistan won the ICC Champions trophy against try’s tribal belt, Laeeq Shah was with automatic fi re into the air to celebrate “It cost Rs60 to Rs70 ($0.67) for one tive, nothing else is available to play its arch rival India – hold a photograph featuring him at his residence in the his son as the festivities kicked off in weddings and sporting victories. round, we can spend this money on the with.” northwestern town of Nowshera, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. the park when a stray bullet struck the But the time-honoured tradition has poor,” said Khan. In the Shah household, the damage fi ve-year-old in the head. come at a fatal price. In Pakistan a license is required has been done. It was just too painful to be reminded guns are necessary for celebrations. The toddler was rushed to a nearby While there’s no offi cial number for to possess a gun, while special per- Following their son’s death, Shah of the loss. “Why do people celebrate with aerial hospital in Peshawar where he battled the deaths caused by stray bullets, au- mits are needed to carry large calibre said the family removed all of Noeen’s Shah says his wife still suff ers fi ring?” asks Noeen’s sister Warisha. for close to 60 hours in a coma before thorities say hundreds have likely been weapons and automatic rifl es. belongings – shoes, school bags and from post-traumatic stress, while his “If you are happy then just say succumbing to his wounds. killed over the years. But the status quo could yet change, clothes – from their home. daughter struggles to understand why thanks to Allah.” Gulf Times 12 Saturday, September 16, 2017 PHILIPPINES

Marcos camp slams Robredo for ‘fake news’ on poll protest

Govt orders retraining of The camp of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr has dismissed as “fake news” the claim by the camp of Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo that he has abandoned his election protest by foregoing cops amid alleged abuses of witnesses to prove fraud in the May 2016 elections, Manila Times Reuters Dozens of police trainees reported. Manila stood in front and watched the “Leni (Robredo) and her legal protest. team are the epitome of fake Yesterday’s order came only news. We have not abandoned he Philippine capital’s a day after Philippine media (the protest) and we are not police chief ordered that reported members of the Ca- abandoning anything,” Marcos Tthe entire 1,200-member loocan precinct 4 raided an eld- spokesman Vic Rodriguez said police force in one of Manila’s erly woman’s home and report- in an interview. Robredo made biggest areas be relieved of duty edly stole money in an incident the argument on Thursday in and retrained yesterday in re- captured on closed circuit tel- a manifestation filed before the sponse to a series of controver- evision cameras. Supreme Court sitting as Presi- sies, including the killing of two Reuters could not confi rm the dential Electoral Tribunal (PET), teenagers. report independently. following the tribunal’s August 29 Metro Manila’s top offi cer Activists accuse police of ruling that dismissed Marcos’ bid Oscar Albayalde said all police executing suspected users and to invalidate the 2016 poll results personnel in the Caloocan area dealers systematically during and deferred action on Marcos’ of the capital would undergo anti-drugs operations and say motion for the annulment of retraining and reorientation be- offi cial reports that say victims election results in Lanao del Sur, fore being reassigned to other violently resisted arrest are im- Maguindanao and Basilan because police units, not necessarily in plausible, and contrary to wit- of the absence of witnesses. Manila. ness accounts. Robredo cited Marcos’ September “We will start with the city’s Police reject those allegations 5 manifestation, which stated that police precincts 2 and 7,” Albay- and Duterte has been furious at “Protestant Marcos will no longer alde said. critics and political opponents present any testimonial evidence All personnel in Caloocan’s who say he has a “kill policy”. to prove the material allegations headquarters and seven pre- The video of the alleged robbery in so far as 36,465 protested clus- cincts would be temporarily was uploaded on social media tered precincts which functioned replaced by the regional pub- sites and went viral, which an- in the areas of Cebu, Leyte, Negros lic safety battalion, a combat- gered senior police generals. Occidental, Negros Oriental, trained unit. Albayalde immediately is- Masbate, Zamboanga del Sur, “This will be done in batch- Residents watch policemen from Caloocan Police District as they patrol an alley at a residential district in Metro Manila. sued the orders to relieve the Zamboanga del Norte, Bukidnon, es,” he said. Caloocan precincts. Iloilo, Bohol, Quezon, Batangas, Albayalde did not say how his bloody crackdown against in what police said was an anti- drug dealers to be killed, or- who tried to arrest him. “From what we have seen this Western Samar, Misamis Oriental, long the retraining would last illegal drugs 15 months ago, a drugs operation. dered a thorough investigation The taxi driver told reporters has been done or will continue Camarines Sur, Second District of and how long it would take for campaign that has killed thou- His lawyers and family say he into the Delos Santos killing and on Sunday he saw him alive in to be done by others so it is best Northern Samar, Palawan, Albay, the entire police force in Ca- sands of Filipinos. was murdered in cold blood. warned police he would not tol- custody. to implement this preemptive Zamboanga Sibugay, Misamis loocan to be replaced. The move comes amid in- Three offi cers involved in his erate abuses. About two dozen Caloocan measure to avoid similar inci- Occidental, Pangasinan, Isabela, It is the fi rst time an entire tense scrutiny of police activi- killing say he fi red at them and Another teenager, Carl Ar- residents, holding placards say- dents,” Albayalde told reporters. Iloilo City, Bacolod City, Cebu City, city police unit has been re- ties in Caloocan in the wake of they acted in self-defence. naiz, suffered a similar fate, ing “Stop the Killings”, held a He warned other districts in Lapu-Lapu City and Zamboanga lieved of its duties since Presi- the killing of 17-year old Kian Duterte, known for his fre- accused of trying to rob a taxi noisy protest outside the pre- Manila could face similar sanc- City are concerned.” dent Rodrigo Duterte unleashed Loyd Delos Santos last month quent speeches that call for driver and shooting at police cinct’s police headquarters. tions if they did not shape up. Duterte may declare martial law nationwide: defence chief

AFP The coalition also voiced out- Manila rage at Duterte’s public support for Marcos, who died in US exile in 1989. hilippine President Rod- The announcement for the rigo Duterte may declare protest said its theme was: “Stop Pnationwide martial law if the Killings! Never Again to Tyr- threatened protests by commu- anny and Dictatorship!” nists and other leftists against The Movement Against Tyr- his rule turn violent or disrupt anny includes communists, left- the country, his defence chief ist activists, Catholic bishops said yesterday. and rights groups. Defence Secretary Delfi n Lorenzana said Duterte told Lorenzana emphasised he be- him a public holiday may need to lieved it was very unlikely mar- be declared to ensure the public tial law would be declared, but was not caught up in potential said the president was worried trouble arising from protests about threatened “massive” from the left. protests by the left. He said Duterte did not spec- “He said, if the left will try ify which day the holiday would to have a massive protest, start have to be declared, but then ref- Protesters display anti-US and anti-martial law placards during a rally near the US embassy in Manila yesterday. fi res on the streets, they will dis- erenced next Thursday’s protest. rupt the country, then I might Protesters burn eff igies of US President Donald Trump and President “Since the left is threatening he promised an unprecedented to a series of polls over the past may expand military rule across (declare martial law),” Loren- Rodrigo Duterte to express their outrage over what they say is the to have this massive demonstra- campaign to eradicate illegal year. Duterte has repeatedly said the entire country if he believed zana told reporters, recounting increasing intervention of the United States in the ongoing war in tion on the 21st,” he said. drugs in society by killing up he would impose martial law IS had taken a foothold outside a conversation with Duterte this Marawi city, southern Philippines. It was unclear how big next to 100,000 traffickers and ad- across the country, but neither of the southern region of Mind- week. week’s rally would be. dicts. he nor his aides have given a spe- anao. “In my opinion, in my esti- into authoritarian rule while on September 21, the 45-year Despite vocal opposition from Police have reported kill- cifi c timeframe and event that It was one of many comments mate the possibility of this hap- waging a deadly war on drugs, anniversary of Marcos imposing critics, Duterte remains an ex- ing more than 3,800 people in would trigger it. since becoming president in pening is very remote. But the three decades after a famous his military rule. tremely popular leader, polls anti-drug operations since he He imposed martial law across which Duterte had warned that president is indeed very con- “People Power” revolution over- It said the protests, to be held show. took offi ce 15 months ago, while the southern third of the Philip- martial law may be necessary cerned because it might get out threw dictator Ferdinand Mar- at a park in the capital of Manila, Previous protests against thousands of others have been pines in May after Islamic State to solve many of the nation’s of hand. So he said: ‘I might de- cos. would voice opposition against his drug war have rarely gath- murdered in unexplained cir- group (IS) supporters occupied problems, including his drug clare martial law’.” A coalition of groups nam- Duterte’s war on drugs that has ered more than a few hundred cumstances. a major city there, leading to a war. The comments fuelled con- ing themselves the “Movement claimed thousands of lives, as people. Duterte won last year’s Many Filipinos back the drug confl ict that has claimed more “If I declare martial law, I will cerns by critics that Duterte is Against Tyranny” had an- well as the president’s attacks on presidential elections on a law- war, seeing it as a quick solution than 800 lives. fi nish all the problems, not just dragging the Philippines back nounced it was planning protests democratic institutions. and-order platform in which to widespread crime, according Duterte said in May that he drugs,” Duterte said in March. Comelec chief ‘will not quit’ despite impeachment complaint

By William Depasupil absence or resign, Bautista said, “It unauthorised acts in breach of col- ful, saying the allegations were Manila Times appears that the answer to me is not legiality to the great prejudice of the “complete falsehood.” yet.” public.” After the fi ling of the impeach- But, according to the Comelec The pieces of evidence presented ment complaint, all six other mem- mbattled Commission on Elec- chief, it still remains to be seen as by the complainants were based on bers of the Comelec en banc called on tions (Comelec) chairman Juan events unfold on his impeachment documents submitted by Bautista’s Bautista to either go on leave or step EAndres Bautista is not about to case, saying he continues to ponder estranged wife to the National Bureau down from his post. give up his post or fi le a leave of ab- and pray on what to do for the wel- of Investigation, alleging, among The six, commissioners Christian sence. fare of his family and the country. others, that the Comelec chief has Robert Lim, Luie Tito Guia, Ma. Ro- This is despite a pending im- The House Committee on Justice will amassed P1bn in ill-gotten while wena Amelia Guanzon, Al Parreno, peachment complaint against tackle the impeachment complaint serving in the government. Sheriff M Abas and Arthur Lim, him before the House of Repre- against Bautista next week to de- Part of the evidence were certifi ed signed a statement, saying “the time sentatives for alleged unexplained termine if it is suffi cient in form and copies of Bautista’s 35 bank accounts for him to let go has come.” wealth. substance. with the Luzon Development Bank, “The undersigned Comelec com- Bautista, in a radio interview, The complaint, fi led by Negros Rizal Commercial Banking Corp peso missioners, having at heart the best yesterday said it is the sign he has Oriental Rep. Jacinto Paras and account document and the Comelec interests of the service, and moti- received while soul-searching and lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, was for chairman’s 2016 SALN. vated by a deep sense of duty to our praying for guidance as his mari- Bautista’s “failure to fi le his State- Bautista’s wife also alleged people, are constrained to come out tal problem with wife, Patricia, has ment of Assets, Liabilities and Net that her husband received some in the open to strongly and urgently already aff ected his family and the Worth in accordance with the re- P500,000 in referral fees from urge (chairman) J Andres Bautista, to Comelec as an institution. quirements of the Constitution, technology provider, Smartatic go on leave of absence for such pe- He added that he has read a book, glaring disproportionality between Corp, through the Divina Law, riod as may be necessary or resign which says that God answers a his income as Comelec (chairman) where Bautista’s close friend and for his own sake, for the sake of his prayer only in three ways, “either and his 2016 SALN, reported receipt lawyer Nilo Divina is senior partner. career, and most important, for the yes, not yet or I have a better plan of referral fees or commissions from Bautista maintained that he has no sake of his family, particularly his for you.” the Divina Law Offi ce and incessant ill-gotten wealth and what he de- four innocent children,” the state- On whether he should fi le a leave of pattern of arbitrary, unilateral or clared in his 2016 SALN were truth- ment said. Bautista: not quitting for now Gulf Times Saturday, September 16, 2017 13 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Two Myanmar nationals accused of ‘espionage’

Two Myanmar photographers covering the Rohingya crisis Bangladesh troops to deliver for a German magazine have been arrested in Bangladesh on suspicion of espionage, off icials said yesterday. Minzayar Oo and Hkun Lat were detained more than a week ago in the border town of Cox’s Bazar, aid for Rohingya refugees The pair’s lawyer said they were charged with “false impersonation” AFP had reached the crisis zone. tants triggered the massive mili- “Rakhine state is on fi re,” said villages, 40% of the total in the desh have struggled to man- and providing “false information” Cox’s Bazar “We’ve got the directive that tary campaign. Olof Blomqvist, a researcher northern Rakhine state, were age the growing humanitarian after police accused them of using the army would receive relief The United Nations has with Amnesty International, now completely empty. crisis amid an acute shortage of the cover of tourist visas to enter the materials sent by foreign nations warned that the rest of the in a “clear campaign of eth- The crisis has heaped criti- shelters and supplies. country, instead of journalist visas. angladeshi troops will de- at the airport and take it to Cox’s population may soon follow, nic cleansing by the Myanmar cism on Myanmar’s civilian “We have to estimate the Cox’s Bazar police chief Ranjit liver aid to desperate Ro- Bazar,” he said. deepening the humanitarian security forces”. leader Aung San Suu Kyi for worst case scenario” where all Kumar Barua said the pair were also Bhingya refugees massed It was not immediately clear crisis unfolding in Bangladesh Testimony collected by AFP failing to condemn army ac- Rohingya fl ee Rakhine, said Mo- “primarily accused of espionage”. in Cox’s Bazar, authorities said how quickly food and medicine where some 10,000 refugees are in the Bangladesh refugee camps tions or defend the rights of the hammed Abdiker Mohamud, a An award-winning photographer yesterday, as fresh satellite im- would reach the refugees, many arriving daily. since the start of the crisis backs Rohingya. director of the International Or- from Bangladesh also arrested ages lent weight to allegations of of whom are huddled on road- Myanmar faced renewed pres- up allegations by rights groups But it has also turned the ganization for Migration (IOM), with the pair was later freed. a “scorched earth” campaign by sides and patches of land. sure yesterday as fresh satel- that Myanmar’s army has been spotlight on the Nobel laureate’s the UN’s migration agency. Minzayar Oo and Hkun Lat Myanmar’s army to drive out the But the World Health Or- lite images emerged of scorched systematically burning Rohingya lack of leverage with Myanmar’s “Unless a political solution is arrived in Cox’s Bazar in early Muslim minority. ganisation and Unicef said they villages across Rakhine state, villages. army, which ruled the country found there is a possibility that September on assignment for The relief eff ort for the esti- would launch vaccination cam- fuelling accusations the mili- Somira, 29, a Rohingya refu- for 50 years until 2016, and still the entire Rohingya community Hamburg-based magazine Geo mated 391,000 Rohingya who paigns today against measles, tary is systematically driving out gee who uses one name, told controls all security matters may come to Bangladesh.” to cover the refugee crisis, which have arrived at the border town rubella and polio, targeting Rohingya Muslims in what the AFP in Cox’s Bazaar that she and wields signifi cant political There were previously an es- has strained relations between in the last three weeks has been 150,000 newly arrived children. UN says is an ethnic cleansing passed dozens of burning vil- power. timated 1.1mn Rohingya in My- Muslim-majority Bangladesh and ad hoc and plagued by disorgan- Unicef spokeswoman Mar- campaign. lages during her arduous trek US Secretary of State Rex Till- anmar, where the stateless group Myanmar. isation as local aid workers are ixie Mercado said they were also Human Rights Watch said 62 through fl ooded fi elds and jungle erson has described the violence was denied citizenship and sub- Their arrest was only announced overwhelmed by the human tide. screening children for malnutrition. villages in the Rohingya-major- to Bangladesh. as “unacceptable”, but also gave ject to a myriad of restrictions on on Wednesday and a court With fears mounting that Last week, there were more ity area have been targeted by “I saw villages after villages a nod to the complex power rela- their livelihoods. on Thursday rejected a bail those in most need are not re- than “1,100 unaccompanied and arson attacks, with more than that were burnt to ashes,” she tions at play inside Myanmar. Since the military started a plea, their Bangladeshi lawyer ceiving basic aid – despite hand- separated children, and we es- half showing “extensive building said. “The military is burning “We need to support Aung series of crackdowns in Oc- Jyotirmoy Barua said. outs by local volunteers – Bang- timate that those numbers will destruction”. the villages and now there is no San Suu Kyi and her leader- tober 2016, a total of around He described Minzayar Oo as “an ladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh rise sharply”, she added. Amnesty International also way we can identify where we ship but also be very clear and 470,000 Rohingya have fl ed to award winning photographer Hasina said the army would be Around one-third of Myan- released images of dozens of previously lived.” unequivocal to the military Bangladesh. whose work was published in deployed to distribute aid sent mar’s Rohingya population have razed communities, alleging Myanmar denies the alle- power sharing in that govern- Before the latest violence, reputed dailies and magazines by donor nations. fl ed northern Rakhine state for Myanmar’s security forces have gations, instead insisting the ment that this is unacceptable,” more than 300,000 had already including the New York Times, Lieutenant Colonel Rashidul Bangladesh since August 25, led “systematic” clearances of militants have set the fi res. Tillerson said. fl ed over to Bangladesh to escape Guardian and National Hasan yesterday said the orders when raids by Rohingya mili- Rohingya Muslim settlements. This week it said 176 Rohingya Relief workers in Bangla- previous waves of persecution. Geographic”. Security forces on guard to prevent ethnic violence

AFP Police are patrolling he said. “We’ve also set up Cox’s Bazar outside Buddhist temples check-posts across the district.” in Ukhia and Teknaf – the The reinforcements have nearby towns where come from the port city of Chit- angladesh authorities most of the newly arrived tagong to watch temples, in- yesterday deployed hun- 400,000 Rohingya refugee cluding the 300-year-old Kend- Bdreds of police to protect are living riya Shima Bihar at Ramu, which Buddhist temples in the region hosts important Buddhist relics. where about 400,000 Muslim hingya before the latest unrest Police were also patrolling Rohinygas have sought refuge erupted on August 25. outside Buddhist temples in from unrest in Myanmar. There has been a huge out- Ukhia and Teknaf – the nearby The move came amid fears pouring of sympathy in Bangla- towns where most of the new- of attacks on the religious mi- desh for the persecuted Muslim ly arrived 400,000 Rohingya nority in revenge for events in group, with media giving blan- refugee took refuge. Buddhist-dominated Myanmar. ket coverage to accounts of mas- District authorities have also Thousands of supporters of a sacres and torture by the Myan- set up an inter-religious com- hardline Islamist group staged mar army and Buddhist militia. munal harmony committee protests in the border town of Cox’s Bazar police chief Iqbal since the Rohingya crisis started. Members of Islamist groups shout slogans during a protest after Friday prayers for the recent violence against Rohingya Muslim in Myanmar, Cox’s Bazar after Friday prayers, Hossain said 550 police have Jyotirmoy Barua, a top lawyer in Dhaka yesterday. calling on Myanmar to halt what been deployed in the region, in- from the Buddhist community, they called the “genocide” of cluding at 145 Buddhist temples, said that some 20 armed po- Myanmar to resolve the crisis. Police in neighbouring Chit- 160min people. They are well in- image defaming the Qur’an on the Rohingya – who are in the to prevent ethnic violence. lice were at a temple at Ramu in They said there have been tagong district have also stepped tegrated in society but have faced Facebook. minority in Myanmar. He said police had stepped Cox’s Bazar yesterday. some minor incidents targeting up security at dozens of Buddhist past attacks. At least 11 Buddhist temples Most of the Rohingya refugees up security so local Buddhists, Buddhist leaders in Bangla- the Buddhist community. temples, a senior police offi cial In 2012, some 25,000 Muslims were torched in the riot. There have fl ed to camps around the who have been established for desh have protested the anti- “They (Bangladeshi Buddhists) told local media. attacked Buddhist temples and were allegations in the local press Bangladesh border city where centuries, “don’t feel panicked”. Rohingya violence in Myanmar’s are feeling insecure. There is Buddhists make up less than businesses around Cox’s Bazar that some Rohingya joined the there were already 300,000 Ro- “It’s a preventive measure,” Rakhine state and have urged uneasiness,” Barua said. one percent of Bangladesh’s after a Buddhist allegedly put an attack.

Police hunt for wild leopard after Lanka police Nepal signs pact with US death of boy Police in Nepal have launched a hunt for a man-eating leopard for grant worth $500mn after it killed a four-year-old boy playing outside his home in the fi nd body of country’s southern region. Agencies progress over the past few tween two countries in so- Around 15 police off icers and Kathmandu years, both politically and cioeconomic development several rangers were searching economically, represents a programmes, the fi nance an area on the outskirts vital turning point for the minister said over the years, of Shandhikharka, district Briton killed epal has signed an Himalayan country. the US has supported Nepal headquarters of Arghakhachi, Paul McClean agreement with the By holding its fi rst elections in building peaceful, pros- said deputy superintendent of NUS government’s Mil- under a new constitution, perous, and a democratic police Ek Narayan Koirala. area known to be frequented by lennium Challenge Corpora- Nepal has signalled the begin- society. On Tuesday evening, a local crocodiles. tion to receive a grant worth ning of a new democratic age. “Today’s signing ceremo- search team found the boy’s body by crocodile Arugam Bay is a popular surf spot $500mn in next fi ve years to “This compact will enable ny is the epitome of the US’ a kilometre away from his home, in south eastern Sri Lanka, 6km (4 spur investment and eco- support for Nepal’s greater continued encouragement he said. miles) north of Elephant Rock. nomic growth to reduce pov- economic security and help to towards democratic develop- “We decided to search for the AFP nearest town some 80km (50 Elephant Rock is an isolated erty in the country, a media transform lives for the better. ment and a lasting peace in animal after the villagers said Colombo miles) away, for a post-mortem beach surrounded by roaming report said. As acting CEO Nash men- Nepal, he said. they were frightened. We will try examination which could take elephants and other wildlife. Nepal will contribute an- tioned, with the signing of According to Nash, the pro- to scare it away or capture it,” place over the weekend. A surfer said he heard fi sher- other $130mn to support the this $500mn compact, we gramme will tackle two of Ne- Koirala said, after they ensure that ri Lankan police yester- Local magistrate Mohamed men on the river calling out for Millennium Challenge Cor- are committing to tackle the pal’s most binding constraints it’s the killer leopard. day found the body of a Hilmy visited the area where help. “Fishermen saw him at- poration (MCC). greatest constraints to growth to economic growth: low en- He said they would seek help S24-year-old British jour- McClean was last seen and or- tacked by the crocodile and they Nepal’s Minister of Finance in Nepal’s energy and trans- ergy supply and high trans- from wildlife experts to identify nalist, Paul McClean, who is dered an inquest on Monday. screamed to the surfers to come Gyanendra Bahadur Karki and portation sectors,” he added. portation cost. the animal. suspected to have been killed by “The magistrate ordered and help,” he said. MCC acting CEO Jonathan “But this is more than just This includes the construc- Two years ago, locals killed a a crocodile. witnesses to be present at the “By the time they went to the Nash signed the agreement in a grant. It’s a plan for invest- tion of high-voltage power leopard believed to have killed six Divers found McClean’s inquest on Monday,” a police spot where the croc attacked, this regard in Washington. ment jointly developed to lines the equivalent length of children in less than a year in the corpse in the mud of a lagoon offi cial said. they couldn’t save him because Describing it as a historic address the inadequate sup- one-third the length of Nepal. same district. in the Arugam Bay, close to McClean worked for the Fi- already the crocodile had pulled occasion, Deputy Secretary ply of electricity in Nepal and It will also facilitate in- But the police off icer said such the coastal village of Panama, nancial Times and managing him inside the water so they of State John J Sullivan said the high cost of transporta- creased electricity trade with retaliatory killing could target the 360km (225 miles) east of the editor James Lamont described couldn’t see what was going on.” the signing of an MCC grant tion in that country. Together, India, a strategic partner, and wrong animal. capital Colombo by road, a him as “a talented, energetic and Other holidaymakers in the area agreement is not only a mile- we will work to improve the activities that will strengthen “We must be sure that it’s the police spokesman said. dedicated young journalist”. alerted police after McClean disap- stone for development, but availability of electricity and sector governance, increasing man-eating leopard. Otherwise “There were six or seven “Our thoughts are with his peared and a search was mounted also serves as a mark of great make road transportation saf- transparency, effi ciency and we will kill the wrong one,” he wounds on his right leg,” a po- family, friends and loved ones. with the help of navy divers. distinction for Nepal. er and more aff ordable,” the competition in Nepal’s power said. lice offi cial said. “The body was We are in touch with them, doing Crocodile attacks are rare in “The compact recognises top US diplomat said. sector. Human-wildlife conflict has stuck in mud at about the same all we can to help during this dif- Sri Lanka. However, earlier this Nepal’s vast progress and on- Karki said this compact In the transportation sec- increased in recent years in Nepal, place where he was seen last by fi cult time,” Lamont said in the month, wildlife authorities re- going eff orts to establish the of $500mn, combined with tor, the compact includes in- raising concerns about the safety some others who were with him.” paper’s report on his death. ported that a crocodile had seri- rule of law and implement Nepal government’s commit- vestments that will strength- of people living near national A crocodile is believed to British media reports said Mc- ously injured a wild elephant in democratic institutions. The ment of $130mn, will surely en the road maintenance parks and forests. have dragged McClean away on Clean was holidaying in Sri Lan- the south of the island. board of directors of the MCC create a lasting impact on Ne- regime, which is particularly Authorities launched a similar Thursday afternoon, the offi cer ka with friends. During monsoon fl oods in fi rst selected Nepal for a com- pal’s sustainable development important to the movement hunt last month in the country’s said. He was on a beach and had May, authorities warned people pact in December of 2014,” he for generations to come. of goods and people in a land- remote far-western region after Police said the body was tak- wandered away to fi nd a toi- in inundated areas to beware of said. Recognising the several locked mountainous country a leopard attacked a woman who en to a hospital at Ampara, the let when he stumbled into an stray crocodiles. Sullivan said Nepal’s decades of co-operation be- such as Nepal, he said. was collecting fodder.

Gulf Times Saturday, September 16, 2017 15 COMMENT A global education ecosystem

A global education By establishing and deepening connections that enable practitioners ecosystem would comprise and policymakers from countries new partnerships among around the world to share their experiences and expertise with bilateral and multilateral their counterparts elsewhere, the donors, the philanthropic Joint Learning Network is helping to ensure that we make progress community, and global toward improved healthcare coverage worldwide faster than would nonprofi t organisations otherwise be the case. This is precisely the kind of By Wendy Kopp and Dzingai approach that is needed to advance Mutumbuka the international community’s goal New York of ensuring quality education for all. Given remarkable similarities in the causes of the inequities and challenges aff ecting education his month, heads of state and across communities and countries, senior offi cials from all 193 knowledge-sharing among local United Nations member states leaders – not to mention eff ective Tare gathering in New York capacity-building – promises to City to try to make progress on some be as eff ective as it has been in the of the world’s thorniest development health sector. We simply need a global challenges – including ensuring quality education ecosystem to support such education for all. Progress on this eff orts – and we need it as quickly as front is not just a moral imperative; possible. it is also vital to put countries on the This month’s UN General path toward sustainable development. Assembly meetings present an But success will not be easy. It will important opportunity to kick- require signifi cant new investments start this endeavour. If we increase in local leadership – an element of Ensuring quality education for all will require significant new investments in local leadership. current multilateral investment international development work in regional and global nonprofit that has rarely gotten the attention it The good news is that educators dynamic network would work with local stakeholders, and help create landscape is populated by numerous education actors by even a small deserves. and education advocates worldwide local actors to support leadership eff ective channels for knowledge NGOs and civil-society organisations, amount, the world could begin to “Leadership,” in this case, doesn’t now seem to be recognising the development and innovation, while and best-practice transfer among which, along with many public- develop a shared ecosystem to foster necessarily mean an individual value of informed local leadership. creating effi cient new channels for communities, receive no meaningful private partnerships, the UN system, local innovation, learning, leadership positioned at the top of a government The International Commission those leaders to share knowledge, investment. and other intergovernmental development, and capacity building. or business hierarchy. Rather, it is on Financing Global Education experiences, and solutions across That amounts to a wasted organisations, comprise a dynamic And we would significantly increase defi ned by actions aimed at improving Opportunity recently called for greater communities and countries. opportunity, because the promise of network that facilitates progress. This our odds of achieving the progress a community’s wellbeing, and it can investment in a “global ecosystem As it stands, this type of education such ecosystems to accelerate overall mature, if imperfect, ecosystem has on education – and our collective come from anyone. We have seen for education” that would help to ecosystem doesn’t exist. Instead, progress has been proven in other almost certainly helped to improve welfare – that all of us seek. – fi rsthand how the presence of a cultivate more of such leadership. The almost all of the $17bn of foreign areas – in particular, the public-health and even save the lives of millions of Project Syndicate diverse set of engaged leaders at all rest of the international community aid channelled toward education sector. Over the last 35 years, driven people around the world. levels – educators, parents, students, should heed that call. each year goes directly to local partly by the global Aids epidemic, the One organisation that is helping zWendy Kopp is the CEO and co- policymakers, advocates, and others A global education ecosystem would governments or local operators. number of international partnerships to support the public-health founder of Teach For All. Dzingai – can make or break eff orts by a comprise new partnerships among Regional or global organisations and nongovernmental organisations ecosystem’s continued development Mutumbuka is former Minister of community or country to maximise bilateral and multilateral donors, that could help develop a global working to promote public health is Results for Development, which Education for Zimbabwe and Chair opportunities to improve its education the philanthropic community, and learning infrastructure, support more than quadrupled, to over 200. leads the Joint Learning Network of the Association for Education system. global nonprofi t organisations. This leadership development among Today, the global public-health for Universal Health Coverage. Development in Africa.

LEGAL HELPLINE Weather report Three-day forecast

TODAY High: 38 C Low : 32 C Inshore: Hazy to misty at places at Litigation in case of defendant’s death first becomes hot daytime with some clouds and humid by night.

Dr Nizar Kochery as on the recovery date. The said A: The parties to the contract may get discharged from the criminal SUNDAY Doha partner shall be free to dispose of his agree to commence employment liability as the issuance of cheque shares, if no partner requests recovery without probation as probation is is a civil matter? What is the law High: 39 C uestion: I have fi led a of the share after 30 days from the date not compulsory under the law. It is on dishonoured cheques? Low: 32 C civil case for recovery of notifi cation. left to the discretion of the parties JS, Doha Sunny of money and court has to agree upon the actual term of the appointed an expert in probationary period subject to a A: As per Article 357 of the penal Q Probation period MONDAY the matter. No hearings have been maximum of six months. According laws, whoever draws in bad faith held after that. The defendant did and gratuity to Labour Laws, once completed, the a cheque without suffi cient funds High: 38 C not so far attend the case as he was probation period is considered as part or who, after giving the cheque Low: 31 C not in Qatar. Now I understand Q: I am working in an IT company of the overall employment term and is withdraws all or part of the funds, P Cloudy that the defendant died due to since October 2016 as a sales taken into account when calculating so that the remaining balance is illness. What will happen to an representative. The company did gratuity and other benefi ts. All insuffi cient to cover the amount ongoing case in the court if the not process my visa on time and benefi ts accrued during the probation of the cheque, or gives an order Fishermen’s forecast defendant died? when I expressed my willingness period must be paid along with to the drawee to stop payment, OFFSHORE DOHA AS, Doha to leave the job, the company repatriation costs. or deliberately writes or signs the Wind: SE-NE 03-10 KT processed visa and I received If the employer refuses to issue the cheque in such a manner as to make Waves: 1-3 Feet Answer: As per Article 85 of Civil my ID three months ago. Now exit permit, any employee who has it unpayable shall be punished with INSHORE DOHA Wind: NE-SE 05-15 KT and Commercial Procedure law, the the management is paying the trouble in leaving the country can imprisonment for a term of not less Waves: 1-2 Feet course of litigation shall discontinue salary and increments as agreed. apply to the Exit Permit Grievance than three months and not exceeding by operation of the law due to the I have visa validity up to October Committee. The committee will three years or with a fi ne of not less Around the region death or incapacity of one of the 2017. So, if I leave the job after consider the complaint and shall make than QR3,000 and not exceeding Weather Weather parties unless the lawsuit is ready for completing one year, am I eligible a decision within a maximum of three QR10,000 or with both penalties. today Max/min tomorrow Max/min judgment on its merits and then the for gratuity? Is it legal to exclude working days. The criminal case pertaining Abu Dhabi Sunny 38/31 Sunny 38/31 court may hear the lawsuit based on the probation period for the to a dishonoured cheque shall be Baghdad Sunny 45/25 Sunny 46/26 Dubai Sunny fi nal statements and applications, or purposes of calculating end-of- terminated either by payment of the Sunny 39/29 41/31 Case pertaining to Kuwait City Sunny 42/27 Sunny 42/27 postpone it at the request of those service benefi ts? The management value of the cheque or by withdrawal Manama Sunny 39/32 Sunny 39/32 who represent the party that has policy stated that the probation dishonoured cheque of the complaint following the Muscat Sunny 33/27 Sunny 32/27 died or is incapacitated or has lost period is excluded from the period occurrence of the crime and prior Riyadh Sunny 41/27 Sunny 42/26 capacity to proceed or at the request of service. If the company refuses Q: Due to some loss in the to the issuance of a fi nal court Tehran Sunny 32/20 Sunny 30/18 of the other party. The lawsuit shall to issue the exit permit stating that business the cheques I issued judgment. be deemed to be fi t for judgment on authorised person is not available, to suppliers got dishonoured. merits whenever the parties have what is the solution? Please advise. Now the suppliers have fi led a zPlease send your questions by submitted their fi nal statements and AK, Doha criminal case against me. Can I e-mail to: [email protected] applications in the hearing before the death or incapacity or loss of capacity to proceed with litigation. LEGAL SYSTEM IN QATAR

According to Article 300 of the Penal person or any person in a state of Selling company laws, anyone who intentionally kills intoxication, whoever abets shall be shares to a friend another person is punishable by death liable to imprisonment for a term not penalty in the following instances: exceeding ten years. Q: I am working in a company (1) if such murder is committed According to Article 306, whoever in Doha and I also hold some with pre-meditated; (2) if such assaults another person physically shares in another company. I have murder occurs as a result of the use in any manner without intending some problem with my employer of poisonous or explosive material; murder, but the assault leads to death, because of holding shares in (3) if it is perpetrated against any of shall be sentenced to imprisonment for another company. Now I have the culprit’s descendants, (4) if such a period not exceeding ten years. if the decided to sell my shares to my murder is committed against a public act is premeditated, the penalty shall friend. But the co-partners are offi cial or one in charge of a public be for a term not exceeding 15 years in not agreeing for the same. Is it service in the course of, because of prison. In all cases, the off ender shall mandatory to get consent from the or on the occasion of performing be punished by imprisonment for a Around the world shareholders to sell my shares? his duties or service; or (5) if it is term not exceeding seven years. As per period not exceeding three years, if Weather Weather Is it possible to sell shares to my accompanied by or associated with Article 303, a woman, who purposely the ‘avenger of blood heir’ forgives or today Max/min tomorrow Max/min friend? Please advise. another crime. If the ‘avenger of blood kills her baby immediately after birth accepts blood money. Athens Sunny 33/21 Sunny 34/23 GI, Doha heir’ forgives or accepts blood money, so as to avoid disgrace because the Whoever intentionally causes Beirut P Cloudy 28/25 P Cloudy 28/25 Bangkok S T Storms T Storms 31/26 the death penalty shall be commuted baby is the result of incest, shall be another a permanent disability shall 31/27 Berlin M Sunny 18/07 P Cloudy 18/07 A: According to Article 238 of with imprisonment for a term not sentenced to imprisonment for a term be punished with imprisonment for Cairo Sunny 34/22 Sunny 33/23 Commercial Companies law, if any exceeding 15 years. Premeditation not exceeding three years. Whoever a maximum period of seven years. If Cape Town Cloudy 18/12 Sunny 21/12 partner who intends to sell his shares means a determined intent prior to attempts to commit suicide and does such act is premeditated, the off ender Colombo T Storms 29/26 Rain 29/26 to any person other than the partners commission of a crime against any any act towards the commission of shall be liable to imprisonment Dhaka S T Storms 34/27 S T Storms 33/27 Hong Kong M Sunny 34/29 M Sunny 32/28 of the company for consideration, person, and meditation on measures such off ence, shall be punished with for a term not exceeding ten years. Istanbul P Cloudy 28/21 P Cloudy 28/20 shall notify the other partners of which are necessary to carry out the imprisonment for a term which may Permanent disability shall arise Jakarta P Cloudy 35/26 P Cloudy 35/25 the assignment terms through the crime precisely. extend to six months or with fi ne not if an injury leads to severance or Karachi Sunny 33/26 Sunny 34/27 company manager unless the Article Except otherwise described in the exceeding QR3,000, or with both. dismemberment of any organ or London S Showers 15/08 P Cloudy 18/09 Manila S T Storms 32/26 T Storms 32/26 of Association of the company preceding Article, whoever causes Whoever abets or assists another amputation of any part thereof, to Moscow P Cloudy 17/09 Showers 16/13 stipulates otherwise. Upon receipt death by doing an act with the in any manner to commit suicide, if the loss or diminution of its use, or to New Delhi P Cloudy 34/27 P Cloudy 34/27 of such notice, the manager shall intention of causing death of a human the act of suicide is committed, shall permanent, total or partial failure of New York P Cloudy 28/20 M Sunny 27/20 notify the partners. Each partner is being shall be sentenced to death or be punished by imprisonment for a the function of any of the senses. In Paris S Showers 16/08 Rain 15/07 Sunny 30/17 entitled to request for the recovering to life imprisonment. If the ‘avenger maximum period of seven years. If the all cases, the off ender shall be liable to Sao Paulo 29/16 P Cloudy Seoul M Sunny 28/17 P Cloudy 27/14 of the share for its real price and on of blood heir’ forgives or accepts person who commits suicide has not imprisonment for a term not exceeding Singapore S T Storms 31/26 S T Storms 29/25 the same condition. In the event of blood money, the penalty shall be completed 16 years of age, or if the two years, if the ‘avenger of blood heir’ Sydney P Cloudy 22/07 Sunny 17/07 disagreement over the price, the commuted with imprisonment for a person is an insane person or delirious forgives or accepts blood money. Tokyo Cloudy 24/20 Rain 22/18 company’s auditor shall fi x that price Gulf Times 16 Saturday, September 16, 2017 QATAR

Emir holds talks with French and German leaders

His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met with French President Emmanuel Macron yesterday. They discussed bilateral relations and means of enhancing and developing them in all fields to serve the common interests of the two countries. During the meeting held at the Elysee Palace yesterday evening, the Emir and the French President discussed the latest developments in the Gulf crisis, and its repercussions, as well as eff orts at resolving it through dialogue and diplomatic means with mediation by Kuwait. The meeting was attended by members of the off icial delegation accompanying His Highness the Emir, as well as a number of ministers and senior off icials from the French side.

His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin yesterday. Talks His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani shakes hands with French President dealt with the Gulf crisis and over 100 days of the siege against Qatar. Emmanuel Macron in Paris yesterday.

His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the joint press conference in Berlin yesterday.