QATAR | Page 2 SPORT | Page 1 Al-Attiyah in championship lead with Kazakh victory New tunnel links Industrial Area Road and Barwa City published in QATAR since 1978

SUNDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11202 June 2, 2019 Ramadan 28, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

PM participates in 14th OIC Summit Amir meets Hamas delegation In brief

QATAR | Reaction Shooting incident in Virginia condemned Qatar has strongly condemned the shooting incident in Virginia Beach in the United States, causing deaths and injuries. In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs reiterated Qatar’s firm stance rejecting violence, terrorism and criminal acts, whatever the motives and reasons. It aff irmed its full solidarity with the US government in all measures taken to maintain security and stability. The statement expressed Qatar’s condolences to the victims’ families, the government and the people of the United States. Page 13 QATAR | Diplomacy No offi cial memo on HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani participated, along with leaders and heads of delegations of Islamic Sudan envoy: ministry states, in the opening session of the 14th Islamic Summit of the Organisation of Responding to reports on Sudan’s Islamic Co-operation (OIC), which was held on Friday evening at Al-Safa Palace ambassador to Qatar being in Makkah. The session was attended by members of the off icial delegation His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met at his off ice at Al Bahr Palace with a delegation from summoned to Khartoum for accompanying the prime minister. HE Sheikh Abdullah returned to Doha early the political bureau of the Islamic Resistance Movement in Palestine (Hamas). The meeting focused on reviewing ‘consultations’, HE the Spokesperson yesterday, after heading Qatar’s delegation to the Extraordinary Gulf Co-operation Palestinian developments. The delegation expressed their deep thanks and appreciation to the Amir for Qatar’s at the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Council Summit, Extraordinary Arab Summit and Islamic Summit of the OIC, which continued support to the Palestinian people, particularly in Gaza. For his part, the Amir stressed on Qatar’s firm (MoFA) Lolwah Alkhater tweeted were held in Makkah. – QNA position in supporting Palestinians and their just cause. that the ministry had not received any off icial memorandum regarding this. “The Sudanese ambassador to the State of Qatar is currently in Khartoum. We do not know the source of this news. We have not Drivers urged to be very received an off icial memorandum,” according to a translation of the tweet, which was in Arabic. Sudan’s ‘Unparalleled siege careful during this week ambassador had sent a memorandum to Qatar’s MoFA, as usual, about him being on a short leave. s the holy month of Ramadan vehicles on the road, it is important for draws to a close and Eid al-Fitr drivers to follow traffi c rules, pay extra ARAB WORLD | Unrest Aapproaches, Hamad Medical attention to other road users including 10 dead in suicide car painful for all GCC’ Corporation’s (HMC) Hamad Injury pedestrians, and also to give them- Prevention Programme (HIPP), has selves extra time to get to their desti- bomb attack in Raqa reminded all drivers, passengers and nation,” said Dr Abeid. Ten people were killed and 20 he unjust blockade of Qatar is what you claim about issues that are pedestrians to exercise extra precau- “Wearing a seatbelt is also essential. wounded yesterday in a suicide without parallel in the whole groundless.” tions and abide by traffi c laws in order The single most important action you car bomb attack in Raqa, a former Tworld and the Gulf crisis is af- He urged the Saudi leadership to to help prevent road traffi c accident can take to protect yourself in a vehicle stronghold of the Islamic State group fecting the GCC badly, former prime stand for protecting the interests of injuries during this time of increased is to wear a seatbelt at all times. Public (IS) in north Syria, a rights watchdog minister HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim the GCC and uniting the GCC peo- road activity. awareness campaigns and mandatory said. The explosion claimed the lives bin Jabor al-Thani has said. ple against the conspiracies plotted Hamad Injury Prevention Pro- seatbelt laws and their enforcement of five civilians and five soldiers of In a series of tweets, he said: “The against them. But he regretted that gramme (HIPP) is the community out- have been highly eff ective in increas- the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), unjust blockade imposed by the some people within the bloc have be- reach arm of the Hamad Trauma Center. ing the rates of seatbelt use. “However, according to the Syrian Observatory brothers against Qatar is entering its come pawns in the hands of the plot- Dr Aisha Fathi Abeid, assistant di- it is important that every occupant, for Human Rights (SOHR). third year with all its strange things ters. rector of the HIPP, says the main cause driver or passenger, adult or children, unparalleled in the whole world, “I still have hopes that Saudi Ara- of road traffi c accident injuries is driv- whether they are sitting in the front or INDIA | Weather in politics and society as well. The bia with its leadership stands for the ers not following traffi c rules. She says back seat, wears a seatbelt during every Temperatures cross memory of the blockade is not only HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin interests of the GCC and above all speeding, as well as distracted driving, journey,” added Dr Abeid. painful and sad for the Qatari people Jabor al-Thani maintains the existence of the GCC which includes the increased use of Dr Abeid recommends trying to fi n- 50C in heatwave but for all the GCC people.” and keeps the GCC people strongly mobile devices and technology in vehi- ish shopping as early as possible to Temperatures passed 50C (122F) HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim said this conspiracy with a strong will and united against the major plots being cles, are both leading causes of motor avoid peak hours for road use. She also in northern India as an unrelenting the continuing siege showed the level stood by the wise leadership of His made against us. Unfortunately, some vehicle crashes in Qatar. urges parents to take extra precautions heatwave triggered warnings of to which the high Arab and religious Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin of us have become tools to carry out “A key factor contributing to the in- and to not allow children to play in the water shortages and heatstroke. standards have plummeted. Hamad al-Thani. May be something such plots. Consequently, I call for crease in motor vehicle crashes that we street or road in residential areas, es- The thermometer hit 50.6C (123F) in However, he said Qatar has man- harmful turns out to be useful as we unity and collaboration as this is not often see around Ramadan and the Eid pecially at night. She says motorists the Rajasthan desert city of Churu aged the fabricated Gulf crisis with have started to feel that we are people out of weakness.” holidays is motorists driving while dis- should avoid parking their vehicles in yesterday, the weather department wisdom and an open mind. that can depend on ourselves with the Stressing the need for a strong tracted or impaired. Throughout the a manner that obstructs traffi c move- said. All of Rajasthan suff ered in “As this memory has pain, sadness, support of the wise leadership.” GCC, the former prime minister said year, but especially during Ramadan ment on the road, particularly outside severe heat with several cities unethical conduct, and breaking with HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim said the council is like a family where each and the Eid holidays and other times mosques during prayer times, or out- hitting maximum temperatures the Arab and religious traditions, it Qatar has proved that it can face such member’s achievement is considered when there is an increased volume of side residences. above 47C. In May 2016, Phalodi in has its own funny and painful things. challenges successfully with a host of as a joint gain and he did not want Rajasthan recorded India’s highest- All this shows to what degree has our achievements during the last 2 years. such an organisation to be destroyed ever temperature of 51C (123.8F). level went. Qatar has withstood and He also said the fabricated crisis was as part of any sinister design against Page 18 managed the fabricated crisis with based on groundless allegations. the people of the Gulf region. wisdom and open mind.” “The best evidence of this is the “The leadership and the people of The former premier said the block- achievements made throughout the Qatar have proven that we can with- BUSINESS | Politics ade brought out the best qualities period of the blockade. I have a ques- stand, produce and fl ourish. Each QNB: Brexit uncertainty in the Qatari people, who faced the tion (preoccupying my mind) for the achievement of Qatar or any GCC “conspiracy” bravely. Saudi Arabian leadership: who is country adds to the GCC, which I a drag on UK economy “Here I have to greet the Qatari taking benefi t of the crisis, and why don’t want to be destroyed for a rea- Uncertainty around Brexit has been people fi rst because they have faced it was fabricated? Brothers, leave son that has become clear.” HMC is the main provider of secondary and tertiary healthcare in Qatar. a persistent drag on the UK economy ever since June 2016 referendum when the country narrowly voted to “Leave” the EU rather than “Remain” in the EU. The British pound fell sharply after the referendum and remains 17% below the average of Salah, Origi give Liverpool Champions League win the previous five years, said Qatar National Bank (QNB) in its weekly commentary. Business Page 1 DPA Liverpool sealed the contest three Madrid minutes from time when Origi drove RAMADAN THOUGHT home from an angle to start the cele- brations for a fi rst title under manager Verily, We have created all controversial penalty just two Juergen Klopp. things with Qadar (Divine minutes into the game and a Tottenham coach Mauricio Pochet- Preordainments of all things Alate strike from Divock Origi tino made the diffi cult decision to drop before their creation as written in gave Liverpool a 2-0 victory over Tot- semi-fi nal hat-trick hero Moura for the Book of Decrees Al-Lauh Al- tenham Hotspur in an underwhelming England striker Harry Kane, who had Mahfuz). And Our Commandment Champions League fi nal yesterday in not played since early April with an is but one as the twinkling of an Madrid. ankle injury. eye. (Qur’an 54: 49-50) Mohamed Salah rammed home the It was Moura, with a poked ef- spot-kick after Moussa Sissoko was fort inside the box, who had Spurs’ Prayer times harshly deemed to have handled Sadio only real opportunity in the closing Mane’s cross after only 23 seconds to stages after Liverpool keeper Alisson Fajr....3.15 Zuhr....11.32 Asr....2.56 make Liverpool continental champi- palmed away a long shot from Son Maghrib.....6.23 Isha.....7.53 ons for the sixth time. Heung-min. Spurs, appearing in their fi rst elite Kane looked sluggish but was Fasting times fi nal, seemed overawed by the occa- not the only one off pace in a game Iftar today ...... 6.23pm sion and a late snapshot from substi- played in the distinctly un-English Imsak tomorrow...... 3.05am tute Lucas Moura was their only sight conditions of 30-degree Celsius of an equaliser. Liverpool celebrate with the trophy after winning the Champions League final yesterday. heat. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, June 2, 2019 QATAR

El Salvador president meets al-Kuwari New tunnel links Industrial Area Road and Barwa City

he Public Works Authori- as several educational and resi- ty (Ashghal) opened a new dential facilities, the statement Tunidirectional tunnel on explained. Industrial Area Road on May 30, This opening provides vehi- providing motorists with a direct cles with a new travel option that link towards Barwa City. is more effi cient than its former The two-lane new tunnel is alternative, according to the au- located between Mesaimeer In- thority. President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador met HE the Minister of terchange and the interchange Earlier, before the opening State Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari, who is now visiting El known as Wadi Lubara on In- of the tunnel, road users had Salvador to represent Qatar at the inauguration ceremony of dustrial Area Road, and extends to make use of the interchange the president today. HE al-Kuwari conveyed the greetings and for 670m, Ashghal said in a press known as Wadi Lubara on Indus- congratulations of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin statement. trial Area Road, turn left towards Hamad al-Thani on his election as President of El Salvador, and The tunnel directly con- Bu Samra Street and then right the hope of working together to develop relations between nects to Street 1115 and delivers to get to Street 1115 and reach Qatar and El Salvador. The president reciprocated the Amir’s a “seamless, free-fl owing link” Barwa City. greetings and expressed his gratitude for Qatar’s participation for road users on Industrial Area Moving forward, motor- in his inauguration ceremony, . Road – coming from Doha and ists will be able to use the free- heading towards Barwa City, fl owing new tunnel to reach their the Religious Complex as well destinations, Ashghal has said. The tunnel delivers a ‘seamless, free-flowing link’ for road users.

QPC condemns closure of Al Jazeera offi ce in Khartoum

he Qatar Press Centre The QPC pointed out that the (QPC) condemned the Military Council’s decision to Tdecision of the Transi- close Al Jazeera offi ce is against tional Military Council in Su- the will of the Sudanese people, dan to withdraw the license of who are demanding freedom and Al Jazeera News Network offi ce civilian rule. It noted that the in Khartoum without giving any decision comes in the context of reasons. regional media and political in- In a statement issued on Fri- citement campaigns which seek day, the QPC stressed that the to silence the people and prevent closure of Al Jazeera office is a free media from covering the setback for the gains of the Su- successive events in Sudan dur- danese revolution and a breach ing this important period of the of international conventions Sudanese people’s struggle for that protect the right to dis- freedom. seminate and receive informa- The Centre warned of the tion. consequences of the suppres- The Centre stressed that Al sion of the media and imposing Jazeera team in Khartoum works a media blackout on the real- with integrity and impartiality ity of what is happening on the despite the great obstacles it faces. ground. - QNA A view of the newly opened tunnel. Tickets go on sale for Bollywood Music Festival

ickets for the Bolly- is a priority market for us, Tickets range in price director Jassim Mohamed wood Music Festival, and with visa-free entry for from QR75-1,500 and can stating: “The lineup has Torganised by Qatar Indian nationals, it is easier be purchased at https:// been fi nalised with a lot of National Tourism Council than ever to get a taste of www.q-tickets.com/ or brainstorming; we wanted (QNTC) in partnership with home in Qatar. We welcome http://www.aynatickets. to touch all genres of Bol- One FM and Ayna Tickets, everyone to spend Summer com, or offl ine at outlets lywood and have a good mix are now on sale, it has been in Qatar with us, and enjoy such as Baba Chapatea in of artistes where the young, announced. not only Bollywood, but also Wakrah and Matar Qadeem, old and even the interna- The event “promises to a vast range of excursions, Doha Rocks Café, 7st By tional crowd can relate to.” bring rhythm to this year’s family fun, edutainment, Mumbai Spices, Desi Dhaba The Qatar-India Year Summer in Qatar” as resi- and performances for all and Filli Café. of Culture allows peo- dents and visitors will en- ages.” Naveed Abdulla, CEO of ple from both countries to joy all the colours of a Bol- The Bollywood Music One FM Qatar, said: “We learn about each other’s lywood off ering at Lusail Festival will bring six big at 89.6 One FM are always culture, building stronger Arena on June 21. acts, including a surprise looking forward to create ties through deeper under- The Music Festival is guest, and 50 musicians to something new and diff er- standing. part of QNTC’s ongoing Lusail for “a night to re- ent for Qatar. We want to India’s other great pas- efforts to create diverse member”. It will include project Qatar as a prominent sion – cricket – will be entertainment options for performances by Guru international event destina- represented in the Doha the whole family, making Randhawa - the ‘Badshah of tion. The Bollywood Music Workers’ Cricket Cup, tak- Qatar a preferred tourism Bhangra’, Bombay Vikings, Festival will be an annual ing place from Thursday destination for families, it Ragini Tandan and ‘Indian aff air and hence we chose to to Saturday evenings (8pm has said in a statement. It Idol’ fi nalist-turned-Bol- launch it during World Mu- to midnight) at Umm Said also comes in celebration lywood songstress Bhoomi sic Day. We hope to make it Stadium from June 13 to of the Qatar-India 2019 Trivedi, among others. bigger every year and will July 31. Year of Culture. Bollywood’s award-win- be promoting the event glo- Capping off Summer in Mashal Shahbik, a QNTC ning Rhythm Arrangers and bally.” Qatar, Doha will host the offi cial, said: “We’re de- Masters of Percussion, and Artistes for the festival South Indian International lighted to welcome top Bol- Hanif & Aslam of Coke Stu- have been chosen to repre- Movie Awards (SIIMA) on lywood performers to Qatar dio fame, will add their own sent a cross-section of gen- August 15 and 16, with a gal- for this Music Festival. India beat to the festivities. res and tastes, with festival axy of stars in attendance.

Bhoomi Trivedi Guru Randhawa

Gulf Times 4 Sunday, June 2, 2019 QATAR

Preparations for Eid prayer

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME), represented by the General Cleanliness Department, has been cleaning prayer yards across the country in co-operation with the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Aff airs in preparation for the Eid al-Fitr prayer.

QU student investigates anti-cancer drugs causing cardiotoxicity

atar University College spite the anti-cancer eff ects of The results of this study present her work internationally in science and has values on the of Pharmacy (QU-CPH) ponatinib and sunitinib, their will provide a platform to in- at the 5th Middle East Molecu- society. The research that was QMSc student Muna Sule- use has been associated with se- vestigate novel tools to re- lar Biology Congress and Ex- carried out by Muna is an exam- iman recently defended her MSc vere cardiovascular toxicities. In verse these mediators and hibition in Jordan last October. ple.” thesis in Pharmaceutical Sci- her study, Muna delineated the regress the cardiotoxic effect “I have learned many research “Over the past three years, ences – Pharmacology. cause of cardiotoxicity induced associated with these and skills during my MSc and I hope Muna was able to successfully Muna’s MSc research thesis, by these anti-cancer agents. similar anti-cancer agents. In to continue working on this im- complete this project that brings titled ‘The Role of p90 Ribos- Her study, supervised by CPH the long term, it is expected portant research for the commu- together laboratory and clinical omal S6 Kinase and Autophagy associate professor Dr Fatima these results will trigger clin- nity,” Muna said. work. She demonstrated great in Sunitinib and Ponatinib- Mraiche and Dr Huseyin Yal- ical studies looking at the use CPH head of research and skills in the lab. Muna’s project Induced Cardiotoxicity’, inves- cin from the QU’s Biomedical of these anti-cancer agents in graduate studies Dr Mohamed may be the fi rst step to identify- tigated the cardiotoxic eff ects Research Centre, was based on combination of p90 ribosom- Izham, congratulated Muna and ing novel means to reversing the associated with ponatinib and a joint collaborative research al S6 kinase inhibitors and/ or her supervisory team and said, cardiotoxic eff ect of some of the sunitinib, small molecules ty- grant between the supervisors autophagy inhibitors to limit “Graduate students at the Col- superb anti-cancer drugs used rosine kinase inhibitors, used and CPH professor, Dr Hesham cardiotoxic side effects. lege of Pharmacy are expected to for many diff erent cancers,” Dr for various types of cancer. De- Korashy. Muna had the opportunity to conduct quality, novel research Mraiche added. Muna Suleiman

Gulf Times 6 Sunday, June 2, 2019 QATAR

Participants of the Proztec Iftar event. Proztec hosts Iftar dinner

n the spirit of the holy month QTerminals summary for May of Ramadan, Proz Technolo- Igies (Proztec) has celebrated an Iftar dinner with its custom- ers, guests, partners, and em- ployees in Doha. Proztec is a leading systems integrator and intelligent busi- ness process automation com- pany in Qatar. “The Proztec vision and mis- sion is derived purely from Qa- tar National Vision 2030, with a great focus on innovation in digital transformation and in- formation security in Qatar,” the company has said in a statement. “Proztec is determined to con- tinuously enhance its customer experience by providing them with the top-rating and leading solutions, complemented with knowledge transfer and best services.” Proztec general manager S Rizwan Shah distributed gifts and prizes along with a special gift of e-licence vouchers for mobile security for the partici- pants, the statement noted, add- ing that the annual Iftar dinner was “greatly enjoyed by all the participants”. Proztec has collaborated and QTerminals has issued an infographic summarising its handling of made partnerships with world- containers, bulk, break bulk, roll-on/roll-off cargo and livestock in May. leading automation and security QTerminals is a terminal operating entity jointly established by Mwani Qatar solutions providers. and Milaha. “Another excellent month. Thanks to everyone in the Proztec has a long list of en- @q_terminals team,” it tweeted. terprise customers in the fi nan- cial and government sectors.

Gulf Times 8 Sunday, June 2, 2019 QATAR

Italian foreign ministry official holds talks with Qatari envoy QC’s food basket project benefi ts nearly 50,000 people in Pakistan atar Charity (QC) has said its offi ce in Pakistan has Qdistributed 8,000 food bas- kets worth QR1.6mn in the country during the last 10 days of Ramadan, benefi ting nearly 50,000 people. This is in addition to the distribu- tion of Eid clothes to 200 orphans sponsored by Qatar Charity and meet- ing the Eid requirements of other 180 orphans to give them the joy of cel- ebration, QC has said in a statement. The initiative comes as part of the “Ramadan - the Gift of Giving” campaign projects implemented by QC in more than 30 countries around the world. The baskets include basic food items and have been distributed in the provinces of Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with a great- er focus on four districts in Punjab Italian Ministry of Foreign Aff airs secretary-general Elisabetta Belloni met with due to poverty, unemployment and Qatar’s ambassador to Italy Abdulaziz bin Ahmad al-Malki in Rome. During the malnutrition there, the statement meeting, they discussed the bilateral relations and ways to boost and develop notes. Punjab received 5,000 food them, in addition to issues of common concern. baskets, while Sindh and Khyber Pa- khtunkhwa got 3,000 food kits. Also, Qatar Charity’s offi ce in the capital, Islamabad, distributed Eid clothes to 200 orphans spon- sored by it in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in addition to meeting the needs of other 180 orphans, which included Ooredoo launches Eidi (gift), food items and providing some necessities for orphans. A Qatar Charity volunteer prepares food baskets for distribution. new promotion on HBKU researcher Al Wakra Hospital Samsung devices participates in handles nearly 6,000 international new births a year l Wakra Hospital handles around the due care in the ICU, he added. leadership meet 6,000 new births a year, an offi cial Further, the offi cial said the paediatric oredoo has announced an “amaz- Manar Khalifa al-Muraikhi, director Asource at Hamad Medical Corpo- department at Al Wakra Hospital includes ing” new promotion on Samsung of PR and Corporate Communications at ration (HMC) has told local Arabic daily the paediatric ICU, which has 11 beds, and Odevices in celebration of the Eid Ooredoo, said: “We know accessing the r Veronica Bermu- Arrayah. another unit for infants with 29 beds. holidays. latest technology is important for our cus- dez, senior research The source said the hospital provides These receive babies from the obstetrics Customers purchasing a new Samsung tomers, as is getting great value for money, Ddirector at Qatar sophisticated paediatric and maternity department and other facilities, including S10, S10+ or S10e will get a host of extras and it’s important for us to be able to share Environment and Energy services in accordance with the highest private hospitals. with their new device, the company has special celebrations such as Eid with them. Research Institute (Qeeri)’s international standards and best practices Regarding the status of bed occupancy said in a statement. “We’re delighted to off er this promo- Energy Centre, part of Ha- in the fi eld. at the hospital, the offi cial said it reaches All Shahry and Hala customers – both tion, giving them access to the latest de- mad Bin Khalifa University The offi cial told the daily that around 95% for infants and 80% for newborns. existing and new – buying a new Sam- vices and giving them plenty of extras so (HBKU), participated at the 20% of newborns there need to be admit- The ICU for newborns is always fully sung S10, S10+ or S10e will get up to 20Gb they’re getting absolutely great value for ‘2019 Institute of Electrical ted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Some occupied with no empty beds at all. data free for one month, plus one Nojoom their money.” and Electronics Engineers 1,300 newborns were admitted to the ICU There is also co-operation with Sidra point for every QR1 spent, and a voucher Customers can buy their new devices at (IEEE) Women in Engineer- for mostly breathing issues, premature Medicine and Hamad General Hospital to for 35% off Clear Coat device protection, Ooredoo’s eShop online or at any Ooredoo ing International Leader- delivery or for suff ering from nutrition- receive patient who require help and off er the statement notes. shop. ship Conference’ in Austin, related problems. The babies receive them timely medical care. Texas, US. Dr Veronica Bermudez The summit, which took place on May 23 and 24, ganised by IEEE Women in brought together profes- Engineering, Japan. sional women across from Qeeri’s Energy Centre industry, academia and focuses on research across government to facilitate several programmes, in- knowledge-sharing and cluding Catalysis and Proc- stimulate innovation in ess Technology, Energy engineering. Management, Energy Stor- Dr Bermudez moderated age, Energy Effi ciency, En- a panel discussion on how ergy Conversation and Dis- innovation, cultural chang- ruptive Technologies. es and diversity could help The institute is involved fuel the renewable energy in research, development transition. She was invited and innovation aimed at ad- to the conference after be- dressing Qatar’s challenges ing awarded the second and priorities through its prize for her essay, ‘Imagi- energy, water, environment nation Fuelling Innovation and sustainability, and and Change in the Energetic computational materials Sector’ in a competition or- and processes centres.

Hot daytime conditions are expected today oha yesterday saw lowed by 45C in the Qatar the temperature rise University area and Karana, Dto 46C as hot condi- 44C in the Hamad Interna- tions continued to prevail tional Airport area, Shee- around the country, weath- haniyah, Ghuwairiyah and er charts showed. Jumayliyah, and 43C in Abu According to the weather Samra and Mesaieed. report issued by the Qatar Yesterday’s mercury lev- Met department, hot day- els were a slight increase time conditions are expected over the temperatures re- today as well as along with corded on Tuesday, when slight dust in some places as the highest was 45C in well as scattered clouds. Sheehaniyah, Turayna, Fine conditions will pre- Batna and Karana, and 43C vail off shore, and there could in Doha, Abu Hamour and be some clouds at times. elsewhere. The weather charts Today, the maximum showed that a maximum temperature is expected to temperature of 46C was be 43C in Doha and Al Khor, recorded yesterday in Doha 42C in Wakrah and Me- (airport area), Abu Hamour, saieed, and 40C in Dukhan Turayna and Batna, fol- and Abu Samra. Gulf Times Sunday, June 2, 2019 9 QATAR

Martin Lacey and Bianca Bonomi. Afra AlMarri at the event. David Cairnduff with Carine Nehme Kassis. Harvey Nichols hosts event at Doha

Festival City store The first-floor ladies section at Harvey Nichols Doha. arvey Nichols recent- “Leading Qatari beauty entre- “On the fi rst fl oor of the luxu- ly hosted a VIP ladies preneur and infl uencer Afra Al- ry department store, you can fi nd Hevent in its store at Doha Marri provided insights into key the broad range of womenswear Festival City. beauty trends in a live tutorial so designers, from contemporary, For the fi rst time in Qatar, that VIP guests enjoyed a 360° designer and eveningwear,” the clients had the “exclusive op- approach to the new season style statement noted. “Catering to all portunity” to discover the before having the opportunity tastes with a variety of exclusive AW19 trends curated by Martin to meet Harvey Nichols Doha’s designers and brand fi rsts, cli- Lacey, buying director at Har- fragrance specialists and ex- ents also experience unrivalled vey Nichols Doha, followed by pert personal shoppers,” added customer service from our expe- a question and answer session Carine. rienced and knowledgeable staff moderated by Bianca Bono- At the event, Harvey Nichols and personal shoppers upon mi, editor-in-chief of Grazia Doha shared insider secrets with every visit.” magazine. some 80 women. David Cairnduff , head of “The expert fashion market “As Qatar’s most infl uential Harvey Nichols Doha, added: commentary and trend analy- women’s monthly magazine, “There’s a great deal of sophisti- sis given by Martin Lacey was Grazia was thrilled to partner cation in the local people’s taste, hugely popular with our fash- with Harvey Nichols Doha on whether its in food, art, fashion ion-forward shoppers and was this very special event,” said or architecture, and this event an excellent demonstration of Bianca. was representative of this level Doha’s growing reputation as Harvey Nichols Doha stressed of elegance. We look forward to an international fashion hub,” in a statement that it “is proud creating more of these exclusive said Carine Nehme Kassis, to host yet another exclusive in- events, delivering to Qatar’s VIP marketing head of Harvey Ni- store experience for its clients in shoppers in Harvey Nichols at chols Doha. Qatar”. Doha Festival City.” A fashion trends presentation. QCDC takes part in career development conference

or the second consecutive year, centre’s eff orts in contributing to means for addressing relevant career Qatar Career Development the development of an eff ective guidance challenges and developing FCentre (QCDC), a member of career guidance system in Qatar action-oriented recommendations. Qatar Foundation, has participated in by identifying and addressing the One of these recommendations, ac- the Asia Pacifi c Career Development existing challenges and shortcom- cording to Tagrida, focused on how Association’s (APCDA) conference ings, and proposing the necessary the integration of Information and – an international forum for shar- solutions. Communication Technology into ing career development ideas and The paper, titled ‘A Stakeholder- career development programmes expertise in the Asia Pacifi c region. based Operational Innovations Ap- and services is a powerful tool for The 2019 edition of the annual proach to Developing Qatar’s Career the delivery of employment, educa- conference, titled ‘Navigating Ca- Guidance System’, outlined how tion, and guidance services under reer Development in the Age of In- QCDC devised the Career Guidance one electronic platform. dustry 4.0’, was hosted by the Royal Stakeholders Platform – an informal “Through its participation in the Melbourne Institute of Technology cross-sector network that brings to- APCDA conference, QCDC seeks to University from May 21 to 25 in Ho gether career guidance stakeholders showcase how the centre is success- Chi Minh City, Vietnam. to advance its objectives. fully contributing to the develop- The conference brought together The platform engaged policy and ment of a national career guidance human resource professionals, school decision-makers, career guidance system in Qatar, while exchanging counsellors and career develop- organisations and practitioners, expertise with the various par- ment practitioners from government educational institutions, research- ticipants on how to further ad- agencies, public schools, universi- ers and clients, such as students vance their shared objectives,” said ties, and private educational institu- and job seekers, in refl ective proc- al-Malki. tions. It featured discussions on best esses for collaboration, innovation, On the sidelines of the confer- practice guidelines for career guid- knowledge-sharing, as well as the ence, QCDC’s delegation met with ance and professional development exchange of best practices to ad- many international career experts in complex cultural contexts. vance career guidance as a powerful and practitioners to discuss best QCDC was represented by Moham- means for the personal, educational practices and exchange expertise ed Tagrida, senior content specialist, and socio-economic success of on career development strategies, and Abdulrahman al-Malki, marketing Qatar and its people. exploring diff erent career devel- and communication offi cer. Tagrida explained how the plat- opment experiences in many of During the conference, QCDC form participants utilised op- the Asia Pacifi c countries, such as presented a paper showcasing the erational innovation activities as a Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. Participants at the APCDA conference held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Gulf Times 10 Sunday, June 2, 2019 QATAR/RAMADAN Qatar Cancer Society Remaining steadfast hosts Iftar for staff on obedience atar Cancer Society (QCS) re- e must understand that cently hosted its annual Ra- there are established acts of Qmadan Iftar for employees Wworship that must be per- and their families, sponsored by Retaj formed at all times and never fl uctu- Hotels & Hospitality and held at Vichy ate, even after Ramadan like Salaah Celestins Spa Resort — Retaj Salwa. (prayer), Zakaah (obligatory charity), Ammar al-Mashhadani, public re- invocation of Allah and repentance, lations offi cer at QCS, said one of the which Allah enjoins on His slaves most important principles of Ramadan when He Says what means: “…And is communication and empathy with turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, others. O believers, that you might succeed.” He noted that the Iftar was organ- [Qur’an 24: 31] ised to highlight the values of soli- The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu darity among employees and thereby ‘alaihi wa sallam, used to say: “I seek help them contribute eff ectively in the the forgiveness of my Lord and repent community. to Him one-hundred times a day.” The annual Iftar ceremony is an op- Now that you know this, it becomes portunity to enhance the team spirit incumbent on you to put it into prac- through brotherly ties and social ac- tice, for you have tasted the sweetness tivities, he added. of worship and closeness to Allah in He also thanked Retaj Hotels & Hos- Ramadan, do not therefore, ruin that pitality for hosting the Iftar. with your sins. Moreover, the contin- Ahmed Amer, Retaj Hotels & Hospi- ued observation of acts of worship or tality’s corporate senior sales manager, negligence in them is an indication of preciate its value, for many are carriers between them or fasts them anytime welcomed the attendees and thanked the inner-workings of the heart, for it of knowledge who are not themselves during that month. We must add that QCS for its eff orts in spreading cancer is the most changeable organ in the hu- knowledgeable and many are carri- these six fasts are not obligatory. awareness and promoting the culture man body. That is why the Prophet, ers of knowledge unto those who are Whoever fasts them will be re- of early detection. sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “The better than them in understanding.” warded for that and whoever does not, heart was given that name because of its Allah Says what means: “The example will not be punished. If one is how- inconstancy. The similitude of the heart of those who were entrusted with the ever consistent in fasting it for years is like that of a feather at the bottom of Torah and then did not take it on (by and then becomes unable to do so in a a tree which the wind blows hither and neglecting their duty towards it) is like particular year due to illness or travel, thither.” [Ahmad] The Messenger of Al- that of a donkey who carries volumes they will get the same reward as if they lah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, used (of books)…” [Qur’an 62: 5] fasted them. This is because the Mes- to say in his supplication: “O turner of The Muslim should, therefore, not senger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa the hearts! Establish my heart fi rmly on exceed the limits when rejoicing for sallam, said: “If a man is sick or trav- your religion.” Allah does not love such people. This is els, what he used to do while he was It is your right to celebrate Eid for because excessive joy generates arro- resident and healthy will be written it is Allah who made joy and happi- gance and disdain for the truth. While down for him.” ness among the rewards for certainty commenting on the saying of Allah However, it is not permissible for of faith and made sorrow and distress which means: “From the evil of the re- someone to fast these six days before among the recompense for displeasure treating whisperer (a devil who makes they make up for the days that they and doubt. Eid should be an occasion evil suggestions to man but disappears missed during Ramadan. One will only for wholesome recreation and amuse- when one remembers Allah).” [Qur’an get the reward for the six days fasting ment. It is when people exceed the 114: 4] One of the Qur’anic commen- in Shawwaal if they have completely limits of Allah in their celebration and tators said: “The devil occupies the fasted the whole of Ramadan. Finally, harm others that it becomes unlaw- heart of man whenever he is happy or let whoever wants an additional re- ful. This is because in these instances, sad, but when he remembers Allah he ward endeavour to fast on the 13th, people do not give Allah His due rights, withdraws.” So fear Allah during joyful 14th and 15th day of every month for nor do they thank Him for His bless- moments for the sincere Muslim does the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sal- ings. ‘Ali bin Abi Taalib, may Allah be not transgress the limits, nor does he lam, has explained that whoever fasts pleased with him, saw some people deviate from the truth due to his hap- them is like the one who fasts perpetu- playing around in a manner that is dis- piness. ‘Ali Ibn Abi Taalib said: “Every ally. pleasing to Allah on the day of Eid and day in which one does not disobey his Fear Allah as He should be feared remarked: “If Allah has accepted these Lord is a cause for celebration.” and be conscious of Him in private and people’s fasting then these are not the The Wise Law-Giver has prescribed in public. Worship Him as if you see actions of the grateful and if Allah did for you the fasting of six days in the Him, for even though you do not see not accept their fasting then such is month of Shawwaal. The Messenger Him, He sees you. not the behaviour of the fearful.” of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, Allah Says what means: “And rely Ooredoo off ers ‘exclusive’ deal on Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have said: “Whoever fasts (the whole of) upon the Exalted in Might, the Mer- mercy upon him, said about happi- Ramadan and then follows it up with ciful. Who sees you when you arise. ness: “Surely, Allah shall bring this six days fasting in the month of Shaw- And your movement among those who ‘Oppo Find X Automobili Lamborghini’ ware (happiness and joy) to its mer- waal, is like the one who fasts for the prostrate. Indeed, He is the Hearing, chants (i.e. those who know how best whole year (in terms of reward).” It is the Knowing.” [Qur’an 26: 217-220] to rejoice) and those who know its better to observe this fast immediately oredoo has secured an “exclu- value, though it may, on the way, fall after Eid and do them in succession, Article source: http://www.is- sive” deal with luxury device into the hands of those who do not ap- but there is no harm if one separates lamweb.net/emainpage/ Omanufacturer Oppo to off er the new Oppo Find X Automobili Lam- borghini to its customers. Ooredoo customers can now get their hands on the Oppo Find X Au- tomobili Lamborghini special-edition Manar Khalifa al-Muraihki, director for the discerning customer, and device, only from Ooredoo, the com- of PR and Corporate Communications we’re delighted to be the only tel- pany has said in a statement. at Ooredoo, said: “Off ering access to ecommunications operator able to With a retail price of QR6,299, the latest technology and the most offer it on our network. Giving extra the Oppo Lamborghini comes with coveted devices is a huge priority for data to those purchasing the device two “amazing” deals from Ooredoo: us at Ooredoo, and we strive to make only makes it an even better proposi- Shahry customers purchasing the de- sure our customers are always fi rst in tion, and one that we know our cus- vice will get unlimited data for three the line to get their hands on the next tomers will love.” months, while Hala customers will big thing. The new device will be available on get 15Gb valid for 30 days at a time for “The Oppo Find X Automobili the e-Shop at ooredoo.qa and at any three months. Lamborghini is a true luxury device Ooredoo shop.

Mannai Corporation’s annual Iftar reception.

Mannai Corporation holds Iftar get-together

annai Corpora- the holy month of Ram- tion recently adan. Mhosted the annu- It serves as an opportu- al Iftar reception for em- nity to express the man- ployees of Mannai Group agement’s gratitude for of Companies. all the employees’ com- The annual Iftar gath- mitment and service to ering was held on the Mannai’s growth over the company’s premises at the years,” the company said Mannai Recreation Centre in a statement. in Salwa and was attended In addition, the gath- by the senior management ering cultivates the ‘The team and staff of Mannai Mannai Way’ values by Group. empowering the employ- “Mannai employees’ ees through strengthened Iftar get-together is a tra- ties between the staff and dition of the group during management team. Gulf Times Sunday, June 2, 2019 11 QATAR Qatar Charity receives food items Qatar Charity distributes digital from Gulf Bridge International atar Charity (QC) received essential food items from the Gulf Bridge International Braille version of Qur’an in Indonesia (GBI), which are to be distributed to low-income families under Qatar Charity’s atar Charity’s (QC) office in Indonesia organized an Iftar for blind people “Ramadan Supply” project. in Banda Aceh, a city in the province of Aceh, Indonesia, benefiting 150 Q persons, and also distributed 150 copies of Mushaf Basirah (Braille Quran) This comes as part of its corporate social responsibility towards the community and Q to the blind, with the aim of enabling them to recite, memorize and listen to the country where it runs its business. Holy Quran easily. Cengiz Oztelcan, CEO of GBI and Fareed Khaleel Al Siddieqy, director of Projects and Many local officials and representatives of charitable organizations in Banda Centers Department at Qatar Charity were present at the collection of the donated items Aceh attended the collective Iftar event and the ceremony of the Braille Quran at the GBI office in Qatar Science and Technology Park and were pleased with the amount distribution. of goods offered. This project comes as a part of Qatar Charity’s efforts to serve people with This contribution comes from GBI, as part of the “Ramadan Drive”, an internal special needs and integrate them into their societies so that they can exercise their campaign launched by the company to encourage its employees to give back to the local role in life. community and make a difference. Mushaf Basirah is lightweight and easy to carry. It consists of an index printed in Braille with an electronic pen that helps blind people read the Holy Quran easily. Cengiz Oztelcan, CEO of GBI, said, “This was our first initiative and we are very happy to have been able to participate and give back during the holy month of Ramadan. We also look forward to continuing to work with Qatar Charity with various upcoming initiatives to make a positive impact in our community in Qatar.” Mr. Ali Al Ghareeb, director of the Local Development Department at Qatar It enables them to listen to the verses of the Holy Qur’an, repeat them and choose a Charity expressed his thanks and appreciation for this humanitarian initiative from specific reciter as desired. The product also enables the blind to know the meanings GBl, emphasizing the keenness of Qatar Charity to cooperate with various public and of words. It also has the option to go, without difficulty, to the intended verses and private sector institutions to achieve its mission and reach out to the largest number of chapters, in addition to supplications. beneficiaries in the community. Many dignitaries applauded Qatar Charity for distributing the Braille Quran to It is worth mentioning that the Ramadan Supply project provides essential foodstuffs the blind, as Mr. Rijal Moulidi, representative of the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Aceh, thanked the donors and Qatar Charity for giving this Quran to them, hoping for the month of Ramadan to families with limited income, through the distribution such aid would continue and expand to reach out to the largest possible number of coupons or food items donated by companies and individuals. The total cost of this of the blind. project for this year is estimated at QR 1.2mn, benefiting 10,000 people with low incomes. According to Mr. Dar Jalil, representative of the Governor of Aceh, Qatar Charity’s humanitarian and development efforts in Aceh date back to 2005. He thanked the Qatari people for providing the copies of the Braille Quran to the blind, hoping that Qatar Charity would organize an Umrah trip for the winners in the Quran memorization competition for the blind. Gulf Times 12 Sunday, June 2, 2019 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA Rouhani: Talks possible Decision at Arab, Court Islamic summits hands out only if US shows ‘respect’ is ‘victory for heavy jail

Reuters gime change — I just want to Palestinian position’ terms for Dubai make that clear.” Fars news agency quoted Rou- hani as saying: “We are for logic QNA stand that the road to peace E Guinea resident Hassan Rouhani and talks if (the other side) sits Ramallah is clear and its address is yesterday suggested Iran respectfully at the negotiating the legitimate leadership of Pmay be willing to hold table and follows international the Palestinian people, not coup bid talks if the United States showed regulations, not if it issues an he decisions of the through imaginary deals or it respect, but said Tehran would order to negotiate.” Iran’s top au- Arab and Islamic economic projects not worth not be pressured into negotia- thority, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Tsummits held in the ink they were written AFP tions, the semi-offi cial Fars news Ali Khamenei, said on Wednes- Makkah were a victory for with,” said Abu Rudeineh. Malabo agency reported. day Iran would not negotiate with the Palestinian position and “The Palestinian leader- Iran and the United States Washington. sent a clear message to the ship has not authorised any- have been drawn into starker Rouhani had previously sig- American administration one to speak on its behalf or court in Equatorial Guin- confrontation in the past month, nalled talks might be possible if that this position is fi rm and in the name of the Palestinian ea handed down sen- a year after Washington pulled sanctions were lifted. In yester- clear despite all the con- people, nor will it accept any Atences of up to 96 years to out of a deal between Iran and day’s speech to a group of Iranian spiracies and attempts to conferences or deals aimed at more than 130 people convicted global powers to curb Tehran’s athletes, Rouhani noted Trump’s liquidate its national cause, undermining the rights of our of involvement in what the au- nuclear programme in return for recent remarks and suggested said Nabil Abu Rudeineh, people,” he said. thorities say was an attempted lifting international sanctions. they were a climb-down from spokesman for the Palestin- “The rights of our people coup. Washington re-imposed statements last year that encour- ian Presidency. and their constants, fore- The jail terms, ranging from sanctions last year and ratchet- aged regime change in Iran. He said that “the adoption most is Jerusalem and its holy three to 96 years, were read out ted them up in May, ordering President Hassan Rouhani speaks during a meeting with a group of “The same enemy which de- by the Arab and Islamic na- places, are not for sale. The on state television by Pascual all countries to halt imports of Iranian athletes, in Tehran, yesterday. clared its aim last year to destroy tions of the Palestinian posi- Palestinian people will win Bacale Nfono, chief judge at the Iranian oil. In recent weeks it the Islamic Republic of Iran today tion sent a very clear message regardless of the magnitude court in Bata, the country’s eco- has also hinted at military con- says the 2015 nuclear deal was new talks. explicitly states that it does not to the US administration that of the challenges and diffi cul- nomic capital. frontation, saying it was sending not strong enough and he wants Trump said on Monday: “It want to do anything to (our) sys- the only way to achieve a just ties they will face.” The convictions, announced extra forces to the Middle East to to force Iran to negotiate a new (Iran) has a chance to be a great tem,” Rouhani said.”If we remain and comprehensive peace is He concluded by stating late Friday, relate to what the respond to an Iranian threat. agreement. Some US offi cials country with the same leader- hopeful in the war with America, by implementing the United that “the courageous Pales- government says was an at- US President Donald Trump have spoken of the possibility of ship...We aren’t looking for re- we will win.” Nations resolutions while tinian position affi rmed by tempted coup in December 2017. rejecting any deal that does President Mahmoud Abbas Those convicted included for- not conform to the legiti- at the Makkah summits that eign nationals from Chad, Cen- mate rights of the Palestin- we will not agree to the sale tral African Republic, Cameroon ian people to establish their of Jerusalem nor abandon our and France, many of whom were independent state with East national constants and will tried in their absence. Man dies, 10 hurt as shots fi red in Khartoum Jerusalem as its capital on not bow to anyone other than The heaviest sentences, of the 1967 borders,” he said in a God alone is the position of 96 years, were handed down to press statement. the Palestinian, Arab and in- three Equatorial Guinean na- AFP A man died “who was hit with live rounds pressure the generals to yield power. “Everyone must under- ternational consensus.” tionals accused of being the Khartoum in the head,” the committee said. The latest violence comes after a man masterminds of the coup plot. Soldiers and security forces blocked off the was shot dead Thursday on Nile Street, a They are: opposition fi gure city’s Nile Street yesterday afternoon, while day after a woman was killed in the same UNREST Bienvenido Ndong Ondo (alias ne person was killed and 10 wounded gunfi re could be heard in the distance, an area. The latter death happened during a Bodies of nine civilians found in Iraq Ricky); and two former magis- in the Sudanese capital Khartoum AFP reporter said. “clash with live fire that took place be- trates, Martin Obiang Ondo and Oyesterday when shots were fi red near It was unclear who was firing. tween the armed forces and uncontrolled Iraqi forces found the bodies of nine civilians abducted and killed by Ruben Clemente Nguema En- the site of a protest sit-in, a doctors’ com- The doctors’ committee said three peo- elements from it” according to the Su- Islamic State militants in an area near the border with Syria, military gonga. mittee close to demonstrators said. ple were wounded by gunfire and most danese Professionals Association which sources said yesterday. The nine were seized months ago while trying All three exiled in Spain, they “After regular forces opened fi re, there of the other casualties were hit with rifle spearheaded anti-Bashir protests. to collect truff les in the desert of western Anbar province, the sources lead the Movement for the Liber- were casualties on Nile Street near the sit- butts and steel bars, without elaborating. Negotiations between protest leaders said. Their bodies were found by guards and handed over to their ation of Equatorial Guinea Third in site,” the Central Committee of Sudanese The military ousted president Omar al- and the ruling military council have broken families, they said. In December 2017, Iraq declared victory over Islamic Republic (MLGE III R). Defence Doctors said in a statement. Bashir in April after months of protests down, as the two sides have failed to agree State, having recaptured the large swathes of territory taken by the lawyer Ponciano Mbomio Nvo The committee did not specify which against his rule. on whether a planned transitional body extremists in 2014 and 2015. However, Islamic State remnants have said the sentences had been de- forces opened fi re or identify those killed or Protesters have remained camped out in would be headed by a civilian or a military since carried out several attacks and kidnappings targeting security cided well in advance of the start wounded. front of Khartoum’s army headquarters to figure. forces and civilians in diff erent parts of the country. of the proceedings. “This trial was just staged,” he said. Other exiled opposition fi g- POLITICS ures living in Europe were also Lebanon army convicted in absentia. Salomon Abeso Ndong, who now lives in chief angry at Angola rebel chief gets public burial 17 years after death Britain, received a 59-year jail budget measures term.

Lebanon’s army chief yesterday AFP ence in 1975 when the Marxist- ciliation,” said Raphael, one of criticised measures in the coun- Luanda Leninist People’s Movement Savimbi’s 30 children. try’s austerity budget, including a for the Liberation of Angola But no representative of Second defeated recruitment freeze, warning they (MPLA) seized control. the Angolan government was Malawi candidate would have a negative impact housands of supporters The United States lined up present at yesterday’s cer- wants presidential on the military. General Joseph of Angola’s former rebel behind Savimbi’s National Un- emony. vote annulled Aoun’s intervention, rare for a Tleader Jonas Savimbi ion for the Total Independence After his death, the rival Lebanese army chief, comes rallied for his public reburial of Angola (UNITA) rebels and sides swiftly moved towards a A second defeated candidate after the government approved a yesterday, 17 years after he was the former Soviet Union and ceasefi re in a confl ict that had in Malawi’s presidential elec- budget aimed at unlocking billions killed by troops in a shootout its allies like Cuba backed the lasted 27 years. tion yesterday launched legal of dollars in aid that an off icial that marked the end of the MPLA. But his public funeral has proceedings seeking the annul- source said includes a three-year country’s devastating civil war. At least half a million peo- rekindled the divisive debate ment of last week’s vote won army recruitment freeze. “The ban Wearing T-shirts printed ple died in the confl ict for the over a man described as both by incumbent Peter Mutharika on recruiting soldiers or cadets, with an image of Savimbi’s vast, oil-rich southern African charismatic and authoritarian. on grounds of fraud. annulled and the ban on dismissal, will have face, supporters placed his cof- nation, which played out over “He fought for the interests Mutharika, leader of the ruling negative consequences on the fi n on a hexagonal monument The coff in holding the remains of Jonas Savimbi, former leader more than a quarter of a cen- of the people, we are here for Democratic Progressive Party military institution,” Aoun said in a designed by one of the guer- of the UNITA movement is draped with a UNITA flag before tury. one last farewell,” said Jorge (DPP), won the presidential statement published by the army. rilla leader’s sons in Savimbi’s the reburial yesterday, in his home village of Lopitanga, in Bie Early in 2002, soldiers pur- Kangajo, a driver at the cer- election with 38.57 % of the Lebanon is one of the world’s most native village of Lopitanga. Province in Angola. sued the 67-year-old Savimbi emony. vote. Opposition leader Lazarus indebted countries and the govern- It was then buried in accord- across the province of Moxico In the capital Luanda, opin- Chakwera came second with ment plan is expected to trim the ance with his wishes. between Angolan authorities green and red fl ag. “We have in central eastern Angola. ions were more divided.Jonas 35.41 %, while former vice-pres- country’s deficit this year to 7.59%. The ceremony was touted as and Savimbi’s UNITA, now an come to Lopitanga to pay hom- On February 22, they caught Savimbi “made war and killed ident Saulos Chilima got 20.24 Donors at the so-called CEDRE a symbol of national reconcili- opposition party. age and to confi rm that we are up with him. He fought back Angolans....He does not de- %, according to official results. conference last year pledged ation after decades of war. “This moment should have here to continue your fi ght,” but was soon killed. serve a dignifi ed funeral,” said Both defeated candidates have $11bn in aid and soft loans to Savimbi, known as the happened 17 years ago,” said said UNITA chief Isaias Sa- His body was taken to the a soldier, Adao Fortunato. alleged fraud. Lebanon, which vowed to reduce “black rooster”, died in Febru- Raul Danda, vice-president of makuva. provincial capital Luena and This year, after long talks, Chakwera has already its public spending. Aoun said the ary 2002 during a clash with UNITA. “We bow before the defend- hurriedly buried in a cemetery, the MPLA government agreed launched a court battle to have army has already been adopting the army in central Angola. A portrait of the charismatic er of noble causes,” he said. with a cross of iron on the with UNITA and the Savimbi the vote scrapped. Chilima said a stringent approach to spending Soldiers buried him there and but divisive rebel leader was Angola, a former Portuguese mound of red soil. family to hold a funeral in Lo- he would also make a legal and last year returned part of its his public funeral and reburial placed before the coffi n, which colony, became a Cold War The public funeral is “an im- pitanga, where Savimbi’s fa- challenge. budget to the state coff ers. came after long negotiations was drapped with UNITA’s battleground after independ- portant sign of national recon- ther is buried. In Nigeria’s Lagos, aquatic weed plagues waterways

AFP “Many fi shermen have aban- Since then, mats of weeds Lagos State Waterways Au- Lagos doned their boats, while some have spread to rivers across the thority chief Abisola Kamson of us who still want to continue, country, including Nigeria’s oil- said they have brought in two now try our luck here,” he said, rich Niger delta. water hyacinth removal ma- raffi c jams on the snarled using his palms to wipe a stream Fishermen say the weed is chines to clear the weeds. up roads of Nigeria’s of sweat from his face. so thick it creates a dense cover “The machines act like an un- Tmegacity of Lagos are leg- “Water hyacinths are killing that makes it diffi cult for fi shing derwater lawn mower,” Kamson endary, but a growing problem is the fi sh in the river,” said another boats to navigate the river. It is said.”It cuts the vegetation, col- also clogging up the waterways nearby fi sherman, Adisa, as he having a damaging impact. lecting and storing the weeds of Africa’s biggest city — water cast his net into the river. One study, from Nigeria’s and debris on board.” hyacinths. When he hauled it up, he had Obafemi Awolowo University, But while fi shermen and boat The spread of the invasive caught only four small fi sh. estimated it put at risk one-third operators struggle with the species of fast-growing plant “I don’t think I can do any of Nigeria’s local fi sh supply, a weed, one local entrepreneur is not only damaging transport other job apart from fi shing,” cheap source of food millions sees a business opportunity. links in Nigeria’s economic capi- Adisa said.”I will continue to rely on. Achenyo Idachaba set up a tal, built on a lagoon dotted with manage until the government That threatens to put thou- fi rm that processes the weed islands. comes to our aid to clear the sands of fi shermen out of a job. into handwoven products in- With waterways covered and weeds.” “It has become a menace to cluding baskets and bags. “The silting up, the aquatic weed is Originally from South Amer- the marine ecosystems of Lagos,” weeds are harvested from water also threatening fi shing jobs and ica, the plant has caused chaos said Nkechi Ajayi, spokeswoman A boatman tries to navigate through water hyacinths, an invasive aquatic plant, floating on Ogun River in channels and spread out in the a vital food source. across several countries in Afri- from Lagos State Waterways Au- southwest Nigeria. sun to dry,” Idachaba said.”They “This is all I can get since ca. Earlier this year, a thick green thority, adding that it impacted are processed into small ropes, morning,” said fi sherman Solo- carpet of the weed choked up “the socio-economic activities” pick passengers on Lagos Island. problems to the propulsion sys- said Noah Shemede, an envi- required to weave the products mon Omoyajowo, showing a Kenya’s main entry to Lake Vic- of river communities. He said many commuters, tem of boats,” added Ajayi, from ronmental activist, from the vast together.” handful of fi sh in a bowl in his toria, the largest body of water in Water transportation is also who once preferred water trans- the waterways authority. area of wooden homes on stilts Some see a brighter future. wooden canoe. Africa. at risk. Operators complain of port to beat the perennial Lagos The plant doesn’t grow well built into the water, a fi shing set- Scientists at the University of The 45-year-old fi sherman It was fi rst noted in Nigeria in damaged boats and risk of acci- traffi c gridlock, are returning to in salt water, and environmen- tlement called Makoko. Lagos say the plant could also has already been forced to move the early 1980s, in the Badagry dents. “We often fi nd it diffi cult the roads, tired of being stuck on tal experts say the plant expands “In the Makoko community be converted into energy as bio- his nets from one part of the creeks west of Lagos, reportedly to navigate whenever the weeds water with weeds snagging the during the rainy season when the for instance, its impact is felt mass production, to help solve Ogun river too thick with weeds, spreading from neighbouring clog the river,” said boat driver propeller. level of fresh water rises in Lagos when the rain is heavy and the part of Nigeria’s chronic elec- to a new area nearer the sea. Benin. John Ibikunle, as he waited to “They cause mechanical lagoon. “It is a seasonal plant,” salt level is lower,” Shemede said. tricity shortages. Gulf Times Sunday, June 2, 2019 13 AMERICAS

FRAUD INVESTIGATION POLITICS REFORM MUSIC FESTIVAL Would-be ‘Saudi’ prince Accountant to plead guilty in Trump to launch 2020 Ocasio-Cortez pushes gets 18 years behind bars college admissions scandal campaign on June 18 for minimum wage

A Florida man, who posed as a Saudi royal for An accountant who once worked for the President Donald Trump announced on US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez three decades and cheated people out of $8mn, mastermind behind the US college admissions Friday he will be formally launching his 2020 returned to her restaurant roots on Friday, donning will spend 18 years in prison for fraud, authorities cheating and bribery scandal has agreed to plead re-election campaign on June 18 in Florida, an apron and serving drinks in Manhattan in a push said on Friday. Anthony Gignac, 48, constructed guilty and co-operate in the ongoing investigation, beginning what may prove to be a diff icult bid to raise the country’s minimum wage. The 29-year- a personal world of luxury from his regal scam federal prosecutors said on Friday. Steven Masera, for another four years at the White House. In a old New Yorker and rising political star worked as involving fake diplomatic credentials and a coterie who served as the financial off icer for the business tweet, Trump said he would hold a rally with his a bartender and waitress in a restaurant before of bodyguards. Posing as Khalid bin al-Saud, he operated by California college admissions consultant wife, Melania, Vice President Mike Pence and entering Congress last year. “I was nervous that I lived in a condo on Miami’s posh Fisher Island, William “Rick” Singer, will plead guilty to conspiracy Pence’s wife Karen at the 20,000-seat Amway may have lost my touch — still got it! That muscle drove a Ferrari with a forged diplomatic licence to commit racketeering, federal prosecutors in Center in Orlando, Florida. “Join us for this memory doesn’t quit,” she wrote on Twitter after an plate and eagerly courted investors and gift-givers. Boston said. He is among 50 people who were historic rally!” he wrote. Trump has already been hour taking orders and swinging a cocktail shaker at He was accompanied by bodyguards carrying charged in March with participating in a vast scheme raising money for his re-election and holding a restaurant in her Queens constituency. Ocasio- fake diplomatic papers. In November 2017, he was in which wealthy parents conspired with Singer to political rallies for many months. Trump, who Cortez was promoting of the “One Fair Wage” Spectators cheer as Lil Wayne performs onstage arrested and charged with 18 counts, including use bribery and other forms of fraud to secure the considers Florida to be something of a second campaign, which is calling for a raise to the federal at the 2019 Governors Ball Music Festival on electronic fraud and aggravated identity theft. admission of their children to top universities. home, won the state in 2016. hourly minimum wage to $15 for service workers. Randall’s Island in New York City on Friday.

Obrador hints City engineer guns down at migration concessions in 12 in Virginia rampage US tariff spat Reuters Megan Banton, a public utilities Mexico City 150th mass employee, told local television sta- tion WVEC that during the chaos she and about 20 co-workers hid in exico’s president yesterday hinted his shooting in an offi ce, where they used a desk to country could tighten migration con- wedge the door shut. Mtrols to defuse US President Donald US this year “We just wanted to try to keep Trump’s threat to impose tariff s on Mexican everybody safe,” she said, adding goods, and said he expected “good results” from that the wait for police to arrive felt talks planned in Washington next week. By Eleonore Sens, AFP like “hours.” Trump says he will apply the tariff s on June 10 Virginia Beach “We heard gunshots. We kept if Mexico does not halt the fl ow of illegal immi- hearing gunshots and we kept hear- gration, largely from Central America, across the ing the cops saying, ‘Get down.’” US-Mexican border. olice in Virginia yesterday A neighbor said that Craddock, His ultimatum hit Mexican fi nancial assets searched for a motive as to who lived in an apartment upstairs, and global stocks, but met resistance from US Pwhy a city engineer fi red in- kept to himself and was up at odd business leaders and lawmakers worried about discriminately at his workplace col- hours. the impact of targeting Mexico, one of the United leagues, turning a municipal build- “You heard him walking around. States’ top trade partners. ing into a war zone as he killed at He would drop stuff at like 2am, and In a news conference in the Gulf of Mexico port least 12 people and wounded four me and my roommate would try to of Veracruz, President Andres Manuel Lopez before being fatally shot himself. fi gure out what he was doing,” Cas- Obrador said Mexico could be ready to step up Authorities named the gunman in setty Howerin told CNN affi liate measures to contain a recent surge in migration Friday’s attack as DeWayne Crad- WAVY. “He was very to himself.” in order to reach a deal with the United States. dock, described in news reports as According to the Washington- A major Mexican delegation led by Foreign being 40 years of age. based Gun Violence Archive moni- Minister Marcelo Ebrard will discuss the dispute They said that to focus attention toring group, Friday’s shooting was with US offi cials in Washington on Wednesday, on the latest victims of America’s the 150th mass shooting — with four and Lopez Obrador said he expected “good re- gun violence epidemic, they would or more people shot or killed — in sults” from the talks, and for a deal to emerge. not pronounce his name again in the United States this year. “The main thing is to inform about what we’re public. “We’re only 151 days into 2019 and already doing on the migration issue, and if it’s Craddock, killed in a fi erce gun A slide of the victims of the May 31 mass shooting at Virginia Beach municipal building being shown during a media there have already been 150 mass necessary to reinforce these measures without battle with police, was a current briefing yesterday. shootings. violating human rights, we could be prepared to employee of the public works de- This reality is horrifying,” tweeted reach that deal,” Lopez Obrador said. partment of Virginia Beach and had answer for that, but God knows... People locked themselves inside “This is the most devastating day Gabrielle Giff ords, a former con- His comments follow those of Jesus Seade, worked there about 15 years, police And God is in control here.” offi ces and cowered on the fl oor as in the history of Virginia Beach,” gresswoman who was seriously in- deputy foreign minister for North America, who chief James Cervera told a news con- City manager Dave Hansen be- the gun battle raged. Bullet casings Mayor Bobby Dyer told reporters on jured in a mass shooting in 2011. told Reuters on Friday that Mexico wanted to ference. gan the news conference by showing littered the fl oor, news reports said. Friday night. “The people involved US gun ownership laws are among sharpen existing measures to curb the fl ow of Cervera declined to say if Craddock slides with photos of the 12 fatalities “This was a long-term, large gun are our friends, co-workers, neigh- the most lax in developed countries, Central Americans trying to reach US soil. had been disciplined in recent weeks. — seven men and fi ve women — as he battle,” the police chief said. bours and colleagues.” and legislative eff orts to address the Trump’s threat to infl ict pain on Mexico’s The Wall Street Journal reported that slowly read their names out. One offi cer was shot but survived Dozens of mourners, many of issue have long been deadlocked. economy is the biggest foreign policy test to date he had recently been fi red. All but one victim worked for the thanks to his bullet-proof vest. them sobbing, gathered in the park- But among Democrats, the re- for Lopez Obrador and a tall order for Mexican Other press reports said he had coastal city, which is about a four- After the massacre more guns ing lot where Northam spoke to pay sponse to the latest shooting was authorities struggling not only to contain migra- served in the Army National Guard hour drive southeast of Washington. were found at the scene and at Crad- tribute to the victims. Someone qui- pointed. tion but also to fi ght record gang violence. after graduating from high school. Police responding on Friday to dock’s home, Cervera said. etly strummed a guitar. House Democratic leader Nancy Mexico’s economy relies heavily on exports to President Donald Trump tweeted emergency calls from the munici- The large building where the “This is something that shouldn’t Pelosi decried the “devastating toll” the United States and shrank in the fi rst quarter. yesterday that he had spoken by pal centre, a campus of 30 red brick shooting took place in Virginia happen,” said Mary Sullivan Trent, a of gun violence. Under Trump’s plan, US tariff s that could rise phone to Virginia Governor Ralph buildings, engaged the shooter Beach — a city of 450,000 people local pastor. “And this is something Noting that the House had al- as high as 25% this year. Northam and to Virginia Beach of- within minutes, Cervera said. that is home to a major US Navy base that we should be, as people, working ready passed “commonsense, bi- Lopez Obrador said Mexico would not pursue fi cials to off er his condolences, add- Craddock was armed with a.45- — housed the city’s public works and to prevent from ever happening again.” partisan” gun legislation, she add- trade wars with the United States, but noted that ing, “God bless the families and all!” caliber semi-automatic pistol utilities offi ces. One local resident, Anthony ed, “The Senate must bring these his government had a “plan” in case Trump did Northam, speaking at a prayer equipped with a sound suppressor Under heavy rain yesterday, police Moore, called the scene “very sur- bills to a vote.” apply the tariff s to ensure the country was not vigil outside a movie theatre, asked and several high-capacity maga- guarded the building as FBI agents real,” adding, “I didn’t think any- And Senator Bernie Sanders, a impoverished. rhetorically, “Why do these trag- zines, and he shot people on all three and forensic experts scoured the thing like this would ever happen in presidential aspirant, added, “This He did not provide details of the plan. edies happen? And I don’t have an fl oors of the building, Cervera said. shooting site. our town.” sickening gun violence must stop.” “We’re doing all we can to reach a deal through dialogue,” the veteran leftist said. “We’re not going to get into a trade war, a war of tariff s and of taxes.” He nevertheless noted that Mexico reserved the right to seek international legal arbitration to resolve the dispute. Meanwhile, some Mexican business groups Biologists probe deaths of emaciated grey whales have urged the government to strike back against any Trump tariff s. On Friday, Mexico’s top farm lobby said Lopez By Yereth Rosen, Reuters lows in the Bering and Chukchi, and Obrador should target agricultural goods from Anchorage, Alaska water temperatures have been per- states that support Trump’s Republican Party sistently much higher than normal, if the American leader carries out his threat to an apparent consequence of human- punish Mexico for the migrants heading north. S government biologists have caused climate change, scientists say. Apprehensions at the US border with Mexico launched a special investi- The conditions the whales en- have surged in recent months, though Mexican Ugation into the deaths of at countered last summer could be data also show more deportations and detentions least 70 grey whales washed ashore hurting the animals now as they at Mexico’s southern border with Guatemala, in recent months along the US West make their annual migration north, mostly of Central Americans trying to reach the Coast, from California to Alaska, said scientists assembled by NOAA United States illegally. many of them emaciated, offi cials for a teleconference on Friday. Those statistics are likely to fi gure in the Mexi- said on Friday. “The Arctic is changing very, very can government’s argument that it is addressing The National Oceanic and Atmos- quickly, and the whales are going to the problem. pheric Administration (NOAA) de- have to adjust to that,” Sue Moore, a The bulk of migrants are fl eeing widespread clared the whale die-off an “unusual University of Washington oceanog- violence and poverty in Guatemala, Honduras mortality event,” a designation that rapher, told reporters. and El Salvador. triggers greater scrutiny and alloca- Lack of sea ice may be reduc- Many seek asylum in the United States when tion of more resources to determine ing supplies of the tiny crustaceans they cross the border. the cause. known as amphipods that are the Trump is pushing Congress to change US law So far this year, 37 dead grey gray whales’ prime food source, to make it more diffi cult for the migrants to claim whales have turned up in California Moore said. asylum. The US president, who has embraced waters, three in Oregon, 25 in Wash- “The sea ice has been changing protectionism as part of an “America First” ington state and fi ve in Alaska, say very quickly over the last decade or agenda aimed at reshaping global trade, had offi cials of NOAA’s National Marine so,” she said. said in a tweet on Thursday he would ratchet up Fisheries Service. Another theory is that the number tariff s on Mexico “until the Illegal Immigration Five more were found in British of whales has reached the limits of problem is remedied.” Columbia. the environment’s natural capac- The plan would impose a 5% tariff on Mexican The most recent dead whale in ity to sustain further population imports starting on June 10 and increase month- Alaska was spotted last week near growth, scientists said on the call. ly, up to 25% on October 1. Chignik Bay on the Alaska penin- The current estimated population Lopez Obrador was asked in the news confer- sula. of eastern North Pacifi c grey whales ence whether he would allow Mexico to become a Many have little body fat, lead- is about 27,000, the highest record- so-called safe third country, which would allow ing experts to suspect the die-off is ed by the agency since it began grey US authorities to send migrants back to Mexico caused by declining food sources in whale surveys in 1967, said biologist and make them apply for asylum there. the dramatically warming waters of David Weller. An April 3, 2019, photo of a dead grey whale washed up on a beach in Leadbetter Point State Park, Washington state. He did not answer the question, but pressure the northern Bering Sea and Chuk- “Keep in mind that carrying ca- has grown steadily on his government to give chi Sea off Alaska. pacity is not a hard ceiling, but that The deaths could be caused by a the Cascadia Research Collective. mented probably represents a small ground on the issue. The grey whales summer there, it’s a shifting threshold,” said Weller, combination of factors, as in other “We are seeing lots of live grey fraction of those that have perished Following an agreement with Lopez Obrador, consuming most of a year’s worth who is with the agency’s Southwest die-off s, the scientists said. whales in unusual areas, some of in the current episode, they said. US authorities have since January begun sending of nourishment to pack on the blub- Fisheries Science Center in San Di- Some whales have detoured into them clearly emaciated, trying to The last major West Coast grey migrants back to Mexico to wait there while their ber they need to carry them through ego. places like San Francisco Bay and feed,” he said. whale die-off , in 1999 and 2000, US asylum claims are being processed. the migration south to wintering “In some years or period of years Puget Sound, where they face a More dead whales are expected to was believed to have been related to The number of ports of entry for returnees grounds off Mexico and back north the environment is capable of sup- greater risk of ship strikes and other wash ashore during the northward an ocean-warming El Nino event. under the so-called Remain in Mexico policy to feeding grounds off Alaska. porting more whales than in other hazards, said John Calambokidis, a migration, the scientists said. It also triggered an unusual mor- has gradually increased, and policy experts say it Sea ice has been at or near record years.” biologist and grey whale expert with The total of dead whales docu- tality event declaration. could be expanded to more cities. Gulf Times 14 Sunday, June 2, 2019 AMERICAS

POLITICS NOT A RISK AUDIT WEATHER PHENOMENON Nayib Bukele sworn in as Brazil reports atypical Haiti president investigated Chilean woman killed by El Salvador president case of mad cow disease in ‘embezzlement scheme’ waterspout tornado

Conservative businessman Nayib Bukele The Brazilian government on Friday reported a A panel of judges on Friday accused Haitian A powerful waterspout, or over-water tornado, yesterday took the oath of off ice yesterday as case of atypical mad cow disease in an animal President Jovenel Moise of being at the centre has resulted in one fatality and serious damage president of El Salvador. Bukele was sworn in by in Mato Grosso state, according to a statement of an “embezzlement scheme” that siphoned in southern Chile. Another 28 people were the speaker of the National Assembly in a square from the country’s Agriculture Ministry. The off Venezuelan aid money meant for fixing injured when the weather phenomenon struck, in downtown San Salvador, as a large, boisterous ministry said the case of mad cow disease, or roads. The accusation was the latest linked to the Onemi emergency services reported crowd applauded and shouted “We did it!” bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), was Venezuela’s Petrocaribe aid programme. In yesterday. The waterspout formed over the Bukele, 37, was elected in February to succeed detected in a 17-year-old cow. It said it collected a report running more than 600 pages, the Pacific Ocean on Friday and reached wind Salvador Sanchez Ceren, a leftist former guerrilla the necessary material for tests and incinerated High Court of Auditors said that in 2014 the speeds of up to 100kph in the region of Bio Bio. who maintained close relations with his Nicaraguan all other parts of the cow. “No part of the animal government gave two companies, which had Over 500 homes were damaged. A 62-year-old and Venezuelan counterparts. Bukele has said he entered the food chain, there are no risks for the the same payroll and staff , contracts to upgrade woman died in the city of Talcahuano when El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele stands will seek closer ties with the United States, home population,” the statement said. The case was a road. One of the businesses was Agritrans, a winds overturned a container on top of her. beside his wife, Gabriela de Bukele, after to 2.5mn Salvadorans. “I will be the president of all considered “atypical” as the animal contracted banana farming concern headed by Moise until Numerous trees were uprooted and several cars receiving the presidential sash during his Salvadorans,” said Bukele, who takes over a country the BSE protein spontaneously, rather than his election in 2017, which received more than also overturned. President Sebastian Pinera sent swearing-in ceremony yesterday in San Salvador. saddled with poverty and rampant gang violence. through the feed supply. 33mn gourdes ($700,000) to fix the road. army personnel to repair the damage. Judge fi nds Navy SEAL’s fair trial rights violated in

Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido speaks to supporters during war crimes case a rally in Sabaneta de Barinas on Friday.

By Marty Graham, Reuters If convicted, the decorated career com- on the defence motions. San Diego bat veteran could face life in prison. But Rugh said he had already found Gallagher says he was wrongly accused the prosecution’s conduct amounted to a and that fellow SEAL team members tes- violation of the defendant’s Sixth Amend- he military judge presiding over the tifying against him, several under grants ment rights to a fair trial under the US Guaido renews call for court-martial of a US Navy SEAL of immunity, are disgruntled subordinates constitution. Tcharged with war crimes said on who fabricated allegations to force him Even if the judge refuses to dismiss the Friday prosecutors who electronically from command. case, removing the lead prosecutor, Navy tracked e-mail communications of de- His defence team has fi led motions Commander Christopher Czaplak, would fence lawyers without a warrant violated seeking either to dismiss the charges alto- probably result in a lengthy delay. Maduro to step down the right of the accused to a fair trial. gether, or remove the lead prosecutor from A ruling on the motions could come any The fi nding came near the end of a two- the case, on grounds of alleged miscon- time, and momentum seemed to be mov- day hearing that wrapped up just 10 days duct by the prosecutor and agents of the ing the favor of the defence. AFP “The real solution is, without a Chavez had turned against his suc- before Special Operations Chief Edward Naval Criminal Investigative Service. At the end of Thursday’s proceedings, Sabaneta de Barinas doubt, to leave once and for all and cessor. Gallagher is due to stand trial in a case that The defence specifi cally has accused the judge unexpectedly ordered Gallagher let us live in peace,” he said of Ma- “We have hope that Juan Guaido has drawn the attention of US President Navy lawyers of conducting illegal sur- released from base confi nement at a near- duro. will take us out of this hole we are Donald Trump. veillance of defence attorneys and news by military hospital centre in San Diego enezuelan opposition lead- Sabaneta has been turned into in,” the teacher told AFP. Gallagher is charged with murdering a media using electronic tracking software while he awaits trial. er Juan Guaido on Friday a shrine for the hugely popular Venezuela is reeling from astro- helpless, wounded Islamic State fi ghter secretly embedded in emails sent to the He was transferred there from a military Vrenewed calls for President Chavez, who mixed a larger-than- nomical rises in the cost of con- in his custody, and with two counts of at- defence. brig at a Marine Corps air station in Cali- Nicolas Maduro to resign while life personality with a man-of- sumer goods, with the Interna- tempted murder in the wounding of two In court, prosecutors have said the e- fornia in March at the direction of Trump, campaigning in the birthplace of the-people style and generously- tional Monetary Fund forecasting unarmed civilians, a schoolgirl and elderly mail “auditing tools” they used were de- who cited Gallagher’s “past service to our former leader Hugo Chavez, fol- funded social programs through oil an infl ation rate of 10mn per cent man, shot from a sniper’s perch. signed merely to detect the fl ow of emails country.” lowing inconclusive talks in Nor- revenues. by the end of the year. The charges stem from Gallagher’s de- without revealing their content, and were Trump last Friday said he was consider- way to end the country’s crisis. Dozens of walls in the town are Representatives of Guaido and ployment as a platoon leader to Iraq’s aimed at pinpointing the source of leaks ing pardons for a number of service mem- Guaido — who is backed by the adorned with murals of the leftist Maduro met face-to-face in Oslo northern city of Mosul, in 2017. from case fi les sealed by the judge. bers accused of war crimes, and Gallagh- United States and is recognised as leader, who died of cancer in 2013, this week as part of talks mediated He has pleaded not guilty to those and oth- The judge, Navy Captain Aaron Rugh, er’s case is widely believed to be one of the interim president by more than and a bronze and granite statue of by Norway aimed at resolving the er charges, including obstructing justice. adjourned the hearing without ruling yet cases under review. 50 countries — has been lead- the former president, donated by country’s political deadlock. ing a push to oust leftist fi rebrand the Rosneft oil company on behalf Further talks are planned despite Maduro, who has presided over of Russian President Vladimir Pu- the fi rst meeting ending without a crumbling economy after suc- tin, stands six blocks away from agreement. ceeding Chavez in 2013. where Guaido spoke on Friday. Maduro’s government will go Arsonists attack US embassy During a brief speech before a But Maduro struggled to fi ll his into the next round proposing the handful of followers in the small mentor’s shoes and he quickly lost “release” of resources for medical town of Sabaneta, Guaido called favor after a fall in oil prices in 2014 transplants which are blocked by US for a “large mobilisation” of pro- precipitated a massive economic sanctions, the leader said on Friday. testers to rally against the govern- crisis. Four children have died in the ment over shortages of gasoline Sabaneta resident Mireya last month waiting for bone mar- and prolonged blackouts in the Moreno, 61, said that even locals row transplants at the main pedi- country. who had staunchly supported atric hospital in Caracas.

Trudeau’s Liberals regain polling lead ahead of Canada elections

AFP February with two senior ministers pected rise of the fourth-ranked Ottawa who alleged that he and his aides Green Party has also grabbed sig- brought improper pressure to set- nifi cant attention. tle a corruption case against a Ca- The Green Party currently holds rime Minister Justin Tru- nadian engineering giant. only two seats in Canada’s 338- deau’s Liberals have regained Trudeau has denied the accusa- seat parliament, but has doubled Pa small lead over his main tion. its support since January to 12%, rival, Tory leader Andrew Scheer, His former attorney general re- and is now nipping at the heels of after trailing for months ahead of fused to intervene in the case, and the New Democratic Party (NDP), upcoming Canadian elections, ac- on Wednesday a judge ruled that whose support is unchanged at cording to a poll published yester- there was suffi cient evidence to 16%. day. try the company, SNC-Lavalin, on “These numbers suggest some The Abacus Data survey of 1,500 fraud and bribery charges linked to softening of Conservative support Canadians showed 33% would vote its dealings in Libya. over the month, some strength- for the Liberals if the ballot were Trudeau remains Canadians’ ening of the Green Party, and an The entrance of the US embassy in Tegucigalpa burns on Friday after being set on fire by demonstrators of the education and held now instead of in October, up top choice for prime minister but ongoing weak trend for the NDP,” health sectors protesting against government reforms. Thousands of teachers, doctors and students resumed their protests two percentage points from April. his personal approval rating has as pollsters Bruce Anderson and Dav- against government measures that they say will privatise health and education services. Firefighters extinguished the Support for the Conservatives fallen to a low of 33%, versus 30% id Coletto said. blaze, which destroyed the diplomatic mission’s gate without damaging the main embassy building. Demonstrators blamed slipped two points to 32%. for Scheer. In Atlantic and Western Canada “government infiltrators” for the damage to the embassy. Trudeau’s golden boy image had As the two frontrunners battle regions, the pair noted, the NDP taken a heavy hit over a split in it out for pole position, the unex- actually trails the Greens.

Warren Buff ett charity lunch fetches record $4.57mn anonymous winning bid

By Jonathan Stempel, Reuters Friday night, was nearly one- in 2004, introduced him to Glide Smith & Wollensky steakhouse id Einhorn of Greenlight Capital According to Glide, these bid- agement, China, $2,110,100 2009: New York third higher than the previous after volunteering for the charity. in Manhattan with Buff ett, who in 2003, and Ted Weschler, now ders have won its auctions: 2000: Courtenay Wolfe, Salida Capital, record $3,456,789 bids in both “Mr Buff ett is thrilled. We just says he will discuss anything one of Buff ett’s portfolio manag- Pete Budlong, $25,000 2001: Canada, $1,680,300 2010: Ted the 2012 and 2016 auctions. spoke with him,” Glide President apart from his next investments. ers at Berkshire, in 2010 and 2011. Jim Halperin and Scott Tilson, Weschler, $2,626,311 2011: Ted n anonymous bidder has Proceeds benefi t the Glide Karen Hanrahan told Reuters af- This year’s auction drew 18 Glide’s budget goes toward pro- $20,000 2002: Jim Halperin and Weschler, $2,626,411 2012: Anon- agreed to pay a record Foundation, a charity in San ter the auction ended. bids from fi ve bidders. viding roughly 2,000 free meals a Scott Tilson, $25,000 2003: Dav- ymous, $3,456,789 2013: Anony- A$4,567,888 at an annual Francisco’s Tenderloin district “Mr Buff ett is committed to The top bid would also be day, shelter, HIV and Hepatitis C id Einhorn, Greenlight Capital, mous, $1,000,100 2014: Andy charity auction to have a private that serves the poor, homeless or continuing the auction as long as enough to buy 15 Class A or 23,137 tests, job training, and children’s $250,100 2004: Jason Choo, Sin- Chua, Singapore, $2,166,766 lunch with Warren Buff ett, the those battling substance abuse. he’s able. He has been a thought Class B shares of Omaha, Nebras- daycare and after-school pro- gapore, $202,100 2005: Anony- 2015: Zhu Ye, Dalian Zeus Enter- billionaire chairman of Berkshire Buff ett, 88, has raised about partner in thinking through ka-based Berkshire, whose more grammes. “What it means to us as mous, $351,100 2006: Yongping tainment Co, China, $2,345,678 Hathaway Inc. $34.2mn for Glide in 20 annual Glide’s future, and how to set it than 90 businesses include auto an organisation: It’s huge,” Hanra- Duan, California, $620,100 2007: 2016: Anonymous, $3,456,789 The winning bid, which was auctions, which began in 2000 up for the next 50 years.” insurer Geico and BNSF railroad. han said, referring to the auction. Mohnish Pabrai, Guy Spier, Ha- 2017: Anonymous, $2,679,001 submitted during a fi ve-day on- and moved to eBay in 2003. The winning bidder and up Past auction winners have in- “It’s going to help many many rina Kapoor, $650,100 2008: Zhao 2018: Anonymous, $3,300,100 line auction on eBay that ended His fi rst wife Susan, who died to seven friends can dine at the cluded hedge fund manager Dav- thousands of people in this city.” Danyang, Pure Heart Asset Man- 2019: Anonymous, $4,567,888. Gulf Times Sunday, June 2, 2019 15 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Indonesia’s former fi rst Sydney restricts usage of lady dies in Singapore

ormer Indonesian fi rst lady water following dry year Kristiani Herrawati Yud- Fhoyono died yesterday in a DPA ones will be handed out to busi- Sydney is seeing some of the The fi rst stage of water curbs automatically limit usage based and where there is “no practical Singapore hospital, Singapore’s Canberra nesses that don’t comply, a gov- lowest infl ows into its dams will seek to mandate the so- on soil moisture and weather alternative”. Foreign Ministry said. ernment statement said, adding since the 1940s with regional called Water Wise Rules that conditions. Other exclusions include She was 66. that there would be a three- towns experiencing record have been voluntary to this Residents will also not be al- households laying fresh turf The wife of former president ydney authorities have month grace period to start. drought conditions, she added. point, according to the Metro- lowed to hose hard surfaces like with watering permitted for a Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, introduced water usage Under the restrictions, resi- The government said dam politan Water Plan. These in- paths and driveways, except for week after installation. Profes- better known as Ani, had been Srestrictions on residents dents and businesses won’t be storage levels dropped from clude requiring all garden hoses health and safety reasons or in sional gardeners - who often treated at the National Univer- and businesses for the fi rst time allowed to use sprinklers or hose 95% two years ago to 53% this to have a trigger nozzle or other an emergency. work through the day - will sity Hospital for blood cancer in a decade, following a year of lawns and vehicles. week. attachment that permits an Residents can only wash ve- be able to apply for exemption since February. dismal rainfall and state-wide Sydney last faced water Melbourne imposed water instant on-off use. hicles, boats and buildings with permits. “The Singapore government drought conditions. restrictions in 2009. restrictions in 2012 due to water Lawns and gardens should a bucket, a hose fi tted with a The restrictions are coming extends its deepest condolences The New South Wales (NSW) “The Bureau of Meteorology’s shortages and adopted a volun- also not be watered be- trigger nozzle or high-pressure into force even as the Sydney to Bapak (Mr) Yudhoyono and government said that Level 1 latest forecast is predicting be- tary daily usage target of 155 li- tween 10am and 4pm to limit cleaning equipment, and those Desalination Plant ramps up family, and to the people of Indo- water restrictions would apply low-average rainfall and higher tres per person. evaporation losses. seeking to fi ll a new or reno- towards full capacity. nesia, in this time of mourning,” to the more than 5mn residents temperatures for June to August, Sydney residents used an av- Sprinklers and watering sys- vated pool will need a permit if It was restarted last year af- the ministry said in a statement of the greater Sydney region which are key drivers of stronger erage of 210 litres a day in 2018, tems will also not be permit- it contains more than 10,000 ter repairs following a tornado on its website. starting yesterday. water demand,” NSW Minister compared to 161 litres a day ted, except for drip-irrigation litres of water. strike in 2015, and is producing Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Fines of A$220 ($150) will for Water and Housing Melinda used in Melbourne, according systems or automated watering Exclusions for level 1 restric- about 850mn litres a week, a served two terms as president apply to individuals and A$550 Pavey said earlier this week. to authorities. systems with controllers that tions include bore water use spokesman said yesterday. from 2004 to 2014. (DPA) China must stop eroding neighbours’ sovereignty: top US defence offi cial

AFP security, the discussions are Brunei, Malaysia, the Philip- scheduled to speak today, when superiority and capability to de- Singapore being held against a backdrop pines and Vietnam. he is expected to respond to fend its Asian allies. of Sino-US trade tensions and Beijing is also regularly an- Shanahan’s remarks. He said North Korea “remains high-tech rivalry. gered by US and other warships The Sino-US rivalry has placed an extraordinary threat and re- he United States warned “China can and should have transiting through the Taiwan many Asian countries in a bind as quires continued vigilance” China yesterday against a cooperative relationship with Strait, which it considers part of they have deep military ties with and stressed Washington would Tthreatening its neigh- the rest of the region ... But be- its territorial waters. Washington but enjoy strong continue to meet its defence ob- bours’ sovereignty and said haviour that erodes other na- A French warship entered trade relations with Beijing. ligations to Taiwan, which China Washington is investing in new tions’ sovereignty and sows dis- the Strait in April, prompting a “The uncertain relationship sees as part of its territory to be military technology to defend its trust of China’s intentions must warning from China’s navy. between the US and China will reunifi ed. Asian allies. end,” acting US Secretary of De- Yesterday, French minister of remain as an explicit factor in “The Indo-Pacifi c is our pri- Washington and Beijing have fense Patrick Shanahan told the the armed forces Florence Parly shaping the stability of the Asia- ority theatre. We are where we been vying for infl uence in the forum. said her country’s forces will not Pacifi c region particularly that belong. We are investing in the region, which hosts potential “Until it does, we stand be forced from the region. of Southeast Asian countries,” region,” he said, adding that fl ashpoints such as the South against a myopic, narrow, and “We will continue to sail more Malaysian Defence Minister military investments will rise Acting US Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan looks on during the China Sea, the Korean Peninsula parochial vision of the future, than twice a year in the South Mohamad Sabu told the confer- signifi cantly over the next fi ve IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore yesterday. and the Taiwan Strait. and we stand for the free and China Sea. There will be objec- ence yesterday. years. Ties between the two pow- open order that has benefi ted us tions, there will be dubious ma- “If anything happens in the “We want to ensure no ad- US eff orts to stabilise military anyone wants to split Taiwan ers are once again taking centre all, including China.” noeuvres at sea. But we will not South China Sea, the world also versary believes it can success- ties, but slammed what he said from China, the Chinese army stage at the weekend Singa- Washington has been pushing be intimidated into accepting will suff er. We have to increase fully achieve political objectives were “erroneous remarks” by will resolutely defend our moth- pore conference known as the back against Beijing’s aggressive any fait accompli,” she told the our defence diplomacy. We love through military force,” Shana- Shanahan on the South China erland at all costs.” Shangri-La Dialogue, which militarisation of the South Chi- forum. America, we also love China.” han said. Sea and Taiwan. The two sides have been ruled gathers defence ministers na Sea, where China has staked For the fi rst time since 2011, Shanahan said the United Shao Yuanming, deputy chief “From the very beginning, separately since the end of a civil and top military offi cials from “indisputable” ownership over China has sent its defence min- States was investing heavily in of the joint staff department of Taiwan is an inseparable part of war on the mainland in 1949 but around the world. almost the whole area and re- ister, General Wei Fenghe, to new military technology to com- China’s Central Military Com- China,” he said. China still sees Taiwan as part of While the forum is purely on jects partial claims by Taiwan, the Singapore gathering. Wei is bat fresh threats and maintain its mission, on Saturday welcomed “China must be unifi ed... If its territory to be reunifi ed. Set for ferry journey N Korea leader visits factories linked to missile launches Reuters Korea’s defence industry,” CNS ited in the past without fully Seoul researcher Jeff rey Lewis told disclosing their location or Reuters. “These are the kind of purpose. visits we saw in 2016 and 2017 In many cases the visits ap- he factories have innoc- as North Korea moved toward peared to be linked to eff orts uous names, but analysts ICBM testing.” to reduce reliance on imported Tsay several ostensibly ci- Among the sites Kim vis- chassis for its missile launching vilian facilities visited by North ited was the February 8 Gen- vehicles, the report said. Korean leader Kim Jong-un eral Machine Factory, which Kim also visited the Kang- recently are also used to build has been used to build ballistic gye General Tractor Plant and ballistic missile launchers and missile launchers. the Kanggye General Precision other weapons. The machine factory was the Machine Plant, KCNA said. Yesterday North Korean site of the July 28, 2017, launch Both plants are linked to the state news agency KCNA re- of a Hwasong-14 ICBM that defence industry and may have leased reports of Kim providing Kim observed. played a role in the missile pro- “fi eld guidance” at a number “North Korea has usually gramme, the CNS analysts said. of factories and cities, without tried to hide this facility by Photos from the tractor plant saying when the visits not naming it,” Lewis said. released by KCNA show Kim happened. “Sometimes it is unnamed; standing next to a “fl ow-form- The reports only mentioned in other cases only the name ing machine” that highlights economic elements, but the of the plant manager was the potential dual use nature of sites help form the core of given.” the factories, said Joshua Pol- North Korea’s arms industry, KCNA said Kim called for lack, another CNS researcher. and have played a major role a “higher modernisation “Things you might use it for: in developing its interconti- plan” for the factory, while he high-end aluminium cook- nental ballistic missile (ICBM) watched a range of daily neces- ware, car wheels, fl agpoles,” he technology, say analysts at the saries being produced. added. “But also rocket noz- People wait to board a ferry headed for their hometowns on Java island from the port of Gilimanuk in Jembrana ahead of Eid al-Fitr, in James Martin Center for Non- In January Lewis authored zles, artillery shell casings, gas Bali yesterday. Millions of Indonesians have started heading to their hometowns to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Muslim’s proliferation Studies (CNS) in a report listing the February centrifuge rotors for uranium holy fasting month of Ramadan. California. 8 plant as one of several sites enrichment, and solid rocket “This is the heart of North North Korea’s leaders had vis- motor cases.” Businessman hopes for better India-Nepal ties IANS Delhi to attend the swearing-in panies in diverse sectors, includ- referred to the 2015 Madeshi un- ties, but we lost four years in the power sector. New Delhi ceremony of the Modi govern- ing fi nancial services, energy, rest, which was followed by the process”. Talking about possibilities in ment-II, is confi dent that the education, hospitality and real economic blockade of Nepal. Underlining that a prosper- the energy sector, he said: “Ne- Indian prime minister would estate. “Things were moving on ous Nepal, with enhanced ca- pal is in an unfortunate situation s Indian Prime Minis- take the “required decisive steps “I hope there would be a re- track, but the unfortunate pacity to buy, will only benefi t by having to buy power instead ter Narendra Modi took to transform Nepal”, saying it newed sense of commitment on events, like Madeshi unrest and India, Chaudhary said: “India is of selling... There is potential Acharge for a second term, would be benefi cial for India too. part of both the governments to blockade, happened and caused a huge market in the eyes of the for generation of 100,000 mega- Nepal’s top industrialist and CG The billionaire businessman take the Nepal-India relation- serious damage to the relations whole world. But as far as Ne- watts of power in Nepal. Instead, Corp Global chairman Binod talked about the trade imbalance ship to the new height, thereby at people to people level. This pal is concerned, it’s the other Nepal buys 500 megawatts from Chaudhary has expressed the tilted towards India and wanted concluding many critical bilat- has left an undesirable level of way round. Nepal has two-third India.” Nepalese businessman hope that the two countries will Modi to “correct” the situation, eral projects of huge importance, trust defi cit and pain in many market share for goods from In- According to the top busi- Binod Chaudhary. show a “renewed sense of com- saying: “It requires a political which have not made progress. minds which, given the historic dia, while Nepalese exports to nessman, India should help build mitment” to take the bilateral leadership of diff erent order. “Both countries need to forget relationship of Nepal and India, India are limited and not grow- power plants of at least 20,000- Indian economy through supply ties to a new height by forgetting Modi has that courage.” the past and work for a diff erent needs to be corrected,” the bil- ing as it should.” 30,000 megawatts in Nepal. of power, energy several agro- the “unpleasant” developments “A prosperous Nepal will be level of economic prosperity,” lionaire businessman said. This caused trade imbalance “It’s in India’s interest to see based raw material, including witnessed in the recent past, like benefi cial for India,” said the Chaudhary said. According to the top busi- in favour of India, Chaudhary Nepal become an example in trustworthy and hardworking the 2015 economic blockade. chairman of CG Corp Global, Asked what he meant by “for- nessman, people in both coun- said, adding one of the ways to the neighbourhood of a coun- man power,” the billionaire busi- Chaudhary, who was in New which has more than 130 com- getting the past”, Chaudhary tries have “now repaired the address it was cooperation in the try, which contributes to the nessman said. Gulf Times 16 Sunday, June 2, 2019 BRITAIN/IRELAND Tory moderates seek to

Corbyn: The next prime minister should be chosen not by the US block Raab’s path to PM president. MPs who fear radical next week but so far he has kept “This stuff is not going to as a ‘born-again’ [Brexiter].” leadership candidate aim his tactics private. make people vote for him,” one In contrast, the tally for Javid, to ensure he is not on final “If I hadn’t declared, I could moderate said. “It might be dif- the home secretary, has been Corbyn members’ ballot have seen him fi ve times al- ferent if he was now making a increasing steadily each day, ready,” one new intake MP said. hard-hitting speech every day though he is still in fi fth place. By Jessica Elgot and “He’s speaking to MPs. He’s on health, education and the “I wouldn’t write him off ,” criticises Rowena Mason thinking about tactics. To be economy. one backbencher said. “But … Guardian News & Media honest, that’s what he should be “Colleagues might think: what’s the point in Sajid? He’s doing,” another said. “He knows ‘Wow, OK, this guy actually does not a true Brexiter or a young Trump for people will come and see him in have some pretty interesting fresh face or a safe pair of hands. ory moderates are begin- his offi ce if he asks.” answers.’ But he’s annoyed the So why him?” ning to coalesce around Johnson remains deeply un- right of the party, and you can’t Other MPs are waiting to see statement Tcandidates that they be- popular in Scotland and was actually lead the party having the candidates’ position on an- lieve could defeat Dominic Raab, reportedly blocked from attend- done that.” other vital issue for many Con- rather than Boris Johnson, as ing the party’s conference by its MPs have also been keeping a servatives: HS2. on May several MPs told the Guardian leader, Ruth Davidson. close eye on the tactics that can- High Speed 2 (HS2) is a that they considered the former Moderate candidates includ- didates have used to announce planned high-speed railway Brexit secretary the bigger ing Matt Hancock are expend- their declarations of support. that, when completed, will di- successor threat. ing serious eff orts to woo the Gove is currently the front- rectly connect London, Bir- The moves against Raab from 13-strong Scottish Conserva- runner with MPs, ahead of John- mingham, the East Midlands, moderates are likely to also ben- tives. son and Raab, followed by Hunt, Leeds and Manchester. Reuters efi t Johnson and the environ- The health secretary has been Sajid Javid, and Hancock. One MP said HS2 was proving London ment secretary, Michael Gove, Raab: the former Brexit secretary is deemed the bigger threat. backed by two of their number Hunt began with one of the a major issue with his colleagues who Tory backbenchers believe – Paul Masterton and the prime highest numbers of declarations whose constituencies were af- is gaining momentum over his MPs told the Guardian that sues other than Brexit. minister’s parliamentary private but MPs have begun to notice his fected by the high-speed rail cabinet rival Jeremy Hunt. Johnson and Gove were having “Right-wing on Brexit, to the secretary Andrew Bowie – and tally has not grown. route and wanted fi rm pledges abour opposition leader On Friday the former immi- more success at winning over left of the party on other things spent his Thursday visiting Stir- “Everybody thinks, though no that it would be scrapped. Jeremy Corbyn said yes- gration minister Mark Harper moderates, who have largely ac- – that’s probably where the ling, Angus, Aberdeen, Kinross one knows for sure, that Hunt’s The MP said Raab was not Lterday that US President became the 12th MP to enter the cepted that a Brexiter is likely country is,” the MP said. “The and Edinburgh. declared people may be all he planning to scrap the scheme Donald Trump’s comments race to succeed Theresa May, to be the members’ favourite so nation is not demanding mas- Rory Stewart, the breakout has,” one MP said. and Johnson had “made all the endorsing Conservative front- setting out his stall as someone parliamentary eff orts are best sive tax cuts.” outsider in the contest who has Others have been turned off right noises but then only prom- runner Boris Johnson as the next who had not served in May’s directed in keeping more radical “Very senior moderate min- spent his entire campaign on by his apparent “fl ip-fl opping” ised a review”. prime minister were an “unac- government and could off er candidates off the final ballot. isters are now fully behind Stop the road fi lming shaky hand- on a no-deal Brexit. Several other candidates ceptable interference” in Brit- “fresh thinking”. “MPs are not backing the low- Raab – that is what they think held videos with members of “He alienated moderates by could still enter the race, which ain’s aff airs. Six MPs have endorsed Harp- est common denominator here,” is the real problem,” another the public, has also talked up his his bullish talk on no deal a few now has more participants than In an interview with the Sun er so far, putting him ahead of one MP said. “That is good news MP, a member of the One Na- unionist credentials, proposing months ago; now he’s alienated a football team. newspaper ahead of his three- other outsiders including James for Boris and not good news for tion group, said. “With Raab a secretary of state for the union Brexiters by calling it political The defence secretary, Penny day state visit to Britain next Cleverly, Esther McVey, Kit Raab. He’s not been impressive and a moderate in the fi nal two, and spending Friday in the Scot- suicide,” one Brexit-voting MP Mordaunt; the former interna- week, Trump said of the former Malthouse and Rory Stewart. as a front person.” it would be a disastrous gamble” tish capital. said. tional development secretary foreign secretary: “I think Boris However, more than half the Multiple MPs said that John- Johnson, who remains a di- But his social media tour of “It proves he doesn’t really Priti Patel, and the hardline would do a very good job. I think parliamentary party is yet to de- son had been emphasising his visive fi gure in the party, is ex- the UK has not endeared him to believe what he was saying when Brexiter Steve Baker are all still he would be excellent.” clare for a candidate. more liberal credentials on is- pected to rachet up his campaign many MPs thus far. he was trying to present himself mulling over a run. Other Conservative lawmak- ers in the leadership race had sought his backing, he said, al- though not environment minis- Rugged protection ter Michael Gove, who has criti- cised his stance on Iran. Border authorities Veteran Socialist Corbyn, who has declined an invitation to at- tend a state banquet with Trump respond to 13 boat during the visit, said: “President Trump’s attempt to decide who will be Britain’s next prime min- crossings in one day ister is an entirely unacceptable interference in our country’s de- mocracy.” By Aamna Mohdin He tweeted: “This is about He added in a statement yes- Guardian News & Media much more than simply border terday: “The next prime minis- security. It is about the exploi- ter should be chosen not by the tation of vulnerable people by US president, nor by 100,000 order police have been criminal traffi cking gangs – unrepresentative Conservative responding to a number gangs that Britain and France party members, but by the Brit- Bof boats carrying mi- must work together to catch ish people in a general election.” grants across the Channel. and bring to justice.” After failing three times this Authorities assisted with Bridget Chapman, a spokes- year to get parliament to back 13 incidents off the Kent coast woman for the Kent Refugee her plan for leaving the European yesterday morning, HM Coast- Action Network, which has Union, Prime Minister There- guard said. supported asylum-seekers who sa May said last week that she The Maritime and Coast- crossed the Channel on a boat, would step down as leader of the guard Agency said it used Royal said: “It’s an extremely dan- governing Conservative Party on National Lifeboat Institution gerous crossing, you have to be June 7 to open the way for a con- (RNLI) lifeboats from Dover, desperate to do it.” test to succeed her. Dungeness and Rye to respond “But if you had to make it, So far, 12 Members of Parlia- to the small-boat crossings, you would make it on a day like ment have said they will stand in as well as coastguard rescue today,” she said, adding that the leadership election. teams from Folkestone, Lang- the water was relatively calm They will be whittled down by don and Rye Bay. and warm yesterday morning. their fellow lawmakers to a fi nal Images of men being given Chapman called on the gov- two before the grassroots party blankets by emergency service ernment to ease the passage of members make the fi nal choice. workers on Winchelsea Beach asylum-seekers keen to make Trump praised Johnson on his in east Sussex have been shared a life for themselves in the UK. last visit to Britain in July 2018, on Twitter. “I think the government re- saying that he thought he had A spokesman for Kent police sponse has been playing to the the skills needed to be prime said they had provided support gallery. They know that these minister, shortly after Johnson to the Border Force. people coming are mostly resigned in protest at May’s han- In December, Home Secre- Kurdish, they are from an op- dling of Brexit. tary Sajid Javid declared the pressed minority and will have Johnson, who has said that he rising number of migrants at- a very good claim for asylum. would be prepared to take Britain tempting to cross the Channel “They should be setting up out of the EU without a deal on a “major incident”. an offi ce in France to process October 31, has not commented More than 500 people at- people’s applications so they on Trump’s latest endorsement. tempted to travel to the UK on can make that journey safely. Trump He arrives in Britain small boats last year. There’s no need for people to tomorrow for a state visit at the Of these, 80% made their at- be risking their lives like this.” invitation of Queen Elizabeth II tempts in the last three months An HM Coastguard spokes- Volunteers use a rug to shield a woman from the sun as she receives medical attention, during hot weather in London. before attending World War II of the year. woman said it is “committed commemorations in France and The Conservative MP for Do- to safeguarding life around the visiting Ireland. ver and Deal, Charlie Elphicke, seas and coastal areas of this said it is “a record number of country”. boats in a single day”, adding: She added: “We are only “This crisis was meant to have concerned with preservation been dealt with at Christmas, of life, rescuing those in trou- Beware of high-value euro notes, UK holidaymakers told yet numbers continue to rise. It ble and bringing them safely looks set to surge to record lev- back to shore, where they will els through the summer. The be handed over to the relevant Some smaller businesses in sorts, bars and restaurants do not They are made from cotton fi - Home Offi ce needs to get a grip partner emergency services or Europe may not accept new accept the €200 note, according bre and are the same height as the on this crisis.” authorities.” €100 and €200 notes to the travel money comparison €50 note, making them easier to site CompareHolidayMoney. handle. By Shane Hickey com. There have been problems in Bomb found under police off icer’s car Guardian News & Media “If consumers fi nd a €200 note the past with high-denomina- in their wallet this summer, it’s tion notes. Police in Northern Ireland discovered a bomb under a police best for them to spend it while in In 2016 the European Central off icer’s car in Belfast that they said was probably planted by ritish holidaymakers in Europe to avoid being charged a Bank said it would no longer pro- militant nationalists intent on killing one of their off icers, had it not Europe this summer are premium for exchanging it back duce €500 notes because of their been detected in time. Bbeing urged to watch out to pounds in the United King- association with crime. While a 1998 peace deal largely ended three decades of sectarian for high-denomination euro dom,” said Peter Rudin-Burgess The UK had asked banks to violence in Northern Ireland, police off icers are sporadically banknotes amid warnings that at the website. stop using the notes in 2010 af- targeted by small splinter groups still active in the British-run some shops and businesses will “Some smaller businesses in ter it emerged they were popular province. not accept them. Europe will not accept larger among terrorists, money laun- The suspicious object was detected in the east of the city yesterday New €100 and €200 notes notes. derers and drug dealers. and declared a viable improvised explosive device following with advanced security features “We contacted a small selec- The €500 note had been nick- examination by ammunitions off icers. entered circulation this week. tion of holiday resorts, hotels and The new banknotes have entered circulation around the eurozone. named the “Bin Laden”, and was “Our belief is that this attempted murder was carried out by violent But there are concerns that UK restaurants in Europe and found reportedly so prized by criminals dissident republicans. They don’t care who they attack, they don’t consumers may have to pay addi- that 40% of them do not accept whether larger notes will be ac- gram that becomes clearer under that it traded above its face value. care who they kill. They are simply anti-peace and anti-democracy,” tional fees to exchange the larger notes larger than €100. cepted.” direct light, and have been made Existing €100 and €200 notes Sean Wright, the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Head of notes back to sterling. “We recommend to always The new notes have updated to be more durable than previous will continue to be legal tender Terrorism Investigation Unit, said in a statement. Additionally, some holiday re- check in advance to confi rm security features such as a holo- notes. with the release of the new notes. Gulf Times Sunday, June 2, 2019 17 EUROPE

Scores injured in blasts at Danube cruise captain Russian factory detained for one month Reuters Reuters photos shown to family mem- Moscow Budapest bers. The high death toll in the mid- dle of a European capital has led eventy-nine people were Hungarian court has or- to criticism of the rescue opera- injured when several blasts dered the captain of a tion. Sat the explosives plant Acruise liner that crashed Police spokesman Kristof Gal Kristall shook the central Rus- into a pleasure boat on the Dan- said helicopters with thermal sian town of Dzerzhinsk yester- ube to be held pending a crimi- imaging gear could not take off day, the Russian health ministry nal investigation into a disaster on Wednesday because of rain said. believed to have killed 28 people, and wind. The blasts, around midday nearly all of them South Korean River Police staff sergeant (0900 GMT) were heard all over tourists. Richard Virag described hear- the town of more than 230,000 The Viking Sigyn cruise liner ing radio chatter of an accident, residents and shock waves struck a smaller boat, the Mer- rushing to the Margaret Bridge smashed or damaged windows maid, in heavy rain on Wednes- near Hungary’s Parliament in around 180 buildings, city au- day. building, and spotting a man in This sonar handout photo thorities told Tass news agency. The smaller vessel, which was the water crying for help by the issued by the government Russian state TV Rossiya 24 carrying a group of South Ko- next bridge. consolidation rapid rescue team showed footage of a plume of reans on a pleasure cruise, cap- When he and his partner shows the boat that capsized smoke rising over the explosives sized and sank in the worst acci- pulled out the man they spotted near Margaret Bridge. factory. dent on the Danube in more than another woman. The Kristall plant said that its half a century. They treated the two, passed The cruise ship then backs up. director had been fi red “literally Seven Koreans were rescued them to ambulance crews and At one point a fl ashing light a day before” the blasts for vio- alive and seven bodies recovered searched for other survivors, but can be seen in the water, possibly lating industrial safety rules ear- on the night of the disaster. found none. from a life jacket. lier in the year, Interfax reported. A further 21 people – 19 Ko- “Even then we did not know The Ukrainian captain of the He was blamed for an explo- reans and two Hungarians – are what had happened for certain,” cruise ship, identifi ed by police sion that occurred in April and missing and presumed dead. Virag told M1 television. “No- as C Yuriy from Odessa, 64, has People walk along the riverbank, past a rescue boat anchored near the site of the boat accident also destroyed a section of the In the three days since the dis- body knew.” been held since Thursday with- involving South Korean tourists, next to the Margaret Bridge on the Danube river, in Budapest. plant. aster, roiling fl oodwaters have Surveillance video from a out charge. Thirty-eight of the injured prevented divers from reaching camera on the riverbank, post- He has denied wrongdoing. However, prosecutors ap- making it easier for divers to nal case was under way. were at the plant when the blasts the wreck or recovering the rest ed online, appears to show the A court ordered him held yes- pealed against the bail decision, reach the wreck next week. “We are deeply saddened by occurred but 41 local residents of the bodies. cruise ship bearing down on the terday for one month, with the meaning he must stay in jail until Swiss-based Viking Cruises, the incident and our thoughts from outside the factory, many Hungarian police said yester- pleasure boat from behind as the possibility of release on a 15mn a new ruling, Rab said. which owns the larger vessel, and prayers go out to those who hit by broken glass, also request- day that they had identifi ed the two vessels head under a bridge. forint ($50,000) bail, prosecu- Water levels in the fl ooded has said that it is co-operating were impacted and as well as to ed medical help. seven bodies recovered so far, The smaller boat appears to tion deputy spokesman Ferenc river are expected to peak this with investigators, and could not their families,” a spokesman said The health ministry said that using fi nger and palm prints and capsize as it passes from view. Rab told Reuters. weekend and before subsiding, provide comment while a crimi- on Friday. 15 of all the injured were taken to hospitals, mostly with fragment wounds. One of them, a woman, suf- fered a severe injury. Local authorities declared a Thousands Poll: Ousted mayor state of emergency in Dzerzhinsk and three neighbouring settle- ments, Russian agencies said. march to leading ahead of A local deputy governor told Rossiya 24 TV channel that two people went missing after the counter Istanbul re-run blasts but later he said that the information had not been con- fi rmed. neo-Nazis Reuters former prime minister Binali Dzerzhinsk is close to the Ankara Yildirim. city of Nizhny Novgorod, about But he will be campaigning 400km (250 miles) east of Mos- DPA in the depths of an economic cow. Chemnitz, Germany stanbul’s ousted oppo- recession that has eroded Founded in Soviet times, the sition mayor is leading support for his party. Kristall scientifi c institute is one IPresident Recep Tayyip Senior AKP offi cials, in- of the major Russian develop- tudents protested yester- Erdogan’s AK Party can- cluding ministers, are al- ers of explosives technology for day in the eastern German didate by three percentage ready “camped” in the city military and civilian use. Scity of Chemnitz against points ahead of this month’s two weeks before the start of The plant is part of Rus- a rally organised by a neo-Nazi re-run mayoral election, ac- campaigning. sia’s Rostec, a state conglomer- group. cording to an opinion poll Mehmet Ali Kulat of pro- ate which has been aff ected by Police said that the event conducted for the AKP cam- government pollster MAK, Western sanctions over Russian staged by the youth organisation paign. said Imamoglu had a two- policy towards Ukraine. People take part in a ‘yellow vests’ rally in Paris yesterday, on the 29th consecutive Saturday of of the right-wing extremist NPD The president’s party is point lead over Yildirim, protests. party was attended by about 270 seeking to reverse a dramatic partly because of public un- people. and narrow loss to the main ease at the cancellation of the Albania suff ers They were overwhelmed by opposition Republican Peo- March 31 vote result. the roughly 1,300 people who ple’s Party (CHP) candidate Key to the re-run, Kulat six earthquakes came out for the counter-rally Ekrem Imamoglu in March, said, would be Kurdish vot- Turnout at France’s ‘yellow vest’ organised by the “Nazi-free one of the biggest election ers: Kurds formed the ma- Six earthquakes in the space Chemnitz Alliance” and the stu- setbacks to Erdogan’s 16- jority of non-voters in the of two hours, the first with dent council of the city’s techni- year hold on power. March ballot, which had an a magnitude of 5.3, shook Saturday protest hits fresh low cal university. Authorities annulled the 85% turnout. southeastern Albania yesterday, No major incidents were re- result after AKP complaints The pro-Kurdish HDP injuring four people and ported, despite the routes of the of irregularities, ending Ima- party has not put up a candi- causing damage to 100 houses, Reuters June 1, the interior ministry es- A 5.9% hike in the power competing marches crossing moglu’s mayoral term after date in Istanbul, leaving most authorities and eyewitnesses Paris timated, with 1,500 in Paris. prices of state-controlled util- paths at several points. less than three weeks and Kurds to vote for Imamoglu. said. That was down from the ity EDF – the highest increase Police were on site in large calling a new election for It has also indicated that Four people were hurt from the 12,500 nationwide last Satur- in years – came into force yes- numbers to prevent an outbreak June 23. it would support Imamoglu collapse of the walls, roofs and he number of “yellow day, and a far cry from the close terday, after the government of violence, with offi cers called The poll is broadly in line in June, but the AKP also at- plaster of their houses, and were vest” demonstrators to 300,000 that fi rst occupied earlier postponed it due to the in from several states across the with other surveys of voter tracts some Kurdish support taken to hospital in the region’s Tmarching against high roundabouts and blocked roads protests. country. intentions in recent days and will be seeking to build main town of Korce in eastern living costs in France dwin- in what began as an outcry A second increase to French The demonstrations were also in Turkey’s largest city and on that next month. Albania, the defence ministry dled yesterday following sev- against fuel tax hikes. electricity prices in August monitored by helicopter and sta- commercial hub, which has “Their (Kurdish voters) said. eral weeks of waning turnout, The latest anti-government cannot be ruled out but is not tionary cameras, police said. been ruled by the AKP and its stance will be critical,” Kulat “It was 6.30am when I went more than six months into the protests coincided with a long desirable, Junior Environment The killing of a German man Islamist predecessors for the said. out to milk the cows when the protests against President Em- holiday weekend for many Minister Emmanuelle Wargon allegedly at the hands of asylum- last 25 years. Kurds make up around 15% earthquake struck. I woke up the manuel Macron. French and with soaring tem- said on Friday. seekers in late August unleashed “There were polls where of Istanbul’s population of children and the adults and we Police fi red teargas at some peratures, though numbers also French police have come un- a series of anti-immigrant pro- Imamoglu was further ahead, more than 15mn. ran outside, all of us,” Petrit, 60, protestors in the southern city fell throughout May. der scrutiny from rights groups tests in Chemnitz, marked by but according to the latest Final results from the told Reuters in the village of Floq, of Toulouse. That will provide some relief over the use of heavy duty attacks on people believed to be poll conducted by our party, March mayoral election the epicentre of the earthquakes. But the demonstrations – on for Macron, who was forced to crowd control weapons includ- foreigners. Imamoglu is three points showed the CHP’s Imamo- Some 70 houses were damaged the 29th weekend in a row since put some reforms on hold and ing “fl ash ball” riot guns that Since then, the city in the east- ahead,” an AKP offi cial told glu earning 48.80% of votes, in Floq and the nearby village they fi rst erupted last Novem- make costly concessions to fi re rubber ball-shaped projec- ern German state of Saxony has Reuters on Thursday. while Yildirim had 48.55%. of Dvoran, the defence ministry ber, leading on some occasions try and contain the unrest and tiles. been a focal point for the extreme AKP offi cials hope that CHP deputy chairman said. to riots – passed off largely fi nd ways to boost purchasing “Since I saw a young woman right. Erdogan, a veteran of more Onursal Adiguzel said his About half of the 100 damaged peacefully. power. get injured, I can’t let go,” Ro- At the same time as the dem- than a dozen election vic- party would not ease up house were abandoned old Some 9,500 people took to Even so the government is land, a 71-year-old protester in onstrations, an event for families tories, can turn the vote in just because opinion polls structures. the streets across France on still on tenterhooks. Paris said. took place in the city centre. favour of their candidate, showed Imamoglu ahead. Pope urges ethnic Hungarians, Romanians to put troubles behind them

Reuters trip to the country. occasionally over the public use plane from Bucharest to the city symbols that it said suggested Miercurea-Ciuc, Romania Transylvania, which was part of ethnic minority fl ags. of Bacau and then by helicopter Budapest favours autonomy for of the Austro-Hungarian Empire In his homily to the rain- to the Sumuleu-Ciuc shrine in Romanian territory populated until the end of World War I, has soaked crowd, which included this town nestled in the moun- mainly by ethnic Hungarians, ope Francis urged ethnic a large ethnic Hungarian popula- Hungarian President Janos Ader, tains. calling such “revisionism” unac- Hungarians and Romani- tion and there have been tensions the Pope suggested past troubles But thunderstorms, low clouds ceptable. Pans to put their troubled sometimes between ethnic Hun- should not be a barrier to co-ex- and rain forced him to fl y to the After the weather improved past behind them yesterday as garians and Romanians. istence. city of Targu Mures, on the other somewhat, Francis fl ew by heli- bad weather disrupted his visit Ethnic Hungarians, many “Complicated and sorrow- side of the Carpathian moun- copter and plane to the city of to Transylvania, forcing him to of whom are Catholic in a pre- fi lled situations from the past tains, and be driven for to the site. Iasi to visit Catholics in the re- be driven for hours on winding dominantly Orthodox Christian must not be forgotten or denied, Hungarian Prime Minister mote region of Moldova. mountain roads. nation, are the largest minority yet neither must they be an ob- Viktor Orban has visited Tran- There he addressed tens of More than 80,000 peo- in Romania, around 6% of the stacle or an excuse standing in sylvania many times privately to thousands of young people, tell- ple gathered on muddy slopes population. the way of our desire to live to- meet local Hungarian leaders and ing them to remain united and This photo issued by the Vatican Media shows Pope Francis blessing around one of Romania’s most This has often caused friction gether as brothers and sisters,” outline his policy views. look for fresh bonds that can worshippers during a meeting with the youth and families in front of popular Catholic shrines to see between the two European Union he said. In 2015, Romania rebuked him unite people. the Palace of Culture in Iasi, Romania. the Pope on the second day of his neighbours with tensions fl aring Francis was to have fl own by for posting on his Facebook page He returns to Rome tonight. Gulf Times 18 Sunday, June 2, 2019 INDIA

HEALTHCARE TRAGEDY POLITICS CONTROVERSY GOVERNMENT Multi-speciality hospital Three of family drown Tripura police chief TN parties against Tripura minister sacked to be set up in Navsari in Telangana reservoir goes on long leave imposition of Hindi for poor show, says BJP

The Nirali Memorial Medical Trust (NMMT) will A picnic turned into a tragedy for a family In a significant development, Tripura’s Director Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu yesterday Tripura Health and Family Welfare Minister Sudip set up at a multi-speciality hospital in Navsari in in Telangana’s Jangaon district yesterday as General of Police Akhil Kumar Shukla left the state opposed the three-language formula for schools Roy Burman, 53, was sacked on the basis of his Gujarat, to be managed by the Apollo Hospitals three of its members drowned in a reservoir, yesterday on a 70-day leave, an off icial said. The in the state, as stated in a draft national education performance, a Bharatiya Janata Party leader Group, an off icial said in Mumbai yesterday. The police said. A man and his two female relatives off icial of the state Home Department refused to policy presented by the K Kasturirangan said in Agartala yesterday. The engineer-turned- trust was set up by A M Naik, Group Chairman of drowned in the Bommapur reservoir while disclose the reason behind Shukla’s long leave. “In Committee to the central government. Dravida politician Burman said he accepted Chief Minister Larsen & Toubro, and chairman of the National playing even as his wife was taking a video the absence of Shukla, Additional Director General Munnetra Kazhagam MP Kanimozhi said her Biplab Kumar Deb’s decision and would work for Skills Development Corporation (NSDC), in of their joyful moments. The dead were of Police (Law and Order) Rajiv Singh will hold party would oppose any such move. Actor- the party. “After scrutinising his performance as memory of his granddaughter Nirali who died identified as Abhilash, 25, Sangeeta, 19 and charge as DGP,” the off icial, who did not want to turned-politician Kamal Haasan said: “No a minister and role in the party, Deb removed of cancer aged two, to help patients without Sumalata, 15. The group of four belonging to be identified, told IANS. In a major administrative language should be imposed and those who are Burman from the ministry,” said Tripura BJP access to quality medical treatment. While the the same district had gone to the reservoir reshuff le a day after the Lok Sabha election interested can learn any language of their choice”. spokesman Nabendu Bhattacharjee. He said NMMT will build the infrastructure, install medical for a pleasure trip. While Abhilash and his two results were announced, the Bharatiya Janata S Ramadoss of the Pattali Makkal Katchi said the chief minister may expand and reshuff le his equipment and appoint qualified medical and relatives entered the water, his wife Divya Party-led government transferred Chief Secretary Hindi should not be imposed on Tamil Nadu. The council of ministers soon, Bhattacharjee said, paramedical staff , the Apollo Hospital Group will sat on the banks to record their video. While Lalit Kumar Gupta and a large number of IAS, Kasturirangan Committee has recommended adding the party was against poor performance off er medical expertise and facilitate operations throwing water on each other, the three IPS and Tripura Civil Service off icers. During and teaching of Hindi, English and one regional and indiscipline. After Burman’s removal, the and maintenance of the hospital. “It’s NMMT’s accidentally went deep into the reservoir and before the Sabha elections, Chief Minister Biplab language in non-Hindi states. For Hindi-speaking strength of the Tripura ministry has come down endeavour to provide the best-in-class secondary began drowning. As Divya cried for help, locals Kumar Deb had said there were “conspirators” states, the committee has recommended to eight against the prescribed 12. Burman is one and tertiary medical care facilities to rural and rushed there but by then, Abhilash and the within the government and the party and action teaching of Hindi, English and one of the modern of the architects of the BJP-IPFT (Indigenous underprivileged social groups,” said Naik. other two had drowned. would be taken against them. Indian languages from other parts of the country. People’s Front of Tripura) government.

ED to quiz Praful Patel Many parts of on aviation deal case India bake as

IANS New Delhi he Enforcement Directo- temperatures rate has summoned former Tcivil aviation minister Praful Patel in a case of irregular seat-sharing on Air India’s prof- itable routes, allegedly involving corporate lobbyist Deepak Tal- war, offi cials said yesterday. nudge 50C The ED has asked Patel to ap- pear before it on June 6. Agencies for the entire village,” Tonde said. Gandhinagar city’s Indian Insti- Patel was the civil aviation New Delhi “We are scared for our lives tute of Technology, warned last minister in the Congress-led and livelihood.” he added. month. United Progressive Alliance The Hindustan Times news- The annual monsoon - which (UPA) government when the emperatures pushed to- paper said many Beed residents normally brings much needed merger of Air India and Indian wards 50 degrees Cel- had stopped washing and clean- rain to South Asia - is running a Airlines took place. Patel has de- Tsius across much of In- ing clothes due to the water week behind schedule and is only nied any wrongdoing in the case. dia yesterday as an unrelenting shortage. expected to hit India’s southern Talwar, currently in judicial heatwave triggered warnings of Tamil Nadu capital Chennai too tip on June 6, the weather de- custody, was extradited to India water shortages and left locals is facing an acute water crisis with partment said. from the United Arab Emirates fearing for their livelihoods. a 40% cut in piped water supply. And private forecaster Skymet in January for his suspected role Rajasthan recorded 49.6 Cel- Several reservoirs around has said there will be less rain in the irregular seat-sharing on sius on Friday - India’s hottest Chennai that act as a primary than average this year. Air India’s profi table routes with day of the year so far, the weath- source for drinking water supply The Indian peninsula has some international airlines. er department said. have gone dry following a defi cit seen a drastic change in rainfall The ED is probing the Air In- Water and health warnings monsoon last year. The city cur- patterns over the past decade, dia-Indian Airlines merger, pur- have been issued with tempera- rently receives 550mn litres of marked by frequent droughts, chase of 111 aircraft from Boeing tures hovering around 47 Celsius water (MLD) every day against fl oods and sudden storms. and Airbus at Rs70,000 crore, across many western, northern the required 800 MLD. Also, a prolonged dry spell and ceding of profi table routes and and southern states, with no letup Along with the shortage of abnormally high temperatures schedules to private airlines and in sight for at least two more days. water, residents in several areas have set off alarm bells for the opening of training institutes In the capital, New Delhi, the claim that the water they receive forest department in Himachal with foreign investment. Indian Meteorological Depart- has a foul smell almost as if it Pradesh over forest fi res causing The agency is also probing how ment issued a red alert extreme was “mixed with sewage”. huge damage to fl ora and fauna the money received in Talwar’s weather warning as tempera- Meanwhile, the Gujarat Forest every year. accounts were transferred to gov- tures hit 47 Celsius. Department found 14 turtles dead Though no major forest fi res ernment employees, including It said residents should not go in a dried up pond in the desert have been reported so far, smoke those in the Civil Aviation Minis- out during the hottest hours of district of Kutch, offi cials said . from fi res has started blanket- try, who abused their position in the day. Several cities have re- The offi cials rushed to the ing the skyline of the state capi- 2004 and decided to purchase 111 ported fears of water shortages pond in Gagodar village in Rapar tal Shimla and also in the hills aircraft for the national airlines. as lakes and rivers start to dry up. on Thursday evening and res- around Kasauli, Chail, Dharam- The ED probe under the Pre- In Maharashtra, farm- cued 15 other turtles, while re- pur, Bilaspur, Kangra, Hamirpur, vention of Money Laundering Act ers struggled to fi nd water for covering the 14 carcasses. Dharamsala and Palampur towns. (PMLA) is based on complaints thirsty animals and crops. They said the turtles possibly “We have identifi ed 23 fi re- registered by the Central Bureau “We have to source water perished after the pond had dried sensitive forest divisions across of Investigation following a the tankers from nearby villages as up due to extreme heat condi- the state where a team of at least Supreme Court order in 2017. water reserves, lakes and riv- tions with temperatures hovering four Home Guard personnel The ED has also approached a ers have dried up,” said Rajesh around 45 degrees Celsius. have been deployed to monitor special court seeking a non-baila- Chandrakant, a resident of Beed, This was the fi rst time that the and control forest fi res till June ble warrant against former Airbus one of the worst-hit districts. pond had dried up because the au- 30,” an offi cial said. India chief Kiran Rao, who has not “Farmers only get water every thorities did not pump water in it. He said Home Guard soldiers, appeared before an investigating three days for their livestock.” The rescued turtles were who are trained by the state team despite multiple summonses. Raghunath Tonde, a farmer shifted to another pond in Tha- Disaster Management Author- Offi cials sources said Patel with a family of seven, said the nisara village, which had suffi - ity and provided with fi re-re- needs to be put through certain area has suff ered worsening cient water. Water from the Nar- sistance kits, including special revelations made by Talwar and shortages for fi ve years. mada dam was recently pumped uniforms, are part of a dedicat- certain evidence unearthed by Residents queue with plastic pots to get a water from a water distribution tanker on the outskirts “There is no drinking water into this pond. ed Quick Response Team Task the agency in pursuit of the case of Chennai. Water levels in the four main reservoirs in Chennai have fallen to one of its lowest available for days on end and we More than 40% of India faces Force, which is formed to extin- fi led under the PMLA. levels in 70 years. get one tanker every three days drought this year, experts from guish forest fi res.

Kargil veteran who was Kidney swap unites Hindu, Muslim families declared foreigner IANS loses his police job Chandigarh n a rare gesture, a kidney swap was successfully per- IANS His family had already fi led a pe- Iformed between a Hindu Guwahati tition in the Gauhati High Court family from Bihar and a Muslim challenging the order passed by family from Kashmir at a private the Foreigners’ Tribunal declar- hospital near Chandigarh. ohamed Sona Ullah, the ing him as a foreign national. The surgery was performed Kargil war veteran who Police have also seized the by doctors led by Priyadarshi Mwas declared a foreign- uniform and other kit which Ranjan at Fortis Hospital in Mo- er by a tribunal in Assam recent- were allotted to Sona Ullah. hali. ly, has been sacked from his job Sona Ullah’s advocate Sahidul The families of Manjula Devi as a sub inspector of the Assam Islam said that they have fi led a from Bihar and Abdul Aziz from police’s Border Branch, offi cials petition challenging the order Kashmir were looking for suit- said yesterday. passed by Foreigners’ Tribunal able donors since the spouses’ The discharge order cited the on Friday. “We have suffi cient kidneys were a poor mismatch for ruling of a Foreigners’ Tribunal documents to prove his Indian each other, the hospital said in a at Boko in Assam’s Kamrup dis- identity,” he added. statement. The families crossed trict declaring Sona Ullah as a Sona Ullah had served in the paths within three months of foreign national. Indian army for 30 years and getting themselves registered on “M Sona Ullah was discharged upon retirement as Honorary a mobile app – iKidney. from service and is deprived of Captain in 2017, took up a job After carrying out all tests Abdul Aziz, his wife Shazia, Sujeet Kumar and his wife Manjula Devi are seen with Priyadarshi Ranjan. all the facilities as government with the Assam police. and examinations, doctors said servant with reference to order Born in July 30, 1967 to Mo- that the kidney of donor Sujeet “Both families are extremely Ranjan told reporters here. from Sujeet Kumar, said: “We This amazing coincidence of the Foreigners’ Tribunal that hamed Ali, a resident of Kala- Kumar,46, the husband of Devi, happy as the patients are re- Devi, who received Shazia’s now know that helping a human was made possible by the iKid- declared him as a foreign na- hiklash village under Boko area 42, was a good match for Aziz. covering and responding well kidney, said: “I feel very lucky in times of need is the greatest ney app, which has been de- tional of post 25-3-1971,” said in Kamrup, Sona Ullah, as per Similarly, the kidney of Shaz- to the post-surgery treatment. that we got in touch with Shaz- deed for anyone. Humanity as a veloped by Ranjan, who is also the discharge order issued by the records, joined the Indian army ia, 50, the wife of Aziz, 53, was a This fortunate matching was ia’s family. It gives me a great religion makes us humane. the Programme Director for Assam police. in 1987. He also received a Presi- good match for Devi. possible through iKidney app source of strength that human- “What we experienced through Swap Kidney Transplantation Sona Ullah was detained earli- dents’ Certifi cate in 2014 for his Both families agreed to un- that explores for possible paired ity, above all religion, is the this swap is nothing extraordi- and currently runs the busiest er this week and sent to a deten- promotion to a Junior Commis- dergo surgeries for a paired kid- kidney exchange between eligi- greatest religion of all.” nary but an exemplary display of kidney swap programme of the tion camp in Goalpara district. sioned Offi cer in 2012. ney exchange. ble donors and patients,” Aziz, who received a kidney humanity, love and care.” region. Gulf Times Sunday, June 2, 2019 19 INDIA BJP faces dilemma in MP after Lok Sabha elections

IANS whether he wishes to continue thereby the Rajya Sabha calcu- assembly. If Damor quits, the Samaj Party, one from Sama- Speculation has been rife Meanwhile, BSP chief Maya- Bhopal as a member of the assembly lation too. party would have to face a by- jwadi Party and at least two about former chief minister wati reviewed the party’s per- or to accept his newly-earned Damor has the distinction election in the state. In the cur- independents – the Congress- Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Pollsters formance in Madhya Pradesh Lok Sabha seat. In either case a of defeating the son and fa- rent touch-and-go situation, led ruling alliance would be in said the seasoned campaigner, and Chhattisgarh yesterday. he Bharatiya Janata Party by-election looms large on the ther in two elections in a space the Congress would welcome a happy position. But if Damor who did not contest the Lok In Madhya Pradesh, the party in Madhya Pradesh is state. of six months. He defeated Dr the change when the strength of retains his assembly seat, the Sabha elections, stayed back to fared poorly in the Lok Sabha Tfacing a dilemma over its If Damor gives up his Lok Vikrant Bhuria in the assem- the assembly is reduced to 229 BJP with a strength of 109 could monitor the stability of Congress elections. It contested 27 of the MP-elect from Ratlam, G S Da- Sabha seat, the consequent by- bly elections in December and excluding one nominated mem- keep the Congress on the edge. Chief Minister Kamal Nath’s 29 seats and forfeited its secu- mor. The former officer in the election might not be easy to his father Kantilal Bhuria, the ber and Damore. That gives the The independents and also the government. Wary of any such rity deposit on all seats. If the state government is a legislator win. The same holds good for “defending” MP, in the general Congress a winning edge on its BSP and SP members have al- tricks by the opposition, Kamal party had allied with the Con- from Jhabua constituency. He the assembly by-election, but it elections last week. own strength of 114. ready been alleging that the BJP Nath stayed off the swearing-in gress and contested fewer seats, has less than a week to inform could affect the party’s numeri- Why the dilemma? The BJP With the induction of more has been trying to allure them of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the results would have been dif- the state assembly secretariat cal strength in the assembly and has 109 MLAs in the present ministers – two from Bahujan with hefty money offers. in his second term. ferent. Owaisi slams new minister over remarks on Hyderabad

IANS advisories to the Home Minis- Hyderabad try during the last five years on Hyderabad becoming a safe ha- ven for terrorists. ll India Majlis-e-Itte- The AIMIM chief also said hadul Muslimeen chief for the last five years, there was AAsaduddin Owaisi yes- complete peace in Hyderabad as terday slammed federal Minis- no communal riots had broken ter of State for Home G Kishan out in the city and all religious Reddy for his statement that festivals had passed off peace- Hyderabad is a “safe zone for fully. terrorists”. Owaisi, who was re-elected The Hyderabad MP termed to Lok Sabha from Hyderabad the minister’s remarks irre- for the fourth consecutive term, sponsible and said it was un- said Hyderabad is also the sec- fortunate that he has stooped ond major exporter of software so low. exports after Bengaluru. Reddy, who was elected from “The statement shows how Secunderabad, one of the Lok much they hate Telangana and Sabha constituencies in Hy- Hyderabad. They don’t want to derabad city, on Friday said that see the state and the city grow Hyderabad had become safe because major companies are zone for terrorists as any terror investing here due to the ef- incident in the country would forts of Chief Minister K Chan- have a link to the southern city. drashekhar Rao,” he said. Home Minister Amit Shah meets his deputies G Kishan Reddy and Nityanand Rai and other off icials after taking charge in New Delhi yesterday. “There are places in coun- Owaisi said that such state- try where terror activities are ments from Bharatiya Janata on the rise. If an incident takes Party leaders are not unex- place in Bengaluru or Bhopal, pected as “wherever they see a its roots are traced to Hydera- Muslim, they think he is a ter- bad. State police, NIA have ar- rorist”. rested terrorists in Hyderabad He claimed the BJP was fol- every two-three months,” Red- lowing a “theory of confusion” dy had said. as Prime Minister Narendra Kashmir, Assam issues Owaisi asked Reddy wheth- Modi says one thing while his er the National Investigation ministers, leaders of the BJP, Agency, the Intelligence Bu- VHP, other organisations and reau (IB) and the Research and Baba Ramdev say something Analysis Wing (RAW) had sent else. Recalling that after Modi first became prime minister, they to top Shah’s agenda started with ‘love jihad’, he said. That was followed by ‘Ghar IANS ing in heavy casualties among line, set by the Supreme Court, diff erent divisions. He is expect- Shah was said to be the force be- Wapsi’, mob lynching, excesses New Delhi militants, Shah is expected to is also an immediate challenge. ed to review division-wise pres- hind drafting of GUJCOCA, the on Dalits and “now they are be proactive and lead from the Also, Shah faces the task of get- entation at the ministry, starting fi rst anti-terror law by the state. speaking of safe zone for terror- front. ting the Citizenship Bill passed next week. The law, however, was not ap- ists”. haratiya Janata Party (BJP) With his appointment as the by the Rajya Sabha, while ensur- Shah, who headed Gujarat’s proved by the then Congress-led After Modi took as the prime president Amit Shah yes- home minister, Shah’s policy on ing that it does not cause unrest Home Ministry when Modi was central government. minister for a second term, a Bterday took charge as the Kashmir will be crucial, the ana- in Assam and other northeastern the state chief minister, may Shah has pursued agriculture series of hate crimes against 30th federal home minister. The lysts said. Security and develop- states. need to adopt diff erent approach while being a political and social Muslims occurred in Gurugram, 55-year-old leader succeeded ment initiatives are likely to be a Shah was welcomed yesterday as the central government is a worker. Born in an affl uent Gu- Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, he Rajnath Singh and assumed major focus in Kashmir ahead of by Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba diff erent pitch where a minister jarati family in 1964 in Mumbai, added. charge a day after he was as- assembly elections in October- and Intelligence Bureau chief Ra- has to take the states and agen- Shah lived and studied in his vil- “Mere lip service will not signed the home portfolio after November this year. jiv Jain as he reached his North cies along. He will have to be lage Maansa in Gujarat until the help. You have to practically Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Shah’s role will also be sig- Block offi ce. He was also felici- more accommodative of views of age of 16. discharge your constitutional government returned for a sec- nificant in bringing clarity on tated by new Ministers of State police forces and agencies while He was a member of the Gu- responsibility,” Owaisi said on ond term in offi ce. how the government wants to for Home, G Kishan Reddy and taking decisions. jarat assembly from 1997 to 2017 Modi’s call to end fear among The leadership change in the address the issue of Article 35A Nityanand Rai, who also took Under his leadership, central and served as a minister in the minorities. high-profi le ministry is expected in Kashmir. Besides, he will face charge yesterday. forces can be expected to make Gujarat government from 2002 Meanwhile, Reddy clarified to usher in decisiveness and an the challenge of keeping up Soon after taking charge, Shah further inroads into Maoist bas- to 2010, and held key portfolios, that he did not say anything iron-hand approach to terror, in- pressure on militants and en- called a high-level meeting, in- tions, while placing no premium including Home, Transport, Pro- wrong. surgency and secessionism, ana- sure an incident-free Amarnath volving the home secretary, the on talks with insurgents where hibition, Parliamentary Aff airs, But soon after his statement lysts said. Yatra. IB chief and other senior minis- their demands impinge on sover- Law and Excise. Owaisi addresses a press went viral, sources said, Home While Rajnath Singh had giv- Completion of the NRC (na- try offi cials, to take stock of in- eignty or constitutional param- In August, 2017 he was elected conference in Hyderabad Minister Amit Shah Shah pulled en a free hand to security forces tional register of citizenship) ex- ternal security. eters. to Rajya Sabha, the upper house yesterday. up Reddy. in Jammu and Kashmir, result- ercise in Assam within the dead- He was briefed about works of As Gujarat home minister, of parliament. New Congress MPs will work Violence continues in as a pride of lions, says Rahul Bengal, several injured

IANS In South 24 Parganas’ Can- IANS Gandhi. His sister and Congress Meanwhile, the Congress said Kolkata ning area, a couple was beaten New Delhi general secretary Priyanka Gandhi it may not contest 11 assembly up by miscreants backed alleg- Vadra was also present. by-elections in Uttar Pradesh edly by Trinamool for support- All the Congress Lok Sabha and that have been necessitated after everal people were in- ing the BJP during campaign ongress president Rahul Rajya Sabha members also posed 11 legislators from the state won jured as clashes between for the recently concluded Lok Gandhi yesterday as- for a group photo after the Congress the Lok Sabha polls. S workers of the Bharatiya Sabha polls. Cserted that his party’s 52 Parliamentary Party meeting. Majority of the party leaders Janata Party and the ruling A Trinamool party office was newly elected Lok Sabha mem- Earlier Sonia was elected CPP feel that the party should avoid Trinamool Congress contin- vandalised allegedly by BJP ac- bers would work like a “pride of leader unanimously. contesting the by-elections un- ued in West Bengal, police said tivists in East Medinipur dis- lions” to protect the constitution The CPP met at the central hall til its organisation strength right yesterday. trict’s Khejuri, notorious for and institutions. of Parliament, amid continuing from the booth level has im- Activists of both sides were political violence, and police “The Congress may have just upheaval in the party as Rahul proved. beaten up while incidents of vehicles were damaged by the 52 Lok Sabha members, but we has been adamant on stepping A group of former Congress ransacking houses and damage agitators. will work together like a pride of down following a huge debacle in legislators and leaders have sent to vehicles were reported across “Clashes between two groups brave hearted lions to protect our last month’s Lok Sabha polls. a letter to Rahul, urging him to districts. erupted intermittently and two constitution and institutions, However, suspense over the concentrate on building up the Over a dozen people were in- our vehicles were attacked. and to fearlessly do our duty as Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha party organisation before con- jured in a clash in North 24 Par- Two persons have been arrest- the leading opposition party. continued as the party has au- testing the elections. ganas Madhyamgram area after ed,” police said. The BJP will have no walkover thorised Sonia to decide on it. In other developments, Ra- BJP supporters were allegedly State ruling party supporters in parliament,” Gandhi tweeted Sonia won the Rae Bareli seat jasthan Chief Minister Ashok forced not to raise religious slo- alleged that bombs were hurled attaching photographs with the from Uttar Pradesh by defeating Gehlot yesterday rejected the gans, police said. while houses of their activists newly elected Congress MPs. the BJP’s Dinesh Pratap Singh by resignation of a minister taking Trinamool supporters held and party offices were vandal- Earlier during the day he met all over 1.67 lakh votes. moral responsibility for the par- a protest against the alleged ised and flags were torn alleg- the new party MPs at the residence According to party leaders, So- ty’s defeat in the Lok Sabha elec- Former prime minister Manmohan Singh congratulates Sonia Gandhi “hooliganism” of the BJP in edly by the BJP supporters on of his mother and United Progres- nia’s name was proposed by former tions in his constituency by over after she was elected Congress Parliamentary Party leader at a meeting front of the local police sta- Friday night in Birbhum dis- sive Alliance chairperson Sonia prime minister Manmohan Singh. one lakh votes. in New Delhi yesterday. tion. trict’s Parui. Gulf Times 20 Sunday, June 2, 2019 PAKISTAN

Army says terrorist PM urges OIC defence activities increased of Muslims worldwide at Afghan Internews to talk to the OIC about explain- whole Muslim world. again. We as the Muslim world border Makkah ing to the West that their idea of “The shooting of 50 Muslims must spend more of our re- freedom of expression hurts the in two mosques in New Zealand sources in strengthening our- sentiments of Muslims across happened because they could selves in this fi eld. We must pay DPA rime Minister Imran Khan the globe,” the prime minister not understand that Islam had more attention to quality educa- Islamabad has urged the Organisa- said. nothing to do with terrorism,” tion in universities,” he added. Ption of Islamic Co-oper- “Just the way the Jewish com- Khan said. Speaking about the Palestine- ation (OIC) to stand against the munity has made no space for “Besides Islamophobia, the Israel issue, Khan said that there he Pakistani army has said oppression of Muslims in the error, when it comes to the Hol- OIC’s inability has also led to the is no solution except the two- that terrorist activity has world, saying that the persecu- ocaust,” Khan added. delegitimising of Muslim po- state solution. Tjumped in the northwest- tion of Muslims must end. Moreover, he said, the West- litical freedom struggles, which “East Jerusalem must become ern tribal region bordering Af- Speaking at the 14th Summit ern world has equated Islam have been termed as Islamic the capital for the Palestinian ghanistan and that fi ve soldiers of the OIC in Makkah, he called with terrorism, which had done radicalism,” the premier added. people, and the Golan Heights have been killed recently. on the OIC to stand up against a tremendous disservice to the He stressed the need for the must be returned as per the 1976 A soldier was killed yesterday the oppression of Palestinians, Muslim community. Muslim world to use the OIC borders as agreed by the inter- in Boya, North Waziristan dur- Kashmiris, and Muslims in the “Religion has nothing to do platform to “delink terrorism national community.” ing a routine patrol by a remote world. with terrorism. No religion al- with Islam”. Similarly, he said the people control bomb, the Inter-Serv- “The Kashmiris are making a lows the killing of innocent hu- The prime minister further of Kashmir have not been given ices Public Relations (ISPR), the political struggle for their free- man beings. This has led to Is- said that the Muslim world is their right to self-determination military’s media wing, said in a dom, and they must be given Prime Minister Khan at the OIC summit in Makkah. lamophobia. The moment that not paying much attention to as had been guaranteed by the statement. their right to self-determina- is referred to defi ne terrorism, science and technology, despite UN Security Council’s resolu- “Terrorist activities in North tion,” he said. “The OIC needs Khan further said that blas- fection Muslims have for him. the people in the West could not being on the verge of another tions. Waziristan have increased lately. to stand for the sentiments of phemous acts against the “It is up to us to explain to distinguish between a moderate industrial revolution, with the “The people of Kashmir have During the past month, fi ve sol- the Muslim world, and make it Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the Western people the amount Muslim and a radical Muslim,” artifi cial intelligence and block- suff ered a lot of oppression and diers have got martyred and 31 known to the world how much the Western world is the failure of pain they cause us when the prime minister added. chain new technologies coming I urge the Muslim world to stand got injured due to terrorist ac- love and respect we have for our of the OIC, for not being able to they ridicule or mock our Holy Suspicions, he further said, in. against the oppression going on tions,” the statement said. Holy Prophet (PBUH). explain to them the love and af- Prophet. I want to use this forum has been raised against the “We must not be left behind in the world,” he added. North Waziristan tribal dis- trict is one of the seven so-called agencies in Pakistan’s insecure tribal area that borders Afghani- stan, and was once the hideout of militants connected to Al FBR chief says current tax system is a threat to economy Qaeda and the Afghan Taliban- linked Haqqani network. The Pakistani military pushed Internews The FBR chief is critical of the tive taxation, less than 2mn peo- is a fi rm believer of the docu- and our generation. Social serv- the tax burden on manufactur- religious militants back from Karachi tax collection’s reliance on indi- ple out of a population of some mentation of the economy, re- ices can only be provided where ing sector: “Over 75% of tax is their mountainous hideouts near rect taxes. 220mn have so far been encour- iterating his resolve to bring the there is adequate collection the collected from the manufactur- the Afghan border in a series of “Pakistan’s tax collection aged to fi le returns. untaxed sector into the main- revenue,” Zaidi said. ing sector that is seriously af- off ensives launched from mid- he newly appointed system generates less than 10% The FBR’s collection amount- stream through various meas- The FBR chairman said many fecting the industrial sector.” 2014. chairman of the Federal of GDP. Even that collection is ed to Rs2.983tn in July-April ures, including assets declara- businesses are reluctant to enter Businessmen said that the On May 25, the arrest of peo- TBoard of Revenue (FBR), made in form of indirect taxes, period of the current fi scal year tion scheme and data gathering. into the tax system. informal economy has out- ple linked to these militants trig- Shabbar Zaidi, has attributed not being real income,” he said of 2018/19, against the desired The cash-strapped govern- Out of 100,000 companies grown the formal economy due gered protests and unrest in the accumulation of untaxed wealth in the letter. “This system is not target of Rs3.337tn. ment has decided to launch a registered with the FBR, only to presumptive tax scheme that area. to bungled taxation policies and workable, and it represents a The provisional shortfall has movement for increasing tax 50% fi le returns. encourages mispricing, widely Activists of Pashtun Tahafuz administrative fl aws, saying that serious economic threat for the so far ballooned to Rs355bn. collections equitably on all the The total number of indus- known as under-invoicing, in Movement (PTM), led by two the existing system poses threats country.” The country, which is about taxable income. trial electricity connections is foreign trade. parliamentarians, allegedly at- to economy. The country has been strug- to enter the International Mon- It is acquiring data of eco- 341,000, whereas there are only The Pakistan Business Coun- tacked a military Khar Kamar “As a result (of) serious fl aws gling to broaden the tax base, etary Fund (IMF)’s $6bn loan nomic transactions from third 40,000 sales tax registrants. cil, representing at least 78 pri- check post in North Waziristan. in the policy and administrative with what the FBR chairman programme, is under an im- parties, including banks, excise There are more than 3.1mn vate sector businesses in a report At least four PTM activists aspects, there has been substan- said is only 1% of the people car- mense pressure to mobilise tax and taxation departments and commercial electricity connec- estimated $5bn of under-in- were killed and some four dozen tial accumulation of untaxed rying the burden of the entire resources to introduce fi scal dis- other offi ces to net tax evaders. tions, while more than 90% of voicing in a year, and has called were wounded when soldiers wealth,” Zaidi said in a letter to state. cipline. “We all agree that the present them are outside the tax system. for a comprehensive review of opened fi re on a PTM demon- Prime Minister Imran Khan. Despite all eff orts and puni- A seasoned tax expert, Zaidi system is not sustainable for us Zaidi further acknowledged import valuations. stration. The PTM emerged last year after an ethnic Pashtun was killed by a rogue police offi cer in In solidarity the port city of Karachi. Punjab PTI boosts Right: A girl holds her mother’s hand as she sits under the human chain during a rally on Friday marking Al-Quds Day (Jerusalem PR team to counter Day) in Karachi. Below: Supporters of the Imamia Student Organisation (ISO) hold Islamabad PML-N’s narrative dummy guns during the rally in Karachi on Friday. air quality

Internews However, soon after his re- Lahore moval from the ministry, Cho- worsens han had gone silent. Though Chohan has been he Pakistan Tehreek-e- nominated in the spokesper- Internews Insaf (PTI)-led govern- sons list, he is maintaining his Islamabad Tment in Punjab province silence and avoided any of the has assigned its 40 spokesper- four meetings held till May 28. sons the “special task” to take However, Chohan’s close he pollution quality in Is- on the Pakistan Muslim League aides dispelled the impression lamabad has deteriorated – Nawaz (PML-N) leadership, that the former minister was Tbelow permissible limits. especially Maryam Nawaz for nursing a grudge, saying that The atmospheric pollution her aggressive stance against he would be defending the par- increased at times due to high Prime Minister Imran Khan. ty line aggressively soon after vehicular emissions emitted by The Punjab government has Eid al-Fitr. large number of automobiles expanded its list of spokesper- The information minister’s plying on the roads. sons this week, apparently to May 28 notifi cation had also According to the daily am- strengthen its team and eff ec- included the names of two civil bient air quality report of the tively defend the party and the servants – Punjab information federal capital by Pakistan En- government’s policies as per secretary Momin Agha and vironmental Protection Agency the PTI slogan Naya Pakistan. Public Relations director gen- (Pak-EPA), the 24-hour average Sources say the increase in eral Dr Aslam Dogar. ratio of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) the number of spokespersons The minister amended the and sulphur dioxide (SO2) were from 12, nominated in Febru- notifi cation very next day, ex- 9.39 micrograms per cubic me- ary this year, to 40 members cluding the two civil servants tre (mg/ m) and 6.39mg/m re- explains the realisation within and adding more party leaders spectively, against the respective the party that the information to make a list of 40 spokesper- National Environmental Quality wing has, so far, been unable sons. Standards (NEQS) of 80mg/m to defend the party leadership Responding to a question and 120mg/m. and its policies. about merit or criteria to in- A source in the party says clude party MPAs and leaders that the opposition is aggres- in the list, some party members sively targeting its leadership, explained that it is not a hard particularly Prime Minister and fast rule that only the noti- Khan, but the incumbent in- fi ed people would be defending Lawyers’ body to appear before SJC in defence of judges formation minister is silent and the party’s policies and leader- has failed to defend the party ship. while not playing, in cricket They say that most of these Internews media at the Supreme Court. ever, he said at the time that the eral meeting will discuss issue of don in the name of his spouse and terms, on the front foot. members were already defend- Islamabad The Supreme Court Bar As- fi ling of Presidential Reference fi ling of references by the gov- children between 2011 and 2015. It may be mentioned that ing the party line on TV talk sociation is the apex body of the was not yet confi rmed, and when ernment against Justices Isa and Similarly, Justice Agha has a notifi cation issued with the shows and other occasions, and legal fraternity of the country. it is confi rmed, the SCBA would Agha. been accused in the Presidential signatures of provincial In- that names would continue be- he Supreme Court Bar As- Kanrani termed the presi- evolve its strategy. The Peshawar High Court Bar Reference of having two proper- formation Minister Samsam ing added or deleted from the sociation (SCBA) has an- dential references fi led against Following that, the Supreme Association had requested that ties in London. Bukhari has nominated 40 par- list. Tnounced extending full Justice Isa, a senior judge of the Judicial Council (SJC) issued no- the Pakistan Bar Council convene Justice Isa, in response of the ty leaders, ministers and mem- “Many of the provincial support to the senior Supreme Supreme Court, and Justice Ka- tices to the Attorney-General for a meeting of all the lawyers’ or- government’s move of fi ling bers of the Provincial Assembly ministers, who are not in the Court Justice Qazi Faez Isa in rim Khan Agha, popularly known June 14 over the Presidential Ref- ganisations and representatives reference against him, has ap- (MPA) to form a working group list, will also continue defend- the Presidential Reference fi led as KK Agha and a sitting judge of erences against Justice Isa of the at the earliest. proached President Alvi, saying and link-up on WhatsApp to ing the party and their respec- against him for allegedly having Sindh High Court, as an attack Supreme Court and Justice Agha The federal government fi led that if a reference has been fi led co-ordinate and share infor- tive ministries without any properties in London in the name on the judiciary. of the Sindh High Court. references against Justices Isa against him, he should be pro- mation for dissemination and hurdle,” a party member said. of his spouse and children. He said that they will be Meanwhile, the Pakistan Bar and Agha for allegedly hav- vided copy of the said reference. image-building of the govern- Meanwhile, PML-N Punjab “We will be standing side by present on June 14 in the court Council has announced a gen- ing foreign properties but not The situation has led to Ad- ment and projection of its poli- president Rana Sanullah said side on June 14 with Justice Qazi during the proceedings of the eral meeting on June 12, as well as disclosing them in their wealth ditional Attorney-General Zahid cies. that the PTI appointed the 40 Faez Isa during the proceed- presidential references against joint meetings of representatives statements. F Ebrahim resigning, terming Originally, former informa- spokespersons to target former ings of Supreme Judicial Coun- the judges: “We will appear be- of the federal and provincial Bar President Arif Alvi fi led refer- the government’s move against tion minister Fayyazul Has- premier Nawaz Sharif. cil scheduled to be commenced fore the Council in defence of Councils, on June 8 and 9. ences with SJC under Article 209 the judges of the superior courts san Chohan had constituted a “In fear of Nawaz Sharif, the from June 14,” president of the Qazi Faez Isa on June 14.” According to a statement is- of the Constitution. as a “reckless attempt to tar the 12-member committee and de- PTI government has appointed Supreme Court Bar Association Last week Kanrani had vowed sued by Pakistan Bar Council According to sources, it has reputation of independent indi- fending the party while playing 40 spokespersons to target (SCBA), Aman Ullah Kanrani, to defend the judges if any ac- secretary Mohamed Arshad, the been alleged that Justice Isa ac- viduals and is browbeating the on the front foot. him,” he said in a statement. announced to members of the tion is taken against them; how- joint meeting as well as the gen- quired three properties in Lon- judiciary of Pakistan”. Gulf Times Sunday, June 2, 2019 21 PHILIPPINES

Keeping traditions alive Lawmakers seek inquiry over ‘biased’ energy department offi cial

By Ma. Reina L Tolentino Manila Times

wo lawmakers at the House of Representatives Twant Energy Assistant Secretary Redentor Delola in- vestigated for allegedly favour- ing power suppliers. Senior Citizen party-list Rep. Francisco Datol Jr and Rep. Teodoro Montoro fi led House Resolution 2577 seeking an in- vestigation — in aid of legisla- tion — by the House Committee on Energy, House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability and other appro- priate committees. The resolution stated in part that “there have been reports that (Delola), being a former ex- ecutive in a power company, has been biased in favour of power suppliers as such an immediate investigation is required to avoid further” alleged “derogation of Youth in traditional Filipinana and Barong wear pose during the Pista ng Pamana (Heritage Festival) event held in Escolta Street in Manila. The week-long activity sponsored by HUB: Make Lab, a creative authority and abuse by Assistant community in Binondo, showcased Philippine heritage. The event yesterday featured fashion and style. Secretary Delola.” Through the resolution, the two lawmakers also sought to urge the committees “to remove from offi ce” Delola because of his alleged “confl ict of interest” and alleged “serious irregulari- ties in the performance of his function.”

The resolution stated in Audit agency questions part that “there have been reports that (Delola), being a former executive in a power company, has been biased in favour of power suppliers as such an immediate panel over delayed projects investigation is required...” When sought for comment, By Glee Jalea source Information System that all of HUDCC’s outstand- Survey projects in Teacher’s The CoA noted that a mem- ed. The agency was urged to Department of Energy (DoE) Manila Times amounting to P11,536,182.23 ing survey works, consulting Camp, Baguio City (delayed orandum of agreement made develop a strategy that would Undersecretary and spokesman and P178,304.00, respectively,” projects and an information for 985 days); Balungao, Pan- between responsible parties, strengthen co-ordination Wimpy Fuentebella said in a text the CoA said in its 2018 report. system had been delayed from gasinan (975 days); and Fort the contractor or consult- with government agencies in message that Delola “has been he Commission on Au- The survey projects were lo- nine months to two years al- Del Pilar, Baguio City (793 ant, shall pay the HUDCC addressing issues surround- consistently fair in his dealings” dit (CoA) has questioned cated in Palawan, Baguio City, ready, “depriving the intended days) have submitted the di- for liquidated damages in an ing backlog of projects, and as an assistant secretary of the Tthe Housing and Urban Pangasinan, Quezon, Caba- beneficiaries of the projects’ vision plans, which are still amount equal to one-tenth of impose liquidated damages DoE. Development Co-ordinating natuan City in Nueva Ecija, benefits.” subject for approval by the 1% of the cost of delayed por- as stipulated in their agree- “The direction given to him Council (HUDCC) for failing to Pampanga, Misamis Oriental As of December 2018, a sur- Department of Environment- tion of services for every day ment. and to all of us in the DoE is to fast-track 11 projects totalling and Iligan City in Lanao del vey project in Narra, Palawan, Cordillera Administrative Re- of the delay. The HUDCC is mandated be fair and make sure that the P11.7mn that have already been Norte. which started in October 2015 gion and other national and “However, verification and to oversee and fast-track consumers are fully protected,” delayed for two years. An information system is and was supposed to end in local government agencies. records from the manage- through appropriate project Fuentebella added. “We have noted that as of located in Manila. May 2016, has been delayed Meanwhile, other projects ment revealed that liquidated schemes and contractual ar- “Be that as it may, the DoE will Dec 31, 2018, the HUDCC had Based on the mobilisation for a total of 949 days because are either suspended or un- damages were not imposed rangements the implemen- be mindful of the observations several outstanding projects fees paid by the HUDCC to its of a threat from a people’s or- der spending validation from on the contractors/consult- tation and development of from Congress and the public in consisting of 11 survey work contractors and the duration ganisation of destroying the concerned local government ant despite delays from nine housing projects in areas general in order to improve our and set-up of one Human Re- of the project, the CoA noted surveying equipment. units. months to two years,” it add- proclaimed as housing sites. services to the people,” he said. Killers Easy catch Commission criticises of Dutch hostage Marawi aid diversion

By Glee Jalea transfer was not among the au- Marawi siege.” The HUDCC, ‘will be Manila Times thorised expenses enumerated which operates under the OP in the original MoA (Memoran- through Executive Order 90 dum of Agreement) between (series of 1986), executed a pursued’ he Commission on Audit the OP and the HUDCC,” it MoA on April 13, 2018, wherein (CoA) has called out the added. the OP allocated P500mn to THousing and Urban De- “The transfer of funds to the HUDCC for the operational By Catherine S Valente velopment Coordinating Coun- NCMF for the purpose of budget of the TFBM to rehabil- Manila Times cil (HUDCC) for transferring sending IDPs to Makkah was itate and reconstruct the war- P5mn from rehabilitation funds contrary to the afore-cited torn Marawi City. for Marawi City to the National provisions of PD (Presidential The TFBM was created un- alacanang has vowed Commission on Muslim Filipi- Decree) 1445 and 2018 GAA der Administration Order 9, to “pursue to the ends nos (NCMF) to send internally (General Appropriations Act), dated October 7, 2017, as an Mof the earth” the killers displaced persons (IDPs) to their considering that said activ- inter-agency task force for the of a Dutch who was abducted by annual pilgrimage. ity was not in accordance with recovery and rehabilitation of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu in In its 2018 audit report, the the purpose for which the Task Marawi City and other aff ected 2012. CoA said the HUDCC trans- Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) localities headed by the HUD- Ewold Horn, 59, was shot by ferred to the NCMF P5mn to Funds were intended for,” the CC chairman. his guards when he reportedly sponsor Marawi’s IDPs, who report said. Section 4 of PD 1445 states attempted to escape during a were participants in the pil- The HUDCC refused to re- that “trust funds shall be avail- rescue attempt by the military. grimage last year, a move that spond to the CoA’s queries and able and may be spent only for Palace spokesman Salvador A fisherman gathers dead fish in the Taal Lake in Laurel, Batangas yesterday. Fishermen in the was not authorised by the Of- only stated that the purpose of the specifi c purpose of which Panelo condemned Horn’s kill- province were hit by a massive fish kill attributed to low oxygen levels in the lake. fi ce of the President (OP). the transfer was for the “social the trust was created or the ing and extended Malacanang’s “The purpose of the fund healing of the victims of the funds received.” sympathies and condolences to Horn’s family. “We condemn, in the strong- est terms, the death of Ewold Horn, a Dutch national kid- napped and held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf Group since 2012,” Candidates claim Lanao Sur polls marred by ‘fraud’ Panelo said in a statement. “We vow to pursue his killers to the ends of the earth until they By William Depasupil gubernatorial candidates. rector general of the Technical tions in Lanao del Sur and Mara- election in the history of Lanao of a special elections within the are brought to justice,” he added. Manila Times The petition was fi led by Education and Skills Develop- wi City were “marred by massive del Sur. They made a mockery allowable period provided by Horn, a photographer and Guiling “Gene” Mamondiong, ment Authority (Tesda), was fraud ranging from pre-shading of the elections,” Sultan Panun- the law. birdwatcher, was kidnapped Hatta Dimaporo, Agakhan the offi cial candidate of the of ballots for favoured candidates datoon Bagul, the petitioners’ The four losing gubernato- along with Swiss Lorenzo Vin- petition seeking to de- “Binladen” Sharief and Sultan administration party Partido before election time with the in- spokesman, said. Bagul also lost rial candidates claimed that ciguerra while they were bird- clare a failure of elections Bob Datimbang, all of whom ran Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng cumbent municipal offi cials as in his mayoralty bid in the mu- the “shading” of ballots for watching on the remote south- Ain Lanao del Sur prov- for governor of Lanao del Sur Bayan. Dimaporo and Sharief the prime instigators, substitu- nicipality of Maguing. favoured candidates was also ern island of Tawi-Tawi on Feb ince, including Marawi City, for against respondent and gover- ran as independents, while Da- tion of voters, ‘shading’ of ballots The petition seeks to suspend exposed on social media, but 1, 2012. alleged massive electoral fraud nor-elect Mamintal “Bombit” timbang ran under the WPP by just few persons with the BEIs the eff ects of the proclamation those who posted photos and Vinciguerra managed to es- and vote-buying was fi led be- Adiong Jr of the Lakas-CMD Party. (Board of Election Inspectors) as of the respondent as governor- affi davits of persons who wit- cape during an Army rescue in fore the Commission on Elec- Party. In their 13-page petition, the unwilling conspirators, violence elect, declare a failure of elec- nessed the alleged irregularities 2014. tions (Comelec) by four losing Mamondiong, the former di- petitioners claimed that the elec- to vote-buying. “It was the worst tions and schedule the holding did not want to be identifi ed. Gulf Times 22 Sunday, June 2, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka 02 - 06 -2019 Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES First the emperor, now the queen: Trump revels in royal splendor

Just a few days after returning from his visit to Japan, where he met new Emperor Naruhito, Donald Trump heads to Britain, where Queen Elizabeth II will receive him during a state visit that could be rocky. The US president — who has never hidden his affi nity for military honour guards and red-carpet diplomacy — will arrive in London at a moment when the country’s politics are in disarray. Prime Minister Theresa May will soon step down, her party is looking for a successor and Britons are wondering how their “Brexit” from the European Union is going to happen — and what it will mean for them. His last visit to Britain nearly a year ago, which brought tens of thousands of protesters into the streets, was Making ‘Generation particularly tumultuous after Trump’s criticism of May to The Sun tabloid caused an uproar. Trump’s three-day stay this time around begins tomorrow with a ceremony at Buckingham Palace followed by lunch with the queen. That evening, he will be the guest of honour at a state Educated’ a reality dinner, a privilege also aff orded to George W Bush and Barack Obama. By Gordon Brown aid dedicated to education has fallen to philanthropic causes. And around the With a similarly structured public- So what kind of London steadily from its 2007 peak of 11%, even world, companies are being challenged private partnership, the IFFEd is attitude will the though it is common knowledge that to produce environmental- and social- designed to end the stop-go nature of “President Trump education is one of the most eff ective impact-weighted accounts. education aid fl ows. Instead of relying billionaire Republican ontinuous declines in ways to achieve the United Nations Those involved in education aid are on a funding tap that is periodically is perhaps looking adopt on the trip? Will international education aid Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) also adopting innovative fi nance, after turned off , it will ensure continuous he weigh in further are depriving half of all young for health, employment, and quality long being laggards in this regard. Chief and consistent education fi nancing most forward to his on who should next Cpeople in the developing of life. The European Union’s recent among the new fi nancing instruments for children from age fi ve to 16. With occupy 10 Downing world – some 800mn children – of announcement that it will allocate 10% is the Education Commission’s $2bn in funds pledged by a coalition interactions with the education they will need to secure of its humanitarian aid to education is International Finance Facility for of committed governments, the World Street? Will he off er meaningful employment in the future. welcome, but hardly suffi cient. Education, which will be inaugurated Bank and various regional development the royal family” Britons advice on how Having fallen from $13.2bn to $13bn Yes, the international community has at the UN General Assembly this banks will be able to generate four to leave the EU? this year, total education aid (from chalked up some relative successes, such September. With plans to raise an times more fi nancing through capital As have all his predecessors, he will certainly emphasise the bilateral and multilateral sources) now as providing classroom seats for almost additional $10bn for education funding, markets. And by creating a $2bn buy- “special relationship” between the United States and Britain. accounts for just 7% of the world’s 60% of Syrian refugees. But the fact the IFFEd is based on two other public- down facility to reduce the costs of total aid budget. This means that all the remains that a signifi cant share of the private partnerships that have proven interest payments, they can provide But the rest — as with most things related to POTUS 45 — development aid in the world is worth world’s 30mn displaced children – 12mn successful in recent years. an additional $10bn in education aid – is hard to predict. little more than $10 per child in need, of whom are refugees – will go through The fi rst is the International Finance nearly doubling the current level. “I think President Trump is perhaps looking most forward which is not even enough to pay for their school-age years without ever Facility for Immunisation, which, since In 2015, the UN, the International to his interactions with the royal family,” said Heather secondhand textbooks. having set foot in a school. Across the its launch in 2006, has raised more than Monetary Fund, and the World Bank Conley, director of the Europe programme at the Centre for Across the developing world, the world’s 35 confl ict zones, 75mn children $6bn by issuing capital-market bonds made a pledge to go from “Billions to Strategic and International Studies. average level of education is 100 years are currently being denied both education that will be paid back over 30 years Trillions” to “meet the investment behind that of the West. In Africa, and the prospect of future employment. with pledged funds from Australia, needs of the Sustainable Development In the summer of 2018, Trump had tea with Elizabeth annual spending on schooling averages Obviously, international education Brazil, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Goals.” They realised that public- II at Windsor Castle, but was not aff orded the pomp and just $200 per child, whereas developed aid will have to increase. Yet with a Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, private partnerships have a crucial circumstance of a state visit. economies spend 40 times that: $9,500 $40bn annual funding gap for primary and the United Kingdom. The IFFIm, role to play in maximising the value of Before he sets foot on British soil, there are multiple calls per head. and secondary education alone, it is also which raises funds for Gavi, the Vaccine international aid. Now, we must turn for protests — and controversy is already brewing. Though the international community clear that we need a new approach. In Alliance, has already helped to vaccinate words into action, lest we break yet has committed to achieving universal addition to mobilising private sources 700mn children, saving some 5mn another development promise. If we can The leader of Britain’s main opposition Labour party, primary and secondary education by of fi nance, we must make the already young lives. educate an entire generation of children, Jeremy Corbyn, declined an invitation to the state dinner in 2030, at least 200mn children will be available aid (this year’s $13bn) go The second source of inspiration we will have made history. It’s time to Trump’s honour. out of school each year between now much further than it has in the past, for the IFFEd is the Advanced Market get started. – Project Syndicate He said it wasn’t the time to roll out the red carpet for a and then; another 400mn will not by creating incentives for recipient Commitment model for bringing new president who “rips up vital international treaties, backs advance past the primary level. While governments to increase their own drugs to market. Through a $1.5bn  Gordon Brown, former Prime African and Asian countries might investments in education. AMC for pneumococcal vaccines, Minister and Chancellor of the climate change denial and uses racist and misogynist appear to off er an abundant supply of Fortunately, over the past year, a Gavi – along with the World Bank and Exchequer of the United Kingdom, rhetoric.” labour, endemic skill shortages as a host of private ESG (environmental, other multilateral institutions, donor is United Nations Special Envoy for On Tuesday, Trump’s trip will take a decidedly political result of inadequate education funding social, and governance) and SDG funds countries, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Global Education and Chair of the turn when he sits down with May, just days before she steps will mean that they cannot attract the have been formed to meet the growing Foundation – has helped to immunise International Commission on Financing down on June 7. inward investment needed to pursue demand for investments based on social 49mn children, preventing a quarter- Global Education Opportunity. He further development. impact. In India, employers are now million deaths from pneumonia in chairs the Advisory Board of the Catalyst While she was the fi rst foreign leader welcomed to the At the global level, the share of total required by law to channel 2% of profi ts children under fi ve years old. Foundation. White House after Trump’s election victory in November 2016, their relationship has not always been rosy. Tensions have soared on occasion and the disputes between the two sides are real. The Paris climate accord, which Trump also abandoned, is also on the list. The US president’s talks with Prince Charles, who is actively pro-environment, could focus on this issue. China and its controversial tech giant Huawei could also be on the agenda, as well as a US-British trade deal, though no concrete progress is expected from this trip. The end of Trump’s European trip will focus on the 75th anniversary of D-Day, with a ceremony at Portsmouth also attended by the queen. Trump and his wife Melania will then make a brief stop in Ireland before heading to France on June 6 for the D-Day commemorations in Normandy.

To Advertise [email protected] Display 44466621 44418811 Classified 44466609 44418811 Subscription [email protected]

© 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Schoolchildren attending their class at school in eastern Mosul, Iraq. Across the developing world, the average level of education is 100 years behind that of the West. Gulf Times Sunday, June 2, 2019 23 COMMENT Kim Jong-un’s moneyball strategy

By Kent Harrington and China are concerned about the US Atlanta Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-missile system that is now operational in South Korea. apanese Prime Minister Shinzo But Sino-Russian cooperation isn’t Abe prioritised pomp over policy just about the Korean Peninsula. As while hosting US President Western sanctions in response to JDonald Trump last week. The Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea one exception was the issue of North have begun to bite, China has become Korea, which recently conducted more an increasingly important market short-range missile tests off its east and source of investment for Russia. coast. Abe is clearly anxious about And now that China is supplanting keeping Japan and the United States America’s role in Asia, Russia has on the same page now that Trump’s all the more reason to improve its denuclearisation talks with North relations with the new power. At the Korean dictator Kim Jong-un have same time, it is deepening its economic faltered. But at a joint press conference ties across the region, with plans to on Monday, Trump dismissed concerns triple bilateral trade with Vietnam by about the latest tests – breaking not 2020. just with Abe, but also with his own For China, Russia off ers not just advisers. energy and raw materials, but, more Abe has every reason to worry that important, a potential military Kim is gaining an important diplomatic partnership. Russia can provide edge. To be sure, as the North Korean defence technologies and the benefi ts economy struggles and food shortages of joint training; and if a confl ict arises, loom, Kim’s bromance with Trump has it could be China’s main ally in Asia. failed to secure an easing of economic Given Trump’s history of threatening, sanctions. But he has now reshuffl ed on Twitter, to launch a nuclear war his negotiating team and tried to strike against North Korea, it would be a statesmanlike pose, off ering to hold surprising if Russian and Chinese yet another summit with Trump if the military strategies did not already terms are right. feature contingency plans for the At the same time, Kim has been Korean Peninsula. shoring up his position for further Whether Kim’s approach will pay negotiations, not least by reaching out off at the negotiating table remains to China and Russia. Such overtures to be seen. But any sports fan should by the North Korean regime certainly recognise his game plan and the debt are not unprecedented, but they are US President Donald Trump (left) walks with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as he leaves Japan’s navy ship Kaga in Yokosuka last Monday. At a joint press confer- he owes to Billy Beane, the general unusual. As the scion of a dynasty ence Trump dismissed concerns about the latest North Korean missile tests – breaking not just with Abe, but also with his own advisers. manager of the Oakland Athletics. that has jealously guarded the North’s In 2002, Beane led the A’s to the independence for 70 years, Kim, South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s end North Korea’s nuclear programme the Kremlin, too. This does not bode borders. Given the stakes, neither longest winning streak in Major like his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, eagerness for rapprochement in order more than a decade ago, has now taken well for US objectives on the Korean country is likely to curb its sanctions- League Baseball history, not by using the state’s founder, regards national to drive a wedge between South Korea the fi eld on Kim’s behalf. Last month, Peninsula. Though Russia and China busting oil shipments or, in China’s sluggers who occasionally blasted self-reliance as sacrosanct. Though and the US. He is even entertaining Kim and Russian President Vladimir will pay lip service to the need for case, rising cross-border trade. homeruns, but by hiring consistent China and Russia are the Kim regime’s the possibility of talks with Abe, who Putin met for the fi rst time. Rejecting denuclearisation, neither country has Moreover, China and Russia have base-hitters. traditional allies, Kim’s grandfather is desperate not to be excluded from the idea that US and South Korean ever seriously tried to impede the Kim plenty to gain from playing a more Despite striking out at the nuclear and father, Kim Jong-il, always kept the high-level exchanges. China, security guarantees could ever suffi ce regime’s weapons programme. active role in the Korean nuclear issue. summits in Singapore and Hanoi, their distance from the two powers, meanwhile, is playing its traditional to persuade Kim to follow through The willingness of China and The Kim regime wants US military Trump continues to boast that has often playing one off against the other. role as the North’s most infl uential with denuclearisation, Putin called for Russia to tolerate a nuclear-armed forces removed not just from the already knocked the ball over the fence. By contrast, Kim is teaming up with partner. Ignoring US demands that renewed talks with Russia and China at North Korea refl ects a strategic Korean Peninsula, but from the entire Meanwhile, Kim is fi elding a team that both to tilt the geostrategic fi eld in his Kim must abandon his nuclear the table. calculation. Even if they are often Western Pacifi c theatre. That would can chalk up consistent points for him favour. program before sanctions can be eased, This Sino-Russian-North Korean unhappy with Kim’s behaviour, their suit China and Russia just fi ne. In the over the long term. - Project Syndicate China, Russia, and North Korea China has suggested that sanctions collaboration will most likely continue. top priority is to shore up his regime. meantime, the added attention on US most likely are not sharing a script, relief could be used as a confi dence- Kim has already made a habit of Were it to collapse, the likely outcome forces in Asia provides useful political  Kent Harrington, a former senior but they do appear to have settled on building measure on the way to a calling Chinese President Xi Jinping would be a reunited Korea under the fodder at home, especially now that CIA analyst, served as National a division of labour, and are operating political resolution. before and after his summits with government in Seoul; China and Russia Trump has withdrawn the US from Intelligence Offi cer for East Asia, accordingly. Kim is doing his job on For its part, Russia, which Trump, and his regime will probably would suddenly have a US ally – and the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Chief of Station in Asia, and the CIA’s the Korean Peninsula, exploiting participated in failed negotiations to be in more frequent contact with potentially even US forces – on their Forces Treaty with Russia. Both Russia Director of Public Aff airs.

A guidebook for fi nancial crisis managers

By Howard Davies this…. Tim thought that… Hank took commentary on the Financial Edinburgh a diff erent view,” and so on, as if the Stability Oversight Council, which Three Musketeers had been interviewed was supposed to fulfi l that function. by an oral historian. There is also some They are a little coy about the ournalists, the adage goes, write routine praise for the two presidents identity of those “redundant agencies,” “the fi rst rough draft of history.” they worked with, George W Bush and but the Commodity Futures Trading It’s a grand claim, but perhaps the Barack Obama, and a reprise of their Commission must be on their list. No Jbest of them achieve something frustration with people who did not other country has separate regulators close to that. In the case of the Great see the world their way, and obstructed for cash equities on the one hand, and Financial Crisis of 2008, Andrew Ross their solutions, like Sheila Bair of the derivatives on the other. Only defensive Sorkin of The New York Times did so in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation congressional fi efdoms prevent rational his book Too Big to Fail, which remains (FDIC) and various pesky members of reform in that area. a useful description of how it felt on congress. The third proposal is targeted Wall Street when the markets began to The main interest lies not so much in principally at the Trump collapse. Sorkin had good access to the the narrative chapters, which cover the administration, though Congress key people involved. same ground as their earlier books, as in is again also implicated. Bernanke, The second draft of history is often their policy recommendations for the Geithner, and Paulson believe that written by the key people themselves. future. It is noteworthy that they have current US fi scal policy is deeply After World War II, Winston Churchill been able to reach consensus on quite a misguided. The defi cit is too high, at confi dently asserted that history radical programme. Three proposals in a time when the economy is growing would treat him kindly because “I particular should cause policymakers healthily. That is bad economics today, propose to write that history.” When in the United States and elsewhere to and, more important, the authorities the fi nancial crisis erupted, the same think hard. could, as a result, fi nd it diffi cult to thought may have crossed the minds First, Bernanke, Geithner, and relax fi scal policy to combat a future of Hank Paulson, Ben Bernanke, and Paulson point out that imposing higher recession. As they put it, “the use of Tim Geithner, who were US treasury capital requirements on banks caused fi scal adrenaline could be limited just secretary, chairman of the Federal much credit creation to migrate to the when it is needed most.” There is an Reserve Bank, and president of the non-bank sector, where US authorities urgent need to “restock the emergency New York Fed, respectively. All three still lack authority to intervene, arsenal,” particularly when there is published lengthy memoirs explaining whether preventively, by requiring relatively little scope to relax monetary why they did, and didn’t, do what they higher capital reserves, or by providing policy. The Fed began a process of did and didn’t do – inevitably, with a fi nancial support to stabilise markets if normalizing monetary policy, but has degree of self-justifi cation in each case. necessary. They argue for an FDIC- not completed the job, and President Now, a decade later, the three style insurance model for the broader Donald Trump is doing what he can of them have co-authored what fi nancial system. Quite how that would to prevent them from doing so, by might be described as version 2.1 of work is left unclear, but the idea is heckling from the sidelines. that episode’s history. At the cost worth further thought. The Three Musketeers remain of far fewer trees, Firefi ghting: The Second, they note that the US positive about some elements of the Financial Crisis and Its Lessons briefl y system of fi nancial regulation has post-crisis programme. Bank capital summarises the conclusions they now barely been reformed, despite the has been greatly strengthened, and the draw. many weaknesses revealed by the transparency of the derivatives markets William Wordsworth described the crisis. In their view, “the balkanised materially enhanced. Those changes origin of poetry as “emotion recollected fi nancial regulatory system could use make the fi nancial system safer. But in tranquillity.” That might overstate reform, to reduce turf battles among their agenda for further reform is the case for this book a little, but they redundant agencies with overlapping substantial, and fundamental. And, have made a stab at pulling away from responsibilities.” They tried to next time, we may not be as fortunate the day-to-day narratives of their promote change, but only one small in the quality and resourcefulness of earlier work to off er calmer judgments, agency, the ineff ective Offi ce of Thrift our crisis managers – or in the wisdom now that the dust has settled and we Supervision, has been abolished. Even of their political masters. - Project can see the longer-term impact of the after the Dodd-Frank overhaul, they Syndicate decisions they made in haste. lament, “there is no single regulator The style is a little curious at times. responsible for safeguarding the  Howard Davies is Chairman of the It is full of observations like: “Ben did system as a whole.” That is a damning Royal Bank of Scotland.

Eating fruits, vegetables may prevent heart disease and obesity

QNA JAMA Internal Medicine, analysed in vegetables and fruits can have a Washington the benefi ts of vegetarian diets. The positive eff ect upon blood sugar and researchers found that the benefi ts keep your weight in check by curbing of vegetarian diets are much greater cravings. ating a diet rich in fruits and for men than women. Several studies If you are wondering how you veggies may prevent you from have noted that feeding on plant- would manage to keep up with developing heart disease, based diets also happened to increase your protein requirement, men Esome kinds of cancer, Type-2 the life span. can include pumpkin seeds, diabetes and obesity in men, says a Incidentally, another study lentils, almonds, sesame seeds and new study. published in the journal PLOS cashews in their diet, the study The study, published in the journal Medicine revealed that a diet rich advised. Gulf Times 24 Sunday, June 2, 2019 QATAR

Sheikh Joaan crowns Al Wajba champions of Ramadan Super Football Tournament

HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, President of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), on Friday crowned Al Wajba champions of the first edition of the Ramadan Super Football Tournament. Al Wajba won the title after beating Lekhwiya 1-0 in the final, the off icial QNA reported. The two teams shared control of the game in the first half, which was characterised by strong performances from both sides. However, none could pose much off ensive threat until the end of the first half, QNA said. Five minutes after the second half kickoff , Al Wajba’s Bilal Abdulrahman transformed a penalty kick into a goal and the match ended 1-0. The Ramadan Super Football Tournament was held over two days with the participation of four teams: Al Wajba, Lekhwiya, Al Shaqab and Lehuwaila.

Alfardan Sports Motors unveils all-new Ferrari F8 Tributo

lfardan Sports Motors, the offi cial Ferrari importer Ain Qatar, has unveiled the all-new Ferrari F8 Tributo fol- lowing its recent global launch at the Geneva Motor Show. The exclusive private view- ing event was held at the Ferrari showroom over four days. The F8 Tributo is the new mid- rear-engined sports car “that represents the highest expres- sion of the Prancing Horse’s clas- sic two-seater berlinetta”. It is a car with “unique charac- teristics and, as its name implies, is a homage to the most powerful V8 in Ferrari history”, according to a press statement. Omar Hussain Alfardan with Pasquale Salzano. (Supplied picture) “The F8 Tributo sets the mar- ket benchmark for performance, ergy with the Ferrari Styling Cen- a new-generation steering wheel driving pleasure and ease of han- tre that the strict aerodynamic and steering wheel-mounted dling. It makes the exhilarating constraints could be so fl awlessly controls as well as new styling on performance of the best 8-cyl- interpreted and integrated into the standard seats. inder in the world accessible to the car’s design. Overall performance levels are all drivers, with unprecedented A good example is the S-Duct signifi cantly higher than those of handling and superior ride com- at the front and the redesigned the 488 GTB, thanks to the increase fort,” the statement notes. Alfardan Group president and CEO Omar Hussain Alfardan, Italian ambassador Pasquale Salzano and other dignitaries with the all-new Ferrari blown spoiler system at the rear, in power, weight reduction and im- The F8 Tributo replaces the F8 Tributo. (Supplied picture) which are underscored by the proved aerodynamic coeffi cient. 488 GTB and, in the range, is the car’s clean yet decisive lines. That performance is also now model with the highest perform- rari’s V8 engine is seen as the weight balance, and thus delivers teristics of high performance and developed thanks to the com- The cockpit retains the classic, accessible to a larger number of ance matched by the greatest very epitome of sportiness and unparalleled thrillingly sporty extreme aerodynamic effi ciency. pany’s involvement in the GT and driver-oriented look typical of drivers thanks to vehicle dynam- driver involvement. driving pleasure. driving, to perfection for over In fact, the F8 Tributo is the Challenge championships. Ferrari’s mid-rear-engined ber- ics systems that make driving on There are signifi cant improve- This is particularly the case four decades. most aerodynamically effi cient The solutions have been honed linettas. the limit an easier and more con- ments across the board aimed at when it is mid-rear-mounted in Designed by the Ferrari Styl- series-production mid-rear- to create a series-production Every element of the dash, fi dence-inspiring experience. providing even better control on a two-seater. ing Centre, the F8 Tributo is es- engined berlinetta ever designed. mid-rear-engined berlinetta door panels and tunnel has been The Ferrari F8 Tributo is ex- the limit along with greater on- Ferrari has been honing the sentially a bridge to a new design The F8 Tributo features state- with the highest level of per- completely redesigned specifi - pected to be on the roads later board comfort. scope of abilities of this archi- language that will continue to of-the-art aerodynamics, inte- formance available. cally for the car. this year and is available only In the automotive world, Fer- tecture, which creates an optimal emphasise Ferrari’s key charac- grating innovations and expertise It was only through close syn- The F8 Tributo also boasts of through Alfardan Sports Motors.

The F8 Tributo is the new mid-rear-engined sports car ‘that represents the highest expression of the Prancing Horse’s classic two-seater berlinetta’. PICTURES: Nasar K Moideen