BUSINESSBUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 7 Federer into Stuttgart fi nal, regains World energy chiefs see world No 1 natural gas expansion aiding green push ranking published in QATAR since 1978

SUNDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 10852 June 17, 2018 Shawwal 3, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Festive fun at Souq Waqif Qatar’s private In brief

QATAR | Offi cial Amir, Indian sector ‘to play PM review ties His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday held a telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the phone call, the Indian a bigger role’ leader congratulated the Amir on the occasion of the blessed Eid al- By Peter Alagos solutions” to private sector-related is- Fitr. The two leaders also reviewed Business Reporter sues and challenges, and delivered the the bilateral relations and means of private sector’s views to government enhancing them, in addition to the bodies to reach “adequate solutions,” latest developments on the regional ith a fresh 2018-2023 term Sheikh Khalifa said. and international arenas. ahead, Qatar Chamber’s He noted that Qatar Chamber played Wnewly-elected board of di- a signifi cant role in the economic de- QATAR | Cables rectors has vowed to devote eff orts to- velopment “by giving inputs on legis- wards self-reliance, and to secure the lation and laws relating to the private Amir sends greetings private sector with a “bigger role” in sector.” It also has strengthened co- to Iceland’s leader economic development, a top offi cial operation with all government enti- His Highness the Amir Sheikh has said. ties, and attained an active presence Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and According to Qatar Chamber chair- in many regional and international His Highness the Deputy Amir man Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Tha- forums and events, the chairman said. Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad ni, the “coming stage” will be focused “During its last council, the chamber al-Thani yesterday sent cables on self-suffi ciency, especially after signifi cantly contributed to promoting of congratulations to Iceland’s Qatar overcame the challenges of the and supporting local products through President Gudni Johannesson on the economic blockade imposed on the Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh exhibitions it organised inside and out- occasion of his country’s National country in June last year. Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani. side the country. In line with techno- Day. HE the Prime Minister and “By electing its sixth board of di- logical advancements, the chamber in- Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah rectors, Qatar Chamber begins a new erted all possible eff orts to eradicate all troduced many online services through bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani also phase of its march with more focus on obstacles that may hinder the private its website,” Sheikh Khalifa said. sent a cable of congratulations promoting a bigger role for the private sector to play its expected role in the According to Sheikh Khalifa, Law No to Iceland’s Prime Minister Katrin sector in the economic process,” Sheikh economic process.” 23 of 2017 was issued to amend some Jakobsdottir on the same occasion. Khalifa said in Qatar Chamber’s latest In retrospect, Sheikh Khalifa said provisions of Law No 11 of 1990 on edition of Al-Moltaqa newsletter. the previous board’s accomplishments the establishment of Qatar Chamber, QATAR | Reaction “In fact, the siege stimulated the included the development of a work and “emphasised the wise leadership’s establishment of new projects in all strategy to help the chamber play a sig- keenness on empowering the role of Afghanistan suicide sectors and reinforced the national nifi cant role in the economy in line with Qatar Chamber in the economic proc- attack condemned production as a means to reduce the the objectives of the Qatar National Vi- ess and promoting the private sector as Qatar has strongly condemned reliance on imports. Qatar Chamber sion 2030, as well as to provide “opti- a key partner in development.” a suicide bombing in Nangarhar has been committed to representing mal services” to its members. “This confers greater responsibility province in eastern Afghanistan A juggler entertains visitors at Doha’s Souq Waqif yesterday as part of the Eid al-Fitr and protecting the interests of the pri- Similarly, the Qatar Chamber’s sec- on us to exert extra eff orts towards the which killed at least 25 people festivities. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed vate sector locally and globally. It ex- torial committees sought “appropriate private sector,” Sheikh Khalifa added. during a ceasefire ceremony. In a statement yesterday. The Ministry of Foreign Aff airs expressed Qatar’s shock, calling the attack a desperate attempt to derail the ceasefire agreement between Indulge in moderation, the Afghan government and the Taliban movement and eff orts to UN envoy in Yemen bring lasting peace in the country. The statement expressed Qatar’s expert urges diabetics full solidarity with the Afghan government and its support for ith careful planning, dia- related expenditure in the Middle East all eff orts to maintain security for Hodeida crisis talks betics can enjoy all that the on per capita basis at $2,868 per per- and achieve peace and stability. Wfestive season of Eid al-Fitr son, according to the report. The Mena The statement reiterated Qatar’s AFP The envoy did not make any state- tion imposed a near-total blockade on has to offer, a clinical dietitian at Ha- region suff ers from some of the highest firm stance rejecting violence and Sanaa ment on his arrival at Sanaa interna- the city’s port. mad Medical Corporation (HMC) has levels of diabetes globally in terms of terrorism regardless of motives tional airport. The Yemeni army yesterday claimed said. prevalence. and reasons and expressed More than 70% of Yemeni imports it had seized control of the rebel base at “The end of Ramadan and the be- IDF estimates that on average, condolences to the victims’ families, he UN envoy for Yemen held pass through Hodeida’s docks and the Hodeida’s disused airport, which has ginning of Eid al-Fitr festivities can 13.6% of the adult population (20-79 the government and the people of emergency talks in rebel-con- fi ghting has raised UN fears of humani- been closed since 2014. be a challenging time for many people years) in the Mena region is currently Afghanistan. Ttrolled capital Sanaa yesterday tarian catastrophe in a country already An AFP correspondent on the front with diabetes due to the risk of hyper- diagnosed with diabetes, which is well over the key aid port of Hodeida, where teetering on the brink of famine. line could not confi rm the report and a glycemia caused by overindulging on above the global average of 8.5%. AFRICA | Sport a regional coalition is battling Houthi Yemen’s government and its allies spokesman for the coalition, which has sugary foods and beverages,” Zohair The HMC clinical dietitian said fi ghters. launched their off ensive on Wednes- troops taking part in the off ensive, did al-Arabi explained. that though excessive consumption of CAF gives exclusive Martin Griffi ths was believed to be day, since then at least 139 combatants not respond to repeated requests for A BMI report quoting the fi gures foods high in sugar, such as cakes, bis- licence to beIN pushing a deal for rebel leaders to cede have been killed, according to medical comment. from a report by International Diabe- cuits, and other sweets can lead to dia- The Confederation Africaine de control of the Red Sea port to a UN- and military sources. But military sources later denied that tes Federation (IDF) had stated last year betes complications, it is possible for Football (CAF) has granted an supervised committee and halt heavy The Houthi rebels have controlled the army had entered the airport. that Qatar has an age adjusted diabetes most people with diabetes to include exclusive licence to beIN Media clashes against advancing government the Hodeida region with its population They told AFP, however, that spo- prevalence rate of 20% with 239.1 peo- desserts in their meal plan, with care- Group for the transmission of the troops backed by Saudi Arabia and the of some 600,000 people since 2014. radic clashes were underway at the air- ple per 1,000 suff ering from the disease. ful planning and attention to portion main CAF competitions, including United Arab Emirates. Earlier this year, the Saudi-led coali- port’s southern gate. Page 3 Qatar also has the highest diabetes- size. To Page 16 but not limited to, the final tournament and the qualifying matches of the Total Africa Cup of Nations, the Total CAF Champions League, the Total CAF Confederation Cup, the Total CAF Super Cup and the Total Women Africa Cup of Messi misses penalty as Iceland hold Argentina Nations. Agencies way through the second half was saved Group C fixture in Kazan. Moscow by Iceland keeper Hannes Halldorsson. Meanwhile, Yussuf Poulsen ruined Argentina enjoyed 73-27 per cent Peru’s fi rst appearance at a World Cup WORLD CUP ball possession, had 27-8 goal at- fi nals for 36 years yesterday with the ionel Messi said he felt respon- tempts, with 18-4 on target, and 10-2 winning goal for Denmark to seal a 1-0 Yesterday’s results sible for Argentina failing to beat corners, but could not fi nd their way victory in Saransk. LIceland in their opening World past a well-organised defence after With France having beaten Australia Argentina 1 Iceland 1 Cup game after he missed a penalty in taking a 19th-minute lead through 2-1 in Kazan earlier in Group C, RB Leip- France 2 Australia 1 a 1-1 draw. Sergio Aguero. Earlier, Antoine Griez- zig’s Poulsen showed great fi nishing Denmark 1 Peru 0 “We just couldn’t fi nd any space in mann scored the fi rst VAR-assisted to hit the winner on 59 minutes to the Croatia 2 Nigeria 0 between the lines,” the Argentina cap- penalty awarded in the history of the dismay of the overwhelmingly Peruvian tain said. “Iceland played a diff erent World Cup as title hopefuls France crowd in the 40,502-capacity stadium. Today’s matches game in the second half. They just sat need a late Paul Pogba goal to beat a Meanwhile, an own goal and a pen- back waiting for us. I feel responsible gutsy Australia side 2-1 yesterday. alty from captain Luka Modric helped Serbia vs Costa Rica 3PM for us only drawing.” The Atletico Madrid star wrote Croatia down Nigeria 2-0 to take early Germany vs Mexico 6PM Messi had the chance to put his side his name into the history books af- control of World Cup Group D and give Brazil vs Switzerland 9PM 2-1 up in the Group D game in Moscow’s ter he went down under a tackle from their star-studded squad an ideal start to Argentina forward Lionel Messi reacts at the end of his team’s match against Iceland Spartak Stadium but his penalty mid- Josh Risdon in the second half of the the campaign in Russia. Sport Pages 1-5 in the FIFA World Cup yesterday. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, June 17, 2018 QATAR HMC received over Eid festivities at Souq Al Wakrah 2,500 emergency cases on fi rst two days of Eid

amad Medical Corpora- physician at HMC Emergency Department at HMC, said that tion (HMC) received a Department, explained that the 1,038 cases of sick children were Htotal of 2,548 cases at its cases received at Hamad General received yesterday, with the larg- various emergency departments Hospital emergency department est number, 628, received at Al over the fi rst two days of Eid al- were mostly simple to medium in Sadd. Most suff ered from cough, Fitr, according to statistics re- their severity, except for a person cold and fever. “The Paediatric ceived until 6pm yesterday. suff ering head and neck injury in Emergency Centre at Al Sadd had While 1,702 emergency cases a car accident and admitted to 48 nurses and doctors working in were recorded on the fi rst day of the intensive care unit. shifts,” the offi cial added. Eid, the number dropped to 846 In addition 52 cases were ad- The Ambulance Department yesterday, offi cials said. If 602 cas- mitted temporarily at the hospital received yesterday 160 calls for es were received yesterday between for treatment. He said that most help from 5am until 5pm with all 5am and 6pm at Hamad General cases were due to stomach trou- the cases receiving timely and Hospital, including 202 females, in bles and complications of indiges- adequate response. The depart- addition to one of severe injury, Al tion with a few of dehydration. ment operated round-the-clock The Eid al-Fitr festivities at Souq Al Wakrah are attracting a good number of visitors. There are many stalls off ering fun and skill games. Wakrah hospital received 244. Dr Mohamed al-Amiri, deputy 90 ambulances in addition to the PICTURE: Ram Chand Dr Altayib Yousef, consultant director of Paediatric Emergency helicopter ambulances.

Applications portal opens for QLC-Georgetown University new joint programme

he application portal for trative Development, Labour Amal al-Shamry, head of the started. Education is an ongoing the inaugural Executive and Social Aff airs and a member Business Strategy and Planning eff ort that challenges us, tests TMaster’s in Leadership, of the QLC board of directors, Department at Oryx GTL, and our capabilities, and drives us to Policy and Innovation Pro- launched the programme and former Rising Leader, noted: achieve groundbreaking results.” gramme – academic year 2018- noted that he was pleased with “There are many Executive Mas- QLC and Georgetown Uni- 19 – has offi cially opened. the new opportunity - describ- ter’s Programmes, but most of versity have designed the joint Qatar Leadership Centre (QLC) ing it as “an important milestone them are limited to one area. This programme to be off ered exclu- and Georgetown University have in Qatar’s journey in developing degree, on the other hand, is ho- sively to qualifi ed QLC graduates welcome qualifi ed QLC gradu- a knowledge-based economy”. listic and encompassing – bring- who meet the admission criteria. ates to apply to the “fi rst-of-its- Sheikh Dr Abdulla bin Ali ing the trendiest topics together.” To earn the Executive Master’s kind” programme in the region, al-Thani, board member and QLC and Georgetown University off icially launched the new joint programme during an event recently. Ali al-Ali, a member of one of degree, participants must com- according to a press statement. managing director of QLC, said: Present on the occasion were HE Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi and other dignitaries. the fi rst QLC Executive Lead- plete all modules held in Doha, QLC and Georgetown Univer- “This is a unique opportunity for ers Programme cohorts, said: as well as a residency module in sity offi cially launched the new our graduates to build upon the work in, and for the future of our balanced and enriching, and will QLC’s eff orts in responding to “I have no doubt that with this Washington, DC. joint programme during an open knowledge and expertise they country.” equip participants with new and the graduates’ call for a new pro- programme, that the centre’s Upon completion, the degree house event last week. The gath- have established from our Na- The Executive Master’s Pro- insightful perspectives. Also, gramme, saying: “The Executive positive impact on the Qatari so- will be conferred by Georgetown ering was attended by a wide tional Leadership Programmes. gramme has attracted interest the successful completion of Master’s class will have a var- ciety will be further increased.” University and all graduates will array of Qatari business and Strong leaders should adopt life- from QLC graduates who hold the programme will result in an ied group of QLC alumni from Al Jazzi Fettis, assistant dean join the university’s global net- government leaders who have long teachings as an integral part leading positions across numer- Executive Master’s degree con- diff erent National Leadership for Student Aff airs at the College work of world leaders, policy- already successfully completed of their development. Earning ous sectors, the statement notes. ferred by a prestigious university Programmes across the years. of Engineering, Qatar Univer- makers and renowned innovators. one of QLC’s National Leader- the Executive Master’s degree in Khamis al-Mohannadi ex- with standing alumni in high es- This brings about knowledge sity, and a former Rising Leader, The nine-month programme ship Programmes. Leadership will prove to be of tre- pressed interest to participate teem in Qatar and the world.” exchange and the opportunity added: “There is a mutual feeling begins in September in Doha. HE Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al- mendous value for the graduates, in the programme, saying: “The Former Executive Leader Ab- to tap into each other’s profes- among QLC graduates that we Further information is available Nuaimi, Minister of Adminis- the respective industries they varied modules on off er are well- dulla al-Mehshadi appreciated sional expertise.” will continue the journey we have at www.qlc.org.qa Gulf Times Sunday, June 17, 2018 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD Army drone injures two Palestinians

Agencies ter they cut the fence of the bor- deina told reporters that a re- Gaza City der east of the Al Bureij refugee gional tour next week by White camp in the central Gaza Strip, House adviser Jared Kushner and Israeli and Palestinian media in US President Donald Trump’s wo Palestinians were Gaza reported. special envoy for the Middle wounded yesterday when The reports said that the three East, Jason Greenblatt, would Tan Israeli army drone fi red young men tried to vandalise en- produce “no results”. a missile at people launching gineering machines and equip- According to Israeli media, balloons carrying fi re bombs into ment used to destroy tunnels they will visit Israel, Egypt and Israel, medics reported. dug underneath the border be- Saudi Arabia. “Without respect The Gaza Health Ministry said tween Gaza Strip and Israel. for Arab summit resolutions and the two men were moderately Israeli army forces opened fi re those of the UN Security Coun- injured by shrapnel and were on the three young men, who cil... and especially without the hospitalised. managed to escape back to Gaza. accord of the Palestinian peo- This picture shows an armoured vehicle on fire as Yemeni pro-government forces conduct an attack on Houthi rebel positions in the area It is the third time this week There were reports that one of ple...(US peace eff orts) will be of Al-Fazah in Hodeidah province, yesterday. that Israeli army drones have the three was hit. doomed to fail and will desta- fi red on Palestinians releasing Gaza Health Ministry spokes- bilise the region,” Abu Rudeina kites and balloons carrying fi re man Ashraf al-Qedra told re- said.The Palestinians reacted fu- bombs into Israel, in the hopes porters that the death toll since riously to Trump’s announcement they will start fi res. March 30 has grown to 128 dead in December recognising Jerusa- The Israeli media reported and around 14,000 injured, lem as Israel’s capital and mov- Coalition close to capturing earlier that about 25,000 square many by Israeli gunfi re. ing his country’s embassy there metres of agricultural land has Many of the wounded are still from Tel Aviv. They consider east been burned or badly damaged in critical condition. Jerusalem their future capital, in- in such attacks in recent weeks. US PEACE EFFORTS sisting the future of the disputed Palestinians have been FACE CRITICISM city is an issue to be negotiated Hodeidah airport: military launching the kites and balloons Meanwhile, US eff orts to re- between the Israelis and Palestin- amid protests that started March solve the Israeli-Palestinian ians. 30 to protest the formation of confl ict are “doomed to fail”, the The US embassy was opened Reuters would focus on capturing the Israel and to demand the right to Palestinian Authority, which has on May 14, one day before the Aden airport and port and avoid return to ancestral lands confi s- frozen contacts with Washing- Palestinians commemorate their street fi ghting. cated when Israel was created. ton because of its perceived bias, mass displacement in the 1948 Lise Grande, the United Na- Earlier yesterday, three young said yesterday. war surrounding the creation of emen’s Houthi move- tions humanitarian co-ordina- Gazans infi ltrated into Israel af- PA spokesman Nabil Abu Ru- Israel. ment fought yesterday tor in Yemen, has warned that Yto keep a Saudi-led coa- in a worst-case scenario, up to lition from taking full control 250,000 lives are at risk. of the airport in the port city of “We suff er enough from pov- Hodeidah, in an off ensive the erty and lack of electricity and UN says could trigger a famine water,” Hodeidah resident Ib- Sudan Turkish warplanes imperilling millions of lives. rahim Shouey, 53, a fi sherman, The alliance, led in the Ho- said by telephone. deidah assault by the United “The sound of fi ghting is dis- central strike Kurdish militants Arab Emirates, is attempting tant, but the sounds of strikes to capture the well-defended by warplanes and warships has city and push the Houthis out UN envoy to Yemen Martin Griff iths (centre) listens to the terrifi ed us and our children. bank Reuters said. “With the latest opera- of their sole Red Sea port, in the undersecretary of Houthi-led government’s foreign ministry, We don’t know where to run Ankara tions, we struck a very impor- biggest battle of the war. Faisal Amin Abu-Rass upon his arrival at Sanaa airport, yesterday. to. We don’t want the war to tant meeting point of theirs. “Death and poverty are all reach the city centre.” chief dies We haven’t received the re- around us. We are scared to as fears grew that the fi ghting “We didn’t have any food, Riyadh has accused the urkish warplanes have sults yet, but it is certain that leave our homes after the fi ght- will sever the only lifeline to the or drink or anything, not even Houthis of using the port to struck a meeting of the they have been hit,” Erdogan ing reached the airport,” Ab- vast majority of Yemenis. water,” Omar said, standing in a smuggle weapons, including AFP Toutlawed Kurdistan said. delqader, who used to work at a The battle for Hodeidah hospital on Friday night beside missiles used to target Saudi Khartoum Workers Party (PKK) in Iraq’s Ankara has recently stepped cement plant, said by telephone could have ramifi cations far his wounded son. cities — accusations denied Qandil mountains, President up its warnings of a potential from Hodeidah. “No work, no beyond the densely-populated “I treated him on a bus af- by the group. If the Hodei- Tayyip Erdogan said yester- ground off ensive in the Qandil salary, we are just waiting for city of 600,000. ter he was injured in an air dah fi ghting drags on, causing udan’s central bank gover- day, adding that Ankara be- mountains. God’s mercy.” US President Donald strike...I call on the United Na- big coalition casualties and an nor Hazem Abdelqader has lieved high-profi le militants Erdogan said he had dis- Ground troops including Trump’s withdrawal from Iran’s tions and the Red Cross to open outcry over a humanitarian ca- Sdied of a heart attack while had been hit. cussed the issue with Iranian Emiratis, Sudanese and Yem- nuclear deal and his embrace of a way for us to get out of the tastrophe, it may work in the on a visit to Turkey, the Sudanese The Turkish military has President Hassan Rouhani and enis from various factions have nuclear state North Korea have situation we’re in. Houthis’ favour. presidency said yesterday. ramped up air strikes in north- that the two agreed to main- surrounded the main airport added to Tehran’s isolation and Our kids, women and elderly If the Houthis are driven out, It was not immediately clear ern Iraq targeting PKK bases in tain regional security. compound but have not seized put pressure on the Islamic Re- are stuck.” the coalition could get the up- whether Abdelqader was on a of- Qandil, close to the Iraq-Iran Northern Iraq’s Qandil it, a source in the coalition- public to preserve its interests Aid groups are failing to cope per hand in the war. The alli- fi cial visit to Turkey but the pres- border, where Ankara suspects mountains are situated close allied Yemeni military and resi- in Yemen and other states. in Yemen, where around 22mn ance has superior weaponry, idency said in a statement that he high-ranking members of the to the border between Iran and dents said. Fighting closed off the city’s people depend on humanitar- including fi ghter planes. died of a heart attack yesterday. militant group are located. Iraq. Houthi spokesman Moham- northern exit, blocking a key ian assistance and 8.4mn are at The Houthis, resilient and It did not off er other details. The government has also Tehran holds signifi cant ed Abdul-Salam said Saudi-led route east to Sanaa and mak- risk of starvation. highly experienced in moun- Born in 1960, Abdeqader was ap- said Turkish troops have de- infl uence over Iraq’s central forces had not entered Hodei- ing it harder to transport goods “Humanitarian agencies tain warfare, have advanced on pointed head of Sudan’s Central ployed roughly 30km inside government in Baghdad. Tur- dah airport and warned the as- from Yemen’s biggest port to cannot currently access areas sandal-shod feet and by pickup Bank in December 2016. northern Iraq, not far from key has also been in talks with sault on the city would under- mountainous regions. south of the city where people truck in battles across Yemen. Since taking over as governor, Qandil. Iraq about the potential of- mine chances for a peaceful Houthis rule the most popu- are most likely to have been in- Human rights groups criti- Abdelqader participated in ne- Speaking in an interview fensive but Erdogan said yes- settlement. lous areas of Yemen, a nation of jured, aff ected and displaced, cise the United States and other gotiations with the United States with Kanal 7 television, Er- terday that Ankara will wait to “A battle of attrition awaits about 30mn people. leaving us without a clear pic- Western powers who have pro- that helped lift decades old trade dogan said Turkish warplanes see a new government formed the Saudi alliance which it can- More than 10,000 people ture of needs,” said the Norwe- vided arms and intelligence to embargo imposed by Washington had struck a meeting point in in Baghdad following May’s not withstand. The Saudi coa- have died in the war that began gian Refugee Council’s offi ce in the alliance over coalition air on Khartoum. In recent months the Qandil mountains where election there before continu- lition will not win the battle in in 2015. Yemen. strikes that have led to hun- the central bank has faced an acute high-ranking members of the ing talks. Hodeidah,” he told Lebanon- Aly Omar and his family The Arab alliance, which dreds of civilian deaths. shortage of foreign currency that PKK were thought to be. An off ensive against the based Al-Mayadeen TV. spent three days trapped in the launched the operation in Ho- French special forces are on has seen the Sudanese pound The military would an- PKK in Qandil would mark Martin Griffi ths, the UN spe- Manzar neighbourhood abut- deidah four days ago, said it can the ground in Yemen with the plunge against the dollar on the nounce the outcome of the air Turkey’s third cross-border cial envoy to Yemen, arrived in ting the airport as fi ghting take the city quickly enough UAE forces, French newspaper black market. strikes in the coming hours, he operation since 2016. the Houthi-held capital Sanaa raged. to avoid interrupting aid and Le Figaro reported yesterday. Poverty forces Syrian refugee children into work

Thomson Reuters Foundation sifi es among the about 1mn refu- lies in Lebanon often had no humiliation,” he said. Clutching Tripoli, Lebanon gees living in Lebanon — roughly choice but to send their children his hands, he recalled the times a quarter of the country’s popu- to work. “Families are at their when men on the street would lation. breaking point when it comes approach him for abuse. hen 13-year-old The proportion of Syrian child to debt, and so to be able to get “They tried to do bad things. I Mounir fl ed Syria refugees working in Lebanon has their basic needs they are send- would not accept,” he said, as he Wfor Lebanon with his risen to 7% from 4% in late 2016, ing kids to work,” she said. stared down at the ground. family after surviving a rocket according to research by the Mounir’s mother Hasnaa says “This has happened more strike that nearly killed them, he Danish Refugee Council (DRC) she feels intense guilt but has no than once to me on the street. thought he would be safe. released early to the Thomson choice but to send Mounir and They were all men. Of course I In fact, he had swapped one Reuters Foundation. his 17-year-old brother out to was scared of this. They would form of danger for another — “It is sad to say that it is only work rather, depriving them of ask me to come with them and I sexual harassment and verbal going to get worse,” said Ben- an education. would tell them I didn’t want to abuse. edict Nixon, spokesman for the The rent alone on the small go.” With his father unable to work Council.”As long as households garage where the family lives Even at 13, he said he was often for health reasons, Mounir had are not generating income, rates is 280,000 Lebanese pounds a the oldest on the streets, where to earn money for his family sell- of child labour will continue to month. children as young as fi ve worked ing sweets in the city of Tripoli increase.” “It feels like nothing is alongside him. — a job that kept him out on the The United Nations and aid enough. Everything we have Last month he found work streets until 11pm, making about agencies warned last month that goes into paying for rent,” she closer to home at a barber shop, 12,000 Lebanese pounds ($8) a a “critical gap” in funding for said. where he earns 30,000 Lebanese day. Syrian refugees and host com- More than three quarters of pounds a week sweeping and “It was very hostile — people munities could lead to cuts in the refugees in Lebanon are liv- helping the owner — though he used to call me names and other vital services. ing below the poverty line and still works 10-hour days. things,” Mounir — not his real Globally, confl ict and climate- struggling to survive on less than His favourite subject at school name — told the Thomson Reu- induced disaster have driven $4 per day, according to Unicef, before Syria’s seven-year war cut ters Foundation. more children into working in and less than half the Syrian his education short was maths, “I would get really hurt, agriculture, which accounts for Syrian refugee Mounir (right, name changed), his mother Hasnaa, and six-year-old sister (left) sit in their children in the country attend and he dreams of going back to sometimes I would just sit and 71% of all child labour according house which was once a garage in Tripoli, Lebanon. school. learn how to read and write. cry. It was humiliating.” to the UN Food and Agriculture Mounir knows his life is not “I want to become a mechan- Aid groups say more and more Organization (FAO). ple, are prone to resort to child statement released last Tuesday Tanya Chapuisat, spokes- like most 13-year-olds’. ic. I like fi xing things like mo- Syrian children like Mounir are “Households in Syrian refugee labour to ensure the survival of to mark World Day Against Child woman for the UN children’s “A kid should be living a life tors,” he said with a big, dimpled having to work as poverty inten- camps in Lebanon, for exam- their family,” the FAO said in a Labour. agency Unicef, said Syrian fami- of dignity and respect with no smile. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, June 17, 2018 AFRICA Release of Bemba adds to DRC’s volatile political mix

AFP mass protests and bloody repres- Social Progress (UDPS) founded leave the capital under escort by Kinshasa sion – and elections to replace him by his late father Etienne, Bemba’s armoured vehicles of the UN mis- were then postponed until the end return would be “a considerable sion in the DRC (MONUSCO). In of 2018. reinforcement”. 2008, he was arrested in Belgium ne of the world’s most He has kept everyone guessing “We count on forming a solid and handed to the ICC to face trial unstable countries was whether he intends to run again, bloc with Jean-Pierre Bemba and over the war crimes in CAR. Oalready struggling with although Prime Minister Bruno Felix Tshisekedi to free our broth- Despite this turbulent legacy, a political crisis and nail-biting Tshibala, drawn from the ranks ers in the east,” announced former the pro-Kabila majority opted uncertainty. of the opposition, recently said in prime minister Adolphe Muzito, a for a tone of compromise when A decision by a war crimes Montreal that he would not stand self-proclaimed follower of inde- Bemba’s acquittal was announced tribunal has now added to the again. pendence hero Patrice Lumumba. last week. Democratic Republic of Congo’s Bemba – once a bitter rival of But the idea of Bemba playing “This release is cause for na- explosive mix. Kabila and whose militia clashed Jean-Pierre Bemba the lead role is not to everyone’s tional pride. Jean-Pierre Bemba By acquitting ex-rebel and with government forces – now has taste. must be welcomed into the coun- former vice president Jean-Pierre the possibility of leaping back onto rebel group to political party. “In 2006, we voted for Bemba try,” said Joseph Kokonyangi, Bemba, the International Criminal the political stage, say analysts. The MLC holds its annual con- by default because the UDPS did minister of urban aff airs and dep- Court (ICC) may have opened the After his provisional release, gress in July. “Our president will not take part in the elections. Ei- uty secretary of the Presidential way for one of DRC’s most contro- Bemba arrived in Belgium, the be there,” MLC Secretary-general ther Bemba gets behind our can- Majority alliance. versial fi gures to weigh in on high- court said Friday, where his wife Eve Bazaiba vowed well before didate Felix Tshisekedi, or else “We never broke off dialogue risk presidential elections, now and children are believed to be Bemba was provisionally freed on he will be playing Kabila’s game,” with the MLC,” a close aide to Ka- just months away. living. Tuesday. warned Mfumu Sabata, a rapper bila told AFP, saying he would not Bemba, 55, has been provision- Bemba’s big political op- Asked about his political goals, with a strong following among rule out “direct talks (to) govern ally released after the ICC ruled portunity lies in an opposition she replied details could wait un- youth. together one day”. he had had only limited control of desperately looking for a single til “July 12 and 13, after the MLC The tall, stocky scion of a The mood was also cooperative his militia, blamed for atrocities champion to back in December. congress”. wealthy businessman, Bemba at MLC headquarters. “There is a in the Central African Republic Bemba, despite the atrocities Other opposition fi gures are went up against Kabila at the polls time for fi ghting, there is a time (CAR) more than 15 years ago. committed by his militiamen in discreetly adjusting their stance in 2006. for building together,” said infl u- The ruling – on appeal – came the CAR in 2002-3, is nationally in the light of the new political After he disputed the result, ential senator Jacques Djoli. some six weeks before a deadline known and can count on the votes equation. heavy fi ghting broke out in Kin- “Everyone wants him,” said a for entering candidates for the of millions in his native Equateur Moise Katumbi, the exiled shasa between the Congolese Western diplomat well acquainted December 23 elections. and Bas-Congo regions. former governor of Katanga prov- army and his militia, claiming with the DRC. President Joseph Kabila, who “Knowing his ego, he will nev- ince, on Saturday used Skype on a about 100 lives. “He will have to keep a low pro- has ruled since 2001, should er want to be lined up behind an- giant screen for supporters in Kin- In 2007, the authorities issued fi le and be conciliatory with Presi- have stepped down at the end of other candidate. Jean-Pierre will shasa to propose advancing “to- a warrant against Bemba for the dent Kabila to avert a resumption 2016 at the end of his two-term want to be the king,” said a vet- gether with Jean-Pierre Bemba”. violence and for alleged arson of legal proceedings. At the same constitutional limit. eran of Bemba’s Congolese Lib- For Felix Tshisekedi, the leader against the Supreme Court. time, he needs to go easy on his But his fi nal mandate was ex- eration Movement (MLC), which and candidate of the historic op- Bemba was fl own to Portugal friends in the opposition if he tended by a year at the cost of long ago took the path from position Union for Democracy and for medical treatment, having to really wants to win.”

National Youth Day Commemoration in SA Somalia, Ethiopia join hands to develop four seaports

Reuters Mogadishu

omalia and Ethiopia announced they were Sjointly investing in four seaports to attract for- eign investment to their two countries, the latest move in a tussle for access to ports Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, left, is received by along one of the world’s Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo at Aden most strategic waterways. Alle airport in Mogadishu yesterday. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa gestures as he arrives for the 2018 After Somalia’s presi- National Youth Day Commemoration under the theme, ‘Live the legacy: Towards a dent Mohamed Abdullahi The statement did not 100mn, has been led since socio-economically empowered youth’ in Orlando Stadium in Soweto yesterday. Farmaajo hosted Ethiopia’s elaborate on which ports the April by 41-year-old former prime minister Abiy Ahmed two countries would develop. intelligence offi cer Abiy, for a meeting at the presi- The Horn of Africa’s Red who has moved swiftly to dential palace in Mogadishu, Sea coastline extending assert his nation’s interests the two leaders issued a joint north of Somalia through on the international stage. statement of pledges to co- Djibouti and Eritrea toward “The leaders further operate on everything from the critical Suez Canal is agreed to invest in logistics Nairobi looks for new water the development of infra- already dotted with ports and service provision spe- structure including roads owned or run by countries cially to leading ports in the linking the two countries to locked in a regional struggle. continent that can serve both to ease its growing thirst expanding visa services to Landlocked Ethiopia, the Indian ocean and the Red promote cultural exchanges. which has a population of Sea,” the statement read.

Thomson Reuters Foundation have access to enough water would remove Ondiri, Kenya demand for the cartels’ supply, he said. One solution is to rehabilitate a series of nearby wetlands, dams and swamps both hen last year’s prolonged drought inside and outside the city, and pump the saw the water supply to Damaris water to the capital. That is something the WKiarie’s Nairobi home rationed, government is working on together with she decided her best bet was to buy water donors and the private sector. from a local vendor. Many freshwater wetlands have become It was, she soon learned, a mistake. polluted or have been encroached on over After storing two 20-litre drums of water in the years. her kitchen, her son came home from school Previous eff orts to improve water sys- and poured himself a cup, she remembers. tems for Nairobi have included a $35mn re- But “when I arrived home from work, I habiliation of rivers in the Nairobi area, and found him complaining of stomach pains. the improvement of the Nairobi dam as part Within one hour he had diarrhoea.” of a regeneration project in the capital’s in- She took the 7-year-old to a nearby hos- famous Kibera slum. pital where medical staff diagnosed cholera, Although some of the water being brought and successfully treated him for it. After that, in is not fi t as drinking water, it could be used Kiarie bought a large tank that can store 1,000 for sewerage, construction and irrigation, litres of piped water for emergency use. said Nixon Korir, a member of parliament for Kiarie said contaminated water causes at Lang’ata, a suburb in the capital. least two cases of cholera every month in “This can help reduce the amount of fresh her neighborhood. Residents of other parts water used for enterprises, and increase the of Kenya’s capital face similar problems, volumes families can use for cooking and battling shortages caused by drought and drinking,” Korir said. broken pipes. Along the Nairobi River, waste has been Added to that are the water cartels that tap removed, trees planted and toilets and sewers illegally into the water mains, siphoning off installed in slums along its course, Korir said. water that they then sell to residents. That The river’s water is now used by small water can easily become contaminated. businesses such as car washes, as well as to In short, Nairobi lacks suffi cient water, keep the city’s public toilets clean. particularly in an era where climate change However, rehabilitating areas such as the is bringing less predictable rains. Ondiri wetland – which lies about 20km “When there is a water shortage it is our northwest of Nairobi, and is Kenya’s deep- children who suff er the most. It is good for est freshwater swamp – could help sup- our leaders to look for alternative sources of ply more drinking water to the city’s ever- water,” said Kiarie. growing population, Korir said. Nairobi’s main water source is the Ndakai- Naftali Mungai, an environmentalist who ni dam, which lies about 50km (30 miles) has worked for years with the Ondiri com- north of the capital. It supplies about 85% munity, said the wetland serves as an under- of the 500m litres of water the city uses each ground source for Kikuyu springs, the oldest day, said Nahashon Muguna, who heads the freshwater drinking source in Nairobi. Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Co. But encroachment, pollution and defor- However, Muguna said, demand is much estation have pushed the Ondiri wetland, higher: around 700mn litres. Not surpris- which sits outside Kikuyu town, to the ingly, residents such as Kiarie wonder what brink, he said. can be done to close the gap. Experts such as David Ngugi, the chair- To that end, the capital is diversify- man of the Ondiri, Nyongara, Kavuthi and ing its sources of water, Nairobi governor Rongiri (ONKARU) water resources users Mike Mbuvi Sonko said. “This can help association, a non-profi t, reckons it would remove cartels who have taken over water require as much as $100mn to conserve it businesses in the city. Ensuring residents properly. Gulf Times Sunday, June 17, 2018 5 AMERICAS

Canadians say they will avoid 2,000 minors split from US goods: survey parents at the US border Reuters AFP detention standards in the world uncompromising legislative Ottawa Washington for children,” he said. agenda. Some 1,500 boys are being Democrats went on the held in a former Walmart super- counter-attack, with top House eventy per cent of Cana- early 2,000 minors were market in Texas, and the govern- Democrat Nancy Pelosi calling dians say they will start separated from their ment is erecting tent structures the Republican proposal “simply Slooking for ways to avoid Nparents or adult guard- near the border to house the unworthy of America”. buying US-made goods in a ians who illegally crossed into increasing number of migrant Family separation “is an im- threat to ratchet up a trade dis- the United States over a recent children, including unaccompa- moral, horrifi c policy”, added pute between Prime Minister six-week period, offi cials have nied minors, in custody. Senator Dianne Feinstein, who Justin Trudeau and US President said, as debate raged over how With the crackdown in full has introduced legislation to Donald Trump, an Ipsos Poll to end the deeply controversial swing, the detained parents are keep immigrant families to- showed on Friday. practice. “in jail settings”, the offi cial said, gether. The poll also found a major- President Donald Trump, fac- awaiting adjudication and pos- Trump stressed he opposes ity of Americans and Canadians ing mounting anger over his ad- sible prosecution for crossing the separations. are united in support of Trudeau ministration’s “zero tolerance” the border. “I hate the children being tak- and opposition to Trump in their border security policy, repeated The process can take several en away,” he said. countries’ stand-off over the that while he is incensed about weeks. But he also repeated the false- renegotiation of the 1994 North the family separations, the op- “This administration has hood that Democrats, currently American Free Trade Agreement position Democrats is to be made it clear that we are not go- in the minority in Congress, are (Nafta). blame for the crisis, which crit- ing to ignore the law any longer,” responsible for a law that man- Amid the spat, Trump pulled ics say however is one of his own the offi cial said. dates family separations. out of a joint communique with making. Meanwhile, congressional Re- There is no law that requires six other countries last week- And the president signalled publicans have struggled to craft parents be separated from their end during a Quebec summit that the drama could drag on. a viable immigration plan. children at the border. meeting of the Group of Seven After Trump initially seemed The Republican-led House of However, if parents in the rich nations and called Trudeau to say he was not keen on a Re- Representatives may vote next United States are jailed, their “very dishonest and weak”. publican compromise bill that week on two immigration meas- children are split from them be- Trump was reacting to Tru- includes a fi x to the separation ures – a hard-line bill drafted by cause the children are not them- deau’s having called US steel and issue as well as DACA (Deferred House Judiciary chairman Bob selves charged with a crime. aluminium tariff s insulting to Action for Childhood Arrivals) Goodlatte, and a compromise This file photo taken on January 4 last year shows a US border patrol agent taking Central American The DHS offi cial also rejected Canada. protections for young migrants measure that limits legal im- immigrants into custody near McAllen, Texas. Nearly 2,000 minors were separated from their parents or as “not true” various reports Trudeau has said little about who arrived illegally as children, migration while also ending the adult guardians who illegally crossed into the United States over a recent six-week period, off icials said of wrongdoing, including the the matter since a Trump Twit- the White House walked back family separations. on Friday. turning away of some asylum- ter assault. his remarks. “I’m looking at both of them,” seekers. Despite the tensions, 85% of According to a Department Trump told Fox News. “I cer- from their parents despite pow- both the Goodlatte bill and the what he specifi cally wants in He also refuted the claim that Canadians and 72% of Ameri- of Homeland Security (DHS) tainly wouldn’t sign the more erful new condemnation from House leadership bill,” accord- new legislation including “full agents were surreptitiously mis- cans said they support being in spokesman, between April 19 moderate one.” faith leaders,” Tom Jawetz, the ing to White House spokesman funding for the Wall”, an end to leading children and parents in the Nafta, and 44% of respond- and May 31, a total of 1,995 chil- Trump’s opposition would vice-president for immigration Raj Shah. a diversity visa lottery and cer- order to separate them, as well ents in both countries said rene- dren were separated from 1,940 deal a body blow to eff orts to policy at progressive group Cen- The compromise House Re- tain categories of family-based as one report which detailed a gotiation of the deal would be a adults who were being held by tamp down the border crisis, tre for American Progress, told publican bill reportedly would migration, and a shift toward mother being separated from her good thing for their country. US border patrol. which has raised alarm among AFP. provide $25bn for a border wall, “merit based immigration” for child during breastfeeding. While the poll showed sup- Amid an outcry over the de- evangelical leaders who backed Hours after Trump’s com- and detail a process giving young skilled workers. “We do not separate breast- port for a boycott of US goods tentions, the DHS offi cial in- Trump’s campaign. ments, the White House issued a undocumented immigrants per- He also accused Democrats of feeding children from their in Canada, pulling it off could be sisted that the minors were held “The administration shows statement saying that the presi- manent residency and a pathway “forcing the break-up of fami- parents,” the DHS offi cial said. diffi cult in a country that reveres in decent conditions. no sign of backing down from dent had misspoken. to citizenship. lies at the border” because they “That does not exist, that is not US popular culture and consum- “We have some of the highest its policy of separating children “The president fully supports On Twitter, Trump addressed are pushing their own “cruel” policy.” er goods over all others. Canada is the largest market for US goods. The poll showed 72% of Ca- nadians and 57% of Americans approved of the way Trudeau Trump ‘threatened’ to send had handled the situation, while 14% of Canadians and 37% of Americans approved of Trump’s 25mn Mexicans to Japan behaviour. More than eight in 10 Cana- dians and seven in 10 Americans AFP worry the situation has damaged Washington bilateral relations. Canada has vowed to retaliate against US tariff s on steel and onald Trump threatened Japan’s aluminium with tariff s against a Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that range of US goods, a move sup- Dhe would ship 25mn Mexicans ported by 79% of Canadians, ac- to his country, one of a series of bizarre cording to the poll. missives that jarred fellow leaders at By contrast, Americans op- last week’s acrimonious G7 meet, ac- posed escalating the situation. cording to a report on Friday. Thirty-one per cent of Ameri- The Group of Seven (G7) summit cans said they favoured even gathering of top industrialised democ- stronger tariff s, and 61% said racies fi nished in disarray after the US Trump: reportedly told Japan’s Shinzo other elected US offi cials should president abruptly rejected its con- Abe that ‘you don’t have this problem, denounce Trump’s statements. sensus statement and bitterly attacked but I can send you 25mn Mexicans and Canadian respondents also Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Tru- you’ll be out of off ice very soon’. signalled approval of the unit- deau. ed front their politicians have Behind the scenes, Trump’s counter- fi re and was repeatedly described by shown, with 88% saying that parts were dismayed by verbal jabs on Trump as a “brutal killer” in reference they welcomed the support of topics ranging from trade to terrorism to the bloc’s anti-trust and tax fi nes politicians from other parties for and migration, the Wall Street Journal against US tech companies that have the Liberal government’s deci- said, quoting European offi cials who run into billions of dollars. sion to push back on tariff s. were present. Bitter diff erences over trade domi- While Canadian consumers At one point he described migra- nated the summit hosted by Canada, appeared ready to boycott US tion as a big problem for Europe then with leaders of the world’s largest goods, 57% of Canadians and said to Abe: “Shinzo, you don’t have economies lining up against Trump’s 52% of Americans said Canada this problem, but I can send you 25mn threats to impose stiff tariff s on im- should not overreact to Trump’s Mexicans and you’ll be out of offi ce ported steel and aluminium. comments because it was just very soon”, creating a sense of irritation After rejecting the joint statement, political posturing. in the room, according to an EU offi cial. Trump and his top aides assailed Tru- The Ipsos Poll of 1,001 Ca- The source added that when the deau, accusing him of dishonesty and nadians and 1,005 Americans topic turned to Iran and terrorism, betrayal. – including 368 Democrats, 305 Trump took aim at French President Trump on Friday rejected reports of Republicans and 202 Independ- Emmanuel Macron, saying: “You must discord, blaming the “Fake News Me- ents – was conducted on June 13 know about this, Emmanuel, because dia” on Twitter for portraying a false and 14. all the terrorists are in Paris.” picture while posting several photos It has a credibility interval of European Commission President of himself appearing to get along well 3.4 percentage points. Jean-Claude Juncker also came under with fellow G7 leaders.

Harvard records show discrimination against Asian-Americans, says non-profi t group Harvard University killed an internal investigation in 2013 that those for whites annually even though whites only outper- found evidence the Ivy League school’s admissions system is formed Asian-American applicants on a subjective rating of a biased against Asian-American applicants, a non-profit group student’s personality. suing the university alleged in a court filing on Friday. However, the group said Harvard ultimately killed the study and The claim by Students for Fair Admissions Incorporated came buried the reports from it. in a brief that sought to have a federal judge in Boston rule in The group in its 2014 complaint said that Harvard defines its favour without a trial in a closely watched lawsuit accusing “Asian-Americans” as including individuals of Chinese, Harvard of discriminating against Asian-Americans. Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Hmong, or Indian The group, headed by prominent anti-aff irmative action activist descent. Edward Blum, said that evidence showed that Harvard had al- In Friday’s brief, Harvard said the percentage of Asian-Amer- lowed race to become a dominant consideration in considering icans it admitted had actually grown by 29% over the last applicants rather than just a legally allowed “plus” factor. decade. “Incontrovertible evidence shows that Harvard’s admissions It called the 2013 report “preliminary and incomplete” and said policy has a disproportionately negative eff ect on Asian-Ameri- that it was done with limited admissions data. cans vis-à-vis similarly situated white applicants that cannot be The US Supreme Court has ruled universities may use aff irma- explained on non-discriminatory grounds,” the group said. tive action to help minority applicants get into college. Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Harvard in its own brief on Conservatives have said such programmes can hurt white Friday denied discriminating against Asian-Americans. people and Asian-Americans. In court papers, Arlington, Virginia-based Students for Fair Ad- In its brief, Harvard called the lawsuit by Blum’s group “the lat- missions said that an Asian-American male applicant with a 25% est salvo by ideological opponents of the consideration of race chance of admission would have a 35% chance if he was white, in university admissions”. 75% if he were Hispanic and a 95% chance if he were black. After Republican President Donald Trump took off ice last year, The brief did not provide a similar breakdown for women. the Justice Department began investigating whether Harvard’s It said that in 2013, a Harvard research division found that over policies are discriminatory because they limit the acceptance of a decade Asian-American admission rates were lower than Asian-Americans. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, June 17, 2018 ASIA

Thai PM hosts economic summit Lanka to Thai king given tighten law on full ownership pollution IANS Colombo

ri Lanka will strengthen its environmental law against Sgrowing industrial pollu- of palace assets tion, urban waste disposal and il- legal buildings, Cabinet spokes- AFP The Chakris are one front page of the CPB’s website. person Gayantha Karunathilleke Bangkok of the world’s richest The document was not dat- said yesterday. royal dynasties, with ed and the CPB, which rarely Karunathilleke said the gov- estimates varying grants interviews, could not be From left: Myanmar’s President Win Myint, Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, ernment would amend the Na- hailand’s king has been between $30-60bn reached for further comment. Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen, Laos’ Prime tional Environment Act after the granted full ownership The note clarifi ed that all of Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and Asean Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi join hands together cabinet of ministers approved a Tof the palace’s multi- trolled by the opaque Crown the CPB’s shareholdings will for a group picture during the opening ceremony of Mekong summit in Bangkok yesterday. proposal by President Maithri- billion dollar assets under a Property Bureau (CPB), a vast also “be held in the name of His Prayut is hosting the 8th Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Co-operation Strategy pala Sirisena earlier this week to law passed last year, according portfolio that includes massive Majesty.” (ACMECS) Summit in Bangkok composed of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam instruct the legal draftsman to to a rare “explanatory note” property ownership and in- The CPB has major invest- to boost economic development of the Mekong region. draft necessary legislation, Xin- published by the fi nancial arm vestments in major companies. ments in some of Thailand’s hua news agency reported. of the powerful but secretive But last July the Thai junta largest companies, such as The new law would enable au- monarchy. amended a royal property law Siam Commercial Bank and thorities to better cope with pol- King Maha Vajiralongkorn for the fi rst time in 69 years to Siam Cement Company. lution problems and stern action inherited one of the world’s give Vajiralongkorn full control The note also said that pre- India agrees on new air entry points to Nepal would be taken against all those great fortunes when he as- over the CPB. viously tax exempt CPB assets Nepal and India agreed Kathmandu-Janakpur-Kolkata CAAN, told Xinhua yesterday. caught polluting the environment. cended the Thai throne follow- It is one of several steps will now be liable to taxation yesterday to establish four and Kathmandu-Janakpur-Patna The spokesperson said the Even though the law has been ing the October 2016 death of taken by Vajiralongkorn to in- “in line with His Majesty’s new air entry points to in the eastern part of Nepal and agreement was made in line amended several times in the his father, who ruled for seven crease his personal control over wishes.” enhance air connectivity Kathmandu-Mahendranagar- with the consensus reached past, the necessity for further decades. the palace bureaucracy and its Public discussion of the between the two countries, Delhi in the western part, with the Indian side during changes has been recognised in Analysts say the Chakris wealth since taking the throne. monarchy’s actions remains the Civil Aviation Authority according to a statement issued Indian Prime Minister Narendra order to fi nd solutions for press- are one of the world’s richest The amendment means “all taboo due to Thailand’s lese of Nepal (CAAN) said, IANS by the CAAN. Modi’s state visit to Nepal last ing environmental issues as well royal dynasties, with estimates ‘Crown Property Assets’ are to majeste law, which punishes reports from Kathmandu. “We agreed to establish month. as those that may arise in the fu- varying between $30-60bn, be transferred and revert to the any perceived criticism with up Aviation authorities from the four new entry points. The Tourism industry in the ture, Karunathilaka said. although the monarchy does ownership of His Majesty, so to 15 years per off ence. two South Asian neighbours agreement has opened the Himalayan nation is expected Planned changes to the law not publicly declare its wealth that they may be administered All media based in Thailand agreed to establish the door for both sides to conduct to be further expanded once will cover water pollution fac- and is shielded from scrutiny and managed at His Majesty’s must self-censor when report- bi-directional (incoming a safety assessment of the these air entry routes become tories, urban waste-related is- by lese majeste law. discretion,” according to a note ing on the monarchy to avoid and outgoing) air routes on proposed routes,” Birendra operational in the near future, sues and issues caused by illegal Most of the money is con- featured prominently on the violating the lese majeste law. Kathmandu-Biratnagar-Dhaka, Shrestha, spokesperson at the experts said. constructions. Vietnam launches investigation into Cambodian curbs on poll news could American held for ‘public disorder’ smother debate: UN

AFP ing through Vietnam on holiday before go- Reuters Hanoi ing to Singapore where he was set to receive a Phnom Penh said in a statement issued in Master’s degree next month. Phnom Penh. Nguyen’s friends say he was injured be- “Journalists have a respon- ietnam police have launched a formal fore his arrest, citing footage on social me- aguely worded Cambo- sibility to report on many criminal investigation into an Ameri- dia that shows him with a bloody wound dian media rules could issues in the run-up to an Vcan man who was among dozens ar- on his head as he is dragged to a vehicle by Vbring sweeping restric- election, in particular contro- rested last week during rare protests that plainclothes men. tions that prevent journalists versial issues,” they said. erupted across the state. He was visited by US consular offi cials in reporting on controversial is- The rapporteurs urged American citizen William Anh Nguyen, 32, jail on Friday and appeared “in decent spirits”, sues in the run-up to a general Cambodia to respect press was detained in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday family friend Kevin Webb said. election, UN rights monitors freedom. during a massive rally protesting a govern- “He seemed to be in decent health, we have warned. A spokesman for the elec- ment proposal to grant lengthy land leases in don’t know if he’s received medical attention The government of veteran tion committee, Hang Puthea, new special economic zones. for his head injury,” said Webb, who has been Prime Minister Hun Sen, who dismissed the concerns, say- Many protesters expressed fear the working with Nguyen’s family to lobby law- aims to extend his rule in the ing media guidelines were land would be handed to China, and makers in Washington for his release. July 29 vote, has mounted a aimed at ensuring the election thousands gathered in several cities A US state department spokesman said broad campaign against the goes smoothly. across the country to demand the gov- that they are concerned by reports that opposition and dissent and The opposition Cambo- ernment not lease land to Beijing for Nguyen was injured and that American offi - said this month it was watch- dia National Rescue Party “even one day”. cials are pushing for continued consular ac- ing out for any online news (CNRP), which was dissolved At least 40 people are still in detention af- cess to Nguyen. that causes “instability”. by a court last November at ter the rallies, according to an AFP tally using Family friends said he did not bring a po- Authorities have also prom- the government’s request, has offi cial fi gures and state media reports. litical agenda to protests but was only there to ised to “control news content” urged voters to boycott the The protests turned violent in several spots celebrate the right to free assembly. while the National Election vote. including southern Binh Thuan province “He was not at these protests to express Committee has issued a code The UN experts said voting where demonstrators torched police buses any kind of political message,” Mary Daniel of conduct banning journal- was not compulsory. and damaged government property. said. ists from expressing opinions “We encourage the Cambo- Ho Chi Minh City police said late Friday Authorities distributed leafl ets and sent text and from publishing news that dian authorities to ensure that that Nguyen was being investigated “for acts messages in Ho Chi Minh City this week warn- aff ects national security. all people are freely able to ex- of disturbing public order” and accused him ing residents not to join illegal gatherings and Journalists have also been press their political views and of inciting protesters and trying to damage there was a heavy police presence in the city barred from conducting in- opinions, including on the op- public property. yesterday. terviews at polling stations on tion of abstaining,” they said. “After seeing people trying to fl ip a police The draft law on special economic zones election day. The CNRP leader is in jail, pickup truck to clear the way for the protest- made no mention of granting land to China, “These prohibitions use on what he says is a politically ers, William Anh tried to help them fl ip the but ignited a long-simmering resentment broad and imprecise terminol- motivated charge, while most vehicles,” said a report from Ho Chi Minh against Vietnam’s powerhouse communist ogy that could lead to sweep- of his senior colleagues are in City’s offi cial police newspaper. neighbour. ing restrictions on the media exile, raising concern among The investigation could lead to formal Hanoi and Beijing have a historically check- that would be incompatible aid donors in the West that charges and means Nguyen is likely to remain ered relationship since a bloody border war with international standards,” some 25 years of eff ort to build in detention until the probe is closed. in 1979, and tensions frequently spike over US citizen William Anh Nguyen was detained in Ho Chi Minh City during a Rhona Smith and David Kaye, democratic institutions have The Texas-born Yale graduate was pass- disputed territory in the South China Sea. massive rally. both UN Special Rapporteurs, come to nothing. Eid celebration in Lanka Rohingya refugees mark Eid

AFP tion,” he said in the vast Ku- Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh tupalong camp in Cox’s Bazar district. The camp’s mosques were s Muslims around the full yesterday morning as refu- world celebrated Eid with gees prayed for safety from fl ash Afeasting and gift-giving, fl oods and sudden landslides Rohingya refugees in squalid that they fear could be triggered Bangladesh camps marked by monsoon rains. They then the festival yesterday with a exchanged embraces. peaceful demonstration de- Later, as children roamed around manding justice and dignifi ed in new clothes and enjoyed merry- repatriation. go-round rides and other enter- For the hundreds of thou- tainment, hundreds of refugees sands of the Muslim minority staged an hour-long protest, a who have fl ed neighbouring My- common occurrence in the camps. anmar since an army crackdown Holding banners and plac- Rohingya Muslims off er Eid al-Fitr prayers at a camp mosque in Cox’s last August, this is the fi rst Eid ards, the demonstrators shouted Bazar yesterday. al-Fitr they have spent in the slogans demanding Rohingya cramped tent cities. citizenship, dignifi ed repatria- About 700,000 Rohingya happy,” refugee Manu Mia said Rahim Uddin, a 35-year-old tion to Myanmar and security have arrived in Bangladesh since yesterday, as many households refugee, said that the holiday, from the United Nations. the crackdown that the UN and prepared traditional desserts for which marks the end of the fast- Community leader Moham- the US say amounted to “eth- the children. ing month of Ramadan, was mad Mohibullah said they want nic cleansing”, joining those Eighty-year-old Gul Meher diff erent this year. the UN to “include a Rohingya who had fl ed earlier violence in made vermicelli called ‘semai’ for “But God be praised, at least representative in the repatria- mainly Buddhist Myanmar. her son and four grandchildren. Sri Lankan Muslims embrace each other after morning prayers for Eid al-Fitr celebrations, to mark we have a peaceful place to stay tion agreement” procedure. The “I sold some rations in the “I feel very happy, though we the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Colombo yesterday. and celebrate. We can go to the UN could not be reached for local market to buy my chil- managed to cook a very little, mosques without any interrup- comment immediately. dren new clothes. They are very only for my grandkids,” she said. Gulf Times Sunday, June 17, 2018 7 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA

Test of endurance Indonesian woman swallowed by giant python

AFP Makassar

n Indonesian woman has been found in the belly of Aa giant python after the swollen snake was captured near where she vanished while tend- ing her vegetable garden, police said yesterday. The body of 54-year-old Wa Tiba was found Friday when villagers cut open the seven- metre (23-foot) python which was found bloated in the village of Persiapan Lawela on the is- land of Muna, offshore of Su- lawesi. “Residents were suspi- cious the snake swallowed the victim, so they killed it, then carried it out of the garden,” said local police chief Hamka, who like many Indonesians has only one name. “The snake’s belly was cut open and the body of the victim was found inside.” Some 100 residents, includ- ing worried relatives, launched a search for the woman after she failed to return from her garden Thursday night.

“The snake’s belly was cut open and the body of the Ethnic Miao people row dragon boats in Guizhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. victim was found inside”

Hamka said villagers found the giant serpent lying about 30 metres from Tiba’s sandals and machete, adding she was swal- lowed head fi rst and her body was found intact. The garden in which she disappeared was at the base of a rocky cliff , pockmarked by caves, and known to be home China state media attack US to snakes, Hamka added. Giant pythons, which regular- ly top six metres, are commonly found in Indonesia and the Phil- ippines. While the serpents have been known to attack small animals, tariff s, leave scope for talks attempts to eat people are rare. In March last year, a farmer was Reuters ing offi cial comments that China would tems and global production supply While calling Trump’s administra- tial list of 106 published on April 4, but killed by a python in the village Shanghai defend its interests in a trade war. chains. “The whole world will be pick- tion “inconsistent and precarious,” it their total value remains unchanged, at of Salubiro on Sulawesi island. “Following the path of expanding ing up the bill for the mistaken acts of expressed hope a trade war might yet $50bn. and opening up is China’s best re- US unilateralism.” be averted. “Given the frequent fl ip- China will fi rst impose tariff s on 545 hina responded vigorously in sponse to the trade dispute between The Global Times, a tabloid run by fl opping of the Donald Trump admin- US goods worth $34bn on July 6. state media yesterday after the China and the United States, and is also the People’s Daily, called the US move istration, it is still too early to conclude Aff ected products include beef, pork, Agency probes senior poultry, fi sh and seafood, dairy prod- executive for Cadministration of US President the responsibility that major countries “an irresponsible act on behalf of the that a trade war will start,” the editorial suspected violations Donald Trump said it would impose should have to the world,” it added. White House to disrupt international said, adding that China’s stance had ucts, vegetables, mushrooms, fruits, tariff s on $50bn of Chinese imports, An editorial in the ruling Com- trade just to appeal to American vot- been consistent. nuts, sorghum, other grains, soybeans, China’s anti-graft agency said but some commentary left room for munist Party’s offi cial People’s Daily ers who are convinced their president is “(China) welcomes dialogue and is whiskey, orange juice, tobacco, and yesterday it is investigating the further negotiations. condemned what it called the Trump fi ghting for them.” not afraid of trade war threats.” conventional, hybrid and electric pas- general manager of state-owned Late on Friday, China said it would administration’s “obsession with play- In an editorial, the offi cial English- The reaction to the US tariff s was senger vehicles. China Shipbuilding Industry Corp impose additional 25% tariff s on 659 ing the disgraceful role of global eco- language China Daily said the measure muted on Chinese social media, fail- The country has not yet announced (CSIC). Sun Bo is suspected of US goods worth $50bn, in response to nomic disruptor”. It added, “There is was “a stark violation of the core spirit ing to break into the top 100 trending an eff ective date for tariff s on the re- serious disciplinary and legal vio- the US imposition of tariff s. no winner in a trade war, and the US of recent trade talks between China and topics on the country’s Twitter-like maining 114 goods worth $16bn, which lations, the Central Commission “The wise man builds bridges, the instigation of a trade war is extremely the United States and is set to backfi re Weibo. include crude oil, natural gas, coal, for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) fool builds walls,” the offi cial Xinhua destructive to global trade, economic if Washington doesn’t back off from its Friday’s list of goods on which China some refi ned oil products and medical said on its website. news agency said in an editorial, echo- globalisation, multilateral trade sys- dangerous adventurism.” is to impose tariff s is longer than an ini- equipment. Arrests over online gambling fraud Japan urges North Korea to jointly break mutual distrust

AFP Tokyo

apanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe yesterday called Jon North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to jointly overcome their mutual distrust, as he con- fi rmed ongoing eff orts to arrange a Japan-North Korea summit. In a television interview, Abe said his government has con- tacted the North Korean side “through various channels” in a bid to arrange a meeting with Kim. During historic talks with US President Donald Trump in Sin- Shinzo Abe: keen to overcome distrust gapore on Tuesday, Kim report- edly said he was open to a meet- Taro Kono is considering talks has no plan to give fi nancial aid ing with Abe. with his North Korean counter- to Pyongyang without a resolu- Japan wants the talks to push part on the sidelines of a meet- tion of the abduction issue. Police escort people who authorities say are suspected members of an online gambling fraud network in Zhoushan, Zhejiang the emotive issue of citizens ing of Asean envoys in Singapore The issue of Japanese citizens province, China yesterday. abducted by the North decades starting in late July, the Yomiuri who were abducted in the 1970s ago, which has seen little move- Shimbun reported. and 1980s to help Pyongyang ment despite a whirlwind of in- During the interview, Abe ex- train its spies has long soured al- ternational diplomacy in recent pressed a readiness to fi nance ready strained relations between months.“I want to take a step denuclearisation costs in North Tokyo and Pyongyang. forward and resolve the (abduc- Korea. The Japanese government tion) issue after each of us breaks In the joint statement follow- has offi cially listed 17 people as Large shark found dead on Bondi Beach our mutual distrust,” Abe said. ing Tuesday’s talks with Trump, abductees, but suspects dozens “I have a strong sense of mis- Kim agreed to the “complete more were snatched. sion to resolve the issue under denuclearisation of the Korean Japan has maintained a hard- DPA washed up on the popular Bon- a fishing line, broadcaster removed the shark from the my own responsibility,” he add- Peninsula.” line position on North Korea Sydney di Beach, local media reported Channel Seven said. beach. Mako sharks are a pro- ed. “It is natural for Japan and despite the stepped-up diplo- yesterday. It washed back into the tected species in Australia. Abe has already said publicly other countries which would macy with Pyongyang in recent Beach-goers found the ocean overnight and was then The beach in Sydney’s east- that he would be willing to meet benefi t from easing fears of nu- months, and has been left largely wimmers in Sydney re- three-metre mako shark taken into the shore by surfers ern suburbs is one of Austral- Kim in order to resolve the ab- clear weapons to bear the costs,” on the sidelines as South Korea, ceived a shock when they washed up at the beach late after resurfacing early yester- ia’s most visited tourist desti- duction issue. Abe said. China and the United States Sdiscovered a large shark Friday after it got caught on day. Bondi’s lifeguards have nations. Japanese Foreign Minister But Abe warned that Tokyo have held talks with Kim. Gulf Times 8 Sunday, June 17, 2018 BRITAIN

Home Offi ce releases confi scated cannabis Blaze guts one of world’s after boy hospitalised

By Estelle Shirbon, Reuters London

top art schools — again ritain’s interior minister yesterday used an exceptional power to release medicinal can- By Mark McLaughlin, AFP “The building does look as though Bnabis oil that had been confi scated from an Glasgow from the inside it’s been totally gut- epileptic boy who was later hospitalised suff ering ted. All that seems to remain is the from seizures. stone walls on the outside,” he said. Billy Caldwell, 12, had travelled to Canada with ire yesterday devastated one Britain’s Scotland Secretary Dav- his mother, Charlotte, to get the cannabis oil after of the world’s top art schools id Mundell said he was at the school Billy’s doctor was ordered to stop prescribing it, but Fonce again, destroying four only a fortnight ago to see the resto- when they fl ew back into London on Monday, cus- years of restoration work after a ration work. toms offi cials confi scated their supplies. previous blaze ripped through the He said the government “stands The boy was hospitalised on Friday after suff er- historic Glasgow School of Art. ready to help, fi nancially or other- ing several seizures. The famed Mackintosh Building wise”. His case has stirred debate on the therapeutic use in Scotland’s biggest city has been The previous blaze was in May of cannabis, with politicians from diff erent parties “extensively damaged”, fi re chiefs 2014, badly damaging the building backing the family and campaigners calling for said. designed by the architect Charles changes to the law. A restoration project, set to Rennie Mackintosh. “This morning, I’ve used an exceptional power as cost between £20mn and £35mn A Glasgow-born architect and Home Secretary to urgently issue a licence to allow ($26.5mn and $46.5mn), had been designer, Mackintosh (1868-1928) Billy Caldwell to be treated with cannabis oil,” the returning the world-renowned in- was a leading exponent of Art Nou- minister, Sajid Javid, said in a statement. stitution to its former glory follow- veau, whose distinctive lines and “My decision is based on the advice of senior cli- ing a fi re in 2014. lettering remain infl uential. nicians who have made clear this is a medical emer- But much of that work has been He won a competition to design gency.” wrecked, fi refi ghters confi rmed, the building in 1897 and it took Charlotte Caldwell, who says Billy was free of after rushing to tackle the inferno around 10 years to complete. seizures when he was using the cannabis oil, made which broke out at around 11.20pm It is now a landmark in the city a statement to reporters outside Chelsea and West- on Friday. with special government-protected minster Hospital, where her son was being treated. No casualties were reported. status. She called for the law to be changed. “This is a devastating loss for The school’s alumni include re- “No other family should have to go through this Glasgow,” deputy assistant chief fi re cent Turner Prize for art winners sort of ordeal, travelling halfway around the world offi cer Peter Heath told a press con- Simon Starling (2005), Richard to get medication which should be freely available ference. Wright (2009) and Martin Boyce to our desperately ill children,” she said. He said fi refi ghters who had bat- (2011). “This is a wake-up call for our country. In the tled to save one of Britain’s most Others include Doctor Who ac- 21st century we need to have a more humane policy, cherished buildings four years ago tor Peter Capaldi, Harry Potter not panic measures. I hope the government refl ects were distraught to be back at the The rear elevation of the Glasgow School of Art on fire in Glasgow late on Friday. and James Bond movie actor Rob- upon what happened and what they’ve put our scene after it went up in fl ames bie Coltrane, and members from family through these last few days.” again. plied: “Given the extent of the fi re, so the damage is severe and exten- Local residents were evacuated the Scottish rock bands Travis and The Home Offi ce had previously said that while it “The fire has had a good grip of that would be a fair comment.” sive.” from their homes with the glow Franz Ferdinand. was sympathetic to the child’s plight, it had a duty this building and it’s extensively The inferno has been largely con- She said her administration from the blaze visible across the city “Can’t believe what’s happen- to stop banned substances from entering Britain. damaged it, but the emotional tained after 120 fi refi ghters tackled would do anything it reasonably centre. ing to the art school. Terrible,” said Under British law, cannabis is listed as a schedule attachment — there is a sense of the blaze. could to help ensure that the build- The fi re aff ected all fl oors of the Franz Ferdinand frontman Alex Ka- 1 drug, meaning that it is not recognised as having a loss not just among the firefight- Scottish First Minister Nicola ing had a future, but added: “It’s too art school and spread to a nearby pranos. therapeutic value. Schedule 1 drugs can be used for ers but I am sure the citizens of Sturgeon said it had been a “dev- early to say what that might entail or campus and a nightclub. The 2014 blaze began when a pro- research purposes and clinical trials, but only un- Glasgow.” astating blaze, much, much worse what that might look like. We don’t Alan Dunlop, professor of archi- jector ignited gases from expanding der a Home Offi ce licence. Asked if any of the restoration than the one that took hold of the know yet what the structural condi- tecture at the art school, said the foam used in a student project, a fi re The Caldwell family, who normally live in work had been destroyed, Heath re- Mackintosh Building four years ago tion of the building is.” situation was “horrible”. investigation found. Northern Ireland, have received support from sev- eral members of parliament from diff erent political parties, including Dan Poulter of the ruling Con- McDonald’s denies servative Party. Billy Caldwell had been receiving medicinal can- Justice sought for Genefell victims racist behaviour nabis oil on prescription by his family doctor for over a year, but supplies ran out after the Home Of- group of university students have fi ce ordered the doctor to stop prescribing it. claimed they were refused food Aat McDonald’s because they are black, the London Evening Standard re- ports. The men went to the restaurant in Strood, Kent in the early hours of June 12. Teen falls down However, they said they were not al- lowed to order any food despite others around them being served. 80ft blowhole One of the group, Babajide Osikoya, fi lmed himself near to the tills while they were refused. London Evening Standard A spokeswoman for the fast food chain London said the customer was refused service due to “ongoing anti-social behaviour”. The men, who study subjects includ- teenage boy believed to be celebrating the ing economics and forensic science, have end of his GCSEs had to be rescued by the denied being abusive. Acoastguard in Cornwall after he fell into an In a statement posted on Twitter, Mr 80ft blowhole. The 16-year-old became trapped in Osikoya claimed a security guard out- the hole at Trevone, near Padstow. side the restaurant told them the man- Newquay Coastguard Rescue team said crew agement has a policy banning groups of were lowered down into the hole to pull the boy out, young black men. before he was airlifted to hospital. Mr Osikoya and his friends Caleb They said it was a “complex cliff rescue” but that Afoke and Sam Akinnawo were told by a the teenager had been “extremely lucky” and is not guard that there had been a “system fail- believed to have suff ered life-threatening injuries. ure”, so they could not eat at the restau- The BBC reported that the boy had been cel- rant. But then they saw other customers ebrating the end of his exams on Friday night. being served. The coastguard tweeted: 0.52am 16/06/18 #outo- Mr Osikoya told the BBC: “It’s just a nashout backing up @PadstowCRT & @lifeboatpad- shame in this day and age in an area like stow along with @swasFT & @cornwallairamb medics this, which is really diverse, we see this to a teen who had fallen 80ft down cliff at #Trevone. sort of thing happening.” “Complex cliff rescue, male extremely lucky, Protesters from Justice4Grenfell demonstrate at Westminster yesterday. Mr Akinnawo said “it was 100% rac- transported to hospital by #Rescue924. Fantastic ism”. #teamwork.” Labour Live: Never mind the scepticism, it’s the JezFest

By Mattha Busby A diverse smattering of people “Given the overwhleming on- As the Guardian column- Guardian News and Media young and old, black and white, slaught of sneeriness, snideness, ist Owen Jones took to the main middle and working class wan- snarkiness and snobbery about stage and restated Labour’s dered across the grass between this event from opponents of pledge to abolish tuition fees, abour supporters gathered stages, as Rae Morris – Black- Jeremy Corbyn, it’s just nice to renationalise industries that “ in north London yesterday pool’s pop challenger – implored actually be here and see there’s belong to us” and give people a Lafternoon for an event offi - the several dozen people sitting a whole bunch of people having proper living wage to whoops cially called Labour Live, but also in front of the main stage to get a nice time,” said Alex Nunns, from the crowd, there was a pal- known as the JezFest. on their feet and dance. the author of The Candidate: Jer- pable feeling that Corbyn was The party said about 13,000 The tents, however, were fairly emy Corbyn’s Improbable Path to plugging the right line – to the tickets had been sold for the busy. The MP and former trade Power. diehards. music and politics event at the unionist Ian Avery got a good “We live in a country where The Magic Numbers per- 20,000 capacity White Hart Lane turnout in the Solidarity tent, people have been completely dis- formed a solid set to an audience recreation ground after ticket along with Dan Carden MP and engaged in politics and one party that steadily increased as the day prices were slashed by 70%. Len McCluskey for the People’s is trying to appeal in a diff erent wore on. Tony Lennon, a retired stage Question Time. way and make it a little less dry.” A Labour party spokesper- manager from Shropshire, was The Literary tent was packed Festival-goers appeared most son said: “Labour Live has been unconcerned about the initial for the Guardian columnist concerned about education, a fantastic day. We’ve brought poor turnout. “It’s not about Dawn Foster and editor-at-large, housing, wages and the NHS people together from all walks of making money,” he said. “It’s Gary Younge, who talked about rather than Brexit. life to have a good time to enjoy about bringing people who be- how a new generation of Labour The mostly remain voters rued the acts and family entertain- lieve in the same sort of thing voters was interested in bringing the “disaster of leaving the EU”, ment, and discuss how we can together. If this is the fi rst time the party back to its roots follow- but said the referendum result change our society for the bet- they’ve organised a festival like ing the 2015 defeat. must be accepted and that it was ter. this, then they’ve done really At the Socialist Bookmarks not among their top of their pri- “The tents have been packed well. Weather’s not so good, but shop, books on off er included orities. all day and there has been a I think overall it will do the job.” Unravelling Capitalism, the “The debate is dominated by great atmosphere. This is the The relatively poor turnout for Rebel’s Guide to Gramsci and the pedantic squabbles,” said Chris fi rst event of its kind organised Labour Live might be evidence Ragged-Trousered Philanthro- Saltmarsh, a 22-year-old cli- by a political party, and we have of a labouring love for Corbyn’s pist. mate-change campaigner from demonstrated how politics can brand of socialism, but the cult of Contemporary leftwing au- Liverpool. “There are many more be opened up to a wider audience personality endured among the thors were close by, preparing to important things for the political and to people who have been shut faithful on an overcast day. speak. elite to worry about.” out for far too long.” Festival-goers listen to Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn speak at Labour Live in London yesterday. Gulf Times Sunday, June 17, 2018 9 EUROPE Taxi driven into

This undated file photo shows Rozhdestvensky conducting his orchestra during a rehearsal. Russian conductor Moscow crowd Rozhdestvensky Reuters into suspected violation of the open the driver’s side door, the he hit a traffi c sign. Someone passes away at 87 Moscow traffi c code. driver, dressed in black trousers gave him a punch in the face. He Moscow city’s healthcare de- and black T-shirt, jumped out stayed in the car, people came Russian conductor Gennadi partment issued a statement and sprinted away. up to him, said what are you do- Rozhdestvensky has died at the taxi drove into a crowd saying that eight people were More bystanders chased after ing, punched him in the face, he age of 87, Moscow’s prestigious of pedestrians near Mos- hurt and had been taken to hos- him and could be seen trying to opened the door and tried to run Bolshoi Theatre announced Acow’s Red Square yester- pital. tackle him to the ground as the away.” yesterday. day, injuring eight people in- It said seven were in a sat- footage ended. “It’s scary that it was in the “The Bolshoi is in mourning,” cluding two Mexicans in the city isfactory condition, while one A witness at the scene told centre (of Moscow) and I was the theatre announced on for the soccer World Cup which woman was seriously hurt. Reuters that some of the people right opposite,” she said. Twitter. “Today, June 16, Gennady Russia is hosting, offi cials and The Mexican embassy in Mos- hit were wearing Mexican team Interfax news agency cited a Rozhdestvensky passed away at eyewitnesses said. cow said two Mexican women colours. source as saying that the driver the age of 87.” The incident took place as had been lightly injured. The Mexico team takes on was drunk at the time of the in- Born in Moscow in 1931, residents and visiting soc- Also among those hurt were a Germany today in their fi rst cident. Rozhdestvensky – who was also cer fans from around the world Ukrainian and two Russian citi- World Cup match at Moscow’s Later Interfax cited another a pianist and a composer – was thronged the centre of Moscow zens, Russia’s Tass news agency Luzhniki stadium, and thou- unnamed source as saying that This handout picture released by the Moscow Municipal Traff ic general artistic director of the on a balmy summer evening. quoted a source in the emergen- sands of Mexican fans are in the the taxi driver had fallen asleep Regulation centre CODD shows the damaged taxi after its driver Bolshoi between 2000 and 2001. Moscow’s traffi c management cy services as saying. Russian capital. at the wheel and accidentally drove into a crowd in Moscow. During a career that spanned authority said that the taxi driv- Video of the incident posted A second witness at the scene pressed the accelerator pedal. more than 50 years, he was er had a driver’s licence issued on social media showed the yel- told Reuters about the driver of A medical source cited by In- were used to mow down people. what it said was the taxi driver’s chief conductor of a number in Kyrgyzstan, a mainly Muslim low Hyundai taxi pull sharply the taxi: “He was pulled out of terfax said none of the people On Friday the US State De- licence. of orchestras both inside and former Soviet republic. out of a line of stationary traffi c, the vehicle, he ran off but by- hospitalised was critically in- partment updated its travel It gave his name as Chingiz outside Russia, including the The authority cited the driver, accelerate and mount the narrow standers apprehended him. He jured. advice on Russia, saying that Anarbek Uulu and said he was Bolshoi orchestra, the BBC who was in police custody, as pavement, which was packed was shouting: ‘It wasn’t me’.” Russian authorities have terrorist groups were plotting born on April 22, 1990. Symphony Orchestra in London, saying that he had not driven with pedestrians. Another witness, Viktoria Ge- vowed to host a safe soccer attacks. It gave his birth-place as the the Vienna Symphony Orchestra into the crowd on purpose. The vehicle drove for about raimovich, said she called the World Cup, which is taking place “Terrorists may attack with town of Kochkor-Ata in Kyr- and the Royal Stockholm Moscow Mayor Sergei So- 10m along the pavement, bowl- emergency services on her mo- in 11 cities until July 15. little or no warning, targeting gyzstan, near the border with Philharmonic. byanin said in a post on Twitter: ing over pedestrians, with some bile phone. In central Moscow, authori- tourist locations, transportation Uzbekistan. He was awarded the title, “There was an unpleasant inci- of them being carried along on Describing the actions of the ties have installed heavy con- hubs, markets/shopping malls, An account on Russian social “People’s Artist of the USSR”, dent with a taxi. The driver lost the bonnet of the car. driver, she said: “He ran into a crete blocks across the entrances and local government facilities,” media platform Odnoklassniki in 1976, the highest cultural control of the vehicle.” The taxi came to a partial halt group of Mexicans. There were to pedestrianised areas follow- the travel advice stated. for someone with the same name distinction in the former Soviet The city’s police said they had after hitting a traffi c sign. shouts, moans. ing a spate of incidents in Eu- The Moscow traffi c author- and date of birth was last updat- Union. opened a criminal investigation As bystanders tried to pull “He was only stopped because ropean cities in which vehicles ity posted on Twitter a copy of ed two years ago.

Arrest made over limbless puppy France to take in Merkel Turkey has arrested a man after shocking images emerged online of a puppy with all four paws fi rm on amputated, state media reported. Aquarius ship The black puppy was found on Wednesday in a forest area in the Europe Sapanca town in Sakarya region in northwest Turkey with its paws migrants: Spain and tail cut off , sparking outrage migrant on social media. Video footage showed the puppy AFP A huge banner was put up being treated by a vet, but it Madrid at the port saying “Welcome policy could not be saved. home” in various languages in- Lutfi Dursun, chief public cluding Catalan, the local lan- prosecutor in Sakarya, said a adrid said yesterday guage, and Arabic. Reuters digger operator known to have that it has accepted Chartered by a French aid Berlin been working in the region was Man off er from France group, the vessel rescued 629 detained, the off icial Anadolu to take in some of the 630 mi- migrants including many chil- news agency reported. grants from the Aquarius res- dren and pregnant women off igrant policy requires Sakarya governor Irfan cue ship following a turbulent Libya’s cost last weekend. a European solution, Balkanlioglu said the week that saw Italy spurning Doctors Without Borders This handout picture obtained yesterday from French non-governmental organisations Medecins MGerman Chancellor circumstances of the mutilation people plucked from the Medi- (MSF), who along with French Sans Frontiers (MSF, Doctors Without Borders) and SOS Mediterranee shows migrant children Angela Merkel insisted yester- were not yet clear. terranean. charity SOS Mediterranee are onboard the Aquarius as the rescue ship is on its way to Spain. day, ceding no ground in a show- The boat, which is due to ar- treating migrants on board down with her Bavarian allies rive in Spain this morning, has Aquarius, said two passengers 2,000 calls and messages from taken on board some of the mi- grant burden on their port of that threatens her three-month- ‘Museum’ of stolen been the heart of a major mi- drowned last weekend when individuals off ering help. grants. entry to Europe – mainly Italy old coalition government. gration row between European the ship fi rst encountered dif- Italy’s new populist govern- High waves and winds forced and Greece. The row is over Merkel’s rejec- artefacts found Union member states. fi culties off Libya. ment and Malta refused to let the convoy to take a detour on Italy’s far-right Interior tion of plans by Interior Minister “The French government will The passengers come from 26 Aquarius dock in their ports, the way, but the fi rst migrants Minister Matteo Salvini warned Horst Seehofer, from Bavaria, A private villa decorated with work together with the Spanish countries, mainly from Africa accusing each other of failing are expected to land in Valencia yesterday that other NGO oper- for Germany unilaterally to send more than 100 stolen ancient government to handle the ar- but also Afghanistan, Bangla- to meet their humanitarian and between 6am (0400 GMT) and ated rescue ships would also be back migrants who have regis- Roman and mediaeval artefacts rival of the migrants”, Spain’s desh, and Pakistan, according EU commitments. 12pm (1000 GMT) today. banned from docking. tered in other European Union of “remarkable scientific and deputy prime minister Carmen to MSF. Spain eventually stepped in The plight of the Aquarius “While the Aquarius is sail- countries. cultural importance” has been Calvo said. Among them are 450 adult and agreed to receive the refu- has again highlighted the fail- ing towards Spain, two other Such a reversal of her 2015 uncovered near Rome. “France will accept mi- men and 80 women – including gees as a “political gesture” to ure of European Union member Dutch NGO operated vessels open-door migrant policy would The 121 pieces were discovered grants who express the wish to at least seven pregnant women “oblige Europe to forge a com- states to work together to deal (Lifeline and Seefuchs) have be a huge blow to the author- in Labico, about 40km southeast go there” once they have been – as well as 11 under-13s and 93 mon policy to a common prob- with the infl ux of migrant ar- arrived off the Libyan coast, ity of Merkel, in power for more of Rome, Italy’s financial police processed in Valencia, a state- adolescents, according to fi g- lem”, Foreign Minister Josep rivals since 2015. to wait for their human car- than 12 years, and undermine the Guardia di Finanza said yesterday. ment said. ures released by authorities in Borrell said. After Rome’s decision to ban gos once the people smugglers Schengen open-border system Describing the villa as “a private Prime Minister Pedro Valencia. France – who had angered the Aquarius, French President abandon them,” Salvini said in a at a time when EU tensions over museum”, police said they Sanchez meanwhile thanked A team of 2,320 people has Rome by branding it irrespon- Macron and Italian Prime Min- Facebook post. migration are running high. inspected it while investigating a French President Emmanuel been mobilised to meet them, sible over the vessel rejection ister Giuseppe Conte met on “These people should know In her weekly podcast, three case of fraudulent bankruptcy. Macron for his gesture, saying including 1,000 Red Cross vol- – off ered on Thursday to wel- Friday and agreed that the EU that Italy no longer wants to days before talks between Merkel The artefacts were presumably it was “exactly the kind of co- unteers and 470 translators. come Aquarius migrants who should set up asylum process- be any part of this business of and French President Emmanuel looted from the ruins of an operation Europe needs” at this More than 600 journalists “meet the criteria for asylum”. ing centres in Africa to prevent clandestine immigration and Macron, the chancellor ham- ancient Roman home from hour. have been accredited to cover The ship is making the “voyages of death”. they will have to look for other mered home her stance: “This the 1st-5th century AD, and of In Valencia, preparations the arrivals. 1,500km (930-mile) voyage to They also demanded “pro- ports to go to,” he said. “As is a European challenge that also a church from the 8th or 9th were underway to welcome the Authorities in Valencia have Spain accompanied by Italian found” changes to the EU’s minister and as a father, I take needs a European solution. And century AD, the police said. travellers after their ordeal. meanwhile received more than coast guard vessels, which have asylum rules which put the mi- this action for the benefi t of all.” I view this issue as decisive for keeping Europe together.” Merkel wants two weeks to try to strike bilateral deals with partners, such as Italy and Greece, on migrants – possibly Greek govt defeats censure vote over Macedonia name deal similar to one struck between the EU and Turkey in 2016 – and to make progress at a June 28- AFP “Have you realised what President Gjorge Ivanov vowing Greece’s diplomatic advantages 29 EU summit on an EU-wide Athens you’re doing? You are boost- to exercise a one-time veto to – the power of veto over the EU policy. ing (Macedonian) irredentism,” delay the deal. and the Nato accession – for a Seehofer’s Christian Social conservative main opposition Skopje hopes to secure a date deal that could backfi re. Union (CSU), facing a tough reece’s government leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis told to begin EU accession talks at a Opposition is even stronger state vote in October, doesn’t shrugged off a censure Tsipras. “You should get the No- summit in late June and an invi- in Greece’s north, where Greek want to wait. Gvote yesterday amid pro- bel Prize for political fraud.” tation to join the Nato in July. and Bulgarian guerrillas fought a Members say that the minister tests against a landmark deal in Athens had long objected to its In Athens, there is anger over bitter four-year war in the early will defy Merkel tomorrow if no the 27-year name row with Mac- neighbour being called Macedo- the government’s acceptance 20th century for predominance compromise has been reached edonia to be signed today. nia because it has its own north- that its neighbour will be able to among Orthodox Christians in by then, and go ahead with the “This is the best agreement ern province of the same name, refer to its language and ethnic- then Ottoman-held Macedonia. plans alone. the country has had in recent which in ancient times was the ity as “Macedonian”. Two short wars were then Such an aff ront to Merkel years,” Prime Minister Alexis cradle of Alexander the Great’s And to Macedonians, who fought in 1912 and 1913 between could force her to fi re Seehofer, Tsipras said of the deal, which empire – a source of intense have espoused this identity since the Balkan states and the Otto- and there is even talk of the end will eventually see Greece’s pride to modern-day Greeks. A priest argues with police off icers during the demonstration in the days of Yugoslavia’s Marshal man Empire to end six centu- of the 70-year conservative northern neighbours renamed But earlier this week, the lead- Athens yesterday against the agreement reached to resolve a 27- Tito, the notion of revising their ries of rule from Istanbul, with parliamentary alliance between the Republic of North Macedo- ers of both countries reached a year name row with Macedonia. name and constitution is anath- atrocities committed by both Bavaria and Merkel’s Christian nia. deal to end the dispute, which ema. sides. Democrats (CDU). “Is it in our interest to keep dates from Macedonia’s decla- UN under-secretary-general The Macedonian parliament On the Macedonian side of the In a paradox, Tsipras’ na- Without the CSU, the CDU open an unnecessary front in our ration of independence in 1991. for political aff airs Rosemary Di- should start debating the agree- Prespes Lakes, deal opponents tionalist coalition partners, the and Social Democrats (SPD) – foreign policy?” he asked in par- However, opposition hardlin- Carlo, EU diplomatic chief Fed- ment next week. sang “We have only one name”, Independent Greeks party, sup- the third party in her “grand co- liament shortly before the vote, ers say the accord amounts to erica Mogherini and EU enlarge- Offi cials in Athens say that the a patriotic song popular in the ported the government yester- alition” – would lack a majority. which was carried by 153 votes “high treason”. ment commissioner Johannes deal will help stabilise the his- early 1990s. day but intend to reject the Mac- Merkel’s refugee policy, which out of 280 lawmakers present. The provisional accord is to Hahn will also be present, while torically volatile Balkan region, “This is an absolute defeat of edonia deal whenever it goes to a has led to more than 1.6mn mi- Several hundred protesters be signed in the fi shing village of protesters from both sides will permitting Greece to focus on the Macedonian diplomacy in vote. grants arriving in Germany in the gathered outside parliament, Psarades on the Prespes Lakes by gather nearby. other regional challenges, Tur- every possible way,” Hristijan The agreement still needs to last three years, is widely blamed and riot police fi red bursts of the respective foreign ministers The agreement has been wel- key among them. Mickovski, who heads the main be approved by Macedonia’s for a surge in support for the far- tear gas to keep them from ap- and long-term UN envoy Mat- comed by the United Nations, But from the moment the de- opposition VMRO-DPMNE parliament and pass a referen- right Alternative for Germany proaching the building. thew Nimetz, with Prime Min- the European Union and the tails emerged, a political storm party, said this week. dum there as well as being rati- (AfD), which entered parliament Some protesters threw fi re- isters Alexis Tsipras and Zoran North Atlantic Treaty Organisa- erupted in both countries, with Tsipras’ domestic critics fi ed by the Greek parliament, a after a September election and is bombs and stones at the police. Zaev in attendance. tion (Nato). Macedonia’s pro-nationalist say that he has bargained away process likely to take months. the main opposition party. Gulf Times 10 Sunday, June 17, 2018 INDIA

CONSERVATION JUSTICE LAW AND ORDER PROTECTION SACKED Tigers spotted near Rebel AIADMK MLA to Internet services blocked Congress wing demands Kerala ADGP Sudesh Kumar Goa-Karnataka border withdraw court petition in eastern Meghalaya law for domestic workers removed from post

In a warning to tourists and travellers, the In a new twist to the MLAs disqualification The Meghalaya government yesterday The Congress’ All India Unorganised Workers Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Railways yesterday issued a public caution stating case, one of the rebel AIADMK MLAs, suspended Internet services on mobile Congress (AIUWC) yesterday launched a Sudesh Kumar, the chief of the Kerala armed that tigers and leopards have been sighted considered close to sidelined leader T T V telephones in six districts in the state’s nationwide postcard campaign to demand police battalion, was removed from his post along the Castlerock-Kulem rail section near the Dhinakaran, said yesterday he will withdraw eastern part due to the “serious law and a central law to protect and promote the yesterday following complaints of bad behaviour Goa-Karnataka border. “It is reported that tigers the petition challenging his disqualification order situation”. The suspension came four employment of domestic workers. The and violation of rules by him and his family and leopards have been spotted near the railway by Assembly Speaker from the Chennai High days after the government had restored campaign, launched on the occasion of members. Kumar and his family have been in the track between Castlerock-Kulem ghat section. Court. Thangatamilselvan, one of the 18 MLAs Internet services on mobile telephones in International Domestic Workers Day, will see dock since Thursday when allegations surfaced Therefore, the general public and tourists are disqualified by Speaker P Dhanapal for meeting the Meghalaya capital. Commissioner and about 100,000 domestic workers sending that his daughter and wife misbehaved with the advised to be cautious while moving in (the Tamil Nadu Governor and seeking a change of Home Secretary S Kharlyngdoh said that postcards to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for driver of Kumar’s off icial vehicle — policeman area),” a statement by the South Western Railway chief minister last year, told the media that he the government had received reports that the purpose. Addressing a press conference at Gavaskar. Kumar’s daughter Snigdha started said. The section, which spans across Goa and has lost hopes of getting justice from judiciary a serious law and order situation continues the Congress headquarters in New Delhi, AIUWC abusing Gavaskar and hit him. The injured North Karnataka, is situated in the dense Western and hence has decided to withdraw his petition. to prevail in Khasi & Jaintia Hills and Ri Bhoi chairman Arbind Singh stressed that the national policeman is now being treated in the Medical Ghat forests. While Castlerock railway station is Reacting to his decision, Dhinakaran dismissed district having potential threats to public policy for domestic workers is not a good idea as College hospital. After a probe, Vijayan’s off ice on located in Karnataka, Kulem is in south Goa. reports of disunity in his group. safety. it will not help the poor and marginalised. yesterday decided to remove Kumar from his post. 4 CMs meet over Eid celebrated with Kejriwal protest IANS shortly after Baijal declined New Delhi permission to Banerjee to meet Kejriwal. She had planned to go to the protest site — Lt Gover- n a bid to put pressure on nor’s residential offi ce — along the Centre and the BJP, four with Naidu. fervour across India Inon-BJP chief ministers Informed sources said the yesterday met and discussed a four chief ministers were IANS strategy to provide support to planning a strategy on how to New Delhi protesting Delhi Chief Minister strengthen Kejriwal’s hands. Arvind Kejriwal who wants IAS On denial of permission offi cers to end their non-coop- by the Lt Governor, Kejriwal illions of people across eration with his government. tweeted: “I don’t think LG can the country yesterday West Bengal Chief Minis- take such a decision on his Mcelebrated Eid al-Fitr ter Mamata Banerjee attended own. Obviously, PMO has di- with fervour and gaiety as Presi- a meeting at Andhra Bhawan rected him to refuse permis- dent Ram Nath Kovind and Prime with her counterparts, Kerala’s sion. Just like IAS strike is be- Minister Narendra Modi wished Pinarayi Vijayan, Karnataka’s ing done at PMO’s instance. the citizens joy and harmony. H D Kumaraswamy and And- “We live in a democracy. Can People celebrated Eid by off er- hra Pradesh’s N Chandrababu PM deny CMs of other states ing prayers, visiting relatives and Naidu. to meet CM of another state? friends and exchanging greetings They then visited Kejriwal’s Raj Niwas is no one’s personal and sweets. residence, where they met his property. It belongs to the peo- Many distributed clothes and wife and other members of his ple of India.” fruits to the poor. family. Delhi Speaker Ram Ni- Announcing Baijal’s denial In Delhi, thousands of Muslims was Goel was also present. of permission for Banerjee to turned up at the Jama Masjid, The four chief ministers also meet her Delhi counterpart, Makki Masjid, Fatehpuri Mas- wrote a joint letter to Delhi’s Lt Chadha tweeted: “Permission jid, Masjid Jamia Milia Islamia, Governor Anil Baijal seeking to denied by LG. Extremely sad Masjid Faiz-e-Illahi and other meet Kejriwal who is on a pro- state of aff airs.” mosques to off er Eid prayers be- test at the Lt Governor’s offi ce- Kejriwal followed it up with: fore starting their celebrations. cum-residence, Raj Niwas. “This is getting more and more Leaders across the political “All of us would like to make bizarre...” spectrum shared greetings and a representation to you with re- Minutes before Chadha had off ered namaz at the Parliament spect to the issues concerning the tweeted: “West Bengal CM Street mosque. Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Mamata Banerjee asks LG to let In Mumbai and he rest of Ma- Kejriwal. Please grant us a meet- her meet Delhi CM Arvind Ke- harashtra, the faithful, clad in ing slot today as we are waiting. jriwal this evening at 8pm.” their festival fi nery, congregated We request you to give us time Kejriwal, along with Deputy at the 600-plus mosques in the around 9pm today,” it read. Chief Minister Manish Sisodia city and other parts of the state On meeting of four chief and Cabinet ministers Saty- to off er the special Eid namaaz, in ministers, Aam Aadmi Party endar Jain and Gopal Rai, is many areas braving heavy rains. (AAP) leader Raghav Chad- camping at Raj Niwas since The biggest congregation was ha said: “This is a teaching Monday demanding a direc- witnessed at the Jama Masjid, Muslims off er Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Taj Mahal in Agra yesterday. for Prime Minister Narendra tion to the IAS offi cers working instead of the Azad Maidan, on Modi, no matter how much he in the Delhi administration to account of rain fears. hamed Azharuddin off ered held at Mir Alam Eidgah in Hy- Eid celebrations, with prayers “Eid Mubarak and good wishes try to kill the democracy, our end their undeclared strike. Besides mosques, homes in prayers at the Eidgah in Morada- derabad. and people hugging each other to all fellow citizens, especially struggle will continue. Kejriw- He also wants the central gov- many Muslim areas were illumi- bad. More than 200,000 people of- in mosques, marquees, halls and to our Muslim brothers and sis- al is getting support from four ernment to approve his govern- nated and decked up with col- In Telangana, Muslims off ered fered namaz at this historic site. homes, sharing greetings of Eid ters in India and abroad. May this elected chief ministers.” ment’s proposal to deliver ration ourful fairy lights and fl owers. Eid prayers at Eidgah or open The shopping for Eid contin- Mubarak. happy occasion bring joy to your The four chief ministers met to the poor at their houses. In Uttar Pradesh, too, hun- grounds and mosques in the twin ued throughout the night. Bollywood celebrities includ- families and foster fraternity, un- dreds of thousands celebrated cities of Hyderabad and Secun- Markets around historic ing Amitabh Bachchan, Shah derstanding and mutual goodwill Eid al-Fitr with traditional fer- derabad and in other towns. Charminar in the old city and Rukh Khan, Farhan Akhtar and in our shared society,” President vour. Attired in new clothes and other parts of Hyderabad were Sanjay Dutt too prayed for peace, Kovind tweeted. The celebrations were led by wearing skull caps, men and abuzz with shopping. prosperity and love on the occa- “Eid Mubarak! May this day Governor Ram Naik, who visited children thronged Eidgah and Other parts of the country in- sion. deepen the bonds of unity and Bengaluru to get potholes the Aishbagh Eidgah in Lucknow. mosques since morning. cluding Gujarat, Bihar, Assam Twitter was abuzz with greet- harmony in our society,” Modi Former Indian cricketer Mo- The biggest congregation was and Tamil Nadu too reported ings from the celebrities. tweeted. fi xed through e-complaint

IANS plaint on potholes on the civic Bengaluru body’s online redressal forum Sahaaya (help) with the web Marine Commando stops drifting of burning merchant vessel address, bbmp.sahaaya.in. n a novel initiative, Karna- Notorious for traffi c snarls, the taka Deputy Chief Minis- city’s pot-holed roads made na- IANS The ship had to be abandoned the seamanship gear for the ship Besides, the drifting ship stage through the IAF airbase at Iter G Parameshwara asked tional news when they claimed Kolkata by the 22 crew members on June to be towed, if required. posed a serious ecological threat Kalaikunda. people to report about potholes the lives of some denizens after 14 off the Sagar Island at the The live nature of the threat because of the high temperatures Simultaneously, the NOIC in Bengaluru via Whatsapp heavy downpour last year. mouth of the Ganges Delta. was evident from the explosion onboard, should the ship capsize liaised with the offi cials of the message, call or e-complain on The city’s civic body com- n a daring and complex op- The offi cer ascertained the onboard in the forenoon which on the sandbanks causing pol- Directorate General Shipping, the civic body’s website to get missioner M Maheshwar Rao eration, a Seaking 42 C conditions in the forward part restarted the fi re. lution from the oil on board, the Indian Coast Guard, Kolkata Port them repaired at the earliest. said the work on repairing Ihelicopter from the East- of the ship and later called in the The helicopter skilfully recov- spokesperson said. Ttrust, the ship owners, agents “Report a pothole, get it potholes being created by the ern Naval Command yesterday helicopter to lower onboard three ered all four members of the team In keeping with the directions, and salvage specialists at Kolkata fi xed immediately,” tweeted monsoons in the city was on. winched down a Marine Com- crew members of the vessel, said returned to its base. the Seaking 42C helicopter and a and kept them informed of the Parameshwara, who is in- “We are currently work- mando (Marcos) offi cer on the a Defence Ministry spokesperson Naval Offi cer in Charge, West Dornier aircraft were despatched plans. charge of Bengaluru Develop- ing to fi ll about 50% to 70% of accident-struck merchant vessel said. Bengal, Commodore Suprobho K De from the command headquar- The drift of the ship has been ment as additional post along the potholes left by the rains. SSL Kolkata which had been on The team managed to drop the said the Eastern Naval Command ters from Visakhapatnam with successfully arrested and now with Home and Youth Empow- Citizens’ complaints will help fi re and drifting since the last two starboard anchor from the ship chief had given directions to stop the a core team comprising divers, the owners and other stake hold- erment and Sports. in attending to the potholes in days in the Bay of Bengal, a de- to prevent her from drifting any drift of the burning ship towards the the Marcos offi cer, shipwrights ers can carry out necessary sal- The Minister has also told an easier way,” Rao told IANS fence offi cial said. further and then team prepared Sunderbans delta at all costs. and seamanship specialists to the vage operation. netizens to register a com- here. Kerala homemaker attacked by legislator seeks justice

By Ashraf Padanna tend a relative’s home in Anchal Balakrishna Pillai, refused to re- verse, we both could have passed utes, she said she stood by her Thiruvananthapuram in Kollam district for a delay in spond to the allegations. easily.” earlier statement. making way for him. “It’s natural to face such alle- Soon, he came out with a vul- “I have said everything in the Eyewitnesses also said the gations when you are in politics,” gar gesture and shouting abuses. court. I hope we’ll get justice,” court in Kerala yesterday two-time minister and fi lm ac- Kumar said. “He took my son out of the ve- she told the waiting journalists. recorded the statement tor who had earlier faced similar Vijayan just ignored the ques- hicle and started assaulting him. Kumar had to resign as a min- Aof a homemaker who ac- charges of road rage, was abusing tions fi elded by the journalists Soon his driver also joined him in ister in 2013 in the previous Con- cused a ruling legislator of abus- her as she questioned why he was and went away after responding the attack. gress-led government after his ing her as she questioned him as- assaulting her son for no fault of to another query. “Before leaving, he said, ‘you wife came out with allegations of saulting her son. him. The police, who had registered go and fi le a case, nothing is go- domestic violence against him. Sheena, the mother of Anan- The complainant said though a case against Kumar on her son’s ing to happen. We are ruling here. The KC (B) later joined the op- thakumar, said she had also they had immediately fi led a complaint, booked her son under Let’s see what’s going to happen’. position and won the subsequent complained to Chief Minister police complaint accusing him even harsher provisions of the I had to witness my son getting election. Pinarayi Vijayan, his police chief of insulting the modesty of a law on Kumar’s counter- com- beaten up before me. Eyewitnesses said Ananthaku- and the state’s human rights and woman, a crime that could land plaint hours later. “When people started gath- mar had to take his car into an- women’s commissions against him in jail for three years, they “He beat up my son before my ering, an offi cer came and made other house to let the legislator KB Ganesh Kumar as the police registered no case even after eyes which a mother couldn’t way for him. Now I’m convinced pass the narrow road. were reluctant to book him for four days since the attack on withstand. My son didn’t utter that he is ruling the country and Kumar went inside the com- insulting the modesty of women. Wednesday. a word. It’s I who questioned it,” we ordinary citizens will not get pound and assaulted him. She accused Kumar, 52, of at- Both the chief minister and Sheena told a television channel justice.” “I heard the women question- tacking her son, an engineering Kumar, a four-time legislature the other day. After giving her statement to ing him why he was beating her graduate, who was at the wheel of the one-member Kerala Con- “I asked him ‘sir if you could the magistrate court in Chavara, son in before her,” Baby, who was while the family were going to at- gress (B) headed by his father R move your vehicle a bit on the re- which lasted for around 90 min- present there, said Kumar ... ruling class Gulf Times Sunday, June 17, 2018 11 LATIN AMERICA Caracas club Campaign trail blast kills 17

Reuters It was not clear how the other son Luis had died because he had Caracas six died. seen him in the morgue. Eight of those who died were Another son of his had been younger than 18, Reverol said, hospitalized. t least seventeen people and fi ve people were injured. Homicide rates in Venezuela died at a Caracas club Reverol said authorities had have shot up during the country’s Ayesterday morning when arrested 7 people and the inves- spiral into economic crisis and a person activated a tear gas gre- tigation was ongoing. political meltdown and many nade inside, Venezuela’s interior “The government of the Bo- Caracas residents refuse to go out minister Nestor Reverol said. livarian Republic of Venezuela, at night due to security fears. Over 500 people were at a par- led by President Nicolas Maduro, There were almost 27,000 ty at the Los Cotorros club in the deplores this unfortunate event. violent deaths last year, mak- middle-class El Paraiso neigh- We send our condolences to the ing Venezuela proportionally the bourhood when the device went families,” he said. world’s second most murderous off at about 3am during a fi ght The club, a two-story red brick nation after El Salvador, accord- between several people, causing building, was empty later yes- ing to a local crime monitoring a stampede towards the exits, terday and there was no police group. Reverol said on state TV. presence outside, according to a The homicide rate in Caracas Eleven people suff ocated to Reuters reporter there. alone was 104 per 100,000 peo- death when the gas fi lled the “We haven’t received a re- ple, the Venezuelan Observatory club’s confi ned space, said Noris sponse from anybody, neither of Violence said. Villanueva, an autopsy assistant from the police nor the doctors,” Authorities say non-govern- at the local Perez Carreno Hos- Nilson Guerra, the father of one mental groups infl ate fi gures to pital, who examined their bod- victim, said at the hospital. create paranoia and tarnish Ma- ies. He only knew his 19-year-old duro’s socialist government. Ricardo Anaya, presidential candidate for the National Action Party, take selfies with supporters in Monterrey, Mexico.

WHO rules out return Ortega agrees to halt violence, of polio to Venezuela allow foreign investigation AFP an impoverished rural area was coverage in Delta Amacuro state, Geneva found with symptoms of acute was being examined to determine fl accid paralysis (AFP) on April alternative causes for the paraly- Reuters 29, the WHO said in a statement sis, it said. Managua ests carried out by the late Friday. Venezuela is suff ering from World Health Organiza- AFP can be triggered by a chronic shortages of medicines Ttion following a suspected number of diff erent factors and and basic foodstuff s as a result of he Nicaraguan government and civic case of polio in Venezuela have diseases, with poliovirus be- its crippling years-long econom- groups on Friday agreed to halt all ruled out any return of the crip- ing just one of them, the agency ic crisis, blamed by the interna- Tviolence, in a major step to end two pling childhood disease, the UN said, noting that in rare cases, it tional community on President months of political unrest that has left 170 agency has said. could also be caused by one of the Nicolas Maduro. Caracas says it dead and rocked the government of Presi- Polio has been eradicated for strains used in the polio vaccine. does not have 85% of the basic dent Daniel Ortega. decades in the crisis-wracked “Tests...have ruled out the medical supplies it needs, which Ortega, however, did not address a call by country, with the last case of presence of both wild poliovirus includes vaccines. Catholic church mediators to allow for early acute poliomyelitis reported in and vaccine-derived poliovirus. On April 6, Maduro’s gov- elections next year to defuse the gravest po- 1989, a former health minister “There is no risk of spread to the ernment — which blames US litical crisis since the country ended a US- told AFP earlier this month. community or outbreaks of polio sanctions for the shortages — fuelled civil war in 1990. Fears that the disease had re- from this case,” it concluded. launched a new vaccine cam- His third consecutive presidential term is turned to Venezuela surfaced It said the boy, who lives in a paign against 14 diseases includ- scheduled to end in 2021. after a two-year-old boy from community with low vaccination ing measles and TB. “The end of all violence is a basic ne- cessity. Nicaraguans don’t need any more violence,” Foreign Minister Denis Moncada, who is the head government negotiator, told reporters. Taking sides Both sides will resume talks over the A lioness chooses weekend to address the Church’s proposal to University students’ leader Lesther Aleman (C) attends a conference at the end of the between two anticipate general elections and implement so-called “national dialogue” talks among government’s representatives, Nicaragua’s boxes with the political reforms. Roman Catholic bishops in an attempt to stifle anti-government unrest at the National Colombian and The protests that began on April 18 have Seminary of Our Lady of Fatima in Managua. Nicaragua’s influential bishops said that Japanese national also left hundreds injured and ground the rival government and civil delegates had agreed to create a truth commission and invite flags, during an economy of the impoverished Central independent international bodies to probe the violence that has left at least 170 dead. activity prior American nation to a halt. to their World Most of the dead were anti-government Civil Alliance for Justice, the umbrella or- which has monitored the violence, said 170 Cup match, at protesters who demanded the resignation of ganization of civic groups. people were killed in the eight weeks of the Santa Fe Ortega, a former socialist guerrilla and Cold “If conditions are not met, then peaceful clashes between pro-Ortega forces armed zoo, in Medellin, War-era US foe, blaming his administration civic protests will resume.” with assault rifl es and pistols and protest- Antioquia for the violent crackdown on demonstrations. The talks, which resumed on Friday after ers armed with rocks, slings and homemade department, Civic leaders said they were satisfi ed with being suspended, were marred by fresh vio- mortars. Colombia. the agreement that included setting up a in- lence in the capital, Managua, and disagree- Ortega’s surprise decision in April to slash ternational task force to investigate the kill- ments between negotiators over the inter- pension benefi ts to cover a widening social ings during the protests. national inquiry. security gap triggered the deadly confronta- They also agreed for the gradual removal, A Reuters witness heard gunfi re and saw tions, the bloodiest since the end of the civil under the supervision of international or- police advancing with assault rifl es in a war. Ortega quickly abandoned the planned ganisations, of makeshift roadblocks that neighbourhood near a university campus. spending cuts. have snarled traffi c and curbed trade. University students have led demon- But the subsequent violent crackdown on “This is a positive agreement that makes strations against what they say is Ortega’s protesters fuelled nationwide demonstra- us think that violence will not escalate,” said growing authoritarian rule. tions against Ortega, who has been in power Juan Sebastian Chamorro, a leader with the The Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights, for more than a decade. Torture goes on for families of Colombia’s disappeared

By Florence Panoussian, AFP taries and the security forces — is al- Colombia, ELN end talks sans agreement “The missing person occupies the weapons at him and took him away” to Bogota most thrice those of the dictatorship of emotional life of their relatives,” says the mountains, she says. Argentina, Brazil and Chile put together. The Colombian government and the ELN tiate, without tearing up, a historic pact Ivonne Zabala, coordinator of MSF’s Farc guerrillas, then camped in num- According to the latest fi gures, those guerrilla group ended their fifth round of signed in 2016 between Colombia and mental health programmes, who in bers in the nearby Valle del Cauca re- olombia’s decades of confl ict amount to a combined 32,300 people. peace talks in Havana on Friday without the Farc that he considers too lenient September launched an innovative psy- gion, signed a peace agreement with have caused more “disap- Mary Johana is one of those peo- reaching an agreement for a bilateral cease- because it off ered amnesty to the former chological assistance programme for the government in 2016 and promised Cpeared” than South America’s ple who “left her home one day and of fire, but vowed to continue their dialogue. rebels if they admitted their crimes. the families of the disappeared. the truth about their victims. military dictatorships put together, and whom we know nothing more since,” “The delegations have moved closer Duque has also expressed reserva- “Thanks to the peace process, greater Margot is still waiting. the anguish still goes on, as the “living says anthropologist Myriam Jimeno. to a new ceasefire and we express our tions toward the negotiations in Havana attention is paid to victims whose rela- Deprived of her husband’s income, dead” leave hundreds of thousands of “In the case of the missing...the hope for a new and better truce, which between the administration of outgoing tives have disappeared,” says Nicolas she was taken in by her unmarried survivors in the grip of mental anguish, most serious problem is the unfi nished we will work toward on the sixth cycle” president Juan Manuel Santos, repre- Gildersleeve, head of the local MSF brother, a retired architect, and has psychologists say. mourning. It’s a wound that does not that begins June 25, the two parties said sented by negotiator Gustavo Bell, and mission. come back to life since she began week- “The disappearance of someone is heal,” said Jimeno, professor emeritus in a joint statement. the ELN, represented by their leader “For every missing person, there ly sessions with a psychologist. like torture, night and day,” says Judith at Bogota’s National University. The round of talks ended as Colombia Pablo Beltran. must be three — sometimes up to fi ve “Before, I was closed in on myself Cassallas, her voice breaking. How Judith’s daughter and son-in- prepares to go to the polls for the second More than 260,000 people have — who suff er from anxiety, depression, like a little turtle in its shell. Now I feel Almost 11 years ago, her daughter law disappeared remains a mystery. round of its presidential election today. been killed, 83,000 remain missing and post-traumatic stress.” more normal,” the old lady says in a se- — three months pregnant — and her “It was October 7, 2007. Since then, The ELN (National Liberation Army) 7.4mn have been displaced in 50 years Specialised psychologists have been rious tone. “Enforced disappearance is husband went to spend a weekend in a we never had any news,” says her moth- has announced a temporary unilateral of conflict between the government and deployed in Cali and Puerto Asis, in like a slow torture experienced by loved tourist village near Cali. er, who was left almost literally broken- ceasefire from Friday to Tuesday. guerrilla movements. the southwestern department of Pu- ones,” says Yvonne Zabala, listing psy- They never came back. hearted. Conservative candidate Ivan Duque The ELN, the last guerrilla group tumayo, another of the confl ict’s fl ash- chosomatic disorders, chronic diseases All trace of Mary Johana Cassallas, 21, At 58, she has already undergone two won the first round at the end of May active in the country with around points. and cancers among the ailments suf- and Jose Duque, 25, were lost in the vio- heart surgeries, takes “a lot of drugs” and is favoured to prevail over leftist 1,500 fighters, previously announced a To date, around 100 patients have fered by those who are left behind. lence of a more than fi ve-decade war. and had to give up her job as a seam- Gustavo Petro. ceasefire during the first round of the had therapy that, through speech, As well as that, they are often stig- They have become another statistic stress. He has promised if elected to renego- presidential election. dance and art, aims to make absence matised, as people often believe that among 83,000 Colombians, according Sorrow, insomnia, the stress of run- bearable. no-one disappears without a reason. to the Latin American country’s Na- ning to the morgue to identify corpses, Among them is 73-year-old Margot To Guillermo, Margot’s 70-year-old tional Center for Historical Memory. the disappointed hopes, “the extor- “Every Mothers’ Day, I wanted to die. hole, without forgetting my daughter, Pulecio who has been waiting for her brother who is also undergoing therapy, It’s a problem the country’s new pres- tions of people who profi t from the pain My missing daughter occupied every but getting rid of all this anguish.” husband Nelson Escobar to reappear it amounts to “the sharing of sadness ident will inherit after today’s election. of others” to sell unsound information, space,” admits Judith. Little by little, she rediscovered her since 1995. day after day.” The number of disappeared at the the fear of asking too many questions: Then she went to see psychologists appetite for life and day to day commu- He was taken away one day by “a “The whole family is aff ected when hands of the parties to the confl ict — this is the reality of being a relative of a from Doctors Without Borders. nication with her two other daughters group of men to look after sick dogs on there is an abduction because we have leftist guerrillas, right wing paramili- disappeared person, Judith says. “It was like coming out of a black and her grandchildren. a farm. They got out of jeeps, pointed to wait...and 23 years is a long time!” Gulf Times 12 Sunday, June 17, 2018 PAKISTAN

ROs clear papers of 52 candidates PPP ‘having a hard time’ for NA seats in Peshawar with Punjab candidates Internews Internews nounced its election hopefuls for dent Zardari had claimed that his Jatoi, Aftab Sherpao, and Farooq parties settle their internal dis- in almost every constituency. Peshawar Islamabad the National Assembly and the party would take over the whole Leghari had ditched the party, putes,” said a PPP offi ce-bearer, PPP secretary general Farhat- Provincial Assemblies of Khyber of Punjab in the general elec- but at the time the party had privy to developments with ullah Babar claimed that they Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Sindh, and tions as he had decided to enter remained intact and strong due regard to the ticket-awarding had received more than 2,500 he Returning Offi cer (RO) eeling from a recent exo- Baluchistan. the election battlefi eld with his to the charismatic leadership of process. applications and there were has cleared nomination dus of “electables” and The PPP leadership’s decision son Bilawal Bhutto and daugh- Benazir Bhutto. He said that in the past, there more than three aspirants per Tpapers of 52 candidates Rsenior members from its to withhold the announcement ters Bakhtawar and Aseefa. “This charisma is no doubt had been a few PPP members constituency, in a number of ar- out of 68 for Peshawar’s fi ve Na- ranks, the Pakistan Peoples Par- of candidates from Punjab has However, it is interesting to missing in the party,” he said. who had quit the party but had eas. tional Assembly (NA) seats. ty (PPP) of former president Asif exposed its past failures of re- note that neither Zardari nor Bi- He went on: “Most of these not been awarded tickets by the Similarly, PPP Punjab secre- However, the nomination pa- Zardari appears to be in a quan- organising the party in the prov- lawal have fi led papers from any had joined the PTI not in the love PML-N or the PTI. tary general Chaudhry Manzoor pers of six candidates – the Paki- dary over fi nding suitable candi- ince at the right time. constituency in Punjab. for Imran Khan or his party. However, he said, the party Ahmed claimed that the party stan Peoples Party (PPP)’s Asma dates to fi eld from Punjab in the Taking advantage of the situ- “There is no doubt that the “They took this extreme deci- was divided on the issue of al- had strong candidates in many Alamgir, the Pakistan Muslim July 25 general elections. ation, a large number of second- PTI has dented the party severe- sion when they lost all hope of lowing those members back into Punjab constituencies. League – Nawaz (PML-N)’s Sources in the party said that and third-tier PPP workers and ly in Punjab,” a senior PPP mem- seeing things get better in the the party. He rejected the speculation candidate and squash cham- since a large number of PPP leaders have, this time around, ber from Lahore said. party, realising that the PPP is “A large number of party that they did not have the re- pion Qamar Zaman, the Awami bigwigs had joined the Pakistan applied for party tickets. “You see, the party has suf- getting weaker and weaker with members are of the view that quired number of candidates. National Party (ANP)’s Haroon Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the PPP However, the leadership is fered a lot due to the departure every passing day.” such people should not be ac- Ahmed, however, admit- Bilour, the Muttahida Majlis–e– leadership in the province had perturbed by the fact that most of people like Nadeem Afzal Sources in the PPP say the cepted back to the party (even ted that they withheld the an- Amal (MMA)’s Haji Ghulam Ali, the tough task of nominating of these applicants do not have Chan, Nazar Gondal, Murtaza party leadership delayed the if the party could lose the elec- nouncement of party candidates and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-In- new candidates, especially from enough experience even with lo- Satti, Imtiaz Safdar Warraich, award of party tickets in hopes tions),” he added. with the hope that they could be saf (PTI)’s candidates Noor Alam central Punjab. cal government elections. Samsam Bokhari, Nawabzada that dissidents from the PML-N Interestingly though, publicly contacted by disgruntled leaders Khan and Asif Khan – were not Even though former ruling Pa- Besides this, most of these Ghazanfar Gul, and Ashraf Soh- and the PTI may approach them. the PPP leadership have been of other parties. cleared due to objections. kistan Muslim League – Nawaz ticket aspirants do not have the na,” he added. “Yes, we hope that some of claiming that the party has been He expressed hope that the An offi cial of the RO ceoffi (PML-N) has yet to announce its funds required to run their cam- The PPP leader was of the those who are presently fi ghting unable to fi nalise its list of its party might announce its Punjab said that there were objections candidates from any province, paign. view that in the past too, many for tickets of the PML-N and the candidates from Punjab because candidates in two phases in the to the nomination papers of the the PPP had taken a lead and an- Only recently, former presi- big names like Ghulam Mustafa PTI may contact us once the two of a large number of applicants coming days. six candidates by the opponents, claiming that they were tax de- faulters. However, the ROs had given the six candidates the June 19 date to appear and explain their EU to send positions. Similarly, the offi cers have cleared nomination papers of observers 220 candidates submitted for 14 seats of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. to July 25 However, scrutiny of the re- maining nomination papers will continue till June 19. elections A total of 310 candidates had fi led nomination papers for Pe- shawar’s 14 Provincial Assembly QNA seats. Islamabad On the other hand, the Elec- tion Commission of Pakistan has notifi ed Appellate Tribunals in he European Union (EU) consultation with the Chief Jus- has announced its inten- tice of Peshawar High Court for Ttion to send a mission to the trial and disposal of appeals observe local elections in Paki- against the decisions of the Re- stan scheduled for July 25, con- turning Offi cers for accepting/ fi rming its support for “credible rejecting of nomination papers and transparent” elections. pertaining to National and Pro- EU High Representative for vincial Assemblies constituen- Foreign Aff airs and Security Pol- cies. icy Federica Mogherini said in a The high court sitting judges Scene yesterday statement yesterday that send- will head the Appellate Tribu- ing the mission shows the EU’s nals. Above: People take a selfie on the commitment to support a cred- Justice Syed Afsar Shah was grounds of the Badshahi Mosque in ible, transparent and inclusive appointed the head of the Appel- Lahore. election in Pakistan. late Tribunal at the principal seat Left: A boy is seen among men off ering She added that with these in Peshawar for hearing appeals Eid al-Fitr prayers in Rawalpindi. elections, “Pakistan is expected against the decisions of ROs. Right: A paramilitary soldier stands to witness an unprecedented Justice Musarrat Hilali was guard as devotees off er Eid al-Fitr second consecutive democratic appointed at the principal seat in prayers in Quetta. transition of an elected civilian Peshawar to hear appeals against Below: Men exchange Eid greetings after government, therefore contrib- the RO decisions for reserved off ering Eid al-Fitr prayers in Karachi. uting to the consolidation of the seats for women and non-Mus- direct link between Pakistani lims in the National and Provin- citizens and their representa- cial Assemblies. tives”. Justice Lal Jan Khattak was Michael Gahler, a German appointed for Appellate Tribunal conservative in the European at Abbottabad Circuit Bench for Parliament, will head the ob- hearing the appeals against the servers’ mission. ROs decisions for general seats A group of nine EU election in the National and Provincial analysts will arrive in Pakistan Assemblies. on June 22 and stay in the coun- Justice Muhammad Ghaz- try until the end of the electoral anfar was appointed for Min- process, while another 60 long- gora bench for hearing appeals term observers, who will be de- against the decisions for general ployed throughout the country, seats in the National and Provin- will arrive a few days later. cial Assemblies. Mogherini said that following Justice Abdul Shakoor was the general election, the EU mis- appointed for Appellate Tribu- sion would issue a preliminary nal at Bannu Circuit bench for statement of its results, while hearing appeals against the ROs the fi nal report and recommen- decisions for general seats in the dations will be presented at a National and Provincial Assem- later stage after the completion blies. of the entire electoral process. Similarly, Justice Ijaz Anwar More than 100mn people are was appointed for Appellate Tri- eligible to vote in the elections bunal at Dera Ismail Khan Cir- on July 25 to elect 342 lawmak- cuit bench for hearing appeals ers, 272 of whom will be elected against the ROs decisions for directly, while 60 seats are re- general seats in the National and served for women and another Provincial Assemblies. 10 for religious minorities.

PTI chief Imran Khan announced PML-N names candidates for 25 of Khyber to run for Karachi’s NA-243 seat Pakhtunkhwa’s 39 National Assembly seats

Internews nouncement on the remaining charges No 12 and 13 of Karachi Internews candidates would be announced Safdar Khan, NA-17 Haripur Muqam will also contest the Islamabad seats for various reasons, includ- East. Peshawar within a couple of days, accord- to Babar Nawaz, NA-18 Swabi election from PK-2 Bahrain area ing internal disputes on some of The total number of regis- ing to a statement issued here. to Sajjad Ahmed, NA-19 Swabi of Swat. the constituencies. tered voters in the constituency The ticket for NA-1 Chitral to Imranullah, NA-21 Mardan For the Provincial Assembly he Pakistan Tehreek-e- The PTI also announced that is 695,588 with 644,362 voters he Pakistan Muslim was awarded to Shehzada Ift- to Arsallah Khan Hoti, NA-22 (PA) constituencies, the party Insaf (PTI)’s parliamen- it would not entertain any com- (92%) residing in the Gulshan-i- League – Nawaz (PML- ikhar, NA-2 Swat to Amir Mu- Mardan to Jamshed Khan Mo- has so far named candidates for Ttary board has awarded plaint on the issue of award of Iqbal locality. TN) has announced its qam, NA-3 Swat to PML-N hmand, NA-24 Charsadda to only six seats in Swat, including tickets to candidates from Sindh party tickets following the expiry The electoral contest has be- candidates for 25 of 39 National president Shehbaz Sharif, NA-4 Mian Alamgir Shah, NA-25 Sardar Khan from PK-3 Khwa- for the National Assembly (NA), of the deadline of midnight on come all the more interesting Assembly (NA) constituencies Swat to Feroz Shah, NA-5 Upper Nowshera to Siraj Mohammad zakhela tehsil, Irshad Ali Khan besides offi cially announcing Friday. as Imran Khan will be facing off in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. to Nisar Khan Wardak, NA-6 Khan, NA-26 Nowshera to Na- from PK-5 Babuzai tehsil, Ha- that PTI chairman Imran Khan According to the offi cial an- against chief of the Muttahida The party’s provincial parlia- Upper to Javed Akhtar Tajak, wab Khan, NA-29 Peshawar to bib Ali Shah from PK-6 Barikot would be taking part in the con- nouncement by the PTI’s Central Qaumi Movement – Pakistan’s mentary board, headed by pro- NA-7 Lower to Sobia Shahid, Amir Muqam, NA-31 Peshawar tehsil, Azmat Ali Khan from test for the election from NA-243 Media Department, Imran Khan Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and vincial president Amir Muqam, NA-11 Kohistan to Malik Mis- to Malik Nadeem, NA-32 Kohat PK-8 Matta tehsil, and Abdullah (Karachi East). will contest from NA-243 Kara- former Sindh Assembly deputy announced the list with the ap- ri Khan, NA-12 Battagram to to Abbas Afridi, NA-34 Karak Khan who will contest the elec- The party had previously an- chi East-II constituency com- speaker Shehla Raza of the Paki- proval of the central parliamen- Alamzeb Khan, NA-13 Manse- to Rehmat Salam Khattak, and tion from PK-9 constituency of nounced 24 candidates from prising areas of Gulshan-i-Iqbal, stan Peoples Party from the same tary board. hra to Sardar Shah Jahan, NA- NA-39 Dera Ismail Khan to Ak- the municipal committee area of Sindh and withheld the an- Jamshed Quarters, and census constituency. The names of the rest of the 14 Mansehra to retired Captain bar Khan. Matta. Gulf Times Sunday, June 17, 2018 13 PHILIPPINES

19 foreigners held over Communist leader claims fraud, drug traffi cking Duterte ‘ruining’ peace talks By Catherine A Modesto Manila Times Manila Times the government had decided ceptable to the Filipino people units and non-government or- Manila to delay the peace negotiations at large. Dureza on Friday justi- ganisations. with the communist rebels, say- fi ed the government’s decision “We have no specifi cs yet ex- mmigration and police au- ing the public needed to be con- to postpone the resumption of cept broad strokes in that direc- thorities arrested 19 foreign- resident Rodrigo Duterte sulted fi rst. the peace talks with commu- tion. But ideally if both panels Iers for their alleged involve- is “ruining” the peace Sison expressed disappoint- nist rebels, saying that public of their representatives come ment in drug traffi cking and Pnegotiations between the ment and frustration over the consultation “can win public together and engage the public, large-scale call centre fraud in government and the National decision announced by the gov- goodwill.” a lot of public goodwill can be Muntinlupa City. Democratic Front of the Phil- ernment despite the “success- In a text message, Dureza earned,” Dureza said. In a joint operation of the Bu- ippines (NDFP), exiled Com- ful” back-channel talks held in said he respected Sison’s senti- Both sides were supposed to reau of Immigration’s (BI) Fugi- munist Party of the Philippines The Netherlands last week. ment but pointed out that the sign an interim peace agreement tive Search Unit (FSU) and the (CPP) leader Jose Maria “Joma” Sison said rebels had “no postponement was meant to if formal negotiations resumed Royal Thai Police on Thursday, Sison has said. choice” but to wage war to “strengthen and protect” the later this month. 16 Thais and three Taiwanese “Duterte is the one ruining achieve “national and social lib- gains achieved by both parties The deal was predicated on suspects were apprehended in the peace negotiations. He also eration.” during their back-channel talks. agreements on agrarian reform Posadas Village, Barangay Sucat, destructed the whole second President Duterte on Thurs- “He (Sison) is entitled to his and national industrialisation, Paranaque. year of term (of the talks),” Sison day said the government needed own opinion and we respect it. an amnesty proclamation, and “We received information told reporters in an online inter- more time before resuming for- Our purpose in seeking more a co-ordinated unilateral cease- from the Royal Thai Police that view, a day after the government mal negotiations. time is precisely to strengthen fi re. A stand-down agreement they are fugitives from justice decided to delay the resumption “Sison said June. No, I’m and protect the gains achieved was to be simultaneously de- and part of a large-scale criminal of talks earlier set for June 28. not ready for that. I need more so far by both panels in the clared on June 21, which was a syndicate that has been operat- “It seems like there would be time,” Duterte said in a speech in back-channel talks,” Dureza week later than what was previ- ing an illegal call centre in the no resumption of peace talks if Laguna during the oath-taking said. ously agreed upon. country,” BI Chief Jaime Morente he (Duterte) will insist to have of newly-elected village chiefs. Asked when the government The talks fell through in No- said in a statement. the peace talks in the Philip- Duterte arrived at the deci- intended to start the consulta- vember last year following “They have amassed mil- pines,” he added. sion following a command con- tion, Dureza said, “We are in clashes between government lions of Thai baht by committing At the same time, Sison belied ference with the military and the process of formulating the troops and communist rebels. fraud and victimising Thai peo- Malacanang’s claim that he had the police on Wednesday in Ma- process to do it as quickly as Duterte then moved to have ple in the Philippines,” he added. no arrest warrant, saying he was lacanang, where he was briefed Sison: ruling out negotiations in Philippines possible.” the communist rebels declared a One of the accused, Taiwanese charged with multiple murder in on developments in back-chan- He said the government was terrorist group. Wu Chang Long is a “ring lead- Leyte in the 1980s, a case that he nel talks between government made by the top communist Col. Edgard Arevalo, military also reaching out, not only to The president, however, had er” wanted for drug traffi cking, described as “fake.” and rebel negotiations. leader and backed the post- spokesman, said the military the parties involved, but also to a change of heart, saying he according to BI spokesman Dana Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza The Armed Forces of the Phil- ponement of the peace negotia- was in favour of “lasting peace” sectors like the churches, youth, would like to give peace another Sandoval. announced on Thursday that ippines shrugged off the threats tions. in the country that would be ac- business, local government chance.

Quezon City public school OFWs support Go for senatorial run students to undergo drug tests

By Mary Gleefer F Jalea who will come up with a list of lected students will still have to Manila Times the names of the students who undergo the drug test as man- will be included in the drug dated by Republic Act 9165 or testing,” Belmonte said. The Comprehensive Dangerous tudents in public high The vice mayor added that Drugs Act of 2002, she added. schools and colleges in they will have a massive infor- Part of the protocol is to take SQuezon City will undergo mation dissemination cam- the test in a Department of mandatory drug tests, accord- paign and orientation to explain Health (DoH)-accredited labo- ing to Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte. the process of drug testing to ratory. A student who tests posi- Citing data from the Philip- the students and parents. tive will have a case interview pine Drug Enforcement Agency “If the local government will with school authorities who will (PDEA), Belmonte said in a TV administer the school selection explain the repercussions and interview on Friday that drug board, we will have to meet and an accredited physician who will use is already prevalent in the come up with guidelines based evaluate his level of dependency. city’s schools. on the recommendations of the “If the student just tried “We will establish a selection school’s authorities to main- it once, there will be school- board which will be headed by tain the privacy and security based counselling. But if he the school president, the prin- of the children because we do fails in another random drug Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) hold placards urging Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go to run for senator cipal, the head of the faculty not want to traumatise them test, he will be institutionalised in the 2019 mid-term polls. The event was organised by the “OFW Global Movement Singapore Chapter” and was attended by the department and the head of the or stigmatise them,” Belmonte in a rehabilitation facility,” Bel- organisation’s chairman Rogelio Barrozo and Andre Natabio of the SAP Bong Go for Senator Movement, among others. parent-teacher’s association said. Should parents refuse, se- monte said. The unassuming Australian nun taking on the president

By Margaret Simons her personal story has overshad- Later, they were shocked to hear She was nevertheless taken She spent that night sleep- by surprise when, at two o’clock Guardian News & Media owed the facts she was trying to on the radio that their names ing on the fl oor of the offi ce. Her bring to international attention were on a list of NPA members in the afternoon on April 16, lawyer presented her passport when she managed to annoy the who had surrendered. six black-uniformed offi cers to the bureau at about 10am the omorrow, Sister Patricia president. At every stage, the group was from the immigration authori- next day, and after more hours Fox is likely not to be at For the fi rst time in this in- aware of being under surveil- ties hammered on her door and of waiting Fox was released, on Thome. terview, Fox revealed that hers lance. There were two incidents demanded she go with them the understanding that the de- Normally, she spends the is not the only case of deporta- that Fox believes were the im- immediately, to “clarify” some partment would take fi ve days to morning sitting in the walled tion. Five other foreign nationals mediate cause of Duterte’s ac- things. present further evidence against front yard of the modest home in who worked with her have been tion against her. On one day she When she arrived at the bu- her, and that her lawyers would Quezon City, north-east of Ma- targeted. and other members of the group reau of immigration she was told have ten days to contest it. nila, that she shares with six of One is in detention, two oth- visited a jail to interview politi- she was being deported as an un- As she walked out of the bu- her fellow nuns. ers have had their passports cal prisoners, and on another she desirable alien because she had reau, Fox was surrounded by Mornings, she says, are “lazy” withdrawn, and two have left the attended a demonstration of been joining illegal rallies. cheering supporters, but the eu- time. She drinks tea, takes calls country, one deported and one locked-out workers at the Coca- Fox believes that she, like phoria didn’t last. The next day from friends and colleagues and voluntarily. In all these cases, it Cola factory in the southern city some of her colleagues who had was chilling. prepares for an afternoon of vol- has been judged for various rea- of Davao. been targeted, was expected to Duterte declared in a public untary work. sons that publicity will not help. Sister Patricia Fox, 71, at her home in Quezon City. The Coca-Cola workers had leave the country quietly. But in address that he had personally But on Monday, if her legal ap- Fox will not reveal their identi- been employed on contracts for her 28 years of work in the Phil- ordered her to be investigated for peals fail, offi cers of the Philip- ties. Ferdinand Marcos and the end of her colleagues heard stories of years, with long hours, poor pay ippines Fox had gained many “illegal political activities” and pines Government are expected Fox grew up in suburban Mel- martial law. indigenous people and subsist- and no job security. They formed supporters. went on to publicly denounce to arrive, take her away and forci- bourne, the middle of three chil- Fox arrived there to live in ence farmers being summarily a union only to fi nd themselves She had texted friends while her, saying she had treated “the bly deport her – or worse. Jails in dren in a committed Catholic 1990, working fi rst in the prov- executed or forced off their land summarily sacked. A picket line in the car being driven to the Philippines like a mattress to the Philippines are tough places. family. She left school early, fi n- inces and rising to be the nation- to make way for mining and ex- was violently broken up by po- bureau, and within hours of her wipe your feet on”. The stick-thin 71-year-old ished a teaching degree in night al co-ordinator of rural mission- tensions to palm oil and banana lice. arrest church representatives “He’s clearly angry, and that’s nun doesn’t plan to let it happen. school and became a nun in 1969 aries in 2001. plantations. On the day the fact-fi nding and community groups had mo- frightening,” says Fox. “I will go to ground,” she says. “I at the age of 21, at a time when From the beginning, she found In a statement the group said mission visited, the workers had bilised. A crowd had gathered On April 23, with the deporta- won’t tell you more, but I won’t religious orders were changing common ground with farmers that the Duterte regime, sup- called a press conference out- outside the bureau, and inter- tion case still before the courts, be sitting around talking to jour- rapidly in the wake of Vatican II. and agricultural workers, and in ported by the USA, had “un- side the walls of the factory. The national groups were making the government revoked her nalists. They should not deport She worked in the inner Mel- recent years she has volunteered leashed a dirty war against farm- military turned up, but the press statements and inquiring about missionary visa and gave her 30 me when I have an appeal under- bourne suburb of Kensington, for organisations including ers and communities…Fear and didn’t. Nevertheless the workers her welfare. days to leave the country. Fox’s way. And it won’t happen if I can helping the tenants of public UMA Pilipanas, a peak body of terror engulf the vast population organised speeches and Fox was She sensed the tension in the legal team found out when the help it.” housing towers. Bailing kids out agricultural unions and worker of farmers, national minorities invited to say a few words. room as the offi cials struggled bureau issued a media release. Sister Fox has been living and and being a regular character groups. and the civilian population.” Aware of the bristling military with the growing outcry, while An appeal to the Department of working in the Philippines for witness before the court inspired Between April 6-9 this year Fox The group gathered testimony presence, she refl ected that Du- trying to comply with what is Justice bought Fox an extension more than 28 years without re- her become a lawyer, graduating was one of about 30 representa- of tribal people being forced to terte himself had stated he want- now known to have been a direct of the deadline, until this com- ceiving a word of publicity. Now, in 1984 and going on to work in tives of human rights groups to join the military, under threat ed to end the practice of long- instruction from the president. ing Monday. she has sprung to international community legal centres. travel to the southern island of of being declared members of term casual work. She agreed to By evening, a pro bono law- The government was claiming attention as the Australian nun Fox didn’t engage intensely Mindanao on a fact-fi nding mis- the New People’s Army (NPA), speak. yer arrived to represent her. De- that missionaries were meant who has riled a president. with the aftermath of the Vatican sion, investigating reports of hu- the armed wing of the Commu- “I thought I’d just quote the manding to see the evidence, Fox only to preach and convert, and In person, it is hard to imag- II council, but she and her order man rights abuses. Their fi ndings nist party, and executed. They social teachings of the Catholic and her lawyer were shown two were not meant to travel outside ine anyone less threatening. She were profoundly infl uenced by were released this week but have documented a total of 428 cases Church. You know, the right to photos – one of the visit to the their local area. After 28 years needs her glasses to read, admits liberation theology – the syn- gone almost entirely unreported, of forced or fake surrenders and unionise, the right to a fair wage, political prisoners and one of the in the country, this was news to to scattiness and a forgetfulness thesis of Christian theology and both by the Filipino and interna- over 100 cases of farmers being the right to security of tenure. gathering outside the Coca Cola Fox. when it comes to names. She Marxism then being developed tional media. killed, often in front of witness- And I said that I felt sorry for factory. It is this – the attempt to pre- used to be a school teacher, but in the 1960s in Latin America. Duterte has imposed martial es, by masked gunmen. them, and that I hoped they got Neither, Fox’s lawyer pointed vent foreign religious people claims she was “hopeless” – too In the late 1980s, her order law in Mindanao, citing ter- In the communities of Lupia- their jobs back so they could out, were rallies. from engaging in advocacy - that soft and no discipline. made a profound policy decision rorism both from Islamic State gan and Licoan, the group was care for their families. You know, The story shifted. Fox did not has galvanised the international She says she isn’t scared, to, as she puts it, “see the world sympathisers and from the New told of residents recently being pretty tame sort of stuff .” have her passport on her. It was religious community. The case though she has lost weight due through the eyes of the poor”. People’s Army, the armed wing summoned by the military and Shortly after she returned to being kept by the travel agent is now being fought because of to stress. Under it all, though, After research and exploratory of the Communist Party. promised gifts of rice and mon- Manila, Fox heard that other who handles the sisters’ busi- the importance of the precedent. she is determined – and brave. In visits, they focused on the Phil- But the fact-fi nding mis- ey. When they arrived, they were members of the fact-fi nding ness. Now, she was told that she Hence Fox’s determination to a turn of events that she admits ippines, then in the aftermath sion heard that this was cloak- instead photographed mugshot delegation were in trouble with was being deported because she avoid being deported before to fi nding completely bemusing, of the overthrow of President ing other motivations. Fox and style, holding blank placards. the authorities. was an undocumented alien. proper legal process. Gulf Times 14 Sunday, June 17, 2018 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka 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 Farmers in US stressed, angry at trade wars

US farmers fi nd themselves in the crosshairs of a trade war with China and others launched by President Donald Trump, who was elected with the support of many in rural America. On Friday, Trump announced long-threatened trade tariff s on tens of billions of dollars worth of Chinese goods, sparking an immediate retaliation from Beijing on an equivalent of US products including agricultural goods, notably soy. “For American farmers, this isn’t theoretical anymore, it’s Why ‘America First’ downright scary,” the Farmers for Free Trade lobbying group said of the prospects for escalating tariff s. “It’s no longer a negotiating tactic, it’s a tax on their livelihoods.” China is the largest buyer of soy beans, buying $12bn in 2017, about 30% of the US harvest. “We were already in a depressed market. These trade means ‘Europe United’ uncertainties add a lot of stress to this situation,” said Jamie Beyer, a farmer in Wheaton, Minnesota who grows soybean, corn, sugar beets, wheat and alfalfa. By Guy Verhofstadt government in Italy, and the rise subsequent eurozone crisis, the EU has Trump’s “America First” policies Brussels of populist parties across Europe, failed to implement necessary reforms. represent a misguided return to the “We feel these tariff s are very damaging to our agricultural opinion polls suggest that support for But now it has a window of naked nationalism and protectionism of economy.” the EU is now higher than it has been opportunity to act, because the a bygone era. Farmers are the most at risk in this trade battle, as their ne of the main arguments in decades. truth about Europe’s dangerous new They pose a direct threat to the incomes already were falling, declining by around 50% since made in support of the United According to a recent Eurobarometer geopolitical reality is fi nally hitting post-war international order that has 2013, and this year expected to reach the lowest level since Kingdom’s withdrawal from survey, if a referendum on EU home for many in the EU. underpinned prosperity and stability 2006. Othe European Union is that membership were held today, 83% of After all, the unifying challenge that for 73 years. the UK will be able to negotiate better Europeans would vote to remain in the Brexit has posed to the bloc pales in And yet they could also be just what The sector already was shaken up by the diffi cult trade deals with other countries – and bloc; and a record-high 60% regard EU comparison to that presented by Donald the long-stagnant European integration negotiations on the North even with Europe – if it is on its own. membership as a “good thing” for their Trump. process needs. American Free Trade According to Brexiteers like British country. The US president’s disdain for Trump revels in the chaos he “For American Agreement (Nafta) with Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, In other words, while populism can Nato, and the revelations about his sows. Canada and Mexico, because EU member-states are too certainly sow political divisions within campaign’s contacts with Kremlin- He regards international relations as farmers, this two major importers of divided and consumed by their own the EU, there is little evidence that connected Russians prior to the 2016 a zero-sum game of winners and losers, agricultural products. crises to defend the integrity of the Brexit itself has caused a domino eff ect. election, have made it abundantly and, to the extent that his foreign and isn’t theoretical European project, “There is only one The Brexit ringleader Nigel Farage clear that Europeans can no longer rely trade policies make any sense at all, On her family farm in way to get the change we want – vote to might like to think that Italy’s new exclusively on the United States for they are transactional. anymore, it’s Oklahoma, Hope Pjesky leave the EU.” populist government represents a their security. By contrast, the EU’s modus operandi raises cattle and grows But with less than a year remaining success for his brand of go-it-alone Moreover, Trump’s decision to is one of collaboration and compromise. downright winter wheat, and says she until “Brexit day” – when the UK’s EU nationalism, but it turns out that subject the EU (as well as other US allies And now that these two worldviews is “very nervous” about membership offi cially ends – it is clear Europe’s populists are of a diff erent such as Canada and Mexico) to import are colliding, each is likely to be scary” recent developments. that the British government’s hopes breed than those in the UK. tariff s on steel and aluminium has emboldened. “Unfortunately, of dividing and conquering the EU Though fi nancial markets have grown unifi ed European leaders in outrage and In addition to Brexit and Trump, economy have been dashed. skittish at the prospect that Italy’s new disgust. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s agriculture seems to be the industry that they hit back on EU member-states have remained leaders could drive their country out of And his suggestion that German cars revanchism and China’s growing when there is retaliation. I just wish there were a better way impressively united throughout the the eurozone, polling conducted after should be cleansed from US streets – assertiveness are upending the global to go about addressing that issue,” she said. Brexit negotiations. the election in March showed that 60- despite the fact that many “German” order. That is according to plan, since US trading partners And while Brexit itself is nothing 72% of Italians would not support such cars are actually built in the very US But, as we Europeans well know, have singled out American products from states strongly to celebrate, the process has at least a move. states from which he draws his support there is nothing like a crisis to get things supportive of Trump, in hopes of increasing the pressure on shown that Europe is strongest when it Still, recent polling does reveal more – may help Germans realise that they moving again. is challenged. ambivalence about the EU’s current need other Europeans’ help to protect We have avoided tough decisions for him to reconsider. In fact, for many Europeans, the EU trajectory. their auto industry. decades. But Pjesky noted that “there are a lot of people who voted seems to have returned from the dead. Just 32% of citizens believe that Trump’s tariff s have thus provided Now, we must decide what we want for him that still have faith that it is just going to end up Slowly but surely, French President “things are going in the right direction” a perfect opportunity for Germany’s Europe to be in 2050, and beyond. - well.” Emmanuel Macron and German for the EU, whereas 42% think the bloc grand-coalition government to meet Project Syndicate It is diffi cult to quantify the precise cost of Chinese Chancellor Angela Merkel – the bloc’s is on the wrong path. Macron halfway on his ambitious sanctions, but Missouri corn and soybean farmer Blake two most powerful leaders – have The question for most Europeans, proposals to reform the EU and the zGuy Verhofstadt, a former Belgian Hurst said he already is seeing an impact on prices. shown signs of coming together to then, is not whether to destroy the EU, eurozone. prime minister, is President of the pursue long-overdue EU-level reforms. but how to improve it. It is time for Germany to be more Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for The weather remains the main factor infl uencing the Moreover, despite the formation Owing to the lingering eff ects of open-minded about the needs of Europe Group (ALDE) in the European price of corn, wheat, soybeans and cotton, but the threat of of an anti-establishment coalition the 2008 fi nancial crisis and the Southern European countries. Parliament. renewed tensions between Beijing and Washington hit the market hard this week and the soybean price fell by more than 6%. “It will aff ect our profi tability” and cut the number of acres cultivated, he said. Roger Johnson, who leads the country’s second largest agricultural union, the National Farmers Union, said the group supports the White House goal of reducing the US trade defi cit. “But our organisation grows increasingly concerned that this administration does not have a plan to ensure family farmers and ranchers aren’t thrown under the bus for the sake of these goals,” he said. Even so, few blame Trump directly. Hurst said many in Missouri are still willing to give him the benefi t of the doubt. But, he cautioned, “if we don’t see any success, then patience will wear thin.”

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French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel – the bloc’s two most powerful leaders – have shown signs of coming together to © 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved pursue long-overdue EU-level reforms. Gulf Times Sunday, June 17, 2018 15 COMMENT Trump’s shot heard round the foot

By Daniel Gros euphemistically called a “voluntary and there is little indication that Brussels export restraint” (VER). From a strictly counter measures by the EU will economic point of view, this represents deflect Trump from his erratic an attractive alternative to tariff s for course. he fi rst salvo in the the exporting country. Cool economic logic should come transatlantic trade war has With the import tariff s on steel just before misplaced political pride. now been fi red by the United announced, the US will at least obtain The fact that a VER could also TStates, which is imposing some revenue. satisfy US demand also means that stinging tariff s on steel imports For steel, the sums involved would the conventional wisdom underlying from the European Union (as well be moderate. trade negotiations does not apply in as from Canada and Mexico). It was For example, a generalised import this case. an unprovoked attack, to which the tariff of 25% on steel products could That wisdom, supported by the European Union has vowed to retaliate. yield almost $4bn per year, even if “game theoretic” models beloved by Moreover, US President Donald imports were to fall by almost half (to economists, suggests that retaliation is Trump has announced an investigation $16bn). This is negligible relative to indeed the best strategy. into whether car imports threaten the US fi scal defi cit, which might reach But this is true only in a “normal” national security. close to $1tn this year. negotiation where both partners Any tit-for-tat response could But if the EU had agreed on a VER, use the threat of tariff s as their main thus quickly escalate from steel to the European producers would have bargaining tool. automotive industry, which is vital for received that $4bn from higher sales When one partner (the US) offers Europe. revenues, and for them this sum would to eliminate its tariff in exchange for Unfortunately, it seems that have been a very important shot in the export restraint, the game is over: emotions and short-term political arm, allowing them to invest in higher this is an offer that is too good to posturing, rather than economic logic, productivity and more sustainable refuse. is dictating the EU’s reaction. production. The EU has just rejected such an For starters, there is a key In other words, to the extent that off er, partly owing to a sentiment inconsistency in the discourse of the Trump just wants allies to reduce of wounded pride, but also because EU (and other US trading partners). their exports to the US, this can be EU competition rules might make The EU argues that tariff s on steel accommodated by EU producers it diffi cult to organise a cartel of imports mainly hurt the US itself, and increasing prices and pocketing the European steel producers. most economists would agree. higher revenues – never mind that US Moreover, the EU has long fought in But this also implies that counter- consumers of steel would thereby be the World Trade Organization to make measures taken by the EU will mainly subsidising foreign steel producers. VERs illegal. hurt Europe. Instead of blustering and showing But these legal and diplomatic Because the selective tariff s off long lists of products on which the niceties can and should be overcome threatened by the Commission will EU will now impose tariff s, European to arrive at a solution that makes aff ect fi nished products, not inputs leaders should signal to the US that economic sense for the EU. like steel, the damage infl icted they are willing to organise a VER for Steel is the issue today, cars might on EU consumers by European their steel producers. be in the near future, and who knows countermeasures will be smaller This is the approach successfully what other sectors will come after that. than the damage infl icted on the US pursued by Korea, whose steel Instead of engaging in a costly economy by Trump’s steel tariff s. producers do not face a tariff , because strategy of escalation with their But increasing tariff s remains an act they are reducing their exports by biggest trading partner, Europe’s of self-harm. charging higher prices and can thus leaders should swallow their pride Economists are fond of observing US President Donald trump has fired the first salvo in the transatlantic trade war. expect much higher profi ts. and humour Trump when he insists that the argument for counter- Of course, the immediate objection on running the US economy into the measures against protectionism abroad claiming that a larger US steel country’s industry to receive lower to increase the price they charge to US is, “We are not Korea. The EU is too big ground. – Project Syndicate is like saying: “If you shoot yourself in industry is in the national interest volumes of high-quality European consumers.” to be pushed around like this.” the foot, I will do the same.” should be: “Mr President, if you insist steel, we can help. We will organise a Technically, this would amount But the harsh reality is that Europe zDaniel Gros is Director of the Center The proper response to Trump’s that national security requires your cartel of our producers and ask them to the EU agreeing to what is depends on the US security umbrella, for European Policy Studies.

What’s the best way to avoid regrets? Three-day forecast

TODAY it solely to comply with social visit a dying relative or cheating on a Of course, the challenge is fi guring Maximum Temperature : 420c By Oliver Burkeman Minimum Temperature : 330c New York expectations, in which case it’s surely spouse. out what that is. “Do what you want” a matter of failing to forge your own That’s not merely because risks becoming a call to impulsiveness MONDAY path. And so on. everyone’s incredibly selfi sh, the and hedonism (and plenty of regrets, Maximum Temperature : 410c ow should you spend your Clearly, when it comes to avoiding researchers argue; it’s that we’re of both the ideal-self and ought-self Minimum Temperature : 310c life if you don’t want to end regret, we’ll need a better rule of more likely to take action to repair varieties). That’s why I like the trick, TUESDAY up fi lled with regret? thumb than just “do stuff ”. ought-self failures, perhaps because with its roots in the work of Carl Jung, Maximum Temperature : 400c H The standard modern Fortunately, Gilovich’s latest they seem more urgent or shameful. of fl ipping the question and asking not Minimum Temperature : 330c You might work hard to salvage your what you want from life, but what life answer to this ancient question, often work, conducted with another Fisherman's forecast based on research by the psychologist psychologist, Shai Davidai, might relationship after an aff air, resolve wants from you. Looking beyond your Thomas Gilovich, is that we regret just be able to provide one. Their never to neglect your elderly relatives immediate whims and desires, what’s WARNING trying to come into being through you? Inshore : Strong wind over most inaction more than action: not things new series of studies, which I found again, and suchlike. By contrast, areas and poor horizon- we do, but things we fail to do. via the Research Digest blog, hinges unpursued dreams have a tendency I’m not sure it matters whether tal visibility I’ve long been sceptical, though. on a distinction between what they to stay in the background, gnawing at or not we each really have, as Jung Can’t you simply rephrase any call the “ideal self”, the person you’d you only quietly, until suddenly it’s believed, a soul with its own agenda, Offshore : Strong wind and high sea decision so it fi ts in either box? be if you fulfilled all your goals and too late. distinct from that of the ego, WEATHER Leaving your relationship to embark ambitions, and the “ought self”, Gilovich and Davidai are struggling to make itself heard. Inshore : Hot during the day and on a round-the-world adventure the person you’d be if you met your appropriately reticent about deriving When faced with a big life choice, blowing dust at places to dusty at times might be a bold case of “doing obligations to others, and lived a life advice from their research, but just asking the question that way can WIND something”, or it might mean shirking morally upright life. I’m not: these fi ndings are a powerful be enough to cut through the noise, Inshore : Northwesterly 12-25/32 the hard but rewarding task of building Overwhelmingly, they found, people argument for fi guring out what you to the quiet place where you already KT a lifelong partnership. regret ideal-self failures – in short, truly want from life and giving it know what to do. Do that thing; you’re Offshrore : Westerly-Northwesterly Having children clearly seems not pursuing your dreams – more than a shot, even at the risk of others’ unlikely to regret it. – Guardian News 14-22/28 KT at places at like an action – unless you’re doing ought-self failures, such as failing to negative judgments. and Media times Visibility : 4-8 KM/ 2 KM or less on some areas Offshore : 4-7/9 FT at places at times times. Live issues Around the region Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Baghdad Sunny 43/27 Sunny 40/26 Kuwait City Cloudy 45/34 Cloudy 46/32 Sleep for 7 hours to keep heart younger Manama Cloudy 40/33 Cloudy 40/33 Muscat Sunny 39/32 Sunny 39/32 Tehran Sunny 36/24 Sunny 36/23 leeping for seven hours a day may reduce the age of your heart as well as decrease Sthe risks for cardiovascular disease, say researchers. The study showed that excess heart age is the lowest in adults who sleep seven hours a night. Sleeping times less than or greater than seven hours were associated with increased excess heart age, while short sleepers had the highest elevations in excess heart age. Sleep duration coupled with excess heart age may prove helpful for Around the world communicating the cardiovascular Weather Weather risks and benefi ts associated with today Max/min tomorrow Max/min sleep duration. Athens S T Storm 27/19 S T Storm 28/19 “These results are important Beirut Sunny 28/23 P Cloudy 27/23 because they demonstrate a Bangkok S T Storm 32/27 S T Storm 32/27 quantitative method for the inclusion Berlin S T Storms 25/14 P Cloudy 23/16 of sleep duration in the establishment Cairo Sunny 38/24 Sunny 37/24 and communication of cardiovascular Cape Town Rain 17/12 P Cloudy 15/11 risk for individuals,” said Julia Durmer Colombo T Storm 30/26 S T Storm 29/26 from the Emory University in Georgia, Dhaka P Cloudy 35/28 P Cloudy 36/28 US. Hong Kong S Showers 29/27 S Showers 30/28 The study, published in the journal Istanbul T Storms 26/20 S T Storms 27/20 Sleep, included data from 12,775 adults Jakarta M Sunny 34/26 M Sunny 34/24 aged between 30-74 years. Karachi P Cloudy 33/29 P Cloudy 33/29 They self reported their sleep London Cloudy 20/15 P Cloudy 24/16 duration which was classifi ed into fi ve Manila T Storm 30/26 T Storm 31/26 categories — fi ve hours or less, six, Moscow Sunny 25/13 M Sunny 27/16 seven, eight, nine and/or more hours New Delhi P Cloudy 39/30 M Sunny 40/29 of sleep. The results showed that mean health researchers interested in adding weight, smoking and exercise habits. New York P Cloudy 32/21 P Cloudy 33/26 The team used sex-specifi c adjusted excess heart age was a sleep metric to future studies,” Sleeping too little causes Paris Cloudy 20/15 Cloudy 23/13 Framingham heart age algorithm lowest among adults who reported Durmer said. disruptions in underlying health Sao Paulo Cloudy 18/14 Cloudy 18/14 to calculate each individual’s heart sleeping seven hours per 24-hour According to the US-based National conditions and biological processes Seoul P Cloudy 28/18 P Cloudy 30/18 age and used multivariable linear or period. Sleep Foundation, people who do not like glucose metabolism, blood Singapore S T Storm 32/27 S T Storms 31/27 logistic regression to examine the “This could have utility in sleep enough are at higher risk for pressure and infl ammation. Sydney Cloudy 13/09 Showers 14/10 association between sleep duration the clinical care of patients with cardiovascular disease and coronary However, the same may hold true Tokyo Cloudy 22/16 Cloudy 24/19 and excess heart age. cardiovascular risk, and for public heart disease-regardless of age, for over sleeping. Gulf Times 16 Sunday, June 17, 2018 QATAR

New games and activities at Summer Entertainment City attract many visitors. The fan zone at SEC screens live 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia matches. Summer Entertainment City attracts thousands of visitors he fan zone at Sum- space at the Doha Exhibition and ple buy the gold pass, they should operation with the Indonesian mer Entertainment City Convention Centre. plan to spend four to fi ve hours community in Doha), which was T(SEC), which screens live “We want to bring the ex- here because that‘s how long it attended by ambassador Moham- the matches at the 2018 FIFA citement of football to the City, will take for them to go around the ed Basri Sidehabi. World Cup Russia, is attract- something diff erent for people to whole place,” Ahmed stressed. The envoy lauded QSF saying ing a large number of residents enjoy while they can practically He said SEC received about the festival provides an opportu- and visitors since it opened have fun all day here,” Ahmed 1,800 visitors on Friday, the nity for expatriate communities on Friday. said, adding “SEC is the family fi rst day of Eid al-Fitr holi- to promote their culture and her- “As soon as the matches begin favourite and it is the only place days, and he expects to increase itage in Qatar. you will see a lot of people moving where you can have it all at once.” substantially in the coming days. “We hope to have more and there, it is a packed area and it is Besides watching football, he “Today (June 16), we already bigger Indonesian cultural per- great to see that as well,” QSports noted that many people, espe- surpassed 2,500 visitors at this formances here in the future,” he founder and SEC project director cially families and children, also stage, and we expect between said, citing that there are 43,000 Adil Ahmed told Gulf Times. enjoy the various off erings such 4,000 and 5,000 more,” Ahmed Indonesian expatriates in Qatar, SEC, organised by QSports as the world’s largest bouncy stressed, as he thanked the diff er- including 10,000 professionals. as part of Qatar Summer Festi- castle, synthetic ice skating rink, ent embassies in the country who SEC is also set to feature Ken- val (QSF) 2018, features an ar- bungee trampoline, skill games, partnered with QSports in holding yan performers in the coming ray of fun-fi lled activities and virtual reality setup, amusement entertainment and cultural shows. days while Malaysian and Ethio- games, live entertainment and rides, and video games. One of SEC’s highlights yester- pian performers, as well as Kore- cultural shows, among others, “One of the things we want to day was a cultural performance ans, will take the centre stage in spread over 29,000sq m of the highlight this time is when peo- by Indonesian children (in co- the coming weeks. Indonesian ambassador Mohamed Basri Sidehabi with Indonesian performers at SEC.

Interactive animal shows at Al Khor Park AZF screens World Cup matches at Khalifa International Stadium

spire Zone Foundation (AZF) opened its 2018 AFIFA World Cup Russia fan zone in the iconic 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar venue, Kha- lifa International Stadium, on Friday, giving fans a chance to celebrate the most anticipated sporting event in the world. More than 1,500 members of the Moroccan community, led by ambassador Nabil Zniber, attended the opening on the fi rst day of Eid al-Fitr holidays, to watch Morocco’s fi rst 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia match against Iran. The animal department of the Department of Public Parks at the The live screening witnessed Ministry of Municipality and Environment is holding interactive a widespread enthusiasm The fan zone seats more than 2,500 and features a giant LED screen. animal shows at Al Khor Park until the fourth day of Eid al-Fitr. and cheering from spectators Many visitors, especially children, enjoyed the show on the first throughout the match. two days of Eid al-Fitr. The objective is to educate children about “We are delighted to wel- the animal world. The shows are from 3pm to 5pm. come so many members of the Moroccan community to the Khalifa International Stadium as they support their national team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia,” AZF’s public rela- Visitors flock to beach areas to spend holidays tions director Nasser Abdullah al-Hajri said. “AZF enjoys a strong relation- ship with various embassies, in- cluding the Moroccan embassy. Such a show of support for the Moroccan community is con- sistent with Qatar’s ongoing, strong relationship with the county, including being one of the fi rst to back its FIFA World Moroccan Fans cheering for their football team against Iran on Friday. Cup bid,” he noted. Zniber said it was a pleasure the fan zone at Khalifa Interna- and memorable atmosphere to see so many members of the tional Stadium – it’s the ideal for the country’s football fans. Moroccan community at the setting for community members The experience provides clues stadium to cheer on Morocco’s to follow World Cup games and as to what fans can expect at one national team during their fi rst keep up with the all the action,” of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar match in the 2018 FIFA World the envoy added. stadiums in four years’ time. A group of expatriates enjoy an impromptu game of football at the Mesaieed Sealine Beach yesterday. The beaches across Cup Russia. The fan zone seats more than This year’s fan zone is spon- Qatar witnessed a heavy turnout of visitors on the first and second days of Eid al-Fitr. Other than expatriate families, large Algerian ambassador Ab- 2,500 people and has car park- sored by the Supreme Commit- numbers of bachelors could also been seen at popular beaches. Recently, extensive renovation and beautification were carried delaziz Sebaa, who also at- ing capacity for more than 2,000 tee for Delivery & Legacy (main out at some of the beaches. Though restrictions are in place for those venturing out to the sea, a good number try to enjoy a tended the matches, said the at- vehicles. It is also be equipped partner) and Ooredoo (main swim in the shallow waters. Taking into account the heavy rush of visitors to the beach areas during the Eid holidays, Hamad mosphere among spectators was with the latest cooling tech- sponsor), as well as Al Attiya Mo- Medical Corporation’s Ambulance Services and Ministry of Interior’s security personnel have been deployed to ensure their excellent and it felt like watching nologies, a giant LED screen, tors and Trading Co, Cisco, Witr safety and security. PICTURE: Jayan Orma a match from the stands. and a range of food and bev- Jewellery, Royal Air Maroc and “AZF has done a great job with erage stalls creating a unique Pepsi. Indulge in moderation, HMC expert urges diabetics

From Page 1 patients with diabetes to be the sense of satiety and lessen tor’s approval. He also recom- tant during times when one’s with diabetes during Eid, al- mindful of portion size. High- the desire to indulge on heav- mends diabetics check their diet is altered, such as dur- Arabi recommends planning “People with diabetes should carbohydrate foods, such as ier foods and desserts. He says blood glucose levels more of- ing Eid feasts. The signs and ahead and incorporating sub- limit sugar and sweets but this bread, cereals, pasta, and rice that while eating the right ten during special holidays and symptoms of hyperglycemia, stitutions, such as low-sugar, does not mean they can never are not forbidden, but they foods, in the right quantities, other times when their normal or high blood sugar, can vary low-fat desserts. He also rec- eat desserts. Cakes and other should be eaten in moderation,” can help keep blood sugar lev- routine is altered. from person to person but ommends making fresh fruit a desserts are part of tradition- said al-Arabi. els under control, it is essential “Knowing and understand- common symptoms include part of the dessert menu. It is al Eid celebrations for many Staying hydrated is also to take prescribed medications ing the signs and symptoms extreme thirst, nausea, vomit- important to check blood sugar families. Many of these des- important and the clinical di- as directed. He says diabetics of high and low blood sugar ing, abdominal pain, shortness levels regularly and to follow serts contain a large amount of etitian recommends drink- should never adjust the times is essential for diabetics and of breath, and weakness and the doctor’s recommenda- carbohydrates in a very small ing water before meals, not- they take their medication, or their friends and families tiredness,” al-Arabi said. tions regarding medications, he serving of food, so we advise ing that it can help increase the dosage, without their doc- but this is especially impor- When caring for children added. Zohair Ali al-Arabi