BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Qatar-UK Higher trade volume Organising up 3.6% to Committee reach of Beach $2.9bn Games in 2018 formed published in QATAR since 1978

SUNDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11237 July 7, 2019 Dhul-Qa’da 4, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief Foreign ministry holds talks with UN team

QATAR | Reaction Qatar slams bombing of Doha Islamic mosque in Afghanistan Qatar has strongly condemned the bombing of a mosque in Ghazni province in southeast Afghanistan, killing two people and injuring Youth Forum others. In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs reiterated Qatar’s firm stance rejecting violence and terrorism, regardless of motives and reasons. begins today It stressed Qatar’s total rejection of targeting places of worship and intimidating civilians. It expressed Forum to provide an interactive Qatar’s condolences to the victims’ families, the Government and people platform for young people to exchange of Afghanistan, wishing the injured a speedy recovery. ideas and discuss different issues The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organised an open discussion session yesterday with the United Nations Alliance ARAB WORLD | Unrest of Civilizations (AOC) delegation, currently visiting Qatar. The delegation includes participants from Europe and QNA Sudan ruler vows North America. HE the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lolwah Alkhater addressed the discussion Doha to implement deal session. Page 2 Sudan’s army ruler General Abdel he Doha Islamic Youth Forum Fattah al-Burhan vowed yesterday kicks off today at QNCC, under to implement the power-sharing Tthe theme “Youth is the power deal agreed with demonstrators, as of the nation”, which is part of the the protest campaign cancelled a activities of Doha, Capital of Islamic nationwide day of civil disobedience US quake-hit assess damage, Youth 2019. later this month. The ruling military Organised by the Ministry of Cul- council and protest leaders agreed ture and Sports, the forum will con- on Friday to form a joint civilian- tinue until July 11, hosting about 90 military governing body aimed at brace for more aftershocks young people representing 56 coun- ending the country’s months-long tries of the Islamic world, including 20 political crisis. Page 9 Qatari youth. Reuters som requested federal assistance people some 200km northeast of Los The forum is organised in co-oper- HE the Minister of Culture and Sports REGION | Politics Ridgecrest, California and placed the state Office of Emer- Angeles. ation between the Ministry of Culture Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali France-Iran N-talks gency Services (OES) on its highest Ghilarducci said there was sure and Sports and the Islamic Youth Co- alert. to be a signifi cant number of after- operation Forum, the youth wing of the our bet on our youth is a basic value by July 15 likely igh desert communities in “We do know there were a number shocks, including possible powerful Organisation of Islamic Co-operation bet, emphasising the central role of French President Emmanuel Macron Southern California yester- of injuries, but most of them I would ones, and advised residents to ensure (OIC), and under the supervision and youth”. said yesterday he and Iran’s President Hday assessed damage and characterise in the minor to moder- they had necessary supplies. organisation of the Qatar Center for The motto “Youth is the power of the Hassan Rouhani had agreed to braced for potentially dangerous af- ate level, and no reports of any fatali- “We want to make sure that peo- Cultural and Heritage Events. nation”, will be the theme of Doha, the seek conditions for a resumption tershocks from a major earthquake ties, so I think we’re very lucky there,” ple over the next 24 to 48 hours are Issues related to youth including Islamic Youth Capital 2019 through- of dialogue on the Iranian nuclear that shook buildings, ruptured gas OES Director Mark Ghilarducci said prepared and cognizant of what to good governance and transparency, out the year. question by July 15. “The President lines and sparked fi res near the re- at a news conference. do should more earthquakes occur,” importance of sustainable develop- Dr Issa al-Hur, Chairman of the of the Republic has agreed with his mote epicentre of the second temblor Ghilarducci said there were reports Ghilarducci said. ment, youth and social media, and Technical Committee for the Doha Iranian counterpart to explore by in as many days. of building fi res, mostly as a result of Overnight the centre of Ridgecrest diplomatic simulations are among the Youth Capital 2019, said the forum will July 15 conditions to resume dialogue The powerful magnitude 7.1 earth- gas leaks or gas-line breaks. was quiet, except for the occasional major topics on the agenda. be a great opportunity for young peo- between the parties. Page 9 quake rocked the Mojave Desert town State offi cials said all roads dam- rumble of aftershocks. Some residents These discussions are accompanied ple to exchange ideas and discuss dif- of Ridgecrest south of Death Valley aged by the quakes had been repaired could be seen sitting on lawn chairs by three workshops. ferent issues. National Park as darkness fell on Fri- and reopened. in the darkness outside. The garage HE the Minister of Culture and He said the youth participating in day, jolting the area with eight times Violent shaking also caused wa- doors of many homes were left open Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser the forum will discuss various issues more force than a 6.4 quake that ter-main breaks and knocked out with a car parked on the driveway. al-Ali described the Doha Forum for that will be presented at the forum, in struck the same area 34 hours earlier. power and communications to parts The sprawling US Naval Air Weap- Islamic Youth as “a unique event” at addition to the workshops where the California Governor Gavin New- of Ridgecrest, home to about 27,000 ons Station China Lake just north- this particular time when the Islamic “young people will discuss the prob- west of town was evacuated of all nations are facing many challenges. lem and develop solutions to these non-essential personnel following The forum will contribute to the problems by themselves”. the quake. promotion of cultural exchange among After these discussions, Dr al-Hur The facility, which at more than young Muslims providing an interac- said the youth will be trained on the 1.1mn acres is larger than the state of tive platform for youth coming from model of the Islamic Co-operation Rhode Island, reported no injuries. diff erent Islamic countries to learn Organisation summit. This will help Authorities were assessing any dam- from and about each other. young people to gain leadership skills, age to buildings or other infrastruc- “This forum is an opportunity to identify the nature of the problems, ture, according to a post on the base’s empower young people by expand- and how to address them by fi nding Facebook page. ing their participation and initiative, appropriate solutions. Friday’s earthquake was widely felt building capacities and promoting Aisha al-Mahmoud, Director of across Southern California, including cultural diversity as a value on which Public Relations and Communication greater Los Angeles, where shaking in to build joint ventures and to connect at the Ministry of Culture and Sports, some areas lasted about 40 seconds. young people from other countries and said that all necessary preparations for Low-level rumbling extended as far cultures,” he said. the forum have been completed. north as the San Francisco Bay area The minister added: “It is not pos- The Ministry of Culture and Sports Firefighters work to put out a fire, the morning after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake and beyond to Reno, Nevada, and as sible to achieve sustainability without has provided all the necessary resourc- struck in the area, yesterday in Ridgecrest, California. far east as Phoenix, Arizona. the availability of these elements and es to ensure success of this forum. MDD to host Huawei’s Smart Experience Centre

sheireb Downtown Doha, the ing into the country the latest and that international companies have in increase our footprint. We are excited smartest and most sustain- smartest technology solutions. For our infrastructure. We are very happy that our collaboration with Msheireb Mable fully built city district in Huawei, this co-operation with the with this venture and we look forward Properties will further support us in the world and Qatar’s destination for national real estate developer will help to announce it’s opening soon.” achieving this goal.” leisure, living and business, is intended the company in expanding its pres- Frank Fan, CEO of Huawei Technol- Huawei is a leading global informa- to become home to Huawei’s Smart ence locally and increasing its market ogies LLC, said: “It is an exciting co- tion and communications technology Experience Centre in Qatar. share. operation indeed. The Huawei brand (ICT) solutions provider, committed to The announcement was made dur- Ali al-Kuwari, Acting CEO of has a large customer following in Qa- bringing digital to every person, home ing a signing ceremony between Msheireb Properties, said: “Msheireb tar, and the smart experience centre and organisation for a fully connected, Msheireb Properties, the developer of Downtown Doha is all about connec- will give visitors the opportunity to intelligent world. The company has Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD), and tivity and smart living. We have prom- experience some of Huawei’s lead- more than 180,000 employees, and Huawei who is a leading global provid- ised our tenants and visitors an experi- ing technologies such as 5G, AI, cloud operates in more than 170 countries er of information and communications ence like no other, and we are currently products and solutions that Huawei and regions, serving more than 3bn technology (ICT) infrastructure and embarking on partnerships to ensure integrates into its unique Cloud- people around the world. smart devices. we fulfi l that. Our work with Huawei Pipe-Device strategy targeted at driv- Founded in 1987, Huawei is a private This agreement aligns with the vi- will witness the development of their ing digitalisation and empowering company fully owned by its employ- sion set for Msheireb Downtown Doha smart experience centre in the coun- customers. That’s why it’s vitally im- ees, with revenues exceeding $108bn Msheireb Properties and Huawei off icials at the co-operation agreement signing to be a city of fi rsts, constantly bring- try, which is only telling of the trust portant to solidify our presence and in 2018. ceremony. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, July 7, 2019 QATAR

UN delegation visits Msheireb Museums, Souq Waqif HMC-SSPC gets about 3,000 visits since opening

amad Medical Corporation cially trained stroke consultants, clin- The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations delegation, currently visiting Qatar, toured the Msheireb Museums, and (HMC) yesterday said its Sec- ical nurse specialists, educators and Souq Waqif yesterday. The delegation was briefed on the history of Qatar and the development currently witnessed Hondary Stroke Prevention pharmacists. by the country in all fields. The delegation of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, which includes participants Clinic (SSPC) has delivered education, “During the consultations, our from Europe and North America, is visiting Qatar in co-ordination with the National Committee of the Alliance of monitoring and prevention services to teams discuss a wide range of pre- Civilizations in order to learn about the history of the State, its historical and cultural landmarks, and to achieve closer hundreds of stroke patients with al- ventative issues with patients, includ- co-operation between races, religions and cultures among peoples based on the values of truth, justice and equality. most 3,000 visits since its opening in ing diagnostic results, healthy lifestyle April 2018. habits and the main risk factors for The aim of the clinic is to reduce the stroke,” said Paula Bourke, advanced risk for a recurrence in patients who clinical nurse specialist for stroke. have recently had a stroke or tran- “The new clinic is equipped with sient ischemic attack (TIA or ‘mini- advanced stroke investigation tech- stroke’), as Dr Naveed Akhtar, head of nology, including Prolonged Holter Barzan Holdings and Qatar Post sign MoU Stroke Services at HMC, explained: monitoring to assess heart function, “The patients that we see in this clinic 24-hour blood pressure monitoring have a high risk of suff ering a stroke or devices and specialist 3D Doppler Ca- arzan Holdings has sustainable development. TIA, often for the second or even third rotid ultrasound equipment.” formalised a memo- “Qatar Post will provide a time.” There are many factors that increase Brandum of under- number of important postal “We have made enormous progress a person’s risk of stroke: high blood standing (MoU) with Qatar services, including the pro- in recent years to improve the treat- pressure, uncontrolled diabetes, high Post, paving the way for “a vision of a Global Priority ment given to stroke patients – we cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and not seamless and fully secure” Service, logistics from out- now see patients more quickly, treat Dr Naveed Akhtar taking medication as prescribed. The postal service to be provided side Qatar and vice-versa, them with specialist teams and help SSPC helps to give patients a better to the Ministry of Defence’s the transfer of equipment them recover faster than ever be- within the fi rst 30 days and rises to up understanding of these factors and of- strategic arm. within the country and the fore. The SSPC complements these to 40% within fi ve years of the initial fers them practical ways to minimise The signing ceremony clearance of procedures in improvements by enabling us to not stroke. For this reason, it is essential their risk. took place at the Barzan the ports and the airport, only treat the symptoms and effects that we provide suitable education The SSPC highlights HMC’s focus Holdings headquarters. Nasser Hassan al-Naimi with Faleh Mohamed al-Naemi after the transfer of all types of of stroke but also to prevent strokes and support for stroke patients to try on health promotion and education, The agreement was inked signing the MoU. shipments within the state, from happening again,” added Dr to prevent any further incidents,” stat- the statement notes. With the open- by Nasser Hassan al-Naimi, and other services. Akhtar. ed Dr Akhtar. ing of this service, in addition to the president and executive nifi cant relationships with standing with Barzan Hold- “We also hope that this Due to the high prevalence of many The stroke team ensures that all Tobacco Control Centre and National board member of Barzan industry leaders all over ings comes in the context of initiative will be a starting of the risk factors of stroke among stroke patients are given an appoint- Obesity Treatment Centre, both of Holdings; and Faleh Mo- the world, and our ability our support to government, point for a long-term part- Qatar’s population, the incidence of ment date at the SSPC within six which have opened in the past two hamed al-Naemi, Qatar to correspond securely with private entities and insti- nership between the two stroke is high, particularly amongst weeks of discharge from every HMC years, HMC is expanding its range of Post chairman and manag- them is paramount. Qatar tutions to encourage them companies, off ering Barzan those under the age of 60 years. hospital, according to a press state- preventative services aimed at keep- ing director. Post has demonstrated its to adopt integrated postal Holdings a range of solu- “Studies show that the risk of re- ment. The SSPC runs eight clinics a ing Qatar’s population as healthy as Commenting on the expertise in this area over services,” Qatar Post’s al- tions and innovative postal current stroke is between 5-10% week, with services delivered by spe- possible. signing, Barzan Holdings’ many years, and I’m sure Naemi added. services that are consist- al-Naimi said: “We are de- that this agreement will “This will help them ent with the goal of Qatar in lighted to have partnered prove to be mutually ben- achieve greater effi ciency seeking to build a competi- with Qatar Post through efi cial to both parties.” and enable them to de- tive economy and transform this strategic MoU. Barzan “The signing of this velop, grow and contribute the country into a fully con- Holdings is establishing sig- memorandum of under- eff ectively to the process of nected society.” Qicca hosts trainees from justice ministry

he Qatar Interna- tional Centre for TConciliation and Ar- bitration (Qicca) has hosted members of the Centre for Legal and Judicial Studies at the Ministry of Justice for a training session on ar- bitration and other topics. The event discussed the most important aspects of commercial arbitration, the role of Qatar Chamber Sheikh Dr Thani bin Ali al-Thani and Dr Minas Khatchadourian during the training session and Qicca in spreading the with the Ministry of Justice. culture of arbitration in the business community, and nifi cantly to Qatar becom- cial court for investment panies to resort to arbi- alternatives to resolving ing an important economic and trade. tration. Similarly, major commercial disputes. and trade centre in the re- He also gave a brief in- conferences are organised Qicca board member for gion. troduction about Qicca, with the participation of International Relations Sheikh Thani lauded the which was established in experts and international Sheikh Dr Thani bin Ali al- issuance of laws and regu- 2006 by a resolution issued jurists to learn about the Thani said the centre holds lations related to the regu- by the board of directors latest arbitration practices, regular meetings with lation of non-Qatari capital of the Qatar Chamber and in addition to training pro- trainees, jurists, and those investment, laws regulat- the adoption of its rules grammes and programmes interested in commercial ing economic activity, the that are consistent with the of rehabilitation and prepa- arbitration to introduce commercial register, free rules of the Model Unistral ration of arbitrators. arbitration, which is gain- zones, industrial zones, the (2010). Qicca counsellor Dr Mi- ing increasing importance protection of competition, The centre’s Arbitra- nas Khatchadourian also globally. the prevention of monopo- tion Committee also holds presented a brief about the He said the laws and listic practices, and elec- seminars and lectures to most important procedures regulations issued in recent tronic commerce, as well as raise awareness of arbitra- and methods of arbitration years have contributed sig- the establishment of a spe- tion and encourage com- in the centre.

MoI teams up with Polish customs to foil attempt to smuggle heroin

he General Direc- torate of Drug En- Tforcement in Qatar, in a joint operation with the Polish police and Customs offi ce, has thwarted an at- tempt to smuggle 5.8kg of heroin into Poland. The Ministry of Inte- rior (MoI) informed this through a series of tweets yesterday. The Polish authori- ties arrested the accused and seized the contraband Maj Mohamed Abdullah that was hidden in his bag, al-Khater, director of the thanks to the co-operation Department of Studies between the General Direc- The Polish authorities arrested the accused and seized the and International Aff airs at torate of Drug Enforcement contraband that was hidden in his bag. the General Directorate of and the relevant bodies in Drug Enforcement. Poland, the MoI said. tional to smuggle narcotics relevant bodies in Poland, Earlier, the International into Poland through War- the ministry added, noting and International Aff airs Communication Section of saw Chopin Airport. that the Polish authori- at the directorate, stressed the Department of Studies The directorate took all ties thanked Qatar “for this that Qatar is “exerting and International Aff airs at measures in accordance outstanding co-operation”. every eff ort to support the the directorate had received with international conven- Maj Mohamed Abdul- international community information about an at- tions and laws, and through lah al-Khater, director of in addressing this serious tempt by an European na- co-ordination with the the Department of Studies scourge”. Gulf Times Sunday, July 7, 2019 3 QATAR

Chief of Staff visits Typhoon and Hawk aircraft production facility in UK Lawyers committee holds meeting

QNA Doha

he Lawyers Admission Committee held a meet- Ting yesterday chaired by HE the Minister of Justice and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Aff airs. The committee reviewed the topics on its agenda, witnessed three new lawyers swear the le- gal oath before the committee, and reviewed the applications for the registration of more new lawyers. In addition, the committee reviewed the requests for the transfer of other lawyers from the board of lawyers before the courts of appeal and discrimina- tion, and took appropriate deci- sions. A number of organisational topics and fi les submitted for HE the Chief of Staff of Qatar Armed Forces Lieutenant General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanim, who is currently visiting the United Kingdom, visited the production lines of the Typhoon and Hawk discussion were also reviewed, aircraft, BAE Systems. During the tour, the Chief of Staff was briefed by the manufacturers on the latest technology and equipment owned by the facility. The Chief of Staff was accompanied during the tour by including some complaints and the Executive Director of the company, Christopher B, off icers of the Qatar Armed Forces, and the company’s senior off icials. grievances, and appropriate de- cisions taken.

HEC Paris in Qatar alumni members meet

HEC Paris has held a ‘Meet the Alumni’ event where alumni members shared their experiences with potential participants and prepared them to embark on a learning journey through the Specialised Master Ministry of Interior in Strategic Business Unit Management degree programme. The event took place on the HEC Paris Doha campus, in Tornado Tower, and alumni members in attendance included Cristina Porumb, Class of 2016; Abdulla al-Kharaz, Class of 2017; Bahig Georgi, Class of 2018; and Hend al-Naimi, Class of 2019. The issues safety tips alumni also guided the attendees through the wide- ranging benefits of the the programme, which gives participants the opportunity to learn best global practices that will help them enhance their leadership skills and transform their careers. The next intake for for travellers the SBUM 2020 Class starts on July 18.

he Public Relations Depart- ment at the Ministry of Interior T(MoI) has issued an advisory in a bid to ensure the safety and security of travellers during the summer. The advisory contains a wide range of awareness tips, which are as fol- lows:  Offi cial documents The advisory has asked travellers to make sure that their passports are valid for at least six months and they should obtain a visa on time. “Some embassies in Qatar require the signa- ture of children aged 10 years or more on the passport,” it says, asking people to confi rm the validity of offi cial doc- uments such as the ID card, driving licence, car ownership card and debit/ credit cards. The advisory further urges resi- dents to keep official documents and personal valuables in a safe and se- cure place while travelling. “Do not pawn your passport or ID card to any party in any way,” it says, adding that in case of any problem, “you must house and pass by it at regular inter- Car safety tips immediately inform the nearest dip- vals to ensure their safety. The MoI has advised people to en- lomatic mission of your country and sure the capacity of their vehicle by notify the officials about the prob-  Awareness and caution during conducting a comprehensive techni- lem in detail”. travel cal test well ahead of their trip and The MoI also advises travellers to also check the safety and validity of arrange for an international driver’s The MoI has urged people to be the tyres. “Wear a seatbelt through- licence as the transit system in some “extra cautious” about the situa- out the trip as it can save people from countries does not allow a foreigner tion around them “as it is the basis injuries by 50% and from death by to drive unless he/she carries a licence of maintaining your personal secu- 60-70 % during an accident,” it says, issued by those countries. rity and safety while travelling”. “You stressing that people should always “Get the international Customs should be conscious everywhere, keep a fi rst-aid kit in their car. transit book (Triptyque) as this whether at hotels, airports or mar- “Take a route map of the country will serve as a guarantor before the kets,” it says, adding: “please avoid you are travelling to, or GPS for route Customs authorities of countries mingling with unknown persons while guidance. Always keep a fi re extin- through which you pass or stop travelling.” guisher in working condition in your during your journey. Some Arab People should also avoid carrying vehicle as well as an extra key of the states require the Triptyque for jewellery or valuables unnecessar- vehicle with you. Don’t allow the fuel passing through their territory,” ily during the travel period. “Keep level in the tank to come down by the advisory says. People should your money in a purse and ensure it is more than half, as the next petrol sta- also keep a copy of their passport available there constantly,” the advi- tion may not be working,” it adds. and visa of the country of they are sory notes. Also, people should avoid Motorists should be cautious while visiting as this will help them in using illegal taxis to go from one place approaching areas where animals such case the passport goes missing. to another. as camels and sheep may appear, es- This may be done through saving “Throughout your travel, act as an pecially while driving at night. the copies of both documents in ambassador of your country and avoid “If you feel drowsy, immediately one’s e-mail. suspicious localities. Obey the rules stop your vehicle and proceed on your “Travellers should also collect the and regulations of the host country journey only after giving yourself address and telephone numbers of the and the terms of global aviation sys- some rest. Then, continue your travel embassies/consulates of their coun- tems,” the advisory continues, stress- peacefully and safely and avoid driv- tries in the countries where they in- ing that people should not carry pro- ing during the late hours of the night tend to travel. This will help them in hibited items. as much as possible.” case of any emergency,” the advisory If accompanied by domestic work- adds. ers and companions, the sponsor Driving in emergency condi- must enquire about their visas and tions (rain, fog and dust)  Securing the house before procedures in this regard, the advisory travel says. The points highlighted by the MoI If security agencies in the host are as follows: reduce the vehicle’s The advisory has urged travel- country have to inspect a traveller’s speed by as much as possible; drive lers to ensure that their houses are place of residence there, s/he should the vehicle on the right side of the properly locked by using one or more ask them if they have obtained the road; use the wipers while raining; high-quality locks. It also asks not to necessary permission from the ju- switch on the dim lights; don’t over- keep money, jewellery or other valu- dicial authorities to conduct such a take vehicles in front of you; keep ables inside the house and, instead, search. enough distance between your car advises them to deposit such items in In the event of an investigation into and the vehicle in front of you; and the bank. any case, one must report to the State in case you have to stop the vehicle “Before leaving the house, please mission as soon as possible. because of poor visibility or for any switch off the electric switchboard, “Carry currencies consistent with other reason, please stay off the road gas pipelines and main water valve,” instructions of the host country,” the and switch on the hazard lights, and the advisory points out. Also, resi- advisory adds. Excessive cash has to strictly avoid sudden braking with- dents could request their relatives be declared before the Customs au- out giving signals to other drivers in or neighbours to keep an eye on their thorities. advance. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, July 7, 2019 QATAR QAC presents new 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander in Qatar atar Automobiles Company (QAC), the authorised dis- Qtributor of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and FUSO in Qatar, has presented the new 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander in Qatar. The 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander and a wide range of other Mitsubishi vehi- cles are available at the Mitsubishi Mo- tors showrooms on Salwa Road and in Al Khor. The Outlander “has accomplished a lot of success in Qatar with huge de- mand in the fi rst half”, according to a press statement. The upgraded design of the 2019 The Mitsubishi Outlander. Mitsubishi Outlander is stylish, with changes on the front and rear exterior and fl at luggage area. The second-row for normal driving conditions, or 4WD design to give the care more attractive seat sliding function provides easy ac- LOCK mode for rough terrain. appearance. Both bumpers, front and cess to the third-row seats. Padding and When it comes to safety, the new rear, are extended while the radiator springs in the third-row seat cushions Mitsubishi Outlander 2019 follows high grill is wider with new headlamps fea- contribute to riding comfort,” it adds. standards, and is equipped with state- ture LED lighting for both the high and The Outlander is powered by a of-the-art systems. The Forward Col- low beams. The LED fog lamps illumi- choice of two clean and effi cient en- lision Mitigation System helps prevent nate the road ahead with white light, gines — a 2.4-litre MIVEC or 3.0-litre a frontal collision or reduce damage if while the Shark Fin Antenna adds a V6 MIVEC. The two engines are re- the collision becomes unavoidable; the sporty look. The SUV is equipped with sponsive and fuel effi cient, while the Adaptive Cruise Control System main- diff erent options of wheels, either 18- high-displacement V6 engine sup- tains a selected distance between one’s or 16-inch alloy wheels. plies powerful acceleration even when vehicle and the car ahead via radar for Driving the Outlander “is a pleasur- carrying heavy loads or travelling up greater safety and peace of mind; the able experience heightened by quick, mountainsides. Automatic High-Beam is provided to responsive handling and high-quality The engine is mated with an ad- increase safety, comfort and driving craftsmanship”, the statement notes. vanced CVT that automatically adjusts ease at night; and the Blind Spot Warn- “The ride is also extremely quiet in response to changing road and vehi- ing feature uses radar sensors in the rear thanks to enhanced noise reduction cle conditions to deliver smooth, swift bumper to detect vehicles in one’s rear measures that lower engine, road and acceleration, as well as outstanding fuel blind spots, on the right and left sides. wind noise. From generous cabin space effi ciency beyond what conventional The Outlander also comes with the and comfortable seating to quality ma- automatic transmissions provide. Rear Cross Traffi c Alert, Multi Around terials and refi ned amenities, every de- Electronically controlled 4WD off ers Monitor system and Ultrasonic Misac- tail contributes to your travelling joy.” “incredible traction and stability even in celeration Mitigation System. When it comes to seating arrange- challenging terrain by optimally com- In addition, controlling the audio ment, it is easy to fl exibly arrange the bining with Active Stability Control”. system is easy on the 6.1-inch QVGA second- and third-row seats to carry al- The Drive Mode Selector lets one easily touch-panel display, while the USB most any combination of passengers and select the most appropriate drive mode PORT is conveniently located near the luggage. “You can even fold down all rear when desired: the 4WD ECO mode for instrument panel, allowing easy access seatbacks to create an extremely large maximum economy, 4WD AUTO mode from both front seats. Gulf Times Sunday, July 7, 2019 5 QATAR Qatar, EU vow to promote peace, sustainable solutions to confl icts QNA ment aims to establish a frame- The two sides also reiterated operation and humanitarian as- Helga Schmid welcomed Qa- Brussels work for exchanging views on their commitment to continue sistance in addition to economic tar’s commitment to provide issues of common interest and their work and co-operation to and social issues. 66.5mn euros over fi ve years exploring diff erent areas of co- promote peace and sustainable The meeting also discussed to support the UN Offi ce for he fi rst formal high-level operation between the two sides. solutions to existing confl icts. co-operation in a number Counter-Terrorism. The Qatari meeting between Qatar’s The high-level political con- They further lauded the out- of areas, such as informa- side presented the latest devel- TMinistry of Foreign Af- sultations focused on the bilat- come of the fi rst meeting of tion exchange, combating ter- opments in the preparation of fairs and the European Exter- eral relations between Qatar and the Working Group on Human rorism and its funding and security plans for the 2022 FIFA nal Action Service (EEAS) was the European Union and recent Rights held in Doha on Decem- cybersecurity. World Cup Qatar. held in Brussels under the joint developments in the Gulf region, ber; and confi rmed their inten- The two sides intend to The two sides also exchanged chairmanship of Qatar’s Minis- including the Gulf crisis, which tion to hold the second edition strengthen their security part- information on their respective ter of State for Foreign Aff airs HE entered its third year, a joint of the meeting in Brussels before nership and combat terrorism to work in the areas of develop- Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi and statement said. the end of the year. eliminate it and violent extrem- ment co-operation and humani- HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi EEAS Secretary-General Helga The two sides underlined the The deliberations of the senior ism. They also agreed on the im- tarian assistance, particularly in with EEAS Secretary-General Helga Schmid in Brussels. Schmid. need to defuse tensions and offi cials’ meeting were aimed at portance of increased co-opera- the Middle East and Africa, in The meeting launched the avoid escalation, which will fi nding ways to enhance sectoral tion within existing multilateral areas such as youth, health and Co-operation in economic and hold the second meeting of sen- implementation of the co-op- have a signifi cant impact in the co-operation and coordination. forums such as the International refugees. social issues was also discussed ior offi cials in 2020 in Qatar. eration arrangements signed on region and beyond. The dis- The Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Counter-Terrorism Forum and HE al-Muraikhi and Schmid with a focus on facilitating trade, For her part, Schmid ex- March 7, 2018 during the offi cial cussions also paid special at- and the EEAS welcomed the pos- the Global Fund to Support the explained their policies, meth- investment, education, academ- pressed her pleasure at opening visit of His Highness the Amir tention to Yemen, the Middle sibility of closer integration in Participation and Sustainability ods and tools in these areas and ic mobility and space, including the fi rst meeting of senior of- Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- East peace process, the situa- the areas of security and coun- of Communities. discussed specifi c areas of po- satellite navigation. fi cials between the Ministry of Thani to Brussels. tion in the Horn of Africa, Syria, terterrorism, confl ict prevention In this regard, HE Sultan tential co-operation between The two sides agreed to con- Foreign Aff airs and the European The co-operation arrange- Afghanistan, Sudan and Libya. and mediation, development co- bin Saad al-Muraikhi, and them. tinue their discussions, and to External Action Service.

Qatari team wins three gold medals in World Landmark Group to launch stores at Doha Mall

Military Parachute Jumping Championship oha Mall, managed and oper- jectory, and shoppers can anticipate “We will be opening fi ve of Land- ated by Al Mana Malls, has an- even more retail and dining options mark Group’s leading brands, Cen- Dnounced that Landmark Group to be announced over the next few trepoint, Home Centre, Max Fashion, he Qatar Special Forces’ Para- will open its “most popular brands” at months. Shoexpress and Steve Madden, at Doha chuting Force team won three the shopping and leisure destination for “Doha Mall is continually refresh- Mall. With these popular brands we will Tgold medals in the World Military its 2020 opening. ing its retail off ering to ensure it meets bring a mix of home, fashion, footwear, Parachute Jumping Championship held The partnership brings Centrepoint, the ever-changing needs of consumers and beauty off erings to mall shoppers, in Switzerland with the participation of Home Centre, Max Fashion, Shoex- while bringing them new and innova- off ering them a truly integrated experi- 17 teams representing 11 countries. press and Steve Madden to the Doha tive experiences they can’t get any- ence and showcasing a selection of val- The Qatari team won the gold medal for Mall portfolio. where else. The new ‘future concept’ ue-driven off erings through our stores.” free skydiving scoring 186 points, ahead “In line with its commitment to de- stores enhance our destinations, which Doha Mall will be home to more than of Spain, who scored 171 points and Ger- liver a world class shopping experi- will attract 15mn customers each year.” 250 retail stores, with over 14 anchor many who came third with 163 points. ence for families and visitors, the new Santosh Pai, chief operating offi cer at stores, a new FLiK Cinemas concept, In the Air Tunnel competition, Qa- stores will off er a truly integrated in- Landmark Group Qatar, added: “With 12 cinema screens, a “world-class” tari team also topped the ranking with store shopping experience focusing its aim to cater to families and serve as a bowling centre, a “high-tech” fam- 293 points, ahead of Germany who on technology and better layouts,” the one-stop shopping destination for Qa- ily entertainment centre, a trampoline came second with 269 point and Spain Doha Mall management has said in a taris, residents and tourists, the soon- and adventure park for children, a wide who came third with 260 points. statement. to-be-launched Doha Mall will play a range of dining options with more than Qatar also won the gold medal in Rony Mourani, general manager signifi cant role in transforming the re- 60 food and beverage units as well as the four-way formation with 15 points for Al Mana Malls, said: “We are very tail landscape of the region. We are very a well-lit ambiance with natural sky ahead of Spain and 23 point of Germa- Major General Hamad bin Abdullah al- praising the Qatari team’s victory dur- pleased to welcome these much-loved pleased to partner with Al Mana Malls light; making it “an attractive desti- ny who came in the third place. Fetais al-Marri, dedicated the victory ing their participation and described it brands to join our retail mix. We look to establish our presence at their latest nation” upon its opening in 2020, the Joint Special Forces Commander to the wise leadership of the country, as a great achievement. (QNA) forward to continuing our growth tra- retail destination. statement adds. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, July 7, 2019 QATAR QIB, Mastercard bring Ooredoo enables Qatar Building back summer campaign atar Islamic Bank mer period is a very excit- Company’s fl eet management (QIB) has launched ing time for our customers. Qthe 2019 edition of The campaign is tailored its annual summer cam- towards rewarding our cus- oredoo has announced that paign in collaboration with tomers’ loyalty and giving Qatar Building Company is Mastercard, titled ‘Win them their money’s worth Oembracing the innovative Weekly this Summer with for banking with QIB. Given Internet of Things (IoT) enabled by QIB Mastercard’. that last year’s campaign Ooredoo Fleet Management. Cardholders can en- was a major success, we One of Qatar’s largest and innova- joy extra rewards with a wanted to ensure that this tive construction companies, Qatar chance to win with every QR500 or more per trans- year more customers are Building Co will digitally transform transaction of QR500 or action will automatically able to enjoy these rewards.” with Ooredoo’s Fleet Manage- above, excluding ATM enter the competition. Accepted by millions ment solution for real-time visibil- transactions, throughout To be eligible for the of merchants around the ity across more than 1,000 vehicles, the summer period. grand prize draw to win globe, online, and at mil- Ooredoo has said in a statement. The campaign, which QR100,000 cardhold- lions of ATMs worldwide, Using Ooredoo Fleet Management, will run from July 1 until ers must spend a total of QIB Mastercard debit Qatar Building Company can optimise September 30, will see a QR25,000 or more during cards off er customers the costs, productivity of vehicles and total of 13 winners receiv- the campaign period. The ultimate in convenience maintenance, and enhance safety and ing QR10,000 weekly, draws will be conducted and rewards. customer experiences. Ooredoo and Qatar Building Company off icials mark the partnership. while the two grand prize in the presence of repre- The bank’s Mastercard The agreement was signed by winners will take home sentatives from Master- debit cards give custom- Ooredoo Qatar chief business of- transformation and supporting new ware providing live tracking and Company has three divisions across QR100,000 each. card and the Ministry of ers the ease and secu- fi cer Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad bin levels of Internet of Things-ena- predictive analytics for proactive civil engineering, materials produc- QIB customers who use Commerce and Industry at rity of cashless shopping Nasser al-Thani and Qatar Building bling innovation in the fast-paced decision-making. tion and construction equipment. their Mastercard debit QIB’s premises. plus discounts, concierge Company group commercial man- construction sector.” Mustafawi said, “Aligned with Qatar Building Company has offi c- card internationally or QIB Personal Banking service, travel insurance, ager Bader Mustafawi. Ooredoo’s Fleet Management is our goals of providing excellent es, workshops, plants, factories and credit cards on local and Group general manager D extended warranty, and Ooredoo Qatar COO Yousuf Ab- an end-to-end solution, covering services and pioneering technology, showrooms across the country. international purchases of Anand said, “The sum- purchase protection. dulla al-Kubaisi said, “Our Oore- hardware, software, mobile con- Qatar Building Company is leverag- Business customers can leverage doo Fleet Management solution nectivity and 24/7 support serv- ing Ooredoo Fleet Management to the Ooredoo Advantage, making for Qatar Building Company shows ices. Qatar Building Company transform the construction com- Ooredoo ‘Best for Business’, thanks that the Internet of Things is mov- uses telematics devices, which munity. We can effi ciently rotate to its breadth and depth of talent, ing from theory to reality, enabling can measure data such as live GPS our workforce to enhance employee best fi xed and mobile networks, digital transformation and strong tracking every second and provides safety, and provide predictive main- broadest portfolio of ICT services business benefi ts. We’re committed engine analysis. Ooredoo transmits tenance to ensure vehicle safety.” and solutions, and trusted partner to driving Qatar’s nationwide digital the data over the cloud, with soft- Founded in 1971, Qatar Building for 60 years, the statement adds. Nama opens registration for Reyada Award

he Social Develop- be classifi ed in the category ment Centre (Nama) of micro and small enter- Tyesterday announced prises based on the unifi ed the launch of the latest edi- national defi nition. tion of the Reyada Award. As for the specifi c criteria The centre will begin re- for Best Business Plan, the ceiving applications for the applicant must be directly award today, while Septem- responsible for providing ber 26 will be the last day for and developing a coherent, registration and for receiv- executable and economi- ing the applications of ex- cally feasible work plan. isting and potential Qatari The business plan model entrepreneurs, and owners will be provided after suc- of small and micro enter- cessful registration; and the prises aged 18-45 years. applicant should provide The initiative comes necessary documents to within the framework of its demonstrate knowledge of strategic objectives to de- preparing business plans, velop micro and small en- such as courses and work- terprises, Nama has said in shops, educational back- a press statement. ground, etc The winners will be an- For Best Existing Busi- nounced at a ceremony ness, the applicant must be organised by Nama on Oc- directly responsible for op- tober 28 in the presence of erating and managing the prominent national and in- project; the project must ternational entrepreneurial be established, executed fi gures. and registered in Qatar in In its fi fth edition, the conformity with the laws award seeks to qualify 14 in force in the State; the contestants for the fi nals to project must be at least two present their projects to a years old and not more than carefully selected jury who six years old; and an audited will evaluate them accord- fi nancial and technical re- ing to well-chosen criteria port must be presented. based on integrity, trans- parency and fairness, the statement notes. The evaluation sessions will be documented and the selection of winners will take place publicly at the award ceremony, during which four entrepreneurs will be chosen and granted cash and discretionary priz- es and awards. Al-Saff ar further ex- There will be two winners plained that the centre for each of the two catego- seeks to support young Qa- ries, whereby the fi rst-place tari entrepreneurs by ca- winners in both categories tering to their needs in the will receive a gold shield and form of services and fi nan- a grant of QR150,000 while cial, technical and logistical the second-place winners support, in order to pave the will get a silver shield and a way allowing them to at- grant of QR75,000. tain their goals. He noted Hamad al-Saff ar (pic- that the award aims at mo- tured), acting director of tivating and encouraging the Entrepreneurship Sec- the Qatari youth to inno- tion at Nama, said: “The vate in entrepreneurship, award is divided into two and at promoting the spirit categories: Best Business of competitiveness among Plan and Best Existing them, as part of achieving Business with fi xed growth the strategic objectives of rates. The fi fth edition of the the centre concerning the award has undergone many development of small and changes and adjustments micro enterprises. in line with the centre’s As for the conditions 2016-2020 Strategy. These to apply to the award, al- changes include the grant- Saff ar indicated that it is ing of fi nancing loans to the suffi cient for applicants to winners, up to QR250,000, send an application using in addition to training and the e-registration link and one-on-one consultation, they will be contacted im- as well as well as facilitating mediately after ensuring access to the market.” that the basic conditions General and specifi c are met in order to provide qualifi cation criteria have supporting documents. The been identifi ed for partici- internal committee at Nama pation in the 2019 Reyada will start screening applica- Award. These are as follows: tions according to prede- applicants must be Qataris, fi ned qualifi cation criteria aged between 18 and 45 in order to determine the 14 years; and the project must fi nalists. Gulf Times Sunday, July 7, 2019 7 QATAR Lensman captures wildlife images thanks to new Land Rover Defender orld-famous fi ne art photographer David WYarrow has teamed up with Land Rover in support of Tusk to raise awareness of de- clining lion numbers in Africa by capturing a set of stunning wildlife images. Tusk, an organisation that “advances wildlife conservation across Africa”, has designated 2019 as its Year of the Lion to bring the issue of threatened lion populations to the top of the conservation agenda. To sup- port the initiative, Land Rover sent a prototype of the new De- fender 4x4, which will make its world premiere later this year, to the Borana Conservancy in Laikipia, in northern Kenya, to help support lion tracking and monitoring operations. The new 4x4 “promises to bring an unparalleled breadth of capability and new levels of comfort and driveability to Land Rover sent a prototype of the new Defender 4x4, which will make its world premiere later this year, the Defender family” and was to the Borana Conservancy in Laikipia, in northern Kenya, to help support lion tracking and monitoring tested by expert wildlife man- operations. agers performing a series of real-world activities in Borana, African lion populations are in “Wildlife photography is all about access – about getting according to a statement issued decline. yourself in the best position – so you need a vehicle in Doha by Alfardan Premier “Wildlife photography is all that can reach inaccessible places. Defender has been Motors. about access – about getting synonymous with adventure and conservation since the Land Rover’s link to East yourself in the best position – so fi rst Land Rover debuted in 1948, so it’s fi tting that one of Africa stretches back to 1948, you need a vehicle that can reach the fi rst offi cial tasks for the new Defender has been to when some of the fi rst 48 pre- inaccessible places. Defender has shine a light on the dangers faced by lions in Africa” production series models were been synonymous with adven- river wading to climbing rocky rhinoceros, African wild dogs Tusk and DHL to raise the pro- tested in the region. ture and conservation since the 14,000-hectare conservancy in of the alarming decline in lion trails.” and Grevy’s zebras sharing the fi le of dwindling lion numbers in Yarrow was on hand to cap- fi rst Land Rover debuted in 1948, day-to-day operations, includ- populations across Africa. For- Supported by Tusk, the Borana reserve alongside lions and other Africa. The Borana Conservancy ture a series of images as the so it’s fi tting that one of the fi rst ing a darting exercise to help tunately, within the Borana Con- Conservancy works in a number large predators. features a wide range of chal- new Defender, wearing a spe- offi cial tasks for the new Defend- replace an old tracking collar fi t- servancy, there are a number of of strategic areas, including The initiative was supported lenging environments, making cially devised camoufl age, was er has been to shine a light on the ted to a male lion. The lion was prides of lion and tracking and supporting communities, en- by Jaguar Land Rover’s world- it a perfect place to test the off - put to work locating a pride of dangers faced by lions in Africa,” sedated at close range from the monitoring their movements vironmental education, habitat wide logistical partner and sup- road attributes of the new De- lions. There are currently fewer Yarrow said. security of the specially camou- across this vast and tough envi- protection, saving endangered porter of Tusk, DHL. fender.” than 20,000 African lions re- The unique programme in fl aged new Defender prototype. ronment is vital in order to pro- species and ensuring human- Laura Wood, head of Global The new Land Rover Defender maining in the wild, compared Kenya gave Tusk-supported Charles Mayhew, chief ex- tect them and reduce any confl ict wildlife co-existence is achiev- PR Brand & Partnerships, Jaguar will make its world premiere later with 25,000 rhinos (20,000 wildlife managers a chance to ecutive of Tusk, said: “This year with neighbouring communities. able. The reserve is home to some Land Rover, said: “This activity this year, but one can register white rhinos and 5,000 black test the new Defender in re- marks Tusk’s Year of the Lion. The new Defender took every- of the most vulnerable species in provided a great chance for us to interest early at www.landrover- rhinos), and three-quarters of al-world scenarios across the Our aim is to raise awareness thing in its stride, from deep the world with elephants, black work with a team of partners at qatar.com/en/defender. Gulf Times 8 Sunday, July 7, 2019 QATAR Turning the tide for turtles at Fuwairit beach

he Ministry of Munici- pality and Environment T(MME)’s Environmental Protection and Wildlife Depart- ment, in co-operation with the Public Relations Department, conducted an event at Fuwairit beach on Friday evening to raise awareness about the endangered Hawksbill turtles. The event coincided with the hatching season of the turtles. The event was attended by Omar Salim al-Nuaimi, director of the Environmental Protection and Wildlife Department; Nasser Ab- dulrahman al-Sarami, director of the Public Relations Department; and Ali Saleh al-Marri, head of the Wildlife Section, in addition to a number of MME employee and the participating public. Al-Nuaimi said the MME was keen to organise the awareness event during the hatching season of the turtles and release newly hatched turtles to the sea before the public, in addition to inform- ing them about the importance of maintaining biological diversity and marine life in Qatar. Snapshots from the awareness event at Fuwairit beach. He stressed the importance of the project and the need to pro- tion introducing the public to the uted among the public and a fi eld taken to protect sea turtles un- tect these endangered species. He hatching season with the aim of visit was also conducted to give der the supervision of the MME, also appreciated the considerable protecting the endangered tur- the participants an opportunity fi nanced by Qatar Petroleum and public presence at the event and tles, where a detailed explanation to watch the release of newly implemented by Qatar University the participation of children in of the project was given. hatched turtles into the sea. in co-operation with a team from the release of turtles into the sea. In addition, awareness bro- The project comes within the the Environmental Protection The event included a presenta- chures and fl yers were distrib- framework of the eff orts under- and Wildlife Department. Gulf Times Sunday, July 7, 2019 9 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Coalition Sudan ruler vows to implement intercepts Houthi deal agreed with protesters drone

AFP Khartoum US welcomes power-sharing deal as ‘important step forward’ Reuters Cairo The United States yesterday welcomed a dom and Change and the Transitional Military udan’s army ruler General provisional agreement forged by Sudan’s ruling Council to establish a sovereign council is an Abdel Fattah al-Burhan military council and a coalition of opposition important step forward,” the State Department Saudi-led military coa- Svowed yesterday to im- and protest groups to share power for three said. “We look forward to immediate resumption lition said yesterday it plement the power sharing deal years as an “important step forward.” of access to the Internet, establishment of the Ahad intercepted and de- agreed with demonstrators, as The US State Department said in statement new legislature, accountability for the violent stroyed drones launched by the protest campaign cancelled that special envoy for Sudan Donald Booth will suppression of peaceful protests, and progress Yemen’s Houthi group at targets a nationwide day of civil diso- return to the region soon. The agreement bro- toward free and fair elections.” in the kingdom, the Saudi Press bedience later this month. kered by the African Union and Ethiopia Union, The deal revived hopes for a peaceful transition Agency reported. The ruling military coun- announced on Friday, is due to be finalised of power in a country plagued by internal con- “The drones were destroyed cil and protest leaders agreed tomorrow. flicts and years of economic crisis that helped in air space,” a coalition state- on Friday to form a joint civil- “The agreement between the Forces for Free- to trigger the ouster of Omar al-Bashir in April. ment said. The Houthis, who are ian-military governing body fi ghting the coalition in Yemen, aimed at ending the country’s have repeatedly launched at- months-long political crisis. Change cancelled a nationwide added. Tension between the sharing agreement with ruling tacks against targets in neigh- “We, as the military council, day of civil disobedience that generals and protest leaders generals. bouring Saudi Arabia. promise to protect what has was set for July 14. soared following the June 3 raid, The decision to cancel the Meanwhile, the Houthi move- been agreed upon and ensure The alliance released a new prompting intense mediation July 14 campaign came as a top ment also said that it carried out that it is implemented,” Burhan programme of events on social eff orts by Ethiopian and African general called on the Sudanese drone attacks on military sites at said in a statement broadcast media, which makes no men- Union envoys that led to the two people to back the deal, saying Abha airport in southern Saudi live on state television. tion of the planned campaign. sides resuming talks. the agreement was the start of Arabia, the group’s Al-Masirah “We are going to work with Ahmed al-Rabie, a prominent At least 136 people have been a “new phase” in the history of TV reported. our partners from the Alliance leader from the movement, said killed since June 3, including Sudan. for Freedom and Change and the decision was made “to give more than 100 on that day itself, The Alliance for Freedom and other forces in close co-oper- room for the agreement” to be according to doctors close to the Change and the ruling mili- ation in order to realise the as- implemented. A mass protest protest movement. tary council agreed on Friday to Jordan bans online pirations of the people,” he said. scheduled for July 13 by the alli- The health ministry has given form a joint ruling body, which game PUBG The deal reached Friday fol- ance has also been changed to a a lower death toll of 78 people in turn is to install a transitional lowed two days of hard-won “commemoration” for protesters killed over the same period. civilian administration — pro- Jordan yesterday banned the talks brokered by Ethiopian and killed 40 days earlier in a raid by Days after the raid on the testers’ main demand. hugely popular but brutal African Union mediators, after men in military fatigues on a sit- Khartoum sit-in, the protest al- A deal is expected to be ready online game PlayerUnknown’s negotiations collapsed in May A grab from a broadcast on Sudan TV yesterday, shows Lieutenant in outside army headquarters. liance held a three-day nation- for signing by the two sides ear- Battlegrounds, citing its “nega- over who should lead the new General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, chief of Sudan’s Transitional Another protest leader, Kha- wide civil disobedience cam- ly next week, although the draft tive effects” on the kingdom’s body — a civilian or soldier. Military Council (TMC), reading a statement in the capital Khartoum. lid Omar, said the earlier aim paign which attracted strong has postponed the formation of citizens. Often likened to the The agreement stipulates of the mass protest and civil participation and hit the coun- a 300-seat transitional parlia- blockbuster book and film that the new governing body next week, although the draft that has gripped Sudan since disobedience campaign was to try’s already dilapidated econo- ment that had been agreed upon series The Hunger Games, will be presided over by a mili- has postponed the formation of the generals ousted leader Omar “achieve civilian rule” through my hard. in previous talks. PUBG pits marooned charac- tary nominee for the fi rst 21 a 300-seat transitional parlia- al-Bashir in a palace coup in mobilising people on the streets Earlier, the protest movement The protest umbrella group ters against each another in a months, and the last 18 months ment that had been agreed upon April following months of mass against the generals. said it has cancelled a nation- yesterday released a new pro- virtual fight to the death, and by a civilian. in previous talks. protests nationwide. “But now we can assume that wide day of civil disobedience gramme of events which makes has become one of the world’s It is expected to be ready for The breakthrough accord Burhan’s remarks came after civilian rule will be achieved that was planned for later this no mention of the civil disobe- most popular mobile games. signing by the two sides early came amid a political deadlock the Alliance for Freedom and through the agreement,” he month, after reaching a power- dience campaign.

Iran to lift uranium enrichment to 5%, above level in 2015 deal Iran today will announce an increase in uranium related to Iranian nuclear issue. sanctions. Washington tightened those curbs from enrichment to 5%, a concentration above the limit ”The deal is aimed at extending the time Iran May, ordering all countries and companies to halt set by its 2015 nuclear deal, an Iranian off icial told would need to produce a nuclear bomb, if it chose all imports of Iranian oil or be banished from the Reuters, in a move signalling a deepening chal- to, to a year from roughly 2-3 months. global financial system. It has also dispatched lenge to escalating US sanctions pressure. Iran says its nuclear programme is only for peace- extra troops to the region to counter what it The declaration comes at a time of sharply ful purposes, such as power generation, and not describes as Iranian threats. increased US-Iranian confrontation, a year after to make bombs. In reaction to the toughened US sanctions, Iran Washington quit the pact and reimposed sanc- Under its deal with six world powers, Iran can said in May that it would scale back its commit- tions that had been lifted under the accord in enrich uranium to 3.67% fissile material, well below ments to the deal after a 60-day deadline to exchange for Tehran curbing its nuclear work. the 20% it was reaching before the deal and the European signatories of the pact to protect Iran’s “The main announcement tomorrow will be the roughly 90 % suitable for a nuclear weapon. Iran’s economic interests from US sanctions. increase of the level of enrichment to 5% % from semi-off icial Fars news agency reported that However, Iran’s Rouhani said last week that all the 3.67% that we agreed under the deal,” the off icial senior nuclear negotiator Abbas Araqchi would measures taken by Iran were “reversible” if other said yesterday on condition of anonymity. announce more cuts in its commitments to the parties to the deal fulfilled their promises. Leaving In a sign of heightening Western concern, French pact at a news conference at 10:30am (0600 room for diplomacy, Rouhani said in a telephone President Emmanuel Macron said he and Iran’s GMT) in Tehran. Today’s planned announcement conversation with his Macron: “Lifting all sanctions President Hassan Rouhani had agreed to seek is a setback for Britain, France and Germany, can be the beginning of a move between Iran and conditions for a resumption of dialogue on the co-signatories of the deal who have pressed for six major powers.” Iranian nuclear question by July 15. months to persuade Iran to remain committed “The US sanctions are a full-scale economic war Macron’s off ice added that he would keep on to the accord. Iran has said that the Europeans against Iran that could create more crisis in the talking with Iranian authorities and other involved have done “too little, too late” to salvage the pact region and in the world,” he told Macron, accord- parties to “engage in a de-escalation of tensions by protecting Iran’s economic interests from US ing to state TV. Five years into war, Yemen situation at ‘rock bottom’

AFP the Hashid, Yemen’s most powerful Sanaa tribe. The Houthis overran govern- ment forces in Amran after a two- month siege and then moved south, ike most residents of Amran, capturing the capital in September a strategic gateway to Yem- 2014 before pushing into other parts Len’s capital Sanaa, Mohamed of Yemen. al-Najri thought the capture of his Sixty months after seizing the city by Houthi rebels fi ve years ago city, the rebels still hold the up- would not last long. per hand on the battlefi eld, despite But fi ghting quickly spread to major military campaigns by the most areas of the country, plunging government and air strikes by the the nation into a devastating con- Saudi-led coalition. fl ict that is yet to end. The rebels still hold a fi rm grip on Fifty kilometres north of Sanaa, Sanaa and most cities in northern, Amran was taken by the Houthis on central and western regions includ- July 8, 2014. ing the strategic Red Sea port city of It was the fi rst major city to fall, Hodeidah. They have made strong in a military campaign that saw the A customer checks dried fruits at a market in the province of Amran, some use of their fi ghting experience in rebels seize vast swathes of Yemen 50 kilometres north of the Yemeni capital Sanaa, yesterday. mountain ranges. But the war has from the internationally recognised devastated Yemen. government. Taha said. “Yes, we were aff ected by ca, Death to Israel, Curse on Jews,” It “has fragmented the country At the education ministry offi ce the war at the start, but we were able reads one slogan. down the lines of identity, geog- in Amran where he works, Najri has to live with its consequences. I no Two Yemeni government offi cials raphy and ideology in ways that gone without his salary ever since longer care if it continues or ends,” said that when Amran fell into the were almost unimaginable before the beleaguered government two he said. The United Nations says hands of the Houthis, no one was it began,” Peter Salisbury, a Yemen years ago moved the central bank Yemen is experiencing the world’s aware of the rebels’ plans to take analyst at the International Crisis from Sanaa to Aden, its makeshift worst humanitarian crisis, warn- their military campaign to Sanaa Group, said. The rebels and the gov- capital. ing that millions are on the verge of and other regions. ernment have participated in several “Five years have passed since the famine. Beyond the city limits, Amran is a rounds of UN-sponsored talks, the war broke out, but we know there is Thousands of civilians, includ- key province in Yemen historically, last held in Sweden in December, still a long way to go,” the 40-year- ing hundreds of children, have boasting important archaeological but they failed to strike a deal to end old civil servant said by telephone. been killed and tens of thousands landmarks, including the 100-year- the bloody war. “Our situation has deteriorated... wounded. Essential health, educa- old Shaharah Bridge — meaning the The United Nations says that We have reached rock bottom. Eve- tion and other services have all but ‘bridge of sighs’ — which links two 3.3mn Yemenis are displaced, while rything has collapsed,” he said. collapsed, especially since a Saudi- mountains. It is also home to Ray- at least 24mn — some two-thirds of Mohamed Taha, 48, a journal- led coalition intervened in March dah town, where the last of Yem- the population — need assistance. ist from Amran who has continued 2015 in support of the government. en’s Jews lived, before they made “The country is not on the verge to cover his home city since the In Amran, rebels carrying au- their way to Israel in 1949-1950 in of collapse, it is collapsing. It is col- Houthis seized it, does not even tomatic rifl es remain vigilant day a secret airlift dubbed “Operation lapsed actually,” Fabrizio Carboni, consider the possibility of peace. and night, while revolutionary slo- Magic Carpet”. Amran occupies a the International Committee of the “Five years of war were suffi cient gans are daubed everywhere on the strategic location between Sanaa Red Cross regional director for the for me to adapt and adjust my life old city’s brown buildings made of and the rebels’ stronghold of Saada Near and Middle East, said in Ge- and that of my family accordingly,” clay and stones. “Death to Ameri- in the far north. It is also home to neva on Thursday.

Gulf Times Sunday, July 7, 2019 11 ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

Malawi leader says protesters want ‘lawless society’ after disputed vote

AFP We will hold each one of them Blantyre accountable, force will be met by force and this nonsense will come to an end,” said the alawi’s re-elected president without naming any President Peter political party or group. MMutharika yesterday About 20,000, mainly sup- condemned protests that have porters of Mutharika’s ruling gripped the country over the Democratic Progressive Party disputed result of a May vote (DPP), thronged Kamuzu Sta- saying organisers wanted to dium in Blantyre for the an- turn the country into a “law- niversary celebrations, a day less society”. after scores of protestors con- The aid-dependant south- verged at the same venue for a ern African nation has seen vigil against his re-election. nearly two months of protests Lazarus Chakwera, leader of by demonstrators who dismiss the largest opposition Malawi the election as fraudulent and Congress Party (MCP), who demand the resignation of alleges he was robbed of vic- election commission chair- tory, and former vice president woman Jane Ansah. Saulos Chilima of the United On some days the protests Transformation Movement have seen businesses in the (UTM) party — have been tak- capital Lilongwe and com- ing part in the protests. mercial hub of Blantyre, pull The nationwide protests Syrians inspect the damage following reported regime air strikes on the town of Muhambal, in the northern Idlib province, yesterday. down their shutters for fear of have been organised by a non- violence. profi t grouping, the Human The president accused the Rights Defenders Coalition. protests organisers of plotting Its vice chairman Gift to oust his government and Trapence, said that the presi- warned that the organisers will dent’s statement is “misplaced be dealt with severely. because these protests are not “The violence you see is cal- targeted to overthrow the gov- culated to turn Malawi into a ernment”. lawless state,” Mutharika told “We are not attacking the 20 civilians ‘killed a rally to mark the country’s government... and no one 55th anniversary of independ- wants to overthrow the gov- ence from Britain. ernment. “They want to create law- “These peaceful demon- lessness so that they can take strations are being done to over this government. force Jane Ansah to resign,” But they will only take this said Trapence. government over my dead Opposition leaders claim in northwest Syria’ body,” he said. correction fl uid was used on “Turning Malawi into a law- some results sheets and have AFP children, the Syrian Observa- taken by the government, is the bombardment of the region deliberate, carefully planned less society is unacceptable. lodged cases in court. Beirut tory for Human Rights said. last major bastion of opposi- since late April. effort to prevent any attacks on Another seven civilians were tion to the Russia-backed Da- More than 530 civilians have it,” an UN official said on Fri- killed yesterday, including a mascus government after eight been killed since then, accord- day. “I am horrified by the on- yrian regime and Russian woman hit by regime rocket years of civil war. ing to the Observatory. going attacks on civilian areas bombardment has killed fire on the outskirts of the town The region on Turkey’s door- The United Nations says 25 and civilian infrastructure as S20 civilians including of Khan Sheikhun in the south step is administered by Syria’s health facilities in the region the conflict in northwest Syria Experts discuss ways to seven children in northwest- of the province, the Britain- former Al Qaeda affiliate Hayat have been hit, the latest in- continues,” said Mark Cutts, ern Syria, a war monitor said based war monitor said. Tahrir al-Sham, but other mil- cluding the second attack in UN deputy regional humani- yesterday, in the latest deadly Three members of a fam- itant and rebel groups are also two months on an underground tarian co-ordinator for the manage IS detainees raids on the embattled opposi- ily were killed by a Russian air present. hospital in the town of Kafran- Syrian crisis. tion bastion. strike on the town of Morek, in Idlib is supposed to be pro- bel on Thursday. Syria’s war has killed more Regime warplanes and heli- neighbouring Hama province, tected from a major regime as- “The attacks happened de- than 370,000 people and dis- AFP hosting the conference in the copters late Friday carried out the Observatory reported. sault by a September deal be- spite the fact that the co-or- placed millions since it started Beirut town of Amuda, were also due air strikes on Mahambel vil- Idlib, a region of some three tween Moscow and Ankara, but dinates of this hospital had in 2011 with a brutal crackdown to take part. lage in Idlib province, killing mn people, many of whom fled Damascus and its Russian ally previously been shared with on anti-government In March, Kurdish-led 13 civilians including the seven former rebel-held areas re- have ramped up their deadly the parties to the conflict in a protests. ozens of international fi ghters overran the last pocket experts gathered in of the militants’ cross-border Dnortheastern Syria yes- “caliphate” with support from terday to discuss how to man- a US-led coalition. age thousands of suspected Now, the Kurds are strug- Islamic State group members gling to cope with the thou- Egypt increases public transport fares after fuel price hike crammed into Kurdish-run sands of alleged IS members prisons and camps. they detained during the bat- French lawyers and US- tle. They include around 1,000 DPA — increased the price of various types of fares have been announced on signs at the Last year, the government raised ticket based analysts were among suspected foreign fi ghters held Cairo fuel by 16 to 30%. The increases, the fi fth stands of privately operated minibuses in prices on the Cairo underground metro those attending the three-day in jail, and some 13,000 fam- in fi ve years, covered petrol, diesel fuel order to prevent drivers from taking ad- service, used by an estimated 3.5mn peo- conference on the challenges ily members in overcrowded and butane cooking gas. Local authori- vantage of the increases in fuel prices to ple a day across the mega-city. still facing the region after IS’ camps. With no local court he Egyptian government has in- ties in diff erent provinces of the coun- overcharge passengers, he added. Egyptians living on limited incomes of- territorial defeat, organisers equipped to deal with the large creased public transport fares after try have put up fares on public transport Fares on government-operated public ten rely on public transport. said. number of militant suspects, Tit introduced new fuel price hikes by 10 to 15% depending on the distance buses in Cairo have also gone up by 25%. The Supply Ministry meanwhile said Offi cials of the autonomous the Kurds have pressed their as part of harsh economic reforms. of the journey, state-run newspaper Al- Traffi c police have launched intense that prices of subsidised food staples, in- Kurdish administration in home countries to take them On Friday, Egypt — the Arab world’s Ahram reported yesterday, citing govern- campaigns across the country to arrest cluding bread off ered to ration card hold- northeastern Syria, which is back. most populous country of nearly 100mn ment spokesman Nader Saad. The new violating drivers, Al-Ahram reported. ers, remain unchanged.

POLITICS Seven killed in Togo ruling party Mozambique militant tops at first local attack claimed by IS Tunisia fi nds 12 bodies after migrant boat sinks polls in 30 years Seven people including a police- man were killed in northern AFP intention of reaching Italy. Togo’s ruling party has cruised to Mozambique this week in a Tunis Libya has in recent years victory at the first local elections militant attack claimed by the been a major departure point in 32 years in the West African Islamic State group, local sources for migrants seeking to reach nation that has been dominated said yesterday. The attack on dozen bodies were re- Europe across the Mediterra- by one family for decades, results Wednesday evening occurred in trieved yesterday by the nean. said. Voters in the country of Lidjungo village in the Nangade ATunisian coast guard, 8mn people cast their ballots on district, a local source based in the Red Crescent said, days af- “Twelve bodies were Sunday at a poll Western powers Mozambique’s northern Cabo ter a boat sank with scores of recovered Saturday described as an “important step in Delgado province said. One migrants on board according to morning off the coast of strengthening local democracy”. policeman and six civilians were a survivor. southern Tunisia, two of Some opposition parties took part killed in the attack, including two “Twelve bodies were recov- which were women” after boycotting parliamentary children. Fighters have targeted ered Saturday morning off the elections last year in protest at remote communities in the gas- coast of southern Tunisia, two Rights groups say migrants President Faure Gnassingbe’s grip rich, Cabo Delgado province since of which were women,” said face horrifying abuses in Libya, on power. Gnassingbe has ruled October 2017, killing more than Mongi Slim, a Red Crescent of- with many held in squalid de- the country for 15 years since he 250 people and forcing thousands fi cial. tention facilities. succeeded his father Eyadema from their homes despite a heavy Those found were estimated An air strike Tuesday on a Gnassingbe, who led the country police and military presence in to have been between 20 and migrant centre in the capital for 38 years after taking over in a the area that borders Tanzania. 30 years old, he said. Tripoli killed at least 53 people, coup. Parliament in May approved According to SITE Intelligence, The body of another woman A representative of the Tunisian Red Crescent association checks bodies recovered from a boat according to the World Health a constitutional change allow- which monitors militant activity, who drowned was found on the carrying 86 migrants that capsized off the coast, as they lie on a beach in Aghir in the southern Organisation. ing Gnassingbe to run two more Islamic State issued a statement beach of Zarzis in southern Tu- island of Djerba, yesterday. Those who attempt the dan- times and potentially remain in late on Friday claiming involve- nisia, national guard spokes- gerous sea crossing are also off ice until 2030. Preliminary ment in the Wednesday attack. man Houcem Eddine Jebabli Monday. “People were terri- Wednesday by the coast guard, what happened and the actual facing an increasingly hostile results released late Friday by the This is its second IS claim for an said Friday. fi ed as water started pouring who had been alerted by local number of missing,” Flavio Di response from the other side of electoral commission gave the attack in Mozambique, targeting The search for other victims in, some of them fell into the fi shermen. Giacomo, a spokesman for the the Mediterranean. ruling Union for the Republic 895 the volatile northern region. The of the shipwreck was continu- water. The Ivorian, however, died in UN’s International Organiza- Italy is attempting to close of the 1490 local council seats first was on June 3. “The soldiers of ing off the coast of Zarzis, he They stayed down there,” hospital and one of the Malians tion for Migration, tweeted on its ports to migrant rescue on off er. The National Alliance for the caliphate assaulted barracks of said. survivor Soleiman Coulibaly has also been hospitalised in Thursday. ships, while last month Tu- Change was second on 134 seats, the crusader Mozambican army, in A Malian survivor told the said. intensive care. The boat tipped over only nisian authorities for more ahead of two other opposition the Nangade area, two days ago,” UN’s migration agency that 86 The Red Crescent and the “About 80 migrants are hours after setting out to sea than two weeks refused to let groupings. Overall turnout was put said the statement. people had been on board the navy said three Malians and feared dead. More updates are from the Libyan town of Zu- 75 people saved at sea come at just over 52% but participation infl atable dinghy that sank on an Ivorian were rescued on needed in order to confi rm wara, west of Tripoli, with the ashore. was low in the capital Lome. Gulf Times 12 Sunday, July 7, 2019 AMERICAS

Families fi le suit in bizarre mistaken Trump pushes census identity case

AFP Washington citizenship question lfonso Bennett’s sisters agreed to take him off life support after doctors at Mercy Hospital in Reuters question and that the move would AChicago told them there was no hope for recov- Washington help Trump’s fellow Republicans ery. gain seats in the US House of Rep- Turns out it wasn’t their brother Alfonso Bennett resentatives and state legislatures who was dying in the hospital but an entirely diff erent he Trump administration on when new electoral district bound- man, Elisha Brittman. Friday refused to back down aries are drawn. The Bennett and Brittman families fi led a lawsuit Tover its bid to put a conten- The Supreme Court on June 27 last week against the Chicago Police Department and tious citizenship question on the blocked Trump’s fi rst eff ort to add Mercy Hospital in Illinois’ Cook County Circuit Court 2020 US census, meaning a court the question, faulting the adminis- claiming negligence. case will move forward over wheth- tration’s stated reason. The bizarre mistaken identity case dates back to late er offi cials were motivated by racial The legal fi ght seemed to be over April, when a naked and badly injured man was found bias in seeking to add it. earlier in the week when the gov- underneath a car in Chicago and admitted to Mercy The Department of Justice told ernment said it would start print- Hospital. Maryland-based US District Judge ing census forms without the citi- Alfonso Bennett’s sisters were informed by police George Hazel it has not made a fi - zenship question. that he was the man in hospital. nal determination on whether to But the battle reignited on Although they had some doubts about his identify, add the question even as President Wednesday when Trump reversed they eventually agreed to take him off life support and Donald Trump told reporters he course via tweet. move him to a hospice, where he died three days later. was considering issuing an execu- “We’re working on a lot of things As they were preparing his funeral, Alfonso Bennett tive order to do it. including an executive order,” turned up at a friend’s barbecue, his sisters said at a Hazel, who had asked for a fi nal Trump told reporters on Friday press conference during which the Bennett and Britt- decision from the government by outside the White House as he left man families announced the lawsuit. Friday afternoon on whether it in- for his resort in Bedminster, New “She said, ‘He’s here! He’s alive!” Yolanda Harvey, tended to press forward, issued an Jersey. one of Bennett’s sisters, quoted the friend as saying. order saying the case will now move The US Constitution specifi cally The dead man was eventually identifi ed through fi n- ahead. assigns the job of overseeing the gerprints as 69-year-old Elisha Brittman. In New York, the American Civil census to Congress, limiting the “The bottom line is this mistaken identity situation Liberties Union (ACLU) and its authority of the president over it, was something we think could have easily been avoided partners asked a federal judge to which could complicate an eff ort President Donald Trump greets guests on Friday on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC. and should have been avoided,” said Cannon Lambert, block the administration from add- to add the question via presidential the attorney for the families. ing a citizenship question to the missive. in instigating the addition of the the question was for the draw- protects the voting rights of racial In a statement to the Chicago Tribune newspaper, census. The judge on Friday rejected the question. ing of electoral districts, which minorities. the police department said it had opened an investi- The group said the administra- administration’s request that the Hofeller concluded in a 2015 is not the legal reason the ad- The census is used to allot seats gation. “To say that we currently have questions is an tion had successfully received an case be put on hold, saying that an study that asking census respond- ministration originally gave for in the House and distribute some understatement,” it said. “We have detectives looking expedited hearing by arguing the inquiry into the racial bias allega- ents whether they are American adding it. $800bn in federal services, includ- into every aspect of this incident — from the incident census questionnaire had to be fi - tion would be relevant even if the citizens “would clearly be a dis- He and his supporters say it ing public schools, Medicaid ben- response to the circumstances leading to the hospitali- nalised by June 30. government comes up with a new advantage to the Democrats” and makes sense to know how many efi ts, law enforcement and highway sation and the notifi cation of family members.” Given the abandonment of that rationale for adding the citizenship “advantageous to Republicans and non-citizens are living in the coun- repairs. deadline, they urged the judge to question. Non-Hispanic Whites” in redraw- try. A group of states including New use his authority to “prohibit de- “Regardless of the justifi cation ing electoral districts based on cen- His hard-line policies on immi- York and immigrant rights organi- US House panel chair seeks fendants from concocting a new defendants may now fi nd for a sus data. gration have punctuated his presi- zations challenged the legality of basis to add a citizenship question” “new” decision, discovery related The Justice Department told the dency and 2020 re-election cam- the citizenship question, arguing probe into DHS leaders and to stop the government’s “she- to the origins of the question will Supreme Court that the notion that paign. among other things that the US nanigans.” remain relevant,” Hazel wrote, ref- Hofeller was behind the adminis- The Supreme Court ruled that Constitution requires congression- he chairman of a US House panel asked an inter- Civil rights groups and some erencing the legal process for gath- tration decision to add the question administration offi cials had given a al districts to be distributed based nal watchdog on Friday to investigate whether states strongly object to the citi- ering evidence. was a “conspiracy theory.” “contrived” rationale for including on a count of “the whole number of Ttop offi cials at the Department of Homeland zenship question proposal, calling In May the challengers, including Under current law, states draw the question. persons in each state” with no ref- Security (DHS) and the US border service knew about it a Republican ploy to scare immi- the ACLU, presented new evidence new districts based on total popu- The court ruled that in theory the erence to citizenship. a Facebook group where agents posted racist and mi- grants into not participating in the they said showed that the admin- lation. government can ask about citizen- Three diff erent federal judges sogynistic comments. census. istration’s plan to add the ques- The Supreme Court endorsed ship on the census and left open the blocked the administration before “Such vile and threatening behavior from agents of That would lead to a population tion was intended to discriminate that approach as recently as 2016, possibility that the administration the Supreme Court intervened. the United States government is entirely unaccept- undercount in Democratic-leaning against racial minorities. while reserving judgment on could off er a plausible rationale to Even if a citizenship question is able” and “should be grounds for immediate dismiss- areas with high immigrant popula- Documents created by Repub- whether counting total eligible vot- add the question. not included, the Census Bureau is al,” Representative Bennie Thompson, chairman of the tions. lican strategist Thomas Hofeller, ers would be legal. The administration had original- still able to gather data on citizen- House Homeland Security Committee, said in a letter They say that offi cials lied about who died last year, showed he was Trump on Friday said the ly told the courts the question was ship, which the Trump administra- to the DHS’s acting inspector general. their motivations for adding the instrumental behind the scenes “number one” reason for adding needed to better enforce a law that tion could provide to states. Noting that the issue was already being probed by the offi ce of professional responsibility of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) service, Thompson asked the inspector general to open a probe into what DHS and CBP leadership knew about the groups and what action they had taken to address it. Anchorage heatwave shatters city’s record, disrupts lives Thompson said it had been reported that recently named CBP Commissioner Mark Morgan “knew about the group as early as 2016, when he was chief of the By Laurent Banguet, AFP on record,” tweeted the National average temperatures, the NWS that covers almost 85% of Alaska thin in some areas. Border Patrol.” “If accurate, this report calls into ques- Anchorage Weather Service (NWS) late on said. — is thawing, aff ecting everything Alaska’s seal population is like- tion Mr Morgan’s fi tness to hold any offi ce in the Unit- Thursday. According to scientists, Alaska from building foundations to wild- ly to be aff ected this summer, as ed States government,” Thompson said. The previous record was 85 de- is warming at twice the rate of the life habitats and the picking of ber- some species give birth on solid ice, He also asked the acting inspector general to investi- emperatures in Alaska’s grees, set in June 1969. global average. ries that grow on the tundra. Thoman said. gate whether Acting DHS Secretary Kevin McAleenan largest city Anchorage have The average high temperature “From 1901 to 2016, average tem- Frozen rivers usually serve as Global warming has led to the knew about the Facebook groups. McAleenan has ordered Tsoared to a sweltering all- for July 4 in Anchorage, located in peratures in the mainland United transport routes in winter, as two- lowest ice levels in the Bering Sea a probe into the social media posts. He had called them time record of 90F (32C) as a heat southern Alaska, is a far cooler 65 States increased by 1.8 degrees thirds of communities in the state — which connects with the Arctic “disturbing & inexcusable” in a tweet on Wednesday. wave grips the US state which degrees. Fahrenheit...whereas in Alaska are not accessible by road. Ocean — since 1850, when sea ice The US border service came under fi re over the issue straddles the Arctic Circle. The abnormally warm weather they increased by 4.7 degrees,” Rick But higher temperatures have records were fi rst kept, he added. last week, when the non-profi t news site ProPublica re- Fourth of July fi reworks were is being caused by a “giant ridge Thoman, a climate specialist at the made the ice dangerously thin and While it is unprecedented for the ported that off ensive content had been posted on a pri- cancelled due to risk of wildfi res of high pressure sitting right Alaska Center for Climate Assess- unsafe for truck or car travel. mercury to hit 90 degrees in coastal vate Facebook group for current and former CPB offi cers. caused by “extreme dry weath- over us,” NWS meteorologist Bill ment and Policy, told AFP in April. Many recreational sled-dog Anchorage, temperatures as high as Posts included jokes about the deaths of migrants and er conditions,” as temperatures Ludwig told the Anchorage Daily The dramatic warming Alaska races have had to be cancelled this 100 degrees have been recorded in sexually explicit comments referring to US Representa- matching those in Miami high- News. has experienced in recent years — year, and the famed Iditarod race Alaska’s interior. tive Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the news outlet said. lighted rapid warming in a region Alaska had earlier broken tem- linked partly to a decline in sea ice had to be re-routed as what is nor- The high-pressure system caus- Reuters did not independently confi rm the report. considered particularly vulnerable perature records throughout a hot and Arctic ocean warming — has mally solid sea ice was open water ing the current spike in tempera- The report emerged as Ocasio-Cortez and other to climate change. spring, particularly in the Arctic wreaked havoc on local communi- on part of the race course. tures is expected to shift north to lawmakers visited a border patrol station in Texas and “At 5pm this afternoon, Anchor- zone which is especially sensitive ties, wildlife and the state’s econ- Crab fi shing has also been aff ect- inland areas in the coming days, criticized conditions at the site. Ocasio-Cortez said mi- age International Airport offi cially to fl uctuations in climate. omy. ed as the sea ice that fi shermen use with further records likely to be grants held at the station had been told to drink water hit 90 degrees for the fi rst time All 30 days in June had above- Permafrost — the frozen ground as a platform is non-existent or too broken, according to AccuWeather. out of toilets and were subjected to psychological abuse.

Mum’s the word! Oregon senator faces hearing on ‘heavily armed’ comment

By Alex Dobuzinskis, Reuters morrow calls for its two Democrats and two Re- Los Angeles publicans to consider a recommendation from an outside counsel that Boquist not be allowed to return to the “workplace” during an investiga- n Oregon state senator who was among tion. Republican lawmakers who fl ed the state The memorandum from the outside counsel, ACapitol last month to scuttle a vote on a attorney Brenda Baumgart of the fi rm Stoel Rives bill to fi ght climate change faces a conduct hear- LLP, cited the need to “ensure that the Capitol is ing over remarks tinged with threats of violence free from threats of (or actual) violence and in- about any eff orts to force the senators to return. timidation.” Senator Brian Boquist, who is a former US The two Democratic senators on the commit- Army special forces offi cer, ahead of the Re- tee could not be reached for comment. publicans’ departure said on June 19 to the state Boquist did not immediately respond to an Senate’s Democratic president: “If you send the e-mail seeking comment on Baumgart’s recom- State Police to get me, hell is coming to visit you mendation. personally.” He told the Salem Reporter that he had made Governor Kate Brown, a Democrat, enlisted comments to State Police offi cials similar to his the State Police on June 20 to try to bring Re- remarks to the television reporter, specifi cally publicans back to the Capitol, but ultimately the that they should “send bachelors and come heav- Democratic-sponsored bill died. ily armed.” By fl eeing the Capitol, the Republican senators “And of course, they see this is purely political prevented a vote from being held because, under free speech and discussion, you know, within the Senate rules, there were not enough lawmakers politics and the realms,” Boquist told the Salem present for legislation to be voted on. Reporter. The state Senate’s Special Committee on Con- The Oregon climate change bill would have duct will hold a hearing on tomorrow over Bo- required the state to reduce its greenhouse gas quist’s comments. emissions below 45% of 1990 levels by 2035. Boquist also told a reporter from a Portland The approach would have capped the state’s Southern Resident killer whale ‘J31’ swims with her new calf off the southwest coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, in this television station that if police came looking for total amount of greenhouse gases, forcing com- picture obtained from social media. him, “Send bachelors and come heavily armed.” panies such as utilities to buy emission allow- The Senate Special Committee agenda for to- ances. Gulf Times Sunday, July 7, 2019 13 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Turtle Thousands protest in Myanmar disrupts fl ight

IANS capital over toddler abuse case Canberra turtle that wandered onto Reuters/AFP offi ce of the Criminal Investiga- the runway at the Gold Yangon tion Department (CID) wearing ACoast airport in Australia, white T-shirts, some printed caused more than a few problems with the words “Justice for Vic- for travellers on board an Ad- housands of protesters toria”. One banner read: “We elaide-bound fl ight, authorities marched to a police of- don’t want any more Victorias.” said on Friday. Tfi ce in the north of Myan- “We need an explanation that While taxiing on the runway for mar’s largest city, Yangon, yes- people can accept and justice for takeoff on Thursday, pilot James terday, demanding speedy and the kid,” said 33-year-old pro- Fuller was forced to slam on the transparent justice in a child- test organiser Aung Htike Min. brakes, fearing the turtle could get abuse case that has sparked The protesters also called on sucked into the plane’s powerful en- national outrage. the government to create a safe gine, reports Xinhua news agency. Police said this week they had environment for Myanmar’s When he radioed the control arrested a suspect for abusing children. tower for assistance, he was in- a toddler - nicknamed Victo- The police force’s deputy di- formed that the turtle often vis- ria - at a private nursery school rector general, Aung Naing Thu, its the airport. in the administrative capital, said on Friday in a news confer- “They said he’d been up there ear- Naypyitaw, in May. ence broadcast live on Facebook lier in the day as well. It was the sec- Social media users have criti- and watched by thousands of ond time they’d had to move him,” cised the speed and profession- people that police had fi led a Fuller told the Australian Broadcast- alism of the police response case at court against a driver at ing Corporation on Friday. after the girl’s family fi led a the victim’s nursery, who was in The turtle was eventually re- complaint more than a month custody. moved from the airport and taken ago, underscoring a lack of A thorough investigation was to a safer location, but authorities trust in authorities in a country conducted, he said, but eff orts said they remained on high alert in still emerging from decades of to identify the perpetrator had case the animal returns again. military rule. been delayed because offi cers Although the incident did A government led by Nobel were waiting to speak to the vic- Protesters walk to the Central Investigation Department (CID) during the demonstration demanding justice for a three-year-old who was cause the fl ight to be delayed, laureate Aung San Suu Kyi took tim, a three-year-old girl who abused and given the pseudonym “Victoria” in Yangon yesterday. one passenger did see the funny power after sweeping elections was recovering from medication side of the situation. in 2015, but key institutions she was given after the assault. The nursery had also been corrupt or incompetent. cious and I don’t trust the township of 800,000 people. “(They) brought the plane to a such as the police remain under “We fi led the lawsuit against closed because it lacked the Ye Myint Win, 37, who joined investigation of CID,” he said. But stigma and families’ re- stop for a few minutes... to allow military control and eff orts to the suspect based on the testi- correct licence to operate, he yesterday’s protest along with Child rights experts at NGO luctance to go to court mean a gorgeous little turtle to cross the strengthen the rule of law have mony of the child and technical said. his wife and two-year-old Terre des Hommes (Lausanne) most go unreported. taxiway in front of the aircraft and fl oundered. records,” said Aung Naing Thu, Demonstrators were scep- daughter, told Reuters authori- said child abuse is “very A new child law is soon due to make his way (yes, slowly - give Organisers estimated as referring to security-camera tical about the account given ties should take child abuse common” in Myanmar, and be signed and would allow po- him a break - it’s a turtle!) to the many as 6,000 protesters gath- footage that he said implicated by Myanmar police, a force cases more seriously. they hear of about two cases lice to open cases even if nobody creek near the airport fence,” a pas- ered yesterday at the Yangon the driver. that is widely perceived as “I found it very suspi- a week in just one Yangon presses charges. senger Lachlan Burnet tweeted. Released student was ‘Dancing aunties’ spark ‘spying’: North Korea new Hong Kong protest

AFP exercised humanitarian forbear- that those columns, published AFP Seoul ance and deported him from our transparently under his name Hong Kong grounds on July 4.” between January and April 2019, Sigley’s detention came just are ‘anti-state’ in nature is a n Australian student who days before a G20 summit and a misrepresentation which we re- enewed confrontations was released after being landmark meeting between Pres- ject,” he said. broke out between police Aheld in North Korea had ident Donald Trump and North On Friday, Sigley said he was Rand protesters in Hong been “spying” in the reclusive Korean leader Kim Jong-un. planning to “return to normal Kong yesterday evening - this country, state media said yes- Trump was closely involved life” but off ered no details of his time sparked by anger over pro- terday. in the case of University of Vir- detention, adding he would not vocative “dancing aunties” who Alek Sigley, 29, disappeared ginia student Otto Warmbier, be conducting any interviews or have long vexed local residents around two weeks ago prompt- who was imprisoned during a holding a press conference. near the border with China. ing deep concern about his fate, tour of the authoritarian state “I just want everyone to know In the latest fl ashpoint with but was freed and fl ew to Japan in 2016. I am OK, and to thank them for authorities, hundreds of pro- on Thursday. Doctors said Warmbier suf- their concern for my wellbeing testers blocked roads and Offi cial North Korean news fered severe brain damage while and their support for my family chanted slogans at police in the agency KCNA said Sigley had in detention, fell into a coma and over the past week,” he said in a northwestern district of Tuen admitted “he had been spying by died days after arriving back in statement released by represent- Mun, an AFP reporter on the collecting our internal informa- the United States, aged 22. atives of his family on Friday. scene said. tion and sharing with others and Sigley was much more familiar However Sigley gave no indi- Hong Kong has been rocked repeatedly asked for our forgive- with the country and spoke fl u- cation of why he was held, how by a month of huge peaceful ness for infringing on our sover- ent Korean. he was treated or why he was re- protests as well as a series of eignty”. He organised tours to North leased. It said he would not make separate violent confrontations It said Sigley - one of just a Korea, and ran a number of any further comment “at this with police sparked by a law handful of Westerners living social media sites, which usu- time or later”. that would have allowed extra- and studying in North Korea ally had a stream of apolitical The case was also complicated ditions to mainland China. - had been detained on June content about life in one of by Australia’s lack of diplomatic On Monday its parliament 25 for promoting propaganda the world’s most secretive na- representation in North Korea. was trashed by hundreds of Policemen hold hands to line up and surround protesters during a demonstration in the north-western against the country online, in- tions. Sigley specifi cally thanked masked, youth-led protesters in district of Tuen Mun, near the border with the Chinese city of Shenzhen, in Hong Kong yesterday. cluding on specialist website His blog posts focused on eve- Sweden’s envoy to North Korea, unprecedented scenes. NK News, which rejected the ryday Pyongyang - everything who helped negotiate his release. Anger towards police is run- pop songs through loud micro- Protesters said police briefl y been surrounded by the crowd accusations. from the city’s dining scene to Also on Friday, Australia’s ning high after tear gas and rub- phones and danced for gener- deployed pepper spray as they and was being ordered to delete “Sigley, upon request by anti- North Korean app reviews - and Home Aff airs Minister Peter ber bullets were used against ally older men who give them tried to protect a man who had pictures on his phone. DPRK news outlets such as NK he married his Japanese wife Dutton cautioned Sigley against demonstrators. cash donations. earlier attacked demonstrators, “Protesters were angry about News, on numerous occasions there last year. returning to Pyongyang. Yesterday’s rally had a much The predominant language sparking anger from the crowds. the police offi cers being quite bi- transferred information that Chad O’Carroll, director of “My advice will be pretty more local cause but feeds into in Hong Kong is Canton- People later gathered around ased and were protecting our at- he gathered while travelling to the NK News, said in a statement clear - I would stay in Japan. I Hong Kongers’ anxieties that ese and locals say authorities the local police station shouting tackers,” one demonstrator, who every corner of Pyongyang us- yesterday that Sigley’s columns would go back to South Korea. the city’s unique freedoms and have failed for years to tackle “Add Oil!” - a Cantonese phrase declined to give his name, said. ing his status as an international for the site “presented an apo- I would come back to Aus- culture are being eroded by a noise complaints caused by the expressing encouragement that Crowds began dispersing student, including photographs litical and insightful view of life tralia. All of those would have resurgent Beijing. performers. has long been embraced by soon afterwards. and analysis,” it said, using the in Pyongyang”. to be better options before he A rally was held earlier in the While the afternoon rally protesters. In response to the huge ear- initials of North Korea’s offi cial “The six articles Alek pub- returns to North Korea,” Dut- day to “reclaim” a park in Tuen ended without incident, large Police also briefl y scuffl ed lier backlash, the extradition name. lished represent the full extent ton told broadcaster channel Mun where so-called “dancing crowds stayed in the vicinity af- with protesters as offi cers re- bill was postponed by the city’s “The government of DPRK has of his work with us and the idea Nine. aunties” have sung Mandarin terwards. trieved another man who had pro-Beijing leaders. Abe’s ruling bloc on course to Lanka president vetoes deal with US AFP discussed are detrimental to which is keen on strength- Colombo our country.” ening their existing military “I will not allow the SOFA co-operation. that seeks to betray the na- A year ago, Washington an- win majority in Japan poll ri Lanka’s president yes- tion. Some foreign forces want nounced it was granting $39mn terday announced he will to make Sri Lanka one of their to boost maritime security in AFP Kyodo, which conducted the poll known, is the less powerful being contested to have a two- Snot allow his government bases. I will not allow them Sri Lanka as China developed Tokyo on Thursday and Friday. chamber in Japan’s bicameral thirds majority in the chamber. to conclude a proposed military to come into the country and its strategic hold on the Indian The Asahi Shimbun and other parliament, and half its seats Japan’s constitution, imposed deal that would allow US troops challenge our sovereignty.” Ocean island. newspapers also said the ruling come up for election every three by the United States forces af- free access to the island’s ports. The SOFA seeks to ensure Increased US interest in Sri rime Minister Shinzo coalition was expected to win years. ter World War II, prohibits the Maithripala Sirisena said he reciprocal access to port fa- Lanka comes as China is up- Abe’s ruling coalition is “a comfortable majority” in the Abe, who has been seeking to country from waging war. was opposed to the draft Status cilities and allow freer entry ping investment in ports and Pon course to grab a solid election. revise the pacifi st constitution The provisions are popular in of Forces Agreement (SOFA) to military personnel and their other building projects on the majority in Japan’s upper house The two parties control 70 since he took offi ce in late 2012, the public at large, but reviled that the two countries are ne- contractors. island, which is a key link in elections this month and cement seats in the other half of the up- is aiming to secure a two-thirds by nationalists like Abe, who see gotiating to further strengthen Sirisena said there will be no Beijing’s ambitious “Belt and his premiership, local media re- per house that is not contested. “super majority” needed to re- them as outdated and punitive. their military ties. bilateral agreements “against Road” infrastructure initiative. ported yesterday. This means that according to the vise the charter in the election. Apart from a two-thirds Sirisena is at loggerheads Sri Lanka’s national interest” The US had stopped arms Abe’s Liberal Democratic Par- projection they are set to secure “This is an election to decide majority in both houses, con- with his pro-Western Prime as long as he was in offi ce. His sales to Sri Lanka during the ty (LDP) and its coalition partner their majority in the 245-seat whether to pick lawmakers and stitutional revision also re- Minister Ranil term ends in January. height of the island’s Tamil Komeito are forecast to win more body. parties who take responsibil- quires a majority in a national Wickremesinghe. He did not name the powers separatist war that ended in than 63 seats, or a majority of the Parliament voted last year to ity for discussions” on constitu- referendum. “I will not allow any agree- he accused of trying to gain a 2009. The global power has 124 seats contested in the July 21 increase the number of seats in tional revision, Abe told voters in A planned consumption tax ment that undermines our in- military foothold in his Indian also been highly critical of the election, Kyodo News said in its the chamber by three from the a campaign speech on Thursday. hike in October and the nation’s dependence and sovereignty,” Ocean island republic of 21mn human rights record of the opinion poll. current 242. Local media predicted pro- fragile pension system are also Sirisena told a public rally in people. former government of strong- The ruling parties “stand a The House of Councillors, revision forces, led by Abe’s LDP, among key issues for candidates the island’s south. “Several However, it was a thinly man president, Mahinda good chance of reaching 77,” said as the upper house is formally are approaching 85 of the seats during the run up to the election. agreements currently being veiled reference to the US Rajapakse. Gulf Times 14 Sunday, July 7, 2019 BRITAIN

Johnson faces questions over Tory members ‘arguably racist’ comments By Harriet Grant Earlier that day, in an inter- “If that is the way we have to Guardian News & Media view in the Daily Mail, Johnson leave then we must leave [with called for a tougher approach on no deal].” He said there would criminal justice issues, including be preparation for the possibil- oris Johnson was forced to removing restrictions on police ity of no deal, including £20bn of defend his ability to repre- stop-and-search powers and support for businesses currently get more than Bsent minority groups in the longer sentences for serious vio- dependent on trade with Europe. UK at a Conservative party hus- lent or sexual off enders. Hunt also acknowledged cuts tings in Nottingham yesterday. He said: “There are too many had gone too far on social care Johnson and his rival Jeremy people … who have committed and policing, saying: “I believe Hunt were taking questions from serious violence or sexual of- that we did the right thing be- local Conservative members who fences who are being let out … cause we had to put the economy will be voting to choose the next after they’ve served only half back on its feet, we had the worst leader of the party. their sentence.” fi nancial crisis since the second one ballot: BBC Johnson was asked whether he But lawyers criticised his com- world war.” could represent minority groups ments, with the Secret Barrister, But he added that “in a couple Reuters/Guardian having made such “derogatory who writes about the law, saying of specifi c areas, the cuts went London and arguably racist” comments, on Twitter that the comments further than we anticipated. referring to his newspaper col- were “legally illiterate” and ig- We do have some headroom … umn comparing veiled Muslim nored the already severe indeter- that would allow us to fi nd extra ome members of Britain’s women to letterboxes. minate prison sentences that ex- funding for those public serv- Conservative Party have He told the audience: “If you ist for serious violent off enders. ices”. Sbeen issued with more than look at that article … it was a Hunt came on second at the But he acknowledged that a one ballot paper to vote for the strong, liberal defence of the hustings to argue that despite his no-deal Brexit would put that at party’s next leader, who will also right of women to wear the bur- preference for getting a deal with risk. become prime minister, the BBC qa.” the EU that removes the conten- “If we had a no-deal Brexit, reported yesterday. He said he had received letters tious backstop, then those resources initially will Ballot papers have been sent from Muslim religious leaders Brexit must happen even if it is need to go to supporting busi- to about 160,000 Conserva- after the article was published, with no deal. nesses, but hopefully we can get tive Party members across the supporting his stance on integra- Or the Conservative party a deal and then start to address country, asking them to choose tion. “will be toast”, he said. some of those issues,” he said. between frontrunner Boris John- son, a former London mayor and foreign minister, and Jeremy Johnson and Hunt gesturing while speaking during a hustings event in Cardiff . Hunt, the current foreign min- ister. once even if they had received more than once. “It’s quite clear central England, yesterday. Ex-MI6 chief: UK going through Voting is due to close on July two ballot papers. as Patrick McLoughlin said that Johnson was asked about a Sky 22, with the winner set to be an- “It’s made very clear on the you are not to vote more than News report that said 30 Con- nounced a day later. ballot paper that you are only once. servative lawmakers led by fi - ‘political nervous breakdown The BBC said that an investi- allowed to vote once. I expect “But it’s clear that the Con- nance minister Philip Hammond gation it had carried out found Conservative members to follow servative party needs to continue were plotting to stop a no-deal some party members had re- that,” he told BBC Radio 4’s To- to do some work and look into Brexit in October. By Aamna Mohdin “Whether people can develop going through a political nerv- ceived two ballot papers, citing day programme. how they can actually sift this “I’m a great admirer of Phil ... Guardian News & Media that when they become prime ous breakdown,” Smith told the one party insider as estimat- McLoughlin acknowledged the properly so that they recognise but I sat in the cabinet with him minister, we will have to wait and Today programme. “I’m cer- ing that more than 1,000 people error has “got to be looked at”, who is who.” when we were all committed to see, in terms of the candidates for tainly not going through one and could be aff ected. but added: “It can’t be clearer, The Electoral Commission, getting ready for no-deal,” he he UK is going through a the Conservative leadership. I don’t think my party is either, to It said that in some cases this it’s right there on the ballot paper which sets standards for how UK said. “To the best of my knowl- “political nervous break- “But I think there is a lot of be honest with you.” was because members live and saying that you must only vote on elections are run, has no role in edge the chancellor (fi nance Tdown”, with the Brexit anxiety. As we leave the Euro- Smith described Sawers’s work in diff erent constituen- one occasion and I expect people the leadership contest. minister) and every other mem- debate stirring anxiety in White- pean Union we take a huge risk to comments as anti-democratic, cies and may have joined the lo- to do that.” Theresa May will take her fi nal ber of the cabinet is still commit- hall, a former MI6 chief says. our international standing, to the saying: “The reality is that the cal Conservative associations in Iain Duncan Smith, the former session of prime minister’s ques- ted to that policy.” Sir John Sawers said the Brexit strength of the British economy.” expression of democracy may both areas. party leader and chairman of tions on July 24 and hand over to Johnson has pledged to leave debate had left the country bit- The former spymaster said it well frighten him slightly.” Other members may have Johnson’s campaign, said the the contest winner that after- the European Union with or terly divided and damaged the is not surprising that “the peo- Smith said he disagreed with changed their name after mar- chairman of the Conservative noon. without a deal on October 31 if he UK’s global reputation. ple who have devoted them- the argument that Britain’s riage. party had been asked to look into Separately yesterday, the becomes prime minister, while Sawers told BBC Radio 4’s selves to serving the interests membership to the EU should not Party chairman Brandon Lewis the problem of multiple ballot Times newspaper reported that Hunt has said he would, if abso- Today programme: “We are go- of this country” are concerned have been put on a public ballot. said on Twitter that – as was the papers being given to members. Johnson is backed by 74% of lutely necessary, go for a no-deal ing through a political nervous about the direction the country “The truth is the British people case in a general election – peo- “Obviously there is an issue Conservative Party members Brexit. breakdown here in the UK. We is heading in. were asked a very serious ques- ple would only be able to vote here, I accept that,” Smith told with Hunt on 26%, according to Last Monday a group of pro- have potential prime ministers Iain Duncan Smith, the former tion and this whole leadership once even if they had been sent the Today programme. “In all a YouGov/Times poll. EU lawmakers failed in their lat- being elected by the Conserva- Tory leader and chairman of Boris election comes down to a simple more than one ballot paper. elections there are issues about It said a fortnight ago the last est bid to prevent Britain leaving tive party now, [and] in the shape Johnson’s leadership campaign, factor, we have not delivered on Hunt’s campaign chairman, this, where people are registered YouGov survey gave almost iden- the bloc without an exit deal, af- of the leader of the opposition, hit back at Sawers’s remarks that what they asked for so the deci- the former cabinet minister Sir separately.” tical fi gures. ter parliament’s speaker did not who do not have the standing the country is struggling with a sion that the membership take is Patrick McLoughlin, warned Smith echoed McLoughlin’s Both candidates appeared at a choose their proposal to be put that we have become used to in political and emotional crisis. who will now deliver on it by Oc- party members should only vote call for Tory members to not vote campaign event in Nottingham, to a vote. our top leadership. “Actually, I think he might be tober 31.”

Activists turn waste bins into Belfast museum tapestry depicts Game of Thrones saga ballot boxes Electoral reform activists turned By Joe Stenson, AFP litter bins into mock ballot boxes Belfast yesterday to highlight their claim that most votes in British elections are wasted. n a Belfast museum, seam- Make Votes Matter organised a stresses are at work depict- nationwide Demand Democracy Iing gory battles and warring Day, calling for “mass action kings in shimmering threads of to show and build support for red and gold – an epic homage proportional representation in to the TV phenomenon Game of general elections”. Thrones. Activists joined events in London, The team at the Ulster Muse- Cardiff and other towns and cities um are putting the fi nal touches across Britain, urging supporters to a 90m (300’) tapestry depict- to petition their local lawmakers ing all eight seasons of the fan- to back reform of Britain’s tasy saga, which reached its dra- first-past-the-post, constituency- matic conclusion in May. based electoral system. Game of Thrones, which fi rst Opinion polls this week hit screens in 2011, was pro- Roisin Aiston, one of the embroiderers working on the final section suggested that support has duced and chiefl y fi lmed in stu- of the tapestry depicting scenes from the hit television series Game plummeted for Britain’s two dios in Belfast and in the North- of Thrones, poses at the Ulster Museum in Belfast. biggest political parties, ern Irish countryside. Prime Minister Theresa May’s The Northern Irish public “This tapestry references the one under the age of 18.” Conservatives and the main have taken the series to their Bayeux Tapestry in that it has a The team has been working on opposition Labour, and shifted hearts. series of repeated icons through stitching depicting the eighth to the resurgent anti-Brexit “A tapestry is, more than it,” explained Wilson. and fi nal series. Liberal Democrats and to veteran anything else, a great storytell- The panels of the piece are Participants – like actors in eurosceptic Nigel Farage’s new ing device,” explained Valerie woven by machine before the the show – were also sworn to Members of the public look at Brexit Party. Wilson, costume and textiles fi nishing touches are put on by silence, forced to sign non-dis- completed sections of a “We are now a multi-party curator at National Museums hand. closure agreements to maintain tapestry depicting scenes from democracy operating under a Northern Ireland. “The length For two years, a team of 30 has the shroud of secrecy. the hit television series Game of broken, one-person-takes-all of the tapestry allows the story been at work on and off stitching “It was very crucial when the Thrones, at the Ulster voting system,” Jess Blair of the to unfold, so in many ways it’s embellishments on the icons – project launched that it had that Museum in Belfast. Electoral Reform Society said on the perfect medium for telling “blood red weddings”, “emerald new, fresh, almost surprise ele- Thursday. the story of the Game of Thrones green wildfi re”, and “cold-blue ment,” Wilson told AFP. mother through the plot woven In the last general election in project.” White Walkers” – which prove After the embellishments are across the fabric. “I think tap- 2017, about 68% of voters “didn’t Styled in the manner of the pivotal in the blood-and-guts put on, the fi nal panels are be- estry’s a really beautiful art form play an active role in the decision treasured Bayeux Tapestry – HBO drama. ing added to the snaking display and a really nice way of story- of the outcome because they which depicts the 11th-century Such is the graphic nature of of series one to seven already on telling.” either were for losing candidates Norman conquest of England their handiwork that the muse- show to museum visitors. The Game of Thrones televi- or they were for winning – the completed piece will be um display comes with a warn- “I think it’s really beautiful,” sion series is based on the still- candidates who didn’t need that transported to France to hang ing: “Due to the depiction of said Abbie Merrick – a diehard ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire many votes,” Darren Hughes, near its predecessor in Septem- graphic scenes, viewing of the fan of Game of Thrones, who series of high fantasy books by Embroiderers work on the final section of a tapestry depicting head of the society, told DPA last ber. tapestry is not suitable for any- spent a morning walking her George R R Martin. one of the last scenes from the Game of Thrones. month. Senior female Asian police offi cer accuses Met of discrimination

By Harriet Grant intendent Parm Sandhu has She was accused of gross mis- Sandhu was placed on restrict- legation they breached guide- confi rmed. It would be inappro- most of them were male. Guardian News & Media brought an employment tribunal conduct over allegations that she ed duties while the allegations lines relating to the UK honours priate to comment further at this Sandhu, 54, is being backed claim, alleging that she has been encouraged colleagues to support were looked into but investiga- nomination process. stage.” by the Metropolitan Black Police denied promotion and work op- her nomination for a Queen’s Po- tors concluded last month that “The investigation concluded Sandhu, who is of Indian herit- Association, which says it is con- ne the UK’s most senior portunities on the basis of her lice Medal. there was no case to answer. in June 2019 and found there was age, is one of a very small number cerned about the lack of senior female Asian police of- race and gender. In 2006 Sandhu was pre- A Metropolitan police spokes- no case to answer for gross mis- of female Asian offi cers at senior female ethnic minority offi cers. Ofi cers has launched a dis- The move comes shortly after sented with an Asian Women of man said: “The Met’s Directorate conduct or misconduct in rela- levels across England and Wales. She has not commented pub- crimination lawsuit against the Sandhu was cleared of allega- Achievement award, in part for of Professional Standards began tion to any of the offi cers. Last year, there were all of six licly on her discrimination claim Metropolitan police. tions that she breached rules her work in the aftermath of the an investigation into the conduct “The [discrimination] claim Asian chief superintendents and but did retweet a BBC article Temporary Chief Super- about honours nominations. July 7, 2005 London bombings. of three offi cers following an al- will be heard on a date yet to be three offi cers at a higher rank; about the case yesterday. Gulf Times Sunday, July 7, 2019 15 EUROPE

German police halt some acts Another migrant rescue at far-right concert boat defi es Italian ban DPA Reuters Berlin Milan

erman police halted the migrant rescue boat performances of two of breached a ban on dock- Gthree bands and confi s- Aing in Italy for the second cated large quantities of beer at a time in a week, arriving illegally far-right rock concert in eastern in Lampedusa yesterday as Italy Germany this weekend. rejected a German call to open About 100 people were visit- its ports to charity vessels. ing the festival yesterday, which Italy’s migration policy is was taking place in the village of deepening rifts in Europe as Themar in the south of the state NGOs clash with Italian author- of Thuringia. ities over rules that eff ectively Another 100 had gathered at a close off the country’s ports to local pub in nearby Kloster Vess- their boats. ra, a central meeting point for Italy’s coalition government, Salvini: If someone is used to considering Italy a dumping site for all the far-right music scene. which includes the right-wing the problems Europe pretend not to see, that’s over. The numbers were expected to League, blames European part- rise further by the evening. ners for leaving it alone to deal Carola Rackete, was arrested in “Dear German government, An estimated 400 protesters with sea arrivals. Lampedusa last Saturday before I’m not reopening the ports ... demonstrated early yesterday New rules were adopted last a Sicilian judge ordered her re- if anything we’re going to put... near the rock concert. month threatening NGO ships lease a few days later. [the migrants] in a car and take Their numbers were expected entering Italian waters without The German interior minis- them to the German embassy,” to rise to as many as 1,100 by the permission with a fi ne of up to ter said he is working with the he said. evening and include state gov- 50,000 euros and the impound- European Commission to fi nd “If someone is used to con- ernment offi cials. ing of their vessels. solutions for people aboard the sidering Italy a dumping site for The bands were stopped be- Yesterday German Interior Alex and the Alan Kurdi, a sec- all the problems Europe pretend This still image taken from a video footage shows police off icers guarding a migrant rescue boat, which cause they had violated the con- Minister Horst Seehofer asked ond NGO ship which is close to not to see, that’s over. And this docked at the port of Lampedusa in defiance of a ban on entering Italian waters. ditions set for their perform- his Italian counterparty, League Italian waters and has also been applies to the French and the ances on Friday evening, a police leader Matteo Salvini, to rethink denied permission to enter. Dutch,” Salvini said, adding he care of,” Italian NGO Mediter- who ignore Italian laws and help while another 400 had been re- spokesman said. the ports shutdown. “We cannot allow ships with “felt lonely” and called on fel- ranea, which operates the Alex, human traffi ckers to disembark,” fused by the Alex due to a lack of The band Sturmwehr (Storm The sailboat Alex, carrying rescued people on board to be low ministers to help more over said in a posting on Twitter. he said on Twitter. space. Forces) had played a banned 41 migrants, docked at the same left sailing the Mediterranean migrants. Mediterranea had declined a According to Mediterranea “They refused water so that track, while the band Unbeliebte quay where a week ago another for weeks because they can’t The Alex was escorted to Maltese off er to go to Valletta spokeswoman Alessandra Sciur- they could declare the state of Jungs (Unloved Boys) played a charity vessel collided with an fi nd a harbour,” he wrote in a Lampedusa by an Italian naval saying the people aboard could ba, the charity had no choice but emergency ... we won’t be in- song that was not on the previ- Italian police boat when it de- letter. “We need swift European vessel and a sea patrol boat, but not sustain such a long journey. to head to the closest port due to timidated,” Salvini said. ously submitted list. cided to bring migrants ashore solutions in a spirit of common the migrants were not allowed However, Salvini says Rome health and hygiene conditions The League will propose in- Both groups are now barred after two weeks in international responsibility and solidarity.” not leave the boat and policemen would not “yield to blackmail” aboard the Alex. creasing fi nes for NGOs violat- from performing at “Tage der waters. But Salvini replied in a Face- stood on the quay. and that armed forces were But Italy’s interior ministry ing the docking ban up to €1mn nationalen Bewegung” (Days of The German captain of the book video that a policy change “The migrants must be imme- ready to intervene. said it had provided food, medi- and making it easier to seize ves- National Movement) until today. Sea-Watch 3 boat, 31-year-old is out of the question. diately disembarked and taken “I’m not authorising people cines and 400 litres of water, sels, he added. The third band on Friday evening had a short appearance as planned. Beer was banned for the week- end but light beer of less than 2.7% alcohol content had been ‘Statue of Melania Trump’ divides opinion Iranians allowed on the Friday night. Police confi scated 16 beer bar- rels and 188 six-packs yester- AFP found in day, according to a state police Sevnica, Slovenia spokesman. Police are present in large freight numbers this weekend. fter Melania cake, Mel- Four hundred people had ania honey, and even bought tickets for Friday AMelania slippers, the train evening’s concert, while be- Slovenian hometown of the US tween 800 and 1,200 were ex- fi rst lady will now boast a statue pected to attend yesterday. of its most famous daughter – DPA Police said ahead of the con- albeit one that has faced decid- Vienna cert that they would crack down edly mixed reviews. on banned right-wing extremist The life-size statue on the symbols or the playing of forbid- outskirts of Sevnica was in- leven Iranians attempted den songs. augurated on Friday and is to travel from Serbia to On Friday night, police said 18 the brainchild of 39-year-old A close-up of the statue’s face. EGermany hidden between criminal complaints were fi led American conceptual artist refrigerators in a freight train, for forbidden symbols. Brad Downey, who says it’s the merchandise as well as a tour of police in Austria said yesterday. Police had already imposed fi rst monument anywhere ded- the area taking in the key sites They were discovered on Fri- alcohol restrictions on the con- icated to the wife of US Presi- of her early years. day in a southern Austrian rail- cert. dent Donald Trump. Downey came up with the way yard in Fuernitz, when they The sculpture was carved statue as part of a project aimed attracted attention by knocking into a tree using a chainsaw and at exploring the fi rst lady’s after spending almost 40 hours Three dead in gas depicts Melania in a blue dress Slovenian roots and commis- in the sealed freight car. raising her left hand in a waving sioned local artisan Ales Zupe- Police found two men and blast in Poland gesture, emulating a pose she vc – also known as “Maxi” – to three women between the ages struck at her husband’s 2017 actually carve the sculpture. of 32 and 39, one 17-year-old, A mother and her two children inauguration. Downey told AFP that he was and fi ve children between the died in a gas explosion in the Its somewhat naive style has struck by the fact that Maxi was ages of four and 12 in the train Polish city of Bytom, local media led some critics on social media born in the same year and in the car. reported yesterday. to brand it a “scarecrow”. same hospital as Melania her- According to the Red Cross, Four people were injured, the “I can understand why peo- self. the migrants were in good health. news agency PAP said. ple might think that this falls He said conversations with They were sent to a transit Among them was one person short as a description of her Maxi had enabled him to see camp. who had walked past the building physical appearance,” Downey Melania’s ancestral region According to the police, the at the time of the accident and told AFP, but insisted that he through local eyes. Iranians said that traffi ckers had had to be taken to hospital found the end result “absolute- “You see this river that she picked them up from an asy- with severe burns by a rescue ly beautiful”. would have seen as a child, you lum shelter in Sid in Serbia at helicopter. Since Trump took offi ce in see the mountains,” Downey 2am (0000 GMT) on Thursday Two dozen residents of the 2017, sleepy Sevnica has be- said. morning and brought them to house were able to get to safety come a magnet for tourists and However, not everyone has People gather around what conceptual artist Ales ‘Maxi’ Zupevc claims is the first monument to the railway station. unharmed. journalists searching for in- been moved to wax lyrical about Melania Trump, set in the fields near the town of Sevnica, the US first lady’s hometown, during a small They had paid €1,000 ($1,120) Numerous windows were sights into the American fi rst the artwork. inauguration celebration. per person for a trip to Germany. destroyed in the blast, an lady’s past. Nika, a local 24-year-old ar- Fuernitz lies near the Austri- apartment on the ground floor Entrepreneurial locals have chitecture student, told AFP: “We in Sevnica can only strophic reputation,” she add- thought the monument was a an border with Slovenia, about burnt out completely. been cashing in on the infl ux, “If the monument was meant to laugh and, at the same time, ed. “good idea”. “Melania is a Slov- 200km south of Salzburg. The exact cause of the explosion off ering a bewildering array be a parody, then the artist has hold our heads in our hands Katarina, a 66-year-old resi- enian hero, she made it to the There are about 600km be- was not known at that point. of Melania-branded food and been successful.” over their (the Trumps’) cata- dent of nearby Rozno, said she top in the US,” she said. tween Sid and Fuernitz. Russia buries 14 navy offi cers killed in nuclear-powered sub fire

AFP nuclear-powered mini-submarine. Later, a military salute and the self the way he did,” Razmyslov said. year of Putin’s presidency. Saint Petersburg The defence ministry confi rmed Russian national anthem were “This is a great sorrow,” said a Russian media reported that the the vessel was nuclear-powered for heard. young woman clad in black attend- 14 seamen will be buried near a the fi rst time on Friday. Dmitry Razmyslov, 38, attended ing the ceremony. monument to the Kursk victims in ussia buried 14 navy offi cers The funerals, which were closed the funeral to pay his respects to one She held a wreath that read “from the Serafi movskoye Cemetery. amid tight security in Saint to the media, took place in the of the seamen – Dmitry Solovyev – friends and classmates”. On Friday, the defence ministry RPetersburg yesterday, who former imperial capital’s historic with whom he studied at a military Some ordinary Saint Petersburg said the fi re started in the submers- were killed in a fi re on a nuclear- Serafi movskoye Cemetery. academy decades ago. residents came to the cemetery’s ible’s battery compartment and did powered submersible in circum- They began amid heavy security, “I did not know the details of his gates to pay their respects. not impact the vessel’s nuclear re- stances that have not been fully re- with military police standing out- job. It was secret,” Razymyslov, who “I feel so sorry for them, like they actor. vealed by the Kremlin. side the cemetery gates. did not go on to have a military ca- were my own (family),” said 60-year Nearly all of the victims were The offi cers died in the Barents “You have to understand that the reer, told AFP. old Natalya Stepanova, who lives highly decorated offi cers and in- Sea on Monday, but the accident identities of most of the people who The Russian defence ministry nearby. “They are real heroes.” cluded seven Captain First Rank of- was only made public a day later. gathered here are secret and their said Solovyev acted heroically dur- Russian President Vladimir Putin fi cers – the most senior staff offi cers Moscow has said the crew was faces cannot be shown,” a repre- ing the accident, evacuating a civil- posthumously awarded state hon- in the Russian navy. studying the sea fl oor and that the sentative of the defence ministry ian and closing the vessel’s hatch to ours to all 14 of the submariners. Experts have said that the pres- A navy off icer mourns after a funeral ceremony at a details of the tragedy are a “state told AFP. halt spreading fl ames. The tragedy has echoes of the ence of many high-ranking offi cers cemetery in Saint Petersburg, three days after a fire secret”. An AFP reporter saw 14 vehicles “He was very responsible and, sinking of the Kursk submarine in on board could suggest the subma- that killed 14 off icers on what was reportedly a However, Russian media have re- carrying coffi ns drive into the cem- despite the fact that his wife is ex- 2000, also in the Barents Sea, that rine was not on an ordinary assign- nuclear-powered mini-submarine. ported that the ship was a top-secret etery. pecting a child, he conducted him- claimed 118 lives and shook the fi rst ment. Gulf Times 16 Sunday, July 7, 2019 EUROPE Unesco votes to add 14 sites to World Heritage list

DPA Liangzhu city in China, and the to add Bahrain’s Dilmun burial ognised the Ore Mountains, schmer gave his thanks for the Canada also had the stone riage horse breeding and training Baku Plain of Jars located in Laos. mounds, the Budj Bim wetland which join the German region recognition, labelling the project carvings and paintings of the area. Currently there are more than aquaculture landscape formed by of Saxony with the Czech area an example for international co- Blackfoot (Siksikaiiitsitapi) peo- The UN Committee is meeting 1,000 cultural and natural sites Australia’s aboriginal Gunditj- of Bohemia, as a World Heritage operation. ple inscribed onto Unesco’s list in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan he UN cultural body from 167 countries on the World mara nation, the Mozu-Furuichi site, along with the Roman-built The Ore Mountains, known yesterday afternoon, while South on the Caspian Sea, and will vote Unesco has voted to add Heritage list. mounded tombs of Japan, and water management system of as the Erzgebirge in German and Korea gained the neo-Confucian on a total of 35 applications. T14 sites to its World Herit- The United Nations Educa- the Dutch-colonial era Ombilin the Bavarian city Augsburg and Krusnohori in Czech, applied Seowon academies. The gathering ends on July 10. age list yesterday, including the tional, Scientifi c and Cultural coal mining heritage site in Indo- Poland’s Krzemionki prehistoric for the tile with 17 elements on Also added was Myanmar’s On Friday, fi ve sites including Indian “Pink City” of Jaipur (see Organisation (Unesco) also nesian Sumatra. fl int mines. the German side and fi ve on the Bagan Buddhist complex, and the the ancient Iraqi city of Babylon, report on Page 18), the ruins of agreed in its morning session Later yesterday, the body rec- Saxony premier Michael Kret- Czech side. Czech Kladruby nad Labem car- were added to the list.

‘Greener cities can Pamplona bull-running help with adaptation festival gets under way to climate ‘Speared’ activists protest change’ bull runs

DPA/Reuters DPA Madrid/Pamplona Berlin

he world-famous and ith regard to adapt- controversial San Fermin ing to climate change, Tfestival, with its legen- WGerman Chancellor dary bull runs, was opened yes- Angela Merkel has emphasised terday in the northern Spanish the importance of adjustments town of Pamplona. in urban planning, with more In front of thousands of en- green spaces required. thusiastic people, traditionally The right conclusions should all dressed in white and red, the be drawn, Merkel stressed in her opening El Chupinazo rocket weekly video podcast published was fi red at noon (1000 GMT) yesterday. from the balcony of the town Assistant bullfighters stop an animal rights activist who invaded a “We have several programmes hall. bullring during a bullfight at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona. in which urban green space is “Viva San Fermin (Long live increasingly being used to help San Permin)!” the cheering Right: Revellers celebrate during the ‘Chupinazo’ (start rocket) to people adapt to higher tempera- crowd shouted as they waved mark the kick-off at noon of the San Fermin festival, in front of the tures,” Merkel said. red scarves. town hall of Pamplona. Adaptation to climate change The fi rst of the eight bull runs is now part of the federal build- takes place this morning. Yellow signs read: “Bulls die a person for AnimalNaturalis. ing code. On Friday, dozens of dem- bloody death in Pamplona.” Gascon said many people be- “The early midsummer this onstrators from animal welfare Such protests have been tak- lieve the bulls are put out to pas- year shows that extreme weather organisations Peta and Animal ing place regularly for the past ture after the run whereas in fact events are becoming more fre- Naturalis protested the festival 16 years, according to the news- they are included in bull fi ghts quent. We have more warm days in front of the town hall. paper La Vanguardia. and killed in the ring later the and more tropical nights, espe- Dressed only in black under- The activists taped the out- same day as part of the festivi- cially in some parts of Germany,” pants, they wore bull horns on lines of bulls on the fl oor as po- ties. the chancellor said. “We have to their heads and lay down on the lice would in a crime scene. Dedicated to the city’s patron react to that together.” ground, to protest the killing of “Supporting the bull runs is saint, San Fermin, the festival In Germany it was the hottest the animals in the bullring. the same as supporting bull- has existed since 1591, featuring June on record this year. They had fake spears jutting fi ghting, as the same bulls that the spectacle of six black fi ght- Merkel also emphasised the from their backs, in a recreation run in the mornings will later be ing bulls running through the importance of the forest. of the technique used to weaken tortured and killed in the bull- narrow cobbled streets of the “Especially the forest suff ers bulls in a bullfi ght. ring,” said Aida Gascon, spokes- city to the bullring for eight days from extreme drought and is also in a row. particularly aff ected by pest in- One of several bull running festation,” she said. “And that’s fi estas held around Spain every why we’re going to help foresters year, San Fermin was made fa- in a special way. They have many, mous when it featured in US au- many worries this summer.” thor Ernest Hemingway’s novel The German government The Sun Also Rises. showed during the drought last Proponents of bullfi ghts say summer that it was reacting the fi ghts and runs are a central intensely to special events and part of the festivities, putting supporting farmers, said Merkel. Pamplona on the global stage “But here too it’s about a and bringing millions of euros long-term adjustment. In oth- into the city every year. er words, we have developed “They don’t stop to think a farming strategy that makes ... about the economic aspect. it very clear that we need in- Pamplona lives off San Fermin. A novative processes for the soil, lot of locals count on that week and that we also need resistant to sustain themselves for the rest plants that respond better to cli- ‘Speared’ animal rights protesters demonstrate on Friday for the of the year,” said 44-year-old mate change,” she said, adding abolition of bullfights, one day before the start of the San Fermin bullfi ghter Angel Gomez Esco- that research and innovation are festival in Pamplona. rial. important in that regard. Meanwhile, in view of massive damage caused by fi res, drought, storms and pests, Agriculture Minister Julia Kloeckner has called for a major reforestation programme in Germany. Protest in Paris over deadly “There has hardly been a comparable loss of forest in the past,” the conservative politician told DPA yesterday. In the 1980s, everyone spoke violence against women of the forest dying, she said. “Now it is dying in large parts, and hardly anyone talks about Reuters/DPA cides” or “The planet needs onds of silence in tribute to the edly killed in 2017 by their hus- it.” Paris women alive”, the crowd took 74 women allegedly killed in band or partner up from 123 in There was an urgent need for to the Place de la Republique France so far this year, according 2016. action, she stressed. square as part of the demon- to data collected by Facebook “It’s a massacre,” Julie Gayet, According to the ministry of undreds of protesters stration organised by various group “Femicides par compag- a French actress and partner of agriculture, several million new gathered in central Paris women’s rights NGOs to protest nons ou ex” (Femicides by part- former French President Fran- trees are needed to off set the loss Hyesterday to raise aware- the rate of femicides, the killing ners or exes). cois Hollande, said at the pro- of a total of 110,000 hectares of ness and demand tougher action of a woman by a man because of It said four were killed this test. “We need to raise aware- forest. on femicides in France. her gender. week. ness on what’s happening today, Specifi cally, Kloeckner wants Yelling “Enough” and carry- The women of all ages and a According to interior ministry which means that despite so- a “multimillion-tree pro- ing signs reading “Stop femi- few men also observed 74 sec- fi gures, 130 women were alleg- ciety’s evolution, there’s a step gramme” that, in her view, could backward, and even more wom- be fi nanced from the federal Lithuanian couple defends world wife-carrying championship title en are dying today.” government’s energy and cli- Actress Muriel Robin accused mate fund (EKF). A Lithuanian couple won the World Wife-Carrying trap in one minute and six seconds. French President Emmanuel “The forest is the lungs of our Championship for a second time in a row in the The Lithuanian couple claimed the first place prize – Macron of inaction, saying that French actor Julie Gayet at the rally in Paris against gender-based society, a key climate protector,” Finnish town of Sonkajarvi yesterday, triumphing in a consisting of the wife’s weight in beer – after beating violent partners had ruined the violence targeted at women. she said. contest where men complete an obstacle course with six-time champion Taisto Miettinen of Finland and his lives of women and children for The government set up the their wives slung over their shoulders. partner Katja Kovanen by the slimmest of margins – far too long. In light of the numbers shared suspected of killing their wife or energy and climate fund to pro- Each year, the championship draws thousands of 0.1 seconds. “So I ask Emmanuel Macron: by “Femicides par compag- partner during investigations as mote the transition from dirty visitors to the town of only about 4,000 inhabitants in “I was looking at the watch and I thought I’m not How much is the life of a woman nons ou ex”, women’s advocacy well as open more shelter spaces fossil fuels to clean energy. central Finland. going to make it, but we did it,” Kirkliauskas said after worth? Nothing is being done. It groups in France have grown for victims of domestic violence. According to the government, Yesterday’s competition was the 24th year it has been the triumph. is shameful,” she told the broad- more vocal in recent days de- Women’s rights groups in the fund has €4.5bn ($5.05bn) held. Wife-carrying as a sport drew inspiration from the caster Franceinfo. manding the government stick France have also criticised the for 2019, which are to be spent Having gained followers across the world, prelimi- 19th century legend of Ronkainen the Robber, who Taking to Twitter, French to its gender equality promise treatment that victims receive on renewable energy, energy- nary competitions were held in countries such as the compelled would-be members of his gang to prove Gender Equality Minister Mar- and act decisively against do- from French police. saving measures, climate pro- United States, Australia, Poland and Britain, organisers their mettle by carrying sacks of grain or live pigs lene Schiappa said that she sup- mestic violence. They have demanded a dedi- tection, environmental projects said on their website. over a similar course. ported the demonstration. Several feminist campaign- cated offi cial for violence against and the promotion of electro- Among the two dozen contesting couples, Vytautas The competition is also said to look back to an even “I share the anger of victims ers published an op-ed piece women at every police station. mobility, among other things. Kirkliauskas and his wife Neringa Kirkliauskiene came earlier practice of wife-stealing – leading many and their relatives and reiterate in French newspaper Le Monde German police authorities The forest climate fund is part out on top for a second straight year, completing a present-day contestants to compete with someone my support to this struggle and on Friday, demanding that the estimated that 147 women were of the EKF and promotes the 253.5m (277 yards) obstacle course featuring a water else’s wife. the government’s determina- government take measures like killed by their partners or ex- adaptation of German forests to tion,” she tweeted. suspend child custody from men partners in 2017. deal with climate change. Gulf Times Sunday, July 7, 2019 17 INDIA 11 coalition MLAs quit in Karnataka

IANS taka Pragnyavantha Janata Party In a communique later, the As he personally handed over Bengaluru (KPJP) and an Independent. Governor’s offi ce said the legis- his resignation letter to the The opposition Bharatiya Ja- lators had given a copy of their speaker, his offi ce acknowledged nata Party (BJP) has 105 legisla- resignations to Vala as they could receiving it. arnataka was yesterday tors. not give those to the speaker per- Of the Congress legislators, plunged into a major po- The MLAs went to the Assem- sonally. Reddy, a seven-time lawmaker, Klitical crisis as 11 MLAs bly secretariat to submit their Congress sources in New Delhi was a Cabinet minister in the from the ruling Congress-Janata resignations to the Speaker but said the party’s state in-charge previous Siddaramaiah-led gov- Dal (Secular) combine quit, re- he was not there and therefore K C Venugopal, who is in Kerala ernment. ducing the 13-month-old gov- they handed over their letters to presently, was rushing to Ben- Three more Congress legisla- Rebel Congress MLAs Munirathna Naidu, S T Somashekar, Ramesh Jarkiholi, B C Patil and JD-S MLAs K ernment to a minority in the his personal assistant. galuru to meet the rebel MLAs. tors, including Reddy’s daughter Gopalaiah, and H Vishwanath call on Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala in Bengaluru yesterday. 225-member state Assembly. A H Vishwanath, who resigned The eight Congress MLAs who Soumya (Jayanagar), Byarti Basa- Of the 11 legislators who sub- as JD-S MLA, told reporters after resigned are Pratapgauda Patil varaj (KR Puram) and Munirathna ance will be reduced to minority were not taken into confi dence by won only one seat each, retain- mitted their resignations in the meeting the governor that three (Maski), B C Patil (Hirekerur), (R R Nagar) are also reportedly with 104 members and lose the their leaders in the functioning of ing Bangalore Rural and Hassan,” Assembly Speaker’s offi ce, eight more legislators would be resign- Ramesh Jarkiholi (Gokak), Shiv- considering resignations. fl oor test in the Assembly in a tri- the government. Vishwanath said. are from the Congress and three ing soon. ram Hebbar (Yellapur) Mahesh Vishwanath resigned as JD-S al of strength,” BJP’s spokesman “The absence of coordination The BJP won 25 of the 27 Lok from the JD-S. He appeared before the media Kumatahalli (Athani), Ramalinga state unit President last month, G Madhusudan told IANS. between the allies in governance Sabha seats it contested and ena- The major political develop- along with the other legislators Reddy (BTM Layout), S T So- owning responsibility for the The 10-day monsoon session is evident from the serious diff er- bled an Independent (Sumalatha) ment came at a time when Chief who resigned. mashekar (Yeshvantpur) and S N party’s debacle in the recent Lok of the state legislature is set to ences they have in power-sharing wrest Mandya from the JD-S by Minister H D Kumaraswamy and “I came to know from my per- Subba Reddy (KGF in Kolar). Sabha elections, in which it won begin on July 12 to approve the and day-to-day administration,” supporting her. his two cabinet colleagues are sonal secretary that 11 legislators The three JD-S MLAs who only one seat, retaining Hassan, state budget for this fi scal and Vishwanath contended. Denying BJP’s role in their res- away in the US and are scheduled gave resignation letters in my quit are Vishwanath (Hunsur), N about 180km northwest of Ben- take up pending bills besides dis- Insisting that each legislator ignations, Vishwanath said the to return today. offi ce. They were acknowledged Narayana Gowda (KR Pete) and galuru. cussing various issues, including had resigned on his own volition, disgruntled MLAs of the Con- Before the resignations, the with receipts. I will go through Gopalaiah (Mahalakshmim). “Two more Congress legisla- farm loan waiver, drought relief Vishwanath said the fl edgling gov- gress and the JD-S were acting on ruling coalition had 118 MLAs, them on Tuesday as I am on leave Though Jarkiholi had sent his tors — Munirathna and Basavaraj works and water crisis across the ernment had failed the people who their own, out of dejection from fi ve more than the required ma- on Monday,” Speaker K R Ramesh resignation on July 1, it was not from Bengaluru — will resign by southern state. had huge expectations from it. the way the coalition government jority mark of 113. Kumar told reporters at his resi- accepted by the Speaker, as it Monday,” Vishwanath told re- Admitting that the year-old “Though the allies had con- has been tottering over a year. They included 78 MLAs of the dence here. was faxed to his offi ce, which was porters outside the Raj Bhavan coalition government had failed tested together in the recent gen- “We have nothing to do with Congress (excluding the Speak- The legislators then met Gov- against the procedure. after meeting the governor yes- to meet the people’s aspirations, eral elections under a pre-poll the BJP. There is no poaching of er), 37 of the JD-S, one each ernor Vajubhai Vala in Raj Bhavan Congress legislator Anand terday. Vishwanath alleged that there arrangement, fi elding joint can- MLAs or horse trading. We are from the Bahujan Samaj Party and apprised him of the reasons Singh from Vijayanagara seg- “If the Speaker accepts all the was no coordination between the didates in all the 28 Lok Sabha all seniors in politics. We can’t be (BSP) and regional outfi t Karna- for their resignation. ment had also resigned on July 1. (14) resignations, the ruling alli- ruling allies and they (legislators) seats across the state, both had traded,” added Vishwanath.

Man held for fake bomb threats on Hyderabad-Chennai fl ights The Hyderabad Police yesterday arrested a According to the police, K V Vishwa- man after he gave fake information about nathan, who was in a drunken state and Mumbai braces for steep parking penalties from today bomb threats to two Hyderabad-Chennai was in depression due to love issues, had flights. come to the airport to board Truejet flight The accused, said to be a jilted lover, 2T201. IANS This would apply to all vehicles new parking fi nes-cum-towing fi nes will keep increasing progres- called the airport authorities about bomb He made a call about bomb threats to Mumbai parked within 500m radius of the 26 charges went up in diff erent areas of sively daily for late payment charges threats to Indigo and Truejet flights at the Truejet flight and also Indigo flight authorised public parking lots and 20 the city on Friday warning potential till the maximum rates. Mumbai has Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in 6E-188. designated bus depots in the city. off enders, a civic offi cial told IANS, an estimated vehicle population of Hyderabad. The 24-year-old, a native of Chennai, is a arking will get more diffi cult The penalty will comprise the requesting anonymity. around 3mn comprising all categories. Deputy Commissioner of Police, sales executive with a private company in than driving from today after actual fi ne for illegal parking and The new penalties for medium vehi- Anticipating brawls between driv- Shamshabad, Prakash Reddy said the call Hyderabad. The Rajiv Gandhi International Pthe BrihanMumbai Municipal towing charges, which will come cles shall be Rs11,000 to Rs17,600, light ers and implementing offi cials, the proved a hoax after Central Industrial Airport police booked a case against him Corp (BMC) and Mumbai Traffi c Po- to a whopping Rs5,000 to Rs8,300 motor vehicles Rs10,000 to Rs15,100 BMC has requisitioned services of Security Force (CISF) personnel and bomb under the Suppression of Unlawful Act lice implement new rules for vehicles for two-wheelers and Rs15,000 to and for all types of three-wheelers ex-service personnel and even pri- disposal teams searched the planes. Against Safety of Civil Aviation Act. parked in no-parking zones with fi nes Rs23,250 for heavy vehicles. Rs8,000 to Rs12,200 per violation. vate security guards to help the traffi c ranging from Rs5,000 to Rs23,000. BMC’s notices proclaiming the From the minimum amounts, the police, said the offi cial. Gulf Times 18 Sunday, July 7, 2019 INDIA

JUSTICE IN THE DOCK COURT ORDER POLITICS APPEAL Rahul Gandhi gets bail in Ex-BJP MP convicted over Owaisi seeks legislation AIADMK nominates three Two Punjab women write Bihar defamation case RTI activist’s murder to curb mob lynching for next round of elections to president in blood

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was yesterday A Special Court of the Central Bureau of Investigation AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has demanded The ruling AIADMK party yesterday nominated Two women from Punjab’s Moga town have sought granted bail by a court in Patna in connection (CBI) in Ahmedabad yesterday convicted former federal legislation to curb the increasing incidents former ministers A Mohamed John and N President Ram Nath Kovind’s intervention in with a defamation case filed by Bihar Deputy Gujarat BJP MP Dinu Bogha Solanki in the murder of mob lynching, as directed by the Supreme Chandrasekaran as its candidates for the ensuing ‘false’ cheating cases registered against them by Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi. The Patna of RTI activist Amit Jethva. The court also convicted Court. He said it had been a year since the apex Rajya Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu, while it retained writing a letter to him with their blood, it was learnt civil court granted the bail to Gandhi, a six others in the case. The quantum of punishment court directed the Centre to draft a legislation A C Shanmugam as its nominee for the Vellore Lok yesterday. Both have demanded euthanasia for the government lawyer said. In April, Modi had will be pronounced on July 11. Jethva was shot dead but the federal government has done nothing. Sabha constituency. The announcements came in family if they do not get justice. In the letter, Nisha filed a defamation case against Gandhi for outside the Gujarat High Court on July 20, 2010, Terming those indulging in mob lynching as two separate statements signed by party co-ordinator and Amanjot Kaur claimed that the complainants his statement “all thieves have Modi as their by two assailants. Jethva, had through RTI queries, terrorists, Owaisi said these incidents were result and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and have been threatening them and they have been surnames”. The senior Bharatiya Janata Party exposed illegal mining in the Gir forests allegedly of the hatred being spread against Muslims. He joint co-ordinator and Chief Minister K Palaniswami. living in fear. They have been urging the police (BJP) leader had filed the case in the Chief involving the former parliamentarian. The Gir forests urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to act on the The AIADMK said one Rajya Sabha seat has been to investigate the matter on priority. Deputy Judicial Magistrate’s court in Patna under are the only abode of the Asiatic Lion. Special CBI incidents of mob lynching. Owaisi wondered what allotted to the PMK as per the electoral agreement Superintendent of Police Kuljinder Singh said an Section 500 of the IPC alleging him of defaming judge K M Dave convicted the seven accused, was stopping the Prime Minister from pushing signed with that party earlier. The Rajya Sabha polls investigation was underway. He said the duo were and hurting the sentiments of all people with including Solanki, a former Lok Sabha member from the legislation when he constantly talked about in Tamil Nadu will be held on July 18, while polling for facing allegations of kabootarbaazi — meaning Modi as their surnames. Junagadh constituency in the Saurashtra region. winning the confidence of Muslims. the Vellore seat will take place on August 5. using illegal means to settle someone abroad.

18 days after NRI’s suicide, his business Jaipur named Unesco venture gets cleared

IANS Thiruvananthapuram

World Heritage Site ighteen days after a Nigeria-based NRI businessman committed suicide allegedly after his Rs1.6bn state- By Archana Sharma, IANS bring in more tourism and more Eof-the-art convention centre in Kerala’s Kannur was Jaipur employment will come in thereby stalled by the local civic body, the project has got offi cial boosting the economy. People clearance, it was announced yesterday. from all over the world shall come Sajan Parayil, 49, hanged himself in his house on June 18, he ‘Pink City’, Jaipur, was here to look at its amazing archi- allegedly fed up with the way he was treated by the Ant- yesterday made an offi - tecture. The success of this initia- hoor Municipality chairperson P K Shymala, who, at one Tcial entry on the list of the tive needs to be given to the entire point, according to Sajan’s wife Beena, said that he will not Unesco World Heritage sites and team who worked on it going be- get the clearance as long as she held the post. leaders across the political spec- yond borders for its implementa- Things, however, changed after Sajan’s suicide as the trum welcomed the signal honour tion,” she added. Congress-led opposition took up the issue in a big way to the historical city. Thakur Randhir Vikram Singh, and the Kerala High Court took cognisance of the incident, The Unesco shared the an- general secretary, Indian Her- seeking all the relevant fi les been submitted to it by July 5. nouncement on Twitter. itage Hotels Association said: The Kerala government had subsequently suspended “Just inscribed as @UNESCO “Jaipur is one among the most four employees of the municipality and Chief Minister #WorldHeritage Site: Jaipur City deserving cities in the world to Pinarayi Vijayan assured the Assembly that things will be in Rajasthan, #India. Bravo,” the get this honour. It is the most sorted out soon. Now, Local Self Government secretary T UN body posted yesterday. well-planned city which has the K Jose has directed the Municipality Secretary to see that The decision was taken at the best drainage system. In fact, Jai the occupancy certifi cate is issued tomorrow after ensur- 43rd session of the Unesco World Singh, the founder of the city, ing that all the changes sought have been made. Heritage Committee, which is tak- made a remarkable planning to While the government has cracked down on offi cials, ing place in Azerbaijan from June beautify the city. the lack of action against Shyamala is being seen due to the 20 to July 10. “He looked for the safest loca- fact that she is the wife of Vijayan’s closest aide and party In 2018, then-Tourism and tion for the people where earth- Central Committee member M V Govindan. Sajan was Culture minister Mahesh Sharma quake can never make its impact close to another top CPI-M leader in Kannur P Jayarajan formally announced that Jaipur’s due to geographical location of and this has been attributed by those in the know of things name being proposed for World plates. Hence the city deserved as the reason for Shyamala’s opposition. Heritage City. this honour.” The Anthoor Municipality currently does not have The Archaeological Survey of Jaipur was founded in 1727 CE any opposition party representative, as all the council- India had in 2015 submitted a pro- under Sawai Jai Singh II. lors belong to the ruling Left Democratic Front and hence posal to Unesco for the status. The city was proposed to be Shyamala reigned supreme. To mount pressure on Vijayan Since then, the city has been in nominated for its value of being an to act, all legislators of the opposition Congress-led UDF the tentative list while Ahmedabad exemplary development in town last week quit the state government’s recently-formed proved luckier as it bagged the tag An historical building in Jaipur. planning and architecture that Loka Kerala Sabha created to channelise investment and of becoming the fi rst World Herit- demonstrates an amalgamation expertise of Malayali industrialists settled abroad for the age City from India. moment for the state and a develop- Jaipur princess Diya Kumari “In fact, Jaipur is one of the and important exchange of ideas in state’s betterment following Sajan’s shocking suicide. In addition to Jaipur, the Com- ment which will boost tourism. termed it as a proud moment for most planned and beautiful cities the late medieval period, Unesco mittee examined 36 nominations “It is a matter of great pride that the entire state. “I am really feel- of the world, deserved the honour had said. for inscription on Unesco’s World our #PinkCity, #Jaipur has been ing proud and happy about this of being the World Heritage City. “In town planning, it shows Heritage List during the session. declared as a #WorldHeritage site development as my ancestors had It will benefi t the city to retain and an interchange of ancient Hin- Welcoming the Unesco an- by @UNESCO. It will add to the built this city. Maharaj Jai Singh II, maintain its originality and beau- du, Mughal and contemporary nouncement, Prime Minister glory of the capital city of #Rajas- the founder of the city, was one of ty as once the Unesco tag a city Western ideas that resulted in the Ruling BJP MP’s Narendra Modi tweeted: “Jaipur than”, he said in a tweet. my ancestors. He invited the best as a heritage city, it ensures that form of the city. Jaipur is also an is a city associated with culture Gehlot opined that the develop- craftsmen and architects from all its originality is retained. Hence exceptional example of a late me- and valour. Elegant and energetic, ment will boost tourism and the over the country to ensure they built now, many unwanted structures dieval trade town in South Asia security beats up Jaipur’s hospitality draws people local economy. the most beautiful and well-planned and encroachments and buildings and defined new concepts for a from all over. Glad that this city “#Jaipur listed on the world city of the world. They considered coming up in the walled city shall thriving trade and commercial has been inscribed as a World Her- map as #WorldHeritage site is not astronomy, planetary movement have no place in this premises,” hub. In addition, the city is as- toll plaza staff itage Site by Unesco.” only a matter of prestige but it will and Vastu Shastra while bringing up Diya Kumari, who is also a MP sociated with living traditions in Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok give a boost to tourism. The local the city to ensure that the city gets from the state, told IANS over the form of crafts that have na- Gehlot expressed his happiness at economy will benefi t along with the best location and the people are phone from Delhi. tional and international recogni- IANS the development, terming it a proud improving infrastructure.” happy, prosperous and safe here.” “Also, this development shall tion,” it added. Agra

ven before the controversy over its Madhya Pradesh MLA Akash Vijayvargiya could completely settle Edown, another Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker Private sector may get to has hit the headlines for misbehaving with toll plaza staff in Uttar Pradesh. The scene of BJP MP from Etawah, Ram Shankar Katheria, looking on as his security staff beat up a operate some railway lines toll plaza employee and fi re in the air, was captured on CCTV cameras and the video clip has gone viral on social media. The toll plaza staff has lodged a complaint against the MP IANS and his security personnel at the Etmadpur police station. Panaji Agra’s Senior Superintendent of Police Bablu Kumar said an FIR has been registered on the basis of the complaint and the CCTV footage was being studied to fi nd out the truth. ome sections of the Indian Railways Sources said that trouble began when the toll plaza em- could be opened up for investment ployee asked for payment for all the vehicles in the MP’s Sfrom the private sector which could convoy on the inner ring road in Agra. operate its own railway lines in return for Katheria, who is also chairman of the SC/ST Commis- licence fees, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal sion, has blamed the toll plaza employees and some uni- RJD leaders Rabri Devi, Misa Bhart and Tejashwi Yadav light a lamp to inaugurate the said yesterday. dentifi ed criminals of attacking him and his party workers. party’s national executive meeting in Patna yesterday. Goyal also said that the private sector in- Katheria’s representative Sharad Chauhan alleged that vestment was necessary if the Indian Rail- some 8-10 persons had attacked the MP and party workers ways was to raise Rs5tn over the next fi ve at the toll plaza. Sensing a threat to their lives, the security years for modernisation and expansion of guards opened fi re. The toll plaza staff ers, however, pre- railway facilities across the country. sented a contrary story, accusing the MP and his followers ‘Missing’ Tejashwi attends Goyal, who was in Goa to launch the state of violence and arrogant behaviour. BJP’s membership drive, also said that while Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma, who was in the the government had a “open mind about at- city, told reporters that facts were being ascertained and an RJD national executive meet tracting investment from the private sector, inquiry would be conducted. the Indian Railways by itself would not be Prime Minister Narendra Modi had slammed party lead- privatised.” Railway Minister Goyal ers for misbehaving in reference to the Vijayvargiya inci- IANS egy for 2020 Bihar Assembly elections”. “There are diff erent models we can follow. dent after which the BJP issued a show cause notice to the Patna Before attending the meeting, Yadav We want the Indian Railways to grow. There ernment began in 2014, freight traffi c had lawmaker, son of senior party leader Kailash Vijayvargiya. told the media that the Union Budget pre- could be some sectors where the private shrunk 30% and the infrastructure to pas- sented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sith- sector can lay their own lines, we would not senger and freight traffi c ratio had widened day after he skipped RJD’s founda- araman in the Parliament on Friday was have a problem. They can take a licence from to astronomical proportions. Technopark Trivandrum gets Crisil ‘A’ rating tion day function here, party leader not in the interest of the country. us. Railways will be able to increase its rev- “We have also set an ambitious target for ATejashwi Yadav yesterday attended “Poor will not get any benefi t from the enue. If it can increase its revenue, it will be increasing of freight on the railways, which Technopark Trivandrum — a technology park situated in its national executive meeting to discuss Budget,” he said. able to give better facilities to its passengers. has now shrunk to 30%. We have seen that Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram city — has received a Crisil ‘A’ the worst-ever performance of the party The former deputy chief minister and Our mind is open,” Goyal said during a press in 65 years, before the advent of the Modi rating, an IT off icial said yesterday. Crisil is India’s foremost in the Lok Sabha elections. younger son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad was conference here. government, investment had reduced in the provider of ratings, data, research, analytics and solutions. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) later not seen in the public for a month after the “But Railways by itself will not be priva- Indian Railways, as a result of which infra- This is the first time that a Kerala-based Electronics yesterday announced that Yadav will be RJD-led Grand Alliance was routed in the tised. Railways belong to the government, it structure has increased by only 30% and the Technology Park got such a high rating. “Crisil ‘A’ rating is the party’s chief ministerial candidate in Lok Sabha polls. will stay with the government. The big in- passenger and freight traffi c has increased truly a defining moment for Technopark. It is recognition of the 2020 Bihar Assembly polls. Yadav also failed to attend the ongoing vestment (in the railways sector) belongs to by 1,500%. The estimate is obviously that the check measures adhered to over the years in achieving The announcement was made dur- monsoon session of the Bihar Assembly the government and it will be in the service passengers and freight will face discomfort this milestone which will help us go a long way in attracting ing the party’s national executive meet- for fi rst four consecutive days. of the public,” he said. and safety will be decreased due to over- more investors and credibility in the industry,” said Techn- ing here, in the presence of senior party His absence led to speculations in po- Goyal’s comments come at a time when load,” he said. opark CEO, Hrishikesh Nair. leaders Jaiprakash Narayan Yadav, former litical circles over his leadership and sev- the opposition has slammed the ruling BJP- “Our eff orts are to bring in technology One of India’s largest IT parks, it is also one of the world’s MP and RJD state President Ramchander eral opposition leaders demanded his led National Democratic Alliance govern- of international standards, (attract) invest- greenest technopolis. Technopark Trivandrum, which is Purve. resignation as RJD could not secure even a ment for what they see as attempts being ment or a Public Private Partnership or a spread over 724 acres of land, was established in 1990 on Yadav, along with senior party leaders, single seat in the parliamentary polls. made to privatise the Railways. TOT (toll operate transfer) model, which the city outskirts. It has about 400 operational companies at was attending the meeting in a posh hotel But RJD leaders made it clear that Yadav Goyal also said, that over the last 65 years, yesterday (federal Finance Minister) Nir- present which employ more than 56,000 IT professionals. here where “they would discuss the strat- will continue as the Leader of Opposition. until Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s gov- mala (Sitharaman) referred to,” Goyal said. Gulf Times Sunday, July 7, 2019 19 LATIN AMERICA

Salvadoran ex-gang members dream of removing telltale tats

By Carlos Mario Marquez, AFP say they have gone straight for just covered on my back and ab- ican nation, traffi cking drugs and Ramirez, a doctor who leads a der that was committed, a cross stigmatisation in general society, Santa Ana good. domen,” Ruballo told AFP. extorting people, while often re- government clinic where former signifi es mourning for a fallen such as when applying for jobs. Aged 24 to 48, they are serving At 41, he has served 15 of a cruiting new blood by force. gang members no longer in jail comrade, a face with long hair is Nelson Maximiliano Argueta, time for homicide, drug traffi ck- 36-year sentence for aggravated Gangs in El Salvador have can get the ink removed. a girlfriend, and a clown repre- 41, another former member of heir skin looks all but ing and extortion convictions. homicide. some 70,000 members, of whom Paying for tattoo removal in sents a fun moment. MS-13, has been imprisoned for taken over by endless in- Their terms range from six Ruballo said he would gladly about 17,000 are behind bars. private clinics is costly and well In recent years, tattooing has 20 years for homicide. Ttricate tattoos. Many of years to six decades. submit to the intensely painful Ruballo’s face, neck and arms out of reach for most. stopped being a requirement in He knows that one day he will be El Salvador’s reformed gang Like many ex-gang members, laser erasing process. are virtually covered by the tat- “Tattoos in the gangs are about an attempt to evade persecution free and that he has to be ready to members now desperately want Carlos Ruballo, formerly of MS- Others in the same boat, keen toos he started having done at identity, and symbolic affi liation under the government’s tough rejoin society. But that is going to a chance to laser-erase this out- 13, is covered in sprawling ink to distance themselves from their age 13. that represents part of its subcul- anti-gang strategy, said Aguilar. take removing the tattoos which ward evidence of their fearsome used as a sort of terror trade- past, are left with no other option But he knows that all the pain ture,” says social researcher Jan- Regardless of facts and cir- on the outside will expose him to past. mark. than to ink a massive “X” over the that went into getting them may nette Aguilar. cumstances, if a suspect has gang danger: the other gangs’ wrath. Sector One of Apanteos Pris- These tats, typical of the crim- gang tats in symbolic rejection. pale in comparison to having Gang members also often have tattoos, police often think the “I feel bad walking around with on, a medium-security facility inal group, were meant to turn Born on the streets of the US them erased. ink “that tells their life story, individual may as well be guilty, these things on me, because I am in Santa Ana, near the capital, him into a visible symbol of the city of Los Angeles in the early Removing a single tattoo with about important people, and also Aguilar said. no longer part of this. But these houses 239 men, most former gang’s power and reign of terror. 1980s, MS-13 and Barrio 18 now a laser takes several sessions. about death,” given their many Retired members also are keen are youthful mistakes,” Argueta members of the Mara Salvatrucha “My dream is to get rid of all strike fear into communities in So “it could take years” to erase violent crimes, she said. to erase tattoos so as to go unno- says, showing the dense designs (MS-13) and Barrio 18 gangs, who these letters I have on me. I’m this impoverished Central Amer- all the tattoos, explained Mayde While a tear stands for a mur- ticed by rival gangs, and to avoid covering much of his body.

US demands El Chapo forfeit Rival rallies, UN rebuke $12.7bn in drug money

AFP mark Venezuela I-Day New York rosecutors on Friday said they AFP were seeking $12.7bn from con- Caracas Pvicted Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman, based on a conservative estimate of revenues enezuela’s Independence Day from his cartel’s drug sales in the Unit- was marked by rival rallies on ed States. VFriday, led by opposition leader According to a motion fi led by US Juan Guaido and President Nicholas Attorney Richard Donoghue, authori- Maduro, who waged a war of words ties are “entitled to forfeiture of all even as the UN warned of eroded rule property that constitutes or is derived of law in the country. from the defendant’s narcotics-relat- Guaido, who considers himself ed crimes.” Venezuela’s legitimate acting leader, Based on prices for drugs quoted implored supporters in the streets of by various witnesses, Guzman’s 25- Caracas not to give up hope: “Don’t year reign atop the Sinaloa cartel net- leave! We’re going to get there! Have ted sales of some $11.8bn in cocaine, no doubt, we’ll succeed.” $846mn in marijuana and $11mn in The crowd that gathered to hear the heroin, authorities said. centre-right leader, who in January The money was laundered and used declared himself acting president in a to pay the cartel’s workers and suppli- direct challenge to Maduro’s authority, ers, as well as used to purchase com- was markedly smaller than those at the munications equipment and “planes, beginning of the year. submarines and other vehicles.” The country was observing the July 5 “The government need not prove holiday celebrating its 1811 Declaration that the defendant can pay the for- of Independence. feiture money judgment; it need only Maduro, meanwhile, led a military prove by a preponderance of evidence parade down the Paseo de los Proceres, that the amount it seeks is forfeitable,” a boulevard honouring the country’s prosecutors said. founders, and received a public display Guzman’s lawyer, Jeff rey Licht- of support from the military’s top brass. man, told US media that the demand “Count on the armed forces...we are is “largely an academic exercise as the not afraid to face the enemies of the government has never located or iden- country,” General Remigio Ceballos, tifi ed even a penny of this $12.7bn in commander of operational strategy, proceeds supposedly generated by Mr assured the president. Guzman.” UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet Guzman, 62, was found guilty in meanwhile presented a damning re- February following a three-month port on Venezuela which pointed to trial for traffi cking hundreds of tons of attacks on political opponents and cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines activists, including torture and thou- and marijuana to the United States sands of killings by security forces in over the course of 25 years. the country. He was also convicted on money She said that attempting to exercise laundering and weapons possession the most basic rights like freedom of charges by jurors who heard how he opinion, expression, association and had beaten, shot and even buried alive assembly in Venezuela “entails a risk those who got in his way. of reprisals and repression.” A former El Chapo associate said However she later welcomed the during the trial that the drug kingpin release of 22 prisoners in recent days, lived a lavish lifestyle in the 1990s — including journalist Braulio Jatar and the height of his power — with four jets Lourdes Afi uni, a judge. for travelling the world, a beachfront The Supreme Court confi rmed the mansion in Acapulco and a private zoo reversal of detention measures against Venezuelan troops march at a military parade at Los Proceres boulevard in Caracas on Friday. on his sprawling estate in Guadalajara. the two, although they were yet to be It was not clear which assets Guz- released. her release, if it was fi nalised, would freed, but said she hoped he would be Latin American powers, has declared led pressure campaign that includes man still possesses following his Afi uni, who has been detained since “be the end of nine years and seven released soon. Maduro to be illegitimate and recog- sanctions on Venezuela’s crucial oil extradition to the United States in 2009 expressed her “immense grati- months of persecution and torture.” The United States, along with some nised Guido as the interim leader. exports, and still enjoys support from January 2017 and which have been tude” to Bachelet on Twitter, saying Jatar’s sister denied he had been fi fty other countries, including major But Maduro has withstood a US- Russia, China and Cuba. transferred to family and friends. Cheered on by family, Cuban centenarians aim for 120

By Katell Abiven, AFP rios was diagnosed with colon “Biologically, it has been prov- turned 102 in January. Havana cancer and told she had only a en that humans can live for 120 to “I didn’t think I’d get to this year to live. 125 years,” said Raul Rodriguez, a age...and here I am,” she said, She defi ed the odds and then doctor and president of the “120 sitting comfortably on a sofa. ooking into a mirror, Delia left Cuba in 1993, when the island Club,” which was created in 2003 Santovenia walks quickly Barrios applies blush and nation was in the throes of a ma- by Fidel Castro’s personal doctor, despite her cane, and was still Llipstick — she wants to look jor economic crisis, for the United Eugenio Selman-Housein. cooking until recently but doc- her best for her 102nd birthday States, where her son lives. The club “tries to promote tors advised her to stop. celebration, when she will be But two decades later, Bar- healthy lifestyles for all, because She also stopped sewing but surrounded by loved ones. rios suff ered several falls and her that’s the only way to get to that can still thread a needle and reads Barrios is one of more than doctor said she could no longer age,” said Rodriguez. the newspaper every day without 2,000 people in impoverished live alone. The elderly generally receive a using glasses. Cuba who are 100 years or old — Barrios — who says she pension of just $10 a month. What’s her secret? a reality that has piqued the in- “danced a lot” when she was But the government has set “I’m very family-oriented — I terest of experts, and led some to younger — came home and up cafeterias for those unable to love my children, my grand-chil- aim for even longer lives. moved in with her granddaughter supplement that meagre amount dren, my six great-grandchil- “I don’t feel like I’m this old. Yumi, who is now 59. with help from family members dren. I’ve never been alone,” she I have a family... that loves me a There are currently 2,070 cen- living abroad. said. lot. That helps me to feel good,” tenarians in Cuba out of a popu- Centenarians are venerated Santovenia lives in the Vedado said Barrios. lation of 11.2mn — in a country and get special attention. neighbourhood with a grandson She deftly manoeuvres her where the average life expectancy “We try to provide them with and her 68-year-old daughter motorised wheelchair with her is 79.5 years. specifi c care,” said Alina Gonzal- Regla, who looks after her. seven-year-old great-great- Those fi gures are comparable ez Moro from the Center for Re- “It’s my duty because she’s granddaughter Patricia on her to those in many wealthier na- search on Longevity (CITED). given me everything,” said Regla. lap. tions, despite the fact that Cuba’s “All centenarians in Havana “Now I have to thank her by tak- Only two candles were placed average public salary is just $30 a can call us if they have a health ing care of her.” on her birthday cake, which Bar- month. problem and a specialist in geri- And she’s convinced her rios blew out to the applause of The socialist country, where atrics will immediately go see the mother will make it to 120. around 30 guests gathered in the healthcare is free and doctors are patient.” “Her great-grandmother was courtyard of a building in Ha- numerous, now has a “120 Club” With a surprisingly smooth a slave. Slave blood seems to be vana’s Playa neighbourhood. that encourages residents to aim face and a mischievous look in stronger — that’s why she’s kept When she was in her 60s, Bar- for that ripe old age. her eye, Rigoberta Santovenia going so long.” Delia Barroso, 102, puts on make-up for her birthday in Havana on May 18, 2019. Gulf Times 20 Sunday, July 7, 2019 PAKISTAN Imran to visit Russia at Putin’s invitation Internews Forum, which is scheduled to be The two were also seen stand- was close to the United States. do not have to buy arms because Islamabad held from September 4 to 6 in the ing next to each other during We were in diff erent camps. Now we want to spend money on hu- Russian city of Vladivostok. photo sessions. things have changed,” the prime man development,” the premier Indian Prime Minister Naren- In an interview with Russian minister said. added. ussian President Vladmir dra Modi is also expected to at- news agency Sputnik in June fol- “India is also friendly with “But, yes, we are looking for Putin has extended an in- tend the summit. lowing the SCO summit, Prime the United States, and Pakistan arms from Russia, and I know our Rvitation to Prime Minis- Prime Minister Khan and the Minister Khan said that his gov- is also friendly with the US. So military is already in touch with ter Imran Khan to visit Russia Russian president held several ernment has been mulling the we no longer have the Cold War the Russian military,” Khan com- in September, sources told Geo informal discussions as they at- purchase of arms from Moscow, situation. It is refreshing that we mented. News. tended the SCO summit last given the fact that the Cold War have developed our contacts with Regarding the prospects of Khan has accepted the Russian month. is long over. Russia, and they are developing Pak-Russia co-operation within president’s invitation, which was The two leaders engaged in Asked about military co-op- all the time.” the SCO, the prime minister said extended last month in a conver- conversation on several occa- eration between Pakistan and Responding to a question that they look forward to have sation between the two leaders sions. Russia as well as joint exercises about the import of Russian exchanges, develop more con- on the sidelines of the 19th Meet- Observers said that, of the later this year, he said the defence weapons, the prime minister tacts, and improve their trade. ing of the Council of the Heads of world leaders present at the SCO forces of the two nations had al- said: “As I’ve said, the Cold War “Russia is an energy-surplus State (CHS) of the Shanghai Co- meeting, Khan interacted with ready developed co-operation is over. Previously, Pakistan was country. Pakistan has short- operation Organisation (SCO) in Putin the most. and hoped to deepen their con- tied to the US, and, as we all ages in energy, so we hope to talk Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The prime minister and Pu- tacts. know, India was tied to the So- on those areas. We already are. According to sources, the Rus- tin were also seen sitting next to “Most of the 50’s, 60’s and viet Union. And no longer is that Apart from defence, we want to sian president invited the prime each other during lunch as they 70’s were spent in the Cold War situation there. also improve our trade in other minister to attend as a special remained engaged in conversa- region, where India was close to “First, we hope that our ten- areas with Russia,” Khan was guest at the Eastern Economic tion. the Soviet Union, and Pakistan sion with India decreases, so we quoted as saying. Prime Minister Khan and Putin during the SCO summit in June.

Benefi ciaries of tax Bajaur the fi rst tribal district to have regular courts

amnesty mostly from Internews cept of such courts in the merged tablished in the adjoining settled The seven tribal agencies The FCR was abolished Peshawar tribal districts. districts due to lack of court- were merged with Khyber Pa- through the Fata Interim Gov- Tribesmen from the erstwhile rooms and staff , aside from secu- khtunkhwa through the Consti- ernance Regulation 2018 in May Karachi and Lahore Federally Administered Tribal rity concerns. tution (25th Amendment) Act 2018, but the administrative of- akistan’s northwest dis- Areas (Fata) noted that they had Bajaur took the lead as regular 2018, which was published in the fi cers continued to exercise judi- trict of Bajaur has become struggled for separation of ju- courts started functioning in this offi cial gazette on June 5, 2018. cial powers. Internews PML-N regime was availed by Pthe fi rst tribal district diciary from the executive and merged district late last month. In Peshawar, four judges post- However, after the passage of Islamabad those who had declared cash where regular courts have started ultimately that goal has been On February 25 the PHC post- ed to the Khyber tribal district the Constitution (25th Amend- assets. functioning within its territorial achieved. ed 28 judicial offi cers of the dis- set up their court at the Federal ment) Act, 2018, the PHC de- However, the latest amnesty limits. Earlier, the political agent per- trict judiciary – seven district Judicial Complex located in Hay- clared as unconstitutional sev- arachi and Lahore are is diff erent from the previous “Bajaur has won the title of formed the role of both adminis- and sessions judges, 14 addition- atabad. eral provisions of Fata Interim still on the top benefi t- one introduced by the PML-N having the pioneer district judi- trative and judicial offi cer. al district and sessions judges The judicial offi cers of Kurram Governance Regulation 2018, King from the tax amnes- regime because the scope of ciary. It is indeed a historic event The Peshawar High Court and seven senior civil judges – to set up courts at Thall in Hangu through which judicial powers ty scheme, as around 70% of availing of amnesty was ex- as now the inhabitants of Bajaur (PHC) chief justice had ordered operate the regular courts in the and those for South Waziristan were assigned to executive offi c- those availing themselves of panded to other major cities of would get all the constitutional the establishment of regular merged districts. worked at Tank. ers and council of elders. the scheme belong to these two Pakistan, including Abbotta- rights,” stated the Chief Justice courts at the earliest within the PHC registrar Khawaja Wa- The judicial offi cers of district The high court had given the major cities. bad, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Fais- of Peshawar High Court, Justice territorial limits of the newly- jeehud Din said that on self-help Orakzai functioned in Hangu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa govern- In the last amnesty intro- alabad, and Rawalpindi. Waqar Ahmad Seth, in a message merged districts in a bid to com- basis, makeshift arrangements those for Mohmand in Shabqa- ment one month to introduce duced by the Pakistan Muslim The number of declarations after regular courts started work ply with the judicial pronounce- have been made in the adjoining dar in Charsadda and the ones for regular judicial system in tribal League – Nawaz (PML-N)-led increased to 137,000 for “whit- in the district. ment of the Supreme Court of districts where district judici- North Waziristan in Bannu. districts. government, around 90% had ening” of a total of Rs2.5tn in Senior lawyer Wali Khan Afridi Pakistan. ary of the newly merged districts In erstwhile Fata, the adminis- Subsequently, the Supreme availed themselves of tax am- “black” economy assets and said that the residents of other The regular courts started started functioning. trative offi cers including politi- Court of Pakistan on January 16 nesty from Karachi and Lahore income. tribal districts could also get reg- functioning on March 11, 2019 He said the makeshift courts cal agents and assistant political this year, while upholding the – with a share of 60% belong- So far, the FBR has collected ular courts in due course. in the seven tribal districts, nine would be shifted when the gov- agents were assigned judicial PHC’s verdict, gave six months to ing to Karachi and 30% to La- Rs54.7bn while around Rs15bn He said people would need months after the merger of Fata ernment is able to provide suit- powers under the Fata Interim the government for the introduc- hore. is in the pipeline, as the FBR’s some time to adjust to the regu- with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. able places for the courtrooms in Governance Regulation 2018 tion of a regular judicial system in In the latest asset declara- system has broken down and lar courts, as there was no con- Initially, these courts were es- the tribal districts. (FCR). the former Fata. tion scheme, the share of the work is underway to fi nalise rest of Pakistan has jumped up collection on amnesty and rev- from 10% to 30%, indicating enue collection fronts. that the shares of Karachi and The FBR expects that the to- All in a day’s work Lahore have shrunk compared tal collection through the am- to the last amnesty, while the nesty to reach Rs70bn. Climber share of the other cities have The revenue collection so far increased. stands at Rs3.832tn, with an- Owners of small and medi- other Rs10bn expected as the summits um-size businesses fi led dec- total collection is projected to larations to avail themselves of reach Rs3.842tn in fi scal year the latest amnesty scheme. 2018-19 until the fi nalisation Nanga Some 80% availed them- of revenue collection, a level selves of amnesty on domestic achieved by the FBR in corre- assets and 20% availed on for- sponding year of 2017-18. Parbat for eign assets/income. FBR chairman Shabbar Zaidi Initial analysis done by the said fi gures on revenue col- Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) lection and last year’s revenue 5th time shows that a major chunk of would be shared next week. benefi ciaries of this year’s am- He also said that there is nesty declared their immov- need to revamp the IT system Internews able properties. of the Pakistan Revenue Au- Islamabad The last amnesty in the thority Limited (PRAL).

ohamed Ali Sadpara Opposition steering committee okays has set the record of Mclimbing Nanga Parbat handing senate chairship to PML-N – nicknamed “Killer Mountain” – for the fi fth time, the Alpine The opposition’s Rahbar Committee (steering committee) has given Club of Pakistan (ACP) said. approval to elect a new Senate chairman from the party with the Confi rming the fi rst success- majority, the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N). ful summits of this season, the According to sources, the PML-N has begun considering Raja ACP said that at roughly 2pm Zafarul Haq and Musadik Malik, along with two others, for the post on Friday, 11 climbers including of Senate chairman. Stefi Troguet, Sergi Mingote and The party will announce the name of its candidate in two days’ time. veteran Pakistani mountaineer Sources further said that the PML-N will leave the position of Sadpara, had reached the sum- opposition leader after the chairmanship of Senate. mit of the 8,126m mountain, at The Rahbar Committee during its meeting also mulled over who the tail end of the Himalayas. would be the new opposition leader in the Senate. The climbers set off for the Meanwhile, Deputy Senate Chairman Saleem Mandviwalla will fi nal summit push at 1am on continue in his post, sources added. Thursday morning, climbing A day earlier, the 11-member opposition’s anti-government Rahbar 1,000m through waist-deep Committee met in Islamabad and reached a consensus to remove A man pours chickpeas for frying at his shop in Lahore. snow. Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani. Two months ago in May, Sad- para became the fi rst Pakistani to summit the 8,516m Lhotse and the 8,485m Makalu in Nepal. ACP secretary Karrar Haidri congratulated Sadpara “espe- Most complaints received at police helpline were against cops cially for the record summit for the fi fth time of Nanga Parbat”. Sadpara was also the fi rst Pa- Internews against police offi cials. station was demoted and sus- the South Zone Senior Superin- snatching, 45 against theft, and Investigation was initiated kistani to summit Nanga Parbat Karachi As a result, action was taken pended for the same crime. tendent of Police was suspended 22 against kidnapping. regarding all the complaints re- in the winter. against 40 offi cials – 23 of them Similarly, an offi cial from for violating the police’s code of Of the total complaints, 276 ceived on WhatsApp helpline Haidri said the mountaineers’ were meted out severe punish- Darakhshan police station and conduct and a show-cause letter were received in January, 194 this year, and among these, all tracking devices showed that any of the complaints ments while 17 others were given another from Taimooria police was issued to an Anti-Car Lift- in February, 209 in March, 282 cases pertaining to gambling, they reached the main summit received on Karachi minor punishments. station were suspended for in- ing Cell offi cer found to be in- in April, 316 in May, and 326 in sexual abuse and extortion were early on Friday. Mpolice’s WhatsApp hel- On the basis of the complaints appropriate behaviour. volved in organised crime. June. concluded. Haidri shared a tweet by pline, during the fi rst six months received on the WhatsApp hel- An offi cial from Boat Basin Apart from the complaints On the basis of these com- The WhatsApp helpline was climber Stegi Troguet, which of 2019, were ironically against pline, 10 offi cers from Korangi Police Station also faced sus- against police offi cials, 178 com- plaints, 169 fi rst information initiated last year, on the orders stated: “Probably the happiest police offi cers. police station, as well as one pension for beating citizens. plaints were made against pub- reports (FIRs) were registered in of Karachi police chief, to ad- girl from the top of Nanga Par- According to statistics re- each from Ferozabad police sta- Additionally, an offi cer posted lic violence, 135 against illegal police stations across the city. dress citizen’s problems. bat.” leased by the police, of the 1,603 tion, Sahil police station, De- at Nabi Bakhsh police station occupation of land, 92 against A breakdown shows that According to the Karachi po- He also said that Italian complaints received on the hel- fence police station and traffi c was sent to quarter guard and 16 drug abuse, 85 against threats, 27 FIRs were registered in the lice representative, citizens have mountaineer and skier Cala pline from January 1 to June 30 police department were sus- offi cials from court police were 83 against cases of fraud, 61 month of January, 23 in Febru- thanked the police, through vid- Cimenti took a selfi e from the this year, 696, more than 40% of pended on charges of extortion. transferred. pertaining to missing persons, ary, 28 in March, 34 in April, 26 eo messages, for addressing and summit, which was posted on the total complaints, were made An offi cer from Rizvia police An offi cer from the offi ce of 53 against robberies, 52 against in May, and 31 in June. resolving their issues. Facebook. Gulf Times Sunday, July 7, 2019 21 PHILIPPINES

Labour dept open to plan Nature connect Interior secretary for extra month’s pay reveals 85% of By William Depasupil “We support anything that Manila Times benefi ts our workers and their families. However, we must en- typhoon relief sure that the proposal will not he Department of Labour cause imbalance between the and Employment (DoLE) needs of labour and the capabil- Tis open to the proposed ity of employers. We must study funds ‘liquidated’ bill providing a 14th month pay it very well,” he added. for all rank-and-fi le workers Bello emphasised the need to in the private sector and other consider the capability of the By Dempsey Reyes infrastructure using designs measures that will benefi t the employers, considering that the Manila Times of another programme, “Build working class. Philippine economy largely de- Back Better.” Labour Secretary Silvestre Bello pends on the sustainability of its The “Build Back Better” 3rd said that an additional month micro, small and medium enter- nterior Secretary Eduardo programme was initiated by pay would be a big help to private prises (MSMEs). Ano yesterday clarifi ed the administration of then- sector workers, particularly the “We must take note that Ithat 85% of total funds un- President Benigno Aquino 3rd. estimated 4mn minimum wage around 90% of the businesses der the assistance programme Ano cited “signifi cant ac- earners across the country. in the country are MSMEs, so we for the victims of Typhoon complishments” in imple- The labour chief, however, must always consider the capa- “Yolanda” (Haiyan) have al- menting Yolanda-related said the proposed bill must fi rst bility of the employers to bear ready been liquidated by con- projects within concerned be studied carefully and must extra expenses. We do not want cerned local government units LGUs from January to June of undergo a tripartite assessment to give our workers with false (LGUs) and the Department of this year, which, he noted, was to fi nd out its viability under expectations that might result Public Works and Highways not covered by the CoA since the country’s present economic in industrial controversy,” Bello (DPWH). its cutoff date for the audit re- situation. said. Ano’s clarifi cation came af- port on the projects was Dec “The proposed 14-month pay Senate Bill 10, otherwise ter the Commission on Audit 31, 2018. for our private workers is a huge known as “An Act Requiring (CoA) had called out the De- “We want to make it clear help for their families. It’s ex- Employers in the Private Sector partment of the Interior and that while the funds were ap- tra earnings to (help them) cope to Pay 14th Month Pay” was re- Local Government (DILG) for propriated by Congress to the with the rising infl ation but we fi led by Senate President Vicente Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko’ Moreno Domagoso feeds an elephant during a visit at the Manila its lax monitoring of reha- DILG, we transferred these also have to consider a lot of fac- Sotto 3rd. It has been pending in Zoo. The mayor promised to upgrade the zoo to make it safer for visitors. bilitation projects for those to the implementing agen- tors,” Bello said. the Senate since July 2016. aff ected by Yolanda, a super cies, the DPWH and the LGUs, typhoon that devastated the thus, the task of liquidating Visayas region in 2013. the funds lies on the shoulders State auditors had fl agged of the implementing agen- the DILG over P1.059bn in cies,” he explained. funds it transferred to im- “Nevertheless, we are still plementing agencies that re- actively and continuously mains unliquidated. monitoring and co-ordinating But according to Ano, some with the DPWH and LGUs to P3.455bn, or 85% of the total fast-track the liquidation of Duterte’s son pulls out P4.055bn funds under the Re- the funds entrusted to them,” covery Assistance for Yolanda Ano said. (RAY) programme, have been Of the remaining liquidated already. P600.67mn unliquidated He said the remaining 15%, funds, according to the DILG or P600.67mn that remains secretary, P219mn is with the unliquidated as of July 4, DPWH while P381.035mn is of race for speaker’s role “mostly represents ongoing with the LGUs (and) “which projects currently being im- are mostly ongoing projects By Ma RL Tolentino los Dominguez 3rd and Public plemented by the LGUs and under RAY Batches 2, 3 and Manila Times Works Secretary Mark Villar. are being closely monitored by 3A.” Dominguez had said the De- the department.” He said the DPWH has al- partment of Finance does not Started in 2014, the RAY ready completed all 25 RAY avao City First District interfere with the Legislative programme covers the repair, projects, while the LGUs have Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Du- Branch’s internal aff airs. The rehabilitation and reconstruc- fi nished 4,403 projects. Dterte has decided not to Department of Transportation tion of government facilities A total of 370 projects are pursue his plan to run for speaker had also denied Tugade’s alleged struck by Typhoon Yolanda undergoing implementation, of the House of Representatives, meddling. including municipal halls, 25 on procurement process saying he would support the “They were convincing the public markets, civic centres, and six on preparation of doc- candidate endorsed by the party president on siding with Con- village facilities and similar umentary requirements. headed by his sister, Davao City gressman Cayetano because in Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. their term-sharing they called “I have personally spoken 15-21 formula, Cayetano would to President Rodrigo Duterte be at the post for 15 months and Call for key US decision over militarisation Thursday night in Davao City Velasco would have 21 months,” regarding my plan to run for Atienza said. President Rodrigo Duterte dared it. Do you want trouble? Okay, let’s speaker of the House of Repre- “That is not acceptable to the United States to fire the “first do it,” he said. Under the mutual sentatives. We both agreed that congressmen because we know shot” against China in the West defence agreement signed in 1951, this will not be the right time for that it is not going to be good Philippine Sea (South China Sea) both nations agreed to support me to be speaker and I can still for the institution, it will only amid Beijing’s militarisation in each other if attacked. help his administration from the be a continuing destruction the disputed territory, Manila But Duterte said he was hoping House in a diff erent capacity,” to our concentrated effort to Times reported. that China would not “overdo the neophyte lawmaker said in a make quality laws for the peo- Duterte said the US should be the things” because the US has been statement issued yesterday. Paolo Duterte: withdrawing from contest ple. And there would be dislo- first to declare war against China “egging” the Philippines on the “As president of Hugpong sa cation again after 15 months. if it wants to help the Philippines issue in the disputed sea. Tawong Lungsod, I will support It said Ungab “is the only Last week, Paolo said he might select which of them has the So, what would be the benefits assert its rights in the disputed “That’s our problem. I hope that the bid for speakership of Con- lawmaker to hold the chair- join the speakership race to unite better character,” Atienza said in from it except for those who waters. “Bring all your aircraft and China would not overdo things gressman Isidro Ungab, from our manships of both ways and a divided House. a forum yesterday at Annabel’s would benefit from the term ships to China and fire the first also because there is always sister party, Hugpong ng Pagba- means and appropriations The other aspirants for House Restaurant in Quezon City. sharing?,” he added. shot. We’ll be right behind you. America pushing us, egging us,” bago (HnP),” he added. committees.” speaker are Leyte First Dis- He warned several Cabinet Surigao del Sur Second Dis- Let’s do this and see who’s going the president said. “They’re mak- Ungab represents the Third “We understand if President trict Rep. Martin Romualdez, offi cials to stop their alleged trict Rep. Johnny Pimentel had down,” Duterte said. ing me a pawn. Do you think Fili- District of Davao City. Duterte, because of delicadeza, Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Ve- meddling in the selection of the said Velasco and Cayetano did He added that the Philippines pinos are earthworms?” he added. “The president has also been will not accept the intent of lasco and Taguig City-Pateros House speaker. “Do not meddle not enter into any term-sharing would honour the defence agree- Duterte made the statement amid fully informed of Rep. Ungab’s our brother from Hugpong sa Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano. with the problem of choosing deal. ment it signed with the US. criticisms over his supposed sub- participation in the race for the Tawong Lungsod Congressman For Buhay party-list Rep. Jose a speaker. That’s none of your “There was no formal meeting “They say we have the US-RP mission to China. The president next speaker of the House of Paolo Duterte to resolve the con- “Lito” Atienza Jr, the emergence business,” he said. between Lord Velasco and Con- pact. Okay. Let America declare earlier said he had a verbal deal Representatives,” the younger fl ict among candidates,” Hug- of several contenders for the top Atienza said an inform- gressman Cayetano. They did war. Let them assemble all their with Chinese President Xi Jinping Duterte said. pong said. House post was a good thing. ant mentioned several alleged not talk. They did not sit down. armaments there in South China allowing Chinese to fish within the Last week, HnP announced It proposed that the other “The speakership race is noisy meddlers, among them Trans- There was never any deal or talk Sea. Fire the first shot and I’ll be Philippines’ exclusive economic it would endorse Ungab for the contenders for the post accept and that’s good. I look at that portation Secretary Arthur Tu- between the two of them what- glad to do the next. Let us honour zone. House’s top post. other positions instead. positively because then we can gade, Finance Secretary Car- soever,” he said. Bill seeks building of Senator hails Malasakit Centers’ role multipurpose facilities in off ering quicker healthcare access By Javier J Ismael senator filed his Malasakit Manila Times Centers Act of 2019, which is By Javier J Ismael Ring of Fire, and whose cit- those displaced by natural and set to institutionalise Malasa- Manila Times ies are submerged during the man-made calamities, like fire, kit Centers and complement monsoon months,” Recto sug- Recto said the “gyms-cum- enator Christopher Law- the Universal Health Care gested expanding the design evacuation centres” should be rence “Bong” Go has Law. enate President Pro Tem- into a “one town, one evacua- equipped with toilet facilities Slauded the continuing The bill states that “there pore Ralph Recto has re- tion centre” programme. and a clinic area. growth of Malasakit Centers shall be a Malasakit Center in Sfi led a bill that calls for Recto said the government He added that these cen- nationwide, which plays a key each DoH, LGU (local govern- the construction of a building would have value-for-money tres could be designed so these role in his vision of providing ment unit), DND (Department in every town that would serve in designing multi-use gyms, could house town libraries, accessible healthcare for all of National Defence) and SUC multiple purposes, including as “Not only for sports, but for making them youth centres Filipinos. (state universities and col- an evacuation centre. disaster as well. During evacu- where the young could study “My promise has always leges) hospital in country as a Recto commended the De- ation time, it can be furnished and play — “activities they can been to go around each corner processing centre for all Phil- partment of Public Works and with easy-to-install modular do even when they are tem- around the country, and hear Health concerns regarding Highways (DPWH) for having cubicles, to afford every family porarily displaced from their the needs of the Filipinos,” said coverage, billing, health bene- built 82 evacuation centres in 52 with privacy.” homes.” Go during the opening of the fits packages, patient naviga- provinces, with 55 more under- The sports-cum-evacuation “If there’s one reason why 35th Malasakit Center in Siqu- tion and referral to the health way, but urged the department centre, he explained, “address- we should put them up is that ijor province in the Visayas. care provider network, and to explore designs other than the es both the shortage of sports they will prevent schools from “There is still a lot of needed one-stop shop medical assist- limited-capacity dormitories it facilities in towns and the need becoming default evacuation equipment for the hospital. If ance to cover out-of-pocket was building. for a disaster-resilient building sites during calamities, a prac- there’s money in the govern- medical expenses of indigent The design, according to people can seek shelter in dur- tice which turns students into ment, then we’ll use it to uplift and poor patients.” Recto, should include gymna- ing calamities.” displaced persons, when their the lives of our brothers and Go, in an interview after he siums that could have multiple Such a multipurpose civic (youth’s) learning is disrupted,” sisters. I will be a working sena- Go: praise for growth of Malasakit Centers fi led the bill with the rest of uses during ordinary days, but centre could host day or night Recto said. tor and I am used to delivering his nine priority measures in could also transform into a safe community events, but when In conflict areas, the “forced service right there and then,” he Duterte. Based on his idea, the ippine Charity Sweepstakes the Senate, said that if given refuge for hundreds when dis- calamity strikes, could take vacation” of children, whose added. centre is a one-stop shop that Offi ce and the Philippine Insur- the chance to head the com- aster strikes. in evacuees, the senator ex- schools are used to house ref- The fi rst Malasakit Center brings under one roof all con- ance Health Corp. (PhilHealth) mittee on health in the Senate, With “a country visited by plained. ugees, “is coterminous with was established in 2018 through cerned government agencies to make healthcare accessible he plans to put a centre in all two dozen typhoons a year, As women, children and eld- the length of fighting,” he Go’s initiative as then-Special such as the Health and Social to indigent patients. government and DoH-run hos- one that sits atop the volcanic erly comprise the majority of lamented. Assistant to President Rodrigo Welfare departments, the Phil- On Tuesday, the neophyte pitals. Gulf Times 22 Sunday, July 7, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka 07- 07 -2019 Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES India requires private investment-led growth for $5tn GDP by 2025

In its fi rst budget since returning to power in a landslide election, Narendra Modi’s government in India unveiled plans for a private investment-led growth strategy as part of his push for a $5tn economy by 2024. A $5tn economy in absolute terms would mean India becoming the third largest economy in the world. What this essentially means is that the value of all goods and services produced in India, as measured by the value of the dollar, should be about $5tn by 2024. India is, currently, a $2.8tn economy; making it the world’s seventh largest by nominal GDP and the third- largest by purchasing power parity (PPP). Key economic challenges To reach the $5tn mark by 2024 or 2025, the economy would require nominal growth in dollar terms of more than 8% a year. It is easier said than done. India needs to cut real interest rates, ease labour rules, reduce capital gains tax on startup investments and facing the Arab world encourage infant fi rms to grow at a sustained 8% rate to reach the GDP target by 2024-25. Achieving such an aspirational growth target, economists say, calls for pulling all the economic growth levers —  Combating inequality and achieving social justice investment, consumption, exports, and across all the three sectors of agriculture, manufacturing and services. By Dr Darim in particular diff erentiating individual, and remote areas in non-oil countries, In addition, the vulnerability of the al-Bassam or vertical, and group, or horizontal, thereby furthering the economic divide. poor to a range of hazards makes it too India’s fi rst full-time female fi nance minister Nirmala inequality, and adopting a plural approach The impact of Inequality can cause a risky for them to invest, innovate, spe- Sitharaman said India was poised to become a $3tn to inequality, which involves moving profoundly damaging eff ect on the social cialise and otherwise take up economic economy by end of 2019-20. ssues concerning beyond income to include some basic cohesion of any society, given its potential opportunities. In her budget levels of inequal- capabilities such as health, education and to undermine the confi dence of the poor Indeed, shocks to the vulnerable poor ity, changes in ine- nutrition, and also inequalities in political and to fuel political discontent. are a major reason for poverty, depriving India needs to cut presentation on Friday, quality, and their power and cultural status. We all know how inequality has them of assets and preventing them from Sitharaman said India I determinants remain The “World Inequality Report 2018 played a role in the Arab Spring uprisings working. real interest rates, plans to further open up at the heart of the de- has ranked the Arab region as leading the and demonstrations, polarising these Credit market imperfections also investment in sectors velopment agenda both in the theoretical world in economic inequality. Accord- countries not just economically, but also excludes the poor, or from a political ease labour rules, debate and policy discussions. ing to their benchmark estimates, the politically. economy in which policy distortions such as aviation and Joseph E Stiglitz, recipient of the Nobel share of total income accruing to the top Moreover, inequality is usually associ- arise from the lobbying of the existing reduce capital insurance, and relax Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 10% of income earners is about 64% in ated with a low elasticity of growth to economic powers. local sourcing rules for 2001 wrote a book in 2012 entitled The the region, which compares with 37% in poverty reduction. Judged by my experience, I can con- gains tax single-brand retailers. Price of Inequality. Western Europe, 47% in the US, 55% in This arises when inequality of opportu- clude that promoting pro-poor develop- In that book, he was reminding us that Brazil, and 62% in South Africa – the two nity is embedded in society, so that the poor ment policy to combat inequality is not Economist Abhijit Sen neoclassical economics and the Chicago latter countries being often characterised are denied the assets by which they might a matter of reading off policies from a told Hindustan Times newspaper: “It helps us to say we are school was trying in the mid fi fties to as the most unequal in the world. build their livelihoods, and are disadvan- blueprint. the fastest-growing economy or the third largest economy. make a paradigm shifting in economic Historically that was the case. taged – indeed, in some cases face outright Policy-makers need to fi nd the right It is a feel-good number…that sort of a thing. If an increase thinking by emphasising that ‘a rising tide During the period 1990-2016, the top discrimination – in markets. combination and sequencing of these lifts all boats’: economic growth would 10% of the population in the region en- Not only do the poor suff er, but so too economic and social policies to facilitate in GDP translates into an increase in incomes, what bring increasing wealth and higher living joyed, on average, 60-66% of the region’s does the economy as a whole, since the pro-poor growth. ultimately matters is how it is distributed and whether standards to all sections of society. income, while the bottom 50% accrued working poor are unable to contribute In the short term, with limited re- people’s spending power will go up.” In the ensuing economic and political on average less than 10% of regional substantially. sources, trade-off s and prioritisation may India’s GDP over the last few years grew lower than the debate in the Eighties, the neoliberal eco- income. In terms of possible Arab policy alter- be apparent. nomic restructuring policies that followed Furthermore, the Arab region is charac- natives and solutions, what is needed to But many of the measures are comple- ideal rate and had even fallen. Consumption is experiencing the same path and was introduced to terised by a dual social structure. combat inequality in the non-oil coun- mentary and a broad approach could be a slowdown. This is refl ected in lower goods and services tax third world countries by the Washington Income inequality exists both between tries of the region is to adopt pro-poor more eff ective than a narrow one. (GST) collections and indicators such as a decline in auto sales. Consensus (IMF, Word Bank, US Treasury countries as well as within individual development strategies. How closely should strategies target Real estate is experiencing a slump. That means Department ), this ‘rising-tide hypoth- nations. The fi rst thing to ask in the formula- poor people or focus on general condi- esis’ evolved into a much more specifi c Inequality between countries, accord- tion of this kind of strategies is: why does tions? There is no clear answer to this construction, a sector with a signifi cant multiplier impact idea, according to which regressive eco- ing to the same Report, is largely due to the growth in the given country not always – the nature of the policy will largely de- on economic growth, is not generating the income that nomic policies— policies that favour the geography of oil ownership, resulting in the transmit its benefi ts to the poor? The termine how a targeted approach should spur consumption. business/richer classes— would end up Gulf countries accounting for 42% of the answers lie in the degree of access that be adopted. India could and should aspire to double-digit growth. benefi ting everyone. region’s income in 2016 despite having only the poor have to markets and the terms on As the principles outlined indicate, Resources given to the rich would 15% of the region’s population. which they participate in such markets. most of the measures for economic Without sustained growth at that level it has little hope inevitably ‘trickle down’ to the rest. There is an extremely rich group at This can be broken down into the growth apply generally, while social of employing the roughly 1mn young people who join its What was in need, in their opinion, is the top, whose income levels are broadly following elements: (a) Lack of physi- protection and countering discrimination workforce every month. to establish a remedial temporary social comparable to their counterparts in high- cal access – some people are eff ectively will usually be targeted to particular cases And unless it takes advantage of its current, favourable safety nets to minimise the social cost of income countries, and a much poorer unable to take advantage of opportuni- and issues. the restructuring process that could be mass of the population left with little ties owing to the costs of reaching the Application of these principles de- demographics it is never likely to emerge as an upper- shouldered by the poor. income. market; (b) Market failures – particularly mands that strategies are tailored to local middle-income economy with a prosperous and thriving International Financial Institutes This structure refl ects the absence of a in the cases of fi nance, land, and labour, circumstances to ensure that they are middle class, a Bloomberg dispatch showed. were telling policy makers that there is a broad ‘middle class’, usually the catalyst such failures mean that the poor cannot context specifi c. More than half of India’s nearly 1.2bn people live in rural trade-off : A country could achieve more for social and economic change, as the obtain the resources needed to invest and A far reached stakeholder’s participa- equality, but only at the expense of overall middle 40% of the income distribution is innovate; (c) Lack of human capital of the tory approach is a must. areas. Their incomes have stagnated over the last few years. economic performance. left with far less income than the top 10%. poor – low levels of basic education and Giving the majority, and particularly For millions of fi nancially challenged Indians, what Today it proved that the promised As for the causes of inequality in the vocational skills, and higher levels of ill- the poor, a stronger voice in policy- matters most is the actual purchasing power of their rising tide has only lifted the large yachts, region, it is a result of multiple factors. health, often leave the poor in no position making promises to lead both to better income in their own currency – rupee rather than a GDP and many of the smaller boats have been On one hand, the disparate urban-rural to get better-paid jobs; and (d) Exclusion policy-making as well to demands on the left dashed on the rocks. income gap plays a large role in skewed – discrimination on grounds of remote state for accountability, with consequent goal set in US dollars. This is partly because the extraordinary income distribution. region, race and ethnicity, and gender can pressure for more eff ective and effi cient For the country to get back to a higher trajectory, an growth in top incomes has coincided with Limited access to basic needs increases mean people are excluded from jobs and public services. economic stimulus aided by private investment-led an economic slowdown. malnutrition and poverty rates in the rural public services. That said, how the poor can gain growth, lower real interest rates, and relaxed labour and This is especially true if we focus on more representation and power is a dif- appropriate measures of growth. fi cult question: formal democracy and investor-friendly laws is absolutely essential. If we use the wrong metrics, we will decentralisation can help, but may not be strive for the wrong things. suffi cient. As the international Commission on Recent development success stories To Advertise the Measurement of Economic Per- are notable for gains to the poor resulting formance and Social Progress argued, from the initiatives of enlightened and [email protected] there is a growing global consensus that socially responsible elites. Display GDP does not provide a good measure of Indeed, the road to better governance overall economic performance. is long, diffi cult and so deeply embedded 44466621 44418811 What matters is whether growth is in local contexts and sequences that it is sustainable, and whether most citizens diffi cult to stipulate what steps should be Classified see their living standards rising year after taken on the basis of general principles. 44466609 44418811 year. As with the case of pro-poor economic Today, these issues are as relevant in growth and poverty reduction, it seems Subscription the Arab region as they are elsewhere. that in trying to improve governance there Inequality, in various forms, is a major is no substitute for detailed case based [email protected] source of social injustice, a cause of pov- and context bound political economy erty, and of confl ict. analysis. In a broader perspective, there are The “World Inequality Report 2018” has ranked the Arab region as leading the world That will help us to know what works © 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved diff erent approaches to tackle inequality, in economic inequality. and what doesn’t. Gulf Times Sunday, July 7, 2019 23 COMMENT Lagarde is the right choice

By Philippe Legrain President Jean-Claude Trichet) and it is fl agging and vulnerable to China’s London Greek debt relief (ditto). slowdown, US President Donald She later sanctioned unusually Trump’s trade wars, and a no-deal candid appraisals of the Fund’s Brexit, there is little scope for further he choice of Christine La- failings in Greece, over austerity, and stimulus. garde, the managing director during the wider eurozone crisis – Offi cial interest rates are near-zero or of the International Monetary and thus also of her own actions as slightly negative, and, under its current TFund and a former French fi nance minister. EU institutions have rules, the ECB has little room for further fi nance minister, to succeed Mario conspicuously failed to undertake a QE: its purchases of government bonds Draghi as president of the Euro- similar reckoning. Her willingness to are already near its self-prescribed issue pean Central Bank, is controversial. It admit mistakes and learn from them is and country limits. Bolder policies, such should not be. rare and welcome. as targeting long-term bond yields or To be sure, the political horse- Lagarde’s political background leads even using so-called helicopter money, trading through which top European some to worry about the potential remain legally tricky and politically Union positions are allocated is politicisation of the ECB, especially taboo. unedifying. Lagarde was selected not given that several other members of In this environment, with in an open, merit-based appointment its 25-strong Governing Council are excessively low infl ation posing the process, but rather as part of a ex-politicians, too. But as her largely main challenge for monetary policy, backroom deal that also involved the successful tenure at the IMF shows, fresh thinking is needed about the nomination of Ursula von der Leyen, she can be diplomatic in public while ECB’s targets, tools, and taboos. the German Defence Minister, to be speaking her mind in private. And, Lagarde may be more open to this than the next president of the European because immense political skills are most. Commission. needed to run an incomplete and More broadly, the eurozone’s But despite the opacity of the fl awed monetary union of 19 countries internal architecture remains appointment process, and although with divergent ideas and interests, incomplete, and its external role is she was chosen in part because she is a her good relations with EU leaders is inadequate. Its half-baked banking woman, French, and from the centre- actually a big plus. Draghi felt able to union has not severed the links right European People’s Party, Lagarde make his “whatever it takes” promise between banks and governments that would bring formidable qualities to the in July 2012, thereby quelling the panic, almost destroyed the euro. Moreover, role. She has the tenacity and political only because he had fi rst won over the eurozone lacks a common safe skills to have succeeded fi rst as a German Chancellor Angela Merkel. asset that would bolster the stability lawyer, then as a politician, and most Besides, the ECB is arguably of the fi nancial system, boost the recently as an international technocrat. excessively independent. Given its eff ectiveness of monetary policy, and Her eight years at the IMF have given bullying of Ireland and southern provide an alternative to the dollar, her immense global experience and European governments during the whose privileged global status is being stature. Above all, like Draghi, in crisis, a greater deference to politics weaponised by Trump. a crisis she would be willing to do would not necessarily be a bad thing. Lagarde’s nomination is a breath of “whatever it takes” to save the euro. Lagarde’s lack of formal economic Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund. fresh air for the stale, male-dominated Some have been quick to criticise training should not be an issue, either. ECB. Draghi may seem like a hard act Lagarde for decisions she made during The same charge was laid against her economists: Olivier Blanchard, wrongly opposed Draghi’s “whatever it as she showed at the IMF, she quickly to follow, but Lagarde has what it takes the eurozone crisis. As French fi nance when she took over from the disgraced Maurice Obstfeld, and Gita Gopinath. takes” policy and its operationalisation masters her brief and now has a to succeed. She needs to be bold. – minister, she went along with the Dominique Strauss-Kahn at the IMF At the ECB, she will be well-advised by as outright monetary transactions deep understanding of international Project Syndicate wrong-headed eurozone consensus in 2011, yet she proved the doubters its chief economist, Philip Lane. (OMT), as well as the ECB’s launch economic policy. And at a time when that Greece’s debts should not be wrong. Lagarde’s fl exibility and openness of quantitative easing (QE) in 2015. monetary policy desperately needs an  Philippe Legrain, a former restructured in 2010, and that fi scal Crucially, Lagarde is both bright to diff erent ways of thinking stand Lagarde, at the IMF, supported both. overhaul, it can be helpful not to have economic adviser to the president of austerity was the cure for the fi nancial and knowledgeable enough about in sharp contrast to the rigidity and To be sure, Lagarde’s lack of direct preconceptions. the European Commission, is a visiting panic that almost destroyed the euro. economics to evaluate competing closed-mindedness of dogmatic monetary-policy experience is a After all, the ECB’s next president senior fellow at the London School of But when I fi rst met her before the IMF arguments, heed good advice, and policymakers such as Bundesbank weakness. US Federal Reserve Chair faces big challenges. The ECB failed to Economics’ European Institute and the annual meetings in September 2011, make sound decisions. During her President Jens Weidmann, one of Jay Powell, another lawyer, had fi ve meet its infl ation target of below but author of European Spring: Why Our she privately backed both unlimited tenure at the Fund, she has wisely her leading rivals for the ECB job. years’ experience on the Fed’s Board close to 2% even when the eurozone Economies and Politics are in a Mess – ECB intervention (unlike then-ECB listened to a glittering array of chief Weidmann, a monetary economist, of Governors when appointed. But, economy was booming. And now that and How to Put Them Right.

Three-day forecast

TODAY Memories of a doyen Maximum Temperature : 470c Minimum Temperature : 350c

By Dr Mohan Thomas MONDAY Maximum Temperature : 430c Doha Minimum Temperature : 340c

TUESDAY K Birla was the fi nest Maximum Temperature : 440c gentleman, philanthropist, Minimum Temperature : 340c educationist and industrialist Fisherman's forecast I have ever met in my life. I B WARNING vividly remember my fi rst meeting Inshore : Strong wind at places with him in his Mumbai offi ce daytime almost 17 years ago. He insisted to his President Dalmiaji that he wants Offshore : Strong wind with high to meet me in person even before sea WEATHER considering us as a franchisee of Birla Inshore : Hot daytime with slight group for the upcoming school project dust to blowing dust at in Qatar. some places at times I remember, the only thing he Offshore : Slight dust to dusty at carefully asked me was about times my educational background and WIND Inshore : Northwesterly-Norther- academic achievements. He also ly 12-22/28 KT found out from me my family background and how I was raised. Offshrore : Northwesterly 12-22/25 I was expecting him to talk the KT business terms but to my surprise he Visibility : 4-8/3 KM never even mentioned this to me. At the end he hugged me and told Offshore : 5-7/8 FT me “in our family we have never Around the region given our name to an outsider. This is Weather the fi rst time we are doing it. Please Weather tomorrow Max/min keep up our name”. He looked back to today Max/min Sunny 46/28 Dalmiaji and told him: “If they need BK Birla in Doha in 2004 when he graced the inauguration of the BPS Doha. Baghdad Sunny 46/27 Sunny 47/33 support from us, please make sure we Kuwait CitySunny 47/33 Sunny 40/34 take care of one year’s salary of the took time to spend some great Doha. Thank you for keeping up Birla and educational foundation of India Manama Sunny 42/34 Sunny 37/31 principal .” moments with me and gave me name”. It touched my heart and my and above all a sterling example of Muscat Sunny 37/31 Sunny 39/26 For education he never hesitated his words of wisdom and advice. eyes were wet. philanthropy. It is indeed a great loss Tehran Sunny 39/25 to off er his support in all manners During his last visit, he called me Today we pay tribute to this to India but for me my guide and possible. aside, held my hand and told me “I personality for his contributions to mentor in education is lost but I shall As a founder of BPS, Doha he tell everyone one, out of all my 100 India’s freedom struggle, support cherish his fond memories for ever. visited us three times. He always and odd schools, the best one is in to Gandhiji, building the industrial May his soul rest in peace.

Live issues

Around the world Freedom to choose teas and dietary supplements Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Athens Sunny 36/24 Sunny 37/26 By Barbara Quinn good night’s sleep; other studies as ‘hitting the reset button.’” Fair But can astaxanthin protect us Beirut Sunny 30/26 Sunny 29/26 The Monterey County Herald show no benefit. Pregnant women enough. Enjoy. from sunburn? A few small studies on Bangkok S T Storms 32/26 S T Storms 32/26 should avoid chamomile, advises the Another friend approached me this middle-aged women found they had Berlin M Cloudy 21/10 M Cloudy 18/11 National Library of Medicine, since week about a product that she heard, less saggy skin and fewer wrinkles (sun Cairo Sunny 38/23 Sunny 38/23 an some teas really help one variety, Roman Chamomile, “helps you from getting sunburned.” damage causes skin to sag and wrinkle) Cape Town P Cloudy 16/12 S Showers 16/12 you sleep better at night? may cause miscarriages. Chamomile Interesting. It’s called astaxanthin – after taking doses of astaxanthin Colombo P Cloudy 30/27 I T Storms 30/26 And is there a dietary is also related to ragweed, pronounced asta-zan-thin (I think) ranging between 4 to 12 milligrams Dhaka T Storm 31/27 T Storm 31/27 Csupplement that can protect chrysanthemums, marigolds and – which is a potent antioxidant in the for 6 to 16 weeks. And at least one Hong Kong S T Storms 30/27 S T Storms 30/27 you from sunburn? While we are free daisies in case you are allergic to any carotenoid family. (Carotenoids are study found that applying astaxanthin Istanbul Sunny 31/19 Sunny 32/23 to buy these products, they are worth of these plants. pigments that give carrots their orange directly to the skin helped protect skin Jakarta M Sunny 33/24 M Sunny 33/24 checking out. Here goes: Sleepytime tea also contains colour.) Astaxanthin gives the orange cells much like sunscreen. Karachi P Cloudy 33/29 M Sunny 33/29 A close friend swears that his fi rst spearmint, which according to its tint to salmon and is also found in Always good to check out dietary London M Cloudy 21/13 P Cloudy 22/12 cup of Sleepytime tea won’t be his last. manufacturer, Celestial Seasonings, shrimp, crab, red snapper, green algae supplements at reliable sites like the Manila S T Storms 33/27 S T Storms 33/27 It helped him sleep better. So I took a “is thought to help settle the stomach and red yeast. Offi ce of Dietary Supplements www. Moscow P Cloudy 20/12 P Cloudy 21/12 look at the ingredients. At the top of and soothe the mind.” At any rate, Antioxidants work behind the ods.od.nih.gov Unlike drugs and New Delhi P Cloudy 34/29 P Cloudy 34/28 the list is chamomile which has been spearmint is a plant source of anti- scenes to do battle against wayward medications that must meet strict New York P Cloudy 29/21 P Cloudy 27/21 used as a sleep and digestive aid in infl ammatory substances and has been oxygen molecules that damage our requirements for safety and effi cacy Paris P Cloudy 26/14 P Cloudy 25/12 some cultures for hundreds of years. used as a medicinal plant for more cells in the process of living. How (meaning they work for what you are Sao Paulo P Cloudy 14/09 P Cloudy 18/09 Hard data on the eff ects of chamomile than 200 years, say scientists. important is the work of antioxidants? taking them for), products marketed Seoul M Cloudy 33/19 P Cloudy 32/19 for sleep are unfortunately scarce, Celestial Tea folks also say They help protect every cell in our as dietary supplements do not have to Singapore S T Storms 31/27 S T Storms 30/27 however. lemongrass gives Sleepytime tea, “a bodies from infl ammation and damage prove they are safe or eff ective before Sydney M Sunny 18/11 P Cloudy 16/09 Some studies show that uniquely uplifting fl avour and aroma that can lead to premature ageing and they can be sold. That’s unfortunate. – Tokyo Rain 21/19 Cloudy 26/18 chamomile is a safe way to get a that many tea drinkers describe a host of chronic diseases. Tribune News Service Gulf Times 24 Sunday, July 7, 2019 QATAR

Wanda bench selfie after the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France semi-final between the Netherlands and Sweden at Stade de Lyon in Lyon, France. (Picture by Joosep Martinson - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) Six Qatar students star at FIFA event

ix young stars from the pre-match ceremonies. Qatar Foundation’s Ahead of the 2022 FIFA S(QF) sport and com- World Cup in Qatar, the munity programmes have Chinese conglomerate and taken centre stage at the FIFA QF are set to continue work- Women’s World Cup France ing closely together through 2019 at the invitation of the their shared focus on youth Wanda Group, an offi cial glo- empowerment, cultural ex- bal partner of world football’s change and inspiring young governing body, FIFA. people through sport, ac- The high school students cording to a press state- were given the opportunity ment. to participate in the ‘FIFA During their time in fl ag bearers’ programme, France, the students from which saw them join youth Qatar – Fatima al-Naimi, from around the world in Alya al-Naimi, Haya al-Nai- carrying the FIFA fl ag on mi, Farah Mohamed, Nihad the pitch before kick-off in Rizal and Shameem Taha – the competition’s two semi- also toured the city and took fi nals, played in the French part in QF-hosted activities. city of Lyon. Alya said: “As a Qatari, The Wanda Group has I’m proud of my country be- rights to FIFA’s Youth Pro- cause it is going to be hosting gramme at every one of the a World Cup, and I’m very During the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France semi-final governing body’s tourna- happy and excited to have between England and the US at Stade de Lyon in Lyon, ments, selecting children to been in France for the Wom- France. (Picture by Joosep Martinson - FIFA/FIFA via Getty be FIFA fl ag bearers during en’s World Cup.” Images)