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Sunday 10 June 2018 | 25 Ramadan I 1439 www.thepeninsula.qa Volume 23 | Number 7553 | 2 Riyals

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Qatar, Sudan review bilateral ties QU among top 100 in Restaurants to display Young University Rankings in the world more info on menus THE PENINSULA

The initiative compels elements that should be included in the DOHA: Qatar University (QU) all restaurants and cafes menus of meals and beverages offered improved its ranking in the to display mandatory for sale,” said the Ministry. Times Higher Education (THE) information on food, meals According to the Ministry of Young University Rankings Economy and Commerce’s circular, 2018 by moving into the top and beverages, so that shops selling food, meals and beverages 100 in 87th place in the 2018 consumers can choose should comply with two sets of obliga- rankings. The THE Young the most appropriate tions. The first set includes general obli- University Rankings list the items by knowing about gations that apply to all restaurants, world’s best universities that cafes and similar shops, regarding the are aged 50 years or under. The nutritional value of food presentation of mandatory data on food, 2018 rankings include 250 and beverages. meals and beverages. The second set of institutions from 55 different obligations applies only to shops with countries. international networks, under the fran- In calculating the top THE PENINSULA chising system, and includes the display young universities, the THE of calorie count of meals and beverages Young University Rankings offered to consumers. 2018 use the same 13 per- DOHA: The Ministry of Economy and This initiative falls under the duties formance indicators as the Commerce, in cooperation with the of the Ministry of Economy and Com- THE World University Ministry of Public Health, yesterday merce pursuant to the provisions of Rankings, to assess research- announced to launch an initiative to Article (3) of the Implementing Regu- intensive universities across regulate information relating to food lations of Law No. (8) of 2008 on Con- all their core missions: and beverage menus of restaurants and sumer Protection. teaching, research, cafes. The initiative compels all restau- “Article (3) compels the supplier knowledge transfer and inter- rants and cafes to display mandatory when presenting any commodity to national outlook. However, information on food, meals and clearly display, depending on the nature the weightings are recali- beverages, so that consumers can of the product, data such as the name, brated to reflect the profile of choose the most appropriate items by type, nature, ingredients and quantity missions of young univer- knowing about nutritional value of food of the commodity, whether in terms of sities, and to provide the most and beverages. weight, measurement, number, comprehensive and balanced “The initiative comes within the quantity, calorie count or standard, or comparisons, trusted by stu- framework of the state’s efforts, repre- any other measures that affect the value dents, academics, university Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, H E Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman sented by the Ministry of Economy and of the commodity as well as data leaders, industry and Al Thani, met Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Sudan, Al Dirdiri Mohamed Ahmed, Commerce, and the Ministry of Public relating to the country of origin,” said governments. Health, to ensure the adoption of best the Ministry. currently on a visit to the country. The meeting reviewed bilateral relations and means of international practices in the field of boosting and developing them, in addition to a set of issues of mutual interest. →CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 consumer health by identifying the →CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Phase 2 work of Katara Towers awarded to HBK Contracting RAMADAN TIMING Todays Iftar: 6:27 pm THE PENINSULA attended by Sheikh Nawaf bin design is an architectural trans- Tomorrow’s Imsak: 03:04 am Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, lation of Qatar’s national seal, rep- DOHA: Katara Hospitality, a Chairman of Katara Hospitality, resenting the traditional scimitar leading global hotel owner, and Sheikh Ali bin Hamad K Al swords. developer and operator, based in Thani, President of HBK On being awarded the con- Qatar, announced the awarding Contracting. tract, President of HBK Con- of Phase 2 construction work of “With today’s Phase 2 tracting Co. W.L.L., Sheikh Ali said: Katara Towers, Lusail City’s future awarding to HBK begins the next “We are extremely honoured that hospitality landmark, to HBK phase in Katara Hospitality’s Katara Hospitality has entrusted Contracting. journey of developing the hospi- us with the responsibility of con- The announcement came tality icon of Qatar,” said Sheikh structing such an iconic devel- during a signing ceremony Nawaf. “Our vision for Katara opment. Being a Qatari company,

between Katara Hospitality and Towers is to set new standards that we are also proud to be part of this SUNDAY 10 JUNE 2018 SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT HBK Contracting, a leading con- go beyond the borders of the hos- major project in Lusail City. We struction firm operating in Qatar, pitality industry and will provide will endeavour to do all that we assigned to construct Katara an architectural landmark that is can to ensure we deliver to the Included with Towers, a 36-story cross-swords instantly recognised and under- highest possible standard and in today’s edition is a design, MEP (back of the house), stood right across the globe.” line with the agreed deadlines.” and First Fix (front of the house). Symbolically intertwined with An artistic impression of Katara Towers at the Lusail Marina. special supplement The signing ceremony was Qatar’s heritage, the iconic towers →CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 AZF to set up Fan Zone area at Khalifa stadium for 2018 Cup

THE PENINSULA world’s biggest sporting event, the 2018 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar stadiums. 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, in four In addition, fans can choose their FIFA World Cup Russia. Commenting on the occasion, Nasser years’ time.” preferred seating area as AZF has pre- DOHA: Aspire Zone Foundation will set The Fan Zone will seat more than Abdullah Al Hajri, Director of PR and AZF will unveil more details about pared a range of options whether it’s up a unique Fan Zone area to watch the 1,000 people, providing a unique atmos- Communications at AZF, said: “AZF is the Fan Zone area, including where to private partitions for those seeking 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia at the iconic phere for football fans in Qatar and unlike proud to utilise its world-class stadium buy tickets, through its various official privacy, Majlis, or dining services. 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar venue any other Fan Zone in the country. The and one of the iconic 2022 FIFA World social media channels. Aspire Zone Foundation has also pre- Khalifa International Stadium. Fan Zone will also be equipped with the Cup Qatar venues, Khalifa International One of the most unique features of viously set up Fan Zones for the 2014 Football fans are in for a spectacular latest cooling technologies, a giant screen, Stadium. Fans will get to experience the the Fan Zone at the Stadium is its capacity FIFA World Cup Brazil, which housed and unique public experience from inside food and beverage stalls, children’s play stadium’s facilities and cutting-edge to fit thousands of fans keen to watch the more than 1,500 spectators a day, as part the iconic Khalifa International Stadium, zone and convenient car parking. Put technology, and get first-hand expe- entire tournament via giant LED screens. of its mission to engage with football fans as Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) pre- together, these will provide fans with a rience in what it feels like to experience Fans will also benefit from the stadium’s and provide the best entertainment expe- pares to host the country’s biggest Fan sneak peek on what it will be like to expe- the games in the stadium that’s set to advanced infrastructure, including the rience for them to watch one of most Zone area for those keen to watch the rience a FIFA World Cup at one of the host the very same tournament, the cooling technology. popular tournaments on the planet. 02 HOME SUNDAY 10 JUNE 2018 MoPH opens new services at HMC Heart Hospital Amir greets King of THE PENINSULA The Minister of Jordan DOHA: As part of the ongoing Public Health, H E QNA expansion of services and facil- Dr. Hanan Mohamed ities across Hamad Medical Al Kuwari, said that Corporation (HMC), last week HMC is expanding DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Minister of Public Health, H E Dr. Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, and developing its sent yesterday a cable of inaugurated two new services, a services and facilities congratulations to H M King state-of-the-art Cardiac MRI to meet the demands of the Hashemite Kingdom of Suite at Heart Hospital and a new of Qatar’s growing Jordan Abdullah II bin Al chemotherapy robotic pharmacy Hussein, on the occasion of at the National Center for Cancer population. his accession to the throne. Care and Research (NCCCR). Deputy Amir H H Sheikh H E the Minister also toured Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani the recently relocated Audiology at HMC and will deliver the latest also sent similar message to and Balance Department at the MRI technology for noninvasive HM the King. Ambulatory Care Center (ACC), imaging of the heart and vascular viewing some of the equipment system. and services available to patients. “Having a dedicated Cardiac QU among top She said HMC is expanding MRI Suite at Heart Hospital and developing its services and means that inpatients do not 100 in Young Minister of Public Health, H E Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, in the presence of other officials, facilities to meet the demands of need to be transported to other inaugurates the state-of-the-art Cardiac MRI Suite at Heart Hospital. University Rankings Qatar’s growing population. She facilities for this kind of pro- noted that in recent month’s new cedure,” said Dr. Al Kuwari. “This in the world technology, services, and proc- new technology will help to Chemotherapy medications to improve safety and patient City location is now home to all esses have been implemented improve patient outcomes and are among the most complicated experience and this is an audiology and balance services CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 across the healthcare provider’s make for a safer and more con- and toxic drugs used in oncology excellent example of this com- previously offered at Rumailah network of hospitals, improving venient experience for patients.” care. The high-tech chemo- mitment. When fully operational, Hospital, including all hearing quality of care and patient Last week, the Minister also therapy robot will help eliminate the chemotherapy robotic tests as well as the audiology, The performance indi- experience. inaugurated a new chemo- human error and protect phar- pharmacy system can prepare baby, dizzy and tinnitus clinics, cators are grouped into five The newly opened Cardiac therapy robotic pharmacy at macists from these potentially chemotherapy treatments for and advanced vestibular reha- areas: Teaching — the MRI Suite at Heart Hospital will NCCCR. The pharmacy robot – dangerous medications. between 40 and 50 patients each bilitation services, including a lab learning environment (30 provide comprehensive inpatient the second of its kind in the “This technology will help to day.” for the rehabilitation and percent), Research — and outpatient diagnostic region – uses a robotic arm to improve the care provided at The Minister also visited the treatment of the ever-increasing volume, income and repu- services for patients at that mix the highly toxic medications NCCCR by ensuring the highest newly relocated Audiology and number of patients with diz- tation (30 percent), Citations facility. The purpose-built, high- used in chemotherapy and safety standards for both patients Balance Department at the ziness-related disorders. -- research influence (30 tech magnetic resonance imaging deposits them in IV bags, vials, and staff,” said Dr. Al Kuwari. Ambulatory Care Center (ACC). percent), International (MRI) suite is the first of its kind and syringes. “We are always looking at ways The department’s new Medical Outlook -- staff, students and research (7.5 percent), and Industry Income -- knowledge transfer (2.5 Phase 2 work of percent). New mobile app outlines Commenting on this Katara Towers achievement, QU President all events, offers at QSF Dr Hassan Al Derham said: “The Times Higher Edu- awarded to HBK THE PENINSULA downloaded from all app stores cation Young University Contracting and will be available in both Rankings 2018 show an DOHA: This year people will be English and Arabic. On this app, improvement of QUs last CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 able to fully enjoy Qatar Summer a special Summer Deals feature year performance as it was Festival with the help of newly- can be unlocked for a one-time ranked #101-150 in 2017. The contract award will launched QSF Summer Pass fee of QR75 opening the door to Since its inception in 1977, allow HBK Contracting to begin mobile application which offers a host of money-saving offers QU has been a leading insti- work on the swooping a comprehensive guide for all the across entertainment centres, as tution of academic and structure of the towers which events and offers under QSF’s well as hundreds of cafes and research excellence in the will dominate the skyline of the umbrella. restaurants. QSF Summer Pass region providing high- Lusail Marina District. HBK The country’s longest festival, users can also enjoy discounts at quality undergraduate and Contracting will remain as the Qatar Summer Festival (QSF) is nearly 50 participating four- and graduate programs aligned main contractor for the forth- set to return from June 14 to five-star hotels on room rates as with the international coming works of Katara August 31. Held under the theme well as offers for beach and pool standards.” Towers until project com- “Colour Your Summer”, the fes- access, spa treatments, and “This achievement dem- pletion over the next 32 tival invites residents and visitors weekend brunch menus. onstrates QUs pivotal role in months. to enjoy a colourful array of Mashal Shahbik, Director of contributing to the State of When complete, Katara entertainment options and hot Festivals and Tourism Events at Qatars stated ambitions Towers will house a luxurious summer deals. And, as this year’s QTA, commented, “Over the towards a knowledge-based five-star hotel, the first six-star edition coincides with the FIFA years, QSF has grown to become economy, and in providing hotel in Qatar and branded World Cup, QSF 2018 will feature synonymous with family- the local and international residences to become home to special fan zone activations for friendly activities, entertainment, labor market with distin- Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, Chairman of Katara potential residents.The everyone to keep up with the hospitality and shopping offers guished graduates who will Hospitality; and Sheikh Ali bin Hamad K Al Thani, President of HBK complex will make available a excitement surrounding the that bring colour to everyone’s contribute to the countrys total of 505 rooms and 49 Contracting; exchange documents during the signing ceremony. month-long tournament. summer.” growth,” said QU President apartments. The project has An all-new QSF Summer Visitors and residents can Dr Hassan Al Derham. been enhanced with a man- chef, global brands and home- perfect framework for us, we Pass mobile application will be also follow the Qatar Events Cal- Additionally, The recent made satellite beach front grown brands restaurants. will continue to develop peerless available offering a compre- endar’s dedicated social media Gulf crisis did not affect QUs island that will be home to a Hamad Abdulla Al Mulla, hospitality at home and abroad hensive guide for all the events accounts on Twitter and research quality and mix of entertainment and rec- Katara Hospitality’s Chief Exec- that are not only jewels in our and offers under QSF’s umbrella. Instagram (@QatarCalendar), quantity. The University cur- reations facilities and a potent utive Officer, said: “As Qatar portfolio but are emblematic for The free app developed in Facebook (Facebook.com/ rently holds 32.9 percent of restaurant mix of celebrity National Vision 2030 creates the Qatar as well.” partnership with local voucher QatarCalendar) and Snapchat the overall percentage (70 provider MyBook, can be (QatarCalendar). percent) of institutions in Qatar which means that papers emerging from QU that are co-authored with Restaurants to display more info on menus international researchers make up one-third of all internationally-collaborated CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 are in line with their aspirations authorities at the Qatar General explanatory labels next to each obligations and inform them of the papers from Qatar as a The Ministry said that the and the nature of their daily Authority for Standardization and type of food or drink, or on the correct methods to display food whole,” added QU President general obligations applicable to activity. The circular specifically Metrology. menus that are delivered to and beverage data. Dr Hassan Al Derham. all restaurants, traditional food emphasises consumers’ right to full The circular outlined the obli- customers. After the expiry of the pilot The Editorial Director, outlets, cafes and cafeterias involve knowledge of the quality of the gations of cafes, restaurants, With regard to the deadlines phase, shops that fall under the Global Rankings Phil Baty, the display of mandatory data ingredients used in the preparation cinemas, theaters and ice cream set for restaurants, cafes and Ministry of Economy and Com- said: “The Young University relating to food and meals, which of meals provided to the shops, under the franchising similar shops to adjust their status, merce’s circular, will participate in Rankings take a closer look include, among other labels, the consumer. system. These shops are required the Ministry indicated that the pro- the mandatory phase starting on at the rising stars of global type of the meal and the country The circular compels restau- to display the calorie count of the cedures included in the circular December 10, this year. During this higher education, by of origin in the description of food rants, cafes and similar shops to meals and beverages they offer to should be implemented in two period, the owners of restaurants, restricting the analysis to components provided to con- include all the necessary data in the consumers. stages, a pilot phase and a man- cafes and similar stores will be universities under 50 years sumers, whether the meal consists menu such as the country of origin The circular outlined four cri- datory second stage. obliged to submit the data on food, old, while applying the of meat, chicken, fish or others. or the production of food ingre- teria to identify shops that are The pilot phase will extend meals and beverages, as specified same rigorous standards The data should also include a dients including meat, chicken and required to display calorie count over six months starting from in this circular. and the same balanced and description of the condition of the fish and whether or not these are (energy) data. First, the cafe, res- (10/06/2018), during which the The Ministry has stressed that comprehensive range of 13 ingredients such as if the meat, fresh, refrigerated or frozen. taurant or shop should be part of a ministry will coordinate with the the owners of restaurants and cafes performance indicators as chicken and fish are fresh, refrig- The circular also stipulates that multinational franchise defined owners of restaurants, cafes and must comply during the pilot the World University erated or frozen. It is also man- consumers should be provided above; Second, the franchise similar outlets to adjust their status period in line with the provisions Rankings.” datory to clearly display the weight with the weight of meat, poultry or should involve more than five by including data relating to the of Article (7) of Law No. (8) of 2008 “So for Qatar University of main meat, chicken and fish fish meals provided as the main branches except when it comes to country of origin, weight and the on consumer protection, and to break comfortably into meals. The Ministry’s circular has meal. The indicated weight should movie theaters that are required ingredients of food and beverage Article (3) of the executive regula- the world top 100 for the outlined several options when it be taken after the meal is cooked to display the calorie count on menus offered to consumers. tions. The ministry said violators first time this year is an comes to presenting data and or grilled when it comes to take regardless of the number of The ministry will also coordinate will be subject to penalties stipu- exciting and highly com- information on food, meals and away or in-house meals. Only branches. Thirdly, branches must with restaurants, cafes, theaters, lated in law number 8 of 2008, mendable step on its beverages, according to each shops that display meat, fish or bear the same name. Fourth, all cinemas and ice cream shops with which includes imprisonment for journey. At under 45 years store’s policy, the packaging other sea food for customers to branches must adopt a single or a global network under the fran- a period not exceeding two years old, Qatar University has method and how menus are dis- choose from before cooking are similar menu. chising system to include data on and a fine ranging between developed rapidly, but it is played. The circular stipulates that allowed to weight food before it is Regarding the presentation of calories according to the specified QR3,000 and QR1,000,000, or one now starting to reach data should be prominently dis- cooked or grilled. the calorie count and energy data methods. The ministry will also of these two penalties. The director maturity with a strong played to enable consumers to read For the purpose of verifying on meals and beverages, the cir- coordinate, through specialized of the competent department is presence on the world it in full clarity and to exercise their weights, the circular compels con- cular outlines three options: to units, with concerned parties and also entitled to close the shops stage,” said The Editorial right to choose the food with the cerned shops to provide a cali- place the data on the menu dis- hold training workshops in order where the violation is committed Director, Global Rankings calorie count and ingredients that brated balance by the competent played at the restaurant or on the to familiarize shops with their for a period of up to three months. Phil Baty. SUNDAY 10 JUNE 2018 HOME 03 Qatar’s rise boosts investors’ trust QEWC signs deal The study pointed out that the presence with Marubeni THE PENINSULA of major foreign the first agreement last year. companies that Qatari engineers expressed continued to operate DOHA: Qatar Electricity and their satisfaction with the ben- Water Company (QEWC) efits of the visit programme in Qatar despite the signed an agreement with and prepared detailed reports siege indicates the Japanese company Marubeni on these benefits and pro- strength of the Qatari to provide visits to Qatari engi- posals for business economy, which is an neers, employees and joint development. venture companies to Al Mohannadi stressed the indicator of investor Marubeni plants and projects keenness of Qatari Electricity confidence in the in various locations in Japan, and Water Company to ability of Qatar to face the Philippines and Oman. develop the Qatari engineers’ the siege. Qatari engineers will be skills and expressed the com- briefed on Marubeni’s prac- pany’s desire to discuss a long tices in management, oper- term agreement with THE PENINSULA ation, maintenance, risk man- Marubeni. He pointed out that agement, quality management Qatar Electricity and Water is DOHA: The Qatari economy’s and planning, QNA reported. closely linked to Marubeni. steadfastness and rise in the face The agreement was signed by Marubeni owns a stake in of the siege has boosted investor QEWC General Manager and Mesaieed Power Company confidence, opening up wider Managing Director, Fahad Limited in partnership with horizons for openness and Hamad Al Mohannadi, and Qatar Electricity and Water attracting more foreign invest- The study touched on the many areas, foreign investment, several projects that the economy Yoshiaki Yokota of Marubeni Company, Qatar Petroleum ments to the different sectors, a importance of attracting foreign in partnership with national needs, which would prove its com- Company, at Qatar Electricity and Japan’s Chubu. recent study by Qatar University investment so as to boost eco- capital, has been able to promote petitiveness in the regional & Water Company Mesaieed Power Company showed. nomic activity and economic the strategy of economic diversi- markets. headquarters. Ltd has provided opportunities Prepared by Qatar University’s development. Most of the foreign fication such as health, tourism In this regard, the study This agreement is the for Japanese employees to Dean of the College of Business investment is currently concen- and the financial sectors, the study pointed to the cabinet’s approval second between the two com- work with the company and and Economics, Dr. Khalid Al- trated in the energy sector, which argued, highlighting that more in December 2017 of a draft law panies. It was signed after the benefit from its expertise and Abdulqader, “Foreign Investment has an abundance of oil and gas than 100 international financial on non-Qatari ownership of real successful implementation of practices. Openness in the State of Qatar and at globally commercial quantities and advisory companies have estate, including empty land, Its Interaction in Development of and low production costs, thus entered the economy through buildings, detached residential Qatari Economy” argues that the ensuring profit. Qatar Financial Center. units and residential complex steadfastness of the Qatari After foreign investment in As for the economic feasibility units, in addition to the issue of the economy against the siege Qatar’s energy sector proved to be of attracting foreign investment in law on industrial areas in May and, thwarted the plans and expecta- worthwhile, the study argued, time the establishment of self-suffi- before that, the amendment of the tions of the siege countries who has come for foreign investment ciency projects and import alter- law on free zones in November had expected the Qatari economy to enter the Qatari economy, espe- natives, the study said that the 2017. to collapse once they imposed it, cially in meeting the important private sector might refrain from The study concluded that the QNA reported. needs of the economy. many projects of local production package of laws on foreign The study pointed out that the The study highlighted the need because importing is less investment openness will also be presence of major foreign com- to ensure that the Qatari economy expensive. However, it pointed out compatible with the allocation and panies that continued to operate is positioned on the regional and that the economic feasibility of the provision of industrial areas and in Qatar despite the siege indicates global economic map, not only in presence of such projects in the free zones so as to attract invest- the strength of the Qatari the energy sector but also in the difficult circumstances makes ments, expertise, technology and economy, which is an indicator of fields of commodities and services. more sense than their absence, best practices, and combine them investor confidence in the ability In addition, the study said that and the government will support with citizens’ investments to of Qatar to face the siege. foreign investment is a comple- their presence. establish industries that meet the Another proof of the strength mentary factor in the ability of the The study reaffirmed the needs of the local economy. of Qatar’s economy is that its credit national private sector in meeting importance of innovation and cre- It also noted that the package rating is in the highest range for the needs of the economy in terms ativity to achieve quality, compet- of laws will enhance the economic QEWC General Manager and Managing Director, Fahad Hamad Al global rating agencies such as of goods and services. The national itiveness and lower costs in some movement, especially on the Mohannadi (right); and Yoshiaki Yokota of Marubeni Company, Standard and Poor’s, Fitch, private sector may not be able to commodities, pointing out that the demand front, which would be an Moody’s and Capital Intelligence, meet all the needs of the Qatari lower costs will be indirectly sup- incentive for investments to enter sign the agreement at Qatar Electricity & Water Company the study says. economy, especially those that ported by the advanced infra- the economy and then be headquarters. In the same context, the Inter- come from self-sufficiency and structure and low government employed to meet that demand. national Monetary Fund puts import substitution projects, the rents in the industrial and logistics Qatar’s projected economic study added. zone, in addition to the major growth in 2018 at the higher level The Qatar University study financing advantages in foreign in the Gulf region despite the siege. said that opening the local trade outlets such as Hamad Port The IMF expects a real gross economy to foreign investment and Hamad International Airport. domestic product (GDP) for the would accelerate the growth of the In addition, the study expressed Qatari economy by 2.6 percent, private sector and expand its pro- Qatar’s readiness to receive which is the highest IMF forecast ductive base. The Qatari economy foreign investment more than ever for real GDP in the Gulf, the study needs to expand its production before, reiterating that the noted. capacity today more than ever in diversity of the military and Moreover, the study showed order to meet local and market defense protection of the State of that the Qatari economy is con- needs, the study added, noting that Qatar as a deterrent force raises sidered a global hub in manufac- the entry of foreign investment confidence in the country’s turing and exporting liquefied will be important in strengthening economy because it is important natural gas (LNG), and is also qual- and diversifying the production for the foreign investor that the ified to be an economic player in base and creating import alterna- country to which investment is a comprehensive and complete tives to the Qatari economy. directed is militarily safe and can manner, especially after Qatar Additionally, the study argued protect itself from any aggression. announced a package of laws to that foreign investment will con- The study recommended open up foreign investment. tribute to reducing Qatar’s reliance strengthening the role of the The aforementioned package on imports as Doha imports most private sector in order to meet the comprises the laws on real estate of its consumer goods from needs of the Qatari economy, acquisition, permanent visa and abroad. The country’s imports make it more competitive in the residence, and opening the stand at an average of $32 billion region, accomplish export economy for foreign investment. a year, which represents about 20 achievements and compete at the The laws on opening foreign percent of GDP. global level. investment are very important to The study stressed that foreign It also recommended that the in terms of attracting capital and investment will accelerate the entry of the foreign element be finding the appropriate mech- implementation of economic mainly through the private sector, anism to constantly keep such diversification projects and double because it will be accompanied by investments. the size of economic activity. In the entry and emergence of

Ministry of Awqaf opens 8 new mosques

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DOHA: The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs opened eight new mosques during the holy A newly-opened mosque by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic month of Ramadan at five areas Affairs. in the country. The new mosques are part of a major plan of the Ministry Sedra, two mosques in Umm Al women, and other facilities that to build new mosques and Sinaim and a mosque in Azgawa, serve the pioneers of the expand the capacity of existing all of which can accommodate mosques. ones to meet the growing 4,239 worshipers. The Ministry of Awqaf and demand of mosques amid the The eight mosques, which Islamic Affairs announced ahead increasing population in the were designed according to of Ramadan that it had opened country. The Ministry explained environmental and heritage 65 new mosques in different that it opened three mosques in standards and attached by the areas this year, and is preparing Raudat Al Hamama, a mosque homes of Imams and Muazens, to receive other mosques in the at Old Airport, a mosque in Bo as well as prayer halls for coming months. 04 HOME SUNDAY 10 JUNE 2018 QICDRC’s judicial system praised

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DOHA: The Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) received a delegation from the Sri Lankan Surveyors Association in Qatar. The members of the delegation were briefed about Qatar Financial Centre and its bodies, where the court was established as one of the centre’s bodies to promote and attract international financial investments Mohamed Jaidah, Group Executive Director of Jaidah Group, to Qatar. during the event to launch Genesis G70 at Skyline Automotive Moreover, the delegation received a detailed brief on Qatar’s successful attempt showroom, yesterday. PIC: BAHER AMIN / THE PENINSULA The members of the delegation from Sri Lankan Surveyors Association during the visit to establish a specialised judiciary through at QICDRC headquarters. the establishment of the Qatar International Court, the first specialised court in the state the courts deal with, its procedures and how tribute to ensuring speedy settlement of dis- Genesis G70 luxury that deals with commercial and investment the judgments are being issued. putes and litigation before the Court. disputes arising from the transactions of Following the discussion, the delegation The delegation praised the QICDRC’s international financial companies which toured the QICDRC’s facilities and was given judicial system which is characterised by sedan arrives in Qatar operate through Qatar Financial Center. a tour in the court room. The Court’s facil- rapid litigation procedures, which con- The delegation also reviewed the juris- ities are equipped with advanced and sophis- tributes to resolving any dispute in a short THE PENINSULA diction of the tribunal regulatory and the ticated systems, electronic case management time using the latest technologies to such an event took place in the civil & commercial court, the cases both of system and other services, all of which con- achieving justice is a leap. auto industry. And my team at DOHA: Skyline Automotive WLL, Skyline Automotive and Jaidah a Jaidah Group company and Group and I wanted to make sure official distribution partner of that automotive aficionados in Hyatt Plaza, QC give non-Muslims Hyundai Motor Company for the Qatar had the chance to expe- state of Qatar, has unveiled the rience this historic journey from all-new Genesis G70 as the third the start.” true spirit of Ramadan for charity Genesis model in Qatar, Designed with younger cus- completing the luxury sedan tomers in mind, the G70 is THE PENINSULA opportunity to be a part of a line-up with the brand’s most expected to redefine luxury with noble cause. compact model. its athletic elegance design DOHA: Hyatt Plaza and Qatar This year, more than 200 The Genesis G70 was identity. It showcases the future Charity organised on June 1 the non-Muslims participated in the revealed at the Skyline Auto- direction of the Genesis brand 9th edition of ‘Fast-a-thon’, a 9th edition of ‘Fast-a-thon’. In motive flagship showroom on and its evolving DNA through charity event aimed to invite return Hyatt Plaza and Qatar Salwa Road on June 6 in the dynamic styling matched with non-Muslims to experience Charity have pledged to donate presence of representatives from sophisticated comfort and fasting for one day during the QR200 on behalf of every person both Jaidah Group and Skyline elegance. holy month of Ramadan to who registered and fasted during Automotive WLL. “Created by a team of auto- support a noble cause which this event to buy eyeglasses for Mohamed Jaidah, Group motive superstars, Genesis was provides eyeglasses for needy needy children with visual Executive Director of Jaidah designed to set new expectations A family breaks fast at ‘Fast-a-thon’, a charity event organised by children with visual impair- impairments. Group, was on hand to introduce for what a luxury automotive Hyatt Plaza and Qatar Charity. ments inside Qatar. To celebrate this event, Hyatt the brand-new arrival to the brand could be,” said Jaidah. The The mission of ‘Fast-a-thon’ Plaza and Qatar Charity has held media. “Building an entirely new Genesis G70 is a driver-oriented 2018 was to create real commu- an Iftar party on 2nd June 2018 promote the universal values of the charitable hearts during brand from scratch is an auda- dynamic vehicle that will be nication between civilisations by for the participants, allowing brotherhood, social solidarity Ramadan to participate and cious undertaking. That’s exactly available in two variants: a 2.0 giving non-Muslims a true them to meet each other and and empathy between all reli- support their noble project what the team at Genesis litre turbocharged engine, and a understanding of what Ramadan share their fasting experience. gions. Hyatt Plaza and Qatar which target groups in need delivered — a dream for any car sport variant with a 3.3 litre tur- spirit is and give them the Consequently, this event will Charity succeeded in attracting inside the country. designer. It’s been decades since bocharged engine. Mövenpick Hotel West Bay Doha raises environmental awareness Qatar Automobiles THE PENINSULA Company opens DOHA: Mövenpick Hotel West Bay Doha planted organic vegetables and herbs to join the effort to support World Environment Day on June 5. Established in 1974, World Environment Day is branch in Al Khor celebrated in more than 100 countries and is widely THE PENINSULA regarded as the people’s day for doing something to take care of the Earth. This year’s theme is ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’— a call to action to combat one of today’s DOHA: Qatar Automobiles Company (QAC), the greatest environmental challenges, with plastic pol- authorised distributor of Mitsubishi Motors and FUSO lution posing a significant threat to nature, wildlife and in Qatar, has opened a new branch in Al Khor as part human health. of its plans to expand operations across the country. Mövenpick Hotel West Bay Doha aimed to raise The addition of the Al Khor showroom and parts awareness of this and other major environmental issues & service centre provides consumers with easier access by planting organic vegetables and herbs. Guests will to the extensive fleet and service capabilities that QAC be invited to visit the local farm, where some of its offers. The staff of Mövenpick Hotel West Bay Doha poses after planting herbs and organic vegetables kitchen’s ingredients are sourced, and to learn more Covering 1,046 square metres, the new branch, as part of its World Environment Day campaign. about environmental practices and responsible farming. located at Semiesma Road, delivers integrated and comprehensive end-to-end facilities for vehicle owners, from purchase to after-sales care. It includes a showroom for new Mitsubishi and FUSO vehicles, a Genuine Parts centre, and a service and maintenance centre. The latter features state of the art equipment, enabling it to service up to 30 cars per day. Customers of QAC residing in Al Khor can enjoy convenient working hours of 8am- 8pm from Sat- urday to Thursday and 4pm – 8pm on Fridays. The service centre in Al Khor will be open from Saturday to Wednesday from 8am until 1pm and from 3pm until 7pm, with timings of 8am – 2pm on Thursdays. Sheikh Faleh Bin Nawaf Al Thani, Automotive Operations Director at Nasser Bin Khaled Holding, of which Qatar Automobiles Company is a subsidiary, said: “Expanding our retail and service footprint to the Al Khor area represents our commitment to extending our business across the country in order to better serve our customers, wherever they may be in Qatar. Whether our customers are looking for a new vehicle or to maintain their current one, Qatar Automobiles Company is dedicated to delivering the best services that offer efficiency and convenience.” The opening of the Al Khor branch is the latest of QAC’s expansion achievements. The company opened one of the largest and most modern body shop in Industrial Area, Street 18 and a new service centre in Al Duhail in the past two years. Hisham El Sahn, General Manager of Qatar Auto- mobiles Company, said: “The opening of Al Khor branch is another milestone for QAC. We encourage car enthusiasts to visit our new showroom and lev- erage from our premium service that sets new standards in car maintenance. Our achievements will not stop here, we are looking forward for another accomplishment soon.” A subsidiary of Nasser Bin Khaled Holding — which has more than 70 years of experience in the auto- motive industry — Qatar Automobiles Company is the authorised distributor of Mitsubishi Motors Corpo- ration and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation in Qatar. SUNDAY 10 JUNE 2018 HOME 05 QIIB sponsors Sidra’s autism research project THE PENINSULA The agreement the society and provide added provides funding for value that serves the largest DOHA: Qatar International the BARAKA-Qatar possible segment and achieves Islamic Bank (QIIB), in line with the best development results.” its social responsibility, signed study, which will Al Shaibei affirmed that: a sponsorship agreement with support the diagnosis, “QIIB’s commitment and belief Sidra Medicine to co-sponsor a therapy and treatment in QNV 2030 prompted it to specialised study programme for children with ASD adopt many qualitative initia- aimed at creating a long-term tives that are much needed for National Resource for Autism in Qatar. The study the community. There is no Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will also become a doubt that the health sector and research. benchmark for ASD its advancement are common The sponsorship agreement goals for all of us; thus we seek was signed by Dr Abdulbasit research regionally to support these along with Ahmed Al Shaibei, QIIB’s Chief and globally. other initiatives namely in edu- Executive Officer and Peter cation and sports, charitable Morris, Sidra Medicine’s CEO. activities and other events that The agreement provides Research Officer. serve the community.” funding for the BARAKA-Qatar Commenting on the support On his part Morris said: “We study, which will support the provided by QIIB to Sidra Med- are delighted that QIIB, under diagnosis, therapy and icine, QIIB Chief Executive the leadership of Dr Abdulbasit treatment for children with ASD Officer Dr Al Shaibei said: “We Ahmed Al Shaibei, has extended in Qatar. The study will also are honored to serve our com- its support to co-fund the become a benchmark for ASD munity and provide support to BARAKA study. Our partnership research regionally and a prestigious institution like is a wonderful example of col- Dr Abdulbasit Ahmed Al Shaibei (centre), QIIB’s Chief Executive Officer; and Peter Morris (second globally. Sidra Medicine. It is a leader in laboration to support research left), Sidra Medicine’s CEO; with other senior officials after signing the sponsorship agreement at QIIB The signing ceremony held our health sector, as it provides and discovery, in this case, at the QIIB Headquarters at the specialist high quality medical helping children with Autism headquarters in Doha, yesterday. Grand Hamad Street, was services to patients who truly Spectrum Disorder. The study attended by Jamal Abdullah Al need them.” will take us further in our Spectrum Disorder in Qatar. Such ambitious projects require who we aim to help, I am very Jamal, Deputy CEO; while the He added: “QIIB’s support journey to personalized med- Once complete, we hope that the partnership and collaboration grateful for the support of Sidra Delegation included Dr for research on autism reflects icine for our patients.” resource will form the foun- with stakeholders in medicine, organizations like QIIB in co- Khalid Fakhro, Director of its strong belief in the part- Dr Fakhro said: “Our goal dation to discovering new treat- research and the private sector. funding projects that will help Human Genetics (who is leading nership between for-profit and with the BARAKA study is to ments to improve the lives of Fakhro added: “On behalf of advance personalized the BARAKA-Qatar study), and non-profit organisations. The build a national resource that children with the condition in the team who will be working healthcare for the people of Prof Christof von Kalle, Chief ultimate objective is to develop will help children with Autism Qatar and the rest of the world. on the study and the families Qatar.” WCM-Q researches role of ‘gut microbiota’ in various illnesses THE PENINSULA linked to autism spectrum dis- Assistant Professor of Genetic bacteria; disruption of this (ADHD), Crohn’s disease, ulcer- order (ASD) and inflammatory Medicine, and Dr. Dalia Zakaria, balance is called dysbiosis and ative colitis, celiac disease or DOHA: Researchers at Weill bowel diseases such as Crohn’s biological sciences teaching spe- appears to impact the function irritable bowel syndrome. The Cornell Medicine-Qatar disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac cialist, are responsible for the of various organs. samples will be analyzed to (WCM-Q) are investigating the disease and irritable bowel bio-statistical and microbio- “The first organ to be altered ascertain the gut microbiota role of bacteria in the human gut syndrome. logical analyses of the project, is the gut itself, which will balance of each participant and in the development of autism The study has been prompted respectively. become leaky, thereby allowing then cross-referenced with their spectrum disorder and inflam- by a growing body of interna- Dr. Bendriss said: “We have allergens, metabolites and other disease profiles to discover matory bowel disease. tional research, which suggests ten times more bacteria cells molecules to enter the blood and where links exist. The research In the first study of its type to the link between the gut and the than human eukaryotic cells in later on cross the blood-brain team is also collecting control be conducted in Qatar, WCM-Q brain is far more important to our body and these bacteria play barrier to reach the brain.” samples from individuals who researchers are collaborating human health than previously important roles in the secretion One key part of the project have none of these conditions. with the Child Development thought. of metabolites, neurotrans- involves a pilot study, which is WCM-Q second-year pre- Burney recently visited the Chil- Center to attempt to establish WCM-Q’s Dr. Ghizlane Ben- mitters, and other modulators. collecting stool samples from medical students are gaining dren’s Development Center to whether microorganisms living driss (pictured), visiting lecturer These microorganisms need to volunteers who have either research experience by taking meet with children with autism in the gut — collectively known in biology, is leading the study. be in a state of balance between autism spectrum disorder, part in the project. Students and their parents while recruiting as ‘gut microbiota’ — could be Dr. Noha Yousri, adjunct the beneficial and harmful attention deficit hyperactivity Mohammad Salameh and Zain volunteers for the research study.

NBK Automobiles’ special offer on A/C services for Mercedes-Benz owners during summer THE PENINSULA

DOHA: Nasser Bin Khaled Auto- mobiles, the authorised general distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Qatar, is offering Mercedes-Benz owners the chance to check the readiness of their cars’ air condi- tioning systems before the real heat of summer. Valid until June 30, 2018, the offer grants Mercedes-Benz owners free 53 points vehicle health check and report along with special prices for A/C cleaning starting from QR432 and A/C disinfectant cleaning across the State of Qatar. We at system to have the perfect expe- starting from QR750. Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles, rience while driving”. Sheikh Faleh Bin Nawaf Al consider customers’ satisfaction NBK Automobiles offers an Thani, Operations Director, Auto, is our top priority and we value assortment of services to make NBK Holding, said: “We are each and every one of our vehicle the A/C unit in top-notch con- proud to achieve what we have owners. As summer is around the dition, including checkup and always promised to provide, the corner, we encourage Mercedes- refill, and replacement of the best prices and the finest after Benz owners to check how effi- compressor, condenser and the sales service to our customers cient is their air conditioning evaporator.

General Directorate of Traffic distributes Iftar meals to drivers

THE PENINSULA

DOHA: As part of its drive “Together For the Safety of Everyone”, the Media and Traffic Awareness Department at the General Directorate of Traffic is continuing distribution of Iftar meals among drivers on a number of roads. The Department yesterday distributed around 300 Iftar meals as a contribution towards saving their lives and lives of others from potential acci- A police officer distributes Iftar meal to a motorist dents which usually occur due to speeding before at Al Mazroua road. Iftar time. The campaign focused on Al Mazroua road and Al Dafna areas. The drive aimed to control vehicle drivers who tend to drive very fast to reach accidents usually committed by hasty drivers their destination before Iftar which is a major during pre-Iftar rush hour, in particular, heavy cause of accidents. 06 MIDDLE EAST SUNDAY 10 JUNE 2018

Turkey installs Iraq’s civilian 764km wall on death toll drops Syria border ANATOLIA

TURKEY: Turkey has by 80%: Reports completed the construction of a 764km (475-mile) AFP concrete wall along its border According to the with Syria, according to a BAGHDAD: The number of reports released this Turkish official yesterday. Iraqi civilians killed in acts of week by the United TOKI, the state backed violence since the beginning of Nations Assistance housing developer, built 564 the year has significantly km (350 mi) of the wall, while dropped, largely due to defeat Mission for Iraq and the governorates of the of the Islamic State group, the Iraq Body Count, border provinces built United Nations and a monitor as many as 477 Iraqis 200km (124 mi), the official have said. were killed in acts told Anadolu Agency on Reports released this week condition of anonymity. by the United Nations of violence since the Ankara had launched the Assistance Mission for Iraq beginning of the year construction project in 2015 (UNAMI) and the Iraq Body compared to 2,014 in to build an 826km (513-mi) Count database there was an the first five months wall on the Syrian border, as 80 percent drop in civilian Breaking the fast part of Turkey’s measures to deaths in the first five months of 2017, a drop of increase border security and African and Turkish people break their fast in Tarlabasi district of Istanbul, yesterday. of 2018 compared to the same 76.3 percent. combat smuggling and illegal period last year. border crossings. UNAMI said 477 Iraqis were Turkey shares a 911km killed in acts of violence since and ouster of dictator Saddam (566-mi) border with Syria, the beginning of the year com- Hussein. And so far, the holy which has been embroiled in pared to 2,014 in the first five Muslim month of Ramadan, 27 journalists dead in Yemen since a civil war since 2011. months of 2017, a drop of 76.3 which started in mid-May, has The wall was sealed percent.The number of gone on without major violence the outbreak of 2014 civil war: NGO along Turkey’s border prov- wounded during the same unlike previous years when it inces of Sanliurfa, Gaziantep, ANATOLIA period dropped from 2,977 to was rocked by deadly attacks. fulfilling the right of the society journalists and respect the right Kilis, Hatay, Mardin and 939, a decrease of 68.4 percent, Iraq claimed victory over IS to obtain information”. to obtain information”. Sirnak. it said. in December after pushing the YEMEN: A total of 27 journalists The syndicate said media Yemen has been wracked by The official added the The London-based Iraq jihadists out of their final have been killed since the outlets in Yemen have been violence since 2014, when Shiah state housing developer’s Body Count, which tracks holdouts along the border with outbreak of Yemen’s civil war looted, journalists and photog- Houthi rebels overran much of construction of a 144-km wall violent deaths in the country, Syria. in 2014, the Yemeni Journalists raphers chased and hundreds the country, including capital on its Iranian border had gave similar figures. But the group retains the Syndicate, an NGO, said of news portals blocked. Sana’a. almost completed.The border The number of civilian capacity to strike despite losing yesterday. It called for the release of 12 The conflict escalated in wall project incorporates deaths from political and reli- control of vast swathes of Iraqi “The press freedom [in journalists held by Houthi rebels 2015 when Saudi Arabia and its physical, electronic and gious violence dropped from territory it seized in 2014 and Yemen] is going through very and another journalist taken Sunni Arab its allies — who advanced technology layers. 7,708 in the first five months of still clings to pockets of desert difficult conditions and has been hostage by Al Qaeda militants. accuse the Houthis of serving as Modular walls are being 2017 to 1,818 during the same in war-torn Syria. subject to a systematic war since “They are living in poor con- Iranian proxies — launched a erected along the Turkish- period in 2018 -- a decrease of At least two people were 2014,” the syndicate said in a ditions and are subject to brutal massive air campaign in Yemen Syrian borderline with seven- 76.4 percent. killed and 20 were wounded statement marking the Yemeni torture,” the statement said, aimed at rolling back Houthi ton mobile blocks, two In May Iraq held parlia- after a bomb went off yesterday Press Day, which falls on June going on to call for piling gains. The violence has devas- metres wide and three meters mentary elections without any in the Iraqi town of Khalis in 9. According to the statement, a pressure on warring rivals in tated the country’s basic infra- high. The blocks have also major security incident, a first Diyala province, security total of 27 journalists “have lost Yemen to “create an appropriate structure, including water and been topped with a one- since the 2003 US-led invasion sources said. their lives for the sake of and safe environment for sanitation systems. meter-high razor wire.

Ministry of Two envelopes Economy and 54/2018 To supply 3,000,000 bags of Barley 15,750 1,750,000 (Technical 01/07/2018 Commerce - Financial) SUNDAY 10 JUNE 2018 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 07 Momentous days in Ethiopia as new PM pledges reforms AP From the surprise acceptance of a peace ADDIS ABABA: These are not agreement with ordinary times in Ethiopia. Eritrea, to the opening Sweeping changes that seemed unthinkable just weeks ago have of major state-owned been announced almost daily sectors to private since a new prime minister, investment, plus the Africa’s youngest head of release of thousands government, took office and vowed to bring months of of prisoners, Abiy deadly protests to an end. Ahmed has kept From the surprise Africa’s second most acceptance of a peace agreement with bitter rival populous country Eritrea, to the opening of major buzzing. state-owned sectors to private investment, plus the release of Emine Erdogan (left), Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim (right) and his wife Semiha Yildirim thousands of prisoners including mishes and a two-year war. ambitions, Abiy even hinted that (centre) sit during an election campaign rally of Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in Ankara, opposition figures once sen- Almost as an afterthought landlocked Ethiopia would tenced to death, the 42-year-old came word that Ethiopia, one of revive its navy. Turkey, yesterday, ahead of the presidential and legislative polls on June 24. Abiy Ahmed (pictured) has kept the world’s fastest-growing Citizens of the East African Africa’s second most populous economies, was opening state- nation where the government country buzzing. owned enterprises in aviation, once shut off social media to Over 72,000 expats voted in “The people have the full telecommunications and more dampen criticism now find right to criticize its servants, to to foreign investment or outright themselves expressing opinions elect them, and to interrogate privatization. That opens the without fear. The return of sta- them. Government is a servant door for stakes in globally suc- bility to a key Western security Turkey’s election in 2 days of the people,” he said in his cessful Ethiopian Airlines and ally in a region with turbulent ANATOLIA inaugural speech in early April. Africa’s largest telecom neighbors like Somalia and second day 6,406 others. In vote until June 24 at custams It was unusual talk considering company by subscribers, Ethio South Sudan has some breathing Austria, on the first day 1,841 gates. Voting will be held from his military background, and he Telecom. “Now I need to take more easily. ANKARA: Turkish expatriates people went to the polls and on 9am to 9pm local time on quickly found enthusiastic an umbrella when I get into a Despite the whirlwind of continue to vote in the early the second day 2,213 others. weekdays and weekends at the crowds as he toured the country. shower so that I can grab my change, many wonder just how presidential and general elec- In the April 2017 refer- foreign missions. Abiy has been called “Prime phone and follow these rounds far reforms can go in a country tions in 22 consulates across endum, Turkish voters had Over 3 million Turks living Minister Bolt” for the sprinter- of breaking news items,” joked where the ruling coalition still Germany, Austria and France. approved the switch from a par- abroad are eligible to vote for like pace of reforms Some Ethi- one Ethiopian, Firew Megersa, holds every seat in Parliament In the first two days, a total liamentary system to a presi- the presidential and general opians say it’s hardly possible to on Facebook. and opposition has been of 72,111 expats have voted in the dential one. elections. comprehend a single day’s The new prime minister has punished. three countries and at customs Some 6,330 Turkish expats Six candidates are running events. On Tuesday alone, Par- dined with opposition leaders, “The language the prime gates. On the second day, a total went to vote for the referendum for president, while eight liament kicked off by lifting the named new army and intelli- minister is using is very con- of 39,887 Turkish expats voted, at the customs gates in the first political parties are taking part state of emergency imposed in gence chiefs and suggested that ducive for coming closer, to including 32,521 voters at the two days. in the parliamentary elections. response to the protests his own position should have listen to each other. But for an foreign missions and 7,366 at the This April, the Turkish par- Recep Tayyip Erdogan has demanding greater freedoms term limits. He’s visited Saudi actual political engagement in customs gates. The number of liament passed a bill for early served as president since 2014 that began more than two years Arabia and secured promises the country you need a number voters on the second day elections on June 24, in order to — Turkey’s first popularly- ago. It marked the most dra- that thousands of Ethiopians of practical things to happen,” increased by 23.78 percent, cement Turkey’s move to a pres- elected president. Before that, matic change yet under Abiy’s detained as illegal migrants said Andargachew Tsige, an when compared to the first. idential system. he served as prime minister rule. would be released. He’s made Ethiopia-born Briton and oppo- In Germany, 22,281 expats According to the electoral from 2003 to 2014. By nightfall there was bigger new port agreements with sition leader who was snatched voted on the first day and 27,933 calendar, Turkish expats will be Should he win the June news: the prospect of peace with neighbors along one of the by Ethiopian intelligence agents others on the second day. able to vote in embassies and election, Erdogan would be Tur- neighboring Eritrea after nearly world’s busiest shopping lanes. in Yemen in 2014 and sent to In France, on the first day consulates abroad until June 19. key’s first leader under the pres- two decades of border skir- In a colorful sign of his death row. 5,106 people voted and on the They will however be able to idential system.

South African US soldier dead, 4 hurt police raid bank Congo signs mining code in Zuma probe regulations into law in attack in Somalia AP JOHANNESBURG: An elite Somali and Kenyan forces came South Africa police unit under mortar and small-arms REUTERS raided offices of India’s Bank confirmed that none of the electric cars. WASHINGTON: One US special fire in Jubaland, Somalia, at of Baroda and seized docu- changes being demanded by the Enacting the code is likely operations soldier was killed around 2.45pm local time. ments as part of an investi- KINSHASA: Regulations to mining industry had been made. to trigger a legal battle between and four US service members One member of the gation into state corruption implement Congo’s new mining “The decree fully imple- Congo and major mining com- wounded in an “enemy attack” “partner forces” was wounded. under former president Jacob code have been signed into law ments the mining code promul- panies, including Glencore and in Somalia, the US military said One of the wounded US service Zuma, a police spokesman with no changes, advisers to the gated by the President of the Randgold. The miners say the — casualties that are likely to members received sufficient said. prime minister said, despite Republic in March,” she said. tax hikes and the removal of put renewed scrutiny on Amer- medical care in the field, and Bank of Baroda, which is objections from mining firms Mines Minister Martin exemptions for pre-existing ica’s counterterror operations the other three were medically winding down its operations that have been threatening legal Kabwelulu had said on Friday operations are a breach of their in Africa. evacuated for additional in South Africa, was thrust into action. that no concessions would be agreements with the It’s the first public treatment. The statement did the spotlight two years ago Prime Minister Bruno made to the mining industry, government. announcement of a US military not identify the attackers but when it started working with Tshibala signed the regulations which has demanded that key The new code, signed by combat death on the continent said a larger force of about 800 the Guptas, a family of Indian- into law overnight, his adviser provisions be amended. President Joseph Kabila in since four US service members Somali and Kenyan troops were born businessmen who are at Patrick Mutombo Buzangu said Congo is Africa’s top copper March, axes 10-year protections were killed in a militant conducting a multi-day oper- the centre of an influence- by telephone, but gave no producer and the world’s for existing projects against ambush in the west African ation against Al-Shabab mili- peddling scandal surrounding further details. leading miner of cobalt, an changes to the fiscal regime, nation of Niger in October. tants about 350km southwest Zuma. Zuma and the Guptas The prime minister’s legal element which has seen a surge imposes a windfall profits tax US Africa Command said in of the capital, Mogadishu, when deny wrongdoing. counsel Anita Lwambwa later in demand to make batteries for and raises royalties. a statement that US troops with the attack occurred. Thousands of Katumbi supporters attend Congo rally AFP Jean-Pierre Bemba, who won an chanting “we are waiting to elect appeal against an 18-year jail you president of the republic.” KINSHASA: Thousands of term for war crimes at the Inter- Katumbi, who risks arrest if he supporters of exiled Congolese national Criminal Court in The returns to his homeland over opposition leader Moise Katumbi Hague. “We must do everything accusations of real estate fraud, gathered yesterday in Kinshasa in agreement with your son and launched Ensemble in South to hear a message from him my brother Jean-Pierre Bemba, Africa last March as a platform to demanding a united front for with Felix Tshisekedi, Vital oust Kabila, whose mandate for- presidential elections scheduled Kamerhe and the others to mally ran out in December 2016, for December 23. present a common candidate at 15 years after he took power. The meeting of supporters of the presidential” election, Kabila took over from his Katumbi’s platform Ensemble Katumbi urged the crowd. assassinated father in 2001, and (Together) passed off without There was widespread presides over a country with a incident. applause as he told them that was dark reputation for corruption, Violence flared earlier this the only way to “bar the path to a poor governance and violence. year when three rallies calling for third (mandate) wanted by Pres- He has not clearly stated President Joseph Kabila to step ident Kabila,” whose critics whether he will step aside despite down led to more than a dozen suspect he is plotting an illegal appeals from the United States, deaths, while a UN report in third term at the twice-postponed France and Britain for him to March said a crackdown on dem- poll. Escalating tensions over his clearly state that he will not seek onstrations had led to a death toll intentions have fuelled protests re-election. He was obligated to of 47 from January 2017 to and led to a deadly security step down at the end of 2016 after January of this year. crackdown. he reached his two-term consti- Supporters of Moise Katumbi, leader of the coalition party Ensemble, attend a rally of all the opposition Katumbi appeared via Skype Katumbi promised to “put an tutional limit, but a constitutional parties in the coalition in Kinshasa, yesterday, the day after the International war crimes judges in The to address his supporters a day end to the suffering” of residents clause has allowed him to remain Hague acquitted the former Congolese vice president on appeal, overturning an 18-year sentence for after the release of another anti- of Kinshasa if he is elected. in office until a successor is war crimes committed in the Central African Republic. Kabila figure, former warlord The crowd responded by elected. 08 VIEWS SUNDAY 10 JUNE 2018 The Gulf crisis one year on: ESTABLISHED IN 1996 What next for Qatar? CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected]

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR SULTAN BARAKAT AL JAZEERA MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected] hen the blockade was imposed on Qatar on DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR June 5, 2017, few MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI Wexpected it to last as [email protected] long as it has. One year on, what started as an expression of frus- tration with, and attempt to change, Qatar’s independent foreign policy, has, in fact, deepened the political divisions and, if anything, made it more difficult to envisage a return to EDITORIAL Gulf unity. Today, nobody can deny that overall the blockade has had a neg- ative impact on all concerned, Stronger Qatar including Saudi Arabia, which ironi- cally ended up diminishing the very make a regional comeback. question over the resolution of the oreign Direct Investment (FDI) have increased in same Gulf security it professes to Another year of war in Yemen crisis. There is a need to think afresh Qatar despite unjust blockade imposed by the siege protect. has only involved more death and and reconsider what strategies Fcountries. While Qatar’s economy has proved its resil- It is clear that at the start Qatar misery, with Saudi’s other blockade Qatar should pursue in the long ience time and again, but for one of its neighbours it is dif- hoped for a short blockade and was bringing the country with its 28 term. ficult time. eager to restore relations, but not at million people to a massive humani- One strategy is for Qatar to keep New foreign direct investment in Saudi Arabia has any price. As the weeks and months tarian catastrophe. Serendipitously, its head down, maintain the current plunged to a 14-year low, figures released this week by a passed by, it sought to emphasise the Qatar was extricated from the neg- crisis-management mode and build United Nations body showed according Reuters report. It silver lining in the crisis, largely as a ative reputational fallout suffered by resilience with the hope that the is considered to be a blow to ambitious economic reforms means of coping with the shock of Saudi and the UAE. This was Doha’s anti-Qatar alliance (with its many which aim to increase inflows of foreign capital sharply. finding itself isolated by its imme- first strategic win in the eyes of a fractures) will crumble from within. FDI inflows shrank to $1.4bn in 2017 from $7.5bn in diate neighbours. global media and civil society Looking further ahead, Qatar 2016, according to figures from the United Nations Con- Qatar has demonstrated an increasingly alarmed at the horrors should not be fazed by the failure of ference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which are impressive ability to turn the crisis unfolding in Yemen. the GCC and seek instead to forge in line with data published in recent weeks by the Saudi into an opportunity in terms of Moreover, with cracks rapidly new economic and security alliances central bank. improving food security, social developing in the Saudi/UAE alliance for the region that are not neces- The drop contrasts with the trend in other Gulf Arab cohesion and economic sustaina- as a result of having diverging sarily exclusively Arab. oil exporting economies. FDI in the United Arab Emirates, bility, designs for Yemen’s future, Qatar The deadlines for renewing deals the second biggest Arab economy after Saudi Arabia, rose including has come out as a more trustworthy with South Korea and Japan, which to $10.4bn last year from $9.6bn, UNCTAD said. adapting party which harbours no precon- account for almost 40 percent of Even Oman, an economy a tenth the size of Saudi fiscal pol- ceived ideas about Yemen’s terri- Qatari gas exports, are approaching Arabia, attracted $1.9bn, up from $1.7bn. Saudi reforms icies that torial integrity. fast. This means that the priority for launched two years ago aimed helped its In the “Arab streets”, the Saudis Qatar should be to seek to position to boost FDI to $18.7bn by Qatar has currency and Emiratis have lost popularity as itself in the global gas market in such 2020, in order to create jobs - demonstrated weather the they aligned with the Trump admin- a way that it has an advantage on its unemployment among Saudi an impressive blockade. istration and gave tacit support for main competitors: Australia, the US citizens is nearly 13 percent - ability to turn However, the US embassy move to Jerusalem. and others. and help diversify the economy a much less Throughout the blockade, Qatar To do so, the country should Last week, credit beyond oil exports. the crisis into recognised has taken the moral high ground by revisit the idea of establishing a gas rating agency Economists blame weak an opportunity geopolitical largely refraining from petty retali- cartel alongside Russia, Algeria, and Fitch Ratings had foreign investment mainly on in terms of silver lining ation, engaging in measured Iran. This economic alliance may praised Qatar the slump of oil prices since improving is that the diplomacy, and following interna- lead to more concrete security 2014. This hurt all the Gulf crisis has tional law to the letter, which has arrangements based on shared eco- saying that it economies but Saudi Arabia, food security, inadvert- further turned public opinion in nomic interests but should also had faced the with a much larger population social cohesion ently helped Qatar’s favour. remain open to other nations which challenges of to support and a far bigger and economic Qatar keep Despite these silver linings, the support Qatar — such as Turkey. siege successfully. state budget deficit, was forced out of some path ahead for Qatar is difficult. The Such arrangements should move into more drastic austerity pol- sustainability, of the most real question now is whether a one- beyond merely building resilience. icies than its neighbours. including damaging year blockade has helped the Qatar should think big and seek to The austerity stifled growth adapting fiscal policies in country make up its mind whether it establish long-term international in the Saudi private sector, out- policies that the Middle wants to continue down this path confidence in its economy which weighing the positive impact of East and in alone. would ensure that the country stands reforms to attract investment such helped its this way has Given its ambition to have social, on a secure foundation. as new corporate and bankruptcy laws and a drive to cut currency weather paved the economical, and political sway, it red tape, which slashed the time taken to register new the blockade. way for the will find it difficult to realise its full The writer is Professor of Politics at firms. country to potential while facing the perennial the University of York. A report issued by IMF revealed that Qatar’s growth performance remains resilient and is able to deal with the direct economic and financial impact of the siege. The near-term growth outlook is broadly positive and GDP growth of 2.6 percent is projected for 2018, the report China’s attempt to change status quo in South China Sea unacceptable showed. THE JAPAN NEWS The executive board of the International Monetary Fund for the United States to strategic bombers. If China’s The government has (IMF) said, last week, that substantial financial buffers, clearly state that it will take activities are left alone, it provided patrol boats to prudent fiscal policy and sound financial sector of Qatar hina’s attempt to set the initiative in securing the could transform the South Southeast Asian nations, have helped the country successfully adjust to lower hydro- up military foot- stability of the vast waters China Sea, in effect, into thereby seeking to improve carbon prices and the unjust siege imposed by some holds in the South that extend from the Pacific what can be called a Chinese their maritime patrol capac- countries. CChina Sea poses an Ocean to the Indian Ocean. “inland sea” - a devel- ities. Efforts should also be Last week, credit rating agency Fitch Ratings had economic and security The recent move by the opment that would wreck made to help these countries praised Qatar saying that it had faced the challenges of threat. The international United States to change the the balance of power in Asia. create and improve related siege successfully. The global credit rating agency also community must be united name of its Pacific Command Last month, the US Navy laws and nurture necessary announced to revised Qatar’s Outlook to Stable from Neg- in urging China to exercise - a unified combatant dispatched a missile destroyer personnel. ative and affirmed its Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer self-restraint in this respect. command with the US forces and another warship to the In Singapore, there was Default Rating (IDR) at ‘AA-’. The Asia Security in Japan under its wing - to South China Sea. That was also a meeting of the Jap- Accolade by global institutions have proved that Qatar’s Summit — a conference the “Indo-Pacific Command” part of the “freedom of navi- anese, US and South Korean economy is on strong footing. attended by such people as was aimed at reinforcing its gation operations,” with defense ministers. defense ministers and spe- involvement in the region. which the United States The three defense min- cialists from various nations Defense Minister expresses its intention not to isters issued a joint to present and discuss Itsunori Onodera empha- accept China’s assertion of statement that includes a opinions — has been held in sized the importance of the sovereignty there. policy of seeking to realize QUOTE OF THE DAY Singapore. One after another, rule of law. Vietnamese US efforts are indispen- the complete, verifiable and those attending expressed Defence Minister Ngo Xuan sable for countering China, a irreversible denuclearization By any reckoning concerns about the state of Lich raised objections nation that possesses of the Korean Peninsula. we will have a final affairs surrounding the South against a unilateral attempt enough military strength to They also agreed to continue communique. On the China Sea. to change the status quo. overwhelm its neighboring keeping watch on what is issue of trade, we have US Defence Secretary Jim China is asserting sover- countries. The United States called “sedori,” a scheme by Mattis criticized China’s missile eignty over nearly every part should continue to restrain which oil and other products been able to agree on deployment in the Spratly of the South China Sea. China through concrete are smuggled into North important questions to Islands in the South China Sea Earlier, a court of arbitration conduct. Korea through ship-to-ship us and it is important and other actions, saying these handed down a ruling cate- Making the South China transfers at sea. moves will be “tied directly to gorically rejecting China’s Sea a free and open sea will Concrete progress has to have a commitment military use.” He also said his claims. Besides its missile serve as a basis for eco- not been made yet in the to rules-based trade. country will join hands with deployment, China has nomic activities by each disposal of North Korea’s Japan, Australia and India in installed jamming country. Eighty percent of nuclear weapons and bal- Angela Merkel promoting an “Indo-Pacific equipment on artificial tankers transporting crude listic missiles. The three German Chancellor strategy” aimed at defending islands it built. It has also oil to Japan go through the nations need to share mil- maritime order. conducted a takeoff and Strait of Malacca and then itary information so they can It was greatly significant landing drill involving cross the South China Sea. brace for any crises. SUNDAY 10 JUNE 2018 OPINION 09 Experts criticise new UN-Myanmar deal over Rohingya

FATIH HAFIZ MEHMET unpersuaded by the news of the what has unnerved Rohingya Listen to Rohingya voices ANATOLIA latest repatriation deal the United refugees in Bangladesh — thou- The analysts said the UNHCR Nations agencies have signed with sands have been in refugee had added a fourth adjective, ohingya survivors of the their perpetrators in Naypyidaw, camps in Bangladesh since the “sustainable”, to the main- In a report Myanmar genocide are and openly call for; UN Security early 1990’s as they fled the streamed mantra of “voluntary, published recently, demanding a UN security Forces; to guarantee safe return to earlier waves of violent perse- safe and dignified”. the humanitarian Rforce to guarantee their their homelands in the Western cution — about this latest UN- “To make the fourth group said the safe return to their homelands, Myanmar state of Rakhine,” they Myanmar refugee deal is this: UN adjective viable, the UN must terming the new agreement signed wrote. agencies — UNDP, UNHCR, listen to Rohingya voices that deaths of 71.7 between Myanmar and the UN as The analysts said on June 6, two World Food Program (WFP) — call for a protected return to a percent or 6,700 inadequate, experts tell Anadolu UN agencies with mandates for have a dismal record when it protected homeland in Rohingya were Agency. refugee protection and development comes to standing up for the Myanmar.” caused by violence. On June 6, the Myanmar gov- inked a memorandum of under- Rohingya in the last 40 years Since August 25, 2017, more ernment signed an agreement with standing with the government of since UNHCR first became than 750,000 refugees, mostly They include 730 the UN Development Programme Myanmar. involved in the repatriation children and women, have fled children below (UNDP) and the UN Refugee Agency However, the contents of the process in the summer of 1978.” Myanmar and crossed into Bang- the age of 5. (UNHCR), allowing them to get agreement were treated as if it were Zarni and Brinham said the UN’s ladesh after Myanmar forces involved in the much-delayed repa- Myanmar’s top national security reputation — and most specifically launched a crackdown on the The Rohingya, triation process. secret, they wrote. the reputation of UNHCR and UNDP minority Muslim community, described by the Maung Zarni, coordinator for “The conditions on the ground — is on the line in Myanmar, and according to Amnesty UN as the world’s strategic affairs at the Free Rohingya indicate no semblance of physical beyond. International. most persecuted Coalition, and Natalie Brinham, an safety for any returning Rohingyas,” “Any part they play in facilitating At least 9,400 Rohingya were economics and social research the analysts said. returns from Bangladesh to killed in Rakhine from August 25 people, have faced council Ph.D. scholar at the Queen Zarni and Brinham added that Myanmar is risky — when returns to September 24 last year, heightened fears of Mary University of London, wrote an there is also no indication that the could potentially result in another according to Doctors Without attack since dozens analysis piece for Anadolu Agency official acceptance of Rohingya by round of mass killings, further Borders. were killed in giving their views on the new Myanmar as an integral ethnic decades of containment in concen- In a report published agreement. minority of the union is tration camps or deliberate slow recently, the humanitarian communal violence “One million Rohingya survivors forthcoming. starvation,” they said. group said the deaths of 71.7 in 2012. of Myanmar genocide, who took The analysts urged the UN percent or 6,700 Rohingya were refuge across the borders in neigh- Reintegration prospect low agencies to place protection and caused by violence. They boring Bangladesh, remain largely “And there is little prospect for human rights first this time around. include 730 children below the their reinte- “The signs of a new secretive age of 5. gration into the deal don’t bode well for the The Rohingya, described by predominantly Rohingya survivors. The newly- the UN as the world’s most perse- Buddhist society managed UN in Myanmar has cuted people, have faced where the most even shelved the organization’s heightened fears of attack since powerful Senior own governing principles, dozens were killed in communal Gen. Min Aung namely transparency and inclu- violence in 2012. Hlaing publicly sivity, as evidenced in the The UN documented mass declared his gen- freshly-inked MoU with gang rapes, killings — including of ocidal intent, that Myanmar,” they said. infants and young children — Rohingya Zarni and Brinham added brutal beatings, and disappear- presence in N. Myanmar is now suspect in the eyes ances committed by security Rakhine was; of the International Criminal Court personnel. unfinished and international law circles. In a report, UN investigators business’ from “In apparent compliance with said such violations may have the pogroms of the demands for secrecy typically constituted crimes against WWII,” they said. made by Myanmar’s military-con- humanity. “In addition trolled NLD-government, the UN has to the fright- not made public the MoU for ening prospects scrutiny. Neither has the UN of being included Rohingyas in any stage of marched back the negotiations over the MoU, nor to Myanmar’s; spelled out their future role,” they killing fields, said. D-RING ROAD POST BOX: 3488 DOHA - QATAR [email protected] ast week was a trying one for Canadian energy elsewhere is rooted railways. Canadian Prime Minister in market realities. In the last 10 years, Faced with unpalatable options, Justin Trudeau. You may think the advent of fracking and the subse- Trudeau took the correct course in EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE that I am referring to the quent production of shale gas in the announcing on May 29 that it had TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 L purchased the existing pipeline and FAX: +974 4455 7758 imposition of US tariffs on imports of US has reduced American demand for Canadian steel. But Trudeau actually Canadian natural gas, driving down would ensure that the expansion faced a harder issue than the one imports by more than a fifth. The US project would be completed. He has MANAGING EDITOR MEGHAN L O’SULLIVAN TEL: 4462 7505 BLOOMBERG about how to respond to President actually imports more oil from been criticized from all sides for this Donald Trump’s declaration that trade Canada than ever before, but Amer- action. Some detractors point out that with Canada posed a threat to US ica’s burgeoning oil production may it will entail political costs for his DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR TEL: 4455 7769 security. cause Canadians to wonder if this will Liberal Party, while not necessarily always be the case. enabling him to achieve all his climate LOCAL NEWS SECTION The imperative for Canada to find and energy objectives. Others lament TEL: 4455 7743 non-US energy markets is easy to the negative signal sent to investors understand. But the ability to act on by the need for federal intervention. BUSINESS NEWS SECTION this vision has proven elusive. Large There is no debate that it would be Trump trade war has TEL: 4462 7535 pipelines need to be built from better for Canada if the Trans Alberta, the fountain of most Mountain pipeline controversy had SPORT NEWS SECTION Canadian oil and gas, to one of the never gotten to this stage. Trudeau’s bright side for Canada TEL: 4455 7745 two distant coasts, with the western move does not clear away all the legal one making the most sense given both and regulatory barriers, but it will be ONLINE SECTION geography and the fact that Asia is the harder for activists to stand in the way TEL: 4462 7501 center of energy demand growth. of a federal project. And rarely do pol- [email protected] That was his decision to let the North American companies have icymakers get to choose between a sought to build pipelines that would good option and a bad one; instead, Canadian government purchase the PUBLIC RELATIONS carry Canadian energy to the ports, they get to select between flawed Trans Mountain oil pipeline from TEL: 4455 7613 but environmentalists in British alternatives, hoping to pick the least Kinder Morgan for $3.5bn (C$4.5n), [email protected] and to finance its multibillion-dollar Columbia and elsewhere have bad. Had Trudeau chosen to let Kinder expansion. While the tariffs and resisted and in most cases thwarted ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Morgan cancel the project, investors pipeline are seemingly unrelated, the these efforts. TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 imposition of the first should ease The plan to expand the Trans would have looked at Canada in a less FAX: 4455 7870 criticism of Trudeau’s pipeline Mountain pipeline from Alberta to favorable light. They would no longer [email protected] decision, given that the recent US British Columbia began to look like it see Canada as a country of minimal move highlights the growing unrelia- would be no exception. Threats began political risk, but would have instead CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT bility of Canada’s ally to the south. to fly between the two provinces, and focused on uncertainty around the TEL: 4455 7857 For decades, Canada was content in February, Alberta briefly banned rule of law. For now, the big questions [email protected] For decades, Canada to rely on the US as its only market for the “import” of wine made in British about whether laws will be enforced was content to rely its most important exports: not steel, Colombia. Since March, Alberta’s and federal prerogatives protected SUBSCRIPTION & on the US as its only but oil and gas. Virtually all of Can- premier has been threatening to cut have been put to rest. DISTRIBUTION market for its most ada’s oil and gas exports flow to the off the flow of oil to its western A cancellation of the Trans TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 US and always have. Energy exports neighbor. Mountain pipeline expansion would important exports: FAX: 44557819 to the US make up slightly more than Finally, after years of effort, have been a significant setback in [email protected] not steel, but oil and a fifth of all Canadian exports and a Kinder Morgan declared on April 8 Canada’s pursuit of new international gas. Virtually all of little more than 5 percent of Canada’s that it would suspend its expansion energy markets, something very much Canada’s oil and gas gross domestic product. project if the legal and regulatory in the Canadian interest. Trump’s In recent years, however, many challenges were not settled in its favor imposition of steel and aluminum All thoughts and views exports flow to the Canadians have wanted their country by May 31. tariffs on Canada seemed to punctuate US and always have. to develop the ability to export oil and Canada was in a national emer- this message sharply and may have expressed in these columns Energy exports to gas to other markets. Some of the gency. Leading figures in the east, even given Trudeau’s opponents a are those of the writers, impetus for this sentiment was including Trudeau, stressed that com- moment of pause. At this point, sadly, not of the newspaper. the US make up political, beginning well before Trump pleting the pipeline expansion was in any step that helps reduce Canadian slightly more than a arrived in the White House. In 2011, the national interest. Polls showed dependence on US markets should fifth of all Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper that most Canadians agreed. Yet Tru- strike Canadians as a smart one. All correspondence exports and a little ordered his cabinet to begin the deau’s government had not done regarding Views and exploration of alternative export enough to assure the pipeline The writer is a Bloomberg opinion col- more than 5 percent Opinion pages should be routes after two tense exchanges with company that this infrastructure umnist. She is a professor of interna- send to editor-in-chief of Canada’s gross President Barack Obama concerning could be built, despite the fact that it tional affairs at Harvard’s Kennedy office or mailed to the domestic product. the Keystone Pipeline. had the power to approve and reg- School, and a senior fellow at the But much of the drive to send ulate interprovincial pipelines and Council on Foreign Relations. [email protected] 10 ASIA SUNDAY 10 JUNE 2018 Modi & Xi meet; take stock of developments post Wuhan

IANS One of the outcomes of the meeting is QINGDAO: India and China yesterday made some fairly big that the Chinese side announcements, including conveyed they have Chinese President Xi Jinping’s accepted the Prime visit to India, as he and Indian Minister’s invitation Prime Minister Narendra Modi met on the sidelines of Shanghai Both countries to Xi Jinping to have Cooperation Organisation (SCO) decided to set a a Wuhan-like informal Summit. trade target summit in India in The two leaders, who met a second time in just over a month of $100bn 2019. after their informal summit in Wuhan, had a “substantive” meeting in which they took Vijay Gokhale said. “It was a Minister as well as the Minister stock of the developments in the longish meeting which went of Public Security would also Sino-Indian ties after their ice- close to one hour. It was a very visit India this year. breaking meeting in late April. substantive meeting. Some discussion on trade Both countries decided to set “Both also agreed to, as they and investment-related issue a trade target of $100bn and had decided in Wuhan, main- also came up, according to Beijing showed its readiness to taining strategic communica- Gokhale. open its market to Indian phar- tions between them through Xi told Modi that the two maceutical as well as agriculture various channels... through tel- countries should set a trade products. ephone calls and frequent target of $100bn by 2020. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the “One of the outcomes of the meetings on the sidelines of Xi said China was looking to 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Qingdao, China, yesterday. meeting is that the Chinese side multilateral events.” Gokhale enhance imports of agriculture conveyed they have accepted said that Modi and Xi would products from India including the Prime Minister’s invitation again meet on the sidelines of non-Basmati rice and sugar. products in the Chinese market. to Xi India’s readiness to permit deals about Beijing sharing Bra- to Xi Jinping to have a Wuhan- the BRICS Summit in South The Chinese side said it India has been pushing for Bank of China to establish its hamaputra river data with New like informal summit in India in Africa. would also encourage high- pharmaceutical exports to China. branch in Mumbai. Delhi and India’s export of rice 2019,” India’s Foreign Secretary He said Chinese Defence quality Indian pharmaceuticals Gokhale said Modi conveyed The two leaders also signed to China.

Centre to open Monsoon hits Mumbai; flights, trains, road traffic hit Yoga & Ayush IANS water entering low-lying homes centres to treat and even the Byculla Police MUMBAI: The monsoon offi- Station which functioned with patients in AIIMS cially arrived here yesterday and over six inches of water inside hit the city and other parts of the premises. IANS Maharashtra with full fury, One area - the congested disrupting flights, the suburban Mazagaon in south Mumbai - train system and road traffic, received a whopping 120 mm KOLKATA: The centre will besides claiming two lives, offi- rains, resulting in flooding in shortly open yoga and ayush cials said. the residential and commercial centres in the All India Insti- The Indian Meteorological zones there. tutes of Medical Sciences Department has forecast heavy The flooding resulted in (AIIMS) that are currently rains with thundershowers in diversions being implemented functional, Union Minister the city and suburbs over the to prevent traffic snarls, even of State for Health Ashwini next 48 hours, with isolated as vehicular movement was Choubey said yesterday. extreme heavy rainfall in some slowed down all over the city. He said the health min- areas till tomorrow. While the suburban train istry was focusing on Yesterday, according to the services on the Central Railway improving preventive BrihanMumbai Municipal Cor- were delayed by around 15 healthcare in the country poration (BMC), the city was minutes, the services on and claimed that intro- deluged with 76 mm rains till Western Railway remained duction to yoga under the this evening (6 p.m.), and the largely unaffected by the rains. guidance of specialists has eastern and western suburbs In the neighbouring Navi already proven useful for received 28 mm and 32 mm Mumbai, heavy rains with gusty critical patients. respectively. winds uprooted more than a “We are planning to In adjoining Thane, one dozen trees leading to huge open Yoga and Ayush A truck is seen stuck at a water-logged street after heavy rains in Mumbai, India, yesterday. person was electrocuted and traffic jams and hampering centres in all six AIIMS another was killed in a lightning movement in different parts of which are currently func- strike at Uttan in Bhayander. Mumbai’s Fort area earlier this Airways announcing delays of The BMC said despite the the satellite city. tional in the country,” “Four There were at least two morning. around 40 minutes for depar- heavy rains, flooding was pre- Since Friday night, the thousand one hundered incidents of building crashes Four persons sustained tures and 20 minutes for vented in even the most flood- coastal districts of Sindhudurg, patients who had undergone here as waterlogging was minor injuries when the roof arrivals due to congestion and prone zones in the city because Ratnagiri, Raigad, Thane and critical operations in AIIMS reported from several parts in slab of a four-storeyed building bad weather till 3 p.m. of corrective works carried out Palghar also continued to be Delhi have been treated Mumbai. Munji House crashed at Prab- With a thunderstorm in 120 areas. lashed by heavy rains as the through yoga and ayush At least two firemen were hadevi in central Mumbai late warning forecast over the Delhi Waterlogging was reported monsoon spread wings across methods. injured when a portion of a on Friday. Airport, more flight disruptions in parts of central Mumbai like the state bringing relief from the “The status of their dilapidated building on fire sud- Flights at the Mumbai were expected in Mumbai later Dadar east, Parel, Sion, Kings sultry heat experienced in the recovery in the post oper- denly crashed in south airport were affected, with Jet yesterday. Circle and surroundings, with past few weeks ative stage has been very good. We know, medicine is the integral part of treatment but we also need to implement good lifestyle Kejriwal alleges raid at Karnataka coalition ministry to practises like Yoga,” he said. Talking about the Nipah DJB offices, CBI denies outbreak in the country that start working from tomorrow has already claimed lives in Kerala, the minister said the me in something,” Kejriwal disease has been success- said in a tweet. IANS As portfolio allocation JD-S leader H.D. Kumar- fully prevented from “Prime Minister, LG (Lieu- got delayed by 2 days aswamy and Congress state unit becoming an epidemic. tenant Governor) and BJP - if BENGALURU: The fledgling and the ministers president G. Parameshwara “Nipah is not epidemic. you have specific infor- JD-S-Congress coalition were sworn-in as Chief Minister So there is no need to get mation, please investigate. government in Karnataka would were unaware of them and Deputy Chief Minister on alarmed. There should be no But don’t victimize Delhi’s start working from tomorrow, till Friday night, they May 23. panic among people. Also people by paralyzing all as most of the cabinet ministers decided to assume The Congress has six more the outbreak is under departments of Delhi gov- went to their constituencies for charge tomorrow cabinet berths and the JD-S one control. No new incidents ernment,” he said. the week-end, said an official more to fill in the 34-member have been reported,” he Kejriwal also said that he yesterday. when offices reopen ministry, which is 15 per cent said. would put out the list of all “As government offices are after the weekend of the 225-member assembly He also said the the files sought by the CBI closed on second Saturday and break. strength. influence of fruit bats as the and the ACB (Anti Cor- the support staff were also on In a related development, primary source of Nipah ruption Branch) in public leave at the state secretariat Kumaraswamy advised his outbreak is under scanner. IANS domain. here, the 25 new cabinet min- “As portfolio allocation got party ministers G.T. Devegowda Claiming that the “The Prime Minister and isters will work from Monday,” delayed by 2 days and the min- and C.S. Puttaraju to work with current regime has formed the Lieutenant Governor the senior official told IANS, pre- isters were unaware of them till the portfolios they were allo- an integrated health policy NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief should explain reasons for ferring anonymity. Friday night, they decided to cated than seeking change. for the people, Choubey said Minister Arvind Kejriwal seeking those files. Else they Of the 25 ministers, 14 are assume charge tomorrow when Devegowda, who studied 500 million people from 100 (pictured) yesterday alleged should apologise to Delhiites from Congress and 9 from offices reopen after the weekend only up to 8th standard, has million Indian families will that a joint CBI-ACB team for this witch-hunting Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) and break,” said the official. been allocated Higher Edu- be benefitted by Pradhan conducted searches at the exercise,” he added. one each from Bahujan Samaj As per the agreement cation and Puttaraju Minior Mantri Swasthya Suraksha offices of Delhi Jal Board In another tweet, Kejriwal Party (BSP) and Karnataka Prag- between the alliance partners, Irrigation though he wanted Yojana (PMSSY). (DJB) to frame him in false also sought time from Lieu- nyavanta Janata Paksha (KPJP), the cabinet posts and portfolios Transport. He also said 150,000 cases -- a charge denied by tenant Governor Anil Baijal which are allies of both the coa- are shared in the ratio of 21:11, “Even I have studied only health sub-centres across the Central Bureau of Inves- on Monday afternoon to lition partners. with the Congress getting 21, up to degree (B.Sc). Yet, I am the country will be trans- tigation (CBI). “discuss some important Though all the cabinet min- including the Deputy Chief Min- the Chief Minister. It is not edu- formed into wellness “CBI and ACB started ran- matters”. isters took oath on Wednesday, ister rank, as it has 78 legislators cation qualification or which centres with improved facil- domly picking files from DJB. However, a CBI official portfolios were allocated on in the hung assembly, and the portfolio that matters. All posts ities that would revolu- No specific enquiry. Because told IANS that no raids were Friday night, as many of them Janata Dal-Secular (JD-) 11, give same opportunity to work tionize health care services now I am Minister-in-Charge, carried out by the agency offi- were vying for high-profile posts including Chief Minister rank, and serve the people.” Kumar- provided to common their effort is somehow frame cials at the offices of DJB. between the alliance partners. as it has 36 lawmakers. aswamy told reporters. people. SUNDAY 10 JUNE 2018 ASIA 11

Pakistan Navy New law binds Pak rescues Iranian caretaker govts’ fishermen from sunken dhow day-to-day matters INTERNEWS

INTERNEWS legislations introduced by the ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy Indian Election Commission Sea King helicopters success- LAHORE: The federal cabinet chief T N Seshan around two fully rescued crew members division yesterday made it clear decades ago, reducing compli- of sunken Iranian Dhow in to the federal and all provincial cations that could arise by North Arabian Sea (NAS), a caretaker governments that allowing caretaker govern- statement from Pakistan under Election Act 2017 they ments to do whatever they liked Navy said yesterday. were required to merely attend at will. Upon receipt of infor- day-to-day matters and should According to the cabinet mation about distressed avoid any action that could lead division direction, under Dhow (Al Ramani) bearing to any future implications. Section 230 of the Election Act flag of Islamic Republic of The copies of the directions 2017 a caretaker government Iran, 11 crew members (Fish- had been sent to all federal gov- shall perform its functions to ermen) onboard, Pakistan ernment departments and the attend to day-to-day matters Navy promptly responded provinces for further circu- which are necessary to run the Sheikh Hasina arrives at the G7 Summit and launched search and lation, officials said. affairs of the government. rescue operation. Two They explained that the It shall assist the com- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (right) greets Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as Pakistan Navy Sea King Hel- country for the first time in its mission (ECP) to hold elections she arrives for the official welcoming ceremony for outreach countries and International Organizations icopters were immediately history was going to the general in accordance with law, restrict at the G7 Summit in the Charlevoix town of La Malbaie, Quebec, Canada, yesterday. directed to search, locate and election under a law Election itself to activities that are of rescue distressed boat crew. Act 2017 which limits the routine, non-controversial and Helicopters equipped working of the caretaker urgent, in the public interest and with search and rescue gear governments. reversible by the future gov- along with para medical staff The law binds them to con- ernment elected after the elec- swiftly reached deep sea area centrate only on their role of a tions, and be impartial to every Railway Minister directs to give special at South West of Karachi in stopgap arrangement without person and political party. shortest possible time and considering themselves all The caretaker government conducted aerial search for powerful to make major shall not take major policy deci- discount to senior citizens on Eid fishing boat. decisions. sions except on urgent matters, After rigorous search INTERNEWS The law even disallows the take any decision or make a Pakistan Railways (PR). She was also briefed about Public efforts in prevailing rough caretaker governments to go for policy that may have effect or asked to give equal represen- Private Partnership in PR. She sea and low visibility condi- any transfer or posting. If it is preempt the exercise of ISLAMABAD: Caretaker tation to all provinces in Railway praised customer facilitation tions at open sea, survivors necessary at all, they will have authority by the future elected Minister for Railways, Roshan Board. activities including punctuality, were located by helicopter to first get an approval of the government, enter into major Khurshhed Bharaucha yesterday She showed interest in cleanliness, train lighting and aircrew. Election Commission of contract or undertaking if it is directed the ministry officials to railway operation that is E-ticketing. The operation was ami- Pakistan (ECP). detrimental to public interest. announce special discounts for expanded at 7,791 kms. it was She was told that Pakistan cably augmented by Pakistan All previous elections in It shall not enter into major senior citizens on the occasion briefed to her that PR faced its Railways is given priority in Navy Ship NASR, which was Pakistan had been held under international negotiation with of Eid. worst time during 2012-13, but China-Pakistan Economic Cor- already present in NAS on eight different laws. any foreign country or interna- During a briefing about for last 4 years things have ridor (CPEC). Chairman Ministry routine patrol. The Election Act 2017 is a tional agency or sign or ratify railway operations in the entire changed for PR. of Railways Javed Anwar stated, In a very short span of combination of these different any international binding country by DG Planning Mazhar A proper development “PR has reached its highest ever time survivors were laws and has been prepared on instrument except in an excep- Ali Shah, she was apprised about strategy has been devised revenue in last 3 years due to recovered onboard Sea King the pattern of a similar tional case. organisational structure of including de politicisation. She team work.” helicopters through winching operation and necessary first aid was rendered. The sur- vived crew members Maldives sets thanked Pakistan Navy for Four women candidates to contest on general seats in KP prompt and professional response. September date INTERNEWS well in the election. She said her constituency, which is a said that for the first time, under The rescue operation for presidential family had remained a part of stronghold of a religio-political the Election Act, 2017 the lasted for about one and half PESHAWAR: Four women the Khudai Khidmatgar party, Jamaat-i-Islami. women’s right to vote was hour resulting in safe election candidates have received nomi- Movement of Khan Abdul Hamida Shahid is an active secured and under the new law recovery of all Iranian crew nation papers for contesting the Ghaffar Khan, lovingly called PTI women leader and she is 10 per cent female votes were members to Pakistan Navy election on general seats from Bacha Khan by his supporters. also a central in-charge of the mandatory for winning the seat. Air Base, PNS MEHRAN at REUTERS Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “I will launch my election PTI’s Sport and Cultural Wing. However, she said that she Karachi. Noor Jehan, the cousin of campaign after Eid,” she said, She said she had submitted would launch door-to-door Finally, the salvaged MALE: Maldives presidential Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh adding, “I want to work for the nomination papers after the election campaign and corner Iranian crew was handed election will be held in Khan, has obtained nomination women’s empowerment and party awarded her the ticket. meetings for getting support in over to HQ Pakistan Mar- September, the country’s forms from the returning officer focus on the problems in the Hamida Shahid is contesting the election. “I hope to win the itime Security Agency for Election Commission chief for constituency PK-77. constituency.” the election from the constit- election and work for the further handling of the sur- said late on Friday, a week Noor Jehan said she would Noor Jehan resides in uency, where the women voters women of the district, who are vivors as per the provisions after the European Union and submit nomination papers in a Mohallah Shah Wali Qataal, at are barred from the election always deprived of due rights,” of law. some Western nations urged day or two after opening her the back of Qissa Khwani after verbal agreements she said. “Naval forces have an the country to hold a trans- account for the election. Noor Bazaar. between all the political parties’ Asia Khattak, another PTI inherent capability of flexi- parent, credible poll. Jehan, who remained district and Similarly, woman worker of candidates. worker and district councillor bility and reach which have The Maldives, home to town councillor, stated that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Recently, the Election Com- Peshawar, has submitted nom- been clearly manifested/ 400,000 people and best members of the Rotary Club, (PTI) from Upper Dir, Hamida mission of Pakistan had ination papers for contesting the employed during this rescue known as a tropical paradise Peshawar, were her main sup- Shahid, submitted her nomi- declared by-election of tehsil election on a general seat. operation at open sea. Our for tourists, has experienced porters in the election. nation papers to contest the nazims in the Dir district as void A social worker, Sahar, a ships, flying the green flag political unrest since She said that her late father election on the general seat after the woman voters were resident of Gulburg Peshawar, around the globe are Mohamed Nasheed, its first Ghulam Muhammad, called from PK-10 Dir-I on the party barred from voting. After that also received nomination reflection of our national democratically elected leader, Gama by fellow Peshawaris, was ticket. For the first time in the the candidates allowed the papers from the returning character, resilience and was forced to quit amid a a freedom fighter and his name history, a female candidate from female to cast their votes in the officer on Saturday for con- unrelenting commitment to mutiny by police in 2012. and role in the freedom Dir district is contesting election election. testing the election for constit- the humanitarian cause,” Nasheed, the sole candidate movement would help her as on general seat in a However, Hamida Shahid uency PK-75 said the statement. in last week’s primary election held by his Maldivian Demo- cratic Party (MDP), was con- victed of terrorism charges in 2015 and sentenced to 13 years Afghan shoppers go online to avoid bombs & harassment in prison after a controversial REUTERS and widely criticised trial. from cosmetics, computers, The store has no physical Maldives police executing kitchenware and furniture to presence in terms of stock, just a court order last week dis- KABUL: Shoppers in the Afghan cars, rugs and real estate. One an office of eight. rupted the MDP’s effort to pick capital are going online for website advertises foreign “We work as a connecting Nasheed as its candidate for everything from fashion to brands including Rolex, Adidas bridge between people and large the election. furniture to avoid bomb attacks and Zara. stores and traders. A month ago, Elections Commission and harassment, with dozens of Student Asila Sulaimani we were hardly managing to earn chief Ahmed Shareef said the start-ups doing a brisk trade described online shopping as a our expenses - we were making 2018 presidential poll will be where there were few on the “good experience” in a country a loss - but now we are making held on September 23 in “the ground two years ago. at war, with UN figures putting a profit of 1,000 to 3,000 afghanis most transparent and open” Suicide bombings and other those under 25 at more than 60 ($14 to $42) a day. It shows we are manner. Shareef said attacks in Kabul have killed and percent of the population, the growing.” He is now looking to observers from eight countries wounded hundreds of people vast majority of them enthusi- expand to Herat province in the and the EU and OIC would be this year and security had been astic smartphone users. west, Kandahar in the south, invited. expected to deteriorate ahead of “Who dares go out shopping Balkh in the north and Nan- “Unlike previous elections elections planned for October. these days?” she said. “I am sure garhar, neighbouring Pakistan, Afghan shopkeepers work on their laptop at their online shop in this election will be fully Sexual harassment on the street there are some people, but for in the east. Kabul, Afghanistan. trusted by the people. We will is widespread. me it has always been difficult... Esmatullah owner of Afghan not be withholding any infor- Taliban insurgents on Fears of an explosion, an attack Mart, which he set up just over a mation other than what we Sunday announced a surprise and the most common thing, year ago, has a shop with $7,000 by a second in the same area. “unique” for a country at war for have to keep secret lawfully,” three-day ceasefire for the Eid harassment, follow me like my worth of goods. “Big companies Many people who have to go more than four decades, with he told reporters in Male. The holiday next week, marking the shadow.” Tamim Rasa is the contact me to sell their imported out take diversionary routes about 50 companies in business, election will be held amid end of the fasting month of founder of Rasa Online which he goods. An average of 50 cus- through narrow side alleys, most of them unlicensed. widespread criticism of civil Ramadan, days after the gov- started with $30,000 eight tomers call me daily and we sometimes through people’s “The culture of online stores and political rights abuses by ernment offered a ceasefire until months ago. He has since signed deliver,” he said, adding that he homes and gardens, to avoid the only started two years ago in Kabul President Abdulla Yameen’s June 20. contracts with more than 60 too is looking to expand into the threat and traffic of major roads and right now more than 20 online government, with opposition The new retailers, with stores and traders, with 80 provinces by the end of the year. and intersections. stores have a licence to trade - leaders either in exile or names like AzadBazar.af, afom. percent of his customers women The biggest challenge, he Commerce Ministry there are many more that have yet behind bars, and a crackdown af, JVBazar.com and zarinas.com, and cosmetics “a big part of said, was security in a city where spokesman Musafer Qoqandi to get their licence and we on media and activists. sell goods ranging business”. one bomb blast can be followed described online shopping as encourage them to come forward. 12 ASIA / EUROPE SUNDAY 10 JUNE 2018 Any deal with N Korea will be ‘spur of the moment’: Trump Trump said it would probably take time to reach an Kim impersonator agreement with Kim on denuclearisation, questioned on but at a minimum he believed the summit arrival in Singapore could produce a AP “relationship” between the US and North SINGAPORE: A Kim Jong-Un lookalike was detained and Korea, which do not questioned upon his arrival in Singapore on Friday, days have diplomatic ties. before a summit between the North Korean leader and President Donald Trump. The Hong Kong-based impersonator, who uses the REUTERS name Howard X, is in the city-state for summit-related promotions by a mall and seafood restaurant. He said the police officers who stopped him at Singa- LA MALBAIE: US President pore’s Changi Airport searched his bags and questioned Donald Trump said yesterday any him for about two hours before letting him go. He said he agreement with North Korean was told to stay away from Sentosa Island and the Shangri- leader Kim Jong-Un at next La Hotel. Kim and Trump are to meet on Tuesday at the week’s summit would be “spur Capella Hotel on Sentosa Island and Trump is expected to of the moment,” underscoring the stay at the Shangri-La during his visit to Singapore. A man and his daughter attend a candlelight vigil wishing for a successful summit between the US uncertain outcome of what he The impersonator, whose real name is Lee Howard Ho and North Korea, in front of the US Embassy in central Seoul, yesterday. called a “mission of peace.” “I Wun, said police asked if he had been involved in protests have a clear objective, but I have around the world, including those by pro-democracy to say — it’s going to be some- produce a “relationship” between would formally end the 1950-53 tiple bankruptcies. activists in Hong Kong. He said he told them he had been thing that will always be spur of the United States and North Korean War, which was con- The US leader was overall at the scene of Hong Kong demonstrations as a musician the moment,” Trump told Korea, which do not have diplo- cluded with a truce, and not a optimistic about the summit with playing the drums. “However, I never rioted and don’t plan reporters at a news conference matic ties. peace treaty. Kim. A rare direct flight from to ever riot. I told him (police officer) that I... would never at the G7 summit in Quebec. “You At a news conference with Trump yesterday said he Pyongyang landed in Singapore do this in Singapore because it is against your rules to don’t know. This has not been Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo would know within a minute yesterday ahead of the expected protest,” Lee told said. done before at this level.” Abe on Thursday, Trump said he whether something good would arrival of Kim. In a statement, Singapore’s Immigration and Check- The main issue for the June might extend an invitation to Kim come out of the summit. “I think The Air China Airbus 330 points Authority said Wun was interviewed for about 45 12 summit in Singapore, which to visit Washington. Pyongyang within the first minute I’ll know. flight at Changi airport raised minutes. “As part of the immigration clearance process, he departed for before the end of has rejected giving up its arsenal Just my touch, my feel. That’s speculation that a delegation of travelers to Singapore may be subject to additional inter- the G7 meeting, is the US demand unilaterally and defends its what I do,” Trump said. “And if I North Korean officials joined an views and/or screening. These procedures are conducted for North Korea to abandon a nuclear and missile programs as think it won’t happen — I’m not advance team headed by Kim’s at all Singapore’s checkpoints,” the authority said. nuclear weapons programme a deterrent against what it sees going to waste my time. I don’t close aide, Kim Chang Son, who Demonstrations in Singapore can only be held in a des- that now threatens the United as US aggression. want to waste his time.” Trump was in Singapore to prepare for ignated area, the 2.4-acre Hong Lim Park, and require park States. Trump said it would The United States stations frequently has boasted of his the talks. approval. All other gatherings require a police permit. probably take time to reach an 28,500 troops in South Korea, a negotiating prowess as a real Kim is expected to arrive at Later Friday, Howard X and Dennis Alan, a Trump agreement with Kim on denu- legacy of the Korean War. Trump estate developer, and his ability Changi airport today, a source impersonator, held hands and walked around Merlion Park, clearisation, but at a minimum has held out the possibility of to read people, even though his involved in the planning of the a popular tourist destination. he believed the summit could striking an accord with Kim that businesses have declared mul- trip said on Friday.

Italy’s populists accuse Malta of Putin discusses refusing political prisoners migrants port AP with Poroshenko

REUTERS MILAN: The first group of aratist insurgency in the coun- migrants to arrive in Italy try’s east. The Kremlin said the since a populist government KIEV/MOSCOW: Russian Pres- call was initiated by Ukraine, took office is at the centre of ident Vladimir Putin and his adding that “particular a spat between Italy’s new Ukrainian counterpart Petro attention is paid to issues of a interior minister and fellow Poroshenko discussed a humanitarian nature, including EU member Malta. possible exchange of prisoners the exchange of detainees”. Some 230 African during a telephone call Ukraine says that at least 64 migrants landed in Calabria yesterday. Ukrainians are ‘political pris- yesterday after receiving Poroshenko had placed oners’ in Russia, including 40 authorisation from the Interior particular emphasis on the sit- who are held in Crimea. Ministry. But before their ship uation of Ukrainian citizens Kiev has repeatedly said docked, Interior Minister being held in Russia who are on that the release of its prisoners Matteo Salvini lashed out at hunger strike, the president’s is a priority and the issue will Malta for allegedly denying the office said in a statement. be discussed during a planned vessel permission to port. The Relations between Moscow meeting of foreign ministers on Russia’s anti-submarine ships on a five-day goodwill visit in Manila Maltese government denied and Kiev have been tense since June 11. “The first question apart the accusation, saying it 2014 when a popular uprising from the deployment of peace- A Philippine Navy Band plays as the Russian Navy’s large anti-submarine ships Admiral Tributs and “adheres to its obligations at drove a pro-Russian president keeping mission, ceasefire and Admiral Vinogradov and sea tanker Pechenga dock for a five-day goodwill visit at the South Harbor all times.” A spokeswoman for from power. Russia went on to implementation of the Minsk of Manila, yesterday. It was the first visit of the Russian Navy this year, and the sixth since 2012. Sea Watch, the private organ- annex Crimea from Ukraine agreement, is the issue of hos- isation operating the recue and backed a pro-Russian sep- tages,” Poroshenko said. ship, said that the coordination of rescues “is not the compe- tence of NGOs.” Iraqi flown back Russia brushes off Vienna likely host for to Germany after ‘confessing’ possibility of G8 return Putin-Trump summit AFP AFP teen’s murder future,” he added. telephone conversation on March 20 Russia has bridled at Western sanc- the Russian and US leaders had also AFP MOSCOW: Russia has not asked to rejoin tions over Crimea, but has not sought to MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir mentioned possibly meeting in Vienna. the group of the world’s leading econ- compromise to rebuild ties. Putin discussed during a visit to Austria “You know, the two presidents dis- ARBIL: A failed Iraqi asylum omies and is perfectly happy working with Relations with the West have become this week the possibility of Vienna cussed the necessity of holding such a seeker was flown back to the larger G20, Foreign Minister Sergei even more strained in recent months after playing host to a summit with his US meeting in their last telephone call. Germany yesterday after Lavrov said yesterday, a day after US Pres- the poisoning in Britain of a Russian counterpart Donald Trump, Kremlin Including that Vienna could be such a admitting raping and ident Donald Trump called for Russia’s former double agent and his daughter, an spokesman Dmitry Peskov said city” for the summit, said Peskov. murdering a teenage girl, return. attack London has accused Moscow of yesterday. He added, however, that no con- Iraqi Kurdish officials and Lavrov said on national television that being behind. “It was mentioned that Vienna could crete agreements have been reached German media reports said. Russia “never asked anyone to return” to However the Kremlin acknowledged be such a city” Peskov was quoted as and no concrete discussions were Ali Bashar, 20, is alleged to the Group of Seven following the 2014 yesterday that President Vladimir Putin saying by the RIA Novosti state news underway. Under the conservative Kurz, have strangled 14-year-old decision to suspend Russia over Moscow’s discussed during a visit to Austria earlier agency after being asked if Putin men- Austria has strived to act as a mediator Susanna Maria Feldman after annexation of Crimea. this week the possibility of Vienna playing tioned whether the city could hold such between Russia and the West. raping her in the German city Ahead of the annual meeting of G7 host to a summit with his US counterpart a meeting when he met with Austrian While the EU-state imposed sanc- of Wiesbaden. He was detained leaders Trump said Russia should be Donald Trump. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on Tuesday. tions on Russia over Crimea along with in northern Iraq on Friday fol- allowed back, a suggestion quickly Putin said in a Russian television Peskov’s comments come a day the rest of the bloc, Austria did not expel lowing an outcry in Germany rejected by Britain, France and Germany. interview that a meeting with Trump after Trump called for Russia to be read- Russian diplomats like other Western after police hunting the fugitive Lavrov said Russia is “working fine in would be “useful.” “Dialogue may prove mitted to the group of the world’s nations following the March poisoning admitted he had fled with his other formats” such as the Group of 20, to be constructive,” he said in the leading nations, known as the G7, a step of a Russian former double agent and family. Despite the absence of TASS state news agency reported. interview, the full version of which was that would end Russia’s international his daughter in Britain, an attack a formal extradition treaty “In the G20 ultimatums don’t work, released on Saturday. isolation over its 2014 annexation of London has accused Moscow of being between Iraq and Germany, he you need to reach agreements there,” said He added that Russia was ready to Crimea from Ukraine. behind. “We have continued our coop- was put on a Lufthansa flight the Russian foreign minister. The G20 “is “develop, deepen and normalise ties with Speaking from China where Putin eration even during difficult times,” to Germany from the Kurdish a mechanism to reach consensus. I think the United States,” noting that the next was attending a regional security Kurz said after his talks with Putin on regional capital Arbil. this is most promising format for the move was for Washington to make. summit, Peskov said that in their last Tuesday. SUNDAY 10 JUNE 2018 EUROPE 13 May for ministerial ‘away-day’ to sort out Brexit plans

May said she post-Brexit customs was planning to arrangement will be best for summon ministers Britain, meaning talks on the future are unlikely to move far to Chequers, her in June. country residence, for Before leaving for Canada, an “away-day” aimed May was forced into crisis talks at ending months with her Brexit minister who had challenged her so-called of squabbling and backstop plan to ensure no hard agreeing the contents border on the island of Ireland. FROM LEFT: Britain’s Prince Charles, Prince of Wales; Prince Harry, Catherine, Then her Foreign Minister, Boris Duchess of Cambridge (with Princess Charlotte, Savannah Phillips, Prince George); of a so-called and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge; stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace ‘white paper’ policy Johnson, was recorded saying there could be a Brexit meltdown. to watch a fly-past of aircraft by the Royal Air Force, in London, yesterday. RIGHT: document. With that in mind, May said Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex; and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex return in a horse- she was planning to summon drawn carriage after attending the Queen’s Birthday Parade, ‘Trooping the Colour’ on Horseguards parade. REUTERS ministers to Chequers, her country residence, for an “away- day” aimed at ending months of LA MALBAIE: UK Prime Minister squabbling and agreeing the con- Huge turnout for Trooping the Colour spectacle Theresa May will gather together tents of a so-called ‘white paper’ AP squabbling British ministers at policy document. great-grandchildren waved not just Sikhs but from other reli- wore a dress by Alexander her country residence after this The white paper is expected wildly. She smiled — both at the gions and different backgrounds, McQueen and a hat by Juliette month’s European Union summit to set out in more detail what LONDON: Prince Harry and his jets and the children. that they will be encouraged to Botterill. to hammer out the final details Britain wants from its long-term new wife, the former actress The 92-year-old queen, join the Army.” Harry and William were in of a much-anticipated Brexit relationship with the EU. May did Meghan Markle, joined the whose real birthday is April 21, Trooping the Colour is a cer- military dress uniforms. policy paper. not give a firm date for when it pageantry of the annual Trooping seemed vigorous as she keenly emony deeply rooted in the The queen, who wore a sky With less than a year to go would be published. the Colour ceremony yesterday observed the event. The monarch, history of the United Kingdom. It blue coat and dress by Stuart until Britain leaves the European Ministers had said it would in London to celebrate Queen who recently had a successful originated from traditional prep- Parvin and a hat by Angela Kelly, Union, May has yet to agree some be published before the June EU Elizabeth II’s official birthday. cataract operation, watched the arations for battle when flags, or travelled alone in an Ascot of the fundamental details of summit, suggesting rows had The duke and duchess, who ceremony from a dais and colours, were “trooped” so sol- Landau. The queen’s husband, what type of trading relationship helped delay the paper. married three weeks ago, made inspected the guardsmen in diers in the ranks would be able 96-year-old Prince Philip, has she wants to have with the bloc Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the short trip from Buckingham bearskin hats and scarlet tunics. to recognise them. retired from royal duties. after Britain leaves in March next the opposition Labour party, crit- Palace to Horse Guards Parade One guardsman stood out: Thousands of spectators Some 7,500 guests joined the year. As a result, talks with the icised the delay to the white in a horse-drawn carriage as Charanpreet Singh Lall, a flocked to London for the annual monarch at Horse Guards, with EU have all but ground to a halt, paper. “The government royal fans lining the Mall cheered 22-year-old Sikh from Leicester, spectacle, hoping to catch a prime seats accorded to US raising fears among businesses promised a ‘detailed, ambitious and waved. The couple later who wore a black turban. It glimpse of the glittering house of Defence Secretary James Mattis and in Brussels that Britain could and precise’ Brexit white paper joined other members of the marked the first time a member Windsor, jamming the royal and Britain’s Defence Secretary, end up crashing out of the bloc this month setting out their nego- royal family on the palace’s front of the Coldstream Guards took parks near the parade grounds. Gavin Williamson. without an agreed deal. tiating priorities. Once again it’s balcony to watch the Royal Air part wearing turban — and Lall The Duchess of Sussex, as The military precision of the “There’s going to be a lot been postponed. The Tories are Force fly by. hoped it wouldn’t be the last. Markle is now known, wore a parade unravelled slightly at the happening over the next few botching Brexit and risking jobs As the aerobatic display team, “I hope that people watching, Carolina Herrera dress and a hat end of the day when the former weeks. You know, people want and our economy in the process,” the Red Arrows, released plumes that they will just acknowledge by Philip Treacy. The Duchess of chief of the defence staff, Charles us to get on with it and that’s he said in an emailed statement. of red, white and blue smoke it and that they will look at it as Cambridge, the former Kate Mid- Guthrie, 79, was thrown from his exactly what we’re doing,” May May said her government over the balcony of Buckingham a new change in history,” he said. dleton who is married to Harry’s horse. He received medical told reporters on her way to a G7 and the EU were still working Palace, the queen’s “I hope that more people like me, older brother Prince William, attention. summit in Canada. towards an October deadline in May will look to the June talks with the EU to secure an 28-29 EU summit as a chance to agreement on the terms of Brit- pin down some of the most trou- ain’s withdrawal and an outline UK watchdog blesome details of Britain’s exit of the future partnership. agreement and pave the way for “We’re all, both we and the probes reports more intensive talks on the all- European Union, working to that important future economic part- timetable of October,” May said. that meat found nership between the world’s fifth “From my point of view what in veg meals largest economy and the world’s we’re doing is working to biggest trading bloc. develop that future relationship LONDON: Britain’s food But senior ministers are still because there’s a big prize for the watchdog said it was investi- at odds about what type of UK here at the end of this.” gating allegations that traces of meat had been found in “meat-free” and vegan meals sold at the country’s two largest supermarket chains, Tesco and Sainsbury’s. “We are investigating the circumstances surrounding these alleged incidents and any resulting action will depend upon the evidence found,” the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said. The FSA statement fol- lowed a report in The Daily Telegraph, which said an investigation by the newspaper had detected traces of turkey in a Tesco vegan macaroni ready meal and traces of pork in Sainsbury’s “meat-free” Al Quds day demonstration in Berlin meatballs. Migrants upon arrival at the port of Malaga Sales of vegetarian and Protesters take part in a Quds-day Demonstration on the occasion of the “Al Quds day” in Berlin, vegan products are rising in yesterday. The “Quds day” (the day of Jerusalem), a commemoration first initiated by Iran in 1979 A woman and a child, migrants, part of a group intercepted aboard the UK, with one in 10 to fall on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan expresses support for displaced Palestinians two dinghies off the coast in the Mediterranean Sea, rest on a shoppers in Britain buying a and against the presence of Jewish settlements in Israeli-occupied territories. rescue boat upon arrival at the port of Malaga, Spain, yesterday. meat-free ready meal in January 2018. Spanish Minister: Constitution is way to handle Catalonia

AP until now, but it needs a renovation.” Sanchez’s government is in the minority on Friday lifted additional financial con- court ruling is often cited as the source The constitutional change under con- and will likely face stiff resistance to any trols imposed by Rajoy on Catalonia. of a spike in pro-secession sentiment BARCELONA: The new Spanish sideration would apparently give more move to appease the secessionists in Sanchez and Torra also spoke by tel- that culminated in last year’s crisis. government Minister tasked with authority to regional governments. Catalonia from both the Popular Party ephone Friday. Batet said the conver- Catalan president Torra was quick managing the Catalonia region’s The separatist-led regional gov- and the centre-right Citizens party. sation was “cordial” but a date has not to respond that his government would secession movement said yesterday that ernment in Catalonia, which tried and Spain was plunged into an institu- been set for them to meet in person. not renounce its designs on carving out constitutional reform would help end failed to declare independence last year, tional crisis when the separatist majority “It’s important to emphasize that the a new country out of Spain. He repeated the country’s worst political crisis in is the most pressing problem facing in Catalonia’s Parliament issued an attitude of the Spanish government is the claim that Catalonia’s separatists nearly four decades. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. illegal- and ineffective- declaration of to listen, to have a dialogue and to reach were given a mandate to push for inde- Meritxell Batet, a Catalan lawmaker Sanchez was sworn into office a independence in October. Rajoy’s gov- agreements,” Batet said about Sanchez’s pendence when the “yes” vote won an sworn in Thursday as Spain’s minister week ago after he led a no-confidence ernment, with the backing of then- stance with Torra. “We hope that the ad-hoc referendum on secession in of public administration, said the ruling vote in Parliament to oust conservative opposition leader Sanchez, fired Cata- attitude of the other institutions will be October. The vote was held despite a Socialists want to amend the Spanish predecessor Mariano Rajoy, whose lonia’s government and took over the the same.” Batet said Sanchez’s gov- court order suspending it. Political parties Constitution to move toward a “federal Popular Party was tarnished by a recent running of the region’s affairs. ernment could consider agreeing to in favor of Spanish unity boycotted the model.” Batet said at a Socialist party corruption case involving some high- Madrid’s takeover ended last other demands from Catalonia, referendum, resulting in a lopsided win event in Barcelona that Spain’s current ranking members. weekend when Catalonia’s new leader, including increased infrastructure for the secessionists. Polls and election structure of regional “autonomous com- Amending Spain’s Constitution, Quim Torra, named a regional Cabinet. spending and working to restore parts results show that Catalonia’s 7.5 million munities” that have varying degrees of however, requires a two-thirds majority To rebuild the frayed relations between of a charter law that Spain’s Constitu- residents are roughly split down the self-governance “has been successful of the Congress of Deputies in Madrid. national and regional leaders, Sanchez tional Court struck down in 2010. The middle by the question of secession. 14 HOME SUNDAY 10 JUNE 2018 SUNDAY 10 JUNE 2018 AMERICAS 15 Eight months on, #MeToo conquering the US

AFP salary gaps in the workplace. harassed or sexually abused by misogyny of the giant of for it to come into force. “I think emerged in which he boasted Since then, hardly a day passes Weinstein over more than two American literature. #MeToo and we are going to win, we are going that his fame allowed him to grab NEW YORK: A “Miss America” without the #MeToo spirit dom- decades. He has pleaded not guilty Time’s Up have also scored to have that in the next couple of women’s genitals and get away pageant without swimsuits, inating news in the United States. in New York to two charges, abuse points in the political arena. years,” Toni Van Pelt, president with it. tougher sexual harassment laws, The momentum has touched and assault. About a dozen US states have of the National Organization for Even though Clinton lost, a more women running for office: the powerful National Football Former president Bill Clinton re-examined their laws on sexual Women, said. “women’s march” held the day Eight months after the downfall League, which is being sued by found himself drawn into the harassment. Some have forbidden, She sees continued force in the after Trump’s inauguration in of Hollywood mogul Harvey cheerleaders from three teams #MeToo conversation this week, or plan to outlaw, employers from #MeToo movement. “I don’t think January 2017 attracted millions Weinstein, the #MeToo movement over their treatment. which overshadowed his tour to imposing staff confidentiality it is going to play out. I don’t think of participants around the reverberates across America. Then on Tuesday, Gretchen promote a thriller novel he co- clauses which prevent them from this is going to stop,” especially country. At first, #MeToo, a social Carlson, chairwoman of Miss wrote with best-selling author filing public complaints. with a record number of women Van Pelt says the increased media movement against sexual America’s board of trustees, said James Patterson. Clinton was Two senators, one Demo- running in November’s mid-term number of women running for misconduct, made its mark the pageant is dropping its repeatedly asked whether, in light cratic and the other Republican, congressional elections. public office this year is “going through accusations against high- swimsuit and evening gown of #MeToo and the abuses of male on Tuesday presented a federal This female momentum is to make a huge difference in profile men accused of sexual competition and will no longer power it exposed, he should have bill along similar lines. largely a Democratic phe- state and legislative bodies,” as abuse in a range of sectors from judge contestants on their resigned over his relationship Feminists hope the #MeToo nomenon, illustrating the coun- the more women who are in a entertainment to media and pol- physical appearance. The more than two decades ago with spirit will soon allow adoption try’s political polarization but also room, the more that men are itics. Many were forced out of their pageant was a type of “institu- an intern, Monica Lewinsky. of an amendment to the US Con- the origins of #MeToo, McCarthy aware of their views. positions, and #MeToo’s influence tionalized misogyny,” said The scandal led to his stitution that would enshrine said. Nearly a year before Wein- McCarthy is more reserved, spread around the world. Timothy Patrick McCarthy, of the impeachment by the House of equal rights for men and women. stein’s fall, the electoral defeat of and sees a long-term struggle. In January, the birth of the Harvard Kennedy School Carr Representatives but he was later Approval by only one more Hillary Clinton “was one catalyst” “It has gotten a jolt in this Time’s Up movement marked a Center for Human Rights Policy. acquitted by the Senate and state will meet the constitutional of the movement, he said. particular historical moment,” new stage. Victims of abuse #MeToo “is extending and stayed in office. requirement for the Equal Rights The Democrat Clinton, Bill he said, “but it’s going to take a moved to action, taking to court having an influence on a whole Even the death of Philip Roth Amendment to take effect. It has Clinton’s wife, was the first while for that impulse to become their alleged harassers and range of conversations and prac- in May unleashed on social been envisaged since the 1920s major-party female candidate the cultural norm, to become broadening the fight to male- tices,” he said. It grew after nearly media an avalanche of com- but has not yet received ratifi- for president. She lost to Donald law, to become politically female discrimination such as 100 women said they were mentary about the supposed cation by the 38 states necessary Trump despite video which institutionalised”.

Texas family sues Downed power lines caused US govt after mass shooting October 2017 California fires AFP AFP offices for review in eight of the 12 fires... due to evidence of CHICAGO: A family that lost LOS ANGELES: Several of the alleged violations of state law.” three generations at a Texas wildfires that ripped through The statement said the power church mass shooting in northern California’s wine lines belonged to PG&E - Pacific November filed a lawsuit country in October 2017 were Gas and Electric - the regional against the US government, caused by downed power lines utility company. claiming it could have owned by the local utility The October fires in the prevented the gunman from company, a probe by investi- wine regions of Napa and legally acquiring firearms. gators found. Sonoma valleys, north of San Devin Patrick Kelley, who Cal Fire — the state agency Francisco, killed some 40 had a history of domestic in charge of fire prevention — people, razed more than 73,000 abuse and mental health said that its investigators deter- hectares of forest and scrub, problems, killed 26 people mined after “extensive and and destroyed more than 7,000 and wounded 20 others at the thorough investigations” that homes and buildings. First Baptist Church in Suth- 12 of the wildfires “were caused Many residents saw their erland Springs, Texas. by electric power and distri- homes turned to a pile of ash. The lawsuit was filed by Joe Volcano aftermath bution lines, conductors and the The grape orchards however and Claryce Holcombe, who are failure of power poles”. escaped the brunt of the dev- Heavy machinery removes debris at an area affected by the eruption of the Fuego volcano at San in their mid-80s and lost their The investigations “have astation. The year 2017 was Miguel Los Lotes in Escuintla, Guatemala, yesterday. children, grandchildren and been referred to the appro- California’s deadliest year for great-grandchildren. priate county district attorney’s fires. 16 MORNING BREAK SUNDAY 10 JUNE 2018

PRAYER TIMINGS FAJR 03. 14 AM SHOROOK 04. 43 AM IBM, Nvidia help US leapfrog

ZUHR 11. 33 AM MAGHRIB 06. 27 PM ASR 02. 56 PM ISHA 07. 57 PM China in supercomputer race WEATHER TODAY BLOOMBERG concerned about the billions China is China, which runs at 93 petaflops. The weather patterns. The machine will also spending on artificial intelligence and third-fastest machine is also in China, work on simulating new materials for NEW YORK: The US has a new super- quantum computing. operating at 33.8 petaflops. superconductors that will allow com- computer and it’s twice as fast as the US President Donald Trump has IBM and Nvidia found ways to puters to run more efficiently and at current record holder in China. taken an aggressive tone toward China, make the machine much faster, while lower temperatures, as well as looking International Business Machines blocking the takeover of chipmaker only needing 30 percent more power at mitochondria in cells to develop Corp developed the Summit computer, Qualcomm Inc on national security than previous systems, Zacharia said. early-warning tests for genetic dis- with help from Nvidia Corp, for the US grounds and accusing China of stealing Still, Summit needs the same amount eases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge US trade secrets. “There is a direct cor- of power it takes to serve a small town. said Ian Buck, Nvidia’s vice-president National Laboratory. relation between leadership in this “There was a time when we thought and general manager of accelerated The system cost about $200m to area and national security implica- a machine of this caliber would require computing. build, will occupy a warehouse the size tions,” said Thomas Zacharia, director a nuclear reactor right next to it to run The Department of Energy officially of two tennis courts and be put to work of Oak Ridge National Laboratory. it,” he said. The computer will use arti- controls the system and who gets to use on super-complex calculations that “Every country recognizes that ficial intelligence techniques like it. Scientific projects will be chosen from could lead to breakthroughs in fields being a leader in this field has down- machine learning, which allows software open submissions, and eventually from astrophysics to cancer research, stream impact.” to pull out insights from large data sets, private companies will be able to pay to the lab said in a statement. Summit operates at a speed of to try and solve problems that have have special access, Zacharia said. Summit also brings the title of 200,000 trillion calculations per stymied previous systems. “These computers obviously offer world’s fastest computer back to the second — or 200 petaflops in computer Summit will speed up projects that those that have them the ability to US. It comes as the race between science lingo. That’s more than twice require modeling massive events with innovate very, very quickly and have America and China for technological as fast as the current record holder, trillions of possible outcomes, like the a competitive advantage,” said John supremacy is being taken more seri- the Sunway TaihuLight at the National physics of supernova implosions, or Kelly, who oversees IBM’s artificial ously by US lawmakers, who are Super Computer Center in Guangzhou, how climate change is affecting intelligence and research projects. 35oC 47oC Minimum Maximum HBO gives nod Hot daytime with slight dust at places at to ‘Game of times.

HIGH TIDE 01:00 – 15:15 LOW TIDE 08:15 – 20:30 Thrones’ prequel Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department REUTERS

LOS ANGELES: HBO said that it is moving ahead with a prequel for its hit television series “Game of Thrones,” the first green light for five potential spinoff projects for the award-winning medieval fantasy. HBO said it had given a pilot order to a prequel that will take place thousands of years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” the biggest international hit for the Time Warner channel. If all goes well with the pilot, the network will order a full TV series. The as yet untitled prequel was created by British screenwriter Jane Goldman with author George R.R. Martin, whose novel series “A Song of Ice and Fire” is the basis for the “Game of Thrones” television series, HBO said in a statement. It will chronicle “the world’s descent from the Cloud formation golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour,” and look A cloud covers the sky near the Charlevoix city of La Malbaie in Quebec, Canada, yesterday. at the secrets of the history of the warring families in the fictional kingdom of Westeros. News of the prequel comes ahead of the eighth and final season of “Game of Thrones,” which is due to be broadcast in 2019. The series, which has won multiple Emmy awards, Kate Spade items fly off virtual thrift shop shelves is HBO’s biggest hit ever with some 30 million viewers REUTERS in the United States and an army of devoted fans online retailers said. fetched $300 on June 5, in line worldwide. Online fashion market with new bags. HBO gave no timescale for when the prequel series NEW YORK: The unexpected Tradesy saw a sextupling of The 55-year-old designer, might air but executives have said any spinoffs would death of fashion designer Kate average prices, a doubling of who with her husband built a not be broadcast until at least a year after the final Spade has shoppers rushing to supply and an 800 percent fashion empire on the popularity season of “Game of Thrones” in 2019. buy her brightly colored increase in purchases for Kate of affordable luxury, was found Martin said a year ago that he is working with at handbags, raising prices of Spade handbags on the day of dead in her New York City least four other writers on ideas for other spinoffs but used merchandise several her death. Bags that had sold apartment on Tuesday in an details have remained under wraps. times over, second-hand for $50 the previous week apparent suicide. Queen honours Emma Thompson, Kenny Dalglish Celebrity suicides highlight AFP where appropriate,” she said. troubling trend in midlife “Our approach will be community AP LONDON: Actress Emma driven, time appropriate and sen- signs and to intervene when Thompson (pictured) and sitive to the ongoing local recovery.” family members, friends or football legend Kenny Dalglish The honours list is the third CHICAGO The deaths of co-workers appear troubled. were on Friday named in Queen not to name key Grenfell Tower celebrity chef Anthony Asking if they’ve had suicidal Elizabeth II’s honours list, but figures, although the monarch’s Bourdain and fashion designer thoughts is not harmful and survivors and emergency 2017 birthday list was Kate Spade highlight a troubling lets them know you care, she responders to the Grenfell Tower announced just two days after trend — rising suicides among said. disaster were notably absent as the fire. middle-aged Americans. Behavior that may indicate the first anniversary of the fire However, former assistant Mental health problems, someone is suicidal includes: approaches. commissioner of the Metro- often undiagnosed, are usually -Talking about feeling Oscar-winner Thompson, politan Police, Mark Rowley, involved and experts say hopeless, trapped, a burden to famed for her roles in “Harry who led the response to the knowing warning signs and others or wanting to die. Potter” and “The Remains of the wave of deadly terror attacks who is at risk can help stop a -Unusual mood swings or Day”, has been granted the title which swept Britain last year, crisis from becoming a tragedy. withdrawing from family, of Dame in the annual roll call was honoured in the 2018 list Bourdain, 61, and Spade, 55, friends and usual activities. of the great and the good of “services to football, charity and list. As well as prominent figures with a knighthood “for services died three days and a continent -Giving away important British society. the city of Liverpool” after his in the arts and sciences, honours to policing”. apart this week amid a new U.S. possessions. The 59-year-old — described decades-long battle for justice are frequently bestowed on Queen Elizabeth — who report showing an uptick in sui- -Increased use of drugs. in the official citation of the for the victims of the tragedy, members of the emergency turned 92 in April — honoured cides rates in nearly every state This week’s report found honours committee as one of the and for his work with his wife services and campaigners. remarkable women on the 100th since 1999. that many suicides were in UK’s most versatile and cele- Marina’s charity which has In December, an editorial on anniversary of women’s suf- Middle-aged adults — ages people with no known mental brated actresses — is joined by raised more than £10m ($13.4m) The Independent website said frage, making them 49 percent 45 to 64 — had the largest rate illness. But Dr. Joshua Gordon, actors Tom Hardy and Keira for breast cancer sufferers. “I am the failure to note the “heroes” of the honorees. increase, according to the report director of the National Institute Knightley, who received the hugely grateful,” Dalglish said. of Grenfell in the New Year’s War correspondent Kate from the Centers for Disease of Mental Health, said that con- Order of the British Empire “for “The enjoyment that I have honours list “beggars belief”. Adie, Sister Imelda Poole, pres- Control and Prevention. tradicts years of data, sug- services to drama”. derived from being involved in A government spokes- ident of European anti-traf- Previous studies have sug- gesting many have “gone undi- Meanwhile, 67-year-old football for as long as I have is woman insisted that those ficking network Renate, and gested economic downturns agnosed and untreated. It’s very Dalglish, who won three outstripped only by the sense involved in the blaze, rescue former World War II nurse and the nation’s opioid crisis troubling.” European Cups as a Liverpool that I’ve been hugely fortunate efforts and its aftermath would Rosemary Powell, who at 103 contributed to the rise in Gordon said doctors need player and managed the club to have the right people around be honoured “at the earliest is the oldest on the list, are middle-aged suicides. to ask patients at every oppor- during the 1989 Hillsborough me at all times.” opportunity”. “We have con- among the women to be hon- Dr. Christine Moutier, a tunity about their mental health disaster when 96 fans were The government has been sulted with community groups oured. Twenty-year-old alpine psychiatrist and chief medical and evaluate their risk for killed in a stadium crush, was forced to defend its decision to and the emergency services to skier Menna Fitzpatrick, Brit- officer for the American Foun- suicide. “When you ask eve- awarded a knighthood. The Scot leave those involved in the agree the right approach to rec- ain’s most successful winter dation for Suicide Prevention, rybody and not just people you becomes Sir Kenny. London tower block fire which ognising those involved, consid- Paralympian, is the youngest said Friday it’s important for might suspect, you double the It is in recognition of claimed 71 lives on June 14 off the ering inquests and investigations on this year’s list. everyone to know the warning number you detect,” he said.