BUSINESS | Page 1 QATAR | Page 28 Father Emir attends INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-8, 28 COMMENT 26, 27 Qatar edges closer REGION 9 BUSINESS 1-5, 10-12 graduation 20,913.46 10,110.45 48.74 ARAB WORLD 9, 10 CLASSIFIED 6-9 to PPP law as private -27.05 +46.15 -0.59 INTERNATIONAL 11-25 SPORTS 1-8 ceremony -0.13% +0.46% -1.20% sector set for gain Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

TUESDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10441 May 2, 2017 Sha ’baan 6, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir meets Saudi king Al Meera to sell In brief 1,438 items at cost QATAR | Education Eight new primary and middle schools to open HE the Minister of Education and price in Ramadan Higher Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi yesterday By Joey Aguilar issued a ministerial decision to open Staff Reporter eight new primary, and middle schools for boys and girls. The decision stipulated the merger of students of l Meera Consumer Goods Com- some schools into other schools and pany is set to sell 1,438 products renaming. It also stipulated changing Aat cost price in order to provide the names of a number of independent consumers with aff ordable goods ahead schools. The decision, which aims and during the holy month of Ramadan. to provide for better geographic The carefully-selected items will be distribution of diff erent educational displayed in 35 Al Meera stores across stages, assigned the building of Al Qatar, including Géant Hypermarket, Khansaa Primary Independent School as part of its community-based cam- for Girls in Al Thumama to Al Hidaya paign dubbed as “an abundance of special needs kindergarten. good, in the month of goodness.” HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met with the Custodian of the “Our Ramadan campaign is our way QATAR | Telecoms Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia in Jeddah of giving back to our loyal custom- Cobus Lombard (right), together with other Al Meera off icials, announce the yesterday. During the meeting, they reviewed the strong fraternal relations and ers, who have continued supporting campaign yesterday. Reduced roaming rates means of developing and strengthening them. Page 2 us throughout the 11 years,” Al Meera’s within GCC states acting CEO, sales and operations di- of “Tamween” products for Qatari na- “What’s more important is that we The Communications Regulatory rector Cobus Lombard told reporters tionals at 34 branches of Al Meera’s always listen to our customers, which Authority (CRA) has co-ordinated at the company’s headquarters at West shopping centres across the country is why, in light of the good reception to the implementation of the second Bay yesterday. during Ramadan. last year’s Ramadan campaign among phase of the regulation on reducing Al Meera is currently working with “Our Ramadan campaign will kick consumers, we decided to continue this roaming charges within the Gulf its suppliers to have 960 off ers on off in the next few days. It is part of our remarkable tradition this year and of- Co-operation Council (GCC) for the Hamas accepts “fast-moving consumer goods’ and corporate social responsibility pro- fer our valued patrons with even more benefit of telecom consumers in around 350 off ers on household items. gramme, putting people and the com- products at cost price,” Sheikh Thani Qatar and the rest of GCC countries. It sold 1,000 products in 2015 and munity fi rst,” he stressed. bin Thamer al-Thani, chairman of the The reduced roaming rates will be 1,437 in 2016, and 1,438 this year in “This year, consumers will be able Board of Directors at Al Meera, said in for the main services consumer need honour for the current Islamic year to enjoy our special Ramadan off er and a statement. while travelling outside the country Palestinian state 1438AH. our trademark shopping experience in Since its inception in 2005, Al Meera like receiving and making voice calls, Lombard noted that they have been more shopping centres and neighbour- has continued to affi rm its commit- sending SMS messages, and using collaborating with local and overseas hoods, following the opening of several ment to Qatar’s social and cultural val- mobile data throughout the GCC suppliers to supply and import the best new Al Meera stores across the country, ues and has taken many steps to make countries. Receiving SMS messages products from the company’s various living up to our motto of being every- a real diff erence in the shopping expe- with 1967 borders sources prior to Ramadan. These in- one’s ‘Favourite Neighbourhood Re- rience of community members across while in roaming will remain free, the CRA said, adding that the decision aims clude Thailand, the US, Turkey, Viet- tailer,’” he said. the country. at enhancing co-operation among GCC AFP nam, and the UK, among others. Al Meera will also support Ramadan Over the years, the company has countries in the field of communication Doha Al Meera will also use special labels programmes and initiatives carried out developed a number of activities that for the benefit of GCC consumers. to designate the items whose prices are by charities and associations. It is co- have become an integral part of its an- Page 5 fi xed by Qatar’s Ministry of Economy ordinating with the Ministry of Awqaf nual commitment to the various seg- amas yesterday presented a and Commerce (MEC). and Islamic Aff airs to distribute some ments in society. ARAB WORLD | Confl ict new policy document in which Lombard said they will also con- items to the main mosques in the coun- In the fi rst quarter of 2017, Al Meera Hit said it was prepared to accept tinue to provide adequate quantities try during the blessed month. launched a series of humanitarian, so- Syria used nerve gas a Palestinian state based on the 1967 cial and environmental initiatives that in four attacks: HRW borders in the West bank and Gaza benefi ted various sectors of the society. Syrian government forces used Strip. Seven new stores to be opened this year It forged a joint campaign with Qatar deadly nerve gas in Khan Sheikhoun The move comes ahead of a fi rst Hamas leader Khalid Mishal speaks National Bank where shoppers can earn and in three other recent attacks, face-to-face meeting tomorrow be- during their conference in Doha Al Meera’s Leaibab 2 branch is statement. The number of Al Meera one bonus Life Rewards point for every Human Rights Watch said yesterday, tween US President Donald Trump and yesterday. expected to open in the next few stores in Qatar is expected to reach 50 by QR2 redeemed (with a minimum spend describing a “clear pattern” of chemical Palestinian President Mahmoud Ab- days, bringing its five-store expansion the end of 2017. of QR250). weapons use that could amount to bas, whose Fatah party remains deeply 1967 borders in the West bank and Gaza phase to fruition by the beginning of “We will continue working closely The company also took part in Qatar crimes against humanity. President divided from Hamas. Strip the second quarter this year, it was with the Ministry of Municipality and Development Bank’s “Moushtarayat Bashar al-Assad’s forces are also The document was unveiled in Doha It also says its struggle is not against announced yesterday. Environment to remain in line with 2017” Exhibition and Conference, edu- stepping up chlorine gas attacks and by Hamas leader Khalid Mishal. Jews because of their religion but Six new shopping centres across various future progresses and to contribute to cating suppliers and local small and have begun using surface-fired rockets The press conference was also against Israel as an occupier. regions in Qatar, covering Al Khor, Umm the urban development in the areas that medium enterprises on the steps they filled with chlorine in fighting near broadcast live in the Gaza Strip. “We are not fi ghting against the Jews Qarn, Rawdat Aba El Heran, Al Sailiya, are in need of consumer goods services need to take to partner with Al Meera, Damascus, the US-based rights group “We in Hamas believe that renewal because they are Jewish,” said Mishal. Leaibab 1, and Azghawa will also be or those witnessing popular boom,” the claim their space on its store shelves, said in a new report. Page 9 and reinvention is a necessity,” Mishal “We are waging this struggle against completed this year, according to a company noted. Page 7 and become a part of its growing sup- said at the conference in a Doha hotel. the aggression of Zionists.” ply chain. EAST ASIA | Military While the new document does not However, the original 1988 charter THAAD missile defence amount to recognition of Israel as de- will not be dropped, just supplement- manded by the international commu- ed. Qatar’s achievements in promoting workers’ welfare hailed system now operational nity, Hamas offi cials say, it formally The new document also continues to A controversial missile defence system softens its stance in a few key areas. speak of liberating historic Palestine, Speakers at the 4th edition of the organised by Dar Al Sharq on international conventions. whose deployment has angered China Hamas leaders have long spoken of including areas that are today part of annual Labour Welfare Conference International Workers’ Day, said the Qatar Chamber Vice Chairman is now operational in South Korea, the more limited aim of a Palestinian Israel. reaff irmed that Qatar has made state has spared no eff ort in creating Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Towar a US defence off icial said yesterday. state in the West Bank and the Gaza Israel was not impressed with the remarkable achievements in promoting a safe and secure environment al-Kuwari said that Qatari private Washington and Seoul agreed to the Strip without explicitly setting this out changes to Hamas’ charter. “Hamas the welfare and rights of expatriate for expatriate workers, providing sector is committed to labour laws Terminal High Altitude Area Defence in its charter. is attempting to fool the world, but it workers, while praising workers’ them with needs for decent living and legislations enacted by the state, (THAAD) battery deployment in July But after years of internal debate, the will not succeed,” Israeli Prime Minis- great role in the construction and and guaranteeing their rights, in pointing out that Qatari companies have in the wake of a string of North Korean new document formally accepts the ter Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesman development in Qatar. accordance with laws and legislation shown their full co-operation in keeping missile tests. Page 15 idea of a Palestinian state based on the said. The participants of the conference, and in compliance with the relevant up with these legislations. Page 3 Qatar Airways, QTA off er free hotel stays for transit passengers atar Airways has announced the vacation by taking advantage of a free available throughout the summer, will To be eligible for the off er, passen- Qatar; we are proudly patriotic and want larger portion of the 30mn passengers launch of a stopover package in one-night hotel stay from a selection of off er passengers the opportunity to ex- gers have to book their fl ight on www. to share Qatar’s many exciting attrac- passing through Hamad International Qpartnership with Qatar Tour- the country’s best four- and fi ve-star plore Doha and experience city tours, qatarairways.com, select ‘multi-city’ tions with our passengers from around Airport into stopover visitors. We are ism Authority (QTA), off ering transit hotels in the capital, Doha,” the airline desert safari adventures or a dinner and choose their hotel once they receive the world. This exclusive initiative pro- delighted to make Qatar more acces- passengers the opportunity to discover said in a press statement yesterday, cruise aboard a traditional dhow, giv- their fl ight confi rmation. The online vides the opportunity to add an extra el- sible to people from around the world Doha with free luxury hotel stays and stressing that the off er allows passen- ing visitors a taste of authentic Arabian transit visa application is also free and ement to our passengers’ existing travel and invite them to discover our coun- complimentary transit visas. gers travelling through Doha to experi- hospitality, courtesy of Discover Qatar,” eligible for those in transit between fi ve plans with a complimentary hotel stay in try, our cultural heritage and our natu- The initiative is part of a broader ence a taste of the Middle East for free. the statement noted. and 96 hours. some of Doha’s fi nest hotels. ral treasures.” campaign called +Qatar, which looks Passengers transiting through Doha The off er with QTA has been The off er is available for all Qatar QTA chief tourism development of- This announcement comes as the to encourage all transit passengers to can extend their stay to make the most launched by Qatar Airways’ newly cre- Airways passengers, both Premium and fi cer Hassan al-Ibrahim said: “With the airline celebrates its 20th year of opera- consider adding Qatar to their itinerary. of their journey, taking in the sights ated destination management compa- Economy, “demonstrating the airline’s launch of +Qatar, we aim to convert a tions. Throughout the summer, the national of Doha with a completely free night ny, Discover Qatar, and is “one of many commitment” to its brand ethos of ‘Go- carrier, with the support of QTA, will give courtesy of Qatar Airways and QTA or new initiatives that will be launched ing Places Together’. To maximise their 53% rise in stopover passengers passengers the chance to “turn a layover stay a little longer with a second night’s over the coming months to generate time in Qatar, visitors can explore ad- into a stayover” by off ering four- and stay for a $50 booking fee. Passengers awareness of, and visits to, Qatar”. It is ditional stopover packages off ered by Stressing it was a “great source of pride for offi cer Hassan al-Ibrahim said there has fi ve-star hotel accommodation at no can choose from hotels such as The designed to kick off the newly launched Discover Qatar. all of us in Qatar when we launched the been a “surge in stopover passengers”, with charge to those transiting through Doha. Four Seasons, Marriott Marquis, Radis- campaign, +Qatar, from QTA and is Qatar Airways Group chief executive transit visa last November”, Qatar Tourism a 53% increase recorded in March 2017 “The promotion invites all Qatar son Blu and Oryx Rotana. aimed at supporting the growing de- Akbar al-Baker said: “Qatar Airways is Authority chief tourism development compared to the same month last year. Airways passengers to add Doha to their “The free hotel accommodation, mand for tourism in Qatar. more than just a national fl ag-carrier for Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, May 2, 2017 QATAR Emir holds talks with Saudi king

QNA Jeddah

H the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- HThani met the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia in Al-Salam Royal Palace in Jeddah yesterday. During the meeting, they re- viewed bilateral relations be- tween Qatar and Saudi Arabia and means of developing and strengthening them. The offi cial delegation ac- companying HH the Emir at- tended the meeting. From the Saudi side, the meeting was attended by Crown HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Prince, Deputy Prime Minister bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia in Al-Salam Royal Palace in Jeddah yesterday. Below: HH the Emir and Minister of Interior Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani being greeted by Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Mohamed bin Nayef bin Ab- Interior Prince Mohamed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz al-Saud. dulaziz al-Saud, Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of De- fence Prince Mohamed bin Sal- man bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, Adviser to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Gov- ernor of Makkah Region Prince Khalid al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, a number of Princes and Ministers. HH the Emir attended then HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani with Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of a luncheon banquet hosted by Defence Prince Mohamed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud. the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in honour of the Emir and the accompanying delega- tion. Later in the afternoon the Emir left Jeddah concluding his short visit to Saudi Arabia. HH the Emir and accompa- nying delegation were seen off at King Abdulaziz International Airport by Adviser to the Cus- todian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Re- gion Prince Khalid al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, President of General Authority for Sport in the Kingdom of Saudi Ara- bia Mohamed Abdul Malik al- Sheikh, ambassador of Qatar to Saudi Arabia Sheikh Abdullah bin Thamer al-Thani and the HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani with Adviser to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Qatari embassy staff . and Governor of Makkah Region Prince Khalid al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz al-Saud. EAA partners with QU to support youth in Tunisia

ducation Above All There are over 130,700 hec- points, building bridges, kiosks, serve as Rota ambassadors who (EAA) foundation, tares of public, forested land, fences and rest areas in diff erent inspire other young people to Ethrough its programme covering around 42% of the gov- locations within the forest using play an active role in the devel- Reach Out To Asia (Rota) re- ernorate. natural resources, information opment of their communities.” cently partnered with Qatar These forests are rich in raw boards, as well as organising a Volunteer students also par- University (QU) to send 20 materials, which after collection formal launch for the trail. ticipated in a ‘Youth Social male students on a 12-day vol- and transformation, have high Entrepreneurship’ training unteer mission to Tunisia, as economic value. There is also a “The International workshop, facilitated by Rota’s part of its International Vol- large potential for eco-tourism Volunteer Trips partner, Mercy Corps. QU stu- unteer Trips programme. in the region. programme provides an dent, Thamer Jamal Saleh, re- The students travelled to Ain In collaboration with in- extremely rewarding called that his time in Tunisia Draham city in north-western country partner Mercy Corps, experience for our was truly a life-changing ex- Tunisia, located in the Jendouba Rota volunteers worked with a youth, who are given the perience, which has taught him Governorate; a region rich in local Ain Draham community opportunity to learn about a great deal about the world natural resources, but that suf- youth group, to develop and es- a diff erent culture around him. fers from high levels of poverty tablish an eco-tourism trail. The “I witnessed fi rst-hand some QRCS senior off icials announcing the Ramadan campaign. and unemployment, with higher ‘Ain Draham Trail’ will serve Essa al-Mannai, executive of the challenges facing youth in dropout rates than the national as a recreational attraction for director, Rota, said: “The Inter- the Ain Draham community, and average. visitors and tourists looking for a national Volunteer Trips pro- realised how invaluable our sup- National vocational training safe and enjoyable experience in gramme provides an extremely port is to Rota’s benefi ciaries. programmes designed to re- nature, as well as off er a sustain- rewarding experience for our The trip has not only inspired spond to the needs of dropouts able source of revenue for the lo- youth, who are given the oppor- me to off er support to those who QRCS to launch QR84mn fall short of meeting the needs of cal community. tunity to learn about a diff erent are less fortunate abroad, but young people in that area, where Activities included identify- culture and enhance their lead- has also encouraged me to make both literacy and job readiness ing locations and setting up sig- ership and interpersonal skills. a meaningful impact in my own Ramadan campaign are generally much lower. nage for start and end points, way Returning home to Qatar, they community back home.”

atar Red Crescent and Ascend,’ among others for QRCS agents are also open (QRCS) will launch its QR2,223,550; international Ra- at Villaggio Mall, Landmark QRamadan campaign for madan Iftar and food package Mall, Gulf Mall, Ezdan Mall, the year 1438 AH with QR84mn distributions for 25,675 families The Mall, Al Meera Stores, worth of projects during and (145,050 people) in Syria, Yem- LuLu Hypermarket, Hyatt beyond the holy month in Qatar en, Iraq, Sudan, Somalia, Myan- Plaza, and Al Khor Mall. Mean- and 11 other countries. mar, Nepal, and other countries while, QIIB – IBAN: QA66QI- In a statement, QRCS execu- for QR4,899,830; local health, IB000000001111126666003 is tive director Youssef Hassan social, rehabilitation, and devel- open for bank donations. al-Hammadi disclosed that last opment projects for QR19mn; Al-Hammadi thanked the year’s campaign conducted lo- and international year-round Regulatory Authority for Char- cal and international projects at projects and programmes in 11 itable Activities, Ministry of a cost of QR171mn. countries (QR65,682,000). Endowments and Islamic Af- “These cover shelter, health- Various means of marketing fairs, and all donors for sup- care, food and nonfood aid, wa- and donation for the campaign porting the campaign. ter and sanitation, education, are also open: www.qrcs.org. QRCS’ director of resource family support, and health and qa for online; 9001504 (QR30 mobilisation and head of Ra- social awareness,” he said. for water projects) – 9001511 madan campaign Saad Shahin The target projects are: lo- (QR25 for Al Quds Fund) for al-Kaabi and director of com- cal Ramadan projects, includ- phone; 44027700, 44027883, munication Issa Mohamed al- ing Ramadan Iftar, Eid clothing, 44027875, 66666364, and Ishaq also attended the press ‘This Is My Wish,’ and ‘Recite 66644822 for hotlines. conference.

Advisory Council holds meeting

The Advisory Council yesterday held its regular approve the draft law as mentioned by the weekly session under the chairmanship of HE the government. The Advisory Council also listened Speaker Mohamed bin Mubarak al-Khulaifi. to the report of the Legal and Legislative Aff airs The Advisory Council listened to a memo by Committee on a draft law regulating the work of the Cabinet General Secretariat on a draft law real estate brokerage. amending some provisions of Decree Law No 17 The Council approved the above mentioned draft of 2010 organising the National Human Rights law, and decided to submit its recommendations to Committee. The Council decided to unanimously the Cabinet. Participants in the programme. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 2, 2017 3 QATAR Labour Minister affi rms Qatar’s 1,500 ICT facilities for workers to pledge to protect workers’ rights be established QNA Doha QNA Doha atar spares no eff ort in providing expatri- Qate manpower with all E the Minister of means to coexist with their di- Transport and Com- versifi ed religions, cultures and Hmunications Jassim lifestyles, as well as in protecting Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti an- and promoting their rights, HE nounced yesterday the launch the Minister of Administrative of the executive and sustain- Development, Labour and Social able phase of The Better Con- HE the Minister of Transport Aff airs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al- nections Programme. and Communications Jassim Nuaimi has stressed. The programme, launched in Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti Qatar is at the forefront of co-operation with the Ministry announcing the launch of the countries that receive large of Administrative Development, executive and sustainable numbers of expatriate labour Labour, and Social Aff airs, seeks phase of The Better force every year, the Minister to set up fully-functioning ICT Connections Programme. said at the opening session of the facilities equipped with refur- 4th edition of the annual Labour bished hardware. 1,500 halls in the next two years. Welfare Conference, organised The programme will see the The Minister stressed that by Dar Al Sharq. establishment of 1,500 com- such eff orts refl ect the com- He added that the Qatari soci- puter halls over the coming mitment of Qatar to workers’ ety has become a unique model two years. rights as a core component of for coexistence between people The Minister was giving a public policy. of diff erent faiths and cultures. speech during the opening cer- He noted that workers in The Minister pointed out that emony of ‘Labour Care’ annual Qatar were one of the pillars of expatriate workers achieve mu- conference. the country’s development and tual benefi ts through their ap- He said that the programme that Qatar has taken a number preciated eff orts. will include providing free ac- of steps in recent years to guar- These benefi ts include im- cess to computers for workers, antee and protect the rights of proving the conditions of expa- in addition to access to Inter- workers, due to its belief that triate workers and their families net services and training. the dignity of workers is crucial in their countries and develop- This will be done by pro- to the implementation of Qatar ing their countries’ economy HE the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Aff airs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi at the annual Labour Welfare viding IT halls in the workers’ National vision. through remittances which is Conference, organised by Dar Al Sharq. housing locations. The Minister of Transport estimated at billions of dollars The Minister said that the and Communications noted annually according to the World protecting the rights of expa- In this context, he pointed out tical measures to address the sentatives of a number of human programme, ever since its that the recent eff orts of Qatar, Bank, he added. triate workers, noting Qatar’s that the abolition of Kafala sys- issue of non-payment, or delay rights organisations concerned launch in 2014, has been work- in accordance to the directives Reaffi rming Qatar’s commit- keenness to launch a package of tem completely affi rms the will in payment, of wages. with the labour participated in ing on providing access to of the country’s wise leader- ment to fulfi l its obligations, policies, legislative and proce- and keenness of Qatar to pro- He said Qatar looks forward to the conference. workers by partnering with a ship, were an application of HE al-Nuaimi stressed that the dural amendments to achieve the mote and protect the rights of being an example in adopting a The agenda of the conference number of government and the principles of Islam and the country continues its eff orts at goal of decent work for citizens expatriate workers. legal and ethical commitment in includes three working sessions private institutions, and with traditions of the Qatari society. the legislative and institutional and expatriate workers alike. He said that Law No 21 of 2015 dealing with expatriate workers, that concentrate on the legal civil society and private com- It was also an implementa- levels to protect and promote all HE the Minister of Admin- regulating the entry, exit and which confi rms its keenness to achievements and procedures panies. tion of international laws and the rights of expatriate workers, istrative Development, Labour residency of expatriates came raise the standard of living of all achieved by Qatar, the role of He noted that work has been agreements, he added. pointing out that Qatar National and Social Aff airs said that these into force during 2016. expatriate workers. private institutions and the vi- completed on 200 IT halls so The Minister then discussed Vision 2030 is devoted to the policies and procedures will es- The law abolishes the Ka- This year’s Labour Welfare sion of the jurists on the rights far, that are equipped with the the role of the Ministry of establishment of institutional tablish and promote balanced fala system completely not just Conference is being held un- of workers and what have been latest technology to provide Transport and Communica- arrangements to guarantee the and productive work relations modifying, updating or devel- der the theme “Challenges and achieved and the “Communica- digital access to more than tions in supporting the vision rights and safety of expatriate between the two parties based oping it. Achievements”. Representatives tion is Better” initiative towards 100,000 workers. of Qatar in building a smart, workers. on mutual consent and transpar- HE Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al- of a number of government enti- workers in Qatar managed by the The Minister noted that digital economy that provides HE al-Nuaimi reviewed some ency in the contract to preserve Nuaimi also said that Qatar is- ties, institutions and companies Ministry of Transport and Com- the current phase will see the an honourable living condition of the achievements made in all the rights of both parties. sued several legislative and prac- in the country, as well as repre- munications. number expand from 200 to to all who work in the country. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, May 2, 2017 QATAR School students present projects at QU ‘open day’

ore than 500 students from traditional classrooms to from 17 schools in Qatar a more active learning environ- Mtook part in the fourth ment,” he added. Annual Open Day for Project- The participants presented 66 based Learning last week, which projects on various topics related aims to provide a platform of to school subject curricula, ac- knowledge sharing and exchang- cording to organisers. es. The event aims to showcase The event was organised by the the projects conducted by stu- National Centre for Educational dents in independent schools Development (NCED) at Qatar supervised by NCED and Rota University College of Education in private schools. Project- (QU-CED) in collaboration with based learning is a teaching Reach Out To Asia (Rota). method where students gain “This annual event is a sig- knowledge and skills through nifi cant opportunity for teachers working for an extended pe- and students to exchange their riod of time to investigate and The international faculty with local speakers and organising committee. knowledge and experiences in respond to an authentic, en- various disciplines,” NCED di- gaging and complex question, rector Dr Abdullah Abu-Tineh problem, or challenge. said. Rota Higher Administration “It also highlights the impor- representative Mohamed al- tance of conducting curriculum- Neema, as well as offi cials from related projects using cutting- Qatar’s Ministry of Education edge technologies, which will and Higher Education also at- HMC event discusses contribute to ease the transition tended the event. pain management he Hamad Medical Cor- The event was attended by Intensive Care Unit and Peri- pain therapy has transitioned to the highest possible level of care poration (HMC) recently pain specialists, general physi- operative Medicine. an evidence-based practice as and performance for patients. Thosted the second Qatar cians, medical students and del- He said besides promoting hospitals around the world have Conducting activities such as International Pain Conference egates from academic, govern- collaboration among healthcare started examining what it means this conference helps us to ad- (QIPC) bringing together a fi rst- ment and private institutions professionals across the region to provide quality care for their vance the quality of our research class international faculty com- within Qatar and the region. and beyond, the conference patients, both in terms of medi- and provide the best evidence- prising 250 participants from “The main focus was on provided an opportunity to cel- cal care and hospital-based pa- based care for patients living Qatar and the region. acute pain and regional an- ebrate the growth of HMC’s Pain tient experience and satisfac- with pain.” The goal of the event, organ- aesthesia in treating and pre- Unit, a bustling environment tion,” Marcus said. In addition to hosting the ised by HMC’s Department of venting pain. This is in line that integrates state-of-the-art Dr Nicholas Scott, confer- conference, the ESRA recently Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care with HMC’s aim of becoming pain therapy with research and ence chairman and vice chair- chose Qatar as one of its centres Unit and Perioperative Medicine an academic health system. teaching. man of HMC’s Department of for the prestigious European Di- in collaboration with the pres- We organised a high-standard “Having a specialised pain Anaesthesiology, ICU and Peri- ploma in Regional Anaesthesia tigious European Society of Re- event featuring local and in- management service is impor- operative Medicine said: “Our examination. This honour fur- gional Anaesthesia (ESRA), was ternational experts,” said Prof tant in reducing the patient’s department is rapidly convert- ther solidifi es HMC’s commit- to share the latest knowledge Marco A E Marcus, sponsor length of stay in the hospital and ing from a service department ment to being at the forefront about modern-day pain man- and chairman of HMC’s De- improving their overall hospi- into an academic one. It is our of pain management and anaes- agement. partment of Anaesthesiology, tal experience. In recent years, goal to establish and maintain thesia in the region. QU and Rota off icials at the event. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 2, 2017 5 QATAR Roaming charges within GCC states reduced again he Communications aims at enhancing co-oper- calls in the visited country ally engaging regional en- Regulatory Author- ation among GCC countries was reduced to QR0.910 tities to collaborate and Tity (CRA) has co- in the fi eld of communica- per minute from QR0.946 prepare not only for future Ooredoo and Best Buddies Qatar off icials at the agreement-signing ceremony in Doha yesterday. PICTURE: Thajudheen ordinated the implementa- tion for the benefi t of GCC per minute compared to technologies and infra- tion of the second phase of consumers. April 2016; structure, but also to ac- the regulation on reducing The CRA said this is the • Making voice calls to tively support all decisions roaming charges within the second phase of the rates other GCC countries (in- that benefi t consumers of Gulf Co-operation Coun- reduction. Voice calls and cluding home country) communication services. cil (GCC) for the benefi t of SMS messages charges will was reduced to QR2.257 “The decision to reduce Ooredoo signs pact to telecom consumers in Qa- further reduce on April 1, per minute from QR2.330 roaming charges in a phased tar and the rest of GCC 2018. As for charges for per minute compared to manner ensures customer countries. mobile data services, these April 2016; experience is improved The reduced roaming will further reduce in April • Receiving voice calls through the ubiquitous rates will be for the main each year until 2020, the was reduced to QR1.019 availability of high qual- support Best Buddies services consumer need CRA noted. per minute from QR1.274 ity aff ordable services,” said while travelling outside the This year, mobile data per minute compared to Faisal al-Shuaibi, the CRA’s country like receiving and charges have been reduced April 2016; offi cial spokesperson. making voice calls, sending to QR3.094 per MByte from • Sending SMS was re- It is worth mentioning SMS messages, and using QR4.732 per MByte in 2016, duced to QR0.255 per SMS that the prices caps are ceil- Qatar’s programmes mobile data throughout the refl ecting a reduction of from QR0.291 per SMS ings and the operators are GCC countries. around 35%. Aside from compared to April 2016; and free to compete by setting Receiving SMS mes- that, this year has seen a re- • Receiving SMS messag- prices below these regula- oredoo and Best of its state-of-the-art organisation. Their enthu- Ooredoo has undertaken sages while in roaming will duction in the prices of the es while in roaming remains tory caps and can provide Buddies Qatar have services, including de- siastic support for building several other CSR-based remain free, the CRA said, following services: free. more attractive off ers to the Osigned a three-year veloping an app for Best a culture of solidarity and initiatives across Qatar, adding that the decision • Making local voice “The CRA is continu- consumers. agreement that will see the Buddies Qatar and making inclusion, along with the including building and op- telecommunications lead- sure the organisation is al- advanced solutions they erating the Fahad Bin Jas- er provide support for the ways connected through provide, will enable us to sim Kidney Centre, which organisation’s social and the company’s Supernet, work together to achieve supports kidney patients in development programmes. according to a statement. our main goal to end the so- Qatar, and the new Ooredoo The agreement was “Ooredoo has a long- cial, physical and economic Cancer Awareness Centre. signed by Yousuf Abdulla standing history of sup- isolation of people with Launched by HH QTA holds al-Kubaisi, COO at Oore- porting community and intellectual challenges,” Sheikha Moza bint Nass- doo Qatar, and Laalei Abu humanitarian activi- Abu Alfain said. er in 2008, Best Buddies Alfain, executive direc- ties nationally, and we As part of the partner- Qatar is a humanitar- tor of Best Buddies Qatar, are pleased and proud to ship agreement, additional ian initiative that aims during a ceremony held at partner with Best Bud- services to be off ered by to establish a network of outreach Ooredoo headquarters 1 in dies Qatar to provide them Ooredoo include a hotline, volunteers to help create West Bay. with the support they need SMS and MMS services, opportunities for one-to- Under the terms of the through our wide range of Hala lines and allowing one friendships, integrated agreement, Ooredoo will communications services,” donations through Nojoom employment and leader- provide fi nancial support al-Kubaisi said. Points. ship development for peo- campaign to to the organisation as well “We are delighted to have In addition to partnering ple with intellectual and as support through a host Ooredoo as a partner for our with Best Buddies Qatar, developmental disabilities. boost tourism

n a bid to increase These initiatives have awareness of Qatar’s evolved from extensive Hassan al-Ibrahim: “QTA is focusing on promoting new Itourism off ering among promotional eff orts dur- policy developments which make visiting Qatar easier.” international travel trade, ing 2016, which saw QTA Qatar Tourism Authority hold 76 workshops and nating in secondary mar- media and planners spe- (QTA) has hosted numer- roadshows in key priority kets, and travellers from cialising in Meetings, in- ous mega familiarisation markets. an increasing number of centives, Conferencing, and visits for travel profession- “After completing an countries are expressing Exhibitions tourism from als, including tour opera- extensive outreach pro- curiosity about what Qatar various key global markets. tors, travel agents and travel gramme in 2016, we are de- off ers,” he noted. Engaging with travel media from various global lighted to see even greater Al-Ibrahim added that trade helps increase visi- markets. interest in Qatar as a tourist QTA is focusing on promot- tor interest in Qatar by in- So far this year, 350 travel destination, with hundreds ing new policy develop- creasing the number of tour professionals from the US, of travel professionals com- ments which make visiting operators that sell holiday Italy, Finland, and the UK ing to us, and experienc- Qatar easier. This includes packages to the country. visited Qatar on ‘mega-fam ing the country’s authentic the introduction of the free In 2016, the number of trips’, ensuring they receive tourism off ering fi rst hand,” 96-hour transit visa, which tour operators selling Qa- ‘a fi rst-hand and authentic said Hassan al-Ibrahim, is available to passengers tar to travellers increased destination’ experience. chief tourism development travelling on Qatar Airways by 21.6%. In the same year, The Finnish group vis- offi cer at QTA. and transiting through Ha- QTA opened three repre- ited Qatar during the an- “We were particularly mad International Airport sentative offi ces in Italy, nual congress for the As- pleased to receive a request for a minimum of fi ve hours. the US and Turkey. The of- sociation of Finnish Travel from AFTA, as we have not During the fi nal quarter fi ces joined others in QTA’s Agents (AFTA), bringing targeted Finland previ- of 2017, QTA will host 40 international network, in 100 business and leisure ously. This shows that the prominent tour operators, France, the UK, Germany, travel agents and tour op- prominence of the Qatar travel agents and media Saudi Arabia and South East erators to the country. destination brand is reso- from Germany, along with Asia. Global brands present collections at Heya

rganised by Qatar encers and bloggers have Tourism Authority used social media to share O(QTA), the 11th Heya their modest, fashion- Arabian Fashion Exhibi- forward silhouette with tion, which concludes to- the world. day at the Doha Exhibition Bloggers such as Haneen and Convention Centre, al-Naqdi and Najwa gained showcases 17 international thousands of followers who exhibitors and hosts four want to recreate their own embassies. trend looks. They have been intro- Along with couture de- ducing visitors to designers signers, Dolce and Gab- from Japan, Spain, Portugal bana, who released a lux- and Qatar’s Year of Culture ury hijab collection last partner – Germany. year, high street retailers Featuring at Heya for such as Mango, Monsoon the fi rst time include In- and DKNY have launched uñez from Spain, Queen- Ramadan edits and col- Mart from Singapore and lections of modest cloth- Elsa Barreto from Portugal ing to attract the Muslim as they present their col- market. lections of modern modest “Heya has grown to be- fashion. The collection in- come so much more than an cluded tunics, embellished exciting regional shopping gowns, palazzo trousers and destination,” said Ahmed accessories. al-Obaidli, exhibitions di- The industry has fl our- rector at QTA. Modest fashion highlighted at Heya. ished traditionally in “As the industry as Muslim countries. How- evolved, we have embraced together, introducing them sity of the modest fashion ever, the trend has seen a the changes happening to new audiences and ex- industry and its appeal to surge in popularity in the across the globe to bring ex- panding their reach while women all over the world,” West as millennial infl u- citing international brands refl ecting the true diver- he added. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, May 2, 2017 QATAR Population at MIA to host educational all-time high

By Ramesh Mathew population fi gure was in the Staff Reporter month of February when there were approximately 2,673,000 residents in Qa- public talks this month he Qatar popula- tar. There was a growth of tion has shot up to 3.8% in population in the atar Museums (QM) is ant professor at the University of viding a range of enriching and sights looking at the relationship During the lecture, they will Tall-time high level of one-month period between organising a set of dy- Minnesota. fun learning experiences for the between the empires in the early focus on the historical and geo- 2,675,000, according to the January 31 and February 28, Qnamic educational pub- The talk is taking place in con- community to enjoy,” said Khalid modern period and the fascinat- graphical context of the object, fi gures released by the Min- it said. lic talks this month at the Mu- junction to MIA’s latest exhibi- Yousef al-Ibrahim, chief strategic ing objects that were sent as gifts explaining the traditional manu- istry of Development Plan- The highest population seum of Islamic Art (MIA) to tion, Imperial Threads: Motifs planning offi cer at QM. between their courts. facturing techniques used and ning and Statistics (MDPS) of 2016 was recorded in the inspire an indigenous culture of and Artisans from Turkey, Iran He noted that public talks at Separately, on May 10, MIA describing the main physical and yesterday. month of November when creativity and educate the next and India, which looks at the QM take place throughout the conservators Aubert and Dr Ma- chemical alterations the materials The latest population is there were about 2,637,000 generation of artists and culture cultural interplay of three great year and feature talented and in- sarovic will share insights from have gone through. 16,000 (0.6%) more than people in the country. enthusiasts. empires. spirational international speakers the extensive conservation that Imperial Threads: Motifs and the fi gure (2,659,000) of However, it came down to Under the leadership of its QM will also hold another from all disciplines. they carried out on an 18th cen- Artisans from Turkey, Iran and March 31. The ministry has 2,597,000 when the year- chairperson, HE Sheikha Al Ma- talk on May 10 on “Disassem- During the talk tomorrow, Dr tury Safavid “Shirazi” Chest. India brings a new perspective also informed that com- end fi gures were released on yassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa bling Thousands of Nails: con- Casale will explore the relation- The research included dis- to MIA’s collection, by showcas- pared to the population of December 31, 2016. al-Thani, QM will hold a talk to- serving an 18th century Safavid ships between diplomacy and the mantling all the metal elements ing the connection between three the corresponding period Apparently a consider- morrow on “Artistic exchange chest,” led by MIA conservators spread of artistic ideas, particu- from the wooden chest to reveal major dynasties, which marked last year there has been a ably large section of the through diplomacy between the Geraldine Aubert and Dr Stefan larly between the Ottomans and the diff erent phases of decora- the start of the early modern pe- growth of nearly 4.5% in the population had travelled Ottomans and the Safavids”, Masarovic. the Safavids. tions that were applied to the riod in Islamic art – the Ottoman, latest fi gures. out, as usual, during the one led by Dr Sinem Casale, assist- “We are committed to pro- She will share in-depth in- artefact. Safavid and Mughal empires. The previous highest month.

Sidra marks anniversary of outpatient clinic

ore than 1,000 em- ployees gathered at MSidra Medical and Research Center yesterday to celebrate the fi rst anniversary of the opening of the Sidra Outpatient Clinic. Peter Morris, chief execu- Sidra staff members at the celebration. Sidra senior leadership celebrating the one-year milestone. tive offi cer, Sidra, launched the event by thanking the staff for been recognised for special ful year. We have launched 46 laboratories. As we grow our “Our journey of growth and als, medical administration and currently have 70 diff erent na- their contribution in achieving achievements. clinics and services – caring services, we are very focused innovation would not be possible support service staff . We will be tionalities working at Sidra, we the milestone. An award cer- Morris said, “We opened for over 14,000 patients. We on maintaining and continu- without the input of every single welcoming more than 2,000 new are also committed to attracting emony was held for employees Sidra’s outpatient clinic ex- have recently developed and ously improving the experience member of staff at Sidra. We now recruits over the coming months. and developing healthcare staff with over 10 years of service actly a year ago, and today commissioned three advanced of care we off er to women, chil- have over 1,500 talented doctors, Our talent comes from far and and leaders within the State of as well as for those who have we celebrate a very success- technology genomic research dren and families in Qatar.” nurses, healthcare profession- wide in the world, and while we Qatar,” added Morris.

Mowasalat reschedules buses on three routes Mwani Qatar workers at the Workers’ Day celebrations yesterday. owasalat has re- and HIA. The bus now scheduled and passes through Barwa City, Mchanged the Religious Complex, Me- routes of some of public saimeer Health Centre and Mwani Qatar observes International Workers’ Day transport buses, to pro- proceed from there directly vide better and improved to HIA. The 737 service is services, it was announced operated at a frequency of atar Ports Management by a large number of workers. keenness to provide them with On the occasion, Mwani company’s strategy, through yesterday. 20 minutes. Co (Mwani Qatar) marked Gifts and snacks were the appropriate and safe working Qatar was keen to educate which it aims to consolidate its The service on bus route Mowasalat has also in- QInternational Workers’ distributed to workers. environment to enable them to workers about their rights and position as a leading integrat- 747 currently operating be- formed that route 74 op- Day yesterday with a number The celebration refl ects Mwani perform their duties in the best underscored the important ed port and logistics services tween Hamad International erating in the West Bay as of events and participation Qatar’s interest in workers and its possible manner. role they play in achieving the provider. Airport (HIA) and Doha Bus single route circular will Station is now available now be operated as diff er- once in 20 minutes from ent services on two routes either end. 74 and 75. The service Similarly, modifi cations would be available be- have been made to route tween 6am and 9pm, on 737 which operates be- all days with 15 minutes tween the Industrial Area frequency.

Pakistani expat jailed for 15 years for drug consumption, trade A Doha Criminal Court after an undercover has sentenced a Pakistani policeman informed national to 15 years in authorities concerned jail, and imposed a fine about the Pakistani of QR200,000 on him expatriate’s suspicious for illicit drugs trade and activities. consumption. After investigation, police The court also ordered his took the necessary legal deportation after serving action to raid his house. the sentence. The drugs were found Local Arabic daily Arrayah inside his room and he was reported that the expatriate accompanied by a friend at was convicted of keeping the time of the arrest but he various quantities of testified that his friend had marijuana, heroin and nothing to do with the illicit hashish, in addition to business. methadone pills. At the interrogation, the The crime was discovered defendant admitted his guilt.

Ministry recalls Mercedes Benz GTS-Class 2015 models The Ministry of Economy up on the maintenance and Commerce (MEC), in and repair works and collaboration with Nasser communicate with Bin Khaled Automobiles, customers to ensure that has announced the recall of the necessary repairs are Mercedes Benz GTS-Class carried out. 2015 models because the The MEC has urged all automatic transmission may customers to report not correspond to current any violations to its series production. Consumer Protection and The MEC said the recall Anti-Commercial Fraud campaign comes within the Department through framework of its ongoing the following channels: eff orts to protect consumers Hotline: 16001, e-mail: and ensure that car dealers [email protected], Twitter: follow up on vehicle defects @MEC_Qatar, Instagram: and repairs. MEC_Qatar, MEC mobile The MEC will co-ordinate app for Android and IOS: with the dealer to follow MEC_Qatar Gulf Times Tuesday, May 2, 2017 7 QATAR

New park opens

Umm Salal Municipality Director Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed al-Thani formally inaugurates the Mohamed bin Jassim Park in Umm Salal Mohamed yesterday. The park is spread over an area of 5,988sq m and provides many services and facilities. The park is characterised by 13 diff erent types of perennial plants and trees, and a variety of seasonal flowers. Al Meera to complete seven new stores this year

l Meera’s Leaibab 2 branch progresses and to contribute to opment, following the signing of be divided into three main sec- is expected to open in the the urban development in the ar- contracts for the operation of a tions: one for the supermarket, Anext few days, bringing eas that are in need of consumer number of spaces at Education second for organic products, and its fi ve-store expansion phase to goods services or those witness- City. third for a coff ee shop for organic fruition by the beginning of the ing popular boom,” the company Al Meera is set to sign a con- products. second quarter this year, it was noted. tract with Lusail Real Estate De- Al Meera also negotiated with announced yesterday. Al Meera opened its new branch velopment Company to operate the Doha Institute for Graduate Six new shopping centres in Umm Salal Ali in February, one and manage two community retail Studies to operate a supermarket across various regions in Qatar, of the previously announced fi ve centres in Fox Hills and North Vil- to serve its students. covering Al Khor, Umm Qarn, out of 14-store expansion phase las District to co-operate with lo- “Negotiations are also being Rawdat Aba El Heran, Al Sailiya, to its network in Qatar. It also cal companies as well as remain undertaken with the Qatar Armed Leaibab 1, and Azghawa will also brought exceptional shopping ex- close to consumers. Forces and Ahmed Bin Mohamed be completed this year, according perience to consumers in Al Wak- The company also signed a Military College for the inaugura- to a statement. The number of Al rah (east) with the opening of its partnership with Msheireb Prop- tion of a branch there,” Al Meera Meera stores in Qatar is expected third store in the area. erties to bring the country’s said. to reach 50 by the end of 2017. The company’s expansion leading retail brand to Msheireb The company added that it also “We will continue work- plans include the opening of new Downtown Doha (MDD), at the plans to expand its network to ing closely with the Ministry of branches that serves students at project’s Galleria Mall. reach 10 community malls spread Municipality and Environment Qatar Foundation for Education, The MDD branch will have a across the country’s various re- to remain in line with future Science and Community Devel- unique and modern design. It will gions by 2022. Al Meera’s Wakrah east branch. Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, May 2, 2017 QATAR

Das WeltAuto site relaunched in Qatar

he Das WeltAuto web- computers, with a separate site has been relaunched “high-performance website” Tin Qatar with a focus on to be launched this month – customers, Q-Auto, the offi cial dedicated solely to Golf GTI importer of Volkswagen in Qa- & Golf R models. “The re- tar, has announced. launched website has been tai- In a press statement yes- lored to meet customers’ needs terday, Q-Auto stressed that and provide them with peace of it has shifted its focus to digi- mind when purchasing a pre- talisation in 2017 to enhance owned vehicle,” said Ahmed customer experiences with the Shariefi e, general manager of brand. Volkswagen Qatar, Q-Auto. “The relaunch of the Das The Das WeltAuto range of WeltAuto website for pre- cars comprises certifi ed and owned cars forms a key part of approved vehicles available the drive to upgrade the digital at the Volkswagen showroom aspects of the business in re- on Salwa Road, off ering cus- sponse to the rapidly changing tomers “various competitive industry,” it noted. fi nance options, a comprehen- The new Das WeltAuto sive warranty for a minimum website is “interactive and of 12 months that comes with user-friendly” with features key benefi ts such as risk cover that make it simple to request and cost control, repair and calls-to-action services such parts’ replacement as well as as customer call-back, test roadside assistance”, the state- drive booking, car valuation ment adds. It also provides 132 and price alerts with updates point technical inspection by on car prices. Volkswagen trained and certi- It is fully responsive on all fi ed technicians to ensure that platforms, including smart- the vehicles are in optimum phones, tablets and desktop condition. A moment from the closing race of the 8th Life is Engineering Programme. QU announces winners of 8th Life is Engineering Programme

he fi nal race of Qatar Uni- tion of 13 high schools, and was and high school teachers, stu- trained by CENG experienced more about the concept of engi- versity College of Engi- sponsored by Qatar Petrochemi- dents and parents. engineers and faculty members neering so that they will want to Tneering’s (QU-CENG) 8th cal Company (Qapco) and Exx- CENG dean Dr Khalifa al- who transferred diff erent techni- continue to study it at university. Life is Engineering Programme onMobil (Gold), Qatar Shell and Khalifa highlighted the main cal skills to students. The main That is why this competition is so The new Das WeltAuto website is ‘interactive and user-friendly’. (LIEP) concluded recently with Dolphin Energy Limited (Silver). objective of QU 8th LIEP which objective beyond this programme benefi cial to the students.” Omar Bin Al Khattab Secondary The race and award ceremony is represented in simplifying the is to prepare the highly eff ective ExxonMobil Qatar president School for Boys named the win- were conducted at QU Stadium in main rules of STEM subjects and engineers who can contribute to and general manager Alistair ners. the presence of QU president Dr motivating Qatari students to the development and progress of Routledge said: “At ExxonMobil The second and third-place Hassan al-Derham, CENG dean join CENG in order to lead the Qatar.” Qatar, we believe that society’s winners were Doha Secondary Dr Khalifa al-Khalifa, Qapco engineering and industrial sec- Qapco managing director progress increasingly depends Tamuq to graduate School for Boys and Mosab Bin strategic Qatarisation manager tor in the country and discover and CEO Dr Mohamed Yousef upon the products of educated Omair Secondary School for Boys Abdulrahman Sultan al-Darwish, the wide fi eld of opportunities al-Mulla said, “It is a tremen- minds. If we are to be prepared respectively, with Khalifa Sec- Qatar Shell Service Company beyond that. dous privilege to be able to sup- for the challenges of tomorrow, it its largest-ever class ondary School for Boys winning Social Investment Adviser Salah He said: “During this pro- port this excellent initiative and is critical that we ensure our stu- the best award of audience. al-Malek, and CENG Mechani- gramme, the participating stu- to support the youth of Qatar. dents are prepared with the right The fi nal race was the fi nal cal and Industrial Engineering dents attended several workshops We need the youth of today to skills for the science, technology, exas A&M University president of ConocoPhillips phase of the 6-month-long Department head Prof Elsadig El and sessions on cars assembly, de- be passionate about engineer- engineering and math jobs that at Qatar will gradu- Qatar and a Class of 1986 grad- project. It saw the participa- Mahdi, as well as CENG faculty sign and manufacturing, and were ing, and to learn and understand will be so critical in the future.” Tate its largest class ever uate of Texas A&M University, on Thursday at 6.30pm at the will address the graduates. Dr Qatar National Convention César O Malavé, dean of Texas Centre. About 110 students A&M at Qatar, will preside over are expected to graduate with the ceremony — his fi rst since bachelor’s in chemical engi- he joined the branch campus in neering, electrical engineering, July 2016. Dr Ryan McLawhon, World’s largest Monoprix makes mechanical engineering, and a Class of 2003 graduate of petroleum engineering dur- Texas A&M and executive di- ing the branch campus’ annual rector of academic services at commencement ceremony. the Doha branch campus, will Of the degree candidates, inaugurate the graduates into debut at Doha Festival City 56 are Qatari graduates. In ad- the Texas A&M Association of dition, Texas A&M at Qatar is Former Students, an organi- expected to graduate 14 Master sation that comprises more he world’s largest Monoprix Hy- DHFC general manager Trevor Hill said. of Science or Master of Engi- than 400,000 graduates of the permarket has opened recently at “Introducing some of the best names neering degrees in chemical university and is known world- Tthe Doha Festival City (DHFC), of- in leisure, retail and hospitality and this engineering. J Todd Creeger, wide as the Aggie Network. fering more than 35,000 goods within a holistic mix is sure to become one of the 7,000sqm retail space, it was announced. must-visit destinations in Doha with The new and second Monoprix outlet the ultimate shopping experience,” he in Qatar has an extensive range of locally noted. known brands, including the widest range Apart from the already popular Mono- of fresh items from local farmers. prix Fish M Fish, SaladM and MCrust, 20 cars up for grabs Bringing its own French heritage to Qa- the store also has MGrill, MPizzeria, and tar, the store also includes an authentic Crepe M Waffl es. French bakery, MCrust, and an impressive Prepared with fresh ingredients and in Safari promotion ‘La Cave à Fromage’, which is stocked with cooked right in front of the guests, these a wide selection of the fi nest international restaurants will defi nitely satisfy its visi- afari Mall, one of the big- tar, according to a press state- cheeses. tors, according to Hill. gest hypermarket chains ment. Popular International brands also ap- “We want the people of Qatar to experi- Sin Qatar, has lined up a Apart from this, customers pear across the store including Kusmi Tea, ence the extraordinary world of Monoprix range of promotions to mark its can enjoy several other promo- Kitchen Aid and Smeg. and enjoy every bit of it. This is not just a 12th anniversary, which started tions such as the Kuttanadan Revolutionising the perception of hy- supermarket, it is a world of its own where yesterday. Food Festival, Meat & Seafood permarkets, Monoprix has introduced a you can shop, eat and unwind,” Mono- The outlet has announced Festival and Half Value Back concept that creates a variety of dedicated prix’s regional general manager Sebastien a mega promotion scheme promotions at its outlets. in-store experiences for its clientele. Farhat said. wherein 20 lucky winners will Also, shoppers can avail of a From restaurants, to a dedicated candy An interior view of the world’s largest Monoprix Hypermarket at DHFC. DHFC, the largest entertainment, retail have the opportunity to get as QR100 gift voucher for every section, clothing and electronics, kitchen and hospitality destination in Qatar, man- many Toyota Camry GL 2017 purchase worth QR200 in Sa- gadgets and organic food items, aiming to “After many months of anticipation, we the public to our world-class destination aged and operated by Al-Futtaim, offi cially cars after spending QR50 at fari’s Garment & Readymade modify the consumer’s retail experience. are tremendously proud to fi nally welcome and to Qatar’s largest Monoprix outlet,” opened its doors to the public early April. any of the Safari centres in Qa- and Footwear sections.

MACE procures Mahindra pickups from Ibin Ajayan

echanical and Civil En- gineering Contractors MCompany (MACE) has procured Mahindra 4x4 pickups from Ibin Ajayan Trading. Pic- tured is Farouk AbdelAziz, opera- tions director of MACE, receiving a symbolic key from Arun A Dsouza, GM, Ibin Ajayan Trading. The Ibin Ajayan group, with a “versatile and robust commercial vehicle business experience”, re- cently added leading Indian LCV maker Mahindra to its portfolio. Mahindra has introduced the die- sel pickup range in Qatar and will launch an SUV with automatic transmission and petrol engine within the year, according to a press statement from Ibin Ajayan Trading. “Mahindra, a household name in India with its robust perform- ance, has been a favourite among a prominent position within the Trading has reputable brands across cial vehicles segment, such as Iveco buses and trucks, Clark forklifts adventure seekers and also enjoys armed forces,” it noted. Ibin Ajayan diff erent categories in the commer- trucks and vans, Ashok Leyland and Mahindra pickups and SUVs. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 2, 2017 9 REGION/ARAB WORLD Syrian forces used nerve gas in four recent attacks: HRW

AFP providing information on the combatants, according to resi- United Nations suspected April 4 attack, and on dents and medical personnel, the three other alleged uses of nerve report said. gases in December 2016 and All four suspected nerve agent A member of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), removes an Islamic State group flag in the town of Tabqa, about 55 kilometres yrian government forces March 2017. attacks were in areas where west of Raqqa city. used deadly nerve gas in The rights group said at least anti-government fi ghters were SKhan Sheikhun and in 92 people including 30 children threatening Assad’s military three other recent attacks, Hu- died from exposure to sarin in air bases, according to Human man Rights Watch said yester- Khan Sheikhun and hundreds Rights Watch. day, describing a “clear pattern” more were injured. The alleged attacks were sys- US-backed fi ghters corner IS in Tabqa of chemical weapons use that The Syrian Observatory of tematic and in some cases di- could amount to crimes against Human Rights has put the death rected against civilians, which humanity. toll at 88. would meet the legal criteria AFP the Syrian Observatory for Hu- billboard read.Tabqa is home President Bashar al-Assad’s Residents said a fi rst bomb be- to be characterised as crimes Tabqa, Syria man Rights monitoring group. UN envoy to attend to an estimated 85,000 people, forces are also stepping up chlo- lieved to be carrying the deadly against humanity, the rights “The SDF now controls Astana talks including IS fi ghters from other rine gas attacks and have begun agent sarin was dropped near the group said. more than 80% of Tabqa,” areas.Many families have fl ed using surface-fi red rockets fi lled town’s central bakery and was HRW’s Roth told a news con- S-backed fi ghters cor- Abdel Rahman said, with IS The UN envoy for Syria, Staff an the incoming off ensive, lugging with chlorine in fi ghting near followed by three or four high- ference that the string of sus- nered the Islamic State only holding the two northern de Mistura, will join off icials jerrycans, packed suitcases and Damascus, the US-based rights explosive bombs a few minutes pected attacks cast doubt over Ugroup in a last part of neighbourhoods of Hurriyah from Russia, Turkey and Iran blankets as they marched out of group said in a new report. later, the report said. Syrian and Russian claims that Tabqa yesterday, after tearing and Wahdah. in Kazakhstan this week for the city. “The government’s use of Dozens of photos and videos toxic agents were released in down a huge militant fl ag that At least 35 IS fi ghters were talks on enforcing a ceasefire But other civilians have nerve agents is a deadly escala- provided by residents of a cra- Khan Sheikhun after a bomb had fl uttered over the northern killed since Sunday in clashes in Syria, a UN statement said stayed on in neighbourhoods tion — and part of a clear pat- ter from the fi rst bomb showed a struck a chemical weapons de- Syrian city. and air strikes in Tabqa, the yesterday. newly seized by the SDF, and tern,” said Kenneth Roth, Hu- green-coloured metal fragment pot on the ground. The Syrian Democratic Forc- Observatory said. De Mistura will travel to Astana AFP’s correspondent saw man Rights Watch’s executive that Human Rights Watch said It would be “utterly impossi- es (SDF), an alliance of Kurd- It had no immediate infor- for the meetings tomorrow and women and toddlers timidly director. was likely the Soviet-produced ble” for warplanes to hit chemi- ish and Arab fi ghters, were left mation on casualties among Thursday that could pave the peering out at SDF fi ghters “In the last six months, the KhAB-250 bomb. cal caches repeatedly across the in control of all but a fi fth of SDF fi ghters. way for a new round of UN- from behind the gates of their government has used warplanes, Human Rights Watch said country, Roth said. Tabqa, a monitor said. In the aptly named Flag brokered peace talks in Geneva front yards. helicopters, and ground forces 64 people died from exposure The Organisation for the Pro- The city sits on a strategic Roundabout in Tabqa’s west, an this month. The city is also adjacent to to deliver chlorine and sarin to nerve agents after warplanes hibition of Chemical Weapons supply route about 55 kilome- AFP correspondent on Sunday “While in Astana, the special the strategic Tabqa dam, which in Damascus, Hama, Idlib and attacked territory controlled by (OPCW) has said its experts were tres west of IS’ main Syrian saw an SDF fi ghter climb a lad- envoy will be supporting ef- remains under IS control. Aleppo.” the Islamic State group in east- investigating 45 cases of alleged stronghold Raqqa and served as der propped on a huge fl agpole. forts by the guarantors of the The SDF said their hard- “That’s widespread and sys- ern Hama on December 11 and use of toxic gases in Syria since a key IS command base. He triumphantly pulled ceasefire and other participants fought advance had seen mili- tematic use of chemical weap- December 12. late last year. The SDF broke into Tabqa down an enormous black IS to de-escalate the military tants surrendering in large ons,” he said. Activists and local residents Citing mounting evidence from the south a week ago fl ag, dropping it to the rubble- situation,” said the statement numbers. Last month, Assad said in an provided names of the victims, of repeated chemical weapons and steadily advanced north, littered street as fellow fi ghters announcing his travel plans. “Tabqa is the toughest bat- interview that the suspected sa- while Human Rights Watch in- use, Human Rights Watch said squeezing IS in three contigu- cheered and took pictures. tle we’ve ever waged,” said SDF rin attack in Khan Sheikhun was terviewed four witnesses and the UN Security Council should ous neighbourhoods on the “We’ve brought down Dae- commander Jako Zerkeh, nick- “100%” fabricated, serving as a two medical personnel about the once again ask the International bank of the Euphrates River. sh’s fl ag and we’ll hang our own still be seen around the city, in- named “The Wolf”. Zerkeh said pretext for US missile strikes on alleged attacks. Criminal Court to open a war At dawn yesterday, IS fi ght- — the fl ag of the Syrian Demo- cluding a billboard of a balacla- the SDF had used new tactics — a Syrian air fi eld. A third suspected nerve agent crimes investigation. ers withdrew from the west- cratic Forces,” SDF fi ghter Za- va-wearing militant with three including the waterway supply Human Rights Watch in- attack in northern Hama on Such a move by the council in ern-most district towards the ghros Kobane said, using the warplanes behind him. line and an airlift behind enemy terviewed 60 witnesses and March 30 caused no deaths but 2014 was blocked by Russia, As- other two neighbourhoods, said Arabic acronym for IS. “We will be victorious de- lines in late March — to kick- collected photos and videos injured dozens of civilians and sad’s top ally, and China. Rami Abdel Rahman, head of Other IS propaganda could spite the global coalition,” the start the off ensive.

Graduation ceremony UN human rights chief warns against attack on Yemen port

Reuters government in its war against crisis even further, let alone our Geneva the Houthi rebels has been pre- concerns about loss of civilian paring an assault on Hodeidah. life were there to be a large-scale attack on port,” Zeid told a news he United Nations is con- “The UN is concerned conference in Geneva. tinuing to receive signals about the humanitarian Last week Yemeni Prime Min- Tthat the coalition in Yem- repercussions of such an ister Ahmed Obeid bin Daghr en could attack the key port of attack in terms of infl aming repeated allegations that the Hodeidah, causing humanitar- the humanitarian crisis...” Iran-aligned Houthi rebels were ian suff ering and loss of life, UN smuggling weapons into Yemen human rights chief Zeid Ra’ad “The UN is concerned about through Hodeidah and said his al-Hussein said yesterday. the humanitarian repercus- government preferred UN su- A military coalition backing sions of such an attack in terms pervision of the port rather than the internationally-recognised of infl aming the humanitarian an attack.

Two Germans killed in tour bus accident

AFP website reported, quoting the head of Iran’s emer- Tehran gency services. Iranian state television confi rmed the two dead were Germans, while the offi cial news agency IRNA said two Iranians, the driver and a minibus carrying German tourists overturned tour guide, were among the injured. in south Iran yesterday, leaving two dead and The bus driver had lost control due to high speed Aat least 17 injured, Iranian media reported. on a rainy road between Shiraz and Saadat Shahr, High school graduates attend a graduation ceremony at a school in Sanaa, Yemen yesterday. One tourist in critical condition was transferred a small town about 20 kilometres from the ancient to a hospital in Shiraz by helicopter, Mizan Online ruins of Persepolis. Iran ‘big winner’ Merkel in UAE for co-operation talks from region’s turmoil AFP Abu Dhabi AFP A coalition has for the past Dubai two years battled the Houthis, who control the capital and stra- erman Chancellor Angela Merkel met Abu Dhabi tegic ports along the Red Sea Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al- rab League chief Ahmed coastline. Israel also stood to GNahyan in the United Arab Emirates yesterday for Abul Gheit warned yes- benefi t from confl icts across the talks on economic and security issues. Aterday that Iran and Israel region, Abul Gheit said. Talks covered “bilateral political and economic rela- were the main benefi ciaries of “Israel was under enormous tions...the crises in Syria, Libya and Yemen as well as ef- turmoil across the Arab world, pressure to fi nd a solution with forts by the two countries to combat extremism”, state which he described as the worst the Palestinians,” he said. news agency WAM reported. WAM has reported the UAE he has ever seen. “If I were the prime is Germany’s main trading partner in the Gulf, with an- “I have never seen anything minister...I would have thought nual trade worth around $16bn (14.67bn euros). worse than what we are now see- these were the happiest days for German investments in the United Arab Emirates ing,” Abul Gheit said at the Arab Israel.” stand at around 2.4bn euros ($2.6bn), according to Ger- Media Forum in Dubai. Long-stalled peace talks man government sources. “Iran is enjoying what the between Israel and the Palestin- Merkel’s UAE visit comes after meetings Sunday with Arab world is going through. ians have been overshadowed by top Saudi officials in Jeddah, where the German chan- There are those in Iran who are global concerns over the Syr- cellor signed a string of draft agreements with King watching and waiting for us to ian war and Islamic State group Salman covering industry, economic relations and se- Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel destroy ourselves.” militants. curity. at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi, yesterday. Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, May 2, 2017 ARAB WORLD

May Day rally Algerians to elect new parliament amid apathy

Reuters Algiers

n a sports arena festooned with national fl ags, Algeria’s Iruling FLN party pumped up supporters at one fi nal weekend rally before Thursday’s parlia- mentary election with Libera- tion-era songs and screenings of old speeches by its veteran leader, President Abdelaziz Boutefl ika. Boutefl ika, 80, has rarely been seen in public since a stroke in 2013, but the message was clear enough: A vote for FLN is a vote for the stability his supporters say he has delivered to Algeria since it emerged from a 1990s civil war. “FLN is the party of Boutefl i- ka, and with him we have secu- rity,” said public sector worker Supporters of the Lebanese Communist party take part in Said, one of the participants in a May Day rally as they mark International Workers’ Day in the rally at the Coupole sports Beirut yesterday. arena. FLN, which has dominated Algeria since it won independ- ence from France in 1962, and the pro-government National Rally for Democracy (RND) are widely expected to win the elec- Crackdown facilitates tion against a weak, divided op- position that includes leftists and Islamists. Sid Ahmed Ferroukhi (centre), former Algeria’s Agriculture Minister and the National Liberation Front (FLN) candidate, walks during his campaign radicalisation: UN offi cial But the challenge facing the for parliamentary election in Algiers, Algeria. FLN and RND is apathy among voters who see the National As- With some 70 % of Algerians sidised fuel and spending cuts a say in appointing the prime by white colonial-era buildings. Reuters increasingly targeted by Islam- sembly as a rubber-stamp leg- under the age of 30, Boutefl ika following a steep decline in glo- minister, but their powers re- Some opposition parties have Cairo ist militants. islature unwilling and unable to — in power since 1999 — is the bal oil prices that have slashed main limited in a country still decided to boycott Thursday’s President Abdel Fattah al- off er any real change. only leader many have known, its export earnings. haunted by memories of the election, while Islamist parties Sisi declared a three-month In the last election in 2012, but he is rarely seen now in pub- There are no reliable opinion 1990s war with armed militants. have united in alliances. N High Commissioner state of emergency just hours FLN won 221 seats and the RND lic. In February he cancelled a polls in Algeria, but the FLN and Government offi cials have In a working class district of for Human Rights Zeid after the attacks. 70 seats in the 462-seat People’s visit by German Chancellor An- its allies, which have benefi ted been busy trying to drum up en- Algiers, RND candidate Seddik URa’ad al-Hussein said Zeid condemned the church National Assembly by playing gela Merkel, reviving specula- from their association with high thusiasm among voters, urging Chiheb acknowledged concerns yesterday that heavy-handed attacks at a news conference in the stability card following the tion about his health and a pos- state spending, are still hoping imams to promote the election over infl ation and falling oil security measures by Egypt Geneva but said that Egypt’s Arab Spring revolts in Tunisia, sible transfer of power before to consolidate their parliamen- and again linking the vote to se- prices and the need for reform were fostering the very radi- approach to combating mili- Egypt and Libya. the next presidential election tary majority. Low turnout will curity by pointing to potential as he courted voters at a cafe. calisation it was looking to tants was exacerbating the But turnout was just 43 %. due in 2019. likely help the FLN again. threats from militants or unsta- On the street outside pen- curb. problem. “I won’t vote, I am sure not to No clear successor has Its traditional supporters — ble neighbours such as Libya. sioners greeted him, but the Egypt last month was shak- “...A state of emergency, the vote. I know that none of them emerged. the elderly, the military, civil “There is no other way to let customers at the cafe were en by one of the bloodiest at- massive numbers of deten- will come up with a change or The parliamentary elec- servants — are more likely to yourself be heard about your mostly unmoved. tacks in years when Islamic tions, reports of torture, and anything new,” said Sofi an, 30, a tion comes as Algeria, an Opec vote, and the FLN local party rights and your country except “What does it matter if he State suicide bombers targeted continued arbitrary arrests — student in Algiers. “They make member and major gas supplier network is also strong in rural to vote,” said pro-government visits?” said one customer two Christian churches, kill- all of this we believe facilitates a lot of promises, but they are to Europe, attempts sensitive areas. MPA party candidate Djamila Musa. “I haven’t voted for about ing 45 and marking the latest radicalisation in prisons,” Zeid there to make laws not to give reforms of its vast social welfare Under Algeria’s new con- Khiar, canvassing on Algiers’ 12 years. It won’t change assault on a religious minority said. out gifts.” system, price increases for sub- stitution, lawmakers will have main boulevard that is fl anked anything.” Gulf Times Tuesday, May 2, 2017 11 AFRICA Zuma booed at May Day rally

Reuters gress (ANC), last month called Cyril Ramaphosa, a former trade Johannesburg on Zuma to step down after his unionist turned business tycoon sacking of the fi nance minister who was the ANC’s key nego- triggered a sovereign credit rat- tiator in the talks that lead to the outh African President ing downgrade to “junk”. end of white-minority rule in Jacob Zuma made a hasty Marches calling on Zuma to 1994. Sexit yesterday from a May quit have drawn tens of thou- At a separate Cosatu May Day Day rally after the crowd of sands of protesters but the ANC rally, in rural Hectorspruit in the workers that he was due to ad- has rejected such calls ahead of eastern province of Mpumalanga, dress became rowdy, with some two conferences this year, one Ramaphosa’s speech was greeted booing and chanting slogans where it will chart its policy di- with loud cheers from the crowd, against him. rection, the other where it will the South African Government The labour federation Co- pick Zuma’s successor to lead the News Agency reported. satu abruptly cancelled Zuma’s party in 2019 general elections. Weeks ago, Ramaphosa openly speech and other addresses at The May Day public holiday is disagreed with Zuma’s decision the rally it had organised, as TV an important date in South Af- to sack former fi nance minister footage showed scuffl es break- rica’s political calendar, when Pravin Gordhan, who was widely ing out in the crowd, apparently party leaders try to woo a work- respected by markets and re- between supporters who voiced ing class that has been hard hit garded as a staunch opponent of their backing of Zuma and oppo- by lay-off s in key sectors such as the corruption that critics say nents of the president. mining. has undermined the ANC’s moral Zuma and his entourage could Zuma has become a focus of authority. be seen on live TV leaving the mounting public discontent over Zuma is widely believed to podium and being whisked away government missteps, rising want his ex-wife, Nkosazana from the rally, in the central city unemployment and a stagnant Dlamini-Zuma, a former cabinet of Bloemfontein, in a motorcade. economy. member who just fi nished a term Cosatu, a key political ally of Cosatu has signalled its pref- at the helm of the African Union, the ruling African National Con- erence for Deputy President to succeed him. Union members take part in a May Day Rally organised by the newly-formed South African Federation of Trade Unions in Durban. Shebaab kill duo accused of rape Ivory Coast cocoa farmers should raise output, quality: president Reuters 22, admitted at a trial by Al Shebaab that Shebaab has carried out executions, fl og- Mogadishu they raped the girl, and the judge ordered gings and single-limb amputations after that one be stoned and another shot dead, summary trials in many of the areas it con- Reuters fi cult period marked by an internal and external the Shebaab governor of the Hiran region, trols. Charges include theft, espionage, rape Abidjan shock caused by the 40% reduction in cocoa prices omali Islamist militants said they pub- Sheikh Guled Abu Nabhan, told Reuters. and adultery. Women and children have also on international markets,” Ouattara said during a licly stoned one man to death and shot He said Ibrahim was a clan militia fi ghter been executed. May Day address in the commercial capital Abid- Sdead another yesterday after both were and Bajin a government soldier. That could The Al Qaeda-linked insurgency has been vory Coast President Alassane Ouattara yes- jan. accused of raping a girl in central Somalia. not be independently verifi ed. fi ghting for years to drive out African Union terday urged cocoa farmers to raise production He also urged civil servants to avoid taking strike A senior militant spokesman said the Police Major Abdikadir Farah disputed peacekeepers supporting the government. Iand quality and said a 40% fall in global cocoa action to promote wage claims while the govern- group had picked up both men in the town of Shebaab’s account. “Shebaab executed two The group has been pushed out of most of prices this season had hurt the nation’s economy ment studies the issue. Beledweyne, where the rape occurred. bandits who killed a man and raped his wife,” Somalia’s main towns by AU peacekeepers and budget. Civil servants staged a strike in January that Both had belonged to pro-government he told Reuters from Beledweyne yesterday. and clan militias, but it still holds swathes Bumper crops in Ivory Coast, the world’s top lasted more than three weeks over salary arrears. forces, he said, but the government denied “Neither of the two was a soldier. They of the countryside in south-central Somalia. producer, and other countries have sent prices Ivory Coast’s budget is also under pressure fol- that, saying they were “bandits”. were armed bandits who robbed travellers in It also frequently launches deadly bomb- tumbling this season. lowing payouts to disgruntled soldiers who took to Ahmed Ibrahim, 29, and Yusuf Ali Bajin, the outskirts of Beledweyne town.” ings in the capital, Mogadishu. Ivory Coast has slashed its 2017 budget due to the streets in protest several times this year. the lower prices. The protests represent a serious political issue At the same time, the country’s production given that the country emerged in 2011 from a dec- could reach a record 2mn tonnes this season. ade-long political crisis and civil war and has since “Our country’s economy is going through a dif- become Africa’s fastest growing economy. Murders trigger Unknown disease France ambushes Mali militants kills one in Liberia riots in Congo rance has killed more than 20 militants hiding in a for- One more person has died from est near the border between the West African countries a mysterious disease in Liberia, Fof Mali and Burkina Faso over the weekend, its regional AFP raising the death toll to 12, the force said in a statement. Kisangani Health Ministry said yesterday. The operation followed the death of a French soldier nearby The latest victim was the fian- earlier this month. cee of a man who had died after It involved both air and ground strikes, the statement said. rotesters angered by a string of un- returning to the capital Monrovia It did not identify the militant group. solved murders threw up roadblocks and from Greenville in the south- Mali has been regularly hit by Islamist militant violence, Pmobbed government offi ces in three days east, where he had attended a despite a 2013 French-led operation to drive them out of key of riots in the restive gold-rich Ituri region of funeral. northern cities they had seized. Democratic Republic of Congo, local offi cials Out of nine other people who It extended a state of emergency by six months this weekend. said yesterday. were infected, three have been But violence in its southern neighbour, Burkina Faso, began The trouble erupted on Saturday in the town discharged from hospital. to intensify last year with an attack in the capital that killed of Mahagi in the region bordering Uganda It is in Greenville that the dis- dozens. where thousands died in ethnic unrest between ease first appeared last week. Burkinabe offi cials believe a new Islamist militant group German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel is welcomed by Somali Prime Minister Lendu farming people and Hema pastoralists Health Ministry spokesman called Ansar al-Islam led by a local preacher was using the Hassan Ali Khaire during his visit to Mogadishu yesterday. between 1998 and 2003. Sorbor George said the govern- Foulsare Forest as a base for launching attacks elsewhere. Troops had to be called in to back up police ment had launched a search France has deployed some 4,000 soldiers to fi ght militants in trying to quell the riots, triggered by the mur- for 60 Monrovians who had the region. ders of fi ve money-changers in April in Ma- attended the funeral. hagi. The spokesman also called on Germany pledges to double Protesters said police had failed both to in- all Liberians to report symptoms vestigate the deaths by shooting and to make including vomiting, stomach any arrests. ache and diarrhoea. Flower power aid to drought-hit Somalia “Roads were blocked off , the customs of- Initial tests have shown that fi ce could not operate...there has been trouble the disease is not Ebola. since Saturday in Mahagi due to demonstra- Lberia, as well as neighbour- DPA under strict security measures. tions over the murders of fi ve money-chang- ing Guinea and Sierra Leone, Mogadishu “We are ready to at least double that,” ers,” Ituri’s deputy governor Pacifi que Keta were the three countries most he said. told AFP. aff ected by an outbreak of Ebola, Gabriel’s visit had not been announced “Army reinforcements and police brought an which killed more than 11,000 erman Foreign Minister Sigmar beforehand because of security concerns end today to attempted looting and were trying people between December 2013 Gabriel yesterday pledged to dou- in the country where the radical Islam- to consolidate the return to calm,” he added. and mid-2016. Gble Berlin’s aid to drought-strick- ist group Shebaab regularly launches at- An offi cial for civil society groups in the Doctors suspect that the en Somalia, warning of a “humanitarian tacks. area, Louis-David Kisangano, said angry dem- unknown disease is transmitted catastrophe” in the country where more The minister was due to meet dis- onstrators had smashed the offi ce of the intel- via body contact. than 6mn people are facing food insecu- placed people and former Shebaab fi ght- ligence service as well as a police station and Blood samples have been rity. ers during his visit. several government buildings. sent for analysis to the Centers Ivory Coast’ Vice President Daniel Kablan Duncan Germany has already pledged aid This is the fi rst visit by a German min- “The money-changers were killed point for Disease Control in the United distributes lily of the valley flowers to women workers worth 70mn euros ($76mn), Gabriel said ister to the Horn of Africa country since blank without any response from the police or States. during May Day celebrations in Abidjan yesterday. after arriving yesterday in Mogadishu 2012. the judiciary,” Kisangano said. Outspoken Nigeria emir faces corruption probe

AFP The treasurer and secretary approved all his spending. suspended the trained econo- killed more than 800 people in Sanusi’s supporters reject the a similar situation in 1963 after Kano of the state-funded royal court The emir, who is revered in Ni- mist and banker in what many the north. assertion. nine years as emir. have been summoned today for geria’s Muslim-majority north saw as politically motivated ret- The Kano emirate dates back “Telling truth to power is in his He wielded power as one of questioning, he added. and whose guidance is sought in ribution. more than 1,000 years, dur- blood, it runs in his lineage and Kano’s most charismatic emirs ne of Nigeria’s most A source familiar with the in- spiritual and temporal matters, As emir, Sanusi has said that ing which time it has developed nothing can make him change,” but was forced to abdicate, al- prominent Muslim lead- vestigation said the probe cen- was appointed in June 2014 after men without suffi cient means norms and etiquette to which one of the emir’s aides said. legedly for embezzling tax funds Oers is under investigation tred on the use of six bn naira the death of his predecessor, Ado should not take more than one every emir is expected to adhere. “This is raw politics and noth- and insubordination to political on suspicion of embezzlement, ($19mn) of palace funds to pay Bayero. wife, prompting protests from That includes maintaining a ing more,” added Nura Ma’aji, an authority. fuelling rumours that some want for luxury cars, chartered fl ights, In the last three years, the clerics and residents in a city dignifi ed silence and avoiding anti-corruption activist based in “The truth of the matter is him removed after he made a se- phone and Internet bills as well Western-educated ruler has where polygamy is deeply en- open confrontation with politi- Kano. that (he) was removed because ries of comments about the need as other personal expenses. broken with royal tradition, trenched. cal leaders, instead cultivating “The emir has come out of his arrogance and refusal to for social reforms. The council has denied the al- speaking out about the need for He has also hit out at the fed- them in private for the greater bluntly and told truth to power... accord the then regional govern- Anti-corruption investigators legations. social reform in a fi ercely con- eral government’s economic public good. (and) the state government is ment the respect it deserved,” are looking into the accounts of “The emirate council has servative region. policies, saying they have led to A Zamfara senator, Kabiru using the anti-corruption com- said journalist and blogger Jaafar the Emir of Kano, Mohamed Sa- never bought a Rolls Royce for To some extent, that is unsur- poor governance and lack of de- Marafa, has accused Sanusi of mission to disgrace him.” Jaafar. nusi II, following allegations of the emir,” treasurer Mahe Bashir prising. velopment in the north, setting “derailing from the tradition laid The appointment of tradi- “His indictment by a gross mismanagement of royal Wali told reporters last week. In his previous job as governor him on a collision course with down by the former occupants tional rulers in Nigeria is agreed report of a commission was fi nances. “These cars were given as gifts of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the authorities in both Abuja and of the throne he is sitting upon by a committee of “kingmakers” only used as a pretext to de- “We have gone far in the inves- by his friends after he became Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, as he was Kano. now”. and subject to the ratifi cation of throne him. And from all indica- tigation...to safeguard the honour emir.” then known, caused shockwaves Recently he publicly criticised “He is no longer a whistle- the state governor, who also re- tion his grandson is following in and prestige of the emirate coun- Wali maintained that the by alleging a $20bn fraud at the the governor of the neighbouring blower or a university lecturer,” serves the right to remove them his footsteps.” cil,” the head of the anti-corrup- emir always bought his airline state-run oil company. state of Zamfara, who blamed he was quoted as saying by The from offi ce. The current emir has yet tion unit in the northern state of tickets with personal money In response, the president at divine retribution for a mass Punch newspaper in an inter- Sanusi’s grandfather, Sir Mo- to make any comment on the Kano, Muhyi Magaji, told AFP. and that the state government the time, Goodluck Jonathan, outbreak of meningitis that has view. hamed Sanusi, found himself in claims.

Gulf Times Tuesday, May 2, 2017 13 AMERICAS Trump is willing to meet North Korea’s leader Kim President Trump has not specified news agency reported, citing govern- were not completed well before then. a “swashbuckler,” after his wife died, mally dignifi ed executive mansion into what the right circumstances are ment sources. Asked about White House National Jackson visited her grave every day. a mob scene. CIA chief Mike Pompeo met the head Trade Council Director Peter Navarro’s Jackson, a slave owner who was in- Donald Trump’s presidential cam- Agencies of South Korea’s intelligence service, role in trade policy, Ross said he was strumental in the forced removal of paign released a television commercial Washington the acting US ambassador to Seoul, the “not a trade negotiator,” but was work- Native-American tribes from the US yesterday, touting his achievements af- US Forces Korea (USFK) commander ing with the US Trade Representative, Southeast in the so-called Trail of ter 100 days in offi ce. and offi cials at the presidential offi ce, and the Commerce Department as “a Tears, died nearly 16 years before the Monday was his 102nd day since be- S President Donald Trump said Yonhap said. He arrived Saturday, ac- kind of triumvirate” on trade. start of the Civil War. But Trump told ing sworn in on January 20. “America yesterday that he would be cording to the report. Ross added that Navarro was spend- Sirius XM that Jackson “was really an- has rarely seen such success,” the com- U“honoured” to meet North Ko- A spokesman for the US embassy ing a lot of time on “Buy American, gry that he saw what was happening mercial declares over a video clip of rean leader Kim Jong-un “under the said Pompeo was in South Korea for Hire American” initiatives as part of his with regard to the Civil War”. Trump holding up one of his signed ex- right circumstances.” USFK and embassy meetings. President Trump takes the stage to focus on US trade defi cits. “He said, ‘There’s no reason for ecutive orders in the Oval Offi ce. “If it would be appropriate for me North Korea attempted to fi re a bal- deliver remarks to bankers. Trump created the role for Navarro this,’” Trump said. “People don’t real- The spot lists actions that appeal to to meet with him, I would absolutely, listic missile on Saturday just hours af- after he served as the principal eco- ize, you know, the Civil War — if you his conservative base, as well as pro- I would be honoured to do it,” Trump ter US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson ing to say is that we’re trying to have an nomic advisor to his 2016 election think about it, why? People don’t ask moting his populist agenda, bashing told Bloomberg News in an interview. demanded “new pressure” and further overall constructive relationship with campaign. that question, but why was there a Civil the media and repeating Trump’s cam- “If it’s under the, again, under the sanctions against Pyongyang. China on a variety of topics, the most President Donald Trump said yes- War? Why could that one not have been paign slogan. right circumstances. But I would do President Donald Trump does not pressing of which, because it directly terday he would consider raising the worked out?” “A respected supreme court justice that. intend to trade away US jobs for China’s involves human lives, is the North Ko- federal tax on gasoline to fund infra- It was not clear what Trump believed confi rmed, companies investing in “Most political people would never help on North Korea, US rea situation. structure development “earmarked Jackson would have done to avert the American jobs again, America becom- say that, but I’m telling you under the Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross I don’t think he meant to indicate at toward the highways,” Bloomberg News 1861-65 confl ict. ing more energy independent, regula- right circumstances I would meet with said yesterday, adding that there were all that he intends to trade away Ameri- reported. The events leading to the Civil War tions that kill American jobs eliminat- him.” “constructive” talks with Beijing un- can jobs just for help on North Korea,” “It’s something that I would cer- have been extensively researched, with ed, the biggest tax cut plan in history,” a The remarks come amid heightened derway on trade issues. Ross said. tainly consider,” Trump told the news slavery being one of the root causes. deep-voiced announcer says. tensions on the Korean Peninsula over In an interview with CNBC, Ross Ross also reaffi rmed that the admin- agency in an interview. By the time of his death, Jackson “You wouldn’t know it from watch- Pyongyang’s nuclear programme and rowed back from Trump’s comments istration intended to renegotiate the In an interview that aired on owned about 150 slaves who lived and ing the news. America is winning, and frequent missile tests. in a CBS interview on Saturday that North American Free Trade Agreement, Sirius XM satellite radio yesterday, worked at his plantation, the Hermit- President Trump is making America Trump had said during his presiden- China’s help on North Korea “trumps not withdraw from it. Trump suggested that if 19th-century age. During his time in offi ce, Jackson great again.” tial campaign that he was willing to trade”. He called NAFTA “an ancient trea- US president Andrew Jackson had gov- denounced the growing activity of abo- The White House has sought to por- chart a diff erent course than past ad- Asked if the need for China’s help to ty” that does nothing to address the erned a little later than his 1829-1837 litionists seeking an end to slavery. tray a fl urry of activity in Trump’s fi rst ministrations by meeting Kim. contain threats from North Korea had digital economy, very little to ad- terms, the American Civil War might Trump and his supporters have lik- months in offi ce, emphasising his ex- However he has so far focused on en- made it more diffi cult to be tough with dress services, and has many “ob- have been averted. And Trump ques- ened his election victory to Jackson’s ecutive orders in areas including border couraging China to do more to pressure Beijing on trade issues, Ross said he did solete” provisions, such as those on tioned why the bloody confl ict had to triumph in 1828, when Old Hickory be- security, business regulations and en- North Korea, while reassuring US allies not think so. rules of origin, allowing in too many happen. came the fi rst US president from what ergy policy. of Washington’s willingness to defend “We’ve been having some very con- components and products from out- “Had Andrew Jackson been a little was then the western frontier of Ten- The campaign, Donald J Trump for them. structive discussions on trade with the side the United States, Canada and later, you wouldn’t have had the Civil nessee. President, said it was buying $1.5mn in Meanwhile, the head of the Central Chinese in parallel” to discussions on Mexico. He said, however, Mexico’s War. He was a very tough person, but he The populist Democrat famously airtime in major television markets na- Intelligence Agency was in South Korea North Korea, Ross told CNBC. July 2018 national elections could had a big heart,” Trump told Sirius XM. opened the White House to all comers tionwide, with online eff orts underlin- on an unannounced visit, the Yonhap “I think what the president was try- become an obstacle if negotiations He said that although Jackson was after his inauguration, turning the nor- ing the message. SC sets high bar to sue Ivanka at Business Week over predatory lending

Reuters could not aff ord, even if they had good credit. goals and intent of the Fair Housing Act. Washington As a result of this alleged discriminatory We believe these claims are without merit lending, Miami said, property values declined and we will continue to defend our interests because of the high rate of loan defaults that in this matter,” Bank of America spokesman he US Supreme Court yesterday ruled led to foreclosures. Lawrence Grayson said. that cities may sue banks over preda- The city said it lost property tax revenue Writing for the court, liberal Justice Ttory mortgage lending to minori- and was forced to pay to repair and maintain Stephen Breyer said Miami had the legal ties that harms municipal fi nances, but cast properties that went into foreclosure. standing to sue the banks but needed to doubt on whether such cases can succeed by The ruling was a partial victory for both sides. present more evidence that the injuries it throwing out a lower court decision that had In Miami’s favour, the justices, on a sepa- claims to have suff ered were tied to alleged allowed litigation brought by Miami to move rate 5-3 vote with conservative Chief Justice violations of the federal Fair Housing Act. forward. John Roberts joining the court’s four liberal Miami accused the banks of a decade of The court, ruling 8-0, tossed out a ruling justices, did not throw out the lawsuit alto- lending discrimination in its residential by the Atlanta-based 11th US Circuit Court of gether and embraced the principle that cities housing market. Appeals that had permitted Miami’s lawsuits can in some circumstances sue under the law. Other US cities, including Los Angeles and against major banks but gave the city another “We are pleased that the Supreme Court Oakland, have launched similar lawsuits. Mi- chance to make its case before a lower court. validated the city’s standing to bring its ami fi led the cases in 2013, in the aftermath Bank of America Corp and Wells Fargo & claims under the Fair Housing Act. of the US fi nancial crisis. The city sued under Co had challenged the appeals court’s deci- We look forward to litigating this case fur- the housing law, which prohibits discrimina- sion to permit the suits by the Florida city ther in federal court,” said Victoria Mendez, tion in housing sale, rental and fi nancing. against the banks. Miami’s city attorney. Three of the court’s conservative justices, The Supreme Court ruling also aff ects a The banks can point to the fact that the Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Anthony related case brought by Miami against Citi- lower court ruling permitting Miami’s law- Kennedy, said they would have thrown out group Inc suits was thrown out unanimously. the lawsuit altogether. The banks contend Miami said Wells Fargo, Bank of America They now get a second chance to argue why that Miami has failed to show a direct link Ivanka Trump, daughter and adviser of US President Donald Trump, speaks at National Small and Citigroup steered non-white borrowers Miami’s claims should not move forward. from their lending practices to the fi nancial Business Week event in Washington. into higher-cost and riskier loans they often “Bank of America is committed to the harm it claims to have sustained. Supporters of Confederate icons rally to fi ght removal

Guardian News and Media Monday was the day some Southern half of the slave-holding side. After the who looked like a time-traveller from report: “The SPLC has found that at Mostly local people regarded the fl ag- New Orleans states celebrate as Confederate Memo- war, though, he returned to New Orle- the Civil War: a grey beard down to least 60 such publicly funded symbols wavers as a curiosity. Students from near- rial Day. The push to remove the monu- ans and seems to have devoted himself his chest, a Confederate army cap on of the Confederacy have been removed” by Loyola University sat on blankets and ments is the latest skirmish in a confl ict to repairing the damage; he led a group his head, and on his shoulders several since the Mother Emanuel massacre. watched. When a young jogger swerved s New Orleans begins to take that started almost two years ago. called the Reform Party, pushing for enormous iterations of the rebel fl ag. Simultaneously, the report warned, from the sidewalk, penetrated the Con- down statues of Confederate That’s when Dylann Roof, a white civil rights, integrated schools, equal “Where are you from?” Cherrie said. opposing forces have become more federate ring, stole a fl ag and ran away Aleaders, angry protesters are supremacist, massacred nine black access to public transportation, and — “Arkansas,” he replied. Cherrie, who is strident: “At least one Georgia lawmak- waving it, a cheer went up among locals. fl ooding into the city to face off — and members of Mother Emmanuel church extraordinarily, at the time — voting tiny, pointed at him with a single fi nger. er has since introduced a resolution to One of the Confederate leaders, Al- nuance is the fi rst victim The city of in Charleston, South Carolina. rights for black men. It shook. “We don’t do this in New Or- recognise Confederate History Month len Branch of Oklahoma, glared from New Orleans surrendered early during In the days after the shooting, photos This complex tableau leaves many leans.” and Confederate Memorial Day.” beneath a black cowboy hat. “If I had the actual Civil War, after the Confed- emerged of Roof posing with his collec- New Orleanians with a laissez-faire at- She didn’t like Beauregard, she said That’s a reference to Georgia Rep- my gun on me, I’d shoot him.” erates left it poorly defended. tion of Confederate battle fl ags, which titude to the city’s history. later, but at least he was local. For Brock resentative Tommy Benton, who cited The protests and counter-protests have This time, though, reinforcements led to the removal of such a fl ag from On Thursday afternoon, as a shadow and his fl ags, on the other hand, she felt the election of Donald Trump when he been, so far, mostly small and nonviolent. from far afi eld have arrived to hoist the atop the South Carolina statehouse. started to creep from Robert E Lee’s disgust. “That fl ag is a living symbol,” made the proposal. That may change, as more statues battle fl ag. Since then a debate has rolled across the perch a hundred feet above Lee Circle, she said. It reminded her of the suff er- “We just elected a president that said come down, and more supporters arrive. “I will chain myself to that thing before South, with varying degrees of nuance. lifelong resident Quentin James strolled ing and fear her family felt even a single he was tired of political correctness,” In the early hours of Friday morn- I let them tear it down,” Wilford Sey- At one edge, some people continue to around the column’s base. Even as a generation ago. “It hurts.” Benton told a local public radio station. ing, a car stopped at a traffi c light in mour said on Thursday last week, waving wave the rebel fl ag; at the other, activists black man, he said, he felt confl icted The distinction Cherrie draws, be- “And so that was the reason that we were the roundabout that surrounds Beau- a hand toward a statue of General PGT call for an outright purge of monuments. about its impending removal. “He did tween a historical artefact and a living looking to introduce the resolution.” regard’s statue. The driver, 38-year-old Beauregard mounted in a bronze saddle. Most Southerners seem caught in the lose the war, that’s true,” James said. symbol, is the line that runs through It’s about preserving heritage, he Michelle Agosto, lives in New Orleans “By God I will ride that horse myself.” middle, pondering the diff erence be- Then for several seconds he thought- the centre of the current confl ict. said, not glorifying misdeeds. That ar- and drives past the statue daily. Seymour had driven overnight from tween preserving history’s lessons and fully scraped the ground with his walking The Southern Poverty Law Center gument was often and loudly repeated She shouted from her car that the Arkansas, as soon as he got word that the celebrating its atrocities. stick. “I’m in my 60s now,” he continued. (SPLC), a civil rights advocacy group this week in New Orleans, at the foot Confederates should go home. Similar city of New Orleans was pulling down Understanding those subtleties is “When I was in school, after class we’d based in Alabama, has spent the past of the Jeff erson Davis statue. Davis was sentiments had fl own from passing cars some of its Confederate monuments. particularly important in New Orleans. say, ‘Wanna go lay under Lee?’ and we’d year sorting which markers preserve the president of the Confederate states. for two days: some people yelling words The city’s fi rst manoeuvre was a cov- Its racial makeup, for instance, is have a picnic. I have a lot of memories the past, and which glorify it. A group of his admirers from Texas and of support, others booing the eff ort. ert one, carried out at 3am on April 24. far more complex than any other ma- attached to this place, and if they take it There are many battlefi eld memori- Oklahoma camped out on the patch of None of it amounted to much more. A crew wearing masks and bullet- jor Southern city. And the villains and down, it will feel like I’ve lost something.” als, like those in Vicksburg, Mississippi, grass around the statue, and engaged any This time, though, a blonde woman proof vests, guarded by snipers over- heroes of New Orleans’s history can be That sort of nuance doesn’t lend itself that remind viewers of the catastrophic passerby who objected to the monument. with a Confederate fl ag ran to Agosto’s head, dismantled a monument to the diffi cult to distinguish. to easy outrage. Instead, for simplifi ed loss of human life on both sides. “It’s about history,” became the refrain. car and stuck her head inside the win- Battle of Liberty Place. Consider old PGT Beauregard, frozen anger, unburdened by subtlety, troops The SPLC doesn’t include them in History, not propaganda. That argument dow, screaming. Agosto pushed her It was the most obvious of four monu- on his horse at the entrance to City Park. from elsewhere in the former Confed- its catalogue. But of the other sort, fell apart, though, any time someone away. The woman, still screaming, ments marked for removal, since it com- During the Confederacy he served eracy have travelled great distances. the celebratory sort, the fi rm’s report pushed through the ranks of the Confed- punched Agosto in the face. memorated an ignoble post-war uprising as one of only a handful of full gener- Late Thursday afternoon, 72-year- says there are more than 700 scat- erates to read the hagiographic inscription Later in the darkness of City Park, by white supremacists who didn’t like the als over the Confederate army, and or- old Lolita Villavasso Cherrie, a Creole tered around the US.There are many, carved into the 40-foot statue’s base: “A Agosto gingerly touched her left ear direction New Orleans was headed. dered the fi rst shots of the war, at Fort woman, walked past Beauregard’s stat- many more streets and schools named profound student of the Constitution; where the blow had landed. The monument’s removal was timed Sumpter in South Carolina. In this role ue and stopped mid-stride. for Confederate fi gures. On Friday the a majestic orator; in character fi rm; in “I just wish they would go back to for maximum symbolism. he tore the fabric of the nation, on be- Before her stood James Del Brock, group issued an update to its ongoing judgment sound; in character resolute.” wherever they came from,” she said. Gulf Times 14 Tuesday, May 2, 2017 ASEAN/EAST ASIA Thai junta May Day march chief accepts Trump invite

AFP atipak said in a statement, adding China, a popular punching bag Bangkok that the off er to visit had been re- during the campaign, has no- ciprocated by Bangkok. ticeably softened since his meet- Thailand’s former army chief ing with President Xi Jinping in hailand’s junta chief has Prayut Chan-ocha seized power Florida last month. accepted an invitation three years ago, anointing him- Many Southeast Asian nations Tto visit the White House self prime minister and ushering have looked to the Trump ad- from President Donald Trump, in the kingdom’s most autocratic ministration with some trepida- his spokesman said yesterday, government in a generation. tion. the latest autocrat to be em- The coup strained ties with the He has shown little appetite braced by the US leader. Barack Obama administration for his predecessor’s Asia “pivot” The off er came during a phone as the military jailed dissidents, and he swiftly scrapped the TPP conversation on Sunday night, banned protests and ramped up trade deal after taking offi ce. part of a fl urry of calls Trump prosecutions under the king- Trump is due to visit two re- made to Southeast Asian leaders dom’s draconian lese majeste law. gional summits — in Vietnam over the weekend trying to shore But the generals who now run and the Philippines — towards up regional support over the Thailand — a former staunch US the end of the year. Indonesian demonstrators participate in a May Day protest yesterday in Surabaya, the country’s second largest city. Millions troubled Korean peninsula. ally that has moved closer to Bei- The Thai junta statement was of May Day demonstrators took to the streets across the country as they demanded better social security while rejecting On Sunday, he extended a jing since the coup — know they light on specifi cs but said Trump outsourcing policies and low wages. White House invitation to Phil- are now less likely to be berated “had confi dence in the Thai gov- ippines president Rodrigo Du- for their dismal rights record un- ernment” and that the two coun- terte, whose brutal anti-drugs der Trump, who has had much tries were ready to “enhance campaign has claimed thousands fewer qualms about embracing bilateral co-operation in all di- of lives and led to warnings from autocrats. mensions”. rights groups about possible He also recently called Turkish Like Trump, the arch-royalist crimes against humanity. president Recep Tayyip Erdogan general Prayut enjoys berating “The prime minister thanked to congratulate him on winning the media and speaking off the Thailand moves closer to media and accepted President Trump’s a controversial referendum that cuff at length, including dur- invitation to visit the United will dramatically increase his ing weekly ‘Bringing Happiness States,” junta spokesman Major powers. Back to Thailand’ speeches that General Werachon Sukhonhap- And Trump’s rhetoric towards are broadcast on all channels. law criticised by rights groups

DPA The bill still needs approval from the cab- The council, set to include two state of- Bangkok inet and the parliament. fi cials, along with members of the press, Kanit Suwannet, head of the media re- will play an important role in media regu- form panel of the NRSA, told reporters his lations. hailand’s National Reform Steering panel had scrapped the requirement for all Monday’s resolution has dropped the Assembly (NRSA) yesterday approved members of the press to be licensed, follow- number of state representatives initially set Ta draft bill heavily criticised by local ing protests by media and rights groups. at four to two in the 15-member council. media and rights groups as a form of state This means the attached penalty of two- Despite more leniency, local media called control through a proposed state-regulated year imprisonment for operating without a for a self-regulating body, with a planned media council. license has been dropped. event to be held in protest of the bill tomor- The junta-appointed assembly of 200 Despite the compromise, the draft bill row, World Press Freedom Day. representatives approved the draft bill in a is believed by critics to pave the way for On Saturday, Human Rights Watch re- majority vote after one day of heated debate the military government to control media leased a statement calling for the withdraw- over the necessity to regulate all media pro- through the formation of the Media Profes- al of the draft law that “seeks to tighten con- fessionals, including online. sional Council. trol of news reporting in Thailand.”

Taiwan says US ties solid 6 people killed

Reuters congratulatory phone call from Tsai in in South Korea Taipei early December, the fi rst such contact in nearly four decades. The conversation raised questions crane crash Thailand Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Leuchai Ruddis addresses a news conference in Chonburi yesterday. aiwan’s US ties are solid with reg- about Trump’s commitment to the ular contacts, its foreign minister long-standing US position of acknowl- Tsaid yesterday, as the government edging Beijing’s cherished “one China” Reuters came under opposition criticism over policy, that there is only one China and Seoul US President Donald Trump’s cool re- that Taiwan is part of China. sponse to the possibility of a phone call The December call also infuriated Thai navy defends with Taiwan’s president. Beijing which fears contacts between ix people died and more than 20 were in- Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen told Taiwan and foreign governments would jured when a crane collapsed yesterday Reuters in an interview on Thursday confer sovereignty on the island. Sat a Samsung Heavy Industries shipyard that if the need arose, she would not Democratic Taiwan, self-ruled since in South Korea, Yonhap News Agency reported rule out talking directly again to the US 1949, has no interest in being ruled by from Seoul. submarine purchase president, when asked about such a pos- the autocratic mainland. The incident took place during the construc- sibility. Taiwan opposition politicians said tion of an oil platform for French energy com- But later in the day, Trump brushed Trump’s shying away from the possibili- pany Total’s Martin Linge fi eld off Norway. Reuters rity situation in our region of the Politicians from both main aside the suggestion, saying he did not ty of another phone call, in comments in The extent of any damage to the platform Bangkok world and the need for force can political parties have criticised want to create problems for Chinese an interview with Reuters, cast doubt in was not immediately clear, a Total spokesman happen at any time,” Leuchai told the purchase of the S26T sub- President Xi Jinping when Beijing ap- Taiwan on the strength of US ties, even in Norway said. a news conference at the navy’s marines, accusing the military pears to be helping with eff orts to rein in though Taiwan’s government has said Total and Samsung Heavy said it was also not hailand’s navy yesterday headquarters in Sattahip, south- government of mismanaging North Korea. both sides had communicated on the is- clear how the incident might aff ect delivery of defended its plan to buy east of Bangkok. priorities at a time of economic The island’s foreign minister, David sue and no phone call was being planned the platform, which was expected to start pro- Tthree submarines from Leuchai said Thailand had to downturn. Lee, responding in a regular parliamen- at this stage anyway. ducing oil and gas in the North Sea in 2018. China amid growing public criti- defend its maritime borders and Thailand’s defence budget tary session to opposition references to “We heard it and felt very uncomfort- “It’s too early to say what would be the con- cism and questions over the need he shrugged public concern. this year is more than 210bn baht Trump’s comments, said relations with able,” opposition Nationalist party law- sequences for delivering the platform, but for for the costly vessels. “It is necessary to move for- ($6.11bn), about 9% more than in the United States were good. maker Johnny Chiang said when ques- the time being all work at the yard has been The military government ap- ward with the purchase,” he said. 2014, the year the military took “The outlook for Taiwan-US relations tioning Lee. stopped and the investigation is ongoing,” said proved last week the purchase of Thailand is not involved in power. is very optimistic,” Lee told lawmakers. Trump, after raising doubts about Leif Harald Halvorsen, a spokesman for Total’s the fi rst submarine from China, disputes with China and other China was the fi rst major Lee said there were “fi xed” channels his stance on the “one-China” policy, Norwegian subsidiary. at a cost of 13.5bn baht ($390mn). Southeast Asian countries over power to acknowledge Thai- of high-level contacts between the two agreed in February to honour it. South Korea’s Yonhap said 22 people were in- Navy Chief of Staff Admiral the South China Sea but it does land’s ruling junta following the sides. He played host to Xi at his Florida re- jured, including three severely. Leuchai Ruddis said the payment have a dispute with Cambodia 2014 coup. The United States He said Taiwan was waiting for the US sort in April and later said he established “The crane fell onto the platform’s well bay will be made in instalments over over their maritime border in a responded to the overthrow of administration to fi ll vacancies at senior a good relationship with him. module, where the people were working,” Hal- seven years and will not leave gas-rich part of the Gulf of Thai- an elected government by freez- levels, such as those that handle Asian Taiwan ruling party lawmaker Liu vorsen said. other parts of the government’s land. ing $4.7mn of security-related aff airs, to be able to implement bilateral Shyh-fang said Trump was the most dif- No Total employees were killed or injured budget short. Thailand also has maritime aid and cancelling some security policies. fi cult ever US president to predict. “His in the incident, which took place around “There is an uncertain secu- borders in the Indian ocean. agreements. Trump, as US President-elect, took a only policy is: Hard to predict.” 0545GMT at the shipyard in Geoje, he added.

Cosplay with hijabs showcased in Malaysia

AFP sharing costume and make-up tips. events will generate more interest Kuala Lumpur Nur Azlina, a 21-year-old univer- among hijab-wearing women to take sity student, decked out in a “Power part in cosplay activities. Ranger” outfi t, said a hijab did not “I support them. If they love the uslim women dressed as hinder her cosplay skills and that character and have the passion, they superheroes, princesses, there had been a lot of positive reac- should do it.” Mand mighty sword-wielding tion. In cosplay, short for costume role- warriors took part in a hijab cosplay “Some people are sometimes sur- play, enthusiasts gather to imitate event over the weekend in Malaysia, prised when they see my hijab...but characters from anime series, comics where the role-playing craze contin- it doesn’t bother me. My friends and and video games, many drawn from ues to grow. my family support me and I also get Japanese pop culture. Around 20 women showcased their invited to birthday parties to attend The cosplay fad has swept much of love for anime with elaborate make- with my costume,” she said. the world and has been popular for up and costumes while still wearing “I love cosplay and I get to make over two decades in Malaysia. their traditional hijab at the event new friends here and also in the inter- But hijab cosplay has only become at a mall on the outskirts of Kuala national cosplay community.” popular in the last few years in the Lumpur. Raja Mohamed Rusydi, a 20-year- Southeast Asian nation and has gen- Many participants took photos with old male cosplay enthusiast who also erated much buzz among those in the Cosplay enthusiasts Azlyna Zaina and Raja Mohamed Rusydi, dressed as ‘Power Rangers’ cosplay characters, take part in each other, mingled and networked, took part in event, said he hoped such cosplay scene. the ‘Hijab Cosplay’ event in Subang Jaya, outside of Kuala Lumpur. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 2, 2017 15 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA

Aero-batics! N Korea hints at nuclear tests Reuters which nevertheless drew wide- Seoul spread international condemna- tion. South Korea said the United Breitling Wingwalkers aircraft perform during an aerobatic display at an air show in Zhengzhou, Henan province, China. orth Korea suggested States had reaffi rmed it would yesterday it will con- shoulder the cost of deploying Ntinue its nuclear weap- the Terminal High Altitude Area ons tests, saying it will bolster its Defense (THAAD) anti-missile nuclear force “to the maximum” system to counter the North Ko- in a “consecutive and successive rean threat, days after Trump way at any moment” in the face said Seoul should pay for the Tech billionaire buys Sydney Hong Kongers march of what it calls US aggression and $1bn battery. hysteria. In a telephone call on Sunday, US President Donald Trump Trump’s national security ad- mansion for whopping $56mn for welfare protection has said a “major, major confl ict” viser, HR McMaster, reassured with North Korea is possible over his South Korean counterpart, its nuclear and ballistic missile Kim Kwan-jin, that the US al- AFP Fairfax reportedly resisted larger off ers DPA (of the increase) cannot meet the programmes, while China said liance with South Korea was its Sydney from developers to subdivide the land. Hong Kong growing demands of workers,” said last week the situation on the top priority in the Asia-Pacifi c “We’re thrilled with the purchase and hon- Hong Kong Federation of Trade Korean peninsula could escalate region, the South’s presidential oured to take over the Elaine estate in its en- Union lawmaker Ho Kai-ming or slip out of control. offi ce said. ech billionaire Scott Farquhar has tirety from the Fairfax family,” Farquhar, 37, housands of people in Hong during an RTHK radio programme In a show of force, the United Trump, asked about his mes- bought a Sydney waterfront man- told Fairfax Media. Kong marched yesterday, yesterday, reported the Post. States has sent the nuclear-pow- sage to North Korea after the Tsion for an Australian record A$75mn “It would have been a great loss to see this Tcalling for better welfare Ho called for the minimum wage ered USS Carl Vinson aircraft latest missile test, told reporters (US$56mn), a report said yesterday, after the rare property sold to developers and carved protection as the city’s new mini- to be reviewed annually to keep carrier group to waters off the “You’ll soon fi nd out,” but did owners resisted selling the 1863-built home to up. mum wage law goes into eff ect, ac- pace with infl ation. Korean peninsula to join drills not elaborate on what the US re- developers. “When we heard of the plans, we just cording to media reports. Marchers from the transpor- with South Korea to counter sponse would be. The co-founder of Australian software giant couldn’t let this beautiful piece of Australian Three marches organised by tation service and construction a series of threats of destruc- Trump stepped up his out- Atlassian, which fl oated in the United States history be turned into a development site.” labour and political groups were industries also called for stand- tion from North Korea, formally reach to allies in Asia over the in late 2015, snapped up the iconic Elaine from The price tag set a record for residential set to take place as the city raises ardsed work hours, demanding known as the Democratic Peo- weekend to discuss the North John Brehmer Fairfax, whose family formerly property in Australia, the Australian Financial its minimum wage to HK$34.50 fi ve-day work weeks and 17 public ple’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Korean threat and make sure all owned the Sydney Morning Herald. Review said. (US$4.50) an hour, the South Chi- holidays a year, according to the “Now that the US is kicking are “on the same page” if action The estate, which stretches down to a har- It topped the previous A$70mn in 2015 na Morning Post reported. newspaper report. up the overall racket for sanc- is needed, a top White House of- bour beach in Sydney’s prestigious Point Pip- when mogul James Packer, who runs world- The groups say that the mini- They also called for the abolish- tions and pressure against the fi cial said. er, had been in the Fairfax family since 1891 wide gambling empire Crown, sold his Sydney mum wage is not enough to keep up ment of a scheme that allows em- DPRK, pursuant to its new DPRK “There is nothing right now when it was bought for £2,100. It features home to Australian-Chinese billionaire busi- with increased living costs, partic- ployers to pay severance fees using policy called ‘maximum pressure facing this country and facing horse stables, a tennis court and a ballroom. nessman Chau Chak Wing. ularly rising housing rental prices. money they had put into the city’s and engagement’, the DPRK will the region that is a bigger threat “We welcome the rise in the mandatory pension and long- speed up at the maximum pace than what is happening in North minimum wage, but the extent service schemes. the measure for bolstering its Korea,” White House Chief of nuclear deterrence,” a spokes- Staff Reince Priebus told ABC’s man for North Korea’s foreign This Week. ministry said in a statement car- The THAAD deployment has Rapper sues New Zealand party ried by its offi cial KCNA news drawn protests from China, agency. which says the powerful radar North Korea’s “measures for that can penetrate its territory apper Eminem launched court action charts in 24 countries, dealt with “the idea of bolstering the nuclear force to will undermine regional security, yesterday against New Zealand’s ruling losing yourself in the moment and not miss- the maximum will be taken in a and from residents of the area Rpolitical party, accusing it of using an ing opportunities in life”. consecutive and successive way in which it is being deployed, unlicensed version of his hit Lose Yourself in a “That’s why the song appeals to both the at any moment and any place de- worried they will be a target for campaign advert. public and those who wish to infl uence the cided by its supreme leadership,” North Korean missiles. Lawyers for the US artist told the High public by using it in advertising,” he said. the spokesman said. The United States is seek- Court in Wellington that he never gave the No details were immediately revealed of Reclusive North Korea has ing more help from China, the National Party permission to use the song, what damages Eminem was seeking. carried out fi ve nuclear tests and North’s major ally, to rein in which featured in the 2002 movie 8 Mile. National’s lawyers are set to argue the tune a series of missile tests in defi - Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile Barrister Garry Williams said National they used, “Eminem-esque”, was a generic ance of UN Security Council and development. breached the copyright of Eight Mile Style, track that was part of a library bought from unilateral resolutions. Trump, in the Reuters inter- Eminem’s publisher, by using the tune in a production music supplier Beatbox. It has been conducting such view, praised Chinese counter- 2014 election television commercial. They are expected to contend that any cop- tests at an unprecedented rate part Xi Jinping as a “good man”. Williams said the Detroit rapper’s hit was yright infringement was accidental. and is believed to have made Tension on the Korean penin- “iconic”, having won an Academy Award, two The conservative party’s campaign direc- progress in developing inter- sula has been high for weeks over Grammys and critical acclaim. tor Steven Joyce dismissed Eminem’s claim mediate-range and submarine- fears the North may conduct a He said that meant rights to the work were when the row erupted in 2014. “We think it’s launched missiles. long-range missile test, or its “enormously valuable” and were strictly con- pretty legal, I think these guys are just having It test-launched a missile on sixth nuclear test, around the trolled by the publisher, which had rarely li- a crack,” he told reporters at the time. Saturday which Washington and time of the April 15 anniversary censed them for advertising purposes. The judge-only hearing is scheduled to take Seoul said was unsuccessful, but of its state founder’s birth. Williams said the song, which topped the six days. People take part in a May Day protest march in Hong Kong yesterday. Opera troupe tours rural China defending a dying art

ByYanan Wang, AFP Backstage at one of their last 2,500 yuan ($363) a month, while “Most of them don’t have Yuxian, China shows of the season, Li sighed as the average actor makes closer health insurance,” Wang said. he recounted all the departures in to 1,500 yuan ($217) in a district “The question of whether their recent years. where the minimum monthly basic needs will be met is like a or the 50-year-old Chinese Many of his students had left wage is 1,590 yuan ($231). sword dangling over their heads.” opera performer, every as- the troupe after struggling to Over the 23 years that Liu, 36, At a March performance in Yu Fpect of the dimly-lit back- support their families. has been with the group, he has county’s Baocao village, there stage room was a reminder that “If it’s about the art, I’ll tell seen his cohort shrink. were no chairs in the viewing things had changed. them to stay,” said Li. But a sense of loyalty has kept area, but some attendees had The elaborate costumes care- “If it’s about survival, I’ll tell him from leaving. brought their own. lessly thrown aside, the young them: go.” “This is my family,” he said. Others watched from inside troupe members playing with The group of 90 has been ac- “Our troupe leader is like a father their cars, or found perches along their smartphones, the half-eat- tive since 1985, drawing its mem- to me. Whatever he says, I’ll do.” a crumbling brick fence as a harsh en noodles abandoned in the cor- bers from auditions held across Sometimes that means sing- wind blew around them. ner — all were tokens of disorder Yu county. ing in negative degree Celsius More people used to come, that made Li Zhiguo grimace in The performers join when they weather, or dancing while snow the performers said, before the his blue and gold cap. are between 13 and 15 years old; settles on his elaborate costumes. county’s coal plants closed and “I get angry sometimes watch- those who stay have known each But as Geng Liping, a 30-year- the migrants left. ing my students perform, because other their entire adult lives. old actress, said: “When you’re Now there were about 50 their heart isn’t in it,” Li said. Liu Donghai, a former ac- on stage you never feel cold.” mostly elderly locals, some with “But when they ask me if re- tor who now helps manage the Jin opera recounts ancient babies in their arms. hearsing diligently will guarantee troupe, recalled that being cho- Shanxi history, with storylines They heard about the show them a good living, I have noth- sen from among more than a soaked in nostalgia for the prov- through word of mouth. ing to say.” thousand kids had felt like win- ince’s imperial past. One of the few young people, When Li joined the Yu County ning the lottery. Modern audiences have diff er- 20-year-old Zhang Zehui, had Jin Opera Troupe in northern He- His parents were thrilled be- ent tastes, said Wang Jia, founder attended several performances bei province 35 years ago, he and cause, being a state institution at of the China Jin Opera Network. with her grandmother. his fellow teenage recruits be- the time, the troupe off ered him “Even our notion of beauty has “It’s lively and interesting, lieved that they had secured sta- A Jin opera performer uses her mobile to take a picture backstage before a show at an outdoor theatre an “iron rice bowl” — the Chi- changed, so everything — from but I don’t really understand it,” ble futures as the public guard- in Yuxian, northern Hebei province. nese parlance for a secure job. the costumes to the dialogue — is Zhang said. ians of a traditional art. Since they were stripped of being adapted for contemporary Garbed in a colourful robe, Li But policy reforms in 2005 future of an early Qing Dynasty province bordering Yu county. Despite their new business their public status, however, viewing,” Wang said. stood backstage, awaiting his turned their government-spon- opera form. From the Spring Festival to the designation, they still rarely some performers have started The greatest problem they face cue. sored project into a private ven- Jin opera, which is character- end of March, the troupe travels charge for performances — most driving pedicabs between shows now is attracting young recruits “Has it been worth it?” he ture without a concrete business ised by upbeat songs and wood- from village to village in Hebei, attendees wouldn’t pay — and for supplementary income. willing to endure the nomadic life asked as he looked out at the strategy, gutting the perform- en clapper instruments, origi- performing on ramshackle rural rely heavily on support from local Even the most senior mem- of an actor, a life without fi nan- crowd. “That’s a big question ers’ salaries and threatening the nated in the northern Shanxi stages to mostly elderly crowds. governments. bers of the troupe make less than cial guarantees. mark in my heart.” Gulf Times 16 Tuesday, May 2, 2017 BRITAIN

Labour candidates urged to step aside for Greens in two seats

Guardian News and Media and campaigners such as Neal Jones, say they believe Labour “It is pretty controversial within lemma of who to support to max- bour could win majorities again the exception of the Speaker’s on London Lawson and Billy Bragg to issue is the best vehicle for a more Labour – you see pushback against imise the Tory opposition,” added but added: “Politics is splintering. grounds of parliamentary proto- the demand through a letter in the “equal, democratic and sustain- what Tony Blair said,” he admit- Cruddas. “Now obviously we sup- It is not as simple as the postwar col”. Guardian that warns of a looming able society”. ted, referring to the former leader’s port Labour but it is acknowledg- model with a swing between two Lewis – who is defending a ma- abour’s former policy chief “Tory landslide”. But they warn: “With the pro- suggestion that voters should seek ing what the Greens are trying to do alternatives. Politicians need to be jority of 7,654 over the Conserva- has called on Jeremy Cor- Lawson, who chairs the pres- gressive vote split the danger of to elect politicians who would op- something which is thoughtful.” more agile in the way they analyse tives in Norwich South, where the Lbyn to stand down candi- sure group Compass, said Labour a Tory landslide and all it means pose hard Brexit. He said there had always been the political forces in play.” He ar- Greens took 14% of the vote in 2015 dates in two key constituencies could unlock 20 seats where the for our country now looms darkly He argued that this latest de- hostility to the idea of a progres- gued that it was about fi nding the – is another signatory. in order to help the Greens de- Green vote was key by simply on June 8.” mand was not about the ques- sive alliance within the labour best way to defeat the Conserva- This move comes after he feat the Conservatives and boost stepping aside in two: Brighton Cruddas, the Dagenham MP tion of Europe or Brexit but how movement, because people be- tives “seat by seat”. teamed up with his Labour col- their hopes elsewhere. Pavilion and the Isle of Wight. who led Labour’s policy review parties could work together to lieved the Labour party should However, a Labour spokes- league Rachael Maskell MP to Jon Cruddas has teamed up with The group, which also includes in 2015, agreed but admitted that bolster the number of non-Con- stand in every seat and that it was woman said the party was “fi ght- argue that Labour should be pre- MPs, including the former shadow Helena Kennedy, the MP Tulip the move could trigger a backlash servative MPs. the right vehicle for their politics. ing to win this election and would pared to off er a referendum on cabinet member Clive Lewis, peers Siddiq, Paul Mason and Owen within the party. “It is the classic progressive di- Cruddas said he believed La- fi eld candidate in every seat, with the fi nal Brexit deal.

May and Juncker’s Brexit Ex-PM Blair talks ‘not a disaster’ announces Agencies London

he government has dis- missed reports from TBrussels that Theresa comeback to May was from a “diff erent gal- axy” to other EU member states on Brexit. A leaked account portrays Jean-Claude Juncker’s private dinner with the prime minister last week as a disaster. According to the Frankfurter fi ght Brexit Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung newspaper, European Commis- AFP Leaving the European single versity of Nottingham. sion offi cials were astonished at London market and seeking a free trade Blair spent several years af- May’s ambition for the talks. agreement, as Conservative ter leaving offi ce working in the They accused her of having Prime Minister Theresa May in- Middle East and on African is- “no plan” and that it was unre- ormer prime minister Tony tends, would be “relegating our- sues, but has become increasing- alistic to reach a rapid resolu- Blair yesterday announced selves” from the top in the inter- ly outspoken on domestic issues tion on the status of expatriates, Fa return to domestic poli- national order. in recent months. an exit strategy and a trade deal tics to fi ght Brexit, while ac- “This Brexit thing has given He has set up a not-for-profi t within two years. knowledging he remains a divi- me a direct motivation to get Institute for Global Change to The article quotes Juncker as sive fi gure whose contribution more involved in the politics,” campaign, among other things, saying that he left the dinner “10 may not be welcomed. the 63-year-old said. “You need to “revitalise the centre ground” times more sceptical that I was The former Labour leader will to get your hands dirty and I will.” and tackle the “destructive ap- before”. not be standing in the June 8 gen- proach of populism”. However, a government source, eral election, but said he wanted “I don’t want to be in the He told the Mirror: “I am not however, has told Sky News: “We to get his “hands dirty” and help situation where we pass sure I can turn something into a do not recognise this account. shape the debate as Britain pre- through this moment of political movement but I think “As the prime minister and pares to enter negotiations on history and I hadn’t said there is a body of ideas out there Jean-Claude Juncker made clear, leaving the EU. anything because that people would support.” this was a constructive meeting Blair won a record three elec- would mean I didn’t care Last week Blair conceded the ahead of the negotiations for- tions as Labour prime minister about this country. I do” Conservatives looked set to win mally getting under way.” and spent 10 years in Downing the election, as opinion polls put The FAZ newspaper reported Street from May 2, 1997 to 2007. It remains unclear exactly them more than 20 points ahead. that May used the dinner to push But his fi nal years in offi ce were what Blair intends to do, or how In an interview with Sky News, for an early deal to secure the marred by his decision to join the helpful his intervention would he said the “real issue” was by how rights of British workers across 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq — a be. much they won, warning against the continent. legacy he cannot shake off . In the Labour party, now led giving May a “blank cheque”. But Juncker made clear that “I know the moment I stick my by leftist Jeremy Corbyn, the Many commentators suggest- this could not be settled by June head out the door I’ll get a bucket of term “Blairite” — to describe ed such comments will do little as suggested, given the complex wotsit poured all over me, but I really Blair’s centrist, business- to help Labour’s campaign. negotiations on topics such as do feel passionate about this,” Blair friendly policies — is widely He has also been accused of en- healthcare. told the Daily Mirror tabloid. used as an insult. couraging tactical voting, if nec- Juncker and Barnier, the chief “I don’t want to be in the situ- Among the public, 74% of essary for another party, to elect EU negotiator, were described ation where we pass through this people have an unfavourable anti-Brexit candidates next as astounded by the prime min- moment of history and I hadn’t view of Blair, according to a month — something he denies, ister’s assertion that the UK did said anything because that would YouGov survey published in vowing his loyalty to Labour. not have to pay “a penny” of the mean I didn’t care about this November. “Tony Blair is a voice that Brexit divorce bill. country. I do.” “Even some of his sup- gets attention and he’s us- That claim was slapped down Blair said his goal was not to porters think the more ing it for it’s own purposes, by Juncker, who argued there defy last year’s referendum vote he keeps quiet the to rally the troops in would be no UK-EU trade deal in favour of Brexit, but that vot- better it is,” said the bigger cross- without a deal on the money. The ers should be given a chance to Steven Fielding, a party battle which FAZ newspaper report concluded Prime Minister Theresa May meets volunteers from the Plaza Theatre, on the election campaign trail, in change their mind once the fi nal professor of poli- is all about Brexit,” that “Brexit cannot be a success”. Stockport yesterday. EU exit deal becomes clear. tics at the Uni- Fielding said.

Farron woos voters Smaller deposits raise Cameron buys hopes for homebuyers £25,000 luxury hut Agencies “Who won? That was my son London ... I wasn’t going to take him on!” Guardian News and Media in recent years. The proportion That’s a whole year longer than The 16ft x 7ft hut is no or- London of loans made at a 90% or more at the end of 2015. But it’s not all dinary garden shed. It boasts LTV ratio was 5% in 2016, up bad news,” said Fionnuala Earley, hile Theresa May sheep’s wool insulation as well from 3.8% in 2015. residential research director at grapples with Brexit as mod cons such as a dimmer asier access to mortgages Hamptons said that increasing Hamptons. Wand fi ghts to win a light, classic Bakelite switches, a with a small deposit has availability of lending at higher “Lenders are increasingly of- general election, her predecessor corner-set wood-burning stove Eoff ered some glimmers of LTV, combined with lower mort- fering higher loan-to-value has pressing matters of his own and a pull-out double sofa bed. hope for fi rst-time buyers strug- gage rates, had improved the mortgages and the rates charged to get to grips with. Cameron and his wife Sa- gling to get on to Britain’s hous- ability to buy for fi rst-time buy- on them have come down more David Cameron has just mantha decided to buy the hut ing ladder, according to a new ers. That cautious optimism over than for any other mortgage bought a £25,000 custom-made after admiring one owned by his report. aff ordability chimes with other type.” hut which he had planned to turn mother-in-law in her garden in Research on the amount of commentators on the housing A separate report from char- into a writing den for his garden Scotland. time it takes to save for a down market who have highlighted tered surveyor e.surv found that in the Cotswolds. He googled the hut and found payment on a home suggests recent signs of cooling in price buyers who put down a small de- But the former PM has re- a company in Oxfordshire called buyers have been helped by the growth as good news for fi rst- posit were making up an increas- vealed his children have their Red Sky Shepherds Huts. greater availability of mortgage time buyers. ing share of the market. own plans for the Farrow and Its founder, Paul Bennett, took loans at higher loan-to-value However, the estate agency Richard Sexton, a director Ball-painted hut. a phone call from Cameron say- (LTV) ratios. cautioned that the fact house at e.surv, said: “This is a trend Cameron, who left Downing ing he wanted to buy a hut. The estate agent Hamptons prices grew faster than incomes which started at the end of last Street after Britain voted to leave Bennett says Cameron’s pol- International said that in the last year meant anyone going for year and has continued into 2017. the EU in a referendum last year, icy of allowing people to cash in fi nal months of 2016 it would a mortgage with a 15% deposit Likely buoyed by the number of said: “Well, there’s been a bit of a their pensions at 55 that provid- take an average single fi rst-time would have found it harder, not government schemes and low fi ght already. ed him with the money to set up buyer 11 years and nine months to easier, to save for their down mortgage rates across the board, “My children want to use it as his business. save a 15% deposit. But reducing payment. The average length of small-deposit buyers are grow- a Wendy House, I want to use it Speaking about Cameron’s the deposit to 10% cut the sav- time for a single fi rst-time buyer ing in strength in today’s mort- as a book-writing room and my purchase, Bennett said: “He is ing time to eight years and three to save a 15% deposit in the fourth gage market. son also wants it as an alternative going to use the hut to write his months. For a deposit of just 5% quarter of 2016 was a whole year “A more fi rst-time buyer ori- bedroom. So, quite a lot of com- new book. I don’t know what the the time to save was four years. longer than in the fourth quarter ented market is good news for all petition. book is about. Hamptons highlighted Bank of 2015. as new buyers help start chains Liberal Democrats Party leader, Tim Farron, makes a “When it fi rst arrived there “He was an absolute delight. I of England fi gures that suggest “It still takes an average sin- and allow others to move up the speech at the launch of the party’s general election was great excitement - who was know people talk about ‘Call Me such deals with smaller deposits gle buyer nearly 12 years to save a housing ladder – vital for a prop- campaign in Kingston-Upon-Thames yesterday. going to spend the fi rst night in Dave’, but he really was a delight have become more widespread 15% deposit for their fi rst home. erly functioning property market.” it? and so was Samantha.” Gulf Times Tuesday, May 2, 2017 17 BRITAIN

POLITICS TRAGEDY ACCIDENT PROPOSAL POLICY Danczuk not selected Parachutist dies in Motorbike event shut after Holidaymakers face £80 Gosport four-dog walking as Labour candidate jump near Lancaster rider killed, another hurt fines for feeding seagulls limit comes into eff ect

Karen Danczuk has failed in her bid to be An experienced parachutist described as a Police have closed down a quad biking and Holidaymakers and seaside lovers could be hit Fines for people who walk more than four dogs at selected as a candidate to become an MP at “hero” by his son has died after a “tragic” jump in motocross event after one rider was killed and with fines for feeding seagulls as part of new a time have come into force in a Hampshire town. the general election on June 8. Danczuk, who Lancashire. Carl Marsh suff ered fatal injuries at another seriously wounded in separate incidents. council powers. The Public Space Protection Gosport Borough Council says it brought in the found fame posting “selfies” on Twitter, was Black Knights Parachute Centre in Cockerham, The event was being held at the Hardwick Hall Orders (PSPOs) issued by East Devon District £100 fines to combat dog mess and poorly con- hoping to be chosen to stand for Labour in the near Lancaster Paramedics were called to the Hotel, near Sedgefield, County Durham. The first Council mean people who feed the animals trolled dogs. Previously walkers were allowed to marginal Bury North constituency. But the party site but the 46-year-old from Knutsford, Cheshire, incident happened just after 1pm and involved could be with an £80 fine. The fines are being walk up-to six charges, but this has been curbed has instead chosen James Frith to stand for was pronounced dead. Lancashire Police and the a male rider who came off his bike and suff ered introduced in a bid to stop the birds attacking with the new Public Spaces Protection Order. One the seat, currently held by Conservative David British Parachute Association are investigating critical injuries. He was taken to James Cook Hos- people for food after a long-running debate professional dog walker said it will aff ect business. Nuttall. Danczuk has tweeted her support for but there are not thought to be any suspicious pital in Middlesbrough by air ambulance but was about how to deal with what many people Nick Lower, who runs Gosport Dog Walking, said: Frith and said she will campaign alongside him. circumstances. Marsh’s relatives released a state- confirmed dead soon after arriving. The second see as a ‘scourge’ on Britain’s most popular “There are a few professional dog walkers who are The mother-of-two served as a Labour councillor ment paying tribute to the “much-loved” family rider, a female in her early 30s, suff ered serious seaside resorts. In February MPs debated the going to be aff ected, and members of the public from 2012 to 2015 in her hometown of Rochdale. man. They added: “Carl was taken away from us injuries in another incident just before 2.10pm. issue ahead of breeding season, warning that as well.” Sue McNaughton, who will now have to She later became famous for posting revealing so suddenly that this just doesn’t feel real. He was She, too, was taken to James Cook Hospital by air pensioners had been among those attacked by walk her five huskies in two packs said: “They’re photographs on Twitter. a leader and admired by so many.” ambulance. Her condition is unknown. the birds. penalising the many because of the few.”

Sturgeon takes aim Primary pupils suff ering stress from Sats, survey reveals

Guardian News and Media three-quarters (78%) of primary London schools over the past two years. In addition school leaders re- ported an increase in fear of aca- rimary school children demic failure (76%) and depres- sitting national tests are sion (55%) among their pupils in Pshowing increased signs the period since 2014. of stress and anxiety around “Children seem far more exam time, with some suffer- stressed,” said one school leader ing sleeplessness and panic at- who participated in the survey. tacks, according to a survey of “We have to provide more sup- school leaders. port to our pupils especially Eight out of 10 primary school around assessment times. In leaders (82%) who took part in last year’s reading test two chil- the survey, seen exclusively by dren sobbed when they started the Guardian, reported an in- the reading paper and had to crease in mental health issues take time out before returning to among primary school children their seats.” around the time of the exams. “We had a child lose his eye- One child was said to have lost lashes due to stress, as well as Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, accompanied by Banff and Buchan candidate Eilidh Whiteford, takes part in the May Day events at Turriff in northwest Scotland all his eyelashes due to stress, numerous other pupils whose yesterday, ahead of the June 8 general election. while others worried about aca- self-esteem has been damaged,” demic failure and some had to said another leader from a school be comforted after being found in the East Midlands. “The cur- sobbing during their exams, ac- rent assessment system is plac- cording to teachers who partici- ing great pressure on children, pated in the survey. which is leading to anxiety and The survey – details of which mental health issues.” were released yesterday, a week Children aged seven and 11 before children are due to sit take the tests at the end of key controversial national standard- stage 1 and 2 in primary school. ised tests in English and maths More than four in fi ve (81%) pri- Three women arrested known as Sats – coincided with mary school leaders surveyed the launch of a highly critical re- said they were more worried port on primary assessment by about their pupils’ mental health the Commons cross-party edu- during assessment periods now cation committee. than they had been two years It warns that using Sats results ago. as part of a school’s accountabil- Over two-thirds (68%) said under anti-terror laws ity measures is creating a “high- they believed changes to the stakes” system of testing which curriculum and school perform- Guardian News and Media “ongoing intelligence-led op- black pointing weapons at the and a 43-year-old woman was The former Queen Mary Uni- is damaging teaching and learn- ance measures over the same pe- London eration”, police said. upstairs window of the property. arrested in Kent. versity student was arrested in ing in primary schools. riod had had a negative impact Ten people have now been ar- The injured woman was ar- Speaking on Friday, deputy as- Turkey in 2015 on suspicion of It also says the Sats, as they on children’s mental health and rested under the Terrorism Act rested on Sunday immediately sistant commissioner Neil Basu planning to cross the border into currently operate, are aff ecting well-being. hree teenage women have since Thursday evening, when after being released from hospi- said the raids were in response to Syria alongside two 17-year-old the well-being of both pupils More than nine out of 10 been arrested in con- armed police swooped on a ter- tal, where she had spent two days an active plot, adding that police schoolboys, the Times reported and teachers and it calls on the (94%) of those who took part in Tnection with Thursday’s race house on Harlesden Road, recovering under police guard. had “contained the threats”. at the time. The three were ar- next government to lower the the survey acknowledged their counter-terrorism raid in north Willesden, shooting and injur- Witnesses said the injured On Saturday Westminster rested again on their return to the stakes by limiting what is report- pupils were battling a wider London, in which another wom- ing the 21-year-old woman and woman, who was wearing a long magistrates court extended the UK but released without charge. ed in school annual performance range of pressures than fi ve years an was shot and injured. fi ring CS gas canisters. dress and hijab, shouted at para- detention of those arrested to Scotland Yard said the Willes- tables. ago. Two 18-year-olds and a That raid was carried out by medics not to touch her body as dates between May 2 and 4. den house had been “under ob- While many children feel un- However, over a quarter (27%) 19-year-old were arrested yes- elite counter-terrorism special- she was treated at the scene. One of those arrested is be- servation by counter-terrorism aff ected by the tests, the survey thought the tests were the big- terday morning in east London ist fi rearms offi cers (CTSFO) Four people, one of whom lieved to be Mohamed Amoudi, offi cers as part of an ongoing of 1,200 teachers by the Key, a gest source of pressure, sec- on suspicion of planning terror and is believed to have been the was a 16-year-old boy, were 21, a British citizen of Yemeni intelligence-led operation”, add- national school support serv- ond only to social media, which attacks, the Metropolitan po- fi rst time the unit has opened arrested, including two people origin who was deported from ing that the incident was not ice, found that in general cases nearly four in 10 school leaders lice said. They are being held at fi re during an operation. Dra- who returned to the house in the Turkey in 2015 and questioned on connected to the suspected at- of stress, anxiety and panic at- (37%) regarded as exerting the a police station outside London. matic footage fi lmed by wit- early hours of Friday morning. A his return to the UK but released tempted terrorist attack in West- tacks had increased in more than greatest pressure on pupils. The arrests were part of an nesses showed armed offi cers in man aged 21 was arrested nearby without any further action. minster earlier on Thursday. Murder probe begins as Charlotte turns two Social media ‘must be man shot dead in Dorset fi ned’ for online hate Guardian News and Media reputable companies appearing London next to YouTube videos posted Guardian News and Media of the house who saw the incident cumstances and are being sup- by extremists, the committee’s London had been “deeply aff ected”. ported by a family liaison offi cer. report said: “One of the world’s A spokesman for Dorset police “I appeal to anybody with any ocial media companies largest companies has profi ted said that a helicopter had been information to come forward or are putting profit be- from hatred and has allowed it- businessman in his 60s scrambled to the scene soon af- if you were in the area at any time Sfore safety and should self to be a platform from which was shot and killed dur- ter 3am to help in the hunt for the of the morning to come forward. face fines of tens of millions of extremists have generated rev- Aing a botched burglary at a gunman. It is understood that We are working with ballistic pounds for failing to remove ex- enue.” home in Dorset involving at least the crew used a thermal imaging experts. Upon the conclusion of tremist and hate crime material In Germany, the report points two intruders, police have said. camera to search for anyone act- their evaluation, we’ll know a lot promptly from their websites, out, the justice ministry has pro- Murder detectives on Sunday ing suspiciously in the area. more detail (about the fi rearm). MPs have said. posed imposing fi nancial pen- night were hunting those behind Superintendent Kevin Con- “There’s no reason (for resi- The largest and richest tech- alties of up to €50mn on social the break-in, which resulted in nolly from Dorset police said: dents) to be concerned. We are nology fi rms are “shamefully media companies that are slow to the occupant of the house being “At 3am we were called to a resi- treating this as an isolated incident far” from taking action to tackle remove illegal content. shot dead in the early hours of dential premises in Castlewood, and will do our very best to catch illegal and dangerous content, “Social media companies cur- Sunday morning. which is a cul-de-sac in St Ives. the off enders and bring them to according to a report by the rently face almost no penalties Police were called at 3.03am We discovered a male in his 60s justice. We are conducting reas- Commons home aff airs commit- for failing to remove illegal con- to reports that intruders had en- had been shot and he was taken surance patrols to ensure people tee. tent,” the MPs conclude. “We tered a house in St Ives, east Dor- to hospital but tragically died. feel safe.” It was understood Hedg- The inquiry, launched last recommend that the government set. One of the occupants, a man We have since launched a mur- er was marketing director at Avon- year following the murder of the consult on a system of escalating in his 60s, had been shot. He was der inquiry are trying to reach bourne International and Business Labour MP Jo Cox by a far-right sanctions, to include meaningful taken to hospital, where he was anybody with any information to and Enterprise Trust, which runs gunman, concludes that social fi nes for social media companies pronounced dead a short time come forward to help us. colleges and a primary school in media multinationals are more which fail to remove illegal con- later. Police named the man on “We are treating this as an the Bournemouth area. concerned with commercial risks tent within a strict timeframe.” Sunday as Guy Hedger, 61. aggravated burglary which re- Police said a second person than public protection. Swift ac- Social media companies that A murder investigation has sulted in the shooting of an in- in the property at the time was tion is taken to remove content fail to proactively search for and been launched by Dorset police’s nocent man. There were at least “deeply aff ected by the incident”. A new photograph of Princess Charlotte at her family’s found to infringe copyright rules, remove illegal content should pay major crime investigation team. two intruders. The off enders we Hedger was listed as living at country home was released by the royal family yesterday the MPs note, but a “laissez- towards costs of the police doing The force said the man’s next of believe went in to steal and then the property with Simon-Pierre to mark her second birthday today. The photograph was faire” approach is adopted when so, the report recommends, just kin and the coroner had been no- subsequently shot an innocent Hedger-Cooper, the Press Asso- taken by her mother, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, it involves hateful or illegal con- as football clubs are obliged to tifi ed. They said they believed the man. There was somebody else ciation said, who was a voluntary at Anmer Hall, the secluded house in Norfolk, eastern tent. pay for policing in their stadiums incident was an aggravated bur- present at the time. They have sector worker who was report- England, where the family spends much of its time. Referring to Google’s failure and surrounding areas on match glary, and said a second occupant been deeply aff ected by the cir- edly his husband of 12 years. to prevent paid advertising from days. Gulf Times 18 Tuesday, May 2, 2017 EUROPE

Macedonia to get new Italy ex-PM Renzi ‘back’ govt soon despite with party primary win attack on AFP ister in December after Italians ket reforms and modest growth, trist presidential candidate Em- parliament Rome overwhelmingly rejected a con- while legally recognising gay re- manuel Macron, who quit the stitutional referendum aimed at lationships for the fi rst time. Socialist Party to found his own streamlining the parliamentary But the recovery was not centrist movement “En Marche” DPA ormer Italian prime min- system. strong enough to pay any real (On the Move). Skopje ister Matteo Renzi has In February he quit the lead- political dividends and he alien- Yesterday Macron tweeted Fbounced back to the fore- ership of the centre-left PD and ated many on his party’s far-left, congratulations to the Italian. front of national politics with sought a new mandate in the who broke away in February to “Bravo to Matteo Renzi, like- acedonia’s Social Dem- a resounding primary election teeth of internal opposition. form the Progressive and Demo- wise on the move. Let’s change ocratic leader Zoran win to regain leadership of the Armed with his new mandate, cratic Movement (DP). Europe together with all pro- MZaev said yesterday ruling Democratic Party (PD). he will now go much strength- In a solitary television debate gressives,” wrote the French that a new cabinet will soon Renzi won 70.01% of votes ened into parliamentary elec- with his rivals before the vote, presidential favourite. be in place despite the violent in an internal party ballot of tions due by early next year at Renzi vowed to “bring back en- “Thank you dear Emmanuel! storming of parliament last week 1.85mn people, according to fi - the latest, insisting his win “is ergy, momentum and vigour We are with you. Vive la France, which followed the election of nal tallies yesterday. the beginning of a completely to the country”, railing against vive l’Europe (which we are go- the new parliamentary speaker. This represented an emphatic new story”. “stagnation that seems to be ing to change together),” Renzi “The new speaker was elected victory for the 42-year-old, al- Italian media predicted Renzi blocking political and institu- replied in French. legally and legitimately,” he said though turnout was well down would push for an earlier elec- tional life” since the referen- Should the upcoming legisla- in a statement posted on the on the 2.8mn who voted in his tion, in October, seeking to surf dum. tive election require the forma- website of his SDSM party. successful campaign of 2013 and on what he hopes will be pro-EU The debate highlighted key tion of a coalition, Orlando and That will lead to the election also below the 3mn of previous Renzi: has vowed to ‘bring back energy, momentum and vigour to wave both in France this week- diff erences over national poli- Emiliano say they would seek to of the new government, he said primary contests. the country’. end and then in Germany. tics, including on a wealth tax govern with left-wing defectors after meeting US diplomat in Renzi’s rivals – Justice Minis- However, an early vote fi rst which he opposes. or other parties on the left. charge of the region, Hoyt Brian ter Andrea Orlando and Michele 19.5% and 10.4% respectively. who believe in Italy,” tweeted requires MPs to agree on elec- Renzi, who has often cited the Renzi, meanwhile, has not Yee. Emiliano, governor of the south- “It is a huge responsibility. Renzi after it became clear that toral reforms. “Yes we can” slogan of former ruled out forming an alliance The promise comes after pro- ern region of Puglia, both from I thank from the bottom of my he had won handsomely. In offi ce, Renzi managed to US president Barack Obama, is with centre-right leader and ex- testers trying to block the new the party’s left wing, garnered heart those men and women Renzi resigned as prime min- deliver signifi cant labour mar- also a supporter of French cen- premier Silvio Berlusconi. government barged into parlia- ment on Thursday, attacking lawmakers, including Zaev. The SDSM partnered with three small ethnic Albanian par- ties to forge the new government German minister attacks ‘weak’ army leadership after December 11 elections, but the nationalist VMRO party, which had governed since 2006, Reuters/AFP The military intelligence Yesterday von der Leyen sent “To say all 250,000 in the accepted, despite the soldier’s has been blocking the path to the Berlin service is currently investigating a follow-up letter to all members Bundeswehr have an attitude lack of Arabic language knowl- transfer of power. around 280 cases of suspected of the armed forces, saying that problem aff ects us all.” edge. President Gorge Ivanov, who far-right sympathisers in the she had asked the army’s in- The arrested soldier had pre- He was allotted a place in the belongs to the VMRO, refused to erman Defence Minister German armed forces, the report spector general to examine any viously been detained in late refugee home and from Janu- hand Zaev the mandate to form Ursula von der Leyen has said. extremist or racist tendencies January by Austrian authorities ary 2016 onward received €400 the new cabinet, while VMRO Gattacked “weak leader- A suspected accomplice, a and determine why such prob- on suspicion of having stashed ($435) a month in state assist- lawmakers have been fi libus- ship” in the armed forces, pro- 24-year-old student, was also lems had not been properly and a gun in a bathroom at Vienna’s ance under this false identity. tering motions to circumvent voking dismay among soldiers’ detained after being found in fully tackled. Schwechat airport. The Bild daily has now report- Ivanov in parliament. representatives, after an offi cer possession of explosives. She asked the soldiers for Investigators later discovered ed that police found a “death Ivanov and his political chief, was arrested on suspicion of Von der Leyen told ZDF tel- their support and understanding that he had used a fake identity list” compiled by the suspect, VMRO leader Nikola Gruevski, planning a racist attack to frame evision on Sunday night that for her eff orts to dig into this and to register himself as a Syrian including left-wing anti-fascist accuse the SDSM and the Al- refugees. the arrested offi cer had writ- other recent cases of crimes and refugee, even though he spoke activists. banian parties of planning to The 28-year-old fi rst lieuten- ten a paper for his Master’s at a racism involving soldiers. no Arabic. The bizarre case touches on Von der Leyen: People look the undermine Macedonia’s sover- ant, who had falsely registered military academy that was fi lled The chairman of the Bun- The soldier, who has an Italian two sensitive issues in Germany: other way and it starts to eignty, because of their plan to as a Syrian refugee, was arrested with “primitive racial ideas” deswehrverband, a lobby group father and German mother, had the right-wing extremism that ferment until there’s a scandal. elevate Albanian to the status of in Bavaria last Wednesday on that drew initial scrutiny from that represents members of the pretended to be a Damascus fruit occasionally plagues the coun- second offi cial language in the suspicion of planning a gun at- superiors but were then “white- armed forces, criticised von der seller named “David Benjamin” try, and the turmoil surrounding have in place didn’t work, and entire country. tack which he meant to blame on washed” in an “ill-advised es- Leyen’s “weak leadership” re- – ostensibly a Catholic with the infl ux of more than a million that has to be investigated.” On Thursday, the new gov- his alter-ego – a fi ctitious Da- prit de corps”. marks. Jewish roots who had fl ed the migrants, many from the war in She and Interior Minister ernment voted to replace VMRO mascus fruit seller. “People look the other way “Her comments leave us be- Islamic State (IS) militant group. Syria, since 2015. Thomas de Maiziere, in charge speaker Trajko Veljanovski with The scandal widened after and it starts to ferment until wildered and outraged,” André He had registered himself at a “It’s not in order that the su- of immigration and refugee is- ethnic Albanian Talat Xhaferi, news magazine Der Spiegel re- there’s a scandal,” she said. “The Wuestner told the Passauer German refugee shelter and even periors didn’t grasp what was sues, have vowed to clear up the after which parliament was ported that although the suspect Bundeswehr (army) has an at- Neue Presse newspaper. “If the launched a request for politi- going on and didn’t understand embarrassing case, which has stormed. expressed far-right views in a titude problem and it evidently minister is truly serious about cal asylum, said the prosecution their responsibility,” said von led one Social Democrat mem- Zaev’s bloc is pressing the 2014 academic paper, no action has weak leadership at diff erent that, then she’s massively dam- statement. der Leyen. “Evidently, the early- ber to label them a “security VMRO to cede the post of speak- was taken against him. levels.” aging the Bundeswehr. Incredibly, the request was warning mechanisms the forces risk” for Germany. er today. The European Union, United States and most big Western countries condemned the vio- lence in parliament and urged Full steam ahead the VMRO and its leadership Turkey evacuates to step aside and allow the new government to take over. But if the SDMS takes over, Gruevski and other VMRO of- historic district fi cials accused of massive cor- ruption could face diffi culties from a special prosecutor set up AFP homes have been given money to investigate them. Diyarbakir but fi nding property elsewhere Instead of ceding power, the is diffi cult, and for those who VMRO is pushing for fresh snap are not homeowners, the situ- elections. esidents of Turkey’s his- ation is worse. The wrangling over power has toric Sur district in the Sahin Darkan, who had lived raised tensions in Macedonia, RKurdish-majority prov- in Sur for 11 years, told AFP which is sharply polarised both ince of Diyarbakir evacuated that he did not have to pay rent politically and ethnically, with their homes yesterday as the while he lived in the district. the Albanians – who make up violence-wracked region un- “Now we need to evacuate. 25-30% of the 2.1mn inhabitants dergoes restoration. We will have to pay a rent. They – unsatisfi ed with their position The district in southeastern (authorities) placed pressure in terms of rights. province has been hit by clash- on us to leave. I don’t know Macedonia was already on the es between the Turkish army what will happen to us,” Dar- verge of war in 2001, when the and outlawed Kurdish mili- kan, who works odd jobs, said. Albanians launched an insur- tants for over two years. “Actually we do not want gency to improve their position. Turkish authorities say to leave but we must leave,” A steam engine belches smoke during the 24th steam Engine Parade over the The confl ict was then resolved they will restore the district, Baris Umut, a member of one weekend in Wolsztyn, Poland. through Western mediation, a Unesco world heritage site of Sur’s oldest families, said. which this time has failed to with its ancient fortifi ed walls, “Where should we go, leaving Left: A man holds balloon in the shape of locomotive at the Steam Engine Parade. break the lengthy political dead- historic mosques, churches this beautiful place, this para- lock. and synagogues. dise?” Clashes between the Kurdis- Turkish Prime Minis- tan Workers’ Party (PKK) ter Binali Yildirim said last fi ghters and the Turkish armed September that 1.9bn lira forces erupted after the col- ($535.5mn, €491mn) would be lapse of a two-and-a-half- invested in the district with New AfD co-leader decries media interest in Swiss home year ceasefi re in 2015. billions more poured into the The Kurdish separatists southeast region for develop- have fought against the Turk- ment after the violence. DPA Weidel does not deny having a like any parent with a job – un- During the campaign, she will her private life an issue in her po- ish state since 1984 in a bloody But others including Ze- Freiburg, Germany home in Switzerland, but noted derstandably try to spend the work with Alexander Gauland, a litical career, nor had she planned confl ict which has left over liha Ceylan said they could not that her primary residence is in little free time I have with my more socially conservative mem- to use it as a tool to make the AfD 40,000 people dead. leave without getting enough Germany. family when my family can’t be ber of the party, in trying to get seem more liberal and modern. Two more neighbourhoods money to buy a house else- ne of the candidates lead- She said that she had no other with me in Germany.” the AfD ticket elected at the na- She said the fact that she is in in Sur were being emptied yes- where. ing the far-right Alterna- choice but to make that her prime Weidel, 38, was chosen on tional level. a relationship with a woman was terday but families told AFP “They gave me a small Otive for Germany (AfD) residence, given her focus on be- April 23 to co-lead the AfD into She stressed on her Facebook only made public on a television that they did not want to leave amount. I have nobody. I can- party into elections this year ing a leader for the AfD in recent September’s elections. page that she has taken no com- show, which surprised her. the homes they have lived in for not buy a house or pay rent. lashed out yesterday at the me- years. The decision came days after pensation from the AfD since “I certainly never went house many years. The state is telling me to move, dia, which she said had invaded “In terms of tax law, the rela- party leader Frauke Petry said she becoming a party leader in 2013, to house with that, that came out Those who own their own but where will I go?” her privacy for reporting on a tions are completely clearly de- would not be a candidate. and that she had no interest in through a talk show,” she said. home she owns in Switzerland. fi ned,” she wrote. “Speculation Until recently a relatively low- drawing a party salary. She said she sees no discrep- “My partner and I regret deep- about this is unnecessary.” profi le member at the party’s “Obviously, because of this ancy with being gay while be- Three killed in light plane crash ly how the media has tried to However, she noted that she state level, the push to a national full-time engagement, I have longing to a party that calls for push our most intimate private maintains a second home with leadership role has required some put Germany at the centre of my “traditional” families, noting Three Germans died after a light aircraft crashed in southern Spain, life into the open in recent days in her partner, and that home is in changes for Weidel, an economist life, and that is where I am regis- that the AfD has said it backs emergency services in the Andalusia region reported yesterday. an eff ort to produce unfounded Switzerland because her part- and business consultant whose tered.” existing laws, which allow civil The crash occurred on Saturday in the Sierras of Tejeda, Almijara stories,” wrote Alice Weidel in a ner’s job is there. work often takes her to China. Weidel’s German residence is partnerships for homosexual and Alhama national park, 50km to the east of the city of Malaga. statement on her Facebook page. “My Swiss partner works in She represents the party’s eco- in the southern town of Ueber- couples. The 60-year-old pilot of the plane, his similarly aged wife and a “I’m appealing to all representa- Switzerland, which is why it’s nomically liberal wing and has lingen. The Swiss residence with Aside from that, she says she 45-year-old woman died in the crash, according to the regional tives of the media to stop doing completely normal that this is taken stances on issues like mi- her family is in northwestern backs AfD stances such as oppo- newspaper Sur, which cited the authorities. this out of respect for my family where I have my secondary resi- gration that are fairly moderate Switzerland. sition to euro bailouts, stronger They were part of a group of seven planes that was flying in stages in the future and not to overstep dence. Our children live with when compared to other mem- Weidel recently told DPA that borders and scepticism towards from Germany to Morocco, the report said. the clear bounds of the law.” their mother, which is why I – bers. she had never planned to make Islam. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 2, 2017 19 EUROPE

Violence scars union marches in France Macron, Le Pen trade AFP That show of force, coupled Paris with a political closing of ranks, helped centre-right Jacques Chirac infl ict a crushing defeat rance’s traditional May 1 on Le Pen senior. union marches erupted This time, with the left-wing Finto violence yesterday, candidates eliminated in the fi rst highlighting the divisions six round, the left is deeply divided blows at May 1 rallies days before a crunch presidential over the choice between Le Pen’s election. 48-year-old daughter and Ma- Reuters a new party, En Marche! (On- traditional May Day speech at a riot police and one offi cer set are staunchly committed to their Four police offi cers were hurt cron, a 39-year-old former in- Paris wards!), which he set up himself statue of national heroine Joan of alight by a petrol bomb before his candidate. in clashes in Paris between vestment banker. a year ago. Arc, a short walk from where Ma- colleagues put the fi re out. She devoted much of her masked youths throwing molo- In Paris’s Place de la Re- He was speaking after paying cron commemorated the death of Police said offi cers used tear speech, lasting nearly an hour, to tov cocktails and riot police who publique, 28-year-old teacher esterday centrist presi- tribute to a young Moroccan man young Moroccan Brahim Bouar- gas against protesters who had attacking Macron as the face of responded with teargas. Camille Delaye was holding a dential frontrunner Em- who drowned in the River Seine ram. injured three of their number by the establishment. One offi cer was engulfed in placard that read: “Abstention is Ymanuel Macron and his in Paris 22 years ago after being “Emmanuel Macron is doing a throwing petrol bombs. Referring to her plan to hold a fl ames, an AFP photographer a political act” – meaning that he far-right rival Marine Le Pen pushed into the water by skin- tour of graveyards. It’s a bad sign The bitterly contested elec- referendum on whether France saw, and unconfi rmed reports is so disgusted by both the can- attacked each other’s visions of heads on the fringes of a May Day for him,” he said. tion has polarised France, ex- should remain in the EU, Le Pen said he had suff ered serious didates that he will not vote on France and the role it should play rally by the FN, then led by Le His speech before a crowd posing some of the same sense said: “The French people will de- burns. Sunday. in Europe against a background Pen’s father Jean-Marie. of a few hundred support- of anger with globalisation and cide.” Reacting to the scenes on But Nastassja Naguszewski, of May Day rallies and protests. Campaigning in Villepinte, ers drew chants of “France for political elites that brought Don- She told supporters: “I want Twitter, far-right presidential 28, who works in local govern- Macron sought for a third suc- a suburb north of the capital, the French!” and “Islam out of ald Trump to presidential power France to get its independence candidate Marine Le Pen said: ment, said: “You have to put Le cessive day to paint National Marine Le Pen told a rally: “Em- France!” in the United States, and caused back by negotiating with Brussels “This is the sort of mess ... that Pen as low as possible. One of Front (FN) candidate Le Pen as manuel Macron is just Francois At rallies in Paris, Marseille and Britons to vote for a divorce from the return of our sovereignty.” I no longer want to see on our them is a candidate who will up- an extremist, while she portrayed Hollande who wants to stay and elsewhere, some trade unionists the EU. At a rally in Paris, Macron streets.” hold republican values and one is him as a clone of unpopular out- who is hanging on to power like a and left-wing activists sought The vote in the world’s fi fth called on his political opponents The traditional May Day not.” going Socialist President Fran- barnacle.” to turn the traditional May Day largest economy, a key mem- to vote for him in order to “pro- marches staged by France’s pow- Two unions, the CFDT and cois Hollande, under whom he She called for France to reclaim workers’ holiday into a day of na- ber of the North Atlantic Treaty tect democracy and the republic”. erful labour unions provided a Unsa, have called for their mem- served as economy minister from its “independence” from the EU tional solidarity against the Na- Organisation (Nato) defence al- In his clearest attempt yet useful gauge of the country’s bers to back Macron on Sunday. 2014 to 2016. but made no mention of her pro- tional Front, mirroring protests liance, will be the fi rst to elect a to position himself as an anti- mood as it prepares to choose be- But while three other more The latest opinion poll showed posal to drop the euro, the part of in 2002 when Jean-Marie Le Pen president who is from neither of National Front candidate, he tween Le Pen and centrist front- left-wing unions including the Macron leading Le Pen by 61% to her campaign platform which is made it through to the second the main political groupings: the told the rally that the outcome runner Emmanuel Macron. biggest, the CGT, have called 39% ahead of Sunday’s election, the least popular with voters, and round of the presidential election candidates of the Socialists and of Sunday’s vote could decide The protests underlined the for a demonstration against Le widely seen as the most crucial in which she has played down in re- before losing heavily to conserv- conservative party The Republi- France’s future “for decades”. conspicuous absence of the unit- Pen’s vision of French identity, decades. cent days. ative Jacques Chirac. cans were knocked out in the fi rst Drawing a parallel between Le ed front shown in 2002 when Le they have stopped short of back- On off er is a choice between his Le Pen has worked hard to However, other groups, in- round on April 23. Pen and right-wing governments Pen’s father Jean-Marie shocked ing Macron whose economically vision of closer integration with a cleanse the FN of xenophobic cluding the powerful CGT union, Between them Le Pen and Ma- in Poland and Hungary, he said: the country by reaching the run- liberal outlook worries many on modernised European Union and and anti-semitic associations refused to explicitly back Macron cron gathered only 45% of votes “These are not open democra- off . the left. her calls to cut immigration and and make it more appealing to a and organised their demonstra- in that round, which eliminated cies. Rights are scoff ed at there On this day 15 years ago, Some militants have formed take the country out of the euro. wider electorate. tions separately. nine other candidates. every day.” some 1.3mn people, includ- a movement they have called “I will fi ght up until the very She said at the weekend that Masked groups of youths The second round will take Macron said he knows some ing 400,000 in Paris, took to “Social Front” to block both last second not only against her she had no more contact with dressed in black were visible place in the middle of a weekend of those voting for him will fi ght the streets of France in union- candidates and marched under a programme but also her idea of her father and was not respon- among protesters in the capital. extended by a public holiday. him and his policies: “[M]y fi ght led demonstrations to protest banner saying: “Rock and a hard what constitutes democracy and sible for his “unacceptable com- BFM TV showed images of A high abstention rate could today has also become a fi ght so against the founder of the Na- place: Social Front, it will be won the French Republic,” said Ma- ments”. what looked like a burning shop- favour Le Pen, whose supporters that you can freely express your tional Front (FN). in the streets.” cron, an independent backed by Le Pen senior gave his own ping trolley rolled into a line of typically tell pollsters that they disagreement tomorrow.” Police detain 200 at Istanbul protest

AFP Police checked tourists and Istanbul citizens passing through Tak- sim and all streets leading to the square were cordoned off with urkish police fi red tear gas iron barricades. and plastic bullets yester- Metro lines did not stop at Tday at protesters seeking Taksim Square, which was a ral- to march to Istanbul’s Taksim lying ground for May Day cel- Square to celebrate May Day, in ebrations until 1977, when at defi ance of an offi cial ban. least 34 people were killed during Authorities said more than demonstrations. 200 people were detained for “il- Authorities later opened up legal” protests in the city. the square for celebrations in Police tried to stop around 200 2010 but it was shut down again Above: People are seen heading to a protesters in the Gayrettepe dis- after it played host to anti-gov- gathering in Bakirkoy district as part of the trict on the European side of Is- ernment protests in 2013 target- the May Day rally in Istanbul. tanbul who wanted to walk to the ing then-premier Erdogan. famous Taksim square in spite “Our people were massacred Left: Demonstrators wearing masks depicting of the ban by city authorities, an on May Day in 1977, workers were Marine Le Pen, Emmanuel Macron with his AFP journalist said. massacred,” a protester who gave wife Brigitte (centre) pose as part of May Day The protesters – made up of her name as Sevim told AFP. labour day march in Marseille. left-wing groups – unfurled “We are going to Taksim banners against the result of square because it is a meaningful Right: A boy shouts slogans during a labour the April 16 referendum, which place for the working class,” she union rally in Athens. handed President Recep Tayyip said shortly before the police in- Erdogan expanded powers. tervention in Gayrettepe. Below: Union members hold balloons and “Long Live May Day, No to This year’s May Day celebra- flags near the Kremlin during their May Day dictator!” the banners read. tions also come after the “yes” rally in Moscow. Turkish authorities imposed camp won last month’s referen- a ban on any demonstration at dum with 51.41% of the vote. Taksim Square, with police seal- The opposition have alleged ing off the avenue with barri- major irregularities but its com- cades and halting traffi c. plaints were thrown out by the Among those detained were election commission and a top two women who attempted to court. evade the ban and unfurl banners Yunus Ozgur, another demon- at the square, the private Dogan strator, said he wanted to march news agency reported. to protest “irregularities” during In a statement, Istanbul gov- the referendum. ernor’s offi ce said some illegal “We are frustrated,” he said. groups sought to rally around “Taksim has a political meaning. Taksim Square and elsewhere in They (authorities) are scared of the city by using May Day cel- this. Taksim is ours.” ebrations as a “pretext”, adding In the meantime, several thou- that 207 people were detained. sand people and unions attended Police had also seized 40 Mol- celebrations in an offi cially sanc- otov cocktails, 17 hand grenades, tioned rally in the Bakirkoy dis- 176 fi reworks, and seven masks. trict near the international air- And one citizen was killed in port on the city’s western side. an accident when a TOMA, an In Ankara, at least 6,000 peo- armoured water cannon truck ple demonstrated for May Day designed for riot control, was and against the referendum re- manoeuvring, it said. sult, holding large letters spell- Some 30,000 police were on ing out “Hayir” meaning “no” duty in Istanbul alone, with the in Turkish, an AFP photographer governor’s offi ce urging citizens said. not to heed calls for protests in Some held banners reading Greeks stage nation-wide strike against looming new cuts non-offi cial areas. “No means no.” Almost 1.5mn turn up for Moscow march

AFP suspended, and a state services Bank and the International Mon- needs for debt repayments of the last fi gures are positive. But Almost a million and a half people turned out in central Moscow Athens shutdown. etary Fund (IMF) – the govern- €7bn in July. the government has not yet ful- yesterday for the annual May Day parade, many more than in past “We must take back all that ment agreed earlier this month to A government source said ear- fi lled all the agreements,” he said. years, Russian police said. was stolen from us during the adopt another €3.6bn ($3.8bn) in lier yesterday that Athens and Greece and its creditors agreed “Nearly 1.5mn people marched on May 1,” police said in a statement reek trade unions marked crisis,” said Communist party cuts in 2019 and 2020. the creditors were inching to- a third, €86bn ($94bn) bailout quoted by Interfax news agency. May Day yesterday with leader Dimitris Koutsoumbas. Athens conceded fresh pen- wards a preliminary agreement. deal in July 2015. Under clear skies, marchers waving flags and carrying balloons poured Ga 24-hour nationwide “We must scrap all anti-labour sion and tax break cuts in re- “There are four dossiers with But the IMF has refused to take onto Red Square by the Kremlin. strike and protests against loom- laws...and unilaterally erase the turn for permission to spend an important issues, and four or fi ve part after two prior programmes Only 100,000 people took part in the annual Labour Day march in 2015 ing new cuts demanded by the (Greek public) debt.” equivalent sum on poverty relief dossiers with lesser issues (re- on the grounds that the targets and 2016, police figures showed. country’s creditors in return for A general strike will be held measures. maining),” the offi cial said, ac- were unrealistic and Athens’ debt Some of the marchers waved communist flags and pictures of Soviet bailout cash. against the cuts on May 17. The measures are to be ap- cording to state agency ANA. mountain unsustainable. founding father Lenin in memory of the old days. Some 10,000 people demon- “Bailout government and the proved by parliament by mid- In an interview on Sunday, Additional debt relief for Vladimir Nikolayevich, a war veteran marching in uniform, described strated in Athens while another creditors have been squeezing May, with the government hop- German Finance Minister Wolf- Greece has proved a contentious the May Day parade as an “immortal” event. 3,500 marched in Thessaloniki, the people and workers for seven ing to reach an overall deal at a gang Schaeuble said a May 22 point for many of its European Other marchers chanted anti-government slogans. police said. years,” said civil servants’ union May 22 meeting of eurozone fi - deal was feasible “if the (Greek) creditors including Germany, Vladislav Ryazantsev, a leader of the Left Block movement, said “we are The strike, on a public holi- Adedy. nance ministers. government respects all the where additional concessions are against (President Vladimir) Putin, but not as a person”. day in Greece, saw businesses Under pressure from its credi- A compromise is required to agreements”. unpopular with a general election In all some 2.6mn Russians joined May Day marches across the country shuttered, ferries and trains tors – the EU, European Central unblock a tranche of loans Greece “Greece has made progress, looming in September. yesterday, authorities said. Gulf Times 20 Tuesday, May 2, 2017 INDIA

POLITICS BANKING POLITICS JUDICIARY INVESTIGATION Odisha BJP delegation SBI cuts term deposit Yogi Adityanath to meet CBI gets sanction to Court to consider charges meets Rajnath over security rates by up to 50 bps MPs, MLAs every week act against ex-ISRO chief against Himachal CM

A delegation of Odisha Bharatiya Janata Party The State Bank of India has cut its term Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath The Central Bureau of Investigation yesterday told a A New Delhi court yesterday said it will consider the leaders led by federal minister Dharmendra Pradhan deposit rates by up to 50 basis points (bps) yesterday issued a timetable of meeting MPs New Delhi court that it has got sanction to try three charge-sheet filed against Himachal Pradesh Chief yesterday met Home Minister Rajnath Singh seeking for amounts below Rs10mn with maturity and legislators from the state. Under the former Indian Space Research Organisation off icials Minister Virbhadra Singh, his wife Pratibha Singh his intervention over the law and order situation in period ranging from two to 10 years. For schedule, he will meet the MPs between 4pm including ex-chairman G Madhavan Nair in the Devas- and others in a disproportionate assets case. Special the state. The delegation accused Odisha’s ruling Biju deposits of two to three years, the interest and 5pm every Friday and the legislators every Antrix deal case. The CBI told Special Judge Virender Judge Virender Kumar Goyal listed the matter for Janata Dal of physically silencing political opponents. rate has been reduced by 50 bps from 6.75% Monday and Friday. The meetings will take Kumar Goyal that the others are former ISRO director May 3 for considering the charge-sheet. Meanwhile, The delegation also demanded protection for Parbati to 6.25%. For senior citizens, the term deposit place at the chief minister’s secretariat Lal A Bhaskar Narayana Rao and former Antrix executive Pratibha Singh withdrew her application alleging Sasmal of Kalikuda in Jagatsinghpur, who was rate for the similar period has been reduced Bahadur Shastri Bhavan. In a letter addressed director K R Sridhara Murthi. The agency filed a that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) did allegedly attacked by BJD supporters for handing from 7.25% to 6.75%. The new term deposit to all state MPs and legislators, Adityanath charge-sheet on August 11 last year alleging a loss not follow proper procedure while probing the case. over a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during rates came into eff ect from April 29. For term has said that the people of the state have of Rs5.78bn to the exchequer in the deal. The deal Her lawyer had told the court that as per the Delhi a road show in Bhubaneswar on April 15. “We seek deposits of three to 10 years, the rates have voted them to power with great expectations was inked between private multimedia company High Court guidelines, the CBI should have sought your intervention to ensure safety and security been reduced by 25 bps from 6.50 to 6.25%. and they have to give much of their time to Devas and Antrix, the commercial arm of ISRO. The permission from the Himachal Pradesh government to the lady and others of her like. We urge you to For senior citizens, the term deposit rate for their constituencies. During their interactions CBI accused them of hatching a criminal conspiracy before conducting a probe against her. The CBI had use your good off ice to take up the issue with the the similar period has been reduced from 7% with the people, they get many petitions and with an intent to cause undue gains to themselves or booked the accused on charges of abetment of government to ensure justice to a poor lady,” the to 6.75%. SBI off ers the highest deposit rate of applications which need intervention at the others by abusing their off icial position and causing crime and forgery under the Indian Penal Code and delegation said. 6.90% for the term of one year to 455 days. government level. loss to Antrix Corp and ISRO. the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Pollution chokes Dal Lake Minister orders Court doubts probe into UP petrol pump scam mental health

IANS New Delhi of judge, orders etroleum Minister Dhar- mendra Pradhan yester- Pday ordered an inspec- tion of all petrol pumps in Uttar Pradesh and random checks on others across the country fol- medical check lowing a case of gas stations in the northern state dispensing Justice Karnan is facing he can’t be responsible for his lower quantities of fuel by in- contempt charges for acts.” stalling remote-controlled elec- degrading the judiciary Attorney General Mukul Ro- tronic chips in the fuel dispens- hatgi said Karnan was in “gross ing units. IANS misconduct”, and pointed to his “The petroleum ministry has New Delhi conduct prior to the initiation of issued an order for inspection contempt proceedings and dur- of all petrol pumps in UP and ing the pendency of the contempt random checks in other states he Supreme Court yes- proceedings by the top court. to check tampering in delivery terday expressed doubts Referring to the conduct of units,” Pradhan told reporters Tover the state of mental Karnan after the last hearing on here. health of a controversial high March 31, the attorney general “We have initiated action court judge and ordered that he said: “This is aggravation of con- against fi eld offi cers. Strictest undergo a medical examination. Karnan: confrontation tempt. Everyday he keeps saying action will be taken against the The top court also said no something. The court can’t give culprit retail outlets in accord- court or authority should take charges for degrading the ju- him opportunity to explain for ance with the marketing disci- cognisance of any orders passed diciary and making allegations his every new act.” pline guidelines,” he said. by Calcutta High Court judge of wrongdoings against certain The court said the nature of Last week, the Uttar Pradesh Justice C S Karnan, who has been judges of the Madras High Court Karnan’s latest action was dif- police unearthed petrol pumps on a confrontation with the apex and questioning the orders of the ferent from his earlier act and he using chips, costing around court. top court. must be asked to off er an expla- Rs3,000 each, to remote control A seven-judge bench headed On April 13, in a renewed con- nation. the fl ow from machines and give by Chief Justice Jagdish Singh frontation, Karnan had passed Karnan’s actions are a calcu- customers nearly 10% less petrol Khehar said a medical board a “judicial order” against seven lated attempt to bring down the or diesel for every litre paid for. should be set up to examine Kar- Supreme Court judges, including esteem of the judiciary in the Seven petrol pumps have been nan on May 4. Karnan would be Chief Justice Khehar, for “violat- people’s eyes, Attorney General sealed following raids, and about examined by the medical board ing” the Scheduled Castes and Rohatgi said, adding: “Contempt 14 people are being questioned. of doctors of a government hos- Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) action is not for the protection Pradhan said the state’s pital at Kolkata. Act and directed them to “ap- of judges, but to instil the confi - weights and measures depart- The medical evaluation has to pear” before him on April 28. dence of the people in the insti- ment must ensure that fi ll- be submitted on May 8, before Later in an order, Karnan di- tution of judiciary.” ing machines are not tampered the next hearing of the matter on rected the Air Control Author- Reacting to the apex court with, but state-run oil market- May 9. ity in New Delhi not to allow the order, Karnan termed it as “ri- ing companies should be equally The court directed the West CJI and other six judges to travel diculous”, and instead ordered responsible and share the blame Bengal Director General of Police abroad. the Delhi police to produce the for any malpractice. to constitute a team of police to The seven judges had issued a seven judges before a psychiatric Offi cials of state-run oil com- assist the medical board in con- contempt order against Karnan board. panies will accompany teams ducting the medical examina- in February after he had in Janu- “The said order is a ridiculous from the UP police special task tion. ary named 20 “corrupt judges”, order without proper application force (STF), the weights and The court also directed that in seeking a probe against them to of mind in following appropri- measure department and the the meantime, no court, tribunal curb “high corruption” in the In- ate procedures as required...the food and civil supply depart- or authority in the country would dian judiciary. seven accused judges have des- ment for inspection of all retail take cognisance of any orders The Supreme Court directed perately adopted this ridiculous outlets, the minister added. passed by Karnan. the medical examination as sen- order, in order to escape the pun- Meanwhile, Delhi Consumer Besides Chief Justice Khe- ior counsel K K Venugopal told ishment leviable via the Sched- Aff airs Minister Imran Hussain har, other judges on the bench the bench that Karnan “can’t be uled Caste and Scheduled Tribe ordered a crackdown on petrol Kashmiri women row boats carrying lotus roots for cattle through the polluted waters of Dal are Justice Dipak Misra, Justice taken seriously. He is not in a po- (prevention of) atrocity act,” pumps duping consumers and Lake in Srinagar yesterday. Pollution is turning the famous mountain-ringed lake into a J Chelameswar, Justice Ranjan sition to decide what is correct Karnan said in a statement. said such petrol pumps should weed-clogged swamp, hampering the recovery of tourism in the region, environmentalists say. Gogoi, Justice Madan B Lokur, and what is not correct.” “With their phenomenal be- be sealed. The lake named the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s Jewel”, is also an important Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose As doubts were expressed haviour, it is the said seven judg- He also ordered stern legal ac- source for commercial operations in fishing and water plant harvesting. and Justice Kurian Joseph. about his state of mental health, es who actually require medical tion against the violators. Karnan is facing contempt the bench said, “If that is so then examination,” he said. Kerala man’s ‘roadside Expel Amanullah from aff orestation’ bears fruit AAP, demand activists IANS offer at the behest of the BJP. New Delhi An AAP volunteer, who By Ashraf Padanna holds the mortal remains of Saint reached an understanding with was protesting, said that by Thiruvananthapuram Alphonsa. him to make the stretch bill- making remarks against the He also has a permit from the board-free. He approached the day after his remarks party’s founder member Ku- state government’s road works police many times seeking pro- against senior Aam mar Vishwas, Khan had not man in Pala town in cen- department to plant trees on the tection for the plants, but to no A Aadmi Party leader only maligned his image but tral Kerala is not only pro- land in its possession. avail. Kumar Vishwas, a group of also caused damage to the Aviding shade but a variety Joseph wants all citizens to Last week, Eby Jose, a social party volunteers and a party party. of fruits to residents and motor- take up the cause and spread it worker, drew the attention of legislator from Punjab yes- “He should be expelled,” ists alike free of charge. across the state and the country Finance Minister Thomas Isaac terday demanded the ex- the protester said. Baby Joseph, a businessman, to compensate for felling of trees who took note of it on Facebook pulsion of Delhi legislator Meanwhile, AAP legislator started planting fruit trees on ei- elsewhere and fi ght the impact of and off ered to visit them. Amanatullah Khan from the from Punjab Sukhpal Singh ther side of the Poonjar-Ettuma- global warming. “He treats trees as if they’re party. Khaira wrote a letter to AAP nur highway at Kochidapadi four “I spend at least an hour every human. He is trying to fi nd a A group of AAP volunteers Kejriwal and demanded that years back and they have now day tending to these plants,” he sponsor for each one, which staged a demonstration at Khan be “expelled” for mak- started bearing fruits. said. “But I don’t take the fruits. would also get their name,” said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind ing “maliciously false” and There are some 250 plants, in- That’s for the people to enjoy.” Jose, who heads the Pala-based Kejriwal’s residence to press “defamatory” allegations cluding mango, rambutan, rose Two of his friends, Johnny and Mahatma Gandhi National their demand for Khan’s re- against Kumar Vishwas. apple, jambu fruit, butter fruit Eby Jose, help him, also chipping Foundation. moval. Khaira said Khan’s remarks and gooseberry. in to buy the organic manure. A This is not Pala’s fi rst initiative Khan on Sunday alleged not only brought disrepute to He has also planted shady local co-operative credit society in providing greenery to its neat- that Vishwas – who is consid- Vishwas but also “damaged fl owering trees like Indian labur- had donated a pump set to water ly kept roads. Seven years back, ered close to Kejriwal – was the party in the eyes of the num along a half-kilometre them. Pala Rubber Marketing Society conspiring to break the party people”. stretch and is on a mission to ex- But his ‘biggest enemy’ is ad started planting fl owering trees and had asked some legisla- “Amanatullah Khan’s pand. agencies which put up billboards along the way to Mutholy. tors to join the Bharatiya Ja- statements are not only aimed Joseph, who launched the along the highway. Many times It spends Rs20,000 every nata Party with an off er of to malign the image of Kumar project on June 5, 2013, now plans they have destroyed the young month for its upkeep. Rs300mn each. Vishwas but there is an ulte- to extend the roadside greenery plants, fearing they would block Now the big yellow fl owers on Khan said that Vishwas rior motive to create a deep up to Bharananganam, a major the billboards’ view, Joseph said. either side of the road are a treat Joseph has also planted several flowering trees along a half-kilometre had called some AAP legis- wedge between yourself and Christian pilgrim centre, which The road authorities had to the eye. stretch on Kochidappady highway in Kerala. lators to his home with the Kumar Vishwas,” he said. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 2, 2017 21 INDIA ‘Republic TV’ will be nationalistic channel: Arnab

AFP lebrity status - will launch “Re- group kills my soldier, I shall not helped set up Times Now where language news channel in India. growing democracy like India.” time as the anchor barks questions. Mumbai public TV” within the next fort- try to look at it through this dis- he anchored “The Newshour” Then he will set his sights on Goswami criticised West- “I shout because in India if you night, six months after quitting tilled lens of objectivity and say before leaving in November. media giants in the West. ern media coverage of Donald don’t shout you’re not going to be Times Now where he hosted a I must understand the perspec- Goswami has built up a team “I believe that the hegemony Trump, saying it was “almost heard,” he said, describing more ndia’s most brash and con- nightly news show. tive of the militant terrorist and of around 300 full-time journal- of the Western media has to embarrassing” to see some sober news shows as “boring”. troversial TV news anchor The journalist is adored by call him a militant or a gunman,” ists and commercial staff in just end,” says Goswami, wearing American media outlets “fi ght a “I would request all the West- IArnab Goswami, renowned many Indians for his jingoistic, he says. four months at Republic TV’s black-rimmed glasses. battle” with the US president. ern audiences to loosen up, roll for his hectoring style, is about anti-Pakistan views but is equal- “I would say he was a terror- shiny new newsroom and “There has been too much But he denied claims he wants up their sleeves, have a cup of to launch a new channel and he’s ly loathed by others, often on the ist and he has killed my coun- studio in central Mumbai. of a Western dominance over to make Republic TV the “Fox coff ee and wake up when they’re unapologetic about what view- left, who accuse him of noisily try’s soldier. If that violates a few He has big plans for his English news media in the News of India”. doing the news because some of ers should expect. trumpeting a right-wing agenda. rules of journalism then I would new venture. world. In the course of the “It’s the losers in the Indian the news channels abroad put “I’m patriotic and nationalis- Commentators also criticise like to violate a few more rules of Goswami is confi - next three or four years media market who call us the me to sleep,” Goswami added. tic and so will the channel be,” the him for promoting a biased ap- journalism. I don’t believe in this dent of defeating what I am certain that I will ‘Fox News’. I’ve never seen Fox He insists he will continue 43-year-old tells AFP in a mellow proach to covering news, but fake objectivity. I’m an Indian he calls the “Indian correct it and I think the News so I don’t seek any inspira- to use the catchphrase “nation tone drastically diff erent from Goswami is unrepentant, reject- and I will be on the side of India.” media cabal operat- challenge to organisa- tion from it.” wants to know” despite his pre- his manner on-screen where he ing any notion that journalists’ The Oxford University gradu- ing out of Delhi” tions like the BBC or Goswami’s shows are high-dec- vious employer fi ling a legal no- regularly shouts at guests. reporting should be balanced ate started his career at the Kolk- by making Repub- CNN can only come ibel aff airs, usually featuring half a tice against him trying to stop Goswami - known simply in and impartial. ata-based Telegraph in 1994 be- lic TV the most- from a multi-cultural, dozen panellists on the screen, all him from doing so, claiming it is India as “Arnab”, such is his ce- “When a Pakistani terrorist fore joining NDTV. In 2006 he watched English- multi-ethnic, vibrant, trying to get a word in at the same their intellectual property. India accuses Pak of killing, mutilating two soldiers

Agencies mutilation of two soldiers’ bod- Srinagar ies as an “inhuman” act and de- manded a “strong reaction”. “I strongly condemn the bar- ndia’s army accused Pakista- baric and inhuman mutilation ni troops of killing two of its of our soldiers. We must react Isoldiers patrolling the Line strongly and fi rmly,” Kejriwal of Control in Jammu and Kash- said in tweet. mir yesterday before mutilating India and Pakistan have faced off their bodies, and vowed to exact for decades across the LoC, an old revenge. ceasefi re line through the region. Past accusations that Pakista- Sporadic cross-border attacks ni forces have mutilated dead In- in past months have frayed the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is assisted by off icials as he displays the honorary degree he received from Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi yesterday. dian soldiers have outraged the region’s 2003 truce. Both sides Indian public and intensifi ed the have previously accused each of dispute between the neighbours. violating the ceasefi re and of be- Pakistan’s military denied the heading soldiers in the past. allegations. In a separate incident, mili- It said there had been no vio- tants ambushed a van carrying lation of a ceasefi re on the Kash- cash for the state-run Jammu mir frontier and that its soldiers and Kashmir Bank, killing fi ve had not mutilated the corpse of policemen and two bank offi - India, Turkey agree to any Indian soldier. cials, a senior police offi cial said. The Indian army said Pakista- “All the seven in the van, fi ve ni forces fi red rockets and mortar policemen and two bank em- bombs at two Indian posts on the ployees, were killed,” Director LoC in the Krishna Ghati sector. General of Police S P Vaid said. “In an unsoldierly act by the The gunmen made off with Pak army the bodies of two of cash and weapons, another po- boost ties, fi ght terror our soldiers in the patrol were lice offi cer said on condition of mutilated,” the Indian army said anonymity. Two countries sign pacts as Addressing the press, Erdog- large economies,” he said. “I held an extensive conver- expansion, “to make the body in a statement. In a statement to a local news Modi, Erdogan hold talks an and Modi underscored the Modi invited greater partici- sation with the president on more representative account- “Such despicable act of the agency, homegrown Kashmiri need to ramp up bilateral trade, pation from Turkish companies this subject (terrorism). We able and eff ective”. Pakistan army will be appropri- militant group Hizbul Muja- Agencies which they noted remained well in its infrastructure sector, par- agreed that no intent or goal, no “Both of us recognise the ately responded.” hideen claimed responsibility New Delhi below potential. ticularly its fl agship project of reason or rationale can validate need for the UN Security Coun- Pakistan’s military described for the attack and warned more “The trade volume is at upgrading 100 Indian cities. terrorism,” Modi said. cil to refl ect the world of the 21st its army as a “highly profession- would follow. Suspected mili- around $6.5bn and it is not Terrorism was another key “The nations of the world, century and not of the century al force” that shall “never disre- tants in recent months have tar- ndia and Turkey agreed yes- enough for us. We have to in- area of discussions. Turkey asked therefore, need to work as one gone by,” Modi said. spect a soldier, even Indian.” geted banks in the southern re- terday to boost trade and crease it to at least $10bn as India to take action against in- to disrupt the terrorist networks Turkey’s position on India’s Army spokesman N N Joshi gion of the Kashmir Valley. Ipolitical ties even as Turkish soon as possible,” Erdogan said. stitutions, including schools and and their fi nancing and put a bid for permanent membership said the victims were a junior of- The attack occurred in south President Recep Tayyip Erdog- The Turkish side pushed for business, affi liated with Islamic stop to cross-border movement in the UN Security Council is dif- fi cer and a border guard. Kashmir’s Kulgam district, an sought India’s help to con- a free trade agreement as well cleric Fehtullah Gulen on its soil. of terrorists,” he said. ferent. Turkey is a member of a Another guard from the Bor- where protests against Indian tain the network of an Islamic as a Comprehensive Economic Ankara blames the US-based “They also need to stand and group of countries called Uniting der Security Force was injured in rule have fl ared in recent weeks. cleric blamed for mastermind- Partnership Agreement (CEPA) Gulen for the coup attempt last act against those that conceive for Consensus (UfC) that is op- the initial fi ring from Pakistan, Defence Minister Arun Jait- ing a failed coup against Erdog- during talks, diplomats said. year, accusations that the cleric and create, support and sus- posed to expansion of permanent Joshi said. ley, who also holds the fi nance an last year. “President and I are clear that has denied. tain, shelter and spread these seats in the Security Council. The opposition Congress Par- portfolio, condemned the latest Erdogan arrived in New Delhi the strength of our economies “I know that India will take instruments and ideologies of Earlier yesterday, Erdogan was ty said “unacceptable” actions killings which he called “repre- on Sunday night, his fi rst trip presents an enormous oppor- necessary measures in order violence.” accorded a ceremonial reception like these won’t help Pakistan in hensible and barbaric”. abroad since a referendum last tunity to expand and deepen to expel FETO (Fetullah Gulen Modi said that he and Er- in the forecourt of the presiden- improving its internal situation. Peace talks between the two month in Turkey, the results of commercial linkages between Terrorist Organisation) from dogan “agreed to work together tial palace. Accompanied by a “We condemn what Pakistan countries have been on hold for which are set to vastly expand our countries,” Modi said. her territories,” Erdogan said. to strengthen our co-operation, 100-member business delega- did. It must stop terrorism and years and diplomatic engage- his powers. The prime minister said at Erdogan said his government both bilaterally and multilater- tion, Erdogan later participated realise that these actions are ment is at a minimum. Three pacts - covering in- the level of the two govern- was extensively combating Gu- ally, to eff ectively counter this in a joint business forum. unacceptable,” Congress leader India accuses Pakistan of formation and communica- ments, “we need to approach len’s network - one of the “most menace”. Erdogan was also honoured Anand Sharma said at a press backing militants and encourag- tion technology, training, and the entire landscape of business vicious, most evil terrorist or- The two leaders also dis- with a honorary degree at the conference in New Delhi. ing them to attack Indian forces culture - were signed follow- opportunities in a strategic and ganisations of the world” - with cussed the need for compre- Jamia Milia Islamia University Delhi Chief Minister Arvind in Kashmir and, occasionally, in ing talks between Erdogan and long-term manner”. presence in many countries hensive reforms in the UN, in- and later met President Pranab Kejriwal also condemned the other parts of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “India and Turkey are two across the world. cluding the Security Council Mukherjee.

Aggrieved home buyers pin Cop among three dead hopes on new legislation in Delhi shoot-out IANS “Prima facie, it seems to be a IANS in Noida Extension, is not sure in Lucknow, while many recent- New Delhi case of gang rivalry. We are exam- New Delhi what the fallout of the new law ly joined a candlelight march as ining the CCTV footages to iden- would be. a protest. tify the assailants and an investi- “RERA will take its own time. Amit Kumar, who booked n assistant sub-inspector gation is on,” he said. ith the much-awaited I don’t think we can expect his fl at during the same time in of police and two other Vijay and Kuldeep were provid- Real Estate (Regula- RERA to come up with solu- Jaypee Greens in Noida, is still Amen were shot dead and a ed as security men to Sherawat, Wtion and Develop- tions very soon. We have hope waiting for his fl at, promised to constable was injured in an ap- who is alleged to be involved in ment) Act (RERA) coming into from the new Uttar Pradesh him for 2013. But he’s hopeful parent case of gang shoot-out, of- many cases of attempt to murder, eff ect from yesterday, some buy- government, though,” Kaushal that RERA might bring about a fi cials said yesterday. murder, extortion, ransom and ers are hopeful it will end their said. change. ASI Vijay, Bhupendra Sherawat property disputes in Bawana area. woes but many are unaware He had booked a fl at in 2010 “At least now, real estate de- alias Monu Dariyapur and Arun Sherawat and his wife, Raj Ma- about the benefi ts arising from and was told that possession velopers won’t be able to take died on the spot in West Delhi’s Mi- lik alias Rajrani, were earlier at- the new regulatory regime. would be given by 2015. “It has buyers for a ride. Buyers don’t anwali Nagar area when a total of 39 tacked in 2006 by Satyawan alias Under the central law, each been seven years and the project have any rights in the country. rounds were fi red in the attack. Sonu Dariyapur, a gangster from state has to notify rules and set is not yet ready. Work came to a There should be a panel com- Constable Kuldeep sustained the national capital and a cousin up a regulatory authority to halt at the project site. It’s been prising buyers, developers and critical injuries, a police offi cial of Rajrani. manage the real estate sector. almost two months, no work is bankers (who provide loans) to said. “Sherawat was earlier close as- Uttar Pradesh notifi ed the rules going on at the site,” Kaushal monitor the project,” he said. “The incident happened on sociate of Satyawan when he used last November, but is yet to set said. RERA allows buyers to cancel Sunday night around 11.15 in the to run a cable operation business up a regulator. The law provides There are many such buyers their option for a project and National Market of Mianwali Na- at his village Dariyapur Kalan for strict penalties against pro- who booked fl ats in that project receive full refund along with gar, when assailants who came on in Bawana area. But later they moters and builders for not ful- and 600 of them have started a interest. It also allows a buyer to motorcycles fi red at all four per- fell apart and turned foes after fi lling promises. campaign against the develop- receive interest for any delay, if sons sitting in a sedan,” Deputy Satyawan came to know about his K K Kaushal, a fl at buyer of ers. Some met Uttar Pradesh he or she does not want to can- Police carry out investigation at the scene of the shoot-out Commissioner of Police M N Ti- cousin sister’s aff air with Shera- Amrapali Dream Valley project Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath cel. in Delhi. wari said. wat,” said another offi cer. Gulf Times 22 Tuesday, May 2, 2017 LATIN AMERICA Sao Paulo mayor declares war on wall writers

Reuters the nearest precinct — a swift missioned by the prior mayor, sive tagging known as “pichacao.” ing his plans to commission new monthly minimum wage. telling the world, ‘Here I am. You Sao Paulo response to a high-profi le prov- has sparked a debate over the The angular, runic font has works of street art. But practitioners, known as can’t ignore me.’” ocation in Mayor Joao Doria’s world-famous graffi ti scene in conquered swathes of Sao Pau- “Pichacao is aggression … It is ‘pichadores’, say that will do lit- Most pichadores write lit- war on graffi ti. South America’s biggest city and lo’s landscape as unseen street not a social problem. It is men- tle to dissuade them from climb- tle more than their street name t took Brazilian artist Iaco This was not just any wall. its place in the cleaner landscape artists scale buildings and land- tal, criminal.” ing high-rises and highway or the name of their crew, and one minute to whip out a can Weeks before, Doria donned imagined by Doria’s “Pretty marks with paint rollers and Doria says police have caught overpasses to leave their mark. spare social commentary in rare Iof spray paint and write “do- orange overalls and a face mask City” programme. spray cans in hand, drawing the more than 100 people writing on “What other artist puts their instances. “Who is Doria?” one ria” seven times across a gray to help spray gray paint over The mayor has since called the ire of many who embrace other walls illegally in Sao Paulo since safety at risk for what they do?” scrawled in a tag. wall in Sao Paulo. some 15,000 square meters of move to repaint that busy avenue forms of graffi ti. he took offi ce in January. said the pichador known as Du. Pichadores often compete for It took four minutes for a po- street art along that same stretch too hasty and now insists that his “A muralist is an artist and He has established a fine for “All art involves freedom of the highest or most audacious lice offi cer to arrive, gun drawn, of Avenida 23 de Maio. fi ght is not with the city’s colourful has our respect,” Doria said in an pichacao of up to 10,000 reais expression, but pichacao is the tags, but few would deface an- handcuff Iaco and haul him to The fate of those murals, com- street art but with a style of aggres- interview this month, highlight- ($3,200), or 10 times Brazil’s expression of freedom. You’re other’s work. US top court sides with Caracas over oil rigs claim

Reuters portant to keep in mind that the Washington Court of Appeals did not decide on the basis of the stipulated facts that the plaintiff s’ allegations are he US Supreme Court suffi cient to show their property yesterday tossed out a was taken in violation of interna- Tlower court’s ruling that tional law,” Breyer added. had allowed an American oil Helmerich & Payne had long drilling company to sue Vene- provided drilling services for the zuela over the seizure of 11 drill- Venezuelan government. ing rigs in 2010 but allowed the The company disassembled business another chance to press its rigs in 2009 after Venezuela its claims. failed to pay $100mn in bills. In Siding with Venezuela, the response, Venezuela’s govern- justices ruled 8-0 that a lower ment in 2010, assisted by armed court that had given the go- soldiers, seized the property. ahead for the suit must recon- Then-president Hugo Chavez Demonstrators hold Venezuelan flags and a sign reads: ‘ All the food for all the people! No more dictatorship ‘ while rallying against Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro sider whether claims made by ordered the seizure, saying the in Caracas, Venezuela, yesterday. Oklahoma-based Helmerich rigs could be used by govern- & Payne International Drilling ment-owned companies. Company can proceed. The company said Venezuela Writing for the court, Jus- seized the rigs “in substantial tice Stephen Breyer said the US part because of the Chavez re- Court of Appeals for the District gime’s pervasive anti-American of Columbia Circuit in 2015 used animus.” the wrong standard in deny- It noted in court papers that a ing Venezuela immunity from Venezuelan offi cial had accused Maduro foes, supporters the lawsuit. Helmerich & Payne domestic opponents of the ex- shares fell about 2% in midday propriation of taking orders from trading after the ruling. the US and trying to “subsidise The company sued both the the big business transnational Venezuelan government and corporations, so that they can state-owned oil companies un- promote what they know best to der a US law called the Foreign do, which is war” led by the mili- hold rival May Day rallies Sovereign Immunities Act, say- tary industry of the American ing among other things that the “empire and its allies.” Reuters which takes the minimum wage and days they don’t,” she added, omy for the legislature where offi ces around Venezuela in the property seizure violated inter- The legal question before the Caracas to nearly $50 a month at the waving a Venezuela fl ag signed they have a majority, a humani- last month...There’s never vio- national law. justices was whether the compa- black market rate, is further in the past by now jailed oppo- tarian aid channel from abroad lence in our marches,” he added. The Foreign Sovereign Immu- ny’s lawsuit succeeded in meet- proof of Maduro wrecking the sition leader Antonio Ledezma. and freedom for more than 100 Police and National Guard nities Act allows for foreign gov- ing the legal criteria that would enezuelans poured onto oil-rich nation’s economy with Thousands of supporters of jailed activists. troops, whom the opposition ernments to be sued in US courts allow the case to continue. the streets yesterday in chaotic policies like currency both sides gathered in Caracas Maduro retorts that they are accuses of using excessive force under certain circumstances, Venezuela, backed in the case Vrival May Day marches controls and excessive money and other major cities. violent protesters seeking a coup in near-daily clashes, were out including when private property by former president Barack as the opposition began a sec- printing. The government laid on hun- to allow a Washington-backed in force across the capital, many is seized. Obama’s administration, argued ond month of anti-government Millions of Venezuelans are dreds of buses for its backers right-wing government get its behind riot shields with ar- Yesterday, the justices said the it did not. A US district court protests and red-shirted sup- struggling to eat three square but closed subway stations in hands on Venezuela’s oil wealth. moured vehicles waiting in side appeals court wrongly allowed previously ruled largely in favour porters rallied behind socialist meals a day or aff ord basic med- the capital and set up road- Twenty-nine people, includ- streets. claims to move forward merely of the drilling company. President Nicolas Maduro. icines amid a fourth year of re- blocks, impeding opposition ing supporters of both sides and Some government workers because a company had pre- The appeals court then Maduro on Sunday an- cession. mobilisation. a National Guard sergeant, have acknowledged they had been sented a “non-frivolous” case blocked the company’s separate nounced a 60% increase to the “Who can stand this? So “No matter the obstacles died in unrest since early April. coerced into attending. “We’re against a foreign government. breach of contract claim while monthly minimum wage to much hunger, misery, crime... today, even cats will mobilise “The workers are in the street here because they tell us to. If Breyer called that too low a bar allowing the expropriation claim counter the impact of triple- The prices are going up far more against this corrupt, drug-traf- to defend our president against not, there are problems,” a 34 to allow a suit against Venezuela. to proceed. digit annual infl ation which has than the salary rises,” said Sonia fi cking top brass and its leader,” the violent coup-mongers,” said year-old worker with a state The lower court must decide Newly-appointed Justice Neil eroded people’s buying power. Lopez, a 34-year-old social secu- said Henrique Capriles, who Aaron Pulido, 29, a union work- aluminium company, just off a whether any property had been Gorsuch, who was not on the He touts the move as evidence rity worker and mother-of-three narrowly lost to Maduro in the er with migration department bus after an all-night journey taken in violation of interna- court when it heard arguments of strong worker protection un- at an anti-government rally in the 2013 presidential election. Saime gathering in downtown from southern Ciudad Bolivar, tional law. in the case in November, did not der “21st century Socialism.” poorer western side of Caracas. Government opponents are Caracas in a sea of red banners. told a journalist until a supervi- “For present purposes, it is im- participate. But foes say the increase, “There are days my kids eat, demanding elections, auton- “They destroyed fi ve Saime sor cut off the conversation.

Woman held with drugs claims set-up Mexico eliminates Cuba hosts all-star A young Australian woman is facing 25 years in one of Colombia’s most squalid prisons infectious eye disease Jazz Day concert on drug traff icking charges that her family yesterday claimed was a set-up. Cassie Sainsbury, Thomson Reuters Foundation which is categorised by the WHO AFP Unesco goodwill ambassador 22, was arrested on April 12 at Tepic, Mexico as a neglected tropical disease — Havana for intercultural dialogue. El Dorado International Airport a group of 18 debilitating and Since Cuba’s historic rap- in Bogota on her way back to sometimes fatal illnesses that af- prochement with the US began Adelaide with 5.8kgs of cocaine exico has become the fect 1.5bn people, mainly in Asia, uba on Sunday hosted some two years ago US visitors in her suitcase, her sister Khala first country in the Africa and Latin America. the world’s annual In- have fl ocked to the island and said on an online fundraising MAmericas to eliminate Trachoma, which can cause Cternational Jazz Day American stars have become a site. Her mother Lisa claimed trachoma, but the world’s lead- irreversible blindness, had concert, with Hollywood star more regular presence. her “naive” daughter told her ing infectious cause of blind- proven hard to stamp out in the Will Smith presenting the Among the audience was in an hysterical phone call she ness remains endemic in Bra- southern Mexican state of Chia- event and musicians Herbie Miguel Diaz-Canel, Cuba’s was given several packages zil, Colombia and Guatemala, pas, where it was endemic in 246 Hancock and Chucho Valdes vice president of the state that she believed contained the World Health Organisation communities, the PAHO said. among the performers. council. headphones she had bought said. Specially trained medical Havana was chosen as the He is rumoured to be among as gifts, and put them in her “Eliminating a disease is workers helped cut the number 2017 global host city of the the possible successors to luggage without checking. She not achieved every day,” Car- of cases in Chiapas to zero in concert, which was launched President Raul Castro, who claimed she was set up by a issa Etienne, director of the Pan 2016 from nearly 1,800 in 2004, in 2012 with support from the will step aside in February Colombian man she befriended American Health Organization by promoting hygiene, antibiot- United Nations Educational, 2018. while on a working holiday. “He (PAHO), the organisation’s re- ics for infection and surgery for Scientifi c and Cultural Organi- The show — which has been had been helping her all week, gional offi ce, said in a state- advanced cases of trachoma. sation (Unesco) and the Thelo- held in past years in New York, taking her around and showing ment. The illness is more common nious Monk Institute of Jazz. Istanbul, Osaka, Paris and her places and just being a nice She attributed Mexico’s vic- in places with poor sanitation, More than 50 artistes from Washington — lasted more guy,” her mother told KIIS FM tory over the bacterial disease overcrowded households and some 10 countries performed than two hours and closed with commercial radio. “Whether he to the decades-long eff orts of water shortages. in the show, which opened John Lennon’s Imagine. was just using her as bait and authorities, health workers and Trachoma can be prevented with “Manteca” — a foun- “This year’s focus on Cuba is there was another big shipment communities to improve health in childhood by having facilities dational song of Afro-Cuban testament to the power of jazz trying to go through... so she and quality of life. for children to wash their faces, jazz co-written by Cuban per- to build bridges and join wom- would get caught, I just don’t Better living conditions have and if caught soon enough the cussionist Chano Pozo and en and men together around know.” Australia’s department wiped out trachoma in many na- disease is easily treatable with American trumpeter Dizzy shared values and aspirations,” of foreign aff airs and trade tions but some 200mn people repeated doses of antibiotics. Gillespie. said Unesco director-general confirmed an Australian woman are still at risk of contracting the Those suff ering an advanced “Afro-Cuban jazz and its Irina Bokova. had been arrested in Colombia disease, according to the Inter- stage of the disease, in which the rich history have played a “The story of jazz is writ- and it was providing assistance, national Trachoma Initiative. eyelashes turn inward and scrape US musician Esperanza Spalding (left) and Cuban musician pivotal role in the evolution ten into the quest for human without giving more details. Oman and Morocco have al- the cornea, can be treated with Chucho Valdes performs during the International Jazz Day and enrichment of the entire dignity, democracy and civil ready eliminated trachoma, simple surgery. concert at the Alicia Alonso Theatre in Havana. jazz genre,” said Hancock, an rights”. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 2, 2017 23 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

CO-OPERATION UTILITY PUNISHMENT SECURITY CRIME Pakistan refuses to Islamabad residents face Immigration off icial sacked Pakistan needs more Illegal kidney trade join S Asia satellite cut in water supply for assaulting Norwegians policewomen: Dawn uncovered in Pakistan

Pakistan has refused to join the South Asia The residents of the Pakistani capital city are A Pakistani immigration off icial has been sacked A leading Pakistani daily yesterday called for Pakistani investigators have uncovered an illegal Satellite made by India which will be launched likely to face a further cut in the water supply for assaulting a family of Norwegian nationals active steps to dramatically increase the number kidney donation racket and arrested six people, shortly, off icial sources say. The Satellite will from next week as the Metropolitan Corporation at the airport here after a tiff over tissue paper, of women in police force, now pegged at a poor including two doctors, after raiding a house where be launched on May 5, Indian Prime Minister Islamabad (MCI) takes measures to save more it was reported yesterday. The family was 2% of the total. The time has come to overcome unauthorised surgeries were reportedly underway, Narendra Modi announced on Sunday, water until the monsoon season. “Water level manhandled by immigration off icials two weeks the “appalling gender imbalance” with “a well- a senior off icial said yesterday. Authorities say describing it as India’s “priceless gift” to its in the Simly Dam is shrinking by two inches per ago and off loaded from a flight to Doha. They thought-out strategy to recruit and retain women” the gang was involved in selling kidneys to neighbours. Seven out of eight South Asian day. It has become necessary to save water to were “finally allowed to travel to Oslo...after in police, the Dawn said in an editorial. According international clients. “A team comprising seven Association for Regional Co-operation (Saarc) have suff icient supply in the summer,” said a an off icial who was found guilty of assaulting to the National Police Bureau, out of 391,364 police off icials raided a house in Lahore and caught countries are a part of the project which Pakistan source. According to Chief Metropolitan Off icer (them) was dismissed from service”, the Dawn personnel in Pakistan, only 5,731 were women. A four people red-handed illegally transplanting refused to join. Initially, it was to be named as Asad Kiani, Islamabad’s total demand for water reported. An inquiry by the Federal Investigation region-wise breakdown puts Gilgit-Baltistan, where kidneys to two Oman nationals,” Jamil Ahmad “Saarc Satellite” but its name was changed to is around 114 mgd. “At present, we are supplying Agency (FIA) found immigration lady Constable women make up 3.4% of the police cadre, at the Mayo, Deputy Director of the Federal Investigation South Asia Satellite after Pakistan refused to join between 55 mgd and 60 mgd against the usual Ghazala Shaheen guilty, and she was dismissed top of the table. Off icials cited cultural norms and Agency, said. The two Omanis, who have also been the project. Basically, the satellite is meant for 70 mgd. Cutting water supply has become from service. Two other off icials were also found institutional apathy towards female recruitment as taken into custody, had paid Rs7mn each for a providing communication and disaster support. necessary to save water until July,” said Kiani. guilty. contributing factors to the problem. kidney, he said.

House arrest President, PM vow to protect of Hafi z Saeed extended

Reuters workers’ rights in Pakistan Lahore

Internews is an extremely important pillar akistan has extended by Islamabad of society, playing a pivotal role three months the house in its socio-economic develop- Parrest of Hafiz Saeed, ac- ment,” he said. cused by the United States of he government is fully He said that Labour Day was masterminding the 2008 at- committed to solving the observed to honour the workers tacks on the Indian financial Tproblems faced by la- for their long and arduous strug- capital Mumbai that killed 166 bourers, strengthening labour gle. people, a Pakistani official said laws and upgrading the liv- He added that it provided an yesterday. ing standards of labourers and opportunity to recognise and pay Saeed was placed under house their families Pakistan President tribute to the contributions the arrest in January after years of Mamnoon Hussain and Prime workers had made to progress, living free in Pakistan, a sore Minister Nawaz Sharif said in prosperity and well-being of point in the relationship be- their messages to commemorate their respective countries. tween the United States and Pa- Labour Day yesterday. The prime minister said that kistan. All efforts are being made the government’s goals of fast His freedom had also infuri- to protect their rights and Pa- and inclusive growth leading ated Islamabad’s arch-foe India. kistani labourers are distin- to a modern and industrialised The US had off ered $10mn guished for their progressive economy could only be achieved for information leading to the approach and productivity, through a committed, hard- arrest and conviction of Saeed, said the president. working and skilled workforce. who heads the Muslim char- “The economic progress and Sharif congratulated members ity Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD). development our country has of the country’s workforce, in Washington says JuD is a front gone through would not have both the private and public sec- for the Pakistan-based militant been possible without the re- tors, for their contribution and group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). lentless eff orts of our vital la- untiring struggle. Malik Mohamed Ahmed Khan, bour force,” he added. “Our belief in the dignity of a spokesman for the provincial Discussing the signifi cance of labour is stronger than ever and Punjab government, said the the Labour Day, the president we are cognisant that only a regional administration decided said that it was an opportunity to prosperous and happy workforce on Sunday to extent the restric- acknowledge the contributions can enable Pakistan in realising tions on Saeed, but did not spec- of working men and women who its full potential and competing ify the reasons why. were an indispensable pillar of in today’s highly competitive “Hafi z Saeed’s house arrest, the country. globalised market economy,” the which ended Sunday night, has The president explained that prime minister said. been extended for another three May 1 symbolised the strength “Workers and employers months,” Khan said. and character of the Pakistani Protesters hold placards depicting Pakistani politicians, as they demand for reasonable wages and workers’ safety during an International are our social partners. On Saeed could not be reached for workforce, its devotion and Labour Day rally in Lahore, yesterday. this day, I reaffirm the gov- comment. commitment towards making ernment’s commitment to The Mumbai attacks in 2008, the country prosperous and pro- labour community for its valua- and an environment of equal op- any country requires a well- for the betterment of the work- protecting the dignity of la- when 10 gunmen swarmed gressive. ble contribution in nation build- portunity and rights for all could equipped workforce with nec- ing community and providing bour and pay special tribute across targets including two Remembering the Chicago ing. be achieved. essary skills to compete with due rights to all workers. to them for their concerted luxury hotels, a Jewish centre martyrs and their valiant strug- He emphasised that through “The world has become international counterparts,” he Prime Minister Sharif said that struggle and the indispensa- and a train station in a rampage gle against oppression, exploi- co-operation and support of all highly globalised, competitive said. the contributions of Pakistan’s ble role they have played in that lasted several days, brought tation and injustice, President stakeholders, a better standard and strongly interconnected, He added that he was aware workforce must be recognised.“I the nation’s socio- economic Pakistan and India to the brink Hussain also paid tribute to the of living for the working class in which economic progress of that a lot more needed to be done truly believe that our workforce progress,” he added. of war. Punjab mulls ban on sale Winter fi ghting took heavy of soft drinks in schools toll on Afghan forces: report Internews an associate professor at the schools to provide healthier op- Lahore Forman Christian College Uni- tions such as water, unfl avoured versity. low-fat milk, 100% fruit and AFP “Soft drinks combined with vegetable drinks or sugar-free Washington he food watchdog in Pa- junk food available at most carbonated beverages. kistan’s Punjab province school canteens create a sort of The portion sizes available Tis assessing a proposal to silent hunger, where the body to students were to be based on fghan security forces ban carbonated drinks in school remains without important nu- age: eight ounces for elementary were killed at a “shock- canteens to address the grow- trients despite the fulfi lling feel- schools, 12 ounces for middle Aingly high” rate during ing health problems associated ing.” and high schools. what historically has been a with high sugar intake among He added the intake of soft Proponents of the act pre- winter lull in fi ghting against the children. drinks for growing children re- dicted the new mandate would Taliban, a US watchdog said in a The Punjab Food Authority duced bone density, created make it easier for students to report yesterday. (PFA) has recommended ban- stomach disorders, made them make healthy beverage choices According to the US govern- ning soft drinks at schools and hyper-active and caused atten- at school. ment’s Special Inspector Gen- replacing them with healthier tion span defi cit. In May 2006, the British edu- eral for Afghanistan Recon- alternatives such as fl avoured Dr Zafar said carbonated cation secretary, Alan Johnson, struction (SIGAR), 807 troops milk and fresh juices. drinks also affected the men- announced new minimum nu- from the Afghan National De- The watchdog also intends to tal growth of children.“If tak- trition standards for school food. fence and Security Forces died give the canteens a set of guide- en after a proper meal, these Among a wide range of meas- between January 1 and Febru- lines to provide the children with drinks do not let important ures, school lunches were to be ary 24. healthier options instead of junk minerals to dissolve in the free from carbonated drinks. “Afghanistan remains in the food. body,” he said. “Replacing them Schools also ended the sale of grip of a deadly war. Casualties The proposal will be present- with flavoured milk is a much junk food, including carbonated suff ered by (ANDSF) in the fi ght ed before the upcoming board wiser option.” drinks, in vending machines and against the Taliban and other in- meeting of the authority for ap- He added malnutrition was tuck shops. surgents continue to be shock- proval. one of the major causes of stunt- The Punjab food watchdog ingly high,” the report noted. PFA Director General Amin ed growth in Pakistani children is also planning an awareness Levels of violence have tra- Afghan security forces inspect the site of a suicide attack targeting foreign troops in the Bati Kot district Mengal said junk food and and parents needed to keep a campaign to promote healthy ditionally dipped over Afghani- of Nangarhar province yesterday. A suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into an armoured soft drinks were having ad- watch on the diet plan for their lunch boxes for schoolchildren, stan’s cold winter months, but vehicle of foreign forces, in Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar province off icials said. The attack caused no verse eff ects on school-going kids. keeping in view that Pakistan this year the Taliban continued fatalities to foreign forces or civilians, but damaged an armoured vehicle. children.“The youth are Pa- “Rather than worrying about stands among the countries with to battle government forces, kistan’s future and need to be the growth of children in later the worst stunted growth prob- most successfully in a horrifi c in 2015 took over from Nato the and insurgent groups slightly in- Part of its remit is to com- taken care of,” he said, backing years, parents should devise a lem. April 19 attack on a military base task of providing security for the creased the amount of territory pile quarterly reports provid- the proposal to ban harmful food healthier diet plan at an early The PFA has taken this up as outside the northern city of Ma- country. they held, as the number of areas ing snapshots of the country’s products in schools. stage,” he advised. a challenge with its recently ap- zar-i-Sharif. According to SIGAR, 6,785 previously considered “contest- progress — or lack thereof — and He also suggested that can- The debate of banning soft proved regulations setting high The massacre saw insurgents Afghan soldiers and police offi c- ed” dropped. highlight ongoing challenges to teens should serve fl avoured drinks in schools is not limited to standards for fortifi cation of oil armed with guns and suicide ers were killed between January Afghan forces now control the security situation. milk, juices, fruits and boiled Pakistan or South Asia. and wheat keeping in view the bombs slaughter at least 144 1 and November 12, 2016, with 59.7% of the country, up from The SIGAR report also points eggs to children, as proper diet In December 2010, former US disorders. recruits, a US offi cial told AFP, another 11,777 wounded. 57.2% the previous quarter. to a UN tally showing that civil- not only aff ected physical growth president Barack Obama had Certain levels of vitamin A though multiple sources have The Afghan government has The Taliban and other insur- ian casualties in 2016 were the but also the mental growth of a signed the Healthy Hunger Free and D have been specifi ed for oil claimed the toll was higher still. not provided US Forces-Afghan- gent groups meanwhile saw their highest since the United Nations child. “The ban on soft drinks Kids Act of 2010 (eff ective in while wheat has to have the re- The Afghan Taliban launched istan with data for the last seven areas of control or infl uence in- Assistance Mission in Afghani- will be imposed hopefully after 2014) that mandates schools re- quired levels of folic acid, iron, their “spring off ensive” Fri- weeks of that year, but even the crease slightly from about 10% stan began recording them in the approval of the PFA board ceiving federal funding from the zinc and vitamin B-12. day, heralding fresh fi ghting the partial numbers showed an in- to 11.1%. The US Congress cre- 2009. members,” he added. US government to off er healthy The fortification, according group said would include “con- crease of about 35% from all of ated SIGAR to provide oversight That count found confl ict- “Soft drinks are extremely snacks and beverages to stu- to the PFA, will add nutrition ventional attacks, guerrilla war- 2015, when some 5,000 security into how the more than $100bn related civilian casualties in Af- harmful for children of grow- dents. value and address the growth fare, complex martyrdom at- forces were killed. appropriated for Afghan recon- ghanistan rose to 11,418 in 2016, ing age,” says food technologist The act banned the sale of soft issues faced by the new genera- tacks (and) insider attacks.” The SIGAR report also found struction has been spent since including 3,498 killed and 7,920 Dr Zafar Mehmood, who is also drinks to students and required tion. Afghan police and army units that both Afghan government 2002. wounded. Gulf Times 24 Tuesday, May 2, 2017 PHILIPPINES

Task force chief claims progress in murder probe of journalist

By Jaime Pilapil proval from the Offi ce of the Manila Times President. “We will invite all people concerned so we will dis- he head of Task Force on cuss various problems of the Media Security yester- journalists like salary and Tday said his offi ce has poor working conditions,” he had a breakthrough in the kill- added. “Administrative Order ing of a Catanduanes journal- No 1 (authorises) the agency ist Larry Que and anytime he to look into these problems, will make an announcement. aside from making sure that “Finally, after months of our media people are safe.” investigation, we have solved Egco revealed that his of- the murder of Que and it is a fi ce is investigating 20 cases big accomplishment, sending of harassment and at least fi ve a message to those who are af- journalists in the provinces ter our friends in the media,” were given police security. Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco “There is a marked im- told Manila Times on the side- provement because we don’t lines of a forum in Manila. enter the picture after the kill- Que was shot dead on De- ing but even at an early stage cember 19 in Virac City, capi- where the reporters are being tal of Catanduanes, last year harassed or even cursed pri- by unidentifi ed gunmen after vately or publicly like through he blamed local authorities on text messaging or social media the existence of a large shabu messages.” laboratory in the province, “We are promoting safe short of saying government practice of journalism because offi cials were on the take from freedom of the press is the This handout photo taken and released yesterday by the Presidential Photographers Division (PPD) shows President Rodrigo Duterte posing for photos with Chinese sailors while visiting a drug syndicate. strongest pillar of democra- the guided missile frigate Chang Chun berthed at the Davao international port yesterday. Egco, a practicing journal- cy,” he said. Aside from NPC, ist who is on leave and was a other media organisations like former president of the Na- the International Federation tional Press Club (NPC), re- of Journalists (IFJ) and Na- fused to give details on the tional Union of Journalists of “breakthrough,” saying he is the Philippines (NUJP) con- satisfi ed with the police probe demned the killing of Que. and the co-ordination of Other guests at yesterday’s some agencies and individuals forum were Raymund Vil- Duterte visits Chinese working to solve the killing. lanueva of NUJP, University Que, before his murder, was of the Philippines Mass Com- a columnist and publisher of munication Professor Danilo the hard-hitting Catanduanes Arao, former Foreign Corre- News Now. He was critical of spondents Association of the local government corruption, Philippines president Jason particularly patronage poli- Gutierrez and Ariel Sebellino warships in home town tics. of the Philippine Press Insti- At his request, Egco said, tute. AFP pines and other nations are help- the police have extended secu- Villanueva batted for higher Davao President likely to turn down Trump’s invitation less to stop the island-building, rity to family members of Que salary for journalists and reg- so there is no point challenging who have been experiencing ularisation of long-time cor- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said yesterday and vigilantes committing mass murder. China in diplomatic and legal harassment and intimidation respondents. hilippine President Ro- he may turn down an invitation by Donald Trump But Duterte insists his security forces are not break- circles. China is not a member since the fatal incident. Arao said the Philippines is drigo Duterte yesterday to visit the United States, as he welcomed three ing any laws. of the 10-nation Asean, but its Meanwhile, the former sen- No4 in global impunity index Pvisited Chinese warships Chinese warships to his home town. Duterte, who Duterte last year branded Obama a “son of a *****” ambassador to Manila worked ior reporter of this paper, said after Iraq, Syria and Somalia. docked in his home town and has loosened the Philippines’ long alliance with in response to the criticism. hard to infl uence the tenor and a “Media Security Summit” He urged media entities to raised the prospect of future the United States while strengthening ties with He also declared while in Beijing last year that the content of the chairman’s state- will be held this year and he stop trivialisation and com- joint exercises, highlighting China and Russia, said he could not commit to the Philippines had “separated” from the United States. ment, diplomats earlier said. is just waiting for budget ap- mercialisation. fast-warming relations despite American president because of a busy schedule The United States is the Philippines’ former colonial The visit of the Chinese ves- competing claims in the South that included a trip to Moscow. ruler and the nations are bound by a mutual sels to Davao rather than Manila China Sea. “I am tied up. I cannot make any definite promise. defence treaty. is widely seen as a personal ges- Duterte made his visit a day I am supposed to go to Russia, I am supposed to Duterte said yesterday that his eff orts to loosen ture to the controversial Philip- after issuing a chairman’s state- go to Israel,” he told reporters when asked about the alliance were only a response to the drug war pine leader. ment on behalf of the 10-na- Trump’s invitation made in a telephone call on criticism. It is the fi rst Chinese navy Ex-Cavite mayor gets tion Asean bloc that took a soft Saturday. Duterte expressed concerns about not “It was not a distancing (of relations) but it was port call to the country since stance towards Chinese expan- being able to fit in a visit to Trump even though no rather a rift between me and the (US) State Depart- 2010, the Philippine navy said, sionism and island-building in firm date has yet been proposed for it. ment and Mr Obama, who spoke openly against adding that “goodwill games” of jail term over land grab the waterway. Nevertheless, Duterte said relations with the me,” he said. basketball and tug-of-war were The Philippine leader praised United States were improving now that Trump had “Things have changed, there is a new leadership. staged between the Chinese sail- the guided missile destroyer taken over from Barack Obama, who criticised the He wants to make friends, he says we are friends ors and their Filipino counter- Agencies Daily Inquirer reported. Pros- Chang Chun as “very impres- Philippine president for his anti-drug war that has so why should we pick a fight?” parts in Davao. Manila ecutors accused Ambagan of sive”. claimed thousands of lives. Duterte’s comments came shortly after he visited Opposition legislator Gary causing undue injury to Cal- “It’s all carpeted inside. It’s Rights groups have warned Duterte may be three Chinese warships visiting his home town, the Alejano, a former military of- ixto Lumandas and the heirs like a hotel,” he enthused after orchestrating a crime against humanity, with police southern city of Davao on Mindanao island. fi cer, said that in the Asean sum- he Sandiganbayan of Simplicio Lumandas, when being presented with a Chinese mit, “they (China) won by con- has convicted former he ordered the development naval cap. vincing Duterte not to include TAmadeo, Cavite, Mayor project of Balite Falls to begin “This is part of confi dence- He suggested they be held in er economic aid and investment expressed by some leaders over any statement about the (inter- Albert Ambagan Jr of unlaw- without the landowners’ con- building and goodwill and to the southern Philippines, per- from it.China has sparked re- recent developments in the area”. national) ruling”. fully ordering construction on sent on Feb 28, 2008. show we are friends and that is haps in the Sulu Sea where ex- gional concern by turning reefs He ignored last year’s interna- “To make matters worse, Du- the residential lots of two pri- Ambagan’s men were said why I welcome them here,” Du- tremist pirates have been active and shoals in contested areas tional ruling outlawing China’s terte even visited the Chinese vate persons in 2008. to have demolished the houses terte said of the three-vessel fl o- in recent months. into artifi cial islands, installing sweeping claims to the key wa- warships. That only shows the Ambagan drew two prison and levelled the land despite tilla that arrived in Davao City on Duterte, elected last year, has military facilities and airstrips terway. president is trying everything to terms totalling at least 12 years the lack of proper expropria- Mindanao island on Sunday. distanced himself from tradi- on some of them. Asean members the Philip- appease China,” the congress- to a maximum of 20 years after tion proceedings. Asked about possible joint ex- tional longtime ally the United But in the statement issued pines, Vietnam, Malaysia and man said. the anti-graft court’s Special In his defence, the mayor ercises between the Philippines States. after he hosted the Associa- Brunei claim parts of the water- “It is not about an independ- Fourth Division found him said it was a project of the and China, Duterte said “Yes, I He has played down his coun- tion of Southeast Asian Nations way, but China insists it has sov- ent foreign policy. It is about guilty of violating Section 3(e) Philippine Tourism Author- said I agree. There can be joint try’s territorial dispute with summit in Manila, Duterte ereign rights over nearly all of it. selling out and capitulating to of the Anti-Graft and Cor- ity and not the municipal exercises.” China in favour of seeking great- merely took note of “concerns Duterte has said the Philip- China.” rupt Practices Act, Philippine government. Jobless rate declines in fi rst quarter: survey

By Catherine S Valente changed from 8.7% or an estimated spokesman Ernesto Abella said the Manila Times 3.9mn adults in December. SWS jobless score in March was An estimated 1.4mn or 3.1% were “an affi rmation of the signifi cant fi rst-time job seekers, lower com- strides of the Duterte administra- he jobless rate was slashed pared with 4.3% or an estimated tion in sustaining the country’s ro- in the fi rst quarter but 1.9mn in December. bust economic growth and making T10.4mn Filipinos remained The SWS said 45.5mn adults it inclusive.” unemployed, according to a sur- were in the labour force, or a labour More Filipinos are expected to vey released by the Social Weather force participation of 72.2%, hardly be employed as the administration Stations (SWS) yesterday as the changed from 72.1% or an estimat- builds P8.4tn worth of new roads, country marked its fi rst Labour Day ed 44.8mn adults in December. railways and bridges, he said. under the administration of Presi- SWS said 44% of respondents “The government’s increased dent Rodrigo Duterte. were optimistic there would be investments in infrastructure will Results of the March 25 to 28 sur- more jobs in the next 12 months, usher in the ‘Golden Age of Infra- vey, fi rst published by Business- down by 4% points from 48% in structure’ through our World, showed that 22.9% of adult December. Those who said other- ‘Build-Build-Build’ campaign, Filipinos were “jobless,” down 2.2% wise edged up to 15%, and 27% said which is expected to employ mil- points from 25.1% or an estimated there would be no change in the lions of Filipinos in the next fi ve 11.2mn adults in December. availability of jobs. years and spur economic activities SWS defi nes joblessness as those This yielded a “high” +29 net op- by stimulating countryside devel- without a job and are looking for timism on job availability in March, opment,” Abella said. a job. Of the 10.4mn unemployed down eight percentage points and “The new roads, bridges and Filipinos, 11.2% or 5.1mn adults vol- one grade lower from the “very railways would make the fl ow of untarily left their jobs, down a per- high” +37 recorded in December, commodities and services cost and centage point from 12.2% or 5.5mn which was a record high. time-effi cient, thereby expanding adults in December. In the SWS scale, a score of at the domestic economy,” he added. Moreover, 8.6% or 3.9mn Fili- least 20 classifi es as high and rat- The SWS interviewed 1,200 pino adults lost their jobs because ings above 29 are deemed “very adults nationwide. The poll had a of economic circumstances beyond high.” sampling error margin of +/-3 per- their control. The proportion barely In a statement, presidential centage points. Demonstrating workers displaying placards and streamers march towards a park during a May Day rally in Manila yesterday. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 2, 2017 25 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Policeman held for firing at ruling UNP headquarters

An off -duty police constable was arrested after he fired shots at Sri Lanka’s ruling party headquarters Nepal govt in crisis as ally quits in Colombo yesterday, police said, adding that no-one was injured, AFP reports from Colombo. The 41-year-old had used his automatic assault rifle to fire at the United National Party (UNP) headquarters, police said, adding over CJ impeachment motion that they were investigating his motive. IANS gress and Maoist Centre is an failing to issue verdicts without Amid the crisis, a meeting “There were no casualties, but Kathmandu attack on the judiciary and our being prejudiced. of the top Nepal army brass on some of the windows were party does not support such a A government decision to Sunday night further fuelled damaged,” a police off icial move,” the Rastriya Prajatantra appoint a new police chief and the political uncertainties in said. He added that a replica he Pushpa Kamal Dahal- Party said announcing its deci- a subsequent ruling by the Su- Nepal. The emergency meet- of an elephant, the party led government in Nepal sion to leave the government. preme Court led to a serious ing called by army chief General symbol, was also hit during the Tyesterday received a ma- feud between the executive and Rajendra Chettri on Sunday as- shooting. jor blow after one of the rul- “The decision to impeach judiciary, leading to the ruling sessed the latest political situ- “The constable is in custody,” ing coalition partners, Rastriya Karki by the ruling Nepali party deciding to impeach the ation and decided to maintain added the off icial, who did not Prajatantra Party, decided to Congress and Maoist chief justice, causing uproar in extra vigil across the country. wish to be named. withdraw from the government Centre is an attack on the Nepal. Nepal is holding local level Most of the party workers were over the impeachment motion judiciary and our party With just two weeks to go polls on May 14 and June 14. away attending a May Day rally against the chief justice. does not support such a for the fi rst phase of local level Major Madhes-based party, when the attack took place. A meeting of the party cen- move” elections on May 14, the series Rastriya Janata Party, has al- The off icial said the man had tral committee decided to pull of political incidents has put the ready declared it would not par- previously been a police out support following the im- Nepal has seen hectic politi- fate of the polls in a limbo, with ticipate in the May 14 polls. commando and was currently a peachment motion registered in cal developments following the the resignation of the home Another party, Madhesi Ja- sentry at the home of a top civil parliament against Chief Justice decision to impeach the fi rst minister adding to the quandary nadhikar Foum that has 18 servant in charge of the law and Sushila Karki by the two other woman chief justice, with Ne- ahead of the polls. votes and is extending support order ministry. ruling coalition parties – Nepali pal’s Home Minister Bimalen- The home minister is in to the government, has threat- Police had deployed over 7,000 Congress and CPN (Maoist dra Nidhi quitting his post on charge of overall security of the ened to pull out its support on Sushila Karki ... suspended constables to beef up security for Centre) – on Sunday. Sunday following his reserva- country. Tuesday, which would put the 15 diff erent May Day rallies which There was no immediate re- tion over the impeachment Kamal Thapa, chairman of government in a minority. In the midst of this unprec- has set Tuesday to fi le nomi- went off peacefully. action from the Prime Minis- decision. the RPP that decided to with- MJF is all set to hold the party edented political turmoil, Prime nations for the fi rst round of There were two deaths at one ter’s Offi ce over the fate of the The Nepali Congress and draw support yesterday, heads central committee meeting to- Minister Dahal said that elec- elections but the fast chang- of the venues because of heat coalition of seven parties. CPN-Maoist Centre have ac- the local development ministry day to take a fi nal call, and is tions on May 14 will take place ing political situation has put a exhaustion, police and hospital “The decision to impeach cused Karki of interfering in the that is in charge of co-ordinat- likely to withdraw support to at any cost. question mark on the fate of the sources said. Karki by the ruling Nepali Con- jurisdiction of the executive and ing 477 local units. the government, said a leader. The election commission local polls. Rajapakse addresses May Day rally Supreme Court will never fail to protect constitution: CJ

By Mizan Rahman apex court can declare it illegal constitution,” the CJ added. Dhaka in order to establish the rule of The constitution has given law and protect the rights of authority only to the Supreme the people,” Chief Justice Sinha Court for giving explanations angladesh’s Chief Jus- said. or rulings and scrapping any tice (CJ) Surendra Ku- laws if these are against the Bmar Sinha yesterday said “We cannot consider constitution. that the apex court will never ourselves civilised Exercising the power, the backtrack from scrapping any persons till the time apex court has delivered its law or ruling that is contrary all abide by the law, verdicts from time to time only to the basic structure of the even if the apex to uphold the constitution, the constitution. court verdict goes CJ noted. “In future, the Supreme against us” The CJ also said in many de- Court will not backtrack from veloping and developed coun- Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapakse, centre, gestures as he addresses a May Day rally, below, in Colombo yesterday. scrapping any law or ruling if it The chief justice also said tries, and even in India, the is against the basic structure of he has to speak in public chief justice and justices have the constitution,” observed the frequently as the Supreme been regularly giving lectures Chief Justice while address- Court does not have full at educational institutions. ing a function at Jagannath control over the judiciary However, their speeches are University in Dhaka. even though the judiciar- not published in the media, Referring to judicial pow- ies in other countries in while the speeches of Bang- ers, the chief justice pointed subcontinent are under the ladesh’s Chief Justice are out that the original 1972 control of the SC, he added. published in the media. constitution, which was “Unfortunately, however, “There is a reason for pub- framed by Bangabandhu the apex court in our country lishing the speeches of the Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, has yet to get full controlling chief justice as the rule of law had empowered the Su- power over the lower court,” he is yet to be established in our preme Court to make judicial added. country,” the CJ noted. reviews of any law. “We get hurt when someone The chief justice’s observa- “By exercising this judicial makes comments against the tions came just four days after power, the apex court annulled judiciary for not delivering ver- Law Minister Anisul Huq com- the 5th, 7th, 8th, and 13th dicts in their favour. We can- mented (on April 26) that in no amendments to the constitu- not consider ourselves civilised country do chief justices speak tion, considering that those persons till the time all abide by so much in public or express so amendments were contradic- the law, even if the apex court much anger, unless judicial ac- tory to the constitution,” the verdict goes against us,” the CJ tivities are involved. chief justice added. noted. “I want to say that defi nitely The chief justice also said the He urged the people not he (the CJ) speaks when it is charter could be amended by to react against the Su- necessary and I don’t deny it. two-thirds majority of parlia- preme Court’s verdict and its But if he has any sorrows or ment. “Even if the constitution explanations. grievances, he may inform us, is amended by all the members “If you react to the apex without speaking about it in of parliament and if it is con- court’s verdict, it would be public, and we would try to trary to the constitution, the tantamount to disobeying the solve them,” Huq said. Bangladesh moves to burn grain for greener fuel

Thomson Reuters Foundation Moshiur Rahman, who con- tonnes of broken rice each year – ence whether to scale up the about 1.8mn tonnes of broken national poverty line of $2 per day, lah, secretary to the ministry of Dhaka venes the Bangladesh Poultry about 3.5% of the country’s total experiment. rice, about 100,000 tonnes of according to World Bank data. agriculture, said creating fuel Industries Co-ordination Com- production. “Yes, we are going to give molasses and less than half the The country produces about using maize – which is increas- mittee, called the move to begin Alternately the county could permission for bio-fuel soon. 6mn tonnes of maize it needs enough rice to meet demand but ingly being imported to make up angladesh plans to begin using grain for fuel “suicidal”. produce the ethanol with Let’s see what happens fi rst. Its each year, according to the imported 4.5mn tonnes of wheat for rice and wheat shortfalls – turning some of the grain Much of Bangladesh’s maize 62,000 tonnes of maize (2.8% of impact on food security will be country’s energy ministry. last year to meet demand for that doesn’t seem to make sense. Bit produces into ethanol is used to feed animals, includ- production) or 97,000 tonnes of considered then,” Hamid said. Besides being used as live- grain, according to the country’s “I do not see any valid reason to make its fuel greener – but ing chickens. But the country molasses (nearly all of the But others warn that Bangla- stock food, maize is eaten by food ministry. for using maize and broken rice economists and experts warn the grows only half of the maize it country’s production). desh has decided to burn food poorer people, mixed with fl our Despite rising demand for for ethanol production,” he said. move could hurt food security in needs, importing the rest from The study warned that if the grains to produce ethanol with- as a cereal or made into biscuits. food, Khan Md Aftabuddin, M Asaduzzaman, a fellow of a country that is already a grain the United States and Brazil, he government scales up ethanol out taking into consideration the Lower-income people also eat managing director of Sunipun the Bangladesh Institute of De- importer. said, which means rising de- production beyond those levels, food security of its 160m people. broken rice for breakfast and Organics – the company that velopment Studies and a member Energy ministry offi cials said mand could mean rising prices. it will raise demand for grain to That is a particular worry in make it into cakes. fi rst applied for government of the country’s climate change in a gazette notifi cation early “Maize prices will go up if it is the point that it could hurt food a low-lying country that faces But prices for the grains are permission for ethanol produc- negotiations team, said he also this year that the country will used for ethanol production. The security. severe climate change threats, rising. A kilogram of coarse rice tion – said turning grain into disagreed with the move toward begin using maize, broken rice price of eggs and chicken will go But junior Energy Minister including loss of crops and crop is now being sold at 42 taka (50 fuel would not pose any threat to producing ethanol from grain. grains and molasses to produce beyond the reach of common Nasrul Hamid said over telephone land to worsening salt-water in- cents) in Dhaka, up 25% in price food security for Bangladesh. “We have tremendous dif- ethanol to mix with petrol fuel at people,” Rahman warned. that Bangladesh needs to go for trusion, droughts, fl oods, storms, from a year ago, according to the He said the byproducts of etha- fi culties in livestock nutrition. a 5% ratio. He said growing concerns greener and more varied fuels in sea level rise and erosion. government Trading Corpora- nol production could be used as If maize is now used to produce But in a heavily populated about food security have led the future, like other nations. Already many people face tion of Bangladesh. poultry or fi sh food, and that more ethanol, the cost of livestock country that produces rela- other countries – including Chi- “So, we are exploring the pos- daily hunger and can manage Rising food prices are a major maize could be grown on delta production will go further up tively little in the way of climate na – to stop giving permission sibility of using bio-ethanol with meals only once or twice a day, concern, with a growing portion islands if demand for it rises. causing further animal protein changing emissions and that al- for new biofuel projects. other fuels. You can’t remain out experts say. Last year, Bangla- of people’s earnings now being “If needed, we will produce defi ciency,” said Asaduzzaman, ready relies on imports of maize According to a study by Bang- from the global trend of energy desh ranked in the top 25% of the spent on food. The country’s maize in char lands of the coun- also a former vice chairman of and other grains, the result could ladesh’s energy ministry, the use,” he said. world’s most hungry countries, food infl ation rate in February try as raw material for our plant,” the International Commission be rising food prices, especially country could produce 18mn He confi rmed the ministry according to the Global Hunger was 6.8%, up from a record low Aftabuddin said. Bangladesh on Sustainable Agriculture and for the poor, economists, busi- litres of ethanol a year, or about plans to give permission for Index of the International Food of 3.8% a year ago. needs to turn to renewable ener- Climate Change. ness leaders and environmental 75,000 litres each working day. ethanol production, and then Policy Research Institute. About 13% of Bangla- gy to keep its environment clean, “This is a wrong-headed experts warned. That would require 60,000 would judge from early experi- Bangladesh today produces desh’s people fall below the he said. But Moinuddin Abdul- decision,” he said. Gulf Times 26 Tuesday, May 2, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko The French election

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] and Europe’s future Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) By Joschka Fischer crisis. The political consequences are Euroskeptic and anti-establishment states. That, too, is a lasting lesson Fax 44350474 Berlin scarcely predicable. candidates in the fi rst round. The that European leaders should take After France’s second-round EU cannot survive many more from the French election. vote, Europe will likely be spared elections with that kind of outcome, Macron, for his part, will have lot can happen between now this nightmare scenario for the so “business as usual” is no longer an to avoid a trap that ensnared his and the second round of the time being – meaning the next five option. predecessors Nicolas Sarkozy and French presidential election years. Still, to avoid a future disaster, Above all, the next French François Hollande. Both cozied up Aon May 7, so it is still too European leaders must learn the president will have to restore too closely to German Chancellor GULF TIMES early to celebrate. But, even with the right lessons from this year’s French economic growth. And the same Angela Merkel, and thus could not nationalist, populist candidate Marine election. can be said for all other eurozone confront the German government Le Pen still in the running, many For starters, it is in Europe’s interest member-states. After Germany’s when necessary. For example, I would observers are genuinely hopeful that that a President Macron not fail. The general election in September, the wager that if France had done more the fi rst-round winner, Emmanuel EU’s future, and particularly that of government will finally have to take to challenge Germany’s opposition Joshua knocks Macron, will be France’s next Germany, depends on a successful the plunge and pursue a more robust to Eurobonds, anti-European president. Macron presidency to lift France from economic policy, unless it wants to populists on both the left and the right With Macron’s victory, Europe its long economic malaise and resolve cede the stage to nationalists who would not have gained the political would avoid self-destruction yet its paralysing identity crisis. would destroy the EU. momentum that they have in recent some prestige into again. A President Le Pen would A weak, economically stagnant, and Although Germany has made years. Constructive confl ict in Europe almost surely bring about the end of politically insecure France poses an valid arguments in defence of its is sometimes necessary. Without the European Union. Taking France acute danger to the entire European fi scal and external surpluses, its it, what the EU stands for remains out of the eurozone, as Le Pen has project, because a France that remains current economic model has failed obscure. heavyweight boxing promised, would lead to the collapse in that state will inevitably succumb to to stimulate enough growth in the As the French presidential election of the euro itself. After that, the the type of anti-European nationalism eurozone to stabilise the single reaches its conclusion, the description EU common market and other core that Le Pen represents. At the same currency. Achieving that goal will of Europe as a “community of destiny” Those were the times… This is an often repeated institutions would fall like dominoes. time, a strong, self-confi dent France require a new consensus between still holds true, even after 60 years. phrase by the old timers when it comes to the world of Europe would plunge into the abyss, is necessary for the EU’s long-term Northern and Southern Europe, led by On May 7, France will decide not just boxing. First-account tales of Mohamed Ali winning and 60 years of political, economic, survival. Germany and France. its own fate, but that of the EU, too. and social progress would be lost. Whether or not Macron’s It will also require Germany fi nally Europeans should rejoice – but then the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ with George Foreman in Moreover, Le Pen wants to withdraw presidency is a success will depend to take some decisive steps toward they must get down to work. – Project Zaire and that ‘Thrilla in Manila’ against Joe Frazier, France from Nato and pursue on his ability to heal France’s social accommodating France’s economic Syndicate leave the current generation of boxing fans in a wish-I- friendlier relations with Vladimir divisions, restore its economic needs, and to dispel the illusion that was-there scenario. Putin’s Russia. This would throw dynamism, and tackle its high the EU can survive under a regime of zJoschka Fischer, Germany’s foreign current security arrangements across unemployment, particularly among exclusive German leadership. The EU minister and vice-chancellor from The last big spectacle that brought the boxing world Europe into chaos, quite possibly young people. We should not lose is a complicated entity that can be led 1998 to 2005, was a leader of the into the limelight was the clash between Manny leading to panic among investors and sight of the fact that almost half only by a strong French-German axis German Green Party for almost 20 Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. The ‘fi ght of plunging the continent into economic of the French electorate voted for working in concert with other member years. the century’ took place two years ago with Money defeating Pac-Man in a 12-round unanimous decision. But it didn’t do much for boxing. The boxing aspect of that match was lost in the hype before and after the event. Which is why, this spectacular win by Anthony Joshua over Wladimir Klitschko on Saturday has restored that much-needed prestige to the tarnished image of boxing – heavyweight boxing to be specifi c. The 11-round blockbuster between the British boxer and the Ukrainian legend was exactly what the raw sport of boxing is all about. Those brutal knockdowns, the inhuman ability to get back up after those seemingly debilitating punches are what the fans want to see. And this match had that and more to off er. A record British crowd of 90,000 at the Wembley stadium saw the live action and millions more were tuned in from all over the world. Joshua retained his unbeaten record in the most extreme of circumstances having been knocked to the canvas for the fi rst time in his professional career. But he somehow found the strength to put 41-year-old Klitschko down in the 11th round. The 27-year-old Brit A record British is now being hailed crowd of 90,000 as the biggest star in world boxing after at the Wembley this exhilarating world heavyweight title stadium saw the triumph. Boxing is live action and delighted to have a star that is this marketable. Marine Le Pen and Emmanuel Macron. millions more To put things into were tuned in perspective, the British pay-per-view take up from all over the for the fi ght had been more than the record Let’s alleviate the suff ering of Rohingya world 1.15 million for the Pacquaio-Mayweather clash. By Harun Yahya has never been anything new to this time the military operation has doesn’t want any UN investigation in Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn, who was Istanbul them, but since 2010 their ordeal has been even more brutal than usual, the region. reached unbearable levels. They were because there has been systematic The international response is instrumental in organising this fi ght, now has plans hunted down, tortured, maimed, rape by Myanmar soldiers. In one story regrettably lacking. Despite the to make Joshua, who unifi ed the IBF and WBA titles, a nown as the world’s most raped, burned and driven out of their told by a victim, when a distraught eerie resemblance to the Srebrenica global phenomenon. There are talks of setting up fi ghts persecuted and friendliness homeland in makeshift boats only father asked the soldiers to stop, they massacre of 1995, when some 8,000 in new venues like China, the Middle East and Africa. people, the Rohingya are to be rejected by most neighbouring said, “We are not doing as much to you Bosnian Muslims, who were ostensibly Boxing’s latest superstar already has endorsements Kan ethnic group that has countries. A Yale study claims that as we have been ordered to do in Oula under the protection of the UN, been a part of Myanmar for centuries. more than 1mn Rohingya have been Para”. Matthew Smith, of the advocacy were slaughtered in plain view, most from big brands like Jaguar, Under Armour and dozen However, due to their ethnicity abused so far, which amounts to group Fortify Rights, points to this countries simply choose to remain more. And with this success that number is going to and faith, they were subjected to genocide. sinister trend and says, “This is not silent. increase substantially. The back-story of Joshua is unimaginable horrors for decades. While those that made it to something that has happened by rogue The terrorists that managed to Their heart-wrenching plight has neighbouring countries again face soldiers... a crime that was committed infi ltrate the peaceful Buddhist also compelling. From dropping out of school to being become intense, despite extreme very diffi cult prospects, which spontaneously. It’s very clear to us at community, display a disturbing arrested, boxing gave him a path to glory and he chose measures taken by the Myanmar would certainly require a completely this point that state security forces set amount of hatred and violence it wisely. A storyline that increases his stature even government to prevent the rest of the separate article, we’re going to look out to systematically rape Rohingya towards Muslims, who have lived there more. world from getting any hint of what is into what’s been happening to the women and girls”. as a peaceful and quiet community for really going on; the mass slaughters, ones left behind. As mentioned, these Myanmar’s military has been centuries. The heavyweight division, boxing’s fl agship, is the rape, arsons, torture were too much downtrodden people, aside from known to use rape as a tactic against UN offi cials explicitly state that one that dictates the popularity of the sport. It’s the to be missed by the world. And after being indiscriminately and violently ethnic women, but especially in the the ultimate goal of the Myanmarese battles in this category that have shaped the way the seven years, since the heightening targeted both by the military and past six months reports of rape have government and military is ethnic world sees boxing. And the emergence of Joshua may of their plight in 2010, the situation violent Buddhist mobs, are deprived increased sharply and systematically. cleansing. Phil Robertson of HRW doesn’t seem to be improving. of most basic human rights, including Smith continues: ‘There was an wonders why no investigation signal the dawn of an exciting new era in this weight Although the Rohingya community medical treatment. These people are outburst of it, and particularly in is allowed in the country if the class. No longer will the current generation have to has lived in Burma for centuries, – practically condemned to a slow death November, that was unusual even government is so sure that there is depend on tales of the bygone Ali-Frazier era. This a historical fact substantiated by in front of the world. As Hollywood by the Myanmar military’s brutal nothing wrong: “Our response to her Joshua-Klitschko thriller will be remembered for a long offi cial documents – the Myanmar actor Matt Dillon remarked after standards’. would be that if there wasn’t such a government refuses to acknowledge his visit to the area: “They are Once a hero of human rights groups big problem then why not allow the time. And it could serve as boxing’s milestone moment. them and rather claims that they being strangled slowly, they have around the world, Myanmar’s de UN Human Rights Council fact- are illegal Bangladeshi refugees. no expectation from the future and facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has the fi nding mission into those areas, For this reason, they avoid calling nowhere to go.” following to say: “Military matters are provide them with unfettered access.” To Advertise them “Rohingya”, so much so the Because of the atrocity of the to be left to the army.” As the Malaysian Prime Minister government recently arrested fi ve situation, stories like the death of This is especially unexpected Najib Razak, the leader of a country [email protected] people because they printed a 2016 14-year-old Mohamed due to tetanus, considering ladies are naturally that had shown a commendable Display calendar that made references to the – an easily preventable disease in compassionate, loving individuals, approach to the infl ux of Rohingya Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 Rohingya as an ethnic group. normal conditions – or a 28-month- particularly so when they are mothers. refugees, eloquently put it: “The world Today some 120,000 Rohingya old toddler Hirol, now orphaned and However, in a shocking volte-face cannot sit by and watch genocide Classified are restricted to living in squalid dangerously thin, because he lost his on her former principles of human taking place. The world cannot just Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 camps in their own homeland, and mother to hepatitis A due to lack of rights for the sake of politics, she say ‘Look, it is not our problem’. It is they have been deprived of the most medical treatment, are common sights denies that there is an ethnic cleansing our problem”. Subscription basic human rights as well as access in this part of the world. in Myanmar and even claims that Indeed, it is our problem. Every [email protected] to livelihoods. They even need to Most recently, a military crackdown Rohingya are killing Rohingya. This human being on this planet is get permission to marry or travel in Rakhine state forced 70,000 scandalous stance was enough to responsible when a fellow human outside their villages. Persecution Rohingya to leave for Bangladesh, unsettle and alienate the entire world, being is hurt. Let’s rise up to the task 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved and oppression at the hands of both even though the latter is known to be even her most loyal supporters. and do our part in alleviating the pain the army and racist Buddhist groups generally hostile to them. However, Unsurprisingly, the government and suff ering of innocent people. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 2, 2017 27 COMMENT The people vs. Donald Trump

By Simon Johnson before growing anti-Trump anger not least with the help of new political Washington, DC made such occasions especially technologies. awkward for Republicans. And the Groups such as Credo Action – the anti-Trump protests occurring advocacy arm of a progressive mobile- n American politics, the next throughout the country have been phone company that uses its revenues election is all that matters. sustaining their energy. to support 5mn activists – are already Despite the Republicans’ big Indeed, recent special elections in showing the way. Credo Action’s Iwin in November 2016, US Kansas and Georgia showed that no website includes an easy-to-use menu President Donald Trump’s ability to Republican seat is necessarily safe. In to express one’s support on a range of pass legislation still depends on what the race for Kansas’s 4th district seat, issues. congressional Republicans expect the Republican candidate Ron Estes Likewise, Run for Something to see happen in the November 2018 won by less than ten percentage points is working to fi ll the pipeline of midterm election. Owing to a major in a constituency that Trump carried Democratic candidates at all levels. shift in public sentiment in the past by 27 – and only after the national Flippable is focusing specifi cally on few months, many Democrats are now party was forced to mobilise massive seats that can be reclaimed (although convinced that they will win seats, resources on his behalf. And in the they might want to add California’s and potentially reclaim control of the race for Georgia’s 6th district seat, 45th district). And Indivisible is House of Representatives. Jon Ossoff , a Democrat, gained more distributing an already widely read One can already see grassroots votes than any other candidate, falling guide for resisting Trump, with an activism gaining momentum in just short of the 50% threshold that he emphasis on grassroots advocacy and congressional districts that would needed to win outright. community organising. not have seemed competitive just The Georgia special election will These and many other progressive fi ve months ago. For example, in now be decided in a runoff . And yet voter-mobilisation efforts overlap California’s 45th district (in the the ultimate result doesn’t really in certain ways, and they are all traditionally conservative Orange matter, because the general swing in competing for attention. The buzz County), University of California, support away from Republicans is of new organisation and strategies Irvine, law professor Dave Min is already evident. The Democrats need recalls nothing so much as a dynamic taking on the incumbent Republican, to fl ip only 24 seats to regain control start-up industry with many new Mimi Walters. This past November, of the House. Right now, that seems entrants, which, in a sense, is exactly Walters was reelected with 58.6% entirely feasible. what the anti-Trump resistance has of the vote, but her district favoured Trump, meanwhile, is unwittingly become. Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump by energising the opposition by doubling The difference, of course, is that, two percentage points. down on his policies. He may attempt, rather than competing to make This kind of House seat can easily yet again, to repeal Obamacare. He is money, these organisations are fl ip to the Democrats in 2018, if a proposing tax cuts for the rich that encouraging civic engagement, and candidate like Min can persuade will signifi cantly increase defi cits and trying to get more people to vote for voters that Walters is out of touch the national debt. And he is pursuing Democrats as a rebuke to Trump. – and too close to Trump. So Min various forms of fi nancial deregulation This competitive process is already has highlighted Walters’ support – either through legislation, or by laying the groundwork for more for Trump’s attempt to “repeal and appointing regulators who are prone to effective political activism not just replace” the Aff ordable Care Act capture – that will favour big banks. in 2018, but also in 2020, when the (“Obamacare”), as well as her backing In the early days of Trump’s forces emerging today will seek to for his broader budget-cutting presidency, it looked as though he disrupt Trump himself. – Project agenda. Moreover, her positions on could receive some support from Without Democratic support, will likely receive more donations. so the outcome of the 2018 midterm Syndicate many social issues seem quite distant congressional Democrats who Trump will have a hard time passing At the same time, if parts of his election is not a foregone conclusion. from those of her constituency. were worried about 2018. Now, the legislation that he has chosen legislative programme fail, Republican But Democratic fundraising will zSimon Johnson is a professor at MIT’s Min’s catchphrase has become that dynamic has been completely to defi ne his presidency. If parts of incumbents like Walters will look weak also be strong, and Democratic Sloan School of Management and the “Where’s Mimi?”, because Walters reversed. Any Democrat who is up for his legislative programme do pass, and ineff ective. challengers in places like California’s co-author of White House Burning: has always seemed to avoid town hall re-election in 2018 will be standing they will become a further source of To be sure, Republican incumbents 45th district will attract money and The Founding Fathers, Our National meetings with constituents, even fi rmly against Trump. grievance, and candidates like Min will be raising a great deal of money, volunteers from around the country, Debt, and Why It Matters to You. Weather report Fixing fi xed-investment incentives Three-day forecast TODAY that wary CEOs have come to see tepid even during times when the said for the company’s employees, High: 36 C By Jim O’Neill Low : 28 C London long-term risks as “just not worth engine of global growth is located past and present, who reap no benefi ts it.” The many uncertainties they face elsewhere, such as in the US or Europe in their paychecks or pensions (which Inshore: Hot daytime with slight dust include concerns about excessive (Germany in particular). are actually being eroded by the low ack in February, I noted regulation, burdensome corporate During my time as the head of yields on government bonds across that the global economy taxation, high debt levels, erratic the British government’s Review on Western countries). WEDNESDAY at the end of 2016 was in a policymaking, the political backlash Antimicrobial Resistance, I had to It is past time for our elected High: 38 C stronger cyclical position against globalisation, and doubts that develop a better understanding of the governments to change the rules of Low: 28 C B Sunny than most people had expected, consumer spending outside (or even pharmaceutical industry, and I learned the game. For starters, that means given the political upheavals of the within) the United States will last. that there is something to be said for updating the tax code to make debt previous 12 months. That upward A less pessimistic view holds that, microeconomic forces – and for basic issuance far less attractive, especially momentum carried through to the after 2008, it became inevitable that common sense. when the proceeds are being used to THURSDAY fi rst quarter of 2017. According to the the global economy would unhitch Consider the future, which buy back shares. At a minimum, it High: 39 C latest “nowcast”– type indicators, itself from the US consumer engine always has been uncertain and should be harder to buy back shares Low: 29 C world GDP growth is exceeding 4% and adjust to the rise of emerging always will be. And yet the biggest than to issue true dividend payments. Sunny – perhaps the strongest performance consumer economies, not least China. economic busts have happened That way, at least all shareholders, not seen since before the 2008 fi nancial When that happens, we can all live when businesses were not uncertain just senior-executive insiders, will crisis. happily ever after. enough – when they were sure benefi t. Fishermen’s forecast Still, some observers – and not just I tend to side with this less that the future would be rosy. An Furthermore, those same executives OFFSHORE DOHA chronic pessimists – have countered pessimistic crowd. As I pointed overabundance of certainty might should not be remunerated on the Wind: NW-NE 3-5 KT that the evidence remains anecdotal, out in March, China’s economy did explain the 2000-2001 dot-com basis of short-term price-to-equity Waves: 1-3/4 Feet and that it is impossible to predict how surprisingly well in the fi rst quarter bubble, and many others. targets. More investors should be INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW-NE 5-15 KT long the current economic moment of 2017, and that seems to be the But if, thanks to the increased demanding that the incentives change Waves: 1-2 Feet will last. Indeed, there have been case in the second quarter as well. availability of so much information to refl ect true measures of long-term other periods in the long post-2008 In fact, China’s latest monthly data (including diff erent viewpoints performance. Around the region recovery when growth returned, show signs of economic acceleration, and opinions), we now know that To its credit, the Norwegian Weather Weather only to peter out quickly and become especially in consumption. And it was the future is always uncertain, the Sovereign Wealth Fund recently today Max/min tomorrow Max/min sluggish again. evident in the fi rst-quarter data that behaviour of Western businesses spoke out in favour of such changes. Abu Dhabi Sunny 37/28 Sunny 40/29 To bolster long-term economic Chinese consumers are becoming (and many in the emerging world) is Other large institutional investors Baghdad Cloudy 34/21 M Sunny 36/21 Dubai Sunny an increasingly important driver of eminently logical, especially given and policymakers should follow Sunny 38/28 39/29 growth, business investment will Kuwait City Cloudy 37/26 M Sunny 37/26 have to increase. Unfortunately, economic growth. the current workings of the fi nancial suit, to give the corporate world a Manama Sunny 38/27 Sunny 39/28 this is easier said than done. In When confronted with the numbers, system. Why would business leaders nudge. If we change the incentives, Muscat Sunny 36/30 M Sunny 36/30 Western economies in particular, pessimists respond by insisting that invest in an uncertain world, rather we just might finally see business Riyadh M Sunny 39/26 M Sunny 39/27 non-residential fi xed investment is China’s recent strong economic than paying dividends to demanding investment make a comeback. – Tehran M Sunny 28/17 P Cloudy 26/16 precisely the factor that was missing performance is only temporary – a (but generally risk-averse) investors, Project Syndicate in previous, short-lived cycles of product of yet more unsustainable or buying back some of their acceleration. stimulus. And even if growth does last, companies’ own shares (thereby zJim O’Neill, a former chairman of No one can say for sure why non- they argue, the Chinese authorities improving the price/earnings ratio Goldman Sachs Asset Management and residential business investment has will not allow Western businesses – or and, better yet, increasing their own former Commercial Secretary to the failed to recover in recent years. But I even Chinese businesses, according remuneration)? UK Treasury, is Honorary Professor of suspect that the slightly pessimistic to ultra-pessimists – to benefi t from At the end of the day, the CEOs Economics at Manchester University conventional wisdom on this question it. But whether or not the pessimists and the most aggressive investors and former Chairman of the British is wrong. turn out to be right about China, it is are all happy with this approach. government’s Review on Antimicrobial The conventional argument asserts odd that business investment remains Unfortunately, the same cannot be Resistance. Live issues

Is running the best exercise? Around the world Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Athens Sunny Sunny 28/14 By Luisa Dillner of 150 minutes of moderate exercise a tacks and strokes as runners. To avoid 28/14 week – which most people ignore. knee pain (and you can’t always, as it Beirut S T Storms 22/17 M Sunny 22/16 Guardian News and Media Bangkok S T Storms 36/29 P Cloudy 37/29 The best exercise is one that you may just be how your knee cap is posi- Berlin Showers 13/07 S Showers 16/08 enjoy and will do. But otherwise … it’s tioned), you can run on soft surfaces, Cairo Sunny 30/18 Sunny 31/18 ccording to a review of probably running. Running is cheap, do exercises to strengthen your leg Cape Town Sunny 24/14 Sunny 27/16 evidence in the journal easy (as in you go out of your house muscles, avoid hills and get good run- Colombo P Cloudy 32/25 P Cloudy 32/25 S T Storms 34/25 Progress in Cardiovascular and just do it) and you can’t fake it – ning shoes. But Brellenthin says there Dhaka 33/24 M Sunny Hong Kong P Cloudy 27/24 S T Storms 27/24 Disease, runners live three it’s always energetic. Even a jog counts is no evidence of running increasing Istanbul P Cloudy 19/11 P Cloudy 21/11 A S T Storms 31/25 years longer than non-runners. You as moderately vigorous exercise. If you the risk of osteoarthritis of the knee. Jakarta 32/26 S T Storms don’t even have to run fast, or for long, are time poor, you need run for only Running should be built up gradu- Karachi P Cloudy 34/26 Sunny 37/27 to see a benefi t. You can drink, smoke, it is more eff ective at prolonging life half the time to get the same benefi ts ally and its benefi ts may plateau at 30 London Rain 17/08 Cloudy 13/10 Manila T Storms 34/27 S T Storms 34/26 be overweight and still reduce your than walking, cycling or swimming. as other sports. Angelique Brellen- miles a week. Brellenthin says that Moscow P Cloudy 21/06 M Sunny 14/04 risk of dying early by running – by Two of the authors of the review were thin, of the department of kinesiol- runners have higher levels of aero- New Delhi Sunny 41/26 M Cloudy 40/25 between 25% and 40%. The authors of also involved in a study published ogy at Iowa State University, one of bic fi tness, lower levels of body fat New York P Cloudy 22/12 P Cloudy 16/08 the review say that no other exer- in 2014 that found a mere fi ve to 10 the review’s authors, says it takes 105 and smaller waists than those who Paris M Cloudy 17/08 Showers 14/07 Sao Paulo P Cloudy M Sunny 24/14 cise has such an impact – an hour of minutes a day of running, at less than minutes of walking to yield the same do other activities. Running may be 23/14 Seoul M Sunny 28/11 Sunny 29/12 running will, statistically speaking, six miles an hour, reduced the risk of benefi ts as a 25-minute run. particularly good at shifting abdomi- Singapore P Cloudy 32/25 S T Storms 32/25 increase your life expectancy by seven heart disease and early deaths from all There are tragic but rare deaths dur- nal fat. You only need to do 30 to 60 Sydney P Cloudy 23/14 S Showers 17/12 hours. While running regularly can’t causes. This is considerably less eff ort ing races, but non-runners are twice minutes a week to reap the benefi ts, so Tokyo Clear 22/11 Clear 24/12 make you immortal, the review says than government recommendations as likely to die from sudden heart at- perhaps we should all give it a try. Gulf Times 28 Tuesday, May 2, 2017 QATAR Father Emir graces UCL Qatar graduation

total of 34 students of The graduation ceremony was ies, 11 MA degrees in Museum University College Lon- held for the third batch of stu- and Gallery Practice, eight Mas- Adon Qatar (UCL Qatar), dents for 2017 yesterday evening ter’s of Science (MSc) degrees in representing 23 nationalities and at the Education City. Conservation Studies, and four speaking 14 diff erent languages, The ceremony was attended diplomas in Academic Research were awarded their diplomas by by a number of sons of the Father and Methods. Prof Anthony Smith, UCL vice- Emir, parents of graduates, and UCL Qatar programmes are provost, Education and Student members of the administrative designed to bridge the gap be- Aff airs yesterday. and teaching staff of the univer- tween theory and practice. The ceremony was attended sity. Vocational courses are in- by HH the Father Emir Sheikh At the graduation ceremony, formed by theory and discussion Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the university awarded four between highly-qualifi ed staff who watched his daughter HE Master’s of Arts (MA) degrees in and highly motivated students, Sheikha Dana bint Hamad al- Archaeology of the Arab and Is- and brought to life through the Thani receive her Master’s degree lamic World, seven MA degrees real-time engagement with the in Museum and Gallery Practice. in Library and Information Stud- fi eld of study. HH the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, UCL’s Prof Smith and the graduates at yesterday’s ceremony. Sheikha Moza inaugurates new NU-Q building

By Joseph Varghese Staff Reporter

he Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and An exterior view of NU-Q TCommunity Development The new building includes an building in Education City. (QF) chairperson HH Sheikha events hall, the largest sound- Moza bint Nasser offi cially in- stage in the region; a projec- Left: Architect Predock designed augurated the new media and tion theatre, which features a the building to embody communication building of the 4K cinema and 7.1 Dolby sur- architectural elements from Northwestern University in Qa- round sound; three production Qatar’s desert landscape and tar (NU-Q) at the Education City studios, each fi tted out to serve local culture. yesterday. a specifi c purpose; and a studio The event was attended by QF that has been designed to allow Below: A view of the news room. vice-chairperson and chief ex- students to reproduce everyday ecutive HE Sheikha Hind bint sound eff ects that are added to Hamad al-Thani, Northwestern fi lm, video, and other multime- president Morton Schapiro, HE dia projects; and a 4K mastering the Minister of Education and room, equipped to completely Higher Education Dr Mohamed edit a digital cinema-quality Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hamma- fi lm. di, US ambassador Dana Shell Outside the building is a large Smith, NU-Q dean and chief LED media-mesh screen – the executive Everette E Dennis, and Saif Tip. several other dignitaries. Saif means sword in Arabic and Schapiro said: “This is eve- QF chairperson HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, with QF vice-chairperson and chief executive HE Sheikha the location of the screen resem- rything you can dream about. Hind bint Hamad al-Thani and Northwestern president Morton Schapiro at the inaugural ceremony bles two swords about to meet. As president of Northwestern, I yesterday. PICTURE: Aisha Alsada/HHOPL In addition, inside the building can tell you, nothing makes me will be a three-storey media wall prouder than to have a campus building is designed to embody ties unique to the region, but a promoting world class education with multiple screens that will here in Doha producing gradu- architectural elements from Qa- platform for creativity that our in Qatar. work with the Saif Tip in provid- ates who are skilled in journal- tar’s desert landscape and local students will use to experiment, Schapiro and Dennis presented ing information through videos all of the components of major room, with the ability to produce ism, fi lmmaking, and communi- culture. create, and dream,” said NU-Q a gift to HH Sheikha Moza in rec- and images. broadcast news studio – a news live reports across multiple plat- cation and carry the name of our At 515,000sq feet, the NU-Q dean Dennis. “Educating our ognition of her leadership in the Also within the building is a desk, an area for panel discus- forms. university far and wide as they building is three times the size of students to harness the power of creation of Education City and newsroom scheduled to be com- sions, and a social media screen. Earlier in the day, North- use their skills for the betterment its previous home and the largest the digital age will enable them the role of Northwestern Univer- pleted over the summer. Using a feed from live news- western hosted a symposium – of mankind.” institution of its kind anywhere to act as instruments of positive sity within that vision. It will feature the most ad- wires, students will have access “Shaping Our Future” – which Designed by American archi- in the world. social change and make a signifi - The gift, Painting for Doha, vanced technology in broadcast to information to transform them featured a series of conversa- tect Antoine Predock, NU-Q’s “Northwestern’s new build- cant impact on their societies.” was commissioned from Judy and production. into stories, graphics, and other tions, discussion panels, and a Leadership in Energy and Envi- ing off ers not just modern media US envoy Smith praised the Ledgerwood, a professor of art at Designed by Beirut architect digital visualisation elements. showcase of student research, ronmental Design Gold certifi ed teaching and production facili- eff orts of HH Sheikha Moza in Northwestern University. Ali Wazani, the space includes It will have its own control short fi lms, and documentaries. CMU-Q conducts 10th graduation ceremony

arnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) con- Cducted its 10th graduation ceremony with its largest class to date. As many as 109 students were recognised in front of family, friends, faculty and alumni yes- terday. CMU-Q dean and chief ex- ecutive Ilker Baybars reminded students how far they have come since arriving at the university: “You worked hard from the start, learning to use creativity, col- laboration and tenacity to solve problems. You have learned that leadership cannot exist without teamwork. Every one of you has added to the Carnegie Mellon community.” This year’s graduating class A view of the gathering at the graduation ceremony. comprises students of business administration (41), information president of Carnegie Mellon Revolution. I am confi dent that He remarked: “While it is true forefront of entrepreneurship systems (33), biological sciences University, sent the students you are supremely prepared to that individual classes taught us and innovation. And that is be- (19), and computer science (16). forth with a charge to participate take up this task and guide hu- math, and science, and program- cause we are taught how to solve This is an accomplished class in the Fourth Industrial Revolu- manity to a more prosperous fu- ming, and rhetoric, and biology, problems.” academically, with 70% com- tion that involves bringing to- ture.” the overall CMU-Q experience The class of 2017 raises the pleting a minor and 53% receiv- gether the digital, biological and The student speaker for the has taught us how to identify and number of CMU-Q alumni to ing university honours for earn- physical worlds: “Our challenge Class of 2017 was Ibrahim Soltan, solve problems. 679. ing a cumulative grade point is to continuously strive to un- an information systems graduate “From small puzzles to grand They join a worldwide Carne- average of at least 3.5. derstand the far-reaching impli- with a business administration challenges like autonomous cars gie Mellon network of more than A graduate celebrates his achievement. Keynote speaker Subra Suresh, cations of this Fourth Industrial minor. or robotic limbs, we are at the 100,000 graduates.