BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 8 Dhoni, Kumar trump INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2, 16 COMMENT 14, 15 ARAB WORLD 3 BUSINESS 1-8, 10-12 Dananjaya 21,793.80 8,951.82 47.43 INTERNATIONAL 4-12 CLASSIFIED 9 Qatar’s non-oil exports -18.29 -101.78 -0.98 ISLAM 13 SPORT 1-8 brilliance -0.08% -1.12% -2.02% hit QR1.3bn in July ’17 Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

FRIDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10556 August 25, 2017 Dhul-Hijja 3, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals FM to visit India today

In brief E the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Hal-Thani will arrive in the In- dian capital New Delhi today evening, India’s Ministry of External Aff airs QATAR | Diplomacy (MEA) announced yesterday. Emir sends message During the two-day visit, Sheikh Mohamed will call on Prime Min- to Australian PM ister Narendra Modi and hold talks His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin with his Indian counterpart Sushma Hamad al-Thani yesterday sent a written Swaraj, leading Indian daily Hin- message to Australian Prime Minister dustan Times reported, quoting the Malcolm Turnbull. MEA. The message, which was handed over Qatar is an important trading part- through diplomatic channels, was ner for India in the Gulf region with related to bilateral relations between the bilateral trade in 2014-15 standing at two countries and ways of advancing $15.67bn. It is also one of India’s larg- and developing them. est suppliers of crude oil.

QATAR | Offi cial Greetings sent to Ukraine’s leader Off icials including Qatar Airways Chief Executive Akbar al-Baker, architect Ibrahim al-Jaidah, Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy Secretary General Hassan al-Thawadi His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim and Hamad International Airport Chief Operating Off icer Badr Mohamed al-Meer pose in front of a model of the Al Thumama Stadium which was installed at the main Qatar closes bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the departures hall. Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the Prime Minister and Chad embassy Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani yesterday atar yesterday ordered the em- sent cables of congratulations to bassy of Chad be closed and Ukraine’s Prime Minister Volodymyr Qgave its diplomats 72 hours to Groysman on the anniversary of his leave country’s Independence Day. Director of the Information Offi ce World Cup projects at the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, HE REGION | Peace Ambassador Ahmed bin Saeed al-Ru- maihi accused Chad of joining a “cam- UN chief to start paign of blackmail” with its decision to Mideast visit today shutter the Qatari embassy. The United Nations (UN) Secretary- He said the timing of the decision General Antonio Guterres will today start of the government of Chad in closing a tour to the Middle East that includes on track: SC chief Qatar’s embassy in N’Djamena clearly Kuwait, Palestine and Israel. The UN reveals the decision was part of the Secretary-General’s spokesperson campaign of political blackmail against Stephane Dujarric said in remarks z‘Event is for Middle East and Arab world’ Qatar with the intention of joining the yesterday that Guterres will discuss siege countries for well-known rea- during the visit the situation in the By Sahan Bidappa Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt has “Projects are being delivered on time. all our projects are on track,” he added. sons. region in addition to reviving the peace Doha had no impact on the massive infra- As you can see this is one of the mile- Al Thumama Stadium will seat Chad said on Wednesday it was giv- process. structure projects that are under way to stones, and we just fi nished another mile- 40,000 spectators and will host match- ing Qatari diplomats 10 days to leave prepare for the World Cup. stone with the Khalifa stadium opening. es leading up to the quarter-fi nal stage the country. ASIA | Judiciary he 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qa- “Our projects are on track, they are We are on track to complete two more when the FIFA World Cup kicks off on Indian court says privacy tar is still fi ve years away but the on schedule,” said al-Thawadi. stadiums in 2018. As I have said before, November 21, 2022. To Page 2 TSupreme Committee for Deliv- is a fundamental right ery and Legacy (SC) is well on track to India’s Supreme Court ruled yesterday complete the infrastructure projects Fans from all countries welcome, says al-Thawadi that citizens have a constitutional well ahead of the event, Supreme Com- Iran welcomes right to privacy, a landmark decision mittee Secretary General Hassan al- Hassan al-Thawadi, the secretary- fore we are not restricting anybody that could jeopardise a government Thawadi said yesterday. general of the Supreme Committee from attending. As a matter of fact, programme holding biometric data He was speaking to journalists at the for Delivery & Legacy, has said there today everybody is welcome. We have Qatar’s decision on over a billion people. Privacy is Hamad International Airport where a will be no restrictions on fans from any not restricted anyone from coming. not explicitly mentioned in the Indian model of the Al Thumama Stadium, country to travel to Qatar for the 2022 It will be a shame if people from any QNA constitution and the government has the sixth World Cup stadium to be World Cup. GCC country miss out on the once-in- Tehran argued that the country’s 1.25bn people launched by Qatar, was installed at the Hundreds of thousands of football fans a-lifetime opportunity to watch football have no absolute right to it. But the main departures hall. from GCC are expected to pour into World Cup in the Middle East. If anyone top court said the right to privacy was The stadium’s design is inspired by Qatar to watch the first World Cup to takes a unilateral action, that is some- ran’s Foreign Ministry yesterday enshrined in the constitution. Page 9 the ‘gahfi ya’, a traditional woven cap be held in the Middle East. thing out of our control,” he said. welcomed Qatar’s decision to re- worn for centuries by males in many And al-Thawadi said fans from all The secretary-general of the SC said Iturn its ambassador to Tehran. AMERICA | Luck Arab countries. In Qatar and surround- countries – including Saudi Arabia – are the 2022 World Cup is an opportunity Spokesman for the Iranian Foreign ing countries, men wear the ‘gahfi ya’ welcome to watch the mega tourna- to promote Middle East unity. “This is a Ministry Bahram Qasemi said in re- US hospital worker beneath the ‘ghutra’ (fl owing cot- ment, despite the blockade of Qatar, Hassan al-Thawadi World Cup to bring people together, to marks carried by Iran’s news agency wins $758.7mn jackpot ton cloth) and ‘agal’ (decorative black which has entered the third month. promote Middle East unity, culture and Irna that Tehran sees the Qatari deci- A 53-year-old hospital worker claimed a rope). Al-Thawadi was not concerned that be- thing else. From our side everybody is heritage. And more importantly it is a sion as reasonable and positive. $758.7mn US lottery jackpot yesterday. The style and even the name of the cause of the GCC crisis many Gulf fans welcome. The whole world is welcome, platform to bring the east and the west “Iran believes that restoration of Mavis Wanczyk bought the winning ‘gahfi ya’ varies slightly from country would not travel to Qatar, even though we have always said that,” al-Thawadi together among many other initiatives security and stability would lead to Powerball ticket for the second-largest to country, yet it binds Arab nations to- the World Cup is still five years away. said yesterday at the unveiling of the that we have, that is the need at this economic development and non-in- US jackpot in the north-eastern US state gether through shared tradition. “This is a World Cup. The nature of the Al Thumama Stadium design at the point in time in the world. terference of trans-regional powers,” of Massachusetts, one of 44 states that Designed by renowned Qatari archi- football is it’s a game for the people. It’s Hamad International Airport. “We are in co-ordination with our Arab he said. participate in the draw, along with the tect Ibrahim al-Jaidah, the venue is set a game that is meant to diff erentiate “This is a World Cup and a platform to brothers. Simply put the rest of the Iran is ready to take steps to remove US capital Washington and territories of to be completed by 2020. between political ideology and it’s actu- bring people together at a time when Arab world is still supporting this World ambiguities and problems through po- Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Al-Thawadi insisted that the ongo- ally promoting unity, more than any- unity is of utmost importance. There- Cup and they are with us.” litical means among countries in the Page 5 ing illegal blockade of Qatar by Saudi region, Qasemi said. Golden smile Siege nations strain to defame Qatar z Average of 15 articles publishing at least 120 hateful articles. published per day since The number of caricatures published June 5, QMC data shows in the blockaders’ newspapers during this period has totalled 580, most of By Ahmed al-Qudah which can simply be described as im- Doha moral and against Islamic values even by a layman. The break-up of the sickening caricatures that appeared in the pub- he Qatar Media Corporation lications belonging to the blockading (QMC) has published a report countries are as follows: Saudi Arabia – Trevealing the number of articles, 200, the UAE – 200 and Bahrain – 180. cartoons and tweets published by me- With regard to off ending tweets, the dia outlets owned by the blockading report said around 3,500 tweets were countries against the Qatari people, issued by offi cials and media person- their leadership and State symbols. nel from the three countries. Also some The report which was published by 1,000 defaming tweets have been sent Qatar Television, part of QMC, shows Egypt severed diplomatic and commu- QMC, Saudi newspapers have the lion’s by Saudi offi cials, 200 by the UAE of- that the blockaders’ media outlets have nication links with Qatar on June 5, ac- share in the number of such loathsome fi cials, and about 500 by Bahraini of- published at least 1,120 abusive articles cusing it of supporting militant groups. articles. Since the siege began, Saudi- fi cials. since the beginning of the siege in early Qatar has denied all the allegations and owned organisations have carried 700 The report wraps up with a reference Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar celebrates after winning the gold medal in high jump June, with an average of 15 articles per the accusing nations have not been able articles, while the UAE newspapers to the degree of baseness and degrada- at the IAAF Athletics Diamond League meeting in Zurich yesterday. Newly-crowned day. to present any evidence either. published more than 300 with content tion that media outlets owned by the world champion Barshim cleared 2.36m, followed by Majed Aldin Ghazal (Syria) Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and According to statistics released by aimed at defaming Qatar, and Bahrain blockading countries have reached. 2.31m and Bohdan Bondarenko (Ukraine) 2.31m. Sport Page 1 Gulf Times 2 Friday, August 25, 2017 QATAR Widam ensures Projects on track, says al-Thawadi From Page 1

“Most of our designs are based upon our unique heritage and culture. This one in particular adequate supply is based upon our traditional gear. It actually represents what is common between many of our family members and within the GCC and Arab world. And it represents a signifi cant portion of who we are and is part of our of meat for Eid tradition,” al-Thawadi said. “Every tournament has its idam Food Company own unique way and fl avour, has made the neces- representing its culture. From Wsary arrangements and the very beginning we have said, preparations for the upcoming this is the World Cup for Middle Eid al-Adha to ensure adequate East and Arab world. And it is supply of meat products, espe- critical to showcase the richness cially the sacrifi cial sheep. of heritage, culture and hospital- Abdulrahman al-Khayareen, ity the Arab world is known for. CEO of Widam, pointed out that Therefore every element we have Widam has a full plan that would is to promote who we are to the be implemented with the sup- outside world and is part of our port of the government entities vision and commitment towards concerned to make this season delivering a successful 2022 and A close-up of the model of the stadium which was installed at the main departures hall of the Hamad a success and ease the expected leave a legacy beyond,” he added. International Airport yesterday. crowd at the sale and distribu- The innovative arena is be- tion outlets. ing built by a Qatar-Turkey joint recently worked on the stunning revolutionary cooling technol- developing football nations after He further stressed that all Ali bin Mohamed al-Obaidly Abdulrahman al-Khayareen venture between AlJaber En- Baku Olympic Stadium in Az- ogy to enable year-round sport- the tournament. Widam slaughterhouses are gineering and Turkey’s largest erbaijan, will also be working on ing activities after the tourna- Qatar Airways Chief Execu- ready to meet the expected high that such subsidised sheep In the meantime, Ali bin construction company, Tekfen, the stadium. ment. The stadium capacity will tive Akbar al-Baker, architect demand. would refl ect positively on the Mohamed al-Obaidly, Widam with enabling works successfully The stadium will be equipped decrease to 20,000 thanks to de- Ibrahim al-Jaidah and other In addition, the subsidised local market and contribute con- chairman, has expressed his completed in 2016. Architectural with both world-class standards mountable modular seating sec- dignitaries attended the airport Arab sheep to be sold for Qataris siderably towards stabilising the thanks and appreciation for the Design Consultant Heerim, who of disabled access and the SC’s tions which the SC will donate to ceremony. at reduced prices are available in prices. eff orts of the government in good number at the company’s Widam has good stock of Aus- this regard, as all the necessary barns and the sale process will tralian sheep, which are available goods and items are available start tomorrow, according to the at the company slaughterhouses in the market at stable prices regulations set by the Ministry for QR350 each plus QR10 for though it has been more than of Economy and Commerce. slaughtering the sheep and pre- two months since the blockade Food facilities, outlets inspected The offi cial also pointed out paring it. started. l Khor and Al Thakira Municipality’s Health AControl Section has re- cently conducted an intensive inspection campaign on the food Intense summer heat hits fi shing facilities and outlets throughout the municipality to make sure of their compliance with the nec- he oppressively hot sum- patriate fi shermen community Even a minor violation of the essary health regulations. mer weather conditions said. borders of the territorial waters Inspectors checked the meat Tcontinue to adversely “Besides the bad weather by accident while fi shing could and meat products stored in aff ect the activities of Qa- arising from the season’s heat invite trouble, he said. the fridges of the storehouses tar’s fi shermen, Gulf Times has conditions, fi shermen are also Like their Qatar counterparts, and manufacturing places, in learnt. avoiding venturing into those fi shermen from Saudi Arabia, addition to a full check of the The environmental impact assessment training course in session. “It may take at least one more areas in the sea which share bor- Bahrain and the UAE also avoid slaughterhouses. Veterinarians month before we return to our ders with the Gulf neighbours visits to the borders of their ter- took part in the campaign to en- Meanwhile, the municipality elsewhere poses serious health conducted a training course on activities in full swing,” an elder who have imposed a blockade on ritorial water limits, inquiries sure the safety of meat for hu- warned people against deal- risks and causes damage to the Monday and Tuesday with the member of the country’s ex- Qatar,” he explained. found. man consumption and that the ing with unauthorised butch- environment. participation of 20 employees to necessary heath standards are ers who work outside licensed The Ministry of Municipal- introduce them to procedures of strictly followed while process- butcheries and slaughterhous- ity and Environment’s Environ- making environmental impact ing and storing such products. es, as slaughtering animals mental Assessment Department assessment. MoI 999 service Katara International Hunting and Falcons Exhibition attracts over 100 participants

atara Cultural Village event for all those interested confi rmed that the in hunting and falcons. Knumber of partici- The general public will pants in the Katara Interna- have the opportunity to get tional Hunting and Falcons familiar to this fi eld, includ- Exhibition, which will be ing a diverse market and held from September 20 to cultural and environmental 24, has exceeded 100, in- backgrounds that will enable cluding those from abroad, them to identify hunting as offi cial Qatar News Agency a hobby and sport with its (QNA) has reported. conditions and seasons and In a statement, Katara ex- environment. plained that the participants The exhibition is one of are from Kuwait, the UK, the largest international Turkey, Sweden, Spain, Iran, events of its kind specialised China, Poland, Pakistan, in falcons. Many activities Lebanon, the US, Germany. will be held during the event, Peru, Georgia, Kazakhstan, including auction of birds, Kyrgyzstan, India and other falconry and hunting and art countries. exhibitions. The exhibition The event aims to sup- will also provide hunting port the cultural, sporting training for children. and commercial activities of The organising committee hunting and falcons, and to has set a number of condi- build mutually benefi cial re- tions when registering fal- lationships among the hob- conry imports for the exhi- byists and traders. bition, and those wishing to The Ministry of Interior yesterday shared on its twitter page, an infographic on its 999 service. “We It is also meant to discov- participate must fulfi l these are just a call away at 999 for any emergency. It works round-the-clock in six languages. We are er products and services in conditions and follow the happy to serve you,” said the message. this important youth sector instructions and provide the A participant prepares to launch his falcon at a previous edition of the and represents an important necessary licences. Katara International Hunting and Falcons Exhibition. London Metropolitan Orchestra to stage Dana Alfardan’s Sandstorm

ana Alfardan, the coun- already garnering international world-class musicians that has tional audience for one night standing and stand out at a glo- try’s preeminent compos- attention, enhanced by her most been engaged by all the major only. bal level. As an artist, my job is to Der, and CEO and founder recent album release, Sand- Hollywood studios and world- Despite the strength of Qatar’s show this to the world,” she said. of Qatar’s only record label, DNA storm. wide record labels for more than presence in the UK property and Part of Qatar’s “National Vi- Records, will bring her classical The work blends sumptu- 20 years. sporting portfolio in the form of sion 2030” impresses the im- repertoire to the iconic Theatre ous strings, choral vocals and high-profi le assets (from Har- portance of women in the coun- Royal Haymarket in central Lon- soloists with traditional Middle “The state has invested a rods to The Shard and Glorious try’s future. don on September 17. Eastern rhythms. lot in culture, education Goodwood), little is reported of As the nation’s most promi- The concert, orchestrated The album was recorded at and in human capital Qatar as a nation, its people and nent female musician, com- and arranged by renowned Katara Studios in Doha. As Qa- to give nationals the culture, beyond recent negative poser and music entrepreneur, London-based conductor, ar- tar Airways’ offi cial composer, opportunity and resources press reports of regional dis- having set up the country’s fi rst ranger and composer, Dave her music entertaining interna- to expand their cultural putes and embargoes. and only record label, Alfardan Arch, will be performed by the tional passengers on boarding, understanding and stand An aspiring musician from represents a strong and interna- London Metropolitan Orches- Alfardan is fl ying the fl ag as the out at a global level. As an a young age, Alfardan has long tionally appealing role model for tra (LMO). fi rst composer and performer artist, my job is to show this hoped for an opportunity to the women of her nation and an The concert will be conducted to bring the music of her small to the world” bring the international spotlight example of the Qatari woman of by musical director Andy Brown Gulf nation to the rest of the to the music and culture of her 2017 who is proud to present her in a rare showcase of the Qatari world. On September 17, the cur- Qatari homeland. country’s culture to the world. composer’s interpretation of Next month’s concert will be tain will rise on the orchestra, “The State has invested a lot She is building Qatar’s music world music to an international the fi rst time the complete al- performing a full programme in culture, education and in hu- industry from within the nation audience. bum has been performed outside of a unique interpretation of man capital to give nationals as a means to export Qatari cul- Alfardan, composer, song- Qatar. contemporary classical music the opportunity and resources ture to the international com- writer, and symphonic artist, is The LMO is an ensemble of for the first time to an interna- to expand their cultural under- munity. Dana Alfardan. Gulf Times Friday, August 25, 2017 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD

ACCIDENT CRACKDOWN NEW STRATEGY RELIEF FINANCE 20 Iraqi sailors found Bahrain arrests 7 for their Morocco vows to combat UN seeks pause in air strikes Tunisia’s currency reserves dead after ship sinks role in terrorist attacks sexual harassment to spare Raqqa civilians recover slightly

The bodies of 20 Iraqi sailors have been recovered Bahraini authorities said yesterday that they had Morocco’s Prime Minister Saadeddine El The United Nations yesterday called for a Tunisia’s foreign currency reserves have risen after their ship sank following a collision off the arrested seven people for alleged involvement in Othmani yesterday vowed to adopt a strategy to humanitarian pause to allow an estimated slightly to 13.22bn dinars, benefiting from the country’s southern coast, the transport ministry terrorist attacks in the Gulf monarchy. The seven tackle sexual harassment after attacks that have 20,000 trapped civilians to escape from the World Bank’s disbursement of a $500mn loan, said yesterday. The Al Misbar sank in Iraqi waters are part of “a 10-member terrorist cell suspected shocked the North African country. Footage of Syrian city of Raqqa, and urged the US-led a week after they fell to lows not reached for last Saturday following the collision with a foreign- of carrying out terrorist attacks,” the Interior a woman being assaulted by six bare-chested coalition to rein in air strikes that have caused nearly three decades. Last week, reserves had flagged vessel, after which eight sailors were Ministry said in a statement. The three suspects on teenagers on a bus last week sparked outrage casualties. “On Raqqa, our urging today from fallen to 11.59bn dinars ($4.76bn), enough for rescued and the bodies of four others found. The the run — who have been convicted in terrorism- less than two weeks after a video emerged the UN side to the members of the humanitarian just 90 days of imports, which off icials and ministry said in a statement that 16 more bodies related cases in Bahrain — include the alleged cell online of men hounding a lone woman in the task force...is that they need to do whatever is experts said was the weakest level since 1986. were found when the ship was raised yesterday. leader, 31-year-old Hussain Ali Ahmed Daoud, who northern city of Tangier. The government possible to make it possible for people to escape But according to figures posted on the central Iraqi authorities have ordered the foreign vessel is believed to be in Iran. The ministry said he is a is “considering how to deal with this kind of Raqqa,” Jan Egeland, UN humanitarian adviser bank’s website late on Wednesday, the reserve impounded following the collision in the Khor senior member of Al Ashtar Brigades, which has phenomenon so that such acts do not happen on Syria, told reporters in Geneva. “Boats on the has now recovered to 13.22bn dinars ($5.43 bn), Abdullah maritime canal between Iraq and Kuwait. claimed responsibility for attacks in Bahrain via any more”, Othmani said in a broadcast speech. Euphrates must not be attacked, people who equal to 103 days of imports. The reserve is still Maritime traff ic, interrupted since Saturday due to messages on social media. Bahrain designated the “The strategy to be adopted will be announced come out cannot risk air raids when and where lower than it was a year ago, when it covered 117 salvage eff orts, had resumed yesterday. group as a terrorist organization in 2014. at the appropriate time,” he said. they come out,” he said. days of imports.

Disabled face accessibility crisis in Iran

By Ali Noorani, AFP Tehran

he chaotic, impenetrable streets of Tehran have left Nav- Tid, a multiple sclerosis suff erer, feeling like a prisoner in his home. Even for the able-bodied, the un- controlled building spree of recent years means the Iranian capital can often seem like an assault course of narrow broken pathways, gutters full of rushing water, and cars shoved into every available inch of space. For the thousands of disabled people in Tehran, the hilly streets are eff ectively a no-go zone. “My companions are the four walls around me. I’m so tired of star- ing at the ceiling,” said Navid Salahi, a 30-year-old who is confi ned to a wheelchair after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis as a child. “I’m afraid to go outside on my own. It’s horrible. Even at my front door, trying to get in a cab, I’ve fallen over twice because the street is so uneven. My mother does all my er- rands,” he told AFP. The city council off ers a disability bus service, which must be booked two days in advance, and which gets him to work at a disabled rehabilita- tion centre every day. “Of course, once you make the Members of the Iraqi forces advance through Tal Afar’s Al Wahda district yesterday. reservation, it may or may not show up,” said Navid. With a new reformist administra- tion taking power in Tehran, disabil- ity activists are hoping for change. “Our disabled people are mostly housebound and depressed,” said Fatemeh Nikbakht, who runs the Spinal Cord Injury Association with Iraqi forces make fresh around 1,000 members. “Even an elderly person or a lady with a child cannot move easily in our urban spaces,” she said. Offi cial fi gures show there are 94,000 disabled people in Tehran, though advocates say the real fi gure gains in Tal Afar off ensive could be far higher. Few are ever seen on its busy Reuters tremists holding out in the city in far campaign to rout the militants from (CTS) and some units from the Shia took from IS in July after nine months streets, nor on the city’s bus and Erbil northwestern Iraq close to the Syr- one of their last remaining strongholds Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) of fi ghting — and Syria. metro system because reaching the ian border, according to statements in Iraq, three years after they seized that began encircling the city on Tal Afar has produced some of IS’s stations is near impossible. from the Iraqi joint operations com- wide swathes of the north and west in Sunday. most senior commanders and was cut The government is well aware of raqi forces yesterday made further mand. a shock off ensive. About three quarters of Tal Afar re- off from the rest of IS-held territory in the problem. gains in their off ensive to dislodge Within the city limits, Iraqi forces On Tuesday, the army and counter- mains under militant control including June. “A disabled person cannot go even IIslamic State from Tal Afar, seiz- captured three more neighbourhoods terrorism units broke into Tal Afar the Ottoman-era citadel at its centre, Up to 2,000 battle-hardened mili- 1,000m on Tehran’s pavements or ing fi ve more villages on the eastern — Al Nour and Al Mo’allameen in the from the east and south. according to an operational map pub- tants remain in Tal Afar, according to roads without facing obstacles,” and southern outskirts of the city, the east and Al Wahda in the west, taking The main forces taking part in lished by the Iraqi military. US and Iraqi military commanders. Transport Minister Abbas Akhoundi military said. over several strategic buildings in the the offensive are the Iraqi army, air Located 80km west of Mosul, Tal Between 10,000 and 40,000 civil- told the Etamad daily earlier this In the fifth day of their onslaught, process. force, Federal Police, the elite US- Afar lies along the supply route be- ians are estimated to remain in the city year. Iraqi forces continued to encircle ex- The advances were the latest in the trained Counter-Terrorism Service tween that city — which Iraqi forces re- and its surrounding villages. “The streets have so many pud- dles, bumps, diff erences in ground level and widening or narrowing that even a healthy person cannot deal with them,” he added. A building binge — fuelled by As the guns fall silent, Benghazi residents return to battered homes cheap credit and the hunt for secure assets amid sanctions and recession — means it is almost impossible to By Ayman al-Warfalli, Reuters Afterwards, men sit outside drinking stand anywhere in Tehran without Benghazi tea or coff ee and guarding their streets. seeing cranes and the skeleton of a One says he will stay in his home new apartment block or mall. even if he has to hang towels over the But little care has been given to wo months after the dominant doors and windows. accessing the buildings or designing military force in eastern Libya Another Sabri resident, Farag them for disabled users, activists say. Tdeclared victory in a campaign Mahmoud, said some people were so “Many parks, cinemas, shopping to retake Benghazi, Hassan al-Zawy is keen to get back to their homes that centres or public spaces are just not living rough in his home in the district they were ignoring the risk from land accessible,” said Behnam Soleimani, that witnessed the city’s last major mines still planted in parts of the dis- a 34-year-old computer teacher who battle. trict. uses a wheelchair. Like many other residents, he ven- “We found our homes had been He has been waiting several years tured back as Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan fl ooded from broken pipes in the for the council to respond to his re- National Army gradually wrested back plumbing systems, and were sub- quest for a ramp at his building’s en- control from Islamist militants and merged in water around 70cm to 80cm trance. other rebel groups. deep,” he said. “A broken cobblestone on the Parts of Libya’s second city were re- Some returning residents have sidewalk may not even be seen by a duced to rubble during more than three formed citizens’ committees to lobby healthy pedestrian but it’s a crisis for years of fi ghting and, with economic the municipal authorities on water, someone in a wheelchair,” he said. crisis and political turmoil gripping the electricity and hygiene, said Milad Bollards erected on pavements country, rebuilding is a daunting chal- Fadlallah, a local engineer. and in pedestrian alleyways to block lenge. Most residents in the less severely motorbikes from using them to es- “There are fl ies, mosquitoes and gar- damaged eastern part of Sabri would cape the traffi c also inadvertently bage. At night, we have absolutely noth- be able to spend the Eid al-Adha holi- cause problems for the disabled. ing,” Zawy told Reuters in mid-August day back in their neighbourhood, Fad- Some well-meaning measures in the seafront neighbourhood of Sabri. lallah said. have been ineff ective. “We’ve been here for one month and But a lack of funds and political Social media users have ridiculed 10 days and all we want from the state leadership in a country still divided new lanes for blind people with pic- is (this): electricity and water, and for between two rival governments will tures showing them heading directly people to return to their homes, and hinder reconstruction, said Osama al- into trees and gutters. stay there.” Kaza, director of projects at Benghazi’s There are positive signs, with La- A confl ict that developed after municipality. bour Minister Ali Rabii saying in July strongman Muammar Gaddafi was Men walk near destroyed buildings in Sabri, a central Benghazi district. In Benghazi, the confl ict has also had that the government wanted to pass toppled in an uprising six years ago has left deep physical and psychological the bill quickly so they could build it yet to be resolved. Tens of thousands of residents, their fi nal strongholds, and was bom- Haftar announced victory on July 5.. scars. “Achieving an outstanding and into next year’s budget. Benghazi, where the 2011 revolution many opposed to Haftar, were dis- barded by LNA heavy artillery and air People recover what they can from modern image for the city will have to “We no longer accept sympathy or started, has seen some of the worst placed to other Libyan cities. strikes up until a few weeks ago. the rubble of ruined buildings. be done in stages, will take years and favours. These are our rights,” said violence. Sabri is where Haftar’s rivals had Sporadic fi ghting continued after Children help with the cleanup. cost billions,” he said. Moeini. Gulf Times 4 Friday, August 25, 2017 AFRICA First order of business for Kenyan MPs: more money

AFP In July, the country’s Salaries as a $50 “sitting allowance” just do not disadvantage us inappro- tion to stop her from being sworn als who claim that they should be After the 2013 elections, their Nairobi and Remuneration Commission for showing up in parliament. priately and try to incite Kenyans in. paid more than what the law pro- fi rst act was to increase their (SRC) gazetted a pay cut for all Under the changes however, against us and I think the Ken- “What I said yesterday was vides, even before they have been wages, prompting protesters to state offi cials, including Keny- new and re-elected MPs will now yan public will understand,” she probably not in line with what sworn in.” take to the streets denouncing enya’s freshly-elected atta, in a bid to slash its massive earn $6,000 per month – and added. my people expected,” she told The opposition National Super them as “MPigs”. lawmakers have yet to take wage bill by 35%. some are not happy. Gathoni Wa Muchomba, an- Citizen TV. Alliance (NASA) also distanced Then in the midst of a crip- Ktheir seats, but some have The state wage bill had been “There is a clear mission to other women’s representative Kenyatta has in any case vowed itself from the demands, and pling doctors’ strike last Decem- already irked voters by asking for taking up 52% of GDP and Ken- demean MPs and reduce them to initially took a similar position, he will not sign off on any wage several new MPs took to Twitter ber, outgoing lawmakers awarded higher wages – just weeks after a yan MPs are among the highest beggars ... and this will not hap- saying she should be “paid well”. increase. denouncing the move and sup- themselves each $100,000 as an pay cut was introduced. paid in the world. pen under our watch,” said Homa “Asking for a pay rise is not a This kind of behaviour was porting the pay cut. exit package ahead of the elec- President Uhuru Kenyatta Lawmakers were earning a Bay lawmaker Gladys Wang, one crime,” she added. why many of their predecessors Kenya’s lawmakers have a his- tions. himself stepped into the row basic monthly salary of 710,000 of 47 deputies specifi cally elected However, she was forced to had been voted out, he warned tory of rubbing voters up the The fi rst sitting of the new yesterday, warning lawmakers to shillings ($6,800, €5,800) to represent women. back down yesterday after resi- the MPs. “I am greatly disturbed wrong way with their salary de- parliament, which was elected on drop their “shameful” demands. topped up with hefty extras such “Just let us have what we had, dents of her region began a peti- by the statements from individu- mands. August 8, takes place next week.

More than 800 still Angola’s ruling MPLA missing in Sierra claims election victory Leone Reuters of 28mn spread across an area His daughter Isabel heads na- disaster Luanda twice the size of France. tional energy company Sonan- In Angola, political parties gol, which runs Africa’s second are allowed to observe the elec- biggest oil industry. AFP ngola’s ruling MPLA tions by posting party members His son, José Filomeno, is in Freetown party held a commanding at every polling station and by charge of the $5 billion state in- Alead in provisional gener- assimilating results, the parties vestment fund. al election results, with 64.57% attempt to foretell the election The MPLA, which has ruled he death toll from the of the votes tallied compared outcome. Angola since independence fl ood and mudslide dis- with the opposition UNITA par- The MPLA calculated earlier from Portugal in 1975, has lost Taster that struck Sierra ty’s 24.4%, the electoral com- yesterday that after checking some support due to political Leone’s capital in mid-August mission said yesterday. 5mn votes it was on course for cronyism, though many Ango- now exceeds 500 and 810 people Angola, home to sub-Saharan the two-thirds majority that is lans remain loyal to the party are listed as missing, the govern- Africa’s third-largest economy, required to govern alone. that emerged victorious from 27 ment said yesterday. held a smooth national election “We can affi rm that the fu- years of civil war in 2002. “The death toll has risen on Wednesday with the MPLA’s ture president will be com- Lourenço has promised to fo- slightly above 500,” Vice-Presi- former defence minister Joao rade João Manuel Gonçalves cus on fi xing Angola’s economy dent Victor Bockarie Foh said at Lourenco expected to be voted in Lourenço,”João Martins, party which has been devastated by a ceremony to receive relief sup- as the Opec-member’s fi rst new secretary for political and elec- the fall in the price of oil. plies provided by Japan. president for 38 years. toral aff airs, told reporters. The economy contracted Separately, government The People’s Movement for Juilão Mateus Paulo, MPLA’s 3.6% last year and is expected spokesman Abdulai Bayratay the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) secretary general, said after the to post only minor growth this said 810 people were listed as earlier said it was on track to win release of the provisional results: year. missing, a fi gure that concurs a two-thirds parliamentary ma- “We think we’re approaching a On Tuesday, Lourenço said with estimates by NGOs in the jority, based on its own numbers, two-thirds parliamentary ma- he did not rule out negotiating past few days. as votes were still being tallied. jority which would be a great with the International Monetary The city of Freetown – capi- The provisional results were satisfaction for the party.” Fund (IMF) or the World Bank as tal of one of the world’s poorest based on about 63.74% of the However, the main opposi- Polling station off icials show ballot papers during the counting of the ballots at the end of the general he sought to establish an “eco- countries – as struck by devas- votes cast, said Júlia Ferreira, tion, National Union for the election vote in Luanda. nomic miracle” in Angola. tating fl oods and a mudslide on spokeswoman for National Elec- Total Independence of Angola “We assess that the next the night of August 13-14. toral Commission. (UNITA), said the party did not were released, UNITA’s parlia- the closed doors of party politics Dos Santos, 74, Africa’s president will seek closer co- The previous toll, given by the Further provisional results recognise the provisional result, mentary head Adalberto Costa than the public spotlight, would longest-ruling president be- operation with the IMF,” Robert city’s central morgue, stood at will come out in coming days as it did not tally with its num- Júnior told Reuters: “Looking at replace veteran leader Jose Edu- hind Equatorial Guinea’s Teo- Besseling, analysts at Exx Af- 499 dead, 156 of them children. with defi nitive results required bers. the trend, the MPLA won’t have ardo dos Santos. doro Obiang Nguema, steps rica, said in a note yesterday. “It Vandy Rogers, a senior offi - by law to be released within two Paulo said the opposition al- a majority at all.” He will remain as head of the down after guiding Angola from is likely that Lourenço’s presi- cial with the country’s national weeks of the vote. ways complain about the vote Should the MPLA win, party, however, giving him po- Marxism to capitalism while dency will be marked initially by emergency services, said that There were 9mn Angolans outcome. Lourenço, a quiet 63-year-old tentially sweeping powers over embracing Chinese oil-for-in- continuity and moderate chang- the number of people who had registered to vote in a country Before the provisional results more used to army barracks and decision-making. frastructure investment. es in policy.” been “directly aff ected” by the disaster was around 6,000. On Tuesday, the authori- ties warned tourists and locals against swimming in Freetown’s waters after 60 bodies washed South African model challenges Trial of whistleblower site opens up. Baratay said soldiers, sup- ported by forensic experts from Grace Mugabe’s immunity Reuters both. They denied the charges. websites or social media sites Spain, would continue to search Dar es Salaam A police investigator said commits a criminal off ence. for those missing, “as most fam- William and Mubyazi had “in- Persons convicted of publi- ilies want bodies of their loved AFP munity allowing her to leave. to have reported to the police to tentionally and unlawfully con- cation of false information face ones (to) be evacuated and given Johannesburg Engels and AfriForum, a civil make a statement about the al- Tanzanian court began cealed the identities” of mem- a fi ne of at least 5mn shillings a dignifi ed burial”. rights group which helps vic- leged incident, but did not. hearing a case yesterday bers of the website who posted or less than three years in jail or The location of the mudslide tims of crime, fi led an injunc- Police Minister Fikile Mbal- Aagainst two co-founders false information against two both. would later be turned into a me- South African model tion asking the court to annul ula then said “a red alert” had of a whistleblower website who companies. More than 10 people, includ- morial, he said. who was allegedly at- the minister’s decision. been sent out to border police, are charged with obstructing The accused have denied al- ing university students and op- Atacked by Zimbabwe’s “The (foreign aff airs) minis- and “she is not somebody who justice by refusing to reveal the legations by offi cials that the position politicians, have been fi rst lady has fi led court papers ter misinterpreted the law. She has been running away”. identities of users who post site allows users to post fabri- charged in diff erent court cases Lion, hippo teeth challenging the government’s applied the wrong principles,” However, Mugabe fl ew out details of suspected corrupt of- cations and seditious content. over the past year for insulting decision to grant Grace Mugabe AfriForum lawyer Willie Spies of South Africa on a pre-dawn fi cials. The case was adjourned until the president via social net- seized diplomatic immunity, a lawyer told AFP. fl ight on a presidential jet on Prosecutors charged Micke September 20. working platforms. said yesterday. They are seeking an order Sunday. William and Maxence Melo The co-owners of the website The United States cancelled Senegal has seized hundreds The wife of President Rob- to set aside the minister Maite Hours later, the foreign min- Mubyazi, owners of the Jamii- also face related cybercrimes nearly $500mn of funding for of figurines and clusters of lion ert Mugabe allegedly attacked Nkoana-Mashabane’s decision istry announced that it had forums site, under the Cyber- charges in two other separate Tanzania last year partly to ex- and hippopotamus teeth as part 20-year-old model Gabriella “recognising the immunities granted her immunity. crimes Act. cases, including one accusing press its disapproval. of the biggest ivory haul in its Engels with an electrical exten- and privileges” of Grace Mu- On Wednesday, South Afri- Several people have been them of operating an unregis- Magufuli has won some history and arrested two men sion cord at a hotel in Johan- gabe, according to court docu- can lawmakers heckled Deputy charged under the law, which tered website. praise from Western donors for illegally selling the merchandise, nesburg where the couple’s two ments seen by AFP. President Cyril Ramaphosa as came into eff ect in 2015, and it is The Committee to Protect an anti-corruption drive and sources involved in the operation sons were staying. They also asking the court he answered a question in par- viewed by rights groups and the Journalists has said the govern- cutting wasteful public spend- said yesterday . The attack left Engels with to declare that the diplomatic liament on the debacle. opposition as part of eff orts by ment should investigate cor- ing, but opponents accuse him The Senegalese water and cuts on her head and forehead. immunity decision “does not He said the decision to grant President John Magufuli’s gov- ruption allegations instead of of undermining democracy by forestry department and police She has fi led an assault confer immunity from prosecu- her immunity was taken in line ernment to limit liberties such “pressurising a website to vio- curbing dissent and stifl ing free collaborated with WARA, a charge against the 52-year-old tion”. with “internationally-recog- as freedom of expression. late its users’ trust and privacy”. speech. non-governmental organisation, Grace Mugabe. A hearing into the case will nised immunity regulations” If convicted, William, 27, and Under the Cybercrimes law, He says his anti-graft drive in Tuesday’s operation at the South Africa’s foreign aff airs start on September 19, said and admitted it was “the fi rst Mubyazi, 40, could face a fi ne of any person who publishes has won the confi dence of de- Soumbedioune seaside market ministry said at the weekend Spies. time we have utilised this type up to 3mn shillings ($1,300) or a “false, deceptive, misleading velopment partners and inves- place which involved dozens of that it had granted Mugabe im- Grace Mugabe was supposed of convention”. jail term of at least one year, or or inaccurate” information on tors. agents, a Senegalese off icial said.

Suicide bombers kill two, injure 11 in northeast Nigeria

AFP Almost 70 Boko Haram militants surrender, says army However police then “went Kano wild” and fi red into the air to scare Almost 70 members of the terrorist group Boko Haram tation and deradicalisation”, the spokesman added. away potential attackers, with have surrendered in northeastern Nigeria. Boko Haram poses a steady threat to communities in the stray bullets hitting three people, wo people, including a po- The insurgents gave themselves up over the past three north-east of Nigeria and has also launched off ensives in one of whom died from head inju- lice offi cer, were killed on weeks after repeated air and artillery bombardments as neighbouring Chad, Niger and Cameroon. ries. TWednesday in a suicide well as ambushes conducted by soldiers, army spokes- The group’s goal is to enforce a strict interpretation of Boko Haram has recently bombing in the northeast Nigerian man Onyema Nwachukwu said in a statement yesterday. Islamic law, or sharia. stepped up suicide and gun attacks city of Maiduguri, the epicentre of “The relentless off ensive forced many of them to surren- Since 2009, tens of thousands of people have died at on “soft targets”, including schools, Boko Haram’s insurgency, police der to the troops,” said Nwachukwu. the hands of the Sunni fundamentalists in Nigeria, Chad, mosques, markets and motor parks and witnesses said. The captured insurgents were now “undergoing a rehabili- Cameroon and Niger. in Maiduguri area. Eleven others were injured in the The eight-year uprising to es- attack at Muna Garage on the out- tablish a hardline Islamic state in skirts of the city, which has been 1.45pm (1245 GMT), the police said. in the blast that badly damaged the uation of the victims, who said the Nigeria’s mainly-Muslim north repeatedly targeted by the Islam- A civilian was killed while seven armoured vehicle. police offi cer’s body and that of the has killed at least 20,000 people ists, police said in a statement. others and four SARS (special anti- “The driver of the police vehicle two bombers had been removed. and displaced 2.6mn, sparking a A male suicide bomber deto- robbery squad) personnel were in- was killed along with a civilian,” Suleiman said a suspect among dire humanitarian crisis in the re- nated explosives “strapped to his jured. said witness Idrissa Suleiman. the crowd that gathered at the gion. body” near a police armoured ve- Witnesses and a rescue worker His account was supported by a scene then attempted to snatch an The violence has also spilt into hicle on patrol in the area around said a police offi cer was also killed rescue worker involved in the evac- offi cer’s weapon but was shot dead. Niger, Chad and Cameroon. Gulf Times Friday, August 25, 2017 5 AMERICAS

Canadian senior minister quits

The Canadian cabinet minister in charge of defence procurement quit yesterday for personal reasons, leaving her successor to tackle a troubled-plagued eff ort Trump raps Republicans to acquire new fighter jets. Public Services and Procurement Minister Judy Foote tearfully told a news conference that she was leaving her post immediately, but gave no details. Foote, 65, who said in 2014 she was fighting breast cancer for the over debt ceiling ‘mess’ second time, had stepped down temporarily in April. Reuters Interior Dept won’t eliminate national monuments DRW Trading in Chicago. Her departure means Liberal Washington Trump has often expressed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau US Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke will not recommend eliminating any public frustration over the fact will need to find a replacement. national monuments, but will recommend changes to a “handful” of sites, Congress has not passed signifi - One obvious candidate would resident Donald Trump the Associated Press reported yesterday. cant legislation since he took of- be legislator Seamus O’Regan, picked a new fi ght yester- After a months-long review, Zinke is due to present a report to President fi ce in January. a close Trudeau friend who like Pday with fellow Republi- Donald Trump with his recommendations on whether 27 national monu- His renewed criticism of the Foote comes from the Atlantic cans whose support he needs to ments across the country created by presidents since 1996 should be Republican leaders came just province of Newfoundland and advance his policy agenda, say- reduced in size. a day after the White House Labrador. ing congressional leaders could In April, Trump ordered Zinke to carry out a review of the sites, arguing and McConnell issued separate Trudeau’s off ice did not have avoided a “mess” over rais- that previous administrations “abused” their right by creating massive statements saying that they were immediately respond to a request ing the US debt ceiling if they monuments under the Antiquities Act of 1906 and put millions of acres of continuing to work together for comment. had heeded his advice. land, mainly in western states, off limits to drilling, mining, logging, ranch- on shared priorities, seeking to Foote had overseen the In the latest in what have be- ing and other activities without adequate input from locals. counter news reports that their government’s protracted bid to come regular criticisms of party Conservation groups and the growing outdoor retail industry have relationship is disintegrating. replace its veteran fleet of fighter leaders, Trump sought to assign launched public campaigns over the last few weeks to urge Zinke to leave Trump also reiterated his crit- jets, which is currently in some blame if Congress fails to reach the monuments intact, and have vowed to challenge him in court. icism of McConnell yesterday disarray. agreement on raising the cap on over the Senate’s failure in July Last year she unveiled plans the amount the federal govern- to pass a bill to replace Demo- to buy 18 Boeing Corp Super ment may borrow, with a dead- ing for his long-promised wall A respected think tank said in cratic former president Barack Hornets as a stop-gap measure line to do so just weeks away. along the US-Mexican border. a report yesterday that the gov- Obama’s healthcare law. while Ottawa prepares an open Trump said he had advised His threat added a new ernment might not have enough “The only problem I have with competition for new jets. Senate Majority Leader Mitch Trump: The only problem I have with Mitch McConnell is that, after complication to Republicans’ money to pay all its bills on Oc- Mitch McConnell is that, after The government suspended McConnell and House of Repre- hearing Repeal & Replace for 7 years, he failed! That should NEVER months-long struggle to reach a tober 2 if Washington does not hearing Repeal & Replace for talks with Boeing in May over a sentatives Speaker Paul Ryan to have happened! budget deal, rattled markets and raise the debt cap. 7 years, he failed! That should challenge the US firm launched link passage of legislation rais- drew rebukes from some Repub- The Treasury not have enough NEVER have happened!” Trump against Canadian plane maker ing the debt ceiling to a measure noted that the Senate majority care, but the veterans bill passed licans. money on that day to make a said in a tweet. Bombardier. on veterans aff airs that he signed leader had said earlier this week, the House in late July and the Democrats, solidly opposed to roughly $80bn payment that McConnell off ered muted The government had opted for on August 12. in an appearance with Treasury Senate on August 1 without the funding the wall, have slammed will be due to a military retire- criticism of Trump yesterday, the Boeing jets despite being a “They ... didn’t do it so now Secretary Steven Mnuchin, that additional language attached. Trump over his comments. ment fund, according to the Bi- saying that he was “a little con- member of a consortium that we have a big deal with Dems the debt ceiling would be raised. The debt ceiling raise is one of On the debt ceiling, House partisan Policy Centre. cerned about some of the trade helped fund development of holding them up (as usual) on McConnell was “unequivo- the must-pass measures Con- Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi Yesterday investors were more rhetoric” by the president and Lockheed Martin Corp’s F-35 Debt Ceiling approval. Could cal” about it, said spokesman gress will take up when it returns said yesterday that with Re- broadly waiting for speeches by others. stealth fighter, which has been hit have been so easy-now a mess!” Don Stewart. on September 5 from recess. publicans controlling the White central bank governors at a con- “Trade is a winner for Amer- by repeated delays. he said in Twitter posts. He said McConnell also men- Congress also will have about House, the House and Senate, ference in Jackson Hole, Wyo- ica,” McConnell told a gathering The Treasury Department, tioned it again on Wednesday 12 working days from when it “the American people expect ming, for any new indications on of Kentucky farmers and law- already using “extraordinary in a statement the Senate leader returns to approve spending and deserve a plan from Repub- monetary policy. makers. “The assumption that One ticket scoops measures” to remain current on issued about his “shared goals” measures to keep the govern- licans to avert a catastrophic US stocks opened higher but every free-trade agreement is a its obligations, has said the debt with Trump. ment open. default and ensure the full faith then turned negative while US loser for America is largely un- $758.7mn jackpot ceiling must be raised by Sep- Ryan’s offi ce said only that the While the budget and debt cap and credit of the United States”. Treasury yields edged higher. true.” tember 29. issue might come up in a televi- are separate, they are likely to Both the spending and debt Yields on Treasury bills due in Trump has repeatedly con- The second largest jackpot in US If it is not, the government sion interview Ryan was due to become entangled, with Repub- ceiling bills could pass the Re- early October rose on concerns demned trade deals he believes history, $758.7mn, has been won would not be able to borrow give later. lican opponents of a debt ceiling publican-led House by a simple that debt payments could be de- are bad for the United States. by a single ticket bought in small more money or pay its bills, in- There were some media re- increase likely demanding fed- majority vote, but will need 60 layed if lawmakers fail to raise On Tuesday he cast doubt on town Massachusetts in an historic cluding payments on its debts, ports in mid-July that congres- eral spending cuts. votes to pass the Senate, where the debt ceiling in time. any deal emerging to improve individual bonanza, lottery which could hurt the US credit sional Republicans were consid- Trump threatened on Tuesday Republicans hold 52 of 100 seats, “There’s disjointedness be- the North America Free Trade off icials said yesterday. rating. ering tying a debt limit increase to shut down the government if meaning they will need some cause of the debt ceiling,” said Agreement (Nafta) with Mexico Wednesday’s winning numbers A spokesman for McConnell to funding for veterans medical Congress failed to secure fund- Democratic support. Lou Brien, a market strategist at and Canada. were 6, 7, 16, 23 and 26, drawn from five white balls, and 4 as the so-called Powerball number on a red ball in the multi-state lottery. Powerball said it was “the highest jackpot won on a single ticket Caracas and the biggest lottery prize ever Storm Harvey heading for Texas awarded to one single person”. Massachusetts lottery off icials blocks identified the winner as a 53-year- Reuters NHC forecaster Dennis Feltgen. old healthcare worker who lives San Antonio Most at risk from fl oods in Chicopee. are the Houston area and the Colombian The woman, Mavis Wanczyk, Coastal Bend, a region which appeared at an afternoon news he Texas Gulf Coast was includes Corpus Christi. conference to claim her prize. bracing for Tropical “We may be measuring rain- television TStorm Harvey to make fall in feet rather than inches,” landfall by today, bringing with he said. “This is a potentially 41 killed in two it powerful winds, torrential life threatening fl ooding situa- channel rains and the possibility that tion.” Brazil boat wrecks it could strengthen into a hur- Winds up to 75mph (120kph) ricane. and as much as 15” of rain Reuters The death toll from two separate Harvey was about 370 miles (38cm) were forecast, the Na- Caracas ferry wrecks in Brazil surged (595km) southeast of Port tional Weather Service (NWS) yesterday, with 41 people killed Mansfi eld, Texas, by early yes- said. overall, according to authorities. terday as it moved across the Harvey may strengthen into resident Nicolas Maduro’s The public safety department in Gulf of Mexico with maximum a hurricane by the time it makes socialist government has north-central Para state said 19 sustained winds of 45mph landfall near Corpus Christi, it Ppulled a Colombian televi- people were confirmed dead so (72kph), the US National Hur- said. sion channel from Venezuela’s far after a boat sank on the Xingu ricane Centre (NHC) said. Corpus Christi Mayor Joe airwaves, Caracol Television said river late on Tuesday. US benchmark gasoline pric- McComb said on Wednesday yesterday, slamming the move as That vessel, the Capitan Ribeiro, es hit a three-week high yester- that fl ooding was his biggest a crackdown on media. had 49 people on board, of day as the storm took aim at the concern. Maduro’s administration fre- whom 23 were rescued and centre of the country’s refi ning The city, which is a major oil quently blasts neighbouring Co- seven remained missing, the industry. refi ning centre, has not issued lombia for being part of what it department said in a statement. The storm has also forced any evacuation orders, he told describes as a global right-wing Separately, the navy said 22 energy companies including reporters at a news conference, conspiracy to bring down social- people died when a ferry Royal Dutch Shell, Anadarko but its emergency operations ism in oil-rich Venezuela. sank early yesterday off the Petroleum and Exxon Mobil to centre has been activated. The government didn’t have northeastern state of Bahia. evacuate staff from oil and gas “I hope people will listen an immediate comment on the That boat had 133 people on platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. to forecasters when they say matter. board, of which at least 21 had Hurricane, tropical storm ‘beware of fl ash fl oods,’” Mc- Tropical Storm Harvey is seen approaching the Texas Gulf Coast in this satellite image. Critics of Maduro say the been rescued, naval commander and storm surge watches were Comb said. “Flash fl oods can unpopular leader has morphed Flavio Almeida told AFP. in eff ect for counties along the come quickly, and they can be authorising the use of state residents as some businesses Texas A&M University-Cor- into a dictator who tries to sti- The vessel was running the short Gulf Coast. deadly.” resources to prepare for the boarded up windows, and resi- pus Christi issued a mandatory fl e coverage of the Opec coun- route from the island of Itaparica The biggest threat from Har- Texas Governor Greg Abbott storm. dents fl ocked to grocery stores evacuation to all students who try’s rampant infl ation, product across the bay to the city of vey is not its strong winds but declared a state of disaster on Coastal cities and coun- to stock up on supplies, local live on campus and cancelled shortages, violent crime, and its Salvador, capital of Bahia state. the heavy rain, according to Wednesday for 30 counties, ties distributed sandbags to media reported. events. crackdown on opposition politi- cians. “One more channel off the airwaves! Has that made crime go down? Is infl ation any lower? Is there more food? More medi- cine? Has any problem been Maduro critic says Venezuela now lawless solved? This is what (Maduro) takes care of, censuring the truth,” opposition leader Hen- AFP himself in a massive corruption President Mike Pence vowed Ortega, who fl ed to Colombia she had presented these sup- Venezuela has been suspend- rique Capriles said. Brasilia scheme uncovered at Brazil- Washington would not allow from Venezuela with her hus- posed proofs before the judicial ed indefi nitely from the Merco- Maduro, a 54-year-old former ian construction conglomerate “the collapse of Venezuela,” band German Ferrer last Friday, system,” said the chief prosecu- sur group. bus driver and foreign minis- Odebrecht. amid a political crisis triggered said she was still in danger. tor, Tarek William Saab, in Ca- A loyalist of late socialist ter, alleges he is fi ghting against enezuela’s fugitive “I have a lot of proof, con- by Maduro’s decision last month “I have received threats that racas. president Hugo Chavez, Or- well-fi nanced coup plotters with former top prosecutor cretely in the Odebrecht case, to set up a new constitutional there may be an attempt against Saab described Ortega’s state- tega broke ranks with his suc- links to the United States and Vhas resurfaced in Brazil, which implicates many high- body, in a move widely seen as a my life and I hold the Venezuelan ments as “libellous propaganda” cessor Maduro to become his hostile foreign media. claiming to possess “a lot” of ranking Venezuelans, starting power grab. government responsible if this and suggested there was a hid- most high-ranking critic within Earlier this year, Venezue- proof of President Nicolas Ma- with the president of the repub- “The collapse of Venezuela happens,” she said at the confer- den agenda behind her travelling the government as interna- lan telecoms regulator Cona- duro’s corruption and warning lic,” she said. will endanger all who call the ence, which she attended after in exile. tional pressure on the president tel suspended three television that her life remains in danger. “The rule of law has died” Western Hemisphere home,” fl ying to Brasilia from Panama. On Tuesday, Maduro said Or- mounted. channels, including CNN’s Days after a dramatic escape under Maduro, she said, sug- Pence said in remarks delivered Brazil’s prosecutor general tega and Ferrer had committed In July, Maduro set up a con- Spanish-language service, from from chaotic Venezuela, Luisa gesting the country has become on Wednesday before some 600 said in a statement that he had “serious crimes” and should be stituent assembly packed with Venezuela’s airwaves. Ortega, 59, turned up the heat on a criminal haven where evidence people at a Catholic church in personally invited Ortega, add- apprehended. his allies, which a few days later Authorities also took Colom- Maduro, who has asked Interpol in organised crime cases tends to Doral, the heart of Miami’s Ven- ing to the intrigue since she Ferrer is accused by Maduro’s removed Ortega from her post. bia’s NTN24 TV network off the to issue a “red notice” warrant “disappear.” ezuelan community. was fi red by Venezuela’s social- government of corruption and She has hit back since fl eeing, air in 2014 over its reporting of for the arrest of his critic. “There are many in Venezuela “We cannot and will not let ist president this month and extortion. using her growing international opposition protests that turned Ortega – speaking at a crime- who have an interest in stop- that happen,” he said, adding charged with misconduct. However, neighbouring Co- platform to accuse Maduro and violent, and blocked the Argen- fi ghting conference in the Bra- ping investigations of corrup- that “working with our allies in The prosecutor appointed by lombia and Brazil have come his close allies in the Odebrecht tine news site Infobae. zilian capital with representa- tion cases or cases related to the Latin American region, the Maduro to take Ortega’s place to Ortega’s defence and fi rmly scandal, which involved enor- Venezuela’s information min- tives from the Latin American drug traffi cking or terrorism,” US will confront and overcome dismissed her allegations, say- condemn Maduro’s handling of mous quantities of bribes paid istry and regulator Conatel did regional trading alliance Merco- she said. all who dare to threaten our ing “they have no legal validity”. political unrest and economic to politicians around the region not immediately respond to re- sur – said that Maduro enriched The move came as US Vice- well-being”. “They would have validity if collapse in his oil-rich country. and in Brazil to win contracts. quests for comment. Gulf Times 6 Friday, August 25, 2017 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

ETHNIC VIOLENCE ACCIDENT RECOVERY INTERNET FRAUD POLICY Elephant killed in crash Sea search for missing US Cambodia deports N Korea opens door on Malaysian highway warship sailors suspended 122 Chinese nationals to Russian tourists

A tour bus rammed into a 12-year-old bull An international search at sea for nine American Cambodia has deported 122 Chinese nationals North Korea has opened its doors to Russian elephant on a highway in Malaysia’s Perak state sailors still missing after their warship collided accused of participating in an Internet fraud tourists, issuing a licence for the first travel yesterday, accidentally killing the animal, state with a tanker off Singapore was suspended scheme, in which women in China were duped agency in Moscow to promise clients “full wire agency Bernama reported. According to yesterday. They said divers will continue into sending nude photographs of themselves. immersion” in the nation’s culture and the article, the 62-year-old-driver and the 32 “search and recovery” eff orts inside flooded The gang allegedly made contact with women enjoyment “safer than an evening walk in passengers were unhurt. The elephant was hit compartments of the USS John S McCain, online and built up a relationship over time, London”. NKOREAN.RU, a Russian company when it emerged on the road while the bus was which was left with a gaping hole in its hull convincing them to send pictures, only to licensed by North Korea’s government, off ers Former UN secretary general Kofi Annan descending a gradient and ran in front of it, after collision. “After more than 80 hours of blackmail them later. After raiding two guest organised tours for groups of up to 10 people or talks during a press conference about the according to police deputy chief Sohaimi Ishak in multinational search eff orts, the US Navy houses in Poipet, the authorities arrested about individuals “to show the travellers the multi- commission’s final report in Yangon yesterday. the report. “The driver could not stop the vehicle suspended search eff orts for missing USS John 200 Chinese nationals, including 32 women. The faceted life of this most closed of countries”. Myanmar must scrap restrictions on movement in time to avoid hitting the elephant. The animal S McCain sailors” in a massive area at sea, said subsequent arrests were made possible thanks to Guests to North Korea must necessarily be and citizenship for its Rohingya minority if it collapsed and then got up and walked to the a statement from the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet. a tip-off from the Chinese authorities. The Fresh “checked” before their trip and will always be wants to avoid fuelling extremism and bring grass on the road shoulder and died,” he said. In Remains already recovered from the destroyer News reported that the alleged fraudsters had accompanied by a guide who will monitor peace to Rakhine state, a commission led by July, a 2-year-old elephant was found lying dead were identified by the navy as Kenneth Aaron been deported back to China, following arrests in the “adequate behaviour of the tourist and former UN chief Kofi Annan said. on the side of a highway in Kuala Lumpur. Smith, but nine other sailors remain missing. Poipet earlier this month. guarantee his safety.” Typhoon Hato leaves 16 dead AFP “It’s like they were trying to Macau gamble with their luck,” Lao said adding that authorities had re- acted too slowly and did too little he death toll from Severe to alert residents of the coming Typhoon Hato rose to at storm. Tleast 16 yesterday after the Blacked-out slot machines storm left a trail of destruction were seen at the largely empty across southern China, black- Wynn Macau casino where there ing out Macau’s mega-casinos was no air conditioning and a and battering Hong Kong’s sky- musty atmosphere. scrapers. Eight died in the gam- However, a few dozen gam- bling hub of Macau, where im- blers ignored the heat and tried ages showed cars underwater and their luck at four baccarat tables. people swimming along streets. A staff member at the enclave’s The enclave’s famed mega- sprawling Venetian resort said its casinos were running on backup casino and shops were open, but generators. there was no air conditioning. A Macau’s leader made a pub- source had said on Wednesday lic apology after his government that the complex was running on came under fi re for its delayed back-up power. storm warning, while the head of But at the Grand Lisboa Hotel the weather bureau resigned. A in central Macau, an employee man was killed by a wall that was told AFP it was still without blown down, another fell from a electricity and water and that fourth-fl oor terrace and one was its casino and restaurants were hit by a truck. closed. The city’s gambling in- The Macau government said dustry generated over 220bn two bodies were found in a fl ood- patacas ($27.29bn) in revenue A vehicle is seen floating on the sea after Typhoon Hato hits Macau, China. ed car park early yesterday, and in 2016, over half of its annual that two more died when they GDP, as it hosted more than ogies to the residents,” he said, In Hong Kong, Hato — whose broadcaster CCTV reported, were trapped in the basement of 30mn visitors. adding that the city’s meteoro- name is Japanese for “pigeon” while around 27,000 were evacu- their shop. Details of the remain- Macau’s leader Fernando Chui logical bureau chief had resigned. — sparked the most severe Ty- ated to temporary shelters, the ing death were not immediately and other government minis- Debris was scattered on roads phoon 10 warning, only the third offi cial Xinhua news agency said. available. ters bowed their heads during a and a shipping container was time a storm of this power has Nearly 2mn households were Footage published on the web- minute’s silence at an evening washed up on its side in front of a pounded the fi nancial hub in briefl y without power. site of Apple Daily showed water press conference. temple after Wednesday’s storm. the past 20 years. The city could CCTV said four of the main- gushing into an underground “These two days, we have Streets were lined with trash have suff ered losses of HK$8bn land deaths had occurred in Zhu- car park, with people wading faced an extremely diffi cult test and shattered glass and residents ($1.02bn), Chinese University of hai, three in Zhongshan and one through neck-deep water littered together. Hato is the strong- holding plastic buckets queued Hong Kong economics professor in Jiangmen. with debris as one man shouted est typhoon in 53 years and has for water from fi re hydrants. Terence Chong told AFP, refer- Hato was downgraded to a in panic. It was not clear if it was brought tremendous damage to “We’ve been going without ring to the value of its daily GDP. tropical depression yesterday the same car park where the bod- Macau,” Chui told reporters. water and electricity for more More than 120 were injured as afternoon as it travelled further ies had been found. “In facing this disaster, we than 24 hours. It’s so hot,” May the city was lashed with hurri- into China. “I have never seen Macau like admit we have not done enough, Lee, in her 40s, who was in line cane winds and pounding rain. In Hong Kong and the surround- this since I came here in the 70s,” there is space for improvement. for water, told AFP, adding that the neighbouring southern Chi- ing region is regularly battered a taxi driver aged in his 50s who Here I represent the Macau gov- there was not even water for nese province of Guangdong, at by typhoons between July and gave his name as Lao told AFP. ernment in expressing our apol- fl ushing the toilet. least eight people have died, state October. A sea of polystyrene is pictured in Heng Fa Chuen in Hong Kong.

Calling it a night Uncertainty looms as citizenship hearing is delayed in Australia

Reuters meaning its future could rest on if his deputy, Barnaby Joyce, is Sydney the outcome of the citizenship disqualifi ed. Joyce, the leader crisis. Turnbull’s government of the rural-based Nationals, had asked for an expedited rul- the junior partner in the ruling citizenship crisis will ing on the eligibility of the law- coalition, has said he was a joint loom over the Austral- makers, but Australia’s High New Zealand citizen when he Aian government for at Court said it would not begin was elected last year. least another two months after the three-day hearing until Oc- If Joyce is disqualifi ed by the a court said yesterday it would tober 11. court over the citizenship rules, not begin hearings into the par- The delay means the crisis Turnbull would have to rely on liamentary eligibility of seven threatens to further erode sup- the support of the often frac- lawmakers until mid-October. port for Turnbull. The next na- tious independents in parlia- Australia’s parliament has tional election is not due until ment to have any hope of pass- been rocked by the revelation 2019 but political analysts say ing legislation. that the seven lawmakers, in- prolonged poor poll results Turnbull brushed away any cluding the deputy prime min- could encourage a leadership suggestions that the court ister and two other ministers in challenge. “Turnbull needs could deliver a ruling that the coalition government, are to urgently remove the doubt would doom his government. dual citizens, meaning they are around the credibility of his “We are very, very confi dent potentially ineligible to hold government, which has already that our members who have elected offi ce. caused him great harm,” said been caught up in this will be Prime Minister Malcolm Haydon Manning, a political held by the court to be eligi- Turnbull’s centre-right gov- science professor at Flinders ble to sit in the parliament and ernment holds just a one-seat University in South Australia. therefore eligible to be minis- A Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force soldier stands at Higashifuji training field after announcement of the cancellation of their night majority in parliament and The High Court ruling also ters,” Turnbull told reporters in training session in Gotemba, west of Tokyo, Japan. its popularity is sitting at six- threatens to create a parlia- the rural town of Albury, 555km month lows in opinion polls, mentary impasse for Turnbull south of Sydney. At Beijing book fair, publishers admit self-censorship

AFP opened on Wednesday. But some for overseas publishers. “We fre- in China. “So it is in publishers’ academic and educational mate- from another publication, the with meetings. Other publishers Beijing acknowledged their companies quently exercise self-censorship interest to not publish something rials we publish remain available Journal of Asian Studies. Cam- participating in the fair said the have already resorted to self-cen- to adapt to diff erent markets. that would anger authorities,” to researchers and educators in bridge University offi cials said uproar has created an atmosphere sorship to ensure that their books Every country has diff erent sets Lowe said. “You don’t mention this market”. they would discuss the censor- of anxiety about censorship. ust days after the world’s old- do not off end and are published of requirements about what they the three ‘Ts’: Tiananmen, Tibet In an about-face, the pub- ship issue with the importer at “Currently, we don’t have any est publisher briefl y caved in in China. CUP had given similar consider appropriate for educa- and Taiwan. But it’s usually fi ne to lisher announced on Monday the book fair, which runs until problems, but in the future, we Jto Chinese censorship de- arguments when it initially com- tion materials,” Phillips told AFP. discuss human rights issues gen- that it was restoring access to the Sunday, after expressing concern don’t know,” said Ding Yueting, mands, international publishing plied with a Chinese import agen- “But as authors, I think we also erally,” Lowe said. articles after international aca- about “the recent increase in re- a marketer for Wiley, an edu- houses are courting importers at cy’s demand to block articles from have a responsibility to fi nd ways The 300 articles that were demics criticised CUP for suc- quests of this nature”. cational publisher and research a Beijing book fair, with some ad- its China Quarterly journal, before to teach good citizenship and hu- temporarily removed from China cumbing to Chinese pressure and Rita Yan, a CUP co-ordinator service based in New Jersey. mitting they keep sensitive top- reversing course on Monday after man rights,” he said. John Lowe, Quarterly’s website in China in- launched a petition demanding at the publisher’s booth, told AFP A representative of a large ics off their pages. coming under fi re from the aca- managing director of Mosaic8, cluded texts on the 1989 Tianan- that it reverse course. that the censorship issue “wasn’t American publishing house, who The censorship controversy demic community. an Asian educational publishing men Square protests, the status But the US-based Association aff ecting our activities at the book requested anonymity because that hit Cambridge University Terry Phillips, business devel- specialist based in Tokyo, said the of Tibet, the self-ruled island of for Asian Studies revealed this fair.” Yan declined to comment she was not authorised to speak Press (CUP) sent a chill along the opment director of British-based authorities govern the distribu- Taiwan and the Chinese democ- week that CUP had received a re- further and said CUP’s manag- to the press, said: “We’re nervous stands staff ed by publishers from Innova Press, was candid about it tion of the International Standard racy movement. quest from China’s General Ad- ing director of academic publish- about whether there will be in- nearly 90 countries at the Beijing as he prepared to meet a Chinese Book Number (ISBN) that compa- CUP had said last Friday that ministration of Press and Pub- ing was unable to speak with the creased censorship requests from International Book Fair, which counterpart at the fair’s section nies need for their books to be sold it wanted “to ensure that other lications to remove 100 articles press because she was occupied Chinese agencies in the future.” Gulf Times Friday, August 25, 2017 7 BRITAIN/IRELAND

CAUSE UNKNOWN EXAMS TASTY FIND POLITICS Firefighters battle blaze at Teens caught up in summer Gigantic bee hive found as Trump visit ‘not a priority’ store in east London tragedies score top marks honey oozes through ceiling under Labour: Corbyn

The London Fire Brigade said yesterday that 15 The teenage sister of a British man killed in a A huge bee hive was removed from the loft of an Jeremy Corybn has said a state visit by Donald fire engines and 97 firefighters and off icers were militant attack in Manchester was yesterday 18th century house after the homeowners noticed Trump would not be “a priority” if Labour was tackling a huge blaze in a discount store in the awarded top marks in national exams she sat honey “oozing” through the ceiling. Hundreds in power, as he condemned his comments over east of the city. The whole of the first floor and just in the days after learning her brother had of bees were found in grade II-listed home in Charlottesville as “awful”. The Labour leader has roof of a Poundland discount store in Chingford died. Nik Hett’s brother Martyn was among the Leicestershire when the honey found its way into previously suggested that any presidential visit had been gutted by the fire, the London Fire 22 people killed in May when a suicide bomber light fittings and came through the ceiling in one should be postponed until after the US president Brigade said in a statement. It added that there blew himself up as crowds streamed out of the of the bathrooms, the London Evening Standard gives up his ban on entry to the US by nationals were no injuries. “Firefighters are working hard Manchester Arena following a pop concert by reports. The homeowners, who have chosen to of several Muslim-majority countries. But he has to contain the fire and stop it from spreading,” US singer Ariana Grande. Another teenager, remain anonymous, were shocked to find the stopped short of promising to tear up the royal Station Manager Danny Meakin said. “Crews 16-year-old Ines Alves, also achieved an A grade hive and quickly rang their insurers. It treated invitation extended by Prime Minister Theresa will be at the scene throughout the night in a paper she sat just hours after escaping a the damage caused by the sheer volume of May during her trip to the White House earlier damping down pockets of fire.” The London deadly fire in a London tower block. The pair honey in a similar way to a water claim. After the this year. Asked whether he would rule out a Firefighters battle a fire at a department store Evening Standard quoted police as saying an were among thousands of teenagers across the bees and honeycomb were safely removed, the Trump visit, Mr Corbyn told Sky News: “I don’t in Chingford, London. investigation had been launched. country to open the results from their GCSEs. ceiling and light fixtures were repaired. think a state visit is a priority.”

Zoo lures lions, penguins at annual weigh-in

ondon Zoo yesterday lured lions, pen- guins and other animals on to scales Land measuring frames at the launch of 100 ‘slaves’ an annual weigh-in of 20,000 captive crea- tures in some 700 species. The annual weigh-in allows zookeepers to record the animals’ weight and height and send the data to a global information system, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) said. turned back “With diff erent personalities and tem- peraments to take into account, zookeepers used ingenious tactics to entice the animals to stand up and be measured,” it said. The tactics included enticing hungry penguins to walk over scales as they lined up for their breakfast, and hanging the lions’ at Scottish morning feed high up to encourage them to stretch to their full height. “We have to know the vital statistics of every animal at the zoo — however big or small,” said Mark Habben, the zoo’s man- ager. “It helps us to ensure that every animal airport we look after is healthy, eating well, and growing at the rate it should — weight is a Reuters “Often these women have been forced into particularly important indicator of health, London this lifestyle against their will and they are A Humboldt penguin is weighed on scales during a photocall at London Zoo yesterday to promote and we can even detect pregnancies through exposed to violence and intimidation by the the zoo’s annual weigh-in event. a growing waistline,” Habben said. gangs who brought them here. They are pow- p to 100 people suspected of being traf- erless.” fi cked into Britain to work mainly in the British Prime Minister Theresa May prom- Usex industry have been refused entry ised in October to step up eff orts to eradicate at a Scottish airport in the past nine months, modern slavery, a crime aff ecting an estimat- authorities said yesterday, amid a nationwide ed 46mn people worldwide and generating crackdown on modern slavery. $150bn in illegal profi ts a year. Border Force North said its offi cers, who Britain passed the Modern Slavery Act in Small companies complain monitor Britain’s ports and airports, inter- 2015 to crack down on traffi ckers but the pros- viewed more than 300 people fl ying into Glas- ecutions are hard to secure, partly because gow, Scotland’s biggest city, in a bid to stop those involved are afraid to speak out. traffi cking gangs selling people into brothels. On Tuesday, police raided three Chinese More than 80% of the 300 people inter- restaurants and an address near Birmingham after HSBC accounts frozen viewed were Romanian, and less than 50 were in central England and discovered 20 men liv- male, Border Force said, with about 100 re- ing in “poor conditions” whom they suspected By Lawrence White, Reuters we will have done everything we him yesterday it would unblock his Calan Horsman, whose com- fused entry and sent back to their home coun- of being traffi cked. London can to contact the customer and account after Reuters’ inquiries. pany Loogun makes a hand-held try. A police spokesman said most of the victims get the information we need,” said Agustin Larocca, whose fi rm water gun for toilet cleaning, said Border Force said many victims did not were from Slovakia and Romania. Amanda Murphy, head of com- Bellmonte supplies luxury e-cig- he was left in default to suppliers, know they were going to be sold into prosti- A Slovakian man and woman were arrested n avocado importer, an mercial banking for HSBC UK. arettes, said his account was also with stock stuck in China and the tution, including an 18-year-old girl who had on suspicion of slavery off ences. e-cigarette seller and a Fourteen companies told Reu- unfrozen after being blocked for company unable to pay staff , after just left school, had no money and believed The National Crime Agency said in August Atoilet-cleaning gun maker ters in interviews they had lost nearly seven weeks because of the his account was frozen. she was going to work in a hotel in the Scottish that human traffi cking is on the rise across are among British companies that access to their accounts after an- Reuters’ inquiries. “My business ground to a halt. I capital, Edinburgh. Britain, casting doubt on an earlier estimate have had accounts closed or frozen swering questions from HSBC as A third company, MHL Con- had to unload a container of prod- “This is about safeguarding vulnerable that 13,000 victims of forced labour, sexual by HSBC in the last two months, part of a review of customers. sulting Engineers, said its account uct that was stuck in a port. We’ve young women, and men, who are being traf- exploitation and domestic servitude are hid- unintended casualties of a crack- The bank is trying to tighten had also been unblocked. lost a month in our production fi cked and exploited as well as protecting the den in Britain. down by the bank on illicit money checks on clients following a Anti-money laundering regula- timeline,” Horsman said. communities people are living in,” said Gordon The agency identifi ed victims from 109 fl ows. $1.9bn fi ne in 2012 for allowing tions prevent banks from inform- Like most of the other com- Summers, assistant director at the unit, part of countries last year, the majority from eastern Dozens of companies have been itself to be used to launder drug ing customers why their accounts panies aff ected, Martyn Fisher’s the interior ministry. Europe, Vietnam and Nigeria. aff ected, with some unable to pay money from Mexico. are being closed or suspended company Fisher Fabrics does busi- staff and suppliers, and others suf- More than 30 companies have where such activity is suspected. ness abroad. It supplies customers fering fi nancial losses they fear lodged complaints with HSBC In some cases, HSBC may be in Asia from suppliers in China and could force them to close. about their accounts being closed powerless to tell customers why South Korea. The number is a tiny percentage or frozen, according to sources they are suff ering. “I should be the ideal business of all business accounts at HSBC, with knowledge of the complaints The problems of many of the busi- post-Brexit. I do nothing within More EU citizens join ‘Brexodus’ but those aff ected are in the small and social media postings by the nesses interviewed by Reuters date the EU. I’m doing deals with all business sector which the govern- aff ected companies. back to September 2015, when they these countries that are supposed ment has said it wants to encour- David Johnston, whose com- received a questionnaire presented to be our trade partners after Brex- By Bill Smith, DPA emigration totalling 342,000, whom hailed from a group age and hopes will thrive after pany Interbrands (Europe) imports by the bank as a routine check. it,” he said after his company had London the Offi ce for National Statis- of newer EU member states Britain leaves the European Union. frozen avocados, said he received This followed HSBC’s launch of its account frozen. tics said yesterday. dubbed the “EU-8”: the HSBC told Reuters there may a letter on August 10 saying HSBC a programme called Safeguard af- Banks worldwide have in recent “More than half of the Czech Republic, Estonia, have been “an issue with how would freeze his foreign currency ter the 2012 fi ne to glean more in- years shut thousands of customer ritain said yesterday its change in net migration can Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, we’ve been communicating” and accounts on August 11, leaving him formation about customers. accounts as they seek to avoid estimated net immi- be accounted for by a de- Poland, Slovakia and Slov- that it would put right “any case unable to pay his Mexican suppli- HSBC, which has a £10bn fi nes from US authorities for abet- Bgration fell by 81,000 crease in net migration of EU enia. where we have done something ers and a shipment stranded. ($12.8bn) fund to support small ting money laundering and sanc- to 246,000 in the year ended citizens — down 51,000,” the The data appeared to con- wrong”. More than two weeks later, the businesses in Britain, started tak- tions-busting. March 31, driven mainly by ONS said. firm a trend of falling net It unfroze the accounts of at bank told him it had “no set time- ing action in earnest this year. More than 300 charities based fewer new arrivals and more The drop in net migra- migration from EU nations least three companies whose cases line” for resolving the problem and Some companies that had their in Britain have had their bank EU citizens leaving the coun- tion was driven by a fall in following Britain’s vote to were brought to the bank’s atten- that meanwhile he would be unable accounts closed in July or this accounts closed in the last two try. EU arrivals by 19,000 and leave the European Union tion by Reuters. to make overseas payments, ac- month said they had been under years after being caught up in the Estimated long-term im- by a rise in EU citizens leav- in last year’s Brexit referen- “Inhibiting an account is always cording to emails seen by Reuters. the impression they had provided crackdown, Reuters reported last migration was 588,000, with ing the country — 17,000 of dum. a last resort, so to get to that stage Johnston said HSBC had told all the information needed. month. Her Majesty’s police horses kick back in southern France

By Regine Lamothe, AFP Some of his other charges saw fi recrackers and other projectiles tuary also takes in retired hunters Brantome, France action during the May 2016 unrest lobbed at him. and other off casts. that erupted after a football game On one occasion, a demon- One of the youngest residents, between London side West Ham strator sought to spook him by fi ve-year-old Bella, was aban- fter years of pounding the and Manchester United at Upton shining a laser beam into his eyes. doned for failing to inherit her pavement in Britain, four- Park stadium in the city’s east. “Those horses have been palomino father’s gold coat. Alegged veterans of the Her Majesty’s police force em- through a very tough time in- With horses often living into country’s fi ght against crime are ploys dozens of horses, some of deed,” the greying former in- their late twenties, Bella can look hoofi ng it across the Channel to whom have become celebrities spector said, lovingly stroking forward to many years of basking kick back under the sun in south- on social media. the horse’s nose. in the sun. west France. But no provision is made for Lewis, a sensitive 15-year-old The stable’s longtime patri- The rolling green hills of the those that are no longer up to the with a broad white stripe bisect- arch, Walter, recently passed Dordogne region are home to 22 job, who risk being euthanised if ing his face, was badly trauma- away at 34, making him a cente- retired police horses, who are no one off ers them a home. tised by the violence of the urban narian in human terms. getting their second wind in a Phillips, a 60-year-old former riots of 2011. Keeping horses is a costly sanctuary run by former Scot- police inspector, grew up at a “He was too soft by nature to business and bringing them over land Yard offi cer Roland Phillips. sanctuary for retired and abused be a police horse. He lacked con- from Britain by ferry is a further For some of the retirees, the horses in southern England. fi dence,” said Phillips. drain on the pocket. sanctuary situated a few kilome- A year after joining thousands On his arrival in France, Lewis “It’s very tight. We just about tres from the town of Brantome is of British pensioners who have shied away from humans, spend- have enough to keep going,” said a place to recover from the riots made their home in Dordogne, he ing his days lying in the back of Phillips, who relies on volunteers that rocked England in 2011 after and his wife Alison began taking his stall. to help groom the animals and the shooting dead of a mixed- in equine retirees in 2010. Six years later he is one of the clean out the stables. race man by London police. His most recent acquisition stars of the stables and enjoys Donations, tours and events, In keeping with British polic- is Ranger, a nine-year-old with the pats lavished on him by the such as weddings, concerts and ing tradition, the offi cers used a chocolate brown coat and jet- hundreds of visitors who pass English-style afternoon teas help horses rather than tear gas or black mane who was put out to through each year. cover the costs. water cannon to disperse the pasture after the Upton Park riot. “We made him sociable again,” The sanctuary also runs a crowds. Ranger is suff ering from severe said his proud owner. scheme whereby horse lovers can Roland Phillips, a former Scotland Yard police off icer, takes care of a horse in the stall of the Brantome “The last line of defence is the arthritis, which Phillips believes While the police horses are the “adopt” a resident for between 15 Police Horses, a retirement home for horses of the British police, near Brantome, France. horse,” Phillips explained. was brought on early by having main attraction, Brantome sanc- and 20 euros ($18 and $24) a year. Gulf Times 8 Friday, August 25, 2017 EUROPE Dutch acted on ‘concrete’ info of planned attack

AFP city’s police chief, Frank Paauw, old man regarding the terror said to be popular with terror found a “couple of gas canisters” in the wrong place at the wrong were playing – part of a co-or- Rotterdam told AFP. threat on Wednesday evening in groups. in his van. time”. dinated terrorist attack on the Spain was rocked last week by Rotterdam”, Paauw said. Another man was arrested He was detained and trans- He was later released. city that night which claimed 130 twin vehicle attacks which killed Paauw confi rmed the individ- in Rotterdam late on Wednes- ferred to a police facility on “The man was freed earlier this lives. utch police stepped up 15 people and wounded 120. ual was in detention, “suspected day driving a van with Spanish Wednesday, police said, evening and is no longer a sus- “After what happened in Bar- yesterday a probe into a It remained unclear, though, of being involved in preparations licence plates and carrying gas “His house was searched and pect in the investigation,” Rot- celona, I think the police really Dsuspected plan to attack a whether the tipoff to the Dutch for a terror attack”. canisters close to the Maassilo no link with the terror threat was terdam police said in a statement. took the situation seriously and Rotterdam concert by an Ameri- was linked to the deadly Spanish Justice Minister Stefan Blok concert hall where the gig was found,” police said in an English In May, 22 people were killed didn’t want to take any risks in can rock band, after receiving a incidents and when the Spanish told BNR radio that the authori- due to take place. statement, adding he would be in a suicide bombing at a con- Rotterdam,” witness Usama Mo- “concrete” tip-off from Spanish learned of the threat. ties wanted to know why he had But there were strong doubts questioned after sobering up. cert by US singer Ariana Grande hamed told AFP. authorities. After cancelling a planned done something “so idiotic”. yesterday that he was in fact Spanish police ruled the man in the northern English city of Vehicles ploughed into pedes- “There was concrete informa- concert by the Californian band BNR radio added citing sourc- linked to the threat. out of the inquiry, saying he had Manchester. trians on Barcelona’s busy Las tion from the Spanish police that Allah-Las, police carried out es that the man had been arrested The driver was a mechanic who “gas canisters in his van for do- And in November 2015, 90 Ramblas boulevard on August 17. an attack would be committed a pre-dawn raid on a house in after “making threatening state- “appeared to be under the infl u- mestic use” but was drunk. people were killed in Paris at the A similar attack followed in the on that date, at this place and the southern region of Brabant, ments” over the popular messag- ence of an alcoholic substance”, Paauw agreed it seemed “the Bataclan concert hall where US seaside resort of Cambrils in the against this rock band,” the port where they arrested “a 22-year- ing service app called Telegram police said, adding offi cers had man had had the bad luck to be rock band Eagles of Death Metal early hours of August 18.

Clashes in Rome as police evict refugee squatters Police using water cannon and batons clashed yesterday with refugees who had occupied a Eight missing after huge small Rome square in defiance of an order to leave a building where they had been squatting. The clashes were the latest example of tensions in Italy as the country deals with an influx of migrants. They quickly became fodder landslide in Swiss Alps for political debate, particularly on the police handling of the AFP ing higher-altitude village, told incident. Bondo, Switzerland Swiss daily Blick. Refugees were screaming and She said she fi rst noticed trying to hit police, who were something was amiss when a dressed in riot gear, with sticks. ight people were still large fl ock of birds began fl ying The square, just one block missing yesterday after a nervously around the church from Rome’s main train station, Emassive landslide swept tower, and then an ear-deafen- was strewn with mattresses, away a mountainside in the ing bang that sent rocks pouring overturned rubbish bins and Swiss Alps, ripping apart build- down the mountain. broken plastic chairs. ings and forcing the evacuation “There were so many. It did Some 100 refugees had occupied of a village. not stop,” she said, adding that a Piazza Independenza since The landslide, which struck blanket of smoke and dust soon Saturday, when most of about on Wednesday, sent mud, rocks covered Bondo. “You could not 800 squatters were evicted from and dirt fl ooding down the Piz see anything for an hour. an adjacent off ice building they Cengalo mountain into the out- “But you could still hear had occupied for about five years. skirts of the village of Bondo, stones falling down. It smelled Most of the squatters were near the Italian border. of granite.” Eritreans who had been granted About 100 people were evacu- Mittner said a massive asylum. ated, some airlifted out by heli- search-and-rescue operation copters. was scouring a 5sq km area, in- Police confi rmed that eight volving some 120 emergency Azerbaijan arrests hikers, from Germany, Austria workers, helicopters and rescue and Switzerland had been in the dogs. news agency chief region of Val Bondasca where Police and residents said mo- the landslide occurred and were bile phone coverage in the area Azerbaijan has arrested the missing. was spotty, which might explain director of the country’s only There had fears about another why the missing had not been in independent news agency, Turan, six people who had been unac- touch. which is seen as a rare voice of counted for, but Graubunden The landslide set 4mn cu m dissent in the tightly-controlled police spokeswoman Chiarella of mud and debris in motion, its Caspian Sea nation. Piana later told AFP that they relentless moving mass stretch- This aerial video grab made yesterday partially shows the Swiss village of Bondo after a landslide struck the day before, sending mud, rocks Mehman Aliyev, “was detained on had been found safe on the Ital- ing 500m across, according to and dirt flooding down the Piz Cengalo mountain into the outskirts of the village, near the Italian border. tax evasion and abuse of off ice ian side of the border. the regional natural hazards of- charges”, his lawyer Fuad Agayev No children were believed to fi ce (AWN). confi rmed that a couple from the expect to be gone so long. was not the fi rst to hit Piz Cen- down the mountain at 9.30am told AFP. be among the missing, Andrea The event was so severe that country was missing, while Blick “People left immediately galo. (0730 GMT), police said. Last Friday, Aliyev, who also owns Mittner of the Graubunden po- the vibrations set off seismom- reported that four of those being leaving everything behind. They A large landslide in 2011, The last deadly landslide to the agency, said prosecutors had lice told a news conference. eters across Switzerland, which searched for were Germans. didn’t bring anything, because which according to Graubunden hit Switzerland was in Novem- frozen Turan’s bank accounts. Images showed an unstoppa- measured the equivalent of a Around 100 people had been they thought they would be re- police was about three times ber 2014, in the city of Davesco- He said the move was part of a ble mass of thick mud and sludge magnitude 3.0 earthquake, ac- evacuated from Bondo and sur- turning quickly,” she said. “No smaller than the latest one, Soragno, killing two people and criminal probe into an alleged moving down the mountainside cording to the Swiss Seismologi- rounding villages, as well as one expected this kind of catas- poured down the mountainside injuring four others. $22,000 (€19,000) in unpaid like lava, tearing up trees and cal Service. from Alpine cabins, amid fears trophe.” and landed in an uninhabited One of the worst such ac- taxes, a charge he said was false, demolishing at least one build- Police said 12 farm buildings, of fresh landslides. The evacuees were being valley. cidents in the wealthy Alpine adding that “Turan risks closure ing in its path and partially en- including barns and stables, had Simona Rauch, a Protes- housed in private homes and in Following that incident, an country in recent years hap- at any moment”. gulfi ng others. been destroyed, while Graubun- tant minister at a church in Val nearby hotels, including in the automatic debris alarm system pened in 2000, when 12 people Human Rights Watch has “It was terrible,” Elisa Nunzi, den’s main southern highway Bregaglia, a valley that groups village of Castasegna on the Ital- was installed. perished and four others were denounced the case as the “latest 27, who witnessed the landslide was closed to traffi c. several villages including Bondo, ian border. That alarm was set off when declared missing after fl oods in in a vicious crackdown on critical from her home in a neighbour- The Austrian foreign ministry told AFP that residents did not The landslide on Wednesday Wednesday’s landslide barrelled the southern canton of Valais. media” in energy-rich Azerbaijan.

Spain probe deepens as second suspect is released MPs grill ministers

AFP of Alcanar south of Barcelona, over egg scandal Madrid court documents said. They are ingredients of TATP – the explosive of choice of the AFP friendly Green-Left party. ne week on from the two Islamic State group, which has The Hague “Surely it’s not rocket science.” deadly vehicle rampages claimed its “soldiers” carried out Schippers and van Dam de- Oin Spain, a second sus- the attacks. fended the NVWA’s actions pect was granted conditional But an accidental blast at the utch MPs grilled two and denied that the scan- release yesterday as a probe into bomb factory in Alcanar on Au- ministers yesterday dal had happened because of the deadly attacks deepened. gust 16, the eve of the Barcelona Dover the tainted egg years-long budget cuts. Salh El Karib was allowed to go attack, forced the cell to alter its scandal that has swept Europe Dutch business was at the free, but required to report week- plans and turn to vehicles as kill- as the country sought to mend epicentre of a food scandal in ly to authorities, after the judge ing machines. its poultry industry’s battered 2013 when beef tainted with found that evidence against him Police said yesterday that reputation. horsemeat was sold across Eu- was not solid enough to keep him they had identifi ed the remains Lawmakers fi red ques- rope. under detention. of the last suspected member of tions at Health Minister Edith “It’s too easy to make judge- According to a court docu- the cell, Youssef Aalla, who was Schippers and deputy econo- ments before we’ve properly ment, credit cards in Karib’s killed at the blast in Alcanar. my minister Martijn van Dam investigated the matter,” Van name were used to buy plane The explosion also killed the at a special fi ve-hour session Dam said. tickets for another suspect in imam Satty, who is believed to of parliament’s economics The Dutch government an- custody, Driss Oukabir, and an have radicalised the young men commission. nounced on Wednesday the imam, Abdelbaki Es Satty. in the cell. Many lawmakers blamed the scandal had cost local farmers Satty, who is believed to have Surveillance video foot- country’s Food and Goods Au- at least €33mn ($39mn). been the mastermind of vehi- age of three of the young sus- thority watchdog (NVWA) for Van Dam said offi cials were cle attacks that killed 15 and pects showed them speaking to failing to prevent the problem hard at work trying to fi xing wounded more than 120, died in a shop’s checkout staff at the from developing into a scandal the Dutch poultry industry’s an explosion last week at the sus- People gather at a memorial where a van crashed into pedestrians, at Las Ramblas in Barcelona. counter – two of them looking that now extends across Eu- image, particularly in its main pected terrorists’ bomb-making relaxed, a third more tense – just rope, reaching as far as Hong export market, Germany. factory. scrutiny as investigators retrace Barcelona, life was slowly re- terfaith ceremony in memory of hours before the Cambrils attack. Kong. But D66 parliamentarian But an investigation found their movements to France and turning to normal at Las Ram- the victims. Karib was the second suspect Action should have been Steintje van Veldhoven said: that the shop he manages sells Belgium. blas. But the attacks have sparked granted conditional release. taken back in November 2016, “The best way to promote plane tickets as part of its regular The scale of the assaults being “We are now even better pro- a rise in Islamophobic incidents. Mohamed Aalla, 27, who owns when the NVWA received its Dutch products is fi rst to en- business, which means he did not prepared by the terrorist sus- tected, I see there is a lot of po- Madrid police told AFP a Mus- the car used in Cambrils, was fi rst tip-off that a banned in- sure that all our monitoring necessarily play a part in the ter- pects emerged during a prelimi- lice,” noted Gonario Sirca, an lim woman had been “verbally freed two days ago. secticide, fi pronil, was being systems are working as they are ror cell. nary court hearing on Tuesday, Italian tourist. and physically attacked by two But another two suspects, used to rid chicken farms of red supposed to.” Offi cers are also battling to when Mohamed Houli Chemlal, Jose Gomez, a fl orist who was or three people, who haven’t yet Chemlal and Oukabir, 28, were lice, they said. Millions of eggs have been root out a possible support net- 21, told the judge the group was present when the van careered been identifi ed”, though she was on Tuesday remanded in custody “If concrete action had been pulled from supermarket work for the men, accused of planning “an attack on an even down the boulevard, said “the only slightly hurt. and charged with terror-related taken at that point, the whole shelves and destroyed across ploughing vehicles into pedes- greater scale, targeting monu- hardest was the day after what In the southern city of Granada off ences. situation could have been Europe and dozens of poultry trians on Barcelona’s busy Las ments” using bombs. happened”. on Wednesday, 200 people ral- The four were the only surviv- prevented,” said Animal Party farms closed since the fi pronil Ramblas boulevard last Thurs- After Chemlal’s chilling ad- “It’s diffi cult to come back lied to protest the surge in anti- ing suspected members of the (PvvD) representative Esther contamination was made pub- day and a seaside promenade in mission, Barcelona authorities here. But I can say now that I feel Islamic hate crimes following terror cell, which Spanish police Ouwehand. lic on August 1. the resort town of Cambrils just said security was being boosted well,” he said. last week’s attacks. said they had dismantled after “Within a few weeks (of the Commonly used to get rid of hours later. at key tourist sites including the Barcelona’s mayor, Ada Co- At least 500 litres of acetone, gunning down the last man at tip-off ), it could have been de- fl eas, lice and ticks from ani- The international connections iconic Sagrada Familia church as lau, and the head of the regional large quantities of nails and det- large, the Barcelona van driver, termined that it (fi pronil) was mals, fi pronil is banned by the of the cell of mostly Moroccan well as at major events. government Carles Puigdemont onators as well as gas canisters Younes Abouyaaqoub, on Mon- being used on a wide scale,” EU from use in the food indus- nationals have also come under Seven days after the attack in were due to participate in an in- were found at a house in the town day. added Rik Grashoff of the eco- try. Gulf Times Friday, August 25, 2017 9 INDIA

CURRENCY NON-ALLIANCE POLITICS BAILED MOURNED Rs200 notes to be issued Mayawati rules out joining Mixed day for beleaguered Medha Patkar released Rishang Keishing buried today: RBI statement Lalu’s rally in Patna Kerala health minister from Madhya Pradesh jail amid tight security

The new Rs200 notes will be in circulation The Bahujan Samaj Party said yesterday it will Yesterday brought mixed news for Kerala Health Social activist and Narmada Bachao Andolan Former Manipur chief minister and Congress from today, the Reserve Bank of India not join the August 27 rally — Bhajpa Bhagao, Minister K K Shailaja, who is facing nepotism (NBA) leader Medha Patkar, who was granted bail leader Rishang Keishing, who died on Tuesday, (RBI) announced yesterday. The Rs200 Desh Bachao — in Patna, dealing a blow to charges. While she got a huge relief in court, in an abduction case on Wednesday, was released was buried yesterday within the compound of denomination banknote in the Mahatma Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad’s bid to with a division bench of the Kerala High Court yesterday evening, informed sources said. Patkar his home in Mantri Pukhri near Imphal amid tight Gandhi (New) series will bear the signature of stitch together a front of all opposition parties. deciding to expunge the remarks made by a was granted the bail by the Indore High Court in security. Family sources said the earlier plan was RBI Governor Urjit R Patel and will be initially The history of such experiments has not been single judge against her last week, the state Madhya Pradesh. She was in a Dhar jail for the to take the veteran leader’s body from Imphal to issued by select RBI offices and some banks. heartening, hence the party has decided not Lokayukta ordered a probe in the same case. last 16 days. Veteran lawyer Cleeson Rosario, Bungpa, his native village in Ukhrul district, today. It has the motif of the Sanchi Stupa on the to be part of the rally called by Lalu Prasad at Shailaja is under fire over the appointment of one who is also associated with the Narmada Bachao But the family received a letter yesterday morning reverse while its base colour is bright yellow. Gandhi Maidan in Patna, BSP chief Mayawati of her party members to the state Commission for Andolan, told IANS that the bail order could not from an armed group warning them not to take the The note has other designs and geometric told reporters in Lucknow. “In the past too, the Protection of Child Rights, while the candidature reach Dhar jail on Wednesday due to which Patkar body to Ukhrul. The family declined to name the patterns aligning with the overall colour BSP has entered into alliances with some parties of a qualified woman was overlooked. Following could not be released. The activist is fighting outfit. Accordingly, the burial date was advanced scheme, both at the obverse and reverse. The but our experience has not been too good, after the single judge observation that the minister had against the government’s ‘apathy’ towards the to yesterday. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, move is aimed at increasing the circulation of alliances the other parties have back-stabbed misused her off ice, the Congress-led opposition re-settlement of those displaced due to the opposition leader and former chief minister Okram smaller denomination notes. the BSP,” she said. has been up in arms in the state Assembly. Sardar Sarovar Dam project on Narmada river. Ibobi Singh and many others attended the burial. Top court says Waterworld! citizens have fundamental right to privacy

AFP “It is a big jolt for the government 2009, poses a threat to civil liberties, New Delhi because they argued that privacy is despite personal data being leaked in not a fundamental right,” he told re- security breaches. porters outside the court. In May Attorney General Mukul Ro- ndia’s Supreme Court yesterday Aadhaar was set up as a voluntary hatgi dismissed the idea that Indians Locals wade through flood waters in Malda in West Bengal. The death toll from floods sweeping South Asia has ruled that citizens have a constitu- scheme to streamline benefi t pay- could refuse to provide their iris scans climbed above 1,000, officials said yesterday as rescue teams try to reach millions stranded by the region’s worst Itional right to privacy, a landmark ments to millions of poor people and or fi ngerprints to the government, monsoon disaster in recent years. decision that could jeopardise a gov- reduce fraud. telling a court “the concept of abso- ernment programme holding biomet- But in recent years it has become lute right over one’s body was a myth”. ric data on over a billion people. compulsory for a growing number of But the government yesterday wel- Privacy is not explicitly mentioned services, including opening a bank ac- comed the court’s ruling, saying it had in the Indian constitution and the count and paying taxes. included “special safeguards with re- government has argued that the coun- Opponents say that its use for gard to privacy” in its Aadhaar legisla- try’s 1.25bn people have no absolute what are eff ectively essential services tion. GJM seeks dialogue TN speaker asks right to it. means their right to privacy is increas- “The government is of the clear But the top court said the right to ingly being violated. opinion that its legislations are com- privacy was enshrined in the consti- Technology law expert Mishi pliant with the tests laid down in the on Darjeeling crisis 19 MLAs why they tution, a ruling which civil liberties Choudhary called the ruling a “mile- judgement,” it said in a statement. campaigners hailed as a milestone. stone” in the global history of privacy Legal experts had said the case IANS “The right of privacy is a funda- rights. would be a test of Indian democracy, Kolkata can’t be disqualifi ed mental right,” the nine judges deciding “If I can stop smiling, then I’ll be with potentially far-reaching conse- the case said in a unanimous ruling. able to comment. The world’s largest quences if individuals were allowed “It is a right which protects the in- democracy has spoken,” said Choud- to challenge laws on the basis of indi- orkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) president Bi- IANS ner sphere of the individual from in- hary, legal director at the Software vidual rights. mal Gurung has written to West Bengal Chief Chennai terference from both State and non- Freedom Law Center in New York. In an article published by the Times GMinister Mamata Banerjee and requested her State actors and allows the individuals “People who said that this (Aad- of India last month, Choudhary and to “initiate political dialogue” to resolve the crisis in to make autonomous life choices.” haar) is the creation of a surveillance fellow legal expert Eben Moglen ar- Darjeeling, a party leader said yesterday. he factional war in the ruling AIADMK intensifi ed yes- The Supreme Court had set up a state, they are not engaging in hyper- gued that it would be one of the He also appealed to the state to “take appropriate terday with Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal special bench to rule on the issue after bole. world’s most important legal deci- measures” to bring normalcy to the region. Tissuing notice to 19 MLAs who had rebelled against a legal challenge to the government’s “I personally think the mission sions this year. “Our president has sent a letter to the chief minister Chief Minister K Palaniswami why they cannot be disquali- Aadhaar biometric programme, which creep of Aadhaar is very worrying. It “Societies far beyond India will be and appealed that state government must take appro- fi ed. The 19 are part of the faction led by the now jailed AI- has recorded the fi ngerprints and iris started with one particular thing, to watching to see what it decides,” they priate measures to address all the issues including the ADMK general secretary V K Sasikala and her nephew T T V scans of more than 1bn Indians. give an ID card to people below the wrote. “India will, as a result of the present crisis on a permanent basis and ensure that Dinakaran. Prashant Bhushan, one of the law- poverty line, and slowly it becomes Supreme Court’s judgement, take the normalcy returns to Darjeeling,” GJM leader Swaraj The notice comes soon after AIADMK’s chief whip S Ra- yers working on the Aadhaar chal- this hydra for everything...now I have lead among democracies in recognising Thapa said. jendran wrote to Dhanapal to disqualify the MLAs who have lenge, said the ruling was a blow to a digital leash around my neck.” and enforcing its citizens’ fundamental The Darjeeling hills have been on the boil for over rebelled against the chief minister following the merger of the the right-wing government of Prime The government has rejected sug- right to privacy, or fall in line behind two months with an indefi nite shutdown called by the party’s two main factions led by Palaniswami and former chief Minister Narendra Modi. gestions that the programme, set up in despotic societies in destroying it.” GJM continuing since June 12 to press for a separate minister O Panneerselvam. state of Gorkhaland. The speaker has asked the 19 legislators to reply within a He said that Gurung reminded that the Gorkhaland week. Territorial Administration (GTA) was only to be an in- Upset over the coming together of the two major factions of terim arrangement as per the tripartite MoU and the the AIADMK, the 19 legislators have submitted a memoran- party has not dropped its demand for Gorkhaland. dum to Governor C Vidyasagar Rao withdrawing their support ‘Guru in bling’ awaits rape trial verdict “We request your honour to initiate political dia- to the chief minister. logue on the long pending demand of the Gorkhas, Rajendran said that by withdrawing support to the chief which is Gorkhaland, to help resolve the present crisis minister, the dissenting MLAs had attracted the provision of By Bhuvan Bagga, AFP the “guru in bling” for his penchant into the allegations stretching back of Darjeeling,” Gurung said in the letter. the anti-defection law. Panchkula, Haryana for garish clothes and jewellery. to 2002, were blockaded, and three Banerjee had on Tuesday announced that the state The Dinakaran faction, whose MLAs are now holed up in Indian investigators allege Singh, stadiums set aside as makeshift government would hold talks with “all major political Puducherry, reacted sharply. the charismatic spiritual head of the prisons in case of trouble, officials parties” on August 29. A spokesman for the group said this was aimed at prevent- ens of thousands of support- Dera Sacha Sauda sect, molested two said. At the State Secretariat Nabanna, Banerjee, however ing more legislators from joining them. ers of a controversial Indian female worshippers, a charge he and The self-styled “godman” urged his yesterday denied having received any such letter from The move comes as the opposition parties have been de- Tguru marched yesterday on a his supporters deny. supporters against violence and said Gurung, but said GJM leader Binay Tamang would manding the chief minister to prove his majority in the assem- city where he is standing trial for rape, More than 100,000 of his support- he would personally appear in court participate in the meeting of all political parties. bly. alarming state authorities who redou- ers have thronged cities across Hary- today. Gurung has also demanded a Central Bureau of In- Another legislator wondered whether asking for change of bled security and suspended mobile ana and Punjab in a show of solidar- “I have always respected the law. vestigation or judicial inquiry into deaths caused due chief minister is a worse crime than voting against the govern- internet services. ity, prompting authorities to deploy Even though I have a backache, still, to police action, withdrawal of all the cases against ment during a confi dence vote — that was done by the Pan- A court at Panchkula in the north- 15,000 paramilitary offi cers and block abiding by law, I will go to court. I agitators and that those detained during the agitation neerselvam group. ern state of Haryana is expected to de- internet services. have full faith in God. Everyone should be released. The AIADMK had 134 members in the Assembly (excluding liver a verdict today in the case against Roads into Panchkula, where a maintain peace,” Singh posted yester- He also demanded compensation for the kin of those the Speaker) and this has fallen to 115 without the support of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, dubbed special court will issue a judgement day on Twitter. who have been “killed in police fi ring” and the injured. the Dinakaran faction. Kerala opposition protests arrest of Muslim evangelists

By Ashraf Padanna “You are trying to appease distributed the pamphlets in the section of 153 A for “promoting me while taking strict action After the opposition members prove it was not soft on the Sangh Thiruvananthapuram the extremists to please the RSS areas of RSS workers who bru- enmity between diff erent groups against minority leaders for mi- staged a walkout, the chief min- Parivar while dealing with issues (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, tally attacked them, the videos of on the grounds of religion, race, nor off ences.” ister repeated his argument that related to the Muslim community. the ideological mentor of Prime which are on the social media. place of birth, residence, language, Last week, he said, former one of the pamphlets was indeed “It proves mob attacks had he Congress-led Opposi- Minister Narendra Modi),” he He also said the RSS workers etc., and doing acts prejudicial to Indian Union Muslim League promoting enmity between reli- reached Kerala too. The interven- tion in the Kerala Assem- told Chief Minister Pinarayi Vi- attacked them, one by one, while maintenance of harmony.” (IUML) legislator C Moyinkutty gious groups and the police had tion of the state government in Tbly yesterday protested jayan. they were in police detention. He asked if Vijayan believed was booked, he said, for hoisting registered cases against 50 RSS such incidents in the recent past what they described as discrimi- Justifying the arrests, Vijay- “I come from this place. It’s the right to propagate one’s reli- the national fl ag on his party pole workers and arrested seven of too indicated that the government natory arrests of a Muslim group an read out some portions of a not an RSS dominant area. They gion as enshrined in the Consti- while the police let off Bhagvat them. was pleasing the Sangh,” he said. ‘spreading the message of peace’. pamphlet the group distributed, came from diff erent locations, tution was a crime. on a similar off ence. “Whoever indulges in such “The police actions in the The police had this week ar- which is critical of polytheism and the attack was well-planned. “You let off the assailants im- Countering the chief minis- provocative acts, we will deal Vadakkekara incident was like rested 40 volunteers of Wisdom and inviting people to monothe- But you jailed the victims instead mediately after booking them ter’s claim, IUML leader Dr MK with them sternly,” he said. justifying the mob attack. Ar- Global Islamic Mission in Paravur ism, to argue that the pamphlets of attackers,” the Congress leader on minor charges and put those Muneer quoted from the same The police say they arrested resting the victims of the attack near the port city of Kochi while were provocative. said. whom they had assaulted behind pamphlet which says the Mus- the Mujahid volunteers after and letting the attackers go free distributing pamphlets against “They were intended at pro- “Our Constitution guarantees bars. What justice is this,” asked lims should come forward to scrutinising the contents of the was an unheard of practice in extremist groups like Daesh and moting religious enmity among the right to preach one’s reli- former chief minister Oommen protect the places of worship of pamphlets seized from them. Kerala. The CPM’s anti-fascist criticising polytheism. people. gion. They preached what our Chandy, a senior Congress leader. other faiths like Hindu temples. They had allegedly distrib- and Sangh Parivar policy is not Leader of the Opposition You should not support such great nationalists like Mohamed Chennithala said the BJP- “There should not be dual jus- uted them at eight places in seen in practice.” Ramesh Chennithala alleged people,” he said.“I have asked the Abdurrahman, Vakkom Moulavi RSS leaders, including Mohan tice,” he said. and around Vadakkekara after “The Sangh Parivar’s attempt that the police were going soft on inspector general (of the region) and E Moidu Moulavi did as part Bhagwat, Sasikala Teacher and “Is our state also going on the splitting themselves into eight was to execute the mob lynching Hindu extremists while show- to look into it and submit a re- of the Mujahid reformist move- K Surendran, were moving freely path of the northern parts of In- groups. politics of north India in Kerala ing over enthusiasm in booking port.” ment.” after making extremely provoca- dia where mob-lynching has be- Meanwhile, IUML leader PK too. The only diff erence is that Muslims and cited a few inci- Local legislator VD Sathee- They were booked under the tive speeches “against the mi- come a rule. You shouldn’t have Kunhalikutty said the state gov- they have launched such attacks dents. san refuted his charges that they non-bailable Indian Penal Code norities but people like you and allowed this.” ernment had the responsibility to but killings may follow,” he added. Gulf Times 10 Friday, August 25, 2017 PAKISTAN US told to tackle Respect Pakistan’s security concerns, China tells US

Reuters ended confl ict in Afghanistan, “We must value Pakistan’s and Afghanistan and some groups militant havens signalling he would send more important role on the Afghani- China blames for violence in its far Beijing troops to America’s longest war stan issue, and respect Paki- western region of Xinjiang. and vowing “a fi ght to win”. stan’s sovereignty and reason- Foreign Minister Wang Yi met he United States must He insisted that others — the able security concerns,” Yang Pakistani Foreign Secretary Teh- value Pakistan’s role in Afghan government, Pakistan, told Tillerson. mina Janjua in Beijing on Tues- TAfghanistan and respect India and Nato allies — step up Pakistan has been battling day, according to a statement in Afghanistan its security concerns, China’s their own commitment to re- home-grown militants for years. yesterday. top diplomat Yang Jiechi told US solving the 16-year confl ict, but It sees Afghanistan as a vital He praised Pakistan’s eff orts what they say is a lack of re- strategic interest and a bulwark to combat extremism and to se- Reuters Pakistan threatens Secretary of State Rex Tillerson he saved his sharpest words for Islamabad spect by Washington for the in a phone call, according to Chi- Pakistan. against old rival, India. cure the China-Pakistan Eco- to end co-operation country’s sacrifices in the war nese state media. Yang, who outranks China’s Islamabad denies harbouring nomic Corridor, a development against militancy and its suc- China’s Foreign Ministry de- foreign minister, told Tillerson militants, who move across the initiative central to President Xi akistan yesterday re- Pakistan is learnt to have con- cesses against groups like Al fended its ally Pakistan earlier on Wednesday that China was porous border with Afghanistan. Jinping’s global Belt and Road sponded to Washington’s veyed to the United States that Qaeda, Islamic State or the Pa- this week after President Donald willing to co-ordinate with the China and Pakistan consider development plan. Paccusation that it shelters it will call off its eff orts in the kistani Taliban. Trump said the United States United States on Afghanistan each other “all-weather friends” “Given the current compli- the Afghan Taliban by saying Afghan reconciliation process Pakistan estimates there have could no longer be silent about and make joint eff orts to realise and have close diplomatic, eco- cated and changing interna- the US military itself is failing to if the Trump administration been 70,000 casualties in mili- militants using safe havens on peace and stability there and in nomic and security ties. tional and regional situation, the eliminate militant sanctuaries does not change its new policy tant attacks, including 17,000 Pakistani soil. the region, according to a Chi- Beijing has its own security con- strategic signifi cance of China- inside Afghanistan. of intimidation and coercion killed, since it joined the US “war On Monday, Trump commit- nese statement issued late that cerns in the region, in particular any Pakistan relations is even more The rare reaction came in a towards Islamabad. on terrorism” after the Sept.11, ted the United States to an open- night. links between militants in Pakistan prominent,” Wang said. policy statement issued by the It has been conveyed to the US 2001, attacks on the United offi ce of Prime Minister Shahid administration through diplo- States. Khaqan Abbasi after a meeting matic channels that Pakistan “We feel the American ad- of the civilian and military lead- will set its strategy for a peace- ministration led by Mr Trump ership. ful Afghanistan in view of its has been totally one sided, unfair Piety personified President Donald Trump has national security policy, to Pakistan and does not appre- accused Pakistan of harbouring sources told Daily Express. ciate and recognise Pakistan has “agents of chaos” and providing been a pivotal player,” Senator safe havens to militant groups Mushahid Hussain, chairman of waging an insurgency against a Pakistani soil. the senate defence committee, US-backed government in Ka- White House offi cials have told Reuters yesterday. bul. threatened cuts in aid and mili- Some analysts have suggested Islamabad, he said, must tary support, as well as other putting greater pressure on Pa- quickly change tack. measures to force nuclear- kistan risks driving Islamabad Pakistan, however, saw things armed Pakistan’s hand and bring deeper into the arms of China, diff erently. about an end to the 16-year-war. its northern neighbour which is “We would like to see eff ec- Pakistan’s Foreign Minister investing nearly $60bn in infra- tive and immediate US military Khawaja Asif said Washing- structure projects as part of its eff orts to eliminate sanctuaries ton should not use Pakistan as Belt and Road initiative. harbouring terrorists and mis- a “scapegoat” for its failures in China’s top diplomat, Yang creants on Afghan soil, including America’s longest running war. Jiechi, told US Secretary of State those responsible for fomenting Pakistan denies harbouring Rex Tillerson in a phone call the terror in Pakistan,” the Prime militants. United States must value Paki- Minister’s offi ce said in a state- The prime minister’s offi ce stan’s role in Afghanistan and ment, one of the strongest ever said Washington’s claims it had respect its security concerns, responses to Washington. paid billions of dollars in aid to according to Chinese state me- The Afghan war cannot be Pakistan were misleading. dia. fought in Pakistan, it said. Payments to Pakistan since The relationship between the The statement referred not 2001 accounted for only part of two countries has endured pe- only to the Afghan Taliban, but the cost of ground facilities and riods of extreme strain in recent also the loosely affi liated Pa- air corridors used by the US for years, especially after Al Qaeda kistani Taliban that Islamabad operations in Afghanistan, it leader Osama bin Laden was contends uses sanctuaries inside said. found and killed by US special Afghanistan to plan attacks on Pakistani officials bristle at forces in Pakistan in a 2011 raid. FM urged to cancel US trip

Internews continue to be part of the global Some senators suggested that Islamabad counter-terrorism eff orts. Pakistan revise it terms of en- Pakistan and the United States gagement with US and deny it A man reads a copy of the Holy Qur’an at a mosque in Rawalpindi yesterday. have been close allies in the fi ght the use of its airspace and land akistani lawmakers from against terrorism, which is a route. both sides of the aisle common threat to all nations of During the discussion, Sen- Pyesterday condemned the world. ate Chairman Raza Rabbani also US President Donald Trump’s “As a matter of policy, Paki- made some strong remarks. speech outlining his adminis- stan does not allow use of its ter- On one occasion, he said if US tration’s new Afghan strategy as ritory against any country. president wants Afghanistan to some senators suggested that Is- Instead of relying on the false become a graveyard of US troops, NAB gets records of Sharifs’ lamabad should revisit terms of narrative of safe havens, the US let him do so. engagement with Washington. needs to work with us to eradi- He said the government of Pa- Trump on Tuesday cleared the cate terrorism,” he said. kistan should cancel visit of the way for the deployment of more The minister said threat to new foreign minister to the US US troops to Afghanistan, while peace and security could not be after Trump’s speech. sugar mills, Dar’s fi rms pillorying Pakistan for off ering isolated from the complex in- PPP’s Farhatullah Babar said safe havens to ‘agents of chaos’. terplay of geopolitics, continued that President Trump was wrong The US president indicated existence of festering disputes in pointing the fi nger at Pakistan Internews ordered by the Supreme Court The Sharif family believes of the Punjab chapter of the Pa- that this single-minded ap- and pursuit of hegemonic poli- and rejected the US President’s Lahore on July 28, in the Panama Pa- that their appearance before kistan Sugar Mills Association, proach would extend to US rela- cies. arrogance. However, he added pers case verdict, against Dar the interrogators would not had earlier presented his state- tions with Pakistan. “We can no Non-resolution of the Kash- that Pakistan must also look in- for owning assets beyond his amount to much since the ment before the Joint Investi- longer be silent about Pakistan’s mir dispute remains the primary wardly whether time had not he Securities and Ex- known sources of income. court has already directed gation Team (JIT) constituted safe havens for terrorist organi- obstacle to peace and stability in come for abandoning the failed change Commission of The CIT had sought the per- NAB to file the references. by the SC while hearing the sations,” he said, warning that the region, he added. policy of selective treatment of TPakistan (SECP) handed sonal appearance of members Panama Papers case. vital aid could be cut. Dastagir said there is no ex- militant groups. over records of various compa- of the Sharif family but they did SECP Joint Director Ali The JIT had accused Kayani “We have been paying Paki- clusive military solution to the “Point 7 of the National Ac- nies owned by Finance Minister not turn up. Adnan handed over of laundering money for the stan billions and billions of dol- crisis in Afghanistan. tion Plan (NAP) says ‘defunct Ishaq Dar as well as the Chaud- The finance minister, the records of seven Sharif family through fi ctitious lars. At the same time they are The military action during outfi ts will not be allowed to op- hry Sugar Mills, owned by through his counsel, had in- companies owned by Dar bank accounts. housing the very terrorists that the last 17 years had not brought erate under other names’ but it former prime minister Nawaz formed the CIT that he would and his family members to He was also named a suspect we are fi ghting,” he claimed. peace to Afghanistan, and it is has not been acted upon. Worse Sharif’s family, to the National not join its proceedings till the a four-member Combined in the Hudaibya Paper Mills “That will have to change and not likely to do so in the future. still, instead of taking action re- Accountability Bureau (NAB) Supreme Court arrived at a Investigation Team case. that will change immediately.” Only an Afghan-led, Afghan- cently banned militant outfi ts yesterday. decision on his review petition The sources said the CIT had The upper house yesterday owned politically negotiated were allowed to reassemble and According to sources, SECP against the apex court’s July 28 The sources said that Adnan’s persuaded Adnan and Kayani to had a detailed debate on Trump’s solution can lead to sustainable launch themselves as a political Joint Director Ali Adnan hand- verdict. role in the proceedings pertain- become approvers against the speech. peace in Afghanistan. party”, he said. ed over the records of seven While Sharif, his daughter ing to the Chaudhry Sugar Mills Sharif family. Before the start of the discus- “Pakistan is committed to He said mere statements that companies owned by Dar and Maryam Nawaz and son-in- was of key importance as he had SECP Director Maheen Fa- sion, Defence Minister Khurrum working with the international there are no favourites among his family members to a four- law retired captain Mohamed been associated with the case tima is likely to appear before Dastagir in his opening state- community towards the com- militant groups are not enough member Combined Investiga- Safdar categorically refused from day one. the CIT. NAB is now left with ment said Pakistan had taken mon objective of defeating the unless backed by action on the tion Team (CIT), led by Lahore to appear before the CIT, A NAB offi cial privy to the almost two weeks to file the note of Trump’s statement out- forces of terrorism and to pro- ground. NAB Director General Saleem their counsel filed written investigation said Javed Kayani, references against Sharif, his lining elements of a new US mote peace and stability in the Blocking the UN move to im- Shahzad, at the Bureau’s Lahore replies to the CIT questions a close friend of the Sharif fam- children and Dar as the six- policy on Afghanistan and South South Asian region,” he said. pose sanctions against head of a offi ce. about the proceedings being ily, had also appeared before the week deadline set by the Su- Asia. However, the members termed banned militant outfi t does pose NAB’s current investigation in violation of the NAB Ordi- CIT. preme Court will end on Sep- “Pakistan has been and will the government’s stance weak. questions. is meant to lead to a reference nance 1999. Kayani, a former chairperson tember 8. Kulsoom Nawaz has lymphoma, confi rms daughter

Internews This correspondence had tests” suggest that her cancer is Nawaz Sharif’s residence near ment involves proper diagnostic Prayers for Kulsoom Nawaz’s health Islamabad learned from a source that Be- curable. Park Lane. tests including scans like CT/ gum Kulsoom Nawaz, former But the medical source told She was in high spirits during PET scan and confi rmation of President Mamnoon Hussain recovery of Kulsoom Nawaz. prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s this reporter that a lot will de- meetings with the doctors and the type with biopsy usually of and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Chief of Army Staff General aryam Nawaz has re- wife, has contracted “a kind of pend on “how well Kulsoom after learning that she is suff er- a gland. General Qamar Javed Bajwa Qamar Javed Bajwa telephoned vealed that her mother blood cancer” and she has been Nawaz reacts to chemotherapy”. ing from an early stage of cancer. Generally it is chemotherapy yesterday telephoned former Nawaz Sharif to express his MKulsoom Nawaz has referred to cancer specialists. He added: “It will be determined Mohamed Butt, Consultant fi rst and radiotherapy comes prime minister Muhammad prayers and best wishes for the been diagnosed with lymphoma, The source said that her treat- after her fi rst chemo.” Medical Oncologist at the Hull after the completion of chemo- Nawaz Sharif and inquired after health of his wife. a cancer of the lymph nodes on ment includes chemotherapy. Yesterday, cancer counsellors and East Yorkshire NHS trust, therapy if needed. his wife Kulsoom Nawaz. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) the left side of her neck. He said that further tests and were to meet Kulsoom Nawaz to said that common perception “Sometime we off er some PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Chairman Imran Khan took to “Her treatment begins imme- investigation is to be carried out brief her about the nature of her about blood cancer is Leukaemia kind of maintenance treatments Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Twitter and prayed that the diately,” said Maryam on Twitter “for devising the treatment, its illness, their treatment plan and and Myeloma but Lymphomas with biological agents as well on Sharif and Aseefa Bhutto also former first lady wins the battle yesterday. intensity and frequency of the what will it involve. are also part of the spectrum longer term basis”, he said. prayed for swift recovery of against cancer. “I wish her the Maryam informed further that chemo”. When asked about the It has been reliably learnt that covering blood cancer as they Dr Butt said treatment de- Begum Kulsoom Nawaz. best as she fights this disease doctors are hopeful that the dis- nature of the cancer, the source her treatment will start early originate from lymphatic system pends upon the type, grade, The president expressed his best and pray she wins her battle ease is curable since it has been informed that doctors had told next week at a clinic situated closely linked with blood. stage and how extensive the wishes and prayed for speedy against cancer.” diagnosed at an early stage. Kulsoom Nawaz that her “initial in the neighbourhood of Hasan He said the pathway for treat- spared is. Gulf Times Friday, August 25, 2017 11 PHILIPPINES President says former Customs boss is clean

Manila Times “Tell that to the marines, Mr Makati Faeldon, but not to this insti- tution,” Lacson said. In his speech, Lacson cited resident Rodrigo Duterte Customs records showing that has cleared resigned Cus- on July 1, 2016, Faeldon hired Ptoms commissioner Ni- the services of Gerardo Gam- canor Faeldon of any liability bala, Milo Maestrecampo, over the entry of P6.4bn in il- lawyer Mandy Therese Ander- legal drugs from China in May. son and Henry Anthony Torres The President nonetheless as technical assistants, each replaced Faeldon, a former receiving monthly compensa- Marine captain, with Philip- tion of P40,000 to P50,000. pine Drug Enforcement Agen- Rates Lacson said a “stand- cy (PDEA) Director General ard tara” or payoff ranged from Isidro Lapena. a low of P19,000 to a high of “Faeldon has insisted that he P45,000, given to Customs of- Members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and government police wading through a flooded farm on their way to the frontline in Datu Salibo town, Maguindanao [should] be separated [from the fi cials in the Central Offi ce for province, in southern island of Mindanao. Bureau of Customs]. He does each container. not want to add more trouble On top of the standard tara in my administration. But I am paid to the Customs Central telling you, he’s clean,” Duterte Offi ce, offi cials and employ- said in remarks before the Phil- ees at the Manila International ippine Air Force Dragon Boat Container Port (MICP) col- Team Tuesday night at the Pal- lected payola in the amount of ace. P14,700 to P23,700 for 40-foot “He (Faeldon) told me that containers. The total payoff for Duterte visits Marawi he would just leave to save me each container thus ranged trouble,” Duterte added. from P33,700 to P68,700. The P6.4bn worth of drugs Offi cials at the Port of Ma- was shipped by Hongfei Philip- nila imposed diff erent rates, pines from Guangdong, China ranging from P15,700 to to EMT Trading. After bypass- P26,700 per container. Thus ing Customs, the shipment the total payola ranged from after troops advance was stored in a warehouse in P34,700 to P71,700. Paso de Blas, Valenzuela City The president has now been to the before Philippine authorities The tara system involved main battle area three times were tipped by their Chinese multimillion peso bribes counterparts of the contra- given weekly to several DPA band, leading to the seizure of customs offi cials and Manila the illegal drugs last May 26. employees The Faeldon-led Customs bureau was accused by law- “For a 20-footer con- hilippine President Rodrigo Duterte makers and even the PDEA of tainer, an additional P12,200 yesterday visited the southern city bungling the raid because they to P20,700 tara for the Cus- Pof Marawi, hours after troops gained violated the Dangerous Drugs toms offi cials and employees control of a main mosque occupied by Is- Law, which mandates PDEA in the MICP is added to their lamic State-allied militants for more than to take charge of all dangerous standard ‘payola,’ or a pay- three months. drugs. ola amounting to P31,200 to Duterte was dressed in combat uniform Also on Wednesday, Sena- P65,700,” Lacson said. and wore a bullet-proof vest and helmet tor Panfi lo Lacson claimed in The rate was slightly higher when he visited the main battle area in a privilege speech that Faeldon at the Port of Manila, which Marawi City, 800km south of Manila, for received P100mn as “welcome ranged from P32,200 to a high the third time since the fi ghting broke out gift” when he assumed the post of P68,700. on May 23. of Customs commissioner. “From this, the share of each “He congratulated the troops for their Talking about rampant cor- offi ce or person within the bu- progress because we gained control of ruption in Customs, Lacson reau can range from a low of the Islamic centre,” said Colonel Romeo said that instead of cleansing P200 to a high of P15,000 per Brawner, a deputy commander of the mili- the bureau by eliminating what container. Believe it or not, of- tary’s task force in Marawi. has been corrupting the agency fi cials from the top offi ces of Brawner said soldiers gained control of – the “tara” system of whole- the bureau down to those who the mosque yesterday after a fi refi ght with sale bribery – Faeldon allowed monitor the gates and X-ray the militants, which injured three soldiers. himself to be swallowed by the have their share in the tara,” “The militants retreated when they system. Lacson said. were about to be enveloped by the troops,” The tara system involved Paraphrasing William Shake- he said. “They withdrew but left IEDs (im- multimillion peso bribes given speare, the senator said: “Hell is provised explosive devices) and our troops weekly to several Customs of- empty and all the devils are at are currently clearing them.” fi cials and employees. the Bureau of Customs.” The siege in Marawi began after troops According to the senator, Faeldon on Wednesday de- attempted to arrest a local leader of the Is- “loud whispers” in the four nied he was a recipient of the lamic State terrorist movement, prompt- corners of the Customs com- tara scheme. “I have not asked ing the militants to launch attacks in the President Rodrigo Duterte poses with his signature fist bump with Australian Secret Intelligence Service Director General Nicolas pound told of a P100mn wel- anybody to collect tara for me municipality. Peter Warner who paid a courtesy call on the president in Manila yesterday. come gift to the newly installed nor have I accepted any tara The confl ict has left more than 770 peo- commissioner last year. from anybody. Again, I have ple dead, including nearly 130 soldiers and The president’s clenched pose was used ings,” Bishop told reporters in the city of gunfi ghts with drug suspects who had re- But the amount, he said, did not done any form of corrup- at least 562 militants. throughout his 2016 presidential cam- Perth. sisted arrests. not go to the commissioner tion in my many years of gov- The terrorists have also executed 45 ci- paign during which he promised to use Amnesty International said Australia The PNP says some 2,000 more people entirely because a quarter, or ernment service nor tolerated vilians, while nearly half a million people deadly force to wipe out crime and drugs. must do more to try to curtail the fi rebrand were killed in other, drug-related violence P25mn, was retained as fi nd- those who tried even in the have been displaced.. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop Philippine leader. that it denies involvement in. er’s fee by a middleman, which form of request. No is no,” he Australia yesterday defended its most said Warner was complying with a request “Australia is sending mixed messages Human rights advocates, however, say Lacson identifi ed as Joel Teves. said in a statement. senior intelligence chief after he was pic- from Duterte and the image did not weak- amid an incredible spike in killings of the the death toll could be far higher than po- Faeldon, during a previous “The country will appreciate tured posing with a clenched fi st alongside en Canberra’s criticism of Duterte’s war on Philippines poorest people,” said Michael lice say. hearing of the Senate Blue Rib- if a third-party investigation Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, an drugs. Hayworth, a human rights campaigner at Philippine presidential spokesman Er- bon Committee on the P6.4bn by a competent body will be image rights groups said undermines crit- Duterte’s ferocious 14-month-old war Amnesty International. nesto Abella said the clenched-fi st photo drug shipment from China, conducted so that justice will icism of Duterte’s war on drugs. on drugs has seen thousands of Filipinos “Australia must condemn in the strong- refl ected the friendly nature of the meet- admitted he was aware of the be served. Director-General of the Australian Se- killed, many in what critics say are suspi- est terms the killings by Philippines police ing and the warm relationship between the so-called tara system even be- Just like the Honorable cret Intelligence Service Nick Warner met cious circumstances. of people without trial.” two countries. fore assuming offi ce, but was Senator Lacson and the Fili- Duterte in Manila on Tuesday, where he “On both occasions that I’ve met with Since Duterte took offi ce, more than “It was done in a light-hearted manner,” helplessly alone in eradicating pino people, I want the truth to was photographed mirroring Duterte’s President Duterte I’ve raised the issue of 3,500 people have been killed in what the Abella told reporters. “It wasn’t meant to corruption. come out,” said Faeldon. clenched fi st pose. human rights and the extrajudicial kill- Philippine National Police (PNP) says were be in any way political.”

Drug war hearing Lacson: Only aid to son was with photocopier

Manila Times cement importation, was just paying $8 per allegation because his main concern was to Makati metric tonne, when the correct rate should be address the issue and answer the allegations $16 to $20 per metric tonne. head on. “First, I have nothing to do with my son’s On claims that Lacson made the expose anfi lo Lacson maintained yesterday business activities; second there is no smug- about BOC payola in an attempt to cover up that he was not involved in the business gling of cement as it is not subject to customs his own son’s smuggling operation, the sena- Ptransactions of his son and the only as- tariff and duties but only subject to VAT,” tor said he would not reveal the shenanigans sistance he has given was to show him how to Lacson said. in the BOC, if his son was really cheating on operate a photocopier. Even Faeldon’s fi gure on the per metric ton taxes. Lacson issued the statement in response of freight was also too high because, accord- “The logical thing for me to do is not to to the allegation of former Customs Com- ing to Lacson, a friend, who was into export of make the expose and just keep quite,” he add- missioner Nicanor Faeldon that the senator’s nickel to China, told him that freight cost for ed. son, Panfi lo Pampi Lacson Jr., was allegedly export was only $8 to $9 per ton and export Lacson also dismissed as a “big lie” Fael- involved in big-time smuggling. was more expensive. don’s claim that Lacson Jr, delivered money The senator said the only time that he The senator also pointed out that if his son to his offi ce because, according to the sena- helped his son in his business was when he was really involved in smuggling, Faeldon tor, his son told him that he never met the ex- needed a “Xerox machine” because his son should have fi led the proper charges against Customs commissioner. didn’t have one. Lacson Jr. “He has not done so at anytime, he has not Faeldon, who was accused on Wednes- “For the record I have always reminded met Faeldon. He has absolutely no reason to day by Lacson of accepting “payola” at my son to be on the level in whatever busi- bribe Faeldon or the Customs Bureau. That’s the Bureau of Customs (BOC), including a ness dealings he would have because if not, a big big lie,” Lacson added. P100mn “welcome gift”, said the senator’s I’ll be the fi rst one to castigate him and even Senate President Aquilino Pimentel 3rd and Lorenza Delos Santos, 43, mother of 17-year-old high school student Kian delos Santos who was son was engaged in smuggling by under- initiate fi ling of charges against him,” Lacson Minority Leader Franklin Drilon expressed killed in a recent police raid, is comforted by a member of the Volunteers Against Crimes and valuing shipments. said. doubts on Faeldon’s claims which were made Corruption (VACC) during a hearing at the Senate headquarters in Pasay city, metro Manila. He claimed Panfi lo Jr, the managing di- The senator added that he didn’t care about a day after Lacson delivered a privilege speech rector of the company Bonjorno involved in the motive of Faeldon in coming up with the exposing the corruption at the BOC. Gulf Times 12 Friday, August 25, 2017 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL/MALDIVES

MPs hurl eggs as Teej festival Male crisis drags on

AFP shap labelled yesterday’s Male, Maldives events “disturbing and un- fortunate”. “I call upon the government awmakers belonging to of Maldives to ensure that the rival parties hurled eggs majlis (parliament) function Lacross the Maldives par- freely in accordance with Mal- liament yesterday in chaotic divian law and parliamentary scenes described by a top US procedure,” Keshap said in a envoy as “disturbing” as a pro- statement. tracted political crisis in the It is not the fi rst time the honeymoon islands worsened. US, among other nations, have The disturbance came as the urged the Maldives to safe- speaker — a close ally of Presi- guard democracy amid a crack- dent Abdulla Yameen — who is down by Yameen on his politi- fi ghting impeachment issued cal opponents, most of whom directives from behind a ring of are in exile or jail. plain-clothes troops inside the A coalition led by former chamber. president Mohamed Nash- Parliament has been in tur- eed wants to defeat Yameen at moil since March when troops elections next year and sees the were deployed to remove op- impeachment of the Speaker as position MPs trying to fi le a fi rst step to taking control of impeachment proceedings parliament to ensure free and against the speaker. fair polls next year. The government has since The fi rst attempt to impeach changed parliamentary rules the speaker in March triggered to ward off the impeachment chaos when troops acting on and sacked MPs from Yameen’s Yameen’s orders stormed par- own party who sided with the liament and removed dissent- opposition to remove his ally ing opponents by force. from the speaker’s chair. Nasheed became the Mal- The egg-throwing incident dives’ fi rst democratically- comes less than a month after elected president in 2008, Maldivian troops blockaded but was narrowly defeated by People watch as women sing and dance during the Teej festival in Kathmandu, Nepal. parliament and fi red tear gas Yameen in a controversial 2013 during clashes with opposition election run-off . leaders. In 2015, he was sentenced to Months of political upheaval 13 years in prison on terrorism in the Maldives has dented its charges that were widely seen image as a tourist paradise. as politically motivated. He US ambassador Atul Ke- now lives in exile in Britain. Flooding ‘has ruined World-heritage forest pirate free: police farms in Bangladesh’ AFP fi shermen and were engaged Dhaka in wildlife poaching in the The flooding of farmlands has Widespread fl oods in recent day, as rescue teams try to reach management offi cial. Floods in Assam — the second Sundarbans.” The battalion compromised food supply weeks have killed more than millions stranded by the region’s “We still have nearly 11mn wave to hit the state in less than had spent more than a decade according to the UN 1,000 people and displaced more worst monsoon disaster in recent people aff ected in 19 districts of four months — have wrought angladesh police de- cracking down on criminal- than a million in India, Nepal years. the state,” he told AFP, adding widespread destruction, killing clared yesterday that ity in the dense mangrove for- Agencies and Bangladesh, with aid work- Thousands of soldiers and nearly 450,000 fl ood evacuees 71 people and forcing animals in Brampant piracy in the est, with 117 pirates killed and Dhaka ers predicting severe food short- emergency personnel have been had taken shelter in government a local wildlife sanctuary to seek Sundarbans was a thing of the nearly 400 arrested in sweeps ages and water-borne diseases deployed across India, Bangla- refuges. higher ground. past, crediting a gun buyback since 2004. But the buyback as rains continue to lash the af- desh and Nepal, where authori- In neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, One Bengal tiger and 15 rare scheme for reducing crime and scheme, introduced in May s food aid rolls out to more fected areas. ties say a total of 1,013 bodies fl oods have swamped nearly half one-horned rhinos were found tiger poaching in the vast man- 2016, has proved more eff ective than 200,000 people in Many families in temporary have been recovered since Au- the vast state of 220mn, India’s dead and conservationists feared grove forest. in tackling crime in the Unesco Afl ood-hit Bangladesh, shelters in northwest Bangladesh gust 10 when intense rainfall most populous. there could be further loss of life Police said more than 130 pi- world heritage site. the United Nations has said that are unable to return home and risk started falling. Disaster management agency as poachers sought to capitalise rates operating in the forested Nearly 250 guns and 12,500 long-term food supplies were at hunger and poverty, WFP said. All three countries suff er fre- spokesman T P Gupta said 86 on the exodus. delta region had surrendered rounds of ammunition had risk with so much farmland now Seasonal monsoon rains, a quent fl ooding during the mon- people had died and more than In the low-lying state of West their weapons and ammuni- been handed over in exchange ruined. lifeline for farmers across South soon rains, but the Red Cross 2mn were aff ected by the disaster Bengal, where 152 people have tion in exchange for cash, legal for legal assistance, cash, mo- Flooding, which submerged Asia, typically cause loss of life has termed the latest disaster the there. The state borders Nepal, died, hundreds of thousands aid and mobile phones since bile phones, winter clothing more than a third of the low- and property every year between worst in decades in some parts of where 146 people have died and have escaped submerged villages the programme began just over and gifts to mark the Islamic lying and densely populated July and September, but offi cials South Asia. 80,000 homes destroyed in what by boats and makeshift rafts to a year ago. festival of Eid, Bhuiyan said. country in the last two weeks, say this year’s fl ooding is the It says entire communities the United Nations is calling the reach government aid stations. The scheme had virtu- The pirates are not granted has killed at least 132 people and worst in several years. have been cut off and many are worst fl ooding in 15 years. Across the border in Bangla- ally eradicated the lawlessness amnesty for their off enc- aff ected more than 7.5mn peo- Crops on more than 10,000 short of food and clean water. Nepal’s home ministry warned desh, water levels were slowly once rife in the world’s larg- es but are viewed favour- ple, disaster ministry offi cials in hectares of land have been “It has been a diffi cult year,” the death toll could rise as relief returning to normal in the main est mangrove forest, a natural ably for turning themselves Bangladesh said on Wednesday. washed away while another said Anil Shekhawat, spokesman teams reach more remote parts of Brahmaputra and Ganges rivers. habitat for endangered Bengal in. Home Minister Asaduz- “Many fl ood survivors have 600,000 hectares of farms have for India’s national disaster re- the impoverished country. Every year hundreds die in tigers, said a spokesman for the zaman Khan awarded each lost everything: their homes, been damaged, the disaster min- sponse force. In India’s northwest, land- landslides and fl oods during the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) of the surrendered pirates their possessions, their crops,” istry said. “In the last few months there slides caused by heavy rain have monsoon season that hits India’s police unit. $2,000 at a ceremony in the the UN World Food Programme’s WFP is giving 100,000 elderly have been fl oods in western, claimed 54 lives, the vast major- southern tip in early June and “Most of the areas in Sun- coastal town of Bagerhat on (WFP) Bangladesh country di- and disabled people and house- eastern and northern parts of the ity in one huge avalanche of mud sweeps across the South Asia re- darbans are now pirate-free,” Wednesday, the RAB said. rector, Christa Rader, said in a holds without men 4,000 taka country,” Shekhawat told AFP. that swept two buses off a moun- gion for four months. Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan told Conservationists said the sur- statement. ($49) a month for three months Twenty-six bodies were found tainside. Last year nearly 1,500 people AFP. render of so many pirates rep- “People need food right now, to buy necessities like food. Wednesday in Bihar, a hard-hit The situation was slowly easing died and half a million homes “So far 132 pirates-turned- resented a small victory for and the full impact on longer- The death toll from fl oods state in India’s east, taking the in West Bengal and Assam, two were destroyed in fl oods across poachers from 12 groups have Bengal tigers, prize targets for term food security threatens to sweeping South Asia has climbed death toll there to 367, said Ani- states in India’s east and north- the country, according to India’s surrendered. They abducted poachers. be devastating.” above 1,000, offi cials said yester- rudh Kumar, a top state disaster east where 223 people have died. home ministry.

No-faith motion University drops against Rajitha Propeller foundry dress code after handed over Bangladesh detains backlash A no-confidence motion signed A women’s dormitory at by 39 Joint Opposition (JO) 13 teachers Bangladesh’s most prestigious MPs against Health Minister university said yesterday and Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha it has dropped a ban on Senaratne has been handed AFP plant in Bashkhali in March students wearing what it called over to the speaker, MP Udaya Dhaka 2016. “indecent” clothing after an Gammanpila said yesterday. The protests, one of the uproar. The motion which was signed largest over environment in A notice posted at Dhaka by MPs including JO Leader angladeshi teachers the country’s history, left at University’s Kobi Sufiya Kamal Dinesh Gunawardane, Vasudeva were charged with se- least four people dead and Hall barred its 2,300 residents Nanayakkara and Dullas Bdition yesterday over a dozens injured, triggering a from wearing such clothes Alahapperuma charged the high school exam paper that police crackdown in the town. including T-shirts, threatening minister had failed to fulfil his allegedly equated the leader The charges relate to al- disciplinary action against duties as the health minister, of mass protests against a legations that the test paper anyone who disobeyed. had solicited bribes during his Chinese-backed coal plant drew a link between Ali and A photo of the order went tenure as the fisheries minister with the country’s revered in- Rahman, who led the country viral on social media, with and influenced and threatened dependence hero. to independence from Paki- many accusing authorities of the judiciary and the attorney They were remanded stan in 1971. “Talibanising” the dormitory. general’s department. in custody by a court in Bangladesh does not have “Do we have to change our The joint opposition alleged the southeastern town of lese majeste laws but the gov- clothing every time we go to though a number of bribery Bashkhali on charges of de- ernment of Prime Minister the dining room for lunch or complaints had been made faming the nation’s founding Sheikh Hasina has used defa- dinner?” said one student at the against the minister, no action leader Sheikh Mujibur Rah- mation laws to targeted those dormitory, who asked not to be had been taken so far. man, who is the father of the perceived to have criticised or named. “This shows opportunities to current premier, according mocked Hasina or her father “I am not sure whether I should implement justice had been to prosecutor Bikash Ranjan in local press or social media. study or keep changing clothes obstructed. Also, the public Dhar. Last month a government three times a day.” opinion is as such that he is guilty If found guilty the teach- bureaucrat was briefl y de- Dhaka University is Muslim- for these allegations because he ers face a maximum life im- tained after a ruling party majority Bangladesh’s largest is evading investigations,” it said. prisonment, he said. “What member accused him of secular bastion. It said the minister had created they wrote in the test paper is printing an invitation let- The head of the dormitory said chaos in Sri Lanka’s medical tantamount to sedition,” the ter with an allegedly poorly- she had not issued the order, education by sacrificing it to the prosecutor said. drawn portrait of Rahman. which did not reflect its policies. business community, misusing The teachers are members The charges against the “We are very embarrassed public funds to takeover the of a local high school associa- young bureaucrat were with- seeing the distorted notice,” Neville Fernando Teaching tion, whose examination pa- drawn following a social Sabita Rezwana Rahman told Hospital and failing to gazette per praised opposition offi cial media uproar after it was re- AFP. minimum standards for medical Liakat Ali, who led thousands vealed that the drawing was She said a new notice had been education which were set by Workers melt iron in a furnace, to make propeller for a passenger ferry, at a dockyard in Dhaka, of villagers against the con- sketched by a primary school put up saying only that students the Sri Lanka Medical Council. – Bangladesh yesterday. struction of a giant Chinese- student in a tribute to Rah- should wear appropriate dress Courtesy dailymirror.lk fi nanced coal-fi red power man. to enter the dormitory off ice. Gulf Times Friday, August 25, 2017 13 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH The call of Prophet Ibrahim hen Ibrahim (‘alaihis salaam) completed the structure of the Ka’aba, WAllah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) commanded him to call the people to Haj. Ibrahim (‘alaihis salaam) pleaded, “O Allah! How shall my voice reach all of those people?” Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) told him that his duty was only to give the call and it was up to Allah to make it reach the people. Ibrahim (‘alaihis salaam) then climbed Mount Arafat and called out in his loudest voice, “O People! Verily Allah has prescribed upon you Haj, so perform Haj.” Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) revealed in the Qur’an: “And proclaim the Haj among mankind. They will come to thee on foot and (mounted) on every camel, lean on account of journeys through deep and distant mountain highways.” (Surah Al-Hajj, Ayat 28). To this very day millions upon millions of Muslims continue to answer the call of Prophet Ibrahim (‘alaihis salaam). ‘Amr ibn Al-’Aas narrates, “When Islam entered my heart, I went to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and said, ‘Give me your hand so that I may pledge allegiance to you.’ The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) spread his hand, but I withdrew mine. He said, ‘What is wrong ‘Amr?’ I said, ‘I want to make a condition.’ ‘And what is that?’ he said. I said, ‘That Allah will forgive me.’ Then the Messenger of Allah said, ‘Did you not know that Islam wipes out what came before it, and that Hijrah wipes out what came before it and that Haj wipes out what came before it!” (Sahih Muslim). Haj is the fi fth pillar of Islam. Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) made it compulsory upon every able Muslim male and female to perform it, at least once in a lifetime. Allah revealed: “Haj thereto is a duty mankind owes to Allah, those who can aff ord the journey, but if any deny faith, Allah Haj is the greatest jihad. and praying to Allah (Subhanahu wa the people of Heaven (angels) saying: of Paradise and forgiveness of sin wa sallam) and the companions, he stands not in need of any of His Aishah (radiallahu ‘anha) asked the ta’ala). To his right all he could see ‘Look to my servants who have for those who perform Haj? Does it told him, “Quiet! Don’t you know creatures” (Surah Ali-Imran, Ayat Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), was Muslims crying and praying to come to Me dishevelled and dusty.’” mean that after Haj we fall back into whom Allah accepts from? Verily 97). Performance of the Haj washes “We fi nd that jihad is the best deed, Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala). Because Abdullah ibn Al-Mubaarak narrates: all the disobedience that we went to Allah only accepts from the God- away all sins. Abu Hurairah narrates: shouldn’t we (women) do jihad?” The of his native tongue, he could not I went to Sufyaan ibn al-Uyaynah Haj with? Does it mean that we are Fearing (Al-Muttaqoon).” When Ali I heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi Prophet replied, “Rather the best imitate the lengthy prayers of the as the day of Arafat was setting. He promised Jannah no matter what sin ibn Al-Husayn (radiallahu ‘anhuma) wa sallam) say, “Whoever performs jihad is a Haj Mabroor!” Aishah later others. At this realisation everything sat on his knees, his hands raised to we do after Haj? wore his Ihram towels and sat upright Haj and does not commit any Rafath said, “I’ll never cease performing Haj blurred in front of him. His face the Heavens, and tears moistened Many people think this to be on his camel in preparation for the (obscenity) or Fusooq (transgression), after I heard that from Rasul Allah” reddened, his eyes poured tears as he his cheeks and beard. He turned the case and it is a very dangerous journey to Makkah, his face changed he returns (free from sin) as the day his (Agreed Upon). raised his hands, “O Allah! Grant me and looked at me, so I asked him, presumption. You will fi nd in many of colour, his skin shivered and he cried, mother bore him” (Sahih Bukhari). The dua of the one in Haj shall be everything that they are asking for! “Amongst the people who have the Hadith regarding the virtue of Haj unable to say the Talbiyyah, Labbayk Haj is one of the greatest deeds one accepted. Grant me everything that they are gathered here for Haj, who is in the the term Haj Mabroor. Do you know Allahumma Labbayk. Someone can accomplish in his or her lifetime. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa asking for!” And Allah (Subhanahu wa worst state?” Sufyaan ibn al-Uyaynah what Mabroor means? It means an asked him, “What’s wrong?” And he Abu Hurairah narrates: The Prophet sallam) said, “The soldier in the path ta’ala) accepted his dua. said, “He who thinks that Allah will accepted Haj. A Mabroor Haj is one in replied, “I’m afraid that when I say (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) was of Allah and the one who performs Haj There is not a single day that the not forgive him.” which Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) is it, it shall be replied, ‘Laa Labbayka asked, “What deed is the best?” and the one who performs ‘Umrah, sun has come up on more beloved to Aishah (radiallahu ‘anha) would not disobeyed during or after. Others wa Laa Sa’dayk’ (May you never He said, “Iman in Allah and His all are the delegation of Allah! He Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) than the see the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi have said that a Haj Mabroor is one have come and may you not have Messenger.” “Then what?” “Jihad called them and they answered. And Day of Arafat. wa sallam) standing in prayer at night that is accepted, and the sign of it’s happiness).” in the sake of Allah.” “Then what?” they asked Him, and He shall grant The Prophet (sallallaah ‘alaihi wa so much so that his feet would crack. acceptance is that a person will go With that spirit, let us march “Haj Mabroor, a Haj accepted by Allah them (what they ask for)!” (Authentic, sallam) said, “There is no day on She would ask him, “Why do you do back in a better state than when he forward in the search of the Mercy of (Subhanahu wa ta’ala).” Abu Sha’thaa’ narrated by Ibn Majah and Ibn which Allah frees more of His slaves this when Allah has forgiven all your came, and that he will discontinue the Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) and His said, “I contemplated the good deeds Hibban). from Fire than the Day of Arafat, and sins, the past and anything you may sins that were between him and Allah forgiveness, to the fi rst house of Allah that a person does. I found that salaat In the Islamic history books it was He verily draws near, then boasts of do in the future?” And he would reply, (Subhanahu wa ta’ala). (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) on earth, to as well as fasting are a jihad of the narrated that on the day of Arafat, them before the angles, saying: ‘What “Shouldn’t I be a thankful slave?” When Ibn Umar was on his Haj. body. And that sadaqa is a jihad of a man from Turkmenistan stood on do they seek?’” (Sahih Muslim). With this example of the Prophet deathbed and his son reminded him The Prophet (sallallaah ‘alaihi wa someone’s wealth. But Haj is a jihad of the plains of Arafat in Haj. To his left And in another hadith: “Verily Allah (sallallaah ‘alaihi wa sallam), what of all the good deeds that he did sallam) said, “And there is no reward both body and wealth.” all he could see was Muslims crying boasts of the people of Arafat before should our attitude be when we hear with the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi for an accepted Haj...except Jannah!” Haj contemplations . This is a journey that was taken is called fi gurative interpretation of grant you the greatest reward of Allah) provide them with fruits so that and not his grave. When you reach the 3. Sincerely repent for all of his sins. by Prophets and Messengers His Attributes) the meanings of Allah’s seeing His Majestic Face on the Day of they may give thanks. – Qur’an 14:37 mosque and you pray upon entering 4. Acquire knowledge about Haj and before you. Those who take the Attributes and Actions? Resurrection. This thankfulness is not Men and fruits came to Makkah from then you may go to the grave and say, its rites. path of the Prophets magnify And invoke not any other ilaah (god) just in saying “alhamdu-lillaah,” but many places. Ibraaheem returned to “As-salaama ‘alayka ayyuhan-nabiyy.” 5. Use halaal (lawful) means to 1 The same salaam is also mentioned the tawheed of Allah and His House. along with Allah, la ilaaha ilaa huwa also by obeying Allah while on Haj and visit and later to share with his son support this great journey, taking what There are those, however, who come (none has the right to be worshipped for the rest of your life. Ismaa’eel the noble task of raising the when you pass by Abu Bakr and ‘Umar he will require (ie not begging while on to perform Haj and their hearts are but He), Everything will perish save 7. You start your tawaaf knowing foundations of the Ka’aba. without innovations like: Haj to meet his needs). attached to other than Allah. They His Face, His is the Decision, and to that it is a great time for magnifying 9. The standing on ‘Arafaat is the a. Visiting the grave of the Prophet 6. Record all of his debts and include invoke the dead and the righteous, Him (all) shall be returned. – Qur’an Allah the Exalted. Remember Him by Haj. The crowds should remind you before praying in the mosque. them in his Islamic Will. whether present or absent. This is 28:88 His Names, Attributes and Actions. of the Day of Resurrection. Humble b. Making du’aa facing the grave. 7. Relieve himself from any kind of the opposite of tawheed, it is shirk 3. Know, may Allah’s Mercy upon Also while in tawaaf try to refl ect upon yourself to Allah, manifest your c. Seeking nearness to Allah by injustice which he may have infl icted no matter what they call it because you, that when you reach the meeqaat the time when Prophet Muhammad ‘uboodiyyah to Him Alone through means of the Prophet. This is a upon others. it is setting up rivals besides Allah. there is another meeqaat that is still (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) was du’aa, sincere intention and strong prohibited form of tawassul. 8. Secure the needs of his family So, free your intention from any to come. It is the meeqaat (appointed prevented from doing the same thing determination to free yourself from d. Seeking intercession from the members whom he leaves home. kind of devotion to other than Allah. meeting) on the Day of Resurrection: you are doing today. Then think about the sins of the past and to build up a Prophet. 9. Accompany the knowledgeable Repent and come with a sincere heart Say (O Muhammad): (Yes) verily, what he did in clearing out the site commitment to rush for doing what e. Placing the hands upon the and righteous Muslims and stay away submitting to Allah remembering what those of old, and those of later times. from the symbols signifying worship is good. Think of becoming a better grills around the room containing the from the mubtadi’ah (innovators in Ibraaheem and his son Ismaa’eel said All will surely be gathered together for to other than Allah! All idols were person when you return. Rid yourself Prophet’s grave to seek blessings, etc. deen). when they were raising the foundations an appointed Meeting of a known Day. demolished. Busy yourself with du’aa. of false pride and showing off because Remember the Prophet’s sayings: 10. Perform salaat on time and as of Allah’s House, the Ka’aba. – Qur’an 56:49-50 Ask Allah, the Most Great to make you it may ruin what you may gain on this “Do not make my grave an ‘eed (place prescribed during the journey and in “O our Rabb! Accept from us and 4. When you start saying the hold to the correct belief and Path of day. of celebration)... the Haj period. make us submit to You in Islam and talbiyah remember the Command of the salaf and make you die on it. Ask 10. You gathered the pebbles and “May Allah’s curse be on the Jews 11. Safeguard his tongue from show us our manaasik (all the rite of Allah to Prophet Ibraaheem: Allah to save you from all forms of you are about to embark on stoning the and Christians for taking the graves of backbiting, arguing, complaining, etc. Haj) and accept our repentance.” – And proclaim to mankind the Haj. shirk and bid’ah. jamaraat. This is an act of obedience their Prophets as places of worship.” 12. Keep his beard and not shave it Qur’an 2:128 They will come to you on foot and on 8. While in sa’yi, contemplate on and remembrance of Allah, Most “Those before you took the graves of for Haj or for any other reason, as this 2. You are set to depart and you every lean camel, they will come from Haajar, the mother of Ismaa’eel, when Magnifi cent. The Prophet (sallallaahu their Prophets as places of worship. Do is prohibited. may or may not return to your home. deep and distant (wide) mountain she asked her husband Ibraaheem: ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “When you cast not take graves as places of worship for 13. Remember that it is unlawful for Make this journey to Allah’s House highways (to perform Haj). – Qur’an “Did Allah order you to do this the small pebbles (ie at the jamaraat), verily I forbid you to do so.” men to wear gold (rings included). as Allah wants it. Think of the next 22:27 (leaving her and her baby Ismaa’eel it will be a light for you on the Day of 13. The Haj journey is not meant Note: The position of the scholars journey that is surely coming, the one The talbiyah you make is in response in Makkah)? He said: “Yes.” Her great Resurrection.” to gain any material reward. It is a regarding visiting the grave sites by that leads to the meeting of Allah, to Prophet Ibraaheem’s proclamation response was: “Then He (Allah) will 11. When performing the sacrifi ce selfl ess sacrifi ce solely for Allah, Most women can be summarised as follows: Most High. This raises questions like: to visit Allah’s house of worship. Allah not neglect us!” Think about this great remember that saying of Allah, the Majestic. It demands true love and a. Disliked but not unlawful What did I prepare for that Day? Am I is Most Great. dependence upon Allah when you are Most High: fear of Him. It should be performed b. Allowable, if done infrequently. following Allah’s Commands? Am I a 5. Upon entering Makkah remember in the sa’yi walking the same path It is neither their meat nor their with full consciousness of one’s heart, If a woman is known as being unable follower of the Sunnah of Muhammad that you are in the Secure Sanctuary: which Haajar took in search for water blood that reaches Allah, but it is your with full humility and submission to to behave herself within the limits of (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam)? Do I Have We not established for them and for the means of life around the devotion that reaches him. – Qur’an Allah. It should not be thought of as a Shariah at a grave site, then she shold really know of Allah? Am I a believer a secure sanctuary (Makkah), to mounts of Safa and Marwah. Think 22:37 tourist-type excursion or be performed be prevented from visiting the graves. that Allah is above the seven heavens which are brought fruits of all kinds, a about her endurance, perseverance and 12. When you have completed as mere physical rites. It develops c. Forbidden, and over His ‘arsh as He has stated in His provision from Ourselves, but most of truth in Allah. The sa’yi exemplifi es your Haj, do not think that the sincerity, piety, humility, self-control, d. A grave sin Book and as His Messengers have them know not. – Qur’an 28:57 the strong belief that we are in need for remembrance of Allah has ended. sacrifi ce, and true knowledge of the Many scholars state that women asserted? Am I a believer that believes Let one commit himself to the One Who Sustains and Provides – Listen to what Allah says: meaning of submission and obedience visiting the Prophet’s Mosque may Allah has a true Face that suits His repentance, having a good opinion of Allah, the Exalted. So when you have accomplished to Allah, Most High. It helps the pronounce their salaam upon the Majesty as He has affi rmed in the Allah, hoping that Allah will grant him Think about Ibraaheem’s invocation your manaasik (ie the rites of Haj) pilgrim to be a better person who is Prophet away from the grave site since Qur’an and as has been affi rmed by security from His Punishment. on his way homeward to Palestine: remember Allah as you remember devoted to Allah in every aspect of life. it is confi rmed by many ahadith that His Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu 6. You will enter one of the gates O our Rabb! I have made some of your forefathers or with a far more PRIOR TO HAJ AND/OR the salaam is related to the Prophet ‘alaihi wa sallam)? Am I believer in of al-Masjid al-Haraam. Then there my off spring to dwell in a valley with remembrance. – Qur’an 2:200 ‘UMRAH THE MUSLIM SHOULD: wherever the person may be. The all of Allah’s Names, Attributes and you are before the magnifi cent House no cultivation, by Your Sacred House Special note: If you go to Madinah 1. Purify his creed (‘aqeedah) from Prophet is in a state of barzakh ( a Actions which He has affi rmed in His of Allah, Most High, the Ka’aba. Now (the Ka’aba at Makkah); in order, O then the objective of your visit should any aspects of shirk, greater or lesser, state of existence that begins with Book and by His Messengers? Or do you see what you hoped to see for a our Rabb, that they may off er prayers be according to the Sunnah and not as shirk destroys one’s deeds. death and lasts until the Day of I just take and accept by my doubt, long time. Thank Allah for making perfectly, so fi ll some hearts among bid’ah. Your intention is to set on a 2. Devote his Haj purely and Resurrection) the nature of which is rejecting, or distorting (through what this possible and hope that He will men with love towards them, and (O journey to visit the Prophet’s mosque sincerely for Allah. only known to Allah. Gulf Times 14 Friday, August 25, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief: Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko Neighbours carry burden of Production Editor: Amjad Khan P.O.Box 2888 S Sudan’s fl eeing millions Doha, Qatar [email protected] Telephone 44350478 (news), South Sudan has 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) eff ectively been at war Fax 44350474 since December 2013

By Sam Okiror /IRIN Kampala

GULF TIMES ore than a million South Sudanese refugees have now crossed the border Minto Uganda in what is the Has ‘ambitious’ May world’s fastest-growing refugee crisis. Analysts say the chances of forging peace are becoming slimmer and so the war and the fl ow of desperate aimed too high people is set to continue, further straining an already struggling aid operation. An average of 1,800 South with EU demands? Sudanese have been arriving every day in northern Uganda for the past 12 Prime Minister Theresa May always said she would be months, fl eeing “barbaric violence”, “ambitious” in negotiating Britain’s exit from the European the refugee agency, UNHCR, said last Union, and government documents published this month show week. the scale of that ambition – wanting the closest of ties without But there are an additional “million or even more” South Sudanese the costs. refugees in neighbouring Sudan, But the new British proposals for future ties with the EU have Ethiopia, Kenya, Democratic Republic been dismissed in Brussels as “fantasy” and no more than an of Congo, and Central African “intra-UK debate”. Republic. The aid operation does not have European offi cials have suggested that Britain should instead the funding in place to cope with this stick to a previously agreed timetable for Brexit negotiations. scale of need, “signifi cantly impacting The war has destroyed farming in South Sudan. Some civilians are forced to survive on what they can forage in the bush. For Britain, the release over two weeks of a series of strategy the ability to deliver life-saving and discussion documents was intended to counter criticism aid and key basic services” – from continue having problems in South cycles of violence and mass atrocities. the war nationally and further food to healthcare. Only 21% of the Sudan,” he told IRIN. Human Rights Watch has fragmented the country. Building that it was unprepared for the talks, and to speed up negotiations $674mn required to care for the For most analysts, the problems condemned the government and on top of its rubble is a terrible, that have moved slowly over the past 14 months. refugees in Uganda has been received, surrounding a revamped ARCSS opposition for failing to stop dangerous idea,” he added. “The whole It was also a chance for May to rally her troops and show she is and UNHCR has called for greater go deeper than whether Machar, a civilian killings, rape, and forced process needs to start over. The whole still on course for Brexit after her authority was weakened when commitment from donors. veteran warlord, has a seat at the table. displacement. approach must change.” she lost her parliamentary majority in an election in June. South Sudan has eff ectively been “This ‘revitalisation process’ is a In its latest report, it says nine The way forward is a new peace at war since December 2013, when bad joke,” Mike Brand, a genocide men – including Kiir, Machar, former plan that does not solely focus on a “I want us to be a truly Global Britain – the best friend and political tensions within the newly prevention expert, told IRIN. “I don’t army chief of staff Paul Malong, bilateral agreement between Kiir and neighbour to our European partners, but a country that reaches independent government triggered think there is any hope the ARCSS and six other commanders – should Machar, argued Jacob at Max Security beyond the borders of Europe too,” May said in March after fi ghting between forces loyal to can be revitalised as it is structurally be investigated and, if culpable, Solutions. triggering the divorce process with the EU. President Salva Kiir and his former inadequate to address the current prosecuted for the grave rights “It must recognise that there are vice president Riek Machar, who heads drivers of confl ict.” violations. many more important political and “And that is why I have set out a clear and ambitious plan for the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation South Sudan is an unfi nished state “Fighting has spread to all regions military actors who must participate the negotiations ahead. It is a plan for a new deep and special Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) that needs both reconciliation and of South Sudan and shows no signs in order for any peace process to partnership between Britain and the European Union.” Regional governments tried to paper true nation-building. of abating, nor is that likely so as succeed,” she added. This refrain has provided the background to the three over the cracks and imposed a power- There are no stable institutions. long as the incentives to pursue Phil Clark, a Great Lakes expert at Basic social services are provided military solutions remain unchanged, “position papers” released since last week, setting out Britain’s sharing settlement, known as the SOAS, University of London, made a Agreement on the Resolution of the by foreign aid workers, and particularly for the government,” said similar case. view that such a “deep and special partnership” requires little Confl ict in South Sudan, or ARCSS. since independence in 2011, the Kate Almquist Knopf, director of the “A major issue neglected by change. But it lasted only a few months before security sector has never been Africa Centre for Strategic Studies the ARCSS was community level But perhaps more surprising was the strategy set out in the government forces attacked Machar professionalised, nor properly at National Defence University, reconciliation. A new process needs to future relationship papers, especially those on customs and (who had fi nally returned to Juba) in integrated. Washington. address long-standing grievances at July 2016. “The country went from a The war is not only generating a the local level,” he told IRIN. the role of the European The regional eight-country factionalised group of independent refugee crisis felt by neighbouring “Much of the violence is Court of Justice – the Intergovernmental Authority on militaries fi ghting a common enemy countries, but it has also displaced being committed by militias and Britain says latter seen by many pro- Development, IGAD, is looking to (the north) to a ‘unifi ed’ government internally close to 2mn people, and community perpetrators – in addition Brexit lawmakers in the revive ARCSS but is fi nding little built on a patronage system supported left 5.8mn in need of aid – aid that is to the national army – and any it is being enthusiasm, including among Western by a policy of kleptocracy,” said Brand. increasingly being used to perpetuate comprehensive response must address Conservative Party and powers that had helped bankroll the Researcher Alan Boswell agreed. the fi ghting. confl icts between diff erent local “constructive” beyond as a symbol of EU process. “South Sudan is broken at its most “The time has come for the groups.” infl uence over Britain and In a communique in June, IGAD fundamental level: What is South international community to hold Knopf off ered a more radical by coming up of the country’s lack of argued that “full implementation of Sudan? Who is entitled to rule it? perpetrators accountable for the solution. As direct impediments to sovereignty. ARCSS remains the only viable way These are questions that South misery they have infl icted upon their an eff ective peace settlement, Kiir with suggestions forward to bring about peace and Sudanese have never sat down and country and the deadly confl ict they and Machar must be persuaded by Many have described stability and create the basis for a negotiated or decided.” continue to wage without justifi cation the international community to stand on ways to start the British government’s democratic political system in South The last peace deal “pushed for or remorse,” said Juliette Paauwe at the down. ideas for a future customs Sudan.” power-sharing and competitive Global Centre for the Responsibility Referencing an old and controversial discussion on agreement as “fantasy” But the fi rst stumbling block is politics simultaneously among armed to Protect. idea of a UN or African Union agreement on whether Machar, in parties,” he told IRIN. “It was destined The sad fact, noted Brand, is that trusteeship for South Sudan, Knopf future ties after it outlined measures exile in South Africa, should be part to explode, and it did. The peace deal the international community is “fl at saw this approach as enabling a justice for an interim deal with no of the process. The government is is obsolete and was mad to begin out of new ideas to bring peace to and reconciliation processes to unfold, customs duties, intended to allow the freest possible trade in championing Taban Deng Gai, who with.” South Sudan.” But the bottom line is and for a national consensus to form goods, and suggestions for a possible new trade partnership. was sworn in as vice president last Rachel Jacob at Max Security that neither Kiir nor Machar “can lead over how South Sudanese wish to be year, as the rightful leader of SPLA- Solutions, a geopolitical risk South Sudan to peace”. governed. After pointing to what he saw as lack of clarity on Britain’s IO. consulting fi rm, said any future peace South Sudan is falling apart. “All “The international community has future relationship with the European Court of Justice, a “We are for peace,” said Paul Gabriel deal “must be more inclusive. (But) sides keep getting weaker and the helped other countries come out of European Commission spokesman said: “You will not be Lam, deputy spokesman for Machar’s this eff ort is not being made.” pieces become more and more diffi cult vicious confl ict through various forms surprised to hear me refraining from injecting myself into an SPLA-IO faction. “But as long as Riek There is instead a pervasive culture to put back together,” said Boswell. of temporary external administration – intra-UK debate on their positions.” Machar is in South Africa, we will of impunity, which fuels recurring “The previous peace deal expanded South Sudan deserves no less,” she said. He and other EU offi cials said Brussels’ stance was the same: Britain should fi rst focus on making progress on the three main issues in the initial phase of talks – the rights of expatriates, Britain’s border with EU member state Ireland, and a fi nancial settlement. Ways to stem the violence in Latin America Britain says it is being “constructive” by coming up with suggestions on ways to start discussion on future ties. By Robert Muggah and Juan Carlos tolerance of violent crime and cutting with the other nations surveyed, include deterrence-based strategies But after publishing seven documents in just over a week, it is Garzon its homicide rates in half by 2030. In fewer respondents in these countries that prioritise the most violent crimes, hot spot interventions, responsible clear that Brussels is far from impressed. Los Angeles Times order to better understand attitudes reported homicides occurring in their toward lethal violence, and how to neighbourhoods, and yet the homicide gun and ammunition regulation, and Britain has published 10 papers since June 26. mobilise citizen action, the coalition rates in El Salvador and Honduras are recidivism prevention. When it comes On Monday, after two papers were released, Michel Barnier, he sense of unease on commissioned national surveys in among the highest in the world – 91.2 to value for money, the most eff ective the EU’s chief negotiator, took to Twitter to list the bloc’s nine many Latin American city Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, and 59.2 per 100,000, respectively. strategies to reduce lethal violence position papers already published, on issues ranging from streets is palpable. Fear and Guatemala and Venezuela – the six The most likely explanation is that are investing resources in stabilising uncertainty aff ect people’s most violent countries in the region. people exposed to chronic violence unstable households and promoting citizens rights to the fi nancial settlement. T day-to-day decisions – whether Not surprisingly, the surveys “normalise” it over time. positive parenting. Interventions “Looking forward to discussing these papers with #UK. to take public transport, where to (conducted by the Latin American Whatever their perceptions of that keep children in school, provide Essential to make progress on #citizensrights, settling accounts buy groceries, when to go out at Public Opinion Project) found violence, Latin Americans believe vocational training, generate and #Ireland,” he said. night. Pervasive insecurity also that between 50% and 75% of the the situation can be turned around. meaningful jobs and teach life skills to infl uences long-term plans – what respondents were afraid of being A majority of the survey respondents at-risk youth are also eff ective. The gap in viewpoints in some areas – namely the fi nancial neighbourhood to move to, whether to victims of homicide. They also said that national governments should At the very least, Latin American settlement, role of the European court and future trade and save or spend and, fi nally, whether to found that despite the fear – and the take the lead (51.6% in Mexico, 55% in governments would do well to avoid customs arrangements – suggests talks next week between emigrate or stay put. real violence it is based on – Latin Honduras, 66% in El Salvador, 60.3% what evidence shows does not work Barnier and British Brexit minister David Davis will be diffi cult Latin Americans have good reason Americans believe the killing can be in Guatemala, 68.5% in Venezuela to improve safety and security. and both sides have not set the bar high for progress. to feel unsafe. Mexico’s soaring stopped, and they understand how and 68.7% Brazil). That this view Heavy-handed punitive measures homicide rates have reached 20-year best to accomplish that. extends to Brazil and Venezuela, where that privilege repressive policing, highs. The Central American cities In Brazil and Venezuela, roughly the nations’ leaders are immensely draconian sentences and mass of San Salvador (El Salvador) and San 60% of respondents confi rmed unpopular, is somewhat surprising. incarceration can make homicide To Advertise Pedro Sula (Honduras) rank among that a slaying had occurred in their Latin Americans also prefer problem much worse. Aggressively the most dangerous on the planet. neighbourhood within the previous prevention strategies – especially enforced drug prohibition policies [email protected] Assessments by independent research 12 months. Among those surveyed, education and employment – over and just-say-no drug abstinence Display groups in Venezuela suggest that Brazilians and Venezuelans were the ever-increasing levels of punishment. programmes are even more damaging. Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 Caracas is as bad or worse, though most likely to report monthly and even El Salvador and Honduras, where If Latin American governments are it’s impossible to know since the weekly killings nearby. In Mexico, tough-on-crime, mano dura going to make headway in reducing Classified government stopped publishing crime about half the respondents registered strategies are being pursued, report homicide, they could do worse than Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 statistics a decade ago. Brazil alone is local homicides, and in both El the highest support (65.3% and listen to the wisdom of their own home to 25 of the 50 most homicidal Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, it 64.9%, respectively) for preventive citizens. Tribune News Service Subscription cities in the world. was between 30% and 40%. interventions. [email protected] In response, a new campaign, Curiously, there is not always a These hopeful views are backed zRobert Muggah is the co-founder Instinct for Life, sponsored by a direct correlation between high rates by evidence. The Instinct for Life and research director of the Igarape coalition of more than 40 Latin of homicide and local perceptions. campaign has identifi ed a series Institute, headquartered in Rio de 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved American organisations, is committed The diff erential shows up starkly in of data-driven measures that have Janeiro, Brazil. Juan Carlos Garzon is a to shattering the region’s widespread Honduras and El Salvador. Compared successfully prevented killings. These regional adviser for the institute. Gulf Times Friday, August 25, 2017 15 COMMENT Who wants to deregulate fi nance?

Central bankers identify shifts in thinking. for systemically important banks As Alan Greenspan famously told a should be “reevaluated.” typically make a virtue Congressional committee, “if I turn The one worrying section, for a of understatement and out to be particularly clear, you have non-US reader, concerns international probably misunderstood what I said.” standards, which should be accepted ambiguity So the language used on this occasion and implemented only if they “meet by Fischer, normally the mildest and the needs of the US fi nancial system By Howard Davies most courteous of men, should cause and the American people.” Exactly London us to sit up and take notice. how the latter will be consulted on the He argued that the United States’ calibration of risk weights in the Basel political system “may be taking us in accord is not spelled out. ince a revolving door was a direction that is very dangerous.” It is, nonetheless, hard to see why installed at the entrance to Referring to moves to roll back this document should have so rudely the West Wing of the White elements of the new regulatory disturbed Fischer’s equipoise. SHouse, it has been diffi cult to order established in response to the Perhaps he was giving us a glimpse keep track of the comings and goings debacles of 2008-9, he lamented of more fundamental disagreements in America’s corridors of power. that “everybody wants to go back on fi nancial regulation at the heart of Anything written about the Trump to the status quo before the great the administration. administration’s personnel and fi nancial crisis.” And he declared that Or perhaps the Fed itself fears policies may be invalid before it is “one cannot understand why grown that regulatory rationalisation is published. intelligent people reach the conclusion code for some cutback in its own At least for the time being, however, that you should get rid of all the things responsibilities, which have been the key economic policy actors remain you have put in place in the last ten expanded remarkably since the crisis. in place. years.” It would be unfortunate if the Fed’s Steve Mnuchin is still Treasury This is remarkable language, which opposition to change prevented a Secretary and has not been mentioned merits deconstruction. debate on whether, ten years on, every in dispatches during the latest power Fischer cannot possibly mean one of the changes made – often in struggles. literally that “everybody” wants to a tearing hurry – make sense, both Gary Cohn continues to chair the return to the status quo ante. individually and collectively. National Economic Council, though The academic community is mainly After all, many changes in the he is reported to be unhappy about in favour of even tighter regulation competitive environment within some of the president’s statements on of banks, with higher capital which banks operate – new payment non-economic issues. requirements. systems, peer-to-peer lenders, And of course Janet Yellen is still With few exceptions, the press is shadow banks, and the rest – require at the helm at the Federal Reserve, at even more hawkish. careful analysis and thought. least until February next year. Furthermore, I do not know a single So the US Treasury is surely right to But this stability does not seem bank chairman who thinks that going open a debate. And it has done so in a to indicate a single settled view back to leverage ratios above 40, and Fed watchers need to analyse minute diff erences in wording and tone to identify shifts in thinking. thoughtful fashion. on economic and fi nancial policy, tier 1 capital of 2%, would make any Central bankers should take care particularly the future framework of sense at all. are in a thoughtful paper published in – want to reform the complex, simpler banks of the most burdensome not to suggest that there is nothing fi nancial regulation. So who is “everybody” in this June by the US Treasury. incoherent, and overlapping and costly processes, and reducing to discuss, that nanny knows best A remarkable recent interview in formulation? The phrase reminds me It is true that the paper’s title, patchwork of regulatory agencies left the number of required regulatory and the children should not ask the Financial Times with Fed Vice of my mother’s frequent observation “A Financial System that Creates in place since the crisis. submissions and stress test exercises. awkward questions, like “Why?” That Chairman Stanley Fischer laid bare that “somebody,” unnamed, had not Economic Opportunities,” has a Former Fed Chair Paul Volcker, One can argue about the details, was never a good way to persuade a some major disagreements. tidied his bedroom (I was an only political fl avour; but the specifi c ideas hardly a lobbyist for investment but, overall, this does not look like a teenage boy to keep his room tidy. Central bankers typically make child). it fl oats are not exactly those found banks, has been making the same return to a pre-crisis free-for-all. It will not work for lawmakers or a virtue of understatement and But here the suspect is not so on the wilder shores where “free argument for some time. There is no suggestion in the paper banks, either. – Project Syndicate ambiguity. obvious. banking” advocates roam. The paper also recommends some that capital requirements should be Fed watchers need to analyse minute The only concrete proposals to The authors of the paper – which rationalisation of the extremely signifi cantly lowered, though it does z Howard Davies is Chairman of the diff erences in wording and tone to emerge from the administration so far was signed by Mnuchin himself complex rule books, relieving some recommend that the capital surcharge Royal Bank of Scotland. Weather report Three-day forecast The new nuclear danger TODAY High: 39 C Low : 31 C By Joschka Fischer Trump promised to respond with “fi re When North Korea achieves We will be left with a leadership nuclear-power status, the American vacuum, and nowhere is this more Inshore: Hazy at places at first Berlin and fury” to any further North Korean becomes hot daytime and humid provocations. security guarantee will no longer be dangerous than with respect to by night. Clearly, Trump is not relying on the airtight. nuclear proliferation. s someone who was born in rationality of deterrence, as one would A North Korea with nuclear Another nuclear danger looms this SATURDAY 1948, the risk of a nuclear have expected from the leader of the weapons and the means to use them fall. High: 40 C World War III was a very real last remaining superpower. would add pressure on South Korea If the US Congress imposes new Low: 32 C Apart of my childhood. Instead, he has given his emotions and Japan to develop their own nuclear sanctions on Iran, the nuclear Sunny That threat – or at least the threat free rein. capacity, which they could easily do. agreement between that country of East and West Germany both being Of course, Trump didn’t start But that is the last thing that China and the P5+1 (the fi ve permanent completely destroyed – persisted until the escalating crisis on the Korean wants. members of the United Nations SUNDAY the end of Cold War and the collapse Peninsula. The situation in Asia today has the Security Council, plus Germany) High: 38 C of the Soviet Union. It has been festering for some time, nuclear attributes of the 20th century could fail. Low: 33 C Since then, the risk of nuclear- owing to the North Korean regime’s and the national-power dynamics of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani Sunny armed superpowers triggering willingness to pay any price to become the 19th century. publicly announced just last week that Armageddon has been substantially a nuclear power, which it sees as a way That could prove to be a highly Iran could abandon the deal “within reduced, even if it has not disappeared to ensure its own safety. infl ammatory cocktail. hours” in response to new sanctions. Fishermen’s forecast entirely. In addition, the regime is And at the same time, the In light of the North Korea crisis, it OFFSHORE DOHA Today, the bigger danger is that developing intercontinental ballistic international system is becoming would be the height of irresponsibility Wind: SE-NE 03-12 KT an increasing number of smaller missiles capable of carrying a nuclear increasingly unstable, with political to trigger a gratuitous nuclear crisis Waves: 1-3 Feet countries ruled by unstable or warhead and reaching the West Coast structures, institutions, and alliances – and possibly a war – in the Middle INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW-NE 05-15 KT dictatorial regimes will try to acquire of the US, or farther. around the world being upended or East. Waves: 1-2 Feet nuclear weapons. This would be a major security called into question. All of this would be taking place in By becoming a nuclear power, such challenge for any US administration. Much will depend on what happens a region that is already riven by crises Around the region regimes can ensure their own survival, Ultimately, there are no good in the US under Trump’s wayward and wars. Weather Weather promote their local or regional options for responding to the North presidency. And, because Russia, China, and the today Max/min tomorrow Max/min geopolitical interests, and even pursue Korean threat. The investigation into the Trump Europeans would stick to the nuclear Abu Dhabi Sunny 41/31 Sunny 40/32 an expansionist agenda. A US-led pre-emptive war on the campaign’s possible collusion with deal, the US would fi nd itself alone and Baghdad Sunny 45/28 Sunny 46/28 Dubai In this new environment, the Korean Peninsula, for example, could Russia ahead of the 2016 presidential at odds with even its closest allies. Sunny 39/31 Sunny 40/32 Kuwait City Sunny lead to a direct confrontation with election, and the failure to repeal the Today’s nuclear threats demand Sunny 46/33 45/31 “rationality of deterrence” maintained Manama Sunny 40/32 Sunny 40/33 by the United States and the Soviet China and the destruction of South Aff ordable Care Act (Obamacare) have exactly the opposite of “fi re and fury.” Muscat M Sunny 31/28 Sunny 33/28 Union during the Cold War has Korea, and would have unforeseeable shown the US administration to be What is needed is level-headedness, Riyadh M Sunny 43/29 Sunny 43/28 eroded. implications for Japan. unstable and ineff ective. rationality, and patient diplomacy that Tehran Sunny 36/22 Sunny 33/22 Now, if nuclear proliferation And, because the China-South And agenda items such as tax cuts, is not based on dangerous and fanciful increases, the threshold for using Korea-Japan triangle has become the the Mexican border wall, and the threats of force. nuclear weapons will likely fall. new power centre of the 21st century renegotiation of the North American If the last superpower abandons As the current situation in North global economy, no country would be Free Trade Agreement – to say nothing these virtues, the world – all of Korea shows, the nuclearisation of spared from the economic fallout. of Trump’s own emotional outbursts – us – will have to confront the East Asia or other regions could pose a Even if the US continues to allude are fuelling America’s radical right. consequences. – Project Syndicate direct threat to world peace. to the possibility of war, American Instability within the US is cause for Consider the recent rhetorical military leaders know that the use global concern. zJoschka Fischer, Germany’s foreign confrontation between North of military force is not really a viable If the US can no longer be counted minister and vice chancellor from 1998 Korean dictator Kim Jong-un and US option, given its prohibitively high on to ensure world peace and stability, to 2005, was a leader of the German President Donald Trump, in which costs and risks. then no country can. Green Party for almost 20 years. Live issues New type of MRI scan can predict stroke risk Around the world Weather Weather By Haroon Siddique A quarter of the more than 100,000 traditionally the risk of stroke is study on 50 people published in PLOS today Max/min tomorrow Max/min London strokes in the UK each year are caused measured by the size of the plaque in ONE. Athens Cloudy 32/22 Sunny 32/22 by carotid plaques. the carotid artery. Prof Sir Nilesh Samani, medical Beirut Sunny 30/27 Sunny 31/27 Dr Luca Biasiolli, the co-author of At present, if a plaque is deemed too director at the British Heart Bangkok T Storms 33/26 T Storms 33/26 Berlin P Cloudy 23/13 P Cloudy 25/16 new type of MRI scan can the study, said: “When someone goes big it is removed, but the researchers Foundation, which part-funded the Cairo Sunny 37/24 Sunny 38/24 predict the risk of having a to hospital having suff ered a minor say fatty plaques that are not large yet study, said: “This exciting research Cape Town M Sunny 18/12 Sunny 19/14 stroke, researchers have said stroke, it’s vital that doctors know have a high risk of rupturing can be opens up the possibility that in Colombo T Storms 29/27 T Storms 29/26 in a study. whether the patient might be at risk missed. the future we may be able to more Dhaka I T Storms 33/27 S T Storms 31/26 A Hong Kong S T Storms 31/28 Showers 30/28 The non-invasive technique, of a further stroke, which could be The scientists used the new MRI accurately identify people with carotid Istanbul P Cloudy 27/21 M Sunny 27/21 developed by scientists at the fatal. scan to measure the amount of plaques that are likely to rupture and Jakarta P Cloudy 34/26 P Cloudy 35/25 University of Oxford, predicts whether “Being able to quantify cholesterol cholesterol in the carotid plaques of 26 cause a stroke. Karachi M Cloudy 31/27 Cloudy 31/27 plaques in the carotid arteries are in carotid plaques is a really exciting patients scheduled for surgery. “These patients can then be treated London P Cloudy 25/14 P Cloudy 24/13 T Storms 30/25 rich in cholesterol and therefore more prospect, as this new MRI technique After the plaques were surgically earlier – for example, with surgery Manila 29/25 T Storms Moscow Cloudy 18/12 Showers 19/10 likely to cause a stroke. could help doctors to identify patients removed, the team looked at the actual to remove the plaque – while others New Delhi M Sunny 33/27 S T Storms 33/27 Carotid arteries supply the brain at higher risk of stroke and make cholesterol content in each plaque might be spared surgery altogether. New York M Sunny 27/16 Sunny 26/17 with blood. more informed decisions on their and found that the new technique was More research is now necessary Paris S T Storms 27/18 P Cloudy 30/18 The rupture of fatty plaques can treatments.” accurate – the more cholesterol they before this advance can come into Sao Paulo M Sunny 23/12 P Cloudy 24/12 Seoul P Cloudy 30/18 P Cloudy 28/17 block them and possibly starve the The study, published in the journal detected within the plaque, the greater routine clinical practice. However, Singapore S T Storms 30/26 S T Storms 30/26 brain of oxygen, causing potentially JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging the risk of a stroke. if successful this technique has the Sydney Cloudy 16/07 Sunny 18/08 debilitating and life-threatening yesterday, created a test that produces The same team confi rmed and promise to save lives.” – Guardian Tokyo Clear 35/26 Cloudy 33/26 strokes. a quantitative result, whereas extended their fi ndings in another News and Media Gulf Times 16 Friday, August 25, 2017 QATAR

Newly-recruited Houthi fighters take part in a gathering yesterday in the capital Sanaa to mobilise more fighters Yemen is in the middle of an “unprecedented” cholera outbreak. in the conflict against pro-government forces. Saudi trapped endlessly in deadly Yemen backfire audi Arabia’s military leave the country to receive Saudi “total or partial” pull tention practices that vio- intervention in Yemen Q More than 370,000 cases of cholera have been specialised treatment,” he out were to happen, says Za- late international humani- S proved to be a “strate- reported in Yemen and more than 1,800 people have died as a said. ccara, Saudi Arabia would tarian law and human rights gic failure”, but a full and of- Similarly, a confidential ensure that an appropriate norms.” ficial withdrawal from that result of the illness UN report conducted by a political solution would be The report references country is unlikely, analysts Q The conflict has killed more than 10,000 people and has UN Security Council panel implemented to preserve its cases of prolonged disap- say, according to an article of experts, has determined image internationally. pearances that infringe on published on www.aljazeera. injured more than 40,000 to date that the coalition continues “Even though the Houthis Yemeni people’s individu- com Q The world’s largest humanitarian crisis is in Yemen, to have “little operational may benefit from this, there al liberties. While Houthi Last week, a series of says UN or tactical impact on the is still strong criticism on fighters continue to sup- leaked e-mails revealed ground”. their (Houthis) role in their press voices of discontent, that Saudi Arabia’s crown Although one of the Sua- controlled area that should Yemenis say a Saudi exit will prince and defence minis- The conflict has killed towards Yemen’s biggest form of humanitarian aid. di-led offensive’s main ob- be addressed,” he added. only strengthen the Houthis’ ter, Mohamed bin Salman, more than 10,000 people city, Aden. In response to According to the UN, the jectives was to reinstate But Sanaa-based political grip. expressed a desire to end the and has injured more than Houthis’ advances, a coa- world’s largest humanitar- Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, analyst, Yaseen al-Tamimi, “The beneficiaries of the war in Yemen during talks 40,000 to date. lition of Arab states led by ian crisis is in Yemen. the internationally recog- does not anticipate a Saudi Saudi exit are the Houthis with former US officials. In On Wednesday, an air Saudi Arabia launched a Saudi Arabia’s involve- nised president who was pull out, describing the pos- who want to rule Yemen,” the leaked e-mails, Moham- strike on a hotel near the military campaign in March ment has contributed to the exiled for 11 months, the po- sibility of a Saudi exit from Halah Mansr, a Sanaa- ed bin Salman said that he Yemeni capital, Sanaa, has 2015 to drive out the Houthis country’s humanitarian cri- litical reality on the ground Yemen as “dangerous”. based university student, “wants out” of the two-year killed at least 35 people, a from Sanaa. sis, damaging Mohamed bin succeeded in dividing Hadi’s “A retreat means a defeat,” told Al Jazeera. “We do not war he started in Yemen and local medic said. The war has left various Salman’s image both inter- supporters — some of whom Tamimi said. “It also means care how it will end and who that he was not against US Yemen has long been the areas in dire need of human- nationally and regionally, are now fighting for legiti- the collapse of the goals that will be at the helm of the rapprochement with Iran to Arab region’s poorest coun- itarian assistance and has says Luciano Zaccara, Gulf macy, according to the re- the coalition came to achieve country. Peace is all what end the conflict. try, and previously relied on enabled Al Qaeda to grow politics researcher at Qatar port. in Yemen. The coalition’s we want.” Adam Baron, a Yemen an- US aid and assistance from amid a security vacuum. University. The south has formed a withdrawal will not help the “Even the areas which alyst, says that a Saudi pull its neighbours to stay afloat. “The increasing criticism “competing political coun- Saudi Kingdom in maintain- were liberated by the coa- out is not going to be “com- Inflation was worsening and “Total collapse” worldwide against the coa- cil ... with a stated goal of an ing safe borders (with Yem- lition are unstable … This plete” since the kingdom’s unemployment rates soared Yemen, home to more than lition attacks – considered independent South Yemen,” en),” he told Al Jazeera. is not a success. It is a set- security is largely reliant on prior to the 2011 uprising. 27mn people, is on the verge the main reason behind the the report pointed out. “It “There is no readily avail- back for the coalition — they Yemen’s security. “Yes, the Money from the country’s of famine and in the mid- cholera epidemic that is (the council) includes key able solution that can fill haven’t succeeded mili- Saudis would like out of the dwindling oil reserves has dle of an “unprecedented” killing thousands of civil- officials and members of the the vacuum in this tarily, or diplomatically (by war, but only on their own been wasted or stolen dur- cholera outbreak. More ians, the obscure situation legitimate government.” war-ravaged nation. bringing stability to Yem- terms,” Baron said. ing overthrown President than 370,000 cases of chol- of detainees, and the block- The report goes on to The legitimate gov- en),” Mansr added. “What’s broadly neces- Ali Abdullah Saleh’s 33-year era have been reported in ade of Sanaa airport and examine how proxy ernment of Yemen But some believe that an sary would be a deal that reign. A 2015 UN report ex- the country and more than Hudaida port that is pre- militia groups, does not have the end to the war should be ensures Saudi interests are posed Saleh’s accumulated 1,800 people have died as a venting humanitarian sup- armed by members sufficient resources followed by other steps. preserved in Yemen, that fortune of up to $60bn from result of the illness . Refer- ply to arrive to the blocked of the Saudi-led to continue the war “Yemenis are suffering here heavy weaponry is handed corruption, extortion and ring to the Saudi-led war in areas controlled by the coalition, are or win it,” Tamimi and abroad. When they (the over, an end to cross-border embezzlement. Yemen, the UN has warned Houthis, are making this pursuing added. coalition) pull out, life will attacks, and that any incipi- Following Saleh’s over- that the country is heading war very unpopular,” Zac- individ- According to change for the better,” Leila ent Iranian influence is not throw, a bloody civil war towards “total collapse.” cara told Al Jazeera. ual agen- the report, both Saleh, a university student, allowed to gain permanence, had erupted between Houthi Currently, more than 7mn “Allowing Sanaa airport das — the Houthi-Saleh told Al Jazeera. let alone expand,” Baron told rebels and supporters of people are on the verge of to operate may help ease the result of forces, and “I want the coalition to Al Jazeera. Yemen’s internationally starvation due to border critical humanitarian situ- which has the UAE — a pull out, and at the same “It’s in the kingdom’s in- recognised government. In blockades and impover- ation, even though it is still further member of the time push the parties of the terest to prevent Yemen de- September 2014, Houthi ishment from years of war, in the hands of the Houthis. weakened coalition – conflict to peace negotia- volving further into the cha- fighters took control of the while about 80% of the pop- Opening the airport will also Hadi’s po- “continue to tions. This will be in the in- otic abyss.” capital, Sanaa, and pushed ulation are reliant on some allow thousands of people to sition. If a engage in de- terest of Yemenis.”

Coming soon: Unique shows at Entertainment city Gulf siege strengthened By Joey Aguilar entertainment show, the con- Staff Reporter cert is expected to attract a large number of Filipino expatriates in Qatar-based companies Qatar, according to Stellwag. He atar residents and visi- noted that they also selected key tors will have the chance social media infl uencers to ex- atar-based event man- Qto witness an array of perience SEC’s family entertain- agement companies have entertainment shows, sport ment for themselves. Qincreasingly become competitions, and a one-of- The strategy helped boost self-reliant since the beginning kind concert at the Summer awareness of more than 87 ac- of the Gulf crisis, Sana Salman, Entertainment City (SEC) in the Jona Viray Gloc9 tivities, 40 dining options, and a businesswoman, told the live last two weekends of the Qatar international entertainment Urdu radio show Haqeeqat yes- Summer Festival (QSF) 2017, it brought them back to show off partner of the City. SEC is also available at the event. terday. is learnt. their Bollywood dance skills. It set to host a mega concert by re- “A majority of the infl uencers “The siege on Qatar, which SEC, located at the Doha Ex- will be another electric perform- nowned Filipino artistes Gloc9 have come to SEC on their own broke out during the holy month hibition and Convention Centre ance this weekend,” he stressed. and Jona Viray on September 2. to experience the uniqueness of of Ramadan, aff ected many (DECC), is the festival’s main The senior SEC offi cial added “Gloc9 is the fastest rapper the event. This has led to larger event management companies centrepiece and a family fa- that D4Dance is an international in the Philippines and Jona Vi- crowds following their public that had tie ups with vendors in vourite. It features more than dance team, which started per- ray features silky, smooth vo- appearances,” Stellwag added. the UAE and Bahrain for festi- 87 games across 11 categories, as forming in 2011 in Bengaluru, cals that will grab the audience,” “It’s been a pleasure having their vals lined up for the Eid al-Fitr well as a slew of sport competi- India, and the group is making Stellwag said. “It will be Gloc9’s support.” holidays. However, we managed tions and other interactive ac- waves in three countries, includ- third time visiting Qatar and this SEC will also continue off er- to overcome that by signing con- tivities for all ages. ing Qatar and Germany. will be Jona’s fi rst time perform- ing ‘active and interactive’ ac- tracts with international artistes Speaking to Gulf Times, SEC’s Stellwag urged the public to ing in Doha.” tivities such as skateboarding, directly,” she explained. Sana Salman during the live Urdu radio show yesterday. marketing and communications visit the SEC from today to watch Filipinos, as well as other na- BMX ride and acrobats, and the Qatar already has a stellar rep- head Michael Stellwag noted that the international dance team’s tionalities, will also have the op- obstacle challenge as part of its utation in the international mar- companies are strategic part- gage and interact with the large the D4Dance Qatar returns on “vibrant Bollywood performanc- portunity to jam with the two eff orts to engage residents into ket for hosting sporting events ners with Qatar Tourism Au- South Asian expatriate com- stage with another set of exciting es” on the stage, as well as other stars on stage. Those who are in- an active lifestyle. and conferences. Therefore, it thority. “We have now directly munity in Qatar, is a joint ven- and colourful dance performance shows, events and activities tak- terested can show their talents in With a positive response they was important for Qatar-based signed contracts with vendors ture of the Gulf Times and Qatar for two days between 5.30pm ing place at various areas of the singing, dancing and rapping in get from the public since its in- companies to become self-reli- in China, Italy and artistes in Media Corporation Urdu Radio. and 9.25pm today and between venue. SEC visitors are also en- front of the judges at an audition ception, Stellwag expressed con- ant after the siege. other countries for the next two It is broadcast from Sunday to 6.30pm and 9.25pm tomorrow. couraged to take part in a number on today and tomorrow at DECC fi dence that the last two weeks “After the Saudi-led blockade years and no longer need any Thursday on FM107. “D4Dance Qatar gave us an of contests, including the “Bol- 2pm to 11pm. of the festival at SEC will draw a on Qatar, the government has help or assistance from compa- Log on to Qatar Urdu Radio on exciting performance previous- lywood D4Dance.” Winners re- Tickets start from QR65, huge number of visitors and spec- strengthened local businesses,” nies in the UAE or Bahrain,” she Facebook and ‘@QatarUrduRa- ly, which enthralled our crowds. ceive prizes courtesy of Shangri- which will include an all-day tators who will be spending their Sana said while pointing out added. dio’ on Twitter for feedback and Based on their popularity, we’ve La Hotel Doha, the offi cial hotel access to SEC. A wholesome Eid al-Adha holidays in Doha. that local event management Haqeeqat, which aims to en- comments about the show.