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THURSDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10492 June 22, 2017 Ramadan 27, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir chairs economic aff airs council meeting Give Qatar list In brief of reasonable

QATAR | Phone talk Emir, Canadian PM demands, US discuss Gulf crisis His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held yesterday evening a telephone conversation with Canadian Prime Minister tells Saudis Justin Trudeau. During the phone call, the two leaders reviewed the Saudi Arabia and allies prepare forts to resolve the row between Qa- His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Economic Aff airs and latest developments in the region, list of demands tar and its neighbours, led by Riyadh. Investment, chaired the council’s third meeting in 2017 at Al Bahr Palace yesterday evening. His Highness the Deputy Emir in particular Gulf crisis and means Trump discusses Qatar with new Tillerson has been tasked by Trump to Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani, Vice-Chairman of the Council, attended the meeting along with HE the Prime Minister to resolve it. The Canadian Prime Saudi crown prince oversee an end to the standoff that has and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, the council’s executive member, and members of Minister expressed his concern US urges blockading nations to put key US allies at loggerheads with the council. The council discussed topics on the agenda and took appropriate decisions. The council was briefed on the over the development of the find quick solution one another. developments relating to energy and investment aff airs. situations in the region, stressing Two weeks ago, Riyadh and several of Canada’s stance, which calls for Agencies its allies including Egypt, Bahrain and calm and dialogue based on facts, Washington the UAE, cut ties with Qatar over accu- transparency and mutual respect sations that Doha supports extremist between countries to ensure the groups, – a claim Qatar denies. security and stability of the region. he United States hopes Arab In addition to diplomatic isolation, The Emir expressed his appreciation countries involved in a dip- other measures taken included closing for Trudeau’s stance calling for Tlomatic split with Qatar will Qatar’s only land border, banning its Emir congratulates new preserving the security and stability soon present Doha a list of “reason- planes from using their airspace and of the region. Meanwhile, the Emir able and actionable” demands to barring Qatari nationals from transit- sent a written message to Russian move the crisis toward a resolution, ing through their airports. President Vladimir Putin pertaining US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson On Tuesday, Washington showed to bilateral relations and the yesterday said . mounting frustration over the king- Saudi crown prince developments in the region. The The statement was issued in Till- dom’s role in the crisis. message was received by Russian erson’s name a day after the State De- Heather Nauert, Tillerson’s spokes- Mohamed bin Salman is new wishing progress and prosperity to the discussed eff orts to achieve a lasting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov partment bluntly questioned the mo- woman said that the US was “mysti- Saudi crown prince fraternal people of Saudi Arabia under peace between the Israelis and the during a meeting with Qatar’s tives of Saudi Arabia and the United fi ed” that Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Prince Mohamed bin Nayef the king’s wise leadership, and more Palestinians. Ambassador to Russia Fahad bin Arab Emirates (UAE) in announcing allies have failed to present details jus- relieved of all posts development and growth to the deep A senior US offi cial said Washing- Mohamed al-Attiyah. their blockade of Qatar on June 5, say- tifying their embargo on Qatar. fraternal ties between the two broth- ton had no advance warning of the ing it was “mystifi ed” the Gulf states “The more that time goes by, the Agencies erly countries. prince’s promotion but could see it had not released their grievances. more doubt is raised about the actions Doha/Riyadh His Highness the Deputy Emir coming. RAMADAN THOUGHT It was Washington’s strongest lan- taken by Saudi Arabia and the UAE,” Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani He was appointed crown prince and guage yet on a dispute that erupted af- Nauert said. and HE the Prime Minister and In- deputy prime minister by royal decree, Surely! Allah wrongs not even ter the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and “At this point, we are left with one is Highness the Emir Sheikh terior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin but he retains the defence portfolio of the weight of an atom (or a Egypt cut diplomatic ties and transport simple question: Were the actions re- Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani also sent and still controls oil and economic small ant), but if there is any links to isolate Qatar. The Arab coun- ally about their concerns regarding Hsent yesterday a cable of con- cables of congratulations to Prince policies. good (done), He doubles it, and tries accuse Qatar of funding terror- Qatar’s alleged support for terrorism gratulations to Prince Mohamed bin Mohamed and King Salman. Mohamed bin Nayef was relieved of gives from Him a great reward. ism, fomenting regional instability or or were they about the long-simmer- Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud on be- Earlier in the day, King Salman made all his posts, according to the decree. (Qur’an 4: 40) cosying up to their enemy Iran. Qatar ing grievances between and among ing named crown prince and appointed his son Mohamed bin Salman next in The decree said the decision by has denied the accusations. the GCC countries,” Nauert had said. deputy premier in the brotherly King- line to the throne , handing the 31-year- King Salman to promote his son and Prayer times “We understand a list of demands “We’ve just said to the parties involved: dom of Saudi Arabia, wishing him suc- old sweeping powers. Mohamed bin consolidate his power was endorsed Fajr....3.15 Zuhr....11.36 Asr....2.58 has been prepared and co-ordinated Let’s fi nish this. Let’s get this going,” cess towards the good of the kingdom Salman replaces his cousin, Prince by 31 of 34 members of the Allegiance Maghrib.....6.30 Isha.....8.00 by the Saudis, Emiratis, Egyptians and Nauert added. under the wise leadership of the Cus- Mohamed bin Nayef, a veteran secu- Council, made up of senior members Bahrainis,” the Tillerson statement The fact the State Department todian of the Two Holy Mosques King rity chief who led the Saudi campaign of the ruling Al Saud family. The king Fasting times said. “We hope the list of demands will bluntly questioned Riyadh and Abu Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, and against Islamic State and Al Qaeda. invited Saudis to pledge allegiance to Iftar today ...... 6.30pm soon be presented to Qatar and will be Dhabi’s actions in public suggests further wishing more development and His appointment may make Saudi the new crown prince. Imsak tomorrow...... 3.05am reasonable and actionable.” Washington was keen for the parties to growth to the deep fraternal ties be- policy more hawkish , analysts say. Intent on dispelling speculation of Tillerson said the United States end the dispute, analysts say. tween the two brotherly countries. US President Donald Trump tele- internal divisions in the ruling dynasty, backs a Kuwaiti mediation eff ort aimed Qatar’s foreign minister, who is ex- His Highness the Emir also sent a phoned Mohamed bin Salman to con- Saudi television repeatedly aired foot- at resolving the crisis. pected to travel to Washington next cable of congratulations to King Sal- gratulate him on his elevation and the age of Mohamed bin Nayef pledging President Donald Trump yesterday week, had said Doha would not ne- man on naming Prince Mohamed two leaders discussed , among other allegiance to Mohamed bin Salman, discussed the regional crisis with new gotiate with its neighbours to resolve crown prince and appointing him things how to resolve the ongoing who knelt and kissed his older cousin’s Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin the Gulf dispute unless they first lift deputy premier, wishing the king dispute with Qatar, the White House hand, saying: “We will not give up tak- Salman. the blockade they imposed two weeks health and well-being, while further said in a statement, adding they also ing your guidance and advice.” Washington has stepped up its ef- ago.

Qatar welcomes US offi cial’s remarks Eid holidays for banks from June 25 to 29 Qatar has welcomed US State support of resolving the crisis through Department Spokesperson Heather a civilised dialogue based on the Banks, insurance companies and Qatari and Omani trade Nauert’s remarks in support of sound foundations of the international financial institutions under Qatar the country on the Gulf crisis. HE community. He expressed Qatar’s Central Bank jurisdiction will remain Ambassador Ahmed bin Saeed al- support for the mediation led by closed for Eid al-Fitr from June 25 to 29, it is learnt. Eff ectively, the financial teams sign export deals Rumaihi, Director of the Information Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Offi ce of the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, al-Jaber al-Sabah to resolve the crisis institutions will remain closed for nine reiterated Qatar’s strategic position in within the framework of the GCC. days with two weekend holidays on ajor players in Qatar and men “were very interested” in visit- June 23 and 24 and June 30 and July 1. Oman’s business sectors have ing the Sultanate to review ways to Msigned several agreements and strengthen relations with their Omani deals for the supply of Omani goods counterparts. They also assured their and products to the Qatari market, Qa- desire to deepen co-operation in in- tar Chamber (QC) has announced. vestment and business fi elds. In a statement yesterday, QC said 135 Addressing the forum, al-Kuwari companies in Oman have “expressed stressed that Qatar and Oman enjoy Cabinet move to protect workers’ rights readiness” to supply the Qatari market “distinct and developing relations”, with Omani products. This was an- noting that both parties are exerting he Cabinet has taken the nec- one of them having experience in ac- sidered by the committee. The employer is defi ned as the nounced on the sidelines of a meeting “great eff orts to strengthen their rela- essary measures to issue a draft counting. The committee will issue its deci- “natural person who employed the held in Muscat between a Qatar Cham- tions in all sectors” and that there are Tlaw that seeks to protect work- The draft law was prepared “in sions expeditiously and only the com- worker”, while the employee is the ber-led trade delegation and their Om- “many mutual investments in both ers’ rights and simplify litigation pro- the framework of preserving labour petent court - the Court of Appeal “natural person who performs the ani counterparts. brotherly countries”. cedures in labour disputes. rights and simplification of litiga- - may order a suspension of the execu- housework under the management QC said the meeting “achieved great He expressed hope for both sides The move came after the Cabinet tion procedures in labour disputes”, tion of such decisions. and supervision of the employer in success”. The Qatari delegation, which to increase their partnerships in the reviewed the recommendations of the QNA said, adding that the “forma- After HE the Prime Minister exchange for a wage in accordance included 140 businessmen, attended sectors of trade, industry, transport Advisory Council on the draft law, the tion of the committee, its rules and Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin with the contract and custom”, such bilateral meetings with their Omani and food security. “Now is the time to offi cial Qatar News Agency (QNA) re- procedures, and the mechanism for Khalifa al-Thani chaired the Cabi- as driver, educator, cook, gardener counterparts, who discussed the range complement one another,” al-Kuwari ported yesterday. implementing its decisions and their net’s weekly meeting at Emiri Di- and the like. of Omani products that could be ex- stressed. The draft legislation amends some reward shall be issued by a decision wan yesterday, HE the Deputy Prime The draft law also defi nes the rights ported to Qatar. He added that the circumstances are provisions of the Labour Law prom- of the Cabinet”. Minister and Minister of State for and duties of employers and domestic The meetings in Muscat focused on “now appropriate” for the private sector ulgated by Law No 14 of 2004 and Law The committee shall be solely com- Cabinet Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah workers. the export of Omani products to Qa- in Qatar and Oman to work on economic No 13 of 1990 on the issuance of the petent to adjudicate all individual dis- bin Zaid al-Mahmoud said the Cabi- The Cabinet also reviewed the pro- tar, mainly foodstuff , luxury goods and integration, noting that Oman has im- civil and commercial procedures law, putes arising from the application of net took the necessary measures to grammes, plans and mechanisms set building materials, QC said. portant ports on the Arabian Sea, and in according to the report. the provisions of this law or the em- issue a draft law on domestic work- by the relevant ministries towards The chamber said over the next few co-operation with Hamad Port, the two Under the amendment, one or more ployment contract. ers after reviewing the recommen- implementation of the directives days, Omani products will be seen in the sides can achieve economic integration committees - to be called the Labour Also, the committee will decide dations of the Advisory Council on contained in the speech of His High- Qatari market, supported by the launch that will enhance trade between the two Dispute Settlement Committee - shall on the dispute before it within three the matter. ness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- of two direct shipping routes between countries and the world. be established by the Ministry of Ad- weeks from the date on which it is sub- The draft law defines domestic mad al-Thani at the opening of the Hamad Port and the Omani ports of So- According to offi cial statis- ministrative Development, Labour and mitted. work as the “work performed by the 45th regular session of the Advisory har and Salalah, which would contrib- tics, the total Qatari investments in Social Aff airs. The committee(s) shall Members of the committee shall worker in the service of the employer Council. The Cabinet decided that the ute to enhancing the movement of trade Oman reached 76.5mn Omani riy- be headed by a judge of the Court of be independent and have no author- or his residents in the family home competent authorities shall take the between the two countries. als (QR727mn) in 2015. Trade vol- First Instance chosen by the Supreme ity over them in their decisions oth- and its attachments in accordance necessary measures to follow up on the QC vice-chairman Mohamed bin ume between Qatar and Oman stood Judiciary Council and two members er than the law. No person or entity with the contract and custom”, QNA implementation of such programmes, Towar al-Kuwari, who led the delega- at QR2.8bn in 2014 and increased to nominated by HE the minister, with may intervene in the disputes con- said. plans and mechanisms. tion from Doha, said Qatari business- QR3bn in 2015. Page 28

Gulf Times Thursday, June 22, 2017 3 QATAR

Ooredoo’s volunteers at Katara

A group of volunteers from Ooredoo surprised families at Katara – The Cultural Village by distributing Iftar boxes after the Ramadan Cannon was fired. This initiative is part of the company’s ongoing Hand-In-Hand CSR campaign. Customers can follow Ooredoo’s activities via its Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter page using the hashtag #Shar- eAMoment. Manar Khalifa al-Muraikhi, director, PR and Corporate Communications at Ooredoo Qatar, said: “The firing of the ‘Midfa al Iftar (Ramadan Cannon) announces the breaking of the fast, and is a very old tradition in Qatar. Our volunteers enjoyed sharing a moment with everyone in Katara.”

CBSE to advance board exams to Feb

By Joseph Varghese declaration of results, which generally other human errors that might occur in Staff Reporter come around the third or fourth week of the whole process. May. Under the new scheme, the CBSE The examinations should start around is expecting the best and experienced ndia’s Central Board of Second- February15 and we are also planning to teachers to come for evaluation and it is ary Education (CBSE) is planning complete them within a month,” the of- also going to conduct two training ses- Ito schedule its board examinations fi cial has been quoted as saying. sions for the evaluators. for class 10 and 12 in February instead The early results, the board believes, “Just like teachers’ training, we are of March from the academic year 2018- will also help CBSE students with the planning two evaluators’ training ses- 2019. undergraduate admission process as sions each year starting December 2017,” The board also has made comprehen- there were many complaints from anx- said Chaturvedi. sive changes in its evaluation system by ious and angry students who were look- According to the CBSE offi cial, around making the whole process quicker, with ing for admissions for higher education 50,000 teachers are engaged in the eval- the reforms focused on “error-free eval- due to the delay in getting the results on uation process. uation”. Indian schools following CBSE time. Several Doha-based parents and stu- stream in Qatar said they have not got “By April, vacations begin in India dents welcomed the idea but some of any information regarding the proposed and experienced teachers are not avail- them expressed doubts whether the changes but will work out the academic able. Therefore, advancing evaluation to schools can schedule it eff ectively. schedule accordingly when the exams mid-March will ensure we have the best One parent said, “It is a good idea schedules are announced. teachers checking the answer scripts. and can benefi t the students very well. The board’s plan comes in the wake of Otherwise, in April during vacations, Moreover most schools in Qatar fi nish several complaints about glaring errors schools off er us only temporary, ad- their class 11 examinations in February. in the whole practice of the examinations hoc and newly-appointed teachers for They can easily follow the same pattern and the evaluation process. the evaluation exercise as experienced in classes 10 and 12.” Quoting CBSE chairman R K teachers do not oblige,” said the chair- Another parent noted: “Even though Chaturvedi, leading Indian daily Times man. schools plan to fi nish the syllabus in class of India reported that the process of The CBSE offi cial also noted that the 12 by early November, in many schools it evaluation will not drag over 45 days early evaluation of the answer scripts goes on until mid-December. If that is but is expected to be completed within will enable the board to prepare the fi nal the case, students will be left with lit- a month. results in a far more relaxed manner and tle time for self-study. So we have to see “This would also advance the date of do away with many of the clerical and how the schools cope with it.”

Gulf Times 8 Thursday, June 22, 2017 QATAR

Woqod’s new service station in Al Egda. Woqod service station opens doors in Al Egda

atar Fuel (Woqod) yesterday The station also has an electronic Al Muhannadi said Woqod is current- opened a new petrol station in payment service (WOQODe) for in- ly engaged in eight projects under con- QAl Egda in Al-Khor –the fourth dividuals and companies that off ers struction, “which are almost complete.” station to be commissioned in 2017 af- many benefi ts, especially shortening Part of it is expected to be open dur- ter Al Mashaf – Wukair, Abu Nakhla the fi lling time, which reduces conges- ing the second half of 2017, while the – Salwa Road, and Um Ghuwailina – tion at the station, controls customer other during the fi rst half of 2018. Doha Centre, which were inaugurated purchases, and prevents the manipula- “In addition, seven projects are in during the fi rst quarter of the year. tion of invoices by drivers. tendering stages and fi ve other projects With the opening of Al Egda, the to- Woqod CEO Saad Rashid al-Muhan- are in the design stages. These projects tal number of petrol stations owned by nadi said: “We are pleased to open this are expected to be commissioned by the Woqod now stands at 46, excluding mo- station in the area of Al Egda as part of end 2018. bile stations. This new petrol station is our strategy to provide essential serv- “Furthermore, we are co-ordinating spread over a 17,000sq m area, and has a ices to diff erent areas in the state of Qa- with the Ministry of Municipality and Fahes Centre within its premises. tar, especially places that are witness- Environment for allocating new sites The centre “is almost complete and ing the closure of private stations due in diff erent areas of the state for Woqod is expected to be open very soon.” to maintenance work or the change of new projects. The station will off er basic services, business, as well as the need to satisfy “Woqod is sincerely grateful to all including all petroleum products, in increasing demand in new populated the public and civil authorities that addition to Sidra C- store, oil change, areas or in delivering new infrastruc- contributed to the completion of these tire repair service, and LPG cylinders. ture projects.” projects,” al-Muhannadi said.

Gulf Times 10 Thursday, June 22, 2017 QATAR

SSC examination Emir receives message from Macron Qatar-EU ties discussed results to be announced today

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education will announce on Thursday afternoon the results of the general and specialised Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exams for the academic year 2016/2017. The results will be announced in a press conference after they are endorsed by HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi. Some 10,718 students took the second semester exams for the general and specialised secondary school certificate, including 8,895 day school students, 1,522 adult education His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has received a written message from HE the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi met students, 165 technical education, French President Emmanuel Macron. The message was received by HE the Minister of Foreign the head of the European Union delegation to Qatar Michele Cervone D’urso in Doha yesterday. 45 religious education and 91 of Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani during his meeting with French ambassador to They reviewed prospects of bolstering co-operation between Qatar and the European Union, and banking education students. Qatar Eric Chevallier. the latest developments on the Gulf arena. The exams began on May 25 and ended on June 10. QTA teams up 17 QM employees complete development programme with 77 hotels group of 17 Qatar Mu- seums (QM) employees Ahave graduated from the fourth batch of Qreation Gen- eration 4 development pro- gramme. for summer fest The programme is designed to shape the future arts and atar Tourism Authority discount on all F&B while some which are providing special cultural leaders of the organi- (QTA) has partnered with hotels will be off ering a 10% dis- packages to visitors and resi- sation, QM said in a statement. Qa record 77 hotels and hotel count on F&B at all hotel outlets dents who use their spas. The new batch of graduates apartments to provide enticing ac- for guests who book early. The spa off ers include 50% celebrated their achievements commodation and food and bev- Hotel guests can enjoy the discount on all spa treatments, at a ceremony and gala dinner, erage (F&B) packages throughout shopping promotions by avail- 50% discounts on gym member- held on Tuesday evening at the July and August as part of the an- ing of a free transfer to and ships during July and August, Museum of Islamic Art. nual Qatar Summer Festival. from Mall of Qatar, Doha Festi- and a 50% discount on beach The event saw the employees The packages made up of a val City or any of the major re- and/or pool access. present their fi nal group project mix-and-match of 11 diff erent tail centres participating in the The packages also include presentations, which they off ers for visitors or residents in festival. Various hotels will also F&B off ers with a 50% discount worked on during the eight- Qatar. Guests can benefi t from a provide free transfers to Souq on brunch menus on Fridays and month long programme. free night’s stay when two nights Waqif. Saturdays, or a 50% discount on The event was attended by (at hotels) or fi ve nights (at hotel To ease their arrival and jour- breakfast buff ets. QM chairperson HE Sheikha Al apartments) are booked. ney back home, select hotels will Visitors and residents can Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khali- Some hotel establishments are also off er guests late check-outs, also choose to benefi t from a fa al-Thani, CEO and chairper- also providing a range of food and free transfers to and from the full “Chill-Out Package,” which son’s special adviser Mansoor and beverage off ers including Hamad International Airport. includes use of gym, pool, full bin Ebrahim al-Mahmoud, and HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani with QM employees who completed Qreation free daily breakfasts, free meals Guests can visit the Qatar body massage and brunch. other QM senior representa- Generation 4. - supplied pictures for children under fi ve and meals Summer Festival pages on Qatar “The number of hotels par- tives. at half-price for children be- Calendar to fi nd out which hotel ticipating has increased by 35% The latest Qreation Gen- future of Qatar,” QM education diploma from QM. They have part of Qreation Generation tween 5 and 12 years of age when is off ering these packages. since last year’s festival,” QTA’s eration 4 programme gath- director Dr Jelena Trkulja said. already received a certifi cate 4 are Ahood Saleh al-Taweel, accompanied by adults. The same website lists the 21 festivals and events director ered employees from various “We want to help them real- from the Centre for Creative Aisha Nasser al-Sowaidi, Mo- Others will be providing a 10% hotels and luxury Sealine camp, Mashal Shahbik said. departments across QM. The ise their potential, and create Leadership, a renowned global hamed Ali Kamal, Ahood Ismail programme, first initiated in future cultural leaders that will provider of leadership develop- al-Dafa, Aisha Hamad al-Ham- 2013 by HE Sheikha Al Ma- continue to develop Qatar into ment. madi, Fatima Abdulla al-Maa- Chief of Staff holds phone conversations yassa covers management a hub for arts and culture,” she Qreation Generation is over- deed, Fatima al-Tamimi, Noora of cultural institutions and noted. seen by QM’s Department of Yousuf al-Mulla, Farah Abu Ra- HE the Chief of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces Forces General Hulusi Akar, Chief of the Italian leadership curriculum, and is Qreation Generation 4 covers Education. The programme, madan, Noora al-Meadadi, Ba- Ghanim bin Shaheen al-Ghanim held via telephone Defence General Staff General Claudio Graziano, custom-tailored specifically arts management lectures, dis- which is held every year, was khita Awad al-Marri, Mariam conversations with Chief of the British Defence Staff Chief of Staff of German Armed Forces General for QM. cussions, hands-on workshops created in consultation with al-Shaibani, Kholood Marzook Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, Chief of General Staff of Volker Wieker, and Commander of the US Central “At QM, we are committed and case studies looking at key international experts from al-Fahad, Eman Abdullah Ab- Kuwait’s Army Lieutenant General Mohamed Khaled Command General Joseph Leonard Votel. to continuously developing and issues facing cultural institu- the Erasmus University in The dullah, Eman Saleh al-Fadala, al-Khader, Chief of Staff of the Omani Armed Forces The conversations dealt with bilateral relations and nurturing our talented work- tions today. Hague and The Centre for Cre- Fatma Abdullah al-Hitimi, Lieutenant General Ahmed bin Harith bin Nasser al- means of enhancing military co-operation. They also force, who play such an impor- The graduates, 16 of whom ative Leadership from Brussels. and Sheikh Nouf Mubarak Saif Nabhan, Chief of General Staff of the Turkish Armed discussed the latest regional developments. tant role in shaping the creative were Qatari, were awarded a The QM employees who are Ahmed al-Thani. Working hours of health Cabinet okays draft resolution by Minister of Commerce centres during Eid holiday he weekly Cabinet meet- The Cabinet also approved standing for co-operation in ing, presided over by HE the proposal of the Ministry of various agricultural fi elds be- QNA will be from 7am to 2pm and in ing: from 7am to 2pm. Evening: daily in Rawdat Al Khail Health Tthe Prime Minister Sheikh Economy and Commerce to ex- tween the governments of Qatar Doha the evening from 4pm to 11pm. From 3pm to 9pm; Al Khor Centre during morning shift Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa tend the periods of adjustment and Kuwait. None of the dental clinics will Health Centre - Morning: from only 25/06/2017 to 3/07/2017, al-Thani, approved a draft reso- in accordance with to the pro- 2. A draft agreement between operate on the fi rst day of Eid al- 7am to 2pm. Evening: From 4pm except on Fridays and Saturdays. lution by the Minister of Econ- visions of Law No 20 of 2014 the governments of Qatar and Ar- he Primary Health Care Fitr and on Friday mornings. to 10pm; Al Sheehaniya Health The Dermatology Clin- omy and Commerce to amend amending some provisions of gentina on the avoidance of dou- Corporation (PHCC) has Working hours for Health Centre & Al Shamal Health Cen- ics will operate in Abu Baker some provisions of Decree No the commercial register, and ble taxation and the prevention Tannounced the health Centres outside Doha city will tre - Morning Only: From 7am to Sidiq Health Centre during 214 of 2014 on establishing a Law No 5 of 2015 regarding simi- of fi nancial evasion in respect of centres’ working hours schedule be as follows: Morning shift for 2pm. morning hours only on Sun- committee to study the issues lar commercial, industrial and taxes on income and capital. for the Eid al-fi tr holiday. Al Khor Health Centre and Al Al Thumama Health Centre; day 25/06/2017 & Wednesday related to the licensing of com- general shops and street vendors 3. A draft air services agree- The working hours during Shamal Health Centre will be Abu Nakhla Health Centre; Al 28/06/2017, Leabaib Health mercial, industrial and general and Law No 11 of 2015 issuing the ment between the governments the holiday from 25/06/2017 to from 7am to 2pm and evening Gharafa Health Centre; Al Ka- Centre during morning shift stores by adding a representative Commercial Companies Law. of Qatar and Nicaragua. 3/07/2017 will be as follows: shift from 4pm to 11pm; Al raana Health Centre; Umm Salal only on Tuesday 27/06/2017, of the Ministry of Transport and The Cabinet also approved a 4. A memorandum of under- Morning shift for Omar Bin Wakra Health Centre will work Health Centre; Al Ghuwairya Thursday 29/06/2017, and Sun- Communications to the mem- draft decisions of the Minister of standing for co-operation in the Kattab Health Centre, Al Rayyan from 7am to 11pm; Al Sheehani- Health Centre and Al Daayen day 2/07/2017. bership of the committee. Public Health on the control of fi eld of education, higher educa- Health Centre, Madinat Khalifa ya Health Centre: Daily from Health Centre will not operate Rawdat Al Khail Health Cen- The committee is specialised tobacco and its derivatives. tion and scientifi c research be- Health Centre, Rawdat Al Khail 7am to 9pm; Al Jumailia Health during Eid al-Fitr holiday. tre will work in the morning only in proposing the necessary cri- The Ministry of Public Health tween the governments of Qatar Health Centre, Abu Baker Sidiq Centre will operate according The Ophthalmology Clinic on Saturday 24/06/2017 & Mon- teria for the granting of licences prepared these draft decisions in and El Salvador. Health Centre, Leabaib Health to the on-call system around- will operate daily at Rawdat day 26/06/2017. to the referred shops and the the framework of completing the 5. The seventh executive pro- Centre, West Bay Health Cen- the-clock and Al Kabaan Health Al Khail Health Centre, Madi- All Premarital Examination appropriate solutions for grant- necessary decisions to imple- gramme in the fi eld of educa- tre, Mesaimeer Health Centre, Centre will operate according to nat Khalifa Health Centre & Clinics will be closed in all health ing licences in special cases, ment the provisions of Law No10 tion and higher education for Umm Ghuwailina Health Centre the on-call system around-the- Al Rayyan Health Centre dur- centres except at Al Rayyan and studying the regulations for of 2016 on the control of tobacco the agreement of cultural and and Airport Health Centre will clock. ing morning hours only from Health Centre, which will oper- granting temporary licences for and its derivatives. artistic co-operation between be from 7am to 2pm and evening Working hours for Dental 25/06/2017 to 3/07/2017, except ate on Tuesday 27/06/2017 & opening similar commercial and The Cabinet approved the fol- the governments of Qatar and shift from 4pm to 11pm. Services will be as follows: Al on Fridays. Thursday 29/06/2017 from 7am general stores in the sites over- lowing: France for the years 2017/2018- Dental Services’ working hours Wakra Health Centre - Morn- The ENT clinic will operate to 1pm. looking the main streets. 1. A memorandum of under- 2018/2019-2019/ 2020.

New U-turn in Bani Hajer for Dukhan-bound traffi c

he existing U-turn on Al has been made in co-ordination shown on the map, road users tinue to the Naqa Al Sahla Street created U-turn will only pro- Luqta Street will be done with the General Directorate of who are travelling eastbound on traffi c signal, turn right and per- vide one lane for road users to Taway with to enable the Traffi c. The traffi c change will Al Luqta Street wishing to return form a U-Turn at the designated turnaround. It is also required construction of an underpass commence tomorrow (June 23) to Dukhan are advised to contin- heavy vehicle turnaround point to reduce the number of lanes on the Dukhan Highway East and is expected to be in opera- ue straight and perform a U-turn (shown on the top right of the on Al Luqta Street for the short project. tion until February next year. prior to the Naqa Al Sahla Street map) and return to the Naqa Al section of road between the old The minor road change, which The U-Turn on Al Luqta traffi c signal. Sahla Street traffi c signal before U-Turn point and the new U- is located near Naqa Al Sahla Street, near one of the Education Truck drivers and other heavy turning left towards Dukhan. Turn point from three lanes to Street in the Bani Hajer area, City entrances will be closed. As vehicles will be required to con- Ashghal has said the newly two lanes. Gulf Times Thursday, June 22, 2017 11 QATAR QA raises over MoI to hold Eid festival QR9.6mn for EAA initiative at Asian Town, Al Khor atar Airways has re- 2014, together with our pas- newed its partnership sengers, we have raised over he Ministry of Interior Qwith the Education QR9.6mn and will continue to (MoI) will organise Eid Above All (EAA) Foundation’s donate to this worthy cause. Tal-Fitr Awareness and programme - Educate A Child With an estimated 61mn pri- Cultural Festival for expatriate (EAC), for the third consecu- mary school-aged children in communities on the fi rst and tive year. Since 2014, Qa- the world who currently have second days of the festival at the tar Airways has raised over no access to education, we, as Asian Town, in the Industrial QR9.6mn. a global corporate citizen, have Area. The Educate A Child pro- a responsibility to give back to Barwa Group will also host gramme was launched in 2012 communities.” Eid al-Fitr celebrations for by Her Highness Sheikha Moza Passengers can donate the communities at the Barwa bint Nasser, chairperson, Qa- when booking a fl ight on Qa- Workers Sports Complex in the tar Foundation, as a global tar Airways’ website www. Al Khor Industrial Area. programme of the Education qatarairways.com, and while MoI departments such as Above All Foundation. using the on-board donation Traffi c, Civil Defence, Com- Qatar Airways has sup- envelopes collected by cabin munity Policing, Al Fazaa ported the programme since crew. The airline leverages its Police, Permanent Commit- 2014 when it hosted the in- numerous communications tee for Drugs and Alcohol augural function in New York platforms, including its in- Aff airs, Search and Follow to announce the partnership. fl ight entertainment system, Up Department and Human The airline allocates one full Oryx Magazine, and its social Rights Department will par- page of editorial content to the media channels, to reach over ticipate in awareness pro- Off icials announcing the Eid al-Fitr celebrations schedule yesterday. programme on a monthly ba- 38mn passengers per year to grammes on traffi c safety, sis, and an informational EAC raise awareness of the Educate pedestrian safety, awareness taking pictures of accidents’ ties for the workers and com- programmes since the last three on fi ghting simple fi re breakouts video is shared on-board on its A Child programme. messages on risks of drug victims and adhering to Qa- munity members to showcase years. “The main attractions of and major fi re accidents at estab- in-fl ight entertainment system When booking online, a abuse and mental stimulants tar’s customs and traditions. their talents in singing, act- the Barwa event are perform- lishments. “The department will to help boost donations. small dialogue box highlights usage, risks of carrying be- “Prominent communities ing and stage plays. About ances and shows by popular or- also demonstrate the evacuation Akbar al-Baker, chief ex- the many Educate A Child do- longing of others while com- and orchestra groups will stage 700 prizes will be given to the chestra groups and communities strategies in case of fi re.” ecutive, Qatar Airways Group, nation options that vary from ing to Qatar without verify- shows and performances said communities through raf- teams.” Ahmed Aidarouse, project said, “As the national carrier of a minimum of $1 to a maxi- ing its contents, procedures Lt Waleed al-Abdullah,” said Lt fl e draws during the two-day A host of prizes are in the off er facilities manager, Ibn Ajayan Qatar, we are pleased to con- mum of $50. When on-board, to bring medicine to Qatar, Waleed Mohamed al-Abdullah, programme. for the public. Group, said the group will or- tinue our longstanding rela- cabin crew invite passengers importance of carrying ID public relations department, Ali Shaheen al-Kuwari, Barwa Lt Abdul Hadi al-Murri, Civil ganise several musical and sports tionship with Educate A Child, to donate any amount, in any card, risks of gathering in Ministry of Interior. Group, said the group has been Defence, said the department event on fi rst and second days and support the Education currency via the seat back front of accident sites and There will be opportuni- organising the communities will present awareness messages of Eid. Above All Foundation. Since envelopes.

Commercial Bank Mannai Group holds Iftar for employees Katara launches ‘e-Gift’ lines up shows ommercial Bank has In celebration of Eid al-Fitr, announced the launch- using the e-Gift feature, Com- id al-Fitr celebrations at Cing of ‘e-Gift’, a new mercial Bank customers can Katara-the Cultural Village digital initiative now available surprise their loved ones by Ethis year will feature a series on the bank’s Internet bank- sending a cash gift, either via a of exciting shows led by a group of ing platforms with the mobile transfer to the recipient’s bank international performers to en- enabled versions. account, or for those local in tertain residents and visitors. Coinciding with the Eid al- Qatar, they have the option Titled “Stories from the Arab Fitr holiday celebrations, when to withdraw cash at a Com- heritage,” the festival will show- many people give cash gifts, mercial Bank ATM, without case an array of playwrights and e-Gift enables customers to needing a debit or credit card. acrobatics, which interpret se- electronically send a cash gift Commercial Bank Group lected stories from “Thousand to their children, friends, and CEO Joseph Abraham said, and One Nights.” family, the bank said. “Commercial Bank recog- The performances aim to give The e-Gift feature is de- nises that Eid is a very spe- children the opportunity to enjoy signed to deliver the joy of giv- cial time for many of our stories of heritage in a remark- ing and receiving gifts, with customers, with a focus on able manner and in an amaz- the sender and the recipient the family and gift-exchange ing atmosphere, enriching their both receiving a personalised (Eid gifts ‘Ediya’). imagination and knowledge, message, informing them of “Commercial Bank is re- according to Katara. the gift. nowned for bringing innova- Performances will take place The sender is able to see tive technologies to Qatar’s at 7pm, 8.30pm, and 9.45pm his animated gift envelop be- banking industry and in re- throughout Eid al-Fitr. Organis- ing fi lled with cash and fl own sponse to our customers’ Mannai Corporation held the traditional Iftar for all its employees. Several members of the management team attended the Iftar along with ers will also distribute gifts to the away, whilst the recipient re- needs, we are proud to intro- employees from the various Mannai Group of companies. Alekh Grewal, Mannai Corporation Group CEO and director, said, “This annual children at 7.30pm and 9pm at ceives a celebratory animation, duce our new digital e-Gift tradition of Iftar serves as an informal setting to establish better relations socially among our company employees and management while the festival. One of the highlights again with the personalised feature to provide the best practising the spirit of sharing and solidarity.” of the celebration is a 15-minute message addressed to them. client experience.” fi reworks show at 10.45pm. NCC investing in key areas to Ooredoo enhance brand value of Mazda upgrades

azda and its sole agent in Qatar, National Car MCompany (NCC), have networks reaffi rmed their commitment to enhance further the brand value of Mazda in Qatar market by announcing more invest- ment in key areas of infrastruc- with CAT 16 ture, manpower, marketing and advanced systems. oredoo announced experience for our customers The announcement came dur- yesterday that one of and we have solidly invested in ing the recent meeting of NCC Oits 4.5G mobile net- ensuring this. president director Sheikh Ahmad work sites has been success- “Ooredoo is the only com- Nasser al-Thani, along with the fully upgraded to support a pany in the country to have top Mazda offi cials including gen- data speed of up to 1Gbps with service enhancing technol- eral manager – MEA Hiroshi Yosh- CAT 16 devices. ogy such as VoLTE and CAT ida at the Mazda headquarters Ooredoo said this speed in 16 ready for our customers and in Hiroshima, Japan. a ‘real world’ environment is Qatar to connect to the world, This includes ongoing upgra- a fi rst in the region and mile- and with each other, at the dation of NCC facilities to match stone for the company as latest speeds.” Mazda’s stylish and spirited Ooredoo plans to roll-out the The mobile network up- model range, recruitment and upgrade across the majority of grade, which was completed training of competent staff and Sheikh Ahmad Nasser al-Thani is seen with Hiroshi Yoshida and other top Mazda off icials at the Mazda headquarters in Hiroshima, Japan. its 4.5G mobile network sites successfully in partnership aggressive marketing campaigns in Qatar soon. with Nokia, is a “key step” in to ensure top of mind awareness which is more than just customer “We are ensuring that our staff 9am to 9pm except on Fridays a personal sports sedan with eve- With a speed of 1Gbps, Ooredoo’s roadmap to launch in the market. satisfaction. is focusing on delivering a fi rst- when the showroom is open rything in the cockpit dedicated Ooredoo customers will be their 5G-ready services on the The entire Mazda range now “Buying a car is a signifi cant class customer experience that during evening hours. to helping the motorist celebrate able to download an MP3 fi le Supernet. features award-winning Skyac- purchase so we want to ensure makes the car buying process en- Now with Smarter Technolo- driving through a direct feeling of of 3MB in less than a second, “We’re continuing to test tiv technology and eye-catching the event matches the very best joyable and simple. We want our gies, all Mazda models provide being at one with the vehicle. a 950MB HD TV episode in our 5G capabilities with the Kodo: Soul of Motion design and in modern high-street shopping customers to enjoy the Mazda i-Activsense safety technologies Mazda CX5, a unique cross SUV, eight seconds, and a 15GB Blu- latest 5G-enabled technology NCC is investing to ensure fa- experiences. Our aim is to deliver experience so that they become with an active approach to safety is best in its class delivers high Ray Movie in two minutes. and hope to demonstrate to cilities and customer service in a personal service that ensures our brand ambassadors and tell by helping drivers stay informed performance without compromis- To ensure that everyone can Qatar exactly how 5G speeds Qatar match the quality of the everyone buying a Mazda feels their family, friends and col- about hazards on the road and ing fuel effi ciency and emission take advantage of these “life- will enhance our country’s product range from the Japanese connected and is positively sur- leagues introducing a new way MZD connect, the new in-vehi- standards with its 2.5litre Skyactiv changing speeds,” Ooredoo industries in near future,” car maker. prised throughout the process”. for Mazda to measure customer cle connectivity system, off ering engine and 6 Speed AT. will soon begin to sell devices al-Sayed added. “It’s very pleasing for us that Sheikh Ahmad Nasser al-Tha- satisfaction.” the latest Internet-connected Mazda CX-9 is described as that support CAT 16 technol- This is the latest in a host our partner, National Car Com- ni recalled that NCC’s associa- NCC off ers the entire range of services via your smartphone. the ultimate blend of stunning ogy in its Ooredoo retail shops of Supernet updates for the pany is so willing to invest in tion with Mazda has been grow- new generation Mazda sedans, The new Mazda3’s entire de- sophistication and family SUV and online. company as Ooredoo con- Mazda even during tough market ing from strength to strength SUVs and pick-ups displayed velopment process was dedicated with seven seats. It is the very Ooredoo Qatar CEO Waleed tinues to invest in ensur- conditions,” said Yoshida while over the years with mutual co- in a state of the art showroom to bringing the driver even more fi rst Mazda to feature the break- al-Sayed said, “We launched ing the best data and net- stating that Mazda wants a phi- operation and perfect under- located in Fereej Al Nasr which of the feeling of unity and pure, through Skyactiv-G 2.5T petrol the Ooredoo Supernet to pro- work experience for their losophy of customer excellence standing. is open seven days a week from fun-to-drive pleasure. Mazda6 is engine. vide the best possible network customers. Gulf Times 12 Thursday, June 22, 2017 QATAR/RAMADAN Travellers urged to check mobile roaming packages

s the annual holiday season ap- proaches, the Communications ARegulatory Authority (CRA) has alerted all consumers to ensure that they are familiar with their service pro- vider’s roaming packages and services if they plan to use their Qatar SIM cards aboard. Both service providers in Qatar have products catering to travelling con- The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Aff airs has opened three new sumers but it is the consumer’s re- mosques in Al Wajbah, Um Al Sinim amd Al Rayyan. The mosques sponsibility to understand the related have a combined capacity of more than 1,800 worshippers. The terms and conditions such as the cost ministry said in a statement that the opening of the new mosques of roaming services and the process to comes within the framework of its plan to expand the number of monitor usage, CRA has said in a state- mosques and develop them in all regions to keep pace with urban ment. growth and rise in population. In addition, it is important to check before travelling if the service provider off ers roaming service in the destina- tion country. “CRA typically receives a high vol- ume of complaints from consumers Understanding the related to roaming following the holi- day season. CRA strives to help con- (Above) Infographic on how to check sumers make informed decisions when balance while roaming; (Right) Amel using roaming packages and services Salem al-Hanawi available to them when travelling out obligations of Zakaat al-Fitr of the country. If consumers have any Also, where possible, they should ac- unresolved complaints with their serv- tivate the package before travelling so ice providers CRA is available 24/7 that they do not incur any unnecessary akaat al-Fitr is an individual ob- is acceptable for his master to pay on his 1- Permissible: Two days before Eid through its hotline 103 and mobile app, roaming charges at the destination. ligation upon every Muslim who behalf. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi al-Fitr. ‘Arsel’. However, it’s still important for Consumers should also stay in- Zcan aff ord it, prescribed by the wa sallam, said: “There is no charity to 2- Recommended: On the morning consumers to stay informed about their formed of the networks that their serv- Shari‘ah (Islamic legislation) based on be paid on the slave (i.e. for owning him) of the day of Eid before the Prayer. data and roaming usage to avoid bill ice provider has partnered with in the the texts of the Qur’an and Sunnah (Pro- except Sadaqat al-Fitr.” [Muslim] 3- Prohibited: After the Eid Prayer, shock,” said Amel Salem al-Hanawi, destination country. phetic tradition), and scholarly consen- It is recommended that the Muslim when it is not considered valid. CRA’s consumer aff airs manager. Ideally, network selection should be sus. It was ordained, along with fasting, gives Sadaqat al-Fitr on behalf of the It is permissible to authorise someone Most common complaints related turned to manual mode in settings of in the second year after Hijrah (emigra- foetus if it is four months old as ‘Uth- to give Sadaqat al-Fitr on one’s behalf. to roaming services, received by CRA, mobile devices to ensure that a strong tion). The recipients of Sadaqat al-Fitr maan, radhiallah ‘anhu, did so, and he There is no harm in delaying it for a valid are a result of the consumer using the non-partnering network is not selected completely. Users should take advan- are the same recipients of general Za- was one of the four Rightly-Guided Cal- reason. Sadaqat al-Fitr can be given out wrong network carrier, over-con- automatically. tage of such alerts and manage their kaah (obligatory charity), based on what iphs regarding whom we are ordered to of the common staple food of the coun- sumption of roaming data (exceeding Further, CRA has said consumers roaming costs responsibly. Allah The Almighty Says (which means): follow their practices. try, and according to the majority of set limit) or misinformation about the should become aware of their select- If their allowance is fi nished before {Zakaah expenditures are only for the According to an authentic narration, scholars, it is not permissible to give the activation and termination process, the ed roaming package and continually the expiry of the existing roaming serv- poor and for the needy…} [Qur’an 9:60] it is permissible to give Zakaat al-Fitr monetary value of Sadaqat al-Fitr. The statement points out. monitor their balance to avoid incur- ice, they should check with their serv- early but only by a maximum of two days Muslim may give one person many Saa‘s To ensure a smooth experience of us- ring high roaming costs outside of the ice provider the process of adding more There is a consensus among the before Eid as reported from Ibn ‘Umar, or one Saa‘ to many people. ing communications services abroad, package. allowance. If using a monthly roaming scholars on the obligation of Zakaat radhiallah ‘anhu. In a Hadith (narration), It is preferable for the Muslim to give consumers should call their service The service providers are obliged to package, they should check with the al-Fitr, which has two conditions: it was said, “Ibn ‘Umar gave Sadaqat al- it personally so that he can be sure that it provider beforehand or visit their web- provide consumers notifi cations be- service provider if the renewal is auto- 1. The amount (one Saa’) should be Fitr for those who would accept it, and is delivered on time. site to read available information. fore the package ends or it is consumed matic and plan accordingly. superfl uous over one’s own need and the they used to receive it one or two days The Commander of the Believers, need of his dependants for the day and before Eid al-Fitr.” [Al-Bukhari] ‘Umar ibn ‘Abdul-Aziz would command night of Eid. However, it is preferable to give it the Muslims to give Sadaqat al-Fitr and 2. It should be given upon (and not before the Eid Prayer due to the Hadith recite the verse (which means): {He has before) the arrival of its due time, which which was narrated on the authority of certainly succeeded who purifi es him- is sunset of the last day of Ramadan. Ibn ‘Umar where it was mentioned that self. And mentions the Name of his Lord The amount given as Sadaqat al-Fitr the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sal- and prays.} [Qur’an 87:14-15] is a single Saa‘ for each Muslim, but it lam, ordered Sadaqat al-Fitr to be dis- Ibn ‘Umar said: “The Prophet or- can be less than one Saa‘ if the Mus- tributed before Muslims go out for the dained Zakaat al-Fitr to be given as lim does not fi nd any more than that. Eid Prayer. It is not permissible to delay one Saa‘ (handful) of dates or barley for Sadaqat al-Fitr is obligatory upon every it until after the Eid Prayer, and if it is, it every slave and free Muslim, male or fe- Muslim individually, and the Muslim is would not be valid. The Prophet, sallal- male, young or old. He ordered it to be not obligated to give it on behalf of oth- laahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Whoever given out before the Muslims go to the ers according to the majority opinion introduces something to our aff airs (i.e. Eid Prayer.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] of scholars. However, one can give it on religion) which does not belong to it, it Article source: http://www.is- behalf of those under his care with their will be rejected.” lamweb.net/emainpage/ consent. An exception to this ruling is the slave, for whom Sadaqat al-Fitr is, Therefore, the time for giving Za- of course, an obligation, but in his case it kaat al-Fitr can be one of three:

QIIB off icials during the awards ceremony of the first winners of its ‘alternative channels’ promotion. QIIB names fi rst winners of promotion

atar International Islamic Bank Mohamed al-Mawlawi, general they represent an important part of the (QIIB) has announced the names manager, Business Development and future of banking services. Qof the fi rst winners of its ‘alter- Marketing at QIIB, handed over the “QIIB has invested eff ectively in var- native channels’ promotion for the pe- prizes in a ceremony held at the bank’s ious alternative channels and designed riod June 1, 2017 to August 23, 2017. headquarters. them according to the best global sys- QIIB said Mohamed Saad Saleh won He said: “The rewards to our cus- tems and standards in banking and the fi rst prize (50,000 QIIB points), tomers are, in fact, a double bonus by technology, especially in confi dential- which allows him to replace the points giving them the opportunity to win ity and high security to ensure the pro- with airline tickets to any destination, valuable prizes by using our alterna- vision of high-quality banking services while Mahmoud Ibrahim al-Sayed won tive channels, and once again through and at the least eff ort and cost to the the second prize, a Samsung Mobile S8. the great advantages of these channels, customer. The winners are selected weekly they provide ease of use and many op- “Clients are always interested in us- through a system that can accurately tions. ing alternative channels as the best identify the most popular customers “We are keen to off er our services way to get the fastest and most effi cient for the alternative channels off ered by and to meet customer’s expectations, banking service, and with QIIB awards, QIIB (mobile, Internet banking, and which is why we have encouraged them the possibility of winning is still availa- ATMs). to use alternative channels because ble until the end of the specifi ed period.” Gulf Times Thursday, June 22, 2017 13 QATAR

Qatar Airways Canadian activists call for launches new lifting blockade on Qatar portal for refunds QNA gers whose fl ight has been im- QNA while, expressed regret over the Doha pacted by the recent travel bans. Montreal campaigns carried out by whole In addition, since the airspace countries to undermine Qatar’s closures began, the airline has reputation and hurt its people, aunched in time for the Eid been providing regular commu- group of Canadian ac- while everyone can attest to Qa- break, Qatar Airways has nications through its increased tivists organised a dem- tar’s favours for many peoples of La new online portal, to as- global call centre capacity and Aonstration in solidarity the region as well as its constant sist passengers to apply for and new, fl exible call-back function with the State of Qatar in central work to help the weak and me- manage their ticket refund proc- on its Facebook page. Montreal, the economic capital diate between the adversaries in ess in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar Airways has also taken of Canada’s province of Quebec. Arab confl ict zones. the UAE. “The announcement is all eff orts to reassure its pas- The demonstrators raised Qa- Another organiser of the part of airline’s ongoing eff orts to sengers that the vast majority of tari fl ags and banners bearing march said Qatar has never sup- limit inconvenience to those of its global fl ights remain undis- slogans calling for an end to the ported terrorism, adding that its passengers aff ected by the re- rupted and that those aff ected blockade that has been imposed those who support terrorism are cent airspace and offi ce closures, will be assisted as quickly as pos- on Qatar by Saudi Arabia, the well-known as well as those who alongside the blocking of the air- sible. The airline is widely rec- UAE and Bahrain for more than fuel strife for the benefi t of for- lines website, providing reassur- ognised as off ering the world’s two weeks. eign countries and other parties, ance that customers remain the best service and holds the title of The protesters repeated chants noting that the people are not airlines utmost priority,” a state- ‘World’s Best Airline,’ as awarded in English, French and Arabic, fools and don’t blindly believe ment said. by the customer-voted the Sky- highlighting what the Qatari everything they are told. Following closure of airspace, trax awards 2017. Qatar Airways people are being subjected to by The organisers called on the its offi ces and the blocking of its continues to fl y the skies with a their neighbours, which neither Canadian prime minister, the websites, Qatar Airways has fo- vast network of more than 150 belongs to Islam nor Arab cul- Canadian government and the cused on fi nding innovative so- destinations, including the re- ture, stressing that Qatar, which international society to “tackle lutions and limiting its impact cently launched summer route is known for moderation and hu- the aggressive acts carried out to passengers. This includes pro- to Dublin, Ireland on June 12 and manitarian initiatives, doesn’t The demonstrators raised Qatari flags and banners bearing slogans calling for an end to the blockade that has by Saudi Arabia, the UAE and viding fl exible commercial and the upcoming Nice, France, on deserve to be treated in that way. been imposed on Qatar by Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain for more than two weeks. Bahrain” against the government refund policies for any passen- July 4. They reaffi rmed the need to and people of Qatar, reminding return to dialogue and settle any that imposed the blockade had re- Another demonstrator A female protester reiterated Canadians of the eff orts of the Additional fl ights to Indian airports disputes through understanding alised that they are taking this ac- stressed that the blockade im- that the harm that Qatar is sub- Qatari Foreign Ministry for the so as to avoid any further rupture tion during the holy month of Ra- posed on Qatar contradicts with jected to is an unjust act that release of a Canadian citizen who There will be additional flights was brought to his attention by of the Arab fabric. madan, which Muslims take pride all international norms and laws will always be associated with was held captive in Afghanistan from Doha to two southern a large number of Indian expa- One of the demonstrators ques- in as a month of mercy, forgive- as well as humanitarian princi- the blockading countries. The and returning him home to his Indian airports from June triate forums in Qatar. However, tioned whether any of the sides ness, solidarity and good deeds. ples. march’s co-ordinator, mean- family. 25 to July 8, travel industry India-bound passengers feel sources have said. While ad- more additional services are ditional Air India Express flights required at least until the first are to be operated on the week of July, also to such des- Thiruvananathapuram-Doha- tinations as Delhi, Calicut, and Cochin-Thiruvanathapuram Mangalore. Inquiries made by Gulf crisis aff ects advancement sector for the 14 days from Gulf Times had found that an Sunday, Jet Airways will operate estimated 800 to 1,600 pas- two flights between Mumbai sengers had booked tickets and Doha today and tomorrow. to travel daily to Indian cities The two airline companies have through the three airports in of education, says QF offi cial introduced additional flights the UAE. However, the four on a request made by Indian airline companies which ambassador P Kumaran to the together operated between 19 QNA its scholarship programmes, espe- 10th National Research Session ahead of September. On the impact aff ect the foundation. On GCC em- Indian civil aviation ministry. and 22 daily flights between Doha cially as it includes a number of the which brings together students of the blockade on the progress of ployees in QF, he said that they are The envoy had pointed out the UAE airports and Doha have largest international universities from the countries which have infrastructure work of Qatar Foun- very few so their interruption from necessity of additional flights stopped their services for an that off er the best academic, sci- blockaded Qatar, however, QF dation, Dr al-Ibrahim said that the work is not a problem for the foun- with India’s external aff airs indefinite period after the UAE xecutive Vice President of entifi c and research programmes. announced its commitment to infrastructure, which has been go- dation, explaining that there are 12 minister Sushma Swaraj and had announced air blockade QF Research & Development QF will not lose anything on the provide the necessary support ing on for more than 20 years, ended Saudi and 11 Bahraini employees civil aviation minister Ashok on Qatar along with Saudi Ara- E(QF R&D), Dr Hamad al- fi nancial level as it off ers scholar- for the programme to raise the up with almost 90% and it will not who have been asked to communi- Gajapathi Raju after the issue bia and Bahrain, from June 6. Ibrahim, stressed that QF is not af- ship programmes for GCC students value of science and contribute be aff ected by the siege imposed cate with their embassies immedi- fected academically or at the level and guarantees their stay and their to the advancement of the region on Qatar, stressing that all schools, ately after the crisis and that QF has of construction, operations and expenses, Dr al-Ibrahim said, point- and humanity in general, Dr al- universities, research centres along not taken any action against them to programmes by the blockade im- ing out that science and research re- Ibrahim explained. with Hamad Bin Khalifa Univer- terminate their services or stop their posed by some GCC countries on establishes what politics destroys Regarding the facilities off ered by sity have been completed inside the employment. Qatar. In a press conference held that’s why scientifi c and research QF to students from GCC countries Education City. As for university professors, Dr Movie screenings not in the Education City yesterday, Dr fi eld should be independent. during this crisis, Dr al-Ibrahim af- In this context, Dr al-Ibrahim al-Ibrahim said that QF has no al-Ibrahim stressed that the real No matter how much the siege on fi rmed the foundation’s commit- stressed that there are no problems role in their appointment as the loss resulting of this crisis is the Qatar has increased, QF will not stop ment to all its duties in this regard, related to the supply of raw materi- universities are responsible for aff ected by blockade failure to promote education in the supporting science and research in stressing that these students have als especially that Qatar has many providing faculty and adminis- region and deprive the students to the region, he stressed. the opportunity due to the summer alternatives so the termination of trative members while each uni- benefi t from Qatar Foundation and QF recently launched the vacation to adjust their situation any services or contracts will not versity shall provide its cadres. By Ramesh Mathew tributor’s offi ces in Oman and it Staff Reporter has been working smoothly since the blockade on Qatar started on June 5. he ongoing economic Earlier, the cinema opera- UN Secretary-General backs Kuwait mediation blockade on Qatar by some tors in Qatar were screening the Tof its Gulf neighbours movies through the regional would not have any impact on distributor’s facilities in Dubai. QNA the Gulf crisis. In a press con- wait mediation initiative,” the been is to try to push for a re- that eff orts will be welcome by the fi lm screenings in the coming “Since the issue started on June New York ference at the UN headquarters, UN chief said. gional solution and what I have any country or entity that has days, particularly during the Eid 5 we have been screening movies Guterres expressed concern Guterres said what Kuwait is considered as most eff ective and leverage over the dispute parties. al-Fitr festival, when new Hol- in arrangement with the regional over the situation, saying that doing “is the most useful way,” probable mediator has been Ku- “I don’t think the UN has lever- lywood, Bollywood and fi lms in distributor’s offi ce in Muscat,” N Secretary-General there should be a “regional so- adding that for the United Na- wait that has my full support,” he age over the parties to the con- regional Indian languages are in said Najadi. At least two premier Antonio Guterres has lution” for the crisis. “I have tions to co-operate in trying to added. fl ict that makes our direct inter- line for Gulf release, said a top of- Hollywood movies and three In- Uexpressed full support to followed particularly the efforts handle the situation, the leader- Asked about the intervention vention more eff ective than the fi cial of the Qatar Cinema and Film dian language movies, of them Kuwait’s initiative and efforts of mediation by Kuwait, and I ship should be a “regional lead- of other countries in the dispute support of Kuwaiti mediation,” Distribution Company (QCFDC). two in Tamil, are set for their re- to alleviate tension and settle express my support to the Ku- ership.” “My main concern has in order to solve it, Guterres said Guterres said. Replying to a query by Gulf Times lease in the cinema halls in Qatar yesterday, Abdurahman Najadi, during Eid al-Fitr. The QCFDC general manager of the oldest cin- offi cial also informed that his ema company operating screens company is planning some “at- at three locations in the country, tractive” off ers for the country’s said their company had made ar- moviegoers for the entire sum- Treatment of livestock was rangements with the regional dis- mer season. ‘unfair, arbitrary’: Qatari owner ‘Parties want to create Qatari owner of a herd of division between camels, sheep and goats, Ahas recounted the ordeal he and his herd had to endure Arabs and Turks’ on account of the decision of the Saudi Arabian authorities to ‘deport’ all Qatari-owned herds, urkish presidential ers to diff use tensions and ndfi a as part of the economic blockade spokesperson Ambas- peaceful and amicable solution enforced on Doha. Tsador Ibrahim Kalin said to the problem. His words refl ect the anguish, that the sanctions imposed on By taking this stance, Turkey pain and shock: “I am a Qatari Qatar do not contribute to solv- has no intentions of interfer- citizen owning a herd of camels, ing the current crisis. Qatar re- ing in the internal aff airs of any sheep and goats in the Kingdom jects the charge of supporting country. Despite claims by some of Saudi Arabia where we used to terrorism and demands con- propagandists who seek to take graze and raise them. The plight crete evidence, as any country advantage of the crisis in order caused by the arbitrary departure confronted with such accusa- to damage Turkish-Arab rela- of my herd aff ected not only me, Qatari men herd camels in a desert area on the Qatari side of the Abu Samra border crossing. tions would, Kalin said in a col- tions, all Turkey wants to see is a but many other Qatari citizens umn published in the Turkish peaceful resolution of this crisis; owning camels, sheep and goats, out of the Kingdom via land.” said, adding that the Saudi au- of animal torture,” the citizen English newspaper Daily Sabah. he said. He warned that there are they were also treated in the same After learning about the de- thorities used “electric light- pointed out. Qatari officials take the claim parties preparing the ground to primitive manner by the Saudi cision, “we raced to move our ers and truncheons” and also “This is unfair and unprec- seriously but have yet to receive ignite the fl ame of sedition in the authorities. animal back to Qatar”, the citizen “bumped the animals with cars” edented, and such arbitrary han- any hard evidence connecting region between Arabs and Turks “These camels, sheep and said. to force them to move quickly. dling of our animals has deprived A boy feeds a camel on the Qatari it with any terrorist organisa- through the exploitation of the goats were our only source of life “However, we were shocked That led to a stampede-like us of our livelihood and caused side of the Abu Samra border tion in the Gulf region, Syria or current crisis, calling for joint and income; we heavily relied on and horrifi ed to learn that the situation among the camels and us heavy fi nancial losses. It is an crossing. elsewhere, he added. co-operation to thwart these their dairy production.” Saudi authorities had already goats as they collided with each assault on the rights of humans Kalin praised the Emir of Ku- conspiracies that have been go- He recalled it was a normal gathered all of our herds in one other, while also making it hard fi rst, and of animals,” he stressed. should violate the rights of Qa- wait’s signifi cant role to reduce ing on for years. Sunday “when we were surpris- place near the Saudi-Qatari bor- for the owners to identify their “I express my strong condem- tari citizens. It is a bad mixture tensions and resolve the crisis, Turks and Arabs are brothers ingly informed of the Saudi au- der. It was a scene that could be animals. nation of the unjust measures, of politics and people’s lives. I re- stressing Turkey’s readiness to and sisters, friends and allies, thorities’ decision to ‘deport’ all described – at the least – as and “That treatment also led to the which came as a kind of collec- serve my right to claim fi nancial help, referring in this regard to neighbours and partners, and Qatari-owned camel and goats lacking any animal rights.” death of a large number of cam- tive punishment for the Qatari and moral compensation.” the eff orts being exerted by the must work together for a more out of the Kingdom. We were It was very crowded with more els and goats. Water shortage and people. If Saudi Arabia has sev- (Readers can send their com- Turkish President Recep Tayyip secure and brighter future of given a period of 24 hours to take than 10,000 camels and about high temperature also played a ered its diplomatic relations with ments/pictures on this topic to Erdogan, who held numerous the Arab and Islamic world, he our thousands of camel and goats 2,000 goats all in one place, he signifi cant role in that episode Qatar, this does not mean that it [email protected]) phone calls with regional lead- added. Gulf Times 14 Thursday, June 22, 2017 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Gaza residents get temporary relief Iraqi forces advance on from power crisis

AFP crossing spokesman, said. Rafah The energy authority said it expected the power station to militants’ stronghold resume operations in the com- gypt began yesterday to ing hours. Reuters battle of Mosul started on Oct 17. deliver a million litres of Residents of Gaza — where Mosul, Iraq The fall of Mosul would, in Efuel to Gaza, temporarily 2mn people live fenced in be- eff ect, mark the end of the Ira- easing a crisis that has left the tween Israel, Egypt and the qi half of the “caliphate” even Palestinian enclave’s 2mn res- Mediterranean — were already S-backed Iraqi forces though Islamic State would con- idents with only a few hours of receiving only a few hours of yesterday began a push tinue to control territory west electricity per day. mains power before this week. Utowards the mosque in and south of the city, the largest The deliveries come two Israel had been supplying Mosul where Islamic State de- they came to control in both Iraq days after Israel began reduc- 120 megawatts of electricity clared a self-styled caliphate and Syria. ing the electricity it supplies to Gaza a month, making up three years ago, military offi cials “If you were a Daesh fi ght- to Gaza. about a quarter of the terri- said. er (..) I don’t sense you would The United Nations and tory’s needs before the current The forces had encircled the feel as though you are being rights groups had warned the situation. militant group’s stronghold in led by Baghdadi,” Major Gen- cuts would have disastrous The move threatened to the Old City of Mosul, where the eral Rupert Jones, British deputy eff ects, with the UN warning leave Gazans with as little medieval Grand Al-Nuri Mosque commander of the international of a “total collapse” in basic as two hours of power a day, is located, on Tuesday, they said. coalition, said during a visit to services. prompting warnings of dev- The Counter Terrorism Serv- eastern Mosul. The fuel will go to Gaza’s astating impacts on the popu- ice (CTS) were 200-300 metres “I suspect you feel isolated. sole power plant, which has lation. Israeli human rights away from the mosque, an Iraqi I suspect you feel deserted and been shut since April due to group Gisha has said the re- military statement said, a view you know this is only going to shortages, and will provide duction in supplies by “Israel supported by a senior com- end one way,” he added. enough power for a few days, is knowingly aggravating an mander of the international coa- The Iraqi government initially Samir Moutair, director gen- already dangerous situation lition fi ghting Islamic State. hoped to take Mosul by the end eral of the Gaza electricity in which the strip is teetering The US-led coalition is pro- of 2016, but the campaign took company, said. on the verge of a humanitarian viding air and ground support to longer as militants reinforced Egypt, led by President Ab- crisis.” the Mosul off ensive that started positions in civilian areas to fi ght del Fattah al-Sisi, has inter- “This Egyptian support on Oct 17. back. The militants are also re- vened in the matter. in Gaza is part of what was Iraqi offi cials have privately treating in Syria, mainly in the In total 22 trucks carry- agreed at the Cairo meetings,” expressed the hope that the face of a US-backed Kurdish- ing a million litres (220,000 General Tawfi q Abu Naim, mosque could be captured in led coalition. Its capital there, gallons) of fuel for the power head of security in Gaza, told time for Eid al-Fitr, the festival Raqqa, is under siege. plant were entering yesterday, a news conference in Rafah marking the end of Ramadan. About 850,000 people, more Wael Abu Omar, the Rafah yesterday. The fi rst day of the Eid falls than a third of the pre-war this year on June 25 or 26 in Iraq. population of Mosul, have fl ed, The battle for the Old City is seeking refuge with relatives ARREST becoming the deadliest in the or in camps, according to aid Fighter’s mother held over remarks eight-month-old off ensive to groups. capture Mosul, Islamic State’s de Members of the Iraqi anti-terrorism forces (CTS) help an elderly woman as they advance through the Old City of Jones said Iraqi forces had Israeli forces arrested the mother of a slain Palestinian fighter early facto capital in Iraq. Mosul yesterday, during the ongoing off ensive to retake the last district still held by the Islamic State (IS) group. overcome the distrust that yesterday after she praised her son’s deadly east Jerusalem attack, More than 100,000 civilians, marked their relations with the the army and police said. Two youths from the village of Deir Abu of whom half are children, are “We are trying to keep fami- through holes dug between “We are attacking simultane- population of Mosul, which fa- Mashal in the occupied West Bank had on Friday opened fire on trapped in its old fragile houses lies inside their houses and, houses, fi ghting back the ad- ously from diff erent fronts to cilitated Islamic State’s takeover a group of off icers near the Old City, while a third fatally stabbed a with little food, water, medicine, after we secure their block, we vancing troops with sniper and break them into smaller groups of the city in 2014. border policewoman a short distance away. All three fighters were no electricity and limited access will evacuate them through safe mortar fi re, booby traps and sui- which are easier to fi ght,” said an “There was a huge amount of shot dead by forces at the scene. The Israeli army subsequently to clinics. routes,” Lieutenant General Ab- cide bombers. offi cer from the Federal Police, distrust,” he said. “There seems sealed off the village, near Ramallah, confiscating vehicles and mak- The International Committee dul Ghani al-Assadi, senior CTS They have also covered many another force taking part in the to be a genuine mutual trust be- ing a number of arrests. Early yesterday, troops and police arrested of the Red Cross said on Mon- commander in Mosul, told Iraqi streets with sheets of cloth to assault on the Old City. tween the security forces and the mother of one of the assailants “due to her recent calls over the day sick and wounded civilians state TV. obstruct air surveillance, mak- The Iraqi army estimates the the local population born out of weekend to commit additional attacks,” a military spokeswoman escaping through Islamic State The militants are moving ing it diffi cult for the advancing number of Islamic State fi ghters mutual respect, and I have heard said. The woman, Zaynab Ankush, had on Sunday given a television lines were dying in “high num- stealthily in the Old City’s maze troops to hit them without a risk at no more than 300, down from it multiple times today. That is interview to Israeli public broadcaster Kan. bers”. of alleyways and narrow streets, to civilians. nearly 6,000 in the city when the fantastic.”

MARITIME Iran seeks release Court suspends rulings Turkey sends military Khamenei ‘ordered of detained ‘fishermen’ on islands transfer reinforcements into Syria strikes on IS targets’ Iran yesterday demanded the re- lease of three fishermen detained last week by Saudi Arabia, which AFP legal rulings in the case “will Reuters were part of preparations for Reuters said earlier that the strikes were claims the men were Iranian Cairo be implemented and which Beirut new joint attacks on the YPG by Beirut authorised by the Supreme Na- Revolutionary Guard members was issued by the institution Turkish forces and their Syrian tional Security Council, which planning an attack. with jurisdiction”. rebel allies in that area of Syria’s includes the heads of the three The interior ministry called in gypt’s top court yester- He would not say how long urkey has sent new mili- northwest.The area is separated ran’s Supreme Leader Ayat- branches of government as well a statement for “the release as day suspended all previ- it might take for the court to tary reinforcements in- from the main territory the ollah Ali Khamenei ordered as the head of the Guards and quickly as possible of the three Eous rulings on whether make a decision. Egypt’s par- Tcluding troops, vehicles YPG and its allies control in the Iweekend missile strikes on other ministers. fishermen” detained in the Gulf by Cairo can transfer two Red Sea liament approved the trans- and equipment into northern northeast. A rebel from a Turk- Islamic State targets in Syria, Senior Guard commanders the Saudi coastguard. islands to Saudi Arabia, as it fer of the islands on June 14. Syria, a war monitoring group ish-backed group confi rmed Revolutionary Guards said, said on Monday that the missile Iran has denied the men are mem- considers who has legal juris- The deal sparked rare and rebel and Kurdish sources Ankara had sent more forces. contradicting a previous report strikes were intended to send a bers of the Revolutionary Guard diction. street protests after it was said yesterday. “Turkish forces are now in- that they were authorised by the message to “terrorists” who car- and accused the coastguard of kill- In the latest twist in a long signed last year, with Presi- The British-based Syrian side Syria...the forces are huge country’s security council. ried out attacks in Tehran two ing another fisherman when two legal saga, a spokesman for the dent Abdel Fattah al-Sisi Observatory for Human Rights reinforcements that have been The Guards fi red six mid- weeks ago as well as their region- Iranian boats strayed into Saudi Constitutional Court said its accused of having sold the said the forces had crossed the entering since last night,” said range surface to surface missiles al and international supporters. waters on Saturday. chief judge had “issued a tem- islands. border in the last 24 hours and Mustafa Sejari of the Liwa al- from western Iran into Syria’s Khamenei’s directive as reported The ministry called for the “punish- porary order to halt the imple- A lower court had ruled headed towards areas south Mutasem group. Deir Al Zour province on Sunday by the Guards, highlighted their ment” of those responsible for the mentation of all rulings that that the transfer would be of Azaz town, which is held by The YPG is a key part of the night, the fi rst attack of its kind symbolic importance. killing. were issued over the Tiran and illegal, a decision that was Turkish-backed rebels. Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), carried out by the Islamic Re- The complex attacks in Te- Riyadh said Monday it had cap- Sanafi r accord”. upheld by Egypt’s Supreme To Azaz’s south are areas con- which a US-led coalition is sup- public in years. hran included shootings and at tured three Revolutionary Guards The spokesman, Ragab Administrative Court but trolled by the Kurdish YPG mi- porting with air strikes and mil- The Guards statement, pub- least one suicide bombing at the members aboard an explosives- Selim, said the suspension declared invalid by another litia, which Turkey has fought itary advisers on the ground to lished yesterday by Sepah News, parliament and the mausoleum laden boat heading to an oil would last until the court judicial body, the Court for in northern Syria. The Observa- fi ght Islamic State in its strong- ran counter to a statement by of Ayatollah R Khomeini, the platform in the Gulf and planning could determine which of the Urgent Matters. tory said the reinforcements hold Raqqa. President Hassan Rouhani who founder of the Islamic Republic. to carry out “a terrorist act”. Solar solution brings water to besieged Douma town

AFP it has helped us a lot,” he said. 50 vehicles, which would cover Douma The project grew out of the 22 neighbourhoods and secure failure of a previous local coun- about 70% of the city’s water cil initiative, under which 13 needs,” he said. olar panels on wheels make schools were provided with solar At a local school, headmaster for a strange sight on the panels. Bashar, 54, describes the project Sstreets of Syria’s besieged “Some of the panels were as “a major improvement”. Douma, but the makeshift gen- stolen, so we ended up remov- “Before we used to run the erator is helping local residents ing them and putting them in generator and it made so much secure water. storage,” said Ahmad, as an em- noise,” he said, standing by a wall Douma lies outside the capital ployee cleaned the panels behind with a tree painted on it. Damascus, in the rebel strong- him. “It was really exhausting. hold of Eastern Ghouta, and has When the idea was born for a Sometimes the generator would been under a suff ocating gov- mobile solar generator, they were work, sometimes it wouldn’t. ernment siege since 2013. dug out of storage and strapped Sometimes we’d have fuel, and Residents have had no elec- to the iron cart, which was built other times not.” tricity for four years, relying out of the remains of vehicles “Now the solar panel cart instead on generators for every- damaged in bombardment. comes in and we fi ll up the water thing from lighting to refrigera- A single panel costs $200 and tank, and no one even knows it’s tion. each battery $240, but the set- here. It’s great.” But the siege also means gen- A Syrian man waters plants near an iron cart loaded with solar panels in A Syrian man pushes an iron cart loaded with solar panels in the up also requires an inverter de- At a local mosque, Abu Mo- erator fuel is expensive and in- the rebel-held town of Douma. rebel-held town of Douma, on the outskirts of the capital Damascus. vice that costs around $600. hamed Badran, who calls believ- creasingly rare, which is where “The more solar panels we ers to prayer, is delighted by the the solar panel generator comes council member who supervises schools, as well as mosques and from the device and connects it ment. “This is the most success- could have, the better,” said Ah- project. in. the project. communal water tanks. to an electric pump. ful project in the Ghouta region,” mad, adding that the cart was “We were really struggling to It trundles around the city, The generator is a simple set- As the cart is pushed and Soon the chug of the pump is he said over the gush of water. designed to carry up to 24. have water in the mosque. It was powering the water pumps resi- up, just 12 solar panels and six pulled to its next destination, accompanied by the splashing of “We used to draw water by Ahmad would like to see the so expensive,” he said. dents use to draw supply from batteries mounted on an iron residents weave around it on bi- water fi lling up the tank. using generators, but we’re be- project which began about a During the holy month of underground wells, and helping cart. cycles, which have become a fa- Local residents arrive with sieged, and fuel is hard to fi nd month ago expanded to help “Ramadan we need even more, fi ll the electricity supply gap. The panels each have a capac- voured mode of transport in the buckets and big plastic bottles and very expensive,” he added. Douma’s approximately 50,000 because the number of people “The most important thing ity of 100 watts a day, and are city because of the fuel short- to fi ll up. He and his neighbours would residents, though costs and coming to pray is much greater,” for a family is to secure water. A also used to power the batteries, ages. Nearby stands Abu Akram, 52, sometimes club together to buy availability so far have made it he added. house without water is a house which serve as a back-up on days Arriving at a blue commu- who once owned a minimarket a single litre of fuel so they could impossible. “If they fi ll us up with enough without life,” said Abu Mohamed when the panel supply is low. nal water tank, one of the gen- but lost his livelihood when the pump up enough water to fi ll a “If we get the capacity, we water for a day or two, God will Ahmad, an engineer and local The project supplies local erator’s operators unfurls a cord shop was destroyed in bombard- tank. “But this project is free and have plans for between 20 and reward them.” Gulf Times Thursday, June 22, 2017 15 AFRICA

HELPING HAND JUSTICE SIN TAX STARK WARNING COST CUTTING Zimbabwe seeks $10.9mn Court gives Lagos poor Kenya to raise tax rate on Central Africa clash toll S Africa to review nuclear in aid to help refugees demolition reprieve gambling to 35% could rise to 100: mayor plans as recession bites

Financially hamstrung Zimbabwe yesterday Impoverished fishing communities in Nigeria’s Kenya’s president yesterday signed a As many as 100 people may have been killed South Africa will review its nuclear plans as part joined UN agencies and charities in appealing financial capital, Lagos, yesterday celebrated a law that raises the tax rate on gambling in a day of clashes between rival factions in the of its response to the economic recession in the for $10.9mn of aid for thousands of refugees in court ruling that said government demolitions of but sets it at a lower rate than had Central African Republic diamond-mining town country, Energy Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi the country including families fleeing violence their homes were illegal. Residents went to court in originally been proposed. The law will of Bria, the mayor said yesterday. “The death toll said yesterday. South Africa is planning to build in neighbouring Mozambique. Zimbabwe is October to protest the Lagos state government’s impose a tax of 35% of gross profits on will certainly rise. For now it’s an estimate and it 9,600 megawatts (MW) of nuclear capacity, a host to 17,500 refugees, off icial statistics show. plan to demolish their waterfront communities all gambling. Until now, lotteries were could be up to 100 dead,” said mayor Maurice project that could be one of the world’s biggest “Governments and humanitarian organisations on the pretext of cutting crime in the megacity. taxed at 5%, betting firms — bookmakers — Belikoussou by telephone. “There are still dead nuclear contracts in decades. The country has are left to deal with the consequences while at Judge Adeniyi Onigbanjo, sitting at the Lagos State at 7.5%, casino gambling at 12% and lying in the neighbourhoods, in the road and in technically entered recession after two quarters the same time struggling to save lives on limited High Court, ruled yesterday that the demolitions competitions like raff les at 15%. Secretary for the the bush,” he added. Calm returned yesterday to of economic contraction, and the procurement budgets,” said Robert Tibagwa, the resident were unconstitutional and violated the residents’ National Treasury Henry Rotich had originally the town and aid workers are collecting bodies, process for the nuclear project has been representative of the United Nations High rights. He ordered the state government to hold proposed raising the tax rate to 50%, saying the a local Red Cross off icial said. Bria, the capital of disrupted by a court ruling which declared a Commissioner for Refugees in Zimbabwe. “This consultations with the communities before any rapid growth of on-line gambling hurt the young the northeastern prefecture of Haute-Kotto, is nuclear pact between South Africa and Russia appeal represents one such eff ort. To this end, further evictions and provide compensation for and vulnerable, and the proceeds from the tax coveted by militias for its surrounding diamond unlawful. “We will do the nuclear project at a we are appealing for $10.9mn in aid.” the destruction of their property. would fund sports, culture and the arts. mines. scale and pace that we can aff ord,” Kubayi said. UN Council Green zone! welcomes Sahel force AFP but will be under a separate command from the United Nations UN peacekeeping force MINUSMA and work in coordination with France’s own 4,000-strong military presence in the region, known as he UN Security Council yesterday unani- Barkhane. mously adopted a resolution that paves the Addressing the council, Mali’s ambassador Tway for the deployment of a fi ve-nation expressed gratitude for the support but said the African military force to fi ght militants in the Sa- force will need logistical and fi nancial support. hel region. “I appeal for increased and substantial support The France-drafted resolution welcomes the from our bilateral and multilateral partners to deployment but does not grant full UN authori- mobilize the necessary means to ensure the force Zebras graze through the grass of the Nairobi National Park near Nairobi. zation to the 5,000-strong force after the United is operational and eff ective,” said Issa Konfourou. States opposed formal Security Council backing France had initially pushed for a report from for the operation. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Ni- much-needed logistical and fi nancial support, ger — which make up the G5 — agreed in March but in negotiations that language was dropped. to set up the joint counterterrorism operation and The resolution instead requests that Guterres the African Union had sought UN backing. report on “challenges encountered and possible 5 die in Boko Haram mine blast, ambush French Ambassador Francois Delattre high- measures for further consideration” in the com- lighted the unanimous vote at the council, calling ing months, which could include funding. it proof of “maximum political support” for the The European Union has already agreed to give AFP Babakura Kolo, Another mem- nate fi re” on a convoy of vehicles a hotbed of Boko Haram activity G5 force. 50 mn euros to the regional force but the United Kano ber of the CJTF in Maiduguri, heading from Maiduguri to the in recent months, despite gov- “At a time when terrorism is striking every- States, the leading fi nancial contributor to UN confi rmed the incident, adding: town of Damboa, some 90km ernment and military claims that where in the world, we cannot let the Sahel region peacekeeping operations, wants to scale back “The mine was obviously placed southwest of the Borno state the rebels are the verge of defeat. become a new haven for terrorist organizations funding. ive people have been killed by Boko Haram terrorists operat- capital. On June 11, gunmen killed from the entire world,” Delattre told the council. The resolution notes that a pledging conference in a landmine explosion ing in the area.” The dead offi cer was among a eight members of the CJTF in a “It is our security which is at stake in the Sahel, will be held to raise funds for the force but states Fand a roadside ambush in Abbari village was previously contingent of 58 police on its way dawn ambush as they waited to not just the security of the G5 countries.” that the G5 countries “have the responsibility to northeast Nigeria blamed on attacked in April, when scores to new postings in the southern go on operations with the mili- The United States had argued that UN au- provide” the troops with adequate resources. Boko Haram, the civilian militia of Boko Haram fi ghters on mo- Borno town of Askira Uba, as well tary. thorization was not legally necessary because the France carried out a military intervention in and police said yesterday. torcycles rode into the farming as mourners carrying the body of In May, four other militia troops will be operating on the territory of the Mali in 2013 to drive out militant groups, some of In the fi rst incident, at least community, killing seven men a dead policeman for burial. members out hunting in the bush fi ve countries. After two weeks of negotiations, which were linked to Al Qaeda, which had seized three loggers were killed when and stealing 360 cattle. No other offi cer or mourn- near a camp for those displaced France dropped the request for formal UN au- key cities in the country’s north. their truck ran over a landmine In the second incident on er was hurt in the attack, said by the insurgency had their thorization and for a special UN report on fi nanc- Although the extremists have been largely outside Abbari village in the Tuesday, Boko Haram fi ghters Chukwu. throats slit on the outskirts of ing for the force. ousted from the north, militant groups continue Konduga district of Borno state killed two men, including a po- Civilian vehicles are regularly Maiduguri. The resolution “welcomes the deployment” of to mount attacks on civilians and UN forces in on Tuesday. lice offi cer, and injured six others escorted on the road because of Two of their colleagues were the G5 force “with a view to restoring peace and violence that has engulfed parts of central Mali. “The truck hit the landmine in an ambush on a convoy near sporadic Boko Haram attacks. also killed when two female sui- security in the Sahel region” and drops a provi- Five people died in an attack Sunday on a re- at about 4.30pm and went up in Dalwa West village. The road is near the Sambisa cide bombers detonated their ex- sion that invoked chapter 7 of the UN charter, sort near Mali’s capital that was claimed by an Al fl ames, killed all three loggers on Borno state police chief Dam- Forest, where the militants had plosives in Konduga town, which which authorizes the use of force. Qaeda-linked militant alliance, the latest to shake board,” said Ibrahim Liman, from ian Chukwu told reporters the camps. is about 35km from Maiduguri by The G5 force will have its headquarters in Mali, the region. the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). jihadists opened “indiscrimi- The Konduga district has been road. Togo’s ‘Bread King’ celebrates the baguette Nairobi to give skilled refugees right to work By Emile Kouton, AFP The business expanded to two baker- Lome ies and his company, Bomaco, is now a household name, employing about 80 Reuters bally have fl ed their homes be- people. Nairobi cause of violence, oppression or lad in the apron of his trade, He has also invested in a small hotel, drought.. Bonaventure Boma chides em- two restaurants and a nightclub, which he “Some of the key elements Cployees while they take steaming runs with his daughter, although he says enya plans to give some in the bill include the access to baguettes out of the hot ovens that have “above all, I stick to my bread.” 500,000 refugees living land and work permits, which helped make him “the king of bread” in “The early days were very diffi cult be- Kin two sprawling north- are a great step in ensuring self- Togo. cause it was a real adventure. But busi- ern camps the right to work and reliance and integration of refu- From a modest background, Boma has ness progressively picked up because of use land for business and farm- gees,” said Imaana Koome, pro- spent 30 years kneading dough and now the quality of my loaves,” Boma said. ing, after generations of reliance gramme offi cer at the Refugee has two large modern bakeries in Lome, Boma’s bakeries now sell about 5,000 on donors who have found it in- Consortium of Kenya. capital of the west African country. baguettes a day, including to supermar- creasingly diffi cult to provide for Work permits will only be “I’m curious, I travel a lot,” Boma, 57, kets, military barracks and the interna- them. granted to refugees with certain said refl ecting on his success. tional airport. The Refugees Bill, which re- skills, he said, and they will not “When I stayed in Senegal 30 years ago, Despite the colonial legacy of the prod- cently went through its third and be allowed to sell land. I saw that people already ate a lot of bread uct, bread sales have risen and Boma has fi nal reading in parliament, will There have been tensions be- and thought, ‘Why not in Togo?’.” more plans for expanding his business. become law once the president tween poor locals living around French bread used to be a rare com- “The loaves from the Bomaco company assents to it, Agostinho Neto, the the Dadaab and Kakuma camps, modity in Togo, not surprising as wheat have an exceptional fl avour,” said Albert member of parliament behind who often suff er drought and is not grown in the country and must be Djinou, owner of a supermarket in the the bill, told the Thomson Reu- hunger, and the refugees who imported. capital that buys Boma’s bread. ters Foundation. receive free food, healthcare and But Boma has led the push to widen its “It’s the bread most in demand among “We hope that the bill will education. appeal, making his fl our from sorghum, my clients. Mr Boma is the king of bread.” provide a durable solution to the “Hospitals, schools and water cassava and yams, all cultivated in north- The success of Boma’s bread even problems facing refugees in our points set up within the camps ern Togo, where he introduced his ba- earned him an invitation to represent country,” he said. for exclusive use by refugees cre- guettes last month. Togo at a bread fair in Milan two years “This is a progressive law that ated feelings of marginalisation “Today, bread has become a breakfast ago, where a key theme was “feeding the is forward-looking and will help amongst the host communities,” habit, and they are even eaten at tea- planet”. manage future refugee popula- Neto said. time,” Boma said. Sub-Saharan Africa as a whole im- tions.” “We hope the bill will address Fifty bakeries in Lome now compete ported more than 23mn tonnes of wheat Legally, all refugees in Kenya all these.” in an increasingly competitive market in 2015, according to the US Department must live in camps and cannot Kenyans will be allowed to use place, with vendors on three-wheeled of Agriculture, and Boma believes the de- work, even though some arrived services in the camps, he said, auto-rickshaws also selling fresh loaves mand for wheat will continue to grow. three decades ago. and funds will be raised to ad- to offi ce staff in the city. An optimist, Boma is now thinking and Food rations for refugees in dress environmental degradation A further 100 bakeries are estimated to talking big, with plans to open his own Kenya, mainly from war-torn caused by refugees felling trees have opened across the country. national bakery chain and even a large neighbouring South Sudan and for fi rewood. It refl ects the rising popularity of bread seafront hotel. Somalia, have been cut repeat- Kenya has tried to shut among the urban middle classes in west “In the hotel business, in gastronomy, edly due to funding shortages. Dadaab, once the world’s largest Africa, with even big French retailers Bonaventure Boma prepares bread in his bakery in Lome. I’m betting on an African clientele. I’ve Kenya joins a number of or- camp, which it says was being such as La Brioche Doree and Paul open- just come back from Accra and I noticed ganisations, such as the United used by militants from Somalia ing shops in Dakar and Abidjan. After opening a small grocery store, baking methods by travelling to Switzer- that there are almost no white people to- Nations and World Bank, that as a recruiting ground for attacks Boma knows all about hard work. he founded his fi rst bakery in 1992 with a land to take a training course. day in the grand hotels, there are only Af- are shifting their approach to on Kenyan soil. As a 13-year-old, he worked in ground- $51,100 bank loan. “Every baker has his secret for knead- ricans,” he said. off er longer-term help for refu- It has repatriated more than nut and millet fi elds for the equivalent of He said he “learned on the job with a ing the bread. I learned several techniques. “This is my fi nal project,” he declares. gees to become more self-suffi - 60,000 refugees to Somalia since $0.42 cents a day, roughly the price of one very experienced, elderly baker.” I quickly introduced diff erent methods “If I manage to pull it off , that will be an cient. December 2014, the UN says in of his baguettes today. In the 1990s, he sought to improve his once I came back to Lome,” he said. end to my dreams.” Nearly 66mn people glo- its latest report. Gulf Times 16 Thursday, June 22, 2017 AMERICAS

DIPLOMACY POLITICS CORRUPTION HISTORY LEGAL Venezuela spars with Caracas moves to remove Temer abroad as Brazil’s Stadium build unearths Panama ex-president held rivals at OAS meeting ‘traitor’ attorney general crisis gets messier ancient cemetery as judge delays ruling

Governments from across the Americas Venezuela’s highest court on Tuesday approved Brazil’s police yesterday said it had solid evidence Construction workers building a new national A US judge asked for more time Tuesday to chastised Venezuela’s socialist leadership proceedings against Attorney General Luisa president Michel Temer received bribes, a baseball stadium in Nicaragua unearthed a decide if former Panamanian president Ricardo on Tuesday for its handling of a political and Ortega, the highest- profile government critic development that could see him suspended. In more than 1,200-year old cemetery with human Martinelli — wanted in several legal cases — economic crisis, prompting the Opec nation’s of President Nicolas Maduro, which could lead a report the Federal Supreme Court said Temer remains and a great deal of pottery, off icials should be released on bond. Martinelli is in foreign minister to call the critics “lapdogs of to her removal. The Supreme Court approved benefited from bribe funds, even if he did so said yesterday. The pre-Colombian burial site protective custody after being detained Monday, imperialism”. The US, Brazil and other members a lawsuit against her by Socialist lawmaker using someone else to collect or deposit the includes ceramic funeral urns and some human accused of graft and spying on political foes at of the 34-nation Organization of American States Pedro Carreno, who accused her of committing bribes. Brazil’s top court said it had accumulated remains like craniums and jawbones, state home. Judge Edwin Torres ultimately said the (OAS) issued a letter accusing Venezuela of a serious off ence in the carrying out of her enough evidence of bribes being paid to merit an television reported. Part of the artifacts found case’s complicated nature meant he needs more undermining democracy. Venezuelan Foreign off ice, according to El Nacional newspaper. He investigation into Temer for “passive corruption”. were “a cemetery arrangement from about time to make a decision. Martinelli meanwhile Minister Delcy Rodriguez fired back, criticising also accused her of failing to respect the court’s Prosecutor Rodrigo Janot will use the report as 800 to 350 years BC”, said Ivonne Miranda, remains in custody, according to Alejandro Mexico’s rights record and highlighting poverty, democratic decisions. Ortega has been called the foundation of the corruption case. “Faced the director of archaeology at the Nicaraguan Perez, a member of the ex-president’s legal team. violence and migration in Honduras and other a “traitor” by the ruling Socialists since March with silence from the president and his former Culture Ministry. “It gives us a better idea how Panama’s Supreme Court ordered his arrest in nations. Rodriguez said the country’s planned when she opposed a bid by the Supreme Court assistant, there is irrefutable evidence... showing pre-Hispanic society functioned”, Miranda said. 2015 over accusations that he used public funds constituent assembly was the only way to — loyal to Maduro — to strip the opposition- that passive corruption (on Temer’s part) took The items recovered will go on display at the to illegally spy on telephone calls and emails of overcome the current crisis peacefully. controlled National Assembly of its powers. place,” the document said in part. National Culture Museum, she said. more than 150 prominent opponents. Russians Solstice event ‘tried to breach poll systems’

DPA had hit 39 states. Washington Lawmakers have been con- ducting investigations in par- allel to an investigation by a US Department of special counsel, and separate Homeland Security house of representatives and Aoffi cial said yesterday senate panels heard testi- that 21 of the 50 states had mony from homeland secu- been targetted by Russian rity offi cials yesterday. Former hacking attempts in the weeks secretary of homeland secu- leading up to the November rity Jeh Johnson told a House presidential election. panel that he was extremely “We determined that in- concerned by the Russian ef- ternet-connected election- forts last year to breach the US related networks in 21 states electoral system. were potentially targeted by Johnson told the House in- Russian government cyber telligence committee that he actors,” said Jeanette Manfra, was increasingly concerned who is the acting deputy un- ahead of the November vote der secretary for cybersecu- by “a growing list of states rity and communications. where we saw scanning and The attempted breaches probing around voter data- followed the alleged Russian bases.” hacking of Democratic Party Hackers gained access to People participate in a yoga class during an annual Solstice event in the Times Square district of New York. emails, which US intelligence voter databases in at least one agencies say was part of a or two states, but there is no broader eff ort to interfere in evidence that any vote tallies the country’s elections. or the voting itself was tam- The Russian meddling is at pered with, he said. the centre of an ongoing US US offi cials encouraged probe whose focus has also state offi cials, who oversee turned to possible collusion elections, to seek help from between President Donald the Department of Homeland Trump’s campaign and Rus- Security throughout the au- sian offi cials. tumn in the lead up to the No- Trump seizes on GoP The hackers seemed to be vember 8 vote. looking for vulnerabilities in Johnson, who served as the system, much as a would- secretary in Barack Obama’s be burglar might walk down administration from 2013-17, the street to see who was expressed confi dence that the home. Russian government “at the “A small number of systems direction of Vladimir Putin victory in Georgia were unsuccessfully exploit- himself, orchestrated cyber- ed, as though somebody had attacks on our Nation for the Trump has urged the Democrats on Tuesday also thanked Trump at her victory tics watchdog group. The spe- her rival as the vote approached, rattled the doorknob but was purpose of infl uencing our Democrats to unblock the lost a special election in neigh- rally. cial election was held to fi ll the and signalled that Republican unable to get in, so to speak,” election — plain and simple.” legislative process bouring South Carolina, where “Tonight I stand before you, seat vacated by Tom Price after disillusionment about Trump she said. “Finally a small Trump himself long refused Republican Ralph Norman eas- extraordinarily humbled and Trump appointed him as sec- was not as deep as Democrats number of the networks were to attribute the hacking to Reuters ily prevailed over Democrat honoured at the tremendous retary of the US Department of were counting on. successfully exploited. They Russia, before acknowledg- Sandy Springs Archie Parnell in a seat for- privilege and high responsibility Health and Human Services. The result comes as relief for made it through the door.” ing shortly before taking of- merly held by Republican Mick that you...have given me,” Han- Democrats said they had Republicans who had grown She declined to provide de- fi ce that Russia probably was Mulvaney, who is now Trump’s del told a boisterous crowd that turned a conservative stronghold concerned about whether their tails about which states were involved. resident Donald Trump budget director. chanted Trump’s name. into a competitive district. party, buff eted by the scandals involved, but said no vote tal- Spokesman Sean Spicer knocked Democrats yes- The victories could boost Re- Ossoff initially campaigned on “We showed the world that in that have plagued the Republican lying systems were breached. said this week that he did not Pterday for obstructing his publicans’ confi dence as they a promise to “make Trump furi- places where no one thought it president, could hold the seat in Bloomberg news agen- know whether Trump now agenda, one day after a fellow struggle to advance health and ous” but more recently refrained was even possible we could fi ght Georgia’s sixth district, which cy had reported earlier this believes Russia attempted to Republican won a congressional tax legislation that has been from taking on the president as (that) we could fi ght,” Ossoff told became the most expensive con- month that Russian hackers interfere in the election. race in Georgia that was wide- bogged down by infi ghting and he tried to win over centrist vot- supporters. gressional race in US history. ly seen as a referendum on his investigations into whether ers. He had enlisted few promi- Still, the defeat was sure to While the White House had young, turbulent presidency. Trump’s campaign colluded with nent Democrats to campaign on prompt soul-searching in a par- played down the national impor- Former Georgia secretary of Russia in last year’s presidential his behalf. ty that is shut out of power in tance of the Georgia race, Trump state Karen Handel on Tuesday election. Both candidates tried to focus Washington and has steadily lost had gone all in on Handel, and the defeated political newcomer “Democrats would do much on local issues and avoided men- infl uence at the state level in re- Republican Party no doubt sees Offi cer stabbed in Democrat Jon Ossoff , 52% to better as a party if they got to- tioning Trump, whose approval cent years. the victory as a shot in the arm as 48%. gether with Republicans on rating sits at 37%, according to Despite spending more than it prepares to fi ght to preserve its The 4-point win in the most Healthcare,Tax Cuts,Security,” Reuters/Ipsos polling. $30mn, Ossoff lost the district control of Congress in next year’s possible terror attack expensive congressional race in Trump said yesterday morning in That did not stop Trump from by a wider margin than Democrat mid-term elections. history was a blow to Democrats, a tweet after the election. “Ob- weighing in on Twitter, urging Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presi- “Tonight, the people of Geor- who sought to wrest control of struction doesn’t work!” voters to support Handel before dential election. Democrats are 0 gia’s sixth district overwhelm- Reuters Police spokesman David Kaiser a suburban Atlanta district that Republicans can also now the election and celebrating her for 4 in congressional elections ingly voted not only for Karen, Michigan said in a telephone interview Republicans have held since the breathe a sigh of relief with the victory afterwards. this year, having earlier lost races but also for President Trump’s from the airport. 1970s. knowledge that they can still win “Fantastic job, we are all very in Kansas and Montana. agenda of replacing our broken “We are aware of reports The election will not sig- in the kind of affl uent, educated proud of you!” he posted Tues- “All the Fake News, all the healthcare system, reforming ishop International Air- that the attacker made state- nifi cantly change the balance districts that often favour Dem- day night. money spent = 0,” Trump wrote an outdated tax code, and pri- port in Flint, Michigan, ments immediately prior to or of power in Washington, where ocrats — even with a president Spending on the race reached on Twitter overnight. oritising infrastructure invest- Bwas evacuated yester- while attacking the offi cer, but Republicans control the White who has divided voters in their at least $57mn, nearly twice the Handel’s win marked an im- ment,” said Republican National day after a police offi cer was it is too early to determine the House and both chambers of own party. previous record, according to pressive rebound from polling Committee chairwoman Ronna stabbed in the neck in what a nature of these alleged state- Congress. After Tuesday’s win, Handel the Center for Responsive Poli- that showed her narrowly trailing McDaniel. US government offi cial famil- ments or whether or not this iar with the situation said was was an act of terrorism,” the being investigated as a possible Federal Bureau of Investiga- act of terrorism. tion’s Detroit fi eld offi ce said in All passengers were safe, the a statement. airport said in a brief statement Police have taken a “person Man who shot lawmakers made no threats: FBI on its Facebook page. of interest” into custody, Flint The offi cer who was stabbed Mayor Karen Weaver said in a is Lieutenant Jeff Neville of the statement. Offi cials increased Reuters last Wednesday at the baseball members and said there was no Authorities also found 200 and remains hospitalised. Bishop International Airport security at Flint City Hall, in- Washington practice in Alexandria, Vir- evidence to indicate they were rounds of ammunition in a Hodgkinson was fatally Department of Public Safety, cluding additional police offi c- ginia, wounding Republican targets. storage locker Hodgkinson had wounded in a shootout with Michigan State Police spokes- ers, in “an abundance of cau- leader Steve Scalise, authori- He said authorities found a rented in April in Alexandria, police. woman Lori Dougovito said by tion”, the statement said. he gunman who shot at ties say. laptop computer, a cell phone Slater said. Slater said authorities have telephone. Neville underwent Bishop Airport is a small Republican lawmakers Hodgkinson’s social me- and a digital camera in Hodg- The shooting occurred as not yet determined a motive surgery after the attack and is regional airport with two run- Tpractising for a char- dia accounts indicated strong kinson’s car but an analysis of 25 to 30 Republican members and the FBI probe continues. stable, Dougovito said. ways that has, on average, 16 ity baseball game did not post anti-Republican views and an the items showed that he did of the House and Senate had “He was known to have an Asked if the stabbing was commercial fl ights arriving or online any threats against or FBI agent said yesterday items not place any online posts of gathered for an early morning anger management problem,” under investigation as possible departing each day, accord- references to members of Con- found on his body included a threats or references to law- practice a day before the annu- Slater said at a news confer- terrorism, the government of- ing to FlightAware, a fl ight gress before the attack, the piece of paper with the names makers or the baseball game. al charity congressional base- ence, adding later that Hodg- fi cial, who asked not be named, tracking service. The airport Federal Bureau of Investigation of six members of Congress Hodgkinson had expressed ball game against Democrats. kinson was on medication and said “yes”. The offi cer was warned of potential cancella- said yesterday. but no context attached. anti-Republican views online Scalise, No 3 in the House “struggling” in a number of stabbed inside the airport’s tions and delays after the in- James Hodgkinson, 66, of FBI Special Agent Timo- but Slater said, “There were no of Representatives Republican ways, including a diffi cult per- main terminal, Michigan State cident. Belleville, Illinois, opened fi re thy Slater did not identify the threats whatsoever.” leadership, was shot in the hip sonal life. Gulf Times Thursday, June 22, 2017 17 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Hong Kong’s new leader promises caring rule; unveils cabinet

Reuters democracy. “We pledge to serve full democracy an “ultimate aim”. familiar faces including Finan- government will act strictly ac- Hong Kong the people with pragmatism and But two decades later, the city’s cial Secretary Paul Chan, Chief cording to the law. Any action build a better Hong Kong for the chief executive is still chosen by Secretary Matthew Cheung and taken on ‘Hong Kong independ- next generation,” said Lam, who an electoral college stacked with Justice Secretary Rimsky Yuen. ence’ is against local laws. We ong Kong’s next leader stood before a large sign with Beijing loyalists. The only newcomer is Law Chi- must strictly implement the law,” said yesterday she would the words “We Care, We Listen, China declined to make any kwong, a moderate former mem- Lam told Xinhua. Hwork to rebuild “social We Act” in announcing her new concessions to student protest- ber of the Democratic Party, who At a time when Hong Kong’s harmony” and push economic cabinet. ers demanding universal suff rage will become the next labour and competitiveness, including in fi - development while announcing Lam and her leadership team in “Occupy” street demonstra- welfare secretary, an apparent nancial services, has been eroded a new cabinet with few new faces will be sworn in on July 1 when tions in 2014. nod to the opposition. by the likes of Singapore, Shang- to govern the fi nancial hub. the former British colony of Lam has promised a “new Lam said she would try “ad- hai and London, Lam said a fi - Carrie Lam, 60, Hong Kong’s 7.3mn people marks the 20th an- leadership style” after a some- vancing democracy” but gave no nancial leaders forum would be fi rst female chief executive, fac- niversary of its return to China. times divisive fi ve years under specifi cs. In an interview with formed to “push Hong Kong’s es various challenges including Hong Kong reverted to Chinese a predecessor who many Hong China’s offi cial Xinhua news fi nancial sector to a new level”. healing social rifts as public re- rule under promises enshrined in Kong citizens saw as too keen to agency this week, Lam warned Hong Kong should “have the sentment grows over what many its mini-constitution, the Basic please Beijing. Hong Kong activists not to pro- guts” to change tax regulations see as Beijing’s interference in Law, that it would be granted a Despite the promise of change, mote independence from China. to enhance competitiveness, she Hong Kong’s chief executive elect Carrie Lam speaks during a press city aff airs and its denial of full high degree of autonomy, with her team is made up mostly of “In the future the (Hong Kong) said. conference with her newly announced cabinet members in Hong Kong. US, China offi cials meet under North Korea cloud

AFP Washington Trump has held high hopes for greater co-operation from China to exert influence over North Korea. op US offi cials began talks with their Chinese coun- tionship.” Last month, Beijing day could even hit some US cit- Tterparts yesterday seeking and Washington signed a lim- ies. Washington has some 28,000 a tougher line on North Korea’s ited deal to open new markets for troops deployed in South Korea nuclear ambitions — after Presi- each other’s exports, and a long- and a naval armada in the region. dent Donald Trump implied that standing friend of the Chinese Last week, the release of a de- Beijing had already tried and leadership, Iowa Governor Terry tained US tourist in what initially failed. Branstad, was confi rmed as US seemed a gesture of goodwill by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson ambassador. Pyongyang turned sour when it and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis But tensions remain— particu- was revealed that 22-year-old sat down with top Beijing diplo- larly over China’s building of ar- Otto Warmbier had been in a mat State Councilor Yang Jiechi tifi cial islands in disputed South coma for some time. and General Fang Fenghui, chief China Sea waters, and Washing- Warmbier died on Monday af- of Chinese army staff , at the State ton’s strong desire to get Bei- ter returning to his hometown in Department. jing to rein in Pyongyang. Susan Ohio, triggering outrage in the US offi cials said the fi rst and Thornton, acting assistant sec- United States. Trump has made main item on the agenda would be retary of state for East Asian and halting the nuclear threat his persuading China to lean on Kim Pacifi c aff airs, said that the fi rst number one foreign policy prior- Jong-in’s regime in Pyongyang to meeting of the new “US-China ity, putting aside concerns over halt its provocative missile and Diplomatic and Security Dia- trade and currency manipulation nuclear plans. But, just hours be- logue” yesterday would focus on to seek Beijing’s help in facing fore the talks began, Trump sent North Korea. down Kim. China has tightened a tweet implying that China’s “We continue to urge China to controls on trade in North Korean President Xi Jinping had come exert its unique leverage as North coal, but many doubt it will fully up short. “While I greatly ap- Korea’s largest trading partner, enforce any sanctions that might preciate the eff orts of President US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis host Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Chief of the People’s including by fully implementing threaten the stability of its unpre- Xi & China to help with North Liberation Army Joint Staff Department General Fang Fenghui as the two countries start the US-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue in the all UN Security Council sanc- dictable neighbor. Korea, it has not worked out. At Thomas Jeff erson room at the US Department of State in Washington, DC. tions,” she said. “We’re going to be focusing, as least I know China tried!” Trump Despite international con- I said, on particularly on the ur- tweeted. is out of ideas. And in Beijing, eign ministry spokesman Geng has been making unremitting ef- sort in Florida, glossing over his demnation and sanctions, North gent threat posed by North Korea, Trump did not elaborate on offi cials insisted that they have Shuang said China was not the forts and we have been playing harsh campaign comments about Korea has a small nuclear arsenal and we expect that that will take what might happen next if China, not given up hope of infl uencing “focus and the crux” of the crisis. an important and constructive Beijing and — after apparently and is developing nuclear-capa- some time,” Thornton said. “We by far the North’s most important Pyongyang and that the prob- “In order to resolve the Korean role,” Geng said. In April, Trump successful talks — hailing the ble ballistic missiles that threaten don’t expect that we’ll resolve trading and diplomatic partner, lem is not China’s alone. For- peninsula nuclear issue, China hosted Xi at his Mar-a-Lago re- dawn of “a very, very great rela- Japan and South Korea — and one that problem on Wednesday.”

Cambodian PM Festive fervour McCartney to play tells opponents to Australia, NZ for fi rst time in 24 years ‘prepare coffi ns’ DPA ber will likely perform super Sydney hits from his band during the AFP yet, warning of civil war if his concert, as well as from his Phnom Penh party is toppled in next year’s solo career, as he said he likes general election. usic legend Paul Mc- to give the audience what they Flanked by top military Cartney, who turned come to hear. ambodia’s strongman brass and senior government M75 this week, an- “I start with the fact that I premier yesterday told offi cials, Hun Sen said troops nounced that he will perform used to go to concerts as a kid Chis critics and political were ready to “crack down on at fi ve concerts in Australia — when I didn’t used to have any opponents they faced elimina- all movements that would top- his fi rst tour Down Under in 24 money and so I know what I tion and should “prepare cof- ple (the government) and dam- years— as well as in New Zea- want,” he said. “I think the av- fi ns”, an escalation in rhetoric age the nation.” land at the end of the year. erage audience member wants even for a man known for bel- “Your tongues are the cause “I’m going to come to Aus- what I wanted which is the per- licose speeches. Prime Minis- of war,” he said of his critics. tralia and New Zealand in De- former to do songs you know and ter Hun Sen has ruled the im- “If you guys keep insulting, cember to play some concerts hits you love, so I kind of start poverished nation for 32 years, threatening to kill, you guys down there, very exciting. with that,” McCartney said. making him one of the world’s should prepare coffi ns. I’m I haven’t been there in a long Last month, The Beatles’ longest serving leaders. warning you,” he added. time,” McCartney said yes- album “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely He portrays himself as a Hun Sen made the remarks terday during a Facebook Live Hearts Club Band” was re-re- leader who has brought growth dressed in military uniform, talk. In Australia, the 21-time leased on its 50th anniversary and stability while critics say clothing he rarely adopts, dur- Grammy winner will play in with a new stereo remix, corruption, inequality and ing a visit to the Vietnamese Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane helping it re-enter charts right abuses have become en- border. The speech coincided and Sydney. He will also have around the globe. McCartney trenched during his years in with the 40th anniversary of a show in Auckland, New Zea- said on Facebook Live: “I’m offi ce. his decision to defect from the land between December 2 and re-listening to it ... and it does The 64-year-old delivered Khmer Rouge army and cross 16 as part of the “One On One” sound good.” “Sgt Pepper, that a string of increasingly shrill into Vietnam, which later in- world tour that has seen Mc- was the fi rst time we’d been re- speeches in the run up to local vaded Cambodia and top- Cartney play 41 shows in 12 ally allowed as much time as we elections earlier this month, pled the genocidal regime that countries to more than 1.2mn wanted because we were now which saw the main opposition killed nearly a quarter of Cam- people since 2016. off the road so that was diff er- party make signifi cant gains. bodia’s population. Hun Sen’s The legendary Beatles mem- ent,” he said. But yesterday he delivered one speech made specifi c threats to of his most vitriolic speeches kill opponents. New Indonesia law to allow German teenagers shoot at jailing of militant returnees Thai king with rubber pellets Indonesia is set to approve a law allowing authorities to jail for up to 15 years citizens coming home after joining militant groups abroad, Thailand’s king was targeted by two teenagers firing rubber pellets lawmakers said yesterday. The tightening of anti-terrorism laws while he was cycling in southern Germany’s Bavaria, prosecutors said comes as concern grows about the spread of influence of Islamic yesterday. “I can confirm that on June 10 at around 11pm, two young State, and fears it wants a foothold in Southeast Asia as it loses terri- boys aged 13 and 14 fired rubber pellets with a toy that we call an tory in the Middle East. “The new criminal code adopts the principle airsoft gun at a group of cyclists” including the king of Thailand, said of universality, which means that wherever an Indonesian citizen Thomas Steinkraus-Koch, a spokesman of the prosecution service in commits a crime, they can be legally processed in Indonesia,” said the town of Landshut. He was unable to say if King Maha Vajiralong- lawmaker Arsul Sani, referring to terrorism. korn was actually hit by one of the rubber pellets. But the spokesman “They can face up to 15 years in prison,” he said. added that the king’s aides had already informed the prosecution The legislation was likely to be approved in September, legislators service that he did not wish to press charges. King Maha Vajiralongko- said. Law enforcement agencies have long complained of their inabil- rn, who ascended the throne following the October death of his father, Shopkeepers prepare for brisk business in Jakarta, ahead of Eid al-Fitr festival next week. ity to deal with people who have travelled abroad to join Islamic State owns several properties in Bavaria. and then returned home. Gulf Times 18 Thursday, June 22, 2017 BRITAIN/IRELAND

London fire response ‘a Serious Fraud Off ice Queen’s choice of hat Trump’s proposed visit Critics slam ‘threadbare’ failure of the state’: PM wins reprieve becomes a talking point fails to get a mention Brexit-focused agenda

The initial response to last week’s devastating Prime Minister Theresa May yesterday left plans Coincidence or a subliminal message? Queen Queen Elizabeth II said she was looking forward Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn ac- fire at Grenfell Tower in west London was to abolish the Serious Fraud Off ice (SFO) out of Elizabeth stirred up social media yesterday to welcoming the Spanish king and queen cused Prime Minister Theresa May of presenting “a failure of the state,” according to Prime her government’s two-year programme in an when she opened parliament in a hat looking to Britain this year but failed to mention any a “threadbare” legislative agenda, as a newspaper Minister Theresa May. The fire was “a omission lawyers said could signal an end to the very much like a European Union flag. Deliver- visit by US President Donald Trump, fuelling edited by a former Conservative colleague said failure of the state, local and national, and controversial pledge. May’s Conservative party ing a formal speech in which Prime Minister speculation that his visit could be downgraded it showed her “loss of authority.” Queen Elizabeth I apologise for that failure,” she said during pledged in policy proposals before a June 8 elec- Theresa May’s government laid out its strategy or delayed. “Prince Philip and I look forward II presented the Brexit-focussed agenda from debate following the Queen’s Speech. The tion to fold the SFO, which prosecutes high-level for exiting the EU, the monarch sported a blue to welcoming King Felipe and Queen Letizia May’s minority government in a speech to the prime minister said initial support for local fraud and corruption in British business, into the chapeau decorated with an arc of blue flowers of Spain on a state visit in July,” the Queen state opening of parliament, saying the prior- residents, “when they needed it most” was National Crime Agency (NCA) - a government each with a bright yellow disc at its centre. It said in a speech to parliament on behalf of ity was to “secure the best possible deal as the “not good enough.” Opposition Labour leader department whose remit runs from tackling or- was all a bit Brussels and Strasbourg, where the Prime Minister Theresa May’s government. country leaves the European Union.” “A thread- Jeremy Corbyn told parliament that “every ganised crime to child protection. The Conserva- EU flag — a blue ensign with a circle of yellow She did not mention plans for any other visit bare programme from a government that’s lost single one of those deaths could have been tives said the move would “strengthen Britain’s stars on it — holds pride of place. “Queen deliv- by foreign dignitaries. Asked about the speech, its majority and apparently run out of ideas all avoided” at Grenfell Tower. May also called response to white collar crime”, but the plan was ers speech outlining Brexit plans wearing a hat May’s off ice said Trump’s planned visit was not together,” Corbyn said. “It’s therefore appropriate for increased surveillance of the Internet and roundly criticised by senior lawyers who said it that looks suspiciously like a EUROPEAN flag,” mentioned because a date had not been fixed. to start by welcoming what’s not in the speech,” messenger services in the wake of Saturday’s risked undermining the fight against complex the right-wing, anti-EU Daily Mail newspaper May announced in January that Trump had ac- he said, referring to several unpopular manifesto terrorist attack at London Bridge. economic crime and had not been justified. tweeted. cepted an invitation to visit Britain this year. commitments that were not in the speech. May drops key manifesto pledges z Queen reads premier’s legislative agenda to parliament z Govt programme focused on implementing EU exit

Agencies London Premier serves up heresa May’s minority government has dropped Brexit menu with Tkey Tory manifesto pledg- es, including expanding gram- added humble pie mar schools and revisiting the foxhunting ban, as the Queen A month before Britain’s general explicit yesterday in the Queen’s announced a pared-down leg- election, Theresa May was in speech marking the formal islative programme focused on combative mood as she warned opening of the new parliament, delivering Brexit. that a hung parliament would which will be dominated by the As she formally opened what yield a bad Brexit and decried marathon task of turning Brexit the embattled prime minister alleged threats from Brussels. into law before the deadline of hopes will be a two-year session Yesterday, the hardline rhetoric March 2019. of parliament, the Queen set out was gone as the prime minister Vulnerable to mutineers in the government’s intention to pledged to listen and reach out her own party and to a newly deliver eight bills necessary for following her disastrous electoral empowered opposition, while Brexit – including legislation al- showing on June 8, when the struggling to negotiate a par- lowing Britain to determine its Conservatives’ parliamentary liamentary partnership with a own immigration, customs and majority evaporated. hardline party from Northern Ire- trade arrangements. The serving of humble pie bows land, May introduced the speech The Queen was accompanied to the new political landscape, by stressing she would respond by the Prince of Wales to the which has not got any easier for “with humility and resolve” to the ceremony in the House of Lords, May from her stilted response to electorate’s message. after Buckingham Palace an- a shocking fire in a London tower Reading out May’s programme nounced the Duke of Edinburgh block. for the new parliament, the had been admitted to hospital as But it does risk complicating the Queen said her ministers were a precaution on Tuesday night. Brexit negotiation as Europe committed “to build the widest The speech set out the new wonders whether its British possible consensus on the coun- government’s domestic priori- interlocutors have the power to try’s future outside the European ties, including sweeping chang- deliver on any deal. Union”. es to technical education and Queen Elizabeth sits next to Prince Charles during the state opening of Parliament in central London yesterday. And compounding the drift in It is all a far cry from May 3, when beefed-up plans for tackling do- London is an apparent rift as May accused Brussels of deliber- mestic violence. consultation before we can bring Instead, the Queen said: “My prime minister’s spokesman Another Conservative cam- May’s Finance Minister, Philip ately threatening Britain over the But a series of controversial forward proposals which would government will continue to stressed afterwards that fresh paign pledge to consider a price Hammond, argues for a phased Brexit talks in order to aff ect the proposals set out in the Con- carry the support of the whole work to ensure that every child legislation could be brought for- cap on energy costs appeared withdrawal that puts jobs and outcome of the coming election. servative manifesto were absent house.” has the opportunity to attend a ward if necessary. to have been toned down. The living standards first, rather than In remarks that have come back from the speech, and from the The spokesman was unable good school and that all schools The speech reiterated May’s government promised to “bring the clean break that militant to haunt her, she also warned list of 27 bills the government to say whether the government are fairly funded. My ministers promise to hold a public inquiry, forward measures to help tackle Brexiteers want. voters: “Britain simply will not get hopes to pass. would stick to the Conservative will work to ensure people have led by a judge, into the Gren- unfair practices in the energy Jonathan Portes, professor of the right Brexit deal if we have Plans to scrap free school manifesto pledge to “make sure the skills they need for the high- fell Tower fi re, “to ascertain the market to help reduce energy economics and public policy at the drift and division of a hung meals, ration winter fuel pay- no school has its budget cut as skilled, high-wage jobs of the fu- causes, and ensure that the ap- bills”. King’s College London, said the parliament.” ments for pensioners, repeal the a result of the new formula” – a ture, including through a major propriate lessons are learnt”. The Queen’s Speech brief- change in tone by May and the And she said that “no deal is bet- Fixed-term Parliaments Act, promise that was meant to be reform of technical education.” With diff erent cabinet minis- ing paper pledged a green paper rejuvenation of Hammond as a ter for Britain than a bad deal”, and introduce what became funded by scrapping free school May’s spokesman made clear ters striking markedly diff erent would be published to examine political force was striking. insisting that her government widely known as the “dementia lunches. that which of the manifesto poli- tones since the election about “markets which are not working “Hammond didn’t even pretend stood ready to walk away from tax” for funding social care have Several Conservative MPs said cies could now be passed would what sort of Brexit deal they ex- fairly for consumers” and hinted to agree with May about immi- the EU talks. been swept away by the election they would seek additional as- depend on the tough parliamen- pected Britain to strike, and May at further legislation, saying the gration policy,” he noted. That formulation was a leitmotif result. surances. Harrow East MP Bob tary arithmetic faced by the new hemmed in on both sides by MPs government was “prepared to act May, arguing that last year’s of May’s election campaign. The government also appears Blackman, one of several who government, which can only in her party, there was little detail where necessary”. Brexit referendum was a vote But it has now been undermined to be willing to go back to the expressed his concerns before carry a majority of MPs with the about the nature of the immigra- As Black Rod entered the against uncontrolled migration by Hammond’s calls for an drawing board on its changes the election, said: “The mani- backing of Northern Ireland’s tion, trade or customs policies chamber, the veteran Labour from the rest of the European interim deal governing cross- of the school funding for- festo promised no school Democratic Unionist party. the government would seek to MP Dennis Skinner, known Union, has pledged to drive net Channel trade that stops the mula, after Conserva- would see their funding cut “Broadly, it is about governing implement. for his regular Queen’s speech immigration down to the “tens of British economy from falling off tive MPs raised concerns and I’ll be pressing for that with humility, and you also have The government promised to heckling, shouted: “Get your thousands” per year. a cliff ’s edge when Brexit finally about looming cuts. commitment to be hon- to bear in mind bringing forward “work to improve social care” skates on, the first race’s at half But with business groups takes eff ect. May’s spokesman said: oured.” measures which can command a and “bring forward proposals for past two.” warning of lasting harm if the The Confederation of British “The point is the current Grammar schools were majority in parliament,” he said. consultation” rather than imple- The remark, which drew loud economy is deprived of foreign Industry said May’s “welcome funding formula is un- not mentioned at all, There was no specifi c counter- menting the highly controversial laughter from MPs, referred to labour, Hammond on Tuesday change in tone” in the Queen’s fair, we stand by that despite the mani- terrorism legislation, instead policy set out in the manifesto. the Queen’s expected attendance said that “while we seek to man- speech “needs to be backed by position. A consulta- festo pledge to there was a promise that the gov- And the promise of a free vote on at Royal Ascot yesterday, which age migration, we do not seek to clarity and action now”, as the tion has taken place consult on open- ernment would review counter- restoring hunting with hounds, was disrupted by the delay of the shut it down”. country extricates itself from its and we will refl ect on ing new selective terrorism laws in the wake of which enraged some young vot- Queen’s speech originally sched- May’s shift in tone became biggest trading market. the fi ndings of that schools. a series of deadly attacks . The ers, has also gone. uled for Monday. Prince Philip admitted DUP says deal with to hospital with infection Tories 95% complete Guardian News and Media Ireland Offi ce offi cials who were London holding up the deal being dis- Guardian News and Media the state opening of parliament health throughout his life. His cussed with Downing Street. London and Royal Ascot.” decision to retire from public The sources said there had One aide said: “He is up and duties after the summer was he Democratic Unionist been some problems with the about and is in good spirits.” not health-related, Buckingham party’s ruling executive Treasury in regard to conces- he Duke of Edinburgh has The Queen was accompanied Palace said at the time of the an- Tis scheduled to meet in sions the DUP is seeking for the been admitted to hospital to the state opening of parlia- nouncement. Belfast today evening, adding to Northern Ireland economy, in- Tfor treatment for an infec- ment by the Prince of Wales, who He was taken to hospital dur- expectations that a deal might be cluding the abolition or cutting tion arising from a pre-existing is taking his father’s place. She is ing the Queen’s diamond jubilee completed with the Conserva- of air passenger duty tax. condition. being kept “fully informed” , an celebrations in 2012 when he suf- tives. On Tuesday the DUP said it Buckingham Palace said it was aide said. fered a bladder infection. In 2011, Some DUP sources are indicat- “would not be taken for granted” a precautionary measure, but did he received hospital treatment ing that they are “95% there” re- in the discussions and com- not stipulate what the condition “Prince Philip is in good for a blocked coronary artery, garding an arrangement with the plained that the negotiations was. spirits and is disappointed when a stent was fi tted. Tories that would shore up a mi- were not proceeding as they The 96-year-old was ad- to be missing the state In August 2012 he spent five nority Conservative government. had expected – political code mitted to the King Edward VII opening of parliament and nights in the Aberdeen Royal The DUP executive would be for frustration in the party that hospital in central London af- Royal Ascot” Infirmary, again for a bladder expected to rubber stamp any Downing Street offi cials were ter becoming unwell at Wind- infection, after being taken deal the party negotiators seal mishandling the talks in London. sor, following his appearance at Philip was at Royal Ascot on to hospital during the royals’ with Theresa May and her team. After May lost her majority in Royal Ascot. He arrived at the Tuesday with the Queen and annual summer break at Bal- Damian Green, the fi rst secre- parliament with a botched gam- hospital by car in the evening, other members of the royal moral. tary of state and in eff ect May’s ble on a snap June 8 election, she accompanied by his personal family. He was pictured be- In June 2013, Buckingham deputy, said yesterday: “There’s is trying to secure the backing of protection officer. ing escorted from his carriage Palace announced that he had still the possibility, there’s every the DUP’s 10 lawmakers, though A Buckingham Palace spokes- towards the race course by his been admitted to hospital for an possibility of a DUP deal. The talks have dragged on for nearly person said: “The Duke of Edin- granddaughter Zara Tindall, exploratory operation on his ab- talks have been taking place in a two weeks. burgh was admitted to King Ed- who placed her arm affection- domen and was expected to stay constructive way.” The DUP knows a deal with ward VII hospital in London on ately around his shoulder as in the London Clinic for up to He told BBC Radio 4’s Today May is its best chance to secure Tuesday night, as a precaution- they walked. two weeks. He underwent sur- programme: “Clearly, two political extra cash for Northern Ireland ary measure, for treatment of an Last weekend, he helped the gery under general anaesthetic parties, we have some diff erences. while the Conservatives know infection arising from a pre-ex- Queen celebrate her offi cial 91st the next day, spending his 92nd But we have a lot in common.” that the DUP do not want risk a isting condition. birthday at the annual trooping birthday in hospital. He spent A man is apprehended by police off icers as protesters gather in Parliament The DUP sources also dis- Labour government under Jeremy “Prince Philip is in good spirits the colour parade. two months convalescing fol- Square after marching through central London yesterday during an missed reports in the Northern Corbyn, who has appeared beside and is disappointed to be missing Generally he has enjoyed good lowing that operation. anti-government rally to coincide with the state opening of Parliament. Irish press that it was Northern Sinn Fein leaders in the past. Gulf Times Thursday, June 22, 2017 19 BRITAIN

OFFBEAT JUSTICE DATA CRIME CRUELTY Technical glitch leaves Man, daughter jailed over Tube noise complaints £10,000 reward off ered for Donkey’s tail cut off BBC presenter silent burst football row death increase threefold leads to footballer’s murder in ‘barbaric’ attack

Huw Edwards was left sitting in silence for four A father and daughter who launched a fatal attack The number of Londoners complaining about A £10,000 reward has been off ered to find the A donkey has had its tail cut off in a “barbaric” minutes at the start of BBC News at Ten on Tuesday on a neighbour who punctured a child’s football noise from passing Tube trains has almost trebled killers of a promising young footballer stabbed attack in Pembrokeshire. Eeyore was left with night after a technical fault delayed the start of the have each been jailed for seven years. Natalie since 2012. Residents have reported sleepless to death outside his family home in Battersea. spinal fluid leaking from his tail after attackers programme and bemused viewers. Viewers on Bollen and William Jelly assaulted Kelly Machin, nights and problems renting out properties Matthew Kitandwe, 18, who had represented broke into his paddock in the middle of the night. some devices and channels were left watching the 34, on the day she deflated the ball using a knife. because of rumbling from London Underground Uganda at youth level, was ambushed a year His owners could not aff ord the £1,000 vet’s bill so presenter sitting in silence as he waited for his cue Machin, who had been fed up with balls landing in services. Last year some 963 complaints were ago as he put his key in the lock of his flat on Green Acres Animal Rescue Centre adopted him to start. The BBC News Channel showed Edwards her back garden in Leicester, died two weeks after made, up from 322 four years earlier, according Wayford Street, after returning from college and fundraisers donated the money needed in sitting mute for the entirety of the delay, while BBC1 the attack, which happened on August 23. Bollen, to data obtained by Labour London Assembly at about 4.15pm. His mother ran outside and just 24 hours. The charity said it “can’t thank our put up a message apologising for the fault. On BBC 28, and Jelly, 48, were convicted of manslaughter member Andrew Dismore. He urged Transport for watched as medics spent an hour trying to save supporters enough for their help”. Natalie Thomas, iPlayer an announcer apologised for the glitch last month. Leicester Crown Court heard that London to “up their game” in supporting aff ected him. He died at the scene. The £10,000 reward 33, who looks after him, said: “It is beyond my and Breaking News alerts also appeared during On 23 August, she punctured a ball with a knife, people. At a London Assembly environment is being off ered by the independent charity imagination to try to think why anyone would think the delay. When the programme started at 22:04, which led to a confrontation in which she was Committee hearing in March, residents reported Crimestoppers for information that leads to the to chop off a donkey’s tail. It’s barbaric. A donkey’s Edwards apologised for what he described as a punched by Bollen and pushed or punched to the noise of 52 decibels, 12 decibels above the level arrest and conviction of those responsible for tail is mostly bone and so we can only imagine the “few technical problems”. ground by Jelly. recommended by the World Health Organisation. the murder. horrific pain this poor guy has been through.” Finsbury Park attack suspect ‘has mental health issues’

Guardian News and Media children, but though he saw the London youngsters regularly he did not appear to be staying at the fam- ily home and is said to have slept he family of the suspect in rough sometimes in a tent or in the Finsbury Park mosque vehicles. Tattack has claimed he had On the Saturday evening before mental health problems and re- he drove to London he was thrown cently tried unsuccessfully to get out of the Hollybush pub in Cardiff himself sectioned. after angrily talking about a pro- Darren Osborne’s sister, Nicola, Palestinian march in London. claimed he was on antidepressants Police were called in the early and had thrown himself into a river hours of Sunday to a report that Singer Adele poses with firefighters at the Chelsea Fire Station. The singer paid an unexpected visit to the station, because she wanted to thank the firefighters who were in the last couple of months. She Osborne was sleeping in the van involved with fighting the Grenfell Tower fire. insisted he was neither a racist nor allegedly used in the attack, but a terrorist. did not take any action after de- It is understood that health of- ciding no off ence had been com- fi cials in Cardiff , where Osborne mitted. lived, are working with police in- There is no immediate evidence vestigating the Finsbury Park at- that Osborne was an active mem- tack to help establish the suspect’s ber of a far-right organisation. mental state. He does, however, appear to have a Twitter account, which he has Tower fi re families to get Man Tasered by police never used to send his own tweets, but he instead followed 32 other A man was Tasered by police users, including Paul Golding and after reports that he had been Jayda Fransen, the leaders of the attacking people at a London far-right party Britain First. mosque, just days after the ter- Speaking outside her fl at in ror incident at Finsbury Park. Weston-super-Mare, Somer- fl ats in luxury complex Off icers were called to the Re- set, Nicola Osborne, 50, said her gent’s Park mosque in the early brother was mentally frail. She London Evening Standard Communities Secretary Sajid ordinate and bring in additional with their housing needs.” tion project called the Warwick hours and shot the man with told the Daily Mirror: “He tried to London Javid said: “Our priority is to support to help local people who A number of the Grenfell fami- Road Masterplan. a stun gun after he was seen kill himself six, eight weeks ago. get everyone who has lost their have suff ered so much, but know lies are to move to the collection The complex, a former HMRC waving an “item” at passers-by. He threw himself into the river in home permanently rehoused lo- we have so much more to do and of 535 apartments and penthous- offi ce block, is owned by devel- Police said this turned out to be Cardiff . He asked to be taken into esidents evacuated from cally as soon as possible, so that won’t let up on our eff orts.” es known as 375 Kensington High oper St Edward, part of the Ber- a shoe horn that had been taken care, to be sectioned, but they Grenfell Tower are set to they can begin to rebuild their The new housing move comes Street, part of a £2bn regenera- keley Group. from the mosque. The man was wouldn’t do it. Rmove into a £2bn luxury lives.” after Labour leader Jeremy Cor- arrested on suspicion of aff ray “He was on antidepressants. He complex in the heart of Kensing- Meanwhile, Theresa May an- byn called for luxury empty and it was not being treated as came to see me after he tried to kill ton, the Standard revealed. nounced that a new Civil Disas- properties in Kensington to be Pop stars release song to raise funds for victims terrorist-related. himself. He showed me the bump Plans are pressing ahead for ter Reaction Taskforce may be set taken over by the government to on his head.” some of the families made home- up following the tragedy in which house victims, a demand rejected Some of the biggest names fire, which swept through Osborne grew up in Weston- less by the tower block fi re last at least 79 people are feared to by ministers. in British music, including the 24-storey Grenfell tower Police have been granted a war- super-Mare and has been de- week to be housed in one of Lon- have died. It would aim to pro- Kensington and Chelsea coun- Stormzy, Robbie Williams and on June 14. The single is an rant to hold Osborne until the scribed as a troublemaker by fam- don’s most desirable addresses. vide a much better response to cil has been heavily criticised for The Who, released a charity initiative of pop impresario early hours of Saturday following ily friends and neighbours there. The Standard revealed that victims of such disasters. The its response to the tragedy, with single yesterday to raise funds and TV talent show judge the incident on Monday in which Nicola Osborne said: “He new fl ats in a Kensington High prime minister also laid out plans claims that residents have even for people aff ected by the Simon Cowell. Reaction to a van was driven into a crowd of asked me if he could stay, but he Street development — where for a new independent public ad- been sleeping rough in parks and fire at a tower block in west the song on social media was worshippers. One person died has made my life a misery over penthouses go for up to £13mn — vocate to speak up for families in cars because of “appalling” co- London. The song, a cover generally positive, with Twitter and 11 were injured. Osborne, 47, the years. Everyone knows Dar- are to be used to provide accom- such crises. ordination from the borough in of Simon and Garfunkel’s user Sarah Styles saying is under arrest on suspicion of the ren. I’ve lost jobs, boyfriends af- modation. John Barradell, head of the trying to rehouse them. Bridge Over Troubled Water, the song was “absolutely commission, preparation or in- ter people found out I am Darren Sixty-eight fl ats in the Ken- newly established Grenfell Fire However, a spokesman for also features performances beautiful”, while user Amy stigation of terrorism, including Osborne’s sister.” Police are using sington Row scheme are expect- Response Team (GFRT), admit- the GFRT said: “We are not from Leona Lewis, James Elizabeth said the song left her murder and attempted murder. CCTV cameras and automatic ed to be acquired to permanently ted that even a week after the aware of anybody doing so and Blunt and a large choir made “covered in goosebumps”. All A picture has emerged of a numberplate recognition technol- house families from Grenfell blaze, the eff ort still needed to be if that is the case we would urge up of local people, some of proceeds from the song are to deeply troubled, unstable man. ogy to track Osborne’s movements Tower, which is a couple of miles stepped up to help victims. people to come to the Westway whom survived the blaze. A go to the London Community Osborne had a partner and four from Cardiff to London. away. “We are doing all we can to co- Sports Centre so we can help total of 79 people died in the Foundation. Britain sizzles on hottest Teenager stabbed as party turns violent

June day in 40 years London Evening Standard ing it off to his friends. They came London back after a few minutes and said they had got the driver. One of the Guardian News and Media Walsall. On Monday, another of France by a southerly wind. gang said ‘he’s a hospital job’. They London teenage boy drowned in a reser- They also warned that particu- teenager was stabbed and also smashed up the car. They voir outside Rochdale, Greater late levels – from motor vehicles police pelted with bottles were like a pack of animals.” Manchester, and a woman in her and other fuel burning – were Aafter an illegal block party Lucy Dryden, 33, described how ritain experienced its hot- 80s died after being pulled from expected to be “moderate, with descended into violence in north youths chased the silver Golf along test June day for 40 years the sea at East Wittering beach in high again a strong possibility”. London. Residents said rival fac- Lynmouth Road next to the estate Byesterday as the mercury West Sussex. Simon Birkett, from the Clean tions clashed in the streets and and attacked it. hit 33.9C at Heathrow, the Met The heatwave has led to roads Air in London campaign, said fought running battles, with one She said: “They were chas- Offi ce said. melting in some areas, and speed the government had failed to is- teenager being hunted down by a ing down the road carrying bats, It was the highest June tem- restrictions and cancellations sue alerts in two areas where the sword-wielding mob. clubs and sticks. They stop the car perature since the 35.6C recorded on train lines due to the risk of ozone level had breached EU di- Dozens of riot police were de- and then started smashing it up. I in Southampton on June 28, 1976, tracks buckling. rectives and two more had been ployed to the Stamford Hill es- couldn’t see who was in the car but the hottest day of the year so far Transport for London reas- delayed. He accused the depart- tate at about midnight as youths these people were really vicious and the fi rst time the mercury sured concerned customers that ment for environment, food and armed with machetes, swords, and I was scared that someone in- has hit 30C or over on fi ve con- softening of sealant on the capi- rural aff airs (Defra) of trying hammers and bats ran riot. side may have been killed.” secutive days in June since 1995. tal’s tramline was harmless. to play down the health threat Police cordoned off a large sec- Police said a 19-year-old man While many have been basking London mayor Sadiq Khan posed by air pollution. tion of the estate, which witnessed was taken to hospital with stab in the sun, the heat has brought triggered the capital’s emergency However, Defra dismissed the similar trouble after a party last wounds but his injuries were not health warnings of toxic air in air quality alert on Tuesday, with claim, saying two alerts – for St year. One young man was attacked life threatening. The block party large parts of southern England a warning that areas near busy Osyth, Essex, on Monday and as he tried to escape in a silver VW was organised on social media and and Wales. NHS England has roads would be particularly af- Yarner Wood, Devon, on Tues- Golf which crashed in Lynmouth hundreds gathered at a basketball urged the elderly, children and fected. Dr Taj Hassan, president day – had been delayed because Road, according to an eyewitness. court at the heart of the estate at those with medical conditions of the Royal College of Emer- of “technical problems with the A mob of at least 10 teenagers were 6pm. Witnesses said trouble be- to keep cool and hydrated during gency Medicine, said air pollu- data feed from monitoring sites said to be in pursuit as he left the gan when diff erent groups clashed. the heatwave. tion levels posed a “real threat to to the UK Air website”. car. Lab technician Boku Ilanga, 60, Three people have died af- people’s health and will place ex- In the two other cases, De- The witness said: “There were said: “It was crazy, all hell was let ter getting into diffi culty while tra stress on an already stretched fra said neither had actually two cars being chased and one of loose. Diff erent groups were fi ght- attempting to cool off . Spen- NHS”. breached the trigger threshold, them panicked and crashed. The ing and they were all running eve- cer Hurst, 15, died on Tuesday Researchers said the toxic air claiming one was right on the driver got out and ran for his life. rywhere, shouting and scrapping. evening after failing to resurface was caused by high ozone levels limit and the second was an er- Two men buy ice cream in St James’s Park in central London The group then chased after him, It was really frightening for fami- when swimming in a lake near brought up from industrial parts roneous. yesterday as temperatures across the country soared. one had a sword and he was show- lies on the estate.” Gulf Times 20 Thursday, June 22, 2017 EUROPE

POLITICS TERRORISM COALITION BANKING MILITARY Romania ruling left sinks 18-year-old held for trying Austrian leader tells far Norway banks ‘should pay Turkey catering boss held own govt after power row to spread propaganda right to cut Le Pen link more into emergency funds’ after army food poisoning

Romania’s government fell yesterday after the Dutch police are holding an 18-year-old terror Austria’s Chancellor Christian Kern said the Norwegian banks should pay more into two Turkish authorities yesterday detained the chief ruling party took the unusual step of passing suspect who may have tried to teach others Freedom Party (FPO) must leave the far-right emergency funds that guarantee deposits and executive of a catering firm that supplied food a no-confidence vote in its own prime minister how to make explosives, prosecutors revealed faction in the European Parliament if it wants to help to pay for bank restructurings in a crisis, the to an army barracks where hundreds of soldiers following internal power struggles. The left-wing yesterday. The teenager was arrested in the enter a coalition government with his centre- government said yesterday. The proposals are have been hospitalised with food poisoning, Social Democrat party (PSD) filed the motion against central city of Utrecht last Thursday, and is left party. Kern’s Social Democratic Party (SPO) part of new legislation the government is putting state media said. The chief executive of Rota Premier Sorin Grindeanu barely six months after also suspected of “spreading ISIS propaganda last week dropped a 30-year ban on allying forward to deal with a future banking crisis. “These Yemekcilik A S was taken into custody, the winning a thumping election victory. The PSD including violent videos”. “Police are also with the anti-immigration FPO, but set broad requirements are somewhat higher than the current state-run Anadolu news agency said, as public unexpectedly withdrew its support for Grindeanu on investigating indications that he may have conditions for any coalition partner to fulfil. contribution level, but on par with contributions anger grew over how so many soldiers were left June 14, accusing him of “delays” in implementing instructed others how to make explosives,” the Adding a new condition, Kern told newspaper paid in 2010, relative to the size of the banking needing treatment. Not including the catering reforms in the European Union’s second-poorest statement added, referring to the Islamic State Oberoesterreichische Nachrichten: “As long as... sector,” the Finance Ministry said. “In accordance boss, whose name was not disclosed, 40 people country. Grindeanu however refused to resign and jihadist group, also known as ISIS. Police opened the FPO shares a faction with (French far-right with the directives, the ministry also proposes that have been detained over the food poisoning and denounced powerful PSD boss Liviu Dragnea for their probe after receiving information from the leader) Marine Le Pen... the preconditions for the contributions shall be adjusted in proportion to their cases are now being heard in court, the seeking to “concentrate all the power in his hands”. Dutch intelligence service (AIVD). deeper co-operation have not been met.” the risk profile of each institution,” it said. Dogan news agency said. Extreme Greener pastures heat grips Northern Hemisphere

Reuters major factor behind forest fi res Singapore that have killed dozens of peo- ple in Portugal, while the Rus- sian news agency Tass reported xtreme heat across large scores of forest fi res, mostly in tracts of the Northern Siberia and the far east region EHemisphere raised fears of Irkutsk. for crops in China, fuelled for- In the US Southwest, fl ights est fi res in Portugal and Rus- were cancelled mostly by re- sia’s Far East, forced fl ight gional airlines whose aircraft cancellations in the South- operate at a lower maximum west US, and melted tarmac on temperature. roads in Britain. Solar power generation was As Wednesday marked the expected to surge in Germany summer solstice — the longest on Wednesday, with Eikon data day of the year — forecasters showing a potential of 27,500 said temperatures in Paris were megawatt-hour (MWh) could expected to hit 37 Celsius (100 be generated, compared with Fahrenheit), Madrid could see a seasonal norm of just 20,000 Cranes fly over a field in Brodowin, eastern Germany. 38C. MWh. Rounding up the record tem- The Climate Change Insti- peratures set in the past two tute at the University of Maine months, the World Meteoro- recorded temperatures in the logical Organization (WMO) Northern Hemisphere were said the Earth was experienc- 0.44C (0.8F) above the norm ing “another exceptionally on Tuesday, compared with a warm year” and the heatwaves global average of 0.25C above were unusually early. usual. “Parts of Europe, the Mid- A study published earlier dle East, North Africa and this week found that nearly one Brussels attack could the United States of America in three of the world’s people have seen extremely high May were already exposed to po- and June temperatures, with a tentially deadly heatwaves and number of records broken,” the predicted that number would WMO said late on Tuesday. rise to nearly half by the end The trend seen during the of the century unless govern- past two months has put aver- ments take steps to aggressive- have been worse: PM age monthly global tempera- ly reduce climate-changing tures among the highest ever emissions. Spain has arrested three Moroccans on Paris in November 2015 that killed 130 quarters of Nato and the European Union, recorded since data began to be “People are talking about suspected of terror links people. took a heavy hit to its tourist industry last collated in 1880. the future when it comes to Associates of that group attacked Brus- year. Even before this month, US climate change, but what we Reuters sels itself four months later, killing 32 peo- Visitors and residents out enjoying a hot National Oceanic and Atmos- found from this paper is that Brussels ple. summer’s evening on the ornate Renais- pheric Administration (NOAA) this is already happening … Molenbeek mayor Francoise Schepmans sance town square, the Grand Place, close data showed Europe, the Unit- and this is obviously going to told reporters that the man, whom public to Central Station were cleared quickly ed States and Northeast Asia — get a lot worse,” said Camilo suitcase bomb packed with nails broadcaster VRT named as Oussama Zari- away by police. including eastern China, Japan Mora, geography professor and gas bottles could have caused ouh, was on police fi les over a drugs case Spain said yesterday that it had arrested and South Korea — had experi- at the University of Hawaii at Aheavy casualties, Belgium’s prime last year and was divorced. three Moroccans, including a presumed enced unusually warm weather Manoa and lead author of the minister said yesterday, a day after a sol- A Facebook page in that name, which member of the Islamic State group whose between March and May. study published in the Nature dier shot dead a Moroccan national at- had not been updated in a year, showed a profi le matched those of terrorists im- The hot, dry weather is a Climate Change journal. tempting an attack on Brussels’ Central man in his 30s posing regularly for selfi es plicated in recent attacks in Britain and Station. at the wheel of the same car. France. “We have avoided an attack that could It said he was self-employed, single, In a statement, the interior ministry have been a great deal worse,” Charles came from Nador on the Mediterranean said police apprehended the main suspect, Michel told reporters after a national se- coast and graduated from the nearby uni- aged 32, in the Madrid neighbourhood of curity council meeting following Tuesday Police lead away a suspect in Madrid, Spain. versity at Oujda in 2002. Las Delicias, where the three men lived evening’s incident, in which no one else Posts on the page showed an interest in together. was hurt. ploded a second time more violently as the Islamic charity but little obvious support The man, who was not identifi ed, was No further threat was seen as immi- man ran downstairs to the platforms. for militant organisations. described as being “in an advanced state of nent and the public alert level was left un- He then ran back up to the concourse Paul Cruickshank, a journalist special- radicalisation” and had in his possession changed. where commuters had been milling around ising in security issues for CNN, tweeted “an extensive ideological and electronic A counter-terrorism prosecutor named and rushed toward a soldier shouting in that a Belgian counter-terrorism offi cial library of numerous manuals on jihadist the dead man only by his initials, O Z. Arabic. had told the broadcaster that investigators terrorism”, including specifi c manuals on He was a 36-year-old Moroccan citi- The soldier, part of a routine patrol, shot had established the dead man had been a suicide bombing and “electronic jihad”, zen who lived in the Brussels borough of him several times. “sympathiser” of Islamic State. the ministry said. Molenbeek and had not been suspected of Bomb disposal experts checked the Prime Minister Michel insisted the “He had an extremely dangerous profi le, militant links. body and found he was not carrying more country, which has been the most fertile similar to that of terrorists recently impli- He set off his bomb on a crowded sta- explosives. European recruiting ground for Islamic cated in the attacks in Britain or in France,” tion concourse below ground at 8.44pm Police raided the man’s home overnight, State in Syria and Iraq, would not bow to it added. The man intended to radicalise (1844 GMT). Walking up to a group of pas- Van Der Sypt said. threats that have seen combat troops be- others and persuade them to commit ter- sengers, “he grabbed his suitcase, while Broadcaster VTM said they had found come a permanent fi xture at public spaces ror acts, the ministry said, making him shouting and causing a partial explosion. bomb-making materials. in Brussels. “an obvious threat to the security of our Fortunately, nobody was hurt”, prosecu- Molenbeek, an impoverished borough “We will not let ourselves be intimidat- country.” tor Eric Van Der Sypt said. with a big Moroccan Muslim population, ed,” Michel said. “We will go on living our During the nighttime raid, police also The suitcase, later found to contain nails gained notoriety after an Islamic State lives as normal.” arrested the two other men, aged 33 and A girl cools off in a public fountain in Berlin. and gas bottles, caught fi re and then ex- cell based there mounted suicide attacks The Belgian capital, home to the head- 38, who lived with him. Macron reshuffl es cabinet after allies resign Kohl’s kin

AFP does conservative Finance Minister Bruno defence minister Sylvie Goulard and MoDem entered an alliance with REM Paris Le Maire, as centrist Macron seeks to enter European aff airs minister Marielle de for both the presidential and legislative a new era of left-right consensus politics. Sarnez — also quit over the accusations elections, and in exchange Macron re- The changes came just hours after that MoDem misused European Parlia- warded the party for its support by giving rench President Emmanuel Ma- MoDem leader Francois Bayrou, who ment cash to pay assistants who are ac- them key jobs in his fi rst cabinet. cron appointed little-known rail- lent crucial support to Macron during tually based in France. The legislative elections on Sunday Fway executive Florence Parly as his the presidential campaign, said he was De Sarnez has been replaced by Nath- handed REM a 308-seat majority in the defence minister yesterday as he reshuf- stepping down to fi ght allegations that alie Loiseau, director of the prestigious 577-seat National Assembly at the week- fl ed his cabinet just fi ve weeks into offi ce. his small party misused European Parlia- ENA school of government where many end, meaning Macron’s party does not The overhaul, which also saw con- ment funds. of France’s political elite have studied, need MoDem’s support to push legisla- stitutional lawyer Nicole Belloubet ap- The claims, which fi rst emerged in the including Macron. tion through parliament. pointed justice minister, came after three Canard Enchaine investigative newspa- A veteran centrist fi gure who ran three Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far- ministers from the centrist MoDem party per and are now the subject of a prelimi- times for president himself, 66-year- right National Front who lost to Ma- that helped bring Macron to power quit nary investigation, quickly became toxic old Bayrou was a key backer of Macron’s cron in last month’s presidential vote, German entrepreneur and author Walter Kohl (L), son of late over a funding scandal. given Macron’s vow to rid French politics 14-month-old Republic on the Move suggested ahead of the ministerial an- former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, is accompanied by two Veteran Socialists Jean-Yves Le Drian of sleaze. (REM) movement and his support was nouncements that Bayrou had been dis- grandchildren of Helmut Kohl in front of his father’s house in and Gerard Collomb remain in post as for- The two other MoDem cabinet mem- crucial in lending legitimacy to the inex- carded because he had served his pur- Oggersheim near Ludwigshafe. They were denied entry to the home. eign and interior minister respectively, as bers appointed barely a month ago — perienced candidate. pose. Gulf Times Thursday, June 22, 2017 21 INDIA Jaitley seeks Russian role Yoga connecting world in ‘Make in with India, says Modi

Agencies to boycott a yoga event organised India’ initiative Lucknow by the Indian High Commission. Hundreds of offi cers were de- ployed at the national stadium, IANS advanced components and oga has connected the where the three-hour event was Novosibirsk, Russia sub-systems. world with India, Prime held, after Hefazat-e-Islam said “This can start with plat- YMinister Narendra Modi yoga was un-Islamic. forms of Russian origin where said yesterday, as he rolled out Social media was fl ooded with ussian companies which the requirement is in large his mat along with millions of pictures of yoga being performed have had a long experi- numbers and is recurring in others across the globe to cel- in various places including an Rence in working with In- nature,” he said. ebrate the ancient practice. Indian Navy submarine and the dia can take a lead role in par- The minister cited as an Enthusiasts across India rose landing deck of an aircraft carrier. ticipating in the Make in India incentive that industrial li- at the crack of dawn, many brav- “It is not only the world’s long- programme, Defence Minister censing for manufacturing of ing monsoon showers, to mark est serving aircraft carrier but Arun Jaitley said yesterday. defence equipment has been the third International Yoga Day. also the world’s longest-serving “We have initiated a series of signifi cantly liberalised and for Celebrity yoga guru Baba warship. I think the ship must policy and procedural changes to manufacturing of parts, com- Ramdev claimed to have set a have done lots of pranayaams to facilitate tie-ups, including joint ponents, sub-systems, pro- new world record for the largest be sustaining for so long,” top na- ventures and technology part- duction equipment and test- yoga session by gathering more val offi cer Puneet Chadha told a nerships between Indian and ing equipment, no licence is than 300,000 practitioners at an TV channel, referring to a yogic foreign companies,” he said. required from the government. open-air ground in Ahmedabad. breathing technique. “Russian companies, which “Even for the items for which Offi cials from Guinness World President Pranab Mukherjee already have a long experience of a licence is required, the ini- Records were checking data from held a yoga session at the presi- working in India and working with tial validity has been increased the event, but if confi rmed, the dential palace. India are well placed to take a lead- from three years to 15 years. As numbers easily beat the previous Across India, schoolchildren, ing role in this process,” Jaitley said a result of this liberal approach, record set two years ago in New soldiers, politicians and bu- about his government’s fl agship the presence of private com- Delhi with 36,000 participants. reaucrats bent and twisted their programme at the plenary session panies in defence production This year, police in New Delhi bodies on colourful mats at mass of the 5th International Forum sector has risen manifold in the closed roads to make room for a outdoor sessions. for Technological Development last two years,” he said. mass yoga session held amid tight In Bengaluru 98-year-old TECHNOPROM here. Jaitley said another area security in the heart of the capital. American Tao Porchon-Lynch, “In the days to come, we where Russian industry and “When all of us, at the same the world’s oldest yoga teacher hope to fully harness the en- business houses can join hands time, do the same movements, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participates in a mass yoga session along with other yoga practitioners to according to Guinness World ergies, entrepreneurial spirit with Indian companies is re- it feels special. The energy is dif- mark the third International Yoga Day at Ramabhai Ambedkar Sabha Sthal in Lucknow yesterday. Records, led a mass session. and enterprise of the private search and development. ferent,” said 24-year-old Abhi Television footage showed sector in the area of defence “Russian companies can be Aggarwal as he waited with his bringing the world together too,” since his Bharatiya Janata Party the ancient Hindu scriptures of Indian soldiers performing yoga manufacturing. Here again, natural partners of the Indian parents for the session to start. he said after performing various came to power in 2014. the Vedas. in their military overalls in the Russia as India’s largest, old- companies as most of our de- Modi, a teetotal vegetar- poses. He has set up a ministry Yesterday the UN headquar- Himalayan region of Ladakh, at a est and most trusted partner in fence equipment and inven- ian who practises yoga daily, led “There was a time when yoga dedicated to promoting yoga ters in New York lit up with im- height of 18,000ft. defence hardware and equip- tory are of Russian origin. A some 50,000 people in an early- was confi ned to sages meditating and other traditional practic- ages of poses, among the events Vishnudeo Vishwakarma,a ment, would have a compara- large industrial base and supply morning session in Lucknow, the in the Himalayan caves. Now, it es and persuaded the United being held across more than 100 retired former Air India employ- tive advantage in partnering chain can be created for manu- capital of the northern state of is becoming a part of people’s Nations to create a dedicat- countries to mark the third In- ee, said he began each day with a with Indian companies for re- facturing of spare parts and Uttar Pradesh. lives not just in India but across ed International Yoga Day, a ternational Yoga Day. 5am yoga session. alising ‘Make in India’ potential components of such platforms “Many countries which do not the world,” Modi told the crowds. move seen as a triumph of soft From China’s Great Wall to “If you buy a machine and in defence production,” he said. to be made in India by Indian know our language, tradition, or Modi, who credits his strict power. the London Eye, yoga fans per- don’t operate it after one year, Jaitley urged Russian com- companies either through culture are now connecting to yoga regime for his ability to Indian scholars believe yoga formed ‘asanas’, or poses, at ma- the machine will not run. Your panies to come forward with transfer of technology form India through yoga,” Modi said work long hours on little sleep, dates back 5,000 years, based on jor landmarks. body is like that,” the 66-year- proposals for technology Russian OEMs or through joint in an address to the crowd. has been spearheading an initia- archaeological evidence of poses But not everyone was enthu- old said n Delhi. transfer to Indian fi rms and fa- ventures between Indian and “Yoga connects body, mind tive to reclaim the practice as an found inscribed on stones and siastic - an infl uential group in “Your joints and muscles will cilitate manufacturing of more Russian companies,” he said. and soul. It is playing a big role in historic part of Indian culture references to Yogic teachings in Bangladesh called for Muslims be stuck up.” Former judge jailed after court rejects bail plea

Agencies Kolkata

former judge who led police on a 40-day manhunt across India Ahas been arrested and jailed on contempt charges after a lengthy bat- tle with the courts, an offi cial said yes- terday. C S Karnan had been on the run since the Supreme Court in May found him guilty of contempt, the fi rst case of its kind against a sitting judge in In- dia’s history. The court had ordered police in West Bengal, where the 62-year-old had been a high court judge, to detain Karnan on grounds of disrespecting the judiciary but he fl ed and sparked a nationwide manhunt. Authorities finally caught up with him on Tuesday evening, arresting Karnan at a resort in Coimbatore, said Anuj Sharma from West Bengal police. “He was taken by an Air India fl ight to Kolkata in the afternoon. He was sent to the city’s Presidency jail af- ter his health was examined,” Sharma said. Karnan, who retired on June 12 Karnan speaks to reporters as he arrives at Kolkata airport yesterday. while on the run, looked comfortable and waved to the media as he was es- The top court had ordered a psychi- the police as they knew he had done corted under guard from the airport in atric evaluation for Karnan to deter- nothing wrong. Kolkata. mine if he was mentally ill soon after Meanwhile, the West Bengal police His request for bail and a suspended the controversy broke out. team said they knew about Karnan’s sentence was rejected by the Supreme Karnan shot back, ordering mental hiding place in Coimbatore for three Court and he was remanded in cus- evaluation for the judges instead. days before moving in to arrest him. tody. He also retaliated to the Supreme “We knew about his whereabouts Karnan’s run-in with the judiciary Court sentence with a counter-order three days back. We were tracking began earlier this year, when he made sentencing Supreme Court judges to phone calls of people close to him allegations of misconduct by other jail, saying they were guilty of caste and we also have our own sources,” judges. discrimination. an officer said in Chennai before He was barred from judicial duties At Chennai airport, he told report- boarding the flight with Karnan to for his remarks but that only fanned ers that he was “fi ghting against cor- Kolkata. the dispute further, until he was found ruption”. “Tracking Karnan was diffi cult. It guilty of contempt. He said he had no complaint against was a diffi cult case,” he said.

Govt launches free legal aid via video conferencing to villagers

Villagers in India will soon councils in the northern is little or poor internet paralegal volunteers and able to connect directly states of Uttar Pradesh connectivity. will act as the first point of with city lawyers and and Bihar, and then rolled Through the “Tele-Law” contact for rural citizens - receive free legal advice out across the rest of the portal, people will be able to explaining the advice given via video conferencing country in a phased manner, access lawyers - selected by by lawyers and assisting if as part of a government said the law ministry. the government in their state further action is required. initiative aimed at improving Villagers will access the capitals - and seek advice on Their training will include access to justice for the service through newly anything from land disputes understanding laws country’s poorest and most established “Common to domestic violence cases on social justice and marginalised. Service Centres” - single- via video conference. fundamental rights, and will The “Tele-Law” initiative window centres providing The law ministry said include women and child launched recently will online services to the public hundreds of village women rights as well as labour- be piloted in 500 village in rural areas where there will also be trained up as related legislation. Gulf Times 22 Thursday, June 22, 2017 INDIA

ALLEGATION PROTEST TRAGEDY ENTERTAINMENT TRANSPORT What’s Nadda’s link with DMK, Congress walk Man poisons four siblings, India’s transgender Jammu-Srinagar highway scam accused, asks AAP out of TN assembly self with burgers in Punjab band performs in Cannes reopened for traff ic

The Aam Aadmi Party yesterday demanded to Tamil Nadu’s main opposition DMK and allies A 21-year-old barber poisoned to death his four India’s first transgender band 6-Pack Band went global Traff ic on the strategic Jammu-Srinagar know the connection between federal Health Congress and IUML yesterday walked out of siblings with burgers in Punjab’s Kapurthala town with their first international performance at a festival in National Highway was restored after four Minister J P Nadda and an IAS off icer accused in the state assembly to protest against Speaker before committing suicide, police said yesterday, Cannes. The band, launched by Y-Films in collaboration hours yesterday after it was stopped due to a Rs70bn AIIMS scam. AAP leader Ashutosh said P Dhanapal’s decision not to read out the citing poverty as the reason. Two more siblings with Mindshare Mumbai and Brooke Bond Red landslides in Ramban district, off icials said. A the CBI had told the Delhi High Court that it was governor’s letter on a DMK representation of the barber, who ate the poison-laced burgers, Label, performed at the 64th International Festival Traff ic Department off icial said that traff ic on not getting documents from the Health Ministry over a media sting. In the media sting, were admitted to the Kapurthala Civil Hospital of Creativity, according to a statement. After the the 300km highway was stopped as incessant in connection with the case against the off icer an AIADMK legislator allegedly said that and doctors said their condition was serious. success of their debut album, and winning the Cannes rain caused landslides in the Panthal stretch who is said to be close to Nadda. “They can raid lawmakers were off ered gold and huge sums Police found a suicide note in the pocket of the Grand Prix Glass Lion at the Cannes Lions Festival of the highway, but after clearance the traff ic Delhi chief minister and his deputy’s houses, but of money to vote in favour of Chief Minister barber, Abhimanyu, in which he said that he last year, the band was invited to the festival to share was restored. The state police also issued a they can’t even get documents when it comes to K Palaniswami during the confidence vote was taking the step due to poverty, police said. their success story and perform. Speaking about the travel advisory for the forthcoming Amarnath the BJP-led government at the Centre,” Ashutosh on February 18. In response to DMK leader Abhimanyu gave the burgers to his siblings on event, Shiva Krishnamurthy, Brooke Bond Red Label Yatra. All vehicles carrying pilgrims have been added. The accused off icer, Vineet Chaudhary, was M K Stalin’s representation, Governor C Tuesday night. Abhimanyu’s father, Raj Kishore, a spokesperson said: “It feels great to know that through advised to cross the Jawahar Tunnel before health secretary in Himachal Pradesh when Nadda Vidyasagar Rao had sent the letter, along migrant labourer who came to Punjab over two our association with the campaign, we have been able 3.30pm and no vehicle would be allowed was the state’s health minister, the AAP leader said. with representation and a compact disc, decades ago, rushed the seven children to the to spread our message of inclusiveness, encourage after that. “The decision has been taken after When the scam occurred, Chaudhary was deputy to the speaker and Chief Secretary Girija hospital. However, the doctors could not save five people to become more accepting, break barriers and consultation with the security agencies and director - Administration at AIIMS. Vaidyanathan for appropriate action. of them. bond over a cup of tea.” the administration,” the advisory said.

Rains lash Delhi Misa Bharti quizzed by JD-U to back IT offi cials for 5 hours

IANS Kovind as New Delhi

ashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav’s Rdaughter Misa Bharti yesterday appeared before the opposition Income Tax Department of- fi cials here in connection with over Rs10bn illegal land deals case, an offi cial said. According to the IT offi cial, Misa Bharti, who is also a Rajya Sabha member, was quizzed for suff ers blow over fi ve hours. He, however, re- fused to share more details. IANS „Move shows Nitish Kumar’s style of taking She appeared before the IT Patna/New Delhi Department offi cials a day af- decisions on his own ter the department seized over „Congress meeting in Delhi today to decide on its 12 properties of her relatives, ndia’s opposition parties yes- including husband Shailesh Ku- terday suff ered a big blow with strategy mar, Bihar Deputy Chief Min- Ithe Janata Dal (United) decid- „Yechury says there will be a “strong candidate” ister Tejashwi Yadav, Health ing to back Bharatiya Janata Par- against Kovind Minister Tej Pratap Yadav and ty’s candidate Ram Nath Kovind others under the Benami Trans- in the president’s election boost- actions Act, 1988. ing the numbers for the ruling monetisation decision and surgi- Whoever would be the protector of The IT Department on Tues- side while the rivals made it clear cal strikes last year and the JD-U the Constitution should be above day seized two assets of Lalu that they would put up a nominee. voting for Congress candidate caste and religion,” he said adding Prasad’s kin in Delhi and several The setback for the opposition Pranab Mukherjee while sharing that his party would attend the op- properties in Bihar after the de- came at a meeting of JD-U leg- power with the BJP in the state. position’s meeting today. partment issued a provisional islators and MPs in which Bihar The JD-U decision came as a Communist Party of India order under the Benami Trans- Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and shock for the 17-party front led leader D Raja acknowledged that actions Act, 1988, that came several legislators expressed their by Congress which is meeting in the JD-U move, if correct, was a into force on November 1 last opinion that Kovind’s creden- New Delhi today to decide on its setback to the opposition. year. tials were good given that he hails strategy in the presidential elec- “Seventeen parties came to- Earlier this month, Misa from a Dalit community and had tion, most probably putting up a gether on the issue of presidential Bharti skipped the depart- a humble background. With the candidate in what the Left parties election and if some parties take ment’s summons twice - on possible support of JD-U, the vote called an “ideological battle”. a diff erent decision...We have a June 6 and 12. Her husband also share of BJP in the electoral col- It remains to be seen whether meeting tomorrow. Let us see skipped the summons on June 7 lege goes up to almost 63%. the Bahujan Samaj Party, which how many parties are going to at- and 12. “The party has decided to sup- has also said that it cannot oppose tend,” he said. The IT Department action port Ram Nath Kovind. As the a Dalit candidate unless the op- The names doing the rounds as came in the wake of the May party has decided to support Ko- position has a more popular Dalit possible opposition candidates 16 searches at 22 places in and vind, there is no need for it to at- nominee, attends the opposition include former Lok Sabha speaker around Delhi in connection tend the meeting of opposition meeting. Meira Kumar and former Mahar- with the alleged benami prop- parties being held in New Delhi,” For the record, the Congress ashtra chief minister Sushil Ku- erty deals involving RJD chief said JD-U spokesperson Rajiv said the question whether they mar Shinde, both of the Congress and his children Tejashwi, Tej Ranjan. will put up a candidate against and both Dalits. Pratap Yadav and Bharti. He also said his party’s deci- Kovind will be known only after The names of Meira Kumar and Besides Lalu Prasad’s resi- sion has been conveyed to Con- today’s meeting. Shinde have been fl oated to coun- dence, IT offi cials carried out gress president Sonia Gandhi and However, Communist Party of ter the BJP so that parties like the searches at the residence of par- Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu India (Marxist) general secretary BSP would have no problem going ty MP P C Gupta as well as sev- Prasad. Sitaram Yechury was clearer when against the BJP Dalit candidate. eral businessmen and real estate Earlier, JD-U Chief Whip Rat- he said there would be a “strong The BJP-led National Demo- agents in Delhi and Haryana’s nesh Sada told reporters in Patna candidate” against Kovind. cratic Alliance which also in- Gurugram and Rewari. that the party has decided to sup- “The question is of a political cludes the Shiv Sena and the Peo- Allegations of corruption port Kovind. battle - whether the basics of our ple’s Democratic Party of Jammu against Lalu Prasad’s wife, Yesterday’s move yet again Constitution would be protected and Kashmir, commands the sup- former chief minister Rabri Devi confi rms Nitish Kumar’s style of or RSS would convert the coun- port of 48.93% in the electoral and their children were raised taking decisions on his own irre- try into a Hindu Rashtra (nation),” college made up of MPs and state by senior Bharatiya Janata Party spective of his allies’ position and Yechury said. legislators. (BJP) leader and former Bihar his political opposition to Prime Samajwadi Party president With the backing of parties deputy chief minister Sushil Minister Narendra Modi. Akhilesh Yadav, whose father outside the alliance like TRS (2%), Kumar Modi. Soon after the BJP had an- Mulayam Singh Yadav is toe- AIADMK (5.39%), YSR Con- On May 22, the Enforcement nounced Kovind’s candidature on ing a diff erent line, said his party gress (1.53%) and BJD (2.99%), Directorate arrested a char- Monday, Nitish Kumar had good would go with the opposition led the NDA’s support would cross tered accountant, Rajesh Ku- words to say about the former by Congress. the half way mark comfortably mar Agrawal, allegedly linked Bihar governor. Nitish Kumar is “There should be no talk about to reach nearly 63% in the July 17 to Misa Bharti and others, from Men use a sheet to protect themselves from heavy rain in New Delhi yesterday. known to take independent deci- whether a Dalit should be there battle, with JD-U contributing Delhi. sion like his welcoming the de- (be a president)... caste or religion. 1.91%.

Final touches District banks can deposit Girl gets incompatible banned notes with RBI kidney transplant IANS her life was a kidney transplant. IANS ernment’s decision. “This was the DCCBs can now deposit the Gurugram However, there were no blood New Delhi Sena president Uddhav Thack- demonetised currency, collected group-compatible donors. eray’s demand a few days ago and during the fi ve days between An attempt was made to swap later our minister Diwakar Raote November 10 and November 14 the donors with other families he government yesterday also raised it,” said a party offi cial. within a month. Also on Tuesday, three-and-half-year- and for cadaveric donations list, allowed the Reserve Bank Of the 31 DCCBs with some former federal fi nance minister P old girl from Odisha suf- but things did not materialise. Tof India to accept demon- 3,750 branches, the Pune Dis- Chidambaram suggested that the Afering from a rare kind of After six months of search, etised notes collected by Dis- trict Co-operative Bank was the decision on DCCBs may be linked renal failure was cured through the hospital planned to take the trict Central Co-operative Banks worst-hit holding in old notes to the Shiv Sena’s backing for Ko- an incompatible kidney trans- mother as the donor, thus mak- (DCCBs) immediately after the Rs811 crore, followed by Satara vind, a former Bihar governor. plant at a hospital here. ing it a blood group-incompati- note ban. DCB at Rs399 crore, Nashik DCB “Was the midnight notifi ca- Doctors claim the procedure ble transplant. The child was B+ The gazette notifi cation came Rs376 crore, Chandrapur DCB tion perfectly timed with gar- to be the fi rst-ever conduct- while the mother was A+. on a day the Shiv Sena made a with Rs356 crore and several oth- nering support for presidential ed on such a young patient in Usually, transplants are done U-turn and announced its sup- ers with more than Rs100 crore- candidate?” the Congress leader south Asia. The surgery cost only if a compatible donor is port for Bharatiya Janata Party’s plus, said the offi cial. tweeted. Rs2.4mn. found. One of the biggest risks presidential candidate Ram Nath Maharashtra’s DCCBs had The notifi cation also allows Pratyasha was diagnosed involved in incompatible trans- Kovind. Rs2,771.86 crore in old notes as banks and post offi ces which had with Refl ex Nephropathy when plants is the hyper-acute rejec- Maharashtra minister Diwakar of March 18, 2017. The fi gure was collected demonetised currency she was just a month old and tion, which can lead to death. Raote of the Shiv Sena had de- Rs5,458.59 crore on November 14, prior to December 30, 2016 to de- could not pass urine. Due to the Doctors said to make the in- manded last week that over Rs- 2016. The demonetisation was posit them with the RBI. disease, the urine used to move compatible transplant a suc- 27bn (Rs2,700 crores) in junked announced on November 8 night The deposits can be made un- Engineers giving the final touches to the Polar Satellite towards the kidneys, causing cess, they designed a special notes lying with the DCCBs be and the DCCBs were barred from der Specifi ed Bank Notes (Depos- Launch Vehicle (PSLV) which will launch Cartosat-2 series renal problems and later fail- protocol to remove the anti- accepted by the RBI. accepting the old notes after No- its by Banks, Post Offi ces and Dis- satellite along with 30 co-passenger satellites, in Sriharikota ure. bodies, and then conducted the The Shiv Sena yesterday vember 14. trict Central Co-operative Banks) yesterday. The satellite will be launched tomorrow. Doctors at the Medanta hos- transplant with mother as the claimed credit for the central gov- The gazette notifi cation says Rules, 2017. pital said the only way to save donor. Gulf Times Thursday, June 22, 2017 23 PAKISTAN

DIPLOMACY ENERGY RECREATION SECURITY FESTIVAL Chinese Foreign Minister Pakistan’s oil production International Yoga Day Toy gun dealers arrested, Handmade vermicelli to visit Pakistan grows by 3% in 11 months celebrated in Pakistan warehouses sealed in high demand

Amidst a surge in tensions between Pakistan and Oil production of Pakistan went up 3% in the first The third International Yoga Day was celebrated Taking action against the sale and purchase Handmade vermicelli continues to be in high Afghanistan, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi 11 months of 2016-17 to 88,022 barrels per day in Pakistan on a muted scale yesterday but of toy guns, Pakistan’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa demand in Pakistan as people prefer to use it will on June 24 visit Islamabad from where he (bpd) while gas production remained almost the organisers said a much bigger event will administration sealed 12 warehouses and as an ingredient in the mouthwatering ‘sheer will leave for Kabul. static at 3.901mn cubic feet per day (mmcfd). follow after the end of Ramadan. Yoga guru arrested three people, the local media reported khurma’, a desert served specially on the Eid The weekend visit is aimed at defusing tensions Oil production by Oil and Gas Development Shamshad Haider, founder of Yoga Pakistan, yesterday. The administration had already day. The machine made vermicelli was not used between the two neighbours. Wang Yi will hold Company (OGDC), Pakistan Oilfields (POL) and which runs over 50 clubs across the country, imposed ban on sale and purchase of toy as it forms into a pulp when mixed with milk talks with Pakistan Army chief Qamar Javed Pakistan Petroleum (PPL) rose 9%, 10% and said over telephone: “Due to the Ramadan weapons for one month, Dawn reported. The while the handmade floats in the ‘sheer khurma’ Bajwa and Adviser to the Prime Minister on 11% to 44,441bpd, 6,885bpd and 15,733bpd, and people preparing for Eid, we could not off icials said the ban was aimed at creating and tastes good,” Farwa Hassan, a house wife Foreign Aff airs Sartaj Aziz, Dunya News quoted respectively. However, oil production fell by organise a big event this year. We have routine awareness among the people to keep their said while buying ‘seviyan’ at a local shop in sources here as saying. 1% in May to 81,570bpd due to the temporary sessions in all our clubs today, but after Eid we children away from use of such unhealthy Aabpara Market of Pakistani capital Islamabad. The Pakistan-Afghan rift has widened after shutdown of the Nashpa field, which accounts are preparing for a much larger event this year,” things which could lead to hatred and cause One kilo of handmade vermicelli costs between President Ashraf Ghani’s government put the for 26pc of Pakistan’s total oil production, for Haider, 48, said from Islamabad. The Indian High destruction in the society. Earlier this month Rs120 and Rs150, which is three times more than blame of the May 31 terror attack in Kabul’s about two weeks. The field has now resumed Commission also organised a yoga camp in Karachi police launched a crackdown against machine made variety, Ahmed Ali, an old trader diplomatic area on Pakistan. normal operations, said Nabeel Khurshid. Islamabad on Sunday. sale of toy guns. in G-9 Markaz said. Pakistan ‘to be neutral in Gulf crisis’

Agencies resolution to the rift. Islamabad In its response to the Gulf cri- sis, Pakistan had stressed the need for unity in the Muslim dviser to the Pakistan world and urged the countries Prime Minister on For- involved to engage in dialogue. People cross into Afghanistan at the Pakistani-Afghan border in Chaman. Aeign Aff airs Sartaj Aziz Earlier this month, lawmak- yesterday told Parliament that ers at the National Assembly Pakistan will maintain a position expressed “deep concern” over of neutrality in the deepening the diplomatic rift and passed a Gulf crisis and will refrain from resolution urging all countries to interfering in the aff airs of other “show restraint and resolve their countries. diff erences through dialogue”. The Lower House of the Par- Pakistan to fence whole Briefing the Senate Stand- ing Committee on Foreign liament also called upon the Affairs on the ongoing diplo- government to take concrete matic rift in the Middle East steps towards forging unity that began after Saudi Arabia, amongst the Muslim Ummah in the region. border with Afghanistan Egypt, the United Arab Emir- ates (UAE), Bahrain, Yemen Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s and the Maldives severed Sartaj Aziz chief whip in the National As- IANS their ties with Qatar, Sartaj sembly Shireen Mazari called for Islamabad Pakistan continues to host over 1.4mn Afghan refugees Aziz said that the former army adopt in the current Gulf crisis. Pakistan to remain neutral and chief General Raheel Sharif He was referring to Parlia- “play a positive role”. Despite facing multitude of challenges, Pakistan refugees are facing several health issues and are had taken command of the ment’s unanimous resolu- A six-member Qatari del- he Pakistan Army has continues to host 1.4mn registered Afghan living in deplorable conditions. 41-nation Saudi-led military tion in 2015 when Saudi Arabia egation, headed by business- said the whole border refugees world’s second largest and most Majority of them are working as daily-wage coalition in his personal ca- launched a military operation man Abdulhadi Mana al-Hajri, Twith Afghanistan will protracted refugee population globally, after labourers in order to make ends meet, while their pacity and cannot be recalled. against Yemen. reportedly visited Pakistan days be fenced to curb cross-border Turkey. children are mostly left to beg on streets. During the committee’s ses- The resolution proposed that after Saudi Arabia and allies sev- movement of militants. Pakistan continues to host this huge number of According to the United Nations High sion, Pakistan People’s Party Pakistan “should maintain neu- ered ties with the small gas-rich The military said on Tues- registered Afghan refugees despite the current Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Pakistan Senator Kareem Khawaja voiced trality in the confl ict so as to be country. day that the phased fencing of strains in ties with Afghanistan. continues to host 1.4mn registered Afghan his dissatisfaction with Paki- able to play a proactive diplo- The delegation relayed a mes- the border had commenced in The presence of over 1.4mn registered refugees refugees, out of which some 67% live in urban stan’s role in the Gulf crisis and matic role to end the crisis”. The sage from the Qatari Emir asking high infi ltration prone border has not only destroyed social and economic and rural areas while 33% in established refugee added that the former army chief government had decided at the Pakistan to play a positive role in areas in Bajaur, Mohmand and fabric of Pakistan but has also become a security villages. should be asked to return to the time to continue with its pursuit resolving the diplomatic crisis Khyber tribal agencies, Xinhua challenge, of late. Since 2002, over 4.2mn Afghan refugees have country voluntarily. of a diplomatic solution to the engulfi ng the Middle East. news agency reported. Authorities here believe that militant groups returned home from Pakistan, assisted through Aziz told the committee that war in Yemen. The Foreign Offi ce, how- Pakistan and Afghanistan, have used Afghan refugee camps to carry out the largest voluntary repatriation programme in General Sharif was not sent by Committee Chairperson Na- ever, offi cially denied hav- which have share a nearly some of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the the UNHCR’s history. the government to lead the al- zir Sadiq said that Prime Min- ing any knowledge of the visit 2,600km border, mostly po- country. On the World Refugee Day on June 20, UNHCR liance and, therefore, cannot be ister Nawaz Sharif had not only and stressed the need for unity rous, routinely blame each Pakistan wants early repatriation of Afghan spokesperson Qaisar Khan Afridi said that back asked to return. met with Saudi King Salman among Muslim countries. other for failure to stop the refugees, who are reluctant to go back to their in 2013, the UNHCR assisted government upon Aziz added that Pakistan Par- bin Abdulaziz al-Saud as part The Foreign Offi ce said that movement of militants. Armed homeland due to the continued violence and its request in drafting the national refugee law liament’s resolution on the Yem- of his mediational efforts in the Pakistan wishes to see the cri- groups had also been active in instability there. which is still being worked upon. en confl ict will serve as the foun- Gulf, but also spoke with Qatari sis resolved in the best possible the tribal regions for years. On the other hand, Pakistan also lacks domestic “Due to the absence of this law, refugees living dation for the role Pakistan will Emir on the phone regarding a manner. A statement from the Army’s legislation to safeguard the rights and well-being in Pakistan are deprived of their basic rights and Inter-Services Public Relations of refugees adequately. face financial challenges and are not secure,” he said the fencing of the remain- Almost four years ago, legislation was drafted said. Islamabad to have city tour buses ing border areas including Ba- aiming to protect the rights of refugees, but He further explained that without a law they lochistan will be carried out unfortunately it could not be implemented in could not start any business, open bank accounts Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) View Park and Faisal Mosque. He said initially, the later. letter and spirit. or even buy property to secure themselves is going to inaugurate city tour buses in twin cities service will be started in Islamabad, adding that the Besides fencing, the Pakistan Without a legal cover, the poverty-stricken financially. of Islamabad and Rawalpindi after Eid al-Fitr with inauguration of the service will be held at Pak China Army and Frontier Corps, the an aim to promote tourism. Talking to APP, PTDC Centre, Islamabad. In this connection meetings were paramilitary force responsible Managing Director Abdul Ghafoor said, “PTDC held with representatives of the diff erent schools for border security, are con- and defensibility in Khyber Pa- border is in the common in- curity mechanism is essential will launch nine buses and route will be Lok Virsa and colleges who appreciated the launch of the structing new forts and border khtunkhwa province. terest of both countries and a for enduring peace and stabil- Museum Shakarpariyan, National Monument, Lake service. posts to improve surveillance “A secure Pakistan-Afghan well-co-ordinated border se- ity,” said the statement.

Eid shopping picks up in Lahore regardless of spending power

Internews such a mob,” says Raheela, a And this seems to be true, on goods and services. Lahore banker. “I have thought of order- as many with lesser spending It is expected that like any ing some things online, especial- power are seen buying jewel- holiday season which see higher ly accessories, but for clothes I lery, cosmetics, shoes and other spending than any other time of n the glittering bazaars of will have to go out to the market.” accessories even clothes from the year, this Ramadan too, peo- Pakistani city of Lahore, the For others, jam-packed or not, roadside vendors and stalls rath- ple will be expected to take out- Icrowd is slowly increasing it is a tradition to go to shops every er than bigger shops. of-city vacations. now that Eid is nigh. Ramadan, especially on Chaand As a result of the spend- This is especially because of There are women haggling Raat, and that they will do. ing patterns, shopping may not summer months, and tourism is over bangle prices and rushing to “The whole idea is that an reach a high estimate, adds Dr also expected to increase, espe- their tailors who meekly defend entire community comes out of Aslam. cially in northern areas. their position over hurriedly their homes, and markets are Last year’s estimates were Meanwhile, in a busy elite stitched clothes. decorated for us,” says Ahmed, Rs1tn. shopping area of DHA, a small There are groups of young who braves his way on his mo- “Minimum wages have in- kiosk of Edhi Foundation is qui- boys who are shopping for shoes, torcycle with his family every creased but they will only be im- etly functioning. or having a corner meeting over year. “I want my children to see plemented by July, and even then “Eid should be for everyone,” snacks. this kind of traditional festivity.” not all will raise their employees’ says Mohamed Asad, the care- Children run ahead of their He says that the pleasant wages,” he deduces. taker of the kiosk. “But I can’t mothers, or stand gawking at ar- weather, and the recent victory “This could have increased really see an infl ux of donations ray of toys and other colourful in the cricket tournament, has consumption. Remittances coming in.” things, and demand for beauty only added to the pleasure of go- however have gone up to Rs- He says it was possible that services is at its peak. ing out. 19bn for Ramadan only, which is people preferred to pay Zakat in Much earlier, the upper class- Despite the congestion good. If there are sales on prod- cash later in the year, but still so es — with more spending money though, State Bank of Pakistan’s ucts then defi nitely people will many other things were needed — had already raided markets for Consumer Confi dence Index buy more. Otherwise, if things by those in Edhi shelters and their Eid shopping, and the mid- (CCI) for May has gone down. Women buy sandals at market ahead of Eid al-Fitr in Lahore. are sold on market rates then we other places. dle and lower socioeconomic Part of the reason, say econo- may not see too much buying. I “We have so many forgotten classes have now begun to trickle mists, is the number of taxes lev- (CEC) as 184.27 and the Expect- always think twice before buying creased from fi ve to 10%, and think apart from 60pc of those children, and even elderly who out of their homes too. ied on goods and services, raising ed Economic Conditions Index anything,” says Dr Qais Aslam, this will aff ect middle classes the who live in absolute poverty, need clothes and other items. Traffi c is more congested af- prices and thereby decreasing (EEC) at 154.27. professor of economics at Uni- most. They will not buy these the rest will be spending some- Maybe everyone from the gen- ter Iftar than usual and in this buying and consumption. Eid shopping will defi nitely versity of Engineering and Tech- items, but shopping of smuggled thing, but technically speaking eral public could contribute confusion some even opt to shop May’s CCI has been reported happen, but the public, espe- nology. items will increase such as cos- taxes are expected to depress the something small for all of them. online. to be 168.26, with the Current cially the middle and lower mid- “Taxes on more than 500 metics and toys from places such economy.” Is that not part of the spirit of “I cannot stand shopping in Economic Conditions Index dle socioeconomic classes, will imported items have been in- as China.” But spending will not just be Eid?” Gulf Times 24 Thursday, June 22, 2017 PHILIPPINES

Malacanang denies Militants free hostages senator’s claim on Duterte’s health after day-long drama By Catherine S Valente Manila Times Reuters Manila alacanang yesterday denied that President he Philippine military MRodrigo Duterte had said militants fl ed from suff ered a mild stroke after the Ta primary school in the chief executive disappeared south yesterday, leaving behind from public view for about a 31 hostages unharmed, includ- week. ing 12 children, after a day-long Palace spokesman Ernesto gunbattle with troops. Abella issued the denial in re- There was no word of casual- action to the claim of former ties in the incident at Pigcaway- senator Francisco “Kit” Tatad an town, which is about 190km in his Manila Times column south of Marawi City, where that Duterte went to a hospital fi ghting between government for dialysis during his fi ve-day troops and pro-Islamic State break. militants has entered its fi fth “You know, he showed him- Malacanang has denied week. self. Kit Tatad may just be cre- President Rodrigo Duterte had “The enemy made a hasty ating fantasies,” Abella told suff ered a mild stroke. withdrawal, leaving behind 31 reporters during a news con- hostages, among them 12 young- ference. the Palace said. sters,” Brigadier General Resti- In his Times column on The 72-year-old chief ex- tuto Padilla told Reuters. Monday, Tatad claimed to have ecutive was last seen in pub- He said another 20 civilians received information from lic on June 11 when he went to who were trapped in the area be- “highly informed sources” Cagayan de Oro City to visit cause of the crossfi re were also that the president had “suf- wounded soldiers who fought rescued. fered a mild stroke, which re- the Maute group in Marawi Police said about 300 armed portedly aff ected one of his City, and led the transfer of men from the Bangsamoro Is- arms, and brought him to Car- slain soldiers to the Marines lamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) dinal Santos Medical Centre headquarters in Taguig City stormed the school early yester- in Greenhills last Thursday, from Pasay City. day. where he reportedly also un- The president failed to at- Padilla, however, said later Philippine soldiers patrol a road at Pigcawayan, a farming town about 160 kilometres from Marawi city, on north Cotabato, in the southern island of derwent a ‘peritoneal dialy- tend the fl ag-raising and only about 50 militants were in- Mindanao yesterday. sis.’” wreath-laying ceremonies for volved. “Neither Malacanang nor the 119th anniversary of the Military offi cials were initially more powerful militant fac- the medical centre has issued declaration of Philippine inde- not certain if any hostages were tions, the Maute group and Abu a medical bulletin on this re- pendence from Spain at Rizal taken and whether they included Sayyaf, who occupied the town ported episode. But highly in- Park in Manila. children.Community leaders in of Marawi a month ago and have formed sources said Cabinet Five days later, the presi- the area were called in to help in been battling government forces Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr dent emerged in Butuan City negotiations to rescue the hos- there since. briefed some members of the to visit soldiers, reading a few tages, Padilla said. But Padilla said the incident Cabinet about it on Friday,” lines from his prepared speech “It’s over...but we’re also on at Pigcawayan was not related Tatad said. before giving his usual extem- guard because they might carry to the fi ghting in Marawi.”This Abella dismissed Tatad’s pore talk. out other attacks,” said Padilla. has come from a group that has claims, saying the former Speaking to reporters in Bu- Abu Misry Mama, a spokes- long committed harassments,” senator “must be sourcing tuan City on Saturday, Duterte man for the BIFF, told Reuters he said. something that nobody knows said he was in good health, that the militants had taken ci- The seizure of Marawi and about.” adding that his last medical vilians to a safe place, away from the dogged resistance by the Tatad wrote in January examination was conducted any crossfi re, and did not intend rebels there who have pledged that Duterte secretly went to last year. to hold them hostage. allegiance to Islamic State has the Fuda Cancer Hospital in “My state of health is: What Asked earlier if they would be alarmed Southeast Asian coun- Guangzhou, which the Palace you see is what you get,” the freed, Mama said: “Yes. We’re tries. also denied. Tatad became the president said. not kidnappers.” Government fear Islamic subject of the president’s ti- Duterte had admitted to Both Pigcawayan and Marawi State, on a backfoot in Iraq rades the following month. having spinal problems, mi- are on the large southern island and Syria, is trying to set up a Duterte, who usually has graine and Buerger’s disease, of Mindanao. stronghold in the south of the Residents who want to evacuate from their homes gather while waiting for a vehicle after militants, who had two to three engagements per an ailment that causes the Some members of the BIFF Philippines that could threaten holed up in a primary school, retreated after a gunbattle with troops but were holding some civilians hostage, day, went on a fi ve-day “pri- swelling of arteries and veins have joined fi ghters from two the whole region. in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato, yesterday. vate time” to rest last week, that affl icts smokers. Police aspirants in Cagayan Campaign to promote skateboarding get warning on scammers

By Leander C Domingo (RCIDG2) arrested on Tuesday a businessman Manila Times/Tuguegarao City who sweet talked police applicants, promising their entry to the police service in exchange of a hefty sum of money. The suspect, Marcelo Relos, he Philippine National Police (PNP) in Re- 53, of Barangay Caritan Centro here who current- gion 2 (Cagayan Valley) has warned police ly heads the Police Hotline Movement, Inc was Tapplicants not to fall prey to sweet talking arrested during an entrapment operation. recruiters asking applicants of a large amount of Senior Supt. Armel Gongona, RCIDG2 chief, money in exchange for easy entry into the police said several police applicants, including Sher- service. win Delelis of Barangay Dodan in Aparri town, Chief Supt. Robert Quenery, PNP-Region 2 di- complained that Relos had assured them of eas- rector, advised those who want to join the police ily passing the recruitment process at PRO2 for a service to deal only with the police regional offi ce certain fee. 2 (PRO2) here. “I would like to warn the public at Delelis was an applicant for regional police large and those who want to enter the police serv- offi ce’s fi rst semester Police Offi cer 1 (PO1) Re- ice in particular to transact your business only cruitment Programme for 2017 and was promised with PRO2 and be wary of unscrupulous individ- by Relos of easy entry into the police service for uals who promise to help process your applica- P100,000. Quenery said the PNP recruitment tions for monetary consideration,” Quenery said. process is free and that the applicant has only to Filipino skateboarders participate at the “Go Skateboarding Day” event in Manila yesterday. Skateboarders around the world celebrate PRO2 issued the warning after the Regional pass certain requirements based on merit as well the day to promote the sport of skateboarding. Criminal Investigation and Detection Group as physical and mental fi tness. Soldiers reveal tales of unpreparedness in Heroes’ Ward

AFP Marine Sergeant Sandy Beni- Benitez said his unit had been spokesman Restituto Padilla told aganda messages to descend on Manila tez said he survived a battle that deployed in the evening to try reporters last week. the Philippines, according to the cost 13 other troops their lives and capture one of the militants’ A military commander over- military. by crawling for nearly fi ve hours strongholds, supposedly with seeing the battle in Marawi who Soldiers have reported a nside the “Heroes’ Ward” at along a short stretch of street the advantage of night vision has fought many wars in the new-found steel in their enemy a hospital in the Philippine while trading fi re with snipers, goggles. southern region of Mindanao, in Marawi, with the militants Icapital, wounded soldiers after a rocket-propelled grenade “But they threw gasoline at us, but who asked not to be named staying and fi ghting for longer read religious books and recount pierced his left foot. molotov bombs. They created to speak candidly, said most compared with previous battles horror stories of an unprece- “That was the worst fi refi ght fi res, so they had visual on us as troops were learning on the job. in which fi ghters used more tra- dented urban war against fi ght- I’ve ever been in,” Benitez, a 13- well,” he said. “We have a shallow pool of ditional guerrilla tactics and es- ers linked to the Islamic State year veteran who had previously The Philippine military has highly trained people for this caped quickly after carrying out group. battled militants on remote and decades of experience battling specifi c situation,” the com- attacks. A month of combat in the mountainous southern islands, militants and communist rebels, mander said, as he described At the military hospital in southern city of Marawi has said. with those confl icts claiming soldiers spending two days try- Manila, Army Corporal Benie claimed the lives of 62 troops “Some of my wounded col- tens of thousands of lives. ing unsuccessfully to clear a Flores, 30, was sitting on a bed and injured hundreds of others, leagues, they were losing hope But those wars have been Philippine Army soldiers, wounded in the ongoing conflict with militants single house and threats such as with his left shin snapped in two while raising fears the Philip- and getting rattled. Some were largely waged in rural and moun- in southern Marawi province, recovering at a military hospital in Manila. trip-wire bombs. from a sniper bullet that hit him pines has suddenly become a fa- crying.” tainous settings. Authorities say the militants in the third day of the confl ict. vourite new battleground for IS. Benitez, 34, said he was most- The nation’s military chiefs lamic city in the Philippines, on snipers based in homes and are mainly from various small Flores said he had never been At the crowded Manila hospi- ly calm throughout the ordeal, and frontline troops such as May 23, taking civilians hostage mosques continuing to pick off local hardline groups opposed to injured during his seven years as tal ward, soldiers give harrowing except for when he watched a Benitez say they have relatively and then posting images online ground forces, and civilians be- peace agreements that the main a soldier, which included many examples of how the Philippine rocket-propelled grenade kill little experience in the type of of people they said had been ex- ing used as human shields. rebel organisations are pursuing, battles against the Abu Sayyaf, military — with little experience one of his friends who had en- fi ghting being waged in Marawi, ecuted. “If the fi ght was held in a and that they have united behind a US-listed terrorist group that in urban warfare — were caught listed with him. a city of 200,000 residents. They have since defi ed a re- mountain without its share of IS. is based on Basilan — one of the unprepared for their enemy’s “When you see your classmate It began when hundreds of lentless, US-backed bombing civilians roaming around the Foreign fi ghters from places remote southern islands made tactics and brutality in house- die, sir, you can’t help but shed a militants rampaged through campaign that has seen entire battleground it would have been such as Chechnya and Libya have up mostly of mountains and to-house combat. tear,” he said. Marawi, the most important Is- districts destroyed, with their very simple,” national military also joined, urged on by IS prop- jungles. Gulf Times Thursday, June 22, 2017 25 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Lankan is appointed UN envoy on youth

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed Jayathma Wickramanayake of Sri Lanka Fugitive monk surrenders as his next envoy on youth, the UN mission in Colombo said AFP Authorities in the Buddhist- Jayakody denied there had been yesterday. Colombo majority nation are under inter- a deal allowing him to emerge Wickramanayake will succeed national pressure to crack down from hiding. Ahmad Alhendawi of Jordan and is on a wave of religious violence Police had already arrested 14 presently working as an off icer of radical Buddhist monk that has escalated since April, people, including a BBS monk, the Sri Lanka Administrative Service, wanted in connection including arson attacks on over the latest violence. Xinhua news agency reported. Awith a string of hate at- mosques and Muslim-owned They say four of the suspects “Wickramanayake has also played tacks in Sri Lanka surrendered businesses and the desecration in custody are close associates a key role in transforming the yesterday after four weeks on of a cemetery. of Gnanasara, who went under- youth development sector at the the run, police said. Gnanasara was not immedi- ground on May 26 when police national level, notably through Galagodaatte Gnanasara gave ately available for comment but tried to question him. the creation of a large movement himself up before a magistrate his Buddhist Force, or BBS, has Gnanasara maintains close for civic and political engagement and was then arrested in con- denied allegations it was behind ties with Wirathu, an ex- of young people named ‘Hashtag nection with arson attacks the latest unrest. tremist monk in Mandalay Generation’,” the UN said in a targeting the island’s minority The original arrest warrant whose hate speech has gal- statement. Muslim community in recent issued for Gnanasara dates back vanised religious tensions in She has served in many positions, months. to April 2014, when he was ac- Myanmar. including secretary to the secretary Police spokesman Priyan- cused of insulting the Qur’an. Wirathu visited Sri Lanka as a general of the Sri Lankan Parliament tha Jayakody said he had been Months later, anti-Muslim guest of Gnanasara shortly after and member and Youth Lead released on bail of $8,000 and riots at the tourist resort of the 2014 violence. Negotiator in the International ordered to refrain from hate Aluthgama left four people The government has vowed Youth Task Force of the World speech and inciting violence. dead and hundreds of Muslim to protect Muslims and pre- Conference on Youth 2014. Jayakody said four police homes destroyed. vent the violence from esca- Wickramanayake was also an teams had been looking for The BBS had said their leader lating. Legislators have prom- Off icial Youth Delegate to the Gnanasara before he turned up was ready to give himself up if ised tougher laws against hate Galagodaatte Gnanasara, centre, arrives at a court in Colombo yesterday, to surrender in response to a United Nations, Ministry of Youth in court yesterday. he was assured protection, but speech. warrant for his arrest. Aff airs and Skills Development.

116 bodies have been recovered Dengue epidemic so far and four missing per- sons are feared dead, authori- feared as virus Thousands ties opened two new shelters aff ects 63,000 on Monday in response to the Bangladeshi working with growing infl ux of evacuees, the Sri Lankan health authorities displaced region’s deputy commissioner yesterday warned that the Manzurul Mannan said refer- country was facing a dengue ring to camps run by the army, epidemic with over 63,000 by rains police and the Red Crescent. UN charged with visa fraud people aff ected by the virus and He added that they had suffi - at least 200 patients dead. IANS cient supplies for residents and Health workers at the ministry Dhaka even for distribution among Reuters brief court hearing on Tuesday 2013, the complaint said, Rash- worked far more than 40 hours of health’s epidemiology unit aff ected people living outside New York afternoon before US Magis- id had her sign a new contract a week, in violation of her orig- said there was a tremendous rise the camps, who had already trate Judge James Cott, and was with a wage of $290 per week. inal contract. in the Type 2 virus and urgent t least 4,500 people re- received around 2,100 packets, released on bail. Christopher Rashid took away the work- Rashid is also charged with preventive and curative measures mained lodged in some each containing 30kg of rice. S prosecutors have ac- Flood, a public defender repre- er’s passport, and told her at committing identity theft by were ongoing to prevent it from A50 shelters in south- Yesterday itself, a fresh cused a United Nations senting him at the hearing, said various times during her em- setting up a sham bank account spreading further. eastern Bangladesh and more batch of over 20 people, who Uemployee in New York Rashid would be hiring another ployment that she would go to in the employee’s name to make “Mosquito breeding places are evacuees continue to trickle were feeling unsafe in their of committing visa fraud by lawyer and declined to com- jail and be sent back to Bangla- it appear to the UN that he was abundant throughout the country. in as the death toll from ongo- own homes amid the raging bringing into the country a do- ment on the case. desh if she worked for anyone paying her a lawful wage. In With 63,987 patients reported in ing heavy rains touched 170, downpour, arrived at the Sha- mestic worker from Bangladesh Prosecutors said that Rash- else, according to the com- fact, the complaint said, Rashid the first six months of this year sources said. hid Abdul Ali Academy camp and then failing to pay her a id, an economist at the Unit- plaint. and his wife controlled the ac- alone, what we are facing is an “Close to 4,500 people are liv- in Rangamati, adding to the lawful wage. ed Nations’ Department of At fi rst, Rashid did not pay count. epidemic,” the workers said. ing in shelters, which are expected hundreds already living here Hamidur Rashid, a Bang- Economic and Social Aff airs, her at all, but instead sent about United Nations spokes- “This situation warrants regular to remain open until July 15 in view since early last week when the ladeshi national, was charged initially contracted with the $600 per month to her husband man Stéphane Dujarric said removal of possible mosquito of the possibility of further rains rains intensifi ed, informed with visa fraud, fraud in for- unidentifi ed employee to pay in Bangladesh, the complaint the UN was aware of Rashid’s breeding sites from the environment. and landslides,” Efe news quoted shelter manager Faruk Sufi an. eign labour contracting and her $420 per week, and sub- said. In October 2013, Rashid arrest, and that “all UN per- It is also important to seek medical Bangladeshi Disaster Manage- Since the onset of the crisis aggravated identity theft in a mitted that contract to the US did pay the employee $600 sonnel are expected to hon- attention in the event of fever by day ment and Relief secretary Shah on June 13, the weather depart- criminal complaint unsealed on State Department to obtain a and she left late that month, it our their private legal obliga- three of the illness,” he added. Kamal as saying yesterday. ment has recorded 679mm of Tuesday in Manhattan federal visa for her. added. tions, including with respect Last year a total of 54,727 dengue In Rangamati, the worst- rain in the district, including court. Before the employee entered While working for Rashid, to engaging foreign domestic patients and 78 deaths were reported aff ected district from where 74mm in the past 24 hours. Rashid, 50, appeared at a the United States in January prosecutors said, the employee workers.” throughout the island nation. Nepalis urged to embrace healthy lifestyle thru yoga

IANS Deuba expressed commitment “I am 64 years old but I have Kathmandu for building a healthy society. never taken any medicines or Dressed in Nepali formal visited hospitals. It has been dress, Deuba demonstrated possible only through yoga,” epali Prime Minister standing yoga postures to en- added Mohan. Sher Bahadur Deuba courage the participants. Since health problems like Nyesterday appealed to This is the second year the gastritis, diabetes and uterus ail- the people to adopt a healthy Nepal government formally cele- ments are common among Nepa- lifestyle by making yoga a part of brated International Day of Yoga, lis, they regard yoga as a perfect their lives. which was declared by the UN. medium to fi ght such diseases. Deuba made the remarks while Ministers, MPs, dignitaries and In Dhaka, thousands of people addressing a mass yoga demon- hundreds of people from diff er- from all walks of life yesterday stration ceremony in Kathmandu ent walks of life jointly performed joined International Yoga Day on the occasion of the third In- yoga postures despite heavy rain- celebrations. ternational Day of Yoga, Xinhua fall since early morning. Bangladesh Parliament news agency reported. Yoga has been gaining wide Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaud- Claiming that yoga helps popularity in Nepal in recent hury inaugurated the event maintain peace and harmony, he years. It is regarded as an invalu- organised by the Indian High asked all to be healthy and pros- able gift of ancient tradition and Commission at Bangabandhu perous through regular practice. most essential for a healthy life. National Stadium in Dhaka, “Yoga is an ancient discipline Yoga instructor Mohan said: Bbdnews24 reported. which is essential for both men- “I am teaching yoga for 10 years. More than 4,000 people, in- tal and physical health. Yoga If we continued yoga every day, cluding celebrities, joined the helps to have healthy body and we should never visit hospitals celebration and participated in health mind and in overall, a bal- or doctors. It’s good for both the yoga exercises in chorus, ac- anced life,” Deuba said. physical and mental health. cording to the high commission. Yoga practitioners gather in the rain to take part in a yoga session on International Yoga Day in Kathmandu yesterday. Desperate Rohingya seek new escape routes

By Sam Jahan, AFP or gold ornaments are paying refugees who would pay hefty spent 600,000 taka ($7,700) to reach millions of dollars in Bangladesh alone. away,” said Sikder, who works militancy and organised crime Dhaka smugglers to get them out by air, amounts to smugglers to get Saudi Arabia, where he now lives. These networks arrange fake in Dhaka’s Refugee and Migra- in Bangladesh, said they were and those who don’t are trying them to Malaysia and Thailand. “I paid a local friend for a Bangladeshi passports and birth tory Movements Research Unit, working to stop Rohingya being roads.” Bangladeshi passport and other certifi cates for the Rohingya, a Bangladesh’s main private think smuggled out of the country. n squalid camps in Bang- The Rohingya, who live main- “I paid a local friend papers. He also helped me pass stateless ethnic minority denied tank on cross-border migration. “It (traffi cking) is happening ladesh, hundreds of thou- ly in Myanmar, are one of the for a Bangladeshi through the immigration,” Mo- citizenship rights in Myanmar Research conducted last year here and we’re trying hard to Isands of Rohingya who have most persecuted minorities in passport and other hammad said using the What- even though they have lived in by a local charity uncovered identify the routes and the chan- fl ed violence and persecution in the world. papers. .. he also helped sApp messaging service. He the Buddhist-majority nation complex underground traf- nels the smugglers use,” said neighbouring Myanmar dream Many now live in grinding me pass through the asked that his family name not for generations. fi cking networks that span the Nurul Amin, RAB commander of a better life abroad – and rely poverty in Bangladesh’s south- immigration” be used. “It’s unbelievable how deep globe, using sophisticated tech- for Cox’s Bazar. on increasingly high-tech traf- east coastal district of Cox’s Ba- As it becomes more diffi cult the traffi ckers’ grassroots net- nology to distribute payments But tracking down the smug- fi cking networks to get them zar, packed into camps that were Those routes were cut off for migrants to leave Bangla- work is and how smoothly they globally without detection. glers is only half the battle. there. home to more than 300,000 Ro- in 2015 when mass graves of desh, many have been forced to operate across nations,” said “They are effi cient in dis- Fears are rising in the camps Dhaka denies new arrivals hingya even before some 70,000 would-be migrants, many of head to destinations once con- Shakirul Islam, head of a mi- tributing the money to all the over a proposal to move the es- refugee status and, after a major new arrivals poured across the them killed at sea, were discov- sidered less appealing. grants’ welfare organisation key players,” said Selim Ahmed timated 400,000 Rohingya to crackdown sealed off the ocean border after the Myanmar army ered in Thailand, triggering a Those who cannot aff ord called Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Parvez, researcher for the a desolate island in the Bay of routes traditionally used to traf- launched a bloody crackdown global outcry and a major crack- fl ights are using buses and even Programme. Manusher Jonno Foundation Bengal – a fate many say they fi c migrants to Southeast Asia, last October. down on traffi ckers. travelling on foot to escape Migration expert Jalaluddin (MJF). would do anything to avoid. many Rohingya are turning to Bangladesh denies them the But the smuggling networks Bangladesh, going to India be- Sikder said a proliferation of These, he said, range from “We’ve successfully tackled complex smuggling operations right to work, and is proposing swiftly identifi ed new routes out fore moving on to Nepal or Pa- mobile phone money transfer “local traffi cking agents, to law- the boat migration. And now to escape Bangladesh. to rehouse them on a mosquito- of Bangladesh by air and road, kistan. Some have even settled in services in Bangladesh was mak- enforcing offi cers, administra- our focus is on other smuggling “People are desperate to leave infested island that regularly using mobile payments to oper- the troubled Kashmir region. ing it easier for the traffi ckers to tive offi cials, politicians and the routes,” said the RAB’s Amin. the camps,” said community fl oods at high tide. ate internationally. There is no reliable data on do business internationally. kingpins”. “But if someone is so des- leader Mohammad Idris. For years, rickety boats were Mohammad, an undocument- the value of the traffi cking trade, “Multinational traffi cking The Rapid Action Battalion perate to migrate, can you stop “Those who have money the main mode of escape for the ed 20-year-old Rohingya, said he but estimates suggest it is worth rackets are now a phone call (RAB), an elite force fi ghting him?” Gulf Times 26 Thursday, June 22, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief: Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko Humanitarian crises

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] behind Qatar’s siege Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) QNA Amnesty International described Fax 44350474 Doha the new arbitrary measures announced by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as “utter he besieging countries contempt for human dignity”. have described the decision Deputy Director of Amnesty as boycott not siege to Internationals Global Issues Tsupport their baseless Programme, James Lynch said: “With GULF TIMES campaign against Qatar and justify these measures, the governments of their harsh decisions which do not Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain fall in line with the laws, customs or have needlessly put mixed-nationality brotherhood and neighbourliness families at the heart of a political ties. However, after two weeks of crisis.” The Indian cricket the decision, the humanitarian “They should immediately cancel consequences it has developed such In the past, Qatar has sought to violations have been reported since June this sinister arbitrary deadline, as the hundreds of families who become a member of the Human 5, the date on which the blockade and otherwise thousands of families were unable to reunite in Qatar, Rights Council (HRC) since its launch, boycott was imposed. Violation of the risk being torn apart, with others coach needs to be are unprecedented repercussions due to its belief in the important right to movement received the highest losing their jobs or the opportunity that received many criticisms from role the council plays. In similar complaints, followed by violation of the to continue their education. People renowned international human rights context, during its membership in right of private property, followed by undergoing medical treatment are organisations, in support of Qatar. the council between 2007 to 2010 family reunifi cation, work, education being made to choose between a yes-man Qatar’s strong presence in UN and 2011 to 2013, Qatar was keen to and health. continuing their treatment or human rights entities and forums in actively participate and co-operate The period between June 12 and complying with the overly broad and London, Geneva, Paris and Brussels is with member states in order to fulfi l June 20 witnessed an increase in the harsh measures announced by Saudi a step to hold the besieging countries the council’s mandate the best way number of complaints to 1,750 with a Arabia, UAE and Bahrain,” he added. The partnership was ‘untenable’. That’s what Anil accountable and show the global possible. rate of 140 daily complaints registered The UN’s High Commissioner for Kumble mentioned in his statement announcing his community what their political and Qatar was then re-elected for the to the NHRC to be submitted to Human Rights, Zeid Raad al-Hussein resignation as the coach of the Indian cricket team. humanitarian intentions towards third time for 2015-2017 to continue international organisations as proof said: “It is becoming clear that the Qatar. its active role in international eff orts of the humanitarian consequences of measures being adopted are overly The relationship between him and captain Virat Kohli Qatar is keen to prioritise solving to promote and protect human rights the siege. broad in scope and implementation, had reached a breaking point quite some time ago. And the humanitarian troubles – even if it starting with the principles mentioned The international response to and have the potential to seriously in this clash of egos, it was Kohli who blinked last. were at the expense of other pending in the country’s constitution. Qatar the reports on the humanitarian disrupt the lives of thousands of BCCI went with their captain and Kumble chose to GCC economical, political and other has also been keen to co-operate situation submitted by Qatar, refuted women, children and men, simply issues – since it understand the with human rights treaty entities the besieging country’s description because they belong to one of resign rather than further complicate matters. He did responsibility it has towards those and to fulfi l their obligations to of the situation as just a “boycott”. the nationalities involved in the have the off er to continue as the Indian coach for the impacted just because countries in the those entities, as well as the valuable Despite Qatar’s keenness to protect dispute.” upcoming tour of West Indies. But Kumble is too proud region have decided to punish Qatar contribution of Qatari experts during all its nationals and residents, even “Among those likely to be badly a man and too big a cricketing name to indulge in this for false charges. Qatar also believes their membership of the treaty those from the besieging countries, aff ected are couples in mixed its prestigious position it holds in UN committees and the activities of the the residents were warned by their marriages, and their children; people kind of politics. At least, that’s how he came across human rights organisations ensures its HRC. countries that if they were to show with jobs or businesses based in States with his timely resignation. commitment to protect human dignity In the fi rst report issued by the sympathy or support to Qatar, they other than that of their nationality; The last time there was a captain-coach clash in anywhere in the world, especially National Human Rights Committee may face harsh punishments such as and students studying in another Indian cricket was during the Sourav Ganguly–Greg during crises. (NHRC) as of June 12, a total of 764 fi nes or jail time. country,” he said. Chappell era. That was in 2005 and Chappell had resigned in 2007 after many of the senior players had complained against his overbearing personality, coaching methods – the list is endless. Those two years Weather report produced enough controversies to last a lifetime. Live issues Before Chappell, Indian players were content with Three-day forecast TODAY relaxed approach of John Wright. The New Zealander High: 44 C had a successful fi ve-year stint with India. He had Low : 35 C Coconut oil has more Inshore: Hot daytime with slight dust peace in the dressing room and also oversaw the to blowing dust at places at times. progress of the team. The best part about Wright was that he preferred to be in the background. ‘bad’ fat than butter FRIDAY After Chappell, India turned to Gary Kirsten. High: 41 C Another man who was comfortable in the shadows. Low: 31 C Kirsten was able to deal with the larger-than-life By Lisa Rapaport and others to receive an alternative or Cloudy personalities in the Indian dressing room. Under his Reuters Health no treatment. command, India won the historic 2011 World Cup. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting SATURDAY He was happy working in the background and let the oconut oil raises ‘bad’ for 17.3mn fatalities a year, researchers High: 41 C players bask in the glory. cholesterol in the same note in the advisory. Low: 30 C After Kirsten walked away, citing ‘family reasons’ way as other foods high in Studies in many populations Sunny the next candidate was Duncan Fletcher. The Indian Csaturated fats like butter and showed that lower intake of saturated beef, according to the American Heart fat coupled with higher intake of team also performed Association. polyunsaturated and monounsaturated Fishermen’s forecast If history is well under former Indeed, butter and beef drippings fat is associated with lower rates of OFFSHORE DOHA England coach Fletcher have less saturated fat that raise levels cardiovascular disease. Wind: NW 15-25/33 KT anything to go by, – winning eight series of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), For optimal heart health, the AHA Waves: 4-7/11 Feet the bad kind of cholesterol that can recommends the Dietary Approaches INSHORE DOHA in a row, including Wind: NW 15-25/35 KT the BCCI would build up in blood vessels and lead to To Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet or Waves: 1-3/4 Feet the 2013 Champions clots and heart attacks, according to a Mediterranean-style diet. Both diets choose another Trophy. After the 2015 new AHA dietary recommendations. emphasise unsaturated vegetable oils, Around the region World Cup, where Coconut oil is 82% saturated fat, nuts, fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy Weather Weather Kirsten or a compared with 63% for butter and products, whole grains, fi sh and poultry today Max/min tomorrow Max/min India lost to Australia 50% for beef fat. and both limit red meat, as well as foods Abu Dhabi Sunny 37/32 Sunny 38/31 in the semi-fi nals, the Instead of coconut oil, people and drinks high in added sugars and salt. Baghdad Sunny 38/24 Sunny 41/27 Wright, rather Dubai Sunny Even eating like this some of the Sunny 39/32 41/31 Zimbabwean’s contract should cook with so-called Kuwait City Cloudy 44/30 Cloudy 42/29 than a Chappell was not renewed. polyunsaturated fats like corn, soybean time may help, said Dr John Potter of Manama Cloudy 38/33 Cloudy 37/31 and peanut oils, the AHA advises. the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Muscat Sunny 36/34 Sunny 38/34 or Kumble Ravi Shastri who “Replacing saturated with Centre in Seattle. Riyadh Sunny 43/28 Sunny 42/27 was already the Team polyunsaturated has a two-fold “Small changes may be relevant,” Tehran Sunny 37/23 Sunny 35/22 Director from 2014, continued is his role and India effect because a fat that causes Potter, who wasn’t involved in the didn’t have a ‘coach’ for one year. Then amidst much heart disease is lowered and a study, said by e-mail. fat that prevents heart disease These might include cutting fanfare, Kumble was appointed in 2016. And now a year is increased,” lead author of saturated fat with one meatless dinner later he has left the seat vacant. the advisory Dr Frank Sacks, a a week, reducing sugar by eating one The Indian team had done well under Kumble. As researcher at the Harvard TH Chan less cookie or drinking one less can of coach, he won 12 of 17 Tests and never lost a Test series. School of Public Health in Boston, soda, having one less glass of alcohol said by e-mail. or getting a few extra minutes of The team won eight ODIs and lost fi ve during his Coconut oil raised LDL about as exercise every day, Potter suggested. tenure. much as other oils high in fat like Portions also matter, said Dr But his relationship with captain Kohli was strained. butter, beef and palm oil in seven Lennert Veerman of the Cancer There was a personality clash and neither one of those out of seven studies reviewed by the Council NSW in Sydney, Australia. AHA for its advisory published in the “Baking with coconut oil may not individuals are the types to back down. Kumble’s journal Circulation. raise heart disease risks as much as, for ‘overbearing’ approach didn’t go down well with Kohli Replacing saturated fats with example, a generous amount of butter and other senior players. And now India will begin the polyunsaturated vegetable oil reduces on a 12-ounce steak, not to speak of search for another coach. the risk of cardiovascular disease the steak itself,” Veerman, who wasn’t by about 30%, the AHA concludes involved in the study, said by e-mail. If history is anything to go by, the BCCI would choose from its review of trials that used the “But then again, a small reduction of another Kirsten or a Wright, rather than a Chappell scientifi c gold standard for research – risk every day adds up, so replacing or Kumble. It would be harsh to club Kumble with randomly assigning some participants coconut oil with olive oil may be an Chappell but a soft-spoken, behind the scenes coach to get the intervention being tested easy way to reduce risk a bit.” Around the world Weather Weather is what the Indian cricketers like. So either you provide today Max/min tomorrow Max/min that or you discipline the players. And that’s something Athens Sunny 31/21 Sunny 33/22 Beirut Sunny 26/22 Sunny 27/24 the BCCI hasn’t done. Ever. Bangkok S T Storms 34/27 S T Storms 33/26 Berlin P Cloudy 31/18 S Showers 23/16 Cairo Sunny 34/22 Sunny 36/22 Cape Town P Cloudy 14/08 P Cloudy 14/08 Colombo T Storms 29/26 T Storms 29/26 To Advertise Dhaka T Storms 30/26 T Storms 30/26 [email protected] Hong Kong T Storms 31/29 S T Storms 31/29 Istanbul Sunny 27/19 Sunny 29/21 Display Jakarta S T Storms 32/24 S T Storms 32/25 Karachi P Cloudy 33/29 Cloudy 33/29 Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 London S T Storms 27/14 M Cloudy 24/17 Classified Manila T Storms 33/26 T Storms 32/26 Moscow Rain 18/08 Showers 19/08 Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 New Delhi S T Storms 33/26 I T Storms 34/27 New York M Sunny 28/23 S T Storms 29/23 Subscription Paris M Sunny 36/16 Sunny 27/14 Sao Paulo P Cloudy 22/13 M Sunny 23/13 [email protected] Seoul M Sunny 30/19 M Sunny 33/21 Singapore S T Storms 30/26 T Storms 30/26 Sydney M Sunny 16/08 P Cloudy 18/08 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Tokyo Clear 30/22 Cloudy 28/19

Gulf Times 28 Thursday, June 22, 2017 QATAR Qatar Airways ties up Visit to Biobank with Ireland’s Curragh atar Airways yesterday Baker said: “The Qatar Airways companies and the daily non- announced its “further team is working hard to establish stop service will connect both Qcommitment to Ireland” and develop our relationships business and leisure travellers to by partnering with The Curragh within the Irish community. We the airline’s extensive network. HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, vice chairperson and following the inaugural Dublin- are delighted to enter the Irish Qatar Airways will operate its CEO of Qatar Foundation (QF), visited Qatar Biobank yesterday Doha fl ight on June 12. market and expand our global daily Dublin service with a Boe- to receive an update on the organisation’s current projects. The Curragh is a renowned network of more than 150 desti- ing 787 Dreamliner, which has a She met with a series of senior representatives including HE racecourse in Ireland. nations with the addition of the two-class confi guration, includ- the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari, The airline’s entry into the great city of Dublin. Given the ing 22 seats in Business Class Qatar Genome Programme Committee chairperson and Irish market “strengthens Irish people’s passion for travel, and 232 seats in Economy. Qatar Biobank board vice chairperson Dr Asmaa al-Thani, QF Irish and Qatari business re- we believe this new route will be Evan Arkwright, commercial Research & Development executive vice president Dr Hamad lationships and connects Irish very successful and will inspire manager of The Curragh, said: al-Ibrahim, and Qatar Biobank’s scientific and education passengers to more than 150 even greater communication “The Curragh is delighted to manager and acting director Dr Nahla Maher Afifi. Following destinations worldwide”, the and trade between both Irish and have the opportunity to work a presentation outlining the most recent developments of Doha-based carrier has said in a Qatar Airways was recently announced as off icial airline partner of Qatari travellers. with one of the world’s leading Biobank, HE Sheikha Hind toured the state-of-the-art facilities. statement. the 2017 Dublin Horse Show. “Qatar Airways’ partnership airlines at a very important time “Through the Irish and Qatari with The Curragh is a great ex- for the racecourse to develop key affi nity for horses, Qatar Airways trian industry and business and other global destinations. ample of this. As such an es- partnerships with premium glo- is now drawing together the cul- networks. Irish passengers will experi- tablished and world renowned bal brands.” tural heritage of both nations,” The launch of the new Dub- ence Qatar Airways’ on-board equestrian organisation, this is A Qatar-themed race day the statement notes. lin-Doha route provides Irish service and have the opportunity a great opportunity to connect takes place on August 20 and Qatar Airways was also re- passengers with the fi rst-ever to enjoy the airline’s relaunched the Irish and Qatari communi- will include the inaugural Qa- Turkey sending cently announced as offi cial direct Dublin-Doha service, entertainment system off ering ties and we are delighted to be tar Racing and Equestrian Club airline partner of the 2017 providing easier access to the up to 3,000 options. announcing this new develop- Curragh Stakes. The Group 2 Dublin Horse Show, further Middle East, Asia and Australia, Commenting on the an- ment.” Qatar Airways Sapphire stakes foodstuff s by sea establishing strong rela- with “seamless connections” to nouncement, Qatar Airways Dublin is a hub for more than will take place on July 15 with to- tions with the Irish eques- Sydney, Hong Kong, Melbourne Group chief executive Akbar al- 1,000 leading multinational tal prize of €120,000. urkey is sending food nance requirements to Qatar. supplies to Qatar by sea to Meanwhile, a delegation of Tcompensate for a recent Turkish businessmen met with embargo by Qatar’s neighbour- their Qatari counterparts in Doha Qatari and Omani businessmen in Muscat talks ing states, according to Turkey’s yesterday to discuss bilateral trade economy minister. and economic relations amid Qa- In an exclusive interview with tar’s ongoing diplomatic crisis, Anadolu Agency yesterday, Ni- according to Al Jazeera. hat Zeybekci said nearly 105 Fairuz Mohieddin, CEO of cargo planes have already car- a major Qatari company, told ried food from Turkey to Qatar, Anadolu Agency: “We have Al Jazeera reported. agreed with the Turkish del- “However, it is not economi- egation on a joint strategy for cal [or sustainable] to send food providing Qatar with whatever stuff by plane,” he said. foodstuff s, medical supplies and The minister said further construction materials it needs.” shipments will follow yester- “The Turkish side wants to day’s batch, adding that the know Qatar’s exact logistic needs Turkish products have started to and how to best carry out joint be delivered also by land. Zey- projects that will serve Qatar’s Businessmen from Qatar and Oman during a series of meetings that focused on enhancing trade ties bekci further said Turkey also interests in the coming phase,” between the two countries and the export of Omani products to Qatar. began to ship more durable con- Turkish delegation member Atilla sumer goods and house mainte- Kurucayirli told Anadolu Agency.