BUSINESS | 15 SPORT | 21-28 QBA holds board Big guns ready for meeting, reviews fire at Russia 2018 activities World Cup

Tuesday 12 June 2018 | 27 Ramadan I 1439 www.thepeninsula.qa Volume 23 | Number 7555 | 2 Riyals

Amir awards Al Wajba Medal to outgoing Pakistan envoy Amiri Diwan Qatar takes UAE announces Eid holidays to ICJ for rights QNA

DOHA: On the occasion of Eid Al Fitr, the Amiri Diwan violations announces the Eid holidays. According to the THE PENINSULA During the illegal announcement, Eid holidays blockade, the UAE for Ministries, other DOHA: The Government of the enacted a series government entities and State of Qatar took the United public institutions start Arab Emirates (UAE) to the Inter- of measures that tomorrow (June 13) and end national Court of Justice — the discriminate against on Thursday, June 21, 2018. principal judicial organ of the Qataris. Employees are to resume United Nations and also known their work on Sunday, June as the World Court — in relation 24, 2018. to continuing human rights viola- organisations, including Human tions arising from the UAE’s Rights Watch, Amnesty Interna- discrimination against Qatar and tional, and Reporters Without Qatari citizens. Borders. One year ago, on June 5, Qatar and the UAE have con- 2017, the UAE, along with Saudi sented to the ICJs jurisdiction Arabia, Bahrain, and Egypt, under Article 22 of the CERD to imposed an unlawful land, sea decide disputes involving the and air siege against Qatar as part Convention. Saudi Arabia, of a campaign of political and Bahrain, and Egypt have not so RAMADAN TIMING economic coercion, QNA consented. The CERD is a multi- reported. lateral convention that commits Todays Iftar: 6:27 pm As set forth in detail in its members to the prohibition Tomorrow’s Imsak: 03:04 am Qatar’s Application to the Inter- and elimination of racial discrim- national Court, the UAE led these ination, including discrimination actions, which have had a dev- on the basis of nationality. It is astating effect on the human one of the United Nations core Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met at Al Bahr Palace yesterday with the Ambassador of rights of Qataris and residents of human rights instruments. Qatar, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Qatar, Shahzad Ahmad, to greet H H the Amir after the end of his Qatar, even though they are in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, term in office. H H the Amir awarded him with Al Wajba Medal in recognition of his role in contributing violation of the UAE’s obligations and Egypt are all parties to the to enhancing bilateral relations, wishing him success in his future missions, and Qatar’s relations under the International Con- CERD. During the illegal with the two countries further progress and development. The Ambassador expressed thanks and vention on the Elimination of All blockade, the UAE enacted a appreciation to H H the Amir and the State’s officials for the cooperation. →SEE ALSO PAGE 2 Forms of Racial Discrimination series of measures that discrim- PHILIPPINES INDEPENDENCE DAY (CERD). UAEs actions have been inate against Qataris. JUNE 12, 2018 decried by numerous inde- pendent human rights →CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 World Cup fever grips Qatar fans SACHIN KUMAR of the biggest sporting events in launched various offers and Included with THE PENINSULA the world is set to kick off from initiatives to double excitement today’s edition is a Friday in Russia. Hotels, hyper- of the soccer lovers. DOHA: The football World Cup markets, telecom companies special supplement fever has gripped Qatar as one and other organisations have →CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 02 HOME TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2018

Qatar condemns Over 2 million patients benefit Amir awards Argentine envoy Kabul attack from customer service at HMC THE PENINSULA DOHA: Qatar has strongly 275 staff members in various condemned the attack that facilities at Hamad Medical Cor- took place near the entrance DOHA: The Customer Service poration, is the driving force of of the Ministry of Rural Center of the Center for Patient patient outreach and is improving Development in Kabul, killing Experience and Staff Engagement their experience during the and injuring several people. (CPESE) at HMC has provided period of receiving treatment at In a statement yesterday, assistance to more than 2 million the institution’s hospitals. the Ministry of Foreign Affairs patients since its establishment During the past year, some reiterated Qatar’s firm stance in June 2016. 150 employees from (CPESE) on rejecting violence and ter- To date, the programme has customer service programme rorism, regardless of motives helped more than 2.2 million distributed to 12 hospitals and and reasons. The statement patients, respond to more than dozens of facilities have received expressed the condolences of 900,000 calls on how to access over 1.7 million outpatient the State of Qatar to the fam- HMC facilities, arrange more than referrals and over 325,000 inpa- ilies of the victims and the 500,000 patient care appoint- tients, as well as providing people and government of ments and answer more than guidance and support during Afghanistan, wishing a speedy 200,000 general inquiries, QNA their treatment at Hamad Medical recovery for the injured. reported. CPESE with more than Corporation.

Ministry calls for sighting Shawwal Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met at Al Bahr Palace yesterday evening with the Crescent on Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to Qatar, Rossana Cecilia Surballe, to greet His Highness Thursday after the end of her term in office. H H the Amir awarded the Ambassador with Al Wajba Medal in recognition of her role in contributing to enhancing bilateral relations, wishing the Ambassador QNA success in future missions, and Qatar’s relations with the country further progress and development. The Ambassador expressed thanks and appreciation to H H the Amir and the State’s officials for DOHA: The Crescent the cooperation the Ambassador received that contributed to the success of her work in Qatar. Sighting Committee at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has called upon all Muslims living in the State of Qatar to sight QFA delegation to participate in the crescent of Shawwal on Thursday evening, Ramadan 29, FIFA Congress in Russia today 1439 AH, corre- sponding to June 14, QNA 2018. QFA Vice-President, Saud Al proposal of the South American The Committee Mohannadi, and the QFA Sec- Football Federation (CON- said whoever wit- DOHA: A delegation from the retary-General, Mansour Al MEBOL) to increase the number nesses the crescent Qatar Football Association Ansari. The QFA President will of teams to 48 in 2022 Qatar should head to the (QFA), headed by the President also attend the World Cup World Cup. headquarters of the of the QFA, Sheikh Hamad bin opening match which brings In the presence of HE Sheikh Ministry of awqaf and Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, will together the Russian and Saudi Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Islamic Affairs in participate in the congress of the teams. The world is closely fol- Al-Thani and FIFA President Dafna (Towers) area to FIFA, which will kick off in lowing up the FIFA congress due Gianni Infantino, the countries report his testimony. Russia today. to the importance of its agenda, of the CONMEBOL called during The Committee The delegation left yes- which includes a number of the General Assembly meeting will meet immediately terday to take part in the 68th important topics that are of in Buenos Aires on April 12 for after the Maghrib FIFA congress, which precedes interest to the State of Qatar as accelerating the transition from (sunset) prayer. the opening of the 2018 World well. The most important of 32 teams to 48 starting from the Cup. The delegation includes the which is the discussion of the 2022 World Cup. TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2018 HOME 03 04 HOME TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2018 PM greets outgoing Pakistani envoy Draft law on competitiveness Qatar takes UAE of national products discussed to ICJ for rights violations THE PENINSULA Forum towards the State of Qatar’s position CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 on the unjust siege and its adherence to DOHA: The Advisory Council discussed dialogue as a way to solve problems a draft law on supporting the competi- between States, and their desire to end the These measures included tiveness of national products and siege as soon as possible as it is contrary collectively expelling all combating harmful practices in interna- to international law, human rights prin- Qataris from the UAE, prohib- tional trade in a weekly regular session ciples and good-neighborly relations iting Qataris from entering yesterday. between States. into or passing through the The draft law defines harmful prac- The Advisory Council welcomed the UAE, ordering UAE nationals tices in international trade, and the aimed outcome of the Development of Parlia- to leave Qatar, closing UAE Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al national products for support which are mentarism International Forum and con- airspace and seaports to Thani met yesterday with the Ambassador of Pakistan to Qatar, Shahzad Ahmad, on the total of what produced in the country sidered it an important addition to the Qatar, interfering with the occasion of ending his tenure. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign for similar products or which accounts for development of the parliamentary work property owned by Qataris in Affairs, H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, also met with the Ambassador. a large proportion Gross National Product and the role of parliaments in promoting the UAE and discriminating (GNP) in the anti-dumping and support world peace and respect for human rights, against Qatari students in the investigations QNA reported. freedom and dignity. UAE. UAE also criminalized Under the provisions of the draft law, The Council discussed the report of the any speech deemed to be in a committee called the “committee for the Cultural Affairs and Information Com- “support” of Qatar, shut down QAF signs deal with Canada’s Viking Air support of competitiveness of national mittee on a draft law on the protection of Al Jazeeras local offices, and products and combating harmful prac- Arabic Language, and decided to refer its blocked transmission of DOHA: Qatar Armed Forces signed an Lt. Abdullah Al Hadfah said that the Twin tices in international trade” shall be estab- recommendation thereon to the Cabinet. Qatari stations and agreement yesterday with Canadian Otter is one of the best skydiving aircraft lished in the MEC. The committee shall be The Council discussed a draft law websites. Viking Air to purchase Twin Otter DHC from Canada’s Viking Air. formed by a decision of the Prime Minister amending some provisions of Law No. (1) UAE officials also actively 6-400 aircraft for skydiving operations. Al Hadfah said the purchase came and shall include members with expertise of 2016 on the organization of sports clubs. participated in a full-scale Commander of the Amiri Air Force Major under the directives of Deputy Prime Min- in the area of conventions and represent- The Council decided to refer the draft law media campaign against General (Pilot) Mubarak Mohammed Al ister and Minister of State for Defence atives of the concerned ministries and to the Cultural Affairs and Information Qatar and Qataris, directly Kamit Al Khayarin and Viking’s Regional Affairs H E Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al authorities. Committee to study it and report thereon inciting hate speech. The Sales Director for Africa, Middle East, and Attiyah, with the aim of supporting the sky- The Advisory Council decided to refer to the Council. UAE’s attacks on free Asia Pacific Peter Walker signed the diving team of the Joint Special Forces. The the draft law to the Financial and Economic Concluding, the Advisory Council dis- expression have been agreement at Doha Air Base. Vice- acquisition of these aircraft is an addition Affairs Committee to study it and report cussed the report of the Services and Public described in a December 2017 chairman of skydiving committee Flight to the modern systems of Amiri Forces. thereon to the Council. Utilities Committee on the discussions Report issued by the Office of Speaker of the Advisory Council, H E which took place between the Council the United Nations High Com- Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud, members and each of President of Qatar missioner for Human Rights briefed the Council on his participation in General Electricity and Water Corporation (“OHCHR”) as part of a “wide- Underpass at Al Wakrah roundabout the Development of Parliamentarism (Kahramaa) and the President of the Public spread defamation and International Forum, which was held in Works Authority (Ashghal) in the 23rd hatred campaign against to be ready by Q1 next year: Al Mesfir Moscow from June 4 to 5 in a regular session held on April 23, 2018 on the work Qatar.” H E Sheikh weekly session yesterday. progress in the infrastructure projects Mohammed bin Abdul- They discussed several important being implemented in the country and the rahman Al-Thani, Qatar’s SIDI MOHAMED signals because of the issues for the development of parlia- achievements done, as well as the plans Deputy Prime Minister and THE PENINSULA current requirements. mentary work, foremost the role of par- and programs for the coming period and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Colonel Mohammed Radhi liamentarians in enhancing international the obstacles that may hinder the work stated that “the unlawful DOHA: The construction Al Hajri, Director of Media security, exchanging expertise and bene- and ways of addressing them. measures imposed by UAE work of an underpass at Al and Traffic Awareness fiting from technology and information The Advisory Council approved the have torn apart families, with Wakrah roundabout (Abdul Department said the aim of technology in the field of parliamentary Committee’s report and decided to refer parents being separated from Ghani Roundabout) will be the meeting in Al Wakra is work. The Speaker hailed the under- its recommendations thereon to the children and husbands from completed by the first to sit with citizen and listen standing showed by the participants of the Cabinet. wives. quarter of next year. to their problems they are “The street, starting from facing with General Direc- Abdul Ghani roundabout to Ooredoo round- torate of Traffic and to note their sugges- about, will be developed to include three tions. Al Hajri, replying question about intersections and all roundabouts in that cruelty in imposing violations by police World Cup fever grips Qatar fans stretch will be replaced by traffic signals patrols, said “Any resident has the right to from Abdul Ghani Roundabout to Ooredoo object on some fines and violations in case CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 roundabout,” said Eng Captain Mohamed he consider it as unjustified. The Grievance watch beIN’s live and exclusive coverage July, the Qatar Fan Zone will be one of Mesfir (pictured)) of the Traffic Safety and Committee at the Department receives these of the FIFA World Cup from June 14– the key highlights of the fifth Qatar Engineering Department. complains and can cancel some violations The 2018 FIFA World Cup tour- July 15. By just upgrading to its 30 Mbps Summer Festival and will give people a Captain Al Mesfir was speaking at a depending on condition of the cases.” nament, due to be played in Russia from or above Fibre Home Entertainment taste of the atmosphere they can expect symposium organised by the General Direc- Major Jaber Mohamed Rashid Odaiba, June 14 to July 15, will run each day Plans customers can enjoy access to when Qatar hosts the next edition of the torate of Traffic at Al Wakra as part of Assistant Director of Media and Traffic between 1pm to 12 midnight in Qatar. beIN’s World Cup matches at no extra FIFA World Cup in 2022. Ramadan awareness campaign. The event Awareness Department, said that there will Hotels have set up sports lounges cost. Fans will also have the opportunity To celebrate the upcoming World was attended by a number of traffic officers be smart police vehicles soon which will be where world cup matches will be live to watch the world cup action at fan Cup with fans and passengers, the airline and Mansour bin Ahmed bin Yousef Al equipped with cameras can take pictures screened in giants screens. To spice up zones set up at different places that will launched a social media campaign last Khater, council member of Al Wakra and a and video. “Such smart vehicles will solve the viewing experience of the fans spe- screen live matches while offering vis- month titled ‘FIFA Fan Match’. Partici- number of Al Wakra citizens.The sym- behaviour of some motorists who run cially curated menus will be made itors family-friendly entertainment, deli- pants were asked to describe themselves posium focused on Al Wakrah traffic behind police cars to avoid traffic con- available. Activities like special prizes cious food and numerous football- using five emojis for a chance to win problems and construction projects. gestion. These vehicles have rear camera for guessing the winning team during related activities. tickets to watch the semi-finals in St. Mesfir also added that the country is pre- to catch such violations.” Mansour bin match will add to the enjoyment. Hamad International Airport, in Petersburg. The highly engaging cam- paring to host the world cup in 2022. The con- Ahmed bin Yousef Al Khater, Council Member Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Con- association with Supreme Committee paign was a great success, with five lucky struction of bridges and underpasses take of Al Wakrah, said that they are satisfied with vention Hotel, Intercontinental Doha for Delivery & Legacy (SC) and will open winners from around the world looking more time and that is why some road projects the services provided by Traffic Department, Hotel, Marriott Marquis City Center Doha today a fan zone at the airport. forward to attending the World Cup are expected to include underpasses and Municipality and Ashghal and the level of sat- Hotel, Mondrian Doha, Movenpick Hotel, SC with the Ministry of Culture and semi-final match in Russia. bridges but it will covered in the next phase. isfaction is about 75 percent. “We have made Oryx Rotana, Radisson Blu Hotel, Sports and Qatar Tourism Authority have Many Hypermarkets have launched “For example the Sports Roundabout a recommendation to the Central Municipal Shangri-La Hotel are among the hotels joining forces to launch a 2018 FIFA special offers on TVs offering various in Al Saad, built with investment of QR40 Council (CMC) to increase Al Wukair General that have made special arrangements World Cup fan zone at Ali Bin Hamad Al offers. Carrefour is offering beIN HD to QR50m, was first planned to be a Street to be a two- lane instead of one, and for special screening of matches. Attiyah Arena. receiver with subscription to world cup underpass but it was converted to traffic to include also traffic lights.” Ooredoo has announced offer to Set to open from Thursday until 15 matches.

Ashghal begins East Industrial Street Extension Upgrade Project THE PENINSULA Street 52, can use al Hefain Interchange, continue straight DOHA: The Public Works Authority on Umm Al Seneem Street to (Ashghal) has embarked upon the Umm Al Saneem Interchange, implementation of the East Industrial aka Karwa Interchange, before Street Extension Upgrade Project, turning left into Industrial Area located between East 33 Street Inter- Road till East 33 Street Inter- change on Industrial Area Road and change, turn left into East Indus- Aba Al Saleel Interchange on G-Ring trial Street Extension towards Road over a distance of 2.5kg. East Industrial Area, as illus- Ashghal has noted that the new trated on the attached map. project is planned to be completed by Travelers, heading from first quarter (Q1), 2020 at a cost of Hamad Port Road or G-Ring QR730,000,000, said a release. Road for West Industrial Area The construction will incorporate or Salwa Road, can use al Hefain the revamping of the mainline road, Interchange, continue straight expanding the carriageway from two on Umm Al Seneem Street to A graphic image of the East Industrial Street Extension Upgrade lanes in each direction into three lanes Umm Al Saneem Interchange, Project upon completion. besides converting three roundabouts aka Karwa Interchange, before into three at grade intersections along turning left into Industrial Area with two cycling and pedestrian To facilitate the construction of the East Road till East 33 Street Interchange, turn right underpasses Industrial Street Extension project, the Public into East Industrial Street towards West The upgrade will increase road capacity Works Authority will close the lanes coming Industrial Area and Salwa Road, as shown up to 6,000 vehicles per hour, likely short- from Aba Al Saleel Interchange on G-Ring on the attached map. ening travel time at a rate of approximately Road towards East 33 Street Interchange as Travellers, heading from Hamad Port 50 percent. The road is so significant that it per Wednesday 13 June, 2018 till 1 September Road or G-Ring Road for Asian City and Qatar is an access point for key expressways 2019. Racing Club, can also use al Hefain Inter- around which receive daily thousands of cars During the detour, designed in coordi- change, continue straight on Umm Al Seneem along with the trucks leading to the indus- nation with the General Directorate of Traffic, Street then take left the signal lights prior to trial Area from Hamad Port via Hamad Port traffic will be diverted east to the nearby Al Karwa Interchange to access Street 1110. Road and from Doha via Industrial Area Road Hefain Interchange on G-Ring Road in place Travelers, heading from East Industrial Street and G-Ring Road. It will also create better of Aba Al Saleel Interchange. for Asian City and Qatar Racing Club, can access for traffic movement from Al Furo- Travelers, heading from Hamad Port also use Industrial Area Road, continue usiya Street and Salwa Road towards Hamad Road or G-Ring Road for East Industrial Area straight to Karwa Interchange then take right Port and Mesaieed Road. or local roads located between Street 37 and into Umm Al Seneem Interchange. TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2018 HOME 05 06 HOME TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2018 David Miliband to address WISH’s Qatar convention

David Miliband is the emergency aid and long-term assistance to refugees and President and CEO people displaced by war, per- of the International secution, or natural disaster. Rescue Committee, The IRC currently operates in a New York-based more than 40 countries. Immediately before joining organisation that the IRC in 2013, Miliband was since its formation a member of the British par- Almuftah Group holds ‘Suhoor Gathering’ for its managers liament, taking on the role of in 1933 has provided Ibrahim Almuftah, Managing Director of Almuftah Group; and Khaled Almuftah, Finance Director Foreign Minister from 2007 to emergency aid and of Almuftah Group; with other staff and officials during the ‘Suhoor Gathering’ organised for the 2010. long-term assistance He will bring to WISH 2018 company’s managers at Shebestan Palace in Al Sadd. to refugees and extensive experience both as people displaced by a government representative war, persecution, or and as the head of a major international non-govern- natural disaster. mental organisation. His summit,” he added. speech is expected to focus on WISH Executive Chair, Pro- Al Rayyan Municipality tops the health impact of conflicts fessor the Lord Darzi of THE PENINSULA around the world. Looking Denham, said: “We are forward to his visit to Doha in delighted to welcome David DOHA: The World Innovation November, Miliband, said: Miliband to WISH 2018 as one in building permit issuance Summit for Health (WISH), an “This summit comes at a of our keynote speakers.” THE PENINSULA initiative of Qatar Foundation critical time, when millions of “His experience on the significant importance as it is Commercial buildings (QF), has announced David people around the world - in international stage as a senior considered an indicator for the topped in non-residential Miliband (pictured) as a particular women and girls - government minister and lat- DOHA: Al Rayyan Municipality performance of the construction buildings permits with 62 keynote speaker at its forth- are dying from preventable terly as the head of an organ- has topped the country in terms sector which in turn occupies a percent (39 permits), followed coming global gathering at the diseases in countries affected isation that is intimately of the number of building significant position in the by industrial buildings eg. work- Qatar National Convention by conflict and natural dis- involved in finding solutions permits issued in May. national economy. shops and factories with 19 Centre in Doha on November asters.” “The International to health challenges faced by According to the monthly In terms of type of permits percent (12 permits), then gov- 13-14. Rescue Committee is delivering people in conflict settings statistics, 148 permits were issued, data indicated that the ernmental buildings and David Miliband is the Pres- healthcare in some of the around the world makes him issued by Al Rayyan Munici- new building permits (resi- mosques with 10 percent (6 ident and CEO of the Interna- hardest to reach and most dan- uniquely qualified to speak pality, constituting a 25 percent dential and non-residential) permits) each. tional Rescue Committee (IRC), gerous places and I look with nuance and authority share in total permits issued in constitutes 52 percent (313 Comparing number of a New York-based organi- forward to sharing our expe- about an issue that deserves the country. permits) of the total building permits issued in May 2018 with sation that since its formation rience, but to also learn from the attention of our WISH com- The Ministry of Devel- permits issued in May, while the those issued in the previous in 1933 has provided other leading innovators at the munity,” he added. opment Planning and Statistics percentage of additions permits month we noted a general yesterday released the monthly constituted 45 percent (268 decrease of 10percent. statistics of building permits permits), and finally fencing This decrease was noted in issued by all municipalities. permits with 3 percent (16 the municipalities of Rayyan by Al Wakrah Municipality permits). 22 percent, Umm Slal (20 came second with the issuance Villas’ top the list of new res- percent), Al Da’ayen (19 QIC Group teaches staff how to stay fit of 143 permits, having a share idential buildings permits data, percent), Al Khor (9 percent). of 24 percent, followed by Doha accounting for 54 percent (136 On the other hand, there was THE PENINSULA make conscious efforts to Municipality with 122 permits permits) , followed by dwellings an increase in permits issued manage their day to day lives in with a share of 20 percent while of housing loans permits by 38 by the municipalities of Al DOHA: In celebration of Global a better manner. Al Da’ayen Municipality saw percent (96 permits) and other Shamal by 22 percent , Al Shee- Wellness Day, QIC Group, the Speaking about this activity, issuance of 76 permits with 13 residential buildings by 6 haniya (9 percent), Doha (1 leading insurance group in the Ali Al Fadala (pictured), Senior percent. This data is of percent (14 permits). percent). MENA region, hosted a global Deputy Group President & CEO wellness programme for its of QIC Group, stated, “As a employees. leading insurance Group in the The programme comprised MENA region, we consider this Ooredoo tv a short presentation on wellness, initiative as part of our Cor- Malabar Gold & Diamonds which provoked thought porate Social Responsibility Ramadan amongst the attendees about the (CSR). We want to encourage lines up summer offers various wellness practices. wellness such as diet and fitness our staff towards healthy living offer extended The initiatives discussed but the scope of wellness is far by integrating health and THE PENINSULA during the workshop addressed wider. wellness initiatives through THE PENINSULA the various elements of wellness To feel really well, people similar workshops. We also which cater to the needs of need to understand how certain believe that workplace wellness DOHA: Malabar Gold & today’s generation. 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Also content, as well as block- give their customers an Malabar Gold & Diamonds gives buster entertainment during exclusive chance to win up to their customers the advantage Eid. For more details on 2 kilos of gold with purchase of of converting their jewellery Ooredoo’s Eid offers visit gold and diamond jewellery. purchase into ‘Easy Payment www.Ooredoo.qa, download With every purchase of gold & Plans’ in association with the Ooredoo App which is diamond jewellery worth various banks through which available for iOS and Android QR500, customers get a chance they can enjoy flexible payment users now, or follow the to enter raffle draws to win 250 options for up to 6 instalments #EidWithOoredoo on Oore- The staff of QIC Group during the global wellness programme. gram of gold each in 4 raffle without paying any interest. doo’s social media. TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2018 HOME 07 HIA to have added services for passengers with special needs

THE PENINSULA As part of the MoU, provide specialised training for HIA will soon add ground handling staff at HIA on DOHA: Hamad International how to provide special care and Airport (HIA) has entered into a a special handling assistance to passengers with partnership with ‘Shafallah lounge in the terminal special needs including those Center’, one of Qatar Foun- for passengers with autism. dation for Social Work’s (QFSW) with special needs, Amal Abdullatif Al Mannai, affiliated centres, to provide Chief Executive Officer of Qatar additional services to including autistic Foundation for Social Work and passengers with special needs, passengers. Shafallah Acting Chief Executive Officer with a focus on passengers with Center will be at Shafallah Center, said: “The autism. signing of this important MoU Both parties formalised their overseeing the setup marks HIA & Shafalah Center’s partnership yesterday, with the of the lounge to keenness on providing the best signing of a Memorandum of ensure the comfort services and experience to the Understanding (MoU) by Eng. and convenience of community we serve. With joint Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Chief effort and working with the best Operating Officer at HIA, and said passengers. international practices, we are Amal Abdullatif Al Mannai, Chief providing HIA passengers with Executive Officer of Qatar Foun- a very unique and dedicated dation Social for Work & Acting venience of said passengers. lounge to persons with intel- Eng. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Chief Operating Officer at HIA; and Amal Abdullatif Al Mannai, Chief Chief Executive Officer at Sha- The lounge will feature lectual disabilities and autism”. Executive Officer of Qatar Foundation for Social Work & Acting Chief Executive Officer at Shafallah fallah Center. certain aspects of a sensory Engr. Badr Mohammed Al As part of the MoU, HIA will room, which is a specially Meer, Chief Operating Officer at Center, with other officials during the signing of the MoU. soon add a special handling designed space used for the Hamad International Airport lounge in the terminal for pas- therapy for children with limited said: “At HIA, we are continu- level of satisfaction when it our process of making HIA a require special assistance. HIA’s sengers with special needs, communication skills, including ously looking for ways to comes to experiencing HIA’s special needs friendly airport.” network of elevators, escalators, including autistic passengers. electronic carpets, which allow improve the travel experience services and facilities. We are HIA offers barrier free ramps, walkways and passenger Shafallah Center will be over- children to play games and for our passengers with special grateful and happy to have the access and dedicated facilities train offer simple access to Pas- seeing the setup of the lounge activities. needs. It is a priority for us that expertise of the specialists at to make travelling more com- sengers with Reduced Mobility to ensure the comfort and con- Shafallah Center will also all our customers have the same Shafallah to guide us through fortable for passengers who (PRM). Milipol Qatar 2018 14,000 benefit from QC aid in Pakistan to showcase latest The project included the distribution of more than 2,000 food parcels, health kits and innovations in winter supplies to the poor and needy, especially children and homeland security women in the Sindh province.

THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA

DOHA: Under the DOHA: More than 14,000 people benefited from patronage of Amir Qatar Charity’s (QC) relief project implemented H H Sheikh Tamim at a cost of QR500,000 in the Sindh province of bin Hamad Al Pakistan, following successive droughts and Thani, the 12th devastating floods. edition of Milipol The project included the distribution of more Qatar 2018, attracts than 2,000 food parcels, health kits and winter strong partici- supplies to the poor and needy, especially pation from big children and women in the Sindh province. A man signs a paper to get Qatar Charity’s aid at the Sindh province in Pakistan. local companies Around 670 baskets, including basic food specialised in items, were distributed to needy families to Homeland Security benefit 4,690 people, 7 persons per family as well Ameen Isa, director of QC office in Pakistan to implement an integrated project serving and Civil Defence. as 670 hygiene kits were provided, which ben- said “Given the level of poverty in the region, several areas such as health, water, sanitation The event set to take place from October 29 to efited 4,690 people. there is an urgent need for more food support and food to meet the basic needs of the com- 31 at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center Also 670 packages of winter supplies were and basic services in the province, and many munity in the region. (DECC) and feature local and international exhib- distributed to improve resilience to climate people still need the same support, which was Qatar Charity has been able to provide quick itors and several country pavilions — including change, which benefited 4,690 people. Each provided to others as part of this project, pointing aid immediately after the disaster occurred and Italy, France, Germany, UK and North America . package includes a plastic mat, 4 cotton brushes, out that the child mortality rate is very high due has implemented humanitarian projects in col- It presents a unique opportunity for interna- 5 pillows, 2 kids’ blankets, 3 quilts, 3 men’s shawls, to lack of basic foodstuffs. laboration with key UN organisations such as tional homeland security solutions providers to 3 women’s shawls, 2 kids’ jackets, 4 cotton towels. He also stressed that there is an urgent need Unicef, WFP and FAO. demonstrate their latest innovations to protect internal and international borders. “The 12th edition of Milipol Qatar 2018 will be the most engaging event in the exhibition’s history CRA’s tips to telecom consumer and it presents a myriad of opportunities for our security partners from around the world to dem- to avoid roaming bill shocks onstrate their products and services designed to enhance internal security and safety while net- THE PENINSULA working with global industry experts and emerging Vodafone’s Qatar pre-paid and players,” said Brigadier Nasser bin Fahad Al Thani post-paid customers can activate (pictured), President of Milipol Qatar DOHA: As the annual holiday Vodafone passport, by dialing Committee. season approaches, the Communi- *110*110#, or via Vodafone mobile A number of Qatari companies have already cations Regulatory Authority (CRA) app. Often bill shock is a result of confirmed their participation including Barzan has issued tips to Qatari telecom using a non-partner network Holding, Abdullah Abdulghani& Bros. Co. Toyota, consumers to avoid roaming bill carrier in the destination country. Saleh AlhamadAlmana Co. Nissan –, Ooredoo, shocks. Service providers have mechanisms Mannai Corporation, Huawei, Cisco, Dell, Al-Salam The two service providers in in place to automatically connect Technology, Eshhar Holding, Vega for security and Qatar have a diverse range of consumers to their preferred military equipment, Somod Resilience Center, roaming packages and services to network partner (If available). Con- Qatar Security Systems Company, Flora Security cater to a range of consumer sumers should verify with their Systems, Teleco.Moreover, each ofthe Ministry of requirements. CRA advises telecom service providers whether to keep Interior and Lekhwiya Internal Security Force, will consumers to make sure they network selection manual or be present with a 1,045 sqm exhibition booth, understand the service they want automatic. manned by skilled administration teams. to use before they subscribe to it, to Consumers, who have high- Homeland security and public safety is an ever- verify if whether their service pro- data usage, should continually growing industry with worldwide spending set to vider offers a roaming package in monitor their balance to avoid reach $96bn by the end of this year, according to the destination country and to read incurring high roaming costs Gartner, the world’s leading research and advisory the terms and conditions related to outside of their package. Service company. the specific service they want to use providers are obliged to provide “Milipol Qatar 2018 will further emphasise and clearly understand the cost of consumers with notifications before Qatar’s position as a crucial destination for top- it. CRA also advises consumers to the package ends or is consumed level exhibitions and conferences in the future and understand the activation process completely. Consumers should take we are very much looking forward to an intriguing before they travel and if in doubt to advantage of such alerts and agenda-shaping exhibition in October”, President contact their service provider to manage their roaming costs of the Committee added. clarify and to activate the package responsibility. The world-renowned Milipol Qatar show shines before they reach their destination, Ooredoo’s pre-paid customers light on the latest and extensive range of defence, because they may need to use can check their balance for security, detection and prevention solutions to roaming data to activate the Ooredoo passport, by sending “BAL protect populations. This year’s edition will, for package and could be charged ‘out OP” as SMS to 121, or via Ooredoo the first time, include live demonstrations, where of package’ for that if it’s not acti- mobile app. Ooredoo’s post- exhibitors, visitors and buyers can witness new vated in advance. paid customers can check their products and innovations in action. Ooredoo’s pre-paid customers balance for Ooredoo passport, by Milipol Qatar 2018, the leading event dedicated can activate Ooredoo passport, by sending “BAL OP” for weekly and to Homeland Security in the Middle East, incorpo- sending “OP” as SMS to 121, or via “BAL OPM” for monthly as SMS to rates the Civil Defence Exhibition & Conference to Ooredoo mobile app. Ooredoo’s 114, or check via Ooredoo mobile become a Global Security & Safety Event, that will post-paid customers can activate app. Vodafone’s Qatar pre-paid and bring together key global civil defence players, for Ooredoo passport, by sending “OP” post-paid customers can check a range of focused conference sessions and agenda- for weekly or “OPM” for monthly their balance for Vodafone setting panel discussions on the latest and emerging as SMS to 114, or via Ooredoo passport, by dialling *129# or via civil defence trends and best practices. mobile app. Vodafone mobile app. 08 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2018

Libyan forces’ More than 600 battle for Derna in final stages dead in heavy REUTERS BENGHAZI: Forces loyal to Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar said their campaign Yemen fighting against an armed coalition of local fighters and militants in the eastern city of Derna has AP Heavy fighting in reached its final stages after Yemen between pro- several days of heavy fighting. SANA’A: Heavy fighting in Yemen government forces Brigades from Haftar’s between pro-government forces and Shia rebels has Libyan National Army (LNA) and Shia rebels has killed more launched a ground offensive than 600 people on both sides in killed more than 600 to take Derna last month after recent days, security officials said people on both sides encircling the city — the last yesterday. in recent days. in eastern Libya to elude their Government forces, backed control — for around two by a Saudi-led coalition, have years. been advancing along the The group, known by its The fighting risks under- western coast in recent weeks as French acronym MSF, has tem- mining UN-led efforts to they battle the rebels, known as porarily frozen its activities in the reunify Libya and hold elec- Yemenis buy sweets and nuts at a market in Sana’a as Muslims prepare to celebrate Eid Al Fitr. Houthis. The fighting has esca- area, “until we guarantee the tions after years of turmoil lated as government forces close safety of our staff and patients,” that have provided a safe in on the Red Sea port of Hodeida, said João Martins, MSF’s head of haven to militants and people a vital lifeline through which mission in Yemen tweeted. smugglers, and crippled most of Yemen’s food and med- Yemen has been embroiled US warns UAE aid must Libya’s oil-dependent icine enters. in a civil war pitting the coalition economy. The United Nations warned against the Iran-backed Houthis Haftar is the dominant on Friday that a military attack since March 2015. The coalition flow through Yemen port figure in eastern Libya, where or siege on Hodeida would affect aims to restore the government he is aligned with a gov- hundreds of thousands of of self-exiled President Abed ernment and parliament that AFP civilians. Some 600,000 people Rabbo Mansour Hadi. warned such an attack would Special Envoy of the Secretary reject the internationally rec- live in and around the city. The three-year stalemated be a “catastrophe.” Pompeo said General for Yemen on this issue, ognised government in the UN Secretary-General war has killed more than 10,000 WASHINGTON: The United the United States is “closely fol- support a political process to capital, Tripoli, in the Antonio Guterres said yesterday people and displaced more than States warned yesterday that aid lowing developments” in resolve this conflict, ensure northwest. that there has been a recent lull 3 million. It has damaged must flow through the Yemeni Hodeida, home to 600,000 humanitarian access to the in the fighting and that Martin Yemen’s infrastructure, crippled port of Hodeida amid reports people and the point of entry of Yemeni people, and map a Comoros leader Griffiths, the UN envoy for its health system and pushed the that Emirati forces plan to seize 70 percent of Yemen’s imports. stable political future for Yemen, “is shuttling between Arab world’s poorest country to it from Houthi rebels. “I have spoken with Emirati Yemen.” There have been jailed for Sana’a and also the UAE and the brink of famine. The statement by US Sec- leaders and made clear our reports that close US ally the Saudi Arabia to hope that there The UN considers Yemen to retary of State Mike Pompeo desire to address their security United Arab Emirates and local demonstrations will be a way to avoid the mil- be the world’s worst humani- stopped short of warning the concerns while preserving the allies, tiring of the Houthi’s AFP itary confrontation in Hodeidah.” tarian crisis, with more than 22.2 Saudi and UAE-led coalition free flow of humanitarian aid ability to tax imports at Hodeida, International aid group Doctors million people in need of against besieging the key city. and life-saving commercial is planning to capture the port. Without Borders said Monday the assistance. Malnutrition, cholera But he urged them to imports,” he said. Yemeni government forces MORONI: A prominent oppo- Saudi-led coalition attacked a and other diseases have killed or support United Nations peace “We expect all parties to have advanced to within 9km sition leader in Comoros was cholera treatment center in the sickened thousands of civilians efforts. The UN humanitarian honour their commitments to of Hodeida, the Saudi-led mil- jailed for six months northern province of Hajja. over the years. coordinator for Yemen has work with the UN Office of the itary coalition said last week. yesterday for his part in protests against President Azali Assoumani which have rocked the country, the judge said. Demonstrations erupted Baghdad ballot box fire stokes tensions in several towns on the vol- canic Indian Ocean nation off REUTERS fraud. A storage site holding half of Sadr, who once led violent cam- Africa’s east coast against a Baghdad’s ballot boxes went up in paigns against the US occupation proposed end to the system BAGHDAD: Shia cleric Moqtada Al flames on Sunday in what Prime that ended in 2011, has emerged as that sees power rotate every Sadr urged Iraqis yesterday to unite Minister Haider Al Abadi denounced a nationalist opponent of powerful five years between the archi- rather than squabble over a possible as a “plot to harm the nation and its Shia Muslim parties allied with pelago’s three main islands. rerun of the election his bloc won democracy”. neighbouring Iran. “Stop fighting for The changes would also allow last month, a message apparently Iraqi authorities said the ballot seats, posts, gains, influence, power, Azali to run for two fresh five tailored to defuse political tension boxes were saved but the fire has and rulership,” he wrote in an article year-terms. after a ballot box storage depot added to fears of violence. published by his office. Ahmed el-Barwane, the caught fire. “What Moqtada said about (Iraq) “Is it not time to stand as one for secretary-general of the Juwa Certain parties are trying to drag being close to some sort of armed building and reconstruction, instead opposition party, was Iraq into civil war, Sadr said, adding conflict is concerning. The situation of burning ballot boxes or repeating arrested on June 1 as he left a Municipality workers start to clean up the site of burnt that he would not participate in one. is tense and it seems to be on the elections just for one seat or two?” mosque in the capital Moroni place after Sunday’s fire ripped through Iraq’s biggest Parliament has mandated a brink of conflict,” said Renad Sadr has in the past mobilised tens following violent clashes ballot warehouse where votes for the eastern Baghdad manual recount of the election in Mansour, research fellow at of thousands of followers to protest between security forces and district were stored, in Baghdad, yesterday. which a number of parties alleged Chatham House in London. government policies he opposed. anti-government protesters. CAR asks UN Turkey launches anti-terror drive in Qandil, Sinjar to approve ANATOLIA yet. It will continue,” he added. northern Iraq, where the terror Stating that the terrorists ended in March 2017, was aimed China arm Referring to Qandil region, group has its main base in the would pay for the martyred at eliminating the terrorist threat ISTANBUL: Turkey has launched he said: “Our target is to drain Mt. Qandil region, near the people, Erdogan said Turkey has along the Turkish border with deliveries anti-terror operations in both the biggest swamp,” adding that Iranian border, have been so far neutralized over 4,500 ter- the use of the Free Syrian Army, Qandil and Sinjar regions in Qandil would no longer be a carried out regularly since July rorists during Operation Olive backed by Turkish artillery and AFP northern Iraq, President Recep threat and a source of terrorism 2015, when the terrorist PKK Branch in Syria’s Afrin region. air cover. Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday. for Turkey and Turkish nation. resumed its armed campaign. “We will drain the terror On January 20, Turkey UNITED NATIONS: The Addressing locals in central In recent days Turkish offi- The PKK is listed as a ter- swamp in Qandil just like we launched Operation Olive Central African Republic has Nigde province, Erdogan said: cials had suggested that the Mt. rorist organization by Turkey as cleansed Afrin, Jarabulus, al-Bab Branch to remove YPG/PKK and asked the UN Security Council “We’ve started anti-terror oper- Qandil region in northern Iraq well as the US and EU. In its and Azaz from flock of killers,” Daesh terrorists from north- to approve deliveries of ations in Qandil and Sinjar. near the Iranian border — where terror campaign against Turkey, said Erdogan regarding the Olive western Syria’s Afrin region. Chinese-made armoured We’ve destroyed 14 important the terrorist group has its head- which has lasted for more than Branch and Euphrates Shield On March 18, Day 58 of the vehicles, machine guns, tear targets with our 20 aircraft.” quarters — may be the target of three decades, over 40,000 operations. operation, Turkish troops and gas grenades and other “They [the warplanes] shot and a future operation. people have been killed, Operation Euphrates Shield, Free Syrian Army members lib- weaponry for its struggling returned but it has not finished Airstrikes on PKK targets in including women and children. which began in August 2016 and erated the town of Afrin. army and police. Defence Minister Marie Noelle Koyara requested an exemption to an arms embargo, arguing that national UN: 6.2 million Syrians forces are “confronted with the strength and escalating vio- lence of armed groups whose illegal activities pose a threat displaced since 2011 to civil order.” The council QNA imposed an arms embargo on since the war began. The latest figures raise the Central African Republic in the number of people displaced within Syria 2013 when the country GENEVA: The United Nations (UN) said that to 6.2 million, while about 5.6 million Syrian descended into bloodshed but the total number of persons displaced refugees are living in neighbouring coun- its sanctions committee last within Syria reached has 6.2 million, while tries, according to United Nations figures. year gave the green light for about 5.6 million Syrian refugees are living The UN Regional Humanitarian Coor- Russia to supply weapons to in neighbouring countries since the start dinator for the Syria Crisis said that recently the national forces. of the conflict in 2011. displaced people were forced to leave their Council members have The UN Regional Humanitarian Coor- homes because of the escalation of fighting until Thursday 3pm to raise dinator for the Syria Crisis, Panes Moumtzis, in the eastern Ghouta, which since 2012 objections to the request for the said in a press conference here that formed the stronghold of the opposition Chinese shipments, according 920,000 people were displaced within factions near Damascus before the regime People inspect the damaged of buildings yesterday following reported air strikes to a letter from the sanction Syria between January and April, the regained control in April, as well as in Idlib by pro-government forces in Binnish in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province. committee’s vice-chair. highest number of any four-month span province in the northwest. TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2018 ASIA 09 UK assures cooperation on Mallya, Nirav Modi’s extradition: Rijiju

IANS good understanding between the where anti-India activities can Indian and British governments be conducted without any kind NEW DELHI: Britain yesterday and that the two leaders reit- of restriction or check,” Rijiju assured India to fully cooperate “The (UK) minister has erated they would cooperate said. in the extradition process of with each other and address each The discussions between the fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi assured to give full other’s concerns over other two delegations covered variety and liquor barron Vijay Mallya cooperation whether issues. of important issues ranging from who are accused in separate it is Vijay Mallya Besides extradition of Nirav cooperation in matters of multi-crore bank loan defraud Modi and Mallya, Rijiju discussed migration, tackling extremism, cases, Minister of State for Home case or Nirav Modi or issues related to anti-India extradition and sharing of Kiren Rijiju said. anybody” Minister of movement being carried out by criminal records. Meanwhile, government State for Home Kiren pro-Khalistan Sikh Federation During the meeting, Rijiju sources said that British Minister Rijiju said. with the British minister. also called for implementation for Counter Terrorism Baroness “...there are certain elements of the recommendations of the Williams also confirmed to who are misusing the UK ter- Financial Action Task Force to Indian authorities that Nirav Williams. We discussed about Nirav Modi (left) and Vijay Mallya ritory to propagate or also check money laundering and ter- Modi, the billionaire jeweller at India-UK joint efforts to deal conduct activities which is rorist financing. the heart of a more than Rs with terrorism and extremism. case or Nirav Modi or anybody,” branch over several years. anti-India. While underlining the need for 13,500 crore Punjab National We also agreed to cooperate in he said. India is already seeking the “So, I have requested the cooperation in fighting interna- Bank (PNB) fraud case, is the matters of extradition and Nirav Modi left India with his extradition of Mallya, a liquor minister that using the UK’s ter- tional terrorism, he said terrorism reportedly residing in her sharing of information,” Rijiju family a month before the and aviation tycoon, over unpaid ritory for anti-India agenda must cannot be viewed with a prismatic country - an admission coming said after the meeting. Central Bureau of Investigation loans to his defunct Kingfisher be curtailed. We are not against view and urged Williams to check in the wake of reports about him “We have put across the gov- filed a criminal case against him Airlines after the businessman the freedom of speech. UK is a anti-India activities on its soil. She seeking political asylum there. ernment of India’s demands that on January 31 after PNB, India’s and co-owner of the Formula liberal country, so are we. We assured cooperation of the highest At a counter terrorism dia- anybody who is wanted by second-largest, state-run bank, One Force India team moved to are also a democratic country level on this issue, a Home Min- logue held here, Williams guar- Indian agencies or an Indian lodged a case alleging him and Britain in March last year. Mallya, and we cannot curb the istry statement said. anteed Rijiju of Britain’s support court, we seek the cooperation his uncle Mehul Choksi to who has been staying there for freedom of speech. But the Allaying concerns over in the process to extradite Nirav from the UK authorities (on defraud it by raising credit from over a year now, has been freedom of speech cannot be prison conditions in India, Rijiju Modi and Mallya to India. extradition). “The (UK) minister overseas branches of other banks accused of defaulting on loans misused to abuse the country’s said there are absolute safe- “I had a very useful meeting has assured to give full cooper- using illegal guarantees issued worth thousands of crores. image. So, we are very clear that guards against human rights vio- with UK Minister, Baroness ation whether it is Vijay Mallya by rogue PNB staff at a Mumbai Rijiju further said there is a UK should not be a country lations in Indian prisons. Govt to delay launching more flights to small towns 23 held for REUTERS discounted fares to connect them Some states have said they do operational by end-June. government said it wanted to Assam with bigger cities. not have enough funds to pur- “It is a trade-off. We either make flying affordable for the NEW DELHI: The slow pace of But work on building new chase basic equipment such as keep adding more flights or cal- common man wearing simple lynching fitting out regional airports risks airports in small towns and mandatory fire tenders, one of ibrate the existing ones with the flip-flops by reviving more than delaying Indian Prime Minister upgrading existing facilities has the officials said. capacity we have,” the official 400 unused and under-utilised Narendra Modi’s ambitious plan failed to keep pace, two gov- In other cases it was taking said. The delays highlight the airstrips in the country’s vast IANS to launch more flights connecting ernment officials said, and could longer than planned to build air hurdles Modi faces as he seeks hinterlands. smaller towns and cities and get knock off course the govern- traffic control towers or set up re-election in 2019. The civil aviation ministry has GUWAHATI: A total of 23 millions more people using air ment’s lofty goal of bringing 100 terminal buildings equipped with Passenger traffic in India has given approvals, in two phases, people have been arrested for travel. million more passengers to the baggage scanners and security grown at about 20 percent to nearly a dozen airlines, the lynching of two youth in The programme, flagged off skies in the next five years. systems, said the official. annually in recent years, making including start-ups like Air Assam’s Karbi Anglong on by Modi last year, aims to boost Under Modi’s “regional con- The federal government has the world’s fastest-growing avi- Deccan and Air Odisha as well as Friday, while 26 more have economic growth by refur- nectivity scheme”, the gov- now stepped in, and will procure ation market lucrative for large established carriers like IndiGo, been arrested under a bishing idled colonial-era air- ernment planned to open 31 new much of the equipment itself and and small planemakers. Jet Airways and SpiceJet, to start crackdown launched against strips or building newer airports, airports by the end of 2017, but lease it to state governments to When launching the flights on more than 450 routes misuse of social media, police and incentivising airlines to offer only 16 are operational so far. get the 15 remaining airports scheme in early 2017, the covering 56 new airports. said yesterday. A rumour about presence of some child snatchers was spread through social media by a section of people in and Kareem, Binoy and Jose file around Dokmoka in Karbi Anglong in past few days and Rajya Sabha nomination the mob that lynched to death Nilotpal Das and Abhijit Nath IANS Mani, the Kottayam Lok Sabha on Friday mistook the duo to member and son of veteran leg- be child snatchers. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: islator K M Mani, filed his “While police have Two ruling Left coalition candi- papers in the company of arrested 26 people since last dates and one from the former Chief Minister Oommen night for posting hate mes- Congress-led opposition Chandy, Leader of opposition sages on social media over yesterday filed nomination Ramesh Chennithala and other the lynching of two youths in papers to the three Rajya Sabha UDF leaders. Surprisingly, K.M. Karbi Anglong district by vil- seats that fall vacant in the state Mani was absent when his son lagers, a total of 23 people from July 1. filed the nomination papers. have been caught for their Those who are retiring With no other candidate in involvement in lynching the include former Rajya Sabha the fray, there will be no voting two,” said Additional Director Deputy Chairman P J Kurien, Joy and on June 14 the three candi- General of Police Mukesh Abraham of Kerala Congress dates will be declared elected. Agarwala. (Mani) and C.P. Narayanan of the Hitting out at the Congress- Meanwhile, the Assam CPI-M. With none of the retiring led UDF, State CPI-M Secretary government has decided to members getting renomination, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said that to introduce a programme veteran CPI-M leader and if the Congress had the guts, ‘Sanskar’ in all the devel- former state minister Elamaram they should see that a by- opment blocks and gaon pan- Kareem and his then cabinet election to the Kottayam Lok chayats very soon in view of colleague (2006-11) and senior Sabha seat takes place. incidents triggered by sheer CPI leader Binoy Viswam filed “The electorate in Kottayam ignorance and superstitions their nomination before the elected Jose K. Mani for five in the state in the last few Kerala Assembly Secretary. years and with almost 11 months months. Present on the occasion left, he has run away and in the Sand art sculpture The programme will be were Chief Minister Pinarayi process close to Rs7 crore of replicated throughout the Artist Sudarshan Pattnaik, finishing a sand sculpture depicting US President Donald Trump and Vijayan, his cabinet colleagues development work that should state on mission mode so that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at Puri beach near Bhubaneswar, yesterday. and CPI state Secretary Kanam have come through his MP fund it can create a deterrent Rajendran. into the Kottayam constituency against superstitions and all In the afternoon, Jose K. has been wasted,” he said. its manifestations.

Kejriwal, Cabinet colleagues stage sit-in at Lt. Governor office Vajpayee admitted to AIIMS

IANS IANS to act. Left with no option, we and the “insistence to summon directions should be given to end Guleria, who is a pulmon- have politely told the LG that we them is not desirable”. the so-called ‘strike’. ologist, has been a personal NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief will not leave till he acts on all “Since the Chief Minister “In response, it was reit- NEW DELHI: Former Prime physician to Vajpayee for many Minister Arvind Kejriwal, along points. We have come out of his and Ministers refused to listen erated by the LG that there is no Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee years. The BJP in a statement with his cabinet colleagues, chamber and sitting in his to this suggestion and as the LG strike by the employees of was admitted to the All India said: “As per the advice of visited Lt. Governor Anil Baijal waiting room,” Kejriwal said in had pre-scheduled appoint- GNCTD (Government of National Institute of Medical Sciences doctors, Vajpayeeji has been yesterday and decided to stay in a tweet. ments at his residence, he had Capital Territory of Delhi),” the (AIIMS) yesterday for “exami- admitted in AIIMS today for his office until their demands Calling it an “unprecedented no option but to leave the statement read. nation and management” trig- routine check-ups and were accepted. The Raj Niwas move”, the LG’s office said the office,” a statement from the Baijal said that during his gering VIP visits including that investigations.” called it a “protest without Chief Minister and the Deputy Raj Niwas said, terming the continued interactions with the of Prime Minister Narendra Rahul Gandhi was the first reason”. Chief Minister, along with two protest as a “dharna without officers, “it has been informed Modi, BJP President Amit Shah to visit the hospital to check on Kejriwal wanted Baijal to ministers, “remained defiant and reason”. that the atmosphere of mistrust and Congress President Rahul Vajpayee’s health. Health Min- issue a direction to IAS officers continued to pressurise that the The Chief Minister had and fear continues and no Gandhi. ister J.P. Nadda also rushed to to end their “strike” and also officers must be immediately sought a meeting with the LG. sincere attempts to resolve the “Former Prime Minister the hospital followed by Amit sought action against the summoned to Raj Niwas and the He went to the Raj Niwas with differences have been made so Atal Bihari Vajpayee has been Shah. Around 7.30 p.m., Modi officers, who have struck work so-called ‘agitation’ of officers Cabinet Ministers Satyendar Jain, far”. admitted to AIIMS today for visited the hospital. for “four months”. He was also be called off, and sought that Gopal Rai and Manish Sisodia. The LG also advised Kejriwal examination and management. Vajpayee, 93, who was demanding approval to the pro- immediate approval to proposal “In the meeting, the LG was to build the confidence of the He is stable. A team of doctors Prime Minister briefly in 1996 posal for doorstep delivery of for doorstep delivery of rations threatened by Kejriwal, who employees at all levels and to under the supervision of and then from 1998 to 2004, ration. be given”. demanded that the officers work out ways of addressing Randeep Guleria, Director, had retreated from active pol- “LG refuses to take action. The LG said he had already should be immediately sum- their genuine concerns, AIIMS are conducting tests,” itics over the last decade due to LG is under constitutional duty spoken to officers in this regard moned at Raj Niwas and according to the statement. AIIMS said in its statement. failing health. 10 VIEWS TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2018 How Israel occupied the 1996 ESTABLISHED IN whole of Palestine in 1967 CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected] ZENA AL TAHHAN ACTING MANAGING EDITOR AL JAZEERA MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected] ore than 50 years ago, the state of Israel shocked the world when it seized the DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR Mremaining Palestinian terri- MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI tories of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, [email protected] Gaza Strip, as well as the Syrian Golan Heights and the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula, in a matter of six days. In a war with Egypt, Jordan and Syria, known as the 1967 War, or the June War, Israel delivered what came to be known as the “Naksa”, meaning EDITORIAL setback or defeat, to the armies of the of Qibya, where 45 houses were blown After taking the Old City, Israeli neighbouring Arab countries, and to the up and at least 69 Palestinians were forces demolished the entire 770-year- Palestinians who lost all what remained killed. old Moroccan Quarter neighbourhood, of their homeland. A few years later, the Suez Crisis to widen access to what the Jewish Winning confidence The Naksa was a continuation of a took place in 1956. Israel, along with people call the Western Wall, (known to prior central event that paved the way France and Britain, invaded Eygpt with Muslims as the Al Buraq Wall.) The site atar’s economy is on the upswing, thanks to for the 1967 war. Nineteen years earlier, the hope of toppling then President holds religious significance to both Jews booming LNG demand to Asia, increasing confi- in 1948, the state of Israel came into Gamal Abdel Nasser after he nation- and Muslims. Qdence of investors and international rating agencies being in a violent process that entailed alised the Suez Canal Company. The Approximately 100 Palestinian on the country. With the ongoing siege completing the ethnic cleansing of Palestine. company was a joint British-French families living in the quarter were a year, foreign investors are making a beeline by Zionist forces, in their mission to enterprise which controlled and ordered to evacuate their homes and entering different sectors of the economy after the State create a “Jewish state”, expelled some operated the strategic waterway. the neighbourhood was bombed and announced a package of laws, including real estate acqui- 750,000 Palestinians from their The three countries were forced to completely demolished. The space was sition, permanent visa and residence, and opening up of homeland and destroyed their villages withdraw, and for a decade afterwards, used by Israel to build the “Western the economy to boost foreign investment. in the process. Shortly after Israel a United Nations peacekeeping force Wall Plaza”, an area that granted Jews The presence of major foreign companies in Qatar declared statehood, units of the neigh- was installed along the Egyptian-Israeli direct access to the Wall. indicates the strength of the Qatari economy, which is an bouring Arab country armies came in to border. The mid-1950s and 1960s saw Throughout the war and under the indicator of investor confidence in the ability of Qatar to fight for the Palestinian nation. the rise of the Fedayeen movement - orders of Yitzhak Rabin — who later face the siege, revealed a study by Qatar University on The 1948 war ended with Israeli Palestinian armed resistance groups became Israel’s prime minister — “Foreign Investment Openness in the State of Qatar and forces controlling approximately 78 who attempted to mount attacks Israeli forces ethnically cleansed and Its Interaction in Development of Qatari Economy”. Yet percent of historical Palestine. The against Israel. destroyed several Palestinian villages, another proof, the study noted, was that the country’s remaining 22 percent fell under the A year before the war, Israel raided expelling some 10,000 Palestinians. credit rating is in the highest range for global rating administration of Egypt and Jordan. the West Bank village of As Samu’ in the Among the most infamous wiped out agencies such as Standard and Poor’s, Fitch, Moody’s and In 1967, Israel absorbed the whole largest military operation since the villages were Imwas, Beit Nuba and Capital Intelligence. of historical Palestine, as well as addi- 1956 Suez Crisis, after the Palestinian Yalu. At present, most of the foreign investment is concen- tional territory from Egypt and Syria. By Fatah group killed several Israeli sol- In the Palestinian West Bank cities trated in the energy sector. Opening up the local economy the end of the war, Israel had expelled diers. As a result, Israeli forces rounded of Qalqilya and Tulkarem, the Israeli to foreign investment would another 300,000 Palestinians from up the town’s villagers and blew up army systematically destroyed Pales- accelerate the growth of the their homes, including 130,000 who about dozens of homes. About 18 tinian homes. About 12,000 Pales- private sector and expand its were displaced in 1948, and gained ter- people were killed and more than 100 tinians were forced out of Qalqilya productive base. The move will ritory that was three and a half times its wounded in the attack. Tensions alone, as a means of “punishment”, strengthen and diversify the size. between Syria and Israel was also Dayan reportedly wrote in his memoirs. production base and create The narrative of the war is highly brewing over disagreements on the use Israel’s offensive on the Syrian Qatar’s economy import alternatives to the polarised, as is common for many of the Jordan River water and Israeli Golan Heights started on June 9, and by is on a strong economy, the study noted. events in the Arab-Israeli conflict. cultivation along the border, which the next day, the Golan had been cap- footing, more According to QNB’s latest There exists, however, a series of events played a major role in leading up to the tured, putting Israel at a shocking dis- competitive and economic commentary on that undeniably led to the outbreak of war. tance from the Syrian capital, Qatar’s economy, the latest the war. On May 13, 1967, the Soviet Union Damascus. Egypt and Israel signed a will be a model of monthly trade statistics show Firstly, there were frequent clashes falsely warned Egypt that Israel was ceasefire on June 9, while Syria and development for that the goods trade surplus on the Israeli-Syrian and Israeli-Jor- assembling its troops to invade Syria. Israel signed on June 11, effectively all in the region. surged higher in April. In level danian armistice lines after the 1948 Under an Egyptian-Syrian defence ending the war with a UN-brokered terms, the surplus topped war. Thousands of treaty signed in 1955, the two countries truce. The overwhelming majority of QR14.7bn. In percentage Palestinian ref- were obliged to protect one another in the newly displaced Palestinians sought terms, the surplus was up a ugees tried to cross the case of an attack on either. refuge in Jordan. Many crossed into stunning 49 percent year-on-year as against April 2017. the border The Israeli attack on Egypt’s air- Jordan through the river, and did so on It noted that April’s exports were up more than QR5bn, Just one year after searching for rela- bases in the Sinai and the Suez foot with very few belongings. an increase of more than 27 percent compared with a the 1967 war, there tives, attempting to reportedly disabled at least 90 percent Just one year after the 1967 war, year ago. were six Israeli return to their of the Egyptian air force and dictated there were six Israeli settlements built Higher crude oil prices as well as booming LNG settlements built homes and to the course of the war. Israeli ground in the Syrian Golan Heights. By 1973, forces proceeded to invade the Gaza Israel had established 17 settlements in demand to Asia helped in boosting exports. Exports to in the Syrian Golan recover their lost Japan were strong in April; up nearly QR2bn versus last possessions. Strip and the Sinai Peninsula on the the West Bank and seven in the Gaza April. Japan’s export share accordingly jumped to 20 Heights. By 1973, Between 1949 to same day. Strip. By 1977, some 11,000 Israelis had percent; up from 17 percent in March and 15 percent a Israel had established 1956, it is estimated Israel also attacked the Syrian air- been living in the West Bank, Gaza year ago. Growth in LNG demand has more recently been 17 settlements in the that Israeli forces fields on the evening of June 5. The next Strip, the Golan Heights and the Sinai dominated by China, whose imports soared by an extraor- West Bank and seven shot dead between day, fighting ensued between Jordan Peninsula. dinary 49 percent in 2017. in the Gaza Strip. By 2,000 to 5,000 and Israel for control of Jordanian-held “The occupation of the West Bank East Jerusalem. and Gaza reminded the world of the Moreover, in February, International Monetary Fund 1977, some 11,000 people who tried to (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde had said that cross. The major West Bank cities of colonial aspects of Israel,” Munir the steady growth in Qatar’s non-oil economy is a Israelis had been In 1953, Israel Nablus, Bethlehem, Hebron and Nuseibah, a professor at the Faculty of reflection of the country’s good diversification policy. living in the West committed the Jericho, fell to the Israeli army a day Law at Al Quds University, told Al Qatar’s growth in the non-oil sector has been pretty much Bank, Gaza Strip, the most notorious later. Israel also shelled the Abdullah Jazeera. on a par with the non-oil growth in the oil importing coun- Golan Heights and the reprisal massacre and Hussein bridges over the Jordan tries, the IMF chief said. Sinai Peninsula. in the West Bank River that linked the West Bank to The writer is an online journalist and Also, in April, Deputy Managing Director of the IMF, against the village Jordan. producer for Al Jazeera English. Tao Zhang, had praised the economic policies of Qatar and its success in overcoming economic crises affecting the global economy. To sum up, the Qatari economy is on a strong footing, more competitive and will be a model of development for Shells still land in our areas: Ramadan in war-torn Taiz all in the region. isham Mohamed access to medical supplies. thousands from death. people have been killed and Saleh promised to “Despite the siege and the Typically, Yemenis at least 40,000 wounded, treat his children tough situation, Ramadan is shopped for food and gifts mostly from Saudi-led air Hto sweets and always a happy moment,” during the late hours of the raids. candies after Iftar - the meal Saleh, a father of three, told Ramadan day, but a In retaliation, the QUOTE OF THE DAY Muslims eat after a long day Al Jazeera. “We enjoy the shortage of currency and a Houthis have launched of fasting during Ramadan - month and so do our depreciation in the exchange dozens of missiles. Saudi A meeting of Group but with skyrocketing children, despite the shells rate has left many with little authorities say over the past of Seven leaders poverty and inflation rates, landing on our streets.” purchasing power. three years 90 ballistic mis- in Canada had it’s unlikely he’ll be able to Throughout the Muslim About 1.2 million civil siles have been fired by the spoil them much further. world, the holy month has servants have not received rebels. been “difficult” and For more than three been celebrated as a joyful their salaries for the past 14 With many struggling to countries had to years, Houthi rebels have and spiritual occasion, with months — in an effort by the get their hands on basic avoid taking unilateral besieged Yemen’s second- special meals and tasty Saudi-led coalition fighting necessities, shoppers drawn largest city of Taiz, putting treats prepared at sunset. the Houthis to force the to markets during previous action in order to more than 200,000 civilians But with more than 75 group into submission. Ramadans have disap- protect the global like as the Saleh family in percent of all Yemenis — or “The war and the siege peared “Prices are rising, trading system. harm’s way. about 22 million people — have pushed up the prices of and that’s a huge burden for Most of the city has been in need of aid, and seven basic goods, and people still us,” a shop owner told Al Theresa May thrust into poverty, with fre- million facing famine, haven’t received their sal- Jazeera. quent reports of food and Saleh hopes this year’s aries,” one resident told Al “I used to buy goods for British Prime Minister water shortages and hospitals Ramadan will usher in a Jazeera. a cheap price now that’s struggling to function without temporary truce and spare More than 10,000 impossible.” TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2018 OPINION 11 Trump, Kim historic summit in Singapore

QNA younger brother Kim Yo-jong. and security, will accelerate the with- disarm nuclear weapons before Trump said Saturday he was drawal of US troops from South any sanctions or other concessions S President Donald Trump embarking on a “mission of peace,” as Korea. are relaxed, but North Korea A positive factor in and North Korean Leader he departed the Group of Seven On Thursday, at the White House appears to be determined on a Kim Jong-Un will meet meeting in Canada to fly to the summit the US President pledged to achieve phased approach and Kim said the favor of this summit Utoday in a historic summit site in Singapore. Saying he has a clear great success at the summit, but it is issue of nuclear disarmament will is that there is clearly due to the tensions regarding North objective in mind to convince Kim to not clear what is the success for be resolved on a stage by stage a strong desire from Korea’s nuclear program. abandon his nuclear program in Trump or Kim, and no one knows basis. Trump to achieve The unprecedented event will be exchange for unspecified protections what will happen after the two presi- The US Secretary of State said a held in Singapore’s Sentosa Island, from the US, Trump acknowledged dents leave the hall where the summit few days before the summit that his success in the Korean secured by personal guards of both that the direction of the high-stakes will be held. country’s goal is very clear, is to nuclear file to outweigh leaders and elite police tactical unit of meeting is unpredictable, adding it Observers agree that one meeting achieve a fundamentally different his predecessors of the Singapore police force. will always be spur of the moment. will not be enough to accomplish the strategic relationship between Through the summit, the US hopes Preparations for the summit, required agreements, overcome the Washington and Pyongyang, and American presidents. to finally reach an agreement on irre- included a meeting between the two difficulties and obstacles and put the added that nuclear disarmament is On the other hand, the versibly disarming North Korea of all Koreas, two visits by US Secretary of details of the next stage may require the ultimate goal, and in contrast, North Korean leader nuclear weapons and establish peace State Mike Pompeo to the North more than a meeting and more than a Washington is ready to do things aspires to impose its regime on the divided Korean Korean capital Pyongyang. In addition summit, but success requires coming that provide North Korea security, peninsula, including easing economic a senior North Korean official Kim out something tangible and positive and warmer political relations. legitimacy and prestige and diplomatic sanctions against Jong-chul paid a visit to Washington from this historic meeting, otherwise, It is unclear whether at this summit, and North Korea and establishing new in which he conveyed a personal the alternative could mean disaster, Pyongyang is prepared to give up to earn international relations between Pyongyang and message described as reconciling and at the end of the summit, the two its nuclear weapons program in recognition and respect Washington. from Kim to Trump. presidents may sign a document out- accordance with the schedules, The US president is accompanied A positive factor in favor of this lining the commitments and steps to dates and plans Washington for him and his country by US Secretary of State Mike summit is that there is clearly a strong be taken by the parties simultaneously demands, as North Korea has through a summit in Pompeo, US White House Chief of desire from Trump to achieve success and progressively regarding the refused to abandon its arsenal uni- which he is treated Staff John Kelly, US Press Secretary in the Korean nuclear file to outweigh security guarantees the United States laterally and has defended its on an equal footing Sarah Sanders and US National his predecessors of American presi- will provide to North Korea and the nuclear and missile programs, Security Advisor John Bolton. The dents. On the other hand, the North steps of normalization, in return for saying they were deterred against with the world’s most North Korean leader will be accom- Korean leader aspires to impose its the complete, irreversible and veri- what they saw as an American powerful head of state. panied by North Korean Foreign Min- legitimacy and prestige at this fiable denuclearization of North Korea. aggression and danger, with the ister Ri Yong Ho and the leader’s summit, and to earn international rec- Observers do not rule out details United States deploying 28,500 ognition and respect for him on the idea of sending US diplomats to troops in South Korea. and his country through a Pyongyang and North Korean officials The Trump-Kim summit comes summit in which he is to Washington, which will be practical months after wave of mutual treated on an equal footing steps to strengthen communication threats amounting to nuclear with the world’s most pow- channels between the two countries, bombardment. erful head of state. In observers also expect North Korea to Intensive preparations and dip- addition to legitimizing and agree to take practical measures as lomatic efforts ahead of the summit recognizing North Korea as a soon as possible to confirm its com- do not constitute any guarantee for nuclear state and lift inter- mitment to its nuclear disarmament, its success, and the risk of failure national sanctions. including opening its facilities to remains untenable if the two leaders South Korea strongly international inspectors, formalizing can not reach concrete points of supports the efforts to make the freezing of its nuclear testing and agreement, and agree on what is the Singapore summit a dismantling its facilities. possible and what is required, oth- success, and has played an But the biggest challenge facing erwise, the doors will be open to all active role in its preparation. Singapore summit is that the two possibilities and worst scenarios China also supports the sides have different views on the which will affect not only the two summit, which will not only Summit’s goals and timetables that countries, but the entire world. reduce the risks of instability are the real key to achieving a historic and war on the Korean agreement at this meeting, and the Peninsula, but also, if it Trump administration demands that A crowd reacts as US President Donald Trump’s motorcade arrives at the Istana in Singapore. eventually leads to peace North Korea take concrete steps to

D-RING ROAD new report from the United million. Much of that projected decline argued in a study published in 2016. He POST BOX: 3488 Nations Human Rights Council resulted from the bill’s abolition of the concluded that child poverty has fallen DOHA - QATAR excoriates the United States, fines for people who go without to an all-time low since welfare reform [email protected] Aand the Trump administration insurance. was enacted (although he is careful not especially, for neglecting “extreme Many conservatives argued that the to give all the credit for that decline to poverty and human rights.” CBO was overestimating the effect of the reform). EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE Philip Alston, the UN’s “special rap- those fines — and in November, the And poverty has almost certainly TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 RAMESH PONNURU FAX: +974 4455 7758 BLOOMBERG porteur” on this subject, indicts our tax, CBO explained that it is in the process of fallen further since Trump took office, welfare, criminal-justice and health- lowering its estimate. Alston summa- because of the good economy — a point rizes the issue by saying that Repub- that Alston’s analysis for the UN MANAGING EDITOR licans “seek to add over 20 million poor somehow never gets around to men- TEL: 4462 7505 and middle class persons to the ranks of tioning. Reuters can be forgiven for those without health insurance.” reading the UN report that way: “Amer- DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR TEL: 4455 7769 It’s a triple distortion. The report uses ica’s poor becoming more destitute Ignore the UN’s ranting too high a number, ignores the role of vol- under Trump: UN expert” was the LOCAL NEWS SECTION untary choice, and acts as though Repub- headline it ran. TEL: 4455 7743 licans intend a result when in reality they The report ends with a rousing call about poverty do not even believe it will happen. for Americans to get over their obdurate BUSINESS NEWS SECTION Discussing poverty, Alston again refusal to pay higher taxes. “There is a TEL: 4462 7535 takes a standard left-wing line while real need for the realization to sink in ignoring counterarguments. He notes, among the majority of the American SPORT NEWS SECTION care policies. The Los Angeles Times correctly, that the trillions of dollars the population that taxes are not only in TEL: 4455 7745 calls it a “damning report,” and so in a government has spent fighting poverty their interest, but also perfectly recon- way it is. What it shows is that the UN is have been extremely helpful in holding cilable with a growth agenda.” Case ONLINE SECTION wasting money, much of it provided by poverty rates down. closed, I guess. TEL: 4462 7501 the US, on thoughtless political But he assumes this point suffices to The US is doing much better than [email protected] propaganda. refute the idea that features of our the UN suggests. The incarceration rate, for example, keeps falling, unnoticed by Alston’s report asserts that the tax welfare programs are counterpro- PUBLIC RELATIONS our rapporteur. None of this progress is cut of December 2017 “overwhelmingly ductive, and to justify placing sneer TEL: 4455 7613 benefited the wealthy,” without so quotes about people who think those a reason for complacency, of course. [email protected] much as a footnote to back him up. The programs should be more efficient, tar- There are many changes we could truth is more complicated. geted and evidence-based - sorry, “effi- make to fight poverty. Two policies that ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT The tax cut reduced federal tax cient,” “targeted” and many conservatives and liberals would TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 burdens in rough proportion to how “evidence-based.” embrace are loosening requirements FAX: 4455 7870 much each income group pays in The report presents the bipartisan for occupational licenses and easing [email protected] federal taxes. People who make more welfare reform of the 1990s as a zoning restrictions on housing. The UN than a million dollars a year will see humanitarian disaster that sharply ignores both issues. CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT their federal taxes drop by a slightly increased the number of people living We could use a thoughtful analysis TEL: 4455 7857 smaller percentage than other people in extreme, $2-a-day poverty. But this of how to build on what has worked in [email protected] will. On the other hand, they will do trend seems to disappear when you American anti-poverty policy and how much better than most people if you account for non-cash benefits such as to reform what hasn’t. But we’ll have to SUBSCRIPTION & measure the effect of the tax cut on their food stamps, as Scott Winship, then a look elsewhere than the UN Human DISTRIBUTION after-tax incomes. That’s what happens researcher for the Manhattan Institute, Rights Council for that. TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 when you cut highly progressive federal FAX: 44557819 taxes proportionally. [email protected] Which way is the right way to look at it depends on your premises about what taxes are supposed to do. The UN- commissioned report pretends there’s All thoughts and views The report uses an undisputed fact of the matter and, expressed in these columns too high a number, worse, wrongly implies that federal are those of the writers, ignores the role of taxes are not progressive at all. (Alston says that “many of the wealthiest cit- not of the newspaper. voluntary choice, izens do not pay taxes at the rates that and acts as though others do” in another footnote-less All correspondence Republicans intend assertion.) regarding Views and a result when in The report’s treatment of health care is even worse. Last year the Con- Opinion pages should be reality they do not gressional Budget Office found that one send to editor-in-chief of the Republican bills to change even believe it will office or mailed to the happen. Obamacare would reduce the number of people with health insurance by 22 [email protected] 12 ASIA TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2018 Pakistan proposes agenda for regional development & peace

INTERNEWS President Mamnoon told the summit that peace and stability QINGDAO: Pakistani President in Afghanistan was a shared Mamnoon Hussain (pictured) concern of the SCO member unveiled at the summit of the states. “We believe this is only Shanghai Cooperation Organi- possible through an Afghan-led sation (SCO) a five-point and Afghan-owned peace roadmap to achieve devel- process. The reactivation of the opment and durable peace in SCO’s Contact Group of Afghan- the region through enhanced istan is a welcome step,” he said. connectivity, shared prosperity, He said Pakistan had wel- trade and people-to-people comed Afghan President Ashraf contacts. Ghani’s announcement of Speaking at the plenary ceasefire and his unconditional session of the summit held at the offer for peace talks to the Qingdao International Con- to this endeavour. President Taliban. CSTO Council of Ministers for Foreign Affairs meet ference Centre, Hussain said Hussain told the summit the SCO “I am pleased to inform you building trust was pivotal to Business Council would help that Pakistan has embarked on FROM LEFT: Belarusian Foreign Minister Andrei Dapkiunas, Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab achieving lasting peace and sta- promote business-to-business a bilateral Action Plan for Peace, Mnatsaganyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Kairat Abdrakhmanov, Russian Foreign bility in the region, besides contacts in various sectors. The Security and Stability with Minister Sergei Lavrov, and Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Sirojiddin Aslov on the sidelines of the helping generate economic bloc led by China and Russia Afghanistan. We hope that these Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) Council of Ministers for Foreign Affairs meeting held activity and enhancing trade. should explore the possibility of efforts will bear fruit and con- in Almaty, Kazakhstan, yesterday. He said that development introducing a visa regime for tribute to peace in Afghanistan,” projects should not be viewed businessmen. President Hussain said. though a myopic geopolitical He said that improvement He said the SCO occupied a angle. The countries in the in the law and order situation in unique place among interna- region should wholeheartedly Pakistan over the past few years tional organisations established New UN envoy support all development and had provided a secure envi- for regional security and 12 dead, 31 wounded connectivity initiatives, ronment for investment and prosperity. including the Belt and Road Ini- business. Within a short period it had to pay first visit tiative and its flagship project, Contrary to global trends, he become a platform for exem- in Kabul attack the China-Pakistan Economic said, Pakistan’s economy had plary inter-state and people-to- to Myanmar AFP Corridor (CPEC). achieved great successes, people cooperation in the fields heard a big blast,” another AFP The SCO countries, he said, resulting in recording this year of economy, trade, regional employee told AFP. “Most of my should strive to alleviate of the country’s highest GDP security, connectivity and sus- KABUL: At least 12 people were colleagues were leaving for the poverty, support weaker econ- growth rate in a decade. tainable development, the pres- killed and 31 wounded when a day to go home. I am worried UNITED NATIONS: The new omies of the region and combat Pakistan had been ranked ident said. suicide attacker blew himself about my colleagues. We are UN envoy for Myanmar, terrorism and extremism, by fol- as the top country in the region He said Pakistan had been up among government ministry told to stay inside for now.” Christine Schraner lowing the “Shanghai spirit of and the fifth in the world as a successful in meeting the Mem- employees in Kabul who had Police spokesman Hashmat Burgener, will pay her first shared development and pros- destination for private orandum of Obligations to SCO left work early for Ramadan Stanikzai confirmed the visit to the country perity”. The SCO Development investment for infrastructure in a timely manner. and were waiting to take a bus attacker had targeted the beginning today, holding Bank and Fund could contribute development. Pakistan’s strategic location, home, officials said. employees as they waited for talks on human rights and access to the Indian Ocean and The Islamic State group the bus at around 1:00 pm. the Rohingya refugee crisis, huge consumer market had claimed responsibility for the IS claimed the attack via the UN said. Pakistan & Russia vow further enhanced these latest attack in the Afghan their Amaq propaganda agency. The former Swiss opportunities. capital, which comes a day The attack was just one of ambassador to Germany “Our success has been bol- before the government’s several around Afghanistan who was appointed in April to enhance bilateral ties stered by the China-Pakistan ceasefire with the Taliban is yesterday. Elsewhere, militants will meet with Myanmar INTERNEWS Economic Corridor. With par- expected to start. raided a government building authorities, “ethnic armed The Leaders discussed ticipation in the Central Asian The blast occurred at the in the eastern city of Jalalabad organizations”, civil society matters of mutual interest regional connectivity projects main gate of the Ministry of in Nangarhar province, and religious leaders, a UN BEIJING: Pakistan and Russia including bilateral, contem- like Tapi and Casa 1000 the Rural Rehabilitation and prompting terrified employees statement said Monday. have agreed to work together porary regional and global upward trajectory in our growth Development. to jump out of the windows, Following her visit to to further enhance economic issues.Trade, energy, security, rate will continue,” he said. Employees were gathered officials said. Myanmar, Schraner Bur- ties and increase the trade culture, education and people- The president said the gov- at the entrance of the com- At least 10 people were gener will travel to Bang- volume. to-people contact were iden- ernment was developing nine pound waiting for a bus to take wounded, city health ladesh where 700,000 This agreement was tified as avenues for enhanced industrial zones in different them home when the suicide department director Najibullah Muslim Rohingya are shel- reached during a meeting future cooperation. areas of Pakistan to enhance bomber blew himself up in the Kamawal told AFP. tering in camps after being between President Mamnoon The leaders agreed that the industrial productivity and crowd, said rural ministry In another incident, an driven from their homes by Hussain and Russian President bilateral trade between the provide economic stability. spokesman Faridoon Azhand, explosion inside a house in an army campaign. Vladimir Putin on the sidelines two nations has tremendous He said in the past few years who was inside the building at Kabul killed one person and Myanmar has said the mil- of Qingdao Summit today. potential. democratic institutions had the time. wounded three others, Stan- itary operation launched in been strengthened in Pakistan. “I was in my office when I ikzai said. August in northern Rakhine state is aimed at rooting out extremists. The United Nations last week signed a deal with Shahbaz Sharif to run for three Karachi, two Punjab NA seats Myanmar to allow access for its agencies to carry out INTERNEWS disqualification of his elder Just a couple of days ago, the comprising areas of Defence, “Shahbaz may file nomination assessments in Rakhine brother Nawaz Sharif, would Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf had Clifton, Saddar, Arambagh and papers from three constituencies state, which has been largely KARACHI/LAHORE: For the contest for three National announced that the party Karachi cantonment. of Karachi but he would contest closed to outsiders since the first time in past few decades, Assembly seats from Karachi, chairman, Imran Khan, would Khawaja Tariq Nazeer, from NA-249.” crisis began. Pakistan’s largest city Karachi is NA-248, NA-249 and NA-250, contest the upcoming elections PML-N’s information secretary, “Since the PML-N stands a The Security Council set to see the leadership of at PML-N leaders confirmed after from Karachi’s NA-243 constit- said Rana Mashhood would file good chance from this constit- sent a letter to Myanmar in least three major political parties the party’s parliamentary board uency also, while Pakistan nomination papers of his party uency Shahbaz Sharif will take late May asking the gov- contesting from its various meeting in Lahore yesterday. Peoples Party chairman Bilawal president in the constituencies his chances from NA-249,” he ernment to cooperate with constituencies as the Pakistan “The PML-N parliamentary Bhutto-Zardari will contest from falling in Karachi’s West added. UN experts to investigate Muslim League-Nawaz also board members are of the the PPP’s stronghold, Lyari, for district. Besides Karachi, Sharif is allegations of atrocities decided to field its president opinion that the party head NA-246 seat. PML-N leaders, however, likely to run for two NA seats - against the Rohingya. Shahbaz Sharif from here after should contest from Karachi as Former military ruler Pervez said Sharif might withdraw from one each from Lahore and Dera Myanmar has refused to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf well, because law and order has Musharraf, Muttahida Qaumi NA-250 in support of Awami Ghazi Khan. “The decision allow a fact-finding mission chairman Imran Khan has opted been restored to the city due to Movement leader Farooq Sattar National Party (ANP) chief Shahi whether or not Shahbaz should set up by the UN Human for it. PML-N government’s policies,” and Pak Sarzameen Party chief Syed in case of seat adjustment. also contest on a provincial Rights Council to enter the Sharif, who assumed the said PML-N leader Mohammad Mustafa Kamal will contest from A PML-N insider said Sharif assembly seat in Punjab has not country, and has barred UN party’s highest post after the Mehdi. the NA-247 constituency would contest from NA-249. been taken by the board. rights expert Yanghee Lee. Pakistan has no comprehensive laws for disabled people: Report

INTERNEWS parties as workers and even The report says that to date, percent of the population have and furnish that to get a special constitutional steps. He also fewer hold offices with parties. there are no comprehensive laws disabilities. If that percentage identity card on the basis of stressed on the need for a com- ISLAMABAD: Though Pakistan Similarly, there are hardly any covering people with disabilities persisted, 4.7 million of the coun- which their vote will be regis- prehensive law in this regard and has international obligations to examples of people with disabil- and are mostly subjected to a try’s 200 million population tered. This sequential process that the existing law only deals ensure facilities for people with ities contesting the elections. 1981 ordinance, which deals should be disabled. runs the risk of excluding dis- with employment. He said disabilities, there are no compre- The report stresses on the mostly with employment. There However, as per the census abled persons, the report says. political will is a decisive factor hensive laws for the welfare of need for passing a compre- is therefore no law to address of 2017, this percentage is The report suggests that the and that the PPP will include dis- people living with disabilities. hensive law for the wellbeing of broader issues. reported to have declined, participation of persons with dis- abled people in its manifesto and Definitions of people with people living with disabilities so It says that even if policies standing at 1.6 percent so that 3.2 abilities in different spheres of called on other parties to do so disabilities are invariably used they can fully participate in all are inferred for accessible infra- million people have disabilities. life will significantly increase if as well. and data on the matter is incon- spheres of life and to ensure their structure, it is questionable if a The report raises questions about a holistic law dealing with their PMHA President Zulqurnain sistent, says a report by the rights. violation of these polices can be these statistics though. welfare is introduces. Asghar said the absence of law Potohar Mental Health Associ- It has long been alleged that penalised, in the absence of law. The process of registering Speaking at the launch, PPP means the absence of any ation (PMHA) titled Bringing Dis- voter turnout for disabled people One of the outcomes of the someone as a person living with Secretary General Farhatullah binding documents to ensure the ability in the Constitutional Net is low and that their involvement absence of a holistic law is the disability is a long one, the report Babar said proper steps should rights of people with disabilities which was launched Saturday in political processes is hardly inconsistency in the usage of says. be taken to bring disabled people are upheld and for holding vio- night. noticed. terms used to identify people The individual is required to into the mainstream. lators to account. The report says people living The report says they are also with disabilities. come to the city’s public hospital, He said residents of tribal He also wondered how the with disabilities are being denied questions about the need of Public data about persons present relevant documents areas and transgender persons 2017 census showed a decline in their right to political participa- undergoing the entire process of living with disabilities is scarce proving residence and disability, were brought in the mainstream the number of disabled people tions and very few people with voting, from registration to and inconsistent. As per the 1998 appear before an assessment by parties and parliament taking when the population of the disabilities have joined political casting votes. census, 2.38 percent to 2.5 board, get a disability certificate proper political and country has increased. TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2018 ASIA / EUROPE 13

US President Donald Trump meets with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (left) ahead of a bilateral meeting at Istana, Singapore, yesterday. RIGHT: Singapore’s Finance Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, and Singapore’s Education Minister Ong Ye Kung pose for a photo in Singapore in this photo obtained from social media. US offers ‘unique’ guarantees on eve of historic summit AFP with his guide, the city-state’s The meeting, long Talks process, only for the agree- a “mentally deranged US dotard”, deploy a president to negotiate a foreign minister. sought by Pyongyang, ments to collapse later. sending fears of conflict soaring. treaty, we deploy a president to SINGAPORE: The US has offered Setting out the US position will be the first ever Trump and Kim will first The summit has also raised sign a treaty where we know North Korea “unique” security before the summit, Pompeo between a serving US meet one-on-one in a closed hopes of progress towards a where every piece of punctuation guarantees to persuade it to give stressed that the Trump admin- session, before a larger meeting peace treaty to formally end the is on that piece of paper”. up its nuclear arsenal, Secretary istration would only accept com- President and a North with key advisers, the White Korean War, the last festering The North’s official KCNA of State Mike Pompeo said plete denuclearisation of the Korean leader, and will House said. The wider session legacy of the Cold War, after hos- news agency called the summit yesterday, on the eve of a historic North. But in return, Washington focus on the nuclear will include National Security tilities only stopped with an “historic”, saying it would take summit here. would offer “different and bombs and ballistic Advisor John Bolton, who nearly armistice.But critics have warned place in a “changed era” and The White House said prepar- unique” guarantees “to provide derailed the summit with it risks becoming more of a “under the great attention and atory negotiations had “moved them sufficient certainty that missiles the North hawkish comments about dis- media circus than an occasion expectation of the whole world”. more quickly than expected” and they can be comfortable that has spent decades arming North Korea. for substantial progress. Kim would exchange “wide- Donald Trump would leave today denuclearisation is not some- developing. Pompeo also signalled there The US leader has whip- ranging and profound views” on evening after his talks with Kim thing that ends badly for them”. would be more discussions to sawed on expectations for the issues including “building a per- Jong Un, ruling out the possibility He refused to go into details. come, adding that today’s meeting meeting, signalling that it could manent and durable peace- the unprecedented tete-a-tete But the North has long sought an the North’s pledges were “sincere”, “will set the framework for the be the beginning of a “process” keeping mechanism on the would run to two days. end to the US military presence Pompeo said, adding: “The United hard work that will follow. We will of several meetings, only to call Korean peninsula” and “realising The meeting, long sought by in the South, where Washington States has been fooled before.” see how far we get.” it a “one-time shot” for peace as the denuclearisation of the Pyongyang, will be the first ever has around 28,000 troops sta- Verification would be key, he went In Seoul, President Moon he embarked for Singapore and Korean peninsula”, it added. between a serving US President tioned to protect it from its on, saying many deals had been Jae-in had a 40-minute phone saying he would know “within It formally referred to Trump and a North Korean leader, and neighbour. Pyongyang has signed before only to find “the call with Trump, after telling key the first minute” whether an by his full name in the report, will focus on the nuclear bombs demanded the end of what it North Koreans did not promise aides that it could take “one year, agreement would be possible. including his middle initial — the and ballistic missiles the North calls a “hostile policy” towards what they said”. two years or even longer to com- “I just think it’s going to work first time it has done so. Kim’s has spent decades developing. it, but in public has only pledged The North, which has been pletely resolve the issues con- out very nicely,” said Trump at sister and close aide Kim Yo Jong Just hours ahead of the to pursue the denuclearisation subjected to increasingly strict cerned”. Today’s summit is an a working lunch with the prime is also in Singapore, and is crunch talks, Kim left his luxury of the Korean peninsula — a sanctions by the UN Security extraordinary turnaround from minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien believed to have travelled sepa- hotel for a night-time stroll euphemism open to wide differ- Council and others, has made last year, when Trump Loong. The previous US stance, rately on the ageing Soviet-made around some of Singapore’s main ences of interpretation. promises of change in the past, threatened the North with “fire said Bruce Klingner of the Heritage Ilyushin-62 that is the leader’s sights, even posing for selfies Washington is eager to see if such as at the lengthy Six Party and fury” and Kim dubbed him Foundation, was that “we don’t personal aircraft.

HK jails top Philippines demands China independence leader for stop taking fishermen’s catch AFP six years Duterte’s spokesman Harry Roque yesterday confirmed a AFP MANILA: The Philippines report that Chinese Coast Guard yesterday demanded that China personnel seized the catch of Fil- HONG KONG: Hong Kong’s stop confiscating the catch of ipino fishermen in the shoal in leading independence activist Filipino fishermen in the disputed May in violation of an agreement was jailed for six years South China Sea, calling the between the two nations allowing yesterday for his involvement practice “unacceptable”. Filipinos to fish there. in some of the city’s worst The remarks by President “We are demanding that the protest violence for decades. Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesman Chinese take steps to stop the Edward Leung was con- were a rare public rebuke from coast guard from doing these victed in May of rioting during Manila, which has taken a non- acts,” Roque told reporters. the 2016 running battles with confrontational approach with “That is unacceptable. That police, when demonstrators Beijing over the resource-rich is why we informed the Chinese hurled bricks torn up from waterway. China controls several we will not allow fish to be pavements and set rubbish reefs in the sea including Scar- taken from our countrymen.” alight in the commercial dis- borough Shoal, which Beijing The Chinese foreign ministry trict of Mong Kok. seized from Manila in 2012 and said it was investigating the Handing down his jail is just 230km from the main Phil- reports and authorities will term, Judge Anthea Pang said ippine island of Luzon. “seriously” deal with them if Leung actively participated China claims almost the entire they are confirmed. in the riots and described his sea, through which trillions of “Out of friendship, China has actions as “wanton and dollars in trade passes annually, made proper arrangements for Members of Akbayan activist group display placards during a rally to protest what they say is vicious”. The 27-year-old was despite competing partial claims Filipino fishermen,” ministry harassment of Filipino fishermen at the Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea, in already in custody after from Brunei, Malaysia, the Philip- spokesman Geng Shuang told a pleading guilty in January to a Makati, Metro Manila, in Philippines yesterday. pines, Taiwan and Vietnam. regular press briefing. separate charge of assaulting a police officer during the clashes. He was sentenced to one year in jail on that count, with the two terms to be served Berlin talks aim to revive stalled Ukraine peace process concurrently. AFP The 2016 protest began as the polls next year. At the start frontline, Kiev would want them Saturday to prepare for the European powers have accused a seemingly innocuous rally to of the talks — the first between to also police the Ukraine-Russian meeting, Russian President Moscow of using hackers and protect illegal hawkers from BERLIN: Top diplomats from the quartet in 16 months — border to prevent soldiers and Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s propaganda to sow discord, health inspectors but it quickly Ukraine and Russia met their German Foreign Minister Heiko weapons from crossing. Petro Poroshenko discussed an meddle in elections and back morphed into an outpouring German and French counter- Maas said they were hoping to The UN Security Council last “exchange of people being held” eurosceptics and rightwing pop- of anger against authorities in parts in Berlin yesterday seeking reach “a ceasefire that deserves week condemned “continuous by both sides. But given the ulists, as well as ramping up mil- Hong Kong and Beijing. to revive long-stalled efforts to its name”. violations of the ceasefire” and deepening distrust between the itary posturing to threaten At the forefront of the end the smouldering civil war in Key aims include the with- “the tragic humanitarian situ- West and Russia, hopes of a dip- eastern European states. clashes were young eastern Ukraine. drawal of heavy weapons along ation” on the frontline. “I have lomatic breakthrough are low. And in 2015, Russia entered “localists”promoting a split from The Ukraine conflict, half-for- the frontline, the launch of de- no illusions — the new start will After a popular Ukrainian into Syria’s brutal civil war, mainland China. At the time, gotten by the West amid other mining operations, and generally be difficult,” Maas told Bild daily. uprising ousted a Kremlin- defying the West by unleashing Leung was the head of localist crises and its own divisions, has “breathing new life” into the On Friday, his French coun- backed president in Kiev in 2014, a bombing campaign in support group Hong Kong Indigenous claimed over 10,000 lives and still 2015 Minsk agreement that terpart Jean-Yves Le Drian Russia moved to annex the of Bashar al-Assad. and a rising star on the political sees daily clashes between pro- sought to end the fighting. warned that, given the daily death Crimea peninsula, backing insur- Relations hit a new low in scene as the fledgling inde- Russian and Ukrainian forces. Maas said another new topic toll, “the credibility of the current gents in the former Soviet state. March when many western pendence movement gathered After over a year on the back would be the eventual deployment peace process is at stake”. The Brussels responded to the terri- states expelled Russian dip- momentum, infuriating Beijing. burner as France, Germany and of a UN peace-keeping mission in Berlin meeting is an attempt to torial grab with a series of asset lomats over Moscow’s alleged Two other protesters were Russia have been caught up in eastern Ukraine, but acknowl- restore dialogue between the two freezes and travel bans as well involvement in the poisoning of sentenced alongside Leung to their own elections, all three edged that ideas on the issue “are sides, even as they blame each as stinging economic sanctions, former double agent Sergei seven years and three-and-a- have now turned their focus far apart”. While Moscow favours other for the ongoing conflict. with Moscow retaliating in kind. Skripal and his daughter Yulia half-years in prison. back on Ukraine which goes to blue-helmet troops only along the In a rare phone call on Since then, the US and in Britain. 14 EUROPE TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2018

Immigration Spain offers to take in stranded migrant ship policy sparks AFP The migrants, discord in including pregnant Merkel coalition ROME: Spain offered yesterday women and scores of AFP to take in a ship stranded in the children, were saved Mediterranean with 629 migrants aboard after Italy and by the French charity BERLIN: Discord on immi- Malta refused to let the vessel SOS Mediterranee on gration policy within German dock in their ports. Saturday. They were Chancellor Angela Merkel’s The migrants, including taken on board its government forced her pregnant women and scores of interior minister to postpone children, were saved by the ship Aquarius, which yesterday the presentation of French charity SOS Mediterranee is now between Malta a new “masterplan” on the on Saturday. They were taken and Sicily. touchy issue. on board its ship Aquarius, which Horst Seehofer, the con- is now between Malta and Sicily. servative former premier of Malta and the new populist the humanitarian emergency.” Bavaria state, has long been A handout picture taken in the search and rescue zone in the Mediterranean Sea on June 9 and government in Italy each refused She warned that the ship will harshly critical of Merkel’s released yesterday by SOS Mediterranee NGO shows migrants being rescued before boarding the to take the migrants in, accusing have to travel some 1,300km to liberal migration policy that one another of failing to meet reach the Spanish coast which French NGO’s ship Aquarius. has allowed over one million their obligations. The row has could take at least four days and asylum seekers into the triggered international concern that by today “there will be no for talks with French President down. “Saving lives is a duty, The migrants were rescued country since 2015. about the migrants’ plight. more food (on board) apart from Emmanuel Macron on Friday turning Italy into a huge refugee in six separate night-time oper- Seehofer, interior and The refusal to accept the energy biscuits”. ahead of the European summit camp is not. Italy is done bending ations in the central Mediter- homeland minister since Aquarius in Italy was the first Malta’s Prime Minister on June 28-29, with a particular over backwards and obeying, ranean on Saturday. The French March, had been due to major anti-migrant move since Joseph Muscat said in a tweet focus on migration, Macron’s this time THERE IS SOMEONE organisation said those brought present a tough new far-right Interior Minister Matteo that “Malta is going to send fresh office said yesterday. WHO SAYS NO,” he wrote on on board included 123 unaccom- “migration masterplan” Salvini took office this month. supplies to the ship”. Malta and But Beau said that under Twitter followed by the hashtag panied minors, 11 small children today, but cancelled the press Salvini tweeted “VICTORY” Italy thanked Spain for stepping maritime law the ship should be #closethedoors. and the seven pregnant women. conference amid what the after the two days of confron- up, but maintained their dispute allowed to dock in one of the MSF Sea (Doctors Without Under EU rules, migrants Bild daily newspaper labelled tation with Malta over the over who was responsible. nearest countries, Italy or Malta. Borders) said the medical situ- must apply for asylum in the “a huge fight” within the migrants ended with Spain’s Muscat tweeted his thanks to The UN had called on Malta ation of those on the Aquarius European country where they Merkel government. offer of help. The new Spanish Sanchez “for agreeing to accept and Italy to immediately allow was “stable for now but unnec- first arrive. That has put pressure The interior ministry in a administration headed by the Aquarius after Italy violated the boat to dock, describing the essary delay to disembarkation on Italy and Greece, the entry short statement said the pres- Socialist Prime Minister Pedro international law and caused an situation as “an urgent human- in safe port puts vulnerable points for hundreds of thousands entation today had been post- Sanchez agreed to allow the impasse.” He added: “It will be itarian imperative”. The EU and patients at risk”. “Particularly of people fleeing war and poned because “several points Aquarius to dock in its eastern necessary to sit down and discuss the bloc’s biggest member state seven pregnant woman, 15 with poverty in the Middle East, Africa still need to be agreed”, adding port of Valencia, his office said. how to prevent this kind of thing Germany made similar pleas. serious chemical burns and and Asia since 2015. that no new date has been set. “It is our obligation to help from happening in the future. This “The priority of both the several critical drowning hypo- Some in Italy have offered to Merkel has particularly to avoid a humanitarian catas- is a European issue.” Italian and Maltese authorities thermia patients,” MSF Sea said. take in migrants. The mayor of objected to Seehofer’s plan to trophe and to offer a safe port to Italy’s Prime Minister should be ensuring these people Conte said on Sunday that Taranto, Rinaldo Melucci said the turn back at Germany’s these people,” his office said. Giuseppe Conte said his country receive the care they need,” Rome had sent two patrol ships southern port city was “ready to borders any migrant seeking SOS Mediterranee Director- had “asked for a gesture of sol- European Commission with doctors on board “ready to embrace every life in danger”. asylum who has already been General Sophie Beau said Spain’s idarity from Europe and this spokesman Margaritis Schinas intervene and ensure the health “Our land has always been one registered and fingerprinted offer “is encouraging and shows gesture has been made”. said , calling for a “swift reso- of anyone on board the Aquarius of refuge, I don’t know how you in another EU country. that some states are sensitive to Conte is set to head to Paris lution”. Salvini refused to back who might have the need”. can send away 629 human lives.” Speaking in a TV interview late on Sunday, Merkel argued that this would breach European law and Penka the cow said that “we remain in UK to offer Stephen Hawking fellowships intensive discussions about spared death the masterplan”. Lawmakers of Seehofer’s AFP over crossing according to the Department for than to support the next gener- was very interested in the devel- CSU labelled this objection Business, Energy and Industrial ation to push the boundaries of opment of new talent and as “absurd”. Bavaria was on EU border LONDON: Exceptional students Strategy. knowledge of the laws that devoted much of his career to the frontline during the mid- in mathematics and physics can The 50 recipients will govern our universe,” he added. his teaching roles,” they said. 2015 peak of the refugee influx AFP compete for research fellow- receive financial support Hawking’s children Robert, “We are thrilled that these fel- that saw tens of thousands of ships in honour of the late British allowing them to continue their Lucy and Tim Hawking, said lowships will be named after him migrants a day enter Germany SOFIA: Bulgarian authorities physicist Stephen Hawking, who work in any British institution they were “thrilled” by the move and see this as a great tribute to his across the Austrian border. announced yesterday that died in March, the government for up to three years, it said. and that their father “knew the life in science.” British physicist Seehofer was the driving Penka, the cow who risked announced yesterday. The creation of the “Stephen value that fellowships could Hawking died at his Cambridge force behind a coalition death by straying over the EU Up to 10 fellowships will be Hawking Fellowships” follow provide to advancing research”. home on March 14 at the age of 76. agreement to seek to limit border, will not be put down awarded each year for the next discussions with his family, said “As a scientist who made His ashes will be interred at West- the number of new asylum after all. five years to candidates com- Science Minister Sam Gyimah. extraordinary discoveries minster Abbey between the graves seekers coming to the “Laboratory analyses of pleting doctoral studies in maths, “I can think of no more throughout his career but par- of Sir Isaac Newton and Charles biggest EU country to the cow that spent 15 days in physics and computer sciences, fitting tribute to this great man ticularly in his early years, he Darwin on Friday. 200,000 per year. Serbia and crossed the border back (into Bulgaria) are neg- ative for all the tested dis- eases,” Bulgaria’s Food Safety Harry and Meghan to head Agency announced Monday. “She will not be killed and will return to her herd by the Down Under later this year end of the week,” agency AFP spokeswoman Ekaterina Harry is following in his Stoilova confirmed. parents’ footsteps, after Charles Penka’s plight went viral LONDON: Prince Harry and his and his then wife Diana visited on social media and made new wife Meghan will visit Australia and New Zealand in headlines around the world Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New their first tour as a married after her owner Ivan Har- Zealand later this year for their couple. alampiev, from the western first overseas tour as a married Charles was in Australia village of Kopilovtsi, launched couple, Kensington Palace earlier this year to open the an appeal 10 days ago to save announced yesterday. Commonwealth Games, his her. The animal had wan- The Duke and Duchess of 16th tour of the country. Harry’s dered away from her herd Sussex, who were married at older brother Prince William near the western Bulgarian Windsor Castle last month, and his wife Kate also drew village of Mazarachevo on have timed their trip to coincide huge crowds during a 2014 visit May 12 and spent more than with the Invictus Games in to Australia and New Zealand two weeks in Serbia before Sydney in October. with their baby Prince George. local farmers identified her Harry, the second son of “The Duke and Duchess of from her earmarks. heir-to-the-throne Prince Sussex will undertake an Penka then fell foul of Charles, set up the global sports official visit to Australia, Fiji, the strict EU rules on the import championship for wounded Kingdom of Tonga, and New of live animals from third 10 injured at Frankfurt airport personnel after a decade in the Zealand in the autumn.” “The countries, which require army. All four countries on the Duke and Duchess will visit the The blackened and heavily damaged cockpit area of a Star Alliance passenger aircraft is pictured extensive paperwork giving tour are members of the Com- Commonwealth countries of at the airport in Frankfurt, western Germany, yesterday. Ten people were slightly injured when a the animal a clean bill of monwealth, the 53-nation Fiji and Tonga at the request of health before it can enter fire broke out on a vehicle towing a Lufthansa plane at Frankfurt airport. grouping for which Harry is a the Foreign and Common- the bloc. youth ambassador. wealth Office. Haralampiev lacked the necessary documents to authorise her return and was only allowed to take her back if he agreed to put her down Italian court finds man guilty of kidnapping British model within days. But instead he launched an appeal on tele- AFP vision to save her, sparking a “I am very happy with the false promise of attending a napping with the Pole as a pub- scandal that resulted from it was worldwide outpouring of outcome, I want to thank the fashion shoot. She was taken to licity stunt to boost her profes- only used to make her famous.” sympathy. ROME: An Italian court Court and all those who believed a remote mountain village where sional career. Ayling’s lawyer Francesco By yesterday more than yesterday found a Polish man in what I said, from the staff to she was kept for almost a week During the hearing the Pesce said the young model 30,750 people — including guilty of kidnapping young the police investigators up to the before Herba drove her back to accused said he had elaborated was considering taking legal former Beatle Paul McCartney British model Chloe Ayling in an prosecutor. Now I want to be Milan and released her near the the scheme with the young mother action to claim damages from — had signed an online elaborate plot which gained with my family,” said Ayling British consulate. because he was in love with her. those who had “thrown mud” petition to save Penka worldwide attention. speaking after the verdict, She claims she was told she “It was evident that she and tried to discredit her — addressed to EU institutions. The court in Milan sentenced according to Italian agency AGI. had been kidnapped by an needed help, because she was referring to media speculation Penka’s fans shared her story UK resident Lucasz Herba to 16 Ayling — who was 20 years organised gang and would be without money, I had become in certain British tabloids with the hashtag #SavePenka years and nine months in prison old at the time — claimed to have auctioned off online as a sex her friend and I was in love with which questioned the model’s and even wrote a poem for abducting Ayling and holding been drugged and kidnapped slave. Herba’s defence said that her,” Herba said “I did everything version of events during the describing her odyssey. her against her will in July 2017. after being lured to Milan on the the model had organised the kid- to help her, all the international investigation. BUSINESS Tuesday 12 June 2018

PAGE | 16 PAGE | 17 Germany sees no French farmers block quick solution to trade refineries over palm row with US oil imports

QBA holds board meeting, reviews activities

THE PENINSULA The year 2017 witnessed intensive activities for the QBA, the most important of which was the DOHA: The Board members of organisation and participation in Qatar-UK Business the Qatari Businessmen Associ- and Investment Forum held in the United Kingdom, ation (QBA) have met for the 31st in which more than 500 businessmen and board meeting at QBA office. government officials headed by Prime Minister and During the meeting, the members reviewed QBA activ- Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al ities during the last year which Thani, participated. coincided with the year of the siege on Qatar and also discussed government officials and repre- and the facilities granted by the QBA upcoming events. sentatives of the private sector, government to foreign investors, The meeting was headed by and started with Miami, where especially with the opening of the Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al the Qatari Businessmen Associ- largest port in the Middle East. Thani, QBA Chairman and in the ation organized three sectoral At the local level, QBA con- presence of QBA First Deputy Roundtables with their counter- tinued to receive dozens of trade Hussein Al Fardan and QBA parts covering the fields of “Real delegations to strengthen bilateral Second Deputy Dr. Sheikh Khalid Estate Investment, Hospitality ties and contribute to the provision bin Thani Al Thani, and QBA and Tourism, Health and Medical of the needs of the state. QBA also Members Sheikh Nawaf bin Equipment”, while in Wash- held dozens of meetings with Nasser Al Thani, Sherida Saad ington DC QBA organized 2 sec- internationally recognized eco- Jubran Al-Kaabi and Saud Al toral roundtables, one with “law nomic institutions. Mana representing Omar Al firms” and the other discussed The QBA Chairman stated Mana. Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani (third left), QBA Chairman; QBA First Deputy Hussein Al Fardan “Investment and Financial that thanks to Allah and the The year 2017 witnessed (second left), and Second Deputy, Dr. Sheikh Khalid bin Thani Al Thani (second right), with other Services,” also a multi-sectoral wisdom of the leadership of the intensive activities for the QBA, members after the 31st board meeting of the association. roundtable was organized in Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin the most important of which was South Carolina. Hamad Al Thani, Qatar has been the organisation and partici- Nasser Al Thani, participated. food security, health and phar- for foreign investors. This is in addition to the able to mitigate the repercus- pation in Qatar - UK Business Also QBA’s visit to major maceutical industries, and The Board also discussed the meetings with major official sions of the unjust siege on it and and Investment Forum held in European capitals (Paris, Berlin promote Qatar as an investment participation of QBA in the Eco- bodies such as the International has also been able to strengthen the United Kingdom, in which and London), during which the destination after the decisions nomic Promotional Tour Monetary Fund and the World its industrial and economic more than 500 businessmen and Association was able to explore taken by the Amir HH Sheikh organized by the Ministry of Bank, in which our members high- position which has led to government officials headed by various investment opportunities Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Economy and Commerce of lighted the strengths and growth attracting many investors to the Prime Minister and Interior in specialized economic fields, most important of which is the Qatar in the US. The tour of the Qatari economy within work in Qatar despite the Minister, H E Sheikh Abdullah bin especially sectors that concern free zones and the new privileges included meetings with senior Qatar’s Vision 2030 blockade. Qatar moving to promote economic diversification: OBG

THE PENINSULA public-private partnerships (PPPs)in sectors including health and education, DOHA: Private-sector growth and new as well as initiatives to support private- QTerminals to display government initiatives to support long- sector growth, particularly from SMEs, term economic diversification and by organisations including the Qatar achievements at sustainability will be the focus of the Development Bank and Qatar Business global research, publishing and consul- Incubation Centre, will also be covered TOC Europe tancy firm Oxford Business Group’s in the research. (OBG) upcoming economic report on OBG has recently signed a memo- DOHA: QTerminals, the operator of the first the country, ‘The Report: Qatar 2019’. randum of understanding (MoU) with phase of Hamad Port, will be participating as New developments in Qatar’s the Qatar Chamber for its forthcoming an exhibitor at TOC Europe, a leading inter- economy, including measures to publication, national business and networking event for support non-hydrocarbon growth and ‘The Report: Qatar 2019’. This part- stakeholders of the container supply chain, priority industries including agri- nership will facilitate exchange of infor- which will take place in Rotterdam, The Neth- culture, manufacturing and defence, mation between the representatives of erlands between June 12 and 14, 2018. will be explored in OBG’s economic Oxford Business Group and Qatar Ahead of the event, QTerminals CEO analysis. ‘The Report: Qatar 2019’ will Chamber in areas such as business envi- Neville Bissett, said: “Our participation in TOC provide in-depth coverage of the ronment, commerce, industry, and Europe complements our attendance at TOC country’s diversification efforts and Qatar’s international business collabo- Asia earlier this year, which aims at introducing strategies to boost investment in high- rations. As part of the MoU all members the world to the remarkable work that is cur- growth sectors and increase the role of Qatar Chamber will also benefit from Saleh bin Hamad Al Sharqi (right), Director-General of Qatar Chamber, and rently being done at Hamad Port. The port, played by the private sector in the complimentary access to Oxford Izabela Kruk, Country Director of Oxford Business Group, signing the MoU. which has seen exponential growth during a national economy. Business Group’s digital library with few months of operations, is further cementing Alongside comprehensive analysis reports on over 35 countries. Qatar’s position as a regional maritime hub.” of key sectors including the strong “Oxford Business Group is delighted Saleh bin Hamad Al Sharqi, global markets from a leading pro- He added: “We look forward to meeting our project pipeline in infrastructure, con- to partner with Qatar Chamber- one of Director-General of Qatar Chamber, vider of actionable business intelli- current and prospective partners and peers, struction and energy, the publication the oldest chambers of commerce in the welcomed the partnership with OBG gence and analysis,” he said. and to discussing the many lucrative opportu- will also highlight areas with robust GCC countries, operating for 55 years,” and the access the partnership will ‘The Report: Qatar 2019’ will be nities that Qatar and Hamad Port present, as growth potential and opportunities for said Izabela Kruk, Country Director of provide to the Group’s wealth of a vital guide covering the many well as the challenges facing our industry.” increased private-sector involvement. Oxford Business Group. “Qatar Chamber data, analysis and economic cov- facets of the country and its QTerminals will be exhibiting at Booth 52 This coverage will highlight measures is the key organisation representing the erage. “We look forward to working economy. It will contain a detailed, in TOC Europe, and its executives will provide to help the country meet its long-term private sector and is very active both with Oxford Business Group to sector-by-sector guide alongside information on the current state of opera- economic objectives outlined in Qatar locally and internationally. We are enhance the analysis of private-sector contributions from leading repre- tions at Hamad Port, the ongoing development National Vision 2030 and the recently- looking forward to working with Qatar growth in Qatar in their upcoming sentatives from both the public and of port operations, and the technologies being launched Second National Development Chamber as we prepare The Report: Report, whilst also benefiting from private sectors. The report will be used. Strategy (2018-22). Opportunities for Qatar 2019.” credible and detailed information on available in print and online. 16 BUSINESS TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2018 Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Qatar launched THE PENINSULA The Chamber represents the DOHA: The Embassy of Sweden commitment to a in Qatar announced yesterday the official launch of the Swedish long-term investment Chamber of Commerce in Qatar in Qatar’s future (SCCQ). The launch coincided development with The members of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce at the first General Assembly held in Doha, recently. with an internal Swedish & Sweden as a strong Business Community celebration of the National Day of Sweden on and valued partner. Directors for the Swedish Polano, said: “In 2015 the new Export Strategy requested all “I have been glad to chair our June 6, 2018. Chamber, which include Gus government in Sweden presented Swedish Ambassadors around the Team Sweden here in Doha, but The Chamber was formally Abboud, Manging Director, ABB for the first time an Export world to establish in each country we missed one important com- established the day before on growing business and investment Qatar; Mattias Nordfeldt, Com- Strategy. The government also a Team Sweden . It was an honor ponent: a Swedish Chamber of June 5, at its first General ties between Qatar and Sweden. mercial Officer, Embassy of announced thereby that 26 coun- to launch in Doha in February Commerce – and now we have Assembly. It was at an historic The Chamber represents the Sweden in Doha; Shadi Sayed, tries in the world shall be given 2016 “TTeam Sweden in Qatar”. launched it. Thereby, Team majlies, in the bilateral relations commitment to a long-term Country Director Qatar, Ericsson; extra focus and attention from Team Sweden shall in each Sweden In Qatar is complete.” between Qatar and Sweden, on investment in Qatar’s future Daniel Nordberg, General the government in order to country include active Sweden Polano said that the Swedish June 5, hosted by Abdulla Albinali, development with Sweden as a Manger, Gulf Agency Company/ nurture trade and investment promotion organizations. Chamber of Commerce will of Chairman of QTIC and the rep- strong and valued partner. GAC; Johan Ahlberg, Country relations with these countries “In Qatar we included course include as many members resentative of the Swedish steel The SCCQ Board of Directors Director Qatar, SAAB; Abdulla during the period 2015-2020. I Business Sweden: Swedish Trade as possible from the Swedish company SSAB, that the first representing a very good Albinali, Chairman, QTIC, Rep- was very glad to see that our & Invest Council and the Alumni Business Community. However, General Assembly was held and selection of the strong Swedish resenting SSAB; and Faisal Sharif, newly opened embassy in Doha Sweden network in Qatar (grad- now the important process also the Swedish Chamber of Com- companies active in Qatar. The Managing Director, Domasco, had led my government to uates from Swedish universities starts to approach strong, key merce in Qatar was born. Swedish Chamber of Commerce Representing Volvo Cars, Volvo include Qatar in these 26 active in key positions in Qatar) business partners in Qatar, who The Swedish Chamber will has chosen seven individuals, Trucks and Buses. countries.” together with the Embassy,” would also like to become now build upon the steadily who will serve as the Board of Ambassador of Sweden Ewa She said: “Further on, the added Ambassador Polano. members or associates. Malaysian Premier floats new national car project AFP shoddy quality and saw its pop- from Japan.” ularity wane over the years in The Malaysian government TOKYO: Malaysia’s newly the face of stiff competition from cut its links with Proton in 2012, elected Prime Minister Mahathir foreign models. when the country’s sovereign Mohamad yesterday floated the It 2017 its parent company, wealth fund sold its stake to possibility of a national car project, Malaysian conglomerate DRB- DRB-HICOM, but the company despite the problems of a similar HICOM sold a 49.9 percent stake has continued to struggle. The endeavour started during his to Chinese auto giant Geely, prospect of Malaysia taking previous term decades ago. which is seeking to turn Proton another tilt at launching a new “We need to go back to the around. Mahathir appeared to national car was met with scep- idea of a national car,” he told a brush aside that history on ticism by analysts and the public. Tokyo press conference on his Monday, saying Malaysia would “Given the current global first foreign trip since his shock “seek support and expertise industry landscape... it’s not a election last month. “Our from other countries” in good idea,” Yeah Kim Leng, a ambition is to start another looking once again to produce professor of economics at national car, perhaps with some its own cars. Malaysia’s Sunway University help from our partners in He said Malaysia had “most Business School, told AFP. Southeast Asia... we want to of the skills and technologies in “It’s a highly globalised access the world market,” he regard to the design and pro- market now, and unless you said earlier, at a forum in Tokyo. duction of a new car” thanks to have a deep market (access), the Volkswagen Golf GTE on display at Cebit The national car has a two decades of cooperation with technology and product capa- A model of the hybrid vehicle Volkswagen Golf GTE is on display at the Volkswagen stand at the Cebit troubled history in Malaysia, Japan’s Mitsubishi Motors. bility, it would be difficult to technology fair in Hanover, Germany, yesterday. The Digital Business fair Cebit runs until June 15. which from 1983 produced the “However there are certain compete.” Proton as part of then-premier parts of a car which are Twitter user Emir Izat said Mahathir’s ambitious national extremely expensive to develop. Proton’s shortcomings should industrialisation plan. We will want to source some of “be a lesson” for Mahathir, The brand had a reputation those expensive parts from other adding: “Hopefully this national for unimaginative models and countries, including of course car project gets scrapped.” Germany sees no quick solution to trade row with US, open to talks REUTERS to the United States, is Trump’s weekend tweet that Washington BERLIN: Germany sees no is looking at tariffs on automo- immediate solution to the trade biles. Altmaier said Europe must dispute between the United act “in a united manner”, defend States and other major econ- open markets, and stick to its omies but remains open to talks convictions. Fractures in the “among friends”, Economy European position would play Minister Peter Altmaier into Trump’s hands, he added. (pictured), said yesterday, “We are ready to talk about seeking to head off a full-blown trade imbalances. But we think global trade war. it has to be done among friends US President Donald Trump seems that no solution is in sight, and partners and not in mutual backed out of a joint commu- at least not in the short term... We confrontation,” Altmaier said. nique agreed by Group of Seven have not made any progress in the “The American economy is leaders in Canada at the last few days, but rather, as we dependent in many areas on the weekend that mentioned the saw with the rejection of the import of European goods. As need for “free, fair and mutually summit declaration, we have gone tariffs increase, so does the cost beneficial trade” and the impor- backwards.” Merkel said on of production in the United In this file photo taken on June 8, 2005, Mahathir Mohamad gives a thumbs-up sign during the tance of fighting Sunday the EU would implement States.” The European Com- protectionism. counter-measures against U.S. mission, which coordinates trade launch of the Proton Savvy, the national carmaker’s new model in Kuala Lumpur. Trump, who has imposed tariffs and described Trump’s policy for the 28-member EU, import tariffs on metals, is rejection of the G7 communique aims to target 2.8 billion euros furious about the United States’ as “sobering and a bit depressing”. worth of U.S. imports, including large trade deficit with key allies. Investors are fearful of a tit- bourbon and jeans, with addi- “Fair trade is now to be called for-tat trade war, though tional 25 percent duties, from Jaguar Land Rover to move fool trade if it is not reciprocal,” markets were relatively calm on early July. he tweeted on Monday. Monday after an early wobble. It already has broad backing As Europe’s biggest exporter “The American withdrawal from EU member states, but still Discovery production to Slovakia to the United States and with from the G7 communique has needs to consult with them in the more than one million German increased the risk of a real trade next couple of weeks. AP decision, which is likely to affect millions in Solihull in the west jobs at stake, Germany is des- war,” ING, a bank, wrote in a European Commission Pres- hundreds of jobs, “is a tough one Midlands, where the new Range perate to avoid an EU trade war research note. ident Jean-Claude Juncker, while LONDON: Jaguar Land Rover is but forms part of our long-term Rover and Range Rover Sport with the United States. In 2017 German exports to questioning whether the United shifting all production of its manufacturing strategy as we models will be built. “I believe a win-win situ- the United States reached 112 States was truly an ally, said the Discovery model to Slovakia transform our business Profits have been under ation is still possible,” Economy billion euros ($132.04 billion), bloc did not want to stop talking amid falling diesel sales, vehicle globally.” pressure, with pre-tax profit Minister Peter Altmaier, one of more than twice the next biggest with Washington. “We do not taxes and uncertainty about Brit- Discovery production in Bir- slumping to £364m ($487m) in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s EU country, Britain, Eurostat sta- want to cut off discussions and ain’s departure from the mingham will move to Slovakia the three months to March 31, closest lieutenants, told broad- tistics office data shows. further talks will of course need European Union. early next year. from 676 million pounds in the caster Deutschlandfunk. Particularly concerning for to address the automobile The company says the Jaguar also said it will invest same period last year. “At the moment, however, it Germany, a major car exporter sector,” he said. TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2018 BUSINESS 17 French farmers block refineries over palm oil imports

AFP Total’s chief executive Patrick Pouyanne has pledged PARIS: Dozens of French to buy 50,000 tons of French farmers blocked access to 13 rapeseed, also known as canola refineries across the country oil, as part of the 650,000 tons yesterday to protest plans to of oil which will be used each import palm oil for use in year at the La Mede refinery biofuels, a move they denounce outside the southern city of Mar- as unfair competition which seille. The farmers also have the jeopardises their livelihood. support of environmental Energy giant Total wants to activists, and are hoping to rally import up to 300,000 tons a year Besides a ban on palm support among consumers of palm oil, which environmental worried about unfair compe- oil imports, President advocates say has caused tition stemming from free-trade of the FNSEA farmers’ massive deforestation chiefly in accords, including the CETA deal southeast Asia. union, Christiane Lambert between the EU and Canada as French rapeseed and sun- (pictured), wants the well as ongoing talks with the EU flower growers, who say they government to outlaw and South American Mercosur will lose out due to Total’s agriculture imports nations. imports, accuse foreign palm oil produced using fertilisers, “In South America the producers of failing to respect the herbicides and other French National Federation of Agricultural Holders’ Unions (FNSEA) and Young Farmers (Jeunes average cattle ranch has 24,000 regulatory requirements products prohibited in the Agriculteurs, JA) union members block the access of French oil giant Total’s La Mede refinery in cows, while in France we have European producers must follow. EU as part of an agriculture Chateauneuf-les-Martigues, southern France, during a demonstration against the authorisation on average just 80 — and yet given by the government to import agricultural products such as palm oil, that do not comply with Farmers parked tractors in law that will be debated in we’re always being told to be the French and European imposed standards. front of refinery gates while the Senate starting June 26. more environmentally friendly,” dumping piles of haystacks, dirt, said Christiane Lambert, pres- manure and potatoes. government since May 2017. biofuel producers to discuss sup- though farmers have warned ident of the FNSEA farmers’ “France imports several farming communities which The farmers’ protests began plies and pricing. they are prepared for a long union, France’s biggest. products that don’t respect the have so far not mobilised in large late on Sunday and have been “I want Total and biofuel strike. “We’re not against Besides a ban on palm oil rules applied to French farmers. numbers against the government called for three days because producers to reach an imports... but for consumers, we imports, she wants the gov- It concerns South American meat of President Emmanuel Macron “dialogue has broken down” with agreement on a base price and want the government to be con- ernment to outlaw agriculture and Spanish wine as well as palm since his election. the government, Greffon said. a contract that will benefit sistent and apply the same rules imports produced using ferti- oil,” said Damien Greffon, who Public sector workers and Agriculture Minister rapeseed producers,” Travert to imports, otherwise French lisers, herbicides and other leads the FRSEA farmers’ union railway staff have held regular Stephane Travert said that the told RTL radio. agriculture will disappear,” said products prohibited in the EU as in the Paris region. demonstrations and strikes government would not back He also said there was no Samuel Vandaele of the Young part of an agriculture law that The protests are a sign of against the pro-business reforms down, adding that he would meet risk of a shortage of gasoline Farmers’ union outside a Total will be debated in the Senate growing anger in France’s introduced by the new centrist soon with unions as well as from the refinery blockades, refinery southeast of Paris. starting June 26. Audi CEO named a suspect in emission case; home raided BLOOMBERG the carmaker admitted to cheating. The second suspect is Bernd handling of the crisis with the investigations and lawsuits since The homes of Rupert Stadler Martens, Audi’s head of pur- parent company. The news hit as U.S. authorities disclosed in Sep- FRANKFURT: The head of (pictured), and another Audi board chasing, according to a person Volkswagen was briefing jour- tember 2015 that the carmaker Volkswagen AG’s Audi brand was member were raided yesterday, familiar with the investigation nalists at its Wolfsburg head- had rigged engines on 11 million named a suspect in the diesel-rigging Munich prosecutors said in an who declined to be identified quarters on efforts to bolster diesel models to cheat on emis- scandal, making him the highest- emailed statement. Both are being because prosecutors haven’t dis- internal compliance and integrity sions tests. The company has ear- ranking active official in a probe investigated for fraud and falsifying closed the name. Martens led a programs, underscoring its marked more than $29.5bn to pay that’s now focusing on upper public documents relating to sales diesel task force at Audi, which struggles to get past the scandal. fines, settlements and other costs management nearly three years after of diesel cars in Europe. was set up to coordinate the VW has faced a barrage of since the scandal came to light BREAK TIME CROSSWORD NOVO Pearl Qatar ROYAL PLAZA VILLAGGIO & CITY CENTER

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (Action) 12:00noon, 12:30, Kaala (2D/Tamil) 2:30 & 11:00pm 12:45, 2:45, 3:00, 3:15, 3:30, 5:30, 6:00, 6:15, 8:15, 8:45, 9:00, Kaala (2D/Hindi) 8:00pm 11:20, 11:40, 11:45pm & 12:00midnight Sid & Aya: Not A Love Story (2D/Tagalog) 8:00pm Kaala (2D/Tamil) 12:00noon, 3:30, 7:00 & 10:30pm Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2D/Action) 8:30 & 11:00pm Last Rampage: The Escape of Gary Tison 12:00noon, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:00, 10:00pm & 12:00midnight Last Rampage: The Escape of Gary Tison (2D/Drama) 9:45pm Sid & Aya (2D/Tagalog) 12:15noon, 4:45 & 9:00pm E. Ma. Yau (2D/Malayalam) 11:30pm Veere Di Wedding (2D/Hindi) 2:15, 6:45 & 11:00pm Solo: Star Wars Story (2D/Action) 12:00noon, 2:45, 5:30, 8:15 ASIAN TOWN & 11:00pm Avengers: Infinity War (2D/Action) 12:00noon, 5:00 & 10:00pm Kaala (Tamil) 1:00, 7:30, 10:00 & 10:30pm Armed Response (2D/Action) 3:00 & 8:00pm Kaala (Telugu) 7:00pm Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (3D/IMAX /Action) 2:00, 5:00, Kaala (Hindi) 7:30pm 8:00 & 11:00pm E. Ma. Yau (2D/Malayalam) 8:00, 10:15 & 10:30pm

MALL ROXY

Kaala (2D/Tamil) 2:30, 8:15 & 11:15pm Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2D/Action) 12:30, 3:10, 5:50, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2D/Action) 3:00, 8:00, 9:45 8:30 & 11:10pm & 11:00pm Kaala 12:30, 3:45, 5:00, 7:00, 8:15, 10:15 & 11:30pm Sid & Aya: Not A Love Story (2D/Tagalog) 8:00pm Kaala (Hindi) 4:15pm Kaala (Telugu) 1:00, 7:30 & 10:45pm Veere Di Wedding (2D/Hindi) 11:30pm Stolen Princess 12:30 & 2:45pm

LANDMARK AL KHOR

Kaala (2D/Tamil) 8:00 & 11:15pm Kaala (Tamil) 10:45am, 2:00, 8:15 & 11:30pm E. Ma. Yau (2D/Malayalam) 8:30pm E. Ma. Yau (2D/Malayalam) 12:30 & 8:45pm Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2D/Action) 9:00 & 11:15pm Kaala (Telugu) 10:30am & 7:45pm Kaala (2D/Telugu) 11:00pm Kaala (Hindi) 1:30 & 11:00pm Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2D/Action) 3:00 & 11:15pm FLIK Mirqab Note: Programme is subject to change without prior notice. Avengers: Infinity War 10:00pm E.Ma.Yu 2:40, 3:20, 8:00 & 10:35pm Ee. Ma. Yu Incredible Story of The Giant Pear 2:35 & 5:15pm Jurassic World 3D 4:05, 6:40, 9:20pm & 12:00midnight Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom 2:30, 5:00, 7:35, 8:55, 10:15 & 11:30pm Kaala 2:55, 4:50, 6:20, 7:40, 9:45 & 11:00pm Masha And The Bear 4:20pm Show Dogs 3:10, 6:05 & 7:00pm Sid & Aya: Not Love Story 2:50, 5:55 & 8:00pm Solo: A Star Wars Story 5:00 & 11:05pm

Set in Chellanam, Kochi, the story of Ee. Ma. Yau revolves around the death of Vavachan Mesthiri in a coastal village. It showcases the events that unfold between two evenings and looks at death from different perspectives. 18 HOME TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2018 TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2018 AMERICAS 19 Judge orders Washington prison to provide Ramadan meals AP was filed, echoing a similar Lena Masri, CAIR’s said they tried to get the food, for vehicular homicide, said he cruel and unusual punishment, ruling from a federal judge in national litigation only to find out after Ramadan was added to the list and began as well as federal law concerning SEATTLE: A federal judge has Alaska last month. director, said: began that they weren’t on the receiving Ramadan meals after inmates’ rights to free exercise ordered the Washington “Muslim inmates have been “We welcome the list to receive nighttime meals. eight days — but not before he of religion. Department of Corrections to starved and their health is in Jeremy Livingston, who is lost 14 pounds (6.4kg), became Last month, the Council on provide nighttime meals to all danger as a result of the Monroe federal court’s swift serving 22 months for hit-and- ill and had guards threaten to American-Islamic Relations Muslim inmates who have been Correctional Complex’s shameful intervention, which run and vehicular assault, said force-feed him. sued Alaska prison officials on fasting during the month of starvation policy,” Lena Masri, will bring this health he entered the prison in March, Some of the inmates said behalf of two Muslim inmates, Ramadan, after several said CAIR’s national litigation crisis to an end and after the deadline, and was they had been able to hide arguing that bagged meals the prison officials refused to do so. director, said in a news release. denied Ramadan meals despite breakfast trays in their cell, but men received each evening The Council on American- “We welcome the federal ensure that Muslim requesting them upon arrival. that the trays had occasionally were inadequate or inappro- Islamic Relations sued the court’s swift intervention, which inmates are not “The Washington Department been discovered and confiscated. priately contained a meat, department on Sunday on behalf will bring this health crisis to an starved and brutalised of Corrections takes very seriously They also said some prisoners which Muslims do not eat. The of four prisoners at the Wash- end and ensure that Muslim the health and welfare of those who were on the Ramadan list meals ranged from about 500 ington State Reformatory in inmates are not starved and bru- for practicing sentenced to incarceration in the had tried to share their own to 1,100 calories, when health Monroe, saying the men had lost talised for practicing the funda- the fundamental state’s correctional facilities and nighttime meals with them, but guidelines suggest 2,600 to an average of more than 20 mental principles of their faith.” principles of their was immediately responsive to the that food too had sometimes 2,800 calories per day. pounds (about 9kg) since The lawsuit said the prison’s faith.” court order,” Corrections been seized. US District Judge H. Russel Ramadan began in mid-May. policy was generally to require spokesman Jeremy Barclay said Leighton said the prisoners Holland said in a written order US District Judge Ronald inmates to sign up for Ramadan in an email yesterday. had shown that the department that fasting Muslim inmates must Leighton in Tacoma issued his meals by the end of January, with to receive the meals at the dis- One of the plaintiffs, Naim was likely violating their consti- be given daily meals containing order just hours after the lawsuit those who failed to do so allowed cretion of prison chaplains. Some Lao, who is serving three years tutional right to be free from at least 2,600 calories. Violence erupts in Nicaragua capital Trump habit of ripping up documents a AFP headache for record-keepers: Report AFP MANAGUA: Armed anti-riot police and According to Politico, White House pro-government paramilitary attacked staffers had the torn documents col- barricades manned by anti- WASHINGTON: US President Donald lected from the Oval office and the government protesters in eastern Trump habitually tears up documents president’s residence and then turned Managua, plunging city neighbour- he is finished using, forcing White them over to records management to hoods in violence and chaos in an House record-keepers to gather up the be reassembled “like a jigsaw”. attempt to stamp out a two-month-old pieces and tape them back together, “You found pieces and taped them uprising against the government of news site Politico reported. back together and then you gave it back President Daniel Ortega. “It was the craziest thing ever. He to the supervisor,” Lartey said. He said Cracks of gun fire resounded ripped papers into tiny pieces,” said the documents he worked on included through the streets of the Nicaraguan Solomon Lartey, a former White House newspaper clippings with Trump’s capital as television footage showed records management employee. notes on them, invitations, and letters turbulent scenes of armed security forces The Presidential Records Act from constituents or lawmakers. on foot and in trucks chasing young men requires that any document the Pres- Another former White House away from street barricades. ident touches — memos, letters, emails records management employee, Activists attempted to push them — be preserved and sent to the National Reginald Young, said it was the first back by throwing rocks and setting Archives as part of the historical record. time in two decades of government off homemade mortars. Silvio Jose But Trump’s habit of ripping up service he had been asked to do such a Baez, an auxiliary bishop of Managua, documents after he has used them — thing. “I’m looking at my director, and Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica hold pictures of people killed in the recent urged residents to stay inside their sometimes just once down the middle, saying, ‘Are you guys serious?’ We’re protests in their country against President Daniel Ortega, as they demonstrate homes. but other times into confetti-like making more than $60,000 a year, we “It is very dangerous because of the in San Jose in solidarity with the students arrested. shreds — has created a major need to be doing far more important presence of violent gangs,” he wrote on headache for the record-keepers in things than this. It felt like the lowest Twitter. “Don’t risk life in vain.” Since the raguan Center for Human Rights. Ortega, a leftist who has held the the opening months of his presidency. form of work you can take on without protests began April 18, 139 people have The fresh street battles come amid presidency since 2007, has remained Lartey said the entire White House having to empty the trash cans.” been killed in clashes with security forces stalled efforts by the country’s Roman silent since last Thursday when he met records management department was Both Young, 48, and Lartey, 54, and armed gangs loyal to President Catholic bishops to revive negotiations with the bishops to discuss the prospect tasked with reassembling the docu- were abruptly fired earlier this year Daniel Ortega, according to the Nica- aimed at calming the political crisis. of talks. ments with tape. without explanation, they said. 20 MORNING BREAK TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2018

PRAYER TIMINGS FAJR 03. 14 AM Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi’s new book SHOROOK 04. 43 AM ZUHR 11. 34 AM MAGHRIB 06. 27 PM chronicles a year of Qatar’s victory ASR 02. 57 PM ISHA 07. 57 PM THE PENINSULA WEATHER TODAY DOHA: ‘A Year of Determination and Triumph’ is the title of the book authored by Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi, Editor-in-Chief of The Peninsula,to mark a year of unjust siege imposed against Qatar by Saudi- led quartet. The book, a compilation of articles and interviews of Dr. Al-Shafi, is actually a treatise showing author’s love with his country, leadership and nation at the one hand and on the other a written record of Qatar’s resolution and steadfastness in the face of challenges posed by the blockade in the last one year. Through his articles published in The Peninsula, Dr. Al-Shafi has been contin- uously questioning the hidden objec- tives of the blockading countries attached with the imposition of siege against Qatar. Dr. Al-Shafi, through his pen, exposed harms of the blockade of Qatar on the whole Gulf society and through regular appearance on Qatar TV as an analyst he always defended his homeland in the time of crisis as a patriot o o from the core of his heart. 35 C 45 C The bilingual (English and Arabic) book includes his 29 columns appeared Minimum Maximum in The Peninsula in the last one year as well as excerpts from his talks at Qatar The book — ‘A Year of Determination and Triumph’ — authored by Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi, Editor-in-Chief of The Peninsula,was Hot daytime with slight dust to blowing launched yesterday to mark a year of unjust siege. dust at places at times. TV prime time talk show Al Haqiqa (The Truth). The exclusive interviews of

HIGH TIDE 02:30 – 16:30 LOW TIDE 09:15 – 23:00 Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim always presented arguments based on “Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi has emerged the years at the global level and the dip- Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department and Turkish Economy Minister Nihat facts to beat anti-Qatar propaganda among the country’s distinguished lomatic stances during different inter- Zeybekci which Dr. Al-Shafi conducted launched by the hostile countries. talents who have defended the State of national events.” in Turkey last year are also part of the In the preface of the book, Dr. Qatar and its people by being the Editor- Condemning online smear cam- book. Noureddine Miladi, Head of Department in-Chief of The Peninsula, a leading paigns against Qatar run by the block- The book is a candid account of his of Mass Communication, Qatar Uni- national paper which has developed into ading countries, he writes at another love and attachment with Qatar and the versity, writes: “In this book, Dr. Khalid one of the most important English-lan- place: “The truth cannot be undermined pain he felt during the last one year by Al-Shafi paints the milestones of this guage media platforms in recent years,” despite efforts of falsehood to overrun disruption of normal social life in the unjust siege since its inception. Dr. Miladi adds. the realities. Therefore, whatever they Gulf due to reckless move by three GCC He traces its various manifestations, Dr. Al-Shafi in one of his columns have mobilised in their media campaigns countries to sever relations with Qatar whether economic, social or political. titled ‘Qatar succeeds and blockade fails’ to accuse Qatar of supporting terror, which eventually led to gross human He also delves into the analysis of the writes: “With time, the blockade is their efforts proved futile. Doha has rights violations and also gave birth to ethical decline reached by the media of crumbling and my country is breaking proved the opposite and obtained human tragedies. the blockading countries and shows their the siege with determination, with worldwide support and sympathy. Qatar Through his writings in the last one professional miscarriage, of which has support from its people who stood is small in size, a fact which we do not year he challenged and demolished been a primarily target the demonisation behind their beloved leadership. These deny, but thanks to God and the wise baseless allegations levelled against of the state of Qatar and its consecutive successes are not accidental leadership, the country is in the ranks of Qatar by the Saudi-led quartet and he leadership.” but the outcome of hard work done over the advanced countries of the world.”

WISE session highlights effect of education for girls THE PENINSULA Commission since 2006, Forefront of Sustainable average of only 60–75 percent WISE has previously attracting more than 8,000 Development: protect, of men’s wages. The WISE hosted notable politicians, DOHA: The World Innovation participants from over 140 empower, invest’. The agenda session, ‘Empowering Women including Christos Stylianides, Summit for Education (WISE), countries. The participants addressed economic and social to be Change-Makers,’ high- European Commissioner for an initiative of Qatar Foun- representing 1,200 organisa- rights, physical and psycho- lighted the ripple effect of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis dation (QF), held a session at tions from the development logical integrity, and strength- investing in education for girls Management, and Andrea Vas- the recent European Devel- community share ideas and ening girls’ and women’s voice and equipping them with the siliou, former European Com- opment Days (EDD), Europe’s experiences to inspire new and participation. This issue is necessary skills to lead and missioner for Education, leading forum on international partnerships and innovate important and urgent, as UNDP change. The session was Culture, Multilingualism and co-operation and devel- solutions to the world’s most statistics show that women selected from an international Youth, in Doha, Qatar. WISE opment. pressing challenges. perform 66 percent of the call for contributions, and seeks to continue this ongoing EDD has been organised The theme this year was world’s work, yet earn only 10 marks the second time that dialogue and collaboration annually by the European ‘Women and Girls at the percent of the income, with an WISE has participated in EDD. with EU institutions. Booming world of play revs up E3 video game extravaganza

AFP let players stream games to any Microsoft is also working on device. Microsoft is adding five a “cloud network” to stream LOS ANGELES: Pulse-pounding new game studios, one it is cre- console-quality games to new video games and more ways ating in Southern California and internet-linked devices including to enjoy them are at the center another four it is buying, Xbox smartphones and tablets, of the Electronic Entertainment team chief Phil Spencer said. according to Spencer. Expo extravaganza officially “We are making one of our “The world of gaming is on kicking off here today. greatest single year’s invest- an historic growth path,” The annual industry E3 gath- ments in teams by adding five Spencer said at the late Sunday ering known for first-looks at new creative studios,” Spencer Xbox media event. “We commit keenly anticipated video games said at a media event ahead of the full breadth of resources at was expected to feature sequels the formal start of the Expo. Microsoft to deliver on the to blockbuster franchises such Microsoft has criticised for future of play.” Included in the as “Fallout,” “Halo,” “Battlefield,” lacking hit video games exclu- Microsoft arsenal is the use of and “Assassin’s Creed.” E3 sively for play on Xbox, while artificial intelligence to make promised glimpses at trends such Sony has dominated this console game worlds and characters as collaborating in online teams generation with PlayStation 4 more realistic. instead of playing solo, and blaz- models boasting a cornucopia of ingly popular “battle royale” coveted titles. WASTELAND ALLIES death matches such as those at The Xbox event was packed US video game powerhouse the heart of “Fortnite” and with cinematic snippets or play Bethesda Softworks hosted a “Playerunknown’s Battle- of 52 games. Of those, 18 titles media event of its own late grounds.” Behind the scenes, the were tailored exclusively for the Sunday as it built on the gathering will explore issues like Xbox console. Spencer said his momentum of winning fran- the use of artificial intelligence LA artist, Eric Skotnes paints a ‘Rage 2’ mural during the Bethesda E3 conference at the Event Deck team is “deep into architecting chises including “Fallout.” The in games, and streaming at LA Live in Los Angeles, California. the next Xbox” in a commitment coming “Fallout 76” will be a console-quality titles from the to console gaming at a time when prequel to the award-winning cloud to devices other than con- mobile and personal computer series of games, and be set in soles. What E3 organisers bill as E3 to a fever pitch, reinforcing consoles, but a rise of play on are putting traditional sports to play are soaring. the post-apocalyptic hills of the “world’s premier gaming its place as the world’s preem- personal computers and games shame,” E3 organizers said in a Microsoft rival Sony is West Virginia. trade show” will open the show inent event for video games,” becoming spectator sports has release. reportedly working on a Play- Unlike its predecessors, floor to the public this year. said Michael Gallagher, chief broadened the focus of the event. Station 4 successor. “Fallout 76” will be an open Tickets for the event have executive of the Entertainment “ESports has also made huge MICROSOFT PLAYING HARD Sony will show off coming world hosted online and popu- already sold out. Visitors will be Software Association, which is advancements, hitting the main- The head of Xbox yesterday video games, and perhaps lated by other players instead able to play portions of upcoming behind E3. stream with televised matches said Microsoft is hard at work on insights into the future of its of computer generated char- games and test new hardware. E3 was long centered on the on prime-time cable channels a next-generation console along console or cloud services, at a acters, Bethesda Game Studios “Gamers raise the energy of Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony and tournament prize-pools that with a cloud service that would theatrical event here early today. director Todd Howard said.