BUSINESS | 15 SPORT | 199 Qatar Financial Hamilton off CentreC hosts WEF Mercedes onn President & other song in delegates Monaco

Friday 24 May 2019 | 19 Ramadan 1440 www.thepeninsula.qa Volume 24 | Number 7901 | 2 Riyals Take a photo of any Ooredoo Ramadan poster and get a gift this weekend! Use the Ooredoo app to take the photo…

Amir congratulates Two years after QNA hacking, Qatar Indian PM on poll win QNA/DOHA emerges stronger and bolder Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has sent a cable of congratu- lations to Prime Minister of the The hacking of QNA website revealed the Republic of India, Narendra Modi, on Timeline of QNA hacking evil intentions to tarnish the image of Qatar the occasion of the victory of his Bharatiya Janata Party in the elections. ³ April 19: Investigators found that hacker infiltrated to QNA network using and undermine its sovereignty. VPN software and scanned the website completely Deputy Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani and ³ April 22: The hacker exploited a vulnerability in the website, installed the SACHIN KUMAR Prime Minister and Interior Minister malicious programs and intruded into the network THE PENINSULA replete with several accomplishments. H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin It did not take much time for the whole Khalifa Al Thani have also sent cables ³ The vulnerability was shared with another person via Skype, who accessed Its been two years, when the website of Qatar world to know who were perpetrators behind of congratulations to Narendra Modi, it at 5:47am from an iPhone IP address of one of the siege News Agency (QNA) was hacked on the early the this shameful cyber crime.On July 20, 2017, on the occasion of the victory of his hours of May 24, 2017 and it has been a period the investigation team of the Ministry of Interior his Party in the elections. `P6 ³ April 28: The main system of QNA was targeted and addresses, passwords full of achievements for Qatar. (MoI) revealed that the and e-mails of all the employees were collected. The achievements are a tight hacking ‘originated from Mongolia grants Qatari slap on the face of siege the UAE’. Even The Wash- ³April 29: The hacker accessed the vulnerability in QNA website via an IP countries that imposed unjust ington Post quoted US citizens visas on arrival from one of the siege countries. blockade on Qatar. The intelligence officials saying QNA/DOHA hackers published fabricated that the UAE was behind ³May 20: The hacker carried out a final check of malicious programs, con- statements which were the hacking of the agency’s An official from the Department of firmed effectiveness in preparation for an attack. attributed to Amir H H Sheikh website. Consular Affairs at the Ministry of ³May 23: Just minutes before the start of the attack, the QNA website Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Qatar also approached Foreign Affairs stated that the witnessed significant increase in number of visitors. and used these false state- largest specialised Mongolian authorities decided to ments as a justification to expertise in law firms, grant citizens of the State of Qatar ³At 11:45 pm the actual attack began and 12:13 am, false quotes attributed impose the pre-planned which in turn contracted visas on arrival valid for one month, to H H the Amir were posted on the QNA website. siege on Qatar on June 5, with the largest companies effective starting May 15. The 2017. specialised in the field of requirements for on arrival visas ³Two minutes later, the first access of the article was recorded via IP The evil intentions behind the hacking was computer science and the Internet, and obtained are filling application at the airport, addresses of one of the siege countries. to tarnish the image of Qatar and undermine solid and consistent evidence confirming Qatar’s valid passport (for a period not less its sovereignty. But, contrary to the intentions past findings of the involvement of the UAE and than six months), recent personal ³At 3am, the attack was contained, the control of the website was restored, of siege countries, Qatar emerged stronger and Saudi Arabia in the hacking of the QNA’s pictures (4.5 x 3.5 size), copy of the at 7pm, all QNA social media accounts were recovered. bolder from the unjust blockade which is evident website. Qatar has also taken many steps to ticket, a copy of the hotel reser- from the illustrious past two years, which are strengthen its cyber security. `P3 vation and visa fee. Deputy PM & Defence Minister conferred with 'Order of the Rising Sun' New regulations for schools in final stage THE PENINSULA Ramadan Timing The Minister DOHA Today's Iftar: 6:19pm stressed that the Tomorrow's Imsak: 03:08am Minister of Education and new regulations will Higher Education H E address many of the Mohammed bin Abdul Wahed the relationship between Al Hammadi said yesterday current articles that school administrations and that the Ministry prepared new were put during the teachers. regulations for schools that are launch of Independent On the remarks teachers in the final process of the legis- had for the school curricula, the lative process. school, focusing this Minister said that they will The Minister stressed that year on serving school make use of that feedback to the new regulations will address employees improve the curricula in the many of the current articles that and teachers. future. were put during the launch of His Excellency also high- Independent school, focusing lighted that the assistant this year on serving school the importance of adhering to teacher jobs will only be can- employees and teachers. the directives of the ministry in celled for the second grade, This came during the order to avoid increasing the with the ministry using them to meeting of the Minister of Edu- amount of written reports and meet the demand for assistant cation and Higher Education increasing the burdens on teachers at other levels such as H M Emperor Naruhito of Japan decorated the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for with teachers of Umm Salal female teachers in general, early education and first grade. Defence Affairs H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah with 'The Order of the Rising Sun', the highest Mohammed Model Independent noting that reports that do not His Excellency also said that honour awarded by the Japanese government, in recognition of his efforts to strengthen the friendly School for Boys, where they provide real benefits should be all remarks made during the relations and cooperation between the State of Qatar and Japan, and appreciation for his role in exchanged views on the different disregarded to focus on the meeting will be discussed sponsoring and assisting in the success of the projects of Qatar Friendship Fund in Japan for the issues related to the educational academic side. H E the Minister further with the ministry’s reconstruction of areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami disasters in 2011, at the Imperial process. also discussed the importance experts to get their points of Palace in Tokyo, yesterday. The Minister emphasised on of facilitating cooperation and view. QA inaugural flight to Izmir touches down at Adnan Menderes Airport THE PENINSULA Deputy Governor of Izmir, Aydın is also home to the country’s DOHA Memük; DHMİ Deputy Chief second-largest port after Istanbul, Manager Adnan Menderes Inter- and is a major commercial centre, Qatar Airways’ first flight from national Airport, Necmi Karakoç; making it a key destination for Doha to Izmir landed yesterday at DHMİ Deputy Chief Manager, business travellers.” Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, Hasan Çıracı; and TAV Ege TAV Ege General Manager, marking the addition of airline’s General Manager, Erkan Balcı. Erkan Balcı, said: “It is a great seventh Turkish gateway. Qatar Qatar Airways Group Chief pleasure to welcome Qatar Airways flight QR 347, operated by Executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: Airways inaugural flight from an Airbus A320, was welcomed to “We are delighted to launch direct Doha. Izmir Adnan Menderes Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport by services to Izmir, a beautiful airport is the gateway to the world- a celebratory water cannon salute. coastal city and key business hub. famous Aegean region, which is The Turkish Ambassador to This new gateway to Turkey will home to major cultural and historic the State of Qatar, Fikret Ozer, strengthen Qatar Airways’ already attractions, drawing millions of vis- was joined by Qatar Airways robust presence in the Turkish itors each year from all over the Senior Vice-President Europe, market, while providing our pas- world.” Three weekly flights to Sylvain Bosc, on board Qatar sengers travelling from Turkey Izmir will be operated by an Airbus Airways’ inaugural flight to Izmir. enhanced connectivity to our A320 aircraft, featuring 12 seats Turkish Ambassador to Qatar, Fikret Ozer, and other officials during the launch of inaugural Qatar VIPs present to greet the air- extensive global route map of in Business Class and 132 seats in Airways flight to Izmir, Turkey, yesterday. craft upon arrival included the more than 160 destinations. Izmir Economy Class. `P3 02 HOME FRIDAY 24 MAY 2019

OFFICIAL NEWS Health Minister holds meetings in Geneva to discuss health field ties Amir condoles with King of Malaysia DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Deputy Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani sent yesterday cables of condolences to the King of Malaysia, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, on the death of the King’s father Sultan Ahmad Shah Al- Musta’in Billah. QNA

Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra to host Minister of Public Health H E Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari met separately with her Cuban counterpart, Dr Roberto Morales, Minister of Labour, Health and Social Affairs Tchaikovskys First of Georgia, David Sergeenko;, and Clemens Martin Auer, Special Envoy for Health in the Republic of Austria, Candidate for Regional Director of the European Region of the Piano Concerto World Health Organization (WHO), on the sidelines of the WHO World Health Assembly held in Geneva. They discussed promoting cooperation relations between the State of Qatar and Cuba, Georgia and Austria, especially in the health field. In addition, they discussed a number of topics of common interest. The Minister also met separately QNA with President of the Union for International Cancer Control, Princess Dina Mired, Executive Director of UNITAID, Dr Lelio Marmora, and Vice-President of BioCubaFarma, DOHA Mayda Mauri Perez. During the meetings, they discussed promoting cooperation relations with the entities, in addition to a number of topics of common interest.

Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra announced yesterday that it will host Tchaikovskys First Piano Concerto on June 22 at Katara Cultural Village Opera House, Welcome meeting organised for QU students conducted by Gianluigi Gelmetti and with Lilya Zilberstein on THE PENINSULA main duties and services, its role the piano. DOHA in developing human resources, Tchaikovsky was a major and the ethical charter and pro- Russian composer of the late The Ministry of Commerce and fessional values code that 19th century. A key figure of Industry organised yesterday a trainees must adhere to during Russian Romanticism and the welcome meeting for Qatar their training period. first Russian composer of inter- University students who joined The vocational training national span, he was one of the its vocational training program. program organized by the Min- great symphonists of his The training program was istry aims to equip students of generation. launched within the framework Qatar University with the prac- Particularly gifted for mel- of a memorandum of under- tical and professional experience odies and a master of lyricism standing (MoU) signed between as well as the tools that enable and sentimentality, Tchaik- the Ministry and the University. them to access the labour ovsky composed some of the The meeting, which was market. Through this program, most popular themes in all of attended by a number of Min- the Ministry seeks to provide a classical music. istry officials, featured a brief suitable training environment to A view of a welcome meeting for Qatar University students who joined vocational training program. Among his 10 operas, 3 presentation on the Ministry, its empower university students to ballets, 6 symphonies, his piano various departments, organisa- perform work duties and respon- students will be trained in the Ministry’s competencies. exchange expertise in the field works and his choral ones, the tional structure, competencies, sibilities that correspond with areas of business administration, The Ministry of Commerce of training while students are most famous remain his two vision and objectives in their academic specialisations. translation, accounting, public and Industry had signed a mem- offered the opportunity for voca- ballets Swan Lake and The Nut- accordance with Qatar National Within the framework of the relations, economics, interna- orandum of understanding with tional training in accordance cracker and his opera Eugene Vision 2030. The presentation program, which brings together tional relations and internal Qatar University in 2016. Under with the Ministry’s various Onegin. also shed light on the Ministry’s 70 trainees during May and June, audit, which fall in line with the the agreement, both parties competencies. QU Health students tackle topic of antibiotic stewardship

THE PENINSULA issue of antimicrobial resistance essential component in creating DOHA to highlight the ongoing problem and promoting a collaborative of antibiotics no longer being culture where members of the An IPE activity that focuses on active against certain healthcare team effectively col- infection and antibiotic stew- infections. laborate together for best ardship was held recently in Furthermore, the students effective care to our patients. We Qatar University (QU) engaging were introduced to a case study are proud that healthcare stu- 150 students and 16 facilitators that encouraged discussion dents in Qatar have had the from QU Health, the health among groups on the role and opportunity, this academic year, cluster that comprises three perspective of different profes- to participate in curricula and health related colleges at QU, sions (pharmacy, medicine, extra curricula IPE activities pharmacy, medicine and health public health, biomedical) in learning with, from and about Over 150 students and 16 facilitators from QU Health participated in the get together for the IPE activity. sciences. antimicrobial stewardship and each other on a diverse range of The Interprofessional Edu- the benefits of adding more pro- topics such as smoking cessation, cation Committee (IPEC) fessions to the team. The chal- diabetes, mental health, infection, and effective manner.” discussion about important “Attending the IPE activity was organised the event, aiming to lenging case allowed students to fall prevention and much more.” Senior CHS biomedical topics such as patient care, anti- a powerful opportunity to meet introduce students to the concept share their knowledge and learn CPH Assistant Professor and student Fatima Abdullah Ahmadi biotics and infectious diseases other professionals from other of antimicrobial stewardship. from others during a group dis- lead facilitator for the event Dr said: “The IPE experience was makes you realise that all of backgrounds and other perspec- The activity addressed shared cussion in order to meet the Shane Pawluk said: “As globally, very helpful as a student in these disciplines somehow tives that we lack. Everyone IPE competencies including role needs of this patient. the rates of antimicrobial healthcare. We gained tre- overlap and plays a crucial role looked at the case from totally clarification, interprofessional Commenting on the event, resistance are increasing, inter- mendous knowledge from all in patient care. Most importantly, different angles. Activities such communication and shared CPH Assistant Dean for Student professional learning offers our healthcare providers such as bio- it highlights that team work is as this provide students with the decision-making. Affairs and QU Health Chair of future health care professionals medical sciences, pharmacy, vital in medical healthcare.” opportunity to enhance their The event’s program fea- IPEC Dr Alla El Awaisi said: the opportunity to face this chal- medicine, nutrition and public Third year CHS public health career and achieve more in their tured discussions focused on the “Interprofessional education is an lenge together in an organized health. Furthermore, opening the student Sana Ahmed Elashie said: area.” Qatar America Institute hosts Interfaith Poetry Night & Iftar Mercury to

THE PENINSULA ahead of the breaking of fast be closer to DOHA dinner. Paul Hamill, the Executive Sun today The Qatar America Institute Director of the Qatar America THE PENINSULA (QAI) in partnership with DC Institute noted: “Events such as DOHA Scores and America’s Islamic this Iftar highlight the strength- Heritage Museum hosted an ening reliable partnership The smallest planet of the solar Interfaith Poetry Night and Iftar between the United States and system, Mercury, will reach to celebrate Ramadan with DC Qatar. As we gather to break the nearest point in its orbit around community members in its fast, we note the relationship the Sun (perihelion) today at Washington DC headquarters. between the two countries 10:18am Doha local time, where With over 100 guests in stretches from art, culture, Mercury will be away at 46 attendance, including students, sports, economy and growing million kilometres approximately artists, and law enforcement, the interfaith links, and we celebrate from the sun’s centre. It was at event featured an interfaith the educational ties of scientific 70 million kms from the sun’s poetry night followed by an Iftar and cultural advancement that centre on April 10, Qatar (breaking the fast). The event six American universities in Calendar house announced. presented a special opportunity Qatar’s Education City are solid- Mercury reaching to to celebrate and appreciate ifying every day – a mission that aphelion point (furthest point poetry and its influence across has been – for centuries – at the from Sun) every 88 days, where cultures, continents, and reli- center of the Islamic tradition’s it was reached perihelion point gions and build understanding rich history of cultural enlight- last time on February 25, while and awareness in the community enment. This year we mark Edu- it will reach perihelion point The participants at the event. around Ramadan and Islamic cation City’s class of 2019 and the again on August 20, 2019. practices in Qatar and the United particular milestone of Texas Mercury’s distance from the States. Scores; Ja’Quan, student at Duke Yanina, student at Maret School, author and poetess, Hawa A&M’s campus in Qatar gradu- Sun varies between 46 million Student poets from DC Ellington School of the Arts, and and published American-Muslim Fuseini, performed their poetry ating its 1000th student.” km and 70 million km. FRIDAY 24 MAY 2019 HOME 03

Interactive session with teachers PRAYER TIMINGS Qatar signs up FAJR 03. 19 AM SHOROOK 04. 46 AM

ZUHR 11. 31 AM MAGHRIB 06. 19 PM to world’s ASR 02. 56 PM ISHA 07. 49 PM largest survey WEATHER TODAY on dementia THE PENINSULA The survey seeks DOHA feedback from four Qatar is participating in the key groups: General world’s largest survey on people’s public, health and Minister of Education and Higher Education H E Mohammed bin Abdul Wahed Al Hammadi attitudes to dementia led by care professionals, during an interactive session with teachers of Umm Salal Mohammed Model Independent Alzheimer’s Disease International people living with (ADI). School for Boys, yesterday. Dementia is one of the most dementia and carers significant global health crises of of people with our time – there are 50 million dementia. people living with dementia Shura Council’s Legal and Legislative worldwide, which is expected to increase to 152 million people by Affairs Committee holds meeting 2050. Every three seconds includes the delivery of dementia someone develops dementia, yet care and support for individuals most people with dementia do not diagnosed with the condition, receive a diagnosis or support. their care givers and families, so Deaths due to dementia more they are able to live with dignity, than doubled between 2000 and respect, autonomy and equality. 2016, making it the 5th leading “The Qatar National cause of global deaths in 2016 Dementia Plan was born out of compared to the 14th in 2000. the recognition that, unless Despite its prevalence, dementia addressed, the human and eco- is a silent killer, as stigma con- nomic costs related to the con- tinues to be a major barrier to dition will rise at an accelerated diagnosis, treatment and care. pace, highlighting the need to Moreover, dementia’s prevalence keep dementia as a public health is growing rapidly as the global priority in the country,” said Dr. o o population ages. Hanadi Al Hamad, National Lead 30 C 39 C “Dementia truly is a global for ‘Healthy Ageing’ NHS 2018- The Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee of the Shura Council held a meeting yesterday Minimum Maximum health crisis, and we need a global 2022 priority population, and under the chairmanship of Rapporteur of the Committee Nasser bin Rashid Al Kaabi. The response to this survey. Stigma Chairperson of Geriatrics and remains the single largest and Long Term Care Department at Committee continued the study of the Draft Law on Combat of Money Laundering and Hot daytime with slight dust at some most pervasive barrier facing the Hamad Medical Corporation. Financing Terrorism and decided to submit its recommendations thereon to the esteemed places. dementia community, preventing The survey, which is currently Council. The Secretary-General of the Cabinet, H E Hamad bin Ahmed Al Mohannadi,

attended the meeting. HIGH TIDE 06:52 –20:46 LOW TIDE 04:11 – 13:33 people from seeking advice and available on the ADI website support,” said Paola Barbarino, (www.alz.co.uk/research/world- Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department ADI CEO. “It is hoped this survey report-2019), will form the basis and subsequent report will of ADI’s World Alzheimer Report QA inaugural flight to Izmir touches down at Adnan Menderes Airport address stigma in all its forms, 2019, to be released during World FROM PAGE 1 make clear what the conse- Alzheimer Month in September. 10km west of İzmir. key player in Turkey, providing weekly belly-hold flights and quences are for people living with The survey seeks feedback Set against the Aegean Sea on Qatar Airways currently belly-hold flights to Adana, trucking services, the cargo dementia globally and what can from four key groups: general Turkey’s western coast, Izmir has operates flights to six destinations Ankara, Sabiha Gökçen and carrier will offer more than 50 be done about it,” she added. public, health and care profes- been an important port city since in Turkey, with separate services Istanbul. tonnes per month to and from ‘Healthy Ageing’ is identified sionals, people living with ancient times. Visitors to Izmir to Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen The airline also operates Izmir. Belly-hold cargo capacity by the Qatar National Health dementia and carers of people have a wide variety of activities Airport (21 times per week) and three weekly Boeing 777 freighter to Antalya in Turkey will soon be Strategy 2018-2022 as a priority with dementia, in an attempt to to enjoy, from exploring nearby Istanbul Airport (14 times per services to Istanbul. With the introduced. As well as enjoying population. One of the first create the world’s biggest survey monuments and archaeological week), Adana Airport (three times launch of flights to and from the award-winning in-flight achievements of the NHS 2018- on attitudes around dementia. The sites, including the Roman Agora a week), and daily flights to Izmir, Qatar Airways Cargo will service, passengers travelling to 2022 was the launch of the Qatar questions are predominantly mul- of ancient Smyrna, now an open- Ankara. offer direct cargo capacity for Izmir will also have access to National Dementia Plan in 2018. tiple choice and the survey is fully air museum, to enjoying the The award-winning airline perishable exports such as fresh Oryx One, QA’s in-flight enter- The plan outlines Qatar’s vision anonymous, accessible and renowned seafood restaurants set will also resume direct seasonal fish and fruits out of Izmir. tainment system, offering the for the development and available both online and offline along the city’s promenade. services to Bodrum on May 25, Trucking services will also be latest blockbuster movies, TV box expansion of future services for in multiple languages, including Tourists can also visit the restor- 2019 and Antalya from May 24, offered both ways between Izmir sets, music, games and much people living with dementia. This Arabic. ative Balçova thermal baths, just 2019. Qatar Airways Cargo is a and Istanbul. With the thrice more. Order of the Rising Sun to former Qatari envoy

Saba Mohammed Nasser Al Fadala, Communications and PR Director, Baladna Food Industries (Baladna), speaking at a Ghabga, a Ramadan meal between Iftar and Suhoor, hosted by Baladna at The Pearl-Qatar in Doha. PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA Baladna hosts annual Ghabga event

THE PENINSULA / DOHA management. exciting phase with new product Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe awarded the Order of the Rising Sun — Gold and Silver Star to Saba Nasser Al Fadala, Public launches, technologies and talent Yousef Mohamed Bilal, the former Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Japan, in recognition of his Baladna Food Industries, Qatar’s Relations and Communications acquisition, and we hope to con- great contribution to strengthening relations between Qatar and Japan. This took place at a ceremony largest producer of fresh dairy and Director at Baladna, said, “Baladna tinue serving our communities as held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Japanese Prime Minister entrusted the Ambassador to convey beverages, held its annual Ghabga takes pride in hosting the annual we grow in this journey. We con- his greetings to Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wishes of good health to H H event for media representatives Ghabga event for our media sider the media to be an integral the Amir as well as his wishes of further development and progress to the State of Qatar and its on Wednesday. The event took partners. Occasions like these give part of our success. I would like to people. The Emperor of Japan Naruhito also met Ambassador Bilal and congratulated him on this place at the Debs w Remman us the platform to interact more thank them for their support and decoration, the highest order awarded by the Japanese government. Ramadan Tent at the Pearl and closely with the media. Baladna efforts in communicating our was attended by Baladna’s senior is currently going through an story locally and globally”. Two years after QNA hacking, Qatar emerges stronger and bolder

FROM PAGE 1 proud. Helped by the visionary on it since June 5. host the World Cup until the soft opening of Doha Metro Qatar has achieved 100 The efforts of siege countries leadership of the country, Qatar Qatar inaugurated world- quarterfinals, with a roof that Project. Early this month, Qatar percent self-sufficiency in dairy have gone in vein as Qatar has completed many world class class Al Janoub Stadium on May opens and closes in 30 minutes. Railways Company (Qatar Rail) and fresh poultry products after turned the blockade into a infrastructure projects. Whether 16 by hosting Amir Cup final. It It not only is the first stadium created history by launching unjust blockade. A total of 120 blessing in disguise. Looking it is self-sufficiency in the field is the second World Cup stadium built from scratch but the instal- preview service for the first part new factories have been estab- back, it can be easily said that of agriculture and food, or infra- to be completed after Khalifa lation of the pitch was completed of the Doha Metro’s Red Line. lished in Qatar since the siege Qatar has accomplished many structure, Qatar has made big International Stadium in May in a world record time of just 9 The launch, which was originally and 60 more establishments are feats which have made the res- strides in the last two years, 2017. The stadium has a capacity hours 15 minutes. planned for 2020, came almost expected to be completed in idents of this great country despite unjust blockade imposed of about 40,000 seats and will Another achievement was one year ahead of schedule. 2019. 04 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA FRIDAY 24 MAY 2019 Iran won’t surrender even if bombed: Rouhani

REUTERS response, the semi-official Fars countries to halt imports of GENEVA/LONDON news agency reported. Iranian oil or face sanctions of Tensions are festering their own. Iran will not surrender to US between the two countries after “More than one year after pressure and will not abandon Washington sent more military the imposition of these severe its goals even if it is bombed, forces to the Middle East in a sanctions, our people have not President Hassan Rouhani said show of force against what US bowed to pressures despite yesterday, stepping up the war officials say are Iranian threats facing difficulties in their lives,” of words between the Islamic to its troops and interests in the Rouhani was quoted by the state Republic and the United States. region. news agency Irna as saying. Earlier in the day, Iran’s top After pulling out of Iran’s Addressing a ceremony in military chief said the standoff 2015 nuclear deal with world commemoration of the 1980-88 between Tehran and Wash- powers, US President Donald Iran-Iraq war, he added: “We ington was a “clash of wills”, Trump restored US sanctions on need resistance, so our enemies warning that any enemy “adven- Iran last year and tightened them know that if they bomb our land, turism” would meet a crushing this month, ordering all and if our children are martyred, wounded or taken as prisoners, we will not give up on our goals A Sudanese health worker carries a placard as scores of medics hold a rally in front of a hospital in for the independence of our Pentagon confirms the capital Khartoum, yesterday. country and our pride.” Iran’s armed forces chief of it is weighing sending staff, Major General Mohammad Baqeri, also pointed to an Iranian Uncertainty grips Sudan more troops to region battle victory in the war with Iraq and said that outcome could REUTERS/WASHINGTON be a message that Iran will have a “hard, crushing and obliter- weeks after Bashir’s ouster Acting US Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan yesterdaycon- ating response” for any enemy AFP The latest round broke up stance,” he added. firmed that the Pentagon was considering sending additional US “adventurism”. KHARTOUM early Tuesday but neither side Last week violence flared at troops to the Middle East as one of the ways to bolster protection On Sunday, Trump tweeted: has said when the talks will the protest site, leaving five pro- for American forces there amid tensions with Iran. “If Iran wants to fight, that will Weeks after the army ousted resume. There are three forces testers and an army major dead “What we’re looking at is: Are there things that we can do to be the official end of Iran. Never veteran leader Omar Hassan Al at play: the ruling military and many civilians and security enhance force protection in the Middle East?” Shanahan said. threaten the United States Bashir, Sudan is gripped by council, the protest umbrella forces wounded from “It may involve sending additional troops.” again!” Trump wants Iran to uncertainty as talks between the group Alliance for Freedom and gunshots. But Shanahan, in remarks to reporters outside the Pentagon, come to the table to negotiate a military rulers and protesters on Change and the demonstrators On April 14, protest leaders dismissed reports suggesting specific numbers of troops were new deal with stricter curbs on the transition to civilian rule themselves. handed the new military rulers being considered at this point, saying: “As soon as there’s a change, its nuclear and missile remain deadlocked. According to prominent a list of demands, topped by the I’ll give you an update.” Tensions between Tehran and Wash- programmes. Protest leaders have said Sudanese journalist Khalid al- immediate transfer of power to ington have been steadily escalating in recent weeks, as US Pres- Reiterating Iran’s stance, the that preparations are under way Tijani, the military council is a civilian government. ident Donald Trump tightens sanctions meant to cut off Iran’s spokesman for its Supreme for a “general strike and civil dis- determined to “have a role Sudan’s military rulers held ability to sell oil on global markets. The Trump administration is National Security Council said: obedience” to pressure the gen- because it considers itself a key a first round of talks with protest also warning of possible Iranian plots against America and its “There will not be any negotia- erals to cede power, after the partner in change”. leaders on April 20. allies. Any decision to send additional US troops would follow a tions between Iran and latest round of talks fell through The Alliance, he said, “is There was a breakthrough move to accelerate the deployment of a carrier strike group to America.” with no agreement. divided over the role the gen- on April 27 when the two sides the Middle East and send bombers and Patriot missiles to the Keyvan Khosravi was also Thousands of protesters erals should play” in a future agreed to establish a joint region in response to what Washington said were troubling indi- quoted as saying by the state have remained camped around- government. civilian-military ruling council. cations of possible preparations for an attack by Iran. broadcaster that some officials the-clock outside the army The demonstrators are also However differences The United States says the steps are aimed at preventing con- from several countries have headquarters in Khartoum clam- divided into two camps, with one remained over the composition flict by deterring any dangerous activity by Iran or Iran-backed visited Iran recently, “mostly ouring for civilian rule since “leaning towards negotiations” of the council, with each side forces. But Iran has accused the United States of brinksmanship. representing the United States.” Bashir’s ouster on April 11. with the generals on a future wanting it to be weighted in their Reuters reported on Wednesday that the Pentagon was consid- He did not elaborate, but the Although their determi- transition while the other is favour. ering a proposal to send about 5,000 troops while other media foreign minister of Oman, which nation has not waned, they have adamant that the military Talks resumed on May 13 reported that up to 10,000 could be deployed. “I got up this in the past helped pave the way been unable to reach a deal with council must be ousted, said and after nearly 12 hours of morning and read that we were sending 10,000 troops to the for negotiations between Iran the military despite three rounds Tijani. “The situation seems to staunch negotiations the two Middle East, and then I read more recently that there was 5,0000,” and the United States, visited of talks on forming a new gov- have hit a dead end because the sides announced they had Shanahan said. “There is no 10,000 and there is no 5,000.” Tehran. erning body that would replace negotiating parties are focused agreed to have a three-year the generals. on the form and not the sub- transition period. Palestine will not attend US-led Manama meeting Houthis hit Saudi airport for

ANATOLIA third time in 72hrs RAMALLAH ANATOLIA/MAARIB

The Palestinian Authority Yemen’s Houthi rebel group yesterday carried out a drone attack decided yesterday not to attend on the Najran airport in southern Saudi Arabia, according to a tele- a US-led economic workshop vision channel linked to the group. next month in Bahrain, according Yesterday’s drone strike was the group’s third attack on the to Saeb Erekat, Secretary- airport within the last 72 hours. General of the Palestine Liber- According to the Houthi-linked Al Maseerah TV channel, the ation Organization (PLO)’s Exec- drone attack targeted a Patriot missile-defence battery that had utive Committee. been installed at the airport. Last week, Saudi Arabia accused the “We do not want to criticise Houthis of staging drone attacks on two pumping stations along the or undermine anyone’s interests, East-West Oil Pipeline, which carries oil from Saudi Arabia’s Eastern but in light of the decisions of the Province to the Port of Yanbu. Since 2015, Saudi Arabia has led a American administration we military coalition against the Houthi rebel group, which overran decided not to participate in the much of Yemen — including capital Sanaa — one year earlier. conference, in Manama in any way,” he said in a statement. Wildfires rage in Israel during heatwave “Those who want to defend the interests of the Palestinian REUTERS/JERUSALEM people must support the Pierre Krahenbuhl, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), position of the Palestinian con- Firefighters yesterday battled wildfires that scorched swathes of shaking hands with a Palestinian man after holding a news conference in Gaza City, yesterday. sensus represented by the forests in central Israel, forcing some small towns to be evacuated, position of [Palestinian] Pres- during a heatwave that brought record temperatures to parts of the ident Mahmoud Abbas, PLO’s “international consensus” at the back-channel peace plan U.S. American embassy to Jerusalem, country. Rescue efforts focused on a wooded area between Jeru- Executive Committee, the Pal- UN Security Council that President Donald Trump has the Palestinian leadership in salem and Tel Aviv, where ground teams and airplane tankers fought estinian factions, the national opposed the US-administration’s termed the “deal of the century.” Ramallah has rejected any medi- back the flames for hours. By nightfall, the fires were mostly under figures and the private sector.” positions to attempt to topple the Bahrain defended the ating role by the U.S. in the control, according to police. Erekat said the (PLO), the two-state solution on 1967 workshop, characterizing it as Middle East peace process. Some 3,500 residents of small towns were evacuated, officials sole and legitimate represent- borders, and the issues of Jeru- an attempt to empower Jerusalem remains at the said. More than a dozen houses burned down, local media reported. ative of the Palestinian people, salem, refugees, [Israeli] settle- Palestinians. heart of the perennial Mideast Jerusalem, which sits higher up on hilltops, recorded temper- did not authorize anyone to ments and borders. In addition to Bahrain, Saudi conflict, with Palestinians atures of 37.5 degrees Celsius (99.5 Fahrenheit). Moving west toward speak on its behalf. Washington announced Arabia and the United Arab hoping East Jerusalem — the Mediterranean, the heat grew much more stifling. One town “We highly value this Pales- plans Sunday to hold a major Emirates officially announced occupied by Israel since 1967 near Tel Aviv hit 43.5 degrees Celsius, according to the Israel Mete- tinian consensus for the victory conference in Manama, where participation in the workshop. — might eventually serve as the orological Service. The heatwave was expected to continue today, of our legitimate national rights.” U.S. officials will unveil eco- Since Trump’s controversial capital of an independent Pal- and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached out to nearby Erekat thanked the nomic aspects of American announcement to move the estinian state. countries to see if they could help if the wildfires worsen.

Explosion kills two in Iraq’s Qaim Botswana lifts ban on elephant hunting, to some anger REUTERS/FALLUJAH AP The southern African nation of Botswana’s decision will be Ellen DeGeneres joined the farmers - and elephants, the gov- A parked vehicle exploded in JOHANNESBURG is home to an estimated 130,000 felt across Africa. protest. “President Masisi, for ernment’s statement said. It said Iraq’s western province of elephants. The lifting of the ban Botswana has long been a every person who wants to kill hunting will resume “in an Anbar, killing two people and Botswana has lifted its ban on raised concerns about a possible refuge for elephants on a con- elephants, there are millions who orderly and ethical manner” but wounding two others, a district elephant hunting in a country increase in illegal poaching of tinent where tens of thousands want them protected. We’re does not say how it will be reg- mayor said yesterday, the latest with the world’s highest number elephants for their tusks to have been killed over the years watching,” she tweeted after Bot- ulated. The country, with a pop- attack inside what was once of the animals, a decision that supply the ivory trade. for their ivory, and the animals swana’s decision was ulation of just over 2 million Islamic State’s last stronghold in has brought anger from some “Expect mass culling next,” long have been a tourist draw. announced. people, suffers some human- the country. The explosion wildlife protection groups and the CEO of WildlifeDirect, Paula Some had warned of tourism Lifting the hunting ban wildlife conflict but has more occurred in Anbar’s Qaim warnings of a blow to lucrative Kahumbu, said in a post on boycotts if the ban was lifted, and comes amid growing conflicts space than many other countries district, 300km west of Baghdad. tourism. Twitter, warning that the impact even American talk-show host between humans - particularly for animals to roam. FRIDAY 24 MAY 2019 ISLAM 05 The virtue of the last ten days of Ramadan Striving hard in these ten days should not be in a The wisdom specific kind of worship, rather it should be in all behind different acts of worship such as praying, giving I‘tikaaf charity, reciting the Holy Quran, mentioning Allah ‘tikaaf (seclusion in the mosque) was The Almighty and the like. prescribed by Shariah with the main Ipurpose of making the heart fully occupied with and totally devoted to aishah, may Allah be pleased Allah alone, seeking nothing but His with her, said: “When the last pleasure and finding intimacy in none ten days (of Ramadan) would but Allah, thus, this intimacy will begin, the Prophet (peace be remove his loneliness in the grave and upon him) would tie his grant him happiness, and this is the lowerA garment (Izaar) tight, stay up at greatest purpose of I‘tikaaf. night, and wake his family to offer acts Thinking during the I‘tikaaf in of worship.” (Al Bukhari and Muslim) seclusion could actually guide one to a The wording of this reported by solution to that bitter reality that our Muslim is as follows: “The Messenger of Ummah is living through. The poly- Allah (PBUH) would strive hard in theists of the Quraysh did not believe worship in the last ten nights (of in the Prophet (peace be upon him), Ramadan) in a way that he would not saying that they were only following do at other times.” in the footsteps of their fathers. Her saying,“When the last ten days At this point, Allah The Almighty would begin, he would tie his lower addressed them Saying (what means): garment (Izaar) tight” indicates him {Say, “I only advise you of one paying much heed to those days and [thing]…} [Quran 34:46] What is this striving hard in worship during them. one thing? {…That you stand for Allah Scholars hold two different opinions , [seeking truth] in pairs and individ- wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his may Allah be pleased with him, with before Allah alone and pass the Siraat concerning the interpretation of tying ually, and then give thought.} [Quran mention ), and we are not required, the devil, who is a persistent liar, has (bridge over Hell) alone. the lower garment (Izaar) tight: The first 34:46] To think whether your fathers rather we are not permitted, to conse- come to become one of the greatest The person in I‘tikaaf must also be is that this is a metaphor for striving hard were right or wrong. In the same way, crate any human being other than the proofs of the virtue of Aayat Al-Kursi careful in hastening to offer prayer at in worship; and the second is that it is a Allah guides us to a way out of dif- Messenger of Allah (PBUH). We have and the protection that it grants the the beginning of its time and to boost metaphor for keeping away from his ficult situations Saying: {Then do they to seek the truth from whomever has Muslim. So, how can one refuse to listen his faith and hold himself accountable wives and this is the opinion of Sufyaan not give thought? There is in their it without shutting our minds against to a scholar or group of scholars for being negligent and get ready for Athawri as well as Ibn Rajab Al Hanbali. companion [Muhammad] no madness.} eminent scholars and the advocates of because they have merely made some carrying out the duties of Da‘wah, “Stay up at night” refers to engaging [Quran 7:184] truth, even if they make mistakes, and mistakes in their Ijtihaad (personal knowledge and Jihaad. in praying and doing other acts of In this verse, Allah called them to open our minds to junior knowledge effort), when they are not advocates of The one practicing I‘tikaaf should worship instead of sleeping, which is a think and contemplate. We too must seekers and callers to Allah. To not do Bid‘ah (religious innovation) nor fol- avoid intermixing with others except form of death. think and make sure we are on the right so is unreasonable. lowers of personal fancies. When we when praying with people and other “And wake his family” means that path because every human being will When Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be allow ourselves to listen to those who essential matters. He should be keen he would wake them up and urge them be held accountable before Allah for pleased with him, came to tell the warn us against scholars and callers on fulfilling the meaning of seclusion to pray a lot at night. his deeds. Yes, we must benefit from Prophet (PBUH), about his story about from Ahlus-Sunnah (the People of the and I‘tikaaf and consume less food Waking one’s family to pray our scholars and follow their example, the devil who would take from the Sunnah), because they make mis- and drink - only what is necessary. Tahajjud (voluntary night-prayers) is a however, every human being is liable dates he was guarding, and how the takes and listen solely to others from One should sleep less, talk less and recommended act and is even more so to make mistakes except our Messenger devil guided Abu Hurayrah the final among the inexperienced junior mind his own business. All these rep- in the last ten days of Ramadan for the (PBUH). time to reciting Aayat Al-Kursi, the knowledge seekers, we contribute resent part of the wisdom behind great virtue of such nights. It is a great Many people refuse to open their Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam to the adversities and calamities that I‘tikaaf. The Prophet (PBUH), whom the opportunity that every Muslim and his minds except to certain scholars and ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), did not befall our Ummah. I‘tikaaf and Ummah was in great need of, did not family should make the best of and not seekers of knowledge. I have even command him to ignore what the devil seclusion, thus, give us an oppor- even talk to his Companions during his miss. The last ten days are the conclusion heard some of them quoting junior had said to him. tunity to think and contemplate I‘tikaaf. Hence, we have to follow his of this blessed month and what counts in knowledge seekers and refuse to listen Rather, he told him that the devil because each of us will experience example. Talk as needed only during deeds are how they end: It was narrated to seniors. No human being is infallible, had told the truth although he is a per- death alone, be buried alone, res- your I‘tikaaf and avoid humour and that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Indeed, except the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi sistent liar. This story of Abu Hurayrah, urrected alone, held accountable laughing and what is of no use. what counts in deeds are their end.” Striving hard in these ten days should not be in a specific kind of Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with recommended in such nights in which outward adornment will never be com- imploring the King in seclusion unless worship, rather it should be in all dif- him, that the Prophet (PBUH) said: the Night of Al Qadr is more likely to be plete except by adorning the inside as he is him who has adorned and purified ferent acts of worship such as praying, “Whoever stands (in prayer at night on) to take a bath, wear nice fragrance and well by turning to Allah The Almighty his outward appearance as well as his giving charity, reciting the Holy Quran, the Night of Al Qadr out of faith and wear clean, appropriate clothes as pre- in repentance and purifying one’s soul inward reality, for Allah The Almighty mentioning Allah The Almighty and the hoping for reward from Allah, his pre- scribed in the Friday and Eid prayers, from the filth of sins as the adornment knows what is secret and that which is like. vious sins will be forgiven.” and it is in fact prescribed to wear one’s of the external part of the person while even more hidden than that. Allah The Scholars have mentioned that the It was authentically narrated that finest clothes when performing every the filth of sins exists within will be to Almighty does not look at your outward last ten days of Ramadan are better than Aaishah, may Allah be pleased with her, prayer as Allah The Almighty Says: Take no avail. Allah The Almighty Says: O appearance; rather, He looks at your the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. They said: “O Messenger of Allah, if I witness your adornment at every mosque. children of Aadam, We have bestowed hearts and deeds. So whoever stands are the best days of the year as a whole the Night of Al Qadr, what should I say?’’ (Quran 7: 31) upon you clothing to conceal your before Him should adorn his outward and they include the Night of Al Qadr, The Prophet (PBUH) replied: “Say: ‘O It was narrated that Ibn Umar, may private parts and as adornment. But the appearance by wearing the appropriate which Allah The Almighty has made Allah, indeed You are the Oft-Pardoning, Allah be pleased with him, said: “Allah clothing of righteousness — that is best.} clothing and his inward reality by better than a thousand months. It was You love to pardon, so pardon me.” has more of a right over you to be (Quran 7: 26) wearing the clothing of righteousness. narrated on the authority of Abu Scholars have said that it is adorned for Him.” As a matter of fact, No one will be successful in www.islamweb.com

may Allaah exalt his mention ) recited Al-Baqarah, An-Nisaa’ Night prayers during Ramadan and Aal ‘Imraan in one Rak’ah, in a slow and measured tone. bu Hurayrah, may Allah of Ramadan. Most scholars, days left, when he led us in apart from the Imaam of the men. As regards reciting from the When ‘Umar, may Allah be be pleased with him, said: though, hold the opinion that it prayer until a third of the night It was proven that when ‘Umar, Quran during Qiyaam, whether pleased with him, appointed A“The Messenger of Allah is the 27th. had passed. When there were six may Allah be pleased with him, in Ramadan or at other times, Ubayy ibn Ka’b, may Allah be (peace be upon him) used to According to Ibn‘Umar, may days left, the Prophet (PBUH) gathered the people to pray the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi pleased with him, to lead the encourage us to pray at night in Allah be pleased with him, the did not lead us in Qiyaam. When Qiyaam, he appointed Ubayy ibn wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his people in praying eleven Rak’ahs Ramadan, without making it Prophet (PBUH) said: “He who there were five days left, he led Ka’b, may Allah be pleased with mention ) did not set a limit or in Ramadan, Ubayy used to recite obligatory. Then the Prophet likes to seek that night (Laylat us in prayer until half the night him, to lead the men and state what was too much or too verses by the hundreds, so that said:‘Whoever prays at night in Al Qadr) should do so on the had passed. I said, ‘O Messenger Sulaymaan ibn Abu Hathmah, little. His recitation used to vary; the people behind him would be Ramadan out of faith and the 27th.” (Muslim). Ubayy Ibn K’ab, of Allah, I wish that you had con- may Allah be pleased with him, sometimes it would be long, at leaning on sticks because the hope of reward, all his previous may Allah be pleased with him, tinued until the end of the night.’ to lead the women. ‘Arfajah Al- other times short. Sometimes in prayers were so long, and they sins will be forgiven.’ When the said: “I swear by Allah, it is the Prophet (PBUH) said: “If a Thaqafi, may Allah be pleased every Rak’ah he sallallaahu did not finish until just before Messenger of Allah (PBUH) died, during Ramadan — and He man prays with the Imam until with him, said: “‘Ali ibn Abu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah Fajr. It is also reported that this is how things were (i.e., swore to that – and by Allah, I he finishes, it will be counted as Taalib, may Allah be pleased with exalt his mention ) would recite ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with Taraaweeh was not prayed in know what night it is. It is the if he prayed the whole night.” him, used to command the people the equivalent of Chapter Al- him, called the readers during congregation), and this is how night of the 27th. Its sign is that When there were four nights left, to pray during the night in Muzzammil (73), which is twenty Ramadan, and told the fastest of they remained during the the sun rises the next morning he did not lead us in Qiyaam. Ramadan, and he would appoint verses; sometimes he sallallaahu them to recite thirty verses, the Caliphate of Abu Bakr, may Allah white and without any rays”. When there were three nights an Imaam for the men and an `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah moderate ones to recite twenty- be pleased with him, until the Yet, it is preferred to seek left, he brought together his Imaam for the women. I was the exalt his mention ) would recite five verses, and the slowest ones beginning of the Caliphate of this night during the last ten family, his wives and the people, Imaam for the women.” the equivalent of fifty verses. He to recite twenty verses. ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased nights of Ramadan, as the and led us in Qiyaam … Then he The number of Rak’ahs sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( However, is a person is with him.” Prophet, sllallaahu ‘alayhi wa did not lead us in Qiyaam for the (prayer units) is eleven, and it is may Allaah exalt his mention ) praying Qiyaam by himself, he The best night ever is Laylat sallam, strove his best in seeking rest of the month.” [Abu preferable not to exceed this used to say: “Whoever prays at can make it as long as he wishes; Al Qadr (Night of Decree or it during that time. The Prophet Daawood and others] The number, following the practice of night and reads one hundred if others agree with the Imaam, Power), because the Prophet would stay up all night during reason why the Prophet (PBUH) the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) verses will not be recorded as he may also make it as long as he (PBUH) said: “Whoever prays at the last ten nights, would wake did not continually lead them in Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased one of the negligent.” wishes. The longer it is, the better, night during Laylat Al Qadr out his wives, and then would Qiyaam for the rest of the month with her, was asked about how the When he was sick, the but the Imaam should not con- of faith and the hope of reward, remain apart from them to because he feared that it would Prophet prayed in Ramadan. She Prophet (PBUH) recited the seven tinually spend the whole night in all his previous sins will be for- worship. then become obligatory, and said: “The Messenger of Allah long Chapters in his night Qiyaam, following the example given.” (Al Bukhari and Muslim) It is preferred to pray they would not be able to do it. never prayed more than eleven prayers, i.e., Al-Baqarah, Aal of the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi Scholars hold different Qiyaam in congregation, Rak’ahs (of Qiyaam), whether ‘Imraan, An-Nisaa’, Al-Maa’idah, wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his opinions as to which of the because this is what the Prophet Women can pray Qiyaam in during Ramadan or any other Al-An’aam, Al-A’raaf and At- mention ) who said:“If any of you nights is Laylat Al Qadr.Some (PBUH) did himself and congregation time. He would pray four Tawbah. According to Huthayfah leads the people in prayer, let him hold the opinion that it is the explained its virtues. Abu Tharr, Women can attend the (Rak’ahs), and don’t ask me how ibn Al-Yamaan, may Allah be make it short, because among 21st, some say the 23rd, others may Allah be pleased with him, prayers too, as is stated in the beautiful or how long they were. pleased with him, who prayed them are the young and the old, say the 25th and still others say said: “We fasted Ramadan with Hadeeth of Abu Tharr, may Allah Then he would pray four, and behind the Prophet sallallaahu the weak, and those who have it is the 29th. Some say that it the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) be pleased with him, referred to don’t ask me how beautiful or how `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah pressing needs. But if he is praying varies from year to year but it is and he did not lead us in Qiyaam above. Indeed, it is permissible to long they were. Then he would exalt his mention ) the Prophet alone, let him make it as long as always among the last ten nights at all until there were only seven appoint an Imaam just for them, pray three ….” (Bukhari, Muslim] sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( he likes.” [Al-Bukhari] 06 ASIA FRIDAY 24 MAY 2019 Modi’s historic win stuns opposition The Election Commission figures showed that the ruling BJP had won 251 seats and was leading in 51. The Congress won 40 and was leading in 12, while Trinamool Congress won 15 and was leading in seven. IANS 348 NEW DELHI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday led the BJP to a stunning and historic victory in 45 52 the Lok Sabha battle, with the ruling party itself set to win 303 seats in a marked improvement 303 over its 2014 showing that left the opposition dazed and demor- 98 alized. The BJP-led NDA is poised to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah get 348 of the 542 Lok Sabha waving towards their supporters after the election results, at party headquarter in New Delhi, yesterday. seats where polling took place in a seven-phase election. The Shiv Sena won 10 seats and was Constitution is supreme. The PM development sent the Sensex leading in 8, all in Maharashtra. also said that the importance of congratulated Modi and the BJP. Hitting out at opposition, he said suffered a blow in the country’s breaching the 40,000-mark as Modi came to the BJP head- the booth-level party workers has “India wins yet again!” Modi said the 2019 mandate has buried the politically most critical state. The India Inc celebrated. quarters in the evening to cele- been understood by all the in his tweet soon after it became politics of casteism, dynasty and BSP was poised to win just 10 Late night Election Com- brate the party’s victory with the parties. He said the mandate won clear that BJP would get a appeasement and is “a victory of seats and the Samajwadi Party mission figures showed that the workers and sought to brush by the BJP-led coalition was the majority on its own. nationalism”. In Maharashtra, the 6 as their caste formula got BJP had won 251 seats and was aside the bitterness of the poll biggest development in the dem- Congratulations poured in for BJP is poised to win 41 out of 48 drowned by Modi’s election cam- leading in 51. The Congress won campaign, saying “who said what ocratic world and reflected the Modi, who was re-elected by over in Maharashtra along with the paigning based mainly on 40 and was leading in 12, while during the campaign is past for strength of democracy. 4.75 lakh votes from Varanasi in Shiv Sena, 11 out of 14 in aggressive nationalism. Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool me”, and that “we have to look to The BJP routed the Congress, Uttar Pradesh. BJP President Amit Jharkhand and 9 out of 14 in The DMK-led alliance made Congress has won 15 and was the future.” Accepting the which could barely improve Shah also won with an equally Assam. UPA Chairperson Sonia a clean sweep of Tamil Nadu and leading in seven. Congress’ ally mandate with humility, Modi beyond its 2014 tally of 44 seats. thumping margin from Gandhi- Gandhi, who had planned a was set to take 36 of the 38 seats. DMK has won 16 seats and was promised that he will not work Party chief Rahul Gandhi suffered nagar in Gujarat. meeting of opposition parties The Congress, a DMK ally, won leading in seven. with “ill intentions.” “The people a shock defeat in Amethi, but won Shah, who also addressed the here yesterday in the hope of dis- 8 seats. Just Punjab, Kerala and A large number of BJP’s have filled the bag of this ascetic. from Wayanad in Kerala. Nine of function at BJP headquarters, lodging Modi, was the sole Con- Tamil Nadu accounted for 31 of alliance partners appeared to put I bow my head to 130 crore party’s former chief ministers lost described Modi as the world’s gress winner for the Congress in the Congress party’s expected 52 up a good show with JD(U) people of the country,” he said, or were on the verge of losing. “most popular” leader and Uttar Pradesh. Lok Sabha seats. In many states, having already won 16 seats and adding he will take his critics Rahul accepted responsibility for credited him for party’s spec- The SP-BSP alliance, which the Congress failed to open its leading in one, all in Bihar. The along with humility as the the party’s defeat and tacular victory in Lok Sabha polls. was confident of tripping the BJP, account or won just one seat. Rahul concedes defeat in family bastion, wins big in Wayanad World leaders congratulate AFP/IANS the constituency is considered Kerala’s Wayanad seat - the NEW DELHI one of the two Nehru-Gandhi second seat he contested in the Modi over win family bastions. 2019 polls - with a record margin Congress President Rahul Gandhi The heavy losses suffered by of 431,770 votes. IANS yesterday conceded he had lost the Congress to Modi put paid to Gandhi defeated his nearest NEW DELHI his seat in the famous family’s Gandhi’s hopes of becoming the rival PP Suneer of the Com- long-held home constituency. fourth member of his famous munist Party of India who As he retained power with a “Smriti Irani (of the BJP) has dynasty to lead the world’s secured 274,597 votes, while resounding electoral victory, won in Amethi and I congratulate biggest democracy. Gandhi got 706,367 votes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi her. The people of Amethi have “I can’t comment on the This margin of victory is the yesterday received congratu- given their mandate,” Gandhi results today. I want to say that highest in the state for any Lok latory messages and phone calls told a news conference. our fight is a fight for ideology. I Sabha constituency. from a host of foreign leaders, At national level, Congress want to tell our leaders, who won Former Chief Minister including his Pakistani coun- looked to have been given a and lost, don’t worry, don’t lose Oommen Chandy, who was the terpart Imran Khan and hiding at the polls as Prime Min- confidence. We will fight first person to announce the can- Chinese President Xi Jinping. ister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya together for our ideology,” didature of Gandhi expressed Among other foreign Janata Party headed for a land- Gandhi told the news happiness at the huge victory. leaders to congratulate Modi slide victory. conference. “This result was a foregone were Russian President Congress has held Amethi in “It doesn’t matter what I conclusion, as right from the day Vladimir Putin, Israeli Prime Uttar Pradesh state since 1967 think went wrong. Frankly his name was announced, we Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, except for one three-year stint people of India have decided that could sense that the people in French President Emmanuel in 1977-80 and a separate one- Modi should be the prime min- Wayanad had accepted him. His Macron, Japanese Prime Min- Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (centre), the Congress General-Secretary for year period in 1998-99. ister, as an Indian person I accept visits to the constituency really ister Shinzo Abe, Bangladeshi eastern Uttar Pradesh, looks on during Congress President Rahul Rahul Gandhi, 48, won the it,” he said. made every Congress worker Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, seat in 2004, 2009 and 2014 and Mweawhile, Rahul won excited,” said Chandy. Gandhi’s press conference in New Delhi, yesterday. Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani, and Sri Lankan Pres- Congress wins UDF sweeps away Left in Kerala whitewash, BJP draws blank ident Maithripala Sirisena. Imran tweeted his message eight seats in IANS seat and the BJP again drew a 431,770 votes. A total of 10 UDF and Hibi Eden from Ernakulam. on Twitter. “I congratulate THIRUVANANTHAPURAM blank. The UDF tally included the candidates won with margins of Two of them won by over Prime Minister Modi on elec- Punjab Congress with 15, the Indian over one lakh - Shashi Tharoor 90,000 votes - K Sudhakaran in toral victory of BJP and allies. With counting of votes almost Union Muslim League with two from Thiruvananthapuram, PK Kannur and TN Prathapan in Look forward to working with IANS done in Kerala, the Congress-led and the Kerala Congress-Mani Kunhalikutty in Malappuram, ET Thrissur - while K Muraleed- him for peace, progress and CHANDIGARH UDF had won or was winning 19 and the Revolutionary Socialist M ohammed Basheer in Ponnani, haran (Vadakara) and MK prosperity in South Asia,” he of the state’s 20 seats, including Party with one each. Remya Haridas in Alathur, Benny Raghavan won with over 80,000 posted. The Chinese President Punjab’s ruling Congress won Wayanad from where Congress This time, the UDF candi- Behanan in Chalakudy, NK votes. The other winners include wrote a letter to Modi, saying eight of the 13 Lok Sabha seats, President Rahul Gandhi also dates has won with substantial Premachandran in Kollam, Adoor Prakash, VK Sreekandan, he attached “great importance” one of the few states where it contested, while the ruling CPI- margins, led by Gandhi who won Thomas Chazhikadan in Kot- Rajmohan Unnithan, Kodikunnil to the development of Sino- did well, while the BJP and its M-led LDF was ahead in just one by the state’s highest margin of tayam, Dean Kuriakose in Idukki Suresh, and Anto Antony. India relations. ally Akali Dal bagged two seats each. Bhagwant Mann, the Trinamool wins 15 seats in AAP’s only hope, retained his seat. The prominent winners West Begal, BJP bags 13 included actor-turned politician IANS supremo Mamata Banerjee’s Sunny Deol (Gurdaspur), Union KOLKATA nephew and Diamond Harbour Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal MP Abhishek Banerjee is leading (Bathinda) and her husband Bengal’s ruling Trinamool by over 3,20,678 votes over Sukhbir Singh Badal (Fero- Congress has won 15 Lok Sabha BHP’s Nilanjan Roy Congress MP zepur) and former Union Min- constituencies and is leading in Adhir Ranjan is leading in Baha- isters Manish Tewari (Anandpur seven while the BJP has bagged rampur by 79,694 votes over his Sahib) and Preneet Kaur 13 seats and is leading in five. nearest Trinamool candidate (Patiala), wife of Chief Minister The Congress is leading in two Apurba Sarkar Trinamool’s Amarinder Singh. The prom- Lok Sabha seats. Babul Supriyo veteran Sisir Adhikari retained inent losers included Union of the Bharatiya Janata Party the Kanthi seat by margin of Minister of State for Housing defeated his nearest rival 1,11,668 votes defeating BJP’s and Urban Development Trinamol Congress’ Moon Moon Debasis Samanta. Hardeep Singh Puri, the BJP Sen by 1,97,637 votes in Asansol. Kolkata South’s Trinamool candidate from Amritsar. The Trinamool’s veteran and nominee Mala Roy won by Congress bagged Amritsar, state minister Subrata 1,55,192 votes, defeating Faridkot, Anandpur Sahib, Mukherjee lost to BJP’s Subhas Chandra Kumar Bose of BJP, Jalandhar, Khadoor Sahib, Sarkar in Bankura Deepak Adhikari (Dev) of Tri- Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib and constituency. namool Congress defeated BJP’s Patiala seats while the Shi- SS Alhuwalia of the BJP Bharati Ghosh by 10,79,973 votes romani Akali Dal won Bathinda defeated Trinamool Congress’ in Ghatal. Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Ferozepur and the BJP Gur- Mamtaz Sanghamita by 2,439 retained Kolkata North seat by Supporters of Trinamool Congress (TMC), celebrate after learning the initial poll results, in Howrah, daspur and Hoshiarpur seats. votes in Burwan-Durgapur. a margin of 1,27,095 votes West Bengal, India, yesterday. AAP won from Sangrur. Trinamool Congress defeating BJP’s Rahul Sinha. FRIDAY 24 MAY 2019 ASIA 07 Imran suspends Pakistan conducts training launch of ballistic missile

ANATOLIA police amid outrage KARACHI Pakistan yesterday conducted over child’s murder “successful” training launch of surface-to-surface ballistic REUTERS Army has also missile Shaheen-II, which is ISLAMABAD offered help in capable of carrying both conven- investigating the tional and nuclear warheads up Pakistani Prime Minister Imran to a range of 1,500 kilometres Khan has suspended police case which caused (932 miles), the Military said. officers accused of being slow protests and uproar The training launch having to investigate the abduction and in the country. its impact point in the Arabian murder of a 10-year-old girl in Sea, was aimed at ensuring oper- a case that has sparked national ational readiness of the army outrage, a Minister said responsible for her murder as strategic forces command, yesterday. they didn’t let us enter the police Pakistan Army said in a The family of the murdered station when my sister went statement. girl, Farishta, say that they missing in the evening on May “Shaheen-II is a highly reported her missing on May 15 15,” Farishta’s brother, Abdul capable missile which fully but the police in the capital Qayum, said. meets Pakistan’s strategic Islamabad refused to investigate Farishta’s father told the BBC needs towards maintenance of the case or register a missing that police tasked him with car- desired deterrence stability in persons report for five days. rying out chores for them the region”, the statement Shaheen II, surface-to-surface ballistic missile, capable of delivering conventional and nuclear weapons Farishta’s body was dis- around the police station for added. at a range of up to 1500 miles, during a training launch in Pakistan, yesterday. covered on Monday but her several days, including cleaning President Dr Arif Alvi, Prime family, ethnic Pashtuns, have their offices and bringing them Minister Imran Khan, and the spoken out against the officials, fruit for their dinner. three Services Chiefs have con- sea and land disputes and have 1974, prompting Islamabad to out a series of its own tests in accusing police of treating them Pakistan Military yesterday gratulated the scientists and fought three wars and a three- follow suit. Pakistan developed 1999. Only three weeks later, “like animals”. Amid suspicions said those who killed Farishta engineers on successful conduct week long skirmish since 1947. its own nuclear capability in the Pakistan conducted six suc- Farishta was raped before being “must be brought to justice”. of the training launch, it added. Nuclear powers Pakistan and 1980s, when it was an ally of the cessful tests in the remote Chaghi killed, many Pakistanis vented “Army is ready to provide The latest missile test follows India are among a small handful US in the first Afghan war against district near the Afghanistan- their anger under social media any support in this regard. We heightened tensions between the of countries with nuclear the crumbling Soviet Union. Iran border, stoking fears of a hashtag #JusticeForFarishta. must rise and join to protect our arch rivals - Pakistan and India arsenals. India joined the nuclear It did not conduct any nuclear war between the The military yesterday also future generations from vile and - which are locked in a string of club long before Pakistan, in nuclear tests until India carried longtime rivals. offered to help solve a case that despicable elements who prey has caused uproar in the on vulnerable children,” military country. spokesman Major-General Asif British Airways Firdous Ashiq Awan, Imran’s Ghafoor tweeted. E-Court system in Pakistan from Monday de facto information minister, The suspended police offi- INTERNEWS/ISLAMABAD people approaching courts for this facility from Monday. to resume said the Premier took notice of cials could not be reached for redressal of their grievances. E-Court facility will provide an the case and ordered the sus- comment. It is for the first time in the Initially this facility is being effective platform which will Pakistan flights pension of the officers. Ashiq said the case had been judicial history of Pakistan that started at the Principal Seat, discourage adjournments, “I assure you that the cul- an “eye-opener” for the courts will be connected through Islamabad and the Supreme encourage legal fraternity to next week prits will be taken to task and all government. application of latest video-link Court Branch Registry, Karachi. plead their cases without any those who didn’t discharge their “It also indicates that how connectivity. It will benefit the A three-member Bench headed delay and at the same time REUTER duty will be made an example,” our social challenges have lawyers as well as litigants and by Chief Justice of Pakistan provide convenience to the ISLAMABAD she told reporters. increased,” she said. make the judicial system more Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa Advocates to pursue their cases “We hold the police responsive to the needs of the will start hearing cases through in other courts. British Airways will resume flights to Pakistan next week a decade after it suspended oper- ations following a major hotel Two air strikes kill 14 Afghan civilians: UN Mission bombing, becoming the first Western airline to restart flights AFP Afghan military does have a groups killed 227 people, UNAMA to the South Asian country. KABUL fledgeling air force, most strikes said. The development comes as BA halted service to are led or supported by American the US steps up its air campaign Pakistan in the wake of the Two air strikes have killed 14 air power. US Forces Afghanistan in Afghanistan while pushing for 2008 Marriott Hotel bombing civilians in Afghanistan in recent declined to comment. a peace deal with the Taliban, in the capital Islamabad that days, the United Nations said According to US Air Force who now control or influence took place during a period of yesterday, as the US intensifies Central Command, the US more parts of the country than devastating militant violence in its air war across the country. dropped 7,362 bombs in Afghan- at any time since they were Pakistan. According to the UN Mission istan in 2018, the highest number ousted in 2001. Security has since in Afghanistan (UNAMA), five since at least 2010. At least eight police officers improved, with militant attacks women and seven children were In April, UNAMA published were killed May 16 in southern sharply down, reviving Pakistan among the 14 civilians killed in a report saying Afghan civilians Afghanistan during a “friendly as a destination for tourist and Helmand province in the south are for the first time being killed fire” strike from US forces. investors. “The final touches are on May 20, and Kunar province in greater numbers by US and And UNAMA last week said coming together for the airline’s in the east on May 22. pro-government forces than by it was probing allegations of return ahead of the first flight “Civilian casualty toll from the Taliban and other insurgent civilian casualties resulting from Officials of Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS), on Sunday June 2,” British airstrikes in #Afghanistan con- groups. US air strikes against purported escort an alleged Taliban and IS fighter after he and others were Airways said in a statement. It tinues to rise,” UNAMA said on During the first three months drug-making facilities in western presented to media in Jalalabad yesterday. Afghan security forces will launch a three-per-week Twitter. of 2019, international and pro- Afghanistan. have detained seven alleged Taliban and four IS militants. service to London Heathrow, it “Parties must respect inter- government forces were respon- The allegations centre on said. “We’re on board,” Paki- national obligations to protect sible for the deaths of 305 strikes conducted earlier in May where dozens of structures said heroin and other illegal drugs stani Civil Aviation spokes- civilians from harm.” While the civilians, whereas insurgent in Farah and Nimroz provinces, to have been used to produce were destroyed. woman Farah Hussain said about the flights resumption. BA, which is owned by Sri Lanka frees Spanish-registered IAG, will Islamabad offers mediation between US, Iran begin the London Heathrow- Islamabad service with the air- firebrand INTERNEWS upheld and misgivings should be Minister will have a detailed dis- Kashmir dispute should accept line’s newest long-haul aircraft, ISLAMABAD monk from jail removed through negotiations. cussion on it. On Kashmir ground realities and aspirations the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The Spokesperson confirmed dispute, the Foreign Office of the people of Kashmir. At present, only loss- AFP/COLOMBO Pakistan’s Foreign Office has that Iranian Foreign Minister spokesperson said there cannot When asked to comment on making national carrier said Pakistan has offered its Javad Zarif was arriving in be any change in the status of the brief interaction between the Pakistan International Airlines A firebrand Sri Lankan Buddhist services on many occasions for Islamabad yesterday afternoon Kashmir without plebiscite in the Foreign Ministers of Pakistan (PIA) flies directly from monk serving a six-year jail dialogue between the US and for talks with Pakistani lead- territory as per the UNSC reso- and India on the sidelines of SCO Pakistan to Britain, but its term for contempt of court was Iran to reduce the current ership. The visiting dignitary will lutions and aspirations of meeting in Bishkek, the spokes- ageing fleet of planes is a fre- freed yesterday following a tension in their relations. hold talks with his counterpart Kashmiri people. The spokes- person said that Foreign Minister quent source of complaints by presidential pardon, officials At his weekly news briefing Shah Mahmood Qureshi today. person denounced what he himself will soon give a passengers. said. Galagodaatte Gnanasara in Islamabad yesterday, Foreign The spokesperson said Pakistan called Indian atrocities in Indian- statement on it. Faisal said there BA said there will be a halal was driven out of the Welikada Office Spokesperson Dr is concerned over the grave sit- administered Kashmir and illegal has been some good progress in meal option in every cabin and prison hospital where he had Muhammad Faisal stressed the uation prevailing in the Persian detention of Hurriyat leaders. He negotiations with Japan for the airline would also ensure spent much of his sentence need that the international Gulf and during talks with his said India instead of misleading export of skilled manpower to sauces in every meal do not since his first imprisonment in agreement on Iran must be Iranian counterpart, Foreign international community on that country. contain alcohol or pork. June last year. The controversial monk left through a backdoor, avoiding ‘Traffic jam’ on Everest as two journalists and hundreds of supporters who gathered outside. Gnanasara has been climbers die reaching Summit serving concurrent jail sen- AFP/KATHMANDU busiest-ever days on the 8,848- tences extending up to six years metre (29,029-feet) peak. over his disruptive behaviour A huge queue of climbers has Donald Lynn Cash, 55, col- in a lower court, and for intim- formed near the summit of lapsed at the summit on idating a woman litigant in Mount Everest as expedition Wednesday as he was taking 2016. He has long been accused organisers yesterday reported photographs, while Anjali of instigating hate crimes two more deaths on the world’s Kulkarni, also 55, died while against minority Muslims in the highest mountain. descending after reaching the Buddhist-majority country, but More than 200 climbers top. Kulkarni’s expedition denied involvement in anti- were taking advantage of clear organiser, Arun Treks, said Muslim riots in 2014 that left weather on Wednesday to heavy traffic at the summit had four people dead. attempt to summit from both delayed her descent and caused Officials said President Nepal and China, but teams had her death. Maithripala Sirisena pardoned to line up for hours to reach the “She had to wait for a long Gnanasara days after releasing top - risking frostbite and time to reach the summit and 762 other convicts to mark altitude sickness. An American descend,” said Thupden Sherpa. Vesak, which commemorates and Indian climber are the latest “She couldn’t move down on her This handout photo released yesterday by an expedition shows heavy traffic of mountain climbers the birth, enlightenment and fatalities, their expedition organ- own and died as Sherpa guides lining up to stand at the summit of Mount Everest. passing away of the Buddha. isers said, on one of the brought her down.” 08 VIEWS FRIDAY 24 MAY 2019 Europe is sending us a warning ESTABLISHED IN 1996 for 2020. Will we listen? CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI [email protected]

EDITORIAL Leaders of some of Europe’s leading nationalist parties at a rally in Milan on May 18. accounts have reached 241 million Euro- So why should Americans care? peans during the election campaign. Because Europe’s disinformation plague Yet Russia is far from the only culprit. offers a preview of what we can expect in Final whistle for World Cup The evidence suggests that Europeans the run-up to the 2020 presidential elec- themselves are now the greater perpe- tion. Our social media environment is he State of Qatar yesterday welcomed the statement trators. Most belong to far-right populist evolving along exactly the same lines. Here, issued by the Federation Internationale de Football CHRISTIAN CARYL movements, though some also come from too, far-right conspiracy theories - think TAssociation (FIFA) that FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will THE WASHINGTON POST the extreme left. Most importantly, the Pizzagate - circulate freely through Fox remain as originally planned with 32 teams. On Wednesday, boundaries between domestic and foreign News and Russian-sponsored propaganda FIFA scrapped plans to expand the 2022 Qatar World Cup mericans don’t usually pay disinformation are growing increasingly websites. (And Soros plays a boogeyman to 48 nations and decided to stick with 32 teams plan, assuring much attention to European blurred, as both foreigners and locals hap- role here as well, a conceit that American that no proposal will be submitted at the next FIFA Congress Parliament elections — and it’s pily exchange memes, myths and talking right-wing trolls seem to have taken on on 5 June. Adifficult to blame them, to be points. Small wonder that European as it became increasingly popular among The date of December 2, 2010 was the date, the State of honest. While the Parliament is more authorities are failing to cope. their confederates in Europe. Qatar was awarded the right to host the 2022 FIFA World important than it used to be, the gov- “It’s a whole ecosystem,” says Alice It’s worth noting that the European Cup for the first time in the Middle East, and will remain a erning institutions of the European Stollmeyer, a former digital activist from Union — in contrast to the United States milestone in the history of Gulf, Arab region and Islamic world. Union are a bewildering bureaucratic the Netherlands who now runs the advo- — has at least developed a coherent strat- Therefore Qatar will host Middle East’s first football world mess. (Most Europeans can’t explain to cacy group Digital Democracy. “It’s no egy, known as the “Action Plan against cup during the period from 21 November to 18 December you how the whole thing works, either.) longer just state-backed, but it’s of domes- Disinformation,” to respond to the prob- 2022. Yet this time around, we’d be well tic origin as well.” Stollmeyer warns against lem. Yet, so far, European authorities have In a statement, Qatar pointed out that it will remains as advised to pay close attention to what’s the idea that this campaign is related solely proved strikingly ineffective at counter- committed as ever in ensuring the 32-team FIFA World Cup happening as voters in 28 countries head to the European elections. “There’s a shift ing the threat. in 2022 is one of the best tournaments ever and one that to the polls Thursday — because two years from misleading facts to misleading nar- Piecemeal fact-checking efforts makes the entire Arab world proud. from now, we could be seeing a repeat of ratives — and it’s not just one article or and pleas to social media platforms to Following the conclusion of the joint feasibility study, Qatar the same tactics that enemies of the open tweet, but a tapestry that’s being woven act more decisively against malign users and FIFA have reached the decision that the FIFA World Cup society are currently deploying across all year long.” As one example, she cites have produced few results. If, as antici- Qatar 2022 will remain as a the Atlantic. the “Great Replacement” - the burgeoning pated, right-wing populists end up winning 32-team tournament, the Why? Because Europe is currently white nationalist claim that immigrants big in Europe’s parliamentary elections, Supreme Committee for Delivery awash in a flood pose an existential threat to the Euro- unchecked disinformation will be a big and Legacy (SC) said in a of informa- pean identity. part of the explanation. statement. tion pollution A recent study in the Czech Republic We still have time to draw the nec- In statement the The statement added Qatar — distortions, dramatises the extent of the problem. Poll- essary lessons. Just as in Europe, it is State of Qatar had always been open to the idea propaganda sters from Nielsen Admosphere found that now our own people who are primarily pointed out that of an expanded tournament with A recent study in and just plain 28 percent of the population believe that responsible for twisting the truth on an it will remain as 48-team edition was in the best lies. It should “the EU is actually organising the illegal industrial scale. interest of football and Qatar as the Czech Republic come as lit- migration of Muslim country people to And, just as in Europe, we are doing committed as the host nation. dramatises the extent tle surprise Europe.” Nineteen percent of those over little to compel the social media platforms ever to ensuring A joint Qatar and FIFA of the problem. at least some the age of 55 said that anti-government to clean up their act and decontaminate the 32-team FIFA analysis has come to conclusion Pollsters from Nielsen of it is being demonstrations in Slovakia, Hungary our information environment. And the World Cup in 2022 that due to the advanced stage Admosphere found pushed by Rus- and their own country were “paid for Trump administration has still done little is one of the best of preparations and the need for that 28 percent of the sia, which has a by George Soros.” to develop a coherent program for address- tournaments ever a detailed assessment of the clear interest in Though the Russians play a well- ing the problem. potential logistical impact on population believe sowing discord, documented role in disseminating There is no hint of an overarching and one that makes Qatar, more time would be that “the EU is actually discrediting disinformation throughout the country’s strategy for countering the online machin- the entire Arab required and a decision could not organising the illegal democracy and social media, the Czechs themselves have ery of lies that has become such a part world proud. be taken before the deadline of migration of Muslim undermining proved proficient at generating mislead- of everyday life. June. It was therefore decided not country people to the European ing content - starting with the country’s We can’t say we weren’t warned. We to further pursue this option. Europe.” Nineteen idea. One recent own president. know that social media platforms thrive For its part FIFA stressed that “In line with the conclu- report by US “The far-right populist politicians are on the cultivation of strong emotions, sions of the feasibility study approved by the FIFA Council at percent of those over cybersecurity using the same materials as the Kremlin leaving them vulnerable to mischief and its last meeting, FIFA and Qatar have jointly explored all pos- the age of 55 said firm Safe- when it’s trying to interfere with domes- manipulation. We know that deepening sibilities to increase the number of participant teams from that anti-government Guard Cyber tic affairs,” says Veronika Víchová of the polarisation and the culture of “alterna- 32 to 48 teams by involving neighboring countries at the FIFA demonstrations in concluded that European Values think tank in Prague. tive facts” are corroding our democratic World Cup Qatar 2022,” Taking into account the time needed Slovakia, Kremlin-linked “Unless you understand the precise moti- institutions. Enough of the excuses. It’s for preparations since the Qatar awarded the right to host social media vation, it’s very hard to tell them apart.” time to act. the tournament, has made FIFA conclude that there is no enough time to prepare a country to host the extra games. Another factor hindered the implementation of the pro- posal is the current Gulf crisis which has put the hosting country under siege by its closed neighbours since June 5, India needs a leader for all Indians 2017 creating unprecedented political circumstances in the BLOOMBERG sector, particularly goods to return to power. three dozen Muslims have region taking several measures against citizens, economic for export. That will require From the beginning, Modi been lynched since Modi took and logistical disruptions which eventually made enforcement n the world’s biggest making fundamental changes cast the recently concluded office, supposedly for eating of this initiative impossible now as FIFA has noted. election, Indian Prime to labor-market rules and vote as part of a larger bat- or trafficking in beef — while Qatar remained open for the proposal and explored with Minister Narendra land-acquisition laws that tle against thinly disguised the willingness of local BJP FIFA the feasibility of Qatar hosting a 48-team tournament IModi’s victory looks to will allow companies to enemies. He accused the politicians to embrace sus- by, in particular, lowering certain key FIFA requirements, be even bigger than expand and integrate with opposition Indian National pects and undermine police but this need lifting the siege imposed on Qatar and ending expected: His ruling global supply chains. Congress of a treasonous investigations has encour- restriction on Gulf citizens movement and moving from nor- Bharatiya Janata Party India also needs to reverse sympathy for Muslim-major- aged a sense of impunity malisation of ties into the actual cooperation between the appears set to win an out- a disappointing recent trend ity Pakistan, with which India among Hindu radicals. sisterly Gulf States. right majority for the toward protectionism, both had just fought a dangerous Such signals from the top second time, possibly to forestall a backlash from air duel. His top lieutenant have done more than erode improving on its 2014 trading partners and to boost vowed to expel illegal Muslim faith in the police and judi- showing. Clearly, he has a its competitiveness. immigrants, whom he lik- ciary. They’ve poisoned mandate for a second term. Modi needs to start living ened to “termites.” Mocking intercommunal relations QUOTE OF THE DAY Now he needs the ambi- up to his 2014 pledge to pro- worries about rising Hindu and made overt prejudice tions to match. vide “minimum government, militancy, the BJP even put against Muslims far more The future of the UNRWA Two challenges need maximum governance.” Inef- forward as a candidate a self- acceptable than it’s been in is not determined by immediate attention. ficient state banks need to be styled holy woman charged decades. Even if this reflects one party or another, but The first is economic. shut down or privatised to in a bombing that killed six cynical politics, it’s danger- rather by the Member Although Modi introduced get investment flowing again. Muslims. ously short-sighted: It will praiseworthy reforms in his So do state companies such Modi, a career-long aco- make the kind of biparti- States of the UN, and first term — in particular, a as Air India Ltd. that are lit- lyte of the Hindu nationalist sanship needed to promote it is continuing with new bankruptcy code and a tle more than a drain on the movement, has never dis- serious economic reforms its humanitarian work nationwide goods-and-serv- exchequer. guised his conviction that impossible, and threatens to ices tax — he hasn’t yet put the These aren’t new prob- India needs to promote do grave damage to India’s and serving millions of economy on a path to struc- lems. If Modi bears any blame, its Hindu heritage more fragile social fabric. Palestinian refugees turally higher growth. The it’s for not spending more loudly. In power, he has at Modi has once again only way to create the nearly political capital on addressing least tolerated a rising strain proved himself a preternat- Sami Mshasha 1 million jobs per month them. The same can’t be said of anti-Muslim prejudice urally skilled politician. If he UNRWA Spokesman India needs for its swelling for his other central task: to encouraged by BJP support- wants to be a great leader, population is to expand the tamp down the divisiveness ers and party officials. This though, he has to show he country’s manufacturing that he and the BJP exploited has led to violence — at least can be one for all Indians. FRIDAY 24 MAY 2019 OPINION 09 Cleaning up corruption in Malaysia goes beyond Najib

or those of us who have spent annual corruption index. While this is Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Upending decades of authori- years on the front lines of the slightly better than the Southeast and spouted conspiracy theories tarian rule will not happen over- fight against corruption in Asian average, it is far below regional about foreign interference. With a night, let alone in a year. But if the Malaysia, last month marked neighbours like Singapore and Hong weakened and ineffective police and PH government does not want to F judiciary, it was up to was civil society an historic first. Former Prime Min- Kong with similar levels of devel- go down in history as having failed ister Najib Razak finally faced trial in opment and quasi-democratic to investigate and keep up the its voters, there are immediate CYNTHIA GABRIEL one of the dozens of cases against systems. pressure. steps it must take. It should AL JAZEERA him. Najib has been accused of For years, many Malaysians have In 2012, when I was the executive strengthen the MACC so that it is syphoning off hundreds of millions of grown used to paying bribes to get director of Malaysia’s largest human genuinely independent and has the dollars of public funds from the 1MDB things done. Accessing basic services rights organisation SUARAM, my col- power not just to investigate but sovereign wealth fund into his own — like schools, hospitals and even leagues and I filed a legal complaint in also to prosecute corrupt officials. personal accounts. courts — often requires a sweetener. France into an alleged kickback It must ensure that the new Once Malaysia’s most powerful But large-scale graft has always been scheme to the tune of $130m. To our National Anti-Corruption Plan man, Najib was arrested in June last a permanent feature of the political surprise, French authorities launched launched in 2019 is thoroughly year after his Barisan Nasional coa- sphere. A 2014 survey conducted by an investigation, revealing a plot that implemented and not just left as a lition suffered a shock election defeat, Transparency International indicated reached the highest levels of the paper promise. ending its 61-year grip on power. that people saw political parties as the Malaysian government. Crucially, the government must Corruption runs Police raids on his family homes most corrupt bodies in Malaysia, To continue this work, we also repeal draconian laws — such deep in Malaysia, seized more than $273m in cash and closely followed by the police and the founded the Center to Combat Cor- as the Official Secrets Act of 1972 - but heroic efforts by goods, including luxury handbags that civil servants. ruption and Cronyism (C4) in 2014, which have been used to shield civil society groups alone were worth more than $10m. The 1MDB scandal might have which documents and advocates officials from scrutiny and punish Few but Najib’s most ardent sup- made international headlines, but for against corruption and protects activists. have managed to porters believe his claims that these Malaysians the list of similar scandals whistleblowers. Decisive action to lay a solid expose those in were “gifts”. The trial that started in runs long: MARA, FELDA, Tabung For us and many other civil foundation for the fight against cor- charge, all the way April relates to a relatively minor Haji, to name just a few. These are all society activists, this work came at a ruption is critical. There are per- up to the former 1MDB subsidiary, while hearings in government-linked bodies that have high personal cost. I myself was har- sistent rumours that Najib’s legal the main case are set to start in been accused of corrupt practices assed for my role in uncovering gov- team is stalling the cases against prime minister. The August. and, for Malaysians, their acronyms ernment graft. him to buy time until a new (and Pakatan Harapan The scandal has made Najib the symbolise the excesses of the state I faced bogus criminal charges in supposedly friendlier) government government now has poster boy for corruption in Malaysia. and the abuse of public trust and 2013, while state-run TV aired mine takes office. While this is well-deserved, it is also funds. and my colleagues’ images every The former prime minister has an opportunity to important to understand that the rot During Najib’s final years in night, accusing us of outrageous plots launched a charm offensive in cement the progress goes far deeper than one man. Graft is power, he was increasingly busy against the government. Other jour- recent months — even releasing a made — one it must deep-rooted in our society. This year, trying to fend off any form of account- nalists and activists have faced similar cringe-worthy music video - to not miss. Malaysia ranked 61st out of 180 coun- ability. He removed the attorney mistreatment. portray himself as a victim and a tries on Transparency International’s general, manipulated the Malaysian No wonder, then, that us activists man of the people. had high hopes for the new Pakatan Corruption runs deep in Harapan (PH, the “Alliance of Hope”) Malaysia, but heroic efforts by civil government that took office last year. society groups have managed to The PH campaigned on promises to expose those in charge, all the way clean up Malaysia with the ambitious up to the former prime minister. goal of making the county graft-free The Pakatan Harapan government by 2023. now has an opportunity to cement So far, it is fair to say that the gov- the progress made — one it must ernment’s track record is mixed at not miss. best. There have been some notable accomplishments, including the very The writer is the founder and Exec- public pursuit of the charges against utive Director of the Center to Najib. Combat Corruption and Cronyism The government has also (C4). launched a National Anti-Corruption Plan and established committees to investigate other state officials. But overall progress has been slow, as the first year of PH’s rule has been marked by delays in imple- menting its reform agenda, U-turns D-RING ROAD on the need to withdraw repressive POST BOX: 3488 legislation, and inaction on tackling DOHA - QATAR the root causes of corruption. [email protected] Promises have not been translated into reality and too often the gov- ernment has shirked away from con- EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE Former prime minister Najib Razak gets into a car after his court appearance at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, frontation when challenged by the old TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 Malaysia on April 3, 2019. political elites. FAX: +974 4455 7758

MANAGING EDITOR resident Donald Trump has cosmetically different, and has been At the same time, as my TEL: 4462 7505 long said the goal of his willing to suspend his tariffs on Bloomberg opinion colleague Tyler trade policy is simply to get Canada and Mexico to ease its Cowen points out, the rise of China DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR TEL: 4455 7769 better deals for Americans. passage through Congress. is a main driver of populist sen- P timent in the UK and Australia. This But as the trade war intensifies, it Likewise, Trump has been more LOCAL NEWS SECTION seems increasingly likely that his than willing to trumpet his suc- creates political pressure in those TEL: 4455 7743 KARL W SMITH policies will lead to something cessful negotiations with North countries for further isolation from BLOOMBERG more: a lasting break with China Korean leader Kim Jong Un even China. In the US, Trump has made it BUSINESS NEWS SECTION though the evidence for such clear that he sees the trade war with TEL: 4462 7535 success is thin. Meanwhile, the pres- China as politically advantageous ident’s tough talk against Europe for him, and he’s probably right. It’s SPORT NEWS SECTION and Japan for their trade practices, probably also true that this anti- TEL: 4455 7745 and against Nato allies for their China sentiment will outlast him. defense spending, has been mostly Add up all these factors, and the ONLINE SECTION How this trade war bluster. US-China trade war looks like the TEL: 4462 7501 When it comes to China, beginning of a profound break in [email protected] however, the president is doubling the global order. As China and the will remake the world down. He has encouraged US US form two opposing economic PUBLIC RELATIONS supply chains to move out of China and geopolitical coalitions, the rest TEL: 4455 7613 of the world will be forced to and established subsidy programs to [email protected] cushion farmers from the effects of choose. Maybe the European Union can a protracted trade war. ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT and a new alignment of global Which leads to the long-term form a third unaligned pole, as TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 power. implications of this battle. A pro- France and Germany’s membership FAX: 4455 7870 First, consider the evidence for tracted trade war would almost in the EU (and the UK’s absence [email protected] the break. The current impasse in guarantee a global realignment. from it) provides them with the trade talks was sparked by a sudden Supply chains that run through both negotiating power to avoid falling CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT change in terms on the part of the the US and China would constantly under the Chinese or American TEL: 4455 7857 Chinese negotiators. be subject to disruptions, so global sphere of influence. [email protected] This change likely caught the manufacturers would have to Of course, in some ways this Trump’s handling of administration off guard, but decide whether to pursue an Amer- type of multipolar alignment would SUBSCRIPTION & this situation stands in Trump’s response is notable: He ica-centric or China-centric be a return to the past. The dual- DISTRIBUTION sharp contrast to his immediately ramped up tariffs, then strategy. superpower world that existed for TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 negotiating strategy announced a ban on business with That’s already the case in the much of the second half of the 20th FAX: 44557819 Chinese telecommunications firm digital sphere, where Chinese century was always an exception, [email protected] on other issues. and national champion Huawei restrictions on the internet divide and the era of American supremacy Though the president Technologies Co. the world into two parts: that which that began after the collapse of the railed against Nafta These actions have backed is served by US tech giants such as Soviet Union was never going to throughout his Chinese President Xi Jinping into a Google and Facebook, and that last. All thoughts and views corner and turned the trade dispute which relies on Chinese firms such Until recently, however, a new campaign, he’s touted into a matter of Chinese national as Baidu and WeChat. China’s threat kind of bipolar arrangement expressed in these columns its replacement as a pride. This limits the possibility not to cut off US access to rare-earth seemed possible: a kind of compet- are those of the writers, huge success, even only of a quick resolution, but also minerals points to a potential bifur- itive partnership between China and not of the newspaper. of the chances that the Chinese cation in commodities markets as the US, with the EU playing a sup- though it is only people will accept any concessions well. porting role. The events of the last cosmetically different, to the US. The trend is clear: As China’s few weeks have left that looking All correspondence and has been willing Trump’s handling of this situ- economic and geopolitical power increasingly unlikely. regarding Views and to suspend his tariffs ation stands in sharp contrast to his grows, countries within China’s Opinion pages should be negotiating strategy on other issues. sphere of influence will feel The author is a former assistant pro- sent to editor-in-chief on Canada and Mexico Though the president railed against increasing pressure to integrate fessor of economics at the University to ease its passage Nafta throughout his campaign, he’s their economies with Chinese of North Carolina’s school of gov- office or mailed to the through Congress. touted its replacement as a huge supply chains and multinationals ernment and founder of the blog [email protected] success, even though it is only rather than American ones. Modeled Behavior. 10 ASIA FRIDAY 24 MAY 2019 Seven dead after two days of election riots in Jakarta AFP The government has That moves come after fresh JAKARTA also partly blocked skirmishes erupted late access to social Wednesday outside the election Tens of thousands of Indonesian media— including supervisory agency’s office in the military and police were heart of the city, with thousands deployed on the streets of Jakarta Twitter, Facebook and of protesters chanting and yesterday, as a deadline Instagram - in a bid waving Indonesian flags. approached for a presidential to clamp down on Some hurled stones, fire- challenger to file an appeal over works and molotov cocktails at claims of widespread cheating fake news and hoaxes riot police who lined up behind in last month’s election. linked to the violence. a razor wire barricade near the At least seven people were election supervisory agency killed - including a 17-year-old he did, unsuccessfully, against building, where a police post high school student - after two Widodo in the 2014 election. was torched. nights of rioting in the capital as Election officials and analysts Police pushed back the main police clashed with protesters have discounted Subianto’s group of rioters after firing tear opposed to the re-election of claims of rampant cheating in the gas and rubber bullets at the President Joko Widodo. world’s third-biggest democracy, demonstrators. The violence has been after India and the United States. Indonesia’s capital been Smoke billowing from police cars set on fire by the protesters during clashes with anti-riot police in fanned by claims from Widodo’s Nearly 60,000 security per- gripped by bigger demonstra- the Slipi area, Jakarta, Indonesia. rival Prabowo Subianto, a retired sonnel were deployed Thursday, tions in the past, but the level of general, that the April 17 poll was nearly double the previous violence in this week’s clashes a fraud. number, after Widodo vowed has not been seen in years. wounds. Authorities denied suspects were linked to a Elsewhere, smaller poll pro- Indonesia’s election com- that he “won’t tolerate” more Authorities said the violence firing live rounds into the crowd. hardline organisation that had tests were held in Sumatra’s mission on Tuesday confirmed riots. was orchestrated by people who Nine officers had been once pledged allegiance to the Medan city this week and in Widodo had beaten Subianto, The government has also came to Jakarta to stir up injured, police said, but they did Islamic State group. Pontianak on Borneo island, who has until Friday to challenge partly blocked access to social trouble. not give details of wounded pro- Local media this year spec- where over 500 demonstrators the results at the Constitutional media - including Twitter, But they’ve given few details testers thought to number in the ulated about a connection armed with stones and fire- Court. Facebook and Instagram - in a about the circumstances of how hundreds. between the founder of that crackers blocked roads, The 67-year-old has bid to clamp down on fake news the seven died or who was National Police spokesman local organisation and Subianto, damaged vehicles and set two appealed for calm and said he and hoaxes linked to the responsible, earlier saying that Muhammad Iqbal said yesterday after he lent his car to the poli- police posts alight, local police would pursue legal channels, as violence. they had gunshot or blunt force that two of about 300 arrested tician’s campaign team. said.

Papua New Guinea Anti-junta Thai politician suspended PM denies Australia AFP legal cases. The case moving social media, remained defiant citizenship claim BANGKOK forward now concerns allega- in response, calling on Thais to tions that he held shares in a unite to “stop the dictatorship”. AFP Thailand’s constitutional court media company when he regis- “I ask people who love SYDNEY yesterday suspended the wildly tered to run, in violation of justice to stand up and fight popular leader of an anti-junta election rules. together,” he said at his party Papua New Guinea Prime party from parliament a day The court decided to “accept headquarters, as supporters Minister Peter O'Neill yesterday before it convenes, putting the the petition to rule on the case shouted “Fight Thanathorn!” denied claims that he holds brakes on his political career as and will notify the accused,” it The vote for the prime min- Australian citizenship as the it agreed to hear a case against said in a statement, adding his ister could take place as early as embattled leader faces a deep- him. MP status was suspended until next week. But the constitutional ening political crisis. The dramatic intervention the verdict. court, which dissolved another The country's attorney is the latest blow against char- It did not give a date for the anti-junta party in February, general this week launched an ismatic billionaire Thanathorn ruling. could ban Thanathorn from pol- investigation into the status of Juangroongruangkit and his The leader of Thailand’s itics, impose a jail sentence and all 111 members of parliament youth-oriented Future Forward third biggest party will now miss dissolve Future Forward. after opposition MP Bryan Party, which stunned the mil- the convening of parliament The 40-year-old insists the Kramer accused O'Neill of being itary establishment by securing Friday and the vote for a lower media shares were divested both a PNG and Australian Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit flashes over six million votes in March house speaker Saturday. weeks before he registered to citizen. a three-finger salute to his supporters outside a police station in 24 elections but has been But Thanathorn, who exudes run and has called the legal Dual citizenship status dis- Bangkok, Thailand, on April 6, 2019. squeezed by more than a dozen celebrity appeal at rallies and on assaults political sabotage. qualifies a person from office. "I am the current Parlia- mentary Member for Ialibu- Malaysian Pangia and the Prime Minister China rebukes US over warship sail-by in Taiwan Strait of Papua New Guinea and police raid AFP to fly, sail and operate anywhere The sail-by comes on top of and lodged an official complaint therefore I am authorised to BEIJING international law allows.” US tensions between the United with Paris. depose to the facts herein Deloitte office warships periodically conduct States and China over trade and China sees Taiwan as part of stated," O'Neill stated in a court China said yesterday it had “freedom of navigation” exer- US efforts to thwart Chinese its territory to be reunified, affidavit Thursday. in 1MDB probe lodged a protest with Wash- cises in the narrow waterway telecom giant Huawei over despite the two sides being ruled O'Neill states that his father ington after two US warships separating the Chinese mainland security concerns. separately since the end of a civil was born in Melbourne and his AFP sailed through the Taiwan Strait and Taiwan, triggering angry The transit also comes as the war on the mainland in 1949. mother in PNG's southern high- KUALA LUMPUR amid rising tensions between the responses from Beijing every US, Japan, South Korea and Aus- The US diplomatically rec- lands, but he is "not an Aus- two powers. time. tralia kicked off operation ognises China over Taiwan, but tralian citizen". Malaysian police yesterday The US Navy said the USS Beijing views any ships “Pacific Vanguard” near Guam, remains the island’s chief mil- "I have never been an Aus- raided the Kuala Lumpur Preble, a destroyer, and USNS passing through the strait as bringing together more than itary ally and arms supplier. tralian citizen. I do not hold an offices of auditor Deloitte as Walter S Diehl, a supply ship, essentially breaching its sover- 3,000 sailors from the four For the Guam naval drills, Australian passport," the legal they ramp up investigations conducted a routine transit “in eignty, while the US and many countries. Drills will focus on Australia has contributed two document viewed by AFP into a multi-billion-dollar accordance with international other nations view the route as “live fire exercises, defensive frigates, Japan two destroyers states. O'Neill has accused corruption scandal, an official law” on Wednesday. international waters open to all. counter-air operations, anti-sub- and South Korea one destroyer. Kramer of spreading "extreme" said. “The ships’ transit through “We have lodged solemn marine warfare, and replen- The USS Blue Ridge, the 7th and "malicious" false comments Huge sums were stolen the Taiwan Strait demonstrates representations with the US,” ishment at sea,” the US 7th Fleet Fleet’s flagship, will lead the and has sought a court order to from Malaysian state fund the US commitment to a free and Chinese foreign ministry said. In April, Beijing said its navy operation from the US side. prevent the opposition MP from 1MDB, allegedly by former open Indo-Pacific,” the navy spokesman Lu Kang said at a warned off a French warship that Home to more than 160,000 "making further defamatory leader Najib Razak and his said. “The US Navy will continue regular press briefing. had entered the Taiwan Strait people, statements about me". cronies who spent it on every- thing from yachts to rare artwork. Deloitte has come under scrutiny after it audited US, Japan, S Korea, Australia 1MDB’s 2013 and 2014 financial statements. hold naval drills in Pacific Mazlan Mansor, the police’s head of commercial crimes, REUTERS destroyers, two Australian confirmed to AFP that a raid TOKYO frigates and a destroyer from had taken place on Deloitte’s South Korea, with as many as office “in the course of 1MDB US Navy ships conducted joint 3,000 sailors participating. investigations”. Police seized drills with warships from allies The US Navy has deployed documents and files during the Japan, Australia and South Korea five ships as well as fighter jets operation, The Star newspaper in their first combined exercise and maritime patrol planes for reported. Malaysia’s securities in the Western Pacific, the US the drills, which include live fire regulator had already fined the Navy said yesterday. and anti-submarine warfare firm 2.2m ringgit ($525,000) in The Pacific Vanguard exercises. Pacific Vanguard is January for breaches related to exercise near the US island of the latest show of combined a 1MDB bond issuance. Guam takes place ahead of Pres- naval force in the Asia Pacific Deloitte was the third major ident Donald Trump’s visit to region. This month US ships accounting company to audit Japan this weekend, as Wash- conducted drills with French, 1MDB’s books, after KPMG and ington looks to allies in Asia to Japanese and Australian ships Ernst & Young. Deloitte quit as help counter China’s military in the Bay of Bengal, and held 1MDB’s auditor in 2016. might in the region. separate exercises with a Jap- The same year, the firm said “Pacific Vanguard joins anese helicopter carrier and its audits of 1MDB’s financial forces from four, like-minded warships from India and the statements could no longer be maritime nations that provide Philippines in the disputed South relied upon after the US filed security throughout the Indo- China Sea. China claims almost lawsuits linked to the scandal. Pacific based on shared values all of the strategic South China US authorities are seeking and common interests,” Vice Sea, through which passes about to claw back assets allegedly Admiral Phillip Sawyer, com- a third of global seaborne trade. bought in America with funds Marawi City remains in ruins mander of the US Navy’s Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the An aerial view of destroyed buildings in Marawi City on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, stolen from 1MDB and believe Seventh Fleet, said in a Philippines, Taiwan and yesterday. Two years after the city was overrun by militants it remains in ruins. $4.5 billion was looted from the statement. The six-day exercise Vietnam have competing claims fund. involves two Japanese to the waterway. FRIDAY 24 MAY 2019 EUROPE 11

EU citizens UK, Netherlands angry at being denied votes open 28-nation in UK

REUTERS EU elections LONDON AFP More than 400 million LONDON European voters are Hundreds of EU citizens trying to cast their vote for the Voters in Brexit-bound Britain eligible to elect 751 European Parliament elections cast ballots yesterday at the start European Parliament in the United Kingdom today of 28-nation EU elections in members, with the have been turned away because which Eurosceptic, anti-immi- of administrative mistakes, a gration forces have vowed a first results expected campaign group said. political earthquake to shake up late Sunday once Britain was not supposed to the Brussels establishment. voting in the 28 be taking part in the elections With Prime Minister Theresa member states is over. for the European Parliament as May’s resignation appearing it was due to leave the bloc on imminent after she postponed a March 29. However, the forlorn attempt to push her members, with the first results rejection of the divorce deal divorce deal through parliament, expected late Sunday once voting that Prime Minister Theresa Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy leaves a polling Britain joined the Netherlands in in the 28 member states is over. May struck with Brussels meant station on a bicycle after voting for the European elections, in The Hague, Netherlands, yesterday. kicking off four days of voting These are the ninth European Brexit was delayed until across the continent. parliament elections since they October, requiring the vote to The elections were a surreal began in 1979 and voter turnout sition also lag behind on 13. integration. In the Netherlands, Matteo Salvini of Italy’s anti- go ahead. spectacle in a country that was has dropped each time, hitting Around the continent, flamboyant populist Thierry immigrant League and Marine Large numbers of EU supposed to have already left the 43 percent in 2014. national leaders are scrambling Baudet, a classics-quoting Le Pen of France’s far-right nationals recounted on Twitter European Union after voting for The newly-created Brexit to mobilise supporters to resist climate sceptic, is on course to National Rally (RN) want their how they had arrived at polling Brexit in a referendum almost Party, formed only this year by the populist surge, with opinion win the same number of seats as Europe of Nations and Freedom stations to find their names had three years ago. The Brexit crisis Eurosceptic figurehead Nigel polls showing nationalist parties Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s Lib- (ENF) group to become the third been crossed off the list of eli- mirrored deep divisions across Farage, is leading the latest leading in France, Italy and erals. Once best known for naked largest in Brussels. The League gible voters, saying officials had the continent, where rising anti- opinion polls with 37 percent of Hungary, among others. Instagram selfies and contro- has topped opinion polls in Italy. failed to deal with the necessary establishment forces are bidding the vote. Amid widespread frus- Pro-European leaders fear a versial comments about women, Le Pen wants to strike a blow forms in time. to make significant gains in the tration at the political gridlock, good showing for the Euro- Baudet, 36, stunned Europe in to Emmanuel Macron’s faltering The UK’s election watchdog elections. More than 400 million the ruling Conservatives are in sceptics will disrupt Brussels March when his Forum for French presidency by overtaking said if an EU citizen wanted to European voters are eligible to fifth place with just seven decision-making, threatening Democracy became the biggest his centrist, pro-European party vote in Britain rather than their elect 751 European Parliament percent while the Labour oppo- reform efforts at closer party in the Dutch senate. Republic on the Move. home state, they had to transfer their right to do so 12 days ahead of the poll. “We understand the frus- May postpones her final Brexit showdown in parliament tration of some citizens of other EU member states, resident in AFP forward by her decision to hold - one of cabinet’s strongest Brexit the UK, who have been finding LONDON out the prospect of a new Brexit backers - quit her post as the they are unable to vote today referendum to the pro-EU oppo- government’s representative in when they wish to do so,” the The British government sition. The move failed to win parliament over its handling of Electoral Commission said in a yesterday postponed Theresa over any converts and sparked the crisis. “No one has wanted statement. May’s final Brexit showdown in a mutiny within the top echelons you to succeed more than I have, parliament following an outcry of her government and party but I do now urge you to make over concessions that looked set ranks. Senior Conservatives from the right decisions in the interests 102-year-old to speed up the end of her tumul- the so-called 1922 Committee of the country, this government tuous spell as premier. met privately Wednesday to and our party,” Leadsom told suspect in care The increasingly isolated discuss making rule changes that May in her resignation letter. Conservative premier is facing could topple May in the coming May thanked Leadsom for home murder the prospect of being forced to days. her “passion, drive and resign without have achieved her She will meet the group’s sincerity”. AFP mission to guide her fractured leader Friday for talks at which Yet she also took issue with LILLE, FRANCE country out of the European seemingly everyone expects May Leadsom’s assessment of her Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May arrives to vote in the European Union after nearly 50 years of to disclose when she will step Brexit strategy - a stance that A woman aged 102 has been Parliament Elections, in Sonning, Britain, yesterday. membership. down. What happens to Brexit some UK media interpreted as placed in psychiatric care in She had insisted Wednesday in the meantime is unclear. sign that she still intended to northeastern France after she that she would try to ram her schedule published Thursday. from the Whitsun recess” on June The lengthy and rancorous fight for her job. was suspected of murdering her version of Brexit through par- Government whip Mark 4. May had earlier tried to win standoff has delayed Britain’s “I do not agree with you that 92-year-old neighbour in a care liament on the fourth -- and Spencer told lawmakers that over politically ambitious departure from March 29 until the deal which we have nego- home, prosecutors said. what would be her last -- May’s office “will update the holdouts within her own party October 31 - a date that might be tiated with the European Union The victim, was found on attempt in the week starting June House on the publication and by promising them she would extended still further. means that the United Kingdom Saturday night dead and with 3. But the vote was not included introduction of the Withdrawal step down after next month’s May’s woes were under- will not become a sovereign her face swollen in her room at on that week’s parliamentary Agreement Bill on our return vote. But her end is being brought scored when Andrea Leadsom country,” May wrote in reply. the care home in the town of Chezy-sur-Marne. The autopsy showed she YouTuber’s rant died “as a result of asphyxiation UK’s Boris Johnson accused of lying in Brexit campaign caused by strangulation and dents German AFP the claim that Britain sends Johnson was not present, but and dishonest. It was, we say, blows to the head”, prosecutor LONDON £350m ($440m, 400 million his lawyer Adrian Darbishire said criminal. Frederic Trinh said in a conservatives’ euros) a week to the European the former London mayor and “Democracy demands statement. campaign Britain’s former foreign secretary Union. pro-Brexit figurehead - who is responsible and honest lead- “The resident of the neigh- Boris Johnson knowingly lied In a hearing at Westminster now bidding to replace Prime ership from those in public bouring room, aged 102, REUTERS during the 2016 Brexit refer- Magistrates Court in London, Minister Theresa May - staunchly office. When politicians lie, appeared in great agitation and BERLIN endum campaign over the cost lawyers for businessman Marcus denied any wrongdoing. democracy dies,” Lewis said. told one of the medical staff that of the UK’s EU membership, a Ball, who crowdfunded for the Ball’s lawyer Lewis Power In response, Johnson’s she had ‘killed someone’,” he Chancellor Angela Merkel’s court heard yesterday in an bid, lodged an application to argued that Johnson knew the lawyer, Darbishire, “absolutely added in the statement late conservatives have been application with potentially far- summons Johnson. £350-million-a-week figure was denied” that his client had “acted Wednesday. Due to her state of thrown off balance days before reaching implications. After considering the argu- wrong, but he “repeatedly mis- in an improper or dishonest confusion and agitation, the Germans vote in European A private prosecution bid ments, judge Margot Coleman represented the amount the UK manner at any time,” suggesting 102-year-old was transferred Parliament elections by a against Johnson accused him of said she would issue her decision sends to Europe.” Johnson’s that the case was politically to a psychiatric unit after 26-year-old’s hour-long misconduct in public office over on Wednesday. conduct “was both irresponsible motivated. undergoing tests. YouTube polemic, which has been watched over 5 million times in just five days. Ukraine’s Zelensky says first days Merkel’s Christian Demo- crats (CDU) responded to the of presidency ‘a bit’ shocking video, in which the video blogger “Rezo” accuses them of AFP he was buying several books for “destroying the future” through KIEV his children at the high-profile inaction on climate change and fair. Zelensky won a landslide by favouring the rich, in a close- Ukraine’s new President Volo- victory last month on promises typed 11-page rebuttal dymyr Zelensky said yesterday of rebooting the political system yesterday. that his first few days since and purging the influence of pow- “If we don’t change course, assuming office have been “a bit erful oligarchs. like, now, then the future of the of a shock”, pointing to the chal- He was sworn in as president young generation and all future lenges at hand. on Monday and the next day generations is quite simply in Speaking on the sidelines of called early parliamentary elec- the toilet,” said the fast-talking, an international book fair in the tions for July 21. blue-haired Rezo in the video. capital Kiev, Zelensky told AFP In his inaugural address, The CDU said it had con- that “it has been a bit of a shock, Ukraine’s youngest post-Soviet sidered responding in kind with there’s a lot of work.” He also said president vowed to halt a war a video, but had chosen instead that he wanted to move out of the with Russian-backed separatists to issue a more traditional, current presidential offices in the east of the country that albeit unusually lengthy, located in a hulking Soviet-era claimed some 13,000 lives, and statement intended to reach all building in central Kiev. do everything to stop Ukrainians, ages. “I do not like the atmosphere, as he put it, crying. “Click tallies are the cur- the building,” said Ukraine’s sixth But some of Zelensky’s first rency of YouTubers. Trust is president, a 41-year-old staffing decisions raised eye- the currency of a people’s comedian with no previous brows, sparking fear that the party,” read the statement - political experience. political novice might be to some online bemusement, “So we’ll think what to do beholden to tycoon Igor Kolo- even in a country whose about it,” he added, noting that moisky despite repeated denials. adoption of digital technol- such a move would present a lot Zelensky has described Newly elected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky examines books on the IX International Book ogies has been notoriously of difficulties. himself as “an ordinary guy come Festival “Book Arsenal” in Kiev, yesterday. slow. The father-of-two spoke as to break the system.” 12 EUROPE / AMERICAS FRIDAY 24 MAY 2019

UK has warned US unveils $16bn 16 Nato allies of aid for farmers Russia hacking attempts hurt by trade war AFP LONDON AFP The bulk of the funds WASHINGTON will go to direct Britain has shared with 16 Nato payments to farmers, allies details of malicious The United States yesterday Russian cyber activity in their unveiled a new $16bn aid package while a small portion countries over the last 18 to help farmers caught in the will be used to months, foreign minister crossfire of President Donald purchase food to use Jeremy Hunt was to say Trump’s trade war with China. in US aid programmes yesterday. Agriculture Secretary Sonny He will accuse Russia’s Perdue said the bulk of the funds like food banks intelligence services of will go to direct payments to and school lunch mounting a “global campaign” farmers, while a small portion will programmes. targeting critical infrastructure, be used to purchase food to use during a speech at the Nato in US aid programmes like food Cyber Defence Pledge Con- banks and school lunch message that the United States ference in London, to be programmes. will no longer tolerate their unfair attended by the alliance’s head “The plan we are announcing trade practices,” Perdue said. Putin meets President of Congo Jens Stoltenberg. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (centre) attends a signing ceremony following the talks with today ensures farmers do not bear The tariffs collected by the US “This global campaign also President of Congo Republic Denis Sassou Nguesso at the Kremlin in Moscow, yesterday. the brunt of unfair retaliatory Treasury will indirectly support seeks to compromise central tariffs imposed by China and the farm aid, he said. government networks,” he will other trading partners,” Perdue The US Department of Agri- warn, according to extracts of told reporters in a conference call. culture will calculate damage done the speech released by his “Farmers would rather have by the retaliation, and officials said Manafort banker gave loans department. “I can disclose that trade than aid but without the the first of three payments is in the last 18 months, the trade they are going to need some expected to go out in July or August. National Cyber Security Centre support.” Trump’s aggressive tariff Perdue said the size of the aid will has shared information and strategy, especially against China, be “heavily skewed” towards the to gain Trump admin post assessments with 16 Nato allies has drawn stiff retaliation from first payment, while the others will — and even more nations Beijing and others designed to hit depend on the market and the AFP positions in the Trump cabinet in The transition official was not outside the Alliance — of the US where it hurts: farm status of the trade talks. NEW YORK emails to Manafort, including identified in the indictment, but Russian cyber activity in their country. The Trump adminis- But reaching an agreement Treasury secretary, Defence sec- emails produced as evidence in countries.” Nato has 29 member tration ramped up the aid from now “depends on China.” USDA A US banker was charged retary, and secretary of the Army. Manafort’s fraud trial last year states. the $12bn provided last year. officials said the amount each yesterday with approving millions If not any of those jobs, Calk showed it was Trump’s son-in- He will say that attempts to There were high hopes early farmer receives will be based on of dollars in loans to President told Manafort, he could accept an law Jared Kushner. In one influence elections in the this month that a resolution with the damage calculated to each US Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign ambassadorship, listing by order November 30, 2016 email, Man- United States and Ukraine China was within striking dis- county, with equal payments chairman Paul Manafort in expec- of preference the United Kingdom, afort proposed to Kushner that “breach international law -- tance, but that optimism largely made to all farmers based on the tation of getting a top level France, Germany and Italy. Calk be made Army secretary, and justify a proportionate evaporated when Trump said acreage planted, regardless of position in the new adminis- Calk was charged with one stressing his loyalty and advocacy response.” “Together, we Beijing had backed away from crop, to prevent distorting tration. count of financial institution for the incoming president. Calk possess options for responding commitments considered already planting decisions. Stephen Calk, the chairman bribery, which can bring a and two others being suggested to any attacks. We should be settled. He more than doubled Crops covered include alfalfa, of Chicago-based Federal Savings maximum 30 years in prison. for jobs by Manafort would prepared to use them.” existing punitive tariffs on $200bn barley, canola, corn, lentils, rice, Bank, overturned resistance in his The indictment said that Man- advance Trump’s agenda, he in Chinese goods, and threatened peanuts, chickpeas, sorghum, bank to lending $16m to Manafort, afort, who continued to advise the wrote, and “will be totally reliable to hit all the goods that had been soybeans, sunflower seed and who at the time in late 2016 faced Trump campaign after stepping and responsive to the Trump Estate & former spared so far. “China hasn’t played wheat. Dairy producers, as well losing valuable properties to fore- down as chairman in August 2016, White House.” Kushner replied: by the rules for a long time and as growers of cherries, cran- closure if he could not come up recommended Calk to a senior “On it!” Calk was eventually inter- manager of President Trump is standing up berries and nuts, also will receive with new financing. In exchange, member of Trump’s transition viewed to be deputy secretary of to them, sending the clear support, officials said. Calk detailed his preferred team that November. the army, but did not get the job. Michael Jackson settles lawsuit Pelosi says no impeachment for now, Trump furious AP SANTA MONICA AFP attempting to block. “It may take fault, and he disputed accounts WASHINGTON us to a place that is unavoidable that he’d been in a “rage.” A settlement has been reached in terms of impeachment or not, His version of events fol- in a lawsuit between a former Democratic congressional leader but we’re not at that place,” she lowed 24 hours of angry com- manager of Michael Jackson Nancy Pelosi said yesterday that said. plaints via Twitter and a Rose and his estate. US President Donald Trump Pelosi goaded Trump, Garden press event about the The settlement announced would welcome impeachment declaring that she was “praying” Democrats. yesterday with Tohme Tohme proceedings against him — but for the president and that she “I was extremely calm yes- ends one of the last remaining that her party is not ready to take wished “his family or his staff or terday with my meeting with legal fights involving Jackson’s the “very divisive” step. his administration would have Pelosi and Schumer, knowing estate and comes just short of Her comments came on day an intervention for the good of that they would say I was raging, the 10th anniversary of the pop two of a very public war of words the country.” which they always do, along with superstar’s death. between the speaker of the The drama pitting Trump their partner, the Fake News The deal came after five House of Representatives and against the opposition Demo- Media,” Trump said in a tweet. days of the trial had already Trump, who have sparred before crats hit fever pitch when the “Well, so many stories about been held. Terms of the — but not at this level. president abruptly cancelled the meeting use the Rage nar- agreement were not released. According to Pelosi, Trump’s White House talks with Pelosi rative anyway — Fake & Corrupt Tohme had initially sought strategy is to get his opponents US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi holds her weekly news conference and Democratic Senate leader Press!” nearly $20m in commissions to commit themselves to with Capitol Hill reporters in Washington DC, yesterday. Chuck Schumer. Trump said he pulled the from the Jackson estate when impeachment — a process that Pelosi said Trump had a plug on the meeting because he first filed the lawsuit in 2012. would almost certainly pass in According to Pelosi, Trump alleged obstruction of justice. “temper tantrum” at what was Pelosi had earlier accused him Before trial began, a judge the House, and then fail in the is “disappointed” that the Dem- “We can get the facts to the meant to have been a bipartisan of attempting to cover up alleged threw out part of the lawsuit in Republican-controlled Senate. ocrats are holding off for now, American people through our session on national infra- crimes related to special counsel which Tohme sought part of the “The White House is just even as they intensify their investigation,” she told reporters, structure needs. Robert Mueller’s recently fin- profits of the concert film “This crying out for impeachment,” she investigations into the presi- referring to ongoing congres- Yesterday, Trump insisted ished probe into his campaign’s is It,” which was released after told journalists. dent’s links to Russia and his sional probes that Trump is that the incident was not his Russia links. Jackson’s death. Violent weather kills 3 in Missouri, floods rivers in Oklahoma REUTERS flooding risks yesterday, Chenard night, why we didn’t have more JEFFERSON CITY said. A somewhat diminished injuries,” Parson said. threat of tornadoes will persist Weather forecasters expect A relentless barrage of violent from the Texas Panhandle the region to get another 5cm of weather in the central United through Kansas, he added. rain through today. States left three people dead The weather service’s St. US President Donald Trump yesterday, local media said, as Louis office confirmed tornadoes said his heart went out to the tornadoes raked across southwest touched down near Joplin, Mis- people of Missouri as they Missouri and devastated the state souri, late Wednesday, and local assessed the damage. “You are capital, and heavy rain flooded media, including the Joplin Globe, strong and resilient, and we are rivers in Oklahoma. reported at least three dead. here to assist,” he wrote on The reported casualties from In Jefferson City, the state Twitter. the tornadoes, which struck Mis- capital, officials said a “massive” Trump also urged Okla- souri in the middle of the night, twister caused widespread homans to stay safe and listen to brought the week’s weather- damage to buildings, trees, cars the warnings of local officials. related death toll in the region to and power lines, but no fatalities. “We are with you!” he tweeted. at least seven, as forecasters said “Many, many buildings have sig- Earlier this week, a tornado the rain and threat of damaging nificant damage, and there’s a lot killed at least one person in Iowa, winds were expected to continue. of them that just have small while two people in Oklahoma “It looks to stay quite wet over the damage as well, so it’s just very were killed in accidents on rain- next week across the central widespread,” Jefferson City Mayor slicked roads and another died in portion of the country,” said Carrie Tergin told CNN. flooding, which continues to meteorologist Mark Chenard of Missouri Governor Mark threaten many parts of the state. the National Weather Service Parson said at least 20 people The Arkansas River-front (NWS) Weather Prediction Center were treated at hospitals for town of Webbers Falls was A damaged home on the corner of Woodlawn Avenue following a tornado touchdown overnight in in College Park, Maryland. injuries, most of them released ordered evacuated on Thursday, Jefferson City, Missouri, yesterday. A system of showers shortly thereafter, and praised the while residents of several other stretching from the Texas Pan- city’s tornado warning system. rain-swollen riverfront commu- of Emergency Management Rainfall in the coming days is into western Missouri, with handle and western Oklahoma “That’s why we didn’t have any nities were advised to leave, spokeswoman Keli Caine said by predicted to be about 5cm across localised spots getting up to 13cm, north to Nebraska were to bring fatalities in Jefferson City last Oklahoma Department phone. eastern Kansas, Oklahoma, and forecasters said. FRIDAY 24 MAY 2019 AMERICAS / CLASSIFIEDS 13

Cuba set to Norway invites renovate site known for Venezuela for hosting US rally

AP second talks HAVANA The Cuban government says it BLOOMBERG Mediation efforts is renovating one of the iconic CARACAS have failed to make sites of its ideological battle headway as tensions with the United States. Despite scant progress in initial simmer. The Anti-Imperialist meetings, Norwegian officials Tribune is a massive stage that have invited representatives of sits beside the United States President Nicolas Maduro and approval and international iso- Embassy on the Malecon his rival, Juan Guaido, to a lation, Maduro has held tight to seaside promenade. It is crum- second round of talks to defuse the levers of power with the help Volunteers assist asylum seekers bling after two decades of con- Venezuela’s crisis, according to of still-loyal military forces and stant sun, ocean spray and lawmakers familiar with the aid from countries like China Volunteers assist Central American asylum seekers sitting outside the bus station in San Bernardino, flooding from hurricanes, conversations. and Russia. California after they were brought there by US Border Patrol vans. For the last week Central American including Irma in 2017. The sessions could occur in Scepticism abounds within immigrant families have been brought by Border Patrol to the bus station 97km east of Los Angeles Orestes Llanes Mestres is Oslo as soon as next week. But opposition ranks and among following processing. Volunteers wait at the bus station to help the families find transportation and vice president of the Havana allies of Guaido, the head of the observers that the government shelter while they await their date in immigration court. Province Administrative opposition-dominated legis- will make significant conces- Council. He told state website lature who says he’s Venezuela’s sions as demonstrations wane Cubadebate that two elevated rightful leader, insist any dia- and many opponents go into Ten killed in Mexico shoot-out between criminals structures would be built on the logue is contingent on Maduro hiding amid a renewed stage, where speakers accepting proposals to hold a crackdown. Maduro has AFP resulted in a preliminary toll of ten dead and at addressed massive crowds in fresh presidential vote. repeatedly called for talks, but MORELIA least four others wounded, the state prosecutor’s 2000 demanding the US return A multipronged diplomatic after failed attempts by Vene- office said. Cuban child Elian Gonzalez push to break Venezuela’s bitter zuela’s neighbours and the Ten people were killed in a shoot-out between Authorities said they found military-grade after he was rescued at sea. stalemate kicked off last week, Vatican to broker a solution, “presumed members of criminal groups” in weapons, ammunition clips and bullets of various He said the structures with a European Union mission critics say the overtures are a Mexico’s western state of Michoacan, the regional calibers at the shoot-out site. Michoacan has long would contain dressing rooms visiting Caracas and envoys mere ploy. prosecutor’s office said. dealt with criminal violence, leading to the rise of and that others would be rebuilt from Guaido and Maduro trav- Battle Fatigue Still, as inter- The clash that took place near the Arroyo self defence groups six years ago and the to withstand weather elling to Oslo. But on both fronts, national sanctions sink this Colorado neighborhood of Urusapan municipality deployment of soldiers to the state in 2014. conditions. the government rebuffed calls former oil giant further into dys- to hold general elections, function, some see Venezuela’s according to diplomats and law- factions slowly warming to Trudeau exonerates SERVICES makers who spoke anony- negotiations to ease economic mously due to the sensitive suffering. Cree chief wrongly nature of the conversations. “Barriers to success remain imprisoned in 1885 USED CONTAINERS Neither side has so far agreed to very high,” Eurasia Group (Sales & Rentals) further talks, they said. analyst Risa Grais-Targow wrote REUTERS Norway’s Foreign Ministry in a research note to clients OTTAWA ARMSTRONG and Venezuela’s Information Monday. “As the crisis drags on, New & Used Containers - Sales/Rental (Certified & Uncertified) Ministry declined to comment both sides may become more Canadian Prime Minister Justin Mobile: 557 80 396 (Steve) on the new opportunity to meet. desperate to reach a solution Trudeau, who has been criti- E-mail: [email protected] www.iescoqatar.com. Guaido, in a text message said, that facilitates some advances.” cised by some indigenous “another invitation has not yet Mediation efforts have failed communities, yesterday apol- WAREHOUSE FOR RENT been finalised.” to make headway as tensions ogised and posthumously exon- For months, Maduro and simmer. Representatives from erated a Cree chief unjustly WOKEER INDUSTRIAL AREA Guaido have clashed, rallying the International Contact Group, imprisoned for treason more Available Sizes: 358/415/510/830/1340 Sqm. followers to the streets and an initiative comprising eight EU than 130 years ago. Mobile: 660 02 704 (Steve) support from their allies abroad member states and four Latin Chief Poundmaker, or E-mail: [email protected] as runaway inflation, rampant American countries, met with Pihtokahanapiwiyin, was a shortages and crumbling infra- both sides in Caracas after the Cree leader during Canada’s WATER TANK CLEANING structure make daily life mis- opposition tried to spark a mil- North-West Rebellion of 1885. erable for the masses. Guaido, itary uprising last month. Historians have said he helped AL MUTWASSIT CLEANING & PEST CONTROL recognised as head of state by The ICG was formed this prevent a massacre of federal Kharaba st, Behind white Mosque. the US and over 50 other year to facilitate negotiations soldiers during a battle with the Fax: 443679 99 - GSM. 55875920/55860432 nations, is trying keep up and has sporadically sent dele- primarily French speaking pressure and turn cracks into gations to survey the depth of rebels, who were descendents CAPITAL CLEANING COMPANY canyons within the socialist Venezuela’s collapse and talk to of First Nation and European Cleaning Water Tanks & Pest Control. regime. But despite record low leaders. settlers. GSM: 55565328/ 33189899 Tel: 44582257 E-mail: [email protected] Brazil lawmakers undo Bolsonaro’s move to weaken indigenous agency REUTERS placed under the Ministry of the day he took office in January BRASILIA Justice again. The reversal still put Funai under a newly created must be voted on by the Senate. Women, Family and Human Brazil’s lower house of Congress The right-wing president Rights Ministry headed by an has rebuffed President Jair had alarmed anthropologists and evangelical pastor who wants to Bolsonaro’s move to put deci- environmentalists by planning Christianize indigenous people. sions on indigenous land claims to assimilate Brazil’s 800,000 Land decisions were moved in the hands of the Ministry of indigenous people into Brazilian to the Agriculture Ministry, led Agriculture. society and open reservation by farm representatives that The chamber voted late on lands to commercial agriculture believe Brazilian tribes have too Wednesday to restore land and mining, even in the Amazon much land, with indigenous delineation decisions to the rainforest. people who account for less than National Indigenous Affairs Bolsonaro’s first decree reor- 1% of the country’s population agency Funai, which will also be ganizing the executive branch living on 13% of its territory.

Democratic candidate’s campaign trail Democratic presidential candidate and Washington Governor Jay Inslee joins demonstrators demanding $15-per-hour wages for fast food workers as they march to the McDonalds corporate headquarters yesterday in Chicago, Illinois. Inslee is one of more than 20 candidates who are seeking the 2020 Democratic nomination for president. 14 CLASSIFIEDS FRIDAY 24 MAY 2019

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 BUSINESS Friday 24 May 2019 PAGE | 16 PAGE | 16 IMF wwarnsa US-China Morgan Stanley trade war will preaches ‘jeopardise’‘jeo 2019 patience to Uber growth investors

Your Global Remittance Partner Currency TT Rate Currency TT Rate Currency TT Rate Currency TT Rate QAR/INR : 19.05 QAR/PHP : 14.33 QAR/LKR : 48.33 QAR/BDT : 23.10 EUR/QAR : 4.18 GBP/QAR : 4.81 CAD/QAR : 2.82 AUD/QAR : 2.65 CHF/QAR : 3.74 SGD/QAR : 2.75 KWD/QAR : 12.20 OMR/QAR : 9.55 MAIN BRANCH LULU HYPER MARKET SANAYYA (STREET 17) AL KHOR PH: 44441448 PH: 44650768 PH: 44510088 PH: 44213444 MATAR QADEEM MANSOURA - AL MEERA ABU HAMOUR BIN OMRAN - ALMEERA PH: 44655559 PH: 44357552 PH: 44621271 PH: 44162002 alzamanexchange www.alzamanexchange.com 44441448 QSE index Qatar Chamber calls on private sector closes at to hire more Turkish workforce 9,730.52 points THE PENINSULA DOHA THE PENINSULA/DOHA

The Qatar Chamber (QC) is Qatar Stock Exchange’s (QSE) planning to increase Turkish There are currently benchmark index lost 141.35 employment in the Qatari about 9,000 Turkish points, or 1.43 percent, last market by encouraging the citizens working week when the bourse closed private sector in the country to in Qatar, and the yesterday at 9,730.52 points. hire more Turkish workers, offi- Trading value during last cials said at a meeting with a del- number is expected week decreased by 7.01 egation from the Turkish Labour to increase in the percent to reach QR1.78bn Ministry yesterday. coming period. compared to QR1.92bn. During the event, QC hosted Trading volume decreased the delegation from the Turkish by 17.98 percent to reach 72.65 Ministry of Family, Labor and cooperation relations in all fields, million shares, as against 88.57 Social Services headed by Ali Ibi, noting that the Chamber will million shares, while the Deputy Director of the encourage Qatari companies and number of transactions rose Department of Foreign business owners to employ qual- by 1.04 percent, to reach Relations. ified and trained Turkish 45,373 transactions as com- The meeting was also manpower. pared to 44,906 transactions. attended by Ali Bu Sherbak Al For his part, Ibi said that Market cap fell by 2.09 percent Mansouri, QC’s Assistant Director there are currently about 9,000 to reach QR538.19bn as com- Senior officials of Qatar Chamber (QC), with the visiting members of an official delegation from General for Governmental and Turkish citizens working in pared to QR549.65bn at the the Turkish Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services headed by Ali Ibi, Deputy Director of the International Relations to discuss Qatar, and he hopes to increase end of previous week, reports the cooperation between the two the number in the coming period, Department of Foreign Relations, at the QC headquarters. QNA. sides and the use of Turkish calling on the private sector of The Industries sector led labour in private sector com- Qatar to recruit more Turks in mechanisms of developing coop- signed in this regard. an agency or a contact point traded value last week with panies in Qatar. the Qatari labor market. eration with the Qatari side with QC Legal Affairs Department between the two sides to identify 45.66 percent of the total Al Mansouri said that Qatar He pointed out that the aim regard to Turkish employment Director, Abdulaziz Al Kuwari the sectors in which Turkish traded value. and Turkey have excellent of the visit is to follow up the and activating the agreements also said it was important to have workers could work. Banking and Financial Services sector accounted for 19.99 percent. Consumer Goods and Services sector Oil extends losses, set for worst week in 6 months accounted for 18.20 percent and Real Estate sector accounted 9.27 percent. REUTERS international benchmark, fell to a Commercial US crude inventories increase also came on the back of meant that Opec would likely keep Industries sector led LONDON session low of $68.35 per barrel, rose by 4.7 million barrels in the planned sales of US strategic its voluntary supply cuts in place traded volume last week with trading down $2.50 at $68.49 by week ended May 17, to 476.8 petroleum reserves (SPR) into the beyond their current end-June 47.66 percent of the total Oil prices dropped yesterday, 1343 GMT. million barrels, the EIA data commercial market. deadline. traded volume. Real Estate extending falls from the previous Meanwhile, US West Texas showed. Also bearish is the ongoing trade “Oil prices have been trapped in sector accounted for 22.11 session as trade tensions Intermediate (WTI) crude futures “The headlines figures are war between the United States and the past month between fears percent. Banking and dampened the demand outlook, were down by $2.56 cents at depressing enough and scratching China, which is clouding economic about weaker demand and softer Financial Services sector putting the main benchmarks on $58.86 per barrel, after falling 2.5 the surface does not paint a rosier growth, and with that, oil demand supply,” financial advisory firm accounted for 14.62 percent course for their biggest daily and percent the previous day. picture either,” PVM’s Tamas Varga predictions as well. Oxford Economics said in a report and Consumer Goods and weekly falls in six months. US crude oil inventories rose said in a note. “The prevalent The US military said it sent two yesterday. Services sector accounted 7.06 World shares were deep in the last week, hitting their highest optimism for a tighter global Navy ships through the Taiwan “We still expect the oil market to percent. red as concerns grew the China- levels since July 2017, the govern- market and higher oil prices will Strait on Wednesday, angering be in deficit both this year and next, When compared on daily US trade conflict was fast turning ment’s Energy Information Admin- now only be vindicated when US China. Countering these bearish but our oil price forecast is revised basis, the QSE index dropped into a technology cold war between istration said on Wednesday, while oil inventories start drawing.” factors are ongoing supply cuts led down slightly to $71 per barrel for 27.11 points, or 0.28 percent, the world’s two largest economies. industry data had also shown a Beyond weak refinery by the Opec. French bank BNP 2019 (from $72 previously) and $68 yesterday compared to Brent crude futures, the surge in US crude stockpiles. demand for feedstock crude oil, the Paribas said high inventories per barrel in 2020 (from $70).” Wednesday’s closing. Qatar Financial Centre hosts WEF President & other delegates

THE PENINSULA Marketing and Corporate Com- agendas.” DOHA munications Officer at QFC; as He added: “The World Eco- well as senior representatives nomic Forum has made great The Qatar Financial Centre from a number of Qatari strides in providing a platform (QFC), one of the world’s entities including Al Fardan for leaders across a variety of leading and fastest growing Group, Barwa, Commercial groups such as business and onshore business and financial Bank of Qatar, Doha Bank, government to come together centres, hosted the President Ooredoo, Muntajat, Qatar in a positive way. Through of the World Economic Forum Airways, Qatar Development Qatar’s continued involvement (WEF), Borge Brende during his Bank, QFCRA, Qatar Foun- with WEF, we are able to build visit to Qatar. dation, Qatar Investment on the work we are doing with During the multilateral Authority, Qatar Islamic Bank, other member organisations meeting, senior representatives Qatar National Bank and Qatar to impact positive global from a number of Qatari Petroleum. change.” entities, which also serve in a Speaking about Brende’s The QFC is an onshore member capacity of WEF, visit to Qatar, Al Jaida said: “It jurisdiction that allows regis- similar to the QFC, discussed is an honour to host President tered companies to enjoy com- a number of key issues related Borge Brende and other high- petitive benefits, such as to Forum developments and level representatives to discuss working within a legal envi- initiatives, and crucially the Qatar’s buoyant ecosystem, ronment based on English Qatari ecosystem and future and how Qatar can contribute common law, the right to trade engagements with the Forum. to the WEF agenda. As a in any currency, up to 100 The meeting was attended member of the World Eco- percent foreign ownership, 100 by Yousuf Mohamed Al Jaida, nomic Forum, the QFC is con- percent repatriation of profits, Chief Executive Officer at QFC, tinually working towards 10 percent corporate tax on Sheikha Alanoud bint Hamad engaging with international locally sourced profits, and an Al Thani, Managing Director for stakeholders that share the extensive double taxation Business Development at QFC same vision of helping to shape avoidance agreement network Borge Brende (third left), President of World Economic Forum (WEF ), and other delegates meeting and Sarah Al Dorani, Chief global, regional and industry with 81 countries. with the Yousuf Mohamed Al Jaida (last on the right row), CEO of QFC, and other officials, yesterday. 16 BUSINESS FRIDAY 24 MAY 2019 IMF warns US-China trade war will ‘jeopardise’ 2019 growth

AFP on its commitments made over the bilateral trade deficit remains WASHINGTON year of negotiations. broadly unchanged.” Meanwhile, He then more than doubled total US imports have not changed tariffs on $200bn in Chinese significantly since importers The IMF sounded the alarm yes- goods to 25 percent and simply shifted their purchases to terday about the escalating US- threatened to hit the remaining other countries. China trade war, warning it will $300bn in products imported “While the impact on global ‘jeopardize’ 2019 global growth, each year with duties at the same growth is relatively modest at this undermine confidence and raise level. time, the latest escalation could prices for consumers. “Consumers in the US and significantly dent business and executives, nor research on the Gita Gopinath (pictured), the China are unequivocally the financial market sentiment, harm being done. International Monetary Fund’s losers from trade tensions,” disrupt global supply chains and The New York Federal chief economist, directly refuted Gopinath stated, noting that the jeopardize the projected recovery Reserve Bank issued research yes- President Donald Trump’s claim “tariff revenue collected has in global growth in 2019,” she terday showing the total annual that tariffs are paid by China and been borne almost entirely by warned in the blog post. cost of the new round of tariffs to provide a windfall for the US US importers.” IMF chief “This type of scenario is a typical household would rise to treasury, and that his aggressive Christine Lagarde and other fund among the reasons why we $831 from $132 in 2018. posture will help reduce the US officials have repeatedly raised referred to 2019 as a delicate “In sum, according to our esti- trade deficit. concerns about the trade war but year for the global economy.” In mates, these higher tariffs are She and her co-authors the blog post quantified the addition, if tariffs escalate this likely to create large economic warned in a blog post that the eco- realized and expected damage, will make a host of consumer distortions,” the study showed. nomic damage will be even worse presenting the case with greater goods less affordable, “harming No new talks have been if Trump goes through with the urgency. low income households dispro- scheduled between Beijing and threat to impose steep tariffs on Trump says a primary goal of portionately.” A growing number Washington, and China earlier all goods imported from China, as the aggressive tariff strategy is to of US companies and industries yesterday accused the United that “will subtract about one-third reduce the trade imbalance with have come out to urge Trump to States of ‘bullying,’ and called for of a percentage point of global China, which totaled $379bn last dial back the confrontation, a show of ‘sincerity’ before nego- GDP in the short term.” Optimism year. including major shoe manufac- tiations can resume. was high earlier this month that But Gopinath argues that turers and retailers who say new Foreign Minister Wang Yi on a deal was within striking distance while the tensions have damaged tariffs would be ‘catastrophic.’ Wednesday warned that Beijing but tensions erupted after Trump both countries, reducing overall But Trump has not been was ready to “fight to the very accused Beijing of backtracking trade and hurting companies, “the receptive to concerns of business end.” Morgan Stanley preaches patience to Uber investors

BLOOMBERG Uber plunged following its thousands of hours of talking to NEW YORK widely anticipated initial public investors, he said. offering earlier this month. Uber Gorman has been in this spot James Gorman (pictured) said tumbled 18 percent in its first before. In 2012, his bank faced that investors upset about Uber two days of trading amid an questions after Facebook Inc. Technologies Inc.’s stock slide abrupt flareup in US-China trade had its own post-IPO slump, should take a longer view. negotiations that drove global prompting Gorman to predict the “You should buy into IPOs to markets down and the recent technology company would be hold them, because you believe dismal performance of rival Lyft back to its $38 offering price in the company,” Morgan Inc. Uber shares are still down within 12 months. Stanley’s chief executive officer about 10 percent from the IPO “I went on TV and said told reporters after the firm’s price. within a year it will be back to annual shareholders meeting “That came to market during flat,” Gorman said. “And it took yesterday. “I’m not going to a very difficult week,” said a little longer, it took about 15 predict the future of the stock, but Gorman’s bank has faced Gorman. “You do your best to months, and now it’s yeah, Uber’s a great company.” blame as lead underwriter after find price transparency” after $180-something.”

CROSSWORD MALL ROYAL PLAZA Aladdin (2D/Comedy) 2:30, 8:30 & Aladdin (2D/Comedy) 2:30, 8:30 & 11:00pm 11:00pm Sita (Telugu) 2:15pm Ishq (2D/Malayalam) 2:30pm Ishq (2D/Malayalam) 2:30pm Lissa (2D/Tamil) 3:00pm Chandigarh Amritsar Chandigarh Neeya 2 (2D/Tamil) 8:30pm (2D/Punjabi) 3:00pm Goodland (2D/Crime) 9:00pm Between Maybes (2D/Tagalog) 9:00pm Discarnate (2D/Horror) 11:00pm Avengers: Endgame (2D/Action) 11:00pm Muklawa (2D/Punjabi) 11:00pm Mr Local (2D/Tamil) 11:00pm ASIAN TOWN

LANDMARK Ishq (2D/Malayalam) 7:30, 8:00, 10:30 & 11:00pm Lissa (2D/Tamil) 10:00pm Aladdin (2D/Comedy) 2:30, 8:30 & Neeya (2D/Tamil) 7:45pm 11:00pm Sita (Telugu) 2:15pm Mr Local (2D/Tamil) 11:00pm Muklawa (2D/Punjabi) 3:00pm De De Pyaar De (2D/Hindi) 8:00pm De De Pyaar De (2D/Hindi) 9:00pm Chandigarh Amritsar Chandigarh (2D/ ROXY Punjabi) 9:00pm Ishq (2D/Malayalam) Aladdin (2D/Comedy) 1:00, 1:30, 3:30, 4:00, 6:30, 7:30, 11:30pm Neeya 2 (2D/Tamil) 11:00pm 9:10, 10:30 & 11:50pm Ishq (2D/Malayalam) 11:30pm Ishq (2D/Malayalam) 2:30, 6:30, 9:15 & 11:55pm Lissa (2D/Tamil) 1:30, 4:00, 6:45, 9:15,11:45pm & 12:00 FLIK Mirqab Mall midnight.; Neeya (2D/Tamil) 1:30, 6:45 & 9:30pm The Ugly Dolls (2D/Adventure) 1:00, 3:00 & 6:30pm Aladdin (2D/Comedy) 4:10, 4:50, 5:30, 6:40, 7:20, 8:00, 9:10, 9:50, 10:30, 11:40pm & 0:20am AL KHOR 3D 3:30, 6:00, 8:30 & 11:00pm Aladdin (2D/Comedy) 9;15, 12:00pm; 3D: 12:15, Avengers: Endgame (Action) 2D 4:00, 6:20, 3:00pm; 7:30, 9:40 & 10:50pm Ishq (2D/Malayalam) 12:00, 8:00 & 10;45pm Between Maybes (2D/Tagalog) 4:05, 7:50 & Mr Local (2D/Tamil) 2:45pm 8:55pm Sita (2D/Telugu) 1:00pm De De Pyaar De (2D/Hindi) 5:00 & 11:15pm Lissa (2D/Tamil) 3:45 & 11:00pm Mr Local (2D/Tamil) 5:50 & 10:15pm

Note: Programme is subject to change without prior notice.

CHANDIGARH AMRITSAR CHANDIGARH A girl from Chandigarh comes to Amritsar with the intention of rejecting a prospective groom and ends up spending the day with a Boy from Amritsar. FRIDAY 24 MAY 2019 SPORT 17 Former captain I see Pakistan as one of the Shahid Afridi says FOOTBALL teams in the semi-finals and, FOOTBALL he is confident that Women’s International God willing, I’m confident Ligue 1: Nice vs Monaco; Pakistan will do well Friendly: Spain vs Canada they’ll play the final too. Nimes vs at the ICC World Cup. ACTION

Lyon TODAY’S Thurman ready for Pacquiao fight AFP conference in Beverly Hills on changes. We’ll see who’s BEVERLY HILLS, US Wednesday, Thurman vowed young in the ring on July 20. to make the age difference “I don’t like trash-talking Keith Thurman vowed to count. before a fight. I’m going to let retire Philippine boxing legend “Pacquiao’s last fight, Pac- my fists do the talking.” Manny Pacquiao on quiao’s last fight,” Thurman Pacquiao plans to split his Wednesday as the two fighters said, while pledging to “dis- training camp between the traded verbal jabs ahead of the mantle” the 40-year-old Fil- Philippines and Los Angeles, World Boxing Association ipino icon. wrapping up his preparations battle for welterweight “I’m destroying the legend under the watchful eye of supremacy. of Manny Pacquiao,” Thurman long-time trainer Freddie The undefeated Thurman, said. Roach, who is back in his 30, takes on Pacquiao in Las “His legacy ends on July corner. Vegas on July 20 in a contest 20. He’s had a wonderful “Manny Pacquiao is the that pits the WBA’s “super career, and been an inspi- best fighter in the world to world champion” against the ration. We all love him and work with,” Roach said body’s secondary “world” respect him. And I’m respect- Wednesday. champion. fully going to kick the shit out “His work ethic is unbe- Thurman (29-0, with 22 of him. lievable. We’ve studied knockouts) returned from a “This is a big fight as far Thurman and come up with a near two-year lay-off to retain as the stage. But it’s a big fight game plan. And we’re going to his title with a 12-round against a little guy. I’ve dis- destroy him.” majority decision over Josesito mantled veterans in the past, Pacquiao meanwhile Lopez on January 26. and throughout my career. I Trainer Freddie Roach (left) shares a light moment with Manny insisted that his advancing Eight-division champion would have destroyed him five Pacquiao during a press conference on Wednesday. years had not diminished his Pacquiao, who last fought in years ago. enthusiasm or energy for a one-sided demolition of “He’s never fought a Pacquiao, who mixes a “All I can say is that most boxing. Keith Thurman Adrien Broner in January, is fighter like me with the lateral political career as a senator in of my opponents say things “At age 40, I feel like I’m poses during a 10 years older than his movement, speed, power. He’s the Philippines with profes- before a fight,” Pacquiao said. 29,” he said. “This is fun. I’m press conference American opponent. never fought anyone this sional boxing, laughed off “That’s what I hear from enjoying it. I’m excited to go on Wednesday. And as the two men came young, strong and hungry and Thurman’s threats of them - ‘I’m easy to beat’. But back to the Philippines and go face to face at a press I’m coming for him.” annihilation. when we get into the ring it straight back to the gym.”

Tokyo 2020 IOC recommends suspending organisers welcome AIBA from next year’s Games IOC decision AFP replaced by the controversial LAUSANNE Boxing to stay at 2020 Olympics Uzbek businessman Gafur REUTERS Rakhimov, who the US TOKYO The International Olympic Treasury Department has Committee recommended that linked to “transnational Tokyo 2020 organisers amateur boxing’s governing criminal organisations”. welcomed yesterday the Inter- body be stripped of its right to Rakhimov, who stepped national Olympic Committee’s organise the event at Tokyo aside in March, vehemently recommendation to include 2020, but said the sport should rejects such charges and insists boxing at next year’s Games. still feature at the Games. the allegations against him are The IOC executive board rec- The guidance from the “politically motivated lies”. ommended on Wednesday that IOC’s executive board -- almost Bach said that because boxing should keep its place at certain to be rubber-stamped Rakhimov has been sanctioned the Tokyo Games but recognition by the full IOC membership by the US Treasury of AIBA, the governing body of next month -- followed a Department, dealing with AIBA the sport’s amateur version, months-long investigation into posed a “high risk... (for) should be suspended. alleged serious misman- anybody who is subject to US “Of course it is the most agement at the crisis-riddled jurisprudence.” important thing for the athletes International Boxing Associ- IOC President Thomas Bach attends Complications sur- who have been training and pre- ation (AIBA). a press conference on Wednesday rounding Rakhimov’s desig- paring for this,” said John Coates, The probe “speaks for in Pully, near Lausanne. nation by the US government the man entrusted by the IOC to itself,” IOC President Thomas “played a major role in the oversee the smooth running of Bach told reporters in deliberations of the inquiry the Games, following meetings Lausanne. commission,” Bach said. in Tokyo. He said the evidence details satisfactory progress,” in In ousting AIBA from tarnished in recent years as it Rakhimov was replaced as “(There is) obviously much “extremely serious issues” resolving its issues, the IOC said. the Tokyo Games but careened from crisis to crisis. interim president by Moroccan work to be done by Mr. Watan- within AIBA ranging from “defi- In a statement, AIBA said Relations between AIBA and doctor Mohamed Moustahsane abe’s committee but we have got ciencies” in governance, to lack that it had “taken note of the creating a new path the IOC took a sharp downward -- the fourth head of AIBA in 18 no doubt that with the cooper- of due diligence and conflicts announcement made by the for boxers to compete, turn following the 2016 Rio months. ation of the organising com- of interest. IOC” but refused to be drawn the IOC seeks to Games, when 36 officials and ref- Before the announcement, mittee we can meet the expec- In ousting AIBA from the on what it’s next move would ensure that athletes erees were suspended amid alle- AIBA’s leadership had insisted tations and dreams of all Tokyo Games but creating a be. “can live their dream gations of bout fixing. that the organisation had met athletes.” new path for boxers to compete, “AIBA is currently and participate in the An internal investigation by all the requirements stipulated The IOC has made gender the IOC was seeking to ensure reviewing the report from the AIBA raised deeper questions by the IOC. equality a priority leading into that athletes “can live their IOC and will not make any Olympic Games” while about the judging in Rio, with The governing body’s chief Tokyo 2020 yet at the last two dream and participate in the comments until further clarifi- making sure AIBA particular suspicion falling on executive Tom Virgets said Olympics there have been three Olympic Games” while making cation is made, however AIBA faces “the necessary a French official. earlier this month that the boxing medal events for women sure AIBA faced “the necessary does look forward to working consequences.” Then in 2017, AIBA execu- organisation had “done every- and 10 for men. consequences,” Bach said in a with the IOC in the future,” it tives forced out the body’s pres- thing that has been asked by the The 60-year-old Watanabe statement. said. ident C.K. Wu, amid claims of IOC”. said yesterday he understood the The IOC probe was led by Matthieu Reeb, Secretary decide to file one. Formed in multi-million dollar accounting “Every single document importance of gender equality audit firm Deloitte, and centred General of the Court of Arbi- 1946, AIBA has overseen fraud. asked, we produced, every but is still getting to grips with on subjects ranging from tration for Sport (CAS), said that decades of signature Olympic Wu, a Taiwanese national, single requirement we have the world of boxing. finances, governance and ethics “no appeal would be possible moments, notably the 1960 gold denied wrongdoing and met,” he said. “Gender equality is common to anti-doping, refereeing and until a final decision has been medal win in Rome by remains a member of the IOC, Addressing boxers hoping sense,” said Watanabe. “Sport is judging. made” but that the Olympic Muhammad Ali, then known as an indication that he retains the to compete in 2020, Bach just an element within that The probe determined that Charter enables the CAS to rule Cassius Clay. support of senior Olympic offi- vowed that “there will be an common sense.” AIBA has made “a lack of on an appeal should AIBA But its reputation has been cials. Wu was ultimately Olympic tournament in Tokyo.” Warriors’ owner ‘confident’ of keeping Thompson, Durant

REUTERS NEW YORK midst of a nine-day break “We are not finished. I have Draymond Green to a contract number of other teams. His is playing chess years out. before the NBA Finals as they no new ideas or data for you. extension - likely are the team’s agent, Rich Kleiman said that “But when somebody gets Golden State Warriors owner await the winner of the Toronto We love Klay and KD and intend top priorities as they prepare to Durant is focused on returning to the level of basketball that Joe Lacob intends to re-sign Raptors-Milwaukee Bucks to attempt to re-sign them. move into Chase Center in San from a strained right calf injury he’s at, you can’t juggle focus Klay Thompson and Kevin series, Lacob answered ques- Period. I am confident about Francisco next season. and helping the Warriors to their like that. There’s so many things Durant when they become tions about the futures of both of them. It still isn’t a certainty third straight title. he’s juggling too. He’s not unrestricted free agents this Thompson, 29, and Durant, 30, “But it is their choice to do Durant will move across the bay “I’m waiting on Kevin. That’s scripting his future while he’s summer, even though Durant’s from The Athletic. what is best for them.” with the Warriors. His name the truth,” Kleiman said. “I think playing the way he plays and agent said the superstar is unde- “The season is still ongoing,” Keeping Thompson and often has been linked with the there’s a feeling that this thing practicing the way he’s cided. With the Warriors in the Lacob responded. Durant - and signing forward New York Knicks, as well as a is like war games and everybody practising.” 18 SPORT FRIDAY 24 MAY 2019 Leading teams eye ICC World Cup glory England dream of long-awaited title win

REUTERS From hosting the first Kohli and his team-mates out to LONDON three tournaments and win India’s third ODI World Cup. reaching the final in It is especially so after their England’s relationship with the 1979, 1987 and 1992, performance in the last two Cricket World Cup has been one England slid downwards global events on English soil of frustration, disappointment where India won the 2013 Cham- and reached its nadir and even embarrassment but pions Trophy against the hosts they host this year’s tournament four years ago when they and finished runners-up to arch- as the top-ranked 50-over team unceremoniously exited rivals Pakistan in the next edition and favourites to lift the trophy at the group stage in four years later. for the first time. Australia, the last straw A modern batting great From hosting the first three being a humbling by an himself, Kohli headlines a for- tournaments and reaching the midable top order, while India upstart Bangladesh. final in 1979, 1987 and 1992, have also acquired a potent pace England slid downwards and attack spearheaded by death- reached its nadir four years ago winning the World Cup and overs exponent Jasprit Bumrah. when they unceremoniously regaining the Ashes. Emotions will run high exited at the group stage in Aus- “I am going (to pick the) during their June 16 match tralia, the last straw being a World Cup because it’s been so against Pakistan following a humbling by an upstart long since we’ve had an oppor- further souring of relations Bangladesh. tunity to win one,” said Bairstow. between the nuclear-armed Since then, however, the lim- “I think that the amount of neighbours in recent times. ited-overs caterpillars have work that has gone into this Pakistan skipper Sarfraz transformed themselves into group of players over the last Ahmed, however, cannot afford white-ball butterflies, acquiring couple of years, building and to get distracted by the hype an enviable assortment of big- building, I firmly believe we’ve around the Manchester match- hitters who routinely post 300- put an amount of effort in that up as he seeks consistency from plus scores. gives us the best chance.” a notoriously fickle side. The single group, round- With home advantage comes “It’s annoying for us to keep robin format of this year’s tour- home expectation as Eoin being unpredictable, but it’s nament also substantially Morgan leads arguably the true,” former ODI captain Azhar reduces the risk of an exit and strongest England side in the Ali told the ICC website recently. should ensure the strongest history of the tournament which “We have done well in World teams reach the last four - good has seen a co-host triumph in the Cups, even though no one rates news for the game’s powerhouse last two editions. us that highly in the build-up. We India. No burden of expectation, always produce good perform- ThoseThose twotwo looklook nailednailed on to however,however, can be heavier than the acessoances so hopefullyhopeuly thist s will w be a rreacheach thethe lastlast fourfour butbut any fromfrom one restinrestingg on thethe shouldersshoulders sspecialpecial one.”one.” SouthSouth Africa,Africa, Australia,Australia, New ofof ViratVirat HoldersHolders Australia face their Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and oownwn struggles as theythey trytry to put even a revitalised West Indies a ball-tampering scandal behind could easily join them. themthem for a successful title WithWith all 10 teams plaplayingying defence.defence. eacheach otherother onceonce to CCaptainaptain Aaron Finch’s own determinedetermine the four semi- battlebattle with poorpoor form providedprovided finalists, the bigbig teams willwill thethe microcosmmicrocosm of the turmoilturmoil have plenty of opportuopportu-- Australian cricket endured nitiesnities to recover from anyany beforebefore series victories giant-killinggiant-killing act they maymay againstagainst India and Pakistan.Pakistan. bebe subjectedsubjected to bbyy outsioutsidersders FFormerormer cacaptainptain SSteveteve Bangladesh and SmitSmithh anandd oopenerpener DaviDavidd Afghanistan.Afghanistan. WarnerWarner returned from their England’sEngland’s spectacular year-longyear-long bans over the rise is duedue to a cchangehange in ball-tampering incident to theirtheir approachapproach to one-dayone-day bolsterbolster a side who endured cricketcricket andand JonnyJonny Bairstow theirtheir lonlongestgest sequence ooff reflected that when the consecutiveconsecutive ODI defeats in openeropener was recentlyrecentlyy 2018.2018. askedasked to cchoosehoose fromfrom their scoringscoring duties, the Ross Taylor and Martin Guptill, with Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, betweenb etween duo,duo, who made a successful and paceman Tim Southee will Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje all return from elbowelbow surgeries at help the 2015 finalists secure a nursing niggles. the Indian Premier League, will semi-final spot. Once-invincible West Indies alsoalso assist Finch inin leading the South Africa under Faf du had to come through the quali- side.side. Plessis are desperate to shed fiers but could be a surprise New Zealand willw hope the their “chokers” tag but find element with the return of Eoin Morgan collectivecollective experienexperiencec of skipper themselves already grappling opener Chris Gayle and all- AparApaAApartt Kane Williamson,WilWillliamiamson, batting pair with injuries to their pacemen rounder Andre Russell. Afridi backs ‘well-balanced’ Pakistan to reach Cup final

REUTERS but our batsmen are now in good “Our bowling struggled LAHORE form,” the former all-rounder before the World Cup I think said. because they lacked experience Former captain Shahid Afridi Pakistan posted 340-plus there. (pictured) has said Pakistan scores in three of the four com- “Now Wahab Riaz, (leg- have injected the right amount pleted matches in this month’s spinner) Shadab Khan and of experience into their World ODI series in England, even Mohammad Amir are back and Cup squad with the late inclu- though the hosts prevailed 4-0. it’s a well-balanced team. We sions of pacemen Wahab Riaz In March they had been should not have any excuse and Mohammed Amir, and have thrashed 5-0 by Australia in the now.” no excuse for poor performance United Arab Emirates. Consistency has never been now. “We did quite a few experi- the strong point of an otherwise FROM LEFT: England’s Eoin Morgan, India’s Virat Kohli, Pakistan’s Sarfaraz Ahmed, West Indies’ Riaz’s hostile spell to Aus- ments with the side. We rested talented team, but Afridi Jason Holder and Afghanistan’s Gulbadin Naib, attend a press conference of ICC World Cup teams tralian Shane Watson was one the seniors in the series against reckoned a good start could take captains in London, yesterday. INSET: ICC World Cup trophy on display during the press conference. of thee highlights of the 2015 Australia, giving chance the 1992 champions all the waway Worldd Cup, but the 33-33-year-oldyear-old to yyoung-oung- toto tthehe JuneJune 14 final at the LorLord’s.d has notot playedplayed a one-dayone-day inter-inter- sterssters,”, ” “It’s very important to winw nationalnal since June 20172017.. AfAfridirid i thethe first couple of matches to Khawaja given all clear after injury Fellowellow lleft-armeft-arm quickquick said.said. buildbuild a momentum... Our young-youn bowlerer Amir wwasas also ini-ini- sterssters are capablecapable ofof beatingbeating anyan REUTERS win the match by seven Smith hit seven fours and tially oomittedmitted from PakPaki-i- team in thethe world.”world.” LONDON wickets. two sixes in his 76 and Marsh stan’s WorldWorld CupCup squadsquad “I see PakistanPakistan as one ooff ttheh “It was very scary,” Aus- said it was good to see him and beforee beingbeing pencilled inin teamsteams in the semi-finals and,an Australia opener Usman tralia batsman Shaun Marsh, former vice captain David on Monday.onday. GodGod wiwilling,lling, I’m confidentconfident they’llthey Khawaja was cleared of serious who scored 55 not out batting Warner, who scored 12, back “I thinkthink ththisis teteamam hashas playplay thethe finalfinal too...too... injury after taking a nasty blow at number five, told reporters. in the groove after the end of the rightght combination,” “Pressure“Pressure iiss ininevitableevitable in to the head and being forced “It copped him on the side their one-year bans for the Afridii saisaidd in a vivideodeo internationalinternational cricket.cricket. ItIt teststests a to retire hurt from a World Cup of the cheekbone, I think. The Newlands ball-tampering postedd on the PakistPakistanan playerplayer and his mental strength.strengt warm-up against West Indies main thing is he is okay and scandal. Cricketet Board’sBoard’s TwitterTwitter feedfeed ButBut WorldWorld Cup is alsoalso a grgreate in Southampton on Wednesday. can bounce back pretty “(Smith) has just come back yesterday.rday. oopportunitypportunity to becomebecome a heroher Khawaja underwent scans quickly.” and just done what he’s usually “TheThe best thinthingg withwith the whole world loolookingking at on his jaw after being struck Marsh and returning does and scored runs,” Marsh is (that)at) batting you.”you.” by an Andre Russell bouncer former captain Steve Smith put added. used to be a in the second over of Aus- on 109 for the third wicket as “It’s just fantastic to have constanttant tralia’s innings and escorted Australia chased down West them both back in the team. worryr y from the Rose Bowl’s Nursery Indies’ tally of 229 inside 39 They are both really valuable for us Ground. Australia went on to overs. players for us.” FRIDAY 24 MAY 2019 SPORT 19

Benedetti wins Giro d’Italia Hamilton on song in Monaco 12th stage;

AP five-time F1 champion hugged “It’s a dream for every driver Polanc takes MONACO five-time Ballon d’Or winner to come to Monaco and have a Cristiano Ronaldo - who shares car that you can exploit and pink jersey A quick hug from another the record for winning soccer’s utilize your abilities with,” said sporting great and then it was prestigious award with Lionel Hamilton, who has won Monaco AFP back to business for Formula Messi. This season, Hamilton has twice before. PINEROLO One champion Lewis Hamilton a good chance to move one “I’m really proud of the team. at the Monaco Grand Prix. behind Michael Schumacher’s We made some small tweaks Italy’s Cesare Benedetti won Hamilton looked every bit record of seven F1 titles. (between) the two sessions and yesterday’s 12th stage of the the championship leader as he In session two, Hamilton during the sessions as well, but Giro d’Italia at Pinerolo in the topped both practice sessions on was.081 seconds faster than his I’ve been quite happy with the Italian Alps ahead of compa- Thursday. Mercedes team-mate Valtteri set-up.” The only blip for Ham- triot Damiano Caruso. Slov- Before going out for the Bottas and.763 clear of Ferrari’s ilton was a fine of 400 euros enian Jan Polanc took the second run in the afternoon, the Sebastian Vettel. ($446) for exceeding the pit lane overall lead. speed limit of 60 kph (37 mph) It was the first win for during P2. In the first practice, Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton get into his car in the pits 31-year-old Bora rider Bene- Monaco Grand Prix he was.059 seconds quicker than before the second practice session at the Monaco Street Circuit detti who led a long break- Practice times yesterday Red Bull driver Max Verstappen yesterday in Monaco, ahead of the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix. away group in the first Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:11.118 (41 laps), Valtteri Bottas on the sinewy 3.3-kilometer mountain stage after the 158km (FIN/Mercedes) 1:11.199 (48), Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) (2-mile) street circuit. Bottas was run from Cuneo. 1:11.881 (42), Pierre Gasly (FRA/Red Bull-Honda) 1:11.938 (39), third quickest in that outing and manufacturer has not won a race behind the wheel, and the Polanc, also among the Alexander Albon (THA/Toro Rosso-Honda) 1:12.031 (51), Max finished.072 behind Hamilton, since Kimi Raikkonen, who is winding nature of the track is leading group, took the leader’s Verstappen (NED/Red Bull-Honda) 1:12.052 (17), Kevin Magnussen who is chasing a sixth world title. now with Sauber, took the well suited to its car because it pink jersey from UAE Emirates (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) 1:12.174 (54), Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA/Alfa Ferrari had looked off the checkered flag at the United negates the greater speed of team-mate Valerio Conti of Romeo Racing-Ferrari) 1:12.239 (51), Kimi Räikkönen (FIN/Alfa pace in P1 with Charles Leclerc States GP last October. Vettel has Mercedes and Ferrari. Italy. Benedetti crossed just Romeo Racing-Ferrari) 1:12.342 (51), Charles Leclerc (MON/ fourth ahead of Vettel, and they not won in 13 races since victory Verstappen thinks taking ahead of Bahrain-Merida’s Ferrari) 1:12.350 (42), Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas-Ferrari) were both fined for pit lane at the Belgian GP on August 26. pole position on Saturday is Caruso with Ireland’s Edward 1:12.392 (51), Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Renault) 1:12.393 speeding. Monaco is the only race on unlikely this time, given the great Dunbar of Team INEOS third. (27), Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/McLaren-Renault) 1:12.419 (47), Daniil Mercedes has placed 1-2 in the F1 calendar where practice consistency Mercedes has shown “I’ve worked a lot for the Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso-Honda) 1:12.577 (39), Sergio Pérez (MEX/ all five races so far, with Bottas starts on Thursday instead of on this season. others in the past but today I Racing Point-Mercedes) 1:12.752 (44), Nico Hülkenberg (GER/ second in the championship Friday, when there is no racing “I don’t think we can fight got my opportunity,” said Renault) 1:12.872 (49), Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Renault) 1:12.888 standings. Verstappen is third held at the Principality. There is them for pole,” the Dutch driver Benedetti. (53), Lance Stroll (CAN/Racing Point-Mercedes) 1:14.558 (40), overall, with Vettel fourth and a third and final practice Sat- said. “But there is a big gap “I’m not a talent, I’m not George Russell (GBR/Williams-Mercedes) 1:15.052 (37), Robert Leclerc fifth. urday ahead of qualifying. between second and third which (usually) a winner, but the way Kubica (POL/Williams-Mercedes) 1:15.146 (45) Ferrari is under pressure to Red Bull won the race last we should be able to fill in I finished it off is exactly what get a win in Monaco. The Italian year with Daniel Ricciardo qualifying.” I wanted to do.” It was the third stage win for Benedetti’s Bora team after Germany’s Pascal Ackermann’s two sprint wins. The first 15 finishers had all Federer and Nadal threaten been part of a large early breakaway that built up a sizeable advantage. Polanc finished 25 seconds behind Benedetti but more than Djokovic bid for historic Slam nine minutes ahead of Conti and more than seven minutes AFP Federer saving match points to beat Gael ahead of fellow Slovene Primoz PARIS Monfils in Madrid and in Rome against Roglic, who climbed to second Borna Coric as he found his feet again on Behind the breakaway, the Novak Djokovic can become only the European red clay. opening skirmishes between second man in history to have twice held “It’s been interesting and fun, but not the favourites occurred in the all four Grand Slam titles at the same time so challenging, to be honest,” said Federer main climb of the day, Montoso, with victory at the French Open. despite his Rome campaign being cut short the first ranked in the top cat- However, a returning Roger Federer by a leg injury. egory of this Giro. and rejuvenated Rafael Nadal will once Nadal, whose record at Roland Garros Colombian Miguel Angel again stand in his way. stands at a staggering 11 titles and a win- Lopez, third in 2018 Giro, and World number one Djokovic com- loss record of 86-2, claimed a ninth Italian Spaniard Mikel Landa went on pleted his first private stranglehold of all Open title and a record 34th Masters on the attack, 37km from the four Slams with victory at Roland Garros Sunday. finish, taking about 30 seconds in 2016. His three-set win over Djokovic was on their direct rivals in the Having clinched the 2018 Wimbledon timely as it was his first title of 2019 and standings. and US Open titles and then a seventh Rafael Nadal (right) of Spain holds his trophy after winning had followed three successive semi-final Polanc -- a 27-year-old Australian Open crown in January this the men’s singles final match against Novak Djokovic of losses at Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Slovenian who has won two year, the Serb is tantalisingly close to Serbia during the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy on May 19. Madrid. Giro stages, each time in the another ‘Djoko Slam’. The last two of those were against mountains -- pulled on the pink Federer and Nadal, with 20 and 17 Dominic Thiem and Stefanos Tsitsipas, jersey for the first time. career Grand Slam titles each respectively, halfway to a 2019 calendar Slam of his which was such a crushing bodyblow that both of whom play with a one-handed “It was a team tactic that I’d may be ahead of 15-time major winner own. he even contemplated skipping backhand, just like Federer. go in the breakaway so we Djokovic in total hauls and have also com- After losing to Nadal in the Italian Wimbledon. Thiem, the 2018 runner-up to Nadal could have a better control over pleted career Slams. Open final last weekend, the Serb was in Federer is returning to Roland Garros at Roland Garros, has defeated the the race,” said Polanc. However, not even Federer or Nadal no doubt that it was the Spaniard who for the first time since 2015 having turned Spaniard four times on clay. “It was also a way to keep have managed to hold all four of the would likely be celebrating a 12th Roland his back on clay court tennis to focus on “There is a new wave coming through the Maglia Rosa (pink jersey) in sport’s greatest prizes at the same time. Garros title in a little over two weeks’ time. Wimbledon. with the one-handed backhand that can the team. It is such a rare feat that only Don “Nadal, number one favourite, without This year marks the 10th anniversary counter some of Rafa’s spins and lefty “We were lucky to be able Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1962 and a doubt -- then everyone else,” he said. of his one and only Paris triumph and play,” said Federer, a four-time runner- to play these cards and I’m very 1969) -- all calendar Grand Slams -- have Djokovic, who will be top seed, could should the 37-year-old defy the odds up in Paris. happy to have the jersey. pulled off the sweep in the sport’s history. be forgiven his caution. and clinch the 2019 title he would Outside of Djokovic and Federer, “I was thinking about the Djokovic, who turned 32 on At Roland Garros in 2018, he was become the oldest Grand Slam champion world number four Thiem and sixth- stage win as well but being the Wednesday, is playing down his potential shocked by Italian journeyman Marco of all time. ranked Tsitsipas are the most likely can- virtual leader I had to pull a lot date with destiny even if it would put him Cecchinato in the quarter-finals, a defeat Age hasn’t dimmed his ability with didates to dethrone Nadal. more than others.” Barcelona want to redeem Ronaldo heads Portugal itself with Copa del Rey title squad for Nations League REUTERS to replace friendly internationals that LISBON were unpopular with clubs, players and AP BARCELONA Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde seasons.” fans as they interrupted league action. could have a lot riding on the outcome Barcelona will play without striker Hosts Portugal named their squad for UEFA has divided the competition of the game against Valencia, which Luis Suárez, who underwent arthro- next month’s inaugural Nations League into four divisions, or leagues, with Although Barcelona is still smarting will be played on neutral turf in scopic surgery to repair a meniscus finals yesterday with Cristiano Ronaldo each league itself sub-divided into from its collapse at Liverpool two Seville. injury in his right knee following the heading the bill and an inclusion for groups. Despite initial scepticism over weeks ago, the team has another cup While Valverde has had an almost loss to Liverpool. Benfica teenager Joao Felix. the format, it was given a generally final to play in this weekend. impeccable record in the Spanish Suarez scored 25 goals for Bar- Portugal will kick off the new com- warm reception. The Spanish champions can com- league and the Copa del Rey since celona this season, second only to petition with a semi-final against Swit- European champions Portugal plete a second straight domestic double taking charge two years ago, many Bar- Lionel Messi and his 50 goals. zerland in Porto on June 5, with the topped their three-team group ahead when it faces Valencia on Saturday in celona fans now doubt he can win it all Forward Ousmane Dembele is winners playing either England or the of Italy and Poland to qualify for the the Copa del Rey final. in Europe. also out with a muscle injury, while Netherlands in the final at the same semi-finals in the top division. “It’s the last game of the season and So while another cup is almost goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen will most venue four days later. The tournament offers Portugal a we need to win so we can go on expected by Barcelona’s supporters, a certainly keep his starting job after Ronaldo, Portugal’s leading scorer chance to make amends, albeit small, vacation with a better feeling than the loss to Valencia would increase the the club said Marc-Andre ter Stegen with 156 goals and most capped player for Euro 2004 when they were also one we had after the match against pressure on the club to consider a has pain in his right knee and won’t with 85 appearances, was included as hosts but lost in the final to Greece. Liverpool,” coaching change. be available. expected, the 34-year-old having There was no place in the squad Barcelona defender Clement Knowing his coach is under Valencia has had a very strong returned to the squad after missing six for Sevilla striker Andre Silva, who Lenglet said. “That’s why we want to scrutiny, Barcelona president Josep second half of the season. It surged up matches last year following an has been troubled by a knee injury win this final.” Bartomeu said yesterday that the club the league standings to finish fourth and agreement with coach Fernando in the last two months of the season, Barcelona has won a record 30 “completely backs Valverde.” earn a Champions League berth, and it Santos. or midfielder Joao Mario, who has Copa del Rey titles, including the last “We cannot knock this Copa,” Bar- reached the Europa League semifinals Joao Felix has had an outstanding had an indifferent season with Inter four, but it was eliminated from the tomeu said. “After the Copa we will able before losing to Arsenal. debut season for Benfica, attracting the Milan. Champions League by Liverpool after to draw conclusions on how to improve It will be seeking its eighth Copa del interest of clubs from around Europe, Santos acknowledged that such a blowing a 3-0 lead from the first leg. and aspire to win it all in the coming Rey title and first since 2008. but is still uncapped by Portugal. short tournament would be a different The Nations League was created experience for his squad. SPORT Friday 24 May 2019 PAGE | 18 PAGE | 19 England dream Federer and Nadal of long-awaited threaten Djokovic title win bid for historic Slam Qatar ready to face Nigeria in Poland

THE PENINSULA DOHA FIFA U-20 World Cup Alminhali believes Asian Cup Qatar begin their quest for glory at the 2019 U-20 FIFA World Cup 24-team tournament. Qatar are After seeing him excel at the against Nigeria today. set to make their fourth FIFA 2018 AFC U-19 Championship, win will inspire U-20 team For the Asians, Poland 2019 U-20 World Cup appearance and Qatar will be looking for a repeat will be their fourth appearance they book their ticket with a performance from striker Abdul- THE PENINSULA Qatar’s Ahmed and they will be hoping to better gallant display in the continental rasheed Umaru. The Al Ahli DOHA their second-place finish championship. forward found the net seven Alminhali achieved in Australia 1981. After losing their opening times in Indonesia to land the And to achieve this, first, they 2018 AFC U-19 Championship Top Scorer award, two ahead of Qatar’s Ahmed Alminhali believes the Asian Cup must navigate past Paul Aigbo- game to the United Arab team-mate Hashim Ali who is win will inspire their U-20s in the ongoing FIFA gun’s men before taking on Emirates, successive wins over also set to appear in Poland. U-20 World Cup in Poland. Ukraine and the United States in host nation Indonesia and Highly regarded defender Qatar kick off their bid against Nigeria today, Group D. Chinese Taipei saw Qatar finish Nasir Baksh is once again and their youngsters do not have to look far for Qatar will be aiming to on top of Group A by the nar- expected to lead his country inspiration. They will have their senior colleagues deliver a better performance rowest of margins. A 7-3 extra- having captained Qatar in at the forefront of their minds, as left-back Ahmed than they did four years ago at time defeat of Thailand duly fol- Indonesia. Alminhali explained. the FIFA U-20 World Cup that lowed in the quarter-finals, Poland 2019 will be Qatar’s “Thanks to the achievements of our first team, begins in Poland today. before Qatar succumbed 3-1 to fourth FIFA U-20 World Cup we’re more convinced than ever that nothing is The Flying Eagles will be eventual runners-up Korea appearance after making their impossible in football,” he said. making their 12th appearance on Republic in the last four. tournament debut in 1981 when “Nobody was betting on them, but they won the global scene thanks to their they lost 4-0 in the final to West the trophy by putting in great performances in fourth-place finish at the Africa FIFA U-20 World Cup Germany. They went on to host every match. They never wilted under the U20 Cup of Nations staged in the competition’s 1996 edition pressure, which has obviously been more intense “We worked hard to get to Poland,” said Niger Republic in February. Qatar’s Match Schedule but subsequently failed to reach since our country was chosen to host the 2022 Alminhali. Coached by Portuguese (all in Tychy) the knockout phase – a fate World Cup.” “Over the last two years, we’ve increased our manager Bruno Miguel, Qatar vs Nigeria (today) which also befell the West Asians Qatar other Group D rivals are Ukraine and number of training camps, getting together two vs Ukraine May 27 have arrived in Poland to face when they finished bottom of USA and the defender believes preparation will or three times a month. But all our efforts have vs USA May 30 Nigeria, Ukraine and the US in Group C at New Zealand 2015. be key. paid off, and that’s the most important thing. their Group D clashes at the Qatar pulled off an unprecedented triumph “Our qualification came down to the match at the AFC Asian Cup 2019. Felix Sanchez’s side against Thailand, and the pressure on us was A Qatari team official and a player on the eve of the FIFA U-20 World Cup match against Nigeria were more than a match for the traditional big something a lot of the players had never experi- in Poland yesterday. guns in the United Arab Emirates, and they got enced. We started well and went in 2-0 up at half- their reward by lifting the trophy for the first time. time, but our opponents were able to come back That remarkable success did not come out of and take the lead in the second half. Luckily for the blue. us, we managed to equalise before the end and For the last few years, Qatari football officials take the game into extra-time. Our superior fitness have overseen an in-depth effort to raise levels took care of the rest.” standards, most notably through the Aspire The company of two-time finalists Nigeria, Academy, which has already produced several Ukraine and USA means Qatar won’t have it easy players for the country’s international teams – in Group D. including the squad now in Poland for the FIFA “We did two training camps in Slovakia and U-20 World Cup. France, each lasting ten days each, and we were Alminhali and Co have already caught the all together for 25 days overall,” Alminhali eye themselves, booking their ticket to Poland explained. “Every national team here in Poland through the AFC U-19 Championship in 2018. has to be taken seriously – there are no more There, Qatar topped their group thanks to wins small teams, everyone has genuine ambitions. over Indonesia and Chinese Taipei, having lost “Nigeria have played in finals and even won their opener to United Arab Emirates. The best trophies. Ukraine are serious customers. All our was yet to come as they then defeated Thailand opponents have their own style of play. We will 7-3 after extra-time to secure their U-20 World try to capitalise upon our opponents’ weak points Cup spot. to achieve our goals.” Nadal and Federer on French Reduced Brazil squad begins preparations Open collision course for Copa America AFP Spain’s played just one clay court match PARIS Rafael Nadal this year. She could face Osaka celebrates in the quarter-finals in a AFP Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer winning his rematch of their stormy 2018 TERESÓPOLIS were placed in the same half of quarter final US Open final where the Jap- the draw for the French Open match against anese star triumphed while the Copa America hosts Brazil began yesterday meaning the two Switzerland’s American suffered a spectacular preparations for the tournament at longtime rivals could meet in Stan Wawrinka meltdown. their training centre in Teresopolis the semi-finals. at the Madrid Defending champion on Wednesday, despite missing most Second seed Nadal is Open in this May Simona Halep, seeded three, of their team. chasing a 12th title in Paris while 10 file picture. plays Australia’s Ajla Toml- Only seven players are expected 2009 champion Federer, janovic in her first round match. at the Granja Comary football seeded three, is playing in the Venus Williams, unseeded complex near Rio de Janeiro for the tournament for the first time this year, begins against ninth first week of training. since 2015. seed Elina Svitolina of the Neymar (pictured), the world’s Nadal starts against quali- Ukraine. most expensive player, is due to fiers in the first two rounds the feat. If the seedings work out last-eight. In the women’s draw, Williams, 38, down at 52 in appear on May 28 along with PSG while 37-year-old Federer, for the quarter-finals, then top seed Naomi Osaka, bidding the world rankings, was runner- team-mates Daniel Alves, Thiago bidding to become the oldest 15-time major winner Djokovic for a third successive Grand up to Serena in 2002. Silva and Marquinhos. Grand Slam title winner of all would face Germany’s Alex- Slam title, opens against world Second seed Karolina Everton winger Richarlison was time, faces Italy’s Lorenzo ander Zverev who has still to get 92 Anna Karolina Schmiedlova Pliskova, the champion in Rome the first to arrive Wednesday. Sonego, ranked at 73. past the last eight at a Slam. of Slovakia. last weekend, starts against “I want to get on the field very Top seed and world number Fourth seed Dominic Thiem, However, either 2017 Madison Brengle of the United quickly to train, I’m very happy to one Novak Djokovic starts his the 2018 runner-up to Nadal, champion Jelena Ostapenko or States. If the seedings prove an be here with the squad, it’s a unique who will play the Champions League campaign against Poland’s would face Argentine eighth two-time major winner and ex- accurate indicator, Osaka would moment,” said Richarlison in a final on June 1 with Liverpool, will Hubert Hurkacz, the world seed Juan Martin del Potro world number one Victoria Aza- face Australia’s Ashleigh Barty statement issued by the Brazilian be the last to arrive. number 43. while Federer would meet Ste- renka await in a tricky second in the quarter-finals, Halep football federation. Coach Tite made a brief Djokovic, the 2016 fanos Tsitsipas, the Greek who round for the 21-year-old Jap- would meet two-time Wim- Richarlison was joined by Ajax appearance near the field where champion, is bidding to become stunned him at the Australian anese star. bledon champion Petra Kvitova, Amsterdam’s David Neres, another workers were still painting the only the second man in history Open in January. Three-time champion 2018 runner-up Sloane 22-year-old striker. lines. to hold all four Slams at the Nadal, who won his first Serena Williams, chasing a Stephens would tackle Madrid Fernandinho, Gabriel Jesus and Eight-time winners Brazil face same time. title of 2019 in Rome last record-equalling 24th major, champion Kiki Bertens while Casemiro were expected to arrive Bolivia, Venezuela and Peru in the Only Rod Laver, who swept weekend against a weary begins against Vitalia Dia- Angelique Kerber of Germany later Wednesday, while Ederson and group stage, which start on June 14, to calendar Slams in 1962 and Djokovic, is seeded to face tchenko of Russia. would be Pliskova’s last-eight Filipe Luis were due Thursday. after two friendlies against Qatar 1969, has previously achieved Japan’s Kei Nishikori in the Williams, seeded 10, has rival. Alisson and Roberto Firmino, and Honduras.