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published in QATAR since 1978

SUNDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11209 June 9, 2019 Shawwal 6, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Colourful end to Souq Waqif Eid festivities In brief E-waste QATAR | Offi cial Amir condoles with Kuwaiti leaders His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday sent two cables of condolences recycling to Kuwait’s Amir Sheikh Sabah al- Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak al-Hamad al-Sabah on the death of the prime minister’s mother. His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and HE drive gets the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani also sent similar cables to the Kuwaiti Amir and prime minister. REGION | Ties QF boost Iran, Turkey presidents By Joseph Varghese segregated, categorised, and packed at stress on co-operation Staff Reporter Al Haya facility, from where it will be Iranian President Hassan Rouhani shipped to a special recycling factory in and his Turkish counterpart Recep Singapore to be processed. The electron- Tayyip Erdogan yesterday stressed he Qatar Foundation (QF), in- ic devices are pulled apart and each com- the need to develop co-operation spired by the success of a recent ponent, such as plastic and metal, will be between the two countries in Telectronic waste (e-waste) recy- sent to individual recycling factories. fighting terrorism and enhancing cling initiative, plans to make it an an- “The main aim of this drive was to security. During a telephone nual drive, an offi cial said. clear out as much e-waste as possible; conversation Rouhani described Balloon vendors lend colour to the festive atmosphere of Souq Waqif, which off ered a wide range of activities for Eid al- The campaign proved popular, with to educate people by raising awareness Iran’s relations with Turkey as Fitr celebrations. The festivities at the souq which ended yesterday, were part of the ‘Summer in Qatar (SiQ)’ programme, 4.5 tonnes of e-waste being collected among the community; and provide positive and growing, and stressed organised by the Qatar National Tourism Council and more than 30 partners. However, the Summer Entertainment City at over the course of seven days, through individuals with the opportunity to re- the desire of the two countries to the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, described as the SiQ centrepiece, will run until July 31 with an array of rides, skills containers placed at three locations cycle,” Ghani said. expand relations between Tehran games, virtual reality and video games, live entertainment shows, food court and pop-up shops. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam across Education City as well as other “E-waste is a very real, and very big and Ankara, Iran’s Irna news agency Page 16 QF entities. challenge. Ultimately, we hope that this reported. Members of the QF community were campaign becomes an annual drive – encouraged to deposit old and used we want to lead by example,” he added. AMERICA | Trade electronic equipment such as comput- Qatar Green Building Council – a ers, laptops, monitors, keyboards, tel- member of QF – also introduced e-waste Trump deal with Mexico evisions, printers, telephones, mobiles recycling into its annual ‘No Paper Day’ a win for ‘hostage-taking’ and microwaves in the containers. campaign for the fi rst time this year. As The migration deal imposed on Special SiQ discounts, tours The campaign was launched in collab- part of the recently-concluded cam- Mexico this week by US President oration with Al Haya Waste Management paign, members of the community and Donald Trump under the threat of & Projects Company. QF also carried out local organisations were encouraged to punitive tariff s was a victory for individual collection drives at several of drop off recyclable e-waste at the QGBC “hostage-taking” over international for Culture Pass members its centres, entities, and schools across Villa. During the campaign, nearly one rules, a former head of the World Qatar, including in Al Khor. tonne of e-waste was collected. Trade Organisation (WTO) said The initiative aims to tackle the E-waste is now widely recognised as yesterday. Late on Friday, the United atar Museums (QM), in part- Bollywood Music Festival (June 21), and can be purchased at the Museum growing problem of e-waste in Qatar the fastest-growing waste stream on the States and Mexico struck an accord nership with Qatar National Doha Comedy Festival (July 11-12), of Islamic Art gift shop. and raise awareness of its hazardous planet. According to a United Nations to avert a tariff war when Mexico QTourism Council (QNTC) has Marshmello concert (July 25), South QM will off er tours around Qatar’s impact among the community and QF report published in January this year, agreed to expand a contentious announced discounts for Culture Pass Indian International Movie Awards archaeological sites, public art dis- through this programme, aims to help the world produces as much as 50mn asylum programme and deploy members on various activities and ini- (August 15) and Kadhim al-Saher con- plays and curator-led tours around foster a culture of sustainability. tonnes of e-waste a year – with only security forces to stem the flow of tiatives included under the “Summer cert (August 16 and 17). various exhibitions, in addition to art Explaining the purpose of the ini- 20% of this being formally recycled. illegal immigration from Central in Qatar” (SiQ) programme. “We’re delighted to be able to spot- talks and more than 40 educational tiative, Aisha Ghani, environment America. “My reaction is it seems QM’s Culture Pass Plus and Culture light Qatar’s growing cultural off ering workshops by QM’s department of specialist, Health, Safety, Security & that hostage-taking works. That’s Pass Family members will enjoy ex- thanks to QM’s Culture Pass, which education. Environment Directorate at QF, said: my reaction,” Pascal Lamy said. clusive discounts on entry passes at a enables families to enjoy not just Running from the fi rst day of Eid “Previously, we did not off er any e- Page 11 range of edutainment and theme parks wonderful museums, but a wide array until August 16, SiQ is part of QNTC’s waste recycling opportunities to our across Qatar. These include Entertain- of cultural off erings throughout the strategy to develop Qatar as a year- community members – we only off ered INDIA | Mystery ment City, Trimoo Parks, Megapolis, summer. With a vast range of excur- round family-friendly destination. people the chance to recycle paper, Minipolis, Go Fun, Circusland, Power sions, family fun, edutainment, and With partner organisations in re- plastic and cans. Cash reward off ered for Loads, Bounce, Kidzania and more. performances for all ages, this SiQ is tail, hospitality, entertainment and “However, e-waste is a big challenge missing military plane In addition, members can take curated to every taste,” QNTC’s chief culture, SiQ is introducing a range of on a global scale as it contains hazard- Indian authorities yesterday advantage of discounts on family- marketing offi cer Rashed al-Qurese exciting indoor and outdoor experi- ous materials. For example, toners and offered a cash reward to boost friendly entertainment off ered by SiQ said. ences, along with entertainment pro- cartridges – which are our main con- a desperate hunt for a military partners. Shows include the Smurfs The Culture Pass allows individuals grammes featuring local, regional and cern at Qatar Foundation – include transport plane missing for nearly Live (July 18-20), Hello Kitty (July 25- to experience the best of Qatar’s art, international artists, edutainment, toxic chemicals that, if not disposed of a week and feared to have crashed 27) and the Blue Man Group (August heritage and culture. Benefi ts this SiQ summer and sports camps as well as correctly, can leach into soil and water in a remote northeastern state. 14-17). are expertly curated to off er exclusive special promotions on inbound travel, and be harmful to the environment.” Some of the e-waste collected through Page 10 Discounts are also available for the access to activities and experiences, hospitality and shopping. The collected e-waste is now being the drive Sudan protest group calls nationwide ‘civil disobedience’

AFP squares have been deserted since Mon- transfer power to a civilian administra- “A group of armed men came in vehi- Khartoum day’s crackdown. tion. cles at 3am (0100 GMT) and took away Led by men in army fatigues, the raid Several rounds of talks with the dem- Ismail Jalab without giving any reason,” on the weeks-long sit-in outside the onstrators fi nally broke down in mid- one of his aides, Rashid Anwar, told AFP. key protest group yesterday an- army complex left at least 113 people May. In a bid to revive the negotiations, He said SPLM-N spokesman Mu- nounced a nationwide “civil dead, according to doctors close to the the Ethiopian premier held separate barak Ardol was also detained. Adisobedience” campaign it said demonstrators. meetings with the two sides in Khar- Esmat and Jalab are both leading would run until Sudan’s ruling gener- The health ministry says 61 people toum on Friday. members of the Alliance for Freedom als transfer power to a civilian govern- died nationwide in the crackdown, 52 “The army, the people and politi- and Change, an umbrella of opposition ment. of them by “live ammunition” in Khar- cal forces have to act with courage and parties and some rebel groups. The call by the Sudanese Profession- toum. responsibility by taking quick steps The Alliance, of which the SPA is a als Association, which fi rst launched Witnesses say the assault was led by the towards a democratic and consen- key member, was the main organiser of protests against longtime ruler Omar feared Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who sual transitional period,” Abiy said in a mass protests since December that led al-Bashir, came days after a bloody have their origins in the notorious Jan- statement after the meetings. to Bashir’s ouster. crackdown on demonstrators left doz- jaweed militia, accused of abuses in the “The army has to protect the secu- The arrests threaten to further com- ens dead in Khartoum and crushed Darfur confl ict between 2003 and 2004. rity of the country and its people and plicate eff orts to reconcile the protest hopes for a swift democratic transition. The call for “civil disobedience” political forces have to think about the movement and the generals. “The civil disobedience movement came a day after Ethiopian Prime Min- future of the country.” Following Monday’s brutal crack- will begin Sunday and end only when a ister Abiy Ahmed visited Khartoum But three members of an opposi- down, chances of a quick democratic civilian government announces itself in seeking to revive talks between the gen- tion delegation that met the Ethiopian transition appear remote as protest power on state television,” the SPA said erals and protest leaders on the coun- premier were later arrested, their aides leaders now insist that talks with the in a statement. try’s transition. said yesterday. generals can resume only under certain “Disobedience is a peaceful act ca- Sudan’s military council seized pow- Opposition politician Mohamed Es- conditions. pable of bringing to its knees the most er in April after ousting Bashir on the mat was detained on Friday, while Is- “The Transitional Military Council powerful weapons arsenal in the world.” back of months-long protests against mail Jalab, a leader of the rebel Sudan has to admit the crime it committed,” It was still unclear how the campaign his three-decade rule. People’s Liberation Movement-North Omar al-Digeir, a prominent protest Shoppers walk through the great market of Omdurman, Sudanese capital would unfold on the streets, especially Since then, it has resisted calls from (SPLM-N), was taken from his home leader told reporters on Friday after Khartoum’s twin city, yesterday. Protesters have called for a nationwide “civil in Khartoum where all key roads and protesters and Western nations to overnight. meeting Abiy. disobedience” campaign in Sudan. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, June 9, 2019 QATAR

Qatar elected Qatar Airways celebrates FIFA to key UN committees

QNA Women’s World Cup in France New York

atar Airways, the Offi cial The airline will be filming this ways aircraft flying to the very premier sporting clubs around he United Nations General Partner and Offi cial Air- story and releasing it on its so- destination she has been de- the world. In 2018, Qatar Air- Assembly elected Second Qline of FIFA, played a full cial media channels. scribing: a magical land, where ways signed a fi ve-year part- TSecretary at the Perma- part in the much-anticipated The Opening Match also the story of women’s football nership agreement with lead- nent Delegation of Qatar to the celebrations at Friday’s kick- marks the launch of the 360 Fan comes alive. ing German football team FC United Nations Ahmed bin Saif off of the FIFA Women’s World Cam that off ers a chance to win A total of 24 qualifying teams Bayern München AG, making al-Kuwari as Vice-Chairman of Cup France 2019, according to a Business Class fl ights and match will compete in nine cities the award-winning airline an the UN Economic and Financial statement. tickets to the Quarter Finals. throughout France this summer, FC Bayern München platinum Committee of the 74th session Included among the many ac- Commenting on the airline’s including Paris, which will host partner until June 2023. The of the United Nations General tivities supported by the airline commitment to the FIFA Wom- the Opening Match, as well as airline also recently revealed Assembly, which will begin in ahead of the fi rst fi xture between en’s World Cup France 2019, Reims, Valenciennes, Le Havre, multi-year sponsorship agree- September. host France and Korea Republic, Qatar Airways chief execu- Rennes, Grenoble, Montpellier, ments with Italian football club The UN General Assembly was a specially designed Qatar tive, HE Akbar al-Baker, said: Nice and Lyon, which will host AS Roma, for which it will be- also elected Second Secretary Airways stand in the FIFA Fan “Qatar Airways is honoured to the Semi-Finals and the Final. come the Offi cial Jersey Spon- at the Permanent Delegation of Experience in Paris, Lyon and be supporting this incredible Throughout the competition sor through the 2020-21 season; Qatar, Sheikh Mohamed bin Ha- Nice. tournament. Women’s foot- there will be Qatar Airways- and with Argentinian football mad al-Thani, as Rapporteur of Spectators and supporters of ball grows from strength to sponsored activities taking place club Boca Juniors, for which it UN Legal Committee. all ages were invited to take part strength and we proud to have across France as well as the UK will become the Offi cial Jersey Electing Qatar to these im- in a virtual goalkeeper competi- played a small part in that de- and Germany giving supporters Sponsor through the 2021-22 portant UN committees comes tion and given the opportunity velopment by being the Official the chance to share the excite- season. as a recognition of its status in to see some of the fi nest football Partner and Official Airline of ment. A multiple-award-winning the United Nations and the in- free-stylers on the planet to the FIFA. We are totally commit- In May 2017, the award- airline, Qatar Airways was ternational community, and for soundtrack of an amazing group ted to supporting the women’s winning airline announced its named ‘World’s Best Business its great contributions and ac- of world-class drummers. game and I invite all the fans ground-breaking sponsorship Class’ by the 2018 World Airline tive role in the work of the inter- Celebrating the tournament’s who are travelling to France to deal with FIFA, which saw it Awards, managed by interna- national organisation. kick off were four lucky winners join with us in celebrating the become the Offi cial Partner and tional air transport rating or- of Qatar Airways’ social media skill and perseverance shown Offi cial Airline of FIFA until ganisation Skytrax. It was also contest, ran in partnership with by these incredible sports stars. 2022. The agreement also sees named ‘Best Business Class Seat’, the FIFA Fan Match, where the As an airline, we believe in the Qatar Airways become the Of- ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, prize was Business Class fl ights power of sports to unite people, fi cial Airline Partner of the 2019, and ‘World’s Best First Class Health Ministry and match tickets for the spec- and we look forward to bring- 2020, 2021 and 2022 editions of Airline Lounge’. tacular opening ceremony. ing fans together in France over the FIFA Club World Cup, the Qatar Airways currently op- celebrates World Also present at the open- the next month to witness the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the FIFA erates a modern fl eet of more ing ceremony was Jessica, a most exciting event in the 2019 U-17 World Cup, FIFA U-20 than 250 aircraft via its hub, Food Safety Day 17-year-old female Brazilian calendar of women’s sports.” Qatar Airways is celebrating the FIFA Women’s World Cup France Women’s World Cup, the FIFA Hamad International Airport footballer, whose journey from In May, the airline issued a 2019. U-17 Women’s World Cup, the to more than 160 destinations a favela in Rio de Janeiro, Bra- new marketing campaign fi lm FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, worldwide. The airline will add QNA zil to Paris is an inspiring story supporting the competition, tional team. The innovative fi lm en’s football reigns, where play- the FIFA Futsal World Cup, the a number of new destinations Doha of hope. Not only did she at- capturing the excitement of features a mother telling her ers rule and fans from many na- FIFA eWorld Cup, and the FIFA to its extensive route network in tend the Opening Match but fans all over the world who will daughter a wonderful bedtime tions gather to cheer. Women’s World Cup. 2019, including Davao, Philip- Qatar Airways will also fly her be watching the tournament as story. It is a flight of imagina- By the film’s end, the viewers The airline’s partnership pines; Lisbon, Portugal; Mogad- atar has joined the world to Doha to visit Aspire and the well as the thousands travel- tion, in which she describes an realise that mother and daughter with FIFA builds on its exist- ishu, Somalia and Langkawi, countries in celebrating Women’s Football Association. ling to France to cheer their na- amazing new land where wom- are in fact onboard a Qatar Air- ing sponsorship strategy with Malaysia. QWorld Food Safety Day, which falls on the June 7 each year. The day was chosen by the United Nations in 2018 to cel- Mwani Qatar’s performance in May 2019 ebrate the many benefi ts of safe food. All-New 2019 Chevrolet In this context, the Ministry of Public Health has organised many activities, including a competition for school students Blazer launched in Qatar to draw expressive paintings on food safety. The winners of the best 5 aidah Automotive, the ex- ity television show’s millions of fi ve-passenger seating with up paintings will be honoured and clusive dealer of the Chev- viewers in the region took a fi rst to 1,818 Litre of max cargo space awarded prizes during a cer- Jrolet brand in Qatar, has look at the new crossover. An- with second-row seats folded emony. announced the arrival of the all- nounced as the big competition fl at. The adjustable sliding rear The Department of Food Safe- new 2019 Chevrolet Blazer in the prize, this season’s fi nal Arabs seats enhance practicality fur- ty and Environmental Health at country. Got Talent winner will be driving ther along with a Chevrolet-fi rst the Ministry of Public Health The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer is home in the all-new 2019 Chev- cargo management system in- carried out awareness-raising available exclusively with Jaidah rolet Blazer RS. cluding a rail system and cargo activities and distributed pub- Automotive at the main Chev- The all-new 2019 Chevro- fence. lications, gifts and advertising rolet Showroom, according to a let Blazer’s design features are The 2019 Blazer is packed with materials to visitors of Hamad statement. striking, echoing styling cre- cutting-edge technology fea- General Hospital and a number Ahmed Soudodi, head of dentials borrowed from some tures making it one of the most of commercial complexes. brand at Chevrolet Middle East the brand’s performance models connected and safe vehicles in The celebration of World & Africa, commented, “Repre- such as the legendary Camaro. its class. Chevrolet Infotainment Food Safety Day contributes senting our brand’s bold new de- The front grille is punctuated 3 system is standard across the to raising awareness and sup- sign language, the all-new 2019 by sleek headlights that feature range and off ers a more person- porting actions and plans for Chevrolet Blazer is a modern menacing LED design details. alised, intuitive user interface on safer food on a healthier planet crossover full of attitude. Boast- The aggressive front end is an 8-inch HD touchscreen. and an important opportunity ing stunning design, supreme complemented by a toned body, The 2019 Blazer also packs to highlight the health waste of practicality and leading-edge which features strong lines in- active safety features that con- unsafe foods. technology, our all-new 2019 cluding a prominent character stantly work in the background Blazer is poised to continue the line that runs along the side of to ensure safe progress. Safety legacy of its iconic nameplate the vehicle and swoops up at the features available on LT, RS into the future.” rear to merge with a stylish roof and Premier trims include Lane Revealed in Lebanon this spoiler. Change Alert with Side Blind March 23 on the stage of MBC’s The all-new 2019 Blazer of- Zone Alert, rear Cross Traf- QR230mn Aquatic Research Centre set to open ‘Arabs Got Talent’, the real- fers unrivalled utility through fi c Alert, and Rear Park Assist to seamlessly aid the driver and help to keep passengers safe. he Ministry of Munici- duction capability to 10mn fi sh a RS and Premier trims also of- pality and Environment year. There is also another unit fer following distance indicator, T(MME) is getting ready for shrimps which could ulti- forward collision alert, adaptive for the offi cial opening of the mately produce six tonnes a year. cruise control and front pedes- QR230mn Aquatic Research The source stressed that the trian braking. Centre at Ras Matbakh this country has been working to The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer month, local Arabic daily Ar- achieve 90% self-suffi ciency of is available with two engine rayah reported yesterday. fi sh locally by 2023 and expected choices with a standard 2.5L The opening is part of Qatar’s that the percentage of self-suf- I-4 engine developing 193hp plans to develop the fi sheries fi ciency would amount to 79% and an available 3.6L V-6 mak- sector. It is considered as one of this year, and the following year ing 305hp. Both units are mat- the largest projects of its kind An overview of the Aquatic Research Centre at Ras Matbakh. 87% and goes up gradually until ed with an advanced 9-speed with its research, production the target is met. transmission and feature intel- and technical support aspects. varieties of economic value to The centre has special aqua- Regarding self-suffi ciency of ligent stop/start technology A source at the MME has increase the volume of domestic culture facilities and a unit for shrimps, the strategy is to reach that seamlessly shuts down the pointed out that the centre will production and supply the needs fi sh breeding with a capacity 100% self-suffi ciency by 2023 engine when the power is not work on pursue scientifi c re- of the local market accordingly. of 2.4mn fi sh larvae with four through the production of 1,000 needed. The Blazer delivers a search and studies to look into In addition, the strategy aspires hatching seasons a year. Spread tonnes annually in the Al-Arish superb balance of performance the best ways of fi sh breeding, to maintain a surplus of produc- across 110,000sqm, the centre Area, touching 5% in 2020, 25% The all-new 2019 Chevrolet Blazer has been launched in Qatar. and fuel effi ciency. with special focus on the local tion that could be imported. has the potential to raise its pro- in 2021 and 75% in 2022.

Vodafone, ESL launch world’s 1st international 5G mobile eSports tournament

odafone and ESL, the 9: Legends will take place in a droid), July 8-14 (Cup 3 – iOS), network with low latency and ment, leader boards, highlights The company has also world’s largest eSports series of eight separate week- July 22-28 (Cup 4 – Android), ultra-high speeds enabling play- and commentator clips, videos, marked several 5G milestones. Vcompany, have launched long cups scheduled from June July 29 - Aug 4 (Cup 5 – iOS), ers to reach new levels of gaming and on-the-ground coverage Recently, Vodafone Qatar be- the Vodafone 5G ESL Mobile 10 to September 1, 2019. Quali- August 5-11 (Cup 6 – Android), performance on mobile devices and schedules for ESL One and came the first in the region to Open, a mobile gaming tourna- fi cation will be based on ‘fastest August 12-18 (Cup 7 – iOS), and anywhere. gamescom. make highly-anticipated 5G ment with the fi rst grand fi nal time wins’, with four qualifying August 26 – September 1 (Cup 8 “Interest and participation in Since switching on its 5G net- smartphones available to its in competitive international eS- cup events open for players us- – Android). eSports is growing exponentially work in August last year and customers. ports to be played live over a 5G ing either iOS or Android de- The grand fi nals will be con- and Qatar is no exception with receiving the spectrum license In April this year, it made 5G network. vices. The best players from tested live only on Vodafone’s 1.5mn gamers. Vodafone Qatar’s to operate 5G commercially, technology commercially avail- The Vodafone 5G ESL Mobile each weekly cup will qualify to 5G network, providing a major 5G network is rapidly being de- Vodafone Qatar has already de- able to its customers with the Open is open to players from participate in the grand fi nals at showcase of Vodafone’s high- Asphalt 9: Legends player. ployed so we’re excited for Qa- ployed 5G in dozens of locations launch of Vodafone GigaHome, 17 countries where Vodafone is the Milan Games Week on Sep- speed, real-time 5G network for Vodafone Qatar COO Diego tar’s gamers to start enjoying the across the country, including Al the latest innovation in home present, including Qatar. The tember 28. gaming. There is a total prize Camberos said, “The Vodafone 5G experience.” Waab, Abu Hamour, Al Azizya, Internet solutions. Vodafone competition features the popu- The following are the online fund of €165,000 for all plac- 5G ESL Mobile Open is the per- Players can sign up for online Al Mamoura, Al Rayyan, Katara Qatar was also the fi rst to make lar online mobile game arcade qualifying dates for Asphalt 9: ing Vodafone 5G ESL Mobile fect opportunity to show mil- qualifi ers via the offi cial website, Cultural Village, Salwa Road, a live local and international 5G racer, Asphalt 9: Legends. Legends – June 10-16 (Cup 1 – One live fi nalists, including a top lions of gaming fans the poten- which will also provide more Souq Waqif, and Umm Salal Mu- calls using a 5G handset in the Online qualifi ers for Asphalt iOS), June 24-30 (Cup 2 – An- prize of €14,000 for the winning tial of Vodafone’s real-time 5G information about the tourna- hammed. region. Gulf Times Sunday, June 9, 2019 3 QATAR/REGION/ARAB WORLD

Qatar calls for protecting rights of children in armed confl ict

QNA to the UN was joined by Japan, UN, HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin the culture of the rule of law, ognising and defending their signed by Qatar in September tation centre.The session also New York Belgium, Nigeria and Canada Saif al-Thani, said the session Sheikha Alya said referring to rights. with the Offi ce of the Special highlighted challenges faced and UNODC in the session. was a continuation of the dis- Doha hosting the conference on “This is necessary to create a Representative of the Secretary- by member states in dealing Held under the theme, “Pro- cussions that had begun in 2015 criminal justice in 2015. framework to protect the chil- General for Children and Armed with children recruited by ter- atar took part in a high- tecting our future: priority for during a meeting between UN- She noted Qatar’s support for dren’s environment,” she said. Confl ict to establish and fund rorist and extremist groups, level UN session to all” at United Nations headquar- ODC and Columbia University the UNODC in the implementa- Sheikha Alya said Qatar was a centre for children of armed underlining the importance of Qlaunch a roadmap for the ters in New York, the session fo- to exchange ideas on the preven- tion of the Doha Declaration. an advocate and strong sup- conflicts in Doha. providing political support to United Nations Offi ce on Drugs cused on strengthening preven- tion and rehabilitation of chil- Sheikha Alya said the Doha porter not only of the UNODC She said the centre will pro- states suffering from the phe- and Crime (UNODC) to address tion and developing strategies dren and young people aff ected Declaration focused on the role but also of many United Nations mote knowledge and develop nomenon of child recruitment, the issue of child recruitment to protect and respect the full by violent extremism and their of education as an important agencies, programmes and ini- skills related to the protec- stressing the importance of and exploitation by terrorist and rights of children. integration into their societies. element to enable children and tiatives focusing on children and tion of young victims of armed strengthening co-operation at extremist groups. In a statement, Qatar’s Per- Qatar plays a key role in pro- young people to play an active young people. conflict in the region, in addi- the national, regional and in- Qatar’s Permanent Delegation manent Representative to the moting education for justice and role in protecting them by rec- She referred to the agreement tion to serving as a documen- ternational levels.

Sunrise in Kuwait City New sanctions ‘show off er of talks with Iran not genuine’

Reuters a statement. “The American military pressure on Iran be- Geneva policy of maximum pressure is cause of its nuclear and ballis- a defeated policy.” tic missile programmes as well Tensions have risen between as its support for proxy groups. dditional sanctions im- Iran and the United States in US President Donald Trump posed on Iran by the recent weeks after Washington antagonised Iran, and dis- AUnited States show that sent more military forces to the mayed key US allies, last year Washington’s off er of talks is not Middle East, including an air- when he exited a 2015 deal be- genuine, Iranian Foreign Minis- craft carrier, B-52 bombers and tween Tehran and world powers A man tosses a baby against the red sunrise as birds fly past on the beach in Kuwait City on the last day of the Eid al-Fitr’s try spokesman Abbas Mousavi Patriot missiles, in a show of under which Tehran curbed its long weekend, yesterday. Temperatures in the Gulf emirate have soared this week reaching the unusual record of 48C for said yesterday. force against what US officials nuclear programme in return June at mid-day. The United States placed call Iranian threats to US troops for an easing of most interna- sanctions on Iran’s largest pet- and interests in the region. tional sanctions. rochemical holding group on Iranian Defence Minister Trump denounced the deal, Friday for indirectly support- Amir Hatami noted the pres- signed before he took office, ing the Islamic Revolutionary ence of American warships in as flawed and reimposed tough Guard Corps (IRGC), a step it the region yesterday and said financial sanctions on Iran that said aimed to dry up revenues that the Islamic Republic’s were subsequently extended to Troops arrest fi ve Palestinians in Jerusalem to the elite Iranian military enemies are afraid of conflict its crucial oil exports. force but that analysts called because of the country’s ad- Trump said on Thursday largely symbolic. vanced offensive and defensive that Iran was failing as a na- QNA according to Wadi Hilweh In- were arrested during the raid, Mohamed Azem, head of US President Donald Trump power, according to the Iranian tion, under the pressure of his Occupied Jerusalem formation Center. including the girl who was the Sebastia municipality, said earlier this month that he Students’ News Agency (ISNA). sanctions, and repeated his call Israeli police forces raided identifi ed as Aseel Ewesat. told the Palestinian WAFA would be willing to talk to the “They are afraid of any kind for talks with the leadership in Jabal al-Mukabir area, provok- Meanwhile, Israeli forces news agency that Israeli sol- Islamic Republic. of war or possible conflict with Tehran. sraeli police last night ar- ing clashes with local teens. prevented Palestinian farm- diers banned the access of “It was only necessary to Iran,” he said, also noting that Mousavi on Friday dismissed rested fi ve Palestinians, The forces fi red live bullets ers from farming their land local farmers to their own wait one week until the claim of US offers of talks without pre- Trump’s comments as “repeti- Iincluding a teenage girl, and rubber-coated rounds at near the village of Sebastia, land and threatened to con- the president of America about conditions are false. tive, groundless and paradoxi- after raiding their homes in the protesting teens, but there to the north of Nablus in the fiscate their agricultural ma- talks with Iran were proven The United States has said it cal” and said they did not merit the neighbourhood of Jabal al- were no reports of injuries. occupied West Bank, accord- chinery if they tried to access to be hollow,” Mousavi said in aims to intensify economic and a response. Mukabir in occupied Jerusalem, At least fi ve Palestinians ing to local sources. it again.

HONOUR New role for Oman in UN Footballer turned General Assembly German minister hopes to The Sultanate of Oman was elect- rebel fighter dies in ed yesterday as part of a group of other countries representing the geographical groupings to ease tensions in visit to Iraq northwest Syria serve as vice-presidents of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the 74th session. This DPA its mediation role. “There is AFP for the country’s youth football came during the elections held Baghdad a clear danger of miscalcula- Binnish team. in New York City for the 74th ses- tions, misunderstandings, When peaceful demonstra- sion of the General Assembly of provocations leading to un- tions broke out against Presi- the United Nations, Oman News erman Foreign Minis- foreseeable consequences in Syrian goalkeeper turned dent Bashar al-Assad’s regime Agency (ONA) reported. ter Heiko Maas yester- this highly tense region,” Maas rebel fi ghter who starred in 2011, he joined in and soon Gday warned countries warned on arrival in Baghdad. Ain an award-winning became a popular singer of pro- not to abandon Iraq, which Maas said tensions between documentary died yesterday of test songs. OPINION risks being pulled deeper into Iran and the United States had wounds sustained fi ghting re- Following a brutal govern- US envoy says an ongoing confl ict between “reached a fever pitch” and it gime forces in northwestern ment crackdown on the protests, Iran and the United States. was up to European powers to Syria, his faction said. he took up arms. Israel has ‘right’ Maas said the Iraqi govern- take a lead in negotiations to Abdel-Basset al-Sarout, 27, Sarout starred in the docu- to annex land ment had serious concerns help resolve the situation. was among dozens of fi ghters mentary “Return to Homs” about being dragged into re- “The latest escalation re- killed since Thursday in clashes by Syrian director Talal Derki, The US ambassador has said gional tensions. quires us as European neigh- on the edges of the Idlib region. which tracked his evolution from Israel has the right to annex at least He praised Baghdad’s bours to intervene in favour The region, dominated by an protest leader to fi ghter, and won “some” of the occupied West Bank, “measured” approach and Iraq’s President Barham Salih meets with German Foreign of de-escalation and peaceful alliance led by Syria’s former Al a top prize at the Sundance Film in comments likely to deepen Pales- mediating role after holding Minister Heiko Maas, in Baghdad, yesterday. co-existence,” Maas said. “We Qaeda affi liate, is supposed to be Festival in 2014. tinian opposition to a long-awaited talks with Prime Minister Adel cannot just seek dialogue, we protected by a months-old buff - Jameel al-Saleh, commander US peace plan. Abdel Mahdi and President “we can and must prevent.” where there are numerous mi- must lead it, precisely where er zone deal. of the rebel faction Jaish al-Izza, The Palestinians have rejected Barham Salih. “We cannot The Baghdad portion of litias backed by Iran. the diff erences seem insur- But it has come under deadly announced Sarout’s death in a the plan before it has even been abandon Iraq now,” he said, Maas’ trip was previously un- The country is also home to mountable and long-simmer- regime bombardment in recent message on Twitter, describing unveiled, citing a string of moves pledging to continue support- announced for security rea- thousands of US soldiers who ing confl icts run deep.” weeks, sparking fears for its him as a “martyr”. Another of the by US President Donald Trump that ing Iraq’s rebuilding eff ort. sons. Today, Maas is due to are training Iraqi forces and The US unilaterally with- roughly 3mn residents. group’s commanders, Mahmoud they say show his administration is Maas also said Germany continue to the United Arab supporting the fi ght against drew last year from the Iran Before Syria’s eight-year civil al-Mahmoud, also confi rmed irredeemably biased. would continue to participate Emirates and Jordan, before Islamic State. agreement, which was aimed war, Sarout, from the central the fi ghter’s death. They are likely to see the latest in an international mission to heading to Iran, where he will Maas had earlier appealed at preventing Tehran from ac- city of Homs, was a goalkeeper “He was a well-mannered comments by US ambassador to combat Islamic State. lobby for the preservation of for a de-escalation of regional quiring a nuclear arsenal, and young man and one of the fi erc- Israel David Friedman as a new nail He warned that the terrorist the 2015 nuclear deal. tensions, urging all sides not has since begun implementing est fi ghters I have known,” he in the coff in of a peace process that group could rebuild structures There are fears the spat to “add fuel to the fi re” and oil and banking sanctions that said. is already on life support. “underground,” a reality that could spill over into Iraq, calling on Europe to step up have crippled Iran’s economy. He said the fi ghter had been In the interview published by wounded two days previously in the New York Times yesterday, the battle for Tal Maleh, a village Friedman said that some degree in the north of Hama province. of annexation of the West Bank The Syrian Observatory for would be legitimate. “Under certain Human Rights said Sarout was circumstances, I think Israel has the Deadly violence in truce zone leaves 167 dead wounded in overnight battles right to retain some, but unlikely all, Thursday to Friday while fi ght- of the West Bank,” he said. ing in the ranks of Jaish al-Izza. The establishment of a Palestinian DPA Yesterday, militant groups and rebels The counter-attack comes amid fierce “He died of his wounds on state in territories, including the Cairo launched a new attack against govern- clashes between both sides in rural Saturday,” said the head of the West Bank, that Israel occupied in ment forces in the countryside of the Hama, which is part of a demilitarised Britain-based monitor, Rami the Six-Day War of 1967 has been central province of Hama, the Syrian zone established in September. Abdel Rahman. the focus of all past Middle East ighting raged between Syrian gov- Observatory for Human Rights said. At least 37 government soldiers and This picture taken on March 15, Sarout was evacuated from peace plans. No firm date has ernment forces and rebels yester- The insurgents fired dozens of rock- allied fighters and 28 rebels were killed 2019, shows the late Syrian rebel Homs in 2014 under a surren- yet been set for the unveiling of Fday in a de-escalation zone where ets, and a suicide bomber detonated a in yesterday’s violence, the observatory fighter Abdel-Basset al-Sarout der deal with the regime to end the Trump administration’s plan a truce should be in place, claiming at car packed with explosives targeting said. (left) singing during a rally to a two-year siege of its histori- although a conference is to be held least 167 lives on both sides in the past government forces there, the watchdog Rural Hama has been the scene of commemorate the beginning of cal centre, according to the Ob- in Bahrain later this month. 48 hours, a war monitor reported. added. fierce fighting over the past few days. the Syrian revolution. servatory. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, June 9, 2019 AFRICA

Anniversary commemoration Togo failing in mission to eradicate child labour, says UN rapporteur

Thomson Reuters Foundation Dakar

hild labour is still widely accepted in Togo and the Cgovernment is not doing enough to stop it, said the UN Special Rapporteur on contem- porary forms of slavery in an in- terview. Many children in the West African country are forced into domestic servitude or hard la- President of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou-Nguesso (right) inspects an honour guard in Libreville, yesterday during a ceremony commemorating the 10th anniversary of the death of Gabon’s former bour at a young age, driven by president Omar Bongo. poverty and cultural tradition, said Urmila Bhoola follow- ing a visit to Togo to assess the situation.”There is a complete lack of data, but it seems this practice mainly aff ects girls and some are sent abroad,” she told the Thomson Reuters Founda- tion. “It is very much entrenched in cultural practices and tradition.” As violence rages, Cameroon Togo ranks 45th out of 167 countries on the Modern Slavery Index published by the Walk Free Foundation, which estimates that 50,000 people are slaves in the country of 7.4mn. The government is aware government in denial: HRW of the issue but struggling to eradicate it, said Gilbert Bawara, Reuters ing Northwest and Southwest, But almost daily violence nity for the violence.” Allegro- entry to the country in May co-operation with Western Togo’s minister of civil service, Paris which complain of being mar- from both sides has intensifi ed, zzi said separatists were not in over her research, said divi- states in the fi ght against mili- labour and administrative re- ginalised by the French-speak- forcing thousands of civilians denial of the scale of the crisis, sions amongst armed separatist tant group Boko Haram in West forms. ing majority. to seek refuge in Cameroon’s but of human rights abuses by groups could be an obstacle to and central Africa. “It is a lingering problem, rospects for talks between Prime Minister Joseph Ngute French-speaking regions and their fi ghters. The oil, cocoa and form a platform to negotiate, But the United States has be- mainly in the informal sector authorities and separatist has said the government would neighbouring countries. timber-producing nation was an element the government was come increasingly critical of the where the application of labour Pmovements to end esca- be willing to talk to the rebels, “There is no desire for dia- among western Africa’s most using to its advantage. government and the separatist laws is much more complicated,” lating violence in Cameroon’s but would not consider their logue...The abuses are coming settled until a few years ago. She cited an International crisis was discussed for the fi rst he told the Thomson Reuters English-speaking region are demand for secession — a po- from both sides and the civil- But the United Nations es- Crisis Group report putting the time at the UN Security Council Foundation. slim, a senior human rights of- sition hardline separatists have ians are fi nding themselves in timates that, since 2017, about number of separatists fi ghters at last month. “The government is working fi cial has said, dismissing asser- said they will never accept. the middle,” Ilaria Allegrozzi, 1,800 people have been killed about 2,000-4,000 fi ghters and Allegrozzi said the Anglo- to resolve the cases that have tions by both sides to be open to Eleven movements repre- Senior Central Africa Research- and more than 530,000 dis- there was evidence that they phone population was in- been identifi ed,” Bawara said. dialogue. senting Anglophone Cameroon, er at Human Rights Watch, told placed with 1.3mn in need. were acquiring more sophisti- creasingly in tune with idea of School is free in Togo but re- A separatist insurgency broke including the main armed fac- reporters in Paris. Authorities have promised to cated weaponry. independence.”There is a grow- mains out of reach for families out in 2017 following a govern- tions, last month said they were “The position of the govern- act over accusations of rights The crisis has tended to slip ing feeling of support towards who cannot aff ord books and ment crackdown on peaceful willing to enter mediated dis- ment is an almost complete violations by security person- beneath the international radar the separatists and secession,” uniforms, said Bhoola. protests in the English-speak- cussions with the state. denial...and there is total impu- nel. Allegrozzi, who was refused given President Paul Biya’s close she said. In a practice known as “confi - age”, parents send their children to live with relatives who prom- ise to send them to school in ex- change for helping with house- work, she said. Nigerian court overturns ban on opposition TV, radio stations But this is rarely what hap- pens. “It really results in extreme AFP The Federal High Court in the capital Abuja on breaching broadcast rules, not paying licence fees the offi ng.” Dokpesi established RayPower FM as exploitation,” said Bhoola, who Lagos Friday said African Independent Television (AIT) and “infl ammatory, divisive, inciting broadcasts the pioneer private Radio in 1994 and AIT in 1998. spoke with several victims. and RayPower FM radio should be allowed to op- and media propaganda against the government.” Reporters Without Borders places Nigeria in One girl she met had been sent erate until a ruling on their legal challenge to the Daar Communications is owned by business ty- 119th place out of 180 on its World Press Freedom to live with an aunt in Nigeria at Nigerian radio and television station ban. coon Raymond Dokpesi, a prominent member of Index. the age of four and was forced to owned by an opposition politician resumed The next court hearing is due on Thursday. the Peoples Democratic Party. It says journalists are often threatened, sub- sell charcoal in the market when Abroadcasting yesterday after a court order The National Broadcasting Commission said it Dokpesi said the ban was politically motivat- jected to physical violence, or denied access to she was eight. temporarily overturned a ban imposed for alleged had suspended the licence of the Daar Commu- ed and was ordered by the presidency and had information by government offi cials, police, and She was eventually rescued by “infl ammatory” content and unpaid licence fees. nications Plc, the owners of the two outfi ts, for warned that a “media and press clampdown is in sometimes the public itself. a charity. Uganda woman leads teens in battle for safer cities

AFP partnership with UN-Habitat and by the teens, changed the game. Vancouver Women in Cities International — Now, locals step in and defend girls tackles this problem by discussing when they see harassment. girls’ rights with groups of teenage “I’m becoming more popu- wo years ago, Faridah’s world girls and boys. lar,” said Faridah, who has become changed — she and a friend They then ask them to document something of a local celebrity Twere attacked by drug addicts safety problems in their community. thanks to her Safer Cities work. on a poorly lit street in the Ugandan Faridah, a group leader for the “Even people I don’t know recog- capital Kampala, their hometown. programme, and other teens walk nise me, so I don’t feel challenged in Faridah escaped, but her friend around their neighbourhood with public spaces.” was raped and killed. pens and paper, as well as a smart- Safer Cities currently operates in But since that diffi cult night, her phone app, to map the problem Alexandria, Asuncion, Cairo, Ha- neighbourhood has transformed. spots. noi, Honiara, Kampala, Lima, Mel- The local government installed They then share their fi ndings bourne, Nairobi and New Delhi. street lights and signs and cleared with their families, communities The organisation hopes to even- clogged drains, and the unwelcome and government to advocate for im- tually expand the programme to 20 catcalls from motorcycle taxi drivers provements. cities. have nearly ceased. This handout photo courtesy of Faridah and other teens met with The whole experience has boost- “I don’t want my girl to grow up Plan International and released city offi cials and convinced them to ed Faridah’s confi dence — she says and experience what I experienced by the NGO Safer Cities taken on install the street lights and closed- she now feels safe at home, and has — being called names when access- November 16, 2018, shows Faridah, circuit television cameras — sim- returned to school with a scholar- ing the streets,” Faridah, a 20-year- in Kampala. ple security measures so that girls ship after dropping out pregnant at old mother of two who asked to be would feel safer. age 15. identifi ed only by her fi rst name, of gender equality and inclusion at The group also had meetings with “I used to think of myself as a said at Women Deliver, a major Plan International. motorcycle taxi drivers and told person of no value, as a person who conference in Vancouver on gender In Kampala, Faridah took action them how vulnerable the teens felt could not achieve anything,” she equality. after her friend’s death. “I felt like when they were whistled and hol- said. Enter Safer Cities, a programme my world had come to an end,” she lered at, she explained. Driven by the loss of her friend run by child rights charity Plan In- said in a speech at the Vancouver Some now even wear jackets ad- and her experience as a mother, ternational that mobilises adoles- conference, which wrapped up on vocating for girls’ safety. Faridah is dedicated to advocating cents to advocate for girls’ safety in Thursday. “You cannot do anything on this for girls’ safety, and wants to be- 10 cities around the world. When Plan International asked without the community,” said Mu- come a women’s rights lawyer. In Hanoi, authorities and teens 156 girls in Kampala about safety nive, who noted that social pressure She wants her message to reach are working to improve bus safety in 2012, 80% of them said they felt from neighbourhood residents was more people across Kampala, in- for girls who need to use public “very unsafe” or “unsafe” in public also a major factor in getting the cluding police who, she says, some- transport. spaces, including markets, roads, drivers on board. times don’t take girls seriously and In New Delhi, 96% of teenage recreational areas and public trans- Initially, residents of her neigh- public transit operators in other girls surveyed by Plan International port. bourhood were not inclined to help, neighbourhoods. say they don’t feel safe. “Safer cit- They said they especially feared Faridah says. “I want to inspire other girls to be ies for girls are safer cities for all,” rape, theft and harassment. But the mapping exercise, along changemakers. That’s my dream,” said Alexander Munive, global head Safer Cities — which works in with other awareness activities led she said. Gulf Times Sunday, June 9, 2019 5 AMERICA

Trump confi dent Mexico will enforce new immigration deal

Reuters ton, averted Trump’s threat- G20 finance meeting in Fuku- It was not immediately clear surge through Mexico of Central Union and other rights groups goods up to 25% unless Mexico Washington ened imposition of 5% import oka, Japan. whether Mexico made such a American migrants seeking asy- are pursuing a legal challenge to acted to stem what he has called tariffs on all Mexican goods Mnuchin, however, warned pledge. lum in the United States. the program, which has returned an “invasion.” starting tomorrow. that Trump retained the author- There was no mention of ex- Under the new deal, Mexico to Mexico more than 10,390 peo- US business groups and some S President Donald “Mexico will try very hard, and ity to impose tariff s if Mexico panded Mexican purchases of US agreed to the immediate expan- ple, mostly Central Americans. of Trump’s Republican allies Trump yesterday predict- if they do that, this will be a very failed to enforce the new agree- agricultural products in the joint sion along the entire border of a Mexico also agreed to take warned that a trade fi ght with Ued Mexico would strongly successful agreement between ment. US-Mexican declaration outlin- program under which the United stronger measures including Mexico would hurt the US econ- enforce a new deal under which it the United States and Mexico,” Trump also tweeted yesterday ing the immigration deal. States returns asylum-seeking deploying militarized National omy and lobbied the administra- agreed to expand a controversial Trump wrote in a tweet yesterday that Mexico would immediately The White House did not im- migrants to Mexico to await ad- Guard forces on its southern bor- tion to back down. asylum program and boost se- morning. begin buying “large quantities” mediately respond to a request judication of their cases. der beginning tomorrow. The deal announced on Fri- curity on its southern border to The Trump administration of agricultural goods from US for comment. The programme, commonly US border offi cers detained day did not include a US demand stem Central American migrants believed the deal would “fix the farmers, who have been hit hard Trump, a Republican, has known as Remain in Mexico, has more than 132,000 people cross- that Mexico accept a “safe third trying to reach the United States. immigration issue,” US Treas- by his trade war with China and made stemming illegal immi- been operating since January ing from Mexico in May, the country” designation that would The deal, announced late ury Secretary Steven Mnuchin risked a new blow from Mexican gration a signature issue of his in the border cities of Tijuana, highest level since 2006. have forced it to permanently on Friday after three days said yesterday in a Reuters in- retaliation if Trump had imposed presidency. Mexicali and Ciudad Juarez. Trump threatened to keep take in most Central American of negotiations in Washing- terview on the sidelines of a tariff s. He has been frustrated by a The American Civil Liberties raising import duties on Mexican asylum seekers.

Early Tintin ‘Central Park Five’ condemn cover sells for $1.12mn

AFP Trump for stoking public rage Los Angeles

By Andrew Marszal, AFP Meili, who was ambushed during a n original drawing used Los Angeles night run and left for dead in the park, for the fi rst published gradually recovered but had no memory ATintin cover was sold at of the attack, leaving police and pros- auction yesterday in Dallas for ive men wrongfully convicted for ecutors under intense pressure to fi nd $1.12mn, the Heritage Auctions the 1989 rape of a New York jogger the assailants. house told AFP. Faccused Donald Trump on Friday The case was a crucible for tensions The identities of seller and of putting “a bounty on our heads,” as and fears at a time when race relations buyer have not been released. a Netfl ix documentary sheds renewed were strained, a crack cocaine epidemic The illustration, by Tintin light on their ordeal. ravaged poor communities, violent creator Herge (the pseudonym The ‘Central Park Five’ case saw a crime was rampant and the gulf be- of Belgian cartoonist Georges group of teens, four black and one His- tween rich and poor gaped wide. Remi), shows the plucky young panic aged 14-16, falsely accused of The Netfl ix series has been praised reporter sitting on a tree stump nearly killing a young white woman. by critics and has reignited debate over carving a makeshift propeller It dominated headlines 30 years ago, the case, particularly among those too for his plane after the original sharply exposing fraught race relations young to remember the case. was damaged in a rough landing in the US city. Actor Joshua Jackson, who portrays somewhere in the Soviet Union. President Trump, a real estate mogul one of the boys’ lawyers in the show, His faithful dog Snowy (Milou at the time, amplifi ed public outrage said their treatment by the police, me- in the original French) sits and by paying for full-page newspaper ads dia and public was a “scab that needs to watches, bandaged from tail to calling for the death penalty. be picked at” in the age of Trump. nose. “When Donald Trump took out that “One can’t call for the murder of The beloved Tintin books full page ad in New York city newspa- children and ever be forgiven for that... have been translated into more pers calling for our execution, he placed It’s a beyond the pale egregious thing than 70 languages, but in 1929, a bounty on our heads,” said one of the for him to have done,” he said. 22-year-old Herge was still tell- men, Yusef Salaam. “I don’t think there’s any of the de- ing the young journalist’s story The names, phone numbers and ad- tails of this (case) that would be par- in the pages of Le Petit Vingtieme dresses of the accused were also pub- ticularly — unfortunately — shocking if (The Little Twentieth), a kids’ lished by newspapers at the time, he you heard about them happening right supplement to the Belgian daily said. now,” Jackson added. Le Vingtieme Siecle (The Twenti- “If you could imagine the horror In 2014, following a long legal battle, eth Century). of that...It was almost as if they were (From left) Antron McCray, Raymond Santana, Yusef Salaam, Kevin Richardson and Korey Wise appear on stage at the the so-called Central Park Five received The serialized Tintin stories trying to get someone from the dark- American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California’s 25th annual awards luncheon in Los Angeles on Friday. a $41mn compensation settlement for proved so popular that soon Le est enclaves of society to come into our their time behind bars. Petit Vingtieme published them homes, drag us from our beds and hang in prison before a serial rapist confessed over us,” said Salaam, speaking on Fri- directed by Selma fi lmmaker Ava DuV- “We were boys when we were sent to in 16-page installments instead us from the trees of Central Park.” that he alone had attacked 28-year-old day at an American Civil Liberties Un- ernay. It depicts how the fi ve teenagers prison and we were men when we came of the original eight, and on Feb- Despite dramatic holes in the case investment banker Trisha Meili. ion event in Los Angeles honouring the were picked up during a police sweep of out,” said Salaam. “We had to struggle ruary 13, 1930, Tintin made the against them and no DNA match from But all fi ve had already served their fi ve men. the area and interrogated at length, of- to break the label that the media gave cover. the crime scene, all fi ve were convicted. jail terms. The story of the case is the subject of ten without the presence of an attorney us”, before adding: “I’m one of the Ex- It was only a few months later They spent between six and 13 years “We were just babies. The system ran a new Netfl ix drama When They See Us, or a parent. onerated Five.” that the fi rst book in what was to be a series of two dozen — Tintin in the Land of the Soviets — was published. More than 200mn Tin- Campaign trail tin books have now been sold PG&E cuts off power to worldwide. Most of the old Tintin cover il- lustrations are on display at the reduce wildfi re risk Herge museum in the Belgian town of Louvain-la-Neuve, ac- cording to a text in the Heritage Reuters dise, the town that was destroyed by Auctions catalogue by Philippe Los Angeles November’s deadly wildfi re known as Goddin, who has written several the Camp Fire. books about Tintin and Herge, PG&E said this year it would sig- including a seven-volume chro- tility PG&E Corp yesterday nifi cantly expand the practice of shut- nology. proactively shut off power to ting off power to communities at risk The drawing sold yesterday, Uaround 1,600 customers in of wildfi re when conditions demand it, in India ink and gouache, was northern California and said it might despite objections from some consumer signed by Herge. expand the shutdown to tens of thou- advocates who said such disruptions can A Heritage Auctions spokes- sands more due to an increased risk of harm vulnerable people such as those man told AFP the illustration, wildfi res. who need electricity for medical equip- which turned up in Brussels, The aff ected customers in Napa, Solano ment. was one of the “rare cover il- and Yolo counties will not have electricity The utility sought bankruptcy pro- lustrations signed by Herge in until at least the afternoon, PG&E said, tection in January after facing billions private hands,” as well as the after forecasters said a combination of of dollars in liabilities stemming from oldest. strong winds, dry conditions and warm the Camp Fire, California’s deadliest The author and artist — who temperatures had raised the fi re danger in and most destructive wildfi re in modern often set his Tintin tales in the areas north of San Francisco. times. most exotic of locales — rarely Another 30,000 customers could State investigators concluded that left Belgium in his lifetime. have their power shut down as soon the PG&E’s power lines caused the fi re, He died in 1983. evening in Butte, Yuba, Bevada, El Do- which killed at least 85 people, levelled Democratic presidential candidate and US Senator Kamala Harris meets supporters in Birmingham, Alabama, on Other Tintin works have also rado and Placer counties, the utility said. nearly 19,000 homes and other struc- Friday evening. drawn big paydays at auction, The area includes portions of Para- tures and caused some $16.5bn in losses. with some surpassing $1.5mn. Video games battle for the cloud as industry girds for change

By Glenn Chapman, AFP trend with a new Netfl ix-style xCloud, a streaming video game we think about at E3,” said Yves try, won’t be holding an E3 event euros and 9.99 euros per month. Netherlands, Norway, Spain and San Francisco service allowing people to play service it recently began letting Guillemot, co-founder and chief this year, but Microsoft may The Stadia tech platform aims Sweden. cloud-powered games on any employees test outside the of- executive of Ubisoft. “It is re- provide more insight into its col- to connect people for interac- NPD analyst Piscatella expect- connected device. fi ce. ally fantastic. It is a way to reach laboration with its Japan-based tive play on PCs, tablets, smart- ed a few surprises at Xbox and he knock-down, drag-out Adapting to the new trends will “Microsoft will play a major more players.” console rival. phones and other devices. Ubisoft press events being held battle in the video game be critical for players in the mas- role at this E3 as it lays out its vi- Streaming games from the Microsoft’s Azure cloud com- The new gaming platform dis- before E3 opens its show fl oor Tworld heads to the cloud as sive video game industry which sion for a hybrid future of getting cloud could make console-qual- puting platform will be used by rupt the gaming industry by al- as the industry gears up for the the premier industry event looks last year generated more than people access to content wher- ity play possible on all kinds of the companies to support game lowing users to avoid consoles cloud and new-generation con- to adapt to a consumer shift to $135bn globally, and $43.4bn in ever, whenever,” NPD video game internet-linked devices, and let and digital content streaming and game software on disc or soles. streaming services. the United States. analyst Mat Piscatella told AFP. the massive power of data cen- services, according to the two download. “We’ll get peeks at products New blockbuster titles will be According to the Entertain- Major games expected to be tres be used to ramp-up features, fi rms. Subscribers will have access and concepts that won’t really on centre stage as usual at the ment Software Association, shown off at E3 included new in- graphics, eff ects and the number Google on Thursday released to free games and will be able to potentially impact the market annual Electronic Entertainment which runs E3, more than 164mn stalments of Call of Duty, Apex of simultaneous players, Guille- new details about Stadia, which purchase some blockbuster titles meaningfully until perhaps mid- Expo (E3) opening in Los Angeles adults in the United States play Legends, FIFA, Pokemon, and mot noted. will be available in 14 countries as well. 2020 or later,” Piscatella said. on Tuesday, but the big question video games, and three out of Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon. Microsoft and Sony last month starting in November. The fi rst free title will be the Wedbush Securities analyst for the sector will be how con- four US households have at least At least some of those titles announced an alliance to im- For the launch, Google will sell shooter game Destiny 2 from de- Michael Pachter told AFP the sumers play. one video game player. will be available on Google Stadia prove their platforms for stream- its “founders edition bundle” veloper Bungie. new games will remain the stars The E3 opens with gamers Xbox maker Microsoft will later this year, which has inked ing entertainment from the in- hardware pack for $129, with a Stadia will launch in the Unit- of the E3 show this year. gradually moving away from tra- hold a keenly anticipated press a deal with French-based video ternet cloud. monthly subscription price of ed States, Britain, Belgium, Can- “This is a software and stream- ditional console play and Google event today where it is likely game giant Ubisoft. Sony, whose PlayStation con- $9.99. ada, Denmark, Finland, France, ing show, not much on the hard- seeking to capitalise on that to say more about its Project “Streaming is going to be what soles are a key force in the indus- In Europe, the price will be 129 Germany, Ireland, Italy, the ware front,” he said. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, June 9, 2019 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Taiwan slams Australia seizes Spain move Lanka leader sacks properties from over citizens’ deportation Chinese national Reuters tralian real estate, jewelry and intelligence chief Sydney vehicles. AFP The assets were frozen in Taipei AFP stopped on the president’s or- November, and the Supreme Colombo ders, offi cial sources said. he Australian government Court of Victoria ordered the A ministerial source told AFP has confi scated three forfeiture of the three proper- aiwan hit out at Spain Sirisena has refused to allow any Tproperties from a Chinese ties on Friday. yesterday for deporting ri Lanka’s president has police, military or intelligence national after a joint money- “Today marks six months Tnearly 100 of its citizens sacked the national intel- personnel to testify before the laundering investigation with since the fi rst restraining or- accused of telecom fraud to Sligence chief and will not committee. China, police said yesterday. der was obtained and, in the China, following years of legal cooperate with a parliamentary The source added that the The Melbourne real estate absence of proceedings com- wrangling over the case. investigation into security lapses heated cabinet meeting ended was owned by a 32-year-old menced by the respondent, The repatriation of the group before the Easter suicide bomb- “inconclusively” without taking Chinese national who had the assets were offi cially for- – who are suspected of defraud- ings, offi cials said yesterday. a decision on whether to sus- been using an assumed name feited to the Commonwealth,” ing Chinese nationals over the Maithripala Sirisena sum- pend the parliament probe. and had relocated to the Car- the AFP said yesterday. phone – is likely to heighten moned an emergency cabinet Sirisena’s offi ce did not com- ibbean, the Australian Federal It is the fi rst forfeiture of cross-strait tensions as Taipei meeting on Friday night to op- ment on the meeting, but said Police (AFP) said in a state- assets under a joint agency maintains its citizens will not pose a parliamentary select the president had told senior ment on their website. agreement between the Aus- receive a fair trial in China. committee probe into the April police offi cers on Friday that he A two-bedroom apartment, tralian Federal Police and Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign 21 attacks that killed 258 peo- will not allow any serving offi cer a fi ve-bedroom house and a China’s Ministry of Public Se- Aff airs expressed its “concern ple, including 45 foreigners, and to testify. property that used to house a curity since the Joint Agency and deep regret” over the move wounded nearly 500. Sirisena’s defence secretary supermarket were collectively Arrangement on Economic and said in a statement that Chief of National Intelligence and police chief have suggested valued at A$4.2mn ($2.94mn) Crime Co-operation was re- Spain had ignored calls from the Sisira Mendis was sacked af- that the president, who is also and will be sold. signed in December. UN not to proceed with the de- ter testifying to the inquiry last defence minister, did not follow Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena The proceeds will be used “This operation further high- portations. week that the attacks could have proper protocols in dealing with for law enforcement initia- lights the AFP’s relationship The group of 94 Taiwanese been averted. intelligence warnings about the Sirisena said last week that a brief stopover in Colombo on tives, the AFP said. with the MPS and ongoing close was arrested in 2016 after raids He also said the president Easter Sunday bombings. he met with the national police his return from an offi cial visit to China’s main policing collaboration,” the AFP said. by Spanish and Chinese police, had failed to hold regular secu- Sirisena has repeatedly denied chief and his top brass 13 days the Maldives yesterday. agency, the Ministry of Pub- Australia has long co-operated according to Beijing. rity meetings to assess the threat he was aware of an impending before the attacks but no offi cer The Sri Lankan government lic Security, asked for Aus- with China in an eff ort to crack Lawyers and local rights from radicals who carried out threat. raised warnings passed on by has admitted there were intelli- tralia’s help in 2016 to identify down on money launderers. groups had fought in the Span- the bombings on three hotels A local jihadist organisation India and based on information gence failures before the attacks. two Chinese nationals whom In 2017, Australian police ish courts to halt the deporta- and three churchs. and the Islamic State group from a detained jihadist. Sirisena suspended police Beijing said defrauded money assisted China’s “Operation tions. Sirisena’s offi ce did not give a claimed responsibility for the The crisis erupted ahead of a chief Pujith Jayasundara and from investors. Fox Hunt” to snare suspected But Beijing says that because reason for the sacking. Halfway attacks. The country has been visit to Sri Lanka by Indian Prime dismissed his top defence offi - Police say the pair laun- corrupt offi cials from China all the victims were from main- through the testimony, the live under a state of emergency since Minister Narendra Modi today. cial Hemasiri Fernando after the dered the money by setting up who fl ed overseas or had hid- land China, the group should be telecast of the proceedings was the bombings. The Indian premier is to make bombings. shell companies to buy Aus- den assets off shore. prosecuted in its courts. Beijing views self-ruling Tai- wan as a breakaway part of its territory. Since the election of Taiwan’s China-sceptic President Tsai Pompeo to visit Bangkok in July Hong Kong protesters in last Ing-wen in 2016, it has begun insisting fraud suspects should AFP the Asean bloc and will lead retary meet in Bangkok in early be deported to the mainland, Washington talks on the Lower Mekong Ini- August, we will highlight what where they often serve lengthy tiative, said Mark Clark, a US we have achieved over the past push to scrap extradition bill sentences. offi cial in charge of the region. decade and recommit to our Spain has already extradited ecretary of State Mike The initiative was launched joint eff orts supporting the peo- Reuters 225 fraud suspects to China, in- Pompeo will recommit the 10 years ago by then secretary ple of the Mekong,” Clark told a Hong Kong cluding 218 Taiwanese, China’s SUnited States on a visit to of state Hillary Clinton as a way conference on the Mekong River Ministry of Public Security said Bangkok to supporting the de- to promote coordination and region at the Meridian Interna- in a statement. velopment of Southeast Asian economic growth in Cambo- tional Center in Washington. t least half a million peo- Numerous other countries nations in the face of a rising dia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand Clark, an acting deputy as- ple in Hong Kong are have agreed in recent years to China, an offi cial has said. and Vietnam – several of which sistant secretary of state, voiced Aexpected to brave swel- deport Taiwanese fraud sus- Pompeo will travel to the have increasingly close ties concern that China has tried to tering heat today to press the pects to China despite protests Thai capital for the July 29-Au- with China. “steadily salami-slice its way to government to scrap a proposed from Taipei. gust 3 ministerial meeting of “When ministers and our sec- control” in the region. extradition law that would al- low suspects to be sent to China to face trial, organisers of the march said. A committee of pro-demo- cratic groups has raised turnout China to set up system to safeguard tech security estimates and is now eyeing the Students chain up themselves as they protest to demand authorities to biggest single-day rally since scrap a proposed extradition bill with China, in Hong Kong yesterday. AFP defuse national security risks,” The trade war has stepped up key technologies,” Hu Xijin, the 2003, when a similar number Beijing the Xinhua news agency said. in recent weeks with Washing- infl uential editor of the Chinese of protesters forced the govern- ply cannot trust China’s court and media lobbies as well as cor- Xinhua did not elaborate or ton’s move to blacklist Huawei daily Global Times, said yester- ment to shelve tighter national system or its security apparatus. porate lawyers and pro-estab- state whether the move was over national security con- day on Twitter. security laws. The city’s independent legal lishment business fi gures, some hina plans to establish a linked to the trade war but said cerns, threatening the fi rm’s “This is a major step to im- The march will end at the system was guaranteed under usually loathe to contradict the system to ensure “national “detailed measures will be un- global ambitions. prove its system, and also a city’s Legislative Council, where laws governing Hong Kong’s government. Csecurity” in technology, veiled in the near future”. The US Commerce Department move to counter US crackdown. debates start on Wednesday into return from British to Chinese Veteran Democratic Party state media reported yesterday Washington and Beijing re- placed Huawei on an “entity list” Once taking eff ect, some tech- sweeping amendments to the rule 22 years ago, and is seen by lawmaker James To said that he amid an expanding trade war with sumed their trade battle last on grounds of national security on nology exports to the US will be Fugitive Off enders Ordinance. the fi nancial hub’s business and believed a big turnout on Sunday the United States which has snared month when trade talks in the May 16, a move that curbs its ac- subject to the control,” Hu said. The extradition bill is due to be diplomatic communities as its could fi nally sway Hong Kong’s Chinese tech titan Huawei. US ended without a deal and US cess to US-made components it China accuses Trump of passed by the end of the month. strong remaining asset amid en- embattled government. The powerful National De- President Donald Trump raised needs for its equipment. A 90-day wanting to thwart Huawei’s After weeks of growing local croachments from Beijing. “It could really force a severe re- velopment and Reform Com- tariff s on $200bn in Chinese reprieve was later issued. development because the com- and international pressure, the Concerns have spread from think by the government,” he said. mission has been tasked with goods, which Beijing retaliated “Based on what I know, Chi- pany is the world leader in next- protest is expected to refl ect the the city’s democratic and hu- “There is everything to play establishing a list system to to with its own tariff hike on bil- na is building a management generation 5G mobile technolo- broad range of opposition to the man rights groups to secondary for....People really sense this is “more eff ectively forestall and lions worth US goods. mechanism to protect China’s gy and faces no US competition. bill, with many saying they sim- school students, church groups a turning point for Hong Kong.” Gulf Times Sunday, June 9, 2019 7 BRITAIN

(From left) Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, holding Prince Louis, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Princess Beatrice of York, Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Eugenie of York, Lady Louise Windsor, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, James, Viscount Severn and Isla Phillips stand with other members of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a fly-past of aircraft by the Royal Air Force in London yesterday. Meghan makes her Queen honours The Crown fi rst public appearance actress Olivia Colman since son’s

AFP Club which hosts the Wimbledon ten- London nis championships. May 6 birth Tony Allcock, the 17-times world bowls champion, received the OBE. Prince Harry’s wife Meghan yester- scar-winning actress Olivia Scotland cricket captain Kyle Co- day made her first public appearance Colman, who will play Queen etzer, former marathon world record since giving birth last month, joining OElizabeth II in The Crown, was holder Steve Jones, and the reigning a host of British royals to celebrate honoured yesterday by the monarch Women’s British Open golf champion Queen Elizabeth II’s official birthday in for her services to British drama. Georgia Hall were given the MBE. London. Colman, 45, was awarded the CBE Boyd Tunnock, 86, who in 1956 The Duchess of Sussex joined her by the sovereign to mark her 93rd invented Scotland’s cherished Tun- husband at the annual Trooping the Colour birthday, which is offi cially celebrated nock’s Teacake chocolate-coated ceremony, in her only off icial royal engage- in Britain on the second Saturday in marshmallow and biscuit snack, was ment since she gave birth to their son June. knighted. “I’ll just have to make sure I Archie in early May. Colman headed a list of stars — and live long enough to get used to it,” the The occasion sees Britain’s most everyday heroes — made command- new Sir Boyd said. prestigious regiments stage a centuries- ers (CBE), offi cers (OBE) or regular Carolyn Fairbairn, director general old spectacle of military pomp and members (MBE) of the Most Excellent of the Confederation of British Indus- pageantry. Order of the British Empire, the main try main business lobby group, was Over 1400 parading soldiers, almost 300 order of chivalry. made a dame — the female equivalent horses and 400 musicians took part in the “I’m totally thrilled, delighted and of a knighthood. event. humbled to be in the company of these Comedian and presenter Griff Rhys Meghan has been on maternity leave incredible people, most of whom have Jones received an OBE. for the past four weeks after giving birth to been nowhere near as visible as I have, The British honours system re- Archie at a private hospital in London in the but should be — and hopefully now wards individuals’ bravery, service or early hours of May 6. will be,” she said. achievement in their fi eld. The 37-year-old emerged, relaxed and Colman won this year’s best actress Nimco Ali and Doctor Leyla Hus- smiling, back into the public spotlight Academy Award for her role as Queen sein, who were both victims of female yesterday in a navy blue outfit featuring a Anne in The Favourite and will next genital mutilation as children, were matching hat. portray Queen Elizabeth in season given OBEs for their eff orts in com- She accompanied Harry, Prince Charles’s three of The Crown. bating the practice. wife Camilla and Prince William’s wife Kate Of playing the two, she said: “I fi nd The ‘Trooping the Colour’ being performed in Horseguards parade in London yesterday. The ceremony of Trooping the Seven Holocaust survivors received on a coach ride through central London, the harder is Queen Elizabeth because Colour is believed to have first been performed during the reign of King Charles II. Since 1748, the Trooping of the Colour the British Empire Medal (BEM) for before appearing alongside the Queen everyone knows what she looks like, has marked the off icial birthday of the British sovereign. Over 1,400 parading soldiers, almost 300 horses and 400 services to Holocaust education. and other royals on a Buckingham Palace everyone knows what she sounds like. musicians take part in the event. Some 1,073 people were on the balcony. I am loving trying to play her.” birthday honours list, 75% of whom One-year-old Prince Louis, William and TV adventurer Bear Grylls, who also CBE, as did fellow novelist Joanna both given the OBE, accepting estab- Clyde, along with US number ones I’m were rewarded for outstanding work Kate’s second son, made his first appear- leads the Scouts in Britain, was made Trollope. lishment endorsements far from their Telling You Now and The Night Chi- in their local communities. ance at the annual event. an OBE for his services to young peo- Sarah Waters, famed for her raun- punk roots. cago Died. The oldest recipient was John Hay- The entire entourage watched from the ple. chy novels including Tipping The Vel- Songwriter Mitch Murray received In sport, there were CBEs for former men, 100, while the youngest was balcony as the Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows Author Lee Child, whose action vet, was made an OBE. the CBE. He penned UK number one Manchester United chief executive 17-year-old Richard Collins. They aerobatic team performed a flypast over the hero Jack Reacher has been played on In the world of music, singers Elvis hits including How Do You Do It?, I David Gill and Philip Brook, the out- both received the BEM for community central London ceremony. screen by Tom Cruise, received the Costello and Feargal Sharkey were Like It and The Ballad of Bonnie and going chairman of the All England services.

Tory leadership candidate admits to drug use Michael Gove, Britain’s environ- journalist. It was a mistake. I look ment minister and a leading back and think ‘I wish I hadn’t Raab says suspending parliament remains a Brexit option candidate to become head of the done that.’” Conservative Party, has admitted There are currently 11 lawmak- that he used cocaine numerous ers who have said they will seek Reuters ing parliament until the Brexit in the sort of guerrilla warfare liament elections when voters ‘backstop’, that prevents border times during his early days as a the party’s leadership, though the London deadline, if needed to prevent sabotage of a government that is deserted it in favour of the new controls between Ireland and the journalist. deadline to formally announce lawmakers from stopping a no- resolved...to leave by the end of Brexit Party led by veteran anti- British province of Northern Ire- He becomes the third candi- their candidacy is tomorrow. deal Brexit. October,” he added. EU campaigner Nigel Farage. land. date running to succeed British The winner will almost uspending parliament re- However he said he thought it Most lawmakers oppose leav- The leading contender to suc- “It’s a test of nerve here, and if Prime Minister Theresa May — certainly become British prime mains an option to ensure unlikely, as parliamentary rules ing the EU without some kind of ceed May, former foreign sec- candidates cannot stand up their who famously said the naughtiest minister. SBritain leaves the Europe- would made it harder for law- deal, and fi nance minister Philip retary Boris Johnson, has ruled resolve to lead us out by October thing she had ever done was run Rory Stewart, Britain’s minister an Union on October 31, former makers to continue to oppose a Hammond told US broadcaster out proroguing or suspending 31 in a leadership contest, what through a wheat field — to admit for international development, Brexit secretary Dominic Raab no-deal Brexit as they had un- CNBC yesterday that he thought parliament, and environment chance do they have under the to drug use in the past. admitted to smoking an opium said yesterday, rejecting criti- der Prime Minister Theresa May, the chance of a no-deal Brexit minister Michael Gove has said heat of the negotiations in Brus- “I took drugs on several occa- pipe that was passed around at a cism of the measure from other who formally resigned as Con- was “very small”. he is open to a further delay if sels?” Raab said. sions at social events more than wedding in Iran. Conservative leadership candi- servative Party leader on Friday. However, there is signifi cant agreement could not be reached The EU has repeatedly refused 20 years ago,” Gove told British Jeremy Hunt, Britain’s current dates. “I think it is very unlikely that pressure on leadership contend- with Brussels. to make any change to the with- tabloid Daily Mail in an interview foreign minister, said he drank Raab, who draws support it would be necessary,” he said in ers from Conservative Party Raab said he wanted to keep all drawal agreement it negotiated published on Friday night. a “cannibis lassi” during a back- from the most pro-Brexit wing a BBC interview. members to leave the EU by Oc- constitutional options on the ta- last year with May, which Brit- “At the time I was a young packing trip to India. of the Conservative Party, has “It is much more diffi cult this tober 31, after the party suff ered ble in order to pressure the EU to ain’s parliament has voted down refused to rule out suspend- time for parliament to engage heavy losses in European Par- agree a time limit for a so-called three times. Gulf Times 8 Sunday, June 9, 2019 EUROPE

Animal rights Merkel’s conservatives activists march hit new low in ratings against Reuters/AFP climate change, which helped how to elect their next leader or Robert Habeck – could seize the unifying force within the on them, both have sought to abattoirs Berlin propel them to second place in and no one has yet stepped for- the top job. party. defl ect the limelight, saying European Parliament elections, ward. Habeck, 49, with his day-old She once aspired to become a that “we don’t want to revolve remained the most popular par- The weekly Der Spiegel ran a stubble and broad smile, has for journalist but after an internship around ourselves”. AFP ermany Chancellor An- ty, on 27%. title story on Kevin Kuehnert, months challenged Merkel as with the Greens at the European For now, the pair can aff ord to Paris gela Merkel’s conserva- “The Greens are benefi ting the hoody-wearing 29-year-old Germany’s most popular politi- parliament, decided that politics hang back as their competitors Gtives slumped to a record from high voter mobilisation, head of the SPD youth wing, a cian. was her future. struggle to turn the situation low and fell further behind the the self-destruction of the SPD divisive fi gure who campaigned With momentum clearly on Credited with fi nding com- around. undreds of animal rights resurgent opposition Greens in a and attempts by the conserva- against the grand coalition last the side of the Greens, Stern promises on tough topics, she Merkel’s CDU is under pres- campaigners from a survey published yesterday, re- tives to trump the Greens on year and wants to shift the party weekly magazine put the char- has also been praised for ensur- sure in eastern Germany, where Hrange of groups marched fl ecting growing disillusionment climate protection,” said Forsa to the left. ismatic writer and politician on ing that policy implemented by the far-right anti-migrant AfD through Paris yesterday, calling with the ruling coalition. chief Manfred Guellner. It quoted some party mem- its cover and asked: “Our next regional Greens squares with the is expected to make big strides in for the closure of all abattoirs. Doubts are mounting that If Merkel’s coalition collapses, bers as saying they would like chancellor?” party’s national line. three state elections in Septem- Activists wearing red T-shirts Merkel’s right-left alliance Germany faces the possibilities him to stand as leader and others Conservative daily Die Welt But in public, it is Habeck who ber and October. sounded drums and shouted slo- can last its full term until 2021, of a snap election, a minority saying it would be madness. plumped for his colleague, de- gets the popstar welcomes. On a national level, Merkel is gans, in what organisers called largely due to disarray within government or an unwieldy alli- The media-savvy Kuehnert is claring in a page one commen- A father-of-four, the doctor also facing heat as Germany fails the “Red March”, to denounce her Social Democrat (SPD) part- ance of three blocs. no stranger to controversy; last tary this week that “the next of philosophy is not shy about to meet its own climate target. the slaughter of animals for hu- ners, and many experts now see Any of those scenarios would month he caused a storm by say- chancellor is named Annalena showing his sensitive side. Die Zeit weekly noted that the man consumption. increasing chances of a federal be likely to hasten the exit of ing companies such as carmaker Baerbock”. As a writer co-authoring Greens’ reticence so far to name Placards carrying images of election next year. Merkel, chancellor for almost BMW should be taken into col- “If the misery plaguing the books with his wife from their its lead candidate for the chan- farm animals and poultry high- The Forsa poll put the con- 14 years, who has handed over lective ownership. CDU and SPD continues, the home in the bucolic countryside cellor job is “politically clever” light what they say is the suff er- servative bloc on 24%, down two the leadership of her Christian With the popularity ratings Greens could end up installing by the Baltic coast, Habeck ad- as polls can prove fi ckle, and ing they have to endure. points from a week ago. Democrats (CDU) to protégé of Merkel’s favoured successor the next chancellor, and will for mitted that he had a comfortable popularity could peak prema- “Behind each piece of meat is The SPD remained stuck at Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. plunging and the centre-left feminist reasons decide in fa- family life. turely. a sensitive being,” read one. their low of 12% – level with the Merkel has said she will not SPD in disarray, speculation is vour of the assertive Madame But he “started scolding But given that the Greens have The march was organised by far-right Alternative for Ger- stand again as chancellor of Eu- growing that Germany’s next Baerbock,” predicted the news- stupid politicians” and fi nally secured their spot just behind the L214 group, which it says many (AfD) – a week after their rope’s biggest economy. chancellor might hail from the paper. “She also understands “pulled (himself) together, drove Merkel’s centre-right alliance, campaigns over the living condi- leader quit because of a dismal Kramp-Karrenbauer has Greens. the economy ... at the moment, to a Green meeting and came the party may soon no longer be tions of farm animals, as well as performance in regional and Eu- failed to boost the CDU and in With the numbers suggest- she doesn’t need to off er more, back as district chairman”. able to avoid the decision, it said. the way they are transported to ropean elections. the Forsa poll, only 19% of re- ing that Germany’s highest of- given the sad state of the com- “Since then I’ve been a politi- “If there is a chancellor duel slaughterhouses and killed. Many members want to quit spondents said they would back fi ce may be within reach for the petition.” cian through and through.” on television, the broadcasters Organisers said the march government and rebuild in op- her as chancellor in a direct vote, Greens, the buzz is not whether A mother-of-two, Baerbock, Although diff erent in style, would probably have no choice attracted between 3,000 and position. two points down from a week the party could fi ll the seat at the 38, has been described by Spiegel the Greens leaders have been de- but to invite a Green candidate 4,000 people. The Greens, buoyed by grow- ago. chancellery but which of its two magazine as “the boss” among scribed as a “dream team”. as the challenger of the CDU- Some marchers carried the ing concern across Europe about The SPD have yet to decide co-chiefs – Annalena Baerbock the two Greens co-leaders and With attention now trained CSU.” banners of France’s Animalist Party and other animal rights groups. Police arrested a small group Public displays of disaffection of activists after they threw fake blood over the statue of Mari- Clashes anne – which symbolises the French republic – in the city centre’s Place De la Republique. on 30th “We are here to say that it’s not because an individual is dif- ferent from us that it has less weekend value,” Hugo Bouxom of L214 told AFP. People’s taste for the pleasures of ‘yellow of food had more value than the lives of animals he added. “There is a consensus around vests’ the question of animal well-be- ing today,” he said. “Now is the time to legislate, to abolish the protests worst practices such as the rais- ing of chickens in cages or the very long transport times of ani- Reuters mals in boats, in lorries.” Paris Among those at the march were activists from “Boucherie The statue of Marianne in Paris’s Place de la Republique is stained red during a Abolition”, who want a complete inor clashes broke demonstration calling for the closure of slaughterhouses. end to what they call the “holo- out yesterday during caust” of raising animals for Mthe 30th consecutive Left: People protect themselves from teargas canisters thrown by police during an slaughter, which they also de- weekend of “yellow vests” anti- anti-government demonstration called by the ‘yellow vests’ (gilets jaunes) movement, in scribe as a “crime of humanity” government protests in France, Montpellier, southern France. and a “genocide”. although the numbers of dem- A series of French butcher onstrators remained well below Below: People hold flags and signs during a demonstration in Venice, called by the ‘No shops have been vandalised in earlier peaks. Great Ships’ movement against big cruise ships sailing into the Venice lagoon. recent months by “anti-specie- French television showed a sism” activists, who say eating handful of protesters throwing meat is an immoral violation of objects at police vans in Drancy, the rights of other species. a suburban town near northern Paris, while police also used tear gas and water cannons on dem- Thousands rally onstrators in the southern city of Montpellier. against cruise The city of Dijon, in central ships in Venice France, also witnessed violent clashes. Thousands of people took to The local police force said the streets in Venice yesterday, some shops in the town centre calling for a ban on large cruise had their windows broken, and ships in the city following last added that a riot police offi cer week’s collision between a there was also injured by a slab massive vessel and a tourist boat. of paving stone. According to Italian media, The French government said around 5,000 demonstrators 10,300 people demonstrated marched through the city across the country, up from carrying banners with slogans 9,500 last weekend. such as “Keep large boats out of Nevertheless, those numbers the lagoon”. were well below the peaks seen “These giants must leave the in November and December, lagoon. They’re incompatible when an estimated 300,000 with the delicate balance of the took to the streets on Saturdays ecosystem and dangerous for in protests that often resulted in the city,” the president of the widespread violence and van- local municipality of Marghera, dalism in Paris. Gianfranco Bettin, was quoted as The “yellow vests” protests, saying. named after the bright jackets The demonstration was French drivers have to keep in organised by a group called their cars and which have been “No Big Ships” following an worn by demonstrators, began incident last Sunday in which in November after public anger the 13-deck MSC Opera suff ered against fuel tax rises. an engine failure, scraped along Those were subsequently the dockside and knocked into a scrapped but the movement has luxury tourist boat. since morphed into a broader Four tourists were injured. anti-government protest. The number of protesters has gradually fallen as a result of measures taken by President Emmanuel Macron to quell the public anger, such as tax cuts Macron to honour rescuers killed during Storm Miguel to boost consumers’ spending power. However, some demonstra- DPA/AFP his offi ce said yesterday. the boat”, the head of France’s Rescuers had observed debris streetlight fell on him due to ended its alert status for most tors insisted yesterday that they Paris Their lifeboat capsized on Fri- volunteer lifeboat service, Xavi- and an empty life raft. high winds, the city’s fi re service areas, though four departments would continue to protest over day off the town of Les Sables er de la Gorce, said. “Those who willingly took said. in northern France were still on Macron’s policies. d’Olonne as they attempted to Four other crew members of every risk to ensure the safety Rescue offi cials said the man “yellow” alert – the lowest of “What he’s re-off ered, it just rench President Em- go to the aid of a fi shing boat in the lifeboat were rescued in high of others, to save one of their was fi ghting for his life after the three levels – for thunderstorms allows people to maybe reach a manuel Macron is to post- distress. seas as Storm Miguel hit France’s compatriots, are heroes of the incident in the 19th district in or high winds. level that they had before, that Fhumously award the Le- The lifeboat had run into Atlantic coast. Nation,” Macron’s offi ce said in the northeastern part of the city Some 28,000 homes were was maybe not enough,” said gion of Honour, France’s highest heavy waves that had “smashed Authorities called off the a statement. that was hit by high winds. without power as of 9am (700 Sebastian Avril, a 42-year old civil distinction, to three rescue – and it’s unheard-of –the win- search for the fi sherman on Fri- Meanwhile, in Paris, a man By morning yesterday, the GMT) yesterday, electricity net- postal services worker in Paris. workers who perished in storms, dows in and that let water into day evening. was critically injured when a French weather service had work fi rm Enedis said. Gulf Times Sunday, June 9, 2019 9 EUROPE

France harassing migrant Investigative journalist helpers: Amnesty in court on drug charges AFP Reuters/AFP said in a statement on its web- ceived a request from investiga- forever’,” Timchenko said. Paris Moscow site. “Paramedics decided that tors to hold Golunov in custody A number of independent he should be taken to hospital for on drug charges. reporters in Russia have been examination.” He could either be placed un- prosecuted, threatened or killed. ights group Amnesty In- Russian investigative Interfax news agency cited an der arrest in custody, subject to In 2017 journalist Yulia ternational has accused journalist who was de- unnamed paramedic as saying house arrest, released on bail, or Latynina was forced to fl ee Rus- RFrench authorities of har- A tained this week for al- that Golunov had multiple chest released with travel restrictions. sia after a series of attacks. assing, intimidating and even leged drug off ences was taken to abrasions, rib bruises and sus- The court may also extend his Golunov’s detention has assaulting people off ering aid to court yesterday to face possible pected head injuries. detention by 72 hours. prompted widespread outrage migrants in the north of France arrest, after being hospitalised The agency subsequently said The US embassy called on the and supporters and journal- in a deliberate attempt to dis- with suspected head injuries. he had been released from hos- Russian authorities to free Golu- ists have held protests outside courage their work. Ivan Golunov, 36, had been pital and brought to court, which nov and ensure the transparency the police headquarters and the In a new report, Amnesty said on his way to a meeting with a under Russian law is where he of the investigation, Interfax re- court where his case was due to the security forces were engaged source on Thursday when he would have to be charged with ported. be held. in a deliberate attempt “to cur- was detained in central Moscow any alleged off ences. The editorial management Meduza posted photographs tail acts of solidarity” off ered and illegal drugs were found in After his detention on Thurs- of Meduza, which is based in of people holding placards in by activists to migrants, asylum his rucksack, according to po- day, Golunov told a representa- Latvia, has said that Golunov support of Golunov in cities in Golunov: his lawyer says paramedics suspect the journalist had seekers and refugees. lice and his employer, the online tive of Russia’s presidential had received threats in recent Russia and abroad. broken ribs and concussion. “French authorities have har- news portal Meduza. rights council, which advises months in connection with a The respected site is based in assed, intimidated and even vio- A lawyer for Golunov, who is Vladimir Putin, that police had story he was working on. EU member Latvia to avoid Rus- en at Golunov’s apartment. escalation in the persecution” of lently assaulted people off ering known for investigating alleged punched him and stood on his Meduza director Galina Tim- sian censorship, but some jour- “Everything indicates that the independent journalists in Rus- humanitarian aid and other sup- corruption among Moscow city chest. chenko told journalists outside nalists, including Golunov live authorities are planting drugs sia. port,” said the report, entitled offi cials, said he believed police News agency RIA later cited court: “Ivan received threats. in Russia. on their targets to shut them up While journalists at Russia’s Targeting Solidarity. had planted the drugs on his cli- Alexander Myasnikov, chief Two months ago they became Meanwhile, Moscow police with a jail sentence,” said Natalia dwindling number of independ- “Providing food to the hun- ent to frame him and that Golu- doctor of the hospital, as saying almost daily.” admitted that they published Zvyagina, director of Amnesty ent media resources frequently gry and warmth to the homeless nov had been physically beaten. that following the medical ex- She had failed to persuade on their website photographs of International’s branch in Russia. face criminal probes, physical have become increasingly risky “The detainee ... complained amination, Golunov did not have Golunov to contact police, she drugs paraphernalia that they Reporters Without Borders attacks and offi cial pressure, activities in northern France, as of feeling unwell. An ambulance any serious injuries. added. captioned as showing the crime has warned that Golunov’s ar- drugs accusations are not com- the authorities regularly target was called,” Moscow City police A Moscow court said it had re- “They said ‘we’ll bury you scene but were not actually tak- rest could mark “a signifi cant mon. people off ering help to migrants and refugees,” said Lisa Mara- cani, Amnesty’s Human Rights Woman held over Defenders Researcher. France in October 2016 razed abuse of daughter the so-called “Jungle” shanty Thousands of volunteers remove for money, favours town at the port city of Calais, which at its peak was home to A homeless Romanian woman around 10,000 people hoping to plastic waste from Spanish coast has been arrested in Sicily for stow away on trucks crossing the forcing her 13-year-old daughter Channel to Britain. into prostitution, in return for The migrants were taken to Reuters garbage from the water as part as well as collected larger items which she would obtain money, shelters around the country but Bermeo, Spain of World Oceans Day. like bottles. cigarettes, drinks, the use of a activists have warned people Divers retrieved, among oth- The Urdaibai estuary, on the shower, or a place to sleep. still remain in the area and their er things, rusted scrap metal, Bay of Biscay coast in northern In a statement, Italian police situation is dire. housands of volunteers a shopping trolley and a dis- Spain, is one of the most impor- said they also apprehended four Amnesty said even after the plucked plastic and other carded bicycle from the waves tant wetlands in the Iberian Pe- men who sexually abused the demolition of the “Jungle” more Twaste products from the alongside plastic waste. ninsula and a habitat for many teenager, including a 90-year-old. than 1,200 people are still living rocks and beaches along Spain’s Volunteers dressed in blue T- migratory birds. They will all face rape charges as in tents and informal camps in Basque coast yesterday, while shirts sifted through fi ne sand It has had Unesco protected the age of consent in Italy is 14, the area around Calais. divers took to the sea to clear to remove fragments of plastic status since 1984. police said. Amnesty said they have no The events took place in the regular access to food, water, southeastern province of Ragusa, sanitation, shelter or legal as- where the girl worked illegally in sistance and are subject to evic- greenhouse plantations. tions, harassment, and violence Off icers discovered the alleged at the hands of the police. sex crimes while investigating It said several rights defend- cases of rural labour exploitation. ers told Amnesty that acts of in- According to police, she used to timidation, threats of arrest and have sex with fellow land workers abuse have become “part and from Italy, Romania or North parcel of their daily work”. Africa, either on the fields or in One humanitarian worker told abandoned houses. that she was violently pushed to Otherwise, older men would the ground and choked by police abuse her in return for hospitality in June 2018 after she had fi lmed for her and her mother. four offi cers chasing a foreign national in Calais. The Amnesty report was is- Bulgarian police sued after a French court on Monday sentenced an imam to thwart bomb two years in prison for helping attack plot migrants try to cross the English Channel in infl atable boats. Bulgarian police have arrested The 39-year-old preacher, a teen suspected of being an who is of Iranian origin and Islamic State recruit in the was granted political asylum in southern city of Plovdiv, which France, is accused of organising was named a European Capital of several crossings from northern Culture this year, over allegedly France to England since last De- Divers add items to a pile of waste collected from the sea at the Volunteers collect microplastics on Laida beach, in the Spanish Basque village of Ibarrangelu, as part planning a bomb attack. cember. Spanish Basque village of Bermeo. of a clean-up campaign to mark World Oceans Day. The 16-year-old had built explosive devices, including a pipe bomb, which off icials said an attack could have been carried out with. It remains unclear whether there Moldovan parties agree to form govt after months of deadlock had been a concrete target, deputy prosecutor general Ivan Geschov said yesterday in Sofia. Reuters Sandu’s pro-European Un- solved and any decision taken by ceptions about him were down formation of the government in its voters favour closer ties with The explosives, which weighed Chisinau/Kyiv ion ACUM bloc formed a work- lawmakers on forming a govern- to lies spread by his opponents court. the EU or even reunifi cation 14.5kg, resembled those used in ing coalition with the Russian- ment would be void. after he entered politics. In a parliament session con- with Romania, while others pre- the terrorist attacks in Belgium backed Socialist party, breaking Sandu is a fi erce opponent “Injustice has come to an end vened yesterday, Sandu and the fer closer ties to Russia. and France and in a bombing oldovan parties have months of deadlock after a par- of the Democratic Party, which today in Moldova,” Sandu said. Socialists also signed a declara- Moldova has been dogged by targeting an Israeli tourist group agreed to form a gov- liamentary election in February formed the last government, and “Today begins the process of the tion, calling Moldova a “cap- political instability and corrup- in the Bulgarian city of Burgas, Mernment and appoint produced a hung parliament. its leader Vladimir Plahotniuc, purifi cation of Moldova.” tured state”. tion, especially since a scan- Geschov said. Maia Sandu, a former education But their alliance set up a a wealthy tycoon she accuses of The Democrats accuse ACUM A nation of 3.5mn, the tiny ex- dal known as the “theft of the The teenager was arrested after minister and World Bank ad- clash with the Democratic Party corruption and abuse of power. and the Socialists of usurping Soviet republic is squeezed be- century” emerged in 2014-2015 his parents tipped off authorities. viser, as premier with a mandate of Moldova and the Constitu- Plahotniuc was the target of power at Russia’s behest, and tween Ukraine and EU member where $1bn, around an eighth Police found an Islamic State flag to curb the power of oligarchs in tional Court, which earlier said street protests but in 2016 he deputy chairman Andrian Can- Romania. of its economic output, was pil- and texts about terrorism in his one of Europe’s poorest nations. that parliament should be dis- told Reuters that negative per- du said they would challenge the Politically-divided, some of fered from three banks. parents’ apartment. Muslims in Athens fi nally get a mosque

By Lefteris Papadimas, Reuters ($967,000) construction project Orthodox population and op- community, which represent Athens is completed. position from the rise of the far- about 2% of the population, who Although there are mosques in right of the country, getting ap- live mainly in the north where other parts of Greece, the capi- proval for the mosque took years, they have their own mosques. ithout minaret or tal has not had a formal mosque forcing Muslims to pray at make- Eff orts over the years to build dome, the beige, rec- since it drove out occupying Ot- shift sites dotted across the city, a mosque in Athens sparked pro- Wtangular structure in a tomans in 1833, and the few that ranging from crowded basements tests from fringe groups on the former industrial area has none are left have been repurposed. or dark warehouses. far-right; a short distance from of the ornate grace typical of Is- Plans to build a mosque began “This is like a dream come the mosque, graffi ti scrawled on a lamic places of worship. in 1890 with an act of parliament, true,” said Ashir Haider, a wall read “Islam Out”. However, for the Muslims of but all fell through, including one spokesman for the Shia Muslim Mohamed Irfan, who rep- Athens, it is the result of a long- timed for the 2004 Olympics. community of in Athens. resents a Muslim community fought battle – and the city’s fi rst “Soon the fi rst prayers will be More than 200,000 Muslims group in the nearby town of formal mosque in more than 180 made by the imam. We hope that from countries including Pa- Megara, said appearance is not years. can take place by September,” kistan, Syria, Afghanistan, and everything. Greek authorities said on Fri- Education Minister Kostas Gav- Bangladesh live in the Greek “It looks nothing like a day that Athens would open its roglou told journalists. capital, according to Muslim or- mosque. But what is important fi rst offi cial mosque probably by Stymied by red tape, a fi nancial ganisations. is that there is a place for us to A woman holds a child’s hand as they walk near the first off icial mosque in Athens. September when the €850,000 crisis, a predominantly Christian Greece has its own Muslim pray,” he told Reuters. Gulf Times 10 Sunday, June 9, 2019 INDIA

WEATHER HARDSHIP INVESTIGATION LEVY JUSTICE Monsoon hits Kerala coast Soldiers at Siachen break Police arrest two more Govt increases passenger Woman arrested for after delay of one week eggs with hammer Aligarh murder accused security fee by Rs20-112 thrashing freedom fighter

Monsoon has hit the Kerala coast, after a delay of Life is tough at Siachen where temperature The Uttar Pradesh police yesterday said it has Flyers would have to shell out Rs20-112 more come A woman who was caught on camera thrashing one week, the India Meteorological Department could range from minus 40 to minus 70 arrested two more accused in the brutal murder July 1, with government raising passenger security mercilessly her freedom fighter mother-in-law (IMD) said yesterday. The state’s coastal regions degrees Celsius, but a video showing soldiers of a two-and-a-half- year-old girl after her fee (PSF) for both domestic and international was arrested, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal have been experiencing downpours since early posted there breaking eggs with hammer parents allegedly failed to repay a loan. Aligarh travel. As per the Civil Aviation Ministry order, Khattar said yesterday. A case has been registered yesterday morning, which are set to intensify later in has won hearts. The video that has gone viral Senior Superintendent of Police Akash Kulhary domestic passengers would have to pay Rs150 and the accused has been arrested, the CM the evening, an IMD off icial said. Meanwhile, Skymet on social media off ers a glimpse of everyday said, “Those arrested on Saturday have been each time they buy a ticket from Rs130 now. The tweeted. He tagged a video that depicts inhuman Director Mahesh Palawat said that the monsoon will hardships of the soldiers at the world’s highest identified as key accused Zahid’s brother Mehndi aviation security fee for international passengers treatment meted out to the elderly fragile woman, hit Delhi-NCR by the first week of July. According battlefield. In the video, three soldiers were and his wife.” The police on June 6 arrested two has been fixed at $4.85 or equivalent Indian a former member of Netaji Subhash Chandra to IMD: “Conditions are favourable for further seen breaking open a tetra pack of fruit juice, accused, Zahid and Aslam, who they said have rupees per embarking passenger from $3.25 Bose’s Indian National Army (INA), who was lying advance of Southwest Monsoon into remaining only to reveal block of orange ice. They then confessed to killing the girl after her father failed now. “The above rates of aviation security fee will on a cot in a courtyard. “This is deplorable and parts of South Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep area and explained how they need to boil the juice to to return Rs10,000 he had borrowed from them. replace the PSF which was being charged so far condemnable, such behaviour should not be Kerala, some more parts of Tamil Nadu, Southwest, drink. The video also revealed that breaking On May 30, Zahid and Aslam abducted the girl. at the rate of Rs130 per embarking passenger for tolerated in civilised society,” Khattar wrote. The Southeast, East Central and Northeast Bay of is no mean task when you are at Siachen. They took them to the latter’s house and killed tickets issued against Indian rupees and $3.25 per CM’s reaction came when a video clip from Niwaj Bengal and some parts of Central Arabian Sea and The soldiers explained that they need to use her. Mehandi and his wife helped them to cover embarking passenger for tickets issued against Nagar village of Mahendragarh district filmed by Westcentral Bay of Bengal during next 48 hours.” hammer to break the eggs. up the crime. foreign currency,” the order said. the victim’s neighbours went viral.

Andhra State sponsored terrorism cabinet sworn in

IANS biggest problem, says Modi Amaravati ine days after taking over IANS the biggest challenge for global pendency or to put burden of as Andhra Pradesh Chief Male/ Maldives leaders. debt on the coming generations. NMinister Y S Jagan Mo- “Terrorism is the biggest Modi said 50% of world pop- han Reddy yesterday constituted challenge not only for a coun- ulation lives in the Indo-Pacifi c his cabinet with 25 ministers ssuring that India will try or a region but the entire and he had outlined SAGAR being sworn in. remain a “dependable, world. No day goes when ter- (security and growth for all Governor E S L Narasimhan Astrong and leading rorists do not strike. They do in the region) as blueprint for administered the oath of offi ce partner” in progress of Mal- not have bank accounts but cooperation in Indo-Pacifi c. and secrecy to the new minis- dives, Prime Minister Naren- still they have no dearth of India, he said, will use its re- ters, including three women, dra Modi yesterday said state money. Where do they get this sources also for developing ca- at a ceremony held near State sponsorship of terrorism was money from, who gives them. pacities of other countries and Secretariat at Velagapudi. the biggest threat before the State sponsorship of terrorism in dealing with disasters. Jagan Reddy, who alone took world. is the biggest threat,” Modi “This time is full of chal- oath on May 30, constituted his He called for a global confer- said. lenges but challenges also bring cabinet at one go. ence against terrorism to dis- He said a mistake was being opportunities,” he said. While six ministers had served cuss ways to end loopholes that made by making a distinction He said India and Maldives in the cabinet of Jagan Reddy’s are exploited by terrorists for between a good terrorist and a have an opportunity to work for late father Y S Rajasekhara Reddy their nefarious designs. bad terrorist. “This is an arti- keeping secure, world’s “most in undivided Andhra Pradesh, all The fi rst visit by Modi to the fi cial divide. It has broken all important sea lane”. others are fi rst-time ministers. South Asian archipelago nation barriers. All forces who believe “And who was most hap- The swearing in ceremony be- in his new term was marked by in humanity, should come to- py and proud over Maldives gan at 11.49am, the auspicious rich symbolism on both sides. gether. Dealing with terror and achievement. The answer is time set by Jagan Reddy’s advisers. Modi became the only the radicalisation is the biggest simple. Your most close friend, Dharmana Prasada Rao was second foreign head of state challenge for global leadership,” your nearest neighbour and the fi rst to be sworn in. Adimu- or government to address the Modi said. the world’s biggest democracy lapu Suresh and M Goutham People’s Majlis (parliament) In his speech at People’s – India. For strengthening de- Reddy took oath in English while in its 86 year history. He was Majlis, for which he later re- mocracy in Maldives, India and the remaining ministers took conferred Order of the Distin- ceived standing ovation from every Indian was with you and oath in Telugu. guished Rule of Nishan Izzud- the members, Modi shared his will remain so,” he said. Amjad Basha, the lone Muslim deen – the highest honour ac- views on Indo-Pacifi c, saying Modi announced India’s co- Minister, took oath in the name corded to foreign dignitaries by it was “our lifeline, trade route operation in conservation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, stands next to Maldives’ President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of ‘Allah’. Maldives. and key to our future” and there Friday Mosque, which is made during a welcome ceremony at Republic Square in Maldive’s capital Male yesterday. As announced earlier, fi ve of His speech to the Maldives was need for all countries to of coral and is unique in the the ministers will be Deputy parliament was his fi rst speech work together for “openness, world. change and asked why it cannot will not forgive us,” he said. ship with Maldives,” he said. Chief Ministers. In an unprec- on a foreign soil since his re- integration and balance” as it Modi said India and Maldives be held on terrorism. Modi said India had fi rm fo- He also said that India gives edented move, Jagan Reddy de- election. Modi and Maldives will increase trust. were “fl owers of the same or- “I will expect that the world cus on development of Mal- highest priority to its relation- cided to have fi ve deputies, each President Ibrahim Moham- He said rules-based or- chard” and said New Delhi will organisations and leading dives and this was guided by ship with Maldives. from the Scheduled Castes, med Solih held delegation level der will help preserve provide assistance in enrich- countries hold a global con- the needs of the neighbouring Modi said that the ‘Neigh- Scheduled Tribes, Backward talks and jointly inaugurated multilateralism. ing cultural legacy of Maldives, ference against terrorism in a country. bourhood First’ policy was a Classes, minorities and Kapus. composite training centre and Amid reports concerning conservation of its manuscripts time-bound manner so that “India will be a depend- priority for his government and Sixty per cent of the ministers coastal surveillance radar China’s “debt trap”, Modi said and development of dictionary the loopholes that are exploited able, strong and leading part- noted that India and Maldives are from SCs, STs, BCs and minori- system. India’s partnership is to em- of the local language. by terrorists and their support- ner in progress of Maldives. have signed an agreement on ties. There are 11 ministers from Modi said dealing with ter- power people and not to weaken He said global conventions ers are plugged. If there was India is determined to further ferry service to boost people- upper castes – Reddys 4, Kapus 4, rorism and radicalisation was them or to increase their de- have been held on climate delay, the coming generations strengthen its unique friend- to-people ties. Kamma 1, Vyshya 1 and Kshatriya 1.

Sidhu fails to assume Fish medicine IAF off ers cash charge at new ministry reward for info IANS the portfolios of most of the Chandigarh ministers, including Sidhu. Barring four ministers, there were some changes in the port- on missing plane unjab Cabinet minister folios of all the ministers as a Navjot Singh Sidhu, who is result of the reallocation, which Pat loggerheads with Chief the Chief Minister said would IANS village headmen) have been Minister Amarinder Singh and help further streamline the gov- Itanagar/New Delhi engaged to aid the search op- was allocated a new portfolio ernment system and processes eration,” said a senior district on Thursday, failed to assume and bring more transparency and administration offi cial. his new charge, it was learnt effi cacy to various departments. ive days after an Indian Air Chief Marshal B S Dh- yesterday. The Local Government port- Air Force AN-32 aircraft anoa yesterday also visited Air The rift between the Chief folio was earlier with Sidhu who Fwent missing, the Aru- Force Station Jorhat to take Minister and Sidhu came to the now has Power and New and nachal Pradesh government stock of the search operation. fore once again with the Ama- Renewable Energy Sources. His yesterday engaged local village He was given a detailed brief- rinder preferring to keep Sid- other portfolio of Tourism and headmen in search operations ing about the operation and was hu out of crucial consultative Cultural Aff airs was also taken on the ground even as the apprised with inputs received groups that were announced over by the Chief Minister. IAF announced a Rs500,000 so far. He also met the families yesterday to review progress Almost all ministers, except reward for any information of the offi cers and airmen who and make changes, if needed, Sidhu, have assumed their new about the ill-fated plane. were on board the aircraft. in the government’s fl agship offi ces, a senior government Air Marshal R D Mathur, The search for the missing programmes and schemes. functionary said. Air Offi cer Commanding-in- Indian Air Force An-32 con- Sidhu has been camping in the Since Congress President Ra- A member of the Bathini Goud family, right, administers ‘fish medicine’ to a patient at the exhibition Chief, Eastern Air Command, tinued for the sixth day yester- national capital since Friday to hul Gandhi is on his fi rst trip to grounds in Hyderabad yesterday. The medicine, which has been off ered by the family of the southern has announced a cash reward day. Due to poor weather con- have an audience with the par- Wayanad after his victory from Indian city to patients since 1840 as a cure for asthma and other breathing disorders, is placed in the for persons or groups who ditions prevailing throughout ty’s top leadership. the seat in the Lok Sabha polls, mouth of a live murrel fish and then slipped into the mouth of the patient. The medicine is administered provide credible information the day, aerial search could Hours after the fi rst state Sidhu is likely to meet Priyanka on the auspicious day of ‘Mrigasira Karti’ which falls in June with the onset of the annual monsoon. about the lost aircraft. not be undertaken, an IAF Cabinet meeting following the Gandhi and Ahmed Patel in a day The treatment, which is based on a secret herb formula, draws thousands of people from all over the The administration of Siang statement said. Lok Sabha election, the Chief or two, a senior party leader said, country. district in Arunachal Pradesh However, search eff orts by Minister on Thursday rejigged requesting anonymity. also announced a Rs50,000 ground teams of the Indian reward to motivate people and Army, ITBP, state police and local villagers to search for the locals continued in full force. aircraft which has been missing On June 3, the transport since Monday in an area close to plane with 13 people on board the India-China border. took off from Jorhat Airbase Heatstroke kills monkeys in searing temperatures Along with the aerial opera- in Assam for the Mechuka tion using sophisticated tech- Advanced Landing Ground AFP The monkeys died in Joshi confl ict between groups of mon- serves into villages in search of On Friday, a 33-year-old man nologies and satellites of the in the West Siang district of New Delhi Baba forest range in Madhya keys for water... which led to water, causing alerts. died after a similar fi ght in Tamil Indian Space Research Organi- Arunachal Pradesh. Pradesh state where the ther- the death of 15 monkeys from a Temperatures touched 50.3 Nadu state. sation, several teams involving The plane disappeared from mometer reached 46 Celsius (114 30-35-strong group of monkeys degrees Celsius in the Rajasthan The Indian peninsula has the civil administration, police the radar and immediately the IAF troop of monkeys died Fahrenheit). living in the caves,” Mishra was town of Churu last week, just shy seen a drastic change in rainfall and local people have been as- launched a massive search opera- from suspected heatstroke District forest offi cer P N quoted as saying. of India’s record of 51 degrees. patterns over the past decade, sisting the search operation on tion to trace its whereabouts. Ain India as scorching tem- Mishra said the primates were “Certain groups of monkeys The heatwave has exposed marked by frequent droughts, the ground in and around the The search area is mountain- peratures that have lasted more believed to have fought with a which are large in number and falling water levels in under- fl oods and sudden storms. jungles of Mechuka to search ous and heavily forested with than a week take a mounting toll rival troop over access to a water dominate that particular part ground reservoirs and there have In Uttar Pradesh state, 26 peo- for the missing aircraft. thick undergrowth. The weath- on humans and animals, media source. may have scared away the small- been a number of human deaths ple died after freak dust storms, “The ongoing search op- er in the area has been inclem- reports said yesterday. “This is rare and strange as er group of monkeys from the reported. rain and lightning hit the northern eration is being carried out by ent with low clouds and rain Vast swathes of the country herbivores don’t indulge in such water,” Mishra said. In Jharkhand state, a man plains on Thursday, offi cials said. a team consisting of police, during most hours. Combined have been sweltering in temper- confl icts,” Mishra told NDTV An autopsy said heatstroke stabbed six others after he was Kerala in the south got some civilians, hunters and locals with the inhospitable terrain, atures that have risen to over 50 network. likely caused the deaths. stopped from fi lling extra water respite from heat after annual who have been continuously the weather has posed seri- degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) “We’re probing all possibili- Tigers have also been reported barrels at a public tank, media monsoon rains arrived, more scouting the area. Addition- ous challenges to aerial search in Rajasthan state. ties, including the possibility of to be moving out of forest re- reported yesterday. than a week later than expected. ally, all ‘Gaon Burhas’ (GBs or operations, the IAF said. Gulf Times Sunday, June 9, 2019 11 LATIN AMERICA

SCANDAL HUMANITARIAN GESTURE CAPITAL WOES CLEANUP TRASH TALK Brazil state sues Braskem Ecuador blocks extradition Emigrants can invest in Vale to invest $1.9bn to over damage from mining of accused in Facebook fraud Cuba, says Havana shut down nine dams

Prosecutors for the Brazilian northeastern state Ecuador’s President Lenin Moreno has blocked Cuban emigrants can invest in their home country Brazilian mining company Vale SA said it will of Alagoas filed a lawsuit against the country’s the extradition to the United States of a New York under the same conditions as foreigners, the spend $1.9bn for the decommissioning of nine largest petrochemical company, Braskem man charged with trying to defraud Facebook government said on Friday. A 2014 law on foreign tailing dams in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, SA, seeking to guarantee compensation for Inc founder Mark Zuckerberg, a document investment did not contain any provisions anywhere according to a securities filing late on Friday. damages caused by the firm, the Alagoas obtained by Reuters showed on Friday. Moreno about “citizenship or origins,” Deborah Rivas, director The company will invest between $150mn and government said on Friday. In the lawsuit, the wrote in the June 4 document that he was of investment at the Ministry of Foreign Trade. The $200mn in 2019, around $500mn in 2020 and state asks a local court to block any attempt denying the extradition of Paul Ceglia, who spent law simply said that foreign investors must “be between $150mn and $200mn in the following from Braskem’s controlling shareholder, the nearly 3-1/2 years as a fugitive before being domiciled and have capital outside of Cuba,” Rivas years. The company also said it will be investing in Odebrecht conglomerate, to spin off the arrested in Ecuador last year, for humanitarian told reporters. A portfolio of opportunities on the ongoing assessments on engineering projects and business based in Alagoas to facilitate a possible and reciprocity reasons. An Ecuadorean court ministry’s ProCuba website lists 525 projects in expenses for other geotechnical structures. Vale’s deal to sell the petrochemical company. Local authorised the extradition of Ceglia in November which foreigners can invest, mainly in the tourism, announcement follows a dam burst in January that newspaper O Globo had reported last week 2018. “In an exercise of national sovereignty ... I energy, transport and logistics sectors. “There is no killed hundreds — its second such disaster in three that the construction group could separate the delegate to you Minister to deny the extradition,” diff erentiation in the treatment of foreign investors years. The company had not provided details on Men push wheelbarrows past a pile of garbage business in Alagoas as a way to facilitate a deal. Moreno wrote in the letter to his interior minister. who are Cubans residing abroad,” Rivas said. how the money would be deployed. in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Friday.

Nicaragua amnesty law Ex-WTO chief insists Trump sparks fear of whitewash

By Ismael Lopez, Reuters deal win for ‘hostage-taking’ Managua

By Dave Graham, Reuters icaragua’s government Mexico City on Friday proposed an Namnesty law that would free prisoners detained in pro- he migration deal imposed on tests against President Daniel Mexico last week by US President Ortega, but which opponents TDonald Trump under the threat fear will also limit scope to in- of punitive tariff s is a victory for “hos- vestigate the state for its crack- tage-taking” over international rules, a down on demonstrators. former head of the World Trade Organi- Demonstrations erupted in sation (WTO) said yesterday. April 2018, when Ortega tried to Late on Friday, the United States and cut welfare benefi ts, and gradu- Mexico struck an accord to avert a tar- ally spread into a broader protest iff war when Mexico agreed to expand a movement against the presi- contentious asylum program and deploy dent’s rule in Nicaragua. security forces to stem the fl ow of illegal More than 700 people were immigration from Central America. arrested in demonstrations and Mexico made the concessions af- 325 mostly opposition protest- ter Trump threatened to slap escalat- ers died in clashes with security ing import tariff s of 5% on all Mexican forces, while over 60,000 Nica- goods from tomorrow if the administra- raguans have gone into exile due tion of President Andres Manuel Lopez to political strife over the last 14 Obrador did not do more to tighten its months, rights groups say. borders. Nicaragua’s opposition has “My reaction is it seems that hos- made the release of political tage-taking works. That’s my reaction,” prisoners a condition of dia- Pascal Lamy, a former director-general logue with the administration, of the WTO, told Reuters in a telephone prompting the government to interview, saying that Trump’s actions put forward its amnesty bill. went against the spirit of international “Amnesty is granted to those diplomacy. who participated in events “If there’s a rule of law, it’s because throughout the country from people believe it’s better than the law of April 18, 2018 until the date that the jungle. And many people don’t like this law goes into eff ect,” says the law of the jungle because some are the bill introduced to the Con- strong, some are weak, and they don’t gress dominated by Ortega’s want the strong to always step on the Sandinista party. weak.” The opposition group known The White House did not immediate- as the Civic Alliance criticized the ly respond to requests for comment on proposed amnesty law, fearing it the remarks by Lamy, who has criticized would impede eff orts to secure jus- the American president’s use of tariff s tice for victims of the crackdown. in the past. Migrants and locals use a makeshift raft to illegally cross the Suchiate river, from Tecun Uman, in Guatemala to Ciudad Hidalgo, Chiapas state, Mexico. Jose Pallais, a spokesman for Trump, meanwhile, has blamed the the group, called the proposal WTO for not doing enough to defend fl ects wider misgivings about the Unit- Trump, a process he said would have whether the US president was more in- Earlier, Mexican Foreign Minis- an attempted whitewash that US global trade interests, and in Au- ed States going it alone. taken around two years for a defi nitive terested in reforming the organisation, ter Marcelo Ebrard said on Friday that would guarantee “impunity for gust 2018 threatened to pull the United Mexico sends around 80% of its ex- ruling. or neutralising it. Mexico’s National Guard will begin paramilitaries and police who States out of the organisation. ports to the United States, giving Trump “The US president is taking trade de- Lamy said Trump had complaints deploying on the southern border with participated in repression.” The Global markets have been roiled in ample leverage to put pressure on Lopez cisions that are in total violation of the worth heeding, noting that some WTO Guatemala from tomorrow to contain government did not immediately recent months by the Trump adminis- Obrador over a surge in migrant appre- WTO rules,” Lamy said. rules currently made it hard to con- the fl ow of migrants headed to the Unit- reply to a request for comment tration’s aggressive use of tariff s to as- hensions on the US-Mexico border. “That was the case with these Mexi- strain Chinese trade practices that have ed States, . on the opposition’s concerns. sert US economic power, fanning con- Lamy said it was understandable that can tariff s. The notion that you put a caused frictions. Speaking after Washington and Mex- Ortega has called the protests cern about the stability of multilateral Mexico had sought to extricate itself tariff because there are too many people But he said the rest of the world ico announced a deal to avert a trade an illegal plot by his adversaries institutions that grew up after World from the tariff bind, but noted it ran the crossing the border is just miles away needed a fallback plan if the United war by stemming a surge of mostly Cen- to oust him, while critics have War Two. risk of facing more threats from Trump from any letter and spirit of the WTO States decided not to abide by interna- tral American migrants, Ebrard said the accused him of human rights A former European Commissioner in future. agreement. tional rules. accord did not contain a proposal made abuses in the response to the for Trade who headed the WTO from He was in “absolutely no doubt” that “Which is why I qualify this as hos- “The others have to fi nd a way to sta- by the Trump administration to re- dissent. Families fl eeing violence 2005 to 2013, Lamy has been a staunch the WTO would have found in favour of tage-taking.” bilise the multilateral rules-based sys- turn asylum seekers from Guatemala to in Central America are part of defender of that rules-based system. Mexico if Lopez Obrador had asked the Turning to Trump’s clashes with the tem,” he said, “even if the US want to Mexico, and Honduran and Salvadoran the fl ood of people trying to en- His criticism of Trump’s tariff s re- trade body to arbitrate the dispute with WTO, Lamy said it was still not clear kill it.” asylum seekers to Guatemala. ter the United States via Mexico.

Venezuela Socialist Party deputy meets Castro in show of unity on Cuba trip

Reuters Thousands of Venezuelans cross over to Colombia as border reopens Havana/Caracas Thousands of Venezuelans Hardly any food or medicine Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba rushed into Colombia yesterday is able to be imported for lack of were reopened a month ago. enezuela’s ruling Socialist after the border was reopened, foreign currency. The reopening of the pedes- Party Vice President Di- with queues forming along President Nicolas Maduro an- trian bridge between Tachira and Vosdado Cabello met with the pedestrian bridge over the nounced on Friday that Venezuela the Colombian city of Cucuta will Cuban Communist Party chief border, local broadcaster RCN has would partially reopen its border allow thousands of Venezuelans Raul Castro on Friday in Havana reported. with Colombia, four months after to work, in a show of unity as the United Those crossing were looking closing it following a dispute with shop or go to school in Colom- States steps up pressure on the to buy food and medicine in the Bogota over humanitarian aid in bia. governments of the allied na- neighbouring South American February. The majority of those fleeing tions. country. Venezuela’s self-declared Venezuela have gone to Colombia, In a news conference at the Many Venezuelans are suff ering interim president Juan Guaido had which hosts 1.3mn of the country’s Havana airport, Cabello said under the catastrophic supply tried to bring aid over the border, nationals, and Peru, with 768,000, they had discussed preparations situation in the once rich country, which Maduro saw as a pretext for according to the UN Refugee for the Sao Paulo forum of leftist which is enduring a severe eco- military intervention. Agency and the International Latin American and Caribbean nomic and political crisis. The borders with Brazil and the Organisation for Migration. groups in Caracas next month and how to better integrate their two nations. towards Venezuela” and totally exports of Cuban professional down and allow a transitional Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz- in line with those of the United services, has an economic inter- government to organise a new Canel and Cuban Communist States even if they sounded more est in the Socialist Party staying presidential vote. Party deputy leader Jose Ramon benign. in power. Guaido in January assumed a Machado Ventura took part in the Cuba, which has been a key The Venezuelan opposition rival interim presidency, citing meeting with Cabello, who had backer of the Venezuelan gov- has said it would revise that Venezuela’s constitution, and earlier on his two-day trip to Ha- ernment since the leftist Bolivar- deal. denounced Maduro’s govern- vana also met separately with For- Venezuela’s National Constituent Assembly President Diosdado Cabello speaks during a news conference ian Revolution that began under Meanwhile in Caracas, opposi- ment as illegitimate after he se- eign Minister Bruno Rodriguez. at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana on Friday. former president Hugo Chavez tion leader Juan Guaido said on cured re-election last year in a “We need to be united because in 1998, has said it is open to help Friday that the opposition does vote widely criticised as rigged. we have a very powerful enemy in elections, and has charged Cu- Meanwhile, the Lima Group Canada’s Foreign Minister mediate but will never betray its not currently plan to join a new During a rally in the central common,” Cabello told reporters. ba’s security forces with prop- regional bloc of 12 nations has Chrystia Freeland said on Friday ally. round of talks in Norway with city of Valencia, Guaido said Cuban state-run media said ping up Maduro, accusations taken a diff erent tack of late and Cuba would have a role to play in Cuba has mediated in other representatives of Maduro, after that more talks are “not on the that Castro had “reiterated Cu- that Havana has denied. is courting Cuba to help fi nd a Venezuela’s “return to democ- regional crises in the past, most mediation eff orts collapsed last table today. Why not? Because if ba’s fi rm support to the Venezue- Last week, Washington tight- solution to the political and eco- racy” after holding the second notably hosting the peace talks month without a deal. anything that does not move us lan people and government”. ened its decades-old embargo on nomic crisis in Venezuela, which bilateral meeting with her Cu- between Colombia’s government Talks seeking a political accord toward (Maduro’s resignation) is The United States is trying to Cuba by imposing heavier travel has caused an exodus of millions ban counterpart Rodriguez in a and Marxist Farc rebels. for the crisis-stricken nation useless.” force out Venezuelan President restrictions in what it said was a and sharp increases in malnutri- month. However, analysts say Cuba, fell apart on May 29, as opposi- Venezuela’s information min- Nicolas Maduro in favour of an bid to pressure the country over tion and the spread of prevent- Cabello dismissed the Lima which receives subsidised oil tion delegates repeated calls for istry did not immediately reply to interim government and new its involvement in Venezuela. able disease. Group’s intentions as “hostile from Venezuela in exchange for President Nicolas Maduro to step a request for comment. Gulf Times 12 Sunday, June 9, 2019 PAKISTAN No change to defence budget Army staff says the armed erstwhile tribal areas, which have The fi gure will, however, not budget would aim for a primary action with troops on the Line nation fi rmly standing behind forces are foregoing the been merged into Khyber Pa- give the complete picture of the defi cit of 0.6% of GDP. of Control, explained that the its forces,” the director general of routine increase in the annual khtunkhwa, and Baluchistan. defence budget as it will not in- The primary defi cit is expected impact would be managed by the Inter-Services Public Rela- defence budget Chief of the Army Staff Gen- clude Rs260bn for the pension to be little over 2% during the “tightening our belt” in areas tions (ISPR), the military’s media eral Qamar Bajwa, while talking of retired soldiers, Rs45bn for outgoing fi scal year ending on where it did not aff ect operation- wing, had tweeted from his offi - Internews to troops during a visit to the security enhancement, and un- June 30. al capacity. cial account. Islamabad Line of Control on Eid day, said declared allocations for major The IMF had said the reduc- “Irrespective of the voluntary The defence budget has grown that the armed forces were “fore- weapon procurements and stra- tion in defi cit would be achieved cut in defence budget in the up- consistently over the past decade going routine increase in annual tegic programme. through taxation measures, in- coming fi nancial year, there shall by an average of about 11% per akistan’s defence budget defence budget”. Although the budget fi gures cluding elimination of exemp- be no impact on our response po- annum with two exceptions – in during the next fi scal year The defence budget freeze will will remain static, in reality it tions, curtailment of special tential to all types of threat and 2013-14, the fi rst year of the Pa- Pwill remain unchanged as be for one year. will mean lesser available money treatments, and improvement in quality of life of the soldiers,” he kistan Muslim League – Nawaz compared to the outgoing fi scal The original budgetary alloca- for the troops due to devaluation the tax administration. said. (PML-N) government, when it year in rupee terms, due to the tion for the outgoing fi scal year of the rupee and infl ation, and It had, however, long been The military’s spokesman, spiked by 15%, and in 2018-19, country’s dire economic condi- (2018-19) was Rs1.1tn. hence it is being described as cut speculated by fi nancial analysts meanwhile, lashed out at the way the PML-N government’s last tion. The allocation made up 21% of in defence expenditure. that the government would be Indian media presented the cut in budget, when it increased by Prime Minister Imran Khan last year’s original budget out- Little detail is offi cially availa- forced to cut all expenditures, in- defence expenditures. around 18% over the previous took to Twitter on the eve of Eid lay, and 3.2% of gross domestic ble about the impact of the budg- cluding defence spending. “Indian fake media busy spin- year’s original allocation. al-Fitr to announce that the mil- product (GDP). et freeze, which comes against Military sources say there will ning on our internal defence Meanwhile, the share of de- itary had “voluntarily agreed” to The actual expenditure in- the backdrop of the government’s be no arms procurement during budgeting choice. Don’t forget, fence budget as a percentage of cut its expenditures due to “criti- curred on defence this year will, agreement with the International the next fi scal year, expenditure we were the same forces with GDP has increased from 2.3% in cal fi nancial situation”. however, be announced by the Monetary Fund (IMF) for a $6bn on rations will be cut, overheads same budget on 27 Feb 19. We 2014-15 to 3.2% in the budget for He noted the continuing fi nance ministry while laying the bailout package. will be rationalised, and there have the capability and capacity 2018-19. General Bajwa: there shall be no “multiple security challenges” budget for next year (2019-20) The IMF, while announcing would be no pay raise for offi cers to respond. Calculating the defence budg- impact on our response and pledged to spend the saved before the National Assembly on the staff -level agreement last due to the freeze. “Remember, it’s not budget- et as percentage of GDP shows its potential to all types of threat amount on development of the Tuesday (June 11). month, said that the forthcoming General Bajwa, in his inter- ing, it’s resolve of force and the burden on the national economy. and quality of life of the soldiers. Four soldiers die All in a day’s work Shehbaz Sharif in roadside blast returning today

Reuters/DPA/AFP based across the border in Af- Internews Peshawar/Islamabad ghanistan. Lahore Pakistani forces have con- ducted a series of operations our soldiers were killed against militant groups includ- pposition Leader in and another four were ing the Pakistani Taliban in the National Assembly Fwounded by a roadside North Waziristan over recent OShehbaz Sharif is due bomb blast in a tribal area of years, although offi cials now to return from London early northwestern Pakistan on Fri- say the area has largely been this morning. day, in the latest attack in re- pacifi ed. Pakistan Muslim League – cent weeks in the restive North Problems have continued, Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson Waziristan region, offi cials however, and security offi cials Marriyum Aurangzeb says the said. said at least 10 soldiers have party chief will be landing in Security offi cials said the been killed and 35 wounded Lahore this morning to negate device was planted on a road over the past month in the claims by the government and in Khar Qamar, an area where Khar Qamar area, which has its spokespersons that he had security forces had recently also seen growing tensions left the country for good to Shehbaz Sharif: was in London conducted a search operation with local ethnic Pashtun ac- evade accountability. for a medical check-up, among following a previous roadside tivists from the Pashtun Ta- Punjab PML-N Information other reasons. bomb attack. hafuz Movement (PTM). Secretary Azma Zahid Bokhari “Terrorists targeted [a] mili- There was no indication of said that the party cadre is un- son with a boy and his elder tary vehicle through an IED any direct link between Fri- likely to be given a call to go son got blessed with a baby girl (improvised explosive device) day’s incident and recent to the airport to welcome the after 20 years of marriage. planted on the road,” Inter- clashes between security forc- PML-N chief. “The little girl had to un- Services Public Relations es and PTM activists, in which “Only MPs and party offi ce- dergo (a) major heart surgery in (ISPR), the military’s media at least 13 local tribesman holders will go to the airport to London within a week of birth. wing, said in a statement. have been killed and some 30 receive the president. But there “I haven’t seen both of them “Deeply saddened to learn wounded. will be no bar if any worker yet because of my detention of the shahadat of 3 offi cers & 1 The military regards the wishes to join them on their and my name being on ECL soldier from a terrorist-plant- PTM with deep suspicion, ac- own,” she said. (Exit Control List).” ed IED blast in Kharkamar, cusing it of being funded by Party offi cials say that Sharif It was believed that his for- N.Waziristan,” Prime Minister foreign intelligence agencies, underwent medical check-up eign visit would not last more Imran Khan said on his Twitter including those of India and in London and decided to re- than a couple of weeks. account. Afghanistan. turn home after his doctors However, Sharif prolonged “I salute the sacrifi ces & Leaders of the group deny declared him fi t for travel. his stay in London, giving a bravery of our soldiers in keep- receiving any foreign fund- They said that the doc- chance to political rivals to ing us safe. The whole nation ing and say the PTM is a non- tors had advised him rest for a speculate that he went abroad stands behind them,” he added. violent grassroots movement couple of more weeks, but he to escape the cases fi led by The Pakistani Taliban, which dedicated only to defending insisted on returning accord- the National Accountability is separate from the Afghan the civil rights of ethnic mi- ing to his commitment given to Bureau (NAB) in the Ashiyana Taliban, claimed responsi- nority Pashtuns in Pakistan. an accountability court that he Housing Scheme and Ramzan bility for the attack, accord- Last week, the army said that would return by June 11. Sugar Mills references. ing to Mohamed Khurasani, a terrorist activity had jumped in The opposition leader had Responding to reports of spokesman for the movement, the tribal region bordering Af- A man selling colourful balloons waits for customers outside a mosque in Karachi. left the country on April 9, Sharif’s return, Punjab In- many of whose members are ghanistan. soon after the Lahore High formation Minister Samsam Court lifted the no-fl y ban on Bokhari said the PML-N chief him. should not forget to bring along Before boarding a London- former federal fi nance minis- bound fl ight, he had tweeted ter Ishaq Dar, who has been in that he was going abroad for London for the last around two FBR okay Rising temperature expected in coming days “Allah has blessed his younger years. to obtain Sindh govt refutes fake storm and rain at isolated places and Turbat in Baluchistan. The text message that appears weather ‘red alert’ for in Malakand, Hazara divisions, Meanwhile, the Met Offi ce to have gone viral on WhatsApp Karachi Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir. has warned the citizens against and social media incorrectly bank data The region around Islamabad “fake” weather predictions. predicts temperatures ranging PML-N slams curbs Internews is less likely to benefi t from the It said: “This has been ob- between 50.1°C and 55.5°C in Islamabad/Karachi incoming cool winds and the served that information/news/ the metropolis during the next Internews temperature is predicted to re- alerts/warnings regarding 96 hours. on Nawaz meeting Islamabad main around 39° this weekend. weather are shared on social “Sindh Government has is- ith no more rainfall in “June is the hottest and the media claiming to be associated sued ‘RED Alert’ for next 96 sight, temperatures driest month in South Asia, and with the Pakistan Meteorologi- hours in Karachi. Mean tem- family during Eid he fi rst batch of withhold- Ware likely to rise grad- signifi cant rain is not expected cal Department perature will be between 50.1 ing data from all banks ually across Pakistan, including in the month,” said an offi cial of (PMD). Such ‘unauthentic’ to 55.5°C,” read the message, Twill be made available to in the twin cities of Rawalpindi the Met Offi ce, adding: “The hot weather information has noth- advising citizens to “drink 8-9 Internews the Federal Board of Revenue and Islamabad, during the re- and dry conditions make way ing to do with the PMD.” litres of water a day and avoid Lahore (FBR) of Pakistan in the third maining days of the month. for the monsoon rains which is The Met Offi ce said that the going out in open sun from week of ongoing month, which The mercury almost touched the main source of fresh water weather information/news/ 9am-4pm”. will be used for a database de- 40° Celsius, giving the sizzling in the whole region.” alerts/warnings issued by PMD However, the Chief Minis- he Pakistan Muslim veloped with the help of the Na- eff ect, after two days of a pleas- Due to high heat, cyclone-like are disseminated through print ter’s Adviser on Information League – Nawaz (PML- tional Database and Registration ant break because of the pres- systems have already started and electronic media. Murtaza Wahab has rejected the TN) has criticised the Authority (NADRA) to broaden ence of clouds. developing in the South Arabian It advised the citizens to visit report, saying that no such alert government for not allow- the tax base. The Met Offi ce has pre- Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the the PMD website to get authen- had been issued by the govern- ing the family to meet Nawaz The database has all kinds of dicted that the weather would Bay of Bengal. tic weather information, and ment. Sharif in jail, even on the third data about potential non-fi lers, be mainly hot and dry in most The conditions indicate ar- abstain from spreading baseless “This is fake news circulating day of Eid al-Fitr. but was incomplete as it lacked parts of the country, but central rival of pre-monsoon rainfall in and fabricated weather infor- on WhatsApp and social media. Condemning the denial of data from the banks. and southern Punjab, eastern southern and eastern parts of mation. The Sindh government has not permission, PML-N spokes- Nawaz Sharif: in prison for The FBR is now confi dent that Baluchistan, and Sindh would India. Meanwhile, the Sindh gov- issued any such red alert,” Wa- person Marriyum Aurangzeb corruption the data of withholding deduc- be very hot. The highest temperature re- ernment has refuted as fake a hab said. “Citizens are advised said in a statement that by tions to be shared by the banks The situation is likely to cre- corded in the country was 48°C report circulating on WhatsApp not to pay heed to any such fake adopting such tactics, Prime 225 party leaders and work- with the FBR from June 18, ate small low-intensity whirl- in Jacobabad and Mithi, fol- and social media, saying that reports.” Minister Imran Khan was “tak- ers before the Eid, and that the would help the tax machinery to winds in the plains areas, but lowed by 47°C in several parts of it has not issued any weather- The PMD has predicted tem- ing revenge for his (the PM’s) family were allowed to meet launch pilot project from July 1 to the cool winds from the west Sindh including Dadu, Moenjo- related “red alert” for Karachi peratures ranging between 35°C incompetence and ineptness”. him again yesterday (Saturday) broaden the tax base. would create dust-thunder- daro, Sukkur, Rohri and Sibbi, citizens. and 38°C for the next three days. Aurangzeb said that Sharif as per prison rules. When the FBR wrote to all had executed development Referring to the former banks to share the minutes of projects worth billions of ru- prime minister’s routine of a meeting held with them, the Lahore High Court judge orders nine inmates released during visit to prison pees but not a single rupee of spending the last days of Ra- tax authority also sent out offi - corruption could be estab- madan and Eid in Saudi Arabia, cial communication to the State Lahore High Court senior puisne judge Justice Sheikh during the visit that included He was also of the view that there must be lished against him. Gill said that for the fi rst time Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Justice Mamoon Sheikh has visited the Camp inspection of the jail’s hospital and other adequate arrangements for their training in Meanwhile, Punjab govern- Sharif spent his Eid days in The SBP in its reply, informed Jail in Lahore, distributed gifts among the basic facilities. jails. ment spokesperson Dr Shah- Pakistan because he is impris- the FBR that the central bank did prisoners, and issued release orders for nine Justice Sheikh expressed satisfaction with Justice Sheikh said unemployment is one of baz Gill said that Sharif was oned. not possess data of customers, of them who were imprisoned for minor the quality of the facilities provided to the the main reasons behind the growing crime denied a meeting with his fam- “Marriyum Aurangzeb is, but under the law of the land, off ences. inmates. rate in society, adding that every criminal ily as a matter or procedure. perhaps, forgetting the reason the banks could provide the in- Off icial sources said here that Lahore District He visited the cell of the juvenile prisoners must be punished but the punishment should He explained that Sharif had behind imprisonment of Na- formation directly. and Sessions Judge Qaiser Butt also joined and spent a considerable time with them. not be more than the crime. met his family and more than waz Sharif,” he remarked. Gulf Times Sunday, June 9, 2019 13 PHILIPPINES Govt rejects call for UN rights council investigation

AFP Manila

he Philippines yesterday President Rodrigo Duterte is interviewed on the TV show by Apollo Quiboloy, at the Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) Studio rejected a call for an inde- in Davao City. Tpendent United Nations probe into Manila’s alleged hu- man rights violations, describ- ing it as interference in the af- fairs of the Asian nation. UN rights experts asked the Duterte seeks arrest of dialysis UN Human Rights Council on Friday to look into the “stagger- ing number of unlawful deaths and police killings in the context centre owners linked to scam of the so-called war on drugs, as well as killings of human rights defenders”. President Rodrigo By Catherine S Valente to know if PhilHealth imple- them fi rst,” Duterte said. Department of Health. Duterte has overseen a narcotics Manila Times mented a screening system to The president had ordered In a text message, Sotto said crackdown in which police have deter fraud. Ferrer to submit a detailed re- he was tipped about a urologist killed more than 5,300 suspected “Because if none, then we port on the alleged irregulari- in South Cotabato who collects drug dealers and users since he resident Rodrigo Duterte have fallen short of our duty to ties at PhilHealth, and to fi le money from PhilHealth fraudu- was elected three years ago. has ordered the arrest of really protect the money,” he criminal charges against all lently. Rights groups say the actual Pthe owners of a private added. those involved. He said the doctor pays re- number of dead is at least three dialysis centre who were im- However, the president clari- Ferrer said there might be a cruiters to hire PhilHealth times higher. “The latest call plicated in the so-called “ghost fi ed that he did not have the “mafi a” in the state insurance members, who are not really ill, by 11 special rapporteurs of the dialysis” scam. “slightest doubt about the in- fund targeting him because of but who will be confi ned in the United Nations for an interna- Panelo: claiming interference in nation’s sovereignty The president issued the di- tegrity and honesty” of Phil- his focus against fraud. hospital. tional probe of the Philippines rective following reports that Health acting chief Roy Fer- He said 38 employees, some The doctor, Sotto said, would not only is intellectually chal- president have been overwhelm- Duterte’s ire when she called for Quezon City-based WellMed rer, noting that he was among middle managers, had been connive with the hospitals he lenged but an outrageous inter- ingly rejected by the Filipino a stop to the drug war killings in Dialysis and Laboratory Centre those who had been seeking the suspended for various off ences. was affi liated with, particularly ference on Philippine sovereign- electorate.” 2016. Corp (WellMed) demanded di- prosecution of those who abuse Reports said Edwin Roberto the St Louis Hospital, A Valley ty,” Duterte spokesman Salvador Last month’s midterm polls, Duterte’s drug war is his sig- alysis payments from the Phil- Philhealth privileges. and Liezl Santos, former em- Medical Specialists’ Center, Dr Panelo said in a statement. held halfway into Duterte’s six- nature policy initiative and he ippine Health Insurance Corp “I don’t know if doctors are ployees of WellMed in Novali- Arturo Pingoy Medical Center, He accused the UN experts year term, saw his allies take defends it fi ercely, especially (PhilHealth) for clients who had involved. They are charging, ches, Quezon City, claimed that and St Louis Medical Clinic and of “peddling a biased and abso- control of both the Senate and from international critics and died. overcharging or charging for PhilHealth continued paying Hospital to collect from Phil- lutely false recital of facts, adul- the House of Representatives. institutions which he says do not In an interview aired over nothing that’s like ghost deliv- for the dialysis of dead patients Health the supposed expenses terated with malicious imputa- The 11 UN experts, who are in- care about the Philippines. Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s tel- eries,” Duterte said. without checking the validity of incurred by the bogus patients. tions against the constituted dependent and do not speak for Critics have alleged the crack- evision show yesterday, Duterte He warned that government the claims. The Senate chief said the authorities”. Panelo also said: the United Nations, include the down amounts to a war on the said the National Bureau of In- offi cials found to be involved WellMed has denied the ac- hospitals get a share of the “Those who have spoken against special rapporteur on summary poor that feeds an undercurrent vestigation (NBI) would make in the scam would also be pun- cusation. money. the campaign on illegal drugs or extrajudicial killings, Agnes of impunity and lawlessness in the arrests and lead the inves- ished. Meanwhile, Senator-elect An administrative complaint and human rights record of this Callamard. Callamard earned the country. tigation. “That’s really true. There are Christopher Lawrence “Bong” had been fi led against the doc- “The NBI should take over so many — I don’t know, but Go called on PhilHealth to “ex- tor, he added. by tomorrow and start to sum- there are so many people who pedite its investigations on this Sotto said there were other mon everybody and the owners benefi ted from PhilHealth. issue and strengthen its mech- alarming issues with Phil- of that ‘Wellness’ thing there, But the sheer amount that is anisms to end these forms of Health, including the claims where these fraudulent claims around P100bn is totally, totally fraudulent acts.” of pneumonia patients that were discovered, arrest them. unacceptable to me,” he added. “I commend the immedi- reached P5.4bn from January to Customs offi cials warned That is my order. Arrest But the president warned ate fi ling of charges against the June in 2018. them,” he said. that government offi cials found perpetrators but we should not The Senate chief said Phil- “Arrest them and investi- to be involved in the scam stop until those guilty of such Health declared pneumonia as against trash, drug imports gate them right away. No ifs, would also be punished. fraudulent acts are held ac- its “top disease” last year. no buts. If a lawyer attempts to “At this time, I do not have countable for their actions,” Go It was estimated that claims interfere, tell him it’s my order,” the evidence or proof, so I am said in a statement. for pneumonia hit P10.8bn last By Catherine S Valente Duterte issued the statement days after he re- he added. not in a position to say that Senate President Vicente year. “With this very alarming Manila Times iterated the seriousness of his warning to declare The dialysis scam also there’s government men in- Sotto 3rd yesterday said he number, why have they not de- war with Canada had it shown defiance over his prompted Duterte to consider a volved. would raise the kidney treat- clared a pneumonia outbreak? order to take back its garbage. reshuffl e at PhilHealth. But those hospitals that fi led ment scam when the 18th Con- Can we say that these are all le- resident Rodrigo Duterte yesterday issued a “It’s a matter of respect. If you make us a gar- The president said he wanted fraudulent claims, I will go after gress tackles the budget of the gitimate claims?” Sotto asked. stern warning to all offi cials of the Bureau of bage dump (expletive), and they thought I was PCustoms (BoC) to shape up or prepare to get joking — I told them I would send the garbage arrested amid the entry of shipments of garbage to back if we don’t reach an agreement, I will de- the country. clare war,” the president said in his speech on During a television interview over the Sonshine Thursday. Veteran actor Garcia critical after heart attack Media Network yesterday, Duterte said he would He added that Canada should show respect, as prevent contraband from entering the country, he said the media portrayed his outburst as plain Veteran actor Eddie Garcia had a ‘severe’ heart attack after collaps- all pray for Eddie Garcia. He collapsed this morning during the taping including illegal trash and narcotics. “braggadocio and hubris” because “they don’t ing on the set of a TV series he was taping yesterday, Manila Times of a new show. Tentative title is Rosang Agimat. With him in the show “I will not allow it and anybody — any Customs know me.” reported. are Celia Rodriguez, Thea Tolentino, Gabbi Garcia, Jeric Gonzales, employee or official. “And then of course, the Navy and the police In a statement released through GMA Network Executive Redgie Tonton Gutierrez, Victor Neri at Roi Vinzon.” Photos of Garcia be- If you sign the papers for its release and you say will start to arrest my Navy men. There might be Magno, Garcia’s family said the actor was under “critical observation.” ing carried by members of the production team circulated online you don’t know, you go out or I will even arrest shooting, and if there’s shooting, we will fight. I “He is still under critical observation and all his doctors are doing following the accident. They showed Garcia in an unbuttoned polo you,” the president added. can’t just let it pass,” he added. their best to ensure that he gets the best care. shirt, his eyes partly shut and looking very pale. Yesterday afternoon, “It’s toxic. It’s hospital waste and plastic. Canada eventually allowed the return of the Our family would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to all those entertainment writer Allan Diones who runs a showbiz vlog, tweeted Those are toxic materials. Plastic is the toxic garbage imported by a private firm between 2013 who have expressed concerns and extended prayers,” Garcia’s family that Garcia had woken up from his coma and was transferred to material. The ones that they use in the chips are and 2014.The garbage was shipped back to Ot- said. “Please continue praying for Tito Eddie’s fast recovery. At 90, he a bigger hospital, following tests. Garcia, who remains one of the toxic materials,” he said. tawa on May 31. is still doing what he loves most — acting. He is a pillar of the industry most prolific actors in the Philippines despite his age, was last seen The president then threatened to throw Cus- BoC spokesman Erastus Sandino Austria ear- and is very passionate about his craft,” the statement added. wrapping up a TV stint on ABS-CBN’s FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano early toms officials into the Manila Bay should they lier confirmed that out of the 103 shipping con- Initial reports said Garcia collapsed on location and was rushed to this year. His last TV show with GMA-7 was the 2015 primetime series, refuse to obey his order. tainers of Canadian garbage, 34 were locally dis- the Mary Johnston Hospital in Tondo, Manila where he fell into a Little Nanay. Garcia has not been out of the limelight since he started “Well, this time I will have containers made posed of. Of the 34, 26 were brought to a Tarlac brief coma.In a Facebook post, director Armand Reyes wrote, “Let’s working in showbiz in 1949. as your coffins. I will throw you into the bay,” he landfill, while the whereabouts of the eight con- said. tainers is still being determined. ‘Legal reasons needed’ to abandon Smartmatic

By Glee Jalea ic, which had been involved in the past chine provided by Smartmatic. This Manila Times four automated elections, to be around was echoed by Senior Deputy Minority in 2022 when Filipinos choose a new Leader Lito Atienza who claimed that president. Smartmatic’s system was “old, broken mplementing President Rodrigo “I would like to advise Comelec… and defective.” Duterte’s call to ditch Smartmatic dispose of that Smartmatic and look To further ensure transparency, Ias the Commission on Elections’ for a new one that is free of fraud,” Du- party-list Representatives Ariel Casi- (Comelec) technology provider should terte said last Thursday, as he pointed lao of Anakpawis and Carlos Zarate of undergo the proper process, a spokes- to cheating claims by the opposition Bayan Muna called for a hybrid system man for the poll body has said. after May 13 and lost votes in the 2016 where votes are manually counted at “There has to be legal basis. Smart- presidential polls that he won. the precinct level and then automati- matic, right now, had nothing to do Jimenez said Duterte’s remarks did cally canvassed. with the counting of votes,” Comelec not mean that fraud had been com- The Comelec, meanwhile, also said spokesman James Jimenez told report- mitted. that it would review the ballot format ers following a House of Representa- “Duterte did not indicate that there given complaints that the placement tives hearing on glitches that marred was fraud; he is only saying that no of party-list choices at the back had the May 13 midterm elections. one should cast doubt on the electoral led to fewer votes this year. “The issue goes beyond just that process. And we agree with that,” he AKO Bicol Party-list Rep. Alfredo …We need to follow the process,” he said. Garbin noted that only 27mn out of added. At the House hearing, Minor- 63mn registered voters cast votes for Duterte last week told Filipinos in ity Leader Danilo Suarez zeroed in on party-lists, 9mn less than the 36mn Japan that he did not want Smartmat- malfunctioning vote counting ma- in 2016. Comelec spokesman James Jimenez has called for following the proper process for a decision on the technology provider. Gulf Times 14 Sunday, June 9, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka 09 - 06 -2019 Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES 2020 may see a watershed moment in space tourism

2020 may witness a watershed moment in space travel, when Nasa will welcome tourists to the International Space Station, which the US agency is opening up to visitors next year. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration announced on Friday that it will open up parts of the ISS to more commercial opportunities, allowing companies unprecedented use of the space station’s facilities, including filming commercials or movies against the backdrop of space. Key development challenges Nasa will allow up to two private trips to the station per year, each lasting up to 30 days. The first mission, according to the agency could be as early as 2020. For the first time it will allow private citizens to fly, if not to the moon, at least to the International Space facing the Arab world Station – the only place where people currently live off the planet. Interestingly, space travellers don’t have to be US citizens. People from other countries will also be zPublic governance and societal transformation eligible, as long as they fly on a US-operated rocket, the agency noted. By Dr Darim Al Bassam answerability: (1) disclosure of “Nasa is not In sum, social accountability and information (the level of transparency of transforming into a the government regarding, for example, “Nasa is not deliberative governance embed two budgets, expenditures, programmes, space travel agency. efi cit in etc.); (2) demystifi cation of information transforming into Private companies will Public sets of values (a) intrinsic value, and (strengthening the level of awareness have to pay it about Govern- and understanding of citizens, for a space travel $35,000 a night per Dance (b) instrumental value, both of which example, about laws, rights, budgets, achievement is policies, etc.); and (3) dissemination agency” passenger to sleep in considered among signal that government is bonded of information (spreading information the station’s beds and the major con- as related to, for example, governance use its amenities, including air, water, the Internet and straints that hinder in a social contract and open to the issues, processes, fi nances, laws, etc.) to the toilet,” according to the New York Times. the progress in Arab the public. In promoting transparency, societal transforma- society and citizens where their dissemination of information should be The change paves the way for the wealthy to rocket tion eff orts. Weak governance institu- followed by citizen action and advocacy from Earth and spend time aboard the astronaut tions and processes could arguably be representatives are included based on this information. Government home and laboratory in space, through trips planned associated with disappointing economic can support these processes by adopting by private enterprise, and for businesses to develop performance. During the last three Emirates. This is the only group where governmental activities, and open information policies and platforms, decades we witnessed low rates of GDP governance on average has remarkably (6) ensuring the effi cient use of and enacting access to information products or shoot film – including adverts – in space. growth for most of Arab countries. improved during the past decade (by an public-private partnerships and the legislation. Civil society organisations Nasa officials also said opening the door to private Recent analysis has found that the average of almost 6 percentile points interface between them. and social movements can promote enterprise gives the agency more room to focus on the region’s annual growth rate could have across the three selected dimensions of But despite all those notable the use of open information by citizens Trump administration’s goal of returning to the moon been as much as one percentage point governance). technical functional improvements, through awareness raising and training. higher had the quality of development The second group of semi-performers countries in the region still registering As for the Enforcement stage, by 2024, which could be fuelled in part by revenue administration and management of re- comprises four countries, rating at low score in the cross cutting it suggests that the public or generated from new commercial services and paying sources matched that of good perform- around the 50th percentile worldwide. structural/ institutional areas of the institution responsible for astronauts. ing economies. All these countries underwent severe transparency, accountability, and accountability can sanction the It paves the way for private citizens to travel to The perceptions of generally deterioration during the past decade. participation all of which understood off ending party or remedy the inadequate governance in the region The third and lower-performing group to be the normative core of civic contravening behaviour. As such, the ISS aboard rocket-and-capsule launch systems belie a more complex reality. The Arab (“non-performers”) is the largest and engagement, social accountability diff erent institutions of accountability being developed by Boeing Company and Elon Musk’s region on average performs slightly comprises eight countries, rating below and deliberative governance. This might be responsible for either or both SpaceX. The two companies are set to ferry astronauts worse than in countries with similar two-thirds of the world on average. component constitutes a driving force of these stages. to the ISS from US soil for the first time in nearly a income worldwide with respect The last group, “failing,” comprises for public governance. It ensures the More importantly, another crucial to the quality of administration, fi ve countries, with rating around involvement of citizens and civil society aspect of social accountability and decade. based on indicators such as how the the bottom deciles worldwide and organisations in public decision- deliberative governance is viewed as But as the month-long getaways come at a whopping administration controls corruption, experiencing deteriorating governance making and in holding governments tools for promoting the use of research- cost of about $35,000 per night, these may remain just assures the rule of law, protects during the past decade. accountable for its actions, especially based knowledge to guide decision a dream for a vast majority of people in this planet. property rights, manages public Judged on my experience in the fi eld, with regard to the management of making. Interest in this trend has resources and employees, and the UN, the IFIs and other international public resources. Put diff erently, it grown to promote evidence-informed The new directive will allow private astronauts to implements regulations. But the region development agencies were catalyst is a way to make government work policymaking. Such deliberative spend up to 30 days in low-Earth orbit aboard the ISS performs palpably worse for public in introducing to Arab governments more eff ectively by enabling citizens processes focus on the participation through trips planned by private companies. accountability, based on indicators a number of key public governance to articulate their needs, and be of the academia, researchers and Eventually, Nasa hopes the space station will be just such as how well citizens can access reform programmes, the majority of more fully included in the activities experts and decision makers and are information, carry on public debate, which were implemented. Among of government, such as allocating aimed at building bridges between the one of several “commercial and free-flying habitable” hold their agencies and offi cials them (1) Improving the management of resources, the making of policies, worlds of research and policy making. destinations in low-Earth orbit. For now, Nasa is accountable, and generally enjoy civil human resources in the public sector management of public fi nances, and Thus, deliberation allows for the co- making one space station port available for commercial rights. On this indicator, the region is by moving from traditional personnel delivering of services, while also production and co-interpretation of uses “for a finite period of time”. beneath the worldwide median. management systems that were monitoring and giving feedback on research, while taking into account The World Governance Indicators weakly professionalised and routine- government performance by evaluating the decisional context. Despite the The move is part of a broader push by the Trump (WGI) disaggregate and group countries driven towards integrated human the implications of various policy noteworthy diff erences between these administration to end government funding for the ISS, of the region according to their resources management strategies using options. Deliberation thus promotes trends, it is interesting to note their and allow commercial enterprise to fund what is now governance performance, by averaging performance-based tools. not only conciliation between the points of convergence. Indeed, both astronauts’ home in space. one indicator each for the political, (2) Improving the management various actors aff ected by a policy, the trends affi rm the ability of deliberation economic and institutional dimensions of public fi nances and launching emergence of an informed and engaged to promote consensus among various According to space scientists, the policy shift of governance. reforms in fi nancial governance by public, and the taking into account actors, to build knowledge based on the reverses a long-standing prohibition against tourists The political dimension measurement adopting a medium term expenditure of the public’s perspective, but also cross fertilisation of knowledge and to and private interests at the orbiting research lab, and include indicators for voice and framework (MTEF) and a programme legitimacy in decision making. inform decision making. reflects a broader push to expand commercial activities democratic accountability and structure for the expenditures budget; Equally important, there are also In sum, social accountability and political stability and an absence and using a performance budgeting pragmatic reasons in the involvement of deliberative governance embed two at the ISS and in space more generally. of major violence), the economic framework for designing and carrying the broader representation of people in sets of values (a) intrinsic value, and (b) dimension (government eff ectiveness out improvements in service delivery policy decisions. It helps to access their instrumental value, both of which signal and regulatory quality, transaction and targeting (3) Fighting corruption knowledge and resources, and to ensure that government is bonded in a social To Advertise costs, property rights, hierarchy and which distorts markets and competition. active participatory co-operation, contract and open to the society and organisation, and public choice) and Ensuring quality regulations which have effi cient implementation and on top of citizens where their representatives are [email protected] the institutional dimension (formal improved legislative drafting capacities. that social acceptance of policies. included. This can contribute to greater Display institutions such as rules, laws, (4) Reducing red tape and its heavy Social accountability and deliberative political credibility and legitimacy, and constitutions and informal institutions toll on citizens, businesses and public governance involve two distinct to the establishment of a strong socio- 44466621 44418811 such as norms of behaviour, conventions, administration. stages: answerability and enforcement. economic and political capital and self-imposed codes of conduct and their (5) Minimising the impact of Answerability refers to the obligation surplus societal energy. Classified enforcement characteristics). excessive administrative burdens of the government, its agencies and Operationally, the full eff ectiveness 44466609 44418811 Four diff erent governance on transaction costs in the market, public offi cials to be transparent, to of these assets of public governance performance groups emerge. The “top” on impeding the competitiveness of provide information to the general depends on several enabling conditions: Subscription group (“relative performers”) averaged in fi rms, and on limiting the spread of the public and clarity about government (i) a conducive political environment; the 60th percentile worldwide, implying informal economy. Taking advantage rules, regulations, and their decisions (ii) an appropriate policy and legal [email protected] that they are above the median country of the opportunities off ered by new actions and to justify them to the public framework; (iii) capable and supportive worldwide (though about 80 countries information and communication and those institutions of accountability state-actors; and (iv) credible rate higher). Only two countries fall into technologies and improving the tasked with providing oversight. institutional capabilities of non-state © 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved this category: Qatar and the United Arab reliance on e-government to enhance There are three dimensions of stakeholders. Gulf Times Sunday, June 9, 2019 15 COMMENT The energy revolution must be nuclear

By Wade Allison Moreover, biology protects life from Oxford nuclear radiation. Over 3bn years, life has evolved to survive the natural radiation from emonstrators around the rocks and space, developing ways to world are demanding that recover from the damage caused. carbon-based energy sup- But that is a longer story. Dplies be curtailed for the sake The point is that moderate ex- of the environment. posures to radiation are eff ectively Yet, in Germany, the Energiewende harmless. (energy transformation) policy that Even higher doses are used routinely was supposed to meet those demands to diagnose and cure cancers, thanks to is failing to reduce carbon dioxide the work of Marie Curie. emissions. The public accepts the use of nuclear A big part of the problem is that, in technology for human health; it should response to long-standing anti-nu- do the same for the health of the planet. clear sentiment, policymakers aim to Yet, although fears of nuclear power phase out nuclear energy, while invest- have no scientifi c basis – indeed, nu- ing in renewables like wind and solar. clear power is far safer than any other By learning to harness the power of energy source – they pervade public wind, water, and fi re (burning leaves policy, with the risks often being and wood) – basically, what we call fi ctionalised for the sake of entertain- “renewables” today – our early ances- ment. tors gained mastery over nature. Our future, and the health of our But their energy sources were weak, environment, requires us to change available only when the weather per- course and embrace nuclear power. mitted. To support this shift, more compre- As a result, their living standards hensive and accurate education should were low, their lives were short, and be provided, both for the general public their number remained small. and for today’s young people who one That all changed with the arrival of day will be building and operating the Industrial Revolution. nuclear power stations throughout the Humans learned to power engines by world. burning coal and, later, oil and gas. threshold of a new energy revolution. The world will not get the energy is 1,000 times that of pre-industrials The waste from this minute quantity At the same time, much of the A measure of the utility of a fuel is The benefi ts of fossil fuels no longer revolution it needs without realistic, also explains why the energy density of of nuclear fuel is equally small and, precautionary bureaucracy put in its energy density – that is, the number outweigh the costs, and standard re- scientifi cally sound energy policies. nuclear is 5mn times greater. contrary to popular belief, causes no place during the Cold War needs to be of electricity units (kWh) in a kilo- newables remain as weak and unrelia- The natural science of energy has The uranium and thorium fuel that accidents. reconsidered. gram (2.2 pounds). Fossil fuels have an ble as before the Industrial Revolution. been well understood for a century, so we fi nd on Earth today was energised Apart from the solitary decay of In terms of safety, reliability, ef- energy density of 1-7kWh per kg – a To harness suffi cient energy, pre- surprises are rare. when it was created in a gravitational radioactive atoms, nuclear energy is fi ciency, and environmental friend- thousand times more than renewables industrial fuels need huge, nature-de- And the only other widely available collapse event before the planet was fi rmly locked inside individual nuclei, liness, nuclear energy is the best – which can be harnessed anywhere at spoiling – hardly “green” or “environ- fuel known to science is nuclear, which formed. which never meet one another except candidate to replace fossil fuels. any time, regardless of the weather. mentally friendly” – power stations: provides plentiful energy on demand, Astronomers observe such explo- at the centre of the sun. Without it, the energy revolution the Access to these powerful energy massive arrays of solar panels, forests while doing the least harm to nature. sions happening elsewhere in the Nuclei do not release their energy world urgently needs will never hap- sources has shaped most economic and of gigantic windmills, and vast fl ooded To function as an energy source, a universe today. prematurely, because only a free neu- pen. - Project Syndicate political developments over the last river valleys. fuel has to be “charged up” by a more One kilogram of the nuclear fuel that tron can override the lock, and such 250 years. Their size attests to the weakness powerful source – whether recent this phenomenon produces is enough keys decay quickly: their half-life is ten Wade Allison is Emeritus Profes- In that time, the world population of the energy that they collect, while sunshine for solar or, in the case of fos- to provide all the energy a person needs minutes. sor of Physics and Fellow of Keble Col- has increased eightfold, life expectancy intermittency implies a typical working sil fuels, millions of years of photosyn- for a full life – and it requires neither As a result, nuclear energy can be lege at the University of Oxford, and the has doubled, and people’s standards of availability of only 30%. And, as Ger- thesis. the emission of 1,800 tons of CO2 nor released only inside a working reactor. author, most recently, of Nuclear is for living have improved dramatically. many’s Energiewende policy has dem- And the same physics that explains the release of 10mn tonnes of water by Such is the exceptional physical Life. He is also Honorary Secretary of Today, however, we stand at the onstrated, these fuels are not enough. why the energy density of fossil fuels a dam. safety of nuclear energy. SONE (Supporters of Nuclear Energy).

What Facebook can do to avoid regulation Three-day forecast act toward citizens.) Or they should serve as forums for “a true diversity friendly and deleted some material TODAY By Ramesh Ponnuru Maximum Temperature : 460c Bloomberg News try to start a rival site. of political discourse.” He called for it found to be off ensive. Legislators What these conservatives don’t congressional investigations to see thought it was unfair and undesirable to Minimum Temperature : 340c want is for government to force the if they were meeting that condition. punish a company for trying to do the MONDAY n the US Conservatives remain companies to behave diff erently, Congress has subsequently held right thing. But it’s fair to say that back Maximum Temperature : 430c convinced that the tech indus- beyond holding them to their own hearings on it. then there was a background assumption Minimum Temperature : 310c try is biased against them. They terms of service. Republican Senator Ted Cruz, that the companies would not be tilting TUESDAY point to evidence that Facebook, Another group on the right thinks questioning Facebook CEO Mark left or right. Maximum Temperature : 430c I Minimum Temperature : 320c Twitter, Google and YouTube are that the hands-off approach is dogma Zuckerberg, made the same point as So what options does the unsuited to the world we actually Hawley: “The predicate for Section government have to deal with the staff ed disproportionately by liberals, Fisherman's forecast a fact that nobody seriously denies. inhabit. The social-media companies 230 immunity under the CDA is that perceived problem? In a fascinating essay for the New At- are too large a part of our society, and you’re a neutral public forum.” Perhaps we should split the WARNING What they’re saying: Facebook can be diff erence on the policy question, too. lantis, Adam White argues that there host too much of our political debate, Inshore : Nil is a deep alignment between their for the government to leave them alone. a message board with no responsibility The companies are too important to corporate culture and the assumptions A leading voice for this second for the messages tacked onto it. Or ignore, but government regulation is Offshore : Nil of modern liberalism. group is Republican Senator Josh it can take an active role in shaping full of dangers. Inshore : Hot daytime with slight A nearly inevitable result, Hawley of Missouri. His criticisms content, in which case it assumes legal It does not seem like too much for dust at some places. conservatives say, is that the of social-media companies are responsibility for that content. Congress to ask that the immunity companies are more likely to try to wide-ranging. He has gone so far as Those who fear government regulation it has provided be conditioned on Offshore : Misty on some places at first becoming fine suppress conservative content as to question whether the talent they in this area (and not just conservatives) some more transparency from the later off ensive: taking down tweets and employ would be doing more good in have pushed back against Hawley companies about how they decide WIND posts from righties and directing other parts of the economy. and Cruz. They point out that the law what content to promote, hide or Inshore : Northwesterly-North- traffi c elsewhere. The companies deny Political bias is among his main also gives the companies immunity suppress. One possibility would be easterly 08-18/23 KT they have displayed bias, even as admit concerns. “Google and Facebook for actions they take against obscene, to require the companies to disclose Offshrore : Mainly Southwesterly- they have made occasional mistakes in should not be a law unto themselves,” harassing or otherwise objectionable summary information about how Southeasterly 03-12 KT content moderation. he has said. “They should not be able material, even if that material falls under they make these decisions; another, Visibility : 4-8 KM One school of conservatives to discriminate against conservatives. the First Amendment. perhaps easier to administer, would be argues that while the tech titans’ They should not be able to tell We can split the diff erence on the to require them to publish a database Offshore : 1-3 FT decisions may be wrong and worthy of conservatives to sit down and shut up.” question of what the law assumes. of content they have deleted. The CDA does not require companies Before we decide either to regulate condemnation, it is not government’s Soon after his election in 2018, Around the region business to regulate their decisions Hawley argued that the big tech to be neutral about the political the tech companies or leave them Weather because they are private companies. companies are benefi ting from a content of messages they host in order alone, let’s fi nd out if the anecdotes of Weather tomorrow Max/min According to this reasoning, people government-granted privilege. He to have immunity. It was, in fact, bias are just anecdotes, or something today Max/min P Cloudy 48/29 who are unhappy with Facebook’s observed — on Twitter, naturally — that written to encourage them to police more. - Tribune News Service Baghdad P Cloudy 47/29 Sunny 46/33 policies should condemn or boycott Section 230 of the Communications obscenity, which is why it’s called the Kuwait CitySunny 46/31 Sunny 43/32 it. They should cajole Twitter into Decency Act gives these companies Communications Decency Act. Ramesh Ponnuru is a Bloomberg Manama Sunny 43/33 Sunny 41/33 adopting better policies. (One immunity from liability for content that The law was enacted in 1996, after Opinion columnist. He is a senior editor Muscat Sunny 41/33 P Cloudy 32/23 suggestion has been that Twitter act appears on their sites. a web service provider, Prodigy, had at National Review, visiting fellow at Tehran M Sunny 36/22 toward its users the same way the First They get this immunity, he been found to incur liability for postings the American Enterprise Institute and Amendment makes the government suggested, on the condition that they because it had tried to make itself family- contributor to CBS News. Live issues Vitamin D fails to prevent type 2 diabetes in large study

very low levels of vitamin D, there have type 2 diabetes and it is the 7th Deborah Wexler of the Massachusetts By Gene Emery Around the world Reuters Health appears to be a benefi t, but we would leading cause of death in the US, General Hospital Diabetes Center in a urge caution and not have people according to the American Diabetes Journal editorial. Weather Weather overreact to that,” chief author Dr Association. More than 84mn adults Preventive treatment with the drug today Max/min tomorrow Max/min f you’re talking vitamin D and Anastassios Pittas told Reuters Health are at risk for the disease. metformin can lower it by 31%, she Athens P Cloudy 33/21 Sunny 31/20 expecting it to lower your risk of in a telephone interview. Previous research found that people said. Beirut P Cloudy 27/22 Sunny 28/23 getting type 2 diabetes when you Even if the vitamin helped this with low levels of vitamin D faced a Volunteers in the D2d study who Bangkok S T Storms 33/27 T Storm 32/28 Iget older, it’s time to lower your group to lower their diabetes risk - and higher risk. The new study, known took vitamin D had a similar rate of Berlin M Sunny 27/17 S T Storms 29/18 expectations. the numbers were too small to prove as D2d, was designed to test whether side eff ects as the people who were Cairo Sunny 34/22 Sunny 36/24 A new study, the largest of its that - “these people would need to supplementation would cut the odds. given placebo pills. Cape Town Cloudy 20/14 P Cloudy 16/11 kind, has found that taking 4,000 take vitamin D anyway so it doesn’t All the volunteers met two out of Reports released in 2016 of two tests of Colombo T Storm 29/27 T Storm 29/27 international units (IU) per day, change the recommendations,” said Dr three criteria for pre-diabetes, making vitamin D as a diabetes preventive, one Dhaka I T Storms 33/27 P Cloudy 34/27 which is on the upper limit of the Pittas, co-director of the Diabetes and it more likely that vitamin D - if done in Norway and the other in Japan, Hong Kong S T Storms 29/27 T Storm 29/26 recommended intake, may double the Lipid Center at Tufts Medical Centre eff ective - would help them. also found that type 2 rates were lower Istanbul P Cloudy 27/19 P Cloudy 27/20 amount of vitamin D in the blood but in Boston. Ultimately, 616 developed diabetes: with the vitamin, but the diff erences Jakarta P Cloudy 33/24 P Cloudy 33/26 it gives most people roughly the same Vitamin D also keeps bones healthy 293 in the vitamin D group and 323 were, once again, not dramatic enough to Karachi M Sunny 33/29 M Sunny 33/29 chance of developing blood sugar and doctors may recommend a who were taking placebo capsules. But be statistically signifi cant. London M Cloudy 18/11 Rain 15/11 problems as people who don’t take the supplement for other reasons as well. when the researchers adjusted for how “Any benefi t of vitamin D for diabetes Manila P Cloudy 36/28 S T Storms 34/28 vitamin. Many foods add the vitamin. long the patients had been in the study prevention, if present, is modest and Moscow P Cloudy 31/19 T Storm 27/16 After about 2.5 years, diabetes The study, reported online by The and other factors, they found that the clearly does not pertain to a vitamin New Delhi Sunny 45/30 Sunny 46/32 appeared at a rate of 9.4% per year New England Journal of Medicine and chances of developing type 2 diabetes D-suffi cient population,” said Dr Wexler. New York M Cloudy 25/16 Rain 21/20 with vitamin D supplements and 10.7% at a meeting of the American Diabetes were too similar to indicate that The question of whether it might help Paris Cloudy 20/12 Rain 18/09 with placebo capsules, an insignifi cant Association in San Francisco, involved vitamin D made a big diff erence. the few people who are vitamin D Sao Paulo P Cloudy 22/12 M Sunny 23/12 diff erence. All the patients were already 2,423 volunteers who were at high risk In contrast, earlier studies have defi cient remains unanswered. Seoul S T Storms 27/16 Showers 25/14 at high risk for developing type 2 for developing the adult-onset version shown that lifestyle changes such as “The message is there’s no magic Singapore S T Storms 31/27 S T Storms 31/27 diabetes and 80% already had adequate of the disease, which can often be diet and exercise can lower the odds pill,” said Dr Pittas. “Weight loss and Sydney M Sunny 19/11 M Sunny 22/11 levels of the vitamin. prevented with diet and exercise. of developing type 2 diabetes by 58% increasing physical activity is still the Tokyo Cloudy 21/18 Cloudy 19/18 For the 5% of the population “with About 29mn Americans already over a similar period of time, said Dr best way to prevent diabetes.” Gulf Times 16 Sunday, June 9, 2019 QATAR

A magician wows the audience with one of his tricks. The live stage performances were one of the big attractions at Souq Waqif’s Eid celebrations. A silhouette artist shows his work to a visitor. PICTURES: Shaji Kayamkulam Eid festivities at Souq Waqif draw thousands of visitors By Peter Alagos Business Reporter

atar’s centuries old tra- ditional market, Souq QWaqif, hosted a variety of activities to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, drawing thousands of visitors, mostly families and children, during the holiday season. The events, held for fi ve days since the start of Eid al-Fitr from 4pm to 10pm, included a series of cultural presentations and magic shows by international performers. Many children enjoyed other activities off ered inside Souq Waqif’s air-conditioned tent, such as the virtual reality (VR) and video gaming area, as well as the kids educational ac- tivities section, where young children were able to play with Kids enjoy in the ball pit. building blocks, draw, and col- our images. to the animals,” the staff said. lage and Souq Al Wakrah in the of family and urban entertain- Aside from the amusement “Many of the visitors also southern part of the country, also ment.” rides, ball pit, and trampolines, brought their families to watch held their respective celebrations “SiQ is part of QNTC’s focus one huge crowd drawer was the the cultural performances and for the entire duration of Eid al- on developing sustainable, year- mini zoo, which showcased an magic shows. The event was Fitr “with folkloric perform- round tourism, boosting a tradi- owl, toucan, baby fox, and a kan- very successful. After visiting ances, parades, and fi reworks,” tionally slower season in Qatar,” garoo, according to one of the the tent, people could also enjoy according to the Qatar National the council said in an earlier festival’s staff . a stroll at the traditional market Tourism Council (QNTC). statement. Young girls enjoy some of the rides. “The past weekend attracted or have dinner at the many res- The celebrations were part of QNTC’s Mashal Shahbik earli- thousands of visitors to the tent, taurants inside Souq Waqif,” she the ‘Summer in Qatar’ (SiQ), an er said, “Thanks to their beautiful themselves in authentic experi- Engineering Offi ce to curate ex- Souq Waqif manager Moham- and they enjoyed the attractions added. initiative that forms part of the architecture, diverse cuisine, and ences during religious holidays. citing celebrations that will add ed al-Salem added: “Souq Waqif being off ered by the Souq Waqif Aside from Souq Waqif, other QNTC’s “strategy to enrich and enticing ambiance, Katara and “This Eid, we are delighted an authentic fl avour to this Eid, is one of the most popular desti- Eid Festival, especially the chil- traditional landmarks in Qatar, diversify the country’s tourism Souq Waqif attract thousands to partner with Katara – the which also marks the beginning nations in Qatar for visitors and dren who were instantly drawn such as Katara – the Cultural Vil- off ering, particularly in the area of people who seek to immerse Cultural Village and the Private of our Summer in Qatar season.” residents alike.” Katara becomes accessible for Doha Metro commuters

By Joey Aguilar Staff Reporter

hile Doha Metro’s Ka- tara station (Red Line) Wis yet to open, access to Katara – the Cultural Village has become easier and faster for visitors. This came as a blessing, es- pecially for many residents and visitors who spent their Eid al- Fitr holidays in the country. From Al Qassar station, Katara has been off ering free rides since the fi rst day of Eid using golf carts for thousands of metro passen- From Katara – the Cultural Village visitors can avail of the free ride service to go back to Al Qassar station gers, passing through a tunnel of Doha Metro. going to the cultural village. “This was a wise move from Doha Metro passengers can either walk or take a free ride service from the Al Qassar station. the Katara management because Metro reverts to many residents like us were able istic places through the Doha Nafi e, Free Zone, Ras Bu Fontas reached through the Green Line. Sunday -Thursday to visit this beautiful place. This Metro. and Al Wakra. The Green Line runs east schedule is actually my fi rst time but The Katara station is one of “More people will be enticed from Al Mansoura to Al Riff a in now I am tempted to visit it fre- the four metro stations expected to visit these cultural destina- the west. As it passes through Doha Metro will be revert- quently,” said Mohamed A, an to open in the near future, along tions like Katara, Souq Al Wakrah Education City, the line is also ing to its Sunday - Thursday Egyptian expatriate who trav- with Legtaifi ya, Qatar University, because of the Doha Metro. It is known as the Education Line. operations from today, after elled via the Doha Metro with and Lusail, on the Red Line. cheaper, faster and hassle-free,” There are eleven stations along plying during the Eid al-Fitr his friends yesterday. At least 13 of the 18 Red Line said Filipino expatriate Francis B, the line; aside from Education weekend. He added that they enjoyed stations opened on May 8 to pro- another Katara visitor, who is also City, notable stops include Ha- Qatar Rail tweeted yesterday the scenery, food and beverage vide residents and visitors with anticipating the opening of Doha mad Hospital, Al Shaqab, and the that the summer timetable is outlets, and the diff erent at- a safe, reliable, and eco-friendly Metro’s Green and Gold Lines. Qatar National Library. 6am - 11pm, Sunday - Thursday. tractions, as well as activities, at mode of transportation. These Other popular tourist desti- The east-west Gold (Historic) “We will remain closed on week- Katara, including the Al Thuraya include Al Qassar, DECC, QIC nations in Qatar such as Souq Line extends from Ras Bu Ab- ends to undertake the Network Planetarium. West Bay, Corniche, Al Bidda Waqif, the National Museum of boud to Al Aziziyah. Eleven sta- Expansion Testing which will Katara’s beach area also re- (Interchange station), Msheireb Qatar will be accessible through tions run along the Gold Line, enable us to introduce new ceived thousands of visitors, (Interchange station), Al Doha the Gold Line while the Qa- with stops at the National Mu- lines and stations in the future,” from families to individuals who Al Jadeda, Umm Ghuwailina, tar National Library, Education seum of Qatar, Souq Waqif, and it said. Visitors enter Katara on foot from Al Qassar station of Doha Metro. spent their break visiting tour- Al Matar Al Qadeem, Oqba Ibn City and Mall of Qatar can be Al Waab (near Villagio Mall). PICTURES: Joey Aguilar