BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Al-Attiyah heads to critical Vodafone Qatar and rally in Barwa Bank sign deal for QR911mn credit facility Kazakhstan published in QATAR since 1978

TUESDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 10826 May 22, 2018 Ramadan 6, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Driving home safety message New factories In brief in pipeline to QATAR | Phone call Amir, Oman deputy PM exchange greetings boost farming, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani exchanged Ramadan greetings with Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, Sayyid Fahad bin Mahmood al-Said, in a telephone call food products received yesterday evening. By Peter Alagos ARAB WORLD | Politics Business Reporter Paraguay’s embassy move against international law eading Qatari conglomerate Al Paraguay’s moving of its embassy in Faisal Holding is studying plans Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is Lto establish 16 factories in the illegal, illegitimate, an act of aggression country to address the requirements of against the Palestinian people and their the domestic market, particularly in the rights, a violation of relevant United fi elds of agriculture and food security. Nations resolutions and international law “Our group is studying 16 types of and submission to American and Israeli A Civil Defence personnel hands out Iftar meal along with a flyer to a motorist as part of a Ramadan initiative to reach out to the factories, some of which have already dictates and bribes, the Palestinian public to raise safety awareness. (Picture courtesy of MoI’s Twitter page) Page 5 started, while the others that are in the Foreign Ministry said yesterday. It said pipeline will start soon,” Qatar Busi- in a statement that it will co-ordinate nessmen Association chairman HE eff orts with countries opposed to Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani has QBA chairman HE Sheikh Faisal bin moving the US embassy to Jerusalem announced. Qassim al-Thani. in order to confront those which did Many Qatari companies are in the move their embassy through political, process of manufacturing a wide range of obligation to Qatar, which proved to be diplomatic and legal means and by MEC allows shopping malls to products either locally or abroad to secure a very successful eff ort.” creating a local public opinion against all the necessary requirements of the do- He also commended the support and the decisions of their governments. mestic market, he explained on the side- partnership of the international com- lines of a launch event held on Sunday. munity and foreign trade partners of ARAB WORLD | Confl ict stay open 24 hours in Ramadan “The agriculture sector and the Qatar. manufacture of consumer products are “Aside from Qatar’s private sector, Russia shoots down drone he Ministry of Economy and retail outlets to clearly inform consum- their schedule and choose a convenient among the top priorities, and we will the international business community near its Syrian air base Commerce (MEC) has an- ers of their new schedule. time for shopping, it added. strive to produce them smartly and extended its support for the country at Russia’s military yesterday shot down Tnounced that shopping malls Throughout the holy month, shop- The initiative comes within the wisely. We will make every eff ort to the onset of the blockade. Because Qa- an unidentified drone that came close and retail outlets in the country could ping malls and retail outlets attract a framework of the MEC’s Ramadan ini- make our products better than import- tar had strong relationships with many to its Syrian air base at Hmeimim, extend working hours throughout the large number of people during limited tiatives under the theme ‘#Aqal_Min_ ed goods at a much aff ordable price,” countries and their respective busi- RIA news agency said, citing the holy month of Ramadan without ob- working hours, the statement noted. Al_Wajeb’, Arabic for ‘#The_Least_ Sheikh Faisal told Gulf Times. ness communities, our international Russian Defence Ministry. “There taining prior approval. Given the “unique nature of Ram- We_Can_Do’. As the country completes the fi rst year partners readily shipped the necessary are neither casualties nor physical All shopping mall and retail outlets adan when time is divided between The initiatives, which are in line with of the unjust economic blockade next goods and products that we needed damage. Russia’s Hmeimim air base (supermarkets, hypermarkets and oth- praying, working, commuting and the MEC’s duties towards society, have month, Sheikh Faisal emphasised that without any limitations. is operating as normal,” it said. The ers) could extend working hours to 24 shopping, among other preoccupa- been designed to cover all aspects of Qatar has “successfully overcome” the “Also, the strong support we received British-based war monitoring group hours in line with eff orts undertaken to tions”, the ministry has urged shopping the ministry’s activities in terms of challenges of the blockade, which the from our international partners was be- Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stimulate commercial sectors, the MEC malls and retail outlets to extend work- organisation, partnership and support Saudi-led quartet imposed in June 2017. cause of Qatar’s close relationships with said explosions had been heard near has said in a statement. ing hours and inform consumers of the and to raise awareness about various “While the blockade was not expected them and the partnerships that were the base and appeared to have come The ministry has urged all malls and new hours so they could better plan consumer and commercial topics. to come from neighbouring countries, forged between our businessmen and from Russian air defences confronting Qatar was, nonetheless, successful in their foreign counterparts. I would like an attack. overcoming the challenges of the situ- to thank their respective governments ation, which mostly had a social impact for their support,” he stressed. rather than a political one. It was meant He added: “We also received a lot of RAMADAN THOUGHT to have an eff ect on the citizens and ex- telephone calls from companies all over US warns Iran of painful sanctions; EU disagrees patriates in Qatar,” he pointed out. the world, such as those from the phar- O you who believe! Enter perfectly Asked about the private sector’s per- maceutical, food, and agriculture sec- in Islam (by obeying all the rules and Agencies nuclear pact outlined an aggressive se- the rest of the world no longer accepts formance in the past year amidst the tors, among many other industries that regulations of the Islamic religion) Washington/Brussels ries of moves designed to counter Te- Washington making decisions on their blockade, Sheikh Faisal said: “In just supported the country’s requirements. and follow not the footsteps of hran. behalf. fi ve days after the blockade, the private “This is because of the confi dence Shaitan (Satan). Verily! He is to you a “We will apply unprecedented fi nan- AFP adds from Brussels: The EU’s sector had already played a huge role in that these international partners have in plain enemy. (Qur’an 2: 208) S Secretary of State Mike Pom- cial pressure on the Iranian regime. The foreign policy chief said yesterday there supporting the country. Aside from the the government and the private sector, peo yesterday warned Iran leaders in Tehran will have no doubt was “no alternative” to the Iran nuclear government’s responsibility, the private and the good relationship that they have Prayer times Uwould be hit with the “strong- about our seriousness,” Pompeo said in deal, after US Secretary of State Mike sector also demonstrated its duty and formed over the years with Qatar.” est sanctions in history” and cautioned a speech at the conservative Heritage Pompeo vowed unprecedented sanc- Fajr....3.20 Zuhr....11.30 Asr....2.56 European fi rms against continuing to Foundation think tank. tions against Tehran. Maghrib.....6.18 Isha.....7.48 do business in Tehran, toughening up “This sting of sanctions will be pain- “Secretary Pompeo’s speech has not Trump willing to walk away from N Korea summit Washington’s policy line after its with- ful if the regime does not change its demonstrated how walking away from Fasting times drawal from the nuclear pact. course from the unacceptable and un- the JCPOA (nuclear deal) has made US President Donald Trump is willing after North Korea called into question the In his fi rst major foreign policy ad- productive path it has chosen to one that or will make the region safer from the to walk away from an unprecedented meeting last week. Pence told Fox News Iftar today ...... 6.18pm dress since moving to the State Depart- rejoins the league of nations.” threat of nuclear proliferation or how it summit with North Korean leader Kim that North Korea should not attempt to Imsak tomorrow...... 3.10am ment from the CIA, the longtime Iran Iranian President Hassan Rouhani puts us in a better position to infl uence Jong-un scheduled for next month, US seek concessions from the United States hawk and ardent opponent of the 2015 quickly dismissed the threats, saying Iran’s conduct.” Page 9 Vice President Mike Pence said yesterday, for promises it did not intend to keep. Final piece of retractable roof installed at Wakrah Stadium he development of Al Wakrah Once completed, the stadium’s um’s seats have been manufactured by Stadium – a proposed 2022 FIFA retractable roof will be able to close Qatari company Coastal and are cur- TWorld Cup tournament venue – with a PVC Titanium O2 double side rently being installed. has taken a major step forward with the coated membrane in about 30 min- Thani al-Zarraa, the SC’s Al Wakrah installation of the fi nal piece of the roof utes using a number of steel wires. Stadium Project Manager, described structure, the Supreme Committee for The roof will provide shade to the the roof installation as one of the fi nal Delivery & Legacy (SC) announced yes- entire pitch and contribute to the ef- major milestones in the project. terday. ficiency of the stadium’s innovative “The stadium is beginning to refl ect Weighing 378 tonnes and measuring cooling system. its memorable and unique design,” said 92m, the steel structure – known as an Situated in one of Qatar’s most his- al-Zarraa. “Installing the roof is a ma- ‘oculus beam’ – sits 50m above pitch toric areas, the design of Al Wakrah jor step forward for our project and al- level. It will connect and support the Stadium takes its inspiration from the most the fi nal piece of the jigsaw.” entire roof, while providing mainte- seafaring tradition of the region, with Al-Zarraa said: “Installing the seats nance access to some of the retractable the roof shaped to replicate the sails soon, in the iconic blue and white col- parts of the structure. of a traditional dhow boat, iconic to Al ours of Al Wakrah Sports Club, is also The beam was welded and assem- Wakrah’s shoreline for decades. helping to bring the stadium to life. bled onsite over 20 days. Originally six Main contractor works at the 40,000 We are confi dent local residents and pieces, the structure was built on tem- capacity venue, which will host match- people across Qatar will be impressed porary frames before being lifted into es up to the quarter-fi nals stage in with the progress made at the venue. place. The entire welding, assembly 2022, are due to fi nish within the next We are all looking forward to seeing it and installation process took 40 days. 12 months. In addition, all the stadi- launched.” Construction underway on Al Wakrah Stadium, one of 2022 FIFA World Cup venues. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, May 22, 2018 QATAR

EAA Foundation launches Ramadan fundraiser for global projects

By Joseph Varghese for its fundraising. secretary-general of the In- cess to educational facilities, Staff Reporter The campaign expects to re- ternational Union of Muslim projects and resources; improves ceive generous contributions Scholars and vice chairman for the quality of education; and en- from the patrons to provide a European Council for Fatwa and gages youth as leaders in defi n- ducation Above All (EAA) quality education to the world’s Research, was also present at the ing and advocating for innova- Foundation has an- most impoverished and margin- press conference. tive solutions. Enounced the launch of a alised children, youth and wom- “Zakat and Sadaqah hold ex- EAA is joining hands with country-wide fundraising cam- en, as around 263 million chil- treme importance in empow- several partners across Qatar, paign during the holy month of dren and youth are out of school ering underprivileged. The re- including LuLu Hypermarket Ramadan for its global educa- today, according to Unesco. markable work achieved by EAA outlets, Qatar Foundation, Exx- tional initiatives. “We aim to collect as much Foundation deserves support onMobil, Al Meera Stores and Donations can be made fund as possible to support our from the donating organisa- many others to create aware- through donation boxes at 40 global projects in fi ve countries. tions and people to come out in ness about the challenges, such locations including shopping We have not set any target and greater numbers and make this as poverty, confl ict and natural malls and public places, at cash the project will be open from campaign a stupendous suc- disasters, which millions around counters in LuLu Hypermar- the seventh day of Ramadan. cess. While going through their the world face in accessing a kets and Al Meera stores, and This is open for all the generous work to empower the world’s quality education. by contacting 44542288, or people in the country and we poorest and most marginal- EAA Foundation is eligible to visiting the EAA website: Edu- expect everyone to contribute to ised by educating out of school receive Sadaqah and Zakat do- cationaboveall.org and for pay- the cause, especially the busi- children, youth and women, nations. It’s Ramadan campaign ments by credit card or through ness houses and rich people,” we wholeheartedly support aims to raise funds for EAA’s personal Ooredoo Mobile Money said Mohamed al-Naama, senior this endeavour,”said Prof al- programmes: Educate A Child, Account. representative, Fundraising De- Mohamed al-Naama and Prof Dr Ali M al-Quradaghi announcing EAA’s fundraising campaign yesterday. Quradaghi. Reach Out To Asia and Al Fa- Al Rayyan TV is also organis- partment at EAA Foundation at a PICTURE: Nasar T K EAA’s Ramadan campaign khoora, which include several ing a special episode for EAA’s press conference yesterday. aims to support the hardest to projects in Gaza, West Bank, fundraising campaign that will “We have launched the project eral EAA projects in Gaza, West malia,” explained al-Nama. cally we will continue all our reach children, youth and wom- and for Syrian and Palestin- be aired tomorrow, during its and if it is successful, we will Bank, and for Syrian and Pales- “All the programmes that we programmes and will help the en around the world with op- ian refugees in Lebanon, Tur- programme, Layali Ramadan, to continue with it even after Ram- tinian refugees in Lebanon, Tur- used to have during Ramadan needy people in the country,” he portunities to change their lives key and Syria, and for Rohingya spread awareness about EAA’s adan. The funds collected from key and Syria, and for Rohingya in the previous years inside the added. for a better future. Additionally, refugees in Bangladesh and So- global programmes and projects this initiative will benefi t sev- refugees in Bangladesh and So- country will be continued. Lo- Prof Dr Ali M al-Quradaghi, EAA provides and increases ac- malia.

Advisory Council QFFD, QC sign deal with praises Amir’s UNHCR to help Rohingyas directives for

QNA Doha overcoming siege

atar Fund for Develop- QNA as well as the positions of the ment (QFFD) and Qatar Doha residents living in the coun- QCharity signed yesterday try. an agreement worth $8.8mn The Advisory Council then with United Nations High Com- he Advisory Coun- considered the topics on its missioner for Refugees (UN- cil yesterday held its agenda. CHR) to provide Rohingya refu- Tregular weekly session The Council discussed a gees in Bangladesh with basic under the chairmanship of its draft law regulating non-Qa- services. Speaker HE Ahmed bin Ab- tari ownership and usage of The co-operation aims at dullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud. real estate. implementing a number of life- At the outset of the session, The draft law provides saving projects such as disaster HE al-Mahmoud congratu- for the establishment of a risk reduction and response pro- lated His Highness the Amir committee comprising rep- grammes in Kutupalong refugee Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- resentatives of a number of camp, and provide basic needs Thani on the occasion of the ministries and Qatar Cham- and services to refugees in Bang- advent of the holy month of ber and two experienced ladesh, QFFD and Qatar Charity Ramadan. experts to propose areas in said in a statement. HE al-Mahmoud said that which non-Qataris are al- These pledges from QFFD and the Advisory Council, in its lowed to own and use real Qatar Charity strengthen co- fi rst session during this bless- estate, as well as the terms operation and partnership with ed month, recalls the unjust and conditions and any oth- UN organisations, particularly siege imposed on Qatar dur- er terms of reference issued UNHCR, the statement said, ing the holy month last year, by the Cabinet. adding that it clearly demon- and praises with all pride and The Advisory Council de- strates the continued humani- appreciation the eff orts of the cided to refer the draft law to tarian commitment of Qatar and Amir to preserve the dignity the Legal and Legislative Af- refl ects the pioneering solidarity and honour of Qatar, and the fairs Committee to study it role that it has at the interna- support of the loyal Qatari and submit a report thereon to tional level. people for its wise leadership, the Council. The agreement supports a number of projects such as re- inforcing 52,000 houses before Chrysler, Jeep models recalled the rainy season, where about 260,000 refugees live in the Ku- The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC), in collaboration tupalong camp, including many Off icials from the UNHCR, QFFD and Qatar Charity signing the agreement. with United Cars Almana, has announced the recall of Chrysler-200 women and children. C models of 2012-2013 and Jeep Cherokee model of 2012 over a Some 37,500 refugees will sponsibility to alleviate their un- and Qatar Charity. the things that they missed out on the sidelines of the Aid and possible defect in occupant restraint controller. benefi t from shelter packages, in bearable suff ering. “The suff ering of Rohingya on and to have the appropriate Trade London conference and The MEC said the recall campaign comes within the framework addition to protecting roads and He added that QFFD is com- refugees is worsening, particu- conditions to recover and rebuild exhibition in April. of its ongoing eff orts to protect consumers and ensure that bridges from weather factors and mitted to addressing the needs larly during the rainy season. their lives. More than 80,000 Rohingya automobile dealers follow up on vehicles’ defects and repair them. boosting drainage projects and of refugees whether through This contribution will help re- Al-Ghamdi added that Qa- Muslim refugees fl ed their The MEC said that it will co-ordinate with the dealer to follow up directing of rainwater. emergency shelter or handling duce these risks,” Khalifa said. tar Charity is looking forward homes in Rakhine State in My- on the maintenance and repair works and will communicate with QFFD Director of Develop- the challenges of health and Meanwhile, Mohamed Ali to continuing the eff ective work anmar on the border with Bang- customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out. ment Projects Misfer Hamad sewage. al-Ghamdi, Qatar Charity’s ex- with UNHCR in Bangladesh and ladesh in August following an The MEC has urged all customers to report any violations to its al-Shahwani highlighted the For his part, Khaled Khalifa, ecutive director of international around the world. extermination campaign by Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department importance of the donation for UNHCR regional representa- development department, said it The partnership between Myanmar authorities that was through the following channels: Call centre: 16001, e-mail: info@ supporting Rohingya refugees, tive, welcomed the “timely gen- is important for the men, women QFFD, Qatar Charity and UN- condemned by the United Na- mec.gov.qa, Twitter: @MEC_Qatar, Instagram: MEC_Qatar, MEC saying that it is everyone’s re- erous contributions” of QFFD and children in question to enjoy HCR was previously announced tions. mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar 20 Qatari dentists prepare for international examination

amad Medical Corporation have achieved a high level of success in (HMC), in co-operation with the their MFD examinations. Some have al- HRoyal College of Surgeons in Ire- ready joined the specialised Paediatric land (RCSI), recently organised an inten- Dentistry Fellowship Programme off ered sive training programme to help prepare in co-operation with the Royal College of HMC and Primary Health Care Corpora- Surgeons of Ireland,” added Dr al-Ansari. tion (PHCC) dentists to take the College’s Dr Asmaa Othman al-Khtib, manager, Faculty of Dentistry (MFD) entrance ex- Dental and Oral Health Operations and amination. Support at the PHCC said, “This col- A total of 20 Qatari dentists partici- laborative eff ort by stakeholders in the pated in the fi ve-day preparatory train- dental profession is key to ensuring that ing programme, held for the third con- our teams are able to deliver internation- secutive year by HMC. It is part of an al best practice in oral healthcare serv- agreement between HMC and RCSI and ices locally and is an opportunity to work developed with the aim of providing spe- closely together to enhance our general cialised dentistry training to Qatari den- dentists’ clinical skill.” tists interested in advancing their quali- The intensive training programme will fi cations. be held again next year from April 28 to Dr Khalifa al-Ansari, senior consultant May 2, off ering participants the oppor- and vice chairman of the Hamad Den- tunity to prepare for the MFD entrance tal Center said: “The programme is de- examination. signed to help these clinicians refi ne their The internationally-accredited RCSI knowledge in all aspects of the dentistry MFD post-graduate dental education profession. It aims to prepare members programme supports Qatar’s National of our clinical teams to pass the admit- Oral Health Strategy. Hamad Dental tance test for membership with the RCSI, Center strives to provide comprehensive, the next intake of which is scheduled for globally accepted, best practice care, October 8.” founded on its holistic perspective of de- “The dentists who have been enrolled livering safe, quality services and proven in this programme for the past two years treatments for all patients. Qatari dentists from HMC and PHCC prepare for MFD examination. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 22, 2018 3 QATAR Haj tour operators Qatari artist set to join art residency decry Saudi curbs programme in Paris or the second consecu- diktat would entail fi nancial unacceptable because it was liticisation of Haj and this could tive year, Qatari nationals losses for their companies, the against national pride. not be tolerated. atar Museums (QM) Fand residents are unable to operators insisted that uphold- Similarly, Hamad al- Ali al-Naama, owner of an- Fire Station: Artist in perform Umrah during Ramadan ing the dignity of Qatari pilgrims Shahwani, owner of another other Haj tour operating compa- QResidence, an initiative due to the restrictions imposed and their unconditional right to company, expressed his regrets ny, said that the continuation of designed to grow the next gen- by the Saudi authorities. free access to Makkah through that Qataris are unable to per- the restriction was very disap- eration of artistic talent in Qa- Local Arabic daily Al Sharq offi cial and direct channels were form the Umrah for the second pointing. “The Saudi authorities tar, has announced that a fi fth reported yesterday that Qatari more important to them. year in a row. “Many Qataris who insist on making things diffi cult Qatari artist will be joining its travel companies have refused to Jassim al-Hardan, owner of a used to spend this time of the for Qatari pilgrims and their renowned Paris Art Residency operate Haj trips through a third fi rm that organises Haj pilgrim- year in Makkah as pilgrims, have conditions are not fair and could Programme. party as dictated by the Saudi age, stressed that he supported expressed their sadness for the not be accepted.” Ahmed al-Jufairi, an art- authorities and demanded that the stand of Qatar on the right continued unfair situation de- Mohamed al-Kuwari, an- ist known for pushing the pilgrims from Qatar should be of pilgrims from Qatar to direct priving them of such an intrinsic other operator, said that almost boundaries of self-expression, allowed to travel directly to Sau- means of transport from Doha to religious right.” all Haj organising companies in will be joining the programme di Arabia and on Qatar national the holy sites in Saudi Arabia. He further pointed out that the country have refused to en- in Studio Qatar at the Cite In- carrier, and not through a third He pointed out that accept- dictating conditions that Qataris gage a third party in the process ternationale des Art. The pro- party or indirect routes. ing to operate Haj trips through should travel to Makkah through and refused to comply with such gramme is set to off er him a Though defying the Saudi a third party was completely a third party is considered po- undermining Saudi conditions. once-in-a-lifetime opportu- nity to expand his artistic hori- zons in one of the world’s most prestigious residencies. A graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar Honda Jazz gets (VCUarts Qatar) with a major in painting and printmaking, Ahmed focuses on the beauty of imperfection, sending out an important message to the ‘Best Compact audience, and explaining that “beauty” and “perfection” are relative terms. Fascinated by what makes us unique, Ahmed has also been known to tackle Car’ award the subject of social accept- ance, arguing that uniqueness and individuality are keys to he all-new Honda Jazz teams in the region. This award beautiful innovations. was named ‘Best Com- is a fantastic accolade for both Held under the patronage of An artwork by Ahmed al-Jufairi. Tpact Car’ at the recently the Honda brand and the Jazz. QM’s chairperson, HE Sheikha held annual Wheels Car of the With its updated and sportier Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin teractive workshops as well as enlightenment,” said Khalifa Year awards. styling, the all-new Jazz of- Khalifa al-Thani, the Paris Art meeting some of the most tal- al-Obaildy, director, Fire Sta- According to the judges, com- fers unmatched versatility and The Honda Jazz. Residency programme is an ex- ented artists in the world. The tion. “His artwork combines prising the editorial team at class-leading space and has an tension of QM’s Fire Station: programme is open to all Qa- the best of the East and West, Wheels magazine, the Jazz won extremely loyal following. We The Jazz exudes a bold confi - make the Jazz a head-turner. Artist in Residence Programme tari artists aged 18 and older, delivering a unique interpre- for several good reasons – in- look forward to building on this dence, too, with its sporty, lower The 2018 Jazz incorporates the held in Doha, Qatar. covering all art forms. tation of the beauty of co-ex- cluding the fact that the “car is success.” and wider look while under the “man maximum, machine mini- As part of the comprehen- Previously, the programme istence. We wish him the best fun to drive and is blessed with The all-new Jazz comes loaded bonnet is a peppy 1.5-litre Direct mum” design philosophy and sive programme, the Fire Sta- welcomed four Qatari artists of luck on this journey and are a cabin with lots of space”, ac- with features, including a new Injection i-VTEC engine that off ers unmatched practicality tion supports one talented including: Ebtisam al-Saff ar, looking forward to seeing how cording to a press statement. 7.0in colour Display Audio touch- generates 130hp and 155Nm of and versatility. The new platform artist each year with studio Nasser al-Attiya, Abdullah al- his artwork will evolve after this The Wheels Car of the Year is screen with swipe and touch torque. employs optimised packaging and accommodation at the Kuwari and Ghada al-Khater. experience.” the region’s longest running in- functionality, Steering Wheel A low and confi dent stance solutions to provide best-in- Cite Internationale des Arts Just recently, Ghada hosted an The Paris Residency Pro- dependent automotive awards Mounted Controls, keyless entry, gives way to a sleek, stream- class space for occupants and in Paris for three months, as open studio at the Cite Inter- gramme demonstrates a clear and is in its 10th year now. cruise control, rear parking sen- lined profi le, where the em- cargo. A lower-profi le fuel tank well as a monthly stipend for nationale des Arts, allowing commitment by QM to nurture Sharif, managing director of sors, a four-speaker sound sys- phasis is on sporty detailing mounted in the centre frees up their stay and purchase of members of the public to meet emerging talent and builds on Doha Marketing Services Com- tem, two USB ports and an HDMI and a striking set of new 16” al- underfl oor space beneath the art materials. Additionally, her and have open discussions a longer tradition of patronage pany, said: “We are extremely port. As for safety, it has ABS loy wheels. Front fog lights help rear seats, enabling the plat- participants are encouraged about art and culture. of the arts, and a passion for pleased to have been recognised with EBD, hill-start assist, Isofi x to navigate in poor visibility form to accommodate Honda’s to step out of their comfort “Ahmed has always been a supporting the development of by one of the foremost motoring latches and two airbags. weather and striking rear lights innovative Magic Seats system. zone through engaging in in- proponent of autonomy and artistic talent in Qatar. QU-CMED organises workshop QIB unveils on mentoring training for faculty ‘Ramadan

ore than 25 faculty members from Qatar MUniversity College of Festive’ Medicine (QU-CMED) received certifi cates following the suc- cessful completion of the third and fi nal session of a series of mentoring training workshops, promotion under the theme “Disseminat- ing the mentoring culture across training programmes: A Faculty IB has unveiled its QIB general manager (Per- Mentoring Training Programme”. ‘Ramadan Festive’ sonal Banking Group) D Anand Organised in collaboration Qpromotion off ering said, “Our Ramadan off ers with the medical education de- numerous rewards, discounts, invite QIB customers to cel- partment at Hamad Medical and vehicle fi nance deals. ebrate the holy month’s spirit Corporation (HMC), the work- The QIB Ramadan off ers in- of giving and sharing with shops aimed to provide CMED clude a chance to win a Hadi- their families. These special faculty with the necessary core More than 25 faculty members from QU-CMED received certificates for attending the workshop. yati card worth QR5,000, free promotions form part of our competencies to be eff ective issuance of new Hadiyati cards customer-centric off ering to mentors and role models for gramme, helping to build a sus- topics related to concepts of suc- laboration with HMC, aligns with “Mentorship is an essential tool as well as Iftar and Suhoor dis- ensure that they have reward- medical students. tainable base of faculty equipped cessful mentoring, and attendees CMED’s vision that emphasises in helping to train Qatar’s next counts at selected hotels. ing banking experiences.” CMED has been running a to be successful mentors. had an opportunity to engage in the importance of recruiting fac- generation of healthcare profes- QIB also off ers customers QIB, through its Ramadan mentorship programme for un- The latest workshop was de- role-playing activities to practise ulty who are life-long learners, sionals and supporting the devel- exclusive vehicle fi nance deals auto fi nance deals, off ers its dergraduate medical students livered by Dr Michail Nomikos, the new concepts. seeking continuous professional opment of an integrated academic in partnership with popular customers instant approvals, since February 2017, led by Dr and Prof Alison Carr, CMED head QU vice president for Medical development and building on health system. Students benefi t automotive dealers across the competitive profi t and Takaful Michail Nomikos, CMED as- of Clinical Sciences, Dr Shireen and Health Sciences and CMED their competencies and experi- immensely from the opportunity country. rates, six months grace period, sistant professor of biochem- Suliman, HMC consultant in in- dean Prof Egon Toft said, “In its ences, to have this in turn refl ect- to learn from skilled peers and This year, the Ramadan and a free QIB credit card for istry and co-ordinator of the ternal medicine, and Dr Margaret pursuit to achieve excellence in ed in our benchmarked medical leaders, through the sharing of spends by any QIB cardholder the fi rst year. CMED Mentorship Programme. Allen, HMC associate director for education, the College of Medi- education and teaching methods.” their experiences, and are able will get them chance to win cash These special fi nancing The faculty mentoring train- medical education and continu- cine acknowledges the impor- HMC deputy chief medical of- to apply these learnings towards award worth QR5,000 loaded on packages apply to new and ing workshops are an essential ing professional development. tance of faculty development. fi cer and director of medical edu- providing safe and compassionate their Hadiyati gift card. used vehicles, and are valid element of the mentorship pro- They discussed a wide range of This mentoring workshop, in col- cation Dr Abdullatif al-Khal said, care to patients and families.” QIB costumers will auto- until June 30. matically enter a draw by using Anand said, “At QIB we their debit or credit card for a stand by our customers and minimum spend of QR500 per this off er comes to support transaction, internationally or their aspirations. The QIB locally. auto fi nance deals are among Silatech to secure 415,000 jobs for Moroccan youth by 2020 Five lucky winners will be the best in the market; they announced by the end of Ram- off er the optimal value for car adan to enjoy Eid al-Fitr with purchasers and grant them a ilatech has said that it is diff erent sectors to launch pro- programme that targets new op- youth benefi ting from the dif- social development organisa- the Hadiyati card. The off er is variety of cars to consider.” targeting to ensure 415,000 grammes that benefi t youth and portunities in developing Mo- ferent micro-credit programmes tion based in Qatar that works valid until June 10. He added, “The strong re- Sjobs for youth in Morocco enable them to develop their roccan sectors. For example, in has reached 81,422. to connect Arab youth with jobs QIB is also granting its cus- lationship we have built with by the end of 2020. society. its partnership with the Moroc- The organisation’s most and resources necessary to es- tomers the opportunity to gift automotive dealers over the The organisation met with “Morocco is one of the can ministry of tourism and the prominent partnership is with tablish and develop projects their beloved ones a Hadiyati past years, gives us the op- a number of Moroccan min- fi rst countries Silatech International Youth Foundation youth fi nancing facility Jaida, through working with nation- card without the issuance fee. portunity to provide our cus- isters as well as its partners worked in since its launch in to implement life skills training which reached 9,556 jobs over al, regional and international The free of charge Hadiyati tomers very competitive auto in the country to expand its 2008 and has an operation in 15 centres, Silatech benefi ted three associations. In addition, partners. card is an alternative to cash fi nance off ers.” programmes and discuss the manager to follow up with 3,649 youth and contributed to the organisation has a success- The organisation works with given to family members and QIB customers can ben- launching of programmes the workfl ow. The number integrating 821 youth in the job ful partnership with Attawfi q a network of more than 300 those special ones. efi t from this off er by directly that target youth employ- of Moroccan youth (both market. Microfi nance to implement Bo- national, regional and interna- Additionally, the bank has heading to the showroom of ment in government enti- men and women) benefi t- The organisation co-operated dour initiative, which achieved tional partners to connect young partnered with selected premi- their preference, or by visiting ties and enable them in new ing from the Silatech part- with fi ve partner organisations 68,379 jobs out of the 145,000 people with economic opportu- um hotels across Qatar to off er the nearest QIB branch, or by sectors. nership programmes has to implement programmes to youth jobs targeted by 2020. nities and jobs through innova- its customers special discounts remotely applying for auto fi - The organisation also aims reached 85,071,” it said. enable youth and attain fi nancial Silatech is an international, tive initiatives in entrepreneur- of up to 30% at the Ramadan nancing online through QIB’s to explore new opportunities in Silatech designed a strategic coverage where the number of non-profi t, non-governmental, ship and employment. (QNA) tents on Iftar and Suhoor. website. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, May 22, 2018 QATAR/RAMADAN Beach volleyball championship Ramadan’s 3D training efore a marathon runner com- A time for spiritual nourishment and petes in the Olympics, he un- self-introspection, Ramadan heralds Bdergoes years of intense train- a classic opportunity to draw closer to ing—both physical and mental [2D Allah and to bask in the many blessings - two-dimensional]. He must maintain that accompany the month. Commit- a healthy diet and exercise to make sure ments ranging from the recitation and his body is fi t. He must also become study of the Qur’an to increased char- mentally prepared to ward off all sense ity to regular Taraweeh attendance are of fatigue and failure during the race. commonly made to reap the rewards of After every practice, his sport becomes the fasting month. easier to him until he is ready to com- To this eff ect, the Prophet, sallal- pete. Then after he competes, he trains laahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, once said: “By for years again, preparing for the next Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the The third day of Katara’s Ramadan Beach Volleyball Championship saw Al Wakrah win their match against Mansoura, Olympics. smell coming out from the mouth of a while the Katara 1 team defeated Najma in another tie. Pictured is a moment from one of the matches. Similarly, our Lord, The Most Ex- person observing fast is better with Al- alted, has given us the Holy Month of lah Almighty than the smell of musk. Ramadan as a month of training. Unlike (Allah says about the fasting person): the runner, our training is three-fold: ‘He has left his food, drink and desires physical, mental, and spiritual [3D- for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will three-dimensional]. Ramadan trains us reward (the fasting person) for it and for life, which is our means to Paradise. the reward of good deeds is multiplied In Arabic, the word “Ramadan” means ten times.’” [Al-Bukhari] Aspetar develops ‘golden “scorching and burning”. The name Further, with Satan chained and the highlights the intensity of the training gates of Paradise thrown open, the race since, according to scholars; we physi- for good deeds begins in every Ram- cally and mentally scorch and burn our help eliminate or reduce them. adan. Yet, as people dive into the anx- sins and faults. By the month’s end, Mental restraint is especially impor- iously awaited month of spiritual gains, rules’ for healthy lifestyle if our intentions were pure, we have tant now, when Islam is being maligned they realise that it comes with its own bathed ourselves in a pool of spiritual- and we must respond with that which set of challenges. Indeed, just as our utrition experts at ideally be light and easy to people who fast divide their pares the digestive system ity. is better. Patience and mercy are among everyday test is to practice Islam while Aspetar, the ortho- digest, and recommend it Iftar meal into two phases. to produce enzymes and Most people think fi rst of the physi- the virtues we strengthen during Ram- living in the world, this annual retreat- Npaedic and sports consists of food groups such Phase one should consist helps control the amount cal aspect of fasting, which for Mus- adan. With the combined physical and of-sorts is all about maximising our medicine hospital, have as carbohydrates, proteins, of eating dates or drink- of food eaten, thereby lims is a foundation for the mental and mental training we get in Ramadan, we worship while juggling the demands of developed a set of ‘golden fi bres as well as important ing a glass of water, milk minimising the risk of gas- spiritual benefi ts. Hunger and thirst can improve our relations with Mus- our daily lives. rules’ on how best to com- minerals such as potassium, or a small bowl of soup – tric disorders after a long physically remind us of Allah’s bless- lims and non-Muslims as we strive for So, along with the fasting and all the bine physical activity with that release energy slowly. equivalent to ‘alerting one’s day of fasting. ings, which before the fast we had a perfection. plans, chores need to be taken care of, a balanced diet to help The Suhoor meal should digestive system’ – which Recent research has tendency to take for granted. Fasting A three-dimensional consciousness: work must be attended to, and chil- people maintain a healthy contain ingredients such as should then be followed by a shown that fasting for also provides us with numerous health physical, mental, and spiritual that dren’s needs have to be fulfi lled. In or- and active lifestyle during milk or yogurt, both a key break of around 15 minutes. 30 days without doing benefi ts. The Prophet, sallallaahu alaihi Muslims throughout history attest it der to avoid frustration due to neglect- Ramadan. source of protein and vita- Then, food served dur- any physical activity may wa sallam, said: “The son of Aadam enhances one’s relationship with Allah, ing one’s Ramadan goals or hardship They have also developed mins, and an ideal alterna- ing the second phase should decrease one’s physical never fi lls a container worse than his wipes clean our slate of sins and allows caused by abandoning certain tasks tips to ensure that Iftar and tive to soft drinks and artifi - contain some vegetables strength and can also con- stomach.” [Ahmad and others] us to reap great reward. The Prophet, and routines, a happy medium must Suhoor meals provide the cially sweetened juices. The along with a main course tribute to digestive prob- When we deprive the stomach of sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, stated that be strived for. Striking this balance will necessary energy boost over Suhoor meal should also ide- that contains proteins such lems. The ideal recom- food and drink from dawn till dusk, Allah declared: “All deeds of the son of not always be easy since it entails re- a sustained period of time. ally include some vegetables as meat or chicken served mendation is to exercise for we improve our digestion and blood Aadam are for him except for fasting, scheduled days, little sleep, and a shift Suhoor is the main energy or fruits as well as beans, with legumes, plus carbo- between 10 to 30 minutes pressure, to name a few of the many it is for Me. And I will reward him for in priorities. source throughout the day lentils or eggs, served with hydrates such as bread, rice daily, either before Iftar for physical benefi ts. The acts of physical it.”[Muslim] But we need to remember However, the results far outweigh the for people fasting during whole grain bread since such or potatoes. people without any health restraint during Ramadan improve our again the concept of training. struggle, a feeling of contentment that the holy month of Ramadan. foods sustain blood sugar One of the benefi ts of di- problems, or three hours self-control for the rest of the year. We The heightened spiritual conscious- we made our very best eff ort to capture Aspetar experts suggest levels for longer periods. viding one’s Iftar meal into after the Iftar meal. must not resume eating gluttonously ness that we gain during Ramadan the true essence of Ramadan. Allah that the Suhoor meal should It is recommended that two phases is that it pre- Consuming a large meal and wastefully. We must maintain ameliorates our life to a three dimen- Almighty says (what means): “O you can undermine the benefi ts physical consciousness to appreciate sional level: every action we make who have believed, decreed upon you of exercise since as much Allah’s favours and make acts of wor- transforms from being a habit (physi- is fasting as it was decreed upon those as 15% of one’s energy is ship easier for us. cal and mental components of what we before you that you may become right- diverted to food digestion Ramadan’s mental aspect is more do) to becoming an act of worship when eous.” [Qur’an 2:183] and absorption. That is diffi cult, but the strong physical foun- under the umbrella of spirituality. It is Article source: http://www.islamweb. why experts recommend dation also helps to sharpen our focus true, some may say, that spirituality net/emainpage/ that people exercise at and strengthen our will. This training always has that eff ect – Ramadan or least three hours after any is an example of striving with one’s in- not. But in Ramadan, this spirituality is meal. ner desires. It exposes our fl aws and can more conscious, deliberate and intense. Aspetar experts also recommend that athletes should exercise gradually, starting with warm-up exercises and stretches fol- lowed by some aerobic and strength training and fol- lowed by a cool-down at the end of any session. Ac- cording to experts, train- ing intensity should range from light to medium de- pendent on one’s level of fi tness. Aspetar experts say that the type of sport one prac- tise should defi ne one’s diet. For example, athletes who are engaged in team sports should divide their meals into smaller por- tions. They should eat light meals such as fruit in- cluding bananas or yogurt and milk after matches or training sessions to supply them with energy.

‘Screen For Life’ announces Ramadan timings

‘Screen For Life’, Qatar’s national breast and bowel cancer screening programme has announced the opening hours of its three dedicated facilities and call centre during Ramadan. The screening suite at Al Wakra Health Centre will be open for breast and bowel screening from 7pm to midnight throughout the holy month. Both screening suites at Leabaib and Rawdat Al Khail Health Centres will open from 8am to 1pm and from 7pm to midnight. The mobile screening unit will also be in operation in Madinat Khalifa Health Centre from 8am to 1pm, to engage with eligible women and off er mammograms to women who cannot easily access one of the three dedicated facilities. The dedicated ‘Screen For Life’ call centre, which people can call to request an appointment or learn more about the programme and its objectives, will be operated from 8am to 2pm (Sunday to Thursday) and on Saturday from 10am to 2pm. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 22, 2018 5 QATAR Safety do’s and don’ts throughout

Ramadan This file picture shows Civil Defence firefighters in action to put out a blaze. Image courtesy of the MoI Twitter page. he General Directorate of children away from the kitchen Ramadan is diff erent from oth- risks involved and the impor- make sure that they are clean and may have signifi cant conse- along with emergency exits, Civil Defence (GDCD) has and having appropriate fi re safe- er months as family gatherings tance of safety guidelines to be that there is no blockage. quences, it is pointed out. high-quality electrical connec- Tadvised people to follow ty equipment at home. for Iftar and Suhoor are com- followed. The presence of electrical To prevent such mishaps, the tions, and a fi re blanket. safety procedures at home dur- The GDCD, which aims to mon during this period and vari- One of the most important wires for more than one device advisory has highlighted the The GDCD’s Operations De- ing Ramadan to prevent fi re in- achieve safety and protection ous types of dishes are prepared, safety measures is to keep chil- at the same spot, and which are importance of the availability – partment has stressed that the cidents. for members and institutions of which leads to an increased use of dren away from the kitchen, es- placed in a haphazard manner, and use – of diff erent household Civil Defence is fully prepared to A list of do’s and don’ts post- the society, “considers preven- the kitchen during this period, it pecially the frying pan, during poses a fi re risk due to the possi- safety tools such as fi re extin- deal with any reports of a fi re. ed on the Ministry of Interior tion to be better than treatment is observed in the MoI post. the cooking process. bility of a short circuit. guishers, smoke detectors and People should dial the emer- (MoI)’s social media platforms and seeks to raise awareness of In view of this, and to pre- Also, families should ensure Fires caused by electrical con- gas safety valves. gency number – 999 – and pro- draws attention to a number of safety-related issues”, the advi- vent untoward incidents, family the safety of gas connections, nections and fi ttings are among There should also be adequate vide the full address for easy ac- key issues, including keeping sory states. members must be aware of the and examine stoves and ovens to the most serious in nature and ventilation inside the house, cess.

Quick Civil Defence handing out meals, safety fl yers response An Al Fazaa patrol (pictured) he General Directorate of Civil Defence (GDCD), rep- should arrive at an incident resented by the Operations Department, is distribut- site within seven minutes Ting Iftar meals along with safety write-ups to motorists from the time of reporting, the during the month of Ramadan in diff erent parts of the country. Ministry of Interior (MoI) has The initiative comes as part of the GDCD’s eff orts to reach said on social media. out to the public to raise safety awareness, the Ministry of In- “Be our partner in security terior (MoI) has said in a post on social media. services by providing us with “The aim of this step is to strengthen communication be- correct information about the tween the Civil Defence and various segments of the society,” incident and the location to the MoI stressed. ensure a quick response. We’re Members of the Operations Department from Civil Defence pleased to serve you,” the MoI centres have been deployed throughout the country, wearing A Civil Defence personnel distributing Iftar meals and safety flyers. Picture post added. fi re suits, to distribute the Iftar meals along with safety fl yers. courtesy of the MoI’s Twitter page Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, May 22, 2018 QATAR Qatar takes part in Geneva health talks atar is taking part in the Further, the Qatari delegation a high-level meeting of the gen- of refugees and immigrants, 71st session of the World has attended a meeting of the eral assembly on ending tuber- the global working plan on vac- QHealth Assembly (WHA) health ministers of Francophone culosis. cines, communicable diseases, in Geneva, Switzerland, with a states, held in Genera on Sunday. Moreover, the meetings will promoting health throughout delegation led by HE the Minister The WHA meetings discuss a discuss the Global Strategy for life, and the role of WHO and of Public Health Dr Hanan Mo- number of major issues such as Women’s, Children’s and Ado- its responsibilities in the area of hamed al-Kuwari. the executive council’s report on lescents’ Health; use of appro- health research. The session began yesterday its 141st and 142nd sessions as priate digital technologies for Meanwhile, Oman’s Dr Ahmed and continues until May 26. well as its extraordinary session public health; improving access al-Mandhari was elected direc- WHA is the highest decision- on the draft 13th General Pro- to assistive technology; ma- tor of the WHO Regional Offi ce making body at the World Health gramme of Work, 2019-2022, in ternal, infant and young child for the Eastern Mediterranean Organisation (WHO) and the main addition to electing members of nutrition; comprehensive im- during its fi fth extraordinary ses- topic of its meetings this year is the executive council. plementation plan on maternal, sion, QNA reported. comprehensive health coverage. The meetings also touch upon infant and young child nutrition; HE Dr al-Kuwari, who led Qa- Qatar’s delegation has also public health preparedness and pandemic infl uenza prepared- tar’s delegation at the session, participated in a number of response; health, environment ness framework for the sharing congratulated al-Mandhari on meetings taking place on the and climate change; the global of infl uenza viruses and access to his win, wishing him success in sidelines of the WHA, including shortage of, and access to, medi- vaccines and other benefi ts; and his duties, especially in light of the 50th regular session of the cines and vaccines; the global eradication of poliomyelitis. the massive challenges facing a Council of Arab Health Ministers strategy and plan of action on Additionally, the WHA meet- number of Eastern Mediterra- and its executive bureau on May public health, innovation and in- ings will discuss the health situ- nean countries. 20 and 21 as well as the fi fth ex- tellectual property; preparation ation in the occupied Palestinian She expressed confi dence in traordinary session of the WHO for the third high-level meeting territories, including East Jeru- his ability to manage the sig- Regional Offi ce for the Eastern of the general assembly on the salem, collaboration within the nifi cant issues at the disposal of Mediterranean on May 19, ac- prevention and control of non- United Nations system and with the regional offi ce so as to help cording to a statement by the communicable diseases, to be other intergovernmental organi- in serving the health of eastern HE the Minister of Public Health, Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari, attends one of the meetings. Ministry of Public Health. held in 2018; and preparation for sations, enhancing the health Mediterranean people.

WISE to host 16th anniversary for LuLu forum for UN Global Goals Week

he World Innovation Michelle Obama delivered Summit for Educa- a keynote address at WISE Ttion (WISE), an ini- 2015 to mobilise support tiative of Qatar Foundation for girls’ education world- (QF), is to hold a one-day wide. forum as part of the Glo- WISE@NY will engage bal Goals Week, a series of up to 500 local and inter- events taking place during national thought lead- the United Nations General ers, decision-makers, and Assembly under the aus- practitioners from a variety pices of the UN Foundation. of sectors, including edu- The WISE@NY forum cation, business, politics, will take place in New York civil society, and the me- on September 22, under the dia, from around the world. theme ‘Learning Revolu- “Education innovation is tions: Creating Educational on the global agenda, and Environments for Empow- it is an important part of LuLu Hypermarket, D-Ring Road branch, is celebrating its 16th anniversary. The erment and Inclusion’, for our mission at WISE to anniversary celebrations were jointly inaugurated at the branch with a cake-cutting by education stakeholders and tangibly demonstrate the regional director Shaijan M O, regional manager Shanavas P M and general manager change-makers to explore transformative power of Krishnakumar in the presence of other off icials from LuLu Group. innovation in education and education and the role that re-imagine learning envi- innovation can play in en- ronments. suring that quality educa- By showcasing education tion is available to all who QRCS provides drinking water solution in Afghanistan enterprises and projects need it. New York, as a glo- from its global programmes bal hub and especially dur- atar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), aims to improve the health condition of resi- – the WISE Awards and the ing the annual meetings of through its representative mission in dents of remote and disadvantaged areas, WISE Accelerator – WISE@ the United Nations General QAfghanistan, has concluded a project reduce the spread of diseases and epidemics NY aims to demonstrate the Assembly, provides the ide- to provide clean drinking water in south resulting from the use of polluted or unclean positive role that innova- al setting for WISE to deliv- and southeastern Afghanistan, with a total water by providing long-term drinking wa- tion can play in enhancing er its message of hope,” said budget of $400,000 (QR 1.46mn) for more ter, achieve food security, provide agricul- access to education and im- Stavros Yiannouka, CEO of than 1,200 poor families, which amounts to tural employment and revive the economic proving learning outcomes. WISE. 9,000 benefi ciaries. standard of the population by providing wa- In the 2016 WISE Accelera- WISE@NY will address In a statement, QRCS said the project ter for land irrigation. tor, Kepler, based in Rwan- topics such as equity and da, scaled its new university inclusion; learning environ- model across Africa with ments; multi-stakeholder education-to-employment relationships; strengthen- support and US-accredited ing the education ecosys- degrees. Seven of the WISE tem; and utilising tech- Awards winners to date nology, art, and culture to have been based in the US, enhance learning outcomes. including Speed School and Participating projects from PhET Interactive Simula- the WISE Accelerator and tions. All of the winning WISE Awards will also be projects are enabling inno- celebrated and showcased. vation with an international WISE@ events are a se- reach. ries of local and regional The forum will also serve education forums that take to highlight the longstand- place between WISE bien- ing engagements WISE hold nial global summits. With with US policy-makers, the support of local part- thought leaders, business ners, WISE has so far organ- leaders, entrepreneurs, and ised regional WISE@ events educators. in Tunisia, China, Spain, In 2015, then-fi rst lady and Ghana.

Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, May 22, 2018 QATAR

Maximum temperature to hit 38C

A maximum temperature of 38C is expected to be 26C. The inshore forecast forecast in Doha today, the Met Office said. for today also includes slight dust at The maximum yesterday across Qatar places at times. QIC Insured issues claims was 40C, recorded at Jumayliyah, Batna The minimum and maximum temperatures and Ghuwayriyah. The minimum expected expected at other key locations across temperature today is 22C at Al Khor. Qatar are as follows: Mesaieed and Wakrah Yesterday’s minimum, 20C, was reported – 23C, 37C; Al Khor – 22C, 37C; Ruwais – from Al Khor as well as Abu Samra. The 25C, 33C; Dukhan – 24C, 36C, and Abu analysis, road safety tips minimum temperature in Doha today is Samra – 24C, 37C. IC Insured has released its more accident prone than females,” display a caring attitude for ourselves analysis of 2,122 accidents/ the survey said. and for others in this very special pe- Qclaims during Ramadan 2017 QIC Insured Senior Claims man- riod.” to educate motorists by providing ager Ahmed Jarboey said, “Based on Ramadan is that time of the year them with driving and safety tips dur- the data, we want to fl ag three main when festivities are in full swing and ing the observance of this year’s holy fi ndings: older motorists must take when everyone wants to be with fam- month. extra caution, mind the morning rush ily, friends and keep their commit- The survey revealed that acci- hours, and male motorists need to pay ments. dents on Ramadan happen during extra attention towards their driving Many a times this poses unique late-morning offi ce rush hours. The attitude. It is of utmost importance to challenges for all types of motorists. claims/accidents are evenly spread know how the Ramadan lifestyle can The Ramadan-specifi c lifestyle has over the four weeks of Ramadan, with aff ect our driving behaviour, as well as physical eff ects on one’s body, espe- Tuesday as the most dangerous week- the driving behaviour of other motor- cially as it coincides with the hot sum- day and Thursday as the least danger- ists.” Ahmed Jarboey mer season like this year. ous. Socio demographic data revealed To drive safely during the holy Fasting can result in dehydration that drivers 40 years old and above month, Jarboey said QIC Insured has ing, always wear your seat belt – Ram- and low blood sugar, which in turn “are over-proportionally more in- provided Qatar’s motorists with fi ve adan is a good time to start this habit. can limit one’s attentiveness, concen- volved in traffi c accidents than young- “vital tips and tricks” – be aware of Jarboey said, “Motorists must realise tration, vision, and reaction. In addi- er motorists.” your own limitations, watch out for that even if they arrive late for Iftar or tion to fasting, the unusual eating and “Likewise, traffi c participants be- other traffi c participants potentially an event, people will understand. sleeping patterns can cause fatigue, longing to the age group of 30-35 years under the same limitations, expect the Good time management is crucial exhaustion, impatience, and distrac- seem to be equally prone to being in- unexpected – we all must drive defen- and motorists are urged to leave early tion. The complete list of Ramadan volved in accidents. The data sets also sively, plan your schedule properly and and keep suffi cient time in hand to related ‘Tips & Tricks’ is available at reveal that males are signifi cantly leave early to avoid rushing and speed- reach their destination. We need to http://roadsafety.i-insured.com/ /. AAB launches Toyota Ramadan promotion

bdullah Abdulghani and Land Cruiser. Toyota can be booked through the & Bros Co (AAB) sole vehicles are well-known for hotline 800-1800. AAB’s Aagents for Toyota ve- their superior performance. Express Maintenance Serv- hicles in Qatar, has launched Toyota owners are well ice helps Toyota owners to their Ramadan Promotion supported by AAB’s after fi nish their vehicle service under the theme ‘Celebrate sales facilities which include within one hour and this the season of giving’. a network of eight service facility is available in se- The campaign will con- centres set-up in various lect Quick Service Centres. tinue until the last working parts of the country. Toyota AAB Showrooms located at day in Ramadan. Custom- service locations include: the Airport Road and City ers purchasing any Toyota Main Service Centre in the Center Doha are open sev- vehicles will get a chance Industrial area, Landmark en days a week. During the to win one of two Prius or Quick Service Centre, Abu holy month of Ramadan, two Camry Hybrid Elec- Hamour Quick Service Cen- the main showroom is open tric Vehicles to be raffl ed Lease-to-Own Custom- to meet the requirements tre, Al Nayef Quick Serv- from 8am to 2pm and 8pm at the end of the campaign ers will also enjoy free reg- of all segments. This in- ice Centre, Airport Quick to 11pm (Sat – Thu) and on period. AAB also launched istration, free service and cludes the Yaris Sedan and Service Centre, Wakra Fridays, from 9pm to 11pm. their Lease-to-Own option free insurance during the Yaris Hatchback, Corolla, Quick Service Centre, Aziz City Center Showroom is wherein customers can pur- lease period subject to ful- Camry, Avalon, Prius, new- Quick Service Centre, and open from 9am to 1pm and chase Toyota vehicles with- fi lment of contract terms. ly-launched entry model Al Khor Quick Service 8pm to 11pm (Sat – Thu) out any guarantor, down Toyota has a large line-up SUV Toyota Rush, RAV4, Centre. AAB also provides and on Fridays from 8pm to payment or bank approvals. of passenger cars and SUVs Prado, Fortuner, FJ Cruiser Mobile Service Vans which 11pm. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 22, 2018 9 REGION/ARAB WORLD US set to impose ‘strongest sanctions in history’ on Iran

AFP the pact, and on May 8 he pulled economic fallout for anyone still Washington America out despite intense dip- dealing with the Islamic Republic. lomatic eff orts by European allies “We understand that our re- who had beseeched him to stick imposition of sanctions and the S Secretary of State Mike with it by adding tougher new ele- coming pressure campaign on the Pompeo yesterday warned ments. Iranian regime will pose fi nan- UIran would be hit with the “Iran’s leaders saw the deal as a cial and economic diffi culties for “strongest sanctions in history” starting gun for the march across a number of our friends,” he said. and cautioned European fi rms the Middle East,” Pompeo said. “We want to hear their concerns. against continuing to do business Pompeo said the bet that the But you know, we will hold those in Tehran, toughening up Wash- deal would increase Middle East doing prohibited business in Iran ington’s policy line after its with- stability had been a bad one for the to account.” drawal from the nuclear pact. international community. The re-establishment of US In his fi rst major foreign policy Instead of suggesting a re-ne- sanctions will force European address since moving to the State gotiation of the Iran deal, Pompeo companies to choose between in- Department from the CIA, the outlined 12 tough conditions from vesting in Iran or trading with the longtime Iran hawk and ardent Washington for any “new deal” United States. opponent of the 2015 nuclear pact with Tehran to make sure it “will In reality, there is no choice — outlined an aggressive series of never again have carte blanche to European companies cannot af- moves designed to counter Te- dominate the Middle East.” ford to forsake the US market. hran, which he called the world’s These essentially address every For now, the European Union is top sponsor of terror. aspect of Iran’s missile programme trying to persuade Iran to stay in “We will apply unprecedented and what the US calls its “malign the 2015 agreement, even without fi nancial pressure on the Iranian US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivers remarks on the Trump infl uence” across the region, in- Washington’s participation. regime. administration’s Iran policy at the Heritage Foundation in Washington. cluding support for Syrian Presi- Russia and China have also crit- The leaders in Tehran will have dent Bashar al-Assad, Hezbollah icised the US move and vowed to no doubt about our seriousness,” nian news agencies. said. President Donald Trump has and Houthi rebels in Yemen. maintain trade with Iran. Pompeo said in a speech at the “The world today does not ac- long said the original 2015 deal “It must cease its threatening British Foreign Secretary Boris conservative Heritage Foundation cept that the United States decides with Iran — also signed by Brit- behaviour against its neighbours,” Johnson said the sort of “jumbo think tank. for the world. Countries have their ain, China, France, Germany and Pompeo said. Iran deal” Pompeo was suggest- “This sting of sanctions will independence,” he added. Russia — did not go far enough, Rouhani compared the state- ing would not be “very easy to be painful if the regime does not Pompeo said if Iran were to and now wants the Europeans ments as akin to those made by achieve in anything like a reason- change its course from the unac- abide by stricter terms, including and others to support his hardline the administration of George W able timescale.” ceptable and unproductive path it ending its ballistic missile pro- strategy. Bush ahead of the 2003 Iraq inva- Critics rounded on Pompeo’s has chosen to one that rejoins the gramme and its interventions in The deal was designed to pre- sion. speech, saying his demands could league of nations.” regional confl icts from Yemen to vent Iran from developing a nu- “The era of such statements has have been made without pulling Iranian President Hassan Rou- Syria, the United States would lift clear weapon. evolved and the Iranian people America from the nuclear deal. hani quickly dismissed the threats, its new sanctions. The international community, have heard these statements hun- “Pompeo has not outlined a strat- saying the rest of the world no “Iran will be forced to make including top US offi cials, have dreds of times, and no longer pays egy, but rather a grab bag of wish- longer accepts Washington mak- a choice: either fi ght to keep its said Tehran had been in compli- attention,” Rouhani added. ful thinking that can only be inter- ing decisions on their behalf. economy off life support at home ance. European allies heard how preted as a call for regime change “Who are you to decide for Iran or keep squandering precious But Trump despised the deal, Pompeo expects their support for in Iran,” Suzanne Maloney of the and the world?” Rouhani said in a wealth on fi ghts abroad. It will not pointing to other aspects of Ira- the new US plan — but he off ered Brookings’ Centre for Middle East statement carried by multiple Ira- have the resources to do both,” he nian behaviour not covered in nothing in return, and threatened Policy wrote on Twitter. League On former battlefi eld, Kuwaiti stresses on cultural investor plans date palm groves diversity Reuters to set up a natural reserve for Southern Badia, Iraq which ostriches and deer will be imported, Sharadeh said. QNA Ties between Kuwait and Iraq Cairo n a former battlefi eld of have improved since, with the the 1991 Gulf War, deep Gulf state hosting in February a Oin Iraq’s southern desert, donor conference to rebuild Iraq. he General Secretariat of a Kuwaiti investor is looking to But Kuwaiti fi rms have been the League of Arab States grow 100,000 date palms and reluctant to return, demanding Tstressed that dialogue of build a nature reserve complete guarantees that their business will civilisations and cultures is the with ostriches and deer. not be taken away again. cornerstone of building a harmo- Few Kuwaiti fi rms have re- There is only one other Kuwaiti nious cultural diversity, spread- turned to do business in Iraq since investor in Basra, involved in a ing the values of tolerance, un- Saddam Hussein’s 1990 invasion shopping mall, Ghasseb said. derstanding and mutual respect of its smaller neighbour and its But trade has picked up in re- among the various nations and UN-led liberation a year later. cent years as foreign fi rms use peoples, promoting world peace But businessman Abdul-Aziz A farmer inspects the palm trees belonging to Kuwaiti investor Kuwait’s port to ship goods to Iraq and security and to achieve the al-Babtain is pouring $58mn into Abdul-Aziz al-Babtain, in the port city of Basra, Iraq. due to its better security. goals of sustainable development. a date farm project in southern Up to 200 vehicles cross the This came in a statement is- Badia, some 150km from the port date tree. Babtain had begun the In a bid to turn a new leaf, Iraq border at the Safwan post every sued by the Arab League on the city of Basra, offi cials said. farm in the 1980s, a sign at his of- returned the farm to Babtain and day, an Iraqi offi cer said. occasion of the World Day for “We hope to have 100,000 fi ce shows. granted his business tax exemp- Kuwaiti visitors are also trick- Cultural Diversity, which falls on (trees) in the next fi ve to six years,” But Iraq seized it after the 1990 tions. ling back to the holy cities of Najaf the 21st of May each year. said Diyah Sharadeh, Babtain’s invasion, and due to its proximity “This will be the fi rst private and Kerbela. The Secretariat stressed the representative in Iraq, adding that to the Kuwaiti border it turned the (date) investment project in Iraq,” In the other direction there importance of this global cel- the dates would fi rst be sold in area into a military zone, digging said Ali Ghasseb, head of the Basra is little private traffi c as Kuwait ebration as it contributes to Iraq and later exported. trenches for heavy guns. Investment Commission.”It was a rarely grants visitor visas for Ira- raising awareness of the impor- So far 5,000 date trees have These were then bombed in air farm, then became a battlefi eld qis for security reasons. tance of multiculturalism and been planted. strikes as part of Kuwait’s lib- and is now again a farm.” “I come twice a year. acceptance of the other in sup- Iraq once produced three- eration campaign, but authorities The farm has created some 50 There are no problems for Ku- port of the principles and values quarters of the world’s output of never cleaned up the trenches, jobs in this desolate area and will waitis now,” said a Kuwaiti who enshrined in the Unesco Uni- dates but now accounts for 5% leaving bullets and parts of tank need up to 500 workers once the gave his name as Mohamed after versal Declaration on Cultural after decades of confl ict, despite turrets rusting away just outside trees begin producing. crossing the border to make a pil- Diversity. being home to around 350 types of the fi eld. In a second step, Babtain plans grimage to Nawaf.

Abbas to stay in hospital at least another night

Reuters doctors described only as Ramallah “medical tests”. Palestinian chief nego- tiator Saeb Erekat said he alestinian President spent an hour with Abbas Mahmoud Abbas, yesterday and that, “the Phospitalised three president is in good health. times in the last week, will He’s recovering.” remain in hospital at least “I hope that he will be one more night, a senior released from the hospi- Palestinian official said tal in the next two days,” yesterday, though little in- Erekat told Reuters. formation was given about But Erekat’s timeline the veteran leader’s condi- was similar to what he had tion. offered a day earlier, when The hospital visits by Dr Saed al-Sarahneh, Abbas, 82, have raised in- medical director of the evitable questions about hospital, said that Abbas his health and the future of had come back “for medi- the Palestinian leadership. cal tests” after the surgery Abbas underwent minor on Tuesday. ear surgery last Tuesday Since then, no Pales- but went back into Al- tinian medical official has Istishari Hospital in Ram- gone further than Sarah- allah briefly overnight on neh’s statement that: “All Saturday/Sunday. the tests are normal and He was then rushed back his medical condition is later that day, for what reassuring.” Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, May 22, 2018 REGION/ARAB WORLD Saudi activist faces threats US delegation encounters protests AFP Beit Jala after women drivers held alestinian protesters yes- terday threw eggs at a US Thomson Reuters Foundation lowed to drive starting on June speak out. Al-Sharif said she had Eman al-Nafj an, Lujain al-Hath- Pdelegation in the Israeli- London 24, activists and analysts say also received the call telling her loul, Aziz al-Yousef, Aisha al-Ma- occupied West Bank and held the government is keen to avoid to keep quiet, but she refused. nea, Ibrahim Modeimigh and Mo- up signs with anti-American rewarding activism, which is “I am getting threats now, but hamed al-Rabea.Some are women, slogans in a bid to prevent them Saudi Arabian activist forbidden.“If you ask me why I don’t really care,” the 39-year- and others are men who have cam- attending an event. jailed for daring to drive they’ve been arrested, it’s just old said, adding that she is only paigned for women’s rights. Around 15 protesters con- Asaid yesterday she had re- to send a message for women’s concerned about the detainees. A government statement said fronted a vehicle from the US ceived fresh death threats after rights activists who’ve been cam- “They say: ‘You’re next. Don’t seven people had been arrested consulate in Jerusalem as it the arrest of fellow campaigners, paigning to drive to just shut up,” think that because you are in for suspicious contacts with for- made its way into Beit Jala, near Palestinian men holding banners sit atop a car carrying members of which she called an “alarming” she told the Thomson Reuters Sydney, we’re not going to get eign entities and off ering fi nan- Bethlehem, and pelted it with a US delegation, believed to be from the US consulate in Jerusalem, tactic aimed at silencing dissent Foundation from Sydney, Aus- you.’ But I really don’t care be- cial support to enemies overseas, eggs, an AFP photographer near an event space in Beit Jala in the occupied West Bank, yesterday. in the kingdom. tralia, where she is now based. cause it’s just a smearing cam- without elaborating. said. They also held up signs Manal al-Sharif hit world Women who previously par- paign — and I know because I’ve Amnesty denounced what it that read: “US government you decision to recognise Jerusalem by Israel, as the capital of their headlines in 2011 when she was ticipated in protests against the been subjected to that when I called a public smear campaign are not welcome in Palestine”. as the capital of Israel, and last future state. A US State Depart- jailed for fi lming a video of her- driving ban said last year that was in jail,” al-Sharif said. by Saudi authorities and govern- Another one read: “Hey week the United States trans- ment offi cial denounced the self driving in Saudi Arabia, the two dozen activists had received Global rights groups Amnesty ment-aligned media to discredit Trump, Jerusalem is not the ferred its embassy from Tel protest as “intimidation”, say- only country in the world that phone calls instructing them not International and Human Rights the activists, whose faces have capital of Zion”. The cars then Aviv to Jerusalem. ing the delegation from the US had banned women from getting to comment on the decree lifting Watch have called on the au- appeared online and on a news- left the area. His move has infuriated Pal- consulate was there to “promote behind the wheel. it. Some of those arrested this thorities to release the detainees. paper front page labelling them In December, US President estinians who consider the east- education and cultural exchange Although women will be al- week nonetheless continued to They identifi ed six of them as as traitors. Donald Trump announced his ern part of Jerusalem, annexed with the Palestinian people.” Gulf Times Tuesday, May 22, 2018 11 ARAB WORLD UN weighs sanctions on Libya migrant smugglers

AFP their lucrative business in the United Nations years that followed the 2011 ouster of Muammar Gaddafi. The fate of migrants has he UN Security Council come under UN scrutiny is considering impos- since film footage emerged Ting the fi rst-ever sanc- last year of Africans auc- tions on migrant smugglers in tioned off as slaves in Libya, Libya, targeting six leaders of drawing outrage from Afri- traffi cking rings, but Russia can governments. has requested more informa- Among the six on the pro- tion, documents obtained by posed blacklist is Ermias Gh- AFP yesterday showed. ermay of Eritrea, described US ambassador Nikki Ha- as a leader of a network re- ley told a council meeting on sponsible for “trafficking and Libya that “there is strong re- smuggling tens of thousands gional support for these des- of migrants” from the Horn ignations and the evidence of Africa to the coast of Libya showing the involvement of and onwards to Europe and the six people is clear.” the United States, according “Failing to move forward to the sanctions request ob- Syrian government forces stand at the entrance of the Palestinian camp of Yarmouk on the southern outskirts of Damascus yesterday. would be a travesty,” she add- tained by AFP. ed. The other five are Fitiwi Presented by the Nether- Abdelrazak of Eritrea, Libyan lands, the proposed sanctions militia leader Ahmad Oumar blacklist includes two Eritrean al-Dabbashi, Libyan Musab nationals described as top op- Abu-Qarin, described as a erators in transnational smug- “central actor” in migrant gling networks and four Liby- smuggling in the coastal ans including a the head of a area of Sabratha, Libyan Mo- Troops take control over regional coast guard unit. hamed Kachlaf, head of the The six individuals would Shuhada Al Nasr brigade in face a global travel ban and as- Zawiya, western Libya and sets freeze if the council agrees finally, Abd al-Rahman al- to blacklist them. Milad, who heads the Libyan France, Germany, Britain coast guard in Zawiya. capital after ousting IS and the United States support Al-Milad was cited for the Dutch sanctions request. running an operation in Reuters ings and Damascus countryside trol. The ultra-hardline group television footage showed. “aware of reports of an evacu- Russia however told the which he and other coast Beirut and its villages are completely Islamic State, which was driven Buildings and walls were ation near Yarmouk and south council’s sanctions commit- guard members would open secure areas,” the statement from most of the Euphrates Riv- pocked-marked from bullets Damascus” and was monitoring tee that “we need more infor- fire on migrant boats, caus- said, adding that the army would er valley last year, now controls and shell-fi re, metal satellite the situation. mation to better understand ing them to sink and would he Syrian army has re- continue to fi ght “terrorism” only two besieged desert areas in dishes were bent and scorched, While Assad has vowed to win the value of the said proposal, then pick up refugees at sea stored control over all ar- across Syria. eastern Syria. and the dome of a mosque had a back “every inch” of Syria, the how effi cient it might be if ap- who were sent to detention Teas surrounding the capi- With its complete capture Another insurgent group that gaping hole near its base. map of the confl ict suggests a proved”, according to a letter centres and beaten, the doc- tal Damascus for the fi rst time of the environs of the capital, has pledged loyalty to it holds a On Sunday, a war monitor said complicated time ahead. obtained by AFP. uments said. since early in the seven-year-old the government of President small enclave in the southwest. fi ghters had begun withdrawing The US military is in much of Russia called for a com- Ghermay and Abelrazak war, after pushing Islamic State Bashar al-Assad is now in by far Islamic State also captured from the area towards Islamic the east and northeast, which mittee meeting to examine were cited for organising militants out of a south Damas- its strongest position since the a third of neighbouring Iraq in State territory in eastern Syria is controlled by Kurdish groups the evidence on the involve- countless perilous journeys cus pocket, the military said. early days of the war, which has 2014 but was largely defeated under a surrender deal, but state that want autonomy from Da- ment of the six individuals and across the Mediterranean Pro-Syrian government forces killed more than half a million there last year. media said fi ghting continued. mascus. noted that the criminal net- that ended in shipwrecks and have been battling for weeks to people and driven more than half A temporary humanitarian The war monitor, the Britain- It has used force to defend the works “stretch to many Euro- for running private detention recover Al-Hajar al-Aswad dis- the population from its homes ceasefi re had been in place since based Syrian Observatory for territory from pro-Assad forces. pean countries and the United camps in Libya. trict and the adjacent Yarmouk since 2011. Sunday night in Al-Hajar al- Human Rights, said yesterday Turkey has sent forces into the States.” During the council meet- Palestinian refugee camp from Anti-Assad fi ghters now Aswad to allow women, children that buses had already started northwest to counter those same The sanctions blacklist ing, Russian deputy ambas- Islamic State since driving rebels mainly control just two large ar- and old people to leave the area, leaving south Damascus for Kurdish groups, carving out a was presented on May 1 and sador Vladimir Safronkov did from eastern Ghouta in April. eas in the northwest and south- state media said early yesterday. Islamic State areas in eastern buff er zone where anti-Assad Russia put a hold on the re- not specifically mention the In a televised statement Syr- west near borders with Turkey Army soldiers fi red into the air Syria. rebels have regrouped. quest a week later. sanctions request but said ia’s army high command said Al- and Jordan. in celebration and held Syrian A US-led military coalition In the southwest, where rebels Libya has long been a tran- the migrant problem should Hajar al-Aswad and Yarmouk Turkey and the United States fl ags, against a smashed city- fi ghting Islamic State in Syria hold territory at the Israeli and sit hub for migrants, but be not be tackled with “half- had been cleared of militants. also have presences in parts of scape of shattered buildings and and Iraq said in an e-mailed Jordanian border, Assad faces smugglers have stepped up measures.” “Damascus and its surround- Syria outside government con- widespread destruction, state statement to Reuters it was the risk of confl ict with Israel.

Sadr wants On a Damascus rooftop, tinting silk a fading craft ‘inclusive’ AFP the artisan, who wears a black Damascus T-shirt and rubber gloves. coalition Shielded from the sun by a light tarpaulin sheet, he and his n a rooftop in Syria’s 15-year-old son, Nour, stand on formed soon capital, Mohamed al- either side of a large cauldron ORihawi plunges silk in their boots. Over a billowing threads into emerald green dye, cloud of steam, they rhythmi- AFP preparing it to be woven into the cally heave large wooden sticks Baghdad city’s famed brocade. draped with silk coils up and But with civil war raging, he down over the boiling water. knows it is a dying trade. As he helps his father clean raqi cleric Moqtada Sadr called “Nobody works in silk dye- the threads of impurities, Nour, for an “inclusive” government ing anymore. We must be two or dressed in jeans and with read- Ito be formed quickly, as he three to do it nationwide,” said ing glasses, is one of very few sounded out the heads of key par- the 53-year-old, who sports a eager to take on the craft. liament factions over a coalition salt-and-pepper moustache. “No one wants to learn the after his shock election win. But without their ability to trade anymore. It earns you very The preacher’s Marching To- cast silk into a range of lumi- little,” Rihawi said, a red apron wards Reform alliance scooped 54 nous colours, the brocade Da- knotted around his waist. seats in an upset at May 12 polls to mascus is famous for would Once rinsed, Rihawi hangs become the biggest bloc in Iraq’s cease to exist. The shimmer- the silk coils up to dry from the 329-seat parliament. ing fabric, which is the product ceiling of his small workshop, But Sadr — whose militia bat- of hours of work on a wooden whose wooden lattice walls let tled American troops after the loom, is said to have been worn the air and sun through. 2003 US-led invasion — faces a by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II Beyond a potted plant, small mammoth task to stitch together a on her wedding day. white plastic tubs of natu- working majority as his demands Folklore has it that in 1947, ral pigments — magenta, tur- for less foreign infl uence in Iraq Syria’s fi rst president, Shukri quoise, brown, turmeric and have stirred tensions. al-Quwatli, gave a piece of the sanguine red — sit on a shelf. In a bid to jumpstart negotia- material to then princess Eliza- Rihawi throws a thimble- tions, Sadr met over the weekend beth, who included it in her ful of turquoise and a dash of with Prime Minister Haider al- wedding gown. orange into a pot, and dilutes Abadi, whose group fi nished third, But civil war has ravaged the colour in a large metal and Hadi al-Ameri, whose bloc of Syria since 2011, killing more saucepan. Using his hands, he pro-Iranian former fi ghters came than 350,000 people and forc- bathes the threads in it. second. After the meetings, the ing more than half the country’s The final result is a coil of cleric urged “the formation of an population to fl ee their homes. supple silk, turned a brilliant inclusive government as quickly as The confl ict has ripped arti- shade of emerald green. Mohamed al-Rihawi dips silk threads into green dye at his atelier in the Syrian capital Damascus. possible” and called for a “nation- sans away from their workshops Before Syria’s war broke wide political decision”, his offi ce and kept the tourists away. out with the brutal repres- sought refuge in the capital. “Before the war, I worked from India or China as the ines his calloused hands, dyed said in a statement on Sunday. “The trade is fi ghting for its sion of anti-government His former staff have all now every single day of the week,” conflict has disrupted silk- a bluish-green and worn by Sadr — whose fi ghters were life,” said Rihawi, his cheeks protests, Rihawi had a much either fled the country, or been Rihawi said. worm farming at home. years of manual labour. once accused of sectarian kill- fl ushed with eff ort as he la- larger workshop and em- drafted to serve in the army. “But now, it’s sometimes “This craft is like an old man But he sees the bright side. ings — has reinvented himself as boured in his open-air work- ployed 14 people. But when The trade has suffered, es- just one or two days a week be- waiting for his death,” he said. “My hands will always be an anti-graft crusader looking shop on the roof. clashes reached Ain Terma, a pecially because fewer and cause of the low demand.” “But we’re doing everything beautiful as long as they are to bridge Iraqi society in alliance “We have no more tourists, suburb just east of Damascus fewer people are buying the And the silk threads once we can to keep it alive.” swathed in silk,” he said, with a with secular leftists. no more foreign visitors,” said taken over by rebels in 2012, he silk material it is used for. produced in Syria now come His day done, Rihawi exam- sly smile Gulf Times 12 Tuesday, May 22, 2018 AFRICA

KEEPING THE PEACE WEATHER ACCIDENT VOTE POLITICS 18 killed after cyclone Kenya clears fuel spillage Burundi backs charter Ghana’s former president hits Horn of Africa after cargo train derails change in referendum Mahama hints at 2020 run

Flooding and strong winds caused by a tropical Kenyan authorities worked to clear fuel and Burundians have overwhelmingly voted for Ghana’s former president, John Mahama, has cyclone left at least 18 people dead and recover damaged wagons yesterday a day after a constitutional reforms bolstering President hinted at a bid for leadership of the opposition thousands homeless across two countries in train carrying 250,000 litres of petrol derailed at Pierre Nkurunziza’s powers and giving party, in a move that has triggered speculation the Horn of Africa, an aid agency said yesterday. Mombasa and dumped part of its cargo into the him the option to stay in power until 2034, ahead of presidential elections due in 2020. Cyclone Sagar formed last week in the Gulf Indian Ocean and onto a major highway, off icials official results showed yesterday. Election Mahama, who campaigned as the National of Aden off Yemen’s coast and made landfall said. Sunday’s spill left the port city, Kenya’s commission chief Pierre-Claver Ndayicariye Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, lost on Saturday in Djibouti and Somaliland, a second largest city, cut off from the mainland said 73% of voters had voted “Yes” in a his re-election bid to President Nana Akufo- Newly appointed MONUSCO (The United breakaway state in northern Somalia where the for most of Sunday while police cordoned off referendum to change the constitution, and Addo in 2016. “To you the teeming supporters Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in bulk of the deaths occurred. “In all, 1,780 families the area to mitigate the risk of fire. Thousands 19% had voted “No.” The turnout was 96%, and sympathisers calling and requesting me the Democratic Republic of the Congo) Force fled their homes due to the storm, 16 people of road, plane and train travellers were stranded he said. The results — which exclude figures to declare my intentions for the future, I wish Commander, Portuguese Army Lieutenant were reported killed, and at least 80 homes were until the highway was reopened in the evening. It from the diaspora representing 0.27% of to assure you today, that as a servant-leader, General Elias Rodrigues Filho inspects a guard destroyed,” Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) was unclear how much of the petrol spilled into the vote — are provisional and must be I have listened to your calls and reflected,” of honour yesterday during the a ceremony in said in a statement, citing the UN’s humanitarian the ocean, police said, adding they had begun an validated by the constitutional court within Mahama said over the weekend on his Goma. co-ordinator OCHA. investigation into what caused the accident. nine days. Facebook account.

More killed in Virunga Ebola death toll hits 26 park attack

AFP Beni as DR Congo vaccinates wenty people have been killed in a fl areup of violence in the AFP suit in Bikoro, about 150km away — It has a natural reservoir in a spe- TDemocratic Republic of Congo Mbandaka, DR Congo vaccinating more than 600 people in cies of tropical African fruit bats, from (DRC), including a fresh attack in the all for the fi rst phase of the operation. which it is believed to leap to humans renowned Virunga National Park, of- “This vaccine is here to block the who kill the animals for food. fi cials said yesterday. he death toll in an outbreak of spread of the disease,” Ilunga said. Transmission among humans then Ten people were killed in eastern Ebola in the Democratic Repub- Tests of the prototype carried out typically spreads through close contact DR Congo by the Allied Democrat- Tlic of Congo rose to 26 yesterday in Guinea — one of three West African with the blood, body fl uids, secretions ic Forces (ADF) militia, said Jonas after a person died in the northwest countries hit by Ebola from 2013-15 — or organs of someone who is sick with Kibwana, administrator of the Beni city of Mbandaka, the government show that “all people who received the Ebola or has recently died. region in North Kivu province. said, as it began vaccinating fi rst re- vaccine during the (virus’s) incubation The average fatality rate is around “The ADF attacked the town of sponders against the dreaded disease. period did not develop the disease,” he 50%, varying from 25% to 90%, ac- Mbau...10 civilians were shot dead “A death was recorded (on Sunday), said. cording to the WHO. and two others were wounded,” while two people who had been con- However, he added, “It won’t be a As there is no licensed drug to treat Kibwana told AFP, giving a toll con- fi rmed as ill with the Ebola virus were vaccination for mass use, because it or prevent the disease, doctors use fi rmed separately by sources in the cured on Saturday,” Health Minister fi rst and foremost focuses on health time-honoured methods of ring-fenc- armed forces and civil society. Oly Ilunga said yesterday. workers. ing its spread — identifying and isolat- Eastern DRC has been wracked by The two cases occurred at Bikoro, a The second circle of vaccination ing patients and tracing people who violence since the mid-1990s. remote area where the outbreak began will comprise people who have been in have been in contact with them. The ADF — created by radicals to and then spread to Mbandaka — an contact with patients, and contacts of The job, which requires strict safety oppose the rule of Ugandan Presi- event that has deeply worried health contacts.” protocols, is exhausting and requires dent Yoweri Museveni — is one of experts. Donors have promised 300,000 mustering large numbers of personnel. a number of armed groups fi ghting Since the outbreak was announced doses of the vaccine, of which around The task is greatly complicated when A World Health Organization worker administers a vaccine in a campaign over the region’s rich mineral re- on May 8, there have been 49 cases, 8,500 have already been received, the disease spreads to a city. aimed at beating an outbreak of Ebola in the port city of Mbandaka, Democratic sources. comprising 22 confi rmed by laboratory Ngoie said. For that reason, alarm bells sounded Republic of Congo. It stands accused of killing hun- tests, 21 probable and six suspected, Il- The World Health Organization on Thursday when a fi rst case was re- dreds of civilians over the years and unga said. (WHO) has dispatched 35 immunisa- ported in Mbandaka, home to around veloped by pharma giant Merck and fi ghting the disease. In addition, the of carrying out a deadly attack on UN Three new cases had been reported tion experts, including 16 mobilised 1.2mn people along the Congo River. funded by the WHO. vaccine has to be stored at extremely troops in Beni last December that left on Saturday. during the last deadly outbreak in West A major transport hub, the city is Clinical trials involving 16,000 low temperatures. Keeping it stable is 15 peacekeepers dead. The authorities meanwhile launched Africa which occurred in 2013. located upstream from the DR Ccongo volunteers in Africa, Europe and the a challenge in poor tropical countries Also in North Kivu, two soldiers a programme in Mbandaka to immu- The rest of the team is made up of capital Kinshasa and Brazzaville, the United States have indicated it may be where there are power shortages. and a civilian were killed yesterday nise front-line health workers with an newly trained Congolese staff . capital of the Republic of Congo, and 100% eff ective, according to prelimi- The outbreak is the ninth in DR Con- when armed men attacked a convoy experimental Ebola vaccine. One of the world’s most notori- downstream from Bangui, the capital nary data. go since the disease was fi rst identifi ed in the Virunga National Park, one First to receive the jab was Guil- ous diseases, Ebola is a virus-caused of the Central African Republic, one of However, experts stress that it has in 1976. It was named after a Congolese of the most important conservation laume Ngoie Mwamba, in charge of the haemorrhagic fever that in extreme the poorest countries in the world. not been tested in the height of an river where the fi rst cases were record- sites in the world. vaccination programme, reporters saw. cases leads to fatal bleeding from in- The experimental vaccine, rVSV- epidemic and at this point can be con- ed. The last outbreak was in 2017, and The two soldiers were escorting The immunisation team will follow ternal organs, the mouth, eyes or ears. ZEBOV, is a single-dose injection de- sidered only as an additional tool in was rapidly curtailed with four deaths. a large convoy of two trucks and 21 motorcycles, said Kakule Silusawa, a senior administrative offi cial in Kibi- rizi district. The attack came just 10 days af- Flood damage ter a park guard was killed and two Harare seeks to rejoin Commonwealth British tourists and their Congolese driver were kidnapped, in an attack that prompted the park’s authorities AFP Date set for Mugabe hearing, doubts over his appearance to suspend tourist visits until June 4. Harare The three were freed after two Zimbabwe’s parliament said yesterday would answer questions tomorrow, sub- days. that former president Robert Mugabe was ject to confirmation. It did not elaborate. The British pair were unharmed, imbabwe has applied to rejoin scheduled to answer questions this week Temba Mliswa, the mines committee while the driver was injured. the Commonwealth, the group related to diamond mining operations chairman said parliament had written Established in 1925, Virunga Zsaid yesterday, marking a major during his tenure, but an off icial said senior the letter and Mugabe had received is home to about a quarter of the step in the country’s international re- ruling party politicians opposed this. it. He had not, however, confirmed his world’s population of critically en- engagement after Robert Mugabe was Mugabe was originally scheduled to attendance. dangered mountain gorillas, as well ousted last year. appear before the mines committee on But a parliament off icial privy to as to eastern lowland gorillas, chim- Mugabe angrily pulled Zimbabwe May 9, which would have been his first the issue said it was unlikely Mugabe panzees, okapis, lions, elephants and out of the bloc of former British colo- public appearance since he was ousted would appear before the committee hippos. nies in 2003 after its membership was in November, but the invitation letter because this was opposed by some Seven people were meanwhile suspended over violent and graft- had never been sent. influential ruling ZANU-PF politicians. killed and 11 injured in a separate at- ridden elections the previous year. Parliament wants the 94-year-old to “They are saying they do not want tack early Monday in a village in the The Commonwealth said it had give evidence over his 2016 declara- their old man to be embarrassed es- troubled central Kasai region, a local received a letter dated May 15 from tions that the state had been deprived pecially by the opposition members of offi cial told AFP. Zimbabwean President Emmerson by mining companies of at least $15bn parliament. It will not happen,” said the “Armed men close to militia chief Mnangagwa applying to re-join. in diamond revenue. off icial, declining to be named because Kalamba Dilondo last night infi ltrat- Member countries “very much A parliament notice said Mugabe he is not allowed to speak to the press. ed Matopolo village and killed seven look forward to Zimbabwe’s return people, using shotguns,” said local when the conditions are right,” said administrator Jacob Pembelongo, Secretary-General Patricia Scotland Mugabe was replaced by his former and hope in the development and adding all those who died were eth- in a statement from London. deputy Mnangagwa, a veteran rul- democratic trajectory of their coun- nic Mpiang. “Zimbabwe’s eventual return to ing ZANU-PF party loyalist who was try.” Pembelongo said the 700 inhabit- the Commonwealth, following a backed by senior military offi cers. Britain said last month that it ants of the village, 220km north of successful membership application, Mnangagwa has vowed to hold fair would strongly support Zimbabwe regional capital Kananga, fl ed to the would be a momentous occasion.” and free elections, and has pledged to returning to the Commonwealth. bush, adding troops had been dis- Scotland confi rmed that the Com- revive the moribund economy by re- Zimbabwe had fractured relations patched to the area. monwealth would send observers to pairing international ties and attract- with the West under Mugabe, who An army offi cer who would not elections due in July or August, the ing foreign investment. had held power since independence give his name said the death toll was Children play yesterday near a road destroyed by rain water that flooded fi rst polls since Mugabe was ousted Scotland called for “a credible, from Britain in 1980. provisional, blaming the attack on their street in Mogadishu over the weekend. in November after a brief military peaceful and inclusive (election) that The government in Harare was not militia from the Kete community takeover. restores citizens’ confi dence, trust immediately available to comment. close to Dilondo. Son guilty of murdering rich SA family in axe frenzy

By Kristen Van Schie, AFP court that a late-night intruder perpetrator of the crime is the before he was led into the base- “The accused testifi ed that ices. “If the accused’s intention rived from property. Cape Town had entered the family’s luxury only reasonable conclusion,” he ment of the court from the dock he was unaware of anyone with was to be helped as soon as pos- Van Breda’s claim of an intrud- residence on the highly-guarded said. via steep stairs. grudges against the family,” Desai sible, it does not explain why he er had echoes of the defence used De Zalze Golf Estate in Stellen- “No evidence of a typical house In his testimony, van Breda said. fi rst called his (then) girlfriend... by Oscar Pistorius, who said he South African man was bosch, outside Cape Town. robbery or break-in is evident. claimed he was in the toilet when “The accused denied having several times from his mobile thought a burglar was hiding in found guilty yesterday of But Judge Siraj Desai system- “Four of fi ve members of fami- the masked intruder began at- any serious arguments with his phone,” Desai said. the toilet to explain why he fi red Akilling his wealthy parents atically took apart the defence ly found brutally attacked in sim- tacking his family. family and stated that there was Van Breda’s family had moved four times through the door, kill- and brother and severely injuring case in a fi ve-hour summary of ilar fashion and left for dead... He himself suff ered superfi cial nothing out of the ordinary the to Australia many years ago be- ing his girlfriend. his sister in a frenzied axe attack the trial — and then delivered a The accused was left standing, stab wounds which he said were night before the attack” which fore returning to South Africa in In a recording of van Breda’s at their home on an exclusive golf verdict that he said “as a family having lived through the events.” caused while wrestling with the occurred in January 2015. 2014. call to emergency services, he estate. man, it’s diffi cult” to read out. Van Breda showed little emo- attacker who was trying to slit his “It is nonsensical that an in- Believing he was about to said his family members were Henri van Breda, 23, had de- “After considering all the evi- tion as the verdict was delivered, throat. truder with the intention to steal be arrested, van Breda turned “bleeding from the head” before nied murdering his 21-year-old dence, the result is inescapable,” saying only “I do” to confi rm that He said he then fell uncon- would go upstairs and start at- himself in at a police station 18 he appeared to giggle briefl y. brother Rudi and parents Martin, Desai said, fi nding van Breda he understood he was being held scious. tacking the family.” months after the killings. Wearing a grey suit and navy 54, and Teresa, 55, and leaving his guilty on three counts of mur- in custody until sentencing on Prosecutors insisted the Desai said the axe used in the The trial generated fevered blazer, Van Breda had struggled sister Marli struggling with near- der and one count of attempted June 5. wounds were self-infl icted, and attack was kept in the house. interest over a privileged son al- to stay awake in the dock yester- fatal injuries to her head, neck murder, as well as of obstructing He was then hand-cuff ed from yesterday they called for van He also questioned why van legedly unleashing a savage at- day, nodding heavily as the grisly and throat. justice. behind and tried to say a few Breda to be sentenced to a life Breda waited three hours to call tack on his family, whose fortune deaths of his family were detailed During the trial, he told the “That the accused was the words to his weeping girlfriend sentence for each murder. security or the emergency serv- — estimated at $16mn — was de- by the judge. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 22, 2018 13 AMERICAS

POLITICS TWEETS MOURNED PROTESTS SAVED Trump attacks ex-CIA chief Cuba begins to bury those Nicaraguans accuse govt Brazil rescues African over ‘hit job’ Russia probe killed in airline disaster of breaching truce migrants drifting at sea

President Donald Trump yesterday attacked Cubans in eastern Holguin province held a Nicaraguans were back on the streets in their Brazilian fishermen rescued two dozen migrants the investigation of possible collusion between funeral on Sunday for an art instructor and her thousands on Sunday to protest what they called from Africa found drifting near the northeast his campaign and Russia as a “political hit job”. small child, the first of 67 Holguin residents to be a government breach of a two-day truce agreed coast of Brazil after 35 days at sea, off icials Trump assailed former CIA chief John Brennan brought home for burial out of 110 people who during Church-mediated peace talks. Students at and local media said Sunday. The migrants as having initiated the investigation into his died Friday in Cuba’s worst plane crash since a university in northeastern Managua claim police came from Guinea, Nigeria and Senegal on the team’s contacts with Russia. Trump lashed out at 1989. Distressed residents gathered at a cultural attacked them during a demonstration outside the other side of the Atlantic, the human rights Brennan, quoting Fox News commentator Dan centre in the coastal town of Gibara to sit with campus on Saturday night in which four students department for Brazil’s state of Maranhao said in Bongino as saying he had “started this entire the remains and console the family, a Cuban were shot and injured. Police said in a statement they a statement. There were 25 migrants — all men — debacle about President Trump.” “This was tradition that is followed by a quick burial. The had complied with the truce, agreed during Catholic on the boat and two Brazilians, the navy said in a Political hit job, this was not an Intelligence fiery crash of the Boeing shortly after take-off Church-mediated talks between the government a statement. The Brazilian pair were suspected Leftist Colombian presidential candidate Investigation,” Trump tweeted, citing Bongino. from Havana on route to Holguin has stunned of President Daniel Ortega and opposition groups. of being people traff ickers, O Imparcial and G1 Gustavo Petro speaks to supporters during a “John Brennan is panicking. He has disgraced the Caribbean island nation where prayers In Managua, protesters carried Nicaraguan flags, news sites reported. They had reportedly spent campaign rally in Barranquilla, Colombia, on himself, he has disgraced the Country, he has were given for the dead and three survivors at banged pots and blew whistles to call on Ortega and 35 days afloat but there was no immediate Sunday. disgraced the entire Intelligence Community.” services across the country. his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, to resign. indication of what route they had taken. Hawaii faces new threat of lava fumes Reuters along the coast and off shore, though The occurrence of new lava-spew- Pahoa the hazard would diminish the farther ing vents, now numbering at least 22, out to sea it blows, according to USGS have been accompanied by fl urries of geologist Janet Babb. earthquakes and periodic eruptions of awaii faced a new hazard on Authorities cautioned, howev- ash, volcanic rock and toxic gases from Sunday as lava fl ows from er, that wind patterns can change the volcano’s summit crater. HKilauea’s volcanic eruption abruptly. The lava fl ows have destroyed could produce clouds of acid fumes, The US Coast Guard was “actively dozens of homes and other build- steam and glass-like particles as monitoring” the area to keep away ings, ignited brush fi res and dis- they reach the Pacifi c, authorities all vessel traffi c except permitted placed thousands of residents who said. tour boats, the civil defence offi ce were either ordered evacuated or fl ed Civil defence notices cautioned said. voluntarily. motorists, boaters and beachgoers to Laze killed two people when a lava The volcano has also fed a phe- beware of caustic plumes of “laze” fl ow reached the coast in 2000, and nomenon called vog, a hazy mix of formed from two streams of hot even a wisp can cause eye and respi- sulphur dioxide, aerosols, moisture lava pouring into the sea after cut- ratory irritation, the US Geological and dust, with fi ne particles that Pictures of victims of the Santa Fe High School shooting are displayed during a prayer vigil in League City, Texas. ting across Highway 137 on the south Survey said. can travel deep into lungs, the USGS coast of Hawaii’s Big Island late on Acid rain from laze has corrosive said. Saturday and early Sunday. properties equivalent to diluted bat- On Saturday, authorities reported The bulletins also warned that tery acid, the agency said. the fi rst known serious injury from reports of toxic sulphur dioxide gas The section of coastal Highway the eruptions — a homeowner whose being vented from various points 137 and a nearby a state park in the leg was shattered by a hot, solid lumb Texas governor to hold talks on around the volcano had tripled, urg- area where lava was pouring into the of lava called a “lava bomb” while ing residents to “take action neces- ocean were both closed, and another standing on the third-fl oor balcony sary to limit further exposure.” road in the vicinity was restricted to of his home. Laze — a term combining the local traffi c as a precaution due to el- Mark Clawson, a friend of the vic- school violence after massacre words “lava” and haze” — is a mix evated levels of sulphur dioxide gas. tim who did not want his name used, of hydrochloric acid fumes, steam An air quality index for Kona, lives near where his friend was stay- and fi ne volcanic glass specks cre- about 64km northwest of the erup- ing as caretaker, and heard scream- Reuters He said any legal changes considered The attacker wore a black trench coat ated when erupting lava, which can tion site, was at “orange” level, ing and saw the harrowing after- Santa Fe would “protect Second Amendment to school even in the Texas heat on Fri- reach 1,093 degrees Celsius, reacts meaning that older individuals and math, he told Reuters. rights.” day. with sea water, Hawaii County Civil those with lung problems could be Apparently a fi ery 2.5kg “lava Abbott spokesman Stephen Chang Many of the aspects of the attack mir- Defense said in a statement. aff ected. bomb” about the size of a dinner exas Governor Greg Abbott is set said the governor was fi nalising plans for rored another American school shoot- “Be aware of the laze hazard and Kilauea, one of the world’s most plate was launched from a fi ssure to hold a series of meetings on the roundtables, including the dates and ing: The massacre at Columbine High stay away from any ocean plume,” active volcanoes, began extrud- about 200 yards from the house, Thow to combat school violence, participants. School in Colorado in April 1999, when the agency said, warning that poten- ing red-hot lava and sulphuric acid Clawson said. three days after a 17-year-old killed 10 Mike Collier, a Democrat running for two teenage boys with weapons hidden tial hazards include lung damage, as fumes through newly opened fi s- “Most of them (lava bombs) arc people in the fourth-deadliest mass Texas lieutenant governor, expressed under trench coats killed 12 students and well as eye and skin irritation. sures on the ground along its east- high in the air, but every now and shooting at a public school in modern US scepticism that the roundtables would one teacher. In that attack, the teenagers Under Sunday’s conditions, with ern fl ank on May 3, marking the lat- again there’s one that gets shot like history. lead to signifi cant change. “All I hear is had a shootout with police and ultimate- strong winds and copious amounts of est phase of an eruption cycle that a rifl e, more horizontal and that’s The attack at Santa Fe High School in talk. Talk is cheap,” Collier said on Twit- ly committed suicide. lava hitting the ocean, the laze plumes has continued nearly nonstop for 35 what happened here,” he said. Santa Fe, Texas, came a little more than ter. “What we need is action.” Police said Pagourtzis confessed to could extend as far as 24km, mostly years. It also started a small fi re, which three months after a 19-year-old shot Police arrested Dimitrios Pagourtzis, Friday’s killings after he was taken into Clawson helped douse. dead 17 students and educators at a Flor- 17, at the Santa Fe school following the custody but authorities have off ered no He said doctors had to pick sharp, ida high school. rampage that they said he carried out motive yet for the massacre. hardened fragments of lava out of That incident intensifi ed a long-run- with a shotgun and .38-calibre pistol. He Pagourtzis’ family said in a statement the wound, but the prognosis is good ning national debate about gun rights has been charged with murder. it was “saddened and dismayed” by the for his friend. and sparked a student-led movement Two teachers and eight students, in- shooting and “as shocked as anyone With Highway 137 severed, au- under the slogan #NeverAgain. cluding Pakistani exchange student else” by the events. thorities were trying on Sunday to Abbott, a Republican and staunch Sabika Sheikh, 17, were killed in the at- The family said it was co-operating open up nearby Highway 11, which supporter of gun rights, called for a tack, police said. with authorities. was blocked by almost a mile of lava statewide moment of silence at 10am Her father, Aziz Sheikh, said yesterday Sadie Rodriguez, the mother of Santa in 2014, to serve as an alternate es- CDT yesterday. he hoped the death of his daughter, who Fe student Shana Fisher who was killed cape route. Abbott said he would talk with educa- wanted to serve her country as a civil in the attack, has said in media accounts The Hawaii National Guard has tors, parents and elected offi cials about servant or diplomat, would spur gun that her 16-year-old daughter had re- warned of additional mandatory ways to improve school security without control in the United States. jected four months of aggressive ad- evacuations if more roads become infringing on the right to bear arms, pro- “Sabika’s case should become an ex- vances from Pagourtzis. blocked. tected by the Second Amendment of the ample to change the gun laws,” Sheikh Fisher fi nally stood up to him and em- Offi cials at the Hawaii Volcano US Constitution. said in a phone interview from the family barrassed him in class, her mother told Authority have said hotter and more “We need to do more than just pray home in Karachi. the Los Angeles Times. viscous lava could be on the way, for the victims and the families,” Abbott Classmates at the school described “A week later he opens fi re on every- Lava flows downhill in this helicopter overflight image of Kilauea Volcano’s with fountains spurting as high as said on Friday at the school outside Hou- Pagourtzis as a quiet loner who played one he didn’t like,” she said. “Shana be- lower East Rift zone during ongoing eruptions in Hawaii. 182m as seen in a 1955 eruption. ston following the attack. on the football team. ing the fi rst one.” After re-election, Maduro faces foreign backlash

Reuters The president took 68% of “We mustn’t cave to any em- the 14-nation “Lima Group” of own aff airs and the choice of the regardless of how uneven the ricade some streets in the south- Caracas votes — more than three times pire, or go running to the In- countries in the Americas from people should be respected. playing fi eld might be. ern city of Puerto Ordaz, drawing as many as his main challenger, ternational Monetary Fund as Canada to Brazil, said it did not Asked if China had sent con- But the opposition coalition, teargas from National Guard sol- Henri Falcon. Argentina did,” said government recognize the legitimacy of the gratulations to Maduro, he said which has been divided for most diers, witnesses said. enezuela’s socialist Presi- However, potentially under- supporter Ingrid Sequera, 51. vote and would be downgrading China would “handle this in of the duration of the ‘Chavismo’ Maduro, a former bus driver dent Nicolas Maduro yes- mining his legitimacy, turnout She wore a T-shirt with a logo diplomatic relations. accordance with diplomatic movement founded by Chavez whose second term in offi ce Vterday faced widespread was a low 46%, compared with featuring the eyes of Maduro’s The group deplored Venezue- convention,” but did not elabo- after he took offi ce in 1999, ap- starts in January, faces a colossal international condemnation af- 80% at the last presidential elec- mentor, Chavez. la’s “grave humanitarian situa- rate. peared more united after the vote task turning around Venezuela’s ter his re-election in a weekend tion in 2013. The US State Department de- tion” behind a migrant exodus, As well as its big institutional and said its boycott strategy had moribund economy but has of- vote his critics denounced as a Thousands of Maduro sup- clared Sunday’s vote a “sham” and promised to help co-ordinate advantages, the government used paid off . fered no specifi cs on changes to farce cementing autocracy in the porters, many wearing red be- and repeated threats to impose with international fi nancial bod- ample state resources to get vot- “I implore Venezuelans not to two decades of state-led policies. crisis-stricken oil producer. rets, hugged and danced past sanctions on Venezuela’s all- ies to crack down on corruption ers out and state workers were become demoralised, today Ma- The bolivar currency is down The 55-year-old successor to midnight outside the Mirafl ores important oil sector, which is al- and block loans to the govern- pressured to vote. duro is weaker than ever before. 99% over the past year and in- late leftist leader Hugo Chavez presidential palace in the capital, ready reeling from falling output, ment. Falcon called for a new vote, We’re in the fi nal phase of a tragic fl ation is at an annual 14,000%, hailed his win as a victory against Caracas, showered in confetti in a brain-drain and creaking infra- However, regional leftist allies complaining about the govern- cycle for our country. The fraud according to the National As- “imperialism.” the yellow, blue and red colours structure. of Venezuela, from Cuba to Bo- ment’s placing of nearly 13,000 has been exposed and today the sembly. But his main challengers al- of the Venezuelan national fl ag. Spain led European Union livia, sent their congratulations. pro-government stands called world will reject it,” tweeted op- Furthermore, Venezuela’s leged irregularities and refused “The revolution is here to criticism of Maduro. Though increasingly shunned “red spots” close to polling sta- position leader Julio Borges. multiple creditors are consid- to recognise the result. stay!” a jubilant Maduro told the “Venezuela’s electoral proc- in the West, Maduro can at least tions nationwide. It was not yet clear what strat- ering accelerating claims on Venezuela’s mainstream op- crowd. ess has not respected the most count on the support of China Mainly poor Venezuelans lined egy the opposition would now unpaid foreign debt, while oil position boycotted Sunday’s He promised to prioritise eco- basic democratic standards. and Russia, which have provided up to scan state-issued “father- adopt, but major protests seem major ConocoPhillips has been vote, given two of its most popu- nomic recovery after fi ve years of Spain and its European partners billions of dollars’ funding in re- land cards” at red tents after vot- unlikely given widespread disil- taking aggressive action in re- lar leaders were barred, authori- crippling recession that has seen will study appropriate measures cent years. ing, in hope of receiving a “prize” lusionment and fatigue. cent weeks against state oil ties had banned the coalition and many in the Opec nation of 30mn and continue to work to alleviate In Beijing, foreign ministry promised by Maduro. Caracas was calm and many of company PDVSA, as part of its various of its parties, and the people struggle with chronic Venezuelans’ suff ering,” tweeted spokesman Lu Kang said China Some anti-government activ- its streets were empty yesterday claim for compensation over a election board is run by Maduro shortages of food, medicines and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. believed Venezuela’s government ists said the opposition coalition morning. 2007 nationalisation of its as- loyalists. other basic necessities. In a blistering statement, and people could handle their should have fi elded a candidate Protesters did, however, bar- sets in Venezuela. Gulf Times 14 Tuesday, May 22, 2018 ASIA Three Pheu Thai leaders Bangladesh PM vows to charged with sedition end ‘drug AFP Bangkok menace’ hree politicians from the party ousted by Thai- Tland’s generals were AFP charged yesterday with sedi- Dhaka tion for holding a press confer- ence, as dissent grows before the fourth anniversary of the junta’s ine suspected traf- 2014 coup. fi ckers were killed in The military fi led a case after NBangladesh yesterday senior Pheu Thai fi gures railed in an intensifying crackdown against the coup organisers at against a “drug menace” that their party’s headquarters last Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina week, blasting the generals for has likened to the country’s breaking repeated promises to war on homegrown Islamic restore democracy. militants. The party supports former The latest shootings take to premiers Thaksin Shinawatra 22 the number of alleged traf- and his sister Yingluck, whose fi ckers killed since Dhaka last elected governments were both week announced a pushback “We’ve contained toppled by coups but who re- against the surging trade in (Islamist) militancy. Now main popular among many rural methamphetamine and other we’ve taken an initiative Thais despite both being in self- drugs. to save the country from exile. Authorities said that fi ve this drug menace” The military now says it will dealers gunned down on Mon- allow elections in February but day were “top regional drug prime minister said Sunday. has refused to lift its ban on lords”. Bangladesh has been wag- politics or on gatherings of more One opened fi re at a check- ing a war against homegrown than fi ve people. point as he sped past on a mo- militancy as Islamist radi- But critics are increasingly Pheu Thai party leaders leave the crime suppression division after being charged with sedition and violating the ban on gatherings, in Bangkok yesterday. torbike, said the Rapid Action cals butchered foreigners and testing the limits of the ban, Battalion police unit leading secular bloggers in a wave of which they say is intended to the (junta) on Thursday,” said The regime is taking a harder In a statement the activists Thailand’s rural northeast, said the anti-drug off ensive. attacks in recent years. give the generals time to build a deputy national police chief line as it gears up for protests on said their sound technician was offi cers had been visiting local “We were compelled to fi re The frequency of assaults political coalition before the vote Srivara Rangsibhramanakul. the coup’s fourth anniversary taken to a military camp on Sun- activists in the region, a Pheu back,” RAB operations offi cer has declined following a brazen without any public debate. The Pheu Thai veterans kept today, with activists vowing to day night. Thai stronghold. Anwar Hossain said. cafe siege in 2016 that left 22 Yesterday, Pheu Thai’s Watana up their criticism of the mili- march on Government House in He was released yesterday, “They are also using their Four other dealers were dead, including 18 foreigners. Muangsook, Chaturon Chai- tary as they cut through a crowd the morning. according to a group of human network in local areas as well... killed separately in gang wars, Since then attention has shift- sang and Chusak Sirinil were all gathered outside the police offi ce Police have warned they rights lawyers, who say more having some of their military police said. ed to drugs – particularly yaba, charged with sedition for speak- and shouting “Fight, fi ght!” in will enforce a “restricted area” than 50 people have been visited, going into villages and asking Hundreds of yaba pills – a which is doing a roaring trade. ing at the press conference, support. around the building. called or monitored by security people not to go (to the Bangkok popular drug combining caf- Bangladesh has been strug- while fi ve other party leaders “This government abuses the The pro-democracy movement, offi cers since May 17. demonstration),” Titipol said, feine and methamphetamine gling to control a huge surge in were charged with violating the laws. They use laws to prevent which is led by a dedicated cohort A junta spokesman could not adding that he himself received – were recovered from the yaba crossing its southeastern ban on gatherings for attending. people from investigating (them),” of student activists, said they have be reached for comment. a phone call from the military scene of the shootings, police border from Myanmar, where “They were summoned to said Pheu Thai’s secretary-gener- come under increasing surveillance Titipol Phakdeewanich, asking if he planned to attend said. the cheap pills are manufac- hear charges that were fi led by al Phumtham Wechayachai. before their planned march. a politics professor based in the march. Thousands of alleged deal- tured in enormous quantities. ers have been arrested in Authorities last year seized an aggressive sweep that a record 40mn yaba pills but Hasina said would eradicate said an estimated 250-300mn drugs with the same success others managed to enter the Military patrols Thai town after blast that Bangladesh had curbed market. Rains kill 5 in Lanka violent extremism. Some 9mn yaba tablets “We’ve contained (Islamist) were seized in less than three Reuters be vigilant,” Kodippili said. militancy. Now we’ve taken an months earlier this year, in- Colombo The army has sent more than initiative to save the country cluding nearly 2mn pills 100 soldiers with more than from this drug menace,” the discovered in a single haul. 25 boats to tackle the emer- eavy monsoon rains gency, its spokesman, Sumith in Sri Lanka have Atapattu, said. Tackle graft , governance to stem Hkilled fi ve people, May kicks off the monsoon prompting authorities to season in Sri Lanka’s south, ‘Golden Triangle’ meth trade: UN warn against landslides usually the region’s wettest and fl oods in low-lying ar- time of year, running until “Golden Triangle” countries Crime (UNODC) for Southeast eas after spill gates had to September. From November to must address corruption Asia and the Pacific. be opened across the Indian February, the northwest mon- and collaborate more closely “To be candid, it also means Ocean island. soon also brings the island to tackle record meth addressing the corruption, Lightning killed three peo- heavy rain. production and the gangs conditions and vulnerabilities ple, a landslide a fourth, and Heavy rains and intermit- who traff ic the drug across that allow organised crime to the fi fth death was the re- tent droughts have hit tea, Southeast Asia and beyond, keep expanding operations.” sult of a fallen tree, said offi - the country’s main export the UN said yesterday, AFP He was speaking in the cials at the country’s Disaster crop, which brings in earn- reports from Yangon. Myanmar capital Naypyidaw Management Centre (DMC). ings of more than $1bn. Tea From Bangkok to Brisbane, at a regional meeting of police DMC spokesman Pradeep output rose last year for the authorities are raking in huge and off icials who are aiming to Kodippili said fl ooding has fi rst time in four years. hauls of methamphetamine forge a new strategy to fight forced the evacuation of peo- However, the weather stimulant pills – better known the drug scourge. ple in areas where several riv- this year has not been harsh as “yaba” – and the purer, In recent months several ers are overfl owing, while four enough to aff ect the stock more potent crystallised Myanmar soldiers have been districts are on “red alert” for market and companies, bro- A military armoured vehicle patrols the area following an overnight bomb explosion by suspected version known as “ice”. arrested with massive caches of possible landslides. kers said, although fi rms militants that damaged bank’s ATM station next to a gold shop in Bacho district in the restive They hail from the Golden yaba, destined for Bangladesh. “People in those four dis- in the plantation industry southern province of Narathiwat in Thailand yesterday. Triangle, a lawless wedge of Myanmar authorities say they tricts have been cautioned to could be hit. land that intersects China, are ready to co-operate with Laos, Thailand and Myanmar their neighbours to stem the and is the world’s second- flow of drugs and precursor largest drug-producing region. chemicals used by the cook Its drug labs – mainly in houses in Shan state. Myanmar’s conflict-ridden “A top priority for us, is a Japanese climber dies on 8th attempt at Everest Shan state – are working regional precursor strategy overtime, aiding organised that will slow the supply AFP couldn’t see his headlamp when The conquest of Everest al- clement conditions again frus- crime gangs in their quest for of chemicals... into the Kathmandu we looked up from the bottom ways eluded the experienced trated his quest. new markets as far away as drug-producing areas of the in the dark,” his team posted on mountaineer, who had achieved Man Bahadur Gurung of Australia and Japan. Golden Triangle,” Myanmar’s Facebook. solo ascents of two other Bochi-Bochi Treks, who organ- Worth an estimated $40bn a Deputy Home Minister Aung celebrated Japanese “(The) team near Camp 2 8,000m peaks without the use of ised Kuriki’s expedition, said year, huge volumes of meth Soe said in a statement. climber who lost all but climbed up his route to search bottled oxygen. they were trying to arrange for pass through the Golden A surge in supply has seen Aone fi nger to frostbite on for him and discovered Kuriki On his fourth attempt to reach his body to be fl own back to Triangle, waved through by prices for a single yaba pill Everest has died on his eighth who passed away due to low the top in 2012, Kuriki suff ered Kathmandu. corrupt law enforcement and plummet to around $2 in attempt to reach the summit, body temperature.” severe frostbite and lost nine More than 400 people have border controls. Thailand and around $7 in offi cials said yesterday. Late Sunday Kuriki had fi ngers. reached Everest’s summit dur- “Ensuring governance Singapore, according to Nobukazu Kuriki had fallen reached 7,400m, pushing be- He returned three years later ing this spring climbing season, and the rule of law will be UNODC figures, raising fears ill and was descending when his yond three of the four camps in September 2015, months after when a period of calm weather crucial to any long-term over addiction rates. team lost contact with him. The that mark the route to the an earthquake hit Nepal and trig- typically opens the route to the reduction in drug production The UN agency also urged 35-year-old is the third climb- 8,848m (29,029ft) summit. gered an avalanche that killed 18 top of the world. and traff icking,” said regional governments to er this month to perish on the “Now I feel the pain and dif- people at Everest’s base camp. Apart from the three deaths Jeremy Douglas, regional address money laundering, world’s highest peak. fi culty of this mountain. I ap- Bad weather forced him to on Everest, at least three other representative of the United share more intelligence on “Kuriki stopped responding preciate it and I am climbing,” he call off that expedition. He tried climbers have died on separate Nations Off ice on Drugs and the drug gangs. Nobukazu Kuriki to radio communication and we wrote on Facebook. again in 2016 and 2017 but in- mountains in Nepal this month. Chinese bombers in disputed sea increase tensions: Vietnam

Reuters such as the H-6K had landed and Vietnamese name for the South strictly respect Vietnam’s sov- ministry spokesman Lu Kan media reports that China had its off shore exploration and Hanoi, Vietnam taken off from islands and reefs China Sea. ereignty over the Hoang Sa is- urged other countries not to installed missiles there. production activities. in the South China Sea as part of Vietnam and China have long lands,” Hang said, referring to over-interpret what he called a In response, China said its de- In March, the company told training exercises last week. been embroiled in maritime dis- the Paracels. routine military patrol. ployment of defence equipment Spanish energy fi rm Repsol to ecent activity by China’s The fl ights “increase ten- putes in the South China Sea. Hang said the presence of the “We hope that relevant parties and troops on the islands was its halt an oil project off shore of strategic bombers in the sions, cause regional instabili- The Philippines, Malaysia, Bru- bombers in the area has an ad- do not read too much into this,” Lu right, adding that the equipment Vietnam under pressure from RSouth China Sea’s Para- ties and are not good for main- nei and Taiwan also have claims verse impact on ongoing nego- Kang told a daily news briefi ng. helped protect the peace and China. cel Islands seriously violated taining a peaceful, stable and to parts of the potentially ener- tiations between China and the Earlier this month, Viet- stability of the region and “does Last week, a unit of Russian Vietnam’s sovereignty over the co-operative environment in gy-rich maritime territory. Association of South East Asian nam also asked China to with- not target any country”. state oil fi rm Rosneft also ex- disputed territory, Vietnam’s the East Sea,” foreign ministry “Vietnam demands that Chi- Nations (Asean) on a code of draw military equipment from Vietnam’s state oil fi rm Petro- pressed its concern that its re- foreign ministry said yesterday. spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang na stop these activities, cease conduct in the South China Sea. the nearby Spratly Islands in Vietnam has said maritime cent drilling in the area could China’s air force said bombers said in a statement, using the militarisation of the area, and In Beijing, Chinese foreign the disputed waters, following tensions with China will hurt upset China. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 22, 2018 15 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA

Vanuatu to permanently evacuate volcanic island of Ambae

AFP northern island of Ambae had nent settlements on the nearby to the displaced population of 3,000 people until the four per- “Most of the ashfall is aff ect- also donated funds to help the Port Vila, Vanuatu only recently returned home. island of Maewo, which it will Ambae on Maewo for a maxi- manent settlements are estab- ing communities in the south evacuation. Vanuatu, with a The 11,000 people on the island lease from landowners. The mum of six months before with- lished and gardens planted. and west, so they are the ones population of about 280,000 were forced to leave last Sep- government will organise and drawing its support,” a govern- About 1,000 have already most likely to relocate,” an Am- spread over 65 inhabited islands, ntire communities liv- tember when the Manaro vol- pay for the evacuation beginning ment statement said. “(By then) moved to the main island of Es- bae community organiser in Port is regarded as one of the world’s ing under the shadow of cano erupted. June 1 and fi nishing July 30. food crops which have been piritu Santo and the capital Port Vila, Henry Vira, told AFP. most disaster-prone countries. Ea smouldering volcano on The latest evacuation is not However only those who planted on day one of evacuation Vila. Vanuatu’s Red Cross has pre- It sits on the so-called “Pacif- an island in Vanuatu will be per- compulsory but the government choose to relocate to Maewo will (will be) ready for harvest. However, Ambae is unlikely positioned some aid on Maewo ic Rim of Fire”, making it vulner- manently relocated to another said it wants those who left to receive the assistance and peo- On Maewo, chief Jonah Toa- to be abandoned completely — and a New Zealand Air Force able to strong earthquakes and island from next week, the Pa- stay away for good and resettle ple who move to other islands ganase told the Daily Post news- just the areas which suff ered Hercules brought in more sup- volcanic eruptions, while pow- cifi c nation’s government has elsewhere. The Council of Min- will do so at their own expense. paper that his community was the heaviest ashfall, with homes plies last week. erful cyclones also regularly lash decided. Most villagers on the isters has approved four perma- “Food support will be provided ready to look after more than blanketed and crops choked. China and Australia have the islands.

Malaysia sets up task Graft-busting journalist force to probe scandal

AFP of this task force, comprising a Kuala Lumpur multi-agency enforcement unit, will help restore the dignity of Malaysia that has been tainted by alaysia yesterday set the 1MDB kleptocracy scandal,” returns to new Malaysia up a task force to probe said Mahathir’s offi ce. Mallegations that bil- The task force will include AFP “I did this partly because I lions of dollars were looted from representatives of the anti-graft Kuala Lumpur was mad, and partly because I sovereign wealth fund 1MDB in agency, the police and the at- thought there was a slim chance an audacious fraud overseen by torney-general’s offi ce. Some of something could be done,” she ousted leader Najib Razak. those on the body were part of lare Rewcastle Brown was said of the state, which environ- New Prime Minister Mahathir previous probes into the contro- harassed and vilifi ed for mentalists believe has lost nearly Mohamad led a reformist alli- versy but were pushed out by Na- Cyears for waging a quixot- all of its original rainforest. ance to a shock victory at the jib’s regime as he moved to shut ic campaign to expose Malaysian “In 2010, she started Sarawak May 9 polls over Najib’s coali- down domestic investigations. corruption that helped topple the Report and short-wave broad- tion, which had governed Ma- Several current and former country’s long-ruling regime. caster Radio Free Sarawak — laysia uninterrupted for over six senior government offi cials will The British investigative jour- operated in secret from Lon- decades. lead the task force, including nalist is now back in the country don, and later Bali, Brunei and A major reason for the success Abdul Gani Patail, the former of her birth after being blacklist- Sarawak itself. of 92-year-old Mahathir was attorney-general who was re- ed for years, and being treated as Rewcastle drew on a network public disgust at allegations of moved from his post in 2015 as he a celebrity in a sign of the whirl- of contacts in Malaysia to repeat- endemic corruption among the was leading investigations into wind changes since historic May edly expose Sarawak corrup- country’s ruling elite, and in par- 1MDB. 9 elections. tion. Najib’s regime eventually ticular an explosive scandal sur- Huge sums of money from the No one is more stunned than blocked the website — a move rounding state fund 1MDB. fund are believed to have been Rewcastle, who said she expects the new government has re- The fund, 1Malaysia Devel- funnelled round the world in a to see further startling revela- versed — and radio signals were opment Berhad, was set up in complex web of transactions, and tions of corruption and misrule jammed. With Malaysia on a re- 2009 ostensibly to promote the the task force’s remit will include emerge as a reformist adminis- form path, Rewcastle expects to development of the Malaysian reaching out to law enforcement tration cleans house. “There is so wind down her anti-graft work, economy. agencies in other countries, in- much that’s going to come tum- which she said has been a “hand- But it is alleged that Najib, cluding the US, Switzerland, bling out now,” she said during an to-mouth” operation reliant on his family and cronies looted the Singapore and Canada, accord- interview in Kuala Lumpur. family funds and the odd dona- investment vehicle in a massive ing to Mahathir’s offi ce. “Everyone is gob-smacked as tion from supporters. fraud stretching from the Cay- The US Statement Depart- they see these things happening. But she pledged to “do my man Islands to New York, with ment alleges in civil lawsuits that There are going to be more amaz- darnedest” to continuing advo- stolen funds used to buy eve- $4.5bn was stolen from 1MDB ing scenes to come.” cating for Sarawak. rything from real estate to art- and sent to the United States, Rewcastle, now 58, has been British journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown speaking during an interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP) in That includes pushing for in- works. where it was spent on funding a thorn in the side of Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur. vestigations into its former chief Since Najib’s ouster, Malay- the Hollywood fi lm The Wolf of ruling elite for years, working minister, Abdul Taib Mahmud. sians have been gripped by a se- Wall Street” and lavish purchases from abroad to expose larceny and expected to be charged. Rew- been spent on something useful,” Many more have praised Re- The retired 82-year-old, who ries of police raids on properties including Monet and Van Gogh and misrule centring mostly on castle’s work over the years trig- she said. “But all they did was wcastle on social media after was loosely aligned with Najib’s linked to the ex-leader, which paintings. Najib and 1MDB have the rainforested state of Sarawak gered Malaysian arrest warrants, help make me famous, the stupid learning of her arrival. “It’s ex- regime, is accused by indigenous have yielded a stash of hundreds consistently denied any wrong- where she was born and spent lawsuits, threats, and a sustained idiots.” tremely gratifying,” she said. activists of ruling Sarawak like of luxury handbags believed to doing. her early years. But her big- campaign of online vilifi cation Never welcome, and offi cially Few foreigners were as feared a family fi efdom for 33 years, belong to his despised wife Ros- The ex-leader, 64, sought gest bombshell may have been that she suspects was orches- barred from Malaysia in 2015, by Malaysia’s government. plundering its timber and build- mah Mansor, as well as suitcases to mount a fi ghtback over the the 2015 revelation by her web- trated by Najib’s government us- Rewcastle has gone almost over- Born in Sarawak when it was a ing ecologically harmful dams. stuff ed with cash and jewels. weekend, insisting he had not site Sarawak Report that nearly ing western PR fi rms. night from persona non grata to British crown colony, she spent Sarawak Report, along with the Mahathir — who fi rst served as stolen any public money during a $700mn was funnelled into the The sister-in-law of former welcome guest. several years there, often follow- Bruno Manser Fund, a Swiss premier from 1981-2003 and speech to hundreds of supporters bank account of ex-premier Na- British prime minister Gor- She met AFP following an ing her mother – a midwife for NGO, has documented huge in- came out of retirement to take in the constituency where he has jib Razak. That helped super- don Brown, Rewcastle was still interview with a state-aligned indigenous people – on jungle vestments around the world by on Najib —had pledged to reopen been an MP for decades. charge allegations that Najib recently being approached by newspaper that formerly ma- jaunts to remote clinics. She later Taib’s circle. “Taib needs to be probes into 1MDB. Mahathir, a former mentor of and his entourage plundered bil- shadowy characters off ering ligned her but gave her glowing worked for the BBC and others in taken by the ankles and shook, so The new task force will be Najib who turned on him over lions from sovereign wealth fund pay-off s if she’d publish juicy front-page treatment yesterday. London in investigative journal- the money falls out,” Rewcastle charged with seizing back assets 1MDB, is determined ro breathe 1MDB, in a scandal that led to his “revelations” for them — ham- She was halted repeatedly by ism before devoting herself to said. and pursuing legal action against new life into democratic institu- electoral defeat, ending six dec- fi sted attempts to entrap and ordinary Malaysians who recog- publicising Sarawak corruption, “There’s still a lot to be done. those suspected of breaking the tions that suff ered under the ex- ades under an increasingly cor- discredit her, she says. “Millions nised her distinctive ginger locks, deforestation, and eviction of But we’re in a terrifi c position law in relation to the fund, said premier’s increasingly authori- rupt government. have gone into trying to destroy stopping to thank her and snap native peoples from traditional now to really campaign for what the prime minister’s offi ce. “The tarian rule and usher in a new He is now under investigation my reputation, which could have selfi es. lands. this was originally about.” government hopes the setting up dawn for the country.

China satellite heralds Time for celebration first mission to dark Australian lawmaker side of Moon pushes to end live China launched yesterday a relay satellite that will allow a rover to communicate with the Earth from the far side of the sheep exports Moon during an unprecedented mission later this year. The Queqiao (“Magpie Bridge”) satellite was blasted into space Reuters The proposed legislation from the southwestern Xichang launch Sydney puts Prime Minister Malcolm centre in the pre-dawn hours, according to Turnbull in a political bind. the China National Space Administration. Emboldened by opinion polls The satellite split from its carrier, a Long n Australian backbench- that show nearly three quarters March-4C rocket, after 25 minutes and er yesterday introduced of voters support an end to the unfolded its solar panels and communica- Alegislation to parliament trade, two members of Turn- tion antennas, as it headed towards its to ban the export of live sheep bull’s Liberal Party have said destination, the CNSA said. “The launch is after the death of 2,400 animals they support Ley’s bill, joining a key step for China to realise its goal of on a ship bound for the Mid- forces with the opposition La- being the first country to send a probe to dle East, an incident that led bor Party. soft-land on and rove the far side of the to widespread criticism of the The rural-based Nationals, Moon,” Zhang Lihua, manager of the relay A$250mn ($190mn) industry. the junior member of the coa- satellite project, was quoted as saying by The bill threatens to expose lition government, opposes a the off icial Xinhua news agency. The satel- fractures within the ruling ban, insisting it could infl ict lite will relay communications between coalition government, which widespread damage on Aus- controllers on Earth and the far side of the last week introduced tougher tralia’s agricultural sector. moon, where the Chang’e-4 lunar probe – oversight of the shipments but “This strikes at the heart of named after the moon goddess in Chinese stopped short of banning them the coalition arrangement,” said mythology – will be sent later this year. altogether. Nick Economou, senior lecturer Also known as the “dark side” of the Moon, Backbench lawmaker Sussan in Australian politics at Monash Participants carry a portable shrine or “Mikoshi” outside Sensoji Temple in the Asakusa district during the annual Sanja the far hemisphere is never directly visible Ley said the new rules did not University in Melbourne. “The Matsuri festival in Tokyo. Sanja Matsuri festival is a celebration for the three founders of Sensoji Temple in the Asakusa from Earth and while it has been photo- go far enough. “A 60-kg sheep prime minister cannot let this neighbourhood with nearly 2mn people visiting during the three-day event. graphed, with the first images appearing will be allocated space equiva- go forward, he cannot aff ord to in 1959, it has never been explored. lent to just under two A4 pieces upset the National Party.” of paper,” Ley told parliament The political alliance that has in one of the world’s largest ex- existed since 1923 was strained porters of livestock. While the this year after an extramarital bulk of Australia’s meat exports aff air by then Deputy Prime are processed, markets such as Minister Barnaby Joyce trig- Trump urges China to clamp down on North Korea border the Middle East and Indonesia gered a war of words between prefer to buy live animals. Australia’s most senior law- Australia’s chief commod- makers. Turnbull’s government AFP Trump is scheduled to hold a Trump tweeted, suggesting Chi- nuclearisation,” he said. China out of planned inter-Korean ity forecaster in March said it will likely seek to delay the pas- Washington landmark summit with the North na may have eased up on enforc- is North Korea’s biggest trade talks. Trump’s National Secu- expected 1.9mn live sheep to be sage of the bill, analysts said, Korean leader June 12 in Singa- ing economic sanctions against partner, and Trump has called on rity Advisor John Bolton also has sold this year, worth A$250mn. through its control of parlia- pore, but Pyongyang recently has Pyongyang. “The word is that it repeatedly to press Pyongyang drawn Pyongyang’s ire by refer- “For Australian farmers, animal mentary business. S President Donald threatened to pull out over US recently the Border has become to rein in its nuclear and missile ring to Libya as a denuclearisa- welfare is our highest concern. The Labor Party could force Trump yesterday urged demands for “unilateral nuclear much more porous and more has programs. Besides protesting US tion model. After giving up Lib- We need to fi x the industry, a vote on Ley’s bill if it secures UChina to maintain tight abandonment”. been fi ltering in,” he wrote, add- disarmament demands, North ya’s nuclear programme in 2003, not ban it,” said Fiona Simson, the support of two independent control of its border with North “China must continue to be ing he wants North Korea to be Korea also angrily condemned leader Muammar Gaddafi was president of the National Farm- lawmakers, a vote that could Korea until he signs a denucleari- strong & tight on the Border of ‘VERY successful,’ but only once joint US-South Korean military killed in a Nato-backed uprising ers Federation. potentially be too close to call. sation deal with Kim Jong-un. North Korea until a deal is made,” a deal has been reached on de- exercises, and last week pulled in 2011. Gulf Times 16 Tuesday, May 22, 2018 BRITAIN/IRELAND

ENTERTAINMENT PEOPLE INDUSTRIAL ACTION PLAN Hugh Grant to wed Meghan’s nephew ‘caught London underground Defence against space longtime girlfriend with knife blames Trump’ drivers to strike in June ‘threats’ to be beefed up

Veteran bachelor Hugh Grant, star of a string of Tyler Dooley, nephew of Meghan Markle, took London commuters will face major disruption Britain will boost the number of defence romantic comedies including Four Weddings a knife to a London nightclub and then blamed next month after the train drivers’ union said personnel working in the space sector by a and a Funeral, is finally getting married for the Donald Trump’s warnings about the dangers of yesterday it would stage two 24-hour strikes fifth over five years to counter “intensifying first time to his Swedish girlfriend. Wedding the British capital, The Sun reported. The daily on the underground rail line which serves the threats”, Defence Minister Gavin Williamson said banns for 57-year-old Grant and Anna Eberstein, said Dooley, 25, a cannabis farmer who was not Canary Wharf financial district. Drivers on yesterday. Williamson also confirmed that Britain 39, were published at the registry off ice of invited to the wedding, handed the four-inch the Jubilee Line will walk out on June 6 and was looking at “alternative systems” for satellite Chelsea Old Town Hall near the couple’s home blade to a bouncer outside the club in Kingston. 14 over the imposition of new timetables, the navigation following doubts about its role in the in Notting Hill. “This is a day none of Hugh’s The Metropolitan Police did not name Dooley Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) European Union’s long-awaited Galileo project friends ever thought would come,” The Sun but confirmed they were called by security to union said. “Drivers are angry at the impact on after Brexit. Launching the country’s first defence quoted a source as saying. “He will soon be the club “after a man openly declared he had a work life balance and rightly see this move as space strategy, Williamson announced the Royal a pensioner and has finally become a family knife as he attempted to enter the club”. The Sun the thin end of a very long wedge that could Air Force will take on responsibility for “command man,” the source told the tabloid. The wedding quoted Dooley as telling someone outside the see processes and agreements unilaterally and control” of military space operations. The is to take place in the coming weeks. Grant and club: “I just brought it because Donald Trump said shredded by tube bosses,” said RMT general increase in staff ing will take the number of people Hugh Grant and Anna Eberstein: to wed soon Eberstein already have three children. London was like a warzone. I had it for protection”. secretary Mick Cash. working in the sector to more than 600 by 2023. Russian ‘dirty Royals thank wedding guests money’ is damaging security: MPs

Guardian News and Media cuse for the UK to turn a blind London eye as President Putin’s klepto- crats and human rights abusers use money laundered through powerful committee of London to corrupt our friends, MPs has warned that the weaken our alliances, and erode Agovernment is putting faith in our institutions.” national security at risk by al- The report said the UK’s weak- lowing “kleptocrats and hu- ness to act to stem the fl ow of man rights abusers to use the potentially questionable Russian City of London to launder their money was exposed just days ill-gotten funds to circumvent after the UK expelled two dozen sanctions”. Russian diplomats following the Prince Harry and his wife Meghan yesterday thanked all those involved in their lavish wedding at the weekend as they released off icial photographs from their big The foreign aff airs select com- attempted murder of Sergei and day. Harry and Meghan, now off icially known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, tied the knot on Saturday at Windsor Castle, Queen Elizabeth’s home to the west of mittee said the government’s lax Yulia Skripal in Salisbury. London, in a splendid display of British royal pomp and ceremony. “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex would like to thank everyone who took part in the celebrations approach to tackling internation- “On March 16 – two days af- of their wedding on Saturday,” Harry’s off ice Kensington Palace said in a statement. al money laundering is putting ter the government announced money “directly into the hands of the expulsion of 23 Russian regimes that would harm the UK, diplomats from the UK – Rus- its interests and its allies”. sia raised $4bn (£2.97bn) in eu- In a hard-hitting report titled robond issuances, nearly half of Moscow’s Gold: Russian Cor- which were bought by investors ruption in the UK, the commit- from the UK,” the report said. tee said the government was A day earlier Russian en- failing to follow through on the ergy company Gazprom raised prime minister’s “robust rheto- €750mn (£656mn) in a bond ric” in the wake of the Skripals’ sale, some of which were bought Grenfell inquiry opens poisoning. by UK investors according to “Despite the strong rhetoric, VTB Capital, a Russian bank President (Vladimir) Putin and subjected to US sanctions. his allies have been able to con- “The ease with which the tinue ‘business as usual’ by hid- Russian government was able ing and laundering their corrupt to raise funds in London despite assets in London,” the report said. the strong measures that the with tribute to baby “These assets, on which the government took in the wake of Kremlin can call at any time, the Salisbury attack raises seri- Reuters neglect by the authorities of an that he would open his eyes, Goodbye to all,” Neda was heard of coins. “They are so poignant both directly and indirectly sup- ous questions about the govern- London ethnically diverse community move, make a sound,” Gomes saying in a calm voice. to us as he would give you his port President Putin’s campaign ment’s commitment to combat- had played a part in the tragedy. said, crying, his wife by his side. Neda’s brother, wife and son last pennies if you ever needed to subvert the international ing Russian state aggression,” The public inquiry, which Andreia, a clothes shop su- Farhad paid moving tributes to them,” she said. rules-based system, undermine the report said. urvivors of London’s will last many months, aims pervisor, was in an induced the 56-year-old who ran his own The inquiry also heard a trib- our allies, and erode the mutu- The committee also said the deadly Grenfell Tower fi re to establish the causes of the coma being treated for cyanide chauff eur business and support- ute to fi ne art photographer ally reinforcing international fl otation of En+, a Russian energy Swept yesterday as they disaster, but fi rst it has invited poisoning from the fi re at the ed Farhad through engineering Khadija Saye, who died in the networks that support UK for- company controlled by oligarch listened to a bereaved father the bereaved to talk about their moment of Logan’s birth. He studies and countless taekwon- fi re aged 24 with her mother eign policy.” Oleg Deripaska on the London pay tribute to his baby son and loved ones and show pictures or had been due to be born on Au- do tournaments. Farhad’s med- Mary Mendy, 52, an immigrant Conservative MP Tom Tu- Stock Exchange last year, was heard a recording of another videos if they wish. gust 21, 2017. als were lost in the fi re. from Gambia in West Africa. gendhat, the committee chair, also an example of “the contra- victim making his last phone Marcio Gomes, an IT worker Family photographs fl ashed The family of another victim, Saye had just broken through said: “We can no longer allow dictions inherent in UK govern- call from the burning building. who fl ed from the 21st fl oor up on a screen, including an ul- 56-year-old Denis Murphy, de- in the art world with an exhibi- ‘business as usual’. The UK must ment policy towards Russia”. Those were among many through thick, poisonous fumes trasound scan image of Logan in scribed him as a devoted family tion of self-portraits at the pres- be clear that the corruption Tugendhat said the govern- heartbreaking moments on the with his heavily pregnant wife his mother’s womb, and images man and fanatical fan of Chel- tigious Venice Biennale, where stemming from the Kremlin is no ment must be “clear that the fi rst day of oral hearings at a Andreia and their two daugh- of him just after his birth. sea soccer club, drawing tearful three buyers had bid for her work. longer welcome in our markets Kremlin is no longer welcome in public inquiry into the blaze, ters, went fi rst with an emo- The inquiry also heard a re- smiles as they talked about his Other Grenfell relatives and and we will act. our markets. We must be united which killed 71 people in the so- tional tribute to his son Logan, cording of Afghan immigrant playful disagreements with his friends, lawyers and journalists “The scale of damage that in our eff orts to match rheto- cial housing block on the night who was stillborn in hospital Mohamed Saber Neda phon- son, who supported Tottenham. in the hearing room wept as they this ‘dirty money’ can do to UK ric with action – in the City, of June 14, 2017. hours after the escape. ing a relative as the fi re raged. Murphy’s sister Anne-Marie watched and listened to one har- foreign policy interests dwarfs through government policy and The fi re led to a national out- “I held my son in my arms, “Goodbye. We are now leav- said the only material thing left rowing moment after another. the benefi t of Russian transac- among allies in the US, G7 and pouring of angst over whether hoping it was all a bad dream, ing this world, goodbye. I hope from Denis’s apartment inside The commemoration hearings tions in the City. There is no ex- EU,” he added. poor quality social housing and wishing, praying for a miracle, I haven’t disappointed you. Grenfell Tower was a handful are expected to last nine days. House price infl ation in May attends flower show UK more welcoming parts of Wales hits 10% to migrants: minister Agencies spur migration, Gove said that London Brexit had instead made people Guardian News and Media In England and Wales overall of high value homes to avoid the more open. London prices were down 0.1% in March, new tax, just as they did ahead “The reason why I think the the third month in a row of fall- of the stamp duty hike in April ritain has become more Leave campaign won was be- ing prices. 2016. Consequently, six of the welcoming to migration cause people wanted to make rush to beat new stamp “The annual rate of growth eight most expensive local au- Bsince it voted to leave the sure we could have control of duty rates has pushed an- has now fallen for almost a solid thority areas in Wales set a new European Union, Environment our borders, of our taxes, of Anual house price infl ation year – 11 months in succession. peak price in March. Such high Minister and leading Brexit our laws and all of that was in large parts of Wales to above It now stands at just 1%, down price growth in Wales is likely to campaigner Michael Gove said part of a broader campaign to 10%, in sharp contrast to rapidly from 9% at its height in February prove short-lived.” yesterday. restore faith in our democratic declining prices in London. 2016,” said Your Move. Outside of London, the big- Britain’s 2016 vote to leave institutions,” he told an event Prices in Monmouthshire Wales bucked the trend as gest price falls were in Wind- the EU has left the country organised by a think tank, the jumped by 11.3% in the year to buyers sought to complete be- sor and Maidenhead, which deeply divided, with both Policy Exchange. the end of March, according to fore the introduction of a new may benefit anyone inspired to sides of the debate entrenched “The referendum campaign the Your Move index. But the tax regime. Prices in Cardiff and move there by Saturday’s royal in their beliefs and often still has led to Britain becoming rugged landscape of the Brecon Swansea were up 9.7%, the Vale wedding. Prices in the area fell debating whether the divorce more welcoming towards mi- Beacons appears to be the last of Glamorgan 10.2%, and Tor- 9.2% over the year. “Perhaps will help or hinder the world’s gration and more open to new refuge of the property boom, faen 10.4%, over the year. tellingly, the area also has the fi fth largest economy. people arriving.” with Your Move reporting strik- “There’s a simple explana- highest average house prices Concerns about migration Meanwhile, Northern Ire- ing price falls in London. tion for this stellar performance: outside London, at £542,285,” were among the main reasons land would vote overwhelm- In the City of London, which forestalling,” said Oliver Blake, Blake said. used by the “Vote Leave” cam- ingly in favour of remaining is mostly offi ce towers but in- managing director of Your Move Despite evidence of price falls paign to increase support for in the EU if a second refer- cludes the Barbican residential and Reeds Rains estate agents. in London and the south-east, Brexit and have remained a hot endum was held, a survey has complex, prices were “down a “Wales introduced a new land sellers are still expecting to issue. Hate crimes in Britain found. huge 31.4%”, pushing the av- transaction tax in April, starting achieve higher prices, according have surged since the refer- The survey comes as the erage price down to £683,000 at a higher base, of £180,000, to separate data from property endum, an increase the inte- Brexit Secretary, David Davis, from £997,000. than stamp duty in England website Rightmove. rior ministry said last year was made a second fl ying visit to Southwark, which stretch- (£125,000) but at a higher rate, It said the asking price of fuelled by the decision to leave Northern Ireland on Sunday, es from the Thames south to particularly for properties priced property coming to the market the bloc. meeting businesses as part of Crystal Palace, saw the second £400,000 to £925,000, with tax hit a new national record with Asked at an event whether his Cabinet research into the steepest price falls, down 17.5% rates at 7.5% and 10%. a monthly increase of 0.8% Prime Minister, Theresa May, and her husband Philip attend he was wrong to suggest dur- “maximum facilitation” op- over the year and 6.1% in March “Anticipating this, buyers (+£2,343) pushing the average the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London yesterday. ing the referendum that Tur- tion for a post-Brexit customs alone. have brought forward purchases up to £308,075. key could join the bloc and system. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 22, 2018 17 EUROPE

Three dead in Ukraine fighting

At least three people were killed and nine others wounded in Ukraine’s separatist east in the latest surge in violence between Russian-backed rebels and the Italian parties propose Ukrainian army, the authorities from both sides said yesterday. The latest casualties brought the death toll to nine people over the past five days, marking the sharpest spike in the long- running conflict in recent months. The Ukrainian army reported law professor to be PM two soldiers were killed and four wounded in fighting near a Reuters parties fi nalised a policy agenda and judicial bodies and had par- a BBB High rating with a stable government-controlled village Rome or “contract” last week after 10 ticipated in conferences on jus- trend. some 40km (25 miles) northeast days of negotiations, calling for tice matters organised by M5S. M5S and the League have tried of the rebels’ de facto capital of billions of euros in tax cuts, ad- Italy’s borrowing costs surged to allay those concerns and, after Donetsk. taly’s anti-establishment ditional spending on welfare for further yesterday, with two-year meeting the president, both Di Rebel authorities said one of their 5-Star Movement (M5S) and the poor, and a roll-back of pen- bond yields at their highest level Maio and League leader Matteo fighters was killed and another Ithe far-right League have sion reforms. since December 2016. Salvini urged foreign observers one wounded in the renewed proposed Giuseppe Conte, a lit- There was no word from Mat- Investors fear Italy’s new to give them a chance. clashes along the front line. tle-known law professor who is tarella, who formally nominates government will go on a spend- “Let us get to work fi rst and A series of periodic truce deals not in parliament, as prime min- the prime minister and is not ing spree that will increase an then criticise us. You have every have helped lower the level of ister to lead their big-spending obliged to approve the parties’ already huge debt pile – worth right to do so, but let us start violence in Ukraine’s east but coalition government. choice. more than 130% of annual eco- fi rst,” Di Maio told reporters, have not fully ended bloodshed. After meeting President Ser- Conte, who teaches at Flor- nomic output – and contravene while Salvini said the govern- The situation has deteriorated gio Mattarella, the leaders of ence University, has no political European Union fi scal rules. ment was committed to cut- again in recent days with two both parties said that they had experience but is close to M5S, Markets were also hammered ting debt by fostering economic Ukrainian soldiers killed in chosen Conte minister to end 11 and was one of the people put last week when the two par- growth. fighting on Thursday and four weeks of deadlock after incon- forward by the party as a possi- ties presented their government Italians appear to want the people, including two civilians, clusive elections on March 4. ble minister before the election, plans. tie-up. dying on Friday. “I am very proud of this when he pledged to simplify the If Mattarella gives his blessing This picture taken on March 1, shows M5S leader Di Maio (left) with Some 60% are in favour of a choice, Giuseppe Conte will car- country’s labyrinthine bureauc- to Conte, the parties could put Conte. M5S/League coalition govern- ry forward our government con- racy. a cabinet together rapidly and ment, a Demos & Pi poll pub- Estonia to map tract,” M5S leader Luigi Di Maio That was the fi rst time Conte, hold confi dence votes in parlia- Fitch said yesterday that hav- similar warning last week. lished on Sunday indicated. said after leaving the presiden- 54, had appeared in the public ment later this week. ing a M5S/League government Fitch rates Italy a low invest- More than 80% of M5S and DNA of 150,000 tial palace. spotlight, though he is on the Ratings agencies also have would increase Italy’s fi scal ment-grade BBB with a stable League voters back it, the poll The two anti-establishment board of numerous academic signalled concern. risks, after the DBRS issued a outlook, while the DBRS assigns said. A trail-blazer in Internet technology, cyber-savvy Estonia is rolling out a high-tech DNA database holding the genetic details of over 150,000 residents to improve the prevention, Hidden spoon tip for diagnosis and treatment of Teenagers beat Frenchman chronic disease. Researchers at the national Swedish girls fearing Genome Centre want to map the genes of some 11.7% of the people of Estonia, a Baltic to death in broad daylight forced marriage eurozone and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) state of 1.3mn people. AFP Reuters a safe way for girls to alert the Launched this year to mark Pau, France London authorities, which was often the country’s centenary, the diffi cult if they were constantly €5mn ($5.9mn) project also surrounded by family. aims to issue genetic cards with rench police have ar- Swedish city is advis- Idegard said the advice on personalised genotype analysis rested three people after ing girls who fear being hiding a spoon was part of a to 100,000 Estonian volunteers. Fa man was beaten to death Ataken abroad for forced wider campaign to tackle hon- in broad daylight by a gang marriage or female genital mu- our-based violence in Gothen- of teenagers in Pau, a town in tilation (FGM) to tuck a spoon burg, which has a population Shooting victims southern France. in their underwear before go- of 1mn people. A 32-year-old was murdered ing through airport security. Schools and social work- were gunman’s kin early on Friday evening in a Airport staff in Gothen- ers have been asked to be ex- notorious area of the town by burg have been told how to re- tra vigilant in the run-up to The two men killed and two a group of youths, whom wit- spond in such circumstances, the summer holidays when women injured in a shooting in nesses described as being in said Katarina Idegard, who is girls from diaspora communi- the southwestern German city of their early teens and aged 16-17 in charge of tackling honour- ties are more likely to be taken Saarbruecken were all relatives at most. based violence in Sweden’s abroad. of the attacker, police confirmed The victim, who had a history second biggest city. “We are doing this now be- on Sunday. of violent crime and drug deal- “The spoon will trigger cause the risks of forced mar- A 59-year-old man opened fire ing, was repeatedly kicked and metal detectors when you go riage and FGM increase during on Saturday during a family punched by a group of up to 12 through security checks,” she the school holidays, especially celebration in a house in the city’s teenagers, and was also beaten told the Thomson Reuters the long summer break,” said southeastern district of Brebach- with a plastic chair leg and a Foundation. “You will be taken Idegard. Fechingen. piece of wood in front of horri- aside and you can then talk to Forced marriage and FGM The two men killed were the fi ed witnesses, local media re- staff in private.” are illegal in Sweden, even if suspect’s 35-year-old son and ported. “It is a last chance to sound carried out abroad, and pun- 37-year-old son-in-law, police said, Pau prosecutor Cecile Gen- the alarm,” Idegard added. ishable by prison terms. and one of the injured women is sac confi rmed yesterday that There is no data on the In 2016, a father was con- his 30-year-old daughter. three people had been arrested number of girls taken abroad victed of forcing his daughter The other injured woman, 60, over the murder of the victim, a for forced marriage, but Ide- to marry against her will after was his ex-wife. French national born in Burkina gard said a national hotline re- tricking her into making a trip Faso in west Africa who had ceived 139 calls last year about to Afghanistan. moved from Paris to Pau in re- Youths play basketball yesterday at the Plaine des Jeux in the Saragosse neighbourhood of Pau, child marriage or forced mar- In another case in 2014, a cent years. southwestern France, where a 32-year-old was beaten to death by a gang of teenagers on Friday. riage. 14-year-old girl whose fa- Four charged over “The man died on Friday in Activists will encourage ther had taken her to Ethiopia attack on mayor the street in an area of Pau after that smokes weed, that causes Macron will avoid announcing from the hardest-hit urban ar- other cities to follow Gothen- to marry an older cousin was a group attacked him,” Gensac problems,” one local told La a new strategy based on massive eas of France have warned about burg’s lead and adopt the rescued after asking a school Four men have been charged told AFP. Republique des Pyrenees news- increases in public spending. the problems of crime, poverty spoon initiative to protect counsellor for help via Face- after the mayor of Greece’s The housing estate in the paper. “The aim is not to reinvent and Islamism that blight the girls, she added. book. second city Thessaloniki was Saragosse area of Pau, where the The death came as French grand projects” that are “top- lives of local families. The idea comes from British Idegard said a 2015 study beaten up, a judicial source said crime took place, is known for President Emmanuel Macron down”, an aide told reporters The mayor of the gang- charity Karma Nirvana, which found up to 38,000 girls and yesterday. its high crime rate and is typical prepares to unveil his long- last week, but to “be effi cient plagued region of Seine-Saint- said that the tactic had already women living in Sweden may Two men aged 20, one 17 and of many deprived, high-immi- awaited strategy for tackling and succeed in bringing on Denis north of Paris published saved a number of girls in Brit- have undergone FGM – with another 36, are charged with gration urban neighbourhoods the entrenched social problems board locals” to encourage com- a column at the weekend urging ain from forced marriage. victims including women born causing “dangerous bodily in France. found in many poor areas in the munity projects. Macron not to miss the oppor- The charity said hiding a in Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, wounds”, “material damage”, and Murders committed by mi- country’s towns and cities. Macron is likely to insist on tunity to send a signal about his spoon in their underwear was Egypt, and Gambia. a “social disturbance”. nors are rare and the man’s The 40-year-old leader has his government’s record of in- intentions. Yiannis Boutaris, 75, had to be death on a grassy public area faced criticism from some as- vesting in schools in poor areas, “The suburbs are doing bad- escorted from a rally on Saturday was widely reported yesterday, sociations for failing to put creating a new community po- ly,” wrote Laurent Russier. commemorating the massacre with Le Parisien newspaper de- tackling crime, unemployment, lice service for crime-hit zones, Ten people were in police of Black Sea Greeks in Turkey scribing the crime as a “terrify- poverty and Islamism at the and economic reforms which custody yesterday in Seine- during and after World War I ing lynching”. heart of his agenda since his the president believes will gen- Saint-Denis after a 41-year-old Turkey court jails 104 when members of the crowd “They’re very young: 12, 13, 14 election in May 2017. erate more jobs. man was stabbed to death at the turned violent. years old. It’s a gang around here Presidential aides have said A host of local lawmakers weekend in a shop. for life over coup bid

AFP army command chief of staff Ankara Major General Memduh Hak- Spain acts to maintain direct rule on Catalonia bilen. The court gave 21 suspects a Turkish court has 20-year jail sentence for “as- Reuters ernment recognised the powers dum and subsequent declaration handed life sentences to sisting the assassination of Madrid of newly-elected leader Torra of independence were illegal be- A104 suspects over their the president” while 31 were but refused to ratify his choice cause they went against Spain’s involvement in the July 2016 given sentences between seven of councillors – four of whom constitution which states the na- attempted coup against Presi- years and six months and 10 pain has acted to maintain are facing charges linked to last tion is indivisible. dent Recep Tayyip Erdogan, years and six months for being direct rule on Catalonia af- year’s independence drive, offi - Rajoy telephoned two opposi- state media reported. a member of an armed terror Ster the federal government cial documents showed. tion leaders – Pedro Sanchez of The former military per- group, the agency added. objected to the choice of council- Two of the four men are be- the Socialists and Albert Rivera sonnel were given “aggravated There was an alleged plot to lors by fervent separatist leader ing held in custody in a Madrid of Ciudadanos (“Citizens”) – on life sentences” by a court in kill Erdogan on the night of the Quim Torra, who has vowed to jail awaiting trial while the other Saturday to discuss the situation the western province of Izmir, coup while he was on holiday recreate the administration fi red two are in self-imposed exile in and ask for their support. state news agency Anadolu in the Aegean resort of Mar- by Madrid for declaring inde- Belgium. Both parties, which together said, for “attempting to over- maris with his family. pendence. Under the terms of emergency with Rajoy’s centre-right Peo- throw the constitutional or- The attempted putsch Madrid and Barcelona are en- legislation brought in to take ple’s Party (PP) make up a major- der”. claimed more than 240 lives, gaged in a stand-off after region- over the Catalan administration, ity of seats in Spain’s parliament, Such jail sentences, which according to the Turkish presi- al elections called by the govern- Madrid must lift direct rule once agree that direct rule of Catalonia replaced the death penalty in dency, not including 24 coup- ment in December returned a the Catalan government is fully must be maintained until a re- Turkey, carry harsher condi- plotters killed on the night. majority of seats for pro-inde- Rajoy: I hope there will soon be a (Catalonia) government that is formed and cabinet members gional administration is in place. tions than normal life sen- Following the attempted pendence parties. viable. named. “We, all those parties which tences. coup, more than 50,000 peo- Madrid has imposed direct But the government said the support the constitution, must In total, 280 military staff ple have been arrested and rule until a new regional govern- he hoped Catalonia would soon into dialogue with us – one that naming of the four men, accused accept reality and apply the con- are on trial over the coup bid. 140,000 public workers have ment is in place. form a viable government that will work to recover institutional of crimes including rebellion and stitution together,” Rivera said in Among the suspects receiv- been sacked or suspended over It is uncertain now when direct would obey the law. and political normality in our misuse of public funds, amount- a television interview yesterday. ing life sentences were former alleged links to Gulen or Kurd- rule will be lifted. “I hope there will soon be a country,” he said in a speech at an ed to a deliberate provocation. “Peace and stability are needed air force chief of staff Lieuten- ish militants under the state Spanish Prime Minister Mari- government that is viable, that event in Galicia. Spanish courts ruled that an in Catalonia for its economy and ant General Hasan Huseyin of emergency imposed in July ano Rajoy said yesterday that obeys the law and that enters Yesterday the Spanish gov- October 1 independence referen- for social harmony.” Demiraslan and ex-Aegean 2016. Gulf Times 18 Tuesday, May 22, 2018 INDIA

LEGAL AVIATION WEATHER EDUCATION DEFENCE US Supreme Court takes up Plane overshoots Mercury soars to Nearly 49% students fail BrahMos cruise missile dispute over power plant Shirdi runway 48C in Maharashtra Haryana class X exams test fired successfully

The US Supreme Court will consider reviving a A major disaster was averted when an Alliance With the mercury rising above 40 degrees Celsius Nearly 49% of students failed in the class X exams The army yesterday successfully conducted the first lawsuit by villagers seeking to hold a Washington- Air plane, with around 70 passengers, overshot in many parts of Maharashtra and even 48 degrees of the Haryana Board of School Education (HBSE) test of the BrahMos cruise missile aimed at increas- based international financial institution responsi- the runway while landing at the Shirdi airport in at one place yesterday, people took off for the as per the result which was declared yesterday, ing its life from 10 to 15 years. The missile was test ble for widespread environmental damage they Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, yesterday evening, cooler climes of hill stations or sea resorts to escape even as the state authorities claimed that the result fired from a mobile launcher from the Integrated Test blame on a power plant it financed. The justices but the pilots managed to bring it to a halt, off icial the heat. Temperatures touched 48 degrees in had improved marginally. As per the board, 51.15% Range (ITR) at Chandipur along the Odisha coast at will hear an appeal by the villagers of a lower sources said. No injuries were reported among Chandrapur, which became the hottest in the state, of regular candidates or 186,586 out of 364,800 about 10.44am, said sources in the Defence Research court ruling that the International Finance Cor- the passengers on board the aircraft. The incident while many parts of Vidarbha like Gadchiroli was 47 candidates who appeared, passed the examination. and Development Organisation (DRDO). Defence poration was immune from such lawsuits under happened around 5.30pm when the Mumbai- degrees, Nagpur and Wardha were at 46 degrees, The pass percentage last year was 50.49%. Girl Minister Nirmala Sitharaman congratulated Team Brah- federal law. The case revolves around the IFC’s Shirdi flight of Alliance Air, the regional carrier of and Akola, Yavatmal and Amravati were 45 degrees. candidates fared better in the exams with 55.34% Mos and DRDO for the successful test carried out from decision in 2008 to provide $450mn in loans to Air India, was scheduled to land at the recently Several other districts in Marathwada like Parbhani passing the examination while the pass percentage the ITR in Balasore to validate the BrahMos missile life help construct the coal-fired Tata Mundra Power commissioned airport. All passengers were evacu- notched 45 degrees and Aurangabad, Nanded and among boys was only 47.61%. The pass percent- extension technologies developed for the first time in Plant in Gujarat. The villagers say the plant’s con- ated safely from the aircraft and arrangements Osmanabad recorded 42 degrees and many other age among private (open school) candidates (total India. “The successful test will result in huge savings of struction and operations did not comply with the were underway to tow it back to the runway for parts of north and west Maharashtra, were in the 11,864) was 66.72%. Last year, only 35.48% private replacement cost of missiles held in the inventory of environmental plan set out for the project. checks and repairs. 40-plus degrees range. students could clear the examination. the armed forces,” the defence minister tweeted. Shah defends BJP’s attempt to form govt in Karnataka

IANS horse-trading, while the Con- New Delhi gress had sold out its entire sta- ble,” he said. “The Congress undemocrati- JP president Amit Shah cally locked its MLAs in a fi ve- yesterday said that being star hotel. If they had not locked Bthe single-largest party in their MLAs in fi ve-star hotels Karnataka Assembly, it was his the people would had told them party’s responsibility to stake whom to vote. If they had known claim to form the government the wishes of people, the BJP and there was nothing “undem- might have won the trust vote,” ocratic or unethical” in it. he claimed. He said if the Congress and Shah also hit out at Congress the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) leaders for celebrating govern- had not locked their MLAs in ment formation in Karnataka. five-star hotels and allowed “What is the Congress celebrat- them to interact with people, ing? More than half of their min- the JD-S would have support- isters lost. The chief minister ed the Bharatiya Janata Party was defeated from one seat. And, (BJP). why is JD-S celebrating? For get- “The BJP emerged as the sin- ting 37 seats?” JD-S leader Danish Ali and Karnataka chief minister designate H D Kumaraswamy call on Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi gle-largest party in Karnataka. Responding to opposition yesterday. Also seen is Congress leader K C Venugopal. The mandate was in favour of the charges that the Congress was BJP. The Congress and the JD-S not allowed to form governments formed an alliance against the in Manipur and Goa despite people’s mandate. This is what emerging as the single-largest I call an unholy alliance,” Shah party, he said: “In Goa and Ma- said while addressing a press nipur, despite being the sin- conference at the party head- gle-largest party, the Congress quarters here. did not stake claim. They were He said the BJP’s vote share resting and sleeping. Thus the Process to oust Modi saw a major increase despite governor invited us. We formed Congress crossing all limits of governments and also proved political decency by aligning majority.” with anti-national organisa- “History shows misuse of Ar- tions. ticle 356 was done most number “The mandate was clearly of times by Congress. I have a anti-Congress. Wherever JD-S list of the governments that have has started: Antony won, our organisation was weak. been toppled and formed by The chief minister lost his seat Congress against the mandate. IANS peace,” the former defence min- “The process to oust Modi through horse trading,” the sen- Earlier the Congress chief and many of his ministers were Only during Indira Gandhi’s ten- Thiruvananthapuram ister said at a party meeting here from power has already started. ior Congress leader said. along with his mother So- defeated. This proves that the ure, Article 350 was used over held to commemorate the death We will accomplish the task by Meanwhile Congress presi- nia Gandhi and sister Priyanka mandate was anti-Congress,” he 50 times and governments were anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi. joining hands with secular par- dent Rahul Gandhi yesterday re- Gandhi and her husband Robert said. toppled. Jawaharlal Nehru was ajiv Gandhi was a very tall Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated ties. That’s what we saw in Kar- membered his father and former Vadra visited the Veer Bhumi to The BJP chief said that being the fi rst to use Article 356 in Ker- leader unlike Prime Min- on May 21, 1991, by a woman op- nataka where the Congress and prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on pay a fl oral tribute. the single-largest party, it was ala,” Shah said. Rister Narendra Modi and erative of the now-vanquished Janata Dal-Secular teamed up (to his 27th death anniversary saying Congress leaders, including the right of BJP to stake claim. He said Congress leaders the Congress agenda is to see Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam keep the BJP out of power),” An- it was he who taught him to love former prime minister Man- “So, should we have opted for should learn their history and tell that Modi is ousted from power at a rally in Tamil Nadu’s Srip- tony said. and respect all beings. mohan Singh and leader of the election again? Had we not the country about it. since he has butchered the sanc- erumbudur town in a bomb blast. Antony also accused Modi of Rahul Gandhi in a tweet yes- party in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun staked claim to form the gov- “They don’t see their history tity of democracy, senior Con- “Modi is one who gives the misusing the Karnataka gover- terday said: “My father taught Kharge, also paid homage to Rajiv ernment, it would have been and preach us on democracy. gress leader A K Antony said least importance to values, while nor’s offi ce to ensure that even me that hate is a prison for those Gandhi’s memorial. against the mandate. There was Those, who without reason put yesterday. Rajiv Gandhi was one who stood when the Congress-JD-S com- who carry it. Today, on his death Former president and a long- nothing unethical or undemo- lakhs of people into jails and cen- “Rajiv Gandhi as prime minis- for these. Had the former prime bine had more seats in the new anniversary, I thank him for time party member Pranab cratic in it.” sored press, are preaching to us ter sacrifi ced Congress govern- minister been alive, by now In- Assembly than the BJP, it was teaching me to love and respect Mukherjee was also present. Responding to charges of at- on democracy. Leave Congress ments in then troubled Punjab, dia would have reached among not invited to form the govern- all beings, the most valuable gift West Bengal Chief Minister tempts of horse-trading by the aside, I am surprised to see even Assam, and Mizoram to ensure the top nations of the world. It ment. a father can give a son.” Mamata Banerjee tweeted: “Sol- BJP, Shah hit back, saying it was you people (media) are listening that peace returned to these was during his times that huge “Six Union ministers led by Sharing a photo of the former emnly and very fondly remem- Congress which sold its stable to to it,” he said in an obvious attack states, while the Bharatiya Janata strides was made in the informa- Piyush Goyal stayed put in Ben- prime minister, he wrote, “Rajiv bering former Prime Minister form government in the state. on Congress for imposing Emer- Party governments (in the states) tion technology and telecommu- galuru to see that a minority Gandhi, those of us that love you Rajiv Gandhi on his death anni- “We are being alleged only of gency in the country. are used by Modi to unsettle nication sectors,” he added. BJP government got a majority hold you forever in our hearts.” versary.”

Kerala downplays Nipah President refuses outbreak fears as toll rises honorary doctorate IANS should not be limited to only get- Solan ting a job. IANS Medical College to tackle the ily Welfare, J P Nadda, said in a Students can start their own Kozhikode/New Delhi present outbreak. statement from Geneva. enterprises by using their skills The Nipah virus, spread by Nadda said he had a talk resident Ram Nath Kovind and learning, he added. fruit bats that infects both ani- with Union Minister of State yesterday refused to accept The president also urged the fter three lives were lost to mals and humans, has claimed for Tourism, Alphons Kan- Pan honorary doctorate that students to take advantage of the Nipah virus (NiV) and the lives of two brothers and their nathanam, and Kerala Health was to be conferred on him by the various schemes and initiatives Aeight people are battling aunt in Perambra, Kozhikode Minister Shailaja. Union horticulture and forestry univer- of the union and state govern- the disease in Kerala’s Kozhikode district within a few weeks, and health secretary Preeti Sudan sity at its annual convocation in ments to set up their businesses district, both the state and the now eight more people are under also spoke to the Kerala prin- Nauni near here. in the agricultural sector. Central governments yesterday observation. cipal health secretary and re- The Dr Y S Parmar Univer- “There is immense potential took comprehensive measures to State health offi cials visited viewed the situation. sity of Horticulture and For- in the fi eld of fruit and vegetable contain the outbreak of the rare the victims’ house and sealed the In a tweet late on Sunday, estry planned to confer a doc- processing. With their knowl- virus. Doctors claim it is just an- unused well that had lots of bats, Nadda said: “Reviewed the situ- torate of science (D.Sc) degree edge and enterprise, graduates other viral infection and there is said Shailaja and added that peo- ation of deaths related to the Ni- on President Kovind, who gave from the university could help nothing to panic. ple are being educated to ensure pah virus in Kerala with secretary away degrees and gold medals to consumers in the country and “All the periphery hospitals that they do not eat any fruits health. I have directed director meritorious students at the ninth abroad get better food products of the Kozhikode Medical Col- fallen from trees. NCDC to visit the district and in- convocation of the varsity. and help farmers get better value lege Hospital are fully equipped To strengthen Kerala gov- itiate required steps as warranted “The president refused to re- for their produce.” to tackle the fever. All those who ernment’s fight against the by the protocol for the disease in ceive the honorary degree,” a Increasing the income of have fever need not rush to the virus, the central government consultation with state govern- university offi cial said. farmers and development of ru- medical college. At the moment, yesterday assured the state of ment.” “I respect your sentiments ral India is the country’s top pri- eight patients are undergoing all support and sent a multi- The central team includes but I can’t accept it,” the offi cial ority, the president insisted. treatment. Their samples have disciplinary central team from Sujeet K Singh, director, Na- quoted the president as saying. Kovind said research in hor- been sent to Pune and results the National Centre for Dis- tional Centre for Disease Control Himachal governor and uni- ticulture and forestry held a are awaited,” said Kerala Health ease Control (NCDC) to the (NCDC); S K Jain, head epidemi- versity chancellor Acharya Dev- special signifi cance for farmers Minister K K Shailaja. district. ology, NCDC; P Ravindran, di- vrat and Chief Minister Jai Ram in mountainous states such as The minister said all arrange- “We are closely monitoring rector, Emergency Medical Relief Thakur were present on the oc- Himachal Pradesh. ments are in place, things are un- the situation. I have also dis- (EMR); and Naveen Gupta, head casion. Over the past three decades, der control and there is no need patched a central team to as- zoonosis, NCDC, along with two The president awarded eight the university has contributed to panic. The state government sist the state government and clinicians and one expert from gold medals at the event. Speak- signifi cantly to the advancement has sanctioned an emergency initiate required steps,” Union the ministry of animal husband- Animal husbandry department and forest off icials cover a well ing in Hindi on the occasion, he of horticulture and forestry in fund of Rs2mn to the Kozhikode Minister of Health and Fam- ry. with net to catch bats at Changaroth in Kozhikode yesterday. said that the goal of education the state. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 22, 2018 19 INDIA

CONTROVERSY LAW AND ORDER STAND HEALTHCARE TRIAL Ex-minister’s brother Police foil student’s Goa defends ban on entry Delhi plans free dialysis Top executives at PNB abuses Kashmir CM staged abduction plan of Hindu group chief in private hospitals misled central bank: police

The Jammu and Kashmir Police yesterday A class X student from Udaipur in Rajasthan The Goa government yesterday defended its ban The Delhi government is planning to provide free Senior executives at the Punjab National Bank filed charges against Choudhary Rajinder staged his own “abduction” for ransom, but was on Rashtriya Hindu Sena chief Pramod Muthalik dialysis in private hospitals for patients whose misled the central bank in late 2016 over the Singh, brother of former minister and BJP outsmarted by police who found him and reunited from entering the state, calling him a rabble- annual income is below Rs300,000 and have been lender’s handling of the financial messaging leader Choudhary Lal Singh, for using abusive him with his family yesterday. The teenager had rouser who incites religious violence. Describing residing in the capital for the past three years, system and credit guarantees that were at the language against Chief Minister Mehbooba gone missing for two days from his house, and was Muthalik – banned from entry since 2014 – as a Health Minister Satyendar Jain said in the capital centre of a more than $2bn fraud, police alleged Mufti. Director general of police S P Vaid found travelling on a train when he was caught by “religious fanatic”, advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai yesterday. Addressing the media, the minister in a charge sheet filed in court. PNB said earlier said: “We have lodged charges against Singh police. The boy had used an app to make a ransom told a court that there were 50 criminal cases said the government was looking for hospitals this year that two jewellery groups headed by under relevant sections of law and further call to his father. The police scanned CCTV footage pending against him. The Rashtriya Hindu Sena who would provide dialysis to eligible patients Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi had action will follow.” In a video that went viral from near the family’s residence and public places is a parent body of the Sri Ram Sene, notorious at Rs1,274, which would be reimbursed by the defrauded it of about $2.2bn by raising credit on social media, Singh is heard using abusive like railway station and bus stops. They came for indulging in moral policing and attacking government. The hospitals or dialysis centres from overseas branches of other Indian banks language against the chief minister. In his across footage showing the teenager roaming at perceived opponents. The Goa government’s should have more than 10 dialysis machines and using illegal guarantees issued by rogue PNB reaction, former chief minister Omar Abdullah the Udaipur railway station and boarding a Delhi- description of Muthalik came in the course of the should be central government health scheme staff at a Mumbai branch over several years. demanded action against Singh for what he bound train. Teams were dispatched to Delhi from hearing of a plea by Muthalik, challenging the ban (CGHS) or Delhi government employees health Modi and Choksi, who are out of India, have called “unacceptable act”. where the boy was recovered and brought back. on his entry into the state. scheme (DGEHS) empanelled. denied any wrongdoing.

Murder of maid leads to calls for India-Russia tough laws ties to scale Thomson Reuters Foundation New Delhi/Mumbai

he murder of a teenage maid yesterday triggered Tcalls for the government to urgently pass laws to curb new heights, traffi cking and update legisla- tion that lets children work as domestic help. Police said the 16-year-old girl from Jharkhand was strangled and her body chopped up and dumped in a drain earlier this month af- stresses Modi ter she demanded a year’s un- paid salary from the employment IANS to create additional momentum India in 2010. agency that hired her. A man, who Sochi (Russia) recently. Last year, our trade saw In his remarks, Modi congratu- worked at the agency that brings a signifi cant increase, adding an- lated Putin for being re-elected for girls from poor families in rural ar- other 17% since the beginning of the fourth time with a huge major- eas to work in Delhi, was arrested rime Minister Narendra this year,” he said. ity. late last week, senior Delhi police Modi yesterday said that Stating that Russia and India are “Since 2000 when you assumed offi cer Rajender Singh Sagar said. Pties between India and proactive in their foreign policy this offi ce, you have maintained a “How can we allow our little Russia will continue to scale co-operation, including within in- close relationship with India,” he daughters to be brutally killed af- newer heights following an in- ternational organisations such as said. ter traffi cking and exploitation? formal summit he held with Rus- the UN, Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, “When you came to India for the Where is the rule of law?” Indian sian President Vladimir Putin China, South Africa) and now the fi rst time after becoming president Nobel laureate and child rights here. Shanghai Co-operation Organisa- and when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was activist Kailash Satyarthi said on “Extremely productive discus- tion (SCO), Putin said: “We have the prime minister of India, you Twitter. sions with President Putin,” Modi established close contacts and col- said very eloquently back then The case has put the spotlight tweeted. laboration between our defence that India and Russia were ancient on the abuse of domestic servants “We reviewed the complete agencies. All this is indicative of civilisations and vibrant democra- in the country where millions of range of India-Russia relations as the high level of strategic relations cies. People of India still remem- people, including children traf- well as other global subjects,” he between our countries.” ber this.” fi cked from remote and impover- said. Modi arrived here earlier yester- Stating that Russia and Putin ished states, toil for long hours in “Friendship between India day on a nine-hour visit for the in- specifi cally hold special signifi - homes with little freedom or pro- and Russia has stood the test of formal summit proposed by Putin cance in his own political jour- tection. time. Our ties will continue to soon after his re-election as Rus- ney, Modi said in 2001, after he Satyarthi urged the government scale newer heights in the coming sian president. became chief minister of Gujarat, to pass the new anti-traffi cking years.” Modi’s visit comes after nation- within one month he got the op- bill, that was cleared by Cabinet Earlier, Modi said that his infor- al security adviser Ajit Doval and portunity to visit Russia along in February but has not been ta- mal summit with Putin will take foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale with Vajpayee. bled in parliament yet, and called bilateral ties to a new level. visited Moscow earlier this month “In Moscow, as chief minister, for the enactment of another bill “I am happy that I got the op- to discuss a way out of the US the fi rst world leader I met was to regulate employment agencies. portunity to be a guest of President sanctions on Russian fi rms. you and in a way I got introduced With stringent punishment Putin and that too in Sochi,” Modi The sanctions against Russian to foreign relations through you,” for traffi ckers and quick relief for said after being received with a oligarchs and companies, includ- he said. victims, campaigners believe the warm hug by Putin at his summer ing Rosoboronexport, the state- Recalling that 18 years ago, Va- anti-traffi cking law will result in residence, Bocharev Creek, in this owned Russian weapons trading jpayee and Putin sowed the seeds more arrests and convictions. resort city on the Black Sea coast. company, has raised concerns in of the India-Russia Strategic Part- About 60% of the more than “Russia has always remained a India about a possible impact on nership, Modi said: “Together, 23,000 traffi cking victims rescued true and fast friend of India,” he India’s military buys from Mos- both of us can today proudly say in 2016 were children, govern- said. cow. that the seeds that Vajpayee and ment data shows. “We have been regularly hold- The withdrawal of the US from you sowed have grown to a Spe- Campaigners have blamed the ing bilateral meetings but I am the Iran nuclear deal can be seen cial and Privileged Strategic Part- dilution of the child labour act for grateful to President Putin for in- as another major reason for the in- nership. This in itself is a very big more children being traffi cked for viting me for an informal summit formal summit. achievement.” domestic work. which has taken our relationship Putin is expected to visit India The prime minister said that he The parliament approved a to a new level.” later this year for the annual bilat- too had the chance to work shoul- controversial law in 2016 allowing On his part, Putin said that there eral summit. der-to-shoulder with Putin for the children to work for family busi- is no need to explain Russian- The relationship between India last four years whether it be bilat- nesses, despite widespread con- Indian relations, since these have and Russia was elevated to that of eral relations or international ties cern that it would push more of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet at the Black Sea resort of Sochi, deep roots. a Special and Privileged Strategic and he was “happy about it”. them into labour. Russia, yesterday. “However, we have been able Partnership during Putin’s visit to

Train ablaze Industry chiefs warn as Ragpicker beaten fuel prices at record high to death in Gujarat IANS suspected that Mukesh was trying Rajkot/Gandhinagar to steal from his factory. He and his IANS “At a time when the economy is temporary relief to the consum- workers soon caught Mukesh and New Delhi on a recovery path, rising oil prices ers, the sustainable solution lies in his wife and began beating them are again posing a high risk to the the automobile fuel coming under olice yesterday arrested with sticks. growth trajectory,” a Ficci state- the Goods and Services Tax, which four persons for brutally They allowed Champaben to ith transport fuel pric- ment said here. can happen only after the Centre Pbeating to death a Dalit go after some thrashing but con- es in Delhi and Mum- “Over the last few years, falling and states together reduce their ragpicker near Rajkot city in Gu- tinued hitting Vaniya. He was left Wbai touching an all- oil prices contributed signifi cantly dependence on the fuel considera- jarat on suspicion of theft. in pain at the place. Soon Cham- time high, industry chambers, towards improving the health of bly,” said D S Rawat, secretary gen- The state government promptly paben returned with some men Ficci and Assocham, yesterday the economy. With global oil pric- eral of Assocham. He said, rising announced a fi nancial compensa- and took Vaniya to the Rajkot Civil called for the government to ur- es once again spiralling upwards, crude prices coupled with a weak- tion of Rs825,000 for the family of Hospital where he was declared gently reduce fuel excise duties. the macroeconomic risks of higher er rupee had a cascading impact on the deceased. brought dead. It also urged the government to infl ation, higher trade defi cit and infl ation and poses “a major chal- Mukesh Vaniya, 40, was tied She lodged a complaint against bring automobile fuels under the pressure on balance of payments lenge for the Indian macro picture and brutally thrashed by factory the factory owner and workers. purview of Goods and Services with attended consequences for and ironically, there is a little that owner and workers of Radadiya Jaysukh Radadia and his associ- Tax (GST). the rupee value have once again can be done in the short term.” Industries in Shapar-Veraval area ates Chirag Vora, Divyesh Vora and The price of petrol per litre in surfaced,” Ficci president Rashesh In the long run, India needs to of Rajkot district and died late on Tejas Zala were arrested, super- Delhi yesterday under the dynam- Shah said. rework its energy security and en- Sunday evening. He was accused intendent of police Shruti Mehta ic pricing regime touched a record “There is also a risk that mon- sure that petrol and diesel do not of trying to steal from the factory, said. Minister of State for Home high of Rs76.57, already having etary policy may turn hawkish, remain a huge revenue resource. police offi cer Shruti Mehta said. Pradeepsinh Jadeja told reporters beaten on Sunday the previous which would, in turn, have a bear- Rather than being a revenue source The entire incident was cap- yesterday evening: “The accused high of Rs76.06 in the city on Sep- ing on the growth of private in- for the government, the auto fuel tured on CCTV and the footage face charges under Section 302 tember 14, 2013. In Mumbai petrol vestments,” he said. should drive the economic growth, later went viral on social media, for murder and 308 for culpable price was at Rs84.40 per litre yes- Reacting to the spiralling fuel Rawat added. with Vadgam MLA and Dalit rights homicide and various sections of terday. price Oil Minister Dharmendra Even though oil is now consid- activist Jignesh Mevani tweeting the Atrocities Act.” In the other major cities like Pradhan said the government ered less of an independent driver the news with hashtag Gujarat is He said” “The family had de- Kolkata and Chennai, the price of was “sensitive towards the rising of business cycles than before, the not safe for Dalits. manded a fi nancial package, a the fuel rose to near fi ve-year highs fuel prices” and various alterna- State Bank of India (SBI) yester- The incident took place when fi ve acre plot, a free house, pub- at Rs79.24 and Rs79.47 per litre re- tives are being explored. “I hope day said the recent surge in crude Vaniya and his wife Champaben, lic shaming of the accused and spectively yesterday. something will work out soon,” he oil prices is likely to impact the Smoke and fire billows out from a coach of a passenger who are ragpickers, were engaged monthly payment of Rs10,000 to Diesel yesterday rose to its high- added. country’s imports and stretch the train after it caught fire near Birlanagar railway station in in their usual work near Radadia the family. The state government est level of Rs 67.57 per litre in the “While a cut in excise duty on ongoing fi scal’s current account Gwalior yesterday. Industries. on its part announced a sanction national capital. petrol and diesel may provide defi cit (CAD) to 2.5% of GDP. Factory owner Jaysukh Radadia of Rs825,000”. Gulf Times 20 Tuesday, May 22, 2018 PAKISTAN

Sabika’s dad hopes No date yet but parties her death can spur start poll preparations reform Internews its platform in Peshawar. resigned from their respective look into family infl uence, pub- sembly and 14 provincial assem- their names had not been fi nal- Reuters Peshawar The recently-revived Mutta- parties and joined the PTI in the lic contacts and vote-bank in bly seats, but it said the names ised. Islamabad hida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) has hope to get its ticket for contest- a constituency while awarding would be fi nalised after adjust- The PPP has also sought ap- yet to decide its candidates for ing the general election. ticket to a candidate,” said Arbab ment with the other compo- plications for tickets in Pesha- he Election Commission the general election, but one of On the other hand, the PTI Usman, who pointed out that his nents of the MMA in the district. war. he father of a Pakistani of Pakistan (ECP) has yet its major components, Jamaat- lost its four MPAs after the Sen- father was elected fi ve times to “The party’s local chapters According to sources, dozens girl killed in a Texas school Tto announce the sched- e-Islami (JI), has announced ate election, which might aff ect provincial assembly from that and activists have proposed the of applications had been re- Tshooting said yesterday ule for the general election, but candidates for all fi ve National its vote-bank. area. names for potential candidates, ceived for national and provin- that he hoped that the death most of the political parties Assembly and 14 provincial as- “The party had received doz- ANP provincial general sec- but the fi nal decision rests with cial assemblies’ seats. of his daughter, who wanted to have started preparations for the sembly constituencies. ens of applications for tickets retary Sardar Hussain Babak the MMA leadership,” said JI Former federal minister Arbab serve her country as a civil serv- polls in most parts of Khyber Pa- As per the fresh delimitation, in Peshawar district, but pref- said that his party had awarded spokesman Mohammad Iqbal. Alamgir Khalil, his spouse Asma ant or diplomat, would help spur khtunkhwa. Peshawar now has fi ve National erence would be given to those tickets to Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, He said that Sabir Hussain Alamgir, former speaker Kiram- gun control in the United States. The Peshawar district will Assembly constituencies, i.e. who remained loyal to it,” PTI Arbab Kamal, and Alamgir Khan Awan, Dr Iqbal Khalil, Niaz atullah Chagarmatti, Ziaul- Santa Fe High School, south- have one extra National As- NA-27, NA-28, NA-29, NA-30 MPA Shaukat Yousafzai said. Khalil for the three National As- Mohammad, Siddiqur Rehman lah Afridi, Zahir Ali Shah, Haji east of Houston, on Friday joined sembly and three provincial as- and NA-31. He added, however, that sembly seats in Peshawar. Paracha, and Mian Noor Saeed, Sharif, and Ibrar Khan Nahaqi a grim list of US schools and sembly seats in the 2018 general The provincial assembly con- electables and prominent per- are the expected candidates for are the prominent PPP leaders campuses where students and election as per the new delimita- stituencies start from PK-66 to sonalities who had joined the While the PTI is facing the National Assembly constit- who have applied for tickets. staff have been gunned down, tion of constituencies. PK-79. PTI would not be ignored in the a problem of having too uencies in Peshawar. The Qaumi Watan Party stoking a divisive US debate The Awami National Party The previous NA-1 constitu- distribution of tickets. many ticket-seekers, the Mohammad Iqbal added that (QWP) has also asked for appli- about gun laws. (ANP) has taken the lead by an- ency has now been given to the The critics said that the PTI PML-N appears to have Hafi z Hashmat, Kashif Azam, cations for party tickets in Pe- Among the eight students and nouncing its candidates for three remote and mountainous Chitral would face problems in several no prominent names Javed Mohmand, Khalid Waqas shawar and has yet to announce two teachers killed in Texas was National Assembly and eleven district. constituencies in Peshawar due contesting from Peshawar Chamkani, Sherzaman, and the candidates. 17-year-old Pakistani exchange provincial assembly seats. A number of politicians, in- to having too many prominent Khalid Gul Mohmand would be QWP general secretary Hash- student Sabika Sheikh. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf cluding Noor Alam Khan of the fi gures vying for its ticket. He said applicants have been the expected candidates for pro- im Babar said that he would “Sabika’s case should become (PTI) has apparently emerged Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), For example, Arbab Usman interviewed for the remaining vincial assembly constituencies contest the election from the an example to change the gun the most popular party in Pe- Arbab Najeeb of the ANP, Nasir quit the ANP, and then the PPP, two constituencies. in Peshawar. provincial assembly constitu- laws,” her father, Aziz Sheikh shawar, considering the number Khan Musazai of the PML-N, and joined the PTI. He said that Haroon Bil- When contacted, Jamiat Ule- ency PK-66. told Reuters, speaking by tel- of applications for party ticket late provincial minister Arbab He is seeking ticket for PK-69 our, Syed Aqil Shah, Saqibullah ma-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) pro- He said that the names of ephone from the family home in for contesting the polls. Ayub Jan’s son Arbab Usman, Peshawar while his political ri- Chamkani, Khushdil Khan, Ma- vincial information secretary other candidates would soon be the city of Karachi. However, it could face diffi - late PPP leader Iftikhar Khan val Taimur Khan Jhagra has also lik Nasim, Haji Hidayat, Ibrar Abdul Jalil Jan said that the party announced. Most Pakistani youngsters culty in choosing candidates for Jhagra’s nephew Taimur Khan joined the party and applied for Khalil, Ashfaq Khalil and Haji had not fi nalised names of can- The PML-N has no prominent dream of studying abroad, with the election as a majority of the Jhagra, former Peshawar dis- party ticket for the same con- Awais have been given tickets for didates, but had proposed three fi gures to contest the next polls the US the favourite destination ticket-seekers are newcomers trict offi cial Shaukat Ali, former stituency. Provincial Assembly seats. names for each Provincial As- from Peshawar. for many. who recently joined the Imran PML-N member of the Pro- They would also have to con- Sardar Hussain Babak said sembly and National Assembly However, the sons of Khyber Aziz Sheikh said that the dan- Khan-led party. vincial Assembly (MPA) Arbab tend with sitting PTI MPA Arbab that candidates for PK- 72, PK- seat from Peshawar. Pakhtunkhwa Governor Iqbal ger of a school shooting had not On the other hand, the Paki- Akbar Waseem, late PTI mem- Jehandad and aspiring candidate 73 and PK-79 Peshawar were yet He added that Ghulam Ali, Zafar Jhagra, Adviser to Prime crossed his mind when he sent stan Muslim League – Nawaz ber of the National Assembly Nawabzada Shakil Afridi, who to be announced. Maulana Amanullah Haqqa- Minister Amir Muqam, and Ha- Sabika to study in the United (PML-N) has yet to attract any (MNA) Gulzar Khan’s son Asad has done work at the grassroots The Jamaat-e-Islami’s Pesha- ni, Asif Iqbal Daudzai, Khalid roon Sifat are likely to contest States for a year. prominent fi gures or political Gulzar, former ANP lawmaker level in the constituency. war chapter has announced its Waqar, and Atifur Rehman could election on the PML-N ticket Now he wants her death to families to contest the polls from Aurangzeb Khan, and others “The party would defi nitely candidates for fi ve National As- be the potential candidate but from Peshawar. help spur change. “It has become so common,” he said of school shootings. “I want this to become a base on which the people over there can stand and pass a law to deal with Karachi this. I’ll do whatever I can.” Students said that the teenag- er charged with fatally shooting faced with 10 people, Dimitrios Pagourtzis, opened fi re in an art class shortly before 8am on Friday. sweltering Sabika was part of the YES (Youth Exchange and Study) programme funded by the US heatwave State Department, which pro- vides scholarships for students from countries with signifi cant AFP Muslim populations to spend Karachi an academic year in the United States. Her family spoke to her every esidents of Pakistan’s day and she had been due to re- largest city Karachi were Dealing with the heat turn to Pakistan on June 9, at the Rurged to seek shelter yes- A woman holds her child, covered with a towel to avoid sunlight, end of the school year. terday as the temperature hit during a heatwave in Karachi. Meanwhile, residents (right) cool off at Her father said Sabika had 44° Celsius (111.2° Fahrenheit), Karachi’s Clifton beach, rest in the shade (below), or get hosed down wanted to work in government in sparking fears of widespread with water (below, right). some capacity, to help her coun- heatstroke during the month of try. Ramadan. “She would say she wanted to The Pakistan Meteorologi- join the foreign offi ce or the civil cal Department warned that the service,” her father said. “The sweltering heat would continue reason was that she said was throughout the week, forecast- there is a lot of talent in Pakistan ing daytime temperatures of be- but the image and perception of tween 40°C and 43°C. the country was really bad, and “Considering the ongoing ob- she wanted to clear that up.” servance of Ramadan and people fasting, authorities have to en- sure adequate supply of power Islamabad schools and water,” the department said in a statement. to get summer Karachi mayor Waseem break from June 2 Akhtar urged residents to stay indoors during the day to avoid Ending confusion about the heatstroke. annual summer vacation, the Still thousands remained Federal Directorate of Education outdoors where they huddled (FDE) has announced that June around public taps, wetting tow- 1 will be the last day of students els to cover their heads. Census results fi nalised without third-party audit in government schools of the The city of more than 15mn is Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). hit by frequent power cuts and The holidays will formally begin has few green spaces. Internews The fi nal results of the coun- sults of the census, which revalidating the census results, lation to stay put in the same on June 4 after the weekend and People living on its streets Islamabad try’s sixth census, conducted puts the country’s population and decided on November 24, number and location. will last until August 10. have little access to shelter or last year, are now expected to at 207.77mn with an annual 2017 to have an independent The results, in all probability, The schools will resume classes safe drinking water, making reach the Council of Common growth rate of 2.4%. audit. would add to the existing con- on August 13 after the weekend. them acutely at risk in blistering mid controversy over the Interests (CCI) for approval, Various stakeholders imme- However, international ex- troversy instead of resolving it. However, as the PEIRA (Private temperatures. process, implication and without independent valida- diately raised questions over perts have advised the govern- On top of that, billions of Educational Institutions In June 2015, about 1,200 peo- Aoutcome, the third-par- tion, before the current assem- the outcome of the exercise, ment that given the length of rupees would be needed for an Regulatory Authority) has yet ple died in southern Pakistan ty validation exercise for audit- blies complete their term in a as some results did not match the time elapsed since the cen- exercise unlikely to guarantee a to issue a notification on the during a heatwave, with nearly ing provisional results of the few days. their expectations. sus, the PES would be an exer- resolution to the issue. summer vacation schedule, the two-thirds of the victims home- National Census 2017 seems to On August 25, 2017, the To satisfy such objections, cise in futility because a year is There was also criticism over schools it regulates are likely to less people. have reached its natural death. CCI approved provisional re- the CCI agreed to demands for too long a period for a popu- the methodology. close campuses on May 31. Number of cases pending at apex court at 15-year high

Internews ing with political matters. crease in pendency in 2016 com- well as causes of delays in the During the same period, some ference on May 5, Acting Chief constitutional stages, where Islamabad In 2001, the number of cases in pared to the previous years. disposal of cases, were consid- 14,999 cases were decided, in- Justice Asif Saeed Khosa said purely legal issues would be ad- the Supreme Court backlog was Recently, the Supreme Court ered in depth. creasing the overall pendency to that there is a need to consider judicated. recorded at 13,070, which have released its annual report 2016- It was observed that the rise 34,903. the “bar of fi nality” about adju- Likewise, the declaration also espite eff orts to elimi- since multiplied several times, 17, wherein it is stated that the in the institution of cases was According to the annual re- dication on facts, and that only proposed that adjournments on nate the backlog, the reaching its current fi gure. trend of increase in the institu- mainly on account of higher rate port, the rate of the institution of points of law should be brought frivolous grounds be curbed. Dnumber of pending cases In 2002, the number of pend- tion of cases and consequential of disposal of cases in the high cases is increasing yearly. before the superior courts. There is, furthermore, a dire is increasing day by day at the ing cases grew to 17,370. piling up of backlogs continued. courts. In 2001, 15,243 cases were fi led The conference also discussed need for reduction of strikes in Supreme Court of Pakistan, as From 2003 to 2016, the number The report says that the huge Thus, it was resolved that in the apex court. strategies for delay reduction and the courts. 38,913 cases remain pending up of pending cases was recorded as pendency has not escaped the strategies would be evolved to From 2002 to 2016, the number expeditious disposal of backlog It was also suggested that a till April 30. 20,031, 27,614, 14,984, 13,724, attention of the chief justice and deal with the heavy backlogs. of cases instituted were 13,847, cases. case management system be in- This rapid increase in the 15,186, 17,754, 18,359, 20,234, the judges, and that the mat- Moreover, the report adds that 12,990, 17,521, 15,802, 12,424, It has recommended the re- troduced to keep track of cases. number of pending cases is the 20,228, 20,314, 20,480, 22,979, ter was deliberated in full court on June 1, 2016, the pendency of 13,874, 12,189, 17,661, 16,291, duction of the adjudication tier: Another important suggestion biggest challenge faced by the top 27,639, and 32,744. meetings from time to time. the cases in the court stood at 14,164, 15,939, 18,154, 18,520, instead of a four-tier system, a that was discussed during the court, which is already criticised It is pertinent to mention here The factors leading to the 29,665, and after a year, about 19,302, and 21,619. three-tier system should be in- conference was to increase the for being more interested in deal- that there was a noticeable in- higher institution of cases, as 20,237 new cases were fi led. During the 8th Judicial Con- troduced – trial, appeal, and number of judges and courts. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 22, 2018 21 PHILIPPINES Govt concern Crowning glory over Chinese bombers in disputed zone

Opposition lawmakers maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea and turned criticise Duterte’s position; the region,” Roque told a regular them into military outposts with Manila will raise the media briefi ng at the presiden- airfi elds, radars, and missile de- issue with China in tial palace. fences. a meeting this year The Department of Foreign Beijing says its military facili- Aff airs in the Philippines said it ties in the Spratlys are purely de- Reuters was monitoring developments. fensive and it can do what it likes Manila “We are taking the appropriate on its own territory. diplomatic action necessary to Roque and foreign ministry Miss Earth Philippines 2018 winners pose for a photo during Saturday’s coronation night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. protect our claims and will con- offi cials said Manila would raise From left: Miss Earth Eco-Tourism Halimatu Tanador Yushawu of Zamboanga Sibugay, Miss Earth Water Berjayneth Goc-Ong he Philippines expressed tinue to do so in the future,” it China’s moves to militarise its Chee of Misamis Oriental, Miss Philippines Earth 2018 Silvia Celeste Cortesi of Rome, Miss Philippines Air Zahra Bianca Saldua of “serious concerns” over said in a statement, but it did not manmade islands in the Spratlys Las Pinas City, and Miss Philippines Fire Jean de Jesus of San Rafael, Bulacan. Tthe presence of China’s elaborate. during two-way consultations in strategic bombers in the dis- However, the foreign ministry China set for the second half of puted South China Sea and its stopped short of condemning the year. foreign ministry has taken “ap- China’s action, which Washing- Lawmakers in the Philippines propriate diplomatic action”, the ton said could raise tension and have criticised Duterte for set- spokesman of President Rodrigo destabilise the region. ting aside an arbitration ruling Duterte said yesterday. In Beijing, a foreign ministry by the Hague the country won 87% rise seen in Cordillera dengue cases China’s air force said bombers spokesman urged other coun- in 2016. such as the H-6K had landed and tries not to over-interpret what Former foreign minister Al- taken off from islands and reefs he called a routine military pa- bert del Rosario has urged Du- Manila Times at the DoH-CAR’s regional guet; 104 cases (11.5%) from ing mosquitoes is removed. in the South China Sea as part trol. terte to “revisit” the country’s Baguio City epidemiology and surveil- Baguio City; 76 cases (8.4%) Austria added that people of training exercises last week, “We hope that relevant parties foreign policy. lance unit, said there were from Apayao; 67 cases (7.4%) suff ering from infl uenza-like drawing angry reactions from do not read too much into this,” “We are opposed to war — as three deaths recorded — two from Abra; 24 cases (2.7%) illnesses should immediately opposition lawmakers in Manila. Lu Kang told a daily news brief- we should be. But if threatened he Cordillera office children from Baguio and La each from Ifugao and Moun- consult authorities so that their The United States also sent ing. China claims almost the en- by the use of force, we should be of the Department of Trinidad and one from Pan- tain Province; and 147 cases health concerns can be prop- ships to the disputed areas. tire South China Sea, a strategic ready to infl ict, at the very least, THealth (DoH) in the gasinan — compared to the (16.7%) from non-CAR prov- erly diagnosed. She warned the The Philippines could not in- waterway through which about a bloody nose on any attacker Cordillera Administrative Re- lone dengue-related death re- inces. Of the total number of public against self-medication. dependently verify the presence $3tn worth of sea-borne goods who is out to harm us,” Del Rosa- gion (CAR) has reported that corded during the same period reported dengue cases in the Austria noted that there was of Chinese bombers in the South pass every year. rio said in a statement. dengue fever cases increased last year. region, Austria said, 55.7% clustering of dengue cases in China Sea, said presidential Brunei, Malaysia, the Philip- Duterte has said he would not by 87% for the first 17 weeks Data obtained from the were male, aged three months several barangay (villages) in spokesman Harry Roque. pines, Taiwan and Vietnam also risk a confrontation with China of this year with a total of 903 DoH-CAR showed that of all to 89. Baguio City and Tabuk City, “But we take note of the re- have confl icting claims in the and has reiterated his openness cases in the region compared the dengue fever cases record- She said residents should Kalinga, over the past several ports that appeared and we area. to joint exploration and devel- to the 484 cases for the same ed in the region this year, 266 ensure that clear but stagnant weeks, prompting mobilisation express our serious concerns China has built seven artifi cial opment in waters believed to be period last year. (29.5%) came from Kalinga, water that is the main breed- of community health teams to anew on its impact to eff orts to islands in the Spratlys group in rich in oil and natural gas. Geeny Anne Austria, a nurse 195 cases (21.6%) from Ben- ing ground of dengue-carry- the two cities.

‘Human error’ caused collapse of girders in Cavite fl yover: Villar Senate panel set to reveal Local chain wins burger The collapse of a portion of a flyover undergoing construction war against fast food giant in Cavite was because of “human error,” Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said yesterday, Manila housing racketeers By Belly M Otordoz mark. A recent decision said Times reported. In an interview Manila Times/Lucena City McDonald’s accused Big Mak over radio dzMM, Villar said of “using for its fast-food res- that the operator admitted that By Jeff erson Antiporda opportunities,” Ejercito said in a radio interview aired over dzBB. taurant business the name ‘Big he miscalculated the launch of Manila Times He cited as example the victims of Yolanda, Sendong and Pa- ocal burger chain LC Big Mak,’ to confuse, mislead or de- the final girder, which caused blo who until now have been waiting for the completion of gov- Mak Burger Inc (Big Mak) ceive the public into believing a “domino eff ect” as it toppled ernment-funded housing projects. Ejercito said he suspects that Lhas won against fast-food that (their) goods and services five other girders on the flyover he Senate urban planning, housing and resettlement com- some landowners, in connivance with some government offi cials, giant McDonald’s Philippines originate from those of McDo’s, along Emilio Aguinaldo highway mittee will try to unmask today individuals and groups were able to sell their land even if it is not an ideal residential area. after the Supreme Court (SC) and otherwise unfairly trading in Imus. Tbehind alleged irregularities in the implementation of gov- The committee has invited National Housing Authority General reversed a contempt ruling that on the reputation and goodwill Villar said there was no indication ernment housing programmes for victims of natural and man- Manager Marcelino Escalda Jr., NHA-Visayas Area Manager Grace stemmed from charges of trade- of the McDonald’s marks, in par- that this was because substand- made calamities. Guevarra, NHA-Eastern Visayas Regional Manager Rizalde Media- mark infringement and unfair ticular, the mark ‘Big Mac.’” ard materials were used in the Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito, chairman of the Senate panel, has villo, NHA-Zamboanga City District Manager Al-Khwarizmi Indan- competition. Records showed that Mc- structure. expressed suspicion that a mafi a-like group could be responsible an and NHA-Mindanao Area Manager Ma. Alma Valenciano. Big Mak is a burger chain Donald’s then fi led a petition He said the contractor, whom he for reported delays and sub-standard housing projects intended Also expected to attend the inquiry are Christopher Morales of based in this city owned by Fran- for contempt against Big Mak did not name, would replace the for families aff ected by diff erent calamities that hit the country. Performance Builders and Dev’t Corp for Knightsridge Residences cis Dy and his family. and its president Francis Dy for six beams that collapsed. “The presence of a mafi a-like gang is not remote because and Crisanto Garcia of CS Garcia Construction for New Hope Vil- In a 13-page decision prom- “(continuing) to disobey and ig- The project was supposed to wrongdoings in projects like housing will not happen without the lage, both housing projects in Tacloban City for Yolanda victims; ulgated on February 14, 2018, SC nore their judgment obligation finish by June but because of the collusion and manipulation of erring offi cials and cheating con- Leonardo Nocum of One Dynamic Three Realty Dev’t Corp for First Division Associate Justice by continuously using, as part of incident would result in a delay tractors,” Ejercito said. He called for a Senate inquiry into the issue the Cateel Davao Oriental project for Pablo victims; and Joerge Noel Tijam dismissed McDon- their food and restaurant busi- in which the target of completion after a series of visits in various areas designated as relocation sites Lagumbay of Jorvivs Construction for Lumbia Heights, Cagayan ald’s complaint accusing Big ness, the words ‘Big Mak’ and for was reset to December. for the victims of typhoons Yolanda, Pablo and Sendong and the de Oro City project for Sendong victims. Mak of defying a September 5, “(refusing) to fully pay the dam- Villar said new girders would Zamboanga siege in 2013. The senator said that he learned during Henry Lim, the representative of HGL Development Corp for 1994, ruling by the Makati Re- ages awarded to the respondent have to be fabricated. his rounds that some of the housing projects for victims were built Valle Vista Phase 4 in Zamboanga City, a project for the Zamboan- gional Trial Court (RTC) Branch in the said case.” No one was reported hurt in in remote areas while some were situated in danger zones. ga siege victims, was also invited. Ejercito last month inspected 137 that ordered them to pay a Big Mak denied the claims the incident that happened on “They are victims of calamities. They were forced to leave their Yolanda housing units that were not only constructed using sub- P600,000,00 fi ne and to stop and said “it off ered and tendered Saturday. homes because of danger and yet they were relocated in areas that standard materials but were also built in fl ood-prone and land- using “Big Mak,” it being similar payment” to McDonald’s adver- were either in danger zones or those that do not have livelihood slide-prone relocation sites in Tacloban City. to McDonald’s own “Big Mac” tisement. Duterte to dismiss more offi cials in anti-graft drive

By Ralph Villanueva “There is the salary, but it is Duterte reminded his ap- ment and sought the help of his Duterte had asked DPWH As- anao for commissions. Mikunug Macabantog, who at Manila Times small. But that’s what you get for pointees not to engage in corrupt sister to get a request approved. sistant Secretary Tingagum Tan said she became suspi- that time, supervised projects in joining government,” he added. activities. Duterte said that when he Umpa and Justice Assistant Sec- cious when Umpa asked her to Lanao del Sur. In a speech earlier, Duterte “When I hired you, you al- learned of the request, he asked retary Moslemen Macarambon book his ticket to Cagayan de However, she was puzzled resident Rodrigo Duterte said he had asked an assistant ready knew my character. I told that the approval be struck Sr to quit. Oro, along with those of three when Umpa instructed her to is set to fi re more pub- secretary of the Department you, don’t. Don’t be corrupt be- down. “Investigation conducted by other individuals, including let other engineers supervise re- Plic offi cials, including the of Public Works and Highways cause corruption is not a vice of Duterte has fi red a number the (Presidential Anti-Corrup- their accommodations in a spe- gional projects in Lanao del Sur government corporate counsel, (DPWH), a fellow San Beda law mine,” he said. of government offi cials since tion Commission) revealed that cifi c hotel, Limketkai Luxe Ho- instead of Macabantog. as part of his anti-corruption school alumnus, to resign be- assuming offi ce for various of- Macarambon has regularly been tel. Tan said she was also instruct- purge. cause of corruption. “For me, a person cannot fences. intervening on behalf of sus- Tan said Umpa had even ed to tell contractors to deliver to Speaking before local govern- During the inauguration of the enter the government with The list includes former inte- pected smugglers of gold and claimed he was sent by “Mala- Umpa his 1-2% share from the ment executives in Cebu City on Alegria Oilfi eld Polyard-3 oil and a clean mind. No off ence rior secretary Ismael Sueno; Na- other precious jewellery in the canang” to stop corruption, but projects awarded to them. Saturday, Duterte blasted cor- gas production site in Cebu City, intended. But, public offi ce tional Irrigation Administration Ninoy Aquino International Air- there were moves to demolish his “I told (Umpa) that I can- ruption in government and said Duterte said he was thinking of is an opportunity really to chief Peter Laviña; Social Secu- port,” Palace spokesman Harry reputation. not follow his instruction as it it had become “endemic.” fi ring the government corporate make illegal money” rity System commissioner Jose Roque Jr said. According to Tan, Umpa also will destroy my image and the “I said I’ll be fi ring when I go counsel for the same reason. Gabriel “Pompee” Lavina; Mari- A regional director claimed requested a one-on-one talk DPWH organisation,” Tan said. back to Malacanang, in my of- He did not name the two gov- Duterte also warned the public time Industry Authority admin- that Umpa gave his staff some with her, giving her instructions In a Facebook post, Umpa said fi ce… I’m inclined to fi re some- ernment offi cials. anew against dropping his or his istrator Marcial Quirico Amaro; “unusual instructions” during that she described as insinua- he wanted to clear his name: “I body but I want to talk to him The Offi ce of the Government family members’ names to make Commission on Higher Educa- his inspection in Cagayan de Oro tions “to earn extra income.” want to clear my name. You pol- before I do that. There is this one Corporate Counsel is headed by money out of government trans- tion chief Patricia Licuanan; and City last May 2 to 4, a few weeks “Every time (Umpa) gave iticians who are also contractors undersecretary, well, of course, I Rudolf Philip Jurado, a member actions. Presidential Commission for before he was asked to quit. ‘unusual’ instructions, I readily are corrupt…now I’m being ac- will (fi re all of them at the same of the Volunteers Against Crime Duterte said that if they did so, Urban Poor chairman Terry Ri- In a report addressed to DPWH informed him that I do not give cused of corruption!” time) and they are about fi ve in and Corruption. “Consider it denied.” don and commissioners Melissa Undersecretary Emil Sadain, updates to the higher-ups and Umpa urged Malacanang to the list,” Duterte said in Cebua- “Just recently, I asked some- “I said, do not use – anybody Aradanas, Manuel Serra Jr, Noe DPWH Director Zenaida Tan of that delicate management mat- investigate all DPWH offi cials no. one to resign. Maybe I’ll fi re using the name, my name, my Indonto and Joan Lagunda. Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) ters in my AOR (area of respon- and congressmen engaged in the “For me, a person cannot en- the corporate counsel tomor- wife’s name, (my children’s) Recently, Labour Undersecre- revealed the many “bad” actions sibility) should not be a secret to construction business. ter the government with a clean row. I made the DPWH assist- names, my sisters and brothers, tary Dominador Say and Tour- undertaken by Umpa during his the top management. He said he “I’m calling the attention of mind. No off ence intended. But, ant secretary resign. He’s my consider it denied,” Duterte said. ism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo stint as assistant secretary. would work it out in the Central Malacanang to investigate all public offi ce is an opportunity brod (brother) in law school, but The chief executive cited a resigned because of allegations The Palace had said Umpa had Offi ce,” she added. DPWH offi cials and all con- really to make illegal money,” he I made him resign, too,” Duterte case, where an individual “ran of corruption. asked contractors in the Auton- Tan also revealed that Umpa gressmen who are contractors,” said. said in Cebuano. afoul” within a Cabinet depart- Yesterday, Malacanang said omous Region in Muslim Mind- planned to sack DWPH engineer he said. Gulf Times 22 Tuesday, May 22, 2018 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka 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 Trump’s new immigration policy needs rethinking

Here’s a frightening reality: Thousands of vulnerable kids may be headed to Texas, which is already overwhelmed with problems in its own child-welfare system. The Trump administration is scouting three military bases in Texas as possible shelters for migrant children in its new get-tough plan to separate them from parents who’ll be prosecuted for illegally crossing the Mexican border. The crackdown – under which even fi rst-time Trump works to cut off enders face separation – is intended to discourage others from trying to come here illegally. But separating families seems particularly draconian and inhumane. To make matters worse, unattached children without visas in Nafta deal a strong supportive network are easy targets for traffi ckers who prey on these kids. With an estimated it would be a mistake to essentially the Trump administration to cut the In 2003, President George W Bush’s 79,000 minors and young people ensnared in this illicit By Franco Ordonez and Anita Kumar Washington renew the TN temporary worker visa number of visas. administration included temporary trade in hotspot Texas alone, the border crackdown has category, without considering the Chris Chmielenski, Number’s USA visas from Chile and Singapore in the potential to leave more young people vulnerable to broader implications for the current director of content and activism, said its trade pacts despite congressional he Trump administration is US economy,” he wrote in a letter in the group launched a social media opposition. But Congress had to ratify traffi cking. working to slash the number of October. campaign last month because even the treaty as a whole without being able The federal visas granted to Canadian and The number of TN visa workers though the TN visa is limited to three to change pieces of it. Ripping children government has held TMexican professionals as part in the US has grown in recent years years, the renewals are uncapped. Still, Rep. Steve King, who introduced children in a network of ongoing Nafta negotiations among as the programme has become more FAIR wrote to Lighthizer in March the 2016 bill and wants to reduce the away from the three countries. attractive. In 2008, the length of stay urging him to come to an agreement number of immigrants in the US, warned of 100 shelters US Trade Representative Robert was increased from one year to three, that is in line with the Trump’s views on the Trump administration not to meddle their parents is nationwide. But with Lighthizer is leading the push as part making it an appealing alternative to immigration. in immigration issues as part of Nafta. the new crackdown of President Donald Trump’s “Buy other high-skilled visas. Approved “Admitting an unlimited number “It is important to ensure that the unacceptable American, Hire American” initiative occupations for the TN visa include of temporary foreign workers under Article I Constitutional authority given – and those shelters promised during the 2016 campaign. accountants, hotel managers, land a multinational trade agreement to the United States Congress alone to already approaching capacity – the federal government The administration wants to limit surveyors, nutritionists, engineers and – as opposed to through existing establish immigration law is respected is evaluating bases in El Paso, San Angelo and Abilene the number of eligible professions and computer systems analysts. statutory and regulatory frameworks through the renegotiation,” King wrote for additional space. The three locations would be used decrease the number of visa renewals “It’s one of these secrets in – completely undermines the Trump to Lighthizer in a letter in October. of Treaty Nafta , or TN, visas as the immigration law that people only administration’s agenda of ending The failure to complete the deal by to hold minors under age 18 who arrive at the border countries renegotiate the 1994 trade recently discovered,” said Andrew immigration abuses and protecting Ryan’s deadline is a setback for Trump, without an adult as well as children who cross with deal. Trump, who has forced the Selee, president of the Migration Policy American workers,” said RJ Hauman, who promised to scrap Nafta and their parents. renegotiation, has threatened to scrap it Institute. FAIR’s government relations director. replace it with something better. unless it addresses the US trade defi cit Congress is already debating whether Trump has repeatedly threatened to But Mexico and Canada have Texas already is struggling to fi x a broken system with Mexico. the US economy needs more foreign withdraw from Nafta unless Mexico proven formidable negotiators. that’s supposed to protect children in its care. While “At the negotiating table, the US high-skilled workers. helps halt the fl ow of undocumented Canada has pushed back against the the federal government is responsible for the welfare statements have been basically, ‘Look, “It is in our national interest to bring immigrants who cross the border into administration’s eff orts to curtail TN of the kids picked up in illegal border crossings, holes we want to scale this back, we don’t the best and brightest minds from the United States. visas, arguing that it’s important that want to agree to expand it (visas),’” said around the world to work in America, “Mexico is doing very little, if not highly skilled professionals are located in that system could put more vulnerable children on Eric Miller, a trade consultant who has create companies in America, and NOTHING, at stopping people from where they can fi nd jobs. Instead, Texas streets. worked for the Canadian government create jobs for American workers,” Rep fl owing into Mexico through their Southern it has pushed to expand the list of Border-crossing children spend an average of 45 days and continues to advise them on the Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., who represents Border, and then into the US,” Trump professionals that qualify. negotiations. Silicon Valley, said. “While some tweeted April 1. “They laugh at our dumb “The TN visa has been absolutely in the government’s care until an adult relative is able The discussions over the visas are programmes are in need of reform, immigration laws. They must stop the big essential for fi lling critical labour needs to assume custody. Of the 38,000 arrests made by the continuing even though Congress simply reducing the number of visas drug and people fl ows, or I will stop their in both United States and Canada,” Border Patrol along the Mexican border last month, passed a bill in 2016 barring any available does little to benefi t our cash cow, NAFTA. NEED WALL!” said Leon Fresco, who represents TN 9,600 of them were classifi ed as family units and about administration from trying to change nation.” The 2016 law passed after it became visa holders from Canada. “If it were the number of visas granted to a Groups that want to restrict common for administration offi cials to be revoked, there would be extreme 4,300 were children travelling alone or unaccompanied country as part of trade negotiations, immigration, including NumbersUSA to include provisions to increase disruptions to multiple fortune 500 minors. after past presidents did just that. and Federation for American the number of foreign professional companies in both countries.” - Tribune Children are taken away from people who commit Some people on Capitol Hill who Immigration Reform, are lobbying guest workers in trade agreements. News Service have studied the 2016 law’s language crimes every day, but this new policy’s punishment say the administration can work around doesn’t fi t the off ence. There’s a big diff erence between it by modifying the existing trade committing a robbery with your kids in the back seat agreement instead of writing a new one. and illegally crossing the border with your children in Lawmakers will have fi nal approval anyway because Congress must ratify tow in order to seek a better life than the one you fl ed. any new version of the North American Congress should provide comprehensive immigration Free Trade Agreement. reform for the 11mn unauthorised immigrants in the Negotiators from the United States, Canada and Mexico missed an informal US, nearly 2mn of whom are in Texas. It’s particularly deadline earlier this month set by House important to Texas as immigrants contribute mightily Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis. to complete to the state’s economy. talks to allow lawmakers to vote on a Ripping children away from their parents is new treaty this year. Talks continue, but it’s highly unlikely now that Congress unacceptable, and the government could be putting will consider the treaty this year, given them further in harm’s way. It’s disturbing that their schedule and the upcoming once again children are caught in the middle of this midterm elections. Fewer than 25,000 TN visas were complicated mess. issued for Mexicans in 2016, including Congress has been giving lip service to a fi x for years. about 10,000 for family members of It’s time lawmakers did their jobs. the TN visa recipients, according to the State Department. No statistics are kept for Canadians, who have a lower bar to meet and can seek the visas when they To Advertise arrive at the border. But some Canadian reports have put the number in the tens [email protected] of thousands. Display Those who favour restricting immigration argue the programme 44466621 44418811 could trigger a fl ood of immigrants in the United States because there are Classified no limits to the number of visas or 44466609 44418811 renewals. Senator Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, Subscription urged Lighthizer to reduce the number of TN visas, estimating the number [email protected] could approach 100,000. “Although I recognise there are risks to reopening negotiations regarding President Trump has repeatedly threatened to withdraw from Nafta unless Mexico helps halt the flow of undocumented © 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved any treaty provision, I believe that immigrants who cross the border into the United States. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 22, 2018 23 COMMENT Is big tech destroying retail markets?

By Maria Gonzalez-Miranda fragmented, such that consumers’ and Ivailo Izvorski choices will be strictly limited to the Washington, DC off erings that have been selected according to their data profi les. As any student of economics understands, nformation technology is not this kind of situation decreases overall just transforming markets; it is welfare, because every consumer will also making them ubiquitous, be forced to pay the maximum of what Iparticularly for household they are willing to spend for each good consumers. From pretty much or service they purchase, keeping anywhere in the world, one can nothing “extra” for themselves. now search out goods and services, Making matters worse, rapidly compare prices from multiple sellers, rising capital and skill requirements and give detailed shipping and delivery for production, among other factors, instructions, all with a mouse click or is sustaining a trend toward less a screen tap. competition among companies No doubt, this is a dream come true across a wide range of sectors in for anyone who grew up shopping advanced economies. This, together in real, hands-on markets, with with the systematic “extraction” sellers displaying their wares on store of consumer surplus, will have far- shelves, on public squares, or along reaching macroeconomic implications, dusty roads. In many cases, routine particularly through changes in private purchases required long waits or consumption patterns. For consumers, extensive bargaining. But with online the slice of the economic pie made markets, savings are generated in many available by their disposable incomes dimensions, and transaction costs are will shrink in real terms, leading to a fall sharply reduced at all stages of the in aggregate demand. Thus, at the end of process. the day, there will be less for everyone. Online markets have the potential Amid the ongoing debate about how to improve consumer welfare the dominant tech fi rms should and substantially, by fuelling competition should not be allowed to use personal on price, effi ciency, and customer data collected from users online, many experience, whether through search of these fi rms have continued to decide engines or single platforms such as these questions for themselves – and, Amazon. And if consumers spend With online markets, savings are generated in many dimensions, and transaction costs are sharply reduced at all stages of the process. by extension, for the rest of us, too. For smaller shares of their disposable the sake of social welfare in the years income on each purchase they make, essentially cancel out the savings once prices to diff erent people for the same This form of price discrimination competition from offl ine retailers or and decades ahead, we must ensure they will have room to consume off ered by online markets. good or service. is legal as long as it does not occur on new entrants vying for market share that these decisions are compatible more, thus boosting overall economic Indeed, if you search online for Part of the segmentation of online the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, by off ering lower prices to everyone. with the creation and maintenance of activity. a more expensive car or a more markets involves web companies or religion. Taken to the extreme, it Alternatively, the data collected in healthy, competitive markets. After But are online markets meeting this expensive vacation, that fact will be testing price points to estimate means that data about our preferences, some industries could become so all, a system that benefi ts consumers potential? documented by tracking cookies or precisely the demand curve and its incomes, and spending patterns widely shared across competing fi rms benefi ts everyone. – Project Syndicate If anything, the description above other means of online surveillance. links to household characteristics. For could soon be used to determine an that they will all converge on a single is already dated. Nowadays, online And with these data, digital advertisers example, a May 2017 article in The individually calibrated price for all price for each individual. In fact, zMaria Gonzalez-Miranda is Practice retailers use consumers’ Internet and retailers will off er you more Atlantic notes that, “As Christmas transactions. In that scenario, 100% of companies today are probably already Manager in Macroeconomics, Trade, activities and other personal data to expensive watches, home furnishings, approached in 2015, the price of consumer surplus could potentially be facing this kind of price segmentation, and Investment Global Practice at the deliver “targeted pricing.” To take one or airline tickets than they would to a pumpkin-pie spice went wild. … extracted 100% of the time. especially those that have amassed a World Bank. Ivailo Izvorski is Lead particularly controversial example, lower-income user searching within Amazon’s price for a one-ounce jar To be sure, price discrimination will lot of public data. Economist in Macroeconomics, Trade, airlines now use travellers’ data to the same categories. And in some was either $4.49 or $8.99, depending not happen for every good and service, This suggests that markets could and Investment Global Practice at the customise ticket prices in ways that cases, they might even off er diff erent on when you looked.” and the trend could be tempered by potentially become extremely World Bank.

Collaboration – the key to success Three-day forecast

TODAY will view them as attainable and fair Maximum Temperature : 380c By S Zuhair Naqvi Minimum Temperature : 260c Doha 3) Reward team, not just individual, success – Praise and reward how WEDNESDAY people work together and support Maximum Temperature : 370c recently read one of those ‘change colleagues. Make the change from Minimum Temperature : 270c the way you think’ kind of books employee of the month to team of the THURSDAY by Shawn Achor. In this book, he week Maximum Temperature : 390c Italks about how backwards our 4) Get regular feedback – Ask your Minimum Temperature : 290c initial 25 years are, explaining how we employees what they need, how they Fisherman's forecast begin our lives in schools, universities can work better together and what and environments being taught a would support them in collaborating WARNING “survival of the fi ttest” mentality. eff ectively Inshore : Nil Being constantly praised for our 5) Remove the blame culture individual achievements, encouraged – Often there is a lack of Offshore : Nil to work in silos and scolded for seeking accountability due to fear of WEATHER help from our peers. We are repeatedly blame; encourage ownership and reminded that, as individuals, we are transparency Inshore : Relatively hot daytime with responsible for our own success and Collaboration is the opportunity slight dust and at places at times need to fi nd ways to cope, persevere to work towards maximum efficiency WIND and succeed alone. by using every strength and resource Then we are suddenly thrown available within your business. In Inshore : Northeasterly-Northerly 05- 15/18 KT at places daytime into the real world and expected to the age of technology, automation Offshrore : Mainly Northeasterly 03-12 work eff ectively, collaboratively and and process efficiency, we are KT resourcefully with others. Pretty much reaching a time where the difference for the rest of our lives, our successes between companies operating in the Visibility : 4-10 KM are dependent on the ability to work same area is marginal. The biggest SEA STATE with others. differentiator is culture and, in Offshore : 1-3 FT This got me thinking about order to develop a positive culture how much we focus on rewarding where people thrive, you must put Around the region individual success, so much so we collaboration at the centre of your often forget that the real success values. Weather Weather is in collaboration. The ability to a ‘we’ rather than ‘me’ culture? I have meetings to discuss best lessons today Max/min tomorrow Max/min leverage and draw out the best in identifi ed fi ve tried-and-tested ways learned that week zS Zuhair Naqvi is the Managing Baghdad P Cloudy 41/26 Sunny 39/24 teams, groups and networks of people to rise by raising others: 2) Involve teams in setting targets Director of DicoTech Qatar WLL and a Kuwait City Sunny 38/29 Sunny 37/28 achieves far more than any individual 1) Embrace mistakes – Turn every and goals from the outset – Make Partner at The Happiness Hub Qatar Manama Sunny 37/27 Sunny 38/28 accomplishment. mistake in an opportunity to learn, goal-setting collaborative; if you get Twitter: #zuhairnaqvi Muscat Cloudy 36/30 M Sunny 37/31 So how do we start working towards create case studies and weekly commitment in the beginning, teams LinkedIn: zuhair-naqvi-dicotechqatar Tehran S Showers 28/19 P Cloudy 27/19 Live issues Moisturising bath washes may not help kids with eczema

By Lisa Rapaport treatment in that they no longer wash with soap because it can irritate One limitation of the study is Reuters Health need to use emollient bath additives, the skin, researchers note in The that it wasn’t designed to test the although they should continue to BMJ. But there’s less consensus in the eff ectiveness of diff erent types of Around the world use their other treatments, including medical community about whether emollients, the authors note. While Weather Weather hildren with eczema whose leave-on emollients, also known as children should also use emollient the fi ndings suggest that bath today Max/min tomorrow Max/min bath water contains added moisturisers,” said lead study author bath additives. additives don’t help eczema, the Athens M Sunny 30/17 Sunny 29/18 moisturisers may get no Dr Miriam Santer of the University of In the current study, doctors results don’t off er fresh insight into Beirut M Cloudy 33/25 Sunny 28/22 Cmore relief from the itchy Southampton. prescribed one of the three most- the eff ectiveness of leave-on creams Bangkok S T Storms 32/27 S T Storms 32/27 skin condition than they would “Leave-on emollients such as prescribed bath additives in the UK and ointments to prevent eczema Berlin M Sunny 24/12 P Cloudy 25/12 without the extra bath products, a moisturisers or topical creams or – Oilatum, Balneum or Aveeno – to fl are-ups or the use of emollients as Cairo P Cloudy 44/27 M Sunny 42/26 recent experiment suggests. ointments help to lock moisture the group chosen to add these to their soap substitutes. Cape Town S Showers 16/13 Rain 17/13 For the study, UK researchers into the skin and lock out irritants,” treatment regimen. Kids could also use “It is important to note that Colombo T Storm 29/26 T Storm 28/27 followed 482 children aged 1 to 11 Santer said by e-mail. “Previously other bath additives, as long as they the study encouraged the use of Dhaka T Storm 29/24 S T Storms 29/24 years old with eczema for one year. there was some suggestion that didn’t contain antimicrobials, which emollient soap substitutes and regular Hong Kong Sunny 32/28 Sunny 33/29 During the study, all of the kids stuck emollient bath additives poured into can irritate the skin. emollient use during the day as well Istanbul P Cloudy 23/17 P Cloudy 23/17 to their usual treatment routine – the water can leave a greasy ‘film’ on Overall, 93% of parents of children as anti-infl ammatory treatment as Jakarta S T Storms 33/26 T Storm 32/26 which could include moisturising the child providing a similar effect, in the bath additives group said they prescribed by the local family doctor, Karachi Sunny 41/26 Sunny 41/27 creams and ointments and topical but our study shows this doesn’t always used these products or did so so what the study says is that bath London P Cloudy 23/10 M Sunny 24/12 corticosteroids as needed – and half work.” at least half of the time. In the other emollients do not have a signifi cant Manila T Storm 35/27 S T Storms 36/27 of them were also randomly asked to Eczema is common in childhood, group, 92% of parents said they never add-on eff ect, in addition to standard Moscow M Cloudy 22/13 P Cloudy 24/13 bathe with one of three popular bath and is often treated with diff erent used bath additives or did it less than care,” said Carsten Flohr, co-author New Delhi Sunny 44/30 Sunny 43/29 additives. forms of emollients, or moisturisers half of the time. of an accompanying editorial and a New York Rain 17/14 P Cloudy 27/17 There was no meaningful diff erence that can help soften and smooth By the end of the study, there were researcher with St John’s Institute Paris P Cloudy 24/12 S T Storms 24/14 in the severity of eczema symptoms irritated skin. During fl are-ups of no meaningful diff erences between of Dermatology at King’s College Sao Paulo P Cloudy 24/11 M Sunny 22/14 between the two groups after four more severe symptoms, kids may also groups in the number of eczema London. Seoul Rain 22/13 Sunny 21/11 months, or after one year, the study be prescribed topical corticosteroids. exacerbations, the impact of eczema “Bath additives only stay on the skin Singapore T Storm 31/26 T Storm 31/27 found. Doctors generally agree that kids on quality of life or the type or for a short period of time and therefore Sydney M Sunny 22/12 Sunny 19/09 “This is important for families of should use moisturising creams and quantity of corticosteroids used for are unlikely to have a large eff ect,” Tokyo Clear 26/16 Cloudy 21/17 children with eczema as it simplifi es ointments, and that children shouldn’t severe fl are-ups. Flohr said by e-mail. Gulf Times 24 Tuesday, May 22, 2018 QATAR

The Ramadan cannon being fired at Katara. The Ramadan cannon has also become an attraction for visitors to Katara. Traditional firing of cannon at Katara attracts huge crowds

Katara – the Cultural Village Firing of the Ramadan cannon, Meanwhile, the Ramadan souq has added a new attraction a tradition still practised in – Meerat Ramadan – at Katara to its Ramadan festivities. Qatar and other parts of the has been attracting large Midfa Al Iftar, the traditional Islamic world evokes memories number of visitors since the firing of the Ramadan cannon of the past among the older beginning of the holy month, to announce breaking of the generation while it arises with its diverse consumer fast has been attracting huge curiosity and excitement among products on offer at affordable crowds at Katara since the the youngsters. By reviving this prices. During Ramadan, beginning of the holy month. tradition, Katara aims to provide the souq is open to visitors As Magrib, the time to break the Qatari and expatriate from 8pm to midnight daily. the fast approaches, a number communities in Qatar an In the days to come, Katara of visitors to Katara gather opportunity to know the past as will introduce several games around the cannon to witness well as the customs associated and entertainment activities a tradition being revived. with Ramadan. Introduced at a for children and families at The cannon is installed in the time when most people didn’t the souq, most importantly southern region of Katara own a clock or watch to know the Katara Play Station near the Meerat Ramadan, the Iftar time, the tradition still Championship which will begin Ramadan evening market. remains popular. on Ramadan 15. Katara is hosting many Ramadan activities. FBQ Museum pieces to be showcased in Europe tour By Peter Alagos that are concealed in the objects an important role in promot- in Dialogue’ exhibition will be a Business Reporter highlighted in the exhibition. ing cultural dialogue and shar- fertile source for enriching hu- ‘Cultures in Dialogue’ will be ing Qatar’s culture and inspiring man culture, helping to promote held in collaboration with Qatar stories.” and sustain diversity and cultur- variety of historical piec- Museums Authority, Unesco, Faulkner stressed, “We are al dialogue among the peoples of es from the Faisal Bin and Qatar Shell to showcase delighted to sign this sponsor- the world,” al-Sulaiti said. AQassim Al Thani Museum the exchange and dialogue ship agreement with the Sheikh Paolini said, “‘Cultures in Di- collection will be showcased in among civilisations and cultures Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani alogue’ is more than an exhibi- a European tour as part of the through a selected number of ar- Museum, demonstrating our tion of beautiful and meaningful ‘Cultures in Dialogue’ inter- tefacts from the museum’s vast shared aim to foster dialogue objects from Sheik Faisal’s col- national exhibition, which was collection. The event was high- and understanding between lection. It is an example of how announced at a launching event lighted by the signing of a spon- Qatar and the world. “Our part- through artefacts we can tell a held on Sunday in Doha. sorship agreement between FBQ nership will help build aware- story of the intertwining of dif- ‘Cultures in Dialogue’ will Museum chairman HE Sheikh ness of Qatar’s commitment ferent cultures. It tells us how be held in several European cit- Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani and to outreach, openness, and in- museums play the important ies over the next two years from Qatar Shell Companies chair- FBQ Museum chairman HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani during the announcement of the launch tegration through the nation’s role and bear responsibility to September 2018 in Valetta (Mal- man and managing director An- of ‘Cultures in Dialogue’ international exhibition. Joining him are (from left) HE the Minister of State art, heritage and culture, as well provide educational and cultural ta), the European Capital of Cul- drew Faulkner. Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari, Qatar Shell Companies chairman and managing director Andrew as linking it with that of other opportunities to the public to ture, and will head to other cities, The signing was held in the Faulkner, Qatar National Committee for Education, Science and Culture secretary-general Dr Hamda peoples and civilisations.” engage, to build self-awareness, including Paris where Unesco’s presence of HE the Minister al-Sulaiti, and Unesco Doha Office director Dr Anna Paolini. Al-Sulaiti said the exhibition create openness to knowledge, headquarters is located. of State Hamad bin Abdulaziz will build bridges of communi- appreciation and understanding The exhibition aims to stimu- al-Kuwari, FBQ Museum vice- Sheikh Faisal said, “We are and traditions for the next gen- great opportunity to position cation that transcend diff erenc- of cultural diversity, and foster late dialogue between cultures, chairman Sheikha al-Anood grateful for the confi dence erations to learn and draw from, Qatar and the wider Arab region es, and will promote a spirit of life-long learning.” religions, and countries on the Faisal al-Thani, Qatar National placed on us by His Highness the thus enriching and infl uencing as a cultural hub to an interna- tolerance and peace among the In the following months, FBQ relevance of cultural heritage. It Committee for Education, Sci- Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad society in a positive way. We tional audience.” peoples of the world. “No doubt Museum will announce more will be an opportunity for people ence and Culture secretary-gen- al-Thani, and we believe that would like to thank Qatar Shell Sheikha al-Anood said, “We that the archaeological and ar- details on the international tour- to interact with stories of ex- eral Dr Hamda al-Sulaiti, and together with Unesco, we will for their sponsorship towards are excited to offi cially launch tistic artefacts, heritage collec- ing exhibition to attract visitors change, tolerance, inspiration, Unesco Doha Offi ce director Dr actively serve our role of keep- the museum’s international ex- ‘Cultures in Dialogue’ with our tions and all forms of heritage from the diff erent venues where innovation, and understanding Anna Paolini. ing alive the history, culture, hibition. Our partnership is a partners and be able to play such that will be part of the ‘Cultures it will be hosted.

Ooredoo shows power of 5G at Amir Cup Over 160 attend WCM-Q talk on

oredoo successfully to fans, allowing them to join in containment of infectious diseases showcased three futuris- the events virtually from remote Otic applications designed locations around the world. to enhance the overall experi- Finally, the Augmented Re- QNA ence for selected spectators at ality-based navigation solution Doha Khalifa International Stadium helped visitors navigate and ac- during the recently held Amir cess diff erent locations inside Cup fi nal, the company said the stadium by combining a live eill Cornell Medicine yesterday. This came as further view of the stadium with addi- – Qatar (WCM-Q) demonstration of the potential tional computer-generated ele- Worganised a training of Ooredoo’s 5G technology, ac- ments rendered into the mobile seminar titled ‘Clinical Contain- cording to a press statement. device’s display. The applica- ment Strategies for Emerging The applications, which in tion could be used to navigate to Infectious Disease’, with the par- future would solely run on the spectator seats, parking spaces, ticipation of more than 160 from Ooredoo 5G network, includ- or food and merchandise sec- the healthcare sector in Qatar. ed an engagement platform to Ooredoo showcased three futuristic applications at Khalifa tions. The two-day seminar ex- provide robust real-time video International Stadium during the recently held Amir Cup final. “Ooredoo’s 5G network is an plained the history of infection streaming, an augmented reality important technological break- control, the human risk factors venue engagement solution and stration, Waleed al-Sayed, CEO to access live video streams of through for the telecommunica- involved in the spread of disease, Participants of WCM-Q seminar on infectious diseases. immersive VR based on high- of Ooredoo Qatar, said: “Last the game from diff erent angles. tions industry worldwide and we strategies to mitigate contami- performance Multi-access Edge week, Ooredoo became the fi rst As part of the solution, four want to lead the way in roll-out nation risk, and how to set up an comprehensive knowledge of East Respiratory Syndrome) or Computing (MEC solutions), the company in the world to launch 360-degree cameras were in- and ‘use cases’ of this state-of- eff ective isolation unit. It also ex- disease, demonstration of com- Sars (Severe Acute Respiratory statement noted. 5G technology and we prom- stalled at various locations on the-art technology. Stay tuned plained the important Standard petency in relevant standard op- Syndrome) then these particu- MEC allows applications to be ised to further demonstrate the the football pitch to capture ac- for more 5G news in the near fu- Operating Procedures (SOPs) for erating procedures, and clearly lar protocols are activated in this hosted closer to the edge of the potential that this will bring for tion from multiple viewing an- ture,” added al-Sayed. work in an isolation unit. These established protocols. particular location. Once you network, therefore closer to sub- Qatar in the future. With Kha- gles. These cameras transmitted Ooredoo’s 5G Supernet de- covered practical measures such He said: “In order for us to diagnose what your patient has scribers, to effi ciently use net- lifa International Stadium set live video streaming of the game ployment is currently under- as how to safely clean up spills, have appropriate protocols and then you have specifi c proto- work resources and open up new to host several 2022 World Cup to the consumer devices en- way and will begin by covering clinical medical surveillance, training we actually have to be cols and training for the nurses opportunities for the delivery of matches, we believed the fi nal hancing the viewing experience. an area from The Pearl-Qatar to how to respond to needle-stick able to classify where a patient and doctors who will be treating compelling, tailored services in of the Amir Cup was the perfect The Immersive Virtual Reality Hamad International Airport, injuries and how to safely remove goes when we know what they these patients.” high-traffi c locations. With this opportunity to showcase this solution enabled remote view- with Lagoona, Katara – the Cul- gloves to minimise the risk of in- have and what transmission risk The lecture was accredited lo- technology, video feeds can be state-of-the-art technology to ers to attend the match as if they tural Village, West Bay, the Cor- advertent contamination. they present. For example if a cally by the Qatar Council for effi ciently broadcast to multiple the world, which in the very near were present in the stadium. In niche and Souq Waqif. US-based expert and trainer patient has CCHF (Crimean- Healthcare Practitioners-Accred- subscribers’ devices simultane- future will be run seamlessly on the future of digital venues, this Access to the Ooredoo 5G Su- in behavioural sciences, Sean G Congo haemorrhagic fever) then itation Department (QCHP-AD) ously with millisecond latency, the Ooredoo 5G network.” solution will enable sports ven- pernet will require a 5G compat- Kaufman, emphasised that the they go to this particular area and and internationally by the Ac- Ooredoo has explained. At the event, Edge Video Or- ues to serve their fans globally, ible device, which is set to be key to success in contamination these specifi c protocols are acti- creditation Council for Continu- Speaking about the demon- chestration allowed visitors by extending live views and data available from 2019 worldwide. depends upon rigorous training, vated. If they have Mers (Middle ing Medical Education (ACCME).