BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 8 Sneijder relishing face-off Saudi bulls retreat with de as Aramco letdown adds to policy shocks Jong published in QATAR since 1978

FRIDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 10927 August 31, 2018 Dhul-Hijja 20, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Crowning glory for Qatar in Jakarta

In brief

AMERICAS | Panic Toronto mall evacuated aft er gunshots: police A mall in Toronto was evacuated yesterday while police searched for multiple armed suspects after shots were heard ringing out, a month after a mass shooting in the nation’s largest city left two dead. “Off icers have confirmed a discharge in the area. Mall is being evacuated. Avoid the area,” Toronto police said in a Twitter message. Area transit was also suspended. Police described two suspects in hoodies and jeans carrying handguns. No injuries have been reported. Television images showed scores of shoppers and retail clerks lining the sidewalks and parking lots outside the Yorkdale shopping centre – one of the largest in Canada – in Toronto’s north end. Qatar Olympic Committee President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani (front left), Olympic Council of ARAB WORLD | Violence Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani (front left) and Asian Asia president Sheikh Ahmed al-Fahad al-Ahmed al-Sabah (front centre) and Qatar Equestrian Federation Athletics Association president Dahlan al-Hamad (front right) pose with Qatar’s 4x400m relay gold-winning president Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiyah (front right) pose with equestrian jumping event silver Deadly clashes resume quartet — Abderrahman Samba (back left), Mohamed Abbas (back second from left), Mohamed Mohamed medallist Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani of Qatar (back left) and gold medallist Ali al-Khorafi of Kuwait near Libya’s capital and Abdalelah Haroun (back right) — during the podium ceremony at the 2018 Asian Games at GBK Main during the podium ceremony at Jakarta International Equestrian Park during the 2018 Asian Games in Violent clashes resumed late Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, yesterday. Jakarta, Indonesia, yesterday. PICTURE: Lotfi Garsi yesterday afternoon between rival militias south of the Libyan capital, just hours after a truce was announced to end fighting that has killed almost 30 people since Monday. The fighting broke out on Monday in suburbs south of Tripoli School environment and continued into Wednesday Mediation only way to evening after a truce collapsed, despite an appeal by the United Nations for calm. Page 3 should be attractive EUROPE | Sport settle disputes: Qatar Luka Modric named to students and UEFA player of year QNA She referred to a report of the Panel Luka Modric of Real Madrid and New York on United Nations Peace Operations Croatia yesterday received the which stressed peace processes must accolade of UEFA Player of the Year focus on the need to achieve political teachers: minister in Monaco after his Champions atar has reiterated its com- solutions. League exploits. “My father always mitment to mediation to set- Sheikha Alya expressed satisfac- QNA pushed me to fight for my dreams, Qtle confl icts and disputes by tion at the evolution of mediation ar- Doha I owe him a lot for everything,” peaceful means. rangements and tools at various levels, said Modric, whose silky midfield Qatar’s Permanent Representative stressing that it was necessary to keep skills helped Real to a third straight to the United Nations HE Ambassador pace with the changes in the nature of E the Minister of Education and European crown and then propelled Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani confl icts and threats to peace and se- Higher Education Dr Mohamed Croatia to the World Cup final. “It’s said Qatar has committed itself to be- curity. HAbdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi incredible moment for me, I feel ing a partner of the international com- Sheikha Alya: praises Kuwait’s eff orts The ambassador stressed the im- has stressed the importance of creating really excited and proud of this great munity in the face of common chal- portant role of the civil society and the a school environment that is attractive award,” said the 32-year-old, who lenges. fi rst choice in dealing with disputes. private sector, noting that the success to both students and teachers. started out at Dinamo Zagreb and She was speaking at a debate held by She noted that mediation is not a of mediation strategies in many cases He also highlighted the need to abide then had four years with Tottenham the Security Council on “Maintenance substitute for other tools to prevent depended on the identifi cation and in- by school regulations that have been before Real prised him away six of International Peace and Security: confl icts, but is rather integrated with volvement of appropriate stakeholders. developed for the benefi t of students years ago. Mediation and the Peaceful Resolution such tools within the framework of a She also noted the importance of in- and to help improve their academic of Confl icts.” comprehensive strategy for the pre- volving both women and young people performance, in addition to preparing AMERICAS | Trade Sheikha Alya said despite the un- vention, resolution and management in peacemaking and mediation to en- them for the future. just siege and illegal unilateral meas- of confl icts. sure eff ectiveness and sustainability of This necessitates non-leniency in Stocks sink amid report ures imposed since June 5, 2017, Qatar The ambassador stressed the im- those eff orts. the implementation of the regulations, new tariff s imminent continues its policy consistent with portance of addressing the root causes Sheikha Alya reviewed Qatar’s expe- he noted. US stocks dropped in afternoon its obligations under the Charter of of confl icts while recognising the link rience in mediation, especially in the HE the Minister made the observa- HE the Minister of Education and Higher trading yesterday, amid a news the United Nations and international between peace, security, development Arab and Islamic region, which result- tions yesterday while visiting Zubayr Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed report that new US tariff s on China law and working to settle disputes and and human rights. ed in many successes in the resolution Bin Al Awam Primary School for Boys Ali al-Hammadi during his visit to the are imminent. Wall Street opened confl icts by peaceful means. In recent years, the international and settlement of disputes or avoiding in Madinat Khalifa North. school yesterday. lower, retreating after four days of She renewed Qatar’s appreciation community has become increasingly further escalation. During the visit, the minister was record closes, but sank further after for the mediation led by Kuwaiti Amir aware of these realities and of the im- These eff orts have been recognised briefed on the educational process and views on the textbooks printed this Bloomberg reported that President Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al- portance of giving priority to preven- and supported by the UN Security the school’s preparedness to start the year in Qatar and their qualitative and Donald Trump wants to move ahead Sabah to resolve the Gulf crisis and tive diplomacy and the peaceful set- Council, she added. new academic year, especially in view technical aspects. with steep import taxes on $200bn contribute to enhancing the security tlement of disputes, including through She said the primary responsibil- of the fact that it is among the country’s The Minister listened to students’ in Chinese goods. The public has and stability of the region and interna- mediation, Sheikha Alya said, noting ity for settling disputes lay with the new schools. It has two classes, fi fth and aspirations, concerns and interests, until September 6 to comment on tional peace and security. that the UN General Assembly adopts parties to the confl ict, stressing the sixth, with a capacity of 600 students. and urged them to take advantage of the list of goods to be targeted, but Sheikha Alya said mediation has al- every two years a resolution on media- importance of their participation and HE Dr al-Hammadi reviewed the their time, opportunities and aca- several sources told Bloomberg ways been an essential part of diplo- tion submitted by Turkey and Finland their full commitment to settlement, distribution of textbooks and met demic options provided by the State to Trump wants to impose the punitive macy, confl ict resolution, negotiation, and supported by a large number of and the realisation of the common in- with teachers and subject co-ordi- enhance their academic performance. tariff s right after the deadline. arbitration and reconciliation as the states, including Qatar. terest of achieving reconciliation. nators. He also learned about their To Page 2 Mystery of fake Qatar protest in London deepens O E-mails reveal lengths to casting agency thousands of pounds minute by the agency, who came to agency Extra People, which off ered people didn’t want him here.” Genda told Extra People to invoice which organiser went to to organise a fake rally on the same day “understand what the hirer was ask- £20 per person to take part in the Genda provided the casting agency Neptune PR Ltd. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim ing of our artistes”, the extraordinary ‘demonstration’ against the Amir. with an address which combined his The Independent visited the address obscure identity bin Hamad al-Thani met British Prime astroturfi ng attempt just yards from Extra People said it was “contacted genuine home address with a seem- Genda provided – a building in east Minister Theresa May. No10 was probably orchestrated by by an individual” to “source people” ingly random northwest London post- London – but found only a mailbox for he mystery surrounding who at- The man, a little known artist living Qatar’s rivals. for the event. E-mails obtained by The code. the fi rm. There was no offi ce. tempted to recruit 500 actors for in south London, used fake contact Gulf states, led by Saudi Arabia and Independent show the client was a Si- He also included a mobile number Neptune PR also appears to have no Tan “anti-Qatar event” outside details and a mysterious company set the United Arab Emirates, have since erra Leone photographer called Leslie one digit diff erent to a phone number functioning website. A Twitter ac- Downing Street has deepened, after up just three months beforehand to last year placed Qatar under an eco- Genda. he is known to use. It is not clear if the count claiming to represent the com- e-mails obtained by The Independent facilitate the payment to the casting nomic blockade. The fake rally appears “They don’t have to say anything. number provided in communication pany initially denied its involvement showed the lengths to which the organ- agency. to be an escalation in attempts to in- They are just there to make the place look with Extra People belongs to Genda. in a series of tweets. isers went to obscure their identity. It remains unclear why he attempted fl uence UK and international percep- full,” he told Extra People. “The presi- He has refused to comment. “We totally refute that Neptune PR Inspired by recent protests in Lon- to pay for the rally or whether he acted tion of the region. dent (sic) of Qatar is coming to Downing After being told he needed to pro- was in anyway shape or form, engaged don against Donald Trump’s working as a middle man for another party. At the end of July, budding ac- Street and they don’t want him here. It’s vide the agency with company details or associated with any such company visit, last month a man tried to pay a Despite it being cancelled last tors were sent an e-mail from casting a bit like when Trump was coming and in order to proceed with the event, (Extra People),” it said. To Page 2 Gulf Times 2 Friday, August 31, 2018 QATAR

Envoy presents credentials Introductory meeting of 11th National Service batch

Governor-General of Australia, General Peter Cosgrove, has received the credentials of Qatar’s ambassador to the country, Saad bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud, in Canberra. Ambassador al-Mahmoud conveyed the greetings of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to the governor-general of The National Service Academy has held an introductory meeting for personnel enlisted for the 11th national service batch. Present on the occasion were a number of Australia. General Peter Cosgrove reciprocated the Amir’s commanders of the academy as well as parents of graduates of last year’s general secondary school. The meeting came in preparation for the start of the national service greetings and wished the ambassador success in his new programme in September. The programme for the 11th batch will continue for a year and comprise comprehensive training covering various military aspects and the use of assignment. weapons, in addition to simultaneous academic programmes. Off icials of the academy provided the new personnel with details and explanations on their duties and rights.

City College Doha Qatar global leader in 5G to provide bespoke learning environment

By Joey Aguilar IoT innovation: Ooredoo Staff Reporter oredoo, one of the re- critical applications such as ros and trams can leverage 5G sion – Smart grids can combine laboration, immersive virtual ity College Doha is set gion’s leading ICT pro- smart and connected transpor- broadband and GPS technology with 5G networks to monitor reality fi eldtrips, and new levels to open on September Oviders, announced yes- tation, retail, energy, healthcare, for real-time tracking that can and predict rapid increases in of automated campus safety and C2, off ering students terday that Qatar is leading education, and entertainment. reduce headways, enhance safe- demand, enable smart street security. high quality education and a global 5G and Internet of Things Yousuf Abdulla al-Kubaisi, ty, and provide real-time pas- lighting with LED lamps, and Entertainment – Theme bespoke learning environment (IoT) innovation, delivering new COO, Ooredoo Qatar, said, “5G senger information. overall provide real-time and parks, concerts, and video games “that is based in the world of levels of business success and and IoT present the biggest dynamic utilities pricing to are being transformed by 5G and business,” principal Nichole transforming citizen and cus- business opportunity of our “Our industry-leading enhance costs, effi ciency, and IoT. By connecting sensors on Munro has told Gulf Times. tomer experiences. lifetime in transforming Qatar’s 5G and IoT solutions, safety. people with mobile devices, cus- “If you look around the Nichole Munro The IoT era is seeing comput- economy, society, and environ- and channel partner Smart Healthcare – In the era tomers can design bespoke itin- campus, you can see is it’s a ers integrated into billions of ment. Our industry-leading 5G ecosystem, are guiding beyond digital patient records eraries, experience virtual reality business model, it’s a business ulated training environment everyday objects, which collect and IoT solutions, and channel Qatar’s organisations in and self-care apps, 5G’s fast concerts, and gain new levels of campus, in addition to an out- in another part of the college,” data and communicate real-time partner ecosystem, are guiding their digital transformation speeds and low latency could en- immersive gameplay. standing VLE (virtual learning Munro explained. insights over ultra-high-speed Qatar’s organisations in their journeys to seize market able robotic surgery, new levels Supporting Qatar’s organisa- environment) system to sup- In addition, the College also 5G networks. digital transformation journeys share transform daily lives of monitoring wearable devices tions, Ooredoo is seeing strong port student learning,” she said off ers a Bridging Programme Qatar is staking an early 5G to seize market share transform across the country” such as heart monitors, and Big demand for the IoT Connect during the ‘Open Day’ for their to support those students who lead, with Ooredoo being the daily lives across the country.” Data analytics that could ana- solution, which allows tracking new Campus at Building 39, need to build up skills in gen- world’s fi rst communications Ooredoo expects the ultra- Smart and Connected Retail lyse massive patient data sets for and management of networked Barwa Commercial Avenue. eral–academic English and company to launch commer- fast 5G networks to serve as the – With Qatar’s connected malls predicting treatments and iden- devices, tools, and products. The City College Doha of- study skills. cially-ready 5G, and is preparing foundation for the IoT to make growing, smart retailers can tifying regional or global health- Business customers can lev- fers High National Certifi cate She cited the uniqueness 1,200 network stations to be- a major impact in the following move beyond 4G geolocation- care trends. erage the Ooredoo Advantage, in Business and High National of the College’s programmes come 5G-ready. verticals: based services, to a 5G world Education – In schools and making Ooredoo “Best for Busi- Diploma in six business spe- saying these were designed to Now, Ooredoo is leveraging 5G Transportation– Autonomous with augmented and virtual re- universities, 5G combined with ness”, thanks to its breadth and cialisations: accounting and provide experiential training, to drive IoT innovation with two vehicles can use 5G’s broadband ality providing immersive expe- mobile devices, from tablets to depth of talent, best fi xed and fi nance; business manage- attracting fresh school leav- key technology elements: net- and low latency to navigate com- riences from virtually trying on wearables, can transform the mobile networks, broadest port- ment and leadership; human ers and those who are already work traffi c prioritisation based plex city streets, and for ambu- clothes to gyms with simulated learning experience. Students, folio of ICT services and solu- resources management; mar- working. on the priority of the industry lances to co-ordinate on green races. educators, and administrators tions, and trusted partner for 60 keting; entrepreneurship and These are the kinds of quali- vertical, and lower latency for light signalling. Connected met- Connected Energy Transmis- can foster enhanced digital col- years. small business management, fi cations which will help peo- and human resources develop- ple propel into the world of ment. work regardless of background Munro noted that their and the kind of experience they courses have been approved by have, Munro pointed out. Metro tunnels undergo smoke tests the British Technical Educa- “We want to attract young Katara Art Studio tion Council (BTEC) and Qa- nationals and international tar’s Ministry of Education and students here, but also what Higher Education. we are looking to do is to pro- “We have very strong links vide people in the world of off ers workshops with the University of Port- work who got so much work smouth so that is one prefer- experience but don’t have the ence for students and alter- required qualifi cations,” she natively they can take these explained. for children qualifi cations and tap into a “The beauty of our pro- network of over 700 universi- grammes is that they come ties across the world that will for two years, they do a Level s part of its rich educa- and art drawing on the glass by accept and recognise BTEC 4 High National Certifi cate, tional programme, the coach Liji Abdullah. qualifi cations for what they which is the same as Year One AKatara Art Studio contin- According to Katara, these are,” she said. of university, they get that ues to off er a number of techni- workshops attract children be- The principal noted that certifi cate in hand,” Munro cal workshops from September 1 tween age 4 and over 11 years old. City College Doha has a ca- noted. to 15 aimed at enhancing artistic A workshop in Islamic deco- pacity for 250 students with “They come for Year Two, talents and creative abilities. ration will also take place from rooms for expansion in the which is a High National Di- The workshops from 3pm September 8-10 (5pm to 8pm) future. It also off ers full-time ploma, again that is the equiv- to 8pm will include the art under the supervision of artist and part-time modes of study alent to Year Two in a universi- of paper cutting and design, Moza al-Kuwari. for all types of students. ty and then they go into maybe the art of the design of felt Katara Art Studio, through its “Essentially, groups of stu- a bachelor of their choice or and gouache by Jaya Elizabeth various activities, aims to en- dents will be able to learn a maybe with that qualifi ca- Jacob, the art of painting the hance the artists’ talents and skill in the classroom and then tion they choose to go into the line brush (a course for begin- technical skills by attracting go and apply that skill in a sim- world of work,” she added. ners) offered by trainer Grace diff erent age groups and open- Castrodes, silk screen print- ing various opportunities for the ing by coach Janithri Perera, participants. EAA Foundation condemns Indian embassy holiday Smoke tests are taking place on Doha Metro’s Red Line South to examine the eff iciency of fans in attacks on schoolchildren On account of Janmashtami, the Indian embassy will remain closed the Metro tunnels, Qatar Rail has said. Picture courtesy of Qatar Rail Twitter account on September 3 (Monday), according to a communique from the embassy. ducation Above All access to education, children (EAA) Foundation has are growing up drowning in Econdemned the attacks a deadly maelstrom of igno- on children in Yemen and other rance, disease and illiteracy, he confl ict zones. added. “Last week, Yemeni boys “Education Above All Foun- Mystery of fake protest in London deepens Quality of education on their way to a fi eld trip to dation, alongside the global celebrate the end of summer community, condemns these school were killed by a Saudi- vicious, co-ordinated attacks From Page 1 failed to respond to questions the Amir has further strength- a priority: minister led coalition airstrike. Three on innocent children in Yem- when contacted by The Inde- ened the historic and strategic weeks before that, there was en and in every confl ict zone “We demand you provide a pendent. partnership between Qatar and From Page 1 their talent and maintain their a co-ordinated attack on 12 where attacks on education shred of evidence to support this In July, a Qatari diplomat ac- the UK.” national identity. schools in Diamer, Pakistan,” are taking place,” the offi cial outrageous claim. Such accusa- cused “the blockading countries” There were separate, unveri- On Wednesday, HE Dr al- Addressing a reception held by said Mubarak al-Thani, head of stressed. “To build a better tions are liable to lead to legal ac- of being behind the attempted fi ed claims that people, including Hammadi had stressed that the the ministry to welcome new Qatari advocacy at EAA Foundation. world, we must work together tion.” fake rally. a group of Russians, were paid to quality of education would re- teachers who have begun their fi rst “The world is seeing a pat- to strengthen global govern- After evidence of the e-mail “They have a long history take part in an earlier ‘anti-Qatar main one of the main priorities year of teaching in the 2018/2019 tern of purposeful and delib- ance and hold accountable correspondence was provided on of using paid protesters to try rally’ outside parliament on July of the Ministry of Education and academic year, he noted that this erate attacks on education in those who unleash violence Twitter by Extra People, Neptune and discredit those who do not 23. Higher Education in the light of process requires connecting school confl ict areas. These attacks against children and educa- PR’s purported Twitter account agree with their views,” the The Saudi and UAE govern- rapid global changes in all fi elds. education with the rapidly chang- are designed to destabilise and tion.” went silent. unnamed diplomat told The ments have been contacted for This, in turn, required teachers ing digital world. It also requires impede growth and develop- EAA Foundation is a global The sole director of Nep- Guardian. “Despite their latest comment. to come up with new methods enhancing social partnerships and ment,” he noted in a state- education foundation estab- tune PR, Lola Tirand, a French attempts to spread lies about (Courtesy: The Independent, of delivering information to stu- advancing the role of parents in ment issued by the foundation. lished in 2012 by Her Highness woman living in east London, Qatar, the visit of His Highness UK) dents and help them discover education. Page 16 Without peace, security and Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. Gulf Times Friday, August 31, 2018 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD

TERRORISM HYGIENE HEALTH JUSTICE GOVERNANCE Kirkuk suicide bomber Egypt probes hotel after Algeria’s cholera outbreak Bahrain charges 13 Sisi appoints raft of new kills two policemen death of British couple now confined to one area with ‘terrorism’ governors in shake-up

At least two policemen were killed yesterday and Egypt’s tourism minister said yesterday The cholera outbreak that struck Algeria Bahrain’s attorney general said yesterday 13 Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi yesterday three wounded when a suicide bomber drove authorities would test food and hygiene at this month is now confined to one of six people have been charged with terrorism appointed a string of new governors to key a car full of explosives at their checkpoint near a hotel where a British couple stayed before areas originally aff ected and the number of off ences, over suspected ties to an anti- regions, the latest shake-up since winning re- the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk. Police said the dying last week, and that a forensic team would hospital patients is falling, the government government protest movement that first emerged election in March. Sisi replaced 22 of Egypt’s 27 attack took place in the town of Abbasi, around complete their postmortem in the coming days. said yesterday. “The epidemic is now limited to in 2011. “Charges of forming and funding a regional governors, including in northern Sinai 65km southwest of the oil city of Kirkuk. No The couple, John and Susan Cooper, died within the Blida” area located around 50km south of terrorist cell have been filed against six persons where the military is currently conducting a major group has claimed responsibility for yesterday’s hours of each other in the Egyptian Red Sea Algiers, the health ministry said in a statement. in custody and another seven charged in absentia,” operation against militants. The majority of the attack, but Islamic State militants often carry out resort of Hurghada on August 21. John Cooper, The outbreak in early August was Algeria’s first said attorney general Ahmad al-Hamadi. Hamadi new appointees are drawn from the senior army such attacks. On Wednesday, a suicide car bomb 69, died at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel for 22 years, hitting Algiers, Blida, Tipaza, Bouria, said the 13 had ties to Bahrain’s so-called “February and police ranks favoured by ex-military chief Sisi. attack on a security checkpoint killed at least and Susan Cooper, 63, died at a nearby hospital, Medea and Ain Defla. The number of people 14 Coalition” — a reference to a protest movement But they also include Manal Mikhail in Damietta eight people, including five militiamen and three prompting an evacuation of Thomas Cook newly hospitalised with suspected cholera has that emerged in 2011 against the al-Khalifa dynasty, province, who became the first Christian woman civilians in western Iraq. Islamic State militants customers. No one was immediately available to fallen by 56% in the past three days and 61% of which has ruled Bahrain for more than two centuries. ever appointed to such a position in Egypt. claimed responsibility for the Wednesday’s comment from the hotel, which said last week the approximately 200 patients hospitalised The group will also face charges of targeting police “Egypt expects lots of eff ort, collective action and attack. there had not been a rise in cases of illness. since the outbreak began have returned home. in a trial which is due to open on September 19. dedication to further development,” Sisi said.

Iran is complying Last-ditch talks to avert with nuclear deal restrictions: IAEA

Reuters battle for Syria’s Idlib Vienna

By Bachir El Khoury, AFP ran has remained within the main restrictions on its Beirut nuclear activities imposed by a 2015 deal with major Ipowers, a confi dential report by the UN atomic watch- dog indicated yesterday. ey brokers yesterday held In its second quarterly report since President Donald last-ditch talks on the fate Trump announced in May that the United States would Kof Syria’s only remaining quit the accord and reimpose sanctions, the International rebel-held province, hoping to Atomic Energy Agency said Iran had stayed within the stave off a government off ensive caps on uranium enrichment levels, enriched uranium the UN has warned could spark stocks and other items. catastrophe. In its last report in May, the IAEA had said Iran could do Government forces have been more to co-operate with inspectors and thereby “enhance massing around Idlib for days confi dence”, but stopped short of saying the Islamic Re- and looked poised to launch what public had given it cause for concern. could be the last major battle of Yesterday’s report to member states seen by Reuters the civil war that has torn Syria contained similar language. apart since 2011. It said the Vienna-based UN nuclear watchdog was able After retaking a succession of to carry out all so-called complementary access inspec- rebel bastions around the country tions needed to verify Iran’s compliance with the deal. this year, the government of Presi- “Timely and proactive cooperation by Iran in providing dent Bashar al-Assad has set its such access facilitates implementation of the Additional sights on Idlib. Protocol and enhances confi dence,” said the report, which The province’s most powerful was distributed to IAEA member states. armed faction is the Hayat Tahrir “The production rate (of enriched uranium) is constant. al-Sham extremist group and There is no change whatsoever,” a senior diplomat added. neighbouring Turkey is trying to With the United States reimposing its sanctions on Iran use its infl uence to avert a major that were lifted under the nuclear deal, many diplomats off ensive against it. and analysts now doubt that the accord will survive de- “The negotiations between spite European Union eff orts to counter some of the ef- Turkey and HTS are still under fects of Trump’s move. way,” said the head of the Britain- Speaking after the report was sent to member states, based Syria Observatory for Hu- French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the deal man Rights, Rami Abdel Rahman. was still holding, despite the US withdrawal. Russia, whose 2015 military in- He urged his fellow ministers, who met in Vienna yes- tervention in support of Assad terday to discuss EU policy on Iran, to do more to protect helped the government reclaim Displaced Syrian girls stand next to a tent provided by a Turkish humanitarian organisation at a camp for displaced people in northern Idlib. Tehran from US sanctions, calling for “permanent fi nan- much of the ground it lost in the cial mechanisms that allow Iran to continue to trade.” early days of the seven-year con- people from a possible off ensive by During a press conference with Russian media reported this weapons, as it did during an off en- The EU implemented a law this month to shield Eu- fl ict, wants the extremist outfi t to the criminal regime and its allies.” his Saudi counterpart in Moscow week that Moscow has been rein- sive against rebels in the Eastern ropean companies from the impact of US sanctions on disband, he said. Turkey’s infl uence over the on Wednesday, Russian Foreign forcing its military set-up in the Ghouta enclave earlier this year. Tehran and has approved aid for the Iranian private sec- “This is the condition set by former Al Qaeda affi liate is less Minister Sergei Lavrov hinted the region and currently has 10 war- The UN’s Syria peace envoy tor, although large European companies are pulling out of Moscow to avert a broad off en- clear and Abdel Rahman warned assault may be imminent. ships and two submarines in Syr- yesterday called for a humanitar- Iran. sive...Its launch hinges on the fail- the chances of success were slim. “It is necessary to disassociate ian waters. ian corridor. “I am once again pre- On Wednesday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali ure or success of these talks with “Turkey’s relationship with the so-called moderate opposition The prospect of a massive Rus- pared...personally and physically Khamenei cast doubt on the ability of EU countries to save HTS.” HTS is a complicated one but may from terrorists and at the same sian-backed off ensive in a prov- to get involved myself...to ensure the agreement and said Tehran might abandon it. In comments published on its best be framed as cooperative time prepare an operation against ince that is home to some 3mn such a temporary corridor would Khamenei told President Hassan Rouhani not to rely too propaganda agency Ibaa, HTS ap- animosity,” said analyst Elizabeth them while minimising risks for people — half of them already dis- be feasible,” Staff an de Mistura much on European support as he came under increased peared to leave the door open to a Teoman, of the Institute for the the civilian population,” Lavrov placed from other parts of Syria — told reporters in Geneva. pressure at home over his handling of the economy in the negotiated settlement. Study of War. said. “This abscess needs to be liq- has raised fears of a new humani- Another is the presence in the face of US sanctions, with key ministers under attack by “The issue of the disbanding — Turkey, Russia and fellow re- uidated.” tarian tragedy. province of large numbers of fi ght- parliament. should it ever take place — is one gime backer Iran all operate “ob- Iran’s top diplomat also held UN chief Antonio Guterres said ers and civilians who have pre- Le Drian, whose country signed the Iran deal along with that would be discussed inter- servation points” in Idlib as part previously unannounced talks on Wednesday he was “deeply ferred to leave their homes rather Britain, Germany, China, Russia and the United States, nally by the alliance’s consultative of a “de-escalation” deal agreed with Turkish President Recep concerned about the growing risks than submit to Damascus rule. said Tehran should be ready to negotiate on its future nu- council but not dictated by local or last year that was meant to reduce Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday. of a humanitarian catastrophe in Idlib has been used as a relief clear plans and its ballistic missile arsenal. foreign parties,” it said. bloodshed in the province. Foreign Minister Mohamed Ja- the event of a full-scale military valve for those evacuated from Le Drian said Iran, which says its missiles are only for “We in HTS are striving to fi nd But with a regime off ensive loom- vad Zarif met the Turkish leader operation in Idlib.” other rebel pockets like Eastern defence, was arming regional allies with rockets and al- an eff ective solution in the liberated ing, the Turkish military has been for a hour but little fi ltered out on One of the fears is that the re- Ghouta following their negotiated lowing “ballistic proliferation,” adding: “Iran needs to Syrian north that would protect our reinforcing its 12 monitoring posts. the nature of the discussions. gime will resort to using chemical surrender to the regime. avoid the temptation to be the (regional) hegemon.”

Jordan to host fundraiser at UN 27 dead after days of clashes near Libyan capital for Palestinian refugee agency AFP Tripoli

AFP ades, have faced a plight and an injustice Amman that is simply immense,” said Krahen- t least 27 people have been killed buhl. and nearly 100 wounded in sev- The agency supports some fi ve mn Aeral days of fi ghting between ri- ordan will host a fundraiser at the registered Palestinian refugees and pro- val militias near the Libyan capital, the United Nations headquarters in New vides schooling for 526,000 children health ministry said yesterday. JYork next month to keep the agency in the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, The clashes broke out on Monday for Palestinian refugees afl oat, the king- Syria and Jordan. in suburbs south of Tripoli and con- dom’s top diplomat said yesterday. But UNRWA has warned it currently tinued into Wednesday evening after Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said only has the funds to keep its 711 schools a truce collapsed, despite an appeal by the meeting, set for September 27 on the open for the next month. the United Nations for calm. sidelines of the UN General Assembly, By the end of September, “UN- The clashes came to an end yesterday “aims to provide fi nancial and political RWA won’t have a penny,” the agency’s after a ceasefi re agreement announced support to UNRWA”. spokesman Chris Gunness had warned by offi cials from western areas, but The UN Relief and Works Agency for on Wednesday. it was unclear whether the two rival Palestine Refugees has been struggling The agency was created in 1949 to camps would continue to respect it. to balance its books since the United support 750,000 Palestinians who fl ed The health ministry said at least States announced in January it was cut- or were driven from their homes during 27 people were killed and 91 were ting its annual funding by $300mn. the war surrounding the creation of Is- wounded in the fi ghting, most of The Jordanian foreign minister said rael. them civilians. the New York event aims to “close the Those still alive today along with their Fayez al-Sarraj, the leader of the gap and put in place a plan that will descendants are classifi ed as refugees. internationally recognised Govern- ensure UNRWA’s continued, ongoing US President Donald Trump’s admin- ment of National Accord (GNA), has funding for the coming years”, Safadi istration has contributed $60mn to the tasked forces from western and cen- said. agency in 2018, compared to more than tral regions of Libya with ensuring the It will also “reaffi rm that UNRWA is $360mn last year. rivals adhere to the ceasefi re. Vice President of the Presidential Council of Libya Ahmed Maiteeq speaks during a press conference in Tripoli after an organisation created by the UN Gen- Last week his administration an- These forces are meant to guaran- clashes near the Libya capital. eral Assembly, with a clear and particu- nounced further cuts to Palestinian aid, tee the withdrawal of the two rival lar role, and this role must continue”, he slashing $200mn in funding for pro- camps from front lines and ensure the capital and its environs only until This unit is from the town of Tar- ed States said yesterday they were added. grammes in Gaza and the West Bank. normal life returns in the districts af- September 30, when they must leave. huna southeast of the capital and is “deeply concerned about the recent Speaking alongside the Jordanian for- Relations between Washington and fected by the fi ghting. The Misrata and Zintan militias supposed to operate under the GNA’s clashes in and around Tripoli that are eign minister, UNRWA director Pierre the Palestinian Authority nosedived af- The proposed pacifying forces con- controlled the Libyan capital from the defence ministry. destabilising the situation”. Krahenbuhl said the agency needs ter Trump in December formally recog- sist mainly of powerful armed groups fall of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in In a televised speech, Sarraj said “Pursuing political aims through $200mn to continue its work until the nised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. from the cities of Misrata and Zintan 2011 until 2014, when a coalition of yesterday that the 7th Brigade had violence will only further exacerbate end of this year. The Palestinian leadership has sus- in the west, which are technically un- militias mainly from Misrata seized been “dissolved” since April, before the suff ering of the population of “We’re taking about human beings. pended contact with the US administra- der the GNA’s defence ministry. the city. calling on the rival camps to respect Libya, and threaten broader stability”, We cannot wish 5.3mn Palestinian refu- tion and says Washington can no longer Under the orders of Sarraj, who This week’s fi ghting has pit- the ceasefi re. the statement said. “Those who un- gees away...these are people who have play a mediation role in the Israel-Pales- heads the Libyan army, these mili- ted Tripoli militias loyal to the GNA In a joint statement, the embassies dermine Libya’s peace, security and rights and for many years now, for dec- tinian peace process. tary units will be allowed to operate in against the so-called 7th Brigade. of Britain, France, Italy and the Unit- stability will be held accountable.” Gulf Times 4 Friday, August 31, 2018 AFRICA Congolese rebel reiterates he is a ‘revolutionary,’ not a criminal

By Jan Hennop, AFP wanda tongue, the rebel com- humanity as a commander of the He pleaded not guilty to the fore a verdict is handed down. The Hague mander, on the fi nal day of the Patriotic Forces for the Liberation charges. The ICC was set up in 2002 to hearing, said his own testimony of Congo (FPLC). Ntaganda is also a founding try the world’s worst crimes. during his trial was “an enriching The alleged crimes include mur- member of the M23 rebel group, Closing arguments in Ntagan- ongolese warlord Bosco experience which I will never for- der, rape, sexual slavery and re- which was eventually defeated by da’s case have been followed with Ntaganda told internation- get.” cruiting children under the age of Congolese government forces fi ve interest after the surprise acquittal Cal judges yesterday he was a “I am at peace with myself. 15. years ago. of another Congolese rebel leader, “revolutionary and not a criminal” These allegations are nothing more Prosecutors on Tuesday told The fi rst-ever suspect to vol- Jean-Pierre Bemba. as arguments drew to a close in his than lies,” said Ntaganda, dressed the trial that Ntaganda’s fi ghters untarily surrender to the ICC, he Initially sentenced to 18 years three-year war crimes trial. in a dark blue suit, light blue shirt slaughtered civilians with ma- walked into the US embassy in Ki- for war crimes committed by his Ntaganda, aged around 44, is and blue diamond-patterned tie. chetes. They showed shocking gali in 2013 and asked to be sent to troops in the Central African Re- accused of overseeing massacres Ntaganda again took aim at his pictures of disembowelled bodies the court. public, Bemba was acquitted on of Lendu and other civilians by his nickname ‘The Terminator’, which and corpses with their throats slit. Ntaganda yesterday for the fi rst appeal in June. rebel army in the Ituri region of was also used by prosecutors to The prosecutors alleged Nta- time gave his reasons for handing He has since returned to Kin- northeastern Democratic Republic describe him during the trial. ganda was central to planning op- himself over, saying the decision shasa hoping to run in presidential of Congo in 2002 and 2003. “I hope that you now realise that erations for the Union of Congo- “profoundly changed my life”. elections. “I am a revolutionary, but I am the ‘Terminator’ described by the lese Patriots and its military wing, “I truly felt the need to sur- The acquittal was seen as a blow not a criminal,” Ntaganda told the prosecutor is not me,” Ntaganda the FPLC. render voluntarily and face the to chief prosecutor Fatou Bensou- International Criminal Court in said, his glasses perched on his They said the FPLC killed at charges against me,” he said adding da’s offi ce. The Hague. nose. least 800 people as it battled rival that he wanted to “publicly set the She has been criticised for tar- Once a feared commander, Nta- Rwandan-born Ntaganda, also militias for control of Ituri. record straight.” geting only African perpetrators ganda now faces charges of war an ex-general in the Congolese More than 60,000 people have Observers however said Nta- for prosecution. crimes and crimes against human- army, had a reputation as a char- been killed since violence erupted ganda was possibly fearing for his Ntaganda’s former FPLC com- ity for his role in the bloody con- ismatic leader with a penchant for in the region in 1999, according to life as a fugitive from a rival faction mander Thomas Lubanga was sen- fl ict wracking the mineral-rich but cowboy hats and fi ne dining. rights groups. within the M23 movement. tenced to 14 years in jail in 2012 — volatile region. He faces 13 counts of war crimes Ntaganda has been on trial at the Judges will now deliberate, but it the second conviction by the court Speaking in his native Kinyar- and fi ve counts of crimes against ICC since 2015. may take months or even years be- since it was set up 16 years ago.

18 die in Ethiopia military chopper Merkel in Ghana crashlanding military helicop- ter crashed yester- Aday in Ethiopia’s Oromiya region and all 18 people aboard, including 15 soldiers, were killed, the state-affi liated news agen- cy Fana said. The other three dead were civilians, Fana said. There was no immediate word on exactly where the helicopter came down and whether there were any casualties or damage on the ground. Addisu Arega, a Oromiya regional cabinet minister, confi rmed the Fana report and tweeted: “All pas- sengers onboard died. The cause is under investiga- tion. Our condolences to the families.”

13 dead in after 2 buses collide in Zimbabwe t least 13 people were killed in an ac- Acident in Zimbabwe yesterday, police said, after a bus and a minibus col- lided. The accident occurred along the busy highway that connects the coun- try’s biggest cities Harare and Bulawayo. “About 13 people have been confi rmed dead and German Chancellor Angela Merkel is welcomed by Ghana’s Vice President Bawumia at the Jubilee Airport in Accra yesterday. Merkel yesterday scores injured. Investi- pledged German support to Ghana in implementing economic reforms and improving its infrastructure and energy generation, following gations are under way to a meeting with Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo in Accra. Referring to a central theme in her three-country trip that began in Senegal, establish the cause of the Merkel stressed the need to provide young people with a perspective, so that they did not undertake the hazardous journey to Europe. Legal accident,” police spokes- avenues, such as visas for study and training, should rather be used, the chancellor said. Akufo-Addo said he was not proud of the illegal person Charity Charamba migration from Ghana to Europe, but emphasised that the Ghanaian authorities were co-operating with their German counterparts. told DPA.

Nigerian senate chief Saraki announces presidency bid

AFP “I hereby announce my inten- Ranked in Nigeria’s political tle with the government. of age and failing health and faces Abuja tion to run for the offi ce of presi- hierarchy behind Buhari and Vice He ran into legal problems that criticism of his handling of the dent of the Federal Republic of President Yemi Osinbajo, Saraki he said was because he had been Boko Haram insurgency in north- Nigeria in the coming general elec- has long been seen as having his marked out as a critic and rival by eastern Nigeria. he powerful head of the Ni- tions in 2019 on the platform of the sights on the top job. the presidency. Last year, he spent several gerian senate, Bukola Sar- People’s Democratic Party,” Saraki In recent months, he became Buhari, 75, a former military months in a London hospital re- Taki, yesterday announced said at a meeting with young peo- linked to a string of defections that dictator in the 1980s, was elected ceiving treatment for an undis- he would run in next February’s ple in Abuja. appeared to be aimed at weakening in 2015. closed ailment. presidential elections against in- “I do so with the fi rm conviction Buhari. He has announced his intention On Wednesday, another heavy- cumbent Muhammadu Buhari. that I have what it takes to secure On July 31, citing irreconcilable to seek a second term. weight candidate said he would be The move, by the country’s third- inclusive growth for Nigeria and diff erences, he quit Buhari’s All He has the support of the APC’s a candidate in the PDP primaries — highest politician, ratchets up the Nigerians.” Progressives Congress (APC) and senior ranks, although a primary is Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former aide challenge facing Buhari and increas- Saraki, 55, was born into one of returned to his old party, the PDP. required. to Buhari and ex-governor of Kano es the electoral uncertainties in Af- Nigeria’s wealthiest and most po- During his time as Senate presi- But Buhari is under intense province, who defected to the PDP rica’s most populous country. litically prominent families. dent, Saraki has had a running bat- pressure to stand down on account in July.

Liberia to secure ancestral land rights with new law

Reuters tough to implement, experts say. have only customary rights to the the World Bank has credited with But change will not come about Dakar The Senate was the most dif- land they live on, according to the transforming Liberia into a prom- immediately, Toe said. Communi- fi cult institution for the bill to get Sustainable Development Insti- ising country for agricultural pro- ties will have to work together to de- through, said Ali Kaba of Liberia’s tute. ducers to invest in. fi ne their members and boundaries, iberia is on the verge of pass- Sustainable Development Insti- Since customary rights are not But land concessions — which create a land governance structure ing a long-awaited land tute, who worked with lawmakers currently legally recognised, com- now cover more than 45% of Li- and then go through a process to Lrights law that would help to revise it. munities that have held land for berian territory — have provoked document their rights, he added. prevent foreign companies up- The House of Representatives, generations can be kicked off at confl ict in recent years. “Once the president approves rooting communities to make way which passed the bill last year, any time to make way for outside “I am overexcited that after four the law and it is eff ective, the big- for mining and logging, activists must now approve changes before investors, Kaba said. years of this act lingering at the gest challenge will be implement- said. it goes to the president to sign into Following the West African na- legislature it has fi nally passed,” ing the law. We will have to manage Liberia’s Senate passed the Land law, but no major setbacks are ex- tion’s second civil war, which said Stanley Toe, executive direc- expectations,” he told the Thom- Rights Bill last week after four pected, Kaba said. ended in 2003, the government tor of the Liberian Land Author- son Reuters Foundation. years of debate. “I think this is transforma- accelerated long-standing policies ity — the government agency in An estimated 90% of Liberia’s The law recognises customary tive,” he told the Thomson Reuters which granted natural resource charge of land policy. civil court cases are related to land, land rights — the rights of commu- Foundation. “Communities can concessions to foreign companies. “Liberians, especially those in and as many as two thirds of vio- nities to ancestral land — as equal now protect their land.” Foreign palm oil concessions the rural areas, can no longer wait lent confl icts in the country have to private ownership, yet will be Most of Liberia’s 5mn people were at the heart of reforms which to see this thing put into place.” their root in land rights issues. Gulf Times Friday, August 31, 2018 5 AMERICAS

Biden to lead McCain Trump: White House is a tribute

Reuters Phoenix smooth-running machine

AFP “The Fake News Media has it, Former senior White House he body of war hero and Washington purposely, so wrong!” the presi- aide Omarosa Manigault New- two-time Republican dent tweeted. “They love to por- man released a tell-all book this Tpresidential candidate tray chaos in the White House month after her fi ring, which John McCain arrived at a Phoe- resident Donald Trump when they know that chaos painted Trump as a racist and a nix church yesterday for a com- has insisted that his doesn’t exist-just a ‘smooth liar with a “total lack of empa- memoration to be led by his Pdaughter played no role in running machine’ with chang- thy”. one-time Democratic Senate the abrupt departure of his top ing parts!” Trump responded to the book colleague, former US vice-pres- lawyer and pushed back at the McGahn was a witness to sev- by the former contestant on his ident Joe Biden. notion of a White House in cha- eral key episodes under scrutiny reality show The Apprentice, The memorial service at the os, calling it “a smooth-running by Mueller, including Trump’s whose White House role was un- North Phoenix Baptist Church machine with changing parts”. fi ring of Federal Bureau of In- clear, by calling her a “dog” and marks the second of fi ve days of The announced departure of vestigation (FBI) director James a “crazed, crying lowlife”. commemorative tributes to Mc- White House counsel Don Mc- Comey and his tensions with At- Such outbursts have put Cain, who died on Saturday after Gahn, who has emerged as a torney General Jeff Sessions over Trump’s closest aides in the a nearly year-long battle with key witness in the Russia probe his recusal from oversight of the delicate position of trying to ex- brain cancer. shadowing his presidency, was probe. plain his Twitter salvos. He was 81. the latest in a long string of fi r- Trump has said all his aides White House press briefi ngs, McCain’s casket was borne ings and resignations to buff et had been encouraged to be a daily tradition under previous to the church from the Arizona Trump’s administration. transparent with the Mueller presidents, have practically dis- statehouse in a motorcade under The New York Times re- probe – which he frequently de- appeared as the administration police motorcycle escort along a ported that McGahn was not nounces as rigged against him. deals with the constant drip of six-mile (10km) route lined with forewarned before Trump an- “The Rigged Russia Witch revelations. spectators who turned out to nounced on Wednesday on Hunt did not come into play, A New York Times story yes- watch the passing hearse. Twitter he would be leaving his even a little bit, with respect to terday that claimed Trump On Wednesday, several thou- post this fall. my decision on Don McGahn!” sought to purchase all the “dirt” sand admirers stood in line for The Times said that Ivanka the president insisted yesterday. that the National Enquirer, a FIFA president Gianni Infantino (centre) laughs as Trump holds up a red card during a meeting in the hours in the blazing Arizona sun Trump had complained bit- The frequent departures of leading scandal sheet, had col- Oval Off ice of the White House in Washington, DC on Tuesday. Infantino off ered Trump a set of yellow and triple-digit heat to pay fi nal terly to her father after a report high-level staff ers in Trump’s lected on him over the past dec- and red cards. On the left is US Soccer Federation president Carlos Cordeiro. respects to McCain, eventually by the newspaper that claimed administration has created the ades. fi ling past his fl ag-draped coffi n McGahn’s testimony to Special impression of a temperamental The newspaper, quoting uni- that included an admission that 1980s by the National Enquirer Washington by ratcheting up as it lay in state in the Arizona Counsel Robert Mueller had leader dismissive of discordant dentifi ed associates of Trump, he had made payments to silence and its parent company Ameri- the frequency of campaign-style Capital rotunda. been far more extensive than the voices. said that the plan was concocted two women who claimed to have can Media. meetings which he clearly en- The public viewing followed president or his lawyers knew. With less than two years in with Trump’s lawyer, Michael had aff airs with Trump before he The Times said the scheme, joys. a brief ceremony for family and In tweets yesterday, Trump offi ce, Trump has gone through Cohen, who has implicated him ran for the White House. however, was “never fi nalised” He is to fl y to Evansville, Indi- dignitaries led by Republican said Ivanka and her husband, two national security advisers, in “hush payments” made be- The Times said there was a and the White House did not re- ana, for what he promised would Governor Doug Ducey, who has Jared Kushner, “had NOTHING a secretary of state and a White fore the 2016 election. plan to go even further – pur- spond to a request for comment. be a “big crowd rally”. said that he would appoint Mc- to do with the so called ‘pushing House chief of staff , to name just Cohen agreed to a plea deal chasing all of the information Trump has sought to escape “Will be a big night!” he Cain’s immediate successor in out’ of Don McGahn.” a few. with prosecutors this month collected on Trump since the the oppressive environment of tweeted. the Senate only after McCain’s burial on Sunday. The one-time US Navy fi ghter pilot endured 5-1/2 years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam after his aircraft was shot down over Jackson’s children and siblings Canadian Hanoi. He went on to a celebrated career on Capitol Hill, earning a mark late singer’s 60th birthday province reputation as a political maver- ick who prided himself on work- ing across party lines on issues Reuters Vegas on Wednesday for a per- Taylor, who died in 2011, was sues drug such as immigration, climate Las Vegas formance of the Cirque du So- a close friend of the singer and change, and campaign fi nance leil show One, based on music Paris is an ambassador for the reform. by the Thriller singer. foundation. makers As chairman of the Senate ine years after the death Jackson died in Los Angeles “It is a privilege and honour Armed Services Committee, he of the “King of Pop”, in June 2009 after an accidental to be here about something also became a leading voice on NMichael Jackson’s chil- overdose of the powerful an- that my dad was so passionate AFP national defence. dren and other family mem- aesthetic propofol that he was about,” Prince Jackson said. Ottawa McCain stood out during bers came together to launch an using as a sleep aid. The Jackson siblings also the last two years of his life as a auction, accept a posthumous His personal doctor, Con- launched an auction for a new- leading Republican critic of US award and remember the singer rad Murray, served two years ly-created pair of ruby and dia- he epicentre of Canada’s President Donald Trump, a fel- on what would have been his in prison for causing his death mond-studded sneakers that opioid crisis, British low Republican whom McCain’s 60th birthday. through negligence. are expected to fetch more than TColumbia province, on family has asked not to attend Children Paris and Prince Paris, 20, and Prince, 21, ac- $50,000 at a sale taking place in Wednesday sued more than 40 his funeral tomorrow at Wash- Paris and Prince Michael Jackson attend the Michael Jackson Jackson, brothers Tito and cepted the Elizabeth Taylor November. drug companies to recover the ington’s National Cathedral. diamond birthday celebration at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Jackie, and R&B singer Usher Aids Foundation Legacy Award The money will go to Taylor’s costs of emergency paramedic Yesterday’s plans called for a Casino in Las Vegas. joined some 1,500 guests in Las for their father. Aids foundation. responses and hospitalisations hearse to carry McCain’s coffi n for overdoses. in the morning from the Arizona It marks the fi rst lawsuit statehouse to the north Phoe- against opioid manufacturers nix church, leading a motorcade by a provincial government in that members of the public were Canada. invited to join. US man charged over threats to Boston Globe staff The western province said it is In addition to loved ones, as in talks with other jurisdictions well as civic, business and tribal to join the class action. leaders invited to the service Reuters cations to interstate commerce. dinated editorials defending “It’s time opioid drug compa- from across Arizona, organis- Boston If convicted, he could face up press freedoms enshrined in nies take responsibility for the ers have made about 1,000 seats to fi ve years in prison. the First Amendment of the US human and fi nancial toll their available at the church for mem- Prosecutors said Chain made Constitution. products have taken on so many bers of the public. ederal authorities have 14 threatening calls to the Globe Newspapers and other media families,” said British Columbia The main speech in tribute to charged a California man from August 10 through Au- outlets across the United States Attorney General David Eby in a McCain was to be delivered by Fwith threatening to kill gust 22, including on August joined in on August 16. statement. Biden, a friend and former six- Boston Globe employees for 16 – the day the press freedom The editorials led Trump to Overprescribing and illicit term senator from Delaware who the newspaper’s role leading editorials ran – when he threat- lash out on Twitter, saying: sales of diverted painkillers was elected vice-president as this month’s defence of press ened to shoot employees in the “THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA IS have been widely blamed for the the running mate of McCain’s ri- freedoms by hundreds of US head at 4pm. THE OPPOSITION PARTY. opioid crisis sweeping North val for the White House, Barack news organisations against That prompted authorities to It is very bad for our Great America. Obama, who defeated McCain in attacks by President Donald station police outside the pa- Country....BUT WE ARE WIN- However, allegations by Brit- the 2008 presidential race. Trump. per’s Boston building. NING!” ish Columbia that the drug com- Prosecutors said Robert “While it was unsettling He did not provide specifi cs. panies “deceived prescribers and Chain, 68, called journalists for many of our staff ers to be Trump continued bash- patients about the risks and ben- “the enemy of the people” in threatened in such a way, no- ing news media organisations efi ts of opioids” and “seriously threatening phone calls that body – really, nobody – let it on Wednesday and yesterday, harmed the public healthcare echoed the phrase Trump has This picture taken on August 16 shows a man walking past the get in the way of the important lashing out at NBC and CNN, system” have not been proven in used to criticise unfl atter- front page of the Boston Globe newspaper, referencing their work of this institution,” Jane and again using the phrase “en- court. ing news coverage through his editorial defence of press freedom. Bowman, a Globe spokeswom- emy of the people”. The suit names opioid man- campaign and years in offi ce. an, said in a statement. In June, fi ve people were shot ufacturers, wholesalers and “In a time of increasing po- own political rhetoric. Or we Prosecutors said that Chain, It was not immediately clear dead at a newspaper in An- distributors as defendants – litical polarisation, and amid will,” Andrew Lelling, the US who lives in Encino, Califor- whether Chain had hired an at- napolis, Maryland, allegedly by including Purdue, whose popu- the increasing incidence of attorney for Massachusetts and nia, was arrested on Wednesday torney. a man by a longstanding grudge lar OxyContin drug has been Biden: to deliver the main mass shootings, members of a Trump appointee, said in a and charged with one count of The Globe on August 10 an- against the paper, prosecutors blamed for triggering the crisis – speech in tribute to McCain. the public must police their statement on the arrest. making threatening communi- nounced its plan for co-or- said. accusing them of contributing to an “epidemic of addiction”. In the United States, Pur- due was among manufacturers named by New York City in a $500mn lawsuit fi led in January President takes aim at CNN and Carl Bernstein to recoup costs that could help battle the opioid crisis. Canadian victims and their AFP which eventually led back to Bernstein was one of the re- “Make no mistake, Mr Presi- he wrote on Twitter. “@CNN families reached a proposed Washington the White House, prompting a porters on a CNN story that dent, CNN does not lie. We re- stands by its story, and I stand C$20mn settlement with the scandal that forced Nixon to re- quoted sources as saying that port the news. And we report by my reporting.” company but it was blocked in sign in 1974. Trump’s former attorney when people in power tell lies. Trump’s attack on Bernstein March by a judge who found the S President Donald “Sloppy @carlbernstein, a Michael Cohen claimed the CNN stands by our reporting comes as the White House sum to be insuffi cient. Trump took aim at Carl man who lives in the past and US president knew in advance and our reporters. There may braces for the release of a book Ottawa has also poured tens of UBernstein, one of the re- thinks like a degenerate fool, about a June 2016 meeting in be many fools in this story but by Woodward. millions of dollars into strength- porters who helped bring down making up story after story, is which Russians were expected @carlbernstein is not one of Fear: Trump in the White ening emergency services and Richard Nixon’s presidency, being laughed at all over the to share dirt on then-election them,” it said. House, which comes out on distributing the overdose anti- accusing him of making up sto- country!” Trump tweeted. rival Hillary Clinton. Bernstein also pushed back. September 11, “reveals in un- dote naloxone. ries. He also slammed CNN – a The story has since been “I have spent my life as a precedented detail the harrow- Opioid overdoses claimed Bernstein and Bob Wood- frequent target of criticism called into question as one of journalist bringing the truth ing life inside Donald Trump’s nearly 4,000 lives in Canada last ward led the Washington Post from the president – saying the the sources – Cohen’s own law- to light, through administra- White House and how the pres- year, according to public health team that investigated the 1972 network “is being torn apart yer Lanny Davis – recanted, but tions of both parties. No taunt ident makes decisions on major data. break-in at the Democratic Na- from within based on their be- the network has stood by it. will diminish my commitment foreign and domestic policies”, British Columbia was hard- tional Committee headquar- ing caught in a major lie and The network hit back, reply- to that mission, which is the publisher Simon & Schuster Bernstein: CNN stands by its story, est hit, with about one-third of ters at the Watergate complex, refusing to admit the mistake”. ing to Trump’s tweet. essential role of a free press,” said. and I stand by my reporting. those overdose deaths. Gulf Times 6 Friday, August 31, 2018 ASIA Suu Kyi should have ‘resigned’: UN rights chief Workers restore a flood-damaged bridge on the outskirts of capital Naypyidaw. AFP Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi United Nations. A UN report on Bangkok Monday said Myanmar’s army should have stepped down over last chief Min Aung Hlaing should be year’s brutal army campaign against prosecuted for “genocide” of the obel Laureate Aung San Muslim minority. It also criti- Myanmar rescuers struggle to Suu Kyi should have re- the Rohingya, says outgoing UN human cised Suu Kyi, the country’s de Nsigned as Myanmar’s rights chief Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein facto leader and a one-time glo- de facto leader over last year’s bally respected rights defender, brutal army campaign against for failing to use her “moral au- reach stranded in dam fl oods the Rohingya, the outgoing UN thority” to stem the violence. human rights chief has told the Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s star AFP BBC. A military crackdown drove politician who still draws wide- Bago, Myanmar around 700,000 of the Muslim spread devotion inside the coun- minority from Rakhine state into try for her long struggle for de- Bangladesh, where they have mocracy, has seen her reputation escuers in boats ne- given accounts of widespread shredded internationally with gotiated muddy wa- rape, murder and arson targeting rights groups turning on her over Rters yesterday to reach their villages. a lack of public empathy for the thousands stranded in central Suu Kyi, once lionised as a de- Rohingya. Myanmar’s army has Myanmar after a dam over- fender of human rights, has been full control over defence and Suu fl owed, sending a torrent of pilloried outside her country for Kyi’s civilian government has no water across farmland and vil- failing to speak up for the Ro- ability to check its power. lages. No casualties have yet hingya or condemn the actions But Hussein said the Nobel been reported but state media of Myanmar’s army. Instead, as Leaurate should have leveraged said more than 63,000 people streams of desperate Rohingya Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein her status inside Myanmar to in Bago region were aff ected fl ed, Suu Kyi suggested an “ice- defang the military operation after the Swar Chaung dam The wall of Swar Chaung dam with a huge letter in Myanmar sign berg of misinformation” had chief Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein said mese military. She didn’t have to against the Rohingya — or re- overfl owed early Wednesday ‘Swar Chaung Dam’ is seen at Swar township, Bago region. obscured the real picture of what in the interview with the British say this was an iceberg of misin- signed —instead of eff ectively morning. had taken place inside Rakhine broadcaster. formation. These were fabrica- acting as a cloak for their ac- The dam’s spillway, a struc- huddled on mudfl ats. Trucks two biggest cities, throwing the and backed the army campaign “She could have stayed quiet tions,” he said. tions. “She could have said look, ture that controls the release were lodged in murky waters country’s traffi c artery into dis- as a justifi ed response to “ter- — or even better, she could have His stinging comments in- you know, I am prepared to be of more than 20,000 cubic while roads had buckled under array. Minister of Construction rorist” acts. resigned.” tensify days of damning criti- the nominal leader of the coun- metres of water held in Swar the weight of the waters, which Han Zaw said yesterday that “She (Suu Kyi) was in a posi- “There was no need for her to cism of Myanmar and its civilian try but not under these condi- Chaung’s levee, was broken by continued to fl ow across the 500 people are working to fi x tion to do something,” UN rights be the spokesperson of the Bur- and military leaders from the tions,” he said. seasonal rainfall. Slabs of con- villages. the road, which will take about crete where the spillway once Reeling from the loss of his two days. “(We) are trying to stood were left in ruins as a home, Wai Lin Aung, 27, said get the situation of transporta- Aid restrictions ‘could be war crime’: rights group steady stream of water drained there was no warning from au- tion back to normal as much as out of the reservoir and spilled thorities on what to do after the we can,” Han Zaw said. Government restrictions on criticism for blocking aid comment. Military spokesman Kachin insurgents broke down. out into surrounding farm- dam overfl owed. “No one told Currently more than 12,600 lifesaving aid for displaced agencies from conflict-torn Major General Tun Tun Nyi could La Rip of the Kachin land. Making up a part of the us what we needed to do so we people have taken shelter in people in northern Myanmar parts of Rakhine, and has also not immediately be reached. Development Group aid dam’s walls, the structure — just monitored the water levels about 30 temporary camps, but could constitute a war crime, faced accusations of cutting Baulk said the UN Security organisation told a news which engineers onsite called a and as the situation became many others are at a loss for advocacy group Fortify Rights off thousands of people Council should refer Myanmar conference organised by Fortify “duck bill” — once stood 120m worse, we just ran,” he told what to do. said yesterday, as pressure displaced by fighting between to the International Criminal Rights in the city of Yangon (400ft) high. AFP, adding that he had stayed Kyi Win, 46, managed to grows for accountability for government forces and ethnic Court to investigate. that aid groups like his were Local engineers walked at a monastery overnight. return to his village to check rights abuses in the country. minority guerrillas in Kachin Fortify Rights closely monitors forced to evade government along the edges of the dam’s “How can I feel comfortable on the state of his home but The rights group released State and the north of Shan human rights in Myanmar and restrictions to get help to walls inspecting the damage, seeing my house destroyed? I said he will continue staying a detailed report on aid State, both in the north. said it conducted nearly 200 internally displaced people. while authorities appeared to have nowhere to live and noth- in a temporary shelter. “Some restrictions just days after UN- “The government of interviews, most in Kachin Fortify Rights said its research be absent from the site. It is ing to eat.” of the houses are completely mandated investigators said Myanmar’s wilful deprivation of State, over a five-year period to showed that in the year to the second major regional fl ood Myanmar experiences a destroyed,” he said, explaining Myanmar’s military carried out humanitarian aid to displaced reach its conclusions. Myanmar June, only 5% of aid workers’ caused by damage to a dam in monsoon season that goes from that the toilet of his house has mass killings and gang rapes civilians in Kachin State violates off icials have in the past justified applications to travel in weeks, after at least 35 people June to November, but locals been wrecked. “For now, I’ll of Muslim Rohingya in Rakhine domestic and international restrictions saying aid was being government-controlled areas in were killed, scores left missing in Yedashe township said that stay (at the monastery) because state in the west of the country law, and could amount to a diverted by guerrillas to support the north were granted. and thousands displaced by a they had never witnessed such I can’t come back here.” with “genocidal intent”. war crime,” said David Baulk, their insurgencies. More than The UN investigators, who collapsed hydropower facility a massive torrent of water. “It The deluge comes just weeks Myanmar rejected the report a Myanmar human rights 100,000 people have been also documented abuses in neighbouring Laos. was like something we couldn’t after heavy monsoon rains saying the international specialist for Fortify Rights. displaced in the mountainous Kachin and northern Shan AFP reporters in Bago prov- believe,” Phyu Thi, 35, said. pummelled Myanmar, causing community was making “false Reached yesterday, government region bordering China and India states, recommended that top ince saw soldiers sporting or- The heavy weight of the widespread fl ash fl oods that allegations”. spokesman Zaw Htay said he since 2011, when a ceasefire generals be investigated and ange life jackets employed to fl oods also fractured part of a forced some 150,000 people to Myanmar has come in for was in a meeting so could not between the government and prosecuted for war crimes. rescue the stranded, steering bridge on the Yangon-Manda- fl ee their homes. tin boats to waiting villagers lay highway linking Myanmar’s

Four members of a family killed in Nepal landslide Four members of the same family Wednesday at their home in the nearby town. More than 150 people died after a landslide triggered village of Maulung, police off icer have been killed in landslides and by monsoon rains crushed Ananta Ram Sharma said. floods across Nepal in the last four Bangla protests stir opposition their home in a remote area of A team of police off icers who months, according to the Home north-eastern Nepal, police said reached the site early yesterday Ministry. The monsoon season yesterday. A 50-year-old man, his pulled their bodies from the in Nepal, which lasts from June 40-year-old wife, their three-year- wreckage. Survivors include two to September, causes disastrous hopes of revival before election old son and the man’s 55-year- members of the family — a boy landslides and flooding, killing old sister were all killed late and a girl — who were studying in a about 300 people every year. Reuters demanding to check drivers’ other for passengers. Demon- police, said at least 20 students Dhaka licences and vehicles’ road- strations quickly spread to the had been arrested on suspi- Vietnam arrests armed man on suspicion of plotting attack worthiness, have put Hasina cities of Chittagong, Khulna, cion they spread “rumours and and her ruling Awami League Rajshahi, Sylhet, Rangpur and propaganda” on social media. Police in southern Vietnam “terrorist” activities, according being a member of Viet Tan, angladesh’s main oppo- on the defensive in the run-up Mymensingh, as the protests Social activist and photogra- have arrested a man accused to a police statement posted by a self-described opposition sition party, in disarray to an election she was widely struck a chord. pher Shahidul Alam, who had of being a member of a banned the Ministry of Public Security. party in exile. Vietnam, a single Bsince its leader Khaleda expected to win. The BNP says Hasina’s government, which posted comments that a stu- anti-government group called Authorities found two guns, party Communist state, bans Zia was jailed in February, re- it was not involved in starting began her term in 2009 crack- dent wing of Hasina’s ruling Viet Tan. Le Quoc Binh, 44, was seven air guns, 500 bullets and opposition parties. It lists the ceived an unexpected boost this the protests, but is looking to ing down on Islamist groups party was trying to attack the arrested in a dawn raid after he anti-government propaganda in Viet Tan as a “terrorist group,” month — days of protests by capitalise on the opening they and sending top leaders to the protesters, was held on similar crossed from Cambodia with the raid. Police said he confessed although the group has publicly tens of thousands of students have been off ered with rallies gallows for war crimes during charges. multiple guns and headed to his to having the weapons. Police renounced violence and operates that have shaken the govern- across the country aimed at the 1971 independence war, is The government has said it home province. did not specify however openly in North America, ment ahead of a December pressuring the government to seen by some as increasingly had to impose control because He intended to carry out whether the man admitted to Europe and Australia. election. release its leader. high-handed after nearly a dec- rival politicians got involved in What began as an outpour- “The protest was spontane- ade in power. the protests. “There are forces ing of anger over the failings ous and non-political,” said In February, a court handed within and outside the coun- of an unregulated transport BNP secretary-general Mirza Khaleda, a two-term prime try waiting for any popular is- industry after a speeding bus Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. “The minister with whom Hasina sue and then mould it to their Bimstec summit under way killed two students in Dhaka, students have showed us the shares a long and bitter rivalry, advantage,” Hasina’s politi- quickly escalated into the wid- state is in need of repair.” a fi ve-year sentence for corrup- cal adviser, Hossain Toufi que est anti-government protests The government has blamed tion — charges that she says are Imam, told Reuters. “There’s in the South Asian nation in the BNP for inciting the stu- part of a plot to keep her and her no doubt that there are enemies years, providing a focus for dis- dents. To quell the protests, family out of politics. of the government who are try- content with what critics see as Hasina announced compensa- In recent months, Hasina ing to take every opportunity to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s tion to the victims’ families and has faced criticism that her destabilise it.” increasingly authoritarian rule. the government agreed to raise political opponents are being Hasina won the 2014 elec- “The government is try- the maximum jail time for rash swept up in the ongoing drive tion for a second fi ve-year term ing to control everything,” said driving to fi ve years from three. against militancy, corruption after Khaleda boycotted the Rabiul Alam, 28, who works in But heavy-handed policing of and drugs, which has also seen polls in protest at the scrapping a curtain showroom in Dhaka. demonstrations and a wave of security forces accused of over- of the practice of installing a “There is no space, no freedom, arrests fuelled accusations that stepping the law. neutral caretaker government no democracy. You can’t even free speech is increasingly be- The police’s response to the to oversee elections. Her party criticise the government on Fa- ing curtailed. The government protests — by fi ring rubber bul- says it will decide in the next cebook.” said its actions were necessary lets, water cannons, and tear- few weeks whether to continue Alam, who is a voter in his to restore order. gas at unarmed students — has with the boycott. hometown in Barishal, in The protests erupted after drawn international criticism Analysts say the govern- southern Bangladesh, said he the driver of a speeding private for the government, includ- ment’s response to the emo- would vote for the fi rst time bus lost control in a congested ing from the United States and tionally charged student pro- this year — for Khaleda’s Bang- part of Dhaka and ploughed United Nations. tests means Hasina may now ladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). into a bus stop, killing two stu- The government has ordered face a much tougher fi ght to re- Analysts say such views are on dents. Most private bus drivers police to patrol school and col- tain power than seemed likely a A man translates the speech of Myanmar’s President Win Myint in English during the Bay of Bengal the rise around the country. in Bangladesh do not get paid a lege campuses to head off fur- few months ago, if the BNP de- Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Co-operation (Bimstec) summit yesterday in The protests, which saw stu- salary, but earn commission for ther trouble. Sayed Nasirul- cides to take part – even though Kathmandu, Nepal. dents directing traffi c for days the number of people they pick lah, an assistant commissioner several leading BNP members in the choked streets of Dhaka, up, leading them to race each with the Dhaka metropolitan are in jail on various charges. Gulf Times Friday, August 31, 2018 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Robot teachers invade Chinese kindergartens

AFP as navigational sensors and a right, the device reacts with childhood education who now bot that can hold simple con- the World Robot Conference, it will be a long while before Beijing front-facing camera allowing delight, its face flashing heart- works with Keeko Robot Xia- versations and make facial ex- featuring machines that can robots can completely replace users to record video journals. shaped eyes. men Technology as a trainer. pressions. diagnose diseases, play bad- humans in the classroom. “To In China, robots are being de- “When children see Keeko According to the Interna- minton and wow audiences teach you must be able to in- he Chinese kindergarten veloped to deliver groceries, Beijing has invested with its round head and body, tional Federation of Robots, with their musical skills. teract, have a human touch, eye children giggled as they provide companionship to the money and manpower it looks adorable and children China has the world’s top in- Last year, a group of monks contact and facial expressions. Tworked to solve puzzles elderly, dispense legal advice in developing artifi cial love it. So when they see Kee- dustrial robot stock, with some in Beijing created a two-foot- These are the things that make assigned by their new teach- and now, as Keeko’s creators intelligence as part of ko, they almost instantly take 340,000 units in factories high robot monk dispensing an education,” Xie said. ing assistant: a roundish, short hope, join the ranks of educa- its “Made in China 2025” to it,” she added. across the country engaged in mantras and advice to attain- “It’s not just the language or educator with a screen for a tors. plan, with a Chinese fi rm Keeko robots have entered manufacturing and the auto- ing nirvana. the content, it’s everything.” face. At the Yiswind Institute of last year unveiling the more than 600 kindergar- motive industry. The iPal — a companion of She said the Keeko robots, Just under 60cm (two feet) Multicultural Education on the country’s fi rst human-like tens across the country with The service robot market — sorts for children — is the lat- which cost about 10,000 yuan high, the autonomous robot outskirts of Beijing, the chil- robot that can hold simple its makers hoping to expand which includes devices rang- est humanoid robot to be mar- ($1,500), or about the monthly named Keeko has been a hit in dren have been tasked to help conversations and make into Greater China and South- ing from specialised medical keted for family use, following salary of a kindergarten teach- several kindergartens, telling a prince find his way through facial expressions east Asia. Beijing has invested equipment to automated vac- in the footsteps of the diminu- er, may have some advantages stories and challenging children a desert — by putting together money and manpower in de- uum cleaners — is estimated tive, wisecracking “Pepper” over a flesh-and-blood educa- with logic problems. square mats that represent a “Education today is no long- veloping artificial intelligence to be worth $1.32bn last year. companion released by Japan’s tor. Round and white with a tub- path taken by the robot — part er a one-way street, where the as part of its “Made in China It is expected to grow to $4.9bn SoftBank in 2015. “The best thing about ro- by body, the armless robot zips storytelling and part problem- teacher teaches and students 2025” plan, with a Chinese by 2022, said market research But Xie Yi, principal of the bots? They’re more stable around on tiny wheels, its in- solving. just learn,” said Candy Xiong, firm last year unveiling the firm Research In China. kindergarten where Keeko has (than humans),” she said with built cameras doubling up both Each time they get an answer a teacher trained in early country’s first human-like ro- Last week, Beijing hosted been put on trial, believes that a laugh.

Beijing-Daxing airport in the making Whistleblower Manning faces Australia tour ban

AFP intelligence analyst, was detained Sydney in 2010 and jailed in 2013 for leak- ing over 700,000 classifi ed doc- uments related to the wars in Iraq S whistleblower Chel- and Afghanistan. The revelations sea Manning, jailed for by Manning, who is transgender Uleaking classifi ed in- and was then known as Bradley formation, is facing a ban from Manning, exposed covered-up Australia with organisers of a misdeeds and possible crimes by speaking tour saying yesterday US troops and allies. her visa application was likely to Her actions made Manning be refused. a hero to anti-war and anti- The former soldier, freed last secrecy activists but US estab- year after then US president lishment fi gures branded her a Barack Obama commuted her traitor. 35-year sentence days before he She served seven years and left offi ce, was due to talk at the during her incarceration battled Sydney Opera House on Sun- for – and won – the right to start day followed by engagements in hormone treatment. Melbourne and Brisbane. Former US soldier Chelsea Manning speaks during the C2 conference Manning’s speaking tour Suzi Jamil from Think Inc, in Montreal, Quebec in a file picture. has also generated lively debate which organised Manning’s in New Zealand, where she is tour of Australia and New Zea- midable ideas and an insightful cases but said anyone entering booked for events on September land, said a “notice of intention perspective which we are hoping the country must meet the char- 8 and 9. to consider refusal” of her visa to bring to the forefront of Aus- acter requirements set out in the She will need special dispen- application was received from tralian dialogue.” Migration Act. “A person can fail sation to enter the country be- the conservative government on Jamil said Think Inc would the character test for a number of cause of her convictions and the Wednesday. “pursue all legal avenues to the reasons, including but not limited conservative opposition wants “We are very disappointed minister and hope he will decide to where a non-citizen has a sub- her barred, labelling Manning a to learn that the department of to allow the Australian public to stantial criminal record or where felon who has shown no remorse home aff airs has taken this ap- hear about vital issues around their conduct represents a risk and wants to profi t by talking proach and will be vigorously data privacy, artifi cial intelli- to the Australian community,” a about her crimes. advocating for her ability to en- gence and transgender rights”. spokesperson for the home aff airs New Zealand’s immigration ter Australia,” Jamil told AFP. The Australian government department added. department is still considering “Ms Manning has many for- does not comment on individual Manning, who was an army her visa application.

New Zealand village wants to ban cats

For countless animal lovers with the council. No cat would be around the country and native suggested residents of the capital they’re trusted companions, replaced once it died. birds had been “ripped to pieces” Wellington should stop having but for conservationists in New Omaui Landcare Charitable by cats on his front lawn, he said. cats in order to reintroduce the Zealand cats are pests that Trust chairman John Collins, a Cats, which were introduced by country’s most iconic bird, the kiwi threaten the survival of many proponent of the ban, told the European immigrants, have long to urban areas. “I think gradually endemic species and one small Otago Daily Times the village was fallen out of favour with many we’ll see people recognise that town now plans to ban them a “high-value conservation area” New Zealand environmentalists having wildlife thrive will mean outright. A new proposal released and removing cats from the area as they are highly eff icient having cats inside — and when by the local government of would enable native animals to predators and are known to kill all your cat dies, then potentially not China’s national flag is displayed in the interior of the new roofed terminal building of the Omaui on the southern end of the thrive. “We’re not cat haters, but kinds of native wildlife, including replacing it,” she said Omaui’s Beijing-Daxing New Airport, as members of the media take a tour of the premises, in Beijing country’s South Island this week we want our environment to be birds, lizards and insects. cat lovers have advised that they yesterday. The building, which is set for completion in 2019, will be the world’s largest single calls for all cats to be neutered, wildlife-rich,” he added. The country’s Conservation “actively petition” against any plan terminal airport. microchipped and registered Wildlife was disappearing rapidly Minister Eugenie Sage recently to get rid of their beloved cats.

Pacifi c leaders urged to demand end to refugee Ancient Chinese painting camps in Australia Lenders not to blame Amnesty International joined 80 other NGOs yesterday in urging Pacific leaders demand the closure expected to fetch $51mn of an Australian-funded immigra- tion detention camp on Nauru when for ballooning Pacifi c they meet in the tiny island nation AFP next week. The 18-nation Pacific Hong Kong Islands Forum (PIF) will hold its annual summit in Nauru from Sep- debts: Samoa PM tember 3-6, with delegates meeting nearly 1,000-year-old just a few kilometres from the camp ink painting by one of dubbed “Australia’s Guantanamo”. Reuters guidelines to borrow,” he said. garner support for sustainable AChina’s greatest liter- It houses asylum-seekers who have Sydney “The only reason why countries development in their nations,” ati masters Su Shi is expected tried to reach Australia by boat and have not been able to pay is be- he said. “Some might say there to fetch US$51mn at auction, are processed in remote facilities cause they did not have proper is a patronising nuance in be- Christie’s said yesterday as the on Nauru and Papua New Guinea acifi c Island states only fi nancial strategies.” lieving Pacifi c nations did not work went on view in Hong under Canberra’s hardline immigra- have themselves to blame China has said it is supporting know what they were doing.” Kong. The Song Dynasty art- tion policies. Australia says off shore Pif they fall into debt prob- development in a region where it A Reuters’ analysis of the work created by Su is “one of the processing is necessary to deter ille- lems and criticism of China’s is needed. But the debt issue has fi nancial books of 11 South Pa- world’s rarest Chinese paint- gal boat arrivals and prevent deaths surging lending in the region by become a prominent concern cifi c island nations shows Chi- ings,” said the auction house. at sea on the treacherous journey. rival powers has been patron- since China took possession of na is the region’s biggest bilat- Entitled ‘Wood and Rock’, the Amnesty, along with the 80 other ising, Samoa’s Prime Minister a Sri Lankan port as Colombo eral lender, with loans jumping ink-on-paper handscroll de- A staff member of Christie’s stands in front of a painting entitled non-government organisations, re- said yesterday. China has spent struggled to pay its dues. from almost zero to more than picts a dragon-like old tree with ‘Wood and Rock’ by Song Dynasty pre-eminent scholar Su Shi leased an open letter calling on PIF $1.3bn on concessionary loans Australia in particular, which $1.3bn outstanding in a decade. withered branches and a sharp (1037-1101) during a media preview of Christie’s Hong Kong leaders to act and end “a stain on and gifts since 2011 to become has long viewed the Pacifi c as Samoa is one of eight island rock resting at its root. Autumn Sale in Hong Kong yesterday. the region”. “Pacific island leaders the Pacifi c’s second-largest its backyard, has been critical of nations in the South Pacifi c, The versatile literati, also cannot ignore this issue any longer donor after Australia, stoking some Chinese aid projects, and carrying signifi cant debt to known as Su Dongpo is one of the poems of four important a Chinese calligraphy scroll and need to ensure that it is at the concern in the West that several a former foreign minister has China, but Malielegaoi said the the most important cultural literati of the 11th century in by Huang Tingjian — Su Shi’s very top of the forum’s agenda,” tiny nations could end up over- warned that the lending could terms were “soft” and repay- fi gures in Chinese history and China, and also exhibits the student — sold for $64mn at Amnesty’s Pacific researcher Ro- burdened and in debt to China. undermine the long-term sover- ments “never any problem”. was an esteemed scholar, poet, seals of 41 collectors. The Poly Auction in Beijing. Hong shika Deo said. Samoan Prime Minister eignty of recipients. Malielegaoi He also criticised a bid, abrupt- prose-writer, painter, callig- painting will be on view until Kong’s auction houses have “This is a desperate situation that Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, said in a speech to the institute ly abandoned after pressure from rapher and statesman. “The September 1 and will go under seen frenzied bidding among requires urgent action. Regional speaking during a visit to the that unidentifi ed “traditional” China, by his Tongan counter- number of the works securely the hammer on November 26 Asian buyers in recent years, leaders must show that they will Lowy Institute, a foreign pol- partners had “left the neigh- part, ‘Akilisi P’hiva, to make a attributed to him are very few, as part of Christie’s Hong Kong with sales of diamonds, paint- not stand by while the Australian icy think-tank in Sydney, said bourhood, even if momentarily” co-ordinated request for China probably only two or three. Autumn Sale. ings and ancient ceramics shat- government’s abusive policies con- China was not to blame. “We and returned to fi nd the region to forgive loans across the region. They are extremely rare,” said Stone said the artwork is ex- tering world records. tinue to risk more lives.” The rights should not accuse the lender more hotly contested. “It is never a good policy for a Jonathan Stone, deputy chair- pected to attract interests from A rare Qing Dynasty por- groups said asylum-seekers on itself,” Malielegaoi told Reu- “Our partners have fallen small country to keep on asking man for Christie’s Asian art de- outside China. “It’s an interna- celain bowl enamelled with Nauru and PNG’s Manus Island were ters in an interview when asked short of acknowledging the in- for loans and asking again for for- partment. tional masterpiece instead of poppies is expected to fetch subjected to “cruel and degrading about the region’s growing debt tegrity of Pacifi c leadership and giveness, it destroys the country’s The 185.5cm-long scroll is just a Chinese masterpiece,” he $25.6mn at Sotheby’s in Octo- treatment” that must stop. to China. “It’s up to the country the responsibility they carry for integrity and relationship with inscribed with calligraphy and added. In 2010, “Dizhuming”, ber. itself to ensure that it sets down every decision made in order to friendly partners,” he said. Gulf Times 8 Friday, August 31, 2018 BRITAIN/IRELAND

DIPLOMACY WAGE WOES FINANCE OBESITY INNOVATION PM wraps Africa tour with Ryanair recognises cabin Payday lender Wonga halts Govt mulls ban on sale of Dyson outlines plans for post-Brexit trade promises crew union in Ireland new loan applications energy drinks to children electric car test track

Prime Minister Theresa May yesterday ended a Ryanair said yesterday it has agreed to recognise Payday lender Wonga has stopped accepting The government yesterday launched a public James Dyson, billionaire British inventor of the three-nation tour of Africa in Kenya, promising Ireland-based cabin crew who have union new loan applications, according to its website, consultation over plans to ban the sale of energy bagless vacuum cleaner, yesterday outlined post-Brexit trade continuity and hoping to membership, stepping up a drawn-out process amid questions over its survival just weeks drinks to young people, as it grapples with some plans on Thursday to build new testing facilities strengthen ties before quitting the European to improve workers’ conditions and avert strikes. after the struggling firm completed a £10mn of Western Europe’s worst child obesity rates. and invest another £116mn ($150mn) to develop Union. May’s first Africa visit is part of a The no-frills airline said it had signed a deal ($13mn) cash call. Wonga was this month forced Prime Minister Theresa May wants to prevent an electric car to be launched by 2020. He campaign to promote Britain’s global ambitions with the union Forsa, which follows agreements to raise £10mn from investors amid a surge in retailers from selling popular energy drinks to published details of a planning application to and relations with just seven months left until with cabin crew unions in Italy, Germany and compensation claims related to loans taken out children because of their high levels of sugar and build over ten miles of test track on a former Britain formally leaves the world’s biggest the UK. “We are pleased to sign this cabin crew before 2014. “While it continues to assess its caff eine. The government estimates more than World War II airfield in Wiltshire, western trading bloc. After meeting with May, Kenyan recognition agreement with Forsa in Ireland,” options Wonga has decided to stop taking loan two-thirds of 10 to 17-year-olds and a quarter England. Dyson is betting on its engineering President Uhuru Kenyatta said he felt reassured, Ryanair’s human resources chief Eddie Wilson applications,” a banner on the front page of its of six to 9-year-olds consume the drinks, which expertise to break into the global automotive amid the uncertainty brought on by Britain’s said. “This is a further sign of the progress Ryanair website said yesterday. “If you are an existing are linked to a host of health and behaviour industry. “We are now firmly focused on the next decision to quit the EU next year. Both leaders is making with trade unions since our decision customer you can continue to use our services problems, from headaches to hyperactivity. stage of our automotive project, strengthening referenced the historically close ties between to recognise unions, with over 65% of our cabin to manage your loan.” A company spokeswoman “Childhood obesity is one of the greatest health our credentials as a global research and Britain and its former colony. crew now covered by recognition agreements.” declined to comment further. challenges this country faces,” May said. development organisation,” Dyson said. Alex Salmond Royal act stuns Scottish politics with sudden SNP resignation

AFP the ongoing campaign for independ- London ence,” Sturgeon added. She defended her government’s probe into the allegations, arguing cotland was reeling yesterday they “could not be ignored or swept after Alex Salmond’s shock under the carpet.” Sresignation from the Scottish “Complaints must be investigated National Party following allegations without fear or favour, regardless of of sexual misconduct against the the seniority of the person involved,” staunch nationalist who nearly led she said. Scotland to independence in 2014. Police Scotland confi rmed last Announced late on Wednesday, the week it had received complaints that surprise move came after it emerged fi ve years ago, Salmond had sexually last week police were investigating harassed two staff members at Edin- two harassment allegations raised in burgh’s Bute House, the fi rst minis- January against the former fi rst min- ter’s offi cial residence. ister. The case was referred to the police He has fi ercely denied the claims, following an internal probe by Scot- which date back to 2013 when he was tish government offi cials. in offi ce and is taking legal action But Salmond claims the offi cials against the Scottish Government over acted “unlawfully” by raising the Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, pose with the cast and crew backstage after a gala performance of the musical Hamilton in the complaints process against him. complaint over three years after he support of the charity Sentebale at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London late on Wednesday. In a video message posted on social left offi ce, fi ling a legal challenge at an media late Wednesday, Salmond said Edinburgh court on Tuesday. he was quitting the SNP to prevent The government has said it will “substantial internal division” and “defend its position vigorously”. attacks from rival political parties. Alongside his resignation, Sal- “I did not come into politics to fa- mond also launched of a crowdfund- cilitate opposition attacks on the SNP ing campaign to help with the legal Minister attacks Google over ‘child abuse content’ and, with parliament returning next costs. week, I have tendered my resignation By yesterday morning, the cam- to remove this line of opposition at- paign had raised more than £60,000 Reuters to get into China but won’t cooperate Canada and New Zealand invited ma- where many of its products are blocked tack,” he said. ($78,000)— exceeding the £50,000 London with UK, US...in removing child abuse jor technology companies to attend a by regulators. “Most of all I am conscious that if target. content,” Hunt said on Twitter. “They meeting on tackling child abuse and Leading human rights groups, in- the party felt forced into suspending Opposition parties attacked the used to be so proud of being values- extremism on their websites, but the cluding Amnesty International, have me it would cause substantial internal fundraising as “astonishing” and oreign Minister Jeremy Hunt driven.” fi rms declined to attend, the Daily Mail urged Google not to bow to censorship division.” “unbelievable”. yesterday accused Google of Alphabet’s Google plans a search reported yesterday. demands in China because by doing First Minister and SNP leader “Scotland now faces the incredible Fabandoning its moral values by engine in China that will block some Google said they did off er to send an so, they allege, the company would be Nicola Sturgeon had come under and unprecedented situation of its failing to remove child abuse content search terms and websites, two sourc- executive to the conference. complicit in the repression of freedom pressure in recent days to suspend most famous former fi rst minister ap- while launching a version of its search es told Reuters earlier this month, in In January, Prime Minister Theresa of speech. Salmond, her political mentor over pealing to SNP supporters for cash to engine in China that will block some a move that could mark its return to a May used an address at the World Search terms about human rights, three decades. take legal action against the govern- websites. market it abandoned eight years ago on Economic Forum in Davos to say in- democracy, religion and peaceful pro- Following his announcement, she ment he used to run,” a spokesman for The British government has repeat- censorship concerns. vestors should use their fi nancial tests will be among the words black- said she felt “a huge sadness about the Scottish Conservatives said. edly criticised online platforms such Google said in a statement they power to force Internet fi rms into tak- listed in the search engine app, which this whole situation”. Salmond said he intended to reap- as Twitter, YouTube and Facebook for agreed with Hunt that child sexual ing more responsibility for stopping The Intercept website said had already “While the decision to resign has ply for SNP membership “just as soon failing to remove abusive material or abuse was “abhorrent and must be re- militants and paedophiles using their been demonstrated to the Chinese gov- been Alex’s alone, I understand why as I have had the opportunity to clear sexual content posted online even after moved, that’s why we co-operate with platforms. ernment. he has chosen to separate the cur- my name”. they were notifi ed. governments to fi ght child sexual abuse Google, which quit China’s search The project, code-named “Drag- rent questions he is facing from the “I hope that is by the end of this “Seems extraordinary that Google online”. engine market in 2010, has been ac- onfl y”, has been under way since the day-to-day business of the SNP and year,” he added. is considering censoring its content Britain, the United States, Australia, tively seeking ways to re-enter China spring of 2017, the news website said.

Boat made from recycled plastic waste launched Anglo-French scallop fracas sparks

By Saeed Haque, Reuters calls for British naval protection London

AFP French tactics”, he recounted hav- two countries’ scallop industries nvironmental campaigners yester- London ing “rocks and (metal) shackles broke down without a deal to limit day launched a boat on the River thrown at us before” while fi shing summer fi shing. EThames that has been made almost off the French coast. Agreements had been struck entirely of recycled plastic waste, in an ef- ritish fi shermen yesterday A petition launched Wednes- in recent years limiting British fort to raise awareness of growing levels of called on their government day on Change.org “to help the vessels over 15m from entering rubbish in Britain’s waterways. Bto off er greater protection Brixham fi shermen to get naval French waters closed to their The 12-seater punt was built by Mark Ed- after they clashed dramatically protection against the French” at- own fleets. wards, who also made the Gloriana barge for with French fi shing fl eets over tracted nearly 1,000 signatures by Environment Secretary Michael Queen Elizabeth’s 2012 diamond jubilee. scallops in the English Channel yesterday. Gove, whose father was a fi sher- Named the “PET Project,” the boat will this week. “If you do not help, the fi sher- man in Scotland, said he sympa- run regular trips along the river to fi sh out A years-long dispute over the men’s lives and livelihoods are in thised with British vessels “caught plastic rubbish, which in turn will be used prized shellfi sh boiled over on danger,” it said. up in the terrible scenes”. to build more such vessels. Tuesday when fi ve heavily-out- Meanwhile offi cials in French “They were fi shing entirely le- Edwards used traditional techniques to numbered British boats sparred fi shing ports yesterday expressed gally, they had every right to be in make the boat. with dozens of French vessels in fears the violence could be repeat- those waters and we talked to the “We went back to the technology inher- waters near France. ed elsewhere. French authorities in order to en- ited from the Vikings,” he told reporters at Fishermen from both sides Laurent Jacques, the mayor of sure that we have a protocol,” he the launch in Richmond, southwest Lon- hurled stones and insults while Le Treport in Normandy, said: said. don. some of the boats also rammed “My fear is that this will happen Pro-Brexit lawmakers critical “It took us two men, about six weeks fl at each other, and fl ares were set off , again soon because everyone is of the European Union’s Common out, so it’s quite a lot of work...but for a according to video footage. very angry,” he warned. Fisheries Policy seized on the in- craft that’s going to last 100 years it’s noth- Andrew Mcleod, 49, who cap- The skirmish took place in the cident. ing.” tains a trawler based in Brixham, scallop-rich waters of the Baie “Shocking violence...remem- Each year 300 tonnes of rubbish is in southwest England — where de Seine area of Normandy, more ber UK boats wouldn’t have to go cleared from the Thames and a large pro- two of the boats involved in the than 12 nautical miles out to sea outside our waters if they had fair portion of it is food and drink packaging fracas sail from — said the inci- where the British are legally al- share of our own resources,” Con- that comes from dry land, says the envi- dent would not deter British ves- lowed to fi sh all year round. servative MP Owen Paterson said ronmental charity Hubbub which is behind Environmental charity Hubbub sails its boat ‘PET Project’ down the River Thames in sels from fi shing there. French fl eets are restricted to on Twitter. the project. Richmond, south west London. “I’d like to see the govern- fi shing for scallops between Oc- The European Commission on It adds on its website: “Much of the litter ment take a fi rmer stance with the tober 1 and May 15 to allow stocks Wednesday urged France and Brit- is being eaten by birds, fi sh and other spe- “I think this...shows that plastic is not “It’s about making sure you don’t put French regarding the actions of to replenish They have accused ain to fi nd an “amicable” solution, cies which is leading to 70% of Thames fi sh just an issue that’s in far away oceans — it’s litter in an overfl owing bin where it can their boats,” he told AFP by mes- the British of depleting them and but insisted it could not get in- found to have plastic in their gut.” present here in London and actually there’s blow out into the river and it’s obviously sage from his boat in the Channel. want the same rules applied. volved because arrangements for PET project is Hubbub’s second boat lots we can all do about it,” said its director about not dropping litter directly into the Describing the violence wit- Tensions have spiked this year trawling were made between indi- made of recycled plastic waste. Gavin Ellis. river.” nessed this week as “standard after negotiations between the vidual countries. Gulf Times Friday, August 31, 2018 9 EUROPE

MOCKED INTEGRATION METEOR STRIKE NO INJURIES POPULAR VOICE Turkish man desperate to Macron proposes EU Space station reports Church roof collapses, Russia mourns ‘Soviet drop ‘dollar’ surname collective defence plan ‘leak’, crew not in danger damages chapel beneath Sinatra’ Iosif Kobzon

A Turkish man has caught the attention of local French President Emmanuel Macron yesterday The International Space Station crew was The roof of a church built on top of an ancient Popular Russian singer and lawmaker Iosif Kobzon media for trying to avoid being teased for his US- suggested that Europe adopts a form of collective yesterday repairing a small “leak” most likely prison that is said to have held St Peter before — sometimes called “the Soviet Frank Sinatra” — linked surname. Ferhat Dolar, 48, from Dalaman defence as he strengthens calls for EU integration caused by a collision with a small meteorite, the his crucifixion collapsed yesterday in Rome. died yesterday, aged 80. Born in Ukraine’s Donbass in the Aegean province of Mugla, has asked in the face of concerns over the United States’ head of the Russian space agency said, adding No injuries were reported. The church was region to Jewish parents, Kobzon began his career the local civil registration off ice to replace his security commitments. Macron, who has called the incident presented no danger. “Overnight closed to the public at the time and is normally in 1959 and was most popular in the 1970s and surname, explaining to the Milliyet daily: “Due to on the bloc to stop its reliance on Washington and in the morning there was an abnormal open only for marriage ceremonies, but dogs 80s. Kobzon won a competition to perform in front the recent economic sanctions imposed on our as a military backstop, said Europe should seek situation — a pressure drop, an oxygen leak at were brought in to sniff through the rubble of Stalin in the Kremlin with a children’s choir as country by America, my surname has become an “strategic autonomy” in defence, during a press the station,” Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin to make certain no one had been buried, the a 10-year-old boy. President Vladimir Putin sent object of mockery. Therefore I decided to drop conference with his Finnish counterpart in Helsinki. was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. fire department said. The roof collapsed onto a message of condolences to Kobzon’s family, my surname.” Dolar in Turkish means ‘dollar’. “I In order to achieve this he proposed “co-operation “A micro fracture was found, most likely it is the floor of St Joseph the Carpenter, which the Kremlin said. Kobzon suff ered from prostate cannot accept the US stance against Turkey. I am reinforced almost automatically, which will damage from the outside. The design engineers was built in the 1500s on top of the ancient cancer for several years. “His voice was heard from disturbed by people making insulting comments mean that, for member states who agreed with believe it is the result of a micrometeorite,” he Mamertine prison, where the defeated Gallic every window, you could not celebrate a single regarding my surname,” Dolar was quoted by the reform, we could have a real solidarity of said. He said the fracture was found on the Soyuz king Vercingetorix and saints Peter and Paul are New Year’s Eve without him,” said an obituary on broadcaster CNNTurk as saying yesterday. intervention if one state was attacked”. ship that brought astronauts to the ISS in June. said to have been held. state-owned website Vesti.ru.

Victory Day parade Italy demands that EU opens more ports to migrant ships

Reuters mission when its mandate mented migrants. Vienna ends....We think it’s too long to Defence Minister Mario Ku- wait and should be done imme- nasek outlined a plan based on diately,” said Trenta, who said Austria’s past use of soldiers at taly yesterday demanded she had been in talks with France its borders. the EU fi nd other ports to and Spain. He stressed that soldiers at Idisembark migrants rescued Speaking in Venice yesterday, frontiers would be under police Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives to lay a wreath at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in Ankara yesterday during a in the Mediterranean, suggest- Italy’s anti-immigrant Interior control. ceremony marking the 96th anniversary of Victory Day, commemorating a decisive battle in the Turkish War of Independence. ing it would withhold support Minister Matteo Salvini also “We have got to protect our for the EU naval mission against hinted at an end to the EU mis- borders eff ectively,” Kunasek people-smuggling unless other sion, saying that if EU partners told reporters after the meeting, countries take in survivors. do not agree to off er ports “then saying there was a “positive dis- Italy became the main route we’ll go it alone”. cussion” on the proposal. into Europe for hundreds of No country off ered ports at In June, Austria held a drill thousands of asylum seekers the Vienna defence ministers’ overseen by the far-right inte- arriving by sea since the oth- meeting as an alternative to Italy rior minister which enacted the Russia tries more precise tech er main route from Turkey to for Sophia, although EU foreign arrival of hundreds of migrants Greece was largely shut in 2016. policy chief Federica Mogherini and involved Black Hawk heli- While numbers have dropped said she expected talks to con- copters and soldiers. over the past year, a new popu- tinue. Germany and other countries list Italian government has made “Today was not a matter of expressed doubt about the Aus- to block Telegram messenger shutting down the route a pillar pledging ports,” said Mogherini, trian plan. of policy. who chaired the meeting, saying “There are very few ways that It yesterday forced the port there was a political will to fi nd the military, even theoretically, By Maria Kolomychenko, Reuters Because of that hiccup, the attempt to The systems being tested now use a tech- issue onto a meeting of EU de- a solution and that other options can be used in border areas,” Moscow block Telegram was put on hold, and the nology called Deep Packet Inspection. fence ministers, who need Ital- existed, such as sending a larger Estonia’s Defence Minister Juri service is still accessible to Russian users. The technology operates in a more surgi- ian support for their naval mis- number of those who arrive in Luik told Reuters. “If you don’t Since August 6, Russian state communi- cal way, analysing Internet traffi c, identify- sion, known as Sofi a, which Italy to other EU states. have a military confl ict, every- ussia is experimenting with more pre- cations watchdog Roskomnadzor and state ing the data fl ows of a particular services and expires in four months and now Italy’s Foreign Minister Enzo thing can be handled by police.” cise technology to block individual security agency the FSB have been test- blocking them. brings all migrants it rescues to Moavero Milanesi said he would The head of Spanish charity Ronline services after an attempt to ing systems designed to allow more precise However, executives at two of the com- Italy. insist on the migration issue at a Proactiva Open Arms said yes- shut down banned messaging service Tele- blocking of individual services, according to panies invited to take part said initial tests “It’s no longer possible that meeting with his counterparts, terday it was becoming hard to gram failed, but Moscow has yet to fi nd a way the minutes of a meeting between offi cials to were not successful, because services other Italy be the only port of disem- also in Vienna yesterday, say- operate a rescue mission in the to shut it down without hitting other traffi c. discuss the plan. than the ones being targeted were still be- barkation and that it take in all ing governments had to live up Western Mediterranean since It- Telegram, which has 200mn global users Anton Pinchuk, co-owner of Russian ing blocked unintentionally. “So far no one the migrants rescued at sea,” to European values on human aly and Malta closed their ports. and has been popular in countries including technology company Protei, which accord- has successfully passed the testing,” said one Italian Defence Minister Elisa- rights and unity. “Where can we buy fuel? In Russia and Iran, has been banned in Russia ing to the minutes was invited to take part in of the executives. They said the testing was betta Trenta said in Vienna after “We write solidarity every- what port can we do repairs?” because it refused to comply with a court or- the testing, confi rmed to Reuters the testing scheduled to conclude by August 20, but the the meeting with her 27 coun- where in Europe, we talk about he said. “It hard for our boats to der to give security services access to users’ was taking place. deadline has now been pushed back. terparts. it, well, (this is a) wonderful operate in these conditions.” encrypted messages. He said his fi rm has declined to take part. Roskomnadzor, in response to Reuters The Italian demand follows occasion to show it,” he told re- The aid group said it would Russia’s authorities started trying to block The earlier attempt to block Telegram in- questions about the tests, said it had no in- diplomatic rows in which res- porters. move some resources from the the service in April but they inadvertently volved targeting Internet Protocol addresses formation. cue ships were not allowed to Austria, which is also led by a Mediterranean to the Strait of blocked Russian users’ access to a slew of operated by Amazon, Google and others that The FSB did not respond to questions, nor dock in Italy unless other states coalition that includes the anti- Gibraltar to help the Spanish unrelated online services, including voice hosted Telegram traffi c. did Telegram’s founder, Russian tech entre- agreed to take in the migrants on immigrant far right, proposed coast guard with sea rescues as calls on the Viber messaging service, cloud- The problem was that these IP addresses preneur Pavel Durov. Oleg Ivanov, Deputy board. using EU member states’ mili- Spain becomes the new main based applications for Volvo cars, and apps often also hosted traffi c for multiple other Minister for Communications and Digital “Some (EU governments) said taries to back up the bloc’s bor- entry point for asylum seekers that control Xiaomi video cameras. services which were also aff ected. Development, declined comment. we should change the Sophia der guards in barring undocu- fl eeing Africa. Portugal attracts parched investors with water — plenty of it

By Andrei Khalip, Reuters “We have enough water to the loans and other incentives to in- improved since almond growers Alqueva, Portugal point when I’m fi ve years into a vestors ready to spend more than started hiring his hives to polli- drought and not worried about 500,000 euros and create jobs. nate their trees. water,” said Leal da Costa, noting The Alqueva project only this Unemployment in the wider s wildfi res scorched Cali- that water scarcity was always a year reached the design goal of Alentejo region around Alqueva fornia yet again this sum- worry in California, the world’s selling its water to 80% of the fell more sharply than anywhere Amer, Jose Dariush Leal da largest almond producer, where area it serves. else in Portugal last year to below Costa, a Bay Area native with farms compete for water resourc- State fi rm EDIA, which runs it, the average national level, drop- Portuguese roots, was harvest- es with cities and industries. plans to expand irrigation cover- ping to 8.4%. ing his fi rst almonds in a sun- During a trip to the United age by over 40% to 170,000 hec- Almond plantations in the area drenched, watery oasis in south- States in June, Prime Minister tares by 2022. doubled in size last year to more than ern Portugal. Antonio Costa invited investors Other Portuguese regions 5,500 hectares, with foreign inves- The largest artifi cial lake in in California, which has a climate want similar irrigation projects, tors dominating new plantings. the European Union, the 250sq similar to Portugal, to set up shop but Alqueva is unlikely to face Fruit plantations have also km Alqueva, irrigates an area the around Alqueva in a pitch that competition from new schemes expanded strongly to more than size of Los Angeles, luring foreign played on concerns about global as EU rules that require suffi cient 1,000 hectares, helped by invest- investors at a time when climate warming. clean water supplies for human ment from Spain, Germany, and change is fanning droughts from “It was very eff ective. In Cali- needs have largely halted dam- Switzerland. California to northern Europe. fornia, land is very expensive and ming for agriculture. “We have plantations in vari- European fruit growers, Span- water is very scarce. If you have Alqueva has faced environ- ous European countries and we ish olive oil makers, almond and aff ordable land and tenable, af- mental complaints, with green see that many types of fruit grow berry farmers from California fordable water, these are the in- groups warning that the fl ooded a lot faster here,” said Joao Ser- and Chile, and many others are centives people need,” said Rusty areas would destroy wildlife hab- rano, CEO of the Portuguese unit moving in to rival local farmers Areias, a former California As- itats, while the intensive agricul- of Swiss-based Fairfruit Group. on these irrigated lands, whose semblyman turned investor who ture it encourages would pollute But nowhere may escape the prices soared by 50% in the past met Costa during his visit. groundwater and the soil. impact of global warming for fi ve years. Areias has visited Alqueva Areas irrigated by Alqueva now long. The 5bn euro ($5.8bn) irriga- and is talking to the government stretch almost from the Atlan- Farmer Bento Carreto strokes a calf at his farm near Pias, Portugal. Portugal had its own deadly tion project on the River Guadi- about water rights for potential tic coast to the Spanish border, fi res last year after a three-year ana, begun two decades ago to US investment, including his creating what EDIA chief Jose and watering methods such as tors already work on an estimated output in Portugal, the world’s drought, with a big blaze south of revive a region at risk of deserti- own, while encouraging farmers Salema calls “a green barrier to drip irrigation. 25,000 hectares, a quarter of all fourth largest exporter, to a Alqueva this year. fi cation, is only now reaching its in parched Fresno county to di- desertifi cation”, a phenomenon Still, California investor Areias Alqueva-irrigated lands in use, record 147mn litres last year, of- In a scenario of more frequent initial design capacity and there versify their business to Portugal, that threatens swathes of south- said water rights in Portugal still having put 250mn euros into fi cial fi gures show. and longer droughts, an expand- are plans to expand it further. which is “uncongested and a lot ern and central Europe. need to be made clearer to con- crops and equipment. “There are more jobs, new ed Alqueva may no longer be sus- It has also boosted income and like California was in the 1950s”. Salema says water consump- vince more cautious investors, Olives remain the area’s main crops, which is always great for tainable by 2030-2040, requiring jobs in the most disadvantaged Seeking to boost economic tion per hectare at Alqueva is half who need guarantees of water crop, with yields that are four the region,” said small-scale tough conservation eff orts, said region of Western Europe’s poor- growth after being hit by crisis of what it had been designed for, supply for over 20 years. times the operating cost. local farmer Helder Martins, Prof Ricardo Serralheiro of the est country. in 2011, Portugal provides cheap thanks to more effi cient growing EDIA estimates foreign inves- Alqueva boosted olive oil whose beekeeping business has University of Evora. Gulf Times 10 Friday, August 31, 2018 INDIA

JUDICIARY TRIAL APPEAL VIGILANCE FUNDING SC reserves judgment Lalu surrenders in court, Convert R K Studios into Court orders transfer of World Bank aid for on dance bars curbs shifted to hospital film museum: Congress corporation off icials Shimla’s water project

The Supreme Court yesterday reserved its Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad The Mumbai unit of the Congress yesterday The Madras High Court yesterday ordered the The World Bank has approved a financial judgment on a batch of appeals filed by hotel Yadav yesterday surrendered in a special court in demanded that the iconic R K Studios in Commissioner of Chennai Corporation to transfer assistance of Rs9.29bn for a water supply and and restaurant owners, bar girls and others Ranchi as ordered by the Jharkhand High Court. Chembur, founded by legendary Bollywood all off icials in the vigilance cell within four weeks. sewerage project for Shimla, Himachal Pradesh challenging the new law in Maharashtra The former Bihar chief minister surrendered in actor Raj Kapoor, be converted into a film The court said the Director General of Police (DGP) Urban Development and Country Planning imposing fresh restrictions on licensing and the court of Judge S S Prasad, who sent him to museum. In a letter to Chief Minister Devendra would depute a team of honest off icials to be Minister Sarween Chaudhary said yesterday. functioning of dance bars. The court had the Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi, where Fadnavis, Mumbai Congress president Sanjay posted in the corporation’s vigilance cell so that it The final negotiation meeting for loan sanction earlier said apparently “total moral policing” is he had been lodged earlier after his conviction Nirupam said the government should acquire performs well. The court also ordered setting up of will be held on October 24. The assistance will going on in Maharashtra and sought to know in several fodder scam cases. In the afternoon, the massive studio which was gutted in a vigilance booths at the Chennai corporation off ices be made as a development policy loan, the from the state why it had not allowed a dance Yadav was shifted to the cardiac centre of the fire and has now been put up for sale by the for the public to lodge complaints. These off ices minister said. There are six sources of drinking bar to operate even after its repetitive orders. Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences after a Kapoor family. “For the Kapoor family, this must be connected with closed circuit television water supply to Shimla town with a total water The court had observed that with the changing medical check-up and advice by jail doctors. will surely be more of an emotional loss than (CCTV) cameras and monitored by the corporation supply capacity of 54mn litres per day (MLD). times, the definition of obscenity has also Speaking to the media before surrendering, a financial one. Over the past few decades, commissioner. The order was passed by the court These included Gumma and Giri. Off icials said changed and now even the law and society Yadav said: “I have faith in the judiciary.” The the people of Mumbai too have developed while hearing a case filed by a woman urging the Shimla faced one of its worst water crises for have recognised live-in like relationships, RJD leader is suff ering from ailments related to an emotional bond with the studio,” Nirupam corporation to remove a generator placed on its weeks in June, sending locals on the warpath which earlier were not acceptable. kidneys, blood pressure and diabetes. wrote. land by a private party outside her house in Chennai. and forcing tourists to cut short their stay. Rahul slams Modi over ‘failed’ ban on notes

Agencies sation had cost India 1.5mn jobs, New Delhi some Rs80bn ($1.13bn) in print- ing of new notes and a 1.5 per- centage point drop in economic he main opposition Con- growth. gress Party yesterday “Demonetisation was not a Tlashed out at Prime Min- mistake. It was an attack on you. ister Narendra Modi after central You were attacked with an axe. bank data showed that his shock Do not be under any illusion. 2016 move to ban high-value It was not a mistake. This was notes failed to meet his key ob- to destroy you deliberately and Protesters hold placards as they shout slogans during a demonstration against the arrest of five human rights campaigners, in New Delhi yesterday. jective of fl ushing out money open the way for big businesses hidden from the tax man. like Amazon,” he said. Modi withdrew Rs500 and Modi’s offi ce did not immedi- 1,000 notes from circulation ately respond to an e-mail after to make hoarded cash, or black business hours yesterday seek- money, worthless. ing comment on the Congress It aimed to bring billions of accusations. rupees worth of cash in unac- Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, counted wealth into the main- one of Modi’s top trouble shoot- BJP policy is ‘divert stream economy and to hit the ers, said demonetisation had fi nances of militant groups sus- helped India to move from a “tax pected of using fake Rs500 notes non-compliant society to a tax- to fund operations. compliant society”. But the demonetisation badly He said the number of income hurt India’s cash-dependent tax returns fi led in 2017/18 near- economy and caused tremendous ly doubled to around 69mn from and rule’: Arundhati hardship to people forced to line the levels of 2013/14. up outside banks before the notes “When cash is deposited in the IANS They are trying to distract us,” Roy pointed to the investi- they have in store for us? What tually isolating lakhs of people ceased to be legal tender. banks, the anonymity about the New Delhi Roy said at a press conference gation by the Karnataka police surprise attack, where will they because these are their repre- Data released on Wednesday owner of the cash disappears,” here to condemn the arrests, into the assassination of fi re- be, in Kashmir, in Kumbh mela, sentatives, the helpers of the by the Reserve Bank of India Jaitley said in a Facebook post. before fi ring a series of salvos brand journalist-activist Gauri or in Ayodhya. They will at- poorest of the poor.” (RBI) showed that almost the “The deposited cash is now he arrest of civil rights that targeted the government Lankesh and said that it has tempt to derail everything with “You are arresting and si- entire amount of withdrawn identifi ed with its owner giving activists earlier this week on its “anti-Dalit” “anti-poor” “unveiled several Hindu right- some minor or major attack,” lencing those who work for the currency had returned to banks, rise to an inquiry, whether the Twas to “divert and rule”, “anti-minority” policies such wing organisations like the Sa- Roy alleged. poor, you are stripping away the meaning Modi may have mis- amount deposited is in conso- writer-activist Arundhati Roy as demonetisation and the in- natan Sansthan”. Referring to the “manner in constitutional rights of whole judged cash hoarding. nance with the depositor’s in- alleged yesterday and expressed troduction of the Goods and “This has shown the exist- which education institutions population. When they arrested The data gave Congress a come.” fear that in the run-up to the Services Tax (GST). ence of a full blown terror net- were being dismantled”, she said these people, it was their way major issue to hit back at Modi Since demonetisation, he 2019 general elections, the “While the poor have suff ered work with hit-lists, hideouts, the government waqs carrying of discrediting the dalit aspira- months before three big state said, about 1.8mn depositors had Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will enormously, several companies safehouses, arms, ammunition out “re-brahmanisation of edu- tion,” she said. polls and a general election due been identifi ed for inquiry, with “try to derail everything” with close to the BJP have multiplied and plans to bomb, kill and cation” by rapid privatisation. Pune police on Tuesday ar- early next year. many of them penalised. “some surprise attack.” their wealth several times over. poison people... As it prepares “Even the poorest benefi ciar- rested lawyer-activist Sudhar “The PM had promised that Modi has said the cash ban Launching a series of attacks Businessmen like Nirav Modi for the 2019 general elections, ies of reservation are now be- Bharadwaj and civil liberties black money, terror funding, and was a success because “our in- on the Prime Minister Narendra and Vijay Mallya have run away the BJP has emerged by far the ing denied and pushed out at activists Gautam Navlakha, fake currency will be eradicated,” tention was to bring all money Modi’s- government, the Man with thousands of crores of wealthiest political party in In- an alarming rate. This turning Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Fereira Congress chief Rahul Gandhi into the formal banking system Booker Prize-winning novelist public money while the govern- dia. Outrageously, the electoral over of the educational institu- and P Varavara Rao from diff er- told a news conference. and we achieved success in com- and activist at the forefront of ment looked away,” Roy alleged. bonds ensure that the source of tions to the corporates is going ent parts of India, triggering a “The RBI annual report proves pleting the task”. many social and environmental “He (Modi) said that every the donations to political par- to create a level of patronisation massive outcry. that all his objectives failed,” Meanwhile, NITI Aayog vice struggles, urged people to hold man and woman will get Rs15 ties can remain anonymous. that we cannot recover from,” Meanwhile, the Pune police said Gandhi, adding he believed chairman Rajiv Kumar said the the government accountable for lakh in his account if the BJP “How many of these groups she said. brought back revolutionary the demonetisation was meant objective of the note ban exercise its actions. comes to power in 2014. On the do we know about? How many Roy termed the arrest of the writer to Hyderabad yesterday, a to benefi t a handful of Modi’s was not to have a large number “The Modi government is contrary, the poor of this coun- of these are still working in se- fi ve activists as “illegal” and day after the Supreme Court or- “capitalist friends”. of unreturned Rs500 and 1,000 following divert and rule. We try have been robbed. What cret? They have the assurance asked people not to forget that dered the police to keep the ac- Congress then fl ooded its notes but to encourage dig- will not know from where and kind of accountability can we and blessing of the powerful “by arresting public interest tivists arrested for alleged links Twitter page with graphics pur- ital payments and reduce cash how and when and what kind expect from this government,” and even the police. With the lawyers and human rights ac- with Maoists confi ned to their porting to show that demoneti- transactions. of fi reball is going to fall on us. she asked. elections coming what plans do tivists, the government is ac- homes till September 6.

Allow Kerala to receive foreign Monk held for alleged fl ood aid, MPs urge Rajnath sex abuse of 15 boys

IANS from the United Arab Emirates. fl ood waters have receded from DPA plained to their parents, area police New Delhi The delegation included A almost all parts of the state. Patna chief Shiv Kumar Mahato said. K Antony, K V Thomas, K C He added that at the height “The children are between Venugopal, K Suresh, Anto An- of the fl oods there were 1.4mn ages of 6 to 12 years. At least 15 ome Minister Rajnath tony, M K Raghavan (all Con- people in more than 3,000 re- Buddhist monk running of them have lodged complaints, Singh yesterday as- gress), P Karunakaran and P K. lief camps. a shelter and meditation there might be more. We are in- Hsured Kerala that the Biju (CPM), N K Premachan- “The latest fi gure is – there Acentre in Bihar has been vestigating the matter and are central government would dran (RSP), Jose K Mani (Ker- are 59,296 people in 305 relief arrested for allegedly sexually questioning more child monks,” provide all possible help af- ala Congress Mani) and Joice camps. A total of 57,000 hec- abusing 15 children who came Mahato said. The police have reg- ter a delegation of MPs said George (CPM-backed inde- tares of agriculture crops have there for training, police said istered a case against the monk foreign assistance should be pendent). been destroyed. An approxi- yesterday. under sections of the Protection allowed to reach the flood- After the meeting, Antony mate estimate of the loss is The 49-year-old monk, of Children from Sexual Off ences ravaged state. said all parties are united on re- more than the annual outlay of Bhante Sangh Priya, was arrest- and Juvenile Justice Act. The worst fl oods to devastate building Kerala. our state,” he said. ed on Wednesday in Bodh Gaya, He was sent to jail pending the Kerala in nearly a century have “We have demanded more Hitting out at the govern- which is regarded as one of Bud- investigations. left 483 people dead, displaced funds for the state. We also ment, senior Congress legisla- dhism’s holiest sites. Dozens of cases of the sexual thousands and destroyed prop- urged him to waive the restric- tor V D Sateeshan, whose con- The alleged crimes came to abuse of children have been re- erty on a massive scale. tion on foreign assistance. The stituency Paravur in Ernakulam light after the children, who were ported from two shelters in Bihar The minister’s assurance home minister has assured us district was submerged, called brought to the centre from eastern and neighbouring Uttar Pradesh came after 11 Kerala MPs that he will speak to External it “a man-made tragedy”. India to be trained as monks, com- in recent weeks. belonging to the Congress, Aff airs Minister Sushma Swaraj “This is not a natural calami- Communist Party of India on the issue,” Antony told re- ty, instead a man-made tragedy (Marxist) the Revolution- porters. due to the faulty handling of the Law panel backs simultaneous polls ary Socialist Party, Kerala The central government has dam water management. Dams Congress (Mani) and an in- so far allotted Rs6bn to Kerala in the state were overfl owing The Law Commission of India (including Union Territory of dependent briefed him about for fl ood relief. and the primary reason for this yesterday came out strongly Puducherry) can be held in 2021 the situation in the state and In Thiruvananthapuram, tragedy is the way the dam wa- in support of simultaneous for a term of 30 months to make demanded more support from Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi ters were indiscriminately let parliamentary and state them synchronous with the rest the government. Vjayan said the estimated out,” he said. assembly elections, stating that of the states and Lok Sabha The MPs urged Singh to allow value of destruction “is more “Several dams were opened the process can be initiated elections in 2024, it said. In its foreign assistance to the state than the annual outlay of our at midnight. The need of the from 2019 itself by holding 13 draft report released yesterday, as the central government, cit- state.” hour is to fi x responsibility and Reliance Foundation chairperson Nita M Ambani hands over a assembly polls along with the the law panel has set aside ing a 2004 decision, had turned Vijayan said 14 people still fi nd out who all are responsible cheque of Rs210mn to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan towards Lok Sabha elections. The polls reservations by many opposition down a reported off er of Rs7bn remained missing although for this.” the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund in Thiruvananthapuram yesterday. to the remaining 17 assemblies parties as having no merit. Gulf Times Friday, August 31, 2018 11 LATIN AMERICA Leftist-majority ‘Thousands’ want to Mexico lower house sworn in

AFP Lopez Obrador won with Mexico City 53% of the vote, more than 30 come home: Caracas points clear of his nearest rival. The former Mexico City AFP ezuelans fl eeing poverty and an Organisation of American States exico’s fi rst leftist- mayor whisked the presidency Caracas economic meltdown to show a (OAS) called a meeting for Sep- majority Congress away from the two parties that passport to enter after saying tember 5 to discuss the crisis. Mwas sworn in on have governed Mexico for the that more than 400,000 were al- OAS chief Luis Almagro said Wednesday, swept into offi ce past 89 years – the ruling In- housands of Venezuelans ready living in the country. that Maduro’s “dictatorial gov- on the coattails of President- stitutional Revolutionary Party are clamouring to return Rodriguez singled out Peru, ernment” had created an “exas- elect Andres Manuel Lopez (PRI) and conservative Nation- Thome to recession, hyper- Ecuador, and Colombia for criti- perating” situation and shown Obrador in a July election that al Action Party (PAN). infl ation and a collapsing econo- cism as countries where Ven- “a complete disassociation from punished the country’s politi- Morena, which Lopez Ob- my, President Nicolas Maduro’s ezuelans have been the victims the people’s problems” as well as cal establishment. rador founded just four years government has claimed as Brazil of “xenophobia and hate crimes”. an “absolute inability” to provide Cheering and chanting ago, and its coalition allies will sends troops to the border with And he said that Venezuela “basic necessities”. Lopez Obrador’s name, law- have 307 of the 500 seats in the its crisis-ridden neighbour. would petition the UN Refugee Ecuador is also organising a makers from the coalition led lower house and 69 of the 128 A day after Maduro told the Agency to demand a response meeting of 13 Latin American by his recently founded party, seats in the Senate. hundreds of thousands of his from Lima, Quito and Bogota. countries on September 3-4 to Morena, took the oath of of- It is the fi rst absolute major- compatriots who have already He made no mention of Brazil, talk about Venezuela. fi ce in the lower house – where ity since 1994, when Mexico fl ed the region’s worst economic though, which is sending troops “None of the countries is pre- they will now be the dominant was a one-party state governed crisis in recent memory “to re- to its border following a vio- pared to be able to deal with the force. by the PRI. turn from economic slavery: stop lent attack by locals earlier this migrants or the impact of their Maduro: told his compatriots ‘to return from economic slavery: stop The ceremony in the Sen- The new Congress is “his- cleaning toilets abroad and come month that drove 1,200 migrants arrival,” said Peter Hakim of the cleaning toilets abroad and come back to live in your homeland’. ate was more solemn, but the toric”, according to Gerardo back to live in your homeland”, back into Venezuela. Inter-American Dialogue think- balance of power there is the Fernandez Norona, a member Communications Minister Jorge Brazil President Michel Temer tank. production, on which Venezuela – Venezuelans pay the lowest same: Lopez Obrador will now of the radical wing of Lopez Rodriguez claimed that many are said that the troop deployment Experts believe the migration is almost entirely dependent, prices in the world for fuel – as be the fi rst president in Mexi- Obrador’s coalition. trying to do exactly that. was aimed at providing “secu- problems will increase pressure has dropped to a 30-year low of well as a new tax on remittances co’s modern democracy to have The Mexican left “is going to Rodriguez said that Venezue- rity for Brazilian citizens but also on Maduro. 1.5mn barrels a day, according to sent home from foreign-based an absolute majority in both take all those dreams and com- lan embassies around the world Venezuelan immigrants fl eeing “He has challenged many pat- the Organisation of Oil Produc- citizens. houses of Congress. mitments we’ve been pushing are inundated with requests from their country”. terns of political behaviour in the ing Countries (Opec), compared They have failed to convince “The people have voted, they for in decades of struggle, and citizens to return home, but that Temer did not specify how region,” which “now has a collec- to a record high of 3.2mn 10 years locals, though. have said what they want, and make them reality”, he said. the government “cannot pub- many soldiers would be sent but tive motivation to put Venezuela ago. “It’s a disaster, we don’t have that is the road we must now The ruling PRI party, left licise it until it’s happening in the move suggested a hardening back” on the path of democracy, The UN says that 2.3mn Ven- basic foods. The measures are walk,” said Tatiana Clouthier, a licking its wounds, was mean- real time” for fear of “retaliation of attitudes towards Maduro’s said David Smilde of the Wash- ezuelans out of a population of pure lies, they’ll bring more close adviser to Lopez Obrador while preparing for its newly against those Venezuelans seek- government. ington Offi ce of Latin America 30.6mn are living abroad, many hunger and unemployment,” who was elected to the lower diminished role as the third ing repatriation”. He called on “the international (WOLA) research centre. in nearby countries such as Peru, 34-year-old doctor Marielsi house, the Chamber of Depu- force in Congress. According to the United Na- community to adopt diplomatic Far-left leader Maduro has Ecuador and Chile, as well as Ochoa told AFP. ties. “It’s a new reality. We have tions, some 1.6mn Venezuelans measures” to halt the “tragic” branded the exodus a “right- neighbours Colombia and Brazil. Experts also doubt these re- Clouthier said that the ma- to get used to our new place on have fl ed the country since 2015, exodus of Venezuelans that wing campaign” and says that he Reforms include increasing the forms will stem the tide of im- jority’s fi rst legislative prior- the political map,” said Rene with the numbers accelerating all “threatens the harmony of prac- is sure the migrants will return minimum wage by 3,400%, re- migrants. ity is to amend the law to allow Juarez, who stepped down as the time. tically the entire continent”. to take part in the country’s re- denominating the currency – re- “How can ordinary people re- Lopez Obrador to change the party leader after the elections On Monday, Venezuela char- But he added: “Brazil respects building following his raft of re- moving fi ve zeros – that was also main in Venezuela with massive structure of the president’s and will now lead its delegation tered an airplane to bring 89 citi- the sovereignty of other states, forms aimed at breathing life into devalued by 96% and fi xed to food shortages, medicines and cabinet, including by creating a in the lower house. zens back home from Peru, where but we have to remember that a Venezuela’s dying economy. the value of Venezuela’s largely- medical care virtually unavail- new public security ministry to “We will be a critical, vigi- Maduro said they had suff ered country is only sovereign if it re- Industry is operating at just discredited cryptocurrency, the able, jobs scarce or badly paid, deal with horrifi c levels of vio- lant but constructive opposi- “racism, contempt, economic spects its people and looks after 30%, hyperinfl ation is predicted petro. schools without teachers, esca- lent crime. tion,” he said. persecution, and slavery”. them.” by the International Monetary There’s also been an increase lating crime rates and no signs of “Then we’ll start with other Lopez Obrador appears to Peru recently tightened its Regional leaders are show- Fund (IMF) to reach one mil- in the value added tax (VAT) relief?” said the Inter-American major changes,” she said. be within reach of negotiating border controls, requiring Ven- ing signs of wanting to act as the lion per cent this year, and oil and reduced gasoline subsidies Dialogue’s Hakim. The new legislative session a two-thirds majority, which opens today. would enable him to change the Lopez Obrador, however, constitution. will not take offi ce until De- Three parties that ran in an cember 1. ideologically-awkward left- Mexican voters delivered a right coalition – the PAN and 300 endangered turtles found stinging rebuke to the coun- the leftist Party of the Demo- try’s establishment parties in cratic Revolution and Citizens’ the July 1 elections, outraged by Movement – have announced a seemingly endless string of that they are breaking up. dead near on Mexico beach corruption scandals and record That would appear to give crime driven by the country’s the president-elect an easy brutally violent drug cartels. path to pick up more votes. AFP death in as many weeks, the Pa- On August 17, authorities said Mexico City cifi c Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys they had found 122 sea turtles olivacea) were found fl oating just dead on a beach in the neigh- off the beach of Puerto Escon- bouring state of Chiapas, mostly ore than 300 sea tur- dido in the state of Oaxaca, their from the same species. tles from an endangered shells forming a mini-isle. In that case, some of the tur- Kirchner recalled to Mspecies were found dead “They had drowned at sea tles had wounds to the head or on a beach in southern Mexico, about eight days earlier, trapped shell. trapped in a banned type of fi sh- in banned 120m fi shing nets and Mexico banned the capture of court in graft case ing net, environmental authori- six-inch nylon fi shing line,” said sea turtles in 1990, but there is ties said. Mexico’s prosecution unit for still a lucrative black market for In Mexico’s second mass turtle environmental crimes. their eggs. AFP Kirchner sought to downplay Buenos Aires the summons on her Twitter account, saying that there are more important problems fac- ormer president Cristina ing the country, with the na- Kirchner has been called tional currency in freefall. Fback to court for a second “The dollar is about to reach time in Argentina’s largest cor- 35 pesos and Bonadio calls me ruption case following a search in again,” she wrote. of her homes last week, her She added that the judge’s lawyer said on Wednesday. request was so predictable it Asked to confi rm reports was as if he was reading “from that she is to re-appear before a manual”. anti-corruption judge Claudio Police searched three of Bonadio on Monday, her law- Kirchner’s properties last week yer Gregorio Dalbon said: “Yes, after the Senate voted to tem- it’s true”. porarily lift her immunity, fol- She fi rst went before Bona- lowing a request by Bonadio. dio on August 13 as part of the According to Argentina’s investigation into the so-called Judicial Information Centre, “corruption notebooks” case. Kirchner’s recall is due to the This handout picture released on Wednesday by Oaxaca’s Civil Prosecutors believe the investigation – initially cover- Protection off ice shows dead sea turtles near Puerto Escondido, 65-year-old senator was one of ing the period between 2008 Oaxaca State. the main benefi ciaries of tens and 2015 – being extended as of millions of dollars in bribes far back as 2003. Right: Turtles that died while trapped in a fishing net are seen in in return for public works con- At that point, she was First the municipality of Santa Maria Colotepec, in the state of Oaxaca, tracts during her 2007-2015 Lady in her husband Nestor Mexico. presidency. Kirchner’s presidency. Television ads critical to Brazil’s presidential race

By Jordi Miro, AFP lation has no access to the Inter- However, in the unlikely case on the size of parties and their Lula’s Workers’ Party will have Both are doing well on social However, in a country losing Brasilia net. that Lula is allowed to run from coalitions. the second longest advertising media. interest in religion and drowning And 62% have television as prison, the number of undecided “Candidates with a lot of time time, at 2.23 minutes per bloc. With more than 100mn users, in crime and corruption scan- their main source of news on the drops to 14%, according to poll- will have a big competitive ad- This party is trying to put off Brazil is one of the world’s main dals, social media is also fertile huge election in Brazil is pretenders to replace the unpop- sters Datafolha. vantage,” said political analyst as long it can a decision by the markets for Facebook, WhatsApp ground to confuse voters and little over a month away ular outgoing conservative presi- Each of the 13 candidates gets Michael Mohallem of the Getulio Supreme Electoral Tribunal on and Twitter – powerful tools for spread misinformation. Aand voter Domingo Souza dent, Michel Temer. 25 minutes of free TV ads three Vargas Foundation. disqualifying Lula. candidates seeking to get their Determined to avoid a dirty says he knows little about who’s Souza, a 51-year-old electri- times a week. Consider former Sao Paulo The Worker’s Party also wants message out. campaign, the Electoral Tribunal running for president. cian who lives in Aguas Lindas, They are divided into two mayor Geraldo Alckmin of the to use videos that Lula recorded This is the fi rst election in Bra- signed agreements with political “I will wait for the television about 50km (30 miles) from Bra- blocs of 12.5 minutes at 1pm and centre-right PSDB party. before April, when he surren- zil in which parties are allowed to parties, Facebook and Google to to get informed and decide,” he silia, is one of those people with 8.30pm, up until October 4. In presidential polls that ex- dered to authorities to serve a sponsor messages on social me- help fi ght the spread of fake news. said, with the fi rst campaign ads no Internet access. The newspaper O Globo said clude Lula, Alckmin is running 12-year prison sentence for cor- dia and on search engines. Platforms themselves have due to run on TV today. He is also an undecided voter that four of the last six elections fourth. ruption. Bolsonaro already has 8.5mn eliminated phony accounts and Granted, the campaign is also in an unusual race in which the were won by the candidate who He hopes to make it to a run- If the Electoral Tribunal dis- followers on those three social pages, and blocked “bots” used unfolding on Facebook, Twitter frontrunner – leftist former had the most time on TV. off election thanks to his “TV qualifi es Lula, then he can trans- media platforms, while Silva to automatically spread content and WhatsApp. president and national hero Luiz Candidates can also jut into time”. fer those minutes to his running boasts 4.3mn followers. and infl ate the number of a user’s But TV is critical to who Inacio Lula da Silva – is in prison programming with 30-second In order to do this, he joined mate, Fernando Haddad. “The presence of politicians followers. emerges triumphant on October after being convicted of corrup- ads. forces with a bloc of conservative In opinion surveys that do not on social media is mandatory Twenty-four news outlets in 7. tion. These are called insertions. parties. include Lula, the top candidates and not just another option,” Brazil, including Agence France- In this vast country that boasts If you take Lula out of the race, Brazil’s Electoral Tribunal al- This allowed him to keep near- are right-winger Jair Bolsonaro Caio Tulio Costa, co-founder Presse, have joined forces in the Latin America’s largest economy, the undecided make up 28% of locates the precious television ly half – 5.32 minutes – of the 12.5 and environmentalist Marina of Torabit, a digital monitoring so-called Comprova project de- more than one third of the popu- voters. minutes and seconds depending available in each bloc. Silva. platform. signed to battle misinformation. Gulf Times 12 Friday, August 31, 2018 PAKISTAN Vote registration of overseas Pakistanis tomorrow

Internews to cast their votes in the next rejecting votes, has also been The ECP system would for- sociated time diff erential. The ECP would be authorised fi fteen days from the commence- Islamabad general election, ECP secretary explained, in light of the rec- ward the confi rmation of an ap- In order to cast their ballot in to exclude votes cast through the ment of a session of a House after Babar Fateh Yaqoob said. ommendations submitted by plicant’s account to the e-mail the applicable national and pro- Internet where it deems that the the receipt of the report, lay the The decision is to be advertised the ECP and the National Data- address provided. vincial constituencies, the voter technical effi cacy, secrecy, and same before both Houses of Maj- inally, a dream-come-true in the mass media and through base and Registration Authority A verifi cation process would would log into the Overseas Vot- security of the process has not lis-e-Shoora (Parliament).” moment for the overseas the country’s diplomatic mis- (NADRA). follow wherein random ques- ing System using their unique been maintained. The term “pilot project” in FPakistanis aspiring to cast sions. A valid National Identity Card tions regarding the applicant’s username and password. Upon the completion of the the above article was initially in- their votes: The Election Com- The pilot project would ascer- for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP), identity would be asked. The voter would select their October by-elections, the ECP terpreted as being applicable to mission of Pakistan (ECP) will tain the effi cacy, secrecy, secu- a valid Machine Readable Pass- A confi rmation message would desired candidate, and upon suc- would submit a report on the pi- mock voting in an electoral re- start registering their votes from rity, and fi nancial feasibility of port (MRP), and a valid e-mail be generated upon successful cessful completion would receive lot project to the Parliament, as hearsal. tomorrow (September 1) until Internet voting through the up- address would be required for an verifi cation. an onscreen confi rmation mes- is mandatory under the Election The Supreme Court re-inter- September 15, a senior ECP offi - coming by-elections. applicant to register their vote. In the event that an applicant sage. Act 2017. preted it to mean a small-scale cial said. On August 17 the Supreme Applicants would furnish de- is already registered to vote in As expatriate votes would be Article 103(1) of this act reads: voting process, such as by-elec- However, this facility would Court ordered that expatriate tails through the Overseas Vot- Pakistan, their name would be cast through the ECP website, “The Commission may conduct tions. be limited to those expatriates Pakistanis be allowed to exercise ing System on the ECP website deleted from the electoral rolls. the Commission would gener- pilot projects for voting by Over- There is also a safety clause in whose votes fall within the 37 their right to vote, and issued a to create an account and enter On polling day, registered ate a Form-45 containing the seas Pakistanis in by-elections to article 84-C (2) the Election Act constituencies where by-elec- detailed ruling in this regard on personal details, including their overseas Pakistanis would be able number of overseas ballots in ascertain the technical effi cacy, 2017, which empowers the ECP to tions are to be conducted in Oc- Tuesday. name, e-mail address, a self- to cast their vote during Pakistan each constituency and send them secrecy, security and fi nancial exclude expatriate votes from the tober. The procedure, from registra- generated password, mobile Standard Time hours prescribed to the designated returning of- feasibility of such voting and fi nal tally where technical effi ca- If the pilot project is success- tion to vote-casting and count- phone number (optional), and by the ECP, regardless of their fi cer for inclusion in the consoli- shall share the results with the cy, secrecy, and security of voting ful, expatriates would be allowed ing, as well as the criteria for country of stay. country of residence and the as- dated results. Government, which shall, within has not been maintained.

Troops protect diplomats amid cartoons protest Pakistan deployed troops to protect a diplomatic enclave yesterday as protesters angry PTI plans event to mark about a contest to draw caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) approached the capital. Around 700 additional troops have been called in to reinforce the security of a highly-fortified enclave in the capital Islamabad fi rst 100 days in power that houses embassies, a police off icial said. Internews November 26 will mark com- Ministers have been asked to gorised in four ways: on track for Thousands of police and Islamabad pletion of incumbent govern- release detailed press releases timely completion; in progress, paramilitary troops were already ment’s fi rst 100 days in power. every month, describing their but off -track; in progress, but guarding the area, the off icial In the proposed public cer- eff orts for achieving the 100- signifi cantly off -track; and, added on condition of anonymity. he clock is ticking and emony, the PTI government will day plan. critically delayed, needs imme- The contest by firebrand the government of Paki- inform about “a way forward” The government will also diate corrective action. Dutch MP Geert Wilders to Tstan is striving for com- to countrymen, following which publish the work by the recent- To complete this whole agen- draw cartoons of the Prophet ing up with a concrete roadmap the process of execution of pro- ly-formed task forces and the da, the government has also de- sparked a march by activists of for establishing “Naya Pakistan” posed reforms will be initiated. set of reforms these taskforces cided to expand the federal cabi- the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan as promised by Prime Minister Setting the deadline with the would recommend upon com- net in a bid to fi ll out important (TLP), a political party that rallies Imran Khan in his 100-day plan. motto “We have no option but pletion of the 100 days. slots that are currently vacant. around the country’s strict For this purpose, the govern- to deliver”, the Prime Minister’s According to a government According to a senior PTI blasphemy laws. ment has set November 26 as Offi ce has also introduced a document, the 35 promised leader, after the presidential Imran Khan: will review the ministers’ progress every two weeks. The contest echoes the cartoons the date for holding a public mechanism to track the day-to- initiatives in six key areas – as election on September 4, the controversy of 2005, when the event, during which it intends day progress of cabinet members mentioned in the 100-day plan prime minister would announce He also revealed that at least rate Reform Unit, with the PM’s publication of pictures of the to present its progress as well as in relation with their tasks. – have further been divided new cabinet members for minis- 10 new ministers, state minis- Adviser on Establishment Sheh- Prophet in a Danish newspaper, proposed reforms in six key ar- A website will track the min- into a total of “98 milestones” tries including water resources, ters, and advisers will be added zad Arbab appointed to head the Jyllands-Posten, led to protests in eas: governance, economy, agri- isters’ progress, while the prime that the government intends to power, agriculture, communi- to the current cabinet in the sec- unit. many Muslim countries. culture, social services, national minister himself will person- achieve by November 26. cations, privatisation, food, sci- ond week of September. The unit will work under the The TLP began their march from security, and strengthening the ally review the progress on fort- The progress on targeted initi- ence and technology, housing, The premier has also ap- administrative control of the the eastern city of Lahore on federation. nightly basis. atives will be reviewed and cate- and interior. proved the formation of a sepa- PM’s Offi ce. Wednesday. “We are an hour’s drive from the capital,” TLP spokesman Zubair Kasuri said late yesterday afternoon. TLP chief Khadim Rizvi is leading State minister bans ‘vulgar’ protesters in buses and cars and on motorbikes. They plan to block an entrance into the city to replicate a movie billboards in Punjab protest last year that forced the resignation of the previous justice minister. – DPA Reuters number of rows, including with city of Lahore. “Is there any Islamabad his visit to the grave of a man humanity that you print half- sentenced to death for killing naked women and put them on the governor of Punjab in 2011, big billboards?” Punjab minister unjab’s new information and with critical remarks about Khan’s election victory in minister Fayaz-ul-Hasan Nargis, a popular Pakistani July was helped by strong sup- wants changes in PChohan has announced singer and actress. port from Islamist parties. local govt system a ban on “vulgar” movie bill- “If any vulgar billboard is Chohan joined Khan’s PTI boards in the Pakistani prov- found at any cinema in Punjab from the Islamist party Jamaat- Punjab Minister for Local ince. after three days, there will be a e-Islami (JI). Government and Community Since Prime Minister Imran fi ne in fi rst place, and if anyone “It’s pure moral policing,” Development (LGCD) Abdul Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e- didn’t comply, that cinema will the left-leaning politician and Aleem Khan has directed off icials Insaf (PTI) party appointed him be shut down,” Chohan told a rights activist Ammar Rashid to prepare recommendations for last week, Chohan has caused a public meeting in the eastern said on Twitter. A man stands at the ticket counter with film posters at a cinema in Rawalpindi. a new local government act to be implemented in Punjab. While chairing a briefing session at the department, the minister said that concrete proposals should be drafted while keeping PML-N leaves door open for future alliance with PPP the past in mind, so that apart from empowering elected representatives, these institutions Internews idential contest, has reportedly He said that the PML-N wants the Punjab chief minister. fi elding a joint candidate. alliance for presidential elec- can serve the masses. Lahore decided to adopt an open door all opposition parties to unite “We suggested fi elding Jamiat “The PTI is heavily dependent tions plays out, will continue to Khan directed off icials to policy for future tie-ups even if and form one big front. Ulema-e-Islam – Fazlur (JUI-F) on its allies and independents,” fulfi l the role of an elder brother. consider the local government the latter refuses to fi eld a joint Iqbal also said that the party chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, he said, claiming that if the op- “The PML-N understands legislation of 2001 and 2013 he Pakistan Muslim candidate, it was learnt. hopes to retain the alliance de- as he seemed to be an accept- position joins hands, it can sway the pressure on the PPP,” the while drafting a proposal, which League – Nawaz (PML- “A divided opposition would spite the PPP’s change of heart able candidate for the ‘grand op- the support of other lawmakers PML-N leader said, adding that should benefit the people of the TN), which now seems to only benefi t the Pakistan Te- during premiership poll. position’, especially to the PPP,” and turn the tide in its favour. the latter is being “forced” to fa- province. have given up hope on forging hreek-e-Insaf (PTI),” said the A similar situation as wit- Iqbal stated, further hoping that Meanwhile, Senator Musha- cilitate the PTI in order to avoid “People have great expectations any alliance with the Pakistan former interior minister Ahsan nessed during the elections for the PPP will act in the best inter- hid Ullah Khan said that the troubles in its government in of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf Peoples Party (PPP) for the pres- Iqbal. offi ces of the prime minister and est of democracy, and agree on PML-N, irrespective of how the Sindh. (PTI) government,” he expressed. Federal govt makes major reshuffl e in bureaucracy

Internews Haque was awaiting posting in secretary of overseas Pakistanis sion. He was serving as managing Muhammad Ashraf, a grade-22 telecommunication secretary, report to the establishment divi- Islamabad the establishment division. and human resource develop- director of the Printing Corpora- offi cer of the PAS, has been made has been made maritime aff airs sion. Jamal Yousaf, who was await- ment, has been posted as secre- tion of Pakistan. parliamentary aff airs secretary. secretary. Maroof Afzal, a grade-22 PAS ing posting in the establishment tary of national food security. Sarwat Tahira Habib, a He was a senior member of fed- Mumtaz Ali Shah, a grade-22 offi cer who was industries secre- he new government of Pa- division, has been made offi cer Mohammad Jalal Sikander grade-22 offi cer of the Pakistan eral land commission. PAS offi cer who was maritime tary, has also been directed to re- kistan led by Prime Minis- on special duty OSD). Sultan, a grade-22 offi cer of the Custom Services who with the Jamil Ahmed, a grade-22 PAS aff airs secretary, has been made port the establishment division. Tter Imran Khan has issued Postal services secretary Ha- PAS, has been posted as secretary Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), offi cer who served as secretary of religious aff airs secretary. Zafar Hasan, a grade-21 PAS notifi cations on fresh transfers mid Haroon, a grade-22 offi cer of states and frontier regions di- has been appointed as secretary the Federal Tax Ombudsman, has Retired Captain Jahanzeb offi cer who was additional secre- and postings in the top bureauc- of the military lands and canton- vision. of the Federal Tax Ombudsman. been made inter-provincial co- Khan, a grade-22 PAS offi cer tary of fi nance division, has been racy. ments group, and Khizar Hayat Mian Asad Hayud Din, a Azhar Ali Chaudhry, a grade-22 ordination secretary. who was inter-provincial co- posted as additional secretary of Contrary to reports that the Khan, a grade-22 offi cer of the grade-21 PAS offi cer who had offi cer of the commerce and trade Rabiya Javeri Agha, a grade-22 ordination secretary, has been planning. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)- PAS, have been directed to report been made an OSD in the es- group who had been an OSD in PAS offi cer who was working as appointed managing director of Mohammad Asif, a grade-21 led government was planning to to the establishment division. tablishment division, has been the establishment division, has human rights division secre- the Printing Corporation of Pa- PAS offi cer who was director gen- abolish the ministry of capital The establishment division is transferred to the petroleum di- been posted as textile secretary. tary, has been posted as climate kistan. eral of the Federal Tax Ombuds- administration and development the human resource arm of the vision as its additional secretary. Khalid Masood Chaudhry, a change secretary. Furqan Bahadur Khan, a man, has been made additional division (CADD), Aurangzeb Pakistani government. Dr Ijaz Munir, a grade-22 PAS grade-22 offi cer of the PAS who Pir Bakhsh Khan Jamali, a grade-22 PAS offi cer who served secretary of overseas Pakistanis Haque, a grade-22 offi cer of the Fazal Abbas, a grade-22 PAS offi cer who was aviation secre- was religious aff airs secretary, grade-22 of PAS who was waiting as communications secretary, human resource development. Pakistan Administrative Serv- offi cer who was national food se- tary, has been made establish- has been made industries secre- for posting in the establishment has been directed to report to the Shed Tahir Raza Naqvi, a ices (PAS), has been appointed its curity secretary, has been made ment division secretary. tary. division, has been made postal establishment division. grade-21 PAS offi cer who was secretary in place of Saqib Aziz, cabinet division secretary. Chaudhry Mubarak Ali, a Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, a services secretary. Retired Squadron Leader parliamentary aff airs additional another grade-22 PAS offi cer, Dr Mohammad Hashim grade-21 offi cer of the secretariat grade-22 PAS offi cer who served Aamir Ashraf Khawaja, a Shahrukh Nusrat, a grade-22 PAS secretary, has been directed to who has been made aviation sec- Popalzai, a grade-22 offi cer of the group, has been directed to re- as planning secretary, has been grade-22 PAS offi cer who was offi cer who was textile industry report to the establishment divi- retary. secretariat group who served as port to the establishment divi- made communications secretary. the information technology and secretary, has been directed to sion. Gulf Times Friday, August 31, 2018 13 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH A glimpse on the history of Makkah istory informs us about what halted after al-Azraqi and al-Faakihi. Khuzaa’i introduced idol worshipping happened during specifi c This incited him to write many in the Ka’aba. points in the past as well as publications on the history of Makkah. The number of idols then increased Hevents that have taken place One of the largest books he authored in the Ka’aba and this phenomenon over time and gives us information was The Treasured Necklace on the spread all around the Arabian Peninsula related to this. Such information may History of the Secure City which to the extent that the number of idols be true or false, and every Muslim is consisted of eight volumes. Next in in the Ka’aba reached 360, as stated by obliged to seek the truth and confi rm size came The Therapy for those who Al-Kalbi in his book The Idols. any information he hears so that he may Harbour Aff ection for the History of the Due to numerous wars and tribal ascertain what is correct from what is Sacred City consisting of two volumes, struggles, the well of Zamzam was fabricated. Moreover, every Muslim which he later summarised in books buried and people could no longer should refer to reliable sources in such as The Gift for the Honourable fi nd it. Qusay bin Kilaab, a great- order to obtain defi nite, authentic and on the History of the Sacred City and grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad, verifi able information. others. sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, forcefully Makkah is the Sacred City as well Thereafter, many scholars and took over the custody of caring for as the holiest and the absolutely most schools of history arose which the Sacred House and maintaining it honourable place on earth. The most contributed to the writing of the history from the tribe of Khuzaa’ah, as it had truthful sources from which one and chronicles of Makkah such as, Aal abused its authority. Qusay gathered can take news about its history are Fahd and Aal At-Tabari, and this has the scattered families of the Quraysh the Noble Qur’an and the authentic continued ever since, to include the tribe, relocated them in Makkah, and prophetic narrations in this regard, contemporary. restored the sanctity of Makkah, which and from these we can ascertain its had been lost due to Khuzaa’ah’s misuse ancient history as well as how it was of authority and because some of the prior the message and prophethood The establishment Quraysh tribe had been placed in the of Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa of Makkah: surrounding areas of Makkah in order to sallam. protect it. After the advent of Islam, Muslim The history and building of Makkah This marked the beginning of an scholars and historians have is directly connected to Prophet authority that glorifi ed Makkah and endeavoured to record chronicles Ibraaheem (Abraham), may Allah exalt which freely off ered all types of services of Makkah in general history books his mention, as he was the fi rst person to its visitors, such as food, water and as well as books concerned with the to settle his family in it when he left An aerial view shows the Clock Tower and the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. the cleaning and maintaining of the biographies of the Muslim scholars his wife Haajar and his son Ismaa’eel Ka’aba. who lived in it. Some scholars authored (Ishmael), may Allah exalt his mention, then stood upon a small hill, raised for Ibraaheem (Abraham) the site of mosque was the fi rst built on earth?’ After ‘Abdul-Muttalib saw a dream books that dealt primarily with its there in compliance with the command his hands in supplication, and said, as the House, [saying] “Do not associate He replied: “The Sacred Mosque in which he saw the exact spot of the history and the areas surrounding of Allah for him to do so. Allah informs us saying (what means): anything with Me and purify My (in Makkah)”. “I then asked: ‘Which buried well of Zamzam, he had the area it, one of the most famous being Imaam Al-Bukhari, may Allah have “Our Lord! I have settled some of my House for those who perform Tawaaf mosque was built next?’ He, sallallaahu dug up and restored the well. Thus, the Chronicles of Makkah and its Ancient mercy upon him, reported on the descendants in an uncultivated valley (circumambulation of the Ka’aba) and ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “The Aqsaa well of Zamzam once again became Monuments authored by Abu al- authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be near Your Sacred House, our Lord, that those who stand [in prayer] and those mosque (in Jerusalem).” “Thereupon, I the source of water to the pilgrims and Waleed al-Azraqi, may Allah have pleased with him, in the long narration they may establish prayer. So make who bow and prostrate.” [Qur’an 22:26] asked: ‘What was the period between visitors, as well as to the residents of mercy upon him, from the third century in which the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi hearts among the people incline toward Ibn Katheer, may Allah have mercy the building of the two mosques?’ He Makkah. AH. Another book was Chronicles of wa sallam, informed us that Ibraaheem them and provide for them from the upon him, said commenting upon this replied: “Forty years.” [Al-Bukhari] After this, a grave event took place Makkah in Ancient and Contemporary once came with Haajar and Ismaa’eel, fruits that they might be grateful.” verse in his famous book of history These reports clearly highlight during the time of ‘Abdul-Muttalib Times authored by Al-Faakihi, may who was still a suckling infant, from [Qur’an 14:37] entitled The Beginning and the End the virtue of Prophet Ibraaheem and when Abrahah the Ethiopian headed Allah have mercy upon him, who also ancient Syria to Makkah. At that time, Allah blessed Haajar and her son with in Volume 1, page 135: “There is no confi rm that he was the one who built towards Makkah riding a huge elephant lived during the third century AH, and Makkah had no water and nobody the well of Zamzam, and then people authentic report from the infallible (i.e. the two mosques, and that the period in order to demolish the Ka’aba. This is his book was larger than that written residing there. Ibraaheem took them came from all directions and resided in Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi between the two was 40 years. why that year came to be known as “The by al-Azraqi, but the initial parts of his both under the shade of a tree and left Makkah. The fi rst tribe to reside there wa sallam) informing us that the House Therefore, it becomes evident that Year of the Elephant”, during which the book were lost over time. with them a bag of dates and a fl ask was the tribe of Jurhum among whom (the Ka’aba) was built before Ibraaheem, the fi rst thing to be established in Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, Thereafter, chronicling the aff airs and of water, then headed back to ancient Ismaa’eel grew up and from whom he may Allah exalt his mention, and Makkah was the Sacred Mosque (i.e. the was born. events of Makkah ceased for a period of Syria. married. whoever states that, relying upon this Ka’aba), and that the fi rst water to gush A city with such a magnifi cent almost four centuries. It was thereafter As he was leaving, his wife Haajar Ibraaheem came many times to verse (for evidence of that), has no basis forth from it was Zamzam. history is worthy of having such an resumed and one of the scholars who called to him, saying: “Where are you Makkah to check upon their condition, for such a claim because what is meant Thereafter, the off spring of Ismaa’eel exalted status and should, therefore, be is considered to be the most prolifi c going? How can you leave us in this and later Allah commanded him to build by the verse is that he was simply being multiplied in the area of Hijaaz (the glorifi ed and honoured. It deserves to author regarding it and its history deserted valley that has neither humans the Ka’aba; Allah says (what means): informed of where the House was to be province in which Makkah lies) and occupy a special place in the hearts of was Imaam Taqiyyud-Deen al-Faasi nor anything else (in terms of life)?” “And [mention] when Ibraaheem built.” its surroundings, and their families its residents, as well as the Muslims in al-Makki, may Allah have mercy upon She repeated this a few times but he (Abraham) was raising the foundations In Volume 2 page 227 of the same succeeded each other in caring for the general. him (775-832 AH). In his book entitled did not reply, so she asked: “Did Allah of the House and [with him] Ismaa’eel book, he said: “The verses of the Qur’an Sacred House and maintaining it for a Article source: http://www. The Therapy for those who Harbour command you to do this?” Ibraaheem, (Ishmael), [saying]: ‘Our Lord! Accept clearly indicate that Ibraaheem was the long period of time, until the tribe of islamweb.net/emainpage/ Aff ection for the History of the Sacred may Allah exalt his mention, replied: [this] from us. Indeed, You are the fi rst person to build it.” Khuzaa’ah took over this responsibility. City, Imaam Taqiyyud-Deen expressed “Yes” Thereupon she said: “Then He Hearing, the Knowing.’” [Qur’an 2:127] Abu Tharr, may Allah be pleased with People remained upon the monotheism his amazement at the fact that shall never forsake us”. Allah also says (what means): “And him, narrated: “I asked the messenger with which Prophet Ibraaheem came chronicling the history of Makkah had Ibraaheem walked for a while and [O Muhammad], when We designated of Allah: ‘O messenger of Allah! Which until the time when, ‘Amr bin Lahy al- The importance of The dearest of all lands to good companionship Allah and His Messenger he value of glorifying the Sacred to see and glorify this Sacred City. forced me out of you, I would never hoosing and having good companions is ex- So should you see a fault in your brother, you should City: have come out and left you. The worst tremely important for many reasons and from wish to remove that fault from him and not expose it to The importance of values Words and actions that refl ects its love: enemy is the one who transgresses the many aspects. the people. This is what is required by brotherhood and Tlies in the fact that they are the Imaam Al-Bukhari, may Allah have sanctities of Allah, or kills a soul without C again stresses the importance of choosing friends who criterion by which people, ideologies, mercy upon him, reported on the due right or kills a soul as revenge from 1. Mankind cannot live alone; every individual must are upon the correct way, who are loyal, and who hide actions, positions and subjects can be authority of ‘Aai’shah, may Allah be the era of pre-Islamic ignorance.” Then live and interact with others, and when interacting with your faults whilst ordering you with good and forbidding judged and measured; moreover, values pleased with her, that she said: “When Allah revealed the following verse (which others one either infl uences or is himself infl uenced. you from evil, who stand beside you and support you, decide the identity of the community; the the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, means): “And how many a city was 2. Those people whom you sit with and make your and co-operate with you upon all that is good. values in a given community have a direct came to Al-Madinah, both Abu Bakr stronger than your city [i.e. Makkah] friends are inevitably going to fall into one of two This principle is important from the standpoint eff ect and infl uence on the manners and Bilaal became sick. Whenever fever which drove you out? We destroyed categories. They will either be good individuals - who of how the religion is to be established, and from the and conduct which the members of that attacked Abu Bakr, he would recite the them; and there was no helper for them.” guide and encourage you towards what is good and help standpoint of what brotherhood is and what it does. community adopt. following verses of poetry: [Qur’an 47:13]” [Ibn Jareer At-Tabari] you to accomplish that which Allah has ordered, or Indeed, the reason that one takes a companion is to Whenever the values of a community A person wakes up among his Imaam al-Qurtubi, may Allah have mercy they are going to be bad - encouraging you to do what help him establish Islam, and to help him worship originate from the teachings of its faith, household-active he is upon him, said: “This is an authentic is pleasing to Satan, that which misleads you, and leads Allah. We fi nd a good example in the Prophet Moosaa, the behaviour and conduct of its people While death is in fact closer to him narration.” you to the Hell-Fire. may Allah exalt his mention, the one whom Allah chose will refl ect such a faith and they will than his shoelaces Imaam At-Tirmithi, Ahmad and ‘Abd 3. When the Prophet, sallaallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, and spoke to. When Allah sent him to Pharaoh, he certainly enjoy fi ne and fulfi lling lives Whenever fever eased from Bilaal, bin Humayd, may Allah have mercy upon was sent with the mission to establish Islam, he did (Moosaa), may Allah exalt his mention, said as Allah within their respective communities. he would recite the following verses of them, reported that ‘Abdullaah bin ‘Adiyy not do it on his own. Rather, Allah chose for him informs us saying (what means): “And appoint for me a Strengthening the social values that poetry: Ibn Al-Hamraa’, may Allah be pleased companions who accompanied him and who carried the helper from my family, Haaroon - my brother; increase Islam instructs and emphasises upon is Will I ever again go back to spend a with him, narrated: “I saw the Prophet, Message until it was complete. my strength with him, and let him share my task (of the safety valve that protects and guards night- only once sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, standing These three aspects show the importance of having conveying Allah’s Message and Prophethood), that the community, and one of the greatest In the valley with Ith-khir and Jaleel on a hillock [5] and addressing Makkah, good companions, companions who are righteous. Such we may glorify You much and remember You much.” and most important of such values is (plants) in abundance?[1] saying: “I swear by Allah! You are the best a companion will help you to do what is good and remind [Qur’an; 20: 29-34] to glorify the symbols of Allah. Indeed, And will I one day again drink from the of the lands of Allah and you are the most you of Allah, he will enjoin what is good and forbid Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, wanted his such glorifi cation results in lofty social water of Mijannah? [2] beloved land to Allah, and had it not been what is evil. These aspects also show the importance of brother to support him and help him, protect him and customs and etiquettes that guarantee And will again see (the mountains of) that I was forced to leave you, I would avoiding befriending bad companions, because such a accompany him. This is exactly what the believers do the stability of the Muslim community Tafeel and Shaamah? [3] have never left you.” companion will have a bad eff ect upon you, they help for one another. For the thing that binds the believers and assures happiness in this life and the Then he would say: ‘O Allah! Curse Imaam al-Faakihi, may Allah you to do those deeds which are displeasing to Allah and together and makes them brothers is the bond of faith. Life to come. Shaybah Ibn Rabee’ah and ‘Utbah Ibn have mercy upon him, reported on which lead to the Hell-Fire. The Prophet, sallaallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “There Allah Almighty has made this city Rabee’ah and Umayyah Ibn Khalaf as the authority of ‘Amrbin Shu’ayb, The Prophet, sallaallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, gave a are three characteristics; whoever has them will taste a Sacred and Secure one and has they forced us from our land to a land full who reported from his father who good similitude regarding this. He, sallaallahu ‘alaihi wa the sweetness of faith: That Allah and His Messenger are honoured His House (the Ka’aba); He of diseases’. reported from his father that he (‘Amr’s sallam, said: “The case of the good companion and the more beloved to him than all else, that he loves a person made glorifying this city one of the most Then the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi grandfather) said: “The Prophet, bad companion is like that of the seller of musk and the and does not love him except for the sake of Allah, honourable acts of worship by which wa sallam, said: “O Allah! Make Al- sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, sent ‘Itaab blower of the bellows (iron-smith). As for the seller of and that he would hate to revert to unbelief just as he a person draws close to Allah; He says Madinah dear to our hearts just like you bin Usayd as a leader for the people of musk, he will either give you some of the musk, or you would hate to be thrown into the Fire.” [Al-Bukhari and (what means): “That [is so]. And whoever made Makkah dear to our hearts, and Makkah and said to him: “Do you know will purchase some from him, or at least you will come Muslim] honours the symbols [i.e. rites] of Allah even more so. O Allah! Bless our Saa’ and where I am sending you? I am sending away having experienced its good smell. Whereas the Thus the connection between the believers is based — indeed, it is from the piety of hearts.” our Mudd [4] and make it a healthy place you to the people (dear to) Allah. There blower of the bellows will either burn your clothing, upon faith and sincere brotherhood. Beware against [Qur’an 22: 32] for us, and move its fever to the area of is no city dearer to Allah - the Almighty, or at least you will come away having experienced its taking any companion if such companionship is based Glorifying what Allah and His Al-Juhfah.” the Glorifi ed - and to myself than this repugnant smell.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] upon other than this, for if you were to do that you Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, Bilaal, may Allah be pleased with him, city, and had it not been that its people The Prophet, sallaallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, explained would then bite your hands in grief. Just as the unjust have glorifi ed results in establishing great also said: “We arrived at Al-Madinah and forced me out of it, I would never have the matter of good companionship, so that no room ones will bite their hands in grief. Allah Says (what social values that will yield countless it was a land full of diseases as the valley left it.” is left for doubt or confusion, when he, sallaallahu means): “And (remember) the Day when the wrong- benefi ts to the Muslims, and will refl ect of Bathaan would have putrid water This is Makkah and this is its virtue. ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “A person is upon the religion of doer (oppressor, polytheist etc.) will bite at his hand, the unity of the Muslims - a nation that running through it.’” Will we win the honour of glorifying his close friend, so beware whom you befriend.” [Abu he will say: ‘Oh! Would that I had taken a path with the direct themselves to one Qiblah (direction Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with it and loving it with its due love and Daawood and At-Tirmithi] Messenger. Ah! Woe to me! Would that I had never taken during prayer towards Ka’bah), believe him, narrated: “The Prophet, sallallaahu glorifi cation? This means that a person will be upon the same so-and-so as a friend! He indeed led me astray from in one religion and harbour the same ‘alaihi wa sallam, said, addressing Article source: http://www.islamweb. methodology as his friend, the same path as his friend, the Reminder (the Quran) after it had come to me….’” objectives and hopes, as if their hearts are Makkah: “How good you are as a landand net/emainpage/ the same nature, manner and behavior as his friend. [Qur’an; 25:27] that of a single person. how dear you are to my heart! Had your So we must be careful whom we befriend. There is And Allah Says (what means): “And whosoever turns The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa people not forced me out of you, I would Footnotes: an Arabic saying: ‘Your companion is what pulls you away from the remembrance of the Most Benefi cent sallam, taught us how to build this have never come out and left you and [1] Jaleel: a weak plant that the to something.’ So if your companion is good, he will (Allah), We appoint for him Satan to be a Qareen value of glorifying Makkah - since his would have never resided in any other residents of Makkah would use in their pull you towards that which is good. He will order us (intimate companion) to him.” [Qur’an; 43:36] prophethood started in Makkah itself city but you.” [At-Tirmithi and Ibn homes. with what is good and forbid us from what is evil. If he So all of the physical togetherness that you see around - in a practical manner that is away Hibbaan] [2] Mijannah: a place that was a few observes us committing sins he would warn us, if he you, which is based upon other than faith will be wiped from fantasy and in a realistic manner Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased kilometres from Makkah which had a becomes aware of our shortcomings he would advise away on that Day, and it will be a source of misery and that is easy to comprehend, and made with him, narrated: “When the Prophet, market. us, and if he fi nds a fault in us he would cover it and not torture for them. Allah Says (what means): “Friends on it deeply rooted in the hearts in a way sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, was forced [3] Shaamah and Tafeel: Two disclose it to others. About this, the Prophet, sallaallahu that Day will be foes one to another except the pious.” that guaranteed the continuity of such to leave Makkah he headed out to a cave, mountains about 50km from Makkah. ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “…Whoever conceals (the fault [Qur’an; 43:67] glorifi cation by those who reside in the turned around, and said, addressing [4] Saa’ and Mudd: measures of weight of) a Muslim, Allah will conceal his fault on the day of Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/ Sacred City and those who come to visit Makkah: “You are the most beloved land for food Judgment.” [Abu Daawood] emainpage/ it. He did so with great wisdom and with to Allah, and you are the most beloved [5] This small hill was at the lower end tender care which caused people to long land to me. Had the polytheists not of the market overlooking Makkah. Gulf Times 14 Friday, August 31, 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 ‘Dialogue of deaf’ pits Italy against EU on migrants

A row between Italy’s populist government and the EU could sink hopes of ending Europe’s longstanding crisis over migrants, and even raises doubts about Rome’s place in the bloc, analysts and offi cials say. Despite a sharp drop in asylum seekers entering Europe since a 2015 peak, Italy is turning away ships with migrants rescued at sea in a campaign to make EU countries take their share. In the latest standoff , Rome has threatened to cut its annual contribution to the EU budget, triggering a warning of sanctions from Brussels and dark threats that it would be Britain’s losing breaching the very treaties that underpin the bloc’s existence. The increasingly bitter dispute highlights how elusive a three- year search for EU solidarity on migration has been — a problem some warn could even sink the post-war European project. “We do have a crisis of solidarity,” Marie De Somer, an analyst with the Brussels-based think tank European Policy Centre trade strategy (EPC) said. Despite an apparent deal by EU leaders meeting in Brussels on June 29, Italy has continued to reject rescue ships until EU By Ngaire Woods imposes tariff s on China, it is raising recognise and trust its professional Unfortunately, the government’s countries agree to take their share of migrants. London the cost of imports that domestic small qualifi cations and broader regulatory strategy is sorely lacking on this front. Nearly 140 migrants who had been stranded on the Diciotti businesses desperately need to keep regime. This is why services exports Harsh immigration policies and the coast guard ship at a port in Sicily were allowed to disembark operating. tend to grow with regional economic looming spectre of Brexit are repelling on Sunday after Ireland and non-EU member Albania agreed to he British government has Likewise, the UK government’s Brexit and legal integration. The most foreign professionals. If the UK now launched its plan to turn plans will disrupt the supply chains successful example of such integration really wants to become an exporting take some of them in. the United Kingdom into an on which British fi rms depend. To take is, of course, the EU. superpower, it should be welcoming But the European Commission, the executive of the 28-nation “exporting superpower.” It is just one example, the crankshaft of a In the case of the UK, some 40% of immigrants, and working to ensure that bloc, is still trying to broker a deal for a permanent mechanism T an ambitious, if not entirely fanciful, BMW Mini crosses the English Channel services exports go to the EU, 21% to its immigration process is smoother among EU countries to take in migrants aboard these ships. goal. three times before the car is completed, the US, and the rest to Asia, non-EU than that of its rivals. As the week-long standoff Given the escalating trade war which means that any delay at the European countries, Latin America, The US-China trade war may lead to over the Diciotti worsened, between the United States and China, border will destroy the profi tability of Africa, Australasia, and the South a slight opening up of China’s services “There is no Deputy Prime Minister Luigi countries around the world are rushing that supply chain. Pacifi c. These hard facts are immune markets, implying new opportunities Di Maio warned that Rome to consolidate their trade relations and Like its Brexit strategy, the to Brexiteers’ rhetoric about reviving for service exporters. But it could worse deaf preserve existing supply chains. Not so government’s new exporting plan the Commonwealth and creating a new also close off existing markets. In the could cut its funding for the the UK, which is now in the fi nal stages does not provide any clarity for British Global Britain. If Britain loses its access US, for example, Goldman Sachs is person than bloc. of negotiations to withdraw from the fi rms. Half of all British exports are to to the EU single market for services, the advising investors to put their money in The European Commission, European Union – a move that will the EU, but many British fi rms are now competitiveness of its largest sector – “domestic-facing” fi rms to weather the someone who which co-ordinates migration upend its relationship with its single questioning whether they will be able along with 80% of UK jobs – will be at trade-war storm. policy, said the EU “operates largest trade partner. The country will to continue production with their EU risk. Launching the new trade strategy, doesn’t want to on the basis of rules, not soon become not just a lesser exporter, partners in the future. Though there are export markets Secretary of State for International threats” as it hit back at Di but also a lesser power. A second “must” for a successful for services beyond the EU, past global Trade Liam Fox promised that more hear” Maio’s comments. A fi rst “must” for an exporting twenty-fi rst-century export eff orts to open them up have generally exports would increase Britain’s Guenther Oettinger, the EU’s budget commissioner, warned superpower is to establish clear and strategy is a focus on services, which failed. Thus, the UK’s trade strategy economic resilience, and bring higher- stable trade arrangements with other have been largely ignored in the should focus on what it will take to win skill, higher-wage jobs to the country. Italy would be running risks by becoming the fi rst in EU history countries, so that fi rms can produce government’s negotiations with the a greater share of those markets. This If anything, Britain is heading for the to refuse to pay its budget contribution. “This would result goods and services collaboratively EU. The service sector makes up 79% means outcompeting rivals. In the UK, exact opposite. By demolishing the in late payment interests. And a breach of Treaty obligations across borders. That is what China of Britain’s GDP, and accounts for where the largest service exports are arrangements that provide British fi rms leading to possible further heavy sanctions,” Oettinger warned is doing with its extraordinary some 80% of employment in the UK in what trade specialists describe as with seamless access to the world’s on Twitter. investments in infrastructure and by economy, compared to just 10% for “professional, scientifi c, and technical largest services market, and by closing The EPC’s De Somer said the split is not as deep as it seems forging new cross-border ties across manufacturing. Services were the fi rst services,” this implies the need to train, itself off to immigration, the UK has as the Commission and the European Parliament both back Eurasia and beyond. And it is what to recover after the 2008 fi nancial attract, and retain the world’s best embarked on a path of greater economic Italy’s demand that other member countries share more of the European countries did by creating and crisis; and, as of late 2017, the UK’s experts. vulnerability, and lower-skill, lower- expanding the single market over the services exports were roughly double its But to do that, Britain’s universities wage jobs. responsibility for migrants. course of many decades. services imports. and research laboratories must be This is not an opportune moment for “It’s the same policy Italy is advocating for,” De Somer said. These projects are justifi ed by the fact The government’s lack of a plan world-class institutions capable of Britain to pursue export-superpower The problem is with many EU member countries — that three-quarters of all international for services could have far-reaching poaching experts from other countries, status. It can either leave the EU, or particularly with the former communist states in eastern trade is made up of inputs that consequences. Exporting services and particularly from EU countries. it can aim to increase its exports. It Europe that refuse to admit asylum seekers. contribute to the production of fi nished can be much more complicated than After all, the EU – especially France cannot do both. – Project Syndicate “There is no worse deaf person than someone who doesn’t products further down the line. Global exporting goods. For a country to and Germany – will soon be its biggest want to hear,” Sylvie Guillaume, a member of a European value chains change what governments export the services of lawyers, doctors, competitor. And, at $2.3tn, the EU’s zNgaire Woods is Founding Dean of the Parliament committee dealing with migration, said. can and cannot do. When US President engineers, insurers, accountants, share of global services exports is the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford. Countries led by Hungary rejected an EU scheme agreed in Donald Trump’s administration and teachers, other countries must world’s largest by far. 2015 to relocate 160,000 Syrian and other asylum seekers from Italy and Greece, the main landing points during Europe’s worst migration crisis since World War II. Under international law, EU countries must grant asylum to people fl eeing war and persecution but not to those escaping poverty and seeking jobs, who can be sent back to their countries, especially in West Africa. Italy has pleaded for distinguishing genuine asylum seekers from economic migrants before they disembark from ships, and has gradually hardened its tone. Even though Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte proclaimed Rome was “no longer alone” after the June summit, his government is increasingly sceptical of the results. The summit called for setting up “disembarkation platforms” outside the bloc, most likely in North Africa, in a bid to discourage migrants boarding EU-bound smuggler boats. But so far no deals have been struck.

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© 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Britain will soon become not just a lesser exporter, but also a lesser power. Gulf Times Friday, August 31, 2018 15 COMMENT Sustaining Europe’s security trio

By Volker Perthes Italy, Poland, or Spain – will have to Berlin join the E3 in developing policies or negotiating agreements. E3 initiatives should always be espite the tensions generated co-ordinated with the EU’s high by Brexit, the leaders of representative, in order to take full France, Germany, and the advantage of the bloc’s legitimacy and DUnited Kingdom have stood resources. together in disputes between the More frequent and visible strategic European Union and the United States. co-ordination among the E3 would If their unity can be sustained, support the ability of the EU and the Europe’s “big three” (E3) will serve the UK to reap the benefi ts of mutual co- EU very well in a tumultuous future. operation. French President Emmanuel Macron, It may also serve as a foundation German Chancellor Angela Merkel, for a pragmatic Brexit agreement that and UK Prime Minister Theresa May maintains close cooperation between seem to have read from the same the UK and the EU on foreign and script regarding US President Donald security policy. Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran Whether the EU likes it or not, a nuclear deal and his rejection of the fi nal credible joint initiative by France, communiqué of the G7 summit in June. Germany, and the UK would have a They all disapprove of Trump’s greater impact on the likes of Iran, decisions to move the US embassy in Russia, China, or even the US than Israel to Jerusalem and to withdraw the a common EU position emanating US from the United Nations Human from a debate in the EU’s Political and Rights Council. Security Committee. And they have all criticised his Fostering deeper E3 collaboration, escalating trade war with China. of the kind that has been seen recently, This unity is not merely rhetorical. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron have stood together in disputes between the Euro- must remain at the top of the EU’s The UK has lately supported EU pean Union and the United States. foreign-policy agenda before and after integration projects concerning foreign Brexit. and security policy – much more so This shift has dashed hopes in the experience, international infl uence, In the meantime, no decisions (JCPOA) with Iran in 2015. The fact that France, Germany, than before the Brexit referendum. UK that post-Brexit Britain would and military and economic resources should be taken that would prevent In the wake of Trump’s decision and the UK will all be members of the This includes the decision to be able to capitalise on its “special that can be brought to bear on joint or undermine the UK’s post-Brexit to withdraw the US from the JCPOA, UN Security Council for the 2019- establish new headquarters for military relationship” with the US, and it has ventures, just as the EU’s backing can coordination with EU foreign-policy the E3 – together with the EU’s High 2020 period – France and the UK as training missions – which many view highlighted for the EU the urgency of provide a major boost to UK policies on positions, actions, and instruments. Representative for Foreign Aff airs and permanent members, and Germany as as the nucleus for a potential European increasing its own strategic autonomy. the world stage. Moreover, steps can and should be Security Policy – will prove integral an elected member – will add heft to military – in Africa. While the North Atlantic alliance This applies to démarches regarding taken today to strengthen ties between to saving it, and to developing more co-operative action among them. Britain had long resisted this will remain critical to European major actors like China or Russia, the EU and the UK. wide-ranging solutions for dealing Moreover, close collaboration initiative. security, the EU now seeks to build sanctions regimes, international Here, collaboration among the E3, in with Iran. within the Security Council could help The catalyst for the UK’s change of the capacity to defi ne its own strategic agreements, and strategic programmes particular, is crucial. But the E3 has an important to structure EU-UK foreign-policy course, it seems, is Trump. priorities and, if needed, act upon like Galileo, the European satellite The E3 has already proved its role to play in other areas, too, co-ordination in the immediate post- There is signifi cant evidence them, whether alone or with partners. navigation system. potential. including the confl icts in Syria Brexit transition period. – Project suggesting that Trump views the EU Achieving this objective, defi ned in How exactly a post-Brexit UK can It initiated negotiations with Iran and Yemen, the ongoing Israel- Syndicate and some of its member-states as the EU’s 2016 “Global Strategy,” will be be institutionally associated with over its nuclear programme as early Palestine dispute, instability in North adversaries, rather than allies. much easier with the UK on board. common EU decisions on foreign as 2003, and became the nucleus of Africa, and maritime security in the zVolker Perthes is Chairman and While the US will remain the most The fact is that the EU and the UK policy, security, and defence will have the E3-plus-3 (China, Russia, and Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean, and Director of Stiftung Wissenschaft important ally of the EU and Nato’s have more international clout together to be determined in the exit agreement. the US), which – along with the the South China Sea. und Politik, the German Institute for European members, it is no longer the than separately. But it is possible to create a format European Union – concluded the Depending on the issue, other International and Security Aff airs, most reliable one. The UK has signifi cant diplomatic that gives the UK a voice, not a veto. Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action relevant EU member-states – such as Berlin. Climate change isn’t causing California wildfi res Three-day forecast Service. But a steady decline led to The Government Accountability Such changes ultimately made TODAY By Merrill Matthews Maximum Temperature : 410c Dallas only about 2.5bn board feet harvested Office has published a chart showing forest management, in McClintock’s in 2013, leaving forests fi lled with dead the total number of national forest words, “all but impossible.” Minimum Temperature : 320c and diseased trees. acreage burned between 1910 and The irony is that California Gov. SATURDAY alifornia is suff ering, yet As the Forest Service reported last 1997 – national forests, as opposed Jerry Brown is dedicated to reducing Maximum Temperature : 390c again, through a horrendous December, in California “the total to state and private forests, are carbon emissions – using more Minimum Temperature : 320c summer of wildfi res that are number of trees that have died due to mostly in western states. Wildfires renewable energy sources, imposing SUNDAY destroying forests, homes – drought and bark beetles” reached an took between 300,000 and 400,000 higher mileage standards on cars and Maximum Temperature : 390c C Minimum Temperature : 320c and lives. Many in the media seem to historic 129mn on 8.9mn acres. The acres annually between 1940 and trucks, etc. But the wildfi res that dead trees continue to pose a hazard 1985. There has been a steady have grown so extensive on his watch blame the size of the fi res on climate Fisherman's forecast change. to people and critical infrastructure ...” increase ever since. The current undermine those eff orts. President Donald Trump had You can say that again! But it California wildfires have consumed The earth has been on a gradual WARNING more than 1mn acres, according to warming trend since the last ice Inshore : Nil a diff erent take in a recent tweet: doesn’t have to be that way – and it Offshore : Nil “California wildfi res are being wasn’t in the past. the Forest Service. age; there is very little humans can magnifi ed & made so much worse by California Rep. Tom McClintock, Why the decades of smaller fi res? do about that. And many climate WEATHER the bad environmental laws ... Must the Republican chairman of the Better-managed forests, especially scientists concede that most Inshore : Misty at places by early morning,becomes hot also tree clear to stop fi re spreading!” Subcommittee on Federal Lands, when management focused on “select carbon-reducing proposals would daytime with some Trump is correct that human- said at a committee hearing last year: cutting.” have minimal impact on rising clouds and relatively caused policies may be playing a “The sale of excess timber ... provided But one of the purposes of the temperatures. humid by night Offshore : Misty at times with bigger role than human-caused a steady stream of revenue to the National Forest Management Act of But there is a lot we can do about some clouds. climate change in the increasingly treasury and thousands of jobs to 1976 was to protect national forests reducing the size and intensity of WIND destructive wildfi res. support local families. We could match from excessive logging. And it required wildfires, which would also reduce Inshore : Northeasterly-South- easterly 05-15 KT For decades the US Forest Service and maintain tree density to the ability forest planning based on a consensus carbon emissions. And it starts Offshrore : Southeasterly-South- allowed logging companies to enter of the land to support it.” of groups, including environmental with embracing policies that were westerly 05-15 KT forests and clear out dead, stressed But, he continued, “Forty-fi ve years organisations that tended to oppose standard practice decades ago. Well- and diseased trees and underbrush – ago, we began imposing laws that have the logging. managed forests are much safer and Visibility : 4-8/3 KM all of which are kindling for wildfi res. made the management of our forests In addition, the Engendered less-costly forests. – Tribune News Offshore : 2-4 FT Between 1960 and 1990 roughly all but impossible.” Species Act tied the hands of eff ective Service 10bn to 12bn board feet of timber The result of those changes has been management if specifi c actions would zMerrill Matthews is a resident scholar was removed annually from national a rapid expansion, not so much in the have a perceived negative impact on Around the region forests, according to the Forest number but the size of wildfi res. threatened species. with the Institute for Policy Innovation. Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Baghdad Sunny 48/29 Sunny 46/28 Kuwait City Sunny 45/32 Sunny 45/31 Manama M Sunny 41/31 Sunny 41/31 Live issues Muscat Sunny 33/27 Sunny 32/26 Tehran Sunny 36/23 Sunny 34/21 Dental care before cancer surgery might be good idea

By Carolyn Crist A randomised controlled trial could Reuters Health help researchers better understand the connections, Trinh said. Separating diff erent types of cancers atients undergoing major could illuminate diff erences, as could cancer surgery might reduce studying diff erent countries. their risk of complications by In the US, “head and neck cancers Pseeing a dentist beforehand, a almost always have a mandatory study from Japan suggests. dental exam if there is any question Patients who visited a dentist were because they get radiation often as Around the world slightly less likely to have post-surgery part of their treatment,” said Dr Sherry Weather Weather pneumonia or die within 30 days of Wren of Stanford University and Palo today Max/min tomorrow Max/min surgery, the study authors found. Alto Veterans Hospital in California. Athens Sunny 34/23 Sunny 34/23 “Oral care is one option for Wren, who wasn’t involved with this Beirut P Cloudy 29/26 Sunny 29/27 preventing postoperative pneumonia study, has researched the long-term Bangkok S T Storms 32/26 S T Storms 33/26 as postoperative pneumonia can be results of a postoperative pneumonia Berlin P Cloudy 22/12 P Cloudy 23/12 precipitated by aspiration of oral prevention programme. Cairo Sunny 36/25 Sunny 37/26 and pharyngeal secretions,” said lead underwent surgery for cancers of the wonder how clinically relevant they Wren and colleagues found that Cape Town S Showers 16/11 M Sunny 17/11 researcher Miho Ishimaru of the head, neck, oesophagus, stomach, are because the diff erences are — on pneumonia cases at the Veterans Colombo T Storm 29/25 T Storm 29/25 University of Tokyo. lung, liver or colon and rectum at an absolute scale — quite small,” said Aff airs hospital dropped 44% in the Dhaka T Storm 33/27 T Storm 33/26 Respiratory germs can grow in 1,600 hospitals between 2012-2015. Dr Quoc-Dien Trinh, co-director of four years after they implemented the Hong Kong T Storm 29/26 T Storm 29/27 biofi lms and microorganisms on the Of the 509,000 patients who had the Dana-Farber and Brigham and prevention programme. Istanbul Sunny 32/23 Sunny 32/24 surface of the teeth and tongue. cancer surgery, about 81,600 received Women’s Prostate Cancer Programme The strategies include training Jakarta S T Storms 33/25 S T Storms 33/24 Dental care has been found to help preoperative oral care. in Boston. with nursing staff about pneumonia Karachi Cloudy 29/26 Cloudy 29/26 reduce pneumonia for patients on About 15,700 patients developed Trinh, who wasn’t involved with prevention, coughing and deep- London P Cloudy 20/12 M Sunny 22/14 ventilators, the researchers wrote in postoperative pneumonia and 1,700 this study, has researched pneumonia breathing exercises, twice-daily oral Manila T Storm 32/25 T Storm 30/25 the British Journal of Surgery. died within 30 days of surgery. after major cancer surgery. hygiene, head-of-bed elevation and Moscow S Showers 24/11 P Cloudy 25/13 “Several studies have suggested Ultimately, preoperative oral “The authors correctly point out sitting up for all meals, and good pain New Delhi P Cloudy 35/27 S T Storms 32/27 that preoperative oral care might care was linked with a half-a- that unmeasured confounders may control. New York Showers 25/21 Showers 26/22 be associated with a decrease in percentage-point decrease in the have infl uenced their results,” Trinh “I think clinicians should at least Paris P Cloudy 23/12 Sunny 24/11 postoperative pneumonia, but these risk of postoperative pneumonia and told Reuters Health by e-mail.“For consider preoperative dental care Sao Paulo Sunny 29/16 M Sunny 31/17 were limited by small sample sizes,” an eighth-of-a-percentage-point example, perhaps the surgeons/ prior to a complex cancer surgery, Seoul S Showers 27/19 P Cloudy 29/19 Ishimaru told Reuters Health by decrease in all-cause mortality. hospitals who refer patients to especially given the established Singapore S T Storms 31/26 S T Storms 31/25 e-mail. “I think these fi ndings are preoperative dental care are ‘better’ relationship between postoperative Sydney P Cloudy 18/09 P Cloudy 21/09 Ishimaru and colleagues analysed interesting. However, while and are less likely to develop pneumonia and postoperative Tokyo Clear 35/26 Clear 31/27 national data on patients who statistically signifi cant, one has to pneumonia.” mortality,” Trinh said. Gulf Times 16 Friday, August 31, 2018 QATAR

Curriculum revision to increase students’ effi ciency: Education minister

QNA Speaking to reporters at the dents in Qatar. HE the Minis- He also lauded the direc- tuition fees in private schools Doha conclusion of a reception held ter noted that improving the tives of HE the Prime Minister based on specifi c criteria, on Wednesday to welcome effi ciency of the educational and Minister of Interior Sheikh stressing in this context the new Qatari teachers, HE the process remains the top pri- Abdullah bin Nasser bin Kha- importance given by the min- E the Minister of Edu- Minister noted that many of ority of the ministry, which is lifa al-Thani for his support istry to the interests of parents cation and Higher Ed- the lessons learned from the seeking to achieve the same of the country’s educational as well as investors and owners Hucation Dr Mohamed Qatar blockade would be in- through a number of policies, system. of schools at the same time. Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi cluded in the curriculum. programmes and strategies. Meanwhile, Undersecretary He also noted that there are has stressed that the aim of the Earlier, he congratulated the He highlighted some of those at the Ministry of Education several programmes to attract ministry’s policy to revise the new Qatari teachers on their initiatives, including fi nan- and Higher Education Dr Ibra- people to the teaching profes- curriculum is to increase the new career, saying they are cial incentives that can attract him bin Saleh al-Nuaimi said sion such as the Tomouh pro- effi ciency of students and the helping the ministry build na- high-school graduates who in a press statement that there gramme implemented by the quality of educational outputs. tional capabilities after com- want to join the sector. were plans to off er new land to ministry in partnership with The eff orts are also aimed at pleting an extensive national He expressed his gratitude the private sector to invest in the College of Education at addressing many of the chal- qualifi cation programme. for the wise leadership of His education, noting the alloca- Qatar University, the teacher lenges faced by teachers over He stressed the support Highness the Amir Sheikh tion of tenders for four build- assistant programme held in the previous years, as well as teachers and the education Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani ings in this regard in diff erent partnership with Community by students in terms of weak- sector require to build national and the inspirational vision of parts of the country. College of Qatar, and the pro- HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali ness in some basic skills, he capabilities and improve the how education should be in the He said there is a commit- gramme for attracting teachers al-Hammadi during his visit to the school yesterday. said. academic performance of stu- future. tee concerned with discussing as part of Teach for Qatar. S’hail gets bigger in second edition reparations are under way in full swing for the sec- Pond edition of Katara – the Cultural Village’s International Hunting and Falcons Exhibition (S’hail 2018). The event will be held from September 4 to 8 with HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud al-Thani and Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti at the signing of the the participation of about 150 agreement yesterday in Katara. companies from 19 Arab and for- eign countries, Katara has said. In a press statement, S’hail spokesperson Khalifa al-Humaidi said the number of participants Katara inks pact with Social & has increased by 70% from last year. He cited the success of the previous exhibition, which saw Sport Fund to sponsor S’hail “a remarkable activity in the fi eld of international co-operation and twinning between S’hail atara – the Cultural Vil- and many international exhibi- lage has signed an agree- tions and festivals specialising Kment with the Social & in falconry, hunting and hunting Sport Contribution Fund to weapons.” sponsor the second edition of These include The Game S’hail exhibition. Fair-Festival of the Great British Social & Sport Contribution Countryside, and international Fund chairman of the board of exhibitions in Turkey and Germa- directors HE Sheikh Abdullah ny, which came within the frame- bin Saud al-Thani and Katara work of a comprehensive market- general manager Dr Khalid bin ing plan to reach out to as many Ibrahim al-Sulaiti led the sign- agencies and companies special- The exhibition will feature the finest falcons from Qatar and other countries. ing of the agreement yesterday ising in the said fi eld as possible. in Katara Building 32. Al-Humaidi added that the become a distinguished event lectures and new competitions, in falcons (and breeding), hunting Dr al-Sulaiti thanked the So- Katara and Social & Sport Contribution Fund off icials at the signing fi rst edition achieved great suc- refl ecting Qatar’s heritage, both according to al-Humaidi. Katara and weapons. cial & Sport Contribution Fund ceremony. cess and the event has become in the regional and international will award QR30,000 for the ‘Best The S’hail 2018 organising for supporting the White Saker one of the most important exhibi- arena. S’hail 2018 will see an ex- Trade Pavilion’ at the exhibition, committee has also allocated spe- Sponsor category, noting that Abdulrahman Abdula- He noted that the sponsor- tions of falcons in Qatar and the panded exhibition area – from aimed at encouraging companies cialised kitchens for the prepara- the organisation believes in the tif al-Mannai, deputy general ship of S’hail aims to achieve region. It also occupies a signifi - 4,500sqm to 10,000sqm – com- to design and beautify their stalls. tion of food and meat taken from importance of the exhibition in manager of the Social & Sport the vision of the the Social & cant position on the map of inter- pared to last year. The increase in The competition will highlight the games, such as birds, deer and reviving Qatar’s heritage. Contribution Fund, said they Sport Contribution Fund to re- national exhibitions. space is more than double. innovative designs and crea- rabbits, prepared by a selection of He also stressed the organi- decided to sponsor S’hail 2018 vive the cultural heritage of Qa- He said the marketing plan Katara noted that S’hail 2018 tive elements of the exhibitors’ the best chefs. sation’s role in encouraging following the huge success of tar among the new generation. launched by Katara succeeded in will be staged in line with a new pavilions, helping attract many S’hail is the fi rst event of its specialised Qatari companies the fi rst edition, and due to its The Social & Sport Contri- building partnerships with many design that will accommodate visitors. The auction this year kind in Qatar and the region in and presenting their local prod- infl uence in terms of highlight- bution Fund is the sole sponsor international companies, which all participating companies and will feature the fi nest falcons terms of size, diversity and qual- ucts by opening new marketing ing one of the most important in the White Saker category. are focused on falcons, hunting embodies Katara’s heritage. S’hail from Qatar and other countries, ity, dedicated to the needs and windows, which have a positive cultural features and most pop- The exhibition will be held and weapons. 2018 will also feature a number apart from three daily lectures by requirements of falconers, the impact on the country’s eco- ular hobbies in Qatar – hunting from September 4 to 8 at Ka- S’hail, al-Humaidi added, has of cultural activities, awareness a group of experts and specialists statement adds. nomic sector. and falcon breeding. tara. Mannai wins Go-To-Russia Traffic seminar Sales Challenge from GM

annai, the exclusive D’Cunha, along with Taner ious Go-To-Russia Sales Chal- GMC dealer in Qatar, Yesiltepe, general manager, after lenge from GM,” Yesiltepe added. Mhas hammered the set sales; and Sanjeev Mahajan, dep- The award is the latest in a sales targets for last year and in uty general manager (adminis- long line of honours to have doing so won the Go-To-Russia tration and fi nance) received the been won by Mannai over the Sales Challenge from GM, which award from GMC regional sales last six decades of their rela- was held around the time the manager Mohsen Kassem. tionship with General Motors. World Cup kicked-off in Russia “Mannai’s victory, Moscow Mannai Automotive Group grew this year. and the World Cup were amazing to become one of Qatar’s lead- “Qatar won big through Man- experiences, but being the best, ing private sector groups. It has nai Auto Group’s winning for- means you have to be consistent- two segments: passenger and mula. This is a fantastic accolade ly at your best,” Yesiltepe said. commercial vehicles and heavy The General Directorate of Traff ic organised a panel discussion yesterday morning on the risks of irresponsible and careless driving with and reward for all our hard work, “Just like how the French foot- equipment and construction the aim of enhancing traff ic awareness among youth and students. The workshop, held at the Traff ic Auditorium, included a number commitment and loyalty to the ball team proved that with great machinery. Over the decades, of topics such as ways to achieve safe driving on roads, legal procedures for violators, monitoring of violators, means of spreading GM brand,” commented Ivor performances one can win the they have represented more than awareness on the risks of reckless and irresponsible driving, and the co-ordination mechanism with driving schools, the Ministry D’Cunha, Mannai’s senior gen- World Cup, Mannai also excelled 40 principals from across the of Interior (MoI) said in a post on social media. A number of specialists from various departments and sections of the directorate eral manager-operations. in all aspects to win the prestig- globe. participated in the discussions on safe driving and highlighted the dangers of erroneous traff ic behaviour and irresponsible driving habits, the MoI added. During the seminar, traff ic off icials answered all questions and enquiries of students and other attendees related to traff ic laws, violations and types of licences granted, as well as the risks of reckless and irresponsible driving.

Off icials of Mannai Automotive Group receiving the ‘Go-To-Russia Sales Challenge from GM’ award.