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FRIDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10080 May 6, 2016 Rajab 29, 1437 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Qatari minister in Ankara meetings Consumer In brief confi dence, QATAR | Education 109 new engineers graduate at Tamuq As many as 109 new engineers received their diplomas tonight spending during Texas A&M University at Qatar’s annual commencement exercises held on the Education City campus. Eighty-nine Aggie engineers earned bachelor’s degrees in chemical engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering looking up and petroleum engineering, 43 of those to Qatari nationals. This is the ising consumer confi dence and tinue to support high rental rates. largest ever graduation ceremony spending, alongside greater “We have a stable outlook for Qatar’s for Texas A&M at Qatar. The branch Rgovernmental investment will economy in the medium term, refl ect- campus also awarded its largest present opportunities in Qatar’s retail ing the countries resilience to the col- ever batch of master’s degrees and offi ce sub-sectors in 2016 and 2017, lapse in oil prices over 2015,” BMI said. in chemical engineering, with 20 Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in Ankara yesterday with Qatar’s Minister of State for Defence Aff airs HE Dr BMI has said in a report. The government has announced handed out tonight. Page 20 Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah. During the meeting, they discussed relations between Qatar and Turkey, and ways to enhance Infrastructure “improvements” in reforms that should mitigate further them, and exchanged views on a number of issues of common interest, especially in the military fields, besides overall Qatar will benefi t the broader real es- damage to the economy. These in- situation in the Arab and international arenas. HE Dr al-Attiyah also met separately with Turkish Defence Minister Ismet Yilmaz tate market, the Fitch Group company clude reductions in current govern- ARAB WORLD | Confl ict and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu to discuss issues of mutual interest and ways to develop them to serve the common said. ment spending, which was cut by 9.5% Air strikes on camp for interests of two countries. The offi ce sector benefi ts from a over 2015 and is forecast to fall again in strong development pipeline, with 2016, as slow developing projects are displaced Syrians kill 28 around 2mn sqm of space expected to scrapped, subsidies removed and an Air strikes on a camp housing Syrians enter the market by 2019, and higher increase in stamp duty is introduced. uprooted by war killed 28 people levels of demand, on the back of greater Capital spending will increase near the Turkish border yesterday, a government spending. slightly as spending on infrastruc- monitoring group said, and fighting “Doha will be central for offi ce de- ture developments advance in order raged in parts of northern Syria Turkey PM to step velopments,” it said. to boost business prospects. Projects despite a temporary deal to cease The city is the focus of most tenant include ‘free zones’ to benefi t logistics hostilities in the city of Aleppo. The interest and will see continued higher and attract foreign investment. Syrian Observatory for Human levels of demand leading up to the 2022 On top of this, the government is Rights said the dead included FIFA World Cup, with a particular ap- looking to off er more development women and children and the death down in two weeks petite for premium grade units from projects to the private sector, which toll from the air strikes, which hit international investors. BMI forecasts will channel funding into a camp for internally displaced AFP On the other hand, Al Khor and Al the most important and strategic in- people near the town of Sarmada, Ankara Wakrah are seeing little interest for vestments. was likely to rise. Footage shared on higher-grade space, as developers are Overall, it sees this as benefi ting the social media showed rescue workers unwilling to build due to the economic commercial real estate market over the putting out fires which still burned urkey’s Prime Minister Ah- focus on Doha. medium and long term, as greater in- among charred tent frames, pitched met Davutoglu yesterday an- The retail sub-sector benefi ts from vestment into the private sector will in a muddy field. Page 4 Tnounced he would step down demand for premium malls space, from create opportunities for foreign devel- in two weeks as ruling party chief and both domestic and international inves- opment. premier. tors. This has seen an infl ux of supply The commercial real estate mar- REGION | Meeting Divisions between Davutoglu and in the pipeline for Doha to meet rising ket will also continue to benefi t from Yemen president lauds President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that demand. Qatar’s strong macroeconomic fun- had been rumoured for months burst Al Khor and Al Wakrah will see a damentals, including low unemploy- GCC peace eff orts into the open on Wednesday, with the similar trend to the offi ce sector, al- ment and a diversifi ed labour market, Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu two leaders holding crisis talks at the though the former is seeing interest for which will support business senti- Mansour Hadi conferred with GCC presidential palace that failed to re- premium grade units, which will con- ment, BMI said. Secretary General Dr Abdul Latif solve the confl ict. bin Rashid al-Zayani in Riyadh Davutoglu said after a central ex- yesterday. President Hadi lauded ecutive committee meeting of the GCC eff orts in trying to bring peace ruling Justice and Development Party to Yemen through abidance by the (AKP) that the party would hold an ex- Gulf initiative, the UN resolution traordinary congress on May 22 and he Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu gives a press conference after an executive Four terrorists killed in No. 2216, and the outcomes would not be standing for a new man- board meeting of his Justice and Development Party in Ankara yesterday. of the negotiations in Kuwait. date. He expressed his appreciation This means that the premier - who his achievements as premier and in- Soner Cagaptay, director of the Saudi raid near Makkah for Kuwait in providing all the headed the government since 2014 sisted he held no regrets. Turkish Research Program at the ingredients needed for the success when Erdogan moved from the pre- But alluding to a lack of support by Washington Institute, said the move of Yemeni negotiations. miership to the presidency - will step some within the AKP, he said he could was the next stage in a “hollowing out” AFP ing when the shootout occurred. aside from his twin jobs of AKP boss not be a candidate for the party lead- of Turkish institutions by Erdogan. Riyadh A simultaneous raid occurred on a and prime minister and the congress ership “if there is no consensus”. “It shows how much power has hideout in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, BRITAIN | Vote will choose a new leader. The appointment of a potentially been massed in one person’s hands,” where two people were arrested, “and London ‘set’ to elect According to the conventions of the more pliant prime minister would al- he told AFP, adding that Erdogan was audi police shot dead two sus- they are being investigated for their in- fi rst Muslim mayor AKP - a party co-founded by Erdogan low Erdogan to further consolidate his now exercising more control than an- pected militants and two others volvement in this cell”, the spokesman to bring Islam into the mainstream of powers as he seeks to win backing for yone in Turkey’s modern democratic Sblew themselves up during a raid said. London was on track to become the Turkey’s secular politics - the party controversial constitutional changes history. near the holy city of Makkah yesterday, “The security operation is still un- first EU capital with a Muslim mayor chairman and head of government are to make Turkey a presidential system. Leading potential successors to Da- the Interior Ministry said. derway. Explosives are being removed as voters went to the polls yesterday the same person. Since becoming president after over vutoglu include the president’s long- “The terrorists started shooting to- and the area combed. And the suicide after a bitter campaign between “I don’t think I will be a candidate decade as premier, Erdogan has sought time henchman Transport Minister wards security forces, which they re- belts, explosives and weapons at the Prime Minister David Cameron’s in the next congress in the current cir- to tighten his grip on the levers of Binali Yildirim, and the youthful En- sponded to”, leading to the deaths of a fi rst location are being dealt with,” the Conservatives and the opposition cumstances,” Davutoglu said. power, leading critics to accuse him of ergy Minister Berat Albayrak, 38, who pair of suspects while the others “com- spokesman said. Labour party. Labour lawmaker Sadiq He added that after “consultations authoritarianism and cracking down is married to the president’s eldest mitted suicide by blowing themselves The raids were part of surveillance Khan, a former government minister with friends”, including Erdogan, “I on press freedom. daughter Esra. up with suicide belts”, the ministry’s and followup, “including to what hap- and son of a bus driver from Pakistan, have decided that it will be better to “What happened is a palace coup. But press reports also pointed to less spokesman said in a statement. pened in Bisha on Friday”. is tipped to beat Conservative change party leader... for the continu- Davutoglu should have resisted,” said high-profi le fi gures, such as Deputy Police had surrounded the suspects’ At that time, two suspects died in multimillionaire environmentalist ation of the AK Party’s unity”. Kemal Kilicdaroglu, head of the main Prime Minister Yalcin Akdogan, Jus- hideout between Makkah and the a shootout with security forces who Zac Goldsmith in the race to run the In an emotional farewell statement, opposition Republican People’s Party tice Minister Bekir Bozdag, or AKP mountain resort of Taif, about 80km foiled a car bombing in Bisha, south- British capital. Page 9 Davutoglu gave a long description of (CHP). deputy chairman Mehmet Ali Sahin. (50 miles) to the east, yesterday morn- western Aseer region. Qatar could host Summer Olympics, says Coe

AFP on the lives of young people,” Coe told In February this year, a senior of- fully for the 2016 and 2020 games but um will also be used in 2022. Doha reporters. fi cial of Qatar’s Olympics Committee remains undaunted. If the Summer Olympics were to be “And we have to make sure where (QOC) said his country had a “vision Qatar has already been chosen to awarded to Qatar it will almost certain- possible giving those countries that and target” of hosting a summer Ol- host the World Athletics Champion- ly reignite the debate on the country’s he head of world athletics, Se- want to stage these events to do exactly ympics. ships in 2019, as well as the football climate. bastian Coe, yesterday refused what we have been, for the last 30 or 40 QOC secretary general Dr Thani al- World Cup in 2022 and the 2023 FINA When Qatar was awarded football’s Tto rule out a summer Olympics years, encouraging them to do.” Kuwari said Qatar would undoubtedly world swimming championships. biggest tournament, it was initially being held in Qatar. Asked about concerns over Doha’s bid to host an Olympics and although Since the beginning of 2015, Qatar meant to host it in the summer months. Speaking at a press conference in climate – where temperatures can it had ruled itself out for 2024, Qatar has also hosted a world handball cham- Despite pledges from Qatar that sta- Doha, Coe said athletics aspired to be- reach 50C (122F) in the summer – Coe could bid for the 2028 games, said al- pionships and the paralympics athlet- diums would be air-conditioned for ing a global sport. said there were other considerations Kuwari. ics world championships. players and spectators, football’s gov- “We have consistently turned up to to take into account before awarding a “The vision and the target is to host The Khalifa International Stadium erning body, FIFA, last year decided to conferences to talk about globalisation host, including commercial concerns one of the Olympics, one day,” he said. in Doha will be the venue for the 2019 switch the tournament to be played in IAAF chief Sebastian Coe addresses the and using sport to impact and imprint and the quality of infrastructure. Qatar has previously bid unsuccess- athletics championships. The stadi- November and December 2022. media in Doha yesterday. Gulf Times 2 Friday, May 6, 2016 QATAR Conference Al-Mahmoud meets Sudan-League team lays stress on libraries

partnerships HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Aff airs Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud yesterday met in Doha with a delegation of the Joint Mechanism of the Government of Sudan and the Arab League for supporting the implementation he 48th Metropolitan eral manager of the National formation on the latest trends of the humanitarian development projects in Sudan. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and ways of enhancing Libraries Conference Library of Kuwait, said: “We and developments in the infor- them in various fields, as well as a number of issues of common concern. The meeting was attended by Assistant Secretary-General T(MetLib), hosted by Qa- hold high aspirations that this mation services sector and its and Head of the National Security Sector of the Arab League Khalil al-Thawadi, Head of the Arab League Mission to Sudan Salah Halima, tar National Library (QNL), agreement will advance the li- specialisations. Commissioner General for Humanitarian Aid in Sudan Ahmed Mohamed Adam, Rapporteur of the Joint Mechanism at the Arab League drew to a close recently follow- brary and information services Throughout the conference, Osama Krom and a number of off icials of the Cabinet’s General Secretariat. ing six days of dialogue, net- sector in both countries.” delegates were given the op- working and presentations by Saadi al-Said, director of portunity to engage in knowl- delegates from internationally administration and planning edge-sharing through a series renowned libraries. at QNL, said: “Our partnership of informative sessions and Held under the overarching with the National Library of discussions on topics such as theme of “Pearls in the Desert: Kuwait is representative of our staff development, innovation Unleashing Potential,” the collaborative eff orts with other in child and teen services, and gathering was the fi rst MetLib institutions in the region.” community learning. Indians seek consular services conference to be held in the In addition to placing em- In addition to numerous ses- Middle East and North Africa phasis on regional collabora- sions and presentations, dele- (Mena) region. tion, the need for investment gates visited local libraries and For the fi rst time, it wel- in staff and community devel- various institutions to learn comed representatives from opment to advance innovation more about the progress that facility in easily accessible area GCC countries, including Sau- in libraries was highlighted by Qatar’s information services di Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and the Library and Information sector has made. Attendees ndian expats are demand- there were some consular serv- tive should submit documents or be forced to spend large sums Kuwait. Association in Qatar (LIA-Q). also visited iconic cultural and ing that their embassy open ices which can be handled only receive them in person from the of money on taxis to reach the During MetLib 2016 Qatar, Samia al-Shiba, founding heritage destinations, includ- Ia facility in an easily acces- by the embassy and not by the mission. embassy’s proposed new lo- QNL and the National Library member of LIA-Q and head of ing Al Zubarah, Souq Waqif and sible area of Doha where some of Indian Cultural Centre. Even though some of the com- cation, which has no public of Kuwait signed a memoran- Digitisation at QNL, and Abeer the Al Khor dhow harbour. their consular requirements can For instance, services such as munity members have hailed the transport access. dum of understanding (MoU), al-Kuwari, founding mem- Addressing delegates in her be handled. obtaining children’s passports decision to shift the embassy to a The present location in con- providing a framework for ber of LIA-Q and in-charge of closing remarks, Dr Claudia The demand came after Gulf (for those below 18 years), attes- new location as a ‘welcome step,’ trast is within walking dis- co-operation between the two QNL’s branch aff airs, conduct- Lux, QNL’s project director, Times reported yesterday that tation of documents (including they wondered if it would go tance of public bus stations. institutions in the areas of ed a presentation titled “The said: “Hosting this confer- the embassy would move from death-related papers) and power down well with a large number Some community members also culture and information. The Library and Information Asso- ence for the fi rst time in the its present location in Al Hilal to of attorney are currently han- of their compatriots. doubted if the new premises of MoU outlines the transfer of ciation in Qatar: Roles, Chal- Mena region will no doubt Onaiza in West Bay area. dled only at the embassy, and the They said the economi- the embassy would have ade- expertise through the exchange lenges and Future Aspirations.” have a positive impact on the The community members said applicants or their representa- cally weaker sections would quate space for visitors’ parking. of books, visits, collaborative The LIA-Q comprises repre- development of Qatar and the seminars and workshops. sentatives from local libraries region’s information services Kamel al-Abduljaleel, gen- and aims to disseminate in- sector.” Qatar, Russia Qatar-Djibouti ties reviewed FMs discuss Syria crisis

QNA Sochi

E the Foreign Minis- ter Sheikh Mohamed Hbin Abdulrahman al-Thani met yesterday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during his current visit to Russia. They discussed bilateral relations and exchanged views on the latest regional and international issues, particularly the Palestinian cause and the situation in Syria. They discussed ways Saadi al-Said, Kamel al-Abduljaleel and Dr Claudia Lux at the signing of the MoU during MetLib 2016 Qatar. to revive the political proc- ess adopted by International HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti yesterday met in Syria Support Group. Doha with Djibouti ambassador Mumin Hassan Barre. They discussed co-operation between the The Foreign Minister un- two countries in the field of transport, information technology and communications and ways of derscored Russia’s role in enhancing them. the region, particularly the developments related to the Fox Networks launches Syrian crisis, adding that Russia is a key partner in the International Support Syria Group as it works to push three new channels towards resolving the crisis ‘Kutnu’ project premiere on May 10 through a political process. He stressed the need for ox Networks Group re- largest and most diverse port- Movies HD has been specially concerted eff orts to put an he “Refl ect Your Light powerful history. It conveys the bia Yalçin. The collection can be cently announced the folio of Pay TV channels among designed to feature “some of end to the crimes committed with Kutnu” project, or- marks of the Silk Road, which is seen as an intercultural bridge Flaunch of three new our peers. Our presence across the greatest and beloved fam- by the regime against civilians Tganised under the patron- symbolically the road of peace- between the past and the future. channels - Fox Family Movies all DTH and IPTV platforms ily fi lms that are absolutely which amounts to war crimes, age of Dr Sare Davutoglu, spouse ful unity and interaction of dif- The show featuring this ex- HD, Fox Action Movies HD and gives our brands a reach that is safe for children and fun for the and said the perpetrators of Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet ferent cultures without racial, clusive collection will mark the FX HD. second to none among the es- whole family,” while Fox Action must be held accountable. Davutoglu, will have its world religious, lingual discrimination. debut of the “Refl ect Your Light The channels are available in timated 4mn and growing Pay Movies HD showcases “some The Minister hoped the premiere in Qatar on May 10. Kutnu will be re-introduced to with Kutnu” project and is being Qatar via Ooredoo tv & Mozaic TV households in the region,” of the biggest, most popular recent eff orts by Russia The project, which empha- the world again with these mis- organised in collaboration with TV. he said. “These sharply defi ned and most iconic” action fea- would contribute positively sises the “importance of living sions,” according to a statement. Turkish Exporters Assembly and Sanjay Raina, general man- TV brands fulfi l a void that has tures from around the world. to the cessation of hostilities peacefully and in unity with tol- Passing from the Anatolian with the support of the Turkish ager and vice-president of Fox been identifi ed by our partner FX HD “breaks new ground to re-create conditions for erance and global understand- Seljuks to the Ottomans, Kutnu embassy in Doha. Besides del- Networks Group, said the move affi liates. And they are backed with high-quality drama se- a political solution, adding ing,” is planned to be launched fi nds life on the looms of the re- egations from Turkey, ministers, was in line with the network’s by the high level of content- ries, edgy movies and uncon- that the Syrian people have in many countries after Qatar in spectful craftsmen of Gaziantep diplomats, members of society mission “as the torchbearer of curation and credibility that ventional series, packaged and been suff ering for years and accordance with the “Turkey- today. Kutnu is re-positioned as and business, journalists, fash- Pay TV content distribution.” Fox-branded Pay TV channels presented in a sharp style that that the dialogue with Rus- Discover the Potential” motto. the fabric of all times with the ion infl uencers from Qatar and “With the launch of these are known for.” is in tune with mostly male au- sia was part of eff orts to put “Kutnu fabric is the em- exclusive collection created by the region are expected to attend channels, we now have the Raina said that Fox Family diences in the region,” he said. an end to the crisis. bodiment of unique values of a Turkish fashion designer Ra- the premiere.

Kahramaa marks safety day

The Qatar General Electricity workshops for the employees and Water Corporation such as checking blood Japan off ers scholarships for Qatari students (Kahramaa) has observed glucose, blood pressure and the World Day of Health and basic dental care, medical he Japanese embassy in a Qatari national born between tari nationals born on or after Safety at workplace. advice and consultation with Qatar has said it is now April 2, 1995 and April 1, 2000, April 2, 1982. They must hold a The event was in line with a nutritionist. The lectures Taccepting applications for and must have completed a 12- bachelor’s degree or higher and Kahramaa’s commitment included topics such as ‘Eye the Ministry of Education, Cul- year regular course of school choose the same fi eld that they to implement occupational health and maintaining a ture, Sports, Science and Tech- education. The study period in studied at the university, or a re- health, safety and good eye sight,’ ‘Managing nology (Mext) Scholarship 2017. Japan will be for fi ve years, from lated fi eld. environmental programme workplace stress’ and ‘Stress The application process is April 2017 to March 2022. The study period will be for and practices in daily business management’ among open until June 19 for Qatari For medicine, dentistry and two years commencing in April activities at all workplaces. others. nationals, who wish to study at veterinary medicine, the term of 2017 or one-and-a-half years to Held under the slogan Kahramaa has been universities in Japan. the scholarship is seven years or start in October 2017, including a ‘Workplace Stress: A Collective organising regular health Mext off ers two types of a six-year course in pharmacy, six-month preparatory course of Challenge,’ the event was camps for its employees scholarships - one for under- including a one-year prepara- the Japanese language. attended by a large number aiming at their wellness graduate and the other for re- tory course of the Japanese lan- More details are avail- of Kahramaa’s employees and and spreading awareness search studies. guage for all majors. able on the website, http:// The Japanese embassy has said it is now accepting applications for had various activities and about healthy lifestyle and Eligible candidates for the un- For research studies, eligi- www.qa.emb-japan.go.jp/en/ the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology awareness lectures. preventive measures to lead a dergraduate scholarship must be ble candidates must be Qa- scholarship_e.html (Mext) Scholarship 2017. The activities also included healthy working environment. Gulf Times Friday, May 6, 2016 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Egypt’s Sisi tom toms economic successes

AFP Cairo

gyptian President Abdel Fattah al- Sisi yesterday vaunted his “unprec- Eedented” economic achievements, ignoring mounting criticism by opponents and the press after police raided a journal- ists’ union to arrest two reporters. Sisi, a former army chief who toppled his Islamist predecessor in 2013, has faced steadily growing dissent over what critics call his regime’s heavy handedness. Several private Egyptian newspapers called on him yesterday to apologise for a police raid on Sunday to arrest two reporters inside the Journalists’ Syndicate in Cairo. A day earlier hundreds of journalists pro- tested at the syndicate’s headquarters in Cairo and demanded that the interior min- ister be sacked. But in a live address broadcast on state television Sisi - who has shown little pa- tience for critics in the past - ignored the furore and touted his economic accom- plishments, warning again that “evil” peo- ple were conspiring against Egypt. Sisi said that during a recent trip to the coastal city of Alexandria supporters shouted at him: “We are with you, don’t be scared!” “I am talking to the Egyptian citizen who is telling me: ‘Don’t be scared.’ No, I am the one telling him not to be scared,” Sisi said, speaking at an event to kick off of a harvest Passengers disembark from a Yemenia aircraft coming in from Jordan yesterday at the International Airport in Aden, the first passenger plane landing after the airport reopened yesterday after months of 1.5mn acres of crops on reclaimed agri- of closure due to security issues. cultural land in western Egypt. Sisi, who was elected in 2014, said what has been accomplished during his time in offi ce was “unprecedented”. He said Egyptians’ lives were being im- proved by a new network of roads and an increase in electrical production. He also spoke about plans to build facto- ries in Sinai to shore up the economy of the impoverished peninsula, where authorities Yemen urges UN action are facing a deadly insurgency by militants from the Islamic State group. Egypt’s economy has been damaged by turmoil since an uprising overthrew strong- man Hosni Mubarak in 2011, and militant attacks since have taken a toll on tourism. The economy grew by 4.2% last year, ac- cording to International Monetary Fund after rebels shell Taiz fi gures, but has yet to return to pre-2011 ex- pansion rates and the IMF expects growth to AFP Al Qaeda militants quit two towns, say relieved residents in 1990 but, unlike the capital and the slow this year. Kuwait City northern mountains where the Houthi Tourism revenues slumped 15% in 2015 Al Qaeda militants yesterday began stretch of Arabian Sea coastline. The war has killed more than 6,200 Shia rebels have their main support and Egypt’s foreign currency reserves are to pull out of two southern Yemeni But Yemeni troops backed by a people, displaced more than 2.5mn and base, it is overwhelmingly Sunni. under intense pressure, falling to $17bn in he head of the Yemeni govern- town, residents said, following weeks Saudi-led military coalition pushed caused a humanitarian catastrophe in Mikhlafi warned that rebel shelling April from more than $36bn in 2010. ment delegation at troubled of mediation by tribesmen for them the group out of its main base in the one of the world’s poorest countries. of Taiz would “have serious conse- Sisi said his task was to build a proper Tpeace talks in Kuwait yesterday to exit peacefully rather than resist a port city of Mukalla late last month, Coalition bombing had mostly quences on the peace process,” unless state. “We are not a real state... we are talk- demanded action from UN mediators Gulf-backed off ensive. depriving them of the estimated $2mn ignored the steady rise of AQAP until the international community hon- ing about a state of law, and institutions, re- over rebel shelling of besieged third Dozens of fighters in Zinjibar a day in revenue from port taxes and forces funded and trained by the Unit- ours its undertakings to shore up the spected by the world,” he said. city Taiz. and Jaar, the two largest towns in fuel smuggling. ed Arab Emirates launched a surprise fragile ceasefi re. But the stronger the state grows, he said, Foreign Minister Abdulmalek al- southwestern Abyan province, were Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Arab allies attack to win Mukalla last month. The warring parties have traded re- the more “the people of evil conspire” Mikhlafi said the artillery fi re by seen leaving with their weapons to the intervened in the civil war in Yemen But an armed push toward Qaeda- peated allegations of truce violations. against it. rebels was in contravention of un- surrounding countryside. on March 26 last year in support of held towns in Abyan and neighbouring The government delegation pulled Sisi often makes such references to uni- dertakings they had given when Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Yemen’s government after it was Lahj province proved more diff icult, out of the talks on Sunday in protest dentifi ed conspirators in his speeches, face-to-face negotiations resumed took advantage of over a year of war in pushed into exile by the Iran-allied and militants launched repeated sui- at the rebels’ overrunning of one of sometimes alluding to supporters of former on Wednesday following a three-day Yemen to seize towns along a 600km Houthi group. cide attacks against Yemeni forces. the few loyalist bases in the northern Islamist president Mohamed Mursi, over- walkout by his team. mountains in what it said was a clear thrown by Sisi in 2013 after just a year in But the Houthi Shia rebels coun- breach. offi ce. tered that it was pro-government where loyalist troops have been under to ousted president Ali Abdullah alongside a serious escalation,” Ab- There has been mounting inter- Sisi had been feted by millions of Egyp- forces that were stoking the violence rebel siege for months, trapping tens Saleh of “attacks on civilians in Taiz”. dessalam said on Twitter. national pressure to end the confl ict tians who protested against Mursi’s divi- in Taiz in a bid to avoid holding seri- of thousands of civilians. But rebel spokesman Mohamed Taiz lies on one of the fault lines that has killed more than 6,400 peo- sive rule, and many say the country needs a ous negotiations on a political settle- “We received a racist response” Abdessalam said it was the govern- of the confl ict that has raged since ple and displaced 2.8mn since March strong leader after years of unrest. ment. from the rebels, the minister said on ment that was responsible for the March last year between the rebels last year. But dissent is growing and some former Mikhlafi said his negotiators had Twitter, demanding action from the fl are-up in Taiz. and the government and its allies in a The hard-won talks opened in Ku- allies have turned against Sisi, particularly submitted proposals to UN envoy Is- UN envoy. “The forces of aggression are Saudi-led military coalition. wait on April 21 but the fi rst round of over a resurgence in police abuses. mail Ould Cheikh Ahmed for imple- He accused the rebels and their al- blocking political discussions in Ku- The city was part of north Yemen face-to-face negotiations was held menting an April 11 ceasefi re in Taiz, lies in renegade army units still loyal wait... by invoking false pretexts before the unifi cation of the country only last Saturday. Civic movement seeks power in Beirut elections

By Maya Gebeily, AFP non take place every six years, that there is no other choice.” through clientelism, particularly Beirut with political parties often form- Once the platform was ready, in lower-income neighbourhoods. ing joint candidate lists. Beirut Madinati put together its Manned by a group of activ- Sunday’s vote is the fi rst of any candidate list, including cele- ists and intellectuals without the rmed with a 10-point kind in Lebanon since the last brated Lebanese director Nadine political cunning of their rivals, platform and a shot of municipal elections in 2010. Labaki and the head of the coun- Beirut Madinati has struggled to Aambition, an unlikely al- A parliamentary vote in 2013 try’s fi shermen co-operative, build up similar support there. liance of Lebanese citizens will was cancelled when its members Najib al-Deek. One former Beirut Madinati for the fi rst time take on Beirut’s controversially extended their Beirut Madinati has been in- volunteer said candidates were powerful political class in Sun- own mandate. fectious, garnering thousands of “naive” in thinking a well-devel- day’s municipal elections. Since the end of its brutal civil views on videos it posted on Fa- oped platform without backing Beirut Madinati - Arabic for war in 1990, Lebanon’s political cebook in lieu of plastering tradi- from working-class neighbour- “Beirut is my city” - is a civic scene has been dominated by a tional candidate portraits on the hoods would be enough to win. campaign of 24 candidates, equal- handful of parties often formed walls of Beirut. “We’re not in la-la land. We’re ly split between men and women, along sectarian lines and led by But the movement still has in Lebanon,” he says. and Muslims and Christians. former warlords. to face off this Sunday against Beirut Madinati is also up And they aren’t backed by Beirut Madinati will face the other electoral lists, chiefl y the against a disillusioned elector- politicians, which makes them formidable challenge of breaking seasoned politicians who have ate, many of whom believe that a breath of fresh air for many through that entrenched political formed a super-list of candi- a change from the entrenched voters in a country as divided as class in a bid to win all 24 seats in dates. clientelism and corruption of Lebanon. the Lebanese capital’s municipal The “Byerteh List” - or Bei- Lebanese politics is simply im- “We don’t have a lot of political council. ruti’s List - includes well-known possible. experience as Beirut Madinati, The campaign was founded in fi gures agreed upon by all of “I won’t vote for anyone - not but we’ve been able to win peo- 2015 shortly after a dispute that Lebanon’s political parties and is even my brother who’s a candi- ple’s hearts because we’re inde- closed Lebanon’s largest trash A Lebanese walks past posters of candidates for the upcoming Beirut municipal elections in the Lebanese backed by leading Sunni politi- date... They’re all liars,” says Bei- pendent,” says Ibrahim Mneim- dump and sparked protests to capital’s Christian dominated neighbourhood of Ashrafiyeh. cian and former prime minister rut resident Issam Ghlayen. neh, an architect by trade and the demand not only an end to the Saad Hariri. Still, Khoury says that hasn’t campaign’s leading candidate. growing piles of waste, but an public transport in the notori- bourhood visits, and “is centred September, because we felt that “The biggest challenge we are stopped her. “There were a lot of “When election day comes, overhaul of paralysed govern- ously traffi c-ridden city, in- around the daily life of the per- it was no longer possible for us facing is our rival. We are facing people for a while who were say- we’ll be ready to win,” Mneimneh ment institutions. troduce more green spaces, son, the citizen,” says soft-spo- to demand change from the peo- a regime, a regime that has been ing that the same people will be says, hoping to capture the ma- Beirut Madinati seized on make housing aff ordable and, ken candidate Rana Khoury. ple in power,” she told AFP in the in power for 40 years - and we’re re-elected, and that nothing will jority of the 470,000 registered that frustration to put together of course, implement a lasting Khoury is the step-daughter of campaign headquarters in the outsiders,” says Beirut Madinati change in Lebanon,” she explains. Beirut voters, although the city’s a 10-point platform - the cam- waste management solution. slain Lebanese journalist Samir edgy Badaro neighbourhood. electoral strategist Rayan Ismail. “Maybe that was true when actual residents are estimated to paign’s magnum opus and a ral- The platform was developed Kassir and one of the core found- “We never thought it was impos- Indeed, for decades, Leba- there was no choice. Today, there be four times as many. lying call for young voters. by consulting residents of Beirut ers of Beirut Madinati. sible, because the whole time we non’s political class has culti- is a choice. There’s Beirut Madi- Municipal elections in Leba- It includes plans to improve through open-houses and neigh- “We began this campaign in were thinking that it was necessary, vated a strong grassroots presence nati. And we can vote for it.” Gulf Times 4 Friday, May 6, 2016 ARAB WORLD Israel, Hamas clash directly since 2014 Gaza confl ict

AFP Court urges return of Palestinian attackers’ bodies Jerusalem A woman walks yesterday near the rubble of collapsed buildings in the rebel-held area of Old Aleppo. Israel’s Supreme Court yesterday with a friend and killed three peo- called on the government to hand ple and whose body is still being sraeli forces and Hamas fi ght- the bodies of Palestinians killed held, posted on Facebook that the ers have clashed directly for carrying out attacks over to their ruling was a “victory of willpower”. Ithe fi rst time since a devastat- families, in a blow to a policy that The policy of withholding bodies ing 2014 war, the Israeli army said has divided Israeli off icials. has divided Israeli off icials. yesterday, as a new cross-border The court issued a recommen- Its leading advocate, Internal Truce takes hold in Syria’s tunnel used by the militants was dation rather than a mandatory Security Minister Gilad Erdan, says discovered. ruling, so the government could it prevents funerals for attackers Army spokesman Peter Lerner choose to ignore it, although it turning into political demonstra- said in the last 24 hours “we have would risk new criticism if it did so. tions and acts as a deterrent. had at least six incidents where Ha- The president of the court, But senior figures in the military devastated Aleppo town mas has fi red at IDF activities,” re- Elyakim Rubinstein, urged “the po- say it stokes tensions with the ferring to the Israeli Defence Forces. lice to co-ordinate with the families Palestinians. AFP As residents emerged, shopkeepers reo- Diplomats are hoping a nationwide He said that Israel had responded and return the bodies of their sons Israeli Arab lawmaker Osama Beirut pened their doors while fruit and vegetable ceasefi re can underpin eff orts to resolve in what was the fi rst direct confron- before Ramadan”, the holy Muslim Saadi called the court’s recommen- markets - one of which was struck in an Syria’s war, which evolved from a crack- tation between Israeli soldiers and fasting month that begins in June. dation a “blow to Prime Minister April 24 raid that left 12 dead - were again down on anti-government protests into a Hamas fi ghters since the last major Rights groups Adallah and Add- Benjamin Netanyahu and his gov- 48-hour ceasefi re took hold yester- up and running. devastating multi-front confl ict. hostilities in Gaza ended in 2014. ameer had petitioned the court on ernment, which has a clear stance day in Syria’s battered second city The Syrian Observatory for Human UN-backed peace talks in Geneva, Clashes between Palestin- behalf of nine families whose rela- not to hand over the bodies”. Aof Aleppo after President Bashar al- Rights, a monitoring group, confi rmed which mediators hope can resume later ian fi ghters and IDF forces were tives’ bodies have been withheld by Netanyahu last month was Assad’s regime and rebel forces gave in to there had been no bombing in the city, this month, have so far made little head- continuing east of Rafah in the the security forces, some for more reported to have told Defence Min- mounting diplomatic pressure. though it said a civilian had died in a west- way, with the regime rejecting the opposi- southern Gaza Strip yesterday af- than six months. ister Moshe Yaalon not to return Relieved residents returned to the ern district from rebel shelling that came tion’s demand that Assad step aside as part ternoon, security sources and wit- Muslim custom demands that the bodies of Palestinians, but has streets after two weeks of heavy fi ghting in minutes after the ceasefi re took eff ect. of a political transition. nesses said. the dead be buried as soon as since shifted policy. the divided metropolis, a key battleground After a whirlwind of talks involving The confl ict led in part to the emergence Israel’s military said on Twit- possible. A wave of violence since Octo- in Syria’s fi ve-year civil war. diplomats from top world powers and the of the militant Islamic State group, which ter that its forces had “responded The families argue that the ber last year has killed 204 Pales- The Syrian army said late on Wednesday UN, US Secretary of State John Kerry an- has seized control of large areas of Syria with tank fi re” to mortars fi red security forces are taking revenge tinians and 28 Israelis, according to that it had agreed to calls from Russia and nounced the truce had taken eff ect and and neighbouring Iraq. from the Palestinian enclave. against them for the actions of an AFP count. Most of the Palestin- the US for a two-day truce in Aleppo that that violence had already fallen off . Twin bombings in central Syria yester- The fl are-up has raised con- their sons and say it has added to ians killed were carrying out knife, would begin from 1am yesterday. “We’ve seen an overall decrease in vio- day killed at least 12 civilians including two cerns over the fate of a ceasefi re their grief. gun or car-ramming attacks, Israeli The agreement followed an intense dip- lence in those areas even though there are women, the Observatory and state televi- between Israel and Hamas that According to Palestinian statis- authorities say. lomatic push by Moscow and Washington some reports of continued fi ghting in some sion said. has held since the 50-day war left tics, Israel is holding the bodies of Rubinstein called for the bodies - the co-sponsors of a February 27 cease- locations,” Kerry said. The suicide attack and car bombing in a more than 2,251 Palestinians and 18 attackers, 12 from annexed east to be removed from mortuary fi re agreement that had begun to fall apart Kerry said US offi cials in Geneva were co- square in Mukharram al-Fawqani in Homs 73 Israelis dead. Jerusalem and the rest from the freezers 48 hours before they are - to salvage peace eff orts. ordinating with their Russian colleagues province came amid recent fi ghting in the Hamas’s armed wing, the Ez- occupied West Bank. handed over so they are not deliv- Renewed fi ghting in recent days, espe- on “enhanced monitoring eff orts for this area between IS fi ghters and regime troops. zedine al-Qassam Brigades, ac- Mohamed Mahmood, a lawyer ered frozen. cially in and around Aleppo, had threatened renewed cessation”. The Russian defence The area, controlled by the regime, is cused Israeli forces of encroach- with Addameer, welcomed the rul- Previously families have com- the full collapse of the ceasefi re, a landmark ministry said its ceasefi re monitors had located between the cities of Homs and ing into Gazan territory and said ing as a “good decision.” plained of having to wait for their in attempts to fi nally resolve a confl ict that agreed with their US counterparts to over- Palmyra, which the Syrian army recap- it was ready to respond. “We will Mohamed Alyan, whose son relatives’ bodies to thaw before has left more than 270,000 dead. see this truce until midnight on May 6. tured from militants in late March. not permit this aggression to con- Bahaa boarded a bus on October 13 being able to bury them. More than 280 civilians were reported In Aleppo, the head of the local branch The blasts came just days after IS seized tinue,” the group said. killed since April 22 in the clashes in Aleppo, of the powerful Jaish al-Islam rebel force, the nearby Shaer gas fi eld, one of the big- Overnight Israeli air strikes hit with regime air strikes pounding the oppo- Ahmad Sanada, said the group would re- gest in Homs, in an attack that killed at four targets in Gaza, wounding four it was built, but confi rmed the dis- tine newspaper, also stressed that sition-held east while rebels fi red a barrage spect the ceasefi re. least 16 regime troops. people, three of them children, covery was made by Israeli forces the Islamist movement was not of rockets into the government-controlled “We are in favour of any initiative that There was no immediate claim of re- medical and security sources said. on the Gazan side of the border. looking for a wider confl ict. west. An AFP correspondent in Aleppo said relieves the suff ering of civilians and sponsibility for yesterday’s attacks but The Israeli army said strikes tar- Israeli media have reported a “What happened are feelers and yesterday there had been no signs of fresh avoids bloodshed and we will respect” the suicide and car bombings are a favourite geted suspected tunnels under the major technological advance in will not lead in the near future to a air raids since the ceasefi re took eff ect. ceasefi re, he told AFP. tactic of IS militants. border, like those whose destruc- Israel’s ability to detect Hamas showdown between the resistance tion it cited as one of the main tunnels, with Prime Minister Ben- and the occupation,” he said, say- achievements of the 2014 confl ict. jamin Netanyahu last month hail- ing Hamas was sending a message The army announced a new tun- ing the “breakthrough in the abil- to Israel to stop its incursions. “I nel was found yesterday, after a fi rst ity to locate tunnels”. think the message has been deliv- one was discovered in mid-April. The army has kept the nature of ered.” “Overnight, in response to the the alleged technology secret and The border region has remained IS militants hit coastal Misrata ongoing attacks against Israeli Lerner refused to elaborate. relatively quiet since 2014, despite forces, an Israel Air Force aircraft The army also established a allegations by the army that Ha- targeted four Hamas terrorist in- closed military zone around the mas is building new tunnels from Reuters Islamic State fi ghters had forced local bri- security vacuum and political turmoil to frastructure sites in the northern small Israeli border town of Nahal the enclave that could reach into Tripoli gades to retreat and were holding territory establish itself in Sirte in 2015. It controls Gaza Strip,” the military said in a Oz, saying troops had been fi red Israel. around Abu Grain and to the south west, at a strip of coast about 250km long around statement. on in the area. Most of the sporadic rocket fi re Wadi Zamzam. the city. It gave no word on casualties Gaza has been devastated by from Gaza has been attributed to uspected Islamic State militants yes- Islamic State militants regularly venture The group has staged attacks in sev- but medical sources in Gaza said three confl icts between Israel and fringe Islamist groups challeng- terday staged attacks south of the across the main road leading south from eral other Libyan towns and cities but has a raid on the Al Zeitoun district its Hamas rulers and other Pal- ing Hamas’s authority, although SLibyan city of Misrata, killing four Misrata, and have carried out raids and at- struggled to win more support and terri- wounded four members of the estinian factions since 2008, and Israel holds Hamas responsible for people and injuring 12, offi cials said. tacks in the area before, including against tory, suff ering setbacks in the eastern cit- same family - three children and a reconstruction has been painstak- all fi re from the territory and rou- Aziz Issa, the spokesman for Misrata checkpoints manned by brigades from ies of Benghazi and Derna, and in western 65-year-old man. ingly slow amid an Israeli block- tinely responds with attacks on its central hospital, said two members of the Misrata. Sabratha. The raid hit a garage, its owner ade on all imports that could have positions. local security forces had been killed and Yesterday’s attacks came as military A UN-backed unity government arrived Hasan Hasaneen told AFP, saying military purposes. The UN special co-ordinator 12 wounded in an attack on a checkpoint forces in eastern Libya said they were pre- just over a month ago in Tripoli has urged the vehicles that caught fi re were Although renewed violence has for the Middle East peace proc- at Abu Grain, about 140km west of the Is- paring for a campaign to recapture Sirte. armed factions to hold back from attack- not used by security forces but raised fears of a fresh confl ict, ess, Nickolay Mladenov, said on lamic State stronghold of Sirte. There have also been reports that Mis- ing Sirte until a unifi ed military command only for “reconstruction works”. sources on both sides downplayed Wednesday he was “concerned” Separately, militants carried out a bomb rata brigades were mobilising to advance is created. Lerner said the new tunnel dis- the danger. about the fl are-up. attack in Baghla, to the south, a local offi - against Islamic State, and pictures posted The unity government is trying to bridge covered yesterday had been about “Israel has no interest in escala- “It is critical that peace be cial and a resident said. The offi cial, from on social media last week showed convoys the divide between Libya’s competing 30m deep. tion whatsoever,” Lerner said. maintained to ensure the safety the nearby town of Bani Walid, said two of dozens of vehicles on the road south armed factions and two rival administra- He did not say how far into Is- Mustafa al-Sawaaf, former edi- and security of Israelis and Pales- people were killed in the bombing. from Misrata. tions that have operated in Tripoli and the rael the tunnel stretched or when tor at the Hamas-affi liated Pales- tinians alike,” he said. There were unconfi rmed reports that Islamic State took advantage of Libya’s east since 2014. US aid ship docks with food for Sudan war zones

AFP A brutal confl ict erupted in the west- and 200,000 South Sudanese for three Port Sudan ern region in 2003 when ethnic minority months,” WFP Sudan chief Adnan Khan rebels rose up against the Arab-dominat- told reporters. ed government of President Omar al-Ba- Khan said the shipment had not been ockers yesterday began unload- shir. aff ected by a funding shortfall facing the ing tens of thousands of tonnes of Some 300,000 people have been killed WFP and other UN agencies in Sudan. Dfood from a US aid ship destined in the confl ict and more than 2.5mn been In late April, the WFP said it was fac- for war-torn areas of Sudan, an AFP cor- displaced, according to the UN. ing a shortfall of $181mn for the next 12 respondent reported. Since 2011, when South Sudan became months, which was hampering its work in The bulk carrier Liberty Grace docked independent, Khartoum has also been Sudan, particularly with South Sudanese in Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast with a battling insurgencies in two areas on the refugees. cargo of 47,500 tonnes of sorghum, a sta- border - Blue Nile and South Kordofan He said humanitarian needs in Sudan ple food in Sudan. states. were increasing following renewed con- Dozens of stevedores were unloading The food aid was also meant for tens fl icts in some areas, adding that almost the shipment onto waiting trucks. of thousands of South Sudanese refugees 50% of humanitarian assistance came “It will take 14 days to unload” the en- who have arrived in Sudan fl eeing war at from USAID. tire shipment, said the ship’s captain Pe- home. “This is from farmers of Texas, a gift ter Matesic. It was his third trip to Sudan More than 50,000 South Sudanese have from American people to Sudanese, to with a cargo of food aid. fl ed into Sudan since January to escape those aff ected by confl ict in Darfur... and A member of the crew said the ves- the violence and food shortages across the to South Sudanese,” said Washington’s sel took 25 days to reach Port Sudan from border. charge d’aff aires in Khartoum, Benjamin Houston, Texas. Two years after it became independent, Moeling. The food aid organised by the US Agen- South Sudan descended into a brutal civil US humanitarian assistance to Sudan cy for International Development and the war that has killed tens of thousands of this year has totalled $300mn, Moeling World Food Programme was to be deliv- civilians. told reporters in Port Sudan, adding that Benjamin Moeling (right), the charge d’aff aires of the US embassy in Khartoum, stands with WFP Sudan chief Adnan ered to several war-torn areas of Sudan The shipment will meet food needs of Washington would continue supporting Khan as a US aid shipment arrives at Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast. but mainly to Darfur. “at least 1mn internally displaced people civilians in Sudan’s war zones. Gulf Times Friday, May 6, 2016 5 AFRICA

Woman sentenced for bid to Four rescued six days sell baby

AFP Johannesburg after building collapse AFP South African mother Nairobi who tried to sell her A19-month-old baby boy on the Internet for $340 was our people were pulled given a fi ve-year suspended alive yesterday from the sentence, a justice offi cial said Frubble of an apartment yesterday. block that collapsed six days ago The 20-year-old mother will when heavy rains hit Nairobi, not spend time in jail, but will causing fl oods and landslides in live under house arrest for three the Kenyan capital. years. There were cheers and shout- The woman, who cannot be ed prayers from the crowd gath- named to protect the identity ered at the site of the ruined of the child, put the baby up for six-storey building as a woman, sale for 5,000 rand in an adver- covered with a blanket and lying tisement on the Gumtree web- on a stretcher, was carried to a site last year. waiting ambulance. A member of the public alert- She was hauled between thick ed the police who arrested her in concrete slabs and a tangle of an undercover operation in Oc- twisted metal after being located tober. by rescuers who gave her oxygen “She was given a wholly-sus- while they continued eff orts to pended sentence of fi ve years,” extract her. Residents cheer as Kenya Red Cross rescuers evacuate the woman from the rubble. National Prosecuting Authority Later in the day three more spokeswoman Natasha Ramkis- people, two women and a man, He said that he had been con- extend the search to Nairobi struction offi cials have been re- son-Kara told AFP. were pulled from the rubble of fi dent more people could be River “because there is every in- leased on bail while investigators She will “undergo correction- the shattered building. rescued after several live rab- dication that some people may gather evidence against them al supervision, which means ba- The rescues came after a baby bits were found in the rubble on have drowned in the river after ahead of an expected prosecu- sically house arrest for a period girl was found alive on Mon- Tuesday. jumping out (of the building)”. tion. of three years”, Ramkisson-Kara day, more than 80 hours after “I told you the day we got nine Seven-month-old Delarine Located in the poor, tightly- added. the building collapsed on Friday rabbits alive from this place I Saisi was found on Monday de- packed Huruma neighbourhood, The mother said she had tried night. was sure we will get more people hydrated but without visible the building, which housed selling her baby after her boy- Offi cials have so far confi rmed alive,” Masai added. physical injuries in what her fa- around 150 families crammed friend stopped paying childcare a death toll of 33 from the disas- The woman is receiving treat- ther said was a miracle. into single rooms, had been following paternity tests that ter, but at least 80 more people ment and assessment of her in- But tragedy followed when the slated for demolition after being showed he was not the child’s are believed to be missing and juries at Nairobi’s main Kenyatta girl’s mother was found dead late declared structurally unsound. father. rescuers are now trawling the National Hospital. on Wednesday. But an evacuation order for Rescue workers attend to the woman first to be rescued yesterday Human traffi cking carries a fi lthy river nearby for bodies. “I am glad we got her out Another seven people died in the structure, which was built from the rubble of a six-storey building. maximum life jail term or a fi ne Pius Masai of Kenya’s Na- safely and that is our determina- several areas of Nairobi after the next to a river just two years ago, of 100mn rand ($6.7mn). tional Disaster Operation Centre tion, to pull out as many people heavy rains and fl oods hit last was ignored. property boom has seen build- Yesterday Nairobi offi cials said that the rescued woman was as possible who are still trapped Friday. Several buildings have col- ings shoot up at speed, often ordered the demolition of other conscious and talking when she under the rubble,” Masai said. Two brothers who own the lapsed in recent years in Nairobi with scant regard for regula- buildings deemed illegal or un- Ban on live media was found. He said rescuers decided to Nairobi building and three con- and other Kenyan cities, where a tions. safe. coverage of rallies Interim leader’s Uganda has banned the media from giving live coverage attackers jailed of protests planned for the Congo ex-governor planning presidential run swearing-in ceremony of A Malian court has sentenced President Yoweri Museveni next two men to five years in jail for week, the government said Reuters president has yet to announce and former governor of Katan- camp and the government. will be the candidate of the rule beating up Mali’s former interim yesterday. Kinshasa his plans. ga, a copper mining region. In April, police used tear gas of law.” president, Dioncounda Traore, The opposition says the More than 40 people were His announcement had been to disperse a rally led by Ka- Katumbi has yet to win the during the occupation of his 71-year-old fraudulently won the killed in protests in January expected for months but was tumbi in the country’s second- support of the largest opposi- palace in May 2012 by protesters February 18 elections, in which he oise Katumbi, a prom- 2015 over alleged attempts by delayed as he tried to win sup- largest city, Lubumbashi, and tion parties, including Etienne demanding that he resign, took 60% of the vote. inent opposition lead- Kabila to delay the presidential port from a fractious opposi- arrested four of his bodyguards. Tshisekedi’s Union for Democ- the justice minister said on Opposition leader Kizza Besigye, Mer in the Democratic vote to remain in offi ce. tion. On Wednesday, Justice Min- racy and Social Progress. Wednesday. who has been arrested several Republic of the Congo, said “I accept with humility this Katumbi governed Katanga ister Alexis Thambwe ordered Katumbi said in the state- The court on Tuesday acquitted times since the election, called on Wednesday that he would heavy responsibility,” Katumbi from 2007 until last September a probe into Katumbi’s alleged ment he would soon begin a a third man of involvement in the on the public to stage nationwide run in November’s presiden- said in a statement posted on when he quit Kabila’s party, ac- recruitment of mercenaries. national tour to develop a com- attack, which followed a military protests against the swearing-in tial election when incumbent his offi cial Twitter account, cusing it of plotting to extend The government “has proof mon opposition platform. coup that allowed separatists and ceremony which is scheduled for Joseph Kabila is due to step referring to his nomination for the president’s rule, which be- of ... Katumbi’s involvement in The Congo has never under- Islamists to take control of parts May 12. down in accordance with the the presidency by three opposi- gan in 2001. the recruitment of mercenaries, gone a peaceful transition of of northern Mali. Information Minister Jim constitution. tion coalitions in recent weeks. Wednesday’s declaration ap- including several retired Amer- power. The two men were convicted Muhwezi told journalists the Kabila’s opponents say he is The election will likely be peared to be aimed at showing ican soldiers”, he said. The former Belgian colo- of charges including criminal campaign was illegal and that trying to cling to power beyond delayed since the election com- he would not bow to political In his statement on Twit- ny was ruled for decades by conspiracy and attempted broadcasters giving live coverage his mandate and Katumbi’s mission says updating voter pressure. ter, Katumbi replied: “The low Mobutu Sese Seko and since assassination, Justice Minister of the protests would risk getting declaration could heighten po- rolls will take about 16 months. Tensions have risen in re- blows of the government do not then eastern Congo has been Sanogo Aminata Malle said in a their licences revoked. litical tension, given that the Katumbi is a multimillionaire cent weeks between Katumbi’s hinder my peaceful combat. I plagued by war and instability. statement. Zimbabwe Zuma scolds lawmakers over to print local boycott of parliament speech

‘US dollar’ Reuters Cape Town

AFP Harare outh African President Jacob Zuma told lawmak- Residents queue to withdraw cash at a local bank in Harare. Sers yesterday to halt their imbabweans formed long “theatre and antics” after most queues outside banks yes- very dangerous to the economy,” standing at $490mn in the fi rst opposition parties boycotted Zterday as a cash shortage independent economist John quarter against $167mn in ex- a speech the scandal-ridden prompted the government to Robertson told AFP in Harare. ports. leader gave in parliament. announce plans to print a local “It won’t be long before this be- Apart from limits on with- Political tensions are mount- version of the US dollar and limit comes another infl ation story. drawals, the amount of cash that ing in South Africa ahead of lo- withdrawals. People will refuse to be paid their can be taken out of the country cal elections in August when The government adopted US wages in bond notes. per trip has been cut from $5,000 Zuma’s ruling African National and South African currencies “Shops will not accept them to $1,000. Congress (ANC) faces a stiff in 2009 after hyperinfl ation – as they cannot be used to restock In the queues outside the challenge from opponents seek- which peaked at 231mn per cent (from abroad). I am hoping that banks, tempers were high. ing to capitalise on what they – rendered the national currency the government can be talked out “I am supposed to be at work see as the president’s missteps. unusable as the country’s econo- of it.” but here I am queuing since yes- Zuma, dogged by scandals my collapsed. Bond coins were introduced in terday,” said Monique Fore, 39, a during his seven-year presiden- A recent shortage of foreign Zimbabwe in 2014 to tackle the bursar at a school in Harare. “It’s cy, survived an impeachment notes led Reserve Bank Governor problem of small change. becoming embarrassing explain- vote in parliament last month John Mangudya to unveil a raft of The new notes in denomina- ing to my landlord that I can’t after the Constitutional Court A picture taken yesterday shows Zuma addressing members of the ANC ruling party in parliament, as radical measures on Wednesday, tions of $2, $5, $10 and $20 will withdraw money to pay rent.” said he had violated the consti- most members of the opposition parties boycotted or were suspended from the sitting. including limiting withdrawals play a similar role, acting as to- In some cases, banks have tution. to $1,000 or 20,000 South Afri- kens. limited the amount that can be The main opposition Demo- who, from time to time, comes speech was intended “to send a have not gone away. can rand per day. They will be backed by a taken out to $200 – well below cratic Alliance (DA) party, the to this house to participate, I strong message to the South Af- Last week the High Court Mangudya said that the cen- $200mn support facility pro- the maximum set by the govern- far-left Economic Freedom believe the house needs to do rican people that the opposition ruled he should face 783 corrup- tral bank would also print its own vided by Afreximbank (Africa ment. Fighters (EFF) and others stayed more to bring this house in or- won’t allow Zuma to trample on tion charges that were dropped dollar-equivalent bond notes Export-Import Bank), the gov- Zimbabwe once removed 12 away from Zuma’s speech in der,” Zuma said, adding that the constitution, ignore court in 2009 by state prosecutors. – “which are currently at the ernment said. zeros from its battered currency parliament yesterday, saying the squabbles and scuffl es were rulings and then come to parlia- The hundreds of corruption design stage” – to ease the cash “This does not signal the re- at the height of hyper-infl ation that he had been “discredited” denting South Africa’s image. ment and ask for more money charges relate to a major gov- crunch. introduction of the Zimbabwe in 2009 when the largest note after court rulings against him. On Wednesday the parlia- for his offi ce”. ernment arms deal arranged in Mangudya denied that the new currency,” Mangudya said. “The was the $100tn denomination. “The drama, theatre and an- mentary protection services re- Parliament, dominated by the the late 1990s. banknotes were a step towards fundamentals are not yet right State-sanctioned seizure of tics we see daily in this house moved members of the EFF par- ANC, rejected a bid last month Zuma said last month that an re-introducing the tarnished for its comeback. This is just a white-owned farms starting in will not move South Africa for- ty from the chamber after they to impeach Zuma after the Con- investigation into the deal had Zimbabwe dollar, but the plan measure to curb illicit fl ows out 2000 left the agricultural sec- ward,” Zuma said while replying tried to disrupt proceedings be- stitutional Court said he had found no evidence of corruption was still criticised by some ex- of the country.” tor in ruin, and triggered a sharp to lawmakers’ questions over a fore another Zuma speech. breached the law by ignoring an or fraud but critics denounced perts. Economists blame the cash economic slowdown, with mass budget to cover the costs of the Opposition leaders said in a order to repay state funds spent the fi ndings as a cover-up and “This is extremely damaging shortage on a trade defi cit which unemployment, emigration and presidency. joint statement that their de- on his private home. said they would continue to to the interests of everyone and saw the country’s import bills many business closures. “Commenting as somebody cision to boycott yesterday’s But Zuma’s legal headaches campaign for justice. Gulf Times 6 Friday, May 6, 2016 AMERICAS Evacuees fi nd Wildfi re forces more safe haven

By Michel Comte, AFP “But we’re still here, that’s Lac La Biche, Canada what matters, and playing mu- sic,” Javierto said. Another evacuee, Carla, who Canada evacuations itting on the tailgate of his did not wish to give her last truck, strumming his gui- name, said that she spent the last Reuters Star, the only item that he night in a parking lot behind the Anzac, Alberta was able to salvage in a hurried Lac La Biche high school. evacuation of Fort McMurray She described having strug- as wildfi res raged closer to the gled to make contact with friends massive wildfi re near Fort Canadian oil city, Alan Javierto and family, including her chil- McMurray in Alberta, says: “I just want to go home.” dren, after being separated dur- ACanada, that has grown “Hopefully soon,” he adds. ing the evacuation. They are safe to fi ve times its initial size has “But probably it will take weeks, now. spread south, forcing more evac- maybe more.” Holding back tears, she con- uations yesterday after 88,000 The wildfi res that forced al- sidered what has become of her people fl ed the city in the na- most 100,000 to fl ee and aban- home: “There’s nothing there. tion’s energy heartland. don fi re-gutted neighbourhoods There’s nothing left. So many The uncontrolled blaze, which were “unreal”, he said. homes gone.” has consumed swaths of the city, “I’ve never seen anything like From Lac La Biche she said she has shut some oil production in it except in the movies,” he said. hoped to travel east to Ontario or the area, driving up global oil “It’s overwhelming.” Newfoundland provinces where prices and aff ecting projects and Javierto had been “hang- she has extended family. pipelines across the heavily for- ing out with this guy” when the Others are still in limbo with ested region. evacuation was ordered, he says, no plans for how to resume their Authorities said fi re condi- pointing to his friend Victor Pas- lives gutted by the fi re. tions remained extreme with low toporin seated next to him out- Lac La Biche is the third evac- humidity and gusting winds. side an evacuation centre in Lac uation stop this week for Karla Offi cials issued mandatory La Biche, about 300km south of Buff alo. evacuation orders for the Anzac, Fort McMurray. With her dogs Daisy and Tu- Gregoire Lake Estates and Fort “It was a nice day, a perfect lip in tow, she had tried to travel McMurray First Nation commu- day,” he said. “Suddenly, it got south from Fort McMurray to the nities, located about 50km (31 darker and darker, and hotter and provincial capital Edmonton, but miles) south of the battered city hotter.” a wall of fl ames forced residents of Fort McMurray, which was According to several fi rst- to turn around and head north evacuated on Tuesday. hand accounts, residents of Fort instead, towards Alberta’s oil At least 640,000 barrels per McMurray were initially hopeful fi elds. day of crude output is offl ine, ac- that the fi re would pass them by. Eventually, she and others cording to Reuters calculations, Some packed bags in anticipa- were evacuated to the town of roughly 16% of Canada’s crude tion of an evacuation order. Anzac, where the fi re emergency production. Others were caught off guard, response centre had also moved The outage is expected to climb literally fl eeing with the clothes after thick smoke closed its as major players in the region cut on their back. former site at the Fort McMurray production. “There’s no guide on how to airport. Conoco Phillips is evacuating get out of a forest fi re,” Javierto But the fl ames followed too, its small 30,000-barrel-per-day explained. and again evacuees found them- Surmont project, south of Fort Another evacuee who spoke to selves on the move, loaded onto McMurray, as a precaution be- An aerial view taken on Wednesday from the helicopter of Alberta Premier Rachel Notley shows smoke rising from raging wildfires which AFP described sitting outside his buses to Lac La Biche. cause of potential highway clo- caused the mandatory evacuation of Fort McMurray. home, watching a few faraway Buff alo says she has been sures. bushes burn before the entire through forest fi res before, but The fi re is currently 38km emergency operations centre for ees drove north toward oil sands Authorities said that there had tares) since it erupted on Sunday forest suddenly exploded into never an evacuation of this scale. north of Surmont, a spokeswom- the second time in less than a day, facilities and a few small settle- been no known casualties from and exploded in ferocity. fl ames. “I can’t complain. I have a roof an said. and the spreading fl ames threat- ments but no route out. the blaze itself, but fatalities were Hot, dry, windy weather has The last image Javierto and over my head, everyone has been Most of Alberta’s oil sands fa- ened community centres feeding Frightened evacuees north of reported in at least one vehicle made the massive wildfi re all but Pastoporin remember before fed and the attitudes of people cilities are north of Fort McMur- and housing evacuees from Fort the city took to Twitter, asking crash along the evacuation route. impossible to control. fl eeing was Pastoporin’s house here have been incredible,” she ray. McMurray. when they would be able to drive Thousands bunked down for The entire city of Fort McMur- on fi re. told AFP. The winds also pushed fl ames Evacuee Jason Blair said he south and whether areas to the the night on Wednesday in are- ray was ordered to evacuate on toward the local airport, with only had enough time to grab a north were safe. nas, hockey rinks and oil work Tuesday, and some 1,600 struc- webcam images showing black few belongings before driving “We’re just sitting in a camp camps that were often short of tures had been destroyed, Alber- smoke engulfi ng the airport late north to a Canadian Natural Re- praying to get out!! Give us an- fuel and food. ta Premier Rachel Notley said on on Wednesday evening. sources Ltd (CNRL) facility. swers!!! Please,” Twitter user @ Fire also threatened the air- Wednesday. Offi cials confi rmed that a ho- “For some reason I really want- jennimac780 told the regional port, and webcam images showed Temperatures hit 31° Celsius tel north of main terminal had ed my son’s fi rst pair of shoes,” he government. black smoke engulfi ng the area (88° Fahrenheit) on Wednesday. caught fi re. told CBC television. No evacuation has been or- late on Wednesday evening. But yesterday Environment “What people in that region CNRL said that it has airlifted dered for north of the city. Offi cials have confi rmed that a Canada forecast a high of 19°C have gone through in the last about 2,600 people over the last “We haven’t forgotten about hotel north of the main terminal (66°F) with a 30% chance of rain. couple of days is literally hell on 24 hours to Edmonton and Cal- you and you’re safe,” said the had caught fi re, but as the sun The average high in the area is earth,” Rona Ambrose, a Canadi- gary, including its own workers, government on Twitter. rose yesterday new images of the 15°C. an opposition leader who is from in order to make room for more The forecast has called for airport showed no obvious dam- A government forecast map the province, told Parliament, evacuees. cooler temperatures and a pos- age. of potential fi re intensity still fi ghting back tears. Fire has intermittently blocked sibility of rain, off ering hope that Firefi ghters have been unable showed some areas around Fort A pair of prosthetic legs and a wheelchair belonging to an evacuee Offi cials on the scene were the only route south toward ma- controlling the blaze could be- to stop the wildfi re, which has McMurray at class 6, the highest from the Fort McMurray wildfires is seen at the ‘Bold Centre’ in Lac la forced to evacuate a make-shift jor cities, so thousands of evacu- come easier. charred 18,500 acres (7,500 hec- level. Biche.

US bans sale of e-cigarettes, Trump ‘last man standing’ as Kasich quits

DPA the political neophyte. cigars to those aged under 18 Washington Trump drew 53% of the vote to 37% for Cruz in Indiana. Though Trump won all or AFP cable public health standard set form of tobacco also had tried onald Trump is the last nearly all of Indiana’s 57 dele- Miami forth in the law”. a fl avoured tobacco product in Republican standing in gates, he remains shy of the 1,237 The FDA gained the power to the past month. Dthe centre-right’s presi- delegates needed to secure the regulate a wider range of tobac- The Campaign for Tobacco dential contest as his last re- nomination at the Republican he United States has is- co products in 2009, with the Free Kids president Matthew maining opponent, Ohio Gov- convention in July, but there is sued a sweeping ban on passage of the Family Smoking Myers called the FDA move a ernor John Kasich, said he is little doubt he will easily secure Tsales of e-cigarettes, ci- Prevention and Tobacco Con- “critical fi rst step” but warned dropping out. them in the remaining contests. gars, pipe tobacco and hookahs trol Act. it “falls short in protecting kids Trump’s victory in the Indi- On the Democratic side, to those under 18, marking the A preliminary rule was issued from e-cigarettes”, he said in a ana primary virtually assured former secretary of state Hillary fi rst time these products have in 2014, resulting in more than statement. the business mogul will be the Clinton remains the clear front- been federally regulated. 135,000 public comments, an “It does nothing to restrict party’s nominee. runner, but Vermont Senator The ban will go into eff ect in FDA spokesman said. the irresponsible marketing of Kasich had only won his home Bernie Sanders is continuing to 90 days, according to the US About one in fi ve Americans e-cigarettes or the use of sweet state of Ohio, but had vowed on wage his surprising upstart cam- Food and Drug Administration smokes, and the habit kills e-cigarette fl avours such as Tuesday night to remain in the paign after winning Indiana with (FDA), which described the fi - 480,000 people in the United gummy bear and cotton candy, race until Trump actually reached Kasich: we all need to live a life bigger than ourselves. 53% of the vote to 47% for Clin- nal rule – issued after several States each year, according to despite the FDA’s own data the 1,237 delegates needed to win ton. years of study and debate – as health authorities. showing that fl avours play a the nomination. fulfi l the purpose of my life,” Ka- “I believe we all need to live a Sanders hopes to force a con- “historic”. major role in the skyrocketing “As I suspend my campaign sich said in remarks in Ohio after life bigger than ourselves,” said tested convention in the left- “As cigarette smoking among E-cigarette use among youth use of e-cigarettes.” today, I have renewed faith, recalling how his campaign had Kasich, who did not mention leaning party, despite trailing in those under 18 has fallen, the high-schoolers rose from The FDA gave no exemption deeper faith that the Lord will inspired voters to come together Trump or say he would support the delegate count. use of other nicotine products, 1.5% in 2011 to 16% in for so-called premium cigars, show me the way forward and and help one another. him. He now has 1,409 pledged del- including e-cigarettes, has tak- 2015 – a more than 900% despite eff orts from the indus- Trump’s nearest opponent, egates to Clinton’s 1,699, but she en a drastic leap,” said Health increase – according to try. Bush clan has no plans to back Trump Ted Cruz, dropped out on Tues- has many more of the so-called and Human Services Secretary the US Centres for Disease Now, makers of these prod- day evening after losing badly in super delegates, who are party Sylvia Burwell. Control and Prevention ucts have two years to disclose America’s most prominent Republican family, the Bushes, are declining Indiana, where he had invested offi cials free to vote for whom- “Today’s announcement is (CDC) to the FDA “important factors to endorse Donald Trump for president, handing the GOP presumptive substantial resources in what ever they chose. an important step in the fi ght such as ingredients, product nominee an early setback in his eff orts to unite a fractured party. his campaign portrayed as a last In a preview of the months of for a tobacco-free generation Traditional cigarette smoking design and health risks, as well Former presidents George W Bush and George HW Bush, who undoubt- stand against Trump. campaigning yet to come, Trump – it will help us catch up with has declined in recent decades, as their appeal to youth and edly bristled at Trump’s bullying attacks on candidate Jeb Bush, signalled “We had a tremendous victory turned his attention to the gen- changes in the marketplace, but youths are increasingly non-users”, according to the through their off ices that they will stay on the sidelines during this cycle. tonight,” the billionaire said from eral election. put into place rules that protect turning to e-cigarettes, which 499-page FDA rule. The elder Bush has endorsed every Republican nominee in the past his Trump Tower headquarters in “We’re going after Hillary our kids and give adults infor- are battery powered devices “We are deeply disappoint- five elections, but he does not have plans to endorse Trump in 2016, his New York City late on Tuesday. Clinton. She will not be a great mation they need to make in- that heat a nicotine liquid – and ed,” said a joint statement from spokesman Jim McGrath told the Texas Tribune on Wednesday. Republican National Com- president, she will not be a good formed decisions.” fl avoured cigars. Eric and Bobby Newman, the “At age 91, President Bush is retired from politics,” McGrath told the paper. mittee chairman Reince Preibus president – she will be a poor Key aspects of the rule in- E-cigarette use among high- president and executive vice- “He came out of retirement to do a few things for Jeb, but those were the tweeted that the result meant president,” he said. clude barring the sale of e-cig- schoolers rose from 1.5% in 2011 president of JC Newman Ci- exceptions that proved the rule.” Trump is now the conservative Clinton responded by calling arettes to minors online or in to 16% in 2015 – a more than gar Company, based in Tampa, The 41st president’s son Jeb Bush dropped out of the race in February. party’s “presumptive” nominee Trump a “loose cannon” and said person, prohibiting the distri- 900% increase – according Florida. Jeb’s brother George W Bush “does not plan to participate in or comment and encouraged party supporters he should now provide specifi cs bution of free samples and not to the US Centres for Disease “The premium cigar industry on the presidential campaign”, his personal aide Freddy Ford said. to focus on the November general on his proposals. allowing vending machines, Control and Prevention (CDC). is made up of dozens of small, Trump has launched bitter attacks on George W Bush during this year’s election. “He’s a loose cannon and loose unless they are located in an Last year, 3mn middle and family-owned cigar makers, campaign. “We all need to unite and focus cannons tend to misfi re,” Clinton adult-only facility. high school students were cur- like us, along with thousands In February he called Bush’s decision to invade Iraq “one of the worst on defeating @HillaryClinton said in an interview with CNN. The rule also requires manu- rent e-cigarette users. of small, independent specialty decisions in the history of the country” and said the Bush administration #NeverClinton,” Preibus wrote. The former US secretary of facturers to get the FDA’s mar- Another recent study, carried cigar stores across the country,” “lied” about Saddam Hussain possessing weapons of mass destruction. The Republican Party has state also said “being a loose keting approval for any prod- out by the FDA and the National the Newmans wrote. Jeb Bush, who exited the race that month, endorsed Ted Cruz in March, been deeply divided by Trump’s cannon doesn’t protect him from ucts that were issued after Institutes of Health (NIH) in “The cost and burdens of on- and has said Trump would lose in a landslide if he were the nominee to candidacy, with some leading being asked the tough questions February 15, 2007, to show that 2013-2014, showed that four erous regulations threaten the go up against Democrat Hillary Clinton in the general election. Republicans waging a #Never- he should have been asked” by their “products meet the appli- out of fi ve youths who use some entire industry,” they added. Trump Twitter campaign against other Republican candidates. Gulf Times Friday, May 6, 2016 7 ASEAN Long weekend in Jakarta Fear spreads as Thailand junta jails online critics

AFP levied over comments two of Bangkok the activists made in a private Facebook chat, raising con- cerns about the military’s sur- he Thai junta’s fresh ar- veillance capabilities. rests of online critics “We are all paranoid about Tis spreading paranoia this,” Winyat Chartmontree, across the country, say rights who works with a team of activists, with eight people human rights attorneys, told Slow traff ic is seen on a highway as a long weekend begins in Jakarta. Indonesians are enjoying two consecutive religious holidays. being held for disparaging the AFP. regime on Facebook. “In the past there were only The military government’s rumours that the military latest crackdown on dissent could hack into people’s Line comes as it prepares to put a and Facebook messages. But charter it drafted to the public this time there was clear evi- in August. dence.” The looming vote has stirred Human Rights Watch said Thailand’s turbulent politi- the junta was using “draconian cal waters, with politicians laws” to silence opposition. from the toppled govern- “These are laws that could ment speaking out against the be sending people away for Scandal-hit Najib charter and handfuls of activ- a dozen years for a couple of ists around the country defy- Facebook posts,” said Brad ing junta laws to demonstrate Adams, the group’s Asia di- against the document, which rector. they say is deeply undemo- “They are [using] army ve- cratic. hicles, black boots,” he said of But a fresh wave of fear was the arrests, which were car- sparked last week after soldiers ried out in the early morning. seeks emphatic win stormed the homes of eight “They want people to fear activists who police say were them”. Najib is looking for political which are largely fought on local issues. paid to run Facebook pages The junta says it is seeking to cerdibility in a diff icult time Many of their leaders were barred entry that criticised and mocked the end the cycle of mass protests to Sarawak, which maintains autonomy junta. that has rocked the country Reuters over immigration rights. The group was jailed and ever since ex-premier Thak- Miri, Malaysia Nurul Izzah, the daughter of jailed now faces trial in a military sin Shinawatra was ousted by former deputy prime minister Anwar Ib- court for sedition and violat- the military in 2006. His sis- rahim and a member of his People’s Justice ing Thailand’s computer crime ter’s administration was over- alaysia’s prime minister is go- Party (PKR), said she was denied entry in act, two laws that carry tough thrown in the 2014 coup. ing all out to secure a resound- Miri. She said the ban on many national sentences. But critics say the army is Ming victory in Sarawak when the opposition leaders has left them severely Two of its members are also chiefl y bent on safeguarding country’s largest state goes to the polls this outmatched. charged with insulting the its infl uence and dismantling Saturday, seeking to put a year of turmoil “They are forced to face the likes of the Thai monarchy — a crime that the Shinawatras’ powerful po- at government investment fund 1MDB be- prime minister and the deputy prime min- carries up to 15 years per of- litical faction, which has won hind him. ister dispensing cash like there’s no to- fence. every national election in the Politicians and pundits expect the rul- morrow whilst their only ‘semenanjung’ The group’s lawyer said the past decade but is hated by the ing Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition to (peninsula) counter force is held up by the royal defamation charges were military-allied elite. comfortably win the state election, but immigration,” said Nurul. analysts say Prime Minister Najib Razak Federal mommunications minister wants a landslide victory to show he still Salleh Said Keruak said the national gov- has the confi dence of the people after the ernment’s spending plans were only meet- 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) fi - ing their responsibilities to work with the nancial scandal rocked the country. state government. On the campaign trail in Borneo, Najib In Miri, some 800km from the state capital, opposition leaders are hopeful Vietnam has made big money pledges and taken his entourage to remote villages as he can- voters will see through Najib’s spending vasses support. Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak. pledges. “This is a good example of our contin- “It is to our disadvantage. Their huge ued high commitment to Sarawak,” he told wins big, even though the election cannot er Najib can lead the party to victory in the machinery is very strong,” said Alan Ling, state legislator of the opposition Demo- asks Japan a media conference in Kuching, after hold- be used as barometer for BN’s popularity 2018 general elections. ing a cabinet meeting in the state’s capital nationwide,” said Arnold Puyok, a political Najib has dismissed the allegations and cratic Action Party (DAP) from Piasau in and approving 3.5bn ringgit ($878mn) in analyst at University of Malaysia Sarawak. consolidated power by sacking dissenters Miri. projects and investment for the state. Najib has been facing calls to step down within UMNO, which has ruled Malaysia And while Sarawak’s urban voters have Sarawakians have rallied behind Najib’s over allegations of graft and billions of since 1957, and using a controversial sedi- become more critical of the government, the rural vote base - which will decide the for vessels ally, chief minister Adenan Satem. Ade- dollars in misappropriated funds at his pet tion law against other critics. nan has brokered greater autonomy for project 1MDB. The South China Sea divides Sarawak outcome of more than two-thirds of the the resource-rich state and dealt with long Critics say Najib was a benefi ciary of from the Malaysian peninsula and insu- 82 seats being contested - remain largely Reuters ited Cam Ranh Bay in central standing issues such as recognition of na- 1MDB’s funds, after about $681mn was lates it from goings-on there. The mostly oblivious to the political intrigues of the Hanoi Vietnam in April, the fi rst port tive land rights since taking over the reins deposited in his bank account before a rural population of 2.6mn struggles with capital. call of its kind. in 2014. 2013 election. lack of access to basic amenities and poor “I just listen to these people talk, but I Japan also has warming re- Najib will likely project a convincing Najib and 1MDB have dismissed those roads in the mountainous and densely for- don’t know anything about 1MDB...I don’t ietnam has asked Japan lations with the Philippines, win for Adenan as a personal victory. claims but some political heavyweights ested interior. know who I’ll vote for,” 61-year-old secu- to provide vessels to with which it signed a deal last “It is an important election for Najib...a in United Malays National Organisation The federal opposition have accused rity guard Sabai Bajik, a native Iban, said at Vstrengthen its coast- year on defence equipment moral booster for BN and Najib if Adenan (UMNO) have publicly questioned wheth- Najib of “hijacking” the Sarawak polls, an opposition rally. guard, a Japanese offi cial said and technology. yesterday, in the latest sign of China claims almost the en- growing ties among the states tire South China Sea, believed locked in maritime rows with to have huge deposits of oil and China. gas, and is building islands on The request emerged during reefs to bolster its claims. Bru- talks between visiting Japa- nei, Malaysia, the Philippines, nese Foreign Minister Fumio Taiwan and Vietnam also have Ageing Thailand takes a heavy claims to parts of the waters, Kishida and Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc through which about $5tn in and Foreign Minister Pham trade is shipped every year. Binh Minh, a Japanese spokes- Tokyo has no claims in the man said. waterway, but worries about toll on indebted households China’s growing military reach “Vietnam wants new ves- sels,” Masato Otaka told re- into sea lanes through which Reuters per month, according to the Health Insur- porters, adding that timing, much of Japan’s ship-borne Bangkok ance System Research Offi ce, a state agen- methods of delivery, costs and trade passes. cy led by the Ministry of Public Health. quantity of vessels had not yet Vietnamese scientists are That’s more than 28 percent of the av- been decided. inspecting a Taiwanese steel hai civil servant Supapan Pullbang- erage 2015 monthly household income of Vietnam has been modern- factory accused of having yung spends just under half of her 26,915 baht. ising its military, and recently links to mass fi sh deaths that Tsalary on caring for her 75-year-old Kangsadan Sagulpongmalee, 40, is a bought six advanced Kilo- provoked rare public protests, father, who suff ers from diabetes and de- lecturer in Petchaburi province who is car- class submarines from Russia. news reports said. mentia. ing for her 70-year-old diabetic father. He Russia and India are the The inspections, which Hers is one of many Thai families look- underwent spinal surgery last December main source of advanced entered a second day yester- ing after elderly relatives at a cost that and is recovering at Wellness City, a pri- weapons, training and intel- day, are being carried out by countrywide adds up to just under a third vately run complex for the elderly on 192 ligence co-operation. Hanoi members of a national panel of household income. The number of fam- hectares of land near the city of Ayudhaya, is also building ties with the consisting of nearly 100 Viet- ilies facing similar problems will balloon north of Bangkok. United States and its Japanese, namese scientists, newspaper as the population ages at a rate among the “The cost has been very high,” she Australian and Filipino allies, Thanh Nien said. fastest in Southeast Asia. said. “My salary earned as a lecturer isn’t as well as Europe and Israel. The panel is tasked with Thailand’s working-age population is enough at all. I have to spend my parents’ “Vietnam feels it needs to fi nding out why millions of fi sh expected to shrink by 11% by 2040. life savings.” strengthen its coastguard gen- began dying last month along The rising cost of care is an additional Kangsadan plans to move her father to a erally, and that’s why we’ve the South-East Asian nation’s burden to households struggling with house near her workplace once he has re- responded,” Otaka told report- coastline. record debt that is a drag on consumption covered so she can look after him. ers, adding that the vessel de- Scientists from Germany, and stunting the economy. “I’m doing whatever it takes for my par- livery “was not directly linked the United States, and Israel “I struggled for months and it took a ents. It’ll be very expensive, but I’ll try my to the South China Sea”. have been invited to join the while to adjust,” said Supapan, who lives best to handle everything.” On Friday Kishida is sched- inspections, which is focus- in Nonthaburi province, just north of the Elderly people play petanque at Bangkhae Home Foundation in Bangkok. A lower cost of living in Thailand’s rural uled to attend a joint govern- ing on testing wastewater capital, Bangkok. areas means some who move to the city for ment meeting that will mainly discharged from the plant in Looking after her father costs at least work are considering going back to care for focus on economic co-opera- Ha Tinh province, newspaper 15,000 baht ($430) a month, she said, a people ill-prepared to help themselves urging businesses to hire more older peo- elderly parents. tion, Otaka said. Tuoi Tre reported. little less than half what she earns. fi nancially in old age, meaning they must ple. Noppasorn Suebsai, 21, is one of them. Japan is the second-big- The authorities set up a A culture of fi lial piety in which families rely on working family members. “It is going to be a burden on the young- “If you live in the countryside where we gest investor in Vietnam after monitoring station to check feel obliged to care for their elderly means More than a quarter of the 66mn popu- er generation,” said Sutayut Osornprasop, don’t spend as much the cost will be less,” South Korea, with existing wastewater from the plant, more often than not they absorb the ex- lation has not saved for old age, according a human development specialist at the said Noppasorn, a Bangkok-based nursing projects totalling $39bn as of Thanh Nien reported Thurs- pense of looking after parents and grand- to a 2014 survey, one of many factors con- World Bank. student. April 2016, based on Vietnam’s day. Previous samples had parents. tributing to the government considering Households caring for elderly relatives “I don’t think I will struggle as much to government data. been provided by the fi rm it- A poor savings culture has left many raising the age of retirement from 60 and spend at least 7,620 baht ($217) on them care for my parents.” Two Japanese warships vis- self. Gulf Times 8 Friday, May 6, 2016 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA Nauru urges Room with a view desperate refugees to remain calm

Reuters on the government website. Sydney “But while you are here, we urge you to use your time on Nauru constructively and peace- he tiny South Pacifi c is- fully.” land of Nauru yesterday But detainees, many of whom Turged calm among 500 have been on Nauru for years, asylum seekers held in detention said tensions were high, with on behalf of Australia after two many devoid of hope. set fi re to themselves and others “I don’t want to be alive. I see self-harmed. my wife suff ering and I can’t do Under Australia’s hard-line anything, I can’t change any- immigration policy, asylum thing.” Iranian Amir Zaire, 30, seekers intercepted trying to told Reuters. “We have been at reach the country by boat af- this camp for three years, like People pose on a glass sightseeing platform in Shilinxia scenic spot in Pinggu District of Beijing. The sightseeing platform, which hangs 32.8m out from the cliff , is being ter paying people smugglers are animals.” claimed as the largest glass sightseeing platform in the world. sent for processing to a camp While tensions on Nauru are in Manus Island in Papua New rising, Australia’s second off - Guinea or to Nauru. shore detention centre on Manus The remote detention cen- Island, off Papua New Guinea, tre on Nauru has been widely has been ordered closed after the criticised by the UN and hu- country’s Supreme Court ruled man rights agencies for its harsh the facility unlawful, leaving the conditions and reports of child fate of the 850 people held there abuse. Many staying there have up in the air. self-harmed. Australia and Papua New A young Somali woman on Guinea each claim the other is Australia claims top IS Monday set herself on fi re at the responsible for settling the hun- camp, the second such attack in a dreds held on Manus. week. The fi rst victim died. Legal action in PNG and Aus- Nauru said it was working on tralia has begun, with lawyers fi nding a permanent home for acting for the majority of people the detainees. held on Manus arguing that they “I want to assure you that fu- should be immediately be reset- recruiter killed in Iraq ture long-term and permanent tled in Australia. settlement options are actively But Australian Prime Minis- AFP kash was killed in Mosul, Iraq, on April 22, along with her Sudanese husband. He has also appeared in IS propaganda being considered and planned ter Malcolm Turnbull yesterday Canberra 29. “Mohamed and her husband, Abu Sa’ad videos, including one last year calling for for you,” David Adeang, min- reiterated the Manus Island de- “Neil Prakash was a prominent ISIL al-Sudani, were both active recruiters of attacks on Australia. ister for multicultural af- tainees would not be resettled in member and a senior terrorist recruiter foreign fi ghters on behalf of ISIL, and had “His death disrupts and degrades fairs, said in a video posted Australia. ustralia’s most wanted Islamic and attack facilitator,” he said in a joint been inspiring attacks against Western ISIL’s ability to recruit vulnerable people State terror suspect, who was statement with Defence Minister Marise interests,” said Brandis. in our community to conduct terrorist Alinked to several attacks on home Payne, using an acronym for IS. She was the sister of Farhad Jabar, a acts,” Brandis added. soil, has been killed in a US air strike in “Prakash has been linked to several 15-year-old who shot dead police em- Australia has long been concerned Iraq, Canberra said yesterday. Australia-based attack plans and calls for ployee Curtis Cheng in Sydney last Oc- about home-grown extremism and raised The death of Neil Prakash is considered lone-wolf attacks against the US. He is tober. The teenager was killed in gunfi re the terror threat alert level to high in Sep- Woman spends millions signifi cant by Australian and American considered to be Australia’s most promi- shortly afterwards. tember 2014. authorities because of his highly promi- nent ISIL recruiter.” Prakash, who left Australia in 2013 and At least six attacks have been foiled on nent and infl uential role as a senior re- American authorities also told the gov- was known as Abu Khaled al-Cambodi, Australian soil over the past 18 months, on unlimited overdraft cruiter for the militant group. ernment that Australian woman Shadi was linked to an alleged terror plot on according to the government. But several Attorney General George Brandis said Jabar Khalil Mohamed died in a similar air Anzac Day last year, when Australia hon- have taken place, including the terror- Washington had told Canberra that Pra- strike near the Syrian city of Al Bab on April ours its war dead. linked murder of Cheng. By Frank Walker, DPA Her lawyer told the court she Sydney spent A$1mn on luxury goods such as handbags, but around A$3.3mn remained unaccounted for. n Australian woman ran The woman is disputing the up a huge overdraft af- charges. Ater realising the bank had Magistrate Lisa Stapleton said given her an unlimited credit that was a lot of handbags, but Stage set for N Korea party meet line on the current account she granted bail. “It isn’t proceeds opened when she was 17, news of crime. It’s money we all dream AFP leader and legitimate inheritor of the Kim by another nuclear test in a gesture of have been invited to Pyongyang to cover. reports said yesterday. of,” Stapleton told the court. Seoul family’s dynastic rule. strength and defi ance that would allow The congress will also elect a new cen- The woman, now 21, was ar- “She didn’t take it from them The congress is also expected to con- Kim to claim genuine nuclear power sta- tral committee, which in turn selects the rested at Sydney airport on - they gave it to her,” The Her- fi rm, as party doctrine, Kim’s “byungjin” tus in his speech. party politburo. Wednesday night as she tried ald quoted her as saying. The orth Korea yesterday readied to policy of pursuing nuclear weapons in In an analysis of the most recent satel- Some analysts are predicting signifi - to fl y to Malaysia after allegedly suspect would owe the bank the kick off its most important rul- tandem with economic development. lite pictures of the North’s main nuclear cant personnel changes, as Kim brings removing A$4.6mn (US$3.4mn) money she took, but would not Ning party gathering for nearly 40 Ahead of the congress, national and test site at Punggye-ri, the US-Korea In- in a new, younger generation of leaders, from her bank account four years necessarily have broken the law, years, amid persistent concerns of a nu- Workers’ Party fl ags lined the broad, stitute at Johns Hopkins University said picked for their loyalty to him. ago. she said. clear test, despite no clear signs of an im- rain-swept streets of Pyongyang, while yesterday there was no clear evidence, Preparing for the congress involved In court yesterday, police Defence lawyer Fiona McCar- minent detonation. banners carried slogans such as “Great one way or the other, of whether an un- mobilising the entire country in a 70-day charged the chemical engineer- ron agreed, saying police would Leader Kim Jong-Un is expected to comrades Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il derground detonation was imminent. campaign that New York-based Human ing student with dishonestly have diffi culties proving the deliver a keynote address at the opening will always be with us”. The images dated May 2 showed only Rights Watch denounced as a mass exer- obtaining fi nancial advantage by spending was illegal. of the party congress today, which will Since Kim took power after the death a “very low level of activity”, the insti- cise in coerced labour. deception and knowingly dealing The young woman has Malay- be minutely scrutinised for suggestions of his father in late 2011, North Korea tute said on its closely-followed 38North “This ruling party congress is a rare with the proceeds of crime. sian parents and had been living of a signifi cant policy shift or personnel has carried out two nuclear tests and two website. event, but it’s made possible by the forced It was alleged she opened an in Sydney for the past fi ve years changes in the nuclear-armed nation’s successful space rocket launches that “Whether the level of activity indicates labour that untold thousands of North account with Westpac Bank and is in the third year of a four- governing elite. were widely seen as disguised ballistic that Pyongyang has made all necessary Koreans are subject to as part of everyday in Sydney just before her 18th year degree. The 33-year-old Kim was not even missile tests. preparations to conduct a nuclear test on life under Kim Jong-Un’s abusive rule,” birthday in 2012, but the bank She obtained a Malaysian born when the last congress was held in Even as the international community short notice at this site or is associated said Phil Robertson, the group’s deputy accidentally gave her an unlim- passport just weeks after police 1980 to crown his father, Kim Jong-Il, as responded with condemnation and sanc- with normal maintenance work remains Asia director. ited overdraft, The Sydney Morn- issued a warrant for her arrest. the heir apparent to his grandfather and tions, Kim kept the throttle opened up on unclear,” it added. People across the country, includ- ing Herald reported. The court heard police began the North’s founding leader Kim Il-Sung. the North’s single-minded drive towards South Korean government offi cials be- ing women and children, were ordered She allegedly withdrew mil- their investigation in 2012 but While the agenda - and even the du- a credible nuclear deterrent with addi- lieve the North is ready to conduct a test to demonstrate their loyalty through in- lions of dollars over the next 10 only issued an arrest warrant in ration - of the event is still unknown, its tional missile and technical tests. as soon as the order is given, and say a de- creased forced labour to produce more