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published in QATAR since 1978

SATURDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11180 May 11, 2019 Ramadan 6, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief Al Bayt Stadium – Al Khor City nearing completion UN chief lauds QATAR | Offi cial Qatar’s support Amir exchanges Ramadan greetings with Joko Widodo to Palestine His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani exchanged QNA greetings with Indonesian President Doha Joko Widodo, on the holy month of Ramadan during a telephone conversation yesterday. N Secretary-General Anto- nio Guterres has expressed his QATAR | Reaction Uthanks and appreciation for the support provided by Qatar to Palestine. Killing of French This came in a statement issued soldiers condemned yesterday by Deputy Spokesperson for Qatar condemned the killing of two UN secretary-general, Farhan Haq, French soldiers during the rescue of in which he said that “The secretary- foreign hostages in northern Burkina general would like to acknowledge with Faso. In a statement yesterday, the The Al Bayt Stadium – Al Khor City, a designated FIFA World Cup 2022 venue is on the verge of completion, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) said much appreciation the recently an- Ministry of Foreign Aff airs reiterated yesterday. “Al Bayt Stadium – Al Khor City Stadium is looking incredible! The stadium field of play turf installation was recently completed, the retractable roof system nounced support of Qatar to Palestine, Qatar’s firm stance rejecting testing and commissioning underway and more than 53,000 seats have been installed,” the SC tweeted yesterday. The stadium takes its name from bayt al sha’ar – tents which will be key in helping address violence and terrorism regardless of historically used by nomadic peoples in Qatar and the Gulf region. In common with Qatar’s famously hospitable people, Al Bayt Stadium – Al Khor City will welcome guests economic and humanitarian needs of their motives and reasons. from far and wide, entertaining them and inviting them to experience the country’s traditional culture. the Palestinian people. The statement expressed the “The secretary-general furthermore condolences of Qatar to the victims’ welcomes the continued excellent co- families and the government and operation between the State of Qatar people of France. Page 4 and the UN in implementing criti- O Qatar has also strongly cal humanitarian and economic pro- condemned the landmine explosions grammes in the Occupied Palestinian in the Afghan provinces of Daykundi Territory,” he said. and Faryab, which caused deaths Saudi rogue TV channel poses and injuries. “The secretary-general would like to acknowledge EUROPE | Defence with much appreciation the recently announced Turkish Navy prepares support of Qatar to for largest manoeuvres threat to BBC-Discovery deal Palestine” Turkish naval forces are preparing to launch the largest drill of its kind O Global fight against beoutQ hugely significant, says beIN Media Group CEO His Highness the Amir Sheikh in the history of the country under Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani had di- the name “The Wolf of the Sea 2019” By Anthony Harwood Asked about the threat to BBC low Gulf state were cut. undermine those rights of course un- rected allocation of $480mn for the simultaneously in three seas. The Gulf Times London Correspondent Discovery and how the broadcaster This meant that Saudi TV view- dermine that process.” Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza manoeuvres will be launched from commercialises its streaming serv- ers could no longer get access to top Damian Collins, chairman of the Strip. May 13-25, with the participation of ice, DCMS Secretary of State Jeremy sporting events because of a ban DCMS Committee, queried why the The support is aimed at helping the 131 naval vessels, 57 warplanes and moneyspinning deal between Wright, said: “There is considerable on the beIN Sports Channel, which Department for International Trade Palestinian people to obtain their nec- 33 helicopters in the Mediterranean, the BBC and Discovery is un- interest in the BBC in expanding what is Doha-based and owns exclusive was taking the lead tackling the Saudis essary daily needs in the diffi cult cir- Black and Aegean seas, the Anadulo A der threat from a Saudi Ara- they do and I do think a greater global rights to the Premier League, FIFA on the issue and whether this meant cumstances imposed by the Israeli oc- news agency reported. bia piracy operation which illegally presence for the BBC brand is good World Cup, Champions League and any action would be weighed against cupation forces, and the decline in the broadcasts 100 UK-based channels news for the UK. We need to make sure Formula One. the UK’s other interests in the region. international humanitarian support RAMADAN THOUGHT to over 400mn people, MPs have the intellectual property of BBC prod- beoutQ initially started as a geo- “The issue of beoutQ is straightfor- provided to them and to the related UN And whomsoever Allah wills to been told. ucts are defended.” blocked website available only in Saudi ward piracy,” he said. “I’d be slightly programmes. guide, He opens his breast to Is- The £300mn global streaming serv- As well as BBC programmes, the Arabia but soon developed into a so- concerned if our interest in this issue, Qatar’s allocation includes $300mn lam; and whomsoever He wills ice of its natural history programmes Saudi pirates are also stealing from phisticated international piracy opera- and addressing it, is being balanced in grants and loans to support the to send astray, He makes his was last month described by Director- ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky and tion stealing not only sport, but thou- with other trade interests in the re- health and education budget of the breast closed and constricted, General Tony Hall as the “largest con- others. sands of movies and TV shows such as gion”. Palestinian Authority, and $180mn as if he is climbing up to the sky. tent deal the BBC has ever done”. The problem means that ITV’s sale Game of Thrones and The Bodyguard. Yousef al-Obaidly, CEO of beIN Me- to provide urgent humanitarian relief Thus Allah puts the wrath on But MPs on the Digital, Culture, this week of The Bodyguard to China It led to the BBC and Sky last year dia Group, said: “The latest develop- support for the UN programmes in those who believe not. (Qur’an Sport and Media Select Committee could not be repeated in the Mena re- calling on the European Commission ment in the global fi ght against beoutQ Palestine and support electricity serv- 6:125) fear that when BBC Discovery launch- gion because the Keeley Hawes hit is to take formal action against Saudi is hugely signifi cant as it represents a ices to ensure access to the various sec- es next year it won’t be able to sell its already available there on beoutQ. Arabia. critically important call from a Par- tors, especially during the holy month Prayer times library to customers in the Middle East The rogue channel can both be Wright said that the problem had liamentary Committee of MPs for the of Ramadan, and to meet the summer because everyone there already has ac- streamed on the Internet and is avail- been raised by the British ambassador UK government to intervene with the season when electricity is increasingly Fajr....3.28 Zuhr....11.30 Asr....2.58 cess to it for free. able via the Riyadh-based Arabsat in Riyadh and was being pursued by a Saudi government to stop the contin- needed. Maghrib.....6.12 Isha.....7.42 They called for a ‘robust attack’ satellite, of which Saudi Arabia is the number of government departments. ued daily theft of valuable UK brands.” Qatar’s support to Palestinians em- on the rogue Riyadh-based channel, majority shareholder. He said: “If we want to see good In June 2017 Saudi Arabia, the UAE, bodies the bonds of brotherhood be- Fasting times called beoutQ, which broadcasts il- beoutQ was launched in 2017 fol- quality sport, we have to make sure Bahrain and Egypt launched a block- tween the Qatari and Palestinian peo- Iftar today ...... 6.12pm legally to 400mn people across the lowing a Saudi Arabia-led boycott that people are able to protect those ade of Qatar accusing it of cosying up ple, and is an extension of Qatar’s fi rm Imsak tomorrow...... 3.17am Middle East and North Africa (Mena) of Qatar which meant all diplomatic, rights so they can carry on delivering to Iran and supporting extremism, positions towards the brotherly Pales- region. transport and trade ties with the fel- it to us; and those that are seeking to which Doha denies. tinian people. Doha Metro service gets thumbs up from public

By Joey Aguilar in the morning,” said Filipino expatriate Umm Ghuwailina station is just a few Hamad International Airport (not yet Staff Reporter Mylin, who was among the many resi- minutes away from our fl at, and from open) at Terminal 1 to the centre of dents who tried the metro since its soft there it takes less than 15 minutes to Doha. opening on May 8. reach the West Bay (QIC) station,” she Meanwhile, for the health conscious, he Doha Metro Red Line South’s She added: “It means there is time said. “I also don’t need to take my car the metro can be a good opportunity to two days of operation has re- for some light exercise, and I now have and look for parking slots, which is also exercise regularly, especially during the Tceived a positive response from more time for breakfast with the fam- time consuming.” summer, given the many fl ights of stairs a large number of commuters, who ily.” “I feel so relaxed and comfortable,” at each station. unanimously described it as a fast, reli- The Red Line initial operation for the Anita added. “I don’t use the escalators or the el- able and convenient mode of transpor- public extends from Al Qassar (near The fi rst phase of the Red Line covers evators when using the metro. It’s my tation. The St Regis Doha and behind the old 13 of its 18 stations, including Al Qas- chance to burn more calories indoor,” A total of 86,487 passengers travelled Doha Exhibition Centre) to Al Wakra. sar, DECC, QIC West Bay, Corniche, Al said British expatriate Cameron, who on Doha Metro during the fi rst two days The service is open from Sunday to Bidda (Interchange station), Msheireb often visit diff erent malls to walk at of its launch, Doha Metro tweeted yes- Thursday, between 8am and 11pm and (Interchange station), Al Doha Al Jade- least for an hour. terday. If 37,451 people took the Metro takes a break during the weekends “to da, Umm Ghuwailina, Al Matar Al Qa- He lives in the East Al Hilal area. on the launch day, the number went up progress the work required to open deem, Oqba Ibn Nafi e, Free Zone, Ras In the winter, he plans to use his to 49,036 the next day. more stations and lines.” Bu Fontas and Al Wakra. folding bike and cycle from home to the The West Bay station is expected to become one of Doha Metro’s busiest stations. “Just imagine it only took me 15 min- Like Mylin, Indian expatriate Anita This Line will soon open other sta- station.“After work, I can get my fold- PICTURE: Jayan Orma utes to reach the DECC station at West who also works in Qatar’s business tions such as Katara, Legtaifi ya, Qatar ing bike from Al Matar Al Qadeem and Bay from the Al Matar Al Qadeem sta- district said the Doha Metro’s opening University and Lusail. go to Al Bidda and Lusail for a bike ride, According to Qatar Rail, folding the trains except for mobility scooter, tion. benefi ted her a lot. It runs for 40km from Al Wakra anyway it will only cost me QR6 for a bikes, wheelchairs, and motorised hover-board or any motorised trans- Usually it takes about an hour by car “No need to rush in the morning, the (South) to Lusail (North), and connects day pass (unlimited),” he pointed out. wheelchairs will be permitted inside port. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, May 11, 2019 QATAR Workshop prepares HMC dentists for RCSI membership exam

amad Medical Corpora- were held at HMC for the fourth training programme began on presented on a range of scientifi c tion (HMC), in co-op- time, are part of an agreement April 28 and was attended by 65 subjects related to dental sur- Heration with the Royal between HMC and RCSI that dentists from both the public gery. At the end of the workshop, RCSI staff with Dr Ghanem al-Mannai and Dr al-Ansari. College of Surgeons in Ireland was developed with the aim of and private sectors. The pro- participants were able to obtain (RCSI), recently organised two off ering specialised dentistry gramme is designed to help these 19.25 CPD points.” MFD postgraduate dental edu- specialised workshops and has Qatar and Sidra Medicine to sup- intensive workshops to help training to Qataris interested clinicians refi ne their knowledge The dentists who have been cation programme allows Qatari enabled eight residents to pre- port postgraduate dentistry stu- prepare HMC dentists to suc- in furthering their education in all aspects of the dentistry enrolled in this programme in dentists to receive specialised pare for the Irish Fellowship Di- dents as part of ongoing eff orts to cessfully complete the require- and advancing their paediatric profession. It aims to prepare recent years have achieved a high training in their own country ploma examination, which will strengthen our resources in this ments for the college’s Faculty dental qualifi cations. members of our clinical teams level of success in their MFD ex- without the need to travel abroad. take place in April 2020. Each fi eld and to allow these profes- of Dentistry (MFD) membership The training programme is to pass the admittance test for amination, the statement notes. This also allows them to obtain year, four Qatari dentists are ac- sionals to pass the RCSI exami- examination. the fi rst of its kind in the Mid- membership into the Royal Some have already joined the accreditation from a well-known cepted into the programme and nations. Also, the internationally The preparatory workshops dle East, HMC has said in a College of Surgeons in Ireland specialised Paediatric Dentistry international institution. there are plans to extend enrol- accredited Postgraduate Dental were held under the supervi- statement. (MFD examination), the next Fellowship Programme off ered Dr Jamal al-Abdullah, senior ment for this programme to the Education Programme off ered by sion of Dr Ghanem al-Mannai, Dr Khalifa al-Ansari, senior intake for which is scheduled for in co-operation with the Royal consultant, chief of Pedodontics children of residents as well as HMC in collaboration with RCSI chairman of the Hamad Dental consultant and vice-chairman October 2019. College of Surgeons of Ireland. and head of the Paediatric Den- international students. is in line with Qatar’s National Centre. of the Hamad Dental Centre, “As part of the training, a Dr al-Ansari added that the tistry Residency Programme at “We have agreed to partner Oral Health Strategy,” added Dr The two workshops, which said: “This fi ve-day intensive group of professors from RCSI internationally accredited RCSI HMC, said the training included with Weill Cornell Medicine – al-Abdullah. QNTA receives Indonesian parliamentary delegation

he Qatar Nanny Train- that the Qatar Nanny Training garding working with children in ing Academy (QNTA), a Academy has. It refl ects the level the fi eld of integrated education, Tmember of Qatar Founda- of keenness that the State of proper upbringing based on the tion, recently welcomed Indra Qatar has in the fi eld of human values of Islam, and care for the Iskandar, secretary-general of resources development and its Arabic language. At QNTA, we the House of Representatives of commitment to raising children choose applicants carefully by Indonesia, along with a number and promoting Islamic values, following high standards, such of delegates, to its headquarters as well as the national language, as speaking and writing Arabic,” in Duhail. which are the main elements al-Mansouri added. The delegation was received to preserve national identity. I The delegation toured QNTA’s by QNTA general director Hessa hope that Indonesian women building and were briefed on al-Mansouri, academic direc- can soon join this programme to the progress of the educational tor Ghaniya al-Saboubi, re- be qualifi ed nannies in order to process and academic curricu- cruitment offi ce in charge Sahar contribute to the development lum. They also visited the de- Bakri, and administrative co-or- eff orts in Qatar.” partments of specialised train- dinator Kholoud al-Shaikh. “By welcoming the Indone- ing such as children’s routine The high-level visit marks sian parliamentary delegation, care and infants care; Qatari A delegation from CIS takes part in the workshop held in the Netherlands. the culmination of the eff orts QNTA seeks to create a diversi- heritage and arts; the reading undertaken by QNTA to create fi cation opportunity in terms of room, library, computer lab, and new recruitment opportunities human resources scope based on the recreational building. through a constructive collabo- the requests of Qatari families. The visit concluded with ration between Qatar and Indo- People in Qatar have extensive agreements between QNTA and HBKU college attends workshop nesia. experience dealing with nannies the Indonesian delegation on Iskandar said, “I am impressed from Indonesia with a high rate ways to strengthen the mutual on ‘Islamic reform and modernity’ with the professional dedication of satisfaction and reliability re- relations. he College of Islamic and Renewal (QCIMR), which refl ections on major debates of CIS regularly participates in Studies (CIS) at Hamad led the collaboration from CIS; modernity in connection with local and international events TBin Khalifa University Dr Muetaz al-Khatib, assistant Islam and Muslim societies. public lectures and conferences (HBKU) has participated in a professor; and Chaoiki Lazhar, Delegates – a mix of Muslim and that aim to promote a deeper workshop on ‘Islamic Reform deputy director of the Research non-Muslims – off ered refresh- understanding of the various and Modernity’, held in collabo- Centre for Islamic Legislation ing insights stemming from aspects of Islam, a statement ration with the Islamic Univer- and Ethics at CIS. their unique areas of expertise, notes. sity of Applied Science Rotter- Papers on ‘Islamic Reform which will go on to inform future “The QCIMR, in particular, dam (IUR) – the only accredited and Modern Nation State: A workshops and research.” aims to promote moderation Islamic university in Europe. Critical Analysis’, ‘Ethics in the Delegates from other par- and revival of Islamic thought A delegation from CIS joined Context of Reform Movement ticipating universities spoke on through research and address representatives from the uni- in Modern Egypt’, and ‘The ‘Modernity, Reformation and contemporary issues such as versities of Utrecht and Leiden Function of Islamic Sciences: Tajdid’, ‘Islam as a Source of human rights, the status of in the Netherlands, and Central Towards a Benchmark for Reap- Human Rights’, ‘Islamic Reform women and family, environ- European University in Buda- praising Scriptural Sciences in and Tajdid in the Era of Moder- mental concerns, and so on pest, during which they ad- the Modern Context’ were pre- nity: The Moroccan Experience’ through a moderate and en- dressed Modernity, Reform and sented by Dr Mohamed, Dr al- and ‘Reform and the Concept of lightened understanding of Tajdid (Renovation). Khatib and Lazhar, respectively. Jihad’. All research papers deliv- Islam,” it adds. The CIS delegation com- Dr Mohamed said: “CIS’s col- ered during the workshop are to The college is also home to prised Dr Hossam Mohamed, laboration with IUR brought be published in a special edition several other research centres senior researcher at Al-Qarad- together academics from di- of ‘The Journal of Rotterdam Is- that unite scholars and thought awi Centre for Islamic Reform verse backgrounds to provide lamic and Social Science’. leaders from around the world. Indonesia’s House of Representatives secretary-general with QNTA off icials.

Mogadishu Express docks at QTerminals Ashghal briefs CMC about ongoing projects

team of Public Works egation’s visit and stressed the Authority (Ashghal) of- importance of the ongoing co- Afi cials visited the Central operation and communication Municipal Council (CMC), and with Ashghal to serve people made presentations on infra- living in various constituen- structure projects being imple- cies. He also expressed CMC’s mented in diff erent areas. They thanks and appreciation for the also discussed related issues eff orts exerted by Ashghal to with the CMC members. implement major, high-quality The session was headed by projects that have greatly im- CMC chairman Mohamed bin proved connectivity and the Hammoud al-Shafi , who ex- quality of life in the country, re- tended his best wishes and con- CMC members and Ashghal off icials during a meeting. ducing congestion on the main gratulations to His Highness the PICTURES: Jayan Orma roads and achieving smoother Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad traffi c circulation. al-Thani on the occasion of the Some CMC members dis- holy month of Ramadan. cussed various related topics The Ashghal delegation to of concerns with the visiting CMC included Saoud Ali al- offi cials and they responded to Tamimi, manager at the Roads their enquiries. Projects Department, and a Meanwhile, the council dis- number of department and sec- cussed the responses of HE tion heads at the authority. They the Minster of Environment elaborated on the various projects and Municipality to its previ- of Ashghal that are meant to ous recommendations on re- improve services in diff erent ducing the number of rounda- areas around the country. bouts along express roads and Al-Tamimi said among abolishing the unreal markers the priorities of Ashghal are of boundaries between diff er- QTerminals recently welcomed the inaugural call of the new Mogadishu Express service of projects pertaining to areas ent villages and determining Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). Mogadishu Express is the first direct service between with higher levels of ground- ing the full linkage of all ar- frastructure projects that serve offi cial boundaries. Qatar and Somalia, calling on Mogadishu and Kismayo ports in Somalia and Hamad Port in water, places without working eas around the country to the 21 plots of land in addition to The CMC saw that the re- Qatar. The service comprises three vessels with 21 days’ rotation, according to a tweet by drainage networks and newly drainage network was one of ongoing projects from last year, sponses were adequate on both QTerminals. introduced residential areas. the main priorities for the au- it was observed. issues and decided to follow up He stressed that achiev- thority. In 2019, there are 28 in- Al-Shafi welcomed the del- on related updates. Gulf Times Saturday, May 11, 2019 3 QATAR/REGION/ARAB WORLD

Attorney-general meets French president’s adviser

HE the Attorney-General Dr Ali bin Fettais al-Marri signed a partnership agreement in Paris yesterday with the President of the HE Qatar’s Attorney-General Dr Ali bin Fettais al-Marri met in Paris yesterday with the Adviser to the President of the French Arab World Institute in Paris Jack Lang. The partnership agreement between the Voltaire schools in Doha and the Arab World Republic, the National Counter-Terrorism Co-ordinator Pierre Bousquet de Florian. Discussions during the meeting dealt with Institute aims to award specialised academic degrees in Arabic language to students over the age of 15 years. The agreement a number of issues of mutual interest. was signed in the presence of ambassador of the State of Qatar to the French Republic Sheikh Ali bin Jassim al-Thani. Three migrants Ramadan Market opens at DECC drown off Tunisian coast, dozens missing

AFP died,” said Mongi Slim, a Red (crossing the Mediterranean) for Tunis Crescent offi cial in the southern every three that have reached Tunisian town of Zarzis, where European shores, after departing those rescued were taken. from Libya,” it said. boat carrying around 70 Italy’s far-right Interior Min- That is up from last year’s toll migrants from sub-Sa- ister Matteo Salvini has vowed of one person in 14, according to Aharan Africa has sunk in to close the country’s ports to the UN refugee agency. The Ramadan Market, featuring more than 200 exhibitors from 25 countries, opened yesterday at the Doha Exhibition and the Mediterranean, leaving three migrants, although earlier Friday Libya, which has been Convention Centre’s Hall 3 and 4. The 21-day event will offer visitors an array of products from Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Turkey, people dead and dozens missing, dozens who had been rescued at wracked by chaos since the 2011 Africa, Pakistan and India. The timing is from 2pm to midnight. PICTURE: Ram Chand Tunisian offi cials said yesterday. sea disembarked in Sicily. uprising that killed veteran dic- The bodies of three people Rome’s populist government tator Muammar Gaddafi , has who drowned in the incident has taken an increasingly hard long been a major transit route were found yesterday, a spokes- line on migration, and Salvini, for people desperate to reach man for the Tunisian defence head of the anti-immigrant Europe. ministry said, adding the boat League party, last month signed Over the past week, and de- left Zuwara on the northwestern a new directive banning charity spite a surge in violence fol- Troops kill Palestinian in Gaza border clashes Libyan coast on Thursday. vessels from rescuing migrants lowing the launch of an assault A fi shing boat picked up 16 off Libya. on Tripoli by strongman Kha- survivors, who were transferred The UN agency for refugees lifa Haftar, Libyan authorities AFP Gaza Strip, as well as a number on board one of three military UNHCR meanwhile called for have rescued hundreds of mi- Gaza City of attempts to approach the vessels involved in the search stepped up search and rescue grants stranded at sea. fence” dividing the besieged and rescue operation, said operations to avoid future trage- According to the Interna- coastal territory from Israeli spokesman Mohamed Zekri. dies in the Mediterranean, which tional Organisation for Mi- Palestinian was killed by territory. Protesters are calling A Maltese helicopter was also it calls the “world’s deadliest sea gration, 101 migrants were re- Israeli fi re during new for Israel to end its more than mobilised, he said.According to crossing”. turned to Libya yesterday, two Aclashes on the Gaza bor- decade-long blockade of Gaza. those rescued, between 60 to 70 “Across the region we need days after Libyan coastguard der yesterday, the health minis- This week’s demonstrations people from sub-Saharan Af- to strengthen the capacity of intercepted boats. try in the Hamas-ruled enclave were seen as a key test for a rica were thought to be on board, search and rescue operations,” The UN and rights groups said. fragile truce agreed between Zekri added. said Vincent Cochetel, the agen- have repeatedly decried the Abdullah Abd al-Aal, 24, Gaza’s rulers Hamas and Israel. Interior ministry spokes- cy’s special envoy for the Medi- conditions in which migrants was shot in the stomach on Fighters in Gaza fi red hun- man Sofi ene Zaag said however terranean. are held in Libya, where around the border east of Rafah in the dreds of rockets at Israel last around 75 people were believed “If we don’t act now, we’re al- 6,000 migrants are at deten- southern Gaza Strip, a minis- weekend, prompting Israeli to have been on board the Italy- most certain to see more tragic tion centres, according to the try spokesman said, in the fi rst forces to strike dozens of targets bound boat when it left Libya. events in the coming weeks and IOM. protests there since a deadly Young Palestinian protesters run away from the border fence inside the Strip in response. The Red Crescent said there months,” he warned. The Tunisian Forum for Eco- fl are-up last weekend. during a demonstration east of Gaza City, yesterday. Over two days, 25 Palestin- could have been as many as 90 According to the UNHCR, the nomic and Social Rights NGO A further 13 demonstrators ians were killed including at passengers on board the ill-fated journey across the Mediterra- has denounced what it said were shot during demonstra- weekly protests, which began An Israeli army spokeswom- least nine fi ghters, along with vessel, which could indicate a nean “is becoming increasingly were the European Union’s tions in various places along the more than a year ago, were qui- an said approximately 6,000 four Israeli civilians. much steeper death toll. fatal for those who risk it”. “restrictive and inhumane pol- fractious border, the spokes- eter than on normal Fridays, people took part in the demon- The truce agreement was an- “We will probably never know “In the fi rst four months of icies” which it said led to the man said. said an AFP correspondent on strations. She cited “a number nounced by Palestinian factions the exact number of those who this year, one person has died latest “human tragedy”. The regular and often violent the scene. of explosions identifi ed in the early on Monday.

AGITATION Sudanese protesters dig in at sit-in site For Kwanja Edward, stirring a massive pot of porridge on a roadside Iran Guards reject talks with US in central Khartoum to feed protesters camping outside Sudan’s Defence Ministry is the best place to be during the holy month of Ramadan. Originally from South Sudan, the middle-aged nurse, who Reuters liners than to Rouhani, in Isfa- chanted the protesters. Dep- now lives in Khartoum’s twin city of Omdurman on the opposite side Dubai han. uty Foreign Minister Abbas of the Nile river, said she had made her way to the capital because Separately, Yadollah Javani, Araqchi told Richard Moore, a she wanted to do “what is best” for Sudan. “The sit-in has gotten better the elite Revolutionary Guards’ visiting British Foreign Office in Ramadan, (feeding the people) counts as a good deed for us, and ran’s Revolutionary Guards deputy head for political aff airs, official, that “Europe should fighting for peace and freedom is good for them,” Edward said. said yesterday Tehran would said: “No talks will be held with not underestimate Iran’s de- Like the many thousands who converged on the ministry on April 6, Inot negotiate with the Unit- the Americans, and the Ameri- termination to scale back eventually forcing veteran autocrat Omar al-Bashir to resign, Edward ed States and a senior cleric cans will not dare take military its commitments (under the has defied searing heat of up to 47 degrees as she and other protest- warned that a US Navy fl eet action against us.” 2015 deal) phase-by-phase”, ers push the Transitional Military Council (TMC) to hand power to could be “destroyed with one “Our nation...sees America according to the state news civilians. Five days into Ramadan, most of the protesters are staying missile”, as a US aircraft carrier as unreliable,” he said, accord- agency IRNA. put. They come together at sunset to break their dawn-to-dusk fast, headed towards the Gulf. ing to the semi-offi cial Tasnim Trump, who last year pulled tucking into meals cooked by volunteers like Edward made from The comments by hardlin- news agency. Washington out of the deal made from vegetables, grains and various groceries donated by ers appeared partly aimed at Thousands of Iranians took and reimposed sanctions on wealthy Sudanese. “People are at the sit-in from all across the country, discouraging President Hassan part in state-sponsored march- Tehran, has expressed a will- from all of the states and all of the regions,” Hamouda Ali, 44, said Rouhani and his moderate allies es yesterday to show support ingness to meet Iranian lead- shortly after breaking his fast. in Tehran from taking up an of- for the government’s decision ers in the past, and renewed fer of talks from Washington. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln approaches to scale back curbs on its nu- it on Thursday.Asked about US President Donald Trump the Mubarak Peace Bridge as it transits the Suez Canal. clear programme agreed under Trump’s comments, Iran’s UNREST on Thursday urged Iran’s lead- a 2015 deal with world powers. ambassador to the United Na- Houthis to start Hodeidah withdrawal ers to sit down and talk with him also arrived at a US base in Qa- “If they attempt any move, Iran has threatened to go tions, Majid Takht Ravanchi, about giving up their nuclear tar, US Central Command said. they will...(face) dozens of mis- further if other signatories fail said Tehran had been talking Yemen’s Houthi group intends to withdraw forces from three key ports programme, and said he could Iran has dismissed both siles because at that time (gov- to shield it from US economic with the six powers, including in Yemen over four days, starting today, said a senior United Nations not rule out a military confron- moves as “psychological war- ernment) offi cials won’t be in sanctions. the United States, within the off icial in charge of monitoring the move. The Houthi movement and tation, given the heightened fare” designed to intimidate it. charge to act cautiously, but in- State TV showed protesters framework of the nuclear deal. the Saudi-backed Yemen government initially agreed in December to tensions. The semi-offi cial ISNA news stead things will be in the hands marching after prayers yester- “All of a sudden he (Trump) withdraw troops by Jan 7 from Hodeidah - a lifeline for millions facing The carrier Abraham Lincoln, agency quoted hardliner Aya- of our beloved leader (Ayatollah day in Tehran and said similar decided to leave the negotiating famine - under a truce aimed at averting a full-scale assault on the port deployed as a warning to Iran, tollah Tabatabai-Nejad in the Ali Khamenei),” he said. marches had been held across table...What is the guarantee and paving the way for negotiations to end the four-year war. Lt Gen passed through Egypt’s Suez city of Isfahan as saying: “Their Tabatabai-Nejad represents Iran. that he will not renege again?”, Michael Lollesgaard, who heads a UN mission to monitor the deal, said Canal on Thursday. billion(-dollar) fl eet can be de- Supreme Leader Khamenei, “America should know, Takht Ravanchi said in a US tel- the Houthis intended to start withdrawing today from the ports of American B-52 bombers have stroyed with one missile. widely seen to be closer to hard- sanctions have no effect!” evision interview. Hodeidah, Salif and Ras-Issa. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, May 11, 2019 RAMADAN/AFRICA

Fasting: a case of divine compassion

oth reason and revelation con- ANC wins poll with fi rm that Allah, The Most Ex- Balted, does not make obligatory that which does not benefi t His serv- ants nor does He prohibit that which is not harmful. Some of us may in fact recognise some of these benefi ts absolute majority and detriments on which divine com- mands and prohibitions are predicat- AFP ed. Indeed, as Allah has placed wisdom Pretoria in His creations, He has also placed wisdom in His Law. For Allah is Wise in His Actions. He does not create outh African President Cyril something that has no value nor does Ramaphosa’s ruling ANC won He enact a law that is frivolous or of no Sre-election yesterday with an signifi cance. absolute majority in parliament, re- Almighty Allah, in His Mercy and sults showed, but with diminished through His Knowledge of man’s com- support, complicating economic re- plex nature, has mandated fasting vival and anti-corruption eff orts. through gradual stages. In fact, this The results, published by the elec- progressive and forbearing method is toral commission, are the party’s worst not only evident in fasting but in all national showing since Nelson Man- that Allah has ordered and prohib- dela led it to victory in the fi rst multi- ited. Take for example the prohibition racial polls after apartheid ended in of alcohol. Allah has regulated drink- 1994. ing gradually until the last and fi nal The African National Congress prohibition came in the verse (which (ANC) held a comfortable lead with means): “O you who have believed, 57.73 % at 1615 GMT after 95 % of vot- indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sac- ing districts were offi cially tallied fol- rifi cing on] stone altars [to other than lowing Wednesday’s vote. People look at election results boards, at the Independent Electoral Commission Allah], and divining arrows are but That means they will be mathemati- (IEC) Results Operations Centre in Pretoria, South Africa. defi lement from the work of Satan, so cally assured more than 50% of votes avoid it that you may be successful.” cast in the fi nal offi cial tally, due to be trailing with a distant 20.65% of the Ramaphosa has so far faced resist- [Qur’an 5:90] announced today. vote. ance to his reform agenda, especially Seats in parliament are allocated The Economic Freedom Fighters, from Zuma’s allies who still occupy Stages in Mandating Fasting based on vote share and the party with founded six years ago by former ANC several high-ranking positions in the As regards fasting, it was mandated the most representatives selects the youth leader Julius Malema, was in party and government. through three stages. In the fi rst stage, president, who will be sworn in on May third place with 10.51 % — up four per- After casting his ballot on Wednes- Allah granted the believers a choice 25. centage points on 2014. day, Ramaphosa said the election was to either fast Ramadan or feed a poor President Ramaphosa, 66, took over “The ANC are being given a chance,” “heralding a new dawn...a period of person for each day of fasting. In the last year when the ANC forced then- said political analyst Lumkile Mondi. renewal, a period of hope”. The ANC’s second stage, fasting was made man- president Jacob Zuma to resign after “This is an opportunity for them to re- reputation was badly sullied under datory but if one happened to go to bed nine years dominated by corruption incarnate themselves.” Zuma. before breaking one’s fast, one would allegations and economic decline. “The ANC is never going to perform Its support has fallen in every elec- be obliged to continue one’s fast until Results released by the Independent any better, it’s a dying party, it contin- tion since 2004 with the party tak- the next day’s Iftar time (sunset). [Al- Electoral Commission (IEC) showed ues shedding votes — because it does ing 54% in 2016 municipal elections, Bukhari, the Book of Fasting] the ANC’s closest rival, the main op- not have economic management ca- compared with 62 % in 2014’s national Later, these two stages were abro- position Democratic Alliance (DA), pability.” vote. gated and Ramadan fasting took the fi - nal shape that Muslims practice today. In the fi rst stage, it was the option still remains for those with substan- What is more, Allah, The Most Ex- in choosing whether to fast or feed tial excuses. And along with this last alted, has made feeding poor people an the poor. Allah then coupled this op- stage, Allah has brought forth His For- US says 17 suspected alternative to fasting for the elderly or tion with encouragement to mankind giveness and Mercy, as He Says (what IS members killed those who are unable to endure certain to fast, as He, The Most Exalted, says means): “It has been made permissible French military rescues in Somalia air strikes challenging conditions. For travellers (what means): “And upon those who for you the night preceding fasting to and the sick, fasting is not obligatory are able [to fast, but with hardship] - go to your wives [for sexual relations]. US forces in Africa have killed 17 but the days missed must he fulfi lled a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a They are clothing for you and you are hostages in Burkina Faso suspected Islamic State militants in the future, as soon as circumstances poor person [each day]. And whoever clothing for them. Allah knows that in air strikes this week in the permit, as Allah says (what means): volunteers excess - it is better for him. you used to deceive yourselves, so He mountainous northern region “…and whoever is ill or on a journey But to fast is best for you, if you only accepted your repentance and forgave Reuters Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly of Somalia, a military statement - then an equal number of other days. knew.” [Qur’an 2:184] you.” [Qur’an 2: 187] Paris told reporters. said yesterday. The US Africa Allah intends for you ease and does not This stage of fasting paved the way No doubt, fasting in this fl exible The French forces had not been aware Command, or Africom said it had intend for you hardship and [wants] for the following stage- the last stage manner is a blessing that deserves our of the presence of the US and South Ko- “conducted an air strike targeting for you to complete the period and to in which fasting is made absolute and gratitude. And for this very reason Al- rench commandos rescued four rean hostages ahead of the operation an ISIS-Somalia encampment in glorify Allah for that [to] which He has obligatory on all mankind in the verse lah ended the verses of fasting with foreign hostages including two and they had been held for 28 days, Le- the Golis Mountains”, its fourth guided you; and perhaps you will be (which means): “The month of Ram- gratitude, such as the verse (which FFrench citizens from a militant cointre said. air strike against the group since grateful.” [Qur’an 2:185] adan [is that] in which was revealed means): “Allah intends for you ease group in Burkina Faso, France’s military “We were not aware of their pres- April 14. “At this time, it is assessed Not only did Allah break down the the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and does not intend for you hardship said yesterday, adding that two of the ence...the American will be repatriated the air strike on May 9 killed four obligation of fasting into three stages, and clear proofs of guidance and crite- and [wants] for you to complete the elite soldiers were killed in the night- separately,” Parly said. terrorists,” said the statement. He also presented these stages in an rion. So whoever sights [the new moon period and to glorify Allah for that [to] time operation. “The contacts (with those countries) A separate statement published on attractive and appealing fashion so of] the month, let him fast it.” [Qur’an which He has guided you; and perhaps French special forces carried out the show that these countries were not nec- Thursday said that a strike in the that we would willfully accept fasting 2: 185]. you will be grateful.” [Qur’an 2:185] raid under cover of dark over the night essarily aware of their presence.” same region on May 8 had left 13 and hope for its rewards. However, the license to make it up Article courtesy: www.islamweb.net of Thursday-Friday, supported by US France, the former colonial power in suspected militants dead. intelligence and troops from France’s the region, intervened in Mali in 2013 “At this time, it is assessed the air Barkhane operation deployed in the Sa- against militants then occupying Mali’s strike on May 8 killed thirteen hel region to counter militants. north and has since kept about 4,500 terrorists. Currently, we assess All four hostages were safe, President troops in the Sahel. no civilians were injured or killed Emmanuel Macron’s offi ce said, adding The region has seen a spike in vio- as a result of this air strike,” said that a US woman and a South Korean lence by militants linked to Al Qaeda and that statement. The Islamic State woman were also freed in the covert op- Islamic State in past years, highlighting has a relatively small presence eration. the diffi culty international partners face in Somalia compared to the Al “The precise and determined actions in restoring stability. Qaeda-linked Shebaab. But IS has of French soldiers allowed us to take France’s defence ministry identi- been particularly active in the out the kidnappers while protecting fi ed the fallen soldiers as two elite naval northern Puntland region, estab- the lives of the hostages,” France’s army commandos. lishing training camps and depots chief Francois Lecointre told a news Burkina Faso’s President Roch Kabore for weapons coming mainly from conference, describing the militant hailed the hostages’ release and off ered nearby Yemen. The Shebaab, by group as “terrorists”. Four kidnappers condolences to the soldiers’ families. far the largest radical group in were killed and two escaped, he said. “The joint military intervention Somalia, off icially integrated into Al “Those who attack France and the that allowed us to achieve these results Qaeda in 2012. But a small number French know that we will spare no eff ort shows our common engagement in of its members — around 200 — to track them and take them out. fi ghting against the forces of evil,” Kab- defected to the IS. We will never abandon our citizens,” ore said in a Facebook post. Anti-Boko Haram militia frees 900 children in Nigeria: UN

AFP Maiduguri

early 900 children held by a pro-government militia force Nfi ghting Boko Haram insur- gents in northeastern Nigeria were freed yesterday, the UN said. The 894 children, including 106 girls, had been in the ranks of the gov- ernment-backed Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), a local militia which supports regular soldiers battling the insurgents. At a ceremony in the northeastern town of Maiduguri, they were released Children take part in a ceremony at Shehu Palace in Maiduguri, yesterday. as part of the CJTF’s “commitment to end and prevent the recruitment and In 2017, the militia signed a promise into a reintegration programme with use of children,” the UN children’s to stop recruiting child soldiers and re- education and training to help them agency (Unicef) said. lease the ones they hold. return to civilian life. “Children of north-east Nigeria The children freed on Friday bring Boko Haram’s decade-long uprising have borne the brunt of this confl ict,” the total released since then to 1,727 to establish a hardline state in Nigeria’s said Unicef chief in Nigeria Mohamed children, Unicef said. northeast has spilled into neighbour- Fall. It was not clear how many children ing Niger, Chad and Cameroon. “They have been used by armed remain in its ranks, but the UN wel- The militants have also recruited groups in combatant and non-com- comed the news yesterday. thousands of children to fi ght in their batant roles and witnessed death, kill- “Any commitment for children that ranks. ing and violence.” is matched with action is a step in the “We will continue until there is The CJTF is a militia formed in 2013 right direction for the protection of no child left in the ranks of all armed to protect communities from attack, children’s rights, and must be recog- groups in Nigeria,” Fall said, noting but it has also recruited hundreds of nised and encouraged,” Fall said. that children “have been abducted, children. The freed children will be enrolled maimed, raped and killed.” Gulf Times Saturday, May 11, 2019 5 AMERICA

Teenagers accused of school shooting face charges on May 15 Mueller won’t testify

Reuters The two teens are accused of Denver opening fi re on fellow students on Tuesday inside two sepa- rate classrooms at the Science, he two Colorado teen- Technology, Engineering and on report next week agers accused of open- Math (STEM) charter school Ting fi re with handguns in Highlands Ranch, about 25 10mn signatures urging at their Denver-area charter miles south of Denver. Trump impeachment school this week, killing one They were arrested by police delivered to Congress classmate and wounding eight after several students under others, are due to face formal fi re at the school fought back, Reuters/AFP charges in court next week, au- including a young US Marine Washington thorities said yesterday. recruit, Brendan Bialy, 18, who Devon Erickson, 18, and Alec survived, and 18-year-old ro- McKinney, 16, who was listed botics enthusiast Kendrick Ray S Special Counsel Rob- on the court docket by the Castillo, who was killed. ert Mueller will not tes- name Maya Elizabeth McKin- The attack occurred less Utify before Congress next ney but who identifi es as male, than a month after the 20th week, House Judiciary Commit- were both arrested on suspi- anniversary of the Columbine tee chairman Jerrold Nadler said cion of a single count of fi rst- High School massacre in near- yesterday. degree murder and 29 counts by Littleton, in which two stu- Nadler told reporters that he of attempted murder immedi- dents shot 13 people to death hopes not to have to subpoena Mueller: may be subpoenaed to ately after Tuesday’s shooting. before committing suicide. Mueller to appear before law- appear before lawmakers. During separate initial court Five months ago, a school makers, but that he would do so appearances on Wednesday, district offi cial urged the STEM if necessary. following the release of Muel- Douglas County District Judge School’s director to investigate He declined to characterise ler’s report on his two-year- Theresa Slade ordered them allegations of student bullying ongoing negotiations between plus investigation into Russian held without bond pending a and violence by a parent who his committee, Mueller and the interference into the 2016 US presentment of actual charges. feared they could lead to the Justice Department. presidential election and poten- They are due to back in next “Columbine”. “We’re talking to the Depart- tial obstruction by US President court on May 15 to face formal The director said an inves- ment of Justice. We’re talking to Donald Trump and his campaign. state charges, a spokeswoman tigation found no evidence to Mueller. Hopefully he will come Mueller’s team of prosecu- for District Attorney George support the allegations. in. It won’t be next week,” the tors detailed extensive contacts Brauchler said by e-mail yes- Precisely what happened New York Democrat said. “He between Trump’s campaign and terday. inside the STEM school re- will come at some point. If nec- Moscow but concluded there was Tlaib speaks during the event on Capitol Hill with activist groups to deliver over 10mn petition signatures The proceedings were ini- mained unclear as police con- essary, we will subpoena him and insuffi cient evidence to show to Congress, urging the US House of Representatives to start impeachment proceedings against Trump. tially set for yesterday, but tinued to search for a motive in he will come.” a criminal conspiracy between Behind her is fellow Congressman Green. were postponed by the court, Tuesday’s attack. The House Judiciary commit- Russia and the campaign. the spokeswoman said. ABC News, citing an un- tee has never set a date for Muel- They also outlined 11 instances featuring the signatures, gath- multiple occasions in which the a constitutional necessity. She declined to comment on named law enforcement of- ler to testify, but members have in which the president tried to ered on petitions from groups president may have obstructed “I say moral imperative always the reason for the postpone- fi cial, reported that an armed spoken tentatively about May 15. impede the special counsel’s in- such as MoveOn and the annual justice, including Senator Eliza- trumps political expediency,” he ment. security guard at the school Nadler reiterated plans to hold vestigation, but avoided a con- Women’s March, were delivered beth Warren, a 2020 presidential said. “You can’t say you have a At next week’s hearing, may have mistakenly fi red on former White House counsel Don clusion on whether or not Trump to Tlaib, who has introduced candidate who has called for im- constitutional crisis and then do Brauchler is expected to in- sheriff ’s deputies called to the McGahn in contempt if he does obstructed justice. legislation that would direct the peachment proceedings. nothing.” form the court whether he will scene and wounded a student not appear before the committee Meanwhile, two House Demo- House Judiciary Committee to Other senior Democrats in- The remark appeared to be a charge McKinney as an adult or in the pandemonium. to testify on May 21 under an ex- crats joined activists at the US begin proceedings to investigate cluding House Speaker Nancy direct challenge to Pelosi her- juvenile. A sheriff ’s offi ce spokes- isting subpoena. Capitol, who presented Con- whether Trump has committed Pelosi have cautioned against self, who said on Thursday that If a juvenile is charged as an woman, Deputy Cocha Hey- “He knows that if he doesn’t gress with signatures of 10mn impeachable off ences. such a move, stressing it could Trump’s refusal to comply with adult under Colorado law, the den, said she was not at liberty testify on the 21st without a court people calling on lawmakers to “In the face of this time, this deeply divide the nation of about congressional inquiries into his defence can still request that to comment because “it’s still order, which he won’t get, he’ll begin impeachment proceedings remarkably dark time in our 325mn people. actions has brought the country the case be transferred to juve- an open and active investiga- be subject to a contempt cita- against Trump. country, this to me is a moment They warn it could backfi re to the brink. nile court. tion”. tion,” the chairman said. “We are holding in our hands of light,” she said. politically in the run up to the “Trump and his administra- If the defence invokes that Denver’s ABC affi liate televi- The White House earlier this 10mn reasons for being here to- Trump has proclaimed he was 2020 election, especially with tion’s decision to ignore the oath right, a lengthy process en- sion station has reported that week had directed McGahn not to day,” progressive congressman Al fully exonerated by Mueller’s re- the Republican-controlled Sen- of offi ce has triggered a consti- sues to determine how the case the two pistols used in the at- comply with an earlier summons. Green said, as he and fi rst-term cently released report on Russian ate likely to acquit the president tutional crisis,” Pelosi said, al- will proceed, according to Bob tack were stolen from the home Mueller’s potential testimony congresswoman Rashida Tlaib election interference. in the event of impeachment by though she herself has stopped Grant, a former Colorado dis- of Erickson, whose parents had comes as House Democrats seek held up a fl ash drive. But some Democrats ar- the House of Representatives. short of calling for Trump’s trict attorney. purchased the guns legally. to further their investigations Dozens of cardboard boxes gue that the document lays out But Green framed the action as ouster.

Over 100 hate crime, rights violations charges for synagogue attack suspect Fake heiress sentenced to up to 12 years in prison A teenager accused of shooting dead a woman and wounding three other people at a synagogue in California has been charged with more than 100 federal hate crimes and civil rights violations. Reuters ite dressed in expensive clothes where she took up residence. York Times’ chief fashion critic, John Earnest, 19, had earlier been charged at the state level with New York whose credit cards came back Prosecutors said she also de- wrote that the looks were “care- murder and attempted murder in relation to the April 27 attacks at declined with unnerving fre- posited bad cheques amounting fully crafted”, and included “a the Chabad of Poway synagogue near San Diego. quency despite her talk of having to $15,000 in an account with white long-sleeve V-neck mini However, federal authorities added 109 new charges, saying that German woman who a trust fund. Signature Bank, managing to with a sweet sheer overlay” and Earnest was motivated by his hatred of Jews and Muslims. posed as a wealthy heir- Prosecutors in the Manhat- withdraw $8,200 in cash before “a short white lace frock with a They said Earnest was also behind a March 24 arson at a California Aess to scam boutique tan district attorney’s offi ce said the checks bounced. youthful drop waist”. mosque. New York hotels and fashion- that Sorokin defrauded others of She also tricked a friend into US Immigration and Customs If convicted, Earnest faces the maximum penalty of death or life able friends has been sentenced about $275,000 while pretend- covering bills for $62,000 at the Enforcement said in a statement without parole in both the state and federal cases. to four to 12 years in prison after ing she had €60mn ($67mn) in end of their six-night luxury trip that Sorokin was a German citi- “We will not allow our community members to be hunted in their a jury in state court found her assets. to Morocco after Sorokin’s card zen who had illegally overstayed houses of worship, where they should feel free and safe to exercise guilty of fraud last month. They say she used forged bank was declined, prosecutors said, in the United States. their right to practice their religion,” federal prosecutor Robert Anna Sorokin, 28, faced up to statements to seek a loan of but the jury declined to convict The agency said it will seek to Brewer, Jr said in a statement. “Our actions today are inspired by 15 years in prison on her convic- $22mn from a bank to fund a pri- Sorokin on this charge. send her back to Germany once our desire to achieve justice for all of the victims and their families.” tion of charges stemming from vate arts club she wanted to open Disliking standard-issue pris- her criminal proceedings are The attack on the synagogue took place on the last day of Passover multiple acts of glamorous grift- in Manhattan. on overalls, Sorokin’s lawyers over. and six months after a white supremacist shot dead 11 people at a ing in 2016 and 2017. In the end, she managed to get employed a stylist to dress her for The television writers Shonda synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – the worst attack against Born in Russia before moving a $100,000 loan, which prosecu- her appearances in the Manhat- Rhimes and Lena Dunham are Jewish people in the modern history of the United States. Sorokin is led away after to Germany as a teenager with tors said she never repaid. tan criminal court, and her daily separately working on adapting The shooting at the synagogue left a 60-year-old woman, Lori Kaye, being sentenced in Manhattan her family, she was better known Sorokin used about $30,000 of looks became the subject of a the Anna Delvey story for the dead and three people injured, including the rabbi and an eight- Supreme Court, following her to her Manhattan friends as that to cover her overdue bills at dedicated Instagram account. screen, according to news re- year-old child. conviction last month. Anna Delvey, a would-be social- the fashionable 11 Howard hotel, Vanessa Friedman, the New ports.

Amazon’s Bezos unveils lunar lander project Sick teacher forced

AFP Bezos, who also owns the to pay for substitute Washington Washington Post, did not talk to journalists at the event. The lander’s unveiling came as AFP not a district-only rule.” mazon founder Jeff Be- Bezos outlined in a lengthy mon- Los Angeles Dudnick explained that zos, the richest man in the ologue his broader vision to build teachers in the district get 10 Aworld and head of space an infrastructure that would sus- days of sick leave a year and company Blue Origin, has an- tain the colonisation of space by arents at an elementary can carry over those sick days nounced his intent to participate future generations of humans school in San Francisco year after year if they don’t use in the new race to the Moon with and shift polluting industries off Phave expressed outrage them. a high-tech lander to carry vehi- the Earth. after learning that a teacher Once those sick days are ex- cles and equipment. This would involve the con- suff ering from cancer and on hausted, teachers are then eli- “This is Blue Moon,” the struction of artifi cial worlds in sick leave is having to pay the gible for 100 days of extended 55-year-old said at a carefully space, inspired by designs fi rst school district for her substi- sick leave, during which they choreographed presentation in proposed by the late physicist tute. are entitled to their full pay, Washington, as curtains lifted to Gerard K O’Neill, one of Bezos’s The second-grade teacher minus the cost of a substitute. show a model of a huge vessel. Bezos unveils the BE-7 rocket engine that Blue Origin’s space exploration Blue Moon lunar lander will use. heroes, intended to give human- at Glen Park Elementary is off On learning about the little- The lander will weigh more ity an escape route in case of lim- sick with breast cancer for the known provision in the state’s than three metric tonnes empty, to the Moon by 2024. Water can be exploited to pro- tween Earth and the Moon. ited resources on Earth. rest of the year and has been education code, horrifi ed par- 15 tonnes fully fuelled, and be “We can help meet that time- duce hydrogen, which in turn And not the lander nor rov- “My generation’s job is to build paying nearly $200 a day for ents last month began raising capable of carrying 3.6 tonnes line, but only because we started could fuel future exploration of ers needed by astronauts, among the infrastructure,” said Bezos. her replacement, in accord- money for the popular teacher, to the lunar surface – or 6.5 in a three years ago,” he said. “It’s the solar system. whom will be the fi rst woman to “We’re going to build the road to ance with state law, local news who has asked that her name variant model. time to go back to the Moon, this The White House’s intention set foot on the Moon. space.” reports said. not be disclosed. It is supported by four legs, time to stay.” to return to the Moon in 2024 has But Bezos, who rarely speaks Blue Origin is working on “Parents were outraged and A GoFundMe campaign with an upper deck where equip- Fifty years after American sent the National Aeronautics about the projects at Blue Origin, two other major projects: New incredulous – like, this can’t has raised nearly $14,000 and ment can be fi xed. astronauts fi rst walked on the and Space Administration (Nasa) which he founded in 2000 and fi - Shepard, a suborbital rocket to be,” Amanda Fried, who has a some of the children are plan- A large tank of liquefi ed hydro- Moon, the US is among coun- into a frenzy of activity, because nances with more than $1bn per fl y tourists into space; and New daughter in kindergarten and ning bake sales to raise more gen fuel occupies its centre. tries showing renewed interest in that particular mission was orig- year, clearly suggested he wants Glenn, a heavy lift, partly reus- another in third grade, told funds. “It’s an incredible vehicle, and Earth’s natural satellite. inally anticipated for 2028. to help Nasa. able launch rocket. the San Francisco Chronicle. “I just feel sad that from it will go to the Moon,” the Ama- The vehicle will be capable of Nothing is ready: not the pow- Several other aerospace com- Bezos confi rmed his commit- “There must be some mistake.” what I heard, she is a very zon founder declared. carrying scientifi c instruments, erful Space Launch System (SLS) panies are also expected to bid ment to fl y the fi rst people in A school district spokes- good teacher and I just feel sad Bezos did not announce a spe- four self-driving rovers and a fu- rocket being developed by Boeing to build the lander for the space New Shepard this year, and New woman, however, told AFP that what’s going on (with) her,” cifi c date for the project’s fi rst ture pressurised vehicle for hu- which is necessary to transport agency, which is in the process of Glenn in 2021. the payment was not unusual Narciso Flores-Diaz, a parent, launch, but Blue Origin later said mans. vehicles and astronauts. fi nalising requests for proposals. The New Shepard rocket fi rst and was in line with state law. told NBC Bay Area on Wednes- that it was capable of meeting US The goal is to land on the Not the components of the fu- Lockheed Martin proposed reached space last year, achiev- “This is not unique to San day. “Our school is pulling to- President Donald Trump’s an- Moon’s south pole, where ice de- ture mini-station in lunar orbit, its own lander concept some ing a height of 66 miles (106km) Francisco,” Laura Dudnick ex- gether to help her and to make nounced goal of returning people posits were confi rmed in 2018. which will act as a rest stop be- months ago. in April 2018. plained in a statement. “This is her feel that she’s not alone.” Gulf Times 6 Saturday, May 11, 2019 ASIA

Lanka cops 3 Thais accused of insulting arrest IT fi rm worker over links king missing: rights groups to attacks Reuters authorities by Vietnam on May accused Thailand’s ruling mili- oners to mark the king’s May pawan, 56, and Kraidej Luelert, arrest warrants for Surachai and Bangkok 8, Human Rights Watch said in tary government of applying the 4-6 coronation. 46, were found in the Mekong Chatcharn a month after the army a statement. lese majeste law more widely The US-based Thai Alliance River, which forms the border seized power in the 2014 coup. Reuters/AFP “Vietnam’s alleged se- since a 2014 coup as a way to for Human Rights fi rst reported with Laos. “Given the active arrest war- Colombo hree Thai activists fac- cret forced return to Thailand silence critics. that Chucheep, also known as The bodies had been stuff ed rants and their involvement with ing charges of insulting of three prominent activists UN human rights offi cials in Uncle Sanam Luang, had been with concrete, apparently to the UDD, it is believed Thai offi - Tthe monarchy have dis- should set off alarm bells in the March wrote to the Thai for- sent back to Thailand. make them sink. cials may be responsible for the ri Lankan police yesterday appeared after reportedly be- international community,” Hu- eign ministry to express “most “Uncle Sanam Luang and The Thai military said it killing of Mr Buppawan and Mr said they had arrested an ing arrested in Vietnam, rights man Rights Watch Asia director serious concern” about disap- two others were apprehended had no information about the Luelert and the disappearance Semployee of an informa- groups said yesterday, months Brad Adams said. pearances of several prominent ... a month ago. But they were bodies. and possible killing of Mr Dan- tion technology (IT) services after two exiled critics of the London-based Amnesty exiled critics of the regime. just transferred to Thailand on Activist Surachai Danwat- wattananusorn,” a group of top company in Colombo in connec- military and monarchy turned International said Chucheep Separately on Friday, a former May 8 from Vietnam,” the alli- tananusorn, 78, who operated UN envoys said in the letter. tion with Easter Sunday bomb- up dead. had long faced charges of lese law student was released from ance’s Piangdin Rakthai said in an online radio station critical The latest disappearances ings that killed more than 250 Thailand’s deputy prime majeste, or insulting the mon- jail a month before the end of his a YouTube video. of the junta and monarchy from from Vietnam have further rat- people. minister, Prawit Wongsuwan, archy. two and half year sentence for a Deputy Prime Minister Praw- Laos, disappeared in December. tled Thais in exile. The Virtusa Corp employee denied the three activists were Siam and Kritsana were also 2017 lese majeste conviction. it denied the report. His whereabouts are not known. “We are worried about the situa- was arrested on April 27, police in Thai custody, as has been re- under police investigation for Jatupat Boonpattaraksa, an “Vietnam has not co-ordi- All three of the men who dis- tion,” Piangdin said in his video. spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera ported by the Thai Alliance for lese majeste, the rights group activist and critic of the rul- nated transfers. We have not appeared from Laos had been “There have been disappear- said, adding the action was taken Human Rights. said. ing junta, was jailed for post- received any request. If there is, active in the United Front for ances and deaths of political ac- “as part of the ongoing investi- Chucheep Chiwasut, who Article 112 of Thailand’s ing a profi le of King Maha Va- it would be through the foreign Democracy against Dictatorship tivists who are against the mili- gations” into the attacks. broadcasts political commen- criminal code says anyone who jiralongkorn published by the ministry and police,” Prawit (UDD) protests in 2010, which tary government and criticise A spokeswoman for the Mas- tary to Thailand from exile, and insults the king, queen, heir or BBC’s Thai-language service told reporters. ended in a military crackdown the monarchy.” sachusetts-headquartered com- fellow activists Siam Theerawut regent faces punishment of up that was deemed off ensive. In January, the bodies of two that killed more than 90 people. Government offi cials in Vi- pany confi rmed the arrest, but and Kritsana Thapthai were to 15 years in prison. His release was part of a royal exiled critics of the military and UN offi cials, in a March let- etnam could not be reached for did not say why the employee reportedly turned over to Thai Human rights groups have amnesty for thousands of pris- royal family, Chatcharn Bup- ter, noted that the junta issued comment. was arrested. “We have been informed by the authorities that one of our employees has been taken into custody,” Julianne Garry, Vir- Official certification tusa’s chief marketing offi cer, Nurse’s murder said in an e-mailed response to a Reuters query about the arrest at its Colombo offi ce. “In light of recent events, we sparks protest have enacted enhanced security protocols. We have been engaged with local authorities related to the safety of our employees.” in Bangladesh Authorities had conducted a search at Virtusa’s Colombo of- fi ce this week, three sources fa- Thomson Reuters Foundation many were rape cases,” Maleka miliar with the matter said. The Dhaka Banu, general secretary of the sources did not want to be iden- group told Thomson Reuters tifi ed as they were not authorised Foundation. to speak to the media. he physical abuse and “We say that women can Sri Lanka has detained dozens murder of a nurse in work, but when they step out- of suspects after several suicide TBangladesh just weeks side, this is the kind of things bombings on Easter Sunday tar- after a female student was they have to face. You can’t geted churches and hotels. Is- burned to death has sparked solve this problem by address- lamic State claimed responsibili- ongoing protests and renewed ing individual issues, we need ty for the attack, following which calls for greater protection to address this problem in security was stepped up across for women in the South Asian totality,” she said. the island. country. Following Tania’s death, The country’s army com- Shahinoor Akhter Tania, protests took place this week in mander Mahesh Senanayake said 24, who worked as a nurse in a both Kishoreganj and Dhaka. the threat of more militant at- hospital in Dhaka, according The police have arrested the tacks had been contained and the to a medical report, was physi- driver and the conductor of security services had dismantled cally abused and pushed off the bus Tania was travelling most of the network linked to the a bus, while heading towards on, but have refused to com- Easter Sunday bombings. her hometown in Kishoreganj, ment on the event before their The government yesterday or- about 100kms away, on Monday. investigation is completed. Future Forward leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, right, and Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, centre, the party secretary-general dered mosques to clamp down on The police have since ar- The medical team that ex- receive the off icial certification as elected members of parliament from the Election Commission in Bangkok yesterday. extremists and to submit copies rested fi ve individuals but are amined Tania’s body said it of sermons in new fallout from still investigating the incident. believes that the 24-year-old the Easter suicide bombings that Tania’s death comes as the was physical abused. left 258 dead. country is still reeling over the “There was injury in the The country has been on edge killing of Nusrat Jahan, a stu- private parts and it was also since the April 21 attacks by ji- dent burnt to death last month bleeding. There were defen- hadist bombers who attacked for not withdrawing a sexual sive wounds and bruises on Crowdfunding brings life-saving three churches and three Co- harassment complaint, ac- her face, hand and neck,” said lombo hotels which also left 500 cording to the police, leading Dr Habibur Rahman, Kisho- people injured. to protests calling for women’s reganj’s civil surgeon, quot- The Ministry of Muslim Re- safety. ing the preliminary autopsy water to Myanmar’s rare deer ligious and Cultural Aff airs said “We should be treating this report. mosques must not be used for as something of the high- “We believe that she died AFP for the deer, wild boar, jackals, people’s interest,” ranger Thein Conservation Society (WCS). radicalising congregations. est national priority, not just because of the wound behind Magway peacocks and other creatures – Lwin said with a smile, adding “That doesn’t happen every “In view of the prevailing situ- in terms of arresting people her head. We feel that that have all dried up. that within a few days they had year. Three or four – we just ation in the country, the ministry but in terms of making sure took place because she was In one lake bed, a water received over 1mn kyat ($650). found them dead,” he says. directs all trustees of mosques another woman doesn’t go pushed out of the bus. We will herd of endangered deer depth-measuring rod stands The sum is enough to pay But the plight of the park’s not to engage in or permit any through it,” said Sara Hossain, be conducting more tests,” wait under the shade of marooned in the middle of a for the petrol and fees needed fauna will not end when the gathering to promote or propa- a Bangladeshi lawyer and a added Rahman. Aone of the sparse trees in mosaic of cracked, arid earth. to hire water-carrying tank- rains arrive. gate hatred or extremism in any human rights activist. The youngest among six this parched central Myanmar Many of the park’s estimated ers that take six daily trips to The sanctuary is the centre form,” the ministry said. “Nusrat’s case was very ex- siblings, Tania, according to landscape, watching as rangers 1,000 deer started venturing a small river some 15km away. of an ongoing confl ict between It said all mosques must sub- treme. But why do these cases her brother, was the “bright- dispatch drinking water – a life- dangerously close to villages Each tanker holds around 4,500 conservationists and local peo- mit copies of sermons given keep on happening? One of the est amongst them.” saving resource funded by well- outside the reserve, putting litres of water. ple, some of Myanmar’s poorest. within their premises. reasons is the kind of impunity “My mother passed away wishers across the country. themselves at risk of poaching, They have even stopped ac- Around 40 villages lie close Sri Lankan radicals who had that exists, so people can get in December. Tania wanted to Shwe Settaw nature reserve in rangers say. cepting money on the assump- to the reserve – most without pledged allegiance to the Islamic away (with these crimes),” she come home to spend the fi rst Magway division is home to the At the end of April, the park’s tion the fund will see them electricity – and many people State group have been blamed added. few days of Ramadan with my endemic species of Eld’s or golden dozen rangers started pooling through to the monsoon season enter to search for fi rewood. for the April 21 bombings against About 950 women were father because she knew he deer. But their habitat lies in the their money to travel to a nearby in the coming weeks. Poaching is also a huge three churches and three luxury victims of rape last year, ac- felt lonely,” Shafi qul Islam Su- country’s central dry zone, a low- river to collect water and re-fi ll In another section of the re- problem in a country where hotels. cording to a study conducted jon, Tania’s elder brother said. lying plain astride the Irrawaddy a couple of the scorched craters. serve, a breeding programme the illegal trade of wildlife The government has imposed by the Bangladesh Mahila “She had the knack to win River where water shortages are But after realising this was for the critically endangered parts fl ourishes, due largely to a state of emergency and ordered Parishad, a women’s rights or- over people’s hearts, no mat- rife in the hot season. unsustainable they turned to Burmese star tortoise faces the insatiable appetite from police and security forces to ganisation in Dhaka. ter who she talked to. She took This year temperatures have Facebook for help. similar problems. neighbouring China. crack down on extremists. “The number is on the in- care of us both mentally and soared to a record 47 degrees Donations poured in from as “We lost some tortois- “We need more guard posts Sri Lanka’s police say they have crease. In April this year, we fi nancially. And now she is centigrade. far away as Yangon, Mandalay es because of the extreme and more staff ,” the ranger says killed or arrested all the jihadists found 401 cases of violence gone. My heart pains whenever The sanctuary’s 20-odd and Shan state in the northeast. heat,” says Steve Platt, a her- with a sigh. “The deer’s future responsible for the bombings but against women, out of which I think about her,” Sujon said. lakes and ponds – a lifeline “Luckily, it really captured petologist with the World is at stake.” attacks are still possible. Vietnam launches chopper rides in famous Ha Long bay AFP ships and the odd houseboat etnam grew nearly 20% last year, also prompted environmental Ha Long Bay dotting Ha Long’s green waters with one-third of the total com- concerns in the once-pristine for the maiden fl ights on Friday. ing from its powerful communist bay in Quang Ninh province, Helicopter manufacturer Bell neighbour to the north. also home to home to rapid ost visitors to Vietnam’s said the trips, which start at $125 Domestic tourism is also industrialisation. famed Ha Long Bay opt for 12 minutes, were aimed at booming among Vietnam’s fast- “We’re under pressure from Mfor cruise views of the tapping into a growing number growing middle class with ex- the coal industry, the urbani- Unesco heritage site but now of tourists to Vietnam – many panding appetites – and budgets sation process, the arrival of tourists can hop on a helicopter from the world’s second biggest – for travel. more tourists and the popula- to see the area’s famous karst rock economy. Ha Long Bay is one of the tion increase,” said Le Minh Tan, formations from the skies. “With the Chinese economy country’s top draws, with as deputy director of Quang Ninh’s Nervous fl yers beware. growing, you’re seeing more many as 500 cruise ships in tourism department. A pair of fi ve-seater helicop- tourists come here,” said David the bay every day and a newly- He added that a waste-water ters soared up to 300m (1,000ft) Sale, Bell’s managing director for opened airport helping to funnel management system is set to be to off er passengers aerial views Asia-Pacifi c. visitors into the area. rolled out soon to deal with sewage This aerial photo taken from a helicopter shows tourist boats sailing on the waters of Ha Long Bay in of the limestone towers, cruise The number of visitors to Vi- But the tourist boom has spewed out by cruise ships daily. northeastern province of Quang Ninh yesterday. Gulf Times Saturday, May 11, 2019 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

S Korean president’s interviewer targeted for inappropriate frowning

AFP ly been jailed. Since coming to called her “rude attitude” and fa- opposition party has called the power,” said Bae Bok-ju, a wom- Seoul offi ce Moon has shied away from cial expressions. She had “inter- president a dictator, then any en’s rights activist. But Chae Jin- public questioning, holding only rupted the president”, they said, reporter has every right to ask won, a professor at Humanitas a handful of press conferences adding that frowning in front of him about it. College of Kyung Hee University, wo years after taking offi ce and granting interviews only to a the head of state was “ill-man- “It’s always healthier to said Song had acted like a “pros- South Korean President few foreign outlets. nered” and “unpleasant”. talk about difficult issues and ecutor investigating a suspect”. TMoon Jae-in fi nally gave That changed Thursday with An online petition asking words, rather than avoiding “It was his fi rst TV interview his fi rst interview to domestic a live television discussion with Moon’s offi ce to “choose a better them altogether.” since Moon took offi ce. Most Ko- media this week, only for his national broadcaster KBS to mark interviewer” for future TV ap- Song’s defenders said she was reans wanted to watch a conver- questioner to face allegations she the second anniversary of his in- pearances had garnered around targeted partly because she was sation, I think, rather than what insulted him with “rude” facial auguration. In it, Moon defended 20,000 signatures as of yesterday a woman and was seen as going almost looks like a trial,” he said. expressions. his handling of the South’s fl ag- afternoon. Several commentators against the gender norm expect- The presidential Blue House In a hierarchical society with a ging economy and criticised focussed on a question where ed when dealing with an older, said it was “inappropriate” for it history of dictatorship and strong North Korea’s latest missile Song asked Moon how he felt powerful man. to comment on the public criti- traditional values, South Korean launch. South Korean President Moon Jae-in answering a question from about being branded a “dictator” “The fact that she is being cism against the reporter, but presidents are largely regarded as By Western standards, the reporter Song Hyun-jung during a live television interview in Seoul. by the main opposition party. criticised for her attitude — and added that Moon was not “dis- deserving utmost respect — even questioning by correspondent “This just shows that our her facial expression — shows pleased” after the interview though all four of the country’s Song Hyun-jung was mild and broadcast ending, Song — one of online by some of Moon’s most democracy is not healthy,” po- how unfamiliar the South Korean — and that he would not have living former heads of state are deferential. the channel’s senior political re- devoted supporters for “being litical commentator Park Sang- public is when it comes to see- minded a “more aggressive bat- either in prison or have previous- But within minutes of the porters — was being condemned too aggressive” and what they byung told AFP. “If the main ing women who challenge men in tle”. Kim orders more strike power; US still open to talks

Reuters Seoul

he leader of North Ko- rea ordered its military to Tboost its strike capabil- North Korean military conducts a “strike drill” for multiple launchers earlier this week. ity as he directed another missile fi ring, state media said yester- short-range missiles,” he said. gotiating table,” and that it is lomatic backer, said it had no day, as tensions grew over tests “Nobody’s happy about it but very important for South Korea fi rm information on the tests. that appeared to show develop- we’re taking a good look and we’ll and the United States to continue State Councillor and senior dip- ment of a new advanced missile see.” communication and co-opera- lomat Wang Yi said Korean pe- system. Kim Jong-un’s call for a South Korea’s Moon said on tion, the ministry said in a state- ninsula issues should be resolved “full combat posture” follows the Thursday the tests were likely ment. Thursday’s missiles were through dialogue with the goal of US seizure of a large North Ko- a reaction to the failed second fi red from Kusong, northwest of denuclearisation. rean cargo ship accused of illicit summit with Trump in Hanoi in the capital Pyongyang. One mis- Analysts said the multiple tests coal shipments in violation of UN February, but he thought North sile fl ew 420km and the other signalled that North Korea is se- sanctions. Korea remained hopeful of con- 270km, both reaching an altitude rious about deploying an opera- The increased tensions come tinuing negotiations. of about 50km before falling into tional fl eet of the missiles, which amid a gridlock in dialogue after The latest tests were swiftly the sea, South Korea’s military could be used in the opening the second summit between Kim followed by US test-launches said. hours of any war with the United and US President Donald Trump of the intercontinental ballistic North Korean state media did States and South Korea. collapsed over US demands for missile Minuteman III over the not give details of the missiles. Washington has given no sign Pyongyang’s nuclear disarma- Pacifi c and the Trident II subma- South Korean and US military it will budge on the North’s de- ment and Kim’s demands for re- rine-launched ballistic missile analysts will try to determine mand to lift some sanctions as it lief from sanctions. (SLBM) off Florida. if the Russian-development announced on Thursday the sei- “(Kim) stressed the need to They also coincided with a Iskander short-range ballistic zure of a North Korean cargo ves- further increase the capability of visit to the South by US special missile system was used, Ahn sel that it said was involved in the the defence units in the forefront envoy for North Korea Stephen Gyu-baek, the defence commit- illicit shipping of coal. area and on the western front to North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un supervises a military drill in North Korea. Biegun, who met his South Ko- tee chairman in South Korea’s The Justice Department said carry out combat tasks and keep rean counterpart and was sched- parliament, told reporters. Japan, the 17,061-tonne Wise Honest is full combat posture to cope with he “set forth important tasks for sile (ICBM) in November 2017. latest missile tests were not help- uled to hold talks with presiden- which is also in striking distance one of the North’s largest cargo any emergency,” KCNA news further increasing the strike abil- Kim later declared the building ful but suggested they would not tial Blue House and Unifi cation of North Korean missiles and saw ships and it was fi rst detained agency reported. ity.” The test of two short-range of its nuclear force was complete scupper dialogue. “I know they Ministry offi cials. them fl y over its territory before by Indonesia in April 2018 but He noted “genuine peace and missiles on Thursday and the fi r- and went on to hold three sum- want to negotiate, they’re talk- During his meeting with South Kim’s self-declared moratorium is now in the possession of the security of the country are guar- ing of a series of projectiles on mit meetings with South Korean ing about negotiating. But I don’t Korean Foreign Minister Kang on long-range missile launches United States. The announce- anteed only by the strong physi- Saturday were the fi rst missile President Moon Jae-in and two think they’re ready to negoti- Kyung-wha yesterday, Biegun in April 2018, said the latest mis- ment has no connection with the cal force capable of defending its launches by the North since an with Trump. ate,” Trump told reporters. “They said “the door is still open for sile tests violated UN resolutions. North’s missile activities, a US sovereignty,” KCNA said, adding intercontinental ballistic mis- Both Trump and Moon said the were smaller missiles, they were North Korea to return to the ne- China, the North’s main dip- offi cial said.

First case of Memories of another day monkeypox virus detected in Australia’s Labor pledges Singapore

Singapore has reported its first bigger budget surpluses ever case of monkeypox, brought in by a Nigerian man thought to have contracted the rare virus by Reuters told reporters in Canberra. “We fi rst budget surplus in a decade, eating bushmeat at a wedding. Sydney will provide more capability to in- said Labor lacks credibility in Symptoms in humans of monkey- vest in education. We are provid- sticking to spending plans. “Aus- pox – which is endemic in parts ing a remedy, not a replica. That is tralians can’t trust a Labor party of Central and Western Africa – ustralia’s opposition La- what the election is all about.” when every time they have had include lesions, fever, muscle ache bor yesterday unveiled Labor’s budget forecast comes the opportunity they’ve fallen and chills. Transmission is usually Aits economic blueprint amid a barrage of attacks by over when it comes to fi nancial via close contact with infected for the May 18 election, promis- Morrison who has argued that management,” Morrison told re- animals such as rodents and ing bigger budget surpluses than a change in government would porters while campaigning in the monkeys and is limited between the government in an attempt to threaten the country’s economy. state of Queensland. people. It has only been fatal in undermine Prime Minister Scott Australia has posted a record 28 Labor will hope its fi scal out- rare cases. The man who brought Morrison’s attacks on its eco- years of economic growth. look will blunt the government’s in the virus arrived in Singapore nomic management. A major political poll last week attack on its economic creden- on April 28, the city-state’s health Publishing fi gures from Aus- pegged Morrison’s coalition gov- tials, analysts said. “Labor will ministry (MOH) said in a state- tralia’s Parliamentary Budget Of- ernment trailing by just 2% head- have neutralised the govern- ment late Thursday. The 38-year- fi ce, the country’s independent ing into the May 18 election. The ment’s attack,” said Haydon old developed symptoms two body that analyses fi scal policy, estimates include Labor’s an- Manning, professor of political days later and is currently isolated Labor said it will match the gov- nounced policies, including abol- science at Flinders University. at an infectious disease centre in a ernment’s A$7.5bn ($5.25bn) sur- ishing tax concessions for people “Labor will now be able to stable condition, the ministry said. plus in 2019-20. who invest in property and tax re- credibly bat away attacks from At least 23 individuals who had But by cutting what Labor said bates for dividends paid out from the prime minister that the that been in close contact with the were generous tax concessions after-tax corporate profi ts. the budget will be ripped apart man had been traced, and those aimed at the country’s wealthi- However, the fi scal estimates under Labor.” While each political who are in Singapore will be est, it could deliver a surplus of do not include pledges from La- party argues over their economic quarantined and monitored for 21 A$13bn in 2020-21 – $2bn more bor that have yet to be fi nalised, plan, Australia’s central bank days as a precaution, MOH said. than what the conservative gov- the centrepiece of which is rais- yesterday cut its forecasts for do- One had already left Singapore ernment promised in April. “We ing the minimum wage. Morri- mestic growth to 2.75% this year, on May 5 before the Nigerian will pay down debt faster,” Labor’s son, who has centred his re-elec- threatening fi scal policies of the was diagnosed at hospital but shadow treasurer Chris Bowen tion bid on delivering Australia’s major political parties. has since made contact with the city’s health authorities and has reported he is well. NZ family scores ‘royal flush’ thanks to baby Archie: report “The risk of community spread of monkeypox in Singapore is low,” All four children in a New Zealand family have Royal namesakes after Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife Meghan said Leo Yee Sin, executive direc- named their newborn son Archie earlier this week, it was reported yesterday. “It’s a royal flush — what are the tor of Singapore’s National Centre chances?” Jo Staff ord, who lives in Otago in the southeastern region on New Zealand’s South Island, told the Workers demolish the former US embassy in Beijing yesterday. The former embassy is for Infectious Diseases. Otago Daily Times. Staff ord’s children are Charlotte, 11, Harry, 9, George, 7, and Archie, 4. “It was just a fluke. We’ve being demolished 20 years after it was attacked by Chinese protestors on May 8, 1999. He said that on average “each always just really loved those names,” Staff ord told the Otago Daily Times. “First, Prince George came along, then The protests came a day after US forces struck the Chinese embassy in Belgrade during a infected person transmits the Princess Charlotte – which we thought was just a coincidence. But now Archie ... “ she said. She said she was Nato bombing campaign, killing three Chinese journalists. Following the May 1999 incident, infection to less than one other inundated with messages from her friends when they heard the news of the royal baby’s name. thousands of Chinese gathered in the streets outside the US embassy for two days, many person”, which makes the virus Reuters could not independently verify the report. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan announced on Wednes- hurling stones and attempting to break into the embassy. less infectious than the common day they had named their newborn son, the seventh-in-line to the British throne, Archie. flu. Gulf Times 8 Saturday, May 11, 2019 BRITAIN Sacked radio DJ apologises for ‘crass’ royal baby tweet

Guardian News and Media The post, which has since been and explain how I got myself into panic and revulsion washed over son who, quite naturally, took the I am so, so sorry.” BBC Radio 5 Live dropped London deleted, showed a black-and- this mess. me. awful connection at face value. Baker had earlier insisted he Baker’s football phone-in show white photo of a well-dressed “I chose the wrong photo to il- “What had I done? I needed I understand that and all of the was no “downbeat racist wretch” in 1997 after it was alleged he had couple holding the hands of a lustrate a joke. Disastrously so. no lessons on the centuries slurs clamour and opprobrium I have after he was sacked for what his incited threatening behaviour anny Baker has issued a suited chimpanzee with the cap- “In attempting to lampoon equating simians and people of faced since. I am not feeling sorry bosses said was a “serious error after a referee awarded a con- statement to “formally tion: “Royal baby leaves hospi- privilege and the news cycle I colour. Racism at it’s basest. for myself. I messed up. Badly. of judgment”. troversial penalty in an FA Cup Dapologise for the outrage tal.” went to a fi le of goofy pictures “I am aware black people do But it was a genuine, naive and He had criticised his bosses for tie. The broadcaster’s then news I caused” after being sacked by Baker, 61, was sacked on and saw the dressed chimp and not need a white man to tell them catastrophic mistake ... their handling of the controversy chief, Tony Hall, who is now the BBC Radio 5 Live over a tweet Thursday morning following thought, ‘That’s the one!’ “Had I this. Deleting it immediately and “I am now paying the price and said he was trying to make a director general, said Baker had about the Duke and Duchess of accusations of racism over the kept searching I might have cho- apologising for the awful gaff e I for this crass and regrettable point about class. crossed “the line between being Sussex’s newborn son, Archie, tweet. sen General Tom Thumb or even even foolishly tried to make light blunder and rightly so. Prob- The tweet came on the same humorous and controversial and which featured a picture of a In his statement released on a baby in a crown. But I didn’t. I of it. (My situation that is, not ably even this final word from day that Prince Harry and Meg- being insulting”. chimpanzee. Twitter yesterday, Baker said: wish had.” The statement added: the racism involved.) Too late and me will extend the mania. (‘Dog han, whose mother is African His BBC London 94.9 show The DJ has described the con- “Following one of the worst days “Minutes later I was alerted by here I am. whistle’ anyone?) I would like American, posed with their baby was axed in 2012, days before he troversy over his tweet as “one of of my life I just want to formally followers that this royal baby was “I would like once and for all to thank friends here for their son, Archie Harrison Mountbat- was due to be inducted into the the worst days of my life”. apologise for the outrage I caused of course mixed race and waves of to apologise to every single per- kinder words and once again – ten-Windsor. Radio Academy Hall of Fame. Labour loses Charles visits organic farm control of key Darlington and Bolton councils

Guardian News and Media ally rejected them,” the group London said. David Greenhalgh, the leader of the Conservative group, said vot- abour has lost control of ers had lost confi dence in Labour two key councils in its tra- and it was “unbelievable” the lo- Lditional heartlands, con- cal party “refused” to accept that. ceding power to the Conserva- “These were the worst elections tives in Bolton and Darlington for for Bolton Labour probably in the the fi rst time in 40 years. history of the metropolitan bor- The party made signifi cant ough,” he added. losses in the local elections last In Darlington, Labour lost nine week, in what councillors de- councillors compared with 2015 scribed as a backlash over local as part of a surprising shift to issues and the Brexit stalemate. the Tories, who gained fi ve seats In Darlington, which has to become the largest party on elected a Labour MP at every poll the council. The Conservatives since 1992, the party lost its grip look likely to take control of the on power on Friday when the council for the fi rst time in a gen- Conservatives agreed a power- eration after agreeing a deal in sharing deal with smaller parties. principle with the LibDems and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, looks at regional products as he visits the organic farm Herrmannsdorfer Landwerkstaetten in Glonn, southern Germany, yesterday. In Bolton, Labour lost seven independents. seats and conceded control of Councillor Kevin Nicholson, the council to a Conservative ad- the leader of the independents ministration, propped up by in- group on Darlington council, dependents and smaller parties said Labour had been punished such as the Liberal Democrats because it “stopped listening to and Ukip. people and became complacent” The defeats come a week after on local issues. Labour had a net loss of 80 seats “After 28 years of Labour rule, in local elections dominated by the connection between the peo- Chance of Brexit being called the Brexit impasse. The results, ple and the politicians was lost,” while disappointing for Jeremy he said. “These are areas where Corbyn’s party, were dwarfed by you wouldn’t, 10 years ago, have the loss of more than 1,300 Tory worn a blue rosette in the streets.” seats across the country. Peter Gibson, a solicitor who In Bolton, which voted 58% to was selected in December to be off could be 30%, says Tusk leave in the 2016 EU referendum, the Conservative parliamentary Labour acknowledged its set- candidate for Darlington in the Guardian News and Media Describing the decision by the “A real debate about the con- While suggesting there was a ple recognise them as such. Be- backs in the elections but blamed next general election, said he London former prime minister, David sequences of Brexit wasn’t had “crisis in leadership” among Re- cause, in themselves, they are voters’ lost confi dence in politics had spearheaded a Tory cam- Cameron, to call the vote as a during the referendum cam- mainers, in an echo of his previous not irreversible,” Tusk said. on Brexit and government cuts. paign that contested 46 out of 50 political miscalculation, Tusk paign, but only after the vote. claim that the Labour party under “After the British referendum The Labour group pledged to council seats – far more than in he chances of the UK stay- said he would expect a diff erent Today the result would probably Jeremy Corbyn is essentially pro- in 2016, I thought that if we rec- “listen and do our utmost to re- previous local contests. ing in the EU are as high as result in a vote today given what look diff erent. Paradoxically, Brexit, Tusk said he still believed ognise that the case is closed, build our relationship with the “For the past 30 or so years, the T30% as the country would had been learned about the con- Brexit awoke in Great Britain a it was possible the question could it will be the end. Today the people of Bolton” and main- Tories haven’t fi elded anywhere be likely to reject Brexit in a sec- sequences of leaving. pro-European movement.” again be put to the people. chance that Brexit will not hap- tained that the Conservatives, near a full slate of candidates, ond referendum, the president “The referendum was at the Tusk, whose tenure as presi- The Labour leader this week pen is, in my opinion, 20-30%. which made a net gain of only reasoning, ‘We’re never going of the European council, Donald worst possible moment, it is the dent of the European council, the suggested a second referendum That’s a lot. one seat, did not have a mandate to win in certain wards, so let’s Tusk, has said. result of a wrong political cal- EU body made up of the 28 lead- could be a “healing” develop- “From month to month, it is despite being the largest party on just concentrate on where we can The bloc’s most senior offi cial culation,” Tusk said in an inter- ers of member states, is due to end ment, as cross-party talks over becoming increasingly clear that the council. win.’ When I was selected I said, claimed the British public had view with the Polish newspaper in November, said he had been the Brexit impasse in Westmin- the UK’s exit from the EU will “The Conservatives have been ‘We’re going to do this properly. only truly debated Brexit after Gazeta Wyborcza (GW) that was moved by the anti-Brexit march ster appeared to be fi zzling out. look completely diff erent than out of power in Bolton for 40 We’re going to give people all the 2016 referendum and there shared with the Guardian as part in London earlier this year during “Hannah Arendt said that in the Brexit that was promoted,” years and there is clearly a reason over Darlington the chance to was signifi cant reason to believe of the Europa collaboration of which he was celebrated as a voice politics and history things only Tusk added. “I see no reason to why Bolton people have continu- vote for us.’” the Leave vote could be reversed. six European newspapers. calling for the UK to reconsider. become irreversible when peo- capitulate.”

Queen at horse show SNP faces fi nes for Royals launch mental health text service data protection breach able to see the service working Reuters London up close and are so excited for its Guardian News and Media ency of Berwickshire, Roxburgh tish Conservative leader, over a future. Edinburgh and Selkirk received 30 letters at Tory election leafl et which failed “We hope that many more of her home, all addressed to people to mention Europe but referred 15 ritain’s young royals, you will join us and be part of who did not live there. times to Scottish independence. brothers Prince William something very special.” he Scottish National Party The ICO said: “We have been Murdo Fraser, a Scottish Tory Band Prince Harry and their The service is particularly (SNP) faces being fi ned for made aware by the Scottish Na- MSP, said: “This wasn’t just in- wives Kate and Meghan, launched aimed at younger people and us- Ta breach of data protec- tional Party of an incident relat- convenient and confusing for tens a new phone messaging service ing text messaging means it is si- tion laws after sending out tens of ing to election materials and will of thousands of householders. It’s yesterday to help people suff ering lent and private, allowing people thousands of European election be making inquiries.” a very serious data breach, and a mental health crisis. to use it at school, on a bus or at mailings to wrong addresses. The SNP acknowledged the one that could land the party in all The two princes have been home, the organisers said. The Information Commis- letters had been sent in error, but kinds of trouble.” widely praised for speaking out A 2017 report estimated that sioner’s Offi ce confi rmed yester- played down the signifi cance of Pete Wildman, a representative about their own struggles with one in eight fi ve to 19-year-olds day that the SNP have referred the data breach. A spokesman said for Scotland’s 15 electoral regis- mental health struggles in the in Britain had at least one mental itself for investigation after voters the party had sent out 400,000 tration offi cers (EROs), stressed wake of the death of their mother health disorder. across Scotland received letters election letters but did not yet that the country’s electoral regis- Princess Diana in a 1997 car crash As part of the launch, Wil- addressed to strangers or neigh- know how many were aff ected. ters had not been compromised. It and have made the issue one of liam appears in a video appeal- bours. “On Thursday, mail arrived is understood EROs around Scot- their main charitable causes. ing for people to come forward as The ICO said it was investi- with some electors that had the land had fi elded calls from con- The new text messaging serv- the service seeks to expand from gating under stricter EU data wrong addressee name on the let- cerned voters. ice, called “Shout”, aims to pro- 1,000 to 4,000 volunteers. protection regulations, which ter. A clerical error has been iden- “Political parties and cam- vide 24/7 support for people The initiative is one of the fi rst carry signifi cant fi nes for privacy tifi ed in our offi ce. We have been paigners are entitled to copies of suff ering from crises such as to involve the quartet of royals breaches. in touch with the ICO, but there the full electoral registers in order suicidal thoughts, abuse, rela- who are joint patrons of the Royal The election letters were signed is no ongoing issue with the in- to contact voters with their cam- tionship problems and bullying Foundation, their primary vehi- by the SNP leader, Nicola Stur- tegrity and security of data or any paign arguments,” said Wildman. by connecting them to trained cle for helping charities and good geon, and urged voters to back issue of identity theft,” he said, “We are aware that some Queen Elizabeth II attends the annual Royal Windsor Horse volunteers and helping them fi nd causes and which is supporting the party on May 23. The wrong adding that the SNP wished to householders across Scotland Show in Windsor, west of London, yesterday. The horse show longer-term support. the Shout scheme. recipients included Monica Len- apologise to aff ected voters. have received election commu- is the largest outdoor equestrian show in the UK, started “We are incredibly excited to It comes after the media has non, a Labour MSP, who did not The error emerged on Thurs- nications from a political party originally in 1943 to help raise funds for the war eff ort, and be launching this service, know- been rife with speculation of a recognise the person Sturgeon day morning while Sturgeon which are addressed to another has continued to run every year since, and is the only show ing it has the potential to reach rift between the brothers and was addressing. was preparing for fi rst minister’s person and are now concerned in the UK to host international competitions in showjumping, thousands of vulnerable people their wives, although there has The Scottish Conservatives questions at Holyrood, where she that the registration details for dressage, driving and endurance. every day,” the four royals said in been no public indication of any said one woman in the constitu- goaded Ruth Davidson, the Scot- their address are inaccurate.” a statement. “We have all been disagreements. Gulf Times Saturday, May 11, 2019 9 EUROPE Economic model ‘transformation’ needed, says UN climate envoy

AFP mit in New York in September. ering of world leaders on climate to present “concrete, realistic lions that are going to be needed,” nessing from governments and fi ght climate change”, and that he Geneva In an interview with AFP in change since the Paris agreement plans” to reduce greenhouse gas he said. non-governmental groups alike. hoped the US would participate Geneva yesterday, he stressed was reached in 2015. emissions by 45% over the next Fighting climate change he He acknowledged though that in the September summit. that climate change should not The event follows a string of decade and to net zero by 2050. said, “is an issue that requires not everyone was equally en- The UN climate envoy also dramatic transformation be merely considered an envi- reports containing dire predic- De Alba said he is working a transformation of the way we gaged in the process, including hailed the work done by youth of the global economic ronmental problem. tions about the future of the to identify ambitious projects consume, the way we produce”. the host-country of the summit. activists like Swedish teen Greta Amodel will be necessary “We are talking about a trans- planet as carbon dioxide emis- to showcase at the September “This is not a process in which Donald Trump’s 2017 decision Thunberg, and said young people if the world truly wants to tackle formation of the economic mod- sions continue to rise, pushing meeting, as well as new models of we can aim at a gradual increase to pull the US out of the Paris ac- would have an important part to the problem of climate change, a el that is going to be needed to targets set out under the Paris co-operation and co-ordination of the ambitions. We need some cord has cast a cloud over global play at the meeting. top UN envoy told AFP yesterday. achieve the results we need,” he accord further out of reach. between countries, organisations drastic changes.” eff orts to rein in climate change. “We want them to be part of “We need bold actions,” insist- said. UN Secretary General Antonio and public and private players. Despite the huge challenges, However, de Alba said the fed- the solution, and not only take ed Luis Alfonso de Alba, who was The September 23 summit at Guterres has said that he wants “It is evident that private fi - de Alba said that he is “optimis- eral government in Washington is note of their very obviously ... appointed late last year to pre- the United Nations is billed as the summit to be “action orient- nancing will be indispensable to tic”, pointing to the enthusiasm continuing to “work on a number justifi ed anger because of lack of pare an ambitious climate sum- the fi rst major stocktaking gath- ed”, and he has asked countries move from the billions to the tril- and commitment he was wit- of areas that are important to action,” he said.

Rubalcaba: died yesterday after suff ering a stroke. Tsipras wins confi dence Spain’s former vote ahead of EU polls Reuters/AFP Tsipras’ government, whose Tsipras leeway for handouts in and fi nance ministry offi cials has not yet been decided if set- Earlier this week Tsipras Socialist Athens term ends in October, is trailing an election year. said “the dialogue is ongoing”. ting aside cash is adequate as a called the confi dence vote after the conservative opposition in “The support measures which Athens has committed to pri- guarantee. New Democracy had sought to opinion polls. we are bringing and will very mary budget surplus targets, ex- The issue may be discussed censure deputy health minister leader reek Prime Minister The EU vote on May 26 will be soon vote on are permanent, cluding debt servicing, of 3.5% later in a meeting of eurozone fi - Pavlos Polakis. Alexis Tsipras won a con- held in parallel with local elec- they are justice for the many, the of annual economic output up nance ministers later this month Polakis drew fi re after saying Gfi dence vote yesterday, tions. vindication of their sacrifi ces ... to 2022. or in June. it was “shameful” that a New Rubalcaba weeks before European Parlia- Earlier this week the gov- the dawn of a new, a better day The government expects its “The European and local elec- Democracy EU election candi- ment elections that will be a fi rst ernment announced a series of for our country,” Tsipras told fi scal outperformance to reach tions are in principle considered date – psychiatrist Stelios Ky- test of his government’s re-elec- measures for 2019-2021 aimed at lawmakers before the vote. €1.14bn this year and estimates to be secondary votes compared bouropoulos, who suff ers spinal dies at 67 tion chances in national polls easing Greeks’ fi nancial strains, The country’s EU and Inter- the cost of the pension benefi ts to the national polls,” said Tha- muscular atrophy – had legally this autumn. including tax cuts and a perma- national Monetary Fund (IMF) at €800mn. nassis Diamantopoulos, politics used a disability quota to fi nd a The leftist premier turned a nent benefi t for pensioners who creditors, who are monitoring It also announced the set-up professor at Panteion University job at a state hospital. AFP censure motion against one of had their incomes slashed dur- Greece’s post-bailout economic of an escrow account, where in Athens. New Democracy leader Kyri- Madrid his ministers into a confi dence ing the country’s debt crisis that progress, have yet to assess the €5.5bn would be deposited in “But this time, the European akos Mitsotakis said it was vote this week. broke out a decade ago. impact of the measures. the coming days as a guarantee elections are almost as decisive “blackmail” that Tsipras had The fi nal vote count showed Greece emerged from its third Lenders’ representatives and for the lenders that Athens will for Greece,” he said, because “turned the censure motion into ormer Spanish Socialist 153 lawmakers backed the gov- international bailout in August government offi cials discussed meet its targets and debt obliga- they were “a kind of dress re- a vote of confi dence”, calling the leader Alfredo Perez Ru- ernment in the 300-seat house. last year and has been outper- Tsipras’s announcements during tions in the three-year period. hearsal” for the national legisla- prime minister a “liar” and a Fbalcaba, who as interior A total of 289 deputies voted. forming its fi scal targets, giving a post-bailout review this week According to EU offi cials, it tive vote. “hypocrite”. minister cracked down on armed Basque separatist group ETA, died yesterday aged 67 after suf- Norwegian dies fering a stroke, his family said. Rubalcaba was admitted to a of rabies after hospital in Majadahonda near Facebook chief hails French hate speech plan rescuing puppy Madrid in serious condition on Wednesday night and died yes- A 24-year-old Norwegian woman terday, his family and party of- Reuters offi ce after the meeting at the died this week of rabies, after fi cials said. Paris Elysee palace. she was bitten by a puppy she “Our comrade Alfredo Perez “We need new rules for the rescued while on vacation Rubalcaba has left us,” the So- internet that will spell out the in the Philippines, her family cialist Party (PSOE), Spain’s old- acebook’s Mark Zucker- responsibilities of companies announced. est party, tweeted. berg has hailed France’s and those of governments,” he In February, while on holiday with Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Feff orts to regulate hate- told France 2 television in an in- friends, Birgitte Kallestad found Sanchez, who succeeded Ru- ful content online as a model terview. “That is why we want a “helpless” puppy on the side of balcaba as party leader in 2014, for the European Union after to work with the team of Presi- the road during a scooter ride. also took to Twitter to mourn meeting President Emmanuel dent Macron. We need a public “Birgitte put the puppy in a “a statesman (whose) whole life Macron in Paris yesterday. process.” basket and brought him home. was dedicated to the service of His comments come after The French president wants She cleaned it and cared for it his country”. the US social media giant was France to take a leading role and to her joy it started healing. Former right-wing prime heavily-criticised by politi- on tech regulation, seeking to They played with the puppy in minister Mariano Rajoy paid cians and members of the pub- strike a balance between what the garden” of the resort where warm tribute on Twitter to “an lic for its failure to more rapidly he perceives as the United Macron with Zuckerberg at their meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris. they were staying, the family adversary worthy of respect remove footage of the March States’ laissez-faire stance and said in a statement published on and admiration” and also “one shooting attack in Christch- China’s iron grip on the Inter- more responsible,” the report dominating position of Web gi- needs is not to be broken up, it Thursday evening. of the most important person- urch, New Zealand, from its net. said. ants,” she said. is proper rules,” Clegg said. “After a while the puppy started alities in recent Spanish history”, network. The 33-page report, co- Companies like Facebook This week, Chris Hughes, France’s parliament, where trying to bite them like puppies while the royal palace saluted his Fifty people were killed in the written by a former lobbyist for cannot simply declare them- one of the founders of Face- Macron’s ruling party has a do. It nipped their fingers when “keen sense of state”. assault, with footage of it cir- Google France, recommends selves to be transparent, it add- book with Zuckerberg while comfortable majority, is debat- they were playing,” the statement Rubalcaba served as educa- culating online for days. that French authorities should ed, noting that checking the they were at Harvard, wrote in ing legislation that would give continued. tion minister and government Zuckerberg’s meeting with have more access to Facebook’s integrity of the algorithms they a long opinion piece in the New the new regulator the power to The young woman, a hospital spokesman in prime minister Macron coincided with the re- algorithms and greater scope to use was a particularly complex York Times that he believed the fi ne tech companies up to 4% employee, started feeling ill after Felipe Gonzalez’s 1982-96 ad- lease of a report commissioned audit the company’s internal task. company was too powerful and of their global revenue if they her return to Norway and was ministration. by the French leader recom- policies against hate speech. However, the convergence needed to be broken up. don’t do enough to remove put into intensive care at Forde Rubalcaba went on to become mending increased oversight of The report comes after Face- between French regulators and Zuckerberg declined to com- hateful content from their net- hospital, where she worked interior minister and deputy Facebook and an independent book allowed a team of French big tech companies was criti- ment on Hughes’s piece when work. and where she passed away on prime minister in Jose Luis Ro- regulator to police the eff orts regulators to spend six months cised by some internet lobby asked by reporters in Paris, but Facebook’s decision to al- Monday evening. driguez Zapatero’s 2004-2011 of large tech companies to deal inside the company monitoring groups. Nick Clegg, his global com- low the team of French regula- According to the Norwegian administration. with hate speech. its policies. “Up to now, in terms of regu- munication head and a former tors inside the company was Institute of Public Health, the Rubalcaba resigned as leader “If more countries can fol- It represents a “half-time” lation, only the internet giants British deputy prime minister, the fi rst time the company had last recorded case of rabies of the Socialists in May 2014 low the lead of what your gov- assessment for their stint have been invited to the table, dismissed it as “melodramatic”. opened its doors in such a way. contracted by a human in after the party received a drub- ernment has done here, that which started in January. while others wait for decisions “For us, the alternative to Facebook’s shares fell as mainland Norway dates back to bing in European Parliament will likely end up being a more “The inadequacy and lack of to be taken to have more vis- these melodramatic calls for much as 5% in a single day 1815, and to 1826 for an animal. elections and he returned to his positive outcome for the world credibility in the self-regula- ibility,” Constance Bommelaer breaking up companies is ex- following the Christchurch According to the family no one former post as a chemistry pro- in my view than some of the tory approach adopted by the de Leusse of non-profi t group actly what we’re discussing shooting, but have since risen in the group of friends had been fessor at Madrid’s Complutense alternatives,” Zuckerberg told largest platforms justify pub- Internet Society said. here, which is proper regu- by about 10%, helped by good vaccinated against rabies. University. reporters at Facebook’s Paris lic intervention to make them “This only reinforces the lation. What the tech sector fi rst-quarter results. Putin scores eight goals in all-star Lawmakers debate law on speedy Notre-Dame restoration hockey game Russian President Vladimir Putin hit the ice yesterday in a hockey AFP Experts believe the total bill that the work will ensure the ca- game in which he showed off his Paris will come to between €600- thedral is rebuilt exactly as it was skills and scored eight goals – a 700mn, with some raising ques- without any creative additions. display that reinforced his image tions over what will be done Images of the ancient cathe- as a man of action. rench lawmakers debated with any leftover money, sug- dral going up in fl ames sparked A judo blackbelt, Putin has long yesterday a controver- gesting it could be channelled to shock and dismay across the been keen to show off his athletic Fsial draft law for restoring other crumbling churches and globe as well as in France, where prowess, including by working Notre-Dame within fi ve years, cathedrals. it is considered one of the na- out with Prime Minister Dmitry after the iconic Paris cathedral France’s Observatory for Reli- tion’s most beloved landmarks. Medvedev, hitting the ski slopes sustained major fi re damage last gious Heritage (OPR) says there Notre-Dame has fi gured as in Sochi or diving to the bottom month. are between 40,000 and 60,000 a central character through the of the Black Sea. Renovating the 850-year-old churches and chapels in France, ups and downs of French history Skating alongside Defence Gothic cathedral, whose wood- 5,000 of which are in a bad state. since construction began in the Minister Sergei Shoigu and en roof was largely destroyed The draft law also outlines mid-12th century. Russian hockey greats such as in the April 15 blaze, will be an the creation of a public body to It was vandalised and plun- Pavel Bure and Igor Larionov, unprecedented challenge for the oversee and carry out the work dered during the French Revo- Putin helped his side to an government, which has drafted within a rapid time frame, but lution in the 18th century, but emphatic 14-7 win in the Night a special bill for managing the more controversially grants the went on to feature as a central Hockey League. huge project. government power to override character in a Victor Hugo’s 1831 Playing centre forward, Putin was Days after the fi re, French The Notre-Dame Cathedral after a massive fire devastated large parts of the Gothic structure. regulations on planning, envi- novel The Hunchback of Notre- provided with plenty of scoring President Emmanuel Macron set ronmental and heritage protec- Dame, which is credited with opportunities by his linemates a target for the restoration to be controversy because it would vating Notre-Dame, which took respond, which is what we are tion and public tenders. helping save it. and was met with little resistance fi nished within fi ve years, mean- involve removing some of the 200 years to build, the project doing,” he said. However, Riester said the pro- It survived the devastation of by the opposing team’s defence. ing it should be ready by the red tape protecting the ancient would “not be done in haste”. So far, nearly €1bn ($1.1bn) vision would not be used to cut two global confl icts in the 20th After opening the scoring time Paris hosts the Olympics in structure. “Yes, we want to move quick- has been donated or pledged corners. century and famously rang its unassisted by beating the 2024. As the debate opened, Culture ly. Some have accused us of for Notre-Dame, with Riester The law does not mention bells on August 24, 1944, the day goaltender two minutes into the However, the draft legislation, Minister Franck Riester told MPs wanting to move too quickly but pledging that the funds will go the architectural aspects of the of the Liberation of Paris from game, the 66-year-old added which aims to speed up the con- that although fi ve years was “an the outpouring of generosity “entirely and exclusively” to its project, with some MPs keen to German occupation at the end of seven more goals, making him struction process, has sparked ambitious timeframe” for reno- was very fast so we can and must restoration. push through legislation stating the World War II. the top scorer. Gulf Times 10 Saturday, May 11, 2019 INDIA

DEFENCE DECISION OFFER LEGAL LAW AND ORDER IAF jets intercept cargo PepsiCo withdraws Air India off ers discount Kerala bishop’s bail Police seize cash from plane flying from Karachi lawsuits against farmers on ‘last-minute’ tickets extended till June 7 BJP candidate Ghosh

Air Force fighter jets forced a Georgian cargo PepsiCo has formally withdrawn lawsuits State-run Air India has decided to off er a 40% A court near Kottayam yesterday extended More than Rs100,000 has been seized from plane flying from Karachi to New Delhi to land in against farmers that the snack food and drinks discount on ‘tatkal’ air tickets on domestic till June 7 the bail of former Jalandhar bishop former IPS off icer and BJP candidate for West Jaipur after it allegedly violated Indian airspace. maker had accused of infringing its patent by routes. The move is set to help flyers get Franco Mulakkal, accused of assaulting a nun Bengal’s Ghatal Lok Sabha constituency Bharati The An-12 aircraft was intercepted by two Sukhoi cultivating a potato variety, the company and the reasonably-priced tickets for emergency travel. between 2014 and 2016. The Pala Magistrate Ghosh, police said yesterday. “Ghosh was Su-30 fighter jets after it deviated from its growers said yesterday. PepsiCo had sued nine Airlines generally sell last-minute ticket at very Court extended the bail where Franco appeared travelling in her car on Thursday night when we scheduled flight path, the Indian Air Force said. farmers for cultivating the FC5 potato variety, high prices. “Generally, an emergency leads to in person. The court has posted the case for seized Rs113,895 from her bag. The amount has “The aircraft did not follow the authorised Air grown exclusively for its popular Lay’s potato the last-minute demand. Such a traveller is faced June 7. Mulakkal was arrested on September been sent to the Treasury,” a police off icer said. Traff ic Services route and was not responding to chips. The FC5 variety has a lower moisture with very high ticket prices. So, for the domestic 21, 2018 on assault charges. He secured bail on Ghosh said she was not carrying the money radio calls,” the IAF said. “The aircraft was forced content required to make snacks such as potato sector, the national carrier has decided to make October 16 and no longer heads the diocese. The illegally. “It cannot be a crime when I am lawfully to land at Jaipur for necessary investigation.” chips. Soon after suing the farmers, PepsiCo a “very last moment inventory” of available Kerala Police on Tuesday submitted a 1,400-page using my election fund after withdrawing it from Hundreds of commercial and cargo flights have came under political pressure from the BJP and seats within three hours of departure. These chargesheet to the court against the bishop. It the bank. How can they seize the money that been aff ected by continuing tensions between some of its allies who asked the US company to would be sold at a hefty discount, normally names 83 witnesses, including the Cardinal of belongs to me?” Ghosh said she was shocked India and Pakistan after their tit-for-tat air strikes withdraw lawsuits against potato farmers, who exceeding 40% of the selling price,” Air India the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Mar George when only she was asked to sign in the seizure list in February. hail from Gujarat, Modi’s home state. said in a statement. Alencherry, three bishops, 11 priests and several whereas there were other colleagues with her. nuns. Will reply with love to hatred about my family: Rahul

IANS tional tournaments. Una, Himachal Pradesh The Congress pitted ex-wres- tler and fi ve-time legislator Ram Lal Thakur against BJP’s Anurag ongress president Rahul Thakur from Hamirpur, the seat Gandhi yesterday said he the Congress has won only once Cwill reply with love to any in 30 years. hatred spread about him and his Ram Lal Thakur has represent- family by Prime Minister Naren- ed the state in the kabaddi team dra Modi. six times at the national level and At the same time, he claimed remained its captain thrice. Modi won’t be able to continue However, three-time MP An- his tirade against his family for urag Thakur, 44, who believes the long. people will vote for the BJP for “Modi may spread hatred ensuring stability and sustainable against me and late prime min- economic growth of the country, isters Indira Gandhi and Rajiv is the BJP’s most fl amboyant MP. Gandhi but I will repay with love,” Since his maiden victory in a Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures as he is garland by former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal (third right) and BJP Punjab president and member of parliament Rahul said at his fi rst election by-election in May 2008, Anurag Shwait Malik (right) during BJP’s Vijay Sankalp rally, in Hoshiarpur yesterday. meeting in this town that is part Thakur, who was re-elected as of the Hamirpur parliamentary Himachal Pradesh Cricket Asso- constituency. ciation president in 2016 for the In his 25-minute address, the fourth time in succession since Congress president said: “When 2000, has been targeted by his I asked Modi about Rafale in Par- rivals for his high-profi le jet-set- liament, he could not give me a ting lifestyle. reply. He could not look at India Voting for Himachal Pradesh’s in its eyes. Today India wants to four seats – Shimla (reserved), Time magazine criticises know whom the prime minister is Mandi, Hamirpur and Kangra – working for. will take place on May 19. “The truth and the voice of the Meanwhile in an obvious attack people have trapped Modi. Now on Modi for targeting his late fa- he cannot even give speeches. ther-in-law Rajiv Gandhi, Robert He cannot even talk about un- Vadra yesterday said disparaging PM in controversial article employment, farmers, youth, an assassinated prime minister to women, because he hasn’t done mislead people is “terrible”. IANS dure Another Five Years of a Modi shrewd politician. ton again in 2020, with the added “By fi elding Sadhvi Pragya anything.” “Politics is at an all-time low. New Delhi Government?’ The article written by Aatish enticement of Chelsea as VP,” the Singh Thakur as the BJP candidate Rahul also fl ayed the Modi gov- Hitting out at our assassinated The write up compares former Taseer also criticises the Con- article read. from Bhopal, Modi was sending ernment over demonetisation PM Rajiv Gandhi to mislead the prime minister Jawaharlal Ne- gress, saying that it has little to “Modi is lucky to be blessed out a clear message that he was and the implementation of the people of India is terrible. We, merican news magazine hru’s idea of secularism with the off er other than dynastic politics, with so weak an opposition – a backing the RSS agenda of a Hin- goods and services tax (GST). the family, will strive for his vi- Time has featured Prime prevailing social “stress” under and termed Modi “lucky” as the ragtag coalition of parties, led du Rashtra,” Congress spokesper- Terming the GST as ‘Gabbar sion and the people of India will AMinister Narendra Modi Modi, who “demonstrated no opposition is “weak”. by the Congress, with no agenda son Sanjay Jha said. Singh Tax’, Gandhi said it de- fi ght for his dignity and respect. on the cover of its May 20 in- desire to foster brotherly feelings “Modi has won – and may yet other than to defeat him,” it add- He further said that Modi took stroyed the businesses of many It’s time for a respectful change in ternational edition with a head- between Hindus and Muslims,” as win again – but to what end? His ed. the entire country for a ride under traders. our country,” Vadra tweeted. line that may create controversy per the article. brand of populism has certainly Reacting to the article, the the subterfuge of development “Under the pressure of Con- Vadra’s remarks came after Modi across India amid the election Besides, the article also re- served as a convincing critique Congress said that it was not sur- and this time he has bared his gress, Modi is doing ‘kabaddi- at a rally on Wednesday accused season. calls the 2002 Gujarat riots that of Indian society, of which there prised as under Modi’s reign, In- communal fangs and let loose a kabaddi’, which he won’t be able Rajiv Gandhi of using aircraft car- The headline in the cover reads claimed many lives. could be no better symbol than dia has seen ugly instances of mob poisonous overfl ow in our secular to continue for long. In the game rier INS Viraat for a vacation for his “India’s Divider in Chief” and The entire article is based on the Congress Party. They have lit- lynching against the minorities, society. of kabaddi, the player is out of family and foreigner in-laws when carries a portrait of the prime Hindu-Muslim relations and tle to off er other than the dynastic while there has been a conspicu- The All India Mahila Congress the game when he takes a breath,” he was prime minister. minister. A secondary headline blames Modi for being pro-Hin- principle, yet another member of ous silence from his party, the BJP. tweeted: “Sitting PM makes it to said Gandhi. “Modi is about to Modi’s charge was refuted by on the cover reads ‘Modi the Re- du. the Nehru-Gandhi family. “Modi in 2019 has brazenly the cover of TIME Magazine and face defeat.” Admiral L Ramdas, the navy chief former.’ This is not the fi rst time that “India’s oldest party has no fl outed his Hindutva mission. the title is ‘Divider In Chief’. Of Rahul said when he spoke to at the time, who said Rajiv had The title ‘India’s Divider in Time has come out with criti- more political imagination than In an unprecedented polaris- the great democracies to fall to the Congress candidate from this gone on an offi cial trip to the Lak- Chief’ pertains to the cover story cal commentary about Modi. In to send Priyanka Gandhi – Rahul’s ing speech, he talked of a Hindu populism, India was the fi rst, says seat, he came to know that he was shadweep islands to chair a meet- in the magazine, written by Aatish an article published in 2012, the sister – to join her brother’s side. minority seat in Wayanad from the opening sentence of the ar- an international kabaddi player ing of the Islands Development Taseer, with the headline ‘Can the magazine had described Modi as It would be the equivalent of the where Rahul Gandhi is contesting ticle. Your truth is for all to see @ and had taken part in interna- Authority (IDA). World’s Largest Democracy En- a controversial, ambitious and a Democrat’s fi elding Hillary Clin- the elections. narendramodi.”

Gentle nudge Zakir Naik accuses ED of Minister vows clean Delhi air in three years

‘lying’ on earnings claim plans to spend more than $7bn AFP New Delhi on infrastructure around the IANS sheet, Naik keeps travel- “For a country that receives capital that would cut pollution Mumbai ling around the world with no more than Rs60bn every month by more than 30%. “known sources” of income from UAE-based Indians, how top minister has made an Two of the highways on the list and yet he managed to transfer is my Rs6.5mn a problem,” he ambitious promise that are already open however. bsconding NRI preach- Rs492mn to his Indian bank ac- asked. Athe government will clean Cars and trucks account for er Zakir Naik yesterday counts and that the total pro- Naik dared the ED to prove that New Delhi’s toxic air in the next about 20% of the deadly PM2.5 Aslammed the enforce- ceeds of the “crime” were around a single rupee of the Rs490mn three years. particles in the city air that are ment director (ED) for alleging Rs1.93bn. sent by him was used for any The World Health Organi- blamed for heart and respiratory that though he had no earnings, In response, Naik said he has purpose other than the declared sation ranks New Delhi as the diseases. he had transferred Rs460mn to fi led all his tax returns dutifully charitable purpose. world’s most polluted capital, Most of the spike in PM2.5 his Indian bank accounts in a six- every year till 2016 and the ED Claiming that by law, he was with the 20mn residents breath- — particles so tiny they can en- year period. had access to his tax documents not required to explain his over- ing air way above danger limits ter the lungs and bloodstream In a detailed statement, Naik which clearly show his revenue seas job or business to anybody for most of the year. — comes from unregulated con- said: “Why is the ED lying? streams through multiple busi- in India as long as he utilised Transport and Water Re- struction and road dust that When everyone – including all nesses. legitimate channels and ac- sources Minister Nitin Gadkari, peaks in winter months, blanket- the government agencies – know He pointed out that he is an counted for every penny he re- plunged into a tense election ing the city in a poisonous smog. that I have multiple businesses NRI since 2010, and living and mitted to the county. He said campaign, vowed the megac- Pollution levels in Delhi yes- and revenue streams and my earning outside India for nine it was “puzzling” from where ity will be pollution free in three terday were “severe”, with the earnings have always refl ected in years. the ED got the idea that he was years because of measures the volume of harmful particles sev- the tax returns I have fi led, why is “I earn over Rs10mn a month, not earning anything though he government has taken. en times above UN safe limits. the ED lying about it?” and I send money back to India as was a part-time businessman “Our government has done India’s air pollution crisis has He wondered “whether the and when required. I sent it from with multiple, legitimate busi- 100% corruption-free, trans- worsened in recent years, with 14 pressure” is so huge that they my Dubai account to my India nesses besides being a full-time parent, time-bound, result-ori- cities among the world’s 15 most (ED) had to resort to lies to account and every penny is then preacher. ented and quality work and that polluted, according to a UN list. achieve the goal set out by ‘their accounted for in my tax returns,” “I don’t charge for my lec- is why Delhi will be free of air and Studies say the pollution political bosses’”. Naik contended. tures, nor do I earn from the water pollution in the next three causes hundreds of thousands of Naik’s rejoinder came two days The controversial preacher – Peace TV, so I do need another Forest department personnel push a wild elephant calf back years,” Gadkari told an election- premature deaths each year. In- after the ED fi led a charge sheet who reportedly lives in Malaysia revenue stream to survive, which to the forest at Dipor Bil wetland, south-west of Guwahati city, campaign press conference. dia is holding a national election, before the special PMLA court of currently – admitted that be- I have... (The premise) I can sur- in Kamrup district of Assam yesterday. Elephants often come “This is my promise to you,” he but most political parties are judge M S Azmi, accusing him of tween 2010-2016, he may have vive outside India without earn- down from Garbhanga forest in search of food at Deeporbeel said, speaking at the headquar- sidestepping talk of air pollution. money-laundering. sent Rs492mn, or Rs6.5mn per ing anything is not just illogical, wetland. ters of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Delhi is to vote in tomorrow’s According to the ED charge month for charities. its childish,” he said. Gadkari said the government penultimate round of voting. Gulf Times Saturday, May 11, 2019 11 LATIN AMERICA Bolsonaro’s ‘guru’ picks a fi ght with generals

AFP Carvalho, often dubbed Bol- is disloyal to President Bolsonaro sonaro appoint two of his prote- mentary on politics and philoso- ald Trump’s adviser before fall- wiped out,” he said in March, al- Rio de Janeiro sonaro’s “guru,” was recently is disloyal to the Brazilian nation,” gees to Cabinet. phy while disparaging the main- ing out with the US president, luding to what he saw as plans by honoured with the country’s the 72-year-old former astrolo- Ernesto Araujo was named stream outlets. has described Carvalho as “one the generals in the administra- highest award, the Order of Rio ger said on Twitter recently from foreign minister, while Ricardo Carvalho did not respond to a of the great intellectual conserv- tion to betray the president. e can have his acolytes Branco, a prestigious recogni- his home in Richmond, Virginia, Velez briefl y served as educa- request to talk to AFP. atives of the world.” With the backing of Bol- named as ministers in tion granted “for distinguished where he has lived since 2005. tion minister, vowing to root out “He lives off provocation and Eduardo Bolsonaro, a law- sonaro’s other son Carlos, who Hthe Brazilian govern- service and merit.” Writing last week about New “cultural Marxism” from society off ence. That is his strategy, to maker and son of the president, serves in Rio de Janeiro’s assem- ment while undermining others The honour highlighted the York mayor Bill de Blasio, who before being sacked for being too start as many fi ghts as possible, shares Carvalho’s views, as well bly, Carvalho launched a violent with a tweet, and all from self- close bond between the head of successfully campaigned against controversial. including inside the govern- as his enthusiasm for fi rearms. campaign against retired general imposed exile in the US: Olavo state and his adviser, and has Bolsonaro visiting his city, Car- Carvalho has numerous “dis- ment,” said Maud Chirio, an his- But the latest target of the Carlos Alberto dos Santos Cruz, de Carvalho, a fi rebrand right- prompted a furious reaction. valho said: “He’s a piece of gar- ciples” and a million followers on torian at the Paris-Est Marne-la- Brazilian polemicist has been the government secretary, who wing writer and polemicist, ex- On social media, Carvalho is bage. This bully belongs in jail.” social media, which he appears Vallee University. “He’s betting high-ranking military offi cers is defending imposing some re- erts major sway over President known for his insults and all-out A virulent anti-communist, addicted to, sometimes churning on chaos to regenerate what he who feature prominently in the strictions on the Internet. Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, where attacks against Bolsonaro’s foes, Carvalho has wide-ranging net- out as many as 12 tweets an hour. sees as a decadent society.” current government. “Control the Internet, Santos his vitriol has sparked a face-off both real and imagined. works inside Brasilia’s corridors For roughly the past decade, Steve Bannon, the far-right “If things go on like this, in six Cruz? Control your mouth”, he with military leaders. “Whoever in the government of power. In January, he had Bol- he has produced online com- provocateur who served as Don- months (the government) will be tweeted on Sunday. Guaido blasts Maduro over crackdown on opposition

AFP al demonstration today to reject Caracas measures taken by the Supreme Court against opposition law- makers. “To make themselves enezuela’s opposition look strong, to give the impres- leader Juan Guaido ac- sion of a control they don’t have, Vcused President Nicolas what is the only tool they’ve used Maduro’s regime of “dismantling” for years?” he asked, referring to parliament after three lawmakers the Maduro regime. sought diplomatic refuge while “Terror, state terrorism,” said another was arrested for treason. Guaido, whose own parliamentary “If we can talk about a coup immunity has been stripped by the d’etat in Venezuela, here it is: Supreme Court. “We’re not going the dismantling of the national to stop, we’re going to stay in the parliament,” Guaido told a news streets. This is a process that will Venezuelan Vice-President Tareck El Aissami (right) and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Jorge Arreaza speak at a press conference in Caracas yesterday to announce the reopening of conference, accusing Maduro’s end with Venezuela’s liberty.” its land border with Brazil and its maritime border with Aruba, which had been closed since February. regime of “state terrorism.” Maduro, though, has re- Guido, who considers himself mained steadfast, propped up the country’s legitimate acting by Venezuela’s powerful military leader, spoke out after opposi- high command and all branches tion lawmakers Richard Blanco, of government except the side- Mariela Magallanes and Americo lined National Assembly. De Grazia sought refuge in the Zambrano’s arrest on Wednes- Argentine and Italian embassies day night was both bizarre and in Caracas. dramatic, with the lawmaker Venezuela reopens borders They are among 10 National commenting on events live on Assembly members charged Twitter as it happened. The with treason for supporting 64-year-old’s car was surrounded Guaido’s call for a military re- outside his Democratic Action volt on April 30. The group also Party’s headquarters before it was includes Edgar Zambrano, vice- towed, with him still in it, to the with Brazil and Aruba president of Venezuela’s opposi- notorious Helicoide prison, with- tion-controlled parliament, who in the headquarters of Venezuela’s Reuters peaceful border region,” El Ais- he invoked the country’s con- the arrest of a Venezuelan sen- his Polish counterpart. was seized by intelligence agents SEBIN intelligence agency. Caracas sami said in a state television stitution to assume an interim ior opposition leader as an “act “It’s an act of desperation by on Wednesday night. “Democrats, keep up the address. “We have received as- presidency in January, arguing of desperation” by the regime of the regime which sees itself as Guaido led around 30 mem- fi ght!” tweeted Zambrano as im- surances that our sovereignty Maduro’s 2018 re-election was President Nicolas Maduro. increasingly stuck, without al- bers of the armed forces in try- ages of the arrest circulated on enezuela is reopening its will be respected and that there illegitimate. Venezuelan intelligence most any backing,” he added ing to spark a revolt to dislodge social media. borders with Brazil and will not be interference in mat- Maduro calls Guaido a puppet agents on Wednesday arrested after talks with Polish Foreign Maduro 10 days ago, but while On Wednesday Guaido ac- Vthe Caribbean island of ters that should be dealt with by of the US seeking to oust him in Edgar Zambrano, the deputy to Minister Jacek Czaputowicz. it provoked two days of deadly cused the regime of having “kid- Aruba, Venezuela’s Economy Venezuelans.” a coup. opposition leader Juan Guaido. The regime “thus shows that clashes, it quickly fi zzled out. napped” Zambrano. Vice President Tareck El Aissami El Aissami did not specifi - He broke off diplomatic rela- The move was the latest action it can’t be party to a dialogue Venezuela was plunged into The European Union and sev- said yesterday. cally reference the maritime tions with Colombia after the against lawmakers who joined with the democratic forces.” turmoil in January when Guaido eral Latin American states ech- The government of President and air borders with the other February aid eff ort, accusing a failed uprising organised by Earlier the US imposed sanc- declared himself acting presi- oed his criticism while the US Nicolas Maduro shut those bor- nearby Dutch Caribbean islands it of allowing its territory to be Guaido against President Ma- tions on two shipping companies dent in a direct challenge to Ma- called for his immediate release. ders in February amid an op- Curacao or Bonaire, or the land used as a staging ground to at- duro last month. and two tankers involved in trade duro’s authority. “This is an attack on the inde- position campaign to bring hu- border with neighbouring Co- tack Venezuela. “We are very concerned...by with Venezuela, the US Treasury He has since been recognised pendence of the nation’s demo- manitarian aid into the country, lombia, which were also closed Without mentioning Colom- the (Venezuelan) regime’s re- Department said. by more than 50 countries as cratically elected legislative which is suff ering from a hyper- in February. bia, El Aissami said other bor- pression of the democratic op- The two companies are based he steps up the pressure to oust branch and is part of the Maduro infl ationary economic collapse Many Latin American and ders would remain closed “until position, which is no longer the in Marshall Islands and Liberia, Maduro, whom he considers il- regime’s continued attempts to amid a power struggle between European countries, including the positions of hostility and ag- opposition but is a legitimate and both tankers have Panama legitimate after 2018 elections crush dissent and free debate in Maduro and opposition leader Brazil, Colombia and the Neth- gression are ceased.” government,” Brazilian Foreign fl ags, the Treasury said in a widely seen as fraudulent. Venezuela,” US Secretary of State Juan Guaido. erlands, recognised Guaido as Meanwhile Brazil’s foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo told statement on its website yester- Guaido has called for a nation- Mike Pompeo said in a statement. “We want to convert it into a Venezuela’s rightful leader after minister yesterday described reporters in Warsaw alongside day.

Lawmaker critical, offi cial Kirchner presents dead in Argentina shooting her best-selling book AFP Argentine market, the work is a Buenos Aires mixture of family and political Guardian News and Media condolences to Yadon’s family. She said: “Yadon was killed memories, loaded with harsh Buenos Aires, “We’re moved by this attack,” from a car that was waiting for criticism of the centre-right Macri said in a televised address. him. They shot the main target, ormer Argentine president government of President Mauri- “We’re praying for Hector’s life which was Yadon; they achieve Cristina Kirchner present- cio Macri. n Argentinian politician … We will do everything to fi nd his murder and having the op- Fed her best-selling book Kirchner also dedicates an im- has been seriously injured out what happened and fi nd out portunity to murder Olivares, Sincerely at the Buenos Aires portant part to defending herself Aand a provincial offi cial who is guilty of this.” they decide not to kill him.” Book Fair amid expectations she against accusations of corrup- killed in one of the most brazen As Macri spoke, authorities Bullrich said authorities found will run in October’s elections. tion. political attacks in the South wearing white jumpsuits collect- the car used in the crime and had Chanting and fl ag-waving She did not mention the elec- American country since it re- ed evidence at the crime scene. identifi ed the suspects, but she supporters waited for hours in tions but said these were “very turned to democracy in 1983. Local media initially reported said the motive had not been the rain for Kirchner, who said diffi cult times” for the country. Hector Olivares, the repre- that Yadon and Olivares had confi rmed and was being inves- she was motivated to write by Argentina is in the middle of sentative of La Rioja province been shot from a moving vehi- tigated. her former Cabinet chief Alberto an economic crisis, with an- in Argentina’s lower house of cle, but a surveillance video of Local TV broadcast images of Fernandez, who was “very dis- nual infl ation running at 54.7% congress, was shot near the con- the shooting released by the se- federal police offi cers escorting a tressed” at what was said about in March while GDP contracted gressional building in Buenos curity ministry shows a parked man suspected of having links to her and her late husband Nes- 2.5% in 2018. Aires, offi cials said. He is being car waiting for them. As the men the attack from his apartment into tor Kirchner, who also served as Although she has not yet said treated for gunshot wounds that walk by, they are seen being shot a police car. His face was covered president and to whom the 600- whether she will run for the pierced his abdomen and aff ect- at close range. Yadon collapses by a hood, and authorities did not page work was dedicated. presidency, Kirchner’s popular- ed vital organs. on the sidewalk, while an injured release any further details. “He told me: ‘It gives me a lot ity has grown in recent weeks, The dead man was identifi ed Olivares tries to get up and holds Olivares belongs to the Radi- of anguish that those things are with some polls indicating she by Telam state news agency as up his arms as he calls for help. cal Civic Union party of the rul- said about you, and you have to could beat Macri in the second Miguel Marcelo Yadon, a co-or- A man in the driver’s seat then ing government coalition and is go out and tell your side’,” Kirch- round. dinator who works in the fi duci- steps out of the car. Another man also part of the transportation ner said before an audience of However her participation in ary of La Rioja’s federal electric also steps out and calmly walks committee in the lower house. 1,000 guests who included No- the elections is far from certain transportation system. Telam away. When a police offi cer ar- Before he was shot, he had been bel Peace Prize winner Adolfo given that she is the subject of said the men, who reportedly rives on the scene, the car slowly discussing a bill against hooli- Perez Esquivel along with politi- more than 10 corruption inves- were friends since their teenage drives away. ganism in Argentinian football, cal and union leaders, actors and tigations related to her time in years, were shot at least six times. Patricia Bullrich, the security which produces some of the Argentine former president and current senator Cristina rights activists. offi ce. President Mauricio Macri minister, said the shooting con- world’s best players but is beset Fernandez de Kirchner gestures as she greets supporters during With 300,000 copies sold in She will go on trial in the fi rst said doctors were trying to save fi rmed “the presence of mafi as in by entrenched corruption and the presentation of her book Sincerely, during the 45th Buenos 20 days, according to Penguin of those cases on May 21, ac- Olivares’s life and he expressed our country”. violence. Aires International Book Fair in Buenos Aires. Random House, a record for the cused of diverting public funds. Gulf Times 12 Saturday, May 11, 2019 PAKISTAN

Punjab puts limits 3,909 cases pending on purchases at Ramadan bazaars

Internews but 30% of the total funds have Lahore already been spent in the fi rst in anti-terror courts three days of Ramadan. Sources in the Punjab agri- Internews two ATCs of the federal capital as Baluchistan government to es- the KP Counter-Terrorism De- In fact, the study highlighted ays after announc- culture department, request- Islamabad of December 31, 2018. One hun- tablish a forensic lab. partment (CTD). that between 2005 and 2011, only ing special subsidies ing anonymity, say that pro- dred and seventy cases were fi led There is no forensic lab in the Most of the investigation of- 4.6% of cases registered under Don foodstuff in Ram- viding such a high subsidy on in Islamabad last year. province. fi cers (IO) posted in the KP CTD the ATA in Punjab involved ex- adan markets, the concerned lemons is not a good idea. early 4,000 cases of ter- It is learnt that on average, Earlier, the PRC in its report on had not received any specialised plosives or suicide bombers, the departments have run out of Currently, domestic lem- rorism are pending in the 29.2 cases are being decided per the eff ectiveness of the criminal training in dealing with terrorism most recognisable form of ter- funds to maintain them. ons from the Sindh areas of NPakistan’s 73 anti-ter- month in all ATCs. justice system noted that there is investigations of cases. rorism. Due to the increasing de- Nawabshah and Kandoyar rorism courts (ATCs). It is also learnt that the same a need for an eff ective victim and Moreover, an overwhelming The same research also indi- mand for lemons, onions, and make up the vast majority of The courts were established data was presented before Po- witness protection programme, number of investigation offi c- cated that the average conviction tomatoes, and faced with low the available supply across the under the ATA 1997 for speedy lice Reforms Committee (PRC) instead of the status quo, leaving ers were not even aware of the rate in ATA cases in Punjab courts supplies, the provincial gov- country. trial of cases pertaining to ter- meeting, which was chaired by it to the provinces. investigation-related provisions during the same period was only ernment has started an unan- This has caused an overall rorism, sectarian and targeted Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif The police and the courts of the Fair Trial Act, which pre- 14%. nounced rationing of these lemon shortage. killings, extortion and kidnap- Saeed Khosa on Monday. should also be empowered to scribes the legal procedure for The PRC notes that after the items. He said that it would have ping for ransom. The meeting was attended by “take all necessary steps” to en- offi cers to wiretap and intercept chief justice of Pakistan formed Each consumer will be lim- been more feasible to give a An ATC is legally bound to de- the inspectors general of police sure that the victims, witnesses, terrorists’ communications in a the committee to give recom- ited to purchasing 1kg of toma- Rs50 subsidy instead of Rs200, cide a case within seven days af- of Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pa- judges, investigation offi cers and manner that the information is mendations to the Law and toes, 1kg of onions, and 250g mainly to avoid rationing in ter indictment. khtunkhwa, Baluchistan, Islam- prosecutors are eff ectively pro- admissible in court. Justice Commission for Police of lemon at a time, leading to Ramadan markets. According to the data avail- abad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad tected during, and after, terror- Another study was carried out Reforms, a quick survey was con- public outcry. Agriculture department of- able with the Law and Justice Jammu and Kashmir, and the Law ism trials. by a police offi cer to identify the ducted. Sources said that the gov- fi cials have said that the Pun- Commission of Pakistan (LJCP), and Justice Commission of Paki- These steps could involve im- reasons for acquittal in terrorism The various provincial CTDs ernment had imposed large jab government has set aside 3,909 cases were pending in 73 stan (LJCP) secretary. age and voice distortion, closed cases in Punjab between 1990 have been asked to share the lat- subsidies while overestimating Rs500mn as funds for market ATCs as of December 31, 2018, Insiders revealed that the sessions, and any other measures and 2009. est conviction fi gures in terror- supplies. committees’ fair price shops in with 2,972 cases still sub judice committee noted that one of the considered necessary and expe- The study analysed 178 acquit- ism cases. They said that it was a po- Punjab, of which Rs167mn had (under judicial consideration) in main reasons for the acquittal dient in the interest of justice and tal judgments and broadly iden- It was found that the convic- litical move, which did not been designated for Lahore. 32 ATCs of Sindh. of suspects in terrorism cases is the protection of witnesses. tifi ed three reasons – defects in tion rate improved in Punjab, go- consider the ground realities of However, individual deputy In Punjab, 1,313 terrorism cas- that witnesses did not step for- The PRC report reveals that a the fi rst information report (FIR), ing up to 61% in 2016 and 2017, supply and demand, and ended commissioners are managing es were instituted last year; now ward to record their statements. study carried out in Khyber Pa- fl awed investigations, and pros- while in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa it up causing hardships to buyers. the funds diff erently in every the number has decreased to 421. The committee resolved to khtunkhwa (KP) for 2015, 2016, ecution problems. was just 30%, and in Sindh it had In the open market, lemons district. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 634 provide protection to witnesses and 2017 indicated that, on av- A similar study carried out by gone down to an abysmally low are selling for Rs500 per kg, Speaking to Express, Pun- cases were fi led in 13 ATCs, with in such matters. erage, 48% of cases fi led by the another police offi cer on cases 4%. while the government-ap- jab Industries Minister Mian 159 cases pending. Likewise, it was emphasised police under the Anti-Terrorism registered under the ATA in Pun- The committee notes that proved price is Rs350 per kg. Aslam Iqbal highlights that the Likewise, 306 cases are pend- that modern technology would Act (ATA) and sent to the ATCs jab points out the frequent ap- there needs to be a signifi cant The market committee is top priority of his government ing in nine ATCs of Baluchistan. be used to collect evidences in were eventually discharged or plication of ATA to crimes such improvement in the conviction giving a Rs210 subsidy and is to provide the maximum re- Four hundred and forty-eight ATC cases. dismissed by the courts. as gang rape, and mass murder, rate in all the provinces, while selling the lemons for Rs140 lief to people, and that is the cases were instituted in Balu- Likewise, ATC judges and staff Another study highlighted which, strictly speaking, do not also calling on Punjab to share per kg at the sasta bazaars. reason it went forward with chistan last year. would also be imparted training. some of the defi ciencies of the usually fall under the defi nition the best practices employed to Similarly, on onions, the high subsidies in the month of Only 51 cases were pending in The committee also urged the investigating offi cers posted in of terrorism. improve its conviction rate. government has given a Rs25 Ramadan. subsidy, while on tomatoes, it “The government allocated has given a Rs20 per kg sub- abundant funds for subsidies sidy, but limited buyers to 1kg in Ramadan markets, and there Middle path of each. will be no issue,” he said. Shoppers at one bazaar said At the same time, he admits $9.2bn in foreign that if the government had to that the demand for a number give such a high subsidy, then it of items is high. should have also ensured sup- “We have been told about it, ply. and have directed the agricul- loans to be retired Many have complained that ture department to ensure in- the eff ort of getting to the busy creased supply of these prod- markets and then navigating ucts to the markets,” he adds. their way through is not worth The provincial minister said this year: minister it. that the government has de- Ramadan market staff ers cided that if necessary, more have also been on the receiving funds will be set aside to cover Internews approval of the federal cabinet. end of harsh words from con- the subsidy. Islamabad The Egmont Group of Fi- sumers. Meanwhile, the markets will nancial Intelligence Units On the other hand, the mar- be converted into Eid bazaars (FIU) is an informal network of ket committees face an acute from the 21st day of Ramadan he federal fi nance min- 159 fi nancial intelligence units. shortage of funds. to the 30th, and other items, istry has informed the At present, an Onsite As- The Lahore deputy commis- used in homes during Eid days, TSenate that of the to- sessment Report (OAR) from sioner had allocated Rs4mn will also be sold at subsidised tal $88.19bn in foreign loans, FinCEN (the FIU of USA) and per market for the committees, rates. $9.2bn will be retired this year. JAFIC (the FIU of Japan) is still During the question hour, awaited, which describes the Minister of State for Finance fi ndings of a visit to Pakistan and Revenue Hammad Azhar (from January 29, 2018 to Feb- said that $37bn worth of for- ruary 2, 2018), he said. eign loans would be retired He said that the government Study: 7% of women during the next fi ve years. is vigorously following up to Giving details, he said that expedite the process of Eg- some $3,256mn under foreign mont Group membership. in Islamabad suff er debt and $1,295.21mn interest “After obtaining member- on loans had been repaid dur- ship of the Egmont Group, we ing the current fi scal year till will also get data,” he added. from breast cancer January 31, 2019. Azhar also informed the Azhar said: “The previous Senate that the infl ation (CPI) government, during its fi ve- in July-March of FY2019 re- Internews tonishing that there are mis- year tenure, had obtained loans mained at 6.8%, which was Islamabad conceptions about breast can- on a very short term.” within the single digit range. cer, even in the capital. He said the present govern- The minister pointed out “A large number of women ment is committed to fully that the increase in the price study by the Federal believed that breast cancer is discharge the debt obligations level is due to rising interna- Breast Cancer Screen- spread from using injections. of the country to its external tional oil prices and rupee de- Aing Centre (FBCSC) Others believed that can- creditors and a multi-pronged preciation. has found that more than 7% cer spreads by wearing black strategy was being pursued. He said that the government of women in Islamabad suff er clothing. The public needs to “The focus is to substan- is cognisant of this challenge from breast cancer, and recom- be given awareness about the tially increase the country’s and is following prudent ex- mends raising awareness in or- disease,” she said. exports and workers remit- penditure management and der to counter misconceptions Dr Majeed added that private tances and reduce imports,” he contractionary monetary pol- about the disease’s occurrence. hospitals charge Rs3,000 to said, expressing hope that this icy to anchor expected rise in A man sits on a road divider in Karachi as he breaks his fast. The study raised awareness Rs5,000 for each mammogra- year, the country would receive infl ation. among 10,000 women in three phy, which the FBCSC provides $22bn in remittances from He said: “To anchor an ex- years, conducted mammogra- for free. overseas Pakistanis. pected rise in infl ation, the phies of 4,000 women over the In addition, free BRCA-I and The country’s export is also State Bank of Pakistan has also 585 Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails, lawmakers told age of 40, and diagnosed 300 BRCA-II gene tests, which cost expected to reach $25bn dur- further raised the policy rate to women with breast cancer, said Rs50,000, will be provided as ing the said period, Azhar said, 10.75% eff ective from April 1, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi says Qureshi said that Pakistan’s strategy has remained Dr Ayesha Isani Majeed, as- part of a pilot project. adding that the government to compress the aggregate de- Pakistan has actively been taking up with India the to defuse the tension with India through goodwill sociate professor of radiology She said that the study tar- is also focusing on enhancing mand in the economy.” issue of release of its prisoners languishing in their gesture such as the release of Indian pilot as well as and deputy project director at geted rural health centres and domestic revenues, reduc- Azhar added: “Ramadan ba- jails. their 360 fishermen. FBCSC. basic health units in Islama- ing expenditure to bring down zaars have been set up in vari- Responding to the “calling attention” notice at the Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Aff airs Andaleeb The FBCSC, which is locat- bad. budget defi cit as well as cur- ous areas to provide relief to National Assembly yesterday, he said that it is a Abbas told the House that 585 Pakistani prisoners, ed in the Pakistan Institute of In addition to informing rent account defi cit. the masses.” humanitarian issue and regretted that India wants to including 210 fishermen, are languishing in Indian Medical Sciences (Pims), is a women, lady health workers To another question, the To another question, the escalate the matters with Pakistan. jails. project by the ministry of na- were trained as well. minister said that the proc- minister said that the preced- He said India tried to escalate the situation following The off icial said that India has informed Islamabad tional health services (NHS). “Not only were women ess to seek membership of the ing year witnessed a growth of Pulwama incident, despite the fact that Pakistan had that it will release four Pakistani fishermen next The centre provides free taught how they can do self- Egmont Group was initiated 5.22% but it was broadly led by “no connection with it, and this has been recognised Tuesday. mammography services and examinations, we also held on September 21, 2011 after the consumption. by the world as well”. The National Assembly will meet again on Monday. other breast cancer-related ultrasounds for 1,908 women treatment. who were below the age of 40,” Dr Majeed said that it is as- she said. Pakistan removes anti-polio drive posts on social media ‘New visa policy yielding results’ Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that the new visa policy is yielding positive results. Internews a large number of Facebook conference with Facebook offi - In a letter to Atta yesterday, initiatives and putting the lives He was chairing a meeting to review foreign policy challenges and Islamabad posts, hundreds of videos from cials. following his meeting with the of vaccinators at risk. progress in the desired objectives in Islamabad on Thursday. YouTube, and tweets have been In a post shared on Twitter, PTA chairman, the telecom- In recent months social media At the meeting, the minister said that the promotion of cultural removed. Atta confi rmed that social media munication authority provided in the country has been inun- diplomacy has brought significant improvement in the country’s he Prime Minister’s Focal He added that Google has also platforms had started to delete a summary of anti-vaccination dated with fake news reports and tourism sector. Person on Polio Eradica- issued a warning to those who and block some of the material links that been blocked as of May videos – garnering thousands of The minister stressed the need for making economic diplomacy Ttion, Babar Atta, has said were spreading anti-polio vac- “spreading hatred and misinfor- 9: Facebook: 130, Twitter: 14, and views and shares in the last week eff ective to bring foreign investment to the country. that a large number of posts on cine content on YouTube and mation regarding polio vaccines YouTube: 30. alone – claiming that numerous He said all the Pakistani embassies have been given clear social media that were spread- that the process of issuing warn- in Pakistan”. Last week, Pakistan had urged children have been killed by the instructions for welfare of the overseas Pakistanis and immediate ing “hatred and misinformation” ings is ongoing. The focal person on polio erad- Facebook to remove harmful po- polio vaccine. redressal of their problems. about polio vaccination have Atta said that the government ication had earlier written a letter lio-related content from the so- Thousands of parents have re- Qureshi said the consular section at the ministry of foreign aff airs been removed. has decided to speed up legal to the Pakistan Telecommunica- cial networking site, saying that fused to allow their children to be has been digitised so that people could be fully facilitated in In a statement, he said that prosecution following a video tion Authority (PTA). it was jeopardising eradication inoculated. attestation of their documents. Gulf Times Saturday, May 11, 2019 13 PHILIPPINES

Suspected militants arrested Olympic star fears for

DPA Manila

hree suspected members life over Duterte foe list of a group allegedly linked Tto the Islamic State ter- AFP viewing her and she has no journalist Maria Ressa, who rorist network were arrested in Manila idea why,” Diaz tearfully told runs a website critical of Du- the Philippines yesterday, as se- Philippine television network terte and was arrested twice curity forces went on alert ahead GMA late Thursday, adding this year in what press ad- of mid-term elections next he Philippines’ first fe- online trolls are now also go- vocates call intimidation ef- week. male Olympic medallist ing after her. forts. Diaz posted a video on The suspects were arrested Tsays she fears for her Diaz, 28, was among doz- Facebook Thursday of her- in separate raids in the Manila safety after President Rodrigo ens named in charts released self tearfully rejecting any suburban city of Paranaque and Duterte’s government named by a Duterte spokesman on involvement in opposing the nearby Cainta City in Rizal prov- her in a chart claiming to show Wednesday which allegedly government. ince, just east of Manila, a police a plot to undermine his rule. showed links between peo- “Please do not link some- report said. People called out publicly ple he accused of plotting to body who is busy making sac- Pistols, grenades and ammu- by the president in the past “discredit this administra- rifices for everyone, for the nition were seized from the three for perceived wrongdoings — tion”. The charts, which did Philippines. I am merely do- suspects, the report added. frequently in the form of al- not substantiate the accusa- ing my best to represent the The operations against the leged links to the drug trade tions, included the names Philippines in weightlifting,” three suspected members of the — have ended up dead or in of opposition politicians, an she wrote, as she prepares for Daulah Islamiyah Ranao group jail. exiled communist guerrilla the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. were conducted after weeks of The claim targeting leader, journalists and oth- Last week Duterte’s surveillance, said police Lieu- weightlifting star Hidilyn ers. spokesman Salvador Panelo tenant Colonel Arnold Thomas Diaz surfaced in the clos- They were released in the put out another chart of op- Ibay. The arrests came as the ing days of the campaigning closing days of a legislative position leaders and Filipino military went on red alert na- in midterm elections, which election campaign thick with journalists he said were plot- tionwide ahead of senatorial and have been marked by flying flying accusations, including ting to unseat him. local elections on May 13, but accusations. allegations Duterte’s family Panelo avoided issuing an authorities did not link the cap- “I am shocked. I am con- is tied to the drug trade. apology to Diaz yesterday, ture to the polls. cerned for my security as well The president has found but he minimised her inclu- The armed forces said they as that of my parents,” said international notoriety for sion on the chart and blamed had assigned 98,000 soldiers Diaz, who became her coun- his crackdown on narcotics the media. to help secure the elections, the try’s most successful female in which police have killed “There has been a wrong bulk of whom would be assigned athlete when she won a silver thousands of alleged dealers analysis of the diagram by to the southern region of Mind- medal at the 2016 Rio de Ja- and users. some media outlets,” he said anao, where security concerns neiro Olympics. Those accused in the gov- in a statement, adding that include threats from communist “My mother is terrified be- ernment charts have issued led to wrong “conclusions” rebels and militants. cause (journalists) are inter- forceful denials, including by Diaz. Hidilyn Diaz: fearing safety Fugitive Daraga mayor Plan to modernise Manila Zoo surrenders to police

Manila Times in limbo over council delay Legazpi City

By William Depasupil lacking in experience in build- Metropolitan Zoo and Bo- mbattled Daraga Mayor Manila Times ing or operating a zoo. tanical, which would be given a Carlwyn Baldo fi nally sur- A company representative 25-year concession extend- Erendered yesterday after was not immediately avail- able by another 25 years, com- four days of hiding from author- P1.5bn plan to devel- able for comment, while City mitted to give Manila 1.5% of ities seeking to arrest him over op and modernise the Hall offi cials declined to issue gross revenues or 7% of net in- last year’s killing of Ako Bicol Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo. A60-year-old Manila Zoo a statement, saying Estrada come — whichever is higher — party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe. remains in limbo with the Ma- would address the issue after equivalent to an initial Accompanied by his fam- mayor in next week’s polls, was nila City Council said to be sit- the May 13 elections. P200,000 per month or ily and a lawyer, Baldo turned shot and killed on Dec 22, 2018, ting on a joint venture approved Under the joint venture deal, P2.4mn per year. himself to Regional Trial Court along with bodyguard Senior by re-electionist Mayor Joseph the fi rm and the city were to By the third year, the share Branch 10 Judge Maria Theresa Police Offi cer 1 Orlando Diaz. “Erap” Estrada. pool their interests, resources would still be 1.5% of gross rev- San Juan Loquillano at around The Ako Bikol legislator’s wid- Documents obtained by Ma- and expertise for the project, enue or 7% of net income, but in 8.30am and was subsequently ow, Gertrudes, has been named nila Times showed that a joint which would cover the more value terms higher at P500,000 committed to the Legazpi City as his replacement. venture agreement, signed in than six-hectare zoo proper and per month. The gross revenue jail two hours later. Batocabe’s eldest son, Justin, 2014 between the city — rep- the over one-hectare Dakota share would stay at 1.5% up the Loquillano had issued an ar- expressed gratitude that Baldo resented by Estrada — and Park across the street. tenth year, while the net profi t rest warrant on Monday against was fi nally behind bars. the Metropolitan Zoo and Bo- Metropolitan Zoo and Bo- share would be adjusted by one Baldo, who went into hiding de- “We understand that he sur- tanical Park Inc (referred to in tanical Park Inc was to redesign, A joint venture agreement, signed in 2014 between the city and the percentage point annually up spite insisting that he was inno- rendered to the authorities. the agreement as JV Partner), redevelop, rehabilitate, operate Metropolitan Zoo and Botanical Park Inc, had yet to be acted upon to the eighth year, by which it cent. However, this does not hide the headed by Edwin Lim, had yet and manage the Manila Zoo into by the council. would hit 12%. In value terms, Daraga police chief Lt Col fact that he evaded capture… to be acted upon by the council. a facility consistent with world- the city would continue to re- Rodelon Betita declined to pro- We think our case against him The zoo’s modernisation class standards. rights over the site, includ- The city was also expected to ceive P500,000 per month up vide more details about Baldo’s is strong and his evasion adds was supposed to be completed It would bear the entire cost ing structures, facilities and turn over a project site free and to the seventh year, rising to arrest. strength to that as fl ight is an by the end of Estrada’s fi rst of the redesign and rehabilita- premises, the wildlife and the clear of any liens, encumbranc- P600,000 for the eighth to “We cannot release any other indication of guilt,” the younger three-year term in 2016, but tion, contribute its fi nancial, fl ora and fauna within and any es, third party rights, squatters, tenth year. information because Judge Lo- Batocabe said. this did not materialise because technical capacity and manage- goodwill over the Manila Zoo tenants, sublessees and similar For the 11th to 15th years, quillano issued a gag order and Baldo has been suspended of allegedly questionable pro- rial expertise, and be the “ex- over time, plus any and all pro- obstacles. the gross revenue share would so prohibited taking pictures of from his position and is also fac- visions, a city council source clusive” development and op- prietary rights and resources City council sources said increase to 2%, while the net his surrender,” he explained. ing administrative charges fi led claimed. erations manager of the project. involved in the upkeep and op- among the provisions ques- income share would remain at Batocabe, who was running by the Department of the Inte- Metropolitan Zoo and Botan- Manila, for its part, would erations of the zoo, including its tioned were those involving the 12%, but at a higher P800,000 against Baldo for Daraga town rior and Local Government. ical Park Inc was also said to be surrender its usufructuary franchise. city’s share of revenues. per month. Dry-run for presidency? Sara revels in midterms spotlight

Reuters preliminary examination into key power-brokers together to Manila Duterte’s war on drugs, in which oust him, on the same day of his police have killed thousands of annual state of the nation ad- people. For her part, Sara has dress to Congress. Alvarez wants uring Philippine Presi- urged her supporters to stop re- to win back his seat on Monday dent Rodrigo Duterte’s ferring to her as the next presi- and declined to comment on Dfi rst two years in offi ce, dent, insisting it would put her Sara Duterte’s political infl u- his daughter Sara had barely any at the top of a “hate list” of peo- ence, or her backing of his rivals. interest in politics. ple eyeing the job. “I respect her politics,” he One year on, she is front and Her intention, she said, was said, when asked about her pres- centre in a midterm election that to help her father deliver on his idential potential. she isn’t even running in, play- agenda, and talk of succession According to some analysts, ing kingmaker for candidates was pointless until 2021. Sara’s diff erences to her father allied with her father in what’s She did not respond to ques- could broaden her appeal among being widely seen as a not-so- tions sent by Reuters to her rep- voters should she decide to run, subtle trial balloon for her own resentatives. allowing her to tap into groups presidential run in 2022. Her appeal is that she has the alienated by his administration’s Monday’s elections are to a same tough, no-nonsense ap- perceived adversarial approach great extent a referendum on the proach that makes her father a to civil society, the media and Duterte administration, testing hit among millions, but she is by the intelligentsia. his popularity and giving him no means his lackey. “I like the way she’s balanc- a chance to tighten his grip on She has been seen in public ing out things when she openly power by retaining his Congres- Sara Duterte (centre), Davao City Mayor and daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte, poses with senatorial candidates of regional political sharing lunch with opposition contradicts blatantly ridiculous sional majority, and keeping the party Hugpong Ng Pagbabago (HNP) during a campaign caravan in Davao City, southern Philippines. leader Leni Robredo, whose par- stuff that comes out of the ad- opposition on the fringes of the ty the president despises. ministration,” said Alan German, all-important Senate for the re- a national personality. What’s of Davao City and has become banners carrying an image of ther’s legacy and insulate him She has openly disagreed with a political campaign strategist at mainder of his term. happening today is her testing hugely popular there. herself twice the size of those of from political vendettas and her father and some of his poli- Agents International in Manila. Sara Duterte opted out of run- the water,” said Ramon Casiple, She is also no stranger to the candidates she is promoting. what he has described as a “pat- cies — though voiced support “She’s playing both side of the ning for the Senate, choosing who heads the Institute for Po- presidential events and over- Talk of succeeding President tern of imprisonment” of former for his war on drugs — and has fi eld. On the one hand she’s got instead to manage the campaign litical and Electoral Reform. seas trips, serving as fi rst lady Duterte in 2022 has dampened Philippine presidents. publicly insulted some of his in- the Duterte supporters, obvi- of some of her father’s loyalists, “Her image is being looked because of her father’s annulled concern among his critics that Some critics even suggest a ner circle. ously because of her last name which experts say will boost her into, how people accept her. She marriage. he might try to cling to power family succession would pro- She has also demonstrated and who she is, and on the other political capital and build alli- has her own personality. She’s The 40-year-old has spent by changing the constitution to tect Duterte, 74, from a possible that she’s not to be crossed. hand, she’s trying to woo these ances that could come in handy not being looked at as a carbon the past three months on a cam- remove the single-term limit for International Criminal Court She once punched a court sway guys who think ‘it won’t be ahead of the next presidential copy of her father.” paign that has included touring presidents. (ICC) indictment for crimes sheriff in the face, and her dis- so bad if it’s Sara’,” he said. election. Sara Duterte reluctantly took on a 900cc motorcycle and lead- Casiple said Sara Duterte as against humanity. dain for former house speaker “She gives you just enough to “She’s projecting herself as over from her father as mayor ing big rallies with billboards and president could protect her fa- The ICC last year launched a Pantaleon Alvarez saw her bring think, OK she’s not a lapdog.” Gulf Times 14 Saturday, May 11, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor Indian politicians don’t K T Chacko Production Editor Amjad Khan walk the talk on women P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] By Roli Srivastava 44350478 (News), Mumbai 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) he men contesting India’s general election are vying for 44350474 women voters but the paltry facebook.com/gulftimes Tnumber of female candidates shows the battle women face in Indian twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar politics — as in so much else in Indian life. When not trading barbs, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his arch political rival Rahul Gandhi have GULF TIMES both promised a safer life and new opportunities to the women who form almost half of the Indian electorate. Yet the female reality looks far less rosy. Teachers with guns Women in India earn less, learn less, live poorer, marry younger and risk sexual violence from molestation to rape. will make schools in Given this, their lot in politics is no big surprise. “There is no truer refl ection of the reality of Indian society than politics. US even less safe Women are discriminated against from birth to marriage to death,” said Tara Krishnaswamy of Shakti, an The shooting in a Colorado school on Tuesday, that left a organisation campaigning for more student dead and eight wounded, follows a series of deadly women in parliament. gun incidents at schools across the US, and comes amid “Both economics and social order is heated debate on gun control measures in the country. dominated by men and so is political Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Indian political leader and the Congress party general secretary for eastern Uttar Pradesh, is One of the suggestions to prevent gun violence at schools is representation,” she said. showered in petals during an election roadshow rally in New Delhi on May 8, 2019. to allow teachers to bring guns to school in the United States. Modi and Gandhi both hope that by With any luck – and training, and an aim that’s true – an promising women a better tomorrow, was on the BJP’s selection committee. “Women are voting in large numbers, Trinamool Congress, fi elded three female they will win votes in today’s elections, Of the 437 candidates fi elded by they are becoming an election issue, actors to a nation mad on movies. armed teacher might, might, take down an active shooter in which began on April 11 and end on May Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), 50 they are a vote bank,” said senior The sprinkling of stardust creates an the classroom or corridor. 19, with results due four days later. are women; Gandhi’s Congress party Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury, illusion there are more women running, But luck should play no role when it comes to allowing India was one of the fi rst — of few — has 46 women out of 421 candidates, who has been a member of both the said Krishnaswamy of Shakti, but teachers to bring guns to school. Too many Republicans in the countries to have a female head of state, according to party data. lower and upper house of the Indian political parties denied this was their Florida Legislature are convinced that this is the best way to yet female participation in politics Yet women are key to the work force parliament. intention. prevent mass shootings like the horror last year at Marjory remains stubbornly low more than fi ve and economic success, according to the Then what holds parties back from “We have fi elded women doctors, Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, in which 17 decades after Indira Gandhi became its World Economic Forum, which ranked fi elding more women? (a) lawyer and an investment banker, people died – 14 students and three adults. fi rst prime minister. India at 108 out of 149 countries in its “Men,” said Chowdhury. but the media is only interested in the But law-enforcement organisations, teachers groups, India has since had a woman president, Global Gender Gap report of 2018. “There is male bonding across party actors,” said Derek O’Brien, a lawmaker and major political parties have women “Political parties say they are not lines. The sure-winning seats go to from the Trinamool Congress. advocates for sensible gun laws and students who survived bosses who are giving Modi a tough able to fi nd women candidates. It is men, (candidates for) doubtful ones are Actor-politicians say voters are no the mass shooting at Stoneman Douglas disagree. fi ght this election, but the gender ratio untrue. They just think men make decided on caste and the losing seats go longer star struck. These are the people lower down the ranks remains massively better candidates,” said Krishnaswamy, to women.” Khushbu Sundar, an actor whose fans to whom Governor Ron skewed in favour of men. who co-founded Shakti — which means Chowdhury, often described as a built a temple for her in southern India, “The more DeSantis should listen. If For despite the assiduous courtship strength in Hindi — last December. fi rebrand politician, said that despite recalled that when she joined politics he does, he will veto the of women voters, the parties vying for Standing at number 150, India ranks winning the backing of her party’s top about a decade ago, people gathered at guns that are dangerously misbegotten power share a shaky record when it lower than neighbouring Bangladesh brass, local leadership was reluctant to her rallies just for a glimpse. legislation lawmakers comes to promoting women as potential and Pakistan in its number of women campaign for her. “They now wait for me to say coming into the beholden to the National fellow leaders. parliamentarians. Indian election campaigns are ‘vannakam (greeting in Tamil), I’ll see Only 527 women are contesting According to the United Nations, only extravagant, long events with road you next time’ and then leave,” said Rifl e Association (NRA) equation, the this election out of 6,046 candidates, 24% of all national parliamentarians shows and rallies organised on massive Sundar, a national spokeswoman for pushed through this according to data compiled by electoral were women as of November 2018, up playgrounds, and multiple vehicles used Congress party. more volatility session. watchdog Association for Democratic from 11.3% in 1995. to mobilise and bring people to attend “That is a big shift in the way the Legislators ignored Reforms. About 432mn of India’s 900mn speeches of leaders. electorate views a woman candidate or and the more the concerns of law “The numbers appear small. Parties voters are female and they are a key The local party cadre plays a key campaigner.” enforcement. According to don’t think women can contest since focus of the men competing for power. role in connecting the electorate with Political leaders said there is a shift risk there is Everytown for Gun Safety, men have been around in politics for Major parties have vowed in their candidates, who may not necessarily in the way women are perceived even the Major Cities Chiefs years and women have to be prepared manifestos to improve women’s be local. within their own parties, and that of somebody Association, among others, for the role. I don’t agree,” said Vijaya participation in the work force, “Women candidates don’t get the candidate selection is rooted in merit with the BJP promising to set aside money they should for campaigning. and potential reach. which represents 75 police Rahatkar, national president of BJP’s getting hurt” women’s wing. parliamentary seats and the Congress No big leaders campaign for them and “I can connect more with women, departments in large cities Rahatkar, however, listed her party’s promising a quota for women in there is no mobilising on the ground,” their families. People like it when I in the United States and women-centric achievements — such government jobs. said journalist Geeta Seshu, who has hold their children,” said Poonam Canada, says that, “The more guns that are coming into the as having six female cabinet ministers Congress party has also promised to tracked candidates and writes regularly Mahajan of BJP, who comes from a equation, the more volatility and the more risk there is of out of a total 27 — and a commitment to set up a separate agency to investigate on women’s rights. politically influential family and is somebody getting hurt.” Including accidental discharges. reserve one in three places for women crimes against women, with more rape What the parties lack in numbers, contesting her second parliamentary It’s telling that the FBI found that in 250 active-shooter in parliament if the BJP forms the cases now being reported following they make up for with star power. election. incidents, armed civilians successfully intervened only seven government again. 2012’s gang rape of a young woman in In Mumbai, Congress fi elded “Women candidates are more times, while unarmed civilians successfully intervened in 22 “I believe we are ready. There are a Delhi bus that created shock waves Bollywood actor Urmila Matondkar, approachable,” she said. — Thomson while a West Bengal party, the All India such incidents. What happens when scared and screaming many good women,” said Rahatkar, who worldwide. Reuters Foundation students come between a gunman and a rattled teacher with a gun? They ignored teachers. The American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association are clear: “Lawmakers at every level of government should dismiss this dangerous idea and instead focus on measures that will create the safe and supportive learning environments our children deserve.” They ignored Stoneman Douglas students. And they Don’t fear the Euroskeptics ignored a Democratic colleague who pointedly and passionately spoke for millions of African-American students this would have been equivalent to full their demands to leave the euro or the the EU’s role in it. Such a vision is unlikely and their families. Studies make clear that black students are By Daniel Gros Brussels membership. EU. to emerge. The key steps in recent years punished – arrested, suspended, expelled – more harshly that Back in 1979, the strongest We should therefore not regard toward further EU integration – including their white classmates for the same misbehaviour. It’s called Euroskeptic parties were on the left. Euroskeptic parties’ current strength the establishment of the European the “school to prison” pipeline with good reason. s the European Parliament They opposed the Common Market as refl ecting widespread dissatisfaction Stability Mechanism to help fi nancial State Rep. Shevrin Jones passionately and pointedly said elections draw closer, most because they disliked market forces in with what the EU is doing, or with the distressed member states, the EU’s on the House fl oor last week, African-American students, no opinion polls predict a strong general. More specifi cally, they believed state of the European economy. Rather, banking union, and the European Border doubt, will bear the brunt of this policy. Ashowing by parties that that further European integration it represents a backlash against the and Coast Guard Agency – were clearly “If cops always pull out their guns and shoot because they declare themselves Euroskeptic to would favour capitalists by lowering the recent pace of European integration. necessary, because national eff orts in varying degrees. But their likely success trade barriers that had been erected to Europe’s various crises over the past these areas had not worked. Tellingly, are in fear for their lives when confronting black and brown represents an unsurprising backlash protect workers. decade have led to a huge expansion even staunchly Euroskeptic parties are men, imagine that teacher with a gun who looks at who they against recent European integration, In hindsight, the left’s opposition to of the EU’s powers, and it would have not calling for these institutions to be consider a thug,” Jones told the Editorial Board. rather than opposition to the European the Common Market seems premature, been surprising had national politicians abolished. But the majority of Republican colleagues swatted down an Union itself. given that member states’ trade, not objected to such a large transfer of Euroskeptics make vague claims that amendment Jones sought to add to the misguided legislation. After all, Euroskeptic or “Euro- although increasing, then accounted for sovereignty. Europe is not working, and that only The amendment would have required valuable implicit-bias hostile” parties are nothing new. They a much smaller proportion of national Similarly, the United States is the they can defend the interests of their training for teachers who sign up to carry a weapon. “All of also had a large presence in the fi rst income. At the time, the ratio of exports result of a long process of integration, national electorates. But in practice, it us have a bias,” Jones said. “Teachers have to understand that directly elected European Parliament to GDP was below 20% for most of marked by a constant debate about the has been impossible to translate this however they see one community, they have to be careful how back in 1979, when the EU was known the larger EEC members, compared extent of states’ rights and the remit of “my country fi rst” into coherent policy as the European Economic Community to nearly 50% today. But the trend the federal government. The US Federal within the European Parliament – not they see an individual from that community.” (EEC) – or the “Common Market” – toward more economic integration Reserve, for example, was established least because most of what the EU and consisted of only nine member was already clear, and West European only after more than a century of does benefi t member states. Moreover, states. communists and hardline socialists frequent banking crises. Euroskeptic parties fi nd it diffi cult to To Advertise In addition to being far smaller than were fundamentally opposed to it. Political forces that question the forge coalitions. Northern European today’s 28-member EU, the EEC did The current rise of Euroskeptic current speed of European integration populists, for example, would like to [email protected] much less. Even calling it a common parties, meanwhile, comes at a time are part of a healthy democratic stop all assistance to the EU’s periphery, Display market now seems an exaggeration, when the EU is more popular than process. In fact, one could even argue whereas their Southern European because member states had agreed only ever, according to opinion polls. that the Euroskeptic parties are counterparts think they are not getting 44466621 44418811 on a customs union with a common This is mainly because the fl ows of more honest than their mainstream enough support. external tariff and external trade asylum seekers have been brought counterparts. After all, despite It seems that Europeans now love Classified policy. Within the EEC, there were still under control, and because Europe’s their pro-European rhetoric, once both the EU and populists. Instead 44466609 44418811 customs checks on goods and passport economy is doing better than it has mainstream parties come to power of bemoaning this fact, much less controls, and many member states for a long time, with unemployment at the national level, they, too, are viewing it as a threat, pro-Europeans Subscription prohibited capital exports. down to the lowest level this century. extremely reluctant to transfer any should seize the opportunity to start a It is testimony to the strides that As a result, even the most Euroskeptic sovereignty to EU institutions. necessary debate about the continent’s [email protected] European integration has made since politicians have backpedaled on The real test will come after this future. – Project Syndicate then that one of the options for a post- their opposition to “Brussels.” And in month’s elections, when the Euroskeptic Brexit United Kingdom is to remain in Sweden, France, and Italy, the main parties will have to articulate an Daniel Gros is Director of the Center © 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved the EU’s customs union. Fifty years ago, Euroskeptic parties have abandoned alternative coherent vision of Europe and for European Policy Studies. Gulf Times Saturday, May 11, 2019 15 COMMENT North Korea tests showcase growing capability

Reuters strike in South Korea.” weapon that would likely violate Seoul The US and South Korean United Nations Security Council responses to the launches have resolutions. been muted, with US President “Given its low altitude, more orth Korea’s sec- Donald Trump and other offi cials careful analysis is required,” said ond missile test on emphasising the missiles are ruling party lawmaker Ahn Gyu- Thursday signals it is not the large, intercontinental baek, citing military offi cials. Nserious about devel- ballistic missiles (ICBMs) “One should also be careful to oping new, short-range weapons capable of reaching the United not aggravate the situation with that could be used early and States. hasty actions.” eff ectively in any war with South But analysts said the military Ahn said South Korean Korea and the United States, applications of the new missiles military offi cials had assessed analysts studying images of the should not be underestimated. a number of potential political latest launches say. “The Trump administration motives behind the missile Last week, North Korean keeps downplaying these launches. leader Kim Jong-un oversaw missiles because they are not Those included increasing the fi rst fl ight of a previously ICBMs, but even though they pressure for sanctions relief, untested weapon — a relatively can’t reach the US mainland, it’s and protesting Seoul’s military small, fast missile experts believe missiles like these that will start buildup including the purchase will be easier to hide, launch, and the war,” said Melissa Hanham, a of new F-35 fi ghter aircraft as manoeuvre in fl ight. weapons expert at Datayo, which well as joint military drills by the Photos released by state media tracks international security United States and South Korea, yesterday showed Thursday’s threats. which North Korea complained test involved the same weapon. “They are small, easy to hide, about in statements defending The tests have increased easy to manoeuvre and you can’t the tests. tensions after the last US- tell what kind of warhead they The tests also likely held a North Korea summit collapsed are carrying. They could carry a message for domestic audiences in February in Hanoi with no nuclear weapon.” designed to boost support for agreement over Pyongyang’s In a preliminary report on Kim’s government, he said. nuclear weapons and ballistic Wednesday, the North Korea “The Kim regime is missile programme. tracking website 38 North said determined to fi ght pressure South Korean President Moon the new missile looks similar to with pressure,” said Leif-Eric Jae-in said late on Thursday the Russia’s SS-26 Iskander missile, Easley, a professor at Ewha launches seemed like a protest and could exploit gaps in South University in Seoul. “It is over the failed summit, while Korean and American missile threatening to raise regional North Korea has defended defence coverage. tensions and create political the tests as routine and self The United States and South problems for Moon and defensive. Korea fi eld Patriot and THAAD People watch a television news programme showing a picture of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, at a railway station in Seoul on May Trump if not off ered economic Some analysts say the multiple missile batteries designed to 9. North Korea welcomed a US envoy’s visit to Seoul by firing at least one projectile for the second time in just six days on May 9, the concessions it failed to win in tests show the missiles aren’t shoot down various ballistic South’s military said, as Pyongyang seeks to up the ante in deadlocked nuclear negotiations with Washington. Hanoi.” only for political show. and cruise missiles, but their While Kim may not return “This second test solidifi es capabilities have been disputed. defeat missile defences and While Saturday’s missile was “This seems to be their only tense situation, Hanham said. to launching ICBMs or testing that these launches are not While the origin of the North aircraft hunting the launcher,” fi red from a transporter erector mass-production option for “If North Korea pulls out nuclear weapons immediately, he just to stir the pot and elicit Korean missile remains unclear, said Jeff rey Lewis of CNS. launcher (TEL) vehicle with highly capable TELs at the (an ICBM) everyone knows it’ll may seek other provocative ways a US response to resume a team of analysts at CNS Michael Duitsman, a rocket wheels, Thursday’s test featured moment,” he said. be launched with a nuke,” she to break the stalemate, Pollack negotiations,” said Grace Liu, told Reuters that Thursday’s propulsion expert with the a tracked vehicle. The missile uses solid fuel, said.”These little missiles you said. one of a team of missile experts test confi rmed the missile is team, said North Korean state Use of a tracked vehicle, which which allows the weapon to be don’t know, so it’s hard to be “Kim Jong-un has given the at the James Martin Center capable of manoeuvring to elude media photos of the launch show North Korea has more experience easily moved and fi red more prepared.” United States until the end of for Nonproliferation Studies defences and protect its launch likely thrust vanes and steerable building, suggests it may plan quickly than those using liquid The new weapon’s the year to rethink its approach,” (CNS) in California. “They are crew from detection. fi ns that guide the missile to deploy a large number of the fuel, analysts said. manoeuvrability and low fl ying he said. “But if they don’t get a developing a reliable, operable “You can tell from the with precision and allow it to missiles and launchers, said In the end, the new has led some South Korean meaningful response to these missile that can defeat missile low apogee that this missile manoeuvre through much of its Joshua Pollack, editor of The missiles add a new level of offi cials to hesitate to label the tests, maybe they’ll try to push defences and conduct a precision manoeuvres a bit in boost to fl ight. Nonproliferation Review. unpredictability to an already weapon a “ballistic missile,” a the envelope further.” LEGAL HELPLINE Three-day forecast

TODAY Maximum Temperature : 390c Travel time cannot be included in working hours Minimum Temperature : 290c SUNDAY every shareholder has the right four months, am I responsible recent judgment did not get updated. Maximum Temperature : 360c By Dr Nizar Kochery Minimum Temperature : 280c Doha to attend the General Assembly for repairing such major defects? Later I found that there are clerical regardless of the number of shares Please advise. errors in the judgment. So, in such case, MONDAY owned by him and by virtue of a for correcting the judgment, do I need Maximum Temperature : 380c Question: We are working in a particular authorisation (special DJ, Doha to fi le a new case and will it take much Minimum Temperature : 290c contracting company and our power of attorney), he may authorise time as the fi rst case? Please advise. Fisherman's forecast accommodation is far from the another partner other than the Answer: According to Article 604 of work site. We have to leave the manager to represent in the General the civil law, where a latent defect is CF, Doha WARNING camp early in the morning to Assembly. Every shareholder shall found in the leased property, which Inshore : Nil reach the site and we get back late have a number of votes equivalent the landlord knew or should have Answer: According to Article 242 of Offshore : Expected strong wind in the night. The company has to the number of shares he owns or known about upon a reasonable Criminal Procedure Code, if a material & high sea by after- agreed to pay for the overtime. represents. inspection, the tenant may demand mistake occurs in a judgment or a noon But, we are spending almost 14 that the defect be repaired by the decision, the court which issued the WEATHER hours, including travel time. landlord or he may repair such defect judgment or decision shall undertake Inshore : Hot daytime & slight Can we include the travel time in Defect in leased personally at the cost of the landlord. the correction of such a mistake dust with scattered clouds calculating working hours? As per property automatically or upon the request Offshore : Slight dust with scat- law, is it allowed to work so long of one of the litigants, after being tered clouds to partly hours? What is the provision in Correcting mistakes summoned. Such mistakes do not cloudy later law? Please advise. Question: We are in a leased imply the invalidity of the judgment. in judgements WIND premises from the beginning of Correction is made without a pleading Inshore : Northwesterly-North- LS, Doha this year and our lease contract is after hearing the litigants. The issued easterly 05-15/20 KT Offshrore : Northwesterly 08-18/25 signed for a period of two years. Question: I have received a judgment correction shall be indicated in the KT Answer: As per Article 73 of Labour Recently, I have noticed a defect in in my favour from the criminal court margin of the judgment or decision. law, the maximum working hours the roofi ng of the building through discharging me from the charges. Visibility : 4 -8 KM shall be 48 hours per week at the rate which water is leaking. As I am I have checked with the execution z Please send your questions to Offshore : 3-5/8 FT 8 hours per day with the exception occupying the premises for last department and in their records the [email protected] Around the region of the month of Ramadan when the Weather maximum working hours shall be Weather tomorrow Max/min 36 hours per month at the rate of today Max/min LEGAL SYSTEM IN QATAR Baghdad Sunny 33/18 Sunny 36/21 six hours per day. Break time shall P Cloudy 37/26 not be taken into consideration Kuwait CitySunny 36/25 Manama M Sunny Cloudy 32/28 in calculating the working hours. According to Article 333 of Criminal sentence and the accusation on which 32/27 Muscat Sunny M Sunny 38/30 Any extra time should be treated Procedure Code, ambiguity in execu- the judgment is based, and the Public 37/31 Tehran Sunny Sunny 31/18 as overtime and maximum work a tion of the criminal judgment shall be Prosecution’s request for execu- 28/17 day, including overtime, shall not submitted to the court which issued tion. This should be at the place of exceed 10 hours. The time spent by such judgment. the execution under hearing of the the worker in transportation to and The ambiguity shall be decided after attendees. If the convicted person from the place of work and residence hearing testimony of the Public wishes to make any statement, the of the worker shall not form part of Prosecution and the person fi ling the chief of the Public Prosecution shall the working hours. As per Article ambiguity. The court may carry out execute a minute to that eff ect. 74, the workers may be required to the investigations, if necessary and The death penalty shall not be ex- work additional hours provided that judges the ambiguity by accepting ecuted on offi cial festival days or the the actual working hours per day it and suspending execution or by festival days concerning the religion shall not exceed ten hours unless the dismissing it and proceeding with the of the convicted person. work is necessary for the prevention execution. The judgment dismissing According to Article 345, the death of gross loss or dangerous accident the ambiguity shall not be appealable. sentence shall be suspended for a or for the repair or alleviation of As per Article 337, confl ict concerning pregnant woman until she deliv- the consequences of the said loss or the identity of the convicted person ers her child. If she delivers it alive accident. shall be considered as ambiguity, and and the death penalty is a retalia- Around the world shall be decided. tory punishment or a hadd (Qur’anic Weather Weather The convicted person who is sen- prescribed punishment), execution of today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Issuing special tenced to death shall be imprisoned the judgment shall be postponed for Athens M Sunny 23/13 M Sunny 23/14 power of attorney according to an order issued by the two years after the child’s birth or the Beirut P Cloudy 22/19 Sunny 26/20 Public Prosecution on the form de- issued judgment and by virtue of a death sentence may be replaced by life Bangkok S T Storms 34/27 S T Storms 34/27 cided by the Public Prosecutor, until written request for execution from imprisonment. Berlin Cloudy 16/07 Cloudy 16/04 Question: I am holding shares execution of the judgment. the Public Prosecutor, wherein the The body of the executed person Cairo Sunny 34/21 Sunny 36/19 in a trading company in Qatar. According to Article 340, whenever fulfi lment of the procedure provided shall be delivered to relatives, upon Cape Town P Cloudy 24/12 Cloudy 21/14 A few months back I resigned the death penalty judgment becomes for in Article 340 of this Law. request, otherwise the administra- Colombo M Sunny 31/27 S T Storms 30/27 my job and I left Qatar because conclusive, the Public Prosecutor The execution shall be in the pres- tion of the prison shall undertake its Dhaka P Cloudy 36/28 P Cloudy 35/27 of some personal issues. Now I shall submit the papers of the action, ence of one of the Public Prosecu- burial. Hong Kong P Cloudy 25/22 P Cloudy 25/22 could not travel back to Qatar. without delay, to the Emir for ap- tion chiefs, a representative from the As per Article 347, custodial penalties Istanbul S T Storms 19/12 P Cloudy 22/13 In my company, there are proval, and the judgment shall not be prisons’ administration, the person in shall be enforced by virtue of an order Jakarta S T Storms 32/26 T Storm 32/25 some issues and they need my executed before that time. charge of the prison administration, issued from the Public Prosecution, Karachi P Cloudy 33/26 Sunny 33/27 authorisation to sign on my Relatives of the convicted person the prison physician and a religious on the allocated form, at the places London Showers 14/06 M Cloudy 17/06 behalf for meetings. In such case, sentenced to death may meet him preacher. Persons other than those allocated for imprisonment. Manila T Storm 32/27 S T Storms 33/27 how can we give authorisation in the day prior to the execution. If mentioned above may attend the The day on which enforcement com- Moscow P Cloudy 21/11 M Cloudy 23/13 to someone for attending the the religion of the convicted person execution with a private permission mences shall be deducted from the New Delhi M Sunny 41/27 P Cloudy 41/27 meetings? What is the provision imposes upon him any of the religious from the Public Prosecution. The at- penalty term and convicted is released New York M Cloudy 20/11 Rain 12/09 as per the company law in Qatar? rituals or duties before death, then torney of the convicted person should on the day that follows the end of the Paris Rain 15/05 M Sunny 16/06 Please advise. the possible facilitations should be always be permitted to attend if he so penalty on the time determined for Sao Paulo Cloudy 29/19 S T Storms 28/19 provided. requests. release. Seoul M Sunny 28/11 P Cloudy 29/14 SJ, Doha As per Article 342, the death penalty The person in charge of the prison All the criminal penalties and proce- Singapore T Storm 31/27 S T Storms 32/27 shall be executed by hanging or by administration shall read out the text dures that can be enforced by a judg- Sydney Cloudy 20/11 Sunny 19/11 Answer: According to the Article shooting to death, pursuant to the of the judgment issuing the death ment in absentia shall be enforced. Tokyo Clear 27/15 Clear 23/14 252 of Commercial Companies Law, Gulf Times 16 Saturday, May 11, 2019 QATAR

Indoor Cricket League tournament inaugurated

As part of Qatar-India Year of Culture celebrations, the Ministry of Culture and Sports, Qatar Museums and Qatar Foundation, together with One FM, is hosting Qatar’s first ever Indoor Cricket League. The opening ceremony took place yesterday at Lusail Indoor Arena. Indian ambassador P Kumaran and Qatar Museums acting CEO Ahmad al-Namla inaugurated the tournament in the presence of other dignitaries. The Indoor Cricket League 2019 runs until May 25. PICTURES: Jayan Orma Qeeri holds fi rst Science Majlis of ’19 he Qatar Environment and ity. The event provides a platform about science, and raise aware- Energy Research Institute for experts from Qeeri and mem- ness about the energy, water and T(Qeeri), at Hamad Bin Kha- bers of the community in Qatar to environment challenges in Qatar. lifa University (HBKU), recently engage in informal discussions on The event also enables our sci- hosted the fi rst in a series of three energy, water and environment entists to gain the public’s per- Science Majlis initiatives, as part topics relevant to the country. spective and nurture a research of its 2019 community outreach The Science Majlis is designed culture in the country.” initiative to promote greater to actively engage attendees of all Ayoub said: “I fi nd it to be a awareness about its research ages, by off ering them an insight personally rewarding experience, projects. into the research carried out at and especially so when I receive The Science Majlis, which in- Qeeri, making it more accessible thought-provoking questions cluded young students, featured and better understood. from our youngsters. Improving a talk by Mohamed Ayoub, acting Dr Marc Vermeersch, executive air quality is a community eff ort Qeeri’s first Science Majlis in session. senior research director at Qeeri’s director at Qeeri, said: “Com- that requires transparency and Environment and Sustainability munity outreach and student en- constant communication be- working on a project on air quality the fi eld and having the opportu- related research. The fi nal event processes and materials. Since its Center. gagement are crucial to the work tween research, policymakers and at school and the Science Majlis nity to engage in key topics helped in the series will focus on Qeeri’s establishment, Qeeri has played He discussed air quality in Qa- we do at Qeeri. Through activities impacted communities.” has been extremely helpful. It is us to gain a better understanding water research. an instrumental role in support- tar, including the composition such as the Science Majlis, we aim Rami Ayeche, one of the stu- great to learn about the scien- of air quality research in Doha.” The institute is home to four ing Qatar’s policymaking eff orts, of the air in Doha on an average to contribute towards scientifi c dents who attended the event, tifi c research that is undertaken at Qeeri is to host the next Science centres, each tackling the areas of and conducting groundbreaking day, and how recent sandstorms literacy and capacity building, en- found the Science Majlis to be Qeeri. Listening to the scientist’s Majlis in September 2019, featur- water, energy, environment and research that benefi ts society and and rain have impacted air qual- gage the community in dialogue educational. “My friend and I are fi rsthand experience working in ing a discussion on its energy- sustainability, and computational the region. Arab communities back Silatech’s eff orts to create jobs

number of Arab communities recent- ly participated in Silatech’s cultural Aevent for fundraising at Mall of Qatar, supporting Silatech’s endeavours to create job opportunities for youth. The Sudanese, Tunisian and Moroccan communities pre- sented “outstanding performances that re- fl ected the cultural heritage of each of these countries”, Silatech said in a press statement. Sudanese band Al Msiriya entertained the audience with some dance performances re- fl ecting the heritage, traditions and cultural diversity of Sudan. Al Msiriya is one of the ancient tribes of the Kurdufan region. The Moroccan community participated in the event with folkloric and traditional per- formances. On the fi rst day, two children’s bands performed some Moroccan traditional songs, while on the second day a men’s band performed a traditional Tamazight dance called Ahwash. Children from the Tunisian School in Doha represented the Tunisian commu- nity at the event, performing some tradi- tional songs and conducting a fashion show of dresses from the North African coun- try. “This remarkable participation of Arab A children’s competition was held on the occasion. The Moroccan band performing at the event. communities in Doha comes in support of Silatech’s eff orts to create jobs for youth in these countries and others as well,” the statement notes. Silatech started working in Sudan in 2015 and has partnered with various local and in- ternational institutions and organisations. These partnerships have resulted in the cre- ation of 496,472 job opportunities for youth. Morocco was one of the fi rst countries of Silatech’s operations, as the organisations started its projects there in 2008, imple- menting various training and employment programmes with its partners. These pro- grammes and partnerships have resulted in the creation of 223,300 job opportunities for youth. In Tunisia, Silatech — with its various partners — has succeeded in creating 297,511 jobs opportunities for youth since 2012 by providing the youth with the necessary em- powerment and capacity-building skills for work. Based on these successes, this cultural event aimed to mobilise donations to achieve Silatech’s goal of providing 5mn jobs for youth by 2022, the statement added. The Sudanese band entertaining the audience. Children from the Tunisian School in Doha performing at the event.