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THURSDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10464 May 25, 2017 Sha’baan 29, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir honours US envoy

In brief Qatar to track

QATAR | Phone call down, prosecute Emir in talks with Kuwaiti leader HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held a telephone conversation yesterday evening with the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh hackers of QNA Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al- Sabah. During the phone call, they atar will investigate and pros- was hacked and false statements were Tweeter, Facebook and others). reviewed the consolidated fraternal ecute those responsible for attributed to HH the Emir. During the temporary suspension, ties between the two brotherly Qthe hacking of Qatar News The MoFA offi cial pointed out that QNA said it will continue to provide countries, and ways to boost them Agency’s (QNA) website, an offi cial at a team has been created to investigate its services to subscribers only. and discussed a number of issues of the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs (MoFA) the criminal act of hacking the web- “This precautionary measure came mutual interest. said yesterday. site. “Several brotherly and friendly after QNA website and its social net- QNA’s website was hacked at countries expressed their willingness working platforms were hacked by un- BRITAIN | Manchester attack 12:14am yesterday, with hackers pub- to participate in the investigation, as known entities and false fabricated news HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received the outgoing US lishing false statements attributed to part of the framework of international were published over the past hours. UK, Libya make ambassador to Qatar, Dana Shell Smith, at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. The Emir HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- collaboration in cyber crimes.” “The suspension was also within terror arrests presented the US ambassador the Al Wajbah Medal as his appreciation for her mad al-Thani. Stressing that Qatar will take all the eff orts to allow competent au- Britain raced yesterday to track eff orts and role in enhancing the relations between Qatar and the United States. The The offi cial said authorities were necessary legal measures and pro- thorities in the State of Qatar to inves- down a militant network suspected Emir wished the ambassador success in her future mission. Page 9 able to regain control of QNA’s web- cedures to prosecute the hackers of tigate the hacking case and to hold the of orchestrating the Manchester site four hours after the hacking took QNA’s website, the senior offi cial add- perpetrators of this act accountable.” concert attack, as the suicide place, and that they continued to ed that the government would publish QNA has apologised to the users bomber’s father and brother were counter ongoing hacking attempts of the fi ndings of the investigation as of the website for the temporary sus- arrested in Libya and grisly details QNA’s social media accounts. soon as it was complete. pension, and pledged that its serv- emerged of how he killed young “It is clear this shameful cyber crime According to Reuters, the hackers ices through the website and the social pop fans. British soldiers fanned out Windy and dusty today was instigated and perpetrated with attributed the false news to a “speech networking platforms would be re- to guard key sites as investigators malicious intent,” the offi cial said. made by the Emir at a military gradu- stored as soon as possible. tried to piece together the last trong winds are expected in most advised people to be cautious and avoid He also said that Qatar was sur- ation ceremony”, but a government The hacking happened days after movements of bomber Salman places today along with poor vis- venturing into the sea during this pe- prised by the stance of some media spokesman told the news agency HH Qatar complained it was the victim Abedi, a Manchester-born university Sibility due to dust, the Qatar Met riod. outlets and TV channels which con- the Emir had not made any comments of an orchestrated smear campaign in dropout who died in Monday’s department has said. Today, it will be hot during the day in tinued to publish and comment on at the programme for Qataris doing sections of the media, in the run-up to explosion. Abedi’s bomb killed 22 Off shore areas, too, are likely to see inshore areas and slight to blowing dust the false statements, despite them national service. US President Donald Trump’s visit to people, one of whom was just eight- windy conditions and high seas today. is expected in some places at times. having been denied by HE Sheikh Saif Following the hacking QNA has Saudi Arabia. These critics had alleged years-old. Page 20 In a report yesterday, the Met de- Off shore, dusty conditions and some bin Ahmed al-Thani, Director of the decided to temporarily suspend that Qatar supported militant groups partment said the marine warning clouds are likely, with the sea level ris- Government Communications Offi ce the services of its official website in the Middle East, a charge which would come into eff ect this afternoon ing to 12ft at times. The wind speed in a statement yesterday. The state- as well as its accounts on social Doha denounced as “absolutely and and continue until the end of Friday. It may reach a high of 35 knots. ment explained that QNA’s website networking platforms (Instagram, unequivocally false”. Move to regulate higher education aff airs he Cabinet has given its nod to a higher education, proposals for the with government and non-government ment Authority and Qatar Petroleum. Promotion and Protection of Mutual draft law that seeks to regulate establishment of government institu- entities are carried out. The committee shall be responsible Investments between the governments Tthe work of higher education in- tions and programmes in accordance Such a person has to submit his/her for examining fi nancing strategies and of Qatar and the Philippines. stitutions in Qatar and determine the with the higher education policy of the ‘national address’ to the competent plans for securing the loans required by A memorandum of understanding mechanism for obtaining necessary li- State and its needs, the standards and administrative unit at the Ministry of a number of entities, including minis- between the Foreign Ministries of Qa- cences to carry out their work. procedures for licensing private insti- Interior (MoI) in accordance with the tries, government agencies and public tar and Serbia on the establishment The draft law was prepared by the tutions as well as granting and revoca- method and period specifi ed by the bodies and institutions. It aims to avoid of political consultations on issues of Ministry of Education and Higher Edu- tion of licences for private institutions MoI. Judicial declarations and offi cial the negative eff ects of competition on common concern was ratifi ed. cation, the offi cial Qatar News Agency and their programmes, according to notifi cations delivered to the national the available liquidity to borrow from Also approved was a draft air serv- (QNA) reported yesterday. QNA. address shall be considered valid, the domestic and international fi nance ice agreement between Qatar and the Under the terms of the law, the After chairing the cabinet’s weekly report states. markets as well as monitoring existing Netherlands concerning Saint Martin. ‘Higher Education Policy Council’ meeting at Emiri Diwan yesterday, HE Last month, the Advisory Council borrowings and following up on their Further, the Cabinet reviewed a pro- headed by HE the Minister of Edu- the Deputy Prime Minister and Minis- was briefed on the report of the Inter- repayment. posal of the Foreign Ministry to amend cation and Higher Education will be ter of State for Cabinet Aff airs Ahmed nal and Foreign Aff airs Committee on In order to do so, the committee shall some of the provisions of Emiri Decree established at the ministry. It will in- bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud the draft law on ‘national address’. The undertake all necessary work to carry No 14 of 1998 on the Establishment of clude a vice-president, nine members said the Cabinet took the necessary council approved the draft law and de- out its functions, especially by deter- the Permanent Qatari Committee for with due experience and high academic measures to pass a draft law on the ‘na- cided to submit its recommendations mining the target size of loans, the time the Support of Al-Quds and took the stature with regard to higher education tional address’ after reviewing the Ad- to the Cabinet. of entry into the fi nance markets, and appropriate decision. aff airs, representatives of the ministry, visory Council’s recommendations on The Cabinet also approved a decision developing methods and establishing Also reviewed and decided was a let- and heads of state and private higher the matter. to establish the ‘Committee on Policies fi nancing conditions to ensure liquidity ter from the Ministry of Transport and education institutions. The draft law defi nes the ‘national for Financing State Projects’ headed by required to cover projects at an accept- Communication on a report on the dig- The council shall have a number of address’ as data obtained by a natural or HE the Minister of Finance, a repre- able cost. ital services provided by government functions, including the adoption of legal person - a citizen or an expatriate sentative of Qatar Central Bank and a The Cabinet also took the necessary agencies until the end of the fi rst quar- policies and strategies pertaining to - through which his/her transactions representative each from Qatar Invest- measures to ratify an agreement on the ter of 2017. MEC urges stores to maintain Ramadan price caps

he Ministry of Economy and Mart, Food World, Al Safeer and Al- milk (fresh, condensed and powdered), hygiene products and household de- violations. The MEC said it would refer complaints and suggestions through Commerce (MEC) has held a Duhail complex. dairy products, tea, coff ee products, tergents, tin foil, preservatives, tissue those who violated laws and ministerial the call centre: 16001, e-mail: info@ Tmeeting with representatives of The MEC urged all shopping malls sugar, halawa, jam, legumes, cereals, paper, and household items of all kinds. decrees to the competent authorities, mec.gov.qa, Twitter: MEC_QATAR, shopping malls and large retail outlets and retail outlets across the State to rice and its derivatives, biscuits, potato The ministry stressed that it would who would - in turn - take appropriate Instagram: MEC_QATAR, and the MEC across Qatar to discuss preparations maintain stable prices for food and chips, mineral water, fresh and canned not tolerate any violations of Law No action against the perpetrators in order application for iPhone and Android de- for Ramadan, maintain price stability non-food items and refrain from in- juices, canned food, edible and cooking 8 of 2008 on consumer protection and to protect consumer rights. vices: MEC_QATAR. and ensure that basic consumer goods creasing prices without obtaining the oil, milk, baby food, baby diapers and its regulations, and would intensify its The initiatives marking the holy - food and non-food items - are sold approval of the committee that sets sanitary napkins of all kinds, personal inspection campaigns to crack down on month of Ramadan have been designed at the same price throughout the holy price caps and profi t margins in line to cover all aspects of the ministry’s Inspection drive month. with Article 2 of Ministerial Decision activities in terms of organisation, The meeting comes after the minis- No 8 of 2013, which regulates price partnership and support, and raise The Ministry of Economy and try announced price caps on more than hikes on commodities and services. awareness on various consumer and Commerce (MEC) has announced 50,000 food and non-food products The price caps are the latest in a se- commercial topics. plans to carry out intensive inspection throughout Ramadan in its latest ini- ries of initiatives launched by the min- The MEC will also launch new initia- campaigns round the clock in the local tiative, in co-operation with shopping istry to mark the holy month under the tives aimed at bolstering partnerships market ahead of and during the holy malls and large retail outlets. theme ‘#Aqal_Min_Al_Wajeb’, Arabic between consumers and merchants month of Ramadan. The campaign will In a press statement yesterday, the for ‘#the_least_we_can_do’. The ini- such as the ‘Ataa’ - Arabic for ‘giving’ - cover all parts of Qatar and the various MEC said the list of shopping malls and tiative comes within the framework of and ‘National Product’ initiatives. commercial and service establishments large retail outlets (and their branches) the ministry’s eff orts to maintain bal- It has launched the discounted con- located around the country, the MEC includes Al Meera Consumer Goods anced and stable prices, and prevent sumer goods initiative and will unveil has said in a press statement. The Company, Carrefour Hypermarket, any unjustifi ed increases in the prices the outcome of the Al Baraka corpo- objective is to ensure their compliance LuLu Hypermarket, Family Food Cen- of commodities and consumer goods, rate social responsibility programme with the stipulations of Law No 8 of tre, Masskar Hypermarket, Qual- the statement notes. launched last year, as well as other ini- 2008 on consumer protection and Law ity Hypermarket, Safari Hypermarket, The list of capped prices covers more tiatives to regulate markets and stimu- No 5 of 2015 regarding commercial and Spinneys, Food Palace, Saudia Hyper- than 50,000 food and non-food items, late commercial sectors. industrial stores and street vendors, and market, Megamart, Al Rawabi Super- including poultry, eggs and their deriv- The ministry has urged all consum- other related ministerial regulations. market, Grand Hypermarket, Grand atives, frozen meat and its derivatives, The meeting between off icials from the MEC and retail outlets. ers to report violations by submitting

Gulf Times 8 Thursday, May 25, 2017 QATAR ‘Mobile fab lab’ to help discover

HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi Sanea Bus, the ‘mobile fab lab’. visiting the bus. talents of students anea Bus, a new initia- making and discovery and tive that is expected to provide the appropriate en- S“enrich the making vironment to execute the and discovery culture” in creative ideas of youth. Qatar, has been launched. “By having Sanea Bus, it The bus, which is de- becomes easy to organise scribed as a ‘mobile fab lab’, workshops and transfer it to contains 3D printers, mill- schools and youth clubs and ing machines, electronic create an inspirational envi- kits and other tools used in ronment for creativity and the prototyping and fabrica- innovation.” tion process. It will provide A ‘fab lab’– or fabrication interactive maker-oriented laboratory – is a small-scale educational sessions to workshop off ering digital visitors in public areas and fabrication, according to in- schools, according to a press formation available online. statement. A ‘mobile fab lab’ is a com- Sanea Bus was launched puter-controlled design and by IbTECHar Digital Solu- machining ‘fab lab’ housed tions in co-operation with in a trailer or bus. the Ministry of Education Andrew H Kershaw, pres- and Higher Education and ident and general manager Qatar Scientifi c Club (QSC), of Oxy Qatar, noted: “We are and under the sponsorship expecting that this mobile of Occidental Petroleum of workshop will take students Qatar (Oxy Qatar) and Qatar through an enriching pur- Development Bank (QDB). poseful journey of STEM The bus project falls un- (Science, Technology, En- der the Sanea initiative and gineering and Math) con- aims to “expose the com- cepts. Oxy Qatar is proud munity to the maker’s phi- to be a sponsor of this Qa- losophy by bringing the ‘fab tari educational technology lab’ to them”, the statement startup that will provide a notes. great opportunity for visi- Fawzia al-Khater, As- tors to discover fi rst-hand sistant Undersecretary of the journey of design, crea- Educational Aff airs at the tivity and production.” Ministry of Education and Ibrahim al-Mannai, ex- Higher Education, said Sa- ecutive director of Advisory nea Bus is a “meaningful Services at QDB, added: and purposeful beginning “Our sponsorship for ibTE- supporting the new direc- CHar’s Sanea Bus is a con- tion of the ministry, which tinuation of our vision to signifi cantly encourages spread the culture of entre- project-based education”. It preneurship and innova- will help discover the talents tion between students. The of students and give them a bus provides students with chance to innovate and cre- easy, mobile access to the ate values in their society. latest technological devices Hareb al-Jabri, CEO of that they may use as a tool QSC, said: “It was always to learn and bring their ideas necessary to have a mobile to us. We are confi dent that lab that can be used in dif- Sanea Bus will achieve its ferent places to contribute goal and create a change in to spreading the culture of the society.”

Exhibition by French artist ends on May 31

major exhibition by ample of our commitment the celebrated French to bring international art- Aartist JR is coming to ists and world famous works an end, with only one week to Qatar, to enrich the lives left for visitors and residents of those living and visiting to experience the show. The here. This exhibition has exhibition is on show at the undoubtedly sparked crea- QM Gallery (Building 10) in tivity amongst visitors, we Katara until May 31. therefore urge those that Organised by Qatar Mu- have not seen the show to seums (QM) under the lead- not miss the chance.” ership of its chairperson, JR is a French artist-turned HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint photographer who maintains Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, anonymity. His work com- JR – Répertoire, features bines art and engaged actions some of the key series that through large-scale outdoor have made the artist famous installations, fi lms, pho- around the world, and in- tographs and videos, using cludes a video lounge where the streetscape as his canvas selected video works can be and his inspiration, which he viewed. claims as the largest art gal- Khalid Yousef al-Ibrahim, lery in the world. chief strategic planning of- JR – Répertoire, is made fi cer at Qatar Museums in collaboration with Galerie said: “We are very proud Perrotin. to have hosted an exhibi- Entry is free. The opening tion by the internationally hours: Monday to Thurs- acclaimed artist JR and are day and Saturday – 10am to impressed by its success. JR 8pm. Friday – 3pm to 9pm. – Répertoire is another ex- Sunday is closed.

A work by the celebrated French artist JR. Gulf Times Thursday, May 25, 2017 9 QATAR

Message from French minister Official Emir honours Malaysian envoy

Emir sends cable of congratulations to president of Ertirea

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- Thani, HH the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti yesterday bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the Prime Minister received a written message from French Minister of Transport Élisabeth Borne. The and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin message was delivered by the French ambassador to Qatar Eric Chevallier during his Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani have sent cables of meeting with Minister al-Sulaiti. The meeting discussed bilateral relations between Qatar congratulations to the President of Eritrea Isaias and France in the field of transport, and means of further enhancing them. Afwerki on the anniversary of his country’s Independence Day. Prime Minister greets Somalia president arrives in Doha Algeria’s new premier

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received the outgoing Malaysian ambassador to yesterday sent a cable of congratulations to Qatar Ahmad Jazri bin Mohamed Johar at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. On the occasion, HH the Emir Abdelmadjid Tebboune, on his appointment as presented the Malaysian ambassador the Al Wajbah Medal as his appreciation for his efforts and role prime minister of Algeria. in enhancing the relations between Qatar and Malaysia.

Imported fruits and vegetables safe to consume

The Joint Committee on Human Food Control has affirmed that all imported vegetables and fruits available in Qatar are free from traces of insecticides. This was announced during a recent meeting at the headquarters of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo of Somalia arrived in Doha yesterday on a The committee highly working visit to the State of Qatar. Upon arrival at Hamad International Airport, the appreciated the competence Somali president and his accompanying delegation were greeted by HE the Minister and accuracy of the scientific of Development Planning and Statistics Dr Saleh Mohamed Salem al-Nabit, Acting and technical procedures Chargé d’Affaires of the Qatari embassy in Somalia Hassan Hamza Asad and Somalia’s followed by the control ambassador to Qatar Omar Sheikh Ali Idris. entities concerned at both MoPH and the Ministry of the Municipality and Environment (MME). The Committee also reviewed the additional precautionary measures throughout the past period after receiving news on some neighbouring countries banning the imports of some groups of imported fruits and vegetables. The Committee further reviewed the risk assessment report by the department concerned at the MoPH, which included a scientific analysis of the laboratory report on insecticides traces on all imported vegetables and fruits throughout the past five months, taking into consideration the country of origin, the type of the product and the frequency of having such traces, in addition to other important risk factors. Based on this report, a number of executive decisions have been taken to seize any consignment of imported fruits and vegetables that contains traces of insecticides that exceed the maximum allowed rates. Restrictions on movement of trucks

In order to avoid traffic congestion at peak times and for the safety of road users including pedestrians and drivers during the holy month of Ramadan, the General Directorate of Traffic has announced restrictions on the movement of trucks during the days of Ramadan. Trucks will not be allowed in the peak hours from 8am to 9.30am and between 1.30pm and 3pm. The restrictions are also applicable between 5.30pm and midnight. Gulf Times 10 Thursday, May 25 , 2017 QATAR

Emir receives credentials of new ambassadors

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received the credentials of five new ambassadors to Qatar at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. The ambassadors of Italy, Panama, Cyprus, Tanzania and Nepal – Pasquale Salzano, Oreste Del Rio Sandoval, Michaelis Rigolo, Fatma Mohamed Rajab and Ramesh Prasad Koirala, respectively – presented their credentials to HH the Emir. The new ambassadors conveyed to the Emir the greetings of their countries’ leaders. Earlier on arrival at the Emiri Diwan, the new ambassadors were accorded an official reception ceremony. HMC received 26,962 voluntary blood donors in 2016

By Joseph Varghese Staff Reporter

amad Medical Corpora- tion (HMC) had a total of H26,962 voluntary blood donors in 2016, a senior official has stated. “Additionally, throughout the year, 361 blood donation campaigns were hosted by corporate entities and organisations,” said Siddiqa Ismail al-Mahmoudi manager, HMC’s Blood Donor Centre. HMC held a special event on Tuesday night to appreciate hundreds of volunteers who do- nated their blood during 2016. The event was held under the auspices of HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mo- Some of the donors who were honoured at the event, along with HMC officials. HMC honoured several blood donors ahead of World Blood Donor Day. hamed al-Kuwari, ahead of the World Blood Donor Day (WBDD voluntarily give the gift of blood begun to activate the objectives participated in awareness cam- of the Blood Donor Centre and This year’s WBDD campaign silver sponsors: Qatar Petro- 2017) being observed worldwide for no reason other than saving and theme of WBDD within the paigns were also honoured. said: “HMC appreciates the in- with the slogan, “What can you chemical Company and Al Muf- on June 14 every year. lives. It is also intended to boost Qatari community. The recognition ceremony valuable contributions of all do? Give blood. Give now. Give tah Group, were recognised for “The culture of blood dona- awareness of safe blood and More than 200 voluntary do- coincided with the launch of a donors whose thoughtful giv- often,” focuses on blood dona- financing the blood donor rec- tion is now deeply rooted in Qa- blood products and to shed light nors including 144 whole blood number of interactive, cultural ing helps us to save lives every tion in emergencies and seeks to ognition ceremony. tar as the country stopped blood on the importance of blood do- donors, 40 whole blood and and informative youth oriented day. Our community and their highlight blood transfusion as an A promotional and documen- imports in 1987 and has main- nation as a life-saving solution platelet donors, and 20 female and promotional programmes, support have helped us achieve essential component of emer- tary film on the culture of blood tained 100% blood sufficiency for patients with life-threaten- donors were recognised at the being organised by the Blood 100% blood self-sufficiency. gency healthcare. donation entitled “Knights of for seven years in a row,” recalled ing ailments,” she stressed. event. In addition, 38 mobile Donor Centre in collaboration This makes HMC, our national The platinum sponsor - Social Giving” featuring the vision and al-Mahmoudi. She added that the Blood Do- campaign organisers represent- with HMC’s Corporate Commu- health provider, the most reli- and Sports Activities Support objectives of the Blood Donation “This annual event is meant to nor Centre and Corporate Com- ing various national, cultural, nication Department. able healthcare facility in blood Fund (Daam) and gold sponsor Centre was screened during the express gratitude to donors who munications Department have and youth organisations who HE al-Kuwari lauded the work transfusion in the region.” - Qatargas, in addition to two ceremony. Gulf Times Thursday, May 25, 2017 11 QATAR

QSE-Stenden to DFI announces fi nancial collaborate for support to Van Gogh fi lm education atar Stock Exchange trengthening its ongoing it wasn’t easy to fi nd industry tan Oliver (Fantastic Mr Fox, (QSE) and Stenden Uni- commitment to interna- partners for Loving Vincent, as Chicken Run) and Lukasz Zal Qversity in Qatar (SUQ) Stional fi lm production, many fi lm funders were too cau- (Academy Award nominated for yesterday signed a memorandum the Doha Film Institute (DFI) tious to risk being part of some- Ida). of understanding (MoU) to col- yesterday announced its latest thing so new. Co-produced by City of Wro- laborate in the fi elds of educa- co-fi nancing partnership on the “Thankfully we found some claw – European Capital of tion, training, capacity building world’s fi rst fully painted feature special and courageous indi- Culture 2016, Odra-Film/The and community development. fi lm, Loving Vincent, a cinematic viduals who believed in us. We Lower Silesian Film Fund and This is the fi fth MoU signed ode to the remarkable life of leg- thank HE Sheikha Al Mayassa CeTA, the fi lm is supported – in by QSE with a national educa- endary artist Vincent Van Gogh. and the team at DFI for their addition to the DFI – by Silver tional institution, as the local Commenting on the partner- support to this passion project, Reel, RBF Productions, Sevenex bourse had signed similar pacts ship, chairperson of Doha Film that will not only entertain but Capital Partners, The Polish with Qatar Finance and Busi- Institute and Qatar Museums, also inspire and inform global Film Institute, MEDIA and Uni- ness Academy, Faculty of Islamic HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Ha- audiences about the extraordi- bail-Rodamco. Studies at Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Mansoori and Ninov after mad bin Khalifa al-Thani, said: nary paintings and no less ex- Films co-financed by the DFI University, Qatar University, and singing the MoU. “We are especially delighted to traordinary life of Vincent Van have gained international ac- Carnegie Mellon University in support Loving Vincent, a fi lm Gogh .” claim, opening major film fes- Qatar. ing to the Qatar stock market that is truly unique in terms of Loving Vincent features ac- tivals and securing prestigious The latest MoU was signed during the first and second genre, content, approach and claimed actors Douglas Booth award. by QSE chief executive Rashid year of their studies. craft. It brings to life the pro- Loving Vincent (Jupiter Ascending) as Armand Some of these projects in- bin Ali al-Mansoori and Dr Ivan “This agreement comes with- found and inspiring story of Roulin; Eleanor Tomlinson (Pol- clude Academy Award winner Ninov, executive dean of SUQ. in our social responsibility role one of the world’s most accom- ternational Animation Film Fes- in Poland and Greece. The fi lm dark, Jack the Giant Slayer) as The Salesman by Asghar Farha- The agreement recognises the and the mission and vision to plished fi ne artists Vincent Van tival in France, competing in the was fi rst shot as a live action fi lm Adeline Ravoux; Jerome Flynn di, Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet value of educational co-opera- support Qatar National Vision Gogh, celebrating his life and Festival’s Offi cial Selection for with actors, who worked either (Game of Thrones) as Doctor by Roger Allers, The Idol by tion and practical training for the 2030, with a particular focus on works. feature fi lms. The DFI has been a on sets specially constructed to Gachet; Oscar nominee Saoirse Hany Abu-Assad, The Reluc- purposes of knowledge sharing the human development pillar “At the DFI, we actively ex- long-term partner on the project look like Van Gogh paintings or Ronan (Brooklyn, Atonement) tant Fundamentalist by Mira and exploring placement op- and the commitment of QSE to plore opportunities to partner since the early stages of produc- against green-screens. as Marguerite Gachet; Chris Nair and May in the Summer by portunities during the summer continue what this vision is built with such ambitious ventures tion. The footage from the live ac- O’Dowd (Bridesmaids) as Post- Cherien Dabis among others. season for SUQ students within upon starting from Qatar prin- that push the boundaries of Loving Vincent, the fi lm is tion shoot then becomes the ref- man Joseph Roulin; John Ses- In addition to co-fi nancing, the fourth and fi nal year of their ciples of openness to modernity, fi lmmaking. Combining art and written and directed by Dor- erence for painting animators. sions (Gangs of New York) as the Institute supports fi rst- studies. adopting new technologies to cinema like no other fi lm, Lov- ota Kobiela and Hugh Welch- The fi nal eff ect is the interaction Vincent’s paint supplier Pere and second-time fi lmmakers It also aims to explore volun- serve the goals of development ing Vincent will serve as an in- man, and produced by Acad- of the performance of the ac- Tanguy; Aidan Turner (The from around the world and es- teer opportunities to have SUQ and economic progress, and spiration for emerging and es- emy Award winning studios, tors playing Vincent Van Gogh’s Hobbit) as the Boatman from tablished fi lmmakers from the students participate and vol- emphasising the role of QSE in tablished fi lmmakers and artists Poland’s BreakThru Films and famous portraits and that of the Bank of the Oise at Auvers; and Mena region through its Grants unteer in events and activities serving the local community,” alike.” UK’s Trademark Films. Each of painting animators, who bring Helen McCrory (Harry Potter) as programme. hosted by QSE. al-Mansoori said. The fi lm brings the paintings the 65,000 frames of the fi lm is the characters into the medium Louise Chevalier. Theatre actor The Institute also nurtures According to the MoU, the This co-operation is a con- of Vincent Van Gogh to life to an oil-painting hand-painted of paint. Robert Gulaczyk, in his fi rst fi lm national fi lm talent through the parties would engage in devel- tinuation and culmination of tell his remarkable story. Lov- by 125 professional artists who Hugh Welchman said: “De- role, plays Vincent Van Gogh. Qatari Film Fund dedicated to oping training programmes/ education and awareness eff orts ing Vincent will have its world travelled from across the world spite the grassroots support The fi lm’s crew include ac- supporting short and feature workshops to be provided by undertaken by QSE in the local premiere at the 2017 Annecy In- to the studios of Loving Vincent from people around the world, claimed cinematographers Tris- fi lmmaking by Qataris. QSE to SUQ Students pertain- community. The Pearl-Qatar sparkles with Ramadan festivities

nited Development Com- Qatar in an atmosphere that pany (UDC), master de- combines modern and luxurious Uveloper of The Pearl-Qa- living with the holy month’s tra- tar, has decorated the island with ditions, the statement notes. special lighting and structures Visitors can equally shop for that are underpinned with the Arabic incense, fine dates, ori- authentic essence of Ramadan. ental perfumes, groceries, gift This has been done to welcome baskets and sweet hampers res- the holy month and create a joy- onant with the Ramadan spirit, ful ambiance for the island’s resi- around Qanat Quartier, Porto dents and visitors, according to a Arabia and Medina Centrale’s press statement. retail outlets. As tradition goes at UDC, the The Pearl-Qatar’s shopping company has decorated roads, outlets will be open in the morn- palm trees and lamp posts and lit ing from 10am until 2pm and in up The Pearl-Qatar’s main en- the evening from 8pm until mid- trance gate and main driveways night with the exception of res- leading to Qanat Quartier, Me- taurants that host Iftars. dina Centrale and Piazza Arabia Three mosques at The Pearl- – the facade of Porto Arabia – in Qatar have prepared to welcome Ramadan decorations at The Pearl-Qatar. addition to all main roundabouts. the infl ux of devotees during Also throughout Ramadan, Ramadan, including the Grand refl ecting UDC’s “keenness to Taraweeh evening prayers will plant – Qatar Cool – and Iso- On the 14th day of Ramadan, cultural and religious heritage of visitors and residents of the is- Mosque at the island’s entrance. off er residents and visitors of the be led by Imams in the mosque la Dana precinct. The three The Pearl-Qatar will celebrate Qatar, and will further mark the land will enjoy a variety of Iftar The mosque, which has been island the possibility to perform located at the island’s main en- mosques include women’s prayer the Garangao tradition with advent of Eid with a festival fi lled and Suhoor special menus served undergoing renovation works, their religious duties in total trance and the two mosques facilities on the fi rst fl oor, with a host of special activities for with fun and entertainment, the at restaurants across The Pearl- will be ready before Ramadan, comfort and convenience”. adjacent to the district cooling on-site parking available. children that highlight the rich statement adds. Ooredoo unveils data promotions

oredoo has an- customers with free data to redeem an additional data, valid for three days a host of CSR activities, nounced that it for recharging their data 1,438MB data allowance from the day of top-up. we’re hoping to ensure Owill launch three and staying in touch with by sending ‘RDP’ to 114 or For all Ooredoo cus- a truly digital Ramadan. dedicated Ramadan data their loved ones this Ram- logging in to the Ooredoo tomers, the company is With family and friends promotions for the holy adan. app. also boosting its free daily now spread across the month, designed to high- Thanks to the promo- On top of the bonus Ooredoo app data givea- world, being able to stay in light the year according to tion, Consumer Shahry data, Endless Internet way. Currently, Ooredoo touch and celebrate what the Islamic calendar. customers who switch Pack customers enjoy app users can take advan- truly matters is more im- The new ‘Ramadan 1438’ or upgrade to a 6GB or never-ending Internet ac- tage of Ooredoo’s free data portant than ever.” data promotions will cover higher Endless Internet cess, with no additional giveaway daily, by logging This year, Ooredoo’s Hala, Shahry, and Ooredoo Pack from May 25 to June charges or surprise bills at into the latest Ooredoo app Ramadan campaign will app users and will reward 30, 2017 will be eligible the end of the month. and redeeming 10MB dur- come under the umbrella Hala customers who use ing weekdays and 100MB ‘Ooredoo Ramadan 1438’ Ooredoo’s popular ‘Hala every weekend. and customers can follow Daily Surprise’ service During the holy month, all promotions, events, during the holy month will Ooredoo will offer and competitions during also be rewarded when 14.38MB free data every the month on social media accepting the *123# Ra- weekday and 143.8MB on with the #Ramadan1438. madan offer. Customers weekends. Ooredoo app As well as dedicated simply need to dial *123# free data will be valid un- promotions, Ooredoo will or log-in to the Ooredoo til midnight on the day of once again take part in a app and accept the ‘Ra- activation. host of activities to give madan 1438 Data Offer’, Manar Khalifa al-Mu- back to the community then recharge with a 6GB, raikhi, director, Commu- including hospital visits, 10GB, or 15GB data card nity & Public Relations at children’s mall activities to enjoy 1,438MB bonus Ooredoo, said: “As well as and more.

Ooredoo upgrades latest My-Fi device for free

Ooredoo has announced that all Netgear My- households to download, stream and share Fi (AirCard 810s) device users with the latest more than ever before with the boosted model will get a free system upgrade. speed. Ooredoo aims to update all the Netgear 810s The Netgear My-Fi (AirCard 810s) device devices to the latest CAT 11 technology giving offers a host of features, including the ability users a faster connection of up to 600 Mbps to connect up to 15 Wi-Fi devices simultane- on the Supernet. ously, a battery life of up to 11 hours, jump Netgear My-Fi (AirCard 810s) device users boost feature to charge smartphones and simply need to follow the pop-up instructions more. on their device screen to start the system To purchase an Internet device, new or exist- update and enjoy a truly superior Supernet ing customers can visit any Ooredoo Shop or connection. go to www.ooredoo.qa/eshp. The company By upgrading customers’ devices, Ooredoo said all new Netgear 810s device owners will aims to enhance the mobile broadband be notified of the upgrade as soon as they experience for Qatar’s communities, allowing activate the device. Gulf Times 12 Thursday, May 25, 2017 QATAR

Bitter Almonds wins IBA 2017 fi ction award

itter Almonds, written by Lilas Taha, and published by Hamad Bin Khalifa University BPress (HBKU Press) has been announced winner in the ‘Fiction: Multicultural’ category of the 2017 International Book Awards (IBA). There were over 1,500 entries this year in the various categories of the award, which is in its eighth year. The IBA, sponsored by the Ameri- can Book Fest, highlights a wide variety of out- standing literary fi ction and non-fi ction works that are the best in their categories. “The trials of the Palestinian diaspora provided motivation for my story, Bitter Almonds. I wrote the novel hoping to touch readers’ hearts and convey a message of respect. With this international rec- ognition, it gives me great pleasure to learn that I helped shine a needed light on the struggles of in- nocent refugees, and bring a measure of attention to the plight of Palestinians,” said author Taha. “Lilas Taha is an extremely talented author, whose work we are proud to publish at HBKU Press,” said Rodolphe A Boughaba, acting ex- ecutive director of HBKU Press. “This book has successfully brought a con- temporary crisis to the forefront of the literary world, in a way that humanises the refugee cri- sis and makes it tangible to anyone around the world. Taha’s gift in developing characters with One of the speakers addressing the graduates, dignitaries and visitors at the convocation ceremony. compassion and very real emotions appeals to both young and adult readers.” Set in Damascus, Syria, in the tumultuous decades of the 1960s and 1970s, Bitter Almonds follows the coming-of-age of two young refu- gees as they encounter political turmoil and personal sacrifi ce. A love story rooted in his- Father Emir attends daughter’s tory and Palestinian culture, Bitter Almonds is inspired by the tremulous events in the Middle East and author Lilas Taha’s family history. Born in Kuwait to Syrian and Palestinian par- ents, Taha had to leave the country when it was invaded by Iraq in 1990. Moving and compel- graduation from Qatar Academy ling, Bitter Almonds explores displacement and exile, family duty and honour, and the universal feelings of love and loss. H the Father Emir Sheikh sented with the most profound and eff ort of the entire community. I am Bitter Almonds is currently being translated Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani enlightening experiences.” proud of all those present with me into Arabic by HBKU Press. Hyesterday attended the grad- QA alumna Lulwa al-Darwish, tonight, and I am sure that you are uation of his daughter HE Sheikha who graduated in 2012, returned as all proud too.” Mariam from the Qatar Academy this year’s guest speaker and refl ect- Commenting on QAD’s 17th Honda models recalled Doha (QAD) Class of 2017. ed on her journey. Graduation Ceremony, Buthaina Ali The Qatar Academy Doha cel- “I grew up in this school, and the al-Nuaimi, president of PUE, QF, he Ministry of Economy and Commerce, ebrated the graduation of its Class desire to give back to my society said: “Since it was founded in 1996 in collaboration with Doha Marketing of 2017 yesterday evening in an of- grew in me. I graduated in 2012, and, by HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa TServices Company (Domasco), has an- fi cial ceremony at the Qatar National because of my teachers and Qatar al-Thani, the Father Emir, and HH nounced the recall of Honda Odyssey models of Convention Centre (QNCC). Academy’s inspiring eff orts through Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chairper- 2011-2016 over malfunction in second row seat The ceremony was attended by education – one’s most powerful son of Qatar Foundation for Educa- walk-in feature. The MEC said the recall cam- the sons of HH the Father Emir, a weapon – I chose to become a special tion, Science and Community De- paign comes within the framework of its ongoing number of VIP guests, public fi gures, needs educator. Specifi cally, for in- velopment, Qatar Academy Doha eff orts to protect consumers and ensure that car Qatar Foundation leadership – in- dividuals with autism, so thank you,” has provided comprehensive and dealers follow up on vehicle defects and repairs. cluding president of Pre-University she said. internationally recognised academic The MEC will co-ordinate with the dealer to Education (PUE) – QAD chairper- This year’s valedictorian, Ghada programmes. follow up on the maintenance and repair works son, parents, faculty, and school ad- Khalifa al-Thani, gave an emotional “The school aims to create gradu- and communicate with customers to ensure ministrators. speech, saying: “One individual ates who are equipped with the nec- that the necessary repairs are carried out. The ceremony celebrated the cannot make a permanent change or essary knowledge and skills to serve The MEC has urged all customers to report any vi- graduation of 85 students, including A graduate receives his certificate. development,” she said.“It requires the local community.” olations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Com- 44 Qatari nationals. the whole community to work to- As part of the celebrations, the mercial Fraud Department through the following These students now join more Don MacIntyre, QAD director, told lives and focus only on the next stag- gether to achieve this. It is useless to audience also enjoyed a musical col- channels: Hotline: 16001, e-mail: [email protected]. than 750 QAD alumni since its es- the graduates that “it is often easy to es. However, what if it is during these believe that one person can do eve- laboration between QAD and Qatar qa, Twitter: @MEC_Qatar, Instagram: MEC_Qatar, tablishment in 1996. overlook the transition phases of our periods of transition that we are pre- rything on their own; it requires the Music Academy. MEC mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar

90-day partial closure on Onaiza Street to lay underground pipes ‘Tips & Tricks’ for Ramadan safe driving partial clo- sure for ap- Aproximate- IC Insured, QIC’s personal in- tially under the same limitations”. ly 400m will be in surance division, has shared Motorists should also “expect the place on the right Qfi ve vital ‘Tips & Tricks’ for unexpected and we all must drive shoulder lane on safe driving during the holy month of cautiously”, the advisory states, not- the Onaiza Street Ramadan. ing that people need to plan their leading to Cor- Ramadan this year coincides with schedule properly and leave early to niche Street start- the hot summer weather, which is avoid the need to rush and speed. ing from Saturday. likely to have a physical as well as psy- Finally, the advisory reminds mo- It will continue chological eff ect, the company points torists to always wear seatbelts, for a period of 90 out in a press statement. stressing that the holy month of Ram- days on the Al Markhiya Intersection-bound traffi c from “Fasting can result in dehydration adan is a good time to start this habit. the Civil Defence Intersection. and low blood sugar, which in turn “As a responsible corporate citizen, Motorists should turn right, just after the 400m diver- can limit motorists’ attentiveness, QIC Insured strives to create aware- sion, which is about 10m before Markhiya Intersection. concentration, vision and reaction ness and promote a culture of safe The left lane will also be closed on the other direction while driving. In addition to fasting, driving, especially during Ramadan. of Onaiza Street, heading towards Civil Defence Inter- the unusual eating and sleeping pat- We encourage all traffi c participants section. terns can also cause fatigue, exhaus- to follow fi ve easy ‘Tips & Tricks’ to The closed lane will be compensated with a temporary tion, impatience and distraction,” it ensure that they drive cautiously and lane, to maintain the three lanes carriage way. explains. reach home safe and sound,” said Sa- Traffi c on all other directions will remain open (as The fi rst of the fi ve ‘Tips & Tricks’ lem al-Mannai, deputy Group presi- shown on the map). says people should be aware of their dent and CEO of QIC — Mena region. The partial closure is required to enable the pipe laying limitations. A complete list of Ramadan-related works of the fl ooding prevention scheme at several main Then, they should also “watch out ‘Tips & Tricks’ is available at www. Salem al-Mannai, deputy Group president intersections in Doha. for other traffi c participants poten- roadsafety.qic-insured.com and CEO of QIC — Mena region. Gulf Times Thursday, May 25, 2017 13 QATAR Vodafone holding fundraising drive odafone is holding the Vodafone fundraising challenge and various events to encourage writer who started his acting ca- third edition of its fund- is an opportunity for the public people to vote for the charities. reer in theatre, using it as a plat- Vraising campaign #Giv- to discover new ways to do good Al-Janahi is a media person- form to address key social issues ingChallenge that will see three in the giving spirit of this holy ality and an ambassador for a and was one of the founders of Qatari social media infl uencers month. number of charities. He is one Qatari theatre arts. Abdullaa is using their social media follow- “I’m confi dent the charity of the fi rst and leading media an active supporter of several ers to raise funds for their chosen ambassadors participating this personalities in Qatar for over charities and plays a signifi cant charity during the holy month of year will raise signifi cant funds 30 years and is a social activist role in supporting community Ramadan. for their chosen charities while who’s passionate about doing development initiatives in Qatar. Aqeel al-Janahi, Ahmad Ab- also raising awareness about charitable work having received He has chosen to represent dullaa, and Ahmad Khalil al- the honourable work that these several awards for his contribu- Qatar Charity to make the wish- Khaldi will use their social media charities do,” said Dana Haidan, tion to humanitarian initiatives. es of orphans come true through Aqeel al-Janahi, Ahmad Abdullaa and Ahmad Khalil al-Khaldi will use their social media channels to en- channels to encourage their fol- head of CSR at Vodafone Qatar. He has chosen to raise funds Qatar Charity’s ‘Omnyaati’ courage their followers to vote for their chosen charities. lowers to vote for their chosen Last year’s edition of Vo- with Afi f Charity to support cat- programme. With the confl icts charities via Vodafone’s Giving dafone’s successful #Giv- aract surgery for 1,000 visually in the region, the number of keeper of the Qatar National ni Bin Abdullah Foundation for and Snapchat at akakakak22. Challenge website, Vodafone. ingChallenge raised more than impaired patients in Niger. To orphans is well over 13mn or- Team and one of Qatar’s football Humanitarian Services (RAF) Voting for the above charities qa/givingchallenge For each QR1mn for charities in Qatar learn more about Afi f Charity’s phans in the Middle East. For legends who has played a key role in the Giving Challenge, raising and infl uencers starts from the vote, Vodafone will donate QR10 and reached over 5mn people work, especially about its eye more information about Qatar in the success of several Qatari funds for the charity’s recently fi rst day of Ramadan until mid- to each charity by the end of the via social media. The fundrais- clinic in Niger, visit www.afi f. Charity, visit qcharity.org, and football teams such as Qatar, Al launched ‘Orphans City’ located night of June 14, 2017. The results campaign on June 14. ing challenge was heavily sup- qa, and follow al-Janahi on In- follow Abdullaa on Instagram, Khor, Al Sadd, and Al Arabi earn- by the Turkish-Syrian border. will be announced in a ceremony “We’re delighted to bring back ported by the charities and lead- stagram, Twitter and Snapchat Twitter and Snapchat at Ahmed ing several local and regional To learn more about RAF, visit the following day. For more in- the #GivingChallenge for the ing Islamic scholars who used at Aqeeljanahi. Abdullaa. titles in his football career. raf-thani.com and follow al- formation, visit www.vodafone. third time this Ramadan. The their own social media channels Abdullaa is a Qatari actor and Al-Khaldi is the former goal He is supporting Sheikh Tha- Khaldi on Instagram, Twitter qa/GivingChallenge HMC emergency services to operate 24-hour

amad Medical Corpo- 4pm, Sunday to Thursday. The pharmacy will operate from evening clinics on Mondays be- ration (HMC) has an- main pharmacy will be open 8am to 1pm, Sunday to Thurs- tween 8.30pm to 11.30pm. The Hnounced its operating from 8am to 4pm, Sunday to day and from 11am to 4pm on pharmacy will open from 8am hours for Ramadan. All emer- Thursday. weekends. to 3pm, Sunday to Thursday. gency services across HMC’s Communicable Disease Al Khor Hospital OPD clinics The OPD and the pharmacy A line-up of Maserati luxury sports cars. network of hospitals will Center OPD clinics will be open will be open from 8am to 1pm, at the Mental Health Services operate as usual 24/7. from 8am to 5pm, Sunday to Sunday to Thursday and there will open from 8am to 1pm and Hamad General Hospital Wednesday. On Thursdays, will be no evening clinics. The evening clinics will run from outpatient clinics will run from services will be available from pharmacy will be open from 8.30pm to 11.30pm at Hamad 8am to 1pm and evening clin- 8am to 1pm. All supporting 7am to 3pm in the main OPD General Hospital on Sundays, ics from 8.30pm to 11.30pm services including pharmacy, and from 7am to 11pm at the Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. through Sunday to Thursday. radiology and laboratory will be Paediatric Emergency Center. The Referral and Booking ‘Remarkable deal’ on Rumailah Hospital OPD Management System will oper- The main Outpatient Depart- available during OPD operat- ment (OPD) pharmacy located ing times. Qatar Rehabilitation clinics will be open from 8am ate from 7am to 10pm, Sunday on the ground fl oor will open Institute OPD clinics will oper- to 1pm, Sunday to Thursday. to Thursday. Referrals for spe- from 8am to 10.30am and from ate from 8am to 1pm, Sunday Pharmacy hours are from 8am cialist services will be collected 8.30pm to midnight, Sunday to to Thursday. Pharmacy hours to 3pm, Sunday to Thursday. as usual from centres through- Maserati sports cars At Hamad Dental Center, Or- out Doha. Thursday. are from 8am to 1pm, Sunday to Women’s Hospital OPD will Thursday. thodontics and Paediatric Den- Nesma’ak Customer Care his Ramadan, Alfardan The off er also includes other of their choice including added be open from 8am to 1pm and At the Cuban Hospital, there tistry Clinics will be open from will operate from 7am to 10pm, Sports Motors, the offi cial services such as glass tinting, value benefi ts and services,” said in the evening from 7.30pm to will be no change to OPD clin- 8am to 4pm and endodontics, Sunday to Thursday and from Tdealer of Maserati in Qa- paint and leather protection, in Charly Dagher, general manager, 10.30pm, Sunday to Thursday. ic and pharmacy timings and periodontics, prosthodontics 10am to 4pm on Friday and tar, is off ering clients ‘a remark- addition to gift vouchers worth Maserati Qatar, Alfardan Sports The OPD pharmacy will operate both will be open to patients and dental, diagnostic services Saturday. Patients requir- able deal’ on its complete range QR5,000 of Maserati’s stylish Motors. on the same timings. from 7.15am to 3pm, Sunday will operate from 8am to 1pm, ing any information can call of luxury sports cars. merchandise. Alternatively, cus- The exclusive off er is valid Al Wakra Hospital OPD will to Thursday. The OPD den- Sunday to Thursday. Evening 16060 during these times to When purchasing a brand new tomers can avail a choice of re- until the end of Ramadan and be operational from 8am to tal services will operate as per clinics are scheduled from inquire about or change their Maserati during the holy month, ceiving a cashback of QR50,000 includes the coupe GranTurismo 4pm, Sunday to Thursday. The booked appointments. 8.30pm to 11.30pm, Sunday to appointment. every client is entitled to a one when they purchase a new car. models, the sports executive se- Dental Clinic will open from Heart Hospital OPD clin- Thursday. Nesma’ak will continue to year full comprehensive insur- “Ramadan is the perfect dan – Ghibli, the latest genera- 8am to 1pm and from 8pm to ics will be open from 8am to OPD clinics at National make appointment reminder ance scheme and warranty and time to connect with our cli- tion of Maserati’s fl agship sedan 11pm, Sunday to Thursday. 1pm, Sunday to Thursday and Center for Cancer Care and Re- phone calls to patients and send service packages that protect the ents and gift them the peace of – Quattroporte and its fi rst-ever The obstetrics /gynaecology there will be no evening clinics search will open from 8am to mobile text message reminders vehicle for fi ve years. mind when owning a Maserati SUV, the Levante. clinic will operate from 8am to throughout Ramadan. The OPD 1pm, Sunday to Thursday and to patients during Ramadan.

QIB branches to have extended hours Qatar Museums

atar Islamic Bank (QIB) 11.30pm and Saturday from will enable QIB to provide an announced that 14 of its 9am to noon. easily accessible and conven- announces show Qbranches will have ex- The recently opened Doha ient banking experience to its tended working hours during the Festival City branch will join customers throughout the holy holy month of Ramadan. Dar Al Salam Mall, Al Gharrafa month of Ramadan. In addition, QIB branches will serve (Q-Mall), The Gate Mall, City the Bank’s services are available hours during customers Sunday through Center Doha, The Pearl (Medina at all times (24/7) through QIB’s Thursday from 9am to 2pm Centrale) and the Mall of Qatar Internet and Mobile Banking, with Al-Fanar, Salwa Road, branch which will be operat- the QIB Call Centre (44448444) Airport Road, Al Rayyan, ing Saturday to Thursday from and more than 175 ATMs and Ramadan Al Sadd, Al Wakrah, and Al 10.30am to 2.30pm and 9pm to Cash Deposit machines spread Khor branches extending 11.30pm and Friday from 9pm to across the country. their working hours Sunday 11.30pm. QIB operates a network of 30 QIB’s 14 branches will have extended working hours during the holy ith a diverse sched- Saturday – 8am to 1.30pm and to Wednesday from 9pm to The extended working hours branches across the State of Qatar. month of Ramadan. ule of programmes 8.30pm to 11.30pm. Friday – Wand exhibitions 8.30pm to 11.30pm. taking place during the holy Cass Art: Sunday to Thurs- month of Ramadan, Qa- day and Saturday – 9am to tar Museums (QM) has an- 2pm and 8pm to 1am. Friday – nounced its 2017 Ramadan 8pm to 1am. hours for its museums, In Q store – Gate Mall (fi rst Cebu Pacifi c Air to suspend Doha, galleries and institutions. two weeks of Ramadan): All MATHAF: Arab Museum of days – 10am to 3pm and Modern Art will be open Sunday 7.30pm to midnight. to Thursday and Saturday from In Q store – Gate Mall (third 9am to 4pm. Friday is closed. and fourth weeks of Ram- Kuwait, Riyadh operations Museum of Islamic Art and adan): All days – 10am to 4pm Al Riwaq Gallery: Sunday to and 7.30pm and 1am. Thursday and Saturday – 8pm More information on the ebu Pacifi c Air (CEB) has to an earlier Cebu Pacifi c fl ight our low fare off ers,” he added. to midnight. Friday is closed. exhibitions and programmes announced that it will (subject to availability), refund CEB will retain its other long- Fire Station Garage Gal- could be had from: http:// Csuspend its service to and in full, and get a travel fund in haul services to and from Dubai lery: Sunday to Thursday and www.qm.org.qa from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and full,” the advisory said. and Sydney, Australia, “with a Kuwait. “The entry of Cebu Pacifi c view to increasing frequencies CEB’s thrice-weekly Manila- into these markets benefi ted to these destinations in the fu- Doha-Manila route will have passengers with lower fares and ture.” The airline also fl ies to 24 its last fl ight on July 1, while its more choices. Of late, other car- other international destinations four-times-a-week service from riers have aggressively added across Asia and the US, as well as Medical Commission to Manila to Kuwait will be on June more fl ights, which has resulted 37 domestic destinations. 13, and its Kuwait-Manila fl ight in substantial oversupply of seats From January to March this on June 14. CEB’s last fl ight from and fares that are so low, hence year, Cebu Pacifi c carried 4.8mn work from 9am to 6pm Manila to Riyadh will depart on making the routes unsustain- passengers, of which 1.3mn fl ew July 2, while the Riyadh-Manila CEB’s thrice-weekly Manila-Doha-Manila route will have its last flight able,” said lawyer JR Mantaring, international destinations. Total uring the holy month in two shifts. The fi rst shift is fl ight will leave on July 3. on July 1. vice president for Corporate revenues for the fi rst quarter of of Ramadan, the Medi- from 9.30am until 1.30pm at In a route advisory, CEB said Aff airs of Cebu Pacifi c. 2017 were up 4.7% to P16.9bn. Dcal Commission will Women’s Hospital, Al Khor it is suspending operations are aff ected by the suspension “They may also message the “We have to continuously re- However, CEB said this was receive customers from 9am Hospital, Al Wakra Hospi- to and from Doha “as these of CEB service. Passengers with offi cial Cebu Pacifi c Facebook view our routes to ensure their outpaced by the growth in ex- to 6pm daily, the Ministry of tal, the Cuban Hospital in routes are no longer viable and bookings beyond the last fl ight (https://www.facebook.com/ viability. At this point, it makes penses, driven by a weaker Phil- Public Health (MoPH) said Dukhan, Doha Clinic, Al Ahli sustainable.” dates on these aff ected routes are cebupacifi cair) or Twitter (@ more sense for us to re-deploy ippine peso versus the US dollar yesterday in a statement. Hospital and Al Emadi Hos- “Cebu Pacifi c will continue to strongly advised to contact their CebuPacifi cAir) accounts. The the aircraft used for our Riya- and rising fuel prices. CEB net The birth registration of- pital. The afternoon shift operate its daily service between travel agents or the CEB hot- options include: transfer to an- dh, Doha, and Kuwait service income for the fi rst three month fi ce will receive applications will work from 2pm to 5pm Manila and Dubai (UAE). We line at +632 7020 881 to discuss other airline with the same route to routes where we can further of 2017 was down 68% versus for new born registrations at Women’s Hospital and Al are contacting passengers who options. (subject to availability), rebook stimulate demand and sustain the same period in 2016. and issuing birth certifi cates Emadi Hospital. Gulf Times 14 Thursday, May 25, 2017 REGION/ARAB WORLD Iraqi artist Hope amid conflict secretly chronicled brutality

AFP ried to one of them, who left Hammam al-Alil, Iraq her to another, who married her” — something that hap- pened “four or fi ve times,” Ta’i ustafa al-Ta’i worked said. in secret at night, us- “I met her when I was in Ming his brushes and the hospital. She was cry- pencils to record the violence ing. She had bruises on her he saw during the day under face, wounds on the hands the Islamic State group’s bru- and body. I took a sheet of my tal reign in Iraq. medical record. I drew on it.” The bloodied body of a man Another sketch depicts a suspended by a foot, another man tied to a pole handcuff ed lying in a pool of blood with and blindfolded. his severed head on his back, Ta’i said the man was cap- a woman with her face burned tured after fi ring at the mili- by acid — these are just some tants. “They tied him to an of the scenes captured by Ta’i. electric pole and they executed The 240 paintings and him after torturing him.” drawings — which Ta’i com- Ta’i did not keep his works posed from the time IS seized at home, instead leaving them his hometown of Hammam with a friend who hid them be- al-Alil, south of Mosul, in 2014 hind the back seat of his car. until Iraqi forces recaptured it But he believes he was de- in late 2016 — are an exhibition nounced to IS, especially when of horror. he made sketches at work “IS is the enemy of the arts, during the day. IS “came to the enemy of life, so I told my- my house several times, they self that whenever I saw one of found nothing,” he said. their crimes or something they The religious police came did, I would relate it,” he said. one night: “They told me they “There were no journalists wanted my paintings and cal- Female Yemeni university students attend a graduation ceremony in the capital Sanaa yesterday. The war between pro-government forces and Houthi rebels who control and they did not allow photo- ligraphies. They took me away Sanaa has devastated Yemen and pushed it to the brink of famine. According to the United Nations children’s agency Unicef, 3.5mn Yemeni children are out of school. The graphs, so I recorded the im- to the desert.” fighting has halted the education of nearly 2mn children on top of the 1.6mn already out of school before the conflict, it said. age in my head and at night The militants lashed him at home, I painted,” said the and tied his legs to a car and 58-year-old, an oven and boil- dragged him behind it. er repairman by trade who has “I was reciting the Qur’an in been “addicted” to drawing a loud voice...Then, they tied since childhood. my hands and my feet, brought “The army is fi ghting me back and threw me in front against (IS) with weapons. Me, of my house. I was found the it’s with my brush, my colours, next morning,” he said. my drawings, my paintings,” Ta’i said he was detained for Ta’i said as he sat cross-legged a total of 45 days because of his Top IS militant killed after in his living room, drawing artworks, and twice sentenced board in his lap. to the lash.But each time, At a time when art was the grandfather of seven kept banned by the militants — who drawing. view depictions of people as “I cannot give up drawing. contrary to religion — and It is my addiction, it calms me. clashes in northern Syria drawing materials could not be I don’t smoke — I draw,” Ta’i found, Ta’i drew from his old said. During one stint in jail, he Agencies Reuters the IS commander, Abu would be a “significant blow to swathes of Syria and to carve Rahman.“Most of those killed stocks of paints, papers and broke open a battery and used Beirut Musab al-Masri, had been the the group ahead of the battle of out a cross-border “caliphate” had fled eastern parts of the pencils to “resist.” its contents to draw on a wall. group’s “minister of war” for Raqqa”. He said al-Masri was in both Syria and neighbouring province of Homs,” he added. The pieces are simple and A guard made him erase it by Syria. the fourth most senior figure in Iraq. The SDF, which includes The strikes on Al-Baruda colourful, and each one tells a licking it off . he Syrian army said yes- Syrian state media had ear- the organisation. the Kurdish YPG militia, has come after the Observatory story. “This child is a Chris- Today, he keeps his artwork terday it had killed Is- lier cited a military source as A previous IS minister of been waging a multi-phased reported the highest monthly tian,” he explained, pointing to in boxes as testimony to what Tlamic State’s military saying he was the organisa- war, Abu Omar al-Shishani, operation to encircle Raqqa civilian death toll for the coa- a portrait of a weeping girl. he saw, and paints “what I commander in Syria during tion’s “minister of war”, sug- was killed last year. with the aim of capturing it lition since it began bombing “They took her when she have in front of me, what I fi nd operations in the north of the gesting he was the overall IS The Pentagon said Shishani from Islamic State. Syria on September 23, 2014. was 12 years old. She was mar- beautiful.” country, where the Russian- military commander. was likely to have been killed in Meanwhile, at least 16 civil- Between April 23 and May 23 backed government forces are He was named among 13 sen- a US air strike in Syria. ians were killed in bombing of this year, coalition strikes seizing more territory back from ior Islamic State figures killed The militant group con- raids early yesterday by the killed a total of 225 civilians in the militant group. in Syrian army operations east firmed his death in July but said US-led coalition near the Is- Syria, the Britain-based Ob- If confirmed, this would of Aleppo, according to the he had died fighting in the Iraqi lamic State group’s Syrian bas- servatory said. represent a major blow against military source cited by state city of Shirqat south of Mosul. tion Raqqa, a monitor said. Earlier this month, the US Islamic State (IS) ahead of an media. Islamic State faces separate The Syrian Observatory for military said that coalition air attack which the US-backed Al-Masri was killed in the campaigns in northern Syria Human Rights said the toll in- strikes in Iraq and Syria had Syrian Democratic Forces operations that got underway by the Russian-backed Syrian cluded a woman and her five “unintentionally” killed a total (SDF) — an alliance of Kurd- on May 10. army, the US-backed SDF, and children, as well as three cou- of 352 civilians since 2014. ish and other fighters — are The military source did not Turkey-backed rebels fight- ples. More than 320,000 people expected to launch against the say where he was killed. ing under the Free Syrian Army “The coalition strikes hit Al- have been killed and millions militants in their stronghold of Baghdad-based IS expert banner. Baruda, a village about 15 kilo- more displaced since Syria’s Amateur Iraqi painter Mustafa al-Ta’i speaks during an interview in Raqqa city. Hisham al-Hashimi said the The six-year-long Syr- metres west of Raqqa city,” said conflict broke out in March Hammam al-Alil, south of Mosul. A Syrian military source told death of Masri, if confirmed, ian war has allowed IS to seize Observatory head Rami Abdel 2011.

Libya arrests brother, Heavy sandstorm in Kuwait City father of Manchester UN concern over bombing suspect Libya has arrested a brother and fasting Palestinians the father of the man suspected of carrying out the bombing in the British city of Manchester, a Reuters hundreds of the hunger-strikers relative and security sources said Geneva had “deteriorated signifi cantly”. yesterday. While hunger strikes are not The family source, asking not to uncommon among the 6,500 be identified, said intelligence he top United Nations Palestinians in Israeli jails, services had arrested Hashem human rights offi cial many of whom were convicted Abedi, who like his older brother Turged Israel yesterday to of attacks or planning attacks Salman was born in Britain, on improve conditions for Pales- against Israel, this is one of the Tuesday. tinians in custody, especially largest. One of the forces that supports the more than 1,000 whose It is likely to raise tensions the GNA posted a picture on its hunger-strike was into its 38th between Israel and the Pales- Facebook page of Hashem Abedi day. tinians as the 50th anniversary after detaining him. The strike followed a call by of the Israeli occupation of the “The father, Ramadan Abedi, Marwan Barghouti, the most West Bank and East Jerusalem has also just been arrested,” said high-profi le Palestinian held approaches in early June. Ahmed bin Salem, a spokesman by Israel, for a protest against Zeid said his offi ce had re- for the police of Libya’s Govern- People walk through a heavy sandstorm which hit Kuwait City yesterday. solitary confi nement and an ceived reports that the Israel ment of National Accord. Israeli policy of detention Prison Service had evacuated He said the brother was aware of without trial that has been ap- at least 60 hunger-striking Pal- Salman Abedi’s attack plan and plied to thousands of prisoners estinian prisoners to hospitals that the two brothers were both since the 1980s. because their medical condi- members of the Islamic State “I am especially alarmed by tion had worsened. A further group. reports of punitive measures by 592 had recently been moved for The relative said Salman had Oman fl ies freed Australian out of Yemen the Israeli authorities against observation to infi rmaries set travelled to Manchester from the hunger strikers, includ- up in the prisons, he said. Libya four days before Monday’s ing restricted access to lawyers The International Committee bombing that killed 22 people. AFP Oman’s foreign ministry did eign Aff airs Julie Bishop con- for privacy, and I ask others to and the denial of family vis- of the Red Cross (ICRC), which “His father wanted his son to stay Muscat not name the man and it was fi rmed the release of “an Aus- respect their wishes,” Bishop said its,” Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, UN visits Palestinian detainees, in Libya but Salman insisted on not immediately clear if he was tralian kidnapped in Yemen,” in a statement.Bishop thanked High Commissioner for Human urged Israel early this month to going to Manchester.” Craig McAllister, who was ab- without naming him. Sultan Qaboos for “Oman’s work Rights, said in a statement. allow family visits. The suspected bomber has been n Australian kidnapped in ducted in the rebel-held Yem- “The Government will not be to locate and receive the Austral- The right to consult a lawyer Under international law, identified as 22-year-old Salman Yemen was evacuated from eni capital Sanaa in September. making any further comment on ian national in to Oman.” is a fundamental protection in these “can only be limited for Abedi, born in Manchester to Athe war-torn country by The ministry said only that it this case in order to protect other Oman has mediated the international human rights law security reasons, on a case by Libyan parents who fled the the Omani government yesterday had acted at the request of the Australians who remain captive release of several Western- that should never be violated, case basis, but never for strictly regime of slain dictator Muam- after negotiations through tribal Australian authorities. overseas or face the risk of kid- ers, including an American in Zeid said. punitive or disciplinary purpos- mar Gaddafi. mediators led to his release. Australian Minister of For- napping. The family has asked November. He added that the health of es”, it said. Gulf Times Thursday, May 25, 2017 15 ARAB WORLD Egypt rights lawyer to Sisi rejects Sudan’s stand trial next week accusations Reuters Cairo on rebels n Egyptian human rights lawyer and would-be Apresidential election can- Reuters have threatened bilateral com- didate is to stand trial next week Cairo mercial relations. charged with off ending public In a speech to Sudanese decency, his lawyer said yester- military personnel, Bashir said day. gyptian President Abdel on Tuesday that the military Khaled Ali, 45, was detained Fattah al-Sisi rejected had seized Egyptian armoured on Tuesday in what rights group Eyesterday his Sudanese vehicles from rebels in the Amnesty International said was counterpart’s accusation that country’s war-torn southern part of a campaign of intimida- Cairo backs rebels aiming Darfur region. tion aimed at discouraging par- to topple the government in ticipation in the election, due to Khartoum, saying Egypt does Sudanese Foreign Minister take place next summer. not conspire against anyone. Ibrahim Ghandour is A prosecutor yesterday re- Sudanese President Omar expected in Cairo on May leased Ali on bail and set his trial Hassan al-Bashir accused 31 to discuss, among other for May 29, Ali’s lawyer Malek Egypt on Tuesday of sup- issues, a simmering trade Adly said. porting rebels at war with his dispute that has blocked The charge he faces relates to a government, a week ahead Egyptian agricultural photograph in which he appears of a visit to Cairo by Sudan’s imports to make a rude hand gesture on foreign minister that is meant the steps of a Cairo court house, to ease tensions between the Egypt’s foreign ministry de- according to Adly. neighbouring states. nied supporting the rebels. Ali denies the authenticity of “Egyptian policy is con- Sudan demands Egypt the photo. stant, unchanging, and will hand over the disputed Ha- “This is all connected to not change; we do not inter- layeb Triangle border area, but his human rights and political fere in the aff airs of others,” Cairo says it is Egyptian. work,” said Adly, a member of Sisi told a news conference Egypt rejected last year a Ali’s left-wing Bread and Free- held following a meeting with request from Khartoum to en- dom Party. “We are being pun- Austrian Chancellor Christian ter negotiations to determine ished for practising clean poli- Kern in Cairo. sovereignty over the triangle tics, and yes, we intend to run, Former Egyptian presidential candidate and rights lawyer Khaled Ali embraces a colleague upon his arrival at his political party’s headquarters in “The other point I must or to seek international arbi- which is why we are facing this downtown Cairo yesterday, after he was released on bail. stress is that Egypt does not tration. campaign.” conspire,” he said, answering a Sudanese Foreign Minister If convicted, Ali could face up which hundreds have been killed a show of solidarity. The Bread detention and referral to trial rights activist, Mohamed Zaree, reporter’s question. Ibrahim Ghandour is expected to two years in prison, a fi ne of and thousands jailed. and Freedom Party’s legal ad- were part of a crackdown on op- was questioned in relation to a “Would I conspire and let in Cairo on May 31 to discuss, up to 5-10,000 Egyptian pounds Sisi, 62, says he is a bulwark viser has said that eight of its position activists ahead of the high-profi le case in which non- elements attack our brothers among other issues, a sim- ($250-550), or both. of stability in a region that has members have been detained election. governmental organisations in Sudan? We practice hon- mering trade dispute that has He would also be barred from slipped into chaos since the 2011 since April on charges including “The Egyptian authorities are accused of receiving foreign ourable politics at a time when blocked Egyptian agricultural running for the presidency. Arab Spring revolts, prioritising “misusing social media to incite seem intent on pre-emptively funding to foment chaos. honour is rare.” imports. Since replacing Mohamed security over civil rights. against the state” and “insult- crushing any potential rivals to Zaree told Reuters he had been Egypt and Sudan have been Egyptian Foreign Minister Mursi of the Muslim Brother- He is widely expected to stand ing the president”. Ali’s defence maintain their grip on power,” charged with “receiving funds at odds in recent months on Sameh Shoukry was in Khar- hood in 2013, President Abdel for re-election next summer. team paid bail worth 1,000 Najia Bounaim, Amnesty Inter- from foreign entities to harm issues ranging from disputed toum last month at the head of Fattah al-Sisi has overseen a Dozens of lawyers gathered pounds ($55) after his release national’s campaigns director national security” before be- land in southern Egypt to a delegation that took part in a crackdown against conserva- at the courthouse where Ali was was ordered, his lawyer said. for North Africa, said in a state- ing released on bail of 30,000 trade restrictions and burden- bilateral political consultation tives and secular opponents in being questioned yesterday in Amnesty International said ment. Separately yesterday, a pounds. some visa requirements that committee meeting.

Tutankhamun’s chariot off ers museum hope

Reuters Transporting the artefacts became an issue of interna- Cairo tional concern in 2014 after the beard of the ancient Egyp- tian king’s golden burial mask was accidentally broken off by workers changing the lights in its display case. chariot and funeral bed belonging to ancient The workers later tried to crudely reattach the beard Egypt’s boy-king Tutankhamun were safely moved with a an epoxy glue compound that damaged the mask, Aon Tuesday across Cairo to a new museum that prompting outrage among archaeologists. Egypt hopes will lure back wary tourists. King Tut ruled Egypt as pharaoh for 10 years until his Just beyond the Great Pyramids of Giza in the basement death at age 19, around 1324 B.C. of Cairo’s Grand Egyptian Museum, which is set to be the His nearly intact tomb was discovered in the Valley of world’s largest archaeological museum when it opens in the Kings in Luxor in 1922 by British archaeologist Howard 2018, Egyptian and Japanese restoration experts unpacked Carter. The king’s funeral bed is made of wood gilded with the pharaoh’s treasured artefacts from sealed wooden gold leaf and decorated with the head of the lioness god- boxes. Some of the world’s oldest relics, including dozens dess Sekhmet. belonging to King Tut, who ruled Egypt more than 3,000 Wrapped in foil to preserve its moisture levels, the an- years ago, are being carefully shuttled from the old Egyp- cient relic was transported across the city in a pick-up tian Museum in central Cairo to the vast halls of the new truck fl anked by police cars, said Tarek Tawfi k, the mu- one 23 kilometres away. seum’s general supervisor. Egypt is hoping the splashy new museum will be a draw “We will transfer over 1,000 objects from the old mu- for tourism, a crucial pillar of its economy that has strug- seum in the next months to be restored and prepared for gled since a 2011 political uprising drove away visitors who exhibition,” Egypt’s Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Anani once fl ocked to ancient Pharaonic temples and pyramids. told journalists. ONE SMOKER. ‘Most wanted’ Yazidi activist wants TWO PATIENTS. to keep focus on her people’s plight

Thomson Reuters Foundation urged other Yazidis to put themselves this,” she said through an interpreter as Oslo forward for Iraq’s 2018 election. she propped up one leg on a chair. “At the moment trying to keep us in “Before 2014 most Yazidis did not the spotlight is falling largely on my feel the need to get politically active TOBACCO KILLS n Iraqi parliamentarian and shoulders but I can’t be everywhere at because they were living peacefully but Yazidi activist known as Islamic the same time,” Dakhil told the Thom- now they want to be well represented in AState’s “most wanted woman” son Reuters Foundation on the side- parliament.” wants other Yazidis to step onto the lines of the ninth annual Oslo Freedom Her campaigning has taken its toll — global stage to keep the plight of her Forum where her emotional speech re- not just mentally. people in the spotlight. ceived a standing ovation. In 2014 Dakhil was on a helicop- Vian Dakhil hit world headlines in Dakhil was one of a list of speakers ter carrying aid supplies to the Sinjar August 2014 when she broke down in attending the three-day forum organ- region that crashed when a crowd of tears in Iraq’s parliament when she ised by the US — based Human Rights Yazidis tried to board as it landed. plead for help for the religious minority Foundation that aims to promote and Dakhil survived with a broken leg, under attack by Islamic State militants protect human rights globally. but the pilot and dozens of others were in Sinjar, northern Iraq, home to about “Nearly three years on people forget killed. 400,000 Yazidis. about us but the misery and tragedy is Dakhil said she hoped to run again In just days about 3,100 Yazidis were still there and just as real with 420,000 for election next year to win a third killed and 6,800 kidnapped to become Yazidis living as refugees in Kurdistan term in offi ce but no matter what the sex slaves or fi ghters for Islamic State, in very miserable conditions and thou- outcome she would continue her cam- according to a report this month by sands of girls still in captivity and tor- paign to get funding and assistance. John Hopkins University and the Lon- tured.” She voiced concern that funds raised don School of Economics and Political Dakhil, the fi rst and only female internationally were not reaching those Science. Yazidi in parliament, said she had no in need in Yazidi refugee camps in Iraq The militants are still holding about political ambitions before 2010 but and Syria and is determined to get the 3,400 girls as sex slaves and 1,000 chil- found herself thrust into politics after Yazidis’ treatment declared offi cially as dren, according to the United Nations, stepping in as a university teacher in genocide and fully investigated. despite global condemnation for the Mosul to help Yazidis and Christians The release of the girls still in cap- campaign of rape and murder. coming under attack. tivity was also a priority with progress Since 2014 Dakhil, one of only two She said at that time no one could slow. ethnic Yazidis in Iraq’s 328-member have imagined what the Yazidis were to Two days ago Dakhil received a call parliament, has campaigned tirelessly face at the hands of Islamic State mili- from someone who had found two to keep world attention on her people, tants. Yazidi girls enslaved in Mosul. becoming, alongside former Islamic “You’d never have thought in the “Our fi ght is not over. We aren’t even State sex slave Nadia Murad, the face of 21st Century, in a world of technol- half-way through what we need to do. the Yazidis globally. ogy, there would be people believing Staying in government gives me more Issued in Public Interest by GULF TIMES But Dakhil said she needed help and in death, kidnapping and torture like power to help my people,” she said. Gulf Times 16 Thursday, May 25, 2017 AFRICA

AID DEVELOPMENT SILENCED FIRED RECIPIENT UNKNOWN Trump commits $300mn to New port boosts Djibouti’s Cameroon blocks Amnesty Tanzania president sacks Nigeria seizes illegal arms fight famine in Africa dream to be maritime hub campaign to free students minister for lost revenue shipment at Lagos port

US President Donald Trump yesterday told Pope East Africa’s smallest country Djibouti yesterday Amnesty International said yesterday authorities in President John Magufuli yesterday fired Nigeria said yesterday it had intercepted an Francis he was committing more than $300mn took a step towards realising its dream of Cameroon were obstructing its campaign to obtain Tanzania’s mines minister after a government illegal cache of arms at the port in Lagos, five to help prevent or tackle famine in several becoming a continental maritime cargo hub with the release of three students jailed for 10 years over report found minerals exports had been months after a similar seizure in the city, a countries in Africa. Trump said he had “renewed” the inauguration of its newest and largest port. what they say was a private joke. The three were understated, causing a loss in tax revenue. spokesman told AFP. “Following intelligence the US “commitment to fighting global famine”, The $590mn facility is part of an infrastructure convicted of terrorist-related charges in November Mining minister Sospeter Muhongo, a friend and reports, our operatives on Monday inspected with the United Nations warning that about 20mn blitz by the country, sandwiched between Ethiopia, after sharing an SMS on militant group Boko Haram ally of the president, was dismissed along with a 40ft container at the Tin Can port in Apapa, people across Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan Somalia and Eritrea, that includes three other which they told the court was meant to be amusing. the head of the Tanzania Minerals Audit Agency, Lagos, and found 440 pieces of assorted pump and Yemen are at risk. The UN has described the ports and a railroad to the capital of landlocked Amnesty collected 310,000 letters and petitions Dominic Rwekaza. “The minister is my friend and I action rifles and other accessories of the guns,” situation as the biggest humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia. “The Doraleh Multipurpose Port, Djibouti urging President Paul Biya to free them and had like him very much but I will not forgive him for this,” said Joseph Attah. The consignment originated its history, but donor funding is falling far short. confirms its position as a major trading hub for the been intending to release the documents at a Magufuli said in a televised address after receiving in Turkey and was covered with plaster of Paris “As he (Trump) relayed at the Vatican, the United continent,” said Aboubaker Omar Hadi, chairman press conference. But “early this morning, around a the report yesterday. “I want him to reconsider his to try to avoid detection, he added. One suspect States is proud to announce more than $300mn of the Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority, dozen security agents, in uniform and plain clothes, position and I am advising him to step down.” A later was arrested and investigations were under way in anti-famine spending” for the area, a White which split the cost of the port with Hong Kong- entered the hotel and ordered the managers to statement issued by the presidency confirmed that to determine the intended recipient of the illegal House statement said. based China Merchant Holding. close the press conference venue,” the group said. Muhongo had been fired. shipment, Attah said.

Mugabe daughter appointed to state 8 Kenyan cops killed censor board

AFP Harare in roadside bombings resident Robert Mugabe’s daughter Bona Chikore has been appointed to the Zimbabwe board of Reuters Pcensors, state media reported yesterday, the lat- Nairobi est family member to take up an offi cial role. The board “faces the colossal task of regulating pub- lic entertainment in the digital age,” the state-owned ight Kenyan security offi cers Herald newspaper said, raising fears of further restric- were killed yesterday in two tions on criticism of Mugabe’s regime. Eseparate roadside bombings The newspaper said the board would play “a critical in eastern Kenya, senior offi cials role in controlling and regulating the media and fi lm said, underscoring the threat from industry and examining any article or public entertain- Somali Islamist militants. ment submitted to it”. The biggest attack was on a gov- Chikore’s mother Grace is head of the ruling ZANU- ernor’s convoy in Mandera, in the PF party’s women league, and is seen by some observers extreme northeast of the country as a potential successor when the 93-year-old presi- near the border with Somalia. dent dies. The area is a frequent target of She has three children with Mugabe. the Somali militant group Shebaab. Chikore, 27, who was educated in Hong Kong, is the “Unfortunately, I lost fi ve of my eldest, while two sons are still in school. security offi cers including my per- Mugabe’s nephews Patrick Zhuwao and Walter Chid- sonal bodyguard in an attack on my hakwa are ministers of youth and mining respectively, convoy,” Mandera Governor Ali Ro- while several other relatives hold government posi- bathe said in a Facebook post. tions. The Red Cross said on Twitter Chikore’s husband Simba was recently appointed the that the vehicle had hit a suspected chief operating offi cer of the national carrier Air Zim- landmine. babwe. Shebaab has not yet commented In 2004, Zimbabwe’s censors banned a play called on the incident, but it did claim an ‘Superpatriot and the Morons’ about an autocratic earlier attack in Liboi, further to ruler kept in power by a small clique of allies and brutal the south but also in the extreme security forces. east along the border with Somalia. The new censors board is chaired by former cul- The Liboi attack killed three ture minister Aeneas Chigwedere and includes Regis policemen when their truck hit an Chikowore, deputy to Mugabe’s spokesman, police improvised explosive device (IED), spokeswoman Charity Charamba and a traditional North Eastern regional commis- A Kenyan security off icial walk past a police vehicle damaged by a blast, killing Kenyan police off icers, in Garissa county, eastern Kenya. chief. sioner Mohamud Ali Saleh said. “The constitution of Zimbabwe has a provision for “The police car ran over an IED these IEDs to target our security baab’s military operation spokes- pose its own harsh interpretation detected moving into Kenya in freedom of artistic expression,” The Herald quoted and we have casualties. All the dead people.” man told Reuters. of Shariah, says it will continue to small groups. home aff airs minister Ignatius Chombo as saying in an offi cers are from one work station,” The Kenyan Red Cross said on Garissa county, where the inci- attack Kenya until Nairobi with- “These groups are dispatching address to the censors. Saleh told Reuters, without reveal- Twitter eight offi cers had been dent happened, has suff ered several draws its troops from an African operatives into parts of North East- “In today’s environment where there is heightened ing the number of wounded offi c- wounded. Shebaab attacks in recent years, in- Union peacekeeping mission in ern Region to lay IEDs along the scrutiny by members of the public, internet and social ers. “We are behind the attack in Li- cluding a 2015 assault on a univer- Somalia. routes used by our security patrols media use, you are going to face many challenges.” “From past incidences, it is easy boi area. We destroyed the police sity which killed 148 people. The police said on Tuesday they in eff orts to frustrate our security Many Zimbabweans use social media platforms to to see that even this one is the work car. Some died and others were in- Shebaab, which seeks to topple were on alert for an increase in vio- operations at the border areas,” the circumvent tough media and security laws to express of our enemy, Shebaab. They plant jured,” Abdiasis Abu Musab, She- Somalia’s government and im- lence after Shebaab fi ghters were police said in a statement. opposition to Mugabe, who has ruled since 1980.

IS claims fi rst suicide attack in Somalia The Islamic State militant group has claimed its first suicide attack in Kenya fl our shortage stokes anger ahead of elections Somalia that left at least five people dead as it steps up activities in a region dominated by the Al Qaeda- By Duncan Miriri, Reuters The government is importing Mexican linked Shebaab. Nairobi maize and distributing it to millers at sub- The group’s self-styled news sidised rates. agency Amaq claimed the “mar- The packets are stamped in bright red let- tyrdom-seeking operation with an Kenyan government scheme to sub- ters with the price of 90 shillings and the explosive vest” in a statement car- sidise staple maize fl our has hit letters GoK (Government of Kenya). ried by the SITE Intelligence Group Aproblems over shortages, stoking an- The subsidies lower the cost of a 90 kg which noted it was the first such ger over high food prices ahead of a national bag of maize to 2,300 shillings from a mar- attack by the militants in Somalia. election in August. ket rate of 4,600 shillings. The suicide bomber, named President Uhuru Kenyatta, seeking a sec- Richard Lesiyampe, principal secretary and pictured in the statement, ond fi ve-year term, faces veteran rival Raila at the ministry of agriculture, blamed panic detonated his explosives vest late Odinga, who says the high food prices show buying for the shortages, which he said were on Tuesday at a checkpoint in the Kenyatta’s government has failed poor citi- not widespread. northeastern port city of Bosaso zens. “Shoppers have decided to call all their in the semi-autonomous region of The government unveiled a 6bn shilling relatives, their spouses, their mothers, their Puntland. ($58.14mn) maize subsidy programme last daughters, their sons and the house-helps “Security forces stopped the week to lower the unit cost of fl our to 90 so they can get as many packets as possible,” suspect when he approached but shillings, after it soared by a third to around he told Reuters. he detonated himself leaving five 136 shillings during a regional drought. He said Kenya has 43,000 metric tonnes people dead. One of the security “We are happy they have lowered the of maize and a ship carrying another 43,000 off icers and four civilians were price but getting it is the problem. This tonnes of Mexican corn is expected today. killed in the blast,” said local police fl our is like gold,” said trader Joseph Ouma, Further shipments are expected at the port off icial Mohamed Dahir Adan. speaking in a Nairobi store that limited of Mombasa on June 11 and 15. The IS statement said seven peo- shoppers to two packs of fl our per customer Kenya uses 4,500 tonnes of maize daily, ple were killed and 10 wounded. due to high demand. Lesiyampe said. The blast occurred near a hotel In the western city of Kisumu, major re- He rejected criticism that the government often used as a meeting place for tail outlets did not have maize fl our, anger- should have imported maize earlier, saying local off icials, witnesses said. ing shoppers who had travelled from rural imports are used as a last resort to protect Puntland set up its own govern- homes to the city to look for it. the market for local farmers. ment in 1998, but unlike neighbour- “It is sad that the government assures us The bulk of Kenya’s maize is produced in ing Somaliland, it has not declared that there is fl our yet we can’t fi nd it in the the populous Rift Valley region, a key voting full independence. shops,” said Denish Owuor, who managed to bloc courted assiduously by the main politi- The region has often come buy only one pack of fl our. cal coalitions. An employee restocks packet of maize flour subsidised by government at a supermarket in Nairobi. under attack by Shebaab militants and is also home to a breakaway group of fighters who have de- clared allegiance to IS. However the group has so far failed to gather much support Ethiopian court convicts journalist for incitement to violence while the Shebaab have taken pains to purge those expressing pro-IS sentiment from their ranks. Reuters the operations of the outlawed anti- faces up to 10 years in prison. against the government of the Horn of opposition groups accuse the government The militants are led by former Addis Ababa government group Ginbot 7. “Today’s groundless ruling is a Africa nation. of constant harassment and intimidation. Shebaab cleric Abdiqadir Mumin That charge was later dismissed by further slap in the face for justice in The government considers it a “ter- Yesterday’s conviction comes a week who switched allegiance from Al the court, but he was found guilty yes- Ethiopia and proof of the authorities’ rorist” organisation, a designation is after the court in the capital Addis Qaeda to IS in October 2015 and n Ethiopian court yesterday terday of public provocation to commit continued willingness...to misuse the shares with two Ethiopian secessionist Ababa found a former opposition party was named a “global terrorist” by convicted a journalist of inciting “crimes against the external security criminal justice system to silence dis- groups, Somalia’s Shebaab and Al Qaeda. spokesperson guilty of encouraging the US State Department in August. Aviolence against the state with a and defensive power” of the state. sent,” said Muthoni Wanyeki, Amnesty Critics say Ethiopia, sandwiched terrorist acts for a series of anti-gov- Aside from issuing occasional dissident group, activists said, a judge- Getachew, formerly a freelance International’s regional director, in a between volatile Somalia and Sudan, ernment posts on Facebook. promotional videos, the group ment that an international rights group writer for several magazines, was also statement. regularly uses security concerns as an Yonatan Tesfay’s charges stem from seized the small fishing town of said was a bid to silence critics. editor-in-chief of the opposition Se- Ginbot 7 was formed by opposition excuse to stifl e dissent and clamp down a 2009 law that prescribes jail terms Qandala before being ousted by Getachew Shiferaw was arrested in mayawi Party’s Negere Ethiopia publi- fi gures who took part in disputed polls on media freedoms. for anyone convicted of publishing in- Puntland forces in December. late December 2015 and charged in May cation at the time of his arrest. in 2005. They subsequently fl ed into Ethiopia’s 547-seat parliament does formation that could induce readers to the following year with involvement in He will be sentenced on May 26 and exile and launched an armed struggle not have a single opposition politician and commit acts of terrorism. Gulf Times Thursday, May 25, 2017 17 AMERICA Lawmakers gear Ivanka visits Pantheon up to block sale of oil stockpile Lawmakers are worried that emergencies, and selling now Trump auction off our energy se- and hurt drilling companies still prices would crash would disrupt the markets.” curity to the highest bidder,” Sena- recovering from a price crash in The SPR sell-off plan is part of tor Maria Cantwell of Washington 2014. Trump had campaigned on Reuters a broader White House proposal said in an e-mail. a promise to revive the drilling in- Washington to balance the US budget that is The Arab oil embargo of the early dustry. meant as starting point to debate 1970s led to chaos at US fi lling sta- “Putting that much oil on the policy with Congress — which will tions and fears of long-term dam- market, you will see a lot of layoff s Trump administration plan ultimately pass its own version. age to the economy. in the energy business,” said Rep- to sell off half the US emer- Whether the SPR proposal will Much has changed since then: resentative Gene Green, a Demo- Agency crude oil stockpile survive the budget process could US oil production has surged in re- crat from Texas. to help balance the budget faces depend in part on Republican cent years and supply from Canada Mick Mulvaney, the head of the opposition in Congress, with law- Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, has increased, displacing a large Offi ce of Management and Budget makers from both parties worried a member of the appropriations portion of the imports from some told reporters on Tuesday, how- the proposal would undermine committee and the head of the less stable Middle Eastern suppli- ever, there are ways to tap the SPR the drilling industry and make chamber’s energy panel. ers. slowly and “telegraph it over the the country vulnerable to supply In 2015, when Congress was US oil imports from the pro- course of time” to avoid having a shocks. considering selling a modest ducer group Opec have fallen to dramatic impact on prices. The White House’s 2018 budg- amount of oil from the reserve to less than 3.2mn bpd in 2016 from Representative Pete Olson, a et proposal, sent to Congress on help fund a transportation bill, more than 5.4mn barrels per day Texas Republican, said the SPR Tuesday, proposes raising nearly Murkowski opposed the idea, say- in 2008, according to the US En- infrastructure needs improvement $16.6bn by 2027 by gradually sell- ing the reserve should not be used ergy Information Administra- because tanks and other equip- ing millions of barrels from the as an ATM. tion. ment are constantly exposed to reserve, which now holds about Murkowski did not directly ad- Richard Newell, a former head of corrosive salt air. 688mn barrels of oil in under- dress the SPR plan in a statement the EIA, noted that the plan could But he did not rush to embrace a ground caverns in Texas and Loui- on Tuesday, but she said “a Presi- cause the United States to break its sell-off of oil, saying that the larger siana. dent’s budget is more of a vision obligation as a member of the In- budget deserves careful scrutiny. News of the proposal had briefl y than anything else”. Eff orts to ternational Energy Agency to hold Some oil industry representa- sent oil prices tumbling on concern reach Murkowski on Tuesday were 90 days’ worth of oil imports on tives also came out against the it would oversupply the market, not successful. reserve. proposal. but prices recovered and fi nished Murkowski’s Democratic coun- Currently, the SPR holds about Randall Luthi, President of the slightly higher on hopes that Opec terpart on the energy panel, how- 145 days’ worth of oil imports. National Ocean Industries Associ- and other countries would extend ever, raised concerns that liquidat- “There are a number of possi- ation said the plan to cut the SPR in supply cuts. ing half of the reserve would run ble scenarios under which reduc- half threatened national security. “We should not be selling oil counter to the original purpose of ing the SPR to the levels proposed He added he also opposed a pro- from the Strategic Petroleum Re- the facility, which Congress creat- would violate our IEA treaty obli- posal in the budget to cut federal oil serve now,” said Senator John Ho- ed in 1975 to protect against global gations,” he said. royalty payments to US Gulf Coast Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, visit the Pantheon in central Rome even, a Republican from North oil disruptions that could harm the Lawmakers from both parties states — funds meant to help them yesterday. Dakota, a leading oil producer US economy. also said releasing oil from the defend their coasts from hurricane state.”We should use the SPR for “We are not going to let Donald SPR could dampen crude prices damage. FB ‘signs BuzzFeed, Vox, Governor NY fi rms proposes others for original video’ freeze off er their

Reuters tract more advertising dollars, show and give creators 55% of the content will be able to run in wages New York putting the company in head- revenue from ads, the sources the shows on their own proper- to-head competition with Al- said. ties after a negotiated period of ‘Plan B’ for phabet Inc’s YouTube Red, Ads will run during both the time, and will be able to even- Reuters acebook Inc has signed Snapchat’s Discover feature, long-form and short-form tually sell them externally, the Connecticut deals with millennial- and traditional television net- shows. sources said. Ffocused news and enter- works. A Facebook spokeswoman The company is focused on tainment creators Vox Media, It is an attempt to deliver on declined to comment. working with news and enter- onnecticut Governor transit woes BuzzFeed, ATTN, Group Nine Facebook Chief Executive Mark Facebook said in December it tainment makers that are al- Dannel Malloy on Tues- Media and others to make Zuckerberg’s remarks to inves- would buy original scripted and ready active on Facebook and Cday proposed a wage shows for its upcoming video tors earlier this month that the unscripted programming for its have a large millennial follow- freeze and higher employee Reuters work at home or in Jersey City, service, which will feature long company was looking for so- video service. ing. contributions to pension and New York said human resources spokes- and short-form content with called “anchor content” that Earlier this year, it tapped Vox, BuzzFeed, ATTN and healthcare while reducing the man Sean O’Brien. ad breaks, according to several would draw people to the video former MTV executive Mina Group Nine Media — the hold- state’s share, in a framework for “It obviously increases pro- sources familiar with the situ- tab on Facebook’s app. Lefevre to lead the eff ort. ing company for Thrillist, an agreement with labour un- aced with this summer’s ductivity so people aren’t stuck ation. The world’s biggest social Facebook currently off ers live NowThis and The Dodo — are ions that could save the state partial shutdown of a key on trains for an hour or two,” Facebook is planning two media company is set to pay video from a number of news all working on short-form con- over $1.5bn by 2019. FNew York transit hub due O’Brien said. “It also reduces tiers of video entertainment: up to $250,000 for the longer, publishers as well as its own us- tent for the new Facebook serv- Malloy’s plan proposed to in- to track repairs, some employers the amount of meetings that scripted shows with episodes scripted shows which will be ers. ice, the sources said. crease employee pension contri- in the largest US city are scram- have to be cancelled because im- lasting 20 to 30 minutes, which owned by Facebook, taking a It has begun testing the water Advertisers are interested in butions by 2 % of pay from 2019 bling to come up with “Plan B” portant stakeholders are stuck it will own; and shorter scripted page from a strategy employed with live sports video in the last learning more about Facebook’s fi nancial year and reduce the off erings to allow their suburb- on trains.” and unscripted shows with epi- successfully by Netfl ix Inc and few months. service as they see it as another state’s share of pension contri- dwelling staff to avoid the large- Scott Rechler, chief executive sodes lasting about 5 to 10 min- Amazon.com Inc, which both Most recently it signed a deal way to get in front of the grow- butions by $400 mn to $500 mn ly shuttered hub. of RXR Realty LLC said his $15bn utes, which Facebook will not now own some of the content with Major League Baseball to ing number of viewers watching per year. Inquiries have spiked for tem- development fi rm is contem- own, according to the sources. they sell to subscribers. show 20 games live this season. their favourite shows on tablets The proposal aims to redesign porary offi ce spaces that do not plating off ering more fl exible Facebook’s move to acquire For the second tier of short- While Facebook will initially and smartphones, said Mo- the health insurance plan and to require travel through Pennsyl- hours or allowing employees to and license original content er shows, Facebook will pay run short-form shows exclu- nique Lemus O’Brien, a media increase the employee share of vania Station, the busiest train work at offi ces outside Manhat- is the latest in its push to at- $10,000 to $35,000 for each sively on its site, the creators of buyer at The Media Kitchen. premiums by 1 % a year for ex- station in the US, where weeks- tan. isting employees from 2020 to long outages in July and August “We’re going to all have to 2022, raising the average contri- are expected to trigger a travel fi nd ways to adjust, almost like bution to 15 %. nightmare for employees living we did post-Sandy,” said Rech- The framework will reopen in New Jersey and Long Island ler, referring to 2012 Superstorm the contract currently in eff ect suburbs, according to business- Sandy, which left millions of Pollard Texas House approves new through June 30, 2022. If adopt- es and real estate specialists. train riders without service, on ed it could save the state up to In the nation’s leading centre some routes for weeks. $10 bn over the next decade. of banking, fi nance, and com- Penn Station serves three loses bid voter ID bill after court setbacks Malloy, a Democrat, also pro- munication, major employers commuter train lines: Amtrak, posed to freeze wages until 2019, are off ering to let workers clock New Jersey Transit and the Long before a 3.5 % wage increase a in from home or report to branch Island Rail Road. to relax Reuters exclude ethnic minorities, who the state’s strict Republican- year in 2020 and 2021. offi ces. Amtrak owns the station’s Austin, Texas tend to support Democrats, and backed voter-identifi cation re- The wage freeze could result It is an eff ort to spare the sta- tracks and was responsible for imposes harsh penalties of up quirements. in savings of $385.2mn in 2019. tion’s 600,000 daily commuters two recent derailments that parole to 10 years in prison for lying on Critics had said the Texas law The governor said the plan from what New York Governor prompted it to speed up long- he Texas House of Rep- the affi davit. and similar statutes enacted in would avoid the need for mass Andrew Cuomo predicted could planned repairs. resentatives gave pre- Texas is the most-populous other Republican-governed layoff s and provide the state be a “summer of agony”, based The three railroads together Reuters Tliminary approval on Republican controlled state. states were tailored to make it greater fl exibility. on recent delays and cancel- are devising a scheme for which New York Tuesday to a new bill on show- For more than 20 years, the harder for minorities includ- “This framework will surely lations triggered by a pair of tracks to take offl ine for repairs, ing identifi cation when voting party has won every statewide ing black and Hispanic voters, create more aff ordable and more derailments at the station infa- and where to reroute other after a previous voter ID law race for offi ces such as governor who are less likely to have the sustainable labour costs in a way mous for its deteriorating tracks. trains. Summer outages are ex- federal appeals court was struck down by US courts or US senator. authorised IDs, to cast ballots. that generates structural, long- “People are trying to avoid the pected from July 7 through July yesterday rejected a which said it discriminated But shifting demographics Backers of these laws have term savings of over $20bn over harrowing commute to get into 25 and August 4 through August Abid by Jonathan Pol- against black and Hispanic have given hopes to Democrats said they are necessary to pre- the course of the next two dec- that part of town,” said Marcus 28. lard, the former US Navy people. that they can one day turn the vent voter fraud, despite little ades,” Malloy said in a statement. Moufarrige, chief operating of- New Jersey Governor Chris intelligence offi cer who The measure called Sen- state to their column, which evidence of such fraud. Earlier this month, Fitch Rat- fi cer at Servcorp Ltd, a landlord Christie said on Tuesday that N served 30 years in prison af- ate Bill 5 is intended to rem- would alter the US political Both the previous law and ings downgraded the state one for shared workspaces. Calls in J Transit trains on the popular ter being convicted of spy- edy fl aws found by courts in the landscape. the measure in the Texas leg- notch to A-plus because of a search of temporary offi ce space Morris & Essex Midtown Direct ing for Israel, to relax his previous Republican-backed The original voter ID meas- islature list authorised photo dimming economic outlook and in lower Manhattan in July and line would be diverted to Hobo- parole conditions. law. ure was signed into law in 2011 ID to include: a driver’s license, a lack of fi scal fl exibility, mak- August have risen 4% compared ken, where ferries and alternate The 2nd US Circuit Court It allows people who cannot by then Texas Governor Rick US military ID, a US passport ing it the third-lowest-rated US to the previous year, Moufarrige train lines connect to Manhat- of Appeals in Manhattan produce an authorised photo Perry, a Republican. and a Texas concealed handgun state on Fitch’s roster. said. tan. The overall changes may said the US Parole Commis- ID to show other documenta- It was considered one of the license. Connecticut is the wealthiest “Some have mentioned the also have a longer term eff ect, sion acted within its discre- tion such as a utility bill or bank nation’s strictest and has been The Texas Senate approved US state on a per capita personal situation at Penn Station,” he observers said. tion in requiring Pollard to statement and sign an affi davit subject to years of court chal- SB 5 in March and on Tuesday income basis and its economic said. “If people believe it’s go- wear an electronic tracking stating that they had a reason- lenges, with the laws oppo- the state House of Representa- growth has been “unusually Investment bank Soci- ing to be a chronic problem, device, obey a curfew, and able impediment in presenting nents saying it could exclude tives preliminarily approved slow and uncertain” during the ete Generale has off ered its then there’s probably going to allow his computers to be an authorised ID. up to 600,000 voters. the measure. current national economic ex- 1,500-person Manhattan work- be more meaningful structural monitored. Pollard pleaded Critics contend the meas- In January, the US Supreme Final votes on the bill were pansion, Fitch said on May 12. force, about half of whom com- changes relative to where people guilty in 1986 to conspiracy ure backed by the Republican- Court declined to hear an ap- to be held yesterday, media re- It said the state is expecting mute from New Jersey through want to live and property val- to commit espionage. dominated lawmakers will still peal by Texas seeking to revive ported. weak job growth in coming years. Penn Station, the chance to ues,” said Rechler. Gulf Times 18 Thursday, May 25, 2017 ASEAN Suu Kyi seeks to revive Cop dead in Indonesia peace process with talks terror attack Reuters Chinese foreign ministry Yangon spokesman Lu Kang told report- AFP ers in Beijing that China sup- Jakarta ported all eff orts to bring about yanmar’s leader Aung peace and ethnic reconciliation in San Suu Kyi yesterday Myanmar and called for all sides suspected suicide bombing rocked a busy bus terminal Mopened a new round of to resolve their diff erences peace- in the Indonesian capital Jakarta yesterday, killing one talks with some of the country’s fully via talks. Apoliceman in the latest terror attack to hit the Muslim- myriad ethnic groups, looking to Several large rebel groups oper- majority country. Five police offi cers were also injured in the ex- revive a stuttering peace process ate on the rugged Myanmar-Chi- plosion at the bus station in the east of the city. after a tough fi rst year in power na border and Beijing’s special “There has been a bomb, for now we suspect it is a suicide that saw the worst fi ghting with envoy, Sun Guoxiang, has quietly bombing,” deputy national police chief Syafruddin, who like rebels in years. urged them to attend the confer- many Indonesians goes by one name, told TV station TVOne. The conference comes amid ence, amid a warming of relations He said the bomber was killed along with one police offi cer, continued tensions between eth- between the two countries. adding that fi ve other policemen were injured. “The police per- nic armed groups, the military Myanmar army chief Senior sonnel had been providing security,” to people in the area, he and Nobel Peace Prize winner General Min Aung Hlaing told the added. The terminal, Kampung Melayu, is a local hub served by Suu Kyi, and analysts said it was conference that signing up to the minibuses and buses. It is a working class district of the city, not unlikely to see any new groups NCA did not amount to surrender popular with foreigners or tourists. join a landmark ceasefi re accord by armed groups, and pledged Police and witnesses said earlier they had heard two blasts negotiated by the previous ad- the military would play its part during the attack. “At fi rst I saw smoke and shattered glass, the ministration. in seeking solutions to end con- earth was shaking, I was shocked. After a few minutes there was Ending decades of near-per- fl icts. another blast,” a woman at the terminal, Rosmala, a shopkeeper petual civil war is Suu Kyi’s stated But he also warned the groups who goes by only one name, told AFP. No 1 priority — a goal she sees as against pushing for too much Another eyewitness, Sultan Mohamed Firdaus, told local tel- key to unlocking the resource- autonomy and going beyond the evision station Kompas TV that he had heard two explosions. “I rich country’s potential and contours of the federal state. was on a fl yover and then I heard the fi rst explosion...There was a guaranteeing basic development Activist Pwint Phyu Latt (centre) greets friends and family members after she was released from Oo Bo “Such acts go against the de- 10 minute gap between the two explosions. The explosions were for its more than 50mn people. prison in Mandalay yesterday. sires and interest of the people quite loud, I could hear them clearly,” he said. East Jakarta police In an opening speech, Suu Kyi who have high expectations of chief Andry Wibowo said that the damage at the bus terminal urged the gathered rebel repre- Peace activists amongst 250 pardoned prisoners the democracy cause and peace indicated that the explosion had been “pretty big”. sentatives to join the National process,” he said, adding that the Indonesia has long struggled with Islamic militancy and hun- Ceasefi re Agreement (NCA) ne- Myanmar yesterday granted am- political prisoners, land activists, stacked with former political pris- military would “have to face any dreds of radicals from the Southeast Asian state have fl ocked gotiated by a quasi-civilian tran- nesty to more than 250 prisoners student activists and farmers oners jailed for their activism. organization committing de- to fi ght with IS, sparking fears that weakened extremist outfi ts sitional government that took of- ahead of peace talks yesterday with greeted by jubilant well-wishers as But the initial wave of releases structive acts in line with its re- could get a new lease of life. fi ce after the end of junta-rule in ethnic rebel groups, including two they walked out of prison in Manda- has ebbed and a surge in prosecu- sponsibility”. A gun and suicide attack in the capital Jakarta left four attack- 2011. activists sentenced to hard labour lay yesterday morning. tions under a controversial online Several confl icts have reignite ers and four civilians dead in January last year, and was the fi rst She said the NCA was not a for their work promoting interfaith “I am very happy (but) they defamation law has raised concerns since Suu Kyi took power, dis- assault claimed by the Islamic State group in Southeast Asia. goal in itself, but a fi rst step to- peace. should not have been in prison in about lingering curbs on free placing an estimated 160,000 Indonesia has suff ered a series of Islamic militant attacks in wards deepening dialogue. The president’s off ice announced the first place,” said Harry Myo Lin, expression. people, according to data from the past 15 years, including the 2002 Bali bombings that killed “We recognise that ceasefi re late on Tuesday it would release director of human rights advocacy Around 100 people are still being the United Nations. 202 people, mostly foreign tourists. A sustained crackdown negotiations can address sur- 186 Myanmar nationals and 73 for- group The Seagull, who went down held as political prisoners, while A coalition of four rebel weakened the most dangerous networks but the emergence of IS face problems, but only political eigners as a gesture of goodwill. to meet them. more than 200 are awaiting trial for groups comprising one of My- has proved a potent new rallying cry for radicals. dialogue can address underly- Among them were activists Zaw Myanmar has released more political crimes, according to the anmar’s most powerful militias, Numerous recent IS-linked plots in Indonesia have been ing grievances,” Suu Kyi told the Zaw Latt and Pwint Phyu Latt, who than a thousand prisoners since Assistance Association for Political the Kachin Independence Army, botched or foiled, with analysts saying that many of the coun- delegates gathered in the capital were detained in 2015 after they the former junta ceded power to a Prisoners watchdog. staged attacks on security forces try’s militants lack the capacity to launch serious attacks. Naypyitaw. travelled to the headquarters of the quasi-civilian government in 2011. Harry Myo Lin said the civilian in the north of the country in No- The 71-year-old de facto leader Kachin Independence Army to de- Hundreds were pardoned government’s hands were tied by vember. of the country said that the “door liver a Christian cross and a statue shortly after Nobel Peace Prize the military, which still controls key In the spring, fi ghting with to dialogue” with groups that of Buddha as symbols of peace. winner Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian levers of power under a junta-era Kokang rebels in the hills along have not yet signed the peace Last year they were jailed for government took over in 2016 after constitution. the Chinese border sent about deal remained open, pledging she two years with hard labour in a winning the first free elections in “One of the diff iculties almost all 20,000 refugees fl eeing to Chi- would strive to bring them “un- case that human rights activists generations. the time here is the government na’s Yunnan province. der the NCA umbrella”. slammed as politically motivated The veteran democracy activist doesn’t have control of the home The conflict in northwestern Some representatives of ethnic and pandering to a hate campaign spent more than 15 years under ministry,” he told AFP. Rakhine state, where an army armed groups have complained by Buddhist nationalists. house arrest ordered by the then- “Also, the judiciary is not as crackdown on Rohingya Mus- in the past that Suu Kyi has tak- They were among some 40 military junta, and her party is independent as it should be.” lim insurgents forced 75,000 en a top-down approach to the people to flee to Bangladesh process, unilaterally dictating amid allegations of widespread the agenda, often ignoring their recently clashed with govern- other important groups pulled are whether the states that make atrocities, is separate from the grievances and siding too closely ment forces, and whose attend- out at the last minute, local me- up Myanmar would be allowed to peace process and will not be with the military. ance had been in doubt, joined dia said. draft their own constitutions and discussed at the five-day con- While several groups that have the negotiations, a handful of Among issues on the agenda the status of religion. ference. Police patrol the scene of an explosion in Jakarta yesterday. President Widodo okays Three years after coup, junta is extension of moratorium on clearing forests deeply embedded in Thai life

Reuters forest fi res during dry seasons, often Reuters plinary initiatives such as a hotline Jakarta blamed on the draining of peatland Bangkok to deal with misbehaving Buddhist forests and land clearance for agricul- monks and so-called “attitude adjust- ture. ment” programmes for drunk drivers. ndonesian President Joko Widodo The resulting choking smoke often n Friday evenings in Thai- The campaign has covered every- has approved a two-year exten- blows across to neighbouring coun- land, sandwiched between thing from a crackdown on taxi gangs Ision to a moratorium on issuing tries such as Singapore and Malaysia, Othe evening news and a popu- at airports to a clean-up of street food new licences to use land designated as slashing visibility and causing a health lar soap opera, is a prime-time pro- stalls, the latter with mostly mixed re- primary forest and peatland, the en- hazard. gramme that has been running for sults. vironment and forestry minister said There were massive forest fi res in three years, or ever since the military Army spokesman Winthai Suvaree yesterday. 2015, aff ecting mainly the island of Su- took power in a May 22, 2014 coup. said those eff orts by the junta, for- This is the third extension of the matra and Kalimantan, the Indonesian Called ‘Sustainable Development mally known as the National Council moratorium, which was established in portion of Borneo island. from a Royal Philosophy’, it stars jun- for Peace and Order (NCPO), have im- 2011 under the previous administration The World Bank estimated that ta leader and former army chief Gen proved Thailand. of president Susilo Bambang Yudhoy- 2.6mn hectares of land in Indonesia Prayut Chan-ocha speaking on a range “Overall, people are satisfi ed with ono, in an eff ort to reduce emissions was destroyed at that time, causing of topics, from the virtues of modesty concrete changes in the society,” Win- from fi res caused by deforestation. $16bn of damage. to the state of the economy. thai told Reuters. The previous extension expired on Indonesia is the world’s biggest palm The military has always played a He did not specifi cally address the May 20 and the latest rollover would oil producer and environmentalists prominent role in Thai life. militarisation of Thai society. give authorities more time to pin down blame much of the forest destruction But Prayut’s show is just one of Thailand has been bitterly divided regulations on forest use, environment on land clearance for the crop. many examples of how embedded the since a 2006 coup against then prime and forestry minister Siti Nurbaya An executive at the Indonesian Palm junta has become in Thai society. minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a bil- Bakar said in a text message. Oil Association (GAPKI) said he hoped Thailand’s military government has lionaire businessman turned politi- “While we are gathering enough the government would provide more acknowledged it wants to weaken po- cian who gained the adoration of rural material to decide on licensing and pri- certainty for plantation industries such litical parties and maintain permanent voters through populist schemes but mary forest and peatland governance, as palm oil. infl uence over future elected govern- made many enemies among the mili- the presidential instruction is extend- “After completing all these (poli- ments, partly through a new constitu- Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha (centre) attends the annual Royal tary-royalist elite. ed for now,” Bakar told Reuters. cies), the government has to have a tion approved by Thailand’s king last Ploughing Ceremony in Bangkok earlier this month. After the restoration of democracy, By November 2016, the govern- masterplan for national palm oil,” Eddy month. the military again intervened in 2014 ment’s forest moratorium covered an Martono of GAPKI said. But data compiled by Reuters shows More than half of the 13 members of The government says military re- to topple a civilian government led by area of more than 66mn hectares. “The reality now is Indonesian palm the military is not just trying to infl u- the Privy Council, the body that ad- cruitment numbers doubled in 2017 Thaksin’s sister Yingluck Shinawatra. Indonesia is prone to outbreaks of oil has become an economic backbone.” ence Thailand’s political life. vises new King Maha Vajiralongkorn from the previous year and attribute Thailand’s military has staged 12 It is leaving an imprint on nearly — himself a former soldier — are mili- that to public approval of their hard- coups since the end of direct rule by every institution of Thai society, with tary men. It was just under half in the line tactics in breaking a political im- kings in 1932. Stolen ancient giant coral found dumped back in the sea brass hats far more entrenched in sen- previous Council. passe that had persisted for years. The 2014 coup was partly the mili- ior positions than under previous mil- Cinema and television stations are Polls backed by the military gov- tary’s way of trying to make right what An ancient giant coral specimen weigh- It is a popular spot among snorkel- itary governments. increasingly showing pro-military ernment show Thais are content with it viewed as the mistakes of the 2006 ing 500kg was stolen from an island in lers. The military now controls 143 out themes and the school curriculum military rule, although no such polls coup, including a failure to get rid of Thailand before being found dumped Following a tip-off , the giant coral of 250 parliamentary seats. Under the features military slogans. have been published in recent months. Thaksin’s allies and subdue his sup- back in the sea, a marine off icial told was found dumped back into the sea previous junta after the 2006 coup, “The military coup of 2014 off ered Perhaps more revealing than a porters, political analysts say. DPA yesterday. on Tuesday, possibly because it was too the military held 67 out of 242 seats. the armed forces the chance to put in military government stacked full of Prayut, then a major-general, was The 2m wide coral believed by local heavy for the thieves to carry, Wan said. The cabinet is stacked with soldiers. place a wider footprint and they are military men is the number of orders part of the junta that seized control of tour operators to be 1,000 years old According to Wan, although coral Out of the 36 cabinet members, 12 doing so,” Paul Chambers, a professor issued by the junta: 358 in total since the government in 2006. was found missing when tourists went thefts in Thailand have occurred spo- have a military background. at Naresuan University and an expert 2014. He led the 2014 putsch as army snorkelling at Koh Wiang island on Mon- radically — or at least once a year — this In 2006, only four military offi cers on the Thai military, told Reuters in an The orders aimed to impose disci- chief, saying the military needed to day, said Wan Chatri, a marine off icer in is the first such attempt to steal a coral were among the 37 cabinet members. e-mail. pline on every aspect of Thai public restore order following a cycle of mass Thailand’s south. this big and this old. The military is also entwined with “A younger generation of retired life. protests and violence. Koh Wiang is located in the Gulf of Marine patrols have been intensified, the powerful monarchy — the name military offi cers are, since the end of They ranged from making seatbelts The junta has been under pres- Thailand, just off the eastern coast of but it is still diff icult to prevent coral of Prayut’s show is derived from the 2016, sitting on the Privy Council,” he mandatory for passengers in the back- sure from some Western countries to the southern province of Chumphon, thefts because the thieves kept chang- philosophy of the late king Bhumibol noted. seats of cars to holding parents ac- return to democracy after repeated 460km south-west of Bangkok. ing where they strike, he added. Adulyadej, who died last October after The public does not appear too con- countable for student fi ghts. delays to the general election, now seven decades on the throne. cerned. The junta has also launched disci- scheduled for some time next year. Gulf Times Thursday, May 25, 2017 19 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA After US student’s speech, mockery and anger in China

Reuters Yesterday, the official Xin- cussed online, and that any so sweet and fresh, and oddly Kunming, capital of the south- pandering to her American au- posts. At a daily foreign minis- Beijing hua news agency’s English- Chinese citizen should “make luxurious.” western province of Yunnan, dience. try news briefing, spokesman language Twitter account remarks responsibly”. “Democracy and freedom a gateway to some of China’s “Freedom of speech doesn’t Lu Kang said many students broadcast a live-stream from Delivering her commence- are the fresh air that is worth most idyllic scenic attractions mean not respecting the facts,” studying abroad would natu- hen Chinese stu- Kunming, with two reporters ment address at the University fighting for,” she said. —and fresh air. said one person on Weibo. rally experience a “develop- dent Yang Shuping interviewing passersby about of Maryland on Sunday, the As the video went viral, and The revelation prompted a “Trampling on China to praise ment and change process” in Wdescribed how she air quality and whether they psychology and theatre gradu- the online furore escalated tongue-in-cheek retort from the US, sorry I can’t agree with how they see the world. ditched her fi ve pollution masks wore pollution masks. “As you ate said that back home, she over what was interpreted as the city on its official Weibo that.” “As long as in the end they upon discovering the “oddly lux- can see, most of the people was forced to wear a face mask an affront to China, netizens social media account. Yang apologised on Monday. still ardently love the mother- urious” air of the United States, don’t wear masks, but some every time she went outside to scoured Yang’s online presence “We won’t take the rap for “The speech is just to share land, and are willing to make she drew a fi erce online backlash, do,” one of the reporters said. prevent falling sick. for personal details, a proc- this! Up to May 8, the number my overseas experience and contributions toward it, I be- indignant newspaper columns China’s foreign ministry also “When I took my first breath ess known in China as “human of good quality air days in Kun- comes with no intention to ne- lieve the Chinese government and even a rebuttal from her weighed in, saying it was aware of American air, I put my mask flesh search”. ming this year is 100%,” it said. gate or belittle my country,” she will encourage, support and hometown. the issue was being widely dis- away.” she said. “The air was They found Yang hailed from Netizens accused Yang of said on Weibo, deleting earlier welcome it,” he said. China says no one should bring chaos to Korean peninsula

Reuters curity Council resolutions. has said “a major, major con- Korea and will continue to play Beijing The North has proudly publi- fl ict” with North Korea is pos- a constructive role in negotia- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspecting the test-fire of a ground-to-ground missile Pukguksong-2. cised its plans to develop a mis- sible and that all options are on tions, Wang said. sile capable of striking the Unit- the table, but that he wants to Almost a month ago, Wash- Kim Jong-un ‘a madman with nuclear weapons’: Trump hina said yesterday no ed States and has ignored calls resolve the crisis diplomatically. ington began discussions with one had the right to bring to halt its weapons programmes, China has been infuriated by China on strengthening UN President Donald Trump called the Korean Peninsula. “We can’t let North Korean counterpart’s “mind Cchaos to the Korean pe- even from China. It says the pro- the US deployment of its Ter- sanctions. However, a week ago North Korean leader Kim Jong-un a madman with nuclear weapons is not working and he might just ninsula, a day after it pushed gramme is necessary to counter minal High Altitude Area De- US UN Ambassador Nikki Haley a “madman with nuclear weap- let on the loose like that. We have go crazy one moment.” for full implementation of UN US aggression. Its last missile fense (THAAD) system in South said Beijing had gone quiet. ons” during a telephone call with a lot of firepower, more than he Kim has a “dangerous toy in sanctions against neighbouring test was on Sunday. Korea, saying it is a threat to its Traditionally, the United Philippine President Rodrigo has, times 20 -- but we don’t want his hands that could create so North Korea for its missile and “No matter which party it is, own security and will do nothing States and China have negoti- Duterte, according to a transcript to use it,” the US leader said, citing much agony and suff ering for all nuclear tests and called for dia- no one has the right to bring war to ease tensions with North Ko- ated new sanctions before in- of the conversation released by “two nuclear submarines” the Pen- mankind,” he added. But Trump logue. and chaos upon the peninsula,” rea. The United States and South volving the other 13 UN Security US media on Tuesday. A White tagon sent to the area last month. appeared reassured that North Ko- The United States has been Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Korea, which hosts 28,500 US Council members. House readout of the April 29 call Transcribed by the Philippine rea’s recent missile tests had failed, trying to persuade China, North Yi told reporters after meeting troops, have said the deploy- The Security Council fi rst im- characterised it as a “very friendly government, the conversation was saying that “all his rockets are Korea’s lone major ally, to do German Foreign Minister Sig- ment is aimed purely at defend- posed sanctions on Pyongyang conversation.” Days after the con- released by The Washington Post crashing. That’s the good news.” more to rein in Pyongyang, mar Gabriel. ing against the North Korean in 2006 and ratcheted up the versation, Trump said publicly that and The Intercept. Turning to China and its ability to which has conducted dozens of He said anyone who did that threat. measures in response to fi ve nu- he would be “honoured” to meet Trump also queried Duterte about counter the nuclear threat, Trump missile launches and tested two would bear “historical respon- China fully implements its clear tests and two long-range with Kim. whether he believed Kim was pressed Duterte to call Chinese nuclear bombs since the start of sibility”. UN Security Council sanction missile launches. North Korea is But in the call, Trump hinted at a “stable or not stable.” The Philip- President Xi Jinping to exert pres- last year, in defi ance of UN Se- US President Donald Trump commitments towards North threatening a sixth nuclear test. possible dramatic escalation on pine leader responded that their sure.

Hard times: Japanese Green drones Plane skids yakuza arrested for off runway in stealing foodstuff heavy rain in

AFP Hong Kong Tokyo

AFP ife as a Japanese “yakuza” mobster is getting so hard that Hong Kong some are resorting to shoplifting food to stay in business. LTwo members of an organised crime gang were arrested for allegedly trying to steal grocery items worth 76,120 yen ($683) at a plane veered off the mall in the central Japanese city of Nagoya, police said yesterday. runway at Hong Kong “They are members of an affi liated gang group of the Kobe A airport yesterday after Yamaguchi-gumi,” a police spokesman said, referring to an or- heavy rain lashed the area, forc- ganisation that split off from the country’s biggest yakuza crime ing the temporary closure of the syndicate, Yamaguchi-gumi, in 2015. airstrip and delaying scores of The gangsters, aged 52 and 59, reportedly tried to steal 198 items fl ights. including a watermelon, rice, eel, and prepared dishes, in the com- The China Eastern Airlines pany of their gang boss, the Asahi and Mainichi dailies reported. fl ight from Nanjing, which had One of the men told police that “the group is so poor” members 141 people on board, skidded have to steal food, the Mainichi said. onto a grass area as it was taxiing Japan’s yakuza blossomed from the chaos of post-war Japan to the gate, Hong Kong’s Airport into multi-billion-dollar criminal organisations involved in eve- Authority said. rything from gambling, drugs and prostitution to loan sharking, Two passengers reported protection rackets and white-collar crime. feeling unwell and were sent They were long tolerated as a necessary evil for ensuring or- to hospital, the authority said. der on the streets and getting things done quickly – however The runway — one of two at the dubious the means. Unlike the Italian Mafi a or Chinese triads in airport — was temporarily shut- other countries, yakuza have long occupied a peculiar grey area in tered, delaying 109 fl ights, both Japanese society – they are not illegal and each group has its own incoming and outgoing, the au- headquarters in full view of police. But waning social tolerance, thority said, with local media a weak economy and steadily falling memberships have hurt their Agricultural drones being used to spray pesticide on crops in a village in Poyang, central China’s Jiangxi province. reporting heavy stacking over bottom line. the storm-soaked city.

South Korea ‘Rasputin’ daughter Aussie billionaire uses land rights laws to keep prospectors off farm abandons appeal for extradition The daughter of the woman staying her visa, after South at the centre of a corrup- Korean authorities issued a Reuters in Australia that recognises in- tions. The farms operated with after physically marking out the into the proceedings,” Slack said. tion scandal that led to the warrant for her arrest. Sydney digenous rights to certain parcels the utmost respect for the envi- territory with pegs. Attempts to contact the two impeachment of South Ko- Seoul then sought her of land. ronment, she added. Slack said Thalanyji had given prospectors were unsuccessful. rea’s ousted president has extradition, which the Danish Forrest’s use of it is not illegal, But Matthew Slack, the head the prospectors permission to be While the prospectors could cancelled her appeal against public prosecution authority ining magnate Andrew but it adds to the fractious rela- of the Buurabalayji Thalanyji Ab- on that land. But before the gov- re-start the process, the licence extradition, a Danish court approved in March. Chung Forrest has used laws tionship he has with some indig- original Corp which oversees na- ernment approved the prospect- process has been frustrated and said yesterday. took her case against extradi- Mdesigned to protect enous groups. Diff erent groups tive title for the indigenous land- ing licences, a company called delayed. The move comes shortly Chung Yoo-ra, the 20-year- tion to the Aalborg district indigenous land rights to stop have raised concerns over For- owners, said it was “pretty rich” Red Sky Stations lodged an ob- after a separate analysis by Reu- old daughter of the woman court, but the court upheld prospectors searching for miner- rest’s cattle interests and have for Forrest to use rights designed jection in the state’s Warden’s ters found Forrest had covered dubbed South Korea’s “Ras- her extradition, which she als on his West Australian cattle battled over land rights with the to protect indigenous interests. Court, where mining-related large sections of his cattle sta- putin”, is one of the figures then appealed. farms, angering both traditional company he founded and chairs Thalanyji were also concerned disputes are held. tions with mining and explo- in the influence-peddling Her lawyer Michael Juul Erik- Aboriginal landowners and min- — Fortescue Metals Group, the about cattle numbers and water Red Sky is one of several com- ration applications by his own scandal that sparked huge sen told AFP last month that ing community members. world’s fourth biggest iron ore use at Forrest’s 2,400 square km panies that represent Forrest’s companies. street protests demanding Chung’s main fear regarding While tensions between miner. Minderoo pastoral lease in West- pastoral interests, a Reuters Forrest said his applications the removal of President Park extradition was losing contact the competing interests of in- A spokeswoman for Forrest ern Australia’s Pilbara district, review of court and company were for bone fi de exploration Geun-hye. with her infant son because digenous landholders, pasto- said the issue was about comply- he said. “We are disgusted with documents found. Red Sky suc- and mining, denying sugges- “Decision to extradite Korean she had been “pressured” and ral leaseholders and miners on ing with mining regulations. Forrest and have been for some cessfully argued the prospectors tions it was a tactic to block rivals Ms Chung is now final,” the “threatened” by the Korean government-controlled land “It is neither a matter of using time. Slack said. “Our dreamtime had not sought a specifi c permit gaining access. Forrest was one of court announced on Twitter. authorities to collaborate in are common, Forrest’s approach native title law nor objecting to creatures can’t survive because from Thalanyji required to mark Australia’s most prolifi c mining “She has cancelled (her) ap- the case. represents one of the fi rst known prospecting,” said the spokes- the river is so low.” out the land and their applica- prospectors in the 2000s when peal to (the) High Court.” Eriksen argued in the examples of a non-Aboriginal woman. On May 31, 2016, two small tions were rejected in a February he founded and built Fortescue, An extradition date has not Aalborg district court that his successfully using rights aff ord- She said there was support prospectors lodged applications decision. pressuring rivals to release land been set, the court said. client had not committed any ed to indigenous people to their for Forrest’s position within the to search for minerals on Uaroo The ruling caught Thalanyji they weren’t actively exploring Chung was detained in Den- crime and that the extradition own advantage. Thalanyji people who hold native Station, where Forrest holds a by surprise. “If we’d been more in the Pilbara, the world’s biggest mark on January 1 for over- was politically motivated. Native title is a legal doctrine title under some of his cattle sta- similarly sized pastoral lease, aware, we would’ve had input iron ore precinct. Gulf Times 20 Thursday, May 25, 2017 BRITAIN

Messages and floral tributes left for the victims of the attack on Manchester Arena lie in St Ann’s Square in central Manchester yesterday. Police hunts terror network

AFP Manchester US officials leak he police yesterday raced to track down a militant more details hours Tnetwork suspected of or- chestrating the Manchester con- after being rebuked cert bombing, as soldiers fanned out to guard key sites under a maximum terror alert. US off icials disclosed fresh 36 hours to ensure there was an Investigators were trying to details of the investigation into element of surprise in approach- piece together the last move- the Manchester bombing to ing relatives, friends and others. ments of suicide bomber Sal- journalists within hours of Am- American off icials in Washington man Abedi, a Manchester-born ber Rudd warning them to stop briefed US journalists early on university dropout whose par- the leaking. Tuesday about the number of ents had reportedly fl ed the now The steady drip of details from dead, confirming that it was a fallen regime of Libyan dictator A young woman reacts as she holds a rose while looking at the the US – as well as from France suicide bombing and – hours Muammar Gaddafi . A soldier patrols with an armed police off icer near the Houses of messages and floral tributes left for the victims of the attack on – is hampering the investigation later – the name of the killer. The “It’s very clear that this is a Parliament in central London yesterday. Manchester Arena, in central Manchester, yesterday. by British police, who are trying UK had not been planning to network that we are investigat- to control the release of informa- release the name on Tuesday. ing,” Manchester police chief Ian tion for operational reasons. The UK’s reluctance to iden- Hopkins told reporters, with fi ve The home secretary reflected tify the assailant was evident people now under arrest. the frustration and dismay of because it took hours after his The government announced the UK security services in a name was circulating in the US a nationwide minute’s silence series of interviews yesterday media before Greater Manches- for today morning in memory morning. She described the ter police confirmed it. of the 22 people killed and doz- leaks as “irritating” and said she Rudd said: “The British police ens wounded in Monday night’s had made it clear to the US that have been very clear that bombing. it should not happen again. they want to control the flow A girl aged just eight was However, within hours, American of information in order to among the victims of the attack, reporter Richard Engel of NBC protect operational integrity, which was claimed by the Islam- tweeted details not released by the the element of surprise. So it is ic State group. UK. Engel said US intelligence off ic- irritating if it gets released from It was the latest in a series of ers told him family members of the other sources and I have been deadly incidents across Europe killer, Salman Abedi, had warned UK very clear with our friends that claimed by IS militants that have security off icials about him and had should not happen again.” coincided with an off ensive on described him as dangerous. Although her language was the group’s redoubts in Syria and A woman reads a poem during a multi-faith vigil for victims of the Engel also reported that US intel- mild, it is rare for a UK politician Iraq carried out by US, British attack on the Manchester Arena, in Manchester. A community support off icer carries flowers near Manchester Arena. ligence off icials said Abedi had a to issue such a rebuke to the and other Western forces. bank card in his pocket showing Americans. Offi cials said the 22-year-old his name, and his identity had Adding an image of western Abedi had been on the radar of been confirmed by facial recogni- security services as unco- the intelligence community be- tion. He added that Abedi prob- ordinated and amateurish, the fore the massacre at a concert by ably had help in making a “big French Interior Minister, Gerard US pop star Ariana Grande, and and sophisticated bomb”. Collomb, then told French televi- warned another attack “may be Abedi ‘was known to security services’ The intelligence community has sion yesterday that Abedi had imminent”. long been uncomfortable about been in Libya and possibly Syria, After arresting a 23-year-old revelations from its recent past information UK police had not man on Tuesday, police said they Agencies this attack”, French Interior Minister an address in the modestly well- when the Gaddafi regime fell in made in books and articles, but disclosed. had taken three more men into London Gerard Collomb told BFMTV. to-do area. A 23-year-old man 2011. Reports said Abedi was the the release of details of a live Asked about the French leak, custody yesterday in south Man- He said it was “possible” that was also arrested in the south of second youngest of four children, investigation on the scale of Rudd said: “We need to let the chester, where Abedi lived. Abedi had had assistance from the city in connection with the including another two sons and those by the US and France is a operation continue and for the A fi fth man who was carrying alman Abedi, the suicide other people, adding that his attack. Three more men were ar- one daughter. relatively new phenomenon. intelligence services and the po- a suspect package was then de- bomber who killed 22 peo- links with the Islamic State group rested in the area yesterday. One member of Manches- It comes on top of Donald lice to make what investigations tained in Wigan, west of the city. Sple in an attack in Manches- which claimed responsibility for Fallowfi eld resident Peter ter’s Libyan community told The Trump’s release of intelligence they can. Any new information is An armed raid was also carried ter on Monday, was a university the carnage “are proven”. Jones, 53, described the neigh- Guardian newspaper: “He was to Russia. of course welcome for them, but out in Manchester city centre dropout with “proven” links to the “The perpetrator was Salman bourhood as “quiet and safe”. such a quiet boy, always very re- The leak of the British informa- I’m not going to comment any yesterday, during which police Islamic State group, according to Ramadan Abedi, who was born Jones said he was “shocked” and spectful towards me. His brother tion, as well as demonstrating further on the actual operation.” said a nearby railway line had to France’s interior minister. and brought up in Britain,” Prime “surprised” when he heard that Ismael is outgoing, but Salman a lack of respect for a US ally at UK security professionals are be “briefl y closed”. Born to a Libyan family in Brit- Minister Theresa May said in a tel- the suspect was from there. was very quiet. He is such an un- an emotional time, will have hin- almost certainly appalled by Hundreds of armed military ain’s third biggest city, offi cials evised address from her Downing Media reports said Abedi’s par- likely person to have done this.” dered the investigation, where it what has happened, as will be personnel meanwhile fanned said he was known to security Street residence, condemning his ents fl ed Libya to escape the re- Abedi began studying business is essential to control the release their counterparts in the US and out to take up guard duties at services. His father was report- actions as “callous and cowardly”. gime of former dictator Muammar and management at Salford Uni- of details. France. the parliament and Buckingham edly a well-known fi gure. Abedi’s family have lived in the Gaddafi . Around 16,000 Libyans versity in Manchester in 2014, a UK counter-terrorism specialists Anger about the extent of the Palace — a highly unusual sight Abedi “grew up in Britain and Fallowfi eld area of south Man- live in Britain and Manchester is source told the Press Association said this week they needed to leaks is not confined to the UK. on the streets of Britain since the then suddenly, after a trip to Libya chester for at least 10 years, ac- home to the largest community, news agency, but he dropped out keep secret the name of a per- Senior members of the US Con- end of the Northern Ireland con- and then likely to Syria, became cording to The Daily Telegraph according to the BBC. after two years and did not com- petrator or suspect for at least gress also expressed concern. fl ict in the 1990s. radicalised and decided to carry out newspaper. Armed police raided It was a focus of celebrations plete his degree. Manchester police resources beefed up after attack

Reuters opportunities have been reduced cover the additional demands. New barriers have been put offi cers and supporters took to London and many offi cers fear for their Addressing those offi cers on outside Buckingham Palace and the streets to protest against the jobs. Tuesday morning — just hours other high-profi le sites. budget cuts of 20% in England It is not clear whether the cut- after 22-year-old Salman Abedi In parliament, armed police and Wales, with May accused of ours after the Manches- backs — imposed as the govern- blew himself up in the foyer of have become a more prominent everything from benefi ting from ter suicide bombing, ment slashes spending across the Manchester Arena, killing at fi xture. privatising some police functions HPrime Minister Theresa most departments to reduce its least 22 people including children Some police offi cers outside to ignoring the plight of offi cers May stood on the steps of her of- budget defi cit — did anything to and teenagers — May promised to London have long criticised what struggling with lower pay. fi cial Downing Street residence make Manchester more vulner- give them “all the resources they they see as the capital getting the At the Police Federation con- and promised to give police the able to an attack like Monday need to complete that task”. lion’s share of funding and per- ference that year, she was heck- resources they needed to investi- night’s bombing after a concert It is a statement she has re- sonnel — feeling less of the brunt led when she told members: “So gate the attack. by US pop star Ariana Grande. peated since as the police and se- of the cuts than forces in other let’s stop pretending the police For police in the northern city, Nevertheless, they opened an curity services look into whether cities and towns. are being picked on. Every part of her assurance given in London old sore for some. “No one can Abedi was part of a cell. Since 2012, Greater Manches- the public sector is having to take on Tuesday off ered some hope tell what goes through the minds The police have said they now ter Police has seen a steady de- its share of the pain.” and comfort after years of cost- of radicalised individuals, it’s so believe it is “very clear” they are cline in its workforce, with the One police offi cer wrote a let- saving cutbacks — many of them unpredictable and hard to po- The offi cer describes fi ve years Greater Manchester Police investigating a network. steepest fall last year. ter detailing some of the wide- launched by May in 2012 when lice,” said a Manchester police of attrition, seeing “fewer bob- declined to comment and the London has been the focus London’s Metropolitan Police spread criticisms of a two-year she was interior minister. offi cer, who spoke on condition bies on the beat” — a reference to Greater Manchester Police Fed- of additional security since an has also seen a contraction over pay freeze and removal of some Some police say privately they of anonymity because he is not frontline police whose presence eration, the force’s de facto trade attack in March when Khalid that time but at a slower rate. terms felt by many: “Morale is believe security in the capital — authorised to speak to the media. on the streets off ers them insight union, did not respond to a re- Masood ploughed his car into May, who as a former home certainly the lowest I have ever 250km to the south of Manches- “However, a reason could possi- into local aff airs and sometimes quest for comment by the time of people on Westminster Bridge secretary was an architect of known,” the offi cer, who was not ter — has been prioritised at the bly be that the diff erent level of se- snippets of intelligence brought publication. leading to parliament, killing four some of the cuts, has often been named, wrote in an e-mail to the expense of other cities, where curity between London compared by people who would not neces- Some offi cers said they would before stabbing to death a police- the focus for criticism. Greater Manchester Police Fed- staff cuts have hit hard, career with Manchester played a role.” sarily pick up the phone. face hours of overtime work to man on guard at the building. In 2012, thousands of police eration. Gulf Times Thursday, May 25, 2017 21 BRITAIN/IRELAND

ACCIDENT VERDICT ADVICE CHAOS POLITICS Five dead as car Ex-premier League star Internet wrong location for Homes, off ices left without Ukip to resume poll and lorry collide jailed for banking fraud home search, says expert water as main bursts campaign today

Five people died on the M6 yesterday after a crash Former Premier League striker Nile Ranger has Property expert Phil Spencer has warned A burst water main flooded a busy road yesterday, The UK Independence Party (Ukip) said it would involving a lorry and a car. The car’s driver and four been jailed after admitting online banking fraud. house-hunters in the capital that searching leaving homes and off ices across parts of London re-start its election campaign with the launch of passengers were killed in the collision which hap- The footballer, 26, was sentenced on Tuesday for their dream home on the Internet can be without supplies. Residents in St John Street, its policy pledges today, three days after a suicide pened between Stoke-on-Trent and Staff ord in the to eight months for conspiracy to defraud by “counter-productive”. The Location, Location, Clerkenwell, were woken in the early hours by the bomber killed 22 people at a concert venue in early hours. One other passenger in the car, a man obtaining bank details and transferring money. Location star urged people to only go online noise of water gushing down the road. The force of Manchester. Political parties agreed to suspend in his forties, suff ered multiple serious injuries and Wood Green crown court heard a woman lost for research and instead “make good, solid the pressure from an old Victoria trunk main ripped campaigning for the June 8 election until further has been taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital. more than £2,000 in the scam. Aseany Duncan, contacts” with local estate agents. The pre- up the surface. Thames Water said on Twitter some notice after Monday’s attack. While high-profile West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “When 19, from Enfield, was also jailed for eight months senter, 47, told the Standard: “There’s so much homes and businesses in E2, E8, EC1, EC4 and N1 events remained cancelled yesterday and were emergency services arrived they discovered a car for the same off ence. The court heard Ranger, of competition for houses for those wanting to had “no water and low water”. The utility giant said not expected to re-start for several days, some in- with six occupants inside that had been involved in Southend, conspired to use the bank details of get on the ladder. The ‘best in breed’ flats, as teams were “working to bring water supplies in dividual candidates have said they are resuming a significant collision with a HGV. It quickly became Diane Bloss in 2015 and move £2,090 from one I call them, go before they are even online. from the surrounding area” and that supplies would campaigning locally. Opinion polls, the publica- apparent that nothing could be done to save the account to another. Ranger played for Newcastle The internet can be detrimental, counter- “begin to return to normal”. It said one basement tion of which has also been paused, suggests the driver and four passengers. All five were confirmed United, Swindon Town and Blackpool. He moved productive yes, and you will probably not find was flooded but otherwise water damage appeared Tories are on track to win the election, although dead on scene.” to Southend United in August. a property in London online.” to be minimal. their double-digit poll lead has been narrowing.

Belgravia blooms Tesco trials phase-out NHS faces huge of single-use plastic bags increase in cost Guardian News and Media London

hoppers at a handful of Tesco stores in the UK of elderly care, Swill no longer be able to buy 5p “single-use” plastic carrier bags, in the first such trial by a supermarket. If successful, it could lead to the bags being phased out completely, less than two years warn experts after the law was changed in England to force larger stores to Guardian News and Media ture on long-term care will need national cost of long-term care charge for them. London to increase considerably by 2025, from income and savings,” they Britain’s biggest retailer has in view of the predicted 25% rise write. launched the 10-week trial in in the number of people who will But prevention is also vital. Poor three stores – in Aberdeen, he NHS and social care have age-related disability. This diet, smoking, drinking heav- Dundee and Norwich – to see system in the UK is facing situation has serious implications ily, high blood pressure, diabetes how customers manage with- Ta staggering increase in for a cash-strapped and overbur- and little physical activity are risk out the 5p bag option. Shop- the cost of looking after elderly dened National Health Service and factors for both heart disease and pers who forget to bring their people within the next few years, an under-resourced social care dementia, they say. Immediate own bags will still be able to according to major new research system,” they added. investment in improving people’s buy more expensive reusable which shows a 25% rise in those The fi gures take account for the lifestyles would pay dividends, bags which start at 10p. Online who will need care between 2015 fi rst time of the changing disease they say. “We seriously need to shoppers also have the choice and 2025. Within eight years, burden as well as the increasing protect the future of older citizens of the 5p bags or no bags at all there will be 2.8mn people over 65 elderly population and longer life through prevention,” said lead au- and 57% now choose bagless needing nursing and social care, expectancy. Cardiovascular dis- thor Dr Maria Guzman-Castillo of deliveries, Tesco has said. unable to cope alone, says the re- ease, which can cause heart at- the University of Liverpool. “We are carrying out a short search – largely because of the toll tacks and strokes, has gone down, She said political parties had not trial in a few stores to look of dementia in a growing elderly but dementia is rising as people so far been looking at the true scale at the impact on bag usage if population. live longer. This makes the re- of the crisis to come. “We think we remove single-use carrier The research, published by the search an advance on previous they are not looking at this. There bags” said a Tesco spokesper- respected Lancet Public Health studies, says professor Stuart Gil- is a gap between the academic son. medical journal, says cases of dis- mour of the department of global community and the government,” The introduction of the 5p ability related to dementia will rise health policy at the University of she said. charge in England in October by 40% among people aged 65 to Tokyo in a commentary published Professor Helen Stokes-Lam- 2015 brought it into line with 84, with other forms of disability alongside the paper. pard, chair of the Royal College of schemes already operating in increasing by about 31%. “The results show starkly the GPs, said more investment in the Wales, Scotland and Northern The new fi gures follow a furore growing burden of disability that NHS and social care was desper- Ireland, as part of a drive to over the Conservative manifesto the UK National Health Service ately needed. “It’s a great testa- encourage a switch away from and Theresa May’s U-turn on so- and social care system will face ment to medical research, and the ‘thin gauge’ throwaway car- cial care this week. In a bid to keep over the next decade,” he writes. NHS, that we are living longer – rier bags. The charge was part the costs of care down, the mani- “(It) faces a rapid increase in but we need to ensure that our pa- of a government scheme to festo said those needing care at the number of elderly people with tients are living longer with a good reduce litter and protect wild- home would have to pay until they disabilities … at a time when it is quality of life. For this to happen life, given that plastic bags can had £100,000 in savings left, in- uniquely unprepared for even the we need a properly funded, prop- take hundreds of years to break cluding the cost of their home. existing burden of disability in the erly staff ed health and social care down. After accusations that the Con- UK population. This important re- sector with general practice, hos- About 8mn tonnes of plastic servatives were imposing a “de- search should be taken as a warn- pitals and social care all working makes its way into the world’s mentia tax”, May promised a cap ing and a strong call for action on together – and all communicating oceans each year, posing a seri- on the amount any person would health service planning and fund- well with each other, in the best ous threat to the marine envi- pay for care – although without ing, workforce training and reten- interests of delivering safe care to ronment. Experts estimate that specifying what the cap would be. tion, and preparation for the age- all our patients.” plastic is eaten by 31 species The new analysis will make grim ing of British society.” Margaret Willcox, president of marine mammals and more reading for whichever party gains The government urgently needs of the Association of Directors of than 100 species of sea birds. The Chelsea Flower Show is not the only area of London in full bloom: neighbour Belgravia power. to consider the options, says the Adult Social Services (ADASS), The charge in England has is showing what it can do. Shops, hotels and other businesses have been transformed by “The societal, economic and paper. Firstly, more care homes said: “As most people expect to clearly worked – official fig- elaborate floral displays and installations as part of Belgravia in Bloom. The six-day festival, public health implications of our are needed, it says. Secondly, there need some form of care in their ures last July revealed that the which began yesterday, is timed to coincide with the royal horticultural society’s event in forecast are substantial,” say the must be more support for informal lifetime, there is an urgent need for number of single-use plastic Chelsea. Eye-catching entries include hanging baskets of pink roses and peonies at cake researchers, led by academics from and home care – they suggest tax the whole country to consider how bags used by shoppers plum- company Peggy Porschen. In total 56 businesses are taking part and the best displays will the University of Liverpool and allowances or cash benefi ts. “Af- best to ensure people with care meted by more than 85% after receive prizes. University College London. fected individuals and their fami- needs are funded and how their the introduction. “Public and private expendi- lies pay an estimated 40% of the care is delivered.”

Kenny for review into Wahaca diners who fell corporate watchdog ill in line for payouts Reuters Young (EY) - that had contami- Dublin nated their evidence. Anglo Irish, which was na- London Evening Standard ber. The A-level student, who tims and — in cases like Sarah’s tionalised in 2009 and subse- London has Type-1 diabetes, went on — lead to further complicating reland’s Prime Minis- quently liquidated, was synony- to develop the potentially life- and serious health problems.” ter Enda Kenny yesterday mous with the lending bonanza threatening illness ketoacido- Five of the nine restaurants Icalled for a review into fail- that drove Ireland into an inter- iners who fell seriously sis. She was absent from col- closed temporarily were in ings by the country’s corporate national bailout in 2010. ill after eating at Wahaca lege at a critical point in her London — Westfield, Covent watchdog in a criminal investi- Ireland’s banking crisis cost the Dmay be in line for sub- studies. Garden, Canary Wharf, Soho gation into the former head of country’s taxpayers 64bn euros stantial payouts after the res- Her father, Dr Mike Cous- and St Paul’s. Mark Selby, co- the failed Anglo Irish Bank. (£55.2bn), the euro zone’s most taurant chain admitted liability ins, instructed lawyers in Irwin founder of Wahaca, said: “We Sean FitzPatrick was acquitted expensive state bailout at almost in a number of cases. Mitchell’s public health team to were contacted by the Cousins this week of charges of mislead- 40% of annual economic output. About 160 customers and investigate, and Wahaca’s in- family in November and spoke ing auditors about tens of mil- “I want the minister to carry 200 staff complained that they surers have accepted blame for with them directly regarding lions of euros in personal loans out an absolute review of what had contracted norovirus last its seven clients. A letter from their daughter Sarah. Follow- after a judge ruled that the inves- happened here. The minister has year, forcing nine of the Mexi- the insurer states: “Liability is ing a claim from their lawyers, tigation which led to the trial fell asked the director of the ODCE for can restaurants established by admitted for this incident.” we are now in correspondence short of the impartial, unbiased a full report, including the role of Masterchef winner Thomasina Dr Cousins, 48, said: “Wa- with them to ensure that Sa- inquiry to which a defendant is all professionals involved in this Miers to close temporarily last haca’s admission of liability is a rah’s case gets resolved swiftly entitled. case,” Kenny told lawmakers. November. very welcome sign. It has been and fairly.” A spokesman add- FitzPatrick had pleaded not The ODCE said it fully accept- Lawyers acting for some of awful to see how this illness ed: “Any cases brought to Wa- guilty to the charges, which fol- ed the judge’s criticism and that the victims say they hope to has affected Sarah. We were in- haca’s attention are being dealt lowed the jailing last year of two at the time, it was not equipped secure “swift justice”, with credibly worried when she was with on an individual basis, former Anglo bosses who were to undertake a probe of the scale payments in excess of £15,000 admitted to hospital and it was and are being treated as swiftly among the fi rst senior bank ex- involved. It said it had since un- expected for those left seri- a shock to see the impact that and fairly as possible.” ecutives to be jailed in relation to dergone substantial organisa- ously ill or facing long-term the illness had on her diabetes.” Public Health England said Ireland’s banking crisis a decade tional changes, including the complications. Amandeep Dhillon, of Ir- a report on the case would be ago. recruitment of several investiga- One diner, Sarah Cousins, 16, win Mitchell solicitors, who is published shortly. In an inter- The judge in FitzPatrick’s trial tive accountants and forensics of Wallingford, Oxfordshire, representing the Cousins fam- view with the Standard earlier criticised staff at Ireland’s offi ce specialists. was hospitalised with severe ily and six other diners, said: this year, Miers said she was of the director of corporate en- Some opposition parties called gastric symptoms after visit- “While many people do recover proud of the way Wahaca had forcement (ODCE), in particular for the ODCE to be replaced and ing the Westfield branch in within days, such illnesses can acted so swiftly to tackle the their coaching of two witnesses Kenny said “nothing is ruled White City at the end of Octo- have a lasting impact on vic- outbreak. Enda Kenny: slams failings in Anglo Irish Bank case - audit partners from Ernst & out.” Gulf Times 22 Thursday, May 25, 2017 EUROPE

UN staff angry over Uncanned salary cut plan

Reuters spokeswoman in Geneva, said: Geneva “UN Geneva is taking very seri- ously the actions proposed by the unions against the possible ngry United Nations pay cuts. staff in Geneva pro- We are exploring, in collabo- Atested yesterday against ration with the UN Headquar- a proposed 7.5% cut to their ters, the best way forward.” salaries, the equivalent of al- Heads of UN agencies based most a month’s pay, and called in the Swiss city, in joint let- for strike action if it is imple- ters to ICSC chairman Kingston mented. Rhodes, have questioned the The proposal came from calculations and called for de- the International Civil Service ferring the cuts. Commission (ICSC), a group “We see no proper justifi ca- of independent experts, which tion for imposing such a signifi - surveyed the cost of living in cant real cut to the renumera- eight UN locations. tion of our staff ,” said a letter It said the salary cut for Ge- seen by Reuters. neva-based staff , due to take Staff federations argue that eff ect in August, would align the experts lowered their cal- them with colleagues in New culations of the city’s cost-of- York, where purchasing power living by including rental prices has dropped. from neighbouring France, Hundreds of personnel at adding: “The option to reside the UN European headquarters in France is only open to staff of raised their hands to support certain nationalities.” a resolution rejecting the plan Ian Richards, executive sec- and marched through the build- retary of the Staff Coordinat- ing chanting “No Pay Cuts”. The ing Council, said the average staff resolution urged UN agen- monthly salary subject to the cies such as UNHCR and the proposed cut was 10,000 to World Health Organization not 12,000 Swiss francs ($10,000- to implement the pay cuts and 12,000). called for “regular, protracted “The UN has said it needs top and escalating collective ac- experts such as energy econo- tions including demonstrations mists, climate change scien- and work stoppages”. tists, patent lawyers and medi- “If we play that last card of a cal practitioners so it can help strike, we need to be damn sure countries reach the Sustainable Italian Tina Kunakey arrives for a screening at the 70th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in southern France. we can turn out everybody — I Development Goals,” Richards mean everybody,” Daniel Cork, told Reuters. The world body vice chairman of the Interna- has invoked public service to tional Labour Organisation attract such experts from the (ILO) staff union, told a cheer- private sector, he said. ing crowd. “However, no-one in their “Right now we’re not sure if right mind will leave their job the ICSC is willing to negotiate for an organisation that from with us. They won’t meet with one day to the next can cut pay us,” Cork said. by one month a year for existing Alessandra Vellucci, UN staff ,” he added. Macron govt denies Protest over logging in ancient forest misstep by minister A close ally of President admitted: “This (the disclosure) Critics of the new government, 2011 rented offi ce space in Brest those surveyed planned on vot- AFP ert Cyglicki said in a statement Macron has been accused of comes at a bad time.” however, used the disclosures of from a company belonging to his ing for LREM. Warsaw adding that the minister “treats wrongdoing “But one thing is certain. Ferrand’s past professional ac- partner, Sandrine Doucen. That was up from up from the forest like a tree plantation”. There is nothing illegal here. tivities to suggest hypocrisy, Ferrand defended himself in a 22% the last time the poll was The Polish government began Reuters There is nothing that is not cor- given its stated commitment to statement early yesterday, saying conducted on May 4-5, before ctivists chained them- logging in May last year, saying it Paris rect morally,” Castaner told Eu- stamping out abuses of privilege the rent paid had been lower than Macron was elected president selves to logging equip- was clearing dead trees to contain rope 1 radio, later telling jour- in political life such as that ex- the market price. in a runoff vote against far right Ament in Poland’s ancient damage caused by a spruce bark nalists there was no question of posed by the Fillon case. He also denied trying to cover leader Marine Le Pen on May 7. Bialowieza forest yesterday, ac- beetle infestation, and insisting morality campaign by Ferrand resigning as minister for Francois Bayrou, the new jus- up the personal links he had with In the Elabe poll 20% of those cusing authorities of felling trees the policy was entirely legal. France’s new government territorial cohesion. tice minister, is gathering ideas the person from whom he was surveyed said they would vote in protected areas of the Unesco Scientists, ecologists and the Atook a knock yesterday The aff air follows a bigger for a new draft law on ethics in renting on behalf of the insurers, for the conservative Republicans World Heritage site. EU protested the move in the when media disclosed that a scandal which torpedoed the public life before parliamentary saying the decision was made in party, which was seen winning The move comes after a “fi nal ancient woodland and activists minister had rented business of- presidential bid of conservative elections due in mid-June. full transparency. 19% of the vote in the Ifop poll. warning” by the European Com- now allege that it is being used fi ces from his female partner, former prime minister Francois Among those quick to try to “The decision was made in full That would be just barely mission sent to Warsaw in April as a cover for the commercial though the government defended Fillon. make political capital from the knowledge of the ties that linked ahead of Le Pen’s National Front, saying it could take legal action logging of protected old-growth him and said there was no cause Fillon went from front-runner aff air was far-right leader Marine Richard Ferrand and the proprie- which was at 19% in the Elabe to halt large-scale logging in Eu- forests. for resignation. in the race for the Elysee to also- Le Pen, whom Macron beat for tor of the offi ces...,” he said. poll and 18% in the Ifop poll. rope’s last primeval woodland. In late April, the EU’s ex- Richard Ferrand, a close ally ran after Le Canard enchaine re- the presidency in the fi nal round French President Emmanuel The far left France Unbowed Dawid Kazmierczak, an activ- ecutive branch — the European of President Emmanuel Ma- vealed he had paid public funds of voting on May 7. Macron’s party is set to win as party was seen winning 15% in ist with Wild Poland said that Commision — gave Polish au- cron, was reported by the satiri- to his wife and two children for She called on him to quit, tell- much as a third of the vote in the Ifop poll and 12% in the Elabe their patrols “proved that log- thorities one month rather than cal weekly Le Canard enchaine work as parliamentary assistants ing franceinfo radio the case in legislative elections next month, poll. ging had started in the oldest and the usual two to address its con- to have rented offi ce space from that they might not have done. question was “very similar” to giving it a solid majority, two In both cases that was well most valuable parts of the forest” cerns about the forest or face be- his partner from 2011 for health Fillon, who subsequently the one that felled Fillon and polls showed yesterday. ahead of the Socialists at about that are protected. ing summoned by the EU’s top insurance companies he headed. crashed out of the presidential amounted to “absolutely im- Macron’s Republic On The seven %, far behind the 29.5% “Stop the logging in the Bi- court, citing the “urgency of the Ferrand denies any wrongdoing. race in the fi rst round, has denied moral personal enrichment”. Fer- Move (LREM) would win 33% of they won in the last legislative alowieza Forest” read a banner situation”. The EU is also con- With Macron’s government wrongdoing but admitted an er- rand, 54, who was rewarded with the vote in the fi rst round of vot- election in 2012, giving them a protesters strung up between cerned the logging will cause about to unveil a draft law aimed ror of judgment, as he did for a a ministerial post after leading ing on June 11, an Elabe poll for majority with their allies. two trees over heavy logging irreparable loss of biodiversity at cleaning up French political second scandal over several ex- Macron’s successful presidential BFM TV found. Neither poll off ered an esti- equipment standing idle, pho- in the woodland that belongs to life, which is frequently beset by pensive tailor-made suits he ac- campaign, headed health insur- A separate Ifop Fiducial poll for mate of how many seats parties tographs issued by the activists the EU’s Natura 2000 network of corruption scandals, government cepted from a prominent African ance companies in Brittany be- Paris Match magazine, CNews could win in the second round of yesterday showed. protected areas. spokesman Christophe Castaner aff airs lawyer. tween 1990 and 2012 and from TV and Sud Radio found 31% of voting on June 18. “We’re in the forest to stop its Poland defends the wood- destruction caused by the scan- cutting, calling it “protective” dalous decisions of (Environ- or “salvage” logging to stop an Czech president Montenegrin ment) Minister Jan Szyszko,” insect infestation, preserve road Greenpeace Polska activist Rob- traffi c and fi ght forest fi re risks. appoints new court examines finance minister Creator of Ukrainian anti-graft October plot case Czech President Milos Zeman A former Serbian police appointed Ivan Pilny as finance database accused of fraud commander denied involvement minister yesterday, ending a in an alleged Russia-backed Steel magnate to end political spat that nearly brought plot to kill Montenegro’s prime down the government just Reuters build the software and stole the to the period when the database minister and overthrow the months before an election. Kiev project’s funding that had been fi rst went online. government in 2016 as the up behind bars The former Microsoft executive given by the Danish government. The fraught launch in October, authorities opened deliberations replaces Andrej Babis, a “Novikov decided to embez- after months of delay, under- on the indictment of suspected billionaire businessman whose he head of a Ukrainian zle the funds and evade taxation,” scored the patchiness of Ukrain- conspirators. Montenegro AFP to bring the steel plant into com- dismissal Prime Minister software fi rm tasked with Lutsenko told lawmakers during ian eff orts to deliver reforms earlier said it had evidence that Milan pliance with safety and environ- Bohuslav Sobotka had sought, Tbuilding a landmark anti- a report to parliament. promised to allies and the Inter- Russian state agencies and local mental norms, and agreed to res- sparking a battle between the corruption computer programme “The funds that had been national Monetary Fund as part pro-Serb and pro-Russian parties titute the funds to help clean up two main parties in the centre- is suspected of stealing Western provided to Miranda were trans- of a $40bn bailout. were involved in a plot at the talian businessman Adriano the facility and keep it running. left government. Pilny, 72, has funds from the project and fun- ferred to an account in Estonia Government ministries and time of an election in October Riva, whose family owned the Adriano Riva, whose brother the task of completing the 2018 nelling the cash overseas, Gen- through a fi ctitious company,” he state anti-corruption bodies have 2016. The aim of the alleged plot Ibankrupt Ilva steel fi rm, was Emilio ran the company until his central state budget draft, aiming eral Prosecutor Yuriy Lutsenko said. traded blame for the project’s de- was to halt Montenegro’s Nato handed a two-and-half-year death in 2014, yesterday signed to cut the deficit to 50bn crowns said yesterday. When contacted by Reuters, lays and software glitches. accession, assassinate former term yesterday after transferring the documents to transfer to Ita- ($2.12bn) from this year’s 60bn The boss of the software com- Novikov said the accusations At its launch, Novikov rejected Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic 1.3bn euros ($1.5bn) siphoned off ly 1.3bn euros from Switzerland, crown target. Pilny has said pany, Yuriy Novikov, strongly de- from the general prosecutor’s of- criticism of the website, saying and bring an opposition figure to from the company. where the funds had been frozen he would not seek any major nied the accusation and a leading fi ce (GPU) were “groundless.” a “fairly large” group of offi cials power, authorities in Podgorica Heavily indebted and short of as part of the investigation into changes at the ministry and that anti-graft non-governmental or- “Such a performance by the did not want the system to suc- said. The Kremlin dismissed cash, Ilva was taken over by the the company. the planned deficit was sensible. ganisation also expressed doubts general prosecutor shows the ceed. The scheme attracted fresh that as absurd. On election Italian state in 2014. Swiss authorities are ex- He has said he would be about the case. prejudice and bias of the inves- controversy when lawmakers day last October, Montenegrin The year before it had been pected to clear the transfer next happy with more emphasis on The database of lawmakers’ tigation and creates the means to approved legislation requiring authorities arrested 20 people, placed under special adminis- week. After the transfer papers investments in spending. and offi cials’ asset declarations pressure the court with the aim of NGOs to declare their wealth and including Bratislav Dikic, a tration after the Rivas were ac- were signed a judge validated a Babis, founder of the ANO party, was meant to be a cornerstone obtaining benefi cial judgements income. former commander of an cused of failing to prevent toxic deal with prosecutors for Riva leaves after pressure from of the government’s Western- for the GPU,” he said in emailed Ukraine’s Western backers and elite Serbian police unit, in emissions including carcinogen- to serve two and a half years in Sobotka, a Social Democrat, amid backed reform drive. comments. human rights groups said the connection with the alleged ic particles from spewing out prison. Cases against two of allegations he dodged taxes But the scheme has been mired Transparency International new law could hamper the work plot. A total of fourteen people across the town of Taranto in the Emilio’s sons, Nicola and Fabio, by buying tax-exempt bonds in scandal, and activists say vest- Ukraine also expressed doubts. of anti-corruption activists. had been charged. They later Puglia region of southern Italy. are still at a preliminary stage. from his company Agrofert, ed interests have tried to sabo- “We are pretty sceptical of Yesterday, the Council of Eu- also issued international arrest Prosecutors say that more than The Italian state launched last which gave him untaxed interest tage it. such statements because if they rope Commissioner for Human warrants against two Russian 400 deaths were caused by the year an appeal for off ers for Ilva. income from the firm. Novikov’s company Mi- had grounds for such an inves- Rights, Nils Muiznieks, pub- nationals as masterminds of toxic emissions. Two binding off ers were submit- Babis, who has devoted much randa won the tender to create tigation they would have stated lished a letter addressed to the the conspiracy, including an The family admitted to having ted in March, one by Arcelor- attention at the Finance Ministry the database, but prosecutors it almost a year ago,” TI Ukraine Deputy Head of the Administra- intelligence off icer who had saved over 1.3bn euros between Mittal and the other by India’s to fighting tax evasion, has say he subcontracted a univer- senior policy analyst Oleksandr tion of the President of Ukraine, previously worked at the Russian 2009 and 2013 by delaying work JSW Steel. denied any wrongdoing. sity teacher and his students to Kalitenko told Reuters, referring criticising the amendments. embassy in Poland. Gulf Times Thursday, May 25, 2017 23 EUROPE

France, Germany to agree to Nato role against IS

Reuters with the Belgian prime minis- Brussels ter, referred to a suicide attack claimed by Islamic State that killed 22 people in Manchester rance and Germany will on Monday. agree to a US plan for “It’s a horrible situation... FNato to play a bigger role unthinkable. But we will win,” in the fi ght against Islamic Trump said. “We are fi ghting militants at a meeting with very hard, doing very well un- President Donald Trump today, der our generals... We will win but insist the move is purely this fi ght.” symbolic, four senior European A senior French diplomat diplomats said. said Paris was ready to accept The decision to allow the Nato joining the coalition fi ght- North Atlantic Treaty Or- ing Islamic State, but that its ganization to join the coalition role would be limited to train- against Islamic State in Syria ing and intelligence, things al- and Iraq follows weeks of pres- lies were already involved in. sure on the two allies, who are US and other European offi - wary of Nato confronting Rus- cials want to show Trump, who sia in Syria and of alienating called Nato “obsolete” because Arab countries who see Nato as he said it was not doing enough pushing a pro-Western agenda. against terrorism, that the alli- “Nato as an institution will ance is responding. join the coalition,” said one While Islamic State is on senior diplomat involved in the verge of defeat in its Iraqi the discussions.”The question stronghold of Mosul and brac- is whether this just a symbolic ing for an assault against its de gesture to the United States. facto capital in Raqqa, Syria, US France and Germany believe offi cials are concerned fl eeing it is.” militants could leave a vacuum All 28 Nato ambassadors that could prompt Arab tribal Queen Mathilde of Belgium, US President Donald Trump, King Philippe - Filip of Belgium and US First Lady Melania Trump stand during a reception at the Royal Palace in Brussels. agreed in Brussels yesterday fi ghters to turn on each other to on Nato joining the coalition, gain control. paving the way for leaders to All 28 Nato allies are mem- endorse the decision today, a bers of the coalition, but the second diplomat said. alliance as a formal member Flying to the Nato meeting could become more involved, in Brussels with Trump, US contributing equipment, train- Secretary of State Rex Tiller- ing and the expertise it gained son said yesterday it would be leading nations against Al Qae- an important step for the or- da and the Taliban in Afghani- Pope asks Trump to ganisation to join the US-led, stan. 68-nation coalition. Nato Secretary-General Jens “I think they’re going to sup- Stoltenberg has also made the port Nato joining and becoming case for a non-combat role for a formal member,” he said, re- the alliance in Syria and Iraq. ferring to “a couple of countries “Nato joining the coali- that are still thinking it over” tion will also provide a bet- but not giving details. ter platform for coordinating be peacemaker Trump has said he wants to the activities of Nato allies... focus on fi ghting Islamic ter- in the fi ght against terrorism,” Trump had harsh words for the pontiff with European Union and Nato leaders to- rorism and, in a brief encounter Stoltenberg said. during the electioncampaign day. Rome Ivanka Trump spoke with African Reuters women who were traffi cked into prosti- Vatican City tution and discussed ways to tackle the problem at a meeting yesterday in Rome that she described as a “privilege”. The Stalin’s theatre director ope Francis urged US President daughter of US President Donald Trump, Donald Trump to be a peacemaker who as a White House adviser is seen Pat their fi rst meeting yesterday after as having increasing infl uence, met the grandson dies at 75 they exchanged sharp words last year, and women while accompanying her father on Trump promised he would not forget the his fi rst foreign trip. pontiff ’s message. On her way to the closed-door encoun- AFP But he said he also witnessed Under clear blue skies, Trump received ter, Trump said she was looking forward to Moscow his father beating his mother a tribute from the Swiss Guard in a Vatican hearing how the 11 women, originally from and his other partners. courtyard when he arrived. Nigeria and the Horn of Africa, had rebuilt “Mum loved him and felt He entered a small elevator taking him their lives. oviet dictator Joseph sorry for him. I had a confl ict to the third fl oor of the Apostolic Palace “(They) are testament to strength, Stalin’s theatre director with her about this,” he said. and, after a long ceremonial walk past faith, perseverance in the face of unspeak- Sgrandson Alexander Bur- Burdonsky used the surname frescoed corridors, shook the Pope’s hand able adversity and challenge,” she said in a donsky has died at 75, the Mos- Stalin as a child but changed it at the entrance to the private study that leafy courtyard at the headquarters of the cow theatre where he worked as a teenager. “I immediately the frugal pontiff uses only for offi cial oc- Sant’Egidio Christian charity and peace for 45 years said yesterday. switched to Mum’s surname casions. group, which hosted the meeting. Burdonsky kept a low profi le because I planned to work in Before the door of the wood-lined el- The 35-year-old, who hosted a discus- and used his mother’s surname. the theatre, and what does that evator closed, a Vatican protocol offi cial sion on human traffi cking last week at the He said he had never visited surname have to do with the was heard quipping to the president that it A girl takes a selfie with US first lady Melania Trump at the Bambino Gesu hospital in White House, spoke for around 45 minutes Stalin’s grave by the Kremlin arts?” he said. He worked from was not “like Trump Tower in New York”. Rome. with the women, some of whom now live wall. 1972 at the Russian Army The- Pope Francis smiled faintly as he greeted under protection from the Italian judiciary Culture Minister Vladimir atre and in 1996 was decorated Trump outside the study and was not as Peace”, and a copy of his 2015 encyclical Church hierarchy opposes Trump’s at- after reporting their traffi ckers to authori- Medinsky marked Burdonsky’s as a People’s Artist of Russia, a outgoing as he sometimes is with visiting letter on the need to protect the environ- tempt to cut federal assistance for cities ties. death with a telegramme prais- prestigious award. heads of state. ment from the eff ects of climate change. that give sanctuary to illegal immigrants. “She asked what could be done at the ing his “many-faceted talent” He was married to another Trump, seeming subdued, said, “It is “Well, I’ll be reading them,” Trump said. It also opposes his plan to build a wall level of government and legislation, and and “artistic taste.” theatre director Dalia Tam- a great honour”. Even when the two were During his election campaign, Trump on the US border with Mexico. The Pope how it would be possible to block human Burdonsky was the son of uleviciute, who predeceased sitting at the Pope’s desk in the presence said scientifi c fi ndings that human eco- said last year a man who thinks about traffi cking, particularly regarding wom- Stalin’s youngest son Vasily, an him and they had no children. of photographers and reporters, the pope nomic activity contributed to global building walls and not bridges is “not en,” said Daniela Pompei, who is in charge airforce pilot who spent years “I’ve never been at Stalin’s avoided the small talk that usually occurs warming were a hoax. Christian”. of Sant’Egidio’s services for immigrants. in prison after the dictator’s grave,” he said in a 2014 inter- before the media is ushered out. As president, he has proposed deep cuts Trump, who was a candidate at the time, The number of Nigerian women death and suff ered from alco- view. The two spoke privately for about 30 for the Environmental Protection Agency responded that it was “disgraceful” of the brought to Italy among the migrants res- holism. Asked what he inherited minutes with translators. and the elimination of many environmen- Argentine-born Pope, who represents just cued from fl imsy boats launched by smug- Burdonsky’s mother Gali- from Stalin, he said “brains, I Both men looked far more relaxed at the tal regulations. over half of the world’s 2bn Christians, to glers into the Mediterranean has increased na Burdonskaya came from a think... end of the private meeting, with the Pope Trump gave the Pope a boxed set of fi ve question his faith. almost eight-fold in the past three years, humble background. and maybe some willpower.” smiling and joking with Trump and his fi rst-edition books by murdered US civil The meeting with the Pope was the third Sant’Egidio estimates. The couple separated in 1945 “As time passes and you get wife Melania. rights leader Martin Luther King. stop on Trump’s nine-day foreign tour, At least 80% of the almost 1,600 who and their two children were older, you understand that he Pope Francis’s interpreter could be As Trump and the Pope said goodbye and part of his world tour of religions af- arrived in the fi rst three months of 2017 taken away from their mother was of course a person with heard translating a comment by the Pope at the door of the study, Trump told him: ter meeting leaders of Muslim nations in are destined to be forced into prostitution, for eight years. great abilities, today I don’t to the First Lady: “What do you give him “Thank you, thank you. Saudi Arabia and visiting holy sites in Je- the group says. Vasily Stalin was sentenced doubt that for a second. to eat?” I won’t forget what you said.” rusalem. Representatives of Sant’Egidio, which has to eight years in jail in 1955 for “I don’t want to justify Sta- Pope Francis then gave Trump a small Asked how the meeting with the Pope Trump at fi rst did not plan to stop in organised the transfer of Syrian and Iraqi “anti-Soviet propaganda and lin or whitewash him,” he said. sculptured olive tree and told him through went, Trump said: “Great. He is some- Rome during his visit to Europe, which refugees to Italy, also held a separate meeting agitation” after criticising the “There was cruelty too but in the interpreter that it symbolised peace. thing. He is really good. some in the Vatican saw as a snub. with Trump at which they discussed how to Soviet leadership following his Russia unfortunately there is “It is my desire that you become an ol- We had a fantastic meeting.” When he changed his mind, the Vati- inform would-be migrants before they left father’s death in 1953. always cruelty.” ive tree to construct peace,” the Pope said, A Vatican statement said the meeting can squeezed him in at 8.30am yesterday Africa of the risks of traffi cking. “I’m sorry for my father be- One of Stalin’s other grand- speaking in Spanish. was “cordial” and that the Vatican hoped morning, an unusual day and an unusually Along with her father and stepmother cause he was a very talented sons, Yevgeny Dzhugashvili, Trump responded: “We can use peace.” there could be “serene collaboration” be- early time. Melania, Trump met Pope Francis yester- person,” Burdonsky said in a died last year. He was born out Pope Francis also gave Trump a signed tween the US government and the Ameri- He later fl ew to Brussels where he was day morning, and Pompei said she told the 2014 interview with First Edu- of wedlock to the dictator’s copy of his 2017 peace message whose title can Catholic Church, including “assist- to meet Belgium’s king and prime minister traffi cking victims the pontiff was “a great cational Channel. elder son Yakov Dzhugashvili. is “Nonviolence — A Style of Politics for ance to immigrants”. The US Catholic yesterday evening before a day of meetings advocate for your stories”. Germany detains suspected Islamists in drug raids

Reuters However, a senior politician promised secu- people were killed, and fl ags hung at half-mast people leave the hall or stadium.” nisian Anis Amri ploughed a truck into a crowd Berlin rity would be reviewed in the wake of the attack, across Germany yesterday to express solidarity Obama, a close ally of Merkel while he was in of shoppers. as the German capital braces for some 100,000 with Manchester after the attack. offi ce, was due today to address crowds from the It has since emerged that several months be- extra visitors over the next few days, but that Geisel said some 6,000 police will be de- spot where his predecessors John F Kennedy and fore the attack, German police had ceased in- olice arrested four suspected Islamists in plans were in place for any such eventuality. ployed on Berlin’s streets over the Ascension Ronald Reagan stood when the city was on the vestigating Amri, even though he had been sus- dawn raids in Berlin yesterday as the Ger- “We’ll take another look, but our security Day long weekend, which begins with the Ger- front lines of the Cold War. pected of preparing an attack. Pman capital geared up for a long weekend plans are designed so we’re well prepared for man protestant church’s biennial four-day His visit, seen as lending a hand to Merkel’s Police could also have arrested him months of mass gatherings, capped by a joint appear- events like that in Manchester,” Berlin’s interior Kirchentag festival. campaign to be returned to offi ce in September, earlier for commercial-scale, organised drug ance by Chancellor Angela Merkel and former aff airs senator, Andreas Geisel, told RBB radio Security at events elsewhere in Germany over will be followed on Saturday by the German Cup traffi cking, the Berlin minister in charge of se- US president Barack Obama. yesterday. the long weekend would be adjusted following fi nal, when Eintracht faces Dortmund. curity, Andreas Geisel, has claimed. Police said the raids targeted a gang of armed With the city hosting Germany’s football cup events in Manchester, interior minister Thomas Police also seized electronic devices, drugs Instead police later claimed Amri had just drug smugglers and nine arrests had been made, fi nal, a mass religious meeting as well as Obama, de Maiziere said. and weapons after searching six locations in been a small-scale drug traffi cker, he added. four of which were men from the “violent Is- huge crowds are expected throughout the spring “We mustn’t focus exclusively on access con- four diff erent districts of Berlin. Geisel said that he has launched a criminal lamist” scene. weekend. trols,” he told Bild newspaper. “The Manchester German authorities have drawn criticism complaint against police in Berlin for having None were linked to the Manchester bomb at- Memories are still fresh of the Berlin Christ- events have shown that the situation at the end since an Islamic State-claimed Christmas mar- falsifi ed a document after the attack in order to tack which killed 22 people on Monday. mas market attack last December, in which 12 of the event have to be looked at carefully, when ket attack in the capital in December when Tu- defl ect blame. Gulf Times 24 Thursday, May 25, 2017 INDIA

ART CONTROVERSY CRIME ADMINISTRATION INVESTIGATION Miniature artist presents Paresh Rawal deletes Andhra man dies in Ministers to meet public ED arrests suspect hyperreal portrait of PM tweet on Arundhati Roy acid attack by woman without appointment in money laundering

In an attempt to revive miniature painting in India, Bollywood actor and Bharatiya Janata Party MP A newly-married man died in an acid attack by a Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said in renowned painter and fashion designer Suvigya Paresh Rawal has deleted his controversial tweet girl, with whom he had an alleged aff air before yesterday said all government ministers Chennai yesterday it has arrested B Madan of Sharma discussed with Prime Minister Narendra suggesting that instead of a Kashmiri stone-thrower, the marriage, in Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur and off icials will meet the public without Vendhar Movies under the provisions of the Modi the need to introduce art to the weaker author Arundhati Roy should be tied to an army district, police said. The shocking incident appointment in their off ices. “Chief Minister Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 sections of the society. Sharma, 34, presented a jeep. “Instead of tying (a) stone-pelter on the army took place in Venigandla village on Tuesday Arvind Kejriwal has ordered all the Delhi (PMLA) for cheating the public of Rs910mn 3.5ft x3ft hyperreal miniature painting of Modi jeep, tie Arundhati Roy,” Rawal tweeted, triggering but came to light yesterday. Sheikh Mohamed government ministers and off icers except in the guise of medical admission in the SRM at his off ice on Monday. The painting features a an online outrage. Roy has been a vocal supporter Ilyas, 24, who suff ered serious injuries in the field staff to meet public without appointment Group of Institutions. The ED in a statement brooch gilded in 24 carat gold. The oil painting on of Kashmir separatist campaign and alleged human attack, died at the Government Hospital in between 10 and 11am from Monday to Friday,” said it has registered a case under PMLA canvas also displays Modi as a visionary. “It was a rights abuses in the state. However, the tweet is Guntur. Ilyas had an alleged aff air with Hema Sisodia said. “The decision has been taken by against Madan and others for cheating under proud moment when Modiji explicitly expressed no longer visible in Rawal’s account. It came days Bindu but he married another girl two days the chief minister in response to feedback from Section 406 and 420 of IPC, 1860. It said how much he loved the painting. I was truly after an army major in Kashmir trussed up a civilian, ago in his Pamulapaduku village in the same diff erent quarters about disconnect between Madan had collected millions of rupees for heartened when he said that the painting will be Farooq Dar, on his jeep bonnet using him as a district. On Tuesday, Hema with the help of people and the government,” Sisodia said. admission into SRM Medical College, and then placed in his own cabin at his off ice”, Sharma said. human shield against a stone-throwing mob. The friend Qasim called Ilyas to a house to collect “Kejriwal has also directed the chief secretary absconded. At least 135 parents have filed During the meeting, Modi and Sharma discussed incident sparked a huge uproar, particularly after the her photographs. As he reached the house, she to ensure no meeting is scheduled from 10 to complaints against Madan and it is estimated the unique aspect of miniature painting, the off icer was commended by army chief General Bipin threw acid on his face and escaped. Ilyas was 11am and off icers are available for one-to-one that about Rs910mn has been collected by techniques used in it and how the art is slowly Rawat for his counter-insurgency service in Jammu taken to a hospital in Guntur, where he died on interaction with the public,” the Aam Aadmi him for securing medical college admission dying in India. and Kashmir. Tuesday evening. Party (AAP) leader added. during 2016.

Elephant rescued 20 killed as bus plunges into river in Uttarakhand

Agencies Dehradun

t least 20 people were killed and six were injured Aafter a bus they were trav- Forest off icials try to rescue an injured elephant which fell into a pond at the Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary on the outskirts of Guwahati elling in fell into a gorge in the in Assam yesterday. mountainous northern state of Uttarakhand, offi cials said yes- terday. The accident took place near the town of Dharasu on Tuesday night when the driver lost con- trol of the bus. The bus plunged some 150m into the Bhagirathi river, police Chandy terms CAG report on said. Uttarakhand minister Madan Kaushik speaks to a victim of the bus Uttarakhand Chief Minister accident in a hospital in Dehradun yesterday. Trivendra Rawat said 20 bodies had been found during rescue Meanwhile, a pall of gloom gar on the busy Aurangabad- Vizhinjam project immature operations at the site. has enveloped Betma and Hatod, Ahmednagar highway, police of- Authorities were making ef- in Indore district of Madhya fi cer Vilas Kanawade said. forts to airlift six injured to hos- Pradesh, after the accident . All seven, including the driver, Ashraf Padanna deepwater multipurpose seaport (20-foot equivalent units) to would develop the second phase pitals in the state capital Dehra- The bodies of the pilgrims will died on the spot. Thiruvananthapuram project. dock. It will handle 4.1mn con- without state funding. dun, Rawat said. be brought back by train, offi cials The passengers, on a pilgrim- The former chief minister said tainers annually. Though he was voted out last “The victims died of injuries said. age in Buldhana district, were the agreement was based on the This is India’s second interna- year, Chandy had received a lot as the bus rolled down the hill A large number of grief sleeping at the time of the acci- ormer Kerala chief minis- model concession agreement of tional container transshipment of appreciation for this achieve- before falling into the river. The stricken people assembled out- dent. ter Oommen Chandy has the federal government which terminal (ICTT) after the Cochin ment after bids by successive dead included the driver and the side Betma Police Station since The driver of the truck fl ed the Fdismissed the Comptrol- included the extension of the ICTT operated by Dubai’s DP governments failed to rope in a conductor,” local police chief R K morning for news of their rela- scene of the accident. ler and Auditor General’s report concession period to 40 years. World, also in Kerala. credible private partner. Yadav said. tives who were in the bus. “As per preliminary investiga- that his government’s deal with “Its benefi ts are multifold. Adanis are already in talks with The current Left Democratic “According to the witnesses, Madhya Pradesh Chief Min- tions, the jeep driver apparently Adani group for the development The port will be competing with major shipping companies to at- Front (LDF) government has also the bus was carrying 29 people. ister Shivraj Singh Chouhan met dozed off at the wheel as the of Vizhinjam Port was prepared Colombo and other foreign ports tract enough container volume to been listing it as one of its three Rescue operations are on to fi nd his Uttarakhand counterpart to speeding vehicle climbed onto without verifying facts. in the region. You cannot com- the port from the beginning of its prestigious projects, others be- three more passengers who are discuss the rescue operations. the road divider. It then collided “I have no regrets for entering pare it with Colachel, which had operations by the end of next year. ing Kochi Metro and Kannur air- unaccounted for”. Chouhan also met Railways head-on with the truck coming into the deal (to build the port), not even prepared an estimate, Adani Ports is also developing port, all initiated by Chandy. Police said the victims, from Minister Suresh Prabhu and in from the opposite direction,” but take pride in the achieve- or other Indian ports, as the CAG a port city in the land allotted to Vijayan is to inaugurate the the central state of Madhya sought help in bringing back Kanawade said. ment, after 22 years of eff orts by did,” he said. it on a long-term lease, which piling of the port complex on June Pradesh, were returning from the bodies of the pilgrims from The police are searching for successive governments,” he told “I’m proud that I could do a reportedly includes luxury hotels 1 as the project enters its second Gangotri, a popular Hindu pil- Dehradun to Indore by a special the absconding truck driver, reporters here yesterday. good thing for the state. I would and shopping malls. phase. But the CAG report which grim town in the Himalayan coach. Kanawade said. Chandy was also respond- take its full responsibility and I The government had also an- came a day after Communist state. In another accident in Mahar- India has the highest number ing to Chief Minister Pinarayi would not pass it on to the offi - nounced a Rs2.2bn package, Party of India (Marxist) veteran Prime Minister Narendra Modi ashtra, seven people were killed of traffi c fatalities in the world. Vijayan’s statement in the as- cials (who negotiated and fi nal- with federal assistance, for the V S Achuthanandan demanded a sent his condolences for the loss when their jeep crashed into a An average of 135,000 people die sembly earlier in the day that ised the deal). The chief minis- rehabilitation of the traditional total revamp of the project, came of lives in the bus crash and fed- divider and then collided with on the country’s roads each year, the CAG’s fi ndings were “most ter is free to have a relook into fi shermen who are likely to be af- as a huge setback for Chandy. eral and state governments an- truck near Dhangarwadi early according to government data. serious”. it, but he should not delay the fected during construction, but “I don’t have any objection if nounced monetary compensa- yesterday. Many accidents are reported India’s national auditor said project.” they say the promise was not met. any changes could be made in the tion to the families of the victims. Around 4am, the jeep headed from mountainous regions like the deal heavily favoured Adani The port, located close to the Chandy said the state and agreement. That’s up to the gov- Offi cials have been asked to from Pune to Buldhana via Au- Uttarakhand and are usually Ports and Special Economic busy international shipping federal government were sup- ernment of the day,” he said. “I’m identify danger zones on routes rangabad, went out of control, caused by reckless driving, bad Zone Private Ltd, ignoring the route, will enable ships with a porting the project only in the open to any investigation that the of the annual ‘Chaar Dham Yatra’ crashed into the divider and hit roads or the poor condition of state’s interests in the Rs75.25bn capacity of even 18,000 TEU fi rst phase and the port operator government feels required.” and put up speed monitors. the truck bound for Ahmedna- vehicles.

Final journey Seven die in hospital as TN CM’s meeting with Modi sparks rumours doctors go on strike IANS assembly while the Panneersel- New Delhi vam factions has 12 MLAs. Sim- IANS from early yesterday morning Meanwhile, hundreds of pa- ilarly, the parliamentary party Patna despite a large number of them tients, mostly the poor, who ar- with over 50 MPs is divided be- being referral cases by local doc- rived at the hospital from across amil Nadu Chief Minister tween the two factions with the tors from across the state requir- the state, were worried that no Edappadi Palaniswamy chief minister’s faction having a t least seven patients at ing urgent attention. medical facilities were being pro- Tmet Prime Minister majority. the Patna Medical College “There is a panic-like situ- vided to them. Narendra Modi yesterday and Neither faction has made Aand Hospital (PMCH) died ation among relatives of the “We are the real victims of the is understood to have discussed public their stand on the presi- yesterday due to lack of treat- patients,” a PMCH offi cial said strike because there is no doctor the political situation in the dential election but both of ment following a fl ash strike by adding, “particularly those who to attend to our patients,” said state in the wake of the split in them are said to be inclined to junior doctors that started after are lying in serious condition in Mahesh Kushwaha of Vaishali the ruling All India Anna Dravi- support an NDA candidate. midnight, offi cials said. emergency ward and those oper- district, who came here two days da Munnetra Kazhagam follow- Replying to reporters’ ques- The doctors have threatened to ated in diff erent wards as junior ago to get his wife treated at the ing J Jayalalithaa’s death. tions including whether his fac- stay away from work for 24 hours doctors have not attended them.” PMCH. The meeting came close on tion would have a tie-up with if action was not taken against Junior doctors were adamant Most patients were forced to the heels of the meeting former the BJP in the coming local bod- police offi cials who caned them that they would not resume work shift to private nursing homes. chief minister O Panneerselvam ies elections, Palaniswamy said a few days back injuring some of unless action was taken against Satender Yadav, a parent wor- had with Modi here last week. nothing political was discussed them. the police offi cials involved in the ried over his son’s health, said: Both meetings assume signif- with the prime minister. “Seven critical patients died caned charge during a counsel- “There is no doctor to attend to icance in view of the Bharatiya He said he has invited Modi due to lack of treatment follow- ling session. the patients.” Janata Party’s eff orts to garner to participate in a function in ing the strike by PMCH junior Rowdy incidents during the “Those who cannot aff ord Army personnel carry the bodies of three soldiers of maximum support for the Na- which Jayalalithaa’s portrait is doctors today morning which session had prompted the police treatment outside have been left Nepalese origin, who were killed in a gunbattle with militants tional Democratic Alliance can- to be unveiled in the state as- has badly hit emergency and Out action. in the lurch,” an offi cial said. in Jammu and Kashmir, before cremation at the 14 Gorkha didate in the upcoming presi- sembly and in the grand fi nal Patient Department (OPD) serv- The striking doctors have also Medical brokers have become Training Centre in Subathu in Solan district of Himachal dential election due in July. The celebrations of late chief min- ices,” an offi cial said. demanded withdrawal of cases active and were taking advantage Pradesh yesterday. They were cremated with full military chief minister’s faction in the ister M G Ramachandran’s birth Over 500 striking doctors left fi led against innocent medical of the situation, a patient’s rela- honours. AIADMK enjoys the support of centenary be held in December hundreds of patients unattended students. tive at PMCH said. 122 MLAs in the 134-member in Chennai. Gulf Times Thursday, May 25, 2017 25 INDIA

Sonu Nigam quits New defence policy to Twitter over action against boost local companies another singer Agencies est private sector engineering New Delhi firm, said. IANS In reply to her statement, Ab- Patil said that industry repre- Mumbai hijeet posted an off ensive tweet sentatives had raised concerns about Rashid. ndia yesterday approved a in recent meetings about how Nigam wrote: “I have no reli- long-awaited policy to boost the policy would be structured, ollywood singer Sonu Ni- gion. I follow my own religion, Ilocal defence manufacturing specifi cally on the fi nancial and gam quit Twitter yester- choosing the best from every- by eff ectively picking indus- technical criteria used for se- Bday, urging all “logical and where. Those who understand, try champions that would tie lecting partners. sensible patriots” to do the same know; those who don’t, my con- up with foreign players to make “The fi nal details are still after singer Abhijeet Bhattach- dolences.” submarines, fi ghter jets, heli- awaited. We discussed some arya’s account on the site was Abhijeet meanwhile said copters and armoured vehicles. roadblocks but we hope they will suspended for posting off ensive Twitter was anti-national, anti- Prime Minister Narendra be addressed,” he said. tweets. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Modi has vowed to end India’s L&T’s “unmatched compe- “I quit Twitter today in defi - and anti-Hindu. role as the world’s largest arms tency” lay in submarines, Patil ance of this one sided sham,” Ni- He said with the ban, Twitter importer by asking foreign fi rms said, suggesting it would focus gam tweeted. was suppressing the “voice of to share technology with local on winning that strategic part- “One could disagree with the nation”. players and then manufacture in nership. Abhijeetda’s language but isn’t Abhijeet is known to be an ac- India – in return for a slice of the Some Indian companies are Shehla’s accusation that BJP has tive right-wing supporter and $250bn analysts estimate New unhappy with a rule restricting a sex racket, provocation enough clashes with liberal voices on Delhi will spend on its military them to becoming a strategic to supporters?” social media. In the recent past over the next decade. partner in just one of four sec- He was referring to Jawaharlal he courted controversy with his Under the “Strategic Partner- tors that will be the fi rst cov- Nehru University student-activ- comments and Twitter posts on ship” model, the government Defence and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley speaks with Power Minister Piyush Goyal as Minister of State in ered by the policy – submarines, ist Shehla Rashid’s accusations issues of political importance. will shortlist and then pick Indi- the Prime Minister’s Off ice Jitendra Singh looks on after the cabinet meeting yesterday. fi ghter jets, helicopters and ar- that some BJP leaders were in- “Twitter is a platform for an- an companies to join forces with moured vehicles. volved in sex scandals. ti-nationals, anti-Indian Army, foreign fi rms. Toubro, Mahindra Group, Tata Lockheed Martin and Saab are and hand winning Indian fi rms Companies such as Reliance, “If his account is deleted, anti-Modi, anti-Hindu and for The winners will be guaranteed Group and recent entrants Reli- in the race for the fi ghter jets, a virtual monopoly, but the gov- a newcomer to defence, had laid why not her? And the other mo- terrorist supporters. I would billions of dollars of orders to in- ance Group and Adani Group are while companies in Germany, ernment decided it has reached out ambitious plans to build rons who hurl... abuses to every say all are Naxals, they should centivise them to manufacture. desperate to muscle in on their Spain, Russia and France are enough of a consensus to push anything from submarines to achiever?” Nigam questioned. be punished severely. It’s jihadi “For each platform, one pri- business. likely to be interested in the sub- the policy through. helicopters and missiles, but the In a series of 24 posts, Nigam Twitter,” Abhijeet said. vate sector strategic partner will Foreign manufacturers such marine tender. “We see the policy as do- strategic partnership model will opened up about various remarks “We are not only singers... We be chosen,” Defence Minister as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Actual orders could still be ing something good for indi- likely force it to narrow its focus. made by people on Twitter, in- are the voice of our nation and Arun Jaitley told reporters after BAE Systems, Airbus and Saab years away, as India’s procure- genisation,” Jayant Patil, Head Tata, Mahindra and Reli- cluding veteran actor and BJP come out openly against anti- a cabinet meeting. also see India as one of the big- ment process often moves slow- of Defence and Aerospace at ance have all invested money in MP Paresh Rawal’s controversial nationals. So, Twitter is trying to “You don’t set up a manufac- gest sources of future growth. ly and specifi c details of how the Larsen & Toubro, India’s larg- building helicopters. comments on author Arundhati shut our voice,” he said. turing facility if you don’t have Modi was keen to get the policy will work have yet to be Roy. “All Arundhati and JNU group any hope of getting orders.” project approved before he trav- released. Foreign Investment Promotion Board abolished Twitter on Tuesday suspend- (are) behind this (suspension and Government and industry els next Monday to Germany, In June, Modi is also expected ed the account of Abhijeet over deletion), after Paresh Rawal and representatives have been hag- France, Spain and Russia, where to visit the United States, which In a major decision aimed 90% cases. Industry laud- sexist and off ensive remarks, me tweeted against Arundhati gling over the details of the buying weapons will be high on has emerged as one of the top at further easing doing ed the move as a “bold” which stirred up a storm online. for her anti-India stand.” model for more than a year, de- the agenda. arms suppliers to India in recent business in India, the cabi- step that would add to the In a series of tweets, Abhijeet Last year, Abhijeet was ar- laying discussions for tens of Among the long-awaited or- years. net yesterday abolished healthy inflow of foreign abused some women users, par- rested and released on bail by the billions of dollars worth of deals. ders that executives hope the India wants to replicate other the 25-year-old Foreign investment. Finance ticularly Rashid, following which Mumbai police following a com- Indian defence manufactur- new policy could kick-start are a countries that have used state Investment Promotion Minister Arun Jaitley Twitter took the action. plaint against him for harassing a ing is small and dominated by multi-billion-dollar submarine policy to build leading defence Board (FIPB), obviating told reporters that after When Rashid openly discussed woman journalist on Twitter. He state-run outfi ts, many of which tender and another for a large fi rms. the need for prior clear- yesterday’s move, only about sex scandals involving BJP has also relentlessly spoken out have been criticised for poor number of single-engine fi ghter Some executives and ana- ance for Foreign Direct 11 sectors would require leaders, she was “abused by Ab- about how Bollywood “breeds performance. jets the Indian Air Force says it lysts have said the new policy Investment in more than prior approval for FDI. hijeet and hundreds of Sanghi and feeds” Pakistani artistes in Private fi rms such as Larsen & needs. could undermine competition trolls”. the country.

Letting cameras into family life didn’t come naturally: Sachin

AFP cricket fans don’t know about him. Mumbai But Erskine, who has made several acclaimed sports fi lms, insists the do- cudrama will reveal new aspects about hotly anticipated fi lm about his life. the life of cricket legend Sachin “You might know the stats, you might ATendulkar hits cinemas this know how he performed in certain week but the batting great says he matches, but you don’t know what hap- might fi nd watching it an unsettling pens when he goes off -stage, in his house experience. – his private life, his hopes, dreams, his “I am used to seeing myself on a big highs and sorrows,” he said. screen inside the stadium, not inside a “You know little of his family except movie theatre,” Tendulkar said ahead perhaps their names. This fi lm really is of tomorrow’s release of Sachin: A Bil- the story of the man, and while cricket lion Dreams. is a huge part of his life, it is just one The docudrama, directed by Emmy- chapter,” Erskine added. nominated British fi lmmaker James The Brit has made a number of Erskine, took four years to make and well-received sports biopics including traces Tendulkar’s life from an aspiring The Battle of the Sexes, about a tennis cricketer to arguably the greatest bats- match between Billie Jean King and man of all time. Sachin: A Billion Dreams releases tomorrow. Bobby Riggs, and Pantani: The Acci- It features real footage, including dental Death of a Cyclist, about Tour de clips from his matches and interviews fans want to see something more than France winner Marco Pantani. with colleagues and family and present what they have in the last 24 years. He also made One Night in Turin, a day stars including Virat Kohli and “Nobody knows what was going on documentary about England’s run to Mahendra Singh Dhoni. It uses ac- in my mind at that time so we have the semi-fi nals of the 1990 football tors to recreate some scenes from the spoken a lot about highs and lows and World Cup. 44-year-old’s childhood in Mumbai. the line between me, my family and Sachin: A Billion Dreams is being Tendulkar, who played 200 Test fans,” he added. produced by a company called “200 matches and enjoys an almost god-like The right-hander made his de- NotOut”, a reference to the number of status in cricket-mad India, consented but for India aged just 16 in 1989 and Tests Tendulkar played, leaving some to the biopic but admitted that letting broke almost every batting record pos- movie critics wondering if the fi lm will the cameras into his family life didn’t sible before retiring from professional be little more than hagiography. come naturally. cricket in 2013. “My purpose was to make a fi lm ex- “Being a private person I always be- The former Indian captain is the ploring three clear strands – how did lieved I should let my bat do the talk- only cricketer to have scored 100 in- this boy become perceived as a god, ing, stay focused on the game and give ternational centuries and is the highest who is the real man behind the god, all my energy over there,” said the “Lit- run scorer in international cricket with how was Sachin’s journey (and iconic tle Master” in an interview. more than 34,000 runs. status) a result of the massive shifts in “There are personal moments in the Tendulkar published his autobiogra- Indian culture, cricket and media over fi lm and some family footage. I know phy in 2014 and there isn’t much that the past 30 years. I’d never make it in Bollywood: Pitt

AFP telling Pitt he could easily learn. ing of the fi lm, directed by David Mi- Mumbai “We can make anyone dance. I just chod, in Mumbai later yesterday. spread my arms and do nothing, that’s It was the star’s second high-profi le a step,” joked the actor known as “King visit to India after he accompanied ollywood actor Brad Pitt Khan”. ex-wife Jolie during her fi lming of A told Shah Rukh Khan that he Pitt, who recently split from An- Mighty Heart in 2006. Hdoesn’t have the moves to star gelina Jolie, arrived in Mumbai Earlier this month Pitt opened in Bollywood fi lms as he promoted his from Japan early yesterday for up on his divorce from Jolie, new movie War Machine in Mumbai the latest stop on a promo- admitting that heavy drinking yesterday. tional tour for Netflix movie had contributed to the break- “I wouldn’t make it Bollywood be- War Machine. down of his marriage. cause I can’t dance or sing,” said the The satirical war fi lm, in The Hollywood A-lister American actor during an event with which Pitt plays a hubristic told GQ Magazine that he is Khan in front of journalists in Mumbai. United States general, releases now teetotal and in therapy. Bollywood movies are renowned for on the popular streaming site to- Jolie, 41, fi led for divorce in elaborate dance sequences and high- morrow. September, citing irrecon- energy songs and Khan responded by Pitt, 53, attended a screen- cilable diff erences. Gulf Times 26 Thursday, May 25, 2017 LATIN AMERICA

PROPOSAL EVENT CRISIS ASSURANCE TREND UN wants to shift $40mn New leftist Ecuador Brazil fears influx of Banco Original’s liquidity Chileans grow marijuana to Haiti cholera fund president takes off ice Venezuela refugees is solid: Brazil top bank for medical purposes

The United Nations is proposing that $40.5mn Ecuador’s new president Lenin Moreno took Brazil is concerned about growing numbers of A Brazil central bank source said that Banco Chileans are increasingly growing their own from the unspent budget of the UN mission in Haiti off ice yesterday. Congress swore in Moreno, 64, refugees spilling over its border from Venezuela Original’s liquidity was solid, and that it had cannabis for medical purposes as the South be poured into a special fund to help its cholera as the quieter successor to one of the feistiest and is creating a plan to deal with a possible mass placed an analyst inside the bank to speed up American nation begins loosening legal victims, according to a report. UN secretary- personalities in Latin American politics: Rafael influx if the crisis in Venezuela worsens, Brazilian obtaining answers to prosecutors’ questions prohibitions on the formerly illegal plant. In 2015, general Antonio Guterres made the proposal to the Correa. Moreno is the first wheelchair-user to Defence Minister Raul Jungmann said. “Evidently about a corruption scandal involving JBS Chile legalised the use of medical marijuana, UN General Assembly to address a major shortfall become Ecuador’s leader, and one of few such we are worried and our biggest concern is the SA, whose controlling shareholders control following a wave of other Latin American nations in the $400mn needed to help Haiti recover from leaders in the world ever to serve as president. humanitarian situation,” Jungmann told reporters. the bank. The source spoke on condition of that are slowly making the cultivation, distribution, the epidemic. Cholera was introduced by infected His legs have been paralysed since he was shot More than 6,000 Venezuelans cross the border anonymity as they were not authorised to and consumption of cannabis easier. Earlier in May, Nepalese UN peacekeepers who were sent to during a robbery in 1998. He went on to lead a every day looking to buy food and medicine, and discuss the situation. Market speculation about pharmacies in the capital city of Santiago began Haiti after the devastating 2010 earthquake. The task force on disability rights as vice-president most go back but others stay and look for work, the health of Banco Original was stoked by selling cannabis-based medicines, the first time $40.5mn would be drawn from unspent funds in Correa’s government. That earned him a the minister said. Last month, Brazilians were news on Tuesday that the central bank had sent such treatments have been off ered by drugstores from the UN peacekeeping mission’s budget for nomination for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2012. shocked by the sight of indigenous women and the analyst to work inside it, prompting the in Latin America. Chile’s pro-cannabis Daya 2015-2016 and would provide a major boost to the Moreno has pledged to boost business through children from Venezuela begging in the streets of bank to issue a statement denying any liquidity Foundation hosted a workshop teaching those eff ort to help Haiti recover from the outbreak. loans and try to spur consumption. Manaus, the biggest city in Brazil’s Amazon region. problems. with medical conditions how to grow the plant. Maduro presses on with plans to rewrite charter

Reuters decried the planned assembly, Caracas saying it was “not the solution to the crisis” and called on Maduro to “think carefully” to avoid more aced with mounting unrest, bloodshed. Venezuela’s unpopular left- Maduro was undaunted pre- Fist President Nicolas Madu- senting the proposed 540-mem- ro has vowed to push ahead in July ber “constituent assembly” as a with the formation of a “constitu- way to defuse anti-government ent assembly” to rewrite the con- protests, which he says are part of stitution before regional elections a US-backed conspiracy to over- in December. throw “21st Century socialism.” The South American Opec “Votes or bullets, what do the member has been racked by strife, people want?” Maduro asked a with 55 people killed during un- crowd of red-shirted supporters rest in the past two months as waving Venezuelan fl ags at the public anger boiled over due to an Mirafl ores presidential palace. economic meltdown that has left “Let’s go to elections now!” he many Venezuelans scrabbling to said, before detailing how the new aff ord three meals a day. assembly will be partially elected In an apparent bid to show the by votes at a municipal level and government was seeking a demo- partially by diff erent groups, in- A demonstrator shows a sign that reads “Temer, Federal trash” during a protest against President Michel Temer and the latest corruption scandal to hit the country in Brasilia, cratic solution, the head of the cluding workers, farmers, stu- Brazil, yesterday. pro-government electoral coun- dents, and indigenous people. cil said voting for a controversial In a telling sign of internal dis- “constituent assembly” would be sent, Venezuela’s state prosecutor held in late July. Regional guber- warned that Maduro’s plan for a natorial elections, meant to have grassroots congress risked deep- been held last year, would take ening the crisis. place on December 10, he said. “Persistent and increasingly The opposition reacted with violent unrest will eventually fury, convinced that these moves prompt key stakeholders to aban- Thousands protest against were Maduro’s way of clinging to don Maduro and negotiate a rapid power. transition that sets a timetable for Maduro’s rivals fear that a new new elections; the precise timing constituent assembly could re- is impossible to predict, however,” write rules or exclude opposition the Eurasia Group political con- parties, making a sham of future sultancy said in a note to clients. elections that would likely van- Enraged by the economic crisis Temer, reforms in Brasilia quish the ruling socialists if the and perceived lack of democratic polls were free and fair. solutions, some Venezuelans have AFP Temer, from the centre-right Organisers claimed there However, Temer has been mer to be eased out. “The decision is nothing more taken out their ire by publicly Brasília PMDB party, is reeling from a were far more, but an independ- fi ghting for his political life Because he has no vice presi- than an evil announcement meant shaming government offi cials or probe into his alleged corrup- ent estimate was not immedi- since last week after allegations dent, the constitution would to divide, distract, and confuse knocking down statues of Hugo tion. ately possible. that he attempted to pay hush require a 30-day period led by Venezuelans further,” said Con- Chavez, the late fi rebrand leftist t least 25,000 people The future of his market- “In a democracy, no govern- money to a jailed politician and the speaker of the lower house, gress president Julio Borges, the leader who governed Venezuela massed in Brasilia yes- friendly reforms package — es- ment can resist when the people was involved in bribery. followed by an indirect elec- opposition leader whose coali- from 1999 to 2013. Aterday to demand new pecially cuts in the country’s take to the streets,” said Dorival The scandal follows a land- tion in which Congress picks a tion is pushing for early elections, In the southeastern city of elections and an end to austerity generous but unaff ordable pen- Pereira, 60, who travelled 18 slide of other corruption allega- new president to rule until after humanitarian aid to alleviate food Puerto Ordaz, the president of reforms in a protest fuelled by sion system — is equally unclear. hours from Mato Grosso do Sul. tions against much of Temer’s scheduled elections in October and medicine shortages, and free- a state-run company was “kid- anger over a corruption scan- “It’s the end of this putch- Like many demonstrators, government and Congress in a 2018. dom for jailed activists. napped,” beaten up, and stripped dal swirling around President ist government. That’s why she wore a T-shirt with the slo- huge probe known as “Opera- Congress is riddled with its “We have entered a new stage naked by protesters, the govern- Michel Temer. the people have taken to the gan “Elections now!” tion Car Wash.” own corruption scandals, how- and that means more struggle and ment said. Organised by leftist groups streets,” said Francisca Gomes, Temer says the austerity re- For now, the president is try- ever, and popular sentiment more street action,” Borges said in In the lower middle-class Cara- and trade unions, the protesters 59, who came from Sao Paulo for forms are already working and ing to shore up his congressional is growing in favor of moving a video. cas neighbourhood of El Paraiso, poured into the centre of Brazil’s the protest and carried a funeral that more measures, especially alliance to resist calls for his im- up the presidential election — Riots and looting have raised masked men on Monday night capital. ribbon carrying the image of the pension reform, are needed. peachment. which would require Congress risks that protests could spin out shot up an apartment building and Brazil’s left is smelling blood president and the words: “RIP Latin America’s biggest He has said he did nothing to approve a constitutional of control, given the widespread parked cars in what one resident, just over a year since Temer took Temer.” economy has been stuck in deep wrong and will not resign. amendment. hunger, anger at Maduro and easy who asked not to be named out of over from Workers’ Party presi- Brasilia’s security service recession for two years and is But analysts say that intense “Temer will fall. Everyone access to weapons in one of the fear of reprisals, said was retalia- dent Dilma Rousseff after she was said that 500 buses had con- just now showing the fi rst signs negotiations are going on be- says this is government is dead,” world’s most violent countries. tion for barricades set up nearby impeached for illegally manipu- verged on the capital, with some of returning to growth, although hind the scenes to fi nd the least Senator Gleisi Hoff man, from A Supreme Court magistrate by opposition sympathisers. lating government accounts. 25,000 protesters. unemployment is at nearly 14%. traumatic way possible for Te- the Workers’ Party, said Woman jailed for food theft Colombia unrest Oil fi rm executive as tainted offi cials go free held in graft probe Reuters Opposition leaders have said Caracas PDVSA has been particularly crip- Guardian News and Media is six months, it will be taken from vast network of bribes and kick- pled by malfeasance under 18 years Sao Paulo her care. backs from public contracts that of socialist rule. The case is far from unusual, were channelled through major enezuela has arrested the They say sporadic arrests are but it has drawn public attention corporations, including Petrobras manager of the Petropiar more the result of infi ghting ven for a country numbed because of an appeal by a legal and Odebrecht, to the major po- Vheavy crude upgrader, among rival government factions by injustice and inequality, ombudsman and a newspaper ar- litical parties and secret accounts owned by state oil company PD- than a concerted eff ort to root out EBrazil has been shocked by ticle that drew damning compari- held by dozens of senior politi- VSA and US major Chevron Cor- wrongdoing. revelations that a poor mother who sons with the laxer punishments cians. poration, for alleged “irregulari- A probe last year by the opposi- stole an Easter egg for her children handed down to those convicted At least seven of those found ties” in contracts awarded in the tion-run Congress said $11bn had was condemned to a harsher jail of far greater crimes in the Lava guilty of such crimes – which de- oil-rich Orinoco Belt. gone missing from PDVSA. sentence than corporate execu- Jato (Car Wash) case, a sprawling frauded taxpayers of hundreds of Francisco Velasquez was de- The government dismissed tives and politicians who cheated corruption investigation which millions of dollars – have received tained on May 13 and he remains that as part of a right-wing smear the public of millions of dollars. has implicated a string of major lighter sentences than Maria be- behind bars in the city of Barcelo- campaign. The woman – who is referred fi gures in Brazilian politics and cause they have cut deals with na, in the eastern state of Anzoat- PDVSA and Chevron, which has to only by her fi rst name, Maria – business. prosecutors or their lawyers have egui, the prosecutor’s offi ce said in a 30% stake in Petropiar, did not was sentenced to three years, two The ombudsman, Maira Cora cited extenuating family or health a statement. immediately respond to a request months and three days in prison Diniz, said the penalty for Maria circumstances. Several have been “The investigation began in for comment. for shoplifting a chocolate egg and was “absurdly” disproportionate released. Others have been put un- 2015, after a complaint by PDVSA Local media last year published a chicken breast from a supermar- to the crime, which did not in- der house arrest, where they can employees, who pointed out cer- photos from Velasquez’s Insta- ket in Matao, Sao Paulo in 2015, volve violence, damage or social live in relative luxury. tain irregularities in the awarding gram account that appear to show according to local media. disturbance. The public defender Several other newspapers have of contracts with over-pricing of him and his partner enjoying a lav- She was kept in detention for also noted that the sentence would picked up on the story as have goods or services,” the statement ish life, complete with holidays in fi ve months before her trial, then also punish the baby, which would many social network commenta- read. Rome and Aruba, a house in the found guilty of a fi rst-degree be wrenched from its mother at a tors. One typical post on the Extra Reuters was unable to obtain Dominican Republic, and a pink crime. Although she was briefl y point when it still needed breast- news website sarcastically called comment from Velasquez. sports car. remanded during her appeal, a feeding. for applause for the Brazilian jus- President Nicolas Maduro’s so- The opposition says corrupt of- second judge sent her to prison Commenting on this case in the tice system because “if you steal Colombian indigenous people take part in the march cialist government and Petroleos fi cials have enriched themselves pregnant in November 2016. the Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper, millions or billions, almost noth- “For the protection of territory, life and dignity of the de Venezuela SA, familiarly known on the back of a decade-long oil She has since given birth – to her columnist Monica Bergamo con- ing will happen to you.” towns”, in Cali, Colombia. Natives denounced threats as PDVSA, have repeatedly vowed boom, while the majority of Ven- fourth child – behind bars, and trasted this to the penalties given “’All are equal before the law’” is against their leaders and demand compliance with the to take steps to combat corruption, ezuelans now struggle to eat three is now nursing her baby son in a to those convicted in the Lava Jato the biggest lie ever told in Brazil,” pacts made with the government. which has aff ected Venezuela and square meals a day amid food overcrowded cell. Once the child investigation, which uncovered a tweeted another. its oil industry for decades. shortages and spiralling infl ation. Gulf Times Thursday, May 25, 2017 27 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN Islamabad to present its case at ICJ ‘forcefully’

Internews Sadiq was talking to the me- The speaker told the media He said no political talk was the government failed to remove Sheikh Rasheed of the Awami MQM-Pakistan leader Dr Islamabad dia yesterday after a meeting of that all members of the parlia- made during the discussion. reservations of the opposition Muslim League, while leaving the Farooq Sattar also seemed dis- the Parliamentary Committee mentary committee discussed members over Jadhav’s case at committee’s meeting, said the At- satisfi ed over the briefi ng by the on National Security discussed the case as a national issue, “The judicial process of the ICJ. torney General of Pakistan faced government. akistan’s National Assem- Pakistan’s performance at The leaving aside their political af- the case will be discussed Attorney General for Pakistan critical questions at the ICJ on the Those also participating in the bly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Hague court. filiations. in the next meeting of the Ashtar Ausaf Ali had briefed the judicial process of the case. meeting included Aftab Sher- PSadiq has said that Paki- The international court had “The judicial process of the committee on May 30” committee members on the per- “The government was not pao, Shireen Mazari, Ghulam stan will forcefully present its stayed Jadhav’s execution till a case will be discussed in the next formance of Pakistani lawyers at prepared to brief the members Ahmed Bilour, Dr Farooq Sattar, case on Indian spy Kulbhushan fi nal outcome of the hearing. meeting of the committee on “It’s an issue of national inter- the ICJ. properly over the issue,” he said, Sherry Rehman, Saeed Man- Jadhav during the next hear- Jadhav was awarded death May 30,” he added. During the est, and everybody has concerns The opposition members ex- adding that the government had dokhel, Mushahid Ullah Khan, ing at the International Court of sentence by a military court in meeting, Sadiq said, the mem- and wants Pakistan to win this pressed dissatisfaction over the assured them of satisfactory re- Zahid Hamid and Ministry of Justice (ICJ) scheduled for June Pakistan for spying and subver- bers gave their input and criti- case at the ICJ,” he said. government performance and plies to their queries at the next Foreign Aff airs secretary Teh- 8. sive activities in the country. cally reviewed the situation. During the meeting, however, the briefi ng given to them. meeting of the committee. mina Janjua.

SECURITY Pakistan captures Taliban leader blamed for attacks

Pakistan has arrested a Taliban Two Chinese nationals militant leader authorities de- scribe as the “mastermind” behind three major attacks in Baluchistan, a spokesman for the government of the restive southwestern prov- ince said yesterday. Militant and separatist violence has long riven Baluchistan, which kidnapped in Pakistan has rich reserves of natural gas, copper and gold, and is at the Abductors pretended to state news agency Xinhua said. heart of a $57-bn Chinese-funded be policemen, provincial China’s foreign ministry did “Belt and Road” trade and devel- off icials say; China helping not immediately respond to a opment initiative. to build new port and roads faxed request for comment sent Pakistan blames neighbours in the area; No group has after offi ce hours. Afghanistan and India for foment- yet claimed responsibility; Quetta police chief Razza ing an ethnic insurgency in the Policeman says teachers Cheema said the teachers did province, besides aiding the not working on “Silk Road” not work on the Beijing-funded Pakistani Taliban, a movement project China-Pakistan Economic Cor- separate from, but allied with, the ridor (CPEC) as they did not Afghan Taliban aiming to topple Reuters have guards. the Afghan government. Quetta/Islamabad Pakistan provides security for The arrested man, Saeed Ahmed all Chinese workers on CPEC Badani, was among the planners projects in Baluchistan. of three attacks in 2016 that killed rmed men pretending to “Armed men took the couple more than 180 people, the spokes- be policemen kidnapped into custody at gunpoint when man, Anwar ul Haq Kakar, said. Atwo Chinese language they were coming out from the “He was involved with a team in all teachers in the Pakistani city of centre,” Cheema said. the attacks, but I can describe him Quetta yesterday, provincial of- Another Chinese woman nar- as a mastermind, because he was fi cials said, a rare attack on Chi- rowly evaded the kidnappers the lynchpin in providing targets nese nationals that is likely to outside a language centre in Jin- and facilitating suicide bombers,” worry Beijing. nah, on the city’s outskirts, he he said. China has pledged to invest added. During interrogation, Badani con- $57bn in Pakistani road, rail and The numbers of Pakistanis fessed to receiving funding from power infrastructure in a fl ag- studying Mandarin has skyrock- Indian and Afghan intelligence ship project of its vast Belt and eted since 2014, when President agencies, the province’s home Road initiative for a network of Xi Jinping signed off on the vast minister, Safraz Bugti, told a news modern-day “Silk Road” routes CPEC funding plans. briefing on Tuesday. connecting Asia with Europe Security in Baluchistan has The arrested militant leader had and Africa. improved in recent years but also encouraged an attack by a China’s ambassador to Pa- separatists, who view the project suicide bomber last year on a kistan and other offi cials have as a ruse to steal natural resourc- provincial hospital that killed at often urged Islamabad to im- es, this month killed 10 Pakistani least 70 people, Kakar added. prove security, especially in the workers building a road near the “He encouraged and convinced province of Baluchistan, where new port of Gwadar. the suicide bomber in the lawyers’ China is building a new port and Pakistan faces pressure to attacks because he was his funding roads to link its western keep Chinese workers safe and madrassa mate, he knew him regions with the Arabian Sea. reassure Beijing about its vast since childhood,” Kakar added, Anwar ul Haq Kakar, a Balu- A man injured during kidnapping of two Chinese language teachers by unidentified gunmen lies on a hospital bed in Quetta yesterday. investments, said Vahaj Ahmed, referring to a religious school the chistan government spokesman, a research analyst at investment two attended. said men pretending to be police kidnapped,” Kakar said, adding they were doing this and they Kakar. No group has claimed re- or drum up publicity for their bank Exotix Partners. offi cers kidnapped the Chinese that offi cials had earlier mis- said they were from a law en- sponsibility for the kidnapping, cause. But the Quetta kidnappings CRIME teachers and wounded a pas- taken the wounded passerby for forcement agency, but when he but in the past Islamist militant China’s embassy in Islamabad were unlikely to “put the Chi- serby who tried to stop them. a security guard. asked for their identifi cation groups have kidnapped foreign- confi rmed two of its nationals nese interests off track,” he add- Woman attacks “A Chinese couple has been “(The passerby) inquired why cards, they shot him,” added ers in Pakistan to seek ransom had been kidnapped, Chinese ed. husband over second marriage

A woman allegedly threw acid on her husband for contracting Karachi bans swimming for second marriage yesterday at Pakistan plans to draw Banglow Fazal Wah in Luddan police precincts, some 25-km from Islamabad. Reports said six months after drownings 35-year-old Imran, a labourer, ‘red lines’ for social media contracted second marriage with Asma of Gujranwala a AFP imposed on swimming, wading standards on the beaches are few days back without getting Karachi or diving in the sea to ensure the low, with the few lifeguards on Internews posts were unacceptable, par- help develop some rules of the permission from his first wife safety of public,” a government duty often unable to exert any Islamabad ticularly at a time when a “war game with consensus. Yasmeen (30). Yesterday, when statement said. authority. against terror is being waged” He said those using fake he visited Yasmeen at Luddan, akistanis in the port meg- Karachi’s beaches are popular “In absence of any eff ective to secure the country’s future. identities for unleashing mali- she threw acid on Imran after an acity of Karachi have been with its population of roughly guards at the beach, it is in the s the controversy over He said action should be cious propaganda had no point exchange of argument. Imran Pbanned from swimming in 25mn people, many of whom interest of the people to stay the crackdown against taken against individuals be- in claiming that it was freedom received critical burns and was the sea for six months, authori- suff er from power outages and away from the beaches to pre- Aonline anti-army cam- longing to any political party of expression. admitted to Nishter Hospital, ties said yesterday, after a recent water shortages in the swelter- vent any untoward incident,” paigners heats up, the govern- or group, including the ruling He said the government sup- Multan, for treatment. Vehari spate of drownings as residents ing summers. said Anwer Kazmi, a spokesman ment yesterday revealed its Pakistan Muslim League-N, if ported the freedom of expres- Saddar DSP Imran Rasheed told sought relief from the scorching The city is a sprawling me- for the Edhi Foundation, the plan to draw red lines for the they were found to be behind sion but it was not at all appli- Dawn that Imran received 40% heat. tropolis with few green areas ambulance service which takes social media service providers the malignant campaign. cable to those attacking values, burns. He said the family of the Rescue workers and media and, while it often enjoys cool- responsibility for the bodies of for operating in Pakistan. The minister said 27 identi- decency and the law. victim didn’t want to get a case have reported some 15 cases of ing sea breezes, has scant facili- drowning victims. “There will be no restrictions fi cations and eight individuals He said one of the propos- registered against her. He said: drowning at beaches along the ties for coping with intensely hot Dozens of people drowned off on social media. had been identifi ed and six of als discussed during the meet- “Imran had married Yasmeen 12 city’s Arabian Sea coast over weather. the Karachi’s shore in 2014 after But, yes, there will be red them interrogated so far. ing was linking social media years ago and he is the father of the past week, including eight In 2015, more than 1,200 defying a ban on swimming dur- lines in accordance with the He said no arrest had been accounts with mobile phone 10-year-old daughter Alisha.” on Tuesday alone, alarming au- people died as June tempera- ing the monsoon season, which law and Constitution of the made yet and nobody had been numbers of the users. thorities as summer intensifi es. tures reached 45 degrees Cel- comes later in the summer, country,” Interior Minister harassed. He said the meeting agreed FINANCE “The six month ban has been sius (113 Fahrenheit). But safety bringing with it rougher seas. Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told The individuals were even to the need for framing a code UBL bank opens a press conference, after a allowed to bring their counsel of conduct for the media on meeting with a representative with them. (issues related to) national ‘Branch of delegation of the All Pakistan He said a forensic analysis of security and the media rep- the Future’ Newspapers Society (APNS), computers and mobile phones resentative organisations de- Fog hits visibility the Council of Pakistan News- of those suspected of being cided to set up a committee paper Editors (CPNE) and the behind the campaign would for this purpose. United Bank Limited (UBL) of Pa- Pakistan Broadcasters Associa- be carried out following which He said the proposed code of kistan inaugurated its first ‘Branch tion (PBA). they would be formally charged conduct would be submitted to of the Future’ in Karachi on May However, he said nothing and arrested. the government during a speci- 21, 2017. Consistent with the bank’s illegal was being done and ad- Replying to a question, Nisar fi ed period and then would progressive and innovative brand vised critics of the crackdown said he would ask the National be fi ne-tuned to give it a fi nal attributes, this spacious facility is not to create hurdles or hurl Assembly speaker to convene shape. uniquely futuristic in its off ering, threats. a meeting of political parties He said the meeting also providing customers with state-of- He said the country’s social, to seek their views on the pro- decided that senior federal the-art facilities enclosed within a moral and cultural values and posed standard operating pro- ministers would regularly hold cutting-edge modern design. The law and dignity of people, not cedures (SOPs) for the social meetings with the media or- branch was inaugurated by UBL social media, were under at- media service providers. ganisations to address ongoing Board of Directors and Bestway tack. “Those attacking our val- He said systems of diff erent issues and defuse any burning Group UK Chairman Sir Mohamed ues will be brought to book,” he countries were being exam- issues. Anwar Pervez. Also present at the warned. ined to follow the best practices About social media, the min- event were UBL Director Zameer Referring to the posts on with respect to the code of con- ister said it was an un-organ- Mohammed Choudrey, UBL Presi- social media following the duct and SOPs for the service ised concept where anybody dent and CEO Wajahat Husain, withdrawal of an ISPR tweet providers. could create a fake or real ac- UBL Deputy CEO Sima Kamil and rejecting the prime minister’s The interior minister said count and write something on senior executives of the bank. directive for implementation of the service providers would be the wall having no boundaries. Speaking at the occasion, Husain In this photograph taken on May 23, 2017, Afghan children carry bags as they walk through dense recommendations of an inquiry asked to open their offi ces in He said the free-for-all sys- said, “UBL believes in putting the fog on the outskirts of Jalalabad. committee formed to probe Pakistan, which would be facil- tem had blatantly been misused customer at the heart of every- a media report, he said such itated by the government, and in the past. thing it does.” Gulf Times 28 Thursday, May 25, 2017 PHILIPPINES Duterte pledges harsh measures as thousands fl ee unrest

AFP throughout the country to pro- The militants responded to Manila tect the people.” the raid by burning buildings Duterte, who has waged a and conducting other diversion- controversial war on drugs that ary tactics in Marawi, a city of hilippine President Ro- has claimed thousands of lives, 200,000 people, according to drigo Duterte threatened warned martial law would be Defence Secretary Delfi n Loren- Pyesterday to impose mar- “harsh” and similar to military zana. tial law nationwide to combat rule imposed by dictator Ferdi- Five soldiers and 13 militants the rising threat of terrorism, nand Marcos a generation ago. were killed, national military after militants beheaded a po- Marcos’s two-decade rule spokesman Colonel Edgard liceman and took Catholic hos- ended in 1986 when millions of Arevalo said yesterday night. tages while rampaging through a people took to the streets in a However he said the bodies of southern city. “People Power” revolution. only two militants had been re- Duterte declared martial law Thousands of critics were covered and the other reported on Tuesday for the southern jailed, tortured or killed during deaths could not be independ- region of Mindanao — which the dictatorship, according to ently verifi ed. makes up roughly one third historians and rights groups. The gunmen also raided a Residents fleeing from Marawi city, where gunmen who had declared allegiance to the Islamic State group rampaged through the southern city, are of the country and is home to “Martial law of Mr Marcos church in Marawi and took the cramped on a truck as they traverse a traff ic gridlock near a police checkpoint at the entrance of Iligan City, in southern island of Mindanao yesterday. 20mn people — in an immedi- was very good,” Duterte said, as local priest, Father Chito Suga- ate response to the attacks by he railed against human rights nob, plus an unspecifi ed number The Abu Sayyaf, based on the the gunmen, who have pledged campaigners and other critics of of other people hostage, accord- most southerly islands of Mind- allegiance to the Islamic State his drug war. ing to the head of the Catholic anao, has kidnapped hundreds of group. Duterte said his own version Bishops’ Conference of the Phil- Filipinos and foreigners since the The roughly 100 mili- of martial law meant security ippines, Archbishop Socrates early 1990s to extract ransoms. tants roamed through Marawi forces could conduct searches Villegas. Security analysts say Hapilon city, killing fi ve soldiers, tak- and arrest people without war- “They have threatened to kill has been trying to unite Filipino ing a priest and an unspecifi ed rants. the hostages if the government militant groups behind IS. number of other people hos- He also said there would be forces unleashed against them These include the Maute tage from a church, setting fi re curfews for some provinces in are not recalled,” Villegas said in group, which is based near Ma- to buildings and fl ying black IS Mindanao, and that martial law a statement. rawi. fl ags, according to Duterte and would remain until the terrorism Thousands of residents fl ed Separately, the rebels have his aides. threat had ended. Marawi, according to an AFP been waging a rebellion since Duterte said they also behead- The fi ghting in Marawi erupt- photographer at a military the 1970s for an independent or ed a local police chief after cap- ed on Tuesday after security checkpoint near Iligan, the next autonomous homeland in Mind- turing him at a road checkpoint forces raided a house where they biggest city about 40 kilometres anao, with the confl ict claiming they had set up, as he expressed believed Isnilon Hapilon, a lead- away. more than 120,000 lives. outrage at what he called the er of the infamous Abu Sayyaf It was unclear yesterday night These main rebel groups are growing threat from militants kidnap-for-ransom gang and how many militants were still in involved in peace talks with the allied to IS in Mindanao. Philippine head of IS, was hid- the city or if they had escaped government. “I will not hesitate to do any- ing. into nearby mountains and for- But the Abu Sayyaf, Maute thing and everything to protect The United States regards Ha- ests that they have long used as and other hardline groups want and preserve the Filipino na- pilon as one of the world’s most hideouts. to set up an Islamic caliphate in tion,” the president said. dangerous terrorists, off ering a There were no reports of ma- the south for IS, according to se- Government troops check a vehicle evacuating residents from their hometown of Marawi city in the southern “I might declare martial law bounty of $5mn for his capture. jor clashes yesterday. curity analysts. Philippines, as it drives past a military checkpoint in Pantar town, Lanao del Norte, yesterday. Little-known militants becoming formidable force

Reuters President Rodrigo Duterte Marxist guerrillas as well as ban- both Filipinos with extensive ties peace deal with the MILF in Marawi.The Philippines had un- possible to estimate the number Manila has imposed martial law across dit gangs. Based in Lanao del Sur, to the Middle East, according to 2014. til this year denied it was home of Maute fi ghters — some reports Mindanao, saying he would use the Mindanao province which the military. Military intelligence said the to groups with Islamic State ties. have put the number of at over tough measures to prevent a includes Marawi, the Maute sur- Egypt-educated Omarkhay- Maute brothers also had links to In February, Defence Secre- 100, but others say there could tactically smart, social “contamination” by extremists faced around 2013 with a bomb- an Romato Maute married an two of the region’s most danger- tary Delfi n Lorenzana told Reu- be about 1,000. media savvy group eager in the region, which compris- ing of a nightclub in Cagayan de Indonesian, the daughter of a ous militants — Indonesian Us- ters there was credible intelli- What is troubling the secu- Ato align with Islamic State es one-third of the sprawling, Oro, a mainly Christian city in a conservative cleric, while his tadz Sanusi and Malaysian bomb gence showing Islamic State was rity apparatus is that radical ele- has emerged from the glut of Catholic-majority Philippines. neighbouring province, which brother Abdullah studied in Jor- maker Zulkifl i bin Hir, alias Mar- providing funds and sounding ments of another Islamic State- bandit and separatist groups in “The Philippines is facing a killed six people. dan and has links to extremists in wan. out the Philippines as a base. linked group, Abu Sayyaf, appear the southern Philippines, and so dangerous group with more solid The little-known group has that region. Both were killed by Philippine The military has not had much to be collaborating with Maute, far has proved to be more than a international connections,” se- raised its profi le since Duterte A third brother Hashim was security forces, Sanusi in 2012 success in battles with Mau- far from its island strongholds of match for the military. curity expert Rommel Banlaoi took offi ce 11 months ago, most arrested but escaped from a Ma- and bin Hir in 2015. te fi ghters, despite far greater Basilan, Jolo and Tawi Tawi, all Maute guerrillas seized large said of the Maute. notably with a September 2016 rawi jail last year. In an October 2016 report, numbers and use of planes, at- off Mindanao. parts of Marawi, a city in the “This will be a game-changer bombing of a street market in Last year, the group sought regional security expert Sidney tack helicopters and artillery. The military says Isnilon Ha- Mindanao region, on Tuesday in the fi ght against extremism, the president’s hometown of recognition from the Islamic Jones said the Maute “has the “The Mautes have shown an pilon, a leader of the Abu Sayyaf after a botched raid by security we haven’t seen anything like Davao City. State, pledging allegiance and smartest, best-educated and ability to absorb what would group notorious for kidnappings forces on a hideout of the group. this before.” Fourteen people were killed calling itself as the IS-Ranao. most sophisticated members of seem to be major losses in clash- and piracy, sought an alliance Fighting abated yesterday, The Philippines has long and dozens wounded. The Maute brothers are cous- all of the pro-ISIS groups in the es with the police and military, with the Maute brothers and was but residents said fi ghters were fought a simmering insurgency It was blamed for a foiled ins of the second wife of Alim Philippines”. suggesting that their organisa- wounded in air strikes in January in control of the city, 1,400km in Mindanao, but it has signed bomb attempt near the United Abdulaziz Mimbantas, a leader Jones said the Maute group tion is larger and better organ- in Lanao del Sur. south of the capital Manila. peace deals with some of the States embassy in Manila in No- of the separatist Moro Islamic was sophisticated in its use of ised that perhaps they have been Hapilon, who is also wanted They allowed many civilians main militant groups and con- vember. Liberation Front (MILF) who is social media and was able to at- given credit for,” Jones said in the by the United States, was the tar- to leave, although they had taken tained others. The group is named after its now dead. tract students and teachers from report. get of Tuesday’s attempted raid a Catholic priest hostage. The region is also home to leaders, the Maute brothers, The government signed a the Mindanao State University in Military offi cials say it is not in Marawi, but was not captured. Trump praises president for an 30 inmates ‘died due to overcrowding in jails’

‘unbelievable job’ on drug issue By Roselle Aquino are 4,958 drug users and pushers Manila Times/Camp Vicente Lim jailed in 240 lock-up cells whose total capacity is for 3,371 inmates Reuters quoted Trump as saying, based Trump plans to attend an As- only. Manila on the transcript. sociation of Southeast Asian hirty inmates died in vari- Aplasca appealed to the judges “Many countries have the Nations (Asean) summit in Ma- ous lock-up cells in the and fi scals to speed up issuance problem, we have a problem, nila in November. TCalabarzon region from of commitment orders to decon- nited States President but what a great job you are do- In the conversation, Trump January to May due to high blood gest the jails. Donald Trump praised ing and I just wanted to call and twice invited Duterte to “come pressure and respiratory dis- The judges and fi scals said UPhilippine President tell you that.” to the Oval Offi ce,” the Times eases because of overcrowding in as much as they want to, they Rodrigo Duterte for doing an Duterte won a May 2016 elec- reported. the jails. cannot just issue such orders as “unbelievable job on the drug tion by a huge margin and is of- In a statement, the Philip- The region is composed of provincial jails are also crowded problem” during a telephone ten compared with Trump, hav- pines foreign ministry said it Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal beyond capacity. conversation last month, the ing himself been the alternative had no comment on the New and Quezon. In an earlier statement, Bu- New York Times reported, quot- candidate from outside main- York Times story, but added Records of Police Regional Of- reau of Jail Management and Pe- ing a transcript of the call. stream politics. that under Philippine law there fi ce (PRO) Calabarzon showed nology Director Serafi n Barreto The two leaders also talked Reuters could not immedi- was “criminal and civil liability that 20 of these inmates were said as of April, there are 135,052 about North Korea and China’s ately verify the Times’ account. attached to the hacking, unau- from Cavite while 10 were from inmates in 466 BJMP jails na- potential infl uence, the New But on May 2, after the phone thorised disclosure and use of Laguna. tionwide or a congestion rate of York Times said, quoting parts call, Duterte’s spokesman, Er- illegally or inadvertently ob- In addition, 556 inmates re- 558%. of a Philippine transcript of the nesto Abella, said Trump was tained confi dential government gion-wide are sick: 377 from In Binan City Jail in Laguna, April 29 call that was circulated Duterte: earning praise from US president very much aware of the criti- documents”. Cavite, 150 from Rizal, 23 from there are 602 inmates in lock-up on Tuesday, under a “confi den- cism of Duterte, but had praised The ministry said it valued Laguna and three each from Ba- cells that have a holding capacity tial” cover sheet, by the Ameri- confi rmed the transcript was an Police say about one-third of him for “doing a great job, con- the need for transparency, but tangas and Quezon. of only 22 or a congestion rate of cas division of the Philippine accurate representation of the the victims were shot by offi cers sidering the weight and the the release of some information Because of this, PRO Calabar- 2,635%. Department of Foreign Aff airs. telephone call. in self-defence during legiti- enormity of the conditions in could aff ect national security zon Regional Director and Chief The same condition was The Times said a senior Almost 9,000 people, many mate operations. the Philippines”. and regional stability. Supt. Ma-o Aplasca met with noted in Cabuyao City Jail (La- Trump administration offi cial small-time drug users and deal- “I just wanted to congratu- The end of the phone conver- “As such, we appeal to the judges and fi scals recently to fi nd guna) with 2,516% over capac- in Washington, who was not au- ers, have been killed in the Phil- late you because I am hearing of sation, according to the Times, sense of responsibility and pa- a solution to overcrowding in the ity; Imus City Jail (Cavite) with thorised to publicly discuss the ippines since Duterte took offi ce the unbelievable job on the drug centred on a fi rst meeting be- triotism of all concerned,” it region’s jails. 2,215%; and Santa Rosa City Jail call and insisted on anonymity, on June 30. problem,” the New York Times tween the two leaders. added. Records also show that there (Laguna) with 2,212%. Gulf Times Thursday, May 25, 2017 29 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Sirisena in Australia, Nepal PM Dahal resigns talks trade IANS parties to form a new govern- Kathmandu ment on the basis of two-thirds majority as per the constitu- IANS tional process. If parties fail to Sydney epal Prime Minister garner two-thirds votes, the Pushpa Kamal Dahal president will call for formation Nyesterday announced of the new government on the ri Lankan President his resignation, in keeping with basis of majority votes. Maithripala Sirisena yes- his agreement with the Nepali It is likely that Deuba will Sterday began his visit to Congress, which had propped contest for the prime minis- Australia, aimed at boosting up his coalition government ter’s post on the basis of ma- trade and co-operation. since last August. jority votes on the support of Australia imports around Nepali Congress leader Sher Dahal’s Communist Party of $127.38mn (A$171mn) of Sri Bahadur Deuba, who has also Nepal-Maoist Centre and take Lankan goods every year, with been the prime minister earlier, over probably by the end of next apparel, rubber products, clay is likely to succeed him. week. construction materials and the Dahal, who made the an- He is likely to hold the second nation’s renowned tea making up nouncement of his resignation round of local polls on June 14 the majority of purchases, Xin- in a televised address to the and will stay in power in Febru- hua news agency reported. nation from his offi ce, said it ary until periodic elections take For the Sri Lankans, $209.34mn would end “a long drought of place. of cargo is imported annually with trust in Nepali politics”. The agreement between Da- the most popular items including There were several examples hal and Deuba was to run the dairy, vegetables, paper, animal in Nepal’s politics that leaders government on a rotational feed and lentils. made commitments but never basis until the next parliamen- “Our deep and enduring honoured them, he said. tary elections in February 2018. friendship is anchored in shared “But today I am going to set Dahal was to hold offi ce till lo- history as Commonwealth coun- an example and as per the ac- cal polls are held and remaining tries and through our shared in- cord reached with Nepali Con- two elections - provincial and terests as Indian Ocean nations,” gress, I am going to announce central - were to be conducted Australian Prime Minister Mal- my resignation,” he said. under Deuba. colm Turnbull said in a state- Dahal had earlier decided In his address, Dahal said he ment. to announce his resignation was leaving as a “successful The discussions will focus on in parliament but changed his prime minister”, highlighting new areas like education, de- mind after the main opposition the achievements of his gov- fence, science, technology and Communist Party of Nepal- ernment in 10 months in offi ce. broader economic development. Unifi ed-Marxist-Leninist ob- The achievements included Also said to be high on the structed the house proceeding balancing ties with India and agenda are talks focused on com- on Tuesday against the govern- China, ending years’ long bating human traffi cking in the ment decision to increase local power outrage and some good Pushpa Kamal Dahal gestures as he leaves after announcing his resignation during an address to the nation in Kathmandu yesterday. Indian Ocean. units in various Tarai/Madhes beginning in the fi elds of econ- It’s the fi rst time a Sri Lankan districts. That would bring the omy, health, infrastructure, prime minister after forging al- from the constituent assembly remain in the offi ce, Dahal had The second phase is to be held head of the state has made an of- Madhes-based parties in the lo- education and, most impor- liance with the Nepali Congress elections in the same year. resigned on May 4, 2009. in four provinces, mostly in the fi cial visit to Australia. cal polls scheduled to take place tantly, holding the local elec- on August 3, 2016. After then president Ram Nepal held the fi rst phase plains known as Tarai or Mad- It follows Prime Minister Ranil in June 14. tions which was considered He had become prime min- Baran Yadav turned down the of local elections on May 14 in hes, where the number of local Wickremesinghe’s visit in Feb- After approving the resig- challenging and crucial. ister for the fi rst time in August cabinet decision to remove the three provinces, mostly in hills, bodies is almost twice as those ruary, in a year marking the 70th nation, President Bidhya Devi In his second stint in power, 2008 after his party emerged then army chief Rookmangud where the CPN-UML is report- that went to polls in the fi rst anniversary of diplomatic rela- Bhandari will call on political Dahal was elected the 39th as the largest political party Katawal and ordered Katawal to ed to be ahead. phase. tions between the two nations. Four climbers found dead on Everest Lanka police ‘failing to stop hate crimes’ AFP four yesterday. We don’t have ment spokesman Durga Dutta Four people perished on the climber Ueli Steck and 85-year- Kathmandu the details of who they are or Dhakal said. 8,848m peak over the week- old Min Bahadur Sherchan, who how they died yet,” said Mingma Tashi Sherpa, also of Seven end, including American doctor died attempting to reclaim his AFP adding that an extremist Bud- Sherpa, head of Seven Sum- Summit Treks, later said that Roland Yearwood and Slovak title as the world’s oldest person Colombo dhist group was believed to be uthorities in Nepal have mit Treks, a Kathmandu-based some of the bodies were found climber Vladimir Strba. to climb Everest. behind the violence. been unable to confi rm agency that runs expeditions inside a tent, while others were Both died above the 8,000m More than 382 climbers, both Only property has been Athe identities of four bod- and rescue operations on the discovered outside. mark - an area known as the foreign and Nepali, have suc- ights groups accused damaged so far in the latest ies found on Mount Everest, of- mountain. Strong winds hit Everest on mountain’s “death zone” where cessfully reached the summit Sri Lankan police yes- spate of attacks. fi cials said yesterday, raising Local media reported that two Tuesday, forcing many to aban- oxygen levels fall to dangerously from the south side so far this Rterday of failing to stop The government said yes- speculation the climbers may of the dead were foreign climbers don their summit attempts and low levels, heightening the risk season, with at least 120 doing so a wave of hate crimes against terday the violence had been have died years ago. and two were Nepali guides. remain in tents at camp four. of altitude sickness. from the Tibet side. Muslim businesses and addressed in a cabinet meet- The climbers were found at Nepal’s tourism department This fuelled speculation that The body of Indian climber Many are still waiting to make mosques in the Buddhist- ing and police and security camp four - at 7,950m (26,085ft) said late yesterday they had been the four climbers discovered on Ravi Kumar, 27, was spotted on their fi nal push to the summit majority country. forces had been instructed to - on Tuesday by a rescue team unable to identify the bodies. Tuesday may have died of car- Monday two days after he sum- before the monsoon arrives in Police are yet to make any maintain law and order. who were there to retrieve “Our sources at the base bon monoxide poisoning after mited and then lost contact. early June, marking the end of arrests in connection with “The president directed the the body of a Slovak climber camp were not able to con- using their camp stoves in the An Australian climber died on the short spring climbing sea- more than a dozen arson at- inspector general of police to who died on the mountain on fi rm if any teams were miss- confi nes of their tents. the Tibet side of the mountain son. tacks against Muslims shops, instruct all offi cers in charge of Sunday. ing members. We suspect If the bodies are confi rmed as on Sunday. Last year Everest claimed the mosques and a burial ground police stations to be responsi- “Our rescuers found bodies of that maybe they found bodies new fatalities, it would bring the This season has also claimed lives of fi ve climbers. In all, 640 in the past month. ble for preventing such inci- four climbers in a tent at camp from years before,” depart- season’s death toll to 10. the lives of legendary Swiss people reached the summit. Prominent rights activist dents,” the government said in Victor Ivan said the inaction a statement. risked a repeat of anti-Mus- The riots in mid-2014 - led lim riots in 2014 that left four by a hardline Buddhist group - dead. were widely seen as the cata- Bangladesh cricket supporters “Police are responsible lyst that led to then president Hillary Step intact: for allowing this situation to Mahinda Rajapakse’s downfall continue by not taking action in January 2015. against the perpetrators,” Ivan Muslims account for 10% of Nepali climbers told reporters in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s 21mn population.

AFP miteer Mingma Tsiri Sherpa, Kathmandu who runs a climbing company and is currently at base camp, Oil fi rm threatens to said an alternative route be- he Hillary Step - a rocky ing used by climbers could be outcrop near the top of leading to confusion. fi re protesting staff TMount Everest - is still “The fi xed lines are more to intact, Nepali climbers said the right of the step (than be- yesterday, rejecting a widely re- fore). We’re now walking on the Reuters to comply with such requests ported claim by a British climber snow whereas before we had to Dhaka by their supervisor will be that it had collapsed. walk on the rocky side. That is subject to disciplinary ac- The condition of the rock the reason for the confusion.” tion, including up to a termi- face has been the source of in- Mingma has not climbed US oil major has threat- nation of employment,” the tense speculation among the Everest this year but nine of ened to fi re staff pro- letter said. climbing community since his Nepali guides and eight Atesting against the Chevron sells all the out- six-time Everest summiteer clients have made it to the top. planned sale of its assets in put from its Bangladeshi Tim Mosedale declared it had Questions surrounding the Bangladesh to Chinese inves- fi elds, which amounts to 16mn crumbled. condition of the step - the Bangladesh supporters arrive ahead of the Tri-Series One Day International (ODI) cricket match tors, according to a letter seen tonnes a year of oil equiva- “The Hillary Step is no last major obstacle before the between Bangladesh and New Zealand at Clontarf cricket ground in Dublin, Ireland, yesterday. by Reuters, in a row that could lent and is more than half the more,” Mosedale wrote on Fa- summit - emerged last year, delay the estimated $2bn deal. country’s total gas produc- cebook the day after he made with some suggesting that Chevron in April announced tion, to state-run Petrobangla. the top on May 17. it had been damaged in the the sale of its stakes in three The Bangladesh govern- “Not sure what’s going to hap- earthquake that hit Nepal in Polish climber accused of ‘illegal’ Tibet-Nepal traverse Bangladesh gasfi elds to Hima- ment has the right of fi rst pen when the snow ridge doesn’t April 2015. laya Energy, which is owned by refusal in any sale of Chev- form because there’s some huge The 7.8-magnitude quake A Polish climber who claims to into Nepal illegal. summit from the North and descent a consortium made up of state- ron’s assets in the country. blocks randomly perched hither triggered an avalanche that have traversed from Tibet to Nepal “The agency has informed us. from the North. There was no owned China ZhenHua Oil and Mahbub Sarwar, a director at and thither which will be quite fl attened base camp, killing 18, at the summit of Mount Everest If true, it is an illegal crossing,” indication of him planning to come CNIC Corp, a Chinese govern- Petrobangla, said the US com- tricky to negotiate.” and brought the climbing sea- may have crossed “illegally”, Tourism Department chief Dinesh down the Nepal side, we had never ment investment platform. pany needed Petrobangla’s But experienced Nepali son to a premature close. authorities in Nepal said yesterday, Bhattarai said, adding that they discussed it. He only has a permit Six hundred staff at Chev- approval for a sale to proceed. climbers said the rock feature Geologist Amod Mani Dixit, AFP reports from Kathmandu. had begun an investigation. for the north side,” said Bodha ron’s subsidiary have halted “We need security and - named after the fi rst climber who heads the Kathmandu- Janusz Adam Adamski posted on The Pole is the second foreigner to Raj Bhandari, chairman of the work related to the transi- guarantee of our job at least for to summit the world’s highest based National Society for Facebook on Sunday that he had land himself in trouble with Nepali Kathmandu-based Snowy Horizon tion because the deal has not three years after the hando- peak, Sir Edmund Hillary - Earthquake Technology, said summited the world’s highest peak authorities on Everest this month. Treks and Expedition company. been approved by the govern- ver to the new company. We was unchanged. it was unlikely the earthquake via the northern route in Tibet South African Ryan Sean Davy was “He had support staff until camp 2 ment, said Shahriar Abedin, also wanted guarantee of our “The Hillary Step is as it was would have shifted rocks on Ev- before descending on the southern caught on Everest two weeks ago and then he climbed solo. We were secretary general of Chevron achieved gratitude money and before, but a large stone above erest, which stands 450km east side into Nepal. attempting to climb the mountain very shocked to see his post on Bangladesh Employees Un- compensation,” Abedin said. it has fallen,” said Pemba Dorje of the epicentre. “Janusz made it to the top of Mt without paying the $11,000 permit fee. Facebook. Our support staff is still ion (CBEU), who called the Chevron Bangladesh said Sherpa, who reached the peak Dixit said a much more Everest from the north and then Davy could be hit with a $22,000 waiting for him at the base camp in process illegal. it had off ered a generous last Saturday and has summited powerful force would be need- descended to the south, making fine - a figure that he says he the north,” Bhandari added. Chevron said in the letter, compensation package for staff . on 15 other occasions. ed to alter a rock formation him the first Polish, and 15th in the cannot aff ord - or face up to four In his most recent post on dated May 23, that all em- “The package included “It was easier to reach the like the Hillary Step. world, to traverse the mountain,” years in prison. Facebook, Adamski said he was ployees must comply with guaranteed employment for summit because of that, but The Nepal Mountaineering read a post on his Facebook page. The company organising the Pole’s now trekking to Lukla, the main requests to do work related two years and a goodwill bo- perhaps that confused people Association said yesterday it Authorities in Nepal said that climb said that they were last in gateway to the Everest region on to the transition to ensure a nus payment equivalent to into thinking that the step is was investigating the confl ict- the Pole only had permission to touch with him last week before he the Nepal side. smooth and effi cient move to nine-month salary,” Chevron no more.” ing claims about the condition climb on the Tibet side of Everest, made a bid for the summit. Adamski has not responded to new ownership. said in an emailed response to Nine-time Everest sum- of the Hillary Step. making his traverse and descent “All his arrangements are for a requests for comment. “A refusal by any employee Reuters. Gulf Times 30 Thursday, May 25, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko Pakistan’s cutting edge in

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar China’s ‘new world order’ [email protected] The $1tn OBOR plan Even the US and Japan sent it remains wary of the geographical to smile about as he oversaw the Telephone 44350478 (news), delegations. bind that has Pakistan sitting pretty signing of new wide-ranging accords 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) envisages the kind of The who’s who were keen on with a bilateral engagement (CPEC) amounting to $500mn, including Fax 44350474 development spree not getting to know what’s what of the estimated at approximately $57bn, an airport in Gwadar — the site of a phenomenal juggernaut that, at the and which, is expected to grow deep water port that opens into the seen since the end of the moment, binds 68 countries from exponentially in the coming years. Arabian Sea from the far western Second World War Asia and Africa to Europe and even It has seen a surge of nearly $11bn Chinese province of Xinjiang; the South America — accounting for up to in the last three years alone from an setting up of a dry port in Havelian in By Kamran Rehmat 40 trillion of the world’s GDP — in a initial projected $46bn! northern Pakistan; and economic and Doha potential partnership whose gravitas For Islamabad, of course, this technical co-operation for the East GULF TIMES for a windfall is lost on no-one. is more than a prized venture that Bay Expressway linking Gwadar to The OBOR initiative is a promises to turn its fortunes around. Pakistan’s highway network. he other week, China sent manifestation of the shifting sands Once it materialises, it will have Addressing the plenary session of out the strongest message in global geopolitics, where look- insulated Pakistan from any untoward the two-day powerhouse of a show yet of its ambition to carve East will hoist Eurasia at the centre economic downturn and largely in Beijing, Sharif called for fi nding a Manchester attack Tout what has the makings of economic and trade activity away addressed the perennial issue of capital. connect in line with the offi cial theme of a ‘new world order’ — something from the US-led transatlantic regime. From initial misgivings at home entitled ‘Co-operation for Common that had until now been considered To be certain, Chinese President Xi about unequal distribution thanks Prosperity’. the sole preserve of the United States, Jinping has made the OBOR initiative to political bickering, CPEC has now “It is time we transcend our may have limited especially since the dissolution of the the centrepiece of his infrastructure assumed a certain unity of purpose diff erences, resolve confl icts through Soviet Union. behemoth, the sheer scale of which, four years down the road, which was dialogue and diplomacy and leave a With the unfancied Donald Trump the world has not seen since the end of evident in how Prime Minister Nawaz legacy of peace for future generations,” winning the election on the pivot of the Second World War. Sharif invited chief ministers of two he emphasised, before driving home infl uence on polls “Making America Great Again” — According to Chinese government provinces where his political rivals the imperative of peace and security designed around an inward policy — estimates, nearly $1tn has been rule, and both not only accepted through economic progress. and one that is cast in a protectionist invested in the OBOR with multiple the invitation but were a prominent “The OBOR signifies that geo- Monday’s Manchester Arena suicide bombing, which mould, a confi dent China fi nds itself trillion more to come in the next presence in an offi cial delegation led economics must take precedence killed 22 people and injured more than 60, has left the free to pursue an economic zeitgeist decade. by Sharif that easily outscored every over geo-politics, and that the United Kingdom shocked, with the attack prompting that has the potential to turn it into Beijing is also pumping a collective other country at the summit! centre of gravity should shift from the world’s leading power. $150bn in development projects in The CPEC has elevated a more than conflict to cooperation,” he said, and swift condemnation and calls for unity from leaders In this larger scheme of things, it the 68 countries that are part of the fi ve-decade-old strategic partnership rejected the notion of encirclement across the political spectrum in the country and beyond. fi nds heavyweight Russia on its side project. based largely on security cooperation of any country. It also led them to halt campaigning for the upcoming quite simply because their strategic The only major regional country — famously dubbed as being “Higher President Xi underlined this by election. interests converge. to abstain from the epoch-making than the Himalayas and Deeper allaying concerns that OBOR was The identity of the bomber has been revealed, and the The One Belt, One Road — or OBOR, summit in Beijing was India, which than the Oceans” — into a dynamic designed to manipulate geopolitics for country’s terror threat level raised to its highest level to be more succinct — saw heads has serious reservations about the economic relationship whose reach Beijing’s vested interest. of state and government from 29 project owing to its competing and potential entwines them in an “China is willing to share its of “critical”. Even as more details emerge about the countries, representatives from more interests with China and the OBOR unbreakable bond. development experience with all attack and how it was orchestrated, one question that than 40 other countries, and heads of fl agship project — China-Pakistan While China would literally, expand countries. We will not interfere in the political observers and analysts have started asking — UN and multilateral fi nancial agencies, Economic Corridor (CPEC) — which its economic might thousands of miles internal aff airs of other countries. and deliberating upon — is that whether the terror strike including IMF and World Bank, turn pitches Pakistan right at the fulcrum across the region, Pakistan can hardly We will not export our social system would have an impact on the election. up in Beijing. of the path leading to South and complain about being the gateway and development model, and will An eye for a pie in the trillion dollar Central Asia. for two routes — the continental not impose our views on others,” he Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservative Party is infrastructure development project Both China and Pakistan have Eurasian Silk Road Economic Belt and concluded. expected to win the election despite some recent reverses that links the old Silk Road with off ered India to join the profi table a Southeast Asian Maritime Silk Road! seen in opinion polls. Europe was palpable. engine of economic growth, but so far Prime Minister Sharif had plenty zThe writer is Community Editor The Tories’ lead has been halved to 9%, according to one such poll. While it is not easy to establish the impact of terror attacks — direct or indirect — on election results, they do infl uence public sentiments to a certain extent, feel analysts. One of the views put forward is that terror strikes immediately preceding elections generally benefi t parties to the right and candidates with more aggressive national security policies. Something similar is likely to happen in this case as well, according to some analysts, hinting that the Conservatives are more likely to gain than the Labour Party under Left-leaning Jeremy Corbyn. Any terror attack is followed by mixed reactions – some call for a united but restrained response, while others seek a more direct and pointed action. The “strong and stable” poll pitch of the Tories, who project themselves as the defenders of Britain’s borders, national sovereignty and cultural identity, may fi t in well with the post-attack narrative supporting a The attack is strong response. likely to have The Manchester attack which deliberately a profound targeted children is likely to have a profound GRAND PARTNERSHIP: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, left, with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the OBOR summit in Beijing. emotional emotional impact on the impact on the British public and the campaign. British public Also, the PM’s demeanour after the Understanding today’s stagnation attack suggested cold, hard anger and she appeared more emotional than the tone she struck after the Westminster attack in March, according to some observers. By Robert J Shiller been a long trend toward pessimism, the future. Indeed, according to World media then feed this optimism with On the other hand, some analysts suggest that the New Haven refl ected in the recent popularity Bank statistics, the global average rosy narratives that the general public attack may not have much of an impact on the election as of the term “secular stagnation” to birth rate has also fallen since the is in no position to sort through or there doesn’t seem to be much public enthusiasm for any describe a perpetually weak economy. 2008 fi nancial crisis. But low fertility confi rm. ver since the “Great After former US Treasury Secretary had nothing to do with that crisis in Since around 2012, the equity and measures similar to France’s state of emergency. Recession” of 2007-2009, the Lawrence Summers used the term particular, given that birth rates have housing markets have been hitting Also, the rise of the right and ultra-right in Europe world’s major central banks in a November 2013 speech at the been steadily declining for the better new records. But the same sort of seems to have slowed down of late, the recent French Ehave kept short-term interest International Monetary Fund, the New part of a century. thing happened regularly in the Great election being an example. rates at near-zero levels. In the United York Times columnist Paul Krugman Another explanation is that the Depression: the news media were France rejected Marine Le Pen for the centrist States, even after the Federal Reserve’s picked it up, and it went viral from 2008 crisis is lingering in our minds, constantly reporting record highs for recent increases, short-term rates there. in the form of heightened fear that one economic indicator or another. Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Angela Merkel looks remain below 1%, and long-term Although secular stagnation rare but consequential “black swan” A Proquest “News and Newspapers” set for a positive election outcome later this year for a interest rates on major government became a meme fi ve years after the events could be imminent, despite search for the 1930-1939 period fi nds fourth term as chancellor. bonds are similarly low. Moreover, 2008 fi nancial crisis, the term itself moderately strong consumer- 10,315 articles with the words “record Even some of those who say the Manchester attack may major central banks have supported is much older. It fi rst appeared in confi dence measures and relatively high.” Most of these stories are about infl uence the June election acknowledge that the impact markets at a record level by buying up Harvard University economist Alvin low fi nancial-market volatility (with economic variables. In 1933, at the huge amounts of debt and holding it. Hansen’s presidential address to the some exceptions). A recent paper very bottom of the depression, record would be limited. Why is all this economic life American Economic Association, by New York University’s Julian highs were reported for oil production; The national mood over terrorism does not seem to be support necessary, and why for so in December 1938, and in his book Kozlowski, Laura Veldkamp, and wheat, gold, and commodity- dominated by fear, they feel. long? published the same year. Venky Venkateswaran argues that it is exchange-seat prices; cigarette A poll last summer revealed that only 43% believed the It would be an oversimplifi cation to Hansen described the “essence of rational to harbour such fears, because consumption; postal deposits; sales or government should do more to combat extremism, and say that the Great Recession caused secular stagnation” as “sick recoveries once a formerly unthinkable event profi ts of individual companies; and this. Long-term real (infl ation- which die in their infancy and actually occurs, one is justifi ed in not so forth. 32% thought it was doing as much as could be expected. adjusted) interest rates did not really depressions which feed on themselves forgetting it. Such rosy reports may give These numbers may increase now, but may not be reach low levels during the 2007- and leave a hard and seemingly My own theory about today’s people some hope that things are enough to have a defi ning impact on election results, it is 2009 period. If one looks at a plot of immovable core of unemployment.” stagnation focuses on growing angst improving overall, without allaying felt. the US ten-year Treasury yield over When Hansen delivered his speech, he about rapid advances in technologies the fear that they could still suff er the last 35 years, one sees a fairly expected the US economy’s economic that could eventually replace many an economically catastrophic event. steady downward trend, with nothing stagnation to persist indefi nitely. or most of our jobs, possibly fuelling Barring exceptionally strong stimulus particularly unusual about the Great The depression that had started with massive economic inequality. People measures, this sense of foreboding To Advertise Recession. The yield rate was 3.5% in the stock-market crash of 1929 was might be increasingly reluctant will limit their spending. Narrative 2009, at the end of the recession. Now approaching its tenth year, and World to spend today because they have psychology has taught us that there [email protected] it is just over 2%. War II had not yet arrived. Only vague fears about their long-term is no contradiction: people can Display Much the same is true of real after the war began, in 1939, did the employability – fears that may not maintain parallel and confl icting Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 interest rates. During the Great stagnation end. be uppermost in their minds when narratives at the same time. When Recession, the ten-year Treasury Hansen’s Great Depression-era they answer consumer-confi dence people are imagining disaster Classified Infl ation-Protected Security yield theory of secular stagnation was based surveys. If that is the case, they might scenarios, policymakers must respond Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 reached almost 3% at one point, and on an observation about the US birth increasingly need stimulus in the form accordingly. – Project Syndicate was almost 2% at the recession’s end. rate, which was unusually low in the of low interest rates to keep them Subscription Since then, the 10-year TIPS yield has 1930s, after having already declined spending. zRobert J. Shiller, a 2013 Nobel [email protected] mostly declined and stayed low, at dramatically by the late 1920s. Fewer A perennial swirl of good news laureate in economics and Professor 0.5% in May 2017. births perpetuated the stagnation, after a crisis might instil a sort of of Economics at Yale University, is The fact that people are willing to Hansen surmised,because people bland optimism, without actually co-author, with George Akerlof, of 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved tie up their money for ten years at did not need to spend as much on eliminating the fear of another crisis Phishing for Phools: The Economics of such low rates suggests that there has children, and felt less need to invest in in the future. Politicians and the Manipulation and Deception. Gulf Times Thursday, May 25, 2017 31 COMMENT World Cup-worthy Khalifa stadium

Five years before 2022 FIFA World Cup, Khalifa International Stadium sells out at inauguration - 45th Emir Cup Final match

By Shaikha al-Thani Doha

n September 2016, during a visit abroad with HH the Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, on facts, based on the experience encouragement during the tough days Iin Los Angeles, a question was and based on a sold-out stadium. at the SC, even when things weren’t raised by students during the event in The speech of His Highness that perfect – he would always be the fi rst which major Qatari projects took part, night followed a narrative of Khalifa’s person at work, and long after the last including the Supreme Committee journey by the legendary commentator person to leave. for Delivery & Legacy (SC), the Youssif Saif, a solo violinist and a joint “I can make it snow, you know,” said entity in charge of the delivery of the ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Emir Dr Saud Abdul Ghani, the engineer infrastructure for the 2022 FIFA World and 47,000 people. leading the team behind the cooling Cup: “Is it worth it?” “On behalf of every Qatari and every technology at Khalifa International Since winning the bid in 2010, there Arab, I declare Khalifa International Stadium, where it is 42C outside and were various elements to this question – HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani cutting the ribbon to open Khalifa International Stadium, declaring it ready to Stadium ready to host the 2022 FIFA could go down to 9C inside. He was did we deserve the press that targeted us host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. World Cup,” said HH the Emir. Behind one of the many at the SC who worked with false headlines? Were we supposed the scenes, His Highness was aware hard for the love and passion of the to fi ght fi re with fi re? Were we losing In 1976, Khalifa International various opinions fl oated around (“It achieved? This is the future of of the ribbon-cutting ceremony, but project – never for the credit. the community – who were asked Stadium opened its doors for the doesn’t look fi nished.”) None of which football, this is Khalifa International he spoke from his heart when he said At various times during the all over the world about corruption, fi rst time to welcome the GCC for mattered when you’re around 2,000 Stadium.” The ceremony team was led that, insisting on what the fi rst World experience of working on the May 19th safety concerns, workers’ rights and the fourth edition of the Gulf Cup days away from the tournament. The with incredible support from the SC’s Cup essentially is in the Middle East, a Emir Cup Final inauguration of Khalifa the expanding growth at the expense of of Nations. Since then, it has hosted only thing that mattered was that it Assistant Secretary General, Nasser tournament for the region. International Stadium, where the team cultural and traditional norms? the same event again in 1992, the was done right. al-Khater, who never took the credit, His Highness also honoured the entered the stadium at 7am and left The answer may not please 2006 Doha Asian Games, the 2011 For the estimated 5,000 people but worked twice as hard as everyone. Chairman of the Technical Delivery at 1am, the bid team’s message during everyone, but there is something we Asian Cup and various other major who worked on Khalifa, and the He gave the best piece of advice when Offi ce at the SC, Engineer Hilal the 2010 win became very relevant: all agree on: the common language of friendlies and competitive matches. hundreds of engineers and designers, I felt like I was losing sense of the plan al-Kuwari to join him in cutting the “we won’t let you down.” sport. Football may not be what you The proposed renovation for Khalifa the decision always revolved around for the reveal: “Your only aim should ribbon. Al-Kuwari was one of the Which aims to answer the original love, but an event like the World Cup International Stadium was fi ttingly one conclusion: it has to be done be delivering a successful event.” It’s children that took part in the 1976 Gulf question. If it wasn’t worth it – then is undoubtedly supportive of what HH revealed during the Gulf Cup in right. On the other hand, for the past easier than it seemed at that moment, Cup Opening Ceremony at Khalifa we wouldn’t have fought this hard Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, November 2014 in Riyadh, Saudi few months, while the Technical but was one of the hardest lessons to Stadium. He also led on the Khalifa to prove our critics wrong. With fi ve the Father Emir, said in the bid book: Arabia. No other sporting facility in Department Offi ce worked tireless learn – do your best, and that will be International Stadium project and years left to the tournament, there is “Hosting the world’s most prestigious Qatar has seen the amount of legends, nights on the delivery of the venue, good enough. Aspire Zone Foundation since 2002, far more to come, but it has proven to sporting competition here in an Arab historic or momentous occasions as the Local Organising Committee did The aim was the same for all the SC’s stakeholder and the entity of be a worthwhile journey so far. country for the fi rst time would make Khalifa, the national stadium. the same on the match organisation, members of the team: a World Cup- the SC to which Khalifa International incredible strides in further uniting For the past fi ve months, the venue operations, marketing and worthy experience. Anyone who Stadium belongs. If anyone deserved zThe writer is Public Relations the Middle East with the rest of the country has been asking the same ceremonial reveal of the fi rst stadium walked away and asked the question to be next to His Highness during Senior Offi cer in the Marketing and world and forging links between question: “Will it be revealed at the ready for the tournament. asked in the beginning (is it worth it?) the cutting, it would have been Hilal. Communications department of the people of all backgrounds.” Emir Cup Final?” To non-engineers, “Who said that this can’t be can make up their own mind based He was something of an icon of SC. Weather report Japanese envoy wishes Happy Ramadan Three-day forecast TODAY High: 39 C respect such a practice itself and the have a long and glorious history and deal with ‘Halal’ food licensed by Low : 30 C Inshore: Expected strong wind at people who fast strictly. were the front-runners in introducing Malaysian organisations. most places and poor visibility. I like the atmosphere in Ramadan. new technology and knowledge and In October 2016, a farmed We spend a quiet daytime and bustle wisdom. The Gulf region has long Bluefin tuna weighing 47kg at night. After breaking the fast, been endowed under Islam. Currently was shipped to Malaysia for the FRIDAY people are busy eating, chatting, Qatar contributes to the spread of the first time after winning halal High: 40 C shopping and meeting. All of a Arab and Islamic civilisation to other certification for its farmed Bluefin Low: 30 C sudden, streets and towns are fi lled parts of the world. The Government and small tuna. Sunny with people. Brisk daily life returns of Qatar is committed to propagation In January, 2017, the fi rst facility to us. This is the moment that we feel of Islamic culture and education in in Japan capable of producing meats that we are living together with our Japan. to Halal standards began operation SATURDAY neighbours. It might be similar to New The Muslim population in Japan in Honjo city, outside of Tokyo. The High: 42 C Year’s Day that is thrilling to Japanese has been steadily increasing due to centre is the only facility in Japan to Low: 31 C By Seiichi Otsuka people when we pray at temples and the swelling population of Muslim have installed specialised machinery, Sunny Ambassador of Japan shrines. expatriates and foreign residents. We which is widely used in Europe. I was always invited to Iftar when estimate that more than 800,000 We understand the Muslim people I was in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Muslims, including around 1,000 in Japan are living their religious lives Fishermen’s forecast appy Ramadan! Lebanon. I was also fascinated by Japanese who have converted to Islam, just like living in their home countries. OFFSHORE DOHA I am pleased to say the moment of silence just before mainly for the reason of marriage, The Japanese Prime Minister has Wind: NW 15-25/35 KT congratulatory words at the the sunset. Before feasts, people are live in Japan. In line with increased hosted Iftars to celebrate Ramadan by Waves: 2-4/5 Feet outset of the holy month of patient not to drink even a glass of Muslim population, there exists inviting Arab and Islamic countries’ INSHORE DOHA H Wind: NW 10-20/30 KT Ramadan. water, resisting temptation until the more than 90 mosques and prayer diplomats every year. Waves: 2-4/5 Feet Japanese people recognise Ramadan break of fasting. They look solemn, places across Japan. Also we have a I am looking forward to having a fasting as one of the most important rather to say, philosophical. considerable number of companies Happy Ramadan with Qatari people. Around the region religious duties of Muslims. We The Arab and Islamic civilisations and shops and restaurants which Let’s see you at Iftar. Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Abu Dhabi Sunny 38/30 Sunny 36/28 Baghdad Sunny 36/22 Sunny 40/25 Dubai Sunny 39/28 Sunny 38/27 Kuwait City Sunny 38/27 Sunny 41/30 Manama Cloudy 36/31 Sunny 36/31 Live issues Muscat Sunny 38/34 Sunny 39/34 Riyadh Sunny 41/26 Sunny 42/29 Tehran Sunny 31/19 Sunny 33/21 How you should be exhaling

By Alison Bowen and businesses) focuses on how Taking shallow breaths can mean inhale,” she said. “You can’t inhale Tribune News Service teaching your body to breathe better not getting enough air. well unless you’ve exhaled well.” can improve health. “You’re holding your breath like Here’s how to become a pro. Exhale Many people don’t breathe you’re underwater,” she said. “It the entire way out. Activate the uch has been taught in correctly, said Vranich. wreaks havoc on your body and your entire middle self of your body; you the realm of relaxation “Start with the exhale when you’re brain. All of a sudden, you’ll realise, should feel the area around your ribs around taking deep thinking about your breathing,” she or your body will alert you. You’ll take narrowing. Mbreaths. said. a few breaths, and then you’ll do it “You should feel like your entire But how much do we think about Often, when people are stressed, again.” middle is being wrung out,” she said. ending a breath well? they don’t breathe mindfully. If you fi nd yourself feeling tired Most people haven’t exhaled The exhale is the most important In fact, they can stop breathing throughout the day, this could be the deeply enough recently to get rid of part, says Belisa Vranich, author of altogether. culprit. It’s exhausting, Vranich said. stale air. “Breathe: The Simple, Revolutionary “It’s a reaction to fear and stress,” “You’ll spend your entire day with “Their next inhale is really bad, 14-Day Program to Improve Your Vranich said. “It’s also a reaction your body trying to catch up.” because you end up always trying to Mental and Physical Health.” to being on very tight deadlines Try to think through exhaling gasp for air and trying to fi ll up,” she Her book (and Breathing Class and stressed out in front of your throughout the day. said. “You’ve never actually dumped Around the world workshops for athletes, new moms computer.” “We have this obsession with the all of the air out.” Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Athens P Cloudy 26/17 S T Storms 24/14 Beirut M Sunny 23/18 Sunny 23/19 Bangkok S T Storms 32/26 T Storms 31/26 Berlin P Cloudy 21/12 P Cloudy 23/11 Low vitamin D levels if you’re lactose intolerant Cairo P Cloudy 33/20 Sunny 36/23 Cape Town P Cloudy 19/12 Showers 18/11 Colombo T Storms 29/26 T Storms 29/27 He adds that this should be put “In addition to milk, some of them Dhaka P Cloudy 36/27 P Cloudy 36/27 Tribune News Service Hong Kong P Cloudy 28/26 P Cloudy 28/26 Washington into context of overall vitamin D are fatty fi sh such as salmon and tuna, Istanbul Sunny 24/15 M Sunny 25/14 insuffi ciency. “It aff ects a large egg yolks, and fortifi ed foods such Jakarta M Sunny 33/24 M Sunny 34/26 proportion of the population, perhaps as some cereals and orange juice,” he Karachi Sunny 34/28 Sunny 34/29 hose with a genetic 20-50% depending on the cutoff says. London M Sunny 25/13 Sunny 26/16 Manila S T Storms T Storms 32/27 intolerance to lactose may for vitamin D levels. So, people “For this reason, most people do not 32/27 Moscow Rain 18/10 S Showers 19/09 suff er from a vitamin D with lactose intolerance may be at obtain an adequate vitamin D intake New Delhi M Sunny 42/29 Sunny 45/30 defi ciency. That’s according particularly increased risk of low from food. We can also get vitamin D New York Rain 17/14 Rain 24/15 T Paris Sunny 27/14 Sunny 29/16 to a recent study conducted at the vitamin D status which may lead to from sun exposure, but this increases University of Toronto and published in are fortifi ed with vitamin D and one suboptimal bone health and possibly the risk of skin cancer. Therefore, Sao Paulo M Sunny 27/16 M Sunny 27/16 Seoul P Cloudy 24/10 M Sunny 24/11 the Journal of Nutrition. of the primary sources of vitamin D other consequences.” to obtain adequate vitamin D many Singapore S T Storms 31/27 S T Storms 31/27 “The fi ndings in this study are not for many people,” says Mayo Clinic Hensrud says there aren’t a lot of people may want to take a vitamin Sydney Sunny 19/09 Sunny 19/09 surprising because dairy products Healthy Living Program Medical foods that contain high amounts of D3 supplement.” – Mayo Clinic News Tokyo Cloudy 24/19 Cloudy 22/17 (primarily milk) that contain lactose Director Dr Donald Hensrud. vitamin D. Network Gulf Times 32 Thursday, May 25 2017 QATAR

Popular consumer products for Ramadan on display at Safari Mall’s hypermarket. Hypermarkets

across Qatar all Customers view the Ramadan-themed novelty items, a large incense burner and hot pot, available at LuLu D-Ring Road. PICTURE: Jayan Orma

manages LuLu’s D-Ring Road B M Kasim, senior purchase come up with innovations to fur- In a statement, Al Meera said hypermarket. manager at Safari Mall, said the ther serve our customers better 1,438 high-quality products have Kumar also said LuLu has also hypermarket is off ering Iftar considering that our customer been selected to cater to specifi c launched several promotions, in- combo kits for QR12 during Ram- base is growing each year. We al- needs of shoppers during Ram- set for Ramadan cluding a raffl e draw for 10 cars, adan. Safari off ers around 200 to ways study our customer profi le adan. The products are strate- and appliances and diamonds 500 Iftar combo kits (with food, and their requirements to im- gically-placed on “special shelf By Peter Alagos preparations were made to ca- Commerce, LuLu is also of- promos. He said LuLu is also of- water and juice), a day, on top of mediately address their needs. talkers.” Business Reporter ter to the needs of their respec- fering products at “reduced fering novelty products like a the 20 varieties of snacks avail- That also helps us when sourcing “As part of our unwavering tive customers during the holy prices” to support the MEC’s large incense burner set and the able at the hot food section. high-quality products from our commitment towards the welfare month, such as importing large initiative. Sanjana hot pot, a popular item “We make sure to prepare local and international suppliers and prosperity of the community ecorations for the season volumes of consumer products “We are also off ering a wide for many Qataris. our food according to our to guarantee customer satisfac- we serve, every year, Al Meera are in place, and rows of sourced from local and interna- range of imported items that can Sayed Emam, Security, Fire & customer requirements,” said tion,” he added. makes sure to run massive pro- Dshelves display an as- tional suppliers. only be found in LuLu stores. Safety manager, added that LuLu Kasim, who noted that 80% As part of its Ramadan cam- motions on hundreds of food and sorted range of food products Krishna Kumar R, general These include baking and special has increased the number of its of Safari’s customer are Asian paign, Al Meera Consumer non-food items catering to the used to observe the holy month. manager of LuLu Hypermarket fresh items, sugar-free, gluten- security in preparation for the expatriates. During the holy Goods Company is off ering 1,438 needs of all families celebrating Hypermarkets in Qatar are all set along D-Ring Road, said aside free, organic foods, and other infl ux of many customers during month, Kasim said Safari ex- consumer goods at cost price in every Iftar and Suhoor,” Cobus for Ramadan. from the 418 discounted con- healthy foods that address the Ramadan, and “to improve serv- pects a 20% to 25% increase in 35 branches across the country, Lombard, Al Meera acting CEO, Store offi cials who spoke to sumer products announced by needs of diabetics,” said Mo- ice level and shopping conven- customer footfall. in addition to its Géant Hyper- Sales and Operations Director, Gulf Times collectively said early the Ministry of Economy and hamed Rasheed al-Hashmi, who ience of customers.” “We are constantly trying to market. said.