Project Qatar 2019 Concludes on a High Note Gaza-Israel Violence

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Qatar’s realty Abubaker sector fi rst Qatari seen ‘buyer- to qualify friendly’ for 2020 Olympics

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SUNDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11174 May 5, 2019 Sha’baan 30, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief HBKU Class of 2019 graduates ‘Summer in Qatar’ QATAR | Religion Ramadan begins in Qatar tomorrow festival promises The Crescent Sighting Committee at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic entertainment, Aff airs announced yesterday that Ramadan will begin in Qatar tomorrow (May 6). The committee, which met yesterday evening, shopping bonanza said in a statement that since the crescent was not sighted today will be Shaaban 30 and tomorrow will O Programme to provide a be the first day of Ramadan. The wide range of indoor and Visa-free entry committee called on all Muslims to benefit from the holy month by outdoor activities for all during festival doing good deeds, highlighting ages from June 4 to Aug 1 that fasting is one of the five pillars Families, relatives and friends of Islam when good deeds are By Joey Aguilar of Qatar residents will have the compounded and bad ones forgiven. Staff Reporter opportunity to visit the country visa- The committee also congratulated free during the ‘Summer in Qatar’ His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim festival, HE Akbar al-Baker has said. bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness atar’s biggest summer pro- “We will even attract families and the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin gramme is set to provide resi- friends of people living in Qatar and Khalifa al-Thani, His Highness the Qdents and visitors with a wide make for them visa-free arrival at Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin range of indoor and outdoor activi- the Hamad International Airport,” Hamad al-Thani, the government, ties for all ages from June 4 to August he said. the Qatari people, and Muslims on 16, Qatar National Tourism Council “Citizens and residents of Qatar the month of Ramadan. (QNTC) secretary-general and Qatar can bring, invite their relatives and Airways GCEO HE Akbar al-Baker has friends, any other guests hassle- LATIN AMERICA | Unrest announced. free into the country during the HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, and Chairperson of HBKU’s Board of The two-and-a-half-month-long summer festival,” he added. Trustees, attending the graduation ceremony of HBKU’s Class of 2019 at the Qatar National Convention Centre yesterday. The Maduro tells troops to festival, dubbed as ‘Summer in Qatar’, Page 10 graduating class comprised 173 students from 43 countries. The ceremony featured a keynote address by Sheikh Hamad bin be ‘ready’ for US attack will witness “a season of summer ex- Abdulla bin Jassim al-Thani, CEO of Vodafone Qatar. Also in attendance were ministers, diplomats, industry leaders, and HBKU Venezuelan President Nicolas periences, retail off ers and entertain- and QF senior management. Page 6 Maduro urged his troops yesterday ment” from the start of Eid al-Fitr to Besides ‘edutainment’, summer and to be “ready” for potential US the end of Eid al-Adha. sports camps, and special promo- military action, as backers of “Our main objective for the sum- tions on inbound travel, hospitality opposition leader Juan Guaido mer season here in Qatar is to bring the and shopping, the festival also brings marched on barracks in a new bid public and private stakeholders togeth- together local, regional and interna- to win the armed forces’ support. er under one summer theme campaign tional artists for the live entertainment Capping a week that saw a failed that can be packaged to both citizens shows, which will be held at various lo- uprising led by the US-backed and residents of Qatar, along with at- cations across Qatar. Gaza-Israel violence Guaido, Maduro instructed the tracting international travellers to “Thanks to the collaborative ef- military “to be ready to defend the showcase what our lovely country has forts of Qatar’s ever-growing public homeland with weapons in your to off er,” HE al-Baker told a press con- and private sector partners, we present hands.” Page 17 ference yesterday. the biggest, boldest summer season He was joined by Rashed al-Qurese yet, off ering everything from cultural fl ares into second day ASIA | Diplomacy from QNTC, also a Board Member excursions to world-class entertain- Trump still confi dent in of Qatar Business Events Corpora- ment,” HE al-Baker said. “This is the Reuters Israel retaliated with an air strike militant targets belonging to both tion, and Qatar Airways senior vice fi rst time we are doing a tourism pro- Gaza/Jerusalem that killed two militants from the groups. Kim aft er test launch president for Marketing and Corporate motion during summer of this magni- armed Islamist group Hamas, which Explosions shook Gaza City, where US President Donald Trump voiced Communications Salam al-Shawa. tude. controls Gaza. Two other Palestinians busy streets were packed with shop- confidence yesterday that Kim Jong- QNTC gathered more than 30 “Our stakeholders bring an array of aza militants fi red more than protesting near the frontier were killed pers carrying out their Ramadan prep- un would not “break his promise,” partners to launch the summer pro- exciting new products and activities to 200 rockets into Israeli towns by Israeli forces on the same day, Pal- arations. following what if confirmed would gramme, including the Ministry of ‘Summer in Qatar’, enabling us to pro- Gand villages through yesterday, estinian offi cials said. The Gaza Health Ministry said a be North Korea’s first short-range Commerce and Industry, Ministry of vide tourism off erings to suit the di- while Israel hit back with tank shelling Hamas and Islamic Jihad began 14-month old baby and her mother missile launch for more than a year. Municipality and Environment, Qatar verse community of all ages, interests, and air strikes that Palestinian offi cials firing waves of rockets into Israel were killed by one of the Israeli strikes “Anything in this very interesting Museums (QM), Qatar Airways, Katara and budgets and further develop Qatar said killed a baby, her mother and a early yesterday. The Israeli military and at least 12 other Palestinians were world is possible,” Trump tweeted, – the Cultural Village, Qatar Founda- as a year-round tourism destination,” gunman. said its tanks and aircraft responded wounded. Residents identifi ed two of after Seoul said Pyongyang had tion, Private Engineering Offi ce, Ka- he added. Cross-border hostilities which with strikes against more than 30 them as militants. launched several unidentified tara Hospitality, Al Rayyan Hospital- Qatar Airways passengers can enjoy broke out on Friday fl ared into a sec- projectiles into the sea. Page 18 ity, Marriott International hotels, nine a 25% discount on all fl ights to Doha ond day, with Gazans fl eeing Israeli participating malls, and other event from more than 160 destinations glo- strikes and air-raid sirens sending Is- partners, including QSports, Social bally starting May 15, for travel to Qatar raelis running to shelters as interceptor Studios, Alchemy and Radio ONE FM anytime between May 30 and August missiles blew up Palestinian rockets in Qatar. 16. To Page 10 the sky. The escalation of the confl ict, which comes just ahead of both the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and Israel’s Independence Day holiday, prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to convene a high-level meeting of his security chiefs. Egyptian mediators, credited with brokering ceasefi res in previous rounds of violence, were working to prevent further escalation of hostilities. The latest round of violence began (From left) Salam al-Shawa, HE Akbar al-Baker, and Rashed al-Qurese at the press on Friday when a Palestinian sniper conference announcing the launch of Summer in Qatar at Sharq Village and Spa. fi red at Israeli troops, wounding two, yesterday. PICTURE: Jayan Orma according to the Israeli military. An explosion is pictured among buildings during an Israeli air strike on Gaza City. Project Qatar 2019 concludes on a high note

By Joey Aguilar tor Clark Williams to a panel discussion hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022, and to the local, regional, and international Some of the zones included the long- Staff Reporter on ‘Smart Infrastructure – Combining towards delivering the Qatar National construction community.” running Heavy Max and Qatar Stone Physical and Digital Infrastructure’, the Vision 2030. It is an exciting time to be The conference also tackled opportu- Tech. third day also saw fi ve other talks focus- established in the Qatari market,” IFP nities for foreign and local companies in “Over 16 successful years,” organisers he 16th edition of Project Qatar ing on smart infrastructure, technology Qatar acting general manager Haidar the local market, technology and inno- noted that the exhibition continued at- has concluded at the Doha Ex- and innovation. Mshaimesh said in a press statement. vation in energy, and Qatar’s smart cit- tracting global players in the construc- Thibition and Convention Cen- Project Qatar 2019, themed “The Fu- “We also witnessed how the drive to- ies with lively discussions, interactions, tion market and provided unparalleled tre (DECC) with a series of exhibitions, ture of Construction in Qatar”, gathered wards sustainability and hosting a ma- and dialogue with high-profi le speakers. opportunities to secure deals with deci- presentations and discussions high- participants from across the construc- jor sports event is pushing innovation The hosting of the FIFA World Cup sion makers in the Qatar market. lighting future innovations and smart tion sector - project managers, archi- across the wider construction industry 2022 also created a positive impact on “Project Qatar 2019 exceeded our technology. tects, designers, property developers, in Qatar. We are confi dent that our ex- design, building, and construction, expectations. We welcomed prospec- The three-day event, held under the and equipment and material suppliers, hibitors, speakers, and visitors benefi ted benefi ting the market from new tech- tive clients to our booth to present our patronage of HE the Prime Minister and among others. this year and will return to Project Qatar nologies and innovative approaches. specialised, exceptionally high-quality Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin According to the organisers, the latin 2020,” he added. Project Qatar 2019 attracted 14,520 The event also put up for the fi rst products, and we are confi dent our par- Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, drew 14,520 est edition of Project Qatar was the most Qatar’s premier exhibition specialis- attendees. time the ‘Smart District’ as among the ticipation will lead to further business attendees from local and international comprehensive to date, which featured ing in construction and all related in- dedicated product zones, which serves opportunities. It was also a good oppor- construction industries. more than 500 exhibitors from 33 coun- dustries, Project Qatar was organised by ence, which was certifi ed by Continuing Qatar’s Smart Nation Programme. It tunity to gain market insights to inform From a presentation titled ‘Smartest tries. It included 342 international ex- IFP Qatar in association with the Qatar Professional, issued certifi cates to at- showcased innovations and smart ap- our planning for H2, 2019,” said Khaled and Most Sustainable City in the World’ hibitors in four exhibition halls of DECC. National Tourism Council. tendees on each of the three days, pro- plications in building, energy, and Ghanem, general manager of Milano by Msheireb Properties marketing direc- “Qatar continues to fl ourish ahead of Meanwhile, the Project Qatar confer- viding “a thought leadership platform transportation. Kitchens & Closets Qatar.

Gulf Times 4 Sunday, May 5, 2019 QATAR

Katara general manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti receiving the Presidency of the Global Public Diplomacy Network in Istanbul yesterday. Qatar receives GPDNet presidency atar offi cially received the Presidency of the Global Public Diplomacy Network (GPDNet) at a special Qceremony in Istanbul yesterday. President of the GPDNet General Assembly Professor Seref Ates and offi cial delegations of the member countries attended the ceremony at Asma Sultan hotel in Istanbul. Qatar became the ﬁ rst Arab country to head the GPDNet since it was established back in 2014. The general manager of the Cultural Village Foundation (Katara), Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, headed Qatar’s delegation to the ceremony and delivered a speech during the event in which he described Qatar’s pride and honour to receive the GPDNet presidency. The event coincides with the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Turkish Yunus Emre Institute. “Qatar’s receipt of the Presidency of the GPDNet is another success of the continuing successes achieved by the State in its international relations and in various ﬁ elds,” he said. Al-Sulaiti assured that Katara will provide all the necessary capacities and strategies to add tangible contributions to the network and achieve new goals. He then named Darwish Ahmed al-Shebani, who is Katara’s Director of Cultural Aff airs, as the new general secretary of the GDPNet, wishing him success in his new mission. For his part, Darwish said that Katara will focus on enhancing dialogue between the member countries and develop new horizons of co- operation which will have a positive impact on the nations. (QNA)

Gulf Times 6 Sunday, May 5, 2019 QATAR

The Class of 2019 comprises the fifth class to graduate from Hamad Bin Khalifa University. 173 students graduate from HKBU total of 173 students graduated yesterday from Ha- Amad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foun- dation (QF), at a grand ceremony attended by HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, Vice Chairper- son and CEO of QF, and Chairper- son of HBKU’s Board of Trustees. The university this year graduated the fi rst cohort of seven degrees from three of its colleges, at a ceremony featuring a keynote address by Sheikh Hamad bin Ab- dulla bin Jassim al-Thani, CEO of Vodafone Qatar. Also in attendance were ministers, diplomats, industry leaders, and HBKU and QF senior management. The Class of 2019 graduation ceremony was held at the Qa- tar National Convention Cen- tre. The graduates come from 43 countries. Dr Ahmad M Hasnah, president of HBKU, Combined, the College of Is- Sheikh Hamad bin Abdulla bin Jassim al-Thani, CEO of conferred 173 graduates with degrees across HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of QF, and Chairperson of HBKU’s Board of lamic Studies (CIS), College of Vodafone Qatar, was this year’s keynote speaker. 23 areas of specialisation. Trustees, with the attendees. Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS), College of Science and troducing and applying new ideas learning ecosystem that supports Engineering (CSE), College of that tackle current problems and the personal and professional Law (CL) and the College of open new windows to the future, ambitions of its students. Health and Life Sciences (CHLS) both economically and socially.” “We commend the HBKU Class graduated students from 23 de- CHSS graduated the fi rst co- of 2019 – the commitment and grees. The ceremony also wit- hort of its Master of Arts in Dig- grit you have shown throughout nessed an announcement on a ital Humanities and Societies your studies will undoubtedly number of new programmes re- and Master of Arts in Women, follow you to continued success leased across HBKU’s colleges. Society and Development. CSE in your professional endeavours. Dr Ahmad M Hasnah, president graduated the fi rst cohort of its Today, you graduate not only of HBKU, said: “A distinguishing Bachelor of Science in Compu- with a degree, but with newfound feature of Hamad Bin Khalifa Uni- ter Engineering, PhD in Com- world awareness and the individ- versity is the emphasis it places on puter Science and Engineering, ual skills and knowledge to shape research that seeks out innovative and PhD in Sustainable Energy. the world for the better.” solutions to challenges in Qatar and Meanwhile, CHLS graduated the HBKU nurtures high-calibre the region. Through their extensive fi rst cohort from its Master of graduates who are equipped with research across expansive disci- Science in Genomics and Preci- theoretical knowledge and prac- plines, our students and research- sion Medicine and PhD in Bio- tical experience aff orded by the ers work to formulate solutions to logical and Biomedical Sciences. university’s multidisciplinary challenges in several sectors.” Maryam al-Mannai, vice- approach to education and learn- The success of education is president for Student Aff airs at ing, it said in a statement. measured by its ability to develop HBKU, added: “Higher educa- HBKU is now accepting appli- and transform societies for the tion is a foundation that can de- cations to selected programmes better by contributing to both the termine the trajectory of the rest for Fall 2019. For information on government and private sectors. of one’s future. HBKU is sup- the programmes and admission Thus, universities have a respon- porting this important mission requirements, one can visit hbku. Mana al-Ansari, from the College of Law, was this sibility to develop societies by in- by off ering a multidisciplinary edu.qa year’s student speaker. Five colleges at Hamad Bin Khalifa University graduated students in 2019. University to launch Graduates laud HBKU’s new programmes soon innovative approach

By Joseph Varghese By Joseph Varghese Staff Reporter Staff Reporter

ollowing the success of its in- amad Bin Khalifa University novative programmes, Hamad (HBKU) provides a conducive FBin Khalifa University (HBKU) is Hatmosphere and equips stu- planning to launch another set of pro- dents with the right tools, some of grammes by next year, its president said the graduates told Gulf Times on the yesterday. sidelines of the HBKU graduation cer- “We are planning to launch another emony held yesterday. set of programmes, which include sev- Ahmed Mohamed Hussein al-Aw- eral programmes related to sports. We than, a student of translation studies are also planning some programmes at HBKU’s College of Humanities and related to information systems and Social Sciences, said the university is e-health,” said Dr Ahmad M Hasnah, unique in many ways. Sheikh Soud Khalifa al-Thani. president of HBKU. “HBKU provides very unique ca- PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil Ahmed Mohamed Hussein al-Awthan “Our sports programmes aim to sup- Dr Ahmad M Hasnah. pabilities. In my college, we use ad- port the country as the capital of sports PICTURES: Shameer Rasheed Dr Edward Stuenkel. vanced techniques and methods. It crisis to translations and how transla- completed my PhD programme from in the world. We would also like to equips us with scientifi c tools to apply tors manipulate messages from Yemen. the College of Science and Engineer- complement what Aspire (Zone Foun- Another programme is Master of Arts to be awarded PhD in this subject. We the learning part. Theoretical analysis I believe that translators play a key role ing,” said Sheikh Soud. dation) is doing and build the whole in digital humanity. As things are mov- have two programmes in the college: and practical inputs are the hallmarks in making sure that the right message is “I am happy that I am one of the fi rst ecosystem from a sports perspective. ing onto the digital platform, you need Genomics and Precision Medicine, and of the university. It also provides room conveyed to the outer world,” he added. Qatari students to have done the PhD Our other programmes aim how to to understand its diff erent perspectives Master of Science in biological and bio- for creativity and inspiration. Meanwhile, Sheikh Soud Khalifa al- programme in sustainable develop- manage information about a patient and how digital humanity will impact medical sciences.” “Translation is not about just trans- Thani from the College of Science and ment from the university. The innova- as well as to deal with the hospital sys- behaviour, families as well as other as- “These programmes are very unique lating words and sentences or speech- Engineering, HBKU, said the university tive approach of the university helped tem,” explained Dr Hasnah. pects. We are also graduating the fi rst and equip the students with all the es. It is also about interculturalism. It has helped him attend the programme me in completing my programme suc- HBKU has around 700 students, of batch in genomics and precision medi- necessary skills. The precision medi- bridges cultures and helps people learn with great conviction as well as the nec- cessfully,” he continued. “My study whom 37% are Qataris. cine. It is also a futuristic programme,” cine programme may be the only pro- more about other cultures, nations, tra- essary practical inputs and guidance. was on the impact of refurbishing the “This year, we are graduating the he explained. gramme in the entire region and is a ditions and ways of living. It also con- “HBKU is inter-disciplinary and existing neighbourhood to make it very fi rst batch of some of very im- Dr Edward Stuenkel, founding dean very important one. It will be evolving veys our messages to the wider world.” helps students reach their potential sustainable and liveable. It was a chal- portant programmes. One of them is of HBKU’s College of Health and Life in a big way, especially with interna- Al-Awthan, who comes from Yemen, through very innovative programmes. lenge as I was not an engineer. How- women’s role in society. This is very Sciences, said three PhD students are tional partnerships. is planning to complete his PhD pro- I had done my Bachelor’s programme ever, I got immense assistance and important as it is a key programme re- graduating from the college this year. “Both the programmes are excep- gramme in translation studies at HBKU. in architecture. Even though I did not guidance from my professors and the garding the empowerment of women. He noted, “They are the fi rst in Qatar tional and has a very strong potential.” “I am trying to connect the Yemeni have any background in engineering, I university.”

Gulf Times 8 Sunday, May 5, 2019 QATAR

Lawyers Admission Committee holds meeting

The Lawyers Admission and they also reviewed the and discrimination, and has Committee met at the applications for the registration taken appropriate decisions Ministry of Justice, chaired of three new lawyers, some of thereon, as well as a review of by HE the Minister of Justice whom are counterparts, then a number of legal memoranda and Acting Minister of State the committee has taken the relating to disciplinary for Cabinet Aff airs Dr Issa appropriate decision. actions and requests for Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi. In addition, the committee the registration of civil law The committee reviewed the reviewed the requests for firms, and the modification topics on its agenda, including the transfer of seven lawyers of the names of law firms, the performance of three new from the agenda of lawyers and the committee took the lawyers before the committee, before the courts of appeal appropriate decisions.

HE Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah at Qatar Research, Development and HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani at Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council meeting. Innovation Council meeting. ‘Innovation key to promote economic development’

atar Research, Develop- and the legislative and regulatory at the social and economic levels.” and innovation at the global level. ment and Innovation frameworks that support them. HE Sheikha Hind added, “Our There was also a detailed discussion QCouncil convened a meet- HE Dr al-Attiyah said, “In order leadership has invested in the de- of many of the desired and specifi c ing to discuss ways to strengthen to achieve our national goals of self- velopment of local talent, and we objectives to achieve this. the research, development and suffi ciency and diversity, we will have begun to reap the benefi ts of The objectives include the provi- innovation sector and to advance continue to build and strengthen this investment as a sustainable sion of innovative solutions through the national march of Qatar in our national capacities, and a clear and diversifi ed knowledge economy technological research and innova- this fi eld. strategic plan for research, develop- becomes a reality for Qatar, where tion to address the most pressing The council includes HE the ment and innovation will enable us the research, development and in- challenges faced by Qatar and ac- Deputy Prime Minister and Min- to promote the country’s economic novation sector plays a pivotal role celerate the economic boom in the ister of State for Defence Aff airs Dr prosperity. It will also allow us to in Qatar’s continued progress and State by developing and launching Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah, fi nd innovative solutions to chal- prosperity for future generations. advanced solutions, particularly in as Chairman; HE Sheikha Hind lenges at the national-level. “ This sector plays an essential role terms of improving competitive- bint Hamad al-Thani, Vice Chair- HE Sheikha Hind said, “Through in enabling our nation to achieve its ness in the country’s major eco- person and CEO of Qatar Founda- our establishment and hosting of goals and vision.” nomic sectors, based on research, tion for Education, Science and Qatar’s the research, development The council’s members discussed development in order to provide Community Development as Vice and innovation that sponsors the the prospects and aspirations for more opportunities for promising President; and Omar Ali al-Ansari national strategy for research, de- the research, development and in- generations of Qataris. as Secretary-General as well as velopment and innovation, and novation by highlighting the coun- The council seeks to develop a a number of prominent govern- co-ordinates national joint plans cil’s vision to enhance the resilience unifi ed national strategy, in co- ment departments leaders, repre- of actors, Qatar has come a long and prosperity of Qatar’s economy, ordination with key stakeholders at sentatives of the relevant authori- and successful way over the past the importance of enabling relevant the local and international levels, as ties in research, development and decade to lay the groundwork for research and development eff orts well as to monitor the performance innovation. comprehensive infrastructure for and innovation at the national level of the national sector for research, The meeting reviewed the current research, development and in- and ways to strengthen commu- development and innovation, and to status of the research, development novation, to enable us to achieve nication with all international re- make recommendations on appro- and innovation system in Qatar tangible and positive results search institutions development priate policies in this regard. (QNA)

Gulf Times 10 Sunday, May 5, 2019 QATAR Entry made visa-free Farewell for outgoing Nepal envoy for ‘Summer in Qatar’ By Joey Aguilar told reporters at a press confer- hand in hand, and this year, we Staff Reporter ence held at Sharq Village and are leveraging the collaboration Spa yesterday. between these two sectors to of- “Citizens and residents of fer travellers airfare discounts, amilies, relatives and Qatar can bring, invite their promotional travel packages, friends of Qatar residents relatives and friends, any other and exceptional airport expe- Fwill have the opportunity guests hassle-free into the coun- riences throughout the sum- to visit the country visa-free try during the summer festival,” mer,” he said. “Whether they during the ‘Summer in Qatar’ he added. are passing through, visiting festival, Qatar National Tourism The festival will showcase an friends and family or remaining Council (QNTC) secretary-gen- array of entertainment shows, in Qatar, visitors will experience eral and Qatar Airways GCEO retails off ers, and other summer Qatar anew.” HE Akbar al-Baker has said. experiences for two-and-a-half Meanwhile, Katara Hospital- The festival, dubbed as Qa- months from the start of Eid al- ity thanked and underscored tar’s biggest summer pro- Fitr to the end of Eid al-Adha. its partnership with QNTC for gramme organised by QNTC, in HE Akbar al-Baker speaking at About the various off erings ‘Summer in Qatar’ this year collaboration with more than the press conference yesterday. during the festival, HE al-Baker saying it puts “signifi cant im- Qatari entrepreneur Farhan al-Sayed hosted a farewell party for Nepal’s outgoing ambassador 35 public and private partners, PICTURE: Jayan Orma said people can avail of the ho- portance on initiatives that en- Prof Ramesh Prasad Koirala recently. Pictured are (from left) Venezuelan ambassador Giuseppe will take place from June 4 to tel discounts, promo vouchers at hance its diverse off erings while Yoff reda, Serbian ambassador Jasminko Pozderac, Swiss ambassador Edgar Doerig, Prof August 16. in Qatar and make for them visa participating malls, and airfare highlighting the country’s pas- Koirala, al-Sayed, Indonesian ambassador Mohamed Basri Sidehabi and Cuban ambassador “We will even attract fami- free arrival at the Hamad Inter- discounts, among others. sion for creating ultimate guest Eumelio Cabaleero Rodriguez. lies and friends of people living national Airport,” HE al-Baker “Aviation and tourism go experiences.” Festival promises shopping bonanza NHRC seminar for Nepalis From page 1 many hotels and hotel apart- can also be availed during the are at stake- from QR20,000 he National Human Rights is working on protecting and pro- taches great importance to the ments in Qatar giving up to 25% festival. cash to McLaren 570S for the Committee (NHRC) or- moting the rights of citizens of the issues of migrant workers and to Al Maha Services, Qatar Air- discounts to guests between Qatar’s top tourist destinations grand prize. Tganised a seminar on the State as well as expatriates, noting creating suitable conditions for ways’ personalised meet-and- June 4 and August 16. like Souq Waqif and Katara – the International superstars, rights of Nepali workers in Qatar that protection is now more fo- their health, psychological and assist service for customers ar- “Entertainment City” at the Cultural Village will host many en- Arab singing sensations and and the benefi ts of the new law cused on expatriate workers. material conditions through a riving, departing or transiting Doha Exhibition and Conven- tertainment shows during both Eids. Bollywood artists will take the regulating the entry and exit of He said that the NHRC has a series of policies and laws aimed through Hamad International tion Centre is expected to at- Nine malls are taking part centre-stage at the festival expatriates. The seminar was great responsibility in monitor- at providing them with all guar- Airport, will also off er discounts tract a large number of festival- in the festival this year, of- while movie-goers will have the held in co-operation with the ing the state of workers’ rights in antees, especially as the country of up to 25% on all services goers, according to QNTC. fering special entertainment opportunity to attend the South Nepali community in Qatar. the country. undertakes a large amount of during the summer. Members of QM’s Culture shows, exhibitions and free ac- Indian International Movie It aimed to raise awareness Obaidan said that national projects whether to pursue eco- Long-haul passengers of the Pass Plus and Culture Pass tivities for diff erent age groups Awards with well-known ce- among Nepali workers on their institutions act as the primary nomic development or to pre- airline can also avail ‘+Qatar’, a Family will enjoy discounts throughout ‘Summer in Qatar’. lebrities from the industry. rights, and to introduce the new guarantors to monitor labour pare for hosting World Cup 2022. stopover package, in partner- on tourism products, outdoor, Programmes for adults will in- The Doha Comedy Festival is law related to expatriates and its rights and respect for their free- He pointed out that the recent ship with QNTC, aimed at giv- mall and retail activities, fam- clude free makeup and fi tness also set to entertain fans while benefi ts. The seminar also dis- dom, human dignity and ad- legislative reforms that included ing transit travellers the chance ily entertainment, and access to classes. young children can enjoy sev- cussed the relationship between equate means of livelihood. a new domestic labour law and to explore and discover Qatar cultural institutions. Besides sales promotions, eral wholesome stage shows workers and their employers, He noted that the right to work the law regulating the entry and with free luxury hotel stays and Deals at various theme parks shoppers will also have the such as Hello Kitty, Aladdin, among other topics. is the basis for the realisation of exit of expatriates, is proof of complimentary transit visas. and edutainment parks such as the chance to win in the raffl e The Little Mermaid and The NHRC Deputy Chairman Dr Yu- human rights. the work being done to promote The festival will also see newly-opened Angry Birds World draws where more than QR2mn Smurfs. suf Obaidan said that the NHRC He stressed that Qatar at- workers’ rights. (QNA) Gulf Times Sunday, May 5, 2019 11 QATAR

Ahlibank launches new auto loan WISH organises for Qataris during Ramadan

hlibank has launched an “exclusive” auto loan for Qataris, Awith a competitive interest rate of 4.88% per year reducing rate workshops on (2.64% per year fi xed rate). With easy and fast approval, Qataris can borrow up to QR2mn, including interest, and with a repayment period of up to 72 months. Approved applicants will also get a fee-free credit card for the fi rst year. pressing global Off er is valid until June 10. Ahlibank’s head (Marketing and Communication) Khaled al-Zou’bi said: “With our aim to provide the right banking products and services in Qatar and with the occasion of the own their dream car.” and services and ensuring their fi nan- Holy Month of Ramadan, our auto “We always strive to off er our Qa- cials needs are met with the right so- health issues loan will help our Qatari customers tari customers with the best products lutions,” al-Zou’bi added. he World Innovation Summit Highlights of workshops held at University of Oxford college for Health (WISH), an initiative Tof Qatar Foundation (QF), re- z More than 80 invited delegates the groundbreaking work being car- cently brought together stakeholders take part in sessions titled ‘Innova- ried out in Qatar to identify biomark- from Qatar, the United Kingdom, and tive Approaches to Dementia Care ers that can detect dementia early the United States for a series of three and Cure, Adolescent Mental Health z A presentation made of the one-day global health workshops at and the Online World, and Philan- fi ndings and recommendations of Harris Manchester College at the Uni- thropy in Healthcare’. the 2018 WISH report on anxiety versity of Oxford. z Dr El Agnaf and Dr Malik outline and depression More than 80 invited delegates took part in sessions titled ‘Innovative Ap- proaches to Dementia Care and Cure, tional presented on the advocacy work relationship between donors and Adolescent Mental Health and the being done globally to support people charities, after which Kurt Shuker and Online World, and Philanthropy in with dementia and to fi nd a cure. Major General Michael Von Bertele Healthcare’. Participants included ac- The second day of the series started from Save the Children provided an ademics, researchers, healthcare prac- with a presentation of the fi ndings and insight into how their charity deals titioners, innovators, and representa- recommendations of the 2018 WISH with philanthropic donations on a tives of charities and advocacy groups. report on anxiety and depression by project-by-project basis. The fi rst day of presentations and report co-author Thomas Canning, All three days featured interactive workshops focused on dementia, and followed by a session by Dr Shekhar sessions, during which delegates were featured a presentation by Dr Omar Saxena, Visiting Professor of Public encouraged to present novel ideas with El Agnaf, executive director of Qatar Health at the Harvard T H Chan School the potential to advance innovative Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), of Public Health, titled ‘The Mental thinking around each day’s topic. part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University Health of Young People and Technol- Speaking after the event, Sul- a member of QF, and Dr Rayaz Malik, ogy: A Net Benefi t’. tana Afdhal, Chief Executive Offi cer, professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Before participating in workshops, WISH, said: “This is the second year Medicine – Qatar (WCM-Q), a QF delegates heard from Dr Ivo Vlaev we have held interactive discussions partner university. from the Behavioural Insights Unit at at the University of Oxford. This year’s Dr El Agnaf and Dr Malik outlined Warwick Business School about the presentations and workshop sessions the groundbreaking work being car- nudge theory, where subtle and indi- have provided the Qatar-based re- ried out in Qatar to identify biomark- rect suggestions are used to infl uence search team at WISH with extremely ers that can detect dementia early and behaviour, and how it can be used to valuable insights that can be used to explained how timely detection has positively impact young people facing shape and develop any future explora- been proven to improve both ongoing mental health challenges. tory eff orts we undertake in three im- care and long term outcomes. Dr Robert Walters, a trustee of the portant areas of pressing concern for Also on day one, representatives of charity Orbis International, gave his healthcare practitioners and policy UK-based Alzheimer’s Disease Interna- overview of the sometimes complex makers around the world.” (QNA) Gulf Times 12 Sunday, May 5, 2019 QATAR Envoy’s credentials received Lecture marks da Vinci’s 500th death anniversary

By Joey Aguilar in Doha after only few weeks from the “sharing comments and reactions of Staff Reporter creation of a local committee to pro- those who stood in front when the mote the Italian language and culture, artist was still active in Milan under announced during the visit to Qatar of Ludovico il Moro, later in the Re- lecture by Italian art histo- Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Con- public of Florence, and at the court rian and critic Carmelo Oc- te on April 3,” the envoy added. in Paris, where he died in 1519”. Achipinti marked the 500th Established in Italy in 1889, Soci- The envoy noted that this confer- death anniversary of Leonardo da eta Dante Alighieri’s mission was to ence is the fi rst initiative promoted Vinci in Doha on May 2, held at the promote Italian language and cul- by the Dante Alighieri committee HE The Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi is pictured Qatar National Library. ture worldwide. in Doha and marks its collaboration receiving a copy of the credentials of Armenia’s ambassador to Qatar Gegham Titled Leonardo da Vinci as Seen It now has a network of 480 com- with library. Gharibjanian yesterday. The minister wished the ambassador success in his mission, by His Contemporaries: Remarks mittees in 80 countries, including The two institutions earlier assuring him of all support to promote bilateral relations between the two countries. About the Mona Lisa and Other Por- the one in Qatar. signed an agreement to hold joint traits, the event was organised by Salzano said this lecture by Oc- initiatives in the fi elds of scientifi c, Societa Dante Alighieri and the li- chipinti, who is also associate pro- technical and cultural co-operation. brary in collaboration with the em- fessor of Museology, Art Criticism “Qatar and Italy share a common bassy of Italy in Doha. and Restoration at the University of vision on the importance and the “This fi rst remarkable event, or- Rome Tor Vergata, forms part of the contribution of culture. Culture in all ganised in collaboration with the offi cial programme of the National its forms of expressions means crea- Salzano and Occhipinti. embassy in the framework of the Committee to commemorate da tivity, innovation, development of programme of initiatives promoted Vinci’s death. communication codes, but also tradi- “Many historians and scholars by the Italian government to cel- The event, promoted by the Ital- tions and values that need to be main- regard da Vinci as the prime exem- ebrate the 500th anniversary from ian ministry of cultural heritage and tained and preserved,” Salzano said. plar of the ‘Universal Genius’ or, as the death of Leonardo da Vinci, activities, was also included in the About da Vinci, he said that the we said, the ‘Renaissance Man’, an shows the commitment of Italy to “Vivere all’italiana” programme by artist, widely considered one of the individual of ‘unquenchable curios- promote Italian culture and the ex- the Italian ministry of foreign aff airs greatest painters of all time, “is an ity’ and ‘feverishly inventive imagi- cellences of our country,” Italian and international co-operation. all-around and multi-faceted gen- nation’, and he is widely considered ambassador Pasquale Salzano said. Salzano said that the event aims ius, whose fascination for centuries one of the most diversely talented “I am particularly satisfi ed that So- to highlight the early history of some has captivated whole generations individuals ever to have lived,” Sal- cieta Dante Alighieri is already active of da Vinci’s renowned paintings by until today”. zano said.

Lexus ES named ‘Best Luxury Hybrid Sedan’ exus has once again achieved in fuel consumption and environment- success at the Qatar Car of the friendly, AAB said in a statement. LYear Awards, with the Lexus ES The major additions to the new Hybrid winning the award for “Best Lexus ES lineup include the ES 300h, Luxury Hybrid Sedan”. an electrified hybrid model, which This was announced at a special combines two power sources consist- awards ceremony held in Doha recently ing of a petrol engine and two electric with the participation of a wide range motors. of hybrid vehicles. The class-leading hybrid electric The award was received by senior model enables customers to contribute marketing manager Firas Mufti, on to a sustainable future while enjoy- behalf of Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros ing increased driving satisfaction and Co (AAB), the exclusive distributor for engagement provided by its advanced Lexus in Qatar. technologies and cabin quietness, as The win at the 2019 edition of the well as its acceleration smoothness, premier annual awards event came af- especially when starting off . Off icials with the award. ter “rigorous testing and evaluation of An electriﬁ ed hybrid powertrain was the performance of the car by experts developed for the new ES. This pow- and two electric motors, proof torque, respectively, deliver- in the world of cars”, who stressed the ertrain option combines two power ducing 176hp and 22.5kg-m of ing a combined system output of importance of the car being economical sources consisting of a petrol engine torque and 118hp and 20.6kg-m 215hp.

Sheikh Dr Faleh bin Nasser al-Thani and other MME off icials with the representatives of organisations honoured for their support to the dates exhibition. Exhibition sees sales of over 329 tonnes of dates

otal sales at the 2019 International Dates Exhibi- tion amounted to 329 tonnes and 134 kg, the Min- Tistry of Municipality and Environment (MME) said in a tweet yesterday. The exhibition, organised by the Agricultural Aff airs De- partment at the MME in collaboration with Souq Waqif concluded yesterday. It saw the participation of international and local companies specialising in date products. Hassad Co was among the leading local fi rms that took part in the event, QNA reported. The exhibition aimed to promote date products, identify diff erent types of dates, and supply them to markets, to attract visitors and tourists and to encourage the conservation and care of the palm tree, in addition to making this event as an annual event linked to the cultural heritage of Qatar. It also aimed at introducing dates and date products, enhancing the cultural and heritage awareness associated with the palm tree and highlighting the importance of dates in terms of food and culture, for which demand increases at this time of year before the holy month of Ramadan. In a statement, Mohamed al-Salem, director of Souq Waqif, said 150 local and foreign companies specialised in the production, supply and distribution of dates participated in the exhibition. The participating foreign countries included Palestine, Jordan, Iran, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Oman, Kuwait and Sudan, in addition to some representatives from Iraqi companies. He said the exhibition was an opportunity to showcase all types of local and non-local dates and derivatives, which will positively aff ect their sales volume and enhance the ability to increase production. It was also an opportunity to establish strong ties and exchange of experiences between date pro- ducers and manufacturers from inside and outside Qatar. Meanwhile, the MME honoured the sponsors and supporters of the exhibition. Sheikh Dr Faleh bin Nasser al-Thani, assistant undersecretary for Agriculture and Fisheries Aff airs at the MME, thanked representatives of such entities and handed over certifi cates of appreciation in the presence of other dignitaries. Those honoured include the Souq Waqif management, QNB, Qatar Airways, General Authority of Customs, Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels and Qatar Chamber. Gulf Times Sunday, May 5, 2019 13 QATAR Chevrolet launches three new models aidah Automotive recently held an exclusive event to Jcelebrate the launch of three new 2019 models, the all-new Malibu, all-new Camaro and the all-new Silverado, which were unveiled on a specially designed ‘Car-Walk’ at Jaidah Square. Chevrolet’s fi rst premier Off icials with the all-new Camaro. PICTURE: Jayan Orma event for 2019 welcomed VIP guests and customers for an opportunity to get an exclusive, fi rst-time look at the brand’s latest vehicles. Award-winning track and fi eld athlete Mutaz Essa Barshim, who is also offi - cially sponsored by Chevrolet, attended the unveiling. The new vehicle arrivals were celebrated with a showstop- ping performance by the iconic The all-new Chevrolet Silverado. Britain’s Got Talent’s contest- ant group Boogie Storm, who took the crowd and the judging panel by storm during their ap- pearances on the show, Jaidah Automotive said in a statement. Speaking about the success of the unveiling, Mohamed Jaidah, group executive director, Jaidah Group, said: “We want to make every new vehicle arrival a celebration for our customers and for our people, and this event shows just how exciting the Chevrolet brand can be. We look forward to many more opportunities to interact with our clients and supporters in the coming months.” The all-new Malibu. The 2019 model updates include additional personalisa- that create ease for shifting. In in weight, adding in a variety of partments in the center console tion options and sleek exterior addition, the 2019 Camaro in- choices and features for the driv- for the passengers and driver to updates. cludes power seats with an avail- er to utilise. Comfort is refi ned store gear as they embark on new The all-new Malibu includes a Mohamed Jaidah with Mutaz Essa Barshim. PICTURE: Jayan Orma able Memory Package and heated through the spacious interior road adventures. new grille and fascia, represent- steering wheel, adding variety cabin, which off ers passengers The three all-new models, ing a sleek and sporty exterior the wheel-mounted controls in the driver connected at all times. ate a bold and fi erce look. The and options depending on the more shoulder room, front head along with the complete Chevro- that will grab attention on the the steering wheel and includes The all-new Camaro features interior also features defi ned driver’s preferences. and legroom. The 2019 Silverado let lineup, can be found at Jaidah road from every angle. The in- an advanced infotainment tech- taller and newly sculpted hoods, seat bolsters, a leather steering Finally, the all-new Silverado brings together two segment- Automotive, the exclusive dealer terior has been refi ned through nological system that will keep and redesigned grilles that cre- wheel and advanced ergonomics is bigger, stronger and lighter fi rst rear-seatback storage com- of the brand in Qatar. QIIB begins Ramadan special fi nance off ers

IIB has launched two special “We also provided our customers fi nance off ers to coincide with with the opportunity to double the Qthe holy month of Ramadan. points they acquire during the Holy These are a comprehensive fi nance Month, which refl ects our keenness to off er, which includes personal fi nance meet their requirements and expecta- and vehicle fi nance, and a credit tions in terms of high-quality banking card off er. services”. “These off ers”, QIIB said, “have Furthermore, he pointed out that been designed to meet customers’ ex- QIIB continues to focus on customer pectations, requirements and needs in care while responding to competi- terms of fl exible fi nance options.” tion, by creating the best products and Under the fi nance off er, existing and providing best services and off ers that new customers who wish to acquire are well appreciated by our custom- personal fi nance or vehicle fi nance ers. Consequently, we are witnessing a can benefi t from a competitive profi t Jamal al-Jamal, Deputy CEO, QIIB. steady increase in our customer base. rate (fi xed profi t rate starting at 2.69% Regarding the fi nance procedures - 5% reducing rate) with a grace pe- Qataris and residents. Every year, we adopted in light of the new off ers, the riod of up to 12 months for Qataris and welcome the holy month of Ramadan Deputy CEO said, “All QIIB employ- three months for residents. by providing our customers excellent ees enjoy a level of professionalism. With regard to QIIB credit card of- off ers that meet their expectation, be They ensure that our customers re- fer during the holy month of Ram- it in terms of special fi nance off ers, ceive the required banking services in adan, customers who opt for monthly competitive profi t rates or fl exible re- line with the best banking standards in repayment (5%) can double the points payment methods along with many terms of fi nance disbursement or fl ex- earned on each purchase using their other benefi ts”. ibility in terms of meeting the various credit cards throughout Ramadan and He said, “We are delighted to share requirements of the entire customer during Eid al-Fitr. with our customers the bounties of segment.” The off er covers all QIIB cards such this holy Month. We have focused on Customers can benefi t from the as ‘Wajaha’, ‘Diyafa’ and ‘Platinum’. reaching out to the widest segment new off ers by visiting any QIIB branch Jamal al-Jamal, deputy chief execu- of customers. Comprehensive fi nance across Qatar or by contacting its call tive offi cer, QIIB, said, “We take this gives them the opportunity to fi nance centre (on 44840000) to inquire about opportunity to extend our warmest their various needs with the best profi t its off ers or comprehensive services greetings to all our customers and all rates in the local market. provided by the bank.

Qatar Shell’s booth displays Amir Cup trophy

Hundreds of fans flocked to Qatar Shell and Qatar Football Association’s (QFA) virtual autograph booth at Doha Festival City, where the Amir Cup’s tournament trophy was on display since Thursday. Qatar Shell, lead sponsor of the Amir Cup for the past 15 years, hosted the event within the framework of its long-standing partnership with QFA. Fans had the opportunity to closely inspect the trophy and capture the moment in pictures, while virtually interacting with renowned players from leading Qatari football clubs. The booth, which opened to the public on April 30, will continue to welcome visitors until May 15. Gulf Times 14 Sunday, May 5, 2019 QATAR

QAC announces Ramadan off er on Mitsubishi SUVs

elebrating the holy month of Sheikh Faleh bin Nawaf al-Thani, in a strong personality that drives ance with the powerful 224 horse- Ramadan, Qatar Automobiles Automotive Operations director at you to explore. From the distinctive power, 3.0L MIVEC engine. CCompany (QAC), the author- Nasser Bin Khaled Group, said: “On horizontal instrument panel to shin- Built for the work week as much as ised distributor of Mitsubishi Motors the occasion of the holy month of Ra- ing silver trim and monotone colour the weekend, the ASX compact SUV Corp in Qatar, has launched a special madan, Qatar Automobiles Company scheme, the cockpit welcomes one to has stacks of storage, super-smart off er on a wide range of Mitsubishi is pleased to launch this off er on these a bold new experience with Display technology, zippy performance and SUVs, including the Eclipse Cross, vehicles, giving customers more op- Audio and Head Up Display keeping eff ortless style. Outlander and the ASX. tions to own their favourite new car one stimulated and informed,” the Available in 2WD and AWD, ASX is The off er allows customers to buy and enjoy a wide range of benefi ts. statement explains. built for the time of your life combin- any of these vehicles starting from This clearly refl ects our commitment The newly developed 1.5L petrol ing the adventurous spirit of a con- QR59,500. towards the local community and turbo engine “provides a pleasing refi dent explorer with the considered They can enjoy a wide range of ben- demonstrates our way to give back to sponse, high revolutions and strong practicality of a family SUV. efi ts, including one-year free regis- them.” acceleration”. The ASX is packed with clever tration, one-year free comprehensive The Eclipse Cross’s beautiful, dy- The Outlander off ers plenty of features and technology, making it insurance, one-year/20,000km free namic form creates the same sense room for seven passengers with its as perfect for the everyday as it is service, fi ve-year extended warranty of excitement and inspiration as the standard third-row seating. for those once in a lifetime adven- for unlimited mileage plus a Carrefour diamond ring eff ect during a total One can also quickly change the tures. voucher worth up to QR2,000, QAC eclipse. seating confi guration to meet his/her All the cars are available at the Mit- has said in a statement. While stylish like a coupé, it’s un- needs with the quick-folding 60/40 subishi Motors showrooms on Salwa Any of these SUVs can be purchased questionably a Mitsubishi Motors split second row and 50/50 split third Road and in Al Khor. with no down-payment and with the SUV. row seats. Customers can visit the show- option of in-house fi nancing with a “The dynamic, sculpted form The Outlander is equipped with a room on Salwa Road from Saturday special interest rate through NBK Fi- projects the explosive power of an 166 horsepower, 2.4L MIVEC engine to Thursday, 8.30am to 2pm and from nancial Services, subject to terms and athlete from sporty face to high- that achieves 30 highway MPG3, or 8.30pm to 12.30am, and on Friday The Mitsubishi SUVs. conditions. tech rear lamps, and all harmonise upgrade to GT for even more perform- from 8.30pm to 12.30am. QIB formally inaugurates Auto Class Cars woos Ramadan patrons with MG sweeteners branch at Mirqab Mall uto Class Cars, the authorised distributor of AMG in Qatar and a sub- atar Islamic Bank (QIB) The Mirqab Mall branch will ice will also be available at vibrant number of visitors and sidiary of Nasser Bin Khaled has opened a new state- provide easy access to QIB’s Mirqab Mall, allowing cus- location. The mall is located on (NBK) Holding, has announced Qof-the-art branch at banking services to customers tomers to enjoy their time at Al Naser Street in the heart of a special off er on a wide range of Mirqab Mall on Al Nasr Street. working and residing within the the mall until an SMS informs Doha. This part of the city has MG SUVs and the 2019 MG6, on The new branch will have ex- busy area of Al Nasr Street. them that it is their turn to be a high commercial presence the occasion of the holy month of tended working hours through- Mirqab Mall is supplied served. with a large number of shops, Ramadan, out the week and will operate with exclusive attractions that The new service has been restaurants, and services cen- Valid until June 15, the off er from Saturday to Thursday, from gather many Qataris and resi- unveiled across all QIB Mall tres”. allows 2019 MG buyers to get 9am to 2:30pm and from 3:30pm dents. branches including Q-Mall, The opening of the new one of the MG SUVs — RX5, MG to 9:00pm It will also open on The full-service nature of the City Centre, Dar Al Salam, Gate branch has expanded QIB’s GS or MG ZS — starting from Fridays from 4:00pm to 9:00pm. new branch complements the Mall, Mall of Qatar, Doha Festi- network to 31, more than 175 QR48,000, while the MG6 is During the holy month of bank’s extensive investment val city, Tawar Mall, and now at ATMs and cash/cheque deposit available from QR58,000. Ramadan, the branch will oper- into expanding both its physical Mirqab Mall. machines, state of art banking Buyers can benefi t from a SUVs from MG. ate from Saturday to Thursday branches and its digital off er- QIB’s Personal Banking systems, award winning & best package of added features, in- from 10:30 am to 2:30pm and ings in order to meet the varying Group general manager D rated mobile app and online cluding free car registration and deals that reflect the strong The MG ZS is the perfect op- throughout the week during demands of its growing cus- Anand said: “Our presence at banking channels, to provide a comprehensive insurance for relations with our valued cus- tion for buyers seeking a good- the evening shift from 9pm to tomer base. Mirqab Mall is a good addition seamless customer experience one year, and with the “long- tomers.” looking, well-equipped, well- 11:30pm. QIB’s ‘Bank and Shop’ serv- to QIB branches network for its on a 24x7 basis. est warranty period avail- The sleek, dynamic profi le of built car at a sensible price. able in the market” of six years the all-new MG 6 is boosted by The more expressive design warranty/200,000km (which- carbon-fi bre trim on the front language showcased by the MG ever comes fi rst) as well as free bumper, headlamps featur- ZS is set to feature across all up- service for two years/30,000km ing a ‘London Eye’ design con- coming models, and emphasises (whichever comes fi rst), free cept, twin chrome exhaust pipes the premium experience and tinting and a complementary and a ‘Star Rider’ front grille, commitment to quality of the smartphone, Auto Class Cars has which takes inspiration from the ambitious brand. said in a statement. brand’s expressive design lan- The MG GS is the only Brit- Any of these SUVs can be pur- guage. ish compact SUV in the middle- chased with no down-payment The MG6 is equipped with a class market segment that is de- and with the option of in-house 1.5-litre turbo engine, mated to signed to be stylishly masculine. fi nancing with a special inter- a 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmis- The design is a trendy mix that est rate through NBK Financial sion with paddle shift option, for combines sporty mobility with Services, subject to terms and smooth, eff ortless performance. sharp, smooth body lines and conditions. This effi cient petrol unit de- swooping fl owing shapes. Besides, buyers can have the livers maximum power of 169hp The MGE 2.0TGI direct-injec- option of postponing the fi rst in- and maximum torque of 250Nm. tion turbo-charged engine +TST stalment for three months. Equipped with a 1.5T petrol 6-speed wet dual clutch trans- Hisham al-Sahn, general engine and 7-speed automatic mission generates an impressive manager of Auto Class Cars, gearbox the MG RX5 is available 220hp of power. said: “Celebrating the holy as entry level standard or mid- The MG line up of cars is avail- month of Ramadan, we are range COM models. able now at the Auto Class Cars pleased to launch this special The more powerful 2.0T power showroom on Salwa Road. offer on a wide range of MG plant is mated to a 6-speed auto- During Ramadan, the show- cars, including SUVs and the matic gearbox and is off ered for room opens from Saturday to amazing MG6. Auto Class Cars either COM or top-of-the-range Thursday, 8.30am to 2.30pm and will stay committed to the lo- LUX trim levels, with the latter from 8.30pm to 12.30am, and on cal community and offer best featuring All-Wheel Drive. Friday from 8.30pm to 12.30am.

Maxus light truck in the spotlight

elebrating the holy month Off icial attend the formal opening of the state-of-the-art Qatar Islamic Bank branch at Mirqab Mall. of Ramadan, Auto Class CCars, the authorised general distributor of Maxus in Qatar and a subsidiary of Nasser Bin Khaled (NBK) Holding, has announced a special off er on the Malabar Gold & Diamonds Maxus T60 light truck that was recently launched in Qatar and other models. CSR initiatives ‘to benefi t The Maxus T60 pickup is a Promo woos new light-duty truck that is known for its safety, capabilities, high more than 80,000’ people users to Ooredoo performance and 5-star safety ranking from ANCAP, Auto Class ore than 80,000 GCC and Far Ruwi will enable more than 15,000 Cars has said in a statement. East residents stand to ben- people to benefi t from the initiative. Mobile Broadband The off er is valid until June 15 Mefi t from the CSR initiatives of In Kuwait, the group will provide and includes the availability of Malabar Gold & Diamonds this Ram- Iftar meals to more than 3,000 labour- oredoo has announced a promotion off er- the Maxus T60 for QR49,000. The Maxus T60. adan, the leading jeweller has said. ers in diff erent governorates and the ing free data to customers signing up for Buyers can benefi t from a In a statement yesterday, Malabar desert areas of the country. Onew Mobile Broadband packs. package of added features, in- use. We will stay committed to tem. Moreover, a string of safety Gold & Diamonds said it has planned In Malaysia, the group will provides Customers choosing a new Mobile Broadband cluding free car registration supply the Qatar market with confi gurations ensures that T60 month-long CSR activities in associa- 800 special Ramadan kits to the under- 120 plan, which already gives them 12GB data, and comprehensive insur- such modern and reliable cars.” drivers have comprehensive pro- tion with like-minded organisations to privileged, which will include grocery will get an extra 3GB data free for six months, giv- ance for one year, three years’ The Maxus T60 has proved tection in extreme road condi- benefi t the needy. items enough for a family of three to ing them “even better value for money”, the com- warranty/120,000km (which- its capabilities on winding tions. The T60 also highlights Accordingly, over 30,000 special break the fast for 10 days during Ram- pany has said in a statement. Customers need to ever comes fi rst) and free service roads, washboard roads as well stability with the Bosch 9.0 Elec- Iftar meals/kits will be distributed dur- adan. sign up for their new Mobile Broadband pack and for two years/30,000km (which- as mountain climbing, during tronic Stability Programme. ing this period. The company will also provide 1,000 the free data will be added automatically each ever comes fi rst). which it displayed excellent per- The Maxus T60 is powered by The initiative comes as the jewel- Iftar meals, which will be distributed in month for the fi rst six months. All Maxus vehicles can be pur- formance in comparison to other a 2.4-litre inline 4 naturally aspi- lery retailer — with 250 stores globally and around various mosques. On top of that, customers can also enjoy a free chased with no down-payment pickups in its category. rated petrol with 136 horsepower — “strengthens its CSR activities in “Since its inception in 1993, Mala- STARZ PLAY app subscription. STARZ PLAY is an and with the option of in-house Safety is a vital part of the T60, and -speed manual transmis- the GCC and Far East region this Ram- bar Group has been actively involved in on-demand entertainment service that off ers over fi nancing with a special inter- which is why it adopts both ac- sion. In addition, the T60 comes adan”, the statement notes. CSR activities with the aim of creating 10,000 hours of the best Hollywood movies, docu- est rate through NBK Financial tive and passive safety systems with advanced 2.8T VM turbo In Qatar, Malabar Gold & Diamonds a diff erence to the community in and mentaries, children’s entertainment, same-day-as- Services, subject to terms and to avoid any potential problems. diesel engines, featuring 110kw has planned to provide over 10,000 around their area of operations. The the-US series, and Arabic content in full HD and 4K. conditions. The Maxus T60 became the fi rst of power and a maximum 360nm Iftar meals for labourers across the importance of CSR activities for Mala- Manar Khalifa al-Muraikhi, director of PR and Hisham al-Sahn, general Chinese-manufactured util- of torque. Its drag capacity of 3.5 country and hold month-long CSR bar Group has grown over the decades Corporate Communications at Ooredoo, said of manager of Auto Class Cars, ity vehicle to score 5 stars on the tonnes can help pull vehicles out activities in association with 98.6 FM and the group sets aside 5% of its net the new promotion: “Complete customer satis- said: “Auto Class Cars is pleased ANCAP rating, making it one of danger. Radio Malayalam, Qatar Sparsam and profi t for the benefi t of the needy in the faction is an integral part of our corporate strat- to celebrate the holy month of of the safest cars in its category. The Maxus T60 is available at other like-minded associations to ben- respective markets it operates in,” the egy, and we’re always looking for ways to ensure Ramadan with this special off er With top scores in all segments, the Auto Class Cars showroom efi t the needy. statement adds. our products and services off er unbeatable value on the Maxus T60. It is a light- the ANCAP report shows the on Salwa Road. The working In Oman, the group will provide over The Group undertakes social welfare for money and therefore satisfy our customers. duty truck that is distinguished Maxus T60 scored high grades in hours during Ramadan are from 16,000 Iftar meals all over the country activities all year long, focusing on the This new Mobile Broadband promotion means by its fascinating design, high all tests with an overall score of Saturday until Thursday, 8.30am throughout the holy month of Ram- fi ve priority of medicine, education, our customers can surf the Supernet for longer, performance and modern tech- 35.46 out of 37. to 2.30pm and from 8.30pm to adan. the environment, housing and wom- for less!” Customers can sign up for new Mobile nology, which make her ideal for The T60 is equipped with the 12.30am. On Fridays, it will be An air-conditioned tent set up in en’s empowerment. Broadband 120 packs at any Ooredoo shops. either individual or corporate Adaptive Front Lighting Sys- open from 8.30pm to 12.30am. Gulf Times Sunday, May 5, 2019 15 QATAR

Amiri Naval Force in joint French exercise

Qatar Amiri Naval Force carried out yesterday a joint crossing exercise, in Qatari regional waters in co-operation with the French Navy. The exercise included naval manoeuvres, defending sailing ships, and countering fires. Captain (Naval) Nasser Ayed al-Qahtani said the exercise aimed to exchange expertise and enhance joint naval ties between the two sides, in addition to raising the operational eff iciency of crew members. These military exercises are part of bilateral co-operation agreements for training. Man arrested on Alfardan Motors reveals charges of fraud

he Criminal Investiga- tweeted yesterday. A search tion Department at the was conducted at his residence exclusive Ramadan deals TMinistry of Interior and a safe was found there with (MoI) has arrested an African counterfeit notes along with n celebration of the holy man on charges of committing some chemicals he had kept to month of Ramadan, Al- fraud. carry out the fraud. Ifardan Premier Motors Co, The accused attempted to The authorities concerned the official retailer of Jaguar dupe his victims by offering have urged the public to be Land Rover in Qatar, has an- to convert Qatari riyals into aware of such fraudulent meth- nounced that it is offering dollars by treating them with ods that may mislead some customers special deals on chemicals, in exchange for a people looking for quick finan- select Jaguar and Land Rover sum of QR200,000, the MoI cial gains. vehicles. These exclusive Ramadan offers will be available until the end of the holy month at all Alfardan Premier Motors showrooms in Qatar. Customers can benefit from the offers by complimentary add-ons worth up to QR40,000 on select Jaguar and Land Rover models, Al- The Land Rover range. fardan Premier Motors Co has said in a statement. Commenting on the special Ramadan offers, Samer Bou Dargham, general manager of Alfardan Premier Mo- tors, said: “We wish all of our customers and their families a Justice minister highlights key blessed Ramadan. At Alfardan Premier Motors, we strive to role of real estate registration provide the very best in customer satisfaction and first- HE Minister of Justice and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Aff airs Dr Issa class service. Ramadan is a Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi has stressed on the importance of facilitating the pro- time of giving; our esteemed cedures of real estate registration and documentation, QNA reported. The customers will be offered a minister also stressed the importance of establishing a training programme range of comprehensive bene- for new legal experts that is three to six months long, aimed at clarifying the fits to enjoy the added value of The Jaguar range. process for workers. The minister said, during meeting with the employees peace of mind when owning a of the ministry’s service centre, that the top priority was developing the skills Jaguar or Land Rover vehicle.” the offers, visit the nearest at Alfardan Premier Motors, day, 9am to 1.30pm and from Fridays from 8.30pm to mid- of the workforce, in line with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 which For further information on Jaguar Land Rover showroom from Saturday to Thurs- 8.30pm to midnight, and on night. considers human capital as one of its main pillars, and with the goals of the National Development Strategy 2018-2022. He called on the employees of service centres to work diligently in line with the directives of the wise leadership, and to provide easy access to services for citizens. He also highlighted the importance of experience in the sector concerned with real estate documentation and registration, due to the role it plays in protecting ownership Hyundai produces short fi lms for holy month and supporting economic development. During the meeting, the minister was briefed on the work of the ministry’s service centres and also listened to the views of the employees on the development of the working environ- yundai is again taking people on theme, we wanted to consider what ment and enhancing services provided to the public. The minister also journey to discover the spirit of those moment really mean. It is very honoured a number of employees of the ministry’s foreign service centres, HRamadan this holy month, pro- easy, when we face diffi cult times, to noting that the gesture was in the context of encouraging and motivating ducing a series of short fi lms to share think about what is missing from life. employees to give their best, and to provide better service for citizens and to across the Middle East and North Africa. “These stories invite us to think about achieve the strategic objectives of the ministry. For this year, the chosen theme is ‘To- what we have, rather than what we do gether on the Path of Blessings’, with sto- not, and to understand that even when ries that show Ramadan blessings are for life is hard, we are still blessed and still everyone – regardless of circumstances, have reason to give thanks.” and even in diffi cult times. Hyundai has made a tradition of pro- Skyline Automotive is the offi cial ducing a special fi lm series for Ram- NU-Q student recalls distribution partner of Hyundai Motor adan in the Middle East, sharing sim- Company in Qatar. ple, heart-warming stories as television Each fi lm in the series will show a fam- spots and through social media, a press years at Education City ily experiencing diffi cult times; for one, a statement noted. father and son feel the loss of a wife and In 2016, the fi rst series was titled ‘Al A senior at Qatar Foundation (QF) mother who has passed away, while for Barakah’ and followed the theme of Ra- partner university Northwestern another family the father is sick in hos- madan Blessings. University in Qatar (NU-Q), Ales- pital. In 2017, ‘Ramadan Everywhere’ visited sandra El Chanti is among the Audiences will follow the families various Arab countries to look at local Class of 2019 graduates who will during preparations for Ramadan, during Ramadan traditions. Last year’s series be lauded at QF’s Annual Convo- the holy month, and for Eid, discovering was titled, ‘Timeless Ramadan’, off ering cation ceremony on May 7. how they enjoy quality time together, a sentimental view of some of the Ram- She is the winner of two pres- and showing that there are always rea- ‘Together on the Path of Blessings’, by Hyundai. adan traditions that pass down through tigious NU-Q awards: the Dean’s sons to be thankful in life. “Ramadan is a families. Award, and the Media and Re- very special time in the Middle East, and Song, Hyundai’s head of Operations for tion and thought, as well as a time for The fi rst short fi lms for 2019 are now search Award for Best Documen- we want to recognise that for our cus- the Middle East and Africa. family and friends to share special mo- online on Hyundai’s offi cial Middle East tary for her short film, Revive the tomers and for communities,” said Mike “The holy month is a time for refl ec- ments with each other. For this year’s and Africa YouTube channel. Lira’s Glory. The documentary is about an artist in Lebanon named Ibrahim Sultani, who paints dif- Alessandra El Chanti ferent Lebanese artists on the country’s devalued banknotes in cause we’re given the time – and order to symbolically retrieve their mental space – to truly discover Genesis G70 takes home ‘Best Compact Sport Sedan’ award value. who we are,” she says. El Chanti’s Education City story is “The resources and guidance a testimony to the unique environ- we have access to are unparal- kyline Automotive, prestigious award on behalf tween Comfort, Eco, Sport, ment of learning and personal leled. The option to cross-register the offi cial distribu- of Genesis Motors. We would Smart or Custom driving. exploration that QF opens up to between diff erent universities Stor of Genesis in Qatar, like to thank Maqina maga- An 8-speed automatic its students. in Education City is something I is celebrating another G70 zine and the team behind it transmission is also in place, El Chanti was a high school sci- could do only because I was at milestone by taking home the for organising the fi rst Qatar allowing for an exceptional ence student in Qatar when she Qatar Foundation; I studied media ‘Best Compact Sport Sedan’ Car award. We look forward driving experience with ease first heard about NU-Q’s media and communication at NU-Q, and award at the Qatar Car of the to continuously building a throughout. The G70 includes and communication courses at a pursued a joint minor in Media Year Awards by Maqina mag- great customer experience an Electronic shift-by-wire career fair. and Politics at Georgetown Univer- azine. and introducing new prod- lever that is light and compact, Though she had set her sights on sity in Qatar.” Maqina, which aims to ucts from the luxury Genesis especially designed for con- working in a science-related field, “Looking back, I know all these promote vehicles that help brand in the months ahead.” venience while providing an the newly-discovered subjects factors inspired me to be less rigid develop the automotive in- The G70 sets new bench- aerodynamic experience. spiked her interest enough to in my approach to ideation; to dustry in the region and cater marks for luxury sport sedans The award-winning ve- make her want to reconsider her try out new techniques in writing to the local car enthusiasts, is in its class. Whether it is its hicle has been recognised by university options. and filming – all of which gave me the fi rst auto publication in sleek exterior headlamps or various regional and interna- The following year, she was the confidence to make the short Qatar to award the interna- the aesthetic trunk end, the tional magazines and review accepted into the Bachelor of Sci- film for which I won these awards. tionally recognised Genesis G70 is a vehicle that pays at- boards, such as being named ences in the Media Industries and Today, I can firmly say that what G70. tention to detail. The G70’s ‘Car of the Year’ by ‘Motor Technology programme at NU-Q. I’ve achieved wasn’t an overnight Johan Madarasz, market- advanced performance is also Trend’ and ‘North American “I don’t think there is any other miracle; rather these four years ing manager at Skyline Au- showcased through its Drive Car of the Year’ by an in- place like Education City. Here, have been leading up to this tomotive, said: “We are really mode control system that al- dependent jury from North students like myself, succeed be- moment.” proud to be receiving such a lows the driver to choose be- America. Off icials with the award. Gulf Times 16 Sunday, May 5, 2019 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

Soldiers Bouteﬂ ika’s killed in Sudan faces fuel crisis and brother, IS attack former on Haftar worsening cash crunch spy bosses

Reuters camp Khartoum arrested

Reuters udan is facing a pre-Ra- AFP Benghazi/Tripoli madan fuel crisis and a Algiers Sworsening cash crunch less than a month after presi- ine soldiers were killed dent Omar al-Bashir was oust- aid Boutefl ika, the power- yesterday in an attack ed following protests sparked ful brother of deposed Al- Nclaimed by Islamic State by bread and fuel shortages. Sgerian president Abdelaziz on a training camp belonging Cars queued at almost every Boutefl ika, was arrested yester- to the eastern Libyan forces of petrol station in Khartoum day along with two former intel- Khalifa Haftar, hospital authori- yesterday as motorists waited ligence chiefs, a security source ties said. for fuel for several hours. said. The attack took place in the Soldiers manned the sta- General Mohamed Mediene, city of Sebha, located in part of tions to ensure order. known as Toufi k, who headed the oil-producing south that is The crisis, along with a cash the secret service for 25 years and targeted by armed groups look- shortage and electricity out- former intelligence co-ordinator ing to exploit a security void. ages, pose challenges to the Athmane Tartag were the two Haftar has concentrated his country’s ruling Transitional spy chiefs arrested, the source forces in the northwest, where Military Council (TMC), set up said, asking not to be named. they have been embroiled for after generals deposed Bashir The security source did not the past month in a battle for and arrested him on April 11. provide a reason for the arrests. the capital Tripoli with fi ghters The TMC is locked in a There was no immediate com- allied to the divided country’s standoff with the opposition ment from Algeria’s police or internationally recognised gov- over who will control a pro- army, despite eff orts by AFP to ernment. posed joint civilian-military Sudanese protesters dance during a demonstration in front of the defence ministry compound in Khartoum, yesterday. reach them. Clashes raged in Tripoli’s body to oversee the country Said Boutefl ika was seen as the southern outskirts throughout until elections can be held. draw cash from,” said Ahmed drawal has long been set at guiding hand behind the rule of the night with the rival forces Protests have continued in a Yassin, 52. “I have been stand- 2,000 Sudanese pounds ($45). his ailing brother Abdelaziz, who fi ring at each other with artillery bid to push the council to cede ing in line for three hours and Some have set up several bank resigned on April 2 following guns, residents said. power to civilians. I must withdraw so that I can accounts to try to circumvent pressure from the military in the No more details were imme- At least a dozen ATMs in buy Ramadan needs for my the limit. face of huge street protests. diately available. a commercial area in central family.” Most residential areas in the The president’s brother was Islamic State claimed the Se- Khartoum had no cash, and One banking employee, who capital experience near-daily frequently cited in the past as a bha attack. dozens of people lined up at declined to be named, said electricity outages for hours. likely successor as head of state. Its fi ghters had killed or those still dispensing money. most ATMs held no cash. The increasing blackouts oc- He had exerted increasing in- wounded 16 and freed inmates A Reuters witness counted Most Sudanese employees curred as Khartoum’s temper- fl uence behind the scenes, as the from a prison, the militant group 88 customers in one line on a get paid near the beginning atures soar to highs of 45 Cel- former president was rarely seen said in a statement posted on- main road in central Khartoum. of the month, and consumer sius. Bashir’s government had Vehicles line up for gasoline at a gas station in Khartoum, yesterday. in public after a stroke in 2013. line. Queues had previously been spending often increases dur- run up enormous budget defi - Mediene headed the the A military source said a jail shorter and more ATMs held ing the month of Ramadan, cits by subsidising fuel, bread But that served to debase the rencies to plummet — in turn all-powerful DRS intelligence inside the attacked Jabril Baba cash. likely to begin on May 6, con- and other products. currency, causing infl ation to pushing up the cost of subsi- agency, until Boutefl ika fi red camp had been stormed but gave “I am searching since the tributing to the liquidity crisis. To cover the defi cit, it ex- rise and the value of the Suda- dies and widening the defi cit him in 2016 and dismantled the no details. morning for an ATM to with- The maximum daily with- panded the money supply. nese pound against other cur- even further. institution.

Nine dead after regime, ‘Give change a chance’: SA Iran to keep enriching Russian strikes in Idlib opposition leader Maimane uranium despite US move AFP after arriving at the site of raids Reuters be employed in reactors to pro- Beirut to treat people wounded in AFP biggest rally before the vote, to corruption,” he said, com- Dubai duce plutonium, a fuel used in southern Idlib, the head of the Soweto Maimane said it was time for plaining that he struggles to get nuclear warheads. White Helmets Raed Saleh said change as the country battles access to basics such as water at The United States also t least nine civilians, in- on Twitter. corruption, poverty and high his house. ran will continue with low- scrapped its sanctions waiver cluding two children, An AFP photographer saw he leader of South Af- unemployment. “I think the DA will bring level uranium enrichment that had allowed Iran to evade Awere killed yesterday in clouds of black smoke above two rica’s main opposi- “Today the choice is between change. Iin line with its nuclear deal a 300-kg limit on the amount air strikes by Syria’s government villages in southern Idlib after Ttion party urged voters fear and bravery. If South Af- At least let’s give them a with world powers, Iranian par- of low-enriched uranium it can and its ally Russia in the north- the air raids. Syrian state news yesterday to give “change a ricans were not brave, I bet chance”. liament speaker Ali Larijani was store under the nuclear deal at west of the country, a war moni- agency SANA said the country’s chance” in next week’s general you apartheid would still be in Ketsie Kobedi, 67, echoed a quoted as saying yesterday, de- its main nuclear facility of Na- tor said. military had opened fi re on “ter- election after 25 years of ANC place. view driven by disappointment spite a US move to stop it. tanz. Washington said the move Syria’s military and Russia rorist groups”. Much of Idlib and rule. “We are brave and we are go- with the ANC that things were Washington acted on Friday was aimed at forcing Tehran to carried out more than 100 air parts of Aleppo and Hama are “Let us be brave and give ing to show courage and hope actually better under White to force Iran to stop producing end its production of low-en- raids in Idlib, Hama and Aleppo controlled by Hayat Tahrir al- change a chance,” Mmu- for change in this election”. rule. low-enriched uranium and ex- riched uranium, a demand Iran provinces, the Syrian Observa- Sham (HTS), Al Qaeda’s former si Maimane told more than He condemned the ANC for “We want to go back to the panding its only nuclear power has repeatedly rejected as it says tory for Human Rights said in a Syria branch. 10,000 Democratic Alliance going from from “leaders in the White people era when things plant, intensifying a campaign it uses the uranium to help pro- statement. The regime has intensifi ed air supporters at Dobsonville sta- struggle for freedom” to those were in order. We don’t trust aimed at halting Tehran’s bal- duce electricity. The Observatory said dozens strikes against these areas in re- dium in Soweto. who now “stand directly in the the ANC because of corrup- listic missile programme and Until now, Iran was allowed of barrel bombs were dropped by cent months, despite a Septem- South Africans go to the way of freedom”. tion,” she said. curbing its regional power. to ship low-enriched uranium Syrian military helicopters. ber deal between government polls on Wednesday in one of “They were once our lib- The DA, which has been “Under the (nuclear accord) produced at Natanz to Russia Three women and one mem- ally Russia and rebel backer Tur- the most competitive national erators but today we need to be the largest opposition party Iran can produce heavy water, before it hit the 300-kg limit, an ber of the White Helmets — a key that is meant to protect Idlib elections since the fi rst multi- liberated from them,” Maimane in South Africa for the past 19 and this is not in violation of expert said. team of fi rst responders working from a massive regime off ensive. racial vote in 1994. told the cheering crowd in his years, has hammered away on the agreement. Therefore we The United States also said in some rebel-held areas — were Syria’s multi-fronted civil war Nelson Mandela’s African home township. the ANC’s failure to deliver will carry on with enrichment it would no longer waive sanc- also among the nine dead, the has killed more than 370,000 National Congress, which led Donald Mlangeni, 28, said in Mandela’s dream of a prosper- activity,” the semi-offi cial news tions that allowed Iran to ship war monitor said. people and displaced millions the struggle to end apartheid, the last election in 2014 he had ous and equal South Africa. agency ISNA quoted Larijani as to Oman for storage heavy wa- All nine civilians were killed in since it began in 2011 with anti- has won every election since voted for the ANC, but now he Its popularity has steadily saying. ter produced at its Arak facility Idlib and Hama, it said. regime protests that sparked a then. will go with the DA. grown over the years to 22% in The Fars agency carried a beyond a 300-tonne limit set in The fi rst responder was killed devastating crackdown. But addressing his fi nal and “We are going to put an end the last election. similar report. Heavy water can the 2015 nuclear deal. Remains of nearly 85,000 genocide victims buried 16 die in Nigeria AFP Some mourners broke down homes.“It is unfortunate that... Kigali wailing as survivors spoke of the these perpetrators, now free, pain of losing their loved ones so never bothered to reveal to be- road crash brutally. reaved families the location of he remains of nearly A number were escorted from these grave sites, so they could 85,000 people murdered the funeral by ushers. Emanuel get closure,” he said. AFP Tin Rwanda’s genocide Nduwayezu said the discovery Clementine Ingabire was the Kano were laid to rest yesterday in a meant he fi nally had somewhere sole survivor from her extended sombre ceremony in Kigali, a to come each April 7 and lay a family of 23 who were massa- quarter of a century after the wreath in memory of his mur- cred in the frenzy. ixteen people were killed slaughter. dered family. Seven of her relatives were in a three-vehicle road Mourners sobbed as 81 white “Right now I am very happy identifi ed from the pits, their Scrash outside northern coffi ns containing the remains because I have buried my dad, remains scattered among the Nigeria’s largest city of Kano, of 84,437 victims of the 1994 my sister and her children, and coffi ns. But at least they were a spokesman for the road safety mass killings were buried at the my in-law. Twenty-fi ve years granted a dignifi ed burial, she agency said yesterday. Nyanza Genocide Memorial in have passed and I had not known said.Just seven at the time, The accident occurred on the capital. where they were,” he said. Ingabire remains incredulous Friday when the vehicles col- They were among more than “Everyday I was thinking and she made it out alive. “Despite lided in Tukui village, 60 kilo- 800,000 people, mostly Tut- getting confused (about) where the fact that most people were metres from Kano, said Kabiru sis, massacred over 100 days my dad was but now I found him very cruel, there were those Ibrahim of the Federal Roads by Hutu extremists and militia and I have a buried him.” who took risks to save others,” Safety Commission, in a state- forces determined to eradicate The remains of those interred the 32-year-old said. ment. the Tutsi minority in Rwanda. yesterday were only found early “I was saved by a Hutu wom- He blamed the accident on Rwanda begins 100 days of last year, when 143 pits con- an who was a good friend to my “suicidal speed” by drivers of mourning every April 7 — the taining thousands of bone and mother. She saw me running two of the vehicles, causing a day the genocide began. clothing fragments were dis- and grabbed me...that’s how I head-on collision. But this year has witnessed covered beneath homes on the Attendees off er flowers after the burial of 81 coff ins containing newly discovered remains of 84,437 survived.” Accidents are common on particular commemorations to outskirts of Kigali. victims of the 1994 genocide during a funeral ceremony at the Nyanza Genocide Memorial, suburb of The ethnic bloodshed ended Nigeria’s poorly-maintained mark the 25th anniversary. Those exhumed for burial the capital Kigali, yesterday. on July 4 when mainly Tutsi roads due to speeding, reckless “Commemorating the geno- yesterday came from just 43 rebels entered Kigali, chas- driving and disregard for traf- cide against the Tutsi is every such pits — leaving 100 more other markings. brella organisation for genocide when a man, tasked in 1994 ing the genocidal killers out of fic rules. Last month, 19 wed- Rwandan’s responsibility — to go. They join 11,000 other vic- survivors, said a landlord from with dumping corpses, came Rwanda. ding guests, including women and so is giving them a decent A painstaking eff ort was un- tims already laid to rest at the the area revealed the location forward with new information. The rebel general was Paul and children, were killed when burial,” said Justice Minister dertaken so that family mem- Nyanza Genocide Memorial. of the graves only after he was Dusingizemungu said it was Kagame, who became Rwanda’s their vehicles veered off the Johnston Busingye at the mass bers could identify their loved Jean-Pierre Dusingizemun- threatened with arrest. likely those living on the graves president and has remained in road and burst into flames in burial. ones by their teeth, clothing and gu, who heads Ibuka, an um- More pits were later found knew what lay beneath their power ever since. neighbouring Jigawa state. Gulf Times Sunday, May 5, 2019 17 AMERICAS

GERRYMANDERING ‘MOVING FORWARD’ REMEMBERED CAUSE FOR CONCERN BOYCOTT Court strikes down ‘partisan’ $20mn settlement reached ‘Saint of drug traffickers’ Curacao vows to stop Bolsonaro cancels US trip Ohio congressional map over death of Australian death anniversary marked measles spreading as backers back off

A federal three-judge panel has struck down The US city of Minneapolis on Friday Hundreds of Mexicans on Friday commemorated The Dutch territory of Curacao said yesterday it Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro on Friday Ohio’s congressional district map as a partisan announced a $20mn civil settlement with the the 110th death anniversary of Jesus Malverde, would do what was needed to prevent measles cancelled plans to attend a New York gala in his gerrymander, giving Democrats hope of making family of an unarmed Australian yoga instructor known as the saint of drug traff ickers, in the spreading from a Scientology cruise ship, after honour after several companies withdrew their inroads in a state where they failed to pick off any who was shot dead by a police off icer. north-western city of Culiacan. The early 20th- a crew member came down with the disease. sponsorship and thousands of people demanded seats last fall. National Democrats spent money in Mohamed Noor was convicted on Tuesday of century bandit is believed to have been executed The Freewinds, which left the Caribbean island it be scrapped. The gala, organised by the a special election in the 12th District last summer murder for the 2017 shooting that killed Justine on May 3, 1909. Legend has it that Malverde, of St Lucia on Friday, arrived back in its home Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce for and targeted several GOP incumbents during the Ruszczyk Damond, who had moved to the US whose real name was Jesus Juarez Mazo, robbed port of Curacao at around 9am yesterday, May 14, had attracted widespread criticism over midterms but came up short in all of those races. to marry her fiancee. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob the rich and gave the proceeds to the poor. according to myshiptracking.com. The Curacao the far-right president’s record, with New York The court ruled that Ohio must use a new map Frey cited the unprecedented circumstances as Malverde is not recognised as a saint by the government said in a statement that it would Mayor Bill de Blasio describing Bolsonaro as “a in 2020, and it is giving the state until June 14 to playing a role in the record $20mn settlement Catholic Church, but his bust is nevertheless “take all necessary precautions,” including dangerous man”. Bolsonaro decided to cancel enact a remedial plan. The Supreme Court heard with Damond’s family — the highest in the city’s kept at a chapel in Culiacan. Jorge Velazquez, vaccinations. “An investigation will also be done the trip due to “resistance and deliberate attacks oral arguments in two partisan gerrymandering history. “This is not a victory for anyone, but who had come to Culiacan from Mexico City, said to determine who will be allowed to leave the by the Mayor of New York and the pressure of cases last month and is expected to issue rulings rather a way for our city to move forward,” Frey Malverde could eliminate crime from Mexico if ship without (posing) a threat to the population interest groups” on organisers, a spokesman said at the end of June. said at a news conference. asked to do so. of Curacao,” it said. in a statement. New US asylum screenings guide reﬂ ects tougher stance on migrants

By Mica Rosenberg and low bar, they go on to immigration of funding to train border patrol agents Kristina Cooke, Reuters court where a judge can grant them to perform “credible fear” interviews New York/San Francisco asylum if they prove they have been that are usually done by specialised persecuted because of their race, re- USCIS asylum offi cers. ligion, nationality, political opinion, It was not clear whether or not this he Trump administration has or membership in a particular social new lesson plan would be used to train revised training guidelines for group. border patrol agents. Tasylum offi cers in ways that Around three-quarters of the thou- US Customs and Border Protec- Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro greets troops yesterday during military exercises of cadets of the Bolivarian could make it harder for migrants sands of monthly applicants regularly tion, which oversees the Border Pa- Military University at a training centre in El Pao, Cojedes state, Venezuela. seeking refuge in the United States to pass the fi rst “credible fear” inter- trol, referred questions about its pass an initial screening. views, according to government data. agents conducting interviews to the The revisions to a lesson plan used But most Central American migrants US Department of Homeland Securi- by hundreds of asylum offi cers suggest fl eeing general violence and corruption ty, which did not respond to a request the Trump administration is fi nding ultimately do not qualify for asylum. for comment. new ways to narrow who can access Trump has said repeatedly that the An April 29 White House memo said agencies should “reprioritize” immi- Maduro tells troops to asylum as bolder policy proposals with standards for entry into the United that same goal have been blocked by States are too lenient. gration offi cials to do “credible fear” federal courts, said former government The revised lesson plan is “a signifi - screenings, without specifi cally men- offi cials and immigration experts who cant and disturbing step towards mak- tioning Border Patrol. reviewed the internal plan that was ing it more diffi cult to pass credible Migrants who pass the initial “cred- fear interviews,” said Victoria Neilson, ible fear” interview are often allowed be ‘ready’ for US attack shared with Reuters. The changes could potentially lead who worked in the USCIS refugee and stay in the United States until their to more denials and deportations be- asylum division during the Obama ad- asylum cases are decided, a process AFP/Reuters not tarnish the honour, the unity, the undermine regional security. fore migrants’ full cases can be heard, ministration. that can take months or years because Caracas cohesion and the image of the armed Duque said on Twitter on April 27 they said. The new plan deletes a paragraph of a massive backlog of immigration forces,” the president said in his that explosives set off at a military Jessica Collins, a spokeswoman for from the previous guidance that told court cases. speech broadcast on public radio and base had been orchestrated from Ven- US Citizenship and Immigration Serv- “credible fear” interviewers to con- The Trump administration has said enezuelan President Nicolas television. ezuela, where he alleged Maduro was ices (USCIS), which oversees asylum sider that asylum seekers may not have people are gaming the legal system in Maduro called on the armed The socialist leader accused Guaido protecting Colombian ELN rebels. applications, said the agency periodi- all the evidence to prove their claims order to stay in the country. Vforces to be “ready” in the event — recognised by more than 50 coun- Maduro’s government did not im- cally updates its training documents when they fi rst arrive in the United At a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan of a US military off ensive against the tries as Venezuela’s interim president mediately respond to requests for and that it processes all claims on a States. on March 29, Trump called the asylum South American country, in a speech — of trying to launch a “coup d’etat.” comment. case-by-case basis. Guidance to consider trauma and process “a big, fat con job.” to troops yesterday. Despite Guaido’s best eff orts, the The Lima Group, which includes The lesson plan has been revised in cultural background when assessing “You have people coming up, they Maduro called on the military “to military has remained loyal to Maduro. Canada, Brazil, Argentina and Chile, 2006, 2014 and February 2017. credibility has also been deleted. are all met by the lawyers,” he said, be ready to defend the homeland with His appeal came during a week in reiterated on Friday that it opposes The new version dated April 30, goes Instructions to be warier of fraud “and they say, say the following phrase, weapons in your hands if one day the which US Secretary of State Mike military intervention to remove Ma- into eff ect this month, USCIS said. were inserted. ‘I’m very afraid for my life’...and then I US empire dares to touch this territory, Pompeo had warned Caracas that duro from power, and encouraged The ballooning number of mostly Stephen Legomsky, a former USCIS look at the guy, he looks like he just got this sacred earth.” “military action is possible.” Venezuelans to continue eff orts to Central American families turning chief counsel said that asylum seekers out of the ring, he’s the heavyweight His speech at a military base in the Despite repeatedly alluding to such keep fi ghting for democracy. themselves into border agents and who arrive in the United States with- champion of the world.” northwest, where he appeared along- an intervention, Washington has so far “This process must be done peace- asking for asylum has pushed US bor- out documents to prove their perse- Under a new Trump policy started side Defense Minister Vladimir Pa- limited its actions to ramping up sanc- fully and respecting the constitu- der agencies to a breaking point. cution back home have to rely on their in January, hundreds of asylum seek- drino, came as opposition leader Juan tions against key fi gures in the Maduro tional order in Venezuela,” Peruvian In March, more than 100,000 people own testimony. ers have been forced to return to wait Guaido rallied his supporters in a new regime, as well as state oil company Foreign Minister Nestor Popolizio were caught at the US-Mexico border, “Without taking cultural and psy- in Mexico while their cases lumber day of protests to press the armed PDVSA. told journalists after meeting with his the highest monthly level in more than chological factors into account, evalu- through US courts. forces to support his bid to dislodge On Friday, the Lima Group regional counterparts in a Lima Group meet- a decade. ating the person’s credibility becomes That policy is being challenged by Maduro. bloc accused the Maduro government ing in Peru. President Donald Trump has nearly impossible,” Legomsky said. lawsuits. Earlier this week, Guaido tried to of protecting “terrorist groups” in Co- The Lima Group backed Venezuelan claimed the migrants are exploiting USCIS’ Collins said the agency’s Trump has promised to build a wall incite a military insurrection but it lombia, keeping up pressure days after opposition leader Juan Guaido’s push to “loopholes” in immigration law and offi cers take into account “relevant along the US-Mexico border but a quickly fi zzled out as a group of 25 an attempted military uprising failed oust Maduro on Tuesday, which failed to says many asylum claims are fraudu- country conditions information” and physical barrier would have little eff ect rebel soldiers sought refuge in the Bra- to dislodge Maduro from power. trigger the military defections needed to lent. adhere “to all applicable laws, regula- on migrants who turn themselves into zilian embassy in Caracas. The bloc, a dozen countries in the wrest control of key institutions. The fi rst step in the long US asylum tions, policies, and precedent deci- offi cials. Maduro had responded to that by Americas that meet regularly to dis- The Lima Group said it wants Ma- process is an interview by a USCIS of- sions.” By changing the rules for asylum insisting the military high command cuss Venezuela, did not provide details duro’s ally Cuba to join eff orts end the fi cial specially trained in asylum and Currently, asylum offi cers are re- screenings the government “is erect- had reasserted its loyalty to him. on the groups in Colombia that it al- political crisis in Venezuela, and called refugee law to determine whether a quired to complete weeks of in-person ing an invisible wall,” for those seeking “I told the generals and admirals leged Maduro was protecting. for an urgent meeting with the EU- migrant has a “credible fear” of re- training followed by regular ongoing protection, said Dree Collopy, an im- yesterday: loyalty, I want an active But it said in its joint statement that backed International Contact Group, turning to their home country. refresher courses. migration attorney at a Washington, loyalty...I trust you, but keep your it rejected any attempt to assassinate which has placed more emphasis on If they pass that first hurdle, a The White House is seeking $23mn DC-based law fi rm. eyes open, a handful of traitors can- Colombian President Ivan Duque or dialogue to fi nd a solution. 21 injured as military charter plane slides off runway into Florida river

Reuters said Bill Dougherty, a spokesman plane, attorney Cheryl Bormann, Miami for the Jacksonville base. told CNN in an interview that the It fl ies every Tuesday and Fri- fl ight, which had been four hours day from the Naval Station Nor- late in departing, made a “re- team of 16 federal inves- folk in Virginia to the Jacksonville ally hard landing” in Jacksonville tigators was travelling air station and on to Cuba. amid thunder and lightning. Ayesterday to Jacksonville, It then fl ies back to Virginia “We came down, the plane Florida, after a Boeing jetliner with a stop again at Jacksonville, literally hit the ground and with 143 people on board slid off a Dougherty said. bounced. It was clear the pilot runway into a shallow river while The Jacksonville Sheriff ’s Of- did not have total control of the trying to land at a military base fi ce said on Twitter that all 21 of plane. It bounced again,” she during a thunderstorm, injuring the injured were taken to a hos- said, adding that the experience 21 people. pital, where they were listed in was “terrifying.” The Boeing 737-800 chartered good condition. Bormann said she hit her head by the US military was arriv- “The plane was not sub- on a plastic tray on the seat in ing on Friday from Naval Station merged. Every person is alive and front of her as the plane veered Guantanamo Bay in Cuba with accounted for,” the sheriff ’s offi ce sideways and off the runway. 136 passengers and seven crew said on Twitter. “We were in the water, we members when it slid into the St The sheriff ’s tweet was ac- couldn’t tell where we were, Johns river at the end of the run- companied by two photographs whether it was a river or an ocean.” way at Naval Air Station Jackson- A Miami Air aircraft from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, sits in shallow water of the St Johns River after it slid off the runway at Naval Air showing the plane, bearing the Bormann described emerging ville, authorities said. Station Jacksonville, Florida, on Friday night. logo of Miami Air International, from the plane onto the wing as ox- No one was badly hurt and the resting in shallow water and fully ygen masks deployed and smelling 21 people taken to a hospital were powerplants, human perform- ning when it slid off the runway Miami Air International is a A spokesman for Boeing Co intact. the jet fuel that she said was appar- listed in good condition, the local ance, weather, airports and other and came to rest in the shallow charter airline operating a fl eet said that the company was aware The mayor of Jacksonville, ently leaking into the water. sheriff ’s offi ce said. areas,” the agency said, adding water of the river, authorities and of the Boeing 737-800, diff erent of the incident and was gathering Lenny Curry, said on Twitter that Bormann, from Chicago, said The National Transportation that it expects to brief the media passengers said. from the 737 MAX 8 aircraft that information. US President Donald Trump had that most of the passengers were Safety Board said on Twitter that later in the day. The military base is on the has been grounded following two The charter company is con- called him to off er help. connected to the military and 16 investigators were arriving in The plane, chartered from western bank of the St Johns fatal crashes involving that plane. tracted by the military for its “No fatalities reported. We are helped each other out of their Jacksonville yesterday. Miami Air International, was River about 13km south of central Representatives of the airline twice-weekly “rotator” round- all in this together,” Curry said in seats and onto a wing, where they “NTSB team has expertise in attempting to land at about Jacksonville, about 560km north did not immediately reply to re- trip service between the US a separate tweet. were assisted after some time aircraft operations, structures, 9.40pm amid thunder and light- of Miami. quests for comment. mainland and Guantanamo Bay, A passenger on board the into a raft. Gulf Times 18 Sunday, May 5, 2019 ASIA

9 dead as cyclone enters Bangladesh Cyclone Fani, one of the biggest to hit India in years, barrelled into Bangladesh yesterday after leaving a trail of deadly N Korea fi res short-range destruction in India. Bangladeshi police said nine perished even before the eye of the storm rumbled over the border in the morning. Some 400,000 people have been taken to shelters, Bangladeshi ‘projectiles’ into sea: Seoul off icials said. Fourteen villages were inundated wards the East Sea, also known Kim would not break his promise: Trump that a “formal training area” South Korea next week. as a tidal surge breached flood AFP as the Sea of Japan, the JCS was established in the region, Washington had said Beigun dams. The dead included a Seoul added. President Donald Trump said neighbour to “stop acts that and Hodo has been “increas- would discuss “eff orts to ad- minor in Barguna district on the In an earlier statement, it had yesterday in a Twitter posting escalate military tension on the ingly used for ballistic missile vance the fi nal, fully verifi ed coast and five others killed by said Pyongyang had launched that he believes North Korean Korean Peninsula.” and long-range artillery rocket denuclearisation of North Ko- lightening. orth Korea launched an unidentifi ed short-range leader Kim Jong-un realises Trump also said on Twitter that testing” during the last 10 years, rea” with offi cials in Seoul and “We are mooring our boat because unidentifi ed pro- missile. his country’s “great economic Kim “knows that I am with him & it added. Tokyo. it’s the only means of income for Njectiles into the sea The last North Korean missile potential” and “will do nothing to does not want to break his prom- Since the collapse of the Ha- Seoul’s nuclear envoy Lee us. Only Allah knows when we can yesterday, the South Korean launch was in November 2017. interfere or end it.” ise to me. Deal will happen.” noi summit between Kim and Do-hoon spoke to Biegun yes- go back to fishing again,” Akbar military said, in what could be The latest fi ring comes just a Trump’s statement came after A second summit between Kim Trump, South Korean presi- terday to discuss Pyongyang’s Ali, a fisherman near the town of Pyongyang’s fi rst short-range day after South Korean Foreign North Korea fired several “uni- and Trump in Hanoi in February dent Moon Jae-in – who bro- latest launch, the South’s Dacope in Bangladesh, said while missile launch for more than a Minister Kang Kyung-wha said dentified short-range projectiles” failed to produce a deal to end kered the fi rst meeting between Foreign Ministry said. battling surging waves to tie his year as it seeks to up pressure Pyongyang should show “vis- into the sea off its east coast Pyongyang’s nuclear program the mercurial leaders – has Pyongyang also said last boat to a tree. on Washington with nuclear ible, concrete and substantial” yesterday, prompting South in return for sanctions relief. tried to salvage diplomacy, but month that it had test-fi red a With the storm weakening but talks deadlocked. denuclearisation action if it Korea to call on its communist (Reuters) Pyongyang has remained largely new type of “tactical guided still packing a punch, winds of up The United States and North wants sanctions relief. unresponsive. weapon,” saying the test was to 70km (45 miles) per hour and Korea have been at loggerheads That issue was also at the Kim slammed the South in a “conducted in various modes of heavy rain battered overnight since the collapse of a sum- centre of the February talks Yesterday’s launch “does “We will continue to moni- speech to his country’s rubber- fi ring at diff erent targets.” and yesterday morning the mit between Kim Jong-un and in Hanoi, where North Korea not violate Kim Jong Un’s self- tor as necessary,” Press Sec- stamp legislature last month, say- It gave no details of the weap- Sundarbans mangrove forest area. Donald Trump in February, demanded immediate sanc- imposed missile-testing mora- retary Sarah Sanders said in a ing it should not “pose as a med- on at the time. “It’s a total mess in islands of the where the two sides clashed tions relief, but the two sides torium”, which “only applied to statement. dlesome ‘mediator’” between “Chairman Kim has decided Sunderbans as the cyclone has over sanctions and the extent of disagreed on what Pyongyang intercontinental-range ballis- Japan’s defence ministry, the US and Pyongyang. to remind the world – and spe- destroyed everything in its path, Pyongyang’s concessions on its should give up in return. tic missiles”, said North Korea meanwhile, said there was “no Last week, on the anniver- cifi cally the United States – that fuelling fears rivers could burst atomic arsenal. Earlier this week, North Ko- analyst Ankit Panda. confi rmation of ballistic missiles” sary of the Panmunjom sum- his weapons capabilities are their banks and leave vast areas North Korea “fi red a number rean Vice Foreign Minister Choe “North Korea historically entering its territory. mit between Moon and Kim, growing by the day,” said Harry underwater,” said Manturam of short-range projectiles Son Hui warned Washington did not generally test anything Hodo Peninsula, where Pyongyang’s state media KCNA J Kazianis, director of Korean Pakhira, Sunderbans aff airs from its Hodo peninsula near of an “unwanted outcome” if while talks were on with the US. yesterday’s fi ring took place, said Washington and Seoul Studies at the Centre for the minister. the east coast town of Wonsan it did not adjust its stance on Talks are not on.” has been used as a training “keep pushing the situation of National Interest. “Locals spent a sleepless night to the northeastern direction economic sanctions. The South’s presidential Blue area for “live-fi re testing, the Korean peninsula and the “My fear is that we are at and many came out of their from 9:06am (0006 GMT) North Korea did not carry out House said it was monitoring training exercises for artillery region to an undesirable phase”, the beginning stages of a slide thatched huts and stood on the to 9:27am today”, the South’s any missile or nuclear tests last the situation and “closely shar- and coastal defence cruise criticising their joint military back to the days of nuclear war river banks measuring the level of Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a year, as Kim held his fi rst his- ing information with the US”. missiles” since the 1960s, ac- exercises. threats and personal insults, a the water,” Pakhira said. statement. toric summits with the leaders The White House said it was cording to the respected 38 Yesterday’s launch came days dangerous cycle of spiking ten- “Several homes have been The projectiles travelled from of the United States and South “aware of North Korea’s actions North website. before US special representative sions that must be avoided at all flattened, roofs blown off , electric 70 to 200km (45 to 125 miles) to- Korea. tonight”. It wasn’t until the mid-1990s Stephen Biegun visits Japan and costs.” poles and trees toppled.” (AFP) New Japan emperor greets people for the fi rst time

Reuters Tokyo

heers and screams fi lled the air in Tokyo yes- Cterday as new Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Em- press Masako made their fi rst greetings to an ecstatic public three days after acceding to the throne following the fi rst abdication in two centuries. Naruhito’s father, Akihito, Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn is crowned during his coronation inside the Grand Palace in Bangkok yesterday. 85, abdicated on Tuesday in a simple ceremony, nearly three years after he fi rst expressed fears that advancing age might make it diffi cult for him to perform his duties. Thailand crowns king It was the fi rst abdication in 200 years. Pledging to work as a symbol of the people, Naruhito, 59, was formally invested as emperor Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako greet well-wishers during their first public appearance in ornate ceremonies the day after. at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo yesterday. People queued for hours to see the new emperor and his velopment of our nation by go- 1989 after the death of his fa- name under which Naruhito Reuters bodyguard regiment, her full varaja”, or a divine embodiment family stand on a palace bal- ing hand in hand with other na- ther, Emperor Hirohito, which will reign. Hundreds of cou- Bangkok royal title. of the gods. cony and wave to the gathered tions and seeking global peace.” set off an extended period ples rushed to city offi ces to Outside the palace walls, peo- The king received the royal crowds. Normally such greet- Masako, wearing a yellow of mourning throughout Ja- register their marriage. ple in yellow polo shirts sat on golden plaque containing his ings take place during the New dress and hat, waved and smiled pan, but the mood has been The festive mood, which hai King Maha Vajiralong- roadsides, holding up portraits name and title, the royal horo- Year’s holiday and on the em- to the crowds along with other completely diff erent this time. many compared to New Year’s, korn yesterday completed of the king and the national fl ag scope, and the royal seal, which peror’s birthday. imperial family members. Clubs held countdowns has been fed by an unprec- TBuddhist and Brahmin as 19th-century canons fi red to were made in a three-hour ritual “I pray for your health and They were to greet the crowds on Tuesday night, fi re- edented 10-day holiday that rituals to symbolically trans- announce the new reign. Yellow last week. happiness,” said the emperor, six times, according to public works rocketed into the air observers expect will bring form him into a living god as the is the colour of Monday, the day He also received and put on reading prepared remarks. “And broadcaster NHK. and stores held special sales an economic boost to Japan’s Southeast Asian nation crowned the king was born, and the col- fi ve articles of the royal regalia I sincerely wish for further de- Akihito became emperor in to honour “Reiwa,” the era sluggish economy. its fi rst monarch in nearly seven our of the sun, which represents from the chief Brahmin. decades. the monarch in the cosmos ac- The high-reaching crown, The coronation of King Vaji- cording to Thai culture. which weighs 7.3kg (16 lb) sym- ralongkorn, 66, took place inside One onlooker, Kanjana Malai- bolises the summit of Mount the Grand Palace throne hall in thong, told local media she had Meru, the Hindu god Indra’s Bangkok after a period of offi cial travelled since 1am from north- heavenly abode, and its weight mourning for his revered father, ern Thailand to witness the cer- represents the monarch’s royal China putting minority Muslims King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who emony, which was shown live on burden. died in October 2016 having big screens outside the palace. King Vajiralongkorn put the reigned for 70 years. “I’m so overjoyed... There’ll crown on his head himself with The king was joined by new never be another chance like the help of court offi cials, and Queen Suthida after a surprise this, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime adjusted it several times during in ‘concentration camps’: US announcement three days before event,” she said. the ceremony. the coronation that the thrice- In his fi rst speech to mem- Before the crowning ritual, he divorced monarch had married bers of the royal family, the Privy appeared dressed in white robes Reuters tured during interrogation at said that it was justifi ed “given Asia that is home to millions for a fourth time. Council, and top government as he underwent a purifi cation Washington the camps, living in crowded what we understand to be the of Uighurs and other Muslim His coronation comes amid offi cials, among others, the king ritual, sitting under a canopied cells and being subjected to a magnitude of the detention, ethnic minorities. the uncertainty of an unresolved called for national unity. fountain that poured consecrat- brutal daily regimen of party at least 1mn but likely closer to China has warned that it election battle between the cur- “I invite everyone here and ed waters over his head. he United States ac- indoctrination that drove some 3mn citizens out of a population would retaliate “in proportion” rent military junta chief and a all Thai people to share my de- The country’s Buddhist Su- cused China on Friday people to suicide. of about 10mn.” against any US sanctions. “democratic front” trying to termination and work together, preme Patriarch also poured Tof putting well more Some of the sprawling facili- “So a very signifi cant por- The governor of Xinjiang push the army out of politics. each according to his status and sacred waters over the king, fol- than 1mn minority Muslims ties are ringed with razor wire tion of the population, (given) in March directly dismissed “I shall continue, preserve, duty, with the nation’s prosper- lowed by Brahmin priests and in “concentration camps,” and watch towers. what’s happening there, what comparisons to concen- and build upon the royal legacy ity and the people’s happiness as royal family members. During in some of the strongest US “The (Chinese) Commu- the goals are of the Chinese tration camps, saying they and shall reign with righteous- the ultimate goals,” he said. the ceremonies, the king gave condemnation to date of what nist Party is using the security government and their own pub- were “the same as boarding ness for the benefi t and happi- Prime Minister Prayuth alms to saff ron-robed, barefoot it calls Beijing’s mass deten- forces for mass imprisonment lic comments make that a very, I schools.” ness of the people forever,” the Chan-ocha, the speaker of the monks. tion of mostly Muslim Uighur of Chinese Muslims in concen- think, appropriate description,” US offi cials have said king said in his fi rst royal com- parliament, and the chairman of The king was to proclaim minority and other Muslim tration camps,” Schriver told he said. China has made criminal mand, while sitting under a the Supreme Court – represent- himself the royal patron of Bud- groups. a Pentagon briefi ng during a The Chinese embassy in many aspects of religious nine-tiered umbrella in full royal ing the three branches of gov- dhism later, and perform a pri- The comments by Randall broader discussion about Chi- Washington did not immedi- practice and culture in Xin- regalia including a gold-enam- ernment – also spoke to express vate housewarming ritual at the Schriver, who leads Asia pol- na’s military, estimating that ately respond to a request for jiang, including punishment eled, diamond-tipped crown. “gratitude” to the king. royal residence where he will icy at the US Defence Depart- the number of detained Mus- comment. for teaching Muslim texts to Traditionally uttered after a Thai coronation rituals are a stay the night, as previous kings ment, are likely to increase lims could be “closer to 3mn US Secretary of State Mike children and bans on par- king is crowned, the king’s fi rst mixture of Buddhist and Hindu have done. tension with Beijing, which citizens.” Pompeo on Thursday used the ents giving their children command serves to capture the Brahmin traditions dating back During 18 months of his reign is sensitive to international Schriver, an assistant sec- term re-education camps to de- Uighur names. essence of his reign. The king’s centuries. One of the many of- so far, King Vajiralongkorn has criticism and describes the retary of defence, defended scribe the sites and said Chinese Academics and journalists command was similar to that of fi cial titles King Vajiralong- moved to consolidate the au- sites as vocational educa- his use of a term normally as- activity was “reminiscent of have documented grid-style his father’s. korn will take is Rama X, or the thority of the monarchy, includ- tion training centres aimed sociated with Nazi Germany the 1930s.” police checkpoints across Xin- King Maha Vajiralongkorn 10th king of the Chakri dynasty ing taking more direct control at stemming the threat of as appropriate, under the The US government has jiang and mass DNA collection, also granted Queen Suthida, a founded in 1782. of the crown’s vast wealth with Islamic extremism. circumstances. weighed sanctions against sen- and human rights advocates former Thai Airways fl ight at- Yesterday’s rituals were about the help of Thailand’s military Former detainees have de- When asked by a reporter ior Chinese offi cials in Xinjiang, have decried martial law-type tendant and head of his personal transforming him into a “De- government. scribed to Reuters being tor- why he used the term, Schriver a vast region bordering central conditions there. Gulf Times Sunday, May 5, 2019 19 BRITAIN/IRELAND

Hancock hints at Brexit compromise after local poll losses May must resign or be

Health secretary says voters want politicians to deliver Brexit and move on

By Aamna Mohdin booted: ex-Tory chief Guardian News & Media Former Tory leader calls May “This is the only way – we have May’s own party to oust her in ‘caretaker prime minister’ in a sense a caretaker prime min- December as party leader, when he health secretary, Matt after dismal council election ister at the moment. 117 Tory MPs voted against her, Hancock, has hinted that results “I think, therefore, that mak- prompting her to state she would Tthe government may be ing fundamental decisions about step down before the next elec- prepared to reach a compromise By Mattha Busby where we go with [Brexit] would tion. with Labour on a post-Brexit Guardian News & Media be a big mistake.” May’s authority has contin- customs union arrangement The 1922 Committee, formally ued to ebb since, and potential with the EU. known as the Conservative Pri- leadership contenders have been He said that the local election heresa May must either vate Members’ Committee, is the publicly jostling for position. results on Thursday were a call Hancock: We need to be resign as prime minister Tories’ parliamentary group in However, it remains unclear from voters to “deliver Brexit and listening to these results from Tor her party should force the House of Commons. whether her own MPs would vote then move on”. these local elections which are her out, the former Conserva- The committee, made up of all to bring down her government The Conservatives lost more about ‘deliver Brexit’, not ‘deliver tive leader Iain Duncan Smith Conservative backbencher MPs, and risk a general election. than 1,300 seats in Thursday’s this particular form of Brexit’ has said. meets weekly while parliament is Following on from this week’s elections, their biggest setback Describing May as a “caretaker in session and provides a way for local elections in which the To- Smith: May should resign or the 1922 Committee should force her out. since John Major was prime min- the threat of a hard-left Labour prime minister” after the Tories backbenchers to co-ordinate and ries lost more than 1,300 seats ister. government under Jeremy Cor- suff ered their worst local election discuss their views independ- and Labour 81, Duncan Smith lute, clear and devastating judge- furious with the political class,” Labour had been expected to byn,” he wrote. “But on its own it result since 1995, the hard Brexit ently of frontbenchers. said that there is a complete lack ment.” the former work and pensions make gains but instead suff ered a won’t be enough. As Conserva- supporter urged her to quickly Earlier this year, the prime of trust in the leadership of both He described May’s attempts secretary said. net loss and also lost control over tives, we must now also off er a announce her departure. minister survived a no-confi - the main parties, but particularly to arrive at a soft Brexit deal with The Scottish Conservative a string of councils. more compelling and inspiring “We have to make a change,” dence vote in parliament that the Conservatives, and poured the Labour party as absurd, and leader Ruth Davidson said yester- The remain-supporting Lib- vision for addressing the wider he said in an interview with radio was forced by Labour leader Jere- scorn on the idea that May could expressed his fear that Tory divi- day that she believes Labour and eral Democrats were the major challenges the country faces be- station LBC. my Corbyn, after the government continue to lead the party fol- sions could be perpetuated if the the Tories are close to striking a benefi ciaries, taking control of yond Brexit.” “The [1922] committee has to suff ered the largest defeat for a lowing her second “terrible elec- two parties agree on a deal lead- compromise deal over Brexit. 10 councils. The justice secretary, David sit again now, urgently, and de- governing party in modern his- tion result”. ing to the UK’s continued mem- She also rejected calls for May Hancock said that he shared Gauke, described the local elec- cide that either the prime min- tory when its EU withdrawal deal “What we have now is a lead- bership of a customs union. to set a date for her resignation, the frustration of voters who tion results as “punishment” for ister sets the immediate date for was rejected by a majority of 230. ership that … is deeply weakened “The message was loud and saying that the prime minister were keen for politicians to move the Conservatives’ handling of departure or, I’m afraid, [we] It followed a similarly unsuc- by this last result,” he said. “It clear that, since March 29, people should be given space and time to on to other pressing issues. Brexit. must do it for her. cessful attempt from within wasn’t equivocal, it was an abso- have decided they are absolutely negotiate. “We need to be listening to He told BBC Breakfast: “These these results from these local are very disappointing election elections which are about ‘deliv- results. What we need to be do- er Brexit’, not ‘deliver this partic- ing is addressing the big issue in ular form of Brexit’,” he told Radio front of us, which is Brexit.” 4’s Today programme. He said the Tories would have Northern Ireland election counts continue Health The Conservatives’ poor re- had much better results if they sults have led some MPs to call had managed to get Theresa for a leadership change. May’s deal through parliament. Guardian News & Media In what was seen as a water- and none of the members were an independent on Ards and minister The former Brexit secretary “I think we can look at those London shed moment for the socially consulted about it,” he told the North Down council near Ban- David Davis declared his support local election results as a punish- conservative DUP, its fi rst BBC. gor. for Dominic Raab, saying that ment for both the Labour party openly gay candidate, Alison “Many thousands of people In Derry, Anne McCloskey considers the party needed a leader who and the Conservative party for he second day of count- Bennington, was elected to in Northern Ireland are de- became the fi rst candidate could deliver a Brexit “faithful to failing to fi nd a way through that ing is under way in Antrim and Newtownabbey pending on the DUP to hold from the newly formed anti- the demands of the referendum” situation,” he said. TNorthern Ireland’s lo- council near Belfast. the line on these moral issues. abortion party Aontu to be compulsory and present “an optimistic and Lisa Nandy, the Labour MP for cal elections after gains for the The DUP MP Gavin Robin- They feel very let down and elected. authentic vision for the future”. Wigan, said the poor results for Democratic Unionist party and son said it was a “good news very concerned about what has About a third of the 462 Writing in the Daily Mail, both main parties were a result the centralist Alliance party. story” and the DUP was not happened.” available seats are being fi lled vaccination Davis said Raab was “the best- of “people losing faith with the After the fi rst day’s count, a “theocracy” but a political The DUP leader, Arlene Fos- across 11 council areas in placed Brexit candidate to win system as a whole”. Sinn Féin had registered mixed party. ter, said Bennington’s election Northern Ireland. the necessary support among She told Today: “People are results, the Green and People However, there was rancour did not necessarily mean the As of Friday night, turnout an option MPs and party members and, really, really frustrated about Before Profi t had made gains elsewhere within the party. party would end what its op- was recorded as 52%. above all, broaden our appeal to Brexit, and the Ulster Unionist party Jim Wells, an assembly position to same-sex marriage, A fresh attempt will be made voters”. but the major frustration had lost seats. member, said the late Ian Pais- which remains against the law next week to restore Stor- Those who spread He said the European elections comes from the perceived in- At the start of yesterday’s ley, who campaigned prevent in Northern Ireland. mont’s devolved institutions. anti-vaccine messages have on 23 May could be “far worse” ability of the two major parties – count, the DUP was leading the decriminalisation of ho- Meanwhile, Tom Smith, who The last administration, a ‘blood on their hands’, says for the party than the local elec- including Labour – to get our act the pack with 81 seats, ahead of mosexuality, would have been was deselected as a DUP coun- DUP and Sinn Féin-led coali- health secretary tions. together and start dealing with Sinn Féin on 74, the UUP on 57, aghast. cillor after he voted to light up tion, imploded in 2017 amid a “Delivering on Brexit is a nec- the very many and real problems the SDLP on 42, and Alliance “This marks a watershed a council building in rainbow row about a botched renewable Guardian News & Media essary condition for seeing off people have got.” on 36. change in DUP party policy colours, retained his seat as energy scheme. London

he health secretary has said he would not rule out Tthe option of compulsory Thousands join Glasgow march for Scottish independence vaccination, adding that cam- paigners against jabs for diseases such as measles had “blood on By Libby Brooks their hands”. Guardian News & Media Matt Hancock told BBC Ra- dio 4’s Today programme: “I do think we need to consider all op- housands of people have marched in Glasgow tions. in the largest show of support for Scottish inde- “Failure to vaccinate when Tpendence since Nicola Sturgeon said she would there isn’t a good reason is introduce legislation to hold a second referendum on the wrong. issue. “Those people who campaign The “All Under One Banner” event, led by a single against vaccination are cam- fl ag-bearer and a pipe band, left Kelvingrove Park at paigning against science. The 1.30pm and was following a route west to east through science is settled.” the city centre to a rally at Glasgow Green. The health secretary’s com- Marchers were still streaming out of the park at 2pm, ments came after fi gures re- many carrying Scottish and EU fl ags. leased by Unicef last week There was a carnival atmosphere as families and dog- showed that more than half a walkers joined drummers and bagpipers, and there were million children in the UK were chants of “independence now”. unvaccinated against measles Police Scotland said it was diffi cult to estimate num- between 2010 and 2017. bers accurately because people had joined the march at The rising popularity of anti- diff erent points along the route, but by 5pm they believed vaccine messages on social me- there were between 30,000 and 35,000 people gathered dia has been blamed for promot- at the rally on Glasgow Green. ing scepticism among parents. Sturgeon, Scotland’s fi rst minister, said at the end of Hancock said: “I don’t want to April that a second independence referendum should be Protesters march through the have to reach the point of com- held by May 2021 if Brexit went ahead, but stopped short streets on Glasgow. pulsory vaccination, but I will of repeating previous calls for the UK government to give rule nothing out. her the power to call one. Right: Pro-Scottish “I don’t want to reach that All Under One Banner, which describes itself as “open Independence activists, one point and I don’t think we are to everyone who desires an independent Scotland”, has dressed as a Star Wars near there, but there is a huge marches planned across Scotland throughout the sum- Stormtrooper and wearing a programme of work to increase mer, culminating in an event in Edinburgh on October 5. tartan kilt, march through the the proportion of children that Writing in the National on Friday, organisers alerted streets of Glasgow. are vaccinated. attendees to the possible presence of counter-demon- “If you don’t vaccinate your strations along the route. children, it is not only your child “Marchers can either ignore the counter-demonstra- that is at risk, it is also other tors or smile and wave … our movement doesn’t need children, including children who any negative publicity,” they said. for medical reasons can’t be vac- Traffi c Scotland advised drivers to plan ahead as ac- cinated. cess to the M8 motorway would be shut off through the “Vaccination is good for you, city centre. good for your child, good for Meanwhile, SNP activists were distributing half a mil- your neighbour and your com- lion “Stop Brexit” fl yers across the country on the fi rst of munity.” three campaign Saturdays in the run-up to the European Hancock also told the Times: elections. “Those who have promoted the The party’s spring conference, held in Edinburgh last anti-vaccination myth are mor- weekend, called on voters to use the EU elections as an ally reprehensible, deeply ir- opportunity to reinforce Scotland’s support for remain- responsible and have blood on ing in the EU. their hands.” Two polls, by YouGov and Panelbase, have suggested Earlier this week, a Labour MP the SNP will win three or four of Scotland’s six European said the government should look seats, reducing Labour and the Tories to one each. at making failure to immunise YouGov showed the SNP on course for 40% of the children a criminal off ence. vote. During a debate in the Com- Sturgeon told the conference: “As voters go to the polls mons to mark world immunisa- for the European elections on May 23, our message will tion week, Paul Sweeney warned be clear and direct. And unlike Labour’s, it will be un- Pro-Scottish Independence activists march in mediaeval the “creeping cynicism” around ambiguous. Scotland’s not for Brexit, Scotland’s for Eu- costume, including one dressed as the King of Scots with A police off icer stands on duty near pro-Union demonstrators flying Union flags as they vaccinations was a “critical na- rope.” the Royal Arms of Scotland, through Glasgow. demonstrate against Pro-Scottish Independence activists marching through Glasgow. tional emergency”. Gulf Times 20 Sunday, May 5, 2019 EUROPE Erdogan signals he backs re-run of Istanbul vote

Reuters offi cials in Istanbul to investigate Enough already,” Erdogan said. on their own benefi ts,” Oztrak “Claiming that Tayyip Erdogan Ankara their respective ballot box offi - “There is a controversy here, told a news conference in Ankara. is trying to steal an election he cials in its interim rulings. it’s clear. There is an irregularity “There is only one thing that can has no right to is the biggest in- Prosecutors on Thursday here, that’s clear too. Let’s go to clear the YSK. That is for it to act sult,” Erdogan said. “We are not urkish President Recep launched probes into allegations the people and see what they say in line with its regulations and hurling threats, we’re just wait- Tayyip Erdogan has sig- of irregularities in Istanbul and and whatever the outcome, we previous rulings.” ing.” Tnalled that he backs a re- summoned more than 100 poll- will accept it.” The uncertainty over the re- While the CHP’s Ekrem Ima- run of mayoral elections in Is- ing station offi cials for question- Erdogan had accused the op- sults in Istanbul, which accounts moglu took offi ce as Istanbul’s tanbul which resulted in a narrow ing as suspects, in a move the opposition of supporting “terror- for around a third of the coun- new mayor last month, the AKP victory for the main opposition position CHP said would not alter ism” and labelled the local elec- try’s economy, has kept fi nancial won 25 of the city’s 39 districts Republican People’s Party (CHP) the results of the vote. tion a “matter of survival” for markets on edge, as Turkey tries and the majority of seats in the for the fi rst time in 25 years. Speaking to Turkish business- Turkey during his campaign, to recover from a currency crisis municipal council. Erdogan’s ruling AK Party people in Istanbul, Erdogan said which was held amid growing that saw the lira lose more than It has said that this proved ir- (AKP), which also lost control of that the Istanbul elections were disenchantment among voters 30% of its value last year. regularities had taken place. the capital Ankara in the March 31 marred by irregularities and over economic woes. On Friday, CHP leader Kemal Speaking to his supporters local elections, has already fi led called on the YSK to make a de- CHP spokesman Faik Oztrak Kilicdaroglu said the Istanbul yesterday, Imamoglu said the an appeal to Turkey’s High Elec- cision that would eliminate con- told reporters later that it was elections had become a test of AKP appeals were unreasonable. tion Board (YSK) to annul and re- troversies and “clear its name”. time for Erdogan and his AKP to democracy. “So the 25 districts are all run the election in Istanbul due to “My people tell me the elec- accept defeat. He accused the AKP of exert- clean, the municipal council what it says were irregularities. tions should be renewed. I have “The real matter of survival ing political pressure on the YSK votes are perfect, but when it The YSK is expected to rule on not spoken until now, I’ve been here is those who put aside the to order a re-run of the vote. comes to the mayorship, there is Erdogan: There is a controversy here, it’s clear. There is an irregularity the AKP challenge tomorrow, but silent. people’s concerns about food Erdogan said his party was only an irregularity. We can only laugh here, that’s clear too. Let’s go to the people and see what they say and it has ordered district electoral “But everyone else has spoken. prices, wages and focus instead exercising its legal rights. at this,” Imamoglu said. whatever the outcome, we will accept it.

UN meet on nature Lowest turnout reported wraps up, report due for ‘yellow vest’ protests tomorrow

AFP Binoche won an Oscar for her ing a paving stone at them. AFP Paris role in The English Patient while Interior Minister Christophe Paris Beart is perhaps best known in- Castaner said on Friday that if ternationally for her role in the anyone was at fault they would ilm stars Juliette Bino- fi rst Mission Impossible fi lm. be punished. iplomats and scientists che and Emmanuelle Beart Offi cial estimates suggested However, he is under pres- from 132 nations wrapped Fjoined hundreds of people that the turnout for yesterday’s sure himself after acknowledg- Dup six days of negotia- from the arts world in backing marches was down, in the wake ing on Friday that he had been tions in Paris yesterday over the France’s “yellow vests” move- of the May Day rallies when wrong to call an incident at the wording of a landmark report on ment, as the latest anti-govern- many “yellow vest” activists Paris Pitie-Salpetriere hospital the dire state of Nature and its ment marches took place yester- joined the traditional trade un- an “attack”. impact on humanity, a UN offi - day. ion march. Video footage and accounts cial told AFP. Binoche and Beart joined The interior ministry said from hospital personnel and The bombshell executive more than 1,400 signatories to 18,900 people demonstrated demonstrators suggest that pro- summary of a 1,800-page tome an open letter published in the across France, 1,460 of them testers had been fl eeing riot po- crafted by more than 400 ex- left-leaning daily Liberation. in Paris – well down on their lice. perts – the fi rst UN global as- Entitled Yellow Vests: we are count for the previous weekend, And yesterday, more than 30 sessment of the natural world not fooled!, it denounced what when they said 23,600 turned up people arrested inside the hos- in 15 years – will be unveiled to- it said were attempts to discredit across the country. pital grounds held a news con- morrow (Monday, May 6). the movement. The “yellow vest” organisers, ference to say that all they had Draft copies of both docu- It also backed the demands who regularly dismiss the accu- done was “fl ee the ultra-violent ments obtained by AFP leave no of the protesters, which it said racy of the offi cial count, put the police”. doubt that the fi nal Summary for included calls for greater social turnout across France yesterday Several placards at yesterday’s Policymakers will paint a pic- and fi scal justice, and radical at 40,291. demonstrations denounced ture of widespread destruction measures to tackle what they The day’s marches were rela- Castaner as a “liar”. wrought by man, some of it ir- called an ecological emergency. tively calm, with only a handful In the northwestern city of reparable. The open letter condemned of arrests and eight people de- Metz, meanwhile, “yellow vest” The report is likely to reveal what it said were the increas- tained in Paris. Riot police monitor protesters taking part in a march called by the ‘yellow vest’ (Gilets jaunes) protesters and ecologists joined that up to 1mn of Earth’s esti- ingly repressive measures taken In the southwest city of Bor- movement in Bordeaux yesterday, the 25th consecutive Saturday of nationwide protests against the forces in a march ahead of a mated 8mn species face extinc- against the movement, noting deaux, where support for the government. meeting there of G7 environ- tion, many within decades. that international organisations movement has been strong, ment ministers today and to- Many scientists have conclud- such as United Nations and the 61-year-old teaching assist- At Charles de Gaulle airport, days after Wednesday’s May Day appear to show police violence morrow. ed that the planet has already European Union had already ex- ant Jose acknowledged that the meanwhile, around 20 “yel- protests, and the fallout over against May Day protesters. Police said that about 3,000 entered a period of so-called pressed their concern. movement was running out of low vest” protesters handed out the violence was still being dis- In one, an offi cer appears to people turned out for the march, “mass extinction”, the fi rst since Binoche and Beart were steam a little. leafl ets objecting to government cussed. push his truncheon inside the while the organisers – an alli- the demise of non-avian dino- among the most prominent sig- “That’s 25 weeks that we have plans to privatise Aeroports The IGPN, which investi- trousers of an arrested man. ance of around 40 environmen- saurs some 66mn years ago, and natories, which also included put our life on hold for a bit to at de Paris (ADP), which runs the gates allegations of police mis- Another shows a helmeted of- tal and grass-roots groups – put only the sixth in half-a-billion directors, scriptwriters and least get back a minimum of dig- capital’s three airports. conduct, is looking at three fi cer hitting a protester, while a the fi gure at between 4,500 and years. composers. nity,” he said. Yesterday’s protests come just incidents caught on video that third shows another offi cer hurl- 5,000. The draft reports also details the ways in which humanity’s growing footprint and appe- tites have deeply compromised Earth’s capacity to renew resources upon which civilisation Historic mosque destroyed depends, beginning with fresh water, breathable air, productive soil and the natural pollination of food crops. in Bosnian war reopens “The evidence is incontest- able,” Robert Watson, chairman of the Intergovernmental Sci- Reuters ence-Policy Platform on Biodi- Foca, Bosnia versity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), told delegates as the meeting got underway. housands of Muslims “Our destruction of biodi- fl ocked to the town of versity and ecosystem services TFoca yesterday for the has reached levels that threaten reopening of a historic mosque our well-being at least as much levelled at the beginning of the as human-induced climate Bosnian war, in a ceremony change.” aimed at encouraging religious The heavily-negotiated text tolerance between deeply di- does not make explicit policy vided communities. recommendations, but will The 16th century Aladza serve “as a basis for redefi ning Mosque was one of the most our objectives” ahead of a key prominent masterpieces of meeting of the UN Convention classical Ottoman architecture on Biological Diversity in China in the Balkans before its de- next Fall, said co-author Yunne struction in the 1992-95 war by Jai Shin, a researcher at the Re- Bosnian Serb forces trying to search Institute for Develop- carve out an ethnically “pure” Stones from the old Aladza Mosque are seen in Foca. ment in Marseilles. state. The eastern town of Foca became notorious for the mass German police shut down major ‘darknet’ illegal trading site persecution and killings of non- Serbs that took place there dur- German police have shut down one of the world’s The operators allegedly received commissions of 2% ing the confl ict. largest illegal online markets in the so-called to 6% of the sales value. Before the war, the Bosnian Muslims wait for an opening ceremony of renewed Aladza Mosque, which was demolished at the darkweb and arrested the three men allegedly German police had on April 23 and 24 arrested the Muslims, or Bosniaks, made up beginning of the Bosnian war, in Foca. running it, prosecutors said on Friday. three German suspects aged 22 to 31 in the states 51% of its 41,000 residents with The operation involved Europol, Dutch police and of Hesse, Baden-Wuerttemberg and North Rhine- the remainder mostly Serbs. Nestled in the valley by the structed mosque off ered hope fi nanced by the governments of the FBI and also led to the arrests of two major Westphalia. Today, among some 18,000 Drina river, Aladza was one of 17 for the return of pre-war resi- Turkey and the US. suppliers of illegal narcotics in the US, they said. They also seized servers, over €550,000 (about residents, just over 1,000 Bos- Ottoman mosques in Foca. dents and “a new beginning in “Aladza should serve as a The illicit “Wall Street Market” site enabled trade $600,000) in cash, and hundreds of Bitcoin and niaks remain. Five of them were destroyed Foca”. monument to resilience, recon- in cocaine, heroin, cannabis and amphetamines as Monero, as well as several vehicles and a gun. “Everything that was con- during World War II, while the Twenty four years on from ciliation and diversity,” said US well as stolen data, fake documents and malicious The police operation started after Finnish authorities nected to Islam, its civilisation 12 remaining were demolished the devastating war between ambassador Eric Nelson. software. shut down the illegal Tor trade site Silkkitie (Valhalla) or culture was destroyed,” said during the 1990 war. its Muslim Bosniaks, Orthodox Turkish Culture Minister Me- The encrypted platform had more than 1mn earlier this year, said Europol. 65-year-old Muslim worshipper During the war, Bosnian Serbs Serbs and Catholic Croats, Bos- hmet Nuri Ersoy said reopening customer accounts, over 5,000 registered sellers This had led some Finnish narcotics traders to move Sulejman Dzamalija. authorities renamed the town nia remains split along ethnic of the mosque demonstrates and more than 60,000 sales off ers, Frankfurt to the Wall Street Market. Sacred items dumped on rub- Srbinje, but Bosnia’s top court lines, with rival groups blocking that “racism and hatred can prosecutors said. In the United States, an investigation in Los Angeles bish tips have been restored and ordered the reinstatement of the reconciliation and reform need- make material damage but can- The site was accessed through the encrypted Tor led to the arrests of two of the highest-selling built into the mosque “to mark original name of Foca in 2004. ed to join the European Union. not destroy culture of co-exist- network to shield customers from detection and suppliers of narcotics, and the seizure of illegal the start of a new era in this part Mohamed Jusic, the Foca as- Work on rebuilding the ence nourished for centuries”. transactions were made with crypto currencies weapons as well as millions of dollars in cash, said of the country,” he said. sembly speaker, said the recon- mosque started in 2012 and was Bitcoin and Monero. German authorities. Gulf Times Sunday, May 5, 2019 21 INDIA

Shatrughan defends campaigning for his wife in Lucknow

IANS candidate from Patna Sahib in He said that he had been they have no objection. For me, commitment to the people that I would visit the place regularly tenor of his campaign, Sinha Lucknow Bihar, has been facing flak for hearing about protests from it has always been family first,” I will not change the location of and people there treat me as said: “Of course, I will place my not campaigning for the Con- Lucknow Congress candidate he added. my election which is Patna Sa- family. For them I am the ‘Bihari side of the story about why I left gress in Lucknow. Acharya Pramod Krishnam but Moreover, he said: “I have hib,” he explained. Babu’,” he stated. the BJP after almost three dec- ctor-turned-politician He told IANS in an exclusive “no one from the senior rank in completed the ‘pati-dharam’ In Patna Sahib, Sinha is pit- Asked whether he would ades because a lot of rubbish is and Congress leader interview yesterday: “I do not the party has spoken to me on by campaigning in Lucknow ted against federal Law Minis- campaign for the Congress too, on the propaganda machine. AShatrughan Sinha has understand why this controversy this issue because they all know and Poonam will undertake her ter Ravi Shankar Prasad and the the actor-turned-politician “I will also underline the said he has done no wrong in is being unnecessarily stoked. the facts”. ‘patni-dharam’ by campaigning competition is said to be tough. said: “I have been campaigning need for change and the impor- campaigning for his wife Poon- “When I joined the Congress “Even the Samajwadi Party for me in Patna.” “I will now be stationed in across the length and breadth tance of my party Congress. I am Sinha, who is the Samajwadi last month, I had told the party has been informed that once the Sinha said that he had been Patna which is my home. Even of the country for the Congress have never indulged in negative candidate for the Lucknow Lok leadership that I would support Lucknow polling is over on May offered the Lucknow seat sever- when I joined films in Mum- and will be available whenever campaigning but if others throw Sabha seat. and campaign for my wife and 6, my wife Poonam will be cam- al months ago by the Samajwadi bai five decades ago, I main- and wherever required.” mud on me, I have the right to Sinha, who is the Congress they had agreed.” paigning for me in Patna and Party. “But I had already made a tained my relations with Patna. Talking about the tone and wipe it off.” Congress and SP betraying Mayawati, says Modi

IANS Bharatiya Janata Party and Con- Lucknow gress were seen campaigning there fi ercely. BJP president Amit Shah held rime Minister Narendra a road show for Textiles Min- Modi yesterday said that ister Smriti Irani. Several Uttar Pthe Congress and Sama- Pradesh ministers and senior jwadi Party were playing games party leaders participated in the with Bahujan Samaj Party chief event. Mayawati’s confi dence. Shah said Gandhi, who is The BSP and Samajwadi Party, seeking a re-election from the once bitter rivals, have formed an Lok Sabha seat in Amethi, had alliance to fi ght the current Lok failed to ensure development of Sabha elections. the constituency and asked peo- Addressing an election rally ple to let the lotus (BJP symbol) in Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh, bloom there. Modi said: “Congress leaders are Irani recalled the absenteeism happily sharing stage with Sa- of Gandhi from his constituency. majwadi Party in rallies. These Congress general secretary Prime Minister Narendra Modi with federal minister Ram Vilas Paswan, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and others attends a public rally in people have betrayed “Behenji’ Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also Valmiki Nagar in Bihar yesterday. (Mayawati) so cunningly that in Amethi where she addressed a she cannot even see through the series of meetings during the day. game. A party that was staking She listed the projects that had claim to the prime minister’s been withdrawn from Amethi af- post before polling began is now ter the Modi government came to admitting to being a vote cutter.” power and rebutted allegations Modi said that the “SP-BSP alli- by Irani that the Congress chief ance had fi ve evils - corruption, does not visit his constituency. instability, communalism, dy- “She (Irani) has come here 16 BJP running a panicky nasty and misrule”. times in the past four years and Citing a newspaper report he that too, for four hours each. Ra- claimed that Congress president hulji has come almost double the Rahul Gandhi’s one-time busi- time and has spent more time ness partner had received off set with you,” Priyanka said. contracts during the UPA regime She accused the BJP of giv- in the Rafale deal. ing Rs20,000 bribes to people in campaign, says Rahul Modi also said that several Amethi. summonses had been sent to “This is wrong... While the IANS realised it was not good enough of the country,” he said. He was responding to a ques- pressure is committing a crime,” Gandhi but he had not respond- Congress is distributing its elec- New Delhi and came up with Vikas (devel- The Congress chief also action on the poll panel giving a Gandhi said. ed. “He is probably waiting for tion manifesto, the BJP is send- opment). cused the Modi government of clean chit to Modi over his Vara- Meanwhile, former army chief the Congress to come to power so ing Rs20,000 each to the village “When the prime minister is demonetising the Indian econ- nasi speech on armed forces and General V K Singh said the Con- that the cases could be wrapped heads.” She said the BJP is under ongress president Rahul asked why we have the highest omy and said that the Congress dubbing Congress as sinking gress was lying about surgical up,” the prime minister said. the misconception that it can Gandhi yesterday said unemployment rate in the last will remonetise the economy Titanic ship in Maharashtra’s strikes and demanded clarifi ca- Meanwhile, campaigning buy the people’s love. CPrime Minister Narendra 45 years or why 37,000 youths through the NYAY minimum in- Nanded district. tion on operations carried out came to an end yesterday in 51 She said: “The BJP’s inten- Modi was scared of his defeat are losing jobs every 24 hours, come guarantee scheme. “The style of functioning of during his tenure as the Chief of constituencies spread over seven tions are bad and their policies in the elections and the ruling he diverts the issue and takes “We will remonetise the econ- Modi and the RSS is to hold the Army Staff (COAS). states which will go to the polls are limited to benefi ting some Bharatiya Janata Party was run- them to the sea plane model in omy as the middle class will be institutions. It is visible on the “The Congress has the habit tomorrow in the fi fth phase of industrialists. They don’t waive ning a panicky campaign. Gujarat. allowed to start their businesses Supreme Court, Election Com- of lying. Will you please let me the mega seven-phase electoral off farmers’ debt, but in fi ve “I see a scared prime minis- “It is his nature to run away for three years, which will create mission, Reserve Bank of India know which ‘so called surgical exercise. years the party has waived off the ter, unable to face the onslaught when pressurised,” Gandhi said. jobs and business,” he added. and everywhere else,” Gandhi strike’ you are attributing to dur- Election rallies and street cor- Rs5.50 lakh crore debt of these of the opposition. I see a prime “The Congress has now de- Gandhi accused the Election said. ing my tenure as the COAS? I am ner meetings ended in 14 con- industrialists.” minister who is absolutely con- molished Modi. The structure Commission (EC) of being “bi- He added that he did not ex- sure you must have hired some stituencies in Uttar Pradesh, 12 in In other developments, Punjab vinced that he is trapped and that is standing is hollow and ased” against the opposition and pect the poll panel to be not af- Coupta (in a jibe at journalist Rajasthan, seven each in Madhya Chief Minister Amarinder Singh not going to win. I see a panicky it shall fall in next 15-20 days,” said that capturing of institu- fected by that pressure. Shekhar Gupta) to invent anoth- Pradesh and West Bengal, fi ve in yesterday welcomed former state campaign,” Gandhi said at a press Gandhi said. tions will have a negative eff ect in “All these institutional capture er story,” the minister of state for Bihar and four in Jharkhand. unit secretary Sukhraj Singh conference here. “The economy has been de- the future. that has been taking place will external aff airs tweeted. Campaigning also ended in Natt back into the party. He said that the Congress will stroyed... We are trying to defend “Where there are matters of have negative consequences in Singh served as the army chief Ladakh, Pulwama and Shopian The mass re-entry of lead- easily defeat the BJP this time. it by speaking to people of the the BJP, the Election Commis- the future. from 2010 to 2012. districts in Jammu and Kashmir. ers like Natt exemplifi es massive Gandhi said he did not see a country. The voice of people can- sion is on a straight line and on “We cannot allow Indian insti- The Congress had recently Amethi in Uttar Pradesh was support at grassroots for Con- strategic campaign by the BJP. not be suppressed. Leave Rahul the matters of the opposition, it tutions to be disturbed, control- said six surgical strikes were car- the focus of election activity gress Party’s secular and inclu- “They started with national se- Gandhi, Modi also cannot stand in is completely biased,” the Con- led and crushed. And anybody ried out during the United Pro- yesterday. Leaders of both the sive agenda, Singh said. curity but half way through they front of the voice of lakhs of people gress leader said. who colludes and falls to this gressive Alliance’s tenure. Deserted by MLAs, AAP’s Parties blame BJP for Punjab unit a sinking ship attack on Kejriwal IANS Dal chief, said the slap will ensure New Delhi the defeat of the BJP. IANS Except Bathinda, the AAP had elections, the AAP finished “The BJP has made politics in Chandigarh won the other three seats in 2014 second as the main opposition the country very dirty in the last with a vote share of 24.4%. party with 20 legislators in the am Aadmi Party and sev- fi ve years. It will take years now to The PDA, a six-party coali- Congress-ruled 117-member eral other parties yesterday cleanse politics in our country,” he he Aam Aadmi Party tion, was formed by Sukhpal assembly. Of the 20, eight have Ablamed the Bharatiya Janata tweeted. (AAP) had emerged as a Singh Khaira, who led the rebel- defected so far. Party for the attack on Delhi Chief Trinamool Congress chief and Tdark horse in Punjab in the lion against AAP chief Arvind The latest dissident MLA to Minister Arvind Kejriwal during West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata 2014 Lok Sabha elections, win- Kejriwal after being removed quit the AAP is Amarjit Singh a road show in New Delhi, calling Banerjee condemned the attack. ning four seats and stunning ri- from the post of leader of oppo- Sandoya. He joined the Congress it yet another instance of “negli- “Political vandalism. Political vals with its performance in the sition in the Punjab assembly. yesterday and alleged he was gence” in the security of the AAP goondaism. Political vendetta. Ma- nine other seats. But it’s a diff er- They aim to defeat the AAP, feeling disenchanted due to the leader. ligning and attacking opposition ent story this time. which is contesting all 13 seats top AAP leadership’s high-hand- The AAP said the “opposition- leaders show that BJP has lost the The infi ghting-ridden party is with a mix of youth, experienced ed approach towards Punjab. sponsored attack” won’t be able to election and is making desperate struggling to save its sinking ship and trusted hands, and emerge as Welcoming Sandoya into the stop the party in Delhi. attempts. We condemn the attack with several leaders either quit- the third alternative in the state. Congress-fold, Chief Minister Delhi goes to the polls on May on Arvind Kejriwal... we are all with ting or being suspended in the The trouble began when two Amarinder Singh said the Con- 12 in the sixth phase of the gen- you, Arvind,” she tweeted. last four years. AAP MPs, cardiologist Gandhi gress had got a major boost due eral election. The AAP is contesting Former minister Yashwant Sinha, AAP’s four prominent rebels (Patiala) and Harinder Singh to exodus in opposition parties in against the BJP and Congress. Rashtriya Janata Dal leaders Tejashwi – sitting Patiala MP Dharam- Khalsa (Fatehgarh Sahib), were the state. Deputy Chief Minister and AAP Yadav, Tanweer Hassan and Manoj vira Gandhi, former leader of suspended from the party in May Suspended AAP legislator leader Manish Sisodia said Kejri- Jha too condemned the attack. opposition Sukhpal Khaira, MLA 2015 for “anti-party activities”. Kanwar Sandhu said, “In this wal has remained “unstoppable” in The Delhi police said the attacker Baldev Singh and Punjabi sing- Likewise, the AAP removed its election, the AAP is a low key the last few years, and alleged that was an AAP supporter and worked er-turned-politician Jassi Jasraj then state unit chief Sucha Singh player in the state and is not get- “(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi as an organiser of party’s rallies and – are contesting from Patiala, Chhotepur, who played a crucial ting the response it got in the and (BJP chief Amit) Shah are trying meetings. Bathinda, Faridkot and Sangrur role in strengthening the party’s 2014 and 2017 polls. At that time to kill Kejriwal”. Kejriwal has been attacked multi- Lok Sabha seats as the Punjab base in the state, on fl imsy brib- people were looking for a change. AAP spokesperson Saurabh ple times. Last year, he was attacked Democratic Alliance (PDA) can- ery charges in August 2016. Now they are upset with the in- AAP supporters try to stop a man who slapped Arvind Kejriwal during a Bhardwaj too blamed the BJP. with chilli powder outside his offi ce didates. In the February 2017 state fi ghting in the AAP”. road show in Delhi yesterday. Sharad Yadav, Loktantrik Janata in Delhi Secretariat. Gulf Times 22 Sunday, May 5, 2019 INDIA

INVESTIGATION ADVENTURE CRACKDOWN DENIAL JUDICIARY Court reserves order on Indian family skydives over 159 students held from ‘No proof of Lanka bombers Arrest warrant issued Swamy plea in Pushkar case Amsterdam, sets new record resort for drug abuse getting trained in Kashmir’ against Saudi businessman

A New Delhi court yesterday reserved its An Indian family, including 10-year-old twin Police arrested 159 students from an unlicensed A top intelligence off icer refuted a claim by Sri A Delhi court yesterday issued an open- order on an appeal by Bharatiya Janata Party boys, have set a new record for family skydiving, resort in Tamil Nadu’s Pollachi early yesterday Lankan army chief Mahesh Senanayake’s that ended non-bailable warrant against a Saudi MP Subramanian Swamy seeking to bring a as they jumped out of a plane over Amsterdam. for alleged drug abuse, off icials said. According some of the 12 suicide bombers who carried Arabian businessman in connection with the Delhi police report on record in the Sunanda They are Shital Mahajan-Rane, her husband to the police, a large number of college out the Easter Sunday attacks were trained in Rs3,600-crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper Pushkar death case. The court was hearing Vaibhav Rane, both professional skydivers, and students, mostly from Kerala, gathered at the Kashmir. Speaking to IANS, the off icer, who did deal case. Special Judge Arvind Kumar arguments against Congress MP Shashi their twins Vrushabh and Vaibhav. “We have Agri Nest resort in Pollachi on Friday to party. not wish to be named, said: “We have no such allowed the Enforcement Directorate’s (EC) Tharoor, accused of abetment in the suicide of set two new records – first time ever an Indian However, loud music throughout the night and information. The Sri Lankan intelligence has not plea seeking issuing of the warrant against his wife Pushkar. Special Judge Arun Bhardwaj civilian family has skydived together, and our a drunken brawl among the students disturbed sent us any input on this so that we can work on Omar al-Balsharaf. According to the agency, said he would pass its order on May 13. Swamy two sons becoming the youngest twins doing the neighbours, who complained to the police. those links. As far as our information and inputs Balsharaf’s questioning was required to unearth told the court that there was certain evidence their first tandem jump,” Shital, a recipient of the The police then raided the resort and saw some are concerned, there is nothing to prove that any the conspiracy related to some suspected which was required in the case. He said some Padma Shri, said yesterday. They accomplished of the students drunk while others seemed to of the suicide bombers involved in the attacks transactions. The ED said its investigation people had gone to “extraordinary extent” to the feat on Friday from a Super Caravan 206 have taken narcotic substances. Police have in Sri Lanka had visited Kashmir in connection revealed that Interstellar Technologies “make sure that the evidence was destroyed.” aircraft flying at a height of around 13,000ft, she seized the vehicles of the students. The resort’s with any subversive activity or for obtaining Ltd Mauritius transferred $5303,471 to the But Tharoor’s lawyer Vikas Pahwa opposed the added. “Our sons celebrated their 10th birthday owner is absconding. According to the police, terror training.” Backing the off icer’s statement, account of Rawasi al-Khaleej General Trading plea and said that Swamy had no locus in the on April 26 and it was their desire to make their the students contacted each other over social a Home Ministry off icial said, “Sri Lanka hasn’t LLC, Dubai, but the amount was maintained case because he was neither associated with first skydiving jump. So we came to Amsterdam media to organise the party for which each paid shared any such information with us. Sri Lankan under the ledger head Balsharaf. This the prosecution nor with the accused or the last week and fulfilled their birthday wish,” Rs1,200. Meanwhile, the district administration security agencies have themselves ruled out this transaction raised many questions and it needs victim. Shital said. has sealed the resort. possibility after investigation.” clarification, the agency said. Govt urges SC to reject plea for review of Rafale deal

IANS top court judgment passed on New Delhi December 14, 2018, was well- reasoned, wherein it gave a clean chit to the government on the he government yesterday procurement of 36 Rafale fi ghter urged the Supreme Court jets from France, and it could not Tto reject a demand for a be re-examined merely on the review of the controversial Ra- ground of stolen documents, re- fale deal. vealing incomplete fi le notings. In a fresh affi davit, the govern- This affi davit was fi led after ment told the court the demand the court issued a formal notice “ought to be dismissed with to the government on the review exemplary costs” as it signifi es petitions fi led on its December “complete misuse and abuse of 2018 judgment. the legal process”. The government said the in- The government expressed formation submitted before the its commitment to provide the top court in terms of various court any document. It said it orders passed from time to time had submitted access to all fi les, while hearing the main writ pe- A view of the Bhubaneswar airport in Odisha that suff ered significant damage due to the impact of the cyclonic storm Fani, yesterday. notings, letters, etc, related to tition “was based on contents procurement “including the full of offi cial documents and pro- pricing details” to the Comptrol- duced before this court with the ler ansd Auditor General (CAG). approval of competent author- The affi davit cited the CAG re- ity”. port on the deal, “…the price of It said the submissions of the 36 Rafale is 2.86% lower than the applicants – Prashant Bhushan, audit aligned price, apart from Arun Shourie, and Yashwant additional benefi ts, which would Sinha – were bereft of any “par- UN, experts praise India accrue because of change from ticulars; they are scandalous fi rm and fi xed pricing to non- and false and baseless to say the fi rm price.” least”. The government also told the Earlier, the top court had said court that monitoring of the that it was not its job to go into progress by the Prime Minister’s the issue of pricing. The bench over response to cyclone Offi ce (PMO) of this – govern- headed by Chief Justice Ran- ment-to-government process jan Gogoi said that there was AFP evacuate the stricken population Alerts asking residents to stay up, thanks to an army of 45,000 modelling, allowed forecasters - “cannot be construed as inter- no need to conduct an inves- New Delhi and some 10,000 people were indoors and follow the do’s and volunteers. to track Fani’s progress and wind ference or parallel negotiations”. tigation into the pricing of the killed. don’ts were issued repeatedly Emergency workers are now profi les in the upper atmosphere. The government expressed its fi ghter jets. This time, improved fore- on TV and radio, and broadcast focusing on restoring damaged Denis McClean, a spokesper- commitment on the transpar- The government said that the N and other experts yes- casting models, public aware- through loudspeakers in public infrastructure, including power son for UNISDR (United Na- ency regarding the deal. “statements by the applicants terday praised India for ness campaigns and well-drilled places. and telecom lines, and clearing tions International Strategy for “The government remains that the judgment being a fruit Uits early warning systems evacuation plans – backed up The UN Offi ce for Disaster Risk roads. Disaster Reduction), said “the committed to provide to this of poisonous tree must be re- and rapid evacuation of more by an army of responders and Reduction (UNDRR) praised the Mahesh Palawat, the vice- almost pinpoint accuracy” of court any document or fi le, called, brings this court to dis- than 1mn people, which they said volunteers – has seen Odisha’s government’s “eff ective” evacu- president of meteorology at pri- the early warnings from the which it desires to peruse,” the repute and lowers its image and helped minimise loss of life from inhabitants spared the worst of ation, saying it had “saved many vate forecaster Skymet, said the IMD had enabled the authori- affi davit said. majesty of law”. a deadly cyclone that battered its Fani’s fury. lives”. early warnings had been vital in ties to “conduct a well-targeted It also slammed the review The government buttressed eastern coast. Only 12 people have been killed The state government in Odi- allowing authorities to plan in evacuation plan.” petitioners’ attempt “to call for it is decision on the deal, and Cyclone Fani, one of the big- by the cyclone in India – which sha along with national disaster advance. Social media users also lauded production of the documents stated the Cabinet Committee gest to hit India in years, tore into escaped being hit by a major response teams and volunteers “From April 25 onwards we the Indian authorities for avert- and in the process try and at- on Security (CCS) – the highest Odisha on Friday, leaving a trail storm surge – and at least 160 in- have worked in tandem to carry (the Indian Meteorological De- ing a mass human disaster, de- tempt to get a roving or fi shing decision making body in defence of devastation across the coastal jured, local media reported. out evacuations and set up safe partment and Skymet) had been spite the fact that a densely pop- inquiry ordered” as gross abuse matters - and also Defence Ac- state of 46mn people before As soon as it became clear this shelters. monitoring the track and inten- ulated region was in the eye of the of the legal process. quisition Council (DAC) – the swinging towards Bangladesh. week that Fani was on course to Workers have been equipped sity of the cyclone continuously, storm. The government also in- highest decision making body in In 1999, the same state was hit hit Odisha, emergency teams be- with satellite phones and infl at- what time it would make landfall “Credit goes to #India au- formed the court that it “has no the Ministry of Defence – have by a devastating 30-hour super- gan the mammoth task of evacu- able boats along with food and and the probable points of land- thorities for their aggressive role in selection of Indian off set made the decision “keeping in cyclone that saw a storm surge ating those living in low-lying medicines to distribute in the fall,” Palawat said. pre-impact response, includ- partner, which is a commercial view all the facts of the case and sweep 20km inland. regions, moving 1.2mn residents storm’s aftermath. Numerical models, adopted by ing massive evacuations,” wrote decision of OEM.” the critical operational neces- Unprepared for the scale of the away from danger areas and in to Some 7,000 kitchens catering the IMD in 2014 to supplement Josh Morgerman, a US-based The government said that the sity of Indian Air Force”. disaster, authorities struggled to temporary shelters. to 9,000 shelters have been set the more traditional statistical cyclone expert. Iconic residential tower in Journalist’s allegations Mumbai to be auctioned defamatory, says Akbar IANS “Ramani’s tweet had adversely New Delhi aff ected my reputation,” Akbar IANS building is also situated, will go grand view of the Bandra Worli told the court. Mumbai under the hammer. Sea Link and other prominent Meanwhile, the two-hour-long The saga of Rs3,500-crore landmarks, has come up on the ormer minister M J Akbar hearing witnessed several inter- Palais Royale, in which some of erstwhile fi ve-acres Shree Ram recorded his statement in a ruptions as Luthra raised objec- n a major development, In- India’s high networth individu- Mills compound. FDelhi court yesterday say- tions on various questions asked diabulls Housing Finance als comprising big names from It followed the footsteps of ing that allegations by journalist by Ramani’s lawyer Rebecca John ILtd (IHFL) has decided to the business, glamour world, be- many other defunct textile mills Priya Ramani against him were while cross-examining Akbar. auction the iconic ‘Palais Roy- sides top professionals and NRIs that have blossomed into mega- defamatory and mala fi de. However, the court allowed ale’ building to recover dues have booked super-deluxe fl ats, housing complexes, malls, enter- The court was hearing the def- John to proceed, saying it was worth a whopping Rs971 crore started in 2009. tainment zones and commercial amation case against Ramani fi led a criminal defamation case and from the owners, industrialist The country’s tallest residen- plazas. by the former minister of state for “she has the liberty to defend Vikas Kasliwal, who runs the S tial skyscraper, standing at al- The Palais Royale episode be- external aff airs, and a Bharatiya herself”. Kumars textiles and apparels most 295m, is expected to have comes the second major embar- Janata Party (BJP) leader. When John asked Akbar company. more than 160 high-end apart- rassment for the well-known Ramani was the fi rst in a long whether he asked Ramani to meet The IHFL has issued an e- ments of which nearly 80% have Kasliwal family after the recent list of female journalists to accuse him at The Oberoi hotel in Mum- auction notice for sale of all the been sold out. collapse of the Reid & Taylor Akbar, a journalist-turned-poli- bai’s Nariman Point when she had fi xed assets of realty major Shree Later, there were problems luxury brand – headed by Ni- tician, of sexual harassment. gone for an interview at The Asian Ram Urban Infrastructure Ltd. with fi nances, a deal soured with tin Kasliwal, brother of Vikas – Yesterday, Additional Chief Age newspapers’s offi ce there in (SRUIL) and its guarantor Vikas another prominent realtor, seri- which is now facing liquidation. Metropolitan Magistrate Samar December 1993, he replied he Kasliwal. ous lapses and illegal construc- Industry sources, however, Vishal began examining Akbar’s could not recollect the incident. Three specifi c assets of SRUIL, tions detected by the Brihan- predict that given the current statement. Ramani’s lawyer also asked Ak- situated in the posh Worli area Mumbai Municipal Corporation dismal scenario in the realty During Akbar’s examination bar questions related to his politi- of Mumbai, which includes the that put brakes on the progress of market in Mumbai and elsewhere by his lawyer Geeta Luthra, the cal connections and raised que- property No 1, on which Palais the project that was to be com- in the country, it’s diffi cult to im- politician said that the allegations ries over his ideology, saying that Royale – India’s upcoming tallest pleted by 2012. agine who would dare to touch a were highly off ensive, mala fide, he had changed it several times in and most luxurious residential The majestic tower with a messy project like this. A view of the iconic Palais Royale building in Worli, Mumbai. false and fabricated. the course of his political career. Gulf Times Sunday, May 5, 2019 23 PAKISTAN Govt reverses recent

Prime Minister Khan: I am confident that the project will gather pace with each passing year. medicines price hike Internews the industry had allegedly in- rent rates of up to 500% more in However, he added that the Bait-ul-Mal to facilitate those Imran launches Islamabad creased the prices of some medi- the open market. ministry has started working on citizens who are unable to aff ord cines by between 100% and The estimated cumulative im- providing relief to the public in expensive medicines. 500%. pact and benefi t for consumers the long-term. “There will be zero tolerance he government of Pakistan Now, he said, an inquiry is be- after the decrease in prices is ex- Mirza further said that the regarding misconduct in running ‘Naya Pakistan’ announced that they have ing conducted to probe the sale pected to be around Rs1bn. ministry has decided to set up a the aff airs of the Drug Regulatory Tdecided to reverse the re- of medicines at increased prices Those companies that do not hotline where, after May 20, peo- Authority of Pakistan (DRAP),” cent increase in medicine prices, in the market against the govern- reduce prices of 395 drugs as per ple can call and lodge complaints Mirza said, adding that they in- to provide a cumulative relief of ment’s prices. the decision of the federal gov- about any increase in medicine tend to transform the regulatory scheme in Punjab Rs7bn to the public. To provide relief to the public, ernment will have to return the prices. authority into a model body. Companies that fail to comply Mirza said that the government profi ts which they have made Furthermore, he said that the Meanwhile, a representative with the government’s directives had decided to reverse the MRP from January 1 to May 15 this year. government has established a of the pharmaceutical industry PM reconstitutes cabinet erage,” the premier said. will have to return the profi ts increase in drug prices. Mirza added that the govern- pharmaceutical sector reforms stated that this will have a det- committee on state-owned The prime minister further they have made over the past fi ve He further announced the ment will be issuing another committee to ensure that further rimental impact on the industry enterprises said that only those societies months. withdrawal of the 9% in prices of SRO regarding the decision to relief is provided to the public and in turn patients. which care about its less privi- This was stated by Special As- medicine granted by the govern- decrease the prices of medicines, while addressing the genuine is- “No one is asking [what will Internews leged can progress. sistant to the Prime Minister for ment earlier this year. besides devising an enforcement sues of the industry. happen] if the industry stops Lahore/Islamabad “We need to work provid- Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza This, he said, would give pa- mechanism and a drug pricing Mirza further added that the making the products (lifesaving ing shelter to those who do not in what was his maiden news tients an estimated relief of Rs- system. government has planned an en- medicines) which are no longer have anywhere to live and food conference after taking over the 6bn to the consumers. He asked the pharmaceuti- forcement strategy for full im- profi table,” stated Waheed Kai- rime Minister Imran to those who are hungry,” he hot seat from Aamer Mahmood Mirza, who was with the World cal companies to ensure that es- plementation of its decision ser, a former chairman of the Pa- Khan has performed the said. Kiani. Health Organisation (WHO) be- sential medicines that have been made to control the prices of kistan Pharmaceutical Manufac- Pgroundbreaking of the Earlier, the premier held The minister said that through fore taking over the health set-up unavailable for a long time are medicines. turers Association (PPMA). Naya Pakistan Housing Pro- separate meetings with Punjab a Statutory Regulatory Order of the country, said that he had available by next week. He asked the pharmaceutical “If we stop making medicines, gramme in Punjab’s Okara. Chief Minister Usman Buzdar (SRO) issued on December 31, held detailed meetings with rep- A list of such medicines will industry to voluntarily reduce then we will have to import $17bn Addressing the ceremony, and Governor Mohamed Sar- 2018, the government had fi xed resentatives of the pharmaceuti- also be released soon, he said. the increased prices of medicines worth of medicines,” he added, the prime minister said that war to discuss important mat- the maximum retail price (MRP) cal industry, and it was decided Noting that the decisions were by May 20. noting that the price increase 5mn houses will be built in fi ve ters. of 889 medicines. that the industry would decrease made in view of public concerns Moreover, Mirza said that the granted by the government ear- years. The Punjab cabinet has al- The prices of 395 medicines the prices of 464 medicines that regarding the fast-rising prices government has decided to move lier in the year were hardship “This housing society will ready approved the release of were decreased, the prices of 464 had been increased after the gov- of medicines and directions from the courts for recovery of the cases. give a chance to those who Rs5bn to the Punjab Housing medicines were increased, and ernment issued the SRO last year. Prime Minister Imran Khan to “extra profi ts” made by the phar- He also contested the claim could never imagine owning and Town Planning Agency the prices of the remaining 30 With this decision, prices of give relief to the public, Mirza maceutical companies. whether the industry was taken a house of their own,” he said. for the Naya Pakistan Housing medicines were unchanged. around 50 medicines will come conceded that these were short- Any money recovered will be on board before the decision was “We are taking steps to uplift Programme. However, Mirza claimed that down to 75% of MRP from cur- term measures. submitted in the accounts of announced. the weak segments of the so- Meanwhile, in the aftermath ciety. The government is com- of failure of the Sarmaya-e- mitted to providing basic fa- Pakistan to make it operational cilities to the masses.” for reviving sick units, the “The private sector will in- prime minister has reconsti- Last check vest in this mega project while tuted the Cabinet Committee Shehbaz makes the government will play the on State-Owned Enterprises role of facilitator,” the premier (SOEs), with the inclusion of said, adding that several for- fi ve key ministers to make fresh eign companies have taken a eff orts to overcome losses of up major changes to great interest in investing in to Rs500bn rupees per annum. the housing sector. According to notifi cation The prime minister add- issued by Cabinet Division ed the scope of the housing on April 29, stating that the PML-N structure project is to spread to the whole prime minister was pleased country. to re-constitute the Cabinet “I am confi dent that the Committee on State-Owned Internews project will gather pace with Enterprises (CCoSOEs) with Islamabad each passing year, as Naya Pa- immediate eff ect, the commit- kistan Housing Authority has tee would be made up of the been established and all the prime minister, the minister for he Pakistan Muslim hurdles in the way have been power, the minister for privati- League – Nawaz (PML- removed with amendments sation, the adviser to the prime TN) president Shehbaz in the rules and regulations of minister on fi nance, revenues Sharif has restructured the State Bank of Pakistan.” and economic aff airs, the ad- party, a day after abandoning Moreover, Prime Minister viser to the prime minister on chairmanship of parliament’s Khan said that the government industry and production, and key accountability forum, the is executing diffi cult projects the adviser to the prime min- Public Accounts Committee that previous governments ister on institutional reforms (PAC). failed to undertake. and austerity. The restructuring was an- “The housing project will The Pakistan Tehreek-e-In- nounced after consultation enable the youth to establish saf (PTI)-led government had with the PML-N supremo construction companies. This attempted to replicate the Ma- Nawaz Sharif, hours after the Shehbaz Sharif: his son Hamza mega project will uplift forty laysian and Singapore models apex court rejected Nawaz’s has been appointed one of the industries allied to the con- to revive cash-bleeding SOEs plea seeking permanent bail on PML-N’s 122 vice-presidents. struction which will generate through the establishment of medical grounds, and permis- economic activity and job op- the Sarmaya-e-Pakistan Lim- sion to get medical treatment Shaza Fatima Khawaja has portunities for the youth.” ited (SPL), with the appoint- abroad. been deputed as the parlia- “The government is also ment of a board of directors led After the restructuring, mentary aff airs secretary, and bringing a programme for by the private sector. former prime minister Shahid Ayesha Raza Farooq as the katchi abadies, in which these Due to the lack of legal and Khaqan Abbasi has become membership and training sec- slums will be converted into institutional backing, the SPL the PML-N’s senior vice- retary. fl ats where people will have ac- could not achieve any appar- A man checks a cap for fit while shopping at a stall outside a mosque in Karachi yesterday, ahead of the president while former interior Romina Khursheed Alam has cess to basic amenities includ- ent progress so far since its ap- holy month of Ramadan. minister Ahsan Iqbal has be- been given the charge of hu- ing water, electricity and sew- proval in February. come the central general sec- man resources and civil society retary. secretary. For the fi rst time, Nawaz’s Chaudhry Riaz-ul-Haq has Electronic media daughter Maryam Nawaz, and been appointed as Kisaan Wing Shehbaz’s son Hamza Sheh- president, Kamran Michael authority auctions baz, have been appointed as as Minority Wing president, 58 TV licences Council warns of ‘complications’ in vice-presidents of the party. Mian Mannan as Traders Wing Other key positions have president, Musadik Malik as Despite an impression that the also been allocated to people Professionals Wing president, media industry is facing a severe regarded close to former pre- Nuzhat Amir Sadiq as Women crisis, the Pakistan Electronic legislation to ban child marriage mier Nawaz Sharif. Wing president, and Qaiser Media Regulatory Authority There will be a total of 122 Ahmed Sheikh as Business and (PEMRA) received good response vice-presidents, including Commerce Wing president. with regard to bidding for new Internews During the discussion on a Bilawal calls for an end to child marriages Abid Sher Ali, Ayaz Sadiq, Ramesh Singh Arora has television licences. Islamabad bill, which was originally moved Chuadhry Barjees Tahir, Dr been appointed as Minority During a two-day bidding by then-senator Seher Kamran, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Darshan Lal Punchi, Hamza Wing general secretary. process, 58 licences for satellite the CII’s research department has called for an end to child marriages in Pakistan. Shehbaz, Khawaja Saad Rafi q, The party’s Economic Advi- television channels were he Council of Islamic presented a detailed 10-page In a post on his Instagram page, he wrote: “We in Sindh [province] Khurram Dastgir, Maryam sory Council includes Shehbaz auctioned, and the highest off er Ideology (CII) has said report. have managed to save a 10-year-old girl above from marrying this man Nawaz, Mian Javed Latif, Mo- Sharif, Shahid Khaqan Ab- received in the news and current Tthat any legislation to The report detailed minimum [photo enclosed] because we have banned child marriage. It’s time for hamed Zubair, Mushahid Ullah basi, Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal, aff airs category was worth ban child marriage would lead age for marriage in 12 Muslim the rest of Pakistan to do the same.” Khan, Nelson Azeem, Pervaiz Khawaja Asif, Qaiser Ahmed Rs283.5mn. to complications, suggesting countries, along with the opin- Bilawal was referring to a recent attempt in Sindh to marry a minor to a Rashid, Raheela Durrani, Rana Sheikh, Mohamed Zubair, Mif- The PEMRA had off ered 70 to the government to instead ion of leading Islamic scholars 40-year-old man. Tanveer Hussain, and Sardar tah Ismail, Ayesha Ghaus-Pa- satellite television licences in launch an awareness campaign for and against setting the mini- The police of the province, where the PPP is in power, has arrested the Mehtab Ahmed Khan. sha, Mushahid Hussain Syed, seven categories: eight in news to discourage the trend of early mum age. groom and is in search of the girl’s father. Former fi nance minister Musadik Malik, Ali Pervez Ma- and current aff airs category, 27 marriages. After a three-hour debate, the Sindh outlawed under-age marriage in 2014, raising the minimum age Ishaq Dar, who is facing graft lik, and Bilal Azhar Kiyani. in entertainment, five in sports, The CII gave its input on two session agreed with [the late] of marriage for boys and girls to 18 years. cases and is living in self-exile Rana Sanaullah Khan is ap- two in agriculture, 12 in regional bills, one approved by the Sen- Mufti Mohamed Shafi that the However, a recent attempt to pass a similar law at the national level in London, has been appointed pointed as the PML-N Pun- languages, four in health, and ate that fi xes the minimum age trend of under-age marriage faced opposition from members of Imran Khan’s ruling Pakistan as president for international jab president, Sardar Awais 12 in education through an for marriage of a girl at 18 years, should not be encouraged. Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and politicians from religious parties, who termed aff airs. Leghari as general secretary, advertisement dated December while another bill which re- The CII agreed that under- the bill “un-Islamic”. Noor Ul Hassan Tanvir will and Hanif Abbasi as senior 25, 2018. mains pending in the National age marriages create problems. “The PTI says it is un-Islamic to ban child marriage,” Bilawal wrote on his be general secretary interna- vice-president. While an overwhelming Assembly. It concluded that “legislation Instagram page. “The UAE has set marriage age at 18. Indonesia has set tional aff airs. The vice-presidents include response was witnessed in all the The panel urged the govern- on this matter would also lead to marriage at 18. Turkey has set marriage age at 18. Are these not Muslim Baleeghur Rahman and At- Raja Ateeq Sarwar, Hafi z Nau- categories, many contestants in ment to address the causes, many complications”. countries?” taullah Tarar are deputy secre- man, Khawaja Salman Rafi , the entertainment category failed which lead to the marriage of It urged the government to tary generals, while Bilal Azhar and Raja Qamarul Islam. to meet the strict PEMRA criteria. under-aged girls. initiate an awareness campaign Kiyani, Farhan Zafar Jhagra, Azma Bukhari is appointed There were 37 contestants in “The better way to tackle the with the support of religious The statement came days af- tors had argued that the bill and Sorath Thebo are ap- as Punjab information secre- the category; however only 16 practice of child marriage is to scholars to curb this trend. ter the Senate passed the Child should be sent to the CII before pointed as assistant secretary tary. companies could qualify against start an awareness campaign It also called on the govern- Marriage Restraint (Amend- being tabled in the house. generals. Former fi nance minister the 27 slots. among the masses instead of ment to take solid steps to elim- ment) Bill, 2018. A similar bill was also tabled The joint secretaries are Ab- Miftah Ismail has been ap- “Most of the companies could passing legislation,” the CII inate the causes, which com- The bill, which proposes that in the National Assembly by a bas Afridi and Talal Chaudhry. pointed as PML-N Sindh gen- not meet the prescribed criteria, said. “Legislating against child pelled some families to marry the minimum age for marriage PTI lawmaker, a day after the Former information min- eral secretary, and Ali Akbar including paid-up capital, etc,” marriage and setting the mini- minor girls. be set at 18, was passed amid Senate passed the anti-child ister Maryam Aurangzeb is Gujjar as senior vice-presi- said a senior PEMRA off icial. “The mum age will lead to many com- The CII is an offi cial panel of noisy opposition from religious marriage bill. appointed as information dent. remaining slots will be auctioned plications.” scholars, whose function is to parties and some members of The bill in the National As- secretary, Pervez Malik as the Salman Ali Khan is PML-N’s later.” The CII deliberated on the advise parliament on whether the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e- sembly also faced strong oppo- fi nance secretary, and Tariq Karachi president and Nasir ud A total of 237 applications were matter in its 212th meeting, held laws are in consonance with Is- Insaf (PTI). sition from members of the rul- Fatemi as policy and research Din Mehmood is general secre- received by PEMRA for 70 slots. in September last year. lamic injunctions. Some of the opposing sena- ing party. secretary. tary. Gulf Times 24 Sunday, May 5, 2019 PHILIPPINES Go pledges to 81% of Filipinos satisfi ed with Duterte govt: survey

Manila Times ensure nation’s Manila he Rodrigo Duterte administration got an “excellent” satisfac- Ttion rating in the fi rst quarter of 2019, a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed. food security The survey, conducted from March 28 to 31, 2019, found that 81% of Fili- Manila Times pinos voiced satisfaction with the gov- Pandi ernment, while 9% were dissatisfi ed. The remaining 10% were neither satisfi ed nor dissatisfi ed. enate aspirant and former spe- This resulted in a net satisfaction cial assistant to the President rating of +72, six points higher than the S(SAP) Christopher Lawrence +66 “good” net satisfaction rating re- “Bong” Go said yesterday he wants corded in December 2018. to help ensure the country’s food se- It is also two points higher than the curity through improved agricultural +70 recorded by the administration in productivity and better food distribu- December 2017. tion channels. The administration received gener- “First and foremost, enough food ally good ratings on 11 performance within their means is what I would subjects. Duterte: boost in support base want every Filipino to have; nutritious The administration netted an “ex- sustenance for your children to make cellent” + 72 net satisfaction rating, a munist rebels at a record-high +45, tration’s overall net satisfaction rating them grow into healthy productive record-high, on “helping the poor.” reconciling with rebels at +44, eradi- also increased in all areas. members of society,” Go said at the It received “very good” net satisfac- cating graft and corruption at +41, The survey was conducted among campaign rally at the Manatal gymna- tion ratings on reconstructing Marawi foreign relations at +41, defending 1,440 Filipinos aged 18 years old and sium here. City, at +58, and fi ghting terrorism, Philippine sovereignty in the West above. Go, who identifi ed agriculture and also at +58. Philippines Sea at +40 and ensuring It had sampling error margins of + or food security among the priorities of The administration recorded “good” that no family will ever be hungry at — 2.6% for national percentages and + his legislative agenda, said his goal net satisfaction ratings on fi ghting +37. It scored a “moderate” ranking on or – 5% each for Balance Luzon, Metro could be achieved by helping farmers crimes at +48, reconciling with com- fi ghting infl ation at +22. The adminis- Manila, the Visayas and Mindanao. increase their productivity. He said farmers should be given access to farm inputs, such as irrigation systems, machinery, fertilisers, seeds and loans at low-interest. The former SAP would also propose Go: assurance on food security for the establishment of more Tien DA Farmers express support Malasakit stores in major cities na- augment their income and tide them the streets in spite of the heat to wait tionwide so that people could directly over during lean times. for his motorcade as it made its way to purchase from farmers and fi shers, “Agriculture is very important to Bocaue, Pulilan, Plaridel, Malolos City fresh produce at lower prices. our economy and many families, es- and the town of Pandi. for Aquino’s re-election bid Go said more cold storage have to pecially in the countryside depends Go said he served President Rod- be established in food terminals in the on it. Let us not waste our natural re- rigo Duterte faithfully for 21 years, the regions to help keep the harvest fresh sources. By supporting the agricultur- people could be assured that he would By Javier J Ismael and prevent spoilage. al sector, we can help uplift the lives of never waver in his fi rm support for Manila Times He would also bat for the conduct our farmers,” he said. the president’s programmes and poli- of free skills training and seminars on The former SAP expressed his grati- cies so that the scourge of corruption, agri-entrepreneurship to open new tude to the people of Bulacan for their criminality and drugs would be even- housands of Pangasinan farm- livelihood opportunities for farmers to support, as residents spilled out into tually be eradicated. ers threw their support behind Tthe re-election bid of Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino 4th, who pushed for the immediate release of fi - nancial assistance to farmers aff ected by the Rice Tariffi cation Law. More than 2,000 farmers belonging to the Abono party-list, led by its chairman Rosendo So, gathered in Ur- daneta City to show their support for Aquino. “Let’s not forget, we need him in the Senate,” said So as he thanked Aquino for working for the passage of Republic Act 10845 or the “Anti- Agricultural Smuggling Act.” In Cauayan City, hundreds of farmers also endorsed the re-election bid of Aquino, who was joined by Isa- bela Gov. Faustino “Bojie” Dy 3rd and other local officials. Aquino promised to work for the release of the financial assistance for agricultural workers. Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino The senator said the drop in palay (unmilled rice) prices did not only to farmers under the Rice Competi- farmers and their families amid the affect farmers but also the entire na- tiveness Enhancement Fund. entry of imported rice in the market. tion. “Farmers should not be made to “We should ensure that no one will “Now is the time to extend assist- wait. They need the assistance now),” go hungry,” Aquino said. ance to the farmers,” he said. Aquino pointed out. “It is important to help them be- ONE SMOKER. He urged the government to dis- He also called on the government come productive so that their liveli- tribute the direct financial assistance to ensure the livelihood of Filipino hood will not be affected,” he added. TWO PATIENTS. Water fi rm’s customers to be off ered rebate ‘next month’

Agencies The MWSS Regulatory Office had tion in the southern part of Maynilad TOBACCO KILLS Manila offered recommendations to the Water Services Inc.’s concession area. MWSS board of trustees about im- Customers in parts of the cities of posing penalties against Manila Wa- Paranaque, Las Pinas and Muntin- ustomers of Manila Water Co ter as early as March 26. lupa as well as Cavite province are Inc can expect rebates as early Manila Water started implement- expected to continue experiencing Cas next month as the Metro- ing “operational adjustments” on low pressure to no water supply daily politan Waterworks and Sewerage March 6, which left some areas of the from 9pm to 5 am until May 14. System (MWSS) finalises details of east zone concession—covering parts its implementation. of Metro Manila as well as the prov- Article 10.4 of the concession “We are finalising the computa- inces of Rizal and Cavite— without agreement between the MWSS tions on how much the rebate would water for several days. and Manila Water states that be,” Patrick Ty, chief regulator for the The company expects service lev- penalties would be incurred if MWSS, told the Philippine Daily els to return to normal at the onset of the concessionaire fails to meet Inquirer. the rainy season. its service obligation for more “We expect to make an announce- But service interruption and weak than 60 days or “15 days if the ment by the third week of May,” he water pressure persist in Manila Wa- failure causes adverse eff ects on added. ter service areas, according to Renato public health or welfare” The MWSS last week announced Reyes Jr, secretary general of Bagong it had slapped P1.13bn in penalties Alyansang Makabayan. Service interruptions started to be against Manila Water. Reyes is one of five Manila Water felt in these areas on April 27 due to The amount includes a fine of customers who petitioned the MWSS excessive algal bloom in the Laguna P534.05mn for the company’s fail- in March to start proceedings that de Bay, which causes limited pro- ure to meet its service obligation will punish the company for failing duction at Maynilad’s Putatan Wa- and provide customers water supply to meet its service obligations under ter Treatment Plant No 1 and No 2 in all day at a pressure of at least seven their concession agreement. Muntinlupa. pounds per square inch. “In our office, water does not reach Reyes said the MWSS should look Article 10.4 of the concession the fourth floor,” Reyes said in a sep- into whether Maynilad should also be agreement between the MWSS and arate interview. “Maybe the P534mn held liable for penalties for failing to Manila Water states that penalties penalty should apply only for the meet its service obligation. would be incurred if the concession- period of March to April. A separate “Consumers should be apprised of aire fails to meet its service obligation assessment should be made for the the monitoring being done by MWSS. for more than 60 days or “15 days if period of May to June.” There must be some relief provided Issued in Public Interest by GULF TIMES the failure causes adverse effects on Ty said his office was also “closely for affected areas of Maynilad,” public health or welfare.” monitoring and studying” the situa- he said Gulf Times Sunday, May 5, 2019 25 COMMENT Qatar calls for nuclear weapons-free zone

QNA decision and that it will remain New York in force until its objectives are achieved,” he added. He suggested instead of repeating atar has affirmed its the previous positions that obstruct belief that a ‘zone free of the implementation of the decision nuclear weapons and other “to start a real dialogue on how to Qweapons of mass destruc- implement it”, stressing the readiness tion and their means of delivery’ of Qatar to fully interact with any represents a regional and practical serious proposals to break the approach to resolving the problem stalemate in this issue. of the spread of such weapons in a The Chairman of the National region rife with military conflicts and Committee for the Prohibition of political crises. Weapons expressed his astonishment Speaking at the Preparatory at the promotion of some that the Committee for the 2020 Nuclear states have become tired of this Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) subject dominance on the review Review Conference, Chairman of process, stressing that countries the National Committee for the that support the efforts to free the Prohibition of Weapons, Brigadier- Middle East from these weapons are General Hassan Saleh al-Nisf, said those of the Non-Aligned Movement Qatar considers this approach to be and the majority of African and a collective solution to the Iranian Asian countries, and the majority of nuclear issue, to the use of chemical European countries and some nuclear weapons in the region, and to Israel’s countries support – at least in theory exclusive possession of nuclear – this initiative. weapons in the Middle East. Therefore, the way out Al-Nisf referred to Qatar’s of the stalemate is to move endorsement of the statements forward positively towards its of the Arab Group and the implementation and not back down. Non-Aligned Movement on the He pointed out that the 2010 establishment of a zone free of conference was a shining sign and an nuclear weapons and other weapons important turning point, as a clear of mass destruction in the Middle mechanism and practical steps were implementation of the Middle East of any proposals, and this third negotiating conferences organised request the Secretary-General of the East and to the Arab working paper put in place to begin negotiations on decision is one of the most important preparatory committee has the by the United Nations to establish a United Nations to brief the review on the same subject. the establishment of a zone free of factors that eroded the credibility last opportunity to make effective treaty for the establishment of a zone conferences and their preparatory “We have no other chance before these weapons in the Middle East. of the Treaty as a whole and is recommendations to the NPT free of such weapons’. committees on developments in this 2020, so we would like at the The conference also clarified problematic in a review cycle. Review Conference in 2020. He also proposed to call on area’. outset to demand that we stop any that the parties to the Treaty are Since the postponement of the In this regard, he proposed a ‘all states parties to the Treaty, Concluding, al-Nisf said Qatar futile debate over whether review responsible for implementing the 2012 conference, in violation of recommendation to the Review especially the nuclear states, to affirms the collective responsibility conferences are the right forum to resolution and its mechanisms along the text and spirit of the mandate Conference to ‘repeat demand that cease any nuclear co-operation or of all the states and the geographical discuss this issue or not,” he said. a particular responsibility on the issued in 2010, the Arab countries Israel accedes to the Treaty on technological exchange with Israel and political groups to create the “The 1995 Middle East decision three depositories of the Treaty and have tried to break the impasse in the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear until it accedes to the Treaty on appropriate conditions and effective was an inseparable part of the deal of the Secretary-General of the United the process and presented various Weapons as a non-nuclear-weapon the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear incentives for the implementation the indefinite extension of the Treaty Nations. proposals and ideas and some of state without conditions, and to Weapons and with any state that of the Middle East decision and all and will remain an essential part of Therefore, if there is a default, it which have been rejected without subject its nuclear facilities to the refuses to participate in the process its obligations at the subsequent the review process as long as it is not is the responsibility of those who alternative proposals, noting that comprehensive safeguards system of negotiations to be initiated in review conferences, adding “this is implemented. have not fulfilled the obligations the first and second preparatory of the International Atomic Energy order to create a real incentive our vision and our proposals, and we “We wish to recall that the and mandates to which they have committee did not make any Agency to invite Israel, Iran and among the countries of the region are ready and exited to hear specific conferences of 2000 and 2010 committed themselves. progress on the subject and did the Arab countries to participate to start a serious process towards views and proposals from all states emphasised the importance of the He added that the delay in the not make a positive discussion effectively and in good faith at any the establishment of the zone and parties.”

The world’s next big growth challenge Three-day forecast TODAY The headwinds are certainly its source, inequality of opportunity Some are starting to emerge. Jumia, Maximum Temperature : 350c By Michael Spence Minimum Temperature : 270c Milan considerable. For starters, advances has a highly disruptive eff ect on a Nigeria-based e-commerce platform in digital technologies – robotics, governance and hence growth. covering 14 African countries, MONDAY machine learning, sensors, and But these obstacles are not recently went public on the New York Maximum Temperature : 360c he global economy is vision – directly threaten the insurmountable. For one thing, Stock Exchange, amid considerable Minimum Temperature : 270c undergoing very large labour-intensive manufacturing and developing countries now have excitement. True, the company TUESDAY structural shifts, driven assembly upon which lower-income, huge potential export markets in faces similar obstacles to those that Maximum Temperature : 370c Tby three megatrends. One non-resource-rich economies have middle-income countries, and no Asian and Latin American platforms Minimum Temperature : 270c traditionally relied. longer depend entirely on advanced previously had to overcome, including is the digital transformation of the Fisherman's forecast foundations on which economies are Moreover, climate change has economies for access to global a lack of reliable payment systems, built and run. Another is the growing had its greatest economic impact in markets. low trust between buyers and sellers, There is also a renewed awareness and logistics and delivery bottlenecks. WARNING purchasing power and economic the tropical and subtropical regions Inshore : Nil strength of emerging economies, where most lower-income countries of the importance of infrastructure But the experience of other regions Offshore : Nil and China in particular. Lastly, are located. The eff ects of global in enabling growth. In addition to shows that these shortcomings can be there are broad-based political- warming are highly disruptive in roads, railways, and ports, electricity addressed over time. WEATHER Inshore : Relatively hot daytime economy trends, which include fragile economies, and, taken together, and digital connectivity are crucial. The bigger risk to these platforms with slight dust& some rising nationalism, various forms constitute a major new obstacle to In this regard, the rapid expansion of stems from the inevitable and clouds of populism, political and social growth. cellular wireless technology, combined necessary increase in regulation Offshore : Slight dust with some clouds polarisation, and a possible breakdown Fertility rates, meanwhile, remain with the installation of high-capacity of the Internet around the world. of the multilateral framework within astonishingly high in some countries, undersea broadband pipes around In particular, diverse national WIND which the global economy has especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. In a Africa, represents major progress. regulatory regimes may inadvertently Inshore : Southeasterly-North- easterly 05-15 KT functioned since World War II. few of the poorest – Niger, Mali, and Meanwhile, China’s “Belt and Road or deliberately disrupt or block Offshrore : Northeasterly-North- The media devote most of their the Democratic Republic of Congo – Initiative” – though criticised by much the international development of westerly 03-12/15 KT attention to the economic, social, and the rate is 6-7 children per female. The of the West, and the United States e-commerce ecosystems, hurting Visibility : 4 -8 KM regulatory challenges arising from resulting fl ood of new entrants to the in particular – could bring dramatic lower-income countries in the Offshore : 1-3/4 FT these megatrends, and to the trade, labour market is far outstripping the improvements in physical and digital process. Avoiding the creation of such investment, and technology tensions number of jobs available. connectivity to Central Asia and parts unintended obstacles should therefore between China and the United States. No known growth model can of Africa. be a high priority for the international Further advances in critical community. Yet a signifi cant share of the world’s accommodate or keep up with this Around the region population lives in poor countries, kind of demographic surge. Even infrastructure will create important Today’s lower-income countries Weather or in poorer parts of developing sustained economic growth of around growth opportunities for developing already face a tough task in trying Weather tomorrow Max/min countries. Furthermore, the rapid 7% per year won’t be enough. And countries via e-commerce, mobile to emulate the impressive growth of today Max/min P Cloudy 34/20 reduction in global poverty over although fertility tends to decline as payments, and related fi nancial developing economies before them. Baghdad M Sunny 32/17 P Cloudy 36/24 the past three decades is primarily incomes rise, that does not happen services. The experience of China An underperforming global economy, Kuwait CitySunny 35/24 M Sunny 32/26 the result of sustained growth in immediately. Empowering women, strongly suggests that these digital and rising national and international Manama M Sunny 34/26 Sunny 37/29 developing economies. therefore, may be the most eff ective platforms, and the ecosystems that tensions, will make that task even Muscat Sunny 35/29 M Sunny 29/17 The future growth prospects of way of starting to address the develop around them, are powerful harder. If the world is serious about Tehran M Sunny 28/16 today’s early-stage (that is, lower challenge. engines for incremental, highly reducing poverty further, it must pay income – some growing and others Confl ict also disrupts growth. inclusive growth. far more attention to their progress. – not) developing countries will be of Although many confl icts appear China, of course, is a very large, Project Syndicate huge importance in reducing poverty to have a religious or ethnic basis, homogenous market. If smaller, lower- further. Although these countries face some scholars believe that their root income developing countries are to z Michael Spence, a Nobel laureate signifi cant headwinds, they could cause may be economic, with ethnic benefi t from equally rapid inclusive in economics, is Professor of Economics also seize important new growth divisions serving as a way to exclude growth, the digital platforms will have at New York University’s Stern School opportunities – especially with the other groups from access to scarce to be regional and international in of Business and Senior Fellow at the help of digital platforms. resources and opportunities. Whatever scope. Hoover Institutio

Around the world Live issues Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Athens Cloudy 22/13 Sunny 22/12 Beirut P Cloudy 26/21 M Cloudy 29/18 Bangkok M Cloudy 36/28 Cloudy 37/28 Healthy plant-based diet may protect kidneys Berlin M Sunny 13/03 P Cloudy 12/03 Cairo P Cloudy 37/25 M Cloudy 36/18 Cape Town P Cloudy 21/13 M Cloudy 18/13 By Lisa Rapaport People who most closely adhered Bloomberg School of Public Health in Study participants who had the Colombo Cloudy 31/26 P Cloudy 31/27 Reuters Health to a diet of healthy plant-based foods Baltimore. healthiest plant-based diets consumed Dhaka M Sunny 35/27 M Sunny 37/26 were 14% less likely to develop kidney “We believe that healthful plant an average of nine to ten servings a day of Hong Kong Rain 23/21 S Showers 23/20 disease than individuals who rarely ate foods played an important role these foods. These individuals were more Istanbul Cloudy 23/16 Sunny 23/14 hile a healthy plant- these foods, the study found. because higher consumption of likely to be women, white, older, high Jakarta I T Storms 32/25 M Sunny 33/25 based diet is tied to a At the same time, participants who healthful plant foods were associated school graduates, and physically active. Karachi Sunny 34/26 Sunny 33/26 lower risk of kidney consumed the greatest amount of with a lower risk of kidney disease An unhealthy plant-based diet may London P Cloudy 13/05 M Cloudy 13/06 Wdisease, people who unhealthy vegetarian foods were 11% and slower decline in kidney function limit meat but load up on potatoes. Manila S T Storms 34/27 S T Storms 33/27 ﬁ ll their plates with starchy, sugary more likely to develop kidney disease when the consumption of less This type of diet might also include Moscow S T Storms 22/12 Cloudy 24/12 vegetarian fare may actually increase than people who ate the smallest healthful plant foods and animal foods juice instead of whole fruit, sodas and New Delhi Sunny 41/25 Sunny 42/26 their risk of kidney damage, a new amounts of these foods. were held constant,” Rebholz said. sugary drinks, and lots of candy, cake New York Rain 14/11 P Cloudy 19/12 study suggests. “Relatively higher intakes of A healthy plant-based diet includes and chocolate. Paris P Cloudy 13/02 M Cloudy 14/06 Researchers examined data on healthful plant foods and relatively whole grain foods; fruits like apples, Participants who had the least Sao Paulo P Cloudy 29/19 M Sunny 29/19 eating habits and kidney function for lower intakes of less healthful pears, and oranges; veggies like dark, healthy plant-based diets consumed Seoul P Cloudy 26/08 Sunny 20/06 14,686 middle-aged adults, following plant foods and animal foods are leafy greens, sweet potatoes, and an average of seven servings a day of Singapore S T Storms 32/27 S T Storms 31/28 half of them for at least 24 years. associated with favourable kidney broccoli; nuts and natural peanut these foods. They were more likely to Sydney Showers 17/13 M Sunny 19/11 Overall, 4,343 participants developed outcomes,” said senior study author butter; and legumes like string beans be men, younger, sedentary, and drink Tokyo Clear 25/13 Cloudy 23/15 chronic kidney disease. Casey Rebholz of the Johns Hopkins and lentils. more alcohol. Gulf Times 26 Sunday, May 5, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Modi’s war chest leaves Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar election rivals in the dust [email protected] 44350478 (News), By Alexandra Ulmer and Aftab cannot compete with them,” said widely fl outed, and political parties are consulting fi rm SKA Advisors and sits another veteran Congress politician, allowed to spend freely. on several boards. 44466404 (Sport), Ahmed Mumbai/ New Delhi who asked to remain anonymous. The New Delhi-based Centre for Still, business titans tend to give 44466636 (Home delivery) He and another high-ranking Media Studies (CMS) estimates almost to several parties to hedge their bets, Congress offi cial said they expected the $8.6bn will be spent on this year’s vote, politicians and executives say. 44350474 rime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP to outspend them by a factor of ten. roughly twice the 2014 election. Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s richest facebook.com/gulftimes Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) A third Congress source estimated The fi gure would surpass man and the boss of the Reliance is fl ush with cash, giving his the disparity at twice that. OpenSecrets.org’s estimate that $6.5bn Industries conglomerate, hails from twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar Pnationalist bloc a massive Two BJP offi cials declined to provide was spent in the 2016 US presidential Modi’s home state of Gujarat and his advantage over the main opposition an estimate of spending, but one said and congressional elections. family has praised the prime minister Congress Party as he seeks to win a the “BJP defi nitely has a big war chest Recent reforms under Modi may have publicly. second term in India’s general election. and has more funds at its disposal than fuelled the spending spree: Companies Ambani even splashed Modi’s face Opaque campaign fi nancing in the the Congress.” can fund parties anonymously through on advertisements for the Reliance Jio GULF TIMES world’s largest democracy makes it Congress has received far fewer funds new ‘electoral bonds’ and they no telecoms launch in 2016. tricky to get a full picture of money in because of a perception it is unlikely to longer face a donations cap. But last month, Mumbai-based politics here. win the election, political strategists Activists say that gives corporations Ambani endorsed Congress candidate But current and former BJP said. too much sway and obscures ties Milind Deora, appearing in a video supporters, opposition politicians, The opposition party has been between politicians and businessmen. saying “Milind is the man for South Fed rate-hold signals businessmen and activists hampered by its inability to forge a About 95% of electoral bonds Mumbai.” Deora’s politician father was interviewed by Reuters say Modi has national alliance to take on Modi and snapped up in a fi rst tranche off ering a close friend of the Ambanis. an unprecedented advantage, thanks has struggled to capitalise on discontent last year went to the BJP, according Under the electoral bond scheme US economic growth, to support from businesses and against the BJP over a lack of jobs and to data reviewed by Reuters through a announced by Finance Minister expectations he will be the winner. distressed farm incomes. Right To Information request and BJP Arun Jaitley last year, individuals Staggered voting in the general Modi has been topping polls as fi lings. and companies can anonymously manageable infl ation election is currently in progress across India’s most popular politician, well When asked whether the BJP had a buy as many bonds as they wish to in India, with results to be declared on ahead of Congress president Rahul fi nancial advantage, party spokesman denominations ranging from Rs1,000 May 23. Gandhi. Anil Baluni said “it is not an unfair to Rs10mn and deposit them in a party The Federal Reserve on May 1 left unchanged a key US The BJP war chest has allowed Money has become critical in advantage.” account at the State Bank of India interest rate that infl uences the cost of borrowing for it to unleash a massive amount of elections given the country’s 1.3bn “I guess maybe the BJP does believe (SBI). mortgages and all sorts of consumer and business loans, advertising on social media and send population, its voting over 39 days and in taking maximum donations by “The electoral bond scheme Modi and party offi cials crisscrossing the sheer complexity of the electorate, cheque or through bonds. We are the envisages total clean money and noting a recent decline in infl ation even as the economy India to campaign. in terms of region, religion, language, largest political party in the country,” substantial transparency,” Jaitley said in continues to grow “at a solid rate.” The ruling party has showered and caste. Baluni added. a Facebook post. In a unanimous 10-0 decision, the Federal Reserve kept money on Facebook and Google A tradition of doling out freebies to He said he did not have information Activists say the opposite is true. its benchmark interest rate in a range of 2.25% to 2.5% as advertisements, spending six times sway voters only adds to costs. on the provenance of funds or the uses. “If you do not know the donor and more than Congress since February, Authorities say they have seized Pawan Khera, a Congress spokesman, you do not know who the money is Fed offi cials sounded more upbeat about the economy after according to data from the two fi rms. goods and cash worth about $456mn said this was “turning out to be the given to, where is the transparency? a slow start in early 2019. Modi merchandise abounds, as do since March 26. most unequal election,” but did not Dubious donations are now Fed policymakers seems to take heart in continued US job Modi marketing sites. “This war chest gives the BJP provide specifi cs. legitimised,” said Jagdeep Chhokar, a gains and economic growth and held out hope that weak The money puts the BJP in an signifi cant advantages,” said Milan Modi was elected in 2014 as a darling founder of the Delhi-based Association extraordinarily powerful position, even Vaishnav, director of the Carnegie of the business community. for Democratic Reforms. infl ation will edge higher. over logistical issues like how to get its Endowment for International Peace’s His star has dimmed somewhat, in When Reuters reporters visited A key takeaway is that the Fed sees no strong case for leaders to election rallies. South Asia programme. part due to fallout from a shock 2016 SBI branches during bond sales moving the benchmark federal-funds rate, despite market A Congress offi cial said the BJP had “Money is useful for wooing voters decision to scrap then circulating in Delhi and Mumbai this year, expectations for a rate cut later this year. Fed chairman the funds to reserve most of India’s but also for keeping networks of high-value bank notes, but with some a handful of men who described fl eet of helicopters for hire for 90 days, party workers and infl uencers well businesses wary of a fragile opposition themselves as politicians or company Jerome Powell says offi cials are “comfortable” with their making it diffi cult for opponents to get lubricated.” coalition coming to power, Modi retains representatives were waiting to open current policy stance. hold of them. Parliamentary candidates’ backers. bank accounts or buy bonds. On infl ation, the Fed chief expects the current weakness “We have never ever seen an election expenditure is capped at up to Rs7mn “Modi has made business easier,” said SBI offi cials declined to provide to be transitory and he’s committed to the Fed’s 2% year- with such disparity. Financially, we (about $100,000), but the limit is businessman Sunil Alagh, who heads details on the sales. — Reuters over-year infl ation target. The Fed currently aims for consumer prices to rise by 2% each year. The economy continues on a healthy A key takeaway path with no signs is that the Fed of overheating, even though consumption sees no strong and business case for moving investment slowed in the fi rst quarter, Powell the benchmark said. Powell, who’s been federal-funds rate, slammed by President despite market Donald Trump for not doing more to expectations for a support the economy rate cut later this said the policy stance is “appropriate right year now” and “we don’t see a strong case for moving in either direction.” Trump has cited the lack of infl ation as a key reason for a rate cut and said in two earlier tweets that economic growth would be much stronger if the Fed would ease the reins on policy. Instead, the policymaking Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously to hold the current range. The panel did, however, make a technical adjustment aimed at keeping the funds rate closer to the midpoint of the target range. The decision also comes as Trump calls for the Fed to cut rates by as much as 100 basis points. The Fed’s emphasis on subdued infl ation prompted knee-jerk buying of government debt as traders added to positioning for a rate cut, Bloomberg said. Supporter of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wearing cut-outs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the party president Amit Shah walk during an election However, that initial rally reversed on Powell’s comments campaign in Ahmedabad on April 11. on appropriate policy and transient infl ation. Investors continue to bet on a rate cut, but odds of that happening lessened slightly following Powell’s media engagement. Data show the US economy expanded at a 3.2% annualised pace in Q1, boosted by exports and inventories growth. The country’s labour market remains robust, with Questions to ask clothing brands unemployment at around a half-century low and wage gains near the best pace of this expansion. The US central bank has hiked its benchmark rate eight By Aruna Kashyap clothes for global apparel companies. subcontracting and other practices that of factories that produce their wares. Tribune News Service He proudly showed me the dresses and put workers and the companies them- Others who do so include New Balance, times since 2016 in a bid to tame infl ation, but signalled a few blouses his workers had sewn. Some selves at risk. Disney, Gap, Fruit of the Loom, PVH, months ago that the pace of future hikes was far from certain. were for big-name brands and retailers Brands and retailers could take nu- Under Armour, and VF Corp. At its March meeting, the Fed said low measures of ast year, I huff ed my way up a in the United States that do not disclose merous steps to curb these risks. Some Second, consumers should ask infl ation, concern over global growth, and tightening steep, narrow fl ight of stairs to their supplier factories online. do, some don’t. Consumers are starting brands and retailers to publish their meet a man who owned a small Subcontracting to small workshops to demand to see what the brands are policies on responsible purchasing. fi nancial conditions warranted pausing on interest rate garment workshop in western like this - which typically happens doing. The more they hear from con- Demanding to see a policy will spur hikes while policymakers reassess the data. L India. The workshop - with about 20 without the company’s permission - is cerned consumers, the more likely the companies that don’t have one to create male workers sewing - was hot and a common practice in the apparel in- companies are to act. one. stuff y in the punishing Indian summer. dustry. At Human Rights Watch, we’ve A recent survey by the Consumer Third, consumers should press To Advertise But it looked like it was snowing. found scores of these subcontractor Goods Forum and Futerra across seven brands and retailers to disclose how The workers and tables were covered factories in Cambodia and Bangladesh. countries revealed that 55% of consum- they are ranked on their purchasing [email protected] in fi ne cotton fi bre-dust, which causes Workers in these factories often endure ers want more information on social, practices by their suppliers. Bet- Display or exacerbates respiratory diseases, and far worse working conditions than health, environment and safety issues ter Buying, an industry monitoring they weren’t wearing masks. The buzz- those in larger factories. in the manufacturing process. Here are group, allows suppliers to anony- 44466621 44418811 ing of sewing machines was deafening. I’ve spoken to sourcing experts who three concrete demands consumers can mously rank brands’ purchasing prac- The owner pointed out the window have worked for decades with numer- make: tices and publishes reports. Brands Classified to what remained of a nearby building ous global brands. They say many ap- First, they should ask where clothing and retailers should cooperate with 44466609 44418811 that had burned down, shrugging about parel companies make poor estimates of and footwear brands make their prod- Better Buying and publish a summary the danger of fi re hazards. The workers consumer demands and timetables for ucts. Such disclosure helps workers re- of their scores. Subscription - all migrants from other parts of India orders, don’t monitor factories’ capaci- port abuses to brands when the brand’s Garment companies’ business - earned a daily wage and lived in the ties, make last-minute design changes, own monitoring systems fail to detect practices have long been shrouded in [email protected] workshop to save on rent. use buying agents whose practices them. Only a handful of US companies secrecy. But consumers and inves- This is a snapshot of the under- they don’t rigorously monitor, and set do this today. For more than a decade, tors have the power to insist on greater belly of the global apparel industry. unrealistic low prices. Bad purchasing Nike and Levi’s have been publishing openness, and better treatment for the © 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved The owner said he produced branded practices contribute to unauthorised the names, addresses, and other details workers who make their clothes. Gulf Times Sunday, May 5, 2019 27 QATAR

Special lighting and decoration at The Pearl-Qatar. The Pearl-Qatar sparkles as faithful welcome Ramadan

nited Development spirit of the holy month, while Iftar and Suhoor to visitors and Company (UDC), mas- illuminating The Pearl-Qatar’s residents, who will have the op- Uter developer of The main roads leading to Qanat portunity to savour some Ram- Pearl-Qatar and Gewan islands, Quartier, Medina Centrale and adan-special dishes in a relaxed has fi nalised preparations to Piazza Arabia – the facade of and luxurious atmosphere. celebrate the holy month of Ra- Porto Arabia, creating a joyful Visitors can shop for Arabic madan. ambiance across the island, the incense, oriental perfumes, gift UDC has festooned The statement notes. baskets and Ramadan sweets. Pearl-Qatar with special light- To ensure a smooth shopping Also, in keeping with the ing, decorating public areas, experience at The Pearl-Qatar Ramadan spirit, mosques at lampposts and roundabouts to throughout the holy month, The Pearl-Qatar have prepared refl ect the authentic essence retailers will open their doors to welcome an infl ux of wor- and beauty of Ramadan across to visitors in the morning from shippers, including the Grand the island, the company said in 10am until 2pm, and in the Mosque at the island’s entrance. a press statement. evening from 8pm until mid- Prayer rooms throughout In line with tradition, UDC night. Porto Arabia and Medina Cent- has put up special decorations Restaurants across the is- rale will also be open to the gen- on the island, inspired by the land, meanwhile, will be serving eral public. HMC announces Ramadan timings amad Medical Corpo- will be open during clinic times. from 1pm to 4pm on Mondays. dontic and Paediatric Dentistry ration (HMC) has an- Heart Hospital outpatient OPD pharmacy services will Clinics will be open from 8 am Hnounced its operating clinics and the non-invasive be open from 8am to 1.30pm, to 4 pm, Sunday to Wednesday hours for the holy month of Ra- service will be open from 8am to Sunday to Thursday, and from and from 8am to 1pm on Thurs- madan. 1pm, Sunday to Thursday. 9am to 2pm on Saturdays. day. All emergency and inpatient There will be no evening clin- The Day Care Unit and Ra- Prosthodontics, endodon- services across HMC’s network ics throughout Ramadan. diation Therapy Service will be tics, periodontics, and dental of hospitals will operate as usu- The OPD pharmacy will oper- open from 7am to 3pm, Sunday diagnostic and surgical sci- al, 24 hours a day, seven days a ate from 8am to 1pm, Sunday to to Thursday. ence services will operate from week. Thursday, and from 11am to 4pm Al Wakra Hospital outpatient 8am to 1pm and from 8.30pm to Dr Yousef al-Maslamani, on Fridays and Saturdays. clinics will be open from 8am 11.30pm, Sunday to Wednesday Medical Director of Hamad The Cath Lab will operate to 4pm, Sunday to Wednesday, and from 8am to 1pm on Thurs- General Hospital, has also re- Dr Yousef al-Maslamani from 7am to 3pm, with on-call from 8am to 1pm on Thursdays, day. minded patients who have ap- services available for emergen- and from 11am to 2pm on Satur- Mental Health Services out- pointments at HMC clinics General Hospital will be open cies 24 hours a day, seven days days. patient clinics and OPD phar- during Ramadan about the im- from 8am to 1pm and from a week. The Burns Surgery outpatient macy services will be open from portance of attending their ap- 8.30pm to midnight, Sunday to Rumailah Hospital outpatient service will also be open from 8am to 1pm, Sunday to Thursday pointment as scheduled. Wednesday, and from 8am to clinics will be open from 8am to 7am to 3pm on Saturdays, and and evening clinics will operate “If you feel you are unable to 1pm on Thursday. 1pm, Sunday to Thursday. the physiotherapy service will from 8.30pm to 11.30pm at Ha- attend your appointment, please Women’s Wellness and Re- All therapy services will be be open from 7am to 5pm, Sun- mad General Hospital on Sun- call Nesmaa’k on 16060 to research Center outpatient clin- open from 7am to 3pm, Sunday day to Thursday. day, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Inspection underway at an outlet. schedule. Missing an appoint- ics will be open from 8am to to Thursday, and OPD pharmacy The main OPD pharmacy, lab- The Referral and Booking ment with one of our special- 1pm Sunday to Thursday, from services will operate from 8am oratory (phlebotomy) services, Management System will oper- ists can have a serious impact 7.30pm to 10.30pm Sunday to to 4pm, Sunday and Tuesday, and other support services will ate from 7am to 10pm, Sunday on your health and the health of Wednesday, and the OPD phar- and from 8am to 3pm, Monday, operate during OPD clinic times. to Thursday. other patients,” Dr al-Maslama- macy will be open during clinic Wednesday, and Thursday. Hazm Mebaireek General Nesma’ak Customer Care will Inspection campaign ni said. times. The Plastic Surgery service Hospital outpatient clinics will operate from 7am to 10pm, Sun- “If we know you are unable Ambulatory Care Center out- will be open from 8am to 4pm, be open from 8am to 1pm, Sun- day to Thursday and from 10am to attend your appointment, we patient clinics will be open from Sunday and Tuesday, and from day to Thursday. to 4pm on Friday and Saturday. conducted in Daayen can rearrange your appointment 8am to 1pm, Sunday to Thurs- 8am to 1pm, Monday, Wednes- The main OPD pharmacy will Patients requiring informa- for the next available and clini- day, with afternoon clinics for day, and Thursday. be open from 8am to 1pm, Sun- tion about scheduled appoint- cally appropriate time and give GI/Endoscopy, Urology, Pre- The Wound Care Clinic will day to Thursday. ments or clinic operating hours s part of the prepara- that the workers and companies your previously scheduled time Admission and Anaesthesia, be open from 7am to 3pm, Sun- At the Cuban Hospital, there during Ramadan can call 16060 tions for the holy month concerned are following the rel- to someone who needs to be and ENT open from 1pm to 4pm, day to Thursday, and the Geriat- are no changes to OPD clinic and during these times. Aof Ramadan, Al Daayen evant rules. In addition, food seen urgently.” Sunday to Thursday. ric and Long-term Care service pharmacy operating hours. During Ramadan, Nesma’ak Municipality’s health control samples were taken for labora- During Ramadan, Hamad Communicable Disease will be open from 8am to 1pm, Outpatient clinics and phar- will continue to send mobile text section has conducted an inten- tory tests to check their validity General Hospital outpatient Center outpatient clinics will be Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, macy services will be open from message reminders to patients sive inspection campaign on the for human consumption. clinics will be open from 8am to open from 8am to 5pm, Sunday and Thursday, and from 8am to 7.15am to 3pm, Sunday to Thurs- prior to their appointment. food outlets and consumer goods In the meantime, Al Khor and 1pm, Sunday to Thursday and to Wednesday, and from 8am to pm on Tuesdays. day and dependent on appoint- To confi rm or change an ap- complexes at its various parts. Al Thakhira Municipality and the evening clinics will be open from 1pm on Thursdays. The Oral and Maxillofacial ments, OPD dental services will pointment, one can call 16060. There was a special focus on Ministry of Municipality and En- 8.30pm to 11.30pm, Sunday to All support services, includ- service will be open from 8am operate until 9pm, Sunday to The Ministry of Public Health the restaurants, cafeterias, meat vironment’s (MME) Islands and Wednesday. ing pharmacy, radiology, and to 1pm, Sunday to Thursday, Thursday. (MoPH) has announced the and fi sh shops and the fruit and Beaches Section has conducted a The evening clinic at the Bone laboratory (phlebotomy), will and will hold evening clinics Al Khor Hospital outpatient working hours of the Medical vegetables sections to make sure cleaning campaign at Al Thakhira and Joint Center will be open be available during OPD clinic from 8pm to 11pm, Sunday to clinics and OPD dental services Commission Department and that all the necessary food health Corniche and surrounding areas. from 1pm to 5pm, Sunday to times. Wednesday. will operate from 8 am to 1 pm, birth registration offi ces during and safety regulations are met. Further, Al Khor Harbour was Wednesday. Qatar Rehabilitation Institute National Center for Cancer Sunday to Thursday. the holy Month of Ramadan. The inspection covered the completely cleaned as part of a The main Outpatient Depart- outpatient clinics will oper- Care and Research outpatient There will be no evening clin- During the holy month, work storage areas of food products comprehensive plan to maintain ment (OPD) pharmacy, located ate from 8am to 1pm, Sunday to clinics will be open from 8am to ics during Ramadan. in these places will start at 9am and their transportation and the marine environment in the on the ground fl oor of Hamad Thursday and the OPD pharmacy 1pm, Sunday to Thursday and Hamad Dental Center Ortho- and continue until 6pm daily. handling processes to ensure country. Gulf Times 28 Sunday, May 5, 2019 QATAR Students show off skills at National Robot Olympiad he Qatar National Robot Olympiad (NRO) turned Tout to be a venue for young aspirants to showcase their skills in the fi elds of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Olympiad, which was hosted by College of the North Atlantic – Qatar (CNA-Q), saw the participation of 35 educational institutions from across Qatar. The event was organised in co- operation with the Educational Aff airs Department, Ministry of Education and Higher Educa- tion, and attended by more than 115 students in 40 teams, 38 coaches who mentored the students and nearly 50 volunteers who judged and ensured the successful conduct of the event. Students exhibit their robots during the Olympiad. PICTURES: Nasar K Moidheen NRO is the culmination of CNA-Q’s robotics teacher annual training programme in which hundreds of teachers attend in- Samah Gamar and Shihabudheen Syed Salah. tensive training workshops to incorporate robotics into educa- part of the eff orts to support the engineering and mathematics four teams from Qatar will be tak- tion curriculum in Qatar. country achieve the objectives of fi elds. By getting such oppor- en to the World Robot Olympiad The event is organised in an ef- Qatar National Vision 2030. tunities, they are going to help (WRO) to be held in Hungary. fort to advance students’ interest “The initiative allows students Qatar’s overall development,” she In the Regular Competition in Stem. to work with robotics and pro- noted. category, MES Indian School and The NRO provides teams of vides them with a venue to ex- CNA-Q has been “a proud Ali Bin Jassim Bin Mohammed Al students with opportunity to press their creativity,” she said, supporter of robotics in Qatar”, Thani School emerged as winners compete with their peers to solve adding that the competitions fo- hosting the NRO since 2011, and in the junior and senior sections, age-appropriate challenges us- cused on providing solutions for also being the host for the World respectively. ing the Lego and Mindstorm ro- challenges such as environmen- Robot Olympiad in Qatar in 2015, In the Open category, Amna botic kits. tal pollution and sustainability. a press statement noted. Mahmoud Aljeda School, Khalid Samah Gamar, vice-president “This robotics initiative has The event was organised in Bin Ahmad Preparatory School — Academic at CNA-Q, said supported the development of Regular Competition and Open For Boys and Tariq Bin Ziyad Sec- the event is organised in a bid to STEM skills in thousands of stu- Competition categories. ondary School got the fi rst prize help the younger generation and dents in Qatar, piquing their in- Shihabudheen Syed Salah, ICT in the elementary, junior and student community to become terest in the science, technology, specialist with the ministry, said senior sections, respectively. Parents, judges, volunteers and students attending the valedictory session.