BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 More alive than ever: Neymar INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-5, 20 COMMENT 18, 19 New shipping service REGION 6 BUSINESS 1–7, 12-16 aft er scoring to boost trade between 21,993.71 9,191.73 47.49 ARAB WORLD 6 CLASSIFIED 8-12 +135.39 -13.49 -1.33 INTERNATIONAL 7–17 SPORTS 1–8 Qatar and Pakistan debut +0.62% -0.15% -2.72% Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

TUESDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10546 August 15, 2017 Dhul-Qa’da 23, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir meets Libyan delegation Qatar likely to In brief export pharma products by ‘18 QATAR | Offi cial Emir congratulates By Peter Alagos into the country’s poultry sector. Business Reporter “A Qatari company is also going to Pakistan president on invest in Pakistan’s food industry to Independence Day secure the maximum quantity of poul- His Highness the Emir Sheikh atar is expected to export phar- try for Qatar. Two Pakistani fi rms spe- Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and maceutical products to Europe, cialising in the food stuff industry also His Highness the Deputy Emir QAfrica, and other parts of the received orders from private companies Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met at the Emiri Diwan yesterday with a delegation comprising GCC by next year as preparations are in Qatar,” Tufail pointed out. al-Thani yesterday sent cables members of Al Bunyan Al Marsous forces in Libya, who called upon the Emir to greet him on the occasion of their visit to the underway for the establishment of two The signing of the agreements would of congratulations to Pakistan country. Page 2 manufacturing facilities here, an offi - position Qatar as a regional manufac- President Mamnoon Hussain on cial said. turing hub in various sectors aside from his country ’s Independence Day Two agreements have already been the pharmaceutical industry. anniversary. HE the Prime Minister signed between Qatari fi rms and Pa- Mohamed bin Ahmed al-Obaidly, and Interior Minister Sheikh kistani pharmaceutical companies, Qatar Chamber board member and Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa according to Federation of Pakistan chairman of the Committee on Agri- al-Thani also sent a similar cable of Chambers of Commerce & Industry culture and Environment, said: “The congratulations to Pakistan Prime president Zubair F Tufail, who accom- chamber wants to see Qatar trans- Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. panied a 12-member delegation from form into a regional business hub Pages 3, 15 Katara Hospitality’s Pakistan. considering the modern facilities and “Part of our delegation is a Pakistani infrastructure in the country, which QATAR | Diplomacy company called Martin Dow, which has is why we are trying to attract major four companies in Pakistan and two investors.” Emir sends message plants in France. They were invited by He added: “We look forward to see- to El Salvador leader the Ministry of Public Health to estab- ing Qatari and Pakistani private sector His Highness the Emir Sheikh $1bn Swiss hotel lish a manufacturing plant here. players forge stronger ties and provide Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has “They are now going to form the added value to the growth in trade ex- sent a written message to El company in Qatar and they plan to change between the two countries. Salvador President Salvador manufacture pharmaceutical products “We are very much free to export Sanchez Ceren, pertaining to here in a year’s time,” Tufail told Gulf anywhere in the world despite the po- bilateral relations and means of Times on the sidelines of the fi rst Qa- litical situation; I think we have to look boosting them. The message was project completed tar-Pakistan Business Council meeting after our national companies and how received by El Salvador Foreign held at Qatar Chamber yesterday. they can grow and expand. There are Minister Hugo Martnez during a Qatar hospitality sector metschwand Lift and the Cliff Path city and the resort. Tufail also said Pakistani companies a lot of opportunities and we have to meeting with Qatar embassy’s defies blockade, focuses have been operating for some time The train will operate every 90 min- in the food industry were also invited use the advantage of having a strong acting charge d’aff aires Ahmed bin while Waldhotel – Health and Medical utes between the early morning and their Qatari counterparts to venture economy.” Mohamed al-Horr. on global expansion Excellence will open this fall season. midnight. A brand-new shuttle boat However, the grand opening of the will come into service in spring 2018 QATAR | Reaction he opening of the $1bn Bur- new Burgenstock Resort will take place to coincide with the Burgenstock Re- Paris crash, Burkina genstock Resort Lake Lucerne, in spring 2018. sort’s grand opening, which will run TSwitzerland, by the end of this The recruitment process for the every hour between the resort and Lu- attack condemned month will set a new global hospital- resort is in full swing with more than cerne. Qatar yesterday condemned the ity benchmark for Katara Hospitality, 200 staff already under contract and With its environmental-friendly deliberate car crash in east of Qatar’s leading global hotel owner, de- hiring process is underway. approaches to energy generation, con- Paris that targeted customers veloper and operator. The Burgenstock Resort offi cials ex- struction and logistics, the resort’s of a restaurant, killing a girl and The car-free resort, which is part of pressed confi dence that they will have sustainability concept represents a injuring several others. The Foreign Burgenstock Selection headquartered 400 employees by the time it opens. It landmark in ecological thinking. Ministry said Qatar’s position is in Zug Switzerland, comprises four aims to hire around 800 people once A study by BAK Basel Economics firm in rejecting violence and three to fi ve-star superior hotels with fully operational. has indicated the Burgenstock Resort’s all criminal acts that terrorise 383 rooms and suites, a health and Katara Hospitality said public immense value creating potential: peaceful civilians. Qatar has also medical centre, 12 bars and restau- transport links will also commence once the resort is fully up and run- strongly condemned the attack on rants, 67 residence suites, a 10,000sq operations on August 28. The Lucerne ning, it could be contributing some a restaurant in Burkina Faso, which m Alpine spa and a wide range of lei- – Kehrsiten-Burgenstock shuttle boat CHF140mn to the Central Swiss econ- resulted in a number of deaths and sure pursuits. service and the completely rebuilt vin- omy in terms of gross value creation Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry president Zubair F Tufail injuries. The ministry expressed According to Katara Hospitality, tage-look Burgenstock Railway, which (resort: 100mn, suppliers: 40mn). It is receives a token of recognition from Qatar Chamber vice-chairman Mohamed bin Qatar’s condolences to the victims’ the Burgenstock Selection portfolio takes guests and visitors into the heart creating a total of 1,100 direct and in- Towar al-Kuwari after the first Qatar-Pakistan Business Council meeting held in Doha families and the two governments. consists of the Burgenstock Resort of the resort, will provide a direct and direct jobs, making it the second-larg- yesterday. PICTURE: Jayaram Lake Lucerne, the Schweizerhof Ho- highly entertaining link between the est employer in Canton Nidwalden. tel & Spa in Bern (99 rooms), and the Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa in Lausanne (196 rooms). Burgenstock Selection invested a total of 1bn Swiss francs in the region. ‘MedFood 2017’ expo next month Following nine years of planning and construction, the complex con- atar Chamber will organise medicine security in the State. struction work on the main part of the an exhibition for food and The exhibition aims to support the kilometre-plus long resort will be com- Qpharmaceutical industries national food industries, achieve more pleted on August 28, in addition to the in mid-September in co-operation self-suffi ciency and reduce depend- restoration of the resort’s 30-heritage with the Ministry of Energy and In- ence on food imports. protected and repurposed buildings. dustry. The event will also highlight invest- “Reservation inquiries regarding The fi rst edition of the food and ments in pharmaceuticals and medical residential events and conferences medicine “MedFood 2017” expo aims supplies, and will reveal initiatives for have been robust for months, and at introducing national products in the private sector to achieve drug se- there is a great deal of interest in the food and medicine and providing a curity. Residence Suites,” Katara Hospitality platform for presenting the most im- It will represent a motivation for said in a statement. portant companies and factories oper- businessmen to establish pharma- The Taverne 1879, Blockhaus, ating in these activities, thus contrib- ceutical factories and to promote the Spycher, the 9-hole golf course, Ham- The Burgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne. uting to the achievement of food and “Made in Qatar” logo. ‘Time to end siege driven by Saudi, Emirati hypocrisy’

Saudi Arabia and the UAE Qatari offi cial has said. pense, again, they have failed. ISIS schools. Saudi citizens also fi nance freedom of speech and press. “In 2014 cyber security services have identifi ed have failed to bring Qatar to Ambassador Mutlaq al-Qahtani, the “Instead, the anti-Qatar smear cam- a large number of the 50 groups desig- authorities arrested a man for plotting a the UAE as the perpetrator of the hack- its knees; failed to damage Foreign Minister’s Special Envoy on paign has put a spotlight on the shame- nated by the US Department of State as terrorist attack on a Formula One race- ing of Qatar News Agency, which set the Qatar’s reputation and Counter-terrorism and Mediation for ful history and unsavory practices of terrorist organisations.” track in Abu Dhabi. But the Emirates entire Gulf crisis in motion. Settling Confl icts said the dispute was the Saudis and Emiratis themselves. On the UAE, al-Qahtani said that prohibited international media outlets “Surely this kind of publicity can’t be improve their own and failed driven by Saudi and Emirati hypocrisy. Saudi Arabia justifi es the blockade by country has taken a similarly hypo- from reporting on the trial. The UAE’s what the Saudis and Emiratis hoped for to enhance their relationship In an opinion piece for the Wall alleging that Qatari authorities sup- critical stance. recent clampdown on free speech has when they instigated this crisis. Yet the with US at Qatar’s expense Street Journal entitled ‘Qatar Will Not port extremists and terrorist organisa- “While the UAE falsely portrays it- been widely condemned, especially af- longer the blockade goes on, the more Be Intimidated’, the ambassador said: tions. But the accusation only reminds self as America’s best ally in the region, ter the country’s Justice Ministry said damaging information the world will learn QNA “If Saudi Arabia and the United Arab observers that the Saudis have consist- its track record is no better than Saudi in June that supporting Qatar on social about them and the more diffi cult it will be Doha Emirates, the countries driving the ently failed to prevent the radicalisation Arabia’s. Two Emiratis participated in media could be punishable by fi nes and to resolve their diff erences with Qatar. confrontation, despite the appear- of their citizens.” the September 11 hijackings, and the even prison time.” “It’s time to abandon the public- ance of a unifi ed bloc hoped to bring The ambassador pointed out that 15 of staff report to the 9/11 Commission re- The offi cial said leaked e-mails showed relations campaigns, the blockade, the he blockade of Qatar imposed by Qatar to its knees, they have failed. If the 19 hijackers in the 9/11 attacks were vealed that much of the funding for the that Emirati offi cials were conspiring ultimatums and the pressure tactics the Saudi-led bloc has failed on they hoped to damage Qatar’s reputa- Saudis and thousands of Saudi citizens attacks fl owed through the UAE, which with a variety of interest groups and lob- and meet at the negotiating table, so we Tall fronts and now is the time to tion and improve their own, they have have taken up arms to join Islamic State was a world hub for money laundering.” byists on a campaign to slander Qatar can broker a fair and just resolution to sit down and talk to end the crisis that failed. If they hoped to enhance their and other radical groups. “In addition to He said in the opinion piece that the long before the blockade was imposed. the Gulf crisis,” the ambassador added. has entered the third month, a senior relationship with the US at Qatar’s ex- the fact that Saudi textbooks are used in UAE has fared no better with regard to “Now intelligence experts and Qatar’s Pages 2, 20 Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, August 15, 2017 QATAR

FM meets Libyan forces’ delegation Emir receives members of Libya’s Al Bunyan forces

HE the Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani yesterday met a delegation comprising members of Al Bunyan Al Marsous forces in Libya, during their visit to His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani meeting a delegation comprising members of Al Bunyan Al Marsous forces in Qatar. They discussed means of co-operation between Qatar and Al Bunyan Al Marsous forces in Libya at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. The delegation thanked the Emir for Qatar’s assistance to Al Bunyan Al Marsous forces in resisting and confronting the terrorist groups. The Foreign Minister aff irmed Qatar’s support for successfully resisting and fighting terrorist groups in Sirte, in addition to the constant support for the Libyan people to establish security the political agreement and the national reconciliation government as well as Qatar’s firm stance in and stability, and combat terrorism and extremism in Libya. The Emir welcomed the delegation, stressing Qatar’s support for the combating terrorism in all its forms. Government of National Accord, and its firm stance in combating terrorism. ‘Siege fails to Minister meets Singapore envoy upset HIA, Qatar Airways plans’ z Life is going on normally Munich executive board mem- port, stressing that the two sides in Qatar under an ineff ective ber, Andreas Jung; and Supreme are on top and aim to stay there. HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti received a siege Committee for Delivery and In this regard, Bayern Munich message yesterday from Dr Yacoub Ibrahim, Singapore’s Minister of Communications and zSC is moving ahead with its Legacy Secretary General, Has- offi cial store was opened in the Information and Minister in charge of Cyber Security. The message included an invitation to previously announced plans san al-Thawadi. duty free zone at HIA, allowing the minister of transport and communications to participate in the global information security and is not aff ected by the For his part, HIA Chief Op- travellers an opportunity to shop conference as well as ways of enhancing co-operation between Qatar and Singapore in the field of siege erating Offi cer Badr Mohamed for a selection of gifts and goods communications and cyber security, and means of developing them. Ambassador of Singapore to al-Meer stressed the importance that bear the logo of the club. Qatar, JS Sohan, delivered the message during a meeting with the minister of transport and QNA of placing the airport logo on During the event, HIA and communications. Doha the shirts of Bayern Munich, the Bayern Munich launched the most successful in Germany. promotional fi lm that shows the He added that this growing airport’s facilities and services amad International Air- partnership between the two for passengers. port’s (HIA) announce- sides opens up new and excit- The fi lm features Bayern play- Hment of consolidating Qatar Airways Chief Executive ing scopes within this successful ers Arjen Robben and Robert Qatar-Serbia ties reviewed its platinum sponsorship of FC Off icer Akbar al-Baker co-operation. Lewandowski. Bayern Munich demonstrates speaking at the press Supreme Committee for De- In January, Doha hosted Bay- that the plans of HIA and Qatar conference yesterday. livery and Legacy (SC) Secretary ern’s annual winter camp for Airways have not been aff ected General, Hassan al-Thawadi, nine days at Aspire Academy. by the siege imposed on Qatar, HIA and Qatar Airways. said Qatar’s 2022 World Cup re- HIA recently announced an Qatar Airways Chief Executive Speaking at the press con- lated projects and infrastructure 8% increase in the number of Offi cer Akbar al-Baker said. ference, al-Baker said that the are progressing well according to travellers and 19% increase in Speaking to Qatar News partnership between HIA, which the schedule and haven’t been cargo handling from January to Agency (QNA) after the press has won major international aff ected by the recent events. June 2017, compared to the cor- conference, which was held on awards, and Bayern Munich In press statements, al-Thawadi responding period last year. the occasion of consolidating proves Qatar’s leading role in said the SC is moving ahead with The airport has achieved a the sponsorship contract yes- sports worldwide. its previously announced plans and number of signifi cant mile- terday, al-Baker stressed the He noted that the presence of wasn’t aff ected by the siege. stones in 2017, including being importance of the agreement HIA logo on the shirts of Bayern He pointed to enhancing the classifi ed as a fi ve-star airport for HIA as the only airport in the Munich players refl ects the air- partnership between HIA and by Skytrax, making it one of only world to sponsor a football team, port’s important role in adopting Bayern Munich as a proof that fi ve other airports in the world to noting that this sponsorship as- sport as a means to bring people life is going on normally in Qatar achieve this status. sures the world that life is going together, adding that the spon- and that the sponsorship agree- Earlier this year, it was ranked on normally in Qatar under an sorship is in line with Qatar’s ment benefi ts both sides. sixth best airport in the world by ineff ective siege. ambitious national vision. Bayern Munich Executive the 2017 Skytrax World Airport The CEO of Qatar Airways, The sponsorship contract Board member Andreas Jung Awards, moving up four places which is responsible for oper- of the German club extends to said that starting with the new from 2016. ating HIA, explained that Ger- 2023. season, the Bavarian club’s shirts It has also won the best air- many is Europe’s largest travel The shirt of the club bear- will don the HIA logo. port in the Middle East title for HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi met the Serbian ambassador market, therefore this sponsor- ing the logo of HIA was revealed As a sporting icon in Germany, three years in a row and best staff to Qatar Jasminko Pozderac in Doha yesterday. Talks covered bilateral relations and co-operation ship is important to introduce during the press conference in Jung said, Bayern Munich is the service in the Middle East for between Qatar and Serbia and ways of enhancing them, as well as issues of mutual interest. Qatar and the great potential of the presence of al-Baker; Bayern best partner for the fi ve-star air- two years in a row.

Advisory Council speaker meets Compensation committee Australian envoy, US embassy off icial PM to patronise Qatar HE the Speaker of the Advisory Council Mohamed bin Mubarak al-Khulaifi met Australia’s ambassador to Qatar Axel Wabenhorst in gets more applications Doha yesterday. The meeting reviewed the existing parliamentary ties between the two countries and means of developing them. sustainability week 2017 HE the Secretary General of the Advisory Council, Fahad bin Mubarak he Compensation Claims In the UAE, many Qatari stu- al-Khayareen, attended the meeting. The Advisory Council’s speaker Committee received 26 dents were dismissed from the also met William Grant, the new charge d’aff aires at the US embassy in Tapplications on Sunday education institutes and uni- atar Green Building Prime Minister for Qatar Sus- the public attending more than Qatar. The meeting discussed the existing parliamentary ties between and fi ve phone calls from various versities immediately after the Council (QGBC) has tainability Week 2017. 100 events held across three Qatar and US, and means of boosting and enhancing them. individuals looking for getting blockade was enforced and Qannounced that Qatar cities in Qatar. HE Deputy Speaker of the Advisory Council, Issa bin Rabia al-Kuwari, the adequate compensation for some of them were not given Sustainability Week 2017 will be “This year bears special Al-Shamari added: “This and HE al-Khayareen attended the meeting. their losses due to the on-going any documents to prove the al- held under the patronage of HE signifi cance for QGBC year bears special signifi cance blockade. ready accomplished courses and the Prime Minister and Interior and Qatar’s sustainability for QGBC and Qatar’s sustain- Qatar-Georgia ties discussed Applicants told local Arabic academic hours. In addition, a Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin industry, as we will be ability industry, as we will be daily Arrayah that their losses considerable number of Qatari Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani. rolling out our newest rolling out our newest initia- HE the Secretary-General of Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Dr could be counted in millions of property owners in the UAE have The initiative, which hosts initiative, ‘Green Life’” tive, ‘Green Life,’ the world’s Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi met the First Georgian Deputy Foreign Riyals, in some cases. Land cargo become completely unable to numerous sustainability events fi rst sustainability loyalty pro- Minister David Zalkaliani, in the course of his current visit to Georgia. companies, in particular, have follow up on their apartments or across the country, will take QGBC has made tremen- gramme. Leading up to Qatar Talks during the meeting tackled bilateral relations and ways of stressed that with the closure of houses there. place from October 28 to No- dous strides in advancing Qa- Sustainability Week 2017, resi- enhancing them, as well as issues of mutual concern. the land borders by the Saudi Au- The committee was estab- vember 4. tar’s sustainable development dents, organisations, and busi- Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi also met separately with the thorities, their business has come lished by the government to as- Qatar Sustainability Week goals, and the launch of Qatar nesses in Qatar will have the Secretary of the National Security Council of Georgia Davit Rakviashvili, to a complete halt abruptly. sist the aggrieved persons and grants stakeholders from the Sustainability Week last year opportunity to attend a series and adviser to the Georgian Prime Minister for Foreign Aff airs Tedo Others pointed out that their companies get their due com- public and private sectors an was a notable achievement for of exciting events, and we en- Japaridze, during his current visit to Georgia. The two meetings dealt business in Saudi Arabia, in pensations through the proper opportunity to promote the na- QGBC and a signifi cant na- courage everyone to join us.” with bilateral relations and ways of boosting and developing them. particular owners of farms and legal channels and its operation tion’s sustainability vision and tionwide event. This initiative Qatar Green Building Con- livestock, incurred huge losses will go on until all such related address society’s understand- plays a crucial role in raising ference 2017, the week’s fl ag- Indian Independence Day celebrations due to the sudden denial of ac- issued are resolved. ing and attitude towards, the awareness among the wider ship event, will also run from cess to their property, workers Besides receiving complaints concept. It will also highlight community, while showcasing October 29 to 31. The third Indian embassy in association with Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) will and herds in the Saudi territo- and classifying them into rel- the key role the wider commu- the progress Qatar has made in edition of the conference will conduct a flag hoisting ceremony today at ICC premises at Abu Hamour ries. They were even denied any evant categories so as to fi le cases nity plays in advancing Qatar’s the areas of sustainability and bring together industry lead- to mark 71st Indian Independence Day. The event will start at 6:45am. access to money transfer, which in relevant courts for compensa- long-term ‘green’ agenda. green buildings.” ers and sustainability experts All community members are invited to attend. They should carry a made them unable to send mon- tion, the committee helps people Meshal al-Shamari, direc- The inaugural Qatar Sustain- to address and showcase their photo identification with them. Ambassador of India, P Kumaran, will ey to support their expatriate prepare the necessary documents tor, QGBC, said: “It’s an hon- ability Week in 2016 was hailed innovative solutions to Qatar’s, unfurl the National Flag in the presence of leaders and members of workers in Saudi Arabia, leaving and advise them on what should our and a privilege for QGBC a resounding success, with as well as the region’s, environ- Indian community in Qatar. Students from Indian schools shall present them stranded there. be done to submit a claim. to have the support of HE the more than 10,000 members of mental challenges. patriotic songs during the occasion. Gulf Times Tuesday, August 15, 2017 3 QATAR Expatriate Pakistanis celebrate Independence Day with pomp

By Kamran Rehmat ditions and will also strengthen Doha the process of national progress,” the president was quoted as say- ing. ilestones with a round Prime Minister Shahid fi gure - say, the 70th - Khaqan Abbasi, on the other Mhave a nice ring about hand, struck a poignant note it. While seven decades in the life about the value of freedom. of a nation do not quite make it “Today, we are treading the old, it is the journey that counts. path of prosperity and progress By all counts, it has been an in a peaceful and dignifi ed coun- eventful one, with an ever young try because of the unparalleled spirit. sacrifi ces rendered by our an- The joie de vivre was evident cestors,” he recalled. as Pakistanis from all walks of “Pakistan desires positive life converged at the embassy in and constructive relations with Doha to celebrate their country’s all the countries of the world, Independence Day. especially with its neighbours Braving sweltering heat, fami- on the basis of sovereign equal- lies turned out in large numbers, ity,” the prime minister drove thematically drawing from the home. green visage of the national fl ag Ambassador Shahzad Ahmed in their attire. Some cars were while congratulating the gath- also bedecked in the colour of ering on the Independence Day the moment. exhorted his compatriots to The ambience had a veneer work single-mindedly for the The ambassador and officers of the Pakistan embassy cutting the cake. of entertainment to it with pop progress and prosperity of Pa- patriotism in full swing - foot- kistan. “We must uphold the tapping national songs blaring values and principles that make through the music system doing ours a great nation,” he said, un- its bit to lift the spirit on a humid derpinning Father of The Nation day. Quaid-e-Azam Mohamed Ali A smartly turned out contin- Jinnah’s motto of ‘Unity, Faith, gent of Pakistan’s armed forces Discipline’. made an impressive entry before The ambassador was also a personnel presented the cres- sanguine about the state of rela- cent-and-star green and white tions with Qatar, saying the two national fl ag. brotherly Islamic countries were Shahzad Ahmed, Pakistan’s moving ahead with great vigour ambassador to Qatar, hoisted and vitality in the diplomatic the national fl ag as the audience and economic spheres. sang the national anthem in uni- Schoolchildren made their son. presence felt with speeches and Sadia Gohar Khanum, Head of popular national songs like Dil Chancery, then took the podium Dil Pakistan (Heart, Heart Pa- to read out messages from Presi- kistan) with some zest. Syed dent Mamnoon Hussain and Intisar Hussain, a Doha-based Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan broadcast engineer, regaled the Ambassador Shahzad Ahmed hoisting the national flag. Abbasi. audience with the rendition of Ye Students rendering a national song. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil “Today, let us make a fi rm Watan Tumhara Hai (This Land commitment that we will adhere is Yours) and Ae Watan Pyaare all things Pakistani around Doha, Murad Baseer, who has joined and buzz at the celebration, say- the national fl ag, was cut by the traditional Lahori breakfast to our national objectives and Watan (Oh Land, the Beloved was a familiar presence and took the embassy as Deputy Head ing he looked forward to a fruit- ambassador and offi cers of the made of halwa puri, chana and goals. This will pave the way for Land). to brightening the mood in the of Mission, coming from Bern, ful tenure in Doha. mission. tea - hot from the oven as it were better governance. It will lead Malik Sarfraz, a cheerleader embassy hall with full throated Switzerland, was impressed with A delectable cake, made af- As ever, the celebration would - making the large gathering feel to maturity of democratic tra- known for his vocal support for slogans. the large turnout and the energy ter the colours and contours of have been amiss without the completely at home in Doha. New fi rms chosen to launch ‘For the Love of Qatar’ extended food trucks at MIA grounds

ix local businesses, repre- sites in the coming months. licious range of Qatari fusion and handmade American style senting some of the best The partnership between QM food and beverages menu. burgers will be created using lo- Snew arrivals on the Qatar and QDB was launched ear- 2.Coff ee-Bike Café will serve cally sourced ingredients. food truck scene, have been se- lier this year, calling on SMEs its own rich tasting organic cof- 6.Poori & Karak will serve a lected to join the growing supply across Qatar in the fi elds of fee, fresh juices, healthy smooth- wide range of Indian chapati, chain of Qatar Museums (QM). hospitality, food and beverage, ies, in addition to own signature poori and parati sandwiches. The announcement marks merchandising, retail and crea- sandwiches and desserts. “Each application we re- the latest example of the suc- tive products and design to de- 3.Dareen Sweets will off er ceived was unique and truly cessful long-term partnership velop and submit business ide- sweet and salty biscuits, cakes impressive, proving Qatari en- between QM and Qatar Devel- as for the chance to join QM and and a selection of hot and cold trepreneurs are ready to create opment Bank (QDB) to support QDB’s growing supply chain. drinks. a positive impact on the local the development of SMEs and Following a thorough se- 4.Coming to Doha from the economy,” CEO and Special the private sector in Qatar. lection process, QM and QDB streets of Thailand, Ice Rolls Adviser to HE the Chairperson The six winners will host appointed the following food will be the fi rst Qatari concept at QM Mansoor bin Ebrahim al- The ‘For the Love of Qatar’ art initiative at Doha Festival City (DHFC) has been extended to August their fi rst visitors on the MIA truck operators to bring their off ering customers rolled ice Mahmoud said. 19, allowing more Doha residents the chance to creatively express their love for Qatar and its people, grounds in the coming weeks, delicious and unique new off er- cream in cups, promising an ex- QDB CEO Abdul Aziz bin organisers announced. Qatari artists Lina al-Aali and Radi al-Hajri are leading the eff ort to make in time for the start of the busy ings to the local community: ceptional taste experience. Nasser al-Khalifa added that nation’s largest mosaic. The artists will be at DHFC between noon and 3pm and again between 5pm fall exhibition season, QM said 1.Doha Bus Café will utilise 5.A selection of authen- they are continuously work- and 8pm every day until the weekend. During those times, children and adults alike are invited to take in a statement. the popular Doha hop-on-off tic American food with a lo- ing with their partners to help part in the initiative. The collective work of art, which kicked off on August 10, is an initiative of the Additional food operators bus as the venue for its opera- cal twist is the trademark of strengthen the economic sys- Qatar Summer Festival 2017. will be selected for future QM tion at MIA Park, off ering a de- Burger and Burmait. Its fresh tem for the SME sector.

Lack of OIC, Arab League New Sidra app seeks to enhance patient experience

By Joseph Varghese the patients to relax and visit the members of the team,” said response to crisis lamented Staff Reporter the café or wait comfortably in the offi cial. one of Sidra’s healing gardens According Rizvi, who was in- he lack of a responsible re- instead of waiting in line,” Rizvi strumental in designing the ap- action from the Organisa- idra Medical and Re- said. plication, it can identify when Ttion of Islamic Co-operation search Center (Sidra) has “Anyone can contribute an the code alarm occurred and (OIC) and the Arab League in the Slaunched an app called idea – from the janitor to the who started it as well as which ongoing Gulf crisis has been disap- ‘Saff ara’ to enhance patient ex- CEO for developing applica- team members responded to pointing, prominent Doha resident people remain optimistic regardless. perience at the hospital. tions. We have an internal ap- the situation and showed up for Adeel Akbar said. “We are very hopeful that the cri- “Saffara is the Arabic term plication team that reviews the action. An engineer with the Ministry of sis will be resolved soon. If there is a for whistle. It functions as feasibility of the ideas that are “Code Blue is practical for Interior maintenance department, misunderstanding between the GCC an alert for the patients and pitched to us,” he said. a hospital like setting – par- Akbar was the guest yesterday on countries it needs to be addressed be- visitors of the hospital. Saf- The idea for the develop- ticularly during an emergency. the live radio show ‘Haqeeqat’, aired cause we are all part of the same Mus- fara is currently in use within ment of the app was provided With a large hospital like ours, on Qatar’s Urdu radio programme. lim ummah at the end of the day.” Sidra’s pharmacy department by Dr Ben Lee, a physician at traditional methods might Being one of the largest organi- Haqeeqat – Reality in Urdu and and will be expanded to other Sidra. not be possible to inform each sations of Muslim countries in the Al Haqeeqah in Arabic, aims to patient-related services at Another innovation devel- member of an emergency team world, people were hoping to see engage and interact with the large Sidra,” Dr Deepak Kaura, ex- Dr Deepak Kaura Dr Avez Rizvi oped in-house at Sidra is Code individually and immediately. OIC as well as the Arab League take South Asian expatriate community ecutive chair - Foundation Blue, an application for emer- The app can connect as many a line of action when human rights in Qatar. Ashraf Siddiqui will be the Medical Services, Sidra told most Western countries,” Kaura or your physician is ready to see gency response. members as possible and mo- were violated as a result of the guest of today’s show that will be Gulf Times. said. you’ just before their turn, both “This is an application to bilise them immediately,” he blockade of Qatar, he remarked. broadcast at 8pm. “At present there are seven “We developed Saff ara to in Arabic and English,” said Dr alert the members of a particu- said. Akbar said that even though the Log on to Qatar Urdu Radio on Fa- applications that are either in connect people directly with Avez Rizvi, division chief - lar clinical team on emergency The back-end of the appli- blockade has continued for nearly cebook and ‘@QatarUrduRadio’ on use or will be operational soon. our electronic medical records. Centre for Medical Innovation, situations. The alert can be cation includes a dashboard three months now, the State of Qa- Twitter for feedback and comments. We have developed most of It accesses scheduled patients Software, and Technology at initiated via your smartphone which can be used to pick tar alleviated the apprehensions of The programme is a joint venture these applications from scratch and even those just coming in Sidra. or through a web application. teams, assign members, and the general public. of the Gulf Times and Qatar Me- and by in-house teams. Many for a refi ll. The patients get a “The diff erence between a As soon as someone hits the on-call statuses. It also allows It was pointed out that even dia Corporation Urdu Radio, and it of them are very unique that text message on their smart- vendor queuing system and button, it immediately alerts analytics on how many codes though the silence from the Arab will be broadcast from Sunday to such apps are not available phone - for example ‘Your Saff ara is that we can enrol the emergency staff via millisecond were sent out on a day and what League was sad and disappointing, Thursday on FM107. anywhere in the region, even in medication is ready to pick up patients directly. This allows notifi cations that will reach all were the responses and so on. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, August 15, 2017 QATAR Qatar residents can play with champions at 4th Mindsports World Championship

atar residents will have the Ooredoo named offi cial partner chance to play alongside inter- The GMC Qatar representatives with the award at the fourth annual Transform Awards MENA. Qnational champions at the 4th Ooredoo will be the off icial partner of “Ooredoo is proud to sponsor this Mindsports World Championships, the fourth edition of the Mindsports important event, not only to attract which will kick off in Doha on Saturday. World Championships 2017, taking more visitors from across the world to Organiser Mindsports Academy and place in Qatar this year, as part of the our country but to help integrate Qa- host Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) Qatar Summer Festival 2017, it was tari culture, which has a huge tradition GMC Qatar wins Transform Gold are calling those who are interested in announced. of mindsports, with the next-genera- competing in chess, scrabble, back- The event, which will be held at the tion of players,” Ooredoo’s public rela- gammon, bridge, Go or e-Sports to Doha Exhibition and Convention Cen- tions and corporate communications MC Qatar has won the Gold Branding talent from charities, The Sierra half-ton pickup is the register for free at www.msawc2017. tre from August 19 to 27, is expected to director Manar Khalifa al-Muraikhi said, award for the second time in a NGOs, corporate fi rms and agencies most powerful light duty pickup on the com attract some 1,500 mindsports enthusi- as she encouraged people to attend Grow at the fourth annual Trans- was all on display. market, and the fi rst full-size pickup “We are very excited to welcome asts from more than 40 countries. the championships. form Awards MENA. Grow, the agency Built on the philosophy of ‘Com- to receive the highest possible fi ve-star the world’s most accomplished and The championships comprise a She also thanked the event’s host, that works with Mannai Automotive mands Respect’, GMC has built pick- Overall Vehicle Score for safety since committed mindsports players as multitude of events, including the six Qatar Tourism Authority, for once and their brands, also picked up 10 ups since 1902. the National Highway Traffi c Safety they battle for the title of the best in headline mindsports: scrabble, chess, again partnering with Ooredoo. other awards on the night. With a rich heritage in the Mid- Administration changed its New Car their sport while enjoying uniquely Go, bridge, backgammon and e-Sports. Confirmed participants of the event Established in 2009 in Europe, the dle East and an impressive 111 years of Assessment Program for the 2011 Qatari experiences and a taste of true Players can register now at www. include chess grand masters Keith Transform Awards has evolved into a presence, innovation and engineering model year. hospitality,” QTA’s director of public msawc2017.com, where they can see Arkell from the UK and Tamas Fodor celebration of the talent that exists with- excellence is built into all GMC ve- Every GMC model, including Yukon relations and communication Saif al- the list of prizes up for grabs, includ- of Hungary. Both will be aiming for the in the branding sphere. The Transform hicles. The brand is evolving to off er and Yukon XL full-size SUVs, is avail- Kuwari said. ing Apple technology contributed by Champion’s status in the main five-day brand covers Asia-Pacifi c, the Middle more fuel-effi cient pickups, crosso- able in Denali luxury trim. “Whether they are amateurs, hob- Ooredoo. chess event. East, North America and Europe. vers and SUVs. GMC also off ers customers a high- byists or aspiring pros, residents have The 2017 Transform MENA awards The GMC portfolio in the Middle level aftersales service experience. the unique opportunity to compete celebrated entries from Oman, to Leb- East features Terrain small SUV and More information can be had from alongside internationally renowned wherever I go the people are very nice. years old, will be taking on players anon, Nigeria, and Qatar and beyond. Acadia crossover. gmc.mannaiautos.com players right here at home in Qatar,” I’m sure this will also be the case with much older than him as he continues he added. Qatar. Qatar fascinates me. I often his ascent on the world stage. Chess and scrabble masters are con- watch Al Jazeera,” Arkell said. “First of all I can’t wait to fl y to Qa- fi rmed to attend this years’ event being Rudd, meanwhile, said this is his tar. I love Qatar Airways ... I fl ew with held at the Doha Exhibition and Con- fi rst time in the Middle East. them before and I loved every minute vention Centre, sponsored by offi cial “I always enjoy travelling to coun- of it. I can watch movies, play chess 35% of Ezdan Project consists of greenery telecom partner Ooredoo. tries I’ve not been to before, and Qatar with other passengers during the According to organisers, the cham- I’m sure will be no exception.” fl ight, it’s great! I don’t normally sleep pions will be putting themselves to the Hungary-born Grand Master Tamàs because I have a really good time and zdan Holding Group (EHG) has test to compete in the various events Fodor has been playing chess from this time my brother Yousuf is com- allocated 35% of its Ezdan Oasis held across the week and off ering their the age of fi ve and received his Grand ing with us, so the fun will be double,” Eproject for greenery as part of skills as trainers for all enthusiasts Master title in 2013. Suhayl said. its commitment to environmental de- who wish to attend and learn how to “I always heard that it’s a beauti- World renowned scrabble player velopment, a pillar of Qatar’s National develop their own game play. ful country, I am looking forward to and advocate Ganesh Asirvatham Vision 2030. British Grand Master Keith Arkell, checking it out for myself. I am look- headlines the fi eld. He has been play- Green spaces cover approximately along with his protégé and current In- ing forward seeing Doha with a mix of ing scrabble since he was 12 and enjoys 350,000sqm of the project’s total esti- ternational Master Jack Rudd, will be new and old,” he said. a gaming career spanning 17 years. mated area of 1mn sqm, which houses participating, among various Grand Young and upcoming chess super This year in Qatar, Ganesh will be also up to 14 sports courts and play- Masters and Masters. star Ieysaa Bin-Suhayl, who recently off ering his services as a trainer and grounds, according to EHG. “I love travelling the world, and received his Chess Master title at 12 will be there to share his expertise. This stems from EHG’s vision aimed at providing suitable accommodation in the midst of a “positive rich natural environment” for all residents of the Oasis to enjoy. EHG also used various colours to paint the exterior facades of the project’s European style buildings, providing tenants with a residential environment rich in enjoyment, com- fort, tranquillity and optimism. The Ezdan Oasis project houses up to 14 sports courts and playgrounds. “The path we took in the creation of such distinct green area within the the area of Ezdan Oasis to greeneries of such an area, increase its size, and project stems from Ezdan’s vision deeply comes from two principles. urged new residents to preserve it and rooted in environmental conservation “First is environment conservation, contribute to its thrive”. and reliance on renewable energy to pro- an approach adopted in all residen- EHG entered into a strategic part- tect the resources of future generations,” tial projects of Ezdan Real Estate. We nership with SAK Holding, which EHG CEO Ali al-Obaidli said. are a company that has pioneered in specialises in construction and archi- “This is by no means our fi rst ex- promoting green spaces and working tectural design, to plan and implement perience in Qatar, we pioneered the to sponsor environmental awareness the Ezdan Oasis project with distinc- launch of a unique initiative in kind among residents of Ezdan villages in tive colours, services and facilities. and in magnitude, which we dubbed Wakrah and Wukair,” he noted. It represents a qualitative leap in the the “Green Dream,” he stressed. “Its “Second is an ambitious vision for residential scene of Al Wukair area. objective is to grow 22mn trees by Ezdan Oasis Project. We aim to leave a SAK and EHG have been successful 2022 throughout the State of Qatar in fi ngerprint in the realm of residential in completing the project in line with co-operation with offi cial and private compounds and real estate manage- the preset deadlines. They recently bodies in the State.” ment through a massive green zone announced readiness to open the fi rst Ezdan Real Estate acting general beaming of vitality and landscaping,” phase of the project, which covers manager Omar al-Yafey said their ini- al-Yafey added. 17,656sqm area with a total of 2,058 tiative to allocate more than a third of “The company will work to take care residential and commercial units.

AAB woos Camry patrons with new off er

bdullah Abdulghani & Bros Co (AAB), sole agents for Toyota Avehicles, is launching today their Camry 2016 exclusive off er. As part of the promotion running until September 30, the Camry 2016 could be purchased for as low as QR47 a day, AAB announced in a statement yesterday. The campaign off ers to the customer free registration, in-house fi nance fa- cility, a 3-year warranty or 100,000km and trade-in facility for all Toyota models. Terms and conditions apply. The new Toyota Camry blends an evolution of the car’s values – such as comfort, effi ciency, reliability and safety – with a more appealing design and engaging driving experience. AAB is launching today their Camry 2016 exclusive off er. With its striking hood lines and statement-making front grille, the low and high beams, and front turn Toyota’s comprehensive approach to car is designed for those who dare to signal indicators and LED DRLs are in- safety to ensure peace of mind for cus- be bold, and combines refi nement and tegrated for an elegant appearance. tomers, with the car coming equipped performance like never before. Tail lamps wrap around into the ta- with an array of safety features de- An aggressive looking front bumper pered rear quarters for a more sophis- signed to give them the confi dence and grille and pronounced side charac- ticated look, while 17-inch wheels and they need every time they take the car ter lines give the new Camry a far more an available dual exhaust signal im- out for a spin. These include Enhanced expressive style. pressive performance, helping motor- Vehicle Stability Control, Traction It’s a sleeker look that’s also slightly ists get the most out of their drive. Control, Anti-lock Brake System, longer and communicates a dynamic A sleek centre stack with 4.2-inch Electronic Brake-force Distribution, stance and presence. TFT screen makes it easy to access Brake Assist and more. In profi le, a pronounced body line content with an information layout AAB Showrooms located at the air- starts from the Camry’s muscular front which is simple and easy to under- port road and City Center Doha are fender and spans across the doors and stand. open seven days a week. rear quarter panel, conveying a sense The car features a 2.5 litre four-cyl- The main showroom is open from of motion. inder engine that produces 181 horse- 8am to 9pm (Sat – Thu) and on Fridays Sleek new headlamps are the eyes in power and 235 NM of torque, allowing from 5pm to 9pm. The City Center a new Camry face that makes an im- it to deliver best-in-class engine per- Doha showroom is open from 9am to mediate impression. formance and quietness. 10pm (Sat – Thu) and on Fridays from The new Toyota Camry off ers LED The new Toyota Camry continues 5pm to 10pm. Gulf Times Tuesday, August 15, 2017 5 QATAR

The AMG GT Roadster and AMG GT C Roadster. Two new AMG GTs come to Qatar

asser Bin Khaled Automobiles, complement the 11 exterior and 10 inte- cedes-AMG GT C Roadster. By press- the authorised general distrib- rior colours for the models. ing the separate “M” button in the cen- Nutor of Mercedes-Benz in Qa- At the heart of the AMG GT C Road- tre console, the driver can activate the tar, has launched two roadster variants ster is a 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine. manual transmission mode in any drive of the AMG GT two-seater sports car at Mercedes-AMG is introducing a mode. its showroom on Salwa road. further output level of the 4.0-litre V8 The AMG GT C Roadster is equipped The AMG GT C Roadster enhances biturbo, thereby underlining the exclu- with the AMG performance exhaust the portfolio with a completely new sive character of the new model. system as standard. Two variably ad- model that, with an output of 557hp At 557hp, the peak output is 47hp justable fl aps modulate the exhaust and peak torque of 680Nm, also makes above that of the AMG GT S and 28hp note. The fl aps open and close depend- it the most powerful. below the Mercedes-AMG GT R. ing on the selected AMG Drive Select The active rear axle steering and the The maximum torque of 680 newton mode, although they can also be con- electronically controlled rear axle lock- metres is available from 1900 to 5750 trolled individually using a separate ing diff erential, in combination with rpm, while a sprint from zero to 100 button in the AMG Drive Unit. the AMG Ride Control sports suspen- km/h is achieved in 3.7 seconds, and As standard the new Mercedes-AMG sion, ensures the AMG GT C Roadster culminates in a top speed of 316 km/h. GT C Roadster responds even more delivers dynamic performance at the By modifying the hardware and soft- sensitively on account of the active rear highest level. ware, the developers have also adapted axle steering that had its debut in the Both Roadsters are transformed from the seven-speed dual clutch transmis- Mercedes-AMG GT R. coupés to open-top sports cars at the sion in a transaxle arrangement at the With the rear wheels turning in the touch of a button and even on the go. rear axle to the new power level of the opposite direction to the front wheels The three-layered fabric roof with Mercedes AMG GT C Roadster. up to a speed of 100km/h, the sports magnesium/steel/aluminium support The fi rst gear of the AMG Speedshift car turns into corners with signifi cant- structure opens and closes in around 11 DCT 7-speed sport transmission has a ly higher agility, to deliver even more seconds, and can do this at speeds of up higher ratio, while seventh gear and the driving pleasure with less steering in- to 50km/h. fi nal drive have a lower ratio. put required. Additional rollover protection is This makes for even more agile ac- Once the speed of the AMG GT C provided by an integrated aluminium celeration and exceptional responses to Roadster exceeds100km/h, the system cross-member with rollover bars. sudden accelerator movements. turns the rear wheels in the same direc- Three colour options for the soft top The transmission mode “RACE” tion as the front wheels, noticeably im- — black, red and beige – are available to is additionally available for the Mer- proves handling stability. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, August 15, 2017 REGION/ARAB WORLD

CONSERVATION CIVIL STRIFE TRAVEL MEDIA WAR Rescued Aleppo lion gives Bomb kills at least 9 in Egypt opens Gaza border Morocco denies hindering birth after Jordan move southern Yemen crossing for Haj pilgrims coverage of Rif unrest

A charity has successfully transferred 13 animals to A bomb exploded yesterday in a market in south- Egypt yesterday reopened its border with Morocco yesterday rejected accusations by media a new home in Jordan via Turkey from a neglected western Yemen, killing at least nine civilians, a local the Gaza Strip for the first time in months to watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) that Syrian zoo, including a lioness who gave birth to security off icial said. At least four other people allow Muslims from the blockaded Palestinian it obstructed coverage of months of unrest and a healthy cub just hours after arriving, it said were injured in the blast in a market selling qat, enclave to travel to Makkah for the Haj protests that have shaken the northern Rif region. yesterday. The Four Paws group last month a mild narcotic leaf popular among Yemenis, in pilgrimage, authorities said. “The crossing In July, RSF issued a scathing statement accusing moved the animals from the Magic World zoo the city of Qa’ataba in the northern part of Dhalea was reopened this morning for four days in the authorities in the North African country of and amusement park in Syria’s war-torn Aleppo province. It was not immediately clear who planted one direction for 2,500 pilgrims,” Hisham preventing journalists from covering events in the province to an animal protection centre in northern the bomb. “The crimes being committed these Adwan, director of information at the crossings Rif, particularly in the main city of Al-Hoceima. The Turkey. The 13 creatures — five lions, two tigers, days indicate that the target is to create chaos and authority of the Hamas-run interior ministry, culture and communications ministry yesterday two Asian black bears, two hyenas and two dogs public instability,” the provincial governor, Fadhel said. “About 800 pilgrims will leave the strip rejected the accusations as biased, unfounded and — were then safely transported by air to an animal al-Jaadi, wrote on his Facebook page. He put the today,” he added, saying they had all already “lacking in credibility and proof”. It said 89 foreign A Four Paws handout picture shows rescued sanctuary outside Amman. Shortly after arriving number of those killed or wounded at 20. “These received Saudi visas. The Rafah crossing with media correspondents accredited in Morocco hold lioness Dana and her new-born cub Hajar on Saturday, the pregnant lioness, named Dana, crimes are being implemented randomly, without Egypt has been largely closed in recent years “all the permits necessary to carry out their work inside a cage at an animal sanctuary in Amman. gave birth to a healthy cub named Hajar. any regard to who the victims are,” he added. apart from occasional openings. under normal conditions across the country”. Syrian rebels Selfie protest and refugees leave camp in Lebanon

Reuters Beirut

group of Syrian rebels and refugees yesterday began to leave a border enclave in Lebanon for Syrian territory Aunder a deal worked out with Lebanese and Syrian au- thorities, a TV station affi liated to Hezbollah said. The departure of rebels from a group called Saraya Ahl al-Sham will leave an Islamic State enclave as the last militant stronghold straddling the border near the Leba- nese town of Arsal, which is home to tens of thousands of refugees. About 300 rebels from the group as well as about 3,000 refugees are to leave Lebanon under the deal that followed an assault by the Hezbollah on insurgent positions last month. A convoy of 40 buses had left for the Syrian border, al-Ma- nar TV, which is linked to Hezbollah, said. Demonstrators take selfies outside the Egyptian embassy in London yesterday to bring attention to detained photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid. Television footage showed buses very slowly moving through the dry hills of the border area. The transfer involving Saraya Ahl al-Sham rebels and another one early this month of Nusra Front fighters and refugees, are similar to deals struck within Syria in which Damascus has shuttled rebels and civilians to opposition areas. On Friday, the Lebanese security offi cial overseeing the ar- rangements, General Abbas Ibrahim, said a group of civilians would go to Assal al-Ward, an area just across the border from Arsal and held by the Syrian government. WHO: Nearly 2,000 dead The fi ghters and their families will go to another part of Syria which he did not identify. Al-Manar said last week they would go to the rebel-held town of al-Ruhaiba in the Eastern Qalamoun region. The Lebanese army is expected soon to assault the Islamic State pocket in the same area. The United States helps arm the Lebanese army and yester- in Yemen cholera outbreak day delivered eight new armoured vehicles, its embassy said. Defeating the Islamic State pocket would end a period of Reuters “The total number of suspected man faeces, can kill within hours if workers have not been paid salaries More than 99% of patients who several years in which armed groups from inside Syria held Geneva cholera cases in Yemen this year untreated. in nearly a year and critical medi- reach health facilities survive but positions in the hills around Arsal, the most serious spillover hit the half a million mark on Sun- It has been largely eradicated cines are lacking, the WHO said. children and the elderly are most of the civil war into Lebanon. day, and nearly 2,000 people have in developed countries equipped “These doctors and nurses are vulnerable. More than 1mn Syrian refugees are sheltering in Lebanon, ore than half a million died since the outbreak began to with sanitation systems and water the backbone of the health re- “The response is working in about a quarter of its total population. people in Yemen have spread rapidly at the end of April,” treatment. sponse — without them we can do some places. We can tell you that Syria’s opposition has criticised previous evacuations of Mbeen infected with chol- the WHO said in a statement yes- But Yemen’s devastating civil nothing in Yemen. They must be surveillance confi rms a decline in civilians under ceasefi re deals as amounting to the forced era since the epidemic began four terday. war, pitting a Saudi-led military paid their wages so that they can suspected cases over the past four transfer of populations, something that Damascus denies ve- months ago and 1,975 people have “The spread of cholera has coalition against the Iran-backed continue to save lives,” said WHO weeks in some of the most aff ect- hemently. died, the World Health Organiza- slowed signifi cantly in some ar- Houthi group, and economic col- director-general Tedros Adhanom ed governorates,” WHO spokes- The growing number of evacuation deals for fi ghters and tion (WHO) said yesterday. eas compared to peak levels but lapse has made it extremely diffi - Ghebreyesus. woman Fadela Chaib told a news civilians from besieged rebel areas inside Syria over the past Each day there are more than the disease is still spreading fast cult to deal with catastrophes such WHO and partners are working briefi ng in Geneva last Friday. year has helped Assad solidify his hold in several parts of the 5,000 new cases of the water- in more recently aff ected districts, as cholera and mass hunger. around the clock to set up chol- “Most notably Sanaa city, Hajja country. borne disease, which causes acute which are recording large numbers Millions of Yemenis remain cut era treatment clinics, rehabilitate and Amran are consistent with his Lebanon’s General Security, the government agency that diarrhoea and dehydration, in the of cases,” it said, reporting a total off from clean water and waste col- health facilities, deliver medical decline. But in many other dis- negotiated yesterday’s transfer, said all the civilians return- country where the health system of 503,484 cases. lection has ceased in major cities, supplies and support the national tricts, cases and deaths persist and ing were doing so voluntarily. has collapsed after more than two The disease, spread by ingestion the WHO added. eff ort, the United Nations agency are on the rise.” years of war, it said. of food or water tainted with hu- Yemen’s 30,000 critical health said.

Besieged Syria town swaps meat for mushrooms

By Hasan Mohamed, AFP investment, making it a good fi t for Douma, Syria their needs. To cultivate the mushrooms, the project’s workers begin by sandwich- n a humid room in the besieged ing thin slices of high-quality mush- Syrian town of Douma, Abu Nabil room between pieces of carton and Iinspects the pearly white mush- placing the samples in sterile plastic rooms sprouting from white sacks containers. hanging from a ceiling. Over the course of 15-25 days, the The oyster mushrooms poking out mushroom slivers begin to proc- from holes in the bags are now a sub- A Syrian member of the Adala ess fungus that is then removed and stitute for meat in the rebel strong- Foundation cuts plastic bags with mixed with sterlised barley grains to hold, where a government blockade mushroom seeds at a make-shift create “seeds”. has created food shortages. cultivation centre in the rebel-held Next, straw that has been boiled Abu Nabil walks between the sacks town of Douma. until sterile and then drained is placed inspecting the clusters of mushrooms on a table and sprayed with gypsum to emerging from the plastic and check- of proteins and mineral salts as an prepare it for the “seeds.” ing the internal temperature to ensure alternative to meat, which is very Finally, the straw is packed into conditions are optimal for the unusual expensive,” added Adala’s director the sacks, with the mushroom start- crop. Muayad Mohieddin. “We discovered ers sprinkled at intervals on top of the Mushrooms are not a common crop the idea of mushrooms as a solution.” straw as it is layered in. in Syria, and rarely feature in local cui- Eastern Ghouta has been under The bags are transferred to a room sine. siege since 2013, leaving locals to rely known as an incubator where they are But in the Eastern Ghouta region, a on food produced locally or smuggled suspended from the ceiling for be- key rebel bastion outside the capital Da- in through tunnels or across check- tween 25 to 45 days, and each produces mascus, years of government siege have points. between four and fi ve mushroom har- put traditional staples like meat far be- While the area was once an im- vests before being replaced. yond the reach of ordinary people. portant agricultural region for Syria, The project relies on generators to The Adala Foundation, a local NGO, mushrooms were not a local crop. keep conditions steady at 25 degrees began thinking about ways to help “This type of cultivation was totally centigrade and 80% humidity. residents in need of nutritious alter- unknown in Ghouta before the war,” But with fuel also in short supply natives. said Mohieddin. and expensive, the generators are fed “We turned to cultivating mush- “We learned about it by search- with a locally produced fuel that is ex- rooms because they’re a food that has ing on the internet for places in simi- tracted from plastic. high nutritional value, similar to meat, lar (wartime) situations to Eastern In the three months since the and can be grown inside houses and Ghouta,” he added. project began, the NGO has distrib- basements,” said Abu Nabil, an engi- The NGO discovered mush- uted mushrooms across Douma and neer who is project director. room farming required neither large other parts of Eastern Ghouta free of “We were looking for a good source amounts of space, nor major fi nancial charge. Gulf Times Tuesday, August 15, 2017 7 AMERICAS No interest in N Korea regime change: Mattis

AFP is North Korea’s main trading partner and ally, Washington to take advantage of an “unparalleled opportu- nity” to assert its infl uence on Pyongyang. “If China wishes to play a more active role merica has “no interest” in regime in securing regional peace and stability — from change in Pyongyang or the accelerated which all of us, especially China, derive such Areunifi cation of the two Koreas, two top great benefi t — it must make the decision to US offi cials said in a message calibrated to cool exercise its decisive diplomatic and economic last week’s heated rhetoric. leverage over North Korea,” the US offi cials Pentagon chief Jim Mattis and Secretary of wrote. State Rex Tillerson said in a Wall Street Journal Their opinion piece came the same day as opinion piece that the United States favours a CIA director Mike Pompeo off ered assurances diplomatic solution to the nuclear stand-off , there was “nothing imminent” in terms of con- especially with help from China, though they fl ict with North Korea. stressed diplomacy is “backed by military op- Mattis and Tillerson also credited UN eff orts tions”. and said the United States was willing to ne- “The US has no interest in regime change or gotiate with North Korea, but said Pyongyang accelerated reunifi cation of Korea,” Mattis and should indicate a desire to show good faith by Tillerson wrote. halting weapons and nuclear tests. “We do not seek an excuse to garrison US General Joseph Dunford, who is Chairman of troops north of the Demilitarized Zone. the US Joint Chiefs of Staff and the top offi cer We have no desire to infl ict harm on the in the military, met Monday with South Korea’s long-suff ering North Korean people, who are defence minister, Song Young-Moo, and de- distinct from the hostile regime in Pyongyang.” fence chief, General Lee Sun-jin. The message, published on Sunday evening, “He stressed that North Korea’s ballistic came after tensions soared between North missile and nuclear weapons programs threat- Korea and the United States last week after en the entire global community and endanger President Donald Trump made repeated belli- peace and stability in the region,” Navy Captain cose statements to Kim Jong-un, including the Darryn James said. A woman blows on a conch shell as members of community groups calling for the “de-colonisation and de-militarsation of Guam” attend a ‘People for promise of “fi re and fury” if Pyongyang contin- And he “conveyed America’s readiness to use Peace’ rally in Hagatna. Regional tensions have soared in the past week as US President Donald Trump warned North Korea it would face “fire and fury” if ued to threaten America with nuclear weapons. the full range of military capabilities to defend it attacked the US, while the North threatened to test-fire its missiles over Japan and towards the US Pacific island of Guam. Mattis and Tillerson called on China, which our allies and the US homeland”. Trump slams racism, KKK and neo-Nazis President Trump slammed the KKK weekend’s racist violence, you will be held “America’s leaders must honor our and nine had been released, the University Members of the Secret Service walk in front of Trump Tower in New and neo-Nazis as repugnant fully accountable. Justice will be delivered.” fundamental values by clearly rejecting of Virginia Health System said. York City. Security throughout the area is high as President Donald In an appearance Saturday at his golf expressions of hatred, bigotry and group Two state police offi cers involved in the Trump is expected to arrive at his residence in the tower later, his AFP resort in New Jersey, Trump had faulted supremacy, which run counter to the law enforcement deployment for the rally first visit back to his apartment since the inauguration. Numerous Washington “many sides” for the violence but made no American ideal that all people are created also died Saturday in a helicopter crash. protests and extensive road closures are planned for the area. specifi c mention of the white extremists equal,” Frazier said. Trump faced criticism during last year’s involved in the melee, some of whom wore “As CEO of Merck and as a matter of presidential campaign for failing to quick- “He went to a good school. Inc said on its offi cial Twitter S President Donald Trump, under Trump hats and T-shirts. personal conscience, I feel a responsibil- ly reject a vow of support from a former Ku Lived in a good neighbourhood. page. pressure to explicitly condemn a Earlier yesterday, Sessions said in an in- ity to take a stand against intolerance and Klux Klan leader, David Duke, though he There were plenty of people The Daily Stormer is a neo- Uweekend rally by white suprema- terview on ABC’s Good Morning America extremism.” eventually did so. Duke attended Satur- around to try to guide him in the Nazi, white supremacist website cists that ended in bloodshed, yesterday programme that the car attack “does meet Trump was quick to lash out at Frazier’s day’s rally. right direction. My fi rst feeling is associated with the alt-right denounced racism and slammed the Ku the defi nition of domestic terrorism”. move. The suspected white supremacist who we failed. I failed,” Weimer said movement, which was spear- Klux Klan and neo-Nazis as “repugnant”.” “You can be sure we will charge and ad- “Now that Ken Frazier of Merck Pharma allegedly rammed his car into a crowd of in a separate interview with Ohio heading the rally on Saturday in Trump had taken heat from Democrats vance the investigation towards the most has resigned from President’s Manufac- protesters was described Monday as a public radio station WVXU. Charlottesville, Virginia which ad Republicans alike for his response to serious charges that can be brought be- turing Council, he will have more time quiet man who has held radical views for Fields enlisted in the US Army resulted in violence, including Saturday’s violence in Charlottesville, cause this is unequivocally an unaccept- to LOWER RIPOFF DRUG PRICES!” the years. He is accused of killing a 32-year- in August 2015 soon after grad- the death of Heather Heyer, who Virginia. able, evil attack,” he told ABC. president said on Twitter. old woman Saturday when he ploughed his uating, but was released four was fatally struck by a car alleg- A woman was killed and 19 others in- The Justice Department has launched On Sunday, the White House and top Dodge Challenger into a crowd of counter- months later “due to a failure to edly driven by a man with white jured when a suspected Nazi sympathiser a civil rights inquiry in connection with administration offi cials strove to defend protesters. meeting training standards”, the nationalist views. ploughed his car into a crowd of anti-rac- the incident, and the driver, a 20-year-old the president. An image of Fields emerged as an in- service said in a statement. The hosting company’s rules ism protesters after a violent rally by neo- Ohio man who was said to have had a his- “The president said very strongly in his troverted young man who held white su- Fields and his mother Saman- of conduct ban using its services Nazis and white supremacists over the re- tory of neo-Nazi beliefs, has been charged statement yesterday that he condemns all premacist views and admired Nazi ideol- tha Bloom had moved from Ken- in a manner that “promotes, en- moval of a Confederate statue. with second-degree murder. forms of violence, bigotry and hatred,” the ogy, but who failed as a soldier. tucky to nearby Ohio in recent courages or engages in terrorism, After meeting with Attorney General Yesterday, a judge denied bail for the White House said in a statement. A photo of Fields captured at the Sat- months, according to US media violence against people, animals Jeff Sessions and new FBI Director Chris- suspected attacker, James Fields. “Of course that includes white su- urday rally showed him carrying symbols reports. or property”. Company repre- topher Wray, Trump got tough. After a weekend of criticism of Trump premacists, KKK, neo-Nazi and all ex- attributed to a racist right-wing organi- The web hosting company sentatives could not immediately “Those who spread violence in the name from both sides of the political aisle, a tremist groups.” sation, according to the Southern Poverty GoDaddy said on Sunday it be reached for comment. of bigotry strike at the very core of Amer- prominent African-American business- On a visit to Colombia, Vice President Law Center. had given The Daily Stormer The post on Heyer denigrated ica,” Trump said in nationally televised man quit a presidential advisory body yes- Mike Pence said: “These dangerous fringe Fields’s views were known to Derek 24 hours to move its domain to her physical appearance and remarks from the White House, where he terday to protest what he deemed an insuf- groups have no place in American public Weimer, his former teacher at Randall K another provider after the ex- what it said were anti-white travelled early yesterday to meet with his fi cient response. life and in the American debate, and we Cooper High School in Kentucky, where tremist web site posted an arti- male views. top law enforcement aides. “Our country’s strength stems from its condemn them in the strongest possible he said other teachers were also concerned cle denigrating the woman who On Monday, a note appeared “Racism is evil. And those who cause vi- diversity and the contributions made by terms.” about the student’s “very radical beliefs”. was killed at a white nationalist on the Daily Stormer’s home olence in its name are criminals and thugs, men and women of diff erent faiths, races, Pence also defended Trump, saying the He was interested in military tactics, es- rally in Virginia. page, which claimed that the site including the KKK, neo-Nazis, white su- sexual orientations and political beliefs,” president “clearly and unambiguously pecially of the German military of World “We informed The Daily had been taken over by Anony- premacists and other hate groups that are Ken Frazier, chief executive of Merck condemned the bigotry, violence and ha- War II, Weimer said. Stormer that they have 24 hours mous, a loose-knit collective of repugnant to everything we hold dear as Pharmaceutical, said in announcing his tred” on display in Charlottesville. “He was very big into Nazism. He really to move the domain to another hacker activists that intended to Americans,” he said. resignation from Trump’s American Man- Of the 19 people injured on Saturday, 10 had a fondness for Adolf Hitler,” he told provider, as they have violated permanently take it offl ine in 24 “To anyone who acted criminally in this ufacturing Council. remained hospitalised in good condition CNN. our terms of service,” GoDaddy hours. Man arrested for planning US rallies LatAm on Venezuela after Trump military warning bomb in Oklahoma City AFP from Colombia to Argentina, “reckless” and “craziness”. Bogota the second stop on a tour that The rest of Latin America — will also take him to Chile and even countries that condemn AFP of Facebook and the Internal Revenue Serv- protesters, and two police offi cers died in a Panama. President Nicolas Maduro’s at- Washington ice before settling on the bank in Oklahoma helicopter crash. he United States vowed On Sunday, Pence advocated tacks on Venezuela’s democrat- City, 210km east of his home in Sayre, Okla- Varnell told investigators he supported yesterday to stop Ven- a peaceful approach to the crisis ic institutions — also strongly homa. the far-right “III%ers” anti-government Tezuela from becoming a in Venezuela even as he stood rejected it. S offi cials announced yesterday the “I think I’m going to go with what the movement and wanted to form his own “failed state”, as it rallied Latin by Trump’s earlier warning that Santos re-affi rmed that re- arrest of a man who sought to deto- okc bomber used,” Varnell allegedly told the armed militia. American allies after President US military action remained a gional stance by saying he told Unate a bomb in Oklahoma City remi- FBI’s source in an encrypted message. But he told the undercover agent that, un- Donald Trump warned of pos- possibility. Pence “that the possibility of a niscent of the deadly 1995 bombing by anti- “What happened in Oklahoma City was like McVeigh, he did not want to kill a lot of sible military action. “We have many options for military intervention shouldn’t government extremist Timothy McVeigh in not an attack on America, it was retalia- people with his bombing, but to “cripple the US Vice President Mike Venezuela, but the president even be considered.” the same city. tion,” he later said. “The time for revolution government”, according to the complaint. Pence met in a church in Carta- also remains confi dent that He added: “Every country in Jerry Varnell, 23, was arrested Saturday is now.” Varnell also told the agent he wanted a gena, Colombia with Venezue- working with all of our allies Latin America would not favor after attempting to trigger what he thought McVeigh killed 168 people when he ex- way to communicate his message about the lan families who have fl ed their across Latin America we can any form of military interven- was an ammonium nitrate fertilizer bomb — ploded a fertiliser bomb outside a federal bombing to prevent other groups like Islam- country’s deadly crisis, as he achieve a peaceable solution,” tion.” like McVeigh’s — outside a BancFirst branch building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995. ic State from claiming responsibility. wrapped up the fi rst stop on a Pence told a news conference Colombia, Venezuela’s in the centre of the city, according to a crim- McVeigh was arrested soon afterwards, According to the complaint, Varnell and Latin American tour. alongside Colombian President neighbour, is a stalwart US ally inal complaint fi led in Oklahoma district imprisoned and in 2001 executed for the the FBI agent built the bomb in a van, with “We will not stand by as Ven- Juan Manuel Santos. and a fi erce critic of Maduro court. crime. “inert” materials including blasting caps ezuela crumbles, but it’s impor- Trump on Friday said he was and his policies. But it and many Varnell told an undercover FBI agent and Varnell’s arrest was announced two days and dynamite that were all supplied by the tant to note, as the president mulling a range of scenarios for other Latin American countries a co-operating source he wanted to attack after white supremacist and extreme-right agent. said, that a failed state in Vene- crisis-hit Venezuela — “includ- have bitter memories of US ad- the government, with his initial target the anti-government groups clashed with op- The inert bomb was parked outside the zuela threatens the security and ing a possible military option if ventures in the region. Federal Reserve in Washington, eight blocks ponents in Charlottesville, Virginia. bank and Varnell was immediately arrested prosperity of the hemisphere,” necessary.” Those include invasions, from the White House. One woman killed when an extremist early Saturday morning after he tried to Pence told reporters. Caracas condemned the gunboat diplomacy and the He also considered attacking data centres rammed his car into a crowd of counter- used a cellphone to set it off . He was due later to head comment, calling the threat propping up of dictators. Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, August 15, 2017 AFRICA

Kenyans back at work Freetown as strike call fl ops Reuters their way through the rubble- Nairobi strewn streets, and some food stalls and phone and money outlets had opened. enyans largely ignored Ken Nabwere, a Nairobi resi- an opposition call to go dent, said he had little choice Kon strike yesterday, re- but to return to work even fl oods kill opening shops and returning though he supported the op- to work as they shrugged off position National Super Alli- demands for demonstrations ance (NASA) coalition which against President Uhuru Keny- called the strike. atta’s re-election and against “I was supposed to vote and the killing of protesters. (leave) the rest to the politi- Cars, buses and motorcycles cians because if I was to boy- returned to the streets of the cott work today, those guys at least 312 capital, Nairobi, and the west- don’t pay my bills,” he told ern town of Kisumu after days Reuters. “I would advise others AFP further as his team continued to Fatmata Sesay, who lives on of quiet due to fears of violence that unless you have permis- Freetown survey disaster areas in Freetown the hilltop area of Juba, said she, after last Tuesday’s vote. sion from your boss, then you and tally the number of dead. her three children and husband Kenyatta beat rival Raila better go to work.” Mohamed Sinneh, a morgue were awoken at 4.30am by rain Odinga by securing more than Kenya, a country of 45mn t least 312 people were technician at Freetown’s Con- beating down on the mud house This handout picture released yesterday by Society 4 Climate Chnage 54% of the vote, offi cial results people, is East Africa’s eco- killed and more than naught Hospital, said 180 bodies they occupy, which was by then Communication Sierra Leone, shows flooded streets in Regent, near show. nomic heart. A2,000 left homeless yes- had been received so far at his submerged by water. Freetown. A Kenyan human rights International observers said terday when heavy fl ooding hit facility alone, many of them chil- She managed to escape by group said on Saturday that 24 the vote was largely fair and a Sierra Leone’s capital of Free- dren, leaving no space to lay what climbing onto the roof. that “more than 2,000 people are years ago killed 10 people and left people had been shot dead by parallel tally by domestic mon- town, leaving morgues overfl ow- he described as the “overwhelm- “We have lost everything and homeless”, hinting at the huge thousands homeless. police since election day. itors supported results that ing and residents desperately ing number of dead”. we do not have a place to sleep,” humanitarian eff ort that will be Sierra Leone was one of the The government put the showed Kenyatta had won by a searching for loved ones. Many more bodies were taken she told AFP. required to deal with the fallout west African nations hit by an number of dead at 10, and said margin of 1.4mn votes. An AFP journalist at the scene to private morgues, Sinneh add- Local media reports said a sec- of the fl ooding in one of Africa’s outbreak of the Ebola virus in they died “in the course of But protests have erupted in saw bodies being carried away ed. tion of a hill in the Regent area of poorest nations. 2014 that left more than 4,000 quelling riots and unlawful as- areas of Nairobi and Kisumu, and houses submerged in two Images obtained by AFP the city had partially collapsed, Freetown, an overcrowded people dead in the country, and it sembly”. where Odinga has strong sup- areas of the city, where roads showed a ferocious churning of exacerbating the disaster. coastal city of 1.2mn, is hit each has struggled to revive its econo- All deaths would be investi- port. turned into churning rivers of dark orange mud coursing down Other images showed battered year by fl ooding during several my since the crisis. gated, it added. The Kenya Red Cross said mud and corpses were washed up a steep street in the capital, while corpses piled on top of each oth- months of rain that destroys About 60% of people in Sierra Allegations by Odinga of yesterday that it had treated on the streets. videos posted by local residents er, as residents struggled to cope makeshift settlements and raises Leone live below the national widespread electoral fraud 177 people, of whom 108 had Red Cross spokesman Patrick showed people waist and chest with the destruction. the risk of waterborne diseases poverty line, according to the have raised tensions in the East serious injuries, since the elec- Massaquoi told AFP that the deep in water trying to traverse Meanwhile, disaster manage- such as cholera. United Nations Development African country, where some tion. death toll was 312 but could rise the road. ment offi cial Candy Rogers said Flooding in the capital two Programme. 1,200 people were killed and Diplomats have piled pres- 600,000 displaced in wide- sure on Odinga to either con- spread ethnic violence after he cede or take his challenge to lost a deeply fl awed 2007 elec- court. tion. The opposition has ruled out Relief at the relatively muted the latter option and says it will 18 killed in attack on Burkina Faso restaurant protests this time, along with announce its strategy today. the re-election of a leader Some opposition supporters seen as pro-business and pro- said they remained determined Reuters both attackers and freed people its remote northern border with the dead, French Foreign Aff airs to be identifi ed, he said. growth, helped the stock mar- to overturn the result but, for Ouagadougou trapped inside the building. Mali, which has seen activity by minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said. French President Emmanuel ket rise 2.5% yesterday. many, the priority was earn- “This is a terrorist attack,” militants for more than a decade. Also killed were seven Macron discussed the situa- Shares have now climbed ing some money after days of Communications Minister Remi A Reuters witness saw cus- Burkinabes, a Canadian, two Ku- tion with Burkina Faso Presi- nearly 7% since the eve of the inactivity. uspected religious mili- Dandjinou said yesterday. tomers running out of the Aziz waitis, a Nigerian, a Senegalese, dent Roch Marc Kabore, his of- August 8 election. “No work, no food,” said Eric tants killed at least 18 peo- Burkina Faso, like other coun- Istanbul restaurant in central a Turk and a Lebanese, Burkina fi ce said, including the role of a In Kibera, Nairobi’s big- Wanjero, a motorcycle driver Sple and wounded several tries in West Africa, has been Ouagadougou as police and para- Faso Foreign Aff airs Minister Al- new multinational military force gest slum and an opposition looking for passengers. “Busi- during a raid on a restaurant in targeted sporadically by religious military gendarmerie surround- pha Barry said at a news confer- aimed at fi ghting religious mili- stronghold, many residents ness is disrupted still but I had Burkina Faso’s capital overnight, extremist groups. ed it, amid gunfi re. ence. tants across the vast Sahel region appeared to be observing the to go out (today) and try to but security forces shot dead Most attacks have been along A French citizen was among A further three bodies had yet of Africa. strike but minibuses wove make my living.” Gulf Times Tuesday, August 15, 2017 9 AUSTRALAISA/EAST ASIA US plays down Korean war risks

Reuters and downs we face, the North North Korea was likely to con- Japan’s expulsion from the Ko- Korea’s) nuclear adventure and Seoul/Beijing Korean nuclear situation must be tinue provocations, including rean peninsula, a rare holiday cel- blame it for a failure that is essen- resolved peacefully,” South Ko- nuclear tests, but did not see a big ebrated by both the North and the tially a failure of all stakeholders, rean President Moon Jae-in told a risk of the North engaging in ac- South. Moon and Kim, who has Trump risks making the serious ensions on the Korean regular meeting with senior aides tual military confl ict. not been seen publicly for several mistake of splitting up the in- peninsula eased slightly and advisers. “I am certain the Suh again highlighted doubts days, are both expected to make ternational coalition that is the Tyesterday as South Ko- United States will respond to the about North Korea’s claims about addresses on their respective means to resolve the issue peace- rea’s president said resolving current situation calmly and re- its military capability. “Both the sides of the heavily militarised fully,” it said. “Hopefully Trump Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions sponsibly in a stance that is equal United States and South Korea border. will fi nd another path. Things must be done peacefully and key to ours,” he said. do not believe North Korea has Trump has urged China, the will become even more diffi cult if US offi cials played down the risk While backing Trump’s tough yet completely gained re-entry North’s main ally and trading Beijing and Washington are pitted of an imminent war with North talk, offi cials including National technology in material engineer- partner, to do more to rein in its against each other.” Korea. Security Adviser H R McMaster ing terms,” Suh said in remarks neighbour, often linking Beijing’s Asian stocks rallied yesterday Concern that North Korea on Sunday played down the risk televised on Sunday for a Korea eff orts to comments around US- as investors took heart from the is close to achieving its goal of of the rhetoric escalating into Broadcasting System show. The China trade. China strenuously less bellicose rhetoric after fl ee- putting the mainland United confl ict. “I think we’re not closer United States and South Korea rejects linking the two issues. ing riskier assets last week. States within range of a nuclear to war than a week ago, but we remain technically still at war Trump will issue an order later Financial markets regard ten- weapon has underpinned a spike are closer to war than we were a with North Korea after the 1950- to determine whether to investi- sions between Pyongyang and in tensions in recent months. decade ago,” McMaster told ABC A South Korean protester holds a placard showing a caricature of US 53 Korean confl ict ended with a gate Chinese trade practices that Washington as more serious than US President Donald Trump News’ This Week. President Donald Trump during an anti-US rally. truce, not a peace treaty. force US fi rms operating in China in the past, South Korean Finance warned at the weekend that the US Central Intelligence Agency Tension in the region has risen to turn over intellectual property, Minister Kim Dong-yeon said. US military was “locked and Director Mike Pompeo said North that place today,” Pompeo told incident that was unintentional”. since North Korea carried out senior administration offi cials “The eff ect from North Korea- loaded” if North Korea acted un- Korean leader Kim Jong-un might Fox News Sunday. “Any second Korean War would two nuclear bomb tests last year said on Saturday. China’s offi cial related jitters on fi nancial and wisely after threatening last week well conduct another missile test North Korea reiterated its have no choice but to spread into and two intercontinental ballistic China Daily said such an investi- foreign exchange markets has to land missiles near the US Pa- but talk of being on the cusp of a threats yesterday, with its offi cial a nuclear war,” it said in a com- missile tests in July, tests that the gation would poison the relation- been causing some global anxi- cifi c territory of Guam. “There nuclear war was overstating the KCNA news agency saying “war mentary. North often conducts to coincide ship between the two countries. ety and we cannot rule out mar- must be no more war on the Ko- risk. “I’ve seen no intelligence cannot be blocked by any power if South Korean Vice Defence with important national dates. “By trying to incriminate Bei- ket volatility can widen from the rean peninsula. Whatever ups that would indicate that we’re in sparks fl y due to a small, random Minister Suh Choo-suk agreed Today marks the anniversary of jing as an accomplice in (North smallest shock,” he said.

Aussie deputy PM caught in dual citizenship controversy

AFP Sydney

ustralian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce’s political future was in doubt yesterday after it Aemerged he was a dual citizen, placing the conserv- ative government’s slim parliamentary majority at risk. Australia does not allow dual citizens to sit in parliament, with New Zealand confi rming later yesterday its citizen- ship was automatically granted to Joyce via his father. The revelation has major implications for Prime Minis- ter Malcolm Turnbull’s Liberal-National coalition govern- ment, which won national elections last year with 76 seats in the House of Representatives — a narrow one-seat ma- jority. Joyce has refused to step aside, instead referring the case to the High Court, saying that the solicitor-general was confi dent he would not be disqualifi ed. The obscure rule was little known until recently but several lawmakers have fallen victim to it in recent months, leaving parliamentarians scrambling to clarify their ances- tral ties. “Needless to say, I was shocked to receive this in- formation,” Joyce told parliament after hearing he may be a dual citizen. “I’ve always been an Australian citizen born in (regional city) Tamworth. Neither me or my parents had any reason to believe that I may be a citizen of any other country.” The dual citizenship crisis kicked off in July when the minor Greens party’s co-deputy leader Scott Ludlam re- signed after revealing he had dual Australian-New Zealand citizenship. The crisis soon claimed other victims, including Cana- dian-born Greens senator Larissa Waters and Resources Minister Matt Canavan, who left cabinet after fi nding his mother signed him up to Italian citizenship in his 20s. Joyce said yesterday he had been contacted by the New Zealand High Commission last week to advise him that he “could be a citizen of New Zealand by descent”. While Joyce —the leader of the Nationals party — was born in Australia, he told parliament his father was born in neighbouring New Zealand and moved to Australia in 1947. A spokesman for New Zealand Internal Aff airs Minis- ter Peter Dunne said that there was no doubt about Joyce’s status, telling AFP that “as far as New Zealand law goes, he is a New Zealand citizen under the Citizenship Act”. “Mr Joyce was born to a New Zealand citizen father and even though (the father) migrated to Australia in the 1940s that citizenship remained and he passed on the right of citizenship ... to his children.” He said citizenship was automatically granted and did not need an application. Turnbull yesterday wrote to La- bor opposition leader Bill Shorten to ask if his party wanted to refer any MPs over their citizenship status to the High Court so all the cases could be considered as a bloc, The Australian newspaper reported. Canavan and minor party One Nation’s Indian-born Malcolm Roberts have already had their elections referred to the court, which will decide if they had taken reasonable steps to renounce their foreign allegiances. Almost half of Australia’s 24-mn population was born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas, according to last year’s census. Indigenous people account for about 3% of the population.

Australia’s Crown says all staff held in China now free

Australia’s Crown Resorts said yesterday that China had re- leased all of the casino group’s employees who were detained as part of a gambling crackdown last year. Mogul James Packer’s gaming company said the last of the 19 current and former Crown employees had been set free after being held for 10 months. “Crown is pleased that all of our employees have now been released and reunited with their families and loved ones,” executive chairman John Alexander said. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the employees whose sentences ended on Saturday were expelled from the country the same day. “We hope relevant countries can inculcate their citizens living in China to consci- entiously abide by laws and regulations and not be engaged in illegal activities,” Hua told reporters. The 19 defendants had pleaded guilty at a Shanghai court in June and 16 of them, including three Australians, were given sentences of between nine and 10 months in jail. The sentence included time served since they were arrested last October. Three who were granted bail in November were not jailed. Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, August 15, 2017 ASEAN

Vietnam’s dengue fever death toll reaches 24

Malaysian princess Dengue fever has claimed 24 lives in Vietnam this year, as an unseasonal outbreak of the disease continues to sweep the country, authorities said yesterday. Some 80,500 people have marries Dutchman been infected, up 33.5% from the same time last year, said Tran Dac Phu, director of the Health Ministry’s Preventive Medicine Department. Vietnam Television also Dennis Muhammad Abdullah places the ring on the finger of his reported that a woman in lavish ceremony bride, Princess Tunku Tun Aminah Sultan Ibrahim. had suff ered a miscarriage attributed to dengue at a AFP wedding customs in the Mus- and healthy life, and may Al- Hanoi hospital. Johor Bahru lim-majority southern state of lah bless the couple with lots of Hospitals are overwhelmed Johor, he also gave her a dowry children.” in major cities, with two to of 22.50 ringgit (about $5), and The Dutchman, who now three patients sharing beds in he daughter of one of Ma- the couple kissed the hands of works for a property develop- places. Dengue fever season laysia’s most powerful their parents, aunts and uncles ment company in Johor, was usually begins in September, Tsultans married her Dutch as a mark of respect. born Dennis Verbaas and adopt- but this year it began in fi ance yesterday in a ceremony An evening reception will be ed a Muslim name when he con- May, Deputy Health Minister steeped in centuries of tradition the main event which will fea- verted to Islam in 2015. Nguyen Thanh Long told an during a day of lavish celebra- ture a “sitting-in-state” cer- Johor’s royal family is rich and anti-dengue fever conference tions. emony, with some 1,200 guests powerful and possesses its own in July, according to the Tuoi Princess Tunku Tun Ami- due to attend and crowds ex- private army — the only state to Tre newspaper. nah Sultan Ibrahim, 31, the only pected to watch the event on a have one. Malaysia has a unique The illness is a mosquito- daughter of the Sultan of Johor, big screen in a city square. There arrangement in which the throne borne tropical disease tied the knot with Dennis Mu- have been frenetic preparations of the Muslim-majority country caused by the dengue hammad Abdullah, 28, capping in recent days, with the grounds changes hands every fi ve years virus. Symptoms include a romance of over three years. of the main palace decorated between the rulers of the nine fever, headaches, vomiting, The Dutchman, who has con- with bunting and main streets states which are still headed by muscle and joint pains and a verted to Islam, and the princess adorned with fl ags. “I am tak- Islamic royalty. The current king characteristic skin rash. wed according to Muslim Malay ing my wife and two young chil- is Sultan Muhammad V, from Vietnam is among the custom at the Serene Hill Palace, dren to the city square tonight the conservative Islamic north- countries most aff ected by the royal family’s residence in to witness the live broadcast of ern state of Kelantan, who steps dengue fever, due to a climate the southern city of Johor Bahru. the evening celebrations,” Azim down in 2021. favourable to mosquitoes. The private ceremony was Dennis Muhammad Abdullah of the Netherlands posing with his bride, Princess Tunku Tun Aminah Sultan Mohamad Nurazim, a 34-year- But Dennis Muhammad is It also has struggled to find attended by close family and Ibrahim, the only daughter of the Sultan of Johor, at Istana Bukit Serene in Johor Bahru. old local salesman, told AFP. unlikely ever to assume the role an eff ective way to tackle friends. The groom wore tra- “It is a celebration for all Jo- since the rulers choose among the virus, with no specific ditional white Malay wed- a white dress. Dennis Muham- on Tunku Aminah’s fi nger in a cording to the royal press offi ce. horeans. My message to Tunku themselves who the next king vaccines or treatment ding attire and the bride wore mad placed the wedding ring special room in the palace, ac- In keeping with centuries-old Aminah and her husband is long will be. available. Gulf Times Tuesday, August 15, 2017 11 BRITAIN

Ryanair calls for airport Garden Bridge scrapped London mayor Sadiq Khan The Garden Bridge Trust said says public should be ‘very yesterday that it had told Khan crackdown angry’ over wasted funds as as well as Transport for London charity announces closure of (TfL) and the Department for project Transport, of its decision, taken on sale of due to a lack of support for the By Nadia Khomami project from Khan. Guardian News & Media “We had made great progress alcohol obtaining planning permission, satisfying most of our planning he controversial Thames conditions and we had raised By Gwyn Topham garden bridge has fi - £70mn of private money to- Guardian News & Media Tnally been scrapped af- wards the project,” he said. ter £37mn of public money was “[The bridge] would have spent on a project that the Lon- been a unique place, a beautiful yanair has called for a don mayor said had no realistic new green space in the heart of crackdown on alcohol chance of being completed. London, free to use and open to Rsales at British airports The Garden Bridge Trust said all, showcasing the best of Brit- after claiming that airlines are it could no longer proceed with- ish talent and innovation. saddled with the consequences out the support of Sadiq Khan, “It is all the more disappoint- of passengers getting drunk be- who responded by saying that ing because the trust was set up fore fl ights. Londoners should be “very an- at the request of TfL, the organi- Europe’s biggest short-haul gry” that so much cash had gone sation headed up by the mayor, airline has proposed a ban on towards a scheme backed by his to deliver the project.” early morning sales of alcohol in Tory predecessor, Boris Johnson. Boris Johnson accused Khan bars and restaurants, and limit- “It’s my duty to ensure tax- of killing the Garden Bridge out ing the number of drinks sold per payers’ money is spent respon- of spite because it was initiated boarding pass. sibly,” Khan said. “I have been when Johnson ran City Hall. The call comes after fi gures clear since before I became “Labour has no vision for showed a spike in alcohol-re- mayor that no more London tax- London and no ambition,” he lated arrests at airports or in the payers’ money should be spent said. “The Garden Bridge was a air, while a major survey of cabin on this project and when I took beautiful project and could have crew found most had witnessed offi ce, I gave the Garden Bridge been easily fi nanced.” drunken and disruptive behav- Trust time to try to address the The bridge, designed by Tho- iour on board. multiple serious issues with it.” mas Heatherwick, would have A code of conduct was intro- Proponents argued that it extended from Temple on the duced in 2016 in an attempt to would be a big tourist asset and north side of the Thames to the FALLEN: The proposed Garden Bridge is seen spanning the River Thames in this artist impression received via the Garden Bridge Trust. combat anti-social behaviour by useful pedestrian link, while South Bank and featured 270 passengers, after the Civil Avia- critics said it was in a crowded trees and thousands of plants. announcing that he would not “incredibly weak” and based on with no new pledges obtained scandal that the cheerleaders tion Authority reported a 600% section of London already well The proposal was originally provide the fi nancial guarantees unconvincing evidence, and said since August 2016. for the bridge were allowed to increase in disruptive passen- served by bridges. devised by the actor Joanna needed for construction to be- it had been given special treat- Lumley said in April that waste so much public money ger incidents in the UK between They also questioned why Lumley and won support from gin. ment under the support of John- Khan’s decision to remove fi - by [Khan’s] predecessor. Boris 2012 and 2016, mostly alcohol- taxpayers’ money should be Johnson and the then-chancel- Khan’s withdrawal came af- son as mayor. nancial backing was “absolutely Johnson drove forward this van- related. spent on a link that would be lor George Osborne, who com- ter he commissioned the Labour The project, her report con- shattering, devastating”. ity project during his mayoralty, But with the code apparent- privately run, could set its own mitted £60mn of public money MP and former chair of the pub- cluded, was inspired more by Kate Hoey, the MP for Vaux- and the lion’s share of the blame ly having little eff ect, Ryanair rules, and would close at night to the scheme. lic accounts committee Marga- politics than value for money. hall, and the councillors Jennie for this whole debacle must fall urged airports to go further, urg- and for private events. The rest was intended to be ret Hodge to investigate whether “What started life as a project Mosley and Kevin Craig, who at his feet.” ing a ban on serving all alcohol Lord Davies, the chair of the raised from corporate dona- the bridge still represented value costing an estimated £60mn campaigned with the local com- Heatherwick said: “London in bars and restaurants before trust, wrote to Khan outlining tions, but fi erce local opposition for public money. is likely to end up costing more munity against the bridge, said needs new bridges and unex- 10am, and ensuring boarding the reasons why. and fruitless negotiations with Hodge’s report, published in than £200mn,” Hodge wrote. they would seek a full public in- pected new public places. The cards are produced for pur- It was, he said, “with great the housing trust occupying the April, recommended that the Reliant on corporate dona- quiry and “accountability for the garden bridge has not found its chasing alcoholic drinks, which regret that trustees have con- south side of the project delayed bridge be scrapped. tions, the Garden Bridge Trust garden bridge trustees in respect right moment, but I hope one would be capped at two drinks cluded that without mayoral the start of construction, and She pointed to multiple fail- only secured of lost taxpayers’ money”. day it will and that London con- per passenger. support, the project cannot be costs rose. ings and argued that the busi- £69mn in private pledges, The London assembly mem- tinues to be open to ideas that Ryanair accused airports of delivered”. In April, Khan wrote to Davies ness case for the bridge was leaving a gap of at least £70mn, ber Tom Copley said: “It is a make life here better.” profi ting from allowing limitless drinking in terminals. The carrier’s marketing di- rector, Kenny Jacobs, said: “It’s completely unfair that airports can profi t from the unlimited sale of alcohol to passengers and Big Ben to fall silent leave the airlines to deal with the safety consequences. “This is a particular problem AFP miliar to many people around the though the name applies only to during fl ight delays when air- London world because of their use in BBC the bell. ports apply no limit to the sale radio and television broadcasts, The clock’s cogs and hands as of alcohol in airside bars and res- has been silent in its 157-year well as the four dials will be re- taurants. This is an issue which ritain’s much-loved Big history. moved, cleaned up and repaired the airports must now address Ben will fall silent for four The Great Bell, popular- as part of the work. and we are calling for signifi cant Byears from next week as ly called Big Ben, weighs 13.7 The project’s cost was es- changes to prohibit the sale of conservation work is carried out tonnes and strikes every hour to timated last year at £29mn alcohol at airports, particularly on the famous 19th century bell the note of E. (€31.9mn, $37.7mn). with early morning fl ights and in a clock tower next to the Hous- Four smaller bells also chime Because the clock mechanism when fl ights are delayed.” es of Parliament. every 15 minutes. will be temporarily out of action, Passengers are banned from “Big Ben falling silent is a The last bong before the refur- a modern electric motor will consuming duty-free purchases signifi cant milestone in this bishment will be at 12pm (1100 drive the clock hands until the on most fl ights. crucial conservation project,” GMT) on August 21, the state- clock is reinstated. Ryanair has gone further by Steve Jaggs, whose offi cial title is ment said. Parliament also said that the stopping passengers on certain “Keeper of the Great Clock”, said The clock will still tell the time clock’s faces would have to be routes to Spain from Glasgow in a parliament statement yester- silently until 2021 and the chimes covered up while they are being and Manchester from bringing day. will continue to be rung on im- repaired. duty-free alcohol on board. “This essential programme of portant occasions such as New “However, to ensure that the Jacobs added: “We operate works will safeguard the clock on Year’s Eve. public are still able to set their strict guidelines for the carriage a long term basis, as well as pro- The Elizabeth Tower, which is watches by this most impor- of customers who are disrup- tecting and preserving its home – 96m (315’) high, is the most pho- tant of time pieces, one working tive or appear to be under the the Elizabeth Tower,” he said. tographed building in Britain. clock face will remain visible at infl uence of alcohol. Given that Tourists are pictured on Westminster Bridge beneath one of the four faces of the Great Clock of the It will be the longest period The tower itself is common- all times throughout the works,” all our fl ights are short-haul, Elizabeth Tower, commonly referred to as Big Ben, near the Houses of Parliament in central London. that Big Ben, whose bongs are fa- ly referred to as Big Ben even it said. very little alcohol is actually sold on board, so it’s incum- bent on the airports to introduce these preventative measures to curb excessive drinking and the problems it creates, rather than allowing passengers to drink to Davis to set out hoped-for EU customs deal excess before their fl ights.” The airline’s call came after a survey of 4,000 cabin crew Paper expected to signal at the early Brexit talks that it can- Brexit campaigners launch bid to oust fi nance minister Hammond per on Northern Ireland later in by the Unite trade union found least one aspect of cabinet not make more progress without the week, which will inform the that 87% had witnessed drunken row has been resolved after a clearer sense of what the future One of the most vocal pro-Brexit campaign groups age of their conviction at the ballot box,” said Leave. next round of talks as the border passenger behaviour at UK air- chancellor confirmed UK relationship might look like. launched a campaign yesterday to oust finance minis- EU Chairman Arron Banks in a letter to voters in Ham- with the Republic of Ireland is ports or departing fl ights – the would be ‘outside customs “We’ve had the fi rst round of ter Philip Hammond from parliament, saying he is part mond’s constituency. one of the issues the EU wants majority since the code of con- union’ the negotiation, and those talks of a plot to stop Britain leaving the European Union. There is no automatic means for voters to get rid resolved early. duct was introduced last year. have shown that many of the Divisions over Britain’s Brexit strategy have resurfaced of their local member of parliament outside of an After the last round of nego- The union said it showed the By Heather Stewart withdrawal questions can only after Prime Minister Theresa May lost her parliamen- election period, and Britain is not scheduled to hold tiations in Brussels last month, need for the code to be strength- Guardian News & Media be settled in the light of our fu- tary majority in an ill-judged snap election in June, another vote until 2022. the EU’s negotiator, Michel ened, with tougher penalties for ture partnership, so now is the generating renewed political pressure from some But Leave.EU called on their supporters to pressure Barnier, expressed some frustra- disruptive behaviour. time to set out our approach to quarters for a softer exit. the local Conservative Party not to select him as their tion at the lack of detail from the A quarter of crew said they avid Davis, the Brexit that partnership, to inform the Chancellor of the Exchequer Hammond has led calls candidate at the next election. British side – particularly on the believed the drunken passengers secretary, is expected to upcoming negotiations, and to for a multi-year, staggered break from the EU in the The group has also targeted interior minister Amber fi nancial settlement. they saw had threatened fl ight Dset out more clearly the provide citizens and businesses name of protecting the British economy, much to Rudd, who only won her seat by a slim majority in He said: “As soon as the UK is safety. government’s hopes for a future at home and across Europe with the annoyance of some Brexiteers who want a more June. ready to clarify the nature of its Unite called for an action plan customs deal with the EU this a deeper understanding of our decisive divorce when Britain’s membership ends in There was no immediate comment available from the commitments, we will be pre- to “stem the tide of drunken and week, to help inform the next thinking.” March 2019. Treasury or Hammond’s local off ice. pared to discuss this with the disruptive behaviour”. round of Brexit negotiations. Publishing the position paper That has put Hammond in the crosshairs of campaign Many pro-Brexit voters sense the government is going British negotiators … this week’s Arrests for drunken behaviour With Theresa May not ex- is also aimed at sending a formal group Leave.EU, whose grassroots organisation soft on the decision to leave the EU. experience has quite simply on fl ights or at UK airports have pected to return to her desk in signal that at least one aspect of helped bring about last year’s referendum to leave. They reject calls for a lengthy transition period and shown that we make better gone up by 50% in the past year, Downing Street from her holi- the bitter row within the cabinet “He is part of a cabal of Westminster MPs (Members demand that tighter immigration controls are brought progress where our respective according to statistics obtained day until Thursday, the gov- about Britain’s future relation- of Parliament) who believe that if they can delay exit, in as soon as possible. positions are clear.” by BBC1’s Panorama. ernment is keen to show that ship with the EU has been re- they can overturn the wishes of the 52% who despite “Time for the people to strike back and remind the Davis initially insisted that Police forces covering major preparations for Brexit have not solved. threats from the political classes drew upon the cour- elite of the referendum,” Leave.EU said in a statement. Britain would like to negotiate a airports reported a total of 387 ground to a halt. Chancellor of the Excheq- new trade deal alongside the exit arrests in the year to February The EU has made clear it will uer Philip Hammond, regarded terms, describing discussions 2017, compared with 255 in the not discuss Britain’s future trad- by Conservative backbench- Fox was concerned that he prime minister set out in January impact on our ability to make over the phasing of the talks as previous 12 months. ing relationship – including ers as the champion of a “soft would be unable to strike trade in the Lancaster House speech trade deals.” “the row of the summer” and The CAA Air Navigation Or- customs arrangements – until it Brexit”, has signed up to a joint deals with countries outside the need for an implementation Hammond appears to have warning that signing up to a fi - der makes it an off ence to board has reached agreement on sever- statement with Liam Fox, the the EU unless it was made clear period, to avoid a cliff edge for conceded that remaining a nancial settlement early could an aircraft while drunk. al key issues, including the terms international trade secretary, that Britain did not expect to re- business. member of the customs union is disadvantage Britain later. In its draft aviation strategy of the fi nancial payments Britain confi rming that Britain would main part of the customs union, “The article by the chancellor not possible, even as an interim But when formal negotiations published last month, the gov- will make on exit and the future be “outside the customs union” whose members cannot strike and the international trade sec- arrangement while a detailed got under way in June, after the ernment said it would continue status of the border in Northern during the post-Brexit transi- individual trade agreements, retary made clear that that is the deal is fi nalised. general election wiped out May’s to work with the industry to Ireland. tion phase and that at that point and are expected to apply EU position of the government.” The Department for Exiting comfortable governing majority, consider other possible solu- But May’s spokesman said the it would be “a ‘third country’, not tariff s on imports. He added: “The customs un- the European Union is also ex- Britain quickly signed up to the tions. government has concluded from party to the EU treaties”. May’s spokesman said: “The ion as it currently stands has an pected to publish a separate pa- EU’s proposed timetable.

Gulf Times Tuesday, August 15, 2017 13 INDIA We have learnt lessons, time to put house in order: Patel

IANS said: “We will need to be careful battle of my career. I have fought bish? “No, no, no, don’t use battleground with four candi- rebels were sacked, and the party has sent a current of energy Ahmedabad in future, keep a close watch and fi ve Lok Sabha elections and four such words; not bad rubbish, but dates in the fray for three seats. also issued sack letters to the six through the party, something look into individual grievances Rajya Sabha, but this was the those who were not the party’s Two of them, Bharatiya Janata who had resigned because they that did not happen even after of party leaders and MLAs.” toughest,” the 67-year-old Patel well-wishers have left,” said Party president Amit Shah and had done so after a whip to vote the Congress lost all 26 Lok Sab- ongress veteran Ahmed Asked if this meant rebel admitted. Patel, who belongs to south Gu- Patel, were the most powerful for Patel. ha seats in 2014? Patel has admitted he leader Shankersinh Vaghela “We learnt bitter lessons but jarat’s Bharuch district. leaders in their respective Patel added: “The fi rst and the “When you pull life out of the Clearnt “bitter lessons” in was correct in his claims that we have emerged stronger. This Six Congress MLAs re- parties and the BJP was most important outcome of this jaws of death, you don’t want it his Rajya Sabha election when the problems and aspirations of entire episode (of sabotage) has signed in the run-up to the bent upon seeing Patel election is that there is new spir- to happen again. All our people, a battery of legislators openly the legislators were ignored, he automatically led to purging of Rajya Sabha election on Au- out – also to snub Gandhi. it and a sense of determination, the entire party was made to feel tried to sabotage his winning said: “Well, not exactly. But we people whom we could not trust. gust 8, and eight others, Within 24 hours of Pa- which had dissipated and given completely helpless by the en- prospects but asserted it ended will look into the details and the We know who is ours and who is including rebel leader tel’s victory, reportedly way to inertia.” emies very much within us. This up helping the party separate the genuineness of the grievances not, and who was never,” said the Vaghela, openly cross- with the support of “The mood has changed now. was not the case in 2014, though it wheat from the chaff . for sure. But that is no justifi ca- Congress leader, who won his fi fth voted against the par- the lone Janata Dal- Sometimes it is the will to win was a humiliating defeat,” said Pa- In a candid interview to IANS tion for stabbing the party in the term after two votes against him ty’s offi cial nominee United legislator alone that overrides and takes tel, whom Vaghela had promised the political secretary to Con- back like this.” by rebel MLAs got invalidated. Patel in an election Chhotubhai Vasava, care of several issues.” to vote for, only to take a U-turn gress president Sonia Gandhi “It was the toughest electoral Good riddance of bad rub- which turned into a the eight Congress What was in this victory that later. JD-U suspends Decked up for celebrations 21 rebels in Bihar, says no split in party

IANS Yadav. The other fi ve are with Patna/New Delhi us,” Tyagi said. Dismissing claims that most party units were siding ihar’s ruling Janata Dal- with Sharad Yadav, Tyagi said United (JD-U) yesterday only Madhya Pradesh, Chhat- Bsuspended 21 members, tisgarh, Haryana, Rajasthan including former minister and Gujarat have gone with Ramai Ram, for “anti-party the former federal minister. activities” after they backed Those units which pledged Sharad Yadav, who has op- support to Nitish Kumar in- posed the party’s tie-up with clude Bihar, Jharkhand, Dadra the Bharatiya Janata Party. and Nagar Haveli, Jammu and At the same time, the party Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, denied there was a split in its Telangana, West Bengal, Ma- ranks. nipur, Maharashtra, Uttar Among the leaders suspend- Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Pun- ed for six years are Arjun Rai, jab, Chandigarh and Goa, he a former MP from Sitamarhi, said. former legislator Raj Kishore “We have videotapes and The Chattrapathi Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station is lit in the colours of India’s flag on the eve of the country’s Independence Day, in Mumbai yesterday. This year marks Sinha, and former member of letters from them in our fa- the 70th anniversary of India’s independence. the legislative council Vijay vour. We can produce the Verma. Two district presidents same before you (media),” and fi ve block-level chiefs were Tyagi said. also in the list. The JD-U on Saturday re- Bihar JD-U president Vash- moved Sharad Yadav, who op- istha Narayan Singh said the posed the party’s decision to 21 had been stripped of their ally with the BJP-led National primary membership. Democratic Alliance in Bihar, In New Delhi, party sec- as its leader in the Rajya Sabha retary general K C Tyagi said and replaced him with R C P there was no split in the JD-U Singh, a trusted lieutenant of Amit Shah rules out as most MPs, party offi ce- Nitish Kumar. bearers, state unit presidents According to JD-U leaders, and MLAs were with Bihar yesterday’s suspensions came Chief Minister and party pres- as these leaders had accom- ident Nitish Kumar. panied Sharad Yadav during He said only “one or two his three-day visit to Saran, people have voluntarily left Muzaff arpur, Madhubani, and Adityanath resignation the party” or are about to leave Darbhanga districts to meet and it cannot be called a split. party supporters and under- Agencies ments,” Shah told reporters. fi ed Adityanath’s directions for have again exposed India’s un- Bipin Singh said his six-year- “Out of 11 MPs, nine are stand their mood over Nitish Bengaluru He was responding to a ques- preparations for a “grand Krish- derfunded and poorly managed old daughter died on Thursday with Nitish Kumar... seven of Kumar’s decision. tion that doctors alone cannot na Janmashtami celebration” at public healthcare despite Prime because of lack of oxygen and he the nine Rajya Sabha MPs are “In Bihar, we have 71 MLAs. be blamed and that government a time when the state is mourn- Minister Narendra Modi gov- had seen six other children die with him. Ali Anwar Ansari is Not a single MLA or minis- haratiya Janata Party pres- offi cials and politicians to should ing the death of the infants. ernment’s vows to revamp the for the same reason. the only MP with Sharad Ya- ter went to meet Yadav while ident Amit Shah yester- be held responsible for the “Everyone is saddened by system. “My daughter and other chil- dav, but his term is ending in he was touring Bihar. No dis- Bday rejected demands for deaths of children in Gorakhpur. the deaths of children but Yo- “We now have adequate sup- dren were unable to breathe. We March next year,” Tyagi said. trict president welcomed him the resignation of Uttar Pradesh Shah said, unlike the Con- giji has not ordered celebration plies of oxygen cylinders, there kept telling the nurses that they He added that only fi ve state across 13 districts. So where is Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath gress, the BJP does not fi x re- of Janmashtami in reference to was a shortage last week... but should call the doctors. The doc- party committees – Bihar, the split?,” he said. over the death of 64 children in sponsibility on anyone does the deaths. Janmashtami has its I am not in a position to say tors said they have ordered for Jharkhand, Kerala, Jammu and Tyagi insisted that Yadav the past week due to lack of oxy- without conducting a proper own place and is being celebrat- whether they were the cause oxygen cylinders but we never Kashmir, and Dadara and Nagar had “voluntarily given up” gen in a Gorakhpur hospital. inquiry. ed every where in the country,” behind the deaths,” R K Sahai, a saw them being used.” Haveli – were recognised by the the JD-U and that it would be The BJP chief said action will “The matter is being probed Shah said adding that the Jan- senior medical offi cer in the hos- Bahadur Nishad, who lost a Election Commission and they “very diffi cult” for party lead- be taken after an investigation and Yogiji has ordered a time- mashtami is not a government pital, said. four-year-old son suff ering from were with Nitish Kumar. ership to take action against ordered by Adityanath is com- bound probe. The report will be festival. Television images of parents encephalitis, said he was ready “Except for Arun Shrivas- him, like it had done in the pleted and a report is submitted. made public after it is submitted,” “If some one celebrates Jan- emerging from the hospital car- to pay for the oxygen cylinders tava and Varghese George, all case of the rebels or Ali Anwar “Seeking resignation is Con- he said describing the deaths of mashtami in his house what can rying the bodies of infants and himself. party general secretaries, a Ansari. gress’s work. In such a big coun- children as an accident. the government do,” he said. alleging they died because there “They told me there was a total of eight, are with Nit- Meanwhile, Sharad Yadav try, many accidents happen. This “It was a mistake...it might Meanwhile, health authorities they didn’t get oxygen have led shortage of cylinders,” he said ish Kumar. Among the sec- said the suspensions action has not happened for the fi rst have happened at any stage,” he yesterday delivered oxygen to to a fi restorm of criticism of Adi- and turned his wrath on Adity- retaries, only Virender Singh came after he visited Bihar time. Such accidents happened said. the hospital. tyanath, who took offi ce earlier anath whose electoral constitu- Bidhuri has gone with Sharad “just once”. during even Congress govern- The BJP chief also justi- The deaths of the children this year. ency is Gorakhpur.

Election campaign Film industry hails exit 4 held for leaking Game of censor board chief of Thrones episode AFP would be detained until August Mumbai 21 amid an investigation. AFP censorship, which left no room standards. But people need to The case was fi led by a Mum- Mumbai for negotiations or debates,” said understand: the old way of tra- bai-based company responsible fi lmmaker Ashok Pandit, who ditional thinking is fantastic for our people have been ar- for storing and processing the served on the CBFC’s panel un- a country like India.” rested in India for leaking TV episodes for an app, local ndia’s fi lm industry yester- der Nihalani. India’s censors have a long Fan episode from HBO’s media said. day welcomed the departure “This attitude aff ected many history of barring movies and Game of Thrones television se- The four arrested were com- Iof the country’s chief fi lm movies and fi lmmakers in the cutting scenes, including those ries before it was aired in the pany employees who possessed censor, who had stoked con- last three years and I am happy deemed too racy or likely to country, police said yesterday. offi cial credentials giving them troversy by axing James Bond’s with the ministry’s decision to cause religious off ence. Already the most pirated show access to the episodes, the re- kissing scenes and briefl y block- replace him with a much more But under Nihalani the board’s in TV history, the popular fanta- ports added. ing the release of a movie for be- reasonable chief,” he told AFP. decisions were seen as particu- sy drama – which tells the story Game of Thrones has more ing too “lady-oriented”. Nihalani said he had received larly draconian. of noble families vying for the Emmy Awards than any narra- The government said late Fri- no word from the government and In 2015 it blocked the release Iron Throne – has been plagued tive show in history and airs in day it was replacing Pahlaj Niha- had only heard through media re- of Fifty Shades of Grey in In- by leaks in recent weeks follow- 170 countries, with viewership lani as chief of the Central Board ports that he was being replaced. dia and also demanded that the ing the premiere of the seventh fi gures shattering records across of Film Certifi cation (CBFC) He defended his record, say- kissing scenes in the Bond movie season. the world. with Prasoon Joshi, an award- ing India needed a more con- Spectre be cut. After receiving a complaint As well as being a hit globally, winning screenwriter. servative approach than other Earlier this year it briefl y for a company “we investigated it has a massive fan base in South No reason was given, but countries, and he had only been blocked the release of Lipstick the case and have arrested four Asia. many in India’s vibrant fi lm following the board’s own rules. Under My Burkha, a comedy individuals for unauthorised Showrunners David Ben- industry felt the censorship “Only 2% of Indian fi lmmak- about the secret lives of four publication of the fourth epi- ioff and D B Weiss last year an- board’s demands for cuts and ers make pornographic, vulgar Indian women, saying it was sode from season seven,” Deputy nounced the shortened run of other changes were stifl ing crea- and obscene fi lms, while the re- “lady-oriented” and contained Commissioner of Police Akbar seven and six episodes for the tive freedoms. maining were supportive of my “abusive words”. Y S R Congress chief Y S Jaganmohan Reddy is greeted by a Pathan said. fi nal two seasons and confi rmed “Filmmakers faced a huge work,” he told AFP by phone. The fi lm’s makers appealed supporter as he campaigns ahead of assembly by-election He said the four – accused the summer return for season problem with Nihalani’s one- “We need a better rating sys- and it was eventually cleared for in Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh. of criminal breach of trust and seven, a departure from the usu- man show and attitude towards tem to match international release. computer-related off ences – al April premieres. Gulf Times 14 Tuesday, August 15, 2017 INDIA

INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTIGATION CRACKDOWN MYSTERY TRADE New highway projects Suspect in murder of No loud music, party Fire-fighting equipment Attack by cow vigilantes to decongest NCR ex-Delhi legislator held after 10pm in Goa parts missing from Assembly hits meat supply in Kolkata

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin A criminal involved in the killing of former Delhi No music events or rave parties will be allowed Vital parts of fire-fighting equipment kept in the The overall supply of meat and beef in Kolkata Gadkari yesterday inaugurated two National legislator Bharat Singh and who carried a reward of in North Goa’s popular beach-belt after 10pm, Kerala Assembly complex and the Legislators’ has dipped by 25 to 30% following the recent Highway projects in Gurugram aimed at Rs100,000 on his head was arrested in Gurugram police said yesterday, claiming drugs are being Hostel have been reported missing, an off icial attack by cow vigilantes in Bihar, traders said decongesting the National Capital Region and also yesterday along with his accomplice, police said. sold at late night music events in the state. said yesterday. A preliminary probe has revealed yesterday. According to the Calcutta Beef Dealers’ laid the foundation stone for two new projects. A court sent them to two days police custody. Superintendent of Police Chandan Choudhury that some parts of the fire-fighting gear, Association, in the wake of attack on three men by The minister inaugurated a four-lane flyover at Hemant alias Pradhan, 23, was arrested along with said a large number of young domestic tourists especially the fittings on the water hose pipes, alleged cow vigilantes on suspicion of transporting Maharana Pratap Chowk on Mehrauli-Gurgaon his accomplice Narender alias Mintu, 28, during were visiting the coastal state because of the long have disappeared. “The maximum loss has been beef in a truck in Bihar’s Bhojpur district, traders Road and an eight-lane flyover at Hero Honda checking of vehicles at night near Daultabad on weekend and some of them carried party drugs. reported at the Legislators’ Hostel while things in West Bengal are apprehensive about sourcing Chowk on NH-8, a statement from the Road Dwarka Expressway, Gurugram Commissioner of “In the coming days, no party will be allowed in that have gone missing from the assembly cattle from the neighbouring state. “Earlier in Transport Ministry said. The project cost of the two Police Sandeep Khirwar said. “Police signalled a car open places and after the 10pm deadline. Where complex are more like hinges and such,” said the city’s largest cattle trading hub in Ilambazar, flyovers is estimated to be Rs340mn and Rs950mn to stop around 4am but the driver accelerated. On there is music, there is possibility of drugs and the off icial, who did not want to be named. The we used to get around 30 lorries of cattle from respectively, the statement said. Gadkari also being chased by our team, their car collided with over-consumption of liquor. We will make sure that off ices of the assembly speaker, legislature Bihar every day... Now, if we get even three to inaugurated a two-lane underpass from Chaudhary a divider,” Khirwar said. “The criminals opened fire we adhere to this time limit of 10,” Choudhury said. secretary and the chief marshal have informed four, we feel lucky,” said association’s president Baktawar Singh Road towards Delhi - near Rajiv at the police vehicle but finally they were nabbed. “A lot of youngsters carry drugs with them when about the matter, he said. Off icials are surprised Mohamed Ali. He said the business was already Chowk - costing Rs300mn. All three projects are Fifteen pistols and revolvers were recovered from they come to party and then consume it. We are that the vital equipment has gone missing from on a downfall following the crackdown on illegal aimed at decongesting roads, a ministry off icial said. Hemant and Narender,” he added. doing a crackdown on that,” he said. high security areas. slaughterhouses in Uttar Pradesh. Court puts up Sahara’s jewel Aamby Valley for auction

People wade through a flooded road in Araria district of Bihar yesterday. IANS Awasthi said that there are “sev- the reserve price or in excess of Mumbai eral steps” before the actual auc- Rs100,000 crore. tion will take place. Describing the property for the At the last hearing, the top prospective bidders, the adver- n a major setback to Subrata court had given approval to the tisement said it was situated over Roys’ Sahara Group, the Bom- liquidator to execute two initial a verdant expanse, nested amidst Ibay High Court yesterday put steps of the auction process, the the picturesque environs of the 2mn people hit as Bihar up its prestigious Aamby Valley fi rst being media advertisements great Sahyadri Mountain range. city properties in Maharashtra for inviting bidders and second to “The ultra-exclusive chartered public auction. verify their KYC. city has residential options rang- The offi cial liquidator of the Awasthi said Sahara had sought ing from the Timber Chalets to high court has set a reserve price the Supreme Court’s permission fabulously modern and custom- of Rs373.92bn (Rs37,392 crore) to enter into a deal with Victor ised villas in distinct architectural fl ood situation worsens for the Aamby Valley City in Koenig UK Ltd through its nomi- styles and several amenities such the twin hill stations of Lonav- nee, Royale Partners Investment as gold course, airport, hospital, IANS aerial surveys and work on a cluding the Koshi, Mahananda, Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi dis- ala-Khandala as part of eff orts Fund Ltd (Mauritius), for an in- adventure sports, retail, enter- Patna strategy to reach out to the af- Gandak, Bagmati and the Gan- trict where a massive landslide to partially recover the Sahara vestment of $1.67bn in the Aamby tainment, international school fected people. “It will take time ges are in spate, according to of- swallowed a 150m stretch of Group’s dues to various lenders Valley. and hospitality,” it said. for the fl ood waters to recede fi cials. road burying three homes, two and investors. Among the highfl iers who have he fl ood situation in Bihar from villages.” “With heavy rainfall in the buses and a bike and leaving 46 The move comes three days af- “The ultra-exclusive invested in properties in the Aam- worsened yesterday, with According to the Bihar Disas- catchment areas in Nepal, water dead. ter the Supreme Court declined chartered city has by Valley City include top busi- Tmany rivers breaching ter Management Department, levels in these rivers have been The authorities believe one to entertain the group’s appeal to residential options ranging nessmen, fi lm stars, cricketers their banks and embankments nearly 2mn people have been rising for the past several days,” person might be trapped in the postpone the auction of its prime from the Timber Chalets and other celebrities. It is ranked and aff ecting nearly 2mn people, aff ected by the fl oods, including one offi cer said. mud pile spread over 300m properties nestled in the lush to fabulously modern as one of the tourist hotspots in offi cials said. thousands who have been forced Kumar has requested Prime area. green Western Ghats in Pune dis- and customised villas Maharashtra. The government has launched to fl ee their homes. Minister Narendra Modi and “This morning we restarted trict. in distinct architectural Among those interested in bid- massive relief and rescue opera- In the last two days, at least federal Home Minister Rajnath search operation and during However, according to the Su- styles” ding for the properties include tions with help from the army, 1mn people have been displaced Singh to provide all possible the day-long search, no body or preme Court directive, if the Sa- major Indian developers and cor- air force as well as National Dis- in Kishanganj, Araria, Purnea help. trace of any missing person was hara Group can deposit Rs15bn “The SC permitted Sahara to porate houses, but Sahara Group aster Response Force and Bihar and Katihar districts. His offi ce said an 80-member found,” Deputy Commissioner before the next date of hearing, enter into negotiations with them offi cials declined to comment. State Disaster Response Force “Thousands were displaced team from the Bihar Regiment Sandeep Kadam, who is super- the auction process would be for the (investment) and deposit Spread over 10,600 acres of teams in the 14 fl ood-hit dis- as their villages got inundated,” rushed to Kishanganj and Araria vising the operation, said. withdrawn. Rs1,500 crore before the next semi-hilly terrain, it is reputed to tricts. a Kishanganj district offi cial districts on Sunday evening. He said 46 bodies were recov- Offi cial liquidator Vinod Shar- hearing. The SC had said in the be India’s fi rst private, planned “We are evacuating people said. More soldiers joined them yes- ered so far, all of them on Sun- ma issued advertisements in last hearing that if the Rs1,500 city which was designed by to safer places. It is our priority Other aff ected districts are terday. day. Thirty-three of them were newspapers yesterday opening crore is deposited before the next Gruen-Bobby Mukherji and As- for now because thousands are Darbhanga, Madhubani, Sita- Railway stations in Kis- identifi ed and the bodies hand- up the public auction of “sale/ date, then the auction process will sociates in 2003. stranded,” said Pratyaya Amrit, marhi, Madhepura, Saharsa, hanganj, Katihar and Jogbani ed over to their family members lease” on an “as-is-where-is- be withdrawn,” he said. Easily accessible by road and principal secretary in the Bihar Supaul as well as East and West in Araria were fl ooded, leaving yesterday. whatever-there is” of the Aamby The total property to go under rail from Mumbai, Pune and Disaster Management Depart- Champaran. scores of passengers stranded. Relatives of one missing bus Valley City, around 120km from the hammer is 8,493.163 acres, Lonavala, the strategically located ment. The Bihar State Disaster Eighteen trains have been can- passenger approached the local Mumbai. comprising an integrated hill- Aamby Valley has hosted several Chief Minister Nitish Ku- Management Department has celled since Sunday. authorities to know about his The auction would be conduct- city township called Aamby Val- mega-events, festivals and is a mar, after an aerial survey of the asked people living in low-lying According to offi cials, crops whereabouts. ed in two phases spread over two ley City Development, which was venue for fi lm shootings and lav- fl ooded districts, said he had areas to move to higher places as worth millions of rupees have “So far we have received in- days, the notice said. the fi rst of its kind megalopolis in ish private do’s by the movers and told offi cials to speed up rescue heavy rains continue. been damaged and road links to formation about one missing The fi rst phase would include India. shakers of Mumbai’s glam and and relief work. “The fl ood situation in Bihar several places snapped. bus passenger and we are on the the verifi cation of the KYC (know As per the liquidator’s stated glitz jet-setters. “It is like a fl ash fl ood situa- will continue to be grim for some Reports reaching here said job to locate him,” a rescuer said. your customer) of prospective reserve price, this works out to Besides a private airport, the tion after heavy rains in the last time due to rising water levels in fl ood waters had submerged NH A mudslide triggered late on bidders. After they qualify, they around Rs4,40,26,000 per acre. complex has three huge artifi cial three days. Relief and rescue rivers and incessant rains,” a de- 104 in Sitamarhi, NH 31 in Kis- Saturday night by heavy rains would be required to submit bids However, market sources claim lakes including the largest which operations are going on in full partment offi cial said. hanganj and NH 327 in Araria. killed at least 46 people and in- with 15% of the reserve price, or the actual prevalent market prices is 15 km long, an 18-hole golf swing,” he said. So far, 10 people, including Road traffi c has been cut in these juring fi ve. roughly Rs60bn, as earnest mon- of these properties, including the course, big gardens, jogging and Kumar said he had asked women and children, have been districts. Most of the victims belong to ey deposit, a Sahara Group offi cial constructions, amenities, world- cycling tracks which implement the district magistrates of the killed in the fl oods. Meanwhile, rescuers resumed Himachal Pradesh. Some were said. class infrastructure and the some of the best environmental worst-hit districts to conduct Major rivers in the state in- search for the second day in from Pathankot in Punjab. Sahara’s lawyer Gautam goodwill, could be at least thrice practices and urban landscaping. SC restores lookout 11 more die of swine fl u in Gujarat; toll 201

IANS infected persons had suc- notice against Karti Ahmedabad cumbed to the deadly virus since 2012 - 2015 was the worst IANS “You appear (before the in- told Subramanium as he sought year, with 350 deaths reported New Delhi vestigating agency), and sat- to assure the bench that Karti leven more people died from the disease. isfy them,” Chief Justice Jagdish would not run away from inves- of swine fl u in Gujarat Ahmedabad, Surat, Vado- Singh Khehar told Karti’s law- tigation. Eyesterday, taking the toll dara, and Rajkot accounted for he Supreme Court yes- yer Gopal Subramanium, asking “You can take it from me that due to the disease since Janu- half of the registered swine fl u terday restored a Central him to give a date when his client there will be no running away, I ary to 201, offi cials said. cases in fi ve years. TBureau of Investigation would like to be questioned. say it voluntarily,” Subramanium According to offi cial fi gures, Swine fl u has also claimed lookout circular against Karti “Give a date. If he is in Delhi, said. 1,754 H1N1 cases have been re- the lives of fi ve people in Mad- Chidambaram, son of senior he will be questioned in Delhi. If Not accepting the plea for ported so far, with 913 people hya Pradesh while 143 people, Congress leader P Chidambaram, he is in Chennai, he will be ques- continuation of stay on the look- still under treatment and 640 suspected of having the dis- to prevent him from going abroad tioned in Chennai,” the chief jus- out circular, the Khehar told the of them cured. ease, have been tested in the and asked him to approach the tice said. lawyer: “We had a very bad expe- Ahmedabad was the worst- state, health offi cials said. probe agency. The court order came on a rience when we allowed a person aff ected city with 51 deaths, “Diseases such as swine fl u, The court, in the process, put petition by the CBI, which said to go abroad and he never came followed by Vadodara (32). Su- dengue, malaria, chikungun- on hold the Madras High Court’s the high court had no territorial back.” rat and state capital Gandhina- ya, etc are being analysed eve- August 10 stay on the lookout jurisdiction to entertain the plea “First, you show your bona gar reported nine deaths each. ry day. From July 1 to August circular issued against Karti, who and stay the lookout notice as the fi des by going to the investigat- The Saurashtra region with 13, 143 persons suspected of is facing a CBI probe into alleged matter is before the Special CBI ing offi cer”, the chief justice said. 11 districts reported 61 deaths. having the deadly disease have irregularities in Foreign Invest- court in Delhi. “The question is he is required The state government said it been tested in the state. Of the ment Promotion Board approv- Staying the August 10 order, to participate in the investigation had ensured additional stocks 140 reports that we have thus als. a bench of Chief Justice Khehar and all that the lookout notice of medicines and taken oth- received, 28 persons have test- The top court made it clear and Justice D Y Chandrachud says is don’t travel abroad.” ers steps, including setting up ed positive for swine fl u. As we that Karti would not leave the said further hearing would be The agency had told the court isolation wards in many hos- are yet to receive three reports, country till he co-operated in in- held on August 18. that the lookout notice was only pitals, but the number of pa- fi ve persons have died of swine vestigation to the satisfaction of “We will say nothing but stay to prevent him from leaving the Medical staff work at the swine flu isolation ward of the Ahmedabad tients was rising steadily. fl u in the state,” the Health De- the agency. the high court order,” the judges country. Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. Over 850 of the total 9,000 partment said. Gulf Times Tuesday, August 15, 2017 15 PAKISTAN

Pakistan’s President Mamnoon Hussain hoists the national flag during a ceremony to mark the country’s Independence Day Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Yang is flanked by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as they arrive to attend a in Islamabad yesterday. flag hoisting ceremony to mark the country’s Independence Day in Islamabad yesterday. Patriotic fervour marks Pakistan Independence Day celebrations zPresident Mamnoon Hussain hoisted the Pakistani flag z Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Chief guest Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Yang and all three chiefs of the armed services attended the ceremony zLargest-ever airshow in Pakistan’s history held at Islamabad’s F9 Park. zArmy chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa raised a massive national flag on a 400 foot pole at Wagah border

Agencies Pakistani Navy band members perform during a ceremony at the Islamabad mausoleum of Mohamed Ali Jinnah to mark the country’s Independence Day in Karachi yesterday.

akistan yesterday cel- ebrated 70 years of in- Pdependence from British India with a patriotic display including a giant fl ag and a show of airpower, as the military’s top brass vowed to wipe out terror- ists days after a deadly blast. Celebrations began at the stroke of midnight with fi rework shows in major cities. The main ceremony of the day was held at Islamabad’s Con- vention Centre, where President Mamnoon Hussain hoisted the Pakistani fl ag. Prime Minister Shahid Pakistani Wing Commander Bilal (second left) presents sweets to Indian Border Security Force (BSF) Commandant Sudeep (fourth right) Khaqan Abbasi, Chinese Vice- during a ceremony to celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day at the India-Pakistan Wagah border post yesterday. Mohamed Zubair Umar (centre), Governor of Sindh province, walks Premier Wang Yang — the chief with Pakistan’s naval off icers to lay a wreath during a ceremony to guest — and all three chiefs of in the mega event alongside PAF z Messages from the can be diff erent and our eco- Further south in Karachi the celebrate the country’s 70th Independence Day at the mausoleum of the armed services attended the aircraft. president and PM nomic vision may have diff erent day began with a changing of Mohamed Ali Jinnah in Karachi. ceremony. Yang said China and Pakistan In his message on occasion of perspectives but ascendancy of the guard at the mausoleum of The day began with a 31-gun have stood by each other in dif- Pakistan’s 71st Independence national interests and invincible the country’s founder Mohamed salute in the federal capital along fi cult times and “this friendship Day, President Mamnoon Hus- defence are common objectives Ali Jinnah, where politicians and with a 21-gun salute in each pro- will stand the test of time and sain urged the nation to reiter- of the entire nation, for which military commanders laid fl oral vincial capital. last for generations to come”. ate the resolve to always uphold we have to make collective en- wreaths. Flag hoisting ceremonies were “Our friendship is higher than the values of determination and deavours,” he said. In Lahore students cruised held in the provincial capitals the mountains, deeper than the dedication for the objective of “The independence that we through the eastern city’s and district headquarters, and oceans, stronger than steel and development of Pakistan. got 70 years ago was the fruit of streets on motorbikes waving change of guard ceremonies sweeter than honey,” he said, “Let us join hands for devel- the exemplary struggle of our flags and screaming “Long live were held at Mazar-i-Quaid and adding that China will work to opment and prosperity of the ancestors,” said Abbasi. “Thou- Pakistan!” Mazar-i-Iqbal. strengthen strategic co-opera- motherland by keeping aside our sands of Muslims have made Up north in the Swat valley Later, Chairman Senate Raza tion with Pakistan. diff erences. sacrifi ces for our future and the near the restive border with Rabbani and speaker National Yang said Pakistan has be- Let us promote love and har- future of our children.” Afghanistan celebrations Assembly Ayaz Sadiq laid a fl o- come a key player in the interna- mony by overcoming hatred At the highly symbolic Wagah were more subdued, with ral wreath on the memorial of tional arena and China considers and misgivings and secure the eastern border crossing with In- events at schools cancelled forgotten heroes of democracy it to be a key player in the de- future of our nation by turning dia, army chief General Qamar due to “prevailing law and inside the Parliament. velopment of the One Belt, One despondency into hope in order Javed Bajwa raised a massive order” issues. The largest-ever airshow in Road (OBOR) project. to celebrate freedom in its true national fl ag on a 400 foot pole In nearby Peshawar, the capi- Pakistan’s history was also held He recalled that both coun- sense,” he said. as crowds chanted patriotic slo- tal of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa An aerobatic team performs during celebrations to mark the at Islamabad’s F9 Park. tries had helped each other in the Prime Minister Shahid gans. province, Christians held special country’s Independence Day in Islamabad yesterday. The event was attended by hour of need. Khaqan Abbasi in his mes- Following the chest- services at a church and freed President Mamnoon and Chief “We will never forget that af- sage emphasised the need to thumping performance Bajwa doves to mark the holiday. of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal ter the earthquake in Schichuan strengthen the state institutions said the country was making “I am praying for my beloved Sohail Aman, will feature Paki- province, Pakistan was the fi rst so that they can play their pre- progress and promised to “go country,” schoolteacher Neelam stan Air Force, Turkish and Saudi country to send aid via helicop- scribed role within the limits of after each and every terrorist Anwar said. jets. ters to the aff ected areas.” law and the constitution. in Pakistan”. In August 1947 the British Raj “Solo Turk”, the famous Turk- He said Pakistan has made “We may belong to diff erent “We have made a few mistakes was dismantled with the sub- ish aerobatic team of Turkish great sacrifi ces in the fi ght tribes, fraternities and ethnici- in the past, but we are on the continent divided into two inde- Air Force, and the internation- against terrorism in recent years ties; we may be working in dif- road to development under the pendent states — Hindu-major- ally acclaimed “Saudi Hawks” of and has worked to establish ferent spheres of national life; guidance of our constitution,” he ity India and Muslim-majority Royal Saudi Air Force took part peace in the region. our political vision and thinking added. Pakistan. Sharif had undertaken to accept SC verdict

Internews On November 1 last year, the Election Commission of not been proven so far. Another member of the legal Islamabad Sharif’s counsel, Salman Pakistan”. “The matter has been re- team believes that the family had Aslam Butt, had submitted The statement further read: ferred to the National Ac- committed a blunder by delaying on his client’s behalf that “If the allegation pressed countability Bureau (NAB) for the issue. lthough deposed Pakista- “he [Sharif] accepts the for- stand proved against him per- further investigation and so “They had the chance to re- ni prime minister Nawaz mation of the commission to sonally by a final determina- there will be another trial,” he solve the matter in the parlia- ASharif has been deliver- inquire into all the allega- tion of this court then he shall added. ment and through NAB. ing fi ery speeches against his tions made in the petitions accept the ensuring legal con- The senior legal expert said It would have been better for disqualifi cation, he had under- relating to the alleged illegal sequences.” the Sharif family had made a them if the case had been decid- taken before the top court that acquisition of the properties However, a member of Sharif’s major mistake by not challeng- ed during the tenure of former he would accept its verdict in the and alleged misdeclaration legal team said the allegations ing the maintainability of the chief justice Anwar Zaheer Pakistani youths sing a song after a flag hoisting ceremony to mark Panamagate case. in the returns filed before mentioned in the statement had petitions in the case. Jamali,” he added. the country’s Independence Day in Islamabad yesterday. Gulf Times 16 Tuesday, August 15, 2017 PHILIPPINES Recto eyes Elvis impersonator contingency fund to save OFWs

Manila Times When there is a crisis to pre- Makati pare for, their resources must be increased,” he said, adding that Filipino workers in South enate President Pro Korea currently send about Tempore Ralph Recto P1bn a month to the Philip- Ssought the allocation of pines. a “contingency fund” that the Recto said the DFA’s Assist- Department of Foreign Aff airs ance to Nationals (ATN) Fund (DFA) can use to rescue Filipi- of P400mn for 2017 is not nos in countries with brewing enough. On top of the P400mn, crisis situations. there is a P100mn Legal Assist- “There should be provisions ance Fund for Overseas Filipino for safe havens and secure es- Workers in trouble with the law cape routes. Our foreign posts in their host countries. must be given the capacity Meanwhile, the foreign af- to make the arrangements. It fairs department on Sunday should not be limited to plans assured the public that con- and advisories,” Recto said. tingency measures are in place The senator cited the pro- in case the People Democratic posed budget of the Philippine Republic of Korea (DPRK) embassy in Seoul, the South makes good its threat to launch Korean capital located 60km missiles towards Guam. from its border with North Ko- In a statement, Foreign Sec- rea, which is embroiled in ten- retary Alan Peter Cayetano sions following a series of mis- said he received assurances sile tests by North Korea. from Ambassador Raul Her- He said the Philippine em- nandez in Seoul and Consul bassy in Seoul has a proposed General Marciano de Borja in budget of P109mn for 2018 or Agana that their respective about $2mn for one whole year contingency plans for the Fili- in one of the world’s most ex- pino community are in place in pensive cities. case the situation in the Korean Recto said the budget of the Peninsula escalates further. Philippine embassy in Seoul There are 65,000 Filipinos Douglas Masuda, a former lawyer, impersonator and avid collector of Elvis Presley memorabilia, gestures besides an Elvis Presley statue display inside his home in Makati should be increased especially in South Korea and another city, metro Manila, two days before the 40th anniversary of the death of the King of Rock and Roll. at a time when tensions in the 42,835 in Guam. The DFA Korean peninsula are high. called on the United States and “The operating budget of the DPRK to exercise restraint these embassies and consu- and take the necessary steps to lates must be augmented. avoid escalating tensions. House panel calls Marawi rebels-MILF for sacking of Customs chief

Manila Times Barbers said of Faeldon. Fael- clash leaves 25 dead Quezon City don assumed the top post of the Bureau of Customs on June The Moro Islamic Liberation Front The MILF is opposed to radical groups possibility that the BIFF, though smaller priest and children, Padilla said. 30, 2016, replacing Alberto is backing the government to stop and sees them as undermining its legiti- and less organised, could join forces with They are being forced to help the mili- committee at the House Lina. breakaway groups mate quest for greater autonomy for Mus- larger, more powerful militant group, tants by collecting bullets or preparing ex- of Representatives that He was one of the early ap- lims in parts of Mindanao, to end nearly 50 Dawla Islamiya, better known as the Mau- plosives, he said. Ainvestigated the ille- pointees under the Duterte ad- Reuters years of confl ict that has killed more than te group. On the weekend, four escaped hos- gal entry of P6.4bn worth of ministration. Manila 120,000 people and displaced 2mn. The Maute group, with the support of tages told authorities that the Islamist “shabu” (methamphetamine He was a former Marine of- “Based on reports from ceasefi re moni- armed elements of another group, Abu fi ghters were also planning to use cap- hydrochloride) has recom- fi cer who became controversial tors, the two sides suff ered 25 casual- Sayyaf, has held the commercial heart of tives as suicide bombers, said presiden- mended the dismissal of Cus- for his participation in 2003 ighting between government- ties, including 20 from the ISIS-inspired Marawi City through more than 80 days of tial spokesman Ernesto Abella. toms Commissioner Nicanor Oakwood mutiny, along with backed separatist rebels and pro- group,” Besana said, referring to Islamic clashes and air strikes by the military that Jo-ann Petinglay, spokeswoman for Faeldon for alleged “gross in- then Navy First Lieutenant FIslamic State militants have killed at State by another acronym. He said 10 have left 700 people dead and displaced the AFP’s Western Mindanao Command competence and corruption”. Antonio Trillanes 4th, which least 25 people in the southern Philippines, MILF were wounded and were being treat- some 600,000. (WestMinCom), said troops have yet to “When he assumed offi ce, sought to oust former presi- the army said yesterday, as the military ed at a military hospital. Army offi cials yesterday estimated clear 400 structures in the city. Petin- he centralised all powers by dent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo battles to restore order on the troubled is- The confl ict started on Aug 7 when ex- about 20-40 militants were holed up in glay said soldiers take one to two days to creating a command centre. for allegedly allowing corrup- land of Mindanao. tremists from Bangsamoro Islamic Free- Marawi and believed to be holding scores clear a six-story building. He did not even ask permission tion in the military. Soldiers provided artillery support for dom Fighters (BIFF) attacked two villages of hostages as human shields, complicat- “For this time, structures are taller from the Secretary of Finance. Trillanes has since been the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), in Maguindanao and their homemade ing eff orts for a military aided by American and a lot of improvised explosives were He did not issue a department elected to the Senate while Ar- a Muslim rebel group with which the gov- bombs killed fi ve MILF fi ghters. technical support to retake the city. planted [by the Maute gunmen, we are order creating it. He is simply royo is now congresswoman of ernment has signed a peace agreement, to The MILF responded and clashes lasted The rebels were running out of options also thinking about the presence of ci- managing it by himself. These Pampanga. Faeldon’s compe- try to tackle Islamist extremists, spokes- six days, with the military fi ring howitzer and could strap explosives on hostages and vilian hostages, those are the new chal- actions are signs of incompe- tence was questioned after a man Colonel Gerry Besana said. cannons in support, Besana said. detonate if soldiers encircled their posi- lenges we are facing right now,” Petinglay tence,” Representative Robert P6.4bn shabu shipment passed The MILF and the government have The government and MILF have agreed tions, the military said. There is no known said. Barbers, chairman of the com- through a BOC “priority lane” agreed to work together to thwart several on a Bangsamoro Basic Law, which needs precedent for suicide bombings in the The siege in Marawi City began on mittee on dangerous drugs, without inspection. militant groups in Mindanao that have legislative approval, to create an autono- Philippines. May 23 after troops attempted to arrest a told a forum in Manila yester- If not for a tip from China, pledged allegiance to Islamic State. mous region for the Moro minority in the Military spokesman Brigadier General local leader of the Islamic State terrorist day. the contraband could have The island of 22mn people and roughly Philippines with its own executive, legis- Restituto Padilla said: “Their capacity to movement, prompting the militants to Barbers said the committee been sold on the streets. “It is the size of South Korea is under martial law lature and fi scal powers. infl ict harm...is still there because they launch attacks in the municipality. would present its report con- a big embarrassment to Presi- at least until the end of the year, as Presi- The BIFF is a breakaway faction of the still have arms, they still have adequate The confl ict has left 775 people dead so taining the recommendation to dent Duterte who ordered the dent Rodrigo Duterte tries to extinguish MILF that disagrees with the peace proc- ammunition and they still continue to far, including 128 government troops and Duterte next week. raid of illegal drugs laborato- a growing threat of radical Islam taking a ess and wants an independent Islamic hold hostages,” Padilla said. 562 militants. Asked if the committee ries all over the country. This hold and turning the southern Philippines State in the south. The militants are holding an estimated The terrorists have also executed 45 would recommend a replace- time, they are allowing the into a magnet for foreign extremists. The military is concerned about the 40 to 50 hostages, including a Catholic civilians. ment to Faeldon, the congress- entry of illegal drugs through man from the second district Customs,” Barbers said. of Surigao del Norte, said he Barbers said his committee would consider including a has fi nished its hearing and possible replacement. was now readying the fi nal “We don’t admire that man,” draft. Peace talks with Reds dying, Best time to buy chicken, says govt

The Philippine government time to buy chicken because yesterday urged the public not they’re cheap now.” says chief negotiator Bello to panic over an outbreak of The Department of Agriculture bird flu in a northern province, has identified a 1km radius stressing that there has been area from the site of the Manila Times NPA attacked a convoy of the Presidential He cited at least two actions on the part The Duterte administration initially no transmission of the virus outbreak in the town of San Quezon City Security Group (PSG) in North Cotabato. of the NDF that made the resumption of released 19 NDF consultants as a show of to humans. The Philippines Luis in Pampanga province, The president slammed the CPP/NDF the peace negotiations impossible: the good faith, but Solicitor General Jose Cal- confirmed on Friday the first 50km north of Manila, where for ordering the NPA, its armed wing, to threat of the NDF to intensify operations ida has already called for their re-arrest. outbreak of avian influenza all birds will be culled. It also he peace negotiations between the intensify its attacks on government forces against the government in protest of the Included in the list of NDF consultants in the country, prompting the stopped the movement of live government and the National Dem- in response to the declaration of martial fi ve-month extension of martial law in are Satur Ocampo, Vicente Ladlad and Department of Agriculture fowls and poultry products Tocratic Front/Communist Party law in Mindanao that the group said was Mindanao and the July 19 ambush of the Randall Echanis. to order the culling of about from a 7km radius from the of the Philippines/New People’s Army “against the people”. PSG convoy. The Makabayan bloc in Congress, com- 200,000 birds. site of the outbreak to other (NDF/CPP/NPA) is dying and will not be Duterte also ordered the arrest of com- “You have to understand the position of posed of Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Alliance “So far there is no indication parts of the country. Pinol said rejuvenated, government chief negotiator munist rebels, including NDF consultants the president. We just met [in the Neth- of Concerned Teachers, Kabataan and that the strain of avian flu the culling had been delayed Silvestre Bello 3rd said Sunday. released temporarily by the government to erlands for the peace talks]and yet there Anakpawis earlier warned that its alliance is harmful to humans,” because there was a lack of Bello, in a phone interview with The participate in the peace talks held in Nor- was the ambush of the PSG convoy. Before with the administration is at risk of break- presidential spokesman personnel who were willing to Manila Times, noted that while an offi cial way. that, there’s also the threat to step up at- ing apart because the alliance is kept afl oat Ernesto Abella said. “But we will take part in the operation. “The letter of termination has yet to be sent to “We are yet to receive instructions from tacks against the government. Those are by the peace process. Makabayan members continue to validate this and workers were afraid because of the communist rebels to formally end the the president as to the need to have it for- not providing conducive climate [for peace are in the Duterte Cabinet – Social Welfare take all precaution needed.” the misinformation about the peace process, there is no turning back on mally terminated [with a letter of termina- talks],” Bello pointed out. Secretary Judy Taguiwalo and Agrarian “It’s safe to eat chicken. It’s threats to their health,” he said. President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to tion]. But the president’s position here is “I am in constant communication with Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano. safe to eat eggs,” Agriculture So far, more than 18,600 junk the peace talks. very clear: No talks with the NDF. the NDF, but the events that transpired Former Gabriela Representative Liza Emmanuel Pinol told a press chickens, ducks, quails and The president called off the peace ne- There’s no formal termination, but it make us question their sincerity,” he add- Maza was named as the chairperson of the conference. “This is the best other fowls have been culled. gotiations on July 22, three days after the (peace process) is dying,” Bello said. ed. National Anti-Poverty Commission. Gulf Times Tuesday, August 15, 2017 17 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL AL briefs president on charter amendment

By Mizan Rahman said neither the country’s in- Dhaka dependence nor its declaration happened overnight. Father of the Nation Banga- n a new development, Awa- bandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rah- mi League general secretary man announced it after earning IObaidul Quader yesterday the people’s mandate through a met President Abdul Hamid political movement. “It will be amid heated debate over the a crime if I distort it,” he said. top court’s verdict on the 16th Asked if distorting history constitutional amendment. would be considered as mis- After the meeting on Mon- conduct, the minister said: day, which lasted for almost an “There is no defi nition of mis- hour, Quader said it was meant conduct (for distorting his- to brief Hamid on his party’s tory). So this has to be checked stance on the Supreme Court’s to see if there has been miscon- decision that declared the duct or anything else. There is amendment illegal. scope for that.” Rescue underway in flood hit Bangladesh. “I have cleared the party’s Replying to another query as stance on the observations to who now holds the authority made in the 16th amendment to remove judges over miscon- verdict,” he told reporters at duct, he said: “Ultimately, the the entrance of the President’s authority lies with the Presi- Secretariat called Bangabhaban dent. If there is no 16th amend- which is his offi ce-cum-resi- ment or any mention of the Su- dence. preme Judicial Council in the Quader said he also briefed Constitution, there is no one the president on his meeting but the president (to handle the Tourists rescued by with Chief Justice Surendra matter).” Kumar Sinha. “The president One of the architects of appoints the chief justice as he Bangladesh’s Constitution is the custodian of the state. So, and close aide to Bangabandhu I have informed him what we Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Dr discussed.” Kamal Hossain, however, does On Saturday, Quader met not see any comments that Chief Justice Surendra Ku- need to be erased from the elephants in Nepal mar Sinha at his residence. He Supreme Court verdict on the later told the media that he 16th constitutional amend- Flooding in Nepal’s breadbasket may “In many parts of the country there is had briefed him on the party’s ment. cause shortages later a scarcity of safe drinking water creating stance. The senior lawyer also does a high risk of health hazards,” spokesman Justice Sinha was also at not subscribe to the view that Reuters Dibya Raj Poudel told AFP. the Bangabhaban yesterday to the court can withdraw the Kathmandu “Several villages and settlements are attend the president’s recep- verdict on its own will. unreachable. Telecommunications, mo- tion for the Hindu community The top lawyer, once an bile phones are still not working so it is for the Janmashtami festival. Awami League leader and a lephants were pressed into service diffi cult to give a full assessment.” Quader entered the Bangab- former minister of Bangaband- to rescue hundreds of foreign tour- A local volunteer in Saptari district — haban at around 12:30pm and hu’s Cabinet, spoke against the Eists trapped in a Nepal jungle safari one of the worst aff ected areas — said the left an hour later. amendment as an amicus curi- park, offi cials said yesterday, as the death water level was receding but many people On whether the government ae during the hearing in the SC. toll from fl ash fl oods and landslides after were still stranded on higher ground. will seek a review of the verdict, Some observations made by four days of heavy rains rose to 70. “Water level has decreased a little bit Quader said: “We have opened Chief Justice Surendra Kumar In Sauraha, 80km south of Kathman- but families still cannot return home. talks with the CJ and will not Sinha in the verdict have an- du, the Rapti River overfl owed its banks, They are taking shelter in sheds. make any comment until the gered Awami League leaders. inundating hotels and restaurants and What people need now is clean drink- discussions are fi nished.” Hossain told newsmen that stranding some 600 tourists. Sauraha, ing water and food,” volunteer Dipak Ku- The 16th Amendment to he had read the relevant parts on the fringe of Chitwan National Park, mar Yadav told AFP. Constitution empowered par- of the 799-page three times. is home to 605 greater one-horned rhi- On the outskirts of Janakpur, in south- liament to sack top court judges “I didn’t fi nd a single word that noceroses, or Indian rhinoceroses, and is eastern Nepal, local residents were shel- on the grounds of misconduct can be expunged. There’s noth- popular with foreign tourists, including tering in a local temple after the fl ood and incompetence. ing in it to expunge,” he said. Indian and Chinese visitors, mainly for waters had totally destroyed their basic Last year, the high court de- Awami League leaders have elephant ride and rhino-watching. mud homes, though the water had mostly clared the amendment ‘illegal’ claimed that the Father of the “Some 300 guests were rescued on el- receded. and the decision was upheld on Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh ephant backs and tractor trailers to (near- Flood victims in Saptari District, Nepal. Bangladesh deployed troops to shore July 3 by the Supreme Court. Mujibur Rahman has been be- by) Bharatpur and the rest will be taken to up embankments in the north of the The full verdict was fi nally re- littled in the verdict. safer places soon,” Suman Ghimire, chief were under water, mainly in the southern Shrestha, a spokeswoman for US-based country, where fl ooding has killed 22 leased by the Supreme Court Kamal said: “What he (Chief of a group of Sauraha hotel owners, said plains bordering India. non-profi t group Heifer International. people. on August 1. In the 799-page Justice) said is ‘singular’ as by telephone yesterday. Shiva Raj Bhatta Estimates of losses were not avail- Monsoon rains, which start in June and Local government administrator Kazi text, Justice Sinha focused dreamt by Bangabandhu. of WWF Nepal said one rhino had died in able, with rescuers yet to reach villages continue through September, are impor- Hasan Ahmed told AFP up to 700,000 on politics, military rule, the “What Bangabandhu the fl oods. marooned by the worst fl oods in recent tant for farm-dependent Nepal, but they people had been marooned by fl ood wa- Election Commission, corrup- dreamt is that this country Relief workers said 26 of Nepal’s 75 years. also cause heavy loss of life and property ters after rivers burst their banks follow- tion, governance and the inde- will not belong to a single in- districts were either submerged or hit by “The situation is worrying as tens of damage each year. ing days of heavy rain. pendence of the judiciary. The dividual. This is not some- landslides after heavy rains lashed the thousands of people have been hit,” Bas- In all at least 175 people have died “We’ve not seen such severe fl oods in ruling party has criticised the thing being spoken against mainly mountainous nation, home to net told Reuters. across Nepal, India and Bangladesh, of- Dinajpur since 1988,” he said, referring to verdict, but the BNP describes Bangabandhu. This is Banga- Mount Everest and the birthplace of Lord Large swaths of farmland in the south- fi cials said, warning the toll could rise as the worst-hit district. it as historic. bandhu’s word,” he said. Buddha. ern plains, Nepal’s breadbasket, are un- the extent of the damage becomes clear. “The town protection embankment Law Minister Anisul Huq Justice Sinha observed in the The death toll, which had stood at 49 der water and the Himalayan country Three days of relentless downpours was washed away by fl ood water, sub- and Attorney General Mah- verdict: “No nation — no coun- on Sunday, was expected to rise with an- could face food shortages due to crop sparked fl ash fl oods and landslides that merging most of the main town.” bubey Alam have said they try is made of or by one person. other 50 people reported missing in the losses, aid workers said. have killed at 22 in Bangladesh. The government’s Flood Forecasting would move to expunge “irrele- If we want to truly live up to the fl oods and landslides, Information and “The heavy rains hit at one of the worst The Nepal Red Cross warned that and Warning Centre warned that water vant and off ensive” parts in the dream of Sonar Bangla (Golden Communications Minister Mohan Baha- times, shortly after farmers planted their shortages of safe drinking water and food levels in some major rivers would contin- verdict’s observation, but did Bengal) as advocated by our dur Basnet said. rice crop in the country’s most impor- could create a humanitarian crisis in the ue to rise over the next 72 hours, raising not say how it would be done. Father of the nation, we must Basnet said more than 60,000 homes tant agricultural region,” said Sumnima impoverished Himalayan country. fears the fl ooding could spread. The law minister, while keep ourselves free from this briefi ng newsmen on the suicidal ambition and addic- Amendment at Dhaka Report- tion of ‘I’ness. That only one ers Unity on Sunday, was criti- person or one man did all this cal of one particular observa- and etc.” tion in the verdict that “No Pointing to the critics of the nation, no country is made of verdict, Gano Forum President or by one person”. Bangladesh using sea route to Kamal said, “We earned this Anisul said this was irrel- independence by sacrifi cing evant in the case at hand and millions of lives. Now illiterate also contrary to the history. and dishonest people are try- “There is no doubt that history ing to make an issue out of it for has been distorted here.” He import cattle from Myanmar personal gain.”

By Mizan Rahman Around 5,22,000 farmers, both in ru- anmar through Shahporirdwip corridor more if I don’t face any problem at the Dhaka ral and urban areas, have reared and fat- from August 1 to August 11. border.” tened cattle for the Eid. The revenue department has realised About 50 cattle traders of Teknaf are If cattle imports are encouraged, the over 9,00,000 taka as revenue from importing cows, buff aloes and goats Rajapakses a angladeshi cattle traders are im- people who reared cattle for the Eid will these imports. from Myanmar for the upcoming festi- porting cows, buff aloes and goats be badly aff ected,” added Haque. val. The traders are from diff erent parts Bfrom Myanmar in large numbers “We’ve written to the Home and “This year we have 1mn surplus of the country, including Dhaka, Chit- scapegoat: Namal using the sea route through Shahpor- Fisheries and Livestock Ministries, sacrifi cial animals. Bangladesh is tagong, and Feni, are taking cattle from irdwip corridor of Teknaf in Cox’s Ba- stating that we have suffi cient stocks, now self-suffi cient. If the cattle are Teknaf to their respective areas. zaar district well ahead of Eid. and told them to discourage imports,” imported, there will be a surplus in They have said there is a possibility of Agencies Yoshitha Rajapakse and Ro- If the cattle are imported from India added Haque. the market. Both the importers as importing 50,000 cattle from Myanmar Colombo hitha called to CID/FCID this and Myanmar, local cattle farmers will Shah Emran, general secretary of the well as the local farmers would have well ahead of Eid and there would not be week,” he tweeted. be aff ected, the livestock department Bangladesh Dairy Farmers’ Associa- to bear the losses” any dearth of sacrifi cial animals. Prices The Police said the CID asked and Bangladesh Dairy Farmers’ Asso- tion, told newsmen: “This year we have would remain stable this year, they said. P Namal Rajapakse former president Mahinda Ra- ciation said. 1mn surplus sacrifi cial animals. Bang- The revenue department statis- Abul Hashem, a cattle trader from said yesterday said japakse’s wife Shiranthi and The cattle traders have said a large ladesh is now self-suffi cient. If the cat- tics show that in July 2017, the cattle Teknaf, said: “Local cattle traders have Mthe government had their son Yoshitha to report to portion of demand for the sacrifi cial tle are imported, there will be a surplus traders imported 4,740 cows, 2,029 increased imports from Myanmar after started victimising the Ra- the CID to record statements in animals will be met from Myanmar this in the market. Both the importers as buffaloes and goats and 3.38mn taka hearing that no cattle will be imported japakse family members as connection with the defender year and the local market will be stable. well as the local farmers would have to was realised as revenues from the from India.” a ruse to cover up the bond jeep which had allegedly been “Last year about 1,05,00,000 cattle bear the losses.” imports. Last year, the Indian Border Security scam. used to provide protection to a were slaughtered in the country. Most of the farmers rearing cattle Through Teknaf, cattle traders im- blocked all border routes for sending In a twitter message, he said VIP after it was given to the Si- This year over 1,15,00,000 cattle, in- have taken loans and the losses will hurt ported 66,936 cows, buff aloes and goats cattle to Bangladesh. his mother Shirathi and broth- riliya Saviya Foundation by the cluding 44,57,000 cows, are being read- them. It will take a toll on the animal from Myanmar in 2016–17. The revenue Mian Uddin Khan, offi cer-in-charge ers Yoshitha and Rohitha had Red Cross in 2011. ied for the Eid al-Adha,” said Dr Ainul husbandry sector, added Emran. department realised 35.7mn taka as rev- of Teknaf Police Station, said: “Cat- been called by the CID and the They said Rohitha Rajapakse Haque, director-general of the depart- According to the information from enues from the imports. tle traders from diff erent parts of the FCID. “Sri Lanka government was asked to report to the FCID ment of livestock services. the Teknaf land port revenue depart- Abdullah Monir, a cattle trader from country have started coming to Teknaf using Rajapakses to cover up to record statement over an “The production of cattle in the ment, a total of 1,799 cows and 350 Teknaf, said: “I’ve imported 1,500 cows and we’ve taken measures to ensure bond scam. Former fi rst lady, ongoing investigation. country has been rising gradually. buff aloes has been imported from My- till date. I’ll import 10,000 animals they are not harassed on the way.” Gulf Times 18 Tuesday, August 15, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief: Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka N Korea and US playing a Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko

P.O.Box 2888 dangerous game of chicken Doha, Qatar [email protected] To bring today’s crisis to a goal should be relative, not absolute, Telephone 44350478 (news), security for both sides. 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) peaceful conclusion, Kim To this end, it is crucial to maintain Fax 44350474 will have to tone down his rigorous civilian control of the military. World War I broke out aggression. But, for that largely because of the militarisation to happen, the Trump of the political decision-making process. By not taking national administration needs military-mobilisation processes off of to demonstrate clearly autopilot, European political leaders GULF TIMES allowed for an international chain that its goal is not regime reaction to occur. Once the march to war had begun, there was not much change, but policy change room left for diplomacy. Yet, far from making space for By Yoon Young-kwan diplomacy, Trump adviser Sebastian London fl op Gorka recently told the press that, Seoul “The idea that Secretary Tillerson is going to discuss military matters is o far, the war between US simply nonsensical.” But why shouldn’t show proves Bolt President Donald Trump America’s top diplomat have signifi cant and North Korean dictator infl uence over military matters? If this SKim Jong-un over the latter’s does not change soon, we may, as then- nuclear programme has been fought British Prime Minister David Lloyd is only human only in words. But each turn of the George wrote of World War I, “[muddle] rhetorical screw deepens the risk that, into war” yet again. to paraphrase Winston Churchill, South Korean political leaders London’s Olympic Stadium was primed for “jaw-jaw” could turn into “war-war.” must also avoid being swept up by one fi nal Usain Bolt show but instead the 56,000 Last month, following North this intensifying war rhetoric. After Korea’s second intercontinental North Korea’s 2010 sinking of the spectators were left to watch in utter astonishment ballistic missile test of the summer, Cheonan warship and bombardment as the greatest sprinter ever limped off the track after the United Nations Security Council of Yeonpyeong Island, the South failing to fi nish. unanimously agreed to impose new Korean military toughened its rules and even stricter sanctions on the of engagement. Now, South Korean Instead of a triumphant swansong that would tiny country. The response, reported military leaders are warning that if have embellished his reputation as someone in North Korean state-run media, North Korea attacks again, it will was a pledge that “strategic steps face retaliation not just against the with superhuman qualities, the IAAF world accompanied by physical action proximate source of those attacks, Championships in London only proved he is a mere will be taken mercilessly with the but against the North’s command mortal. In an era where people with extraordinary mobilisation of all [North Korea’s] leadership. Much like Trump’s threats, national strength.” this policy is intended to deter North capabilities are worshipped, perhaps this is not such The next day, Trump went off Korea, but it is more likely to fuel a a bad thing. Bolt entered the track one last time to script, asserting that further threats rapid escalation of confl ict. cheers and “Usain Bolt” chants, went through his from North Korea would be met with An ‘underwater test-fire of strategic submarine ballistic missile’ conducted at an China also has a key role to play. On “fi re and fury like the world has never undisclosed location in North Korea. June 10, 1994, at the peak of the fi rst usual antics before getting ready for the 4x100- seen before.” North Korea immediately North Korean nuclear crisis, China metre anchor leg for Jamaica who had won every big did just that, threatening to carry war and much to lose.” If Taylor were – neither of whom actually wanted a informed Kim’s father, Kim Jong- relay since 2009. out an “enveloping” strike on the US alive to witness the current situation nuclear war – to retreat from the brink il, that it would no longer veto UN territory of Guam. Trump shot back – characterised by fear-enhancing without losing face. sanctions on North Korea, driving the He was left with an uphill task as he got the baton that the US military is “locked and misperception, miscalculation, and To bring today’s crisis to a peaceful elder Kim to adopt a less antagonistic from Yohan Blake trailing the Brits and Americans. loaded.” overreaction – he would undoubtedly conclusion, Kim will have to tone position. China may be using a similar But just has he started to sprint hard, he pulled up And, indeed, as this exchange of be feeling an alarming sense of deja down his aggression. But, for that to tactic today, as it declares publicly, via rhetorical fi re has unfolded, the US vu. The question now is: what can be happen, the Trump administration state media, that North Korea should and went down in pain, clutching his left thigh. has reportedly been preparing revised done to avoid catastrophe? needs to demonstrate clearly that its not count on China’s support in a Instead of getting a 12th gold or a minor medal military options for striking North For starters, both the US and North goal is not regime change, but policy military confl ict of its own making. Korea. More ominous, according Korea will have to avoid cornering change – that is, denuclearisation – in Neither Trump nor Kim seems for 15 overall at the worlds, he injured himself for to a confi dential US intelligence one another. During the 1962 Cuban North Korea. to have suffi cient political capital the fi rst time in a big race. Team doctor Kevin Jones report, North Korea has achieved Missile Crisis, US President John F Unfortunately, the signals coming to spearhead a shift from military diagnosed a hamstring cramp but said “a lot of pain the capability to miniaturise nuclear Kennedy was fi rm in his stance that out of the US are still mixed. While threats to diplomatic solutions. Given warheads, and may have as many as Soviet missiles would not be permitted Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s the far-reaching risks posed by this is from disappointment from losing the race.” 60 bombs. The stakes are rising in Kim in Cuba. But he knew better than to recent remarks on the crisis focused rapidly escalating crisis, it may well Bolt’s only other hiccup had been a false-start and Trump’s game of chicken. pursue a total American victory and a on diplomacy, CIA Director Mike be up to other stakeholders to take the disqualifi cation in the 100m fi nal at the 2011 worlds. It is unlikely that either North total Soviet defeat. Pompeo has mentioned regime lead. Will China act as the regional Korea or the US actually wants war. Instead, Kennedy off ered a deal that change, and National Security Adviser stabiliser it so often proclaims itself Over the past nine years the almost 31-year-old But, as the late English historian AJP would protect Soviet leader Nikita General H R McMaster has raised the to be? President Xi Jinping is being redefi ned the Taylor concluded, after studying eight Khrushchev’s reputation in the eyes possibility of a preventive war. tested in this crisis as much as Trump sprint with great wars since the late 18th century, of Kremlin hawks: the US would While it is important to put and Kim. - Project Syndicate Bolt had originally wars have often “sprung more from withdraw its missiles from Turkey pressure on Kim to bring him to the astonishing world apprehension than from a lust for war (which were superfl uous already), in negotiating table, such pressure must zYoon Young-kwan, former minister planned to retire records and a title or for conquest.” exchange for the withdrawal of Soviet be more carefully calibrated. If the US of foreign aff airs of the Republic collection of 11 According to Taylor, many European missiles from Cuba. That pragmatic appears to be seeking regime change of Korea, is Professor Emeritus of aft er the Rio wars “were started by a threatened and courageous approach created the or a pre-emptive war, a panicked Kim International Relations at Seoul worlds golds and power, which had nothing to gain by necessary space for the two leaders will be more likely to lash out. The National University. Olympics last year eight Olympic titles — named among the likes of boxer Muhammad Ali in the pantheon of sports as he thrilled fans from around the world. A regulatory race to the bottom? Bolt had originally planned to retire after the Rio Olympics last year where he got another title By Alissa Amico refl ects a broader struggle that has growing number of emerging-market stewardship role. For example, Dubai been going on in capital markets economies in the Middle East and Norwegian Government Pension Fund treble but eventually decided on a last appearance since 1993, when the Stockholm elsewhere are considering privatising Global, the world’s largest sovereign- in London with its large Jamaican community and Stock Exchange was converted into energy and industrial SOEs. For wealth fund, has complained about where he also got a treble, at the 2012 Olympics. mid intense competition a privately held fi rm. After that, example, Abu Dhabi’s national oil Snapchat’s inclusion in the FTSE, for the anticipated listing of developed-country stock exchanges company, Adnoc, has announced which prevents it from voting its But while he had managed to prevail in the past Saudi Aramco – the world’s increasingly functioned as profi t- plans to list its own retail business. shares, even as it is forced to invest, worlds and Olympics somewhat against the odds, Alargest oil company, owned oriented utility companies, rather That is why the FCA is looking to since it tracks the index. While by the Saudi state – stock exchanges than as sources of national pride, like introduce a structural exemption, the inclusion of SOEs in the LSE’s nowhere near as sharp and fast as between 2008 and and fi nancial-market regulators are airlines or sport teams. instead of simply making an exception Premium Listing Segment does not 2013, time now ran out on him and his body. Bolt under pressure to provide incentives As this shift has taken place, some for Saudi Aramco. guarantee their inclusion in the FTSE had to settle for bronze in the 100m — and Saturday for the company to dual-list its powers were removed from stock Yet SOEs carry particular – the latter requires 50% free fl oat shares abroad. The United Kingdom’s exchanges, in order to safeguard governance risks, exemplifi ed in the for non-UK issuers – one derogation then provided the end no one wanted to see, himself Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) against potential confl icts of interests, corruption investigation into Brazil’s could pave the way for another. And, included. seems to be bowing to that pressure. including the temptation to dilute Petrobras, which is listed domestically in fact, without inclusion in the FTSE, “He kept apologising to us but we told him there Last month, the FCA issued a regulatory standards to secure and on the New York Stock Exchange. the motivation for listing SOEs in the proposal to relax listing conditions profi table listings. These powers were The retreat of government-linked LSE’s Premium Listing Segment is was no need to apologise — injuries are part of the for state-owned issuers wishing to transferred to fi nancial regulators, companies from Russia and Central unclear. sport,” teammate Julian Forte told the championship qualify for the London Stock Exchange who were assumed to be suffi ciently Asia from the LSE in recent years In any case, if listed SOEs are radio. It was swiftly suggested that Bolt should have (LSE) Premium Listing Segment – the independent and therefore insulated refl ects similar risks. included in global indexes, investors exchange’s “gold standard” segment, from political pressure. The FCA proposal assumes would be exposed to companies that better retired after Rio, but runners also said that his governed by stringent regulations. The FCA proposal suggests that “investors and the market can transact with their government reputation will not be dented by the end that wasn’t The proposal is presented as a mere that this assumption may no are suffi ciently able to assess the owners, without consulting other in the script. technicality, but it is signifi cant for longer be credible, at least not in a additional risks arising from sovereign shareholders. While it may seem reasons that extend beyond Saudi United Kingdom hurtling toward ownership.” But this is questionable. excessive to require the Saudi “Usain Bolt’s name will always live on,” insisted Aramco. In fact, it implies that Brexit, which has put the City of Leading international marketplaces government, which owns 95% relay team-member Omar McLeod. Long-time regulators now believe that state- London’s reputation as a leading are dominated by institutional of Aramco, to consult with the owned enterprises (SOEs) deserve global financial centre at risk. The investors, a growing share of which remaining shareholders, an LSE American rival Justin Gatlin, the 100m winner, special regulatory treatment. question is whether this proposal is are passive index followers that lack Premium Listing usually requires agreed, saying: “I am sorry he got this injury. He is In its consultation paper, the FCA indicative of a new regulatory race incentives to invest in governance just 25% equity. still the best in the world.” states that “sovereign owners tend to the bottom – and, if so, what oversight. Last year alone, passive The FCA proposal to give to be diff erent from private-sector consequences investors might face. funds grew 4.5 times faster than preferential treatment to SOEs There is nobody in this world who would dare to individuals or entities both in their To put matters into context, actively managed funds, narrowing clearly puts institutional investors at disagree. motivations and in their nature.” It is emerging-market companies the gap between the $23.9tn in actively risk. This is the case for developed- a valid assumption – and precisely the account for a majority of the capital managed assets and $6.7tn in passively economy investors, who may follow reason why SOEs should not be given raised globally – 63% in 2008-2011, managed assets. indexes or lack the resources to To Advertise preferential regulatory treatment. according to OECD estimates. SOEs The rise of passive investors, such engage in stewardship with politically Yet the FCA’s proposal would account for 23% of total emerging- as Vanguard Asset Management, is powerful SOEs. And it may be the case [email protected] exempt SOEs accepted to the Premium market capitalisation, compared to a facilitated by the same regulators for emerging-market investors, if local Display Listing Segment from rules on related global average of 13%. who are encouraging the relaxation regulators or exchanges also exempt Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 party transactions, if more than 30% International stock exchanges of listing standards for SOEs, as they SOEs from corporate-governance of ownership is sovereign. In practice, remain of interest to large emerging- seek to ensure lower management requirements. Classified this would mean that transactions market companies, including SOEs, fees in the asset-management The political economy of capital Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 between a listed SOE and the state which may be unable to attract industry. With the expansion of markets today does not reward those would not be subject to the approval suffi cient foreign institutional passive investing set to continue, who resist a regulatory race to the Subscription of minority shareholders. A listed SOE investors at home. Already, a number it is plausible that international bottom. The ball is in the regulators’ [email protected] could therefore continue to perform of blue chip Middle Eastern corporates institutional investors will have even court. – Project Syndicate social obligations unrelated to its core are listed on the LSE, though none less incentive to monitor governance business, with shareholders unable to complies with the Premium Listing in the long term. zAlissa Amico is Managing Director of 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved interfere. Segment requirements. But active institutional investors GOVERN, the Economic and Corporate The debate over the FCA proposal Moreover, governments in a may also be unable to play a Governance Center. Gulf Times Tuesday, August 15, 2017 19 COMMENT Italy ‘turns’ the corner in migration crisis

After years of complaining by the Libyans to stay clear of a newly- established “search and rescue” zone about insuffi cient EU guarded by Tripoli. solidarity, and under Earlier, MSF and others refused to sign Minniti’s code of conduct, pressure from populist arguing that requirements to accept opposition parties, Italy’s armed Italian police on their ships to help investigations against smugglers, government has developed and a ban on at sea transfers of a strategy to contain rescued migrants were unacceptable constraints. migrant arrivals from “If humanitarian ships are pushed out of the Mediterranean, there will be Libya fewer ships in the area to rescue people from drowning,” Annemarie Loof, By Alvise Armellini/DPA MSF operational manager, said in a Rome Saturday statement. According to Toaldo, Italy is “subcontracting” to the Libyans the t the start of the summer, practice of migrant push-backs, which Italian offi cials were are illegal under international law, and expecting the tally of boat stressed it may risk compromising Amigrant arrivals to break new its long-term goal of stabilising its records, aggravating one of the most former colony. intractable crises to grip the European Libya has at least two competing Union in recent years. governments. But instead, the fl ow from North The Italian mission was requested Africa has ebbed, with the most by UN-backed prime minister Fayez recent fi gures from the Italian Interior Serraj, but it was seen as a hostile Ministry clocking up just under gesture by Khalifa Haftar, a military 97,000 arrivals since January 1, a near strongman that controls eastern Libya. 4% reduction since the same period “Sending those ships has provoked of 2016. quite a backlash against Italian policy The fall in arrivals was registered in Libya, which had so far been largely just after Italy decided to send a naval Members of the Aquarius rescue ship, run by non-governmental organisations SOS Mediterranee and Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF, Doctors Without Borders), prepare to well received. I wonder if [it] was mission to Libya to help the local load a body bag of a migrant who died at sea onto a small vessel, before transferring it to a vessel of NGO Save the Children that was heading to Italy, in the Mediterranean Sea, worth the trouble of provoking so coastguard intercept sea migrants, 20 nautical miles from the Libyan coast. The bodies of eight migrants have been found at sea off the coast of Libya by rescuers coming to the aid of four rubber dinghies. much opposition,” Toaldo said. and drafted a code of conduct to Matteo Villa, a migration expert rein in Mediterranean Sea rescues by migration, and talked up the mean- action in Rome on developments on Mattia Toaldo, a Libya expert at traffi cking of fuel, or, even worse, of at Italian think tank ISPI, said it is non-governmental groups (NGOs). looking former intelligence expert the ground in Libya is still unclear, the European Council of Foreign drugs and weapons.” “too early” to judge whether Italy’s Yesterday, as it recorded a 57% drop as the ruling Democrats’ best hope while human rights groups and Relations, added in an interview with However, restricting the possibility actions will ultimately be successful, in migrant landings to Italy from June against populist opposition parties in experts have questioned the moral and DPA that an Italo-Franco-German for people to fl ee from Libya - a as “politics” in Libya can easily reverse to July, EU border agency Frontex next year’s elections. legal legitimacy of Italy’s moves. military mission in Niger could also country largely ruled by militias where the gains made so far. said an “increased presence” of the According to an Ixe poll from last Frontex also cited adverse sea be credited for closing the Africa- torture, rape and other abuse against In a “fact checking” analysis posted Italian-backed Libyan coastguard week, 86% of Italians believe their conditions and violence in the Europe migration route further migrants is well documented - has on Twitter, Villa concluded: “discouraged the people smugglers country is experiencing a migration major Libyan port city of Sabratah upstream. serious human rights implications. “Problem is whether we want from sending out boats with “emergency” and 46% approve of the as constraining factors for migrant Furthermore, the analyst suggested On the weekend, three NGOs, open-air prison & abuses there. In migrants.” interior minister’s initiatives. Eighteen departures, and noted that arrivals that migrant traffi cking within Libya including high-profi le outfi ts such the end, only stability in #Libya can The Italian press has lionised per cent would like him to be even surged in Spain, suggesting that the may have become harder due to as Doctors Without Borders (MSF) create more jobs for #migrants, restore Interior Minister Marco Minniti as tougher. fl ow Italy was trying to stop may internal strife and may be losing out and Save the Children, suspended sea circular migration. NGOs are not to the frontman of the tougher line on But the impact of government resurface elsewhere. to “equally lucrative, but less visible, migrant rescue work after being asked blame.” Weather report Kale power gives Kenya women a voice Three-day forecast TODAY High: 43 C By Robert Kibet Development” (Kenya RAPID) to water her vegetables. “But the milk the rest of the community. Low : 35 C Alimao, Kenya programme, implemented by World would often spoil due to the heat.” “We used to share dirty water with Inshore: Hazy to misty at places Vision Kenya, aims to improve 45,000 Halima Qureysh, another group livestock in water pans - if there was at first becomes hot daytime with people’s access to water and sanitation member, said the women then tried water at all,” said Omar Ali. “But the scattered clouds and humid by night. n a blistering hot in dry northern counties. farming a small piece of land allocated water we get now is clean.” afternoon, Zainab Omar Ali After losing all their livestock to by village elders, but the hand-dug Dickens Thunde, former country WEDNESDAY methodically sorts through drought in the 1990s, Omar Ali and shallow wells they used often ran dry. director at World Vision Kenya, High: 43 C Ofreshly picked bunches of her family left their village in northern Since last year, however, the said working with the community’s Low: 33 C kale on her farm in Alimao village in Kenya and migrated to Wajir County. women have used the shade nets existing ways of coping with climate Sunny northeast Kenya. “Life was hard without any meat or provided by the Kenya RAPID project, extremes - rather than introducing “I managed to sell most of my batch milk to rely on,” she told the Thomson which is funded by the US and Swiss a new system - had been key to the at the market this morning,” she said Reuters Foundation. “My (six) children governments, to help protect their success of the project. THURSDAY with satisfaction. “I’ll try to sell the and I would sometimes go for two days crops from extreme heat. “This community was already High: 42 C remaining fresh ones tomorrow, and without a proper meal and had to rely Last year they harvested 35 managing its own natural resources Low: 33 C cook the rest at home.” on wild fruits.” tonnes of kale, compared to just a - it just needed a sustainable water Sunny Near her farm in Wajir County, Experts say women bear the brunt few bunches each previously, which source to withstand shocks,” he said. women buzz around four greenhouses of climate change in many developing was barely enough for domestic However, challenges remain in made of dark shade nets, watering countries, and are often more consumption. reaching other vulnerable community Fishermen’s forecast vegetable plots and removing weeds. vulnerable than men when disasters Omar Ali said the group’s “healthy- members who aren’t part of the OFFSHORE DOHA Omar Ali and other women in this like fl oods or droughts strike. looking” kale now fetches 50 shillings women’s group. Wind: SE-NE 05-15/18 KT village bordering Somalia used to grow Richard Munang, climate change per kilo, instead of only 20 previously. Hadabah Mahamoud, a project Waves: 2-4/5 Feet vegetables by fetching water from a programme co-ordinator for Africa She now makes about 4,500 offi cer for sanitation and nutrition INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW-NE 05-15 KT hand-dug shallow well and keeping off at UN Environment, said men in shillings per month - three times what with World Vision, said a lack of Waves: 1-2/3 Feet pests with old mosquito nets. pastoralist communities control the she used to earn. funding has so far limited the project’s But increasingly dry weather and main source of income - livestock “I can take my children to school, expansion to other villages. Around the region rising temperatures damaged their - meaning women cannot take the cook balanced meals for my family “Once established, these projects Weather Weather already limited harvests and weakened decision to sell or slaughter an animal. and I have gained recognition in my are easy to manage, but the initial cost today Max/min tomorrow Max/min their cattle, the women said. “That makes them more likely than community,” she said. of setting them up and sourcing the Abu Dhabi Sunny 43/34 Sunny 43/33 Change is afoot, however. men to have to go without food in “In our society, women are not equipment like irrigation pumps is Baghdad Sunny 45/29 Sunny 47/33 Since 2016, a project led by an times of need, while they must walk normally allowed to speak in public quite high,” she said. Dubai Sunny 42/34 Sunny 40/34 Kuwait City Sunny international charity is helping long distances to fetch water,” he said. forums,” she added. “But given our “Most people in this arid region still Sunny 47/33 44/33 Manama Sunny 43/33 Sunny 42/33 women from Alimao grow vegetables With no stable income to rely on, group’s success, men are now letting the lack proper access to water, without Muscat Sunny 32/27 Sunny 30/27 like kale and onions under shade nets Omar Ali and six other village women members speak to the rest of the village which they cannot expect a healthy Riyadh P Cloudy 45/32 M Sunny 44/31 that protect the crops from predators decided to pool their limited savings and make decisions at a family level.” harvest or livestock,” she added. Tehran Sunny 37/24 Sunny 36/24 and the sun’s intensity. in 2013. With support from the project, the For now, said Omar Ali, the women A drip irrigation system is installed “We used to have weekly meetings group has also set up a borehole with plan to use the group’s savings to off er under the nets to use water more where each member would give 200 a solar-powered pump to ease water training in sustainable farming to effi ciently. Kenyan shillings ($1.93) to buy milk shortages. other women in the region, using their The “Kenya Resilient Arid from livestock herders and resell it to The women purify water from the village as “a centre of excellence”. - Lands Partnership for Integrated town dwellers,” she recalled, bending borehole, store it in tanks and sell it to Thomson Reuters Foundation Live issues Let’s hear it for the four-hour working day

By Oliver Burkeman in the daily routines of Thomas quantity of work.” And Leonard Woolf, New York Jeff erson, Alice Munro, John le Carre describing his and Virginia’s work and many more. To avoid charges of habits, testifi ed to the vast power of confi rmation bias (what if he’s only “little and often”: “It is surprising Around the world ow much proper brainwork mentioning those who prove his how much one can produce in a year, Weather Weather – not zoning out in point?) Pang draws on the research whether of buns or books or pots today Max/min tomorrow Max/min meetings, or reorganising of the Swedish psychologist Anders or pictures, if one works hard and Athens M Sunny 34/26 Sunny 34/26 the stationery cupboard, Ericsson, whose studies of violinists professionally for” – wait for it – Beirut Sunny 31/27 Sunny 29/26 H Bangkok S T Storms 36/27 T Storms 34/27 but work that involves really thinking – also the basis for the much-debated “three and a half hours every day.” Berlin P Cloudy 24/15 M Sunny 29/18 – should you aim to get done in one “10,000-hour rule” – support And maybe it’s not just creative Cairo Sunny 37/25 Sunny 36/25 day? It sounds like a trick question. We ‘A culture that doesn’t allow for rest is the same fi nding. We’re rhythmic work. Half a century ago, the Cape Town M Sunny 20/13 Rain 17/12 think of creativity as fundamentally self-defeating.’ creatures, and the part of the cycle anthropologist Marshall Sahlins Colombo S T Storms 29/26 S T Storms 29/26 mysterious, and of humans as that involves not taxing the mind is no caused a stir by suggesting that people Dhaka T Storms 30/26 T Storms 31/26 Hong Kong P Cloudy P Cloudy 32/29 extremely varied. Plus there are so the nine-to-fi ve being a relic of less essential to the result. in hunter-gatherer societies aren’t 32/29 Istanbul Sunny 29/22 P Cloudy 29/23 many kinds of white-collar work: why the industrial revolution with no The point isn’t that the world ceaselessly struggling for survival; Jakarta S T Storms 33/24 P Cloudy 33/24 assume the same answer for lawyers, relevance to modern “knowledge would be a lovelier place if nobody on the contrary, they’d built “the Karachi S Showers 31/27 P Cloudy 31/27 academics, investment bankers and work” – but what’s so striking about felt forced to work long hours, though original affl uent society”, by keeping London M Cloudy 23/16 P Cloudy 22/11 engineers? But the answer isn’t some Pang’s argument is its specifi city. that’s true. It’s that in any remotely their needs low, then meeting them. Manila T Storms 32/26 S T Storms 33/26 Moscow T Storms 27/16 P Cloudy 23/12 sophisticated version of: “It depends.” Ranging across history and creative creative job, a culture that doesn’t Crunching numbers from Africa and New Delhi P Cloudy 34/27 P Cloudy 34/28 The answer is four hours. fi elds, he keeps encountering the allow for rest is self-defeating, even Australia, he calculated the average New York P Cloudy 28/21 P Cloudy 28/21 That, anyway, is the persuasive same thing. Charles Darwin worked just for the bottom line. Adam Smith number of hours hunter-gatherers Paris P Cloudy 28/18 T Storms 26/13 conclusion reached by Alex Pang for two 90-minute periods in the had it fi gured out: “The man who must work per day, to keep everyone Sao Paulo P Cloudy 24/15 Rain 19/16 Seoul Rain 27/22 Rain 26/21 in his book Rest: Why You Get More morning, then an hour later on; the works so moderately as to be able to fed. That’s right: it was “three to fi ve Singapore P Cloudy 30/25 S T Storms 29/25 Done When You Work Less. This mathematician Henri Poincare from work constantly not only preserves his hours”. Don’t you think it’s time we Sydney Sunny 22/10 P Cloudy 23/19 column has preached before about 10am till noon then 5pm till 7pm; the health the longest but, in the course took the hint? - Guardian News and Tokyo Cloudy 28/24 Cloudy 27/23 the truth of that subtitle, what with same approximate stretch features of the year, executes the greatest Media Gulf Times 20 Tuesday, August 15, 2017 QATAR Saudi Arabia ‘seeks Iraq’s help’ to mend ties with Iran Iraqi PM asked to lead Saudi mediation with Iran, which has welcomed the initiative, according to Iraqi TV station

Al Jazeera Doha

he government of Saudi Arabia has sought the Thelp of Iraq’s prime min- ister to mend relations between Riyadh and Tehran, according to news reports. Citing Qasim al-Araji, Iraq’s interior minister, the Iraqi satel- Araji: Mohamed bin Salman wants to “ease tensions” with Iran lite channel Alghadeer reported that Mohammed bin Salman, all those positive developments Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin the crown prince of Saudi Ara- and the few words exchanged Abdulaziz al-Saud had earlier bia, had asked Haider al-Abadi between Jubeir and Zarif. Yes, made the same request to him. to lead the mediation with Iran. the two are seeking better ties, Araji reportedly told Salman “During our visit to Saudi Ara- but no one knows what will that Riyadh “should show the bia, they also asked us to do so, happen in the future,” he said. best behaviour towards Iranian and we said that to (the) Iranian In January 2016, Saudi Ara- pilgrims” by allowing them to side. The Iranian side looked at bia severed diplomatic relations visit Janna al-Baqi cemetery, an this demand positively,” Araji with Iran after an attack by pro- important site for Shia Muslims was quoted as saying by Al- testers on its embassy in Tehran. in Madinah. ghadeer on Sunday. Protesters were angrily reacting “The Saudi side has made “After the victories that Iraq to Saudi Arabia’s decision to ex- certain promises in this regard, has achieved, it (Saudi Arabia) ecute Shia religious leader Nimr and the doors to the cemetery began looking to Iraq, at its true Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman welcomed Muqtada al-Sadr in Jeddah on July 30. Photo: Reuters File al-Nimr, who was put to death are already open to Iranian pil- size and leading role. “The calm along with 46 mostly Sunni grims,” Araji was quoted as and stability and the return of the infl uential Iraqi Shia leader, protests against corruption in moves “odd”. “If Saudi Arabia is Iran Front Page website, the of- Muslims convicted on terrorism saying, according to an English relations between Iran and Saudi announced on his website that the Iraqi government, and his (in a dispute) with Qatar about fer is a “sincere move” by Riyadh charges. translation by Iran Front Page of Arabia have positive repercus- he would be visiting the UAE supporters have staged huge Qatar’s relationship with Iran ... given the recent “signals ex- At that point, the rival re- the ISNA report. sions on the region as a whole.” shortly. protests in Baghdad calling for how could they ask the Iraqis to changed between the two sides”. gional powers had been engaged In the same report, Abdolreza Araji visited the Iranian capi- In July, Sadr made a rare visit electoral reform. amend their relations with Iran? Khaasteh pointed out that in a war of words following the Rahmani Fazli, Iran’s interior tal, Tehran, on Saturday to dis- to Saudi Arabia, where he met The visits by the Iraqis come “The Saudis know very well ahead of the announcement death of Iranian Haj pilgrims minister, is quoted as saying that cuss “several issues” with top Mohamed bin Salman and other as the Arab Gulf region remains that Iraq is a little bit biased in on Sunday, Saudi Arabia’s For- outside Makkah in 2015. it is important to respect and Iranian offi cials, according to offi cials. embroiled in its worst crisis in (its) relations with the Iranians, eign Minister Adel al-Jubeir Iran said at least 460 Irani- maintain the “dignity” of Iranian reports. He also visited Saudi Sadr, an anti-American fi g- years — a dispute between Qatar and they are under the infl uence held brief talks with his Iranian ans were killed in the incident, Haj pilgrims, adding that Iran Arabia in July. ure, commands a large follow- and a Saudi-led bloc comprising of the Iranians.” counterpart Javad Zarif at the but Saudi Arabia offi cially re- has “always sought cordial rela- The Iranian news agency ing among the urban poor of the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt. Jawad said Saudi Arabia could sideline of the Organisation of ported only 131 Iranians dead. tions” with Saudi Arabia. ISNA quoted Araji in Farsi as Baghdad and the southern cit- Speaking to Al Jazeera on have asked a more neutral broker Islamic Cooperation meeting in Saudi Arabia and Iran have also “Iran’s policy is to have eff ec- saying that Mohamed bin Sal- ies, including Saraya al-Salam, Sunday, Saad Jawad, a political such as Kuwait or Oman, both Istanbul on August 1. accused each other of backing tive co-operation with regional man wanted to “ease tensions” or Peace Brigades armed group. science professor at the London of which have “good relations” “So we can interpret the proxies in the war in Yemen and states, and Tehran has never with Iran. He is now seen as a nationalist School of Economics, termed with Iran. For Reza Khaasteh, a Saudi crown prince’s call for Syria. Sunday’s news report by been the fi rst to sever its rela- Separately, Muqtada al-Sadr, who has repeatedly called for the Saudi-Iraqi diplomatic journalist for the Tehran-based mediation as a continuation of ISNA quoted Araji as saying that tions with others,” he said. Spaniards launch Facebook campaign in support of Qatar

he Spanish city of cially the harm done to Malaga witnessed the joint GCC families. Tlast Thursday vari- In addition, the page in- ous popular activities cludes posts about the in solidarity with Qa- negative impacts of the tar. There was a peace- blockade on the people ful march at Marqués de of Qatar, whether Qa- Larios Street, the most taris or expatriates, and important commercial the arbitrary measures street in the city, in ad- taken by the blockade dition to a campaign to countries against Qatar collect signatures of soli- and Qataris, such as the darity at ‘Tamim Al Majd’ demands to limit free mural. speech and expression of The participants car- opinion, in particular to ried placards saying: close Al Jazeera Chan- “Qatar is not alone”, “We nel, and criminalising the are all Qatar”, and “We People crowd around the ‘Tamim Al Majd’ mural in expression of sympathy are all Tamim”. The main the Spanish city of Malaga to sign it. with Qatar. aim of the event was to The page also de- lift the blockade imposed just blockade imposed on A good number of nounced the demands of on Qatar and accordingly the country by Saudi Ara- Spanish citizens and Ar- the blockade countries stop the involved human bia, the UAE, Bahrain and abs took part in the activ- as unlawful and illogical. rights violations. Egypt. The march was ities. Many tourists also The same was expressed Earlier, a number of organised by Elena Mer- joined hands. by a good number of in- Spaniards had launched enciano Periáñez, and The same Facebook ternational offi cials, who “Qatar is not alone” page a call for the march was page included the major saw the blockade as un- on Facebook in solidar- posted on the Facebook international reactions justifi ed and has no legal ity with the country and page earlier. It received a rejecting the blockade, foundations. The name of its people, and to express very good response in the and the resulting hu- the Facebook page is ‘Qa- Spanish citizens declare solidarity with Qatar. PICTURES: ‘Qatar is not alone’ Facebook page their rejection of the un- Spanish city. man violations, espe- tar is not alone’. Is ‘the only democracy in ME’ becoming undemocratic?

The move to close down being. Ayoub Kara wants to put is not clear if the Israeli govern- alike. What we see are the grow- legal system, incited against the A declaration to close down to do with the fi ght against the Al Jazeera is yet another Israel together with Saudi Arabia, ment can close Al Jazeera’s bu- ing cracks in the Israeli democ- media and the left, and declared the offi ce of a media outlet with Boycott, Divestment, Sanc- attack on Israeli Palestinians, Egypt, Bahrain and the Emirates, reau; if Al Jazeera employees can racy, nothing less than this. It is war on any critic of Israel over- the ultimate excuse that it is sup- tions movement (BDS), against who are the main viewers of Al declaring war on Al Jazeera. be prevented from working as an extremely dangerous path, in seas. It is putting the legal and porting terror and violating the Haaretz, my newspaper, against Jazeera in Israel Minister Kara is perceived in journalists; if the governmental which other governments in the political infrastructure for creat- security of Israel is perceived in the social-justice-oriented New Israel as a political joke. He was press offi ce can revoke their ac- world have walked, which you ing an apartheid system in Israel, Israel as a patriotic and popu- Israel Fund and against the NGO The assault on media nominated to his offi ce just when creditations; and if the govern- know where it begins but not attacking anyone that might be- lar step. The closing down of Al Breaking the Silence (created by in Israel is a symptom of a Prime Minister Benjamin Netan- ment can prevent Israelis from where it ends. Israelis are taught come an obstacle to achieve this Jazeera is yet another attack on Israeli veterans) — rather than much more serious disease yahu had to give it up for legal watching Al Jazeera. But those to think that democracy is the goal. Israeli Palestinians, who are the with the secret relations with aff licting its democratic reasons. Kara became Netanya- are minor questions. The main rule of the majority; that the mi- In this framework, Israel has main viewers of Al Jazeera in Is- Riyadh and Cairo. institutions hu’s puppet in the communica- issue is the Israeli intention and norities have no rights; and that recently started preventing hu- rael and who have been the target If the decision of Minister Kara tion ministry. the Israeli policy, which has a any criticism of Israel, from in- man rights activists, critics of of a systematic campaign, led by will not be cancelled or declared By Gideon Levy All this does not make his deci- much broader context. side or outside, is nothing less Israel and supporters of Boycott, the government and the prime illegal by the Supreme Court, it Al Jazeera sion to declare war on Al Jazeera It is the democratic face of the than treason or anti-Semitism. Divestment, Sanctions move- minister himself. The Israeli Pal- will be clear that Israel is taking less important, or less meaning- state of Israel and the attempt to The current government of ment (BDS) from entering Israel estinians are the fi fth column and an extremely dangerous path. ful. On the contrary, Minister curb freedom of speech and free- Israel is the most nationalistic, and the Occupied Territories. In Al Jazeera is their fl ag. The Israeli journalist association he Is- Kara tries to follow not only his dom of the press in Israel – “the right-wing government Israel this context, the prime minister, There are commentators who already protested against the in- raeli master’s political attitudes, but only democracy in the Middle has ever had. Netanyahu has who is under police investiga- suggested that the move against tention to close Al Jazeera down. Tmin- also the Israeli national senti- East”. This process might start been in offi ce for almost 10 years, tion, suspected of bribery and Al Jazeera in Israel has to be It is now up to all Israeli demo- ister of com- ment that any critical voices in with Al Jazeera but it will never but it is only in this current term other crimes, is trying to incite seen in the context of the new crats to tell their government: do munication, Israel and from abroad should be stop there; it will continue with that he and his colleagues have against the left and the media in so-called coalition of “moderate not dare to curb free access to any Ayoub Kara, fought. BBC and CNN and it might end gained enough confi dence to Israel. Sunni states” in the Middle East, source of information, whether made me feel The declaration of the govern- with closing down Israeli media start to change the face of Israel This policy has many support- led by Saudi Arabia, which Israel critical of Israel or not! ashamed. He ment’s intent to close down Al outlets the government doesn’t and even its rule of law. His gov- ers in Israel. Israeli democracy is is trying to be part of. I do not (Gideon Levy is an Israeli jour- made me feel Jazeera and blocking its broad- favour. And therefore, the Al ernment has passed anti-demo- very fragile and is threatened by a agree with this explanation. nalist and author. He is a Haaretz ashamed as an Israeli, as a jour- cast in Israel, might have very Jazeera case should worry many cratic legislation against NGOs, lot of ignorance and anti-demo- From Tel Aviv, it looks like columnist and a member of the nalist, and as a liberal human little practical consequences. It more Israelis, Jews and Arabs launched a political attack on the cratic perceptions. Kara’s initiative has much more newspaper’s editorial board.)