The Destination Issue 55 Vol 1

WEATHER ISLAMABAD Scattered Thunderstorms

ISLAMABAD ISSUE: 55 VOL: 1

32°C 89°F

Precipitation: 80% Humidity: 81% Wind: 21 km/h Friday – July 14, 2017

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Shawal 19, 1438 AH.

K a sh m i r i s obser ve Martyrs’ Day

Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) and the world over observed Kashmir Martyrs’ Day on Thursday, as the day of renewal of the pledge that they will continue the mission of their martyrs till the achievement of the inalienable right to self-determination.

In occupied Kashmir, Indian authorities imposed curfew in Srinagar and Badgam and strict restrictions in all other parts of the territory to prevent a march towards Naqshband Sahib in Srinagar and protests against the rising incidents of killings.

PM rejects demand of opposition;

vows not to resign

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Pakistan and France enjoying close bilateral ties in all fields, French Ambassador

Heavy Monsoon rains lash parts of country

Heavy monsoon rains are lashing different parts of the country. According to Met Office, Islamabad has so far received 91 milimeter rai n while Rawalpindi received 77 milimeter on Thursday. The ongoing spell has spread almost all over Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, South Punjab, Zhob and Qalat divisions of Balochistan, besides Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The rains have inundated low lying areas and flooded streams and nullahs in different parts of the country.

Pakistan recommends Facebook to link account with mobile numbers

to address the problem of fake accounts. The social media network has designated a focal person to coordinate with the PTA for a prompt action against any reported material. “f b reiterated their commitment toward removal/blocking of the blasphemous and objectionable content

I SL A M A BA D — P r i m e Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday rejected demand of the opposition and categorically said he would not resign from his office. The Prime Minister made the announcement while chairing a meeting of the Federal Cabinet here at the PM Office, which received a loud applause from his Cabinet colleagues who thumped desk on the announcement of the Prime Minister not to tender his resignation.

The Prime Minister said the Joint Investigation Team has submitted a report full of accusations and conjecture.

“Our family has gained nothing from the politics, rather it has lost a lot,” he said. The Opposition has been seeking resignation of the Prime Minister following submission of a report at the end of a 60-day probe into accusations of money laundering and concealment of wealth, on the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asked his colleagues; should he resign on the demand of anti-democracy forces. “I have no burden on my conscience, by the grace of God,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the

Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz got an overall lead in votes over those who were seeking his resignation. He said his government was in the process of setting up mega projects worth billions of rupees where no corruption has been proved.

He said his government has accomplished in four years which could not be done in past two decades. “We will not let an era of darkness return to our industries and villages,” he added. The Prime Minister said he was not involved in corruption of even a penny in past 32 years, since 1985. He said

the JIT did not even question him about any such corruption. “All these secrets would see the light of the day on appropriate time,” he said and added that time was not far. “We will not let the pace of progress and development derails,” the Prime Minister vowed. He said Pakistan has paid a heavy price for such antics in the past and now this trend should end.

The meeting approved a broad-based agenda including cooperation with other countries in air services, climate change, defence and financial intelligence

Tension to remain if India ignores precondition: Chinese experts BEIJING—The border tension between China and India will remain if India continues to ignore a precondition for dialogue repeatedly put forward

by China – to withdraw its troops who trespassed, experts said on Thursday. China has repeatedly urged India to unconditionally withdraw its troops to the Indian side of the boundary. It also said that the withdrawal is the precondition to restarting dialogue.

Indian troops crossed into China’s Doklam region in June and obstructed work on a road construction project on a plateau borders to the Indian state of Sikkim. Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said the other day that “India and China can manage differences that are likely to arise from time to time over their contested border.”

Jaishankar said that the two countries can handle the disputes like they have done so many times before, as “no part of the border has been agreed upon.” Compared

with Indian military officials’ hawkish tone, Jaishankar’s is friendlier and could be a sign that the Indian government wishes to settle the issue, Hu Zhiyong, a research fellow at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times. However, “Jaishankar made a mistake.

What he said is the solution to previous border frictions in the disputed areas,” Lin Minwang, a professor at the Center for South Asian Studies of Fudan University.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang pointed out that “the Sikkim section is the only defined boundary between India and China. And this is totally different from the undefined boundaries in the eastern, middle and western parts.”

“China has pointed out many times that the illegal trespass of Indian border troops on the mutually recognized border line is different from the frictions in the undefined sections of the boundary,” Geng said.

ISLAMABAD—It is a great honor and pleasure for me to address readers in Pakistan on the occasion of the National Day of France. The storming of the Bastille jail on July 14 th 1789 was the starting point of the French Revolution and has been celebrated every year since as the French National D ay. “ Li b e r t y, E q u a l it y, Fr at e r n it y ” be ca me ou r national motto. On May 7 this year, by electing President Emmanuel Macron, the French people have reaffirmed their faith in these values. They have launched a message of hope, optimism and renewal.

Today, in the testing times the world is going through, more than ever, we need to celebrate these humanist values: the boldness of freedom, the stringency of equality, the desire for fraternity.

At the international level, France is willing to shoulder all its responsibilities in order to provide appropriate responses to the major challenges of our time, starting with the protection of our planet and ensuring freedom, social justice and democracy globally. France is at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, both on its soil, which was hit by several heinous attacks last year, and in international action.

In these painful moments for both our countries, I convey our full solidarity with the authorities and the people of Pakistan. Let me reassure that France recognizes the sacrifices and supports Pakistan in its endeavors. This year is a particular year, as Pakistan is turning 70 years old and as we also celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations. For seven decades, our two countries have enjoyed close bilateral ties in all fields.

I am glad, after three years in Pakistan, to see this relation

grow even stronger: Our economic diplomacy has been particularly strengthened.

Experiencing an increase of over 14% in 2016, our bilateral trade has again exceeded the symbolic threshold of one billion dollars in the fiscal year 2016. More than 30 subsidiaries of French companies are established in Pakistan.

2016 also saw one of the first Pakistani investments in France, a pharmaceutics plant which was inaugurated by President François Hollande in Meymac, in the center of France. The existing momentum in the economic bilateral relationship was embodied by an important French business delegation which visited Pakistan last April, the first one in five years, following the visit to Paris in 2016 of Minister of Finance.

Cooperation in education, academia, science and culture has also been one of the priorities of my mandate. Just a few months ago, more than 20 French universities toured Pakistan for a Pak France Higher Education Week. All together we have, at present, more than 500 Pakistani students studying in France.

More generally, France, as our President announced a few weeks ago with the French Tech Visa initiative, is ready to welcome more foreign tech talent from around the world.

In order to strengthen our sustainable partnership, we also need to contribute together to a sustainable global environment. Climate change is one of the major issues of our time.

France, after the success of the COP21, the Paris Climate Change Conference, stays committed, and has launched a big campaign that I invite all of you to join, in response to the withdrawal by the United States of America of the Paris Climate Agreement. You can join the initiative here:

www.makeourplanetgreatagain.fr . In Pakistan, France is committed to support the Government’s strategy to solve the energy crisis and to fight climate change. The French Agency for Development (AFD) is scaling up its green energy activities this year, after having allocated more than 300 million euros to investments in hydroelectricity these past ten years.

We believe in a resilient, strong and stable Pakistan. I reiterate my firm belief in the reinforcement of a sustainable partnership between our two countries and most importantly between our two people.

I will end in this regard with an atypical subject: sport diplomacy. Sport conveys a strong message; we don’t embrace a world made solely of violence but a world of shared values, reconciliation, joy and peaceful competition. I here want to congratulate Pakistan for its victory of the last ICC Cricket Champions Trophy.

As I rejoiced watching the whole Pakistani nation united behind its team and celebrating, I want to mention that the whole of France and all French people are united behind the city of Paris in its bid to host the 2024 Olympic Games. We hope Pakistan will share this enthusiasm and support this strong bid.

After three years in Pakistan and as my term comes to an end, I hereby want to thank and renew, in the name of all the French community, our appreciation for the hospitability of the Pakistani people.

I convey the friendship and the best wishes of the French people to the people of Pakistan for their continuing prosperity. So let me conclude on this positive note in French and Urdu: Vive l’amitié FrancoPakistanaise! France Pakistan Dosti Zindabad!—Diplomatic News Agency

PMSA asks Turkey, S Arabia, UAE, Bahrain to join HACGAM K A R AC H I — D i r e c t or G e ne r a l Pakistan Maritime Security Agency Rear Admiral Jamil Ak htar on Thursday said that PMSA has proposed Turkey, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain to become members of Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM). “Their formal membership would be further processed as per HACGAM guidelines and rules of business,” he said while addressing the 13th Working Level Meeting (WLM) of Asian Coast and Maritime Security Agencies (HACGAM) held at Karachi under the arrangements of PMSA from July 11-13, 2017. He said, “PMSA alongwith HACGAM Secretariat has put forward the idea

of bringing in more nations into the folds of HACGAM for making it a more effective and inclusive forum and enabling more representation of Asian countries, especially from Middle East and Gulf Region.” He expressed his gratitude to all the delegates for their candid and positive contribution towards making the meeting in Pakistan highly successful and mutually rewarding.

As many as 40 dignitaries from Pakistan, Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Turkey, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and UAE attended the meeting. All the delegates unanimously

selected PMSA for Chairmanship for one year term.

HACGAM is a high level multilateral forum of Coast Guard and Maritime Security Agencies of Asian Region which hold this meeting every year to discuss common maritime issues such as Search and Rescue, Security, pollution and law enforcement at sea.

Pakistan Maritime Security Agency became member of this prestigious organization in year 2006. HACGAM aims at development of capabilities in Coast Guard and Maritime Security organizations for the whole region through cooperative engagements and discussions on overall maritime security and safety issues. Cooperation of H ACGA M me mbe r St at e s /

Organizations is important to promote safe and secure shipping in the region, as well as good order and law enforcement at sea. The areas on which member organizations make cooperative efforts to deal with common challenges are Search and Rescue, Environmental Protection, dealing with natural disaster, Countermeasures against unlawful acts at sea to include piracy, armed robbery, terrorism, smuggling and illegal immigration, Capacity building and any other maritime issues of common interest. A High Level Meeting (HLM) to be attended by heads of Asian Coast Guards and Maritime Security Agencies is also scheduled to be held in Pakistan in October 2017.

2 Friday- July 14, 2017

THE DESTINATION

NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL PHOTO OF THE DAY

Trump says he got along “very well” with Putin during G20 meeting

Saidpur is a Mughal-era village on the slopes of the Margalla Hills and located off the Hill Road to the east of Daman-e-Koh in Islamabad, Pakistan. The village has the footprints of various civilizations, including Gandhara, Greek, Buddhist, Mughal, Ashoka and the colonial periods, and now serving as a popular recreational spot for both local and foreign visitors.

Show of goodwill: Edhi Foundation helps 78 Indian fishermen return home ISLAMABAD—With incidents of cross-border firing occurring frequently across the Line of Control, and with hostilities continuing to rise between the South Asian arch rivals, one seldom sees gestures of goodwill between the two countries. But this animosity has witnessed a rare show of amity as Islamabad, in a gesture of goodwill, released 78 fishermen who had been detained in Pakistan for the past two years. After the fishermen’s release, the Edhi Foundation took the

responsibility of returning the fishermen home.

According to a report published in the Times of India, 78 fishermen were arrested by Pakistan’s maritime security agency after trespassing into Pakistani waters two years back. On Monday, the fishermen were released. The fishermen say that they can forget their years of captivity thanks to the efforts of the Edhi Foundation. The prisoners had been released from Karachi jail on Sunday, after which the Edhi Foundation

took t hei r respon sibility. Volunteers of the Edhi Foundation won the hearts of these fishermen by giving them food, cash and gifts upon their release.

A fisherman expressed how he had felt surprised at the act when he had actually expected himself to be handed over to some unknown people. He said, “I wish the governments of both countries would behave like the volunteers of the Edhi Foundation.”

Another fishermen, Karsan, also expressed feelings of

virtually swept through over capital Dhaka areas in June and it’s continuing.

She said they are currently getting up to 100 calls from chikungunya patients or their relatives every day through a hotline they opened recently at their office in capital Dhaka.

Some of the major physical symptoms of chikungunya include fever, muscle ache, chills, rashes and nausea, she added.

“So far we understand the prevailing situation may persist or even worsen till the end of September this year as Aedes mosquitoes could breed even after the ongoing monsoon,” she said and made a plea to Dhaka dwellers to ensure that the mosquitoes could not breed inside their homes.

Bangladesh is considered a high-risk nation with respect to mosquito-borne diseases as the impoverished state of over about 160 million people is especially vulnerable to virus preparation because of insufficient

biosecurity and deficient disease surveillance.

T he disease was f i rst detected in Bangladesh in 2008. The serious outbreak of chikungunya disease occurred only this year though there were some cases of the disease also in 2008 subsequent years, Flora said. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the disease occurs in Africa, Asia and the Indian subcontinent. The dengue-like viral disease was reportedly first described during an outbreak in southern Tanzania in 1952. Professor Abul Kalam Azad, director

nuclear power, and so are they. It doesn’t make sense not to have some kind of a relationship,” Trump added, according to CBN website.

The interview aired in its entirety on Thursday. Trump also emphasized the importance of having a dialogue with Russia despite the differences between Washington and Moscow.

“I do believe it’s important to have a dialogue and if you don’t have a dialogue, it’s a lot of problems for our

country and for their country.

I think we need dialogue. We need dialogue with everybody,” he said.

During the first face-to-face meeting between the leaders of the United States and Russia, a cease-fire agreement in parts of Syria was struck in a bid to curb the bloodshed that has impacted both sides in the war-torn Middle East nation. “One thing we did is we had a cease-fire in a major part of Syria where there was

India’s belligerence poses threat to regional peace and security: FO

gratitude towards the foundation and said, “I may forget the time spent in jail but not the love and affection shown

by Edhi Foundation volunteers. They didn t know us and yet they gave us Rs 5,000 each along with gifts.

They were generous.” If this wasn’t enough, to help the fishermen reach home, the Edhi Foundation booked an entire train compartment on a Karachi-Lahore train for the fishermen since there were no tickets available for the required date.

Bangladesh capital reeling from major outbreak of mosquito-borne disease chikungunya DHAK A—Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka is reeling from a “major outbreak of chikungunya”, a viral disease spread by the Aedes mosquito, which is also responsible for Zika virus, with the hospitals reporting nearly 3,000 cases of the disease since May. “We’re currently facing a major outbreak of chikungunya,” Professor Meerjady Sabrina Flora, head of the country’s Institute of Epidemiology, D i s e a s e C o n t r ol a n d Research (IEDCR) under the Health Ministry, told Xinhua. She said, “A total of 2,700 chikungunya cases have so far been reported to the IEDCR from hospitals and clinics in Dhaka since May.” A few cases of chikungunya that is a viral disease transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes have also been reported to the IEDCR from Bangladesh’s eastern Narsingdi and southwestern Gopalganj district, she added.

IEDCR chief said the disease

WASHINGTON (Xinhua)— U.S. President Donald Trump said that he got along “very well” with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during a meeting at the G20 summit last week. “I think we get along very well and I think that’s a good thing, that’s not a bad thing,” Trump said in an exclusive interview with Pat Robertson, founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), an American television network. “We are a tremendously powerful

tremendous bedlam and tremendous killing. And, by the way, this is now four days.

The cease-fire has held for four days. Those (previous) cease-fires haven’t held at all. That’s because President Putin and President Trump made the deal, and it’s held,” Trump said in the interview on Wednesday. The interview came amid ongoing investigations into allegations that Trump’s team colluded with the Russians to help him win last year’s presidential election. Trump said he thinks Putin would actually have been happier with Hillary Clinton in the White House. “As an example, if Hillary had won, our military would be decimated.

Our energy would be much more expensive. That’s what Putin doesn’t like about me.

And that’s why I say, why would he want me? Because from day one I wanted a strong military, he doesn’t want to see that,” Trump told Robertson.

general for Health Services in Bangladesh, said the government is well aware of the prevailing chikungunya situation in the country.

Many measures have already been taken to contain further outbreak of the disease in capital Dhaka and elsewhere in the country, said Azad who is also heading a 21-member high powered committee for the control and prevention of the disease. According to WHO, there is no direct person-toperson transmission of the disease, for which there are no specific antiviral drugs and no commercial vaccine.

Pakistan says India’s belligerence poses threat to regional peace and security.

At his weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakariya expressed serious concerns over frequent ceasefire violations

by Indian forces on the line of control and the working boundary.

He said the Indian side is deliberately heightening tension in order to divert world

attention from its atrocities in occupied Kashmir. The spokesperson said Indian forces committed five hundred and forty two ceasefire violations in the current year in which eighteen civilians embraced martyrdom. He said Pakistani forces give befitting response to the Indian aggression but they are demonstrating utmost restraint as Pakistan has no desire to escalate the tension.

He said the world community and the United Nations have also expressed concerns over the LOC situation. He said Pakistan believes in resolution of all issues through dialogue. The spokesperson said it is time that the international community takes concrete measures to stop the bloodshed in the valley.

Responding to a question, the spokesperson said Pakistan is considering the

Indian request for the grant of visa to the mother of Kulbushan Yadav. He, however, regretted that the India has imposed strict restrictions on the grant of visa to Pakistani patients. Nafees Zakariya said Pakistan believes that there is no military solution to Afghan issue. He said focus should be on politically negotiated settlement which is Afghan led and Afghan owned.

French top diplomat to visits Gulf states over diplomatic row PARIS (Xinhua) -- French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian will fly to Gulf states at the week-end to help end ongoing diplomatic row with Qatar, the foreign ministry said Wednesday in a statement.

During his two-day visit to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, Le Drian hoped Paris’ initiative would contribute to reinforce Kuwait mediation to ease tension in the

region. The trip, scheduled for the July 15 and 16, was in line with similar moves being adopted by the United States, Britain and Germany to resolve the crisis, it added.

“Concer ned by cur rent tensions that are affecting these countries with which we have close and friendly ties, we call for a rapid deescalation that would be in everyone’s interest,” the French ministry said.

Ea rly la st mont h, t he

Saudi-led four countries along with other states had severed diplomatic ties with Qatar and cut off sea, land and air links to the tiny rich Gulf nation, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism, interfering in their internal affairs and seeking closer ties with Iran, a Saudi rival. Qatar has dismissed as “baseless” the Saudi-led bloc’s accusations that it supports terrorism and interferes in their internal affairs.

Kuwait, as a mediator for solving the crisis, the U.S. and Britain have called for “a rapid end” to the crisis between Qatar and its Arab neighbors through dialogue.

They urged all parties to “contain this crisis rapidly, and find a solution through dialogue as soon as possible”. The Arab countries’ foreign ministers, who met in Cairo on July 5, are scheduled to meet in Bahrain soon.

Former Brazilian President Lula sentenced to 10 years for corruption

Turkish President rules out immediate end to year-old state of emergency

Conflict in Yemen intensifying daily, United Nation

19 killed in Nigeria suicide blasts

Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been sentenced to ten years in prison on corruption charges.

The court found the former President guilty of accepting 1.2 million dollars as bribes from an engineering firm. Meanwhile, legal team of the former President said that he is innocent and they would file appeal against the verdict.

In Turkey, President Tayyip Erdogan has ruled out an immediate end to the year-old state of emergency in the country imposed after a failed coup.

Addressing a function in Ankara, he said the emergency rule will not be lifted untill Turkey needs to fight against terrorism.

However, he said lifting of the emergency rule is possible in the near future.

The UN has warned that the conflict in Yemen is intensifying daily, urging all parties to act for the sake of peace.

The UN special envoy for Yemen, told Security Council that the opportunity to reach peace in Yemen is not yet lost.

He said Yemen is facing worst cholera epidemic in the world while 14 million people in the country are in desperate need of food.

Boko Haram suicide bombers first targeted civilian self-defense force personnel and later the people.

19 killed in Nigeria suicide blasts.

In Nigeria, nineteen people have been killed in a series of suicide bomb attacks in Maiduguri city.

Police said Boko Haram suicide bombers first targeted civilian self-defense force personnel and later the people who had gathered to mourn their deaths.

THE DESTINATION

Friday- July 14, 2017

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Sri Lanka named Asia’s Leading Destination at World Travel Awards

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“Beautiful China” campaign promoted in Cambodia PHNOM PENH—The China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) promoted the “Beautiful China” campaign here last evening, aimed at attracting more Cambodian tourists to China, officials said.

Head of the Chinese tourism delegation Zhang Xilong said 2017 is the year of tourism cooperation between China and the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and China hopes to welcome more tourists from ASEAN including Cambodia.

“The event aims at showing the richness of China’s tourism resources and products to Cambodian people,” he said at the ceremony, which was attended by some 150 Cambodian tour operators and officials.

He said China is renowned for its cultural properties and natural heritage in combination with good hospitality and accommodation as well as delicious food. Meanwhile, Zhang was confident that the tourism relations between China and Cambodia would be further deepened in the future under the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China. Charge d’ affairs

of the Chinese embassy to Cambodia Tan Qingsheng said tourism is a bridge to increase people-to-people bond and cultural exchange, and that China is ready to closely cooperate with ASEAN and Cambodia to further broaden tourism ties.

The “Beautiful China” campaign was held in Phnom Penh after it was successfully introduced in Bangkok, Thailand and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. “I believe that the event today will enable all of you to better understand China and to explore further opportunities for cooperation and investment in tourism between the two countries,” he said.

Tan said tourism has been playing a vital role in contributing to deepening the strategic relations between China and ASEAN in general and between China and Cambodia in particular. Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon said the event was very useful to further enhance tourism cooperation between China and Cambodia. He said China was the biggest source of foreign tourists to Cambodia. In the first

US envoy meets Saudi counterpart on gulf crisis

COL OM BO — Sr i L a n k a was named Asia’s Leading D e s t i n a t io n a n d A si a’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination at the recent World Travel Awards Ceremony held in the Maldives, the tourism ministry said in a statement here Thursday. Tourism Minister, John Amaratunga said these awards were important milestones in Sri Lanka’s tourism promotional efforts.

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has seen a mega growth following the end of the island’s bitter civil conflict between government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels which ended in May 2009.

Amaratunga said securing the

two top accolades at the World Travel Awards Ceremony will continue to draw the spotlight on destination Sri Lanka. “The awards have confirmed Sri Lanka’s preeminent position as Asia’s Leading Destination while also consolidating its newly acquired status of Asia’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination,” he said. Meanwhile, following an invitation extended by Sri Lanka Tourism, World Travel Awards Executive Committee has agreed to explore the possibility of hosting the World Travel Awards ceremony in Sri Lanka in 2019.

Sri Lanka Tourism also used the opportunity to showcase

the island’s tourism attractions through a video presentation to the high profile audience representing the region’s leading destinations.

Among the attendees at the awards event this year were Chairman and Founder of World Travel Awards, Graham Cooke and Minister of Tourism in Maldives, Hussain Lirar.

Many Sri Lankan hotels, airlines and travel companies also won various awards at the event including Sri Lanka’s national airline carrier, Sri Lankan Airlines which was selected as Asia’s Leading Airline in the Indian Ocean and Asia’s Leading Cultural Airline.

Heavy rains, floods kill 40 in India

In India, at least 40 people have been killed and more than one point five million displaced due to floods caused by heavy monsoon rains in northeast of the country.

The flood swamped more than 2,500 villages in Assam state.

Firefighters tackle blaze in Turkish military zone near Syrian border

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JEDDAH—US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson held talks with four Arab states calling for combating terror, as part of a round of intense shuttle diplomacy aimed at resolving the Qatar crisis.

Tillerson’s trip from Kuwait to Jeddah followed discussions the previous day with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, which ended with the signing of a counterterrorism pact. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain severed relations with Qatar and cut air, sea and land routes with it over a month ago, accusing Doha of supporting extremist groups.

Qatar denies the allegations.

Any resolution of the impasse must address all the key issues for Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, including Doha’s undermining of regional stability, a senior Emirati official said ahead of the talks in Saudi Arabia. The Anti-Terror Quartet (ATQ) has given no indication it is willing to back off from its stance.

Just hours before Tillerson’s arrival in Jeddah, it said the counterterrorism deal that Qatar signed with him Tuesday was “not enough” to ease their concerns. “We’re happy to see this continuous cooperation between us and (to) even strengthen it and increase it further without limits,” the Saudi crown prince said while welcoming Tillerson.

Tillerson later left Jeddah for Kuwait after his meetings. He is expected to travel back to Qatar on Thursday for more talks. Tillerson underscored the shared mutual interests between the US and Saudi Arabia, notably in the areas of “security, stability... and economic prosperity.” He stressed the two countries shared a “strong partnership.” The deal struck between Washington and Doha falls far short of the sweeping demands made by the ATQ for Qatar to change its policy of supporting extremists in the region. The ATQ took partial credit for the US counterterrorism deal with Qatar,

saying that it was the result of “repeated pressures and demands” by the four countries and others, but that it did not go far enough. While welcoming US-led efforts to dry up terrorist funding, the ATQ said Doha must meet its list of “fair and legitimate demands.”

The quartet added in a statement that it “affirms that the measures they have taken were motivated by the continuous and diversified activities of the Qatari authorities in supporting, funding and harboring terrorism and terrorists, as well as promoting hateful and extremist rhetoric and interfering in the internal affairs of states.”

“He has to realize that he will be further complicating an already complex matter and prolonging the crisis,” he added, emphasizing that the goal of the ATQ is to change Qatar’s “agenda.” France said its foreign minister would visit the Gulf, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, on July 15-16 as part of its own efforts to overcome the rift.

five months of 2017, some 441,000 Chinese tourists visited Cambodia, up 35.6 percent over the same period last year. The minister added that the country is expected to greet about one million Chinese tourists in 2017 and up to two million in 2020. In his speech, Thong Khon praised the Belt and Road Initiative, saying it would boost the development of tourism in countries along the Silk Road, including ASEAN and Cambodia. Chhay Sivlin, president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, said the event opened a new chapter for tour operators in Cambodia to better understand China’s culture and new attractive tourist destinations in addition to the Great Wall. “Besides interesting tourist sites, China is famous for delicious food, effective traditional medicines, and good infrastructure for tourists’ travel,” she said. She believed that through this event, Cambodian tour operators would organize more tour packages to China to contribute to the development of tourism cooperation between the two countries.—Xinhua

Federer steps into Wimbledon land of the giants LONDON—Roger Federer stands just two wins away from a record eighth Wimbledon title but faces a perilous trip through the land of the giants if he is to become the tournament’s oldest champion.

The 35-year-old Swiss has defied time and logic to reach a 12th semi-final at the All England Club where he will face Tomas Berdych, the 2010 runner-up, on Friday. If he gets past the Czech for the 19th time in 25 meetings, Federer will face either Sam Querrey or Marin Cilic in Sunday’s final. The contrast between the 18-time Grand Slam title winner and the other three contenders could not be more stark.

Federer stands 6ft 1in (1.85m) and weighs in at 187lbs (85kg); Berdych is 6ft 5ins (1.95m) and 200 lbs (91kg). Querrey and Cilic tower over him at 6ft 6ins (1.97m) and 210lbs (95kg) and 196lbs (89kg) respectively.

Federer, bidding to reach an 11th final at Wimbledon, is therefore aware of the physical threats posed by his rivals.

“All three guys are taller and stronger than I am,” said Federer.

“I’ve got to figure out a different way, carve my way through somehow with my slice and my spins, my consistency. “Being the favourite or not the favourite doesn’t matter. These other guys are all big hitters. I feel like they will have their say in the outcome of the matches.

“They’ve got big serves, big forehands, they are big hitters.” Federer has made the semi-finals without dropping a set and has been broken just three times. He even managed to match Milos Raonic -- who boasts the second fastest serve of the tournament at a blistering 142mph (228.5km/h) -- with 11 aces in his quarterfinal victory.Federer is the second oldest semi-finalist after Ken Rosewall who finished runner-up in 1974 at the age of 39. He is also the overwhelming favourite after ‘Big Four’ rivals Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic suffered injury-hit exits on Wednesday and Rafael Nadal lost in the last 16.

7 people killed in as gunmen open fire in Afghanistan

7 people killed in as gunmen open fire in Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, at least seven people were killed when gunmen opened firing on them in Farah province. Meanwhile, Taliban insurgents killed at least three construction workers in Herat province. No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

In Turkey, a large fire has been broke out in a military zone in southern province of Kilis bordering Syria yesterday. Small explosions were also heard from an ammunition depot there. Meanwhile, fire fighters are working to control the blaze. No reports of any casualties or cause of the fire have been received yet.

Sudan’s Bashir suspends sanctions talks with US

Democrats introduce new bill about sanctions on Russia, Iran

UN food agency gains greater access near Syria’s Raqqa

In the United States, Democrats in the House of Representatives have introduced a new bill on Thursday regarding sanctions on Russia and Iran. They hoped that the new version of bill will send a message to President Donald Trump to maintain a strong line against Moscow.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has suspended negotiations with the United States on ending decades-old sanctions against Khartoum. Omar al-Bashir issued a presidential decree ordering the suspension of the committee that was negotiating with the United States after Washington extended the embargo by three months.

The United Nations says it is using newly opened land routes to expand food deliveries to the areas in Raqqa province. The new access has allowed the World Food Programme to deliver food to rural areas north of the city for the first time in three years.

Published by Rana Tahir Shahbaz from Office # 2 , First Floor, Abbasi Plaza , Bani Gala Islamabad (ph: 051-8314196, fax: 051-8315196) & Printed at Roohani Art Press Islamabad

THE DESTINATION

4 Friday- July 14, 2017

Singapore stocks end up 0.83 pct on Thursday U.S. economy sees tighter job market while inflation SI NGAPOR E—Singapore concern remains that the latest Kong Place and will have shares closed 0.83 percent saga in Washington may be an seating capacity for 158 cuspressure muted higher on Thursday, after U.S. unwelcome distraction for the tomers. United Food rose 3.9 Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen signaled the central bank will not rush to tighten monetary policy as inflation remains persistently below target. In her testimony on monetary policy to the Congress overnight, Yellen made no mention of the prices of assets such as stocks and bonds just a week after her comment that some looked “somewhat rich.” The statement from Yellen diver ted attention from the release of emails by Donald Trump Junior about his controversial meeting with a Russian lawyer, though

Federal Reserve seeking to dismantle a decade of monetary stimulus.

Singapore’s benchmark Straits Times Index rose 26.76 points to 3,235.67 points. Trading volume was 2.38 billion shares worth 1.1 billion Singapore dollars. Advancers outnumbered decliners 255 to 198.

Jumbo Group rose 1.6 percent to 62 Singapore cents. The seafood restaurant operator announced it opened its first JUMBO Seafood outlet in Beijing, making it the group’s fourth outlet in China. The new outlet is located at Shin

percent to 40 Singapore cents.

It proposed placement of 25.8 million new shares at 39 Singapore cents each to three individuals. The net proceeds of 10 million Singapore dollars will be used to fund business expansion through acquisitions and strengthen general working capital. Among top gainers, Venture Corporation rose 2.3 percent to 12.59 Singapore dollars, whereas Hot ung Investment became one of the top losers by falling 6 percent to 2.19 Singapore dollars.

(1 U.S. dollar equals to 1.38 Singapore dollars).—Xinhua

Malaysia’s central bank monetary policy to remain unchanged

K UA L A LU M PU R— Malaysia’s central bank kept its benchmark policy rate unchanged at 3 percent in its monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting Thursday.

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) said in a statement that the current level of Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) is accommodative and supportive of economic activity. The central bank noted that Malaysian economy is expected to register higher growth in 2017.

“Going forward, the more favorable global growth prospects will lead to sustained export performance and generate positive spillovers to the domestic economy. Private consumption will be underpinned by higher wages and employment.” “The improved investment outlook is being driven by new and ongoing infrastructure projects, and stronger capacity expansion in the manufacturing and services sectors,” it said.

The Malaysian economy performed better than expected in the first quarter, lifted by stronger domestic demand with additional impetus from exports. The central bank also noted the global economy continues to strengthen with growth becoming more synchronized across countries.

Industrial activity and global trade are exceeding earlier projections, it said. Risks to the global growth outlook arise mainly from political and policy uncertainties in the major economies, geopolitical and financial market developments, and volatility of commodity prices, it said.

Meanwhile, Malaysia’s central bank expects the country’s headline inflation to moderate in the second half of the year mainly reflecting the waning effect of global cost factors.

“Underlying inf lation, as measured by core inf lation, will be sustained by the more robust domestic demand but is expected to remain contained,” it said. Headline inflation moderated to 3.9 percent in May, due mainly to the decline in domestic fuel prices during the month. The central bank emphasized that Malaysia’s domestic financial markets have been resilient. “The ringgit has remained stable with a more balanced demand and supply of foreign currencies following the implementation of the two financial market development measures.

“Banking system liquidity remains sufficient with financial institutions continuing to operate with strong capital and liquidity buffers. The growth of financing to the private sector has improved, consistent with the pace of economic activity,” it said.

BN M ha s ke pt it s OPR unchanged at 3 percent since July 2016, when it had unexpectedly cut the interest rate by 25 basis points. Its next meeting will be on Sept 7. Affin Hwang Investment Bank’s chief economist Alan Tan said in a report Thursday that he believes that any adjustment of the OPR by Malaysian Central Bank will likely take only in 2018, despite some tightening in monetary policy, especially in the United States. He said the decision to adjust the policy

rate by Malaysian central bank going forward is likely to be data dependent, especially on economic growth, as the recovery in the global economy remains uncertain in 2018.

“Nevertheless, the decision to normalize the rate may also be influenced by the direction of U.S. monetary policy from the current stance,” he added.

Singapore’s DBS Bank Group Research also said in a report that BNM is in a sweet spot to keep the OPR at 3 percent for the rest of the year with inflation risk easing and growth outlook likely to remain sanguine. “Receding inflation and a stable growth outlook essentially make for a stable monetary policy,” it said. According to the report, core inflation has remained below policy rate at about 2.5 percent year-to-date.

“Though inf lation has surprised on the upside over the past months, it has peaked, and is expected to ease steadily over the course of the year,” it said. The research house expects the overall inflation to register 3.7 percent in 2017 before easing off to 2.5 percent in 2018. The key driver had been transport inflation, which should ease off in the second half after the low base effect dissipates. As for the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth, the research house expects it to hit 5 percent, which is at the upper end of the official forecast range of 4 to 5 percent. The expectation comes after the country registered a robust expansion of 5.6 percent year-on-year growth, which surpassed the consensus expectation of 4.8 percent.

WASHINGTON—U.S. economy grows at moderate pace in June, with tighter labor market and muted inflation pressure, according to the latest survey result released by the Federal Reserve. “Economic activity expanded across all 12 Federal Reserve Districts in June, with the pace of growth ranging from slight to moderate,” said the Fed in its latest Beige Book which gauges its 12 districts’ economy. Majority of the districts expected economy to grow at modest to moderate pace in the months ahead, said the report. Consumer spending,

which accounts for nearly 70 percent of the U.S. economy, appeared to be rising across a majority of districts, led by increases in non-auto retail sales and tourism, said the report. According to the report, employment in most districts maintained a modest to moderate pace of expansion, while Atlanta and St. Louis districts noted flat employment levels.

The report showed that labor markets tightened further for both low and high skilled positions. However, the tight labor market did not push too much upward pressures on wages.

UAE as world’s leading digital economy: report DUBAI—The Fletcher School at U.S. Tufts University said on Thursday in its Digital Evolution Index 2017 report that the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore, Britain, New Zealand, Estonia and Hong Kong are “digital elites” in the world, UAE state news agency WAM reported. The UAE is characterized “by high levels of digital development and a fast rate of digital evolution,” said the report.

“With momentum and innovation, these ‘stand out’ markets exemplify the sweet spot of advancement and future growth,” it added. The index developed by the university,

in partnership with credit card provider Mastercard, measured four key drivers and 170 unique indicators to chart each country’s respective course, including supply, consumer demand for digital technologies, institutional environment and innovation. The UAE, the most diversified economy in the Gulf Arab region, has implemented in recent years several initiatives to increase e-governance and reduce red tape.

Earlier in April this year, the UAE sheikhdom of Dubai l a u n c h e d e - gove r n a n c e scheme “Smart Dubai 2021” with the objective to eliminate

all paper works at government institutions as of 2021.

T h is object ive shall be achieved “by connecting all Dubai government departments on one platform called Dubai Pulse,” explained Mohammed Shael Al-Saadi, the CEO of Corporate Strategy of the Dubai department of economic development. In order to attract startups from the world, the UAE financial free zones in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have launched platforms with favorable conditions to spur the development of digital banking and e-payment channels.—Xinhua

LG Honored for Supply Chain Sustainability by Green Electronics Council at 2017 CES Asia

Islamabad/ SEOUL—LG Electronics (LG) has been honored for innovation in supply chain sustainability by the Green Electronics Council.

Presented at CES Asia™ 2017, the Catalyst Awards seek to inspire innovation in the design, manufacture and use of electronics to advance global sustainability. LG’s special distinction as GEC 2017 “Catalyzing Impact at Scale” Honoree recognizes LG OLED TVs, which created a new premium TV category with environmental sustainability at its core. LG OLED TVs achieve significant reductions in hazardous and raw materials content compared to conventional LCD TVs, while LG’s green product design for recycling and supplier programs advance supply chain sustainability.

“As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance customer value, LG strives to make products with greener features and to reduce the environmental impact of our products throughout their lifecycle,” said Lee Choong-hak, executive vice

president of LG Electronics in charge of corporate social responsibility initiatives. “LG OLED TVs, designed with the environment in mind, are prime examples of this lifecycle strategy approach.” For example, LG OLED TVs have reduced weight and use PVC-free internal cables and BFR-free housing and parts. The emissive LG OLED panel emits light instead of a mercury-containing backlight lamp. Materials also are minimized to enhance recyclability.” Nancy Gillis, CEO of the Green Electronics Council, said, “The negative environmental and social impacts resulting from complex global supply chains are among the greatest challenges currently facing the IT industry,” said “We congratulate LG for demonstrating ways to address this challenge and exhibiting sustainable supply chain leadership and innovation.”

LG OLED TVs are optimized to minimize environmental impact and to provide high performance and customer value with features such as perfect black and limitless contrast, and 4K Ultra HD and high-dynamic range capabilities.

LG quantifies and analyzes the environmental impact of products at every stage of their lifecycle; implements its strategic framework for products with greener features, which takes into account three core factors of human, energy and resources; and drives R&D based on these factors. What’s

more, the company’s comprehensive supply chain sustainability management program helps suppliers improve their environmental performance by transferring LG’s green technologies and related knowhow. The program helps LG promote suppliers’ competitiveness in sustainability management and identify supply chain risks and address global regulatory requirements.

In addition to being named 2017 GEC Catalyzing Impact at Scale Honoree, LG supply chain sustainability has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with the toplevel Gold Tier Award in the EPA’s Sustainable Materials Management Electronics Challenge and by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries with the ISRI Design for Recycling award for advanced new television products (LG OLED and LED 4K Ultra HD TVs) that emphasize recycling during every lifecycle phase. The Green Electronics Council Catalyst Awards seek to inspire innovation in the design, manufacture and use of electronics to advance sustainability. By recognizing transformative yet scalable advances, the GEC highlights innovative best practices throughout the supply chain that move society closer to a world in which only sustainable electronics are designed, manufactured, purchased and processed at the end of their useful life.

S. Korea’s central bank raises 2017 growth forecast to 2.8 pct SEOUL—South Korea’s central bank on Thursday raised its 2017 growth forecast for the economy to reflect the altered economic situations at home and abroad. Bank of Korea (BOK) Governor Lee Ju-yeol announced the upward revision following a rate-setting meeting where Lee and other monetary policy board members decided unanimously to freeze the benchmark rate at an all-time low of 1.25 percent. The rate was lowered to the current level in June last year. The BOK’s growth outlook for this year was revised up to 2.8 percent from 2.6 percent unveiled three months earlier. In April, the bank’s forecast was revised up by 0.1 percentage point.

The BOK’s upgraded outlook was higher than the figures disclosed by local economic think tanks that ranged from 2.5 percent to 2.6 percent.

The government’s outlook was 2.6 percent. The upward revision reflected recovering exports, which posted a double-digit increase for six months through June. Exports account for about

half of the Asia’s No.4 economy. Governor Lee told reporters that the exports grew at a steep pace despite the lackluster consumption expansion, predicting a solid growth trend in the future amid lingering uncertainties of the country’s major trading partners as well as geopolitical risks.

Earlier this month, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) test-fired what it claimed an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that flew about 930 km and was lofted as high as 2,800 km.

It rattled the South Korean stock market following the DPRK announcement of the successful ICBM test-launch, but local shares rebounded, posting a new record closing high in recent sessions. The top central banker said the upgraded growth outlook did not reflect the government’s supplementary budget plan to create decent jobs, which had been blocked by conservative opposition parties from being passed through the National Assembly.

If implemented, the government expected the

budget plan to raise the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 0.2 percentage points this year.

The GDP growth rate was 3.3 percent in 2014, before falling to 2.8 percent both in 2015 and 2016.

The BOK set its consumer price inflation outlook at 1.9 percent, unchanged compared with three months earlier. The central bank said the falling number of Chinese tourists visiting South Korea would drag down the GDP expansion by 0.3 percentage points in 2017. Private consumption was forecast to rise 2.0 percent in the first half and 2.4 percent in the second half respectively, while growth outlooks for facility investment were set at 14.1 percent in the first half and 5.0 percent in the second half each. Growth of construction investment was predicted by the BOK to slow from 9.9 percent in the first half to 3.7 percent in the second half. Exports and imports were predicted to grow 2.7 percent and 3.2 percent each in the second half of this year.

KCCI urges next elections under updated census, demarcation The leadership of Businessmen Group (BMG) and Office Bearers of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), while expressing deep concerns over the ongoing political uncertainty and the likelihood of early elections, urged on Thursday that elections should only take place in the country after fully incorporating the updated census and demarcation made along with complete implementation of biometric voting system otherwise the country will continue to face problems and crises over crises.

In a statement issued, Chairman BMG and Former President KCCI Siraj Kassam Teli, Vice Chairmen BMG Tahir Khaliq, Zubair Motiwala,

Haroon Farooki and Anjum Nisar, President KCCI Shamim Ahmed Firpo, Senior Vice President Asif Nisar and Vice President KCCI Muhammad Younus Soomro stressed that the Biometric System for voting has to be introduced and effectively implemented at any cost all over the country for next general elections which is the only way to make the entire process completely transparent, besides efficiently deal with rigging.

“The authorities must ensure that next elections are staged under the new system which should have updated census and demarcation made. The existing system carries obsolete details about voters and demarcations therefore, elections under

this system would only create problems,” they said.

They also said, “Under the existing system, the same old faces will once again take control of the country’s affairs and no change will be witnessed by the nation which continues to suffer terribly because of crises over crises.”

They said, “Incorporation of updated census and demarcation made into the system along with implementation of biometric voting system would ensure emergence of real representative leadership which works diligently to pull the country out of crises.” DNA

Europe Gasoline/Naphtha-Gasoline crack gains as US inventories fall

Google escapes 1.1bn euro tax bill in France

German govt tells Siemens to explain how turbines ended up in Crimea

Audi seeks to eclipse emissions scandal with new technology-packed A8 car

US gasoline stocks fell by 1.6 million barrels, compared with analysts’ expectations in a Reuters poll for a 1.1 million barrels gain. US gasoline margins slipped after the data was released, and the bulk of the decline was in the PADD 3 region - the Gulf Coast refining hub. Stocks rose in PADD 1, the East Coast demand centre, rose.

Lower gasoline availability in the US Gulf could enable more exports from Europe to Latin America, where there has been a steady appetite for cargoes due to persistent refinery problems across the region.

Google is not liable for 1.115 billion euros ($1.272 billion) in unpaid taxes claimed by the French state, a French court ruled Wednesday, saying the internet giant’s Irish subsidiary is not taxable in France.

“The French company Google Ireland Limited (GIL) is not taxable in France for the 2005 to 2010 period,” the court ruled. Google paid just 6.7 million euros in corporate taxes in 2015 in France by booking revenues for its online empire at its European subsidiary in low-tax Ireland, a legal loophole prized by multinationals.

The German government said on Wednesday it was closely looking at how two Siemens gas turbines turned up in Crimea, a region subject to EU sanctions on energy technology, and demanded swift clarification from the company. “This is a case that the government is following very closely.

Firstly we need to clear up what happened as quickly and comprehensively as possible and that applies to the company Siemens above all,” government spokesman Steffen Seibert told reporters.

It was an unusual case and time would tell what the consequences would be.

Battered by its emissions scandal, Audi launched its latest technology-packed A8 luxury saloon on Tuesday, aimed at overtaking rivals Mercedes-Benz and BMW as it struggles to overcome its biggest-ever corporate crisis.

Last week Munich prosecutors arrested an Audi employee in connection with “dieselgate”, the latest setback to Volkswagen’s luxury car arm and main profit driver, after the German government a month earlier had accused Audi of cheating on emissions tests. Audi has risked stalling without innovation and needed a new prestige product, said Stefan Bratzel.