BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Al Rayyan aim to seal spot in INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-7, 28 COMMENT 26, 27 Qatar and Croatia sign REGION 10 BUSINESS 1-7, 14-16 knockout 20,503.00 10,197.33 49.62 ARAB WORLD 10, 11 CLASSIFIED 8-14 agreements on nature -25.00 -44.27 -1.09 INTERNATIONAL 12-25 SPORTS 1-8 phase -0.12% -0.43% -2.15% protection, food supplies Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

MONDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10433 April 24, 2017 Rajab 27, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Croatian honour for Emir, Sheikha Moza Macron tops French vote, In brief to fi ght Le Pen for presidency

QATAR | Weather AFP Hot day with slightly Paris dusty conditions Hot weather will continue to prevail ro-European Emmanuel Macron around the country in the coming will face far-right candidate Ma- days with the maximum temperature Prine Le Pen in the second round hovering around the late-30C/early- of France’s presidential election, pro- 40C levels in most areas, the Qatar Met jections showed yesterday, making him department has said. Today’s forecast clear favourite to emerge as the coun- says it will be hazy in some places in try’s youngest leader in modern history. the early hours of the day, followed by Macron was projected to win 23-24% a hot day and slightly dusty conditions. in yesterday’s fi rst round, slightly ahead Slight dust is also expected off shore at of National Front (FN) leader Le Pen times, while hazy conditions are likely with 21.6-23%, according to estimates later. The maximum temperature will Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic awarding HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani the Grand Order of King Tomislav with Sash and Great Star, the highest on public television. be 39C in Doha, Wakrah, Mesaieed and state order of the Republic of Croatia, at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. Right: The Croatian President awarding HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser the Grand Order of Queen Jelena They will compete in a run-off on Al Khor today. Yesterday, it was 40C with Sash and Morning Star, the highest ranking order given by Croatia to non-heads of state. PICTURE: AR Al-Baker / HHOPL Page 2 May 7. in Batna and Turayna, while in Doha “The French have expressed their de- it was 38C. The Met department also sire for change,” Macron told AFP in a provided climate data for Doha in April. statement. The daily mean temperature in the “We’re clearly turning a page in city in April is 26.4C, the department French political history,” said the informed through social media. The 39-year-old, whose bid to shake up tra- highest April temperature - 46C - was ditional politics and his marriage to his recorded in 1973, while the lowest was former school teacher has fascinated 10.5C in 1967. Qatar one of the world’s the country. The outcome capped an extraordi- QATAR | Culture nary campaign in a deeply divided and demoralised France, which has been hit Katara’s Prize for by a series of terror attacks since 2015 Prophet’s Poet Festival and remains stuck with low economic The Cultural Village Foundation growth. - Katara inaugurated the second best in aviation security It also signalled a stunning shake-up edition of Katara’s Prize for Prophet’s in national politics, with no candidate (peace be upon him) Poet Festival QNA The authority also highlighted the dif- management of Hamad International before the opening of Hamad Inter- from France’s mainstream Socialist and during a ceremony held at Katara. The Doha ference in the number of operations Airport. national Airport, on implementing an Republicans parties in the second round annual festival is scheduled to last that were audited in Hamad Interna- Al-Subaey said that the latest ambitious plan to develop the human for the fi rst time in 60 years. until April 28, under the title ‘Poetry’s tional Airport in 2017 compared to fi ve achievement will be an advantage to the cadres working at the department. Macron, who had never before stood Beauty Blossoms When Describing he State of Qatar ranked as one of years ago. The Civil Aviation Author- national carrier Qatar Airways given it He added that the department has for election and only started his centrist the Best of Mankind’. A key objective the world’s top countries in civil ity stressed that the achievement is an takes-off from one of the world’s safest succeeded in raising the level of its em- movement 12 months ago, will go into of Katara’s Award for the Prophet’s Taviation safety, according to of- important step towards realising Qatar airports. This will also encourage other ployees as a result of employing the latest the second round as the clear frontrun- Poet is to highlight the importance of fi cial results released by International National Vision 2030. carriers to operate in the airport. techniques and training in airport securi- ner. poetry and the Arabic language, while Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) The Chairman of Qatar Aviation For his part, Director of Airport Se- ty. The training centre also includes four Polls released after the fi rst-round encouraging unity across the Muslim yesterday. Authority, Abdullah bin Nasser Turki curity Department Brigadier Essa Arar Qatari experts certifi ed as international estimates showed the centrist, pro- World. This objective is in tandem Qatar scored 99.1% in applying the al-Subaey, expressed his delight at al-Rumaihi said the achieved high experts in the fi eld of airport security. business moderniser would easily beat with Katara’s eff orts to strengthen ties guidelines of annex 17 on Safeguard- the success and said that results of the scores were a result of the continuous Al-Rumaihi stressed that training Le Pen, who has hardened her anti- between the youth, society and Arab ing International Civil Aviation Against ICAO’s safety audit proved that Hamad eff orts of all authorities who operate along with the usage of latest technol- immigration and anti-Europe rhetoric identity. Acts of Unlawful Interference. Qatar International Airport is one of the saf- within a strong system. ogy led to the high scores and enhanc- over the last week. also scored 96.76% in implementing est in the world. Al-Rumaihi told Qatar News Agency ing security in the airport. The French vote was being closely EAST ASIA | Tension safety management and a 100% in an- He added that the state’s support that the high ranking will also represent The ICAO carries out safety au- watched as a bellwether for populist North Korea detains nex nine on facilitation. of the civil aviation industry was the a challenge to all workers whether in dits that are mandatory to all member sentiment following the election of The Civil Aviation Authority said main reason behind the achievement, the Airport Security Department or the countries. The audits usually involve Donald Trump as US President and US citizen: Yonhap that the scores refl ect a qualitative leap along with the co-operation of all Civil Aviation Authority to put in more ensuring that airports are in line with Britain’s vote to leave the EU. A US citizen has reportedly been for the State of Qatar in aviation secu- partners concerned with civil avia- eff ort in order to maintain the high per- the 19 annexes on security, referred Throughout the campaign, Macron arrested as he tried to fly out of North rity. This is especially the case when tion security, the Ministry of Interior’s formance levels. to as the Chicago convention. A team insisted that France was “contrarian” - Korea, becoming the third American compared to Qatar’s results in 2012, Airport Security Department and Air- He noted that the Airport Security from the ICAO arrived in Qatar in Feb- ready to elect a pro-globalisation liberal to be detained there, South Korea’s when it received a score of 78.76%. port Passports Department, and the Department has been working, even ruary to carry out the audit. at a time when rightwing nationalists Yonhap news agency said yesterday. are making gains across the world. The US State Department said it was “It’s a victory for openness, social- aware of the reports, but there was no mindedness and an understanding off icial confirmation of the arrest, which of the modern economy that will re- would come at a tense time in relations store French competitiveness,” Macron between Pyongyang and Washington. supporter Marie-Helene Visconti, a Yonhap quoted sources as saying the Messi hits Barca 500 with last gasp winner 60-year-old artist, told AFP at his elec- man, identified only by his surname Kim, tion party. was arrested on Friday at Pyongyang AFP from time put Barca on course for victo- minutes in. Shortly after Messi was left Le Pen will follow in her father Jean- International Airport on his way out of Madrid ry before James Rodriguez came off the fl oored and bloodied after being caught Marie’s footsteps who made it through the country. Page 15 bench to level four minutes from time. by a stray elbow from Marcelo. to the second round in 2002. Page 19 However, fi ttingly, Messi had the fi nal The Argentine was still down by Ro- BRITAIN | Environment ionel Messi struck his 500th Bar- say with a brilliant fi nish deep into stop- naldo drilled another fi ne eff ort towards 40mn live in areas with celona goal with the last kick of page time to lift Barcelona’s hopes of a goal that Marc-Andre ter Stegen did well Lthe game to blow the La Liga title third straight La Liga title. to parry to safety. illegal pollution levels race wide open with a thrilling 3-2 win Fresh from dumping Bayern Mu- Unsurprisingly given both Madrid’s Almost two thirds of Britons are living in at Real Madrid yesterday. nich out the Champions League in a 4-2 potency and Barca’s inability to defend areas with illegal levels of air pollution, Messi had broken a three-year goal- thriller after extra-time in midweek, Ma- set-pieces, the opener arrived from a new analysis has revealed. Nearly 40mn less drought against Madrid to cancel drid had started confi dently in another Lionel Messi celebrates a goal. dead ball. citizens live in towns and cities where the out Casemiro’s opener for Madrid in the breathless encounter at the Bernabeu. Marcelo picked up the loose ball from levels of harmful nitrogen dioxide (NO2) fi rst-half. Cristiano Ronaldo had strong appeals Barca grew slowly into the game and a corner and when Sergio Ramos vol- are above legal limits set by the EU. The Ivan Rakitic’s stunning strike and a for a penalty waived away inside two had their fi rst big chance when Luis leyed his cross against the post, Casem- Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech new data reveals 59% of people in the red card for Madrid captain Sergio Ram- minutes after he appeared to have been Suarez dragged wide Jordi Alba’s fi ne iro was on hand to tap into an unguarded at the Parc des Expositions in Paris UK are living amid illegal pollution levels. os for chopping down Messi 13 minutes clipped by Samuel Umtiti. cut-back from the edge of the box 11 net. yesterday. Ex-PM calls for joint Gulf bodies to face economic challenges t is necessary to create joint insti- ty in the Arab world, noting the impact and the many revolutions of the Arab at creating tension and confl icts in the students a successful experience dur- tutions between the Gulf states of the issues that are happening in the Spring,” Qatar’s former Prime Minis- region. ing their academic journey by provid- Ito off er eff ective solutions to the Arab world on the security in the Gulf ter said “the reaction of the Gulf states “The Gulf citizens found a gap be- ing them with the opportunity to get economic challenges in the post-gas states. towards these issues was not eff ective tween their aspirations for unity and acquainted with national and interna- and oil phase, urged Qatar’s former He also highlighted the causes of enough to deal seriously with the latest integration and the social and politi- tional experts in various areas. prime minister and foreign minister HE the confl icts in the countries that wit- developments on the regional and in- cal reality. The region needs to create “QU is also committed to provide its Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al- nessed the Arab Spring, which resulted ternational arena.” It was in this regard, a comprehensive human development faculty members, researchers and stu- Thani. in the collapse of the previous systems he suggested it is necessary to cre- plan that prioritises social develop- dents with opportunities to get insight He was speaking yesterday on “The and the obstruction of political hori- ate joint institutions between the Gulf ment and the empowerment of its citi- into the experiences of policy and deci- States of the Gulf Co-operation Coun- zons, as well as numerous revolutions states to off er eff ective solutions to the zens to develop their lives in various sion makers, which is of the benefi t of cil: Regional Challenges and the Future and confl icts between yesterday’s allies economic challenges in the post-gas fi elds,” said HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jas- the university members.” of the Relations with Neighbouring on authority and power. He noted that and oil phase. sim who also spoke about the ongoing “Over the last four decades, QU has Countries” at Qatar University’s (QU) the lack of eff ective planning and co- HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim fur- issues in the region, touching on Iraq, provided to Qatar thousands of gradu- Distinguished Lecture Series. operation between the Arab states has ther stressed on the importance of es- Libya, Palestine, Syria and Yemen. ates, experts, intellectuals, scientists HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim high- led to this reality. tablishing a diplomatic, proactive and President Dr Hassan al-Derham said and leaders, who contribute to the lighted the correlation between the se- Describing “Iran as the biggest ben- HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor preventive joint policy between the that through its Distinguished Lecture country’s progress and growth in many curity in the Gulf states and the securi- efi ciary of the collapse of Iraq in 2003 al-Thani speaking at QU yesterday. Gulf states to face the policies aimed Series, QU is committed to off er its areas,” he added. Gulf Times 2 Monday, April 24, 2017 QATAR

HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser met at her off ice with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic. They discussed ways of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani receiving Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic at the Emiri Diwan co-operation between Qatar Foundation and Croatia in the fields of science, culture and humanitarian work. yesterday. PICTURE: AR Al-Baker / HHOPL Emir, Croatian president hold talks, witness signing of pacts

QNA cepting the invitation to visit ture and a Memorandum of Un- Doha Croatia. derstanding (MoU) between the He stressed that the Croatian Qatar Chamber and the Croatian president’s visit to Qatar is an Chamber of Economy. atar and Croatia signed important step that would con- The talks and signing cer- an agreement and a tribute to support and develop emony were attended by HH the Qmemorandum of under- co-operation between the two Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah standing following as session countries in various fi elds. bin Hamad al-Thani and Qatari of offi cial talks between HH the Talks also dealt with means Ministers. Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad of enhancing co-operation and On the Croatian side, they al-Thani and Croatian President friendship between the two were attended by the offi cial del- Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic at the countries, especially in the po- egation accompanying President Emiri Diwan yesterday. litical, economic, investment Kolinda. At the outset of the talks, the and environmental fi elds. Earlier on arrival at the Emiri Croatian President extended her They also reviewed a number Diwan, the Croatian president congratulations to HH the Emir of regional and international was accorded an offi cial recep- on the safe return of the Qatari issues and the two countries’ tion ceremony. nationals who were kidnapped stance on them. Later, the Emir hosted a in Iraq. On the occasion, the Croatian luncheon banquet in honour of The Croatian president President awarded HH the Emir the Croatian president and her praised the deep-rooted rela- the Grand Order of King Tomis- accompanying delegation. The tions between Qatar and Croatia, lav, the Sash and Great Star, the banquet was attended by several stressing her keenness to pro- highest state order of the Repub- ministers. mote and enhance them. lic of Croatia. Separately, Chairperson of President Kolinda extended an Following the session, the Qatar Foundation for Educa- HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic witness the signing of an agreement between invitation to HH the Emir to visit Emir and the Croatian presi- tion, Science and Community Qatar and Croatia at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. Croatia. dent witnessed the signing of an Development (QF) HH Sheikha HH the Emir welcomed the agreement on co-operation in Moza bint Nasser met received They discussed the scope number of scientifi c, cultural, awarded HH Sheikha Moza the which is the highest ranking Croatian president and the ac- the fi eld of environmental pro- Croatian President Kolinda for co-operation between Qa- and humanitarian fi elds. Grand Order of Queen Jelena order given by Croatia to non- companying delegation, ac- tection and conservation of na- Grabar-Kitarovic at her offi ce. tar Foundation and Croatia in a The Croatian President with Sash and Morning Star, heads of state.

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic holding off icial talks at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. HH the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani also attended the talks.

HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic at Qatar Foundation headquarters. PICTURE: AR Al-Baker / HHOPL

Invitation from Kazakh president

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday received a written message from Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev, inviting him to attend the first summit on science and technologies of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC), to be held in the capital Astana. The message was handed over by Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov, when HH the HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic review a guard of honour at the Emiri Diwan Emir met him and the accompanying delegation at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. yesterday. Gulf Times Monday, April 24, 2017 3 QATAR

Kazakhstan leader in Doha meetings Turkmenistan minister in Doha

HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani met yesterday with Kazakhstan’s Foreign Aff airs HE the Minister of State for Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah met HE the Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov and his accompanying delegation. yesterday with Turkmenistan’s Defence Minister Yaylim Berdiyev. Talks during the al-Thani met yesterday with Kazakhstan’s Foreign Aff airs Minister Kairat Talks during the meeting dealt with bilateral relations between the two meeting dealt with bilateral relations in the fields of military co-operation between Abdrakhmanov. During the meeting, they reviewed relations between the countries and aspects of joint co-operation, particularly in the economic, the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkmenistan and means of enhancing two countries and ways of strengthening them, in addition to a number of trade and investment sectors and means of enhancing them. Qatar and and promoting them. The meeting was attended by a number of off icers of Qatar issues of common interest. Kazakhstan are bound by a number of trade agreements. Armed Forces.

Awareness events planned to mark Immunisation Week Kidnap victims speak Qatar will mark World Immunisation Week from today to April 30, under of joy after release Health sector posts the theme ‘Vaccines Work’. On the occasion, the Ministry of Health is organising a number wo Qatari citizens who ginning again – my happiness of educational and awareness endured a 16-month hos- is indescribable,” Marzouki activities targeting diff erent Ttage ordeal in Iraq spoke told the local Arabic daily segments of the society, including yesterday of their joy at be- newspaper, Al-Sharq. educational and awareness ing released, in the fi rst public “My joy at returning to the over 70% growth events in shopping centres and comments since the group were homeland is a feeling that can- malls during the weekend. freed, AFP reports from Doha. not be described in words.” he health sector has rate of 6.5% – 14.5%, which is ics 22%, non-specialised clin- with a growth rate of 121% in The ministry will host tomorrow a Mohamed Marzouki was A fellow hostage, Khalid bin played a growing role in considered a high rate compared ics 17% and specialised clinics only fi ve years. three-day workshop on eff ective among 26 Qataris and two Dhafer al-Dosari, told the same Tthe development of the to other economic sectors. The (excluding dental ones) partici- However, the study point- vaccine management, in co- Saudis who were on a hunting newspaper that “all our aches country’s economy over the health sector participation at pated with 16% of the total add- ed out that the health sector operation with the World Health trip in a mainly Shia area of and pains disappeared once we past fi ve years, a recent study the real GDP rose from 1% point ed value for the private health needs more health services Organisation (WHO), Hamad southern Iraq when they were reached our homeland”. by the Ministry of Economy and to 1.3% points in 2015. sector in the country. due to the increasing number Medical Corporation (HMC), kidnapped in late 2015. After fl ying home on Friday, Commerce has shown. Regarding the private health Such growth was particularly of the population. It also pro- Primary Health Care Corporation, They fl ew back to Doha on the hunters were met at Doha’s The study indicated that sector, the MEC study said that driven by the increase in the vides the private sector with Sidra Medical and Research Friday following their release. International Airport by HH during 2011-2015, the health it has a distinguished partici- number of the facilities that of- good opportunities to supply Center along with a number of “When I saw the lights of the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin sector has seen a consider- pation in the national economy fer health services, which rose such services. health workers in the private Doha, I felt like life was be- Hamad al-Thani. able growth of added value, with a broad base of its sub-ac- by 78% in 2015 only. The private The overall income from the health sector. which increased from about tivities and the added value they health facilities that hire less health sector services grew Immunisation averts 2 to 3mn QR6.2bn in 2011 to around have, in addition to the active than 10 workers rose from 101 from QR1.4bn in 2011 to around deaths annually. However, Advisory Council panel holds session QR10.6bn in 2016, with a to- role of private hospitals. in 2011 to 171 in 2015, with more QR3.8bn in 2015, with an over- additional 1.5mn deaths could tal increase rate of 70.3% for In 2015, private hospitals par- than 70% growth. all growth rate of 169%. Most of be avoided if global vaccination Services and Public Utilities The committee resumed the whole period. ticipated with around 41% of the Similarly, the number of such growth was concentrated coverage improves. Committee at the Advisory studying a draft law on Besides, the sector saw a no- added value of the whole private health facilities employing 10 during 2014-2015, with the total World Immunisation Week aims to Council held a meeting yesterday domestic workers and decided ticeable growth at its real out- health sector, followed by private workers and above increased income increasing by 43% and promote the use of vaccines to protect at its 45th session under its to complete its study at a later come during 2012-2015 with a health centres, and dental clin- from 77 in 2011 to 170 in 2015, 56% consecutively. people of all ages against disease. rapporteur Saqr Fahd al-Muraikhi. meeting. Kite Festival begins at Aspire Park tomorrow

By Joey Aguilar Staff Reporter

atar residents and visitors will have the opportunity to wit- Qness some of the most beauti- ful and unique kites soaring through Doha’s skies for fi ve days from to- morrow at the fi rst International Kite Festival. The event, organised by Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF), will see more than 50 teams from 13 countries (Australia, Canada, Colombia, France, Indone- sia, Italy, Kuwait, Malaysia, New Zea- Hussain al-Qahtani and Ivan Bravo during a press conference yesterday. PICTURE: Nasar T K land, Singapore, the UK, the US and Vietnam) competing in what prom- action, according to organisers. Two business class round-trips ises to be “a colourful and beautiful Visitors will also have the oppor- tickets are at stake for the fi rst place, showcase” at Aspire Park. tunity to practise their own skills two economy tickets to any desti- Aspire Academy director general through a series of creative and skills- nation on Qatar Airways for second Ivan Bravo yesterday said that they based kite making and kite fl ying place, and Nikon cameras for the third want to celebrate the art of kite fl y- workshops. and fourth placers. ing through a unique combination of The festival, sponsored by Katara- A poster competition for children sporting competitions and fun-fi lled the Cultural Village, Qatar Airways, will also seek out the best illustration activities for the community. Ooredoo, Nikon and Kiddy Zone, will of a kite in the skies above Aspire Park He said the fi ve-day festival will feature arts and crafts, a wind gar- posted to @aspirezone on Instagram also bring together young students den and stilt walking entertainers, as for a chance to win giveaways from from various schools in Doha in a con- well as an array of food and beverage Kiddy Zone. test aimed at introducing them to the options. “Kite fl ying is not only a sport that sport of kite fl ying. In a statement, Mohamed al-Su- requires precision, agility and pa- The friendly inter-school competi- waidi, chief executive offi cer, AZF, said tience, it is a fun activity that is an tion will see teams of 10 vying for the they want to off er a one-of-a-kind ideal platform to bring people to- top awards, with the fi rst place getting event for everyone, encourage the com- gether from all nationalities, back- QR30,000, QR20,000 for the sec- munity to participate, and highlight grounds and cultures,” said Aspire Ka- ond place and QR10,000 for the third Qatar’s growing profi le as a destination tara Hospitality CEO and the event’s place. It will also feature a number of of choice for tourists and visitors. organising committee head. child-friendly activities throughout Creative competitions are also set to Safety and security measures will the week. encourage visitors to capture the spirit also be put in place at the festival, The festival will off er specta- of the festival in a photo contest, tag- according to AZF’s corporate com- tors a chance to witness some of ging #AspireKitePhoto for a chance to munications manager Hussain al- the best international kite fl yers in win prizes. Qahtani. Experts gather at GU-Q for Indian Ocean symposium International experts on the Indian and ethnographic research, with the The event will feature panel discussions Ocean World will be gathering at upcoming event bringing together on a range of topics, including the Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) GU-Q faculty and scholars from around linkages between India and Southern tomorrow for the institution’s fourth the world. The symposium will be Arabia, and the historical, political, and annual Indian Ocean symposium. held at GU-Q’s Education City campus cultural impact of Arabian societies on Convened under the theme ‘Towards a tomorrow from 8am to 5pm. key countries in Africa. Re-Mapping of Diasporic Circularities “Despite a long history of connectivity GU-Q Dean James Reardon-Anderson in the Indian Ocean World,’ the event between the countries bordering will also host a discussion with Dr aims to explore the connections in this the Indian Ocean, this vast region Sugata Bose, Gardiner Professor of vibrant region and initiate discussions has not received the same level of Oceanic History and Aff airs at Harvard about the overlapping African and scholarly attention as its counterpart University and author of A Hundred Indian diasporas. in the Atlantic Ocean,” said Dr Horizons: The Indian Ocean in the Age With the Indian Ocean connecting the Rogaia Abusharaf, a professor of of Global Empire. Red Sea to the African continent, the anthropology at GU-Q and organiser The event is free and open to Middle East, the Asian sub-continent, of the conference. “Through this event the public. More information is and the Far East, the region has a long and our continuing study of the Indian available on the website: https:// history of travel, trade, and exchange. Ocean World, we aim to increase the qatar.sfs.georgetown.edu/faculty/ GU-Q’s on-going study of the region global understanding of this diverse faculty-workshops/indian-ocean- is at the cutting edge of theoretical region and its people.” symposium Gulf Times 4 Monday, April 24, 2017 QATAR WCM-Q students visit Heart Hospital irst-year medical students at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar F(WCM-Q) visited the HMC Heart Hospital to perform cardiac examinations on patients. WCM-Q’s innovative new cur- riculum has been designed to give students opportunities to interact with real patients under careful su- pervision almost from the beginning of their training, in contrast with traditional programmes, which leave this to the later stages. A key element of providing early clinical experiences is WCM-Q’s strong collaborative relationship with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), where WCM-Q students take many of their clinical rotations, in which they spend time learning with experienced and gifted HMC physicians in many diff erent hospi- tal departments. This year’s cohort of fi rst-year WCM-Q students are the fi rst to experience the new curriculum, which was launched in September last year. The visit to Hamad Medi- cal Corporation’s Heart Hospital now forms part of the Health, Illness and Disease Course that WCM-Q students take in the second semester of the fi rst-year of the medical pro- gramme. Working closely with HMC is crucial for providing WCM-Q students with world-class training to enable them to become the next generation of doctors serving the community of Qatar and beyond. During the one-day visit, 38 stu- The visit of WCM-Q students to the Heart Hospital is part of the Health, Illness and Disease Course that they take in the dents worked in pairs to meet with second semester of the first-year of the medical programme. a patient, take their medical history and then perform a clinical cardiac Dr Liam Fernyhough, assistant es the amount of time the students boost in morale,” he said. examination. This entailed taking the professor of medicine at WCM-Q, have to develop core clinical skills WCM-Q off ers an integrated six- patients’ pulse, using the stethoscope accompanied the students to the and helps to make the material they year medical programme consisting to listen to their breathing and heart- hospital to guide the learning expe- have been learning in the class- of a two-year premedical curriculum beat, and then taking a blood pressure rience and supervise the examina- room relevant and memorable. and a four-year medical curriculum. measurement. They then wrote up tions. This not only makes for extremely Students who successfully complete their notes and presented the case to a “One of the key strengths of the effective learning experiences the programme are awarded a fully senior HMC cardiologist. new curriculum is that it maximis- but also gives the students a great US-accredited MD degree.

QA to start third daily direct fl ight to Bali

atar Airways has announced Doha to Flying direct to and from Bali Den- that it will operate, from May 7, a Bali Den- pasar, the Dreamliner has a two-cabin Qthird daily non-stop route from pasar off ers confi guration, comprising 22 seats in Hamad International Airport (HIA) to passengers Business Class and 232 in Economy with Bali Denpasar. from our a “high standard of comfort on board”, The new direct fl ight will operate with global net- including individual 10.5-inch television the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. work even Bali has long been a screens on all Economy Class seats and In a press statement, Qatar Airways greater ac- popular destination for a full complimentary food and beverage said Bali has long been a popular desti- cess to this Qatar Airways. service. nation for its passengers, with the airline popular The airline has stressed that the ad- off ering its fi rst direct service in 2014, leisure destination with smooth inter- ditional fl ight is “certain to be popular” later enhancing this to a twice daily fre- national transfers and a variety of times for those travelling from Qatar Airways’ quency. to suit their own schedules. extensive route network in Europe, the Prior to this, Qatar Airways served the “We are delighted to confi rm that the Middle East and the US, with connect- destination via a touchdown in Singa- Boeing 787 Dreamliner will operate the ing times to Bali reduced with “one pore, but the “expanding global reach third frequency on this route, off ering quick international transfer at HIA. of the airline and signifi cant growth in the very latest in design and comfort to The schedule of the new daily di- size of its fl eet” have enabled the airline passengers, complemented by our other rect fl ight (May 7 to October 28) is as to now off er three daily direct non-stop wide-body aircraft, the Boeing 777 and follows: QR964 departing Doha at fl ights, the statement notes. Airbus A330.” 5.45pm and arriving in Bali Denpasar Qatar Airways Group chief execu- The route is currently operated by Boe- at 8.10am (+1), and QR965 departing tive Akbar al-Baker said: “The start of ing 777 and Airbus A330 wide-body air- Bali Denpasar at 9.30am and arriving triple-daily non-stop services from craft on its existing double-daily off ering. in Doha at 2.05pm.

Ooredoo off ers Free ‘Endless Internet Pack’

oredoo has announced a new “Endless Internet Packs are Oore- at a reduced speed, at no additional promotion off ering all new doo’s latest data service for post- cost, until the user’s next month’s al- OShahry customers a free three- paid customers that come with new lowance begins and full-speed usage is month ‘Endless Internet Pack’ sub- ground-breaking features to allow renewed. scription. Ooredoo customers to enjoy never- The free ‘endless’ subscription pro- New subscribers who sign up to a ending Internet access, with no ad- motion, which is part of Ooredoo’s on- Shahry Smart 55 or 100 subscription ditional charges or surprise bills at going push for data experience leader- will enjoy the 250MB Endless Inter- the end of the month,” the statement ship in Qatar, runs until May 24. net Pack worth QR20/month for three noted. Customers can take advantage of the months, the company said in a press Subscribers enjoy a high-speed con- off er by visiting any Ooredoo shop and statement. Also, Shahry 150 and above nection as long as their selected data asking for the promotion. Users can subscriptions will enjoy a 6GB Endless allowance lasts. Once the allowance fi nd their nearest Ooredoo shop using Internet Pack worth QR70/month free of full-speed Internet is consumed, it the free Ooredoo App or searching on- for three months. will be followed by unlimited Internet line via ooredoo.qa

Terios, Gran Max models of 2012-2016 recalled

he Ministry of Econ- nate with the dealer to fol- omy and Commerce low up on the maintenance T(MEC), in collabo- and repair works and com- ration with Taleb Trading municate with customers Co, has announced the re- to ensure that the neces- call of Daihatsu Terios and sary repairs are carried out. Gran Max models of 2012- The MEC has urged all 2016 over a defect in the customers to report any fuel hose that could lead to violations to its Consumer a fuel leak. Protection and Anti-Com- The MEC said the recall mercial Fraud Department campaign comes within through the following the framework of its ongo- channels: Hotline: 16001, ing eff orts to protect con- e-mail: [email protected], sumers and ensure that car Twitter: @MEC_Qatar, In- dealers follow up on vehi- stagram: MEC_Qatar, MEC cle defects and repairs. mobile app for Android The MEC will co-ordi- and IOS: MEC_Qatar Gulf Times Monday, April 24, 2017 5 QATAR

Qatari contemporary artist Ebtisam al-Saff ar exchanges views with other artists and guests in Paris. Artist to celebrate success of fi rst Paris residency

atar Museums’ (QM) Fire Sta- any artist, and the Cité internationale tion has successfully com- des Arts is one of the biggest and most Qpleted its fi rst residency pro- important art residencies in the world, gramme in Paris, under the patronage with 325 residency studios, and with of its chairperson HE Sheikha Al Ma- artists in residence from over 55 coun- yassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani. tries,” Fire Station director Khalifa al- Hosted at Qatar’s Studio at the re- Obaidli said. nowned Cité internationale des Arts in “During her stay, al-Saff ar would the French capital, the programme is a interact with this talented pool of crea- recurring three-month residency open tive individuals, share a cultural dia- to all Qatari artists, and provides one logue, build bridges and be inspired,” artist at a time studio accommodation he added. space. Following her residency at the Cité The artist will have the chance to ex- internationale des Arts, al-Saff ar has perience an art residency in Paris, visit returned to Doha. To celebrate the museums, galleries and be immersed in success of the fi rst Paris residency, al- the art scene in the city. Saff ar will host a public talk at the Fire Qatari contemporary artist Ebtisam Station cinema at 6.30pm on May 8 to al-Saff ar was the fi rst artist to travel to share her journey and experience as a Paris for this unique programme. resident artist in Paris. Following her As a Qatari artist in Paris, al-Saff ar talk, an exhibition will showcase her could use her location to make the Works of the Qatari artist showcased artworks created during her time in most of being in the capital of arts and in Paris. Paris, and will be on show at the Fire culture, by visiting museums and cre- Station until May 22. ating a great network with artists from Members of the public were invited to The Paris residency programme has all over the world. meet her, exchange cultural and artis- received many applications from Qa- As part of the programme, al-Saff ar tic views and learn about her experi- tari artists for its upcoming residency. hosted an open studio at the Cité in- ence and latest projects. The name of the next artist that will ternationale des Arts from April 3 to 5. “Paris is a unique experience for take part will be announced soon. Gulf Times 6 Monday, April 24, 2017 QATAR Minister meets US official New interchange has Qatar’s highest bridge

he Umm Beshr Interchange, trial Road having the New Industrial connectivity from Al Wakrah and Al which is part of the new G- Area Road bridge above it, linking the Wukair to the northern areas. TRing Road project, includes the New Industrial Area with the Logis- z Umm Beshr Interchange: A highest bridge in Qatar at 36m, the tics Village. It provides an additional four-level interchange that includes Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has option to reach the Industrial Area bridges, underpasses and loops to said. and Logistics Village instead of the distribute traffi c movement. It en- Overall, G-Ring Road – which was currently available option from Salwa hances connectivity from Al Wakrah opened on Saturday by Ashghal - in- Road. and Al Wukair to Al Thumama and cludes eight main interchanges, com- z Bu Sella Interchange: A two-level the northern areas. It also provides HE Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Aff airs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi met here yesterday prising 29 bridges and 18 underpasses, interchange that comprises East In- alternative roads to reach HIA with- with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Arabian Gulf Aff airs in the Near East Bureau at the US Department of State as well as loops. dustrial Road and the West Industrial out passing through Al Wakrah Main Timothy Lenderking. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and means of enhancing them under the new The road is expected to ease pres- Road bridge. It connects the New In- Road, via a future road parallel to Al US administration. The meeting was attended by US ambassador to the State of Qatar Dana Shell Smith. HE Dr al-Nuaimi sure on Doha’s main roads and shorten dustrial Area and Logistics Village, Wakrah Road. The interchange also also met with a delegation from the Ninth Committee of the People’s Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia in charge of travel times to the areas it serves, the and provides an additional option to includes the highest bridge – 36m - in labour, population and health aff airs, headed by Jaji Shams Al-Bahri. The two sides discussed bilateral relations in the field authority has stressed in a statement. reach the Industrial Area and Logis- Qatar. of labour and ways to boost and develop them. It extends over 22km from Hamad tics Village. z Al Thumama Interchange (50): A International Airport to the Orbital z Abal Slel Interchange: A two-lev- two-level interchange that enhances Highway, and includes fi ve lanes in el interchange, with the East Indus- connectivity between Al Wakrah, Al each direction as well as 48km of pe- trial Road having the East Industrial Wukair, F-Ring Road, Al Thumama destrian and cycle lanes. Street bridge above it. It will enhance and the Old Airport. Ashghal has said the remaining connection between the Orbital High- z Airport Interchange (49): A two- works, which include parts of the way and Industrial Area, connecting level interchange that enhances con- Jassim and Hamad bin Jassim Charitable eight interchanges, are scheduled for it with HIA, Hamad Port and the Abu nectivity between Al Wakrah, Al Wu- completion by the end of July. The to- Samra border. kair, HIA, F-Ring Road, Airport Street, tal cost of the project is approximately zAl Hafeen Interchange: A two- E-Ring Road and the northern areas. Foundation opens training centre in India QR4bn. level interchange, with the East In- Ashghal said G-Ring Road provides The main interchanges are as fol- dustrial Road having the Al Aziziya additional transportation options and lows: Street Extension bridge above it. connects to the Orbital highway by QNA Speaking at the opening ceremony, Hamad bin Jassim Charitable Founda- z Al Bahya Interchange: A two-lev- z Jary Mosbeh Interchange: A two- creating a 50km direct road from HIA Doha Qatar’s ambassador to India, Moham- tion said the Industrial Training Center el interchange, with the East Indus- level interchange that will enhance to Dukhan Road via Salwa Road. med bin Khater al-Khater, said this dis- is specialised in training and qualifying tinguished educational edifi ce comes specialised technical and professional assim and Hamad bin Jassim Chari- within the framework of the distin- cadres. table Foundation has launched an guished and historical relations between The centre will prepare generations Jindustrial training centre in Dabul, the State of Qatar and India in diff erent capable of keeping abreast of recent de- Maharashtra province, India, at a cost of fi elds and would push the mutual coop- velopments, with solid knowledge and nearly QR3mn. eration to greater heights. a clear vision of using the latest techni- The centre, which was opened in the Bilateral relations between the State cal developments to pave the way for presence of the Foundation’s delegation of Qatar and India have witnessed great a promising future for them and their along with representatives of the Indian development at all levels as well as the families and to enhance their opportu- government and the local authority, social and cultural interaction between nities in the labour market, he said. aims to enable thousands of poor people the peoples of the two countries, he He pointed out that this region was to gain access to technical education op- added. In this context, the ambassador selected to establish this project because portunities in four main areas: welding, stressed Qatar’s keenness to perform there are a number of companies, major electricity, mechanics and diesel me- humanitarian work it in its national, re- factories, shipyards and energy compa- chanics. gional and global dimensions. nies. The project, which has been im- The State of Qatar has a leading role in The centre is scheduled to be opera- plemented for 3 years, serves the poor this fi eld, he said. tional in July, in cooperation with the In- craftsmen from the region with a capac- For his part, Saeed Muthkar al-Hajri, dian government and Kokan Sarfengan ity of 200 students per year. Board Member and CEO of Jassim and Foundation, he concluded.

Lagoona Mall Fashion Week

New roads likely to boost business

s connectivity improves between areas on the west- “Places such as Ain Khaled and Muaither, among many ern and eastern sides of Doha due to the opening of others, hold a lot of promise,” said another source. Alinks such as G-Ring Road and F-Ring Road, there Entrepreneurs expect congestion within city areas to re- is a lot of optimism that business will get a boost in such duce signifi cantly when G-Ring Road becomes completely localities. functional. The remaining works on the project are sched- In particular, businesses on the western side “stand to uled for completion by the end of July 2017, according to gain considerably in the coming years as more entrepre- Ashghal. neurs show interest in setting up ventures there”. Those travelling between Doha and the eastern parts of Lagoona Mall Fashion Week’s 4th edition started yesterday. The Spring/Summer 2017 collections will be presented over While the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) opened G- Industrial Area and New Industrial Area, as well as areas the seven-day fashion event taking place until April 29 at Doha’s premium shopping lifestyle destination featuring many Ring Road yesterday, including its fi ve lanes and parts of its beyond it, also stand to benefi t considerably as they can leading labels. PICTURE: Jayan Orma eight main interchanges, F-Ring Road has been operational save a lot of travel time. for quite some time. G-Ring Road, Ashghal has stressed, will ease pressure on Sources in the city’s retail sector said they looked forward Doha’s main roads and shorten travel times to the areas it to expanding their operations to more areas lying to the serves. west of Doha as the “market there seemed more conducive”. Along with retailers, real estate houses are also hop- “This is evident from the performance of retail businesses ing for an improvement in the occupancy of residential in some of the localities on the western side,” said the opera- complexes in the coming months in areas connected by tor of a hypermarket group with operations in the said area. the new road.

Qatari youth to take part in forum

QNA Doha

atar will take part in the sixth edition of the Arab- Euro Youth Forum which will be hosted tomorrow Qin Fez by Moroccan Ministry of Youth and Sports in partnership with Arab League and the Council of Eu- rope. Qatar represented by the Ministry of Culture and Sports will attend the event which will bring together youth delegations and offi cials from a number of Arab and European countries. The Forum will mobilise young people and youth or- ganisations from Arab and European regions to engage in dialogue and cooperation against violent extremism and hate speech. Talking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Director of Youth Aff airs at the Ministry of Culture and Sports Abdulrah- man al-Hajri highlighted the importance of the Forum in the interaction between Arab youth and their European counterparts, adding that it will contribute to a better un- derstanding of the changes sweeping the modern world, especially the issue of extremism and terrorism. e pointed out that there is a need for a constructive dialogue among diff erent cultures in a way that leads to growth and devel- opment rather than confl ict and competition. Al-Hajri said that the Department has chosen two Qa- tari young people to represent Qatar in this forum: Ahmed Hassan al-Obaidli and Mohammed al-Atbi. They will present Qatar’s experience in embracing youth and creating a cultural and intellectual environ- ment conducive to having youth capable of interacting positively with issues in his homeland and at regional and international level. The Arab-Euro Youth Forum has since 2008 become a bi-annual 4 day event inviting around 80 young Arab and European leaders, youth workers, repre- sentatives of youth associations and decision-makers. Gulf Times Monday, April 24, 2017 7 QATAR

Ezdan Real Estate launches ‘Ezdan EDC – My Book’ app

zdan Real Estate Company, a subsidiary grounds, gyms, swimming pools, mosques, of Ezdan Holding Group, has launched and supermarkets, as well as 24-hour main- Ethe ‘Ezdan EDC – My Book’, a smart tenance and security services. phone application that enables customers to “We seek to enhance communication enjoy free off ers in more than 300 commer- channels with our esteemed customers to cial outlets. ensure their comfort and convenience. The outlets include hotels, restaurants, “It is the fi rst-of-its-kind move for a real cafes, and fi tness centres, among others The estate company in Qatar, and it is an added app is available on the Apple Store or Google value to the other communication services Play. we provide such as Ezdan WhatsApp, Sakin The initiative aims to boost Ezdan Real centre in Doha and Wakrah, which provides Estate’s customer’s services by off ering 900 leasing and contracting services. ‘buy-one-get-one-free’ vouchers in a vari- “In addition, our social media pages and ety of products, including food and drinks, e-mail, and Ezdan Customer Service’s call beauty and spa, pleasure and leisure, services centere have attained record achievement in and retails, and health and fi tness. terms of interaction with customer requests A customer care team in Sakin centres in and inquiries. Doha and Al Wukair will assist new custom- “Ezdan Real Estate is preparing to launch Al Ahli Hospital and Qatar Society for Rehabilitation of Special Needs officials at the event. ers with the app. a range of other smart phone applications as Ezdan Real Estate acting general manager part of an integrated plan for the optimal use Omar Al Yafei said: “The app stems from of modern technologies within the frame- the close attention we pay to our custom- work of expanding ERE customers’ base, as ers’ needs to provide them with cutting- well as raising their level of satisfaction.” edge services and opportunities, which make Ezdan Real Estate Company has earlier Al Ahli Hospital ready to Ezdan Real Estate unique in its fi eld. initiated Ezdan Discount Card (EDC) pro- “The exceptional services we off er to our gramme, which allows Ezdan customers and customers refl ect our commitment to pro- tenants to enjoy discounts on a variety of viding modern lifestyle for the tenants of products from 100 destinations, including our residential compounds, which we are restaurants, hotels, shops, training services, set up audiology centre keen to equip with all necessary services and Haj and Umrah, healthcare, beauty centres, facilities, including but not limited to play- and insurance services, among others.

By Joseph Varghese According to the offi cial, about Staff Reporter 110 to 120 people receive treatment at the hospital monthly for audio- metric and other related services. l Ahli Hospital will establish “At present, we have several serv- an audiology centre, a top ices at the audiology department. Aoffi cial told Gulf Times yes- We have seven physicians at the terday on the sidelines of the Deaf department that includes four con- and Dumb International Week ac- sultants and three specialists,” he tivities. added. “The proposed audiology centre, Dr Hussain said that the exhibits which will provide full service to at the programme are prepared by the deaf and dumb, is scheduled to the members of the Qatar Rehabili- be operational in one to two years tation Society for Special Needs. from now,” explained Jamal S Ham- “This is a contribution of Al Ahli mad, deputy chief executive offi cer Hospital to the deaf and dumb. We and director of projects, Al Ahli hope to raise awareness about the Hospital. A girl explaining about an art work at the exhibition. need to encourage these people and In co-operation with Qatar So- provide them the treatment and ciety for Rehabilitation of Special Abdul Azim Abdul Wahab Hussain diology technologies available for services,” said Dr Hussain. Needs, Al Ahli Hospital opened a were present on the occasion. helping deaf people to regain their The programme includes an ex- week long activities to mark Deaf and According to Hammad, organ- hearing ability. We will also be hibition of audio vestibular medi- Dumb International Week. Senior ising such a programme is part of providing several services as well cine, hearing and balance aids as offi cials of both the organisations in- the social responsibility of the hos- as speech therapy for the deaf and well as an exhibition of art works cluding Al Ahli Hospital’s CEO Kha- pital. “Some of the doctors will be dumb people during the week-long by Qatari women who are deaf and An Ezdan property in Wakrah. lid al-Emadi, and medical director Dr delivering lectures on the latest au- programme,” he continued. dumb.

Qatar Charity intensifi es Yemen relief eff orts

atar Charity’s Relief Depart- “The situation in Yemen is extremely Qatar Charity’s Offi ce has succeeded ment director Mohamed al- diffi cult and it needs remarkably great in completing several relief and devel- QKaabi has said their organisa- eff orts. There are many areas that are opment projects and it is following up tion has plans to expand their relief on the edge of famine,” said al-Kaabi. various sponsorship off ers, despite ob- works to several territories aff ected by Abd District in the Hajjah Governo- stacles and diffi culties experienced in war and other situations like drought rate is one of those areas whose popu- Yemen. and famine. lation has been benefi ted considerably The projects have been divided into Al-Kaabi said this while speaking from the emergency relief project. seven main areas namely relief and about the projects taken up by the Qa- More than 2,500 food baskets were food, health, social and educational tar Charity to rehabilitate local people provided and each basket is is enough fi elds, income-generating projects, in some areas hit by famine in Yemen. for meeting the requirements of a fam- Quran memorisation and mosques, Al-Kaabi said the charity will con- ily for a full month. poor homes and water projects. tinue to support such projects and A packet consisted of 25 kilos of More than QR21mn were spent on focus more attention there in coming fl our, 10 kilos of sugar, 10 kilos of rice, supporting the requirements of over months. oil food, and one carton of milk and one 840,000 people. In co-ordination with the Sobol In- carton of beans, in addition to dates. Donations to the Yemen cam- stitute, Qatar Charity has carried out While thanking the Qatari and ex- paign can be made through Masraf Al relief works in the famine-aff ected ar- patriate societies for their support, al- Rayan Account No: IBAN/QA40MA- eas of Yemen. It included the distribu- Kaabi said the charity’s humanitarian FR000000000003111111001. tion of food baskets to 2,500 families in eff orts depicted the generous nature of Donations can also be made through Hajjah Governorate, which is suff ering the Qatar society. the qcharity.org website, the presi- from extreme poverty. Helping the people of Yemen with dent’s headquarters and branches Under the ongoing initiatives food is shelter, food, medicine and other basic within Qatar, or using collection out- being provided for over 18,000 people needs embodies Qatar’s institutions’ lets located in the malls. a month. As part of the ‘Emergency feeling of religious and moral duty to- Donations can also be made through Relief’ project in Yemen, Qatar Charity wards all those in need in the world. SMS. One may send 92632 to donate aims to support people of those areas More than 840,000 were benefi ted QR50, 92642 to donate QR100, 92428 hit heavily by famine, poverty, and ris- from similar projects undertaken by to donate QR500 and 92429 to donate ing food prices. Qatar Charity in 2016. QR1,000.

‘World’s fi rst and only’ airline mobile exhibition unit to debut at Dubai event

tihad Airways has announced unit and will ensure the Etihad stand is that it will debut its innovative a must-see for ATM delegates.” Emobile exhibition unit at this The mobile exhibition unit includes week’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in full-size mock-ups of The Residence, Dubai, providing delegates with a fi rst- the world’s only three-room cabin hand experience of its cabin products on a commercial airline, and the First and infl ight service. Apartment, both of which are cur- The 16m-long mobile exhibi- rently onboard the airline’s A380 fl eet, tion unit, weighing approximately 22 as well as the First Suite from Etihad’s tonnes and measuring 50sq m, trav- Boeing 787 aircraft, the airline has said elled to the UAE from Europe where it in a press statement. has clocked 60,000km in 18 months, Painted in Etihad’s ‘Facets of Abu having visited trade events and exhi- Dhabi’ corporate colours, the mobile bitions across Switzerland, Germany, exhibition unit also features the air- France, Italy, the UK, the Netherlands, line’s Business Studio and Economy Ireland, Belgium and Spain. SmartSeat. The UAE’s national airline will also Etihad’s stand will promote the air- host Halima Aden, the American fash- Etihad will display the mobile exhibition line’s campaigns to “connect the world ion model and icon, on its stand. unit at Arabian Travel Market. via Abu Dhabi” as well as several “win- Somalia-born Halima will take part ning partnerships” the airline has with in a live Q&A session in the theatre Her story made global headlines the fashion industry and annual Fash- section of the stand, where she will when Etihad fl ew her to Washington, ion Weeks, City Football Group, the discuss Etihad’s partnerships with the DC and she met her NHL heroes. Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi world of fashion. Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Grand Prix and Taste Festivals. Fatima al-Ali, the ice hockey-playing CEO, said: “The 2017 ATM will have There will be live cooking demon- Emirati, will also take part in a live Q&A an increased level of excitement for strations from Etihad chefs and a major session on the stand. Fatima shot to fame Etihad Airways as the event will see highlight is set to be the liquid nitrogen late last year when she was “discovered” the regional debut of our innovative ice-cream giveaway to delegates at the by NHL legend Petr Bondra who was in mobile exhibition unit. It is the world’s “ATM Cooldown”. The ATM 2017 runs Abu Dhabi for an ice hockey camp. fi rst and only airline mobile exhibition today until April 27.

Gulf Times 10 Monday, April 24, 2017 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Ambush on military Sisi in Saudi to boost ties convoy leaves 10 dead

AFP AFP Syrian border and have desert Riyadh Habbaniyah hideouts from which they harass federal forces. The army offi cer said the vic- gyptian President Abdel n ambush by the Islam- tims of the attack were members Fattah al-Sisi received a ic State group killed 10 of the border guard, Anbar police Eroyal welcome from King Amembers of the security and the army. Salman as he landed yesterday forces yesterday in western Iraq, “The Daesh members were in Saudi Arabia for a visit to where federal and other forces wearing military uniforms and boost ties after months of ten- recently ramped up an anti-mil- driving military vehicles. They sion. itant off ensive. set up a rogue checkpoint on the Salman, surrounded by key A local commander said the main road near Rutba,” a border Saudi offi cials, greeted Sisi as attackers were disguised as guard commander said. he stepped off the plane in the military and took advantage of a He said fi ve of the 10 killed in capital Riyadh and hosted him sandstorm to ambush a convoy the ambush were border guards. for lunch, the offi cial Saudi near the town of Rutba, a remote According to the mayor of Press Agency said. outpost on the road to Jordan. Rutba, Imad al-Dulaimi, the The two Arab leaders then “Daesh (IS) members armed ambush was carried out at had talks during which they with assault rifl es and rocket around 6:00pm (1500 GMT) in “reviewed the strong and launchers attacked civilian and an area just east of Rutba on the brotherly relations as well as military vehicles carrying sol- main road from the provincial co-operation between their two diers near Rutba,” an army lieu- capital Ramadi. countries” and regional issues, tenant colonel said. He added that three more the agency said. “They killed at least 10 and members of the security forces The Egyptian presidency an- wounded 20,” he said. were missing and feared kid- nounced the visit in a statement Other offi cials confi rmed the napped. Government forces have on Friday, saying Sisi’s trip was attack and the casualty toll. Rutba over the past six months focused in response to an invitation by lies about 390 kilometres west of their eff orts on retaking Mosul, Salman and aimed at “bolster- Baghdad in the vast province of the large northern city which ing strategic relations between Anbar and is the last sizeable town was the de facto Iraqi capital of the two countries.” before the border with Jordan. IS’ self-proclaimed “caliphate”. It said Salman and Sisi would Anbar is a sprawling desert But with the help of tribal discuss “regional and interna- province traversed by the fi ghters and forces from the US- tional issues of common inter- Euphrates and borders Syria, led coalition, they have simul- est”. “The struggle against ter- Jordan and Saudi Arabia. taneously pressed an off ensive rorism which threatens security It has long been an insurgent pushing out from Haditha, a city and stability” in the region and stronghold, and IS already con- in western Anbar which the mil- beyond would top their agenda, A handout picture provided by the Saudi Royal Palace yesterday shows Saudi Arabia’s King Salman meeting with Egyptian President trolled parts of it when it swept itants never took. it said. Sisi met Salman on the Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in the capital Riyadh. through Iraq in 2014 to take over According to Iraqi military sidelines of an Arab League around a third of the country. sources, new contingents of summit in Jordan last month. ant Aramco had resumed deliv- Aramco had halted agreed Earlier this month, an Egyp- was invalid.Cairo has said the Pro-government forces have US special forces were recently That encounter on March ering shipments of petroleum monthly deliveries of 700,000 tian court ruled that the deci- islands were Saudi territory since retaken most towns and fl own to the nearby Al-Asad air- 29 came days after Egypt an- products after abruptly sus- tonnes of petroleum products sion to block the transfer of Ti- which had been leased to Egypt cities in Anbar, but the militants base to support the latest push in nounced that Saudi energy gi- pending them in October. without explanation. ran and Sanafi r to Saudi Arabia in the 1950s. still control some areas near the western Anbar. Page 11

CONFLICT Syrian army, Solidarity with prisoners allies gain ground Drone strike kills fi ve against rebels The Syrian army and allied Al Qaeda suspects forces advanced against rebels in western Syria near Hama city yes- terday, building on recent strategic AFP said. Washington has sharply gains in the area, a military source Aden intensifi ed its air war against the and a monitoring group said. militants since President Don- Government forces captured ald Trump took offi ce in Janu- the town of Halfaya and nearby presumed US drone ary. The Pentagon said on April villages, they said, taking back strike in south Yemen 3 that it had carried out more territory that rebels seized last Ayesterday killed fi ve sus- than 70 strikes against militant year from forces loyal to President pected members of Al Qaeda targets in Yemen since Febru- Bashar al-Assad. and three civilians, a security ary 28. “We gained control of Halfaya and offi cial said. Before yesterday’s attack, two several hills in the area,” the Syrian Earlier, a local offi cial gave a strikes overnight on Tuesday military source said. “The army toll of three suspects killed in killed fi ve suspected members will of course continue its fight.” the strike in the Al-Said area of of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Pe- Boosted by Russian air strikes and Shabwa province. ninsula. Washington regards Iranian-backed militias, the Syrian The vehicle targeted was car- AQAP to be the most dangerous army has pushed into rebel areas rying fi ve suspected Al Qaeda branch of the extremist group. north of Hama, expanding its con- members, all of whom were Last month, US media re- trol this week along the western killed by a missile, the security ports said Trump’s administra- highway that links Damascus and offi cial said. tion had given new powers to Aleppo. Three civilians who went to the CIA to conduct drone strikes Palestinian demonstrators wave their national flag and Fatah party flags as Israeli security forces stand guard during a protest The Syrian Observatory for Hu- their aid were killed when a sec- against extremist targets in the in support of Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike in jails, near Beit El, north of the West Bank city of Ramallah, yesterday. man Rights, a Britain-based war ond missile struck, the offi cial Middle East. monitoring group, said the army began advancing into areas near Halfaya when rebels withdrew yesterday, following intense bat- tles and air strikes.

SUPPORT Iran to air live presidential debates after U-turn Kuwait court AFP outrage on social media. moud Ahmadinejad and re- backs govt over Tehran Moderate President Hassan formist candidates Mehdi Kar- petrol price hikes Rouhani and his conservative roubi and Mir Hossein Mousavi rivals Ebrahim Raisi and Mo- turned into heated exchanges Kuwait’s appeals court ruled ran will air live debates on hamed Bagher Ghalibaf all re- of accusations that many said yesterday that a government state television ahead of jected the ban. went too far for the regime. decision to raise petrol prices IMay’s presidential elec- Televised debates are a rela- Karroubi and Mousavi have was in line with the constitution, tion, the interior ministry said tively new feature of Iranian been under house arrest since overturning a decision by a lower yesterday, reversing a decision presidential elections and are 2011 for leading protests against court. It said the decision to raise to show recorded versions that believed to have infl uenced the the re-election of Ahmadinejad. prices was within the cabinet’s had triggered an outcry. results of votes in 2009 and Prior to the reversal, Interior powers. Ali al-Ali, one of several “After demands by the Irani- 2013. Minister Abdolreza Rahmani- lawyers who filed the suit against an nation and the candidates for The ban on live debates was Fazli, a member of the con- the government, said on Twitter a review (of the decision), the seen as an attempt to avoid em- servative-dominated commis- the group intends to challenge presidential elections campaign barrassing certain candidates sion, defended the ban on live the latest ruling in Kuwait’s su- commission decided... by exposing details about their debates, saying it would avoid preme court, whose decisions are that debates may be broad- actions in previous roles. “insults, accusations and (vio- final. Kuwait has been hit hard by cast live,” the ministry said in Ghalibaf lost momentum in lations of) public ethical codes”. a sharp drop in crude prices since a statement on offi cial news a 2013 election bid after his ri- All six candidates are set to June 2014. The Opec member re- agency IRNA. val Rouhani said the hardline take part in the fi rst debate on corded a budget shortfall of $15bn The U-turn came days af- former police chief had pro- Friday, the commission’s head in the fiscal year to March 2016. ter the commission, which sets posed allowing student protests told news agency Isna. It was the first deficit since the campaigning rules ahead of the in 1999 so security forces could The powerful Guardian fiscal year to March 1999. In re- May 19 poll, said the debates crush them. Council last week blocked Ah- sponse, the government adopted would not be broadcast live as In 2009, live debates between madinejad from standing for An Iranian man sits on a motorcycle between election posters of President Hassan Rouhani, who is running austerity measures. in previous elections, sparking conservative incumbent Mah- another term. for the presidential elections, in Tehran yesterday. NZ considering extra security on Mideast fl ights

Reuters authority “is assessing the evi- by the aviation authority. He ing banning larger electronics on them is a less than uniform way additional services. Emirates fl ies companies at the trade fair, Wel- Dubai dence to determine what is ap- declined to say when a decision fl ights from some Middle East of doing things,” Bridges said of to New Zealand cities Auckland lington announced yesterday. propriate,” Transport Minister could be made. countries but not Qatar and the the diff erent measures intro- and Christchurch, mostly via Bridges’ visit is one of several Simon Bridges told Reuters in an He did not say what measures UAE where it instead requested duced by the United States, Brit- Australia, although it operates a senior ministerial trips to the re- ew Zealand is consider- interview in Dubai. were being considered. additional security checks. ain and Australia, all close allies direct daily fl ight to Auckland. gion so far this year as New Zea- ing additional security Additional security measures On March 25, the United Australia’s additional checks of New Zealand. Qatar Airways only fl ies direct land pushes to conclude a free Nchecks on fl ights from would aff ect passengers fl ying States banned electronic de- on passengers and baggage apply Last week, Emirates said it to Auckland. trade agreement (FTA) with the Muslim-majority countries in from Dubai in the United Arab vices larger than a mobile phone to Qatar and the UAE as they are was cutting fl ights to the United Bridges, who is also minister six member Gulf Co-operation the Middle East, its transport Emirates and Doha, Qatar, where from passenger cabins of direct the only Middle East countries States after new restrictions for economic development, is in Council (GCC). “We are hope- minister said yesterday. carriers Emirates and Qatar Air- fl ights from eight countries in with which it has direct air links. weakened demand. Bridges said the UAE to formally announce ful over the next year or so we The new rules would follow ways, respectively, fl y direct to the Middle East, North Africa The additional security meas- he is scheduled to meet with New Zealand’s participation in will get somewhere with that,” similar measures introduced New Zealand. and Turkey, including Qatar and ures were made based on intelli- Emirates Chairman Sheikh the 2020 World Expo in Dubai. he said. last month by the United States, Bridges said a decision to add the UAE. gence suggesting fl ights could be Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum New Zealand has committed The UAE has said fi nalising Britain and Australia. new checks would be made in- Britain followed the same day targeted for attack. this week where he would make NZ$53.3mn ($37.5mn) to build the trade deal with New Zealand New Zealand’s civil aviation dependent of the government with similar measures, includ- “What we have seen from clear that New Zealand is open to its country’s pavilion to host its is a priority. Gulf Times Monday, April 24, 2017 11 ARAB WORLD German minister to press Israel for two-state solution

Reuters Gabriel will visit the Yad Vashem Holo- Palestinian issue, and in-fi ghting among Berlin caust memorial today and meet with Israeli Palestinians. That had short-term security Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Is- advantages, but the underlying situation was rael and Palestinian government offi cials, his growing worse and more negative, he said, eep and “unbreakable” ties between spokesman Martin Schaefer told reporters on adding, “That is a real threat for Israel in the Germany and Israel are part of Ger- Friday. longer term.” Dmany’s national identity and pillars of “We do not believe that the current situa- Merkel in March cancelled a summit with its foreign policy, but Berlin will continue to tion is sustainable,” Schaefer said. “We think Netanyahu that was due to occur in Jerusa- press for a two-state solution, Foreign Min- it’s necessary to make another attempt to re- lem in May, and said she was worried that ister Sigmar Gabriel said yesterday. vive talks and negotiations in the framework Israel’s building of settlements in the occu- “With respect to the Middle East confl ict, of the Middle East process.” pied West Bank was undermining progress our solidarity with Israel also means work- Lack of progress on the Israeli-Palestinian towards a two-state solution. ing to ensure that Israel and Palestine can confl ict poses a long-term threat to Israel, Peace talks between Israel and the Pales- live side by side in dignity and peace,” Gabriel Norbert Roettgen, head of Germany’s par- tinians have been frozen since 2014 and set- said in a statement released as he departed liamentary foreign aff airs committee, told tlements are one of the most heated issues. Displaced Iraqi men collect wires on a street as the battle between the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service for the region. broadcaster Deutschlandfunk yesterday. Palestinians want the West Bank and East and Islamic State militants continues nearby, in western Mosul, yesterday. “Only a two-state solution will be sustain- He said relations between the two coun- Jerusalem for their own state, along with the able,” he said. tries remained deep and important, but also Gaza Strip. Gabriel’s visit, his fi rst since becoming cited “grave diff erences of opinion”. Ceremonies took place across Germany foreign minister in January, comes as Ger- “All those who care deeply about Israel... over the weekend to mark Holocaust-related man concerns about Israeli settlement build- are sad, even depressed, about how en- events, including the liberation of the wom- ing have dragged ties to their lowest point in trenched everything is, and how much Israel en’s concentration centre in Ravensbrueck. Three Iraqi policemen years. is relying on its military-police superiority A new report issued on anti-Semitism German governments have made strong and is not developing any perspectives for worldwide by the European Jewish Congress relations with Israel a top priority ever since the situation,” he said. said many members of Jewish communities World War Two, going to great lengths to Roettgen said Israel was profi ting from in Germany still perceived anti-Semitism as make amends for the killing of 6mn Jews by tensions elsewhere in the region, which a major threat, despite a drop in such inci- killed in suicide attack the Nazis. had shifted the focus away from the Israeli- dents in offi cial statistics.

Morocco summons south of Mosul Algeria envoy over Syrian refugees Two soldiers, four others Reuters captain told Reuters. Three months after launching an of- Mosul policemen and three of the fensive on Mosul. Morocco has summoned assailants were killed in the Several camps for people Algeria’s ambassador to express attack, he said. displaced from Mosul are lo- concern after 54 Syrians arrested for anti-Arab attacks hree policemen were Police gave chase but the cated in a nearby town, Ham- attempted to “illegally enter” killed yesterday in a assailants managed to escape, mam al-Alil, which is also a the country from Algeria, the Tsuicide attack south of he said. centre of operations for inter- ministry of foreign aff airs said in AFP ern Quneitra province is used by the National Mosul, the northern Iraqi city Islamic State’s Amaq news national aid organisations. a statement yesterday. It said 54 Jerusalem Defence Forces (NDF), which command some where Islamic State is fighting agency said the attack was Islamic State is now be- Syrians attempted to enter Mo- 90,000 fi ghters across Syria. off a carried out by two members sieged in the northwestern rocco through the border town The NDF official said that two fighters were US-backed offensive, secu- who detonated their explosive part of Mosul, an area that in- of Figuig, an area surrounded by ix Israelis, including two soldiers, have been also wounded in the Israeli attack, but said it rity sources said. vests after running out of am- cludes the Old City. mountains, between April 17 and arrested for racist attacks against Arabs was unclear whether the damage was inflicted A group of about 10 assail- munition. Its Grand al-Nuri Mosque is 19. It accused Algeria of forcing Swith knives and other weapons and charged by an air strike or shelling. ants, including four suicide It is the first major attack where the group’s leader, Abu them to cross into Morocco. with “terrorist” off ences, authorities said yester- Another Syrian source inside the train- bombers, had tried to infil- targeting government forces Bakr al-Baghdadi, declared a “Algeria must assume politi- day. ing camp said that around 6:00am local time trate a Federal Police helicop- in this area since those forces “caliphate” over parts of Iraq cal responsibility and morality The suspects are accused of having used (0300 GMT), “security guards at the camp saw ter base in Al-Areej, a police took it back in February, four and Syria in mid-2014. concerning this situation,” the knives, clubs and bars to carry out at least fi ve what looked like three fireballs coming towards ministry statement on MAP state separate anti-Arab attacks and acts of vandalism the camp.” news agency said. “It is immoral against cars belonging to Arabs, police said in a “Then there were several consecutive blasts and unethical to manipulate statement. because of the explosion of ammunition ware- the moral and physical distress Police did not provide details on whether the houses” that firefighters worked hard to extin- of these people, (and) to sow attacks resulted in serious injuries or how many guish, the source said. trouble in the Morocco-Algerian people were targeted. The source also said that they were “Israeli border.” There was no immediate They were charged in the southern Israeli city rockets” but could not specify what kind of response from Algeria on state of Beersheba. missiles may have been used. news agency APS. According to police, they were infl uenced by The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights Some 5,000 Syrians have gone a video from the Jewish extreme right group Le- monitoring group said the attack had targeted through a migration regulatory hava, which opposes inter-marriage. a “weapons warehouse” in the camp. process in Morocco, with several Meanwhile, an Israeli attack on a Syrian train- Israel’s army declined to comment yesterday hundred receiving refugee status, ing camp near the Golan Heights killed three on the attack. On Friday, the Israeli army said according to Morocco’s ministry members of a pro-government militia, an offi cial it targeted positions inside Syria in retaliation of foreign aff airs. from the forces said. for mortar fire that hit the northern part of the Displaced Iraqi men wait to receive humanitarian aid as the battle between the Iraqi Counter Terrorism The Al-Fawwar camp in Syria’s southwest- Golan Heights. Service and Islamic State militants continues nearby, in western Mosul. Roll with it: Gazans create own limo from fi ve diff erent cars

AFP Gaza City

Gazan fi rm has found a way to add style to weddings in the APalestinian enclave despite being unable to import a limousine: make one with parts from fi ve cars. Wedding planner Salama al-Odi sought to import a limousine as part of the various off erings to young Gazans by the fi rm he heads, Farha, but said he was unable to. The Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli blockade for 10 years, with the entry and exit of goods and peo- ple tightly controlled by Israel. Its sole crossing with Egypt has also remained largely closed in re- cent years. Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, run by Hamas, have fought three wars since 2008. Israeli offi cials say the blockade is necessary to prevent the importa- tion of weapons and materials that could be used to make them, but UN offi cials have called for it to be lift- ed, citing deteriorating conditions in the enclave of 2mn people. With poverty widespread and un- A Palestinian mechanic works on his “Cinderella” vehicle at his workshop in Gaza City. employment at nearly 45%, Gazans have had to show creativity — and three months and $21,000 (19,500 Hand-painted designs adorn the delayed due to a lack of fi nancial re- Odi has responded to the challenge. euros)” to build the vehicle, whose sides of the vehicle. sources. For him, seeing the home- In his small mechanic shop, a interior with curtains was “com- Final touches are being put on the made vehicle roll through the streets group of men were busy taking parts pletely conceived in Gaza,” Odi said. “limo” and the fi rst bride and groom of the Gaza Strip will also be a mes- from fi ve diff erent cars and adding The result looks something like should be able to climb aboard as sage to Gazans to “not give in to the them to a white Mercedes. a cross between a car and a space- soon as today. restrictions” imposed by Israel. Some 30 people weighed in on ship, with a rounded roof extending Odi says he will off er it at an af- “You have to answer by inventing the design and drew up plans for the upward from what would have been fordable rate for young people in and embarking on an adventure,” improvised limousine. “It took us the original top. Gaza, where marriages have been he said. Gulf Times 12 Monday, April 24, 2017 AFRICA

Bomb kills 6 soldiers Conservationist hurt in Somalia’s Puntland Reuters Bosasso

military vehicle hit a roadside bomb yesterday in Soma- lia’s semi autonomous Puntland region, killing at least six Asoldiers and injuring another eight, a military offi cial told in Kenya gun attack Reuters. The Al Qaeda linked Islamist group Shebaab claimed respon- Reuters They say the men are trying to drive out sibility for the attack, which happened on the outskirts of the re- Nairobi voters who might oppose them and win gion’s port city of Bosasso. votes by promising supporters access to Shebaab is fi ghting to topple the Horn of Africa country’s west- private land. ern backed government and wants to rule the country according to unmen wounded Italian-born con- At least 14 civilians have been killed, its strict version of Shariah. servationist Kuki Gallmann at her including local resident Duncan Murimi, It also wants to drive out of Somalia Africa Union peace keeping Gconservation park yesterday in the who was shot in the stomach by militias force AMISOM that helps defend the country’s central govern- latest of a string of attacks during land inva- and who died three days ago on a neigh- ment. sions in drought-stricken northern Kenya. bouring property. Another Kenyan man Mohamed Ibrahim, a major in Puntland’s military, told Reuters The 73-year-old author of the memoir was killed a few days before him in the the vehicle, a pickup truck, was from Galgala hills, about 40km I Dreamed of Africa was shot in the stom- same area. southwest of Bosasso. ach after the vehicle she was driving in was Four police have also been killed in the “Our military pickup hit a roadside bomb today, six soldiers ambushed by a group of gunmen, a family last six weeks, Kenyan media has reported. died, eight others were injured,” Ibrahim said, adding two of the friend said. Police spokesmen did not return calls injured were in a serious condition. Gallmann, who was played by Kim Bas- seeking comment. Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, Shebaab’s military operations inger in the 2000 fi lm of the book, was Martin Evans, head of the Laikipia spokesman, told Reuters the group had carried out the attack and going to inspect fresh damage to her prop- Farmers’ Association, condemned the that some troops had died while others were injured. erty after invaders burned down a retreat attack on Gallmann and said “dozens of “We are behind the attack,” he said. there on Saturday. people have been killed or wounded and Shebaab once controlled much of Somalia but in 2011 it was A luxury hotel there had already been subjected to robbery and vandalism of driven out of the capital Mogadishu and has since lost most other burnt down last month. their property. Kuki is a world famous au- former strongholds. She was ambushed when she was forced thor and conservationist — but the LFA But its fi ghters remain a formidable threat and constantly carry to stop by a tree laid across the track, the urges sympathy for all.” out bombings against both military and civilian targets in Mogad- friend said. Raila Odinga, the country’s veteran op- ishu and elsewhere. The gunmen shot her, but Gallmann was position leader, also condemned the at- Offi cially called the Puntland State of Somalia, the region in saved when rangers from the Kenya Wild- Kuki Gallmann ... injured tack and said “we have watched in bewil- northeastern Somalia declared autonomy 1998. However it does life Service intervened and fought off the derment as hooligans take advantage of not seek independence. attackers. mother was able to speak, the friend said. A wave of violence has hit Kenya’s the drought to subject these ranchers to Gallmann was fi rst fl own to a hospital The Gallmann family own the 100,000 drought-stricken Laikipia region in re- unwarranted attacks...the government is in the nearby town of Nanyuki to be sta- acre Laikipia Nature Conservancy and cent months as armed cattle-herders clearly unable or unwilling to bring these bilised. employ 250 Kenyans on the luxury lodges, searching for scarce grazing land have attacks to a stop.” British military medics accompanied ranch, and other businesses on the land. driven tens of thousands of cattle onto Last month, Tristan Voorspuy, a British her on another helicopter to receive sur- They also run the Gallmann Africa Con- private farms and ranches from poor military veteran who ran a safari company Deputy backs graft probe gery at a hospital in Kenya’s capital, Nai- servancy and Gallmann Memorial Foun- quality communal land. in Kenya, was shot dead at a private ranch robi, the friend said. dation, conservation groups focusing on Many residents of the area accuse local in Laikipia. He had gone to the ranch to in- Her daughter — who herself was shot bringing people and wildlife together sus- politicians of inciting the violence ahead spect the remains of a friend’s home that into Zuma government at in an incident in March — said that her tainably. of the August elections. had been burnt down.

Reuters Johannesburg

South African in Modern life intruding on Ethiopia’s outh African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said yes- terday he wants allegations of infl uence-peddling in gov- Sernment investigated, lending his support to a probe called the dock over axing ancient salt trade practices for by the anti-graft watchdog but which President Jacob Zuma has so far ignored. Ramaphosa is considered a likely candidate for president when his own family AFP tional way of life could soon be lost. eign fi rms that want to mine potash the ruling African National Congress elects its new leaders lat- Lake Asale, Ethiopia “If it continues like this, it will stop and send it to Asia. er this year, but he has not formally announced his intention to AFP our work,” miner Musa Idris said as The presence of salt in the area stand. Cape Town he stood on the cracked earth that has not escaped the attention of The nation’s Public Protector in November called on Zuma to very morning, hundreds of fringes Lake Asale, where the min- mining companies. appoint a judicial commission of inquiry within 30 days to exam- men converge on a dry lake- ers work amid temperatures that can A handful of kilometres away ine alleged “state capture” in his government, but Zuma has not n a case that has gripped South Africa, the 22-year-old Ebed in a remote corner of reach 50 degrees Celsius, making it from where Idris and his colleagues yet appointed a commission, challenging the report in court in- scion of a wealthy family goes on trial today in Cape Town, Ethiopia, where they cleave the one of the world’s hottest places. gather, an Ethiopian company has stead. Iaccused of slaughtering his family in a frenzied axe attack. ground open with handaxes to ex- Salt mining was once so vital to built a plant that sucks water from “I support that there should be a judicial commission of in- The case has also made headlines internationally, as police tract salt, just as their fathers and the economy of the depression that the lake into evaporation ponds, quiry,” Ramaphosa said to loud applause at a memorial service for failed to arrest anyone for the grisly killings until Henri van grandfathers once did. the 7kg chunks of salt Idris and his creating salt the miners say is of a late freedom fi ghter Chris Hani. Breda handed himself in. They toil under the gaze of a car- colleagues hack from the ground better quality but costs more than “We need to put this (matter) to rest...If there is any wrongdo- Van Breda is alleged to have killed his brother Rudi and avan of camels who will carry their were used as currency. the square blocks they mine from ing, it must be exposed,” Ramaphosa said. parents Martin and Teresa and left his sister Marli struggling salt bricks to market, in a trek that While the trade is still impor- the lakebed. Zuma is facing renewed calls for him to step down after South with nightmarish injuries. historians estimate has gone on tant, it is no longer the only game in “The traditional way is quite dif- Africa’s credit rating was downgraded to sub-investment grade The events took place at the family’s luxury home at an ex- since the 6th century. town. Restaurants and hotels have ferent from ours. That one takes this month by S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings shortly after clusive golf estate in Stellenbosch outside Cape Town, where But with the Ethiopian govern- sprung up in the area, also known as more toil and time,” evaporation he sacked respected fi nance minister Pravin Gordhan. they lived after returning from several years in Australia. The ment opening the isolated northern the Danakil depression, to cater to plant manger Maheri Asgedew said Last year’s 355-page report by the watchdog focused on allega- family’s fortune is estimated at $16mn. Van Breda faces three region to investors and tourists by tourists who come from across the of the manual way of mining. tions that the brothers, Ajay, Atul and Rajesh Gupta — business- counts of murder and one of attempted murder. cutting new roads through sur- globe to visit the uniquely desolate Asgedew predicts that his plant, men of Indian origin — infl uenced the appointment of ministers. In the courtroom, prosecutors will probe what happened in rounding mountains, the labour- landscape formed by the intersec- which only recently went into op- It called for an investigation into whether Zuma, some of his the fateful early hours of January 27, 2015. According to media ers, traders and caravan drivers that tion of three tectonic plates. eration, would one day be the main cabinet members and some state companies acted improperly. reports, Rudi, a 21-year-old engineering student, was found make up the industry say their tradi- The region has also attracted for- supplier of salt in the area. Both Zuma and the Gupta family have denied any wrongdoing. on a blood-soaked bed next to his father, 54. Both were killed by savage blows from the axe. His mother, 55, was found with a gaping head wound on the bedroom’s balcony. Marli, 18, suff ered horrifi c brain, throat and neck injuries. Van Breda called the emergency services some hours af- ter the attack. In a leaked tape of the call, he said his family members were “bleeding from the head” before he appeared Nigeria cracks down on illicit refi neries to giggle briefl y. He himself had minor bruises and scratches, which experts say may have been self-infl icted. Van Breda reportedly told detectives that a stranger was re- AFP scrap yard, Fadairo says it actu- sponsible for the attack in the high-security residential com- Kana Rugbana, Nigeria ally is being rehabilitated, showing plex, while he hid in a bathroom. new silver pipes welded to a rusted Van Breda appeared in Western Cape High Court in Cape metal container. Town last month, when the state asked for more time to gath- igerian commander Remi On the ground between irides- er witness statements and prepare evidence. Fadairo points to the roil- cent oil puddles lay little sachets of Dressed in a suit, he appeared calm and expressionless Ning plume of black smoke gin, empty packets of instant noo- during the hearing. He has been on $8,000 bail awaiting the blotting the morning horizon in dles and cigarette butts left by the trial while living with his girlfriend. the Niger Delta — the unmistak- bush distillers. Marli van Breda was left in a coma after the attack and suf- able sign of an illicit oil refi nery. “We just destroyed all this but fered memory loss, but she may give evidence during the trial. “Let’s see if we can go eat them they are back,” says Fadairo. “They Van Breda handed himself in to a local police station 18 for breakfast,” he says with an om- are trying to revive it.” months after the attack, during which time the police had inous chuckle. The illicit refi neries are just one made no arrests. The 44-year-old colonel, a component of oil theft in Nigeria, a man with broad shoulders wear- mammoth industry estimated to be ing his fatigues tucked into gum- worth as much as $8bn a year, ac- boots, is standing in the middle of cording to a 2013 report by Chatham a destroyed illicit refi nery in Kana House, a London think-tank. Rugbana, an area in the swamp- “The principal security con- lands some 20 nautical miles from cerns are endemic corruption, Port Harcourt. which creates economic discon- Fadairo is part of the Joint Task tent, breakdown of the rule of law, Force Operation Delta Safe, a coa- which allows for criminality to be A Nigerian Navy trooper patrols an abandoned site of an illegal oil refinery in the Niger Delta region, near lition of Nigerian security forces normalised, and the funding of the city of Warri. tasked with protecting the coun- militancy,” said Ian Ralby, founder try’s oil and gas infrastructure. of the IR Consilium, a security ad- in the Niger Delta suff ering from As an olive-branch to the Niger from stolen oil could continue to Last year, militant attacks cut visory fi rm. extreme poverty. Delta, Osinbajo’s plan has been be used to fi nance election bids,” oil production to 1.4mn barrels per In the past month, Fadairo’s For militants like the Niger Delta welcomed by community leaders. explains Gillian Parker, a Nigerian day in August, triggering Nigeria’s troops have destroyed more than Avengers, who say crude is their Making it a reality is more com- analyst at the Control Risks con- worst economic slump in 25 years. 10 illicit refi neries, which proc- birthright, refi ning represents plicated. sultancy. Following talks with the govern- ess oil stolen from the pipelines of something bigger — a chance to Too many people, ranging from Until then, Nigerian forces will ment, the militants have suspend- multinational companies, includ- take back oil profi ts from corpo- the refi ners to militants to corrupt continue playing the cat-and- ed their sabotage. ing Shell and Eni, by heating it in rations and the Nigerian govern- offi cials, have got used to enjoying mouse game in the creeks. But Nigerian troops on the car-sized metal containers. ment. the untaxed spoils of the land. For Fadairo and his team by mid- ground say the battle isn’t over, it’s The waste is dumped into the Perhaps recognising that fi ght- Any disturbance to the delicate morning they have arrived in gun- just changed. surrounding swamplands, turning ing illicit refi neries is an exercise in balance in the region may result boats at the site of another illicit Today, the military says one of what should be a wetland paradise futility, as part of the government’s in violence and, in the worst-case refi nery. its priorities is to crack down on into a monochrome nightmare Niger Delta outreach program Vice scenario for cash-strapped Ni- Landing on a sandy shore gently the illicit refi neries that they claim dominated by the white skeletons President Yemi Osinbajo has pro- geria, further disruptions to oil lapped by oily waves, the troops fund the operations of the mili- of dead mangrove trees. posed legalising the “modular re- production. spot a group of men fl eeing from tants. These artisanal refi neries, as fi neries”. Going into presidential polls in the bush and disappearing into the “The two are interwoven, if they they are sometimes called, employ “There is a way out of violent 2019, analysts say the likelihood creeks in a speed boat. aren’t doing militancy, they are upwards of 50 men each, who work agitation, but it is by creating op- of more unrest is high, especially “Sometimes they can out- doing this,” Fadairo tells AFP as through the night to avoid detec- portunities and the environment once electioneering begins in ear- manoeuvre us,” says an offi cer, he wades through crude-soaked tion. where the people in the communi- nest. squinting his eyes as the men make muck. They off er a rare job opportunity ties can benefi t,” Osinbajo said in “Rival theft networks can lapse their getaway. “The water is very Despite the site looking like a to thousands of unemployed men early April. into turf wars and the proceeds wild.” Gulf Times Monday, April 24, 2017 13 AMERICA

CNN anchor alleges Music festival Ailes harassed her

Reuters over sexual harassment claims. New York His show, The O’Reilly Fac- tor, began losing advertisers in the wake of a New York Times elevision journalist Al- report that Fox News had paid isyn Camerota said yes- $13mn to fi ve women to settle Tterday she was a target harassment allegations against of sexual harassment by Roger him. Ailes when she worked at Fox The accusations have cost News, joining other former Fox News dearly in both repu- colleagues at the cable chan- tation and money. nel who have accused their O’Reilly is expected to get ex-boss of inappropriate be- a payout of up to $25mn fol- haviour. lowing his ouster, while Ailes Camerota, now co-host of received a package of approxi- CNN’s New Day, told that net- mately $40mn when he was work’s Brian Stelter in an inter- forced out as chief executive view that Ailes suggested they of Fox News in July. Both men might have to get to “know have denied any wrongdoing. each other better” at a hotel if “Mr Ailes never engaged in she wanted to succeed at Fox the inappropriate conversa- News. tions she now claims occurred, “I knew in my head at that and he vigorously denies this moment, I’m never going to fi ctional account of her inter- that hotel under any circum- actions with him and of Fox stances, but I didn’t know News editorial policy,” said what that meant for me or my Ailes’ lawyer, Susan Estrich, of career,” she said. “I remember Camerota’s allegations. thinking, ‘Is this it?’” In the Estrich also pointed out interview with Stelter, Cam- that Camerota thanked Ailes Revelers dance at the Old Settler’s Music Festival in Driftwood, Texas. erota expanded on comments in a 2014 statement when she she made last week on her left Fox News, saying she was own show, when she said she “honoured to have his mentor- had experienced “emotional ship and guidance now and in harassment” at Fox and the the future”. culture at the network made it Camerota, who worked at impossible to stop. Fox News for 16 years, told Stel- The fresh allegations came ter that Ailes frequently direct- just days after Fox’s parent ed inappropriate comments to company Twenty-First Cen- female employees about body tury Fox Inc severed ties with parts and made remarks such Trump uses Obamacare its biggest star, Bill O’Reilly, as, “Give me a spin”.

Lamar sells 603,000 in bid to get wall deal The president is attempting to stop making “poison pill” de- guidance, also some indication of Meet the Press. “The wall is, in country unlawfully is subject to copies of album to use Obamacare to force mands. what the rates will be.” my view, immoral, expensive, being deported.” the Democrats hand “The only fl y in the ointment is But he said basic elements of unwise.” “We don’t have the ability to that the president is being a lit- the plan remain undecided, in- Senator Richard Durbin, an Il- round up everybody, and there’s AFP branch in the Los Angeles area. Reuters tle heavy handed, and mixing in cluding whether to have defi cit- linois Democrat, called on Trump no plans to do that,” he added. Washington While it also has political Washington and asking for things such as the funded tax cuts that would not be to “back off ”. California’s attorney general, references, Lamar said in an wall,” Senate Democratic leader permanent: “You can either have “To think that he would con- Xavier Becerra, said confl icting interview aired Friday that he Charles Schumer said. a small tax cut that’s permanent, sider shutting down the gov- statements from the president endrick Lamar has did not want to focus too much S President Donald “We’d ask him to let us do our or a large tax cut that is short ernment of the United States of and attorney general left immi- pulled off the biggest US on President Donald Trump. Trump weighed in on work, not throw in some last- term.” America over this outlandish grant families and local law en- Kalbum debut this year “I wanted more self-evalu- Ucongressional eff orts to minute poison pills that could In a tweet on Saturday, Trump proposal of a border wall...that forcement offi cers confused and with Damn, an introspective ation and discipline because of avoid a government shutdown, undo it, and we could get this promised a “Big TAX REFORM would be the height of irrespon- afraid. work of hip-hop storytelling what’s going on now,” he told telling Democrats yesterday that done,” Schumer told reporters. AND TAX REDUCTION will be sibility,” he told CNN’s State of “It’s not clear what we can that features Rihanna and U2. Apple Music’s Beats 1 radio. Obamacare will die without a Trump wants the money in- announced next Wednesday”. the Union. trust and what statements we can Damn sold 603,000 copies “We’re not focusing on him,” cash infusion the White House cluded in spending legislation But legislative text on tax re- President Donald Trump believe in and that causes a great or the equivalent in stream- he said of Trump. “What’s go- has off ered in exchange for their that Congress must pass by Fri- form is not expected until June, and his attorney general have deal of not just anxiety, but con- ing and downloads in the week ing on now — we’re focusing on agreement to fund his border day to keep the federal govern- Mulvaney said. contradicted each other on im- fusion,” he told ABC. since its April 14 release, track- self.” wall. ment operating through Septem- Meanwhile, spending legisla- migration policy. Trump said on Friday that ing service Nielsen Music said Lamar’s track Alright from “Obamacare is in serious trou- ber 30, when the 2017 fi scal year tion will require Democratic sup- Attorney General Sessions Dreamers, immigrants who came late Saturday. To Pimp a Butterfl y became an ble. The Dems need big money to expires. port to clear the Senate, and the wants to deport children who are to the US as children and who Entering at number one on unoffi cial anthem of the Black keep it going — otherwise it dies Mulvaney and White House White House says it has off ered illegal while the president has were given special status un- the benchmark Billboard chart Lives Matter movement. far sooner than anyone would Chief of Staff Reince Priebus to include $7bn in Obamacare said they can “rest easy”. der the Obama administration, in sold more in a single week The rapper’s admirers in- have thought,” Trump said in a played down the danger of a subsidies to help low-income The Secretary of Homeland se- should “rest easy” and not fear than any other album so far clude then president Barack Twitter posting. shutdown. Americans pay for health insur- curity, John Kelly, when pressed deportation. this year. Obama, who invited Lamar to In a second tweet, he added: Mulvaney said talks between ance, if Democrats accept fund- on the opposing statements from The administration was “not It follows Lamar’s 2015 al- the White House. “The Democrats don’t want Republicans and Democrats ing for the wall. Trump and immigration hardlin- after the Dreamers, we are after bum To Pimp a Butterfl y, which Lamar topped the More Life money from budget going to bor- could produce an agreement as Formally known as the Af- er Jeff Sessions regarding the fate the criminals”, Trump said. has quickly been hailed as a collection by Drake — the To- der wall despite the fact that it early as Sunday. fordable Care Act, Obamacare is of undocumented immigrants On Wednesday, Sessions sug- hip-hop classic with its inno- ronto rapper known more for will stop drugs and very bad MS If talks fail, the government president Barack Obama’s sig- brought to the US as children, gested the opposite, saying: vative infusion of jazz and its crowd-pulling dance tracks than 13 gang members.” would shut down on Saturday, nature domestic policy achieve- said the president’s views would “Everybody in the country il- lyricism that explored the state social commentary — which had MS-13 is a criminal gang with Trump’s 100th day in offi ce. ment, which Republicans are prevail. legally is subject to being de- of black America. earlier held the crown for biggest members of Central American “I’m pretty confi dent we’re trying to repeal and replace. Asked if so-called Dreamers ported, so people come here and While Damn has similarly US album release of 2017. origin. going to get something that’s Democrats showed no sign of were subject to being deported, they stay here a few years and won wide praise, it brings a But Damn remains well be- The president’s tweets ap- satisfactory to the president in softening their opposition to wall Kelly told CNN’s State of the Un- somehow they think they are not more classic rap style, even low Drake’s last full-fl edged peared after White House budget regard to border security within funding yesterday and sought ion: “I’d certainly go with what subject to being deported — well, with a pop-oriented collabora- album Views, which sold more director Mick Mulvaney accused the current negotiations,” Prie- to place responsibility for any the president says.” they are.” He repeated that posi- tion with Rihanna and a guitar than 1mn copies in its fi rst Democrats of “holding hostage bus said on NBC’s Meet the Press. shutdown squarely on Trump Sessions, however, was still tion on Sunday. rock fusion with U2. week after its release a year ago. national security” by opposing The White House is expected and Republicans who control the not willing to agree that Dream- In February Juan Manuel Mon- It is a highly personal work The comparative sales fi g- $1.5bn to help build a wall along to address another Trump cam- House of Representatives and the ers could “rest easy”, as President tes, a Dreamer who had thought and culminates with a track ures are sure to be scrutinised the US-Mexico border, one of paign promise this week with a Senate. Trump told reporters on Friday. he was protected under Obama’s in which Lamar recalls his fa- as Lamar and Drake have made Trump’s top campaign pledges. Wednesday announcement on tax “The Democrats do not sup- “Well, we’ll see,” Sessions said Deferred Action for Childhood ther being shot while working a series of critical, if indirect, But Trump’s online salvo was reform that Mulvaney said would port the wall,” House Democratic on ABC’s This Week. “I believe Arrival (Daca) programme, was at a Kentucky Fried Chicken comments about each other. met by Democratic calls for him off er “governing principles, some leader Nancy Pelosi told NBC’s that everyone who enters the deported, sparking an outcry. March for Science draws big crowds, clever signs

Reuters san issues, from abortion rights tries in signing the pact. Trump’s Washington to immigration policy. proposed 2018 budget calls for The White House did not re- deep spending cuts by govern- spond to a request for comment ment science agencies, including ens of thousands of people on Saturday’s marches, but Trump a 31% reduction for the Environ- turned out in cities across released a statement on his ap- mental Protection Agency. Tthe United States and be- proach to environmental issues. The scientifi c community’s yond on Saturday for Earth Day “My administration is reducing direct involvement in a national events billed as a “celebration of unnecessary burdens on Ameri- policy debate has stirred some science” to counter what organ- can workers and American com- criticism about whether scientists isers say is a growing disregard panies, while being mindful that should get involved in politics. for evidence-based knowledge in our actions must also protect the But organisers have defended Washington. environment,” Trump said. the march as crucial because of In hundreds of ‘March for Sci- “Rigorous science is critical the threat posed by discredit- ence’ events from Boston to to my administration’s eff orts to ing scientifi c consensus and re- Sydney, Australia, engineers, re- achieve the twin goals of econom- stricting research. searchers and teachers took a break ic growth and environmental pro- “As scientists, as human be- from the lab to apply their ingenu- tection,” said the president, who ings, our mandate is clear — it’s to ity to colourful protest placards. Trump supporters shout “Science kills monkeys” at marchers as they advance toward Town Hall during the March for Science in Los Angeles. passed dozens of protesters as his stand up for what we know to be Demonstrators carried signs Right: Activists during the March for Science in Washington. motorcade made its way to Walter true,” said Kellan Baker, a senior like “There Is No Planet B”, “No Reed National Military Medical fellow at Johns Hopkins School One Is Above Peer Review”, “Re- istration’s scepticism about cli- ministration that we care about In Los Angeles, at least 12,000 Many carried signs embla- Center outside Washington. of Public Health and one of the venge of the Nerds” and “Make mate change and the need to slow facts,” said Chris Taylor, 24, who people joined the March for Sci- zoned with slogans such as In the past, Trump has said speakers on the National Mall. Science Great Again”, a play on US global warming. was part of an early crowd of ence, police said. Some demon- “Pruitt Plus Trump Equals Bad climate change was a hoax that That theme was echoed by President Donald Trump’s cam- The marches put a new twist about 15,000 who gathered on strators walked in lab coats while Chemistry”, a reference to Scott was stifl ing policies to foster eco- many who showed up in Wash- paign promise to Make America on the traditional Earth Day ac- Washington’s Mall for teach-ins others shaded themselves under Pruitt, the new head of the En- nomic growth. ington for teach-ins, which or- Great Again’. Other signs featured tivities, the aim of which was to on topics like climate change, wa- umbrellas and signs as tempera- vironmental Protection Agency, His administration is con- ganisers said were a centrepiece mathematical formulas in a dis- reaffi rm “the vital role science ter quality and sustainable food. tures neared 32C. who has questioned the scientifi c sidering withdrawing from the of the initial Earth Day held in play of geek humour. plays in our democracy,” accord- “It just seems like they’re not A fervent but good-natured consensus on global warming. Paris Agreement, a global accord 1970 to call attention to the en- While the events were non- ing to the march’s website. really concerned about economic anti-Trump tone was evident March for Science is the latest aimed at reducing global emis- vironment. partisan according to organisers, Festivities at one of the largest growth or creating new tech- on San Francisco’s waterfront, in a series of national demon- sions of carbon dioxide and other “Science isn’t respected and it many marchers were in eff ect events on Washington’s National nologies, just catering to massive where thousands gathered near strations staged since Trump’s greenhouse gases. needs to be,” said Sarah Binkow, protesting Trump’s proposal to Mall included scientifi c “teach- corporations,” said Taylor, who is The Exploratorium science mu- inauguration nearly 100 days ago. Last year the United States, 22, a civil engineer who trav- sharply cut federal science and ins” and musical performances. earning a PhD in robotics at George seum ahead of a march to city Previous marches and protests under president Barack Obama, elled from Michigan to attend the research budgets and his admin- “It’s important to show this ad- Mason University in Virginia. hall. have focused on a range of parti- joined more than 190 other coun- Washington rally. Gulf Times 14 Monday, April 24, 2017 AMERICA Obama Scare at consulate re-emerges in city where it all began

Reuters another important sign of the Chicago former president’s strong links to Chicago. “He’s going to be more vis- ormer US president ible moving forward,” he said. Barack Obama today “I think this is clearly a com- Fmakes his fi rst major ing-out.” appearance since leaving of- Reverend Michael Pfl eger, fi ce, having chosen Chicago, a social justice activist who the city where his political ca- heads a large South Side Ro- reer started, to emerge from a man Catholic church, said a three-month hiatus from the prominent Obama presence public eye. could help the nation’s third- Obama will meet youth lead- largest city confront some of ers and promote community the thorny problems it faces. organising near the same South Chief among them is a spike Side neighbourhoods where in gun violence, an issue that his own activism blossomed Trump has highlighted as a and propelled him to two terms sign of lawlessness and the in the White House that ended failure of the Democratic poli- with Donald Trump’s inaugu- ticians who have long run Chi- ration on January 20. cago. Chicago Mayor Rahm “It’s his life, and he’s not in Emanuel, who served as elected offi ce right now, so he Obama’s fi rst White House can do what he wants,” Pfl eger People evacuate the Consulate General of France after New York police identified a suspicious vehicle parked outside the entrance in Manhattan, New York. chief of staff , said that he was said.”But I’d love to see him proud that Obama picked Chi- engage in his home of Chicago. cago to make his last speech as He could make a huge diff er- president and the fi rst in his ence.” post-presidency. Civil Rights activist Jesse “I think it refl ects his emo- Jackson said Obama could tional, as well as his intellectu- use his powerful platform to al, commitment to this city and address stark inequalities in seeing this city as his home,” he Chicago schools, housing and said. employment, and to advocate Obama’s continued connec- for reinvestment in blighted Delays dog projects in tion to Chicago is important to neighbourhoods. the city, which has global as- Today’s event takes place on pirations as well as a palpable the South Side campus of the insecurity about its place in the University of Chicago, where world. Obama once taught constitu- During the last year of tional law. Obama’s second term, Chicago It is intended “to encour- infrastructure plan laid claim to its share of his age and support the next gen- legacy by beating out Hawaii eration of leaders driven by The infrastructure plan faces bled by Ohio developer Dan Slane, who “A signifi cant part of the president’s in- purposes. Poseidon had planned to desali- and New York as the site of his strengthening communities”, bureaucratic hurdles assisted with the transition, including frastructure plan will focus on streamlin- nate that wastewater, and changed its de- presidential library. Obama, according to a statement. everything from inland waterways to ports ing regulating and permitting so that it is sign to instead take in water directly from who still owns a home in Chi- Since leaving offi ce, Obama Reuters to a new FBI headquarters. easier for all viable projects to move for- the ocean instead. cago, was raised in Hawaii. has kept a relatively low pub- New York While details on Trump’s plans are ward in a timely manner. In 2013, Poseidon shelved the permit The former president and lic profi le, taking vacations scant, a senior administration offi cial said These reforms might not be driven by application after the state’s coastal com- his wife Michelle are expected in Palm Springs, California they’re looking for ways to shorten the the hurdles facing a single project, but mission directed the company to look into to move from Washington to and the British Virgin Islands, S President Donald Trump reas- lengthy permitting process. rather will create more certainty in the concerns about the eff ects of the operation New York once their younger where he indulged in the sport sured manufacturers gathered in “The current system has just lost its process overall,” a White House spokes- on fi sh larva in the area. daughter, Sasha, graduates of kite-boarding while vaca- Uthe White House Roosevelt room way,” he said. Nine projects have garnered person told Reuters. The application was resubmitted in from high school. tioning with British billionaire on March 31 that a massive infrastructure the support of both Slane and the NABTU, The delays that have beset a desalina- 2015, and then withdrawn yet again in David Axelrod, a former top Sir Richard Branson. programme was coming soon. “We’re go- appearing on both lists; of those, seven tion plant proposed by Poseidon Water, a September 2016, because the commis- political adviser to Obama, Together with his wife, who ing to make it happen” this year, he said, have yet to start construction, and one developer of water-related infrastructure, sion wanted proof the plans complied with said the decision to house grew up on Chicago’s South according to Drew Greenblatt, the presi- has only done preliminary construction, in Huntington Beach, California illustrate new, 2015-passed rules from the State Wa- the library in Chicago should Side, the former president dent of Marlin Steel in Baltimore, who was highlighting how hard it is to launch in- how clashing interests and regulations can ter Board on desalination plants. have eased any concerns that recently struck a two-book, present.” That was actually the fi rst thing frastructure projects as quickly as Trump hold up projects. That compelled Poseidon to redesign its residents may have had $65mn memoir deal. that he talked about behind closed doors wants to do. Poseidon fi rst proposed the idea of a the plant’s seawater intake and discharge about the former Democratic He is expected to travel to with us,” Greenblatt added. “The shovel ready moniker that they put plant to turn salt water into drinking wa- technologies. president’s commitment to Berlin to meet with German But putting a trillion-dollar infrastruc- on projects, it’s just rarely applicable,” said ter for Orange County in the late 1990s The project still needs three more ap- the city. Chancellor Angela Merkel next ture program to work could be easier said Bill Miller, president and chief executive of and started permitting in the early 2000s, provals, from the State Lands Com- But today’s event, he said, is month. than done, as some of the projects sug- two companies that overlap the two lists. said Scott Maloni, a vice president at Po- mission, the Santa Ana Regional Water gested to the administration underscore. The Power Company of Wyoming LLC is seidon and the Huntington Beach project Quality Control Board and the California Project lists submitted by the North building the Chokecherry and Sierra Ma- manager. Coastal Commission. America’s Building Trades Unions and by dre Wind Energy Project, and TransWest The city of Huntington Beach originally Poseidon says they’re confi dent they’ll an outside developer who helped with the Express LLC is developing the TransWest approved the project in February 2006. secure the last approvals soon. transition both contain projects that in- Express Transmission Project, crossing But Poseidon still needed to secure 24 But even then, construction might not Hillary makes frastructure builders call “shovel ready”. Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and Nevada. permits from state agencies, such as ap- start until the second quarter of 2018, But, for a range of reasons, shovel ready The Chokecherry and Sierra Madre proval from the Santa Ana Regional Wa- Maloni said. does not always mean ready for shovels to wind project, which is being built in part ter Quality Control Board for the plant’s And the objections from environmen- appearance break ground. on federal land, took eight years and “tens national pollutant discharge elimination talists haven’t stopped. That means any eff ort to jump-start of millions of dollars” before it could re- system, which is required by the Environ- The plant is “far from a done deal,” said projects, put people to work and inject cently start construction. The TransWest mental Protection Agency. Mandy Sackett, the California policy co- at fi lm panel economic stimulus could drag on Trump’s Express transmission project is still wait- After the city issued the necessary lo- ordinator for the Surfrider Foundation. promise for a 10-year, $1tn infrastructure ing for several statel permits, Miller said. cal approvals in 2006, project builder Po- The foundation argues that the plant is project. “To be shovel ready is incredibly expen- seidon was able to apply to the California unnecessary, expensive and energy-inten- Reuters are killed by poachers every After North America’s Building Trades sive and time consuming,” Miller added. Coastal Commission. sive, putting marine life at risk. New York year in Africa. Unions (NABTU) president Sean Mc- The administration says it wants to get That application was amended several Sackett said the foundation will con- In addition to endangering Garvey met with Trump on January 23, the ground broken fast. times over the years as the project evolved. tinue to fi ght the project. vulnerable elephant popula- group submitted a total of 26 bridge, pipe- But some of that just might be out of For example, the plant had to alter its “There’s still several opportunities for illary Clinton, who un- tions, traffi cking also provides line and water projects. the president’s hands, such as state-level design after the state began phasing out public input and important regulatory re- til recently had avoided fi nancial support to extremist A second list of 51 projects was assem- “permitting”. power plants that use seawater for cooling view that is yet to be completed,” she said. Hthe spotlight in the militant groups, Clinton said. wake of her election defeat in “When we were looking at November, made a surprise ap- this, we thought there were pearance at New York’s Tribeca three overriding goals: stop the Film Festival on Saturday as a killing, stop the traffi cking and panellist to discuss illegal el- stop the demand,” she said. ephant poaching. While China is the world’s Filmmakers see hope 25yrs after LA riots The discussion followed biggest market for illegal ivory, the premiere of Academy the United States ranks No 2, Award-winning director Ka- Clinton said, requiring Ameri- AFP The not-guilty verdict for use classes caught up in the violence. co-produced for the A&E channel rather than the situation worsen- thryn Bigelow’s virtual reality cans to take a leading role in Los Angeles of excessive force was a break- If a suspect resisted, “you beat with Boyz n the Hood director John ing. Indeed, Ridley acknowledges documentary The Protectors: fi ghting elephant poaching. ing point in relations between the him”, retired detective Robert Sim- Singleton, and Showtime’s Burn that there have been “positive Walk in the Rangers’ Shoes. The Clinton also mentioned the city’s African American commu- pach tells Ridley, remembering the ***** Burn, both of which recently changes” in the LAPD since the eight-minute fi lm allows view- March for Science, which took ate in the afternoon of April nities and the Los Angeles Police interrogation techniques used by had their premieres. riots. ers to experience what it is like place in Washington and other 29, 1992, the looting be- Department, opening fi ssures the LAPD in the early 1990s. On the narrative front, Kings, But these fi lms serve as a re- to work as a park ranger trying cities around the world ear- Lgan in south Los Angeles, which for many have never healed. “If he doesn’t do what you told a romance starring Daniel Craig minder that, a quarter century to save elephants in the Demo- lier on Saturday. The Earth Day quickly escalating as motorists As LA was ripped apart by him, then incapacitate him by and Halle Berry which is due for after the riots, relations between cratic Republic of the Congo. event was in eff ect a protest were dragged from their cars and crowds who looted businesses, breaking a bone or a joint,” he adds. release later in the year, is set law enforcement offi cers and “We’ve got to bust this mar- against what critics say has vehicles set alight. destroyed hundreds of buildings, Simpach, who was present as amid the civil unrest while Gook, ethnic minorities, the militarisa- ket,” Clinton said of the global been the Trump administra- In the downtown area a few causing around $1bn damage, King was beaten but was not one by Justin Chon, focuses on ten- tion of police and the use of force ivory trade. tion’s disregard for evidence- miles away, an angry crowd be- and attacked one another, King of the four offi cers involved, says sions between African Ameri- remain hugely divisive issues The unexpected public ap- based knowledge and research. gan to build at the city police made a personal plea for peace. his colleagues’ behaviour was cans and Korean traders. across the United States. pearance on Earth Day was one “Here it is, Earth Day, and we headquarters and, as day turned “People, I just want to say, you “100% LAPD policy”. After several lawsuits, King L A Burning ends on images of several Clinton has made are marching on behalf of sci- to night, protesters attacked uni- know, can we all get along? Can Ridley shows the violence as ended up with $3.8mn in damages of the 2014-2015 Ferguson ri- recently, following a period of ence,” Clinton said to applause formed offi cers and blocked traffi c. we get along?” he asked on the the almost inevitable culmina- from the Los Angeles authorities. ots which followed the death of silence after the former Demo- in the theatre. The fuse had been lit by the third day of rioting. tion of a decade of heightening But he was dogged by depres- Michael Brown, an unarmed black cratic presidential candidate In early April, Clinton grant- acquittal earlier in the day of four A documentary, Let It Fall, racial tensions, gang wars, drug sion and nightmares, and in 2012 teenager killed by white police- lost the November election to ed her fi rst interview since her white police offi cers fi lmed beat- which opened theatrically in Los crime and police brutality. was found dead in a swimming men, and unrest in Baltimore after President Donald Trump. defeat by Trump, breaking her ing black motorist Rodney King Angeles and New York on Friday, “With a white man, their at- pool after taking a cocktail of al- the 2015 death in police custody of Clinton said she fi rst be- silence at the Women in the with wooden batons. is among a number of fi lms timed titude is enforcing the law. With cohol and drugs. He was 47. 25-year-old Freddie Gray. gan focusing on the “horrifi c World Summit in New York. For six days, America’s second to mark the 25th anniversary of a black man, it’s about control: “Twenty-fi ve years ago foot- “There are still issues. They’re slaughter” of elephants when In front of a live audi- city was engulfed in fi reball of the riots. ‘Put your hands on the steer- age like the Rodney King beating complicated, they’re beyond she was secretary of state and ence, she voiced support for rage in front of the world’s news Written and directed by John ing wheel, don’t move until I tell was very rare. Now unfortunately race,” Ridley told AFP. later helped launch an anti- US bombing raids on Syrian cameras as decades of pent-up Ridley, who won an Oscar for you,’” retired fi reman Donald people see these incidents hap- “You look at Baltimore. You poaching initiative at her fam- airfi elds and said Russian in- anger exploded into some of the his screenplay of 12 Years a Slave Jones says in the two-hour fi lm, pen with regularity,” says Ridley. see people of colour represented ily’s nonprofi t Clinton Global terference in the presidential worst riots in US history. (2013), it off ers fi rst-hand testi- due to air on ABC on April 28. One of the main reasons is the in uniform and still people being Initiative. election was a theft more dam- More than 50 people died and mony from black, white, Asian, Other documentaries looking at ubiquity of cellphones with video victimised. These are compli- More than 30,000 elephants aging than Watergate. 2,000 were wounded. and Hispanic Angelinos of all the LA riots include L A Burning, cameras, which didn’t exist then, cated issues.” Gulf Times Monday, April 24, 2017 15 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA

Morning stretch! 12-yr-old stopped on epic car drive

AFP Sydney

12-year-old boy trying to drive from coast-to-coast through the vast Australian outback was stopped Aby traffi c police more than a thousand kilometres into the epic road trip, authorities said yesterday. The child was picked up by local police in the mining city of Broken Hill, around a 14-hour drive from his start- ing point in the village of Kendall in the east of Australia. He had been planning to travel some 4,000km to Perth in the country’s far west, but was caught out by a broken bumper, which was dragging across the ground, according to a statement from New South Wales state police. “Checks revealed the driver to be a 12-year-old boy (who) was travelling from Kendall NSW on his way to Perth,” it said, adding that the boy had been arrested. Police are conducting further inquiries and no further details were available, a spokeswoman told AFP. The journey from Kendall to Perth by car would be a gruelling more than 40-hour undertaking, traversing the entire country across some of the world’s harshest deserts, including the Nullarbor Plain where little more than native animals and small shrubs survive in the sweltering heat. People practice Taichi on a suspension bridge during an event at a tourist spot in Beijing yesterday. Australia’s offi cial tourism site advises visitors to take six days just to cross the Nullarbor, on a highway famous for its unbending trajectory through the barren scrubland. It also advises drivers to “carry extra petrol and plenty of water and food”.

Ancient bamboo slips for math calculations enter records book

set of bamboo slips dating back more than 2,300 N Korea threatens to years were offi cially recognised yesterday by the AGuinness World Records as the world’s earliest decimal calculation tool. “The signifi cance is that it’s decimal, not duodecimal as seen in other countries. Decimal did not appear in Europe until the 15th century,” Xinhua news agency quoted head of the Research and Conservation Centre for Excavated Texts of Beijing-based Tsinghua University Li Xueqin as hit US aircraft carrier saying. The 21 slips, crafted around 305 BC during the Warring Reuters Australia, New Zealand hit back in war of words nuclear tests, two of them last year, Japan’s navy, which is mostly a States period, are each 43.5cm long and 1.2cm wide. Seoul and is working to develop nuclear- destroyer fl eet, is the second larg- When arranged together as a multiplication table, the Australia and New Zealand regime but “you would assume tipped missiles that can reach the est in Asia after China’s. slips can perform multiplication and division of any two yesterday stiff ened their rhetoric that underneath him there is a very United States. The two Japanese warships, the whole numbers under 100 and numbers containing the orth Korea said yesterday against North Korea after big machinery of people who have It has also carried out a series of Samidare and Ashigara, left west- fraction 0.5. it was ready to sink a US the isolated state threatened equally evil intent”. ballistic missile tests in defi ance of ern Japan on Friday to join the Carl The slips have inscribed numbers and holes, where Naircraft carrier to demon- Canberra with a nuclear strike, “It’s North Korea that is sending United Nations sanctions. Vinson and will “practice a vari- threads used to go. strate its military might, as two urging it to think twice before the missiles into the Sea of North Korea’s growing nuclear ety of tactics” with the US strike A user would pull the threads corresponding to numbers Japanese navy ships joined a US “blindly and zealously toeing the Japan and making the various and missile threat is perhaps the group, the Japan Maritime Self needed to be calculated in order to see the result. carrier group for exercises in the US line”. outrageous threats including the most serious security challenge Defence Force said in a statement. The owner of the slips remains unknown, according to western Pacifi c. “If Australia persists in following threats overnight to Australia,” confronting Trump. The Japanese force did not spec- Li. US President Donald Trump or- the US’ moves to isolate and he added. He has vowed to prevent the ify where the exercises were taking “Our guess is that the tool might be used in trade, or dered the USS Carl Vinson carrier stifle North Korea...this will be Australia’s Bishop added that North from being able to hit the place, but by Sunday the destroy- measurement of land in the kingdom of Chu.” strike group to sail to waters off a suicidal act,” a North Korean the North Korean government United States with a nuclear mis- ers could have reached an area In July 2008, Tsinghua acquired a rare collection of the Korean peninsula in response foreign ministry spokesman said “should invest in the welfare sile and has said all options are 2,500km south of Japan, which 2,500 bamboo slip items from the late Warring States pe- to rising tension over the North’s after Australian Foreign Minister of its long-suff ering citizens, on the table, including a military would be east of the Philippines. riod, which had been smuggled out of China, including the nuclear and missile tests, and its Julie Bishop called the hermit rather than weapons of mass strike. From there, it could take three multiplication table. threats to attack the United States state a “serious threat”. destruction”. North Korea says its nuclear days to reach waters off the Korean and its Asian allies. The spokesman, speaking to the Australia’s Prime Minister programme is for self-defence and peninsula. The United States has not speci- North Korea’s off icial KCNA news Malcolm Turnbull also urged has warned the United States of a Japan’s ships would Over 2,800 companies breaking fi ed where the carrier strike group agency, warned Bishop to “think China to use its leverage over the nuclear attack in response to any accompany the Carl Vinson is as it approaches the area. twice about the consequences”. hermit state, describing the North aggression. north at least into the East China air pollution rules in China US Vice President Mike Pence Australia’s close ally New Zealand Korean regime as “reckless and It has also threatened to lay Sea, a source with knowledge of said on Saturday it would arrive has since accused North Korea of dangerous”. waste to South Korea and Japan. the plan said. hina’s environmental authority has found over “within days” but gave no other having “evil intent”. He added that Australia and the US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis US and South Korean offi cials 2,800 companies in violation of standards during details. Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee US were “absolutely united” in said on Friday North Korea’s re- have been saying for weeks that Cthe fi rst round of air pollution inspection. North Korea remained defi ant. told Television New Zealand people their determination to achieve a cent statements were provocative the North could soon stage an- Inspection teams in 28 cities in the Beijing-Tianjin- “Our revolutionary forces are knew little about Kim Jong-un’s nuclear-free Korean peninsula. but had proven to be hollow in the other nuclear test, something the Hebei region and nearby areas found 2,808 of the 4,077 combat-ready to sink a US nucle- past and should not be trusted. United States, China and others companies breaking the rules, Xinhua news agency cited ar-powered aircraft carrier with a “We’ve all come to hear their have warned against. the Environmental Protection Ministry as saying. single strike,” the Rodong Sinmun, Wang Yi said there were already North Korea for a month teaching words repeatedly; their word has South Korea has put its forces on Problems included unlicensed production, ineffi cient the newspaper of the North’s rul- enough shows of force and con- accounting at the Pyongyang Uni- not proven honest,” Mattis told a heightened alert. dust prevention and lack or malfunction of pollution ing Workers’ Party, said in a com- frontation at present and appealed versity of Science and Technology news conference in Tel Aviv, before China, North Korea’s sole major treatment facilities, a statement said. mentary. for calm. (PUST), the institution’s chancel- the latest threat to the aircraft car- ally, opposes Pyongyang’s weap- Inspectors also found that some enterprises which had The paper likened the aircraft “We need to issue peaceful and lor Chan-Mo Park told Reuters. rier. ons programmes and has appealed been closed for violations illegally resumed production carrier to a “gross animal” and rational sounds,” Wang said, ac- He was arrested at Pyongyang Japan’s show of naval force re- for calm. and some reported fake monitoring data. said a strike on it would be “an ac- cording to a statement issued by International Airport on his way fl ects growing concern that North The United States has called on Some companies refused the inspection or prevented tual example to show our military’s China’s Foreign Ministry. out of the country. Korea could strike it with nuclear China to do more to help defuse inspectors from carrying out their duties. force”. Adding to the tensions, North North Korea will tomorrow or chemical warheads. the tension. The statement said the fi rst round of inspection ended The commentary was carried on Korea detained a Korean-Amer- mark the 85th anniversary of the Some Japanese ruling party law- Last Thursday, Trump praised on April 20 and the second round had already started. page three of the newspaper, after a ican man in his fi fties on Friday, foundation of its Korean People’s makers are urging Prime Minister Chinese eff orts to rein in “the There will be a total of 25 rounds this year. two-page feature about leader Kim bringing the total number of US Army. It has in the past marked Shinzo Abe to acquire strike weap- menace of North Korea”, after The share of days with good air quality in Beijing-Tian- Jong-un inspecting a pig farm. citizens held by Pyongyang to important anniversaries with tests ons that could hit North Korean North Korean state media warned jin-Hebei rose by 14.6 percentage points from a year ear- Speaking during a visit to three. of its weapons. missile forces before any imminent the United States of a “super- lier to 66.3% in March, even though the share declined in Greece, Chinese Foreign Minister The man, Tony Kim, had been in North Korea has conducted fi ve attack. mighty pre-emptive strike”. the fi rst quarter, MEP data showed.

Down Under nibble! Thai royal agencies brought under formal control of the new king

Reuters Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, for Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose reign Bangkok comment. The military govern- spanned seven decades and was ment declined to comment. The punctuated by political turbu- palace does not comment as a lence. hailand’s parliament has matter of policy. Thailand is a constitutional agreed in a confi dential The organisations to be trans- monarchy, but King Bhumibol Tsession to transfer control ferred are the Royal Aide de Camp wielded great infl uence. of royal agencies from the gov- Department, The Offi ce of His His son has shown himself to ernment to new King Maha Vaji- Majesty’s Principal Private Sec- be increasingly assertive with the ralongkorn, members of the mil- retary, the Bureau of the Royal generals who wrested power from itary-appointed legislature have Household, the Royal Guard Com- an elected civilian government in said. mand and the Royal Court Security a 2014 coup. The decision came last week in Police, the assembly member said. In January, he ordered sections a sitting that was not broadcast in “The transferring of these of the country’s draft constitution public, they said. agencies to be under the mon- to be rewritten — something that It is another step in giving arch’s direct supervision is an- hadn’t been done by a monarch greater say to the king, who has other sign of an increasingly ab- in decades, and which Thailand’s been reshaping the palace and solutist monarch, following the parliament voted overwhelmingly shown himself increasingly asser- pattern of the new constitution, to approve. tive on other fronts. which similarly was amended to He has also been reshaping the “It involves the transfer of legally enshrine more royal as- palace. agencies that work for the mon- sertiveness,” said Paul Chambers, More than 20 notices relating arch so that they are grouped to- a lecturer at Naresuan University to ninety-six palace staff were gether and report to the king,” said in the northern Thai province of published on the Royal Gazette one parliament member, who de- Phitsanulok. website on March 13, notifying clined to be identifi ed. “In addition, placing security the public of position changes and The agencies had previously agencies under the sovereign’s dismissals — some offi cials who been under the prime minister and direct control allows him to place had served for decades were fi red defence ministry, he said. those he trusts the most in charge for being “lazy” or “arrogant”. Other members of the National of protecting him.” King Vajiralongkorn is widely US Vice President Mike Pence looks at a kangaroo called Penny with his wife Karen and their daughters Audrey and Charlotte Legislative Assembly confi rmed King Vajiralongkorn inherited expected to be crowned at the end during a visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney yesterday. the decision, but Reuters could the throne last year following the of the year following his father’s not immediately reach its head, death of his revered father, King cremation in October. Gulf Times 16 Monday, April 24, 2017 BRITAIN

INVESTIGATION VERDICT PROPOSAL PEOPLE CRIME Acid attack suspect Drug baron who made Boss plans new ‘journey’ Couple whose baby Sack of salt dropped is arrested £2mn told to repay £1 for British Museum died suff er theft blow from M4 bridge on to van

Police have arrested key suspect Arthur Collins A pensioner who made more than £2mn British Museum boss Hartwig Fischer wants to A couple whose baby had recently died have A bag of rock salt has been dropped through the over the east London nightclub acid attack that smuggling drugs into the UK has been told to pay rearrange the institution’s vast collection and suff ered the twin blow of having treasured windscreen of a moving van from a motorway left two revellers partially blinded and others back just £1 because he is now penniless. Terry provide visitors with “a journey” around the world. mementoes stolen. A blue, grey and black-striped bridge. It was being driven by a 40-year-old disfigured. Collins, 25, was arrested at an address Pooley, 72, is serving a 16-year jail sentence after The German-born director is developing a master blanket the baby had been wrapped in, a red toy man between junctions 5 and 6 on the M4, near in Rushden, Northamptonshire, on suspicion of police smashed an organised crime ring which was plan to change how its permanent collection is dinosaur and a blue baby mirror were in their Langley, Berkshire, on Tuesday when the 5kg attempted murder. Police sought Collins after a shipping cocaine, heroin and cannabis into Britain exhibited. He told The Times: “We want to give black Ford Fiesta that was stolen in Dartford on sack was hurled down. A group of teenagers noxious substance was sprayed inside the Mangle in lorries. Inner London crown court heard that them that idea of what humankind shares despite Wednesday, police said. All the possessions were was seen on the footbridge before one of them club in Dalston on April. Another man was charged Pooley benefited by £2,162,425 from the smuggling all the diff erences. “A walk around the museum alongside a blue Stokke iZi Go BeSafe car seat. pushed the sack over the railing. Police said on Saturday in relation to the same incident. Andre operation. But prosecutor Philip Stott conceded should be like a journey, you should be able to Sergeant Becky Jones of Kent Police said: “This the “reckless” act smashed the windscreen and Phoenix faces seven counts of grievous bodily that because he had been made bankrupt, the cross the border very easily into another culture has caused a great deal of upset and distress for the driver had been fortunate to escape injury. harm, according to the Metropolitan police. He will most he could be ordered to pay back was a £1. and understand that they inspired each other.” the whole family.” A Maxi-Cosi car seat and a blue Police constable Callum Brown, from Thames appear at Thames magistrates court today. Around Judge Owen Davies QC said: “The realisable assets The plan includes reuniting some of the Egyptian buggy were also in the vehicle, which was stolen Valley Police, described the behaviour of the 20 clubbers suff ered burns after being doused with are £1 — and just in case you come into money in sculptures with the mummies and setting up new from Mead Road. The buggy had a distinctive youths as “stupid”, and said it could have had the substance on Monday the future the sum can be increased.” galleries for Australia and America. leather-coloured handle grip, police said. “extremely serious consequences”.

‘Cheap eats’ Children of EU couple win residency after earlier refusal

Guardian News and Media Obiols was also upset that the London Home Offi ce did not alert her to an issue during the entire six months it took to process her application. wo children who were But it acted immediately when born in London to an EU the Guardian story appeared. Tcouple have been told Within eight days the children re- they can stay in the country af- ceived their cards. ter all. The news comes a week Schreuder said: “The Home after they were told by the Home Offi ce were very polite and apol- Offi ce that their application for ogetic. They called here fi rst to permanent residency cards was get Monica, and I told them she refused. wasn’t here. They said they would Offi cials performed a swift U- call her on her mobile. Then they turn on their botched decision phoned back to tell me that every- after a Guardian report on April 13 thing would be OK because they on the childrens’ plight went viral. thought I would be alarmed, they Monica Obiols and her hus- acted like normal human beings,.” band, Jan-Dinant Schreuder, told Their experience is the latest of how they came home from work many reported by the Guardian il- on Friday to fi nd two permanent lustrating how the referendum is residency cards for the children in causing emotional havoc for fami- the post. “It was brilliant coming lies across the country. home to this, it is a weight off our EU citizens and their children Masterchef winner Ping Coombes is launching a “cheap eats” lunchtime tasting menu to showcase the best dishes of south-east Asia. The chef, who won the BBC cooking shoulders,” said Schreuder. are legally entitled to live in Brit- competition in 2014, is now executive chef at the pan-Asian restaurant Chi Kitchen in Oxford Street, which opened 18 months ago. Offi cials acted immediately af- ain under EU law and under no ter Spanish-born Obiols told of obligation to apply for permanent her devastation that she had been residency cards, which were de- granted a permanent residency signed for non-EU residents who card but her application for her come to Britain under entirely dif- 15-year-old son and 12-year-old ferent, and stricter, immigration daughter had been refused. laws. Last week the president of Schreuder, a 49-year-old the European parliament, Antonio school teacher, has lived in Lon- Tajani, urged Theresa May to seal don since he was three, while an early deal on guaranteeing EU Obiols, also 49 and a special needs citizens’ rights post-Brexit. Labour backs Trident teacher, has lived in the capital all However, this does not address her adult life. the anxiety being experienced by But they found themselves in EU citizens who have no chance of a “bureaucratic nightmare” after obtaining proof of residency be- Britain’s decision to exit the EU. cause there is no ID system in the Like many other EU citizens, UK for either nationals or non- Schreuder and Obiols said they nationals. after Corbyn dithers panicked after the referendum Campaigners say the stress of and decided that a permanent applying for permanent residen- Guardian News and Media renew Trident has been taken and the Andrew Marr Show, Corbyn, “The issue has to be that Donnell, appeared to refuse to residency card was the only way of cy could be removed at a stroke London Labour supports that. We also who has been a longstanding we want a secure and peaceful rule out backing a referendum on providing proof of legal residence by the government if it created a want Britain to do much more to campaigner against nuclear pro- world,” Corbyn said. “You achieve the fi nal Brexit deal. But the party to a future employer or other of- simple bespoke system for the es- pursue a proactive, multilateral liferation, said he did not believe that by promoting peace and also later issued a statement saying a fi cial if no deal was done for EU timated 3mn EU citizens who are abour has moved hastily disarmament strategy.” it necessarily made the UK safer. promoting security. Security second referendum would not be citizens on day Britain offi cially already settled in the UK. Some to shut down speculation It came three hours after the “I want us to achieve a nu- comes from that process.” in the manifesto. leaves the bloc. have suggested a short form could Lthat it could withdraw party’s leader had appeared to clear-free world, to adhere to It was the second time since Some Labour MPs who are She said she was shocked when be processed by local councils in support for Britain’s nuclear cast doubt on a future Labour the nuclear non-proliferation Theresa May announced the snap facing a threat from the Liberal she received notifi cation that her place of the current 85-page one. deterrent, after Jeremy Corbyn government’s support for the nu- treaty and take part in negotia- general election last week that Democrats in heavily pro-remain application was successful but “I am happy it’s all over and we appeared to leave open the idea clear deterrent system, and sug- tions surrounding that,” he said, Labour has had to clarify state- seats would have liked to see a that the children’s were refused, don’t have to reapply,” said Obiols. that renewing Trident could be gested he would think twice about stressing an immediate need ments made by the leader. second referendum in the mani- on the grounds that not enough “I just hope it’s going to be like this left out of the party’s manifesto. backing a strike to kill the leader to take part in talks de-esca- At Corbyn’s campaign launch festo; but in Leave seats, Labour evidence was provided to prove for other people and it is not just Labour issued a statement yes- of Islamic State. late nuclear tensions involving event on Thursday, both he and fears it may be vulnerable to the they lived with their parents. because we were in the Guardian.” terday saying: “The decision to In an interview on the BBC1’s North Korea. the shadow chancellor, John Mc- charge of seeking to block Brexit.

Tory energy bill cap Vote for candidates ‘to save families £100’

Guardian News and Media six’ energy companies recently opposing Brexit: Blair London announced price hikes. Last June, the Competition and Markets Authority found the dif- Guardian News and Media into it.” Blair said that if Theresa prepared to give this commit- he Conservatives will cap ference between the standard var- London May won a landslide, as the polls ment.” energy bills with savings iable tariff s and the cheapest deals currently suggest, the Conserva- He added: “This is something Tof around £100 per fam- was as much as £320 a year. tives would read it as a mandate for that’s bigger than party allegiance, ily, the Work and Pensions Sec- Miliband proposed a 20-month ony Blair has advised vot- “Brexit at any costs” – and voters in this particular election.” retary, Damian Green, said — a freeze on energy bills at a level set ers to consider backing concerned about the risks of leav- He said he would campaign to near-identical policy to that Ed by government during the 2015 TConservative or Liberal ing the EU should press every can- ensure that candidates in every Miliband proposed in the 2015 election campaign. Democrat candidates in June’s didate to ask whether they had an constituency were put under pres- Labour manifesto. Michael Fallon, then a Conserv- general election, if they prom- open mind about whether the fi nal sure to answer the question: “Will Theresa May’s manifesto will ative energy minister in the coali- ise to have an open mind on the deal was in Britain’s interests. you back Brexit at any costs, or are propose capping gas and electric- tion, said the move would ‘freeze terms of the fi nal Brexit deal. “The absolutely central ques- you prepared to say, this deal is not ity bills for households paying new investment and only increase The former Labour prime min- tion at this general election is less in the interests of the country?” standard variable tariff s, with the the risk of the lights going out’. ister said the public should set who is the prime minister on June Blair’s intervention will infuri- energy regulator Ofgem setting a Green insisted the Conservative party allegiance aside in an ef- 9, and more what is the nature of ate Labour’s campaign team, who fl exible cap. pledge was a “diff erent policy from fort to prevent the June 8 poll be- the mandate, and in particular – have been trying to toe a careful “There will be a lot about energy Ed Miliband’s policy” because it coming what he called a “steam- because otherwise frankly this is line on Brexit that alienates nei- policy in the manifesto, obviously was a cap, rather than a freeze. roller election”, and maximise the a steamroller election – is it pos- ther anxious Remainers, nor Leave there will be more details then, but “If you remember Ed Miliband number of MPs willing to vote sible that we can return as many voters in its traditional heartland absolutely I think that the people proposed a freeze, so the govern- against hard Brexit when Theresa members of parliament as possi- seats. The former leader said he feel that some of the big energy ment would set a level and then May brings the deal back to the ble to parliament that are going to would vote Labour himself. But he companies have taken advantage immediately after the energy price House of Commons. keep an open mind on this Brexit appeared to be sailing dangerously of them with the tariff s they have fell quite considerably because In an interview on the BBC’s negotiation until we see the fi nal close to Labour party rules which got,” Green told ITV’s Peston on oil prices fell for various external World This Weekend, Blair also terms.” ban members from supporting Sunday. reasons,” he said. said he was so concerned about Asked if the approach he was candidates from rival political par- Ofgem will be given the power “So the diff erence is that we the prospect of Britain plunging advocating could mean voting ties. Some party members were to set a maximum price that gas would have Ofgem setting the out of the single market that he LibDem in a lot of cases, he said: prevented from voting in last year’s and electricity fi rms can charge limit, so it would be a cap, so it could even return to frontline poli- “What I’m advocating may mean Labour leadership contest because customers, which will vary re- would be more fl exible, it would be tics, saying: “I look at the political that. It may mean voting Labour. they had previously publicly ex- gionally, according to the Sunday able to refl ect market conditions scene at the moment and I almost It may mean, by the way, that they pressed support for other parties, Times, which said May had de- so the market would still have an feel motivated to go right back vote Tory, for candidates who are in many cases on social media. Blair: hints at return to frontline politics. cided to act after fi ve of the ‘big infl uence.” Gulf Times Monday, April 24, 2017 17 BRITAIN Govt freezes N Korean company’s assets in south London

Guardian News and Media the regime in North Korea”. The Korean won, the equivalent of ury said: “We cannot comment Carl Vinson headed towards the ran the KNIC branch in Germany structure, documents are forged London move by Brussels followed an £113mn. on individual cases. However, Korean peninsula with two other and two other regime offi cials (on alleged accidents), which UN resolution. According to EU sanctions the UK has fully complied and warships yesterday amid a con- who have since moved back to earns the state tens of millions of The EU warned: “Those re- imposed in July 2015, the KNIC’s implemented the UN sanctions tinuing standoff between the US Pyongyang. dollars a year.” he UK has frozen the as- sources could contribute to the headquarters in Pyongyang is regime in relation to North Korea President, Donald Trump, and In January, a North Korean The Sunday Times, which fi rst sets of a North Korean DPRK’s nuclear-related, bal- linked to Offi ce 39 of the Ko- and North Korean companies.” the North Korean leader, Kim defector reportedly told a South reported the freeze on the assets Tcompany based in south- listic missile-related or other rean Workers’ party. In 2010 Through the EU regulations, Jong-un, over the nuclear weap- Korean news agency that Kim’s of the UK branch, reported that a east London after claims it fun- weapons of mass destruction- the US Treasury described the the UK imposes restrictions on a ons programme. The US strike regime earned tens of millions North Korean man at the Black- nelled cash to Pyongyang’s nu- related programmes.” KWP as “a secretive branch of range of goods from entering or group began joint exercises yes- of dollars a year from insurance heath property told it that the clear weapons programme. The company is registered the government of the Demo- leaving North Korea and imposes terday with two Japanese de- fraud. insurer’s main UK director, Ko The Korea National Insurance to a detached property on Kid- cratic People’s Republic of Korea a travel ban and an asset freeze stroyers in the Philippine Sea. “In North Korea, there is only Su-gil, had left Britain in Sep- Corporation (KNIC) is registered brooke Park Road among subur- that provides critical support to against people designated as en- On Monday, the US vice-presi- one state-owned insurance tember. at a property in Blackheath. The ban houses in an affl uent part of North Korean leadership in part gaging in or providing support dent, Mike Pence, said: “The era company, so that even if it fabri- Nobody was answering calls EU has already imposed sanc- London. Its entry on Companies through engaging in illicit eco- for its programmes for weapons of strategic patience is over.” cates an accident, there is no way at the North Korean embassy in tions against the company, House now describes KNIC as nomic activities and managing of mass destruction and ballistic Under the same sanctions, the to verify its claims,” Thae Yong- London yesterday. A spokesman which it describes as “generat- “closed” since October 6, 2016. slush funds and generating rev- missiles. funds and economic resources ho told the Yonhap. “After pur- earlier told the Sunday Times the ing substantial foreign exchange Accounts show that in 2014 it enues for the leadership”. The sanctions emerged as the have been frozen of four Ham- chasing international insurance allegations against the company revenue which is used to support had total assets of 130bn North A spokesman for HM Treas- American aircraft carrier USS burg-based North Koreans who or reinsurance for state infra- were groundless.

Cathedrals Jessica Ennis-Hill receives damehood facing Carjackers closure over cash problems run over and

Guardian News and Media London kill man trying s many as half of England’s Anglican cathedrals are Afacing fi nancial crisis and a closure cannot be ruled out, ac- cording to the chair of an inves- tigative task force set up by the archbishops of Canterbury and to stop theft York. Adrian Newman, the bishop Guardian News and Media house with serious injuries. He second Audi stolen from the of Stepney, said the Cathedrals London was taken to hospital but died a street in a month. “It’s a really Working Group would examine short time later. quiet residential street, it’s not the “potential reputational dam- His black Audi S3 was later the sort of thing that you would age done to the church if indi- hieves killed a man by found abandoned three miles expect to happen, but there vidual cathedrals fail”. The group, running him over in his away in Whitby Avenue, Lady- have been car thefts before on which meets for the fi rst time Town car after he con- barn, with extensive damage. the street,” said the neighbour, early next month, will review the fronted them outside his home Chadwick said: “I appeal for who would only give his name governance and fi nancial man- in Manchester. anyone with any knowledge of as John. agement of England’s 42 Anglican Michael Samwell, 35, suff ered what happened to come for- “Because it’s a nice area, it’s cathedrals. fatal injuries when he was run ward. I would particularly like an affl uent area, people will Cathedral deans are meeting over as the thieves sped off in to hear from people who were come in unfortunately and peo- in London this week as concerns his Audi S3 at around 3am yes- anywhere near Cranbourne ple do come in from other parts grow about the spiralling costs of terday, police said. Road at around 3am or have of Manchester and target us.” running, repairing and maintain- Detective superintendent Jon seen Michael’s car being driven Nabhan Nayyar, 22, who ing some of the country’s most Chadwick from Greater Man- erratically or abandoned shortly lives and works at the top of venerated ancient buildings. chester police’s serious crime afterwards. the street where Samwell was “Over the course of the last division said: “My thoughts “If you know who has done killed, said he heard a commo- 100 years, there has never been go out to Michael’s wife and this you must inform the police tion when going to get some a time when the cathedral sector his family. I cannot compre- of what you know. food with friends in the early has been riding on the crest of a hend what they must be going “We will not stop until we hours of the morning. wave,” Newman, a former dean through. have found the person respon- “I heard a noise but because of Rochester Cathedral, told the “We have now launched a sible for this dreadful crime.” I hear that stuff every night – Guardian. “The challenges are murder investigation and are A team of white-suited people coming back from the not new, but we’re looking at a searching for those responsible. scenes-of-crime offi cers could pubs drunk – I thought it was new scale and depth at the mo- “This is the murder of an in- be seen entering the red-brick just common but I woke this ment. nocent man who has merely terrace property behind a police morning and heard the real “My fi nger-in-the-wind es- sought to protect his property cordon. news,” said Nayyar. timate is that perhaps half of from criminals.” Neighbours in the affl uent “I wish I could have aided cathedrals are facing some sig- Detectives said Samwell and suburb reacted with shock when the man because he was only nifi cant fi nancial challenges, al- his wife were woken by a loud they learned of the murder. “It’s 35. It’s like our safe haven here. though pretty much all of them bang downstairs in their home not the sort of thing that hap- I live here, my family lives here, are planning on how they’re going on Cranbourne Road in Chorl- pens round here. It’s just as- we were born here. If we’re not to get through that. Although it ton-cum-Hardy in south Man- tonishing. Very concerned. It’s safe in our homes where are we seems unimaginable, it is possi- chester. really tragic,” said Dan Debow- safe?” ble to imagine a situation where Samwell went down to see itz, 48, who lives on an adjacent Local residents Barry Rim- an individual cathedral could get what was happening and shortly street. mer, 56, and his partner Tahani into a situation so desperate that afterwards shouting was heard Another resident, Alan Jones, Alghanim, 42, expressed dis- there is no obvious solution.” from the rear of the property, 54, said: “It’s shocking. It’s a belief as they walked past the Cathedrals attract about 11mn police said. quiet area round here – this is police cordon yesterday morn- visitors each year, but running Athlete Jessica Ennis-Hill holds her award after she was made a Dame CBE by the Duke of A police spokesman said very unusual.” ing. “I’ve never seen any trouble costs and maintenance bills are Cambridge during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London. Samwell was then found in the A neighbour who lived op- here of any description,” said enormous. parking area at the rear of the posite Samwell said it was the Rimmer. “It’s very unusual.” Con artist cheats woman TV show claims new lead in Madeleine case by posing as police offi cer Agencies Madeleine several times dur- London ing the family’s doomed stay in Portugal spoke to The Mirror this London Evening Standard The conman called her again battery while on the phone to the week about the immediate after- London later the same day and convinced con artist. She borrowed a phone n Australian TV show is math of her disappearance. her to hand over the cash and her from a member of the public to promising to reveal “major bank cards as “evidence” to a dial 101, quoting Portman’s name Anew developments” in the If the Australian TV show conman posed as a Met courier — who claimed he would and the crime reference number Madeleine McCann case. contains any credible, police offi cer to persuade take the cash to Hammersmith she had been given — which the Channel 7’s Sunday Night has fresh lines of inquiry they Aa woman to hand over police station. operator said was false. There been trailing what it describes should, of course, have thousands of pounds in cash. The next day she was made to was no detective constable James as a “groundbreaking television been given immediately to The thief rang a 51-year-old transfer savings into her current Portman in the system. event”, promising that “breaking the police” woman at her home in Waltham account, then go to a jewellery The victim reported the crime evidence” about the case will be Forest in February, telling her she shop in Old Bond Street to buy an and police investigating the revealed exclusively on the show. She said Kate “was crying, had been a victim of fraud and expensive watch which she gave “courier” scam have now re- The supposed breakthrough but almost in a catatonic state, her identifi cation had been sto- to another courier. leased an image of a man they comes just days from the 10 year and Gerry was very distressed.” len. want to speak to. anniversary of Maddie’s disap- She added that there was “not a Pretending to be a Metro- “These conmen went Detective constable James pearance. chance” that Kate and Gerry were politan Police detective called to extreme lengths to Egley, the investigating offi cer The three-year-old disap- in any way responsible for their James Portman, he told her to gain the victim’s trust to from the Met’s Operation Fal- peared from a holiday apartment daughter’s disappearance. hang up the phone, dial 999 deliberately deceive her con, said: “These conmen went in Portugal’s Praia da Luz on May She said she tells those who are and quote a crime reference out of her hard-earned to extreme lengths to gain the 3 2007, while her parents dined suspicious of the McCanns’ in- number, and she would be put life-savings” victim’s trust to deliberately de- nearby with friends. volvement that “there’s no way at back through to him. In reality, ceive her out of her hard-earned The Daily Star says a spokes- all. A, timings and B, where it was, he stayed on the line, meaning Three days later “detective life-savings. We would appeal man for the family has called for their reactions, the whole thing.” she did not speak to a genuine constable Portman” told her by for anyone who recognises the the show’s producer’s to hand She also blamed local police 999 operator. phone she must withdraw eve- man in the CCTV to contact us over any new evidence to the po- for bungling the investigation, Having gained her trust, he rything or she could lose her life or Crimestoppers. lice. saying they took about 90 min- gave his victim instructions to savings. She was then ordered to “People should be aware that He said: “If the Australian TV utes to arrive at the resort, and visit a bank in Leytonstone High buy another watch from a jewel- the police would never send a show contains any credible, fresh failed to cordon off the McCanns’ Road to withdraw cash and a bu- ler and hand it to a diff erent cou- courier service to collect items lines of inquiry they should, of apartment, allowing possible reau de change in Walthamstow rier. and would never ask for your Pin, course, have been given immedi- evidence to be contaminated. She to withdraw euros and American The scam was rumbled when bank cards, to withdraw money ately to the police.” described the eff ects of this mis- dollars. the victim’s phone ran out of or to buy expensive items.” Madeleine McCann: ‘major new developments’ in case. A nanny who looked after management as “catastrophic”. Gulf Times 18 Monday, April 24, 2017 EUROPE Italy has ‘proof’ of collusion in

This file photo taken on March 20 shows migrants waiting to be rescued from a sinking dinghy off the Libyan coastal town of Zawiyah, as they attempted to cross from the Mediterranean to Europe. An Italian prosecutor has claimed that charity boats rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean are in direct contact migrant crisis with people traff ickers in Libya, tantamount to providing a ‘taxi’ service to Europe. DPA Without Borders (MSF) or Save that some NGOs sometimes turn involved in the Libyan people “It is really an interesting way with migrant traffi ckers, and an that NGOs would continue oper- Rome the Children, while “things are off their radio transmitters, pre- smuggling and traffi cking ‘busi- of communication,” a spokes- Italian parliamentary committee ating in the Mediterranean until diff erent for others, like Malta’s sumably to hide their trespassing ness’,” the organisation told DPA woman who only gave her fi rst is conducting hearings into the Europe opens safe, legal channels MOAS or the German (NGOs), into Libyan territorial waters. in a written statement. name, Isabel, told DPA via tel- matter. of migration. n Italian prosecutor lead- which are in the majority”. “These are proven facts,” Zuc- “There are no phone calls ephone. Italian opposition parties have “What is the alternative? Are ing an investigation on “We have evidence that there caro said. made or received to or from Liby- She said it was particularly also jumped on the issue. they telling us that it is better to Alinks between Libyan mi- are direct contacts between some There are at least 10 NGOs an smugglers [...] Proof can easi- galling to be put on the spot af- A February Frontex report let people die at sea?” he asked. grant traffi ckers and non-gov- NGOs and human traffi ckers rescuing migrants in the central ly be given by reading out all con- ter the dramatic Easter week- stated: “Apparently, all parties According to offi cial Italian ernmental organisations (NGOs) in Libya. We do not yet know if Mediterranean, including Ju- nection data of the ship’s satellite end rescues, in which more than involved in (rescue) operations data, nearly 37,000 migrants who carry out sea rescues said and how to use this information gend Rettet, Sea Watch, Sea-Eye, telephone,” the charity added, 8,000 migrants were picked up in the Central Mediterranean have landed in the year to date, a yesterday that he had proof of in a trial, but we are quite sure LifeBoat, SOS Mediterranee and also describing donation-based in total and Jugend Rettet’s boat unintentionally help criminals 44% increase from the same pe- their collusion, but was not sure of what we are saying,” Zuccaro Mission Lifeline from Germany, budget as fully transparent. was so overwhelmed that it had achieve their objectives at mini- riod of 2016. evidence would stand up in court. said. and Proactiva Open Arms from Jugend Rettet also dismissed to launch a May Day request for mum cost, strengthen their busi- Meanwhile, Mediterranean Catania Chief Prosecutor Car- He said that “some NGOs” Spain. the charges, and criticised the help. ness model by increasing the migrant deaths have fallen from melo Zuccaro told La Stampa take calls from Libya, that lights “LifeBoat strongly rejects any prosecutor for formulating them The EU border agency Frontex chances of success.” 1,263 to 962, the Internation- daily that the charge does not ap- go on to guide migrant boats to- accusation of having contacts via the media, rather than offi cial was among the fi rst to publicly Marco Bertotto of MSF Italy al Organisation for Migration ply to big charities like Doctors wards NGO rescue ships, and to any persons or organisations channels. accuse the NGOs of collusion told La Repubblica on Saturday (IOM) says. Germany’s AfD picks leaders Catalans celebrate for September election drive St George Day with

Reuters Cologne roses and books

he anti-immigrant Alter- By Daniel Bosque, AFP ful,” said Joan Redon, 39, a com- native for Germany (AfD) Barcelona puter technician as he made his Tparty has chosen a tough- way along Barcelona’s packed talking former member of Chan- Las Ramblas boulevard with his cellor Angela Merkel’s conserva- ed roses and books fl ood- girlfriend, who carried a red rose tives and an economist to lead its ed the streets of Barce- he gave her earlier. campaign for a September elec- Rlona as Spain’s Catalonia “There isn’t anyone in Cata- tion in a line-up likely to drag the region celebrated its patron lonia who doesn’t follow the group further right. saint yesterday, with a tradition tradition,” he added. The party had stolen voters which is vying for a place on a Retailers expect to sell some from Merkel during the migrant prestigious UN list. 6mn roses, and over 1.5mn crisis but now looks less of a Every April 23 on the day of books, in one day alone in Cata- threat on 8-10% in polls after Sant Jordi, or St George, people lonia, which is home to 7.5mn bleeding a third of its support as in the wealthy northeastern re- people. the refugee infl ux has slowed, in- gion give each other a rose or a Catalan booksellers make fi ghting damages its image, and An AfD display board is dismantled at the end of the party’s two-day book in a celebration of love and 5-8% of their annual sales on A couple holding a rose and a book take a selfie on the Ramblas a controversy about how to deal congress in Cologne. culture. the day of Sant Jordi – which is of Barcelona on Saint George’s Day. Traditionally, a man gives a with Germany’s Nazi past deters Originally the tradition in- also St George’s Day in Britain – woman a rose and the woman gives the man a book to celebrate voters. party that is moving further to vour of expelling Hoecke. volved men giving their love a said the secretary of the Catalan the Catalan holiday also known as ‘The Day of the Rose’ or ‘The Day A majority of AfD delegates the right,” Neugebauer said. A critic of the euro who has rose, while she in return would booksellers association, Maria of the Book’. at a congress in the western city Gauland is widely seen as a worked in China, Weidel has give him a book. Marin. of Cologne backed 76-year-old supporter of senior AfD member sought to establish herself as an But it has evolved and to- Musicians performed in the one of its roses to the princess. language was banned. publicist Alexander Gauland Bjoern Hoecke, who caused out- economic expert. day women also receive books streets of Barcelona, adding to Since 1931 a book fair has been The Catalan Book Cham- and Alice Weidel, a 38-year-old rage in January by calling Berlin’s Speaking in Cologne, she said and fl owers are given as well to the festive mood while authors held in Barcelona on April 23 – St ber plans to ask that the United former investment banker, as Holocaust Memorial a “monu- the AfD would get into regional mothers, daughters, friends and signed copies of their books in George Day and the anniversary Nations Educational, Scien- candidates fronting the party’s ment of shame” and demanding parliaments in Schleswig-Hol- even co-workers. booths set up for the day. of the burial in 1616 of Spanish tifi c and Cultural Organisation bid to win seats in the national a “180° turnaround” in Germa- stein and North Rhine-West- Throngs of people browsed Catalonia adopted St George writer Miguel de Cervantes, the (Unesco) include the tradition parliament for the fi rst time in a ny’s attempts to atone for Nazi phalia in state elections in May. book and fl ower stands in the as its patron saint in the 15th author of Don Quixote. on its “intangible world herit- September 24 election. crimes. “Then we’ll rock Germany” Catalan capital’s historic heart century. Since then the tradition of of- age” list. The vote followed a surprise A lawyer who grew up in the and become the only “real oppo- under a bright blue sky, in a According to legend he saved fering books and roses in Cata- “It meets all the criteria. It announcement on Wednesday by former communist East be- sition party” in the lower house scene repeated in cities and a princess by killing a dragon lonia on that date has thrived, has existed for a long time, it is co-leader Frauke Petry, the par- fore fl eeing to West Germany to after September’s election, she towns across the region. with his spear while riding on a even during the 1939-74 dic- the expression of a specifi c cul- ty’s public face, that she would go to university, Gauland once said. “It’s a special day. All the white horse. tatorship of General Francisco ture and it has a future,” said the not lead the AfD’s election cam- compared refugees coming to “Political correctness belongs streets are decorated with fl ow- The dragon’s blood caused a Franco when the open sale of president of the chamber, An- paign. Germany with barbarians who to the scrap heap of history,” she ers and books, its very beauti- rosebush to grow and he off ered books written in the Catalan toni Daura. This could boost mainstream brought down the Roman Em- added. parties and lessen the threat the pire. The AfD, which has lurched AfD poses to Merkel’s bid for a Sporting his trademark tweed to the right since being founded fourth term. jacket in Cologne, Gauland said as an anti-euro party in 2013, is Gero Neugebauer, a Berlin- the AfD wanted “to keep the treated as a pariah by established based political expert, said the country we inherited from our political groups, which refuse to First OSCE staff killed in rebel east Ukraine choice of candidates would not mothers and fathers” and pre- work with it. boost the party’s prospects be- serve German identity, adding: Delegates refused on Saturday cause most AfD members did not “We’re proud to be Germans.” to discuss Petry’s motion to shift AFP security body’s Special Moni- ing Mission added later that rebel-run region of the separa- vote based on the people repre- He said Merkel, whom the the party into the “mainstream” Kiev toring Mission in Ukraine since “two members have been taken tist fi efdom of Luhansk. senting it as they have no chance AfD attacks for allowing in more and be prepared to join coali- Europe’s only war began more to hospital for further examina- The OSCE team’s 600 mem- of power. than 1mn migrants over the last tions. than three years ago. tion”. bers in eastern Ukraine make up But the duo chosen signalled two years, must be overthrown Petry told Reuters that the AfD he Organisation for Secu- “Tragic news from Ukraine: The security body’s Kiev of- the only independent monitor- the party was shifting further so Germans can get their coun- should have decided at the con- rity and Co-operation in SMM patrol drove on mine. One fi ce said it could not disclose the ing mission in the war zone. right, he said. try back, drawing applause from gress on its future strategy and TEurope (OSCE) said yes- OSCE patrol member killed,” victims’ nationalities because They provide daily reports “Both people represent the delegates who shouted: “Merkel drawn red lines, adding the AfD terday that one of its staff was Austrian foreign minister and their families were still in the on the fi ghting and have drawn AfD as a party that wants to needs to go!” could learn from France’s Ma- killed after an observer mission the OSCE’s current chairman process of being notifi ed. the insurgents’ ire for accusing present itself as middle-class, Weidel, who is a little-known rine Le Pen as her National Front patrol vehicle hit a landmine in Sebastian Kurz wrote on Twit- The incident occurred close them of being responsible for conservative and economically fi gure in the party and generally had seen election results improve the separatist east. ter. to Ukraine’s volatile front line most violations of various truce liberal but which is in essence a seen as more moderate, is in fa- since doing so. It marked the fi rst loss for the The OSCE Special Monitor- near the village of Pryshyb in a agreements.

Boy thrown out of burning house dies

A child who was thrown out of a second-floor window by his Protests continue in Istanbul parents, in a desperate attempt to save him from a fire, is showing no signs of life, the Italian hospital where he was taken said. The Gaslini paediatric hospital in Genoa, a port city in the northwest of Italy, gave the news late on Saturday, adding that a medical one week after referendum committee would take a few hours before formally declaring the seven-year-old’s death. The boy was from Casella, in the outskirts of Genoa. DPA the April 16 vote, according to and Izmir, in the west of the A fire broke out in the apartment where he lived with his parents Istanbul preliminary counting. country. early on Saturday, and they dropped him from a height of about Opponents of the reforms, There have been dozens of 5m, wrapped in blankets. which grant sweeping powers arrests, and arrest warrants Neighbours who had rushed to help could not catch him, leaving stanbul saw more protests to the presidency, claim there against seven activists were is- him with major head injuries. yesterday against the out- were irregularities and possible sued in Izmir on Saturday. The child’s father, Alessio Fraietta, was also seriously injured and is Icome of a referendum held fraud on election day, point- In parliament in Ankara, a battling for his life in hospital, while the mother, Vincenza Sansone, a week earlier, which paves the ing in particular to the election special session to mark Tur- is in better condition as her fall was broken by wires used to hang way for expanding President commission’s decision allowing key’s Children’s Day yesterday laundry. Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s powers. unsealed ballots to be counted. was also overshadowed by the Live TV broadcasts showed Opposition parties had fi led referendum dispute, as govern- opponents of the presidential petitions to annul the out- ment and opposition politicians Canary Islands battles oil slick system marching peacefully come of the referendum but on engaged in a war of words. and carrying banners calling for Wednesday the election com- On Thursday Erdogan re- Spanish coast guard crews worked yesterday to clean up a 3km- the referendum to be annulled. mission rejected the bids. jected critics’ hopes that the long diesel slick off the holiday island of Gran Canaria after a Erdogan has claimed victory Protestors have taken to the referendum result could be passenger ferry slammed into a pier. in the referendum on empow- streets over the last week in Is- overturned, saying that any at- The ferry carrying 140 passengers smashed into a breakwater late ering his offi ce, in which the tanbul and other cities in Tur- tempts to annul the vote were A demonstrator holds a placard reading ‘Referendum should be on Friday in the port of Las Palmas, the capital of Spain’s Canary “yes” camp garnered 51.4% of key, such as the capital Ankara futile. cancelled’ during a protest at the Kadikoy district in Istanbul. islands off the northwest coast of Africa. Gulf Times Monday, April 24, 2017 19 EUROPE Macron, Le Pen face off on May 7 AFP presidential election, projec- of National Front (FN) leader the last week. Paris tions showed yesterday, making Le Pen with between 21.6% and The French vote was being him clear favourite to emerge as 23%, according to estimates on closely watched as a bellwether the country’s youngest leader in public television. for populist sentiment following Macron and Le Pen. entrist Emmanuel Ma- modern history. “The French have expressed the election of Donald Trump as cron will face off against Macron was projected to win their desire for change,” Macron US president and Britain’s vote to the latest in a bloody series of Cfar-right Marine Le Pen between 23% and 24% in yester- told AFP in a statement, adding: leave the EU. terror attacks that have cost in the second round of France’s day’s fi rst round, slightly ahead “We’re clearly turning a page in Throughout the campaign, more than 230 lives since 2015. Terror charges laid for French political history.” Macron insisted that France was Nearly 47mn people were eli- The outcome capped an ex- “contrarian” – ready to elect gible to vote in the eurozone’s traordinary few months for a a pro-globalisation liberal at a second biggest economy. election plot suspects deeply divided France, which time when right-wing national- Voting was brisk on a bright saw a campaign full of twists and ists are making gains across the spring day, defying forecasts of turns and widespread anger at world. a low turnout after a campaign AFP Eastern France polling traditional parties. “It’s a victory for openness, dominated by scandals. Paris station evacuated It signals a stinging defeat social-mindedness and ... an Riding the wave of disaff ec- for the scandal-hit right-wing understanding of the modern tion with globalisation that car- A polling station in the town of Republicans party candidate economy that will restore French ried Trump to the White House he two men suspected of Besançon in eastern France was Francois Fillon and Socialist Be- competitiveness,” Macron sup- and led Britain to vote for Brexit, plotting an “imminent” evacuated yesterday after a sto- noit Hamon, meaning neither of porter Marie-Helene Visconti, a Le Pen has vowed to abandon the Tattack ahead of France’s len vehicle was abandoned with France’s mainstream parties will 60-year-old artist, told AFP at euro, hold a referendum on with- presidential election were the engine running while voting be in the second round for the his election party. drawing from the EU and adopt charged yesterday with terror of- was taking place, French interior fi rst time in 60 years. Le Pen will follow in her fa- a French-fi rst policy on jobs and fences, prosecutors said. ministry said. Macron, a 39-year-old who ther Jean-Marie’s footsteps who housing. The foiled plot in Marseille The suspicious car was flagged had never before stood for elec- made it through to the second “We have had a great cam- sparked fears that the closing as stolen and had fake number tion and only started his inde- round in 2002. paign. We succeeded in impos- days of the campaign could be plates, a ministry off icial told pendent centrist movement 12 He suff ered a stinging defeat ing the idea of patriotism,” said a target for extremists ahead of Reuters, adding that a decision months ago, will be the over- when mainstream parties closed Florian Philippot, one of Le Pen’s yesterday’s fi rst round of voting was made to evacuate the polling whelming favourite to win the ranks to keep him out. top aides. “Now it’s a new cam- in the country’s most unpredict- station, while bomb disposal second round on May 7. Le Pen’s niece, young hardliner paign that begins.” able election in decades. experts were called to examine All polls show the pro-Europe, Marion Marechal-Le Pen, hailed Far-right expert Nonna Mayer Elite police and intelligence the vehicle. pro-business moderniser with a a “historic victory for patriots at Sciences Po university told agents arrested the two French- Le Pen supporters in Henin-Beaumont, northwestern France, appear 20-point lead in a head-to head and nationalists” but reaction at AFP that nothing was impossi- men – 23-year-old Clement subdued following the announcement of the results of the first round contest with Le Pen, who has her headquarters was subdued ble, “but it seems unlikely that Baur and Mahiedine Merabet, they pledged allegiance to IS. of the presidential election. hardened her anti-immigration compared with the euphoria at she will carry the second round”. 29 – on Tuesday in the Mediter- The men had used a number of and anti-Europe rhetoric over the Macron party. “If she wins, it will obviously ranean port city. aliases, switched mobile phones There were already signs that be an anti-Europe, protection- Paris prosecutors said the men frequently and used pre-paid Macron, who is married to his ist, exclusionist line that wins are accused of participating in bank cards to evade police. former schoolteacher 25 years and which could have troubling a terrorist conspiracy as well as Two days after the arrests, older than him, would also enjoy consequences for Europe and weapons charges. 39-year-old Karim Cheurfi shot support from his defeated rivals France,” she added. After searching the suspects’ dead a police offi cer on Paris’s in the Republicans and Socialist Closely watched around the shared Marseille apartment, au- Champs Elysees avenue before parties. world, the French campaign has thorities said they uncovered an being killed by police gunfi re. Leading fi gures from both been full of twists and turns. Uzi sub-machine gun, pistols, A note praising the Islamic camps immediately called for A race that began with the 3kg of TATP explosives and a State group was found near his voters to vote for the poetry and low-key Fillon winning the homemade grenade as well as an body. theatre lover. right-wing nomination and Islamic State (IS) group fl ag. More than 230 people have Hamon, forecast to win a hu- shifted into higher gear when un- Police had been searching for been killed in a string of Islamist miliating 6% and fi nish in fi fth popular Socialist President Fran- them since April 12 following the militant attacks in France since place, said the left had suff ered a cois Hollande decided not to seek interception of a video in which January 2015. “historic drubbing” but said vot- re-election. ers should back Macron to keep Hollande’s fi ve years in offi ce out Le Pen who he said was “an have been dogged by a sluggish enemy of the republic”. economy and the constant terror Fillon followed suit, saying he threat. would vote for Macron. With voters hungry for change, The vote took place under Fillon was seen as a shoo-in until heavy security after the killing January when he was knocked off on Thursday of a police offi cer on course by allegations that he gave Paris’s Champs Elysees avenue his British-born wife a fi ctitious claimed by the Islamic State (IS) job as his parliamentary assist- group. ant for which she was paid nearly With France still under the €700,000 ($750,000). state of emergency imposed af- The Socialist nominee Benoit ter the Paris attacks of November Hamon also struggled to impose 2015, around 50,000 police and himself, haemorrhaging support 7,000 soldiers were deployed to to the fi ery far-left leader Jean- guard voters. Luc Melenchon. Macron supporters celebrate at the Parc des Expositions in Paris after the results of the first round of the Thursday’s shooting on the A total of 11 candidates took A police off icer guards the entrance of a polling station in Geneva for presidential election. most famous street in Paris was part in the election. French citizens living in Switzerland. FN candidate’s posters absent abroad

AFP before the deadline” of April Paris 10, the ministry said. It said “only 10” of the 11 candidates did this on time – arine Le Pen’s far- meaning their posters appear right National Front at polling stations abroad. M(FN) did not deliver “The posters for the candi- posters in time for them to date Marine Le Pen were not appear outside voting booths provided so the correspond- abroad, the French foreign ing poster board is empty,” the ministry said yesterday. ministry added. “The posters are printed by Large metal boards are erect- A picture shows a campaign billboard with the poster of Le Pen missing the candidates themselves and ed outside polling stations in at the French embassy in Beirut. The notice reads: ‘the candidate didn’t it is up to them to hand them France, with campaign posters provide a poster’ although media reports say the size of Le Pen’s posters in to the electoral commission for the 11 candidates. provided did not fit on the billboards. People queue yesterday at a polling station in Marseille, southern France. Minister says Russia hacked Merkel party sees big gains in Danish defence for two years most populous German state Reuters for cyber security said “a for- Spokespeople at the Kremlin Copenhagen eign player” had spied against were not available to comment Danish authorities and gained yesterday. Reuters CDU since December 2015. right after a controversial party doubts about the so-called access to non-classifi ed docu- Frederiksen told Berlingske Berlin It was the fi rst time that the congress in Cologne, in the heart “Schulz eff ect”, a sharp rise in ussia has hacked the Dan- ments. that the hacking had been pos- two parties stood neck-and- of the state. the polls for the centre-left SPD ish defence and gained It did not name the country sible due to insuffi cient secu- neck in the polls since October, The pro-business Free Dem- after the party nominated former Raccess to employees’ e- behind the espionage, but For- rity measures around e-mails upport for German Chan- when they both had 31% support. ocrats (EDP) gained one per- European Parliament president mails in 2015 and 2016, North eign Minister Claus Hjort Fre- with non-classifi ed material, cellor Angela Merkel’s The state is at present being centage point to 10%, while the Martin Schulz to challenge Mer- Atlantic Treaty Organisation deriksen told Berlingske that it something that has since been Sconservatives has risen to governed by a SPD-Green coali- pro-environment Greens re- kel in the September 24 national (Nato) member Denmark’s de- was Russia. improved. its highest level in two years in tion. mained unchanged at 6% and the election. fence minister told newspaper “It is linked to the intelli- The group behind the attack North Rhine-Westphalia, Ger- Voters in the state go to the Left party was at 5%, with just The SPD party also lost sup- Berlingske yesterday. gence services or central ele- went under the name APT28 or many’s most populous state, al- polls on May 14 in what could be enough votes to win seats in the port in a vote in the Saar state in The report comes at a time ments in the Russian govern- Fancy Bear and was one of two beit on a par with its main oppo- a bellwether for national elec- state parliament. March, compared with its results when a number of Western gov- ment, and it is a constant battle groups which allegedly gained sition, a poll showed yesterday. tions in September. If the election were held now, in 2012. ernments, including the United to keep them away,” Frederiksen illegal access to US democrats’ The Infratest Dimap poll, con- A strong showing for the CDU the ruling SDP-Green coalition Norbert Roettgen, a member States, France and Britain, have told the newspaper. e-mails last year, according to ducted for broadcaster WDR, in the state could bode well for would not have enough votes to of the CDU and head of the par- accused the Russians of resort- A spokeswoman from the Berlingske. showed the Christian Demo- Merkel’s bid to secure a fourth rule, and even a “red-red-green” liamentary foreign aff airs com- ing to hacking to infl uence elec- Danish defence ministry con- Frederiksen said in January cratic Union (CDU) adding four term. coalition including the Left party mittee, told broadcaster Deut- tions – allegations that Moscow fi rmed that the minister had that Denmark plans to increase percentage points to reach 34%, The latest survey showed a would not be possible. schlandfunk that Schulz’s gains has repeatedly dismissed as been quoted correctly but said military spending in response while the Social Democrats (SPD) one-percentage point drop for Infratest Dimap surveyed were “turning out more and more baseless. that Frederiksen would give no to Russian missile deployments dropped three percentage points, the anti-immigrant Alterna- 1,000 eligible voters between to be a fl ash in the pan” rather A report from the Danish De- further comments for the time in the Baltic region that it per- also to 34%. tive for Germany (AfD), which April 18 and 20. than a substantive shift in the fence Intelligence Service’s unit being. ceives as a threat. That was the best result for the is poised to head further to the The survey raised further German electorate. Gulf Times 20 Monday, April 24, 2017 INDIA

Tamil Nadu Roundup Blind businessman eyes higher Forbes ranking By Umaima Shafiq IANS Rs300mn ($4.6mn) company. write the Joint Entrance Exam for tion. Getting into the Forbes main sistent scaling and backward in- years for them to start. We don’t Hyderabad Visiting manufacturing plants IIT-aspirants as he was blind. list is my goal and that is when I tegration, and an over 90% mar- do that. We go after sick indus- in diff erent locations in Telan- “I said when IIT doesn’t want will celebrate,” said the confi dent ket share. tries and revive them within the Dinakaran’s gana and Karnataka, attending me, I don’t want IIT either. Let CEO of a packaging and paper The packaging and paper span of one to two months. We orbes has named him in the business meetings and, in be- me fi nd the best opportunity in products company which is also products market is highly frag- can take their assets at 25% of middleman list of super achievers from tween, troubleshooting over the the world – better than IIT. MIT creating employment opportu- mented but huge at $30bn and he their actual value, which is why a seasoned FAsia under the age of 30 phone, the CEO of Bollant Indus- being the top school in the world, nities for the diff erently-abled. entered the segment to consoli- we spend less amount of capital but visually challenged Srikanth tries is a busy man. I always wanted to go there and I Bolla is planning an IPO in two date it by manufacturing quality and the topline will be high in a criminal Bolla is in no mood to celebrate. Fluent in several languages, he went there,” said Bolla, who has a years. The company’s turnover in products. short time.” His goal is to get into the Forbes handles every issue with ease and BS in management from MIT. 2016-17 was Rs300mn, up from The company has seven man- The company has four di- Sukesh Chandrasekar, the list of the richest persons – and shows incredible business acu- “I don’t believe in honours Rs50mn in the previous fi scal year. ufacturing plants in Telangana rectors, including co-founder middleman allegedly chosen by he won’t settle for anything less. men. or awards,” Bolla said on being “The company is growing at and Karnataka, employing 600 Swarnalatha, angel investor Ravi AIADMK general secretary T T V Such is the determination of Born into a family of farm- named among the Super Achiev- 20% a month since inception. people. Mantha and tech and infra entre- Dinakaran to bribe the Election the 25-year-old, who was born ers in Machilipatnam in Andhra ers under 30 from Asia. This is a great joy for me because It recently acquired a sick pa- preneur S Prabhakar Reddy. Its Commission (EC) in New Delhi, blind and overcame all adversi- Pradesh, life has been one long “When I reach the goal of tak- no company, including the uni- per mill in Hyderabad. Out of pool of investors includes top an- has been involved in several cases ties to become the fi rst inter- struggle for Bolla. After passing ing my company to an IPO – that corns of India, is growing at 20% seven plants of the company, fi ve gels like Ratan Tata, Satish Reddy of fraud in Chennai, Bengaluru national blind student at the his Class 10 exam he chose the is when I will celebrate. I will a month.” were previously sick industries. of Reddy Laboratories, Srini Raju and other cities. Massachusetts Institute of Tech- science stream for the plus-two celebrate when the company Bolla attributes this high “Everybody goes and sets up of People’s Capital and Kiran Chandrasekar, 27, was caught nology (MIT) and now heads a stage but was not permitted to reaches Rs1,000 crore in valua- growth to the company’s con- a new plant. It takes one or two Grandhi of GMR. carrying Rs500mn in his inside a Mercedes Benz car. He admitted that he was planning to ‘buy’ the ‘two leaves’ party symbol for Sidhu assesses crop damage Dinakaran. The school dropout has been involved in cheating cases from the age of 17. In August 2007, he duped a Bengaluru-based businessman of hundreds of Jaitley raises thousands of rupees in a bogus land deal. Similarly in 2011, he was arrested for posing as DMK patriarch Karunanidhi’s grandson and cheating people with promises of government jobs. He was also arrested for a car hire H-1B visa purchase scam and in 2015 he was caught with his girlfriend actress Leena Maria Paul for defrauding Canara Bank in Ambattur, Chennai of Rs190mn. Sukesh and Leena reportedly led a life of luxury with the loot. issue with Two dead, 81 hurt in jallikattu

Two men died and 81 were injured in a jallikattu or bull taming event US offi cials held at Thirukoshtiyur village in IANS are companies that have an aver- Development Committee of the Sivaganga district about 450km Washington age wage for H-1B visas between World Bank and the IMF. from Chennai last week. $60,000 and $65,000. By con- “We support SCI to bring about Reports said that one victim was trast, the median Silicon Valley voice reform to ensure higher gored to death, while the second inance Minister Arun Jaitley software engineer’s wage is prob- representation to the under-rep- died of heat stroke. has taken up with US au- ably around $150,000,” the offi cial resented and support the use of Meanwhile the angry bulls Fthorities the vexed issue of said. the dynamic formula based allo- charged into the crowds seated the Trump administration mull- The Finance Ministry state- cation,” he said. in a semi-circular arena around ing curbs on H-1B visas, an Indian ment said Jaitley discussed “is- The minister also sought a de- the main pit. Police used force to offi cial said yesterday. sues related to terror funding,” cision this year on expanding the prevent a stampede. The issue was raised by Jait- and that the US Treasury Secre- annual lending by the various Jallikattu, a traditional harvest ley during his meeting with tary “appreciated the role of India arms of the multilateral lender event, was banned by the federal US Treasury Secretary Steven in this regard, including Indo-US through the GCI formula. government for nearly two years. Mnuchin here on Saturday, a Fi- co-operation in FATF (Financial “A minimum 50% increase in However the ban was revoked this nance Ministry statement said. Action Task Force).” historical average of $24bn per January after a statewide protest “Finance Minister Arun Jaitley “Critical economic issues like annum in the case of the IBRD that lasted two weeks. raised the issue of H-1B visas for Indo-US Investment Initiative, (International Bank for Recon- skilled professionals from India infrastructure collaboration, Na- struction and Development) and a and highlighted the contribution tional Investment and Infrastruc- 100% increase in case of IFC (In- Translated novel which Indian companies and pro- ture Fund, collaboration with the ternational Finance Corporation) wins top award fessionals are making to US econ- US for smart cities development, would be quite necessary to make omy,” it said. etcetera, were deliberated upon the World Bank deliver a com- One Part Woman, a translation The issue stems from recent during the meeting,” it added. mitment level of $100bn a year of Tamil author Perumal executive orders signed by US Jaitley is on a fi ve-day visit to to make it play a meaningful and Murugan’s controversial novel President Donald Trump which the US to attend the Spring Meet- leadership role in global develop- Madhoroobogan, won the national indicate a possible tightening of ings of the International Mon- ment landscape,” Jaitley said. Sahitya Akademy award for 2016 the H-1B visas. etary Fund and the World Bank. Addressing the plenary of the for the best translation last week. The US, however, has alleged According to the Finance Min- International Monetary and Fi- Aniruddhan Vasudevan, the that Indian IT companies were istry, Jaitley also held bilateral nance Committee (IMFC) earlier translator, will receive the unfairly cornering a major share meetings with the fi nance minis- on Saturday, Jaitley said the cur- award along with 23 others at a of H-1B visas by putting ex- ters of Sweden, France and Bang- rent IMF quotas do not refl ect ceremony in June in New Delhi. tra tickets in the lottery system, ladesh, as well as with World Bank global economic realities. The award carries a citation and a which the current US administra- President Jim Yong Kim. “Recent work by the Fund also cash prize of Rs50,000. tion wants to replace with a more The fi nance minister mean- points to the need for realign- Ironically Perumal Murugan, the merit-linked immigration policy. while said the World Bank needs ing quota shares to refl ect the author of this 2012 novel, was “The top recipients of the H-1B to decide the issues of Selective changed economic realities. All shamed publicly for its alleged visa are companies like Tata, In- Capital Increase (SCI) to refl ect these must be achieved as part of blasphemous content. fosys, Cognizant – they will apply the increasing weight of Devel- the 15th General Review of Quotas Perumal Murugan even declared for a very large number of visas, oping and Transition Countries (GRQ),” he said. publicly that he would never write more than they get, by putting (DTCs) and General Capital In- “We are disappointed that the another novel. However, a court extra tickets in the lottery raffl e, crease (GCI) to expand its annual deadline for completing the 15th dismissed petitions against him and if you will, and then they’ll get lending. GRQ has been pushed back to no requested him to resume writing. the lion’s share of visas,” a senior “We must fulfi l our commit- later than the 2019 annual meet- Punjab’s Minister of Local Government, Tourism and Cultural Aff airs Navjot Singh Sidhu speaks US offi cial said at a White House ment to consider and reach a de- ings. Any further delay in the 15th to off icials during a visit yesterday to Othian village in Rajasansi area of Amritsar where a briefi ng last week, according to cision on SCI and GCI by annual GRQ will erode Fund’s legitimacy Schools declare massive fire destroyed more than 300 acres of wheat crop on Friday. Farmers said the fire was transcripts posted on the White meetings 2017 in line with the and credibility and will be against early vacation caused by a short circuit in the high-tension electricity wires passing over the area. House website. Lima Roadmap,” he said at the the spirit of the Articles of Agree- “And those three companies plenary here on Saturday of the ment,” he added. The Tamil Nadu government has ordered schools to declare summer vacation from April 22 instead of April 30 due to an extreme heat wave. Renovation work School Education minister K A Sengottaiyan said any exams Minister calls IAS offi cer between April 21 and 29 would be postponed and ordered all summer classes to be suspended. Meanwhile the Anna University, ‘mad’, abuses workers the governing body for engineering/medical college IANS launched a protest in Munnar admissions in Tamil Nadu, has Thiruvananthapuram town from yesterday afternoon. decided to commence online “Who is Mani to speak about registration from May 1 to May 31. us? What does he know about The last date for submitting the erala Power Minister M us? We will not end our protest applications is June 3 and single M Mani came under fi re till the minister apologises,” a window counselling will begin Kyesterday for allegedly furious Gomathy said. from June 27. Higher Education calling a bureaucrat “mad” and The 2015 strike by women Minister K P Anbazhagan making disparaging remarks Mani: under fire plantation workers in Munnar commissioned the online process. about women plantation work- had forced the then Oommen ers. Mani, who has waded into con- Chandy government to hike Opposition parties attacked troversies with his remarks in their wages. Kamal accused of Mani, with the Bharatiya Ja- the past as well. Congress leader Lathika Sub- defaming epic tale nata Party and the Congress de- Later, addressing a public hash said Mani had brought manding his resignation. meeting in Idukki on Saturday shame on Kerala. Versatile award winning On Saturday evening, the night, Mani, a Communist Party “Chief Minister Pinarayi Vi- actor/producer/ script writer minister fi rst took on Indian of India (Marxist) leader, said he jayan should ask Mani to step Kamalhaasan has been Administrative Service offi cer knew what really happened dur- down for his abusive words summoned by a court at Valliyoor Sreeram Venkitaraman, who was ing a strike by ‘Pembulai Oru- against plantation workers. I in Tirunelveli district for alleged involved in clearing government mae’ (Women’s Collective). know the suff erings of these derogatory remarks against the land of encroachments in Mani’s “It was a stage-managed women,” said Subhash. ancient Hindu text Mahabharata. home district Idukki. protest led by vested interests. I Yesterday, former state Con- Petitioner V A Sundaram claimed “In Idukki, most religious know what all happened. When gress president V M Sudheeran that Kamalhaasan in a March 12 establishments are located on the strike was on, other activi- slammed the minister: “Mani interview to a private television land that do not have a clear ti- ties were taking place in nearby has become a liability for Kera- Labourers work on the renovation of the historic Writers’ Building in Kolkata. The red-brick channel, commented about how tle deed. He (Venkitaraman) is forests,” Mani said. la.” complex dates back to 1776 when Warren Hastings, the first governor general of British-run India, in the Mahabharata, Panchali was a mad man and should be sent Angered by Mani’s remarks, Communist Party of India commissioned Thomas Lyon to construct a building that would serve as the off ices and living used as a pawn while the men to Oolampara (mental hospital women plantation workers’ leader Prakash Babu also criti- quarters for the East India Company’s legions of clerks, known as writers. gambled. in Thiruvananthapuram),” said leader Gomathy said they had cised Mani. Gulf Times Monday, April 24, 2017 21 INDIA

ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION POLITICS HEALTH CRIME Operation on to rescue Meghalaya CM files case Gaddar willing to work AIIMS off ers treatment 12-year-old murders friend girl stuck in borewell over fake Twitter account with Pawan Kalyan’s party for eye tumours over Rs250 cricket match bet

An operation is underway to rescue a child Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has Rebel poet Gaddar, who plans to float a The All India Institute of Medical Sciences A 12-year-old boy in West Bengal’s Howrah who fell and got stuck in a borewell in a village filed a case over a fake Twitter account created political party in Telangana, has expressed his (AIIMS) is India’s first public hospital to district allegedly killed his friend following a in north Karnataka’s Belagavi district, off icials in his name, police said yesterday. Sangma willingness to work with Jana Sena party of start plaque brachytherapy facility for the dispute over a bet of Rs250 placed on a cricket said yesterday. “Hard soil and rocks around the lodged a formal complaint in the Sadar police popular Telugu actor Pawan Kalyan. Describing treatment of eye tumours, the hospital said in match, police said yesterday. The accused has borewell are hampering the operation to rescue station after he was informed of the fake Pawan as a long-time friend, Gaddar yesterday a statement yesterday. The facility is a form been taken into custody, the police said. The six-year-old Kaveri, who fell into the well on account, Davies Marak, district police chief said he would consider working with him after of local radiation delivered to the eye through body of the victim was found on Saturday. The Saturday evening while playing with friends,” a of East Khasi Hills, said. The message posted floating the political party. The balladeer said he a radioactive device which is attached to the victim – also 12 years old – won the bet, but National Disaster Response Force member said. from the fake Twitter account stated: “If I win would also work to bring together like-minded eye for a temporary period of time. The facility the accused refused to pay him, triggering a The village is 145km from Belagavi district town elections, I will legalise weed (marijuana) in parties. He acknowledged that a lot is being at the Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic quarrel. “My son won the bet and demanded and 640km from the state’s capital Bengaluru. Shillong...” Marak said they have written to heard in political circles about Pawan Kalyan’s Sciences will treat children suff ering from a type the money. But he (the accused) refused to pay “We have dug a 10ft tunnel so far and eff orts are Twitter seeking details about the user who party. Pawan announced earlier this month that of cancer called Retinoblastoma and adults who the amount. “He then took my son to a nearby on to dig 20ft more to reach Kaveri and pull her created the account. The police have already Jana Sena will contest the next elections in both suff er from melanoma. “Both cancers are life garden and beat him up mercilessly. He then out,” the member said. The team also attempted registered a case under various sections of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. There is a buzz threatening, and plaque brachytherapy can help smashed my son’s head with a brick. My son to pull out Kaveri with hooks and ropes from the the Information Technology Act and the Indian in political circles that Gaddar will play a key save not only the life of the patient, but also the became senseless. Then he throttled him,” said narrow and dark hole but did not succeed. Penal Code, he added. role in the actor’s plans for Telangana. vision,” the statement said. the victim’s father. Three men transporting cattle attacked in New Delhi

Agencies been emboldened by the elec- New Delhi tion in 2014 of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Ja- nata Party. hree men who were trans- Last year Modi criticised porting buff aloes in their the cow-protection vigilantes Ttruck to a slaughterhouse and urged a crackdown against were attacked by vigilantes in groups using religion as a cover the heart of New Delhi, police for committing crimes. said yesterday. In other developments, a The latest attack comes minor squabble between two amidst a wave of rising tensions groups in Fatehpur Sikri spilled People queue up at a polling booth to cast their votes in New Delhi yesterday. over cow slaughter in India, over to Agra on Saturday night where the animal is considered as Hindu right-wing went on a sacred and its slaughter is a pun- rampage beating up police and ishable off ence in many states. damaging vehicles. There have been a spate of The activists were led by BJP attacks in the recent months legislator from Fatehpur Sikri, by ‘cow protection’ vigilante Choudhary Udai Bhan Singh. groups, who roam some high- They wanted the release of ways inspecting livestock trucks their party members against Millions vote in Delhi for any trace of the animal. whom a case had been registered A Muslim man died in one in Fatehpur Sikri. such attack earlier this month Senior police offi cials reached after the truck carrying cows Fatehpur Sikri and tried to con- was attacked by one such vigi- tain a possible communal fl are- lante group in Rajasthan. up, sources said. “This incident has nothing The Hindu outfi ts on Saturday municipal elections to do with any cow protection tried to lay siege to the Taj Mahal (group) but is linked to an ani- and forcibly enter the restricted IANS and the Congress want to end BJP leader Arvinder Singh stituencies in Delhi. The two a referendum on his govern- mal rights’ group which has been 500m zone to demand the lifting New Delhi the 10-year reign of the BJP in Lovely, who recently quit the smaller civic bodies are the Del- ment’s two-year performance, working in Delhi for long,” Ramil of a ban on saff ron scarves. the civic body, citing poor up- Congress, could not vote be- hi Cantonment Board and the he replied: “We will see when Baniya, deputy commissioner of Offi cials of the Archaeologi- keep of the city’s cleanliness. cause the EVM in his polling New Delhi Municipal Council the results come.” police told journalists. cal Survey of India agreed to look illions of voters in the The BJP used Prime Minis- station – there were 13,022 in all (NDMC). The results will be announced “Around 14 buff aloes were be- into their grievances even as a national capital yes- ter Narendra Modi’s appeal to – broke down. Lt Governor Anil Baijal, Ke- on Wednesday. Maken rooted ing taken for slaughter when the note from the federal Culture Mterday voted to pick reclaim the North Delhi, Mu- By 3pm, the AAP “war room” jriwal, Delhi Congress chief for the Congress. team of animal rights’ activists Ministry was circulated indicat- three new municipal bodies in nicipal Corporation (104 seats), reported 250 calls from voters Ajay Maken and Delhi BJP lead- “The BJP has done enough intercepted and stopped them, ing there was no ban on scarves an election crucial for all three South Delhi Municipal Cor- complaining about non-func- ers were among the early voters. damage for 10 years. The only and they had some scuffl e and of any colour. main contenders – the Bharati- poration (104 seats) and East tional EVMs. The complaints “I urge the people of Delhi thing it has done is engaging arguments,” Baniya added. Meanwhile, the government ya Janata Party, Congress and Delhi Municipal Corporation came from several areas in- to vote for a fi lth-free Delhi, a in verbal duels with the AAP. According to some accounts, yesterday denied any involve- the Aam Aadmi Party. (64 seats). cluding Deputy Chief Minister dengue- and chikungunya-free People want sensible govern- some members of People for ment of the Central Industrial According to the State Elec- Polling did not take place in Manish Sisodia’s constituency Delhi,” said Kejriwal after voting ance. Going by Congress’ track Animals (PFA), headed by federal Security Force (CISF) or the ASI tion Commission, 54% of the two wards – Maujpur in East Patparganj. along with his family. record, they will vote for us,” he minister Maneka Gandhi, were in restricting foreign models 10.32mn electorate cast their Delhi and Sarai Pipal Thala in A Maharashtra Congress Asked if the election was said. also involved in the assault. from entering Taj Mahal wearing vote, the turnout hit by intense North Delhi – where a can- leader, Shehzad Poonawala, The police have since launched saff ron scarves inscribed with midday heat. didate each of the Samajwadi tweeted about the EVMs in Exit poll predicts clean sweep by BJP two investigations, one over the name of Ram. Residents reported “low” Party died. Delhi: “Better we call them alleged illegalities in transporta- A couple of international voting in many areas but in Even as the polling was on, (E)xtremely (V)ulnerable (M) The Bharatiya Janata Party yesterday. The AAP and the tion of buff aloes and the other models, sporting such scarves, many others there were long Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal achines.” will make a clean sweep in Congress will get 25 seats each, over attack on cattle truck. were reportedly asked to remove queues of men and women keen said reports of EVM malfunc- A total of 2,537 candidates municipal elections in Delhi the exit poll said. It said in all In 2015 a Muslim man was them when they were about to to pick three wings of a munici- tioning came from all over the were in the race. while the Aam Aadmi Party three municipal corporations, lynched by his neighbours over enter the 17th century monu- pal corporation that covers al- capital. He also tweeted that Among others who contested and the Congress will lag far the BJP got the support of rumours that he had slaughtered ment last week. most the whole of Delhi. many people with voter slips the election are the Bahujan behind, said an exit poll. The around 50% voters while the a cow. Police later said the meat “There is no restriction on The balloting was peace- were not allowed to vote. Samaj Party, Samajwadi Party, exit poll by ABP News-C Voter Congress and the AAP’s share was mutton. colour, religious design or in- ful but both voters and politi- Kejriwal, who has been up Janata Dal-United and Swaraj claimed that the BJP, which was only 19.1% and 18.6%, Last month a hotel manager scriptions on the scarves or cal parties reported numerous against the BJP and the Elec- India of Yogendra Yadav and has ruled the three municipal respectively. The exit poll was was beaten by a mob and his dresses of visitors coming to see cases of malfunctioning of the tion Commission over the Prashant Bhushan who were corporations for 10 years, will conducted among 14,503 restaurant sealed in Jaipur after the Taj Mahal,” said a Culture Electronic Voting Machines EVM tampering, has repeatedly earlier Kejriwal’s colleagues in get a landslide victory in all respondents in all 270 wards of Hindu vigilantes accused him of and Tourism Ministry state- (EVMs), which themselves have fl ayed the state poll panel for the AAP. with 218 of the total 270 seats the three civic bodies that went serving beef. ment, adding no CISF personnel come under a cloud. using pre-2006 balloting ma- The three civic bodies cover for which polls were held to the polls yesterday. Critics say the vigilantes have or ASI offi cials were involved. The AAP, which rules Delhi, chines in the civic polls. 68 of the 70 assembly con-

Tamil Nadu farmers suspend Chef sets a record Over 100,000 to attend protest after meeting CM Modi’s Shimla meeting

IANS Later, he will address a pub- IANS tests here for 41 days, during “We will review the situation Shimla lic meeting, which is likely to New Delhi which we met the president, after a month. If the government see the participation of over (central) fi nance minister, agri- fails to fulfi l its promises, we will 100,000 party workers, at culture minister, and minister agitate again,” he said, adding grand reception awaits the historic Ridge – once the armers from Tamil Nadu, of state for transport. They all that farmers from several states, Prime Minister Naren- promenade for the British co- staging a protest at the assured us that our case will be including Punjab, Gujarat, Har- Adra Modi when he ar- lonial rulers when the city was FJantar Mantar here for considered. However, we have yana, Assam, and Odisha have rives in Shimla on a day-long their summer capital. the last 41 days to draw atten- not received any help so far. To- extended their support to their visit this week to launch “Modi will land at the Jub- tion to their plight, yesterday day, the chief minister said he agitation. an air connectivity scheme barhatti airport near Shimla suspended their action till May will write off our loans, taken Aam Aadmi Party leader Ku- and sound the poll bugle in around 11am and launch the 25 after state Chief Minister K from both nationalised and co- mar Vishwas visited the farmers Himachal Pradesh, a Bharatiya UDAN scheme,” former state Palaniswami assured them that operative banks. So we have de- and assured them of all support. Janata Party leader said yester- health minister Rajeev Bindal, he would take up their demands cided to suspend our agitations He said that the prime minister day. who is in charge of the prime including that of loan waiver till May 25,” Ayyakannu told re- was sensitive to such issues so he This will be Modi’s second minister’s visit, said. with Prime Minister Narendra porters. “will react” to it. visit to the hill state since he Bindal said after inaugu- Modi. He also said that Dravida On Friday, the farmers had became prime minister in rating the maiden regional However, they would resume Munnetra Kazhagam leader M K collected their urine in plas- May 2014. Himachal Pradesh connectivity Shimla-Delhi the agitation if the promises were Stalin had asked the farmers to tic bottles and threatened to will hold elections in Novem- flight from the airport, lo- not fulfi lled, said P Ayyakannu, return to the state. drink it if the federal govern- ber. cated 2,196m above sea level, president of the National-South The farmers were on a pro- ment fails to respond to their Modi will hold a massive Modi will start his roadshow Indian Rivers Linking Farmers test sit-in seeking loan waivers, demands. roadshow, besides launch- from Chaura Maidan to the Association, who was leading drought relief packages and for- From wearing human skulls ing the central government’s Ridge, the rally venue, 3km the protest. mation of a Cauvery Manage- to conducting mock funerals Chef Vishnu Manohar sets a new record for the longest subsidised air regional con- away. These farmers took out a rally ment Board to resolve their irri- and even stripping at Raisina cooking marathon in Nagpur yesterday. Manohar, who nectivity scheme UDAN, or The Shimla airport has been from the India Gate to the Jantar gation issues. Hill here, the farmers have been cooked continuously for 56 hours, broke the previous world “Ude Desh ka Har Nagarik”, shut for scheduled fl ights since Mantar before the announce- Ayyakannu threatened to re- grabbing eyeballs for the last 40 record of 40 hours achieved by Benjamin J Perry of the US building effi cient regional air September 6, 2012, aff ecting ment. start the agitations from May 25 days with their startling ways of on March 12, 2014. connectivity, from here on tourists and business travellers “We have been holding pro- if their demands are not met. protest. April 27. to the state. Gulf Times 22 Monday, April 24, 2017 LATIN AMERICA

CLAIM OPPOSITION CRIME LAW AND ORDER ENTERTAINMENT Odebrecht corruption fine Deutsche Bank’s gold swap Six bodies found in Two criminal gang Discovery to build $400mn may be hiked: newspaper with Venezuela opposed ditch outside Acapulco bosses killed in Mexico theme park in Costa Rica

The Brazilian government may increase The Venezuelan opposition has written to The remains of at least six bodies were found in a Two criminal gang bosses were confirmed Discovery Communications, owner of Discovery the corruption fine that engineering Deutsche Bank asking it not to carry out ditch just outside the seaside resort of Acapulco in dead after clashes with authorities in northern Channel and Animal Planet, will build a $400mn conglomerate Odebrecht agreed to pay in a a gold swap with the country’s socialist Guerrero, Mexico’s bloodiest state, an off icial said. Mexico, close to the US border. Julian Manuel theme park in Costa Rica, the government said. multi-billion dollar leniency deal signed last government, which urgently needs new The bodies had been buried between five and 20 Loisa Salinas, known as “Comandante Toro,” Local investment firm Sun Latin America will be year, newspaper Folha de S.Paulo reported foreign exchange reserves. According to days ago in a ditch that fed rain water into one of the Gulf Cartel, and Francisco “Pancho” responsible for developing the 1,977-acre project yesterday. Odebrecht, once Latin America’s reports last year, Venezuela has already of Acapulco’s main bays, according to Acapulco Carreon, regional chief of Los Zetas, were killed in the province of Guanacaste, a beach tourism biggest builder, struck a deal with Brazil, the US carried out several such swaps, in which prosecutor Ricardo Quevedo. Sparsely populated during attempts to arrest them, according to a destination some 225kms north of the capital, and Switzerland in December designed to allow the central bank lends its gold to another Guerrero has led the nation in firearm killings for statement by the Tamaulipas state government the government said. The park, which will include the company to continue its operations so that bank for a period of time and receives hard most of the past six years as heroin production and local media reports. Salinas, who has hotels, eco-adventure activities, sports areas and it can pay off a record $3.5bn fine. However, the currency in exchange. In a letter to Deutsche for the US market has spiked in an area that is been wanted by local police for years, died restaurants, will generate some 2,000 jobs during country’s attorney general’s off ice, known as Bank boss John Cryan, National Assembly being fought over by a growing number of drug after setting car tyres on fire with the help its 2018-2020 construction, Costa Rican President AGU, said it is evaluating the deal and may raise Speaker Julio Borges asked Cryan not to take gangs. Violence has also been fed by turf wars of accomplices in order to block pursuing Luis Guillermo Solís told a news conference. the $2.4bn fine owed to Brazil, Folha de S.Paulo part in the swap because President Nicolas over the distribution of drugs like cocaine and authorities. Carreon was killed on the street by Discovery Communications and Sun Latin America reported citing a statement from the off ice. Maduro was trying to establish a dictatorship. methamphetamine in cities like Acapulco. police near the state capital, Ciudad Victoria. did not provide details on their agreement.

Trump Victory rally urged not Haiti leader to rollback policy on to plead guilty Cuba ties

Tribune News Service Miami to drug charges

ixteen retired senior mili- tary offi cers are asking the STrump administration to continue the process of normali- sation with Cuba for the sake of in US court US national security and stabil- ity in the region. Tribune News Service deal with the US attorney’s offi ce. sought to fi re this month in re- “The location of Cuba in the Miami Philippe’s change of plea is taliation for Philippe’s arrest. Caribbean and proximity to the bound to rattle some Haitian Philippe is the last high- US make it a natural and stra- lawmakers, and supporters who profi le defendant from a US tegically valuable partner on uy Philippe has appar- have turned his arrest and extra- crackdown on cocaine smug- issues of immediate concern, ently run out of moves in dition into a cause celebre. Sup- gling through Haiti that yielded including terrorism, border con- Ghis quest to outfox the US porters have protested his arrest the convictions of more than trol, drug interdiction, environ- government. in his western Haiti hometown a dozen drug traffi ckers, Hai- mental protections, and emer- The former Haitian national of Pestel, in front of the US em- tian senior police offi cers and a gency preparedness,” the retired police commander who led a bassy in Port-au-Prince and in former Haitian senator. Among offi cers stated in a letter that was revolt against his nation’s presi- front of the Miami federal court- them was Beaudouin “Jacques” for national security adviser Lt. dent in 2004 and was elected to house during his January court Ketant, a Haitian drug traffi cker Gen. H R McMaster. the Senate last year, has agreed appearance. who accused former president The retired offi cers indicated to plead guilty today to a drug- Jean-Bertrand Aristide of turn- that ensuring economic stabil- related charge, according to a Philippe’s change of plea ing a blind eye to the cocaine ity on the island was benefi cial to notice fi led in Miami federal is bound to rattle some coming through what he called a the US for security reasons. court. Haitian lawmakers, and “narco-state.” “We acknowledge the current It is not clear from the notice supporters who have Ketant, who was initially sen- regime must do more to open its whether Philippe will plead guilty turned his arrest and tenced to 27 years in a US prison, political system and dialogue with to a principal conspiracy charge extradition into a cause was deported to Haiti in 2015 the Cuban people. But, if we fail to of smuggling cocaine from Co- celebre. after his term cut in half after engage economically and political- lombia via Haiti to the US, or to a helping US offi cials in their in- ly, it is certain that China, Russia, secondary conspiracy off ence of Even Haitian President Jo- vestigation. and other entities whose interests money laundering in an indict- venel Moise has weighed in. While little detail is available are contrary to the US’ will rush ment dating back to 2005. Though he hasn’t said anything about what prompted Philippe’s into the vacuum,” the letter said. In exchange for agreeing to publicly about Philippe’s ar- change of heart, some are won- “We have an opportunity now to plead guilty to avoid the risk of rest, Moise, who campaigned for dering what or who he may have shape and fi ll a strategic void.” trial in early May and possible president with Philippe despite given up in the process. Six of the 16 letter-signers conviction on the main drug- his fugitive status, has appoint- For more than a decade, fed- travelled to Havana from March conspiracy charge, it is likely ed a number of close Philippe eral agents, in collaboration with 14-17 at the invitation of the Cu- that federal prosecutors have supporters to key government the Haiti National Police made ban government and met with of- off ered Philippe a plea deal that posts. Among them: the head of at least 10 attempts to arrest fi cials from the foreign ministry would lessen his lengthy prison Philippe’s political party, Jeantel Philippe: setting up checkpoints, as well as representatives from term. Joseph, who led the US embassy paying informants, launching a the energy, agriculture, trade and Philippe had insisted that as protests, was given a top Haitian US military operation and pur- foreign Investment ministries. an elected Haitian senator, he government security post. suing him in a foot chase only to The group also visited the port of could not be charged by US au- Last month, Haiti’s sen- lose him in dense vegetation. Mariel and met with 12 ministry thorities and that his January 5 ate spent two days debating Last month, US district judge of interior offi cials – a gather- arrest by US Drug Enforcement Philippe’s case before over- Cecilia Altonaga faulted fed- ing not previously disclosed. The Administration agents was tan- whelmingly approving a resolu- eral authorities for not mak- MININT is in charge of domestic tamount to a kidnapping. But tion “energetically condemn- ing a consistent eff ort to arrest security but also of the Cuban in- a federal judge in Miami ruled ing” his arrest and deportation Philippe since his indictment in telligence services. against him last month, saying to the US. late 2005, but found that pros- The Cuban offi cials provided he was not protected by sover- They argued that his arrest ecutors did not violate his con- “a signifi cant hour-and-a-half eign immunity because he had was an attack on democracy stitutional right to a speedy trial Power Point brief on their secu- not been sworn in before his ar- and Haiti’s sovereignty, and de- because he had “reneged” on a rity concerns and their thoughts rest in Port-au-Prince. manded a public apology from promise to turn himself in. on co-operation with the US,” President-elect Lenin Moreno attends a rally after Ecuador’s electoral authorities After that major setback, the police chief Michel-Ange The judge also found that said Stephen A Cheney, a retired confirmed Moreno’s victory in the presidential elections after a recount of the votes, Philippe, who initially pleaded Gedeon and the head of his judi- Philippe did not have immunity brigadier general in the US Ma- in Quito, Ecuador. not guilty, was apparently left cial police unit, Normil Rameau, against prosecution as an elected rine Corps. with no alternative but to strike a whom some Philippe supporters public offi cial in Haiti. Petrobras against govt Nicaragua police stop protest against canal plan to boost biofuels in return for a concession to run AFP Juigalpa, Nicaragua it for at least 50 years. Reuters were fi nancially unprepared to “This is a throwback to out- “Ortega: thief, traitor, selling Sao Paulo raise ethanol output. dated views on biofuels and our country,” yelled the protesters. It also suggested it was not a big step backwards for the olice in Nicaragua blocked “I’m afraid they will take my necessary to increase biofuel use company,” he said. thousands of farmers and land away,” said one of them, razil’s state-controlled to meet Brazil’s commitments One of Brazil’s commitments Prural residents from hold- Adolfo Jarquin, 56, who owns oil company Petroleo under a global climate pact. under the 2016 Paris climate ing a march against a govern- more than 245 acres. BBrasileiro SA has ex- Petrobras’ new position agreement was to sharply in- ment plan to build a canal across Many of them have found it pressed strong opposition to a marks an about-face from the crease the share of biofuels in the country, potentially carving impossible to obtain bank loans, government-led programme recent past, when it aimed to its energy mix to help it meet an up their land. and municipal works along the to increase the use of biofuels diversify energy sources and ambitious target to cut green- “It’s pitiful what’s happening canal’s path have come to a following its recent decision to become one of the world’s fi ve house gas emissions 43% from in Nicaragua,” said one of the standstill, Ramirez said. completely withdraw from the largest biofuels producers. 2005 levels by 2030. leaders of the demonstration, An opposition politician at sector. The company did not re- For ethanol, that target Francisca Ramirez. the protest, Henry Ruiz, said In a document the energy spond to a request for addi- would mean almost doubling Police prevented buses and the canal was an “unconditional ministry posted on its website, tional comment. current production to 54bn li- trucks carrying protesters handover” of Nicaraguan land. the company known as Petro- In December, Petrobras tres by 2030. from converging in the town The plan calls for between bras said it was worried about agreed to sell stakes in etha- In criticising possible in- of Juigalpa, east of the capital 30,000 and 120,000 rural in- the impact of more biofuels on nol producers Guarani and creases in biofuels usage, Managua, and said the demon- habitants along its 276km length forest conservation and food Nova Fronteira and close some Elizabeth Farina, head of cane stration was illegal. to be displaced and land to be ex- production. biodiesel plants, as chief ex- industry group Unica, said A police statement said offi c- propriated. The document, made public ecutive offi cer Pedro Parente Petrobras seemed to be looking ers faced down “groups of people The canal is meant to rival the last week, was prepared in re- prioritised investments in off - out for its own shifting portfo- behaving with hostility, armed century-old Panama Canal. sponse to government calls for shore oil fi elds to ramp up cash lio. with clubs, machetes, rocks and Thus far there has been no public comment on its Renova- generation and reduce its near- “Pedro Parente has clearly fi rearms.” excavation, however, despite Bio programme to boost biofuels. ly $100bn in debt. said the focus is on fossil fu- A lawyer for the protesters, HKND saying it was meant to Petrobras was the only com- Petrobras’ new position on els...but you can’t go against Monica Lopez, said 20 of them start at the end of last year. pany to submit a comment. biofuels has surprised former what is happening in the were temporarily detained, but Foreign observers in the coun- Most submissions were from partners including Donizete world,” she said. police did not confi rm that. try are sceptical about whether it trade associations. Tokarski, who heads the bi- Unica strongly supports The farmers are angry that will go ahead. Long an ally of Brazil’s etha- odiesel association Ubrabio RenovaBio and has proposed President Daniel Ortega in 2013 Iran, which has good relations nol industry, Petrobras said in which supports the govern- mandates for biofuel use simi- A demonstrator shouts slogans during a protest against the organised Chinese consortium with Nicaragua, has said it wants the document that sugar mills ment programme. lar to those in the US. construction of the Interoceanic Grand Canal, in Juigalpa, Nicaragua. HKND to build the $50bn canal to participate in the project. Gulf Times Monday, April 24, 2017 23 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

Sharif family Afghans call for action lawyer surprise winner following after Taliban attack top court verdict AFP Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan Internews However, on Dar’s request, Islamabad Hamid eagerly took up his case fghan families buried along with two other respond- their dead and the coun- ents. Atry observed a national hahid Hamid, who was But he was harshly criticised day of mourning yesterday after regarded as an underdog by PML- N leaders as well as at least 100 soldiers were killed Sduring the Panamagate the media when he argued on or wounded in a Taliban attack case proceedings, has emerged behalf of Dar on January 27. on a military base, prompting as a winner from among the As soon as he presented angry calls for ministers and Sharif family’s legal wizards Dar’s case, the case took a new army chiefs to resign. as nothing untoward about turn when the Supreme Court The exact toll from Friday’s his clients emerged in the Su- asked NAB to submit details assault in the northern province preme Court’s majority ver- of the 17-year-old Huda- of Balkh remained unclear, with dict. biya Paper Mills case against some local offi cials putting the Sharif family’s legal team the Sharif family involving number of dead alone as high as was assisted by three counsel Rs1.2bn. 130. - Makhdoom Ali Khan, Sha- Meanwhile, lawyers repre- The raid, the deadliest-ever hid Hamid and Salman Akram senting the Sharif family se- by the Taliban on a military Raja. verely criticised Hamid as they base, underscores their growing Shahid Hamid represent- feared that the bench would strength more than 15 years after ed Maryam Nawaz, Captain reopen the Hudabiya Paper they were ousted from power. Safdar and Finance Minister Mills case against the prime Flags fl ew at half-mast Ishaq Dar in the case. minister and his family in its throughout the country and The Sharif family spent fi nal verdict. special prayers were said for the nearly Rs150mn in lawyers’ However, the majority judg- dead. fees and other expenses during ment does not even mention The defence ministry gave the case, sources said. the matter relating to the Hud- a fi gure of at least 100 soldiers However, Shahid Hamid abiya Paper Mills. killed or wounded. was among three lawyers, who Even, NAB was not directed Kabul has so far ignored media charged minimal fees from the to fi le an appeal against the calls for a complete breakdown ruling family. LHC order for quashing the of casualties from the fi ve-hour According to sources, the Hudabiya Paper Mills refer- attack near the provincial capital ruling family had to pay Sal- ence. of Mazar-i-Sharif. man Akram Raja, the counsel Although, the minority But local offi cials including, for the PM’s sons, extra when judgment asks NAB to proceed Mohamed Ibrahim Khairandish Afghan relatives carry the coff in of an Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier killed in a Taliban attack on an army base in Takhar province he contended that he deserved against Ishaq Dar for involve- the head of the provincial coun- yesterday. Afghan families buried their dead and the country observed a national day of mourning yesterday after at least 100 soldiers were more because he could not ap- ment with the Sharif family in cil, put the death toll as high killed or wounded in a Taliban attack on a military base, prompting angry calls for ministers and army chiefs to resign. pear in other cases because of money laundering, but there as 130 and said about 60 were his engagement in the Pan- is no adverse direction against wounded. Qari Ahmadullah, Shir’s There was also growing anger about the latest tragedy. fence Minister Abdullah Habibi amagate case. the fi nance minister in the ma- Ten gunmen dressed in sol- brother who also served as the online, with many slamming “The best way to honour them and the commander of the 209th Hamid faced severe criti- jority ruling. diers’ uniforms and armed with imam (cleric) of the 209th Corps the government for its inabil- is to fi re and punish those who Corps stationed at the base. cism by Pakistan Muslim Similarly, the larger bench suicide vests entered the base in which was attacked, said: “My ity to counter a series of brazen failed to do their jobs and/or co- “This was no act of despera- League- Nawaz (PML-N) law- unanimously rejected PTI’s army trucks and opened fi re at brother just got married four Taliban assaults, including one operated with the enemy. Some tion. The Taliban infi ltrated an yers during the hearing. contention that Maryam unarmed troops at close range months ago and now he is dead. on the country’s largest military leaders must go!” said another Afghan military base. That’s a Even senior party leaders was dependent on her father in the base’s mosque and dining The Taliban are the enemy of Is- hospital in Kabul in March that user on Twitter. major sign of strength,” tweet- accused him of hushing up the (PM). The bench also did not hall. lam and Muslims: they are mis- left dozens dead. President Ashraf Ghani’s ed Washington-based analyst whole defence line-up repre- give any adverse observa- A military source at the base using the name of Islam to hide Twelve army offi cers, includ- spokesman Shah Hussain Mur- Michael Kugelman. senting the Sharif family. tion against Captain (retd) indicated the assault was an in- their atrocities.” ing two generals, were sacked for tazawi told reporters a thorough Afghan troops and police, be- In view of media reports, Safdar. sider attack, and the militants After the body was buried at negligence over that attack. investigation had been ordered. set by killings and desertions, sources said that a few mem- Even, the majority judgment were “young recruits who had a nearby hill, local resident Faiz “Mothers lost their sons, sis- “Investigations must be ac- have been struggling to beat bers of the Sharif family were did not ask the authorities to come for training”. Families said Mohamed spoke of people’s ters lost their brothers and wives ceptable to the nation and the back insurgents since US-led also annoyed with him. scrutinise the PM’s daughter prayers for the dead. fears. lost their husbands. What is the president,” he vowed, adding Nato troops ended their combat According to the PML-N’s for her alleged ownership of In the village of Omra Kot “We always thought our house government doing to prevent “At this moment, the people of mission in December 2014. initial legal strategy, Ishaq Dar the London fl ats. in Balkh, the coffi n of soldier is safe because of the base but now such atrocities, only condemn- Afghanistan need to unite like a Afghan security force casualties had to engage an independent Hamid later said that he was Shir Mohamed, 25, was brought we are shocked. How could this ing? I am so tired, I can’t do any- strong fi st.” soared by 35 % in 2016, with 6,800 counsel in the case because of happy about successfully pro- home to a house full of weeping have happened? I can’t believe we thing but to cry,” a user called Many internet commentators soldiers and police killed, accord- confl ict of interest. tecting the interest of his three relatives. lost all these young men.” Zabiullah posted on Facebook called for the resignation of De- ing to US watchdog SIGAR. Pakistan Tehreek-e- In- clients. saf (PTI) had requested the “I am a strong believer in Supreme Court to disqualify God. I thank God that I have Ishaq Dar on charges of money been able to defend the posi- laundering. tion of my clients”, he said. Survivors recall carnage at Afghan base Panama Papers case verdict propels KSE index

AFP in hospital said the gunmen wounded in his hand and waist, The attack underscores rising The trading week that ended It showed the biggest-ever Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan were disguised as soldiers, used told AFP many victims were shot insecurity as Afghanistan braces on Friday saw the KSE- 100 intra-day volatility of 1,668 suicide vests and heavy machine at close range. for an intense spring fi ghting sea- index post staggering gains points in the index on guns, and shot unarmed sol- “Their leader was telling son. of 2,132 points or 4.5%, which Wednesday as investors urvivors of a deadly Tali- diers at close range in the base’s them ‘aim for their heads’. They Afghan security forces, beset settled the benchmark at quickly changed bets on the ban assault on an Afghan mosque. killed a lot of my friends, I by killings and desertions, have 49,709 points. Supreme Court’s verdict. Smilitary base described “We were having lunch when jumped out of a window to sur- been struggling to beat back The upsurge in the index It posted the highest-ever leaping from windows to escape an army truck pulled over near vive,” he said. insurgents since US-led Nato represented the highest-ever intra-day gains of 1,906 gunmen shooting soldiers as us with four men who looked like An Afghan army source at the troops ended their combat mis- gain in a single week, after points, moments after the they prayed, as grieving families our soldiers,” 22-year-old Za- base told AFP most of the sol- sion in December 2014. Dec 9, 2016, and included the announcement of a split collected coffi ns draped in the biullah, who was wounded in the diers were young recruits there Families of the victims gath- addition of 2,834 points or verdict that fell short of Afghan fl ag. shoot-out, told AFP. for training. ered outside the base vented 6% to the benchmark in the disqualifying the prime Afghan offi cials have said “Two of them with suicide “They entered the compound their anger at security offi cials last three trading sessions minister. more than 100 soldiers were vests jumped out of the car, en- using two army trucks with ma- for failing to protect their loved Afghan resident Ahmadullah alone. As stashed away cash made killed or wounded in the assault tered the dining room and start- chine guns on top of them. They ones. poses for a photograph with As the Panama Papers its way into the market, the on the base outside the northern ed shooting. opened fi re on everyone. And “Three months ago I sent my a picture of his brother Shir case unfolded, the market average daily volume surged city of Mazar-i-Sharif on Friday, The other two started shoot- then they entered the mosque son to join the army...today they Mohamed, an Afghan National managed to convert the to 278mn shares, up 62% from the latest and potentially deadli- ing with a heavy machine gun on and dining room, killing every- are giving me his dead body,” the Army (ANA) soldier who was four-month selling spree the earlier week. est in a string of attacks on mili- top of the truck,” he said. one indiscriminately,” Mohamed tearful, angry father of one sol- killed in a Taliban attack on an into a relief rally and sprang The average traded value rose tary targets. Mohamed Qurban, a 19-year- Hussain, an army offi cer wound- dier killed inside the base said, army base, at his house on the surprises in the process. 81% to $158mn. Survivors who spoke to AFP old trainee offi cer who was ed in the attack, said. declining to be named. outskirts of Mazar-i- Sharif. Few clues on casualties at site of huge US bomb blast

Reuters The US military has said that on- used to target a tunnel complex and that is still capable,” he said. Achin District, Afghanistan going fighting had prevented media destroy landmines and other booby The strike came as President Don- or independent investigators from traps laid by Islamic State militants ald Trump declared a focus on Islamic visiting the site, and Afghan soldiers holed up in the mountains. State, and was part of a larger opera- he remote site in eastern Af- said special forces from both coun- No obvious crater or bodies were tion to clear Islamic State militants ghanistan where the US military tries were still engaging the enemy in visible at the scene, according to the from their strongholds in the moun- Tdropped its largest non-nuclear the area. Reuters witness. tains along the border between Af- bomb ever deployed in combat earlier A Reuters witness viewed the site Several hundred yards from the ghanistan and Pakistan. this month bears signs of the weapon’s from several hundred yards away, be- strike, Afghan soldiers explored a large In March, US forces conducted power, but little evidence of how much cause of what troops he was accom- tunnel dug beneath a home. 79 “counter-terror strikes” against material and human damage it infl ict- panying said were continued threats in The entrance within the home de- Islamic State in Nangarhar, killing ed. the area. scended into tunnels large enough for as many as 200 militants, accord- Reuters photos and video footage While the 21,600-pound GBU-43 a person to stand in upright, strung ing to the US military command in — some of the fi rst images from jour- is billed as the US military’s most with electric cables and light bulbs and Kabul. nalists allowed to get close to the site — powerful non-nuclear bomb, its strewn with rugs, cushions, and men’s US military offi cials estimate there reveal a scarred mountainside, burned destructive power, equivalent to 11 clothes and shoes. are about 600 to 800 Islamic State trees and some ruined mud-brick tonnes of TNT, pales in compari- One cave was said to have once held fi ghters in Afghanistan, mostly in structures. son with the relatively small atomic prisoners, but was unused at the time Nangarhar, but also in the neighbour- They did not off er any clues as to the bombs dropped on Japan at the end of the strike, according to soldiers at ing province of Kunar. number of casualties or their identi- of World War Two. the scene. Taliban militants, meanwhile, re- ties. They had blasts equivalent to be- US Secretary of Defence James Mat- main the dominant insurgent group in Since the GBU-43 Massive Ord- tween 15,000 and 20,000 tonnes of Afghan Special Forces patrol at the site of a MOAB, or ‘’mother of all bombs’’, tis told reporters on Thursday that US Afghanistan. nance Air Blast bomb was dropped on TNT. which struck the Achin district of the eastern province of Nangarhar, Afghanistan, troops would not be digging into the A Taliban attack on a large Afghan a fortifi ed tunnel complex used by sus- Within a few hundred feet of the yesterday. site to determine how many people army headquarters in the north of the pected Islamic State fi ghters in Nan- apparent blast site, leaves remained may have been killed. country on Friday killed more than garhar province, access to the site has intact on trees, belying initial expec- Afghan officials have said nearly ers, and, more recently, American “Frankly digging into tunnels to 140 soldiers, in what is believed to be been controlled by US forces who are tations that the explosion may have 100 militants and no civilians were security forces, has left those claims count dead bodies is probably not a the deadliest single attack on Afghan battling the militant group alongside sent a destructive blast wave for up to killed, but the remoteness of the area, unverified. good use of our troops’ time when forces since the Taliban were ousted in Afghan troops. a mile. the presence of Islamic State fight- US commanders said the bomb was they are chasing down the enemy 2001. Gulf Times 24 Monday, April 24, 2017 PHILIPPINES Four gunmen killed on tourist island

AFP pects and three others on the run deadly bombings, prompting Manila were stragglers from a boatload Duterte to vow deadly retribu- of southern Philippines-based tion. “I told the military: Do Abu Sayyaf gunmen who sailed not sleep. Find them. Kill them. our gunmen have been to the central island of Bohol this I want them dead. Do not give killed on a Philippine tour- month as part of a plot to kidnap them to me alive,” Duterte said Fist island as President Ro- tourists. about the fresh fi ghting in Bohol. drigo Duterte ordered the mili- The raid had signalled an es- “They are animals but if you tary yesterday to kill remnants of calation of the kidnapping threat want me to be an animal, I am a militant group behind a foiled from the Abu Sayyaf, who are used to that. We are the same. I mass kidnapping attempt there. based on remote islands and can dish out more than what you Authorities said the dead sus- also blamed for beheadings and can,” he told people attending a public sports event. Six other Abu Sayyaf mem- Abu Sayyaf militants behead kidnapped soldier bers had been killed in clashes on the island on April 11, when three A Filipino soldier kidnapped last town in Sulu, Brigadier General soldiers and a policeman were Soldiers taking position after a clash with gunmen in the town of Clarin, Bohol province. week in the southern Philippines Cirilito Sobejana, commander of also slain, authorities said. by Abu Sayyaf militants was the Joint Task Force Sulu, said. The military said they had ment said. “It could just be a ings and deadly bombings. Philippines’ important tourism Over the past year the Abu found beheaded, the military Sobejana said Siraji was prob- been pursuing up to seven of the matter of time before we can say Its leaders have also pledged industry. Sayyaf has been expanding its said yesterday, hours after ably abducted and executed remaining gunmen. that the threat (on Bohol) is to- allegiance to Islamic State fi ght- The Philippines alerted West- activities from the south where government troops killed three because of his involvement in Security forces continued the tally eliminated.” ers in Iraq and Syria. ern governments after the mili- the military has been waging an more members of the Islamic peace initiatives in Sulu. hunt for the remaining three Bohol police said Saturday’s Yesterday, the army said the tary said it got wind of an Abu off ensive since last year. State-linked group in a clash “He is involved in peace eff orts. gunmen yesterday while resi- fi ghting erupted at a rice and Abu Sayyaf beheaded a soldier it Sayyaf plan to raid central Phil- Its gunmen have been board- elsewhere. He is not actually a combatant. dents fl ed to safety to avoid get- coconut farming village near the abducted last week in its south- ippine resorts during the Easter ing commercial and fi shing ves- The head of Sergeant Anni We are using him to engage ting caught in the crossfi re. town of Clarin, adjacent to the ern Jolo stronghold. holidays and kidnap up to a doz- sels and abducting dozens of for- Siraji of the Army’s 32nd Infantry stakeholders because he is a “The remaining lawless armed area of the April 11 clashes. The fi ghting in Bohol, about en tourists. eign crew members, ransoming Battalion was found 50 metres Tausog (like most Abu Sayyaf elements who are strangers in The Abu Sayyaf, made up of 500 kilometres away from Jolo This led to travel warnings be- some of them off for huge sums away from his body in Patikul militants),” he said. the area have nowhere to go,” a several hundred militants, is no- and 800 kilometres south of ing issued by the United States, of money, according to the de- joint military and police state- torious for kidnappings, behead- Manila, caused a scare for the Australia, and other countries. fence ministry.

Duterte offers Cigarette fi rm’s closure assistance Groups to hold Labour Day to kin of to hit tobacco farmers crash victims rallies against contractualisation President Rodrigo Duterte has Manila Times tributors who depend on the extended cash assistance to Manila company,” he said. families of the victims of the By William Depasupil Employment (DOLE) Secretary management on Labour Day. on contractualisation on his Barrientos called on the bus crash in Carranglan, Nueva Manila Times Silvestre Bello, who assured the He said the president has dialogue-meeting with organ- government to ensure due Ecija, which left at least 32 people workers that the Duterte admin- committed a quarterly meeting ised and unorganised labour undreds of thou- process for the tobacco fi rm dead. istration would not stifl e dissent with the labour sector, with the groups when we meet him in sands of Filipinos as it faces charges of tax eva- Duterte handed the assistance he country’s biggest provided that everything is done second quarter dialogue falling Davao City on May 1 and hear Hsupposedly will be sion. through Land Transportation workers group, the As- peacefully and that no laws are on May 29. his take on his promise to ban aff ected if the government “We reiterate our pledge Franchising and Regulatory Tsociated Labour Unions- violated. Besides contractualisation, contractual work in the coun- makes good its threat to close to fully co-operate with the Board chairman Martin Delgra, Trade Union Congress of the “We welcome all forms of the labour sector is also ex- try,” Tanjusay added. down homegrown tobacco government. But while we LTFRB spokesman Aileen Lizada Philippines (ALU-TUCP), yes- peaceful rallies, demonstra- pected to bring up with Duterte He said the moderate and company, Mighty Corp. welcome the fi ling of these said in a statement sent to Palace terday said thousands of or- tions and mass actions because the issue of meagre salary and centrist ALU-TUCP and the Retired Regional Trial charges as an opportunity reporters on Saturday. ganised and unorganised work- to us rallies are a medium of benefits. larger Nagkaisa labour coali- Court judge Oscar Barri- to clear the name of the Lizada said the families of ers from left, centre and right communications. We will not ALU-TUCP spokesman Alan tion, an alliance of more than entos, executive vice presi- company and its offi cers, we those who died in the accident ideological persuasions will hold know what our workers’ need Tanjusay said they had received 40 leftist, rightist and centrist dent of the embattled fi rm, hope that the BIR will also each received P20,000 in cash nationwide rallies on May 1 to if they don’t hold rallies,” Bello information that the president labour groups and workers over the weekend said about show prudence in the con- assistance, while the injured pas- remind President Rodrigo Du- said. He added, however, that is inclined to hold dialogue organisations are set to hold 7,000 employees and 55,000 duct of its probe of the fi rm,” sengers got P10,000 each. terte to fulfi l his promise to ban “it is best if we will be able to with labour leaders and work- rallies at the gates of Malaca- tobacco farmers, and their he said. An Abra-bound Leomarick bus contractualisation and all forms provide their needs without re- ers in Davao City on May 1. nang in Manila, other areas in estimated 350,000 family Earlier, Mario Cabasal, on Tuesday plunged 80 feet into of fi xed-term jobs in the public sorting to rallies.” “Regardless of the venue, we Metro Manila, Northern Lu- members and dependents, president of the National a ravine in Carranglan, Nueva and private sectors. Bello noted that Duterte will are looking forward to Presi- zon, Southern Luzon, Central rely on Mighty Corp, for Federation of Tobacco Farm- Ecija province. The planned rallies sat well be meeting with representa- dent Duterte’s Labour Day Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, their livelihood. ers Associations and Co-op- The bus was travelling from Isa- with Department of Labour and tives of the labour sector and speech and his pronouncement including Davao City. “We call on the Bureau of eratives, said tobacco farm- bela province to Candon City in Internal Revenue (BIR) to act ers supposedly will bear the Ilocos Sur when its brakes failed more responsibly in mak- brunt if Mighty Corp’s op- along a winding road. PREPAREDNESS ing statements regarding the eration is shut down. “Most Malacanang earlier conveyed its Offices, schools to close in parts of Metro Manila for Asean meet case of (Mighty Corp) and of us depend on Mighty for condolences to the families of take into consideration re- the purchase of our tobacco. the victims and promised to hold Malacanang has announced the suspension For government off ices located inside the off ices, located inside the PICC and CCP Com- percussions of a cancellation They are our biggest buy- accountable those responsible of work and classes in parts of Metro Manila Philippine International Convention Centre plex, work may be processed in other business of the licence to operate the ers of local tobacco. If the for the tragedy. next week to minimise disruption to be caused (PICC) Complex in Pasay City, a week-long and/or satellite off ices of said agencies,” the company,” Barrientos, also government makes good its Road accidents are common in by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations work suspension will be implemented from memorandum read. “Government agencies in- the spokesman for the com- threat to close down Mighty the Philippines, where old, badly (Asean) summit and related meetings, Manila today until April 30 (Monday to Sunday). Work volved in the delivery of basic services, includ- pany, added. Corp, tobacco farmers will maintained buses ply on poorly Times reported. Executive Secretary Salvador in government off ices located at the Cultural ing security and safety, health and emergency “The BIR should con- bear the brunt of the clo- lit and maintained roads. Poor Medialdea signed on April 21 Memorandum Centre of the Philippines (CCP) Complex will be preparedness, and those directly involved in sider that this case impacts sure,” Cabasal noted. driving habits and drivers work- Circular 18 suspending work in the public suspended from April 28 to 30. the conduct of various Asean meetings and re- Mighty’s employees, tobacco He said Mighty Corp is a ing long hours also contribute to and private sectors and classes at all levels in “To ensure uninterrupted delivery of public lated activities, shall remain open and perform farmers and their families, regular buyer of Virginia and frequent mishaps. Manila on April 28. service, transactions with frontline government their normal functions,” it added. as well as suppliers and dis- native tobacco. Palace pledges commitment to fi ght climate change

By Dempsey Reyes Duterte had expressed dis- country, the planet as well, is Believe I Can Fly” by R Kelly, & Catherine S Valente dain for the pact, saying cut- love,” Lopez said during the cel- which she described as her “in- Manila Times ting carbon emissions at a point ebration of Earth Day at La Mesa spirational song.” of expansion in the Philippine Eco Park in Quezon City. Prof. Grace Odal-Devor of the economy would be unfair since She clarifi ed that the “love” University of the Philippines- alacanang reiterated industrialised countries had she was referring to did not con- Manila College of Arts and Sci- the Philippines’ com- given off emissions unchecked cern religion but the “inner self.” ences backed Lopez’s state- Mmitment to participate for decades. Lopez also shared her “morn- ments. in global eff orts to fi ght climate The Paris Agreement seeks to ing meditation experience” in “You get that kind of love change on the international ob- strengthen the global response which she described feeling a when you get connected with servance of Earth Day on Satur- to the threat of climate change certain “connection” or an “un- nature because what is happen- day. by keeping the global average present element.” ing right now is that we are out of In a statement, presidential temperature rise this century to “For this country, I also know ourselves, therefore we became spokesman Ernesto Abella said well below two degrees Celsius without the slightest doubt, egoistic since we are discon- the government was working for above pre-industrial levels. that there are beings and angels nected with nature,” Devor said. a “climate-change resilient liv- The pact also limits the tem- which are…connected to this The Filipino folklore professor ing” for all. perature increase to 1.5 degrees country. When you meditate, also explained that “once a per- “This occasion is a good re- Celsius above pre-industrial you cannot think because you son gets connected with nature, I minder of the Philippines’ com- levels. will get distracted but as you assure you that we get connected mitment to the global call to The Philippines earlier focus while meditating, you will with each person.” fi ght climate change and to up- pledged a 70% cut in emissions be able to get deeper into a space Devor also called on the Filipi- hold climate justice as well as by 2030. that let you be with these higher nos to unite in fi ghting “threat- our country’s solidarity to the Environment Secretary Regi- beings,” the Cabinet offi cial ex- ening elements” that could lead rest of the world,” Abella said. na Lopez meanwhile urged Fili- plained. to the destruction of the envi- In March, the Senate unani- pinos to meditate and connect For her, these “higher beings” ronment. mously concurred with Presi- with “higher beings,” which she are the source of love that can Earth Day Network Philip- dent Rodrigo Duterte’s ratifi - said were the source of “love” lead every person to be passion- pines Executive Director Ryan cation of the landmark Paris for the environment and natural ate in taking care of nature. Vita urged the public to help na- climate change agreement that resources. “Love needs to be courageous. ture “every single day.” would compel highly industr- “That is what is all about. It is in the vessel of love that is “We call on all Filipinos out ialised countries to cap green- What has been saving the coun- aligned with the highest forces there to use our yearly celebra- house gas emissions and pursue try, saving the root foundation of integrity,” she said. tion as a start of their new chap- the development of renewable of any kind of economic growth During the celebration, Lopez ter in promoting environmental Activists from the Kalikasan People’s Network join scientists in holding the “Philippine March for Science” energy. and even the salvation of this sang and danced to the song “I protection,” Vita said. that called for a climate science programme in the country, as part of Saturday’s Earth Day celebrations. Gulf Times Monday, April 24, 2017 25 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL Maldives blogger stabbed to death Yameen Rasheed is found about death threats received while such acts of hatred are with multiple stab wounds to through his social media ac- forced upon our citizens,” Presi- his neck and chest counts. dent Abdulla Yameen said, ap- An IT professional by trade, pealing for people to come for- AFP Rasheed maintained the blog in ward with information. Malé his spare time, writing that he Exiled opposition leader and aimed to report “the unfi ltered former president Mohamed truth, the sickening facts, the Nasheed demanded an interna- liberal blogger was gruesome details, and the pain- tional investigation. stabbed to death in the fully obvious”. Nasheed, who is living in AMaldives’ capital yester- He was arrested along with London, said on Twitter that “a day, his family and colleagues scores of others and imprisoned treasured soul has been stolen said, the latest media personal- for three weeks in 2015 after tak- from us”. ity to be targeted in the troubled ing part in an anti-government Yameen Rasheed The killing comes as political Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina meeting a relative of a 1971 war hero on a wheelchair in Dhaka yesterday. honeymoon destination. rally in the capital. tension mounts in the Maldives Yameen Rasheed, 29, was His father, Hussain Rasheed, Rasheed narrowly escaped death after last month’s failed opposi- found in the stairwell of his Male said he learned his son had been when he was stabbed by an uni- tion bid to impeach the parlia- apartment with multiple stab hospitalised just before 5am on dentifi ed attacker in 2012. mentary speaker. wounds to his neck and chest. Sunday morning. “They told A journalist with the inde- A coalition of opposition par- He died after being taken to hos- me they could not show me the pendent Minivan News, Ahmed ties, led by Nasheed, is trying to undermine Yameen before elec- War heroes receive pital. body, but I said as his father, I Rilwan, was likely abducted in His blog, The Daily Panic, was had the right to see him before it August 2014 and has been miss- tions next year. known for poking fun at the na- was cleaned up,” he said. ing ever since. It faces an uphill struggle, tion’s politicians. Rasheed has recently returned Colleagues said Yameen with all opposition leaders now “With The Daily Panic, I hope from London where he had won Rasheed was Rilwan’s friend and in exile or in jail after a years- long crackdown on dissent un- fi nancial assistance to cover and comment upon the a prize for an app that helped had been publicly campaigning news, satirise the frequently un- link citizens and hospitals seek- for an investigation into the dis- der Yameen’s leadership. satirisable politics of Maldives,” ing blood donations. appearance. The clampdown has raised By Mizan Rahman war-wounded (now dead) free- But farm labourers, domestic he wrote on his blog. He is the third media fi gure to Past and current presidents fears over the country’s stability Dhaka dom fi ghters’ families is 303 helpers, construction workers, Colleagues said Rasheed had be targeted in the Maldives in the condemned the killing. and dented its image as a tourist and families of Bri Sreshtha are street vendors, cottage indus- recently complained to police past fi ve years. Blogger Ismail “We will not stand idly by paradise. seven. try workers, sweepers, cleaners angladesh Prime Minis- Provident fund for infor- and security personnel are not ter Sheikh Hasina yes- mal sector workers: In a ma- covered by the labour law. This Bterday handed over fi - jor move for workers’ welfare, means they are involved in in- nancial assistance to gallantry Bangladesh has introduced formal work. Jumbo challenge award receiving freedom fi ght- provident fund for millions of Labour leaders, however, Lankan ers and their relatives. informal sector workers not said a vast majority of the The prime minister gave a covered under the country’s country’s labour force is still cheque of 300,000 taka to each labour law. deprived of their legitimate workers of the 12 recipients, PM’s press Initially, 100,000 work- rights due to lack of proper laws secretary Ihsanul Karim said. ers will be covered under the and their enforcement. Earlier, the government in- provident fund, offi cials said in According to the leaders, to strike creased allowances of those Dhaka. nearly 90% of the workers in awarded for gallantry, war- The labour and employment informal sectors are not al- wounded freedom fi ghters and ministry will tie up with post lowed to form trade unions un- against families of the martyred free- offi ce and fi nancial institu- der the existing laws. dom fi ghters. tions, mostly banks, shortly in There are many workers Those who have been receiv- this regard, they added. in informal sectors including proposed ing more than one allowance According to the scheme, farmers, blacksmiths, carpen- until now will be allowed to formulated under a provision ters, rickshaw-van pullers, do- avail themselves of the higher of Bangladesh Labour Welfare mestic workers, construction, oil deal allowance, said cabinet secre- Foundation Act 2006, workers electric, shoe, steel and engi- tary Mohammad Shafi ul Alam. remaining out of the purview of neering, welding workers, secu- Valiant freedom fi ghter Ta- existing labour law will be enti- rity guards, cleaners, tailoring with India raman Bibi will get allowance tled to provident fund facility. workers and hawkers. But they under “Bir Pratik” category, he There are more than 40 do not work under any regu- said. industrial sectors including lated bodies, labour secretary Agencies There are seven Bir Sreshtha, garment, leather, pharma- Mikail Shipar told newsmen. Colombo 68 Bir Uttam, 175 Bir Bikram ceuticals, jute, ship-breaking, The scheme that has been and 426 Bir Pratik gallantry cold storage, plastic, chemi- fi nalised defi nes workers of in- award winners. cal, fertiliser among others. formal sector as those who are orkers of Sri Lanka’s Men participate in a tug-of-war challenge with an elephant during the traditional festival games to The number of families of These come under formal sec- not protected by the labour law state-run petroleum celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New Year in Colombo yesterday. martyrs receiving allowance tor where rights of workers are and who have limited scope of Wfi rm are set to launch is 25,000 while the number of protected by the labour law. being organised, he added. an indefi nite strike from today against the government’s pro- posed deal with India to jointly operate an oil storage facility at the strategic eastern port town of Trincomalee, a media report said. Ceylon Petroleum Corpora- Nepal to hold Quake injured stalked by tion (CPC) Trade Union Col- lective workers have threatened to cripple entire transportation sector in the country. Sri Lanka and India are ex- local body disability two years on pected to sign an agreement to jointly invest and develop the Trincomalee Port and establish By Annabel Symington, AFP back to damaged homes where a petroleum refi nery and other Kathmandu they could not receive neces- industries there. elections in sary follow up care. The workers have three de- “In the districts, there was mands which include getting he day after Nepal was not any rehabilitation or sur- the government to stop granting struck by a devastating gery facilities, so the peo- outright ownership of some 14 Tearthquake, Samrat Basnet ple who required rehabilita- World War II oil storage tanks in two phases opened his doors to the wounded tion didn’t get it,” said Sunil the eastern port district of Trin- as hospitals overwhelmed with Pokhrel, a physiotherapist with comalee. thousands of victims had to send the charity Handicap Interna- The Petroleum Joint Union Al- IANS decided to hold elections in away those without life-threat- tional. liance says it opposes the proposal Kathmandu two phases after the disgrun- ening injuries. “That’s why they have devel- to transfer operations rights to oil tled Madhes-based ethnic Two years on Basnet is still oped the stiff ness of the joint, tanks to India since the agreement parties recently agreed to par- caring for a handful of the infections in the wounds.” would benefi t the Lanka IOC, In- he Nepal government ticipate in the local body elec- 22,000 Nepalis injured in the There is a lack of data on the dian Oil’s subsidiary, allowing it will hold local body tions who have been protest- disaster, many left with pre- number of people who have to expand further and the CPC, Telections in two phases ing against the government ventable disabilities after slip- been left permanently disabled which is already in debt, will incur - on May 14 and June 14 in dif- to seek amendments in the ping through the cracks of a by the earthquake, but some Samrat Basnet, right, gestures as he speaks with an earthquake further fi nancial losses. ferent parts of the country, a constitution. woeful healthcare system. estimates say it could be as high survivor at his clinic in Kathmandu. They also asked the govern- government spokesman said A new deal was struck be- With just seven health work- as 3,000. ment to shelve plans to build a yesterday. tween the government and the ers for every 10,000 people, A report released last year by asking if he could take a few Sarita Tamang of her ability to new oil refi nery with Chinese as- A Cabinet meeting decided Madhes-based ethnic parties Nepal was grossly ill-equipped the United Nations Develop- more. Within a few days, every walk and care for herself after sistance in the southern port of to hold the fi rst round of elec- on Saturday ensuring their when the massive 7.8-magni- ment Programme said a sig- room in Basnet’s offi ce was full her right hip was crushed in the Hambantota and to immediately tions in provinces of numbers participation in the local body tude earthquake struck on April nifi cant proportion of disabili- as he tended to around 25 pa- earthquake. begin repairing the existing re- 3, 4 and 6 and second round of elections. 25, 2015, levelling whole villages ties in Nepal were preventable, tients. She lay trapped for hours fi nery near Colombo. elections in provinces of num- According to the spokes- and killing 9,000. caused by avoidable complica- Today he still cares for six under the rubble of a collapsed “We will be striking from to- bers 1, 2, 5 and 7 on May 14 and man, the government will Small, impromptu clinics like tions and a lack of follow-up people injured in the earth- wall that killed her husband and morrow and stop all fuel distri- June 14, respectively. soon forward a revised consti- Basnet’s picked up the slack. As care like physiotherapy. quake, most of whom have re- for months relied on crutches to bution in the country,” Bandula “Local body elections will tution amendment bill in par- patients were discharged from Krishna Hari Pudasani, 28, quired repeated follow up sur- walk and her son-in-law to help Saman Kumara, a spokesman for be held in two phases,” gov- liament for its approval in or- hospitals to clear beds, Basnet used to work as a trekking guide geries. her use the toilet. the trade unions told reporters. ernment spokesman Surendra der to address demands raised tended to their injuries on mat- but today is paralysed, bedrid- Basnet ferries them to the Tamang’s mother, as she He said by mid-week the Co- Kumar Karki said, adding that by the Madhes-based ethnic tresses in his cramped offi ce in den by tetanus from a small cut hospitals for appointments and watched her daughter struggle lombo international airport this has generated a new hope parties. Kathmandu. to his ankle. his team of fi ve nurses and one to walk, wondered if she would would face the danger of becom- among the people, ending a The local body elections But the hospital engineer “I am feeling very bad, be- physiotherapist provide the have been better off meeting her ing non-operational due to fuel long political impasse. should have been held in every never imagined he would still cause he used to work hard and post-surgical care they other- husband’s fate. sector strike. Elections will be held in fi ve years in Nepal. Due to po- be their carer two years on. earn and now he is in this con- wise would not receive. But after months of physi- At least 73 of the 99 stor- altogether 744 local units litical instability, they have “There are hundreds of times dition,” said Pudasani’s father “They (the hospitals) have otherapy in a tented clinic run by age tanks in Trincomalee is to of Nepal that include four been halted since May 1997. I thought I could have stopped Lilanath, as he fed his son via a to discharge them as soon as Handicap International in Chau- be managed under a new equity metropolitan cities, 13 sub- A large amount of govern- this, I could have gone back to feeding tube. possible, as soon as they are tara, a town 107km (66 miles) arrangement between the two metropolitan cities, 246 mu- ment budget goes to local my normal life,” he said. Basnet’s fi rst patient was a operated on, within two, three east of the earthquake’s epicen- countries, Sri Lanka Petroleum nicipal and 481 village coun- level but due to the lack of ac- “But when I see these pa- woman he found in an alleyway days. This is the problem of our tre, Tamang now walks unaided Minister Chandima Weerakkody cils, according to the election countable and elected bodies, tients, I cannot do that.” with severe head injuries. healthcare system,” Basnet said. with a barely detectable limp. had said earlier. commission. the money is said to be often After the earthquake, a She had been patched up at The World Health Organisa- The 32-year-old still needs The union has taken the de- A month earlier, the gov- misused. seemingly endless stream of a hospital then discharged but tion recommends a minimum one fi nal surgery to remove a cision to strike after Sri Lanka ernment had said that the lo- It is mandatory for Nepal to injured poured into Kathmandu needed ongoing care, so Basnet of 34.5 skilled healthcare pro- metal rod in her leg before she President Maithripala Sirisena cal body elections would be hold three-tier election - lo- needing treatment. brought her home where he had fessionals per 10,000 people can put the disaster behind her has reportedly turned down a held in a single phase only on cal, provincial, centre, within Once patched up, the hospi- medical equipment on hand. - nearly fi ve times the number for good. request for a meeting to discuss May 14. January next year under the tals sent the injured away. Many Soon overwhelmed doctors available in impoverished Nepal. “Then it will be better, like it the issue. However, the government new constitutional provisions. had nowhere to go or were sent and nurses were on the phone, The shortage almost robbed was before,” she said. Gulf Times 26 Monday, April 24, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko ‘New’ Trump pursues

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] lopsided foreign policy Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) Bombs can only destroy. policies, sometimes so abruptly that country toward social, economic, catastrophe in Yemen, the Saudi-led Fax 44350474 one might reasonably worry that and institutional collapse.” The coalition is preparing an off ensive to To build lasting peace diplomacy is taking a backseat to humanitarian situation is already capture the coastline around the port requires compromise and bombs and tweets. dire for 60% of Yemen’s 30mn of Hodeida. That concern is reinforced by inhabitants: an estimated 7mn people Rather than stepping up the fi ght, coalition building the dramatic cuts to the US State could be close to famine; and almost the US should be pursuing further Department budget, and to US 500,000 children are at risk of severe diplomacy and humanitarian-aid By Carl Bildt funding for the United Nations, that malnutrition. eff orts. Indeed, the latter go hand in GULF TIMES Trump has proposed. At the same The war between Yemeni President hand with the former. Washington, DC time, many key positions in the US Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s To resolve the confl ict, the rebels diplomatic apparatus remain unfi lled. government and former Yemeni and the government need to re-engage fter a series of foreign-policy Even America’s friends recognise president Ali Abdullah Saleh’s rebel immediately with the UN Special U-turns, there is now talk that this is a dangerous trajectory. Houthi coalition has been raging for Envoy for Yemen, who has furnished Sugary soft drinks of a “new” Donald Trump Bombs can only destroy. To build years, with no military breakthrough a roadmap for talks. In addition, the Awho is far more inclined to lasting peace requires compromise in sight. Former US president UN Security Council should do its use military power than the Trump we and coalition building – in a word, Barack Obama’s administration part to support a political solution, by saw during the 2016 US presidential diplomacy. made repeated but futile eff orts adopting a long-overdue resolution raise risk of campaign. That earlier Trump seemed There are many confl icts around the to broker a ceasefi re; but it also demanding that both sides agree to to regard any use of US military force world, starting with Syria, that will reluctantly supported Saudi Arabia’s an immediate ceasefi re, grant access in Syria as pointless and dangerous, only become harder to solve without air campaign. Trump appears set to to humanitarian aid, and return to the and called for the United States to US diplomatic attention. The UN- provide such support far more eagerly. negotiating table. ensconce itself behind new walls. sponsored talks to end the civil war One simplistic explanation for Diplomacy will require that all stroke, dementia Now, suddenly, the Trump have gone nowhere partly because no the Yemen confl ict is that it was parties compromise. No one – except, administration has launched a missile one knows where the US under Trump engineered by Iran. According to this perhaps, Iran – has anything to gain attack on one of Syrian President stands. Faced with this leadership view, US and Saudi intervention is from further escalation. If Yemen’s A latest study which reveals that the consumption of Bashar al-Assad’s air bases, hinted at vacuum, other countries are hedging meant to stymie the Islamic Republic’s humanitarian catastrophe leads to a artifi cially sweetened soft drinks, such as diet sodas, is taking military action against North their bets and looking after their own geopolitical ambitions. And now that total collapse, millions of desperate associated with a higher risk of stroke and dementia, has Korea, and dropped the “mother of all narrow interests. Trump has tacitly accepted the Iran people might fl ee the country, bombs” on an Islamic State redoubt Another issue that demands nuclear deal, some of his advisers enabling AQAP and other extremist once again driven home a very strong message – staying in Eastern Afghanistan. All of this diplomacy is North Korea, which is believe that it is necessary to apply organisations to profi t from disorder away from such beverages is good for health. was accompanied by tweets from the developing nuclear weapons and the pressure on Iran from elsewhere. As a and despair. The study, published in the American Heart president himself, declaring that the intercontinental ballistic weapons result, US raids and sorties in Yemen America’s re-engagement with the Association’s journal Stroke last Thursday, did not fi nd US will pursue its own solutions to key needed to deliver them. So far, have become more frequent in recent world should be welcomed, but not if issues if other countries do not off er Trump has tried to pressure China months. the Trump administration continues any connection between those health risks and other to help. to fi nd a solution, by threatening to Another possible justifi cation for to view confl icts solely through a sugary beverages, such as sugar-sweetened sodas, fruit The international community take dramatic unilateral action if the US engagement in Yemen is that military lens. Yes, fi ghting is sometimes juice and fruit drinks – though it is an established fact – including China – seemed to Chinese fail to rein in their client. But Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula necessary; but diplomacy always is. that excessive consumption of natural sugars is also understand why the US would strike whether the Trump administration has found a foothold there. But Nowhere is this more obvious than harmful. the Syrian air base from which a actually has any specifi c strategy with AQAP thrives in an environment of in places like Yemen. The complete hideous chemical-weapons attack respect to North Korea, or the means destruction and despair, so there is collapse of yet another country is the After looking at 10 years’ worth of data from 4,372 was launched. But the Trump to realise it, remains unclear. little that can be done about the group last thing the world – including Trump people, the research indicates that people need to look administration is still following Beyond North Korea, the UN so long as Yemen is being ripped apart – needs. – Project Syndicate beyond the word ‘diet’ when making drink choices. an “America fi rst” agenda. Having recently warned that the ongoing by war. Drinking at least one artifi cially sweetened beverage awoken to global realities, the confl ict in Yemen, which rarely makes Even as the UN issues stark zCarl Bildt is a former prime minister daily was associated with almost three times the risk of administration is now adjusting its headlines, is “rapidly pushing the warnings about an impending and foreign minister of Sweden. developing stroke or dementia compared to those who drank artifi cially sweetened beverages less than once a week, according to the research. After adjustments for age, sex, education (for analysis of dementia), calorifi c intake, diet quality, and physical activity and smoking, higher recent and higher cumulative intake of artifi cially sweetened soft drinks were associated with an increased risk of ischaemic stroke, all-cause dementia and Alzheimer’s disease dementia. The co-authors announced that to their knowledge, their study is the fi rst to report an association between daily intake of artifi cially sweetened soft drink and increased risk of both all-cause dementia and dementia because of Alzheimer’s disease. There is little data on the health eff ects of diet drinks, which are popular among the general population, according to Matthew There is little Pase, a senior research fellow in the department data on the of neurology at Boston University School of health eff ects of Medicine and lead author diet drinks of the new study. The new study involved data on 2,888 adults older than 45 and 1,484 adults older than 60 from the town of Framingham, Massachusetts, US. The data came from the Framingham Heart Study, a project of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and Boston University. In the older-than-45 group, the researchers measured The Trump administration is now adjusting its policies, sometimes so abruptly that one might reasonably worry that diplomacy is taking a backseat to bombs and tweets. for stroke and in the older-than-60 group, they measured for dementia. The method of the study was to analyse how many sugary beverages and artifi cially sweetened soft drinks each person in the two diff erent age groups drank, at various stages, between 1991 and 2001. This was compared with how many people suff ered stroke or Development beyond the numbers dementia over the next decade. Compared to those who never drank artifi cially sweetened soft drinks, those who drank one a day By Selim Jahan from better sanitation and wider development gains, what can we do and decision-making circles, and they New York access to clean drinking water. differently to help the planet’s most often work more hours for less money were almost three times as likely to have an ischaemic We should take pride in these disadvantaged people? As the latest than their male counterparts. stroke, caused by blocked blood vessels, and likely to be achievements; but we must not rest Human Development Report makes Although development policies diagnosed with dementia. t has been said that statistics are on our laurels. A sizeable number clear, there is no simple answer. One will continue to focus on tangible Those who drank one to six artifi cially sweetened people with the tears washed of people are still missing out on reason is that those who are being outcomes – such as more hospitals, away. This is a message that these gains. Worse, they are now in left behind often face disadvantages more children in school, and better beverages a week were 2.6 times as likely to experience attendees of the World Bank and danger of being forgotten – literally on several fronts. They are not sanitation – human development an ischaemic stroke but were no more likely to develop I International Monetary Fund spring so. Sometimes, they are not recorded just short of money; often, they must not be reduced only to that dementia. A total of 97 cases of incident stroke (82 meetings in Washington, DC, should in offi cial statistics at all. And, even are also sick, uneducated, and which is quantifi able. It is time to pay ischaemic) and 81 cases of incident dementia (63 bear in mind as they assess progress when they are, national averages can disenfranchised. more attention to the less palpable on global development. paint a distorted picture: an increase The problems that aff ect the world’s features of progress, which, while consistent with Alzheimer’s disease) were observed by the Despite the impressive gains many in average income, for example, might most disadvantaged people begin diffi cult to measure, are not hard to researchers. countries have made, hundreds of conceal the deepening poverty of at birth, and worsen during their take a measure of. Separate previous studies have shown an association millions of people are still being left some, as it is off set by large gains for a lifetime. As opportunities to break the All people deserve to have a voice between the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and behind. To highlight this problem, wealthy few. cycle are missed, these disadvantages in the decisions that aff ect their lives; adverse health eff ects, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, the United Nations Development One of the most profound are passed on to subsequent but the most marginalised in society Programme has made social and demographic shifts in recent years generations, reinforcing their impact. are too often denied a say of any kind. heart disease, stroke, and possibly even heart failure. So, economic inclusion a major theme of has been the massive expansion of Still, while today’s development Ensuring that those most in need are caution is advised. its 2016 Human Development Report, a middle class in the global south. challenges are numerous and not forgotten – and that they have the “Human Development for Everyone.” The convergence of global incomes complex, they also share common freedom to make their own choices The report off ers an in-depth looks has blurred the line between “rich” characteristics. Many of the – is just as important as delivering at how countries, with support and “poor” countries. But, at the disadvantaged belong to specifi c concrete development outcomes. To Advertise from their partners, can improve same time, inequality within many demographic groups that tend to fare History has shown us that many of development results for all of their countries has increased. As a result, worse than others in all countries, today’s challenges can be overcome [email protected] citizens, especially the hardest to poverty – in all forms – is a growing not least because they face similar in the years ahead. The world has Display reach. problem in many countries, even as economic, legal, political, and cultural the resources and the knowhow to Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 Since the UNDP issued its the number of people living in poverty barriers. improve the lives of all people. We fi rst report in 1990, we have seen worldwide has declined. For example, indigenous peoples just need to empower people to use Classified signifi cant improvements made in Confronting this challenge will constitute just 5% of the global their own knowledge to shape their Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 billions of people’s lives worldwide. require us to rethink fundamentally population, but account for 15% of the futures. If we do that, more inclusive Back then, around 35% of humanity what development should look like, world’s poor. And, to participate in development will be within our reach. Subscription lived in extreme poverty. Today, which is why the UN’s Sustainable work and community life, people with – Project Syndicate [email protected] that fi gure stands at less than 11%. Development Goals, unlike the disabilities must overcome obstacles Likewise, the proportion of children previous Millennium Development that the rest of us often do not even zSelim Jahan is Director of the Human dying before their fi fth birthday Goals, apply to all countries – not just notice. Last but not least, women and Development Report Offi ce and lead 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved has been halved, partly because an the poorer ones. girls almost everywhere continue to author of the Human Development additional 2bn people now benefi t After decades of making steady be underrepresented in leadership Report. Gulf Times Monday, April 24, 2017 27 COMMENT The G20’s time for climate leadership

By Teresa Ribera Paris

t the start of 2016, the United States was well positioned to lead the global fi ght Aagainst climate change. As the chair of the G20 for 2017, German Chancellor Angela Merkel had been counting on the US to help drive a deep transformation in the global economy. And even after Donald Trump won the US presidential election, Merkel gave him the benefi t of the doubt, hoping against hope that the US might still play a leading role in reducing global greenhouse-gas emissions. But at Merkel and Trump’s fi rst in-person meeting, no substantive statements were issued, and their body language made the prospect of future dialogue appear dim. Trump’s slogan “America fi rst” seems to mean Creating the G20 was a good idea. Now, it must confront its biggest challenge. “America alone.” By reversing his predecessor’s and better risk-assessment tools has climate action. They can count as allies policies to reduce CO2 emissions, been a top priority for the fi nancial some of the world’s large institutional Trump is rolling back the new model Having awoken to global realities, the administration is now adjusting its policies, sometimes so abruptly that one might community itself. Implementing these investors, who seem to agree on the of co-operative global governance reasonably worry that diplomacy is taking a backseat to bombs and tweets. new rules and tools can accelerate the need for a transitional framework of embodied in the 2015 Paris climate overall trend in divestment from fossil self-regulation. It is incumbent upon agreement. The countries that African and Latin American countries climate activism as global public pose serious risks to the US economy, fuels, ensure a smooth transition to a other world leaders to devise a coherent signed on to that accord committed are still adopting clean-energy opinion turns against the US. and to global stability, as United more resilient, clean-energy economy, response to Trump, and to continue themselves to sharing the risks and systems. More immediately, the Trump Nations Secretary-General Antonio and provide confi dence and clarity for establishing a new development benefi ts of a global economic and As long as this is the case, administration has introduced signifi cant Guterres recently pointed out. The US long-term investors. paradigm that is compatible across technological transformation. businesses, local governments, and fi nancial risks that could impede eff orts fi nancial system plays a leading role in Given the heightened fi nancial diff erent fi nancial systems. Trump’s climate-change policy other stakeholders will continue to address climate change. Trump’s the world economy, and Trump wants risks associated with climate change, At the same time, the EU – which does not bode well for US citizens – to pursue low-carbon strategies. proposed budget would place restrictions to take us all back to a time when resisting Trump’s executive order to is celebrating the 60th anniversary of many of whom are now mobilising To be sure, Trump’s policies might on federal funding for clean-energy investors and the general public did roll back Wall Street transparency the Treaty of Rome this year – now has resistance to his administration – or introduce new dangers and costs, development and climate research. not account for climate-change risks regulations should be a top priority. a chance to think about the future that the world. But the rest of the world domestically and worldwide; but he Likewise, his recent executive orders when making fi nancial decisions. The fact that Warren Buff et and the it wants to build. These are diffi cult will still develop low-carbon, resilient will not succeed in prolonging the will minimise the fi nancial costs of Since 2008, the regulatory approach asset-management fi rm Black Rock times, to be sure; but we can still systems. Private- and public-sector fossil-fuel era. US businesses’ carbon footprint, by taken by the US and the G20 has been have warned about the investment decide what kind of world we want to players across the developed and Still, an eff ective US exit from changing how the “social cost of carbon” geared toward increasing transparency risks of climate change suggests that live in. – Project Syndicate developing worlds are making the Paris agreement is a menacing is calculated. And his administration and improving our understanding of the battle is not yet lost. the coming economic shift all but development. The absence of has already insisted that language possible systemic risks to the global Creating the G20 was a good idea. zTeresa Ribera, Director of the inevitable, and their agendas will not such an important player from about climate change be omitted from fi nancial system, not least those Now, it must confront its biggest Institute for Sustainable Development change simply because the US has a the fi ght against climate change a joint statement issued by G20 fi nance associated with climate change and challenge. It is up to Merkel and other and International Relations (IDDRI) in capricious new administration. China, could undermine new forms of ministers. fossil-fuel dependency. Developing G20 leaders to overcome US (and Paris, was Spain’s Secretary of State India, the European Union, and many multilateralism, even if it reinvigorates These are all unwise decisions that more stringent transparency rules Saudi) resistance and stay the course on for Climate Change. Letters Weather report Three-day forecast Breastfeeding makes me disappointed to see many communities, also makes it special. primary health centres that took care public places here not providing such I was happy to note that Gulf Times of all our health needs. My salute to TODAY facilities needed facilities. I strongly suggest and appeal news reporting was very balanced in all staff members of HMC who always High: 39 C that parents’/feeding rooms be made a terms of region, community and other showed great care and professionalism Low : 26 C Inshore: Hazy at places at first be- Dear Sir, priority in public complexes. sectors. I used to wait for Monday to while dealing with our health issues. comes hot daytime with slight dust. read the “Tamil Nadu Roundup” as I The staff of health centres were Recently when I was visiting a Ayesha Nsar belong to Coimbatore in the southern kind and courteous whenever we shopping mall in Doha with my (e-mail address provided) Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This is a approached them. I wish all of them TUESDAY two-month-old baby boy. Usually I clear example how Gulf Times is able well. I am sure that I am going to miss High: 38 C always carry a feeding bottle in my to reach its readers locally as well as Qatar badly, but I will defi nitely be Low: 24 C bag but that day I forgot to take it Thank you and globally. I am sure that GT will march carrying all the sweet memories to Sunny along. I thought that there might be a goodbye Qatar towards greater success in future. cherish. breastfeeding room in the mall since Next my sincere thanks go to the Thank you all and goodbye. a lot of nursing mothers do happen to Government of Qatar for providing WEDNESDAY go to malls with their little ones. On Dear Sir, excellent facilities to spend weekends Vidhyasankar Subramanian High: 37 C inquiring from the information desk, and other holidays with family and Low: 25 C I was surprised to hear that there was I am leaving Qatar for good. My friends. A walk along the Corniche, Sunny one on the opposite side which was a stay in Qatar had been amazing, very cycling at Aspire, a visit to the Please send us long walk from where I was. By the eventful and a memorable one. I would wonderful museum, activities at your letters time I reached the feeding room, the like to express my gratitude to three places such as Katara, Pearl Qatar, Fishermen’s forecast little one had lost his patience and important entities who made our Souq Waqif, etc. during Eid, Qatar By e-mail OFFSHORE DOHA had received quite an attention from (myself and my family members) stay National Day, Qatar National Sport [email protected] Wind: NW-SW 03-12 KT Waves: 1-3 Feet passersby. I assume the parents’ room very comfortable and joyous in this Day and Spring holidays are a few to Fax 44350474 was never in the building plan. country. mention. Qatar has become a role INSHORE DOHA Or Post Wind: SW-SE 04-13 KT A few days later, I was visiting one First, I would like to appreciate Gulf model for all other countries to set Letters to the Editor Waves: 1-2 Feet of the best private hospitals of Doha Times for its immense contribution high standards for all residents in Gulf Times for a minor treatment of my child and in keeping me connected to all terms of quality of life. I wish and pray P O Box 2888 Around the region astonishingly there was no feeding parts of the world. Virtually no day Qatar continues to grow to greater Doha, Qatar Weather Weather room or parents’ room in that building of mine passed without reading heights. I am sure that Qatar FIFA today Max/min tomorrow Max/min too. I was escorted to a doctor’s empty Gulf Times. It became a part and World Cup 2022 will be the best ever All letters, which are subject to Abu Dhabi Sunny 34/25 Sunny 36/26 room for feeding. parcel of my everyday life. I think its in the series. Thank you Qatar for editing, should have the name Baghdad Sunny 29/16 Sunny 30/16 Dubai Sunny 37/24 Sunny everything. of the writer, address and phone 37/25 Many countries, including Qatar genuine reporting of news without Kuwait City M Sunny 36/25 P Cloudy 34/23 are now aggressively promoting any bias makes it unique. A separate Finally, I would like to express my number. The writer’s name and address may be withheld by Manama Sunny 37/24 Sunny 33/25 heartfelt appreciation and thanks to Muscat breastfeeding for the well-being of section for community, with focus request. Sunny 34/28 Sunny 36/28 both babies and mothers. It really on school activities and the diff erent Hamad Medical Corporation and the Riyadh Sunny 39/24 M Sunny 38/22 Tehran S Showers 26/16 M Sunny 25/14 Live issues Hi-tech wearable health sensors

By Anne Harding centre, which transmits results back to Reuters Health the phone. In their experiment, the researchers tested the device in six next step in wearable health healthy individuals and three CF sensors might be a device patients to measure levels of sodium that causes a patch of skin and chloride in sweat. The healthy Ato sweat, then analyses volunteers had normal sodium and the perspiration to monitor or even chloride levels while levels in the Around the world diagnose disease. individuals with CF were about four Weather Weather Researchers used a prototype to times higher. today Max/min tomorrow Max/min extract sweat from volunteers with The investigators also tested Athens M Sunny 22/10 M Sunny 22/11 the lung disease cystic fi brosis, sweat glucose levels in seven healthy Beirut Sunny 19/14 Sunny 24/17 Bangkok Sunny 38/28 Sunny 38/28 measure specifi c compounds that individuals who consumed 30 grams Berlin M Cloudy 14/05 Showers 12/03 are signatures of the disease, then of oral glucose after fasting. In six Cairo P Cloudy 26/14 Sunny 28/14 transmit the data wirelessly for further of the study subjects, sweat glucose Cape Town Sunny 28/14 M Sunny 31/18 analysis. levels rose along with glucose levels in Colombo T Storms 31/27 S T Storms 32/27 T Storms 36/27 They did a similar experiment to see the blood. Dhaka 33/27 S T Storms Hong Kong S Showers 24/23 T Storms 26/24 if sugar levels in sweat rose in tandem Using the device to test sodium Istanbul M Sunny 14/06 Sunny 19/06 with blood sugar. and chloride in sweat currently takes Jakarta T Storms 32/25 T Storms 31/25 “With the technology that we’ve about half an hour, Milla noted, Karachi Sunny 34/24 Sunny 32/26 made use of we could really move “noninvasive and rich source of step process that takes hours and and the researchers are working to London Showers 15/03 P Cloudy 11/03 Manila P Cloudy 34/26 M Sunny 36/26 faster into personalised care by using information,” Milla and his team write typically requires two technicians. speed up the process. They are also Moscow S Showers 09/-2 M Sunny 11/04 devices that can allow for real-time in the Proceedings of the National The prototype consists of an interface planning large studies to investigate New Delhi M Sunny 38/25 M Sunny 38/24 monitoring,” study co-author Dr Academy of Sciences, the diffi culty of that stimulates sweating then draws how sweat-sensor readings correlate New York Cloudy 16/10 Rain 12/11 Carlos Milla of Stanford University in collecting adequate amounts of sweat the sweat, integrated with an analysis with health. Paris M Sunny 18/06 Showers 12/01 Sao Paulo P Cloudy P Cloudy 29/19 California told Reuters Health. in sedentary individuals has limited platform. It can do the job in a single “Our solution opens the possibility 26/16 Seoul P Cloudy 21/10 P Cloudy 19/07 “There’s a large number of things its usefulness in cystic fi brosis (CF) step, without causing discomfort to for a broad range of noninvasive Singapore T Storms 32/25 T Storms 32/25 that you can measure in sweat that can diagnosis. the patient, the researchers write. diagnostic and general population Sydney M Sunny 23/15 Rain 26/14 be very valuable.” Presently, CF testing must be Readings can be transmitted via health monitoring applications,” the Tokyo Clear 20/11 Clear 19/11 While sweat testing off ers a done in certifi ed labs, in a two- smartphone for review by a specialised researchers conclude. Gulf Times 28 Monday, April 24, 2017 QATAR HMC holding year-long quality management training sessions he Hamad Medical Cor- all learn’ approach,” he said. poration’s Hamad Health- “HMC staff have a lot of exper- Tcare Quality Institute, tise and experience in the areas of together with the Corporate quality management and patient Quality and Patient Safety Offi ce, safety which they can share with has partnered with the US-based others. This very valuable learn- Joint Commission International ing opportunity is off ered to our (JCI) to organise year-long foun- clinical staff and will soon also dational quality management be off ered to non-clinical staff ,” workshops for HMC’s chief exec- said Dr Moza al-Ishaq, executive utives, senior leaders, clinicians, director of the Corporate Quality and other frontline clinical staff . and Patient Safety Programme at The training, which gives a HMC. boost to quality improvement The programme aims to pro- initiatives across HMC, aligns vide a consistent, common, and closely with the corporation’s practical understanding of qual- ongoing investment in qual- ity improvement for staff across ity improvement education and HMC while aligning with other training for staff . quality education eff orts. This is a signifi cant prior- The training workshops are ity expressed by HE the Minis- also intended to embed a sus- ter of Public Health Dr Hanan tainable capacity for continuous Mohamed al-Kuwari, and sup- improvement throughout the or- ported by the Hamad Healthcare ganisation. Quality Institute’s Education and “Each project team will im- Training Strategy and Corporate plement a priority improvement Quality and Patient Safety pro- project over six to twelve months gramme. with clear goals relating to com- The fi rst cohort underwent munication, accountability, training from April 2 to 6. Participants at the management workshop. learning and sharing. To date, Participants learned about the we have already completed the basic principles, concepts, defi - ity and a culture of safety. participants engage in a vari- learn how to use quality manage- exercises to ensure that the par- their hospital or facility. HMC-JCI workshops dedicated nitions, and methods of quality The second workshop is from ety of tabletop group exercises ment tools. ticipants develop competencies “The year-long quality man- solely to facilitators, CEOs, sen- management and improvement. May 21 to 26. designed to use basic tools and He added that each didac- in the application of the concepts agement workshops for HMC’s ior leaders, clinicians, physicians Sessions also covered the role HMC chief quality offi cer Dr methods of quality management. tic session in the workshops is and in using the methods and CEOs, senior leaders and, clini- and other healthcare workers,” of leadership in promoting qual- Ronald Wyatt said workshop There is also an opportunity to complemented with small group tools in a practical setting within cians are based on the ‘all teach, added Dr al-Ishaq. QF Recreation Centre team clinches youth football cup

he Qatar Foundation (QF) across Qatar took part in the Mohamed Methnani, a player Recreation Centre has tournament organised as part of at Eljaish Sports Club, said that Twon the “Eljaish – Qatar the corporate social responsibili- such competitions contribute to Foundation Youth Football Cup”, ty strategy of Eljaish Sports Club. the development of young play- held recently at Awsaj Academy, Held to discover and develop ers. after beating Evolution Sports the talents of junior football Mourad Naji, another player Academy 4-1 in the fi nal match. players, the tournament was also at the club who commended the Future Football Academy came designed to connect schools and interest paid by his club to par- third after beating Qatar Acad- clubs in Qatar. ticipating in community events, emy – Doha 6-5. The participating teams are emphasised that this practice Rashid al-Kaabi, manager of Qatar Foundation Recreation will yield fruitful outcomes for Eljaish’s fi rst team, with Mo- Centre, Qatar Academy – Doha, sports in Qatar generally, and for hamed al-Saoud, head of Recre- Evolution Sports Academy, Pre- football in particular. ation Services at QF, distributed mier League Academy, Future Al-Kaabi commented on the the medals to the winning teams. Football Academy, Pro Inter Soc- tournament, saying: “What is Eljaish Sports Club presented cer, and QSports. great about this tournament is a memorial shield to QF offi cials, As part of the competition, that we have seen many prom- in addition to a jersey signed by each team included players from ising players from diff erent na- the players in a gesture of appre- Eljaish’s fi rst division football tionalities. ciation. team, providing young players “We expect that these play- Seven teams from diff erent with an inspirational and educa- ers will have a great future in the Participants of the initiative. schools and sports academies tional experience. coming years.” Doha Bank hosts beach clean-up at Al Wakrah

oha Bank joined hands keep the marine habitat safe and Environment and Al Wakrah the environment and promote with the Ministry of trash-free, the beach clean-up Municipality for their support healthy living. DMunicipality and Envi- event was led by Doha Bank’s and contribution to the event’s Doha Bank also runs the Eco- ronment (MME) and Al Wakrah management and volunteer staff success,” he added. Schools Programme, an initia- Municipality to host a “Beach members who picked up litter Throughout the year, Doha tive that is open to all schools in Clean-up” event at Al Wakrah along the shoreline. Bank hosts a series of events Qatar. beach. Doha Bank chief executive aimed at promoting environ- Registration is free and it en- The initiative was held under Dr R Seetharaman said: “Com- mental action and responsibil- courages students to become the theme “Save the Beaches for munity participation is key ity. environmental advocates at a the Future”, as part of the bank’s to sustainable environmental Foremost on the activities list young age. commitment to the environ- management and, as a strong is the Al Dana Green Run, one The Eco-Schools Programme ment and in celebration of the advocate for environmental of Qatar’s largest community aims to promote environmen- Earth Day global event on April causes, Doha Bank is keen to events. tal awareness in co-ordination 22, according to a press state- play a proactive role in creating The 12th edition of the annual with schools. ment. greater public awareness about run took place recently at Aspire It provides a platform for Aimed at creating greater the need to keep our surround- Park in Doha, drawing thou- projects related to environmen- community awareness about ings clean.” sands of participants. tal health, saving energy, waste the need to protect and preserve “I would like to thank the Doha Bank also holds a tree management, and water man- QF Recreation Centre team members celebrate their victory. the natural environment and Ministry of Municipality and planting activity to help save agement. AAB sponsors foundation’s community cricket event

bdullah Abdulghani & The proceeds of the tourna- 20 more students to the roster, BKF student ambassador. Bros Co (AAB), the exclu- ment will enable the foundation including orphans who cannot In a press statement, AAB Asive distributor of Toyota to reach out to more benefi ciar- aff ord quality education. said it is committed to build- and Lexus, has sponsored Being ies. Present during the fi nals and ing and developing sustainable Kind Foundation (BKF)’s Ceylo- Currently, there are 59 stu- awarding ceremony was Sri communities through sports nians Mega Bash for the second dents with full scholarship from Lankan Test cricketer Nishad and education. time. BKF with six students directly Tharanga Paranavitana along “It has been at the forefront BKF extends scholarship sponsored by AAB through part with one of the student benefi - of major sporting events in grants to underprivileged chil- of the proceeds of last year’s ciaries of BKF, Zakee Dewangso. Doha, supporting educational dren in Sri Lanka and also as- maiden tournament. Zakee, who has been a BKF and technical training activities sists kids with challenging con- For the next school year, the scholar for three years, repre- to develop the youth,” the state- ditions who are based in Doha. foundation is planning to add sents his fellow scholars as the ment added. Winners of the cricket tournament celebrate their victory.