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TUESDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 10805 May 1, 2018 Sha’baan 15, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir holds talks with Togo president New attractions In brief to make Katara

REGION | Nuclear Iran rejects Netanyahu’s global cultural, allegation as propaganda Iranian state TV yesterday said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s accusations on tourism hub Tehran’s nuclear programme was a propaganda. “His remarks was not atara – the Cultural Village, Qa- screen, equipped with state-of-the-art new...full of baseless accusations... tar’s iconic hub of art, culture digital projectors. and propaganda against Iran’s Kand entertainment, is adding A vast terrace overlooking the sea nuclear work,” state TV said. more attractions, including a high-tech will serve as a platform for events and Netanyahu said yesterday that Iran planetarium, luxury shopping mall, ex- activities. The Marina District at Ka- had lied about not pursuing nuclear clusive shopping facility for children, tara is currently fi nalising work on a weapons and had continued to and green hills. maritime restaurant, comprising a preserve and expand its nuclear His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the President of Togo Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe holding talks The ongoing Southern Expansion main eatery and eight exclusive marine weapons knowledge after signing a at the Amiri Diwan yesterday. Page 2 Project at Katara is scheduled to be chalets. This project is now in the sec- 2015 deal with major powers. Page 11 completed in the last quarter of 2018, it ond phase. was announced yesterday. Katara Plaza is a luxury shopping AFGHANISTAN | Unrest This project, integrating culture and complex being built on an area of more leisure, consist 12 diverse buildings and than 38,000sq m, in partnership with 10 journalists killed a unique parking area overlooking the Ali Bin Ali Group. Blending traditional in Afghan attacks sea. and modern architecture, this shop- Ten journalists including Agence Qatar opens its permanent The buildings will house a chain of ping mall will gather leading global France-Presse’s chief photographer restaurants and cafes, libraries, exhibi- brands in fashion, luxury goods, acces- in Kabul, Shah Marai, were among tion hall, cinema and several cultural sories, perfumes, cosmetics, entertain- dozens killed in attacks across centres. ment, watches and jewellery. Afghanistan yesterday, the deadliest offi ce at ICAO in Montreal The Southern Expansion Project also The project, in the fi nal phase of day for the country’s media since features a planetarium and Astronomi- construction, provides a perfect blend 2001. A double suicide blast in cal Observatory. Occupying an area of between architecture, technical inno- Kabul killed 25 people, including atar’s permanent offi ce at the Yousef Laram, were in attendance. conducting regular training courses 2,240sq m, the planetarium is expected vation and maximum comfort. Marai along with at least eight International Civil Aviation “The inauguration of the perma- for Qatari personnel who work in the to become one of the main attractions Katara Plaza will host the fi rst Evian other journalists, in what Reporters QOrganisation (ICAO) in Mon- nent offi ce at ICAO emphasises Qatar’s fi eld in Qatar.” at Katara. Spa in the Middle East and the second Without Borders said was the most treal, Canada, was inaugurated yes- deep-rooted and continuing co-op- Qatar’s decision to create a perma- The planetarium hall, the main com- of its kind in the world, in exclusive lethal single attack on the media terday by HE the Minister of Trans- eration with all international and re- nent offi ce at ICAO came in July 2017 ponent of the building, will have a seat- partnership with water giant Evian. The since the fall of the Taliban. port and Communications Jassim Seif gional organisations and is consistent and it named Essa Abdulla Almalkias ing capacity of 200 people, four seats Evian Spa is a luxurious interpretation Ahmed al-Sulaiti. with Qatar’s foreign policy and role as its ICAO Permanent Representative. for the disabled and another four for of “health through water”, off ering a re- BRITAIN | Politics ICAO Council president Dr Olu- an active partner in the international Page 3 the elderly. It will feature a huge 22m fi ned spa experience. To Page 10 muyiwa Benard Aliu, secretary-gen- community,” said the minister in re- PM appoints new eral Dr Fang Liu and representatives of marks on the occasion. interior minister a number of ICAO member-states and Al-Subaey underlined the qualita- British Prime Minister Theresa May some offi cials representing the Gov- tive addition of Qatar’s ICAO perma- appointed a new interior minister ernment of Canada participated in the nent offi ce to the civil aviation indus- yesterday charged with clearing inauguration event. try in Qatar through its permanent up a scandal over moves to deport Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority and eff ective participation in all ICAO elderly legal immigrants that has chairman Abdulla bin Nasser Turki events and initiatives, and also its role rocked her government. May named al-Subaey, ambassador to Canada Fa- in boosting co-operation and the ex- Sajid Javid to replace Amber Rudd, had Mohamed Yousif Kafood, Qatar change of expertise with all member- who quit the key ministerial post Aeronautical College director general states that have Montreal-based del- of home secretary late Sunday Sheikh Jabor bin Hamad al-Thani and egates. for having misled lawmakers over the director of International Organi- He said Qatar’s ICAO permanent of- deportation targets for illegal sations Department at the Ministry fi ce, “will have an impressive array of immigrants. Page 15 of Foreign Aff airs Yousef bin Sultan civil aviation experts and will work on ITUC hails Qatar’s steps to protect workers’ rights

QNA the Confederation, has led to the best an accommodation centre. “We ob- Doha practices when it comes to imple- served good labour practice in the sta- menting labour reforms in Qatar. dium site,” she said. Burrow pointed out that these prac- The ITUC offi cial expressed happi- atar is on its way to becom- tices do not exist in other countries ness with the medical support Qatar ing a model for the other Gulf in the region. She called on all GCC provides to the workers and its hu- Qstates in improving the work countries to respect and implement manitarian commitment to all workers environment and ensuring the rights international regulations for work en- within the country. of workers, the International Trade vironment. Burrow also spoke about domestic Union Confederation (ITUC) general She stressed that Qatar has taken workers, saying that current reforms secretary Sharan Burrow said yester- great steps in implementing labour include all workers. She pointed out day. reforms and protecting the rights of that Qatar passed a law on domestic In an interview with Qatar News workers, saying: “We are on the verge labour and within three years further Agency (QNA), she described the of taking decisions that will end the improvements to this law will be con- opening of the International Labour Kafala system.” There is a package of sidered. Organisation (ILO) offi ce in Doha as measures, that includes a system of Regarding labour complaints, Bur- historic and a great step. registration of contracts, a wage sys- row clarifi ed that workers can lodge “It is one of the major steps in im- tem and a complain mechanism and a complaint with the Ministry of plementing labour reforms that the others, added Burrow Administrative Development, La- Qatar Government agreed on with ILO The ITUC general secretary also said bour and Social Aff airs or ILO offi ce. last November,” Burrow said. that by the end of this year, they expect These complaints will be considered The ITUC official stressed the im- a new minimum wage to be set and the for amicable resolution or referred to portance of the ILO office in Doha announcement of the end of the exit the Committee for the Settlement of for promoting co-operation with visa. “If these measures were imple- Labour Disputes, which will solved it the Qatari Government in order to mented then Qatar will be a model to within three weeks. She considered activate collaboration for workers’ the other Gulf states.” this mechanism an exceptional step in rights. On the co-operation between Qatar the reform system. “The programme signed between and the ITUC, she pointed out that the The ITUC general secretary also Qatar and ILO last year has the full relations between the two parties are praised Qatar’s intention to establish support of the ITUC,” Burrow assert- excellent especially after the agree- a fund to support workers, pointing ed, while observing that it will improve ment reached with the ILO late last out that this fund is very important labour conditions in the country. year. as it will pay the wages of workers if The formal agreement between Burrow said she visited Qatar Foun- the employer did not pay it for any Doha and the ILO with the support of dation Stadium, a medical centre and reason. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, May 1, 2018 QATAR

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and President of Togo Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe during the His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani receiving President of Togo Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe at the off icial reception ceremony at the Amiri Diwan yesterday. Amiri Diwan yesterday. Qatar and Togo sign pacts to strengthen bilateral relations QNA Doha

atar and Togo signed a raft of agreements Q and memoranda of understanding following a session of official talks chaired by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- mad al-Thani and the visit- ing President of Togolese Republic Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe at the Amiri Di- wan yesterday. During the talks session, the Amir and President Faure discussed bilateral re- lations between Qatar and Togo and means of enhanc- ing them in various sectors, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the President of Togo Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe witnessing the signing of agreements between Qatar and Togo at the Amiri Diwan yesterday. especially in the investment field. They also discussed a were attended by several Qa- number of issues of common tari ministers and the mem- concern. bers of the official delegation Following the session of offi - accompanying the president cial talks, His Highness the Amir of Togo. and the Togolese president wit- Earlier, upon arrival at the nessed the signing of the follow- Amiri Diwan the President of ing agreements and memoranda Togo was accorded an offi cial re- of understanding between the ception ceremony. two governments: Following the agreement sign- 1. An agreement on the abo- ing ceremony, the Amir hosted a lition of visa requirements for luncheon banquet, at the Amiri holders of diplomatic and pri- Diwan in honour of the President vate passports. of Togo and the accompanying 2. A memorandum of under- delegation. standing (MoU) on conducting The banquet was attended by political consultations on issues several ministers. of mutual interest. Later in the evening, the Pres- 3. An agreement on mutual ident Faure Essozimna Gnass- encouragement and protection ingbe left Doha after an offi cial of investments. visit to Qatar. 4. An agreement on economic, President Faure and his ac- trade and technical co-opera- companying delegation were tion. seen off at Hamad Inter- 5. An agreement on legal co- national Airport by HE the operation. Minister of Municipality and 6. An MoU between Qatar Environment Mohamed bin Chamber and Togo Chamber of Abdullah al-Rumaihi, and Commerce and Industry. Qatari ambassador (non-res- The official meeting and the ident) to Togo Mohamed bin His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani receiving the President of Members of the Togolese delegation accompanying President Faure Essozimna agreement signing ceremony Jaber al-Kuwari. Togo Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe at the Amiri Diwan yesterday. Gnassingbe greet His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday.

Advisory Council discusses draft law on Foreign markets keep robust outlook on Qatar’s construction sector transportation of hazardous items by road

By Peter Alagos fi elds of landscaping and green develop- As the largest participant this year, Business Reporter ment because “they respond perfectly to Chinese embassy’s head of Economic QNA universally recognised precau- the conception of the Qatar National Vi- and Commercial Offi ce Yang Song said Doha tions that must be taken dur- sion 2030.” 76 Chinese companies participating in ing transportation of hazardous espite the economic blockade im- “This year’s edition promises to be a Project Qatar 2018 and will be showcasing substances. posed in June last year, interna- real celebration of construction technol- trends in technology and building mate- he Advisory Council, at The draft law also imposes se- Dtional markets have kept an upbeat ogy innovation, and will involve several rial, machinery, electrical equipment, and its regular weekly meeting vere penalties on violators. outlook on Qatar’s construction sector, sectorial areas concerning construction latest technology in the construction sec- Tpresided over by HE the Meanwhile, the Advisory which will be under the spotlight during design, buildings, plant engineering, and tor. Deputy Speaker Mohamed bin Council’s Financial and Eco- the annual Project Qatar slated from May architecture studies, as well as the sup- “Qatar has become an important en- Abdullah al-Sulaiti, yesterday nomic Aff airs Committee held 7 to 10 at the Doha Exhibition and Con- ply of numerous products such as build- gineering and construction market for discussed a draft law on trans- a meeting yesterday within the vention Centre. ing materials, ceramics, marble, and fl oor China in the Middle East region. Qatar’s portation of hazardous sub- 46th Ordinary Session, chaired “We are confi dent on the condition of tiles,” he said. construction sector is set to take a more stances by road. by its rapporteur Ali bin Abdul- Qatar’s construction sector and the stag- Asked about IFP Qatar’s outlook for important role in the country’s economic The Deputy Speaker of the latif al-Misnad. ing of Project Qatar 2018 next week is a the country’s construction sector this diversifi cation strategy. Advisory Council said that the At the meeting, the committee demonstration of this assurance,” Italian year amid the economic blockade, project “The Chinese embassy will continue industrial development wit- examined a draft law regulating Trade Commissioner Giosafat Rigano of director Haidar Mshaimesh said inter- to encourage more qualifi ed and capable nessed by Qatar requires the use the investment of non-Qatari the Italian Trade Agency told Gulf Times national interest in Qatar “is now rais- Chinese companies to participate in this of hazardous substances such as capital in economic activity and on the sidelines of yesterday’s press con- ing quite the contrary to what people are very exciting market and to form mutual- fuel, chemicals and infl ammable decided to continue studying it ference announcing the 15th edition of the speculating because international com- ly-benefi cial cooperation with local com- and radioactive materials. at its next meeting. event. panies see it more viable to come to Qatar.” panies and to contribute to Qatar’s sus- The Deputy Speaker noted that The Advisory Council’s Serv- Citing fi gures from Qatari Customs “This challenge and the circumstances tainable economic development,” Song the draft law aims at keeping pace ices and Public Utilities Com- authorities, Rigano said Italy’s exports around it has turned into an opportunity said. with the development, construc- mittee held a meeting yesterday of marble and stone to Qatar witnessed a for the local companies to raise produc- This year, Project Qatar will be show- tion and modernisation in the under its rapporteur Mohamed 30% growth in 2017. He said Italy is the IFP Qatar project director Haidar tion capabilities, improve competitive- casing more than 500 companies from country, and is necessary to main- bin Mahdi al-Ahbabi. second main supplier of marble and stone, Mshaimesh. ness, and we are seeing local companies more than 20 countries. Country pavil- tain the health and safety of citi- The committee studied a draft and the top supplier of coating for ceramic that are manufacturing products whose ions will be led by China, Turkey, Iran, zens and protect the environment. law regulating land transport, tiles, which increased by 38% during the Rigano pointed out that Qatar and Italy quality are at par with global standards,” Germany, Kuwait, Italy, the UK, Pakistan, The draft law sets the stand- and decided to continue the dis- same period. could share “huge opportunities” in the Mshaimesh said. Austria, and Malaysia. ards that must be met and the cussion at its next meeting. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 1, 2018 3 QATAR Amir meets ambassador of Kosovo Reforms, not blockade, led to decline in rents

QNA Some of the policies in- of Justice. The real estate the third quarter of 2017 to Doha cluded off ering temporary transactions witnessed a QR10.8bn. warehouses and establish- remarkable growth in 2017 Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim ing new housing for work- with 3,988 transactions al-Thani added that the total he decline in rents ers. Some companies also with a total trading value value added of real estate ac- seen lately in Qatar established economical of QR32.7bn compared to tivity according to the same Tbegan in 2015 as a re- residential compounds, 3,343 transactions during source for the same period sult of reforms and not due factors that contributed to the year 2016 with total fi - witnessed a remarkable in- to the unjust blockade on the decline. nancial turnover of only crease of QR9.650bn, an in- the country, the President Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim QR27bn. crease of 4.1% compared to of the Qatar Chamber HE al-Thani referred to real es- The president of Qa- the same period of 2016. Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim tate statistics issued by the tar Chamber also cited the He called for the need al-Thani said yesterday Ministry of Development Quarterly Estimates of the to address all rumours and The president of QC said Planning and Statistics, the Gross Domestic Product claims that seek to destabi- in a press statement yester- Ministry of Justice and a (GDP) issued by the Minis- lise the economy (by saying it day that Qatar has adopted number of real estate com- try of Development Plan- is negatively aff ected by the policies that would lead to a panies to demonstrate the ning and Statistics, which blockade), stressing that those correction in rent prices as validity of these conclusions. indicated that nominal val- who spread those rumours are His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met the outgoing ambassador of Kosovo Rajab Boya, at they had seen unjustifi ed in- He also referred to the ue added (in current prices) working against the interest of the Amiri Diwan Off ice yesterday. The Amir wished the ambassador success in his future mission, and the relations creases in previous years, and annual real estate publica- of the real estate activity the state’s economy and poli- between Qatar and Kosovo further progress and development. The ambassador of Kosovo expressed his thanks and due to its impact on inflation. tion issued by the Ministry in the country increased in cies, which will remain fi rm. appreciation to the Amir and the State’s off icials for the co-operation he received during his tenure in Qatar. Education minister meets UK official HMC wins prestigious award

amad Medical Cor- ple living in 149 countries. poration (HMC) has Rashid bin Khalifa Hbeen awarded the Bousherbak al-Mansouri, Excellence Award in Health executive director of HMC’s Operational Performance Biomedical Engineering at the 19th annual forum of Department, spoke during the Arab Hospitals Federa- one of the Forum’s scientifi c tion, held in Muscat, Oman sessions, delivering a pres- this week. entation entitled ‘Needs- Ali Abdullah al-Khater, based Methods used to chief communications of- Reach Procurement Deci- fi cer at HMC and chair sions.’ He explored methods of the Ministry of Public for assessing hospital need Health’s Healthcare Com- for medical technology and munications Committee Ali Abdullah al-Khater receives the award the decision-making proc- accepted the award. ess when purchasing equip- “Hamad Medical Cor- are pleased to add this award 13th best in the world, and ment and technology. poration’s role in develop- from the Arab Hospitals fi rst in the Middle East, by Dr Ahmed bin Mohamed ing and expanding Qatar’s Federation to our existing the 2017 Legatum Prosper- bin Obaid al-Saidi, Minister healthcare system and im- accolades and are extremely ity Index is a further en- of Health, Oman and Bahr HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi met UK’s Secretary of proving patient care has proud of the achievement,” dorsement of the quality of Idriss Abu Garda, the Su- State for Wales Alun Cairns and his accompanying delegation, who is visiting Qatar. They discussed the topics of been acknowledged by a said al-Khater. care delivered to patients. danese Federal Minister of common interest and ways to promote and strengthen them. number of organisations lo- He said the fact that Qa- The annual index measures Health visited HMC’s stand cated around the world. We tar’s health system is ranked and ranks the health of peo- at the event’s exhibition.

Solution to Gulf crisis must be based on respect to sovereignty, says China envoy

By Ayman Adly have branches in Doha; the visa on arrival facility Staff Reporter Bank of China and the In- has encouraged many Chi- dustrial and Commercial nese to come to Qatar. The Bank of China Limited number of Chinese visitors he prevailing crisis (ICBC). Qatar opened Mid- to Qatar rose by almost 24% between Qatar and dle East’s fi rst centre for in the fi rst quarter of this Tthe four blockad- clearing transactions in the year compared to the previ- ing countries Saudi Ara- Chinese Yuan in 2015. Simi- ous period. bia, the UAE, Bahrain and larly, Doha Bank and QNB The ambassador pointed Egypt should be resolved have offi ces in China and out that during the recent within the region based on they are in good position to visit of Ahmed bin Hassan the respect to sovereignty be operating as full branch- al-Hammadi, secretary- of countries and the prin- es. A good number of major general of the Ministry of ciple of non-interference in Chinese ambassador Li Chinese companies are op- Foreign Aff airs to China the internal aff airs of other Chen. erating in Qatar in several where the second round of countries, Chinese ambas- key projects. the political consultations sador Li Chen suggested even long before the offi cial The ambassador stressed between the two countries yesterday. establishment of diplomat- that the top leaderships were held, the two sides Speaking to Gulf Times, ic relationship between the of the two friendly coun- agreed to grant the citizens he stressed that China is two countries three decades tries have agreed to form a of both countries entry keen to maintain security ago, when China opened strong strategic partner- without the need for pre- and stability in the region its fi rst embassy in Doha in ship, in particular during entry visa. The agreement and views negotiations be- 1988. the very successful visit is under process at the en- tween the parties as the key The bilateral trade was of His Highness the Amir tities concerned in China. to resolve the crisis. $8.077bn in 2017, with a Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad The two countries have also “China supports and ap- considerable increase of al-Thani to China in 2014, signed an agreement in the preciates the Kuwaiti medi- 46% compared to the pre- which augmented the rela- fi eld of security and law en- ation eff orts in this regard,” vious year. China is con- tionship in various fi elds of forcement. Besides, China the envoy observed. sidered the fourth largest co-operation. had a very successful Year Li Chen said that the re- trade partner of Qatar, and Last year in September of Culture in Qatar in 2016, lationships between China Qatar is the second largest Qatar signed with China a with various cultural and and Qatar are strong and exporter of LNG to China. co-operation agreement artistic performances and deeply rooted on all levels Two major Chinese banks in the fi eld of tourism, and exhibitions.

Qatar opens office at ICAO Ministry recalls Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R bikes

he Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC), in Tcollaboration with Pro- tech Powered Sports Co, has an- nounced the recall of Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R bikes models of 2016-2018 because the speed gear may break while shifting and changing speed. The MEC said the recall cam- paign comes within the frame- work of its ongoing eff orts to pro- tect consumers and ensure that bike dealers follow up on bike de- HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti fects and repairs. inaugurating Qatar’s Permanent Off ice at the International Civil Aviation The MEC said that it will co- Organisation in Montreal, Canada, yesterday. ICAO Council president Dr ordinate with the dealer to follow Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, secretary-general Dr Fang Liu and representatives of a up on the maintenance and repair number of ICAO member-states and some off icials representing the works and will communicate with Government of Canada participated in the inauguration event. customers to ensure that the nec- essary repairs are carried out. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, May 1, 2018 QATAR

DCMF marks Press Freedom Day

Doha Centre for Media Freedom celebration of the World Press (DCMF) is sponsoring a Freedom Day in Accra, Ghana, conference on media freedom, tomorrow and on May 3. This which will be held under the year’s global theme is ‘Keeping title ‘Freedom of Press and Power in Check: Media, Justice Expression between Reality and The Rule of Law’, and will and Expectations’ on May 3 at cover issues of media and the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort transparency of the political & Convention Hotel. The process, the independence and conference will be held under media literacy of the judicial the auspices of Sheikh Hamad system, and the accountability bin Thamer al-Thani, chairman of state institutions towards the of Qatar Media Corporation public. The day will also examine (QMC), and in co-operation contemporary challenges of with Dar Al Arab and Kahramaa ensuring press freedom online. to mark World Press Freedom DCMF is sponsoring the Photo Day. The Centre will also host Exhibition of World Press Photo two workshops today and this year, held on the sidelines of tomorrow on ‘Media ethics’ the celebrations in Ghana and and ‘Creating awareness and aims to highlight media freedom disinformation’ on the sidelines. issues, promote the role played Meanwhile, DCMF is also by journalists and call for the participating in Unesco’s 25th protection of media workers. HE the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi attends the graduation ceremony. Petrol and diesel prices rise in May

Qatar Petroleum has increased to QR1.85 in April. Super petrol the prices of diesel and petrol price is also set at QR2 a litre for May by Dh15 and Dh10 compared to QR1.9 in April while respectively. A litre of diesel premium petrol will be sold at will now cost QR2 compared QR1.9 a litre compared to QR1.8. Qatar Airways backs Al Noor annual celebration atar Airways sponsored the event for their support to Al our appreciation and thanks to the annual Al Noor Insti- Noor Institute. Qatar Airways Qatar Airways for supporting Ooredoo supports Al Noor Institute Qtute musical performance senior vice-president (Human this noble cause. This annual and graduation ceremony, which Resources) Nabeela Fakhri re- event is a way for our students to Ooredoo has announced delighted to be the official took place at Qatar National ceived a token of appreciation shine and give back to the local that it was the official telecommunication partner Theatre yesterday. from Al Noor Institute during the community and to our country, telecommunication partner of the event and help The event saw performances event, handed over by HE Dr al- and we are thrilled to see them of the Al Noor Institute for increase awareness of the by 20 of Al Noor Institute for the Nuaimi. share their talents and express the Blind graduation event. needs and aspirations of Blind’s most talented students, “As the national carrier of Qa- their appreciation for Qatar. We The graduation, which took people who are blind. We in front of a large gathering from tar, we are proud advocates of so- are proud to congratulate our place at Qatar National thank Al Noor Institute for the local community. cial and humanitarian initiatives, graduating class for their incred- Theatre, saw a host of VIPs the Blind and the Ministry of The performance was attend- and follow our duty and respon- ible achievements and to witness and officials attend the event Culture and Sports for letting ed by HE Minister of Admin- sibility to support and enrich the our students perform beautifully to celebrate the 2018 Year us play a part in this special istrative Development, Labour local community that we serve. for our guests.” 6 students. As part of the event and congratulate all and Social Aff airs Dr Issa Saad We are delighted to work closely Al Noor Institute director of celebration, the students also the graduating students.” al-Jafali al-Nuaimi, and marked with Al Noor Institute and trust Public Relations and Commu- starred in an original music This is the latest in a line of the 2018 annual graduation of that this event will further build nity Service Khalid al-Sheaibi production, ‘Qatar in the Eyes community events Ooredoo the students of Al Noor Institute awareness and appreciation for added, “ The public support of People with Special Needs’. has supported in 2018, as for Blind. their hard work and impact in from our national carrier, other Manar Khalifa al-Muraikhi, the company continues Qatar Airways and Sasol were Qatar.” sponsoring companies and the director of PR and Corporate to invest in supporting the main sponsors. A number of Al Noor Institute general man- public demonstrates that we can Communications at Qatar’s children, it said in a partners – including Qatar Air- ager Amal Jassim Albuainain all come together to promote the Ooredoo Qatar, said: “We’re statement. ways – were recognised during said, “We would like to extend education of our nation.”

Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, May 1, 2018 QATAR

The renovated Al Aziziyah branch of Ahlibank. Ahlibank celebrates opening of renovated Al Aziziyah branch

hlibank has an- AlEfrangi, said: “I am hap- nounced that it has py to announce the offi cial Arenovated its Al Aziz- opening of our redesigned Al iyah branch. The bank has Aziziyah branch. said in a press statement that “These changes demon- it is now welcoming custom- strate our continued com- ers to the ‘new-look’ branch, mitment and approach to which “features an exclusive provide innovative products Premium Banking Lounge and services to our custom- with a dedicated relationship ers and enhance our branch- manager”. es. The branch also features “We have had a branch the bank’s new brand iden- presence since 2007 in Al tity with modern technol- Aziziyah, one of the major ogy, including interactive areas at the heart of Qatar’s touchscreens and tablets community, and look for- “designed to enhance the ward to providing modern customer experience”. Ahl- and convenient banking ibank’s deputy CEO — Retail services here for many years Ahlibank’s deputy CEO — Retail and Private Banking, and Private Banking, Hassan to come.” Hassan AlEfrangi. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 1, 2018 7 QATAR

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class car on show at Doha Festival City. Mercedes-Benz A-Class put on display at Doha Festival City

asser Bin Khaled Automobiles, transmission, suspension, steering and ing which can be individualised with the authorised general dis- air conditioning at the driver’s behest. twelve colours and fi ve dimming levels Ntributor of Mercedes-Benz in The four driving modes “Comfort”, – the equipment range for the A-Class Qatar, is displaying the Mercedes-Benz “Sport”, “Eco” and “Individual” can be has been judiciously expanded in many A-Class car at Doha Festival City. conveniently selected using the switch areas. Through two simulators next to the in the upper control panel. Also new is seat cushion depth ad- displayed car, visitors of the mall can Striking lines, dynamically curved justment by up to 60mm – a standard enjoy a virtual test drive that allows surfaces and coupé-like window lines feature in all equipment lines. them to experience the car’s advanced characterise the exterior of the A- The sport models A 250 Sport now technology systems. Class, following the design philosophy develops 218hp instead of 211hp previ- The A-Class is described as “a sporty of sensual purity. ously. and luxurious vehicle that refl ects the With a diamond grille, new LED In combination with the 7G-DCT latest eff orts of the German manufac- high-performance headlamps (option- dual-clutch transmission, the A-Class turing to provide its vehicles with in- al extra) and newly designed tail lamps now has “Launch Assist” for even fast- novative technology in terms of engine, with dual tailpipe trim integrated fl ush er acceleration from standstill. effi ciency, and safety. into the bumper, the new generation All in all, the model range counts Thanks to its sporty design and dis- emphasises the sportiness and dy- 17 versions (including the Mercedes- tinctive features, the A-Class appeals namics of the successful compact class AMG A 45 4MATIC). The new-genera- to all ages, and has fast become the model series. tion A-Class is the fi rst Mercedes-Benz preferred choice for youths all over the An instrument cluster of tubular model to be available with comprehen- world. design with classy dial graphics and sive smartphone integration: Apple With Dynamic Select the driver is anodised switches upgrades the high- CarPlay (for iPhone owners) and Mir- able to change the car’s characteristics quality interior, as does the large, free- rorLink are available now. in just seconds – at the touch of a but- standing and frameless display of the With numerous driving assistance ton the A-Class drives in a particularly infotainment system, which is now op- systems from the drowsiness detection comfortable, sporty or effi cient manner. tionally available with a larger 20.3-cm system Attention Assist to Distronic Mercedes-Benz has also increased (8-inch) screen. Plus distance control, the A-Class is the range of available engines. Optional LED High Perform- able to give its driver comprehensive Dynamic Select modifi es the engine, ance headlamps and ambience light- support and protection. Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, May 1, 2018 QATAR

‘Region needs two-pronged strategy to harness technologies’ The innovation ecosystem in Qatar is encouraging and the Middle Qatar Airways rolls out ‘Super Wi-Fi’ East and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) region as such needs two-pronged strategy to harness technologies, said Amin Toufani, pictured, chief executive of T Labs. on Boeing 777, Airbus A350 fl eet “There is lot of opportunities (here). Leapfrogging in innovation is massive,” he said in reference atar Airways passengers equip its Boeing 777 and Airbus Qatar Airways passengers can now ed that they are now pioneering our As one of the world’s leading to the fast accelerating and can now experience ‘Super A350 aircraft with the new tech- enjoy high-speed broadband con- game-changing GX Aviation in- developers of tracking systems, improving technologies such as artificial intelligence, Nano QWi-Fi’ high-speed broad- nology. Passengers on fl ights fi tted nectivity, providing rich content fl ight broadband across the globe. Inmarsat use a network of satel- technology and augmented reality. band connectivity using Inmarsat’s with GX Aviation can receive one without restriction, whether us- “This unprecedented service lites to detect signals transmitted Finding that the technologies are becoming more GX Aviation technology. hour free access to the ‘Super Wi- ing the internet for work or relaxa- adds to the airline’s award-win- from aircraft and relay this infor- prevalent and cheaper and leading to technological The broadband service is be- Fi’ to further enhance the award- tion during their journey. Business ning, fi ve star onboard experience mation reporting speed, location deflation, Toufani, who was in Doha on the invitation of ing progressively rolled out on all winning level of service provided travellers in particular will be able by allowing passengers to seam- and direction, to ground-based YPO Qatar Chapter, said the message is to empower the Boeing 777 aircraft and Airbus by the world’s best airline. to maximise their ‘offi ce in the lessly browse the internet, stream receivers. region, regardless of the current state of aff airs. A350 aircraft in Qatar Airways’ If more time is needed, passen- sky’ with seamless continuity.” videos, check social media and Qatar Airways operates a mod- Advocating two-pronged approach for the (Arab) region, young fl eet. Qatar Airways is the gers can purchase full-fl ight ac- Inmarsat Aviation president more during fl ights.” ern fl eet of more than 200 aircraft he said the government should provide the social safety fi rst airline in the Mena region to cess to the service selecting from a Philip Balaam said, “Qatar Airways Inmarsat are the same high- to a network of more than 150 net to support the downside but that alone was not have invested in the technology to range of aff ordable options. is renowned as one of the greatest tech provider selected by Qatar key business and leisure destina- suff icient. Hence, there is a dire need for promoting the provide this quality of service for Qatar Airways Group Chief Ex- innovators in global aviation with Airways for its space-based track- tions across Europe, the Middle upside which is the entrepreneurship development. passengers. ecutive Akbar al-Baker said, “In passengers being at the centre of ing system used to track all its East, Africa, Asia Pacifi c, North Asked how far the GCC governments performed well in The progressive fi t-out will another fi rst for the Mena region, everything they do. We are delight- fl ights worldwide. America and South America. creating enabling environment, Toufani, who is based in the US and visiting Doha for the second time, said the innovation ecosystem in Qatar, is “encouraging.” Acknowledging that he has had talks with universities and Qatar Foundation, Toufani, who has a degree in artificial intelligence from the University of British Columbia, an MBA from Stanford, and an MPA in economic policy from More than 200 winners in Commercial Harvard, said he is highly impressed by the country’s quest for nanotechnology innovation. Optimistic on Qatar’s future in technological fields, the former director of strategy and vice president of strategic relations at Singularity University said his message would Bank’s ‘Save & Win Campaign’ be empowerment and inclusion since technologies knows no boundaries and races but investments are crucial. ommercial Bank has an- You could be next to win one of 154 nounced the latest monthly prizes over the next fi ve months, Cwinners of its ‘Save & Win plus the QR1mn grand prize.” Campaign’ that rewards savers All Commercial Bank customers with 365 cash prizes throughout with a minimum average balance the year, including a QR1mn grand of QR10,000 each month in their prize draw for one lucky customer. basic current or savings account Another 29 winners were an- are automatically entered into the nounced for the seventh month of monthly draw. the campaign, with the draw taking The more customers save, the place at Commercial Bank’s Grand greater their chance to win one of 365 Hamad Street branch. The April cash prizes, as each QR1,000 qualifi es draw brings the total number of cash for an entry coupon into an electronic prize winners to 211 from a total of draw. In addition, customers can earn 365. Selected by electronic draw, fi ve double coupons for every QR1,000 customers each won QR10,000, 10 average balance incremental against customers each won QR5,000, and the previous month, thus improving 14 customers each won QR2,500. their chances to win. If the minimum Commercial Bank EGM, Con- average balance of QR10,000 is main- sumer Banking, Amit Sah said, tained for 12 consecutive months, the “Commercial Bank’s Save & Win customer qualifi es for the grand prize Campaign is an exciting promotion draw of QR1mn. for customers as a large number of All winners are notifi ed follow- cash prizes are announced every ing the draw, and customers are month, while at the same time it not restricted to the number of encourages our customers to save. prizes they can win. Commercial Bank executives with the latest winners of its ‘Save & Win Campaign’. LuLu cookery contest winners receive prizes

rizes and certifi cates of other LuLu executives. Khajoon Ansari and Seema short-listed participants. to the winners of LuLu The following are the Sachdeva; Dessert cat- The fi nal judgement was PCookery Contest were winners, in the order of fi rst, egory - Sabna Zamil, Salma done by an expert panel distributed at LuLu Group second and third prizes, re- Khanam and Omar Abdel comprising famous Chef regional offi ce on D-Ring spectively: Non-vegetarian Aty. Anilkumar, Qatar Airways Road, in Doha. category - Shaguftha Zahir Special prizes were given chief chef Nagesh, and LuLu LuLu Group regional Panwala, Ismath Beevi Na- to Geetha Priya in the non- Group’s regional chief chef director Shaijan M O and jimudeen and Karle Haven vegetarian category and Ravishankar Thangavel. regional manager Shana- P Reyes. Jaseena Shafeeque in the Out of 400 applications vas P M distributed the Vegetarian category - dessert category. Consola- received, 52 were shortlisted prizes in the presence Aisha Alumma, Shabina tion prizes were given to all for the contest.

The winners with LuLu executives.

Vodafone Qatar QIC Insured launches enables easy public products for SMEs IC Insured, the retail donations to QRCS arm of Qatar Insur- Qance Company, has atar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) and Vo- launched a wide range of in- dafone Qatar have inaugurated a new part- surance products to cater to Qnership that will enable the telecommuni- the small and medium-sized cation company’s customers to make donations to enterprises (SMEs) sector. For support QRCS’s humanitarian operations in Qatar the fi rst time in Qatar, SMEs and internationally. can now purchase insurance Ahmed al-Jarboey, senior Under its corporate social responsibility banner, products online and enjoy val- manager, claims. Vodafone Easy Donations allows all the company’ ue added services. postpaid customers to make monthly recurring SME owners can now log on mary drivers for launching donations of QR100, QR200 or QR300 to QRCS to qic-insured.com and pur- this new product. Most entre- through the ease of their mobile phone, it has said chase insurance covers such preneurs and SME managers in a statement. as property all risk, business are busy people who struggle Customers can activate their monthly donations interruption, workmen’s com- to fi nd time to visit branches to QRCS through the My Vodafone App. Or, if they pensation, personal accident to buy mandatory insurance prefer, they can visit their nearest Vodafone store benefi ts, and many more such products. or contact the customer care team. covers easily from their work- “We are therefore happy to Customers will receive a notifi cation when the places. Once purchased, the extend our online product of- service is renewed every month and donations can issued policy will be sent di- fering to cater to this impor- be checking by calling *129#. rectly to the customer’s e-mail tant customer segment. With QRCS undertakes numerous relief and develop- address. the convenience of shopping ment projects in Qatar as well as in disaster and Senior claims manager for their insurances online, confl ict zones around the world. Every year, these Ahmed al-Jarboey said: “Our SME owners will now be em- operations reach out to no less than 7mn vulner- consistent approach towards powered to manage risks ef- able and aff ected people, providing them with life- customer focus and ease of fectively while focusing on saving aid in various fi elds. doing business were the pri- growing their business.” Gulf Times Tuesday, May 1, 2018 9 QATAR WCM-Q graduate focused QF gets ready to mark on serving communities Class of 2018 graduation aten Aqeel, a Qatari graduate of Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q), had close links to atar Foundation (QF) will mark the to enhance their academic, professional, students during their time at Education Fthe college even before enrolling in its medi- academic achievements of the Class and personal skills, ensuring they are City. cal programme. Qof 2018 at its 11th annual Convoca- equipped with the knowledge and tools to Additionally, the winner of the inaugural In 2011, Aqeel was named the winner of ‘Heal- tion ceremony in Education City’s Ceremo- face the challenges of tomorrow as global Akhlaquna Award will be announced during ing Hands’, an annual competition that aims to in- nial Court today. citizens.” this year’s ceremony. spire Qatari high school students to follow a career The ceremony will honour graduates As part of the QF Convocation tradition, The award is designed to recognise and in medicine. As a result, she received a scholarship from Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) graduates will walk through the ‘Door to the celebrate young people who display exem- to travel to New York City for two weeks, and took and QF’s eight partner universities in Edu- Future’, during the ceremony. plary moral character toward the good of advantage of a range of opportunities in clinical cation City, showcasing student achieve- humanity and was announced by Her High- medicine and medical research at Weill Cornell ments, success stories, and future aspira- “We are delighted to celebrate the ness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chairperson Medicine. tions. individual achievements of all our of Qatar Foundation, during last year’s con- “Healing Hands introduced me to a variety of Mayan Zebeib, chief communications graduates. During the past number vocation. areas in the fi eld of medicine,” said Aqeel, who will offi cer, QF, said, “We are delighted to cel- of years, these young men and Since 2008, QF has collectively celebrat- receive a Cornell University Doctor of Medicine de- ebrate the individual achievements of all women have worked diligently...” ed the graduation of students from its part- gree from WCM-Q this year. “In these two weeks, our graduates. During the past number of ner universities and HBKU. I learned basic research methodology and shad- years, these young men and women have Throughout the years, the ‘Door to the This year’s Convocation will honour owed physicians in their clinics, witnessing their worked diligently across a range of diverse Future’ has witnessed the passage of thou- graduates from HBKU, Texas A&M Uni- compassion to treat and educate patients. After Faten Aqeel programmes to achieve their degrees. We sands of QF graduates who now hold nota- versity at Qatar, Northwestern University winning the competition, I realised that a career in look forward to welcoming them, and their ble positions in a variety of sectors, and play in Qatar, Virginia Commonwealth Uni- medicine would be a perfect fi t for me.” also for four months to participate in the delivery of family and friends, to the 2018 Convocation crucial roles in organisations in Qatar and versity School of the Arts in Qatar, Weill Aqeel strongly believes in the importance of healthcare to patients at the New York Presbyterian ceremony. across the region. Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Carnegie Mellon spreading awareness to encourage the commu- Hospital. “At Qatar Foundation, we strive to This year’s ceremony will be held under University in Qatar, Georgetown Univer- nity to adopt a healthy lifestyle. During her time “In these four months, I rotated between dif- provide our students with a range of the theme ‘Then and Now’, highlighting sity in Qatar, UCL Qatar, and HEC Paris in at WCM-Q, Aqeel participated in several local ferent departments, including Internal Medicine, unique learning opportunities designed the growth experienced by the graduating Qatar. and international volunteer activities and aware- Haematology, and Nephrology. I was part of a team ness campaigns organised by the college, including which consisted of consultants, residents, medi- Qatar Airways clarifi es on ‘Medicine Unlimited’. cal students, and social workers, all trying to take Filipino travellers from Kuwait “Some of my favourite memories came from care of the medical and social problems that our volunteering in underserved communities, such patients had.” Qatar Airways has said that Filipino travellers, as Costa Rica and Tanzania. These were truly eye- “Through my experiences at WCM in New York, who were reported by some media and social opening experiences that enabled me to off er medi- I realised that interacting with adults in a hospital media sites, had purchased regular airline cal assistance and raise awareness about common environment, working on complicated cases, and tickets through a travel and tourism company medical issues, such as diabetes and hypertension,” considering diff erent treatment options were the in Kuwait, and not directly from Qatar Airways, said Aqeel. reasons behind my decision to pursue a career in QNA reported. The national carrier of Qatar, “These overseas experiences helped me fulfi l my Internal Medicine.” in a statement on Twitter yesterday, said that goal of improving the quality of life in communities In July this year, Aqeel will start her Internal it operates according to a commercial policy, that are deprived of medical utilities and services, Medicine residency at Virginia Commonwealth and it cannot prevent any of the travellers who develop strong friendships with people from diff er- University (VCU) Medical Centre in the US. have bought their tickets and have necessary ent cultures, and make great memories that I will Aqeel believes that the healthcare system in Qa- papers for travel. Earlier, some media and cherish forever.” tar is moving in the right direction, given the fact social networking sites had claimed that Qatar Aqeel visited Weill Cornell Medicine in New York that “Qatar has achieved many medical accom- Airways had decided to transfer Filipinos from once when she was a fi rst-year medical student plishments within a very short period of time.” In Kuwait to their country, free of charge, after for a two-month period of intense research, which the future, following her training at VCU Medical the decision of the Philippines to withdraw its helped her master the skills needed to become an Centre, Aqeel plans to come back to Qatar to work employees working in Kuwait. excellent researcher in the fi eld of medicine, and in the healthcare sector in her country. Satisfaction as fi lmmaking careers take off

ward-winning fi lm- maker and Qatar AFoundation (QF) graduate Rawan al-Nassiri learned early on during her time at Northwestern Uni- versity at Qatar (NU-Q) that “if an idea doesn’t scare you a bit, it’s probably not worth pursuing.” “Studying at QF has given me the confi dence to not be Rawan al-Nassiri afraid to leave my comfort zone,” said Rawan. “I got in- Q, described her time as a volved in so many projects student on the Education City and worked with so many campus as being enormously diff erent people at NU-Q formative for her chosen ca- that I quickly realised it’s reer. good to step away from that “At Education City, I al- with which you’re com- ways felt I was building a fortable. Today, I can thank career at the same time as my professors, and also my being a student. For exam- mom, for helping me to not ple, my work in fi lmmaking be afraid to pursue big ideas.” didn’t begin after I gradu- Rawan, who is set to ated; it began while I was in graduate with a BSc degree university,” she said. in Communication from “Most of our work at NU-Q NU-Q in Education City, is took place out in the fi eld – due to travel to the Cannes making fi lms; it wasn’t all Film Festival in France this theory or academic. So when month, where her short doc- I co-directed a fi lm in my umentary, Treasures of the sophomore year with Sara Past, which she co-directed al-Saadi and Maaria As- with fellow NU-Q student saami, and it won the Made Nada Bedair, has been se- in Qatar award at the Doha lected as part of the Cannes Tribeca Film Festival in 2012, Short Film Corner. I received great support from “Our fi lm won Best Docu- NU-Q, who worked with me mentary at the Ajyal Youth to promote and write about Film Festival in Doha last the fi lm.” year and was also screened Latifa’s abstract animation, at the Middle East Studies Yaoum Al Om, was showcased Association annual meet- at the Transition art exhibi- ing in Washington DC,” said tion and organised by Recon- Rawan. “It’s amazing really; necting Arts, at the Menier I’ll be going to Cannes after Gallery in London. The fi lm graduation, where I hope was co-produced with Qatari to take part in fi lmmaking cartoonist Abdulaziz Yousef. workshops.” Latifa, who has recently Rawan’s fi lm, which fol- completed a master’s degree lows three older Qatari wom- in Culture and Creative In- en as they strive to defy gen- dustries at King’s College der stereotypes by starting London, says she is passion- their own businesses, was also ate about animation because shown during QF’s Town Hall it allows her to tell stories event, ‘I AM QF’, last Decem- and revive traditional Qatari ber. Qatari fi lmmaker and QF tales through creative work. alumnus Latifa al-Darwish is “Storytelling is a form of en- also certain her chosen career tertainment that is extreme- path began long before she ly powerful because it can ever graduated from college at change people’s perspectives, Education City. infl uence their behaviour, and The award-winning direc- open their eyes to new ideas,” tor is currently in production she said. on her upcoming fi lm, Ya Latifa was awarded a Qa- Hootah, with co-director and tari Film Fund from Doha Film local artist Abdulaziz Yousef, Institute to produce a short having previously had her fi lm on anecdotal stories from work showcased in London Qatari culture. Her upcoming and supported by the Doha fi lm, Ya Hootah, currently in Film Institute. production, is set to be com- Latifa, an alumnus of NU- pleted later this year. Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, May 1, 2018 QATAR

New attractions to make Katara global hub

From Page 1 sages, arches and breezy walk- 361,500sq m and are designed in Katara a global cultural and tour- ways. innovative and aesthetic style. ism hub, helping to strengthen atara Plaza will also have Katara Hills, a distinctive land- The Hills refl ect the diversity communication between diff er- a children’s mall, a unique mark and an eye-catching tourist of plants and trees (3,300 trees) ent cultures and peoples. Kand pioneering experience destination at Katara is expected from diff erent continents, grown “Katara’s strategy focuses on in the region and an example of to be completed in December in the Qatari environment, serv- supporting art, culture, human- innovation and architectural gen- 2018. ing as a meeting point for cul- ity, and consolidating national ius. The design is in the form of This project featuring gardens tures and civilisations, along with identity and heritage. It also aims two big gifts wrapped in red and and green meadows, is divided a spacious yard symbolising the to utilise the facilities and build- gold. into Northern and Southern Hills universal mind. ings to create a suitable environ- Katara Plaza will off er a rare ex- that are unique in design and Katara general manager Dr ment to nurture art and creativity perience, with its landscapes and boast many recreational facilities. Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti said to make Katara an Arab and global sandstone buildings, paved pas- The gardens occupy an area of that the ambitious projects make cultural icon,” he added. The children’s mall in Katara Plaza. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 1, 2018 11 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Operations US open to ‘two-party solution’ against IS in Iraq for Palestinian issue: Pompeo to end

Reuters declared independence in 1948, Pompeo also made his fi rst Amman fearing it would lose its Jewish comments on the violence along Reuters majority. the Israel-Gaza Strip border, Baghdad Israeli forces have killed doz- where Israeli forces have killed S Secretary of State Mike ens of Palestinians in recent 42 Palestinians since protests Pompeo suggested yes- weeks who were protesting in began on March 30 and injured he US-led coalition sig- Uterday he was open to a the Gaza Strip near the border some 2,000 by gunfi re. nalled yesterday the end two-state solution to the Israe- with Israel to demand the return No serious casualties have Tof major combat opera- li-Palestinian dispute, saying a of refugees and their descend- been reported on the Israeli tions against Islamic State in “two-party solution” was likely ants. side. Iraq by announcing the “deacti- in his fi rst extensive comments Israel says it is protecting its “We do believe the Israelis vation” of its land forces com- on peace eff orts since taking the borders. have a right to defend them- mand headquarters. job last week. Palestinians have rejected selves,” he said. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al- “With respect to the two- US peace-making eff orts since The Palestinians say Israel Abadi declared victory over the state solution, the parties will Trump decided to recognise Je- has used excessive force, and its Islamic State in December, fi ve ultimately make the decision. rusalem as Israel’s capital and use of live fi re has drawn inter- months after his forces recaptured We are certainly open to a two- move its embassy to the city. national criticism. the country’s second city Mosul party solution as a likely out- Amman was Pompeo’s last Israel says it is protecting its in a protracted battle with the come,” he said at a news con- stop before he returns to Wash- borders and takes such action militants. Islamic State, however, ference in Jordan after a visit to ington, DC, where he has not yet only when protesters, some continues to carry out bombings, Israel. entered the State Department. hurling stones and rolling burn- assassinations and ambushes. “The Israelis and Palestinians Moments after being sworn in ing tires, or trying to lay explo- In a statement, the US-led need to have political engage- as Secretary of State on Thurs- sives, come too close to the bor- coalition said its relationship ment.We urge the Palestinians day, Pompeo immediately left der fence. with the Iraqi armed forces to return to that political dia- for a meeting in Brussels, fol- Turning to Syria, he said the would evolve “from supporting logue,” he added. lowed by a visit to allies in the United States was “in perfect and enabling combat operations US President Donald Trump Middle East. accord” with Jordan on Syria, to the training and development has said he would support a “(The Mideast peace) is an in- including the preservation of of self-suffi cient Iraqi security- two-state solution, if the two credible priority for the United a “de-escalation zone” in the related capabilities”. sides agree, although he has States to provide whatever as- south. Brett McGurk, the US envoy to stopped sort of re-asserting a US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Amman, yesterday. sistance we can to allow the two Pompeo said: “We believe the coalition, tweeted: “From Fal- US commitment to eventual parties to come to a resolution there are many countries, in- luja to Tikrit, Baiji, Ramadi, Sinjar, Palestinian statehood, a long- Some 70 years after the crea- accords that envisaged a two- pied territories. on this incredibly long standing cluding the United States, who Mosul and points in between, our time bedrock of US policy. tion of Israel, prospects for a state solution. Israel has refused any right and important confl ict,” Pom- will play an important political coalition has been proud to stand The White House is preparing Palestinian state appear dim. Those talks have been stalled of return for Palestinians who peo said, standing alongside role in achieving the de-escala- beside Iraqi forces and (Kurdish) a new Israeli-Palestinian peace Israeli-Palestinian peace talks for years and Israel has built were expelled or fl ed and be- Jordanian Foreign Minister Ay- tion and ultimate political reso- Peshmerga as they liberated their plan. were based on the 1993 Oslo more settlements in the occu- came refugees after the country man Safadi. lution in Syria”. country from ISIS.” Tehran dismisses Iran leader accuses US Palestinians Israel allegations convene key meeting on N-weapons of stoking ‘regional crisis’ Reuters need our help, Iran will remain DPA Ankara in those countries.” Ramallah Agencies worked to obtain an atomic In Riyadh, Pompeo reassured Tehran weapon since the 2015 agree- Saudi Arabia that the United ment between Tehran and six ran’s supreme leader yes- States would exit Iran’s 2015 he top Palestinian leg- world powers. terday hit out at the United multinational nuclear deal, un- islative body convened ranian Foreign Minister Iran has always denied it IStates a day after new Sec- less European signatories of the Tyesterday in Ramallah Mohamed Javad Zarif yes- sought a nuclear weapon, in- retary of State Mike Pompeo accord “fi x” it. for a four-day meeting, the fi rst Iterday dismissed new alle- sisting its atomic programme visited Riyadh, accusing Wash- Trump has given the Euro- gathering of its kind in nearly a gations by Israeli Prime Min- was for civilian purposes. ington of trying to stoke a “re- pean signatories a May 12 dead- decade. ister Benjamin Netanyahu that Netanyahu made the com- gional crisis” by provoking its line to “fi x the terrible fl aws” of The meeting of the Palestin- Tehran has a secret nuclear ments in an elaborate pres- ally Saudi Arabia to confront the 2015 nuclear deal, or he will ian National Council (PNC) will weapons programme. entation that included props, Tehran. refuse to extend US sanctions vote on key leadership positions In a tweet, Zarif said that video and slides, broadcast In remarks broadcast on relief on Iran. in the Palestinian Liberation US President Donal Trump “is live on television from Tel state television, Ayatollah Ali Under Iran’s settlement with Organisation (PLO). Octogenar- jumping on a rehash of old al- Aviv. He said Israel had ob- Khamenei reiterated longstand- the United States, France, Ger- ian President Mahmoud Abbas legations already dealt with tained tens of thousands of ing calls for the United States to many, Britain, Russia and China, maintains a tight grip on power. by the IAEA (International fi les “a few weeks ago in a “leave” the Middle East, which Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear Abbas’ main rival, Hamas, Atomic Energy Agency) to great intelligence achieve- he called Iran’s home, and said programme to satisfy the powers the group which runs a de facto ‘nix’ the (2015 nuclear) deal.” ment,” saying they had been any power seeking to challenge that it could not be put to devel- government in the Gaza Strip, is “How convenient. moved to a secret compound Iran would be defeated. oping atomic bombs. not participating in the council Co-ordinated timing of al- in Tehran in 2017 that looked “One of the ways to confront In exchange, Iran received meeting along with another fac- leged intelligence revelations dilapidated from the outside. Iran is to provoke inexperi- A handout picture provided by the off ice of Iran’s Supreme Leader relief from sanctions, most of tion. by the boy who cries wolf just As he spoke, binders that enced rulers of the region,” he yesterday, shows Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waving to the crowd as which were lifted in January A reconciliation attempt be- days before May 12,” he said he said held copies of original said, in an apparent reference he delivers a speech during Labour Day at the workers’ meeting. 2016. tween the two parties has fal- referring to Netanyahu and documents were on shelves to Saudi Arabia’s 32-year-old Khamenei has warned that tered as the two remain at log- Trump’s deadline to decide behind him, as were cases Crown Prince Mohamed bin the United States was deeply Arabia in its eff orts to counter Tehran would stick to the ac- gerheads regarding the future of whether or not to walk away containing CDs. Salman. concerned by Iran’s “destabil- Iran’s infl uence. cord as long as the other signa- the Palestinian national move- from the nuclear agreement “Tonight we’re going to re- “Americans are trying to ising and malign activities” in Iranian state TV quoted Iran’s tories respected it, but would ment. “If this session did not with Iran. veal new and conclusive proof provoke Saudi Arabia against the Middle East. Foreign Ministry spokesman “shred” the deal if Washington convene, the national dream Earlier, Israeli Prime Minis- of the secret nuclear weapons Tehran...Their aim is to create Appearing to address those Bahram Qasemi as saying Te- pulled out. would have been in danger,” Ab- ter Benjamin Netanyahu said programme that Iran has been more regional crisis...to push remarks, Khamenei said Iran hran would keep on backing its Britain, France, Germany, bas said during a speech in Ram- in a televised address he had hiding for years from the inter- Muslims to fi ght against Mus- had no intention of limiting its friends in the region despite US Russia, China and the European allah yesterday. The PNC will new “proof” of an Iranian nu- national community in its se- lims.” infl uence in the Middle East. pressure to curb its infl uence. Union say Washington cannot vote on positions for its Execu- clear weapons plan that could cret atomic archive,” Netanyahu “If these governments gain “Americans are the ones who “The co-operation between unilaterally cancel an accord tive Committee, the top body for be activated at any time, as the said. “We’re going to show you more wisdom, they will not should leave,” Khamenei said. America and Saudi Arabia will enshrined by a UN resolution. policy implementation. US considers whether to pull Iran’s secret nuclear fi les.” confront Iran. If they confront Tehran and Riyadh have long further destabilise the Middle But they have called on Iran to The last time the committee out of the atomic accord with He then laid out what he Iran, they will be defeated.” been locked in a proxy war, East and will lead to more cri- curb its regional infl uence and met was in 2009 to fi ll vacant Tehran. But while Netanyahu said was a years-old secret Khamenei’s remarks were competing for regional su- sis in the region,” Qasemi said. ballistic missile programme. spots on the Executive Commit- accused Israel’s main enemy nuclear weapons programme aired a day after Pompeo met premacy from Iraq to Syria and “Pompeo’s remarks about Iran Iran says it does not seek nu- tee. The PNC vote may indicate Iran of lying about its nuclear stored away and which he Saudi King Salman in Riyadh on Lebanon to Yemen. are baseless and repetitive...As clear arms, and blames Wash- possible successors to Abbas, ambitions, he did not provide could be put into action at any a fl ying visit to the region. US President Donald Trump long as the legitimate govern- ington and its allies for stirring who faces a number of health evidence that it had actively time. Pompeo said on Sunday that has strongly backed Saudi ments of the regional countries Middle East tension. complications.

CURBS Judiciary bans use of Telegram messaging app Missile strikes on central Syria kill 26 Iran’s judiciary has banned the popular Telegram instant mes- AFP he has “proof” that Iran has a ing presence of Iranian forces the heart of which was spared saging app to protect national Beirut secret nuclear weapons pro- and those of Tehran’s ally Hez- the worst of the seven-year-old security, Iranian state television gramme that it “has been hiding bollah on Syrian territory. confl ict but was long surround- said yesterday. Iran had been for years from the international Israeli Defence Minister Av- ed by rebel-held pockets. considering the ban since January issile strikes on central community in its secret atomic igdor Lieberman vowed in an Backed by massive Russian when protests over economic Syria killed 26 pro-re- archive”. interview Thursday to strike at military support, the regime grievances erupted in more than Mgime fi ghters, a moni- His main US ally, which led any attempt by Iran to establish took full control of the East- 80 cities and later turned into dem- tor said yesterday, in a raid that an unprecedented wave of mis- a “military foothold” in Syria. ern Ghouta enclave earlier this onstrations against the clerical and bore the hallmarks of Tehran’s sile strikes on Syria’s chemi- There was no immediate month. security elite of the Islamic Republic. arch foe Israel. cal weapons infrastructure on comment from Tehran on the The sprawling semi-rural Some hardline off icials said protest- The Syrian regime, which de- April, is considering pulling out Sunday strikes, but the reform- area east of Damascus had been ers used Telegram to organise the nounced a “fresh aggression” of the landmark deal. ist-linked ILNA news agency home to thousands of armed rallies, which were ultimately con- after the strikes, meanwhile Syria President Bashar al-As- quoted a security offi cial who hardliners and other fi ghters, tained by the Revolutionary Guards continued to fl ush out armed sad, whose main allies are Rus- did not deny the strike and said who were besieged for years but and their aff iliated volunteer militia. groups from the capital with sia and Iran, did not explicitly any reports on the military situ- sporadically fi red rockets and The app was temporarily blocked more deals to transfer fi ghters to An image grab taken from the TV channel, Al-Ekhbariya Al-Souriya, mention the overnight strikes ation in Syria should come from mortar rounds on the capital. in January. “Considering various the country’s north. yesterday allegedly shows the scene of missile attacks targeting but said “hostile countries have Damascus. “The Syrians must Pro-regime forces are now complaints against the Telegram According to the Syrian Ob- central Syria the previous night. shifted to a stage of direct ag- announce the statistics as they battling militants from the Islam- social networking app by Iranian servatory for Human Rights gression”. are responsible. We are present ic State group and other armed citizens, and based on the demand monitoring group, missile to-surface missiles, the monitor ers,” he said. “Given the nature Quoted by the offi cial SANA in this country at the request factions in southern neighbour- of security organisations to confront strikes hit two military targets said. of the target, it is likely to have news agency after meeting an of the government of Syria,” hoods of Damascus. the illegal activities of Telegram, the in Aleppo and Hama provinces “At least 26 fi ghters were been an Israeli strike.” offi cial Iranian delegation, As- said Hossein Naghavi Hosseini, After days of air strikes and judiciary has banned its usage in late Sunday. killed, including four Syrians,” Israeli Intelligence Minis- sad said “escalating aggression spokesman for parliamentary heavy fi ghting, state media re- Iran,” state TV reported. “All Internet The strike on Hama prov- in the Hama strike, said Rami ter Yisrael Katz told army radio on Syria will enhance Syrians’ national security and foreign ported late Sunday that those providers in Iran must take steps to ince hit a base known as the Abdel Rahman, who heads yesterday morning that he was resolve to eliminate terrorism”. policy commission. areas would be evacuated under block Telegram’s website and app 47th Brigade where pro-regime the Britain-based monitoring “not aware” of the latest strikes. Syria remains technically at The Syrian government has deals similar to those that emp- as of April 30,” the judiciary website fi ghters are stationed. group. Israeli Prime Minister Ben- war with neighbouring Israel, focused its eff orts in 2018 on tied other enclaves around Da- Mizan quoted a court order. Both hits destroyed surface- “The others are foreign fi ght- jamin Netanyahu yesterday said which is concerned at the grow- securing the capital Damascus, mascus in recent weeks. Gulf Times 12 Tuesday, May 1, 2018 AFRICA

Icebergs could fl oat Seeking security support, to rescue of Cape Town water crisis

By Tanisha Heiberg, Reuters Buhari meets Trump Johannesburg

AFP arine salvage experts are fl oating a plan to tug ice- Washington bergs from Antarctica to South Africa’s drought-hit MCape Town to help solve the region’s worst water shortage in a century. igeria’s fi ght against the Salvage master Nick Sloane told Reuters he was looking for Boko Haram extremist government and private investors for a scheme to guide huge Ngroup was expected to top chunks of ice across the ocean, chop them into a slurry and the menu for talks when President melt them down into millions of litres of drinking water. Donald Trump meets Nigeria’s “We want to show that if there is no other source to solve Muhammadu Buhari, president the water crisis, we have another idea no one else has thought of Africa’s most populous and of yet,” said Sloane, who led the refl oating of the capsized wealthiest country. Italian passenger liner Costa Concordia in 2014. Buhari will be the fi rst leader from South Africa has declared a national disaster over the sub-Saharan Africa to visit Trump, drought that hit its southern and western regions after 2015 and they plan a joint press confer- and 2016 turned into two of the driest years on record. ence in the White House gardens Tough water restrictions are already in place and Cape after their meeting around midday. Town authorities have warned that taps could run dry alto- In his talks with Trump, Buhari gether as soon as next year if winter rains do not come to the will be seeking support in his bat- rescue of the port city’s 4mn residents. tle against Boko Haram, as well as Cape Town-based Sloane said his team could wrap passing investment in Nigeria’s rickety in- icebergs in fabric skirts to protect them and reduce evapora- frastructure. tion. The US president raised eye- Large tankers could then guide the blocks into the Bengue- brows in March by fi ring Rex Till- la Current that fl ows along the west coast of southern Africa. erson as secretary of state while he A milling machine would then then cut into the ice, pro- was visiting Nigeria, in part to pre- ducing a slurry and forming a saucer structure that will speed pare the ground for Buhari’s visit. up the natural process, he said. But Trump’s receiving Buhari A single iceberg “could produce about 150mn litres per day at the White House just after vis- for about a year,” around 30% of the city’s needs, said Sloane, its by France’s Emmanuel Macron a director at the US marine salvage fi rm Resolve Marine. and Germany’s Angela Merkel is a He said he was planning to hold a conference later this positive signal, analysts say. month to try and sell the $130mn project to city offi cials and “The fact that the president of investors. Africa’s most populous country is The city council was not immediately available for com- visiting Washington at all may be ment. more important to strengthening the US-Africa relationship than any discussion of policy during the trip,” said John Campbell, a former US President Donald Trump hosts Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington yesterday. US ambassador in Abuja who is now at the Council of Foreign Relations. establish an Islamist state. Nigeria’s air force bombed a refu- legally withdrawing funds to pur- business of oil-rich Nigeria, of- Rains and landslides The White House says both se- Trump’s administration has gee camp, killing more than 100 chase the planes. fi cials accompanying Buhari also curity and business will be up for agreed to the sale of a dozen A-29 people, on a mission against Boko Nigeria is also seeking support will be meeting with aviation giant discussion during the visit. Super Tucano turboprop light at- Haram. for its farm and transport sectors. Boeing, according to his offi ce. kill at least 100 in Nigeria is entering its ninth year tack aircraft for use in the fi ght Washington is now ready to al- Buhari is scheduled to meet with On Friday, General Electric an- fi ghting Boko Haram extremists, against the militant group, a deal low the sale to go forward. potential investors in Nigerian nounced that an international who have devastated the north- worth a reported $496mn. But it has come under scrutiny farming and food processing. consortium it leads has signed a Kenya: Red Cross east of the country and killed over In January 2017, then-president inside Nigeria, where lawmakers Amid intensifying competition deal for a $2bn project to refurbish 20,000 people in a bloody quest to Barack Obama froze the deal after are accusing the president of il- with China and Europeans for the Nigeria’s narrow-gauge railway. Reuters Mombasa

iribae Mame stood waist-deep in water outside Lake Victoria biodiversity being Banda rejects ‘political’ her wrecked house in eastern Kenya, one of around H200,000 people forced to fl ee by weeks of fl oods, landslides and heavy rains. ‘decimated’: conservationists graft allegations Kenya’s Red Cross estimates at least 100 have also died in the downpours since early April, a humanitarian disaster that it says needs emergency funding. AFP Will Darwall, a co-author of the report who AFP cussed in my party,” she said yesterday. “I have lost 12 chicken and four goats. We were not able to Geneva heads IUCN’s freshwater biodiversity unit. Zomba, Malawi “Before going to any election, every save all of them and I can’t access the house because the door “The eff ects on communities that depend party holds a convention — and it is can’t open,” said the mother-of-four in the town of Tana Riv- on the lake for their livelihoods could be disas- (down to) the people if they want the er in lower Coast region. hree quarters of freshwater species en- trous,” he warned in the statement. alawi’s newly-returned former person to stand again.” Her youngest daughter clung to her neck, the girl’s feet just demic to East Africa’s Lake Victoria The report pointed for instance to the Af- president Joyce Banda said Local media have reported a possible touching the water. Tbasin face the threat of extinction, con- rican Lungfi sh, a long eel-like fi sh, which it Myesterday she had evidence deal between President Peter Mutha- Mattresses and wreckage fl oated by as handmade boats servationists said yesterday, warning the biodi- said has seen its numbers dwindle due largely that corruption allegations against her rika and Banda ahead of next year’s elec- ferried people, animals and goods to safer ground. versity there was being “decimated”. to overfi shing, poor fi shing practices and en- were politically motivated as she left the tions. Banda founded the PP in 2011 after Floods have blocked major roads across central and north- A fresh report backed by the International Un- vironmental degradation as wetlands are con- door open to another presidential run. splitting from the Democratic Progres- ern Kenya and coastal areas — the route from the capital Nai- ion for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assessed verted to agricultural land. Banda, 68, fl ew home on Saturday sive Party, which is led by Mutharika. robi to the main port Mombasa was under water last week. the extinction risk of 651 freshwater species like Industrial and agricultural pollution, over- after four years of self-imposed exile Police spokesman James Kaledzera Eight people were killed when mudslides destroyed their fi sh, molluscs, dragonfl ies, crabs and aquatic harvesting and land clearance are among the during which she faced the threat of ar- last week declined to say if Banda would homes as they slept in the hilly central region of Murang’a on Fri- plants native to Africa’s largest lake. main threats to biodiversity in the region, the rest over corruption allegations in the be arrested, though he confi rmed that a day night, said Kenya Red Cross Secretary-General Abbas Gullet. It found that a full 20% of these species were report said. biggest fi nancial scandal in the coun- warrant issued last July remained valid. Gullet said the military and police had deployed helicop- threatened with extinction. It also pointed to a signifi cant impact of cli- try’s history. Earlier this year, the Malawi Anti- ters for rescue missions but more eff orts were needed. The picture was however far darker when mate change, noting that freshwater fi sh have Banda fl ed in 2014 when she lost Corruption Bureau (ACB) said it had Outbreaks of water-borne diseases were another concern looking only at the freshwater species endemic “high sensitivity (and) seemingly poor adaptive power after being embroiled in the so- no solid evidence against the former across Kenya, he added. to the area — 204 of those assessed, according capacity” to climatic shifts. called Cashgate scandal, in which gov- president, partially clearing her name. “We would urge the national government to declare this to the report titled ‘Freshwater biodiversity in And it stressed the threat from invasive spe- ernment offi cials siphoned off millions The “Cashgate” scandal prompted a national disaster so that deliberate eff ort can be made and the Lake Victoria Basin’. cies to the native biodiversity in the basin, of dollars of public money. foreign donors — who provide around resources mobilised to help the aff ected people,” Gullet told “Three-quarters (76%) of these endemics are highlighting the South American purple-fl ow- “This is not a matter I would want 40% of Malawi’s budget — to pull the reporters in the capital. at risk of extinction,” IUCN warned in a state- ered water hyacinth, which was accidentally to discuss now. But I just want you to plug on aid worth around $150mn. “We need a national disaster management fund set up.” ment. introduced to the lake in the 1980s. know that this matter is political,” she Ministers, civil servants and busi- In its report, the Switzerland-based organi- At its peak, the plant covered nearly 10% of told AFP at her home in Zomba, south- nessmen are accused of pocket- sation pointed out that freshwater species are the lake surface in dense fl oating mats, which ern Malawi. “I don’t think, I know. I ing money from government coff ers important sources of food, medicine and con- served to reduce the oxygen and nutrients have got evidence to that eff ect.” through ghost companies which did struction material for the millions of people available, impacting the native biodiversity, Banda — only the second woman to lead not provide any services to the state. living in the area surrounding the lake. IUCN said. a country in Africa — was greeted by hun- The scandal helped push Banda Police fi re teargas The lake, which stretches into Kenya, Tan- “The risk of extinction for freshwater biodi- dreds of supporters of her People’s Party out of power in the 2014 election, and zania and Uganda and whose catchment also versity in the region is increasing,” co-author of (PP) when she arrived in Blantyre airport. Mutharika vowed to clean up the sys- touches Burundi and Rwanda, is known for its the report Catherine Sayer said in the statement. “Mother is here, the lights should tem to bring donors back. at refugees in camp high-level of unique biodiversity. Hundreds of the species present in the lake come back,” the crowd chanted. Malawi, one of the world’s poorest “The Lake Victoria Basin is incredibly rich had yet to be charted, meaning “the number of “I am back, what do I do? Do I step and aid-dependent countries, will hold in unique species found nowhere else on Earth, species at high risk of extinction may be even aside and allow younger people to take presidential, parliamentary and council in western Rwanda yet its biodiversity is being decimated,” said greater then we currently realise,” she added. over? Do I stay? That has to be dis- elections in May 2019.

Reuters Kigali

wandan police yesterday fi red teargas at refugees and injured at least one child after senior police of- Rfi cers and government offi cials visiting their camp were pelted with stones, the refugees said. A police spokesman did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment, while the government said it was taking measures to “normalise the situation” at the Kiziba camp in western Rwanda, home to about 17,000 Congolese refugees. The refugees said they feared the police intended to ar- rest the executive committee that helps to run the camp. In February police killed at least fi ve refugees and injured 20 at the camp after protests over cuts in food rations turned violent. “They are fi ring teargas. One child was injured in (the) head and was transferred to Kigali,” Muligande Nta- bana, a refugee at the camp told Reuters by telephone. Another refugee, Captain Ferdinand, 32, a father of three, said: “We hear they want to arrest the committee. We need to go back home. I don’t know if requesting to go back should (be replied) with bullets and tear gas.” In a statement, Rwanda’s Ministry for Disaster Manage- ment and Refugees blamed the refugees’ executive commit- tee for the unrest and said the protests must end immediately. “Violent, unruly and provocative conduct in the camp is unlawful and must stop immediately to allow the res- toration of peace, law and order,” it said. Rwanda hosts about 174,000 refugees, including 57,000 people from neighbouring Burundi who fl ed violence in 2015. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 1, 2018 13 AMERICAS

US top court to hear murderer’s ‘Caravan’ migrants in limbo, lethal injection appeal

Reuters US says border crossing full Washington

Reuters he US Supreme Court yes- Tijuana, Mexico terday agreed to hear a TMissouri murderer’s bid to avoid execution by lethal injection bout 50 people from a Central because it might rupture blood- American migrant caravan in- fi lled tumours on his body due to a Acluding women, children and rare ailment, and he has suggested transgender individuals tried to seek US being put to death by gas. asylum on Sunday but were not allowed Lawyers for Russell Bucklew, to cross the Mexico border because of- 49, have argued that because of a fi cials said the facility was full. congenital condition called cav- Wearing white arm-bands to distin- ernous hemangioma the lethal guish themselves from others cross- injection could cause undue ag- ing at the San Ysidro checkpoint near ony in violation of the US Con- San Diego, some of the asylum seekers stitution’s prohibition on cruel waved good-bye to family members and unusual punishment. who made a diffi cult decision to stay The high court on March 20 behind in Mexico. issued a stay of execution just About 20 people in the group were moments before Bucklew was able to reach the fi nal fence at the busy scheduled for execution so he crossing, where they were watched by could pursue his appeal. armed US border guards who did not The vote was 5-4, with four of immediately open the gate. the court’s fi ve conservative jus- “We have reached capacity at the tices voting to deny the request. San Ysidro port of entry,” said Customs Bucklew’s condition has and Border Patrol (CBP) Commissioner caused large, blood-fi lled tu- Kevin McAleenan in a statement on mours to grow on his face, head, Sunday, adding that the immigrants neck and throat, according to “may need to wait in Mexico.” court papers. It was not immediately clear whether Bucklew was convicted of the the group would be turned back or al- 1996 murder in southeastern lowed in later. Missouri of Michael Sanders, By sunset the tired migrants had de- who was living with Bucklew’s cided to hunker down there, apparently former girlfriend Stephanie Ray. with no bedding beyond the scant pos- Bucklew fatally shot Sanders at sessions they had with them. his trailer home, kidnapped and “We’ve been waiting so long that it raped Ray, shot at Sanders’ 6-year- doesn’t really matter whether it’s to- old son and wounded a police of- day, tomorrow or when they let us in,” fi cer before being apprehended, said Irineo Mujica, director of Pueblo according to court papers. Sin Fronteras, an advocacy group that Among the questions raised by organized the caravan since its starting Bucklew’s lawyers is whether he point in southern Mexico a month ago. Pro-migrant caravan demonstrators climb the US-Mexico border fence during a rally in San Ysidro, California, on Sunday. is required to suggest a suitable At one point in early April the caravan alternative method of execution gathered 1,500 immigrants from Hon- and blankets on the cold concrete. although immigration advocates have well to relatives they may not see again members of the group have told Reuters. and whether lower courts were duras, Guatemala and El Salvador. The mood was sombre following a reported instances of it happening. for years. Asylum seekers must dem- McAleenan said the border patrol right to assume that medical It has drawn the wrath of President gruelling 3,200km trek to the border. Families often spend less time in de- onstrate a well-founded fear of perse- would communicate with Mexican au- personnel present at the execu- Donald Trump, who ordered immigra- US immigration lawyers had warned tention than other groups. cution at home, and the overwhelming thorities about capacity at San Ysidro, tion were suffi ciently qualifi ed. tion offi cials to be zealous in enforcing the migrants of the low odds for win- After US border offi cials said the majority of those from Central America a move reminiscent of an ad hoc system In Missouri, execution is au- rules to stop unlawful entry by caravan ning asylum and the likelihood of de- check point was full, organizers of the are denied refuge in the United States. created to manage an infl ux of Haitians thorized using either lethal in- members. tention, separation from relatives and caravan put forward what they called After making a claim, asylum seekers two years ago, when the US border jection or lethal gas. More migrants from the caravan, deportation. the “most vulnerable cases” to cross are usually kept in detention centres. agency set daily quotas for immigration The state in practice uses only which numbered around 400 people “I’m nervous. I’m afraid,” said Linda the border fi rst, including children un- Women with young children gener- interviews. lethal injection. by the time it reached Tijuana, also Sonigo, 40, walking solemnly towards der threat and transgender people who ally spend less time locked up and are US Secretary of Homeland Security Bucklew has suggested being planned to seek asylum. the US gate with her two-year-old say they face persecution in Central released to await their hearings. Kirstjen Nielsen said last week that the executed by gas. About 100 set up an open air camp granddaughter in her arms. America. Those denied asylum are generally caravan migrants should seek asylum in Bucklew’s case represents the in a small square on the Mexican side “I’m afraid they’ll separate us,” she Sonigo said her family was fl eeing deported to their home countries. Mexico. US border authorities said Sat- latest fi ght at the Supreme Court by the San Ysidro pedestrian bridge, said, motioning to her two children and gang violence in El Salvador. Death threats from local gangs, the urday that some people associated with involving the death penalty, saying they would stay there until they grandchild. Others in the group who decided their murder of family members, retaliatory the caravan had already been caught try- though he is not challenging its were allowed through. US offi cials do not usually separate cases were not strong enough to have a rape and political persecution prompt- ing to slip through the fence and encour- constitutionality. With no shelter, they laid out towels children from parents seeking asylum, good shot at asylum tearfully said fare- ed members of the caravan to fl ee, aged the rest to report to authorities. Although some of its liberal justices have raised doubts about capital punishment, the high Hundreds rescued in human court has steered clear of cases traffi cking raids in the Americas that directly challenge its legality. Several high-profi le execu- Hundreds of suspected victims of modern slavery Democrats lose ground with millennials: poll tions in recent years have been were rescued in a major crackdown on human plagued by problems. traff ickers in 13 countries in the Caribbean, Central Most recently, Alabama on and South America, Interpol said yesterday. Reuters not necessarily extend to all Repub- General store in Baton Rouge, Loui- will turn out to back Democrats, the February 22 abandoned the ex- About 350 possible victims of sexual exploitation Manchester, NH licans or translate directly into votes siana and took this year’s poll, said survey showed. ecution of convicted murderer and forced labour were discovered and 22 people for Democratic congressional candi- he voted for Democrat Hillary Clin- A growing share of voters between Doyle Hamm, who has terminal arrested this month in an Interpol-led swoop in na- dates. ton in the 2016 presidential election. ages 18 and 34 years old said they cancer, after medical personnel tions such as Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Jamaica and nthusiasm for the Democratic That presents a potential prob- But he will consider a Republican were undecided, would support a spent more than two hours try- Venezuela, the global police organisation said. Party is waning among young lem for Democrats who have come for Congress because he believes the third-party candidate or not vote at ing to insert an intravenous line Men, women and children were discovered Evoters — so-called millenni- to count on millennials as a core party is making it easier to fi nd jobs all. for a lethal injection of drugs. working in nightclubs, farms, mines, factories and als — as its candidates head into the constituency — and will need all the and he applauds the recent Republi- The shift away from Democrats On March 6, the St Louis- open-air markets, having been lured across borders crucial midterm congressional elec- loyalty they can get to achieve a net can-led tax cut. was more pronounced among white based 8th US Circuit Court of by traff ickers targeting desperate and vulnerable tions, according to the Reuters/Ip- gain of 23 seats to capture control of “It sounds strange to me to say millennials — who accounted for Appeals rejected Bucklew’s people with promises of a better life, Interpol said. sos national opinion poll. the US House of Representatives in this about the Republicans, but two-thirds of all votes cast in that claim, saying he had failed to “What traff ickers don’t advertise are the The online survey of more than November. they’re helping with even the small age group in 2016. show lethal gas would not cause working conditions their victims will be subject 16,000 registered voters ages 18 to Young voters represent an op- things,” Hood said in a phone inter- Two years ago, young white peo- him similarly intense pain as le- to once their final destination is reached,” Cem 34 shows their support for Demo- portunity and a risk for both parties, view. ple favoured Democrats over Re- thal injection. Bucklew then ap- Kolcu of Interpol said in a statement. crats over Republicans for Congress said Donald Green, a political sci- “They’re taking less taxes out of publicans for Congress by a margin pealed to the Supreme Court. “During this operation, we identified women slipped by about nine percentage ence professor at Columbia Univer- my paycheck. I notice that.” of 47 to 33%; that gap vanished by The Supreme Court’s most re- being forced to work out of spaces no bigger points over the past two years, to sity in New York City. The Reuters/Ipsos poll surveyed this year, with 39% supporting each cent major case on death penalty than coff ins, for example,” added Kolcu, the co- 46% overall. “They’re not as wedded to one young voters during the fi rst three party. procedures was in 2015 when ordinator of its traff icking in human beings unit. And they increasingly say the Re- party,” Green said. months of this year and the same The shift was especially dramatic it upheld the use of a drug em- In Guyana, young women were found selling publican Party is a better steward of “They’re easier to convince than, period in 2016. among young white men, who two ployed by Oklahoma in its lethal sex next to remote gold mines from which they the economy. say, your 50- or 60-year-olds who Only 28% of those polled ex- years ago favoured Democrats but injections. The court made clear could not escape, while in Saint Vincent and the Although nearly two of three don’t really change their minds very pressed overt support for Repub- now say they favour Republicans that when challenging a method Grenadines, Asians at a factory had been stripped of young voters polled said they do not often.” licans in the 2018 poll — about the over Democrats by a margin of of execution, inmates must show their passports and freedom, according to Interpol. like Republican President Donald Terry Hood, 34, an African- same percentage as two years earlier. 46% to 37%, the Reuters/Ipsos poll that there is an alternative meth- Trump, their distaste for him does American who works at a Dollar But that does not mean the rest showed. od that would be less painful. Thousands gather to pay tribute to Toronto massacre victims

AFP Governor General of Cana- Chul-min and Munir Abdo Ha- Toronto da, Julie Payette, representing bib Najjar — were recited, with Queen Elizabeth II, Toronto’s white roses placed by each candle Mayor John Tory and provincial in their memory. housands gathered at a heads of government also stood In the wake of the killings, po- vigil Sunday night pay- in the crowd, anonymous. lice concluded that 25-year-old Ting tribute to 10 people “Our sorrows are refl ected in Minassian had targeted “pre- mowed down by a van in down- the eyes of the stranger beside dominantly women,” having town Toronto last week. to us. We stand together,” said posted a “cryptic” message on Ten candles, sheltered from Reverend Alexa Gilmore of the Facebook minutes before the at- the wind by tealight holders, Windermere United Church, tack. were placed on a stage in memory opening the sombre event, which In the post, Minassian praised of the eight women and two men saw representatives from each of mass killer Elliot Rodger — a struck by a rental van driven by Toronto’s diverse range of reli- 22-year-old American who mur- Alek Minassian on Monday. gious communities off er tribute. dered six people and then killed The victims, who ranged in age “Toronto has felt the pain of himself in California in 2014, and from 22 to 94, were killed when other cities,” aff ected by vehicle who had professed frustration the suspect drove along a side- ramming attacks, such as Lon- over women rejecting him. walk in the north end of Canada’s don, Paris and Berlin, said Rabbi Minassian was arrested seven largest city. Barud Frydman. minutes after the fi rst call to an Sixteen others were injured. The victims’ names — Mary emergency hotline. “Love for all, hatred for none,” Elizabeth Forsyth, Geraldine He now faces 10 counts of was the message seen on large Brady, Dorothy Sewel, Beutis premeditated murder, as well as posters and blue T-shirts in the Renuka Amarasingha, Chung So- the multiple attempted murder crowd, which included Prime he, Anne-Marie D’Amico, And- charges related to the injured Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Governor General Julie Payette and Toronto Mayor John Tory walk with crowds down Yonge Street Minister Justin Trudeau. rea Bradden, Kim Ji-hun, Kang survivors. in Toronto to vigil at Mel Lastman Square for van attack victims in Toronto on Sunday. Gulf Times 14 Tuesday, May 1, 2018 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Whistleblowing Myanmar policeman sentenced to jail

AFP room when he alleged a senior police, in a case that has drawn “He was sentenced because that he had been sent to In- events, saying it was a “coinci- The military has overwhelm- Yangon offi cer had ordered colleagues to intense global attention. he told others about informa- sein prison to face a year-long dence”. The case against the Reu- ingly denied allegations of “get” reporter Wa Lone by hand- According to a police spokes- tion concerned with the police sentence,” Tu Tu said through ters reporters compounded fears atrocities but did concede that ing him sensitive fi les. man, Moe Yan Naing has been force without permission,” Police tears. about slipping press freedoms in security offi cers took part in the Myanmar police offi cer The 32-year-old Myanmar jailed for breaching a police dis- Colonel Myo Thu Soe told AFP, After he testifi ed on April 20 Myanmar, a fl edgling democracy killings reported by Reuters — a who told a court his col- journalist and his colleague Kyaw ciplinary act, a charge he had declining to say when the verdict the defence quickly expressed riven with ethnic confl icts. rare admission of guilt made af- Aleagues had tried to “en- Soe Oo, 28, face up to 14 years in been facing since December for was reached or how long his jail fears for his safety, while the At the time of their arrests ter the journalists were arrested. trap” two Reuters journalists has prison on charges of possessing his previous communication term was. prosecution fi led a motion to the reporters were investigating Some 700,000 Rohingya have been handed a prison term, a po- classifi ed documents relating to with Wa Lone. “He was found to have declare him a “hostile witness”. security offi cers’ roles in the ex- fl ed to neighbouring Bangladesh lice spokesman said yesterday. security operations in Rakhine Police sources said he was sen- breached the police disciplinary Within 24 hours Tu Tu and her trajudicial killing of 10 Rohingya since the army-led campaign Deputy police major Moe Yan state, where the military is ac- tenced before he gave his shock act,” he added. Moe Yan Naing’s children were evicted from their men in northern Rakhine, the was launched last August. The Naing, called as a prosecution cused of atrocities against Ro- testimony — an extremely rare wife told AFP she was informed police housing in the capital site of an army crackdown that minority group has faced decades witness earlier this month in hingya Muslims. They have been instance of a security offi cial of her husband’s sentencing on Naypyidaw. the UN says amounts to ethnic of systematic discrimination and a pre-trial hearing against the detained since they were arrested openly challenging superiors in Sunday night. “The police told A police spokesman denied cleansing of the Muslim minor- persecution in mainly Buddhist journalists, stunned the court- in December after meeting with the formerly junta-run country. me yesterday (Sunday) evening any connection between the two ity. Myanmar. S Korean trust in North jumps after feel-good summit Poll shows most S Koreans witty side to him, admitting that a successful summit, South Ko- Realmeter said, its highest since believe North will his country’s train system was in- rea should brace for an onslaught mid-January. Moon also told denuclearise; Trump says ferior and promising he wouldn’t of North Korean beer as the fi rst aides that US President Don- meeting with Kim could take wake up Moon any more with wave of “cultural aggression”. A ald Trump deserved the Nobel place in 3-4 weeks early morning missile launches. parody showed a South Korean Peace Prize for helping to end the The Peace House, the venue for the inter-Korean summit, is pictured at the truce village of Panmunjom Kim seemed markedly diff erent news announcer reporting that standoff with North Korea over inside the demilitarised zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas, South Korea. Reuters from former North Korean lead- Kim complaining about watery its nuclear weapons programme, Seoul ers – his father Kim Jong-il and South Korean beer compared to a South Korean offi cial said. its nuclear weapons programme, songs and criticism of the North in the same time zone, nine hours grandfather Kim Il-sung, people Taedonggang Beer featured in the “President Trump should win US Secretary of State Mike Pom- Korean regime as a goodwill ges- ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. on the street in Seoul said yester- background. the Nobel Peace Prize. What we peo said on Sunday. ture ahead of the summit. It will Kim also told Moon during outh Korean trust in North day. South Korea’s stock market got need is only peace,” Moon told A fl urry of diplomacy is un- begin removing the speakers to- the summit he would soon invite Korea has surged since last “Denuclearising is defi nite- a boost yesterday, lifted by shares aides, according to a Blue House folding in the lead-up to that day. “We see this as the easiest experts and journalists from the Sweek’s feel-good summit ly possible,” said 41-year-old of construction companies and offi cial who briefed the press. In meeting, with China saying it fi rst step to build military trust,” United States and South Korea at which their leaders declared Kim Jin-han. The North Korean train and steel manufactur- January, Moon had said Trump will send the government’s top South Korean defence minis- when the country dismantles its an end to hostilities and to work leader “talked about his coun- ers on hopes for joint economic “deserves big credit” for bring- diplomat, Wang Yi, to North try spokeswoman Choi Hyun- Punggye-ri nuclear testing site, towards denuclearisation of the try’s weaknesses, such as the in- projects. A euphoric mood also ing about the inter-Korean talks, Korea tomorrow. China is the soo said. “We are expecting the the Blue House said on Sunday. peninsula. frastructure. He was very open enveloped the presidential Blue saying it may have come from North’s main ally. North’s implementation.” North Korea has conducted all A survey taken on Friday, about that. This is very diff erent House yesterday as Moon was “US-led sanctions and pres- And over the weekend, South North Korea will shift its time six of its nuclear tests at the site, the day North Korean leader from the previous leaders. So I greeted by cheers and a stand- sure.” Korea’s spy chief visited Tokyo to zone 30 minutes earlier to align a series of tunnels dug into the Kim Jong-un met South Korean think he is ready to wholly give ing ovation by scores of aides and Friday’s fi nal declaration, brief Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. with South Korea, starting May mountains in the northeastern President Moon Jae-in, showed up nuclear weapons.” staff . “I am confi dent a new era of however, leaves many questions In initial small steps towards 5, state media reported yesterday. part of the country. Some experts 64.7% believe the North will de- Kim’s comments about bring- peace will unfold on the Korean unanswered, particularly what reconciliation, South Korea said The KCNA dispatch said the de- and researchers have speculated nuclearise and keep peace. Before ing Pyongyang-style cold noo- peninsula,” Moon told his aides, “denuclearisation” means or yesterday it would remove loud- cision came after Kim found it “a that the most recent – and by far the summit, only 14.7% of those dles to the summit banquet asking them to quickly follow up how that will be achieved. Much speakers that blared propaganda painful wrench” to see two clocks largest – blast in September had polled said they did, research clearly captivated many in the on the agreements made in Fri- hinges on Kim’s upcoming sum- across the border, while North showing diff erent times on a wall rendered the entire site unusable. agency Realmeter said yesterday. South, prompting some to add day’s declaration. mit with Trump, who said it Korea said it would shift its at the summit venue. But Kim said there were two Many South Koreans were his face to the photo of a popular The two sides are technically could happen in the next three clocks to align with its southern The northern time zone was additional, larger tunnels that struck by the live TV images dur- app for a food delivery service, still at war since their 1950-53 to four weeks. Any deal with the neighbour. created in 2015 to mark the 70th remain “in very good condition” ing the summit of a smiling and holding a bowl of noodles under confl ict ended in a truce, not a United States will require that South Korea turned off the anniversary of Korea’s liberation beyond the existing one, which joking Kim. Never before had his arm. One social media post treaty. Moon’s approval rating North Korea demonstrate “irre- loudspeakers that broadcast a from Japanese rule after World experts believe may have col- they seen a self-deprecating and getting attention said that with after the summit rose to 70%, versible” steps to shutting down mixture of news, Korean pop War II. South Korea and Japan are lapsed. Malaysia convicts In the dock World’s oldest fi rst person under known spider fake news law dies in Australia

AFP complaining about what he — of wasp sting Kuala Lumpur claimed was the slow response of the police and ambulance service after the shooting. AFP Malaysian court yes- Authorities have disputed Sydney terday handed a Dan- his claims. Judge Zaman Mo- Aish man a one-week jail hamad Noor sentenced him to term for breaking a law against a week in jail, including time he world’s oldest known “fake news”, the fi rst person to already served since his April spider has died at the be punished under the contro- 23 arrest, and fi ned him 10,000 Tripe old age of 43 after versial legislation. ringgit ($2,500). If he cannot being monitored for years dur- The law, passed in early pay the fi ne, then he will have ing a long-term population April, makes the deliberate to serve another month in jail, study in Australia, researchers dissemination of false infor- the judge said. said yesterday. mation punishable by up to six The Dane, who had been on The trapdoor matriarch years in jail and a hefty fi ne. It a 10-day visit to Malaysia when comfortably outlived the pre- has sparked outrage from rights the crime was committed, said vious record holder, a 28-year- groups, who believe it is aimed he did not have enough money old tarantula found in Mexico, at cracking down on dissent. to pay the fi ne. He said he had according to a study published This picture taken on January Salah Salem Saleh Sulaiman, three wives and six children. in the Pacifi c Conservation Bi- 1, 2016 and released by Curtin a 46-year-old of Yemeni de- The law banning fake news ology Journal. The spider did University yesterday shows scent, admitted making and has sparked concern the gov- not die of old age but was killed the world’s oldest known posting on YouTube a video ac- ernment is seeking to crack by a wasp sting, research- spider which has died at the cusing emergency services of down on criticism, particularly ers said. Named Number 16, ripe old age of 43 after being responding slowly after a Pal- with a general election looming the spider helped scientists monitored for years during a estinian Hamas member was on May 9. to unlock important informa- long-term population study in gunned down in Kuala Lumpur. Leading independent news tion about the behaviour of Perth, Australia. Fadi al-Batsh, said to be a portal Malaysiakini last week an arachnid that can be found rocket-making expert, was mounted the fi rst legal chal- across Australia, including in cleared, native bushland, their on his way to dawn prayers on lenge against the legislation, domestic gardens. sedentary nature and low me- April 21 when he was assas- arguing in the Kuala Lumpur “To our knowledge this is the tabolisms,” said Mason. sinated by motorbike-riding High Court that it breaches oldest spider ever recorded, Number 16 was monitored gunmen, a killing his fam- constitutional guarantees of and her signifi cant life has al- in the wild. Female trapdoor ily have blamed on Israel’s spy freedom of speech. lowed us to further investigate spiders stay in and around the agency. The Jewish state has Malaysian legal reform the trapdoor spider’s behav- same burrow virtually all their denied it was behind the mur- group Lawyers for Liberty said iour and population dynam- lives, so researchers marked der. they were “surprised and dis- ics,” said lead author Leanda her burrow and went back to The Dane, who did not have appointed” that yesterday’s Mason from Curtin University. check on it regularly. a lawyer and was wearing white prosecution went ahead even A research project to study The study also gave a better robes and a green skullcap dur- though the law was being chal- trapdoor spiders in the Central understanding of how the fu- ing a court appearance in Kuala lenged in court. Wheatbelt region of Western ture stresses of climate change Lumpur, said he was not aware “Bringing criminal charges Australia was fi rst launched and deforestation could impact of Malaysia’s laws. against a person is a serious in 1974 by Barbara York Main, the species. Trapdoor spiders “I agree I did a mistake be- matter,” said N Surendran, an during which Number 16 traditionally have a life span cause I didn’t ask what is the adviser to the group, in a state- was found and monitored. between fi ve to 20 years. While law of this country,” he said, ment. Japanese fugitive Tatsuma Hirao is escorted as he leaves a police department in Hiroshima after “Through Barbara’s detailed females stay in or near their speaking in English, his hands “Surely where the legality of he was arrested yesterday. Japanese police took a fugitive thief into custody yesterday, more than research, we were able to de- burrows, males leave once ma- trembling. A clip of the video the law has been a question of three weeks after he fled an open prison with more than 6,000 off icers deployed for the high-profile termine that the extensive life ture and go in search of a mate. played in court, which lasted national debate, enforcement manhunt. Tatsuma Hirao, 27, a “model” inmate who was serving time for multiple thefts, was arrested span of the trapdoor spider is They are not a major threat almost two minutes, showed should await the authoritative on a street near Hiroshima railway station in western Japan. due to their life-history traits, to humans, although a bite can him speaking in Arabic and decision of the courts.” including how they live in un- cause pain and swelling. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 1, 2018 15 BRITAIN/IRELAND

SETBACK EDUCATION TRAGEDY PROJECT LEGAL May defeated as Lords back Longer deadlines to help Pensioner killed Work starts on £825mn Senior BBC editor sues powers to block EU exit deal students hit by strike in blaze at flat Paddington Cube over race discrimination

The House of Lords yesterday voted to give Some of London’s universities will extend course A retired civil servant was killed when fire tore Work began yesterday on the £825mn A senior editor at the BBC has accused parliament powers to block or delay the final deal work deadlines and rewrite exam papers to through her top-floor flat. Anne Hawkins, 77, Paddington Cube project as developers the corporation of paying ethnic minority on the country’s departure from the European prevent students being disadvantaged by the who worked for the ministry of defence, was promised to transform the “chaotic” area around staff nearly £20,000 a year less than white Union, defeating Prime Minister Theresa May’s lecturers’ strike. University staff walked out for a found in the kitchen by fire crews called to the station and rebuild the overcrowded Tube colleagues, the Standard revealed. Saleem government. Lords, who sit in parliament’s total of 14 days this year in a dispute over pensions a blaze at her home in Pinner at 9.50pm on station. The “floating” 14-storey glass off ice Patka is suing the BBC for race discrimination, upper chamber, voted 335 to 244 in favour of an and students fear the lost teaching time could hit Saturday. Jerbran George Stewart, a neighbour and retail space, designed by Italian architect claiming that staff earned less simply because of amendment that could allow parliament to send their results. Shakira Martin, president, National and friend, said he had gone to check on Renzo Piano, will replace the former Royal Mail the colour of their skin. Patka, a senior manager Britain back to the negotiating table in Brussels Union of Students, said students are angry and Hawkins but was met with thick smoke when he sorting off ice on the eastern side of the station. at the World Service languages unit in London, or even halt the Brexit process. The amendment anxious, despite many supporting the strike. The opened the door. “I staggered back...I couldn’t The development, which will include a 1.35-acre claimed Freedom of Information figures showed is opposed by the government and can be NUS thinks 180,000 students in London could have breathe because that’s how much smoke public square, will be known as Paddington World Service languages staff were paid an overturned in parliament’s lower chamber, where been aff ected. She called on universities to take was coming out of her flat,” he said. London Square. The Cube was proposed by Sellar and average of £7,400 less than staff on the same May has a slim majority. The defeat is yet another responsibility for repairing damage caused, adding: Fire Brigade said the cause of the fire, which Great Western Developments after a 72-storey grade in network news. At his level he said the headache for May, coming less than 24 hours after “It stands to reason that students should not be is not being treated as suspicious, is under “Paddington Pole” plan faced opposition. diff erence in average pay was over £18,700 a Home Secretary Amber Rudd resigned. assessed on teaching that could not be delivered.” investigation. Demolition will start later this year. year.

Man dies as heavy Javid replaces rains lash England Rudd as May Guardian News and Media London

man died after being washed off a harbour wall looks to calm Ain Ramsgate, Kent, as strong winds and heavy rain bat- tered parts of Britain yesterday. Kent police said they were called to the scene in the Royal Harbour, Ramsgate, at around 11.30am yesterday reacting to Windrush fury reports three people were in the water. Reuters anger over the scandal by saying when asked whether she should A force spokeswoman said: London his own family could have been take the blame for what opposition “Three men were recovered from caught up in it. lawmakers call a toxic culture at the water, but one was later pro- “We are going to have a strategy the Home Offi ce. nounced dead at the scene. The rime Minister Theresa May in place... about making sure that While aimed at ending the other two were taken to hospital appointed a former banker we have an immigration policy that scandal, Javid’s appointment may for treatment. The death is not Pof South Asian origin as in- is fair, it treats people with respect also signal a shift on Brexit. being treated as suspicious. In- terior minister yesterday, trying to and with decency, and that will be Rudd was one of the most out- quiries are ongoing to identify draw a line under an immigration one of my most urgent tasks,” Javid spokenly pro-EU members of next of kin.” It came as Kent and scandal threatening her authority told Sky News yesterday. May’s Cabinet and could now Surrey were forecast to receive as she negotiates Brexit. A spokesman for May said Javid, join other Conservative lawmak- more than a month’s worth of Sajid Javid, the son of immi- who had been minister for hous- ers voting in favour of keeping the rain and as swathes of the country grants from Pakistan, replaces ing, communities and local gov- closest possible ties with the bloc. faced a cold, wet and windy start Amber Rudd, who quit as home ernment, “has proved his drive, Javid’s position is less clear. to the week. secretary after acknowledging she his ambition and determination An admirer of late prime The windy, wet weather af- had “inadvertently misled” parlia- to get to grips with diffi cult minister Margaret Thatcher, fected east, south-east and central ment by denying the government subjects, and these are abili- he strongly supports free England, the Met Offi ce said. It had targets for the number of ille- ties which will all be re- markets. Several pro-Brexit warned of fl oods, power cuts and gal migrants Britain deports. quired at the Home Offi ce”. campaigners have said he damage to trees and other struc- Ministers have struggled for two May will hope Javid’s is now fi rmly on their side tures. Temperatures were expect- weeks to explain why some de- appointment defl ects and will oppose attempts ed to remain low with a high of 8C scendants of the so-called “Wind- public anger over a prob- to retain the closest pos- (46F) forecast for London, 12C in rush generation”, invited to Britain lem the opposition Labour sible ties with the EU. Manchester and 6C in Norwich. from its former colonies to plug la- Party says is at least partly Javid will now take Nearly 40 “be prepared” fl ood bour shortfalls between 1948 and her fault because she spent six Rudd’s place on May’s Brexit alerts were active yesterday af- 1971, were denied basic rights. years as home secretary. committee, a Cabinet sub- ternoon, mostly for south-east But in trying to solve one prob- Out campaigning yesterday, grouping balanced between England, while two “fl ooding is lem, May risked creating another May defended the use of targets those who supported stay- expected” warnings were in force by changing the balance of views to tackle illegal immigration ing in the EU and those who in north-east England and Anglia. in her top team on plans to leave and declined to answer directly wanted to leave. “It’s the south-east portion the European Union. of the UK that will be getting the Rudd opposed Brexit but Javid, worst of the weather,” the Met Of- a lukewarm “Remainer”, has said Brokenshire named new communities secretary fi ce meteorologist Becky Mitchell that after the referendum, “in James Brokenshire’s return to the for the illness. The MP for Old Bexley said. The North Downs between some ways, we are all Brexiteers Cabinet as housing and communi- and Sidcup was back in parliament a Kent and Surrey could receive up now”. ties secretary just under four months month after the surgery, and with his to 80mm of rain, compared with The scandal has weighed on after he left the government for recovery from the operation seem- the April average for the area of May, who, after winning support health reasons fulfils his hope at ingly secure, it is little surprise to see 50mm. for tough responses on Russia and the time that it was a temporary Brokenshire back in government In the Channel, force nine gales Syria, has lost a close ally and must departure. The long-time ally of as part of May’s forced reshuff le and rough seas were delaying now try to overcome rifts in her Theresa May stepped down as following Amber Rudd’s departure. shipping, with P&O Ferries re- Conservative Party over Brexit, Northern Ireland secretary in Janu- Having been in parliament since porting three-hour delays in de- especially on future customs ar- ary, saying it was to allow him to 2005, Brokenshire might have even partures from Dover. rangements with the European receive treatment for a lung lesion. It expected to replace Rudd were it Flooding at the Crooked Billet Union. later emerged that Brokenshire had not for the fact it would have meant underpass in Walthamstow, north Javid, the fi rst lawmaker from part of his right lung removed during his possible prior knowledge of the London, caused long delays for Britain’s Black, Asian and Minor- cancer-related surgery. He has since Windrush crisis and immigration rush-hour motorists and one lane ity Ethnic community to become talked about the importance of seek- removal targets would have come remained closed, Transport for A duck paddles past a car parked along a flooded street adjacent to the Thames after the river burst its interior minister, tried before his ing early diagnosis and treatment under scrutiny. London said. banks following heavy rain in London yesterday. appointment to address public

Autistic woman Brexit talks at ‘risk’ over ejected from cinema

Ireland issue: Barnier Guardian News and Media modating all the needs of our cus- London tomers and we will be addressing what additional provisions and Guardian News and Media June summit as “a stepping stone” the EU, but nobody seems to fo- staff training we can put in place,” Dundalk, Ireland to the October deadline for the cus on that,” said Coveney. he British Film Institute the institute said. wider Brexit deal to be completed. “It is not OK for the British has apologised after staff Parker’s mother, who is speak- The Irish Prime Minister, Leo government to rule out a whole Tforcibly removed a woman ing to a lawyer about what hap- he EU’s chief Brexit ne- Varadkar, said Britain’s “ap- series of options and then pre- with Asperger syndrome from pened, said: “It would be nice to gotiator has warned that proach to negotiations will need tend that somebody, somewhere the cinema in what onlookers arrange a screening for Tamsin and Ttalks are at risk if the UK to change in some way” if there is going to fi nd a solution to fi nd described as a “disgusting” sign her friends. The manager did not does not soften its red line on the is to be agreement over the issue. a way forward. The next move is of “naked intolerance”. seem very apologetic at the time.” Irish border issue. Appearing alongside Varadkar Britain’s in the negotiations,” he Tamsin Parker, 25, an artist and Parker was eager to see the BFI Speaking to reporters on his and his deputy, Simon Coveney, said. animator, was watching a screen- screening and has watched the third visit to Ireland since the ref- Barnier said the EU was “abso- The UK signed up to three ing at the BFI’s cinema on Lon- fi lm eight times, according to her erendum, Michel Barnier said he lutely united” on the Irish ques- options for Northern Ireland in don’s South Bank of her favourite mother, who went to collect her was “not optimistic” and “not tion but wanted to work with the December. The preference on all fi lm – the spaghetti western The daughter after she was thrown pessimistic” but “determined” UK to fi nd a practical solution. sides is option A which involves Good, the Bad and the Ugly, – with out. “She was in fl oods of tears ... that the two sides can break the Coveney warned that there an overall deal obviating the need two friends. She was asked to leave she was really scared,” her mother current impasse on talks. would be “diffi culties” at the for border checks post-Brexit. for laughing too loudly. said. He repeated recent declarations next EU council summit in June Option B is a bespoke solution Parker’s mother, Lydia Parker, Lydia Parker, a theatre director, that unless Britain came up with in progressing to wider Brexit and option C would be regulatory said some members of the audi- said it had been heartening to see fresh thinking on how to avoid a talks unless the UK committed to alignment between Northern Ire- ence applauded as she was re- messages of support on Twitter. hard border by the June EU council wording for a “backstop” solu- land and Ireland, which the DUP moved. The story has been shared widely summit, further talks were in dan- tion for the Irish border. says is tantamount to a border in Her mother added: “She was on social media, with people voic- ger of collapsing. Irish and EU negotiators are the Irish Sea. completely humiliated and it ru- ing concern. “Until we reach this agreement getting increasingly exasperated Barnier said: “We all believe ined her birthday.” One cinemagoer, Lloyd Shep- and this operational solution for by what they see as Britain’s re- the best outcome for all would be The BFI released a statement herd, expressed his disgust after Northern Ireland, a backstop (so- fusal to move forward on talks on a very close relationship between saying it was sorry and had got it the incident. “She’d been laugh- lution), and we are ready for any the border issue before the June the UK and EU. wrong in a “challenging and com- ing very loudly, but at moments proposal … there is a risk, a real deadline. “This is an extraordinary ne- plex situation”. which were supposed to be funny. risk,” he said. “The British government has gotiation, very complex, extraor- European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier (left) and “We are taking this situation Some people complained. She was But he hinted that the UK would red lines all over the place and dinarily complex and we want to Ireland’s Prime Minister Leo Varadkar attend the All-Island Civic extremely seriously and we have dragged out shouting: ‘I’m sorry, I not have to come up with the fi nal expects the EU to accommodate succeed with the UK, not against Dialogue on Brexit, at the Dundalk Institute of Technology in been investigating further ... We have Asperger’s.’ She was incred- deal for Ireland, describing the them. We have red lines, so does the UK,” he added. Dundalk, north-east Ireland, yesterday. can and must do better in accom- ibly upset,” he said. Gulf Times 16 Tuesday, May 1, 2018 EUROPE

ACCIDENT TRAGIC ANIMALS CRACKDOWN CONSERVATION 4 skiers dead after being Babysitter arrested after Hundreds protest against Ukraine hands army control French ravers accused of caught in Alps storm 7-yr-old found strangled release of bears in France of fight against separatists damaging nature zone

Four skiers were confirmed dead yesterday A 69-year-old woman has been formally arrested Hundreds of demonstrators including shepherds Ukraine has changed the focus of its campaign More than 20,000 ravers who attended an illegal and five others were in critical condition after for manslaughter after the 7-year-old boy she was and farmers marched yesterday in south-west against pro-Russian separatist groups in the outdoor party in northern France over the weekend being forced to spend the night exposed to babysitting was found dead — apparently strangled France in protest against the reintroduction Donbass region by giving more powers to the were yesterday accused of damaging a nature zone the elements in the Swiss Alps, police said. — in her southern German home. The child was of two bears into the countryside. The French army, President Petro Poroshenko said yesterday. and disturbing the local birdlife. The gathering at Bad weather in the Pigne d’Arolla area of discovered lifeless in a bathtub by his father on environment minister announced at the end “We are now beginning a military operation under an abandoned former military site in Marigny in the Swiss Alps on Sunday caught a group 14 Saturday morning. The boy had strangle marks on of March that he wanted two female bears the leadership of the armed forces of Ukraine,” northern France was for the 25th edition of Teknival, skiers by surprise, police in Valais canton said his neck, according to information received by DPA to be released into the Pyrenees-Atlantiques Poroshenko said in comments published in a an unauthorised electronic music festival that is meant in a statement. The manager of a rest-stop yesterday, and was most likely already dead before area to ensure the sustainability of the species. government statement. The anti-terror operation to last until today. Local group Conservation for the in the remote mountain region sent out a being placed in the bathtub. The boy often spent But farmers’ union FDSEA said the move was had previously been led by the Ukrainian Security Natural Areas of Champagne-Ardenne filed a police call for help at dawn on Monday, triggering the night with the woman, who was a friend of the “completely out of step with reality”. Around 1,200 Service (SBU), though the army had already complaint yesterday and said local authorities had a major relief operation that involved seven family. When the parents arrived to fetch the boy, protesters, including some from nearby Spain, started to take on a more prominent leadership not done enough to prevent the damage. Roger Gony helicopters, police said. “Four people lost their nobody came to the door. The babysitter was not wielded banners reading “You will not have the role. Poroshenko added: “The defence of Russian from the association said that the base had 410 species lives, five others are in a critical state,” the at home. A neighbour who had a key to the house skin of the shepherds!”. More than 600 animals, aggression will not end until the last patch of of flowers and plants, as well as rare orchids which had statement said. let them in, at which point they made the discovery. mainly sheep, were killed in 2017 by bears. Ukrainian soil has been liberated.” led the base to be declared a nature reserve in 2005. Armenian ‘hero’ opposition leader nominated as PM

AFP However the 42-year-old everyday Armenians believe that strength would propel their lead- Yerevan AFP former newspaper editor still they matter and have the right er to power. Yerevan needs a handful of votes from the to determine the future of their “Looking into your eyes, I can ruling Republican Party — which country themselves. say that yes, I am ready — with a has a majority of seats in parlia- “Beginning from the 1990s great sense of responsibility — to rmenian opposition leader ment — to seal his victory in a people did not believe that assume the prime ministerial du- Nikol Pashinyan was yes- vote by lawmakers today. change is possible in this coun- ties,” Pashinyan told the ecstatic Aterday formally nominat- The party headed by ousted try. Now they see that it’s possi- crowd Sunday evening. ed for the post of prime minister prime minister Sarkisian has yet ble. People are surprised,” he told On Saturday, after days of by his supporters, inching closer to announce its offi cial stance on AFP. “Nikol has become a hero.” frantic negotiations, two major Russian attend an opposition rally in central Moscow yesterday to demand Internet freedom in Russia. to victory after two weeks of pro- the vote, even though a senior Observers have expressed fears parties including the Prosperous tests that transformed the coun- lawmaker, Vahram Baghdasaryan, that the turmoil could destabilise Armenia — which has 31 seats in try’s political landscape. has said it would not stand in the the Moscow-allied nation which parliament — said they would Pashinyan has called a halt to way of Pashinyan’s candidacy. has been locked in a territorial back Pashinyan. protests in order to hold high- The protest leader said he dispute with Azerbaijan for dec- Pashinyan is still six votes Thousands in Moscow slam stakes talks with all political would not beg the Republicans ades. short of the 53 he needs from the forces ahead of a crucial vote to- for votes.”I don’t have to and will The European Union expressed 105-seat legislature. day and swapped his trademark not coax them,” he said. its support to Armenia in “its ef- Last week, Sarkisian resigned Kremlin’s Telegram attack khaki-coloured T-shirt for a Many political observers said it forts to build a prosperous and from his new post of prime min- smart business suit. was highly likely that Pashinyan democratic society.” ister after serving as president “We are facing the task of re- would be elected prime minister, “It remains crucial that all par- for a decade in the face of peace- AFP blocked if it did not comply with local legislation. solving the political crisis in the in a whirlwind development that ties involved, including the law ful protests some dubbed a “rev- Moscow Navalny has called on Russians to stage a major country,” he told reporters in par- was unimaginable just two weeks enforcement agencies and those olution of love.” rally on Moscow’s main avenue on Saturday, two liament, announcing the nomina- ago in the poor South Caucasus exercising their right of freedom The protest movement had ac- days before Putin’s swearing-in ceremony. tion by his Elk coalition. “If a prime country of 2.9mn people. of assembly and expression, show cused him of a power grab, saying housands rallied yesterday in Moscow in The authorities warned Navalny against stag- minister is not elected tomorrow, “I see practically no obstacles restraint and responsibility,” said he had failed to tackle a litany of support of Internet freedom after Rus- ing the unpermitted rally in the heart of Moscow. this crisis will not disappear.” to Pashinyan becoming a prime a statement by the Delegation of problems like corruption, pover- Tsian authorities tried to block access to the Earlier this month a court ruled to block Tel- The leader of the protest move- minister tomorrow,” political an- the European Union. ty and the infl uence of oligarchs. popular messaging app Telegram in the latest on- egram in Russia after it refused to give state secu- ment that ousted the country’s alyst Hakob Badalyan told AFP. Russia has urged compromise Observers said that Sarkisian’s slaught against dissent under Vladimir Putin. rity services access to private conversations that veteran leader Serzh Sarkisian “There is political consensus while the United States has called resignation sounded the death In an unusually strong turnout, around 10,000 are normally encrypted. last week, Pashinyan is the only including among the Republi- for “a resolution that refl ects the knell for the seemingly unshak- people including top opposition leader Alexei Na- But in seeking to deny access to Telegram, the candidate in the running for the cans that the settling of the crisis interests of all Armenians.” able rule of the Republican Party valny turned up in the centre of the Russian capi- state telecoms regulator blocked millions of IP premiership and insists that only in this way would serve the inter- Tens of thousands of op- which dominated the ex-Soviet tal, many holding placards and shooting paper addresses, disrupting the work of many business- he can rid Armenia of corruption ests of the country.” position supporters rallied in republic’s politics for over a dec- airplanes, the Telegram symbol. es including car manufacturer Volvo. and poverty and conduct free and Another analyst, Ervand Bo- the capital Yerevan on Sunday, ade, unchallenged by weak and Many called for Putin’s resignation. Roskomnadzor has failed to fully block Tele- fair parliamentary elections. zoyan, said Pashinyan made hoping that a massive show of divided opposition forces. A volunteer movement that counts attendees gram, with Russians turning to VPNs and proxies at opposition rallies said more than 10,000 peo- to bypass the ban. ple turned up. “Your energy is changing the world,” Tel- Police said 7,500 attended. egram’s maverick founder Pavel Durov wrote “Big moron is not blocking you”, read one sign on VKontakte, the Russian version of Facebook Waste woes making light of the botched eff ort by authorities which he founded, addressing the protesters. A man passes by full to block the Telegram messaging service in Rus- Ahead of the rally he said Russians had a “his- rubbish containers in sia. Some in the mostly young crowd chanted toric chance” to prevent the onset of full-blown Ajaccio on the French “Don’t stay silent” and “Putin is a thief.” Internet censorship in Russia. Mediterranean island Protesters said they did not want the state to “Russia is at a crossroads — full-scale censor- of Corsica. Collectives tell them what to read online. ship has not been introduced yet,” the 33-year- of residents block two “Everyone needs to have a choice,” Tatyana old said. landfill sites since few Filatova, a retiree, told AFP. “Without action Russia will lose Telegram and days, Viggianello and “When we live in accordance with a strict set of other popular services.” Prunelli di Fium’Orbu, rules, life becomes boring and the sky grey.” Facebook and Telegram are widely used by the to protest against a Navalny addressed the huge crowd from the opposition to co-ordinate protests and make po- possible demand for stage, urging it to resist the authorities he called litical statements. increased storage “swindlers and thieves”. A 2014 law requiring foreign messaging serv- capacity, while on the “I will not put up with this silently,” he bel- ices, search engines and social networking sites to other side, a project of a lowed into the microphone. store the personal data of Russian users inside the new landfill in Moltifao “Will you put up with this?” he asked the dem- country has caused widespread concern. meets opposition from onstrators. It is seen as putting the information at risk of local residents. Waste “No,” they roared back, chanting “Down with being accessed by Russian intelligence services. collection is suspended the tsar!” Telegram, a free application that lets people ex- or reduced in many Under Putin, who was re-elected for a fourth change messages, stickers, photos and videos, has municipalities due to the Kremlin term last month, top television channels attracted more than 200mn users since its launch blocking of the landfill and most newspapers have been muzzled, with by Russia’s Durov and his brother Nikolai in 2013. sites. Internet remaining the only public venue for free The Kremlin’s press service also used Telegram self-expression. to communicate with journalists but has now But over the past months the authorities have switched to ICQ, a 1990s chat service now con- moved in on the Russian Internet, with the tel- trolled by Kremlin-friendly billionaire Alisher ecoms watchdog saying Facebook could also be Usmanov. Czech communists eye slice of power after decades

By Jan Lopatka, Reuters ing the party’s pariah status since The current Communist rank opposed by Russia as permanent the Communists would secure ment could seek support else- vey last month showed 45% of Prague communism fell in 1989. and fi le, with average age well UN Security Council member. from the two coalition parties, where in parliament. Czechs could accept a Commu- The Communists and Presi- over 70, are nostalgic about life The Czechs have hundreds but their infl uence will be limited Dolejs said the party wanted to nist-backed government, while dent Milos Zeman will push Babis behind the Iron Curtain, and the of troops in Afghanistan, Iraq by their waning popularity. have a say on issues such as social another 41% reject it. hen the United States, — whose ANO party is pro-EU party pledges to fi ght global capi- and elsewhere, a number Babis’s They scored their worst post- benefi ts. Thousands protested in March Britain and France and pro-Nato — toward a softer talism and leave Nato. cabinet aims to boost this year by Communist election result, 7.8%, “Tolerating the government after Zdenek Ondracek, a Com- Wbombed Syria earlier tone on Moscow, but he is not ex- “Security threats do not come several hundred. in October, bleeding half of their will raise our legitimacy. We see a munist lawmaker who had been this month, Czech Prime Minis- pected to move far despite the fall from the east, security is under The Czechs also plan to help votes to the far-right and to Babis. chance to show our voters...that in a police unit that beat up ter Andrej Babis showed support of his fi rst minority cabinet in a threat from those who commit protect Nato airspace in the Baltic. “They have become very prag- we can get at least a bird in the pro-democracy protesters in the for his Western partners one day confi dence vote in January. aggressive attacks against sov- “We have an elevated sensitiv- matic over the last two decades,” hand.” 1980s, was elected to lead a po- before rowing back the next. Shunned by most parties over ereign countries in violation of ity to any pressure for escalation said Lubomir Kopecek, political Involving the Communists is lice inspection oversight body. The military strike turned charges of fraud in a 2mn euro international law as the United of tensions toward the post- science professor at the Masaryk not a sudden turnaround. Babis withdrew his support from “inevitable” to an act de- EU subsidy case he says is a plot, States, Britain and France have Soviet region, we would have to University. They have been part of re- and Ondracek resigned. scribed as changing nothing after Babis is now negotiating a coali- done in Syria,” party leader Vo- react very strongly to anything “The request to leave Nato gional governments and former Within the Social Democrats, Babis was rebuked by the far-left tion with the centre-left Social jtech Filip said at a party congress like that,” Communist member does not appear in the talks...A party members, who include Ba- there is more debate about the Communist party, showing the Democrats that would also lean on April 21. of parliament Richard Dolejs told large part of the party’s elite bis himself, have held prominent risks of joining Babis, due to his fi ne line the billionaire business- on Communist votes. The Communists would like to Reuters. wants to experience some recog- jobs. legal problems and visions of man is walking as he tries to form The Communists’ limited role, end EU sanctions on Russia and The Communists also criti- nition at the end of their political For the centre-right, the party streamlining political decision- a government. with no cabinet seats, would not follow Moscow’s line on Ukraine: cised Babis’s government for careers.” remains a no-go.”Andrej Babis making, than the Communists. Babis is aiming for a pro- bring the kind of changes to core party offi cials have travelled to handing a suspected Russian A senior source from one of is fulfi lling his dream at too high And Social Democrat leader Western administration but po- policies that have sparked con- separatist-controlled Donbass hacker in March to the United the negotiating parties said the a cost,” Petr Fiala, leader of the Jan Hamacek said last week he litical fragmentation in Octo- fl ict between the EU and Hun- and Crimea. States, and for expelling Russian Communists would be satisfi ed Civic Democrats, said in a post was more worried about the ris- ber’s election means he needs the gary and Poland, but would still They oppose Czech participa- diplomats after the attack on a with positions in administration last week. ing far-right, anti-Islam, anti- pro-Russian Communist party to anger many Czechs who suff ered tion in military missions lacking former Russian spy in Britain. and state-owned fi rms. But elsewhere views are fi nely Nato and anti-EU party SPD, either support it or abstain, end- under their rule. UN approval — which means any It is unclear what concessions In foreign policy, the govern- balanced. A Median agency sur- which won 10.6% of the vote. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 1, 2018 17 INDIA

MILITANCY INVESTIGATION WARNING TRAGEDY SURVEY Top militant among Bengal Police forms team Dilution of SC/ST Act ‘can National-level diver ends 74% homebuyers ‘unaware three killed in Kashmir to probe carcass meat trade erode faith in judiciary’ life in West Bengal of project’s RERA status’

A top Hizbul commander, Sameer Tiger, and The West Bengal Police has formed a special The dilution of the Scheduled Castes and A national level diver from West Bengal allegedly Around 74% home buyers in India are una- his associate Aquib were killed in a gunfight investigation team (SIT) to probe the sale of Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act committed suicide at her residence in Hoogly dis- ware of the online process to check a realty with security forces while a civilian also lost carcass meat collected from dump yards in the can erode the faith of the historically marginal- trict, police said yesterday. “The body of Moupriya project’s compliance status under the Real his life during clashes in Jammu and Kashmir’s state, a senior officer said yesterday. “A district- ised communities in the criminal justice system Mitra, 15, was found hanging from the ceiling in Estate Regulatory Act, a Magicbricks report Pulwama district yesterday. Police sources level SIT comprising state police officers has in the country, Amnesty International India said her house in Bandel’s Manaspur area yesterday said yesterday. “Seventy-four percent of said Tiger, who was on the list of most wanted been formed to look into the case of carcass yesterday. “The (apex) court’s cherry-picking of afternoon. The body has been sent for autopsy,” respondents do not know that it is mandatory militant commanders in south Kashmir, was meat selling racket. Regular raids are going statistics to reach the dubious conclusion that the said an off icer from Bandel police station. “The to check if the project is registered with the killed in Drabgam village. Three soldiers includ- on in Kolkata and suburbs,” Diamond Harbour Act is being particularly misused is worrying, and girl was upset over a relationship dispute. We are state Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) ing a major were injured in the gunfight. Police superintendent of police Koteshwar Rao said. ignores the everyday violence that Dalits and Adi- further investigating the matter,” he said. Mitra and how to go about checking it on the RERA said that although firing had stopped, security “We have arrested 10 persons so far. It seems vasis face in this country,” Amnesty International won two medals – a gold and a silver – in the website,” said the Magicbricks Consumer operations in the area were still going on. A all the top leaders of the racket have been ar- India executive director Aakar Patel said ahead South Asian Aquatics Championships (SAAC), Choice Poll. “For a law which is aimed at pro- teenager, Shahid, 14, was killed during clashes rested,” he said. The officer, however, rubbished of the rallies by Dalits and Adivasis across the 2016 in Colombo. The teenager started her career tecting consumer interest and promote fair between protesters and the security forces in the reports of influential people from the state country on May 1 to protest against the Supreme in gymnastics but had to give it up after her leg play in real estate transactions, this is a poor Drabgam village. being involved in the racket. Court’s March 20 order vis-a-vis the Act. was fractured in an accident. number,” the report said. Kerala social Heavy rains lash Bengaluru worker accuses police, CM of victimisation

By Ashraf Padanna ceive a notice and only then did Thiruvananthapuram she need to visit them. Congress leader Bindu Krishna described Vijayan’s moves as fas- Kerala social worker who cist. She claimed the chief minis- helped a Latvian woman ter was doing what Prime Minister Atrace her missing sister Narendra Modi did to rights activ- claims the police are now target- ist Steeta Setalvad who fought for ing her. the 2002 Gujarat riot victims. Aswathy Nair, who rehabili- Meanwhile, Elze Skromane tates orphans, incurred the wrath has alleged that her 33-year-old of police and the ruling party’s sister died because of the slow cyberbullies after she criticised response of the Kerala police. the authorities. It took 10 days for their missing Nair yesterday registered a complaint to reach the police in complaint with the Kerala State Kovalam, a busy seaside getaway Women’s Commission seeking to from where she disappeared. rein in trolls on social media and Nair had joined the search Motorists make their way through a flooded road in Indira Nagar, Bengaluru, after heavy rains lashed the city yesterday. strangers frequenting her offi ce. after Liga Skromane’s partner, The police, however, claim Andrew Jordan, contacted her to they have received a complaint check if she had seen Liga dur- against Nair for collecting funds ing the course of her rounds. in the name of Liga Skromane Nair travels 30km every day on whose decomposed body was a scooter distributing some 200 found in the mangroves after she lunch packets across the city. went missing for 36 days. “Jordan contacted me eight Nair who held a press confer- days after Liga went miss- ence last week along with the ing. I was with them since then Kathua rape a minor case, victim’s sister had claimed that searching on some days until Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan midnight,” Nair said. refused to meet them and his po- “One day we went to see Vi- lice chief had insulted them. jayan after an appointment. Nair said the special branch po- However, the security guards did lice have since Saturday been fre- not allow us in, and after a long claims new deputy CM quenting her home and the offi ce wait, his secretary said it was not of her charity, Jwala Foundation, possible to meet him.” IANS Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) loy- Singh, who is set to become the with her family in a Kathua vil- ment’s move for a crime branch to enquire about her activities. Nair said they then went to Jammu alist, however, sought to correct Speaker of the Jammu and Kash- lage. investigation into the Kathua The police have not yet re- meet police chief Loknath Behera the statement later, saying the mir legislative assembly. Former chief minister and crime. vealed the identity of the com- who kept them waiting for three matter was already in court and The Bharatiya Janata Party National Conference leader All BJP ministers, except plainant and Nair believes they hours and when they fi nally met he newly reshuffl ed Jam- should be left to the Supreme also inducted Satpal Sharma, Omar Abdullah said Chief Singh, resigned from the Cabi- are merely using it as a pretext to him he shouted at them. mu and Kashmir govern- Court to decide about it. its state unit chief, as a Cabi- Minister Mehbooba Mufti ap- net earlier this month to pave the harass her. “They, including Tourism Tment yesterday faced “It is not good to keep speak- net minister along with new peared confused on her stand way for the Cabinet rejig. Singh “They have been targeting me Minister Kadakampally Suren- fresh controversy after BJP lead- ing about it repeatedly. It is not faces Rajiv Jasrotia, Sunil Ku- over Kathua as one of the par- resigned on Sunday night. for three days on the basis of a dran, are now out to target me,” er Kavinder Gupta said the rape good to keep playing it up again mar Sharma, Devender Kumar ticipants in the “pro-rapists” The PDP also dropped its fake complaint,” said Nair, better she claimed. and murder of a young girl in and again. What I said earlier Maniyal and Shakti Raj Parihar. rally was now a minister in her senior leader Abdul Haq Khan, known by her charity, a refuge for “I’m also facing continuous Kathua was a “minor issue” that was that there are many such in- Jasrotiya, who is the Kathua Cabinet. the law and rural development scores of people in distress. cyberattacks and strangers fre- should not have been hyped. cidents, nobody should provoke MLA, was among those seen in “Two BJP ministers removed minister, from the Cabinet. Mo- “I’m ready for any investiga- quent Jwala. I have therefore de- Gupta was speaking soon after (people) about such incidents a video clip trying to incite vio- in J&K for attending a pro-rapist hamed Khalil Bandh and Mo- tion to prove my innocence. I’ll cided to move the women’s com- being sworn in as deputy chief deliberately.” lence against the nomadic Mus- rally and a MLA who is reported hamed Ashraf Mir, MLAs from also make sure they are held an- mission to protect my dignity.” minister yesterday. This is not Gupta’s first lim community. He attended a to have attended the same rally is Pulwama and Srinagar, were swerable for what my family and The Skromanes, from Ireland, “The Kathua incident is a brush with controversy. As rally in support of the Kathua promoted as a minister. Why are sworn in as Cabinet ministers on I are having to face,” she said. had come to an alternative health minor issue. It should not have speaker of the legislative As- accused. the BJP/Mehbooba Mufti con- PDP quota. The police had summoned centre in Kerala for treatment. been hyped this much,” Gupta sembly earlier, he had sparked The issue led to the resigna- fused about where they stand The oath of offi ce and secrecy Nair over the weekend to “seek Liga, who was “depressed and said about the crime that trig- a row by blaming the Rohingya tion of BJP leaders Lal Singh and on the Kathua rape?” Abdullah was administered by governor N clarifi cation”, and yesterday vulnerable”, had been undergoing gered widespread outrage across refugees living in Jammu for Chander Prakash Ganga from tweeted. N Vohra at the Jammu Conven- again they asked her to appear at wellness treatment at an Ayurveda the country and cost two of his the attack on an army camp in the government over their par- The BJP also withdrew three tion Centre. the city police commissioner’s centre when she went missing on party colleagues their ministe- Sunjwan in February. ticipation in a rally, supporting of its ministers - Nirmal Singh, As per the constitution of the offi ce at 10am. March 14 from the Kovalam beach. rial jobs in the Mehbooba Mufti- Earlier, in a major mid-term the accused in the crime against Bali Bhagat and Priya Sethi - state, the council of ministers When she was about to reach The autopsy suggests she was led BJP-PDP coalition govern- Cabinet overhaul, Gupta was an eight-year-old who belonged from the government. Singh had in Jammu and Kashmir can only there, they called her and in- murdered and three suspects are ment. sworn in as the new deputy the nomadic community and angered many BJP supporters have 25 ministers including the formed her that she would re- in police custody. Gupta, a known Rashtriya chief minister replacing Nirmal lived in a tented accommodation when he supported the govern- chief minister. Goyal hiding share asset One dead in crash Tax department sends details, insists Congress Kochhar fresh notice IANS tral Bureau of Investigation (CBI) New Delhi questioned NuPower Renewa- IANS sale of 27,010 shares by Goyal and The declaration made by bles CFO and head of corporate New Delhi 23,010 by his wife Seema Goyal. Goyal for 2014, dated July 24, fi nance Sunil Bhuta, who was re- Targeting Prime Minister mentions Rs101,300 as the to- he income tax department sponsible for handling the over- Narendra Modi, the Congress tal value of “unquoted securi- has sent a second notice to all fi nance, accounts, audit and he Congress yesterday spokesperson said as more ques- ties (book value)” and his dec- TDeepak Kochhar, husband taxation functions for NuPower continued to attack Un- tions emerge, “Modi scurries for laration of assets with the PMO of ICICI Bank chief executive since its inception. Tion Minister Piyush Goyal cover behind fake aggression and dated March 31, 2015, by which Chanda Kochhar, who is facing The CBI had on April 12 over his sale of shares in a pri- innuendo”. time he had sold his shares in confl ict of interest questions over quizzed two company directors vately-held company at nearly Khera accused the BJP of Flashnet, mentions the exact the bank’s Rs32.5bn loan to the - Mahesh Chandra Punglia and 1,000 times the face value, ask- changing its stand in relation to same sum – Rs101,300, said the Videocon Group in 2012, a depart- Umanath Vainkut Nayak. ing why did it not refl ect in his its earlier accusation concerning Congress spokesman. ment offi cial said yesterday. Earlier, the agency had grilled asset declaration. Shirdi Industries. “If the shares were sold on The source said the depart- Rajiv Kochhar, brother-in law of Citing a news website’s report, September 29, 2014, why is there ment had sent Deepak a notice Chanda Kochhar, for fi ve con- the Congress on Sunday said “How was Flashnet with a no change in the holding value of under Section 139(9) of the In- secutive days. Goyal and his wife sold the entire net worth of Rs125mn as shares in Goyal’s asset declara- come Tax Act seeking an expla- The agency registered a pre- stocks of Flashnet Info Solutions on March 31, 2014 valued tion prior to sale and post-sale?” nation on his personal income. liminary inquiry against Deepak (India) to Piramal Estates for an at Rs500mn within a few Khera also asked who were the The tax authorities had earlier Kochhar, Videocon Group offi - “astronomical price” of Rs 9,586 months? Why is Goyal consultants in the service of the sent a notice in the fi rst week of cials and others to determine any per share totalling Rs480mn, or shying from making company until March 31, 2014 April to NuPower Renewables, wrongdoing or otherwise in the 1,000 times the book value. the valuation report of apart from Goyal. a joint venture between Deepak sanction of the loan to the Vide- The Bharatiya Janata Party Flashnet public?” “How was Flashnet with a net Kochhar and Videocon Group ocon group by the ICICI Bank as (BJP) replied by saying Flashnet worth of Rs125mn as on March 31, chief Venugopal Dhoot, which part of a consortium of banks in shares were sold in July 2014 be- He said a BJP press release dat- 2014 valued at Rs500mn within a was formed in December 2008. 2012. fore the declaration of assets and ed April 4 said issues after 2010 few months? Why is Goyal shy- One person was killed and at least two others injured The source said the foreign Chanda Kochhar had not been liabilities was submitted to the in Shirdi Industries have nothing ing from making the valuation when a speeding car drove straight into an eatery in Pune tax division of the department named in the preliminary in- Prime Minister’s Offi ce (PMO) to do with Goyal as he has no role report of Flashnet public?” yesterday afternoon, police said. The incident happened had written to the authorities quiry, which followed news re- on July 25, Congress spokesper- in the company after July 1, 2010 The BJP has termed the Con- in the Sangvi area of the city when the speeding Fortuner in Mauritius seeking details of ports about the Videocon chair- son Pawan Khera told the media and in its April 28 release, it said gress’ allegations “baseless, ma- driven by Sachin Jadhav reportedly lost control and ownership of DH Renewables man giving a loan of Rs640mn to here, but added that company’s some shares held in that compa- licious and incorrect” while the rammed into the Anant restaurant at the crowded Famous Holding, a major shareholder in a fi rm he jointly promoted with directors’ report 2015 states Sep- ny as an investment were sold in Piramal Group had also denied Chowk, said an off icial of the Sangvi Police Station. NuPower Renewables. Deepak Kochhar, six months after tember 29, 2014 as the date of December 2013. the charges. Earlier this month, the Cen- his group got the Rs32.5bn loan. Gulf Times 18 Tuesday, May 1, 2018 INDIA

WARNING POLITICS ANGER EDUCATION CONTROVERSY 400 cops will die for killing Aam Aadmi Party to contest Central govt accused CBSE announces JEE-Mains Goa politicians to be probed 40 Maoists: ex-journalist all Haryana seats in 2019 of ‘insulting’ Tamil results, Andhra boy tops for illegal land conversion

Security forces in Maharashtra went in a tizzy The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will contest all 90 Leaders of two major political parties - the The results of Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) A special five-member committee will probe yesterday following apprehensions expressed Assembly and 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Pattali Mains paper-one were announced yesterday, allegations that more than a dozen politicians on Facebook that “400 cops will be killed for in 2019, a party leader said yesterday. The Makkal Katchi – yesterday condemned the with Bhogi Suraj Krishna of Andhra Pradesh were queueing up to illegally convert vast tracts shooting 40 Maoists” in the biggest anti-Maoist elections in Haryana will be fought “on the BJP-led central government for “insulting” Tamil coming out as the topper. The Central Board of green land, many of them in no-development security operation in Gadchiroli last week that basis of development works done by the party language by neglecting Tamil scholars for the of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced zones, for commercial purposes. Town and left 40 rebels, many of them women, dead. The in Delhi”, Aam Aadmi Party convener Naveen Presidential Award of Certificate of Honour and the results of the exam which is followed by Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai told Facebook post was by Pune-based journalist- Jaihind said. He spoke to the media after a local Maharishi Badrayan Vyas Samman. Condemning the JEE (Advanced), conducted by the Indian reporters at the State Secretariat yesterday: turned-social worker, Raosaheb Dokhe, who has leader, Mahesh Yadav, joined the AAP with the central government’s action, DMK leader Institutes of Technology. K V R Hemant Kumar “A five-member committee will probe these raised questions on the Maoists gunned down his supporters at a function organised near M K Stalin said the BJP leaders are playing a Chodipilli from Andhra Pradesh and Parth allegations. The probe will be completed in one in two separate gun battles with police in deep Gurugram on the Mehrauli-Gurugram road. drama, claiming they love Tamil language. Stalin Laturia from Rajasthan stood second and third. month.” Last Friday, at a public meeting backed jungles of the district on April 22 and 23. An Yadav was youth president of Insaf Manch cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement A total of 11,35,084 registered for the paper-one by the Goa Church, activists named more than off icial of Gadchiroli police said that they have Haryana, an outfit led by Union Minister of State claiming that he loves the language and was sad held on April 8, 15, and 16 in online and off line a dozen politicians, including Sardesai himself, taken “serious note of the posts” and passed it and MP Rao Inderjeet Singh. The AAP did not he is not able to speak it. “All these statement are mode. The results of paper-two are expected to accusing them of illegally trying to convert onto the IT cell for further investigations. contest the last Assembly elections in Haryana. just to cheat the people of Tamil Nadu...,” he said. be announced today. zoning of land for commercial gain.

TDP plays Modi Son alleges videos to expose betrayal plot to kill

IANS Tirupati Lalu after ndhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu ANaidu, at a massive public meeting here yesterday evening, played videos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “expose” what he called his betrayal to the state hospital shift on granting special category sta- tus. IANS Earlier Lalu blamed Prime on Lalu at AIIMS and had a half The Telugu Desam Party Patna Minister Narendra Modi after he hour meeting with him. (TDP) president alleged that was told to leave AIIMS. Lalu, who was admitted to Modi failed to fulfi l the promise “My shifting from AIIMS to AIIMS on March 29 for treat- made as the prime ministerial ashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Ranchi hospital is under the pres- ment of heart and kidney related candidate of National Demo- leader Tejashwi Yadav sure from the Centre. It is be- ailments, wrote in a letter to cratic Alliance (NDA). Ryesterday said the deci- cause of Modi that I was sent back AIIMS director Randeep Gul- The meeting, attended by sion to shift RJD chief Lalu Pras- there. It is entirely due to political eria: “If I am sent from AIIMS to thousands of people, was organ- ad from AIIMS in New Delhi to a rivalry,” Lalu told reporters as he Ranchi medical college, in case ised at Sri Venkateswara Univer- Ranchi hospital is part of a con- was wheeled out AIIMS. of any danger to my life, sole re- sity Grounds, the same location spiracy to kill him. The RJD leader said shifting sponsibility will be on you all. from where then prime ministe- “Lalu is not well, he is still se- him back to the Rajendra Insti- “Doctors should not take any rial candidate Modi had addressed riously ill. I met him last week tute of Medical Science (RIMS) decision under pressure from a gathering four years ago. and saw his bad health condi- in Ranchi was a conspiracy so any individual or political party. In the video clippings, Modi tion. It is surprising why Lalu that his health would deteriorate Their fi rst duty is towards com- is heard praising M Venkaiah has been shifted from AIIMS further. “I have been shifted to a plete recovery of the patient’s Naidu, who was translating his to a Ranchi hospital. Everyone place where there are no facili- health. Till the time I am fully speech into Telugu, for extract- knows AIIMS is best for treat- ties. It is a tough time, but I will healthy, I should be kept here for ing the promise of special status ment for Lalu who is suff ering face it.” treatment,” he added. from then UPA government. He from several serious diseases. However, AIIMS spokesper- The RJD leader said he had then told the gathering that af- “Depriving him of proper treat- son B N Acharya said the deci- backache, frequent dizziness ter coming to power, he will fulfi l ment is part of a conspiracy to kill sion followed the recommenda- and had fallen in the bathroom the promise. my father,” Tejashwi, a former tion of a medical board set up for several times. Naidu also played video clip- deputy chief minister and younger Lalu’s treatment which found However, the hospital in a de- ping of Modi’s speech at another son of Lalu Prasad, told the media signifi cant improvement in his tailed statement said: “Lalu was election meeting, where he as- here, adding that there was politi- health and that “he was dis- referred from RIMS Ranchi with sured the people that after com- cal pressure on AIIMS to deprive charged on Saturday” itself. high blood sugar and infection. ing to power, he will build new him of proper treatment. Acharya said in a statement: AIIMS constituted a medical state capital on such a scale that “The RJD will go to the peo- “The medical board met on April board consisting of senior fac- the national capital Delhi will ple’s court to say that Lalu has 28, reviewed his progress and de- ulty members from department look small before it. been denied proper treatment as cided he was fi t to be discharged. of medicine, surgery, cardiology, The chief minister also showed part of a conspiracy by those in However, due to his chronic endocrinology and nephrology to people another video of Modi’s power in Delhi,” he said. problem of hypertension, diabe- for his care. speech which he delivered after Tejashwi also tweeted: “The tes and backache he was advised “He was put on injectable laying foundation stone of new decision to shift Lalu from to be on regular follow up and antibiotics and then on oral an- state capital Amaravati on Oc- AIIMS to Ranchi hospital has management at RIMS Ranchi. tibiotics. His blood sugar was tober 22, 2015. At that meeting, been taken in haste. AIIMS is He was therefore discharged on controlled and evaluation for Modi had vowed to fulfi l all the much better and I wonder why Saturday. However he requested cardiac and renal status was also commitments made in Andhra this decision has been taken. to be kept in hospital as he want- done. He showed signifi cant im- Pradesh Reorganisation Act. Only AIIMS authorities can re- ed to travel on Monday.” provement. He had no fever and “Is it not betrayal,” Naidu re- veal the reason behind the sud- Some supporters of the RJD his antibiotics were stopped.” peatedly asked people reminding den transfer.” leader, annoyed over his “sudden Lalu Prasad was admitted to them of the promises made by Lalu was yesterday shifted to discharge”, allegedly misbehaved RIMS in Ranchi on March 17 fol- Modi during the 2014 election a Ranchi hospital for follow-up with the hospital staff and even lowing complaints of uneasiness campaign. treatment – after he met Con- damaged the glass door of Cath when he was lodged at the Birsa Ruling out any compromise on gress chief Rahul Gandhi at Lab, resulting in injury to a secu- Munda Jail where he is serving the demand for special category AIIMS where he was undergoing rity guard. AIIMS asked police to a jail term since December 23, status, he declared that TDP will Congress president Rahul Gandhi meets RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav at AIIMS in New Delhi yesterday treatment for heart and kidney- lodge a complaint. 2017 in connection with the fod- continue its fi ght. before the latter was shifted to a Ranchi hospital. related ailments. Earlier, Rahul Gandhi called der scam. Govt’s electrifi cation claim Awards event Chidambaram’s wife a con, says Chidambaram summoned by ED IANS cused Manoranjana Sinh, wife of IANS in these one-teacher schools, demand for more goods and New Delhi Congress leader and former Un- New Delhi millions of jobs will be created.” services”. ion Minister Matang Sinh, and for He said there were vacan- “More goods and services legal consultancy services she re- cies of doctors, clerks, peons will be produced with more he enforcement directo- ceived over Rs10mn in 18 months. ongress leader and and cleaners in various depart- investments which will come rate (ED) yesterday sum- The CBI in September 2014 former fi nance minister ments. when there is a climate friendly Tmoned former union sought some clarifi cations from CP Chidambaram yester- The former minister said to investment,” he said. minister P Chidambaram’s wife her. Nalini then told the media day said that the biggest issue nearly 6,000 teaching posts The Congress leader said in- Nalini Chidambaram in a multi- that the CBI offi cers wanted to in the 2019 Lok Sabha elec- were vacant in central universi- vestment had gone down dras- crore Saradha chit fund scam, an know whether Sinh consulted tion will be unemployment and ties, while in the higher judici- tically in the last four years. offi cial said. her professionally and con- Narendra Modi government’s ary 410 posts of judges were “The tragedy for India is that The agency asked Nalini fi rmed that she had done so. “incompetence to create jobs”. vacant. investment ratio at this stage is Chidambaram, a senior lawyer, to Based on the CBI case, the ED Addressing the national lowest since liberalisation.” appear before its Kolkata-based has been investigating the money executive meeting of the In- “The government is so He said sectors such as IT, offi ce on May 7 to record her state- laundering allegations against the dian Youth Congress here, incompetent that they which were booming in the ment in connection with the case. main accused and his associates. Chidambaram said the Modi don’t know how to create past, had also shed jobs. The ED’s move comes a week The agency is gathering in- government did not know how jobs” Slamming the Modi govern- after the Madras High Court dis- formation on the fl ow of funds to create jobs. ment, he said demonetisation missed a petition by her, chal- collected by the Saradha Group “There will be many issues He said if the Congress came and faulty implementation of lenging the agency’s summons companies from investors and but the biggest issue of 2019 to power, it would focus on cre- Goods and Services Tax had to her to appear as a witness in probing the payments made election will be unemployment. ating jobs in MSMEs (micro, destroyed jobs in the MSME its money laundering probe in through Saradha Group ac- The government is so incompe- small and medium enterprises), sector. the Saradha scam case in which counts to several companies and tent that they don’t know how besides paying attention to ex- Chidambaram also referred to several key political leaders are individuals. to create jobs,” he said. ports and off -farm jobs, such the BJP leaders claiming credit allegedly involved. While Rs120mn was allegedly There were vacancies across as poultry, food processing and for about 100% electrifi cation The ED issued the summons paid to Sangbad Pratidin, Anub- sectors and thousands of jobs dairy farming. of villages as “another con”. on September 7, 2016, as Nalini huti Printers of former Congress could be further created, he “We will not do anything He said electrifi cation of a Chidambaram’s name was men- minister from Assam, Anjan said. that this government is doing,” vast majority of villages was tioned in Saradha scam “master- Dutta, was allegedly paid Rs70mn. Citing instances, he said. done during Congress govern- mind” Sudipta Sen’s letter to the Matang Sinh’s companies Chidambaram said there was Chidambaram said there ments and the BJP-led gov- Bollywood actress Farida Jajal (left) and Manisha Koirala Central Bureau of Investigation had also received Rs280mn, ac- just one teacher in 100,000 was “massive open unemploy- ernment had completed elec- pose for a picture during the ‘Dadasaheb Phalke Film (CBI) in April 2013. cording to the agency. His wife’s government schools. “If at ment” in the country and “jobs trifi cation of only over 18,000 Foundation Awards 2018’ in Mumbai. In the letter, Sen said Nalini company, GNN Ltd, allegedly least fi ve teachers are recruited can be created when there is villages which were pending. prepared an agreement for co-ac- received about Rs260mn. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 1, 2018 19 PAKISTAN

Another US NAB to decide fate of key diplomat hits two bikers

Internews PML-N leaders this month Islamabad hile a US diplomat Internews corruption they can be arrested and after completion of the in- plaint that nine of the 10 fl oors of number of corrupt practices Sethi in the money-laundering is already facing Islamabad or face NAB action. Otherwise, quiry it is sent for investigation the building are owned by Fawad and irregularities in the af- (un-declared assets) case reg- Wtravel restrictions complaints against them will be and then a reference is made on and his brother, who allegedly fairs of the Sports Division and istered against him in 2010-11. after killing a young man in disposed of,” the NAB offi cial the basis of investigation. used their infl uence for securing Pakistan Sports Board. The bureau sought the details a road accident in Pakistani he National Account- said on condition of anonymity. According to another NAB fi nancing from JS Bank Limited Akram Durrani has been ac- after completing the complaint capital Islamabad, another ability Bureau (NAB) will Among the PML-N leaders offi cial, the bureau’s Rawalpindi for the building’s construction. cused of misusing his powers as verifi cation process in the case. US diplomat rammed his jeep Tdecide the fate of a dozen who can face NAB investigation region has opened a second case The complainant claimed minister and being involved in The complaint against Sethi into two bike riders near the frontline leaders of the ruling are federal ministers Saira Af- against Fawad in which he is ac- that Fawad and his brother got illegal allotment of plots. was fi led by former Test crick- Secretariat Chowk yesterday Pakistan Muslim League-Na- zal Tarar, Akram Durrani, Riaz cused of constructing a mega the commercial plot located op- According to the complaint eter Sarfraz Nawaz who accused night injuring them seri- waz (PML-N) this month. Hussain Pirzada and Khawaja mall in the heart of Rawalpindi. posite the GPO in Sadar in ex- against him, Durrani has alleg- the PCB chairman of being in- ously. A senior NAB offi cial said Saad Rafi que, prime minister’s The value of the property is change of a residential plot on edly played a role in allotment volved in money laundering, In the fi rst incident, yesterday that most of the com- secretary Fawad Hassan Fawad, said to be over Rs12bn. The con- Rawalpindi’s Haider Road. of plots owned by DHA Foun- possessing assets beyond his 22-year-old Ateeq Baig plaint verifi cations involving ousted prime minister Nawaz struction of the multi-storey Saira Afzal Tarar has been ac- dation in sectors 1-12 and 1-16 known sources of income and was killed after being hit these PML-N leaders would Sharif’s son-in-law Safdar and plaza has almost completed. cused of giving favours to some to his near and dear ones and acquiring overseas properties by the vehicle of US diplo- mature in May after which the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) The complainant in this case drugs manufacturing com- caused losses to the national worth millions of dollars. mat Joseph Emmanuel near bureau would reach a conclu- chairman Najam Sethi. has alleged that how a grade-21 panies in registration of their exchequer. NAB is already investigat- Daman-e-Koh Chowk on sion whether or not investiga- According to NAB’s modus offi cer (Fawad) has managed medicines and fi xing of their NAB has sought details from ing 179 mega corruption cases April 7. tion against them should be operandi, a complaint is fi rst sent to construct and own such an exorbitant prices. the Federal Board of Revenue involving prominent politi- The Islamabad High Court carried out. for complaint verifi cation. Once expensive property. Riaz Pirzada has been ac- about the fi nal outcome of an cians, industrialists, traders and (IHC) had taken notice of the “If they are found involved in it is verifi ed it is sent for inquiry It has been claimed in the com- cused of being involved in a inquiry against PCB Chairman senior bureaucrats. incident and sent a notice to the interior ministry. The ministry submitted a report to a bench of Islama- bad High Court, stating that Joseph had been blacklisted Panel weighing and travel restrictions placed 3 ministers may quit KP cabinet on him. The two bikers, injured yesterday, were shifted to option to check Internews the provincial budget for being the provincial government. Ulema-e-Islam of Maulana Fa- PIMS in critical condition, Peshawar fi nance minister. However, PTI Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, pro- zlur Rahman and other political while the diplomatic vehicle will have to appoint another vincial head of JI, made the an- parties hope the MMA will give was seized and taken to the member of the KP assembly to nouncement, saying the party a tough time to the mainstream police station. bogus voting hree ministers of the Ja- present the budget for 2018-19 was to enter political alliance political parties in the coming As per preliminary infor- mat-e-Islami (JI) in the as JI ministers are expect to quit with the religious parties of polls. mation, the accused is sec- TKhyber Pakhtunkhwa the cabinet in a few days. the country under the banner The MMA ruled Khyber Pa- ond secretary with the US Internews But it proved a futile exercise (KP) government are to resign “Our ministers are waiting of MMA. khtunkhwa for fi ve years after embassy. Islamabad when it came to verifying the from the cabinet this week, till a meeting of the Muttah- Despite being in the coali- the religious alliance won a The diplomat was heading votes. forcing the Pakistan Tehreek- ida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) on tion government in KP, both majority in the provincial as- towards a local hotel when he Later, the ECP offi cially ad- e-Insaf (PTI) to appoint one of May 2. However, this is for sure the JI and PTI fi elded candi- sembly in the 2002 general rammed his jeep into their bike. lmost fi ve years after mitted that it failed to achieve its lawmaker as fi nance min- that our cabinet members, in- dates against each other in the election. The JUI-F was the The police reached the undertaking a contro- the desired results even af- ister for presenting the next cluding Finance Minister Said local bodies across the province major coalition partner, with scene soon after getting in- Aversial exercise of us- ter spending Rs85mn on year’s budget. would quit before the presenta- as well as in almost all the by- having the top slot of the chief formation but the accused ing magnetic ink to discourage purchasing the magnetic ink. The JI, which is the junior tion of the budget,” said Jamat elections held in KP and other minister and important cabinet locked himself up in his jeep fake votes, Pakistan’s top elec- Nadra claimed that the ECP coalition partner in the KP gov- Ali Shah, a JI leader. parts of the country. members. and avoided coming out. toral body is now weighing an had not purchased the recom- ernment led by PTI, has three JI announced ending fi ve- The PTI refused to support The JI was given the slot of However, the police con- alternative option to prevent mended high-quality mag- ministers in the cabinet. year long political alliance with the JI candidate for a general speaker KP assembly while the vinced him to come out of bogus voting in the upcoming netic ink and for that reason Inayatullah Khan is senior the PTI on Wednesday and seat in Senate last month. Lat- incumbent party chief, Senator the jeep and shifted the ve- 2018 general elections. the authority failed to verify minister for local government, quitting the government within er, the party had to ink agree- Sirajul Haq, was made senior hicle to police station. One The option, currently un- thousands of thumb impres- Muzaff ar Said is the minister for a week. ment with opposition parties minister in the provincial cabi- of the injured bike riders was der consideration at the Elec- sions in disputed cases. Later, fi nance while Habibur Rahman The decision has come to manage a berth in the Upper net. Siraj later quit the cabinet identifi ed as Nazakat Awan, a tion Commission of Pakistan Nadra chairman had him- is minister for religious aff airs. only a month before the end House for its provincial chief. to focus on his responsibilities resident of Muzaff arabad. (ECP), provides using a vot- self admitted that “it (use of Said was supposed to present of the fi ve-year tenure of The JI along with Jamiat as provincial chief of his party. er’s identity card number for magnetic ink) was a useless stopping fake voting. exercise”. The country’s top database Nadra processed the elec- authority has sent a proposal tion material in some 43 dis- to the ECP, suggesting it not to puted cases related to the publish the last three numbers national and provincial as- Agency moves to curb air of the 13-digit identity card in semblies’ constituencies on the fi nal electoral rolls. the directions of election The missing last three dig- tribunals formed to resolve its from the electoral rolls will disputes between winner and pollution after court ruling make it impossible for the runner-up candidates of 2013 polling staff or others to fill general elections. Thomson Reuters Foundation lawyer who fi led the court peti- “We are now installing air out the identity card number The Nadra record showed Rawalpindi tion, said he was seeking to have quality monitoring instruments column on the counterfoil of that it only succeeded in read- air quality regulations in the with the help of federal govern- a ballot paper until the voter ing approximately 35% to 40% country enforced. ment funding and punishing the presents his or her CNIC. of the thumb impressions it akistan’s environmental He said he hoped the court polluters,” said Ziauddin Khattak, The ECP offi cials claimed received for verifi cation from protection agency is in- would ensure “provision of the director of the agency. that the proposed option tribunals. Pstalling air quality moni- constitutional right to a clean “We have now told dozens would “fairly minimise chanc- The presence of thousands tors and warning factories to add environment, for which clean air of industrial units and brick es of bogus voting on the poll- of unverifi able/unreadable pollution fi lters after a panel of is key”. kilns through warning notices Workers fill a pot with melted iron before pouring it into a casting ing day” and “is a viable al- votes in every constituency the country’s top judges ordered “There is no hope without the to install air cleaning fi lters mould to produce machine parts in a foundry in Karachi yesterday. ternative solution to ensure had created unnecessary the government to detail its ef- Supreme Court’s intervention on smoke-emitting chimneys transparency”. doubts about the 2013 general forts to control worsening air to awaken government offi cials and have started monitoring The units, along with an air dance of traffi c, as well as brick The process would also elections’ results. pollution. from their deep slumber” on air vehicles on various thorough- quality action plan, “will help kilns spewing black smoke and make the verifi cation of votes After seeing poor results The court ruling earlier this quality, he said in a telephone in- fares and issuing fi nes to the cut 50% of air pollution in the open incineration of waste, by the National Database from using magnetic ink, the month followed a lawsuit by a terview from Karachi. polluting vehicle owners,” he next couple of years,” he said. Rawalpindi has air pollution lev- and Registration Authority ECP had announced that it Karachi man challenging the According to a 2015 report said. Other keys to improving air els more than 10 times above lev- (Nadra) convenient in case a would not use it in the next government’s failure to control published by the medical jour- Nearly 50 brick kilns have quality include planting more els considered safe by the WHO, post-poll controversy arose in general elections and pledged air pollution in that port city. nal Lancet, nearly 22% of annual been issued notices, Khattak urban trees, replacing aging city said Asif Shuja Khan, a former any of the constituencies. that until the next general Chief Justice Mian Saqib deaths in Pakistan – or more said, and more than 130 buses buses and increasing parking director general of the Paki- In case of dispute between elections it would be able to Nisar, head of a three-member than 310,000 each year – are and other vehicles fi ned over the fees to encourage the use of pub- stan Environmental Protection the winner and the runner-up procure and use biometric high court panel, ruled that the caused by pollution, the majority last two months. lic transport, Anjum said. agency. candidates, the verifi cation of voting machines. That is still government must provide de- of them due to air pollution. He said seven fi xed and three A 2016 study by the World Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad polled votes would be carried a distant dream and the ECP tails of what it is doing to curb A 2014 World Bank study on mobile ambient air quality mon- Health Organisation ranked stand as 3rd, 4th and 5th most out through counterfoils. is once again in a fi x over the air pollution across the country. Pakistan’s air quality recom- itoring stations have been set up Rawalpindi, located near the polluted cities in the country in In 2013 general elections, matter. He said he was shocked at how mended the country set aside in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, capital Islamabad, as the second terms of air quality, Khan said. thumb impressions of vot- A senior ECP offi cial, wish- dirty the air had become, partic- funding to “install and operate Peshawar and Quetta, all cit- most polluted city of the country Over 90% of Rawalpindi’s ers were taken on counterfoils ing not to be named, confi rmed ularly in Pakistan’s cities. a reliable air quality monitoring ies that have suff ered particular after the northwest city of Pe- population of over 2mn inhales using magnetic ink. the development and said that The ruling has spurred gov- network”, and set other standards problems with air pollution. shawar. contaminated air regularly, ex- At the time, it was claimed following initial discussion ernment authorities to action and frameworks to cut pollution. Saif Anjum, Punjab provincial So far no air quality monitors posing them to a higher risk of that use of ink would help in over the proposal and pros and to try to reduce pollution levels, Since the court ruling, offi cials environment secretary, said his are being installed in Rawalpin- health problems such as car- the audit of every vote in case cons of the suggestion it had fearing they could face court at the Pakistan Environmental agency also had installed six air di, however, because of a lack of diovascular disease and lung any controversy arose after now been sent to the high-ups orders or sanctions. Protection agency have said they quality monitoring units in Lahore, funds, offi cials said. cancer, he said, with children announcement of the results. for a fi nal decision. Venu G Advani, the Karachi are moving rapidly to comply. with 30 more being put in place. With few trees and an abun- particularly vulnerable. Rally for better working conditions US defers decision on Pak diplomats Internews consulates in other cities would militant attacks on both Pakistani sometimes Pakistanis working for Islamabad be barred from travelling more and foreign targets. the US embassy and consulates than 40km from their posts Visitors to the US missions in also face unnecessary interroga- without prior permission. Pakistan also have to go through tion, as do the embassy’s guests. he United States has de- Media reports said the restric- strict security and identifi ca- It was learned from its sourc- layed its decision to re- tions could take eff ect as early tion routines. Pakistan argues es that the Pakistan Embassy in Tstrict the movement of as May 1, unless “certain issues” that such measures aim at en- Washington has conveyed US con- Pakistani diplomats in Amer- were resolved before that. hancing the security of foreign cerns on these issues to Islamabad, ica as both countries try to re- But offi cial sources said that missions and their employees with a caveat that if continued, solve the diff erences that have the decision had now been de- and have no other motive. such practices could do a major strained their relations, offi cial layed, at least till mid-May, as But Americans appear par- harm to bilateral relations. sources said. both sides were engaged in ef- ticularly upset with a new prac- The embassy also has re- Last week, a spokesman for forts to remove their diff erences. tice, applying the same security quested offi cials in Islamabad Pakistan’s ministry for foreign The eff orts focus on some re- measures to those invited by “to sit with the US embassy and aff airs confi rmed that the US cent developments in Islama- the US missions or diplomats to resolve the issue because it will planned to impose new restric- bad where US diplomats and their offi ces and homes. have far-reaching consequenc- tions on its diplomats. Recent visitors to the US embassy and Previously, such guests only es”, an offi cial source said. reports in the Pakistani media consulates are facing additional had to go through metal detec- The Pakistan Embassy warned suggest that the US government security measures. tion devices and a quick frisk- that a US decision to limit the has already alerted Pakistani au- Pakistan has prevented foreign- ing to ensure they were not car- movement of Pakistani diplomats thorities of its plan to do so. ers, including diplomats, from rying weapons. They were not would generate “much nega- According to a notifi cation travelling to certain areas, such asked to show identity papers tive propaganda against Paki- Activists from various labour organisations take part in a torch-lit rally demanding improvements to sent to the Pakistan embassy as Fata. Karachi and some areas of or disclose the purpose of their stan across the globe. It will also working conditions, on the eve of International Labour Day or May Day, in Karachi yesterday. in Washington, Pakistani dip- Balochistan have also been added visit, as they are now. have an adverse impact on the lomats in the US capital and at to the list following continued Americans complain that Pakistani American community”. Gulf Times 20 Tuesday, May 1, 2018 PHILIPPINES Tourism chief denies graft in advert deal

By Reicelene Joy Ignacio ited Inc., which produces the Manila Times “Kilos Pronto” programme. The payment was for a six- minute tourism advertisement ourism Secretary Wan- segment and a three-minute da Tulfo-Teo broke her spot on Kilos Pronto. Tsilence yesterday on the She said ad placements controversy surrounding her went through a bidding proc- offi ce’s placement of an ad- ess and were reviewed by the vertisement on her brothers’ legal offi ce of the DoT. television show on govern- “It went through bidding ment-run PTV 4, debunking and it was reviewed by our le- allegations of corruption and gal. All checks went to PTV, no incompetence. check went to other produc- “I don’t think this is in- tion houses,” she said, empha- competence on my part. As sising that there was no con- a secretary of Tourism, I am fl ict of interest that existed. doing lots of things. This isn’t Malacan yesterday said it the only issue that deserves would investigate the ad deal. my attention, there are oth- Palace spokesman Harry ers. It’s none of my business Roque Jr said news had reached if the ad is placed with my President Rodrigo Duterte. brother,” Teo said during a “Let us look into this. The news briefi ng at the Depart- president wants to know the ment of Tourism (DoT) offi ce beginning and the end of the in Makati. issue,” Roque said. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director Aaron Aquino (left) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Ano (right) hold lists “The contract is between Roque, however, said Teo of alleged politicians involved in drugs at the PDEA headquarters in Manila, yesterday. PTV-4 and DoT because the had no reason to leave her post requirement of the president amid the allegations. is that we support the govern- This was not the fi rst time ment,” she added. Teo was caught in controversy. The Commission on Au- Earlier this year, it was re- dit (COA) said last week that ported that she brought her checks amounting to about makeup artist to her foreign P60mn were issued by Peo- trips. ple’s Television Network Inc., Teo, in her defence, said she Govt reveals ‘narco’ known as PTV-4, to the Tulfo brought her executive assist- brothers’ Bitag Media Unlim- ant and not a makeup artist. offi cials ahead of polls Suspected militants

AFP politicians resort to force to “Given the thousands of kill- Manila eliminate opponents or prevent ings related to the drug war, abduct two police rival supporters from voting. publicly releasing this list may At least 15 people were killed be seen as instigating, induc- he Philippines yesterday in election-related violence dur- ing and encouraging more ex- offi cers, companions released the names of over ing the 2016 vote, according to trajudicial killings,” Pangilinan T200 local elected offi cials offi cial records, when thousands added. AFP visited the offi ces with alleged links to drugs, re- of spots were contested rang- of two Manila district chiefs on DPA with soldiers assigned in Pa- jecting concerns it amounted ing from president to municipal the narco list and called the of- Manila tikul. to a “hit list” in President Rod- council seats. fi ces of some of the others in the “This could be propagan- rigo Duterte’s deadly narcotics Authorities released the region, but aides said they were da to show that they (Abu crackdown. names on the list yesterday not reachable. uspected militants have Sayyaf) still exist or they The names were made public despite conceding they did not “I don’t believe it is equivalent abducted two police of- could be after money so they on Duterte’s orders two weeks have enough evidence to charge to a hit list,” Aquino said, and the Sfi cers and their compan- could be demanding ran- ahead of local polls in a nation any of them with drug-related government was assuring them ions in the southern Philip- som,” he said. where electoral campaigns often offences. Aquino said four po- of protection so that “nobody pines, the military and police The police officers — Beni- result in bloody violence. lice and intelligence agencies will harm them”. Interior Secre- said yesterday. erose Alvarez and Dinah Gu- “The disclosure of the have established that these of- tary Eduardo Ano said the public The victims were on their mahad — were both assigned names of barangay (district) ficials were either users, deal- has a right to know the actions way back from a beach out- to the crime laboratory of the officials involved in the ille- ers or even drug lords, but that of their offi cials, whom he said ing in the town of Patikul on police regional office, based gal drugs business is first and most allowed the narcotics were not entitled to privacy. Jolo island, 1,000 kilometres in nearby Zamboanga City. foremost a direct order from trade to flourish in their dis- “They will have a chance to south of Manila, when they Sobejana said the kidnap- President Rodrigo Duterte,” A recent photo shows alleged drug users detained after a police raid tricts. defend themselves. We are ob- were seized by suspected Abu pers and their victims were Philippine Drug Enforcement on a drug den in Manila. Opposition Senator Francis serving due process,” Ano added. Sayyaf terrorists on Sunday. still believed to be in Patikul. Agency chief Aaron Aquino Pangilinan, two of whose Liberal These names were the fi rst to Army troops have been dis- “We have three battalions told reporters. hit list,” Carlos Conde, a Filipino and addicts whom they accused Party members were on the list, be made public from a master patched to conduct search- already deployed for the im- Authorities said the list was a campaigner for the US-based of resisting arrest. urged the Philippine Drug En- list, now numbering more than and-rescue operations for mediate recovery of the vic- way to name and shame the 207 monitor Human Rights Watch, Rights groups allege the ac- forcement Agency to recall it. 6,000 according to Duterte, that the victims, said Brigadier tims,” he added. offi cials as the May 14 local elec- said. tual number of dead is at least “Releasing their names to he began compiling after his General Cirilito Sobejana, a The kidnapping brought tions approach, but rights advo- Duterte vowed in the 2016 three times that fi gure, includ- the public without showing any election. commander of a military task to 14 the number of kidnap cates said it could amount to an presidential campaign to kill ing those murdered by shadowy evidence other than their say- The local elections were set to force that covers Jolo island. victims held by Abu Sayyaf incitement to kill. 100,000 criminals to rid the vigilantes. so puts all of those on that gov- be held in 2016 but the president Sobejana said the motive militants in Jolo. The other “These lists subvert due proc- country of the scourge of drugs, Philippine elections have a ernment list in danger of being postponed them, fl oating the for the abduction was not hostages include a Dutch- ess and (are), at best, a form of and police have since killed more history of localised violence that killed in the state-sponsored idea at one point of appointing yet clear, but noted that the man, three Indonesians and a trial by publicity. At worst, it is a than 4,100 alleged drug dealers predates the drug war, as some drug war,” he said in a statement. the offi cials himself. police officers were friends Vietnamese. Aussie nun vows Eff orts continue to calm to fi ght deportation crisis over OFW deployment

Manila Times ed out, of Fox’s picture with is the role of the Church. Where AFP Manila workers of a soft drinks compa- the oppressed are, where those Kuwait City Detractors deride president for asking workers to return ny, saying that it was not a rally who are fi ghting for justice are, but a press conference where the where those who are fi ghting for A Philippine labour group and a senator accused ment. The Philippines imposed a ban in February on mbattled Australian mis- nun was invited to speak. freedom are, is where the Church senior Kuwaiti offi cial President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday of gambling facilitating Filipino employment in that country and sionary nun Patricia Fox “Sister Fox was denied due should be,” she added. yesterday sought to calm with the livelihoods of tens of thousands of Filipinos helped several thousand workers return home after Eand her supporters vowed process. The order for her to Immigration authorities ar- Aa crisis with the Philip- in Kuwait, after he asked them to come home amid reports of suspicious deaths of domestic helpers. to fi ght for her right to remain in leave the country in 30 days was rested here last April 16 for al- pines over the treatment of do- a diplomatic dispute over reported labour abuse. Duterte said on Saturday the ban was permanent, the country all the way up to the issued without according her the leged violation of her stay in the mestic workers in that country. The Philippines and that country are embroiled in a although his spokesman, Harry Roque, suggested Supreme Court. opportunity to refute the BI’s country. Philippine President Rodrigo row over what Duterte says is a pattern of mistreat- yesterday that a labour protection agreement “Even if it reaches the Su- evidence and submit her coun- On April 25, the BI cancelled Duterte in February prohibited ment of domestic workers by employers. between the two countries may still happen. Roque preme Court, the whole legal ter-affi davit,” she added. her missionary visa and issued workers heading to Kuwait fol- Duterte at the weekend appealed to the “sense of also clarified that Duterte “is not compelling anyone team of Sister Fox is ready to de- In a unity statement, groups an order directing her to leave lowing the murder of a Filipina patriotism” of overseas Filipino workers, known as to come home”. fend her. We will not allow her supporting Fox called on Presi- the country within 30 days upon maid whose body was found OFW, and asked them to return home, where he The earnings overseas workers send home is vital deportation,” said lawyer Maria dent Duterte to respect her receipt and invalidate as well her stuff ed in her employer’s freezer. said they would get financial aid and job opportuni- to sustaining low-income families and a crucial Sol Taule of the group Karapatan rights to due process. alien certifi cate of registration. The resulting row deepened ties in other countries. Critics said Duterte had no economic driver. during yesterday’s , “Solidarity “We denounced the attempts The BI said that Fox was not last week after authorities of way of guaranteeing that and should not ask those As many as 60,000 workers might return from the with the Poor Campaign for Sr. to vilify her solidarity with the allowed to engage in partisan that country ordered Manila’s whose income was vital to their families back home Middle East, said Jacinto Paras, undersecretary at Patricia Fox and Candle Lighting democratic struggles of the Fili- political activity, which is ex- envoy to leave the country over to quit their jobs. Senator Risa Hontiveros called the Labour Ministry. Action” at the Roman Catholic pino people. We appeal to Presi- pressly provided under the Phil- videos of Philippine embassy Duterte’s request “extremely reckless, shortsighted “Those who have been running away, complaining Archdiocese of Manila in Intra- dent Duterte: Stop maligning ippine Immigration Act of 1940. staff helping overseas Filipino and uncaring”. of abuses and maltreatment, they can be free to muros. her good name as a Catholic re- “She (Fox) was found to have workers (OFWs) fl ee allegedly “President Duterte should stop gambling with the return,” he told the ANC news channel yesterday. Fox said that the Immigration ligious missionary and criminal- engaged in activities that are abusive employers. lives and employment of thousands of OFWs, and Migrante International, an alliance of Filipino migrant and even Malacanang have no ising her compassion and charity not allowed under the terms “This is largely a misunder- the welfare of their families, in a desperate attempt organisations, doubted the government could evidence to support their allega- for the poor and the powerless in and conditions of her visa,” Im- standing and exaggeration of to break the diplomatic impasse,” she said in a state- provide for those who return. tions that Fox violated the con- our society,” it said. migration Commissioner Jaime some minor or one-off cases,” ditions of her stay in the country Fox, for her part, said that she Morente said. Deputy Foreign Minister Nass- even as she pointed out that the would always fi ght for the rights He stressed that the visa er al-Subaih told reporters in Filipinos hired by the Philip- and that they were now holed that could have resulted in the pictures presented by Malaca- of the poor and the oppressed, granted to Fox was only to en- Kuwait City. “We have taken a pine embassy and issued arrest up in the Philippines’ embassy. lifting of the ban on Filipinos nang to support its allegations like the Lumads who fi ght for gage in missionary work and not serious stance...but we do not warrants against three diplo- The foreign ministry was working in that country. were not in a rally, but inside the their ancestral lands, the work- in political activities. believe in escalation and want matic personnel. “awaiting co-operation” for But after the fresh escala- Tagum City Jail in Davao when ers deprived of their right to se- But despite the forfeiture of to remain in direct communi- Subaih said those suspected their handover to carry out an tion in tensions, Duterte said the nun visited the political pris- curity of tenure and just wages her visa, Fox may still enter and cation to resolve the problem,” of participating in the op- investigation. on Sunday that the temporary oners there. and the farmers. leave the country as a tourist, the Subaih added. eration to help workers escape The two nations had earlier ban on Filipinos going to work The same is true, Taule point- “As far as I am concerned, that BI said. Kuwait has also detained four were not accredited diplomats been negotiating a labour deal in Kuwait was now permanent. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 1, 2018 21 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL Put pressure on Myanmar for

Rohingya’s return: Hasina President Maithripala Sirisena

Reuters that, according to the UN Dhaka and rights groups, sent nearly 700,000 Rohingya fl eeing to camps in neighbouring Lanka angladesh Prime Minister Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina asked the Hasina said the refugees BUN Security Council yes- should return “under UN su- grants terday to press Myanmar to take pervision where security and back hundreds of thousands safety should be ensured”. of Rohingya Muslims who fl ed “They want to go back to amnesty a military crackdown to take their own country. So the Se- refuge in her country. curity Council can play a very Security Council envoys vis- pivotal role,” she added. to 432 ited Hasina in the Bangladeshi When asked if UN supervi- capital, Dhaka, before travelling sion meant the deployment to Myanmar for meetings with of peacekeepers, Hasina said: prisoners its government leader, Aung “Not exactly, well, that the UN San Suu Kyi, and military Com- will decide”. mander-in-Chief Min Aung Myanmar government IANS Hlaing later yesterday. spokesman Zaw Htay did not Colombo “They should put more pres- immediately respond to re- sure on the Myanmar govern- quests for comment. Social ment so that they take their Welfare Minister Win Myat ri Lankan President citizens back to their country. Aye, who is leading rehabilita- Maithripala Sirisena grant- That’s what we want,” Hasina tion eff orts in Rakhine, declined Sed amnesty to 432 prisoners told reporters. to comment. on Sunday in view of Vesak festi- The visit by the Security Kuwait’s UN ambassador val celebrated by the Buddhists in Council envoys, to see the af- Mansour al-Otaibi, one of the the country, a spokesman said. termath of a military operation envoys, told Hasina the Secu- Department of prisons in Myanmar’s western Rakhine rity Council wanted to “send UN Security Council envoys pose for a photograph with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after their meeting in Dhaka yesterday. spokesman Thusara Upuldeniya State, puts a global spotlight a clear strong message ... that told Xinhua news agency the on the crisis which the United we’re determined to end this the voluntary repatriation of ily to their home of origin,” said Myanmar government to imple- ommendations was a review of president granted amnesty for Nations and others have de- humanitarian crisis”. the refugees within two years al-Otaibi. ment those requests, diplomats a Myanmar law that links citi- the prisoners convicted of minor nounced as ethnic cleansing of The envoys visited camps on but diff erences between the two The envoys are due to travel to said. zenship and ethnicity and leaves off ences. Rohingya Muslims. Sunday, where distraught refu- sides remain and implementa- Rakhine State today. Hasina also called on Myan- most Rohingya stateless. The spokesman said they were Myanmar denies the ac- gees pleaded for help ahead of tion of the plan has been slow. The Security Council asked mar to implement the recom- Buddhist-majority Myanmar held in 29 prisons in the country. cusation, saying the military the coming monsoon season. “We know there are diffi cul- Myanmar in November to ensure mendations of a commission has for years denied Rohingya “The president did it in keep- was engaged in a legitimate Many live in bamboo-and- ties in the talks between Bangla- no “further excessive use of mili- headed by former UN secretary citizenship, freedom of move- ing with the power vested in him counter-insurgency operation. plastic structures perched on desh and Myanmar on the return tary force” and to allow “freedom general Kofi Annan, which was ment and access to basic serv- under the Sri Lankan constitu- Rohingya insurgent at- hills in the southeast Bangla- of the refugees but it is impor- of movement, equal access to appointed by Suu Kyi in 2016 ices such as healthcare. Many tion. Most of these people were tacks on security posts in desh district of Cox’s Bazar. tant... to create the appropriate basic services, and equal access to investigate how to solve Ra- in Myanmar regard Rohingya as in jail because of their inability Rakhine State in August last Myanmar and Bangladesh conditions for the refugees to to full citizenship for all”. khine’s long-standing tensions. illegal immigrants from mostly to pay fi nes imposed on them by year sparked the crackdown agreed in January to complete go back freely and voluntar- They will seek to push the Among the commission’s rec- Muslim Bangladesh. courts. The fi nes were waived off enabling them to get free,” Upuldeniya said. The Sri Lankan president grants such relief to prison- Vesak Festival ers every year as a tradition on Italian dies 30 killed in two days special occasions such as Vesak, the Independence Day and the on Nepal of lightning strikes in National New Year. mountain Bangladesh villages Nepal AFP IANS areas in Dhaka yesterday. Kathmandu Dhaka It created huge traffi c grid- lock with scores of vehicles seeks new going out of order. n Italian climber has died or the second day in a A bulletin of meteorological on Nepal’s rugged Mount row, lightning strikes department predicted a heavy air entry ADhaulagiri, offi cials said Fyesterday killed 14 more rainfall with gusty or squally yesterday, the fi rst fatality of the people in parts of Bangladesh, wind in next 48 hours all over busy spring climbing season. Xinhua news agency reported the country. points Simone La Terra, 37, was citing local media. Local sources said storm blown off the 8,167m (26,795ft) The deaths were reported also fl attened houses in rural mountain – the world’s seventh by a news television chan- districts and uprooted trees into India highest peak – by a strong gust nel, hours after a severe and caused heavy damage to of wind on Sunday. His body was Nor’wester storm lashed standing paddy crops. found yesterday. parts of the country yesterday At least 16 people were IANS Dambar Parajuli of Prestige morning. killed by lightning strikes in Kathmandu Adventure, which organised the Television footage showed various parts of Bangladesh on Italian’s expedition, said La Terra the destruction in places left Sunday, hospital sources said. was inside a tent at 6,900m when behind by the storm. Death due to lightning epal Prime Minister K he was swept off the mountain. The majority of the light- strikes is common in Bangla- P Sharma Oli has urged His team members searched ning fatalities occurred in ru- desh during this time of the Nthe Indian government to for him on foot while a rescue ral Bangladesh areas. Thun- year, as the weather changes grant new air entry points for his helicopter struggled against bad dershowers accompanied from the dry season to the country. weather to search higher up the by squally wind and lighting rainy summer season. His appeal comes days after mountain, Parajuli said. fl ashes also occurred in capital But the country is expe- Nepal and India agreed to re- “His body was found this Dhaka. riencing a surge of lightning view a bilateral transit treaty to morning at 800m below the spot Heavy rainfalls that started strike deaths in recent years. incorporate issues like providing (where he had been camped),” he Sunday morning as monsoon Experts blame the rise in Nepal access to the sea through said. Buddhists pray during Vesak Festival at the Kelaniya temple in Kelaniya, near Colombo. Sri Lankan became extremely active over lightning deaths directly on Indian waterways, Xinhua news Ram Prasad Sapkota, spokes- Buddhists commemorate the birth of Buddha, his attaining enlightenment and his passing away on Andaman Sea and adjoin- climate change that made agency reported. man for Nepal’s tourism depart- the full moon day during ‘Vesak’ celebrations, which fell on April 29 this year. ing areas, submerged many Bangladesh exponentially Addressing provincial assem- ment which regulates all climbs streets and some low-lying more vulnerable to its impacts. bly members in Butwal, the Ne- in the country, also confi rmed pal prime minister said: “India the death. has granted only one cross-bor- “His body has been retrieved der air entry point to Nepal. and brought to Kathmandu,” “So the only option we have Sapkota said. now for international fl ights is Dhaulagiri in central Nepal Simara air entry point. But we was fi rst summited in 1960 by Drones bring healthcare to Himalayas need additional cross-border air a Swiss-Austrian team. It has entry points in the days to come, since been climbed 537 times and and for which, India should co- claimed the lives of 83 people. Thomson Reuters Foundation distances if they fall ill. saysay prize – seen as Asia’s operate with us.” Last year a 33-year-old Sherpa Kathmandu The poor Himalayan coun- Nobel – for his work con- Oli said he had taken up the guide became hypothermic and try has just over 2,600 doc- necting Himalayan villages in issue during his meeting with fell to his death after reaching the tors – less than one for every Nepal to the web. Indian Prime Minister Naren- summit. hen Nepali labourer 10,000 people – and many of At present it can only carry dra Modi when he visited India The year before a Dutch climb- Om Bahadur Purja the 2,000 village health posts a 1kg (2 pound) load about earlier this month. er disappeared on the mountain Wsprained his leg in meant to provide urgent treat- 2km (1.2 miles), but the team Oli said his government wants and an Indian climber died of his remote village he would ment lack basic medicines as is working on improving the to sign a deal with India to al- altitude sickness as he attempted have faced a four-hour trek to supplies often take months to range so it can carry a heavier low international fl ights to and to reach the summit. the nearest medical centre – reach them. load over a longer distance. from the Gautam Buddha Inter- La Terra was an experienced but for a pioneering scheme That means many Nepa- The internet connection national Airport being built in climber who had summited at to bring healthcare to the lis resort to traditional heal- proved a lifeline for villages Bhairahawa near the Nepal-India least fi ve 8,000m peaks and at- Himalayas. ers or even go without any with no road access or mobile border. tempted several others in Nepal, Instead, the 60-year-old fa- medical care. phone reception – an achieve- Meanwhile, during the meet- Pakistan and Tibet, according to ther of three received the treat- Enter Mahabir Pun, a ment all the more impressive ing of the inter-governmental his website. ment he needed in his home 63-year-old former teacher as it was achieved during a 10- committee, a commerce-sec- The busy spring climbing sea- village thanks to the recent ar- who won national fame more year Maoist insurgency that retary level forum between In- son in Nepal, which begins in rival of a drone carrying basic than a decade ago with an Medical drone carrying a pack of medicines takes flight in Myagdi brought large swathes of Nepal dia and Nepal which concluded April when temperatures warm medicines and equipment. ambitious scheme to connect district of Nepal. to a standstill. on Saturday, both sides agreed and winds are typically calm, at- “This saved me a lot of trou- Himalayan villages like Ram- The country of 28.6mn peo- to review the transit treaty in tracts hundreds each year to the ble, time and money,” Purja che to the Internet. way of bringing health services lab to keep costs low,” he said. ple restricts drone use, so Pun the next three months, Rabi Himalayan nation which is home told the Thomson Reuters Pun’s non-profi t Nation- to people in diffi cult-to-reach “This way I am trying to is working with offi cials to en- Shankar Sainju, joint secretary to eight of the world’s highest Foundation from Ramche, a al Innovation Centre (NIC) areas, said Pun. promote innovation among the sure his scheme is a success. at the Nepali Ministry of Indus- peaks. Himalayan village 250km (150 has developed the country’s He also hopes the scheme young engineers and contrib- “We must identify remote try, Commerce and Supply told This year the Nepal govern- miles) northwest of the Nepali fi rst “medical drone”, aim- can provide employment for ute to slow the trend of people villages where drones are ef- Xinhua. ment has issued permits to 792 capital Kathmandu. ing to bring care to the remote talented young Nepalis who leaving Nepal for jobs abroad.” fective to carry medicines,” India agreed to provide Nepal mountaineers to attempt sum- Thousands of people living mountain communities that might otherwise move abroad The drone can carry samples said public health worker access to the sea through the wa- mits of 26 mountains in the in remote areas of Nepal have need it most. for work. of blood and other fl uids to the Roshan Neupane. terways during Oli’s India visit. country from April to May, in- no access to proper healthcare The machine, designed and “It was designed, fabricated nearest laboratory for tests, “Bigger drones should be “This facility will be included cluding 346 permits for the facilities, which means they assembled by young Nepali and assembled by the innovative and deliver supplies, he added. designed and developed so in the treaty during the review world’s highest peak, Everest. have to walk or be carried long graduates, is the most eff ective young college graduates in our Pun won the Ramon Mag- heavier loads could be sent.” process,” said Sainju. Gulf Times 22 Tuesday, May 1, 2018 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES French museum’s collection mostly fake, but is it the only one?

Over decades, the small museum of Elne in southern France built up a collection of works by local painter Etienne Terrus, mostly oil and watercolours of the region’s distinctive landscapes and buildings. But what was once a source of pride has turned to embarrassment after 60% were found to be fakes, providing a lesson about the dangers of buying art without expert skills and the ubiquity of counterfeit canvases. “Etienne Terrus was Elne’s great painter. He was part of the community, he was our painter,” lamented mayor Yves Barniol as he reopened the museum and its exhibition of Making a case for Terrus paintings — minus the forgeries. “Knowing that people have visited the museum and seen a collection most of which is fake, that’s bad. It’s a catastrophe for the municipality,” he added. Terrus (1857-1922) was born and died in Elne near the city of Perpignan where he painted the sun-baked Mediterranean secret diplomacy coastline as well as the misty foothills of the Pyrenees mountains and local red-tiled homes. By Graham Allison oppose Pompeo’s nomination. But severed for more than 30 years, and believes that informing Congress While once a friend of Henri Matisse, Terrus never reached Cambridge Pompeo’s withholding of the fact that that each country was radioactive in the would make the secret negotiations no the heights of fame achieved by his contemporary, but he he was engaged in secret diplomacy is domestic politics of the other, holding longer a secret. During the past year’s earned a following in art circles and regionally with his not one of them. preliminary negotiations in public investigation of possible collusion hen New Jersey Senator To be sure, despite being a mainstay would have been a non-starter. between the Trump campaign and Impressionist- and Fauvist-infl uenced production. Robert Menendez of US foreign policy, secret diplomacy Soon enough, the secret Russia ahead of the 2016 US presidential The Terrus Museum announced that he will has always had its critics. Some argue conversations led US offi cials to election, Congress has leaked like a sieve, Out of 140 works in Elne began collecting Woppose Mike Pompeo’s that it is a type of deception that conclude that the Iranians were and many congressional Democrats his work in the 1990s nomination to US Secretary of State, he undermines the transparency and serious about entering into formal have made it clear that they will “resist” owned by the explained that he would do so because accountability on which American talks. In secret, US and Iranian Trump at every turn. Thus, it was and went on a spending Pompeo, currently Director of the democracy is based. Others do not negotiators worked on an outline of reasonable for Pompeo to fear that museum, 82 were splurge over the last fi ve CIA, had failed to disclose that he had oppose secret diplomacy per se, what would ultimately become the knowledge of his secret talks would be years, acquiring 80 new travelled to North Korea over Easter but they believe that maintaining Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. leaked in an eff ort to undermine the judged to be fakes canvases often thanks to weekend as President Donald Trump’s a reasonable degree of democratic The JCPOA blocked all of Iran’s major summit and deny the administration a local fund-raising drives. envoy. accountability requires that a small pathways to becoming a nuclear potential political victory. For Menendez, the audacity and subset of congressional leaders be power, by preventing the country from Transparency and accountability Devastated locals who helped with the eff ort now regret secrecy of the Trump administration’s informed. In criticising Pompeo for reprocessing plutonium or enriching are still important American norms. being so naive, having handed over tens of thousands of preparations for a planned summit failing to be “forthright” even with the uranium to weapons-grade levels. It But the history of US diplomacy has euros to local art dealers and private collectors. between Trump and North Korean “committee leadership,” Menendez also eliminated two-thirds of Iran’s shown that secrecy often is essential for Out of 140 works owned by the museum, 82 were judged leader Kim Jong-un was unacceptable. expressed both of these concerns. centrifuges and 98% of its stockpile of success. And besides, the constitution to be fakes by a panel of experts, causing an estimated loss to “Now I don’t expect diplomacy to be Yet the history of secret diplomacy, enriched uranium; and it established gives the president wide latitude in negotiated out in the open,” Menendez under Republican and Democratic the most intrusive verifi cation and foreign policy. That is why even some the town of €160,000 ($200,000). said in a recent speech, “but I do expect administrations alike, clearly illustrates inspection regime ever negotiated. of Menendez’s Democratic colleagues, But art-testing expert Yan Walther says fake art being for someone who is the nominee to its benefi ts. The most important But as diffi cult as the talks with Iran who may oppose Pompeo on policy exhibited publicly is a problem worldwide and the case of be Secretary of State, when he speaks diplomatic breakthrough of the Cold were, negotiating with Kim’s Hermit grounds, cheered the news of his visit Elbe, though extreme, is not unique. with committee leadership and is asked War, the opening to China, began with Kingdom will be harder still. The United to North Korea. As Connecticut Senator specifi c questions about North Korea, secret negotiations between Henry States and North Korea are technically Chris Murphy put it, “I’ll just be honest “The fact that there are fakes and misattributed works to share some insights about such a Kissinger, then President Richard still at war, because a formal peace with you, I’m glad there is someone at a in museum collections is something absolutely clear and visit. I believe our nation’s top diplomat Nixon’s national security adviser, and treaty has not been concluded since the high level in the Trump administration nobody with an understanding of the fi eld has any illusions must be forthright.” Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai. Kissinger’s 1950-1953 Korean War, which ended talking to the North Koreans about what about this,” Walther said. The US constitution assigns senators top-secret trip to Beijing in 1971 laid the with a ceasefi re and an armistice. may be the parameters of this meeting.” “There are misattributed works in the Louvre (in Paris) in the responsibility to confi rm, by groundwork for Nixon’s historic visit Moreover, every past denuclearisation Murphy is right. There are valid majority vote, the president’s cabinet the following year. And the warming agreement between the two countries reasons to oppose a nominee for the National Gallery (in London), all museums in the world, nominees. America’s founders sought to of Sino-US relations helped widen has collapsed, and, since Trump took Secretary of State. But a failure to but it is not in a proportion like 60%,” he added. ensure that individuals serving in high divisions between China and America’s offi ce, he and Kim have been lobbing disclose secret preparatory talks for the A state museum in the Belgian city of Ghent was positions of public trust would be well Cold War adversary, the Soviet Union. insults and threats at each other. In most important presidential summit accused of exhibiting fakes in January after it put 26 works qualifi ed, not just in the judgment of a Likewise, President Barack Obama’s this context, sending a secret envoy to of the century is not one of them. – single individual, but after thoughtful signature diplomatic achievement, the Pyongyang to lay the groundwork for Project Syndicate supposedly by Russian avant-garde artists such as Kazimir review by an independently elected 2015 Iran nuclear deal, could not have productive negotiations is precisely Malevich and Wassily Kandinsky on display. Senate. been achieved without secret talks. In what the US should be doing. zGraham Allison is professor of Many experts questioned how the paintings — the private In exercising their constitutional March 2013, Obama sent two senior Even so, there is still the question of Government and former Director collection of Russian businessman Igor Toporovski — could duty, senators should consider carefully State Department offi cials, William J why that envoy would not inform Senate of Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer have been amassed in secret and the museum had to cancel their criteria for providing what the Burns and Jake Sullivan, to begin secret foreign-policy leaders of his work, Center for Science and International constitution calls “advice and consent.” conversations with the Iranians in especially when he is seeking to become Aff airs. He is the author ofDestined for the show amid a police investigation. There are many good reasons why Oman. Given that diplomatic relations America’s chief diplomat. One answer is War: Can America and China Escape Walther’s company, Swiss-based SGS Art Services, is a senators may decide to support or between the two countries had been that the Trump administration probably Thucydides’s Trap? world leader in using scientifi c methods such as X-rays and carbon-dating to help authenticate art works. SGS mostly tests high-end paintings worth between 50,000 and sometimes tens of millions of euros and Walther says on average a staggering 70-90% are found to be fake or misattributed. Misattribution can mean, for example, that a painting was produced by the workshop or assistant to an artist. “When you acquire real estate or a car, there are a certain number of steps everyone would take: a technical assessment, background checks on the seller,” he said. “For art work, very strangely it is still not in people’s minds. You can buy a an artwork for $2mn and people hardly check anything. But it is starting to change.”

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US government handout photo shows CIA Director Mike Pompeo meeting with © 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Robert Menendez Gulf Times Tuesday, May 1, 2018 23 COMMENT The upheaval Italy needs

By Jean Pisani-Ferry to conventional wisdom, Italy’s high nor credit constraints nor labour- Florence public debt is not the result of runaway market regulation can account for the budget defi cits – at least not of recent observed productivity developments. ones. With the exception of 2009, Instead, they emphasise family wo months after the the primary balance (which excludes management of the smaller fi rms and Italian general election on interest payments) has been in surplus a tendency to select and reward people March 4, amid continuing for the last 20 years. No other eurozone on the basis or loyalty rather than Tuncertainty about what kind country matches this performance. merit. As they put it, familyism and of government will emerge, a strange The root of Italy’s public-fi nance cronyism are the ultimate causes of the complacency seems to have set in. problem is that it inherited excessively Italian disease. Yet it would be foolish to believe that high debt from the 1980s and has not These observations have direct a country where anti-system parties recorded signifi cant economic growth implications for future discussions won 55% of the popular vote will for two decades. Real (infl ation- between the next Italian government continue to behave as if nothing had adjusted) GDP in 2017 was at the same and its European partners. The latter happened. The supposed “barbarians” level as in 2003, and real GDP per would be well advised to put the need are not at the gate anymore. They are capita was at the level of 1999. With for a growth and productivity policy, inside. a stagnant denominator, it is hard to rather than simple adherence to fi scal The populist Five Star Movement, reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio: the targets, at the top of the agenda. And which won by a landslide in Southern legacy of the past continues to weigh they should focus on the most critical Italy, has promised to increase excessively on the present. reforms, rather than on a long wish list spending on public investment and A thought experiment helps in of standard recipes. social transfers, while reversing the understanding Italy’s problem. Had It is hard to gauge whether the pension reform enacted a few years France followed the same policy as its Italian government that will emerge ago. The League party, which captured southern neighbour since the launch from the ongoing negotiations will be the North, also promises to dismantle of the euro in 1999 – that is, had it ready to respond. All political parties the pension reform, as well to cut recorded, year after year, the same have clienteles to take care of, and taxes, and has openly mooted the primary balances – its public debt the insurgents are no exception. They idea of leaving the euro. Both parties today would be 45% of GDP, instead of might well be reluctant to swallow want to relax the European fi scal 97%. The diff erence between the two the harsh medicine that Italy needs. straitjacket, though in diff erent ways. countries is not that France has been But they should realise that though At least one of them is bound to be part wise and Italy profl igate. Quite the they may be popular, unfunded of the governing coalition. contrary. The reason why France has a distributional proposals will ultimately The economic consequences could signifi cantly lower debt today is that prove ineff ective, even more so if the be profound. With a 132% debt-to- it inherited a better fi scal position and productivity problem is not addressed GDP ratio, Italy’s public fi nances has been growing faster. head-on. Political ruptures sometime are precarious. Should markets start The lesson, therefore, is that Italy’s FILE PHOTO: Anti-establishment 5-Star Movement leader Luigi Di Maio smiles during a news conference at the Foreign provide a unique opportunity for questioning their sustainability, the key priority should be to revive growth. Press Club in Rome, Italy, March 13, 2018. addressing seemingly intractable situation would quickly spiral out But this cannot be accomplished by problems. The chance of such an of control. Italy is far too big for the relaxing the brake on public spending. outlook is frightening: the working- companies, whose performance global market, there are many poorly outcome may be slim, but it should not European Stability Mechanism to The bulk of Italy’s growth problem age population, currently at the same matches those of their German or managed companies with fewer than be ignored. After its political upheaval, tackle a debt crisis there in the same comes from the supply side, not the level as in the late 1980s, is set to decline French counterparts, and smaller 10 employees that produce only for Italy now needs an economic one. – way it did in Greece or Portugal. The demand side. As documented in a by 0.5-1% annually in the years to come. fi rms, where productivity is half as the local market. It is this high degree Project Syndicate European Central Bank would need to recent paper produced by the Bank The burden of repaying the debt will fall high. Small companies everywhere of fragmentation that explains Italy’s come to the rescue. The debt might of Italy, the country’s productivity on a smaller labour force – even more so are less productive than large fi rms poor aggregate performance. zJean Pisani-Ferry, a professor at the even end up being restructured. performance is truly dismal: over if the retirement age is lowered. – after all, growth is a selection Two Italian economists who Hertie School of Governance (Berlin) There is little doubt, therefore, the last two decades, output per Boosting productivity is therefore process – but Italy’s peculiarity is that teach in the United States, Bruno and Sciences Po (Paris), holds the that the European Union will insist employee has decreased by 0.1% per imperative. On paper, the recipe such companies are both much less Pellegrino and Luigi Zingales, have Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa chair at the on fi scal discipline. The question is year, compared to 0.6% growth in for success looks straightforward: effi cient and much more numerous. investigated what explains this European University Institute and is what strategy Italy should adopt to Spain, 0.7% in Germany, and 0.8% in economic policy should aim at For each innovative champion that peculiar situation. Their conclusion a senior fellow at Bruegel, a Brussels- tackle its fi scal problem. Contrary France. Furthermore, the demographic reducing the gap between larger sells cutting-edge products on the is that neither sectoral developments based think tank.

Three-day forecast Using failure as a tool TODAY Maximum Temperature : 350c Minimum Temperature : 270c

By S Zuhair Naqvi ‘lesson’ we can transform how we as WEDNESDAY Maximum Temperature : 370c Doha individuals, teams, organisations and communities view setbacks. Minimum Temperature : 280c So when you fear trying something THURSDAY didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light new ask yourself why? What are you Maximum Temperature : 370c bulb was an invention with 1,000 afraid will happen? Instead of looking Minimum Temperature : 270c back at failures, look back at all your steps” – Thomas Edison Fisherman's forecast I This quote has become lessons. synonymous with resilience, The companies leading the way in WARNING perseverance and dealing with failures. becoming the best places to work are Inshore : Nil Reread it for a moment and think recognising this. Offshore : Expected strong wind and about the meaning of it? They deliberately seek out high sea at places at first What would have happened if individuals who have failed, because WEATHER Edison had hated, feared or avoided they fi rmly believe that those who can Inshore : Relatively hot daytime with failure? Many of us do; we work so survive and grow through setbacks are slight dust at places and hard to avoid ‘failing’ we often miss the most irreplaceable. some sctd clouds at times out on the wonderful opportunity that Steve Jobs, Thomas Eddison, WIND failure provides. Failure to success Albert Einstein, J K Rowling — some Inshore : Northwesterly-Northeaster- I am a fi rm believer that we grow of the most successful pioneers — ly 08-17/20 KT Offshrore : Northwesterly 08-18/22 KT more from failure that anything else. earned it, worked for it and grown for greatest growth opportunities. have failed way more times than It is in the most challenging times it. The most successful organisations they have succeeded but they always Visibility : 04-8 KM when we really understand what I want you to think for a moment don’t just learn from failure — they view those ‘failures’ as lessons that SEA STATE we can overcome, how much we about one of your greatest failures. embrace it, share it and grow from it. brought them closer to their eventual Offshore : 3-5 FT, rises to 7 FT at want something and just how much It might sting a little to recall, but I believe failure can be our biggest success. places at times. perseverance we have. stay with it. teacher, if we allow ourselves to When I look back on my greatest Now think about what that taught remove the fear of it. zS Zuhair Naqvi is the Managing accomplishments, not one of them you? How did you recover and The fear of shame, rejection, and Director of DicoTech Qatar WLL and a Around the region was easy. respond? embarrassment should be replaced Partner at The Happiness Hub Qatar Weather Perhaps that’s the nature of an Individuals, teams and organisations with a love of growth and learning. Twitter: #zuhairnaqvi Weather tomorrow Max/min accomplishment, we have to feel we’ve that avoid failure lose out on the If we replace the word ‘failure’ with LinkedIn: zuhair-naqvi-dicotechqatar today Max/min Baghdad M Sunny 31/20 P Cloudy 32/21 Kuwait City M Sunny 32/25 M Sunny 33/25 Manama Sunny 33/26 P Cloudy 33/26 Muscat Sunny 37/31 Sunny 36/29 Live issues Tehran S Showers 19/13 P Cloudy 23/15 Teens who get more sleep may curb screen time

By Lisa Rapaport according to the results in Sleep total of about 245 minutes of light the study didn’t appear to sacrifi ce Reuters Health Medicine. and vigorous exercise over fi ve exercise to get more sleep, said “When teens sleep less, they spend weekdays, when they should have Michelle Garrison of the University more time awake, and we knew that had 300 minutes of moderate to of Washington and Seattle Children’s hen teens get extra sleep something had to occupy that ‘extra’ intense activity. With extra sleep, they Research Institute. on school nights, they time,” said lead study author Tori Van averaged about 225 minutes of light “This is great news, since might cut back mostly Dyk of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and vigorous exercise. sometimes improving one aspect of Around the world Won sedentary activities Medical Centre. The diff erence in exercise with the health can come at the cost of slipping Weather Weather like screen time without making major “It turns out that extra time awake two diff erent sleep schedules wasn’t in other areas, and so it’s wonderful to today Max/min tomorrow Max/min changes to their exercise habits, a is almost all just sitting around – it big enough to rule out the possibility see that improving sleep doesn’t aff ect Athens P Cloudy 29/16 Sunny 28/17 small experiment suggests. has no health benefi ts,” Van Dyk said that it was due to chance. physical activity in teens this age,” Beirut M Sunny 29/22 Sunny 29/23 Researchers asked 18 adolescents by e-mail. “In contrast, when teens One drawback of the experiment, Garrison, who wasn’t involved in the Bangkok T Storms 31/26 S T Storms 32/26 who regularly got 5 to 7 hours of rest a sleep more, they replace sedentary however, is that it only had 18 study, said by e-mail. Berlin P Cloudy 16/05 P Cloudy 18/10 night to go to bed early and get an extra behaviour with sleep, which we know participants and it’s possible that a While parents can’t always control Cairo Sunny 37/20 M Sunny 36/23 1.5 hours of sleep on school nights for is helpful for thinking skills, physical larger group might have highlighted all the things that get in the way of Cape Town P Cloudy 22/14 Showers 17/12 two weeks and wear activity trackers health, safety and mood.” meaningful diff erences in exercise a good nights’ sleep for their teens - Colombo S T Storms 32/27 T Storms 32/27 during the day. During a separate two- Ideally, teens should get 8 to 10 based on the amount of sleep they whether it’s the demands of jobs or Dhaka T Storms 31/23 T Storms 30/23 week period, researchers tracked the hours of sleep each night, according got. Many teens also failed to follow sports or the early start of the school Hong Kong P Cloudy 28/25 S T Storms 29/23 teens’ activity levels when they stuck to the US Centres for Disease Control the directions for their sleep routines day - they can still help support good Istanbul M Sunny 21/12 M Sunny 22/13 to their habitual bedtimes and got and Prevention (CDC). They should during the study. sleep habits, said Jonathan Mitchell, Jakarta P Cloudy 33/24 P Cloudy 33/24 their regular amount of sleep. also get an hour a day of moderate to “The study shows that although a researcher at the University of Karachi Sunny 36/25 Sunny 37/25 When they had to get extra rest, vigorous intensity aerobic exercise. teenagers can be stubborn it appears Pennsylvania and the Children’s London M Cloudy 14/09 Rain 11/05 teens averaged 71 more minutes of Teens in the study didn’t possible to modify their sleeping Hospital of Philadelphia. Manila P Cloudy 36/27 P Cloudy 36/27 sleep on school nights than they did measure up very well against these habits,” said Dr Paul Collings of the “Parents do oversee the Moscow Showers 24/13 S T Storms 27/13 before they started the experiment. recommendations. Some of them Bradford Institute for Health Research environment where the vast majority New Delhi S T Storms 41/27 Sunny 39/27 With this extra sleep, teens spent an didn’t get enough rest to begin in the UK. of sleep periods occur,” Mitchell, New York Sunny 25/16 Sunny 29/19 average of 52 fewer minutes of the day with for the extra 1.5 hours to be “This is reassuring – but we must who wasn’t involved in the study, Paris Cloudy 14/04 S Showers 17/06 being sedentary than they did when sufficient. bear in mind that the study lasted only said by email. “Removing screens Sao Paulo M Sunny 28/17 P Cloudy 27/18 they were asked to follow their usual And whether or not they got extra a few weeks and involved a small and from their bedrooms and enforcing Seoul S Showers 25/16 Rain 22/09 sleep schedules. But the amount of rest, they still came up far short of select group of teenagers,” Collings, strict bedtime routines have been Singapore T Storm 31/26 S T Storm 32/27 time they devoted to light or vigorous the meeting the CDC exercise targets. who wasn’t involved in the study, said consistently shown to be associated Sydney Sunny 22/13 P Cloudy 22/13 physical activity didn’t change much When the teens got their typical by e-mail. with more suffi cient sleep among Tokyo Clear 28/17 Cloudy 25/16 based on how much rest they got, amount of sleep, they averaged a It’s still encouraging that teens in children.” Gulf Times 24 Tuesday, May 1, 2018 QATAR

Al Udeid Air Base meeting

Commander of the Qatar Amiri Air Force, Major General (Pilot) Mubarak Mohamed al-Khayarin, yesterday met with a number of chiefs of staff of the US Congress members at Al Udeid Air Base, the off icial Qatar News Agency reported. The meeting reviewed a number of issues of common concern to Qatar and the US.

Qatar Amiri Air Force concludes Saqr 20 exercise

The Qatar Amiri Air Force yesterday concluded the Saqr 20 exercise, which started on April 22. The closing ceremony was attended by the Commander of the Amiri Air Force, Major General (Pilot) Mubarak Mohamed al-Khayarin, the off icial Qatar News Agency reported. The Saqr 20 exercise also saw the participation of the Amiri Land Force, Amiri Naval Force and the Joint Special Forces, in co-operation with friendly forces. Saqr 20 is considered the main exercise for the Amiri Air Force, which aims to “highlight the role of the air force in defending the country’s airspace, especially economic zones, and in supporting military operations in terms of land and sea formations with the possibility of transition to joint operations with friendly forces, if necessary”. The aim of the exercise is to train off icers and staff off icers to plan and control all types of air combat from operation centres and to co-ordinate between all sectors of the internal and external air forces. This year’s edition was a success, the report adds.

QMC wins two awards in Arab Radio & TV Fest CMU-Q’s Class of 2018 at the graduation ceremony. PICTURES: Jayaram

QNA the corporation. He congrat- Tunis ulated the winners and all those who worked hard, call- ing for more effort and perse- CMU-Q Class of 2018 marks graduation day atar Media Corpo- verance to enrich the Arabic ration (QMC) was and local listener and viewer. Qcrowned with two It is worth mentioning that arnegie Mellon Univer- awards at the 19th Arab Radio the late musician Abdulaziz sity in Qatar (CMU-Q) & TV Festival held in Tunis Nasser al-Obaidan was hon- Ccelebrated the graduation from April 26-29. oured at the opening ceremo- of the Class of 2018, with 90 QMC won the first prize ny of the festival. students receiving their degrees in the field of the televi- The honorary award was in front of family, friends, fac- sion drama about the series received by his brother Ab- ulty and alumni. Michael Trick, of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal dulrahman Nasser al-Obaid- dean of CMU-Q, presided over produced by Qatar TV. an. his fi rst graduation in Qatar. The second was in the cate- The 19th Arab Radio and He gave a charge to the new gory of TV shows on the pro- TV Festival witnessed the graduates: “Class of 2018, as you gramme Fifth String Nights participation of 277 works fi nish this chapter of your lives also produced by Qatar TV. in the various competitions and embark on new ventures, Carnegie Mellon University Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal re- distributed among 132 tel- always remember: you are Carn- president Farnam Jahanian ceived the awards for televi- evision works and 145 radio egie Mellon graduates. You are delivered the keynote address. sion creativity in the field of works. ASBU exhibition was thinkers, collaborators, prob- clothing design won by Amin held on the sidelines of the lem-solvers and innovators. You als. The president of Carnegie al-Sayed, and the best decor festival. are leaders. Take what you have Mellon University, Farnam Ja- award won by Mowafaq al- It was attended by 90 ex- learned at Carnegie Mellon and hanian, delivered the keynote Sayed. hibitors representing radio shape your world.” address: “The pursuit of knowl- CMU-Q dean Michael Trick and Boshra al-Sulaiti. QMC’s Media Consultant stations, production and The Class of 2018 consists of edge is a lifelong commitment. and head of the Qatari del- distribution companies and eight biological sciences gradu- Especially amid the rapidly half of the Class of 2018, and de- than we have ever reached be- stop dreaming, believing, and egation at the festival Abdul- international institutions ates, 37 business administration evolving technological land- scribed her academic and social fore, and to never stop. Our achieving,” she said. rahman Nasser al-Obaidan manufacturing advanced graduates, 13 computer science scape, the world must be your growth during her four years at friends urged us to never stop. The Class of 2018 brings the expressed pleasure with this technological equipment, graduates and 32 information canvas, your stage, your class- CMU-Q. Our professors urged us to never total number of CMU-Q alumni result as QMC has been pro- which allowed the festival’s systems graduates. Members of room.” “CMU-Q gave us the willing- stop. CMU-Q urged us to never to 769, and they join more than ducing outstanding works, guests and visitors to see the the class represent 18 nations, Biological sciences graduate ness to go the distance, to know stop. So, my friends and fellow 100,000 Carnegie Mellon alum- especially historical dramas, latest technological innova- with almost 40% Qatari nation- Boshra al-Sulaiti spoke on be- ourselves better, to reach higher graduates, never stop. Never ni worldwide. due to the strong support of tions in the field of media.