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Tuesday 23 April 2019 | 18 Sha'baan 1440 www.thepeninsula.qa Volume 24 | Number 7870 | 2 Riyals

The big Ooredoo Your home internet will now be Supernet boost up to 5x faster for FREE! Terms & conditions apply Amir holds phone call with President of Sri Lanka QNA/REUTERS Meanwhile, Sri Lanka said DOHA H H the Amir yesterday it was invoking emer- expressed his strong gency powers in the aftermath of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin condemnation of devastating bomb attacks, which Hamad Al Thani held a telephone this horrific crime. killed 290 people and wounded conversation with the President nearly 500. of the Democratic Socialist Colombo, the seaside capital Republic of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Qatar stands ready of the Indian Ocean island, was Sirisena, last evening. to assist Sri Lanka in jittery the day after the horrifying During the phone call, H H its efforts to combat Sunday attacks. Police said 87 the Amir expressed sincere con- bomb detonators were found at dolences to the President and the terrorism and the city's main bus station, while people of Sri Lanka on the victims extremism. an explosive went off near a of the explosions which targeted church when bomb squad offi- churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, Lanka in its efforts to combat ter- cials were trying to defuse it. A wishing a speedy recovery to the rorism and extremism. night curfew went into effect at injured. For his part, the President of 8pm. H H the Amir also expressed Sri Lanka thanked H H the Amir There was no claim of his strong condemnation of this for his phone call and condo- responsibility for Sunday's horrific crime which was aimed lences on the victims of these ter- attacks. Investigators said seven Deputy Amir receives new Ambassadors at destabilising security and sta- rorist attacks, and for the read- suicide bombers took part in the bility and terrorising the inno- iness of the State of Qatar to attacks while a government Deputy Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani with the Ambassador of New Zealand, Matthew cents, stressing that the State of support Sri Lanka in its efforts in spokesman said an international Hawkins, at the Amiri Diwan, yesterday. H H the Deputy Amir received yesterday the credentials of Qatar stands ready to assist Sri combating such attacks. network was involved. six new ambassadors to the State. `P2

Sidra to host first QP initiates LNG ship construction International Child Protection Congress in 2020 program for over 100 new carriers THE PENINSULA DOHA THE PENINSULA its global reputation as a safe and and Q-Max ships, the world’s DOHA reliable LNG producer at all times largest LNG carriers, which con- Sidra Medicine, a member of This important and under all circumstances.” stitute the backbone of Qatar’s Qatar Foundation, has Qatar Petroleum yesterday issued Al Kaabi added: “This tender, LNG carrier fleet today. announced that it will host the an ‘invitation to tender’ for the iinitiative reinforces along with the recently released In April this year, QP had first international child reservation of ship construction Qatar Petroleum’s Engineering, Procurement and issued the Invitation to Tender protection congress in Qatar in capacity required for the LNG commitment to its Construction tender for four new Package for Engineering Pro- February, 2020. carrier fleet for its North Field gglobal reputation as mega LNG trains planned as part curement and Construction (EPC) The congress, titled “Child Expansion (NFE) Project, which of the North Field Expansion of the four Liquefied Natural Gas Protection: The Journey Past, will increase Qatar’s LNG a safe and reliable Project, constitute two monu- (LNG) mega-trains of NFE project. Present and Future” will be held production capacity from 77 LNG producer at all mental and historical milestones The package has been issued in partnership with the Inter- million tonnes per annum (mta) ttimes and under all as we make major strides in our to three EPC joint ventures: national Society for the Pre- to 110mta starting 2024. commitment towards the further Chiyoda Corporation and Technip vention of Child Abuse & In addition to addressing circumstances.” development of the world’s France; JGC Corporation and Neglect (ISPCAN) and Sidra shipping requirements for the largest non-associated gas field.” Hyundai Engineering and Con- Medicine’s Child Advocacy North Field Expansion Project, the Qatar Petroleum has struction; and Saipem, McDermott Program. tender covers shipping require- and is planned to start by 2024. embarks on another major LNG entrusted Qatargas to execute this Middle East Inc and CTCI Corpo- The agreement to host the ments for the LNG volumes that The tender also includes options ship-building campaign expected LNG ship building program on its ration. It called for the engineering, congress was signed by Dr. will be purchased and off-taken for replacement requirements for to initially deliver 60 LNG carriers behalf. As the World’s Premier procurement and construction of Tufail Mohammad, the Pres- by Ocean LNG (a 70 percent/30 Qatar’s existing LNG fleet. in support of the planned pro- LNG Company, Qatargas has an the four mega-LNG trains with gas ident of IPSCAN’s Child Rights percent joint venture between H E Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, duction expansion, with a potential established history of safely and and liquid treating facilities, and Abuse Committee and Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil) the Minister of State for Energy to exceed 100 new LNG carriers successfully delivering such ethane and LPG production and Professor Khalid Al Ansari, the from the Golden Pass LNG export Affairs, the President & CEO of over the next decade. This major projects. This includes the fractionation, a Helium plant, and Chair of Emergency Medicine project in the United States, which Qatar Petroleum, said: “With this important initiative reinforces previous campaign that resulted utilities and infrastructure to and Founder of Sidra Medi- is currently under construction significant step, Qatar Petroleum Qatar Petroleum’s commitment to in the construction of 45 Q-Flex support the processing units. cine’s Child Advocacy Program. ISPCAN Executive Director, Pragathi Tummala and Dr. Nadeem Jilani, Medical Ramadan-focused dates National Address Law a qualitative leap director for Sidra Child Advocacy Program were also festival from tomorrow in judicial procedure: SJC Chairman present at the signing of the agreement. SANAULLAH ATAULLAH producing, supplying and Professor Khalid Al Ansari THE PENINSULA selling dates from ten QNA will be carried out after that. He said: “The opportunity to host countries,” said Director of DOHA stressed that the national this important congress in Doha Aiming to meet the surge in Agricultural Affairs Department, address law embodies the direc- will be the next milestone for demand for dates during Yousef Khalid Al Khulaifi at a Chairman of the Supreme Judi- tives of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim child protection services in Ramadan, the Ministry of press conference yesterday at ciary Council (SJC) and President Hamad bin Al Thani, and imple- Qatar and the region. It is also Municipality and Environment the headquarters of Agricultural of the Court of Cassation H E Dr ments HH the Amir's vision to a testament to Sidra Medicine’s (MME) will organise first-of-its and Fisheries Sector of MME. Hassan bin Lahdan Saqr Al facilitate citizen transactions, continued focus on child rights kind international dates exhi- He said that a number of Mohannadi (pictured) affirmed reduce bureaucracy, ease liti- and protection. bition ahead of the holy month local farms, Hassad Food that the National Address Law gation procedures and achieve "Every country and pro- where about 150 local and company and other entities will published in the Official Gazette justice to keep up with the rapid fession working in this field has international exhibitors will take part in the exhibition. “The yesterday represents an addition developments witnessed by the challenges and success stories showcase different varieties of exhibition aims at providing to the Qatari law, adding it is a society in all fields. in the prevention, treatment dates. opportunity to showcase vari- major step in the development He said that the new law and legal systems surrounding The demand for dates eties of dates ahead of Ramadan of national legal declaration represents a qualitative leap in child protection. surges during Ramadan when demand of dates systems, especially since Qatar the judicial procedures and con- law, every person in the State "The inter professional because fasting people use it in increases significantly,” said Al is one of the first countries to tributes to reducing the problems of Qatar, a natural and legal exchange of knowledge and Iftar meals due to its religious Khulaifi adding that the event adopt this legislation as a of judicial declarations that citizen or resident, will have a practices including legal, social, importance. The 2019 Interna- will also help promote locals medium of official declaration. impede the functioning of the national address that provides healthcare services that will be tional Dates Exhibition, an dates and to introduce the con- H E the Chairman said in a courts, as it allows the com- legislative assistance to govern- addressed at the congress, will 11-day event, will begin sumers its varieties. press statement that the first petent authority to identify one mental and non-governmental pave the route to continued tomorrow and run until May 4 The exhibition will be electronic announcement will or more address details of the bodies in taking the necessary development of inter-agency in a large tent at Souq Waqif. organised by the Agriculture take place six months after the national address to make judicial measures, and ensures access relationships and working “Dates and date products Affairs Department of MME publication of the law in the declarations and official to the persons concerned in practices in this under-recog- will be showcased by 150 in collaboration with the official gazette, and that all notifications. cases related to personal nized area. It will also help exhibitors including 89 local Management of Souq Waqif. transactions with governmental H E the SJC Chairman interests and the general advance the field of child pro- and 59 foreign companies for `P4 and non-governmental entities explained that according to the welfare of the state. `P2 tection globally.” `P4 02 HOME TUESDAY 23 APRIL 2019 Deputy Amir receives credentials of six new Ambassadors

Deputy Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani received yesterday at the Amiri Diwan office the credentials of six new Ambassadors to the State. H H the Deputy Amir received the credentials of the Ambassador of the Republic of Portugal, Ricardo Eduardo Vaz Pereira Pracana (LEFT); the Ambassador of Brunei, Darussalam Mohamed Bahrin bin Paduka Haji Abu Bakar; the Ambassador of the Republic of Peru, Jose Arsenio Benzaquen Perea; the Ambassador of the Republic of Nicaragua, Mohammed Mohammed Ferrara Lashtar (RIGHT); the Ambassador of New Zealand, Matthew Hawkins; and the Ambassador of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Rashid Sesay. H H the Deputy Amir welcomed the new Ambassadors and wished them success in their missions and the relations between the State of Qatar and their countries further progress and prosperity. Their Excellencies the Ambassadors conveyed the greetings of leaders of their countries to H H the Amir and H H the Deputy Amir and their best wishes for the Qatari people of further progress and prosperity. Their Excellencies the Ambassadors received earlier an official reception ceremony at the Amiri Diwan. National Address Law a qualitative leap Deputy Amir meets outgoing envoys of Liberia, Afghanistan in judicial procedure: SJC Chairman

FROM PAGE 1 the need for traditional paper Ministry of the Interior, and that Dr Al Mohannadi added that correspondence. individuals are obliged to update this address has a binding and Dr Al Mohannadi pointed out their data on a timely basis. direct legal authority and legal that Qatari and non-Qatari indi- Minor or incompetent date, effect in judicial declarations and viduals, institutions and com- which shall be provided by the all transactions, as the official panies should provide the com- legal representative: parent or means of declaration, pointing petent authority at the Ministry guardian, shall be reliable, he out that the national address of Interior with the national said. includes data related to (address address as a mandatory pro- Dr Al Mohannadi added that of residence, fix and mobile tel- cedure of the law, and that the competent authority in the ephone, e-mail, and address of failure to report this will result Ministry of Interior will identify employer in public and private in criminal punishment and spe- one or more address data of the sectors, the permanent address cific penalties stipulated under national address though which abroad, if any, and any other the law. He added that the law declarations and official notifi- data specified by the competent obligates every person in the cations will be made, expressing authority). State of Qatar, whether Qatari his confidence in the success of It serves all citizens and res- or resident, to provide a national the Ministry of Interior in imple- idents in their transactions with address with key data required menting the provisions of this various governmental and non- by the law and determined by law with all that it has of capa- Deputy Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani met at the Amiri Diwan office yesterday morning governmental entities, without the competent authority in the bilities and preparations. with the Ambassador of the Republic of Liberia, John Akel Ballout Jnr; and the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Faizullah Kakar (pictured), who called on H H the Deputy Amir to greet him on the occasion of the end of their tenure in the country. H H the Deputy Amir wished the outgoing Ambassadors success in their future assignments and further progress and prosperity for relations between their two countries and the state of Qatar. For their part, the Ambassadors extended thanks and appreciation to H H the Amir, H H the Deputy Amir and the State’s officials for the cooperation they received which contributed to the success of their work in the country. Call on principals to focus on education quality

THE PENINSULA DOHA

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education called upon the principals and directors of public schools to pay attention to the quality of education and improve its outputs to enable students to compete in world’s top universities. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Dr Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi, stressed the impor- tance of the effective role of the The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher school leadership in the devel- Education, Dr Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi, speaking at the event. opment of the educational process as he addressed the extensive con- basis, in addition to how to Thani. He called for enhancing sultative meetings held by the strengthen communication with communication between the Min- Ministry of Education for two days parents and other parties, and to istry and employees on the one for directors and principles of identify the best ways to improve hand, and the public on the other, public schools. Al Nuaimi praised the education process. and developing communication the performance of school prin- He stressed the importance of through activities. cipals and directors, and praised dealing with students with special Al Nuaimi added that the Min- their performance and efforts in needs and integrating them into istry is developing plans, policies enhancing the educational schools, calling for dealing gently and strategies and trains con- process, pointing out that they with the workers’ groups in the cerned parties to implement an represent the best scientific and school, stressing the importance integrated educational system to administrative competencies. of celebrating the World Workers’ achieve Qatar National Vision The aim of these meetings is Day in each school, which falls on 2030, which is based on the to enhance communication, and May 1 and to recognise the development of an advanced consultation with the principals worker’s role. Al Nuaimi noted society capable of achieving sus- and directors on how to lead edu- that the Ministry represents the tainable development. cation in the Ministry, and the official body entrusted to highlight Al Nuaimi said the Ministry mechanism of assessing the work the cultural and educational face has taken steps within the Qatar in all transparency and objectivity, of Qatar, adding that in order to National Vision and the directives in addition to reviewing opportu- achieve this goal, the Ministry has of H H the Amir through the com- nities and options, administrative always made sincere and effective pletion of educational projects in and academic challenges facing efforts to implement educational increasing the number of schools daily work in schools and how to programs and projects making and diversifying them and overcome these challenges. Qatar one of the world’s leading attracting the best educational The meetings also aimed at country in the educational and competencies of teachers and planning and preparing work pro- academic field and in order to academics and building many grams and training and rehabili- achieve the directives of Amir sports, training and educational tation curricula on a scientific H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al facilities. TUESDAY 23 APRIL 2019 HOME 03 Qatar, Ethiopia discuss joint cooperation QU launches world meet on global warming

THE PENINSULA have already started working said, “The scientific part of the DOHA extensively to make GCGW-2019 GCGW-2019 will include talks a more remarkable event with a from keynote and invited Qatar University’s (QU) College of larger success in terms of its tech- speakers, and oral and poster Engineering (CENG) launched the nical and social content. We are presentations from participants. four-day ‘Global Conference On extremely excited that we will Conference proceedings will be Global Warming 2019 (GCGW- have opportunity to show you the published after reviewing the 2019)’ yesterday in the University’s distinct Qatari hospitality and the manuscripts submitted. High Ibn Khaldoon Hall. GCGW-2019 stunning beauty of the city Doha.” quality papers will be considered, will include plenary sessions, Department of Chemical in extended form, for publication keynote lectures, and several Engineering Head Prof Majeda in specific reputable international specialised sessions on several Khraisheh said, “GCGW-2019 will journals (as announced in the topics from different disciplines include plenary sessions, keynote abstract call). We are also planning related to energy, environment, lectures, and several specialized a rich social program including a and materials. sessions on several topics from welcoming reception, a gala In his speech, QU President Dr different disciplines related to dinner and a tour to the most Hassan Al Derham said: “We energy, environment, and mate- spectacular attractions of Doha.” expect that this conference will rials. We expect that this con- He added, “High-quality provide a forum for the exchange ference will provide a forum for papers will be considered, in Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs H E Yousef bin Mohammed Al of technical information, dissem- the exchange of technical infor- extended form, for publication Othman Fakhroo met with the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Ethiopia, Dr ination of high-quality research mation, dissemination of high- in the special issues of the fol- Ergoge Tesfaye, and her accompanying delegation, who are visiting the country. During the meeting, results, and presentation of new quality research results, and pres- lowing international journals: they discussed aspects of joint cooperation between the two sides and means of supporting and policies and scientific progress for entation of new policies and sci- International Journal of developing them. enhancing sustainable devel- entific progress for enhancing Hydrogen Energy (Impact Factor opment and energy security.” sustainable development and – 4.229), International Journal CENG Dean Prof Abdelmagid energy security. Participations of Energy Research (Impact Shura Council holds economic & financial affairs meeting Hammuda said: “The GCGW has from both academia and industry Factor – 3.009), Environmental been organised successfully as a are welcomed. We hope that the Science and Pollution Research leading congress in the area since conference will lead to effective (Impact Factor – 2.800), Green- 2008 and GCGW-2019 will be the and fruitful discussions and col- house Gases: Science and Tech- 8th one of this conference series. laborations between the partici- nology (Impact Factor – 1.991), The previous conferences have pants from different disciplines, International Journal of Exergy been held successfully in various institutes and sectors from all over (Impact Factor – 0.993), Inter- parts of the world, namely three the world.” national Journal of Global times in Istanbul, one time in In his speech, Conference Warming (Impact Factor Lisbon, Beijing and Athens. We Chair Dr Rahul Rambhau Bhosale – 0.761).”

The Financial and Economic Affairs Committee of the Shura Council held a meeting yesterday chaired by its Rapporteur H E Ali bin Abdullatif Al Misnad Al Muhanadi. During the meeting, the Committee examined a draft law on the organisation of the auditing profession, and decided to complete its study at its next meeting. The QU President, Dr Hassan Al Derham, delivering a speech during the conference. 04 HOME TUESDAY 23 APRIL 2019 Experts discuss ways to combat cybercrime SIDI MOHAMED “Cyber security is one working together in the legal field THE PENINSULA of the most prominent for long time, and every year we issues in the modern are conducting seminars on spe- To benefit from the best expertise cific issues. For the past five years, and techniques to confront cyber- times. No country we have been working specially crime, the Institute of Criminal is immune to this on legal and sports issues. The Studies at the Public Prosecution threat because of the good preparation for World Cup organised a seminar on combating high dependence on is not only technical but also cybercrime include legal preparation,” Gellet The five-day event, that modern technology told the Peninsula on the sidelines began yesterday, is being and electronic of the event. organised in collaboration with systems that have Officials from Public Prose- the School of Justice of France. become the target of cution, Police and Supreme The institution is planning to Committee for Delivery & Legacy organise similar seminar later in piracy, infiltration, and are attending the seminar and Paris cross-border crimes,” will learn how to address legally “Cyber security is one of the Attorney-General the problems of cyber attacks. most prominent issues in the “This is something we have to The Attorney-General of Qatar, H E Dr Ali bin Fetais Al Marri (left), and French Ambassador to Qatar modern times, no country is H E Dr Ali bin Fetais Al work ahead to make sure that Franck Gellet (centre), addressing the opening of a seminar on combating cybercrime, held at the immune to this threat because Marri said. we have good preparation when Public Prosecution headquarters in Doha, yesterday. PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT / THE PENINSULA of the high dependence on the event starts,” added the modern technology and elec- the last two judicial cooperation ambassador. tronic systems that have become agreements in 2015 to organise Prosecution headquarters in the high-technology that must be years due to strong relations Replying to the question the target of piracy, infiltration, the major sports event courses. presence of the Ambassador of learned to reduce the phe- between the State of Qatar and whether more such seminars and cross-border crimes,” The latest agreement was signed France to Qatar, Franck Gellet nomenon of these crimes and the French Republic. would be organised in future, Attorney-General H E Dr Ali bin in March in the field of com- and other officials that the address them. He also said that the benefit ambassador said “This seminar Fetais Al Marri said. bating cybercrime and terrorism, subject of this seminar is one of Franck Gellet said the legal of joint expertise is very important, is being held in Doha for a week, The cooperation with French Al Marri pointed out. the most important issues facing and judicial cooperation between especially since cyber crimes are and later in the year it will be fol- side began in 2004 in Doha, and He also said at a press con- the world today because of the France and Qatar has witnessed issues that require close cooper- lowed by an additional one that continue through the signing of ference held at the Public speed of technology and a great progress in the past five ation. “France and Qatar have will be held in Paris.” Qatar participates in GCC interior undersecretaries meeting in Muscat QNA bin Jassim Al Khulaifi. departments and committees DOHA According to Oman news upon which appropriate recom- agency, the GCC interior under- mendations and decisions were GCC interior undersecretaries held secretaries discussed a range of taken. Such decisions and recom- their 10th meeting in Muscat topics pertaining to the march of mendations will be presented yesterday with a Qatari delegation joint security cooperation. They before the GCC Interior Ministers chaired by Director of Public reviewed several reports referred at their upcoming regular meeting Security Staff, Major General Saad by the specialised security next October. Ramadan-focused dates festival from tomorrow FROM PAGE 1 Speaking to The Peninsula on the sidelines of the press con- ference, Al Khulaifi said that Qatar’s date production has QF welcomes Gambian delegation to Education City reached 29,000 tonnes in a year Qatar Foundation (QF) yesterday welcomed Badara A Joof, Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science which covers 86 percent need and Technology of the Republic of Gambia, to the Education City. The Minister, along with accompanying of local market. delegation, received an overview of Education City, learning about QF’s various education, science and Al Khulaifi said that the exhi- research, and community development initiatives. The State of Qatar and the Republic of Gambia signed bition also provide platform to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the education field. The MoU was signed the international companies to by Minister of Education and Higher Education H E Dr Mohammed bin Abdul Wahed Al Hammadi and market their products and to exchange expertise with local the Gambian Minister. The MoU includes the development of cooperation relations between the two producers. countries in education and science including higher education, scientific research and technology through He stressed that the organ- cooperation between universities and institutions in both countries. ising committee of the exhibition has placed a set of rules and reg- The Director of Agricultural Affairs Department, Yousef Khalid Al ulations for showcasing dates Khulaifi (left), with Acting Director of Souq Waqif, Ali Shabib Al and its products at the exhibition. Mannai, during the press conference at the headquarters of the UNHCR and QC hold high level The dates should be in good con- Agricultural and Fisheries Sector of MME, yesterday. dition and harvested in the recent season. consultative meeting in Geneva The products should be in that the Souq Waqif Man- and international companies, in packets with date of production agement has set up a large tent addition to ensuring all security and expiry. with the capacity of about 150 and safety measures and facil- Acting Director of Souq pavilions to showcase various ities for the participants in the Waqif Ali Shabib Al Mannai said types of dates, both from local exhibition.

Sidra to host International Child Protection Congress in 2020 FROM PAGE 1 from Qatar. It is open to all those ages 18-25 on a topic that is on The main theme of the working or interested in child their mind and makes them feel ISPCAN International Congress protection. vulnerable in today’s world. in Qatar is prevention of child Special focus will be on pos- Read more about ISPCAN and abuse and neglect. The congress itive parenting, data collection, the International Child Pro- is expected to attract 400 dele- and convening a youth forum to tection Congress at www.ispcan. gates from over 40 countries and hear the voices of young people org.

The Qatar Charity and UNHCR officials after the meeting.

THE PENINSULA/DOHA the constructive partnership that and refugees throughout the culminated in the opening of an world. The United Nations High Commis- office to the UNHCR at Qatar During its visit to the UNHCR sioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Charity headquarter office in headquarters in Geneva, Qatar Qatar Charity held a high-level Doha, and the appointment of a Charity’s delegation has held consultative meeting in Geneva, permanent staff on an interna- several important meetings with during which both sides agreed to tional cadre in the first of its kind. some officials in the High Com- explore the possibility of strength- He also invited the High Com- missioner, including Raouf ening coordination and cooper- missioner to visit the QC’s head- Mazou, Director Regional Bureau ation. The meeting was attended quarters in Doha during any for Africa; Ewen Macaulid, Acting by Sheikh Hamad Bin Nasser Al future visit, stressing that this ini- Director Division of Resilience; Thani, Chairman of Qatar Charity, tiative would enhance further Perveen Ali, Senior Policy and and Felipe Grandi, UN High QC’s presence in the field of coop- Protection Advisor; Indrika Rat- Commissioner for Refugees. eration with the UNHCR to serve watte, Director Bureau for Asia The meeting also emphasized humanitarian issues, and encour- and the Pacific, as well as Rema Qatar Charity’s commitment for aging other institutions in the Jamous Imseis, Deputy Director strengthening the initiative to region for partnering with the UN of the Regional Bureau for the coordinate partnership and coop- agencies, especially with the Middle East and North Africa, and eration signed with the UNHCR. increasing numbers of displaced Mr. Filippo Grandi, the High Com- The High Commissioner was also people and refugees throughout missioner for Refugees (UNHCR). briefed on joint visits planned with the world. The meetings aimed to discuss the UNHCR to Iraq, Somalia, Sri During the meeting, the and consult on future initiatives Lanka, Ethiopia and Bangladesh parties suggested that a joint for the benefit of refugees in these with a view to identifying joint meeting should be held at the end areas. In the past year, Qatar projects and ongoing field coor- of each year in Geneva, and would Charity and UNHCR have dination with the UNHCR. focus on the accomplishments launched an initiative to coor- Sheikh Hamad bin Nasser Al made during the year, and on how dinate partnership and cooper- Thani, Chairman, thanked the to expand this cooperation which ation in order to achieve their High Commission for would serve the displaced people common humanitarian goals. TUESDAY 23 APRIL 2019 HOME 05 Winners of ‘Young Writers Humanistic education is crucial to Competition’ honoured peaceful society: Malaysia Minister RAYNALD C RIVERA THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA DOHA A humanistic education anchored on the values The US Embassy, in partnership of love, happiness and mutual respect is crucial to with the Ministry of Education and building a stable and peaceful society, Dr. Maszlee Higher Education and Virginia Malik, Education Minister of Malaysia, has said. Commonwealth University Qatar, “Education should bring back humanity in celebrated the winners of the fifth human life that’s why in this new era of Malaysia, annual “Young Writers Compe- we’re trying to bring back humanity in education. tition” yesterday at Qatar National We want to ensure that education will bring back Library. values we want to instill in our students. We call Students from 135 Ministry our education system now humanistic education, schools participated in this year’s where we try to impose three major values namely competition, making it the love, happiness and mutual respect,” said Malik in largest-ever Young Writers an interview with local media on Sunday. Program. The Embassy will Malik, who was on his first visit to Qatar, said feature the winning entries in the they were trying to instill the values to students fifth volume of its “Young and teachers alike by integrating them in the cur- Writers Journal” in July. riculum which he believes “will bring peace, sta- Dr Maszlee Malik, Education Minister of Malaysia, US Chargé d’Affaires William bility, harmony and a whole community who answers questions from the local media at The Grant congratulated all the stu- respects each other, so by having this I believe bit St. Regis Doha on Sunday. dents who participated in this by bit we’ll manage to eliminate extremism, ter- US Chargé d’Affaires, William Grant, speaks at the event. PIC: ABDUL BASIT / THE PENINSULA year’s competition. “I’d like to rorism and hate culture among people.” extend my sincere thanks to the “We would also like to invite Qatari students Ministry of Education and Higher The Young Writers Competition is part of the to Malaysia to enjoy humanistic education in which make Malaysia a favourite destination for edu- Education and their dedicated larger Young Writers Program, designed to most of our students in university level must take cation. The cost of living is not that expensive and core of educators and students for encourage Qatar’s youth to read, write, and think a subject where they go, live and try to solve the those coming from Qatar and other Middle Eastern making the Young Writers critically about important topics in their society. problem of the community. This is a must in countries feel at home in Malaysia because food Program such a success. The Malaysia now, this is where we crystallise the idea is halal and we are a Muslim country so they find amazing turnout at this year’s of ‘university for society, school for community,” lots of mosques. Malaysia is also known as a holiday competition is an evidence of Higher Education of Qatar. The think critically about important he said. destination so they can enjoy themselves during Qatar’s strong educational values, Young Writers Program exem- topics in their society. Since the pro- Apart from having Qatari students study in their free time,” he said. and the desire of young people in plifies how the richness of creative gram’s start in 2014, Ministry school Malaysia, he said they also want to position He extended invitation to Qatari students to this country to achieve academic arts can invigorate a community. students have participated in the Malaysia as a favourite spot for exchange pro- come to Malaysia to study or take part in the excellence,” Grant said. Students are uniquely encouraged programme through writing work- grammes and a hub for research which Qatar is exchange programme or to do their post graduate Dean of Virginia Common- to think critically about pressing shops and the annual writing also focusing on. studies or spend some time learning new things wealth School of the Arts Donald world issues and then transform competition. Malaysia aspires to be a preferred destination in Malaysia. J Baker, said, “VCUarts Qatar is and share their ideas and thoughts The programme is a part- for education in the region, he stressed, adding “As you know Malaysia is so diverse. It’s not delighted to support the Young through creative writing.” nership between the US Embassy low cost of living, availability of halal food and a homogenous society. It’s multi-religious, mul- Writers Competition and to be a The Young Writers Competition in Qatar and the Ministry of Edu- being a holiday destination are among the reasons ticultural and multilingual so it makes Malaysia part of the ongoing partnership is part of the larger Young Writers cation and Higher Education, with why Malaysia is becoming a favourite by students a favourite destination for everybody and is a between the US Embassy Qatar, Program, designed to encourage substantial support from Virginia from the Middle East. once-in-a-lifetime experience for most students the Ministry of Education and Qatar’s youth to read, write, and Commonwealth University Qatar. “One of the goals that Malaysia is aiming for is coming to Malaysia,” he said. QRCS launches Ramadan campaign to implement charity projects worth QR48m

THE PENINSULA holy month of Ramadan. It is a 905,000 beneficiaries in Qatar DOHA bridge of mercy between those and internationally. “First, there with kind and benevolent hearts are Ramadan-bound projects of Under the theme of ‘A Call for on the one hand, and the needy, Iftar meals, food vouchers, Zakat- Mercy’, Qatar Red Crescent the poor, the displaced, and the ul-Fitr, and Eid clothing. These Society (QRCS) announced the homeless everywhere on the projects will be implemented in launch of its annual Ramadan other. We seek to alleviate their Qatar, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, campaign for the year 2019 (1440 suffering and bring a smile to their Palestine, Bangladesh, Afghan- A.H.) faces.” istan, Tajikistan, Sudan, Somalia, The new drive comprises a He said that this year’s cam- and Central African Republic,” wide range of humanitarian oper- paign is titled ‘A Call for Mercy’. said Dr. Ibrahim. Another track, ations in 22 countries, at a total Mercifulness is what touches your he added, was the year-round value of QR48m. These operations heart when you see a poor person, projects. A total of 119 relief and include 18 Ramadan Iftar projects makes you feel compassionate development projects will be in 11 countries throughout the holy towards them, and motivates you carried out in 22 countries, cov- month of Ramadan. The officials of QRCS announce the details of holy Ramadan campaign during the press conference. to give as much as you can to ering health care, shelter, water The announcement was made make their life a better one. and sanitation, livelihood, and at a press conference. The press Executive Director of QRCS; Dr International Development; and Relations. Al Maliki said: “We Dr. Ibrahim gave an overview education. “In Qatar, we plan to conference was attended by Mohamed Salah Ibrahim, Exec- Manal Issa Al Fahaid, Consultant launch our annual charity and of the details of the drive, which implement 34 health and socioe- Ibrahim Abdullah Al Maliki, Chief utive Director of Relief and for Partner and VIP Donor humanitarian campaign for the involves 171 projects for up to conomic projects,” he said. HMC team visits schools to teach students on life-saving role of its Ambulance Service

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The community outreach team from Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Ambulance Service are educating children at schools across Qatar about the life-saving role of the service. Ali Darwish, Assistant Executive Director of HMC’s Ambulance Service, explained the importance of engaging children at a young age. “Our Ambulance Service has expanded rapidly throughout this decade and we now receive hundreds of 999 calls every day. As our ‘Know the 5 to save a life’ campaign empha- sises, it is extremely important that members of the public understand A member of HMC’s Ambulance Service community outreach team tells how to correctly interact with the students about its life-saving role during the visit to a school. Ambulance Service in the event of a medical emergency. By communi- flashing lights, sirens, and medical cating with children, we can help Any school wishing to equipment,” said Rahimi. them understand from a young age request a visit from Sean Sibley, Headmaster of Doha the service our teams provide and the Ambulance Service English Speaking School (DESS), how they can play their part in community outreach explained that DESS is one of the inter- helping to save lives,” said Darwish. national schools to have recently ben- The Ambulance Service community team should email to efitted from a dedicated education pro- outreach team visits hundreds of [email protected]. gramme delivered by the Ambulance primary schools, secondary schools, and Service’s community outreach team. colleges each year in Qatar, including “DESS has been delighted to col- independent, private, and international Service teams as well as to teach laborate with HMC’s Ambulance schools. Ali Rahimi, Lead Instructor with important first aid techniques. For sec- Service over the past few years and we the community outreach team, ondary schools and colleges, we also recently developed a four-day pro- explained the initiative is also part of introduce Basic Life Support training. gramme where the team visited our HMC’s effort to introduce members of We visit nurseries with children as school and delivered educational ses- the public to basic life support training. young as three years old and it’s sions to children aged seven to eleven “These school visits enable us to incredible how inquisitive and genu- years old,” said Mr. Sibley. engage, in person, with thousands of inely interested they are in what we Any school wishing to request a children each year. This is an extremely do. The young children love having the visit from the Ambulance Service com- valuable way to educate young people opportunity to explore an ambulance munity outreach team should email to about the role of our Ambulance and are always fascinated by the [email protected]. 06 HOME TUESDAY 23 APRIL 2019 QF reveals Akhlaquna Award finalists 3rd Ambassadors Programme Machaille Al Naimi, President for students concludes at MIA of Community THE PENINSULA Development at DOHA QF, says the award aims to honour The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) inspirational young has hosted the closing ceremony men and women of its popular MIA Ambassadors’ Programme. whose ideas can For its third edition, the pro- have a valuable and gramme invited secondary schools tangible impact on in Qatar to participate in a creative competition themed around Syria the lives of others. Tmakkan being presented to the Akhlaquna Award jury members. – inspired by the Syria Matters exhibition which opened last year THE PENINSULA Machaille Al Naimi, Pres- to highlight projects that best to mark MIA’s 10th Anniversary. DOHA ident of Community Devel- embody moral values shared The initiative comes as part of opment at QF, said: “We are across different religions and Qatar Museums’ (QM) vision of Qatar Foundation (QF) has delighted to reveal the finalists cultures – reflecting Qatar’s becoming a cultural instigator for School students during one of the theatrical performances. announced the three finalists for for this year’s edition of the diverse and multicultural envi- a new generation of artists and Cycle 2 of its Akhlaquna Award. Akhlaquna Award. The selected ronment, while being rooted in creators. As part of the compe- Voting opens today on the initi- projects truly embody the ethos Islamic heritage. tition, students were tasked with the country’s rich heritage and its The judging panel made up of ative’s website, with the winner of the award, the ultimate goal The three Cycle 2 finalists exploring the museum and impact on humanity at large. This, representatives from MEHE and set to be accounced at QF’s of which is to nurture positive were chosen by this year’s jury selecting artefacts or historical we hope, allowed them to get a MIA included Ahmad Al Haddad, Convocation 2019 ceremony in behavioural change within members, Amaal Al Mannai, figures related to Syria. They were better understanding of the rela- Mohamed Al Maleki, Qassim Al May. society. Chief Executive Officer of Qatar then asked to use their chosen tionship between art, heritage and Shammari , Noura Al Moadadi and This year’s finalists are “We want to honour inspi- Foundation for Social Work; Dr artefacts and characters as inspi- our society,” said Salem Al-Aswad, Mahmoud Mohamed Dari. Future Compass, a summer pro- rational young men and women Jassim Sultan, Director of Wijdan ration for a theatre performance. Deputy Director Learning & Out- Al Wakra Independent Sec- gramme created by 15-year-old whose ideas can have a valuable Cultural Centre; Dr Emad El-Din Participating schools reach at MIA. ondary School for Girls won the student Eman Alobaide that sees and tangible impact on the lives Shahin, Dean of the College Of included Ebla International “The students have been first position, followed by Jor- 25 local organisations providing of others. We encourage the Islamic Studies at Hamad Bin School, Amna bint Wahab Scool, working for months to create danian School in second place. real-life work experience to wider community of Qatar to Khalifa University, a member of Hassan bin Thabit School, Hind these incredible performances. Qatar Banking Studies & Business young people; Tmakkan, a pro- explore these projects, and start QF; and Professor Mabrouk Zeid bint Abe Sufyan School, Qatar We were delighted to see the Administration Secondary School gramme established by 19-year- voting via the Akhlaquna Elkheir, Director of the National Banking Studies And Business result of their hard work and hope for Girls came third. old Reema Al Kuwari, where Award’s dedicated website.” Centre for Research in Islamic Administration School, Jor- that this was an eye-opening MIA Ambassadors aims to retired people serve as mentors The objective of the Sciences in Algeria. danian School, Al Wakra School, experience that will remain with create an awareness of the role of to young Qatari professionals; Akhlaquna Award is to highlight The Akhlaquna Award was Syrian Community School, Al them for a long time.” museums as centres of culture, and Mobsron, a fully-audible the timeless and universal values first announced by Her Highness Bayan School, Rabaa Al Adawiya Ahmad Al Namla, Acting CEO education and entertainment. At mobile application that provides exhibited by the Prophet Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, School, Palestinian School and of QM, Dr Julia Gonnella, Director the same time, it aims to improve people who are blind and vis- Mohammed (PBUH), who serves Chairperson of Qatar Foun- Al Seliya School. of MIA and Dr Ibrahim Al Naimi, the students’ sense of responsi- ually impaired with a tool for as a role model of great moral dation, in 2017, with the winner, “Inspired by the Syria Matters Undersecretary for the Ministry bility and encourage them to ordering food, reviewing ingre- character, and guides the values Swar Al Dahab Ali being exhibition, this year’s edition of Education and Higher Edu- research, observe and work prac- dients, and comparing prices, led of the award. announced at QF’s Convocation focused on Syria because we cation (MEHE), attended the tically through activities associated by 17-year-old Nawal Al Kurbi. Cycle 2 of the initiative aims 2018 ceremony. wanted to introduce students to performances. with the project. AZF to organise exclusive activities for women during Ramadan Sports Festival

THE PENINSULA basketball and the other in large turnout and the success of AZF and QWSC female employees. Al Mesnad added that young- disabilities in various categories, DOHA handball. Each competition will previous years, we will co- Meanwhile, Alanoud Al sters can also enjoy activities ded- which witnesses a large turnout see teams of six female players organise handball and basketball Mesnad, member of the RSF2019 icated to their age groups, every year. Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) will compete. A large number of competitions exclusively for ladies organising committee, said: “AZF including fitness challenges, and The success of AZF activities offer women the exclusive oppor- sportswomen have already to encourage them to take part in offers something for everyone in wall climbing for both genders. in previous years has motivated tunity to play sports in its world- registered. sports activities during the holy all its recreational sports and com- From football to basketball the organisation to continue diver- class venues during the upcoming Commenting on the Ramadan month of Ramadan. munity events. We aim to target and handball, the RSF2019 will sifying its offering to better accom- Ramadan Sports Festival. Sports Festival, Lolwa Al Marri, Al-Marri added that the QWSC all members of the community so once again offer men and women modate all parts of Qatari society During this year’s Ramadan President at the Qatar Women’s will be responsible for the tech- that they can enjoy bits of activ- opportunities to compete and throughout the year. Sports Festival (RSF2019), AZF Sport Committee, said: “We have nical aspects of the competitions ities during Ramadan, and we enjoy themselves with a wide This year, the Ramadan Sports jointly with Qatar Women’s Sports been working closely with AZF in that will take place in the Ladies always encourage women to come range of youth events. Festival will be sponsored by Saleh Committee (QWSC) will organise organiing sports events for a Sports Hall at Aspire Zone, also down to enjoy the AZF will also organise table- Al Hamad Al Mana Co, Aseel Water two competitions, one in number of years. Building on the organising Yoga sessions for both competitions.” tennis activities for people with and Esqalar Sports. TUESDAY 23 APRIL 2019 HOME 07 HIA celebrates creativity on World Art Day

THE PENINSULA DOHA

Hamad International Airport (HIA) celebrated World Art Day by organising a community engagement initiative with Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) students. The initiative was aimed at spreading awareness on creative activity across the globe. As part of the occasion, a The Director-General of Aspire Logistics, Abdullah Nasser Al Naimi, group of 26 VCUarts Qatar stu- gifting the UN World Tourism Organization Secretary-General, dents drew inspiration from the Zurab Pololikashvili, with a memorial trophy. iconic Lamp Bear art piece to produce a charcoal drawing, rep- resenting the artwork from their UNWTO Secretary-General unique perspectives. The drawings will be produced into a GIF The students with their drawings at Hamad International Airport. praises AZF facilities (graphics interchange format) and will be promoted across HIA Assistant Professor at VCUarts Arts and culture form a major Qatar, the oldest surviving Islamic THE PENINSULA tour and said; “My experience media channels. Qatar added: “World Art Day pillar of HIA’s foundation, and it astrolabe in the world. Qatar’s DOHA today was unique and confirmed Abdulaziz Abdulla Al Mass, VP marks an important event for is deeply rooted across the air- airport also features the 32 feet tall the opinion I have heard from Marketing and Corporate Com- VCUarts Qatar and our students. port’s premises. The airport wooden marionette iconic During an official visit to Qatar, plenty of renowned athletes that munications, at HIA commented: We are delighted to take part in focuses its efforts on enriching its artwork, ‘SMALL LIE’ sculpture, World Tourism Organization have had the chance to visit Aspire “We are happy to host Virginia promoting creative thinking environment by highlighting and by American artist and designer (UNWTO) Secretary-General, Zone Foundation and witnessed Commonwealth University School across Qatar and the globe. We promoting Qatar’s traditions and KAWS who was inspired by his Zurab Pololikashvili, stopped at its one-of-a-kind distinguished of the Arts in Qatar students in thank HIA for providing an inspi- culture. HIA also provides pas- relationship to wooden toys Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) to facilities first hand. The organisa- HIA and witness their creativity in rational platform for our students sengers with a fascinating growing up. witness the sporting organisa- tion’s mix of a medical hospital, play. Creative thinking and inno- to be inspired and contribute selection of art, curated in part- The HIA art portfolio extends tion’s renowned global facilities academic school and interna- vation are integral parts of art and towards social advancements nership with Qatar Museums. to more than 20 permanent pieces and get a closer look at the vital tional standard venues makes it are key drivers in the global dia- through articulation and cooper- Recently, HIA in partnership with catering to different passengers. role its member organisations — one of the world’s foremost logue. The airport opens its doors ation. This portrays the essence of Qatar Museums launched HIA will continue to invest its Aspire Academy, Aspetar, and sporting institutions. I congrat- to art lovers, inviting them to art and highlights its core values. ‘Cosmos’ by Jean-Michel Othoniel efforts towards art and culture to Aspire Logistics — play in ulate the State of Qatar for con- enhance, and get inspired by the We are very excited to share our which draws inspiration from an redefine the airport experience for supporting the sports sector and structing something as impressive passenger experience at HIA.” art with passengers and engage artefact located in the collection the millions of travellers passing professional athletes in Qatar and as Aspire and wish it all the Jesse Payne, Art Foundation the community in our process.” at the Museum of Islamic Art in through the terminal. around the world. success for the future.” Pololikashvili and his accom- Pololikashvili added; “I was panying delegation were wel- also delighted to have been able to comed by the Director-General of visit one of the venues that will host Educational workshop set to review curriculum design Aspire Logistics, Abdullah Nasser matches at the next FIFA World QNA standards and controls in the of the experts and officials of pre- context. It will bring up the latest Al Naimi, who led the tour and Cup, where I understand they are DOHA process of designing educational paring educational curricula in the international trends in the design, helped them all explore the world- expecting over a million tourists, curricula and preparing and com- State of Qatar by enhancing their evaluation, review and class facilities at AZF. As well as all of whom will have the oppor- The Ministry of Education and posing sources of learning; the prin- scientific and practical knowledge. improvement of educational cur- visiting Aspire Academy and tunity to explore Qatar and its rich Higher Education, in cooperation ciples and methodological controls It also seeks to introduce them to ricula, taking into account the char- Aspetar, the Orthopaedic and culture, traditions and hospitality. with the National Commission for in the evaluation and review of the the latest international trends in the acteristics of the local educational sports medicine hospital, the tour I’m excited that the World Tourism Education, Culture, and Science curriculum; a review of recent design, writing, evaluation, and environment and the foundations also included a stop at Khalifa Organization will be able to work and the Islamic Educational, Scien- international experiences in cur- review of curricula. of the national educational phi- International Stadium, Qatar’s first with Qatar’s National Tourism tific and Cultural Organization riculum design; and the best global After completing the training losophy, as well as its ability to sys- 40,000-seater tournament ready Council in the build up to the 2022 (ISESCO), is organising a workshop practices in the production of mate- program, the trainee is able to tematically formulate educational venue that will host games during FIFA World Cup to ensure tourists entitled “design, compilation, and rials and educational media tech- evoke the basic concepts and prin- objectives , prepare a curriculum the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. understand what Qatar is like and evaluation of educational curricula nology and investment to develop ciples for the design of educational design model, explain the strategies Pololikashvili expressed his what they can expect from the first and learning resources”. the skills of learners. curricula and sources of learning and methods of creating curricula admiration to what he had seen FIFA World Cup to be held in the The workshop revolves around The workshop aims at devel- and the bases for their formation and the important mechanisms to at AZF at the conclusion of the Middle East.” several aspects: the educational oping expertise and technical skills and use in the local national evaluate and review it.

The offioofficifficiffi alsa ata the awardd cereremeemony. MG RX5 receives ‘Best Compact Crossover SUV’ award THE PENINSULA with Auto Class Cars. This award a difference”. DOHA for MG RX5 is an acknowledgment The new MG RX5 will appeal of the brand’s effort to create cap- to a range of customers in Qatar, MG RX5 has reached another mile- tivating designs and high-per- especially younger buyers looking stone achievement in its journey formance vehicles that are fuel for value for money in a stylish, receiving the “Best Compact efficient, cost effective and technologically-advanced Crossover SUV” award at the modern. We thank the organizers package that allows them to stand Golden Steering Awards – Qatar of Arab Motors Middle East and out from the crowd. Equipped 2019 organised by Arab Motors X-Tork for this valuable event’. with a 1.5T petrol engine and Middle East and X-Tork. The Tamer Abdullah, MG Brand 7-speed automatic gearbox the awards, dedicated to 4x4 and SUV Manager, expressed his pride at MG RX5 is available as entry level vehicles, took place at Al Enna receiving the award, commenting: standard or mid-range COM Camp in Sealine with the partici- “MG RX5 proved its capabilities, models. The more powerful 2.0T pation of 4X4 and SUV vehicles surpassing its rivals to become the power plant is mated to a 6-speed from various brands in Qatar. pinnacle of compact crossover automatic gearbox and is offered MG RX5 beat the competition vehicles. It is receiving high for either COM or top-of-the- in this category, receiving a high demand in Qatar and is truly ideal range LUX trim levels, with the ranking from the judging panel. for people seeking to drive an latter featuring All-Wheel Drive. Its design, high performance and elegant car without sacrificing MG, a British born car maker, steadiness on all terrains put it on high performance, making it a was established in 1924 and is the top of its segment. favorite, choice especially for renowned globally for its historic The MG RX5 is one of the latest young drivers”. models, awards and achieve- models to join MG’s exciting range Tom Lee, General Manager, ments. MG is benefiting from of cutting-edge vehicles, and SAIC Motors Middle East, the heavy investment from its parent embodies the positive, new mother company of MG stated: company, SAIC Motor, which was direction this famous brand is “Today we are proud of our MG listed in the 2017 Fortune Global taking. This new compact SUV RX5 model, a vehicle that reflects 500 list for the 13th consecutive possesses all the attributes to push our ethos and capabilities in year, ranking #41 overall and 7th the brand to the front of mind of delivering efficient vehicles that amongst all global automakers – car buyers in Qatar. meet the customers’ demands. it’s highest ever ranking. Commenting on the awards, At SAIC Motors, we will continue MG RX5 and all range of MG Hesham Al Sahn, General Manger, our effort to increase our market cars are available now in Auto Auto Class Cars, the authorised share. Qatar is such a dynamic Class Showroom on Salwa road. general distributor of MG in Qatar and important market to us, and Customers can visit the showroom said: “MG continues to enhance with Auto Class Cars we will from Saturday to Thursday 8 am its position in Qatar, launching endeavour to provide the market to 9 pm and on Friday from 5 pm more new and exciting vehicles with modern vehicles that make to 9 pm. 08 VIEWS TUESDAY 23 APRIL 2019 On Trump’s Iran oil sanctions, ESTABLISHED IN 1996 Saudis will trust but verify CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected] LIAM DENNING ACTING MANAGING EDITOR BLOOMBERG MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected] n Iran, America has delivered for Saudi Arabia. Yet, unlike last year, Riyadh DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR Owill take a trust-but-verify MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI approach on how strictly Washington [email protected] enforces sanctions once waivers expire on May 2. We are looking at a tight oil market this summer and a volatile mix of contradictory forces building as we head toward 2020 - an election year, in case you didn’t know. Recall that, almost a year EDITORIAL ago, President Donald Trump announced he was pulling out of the nuclear deal struck with Tehran in 2015. That fuelled a rally in oil prices Transparent governance ahead of November’s midterm elec- tions and, consequently, a string of atar’s move to become a knowledge-based economy tweets from the White House calling got a major boost with the launch of Qatar Open Data on the likes of Saudi Arabia to step up QPortal. The new initiative reflects the government’s and calm nerves with more oil. The commitment to become more transparent. The Min- implicit bargain here was that the US ister of Transport and Communications H E Jassim bin Saif was turning the screws on Saudi Ara- Al Sulaiti launched the Portal, which will make it easy for all bia’s arch enemy, so Saudi Arabia stakeholders to access, share and reuse the information easily. needed to do its share of the lifting. “The Ministry of Transport and Communications launched Which it did: The country added more the Open Data Policy in 2014 to achieve the objectives of than a million barrels a day of extra national development and Qatar National Vision 2030. The crude-oil output between May and A view of Iran’s Lavan Oil Refinery quay on the Lavan island. aim is to provide public services efficiently and transpar- November. ently, build a knowledge-based economy and boost inno- Then Riyadh ran into a problem: now seemingly at risk of coming off investment inflows by the Khashoggi vation and creativity through an open and transparent culture those unreliable and unruly Amer- the market. But after 2018’s head-fake, affair haven’t helped. As the prince’s where knowledge is available and accessible,” the Minister icans. Trump was rightly concerned it seems more likely Saudi Arabia will Ritz-Carlton fund-raising round, along said. The Qatar Open Data Portal will facilitate the dissem- about what higher pump prices mean wait and see what happens with actual with Saudi Arabian Oil Co.’s giant bond ination of government data on the Internet through a single for longer-driving, lower-earning flows, inventories and pricing before offering and deal to buy the state’s national platform and make it available to the public. The voters in red making a significant move. Energy stake in Saudi Basic Industries Corp., Portal will help transform these data and information into states (see Minister Khalid Al Falih’s statement on show, money may not be exactly tight tools and applications that help in areas of research, inno- this). So he Monday that Saudi Arabia is “closely but every extra dollar is welcome. vation and creative and smart solutions. effectively monitoring” the situation and will Yet it’s a fine line Saudi Arabia is Open data is crucial in light of the digital age and new reneged on coordinate with others to ensure “the walking, and one that will get finer still technological inventions in fields the deal by global oil market does not go out of as the year progresses. There is, of such as artificial intelligence, Riyadh ran into issuing the balance” speaks to such an approach. course, demand to consider, and robotics, Internet of Things, 3D a problem: those sanctions Such caution would come at a gasoline consumption isn’t looking printing, as well as the tre- unreliable and waivers he critical juncture. The risk of a sudden strong as it is. mendous developments in com- unruly Americans. now plans to drop in Libyan oil production - 1.1 And then there’s the president. puting power, and the availability ditch. Mean- million barrels a day in March versus Trump expressed faith in his ally via The Qatar Open of huge amounts of data among Trump was rightly while, the oil- about 600,000 a year before - has the usual method Monday morning, Data Portal will other factors. These data rep- concerned about price rally led increased amid renewed violence. tweeting “Saudi Arabia and others in facilitate the resent a major resource for a what higher pump US frackers Venezuela’s oil output has plunged OPEC will more than make up the Oil dissemination of knowledge-based society and is prices mean for to do a little further this year, and the country also Flow difference” resulting from “Full also one of the main drivers of reneging of faces a potential tightening of US sanc- Sanctions.” After 2018’s switcheroo, government data trade progress and economic longer-driving, their own, tions within a week. And we are though, his faith will be tested; when it on the Internet growth. lower-earning busting roughly a month away from the start comes to this topic, he doth tweet too through a single The Minister said it was voters in red states. through of the traditional seasonal upswing in much. Yet if gasoline prices spike this national platform important to release data and capex US gasoline demand. Meanwhile, later summer - and they’re already close to make it open given the social and So he effectively budgets to this year, new regulations on marine $3 a gallon on average - Trump’s and make it business value of doing so, reneged on the deliver a fuel could lead to further disruption anxiety about the 2020 campaign will available to the “because data is a fundamental deal by issuing the surge in pro- and upward pressure on oil prices. only increase, as will the potential for public. resource for the knowledge sanctions waivers he duction - and Brent crude jumped another 3 him to intervene in the market. society that we aspire to and one an all-too- percent on Monday morning, and is up The other Americans Saudi Arabia of the powerful catalysts for trade now plans to ditch. predictable 37 percent so far this year. must regard with a wary eye are progress and economic growth”. plunge Saudi Arabia has little incentive to mostly in Texas. A geopolitical He hailed the Ministry of Interior’s initiative in the field of in prices to arrest that for now. As analysts at IHS premium on oil represents a windfall open data, and efforts of the Ministry of Finance and Planning close out the year. Markit pointed out in a report earlier for frackers. The big question is and Statistics Authority, which took the lead and began Hence, we shouldn’t expect Saudi this month, efforts to support prices whether they would respond to higher sharing their data via the new portal. Arabia to take Monday morning’s since early 2017 have mitigated def- prices in 2019 the way they did in It must be mentioned that the Ministry of Transport and announcement as a signal to embark icits and arrested the decline in the 2018. There are good reasons to think Communications recently launched the Government Cloud on another pro-active supply surge. In country’s foreign-exchange reserves, they will be more cautious this time Service in association with MEEZA and Media Analytics theory, the kingdom can add roughly but not replenished them. Fighting around. Investors, including activists, Service, adding both of them to a list of shared services MOTC another 500,000 barrels a day wars and easing the inevitable fric- have made it clear they aren’t provides to government entities within the framework of without breaching its (reset) target tions generated by Crown Prince impressed with oil rallies being Qatar Digital Government 2020. The first is a government agreed with OPEC and its partners in Mohammed Bin Salman’s efforts to diverted into more wells rather than cloud-based Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). It utilises ded- December. That would equate to reform the economy are expensive, their own pockets. This should temper icated government network and focuses on delivering the perhaps half of the Iranian exports and the damage done to foreign the E&P sector’s natural instincts. service over a private and highly secure environment for gov- ernment entities. Media Analytics Service allows government entities to monitor, follow and analyse what is being pub- lished about them on social media and traditional electronic Journalist murder marks upsurge in N Ireland unrest media, thus helping them monitor information and relevant published topics, follow up their indicators, measure public JOSEPH STENSON there is a wide-held belief that the per- anonymous”. opinion, interact with them and identify potential crises for AFP petrators are youngsters not old enough McKee’s murder follows a car action. to remember “The Troubles”, and are bomb in Londonderry in January and a All these measures will help contribute to building a gov- he killing of a journalist in being manipulated by a radical older spate of letter bombs sent to British ernment that is more efficient, more open and more trans- Londonderry marks the latest element. targets in March -- both claimed by parent for the good of all. upsurge of violence in “There’s a dangerous radicali- the New IRA. There is speculation that TNorthern Ireland — where sation of young people in Derry by Brexit -- which has raised the spectre fears are growing that a fragile and those linked to and on the periphery of of a hard border between Ireland and hard-won peace is increasingly at risk. the New IRA,” wrote The Irish Times Northern Ireland -- is acting as an Lyra McKee, 29, was shot dead newspaper’s security correspondent irritant to dissident republicans. QUOTE OF THE DAY during a riot as dissident republicans Allison Morris. Police Service of Proposed divorce deals with the EU clashed Thursday with police in the Northern Ireland detective superin- could see Northern Ireland more closely The US decision to province’s second city — a historic tendent Jason Murphy, who is leading aligned to the Republic of Ireland or flashpoint in the three decades of vio- the probe into McKee’s death, warned: bound tighter in union with mainland end sanctions waivers lence known as “The Troubles”. “What we’re seeing is a new breed of Britain -- raising competing loyalist and on Iran oil imports The 1998 Good Friday Agreement terrorist coming through the ranks.” republican visions of the future. Kieran will not serve regional largely ended the turbulence in Two men aged 18 and 19 were McConaghy, a lecturer in terrorism at Northern Ireland — mandating a with- arrested Thursday but later released the University of St Andrews in Scotland, peace and stability, drawal of British security forces and without charges. Police appealed said it was “hard to say” whether Brexit yet will harm Iranian the disarming of the Irish Republican again to the community for help in has played a “major role” in recent people. Army (IRA) paramilitary group. finding the killer. attacks, as such events have been con- But dissident republicans — seeking “I know there will be some people sistent since the ceasefire. Northern Ireland’s departure from the who know what happened but are Since the British government Mevlut Cavusoglu United Kingdom and integration into the scared to come forward but if you began publishing security assessments Turkish Foreign Minister Republic of Ireland through violent have information, no matter how in 2010, the threat of terrorism in means — remain active. Police believe small, please contact detectives,” said Northern Ireland has remained at the New IRA splinter group is behind Murphy, stressing that the information “severe” -- denoting that an attack is McKee’s murder. Among commentators would be treated as “100 percent considered “highly likely”. TUESDAY 23 APRIL 2019 OPINION 09 The political calculations of Sudan’s military regime

n April 11, after 30 years in Over the past few years, it became anger once again boiled over and maintaining the status quo within power, the longstanding increasingly clear that al-Bashir was people across Sudan, from all walks of the regime. dictator, General OmarAl doing everything to consolidate his life and ethnic backgrounds, took to However, the general lacked Bashir, was forced out of power and prevent any possible con- the streets to protest against his failing charisma and was not well- O regime which had left the Sudanese power by his right-hand man, defence spiracy against his presidency. respected within the ranks of the minister and vice president, General On the foreign policy front, he was economy in tatters and the general army. He was also tainted by the Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf. trying to reach out to anyone who population struggling to put bread on role he played in recruiting Jan- AHMED H ADAM Al Bashir’s ouster was welcomed could guarantee the security of his the table. jaweed militia in Darfur and com- AL JAZEERA as a major victory by Sudanese pro- regime. When the US eased the sanc- Fearing a coup, al-Bashir kept Ibn manding armed forces that com- testers who had been out in the streets tions in October 2017 but made it Auf, who is on a US sanctions list due mitted war crimes in 2007. of Khartoum and other major cities clear that they still demand that he to his involvement in the Darfur con- It was evident that he was not since December. However, many step down, al-Bashir went on a visit to flict, and former governor Ahmed going to be accepted as a transi- remain wary of the dubious transition Russia to seek the backing of the Haroun, who is also indicted by the tional leader neither by the of power that Sudan’s military lead- Kremlin. He also continued to deal International Criminal Court, close, Sudanese people, nor by various ership has undertaken. with the UAE and Saudi Arabia, on believing they would not hand him international players. In his April 11 statement, with one side, and Qatar and Turkey, on over to the international prosecution. While his resignation could be which he declared the removal of al- the other, hoping to secure their When the Sudanese streets escalated seen as another victory for Sudan’s Bashir, Ibn Auf also announced the support. the pressure, Ibn Auf was appointed protest movement, the suspension of the Constitution, the On the home front, al-Bashir vice president and Haroun took over appointment of General al-Burhan imposition of a state of emergency undertook a number of reshuffles in the chairmanship of the NCP. as the head of the military council and the formation of a transitional the past few years, plagued by suspi- Al-Bashir’s fate was sealed once and General Hemedti as his deputy military council headed by him. cions of conspiracies against him. In the protesters managed to win over shows that the deep state and its But just two days later, after mass the process, he managed to alienate a the sympathies of mid and lower- foreign backers are by far not ready Al Bashir’s ouster was protests continued to call for the number of different factions within ranking military officers, as well as to give in to the demands of the welcomed as a major whole regime to step down, Ibn Auf the Sudanese regime and important soldiers. This became apparent when protesters and allow for a smooth resigned along with his deputy, commanders within the security on April 8, NISS security forces transition to civilian rule. victory by Sudanese General Kamal Abdelmarouf al-Mahi. sector and the militias. He also attacked the sit-in in front of the Army The rise of General al-Burhan protesters who had General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan was angered members of his ruling High Command headquarters in and General Hemedti been out in the streets appointed his place as the head of the National Congress Party (NCP) when Khartoum, causing some soldiers to General al-Burhan is the com- of Khartoum and other council and General Mohamed he declared he was a national figure intervene and protect the protesters. mander of the Sudanese ground Hamdan Daglo, also known as that stood above all political parties in The Sudanese president and other forces and is believed to enjoy major cities since Hemedti, as the deputy chair. Mean- Sudan. loyalists had planned to disperse the some popularity within the army’s December. However, while, General Salah Abdallah Saleh, Most importantly, al-Bashir sit-in with force, hoping that the vio- lower ranks. Some opposition many remain wary of also known as Gosh, resigned as the alienated his own people. For a long lence would keep the protesters away. groups see him as more acceptable the dubious transition head of the notorious National Intelli- time, he had been playing the ethnic Fearing an insurrection within the because he is considered not to be gence and Security Services (NISS). card, trying to divide the Sudanese lower army rank and file, the top an Islamist. Yet, he, too, has a of power that Sudan’s So what do all these reshuffles in people and justify his destructive wars brass of the military could not go murky past. military leadership has the Sudanese regime mean and how in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue along with the plan. More importantly, As an officer in the ground undertaken. will they affect the Sudanese struggle Nile. there are speculations that General forces, he had served in both South for democratic civilian rule? In December, however, public Gosh, the head of the NISS, also Darfur and South Sudan. In the switched sides at that critical juncture 2000s, he was also a mid-raking and refused to unleash a bloody commander in the notorious crackdown. Border Guards, a sub-group of the Gosh, who is widely despised by Janjaweed militia. the Sudanese people, was one of the In recent days, people in Darfur people al-Bashir had alienated early have expressed their outrage at al- on. In 2009, he was removed from his Burhan’s appointment as head of position as head of the NISS and made the military council, claiming that presidential adviser, only to be sacked under his command, the Border in 2011. The following year, Gosh, who Guards committed killings and had been a point of contact in Sudan for US intelligence agencies, was accused of plotting a coup against the president and imprisoned for a year. Although he was politically rehabili- tated and reinstated to his former position in 2018, he surely continued D-RING ROAD to bear a grudge against al-Bashir. POST BOX: 3488 He, along with other generals, saw DOHA - QATAR an opportunity to get rid of al-Bashir [email protected] and seized it. Their consensus on ousting the president, however, did not mean that they were willing to EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE give up power or that they actually TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 agreed on a clear-cut plan of FAX: +974 4455 7758 succession. As political ambitions clashed and MANAGING EDITOR outside forces intervened, General Ibn TEL: 4462 7505 Sudanese demonstrators gather in front of military headquarters during a demonstration after The Sudanese Auf took over with the intent of Professionals Association’s call, demanding a civilian transition government, in Khartoum, yesterday. securing al-Bashir’s exit and DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR TEL: 4455 7769

LOCAL NEWS SECTION political deal with the Kremlin, which to do something with that, too.” TEL: 4455 7743 has said it does not want to deal with Zelensky does not have a firm Poroshenko. economic programme, though his BUSINESS NEWS SECTION “Zelensky will look for diplomatic team does include Poroshenko’s TEL: 4462 7535 solutions and try to avoid settling the former finance minister, Oleksandr Challenges for new conflict through military means,” said Danylyuk. SPORT NEWS SECTION Ukrainian political expert Mykola The young president will also have TEL: 4455 7745 Davydyuk. In a major faux pas during to rein in oligarchs who wield huge Ukraine leader Friday’s debate with Poroshenko, Zel- influence and prove to supporters he ONLINE SECTION ensky called the separatists “rebels”, is not in the employ of tycoon Igor TEL: 4462 7501 sparking the military’s anger. Kolomoysky, whose channel [email protected] “We do not have ‘rebels’,” broadcast his shows. OLGA ROTENBERG Ukraine’s General Staff said on Zelensky will also have to demon- PUBLIC RELATIONS AFP Twitter. “We have Russian strate his ability to negotiate with TEL: 4455 7613 various political forces to push aggression.” [email protected] kraine’s election has cata- Zelensky said he would not resort through much-needed reforms. pulted Volodymyr Zelensky, to force to take back Crimea, which He does not have a proper ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT a 41-year-old standup was annexed by Russia in 2014. After political party of his own and will TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 comedian and television a popular uprising ousted a Kremlin- likely face huge resistance in par- FAX: 4455 7870 U liament where Poroshenko’s faction star with no political experience, into backed regime in 2014, the new [email protected] the nation’s top job. Ukrainian government secured a $17.5 has the most seats. As leader of a country dependent billion deal led by the International “It would be very hard for Zel- CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT on international aid and battling sep- Monetary Fund to buttress the strug- ensky to secure parliament’s support,” TEL: 4455 7857 aratists, Zelensky will have to deal gling economy. said Anatoliy Oktysyuk, an analyst [email protected] with Russian President Vladimir But the disbursement of the funds with Democracy House, a Kiev-based Putin, deep economic problems and has often been delayed as Porosh- think tank.“He will have a hostile par- SUBSCRIPTION & possibly rebellious elites. enko’s government has struggled to liament on his hands.” DISTRIBUTION Here is a look at the main chal- push through reforms required by the Parliamentary elections are set to TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 lenges facing Ukraine’s sixth IMF, including anti-corruption take place in October. FAX: 44557819 president: measures and raising household gas Poroshenko and former prime [email protected] Voters expect the new com- prices. Zelensky said he will continue minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who was As leader of a mander-in-chief to end a five-year cooperating with the IMF and knocked out of the presidential race promised to do whatever is necessary during the first round of voting last country dependent war with Moscow-backed separatists in the industrial east. to service the country’s debt. month, may be looking for revenge All thoughts and views on international The conflict has claimed some Analysts warn that he is facing a during the legislative polls. aid and battling 13,000 lives since 2014 and is a huge huge challenge as Ukraine’s debt obli- Analyst Davydyuk said assembling expressed in these columns separatists, burden on the economy and society. gations peak in the next few years. the right team will be crucial for the are those of the writers, Despite numerous attempts to “In the next three years Ukraine neophyte president. “The main chal- not of the newspaper. Zelensky will staunch the bloodletting, the conflict will have to pay off more than $20 lenge for Zelensky is neither the army have to deal with regularly claims the lives of soldiers billion in state debt,” said Oleksandr nor the war with Russia,” he said. Russian President and civilians, and a solution is Parashchiy, head of research at Con- “It is putting together a team: who All correspondence regarding Views and Vladimir Putin, deep nowhere in sight. corde Capital, a Kiev-based will be his chief of staff, his deputies, Zelensky’s rival Petro Poroshenko investment bank. who will fill the key positions.” Opinion pages should be economic problems accused the comic of lacking the “It’s not exactly clear where the Analysts say Ukrainians expect sent to editor-in-chief and possibly gravitas and stamina to stand up to money would come from.” radical change quickly so Zelensky office or mailed to the rebellious elites. Putin. But analysts say Zelensky could Economic growth is also slowing will have to move fast before he faces use his outsider status to strike a down, added Parashchiy. “He’ll have a possible legitimacy crisis. [email protected] 10 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA TUESDAY 23 APRIL 2019 Libya charges France with double dealing over Haftar AFP Government of National Accord, militants. France, hit by a string of “I don’t think the French have had 90 percent of the country and has turned TRIPOLI pledging to clear the capital of “merce- Islamic State group attacks, backed any illusions... about Libya’s potential his sights on the capital. naries and terrorists”. Haftar’s forces as they battled IS and to destabilise large regions within Fran- Despite condemnations from world Libya’s unity government has bitterly “Since 2016 the GNA has made no other jihadist militants in Libya. cophone Africa,” Chorin said. powers, “it is clear that some countries, criticised France for its stand in the headway in addressing the problems it Jalel Harchoui, a Libya specialist “The rapid spillover of the Libya including France and the United Arab offensive on Tripoli by the forces of was meant to solve first, i.e. breaking at the Clingendael Institute in The conflict into Mali, and the French inter- Emirates, are saying one thing publicly Khalifa Haftar, accusing Paris at least the vice grip of the militias over Tripoli, Hague, said France backed Haftar’s vention in that country (after a jihadist while privately hoping that Haftar’s tacitly of backing the military containing extremism, and stopping the efforts with “military advisers on offensive in 2012) is a perfect example.” actions will jolt Libya out of its deep strongman. free-fall of the Libyan economy,” former Libyan soil, who provide assistance Paris has since hosted Haftar several political malaise,” Chorin wrote in a blog Last week, unity government US diplomat Ethan Chorin said. with training, surveillance and tar- times, including for a peace conference post published by Foreign Affairs last interior minister Fathi Bach Agha Haftar, on the other hand, “has geting of strikes.” with GNA leader Fayez Al Sarraj in May week. charged that France was supporting “the proven he can create order from chaos France was forced to admit that it 2018. Haftar’s offensive, which the UN criminal Haftar”, and announced the -- but at a high cost, in terms of human has provided military assistance to Harchoui said “red carpets and says has claimed over 200 lives, and GNA was cutting security ties with Paris. rights and freedom of expression,” he Haftar after three French troops were applause” from France have helped give France’s alleged support, have sparked His comments triggered surprise, said. killed in Libya during an intelligence- Haftar the status of a “respectable and public opposition in western Libya. and a swift denial from the French Haftar is seen by his allies, who also gathering mission in 2016. responsible statesman”. Hundreds of Libyans held a protest embassy that the allegations were include Russia and Libya’s eastern Eventually, it was a coalition of “This political and diplomatic aspect against France in Tripoli on Friday, “unfounded”. neighbour Egypt, as a bulwark against armed groups under GNA command that of the support from Paris was perceived sporting trademark yellow vests of But while France’s role remains Islamists who gained a foothold after ousted IS from its bastion, Kadhafi’s by Haftar’s faction as an encouragement French anti-government demonstrators ambiguous, analysts say Paris sees the 2011 uprising that ousted and killed hometown Sirte, on the coast between to wage war,” he added. and condemning both France and “war Haftar and his self-style Libyan National dictator Moamer Kadhafi. Tripoli and Haftar’s eastern stronghold. Haftar, who backs an eastern-based criminal” Haftar. Army as a potential stabilising force in A Kadhafi-era military commander But Haftar’s own successes against administration that refuses to recognise But for analyst Anas al-Gomati, the a country rocked by years of conflict. who spent two decades in exile in the militant groups, notably in second city the GNA, has steadily expanded his White House’s announcement last week Haftar’s forces in early April United States, he returned to Libya in Benghazi, earned him admirers in Paris, control of Libya. that US President Donald Trump had launched their assault on Tripoli, seat March 2011 and later brought together where officials worried about the Following a thrust southwards early spoken by phone with Haftar could ease of the internationally-recognised a coalition of armed factions to battle regional impact of Kadhafi’s fall. this year, he says he now controls some the pressure on Paris.

Iran renews Sudan: Military threat to close Strait of Hormuz and oppn wrangle ANATOLIA/TEHRAN Iran has renewed threat to close over transition the Strait of Hormuz if it is prevented from using the stra- REUTERS The ruling Transitional tegic Gulf waterway to export KHARTOUM Military Council warned oil. “Under international law, the Strait of Hormuz is a ‘sea Sudan’s ruling Transitional against people blocking passage’,” Ali Reza Tengseiri, Military Council (TMC) and oppo- roads and limiting the commander of Iran’s Revolu- sition forces appeared on a movement of citizens, tionary Guard Corps naval collision course yesterday amid signaling a possible force, was quoted as saying by deepening differences over move against thousands Fars News Agency. “If we are demands for civilian rule more of protesters who are prevented from using it, we will than 10 days after the ouster of close it,” he said. “If there is any President Omar Hassan Al Bashir. camping outside the threat… to Iranian waters, we The TMC warned against Defence Ministry and will not hesitate to respond.” people blocking roads and lim- blocking some roads Iranian officials have iting the movement of citizens, outside the compound in repeatedly threatened to close signaling a possible move against downtown Khartoum. the strait, one of the global oil thousands of protesters who are Sudanese protesters shouting slogans during a protest outside the Army Headquarters in the capital trade’s most important camping outside the Defence Khartoum, yesterday. waterways, amid steadily Ministry and blocking some a statement, adding that roads mounting tensions with the US. roads outside the compound in and access ways for public trans- and escalate the protests on the could last up to two years. had been held at the presidential The lion’s share of petroleum downtown Khartoum. portation would “be opened streets,” Mohamed Al Amin The SPA has also called for residence after his ouster, is now from the region’s top producers The council also said it was immediately”. Abdel Aziz of the SPA told crowds sweeping changes to end a at Khartoum’s high-security — including Saudi Arabia, Iraq unacceptable that some young The TMC and the opposition outside the Defence Ministry. violent crackdown on dissent, Kobar prison. Family sources and Kuwait — passes through people were acting as police and have traded threats since The opposition, led by the purge corruption and cronyism had said last week he had been the Strait of Hormuz en route security services, in violation of Sunday. The Sudanese Profes- umbrella Forces of the Decla- and ease an economic crisis moved there. to oil-thirsty markets in the Far the law, a reference to youths sionals’ Association (SPA), the ration of Freedom and Change that worsened during the last Several top members of East. who have been searching pro- main organiser of the protests, that includes the SPA, has years of Bashir’s 30-year rule. Bashir’s ruling National Congress testers taking part at the sit-in. said on Sunday it would suspend insisted on a swift handover of The military council, led by Party have been arrested, and Israeli court “We request the honourable talks with the Council. power to civilians. They have Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, has the TMC said it would retire all citizens to help clear these neg- “We have decided to opt for said a civilian transitional council issued a series of decisions that eight of the officers ranked lieu- orders settlers ative features that impact the escalation with the military with military representation appeared aimed at satisfying tenant general in the feared to vacate home lives of citizens and the security council, not to recognise its legit- should be set up to run Sudan for some of the demands. Burhan National Intelligence and of the country,” the TMC said in imacy and to continue the sit-in a transition that the TMC has said said yesterday that Bashir, who Security Service. ANATOLIA/JERUSALEM

An Israeli court has ordered Jewish settlers to vacate a home Over $60m stolen from seized earlier from its Pales- tinian inhabitants in the West Mosul after governor sacked Bank city of Hebron (Al Khalil), the Israeli media reported. AFP the funds but did not accuse him According to Israeli daily BAGHDAD personally. It said 14 officials were Haaretz, the Jerusalem Magis- detained earlier this month after trate’s Court ordered the More than $60m in public funds its probe found that “cheques and settlers to vacate the Bakri were embezzled by Mosul offi- wire transfers of public funds had family home in the Tel Rumeida cials close to the province’s been made out to the personal district of Hebron’s Old City. sacked governor in the wake of accounts of senior officials”. Of After being sold to an last month’s ferry sinking, Iraqi the missing money, “just six investment company — using officials said yesterday. million dollars” were recovered forged documents — in the Iraq’s anti-corruption by the government, a commission early 2000s, the home was Integrity Commission said offi- member said. taken over by Jewish settlers, cials from the Nineveh province, Parliament had been inves- the paper reported. of which Mosul is the capital, tigating accusations of profound had embezzled a total of $64m corruption among Nineveh offi- US offers $10m for in public funds. cials, and their results came to information to disrupt The members of the civil society and politicians wait for the start of a proposed meeting with Algeria’s They included nearly $40m light amid outrage over the Hezbollah finances interim president Abdelkader Bensalah in Algiers, yesterday. set aside to rebuild the city, Mother’s Day ferry sinking. which was ravaged by three Some officials have been REUTERS/WASHINGTON years of Islamic State group rule arrested but Akoub remains at Five Algerian billionaires held followed by months of fierce large, thought to be hiding out The United States offered a fighting to oust the jihadists. in Arbil, the capital of Iraq’s reward of up to $10m for infor- The money was stolen in the Kurdish region. Graft is endemic mation that could help disrupt in anti-graft investigation aftermath of a tragic ferry across Iraq, which ranks among financing of Hezbollah, the Shia sinking in March that left more the world’s worst offenders in group backed by Iran. The REUTERS chief Lieutenant General Gaid office, the state TV channel said. than 100 people dead and Transparency International’s announcement by the US ALGIERS Salah said last week he expected Neither they nor their prompted parliament to unan- annual Corruption Perceptions Department of State’s Rewards members of the ruling elite to be lawyers could be reached for imously fire governor Nawfel Index. Since 2004, a total of for Justice Program comes amid Algeria’s wealthiest busi- prosecuted for graft. comment. Akoub, who has since gone on $228bn has vanished into the growing concerns by Wash- nessman and four other billion- Protesters have called during Rebrab tweeted earlier that the run. In its statement, the pockets of shady politicians and ington about Hezbollah’s aires close to former president two months of dissent for the he had gone voluntarily to a Integrity Commission said offi- businessmen, according to growing role in the Lebanese Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who quit removal of the elite that has gov- police station to discuss a matter cials “close to Akoub” had stolen parliament. government. over mass protests, have been erned Algeria since inde- of equipment being held up at arrested as part of an anti-graft pendence from France in 1962, Algiers port. investigation, state TV said and the prosecution of people TV footage later showed a Kosovo police question women who returned from Syria yesterday. they see as corrupt. police car bringing Rebrab, who The five are Issad Rebrab, Rebrab is chairman of the also owns the “Liberte” daily, to REUTERS of its citizens from Syria, Detention Centre in the outskirts considered the richest busi- family-owned Cevital company, a court. PRISTINA including 32 women, 74 children of Pristina. nessman in the energy-rich which imports raw sugar from Rebrad is being investigated and four jihadists who had gone “I represented a woman north African nation, who is Brazil and exports white sugar mainly over “false statements Kosovo police and prosecutors to fight in the country’s civil war. who came back from Syria. She especially active in the food and to Tunisia, Libya and other des- regarding the movement of have interrogated several of the The four fighters were is accused for being part of the sugar refining business, and four tinations in the Middle East. capital from and to abroad, women who returned from Syria immediately arrested and terrorist groups and she was in brothers from the Kouninef The billionaires were later inflating equipment import bills by plane on Saturday, lawyers detained for 30 days awaiting very bad health condition,” family, it said. brought to court to face charges and importing used equipment”, who took part in the questioning questioning, while women and lawyer Fehmie Gashi-Bytyqi The move came after army from the general prosecutor’s according to state TV. said. Kosovo brought back 110 children were sent to the Foreign said. TUESDAY 23 APRIL 2019 ASIA 11 Emergency invoked in Sri Lanka; death toll at 290 REUTERS “There was an international network without COLOMBO which these attacks could not have succeeded,” Sri Lanka said yesterday it was said Sri Lanka’s Cabinet spokesman Rajitha invoking emergency powers in Senaratne. the aftermath of devastating bomb attacks on hotels and authorities of possible attacks on immediately clear how those churches, blamed on militants churches by the leader of the attacks were carried out. with foreign links, in which 290 group, the National Thawheed “Still the investigations are people died and nearly 500 were Jama’ut. It was not immediately going on,” Welianga said. wounded. clear what action, if any, was Most of the attacks came The emergency law, which taken on the tip-off. during Easter services and when gives police and the military Police said 24 people had hotel guests were sitting down extensive powers to detain and been arrested, all of whom were for breakfast buffets. interrogate suspects without Sri Lankan, but they gave no “Guests who had come for court orders, went into effect at more details. breakfast were lying on the floor, midnight yesterday, the Presi- Two of the suicide bombers blood all over,” an employee at dent’s Office said. blew themselves up at the luxury Kingsbury Hotel said. Police clear the area while Special Task Force Bomb Squad officers inspect the site of an exploded Colombo, the seaside capital Shangri-La Hotel on Colombo’s Cabinet spokesman Rajitha van near a church that was attacked on Sunday in Colombo, yesterday. of the island nation, was jittery seafront, said Ariyananda Wel- Senaratne said an international yesterday. Police said 87 bomb ianga, a senior official at the gov- network was involved, but did detonators were found at the ernment’s forensic division. The not elaborate. “We do not believe these attacks could not have links. Colombo after an island-wide city’s main bus station, while an others targeted three churches these attacks were carried out succeeded.” Sri Lanka was at war for curfew was lifted earlier explosive went off near a church and two other hotels. by a group of people who were The President, Maithripala decades with ethnic minority yesterday. where scores were killed on A fourth hotel and a house in confined to this country,” Sen- Sirisena, said in a statement the Tamil separatists, most of them An Australian survivor, iden- Sunday when bomb squad offi- a suburb of the capital Colombo aratne said. “There was an inter- government would seek foreign Hindu, but violence had largely tified only as Sam, told Aus- cials were trying to defuse it. were also hit, but it was not national network without which assistance to track the overseas ended since the government tralia’s 3AW radio the hotel was A night curfew also went into victory in the civil war, 10 years a scene of “absolute carnage”. effect at 8pm yesterday. ago. Sri Lanka’s 22 million people He said he and a travel There was no claim of 39 foreigners including 8 Indians among dead include minority Christians, partner were having breakfast responsibility for the attack but Muslims and Hindus. at the Shangri-La when two suspicion was focusing on AGENCIES Netherlands, China, Australia victims in Sri Lanka. They The US State Department blasts went off. He said he had Islamist militants in the Bud- COLOMBO and Portugal are the countries included five Janata Dal-Secular said in a travel advisory “terrorist seen two men wearing back- dhist-majority country. that have confirmed casualties (JD-S) activists from Karnataka groups” were plotting possible packs seconds before the blasts. Investigators said seven A total of 39 foreign nationals of their citizens. who were on a holiday after the attacks in Sri Lanka and targets “There were people suicide bombers took part in the lost their lives in Sunday’s Among the victims were two end of Lok Sabha elections in could include tourist spots, screaming and dead bodies all attacks while a government multiple terror attacks in Sri citizens from Turkey, eight from Bengaluru. transport hubs, shopping malls, around,” he said. “Kids crying, spokesman said an international Lanka, local media reported on the UK - two of them with the The five were identified as hotels, places of worship and air- kids on the ground, I don’t know network was involved. yesterday. dual US citizenship -, three from Shivanna, KG Hanumantharaya, ports. There were fears the if they were dead or not, just Police had received a tip-off A total of eight explosions Denmark, two Chinese and Aus- M Rangappa, KM Laxminarayan attacks could spark communal crazy.” of a possible attack on churches targeting churches and hotels in tralian citizens each, and one and Lakshmana Gowda Ramesh. violence, with police reporting There were similar scenes of by a little-known domestic and outside the capital Colombo from Portugal, Japan and the On Sunday, Indian External late on Sunday there had been a carnage at two churches in or Islamist group some 10 days ago, left at least 290 people dead and Netherlands each. Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj petrol bomb attack on a mosque near Colombo, and a third according to a document seen by over 500 others injured on The nationalities of the had said three Indians were in the northwest and arson church in the northeast town of Reuters. Easter Sunday. remaining 14 are yet to be among the dead. She had named attacks on two shops owned by Batticaloa, where worshippers The intelligence report, dated Turkey, Japan, the UK, announced. Eight Indian them as Ramesh, Lakshmi and Muslims in the west. had gathered. Pictures showed April 11, said a foreign intelli- Denmark, India, the nationals were among the Narayan Chandrashekhar. Traffic was uncharacteristi- bodies on the ground and blood- gence agency had warned cally thin in normally bustling spattered pews and statues.

Rahul regrets Washington attributing ‘chor’ 15 states go to polls in 3rd phase today ends waivers IANS remarks to NEW DELHI Baramati, Madha, Kolahpur and for India to buy Satara. Nationalist Congress Supreme Court People in 15 states will vote today Party (NCP) President Sharad Iranian oil in the third phase of Lok Sabha Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule IANS IANS elections which will see a is contesting from the party’s NEW YORK NEW DELHI maximum of 117 seats going to bastion in Baramati. the polls. The Congress and the NCP The US announced yesterday Explaining his remarks on the Voting will be completed in have dominated the local bodies that it was ending the waiver Rafale deal, Congress President all seats of Gujarat, Kerala, Goa, and cooperatives in the sugar given to India to buy Iranian oil Rahul Gandhi yesterday Karanataka, Chhattisgarh, belt of the state, which has of late and has threatened sanctions if expressed regret for attributing Assam, Karnataka, Dadra and been challenged by the BJP-Shiv it did not comply with the his “Chowkidar Chor Hai” Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Sena combine. The Lok Sabha embargo. remarks to the top court and Diu with the third phase polls. results will show if the NCP is Announcing the end of the said he has incorrectly done so The Presidents of the two able to regain its earlier domi- waivers, White House Press in the “heat of the moment”. main political parties are in fray nance in the region. Secretary Sarah Huckabee Gandhi also said that his in the third phase with BJP chief In Chhattisgarh, the BJP has Sanders said: “Trump has comment was deliberately used Amit Shah making his Lok Sabha sought to beat the anti-incum- decided not to reissue Signif- by his political opponents to election debut from Gandhinagar bency wave against its sitting icant Reduction Exceptions gain leverage. and Congress President Rahul MPs by replacing all of them. (SREs) when they expire in early Polling officers wait to collect the election materials at a distribution “It has been used (and Gandhi contesting from Here the saffron party faces a May. This decision is intended centre ahead of third phase of general elections in Ahmedabad, misused) by my political oppo- Wayanad. renewed challenge from the to bring Iran’s oil exports to nents to project that I had delib- The Bharatiya Janata Party yesterday. Congress, which returned to zero, denying the regime its erately and intentionally sug- (BJP) will aim to defend the 62 power in the state in 2018 after principal source of revenue.” gested that this court had said of the 117 third phase seats it won home state of Prime Minister many of the 14 seats going to the 15 years. The Congress is When the US imposed sanctions Chowkidar Chor Hai! “Nothing in 2014 and its performance in Narendra Modi, the BJP would polls today. However, the saffron focusing more on local issues, on Iran in November, India and could be farther from my mind. this phase will be crucial in again look for a clean sweep in party faces tough challenge from telling the voters that its gov- seven other countries were It is also clear that no court deciding its political fortunes. the state. However, the Congress, the Congress-JD-S combine. ernment has quickly delivered given exemptions that will would ever do that and hence The Congress had won 16 which gave a tough fight to the In the Assembly elections on its promises. expire on May 2. the unfortunate references (for seats, while the remaining seats BJP in the Assembly polls held in held in Karnataka last year, the Of the five seats in Bihar, the US Secretary of State Mike which I express regret) to the were divided between BJD (6), 2017, is hoping to win 10 to 15 BJP had polled lesser votes than BJP had won only one in 2014 Pompeo later told reporters that court order and to the political CPI-M (7), NCP (4), Samajwadi seats this time. the Congress but got more seats. and it is again contesting one countries that do not abide by slogan in juxtaposition the same Party (3), Shiv Sena (2), RJD (2), The three young Gujarat The BJP faces a strong chal- seat this time. As part of the the embargo will face sanctions. breath in the heat of political AIUDF (2), IUML (2), LJP (1), PDP leaders - Hardik Patel, Alpesh lenge in UP, as the third phase grand alliance, the Rashtriya They will encounter sanctions campaigning ought not to be (1), RSP (1), Kerala Congress-M Thakor and Jignesh Mewani - of Lok Sabha elections will be Janata Dal (RJD) is contesting that will affect their interna- construed as suggesting that the (1), CPI (1), Swabhimani Paksha whose positions had helped the fought in the “Yadav belt”. three seats, while the Congress tional financial transactions, he court had given any finding or (1) and Trinamool Congress (1). Congress build a narrative The Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Vikasheel Insaan Party said. “We stand by our allies conclusion on that issue,” Three seats were won by Inde- against the BJP during the strongholds of Mainpuri, Badaun (VIP) are contesting one seat and partners as they transition Gandhi said in his response pendent candidates. Assembly elections, are not in the and Sambhal will go to the polls each. away from Iranian crude to submitted in the court. This time the BJP will be fray for the Lok Sabha polls. today and the its prospects have The Congress will look to other alternatives,” Pompeo He also defended his com- tested in its bastion Gujarat - Patidar agitation leader received a considerable boost swell its tally in Kerala with added. Pompeo said the US was ments stating that it was based where polling will be held for all Patel, who joined the Congress following its alliance with the Rahul Gandhi in the fray from increasing oil production and upon the immediate general the 26 Lok Sabha seats - apart last month, cannot contest due Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). The Wayanad. The party had won 8 was working with Saudi Arabia perception that in the review from Karanataka, Chhattisgarh to his conviction in a rioting case, Congress too is also likely to cut of the 20 seats in 2014 while a and the United Arab Emirates petition filed in the Rafale case, and Uttar Pradesh, where the while Thakor quit the Congress into BJP votes. few more were won by its allies. to ensure that there will be no the Supreme Court had reo- party had done well in 2014. earlier this month. In Maharashtra, the third The BJP too is seeing a realistic disruptions in oil supplies as a pened the case for hearing, and In 2014, the BJP won all the In Karnataka, the BJP is con- phase of polling will be held in chance to win four seats in the result of the ending of the it had not allowed the shutting 26 seats in Gujarat. Being the sidered to have strong footing in some NCP strongholds, including southern state. waivers. out of new facts and documents as was desired by the gov- ernment and that there was generally a sense of victory and Evidence on JeM terror activities shared with China: MEA exhilaration amongst those, IANS Gokhale is on a two-day visit Council) and other authorised Yi not to block a resolution to Last month, Beijing placed its who had been campaigning for NEW DELHI/BEIJING to Beijing where he met Chinese bodies of the UN to take a declare Azhar an international latest “technical hold”, for the inquiry into the Rafale issue. Foreign Minister Wang Yi and decision on the listing of Masood terrorist at a UN panel. fourth time, on a US-sponsored Although, Rahul insisted India has shared with China “all told him that Beijing needed to Azhar (as international ter- China has been blocking resolution against Azhar, a move that his party continued to evidences” of the terrorist activ- be “sensitive” to New Delhi’s rorist),” the MEA spokesperson India’s move to enlist Azhar as that India called “disappointing”. believe that the Rafale was “a ities of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) concerns. said. an international terrorist at the “India will continue to pursue all tainted deal”, and “the remarks and its chief Masood Azhar, the “We have shared with China He was responding to UN Security Council. available avenues to ensure that that I had deliberately and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) all evidences of the terrorist queries on the discussions that Azhar founded the JeM mil- terrorist leaders who are intentionally suggested that this said yesterday as Foreign activities of Jaish-e-Mohammad Gokhale held in Beijing with itant group, which claimed involved in heinous attacks on Court had said Chowkidar Chor Secretary Vijay Gokhale held and its leader Masood Azhar. It regard to proscribing of Azhar. responsibility for the Pulwama our citizens are brought to Hai! Nothing could be farther talks with the Chinese leadership is now for the 1267 Sanctions Gokhale is understood to have terror attack which killed 40 justice,” the MEA spokesperson from my mind”, he said. in Beijing. Committee (of the UN Security made attempts to convince Wang CRPF personnel on February 14. said. 12 ASIA TUESDAY 23 APRIL 2019

Philippines says Pakistan, Iran to set up joint border force: Rouhani journalists out to AFP Prime Minister Imran ‘destroy’ Duterte TEHRAN Khan said officials AFP Iran and Pakistan will set up a from the two countries MANILA joint border “reaction force” will discuss the following deadly attacks on their security cooperation The Philippine government frontier, Iranian President between Islamabad yesterday warned the press Hassan Rouhani announced after against plotting to “destroy” holding talks with visiting Paki- and Tehran. President Rodrigo Duterte’s stani Prime Minister Imran Khan government, as his spokesman yesterday. “We trust that both countries accused journalists of spreading “We agreed to create a joint will not have terrorist activities fake news. rapid reaction force at the from their soil... We will not The warning followed borders for combatting ter- allow any damage to your recent local news reports rorism,” Rouhani told a joint country from our soil,” said the alleging the Duterte family’s news conference, following Pakistani Premier who started a involvement in illegal drugs and months of increased tensions two-day visit on Sunday. raising questions about a large over attacks on both sides of the Stressing that “no third increase in his wealth. frontier. country” could harm bilateral “They are all there doing The border skirts the volatile ties, an apparent reference to the their thing, trying to destroy this southeastern Iranian province United States and its policy of government by spreading false of Sistan-Baluchistan which has isolating Iran, Rouhani said news and planting intrigues been the scene of frequent Tehran was ready to boost trade against the government,” attacks on Iran’s security forces. and business ties with Islamabad. Duterte’s Spokesman Salvador Khan’s visit to Iran, the first “In the current situation the Panelo told a news since he took office last year, region’s countries must decide Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan (left) and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani hold a joint press conference. comes after gunmen who and plan for their interests inde- conference in Tehran, Iran, yesterday. He released a graphic Islamabad says were based in pendently and directly,” Rouhani which he said showed how a Iran killed 14 members of Paki- said. be increased, and that Tehran For his part, Imran said his “strengthening of relations in video of a hooded man alleging stan’s security forces last week “Iran is ready to meet Paki- could facilitate the construction visit to Tehran aimed to “find spite of the will of enemies.” the Duterte family’s role in the in its own Balochistan province. stan’s oil and gas demands... of a railroad connecting Istanbul ways to increase trade and coop- Khamenei blamed those narcotics trade was shared by “The security chief will sit (and) we are ready to increase to Islamabad. eration... in energy and other unnamed “enemies” for the one journalist to colleagues down with his counterpart here (electricity) exports to Pakistan Chabahar, about 100km areas”, noting that two-way attacks on both sides of the Iran- employed by other Philippine and discuss (security) cooper- ten-fold,” he added. from the Pakistan border, is trade was “very limited”. Pakistan border, which the news outfits. ation,” Imran said, although no He said cooperation between Iran’s largest port outside the Imran also met with Iran’s supreme leader said were The news organisations details were given on the joint Chabahar port in southeast Iran Gulf and the only one exempt Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali intended to “contaminate” rela- named have all reported exten- force. and Pakistan’s Gwadar port can from US sanctions. Khamenei, who called for the tions between the two nations. sively on Duterte’s crackdown against illegal drugs that has left more than 5,000 suspects dead Over 40 percent at the hands of the police in Earthquake hits Philippines, at least 8 dead what rights groups have said women in rural may be a crime against Punjab without REUTERS greater death and destruction humanity. MANILA gained traction online. Panelo said the ouster alle- CNICs: Report “We urge them to refrain gations were based on infor- At least eight people have been from spreading disinformation mation shared by a foreign INTERNEWS confirmed dead after a in social media that may cause intelligence agency which he ISLAMABAD magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck undue alarm, panic and stress,” would not name. the Philippines’ main island of said presidential spokesman, “In other words, what these A survey conducted by Punjab Luzon yesterday, and officials Salvador Panelo. In Manila, the people are doing is to give Commission on Status of feared dozens could be trapped quake, shortly after 5pm, caused succour or assist the enemy, if Women revealed that in rural in the rubble of a collapsed tall buildings to sway for several they are not the enemy them- areas of Punjab only 56 percent commercial building. minutes in the main business selves,” Panelo said. of young women have Compu- The quake hit 60km districts. “We got nervous, we got Last week Duterte publicly terised National Identity Cards northwest of the capital, Manila, dizzy. I ran downstairs with three lashed out at the Philippine (CNICs). disrupting air, rail and road kids,” said Arlene Puno, a Centre for Investigative Jour- According to the survey, as transport and causing some domestic helper in a high-rise nalism (PCIJ), which published compared with rural peers, 64 damage to buildings and apartment in the Makati financial a report about the rise in the percent urban women aged 18 infrastructure. centre. Elevated rail services President’s net worth. Employees waiting in an open area after being evacuated following or above have the ID cards. The province of Pampanga were halted and workers were “In the coming weeks, I will the tremors, in Manila, yesterday. Fewer CNICs were issued to was worst hit. Eight people were evacuated from offices and con- return the favour. So Philippine women in Punjab (41 percent) killed and about 20 injured, pro- dominiums, sending a flood of Investigative, you better stop,” as compared to men (59 vincial Governor Lilia Pineda later revised down to 6.1 mag- Pampanga’s international people onto sidewalks and into Duterte said. percent), it said. said by telephone, citing infor- nitude, the US Geological Survey airport at Clark, a former US mil- bus queues and adding more Panelo said yesterday that In General Election 2018, 69 mation from disaster officials. and Philippines seismology itary base, was closed and scores chaos to roads that are among the Duterte government was percent of all young women Rescuers were using heavy authorities said. of flights were cancelled after the world’s most congested. putting these journalists and have voted, compared to 32 per duty equipment and search dogs The Philippines is prone to damage to parts of the facility Mark Genesis Samodio, 23, news outfits on notice but cent in the 2013 election. to try to reach people trapped natural disasters, located on the including check-in areas. a maintenance worker at a would not pursue legal action It said that 69 percent of after a four-storey building went seismically active Pacific “Ring Large cracks appeared on Makati condominium in the against them “for now”. political participation has been down, crushing the ground-floor of Fire”, a horse-shoe shaped provincial roads and electricity capital, said the quake’s impact “But if the plot thickens and noted during the year 2010 to supermarket, she said. band of volcanoes and fault lines poles were felled. was unusual, even for a city that they perform acts which are 2018 and only 39 percent of “They can be heard crying in that circles the edges of the Rescue teams in Manila were has grown used to them. already violation(s) of the penal women were aware of political pain,” she said of those trapped. Pacific Ocean. It is also hit by an preparing to reinforce efforts to “I was sitting down then it laws, that’s a different story,” parties and 1.9 percent were “It won’t be easy to rescue them.” average 20 typhoons a year, reach people trapped in Pam- shook so strong I thought I was Panelo added. Panelo said the active members of these The quake was initially reported bringing heavy rains that trigger panga. The government urged being rocked in a cradle,” he government has “never stifled political parties. as being of 6.3 magnitude and deadly landslides. people to be calm as rumours of said. dissent in this country”. 62 percent of young women are using cell phones in Punjab (71 percent urban) while 34 percent have computer literacy. US disappointed at delay 21 percent young women have access to the Internet and out in talks with Taliban of them 82 percent participate in social media forums, it AP to agree on participants, saying added. Survey stressed that the KABUL the talks are Afghanistan’s best National Database and Regis- chance for peace. tration Authority (NADRA), US Secretary of State Mike Before the postponement, which issues the identity doc- Pompeo called Afghanistan’s Washington’s special peace uments to all Pakistanis, should President over the weekend to envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who actively seek to eliminate the express Washington’s disap- has met on several occasions gender gap in CNICs and voter pointment over the indefinite with the Taliban and has pressed registration through extensive postponement of Afghan talks for Afghan-to-Afghan talks, had outreach campaigns especially with the Taliban and to condemn hoped the meeting would bring in high schools and colleges. the group’s latest “spring the sides closer to a “roadmap” offensive,” according to a for a future Afghanistan. statement yesterday. Kabul, which had been side- 2 die in Kazakh The Afghan-to-Afghan talks lined for months from US- were scheduled to start on Taliban talks because the insur- plane crash Friday, but were scuttled after a gents refused to talk directly QNA falling out over who should with government officials, had Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen (left) waves beside Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha NUR-SULTAN attend. offered a massive delegation of as they ride a train during a ceremony to connect the railway line between Cambodia and Thailand The gathering would have 250 participants, including Two people died yesterday in Banteay Meanchey province, Cambodia, yesterday. marked the first time that prominent Afghan figures, gov- when a light plane crashed in Taliban and Kabul government ernment and opposition repre- Kazakhstan. Rail reconnects Cambodia & Thailand after 45 years officials sat together. It was con- sentatives, as well as others to A source in the Kazakhstan sidered a significant first step attend talks with Taliban. Civil Aviation Committee (CAA) AFP train donated by Thailand. Cambodia’s railways - built by towards finding a negotiated end According to a prominent said the light-engine plane POIPET, CAMBODIA The pair stepped from the the French in colonial times - to the war in Afghanistan, Amer- figure on the Kabul list for talks, crashed at Karaganda Airport, carriage in Poipet with their were damaged by the years of ica’s longest conflict, and the who spoke on condition of ano- about 187km southeast of the A railway reconnecting clasped hands held high to the bitter conflict that engulfed the eventual withdrawal of US nymity, several senior partici- capital Nur-Sultan. Cambodia and Thailand was cheers of waiting crowds, country during the Cold War era. troops from the country. pants on the list had received a The official said the Fk14 officially inaugurated yesterday waving flags of both countries. The 48-km section of track The State Department said call from the President’s office Polaris plane crashed when in a bid to slash travel times and Hun Sen described their near Poipet was destroyed in 1973 Pompeo called President warning them they should not conducting a training trip at boost trade between the journey as “historic” and thanked while the rest of the track to Ashraf Ghani on Saturday express personal opinions at the Balapan Airfield in southeast Asian neighbours. Thailand for its efforts “to Phnom Penh had been sus- over the postponement and talks with the Taliban, only Karaganda. Cambodian Premier Hun Sen reconnect the railway between pended for over a decade due to also condemned the recent speak on behalf of the state. He added the circum- and his Thai counterpart Prayut Cambodia and Thailand”. The its poor condition. Taliban announcement of On the other hand, the stances of the accident will be Chan-O-Cha witnessed a signing railway would also better link his It has more than 600 kilo- starting another offensive this Taliban have said they would investigated, and it was possible ceremony at a Thai border post country to other southeast Asian metres of track extending from spring. consider all Afghans at the table that the plane crashed into a before riding together to the neighbours and boost economy its northern border with Thailand In his phone call with Ghani, only as individuals and not gov- flying device while flying. Cambodian town of Poipet on a and trade, he added. Much of to the southern coast. Pompeo encouraged both sides ernment representatives. TUESDAY 23 APRIL 2019 EUROPE 13 Russia hesitant to welcome Ukraine’s new leader AFP Moscow has already Putin’s spokesman Dmitry MOSCOW made the new Peskov told journalists that Russia respects the will of Russia’s reaction to comedian Ukrainian leader’s Ukrainian people but would Volodymyr Zelensky’s poll win job harder with need to see “real actions” by the in Ukraine has been mixed, with an oil export ban elected leader. the Kremlin refusing to congrat- introduced last “It is too early to talk of ulate him but others seeing an President Putin congratulating opportunity to improve ties after week which will take Mr. Zelensky, or of the possibility Moscow’s annexation of Crimea. effect in June, just as of them working together,” The countries have been at Zelensky makes his Peskov said. But seeing a more loggerheads since a bloody first steps in office. pliant figure in Zelensky, who is uprising in Kiev ousted a younger and less experienced Kremlin-backed regime in 2014, than Poroshenko, would be a prompting Russia to annex Poroshenko’s leadership and mistake for Moscow, analysts Crimea and support separatist criticised some of his anti- say. Moscow’s attempts to rebels in the east. Outgoing pres- Moscow policies. manipulate the Ukrainian lead- ident Petro Poroshenko’s tenure But at the same time he said ership have in the past drawn a was marked by the fight against he would keep Ukraine on a pro- popular backlash. Pedestrians walk by the tents of climate change activists blocking a street at the Extinction Rebellion Russian-backed rebels in the Western course. Zelensky rep- Moscow has no strategy as group’s environmental protest camp at Marble Arch in London, yesterday. eastern Lugansk and Donetsk resents “a chance for improving Zelensky’s election was “com- regions, which has cost some cooperation with our country,” pletely unexpected for Russia,” 13,000 lives. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry and now it would have to come Poroshenko also sought to Medvedev said, shortly after exit up with one quickly, said Andrei Climate change protesters curb Moscow’s economic and polls were released. However he Kolesnikov, an analyst with cultural influence in the country. said he was under “no illusions” Carnegie Moscow Centre think- On the campaign trail, the about the president-elect. tank. “There is some hope of Russian-speaking Zelensky cap- The Kremlin yesterday did change in Ukraine’s relations in halt London street blockade italised on frustrations with not react. President Vladimir Russia now,” since Zelensky’s AFP London Mayor Sadiq Khan extinction”. campaign differed from Poro- LONDON also warned Sunday that pro- The police said they had shenko’s pro-war and anti- tests were starting to overstretch made 1,065 arrests and charged EU urges new Ukraine Russian line, he said. “But any Some of London’s busiest streets the police and limiting their 53 people since the first protests careless statement by Putin or re-opened yesterday for the first ability to respond to daily crime. took over a bridge and renowned leader to push reforms Zelensky could halt this.” time in a week as climate change “It simply isn’t right to put London intersections such as Moscow has pressed Kiev protesters regrouped and plotted Londoners’ safety at risk like Piccadilly and Oxford Circus. REUTERS/BRUSSELS for years to stop military action a new course after police made this,” Khan said. “We remain in frequent and hold direct negotiations with more than 1,000 arrests. Extinction Rebellion organ- contact with the organisers to The European Union delivered formal congratulations to Ukraine’s the separatist Donetsk and The so-called Extinction isers retreated by Monday to ensure that the serious dis- novice president-elect yesterday but made clear it expects TV Lugansk regions, but Poro- Rebellion took over the heart of Marble Arch -- a monument on ruption to Londoners is brought comic Volodymyr Zelenskiy to pursue halting reforms, including shenko has refused. Instead he the UK capital in a bid to focus the edge of Hyde Park that to a close as soon as possible and fighting corruption. treated the simmering conflict global attention on rising tem- allows limited protests to con- that only lawful and peaceful In a joint letter as Zelenskiy’s landslide victory over Pres- as a war perpetrated by Russia. peratures and sea levels caused tinue without disrupting traffic. protests continue,” a police ident Petro Poroshenko was confirmed, European Council Pres- Moscow has already made by greenhouse gas emissions. The site has been sanctioned statement said. ident Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean- the new Ukrainian leader’s job The grassroots group was by the police. The London campaign has Claude Juncker praised the conduct of the election even though harder with an oil export ban established last year in Britain About 100 activists also lay no formal leaders and its future parts of Ukraine remain under the control of pro-Russian forces. introduced last week which will by academics and has used day down under the gigantic plan remain unclear. But they stressed that five years after Poroshenko was elected take effect in June, just as Zel- social media to become one of skeleton of a blue whale hanging Some organisers want to in the wake of a popular revolt against a Moscow-aligned pred- ensky makes his first steps in the fastest-growing environ- from the ceiling of the main hall engage in formal talks with the ecessor, Ukraine still had a long way to go to deliver on people’s office. Analyst Alexei Che- mental movements worldwide. of London’s Natural History London mayor and the UK demands for peace, democracy and prosperity. snakov said a lot will depend But it has abandoned four Museum for a self-described government. “Significant progress has been made in the five years since on whether and when Zelensky of five main protests sites in “die-in”. The group’s list of demands Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity,” they wrote. “And much remains will trigger parliamentary polls response to a more forceful Extinction Rebellion tweeted includes a reduction in green- to be accomplished to fully realise the peaceful, democratic and as the legislature has a final say police response and an outcry that the action was meant to house gas emissions to a net prosperous Ukraine that its citizens have called for.” over much of the policy con- from local businesses that deliver a warning about an level of zero by 2025 and a halt cerning Russia. claimed a heavy loss in sales. oncoming “sixth mass to biodiversity loss.

North Macedonia N Korea’s Kim heads to Russia to revive old friendship presidential vote AFP & REUTERS reportedly on Wednesday and analysts. Moscow has already nothing”, he added. “It is not that conflict, and blames it for heads to runoff MOSCOW Thursday. called for international sanctions acceptable.” the division of the Korean Few details have been on the North to be eased, while The inscription on the peninsula, glossing over an AFP Russia’ President Vladimir Putin released, but the summit — the the US has accused it of trying monument in Pyongyang pro- agreement to do so between SKOPJE and North Korean leader Kim first between the two neigh- to help Pyongyang evade some claims that “the great Soviet Moscow and Washington. Jong Un are on track to meet this bours’ leaders since Kim Jong Il of the measures — accusations Union military” had “liberated The Soviets later installed North Macedonia’s centre-left week, Kremlin spokesman met Dmitry Medvedev eight Russia denies. After the Hanoi Koreans from Japanese Kim Il Sung as the North’s leader. presidential candidate held a Dmitry Peskov told reporters. years ago — comes less than two summit, Russia’s ambassador oppression” and their “heroic” An exile who fought as a guer- razor-thin majority over his The ties between Pyongyang months after the Hanoi meeting to the North Alexander Mat- deeds “will shine for 10,000 gen- rilla against Japanese forces in right-wing rival after the first and Moscow, once its most between Kim and US President segora said Pyongyang had erations and more”. occupied China, he had fled to the round of polls, election results important ally, go back decades. Donald Trump broke up without been disappointed by the In fact the Soviet Union only Soviet Union, where records show showed yesterday, with low And after years of abeyance, reaching agreement on the outcome. declared war on Japan on August his son Kim Jong Il was born — turnout spelling potential current leader Kim Jong Un — North’s nuclear arsenal. In its state media, when Kim 8, 1945 — after the US nuclear although Pyongyang insists his trouble for the runoff. the son and grandson of the Pyongyang last week launched “departed from Pyongyang the bombing of Hiroshima. birthplace was a secret camp on The ruling Social Democrat chiefs immortalised on Mansu a blistering attack on US Sec- purpose was the second summit The destruction of the city the sacred Mount Paektu. party’s favoured candidate hill — is looking to revive links retary of State Mike Pompeo, and when he returned he and the follow-up strike that Moscow was a crucial backer Stevo Pendarovski garnered with nuclear negotiations with demanding he be removed from returned from an official visit reduced Nagasaki to a post- of Pyongyang’s and main aid 42.85 percent of the votes and Washington deadlocked and as the negotiations. from Vietnam”, he said. “It atomic hellscape forced Japan’s provider during the Cold War, the opposition-backed Gordana he seeks a counterbalance to Kim has met Chinese Pres- means that it was not the result surrender, ending World War II while Russian became a com- Siljanovska-Davkova 42.24 China. ident Xi Jinping four times in the they wanted to get.” and Tokyo’s colonial rule over pulsory foreign language in the percent, the electoral com- Kim is expected to meet space of a year but is now Washington should offer the peninsula. But Pyongyang’s North’s schools — Kim Jong Il is mission said. Russian President Vladimir Putin looking for wider international concrete concessions rather than official history gives the US said to have been a fluent The third candidate, in Vladivostok this week, support in the standoff, say “only promises, which are barely any credit for its role in speaker. 59-year-old Belrim Reka from the ethnic Albanian minority, is now out of the running after winning around 11 percent of Spain’s rural regions become the votes. The results illustrated a fierce battleground for votes sharp split in loyalties among AP a bigger say in parliament’s the populace, as well as wide- SPAIN lower house to provinces with spread apathy in a country shrinking populations. A few where corruption and cronyism Spanish politicians are swapping thousand votes in these areas has eaten away at faith in campaign buses for tractors, can swing a win for one party or politics. buddying up with hunters and another, turning the “every vote Only 41.8 percent of the inspecting home-grown counts” cliché into a reality for Balkan state’s 1.8-million reg- tomatoes in Spain’s often- candidates far from the big istered voters cast ballots on neglected rural regions as they cities. That doesn’t mean these Sunday, barely passing the hunt for votes in Sunday’s politicians are getting a warm 40-percent threshold that will general election, one of the welcome. also be required to make the country’s most polarized votes Marcy Jurado, 64, lives in runoff on May 5 valid. in decades. central Spain’s Alcudia valley, Although the presidency is The ballot comes as Spain’s surrounded by pastures dotted a largely ceremonial post, a traditional bipartisan political with holm oaks, with her failure to meet the turnout landscape - which used to husband and son, the only minimum would leave the revolve around the center-left remaining residents in the divided country with an Socialists and the conservative village of La Bienvenida. She’s uncertain political future. Popular Party - has fractured wary of politicians knocking on While Prime Minister into five main political parties, farmers’ doors. Zoran Zaev has talked down the including a far-right populist “All I wish is that they don’t risks of too low a turnout, he newcomer. That has spurred a forget about us once the elec- said there would be three Remembering Lenin race for votes in Spain’s over- tions are over,” she said. options: holding a re-run of the represented hinterland, where Socialist Prime Minister runoff, passing constitutional Russian Communist party members and supporters walk towards the Mausoleum of the Soviet state nearly one-third of the seats in Pedro Sánchez is the politician changes to remove the founder and revolutionary leader Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov Lenin, to attend a flower-laying ceremony parliament’s lower house are up most favored by the splintering threshold, or giving parliament marking the 149th anniversary of his birth, on Red Square in Moscow, yesterday. for grabs. of Spain’s right wing into three the power to appoint the Spain’s electoral rules grant parties. president. 14 AMERICAS TUESDAY 23 APRIL 2019 Trump to sanction allies over Iran oil AFP “We’ve made clear — if you don’t abide by this, WASHINGTON there will be sanctions,” Pompeo told reporters. The United States said Monday “We intend to enforce the sanctions.” The it would start imposing sanctions others — Greece, Italy, Japan, South Korea and on friends such as India that buy Taiwan — have already heavily reduced their Iranian oil, in its latest aggressive step to counter Tehran that could purchases from Iran. jeopardize US relationships. The announcement sent global crude prices spiraling its move. don’t abide by this, there will be higher, although President Eight governments were ini- sanctions,” Pompeo told Donald Trump tweeted that tially given six-month reprieves reporters. “We intend to enforce Saudi Arabia and other US allies from the unilateral sanctions the sanctions.” The others — would “more than make up” for imposed last year by the United Greece, Italy, Japan, South Korea decreases in Iranian oil. States on Iran. and Taiwan — have already In seeking to reduce Iran’s oil They include India, which heavily reduced their purchases exports to zero, the Trump has warm ties with Washington from Iran. administration is targeting the but disagrees on the US Trump last year withdrew US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and their son Barron step off Air Force One country’s top revenue maker in insistence that Iran is a threat. the United States from an accord upon arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. its latest no-holds-barred move Other countries that will be negotiated by his predecessor, to scale back the clerical regime’s affected include China and Barack Obama, under which Iran influence. Turkey, opening up new friction drastically reduced its nuclear tough Iran policy has already the latest move as “of great another government. Iran earned “The Trump administration in contentious relationships if the programme in return for alienated close allies, with the importance.” $52.7bn from petroleum exports and our allies are determined to United States goes ahead with promises of sanctions relief. Europeans supporting the 2015 Just two weeks ago, Trump in 2017, according to the oil sustain and expand the sanctions over buying Iranian oil. Pompeo said the United accord — with which UN took another key step by desig- cartel Opec, before the reimpo- maximum economic pressure Secretary of State Mike States would keep raising inspectors say Iran is complying nating Iran’s elite Revolutionary sition of US sanctions. Experts campaign against Iran to end the Pompeo insisted that the United pressure until Iranian leaders — and setting up a way for their Guards — who are in charge of say it is unlikely that Iranian regime’s destabilising activity States would punish countries come back to the table, although businesses to evade US preserving the regime and have exports will ever be reduced threatening the United States, that buy Iranian oil after May 2, he appeared little concerned sanctions. amassed vast commercial completely to zero, with a black our partners and allies and without spelling out the scope of with wooing them, saying he was A key backer of Trump’s interests — as a terrorist group, market likely to exist. Oil prices security in the Middle East,” the the sanctions. making his demands to “the aya- push is Israeli Prime Minister the first time such action has jumped overnight on reports of White House said in announcing “We’ve made clear — if you tollah and his cronies.” Trump’s Benjamin Netanyahu, who hailed been taken against part of the action by the United States. Trump: Congress ‘can’t impeach’ me US judge refuses AFP disobedient aides are said to impeach,” Trump stated earlier Clinton, but did not deliberately WASHINGTON have saved him from committing on Twitter. “It was the Demo- reach out to collude with the to free WikiLeaks obstruction of justice by refusing crats that committed the crimes, Russians. US President Donald Trump said to carry out his instructions. not your Republican President! During the probe, Trump yesterday that Congress “can’t Asked by reporters at a he said. It confirmed that Russian repeatedly tried to hamper Muel- impeach” him over the findings White House Easter egg event for operatives had attempted to ler’s work, the report said. But leaker Manning of the Mueller report into Russian children whether the prospect interfere in the 2016 election to Mueller did not rule one way or election meddling and his of impeachment worries him, help Trump beat Democratic the other on whether Trump had AFP related to his publishing in alleged attempts to hamper the Trump replied: “Not even a little candidate Hillary Clinton, committed the crime of WASHINGTON 2010 hundreds of thousands investigation. bit.” “Only high crimes and mis- including by hacking into email obstruction of justice. Demo- of secret US war and Defiantly insisting that he did demeanors can lead to accounts. crats, who control the lower A US judge kept Chelsea diplomacy documents and nothing wrong, Trump also impeachment. There were no The report also found that house of Congress, are so far Manning locked up yesterday communications that were denied a portrait of dysfunction crimes by me (No Collusion, No Trump’s campaign took mostly holding off from calling for refusing to testify in the stolen by Manning. in the White House where Obstruction), so you can’t advantage of the impact on for impeachment proceedings. secret grand jury investigation At the time, she was a US of WikiLeaks, despite its Army intelligence official founder Julian Assange having going by the name Bradley Trump’s Fed already been charged in the Manning, before she case. underwent gender reas- pick Cain A panel of judges rejected signment treatment and took Manning’s appeal against her the name Chelsea. pulls out March 8 jailing for contempt In 2013, Manning was sen- after she refused to give tes- tenced to 35 years in prison, AFP timony in the case, on the but her sentence was com- WASHINGTON grounds that she believes the muted in 2017 by president grand jury system is unfair and Barack Obama. Herman Cain, the former pizza used to persecute activists. In the past two years, the chain executive picked by Manning “failed to US government has sought to Donald Trump for an empty properly address the issue of build a case against Assange seat on the US Federal Reserve, grand jury abuse” and other over his publication of a series has withdrawn his candidacy, issues she raised in her appeal, of leaks of highly sensitive US the president said yesterday. the judges said in a statement. intelligence, military and dip- Cain’s chances were scup- The court ruling means lomatic materials. pered after four Senate Repub- Manning will remain locked The unsealing of the licans went public with their up in a detention centre until indictment against him — opposition to him getting onto she agrees to testify or the originally set more than one the board of the central bank. grand jury investigation ends. year ago — had suggested that Cain was also opposed by Bolivia- Argentina ties The ruling came 11 days the secret grand jury had com- Democrats, meaning his nom- after the federal court in Alex- pleted its work, but Manning’s Bolivian President Evo Morales (left) speaks next to his Argentinian counterpart Mauricio Macri during ination would fail to win con- andria, Virginia unsealed continued incarceration indi- a press conference at Casa Rosada presidential palace in Buenos Aires, yesterday. firmation in the upper house. charges against Assange cates that it is still working. 25 dead as bus falls Democrats’ views vary on action 6 people dead in Texas small into ravine in Bolivia after Mueller report: Pelosi plane crash

AFP Argentina, pleaded on Twitter REUTERS House Democrats will discuss AP LA PAZ for bus drivers to take more WASHINGTON their next steps in a conference DALLAS care. call. Pelosi and some other Dem- A bus fell 200 metres into a “Very sad about the terrible US House Democrats’ views vary ocratic party leaders have been All six people aboard a small ravine, leaving 25 people dead accident that happened on the on how to proceed after last wary of impeachment just 18 plane died yesterday when it after a collision involving two La Paz-Yungas road,” he wrote. week’s release of a redacted months before the November crashed while preparing to land trucks, Bolivian police said “Our condolences to the rel- version of Special Counsel 2020 presidential election, in central Texas, authorities yesterday. The bus was atives of the deceased. To our Robert Mueller’s Russia probe, although prominent liberals said. The twin-engine aircraft attempting to overtake a truck brother drivers we ask you to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have demanded the start of pro- went down just before 9am as on Sunday night when it crashed always be very careful; taking (pictured) said yesterday. ceedings to remove Trump from it was approaching an airport head-on into another to the care of life is the most important In a letter to fellow Demo- office since the release of a in Kerrville, about 70 miles north of La Paz, police chief Yuri thing.” Calderon said firefighters cratic lawmakers, Pelosi said it redacted version of Mueller’s northwest of San Antonio, Calderon said. were working at the scene. is “important to know that the report on Thursday. according to a Federal Aviation “That’s why the vehicle lost Rescuers descended the facts regarding holding the pres- “While our views range from House Judiciary Committee Administration spokesman. control and went over the cliff precipice on a rope and brought ident accountable can be gained proceeding to investigate the Chairman Jerrold Nadler, whose The pilot and other five (falling) 200 metres” said Cal- up the victims and survivors one outside of impeachment findings of the Mueller report or panel would spearhead any people aboard the plane were deron, who initially gave a death by one, television images on the hearings.” She added that Pres- proceeding directly to impeachment proceedings, said all killed, and state law toll of 17. Highway patrol chief Unitel channel showed. ident Donald Trump engaged in impeachment, we all firmly on Sunday that Democrats enforcement officials are Fernando Rojas, cited by Fides The destroyed bus could be highly unethical and unscru- agree that we should proceed would press ahead with inves- securing the crash site for FAA news agency, revised that seen at the bottom of the ravine. pulous behaviour “whether cur- down a path of finding the truth,” tigations of Trump in Congress and National Transportation number soon afterward. The bus, operated by Totai, rently indictable or not”. Pelosi said in her letter. and “see where the facts lead Safety Board investigators, said “We’re recovering the was travelling north from La Top congressional Demo- “As we proceed to uncover us.” The redacted version of Sgt. Orlando Moreno, a bodies, we’re talking now about Paz, the administrative capital, crats have left the door open to the truth and present additional Mueller’s report on Russian spokesman for the Texas 25 confirmed dead and 24 to the Amazon town of pursuing the impeachment of needed reforms to protect our interference outlined multiple Department of Public Safety. injured, who have been trans- Rurrenabaque. Trump, a Republican, but have democracy, we must show the instances where Trump tried to The Beechcraft BE58 took ferred to various hospitals,” said The death toll makes this the also said they would first need American people we are pro- thwart the probe. While it off from an airport outside Rojas. most deadly bus accident this to complete their own probe into ceeding free from passion or stopped short of concluding Houston earlier on Monday and Bolivia’s President Evo year in a country that has a sorry whether he obstructed justice in prejudice, strictly on the pres- Trump had committed a crime, crashed about 6 mile northwest Morales, who is visiting record for highway safety. Mueller’s investigation. entation of fact,” she wrote. it did not exonerate him. of Kerrville Municipal Airport. TUESDAY 23 APRIL 2019 HOME 15 Ooredoo partners with Smart Management IT Solutions

THE PENINSULA Under the new IT Solutions to the next level meet the needs of individual DOHA agreement, Ooredoo underlines our support for customers. will offer Smart Qatar’s small- and medium- Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Founder and Ooredoo, the region’s leading Management IT sized enterprises’ digital trans- CEO, Smart Management IT Solu- enabler of digital business inno- formation and Qatar’s diversified tions, said: “By adding Wallpost to vation, has announced a new Solutions’ Wallpost economic growth. Using its portfolio of business solutions, agreement with Smart cloud-based ERP Wallpost, SMEs can gain the Ooredoo can equip SME cus- Management IT Solutions that solution to its SME same capabilities as large enter- tomers with a high-end ERP tool will allow Ooredoo to help small business customers, prises, and securely scale up on that will enable them to smartly and medium sized enterprises our Qatar Data Centre as they monitor company performance. (SMEs) digitally transform by which form a expand.” Qatar’s SMEs can automate day- leveraging the power of cutting- significant driver of Wallpost offers a suite of to-day operations, produce edge cloud-based Enterprise job creation in Qatar. integrated mobile friendly appli- reports, and help managers to Resource Planning (ERP) solu- cations that can be used to massively improve decision- tions. assemble, store, manage, and making and efficiencies.” Under the new agreement, of digital tools for businesses, interpret data from a company’s Business customers can lev- Ooredoo will offer Smart Man- and builds on the existing part- operational activities. erage the Ooredoo Advantage, agement IT Solutions’ Wallpost nership between Smart Man- Wallpost provides real-time making Ooredoo “Best for cloud-based ERP solution to its agement IT Solutions, QNB and decision-making on company, Business”, thanks to its breadth SME business customers, which Moore Stephens. project, and employee per- and depth of talent, best fixed form a significant driver of job Yousuf Abdulla Al Kubaisi, formance statistics. The Wallpost and mobile networks, broadest creation in Qatar. Chief Operating Officer, solution, which is securely portfolio of ICT services and The Wallpost solution is part Ooredoo, said: “Taking our part- Yousuf Abdulla Al Kubaisi, Ooredoo Qatar COO, and Andrew Doxsey, hosted in Ooredoo’s Qatar Data solutions, and trusted partner for of Ooredoo’s growing portfolio nership with Smart Management GM, Smart Management IT Solutions. Centre, can also be fine-tuned to 60 years. QIC Insured sponsors Football Championship organised by HMC

THE PENINSULA citizen and demonstrated its full Tournament organised for their DOHA support to all sports activities and employees. initiatives. Through this partnership, we QIC Insured, the retail arm of In view of the partnership, have once again demonstrated Qatar Insurance Group, the QIC Insured has provided special our continued commitment to flagship insurer of the Mena offers on car insurance, travel, local sporting events and raising region recently sponsored the home, personal accident benefit Qatar’s global profile in support Hamad Medical Corporation insurance & Anaya for HMC of the Qatar National Vision (HMC) Football Championship. employees and their families. 2030.” As a progressive leader in Commenting on the strategic QIC Insured is a trademark Corporate Social Responsibility partnership, Abdulla Y Al Mulla, under Qatar Insurance Company (CSR) and socially responsible Group Chief Administrative (QIC) and is the retail brand of business practices, the com- Officer of QIC Group, remarked, QIC’s personal insurances. QIC pany’s role as a platinum sponsor “We were delighted to partner Insured’s new universe can be highlighted its unilateral focus with Hamad Medical Corpo- experienced at www.qic- The officials during the event. on being a responsible corporate ration to support the Football insured.com BPS collaborates with AKIS for SDGs QDA organises seminar on THE PENINSULA to create lasting impression on also insisted that all the young project and appreciated the BPS fasting safely with diabetes DOHA the young minds was presented children across various schools students for their outstanding per- and got standing ovation. should come together and pledge formance and sense of responsi- QNA assessment of the medical team Birla Public School (BPS) under Bhavna V S, Vice-Principal, to save the environment. bility to the global cause. DOHA of the patient situation. its project ‘Think Globally, Work CBQED, BPS while addressing the Rushali Nair student of grade Marshal D’Silva, Sreelakshmy The seminar also discussed Locally’ collaborated with Al Khor students requested them to be the IX compared the program and Sujith, Betty Leone, Litty Jacob, Qatar Diabetes Association diabetes medication International School(AKIS) instrument of change. As they are Nora Jacob of grade VII proposed Sanchita Banerji and Anam (QDA), a member of Qatar adjustment and the timing of (CBSE), Al Khor for creating the forth coming citizens of the vote of thanks. Priya Sadasivam, Shariq from Art, Music, Dance, IT Foundation (QF), organised a their intake during the holy awareness about Sustainable world the young children should Head of Senior School of AKIS and Social Science department seminar on fasting safely with month. Development Goals - 2030 of have sense of responsibility and CBSE, extended great support of BPS worked hard to make this diabetes, as part of its annual Furthermore, the seminar United Nations Organization. belongingness to the globe. She from day one for this collaborative program a success. campaign on fasting Ramadan also included a lecture by QDA Birla Public School is one of the and diabetes. dietician and diabetes educator few schools in the world and The seminar aimed at edu- Nedaa El Khatib about the pioneer in the Gulf to collaborate cating and providing infor- health risks that people diag- with United Nations Organiza- mation to people with diabetes nosed with diabetes may face tions for Sustainable Devel- and advising them on the pos- during the holy month, such as opment Goals (SDGs). A team of sible risks of fasting and how low blood sugar rates, espe- students and teachers visited to fast safely so that they can cially before braking their AKIS to present SDGs awareness avoid any serious risks or com- fasting as well as high blood program on April 15. plications during the holy sugar rates after having iftar Students gave a power point month. meal and suhoor. presentation to introduce Sus- Hamad Medical Cooper- The lecture also gave some tainable Goals 2030 and appealed ation consultant Dr Mohsen important guidelines to avoid the audience to contribute for the Eledrisi delivered a lecture on the damage and complications global cause. A mesmerising the care for diabetic patients that may occur as a result of Bhavna V S, Vice Principal, CBQED with students and teachers of Birla Public School. dance and a song performance during fasting and the fasting. ABP cross-registration program: A stepping stone to university success

FAZEENA SALEEM Since 2007, over 1,000 students have taken that it gives ABP students the THE PENINSULA classes at these universities during their time at opportunity to experience GU-Q first hand,” said Dr James Mac- For some students, the workload the ABP, which provides high school graduates Gregor, Associate Dean for Aca- of university classes can be in Qatar with the academic and personal skills demic Affairs at GU-Q. intimidating. For graduates of the required to succeed in universities at QF, and GU-Q offers several cross- Academic Bridge Program (ABP), around the world. registration options, including a a part of Qatar Foundation’s Pre- critical reading and writing University Education, it can seem course. This spring, GU-Q is also less intimidating, as many of the school graduates in Qatar with universities in Education City, exclusively offering a section of students are already taking the academic and personal skills our students have a variety of its introductory course on Inter- college courses. required to succeed in univer- options, depending on what they national Relations to ABP ABP also helps to improve sities at QF, and around the are interested in studying,” said students. students’ English, math, com- world. This academic year, 35 Dr Bryan K. Lewallen, Director The benefits go beyond puter, and science capabilities, ABP students took university of the ABP. academia. “The cross-regis- while also developing their time classes in the fall, and 73 are At NU-Q, for example, ABP tration students understand the management skills. taking university classes in the students may enrol in courses ‘culture’ of the university and All six of QF’s American spring semester. such as journalism, political how to be university students,” partner universities based in Dr Mark Newmark, Assistant science, or sociology. “The cross- said Dr Byrad Yyelland, Interim Education City allow well-qual- Director for Academic Affairs, registration program helps to Director of the Liberal Arts and The students selected for cross-registration have a strong track ified ABP students to take cross ABP, works closely with the uni- provide more access to more stu- Sciences Program at VCUarts record in their university courses. registration courses with versities to identify qualified stu- dents, which benefits the univer- Qatar, which currently has eight Carnegie Mellon University in dents and to place them in sities and the students,” said Har- cross-registration students from Qatar (CMU-Q), Georgetown appropriate university courses. iclea Zengos, Senior Associate the ABP in a variety of courses, studying International Affairs communication and minoring in University in Qatar (GU-Q), Students receive full college Dean and Director of the Liberal including math and writing was enrolled in a NU-Q jour- media and politics, adds, “The Northwestern University in Qatar credit upon successful com- Arts Program at NU-Q. classes. nalism course one semester, and journalism course gave me per- (NU-Q), Texas A&M University pletion of the courses. Generally, Students benefit from cross- He also said that cross-reg- a CMU-Q psychology course the spective in terms of what to at Qatar, Virginia Common- about 80 percent of the students registration by being better pre- istration means students then other semester. expect from NU-Q classes, which wealth University School of the taking cross-registration classes pared for university. First, they have one less course to take “Cross-registration helped helped me determine which uni- Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), are Qataris. become more aware of the aca- when they are admitted to me understand the workload in versity I wanted to go to and and Weill Cornell Medicine The students selected for demic expectations of university university. college and how to prepare for helped strengthen my appli- - Qatar. cross-registration have a strong courses, including the type of Students who have taken that, especially since I knew I’d cation to NU-Q. Since 2007, over 1,000 stu- track record in their university reading and writing that is cross-registration courses agree be taking five to six classes at a Also, the course gave me dents have taken classes at these courses, with over 80 percent of expected. that program is very helpful. time,” she said. some background knowledge universities during their time at them earning A or B grades. “The chief benefit of the While at ABP, Maryam Al Khater, Ahmed Al Thani, a that other freshmen might not the ABP, which provides high “Because of the range of cross-registration program is now a freshman at GU-Q sophomore at NU-Q majoring in have.” 16 MORNING BREAK TUESDAY 23 APRIL 2019

PRAYER TIMINGS Arbilli marks 20 years with calligraphy expo FAJR 03. 45 AM SHOROOK 05. 05 AM The British-Iraqi artist has been a widely ZUHR 11. 32 AM MAGHRIB 06. 02 PM recognised artist in the ASR 03. 02 PM ISHA 07. 32 PM field of calligraphy having exhibited his calligraphy- WEATHER TODAY based artworks in many countries around the world, and his current exhibition is a testament of his success.

RAYNALD C RIVERA THE PENINSULA “Identity” by celebrated calligraphy artist Sabah Arbilli on display at “Happy Zone” exhibition at Katara Building 18. RIGHT: “99 names of God” by the artist. It has been 20 years since acclaimed calligraphy master artist Sabah Arbilli mounted his first exhibition in Iraq. galleries of Building 18 with series of Spread throughout the gallery are as an artist for 20 years. It’s always On Saturday, he opened a special solo art pieces both on classical and over a dozen calligraphic sculptures easy for me to escape from pressure exhibition to mark this milestone. modern calligraphic art. One of the some painted in black while others in and sadness in life to switch off com- Known to many in Qatar for his artworks on display is a digital art mix red all in his signature style similar to pletely from outside world and enter monumental stainless steel calli- media work titled “99 names of God” what he used on the Corniche the zone which is more related to me, graphic sculpture on Doha Corniche, comprising 100 separate frames in sculpture. more my conversations in my zone the British-Iraqi artist is currently unique colours and styles. Unveiled in 2013, Arbilli’s from me to myself, where I can create showing a rich collection of recent “Identity” is a painstaking calli- sculpture on the Corniche used cal- dialogue with an audience through the works comprising paintings, sculp- graphic artwork which is a complete ligraphy in the form of individual beauty of art. This exhibition consists tures and mixed media art at Katara visual feast with the intricate callig- Arabic letters put together to create a of artworks which invite you to my Cultural Village. raphy arranged to resemble the shape verse from a popular poem of Qatar’s zone,” said Arbilli. Arbilli has been a widely recog- of a person’s thumbprint. Coinciden- founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed The exhibition was launched by o o nised artist in the field of calligraphy tally, this year marks 20 years since Al Thani. Saif Al Dosari, HR Director at Katara, having exhibited his calligraphy-based Arbilli first created artworks based on Titled “Happy Zone,” the exhi- and was attended by other officials 26 C 31 C artworks in many countries around the letter “Waaw” so he made four art- bition is an invitation to viewers to and members of Doha’s art Minimum Maximum the world, and his current exhibition works with different designs but using experience the artist’s idea of personal community. is a testament of his success. the same letter, all of which are on happiness. The show is open to the public Moderate temperature daytime with some The exhibition sprawls both show at the exhibition. “I am fortunate to be in practice until May 15 at Katara Building 18. clouds and blowing dust to dusty at times at some place.

HIGH TIDE 06:14 –19:52 LOW TIDE 02:21 – 13:52 Millions using

Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department ‘123456’ as password

IANS LONDON

Millions of people are using easy-to-guess passwords on sensitive accounts, with “123456” being the most widely-used on breached accounts, suggests a security study. The study by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre A Tunisian music band performs during the “Malouf Al Khadraa” music night held at Katara Drama Theatre. (NCSC) helped to uncover the gaps in cyber-knowledge that could leave people in danger of being exploited, the BBC Concert shines spotlight on Tunisian music reported. THE PENINSULA General Manager of Katara and Salah had organised several Tunisian cul- For its first cyber-survey, DOHA Al Salhi, Tunisian Ambassador to tural events which aim to introduce the NCSC analysed public data- Qatar, along with several other digni- the Tunisian culture to other commu- bases of breached accounts to A Tunisian traditional music band taries and diplomats, in addition to a nities and they always witness large see which words, phrases and 1348 - The first English order of knighthood was enthralled the audience at Katara big turnout of the Tunisian community turnout by visitors not only by Tuni- strings people used. founded. It was the Order of the Garter. Drama Theatre on Sunday performing in Doha. sians but from other community Top of the list was “123456”, Andalusian classical music at “Malouf Dr Al Sulaiti said that Katara is groups as well,” he added. appearing in more than 23 Al Khadraa” music night. always keen on presenting the dif- On his side, the Tunisian envoy million passwords. The second- The concert was presented by Cul- ferent cultures from all around the said that the musical night took most popular string, tural Village Foundation – Katara in world and this concert opens a audience from Doha to Tunisia where “123456789”, was not much coordination with the Tunisian window on the rich authentic Tunisian real heritage is combined with dif- harder to crack, while others in Embassy in Doha. It was attended by heritage where the classical music is ferent cultures such as the ancient the top five included “qwerty”, Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, mixed with Andalusian style. “Katara Andalusian. “password” and “1111111”. The most common name to be used in passwords was “Ashley”, followed by “Michael”, “Daniel”, “Jessica” and “Charlie”. When it comes to Third Katara Oud Festival kicks off today Premier League football teams in passwords, “Liverpool” came THE PENINSULA at the Opera House where Oud from Kuwait, Yasser Saleh from be screened. Besides his across the globe are displaying first and “Chelsea” second. DOHA maestros from across the globe Iraq, Ibrahim Sukkar from Syria, important contributions in math their skills and craftsmanship on “Blink-182” topped the charts will enchant the audience with Bars and Farouk from Turkey and science, Al Kindi played a big the sidelines of the Festival. The of music acts. People who use The Cultural Village Foundation an extraordinary mix of the East and Yahia Abulfazel from Iran role in enriching traditional exhibition is also showcasing well-known words or names is set to launch the third annual and the West in Oud tradition. are taking part at the festival. music. antique Oud instruments made for a password put themselves Katara Oud Festival today under More than 35 prominent Oud Katara’s First Oud Festival was The daily Oud performances by legendary luthiers (makers of people at risk of being hacked, the theme “Al Kindi” the Muslim players and manufacturers from held in March 2017 and was ded- begins at 8pm at the Opera stringed instruments). In said Ian Levy, technical director thinker and scholar. Qatar, Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan, icated to Ziryab, the legendary House in building 16 by the most addition, the Festival is featuring of the NCSC. Running until April 26, the Turkey, Lebanon, Tunisia, Oman, musician of the Arab and Islamic famous Oud musicians around lectures and forums on Oud “Nobody should protect festival is decorated with an Iraqi Greece, Yemen, Syria and Iran world, while the second was the world, with a workshop on making. The four-day festival sensitive data with something motif as Al Kindi was born in Iraq are participating at this year’s under the theme of Al Farabi Oud manufacturing held in will conclude with an amazing that can be guessed, like their and opens from 10am until 10pm festival. Renowned Oud manu- A documentary about building 19 in between. musical show dedicated to Al first name, local football team and features Oud performances facturers uch as Yacoub Jassim Yacoub bin Ishaq Al Kindi will Gifted Oud makers from Kindi. or favourite band,” he said. SpaceX suffers serious setback with crew capsule accident AP This Dragon was supposed commercial crew capsule, however, were not used CAPE CANAVERAL to be reused in a launch abort programme.” during the demo. test in June, with another capsule The University of Southern SpaceX said it will make SpaceX has suffered a serious making the first flight with a California’s Garrett Reisman, a sure, through the accident inves- setback in its effort to launch crew of two as early as July. former Nasa astronaut who tigation, that the Dragon is one Nasa astronauts into orbit this The SuperDraco abort directed space operations for of the safest spacecraft ever built year, with the fiery loss of its first thrusters are crucial to protect SpaceX until last year, said it was for astronauts. The California- crew capsule. astronauts in flight; they’re a “tough day... not good” for based company released few Over the weekend, the designed to fire in an emergency SpaceX. “But thankfully no one details, though, on the accident Dragon crew capsule that flew and pull the capsule safely away got hurt and with everything we itself and how it might impact to the International Space from the rocket. learn from this anomaly Crew future flights. Station last month was engulfed Nasa said yesterday it’s too Dragon will be a safer vehicle Former Nasa Administrator in smoke and flames on an early to revise the target launch for all her future crews,” he Sean O’Keefe, now with Syr- engine test stand. SpaceX was dates, given that the accident is tweeted. acuse University, said via email testing the Dragon’s abort still so fresh. Until Saturday, SpaceX was yesterday that it’s “too early to thrusters at Cape Canaveral, “This is why we test,” Nasa on a roll to resume crew tell what the implications may Florida, when Saturday’s Administrator Jim Bridenstine launches from Florida. The be.” Nasa astronauts have not accident occurred. said in a statement over the March test flight, to the space launched from Cape Canaveral SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft safely aboard the company’s The company said the test weekend. “We will learn, make station and back, went smoothly. since the last shuttle flight in recovery vessel, Go Searcher, following splashdown at 8:45am area was clear and no one was the necessary adjustments and The SuperDraco thrusters 2011, instead hitching rides on EST in the Atlantic Ocean. injured. safely move forward with our embedded in the sides of the Russian rockets at steep prices.